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Koharu's breaths came in shallow, ragged gasps as she watched him rise and turn away, his cloak billowing as he vanished into the shadows.
The eerie silence that followed was soon broken by the distant rustle of movementâsnarls, the low rumble of predators lurking nearby. The last remnants of hope slipped away as the gleaming eyes of wolves and other wild creatures appeared in the darkness, inching toward her prone body.
As the first set of fangs sank into her skin, Koharu's final scream pierced the night, carrying her terror and regret into the air above the dark forest.
----
Two days had passed since Koharu's absence became more than a minor worry. The breeze over Konoha carried an air of unease as if nature itself sensed that a deep-rooted force had shifted.
Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage, stood on the veranda of the Hokage Residence, his mind preoccupied with the newly delivered letter from the Fire Daimyo.
The message was curt, but its implications were ominous: Koharu Utatane had failed to arrive at her arranged meeting.
Clutching the letter, Hiruzen's weathered hand trembled slightly.
Koharu had served Konoha... served him faithfully for decades. The four of the old comrades had the same power-driven nature and she was one of his most trusted comrades.
The idea that something had gone terribly wrong filled him with dread.
With a heavy sigh, he called in one of his trusted ANBU.
"Summon Danzo and Homura immediately," he ordered.
The masked shinobi disappeared without a word, leaving Hiruzen to dwell on the matter.
His sharp eyes scanned the horizon. Although he had lived long enough to witness countless losses, this one carried a different weight.
As Hokage, the safety of his people was his responsibility, and the thought of losing a close comrade unsettled him deeply.
A few minutes later, in the War Room, Danzo Shimura and Homura Mitokado arrived.
Danzo's usual stoic demeanor betrayed a flicker of interest as he sat down, while Homura, pale and anxious, fidgeted with his robes.
"What's this about?" Danzo's voice was calm, and calculated, but there was a subtle curiosity lurking beneath.
Hiruzen leaned forward, his tone heavy with worry. "I received a letter from the Daimyo. Koharu never made it to the meeting. This is unlike her."
Homura's eyes widened in disbelief. "That's impossible. Koharu is too meticulous to stray from her duties. Are you certain this isn't just... a delay?"
Hiruzen shook his head. "Two days with no word. I've already dispatched a group of jonins to search for her."
Danzo's gaze darkened. "Hiruzen, the world we live in is cruel, and Koharu was a formidable kunoichi, but age makes us vulnerable. Enemies could haveâ"
"Don't jump to conclusions." Hiruzen cut him off. "We don't know anything yet. We'll wait until we have confirmation before speculating on what happened."
Homura's anxiety was palpable. "But if someone captured her, she held classified information. It could put us all in jeopardy."
Danzo eyed Hiruzen carefully. "It depends on what secrets we're discussing. Perhaps it's time we reconsider how much our elders should be entrusted with."
Hiruzen's jaw clenched. Danzo's suggestion wasn't a mere concern; it was a veiled accusation, and Hiruzen knew the man's ambitions too well. If secrets regarding past covert operations, and the plan regarding the Uchiha clan leaked, it would be disastrous.
"I assure you," Hiruzen said, his voice taking on an authoritative edge, "Koharu would never betray our village, even under duress."
Danzo's lips twisted into a thin smile. "Even the most loyal shinobi can break, Hiruzen. We must be prepared."
At that moment, the meeting room doors slid open, and Hatake Kakashi entered, his usually relaxed posture replaced with grim resolve. His jonin vest bore splatters of mud and debris, the aftermath of a relentless search.
"Hokage-sama," Kakashi said, his voice tinged with a solemn note, "We've found her."
The room fell silent. Homura visibly flinched, while Danzo leaned in with barely concealed interest.
Hiruzen braced himself. "Tell me everything,"
He commanded, though his voice was already lined with grief.
Kakashi took a breath, his lone eye shuttered with pain. "We discovered her in the depths of the Naka Forest, near a site that seemed to have been the scene of a struggle. Wild animals had... done irreparable damage to her remains. However, based on what we could piece together, it appears she had been attacked."
Kakashi paused, his voice softening with regret. "The ANBU team found signs that indicate she may have fought back, but whateverâor whoeverâshe faced was beyond her ability to handle. The presence of predators suggests that she did not die instantly." He hesitated, looking at the three elders, and added, "Her face bore an expression of utter terror."
Homura sank into his seat, his hands trembling.
"What could have done this?" he whispered, disbelief coating his voice.
Danzo's eyes narrowed, his mind already spinning with possibilities.
"We have many enemies, old and new," he murmured. "But to strike down one of Konoha's elders in this manner is an act that cannot go unpunished. Hiruzen, we must prepare ourselves."
Hiruzen's jaw clenched as he absorbed Kakashi's report.
"Did you find anything else?" he asked, his voice tight.
Kakashi nodded, though his expression didn't brighten. "We found tracksâshoes rather than shinobi sandals, suggesting an outsider may have ambushed her. There were also faint traces of chakra residue, but it was too fragmented to identify the assailant. I've already assigned an investigation team to gather more information."
Danzo's eyes flickered with suspicion. "We should consider every possibility. If someone was bold enough to assault Koharu, they may target other village officials next."
Hiruzen frowned, deep in thought.
"Strengthen the village perimeter. Dispatch ANBU to monitor key areas, especially around our strategic resources. We must be cautious but also remain vigilant against jumping to unnecessary conclusions."
Homura found his voice, shakier than usual. "Whoever did this must pay,"
He said, clenching his fists. "Koharu's death cannot be in vain."
"I agree," Danzo said, though his voice held an undertone Hiruzen couldn't ignore. It was a thirst for retribution, but there was something moreâan opportunistic edge. "This tragedy opens our eyes to vulnerabilities we may have ignored."
Hiruzen's gaze hardened. "We will discuss defense measures later. For now, focus on honoring Koharu's memory by keeping Konoha safe. Kakashi, I want updates on the investigation every few hours."
Kakashi bowed deeply. "Understood, Hokage-sama."
He left, his departure a shadow of the heaviness left in the room.
The conversation continued into the night, with strategies and concerns discussed. But Hiruzen knew that whatever darkness had taken Koharu was not only a blow to the village's strength but a chilling reminder that even the mighty could fall.
The shadows of the forest seemed to reach out, their secrets remaining concealed, and the Hokage wondered what else lay lurking just beyond their grasp.
Outside, as the moon cast a silver glow over Konoha, the village mourned not just a loss, but the unsettling realization that danger, once distant, was now at their doorstep.
--- ⌠⌠⌠---
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