Chapter 10

Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura stood shoulder to shoulder, their breaths heavy as they faced the masked figure before them.

The enemy—cloaked in black and wearing an eerie white mask—tilted his head slightly, as if amused. "You Konoha brats… you're not half bad."

Naruto clenched his fists. "Who the hell are you?"

The figure chuckled. "Does it matter? All that matters is that you're in my way."

Without another word, he vanished—faster than any of them could react.

"Where did he—?!"

Before Sasuke could finish his sentence, the masked ninja reappeared behind him. A swift, brutal kick sent Sasuke flying into a tree, splintering the bark.

"Sasuke!" Sakura cried out.

Naruto lunged forward. "You bastard—!"

But the enemy sidestepped his punch effortlessly and slammed a palm into Naruto's gut, sending him skidding across the dirt.

Naruto groaned, clutching his stomach. "He's… fast…"

Sasuke struggled to his feet, his Sharingan spinning. "Tch… He's reading our movements."

The enemy turned his gaze toward Sasuke. "Oh? You're sharper than I expected. But that won't help you."

Sakura rushed to Naruto's side. "We need a plan. If we just charge in, he'll pick us off one by one."

Sasuke wiped blood from his mouth. "Then we don't give him a chance to counter."

Naruto grinned. "Yeah! Time to kick it up a notch."

Shadow Clone Jutsu!

Dozens of Narutos appeared, rushing at the masked ninja from all angles.

The enemy stood still—calm. Then, with a flick of his wrist—

Fwoosh!

A whirlwind of chakra erupted from his body, wiping out half of Naruto's clones in an instant.

But the real Naruto was already moving.

Sasuke had anticipated the attack, launching several kunai with explosive tags. As they detonated, smoke filled the battlefield—Naruto used the distraction to get behind their opponent.

"Take this!"

He formed a Rasengan and thrust it forward—

Only for the masked ninja to vanish again.

No—!

Naruto's attack hit nothing but air.

The masked enemy reappeared above him, foot aimed at Naruto's head.

But just before impact—

Sasuke's Chidori cut through the air like lightning.

Their opponent twisted mid-air, barely avoiding the attack as Sasuke's blade of lightning scorched the earth.

"Tch." The enemy landed gracefully. "Maybe I underestimated you brats."

Sasuke smirked. "You think?"

The masked figure chuckled. "No matter. This fight is just getting started."

And in a flash, the real battle began.

Back in Konoha – Kushina's Worry

Moe sat cross-legged on the training ground, panting from exhaustion. He had been training for hours, determined to master the Rasengan, but his body was starting to give out.

Kushina stood nearby, watching him with a conflicted expression. She admired his determination, but deep down, something gnawed at her.

Something felt wrong.

She had learned long ago to trust her instincts, and right now, they were screaming at her.

"Moe, take a break," she finally said.

Moe wiped his forehead. "But I almost—"

"Now, squirt."

Her tone left no room for argument. Moe huffed but obeyed, sitting on a nearby rock.

Kushina stared toward the horizon, unease twisting in her stomach.

Minato had left the village that morning for a diplomatic mission. Kakashi, Rin, and Obito were overseeing the other Genin teams. And while things had been peaceful, something about today felt off.

Moe swung his legs back and forth. "Mommy?"

She blinked, pulled from her thoughts. "Yeah, squirt?"

Moe tilted his head. "You're making that face again."

Kushina raised an eyebrow. "What face?"

"The 'I'm worried but I don't wanna say it' face."

Kushina sighed. "You're too sharp for your own good."

Moe grinned. "That's what Daddy says too."

Kushina sat beside him, ruffling his hair. "Listen, kiddo. If anything ever happens… I need you to promise me something."

Moe's smile faded. "Promise what?"

She placed a hand on his chest, right over his heart. "That you'll be careful. That you won't run off and do anything reckless."

Moe hesitated. "But… what if I need to protect you?"

Kushina felt her heart tighten.

This kid…

She pulled him into a hug, holding him close.

"Just let me be the mom, okay?" she whispered. "You don't have to carry everything by yourself."

Moe nuzzled into her shoulder. "Okay… Mommy."

For a moment, everything was calm.

But far beyond the village, in the shadows of the forest—

Tobi watched.

And he was done waiting.

The battlefield was finally still. Smoke and debris hung in the air as Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura stood over the unconscious bodies of their defeated foes. Blood dripped from a cut on Naruto's cheek, but he barely noticed. His heart was still racing.

Sasuke wiped his kunai clean. "Tch. That masked guy was tougher than expected."

Sakura crouched beside one of their fallen enemies, checking for any signs of deception. "They're really down… but something feels off."

Naruto nodded. "Yeah… that guy wasn't fighting to win. He was just testing us."

Sasuke's Sharingan was still spinning as he surveyed the battlefield. "We need to report this to the Hokage. Fast."

From a short distance away, another group of shinobi approached.

"Oi! You brats still breathing?"

The familiar voice made Naruto's face light up. "Bushy Brows Sensei!"

Might Guy strode toward them, his white vest lightly singed from battle. Behind him, Rock Lee, Neji, and Tenten followed, each looking battle-worn but victorious.

"We wrapped up our end," Guy said, giving a thumbs-up. "But something tells me this mission wasn't just a simple rogue ninja hunt."

Sasuke crossed his arms. "No. The enemy was testing us. And he escaped."

Neji's Byakugan was still active as he surveyed the area. "I sense no other immediate threats. But I agree—we should head back to Konoha."

Tenten tightened her grip on her scrolls. "If something bigger is happening, we need to be ready."

Naruto clenched his fists. "Then what are we waiting for?! Let's go!"

Without hesitation, the two teams turned toward Konoha, pushing their speed to the limit.

Something was wrong. They could all feel it.

And they had to get home before it was too late.

Moe sat on the porch, kicking his legs as he chewed on a rice ball. He had been training all morning, but now he was forced to rest under Kushina's strict orders.

Kushina sat nearby, her long red hair swaying slightly in the breeze. She was sharpening a kunai, her movements slow and methodical.

But her mind was elsewhere.

Something wasn't right.

She had been feeling it for hours now—that uneasy twist in her gut. Like a storm was approaching.

Team 7 and Might Guy's squad hadn't returned yet. And Moe…

She glanced at him. He was still too young. Too small. Too precious.

And she wouldn't let anything happen to him.

Moe, sensing her eyes on him, looked up. "Mommy?"

Kushina snapped out of her thoughts. "Yeah, squirt?"

"You're staring again."

She smirked. "Maybe I just like looking at my cute kid."

Moe grinned. "Of course you do! I'm awesome."

Kushina chuckled, ruffling his black hair. But deep down, the unease didn't fade.

Then—

A sudden burst of chakra flared at the village gates.

Kushina's body tensed. She knew that chakra signature.

Tobi.

As Team 7 and Guy's squad neared Konoha, they felt it too.

A pulse of dark chakra.

Naruto's face paled. "No way… It can't be—"

Sasuke's eyes sharpened. "We need to move. Now."

With a final burst of speed, they reached the village gates—only to find several ANBU on high alert.

A masked ANBU turned to them. "You're back just in time. There's an intruder."

Naruto felt his blood run cold. "Who?"

The ANBU's grip tightened on his blade. "We don't know. But whoever they are… they just walked through the barrier like it was nothing."

Sakura inhaled sharply. "It's him."

Sasuke grit his teeth. "Tobi."

Without hesitation, they sprinted toward the source of the disturbance.

Kushina vs. Tobi – A Mother's Wrath

Kushina had already moved.

She had felt it—the way the chakra slithered through the village undetected.

And now, she stood in the training grounds, kunai in hand, staring at the man in front of her.

Tobi.

Or rather… the twisted clone of Obito.

He tilted his head slightly, his orange mask concealing his face. "Long time no see… Kushina Uzumaki."

Kushina's grip tightened. "You've got some nerve coming here."

Tobi chuckled. "Oh, don't be like that. I just wanted to see how my replacement is doing." His lone eye flicked toward Moe.

The three-year-old Uchiha stood behind Kushina, his little hands balled into fists. He had never seen this man before, but something about him felt wrong.

Kushina took a step forward, shielding Moe with her body. "You stay the hell away from my son."

Tobi tilted his head. "Your son? Oh, Kushina… You know that's not quite true."

Kushina's chakra flared. "I don't give a damn what you think. He's mine."

Tobi sighed. "You Uzumaki women are always so stubborn."

And then—

He moved.

Kushina barely had time to react as Tobi vanished from sight. But she had fought him before. She knew his tricks.

Without thinking, she spun and swung her kunai—just as his hand phased through her.

"Tch—" She leaped back, dodging his counterattack.

Tobi landed a few feet away, chuckling. "Still quick, I see."

Kushina cracked her knuckles. "You have no idea."

Moe watched, wide-eyed. He had never seen his mother fight seriously before. But she wasn't scared. She wasn't running.

She was standing her ground.

And he felt something deep inside him stir.

Something powerful.

Tobi noticed it too. His lone eye flickered toward Moe. "Hoh… That's interesting."

Kushina stepped between them. "I told you. Stay away."

Tobi sighed. "Fine, fine… I'll play with you first."

And then, he lunged.

Kushina's heart pounded as she deflected another attack, her kunai clashing against Tobi's intangible hand. Sparks flew, but she kept her stance firm, standing protectively in front of Moe.

The little boy clung to the back of her dress, his small hands gripping the fabric.

Tobi chuckled, stepping back casually. "Still as fierce as ever, I see."

Kushina bared her teeth. "You don't know the half of it."

She formed a single hand seal—

Adamantine Sealing Chains!

Golden chains erupted from her back, twisting through the air like living serpents. They lashed out, trying to ensnare Tobi—

But he phased through them effortlessly, his body flickering like a ghost.

Kushina clicked her tongue. "Tch—same old tricks."

Tobi sighed. "And you're still just as predictable."

Then, he moved.

Faster than Moe could see, Tobi appeared behind them.

Kushina whirled—too late.

A cold hand reached for Moe's shoulder—

CRACK!

A barrier of golden chakra exploded around the boy, sending Tobi flying back several meters.

Kushina's breath hitched. "Moe—?!"

Moe stared at his hands, eyes wide. The Rasengan he had secretly trained flared to life in his palm, though unstable.

Tobi chuckled darkly as he stood. "Oh… that is interesting."

Kushina wasted no time. She grabbed Moe and leaped back, placing more distance between them.

Her mind raced. What the hell was that?

But she couldn't focus on that now. She needed to—

KRAKABOOM!

A massive surge of chakra erupted behind them—

And in the next instant, Naruto and Sasuke landed between her and Tobi.

Naruto's blue eyes burned with fury. "Get the hell away from my mom."

Tobi chuckled. "Ah… the son arrives."

But before he could say another word—

A blur of green shot toward him at insane speed.

"DYNAMIC ENTRY!"

Tobi barely managed to phase as Might Guy's foot slammed through where his face had been.

The ground beneath them cracked from the sheer force.

Naruto grinned. "Oh yeah—NOW we're talking."

Guy landed, his face serious. "Kushina, are you injured?"

She shook her head, gripping Moe tightly. "I'm fine, but he—" She turned to Naruto, her expression hard. "He was after Moe."

Naruto stiffened. "What?!"

Tobi straightened himself, dusting off his cloak. "So many guests… This is getting troublesome."

Sasuke's Sharingan locked onto him. "Then let's end it."

The battlefield was set.

Tobi was surrounded—Team 7, Might Guy's squad, Kushina, and Moe.

For the first time, the enemy was outnumbered.

But Tobi only laughed. "You think you've won?"

A low rumble echoed through the village.

Sakura's eyes widened. "No—he's not alone."

And then—

The village alarms blared.

The real attack had begun.

Konoha's Battle Begins

From the outskirts of the village, explosions erupted. Several masked shinobi—clones of Zetsu—emerged from the shadows, attacking in waves.

ANBU squads engaged, kunai clashing, but the enemy was relentless.

At the Hokage's office, Minato appeared in a flash of yellow lightning. His face was grim.

Tsunade stood beside him, cracking her knuckles. "Looks like we've got trouble."

Jiraiya smirked, stepping into view. "What's Konoha without a little chaos?"

Minato's gaze darkened. "We end this. Now."

Back at the Battlefield

Tobi tilted his head. "Well… this has been fun."

Then, without warning—

He disappeared.

Naruto growled. "Coward!"

But Sasuke was already moving. "Forget him! The village needs us!"

Moe's eyes widened. "I wanna fight too!"

Kushina kneeled, gripping his shoulders. "Not yet, squirt. You're strong, but you're not ready."

Moe bit his lip. "But—"

She pressed her forehead against his. "I won't let anyone take you. I promise."

He sniffled but nodded. "Okay… Mommy."

Naruto cracked his knuckles. "Alright, let's go!"

With that, they all sprinted toward the heart of Konoha, where the real battle awaited.

The fight for their home had begun.

And they would not lose.