Boruto's voice cut through the chaos in the ruined Uzumaki household. "Alright, the last one."
Time seemed to stop as Boruto grasped the final rod. His fingers tightened, and his knuckles turned white. Everyone waited with bated breath, worried about Shikamaru's fate. The air was thick with tension.
Boruto took a deep breath and pulled. The rod came free with a soft crunch. The sound filled the room, a stark contrast to the clashes and broken furniture. "Done."
Suddenly, Sasuke's sword clashed with the attacker's dark rod. A blast of energy shook the room. The attacker struck Sasuke's hand and shoulder, making him cry out in pain.
The attacker's face twisted in anger, hidden behind his black hood. His rod seemed to suck the light around it, spreading evil.
Boruto seized the moment, lifting Shikamaru into his arms. The weight strained his knees, but desperation fueled his strength. Shikamaru's limp body felt heavy, reminding Boruto of the danger.
"Darn it... so heavy!" Boruto whispered, struggling to breathe. Sweat dripped from his brow, his muscles screaming.
He locked eyes with Sasuke, who signaled silently to protect Shikamaru at all costs.
Naruto's eyes widened in alarm as he watched Sasuke stumble backward, clutching his injured hand and shoulder. "Damn it!" Naruto's voice thundered through the room, his face twisted in concern.
Without hesitation, Naruto charged toward the attacker, his feet pounding the floor. His leg coiled with force, unleashing a powerful kick that connected with the man's leg. The impact sent the attacker stumbling, his balance shattered.
The man grasped the floor for support, his fingers digging into the wooden planks as he struggled to regain his footing. His eyes glinted with amusement. "Heh... Must be tough?" His voice dripped with sarcasm, fueling Naruto's anger.
As the man regained his balance, he launched a swift punch aimed squarely at Naruto's face. But Naruto was no stranger to battle. With a fluid motion, he raised his hand, forming the seal for the Multi Shadow Clone Jutsu.
"Don't mock me... ttebayo," Naruto warned, his voice low and menacing.
Instantly, multiple clones materialized around him, each mirroring his stance. The clones encircled the attacker, a synchronized blur of movement as they launched a relentless assault.
Sasuke observed the chaos, his Sharingan eyes locked onto the attacker. He analyzed every movement, searching for patterns or weaknesses.
Naruto's clones pressured the attacker from all sides, but he kept pace with their strikes, dodging and countering with unsettling ease. Naruto's eyes narrowed; this opponent was no ordinary foe.
Determined to end the fight, Naruto sprinted toward the attacker, his clones closing in from behind. "You!" Naruto's battle cry echoed through the room as he unleashed a powerful punch.
But the attacker vanished, as if teleported away. The sudden disappearance left Naruto's fist swinging through empty air.
Sasuke's Sharingan eyes snapped wider, stunned that he'd lost track of the target. His gaze darted around the room, searching for any sign of the attacker's reappearance.
Naruto halted, scanning his living room for any hint of the attacker's escape route. "He disappeared... dattebayo." Frustration etched his face, and he slammed his fist onto the floor. "Damn it!"
The room fell silent, the only sound the heavy breathing of the two shinobi, their senses still on high alert.
Naruto and Sasuke stood panting, surveying the aftermath of the mysterious man's disappearance. The air was heavy with the scent of smoke and ozone.
"We lost him," Sasuke muttered,Naruto's eyes narrowed. "Not yet. We'll track his chakra through my Sage Mode.That's our only chance."
Sasuke nodded. "Do it."
Naruto took a deep breath, focusing his energy. He recalled the wise words of Fukasaku, his Sage Mode mentor: "Emptiness is the key to unlocking true power."
As Naruto's body began to transform, his senses expanded. The forest came alive around him – every leaf, every twig, every whisper of wind.
"I'll track his chakra," Naruto said, his voice now laced with the wise, ancient tone of the Sage.
Sasuke watched intently, his eyes gleaming with understanding. "Be careful, Naruto. We don't know what we're up against."
Naruto's eyes narrowed, his senses heightened as he focused on the faint residual chakra. He had entered his Sage Mode, the powerful energy coursing through his veins like liquid fire. The air around him seemed to vibrate with an otherworldly intensity, as if the very fabric of reality was bending to his will.
"Sasuke, I've got it!" Naruto exclaimed, his voice low and urgent. "The man's chakra is split in two. One's in the village, the other's outside the Leaf."
Sasuke's eyes snapped towards him, his gaze piercing. "Which one is the real target?"
Naruto's brow furrowed in concentration. "The one outside... I sense a deeper connection to his true self."
As they spoke, the village around them erupted into chaos. Explosions rocked the ground, sending debris flying everywhere. Senju Park, once a tranquil oasis, was now a war zone. The clone, masquerading as the real enemy, wreaked havoc with reckless abandon.
"But what about the villagers?" Sasuke asked,
"We can't save them if we don't take down the real enemy," Naruto replied, his jaw set. "If we eliminate the original, the clone will dissipate." With a shared nod,the two ninjas set off towards the real target.
A two-storey house stood nestled in a quiet Konoha neighborhood, its traditional Japanese architecture blending seamlessly into the surrounding landscape. The walls were adorned with subtle, earthy tones, and the tiled roof seemed to glow softly in the moonlight.
Inside, on the first floor, a figure stood before a wooden Makiwara – a training post used for honing one's aim and strength. The figure was none other than Uchiha Sarada, her eyes closed as if focusing on her breathing.
Sarada's short black hair framed her heart-shaped face, and her red-framed glasses perched atop her nose. She wore a green and white full t-shirt, paired with black shorts that allowed for ease of movement. Her hand grasped a kunai, its blade glinting in the soft light.
As she stood there, lost in thought, a memory resurfaced. Her father, Sasuke Uchiha, stood before her, his eyes serious.
"You don't need to compare yourself to Sakura," he said, his voice low and measured. "She is strong, but you are not strong yet. You need to protect yourself."
Sarada's eyes snapped open, determination burning within them. She raised the kunai, focusing on the Makiwara before her.
With a swift motion, she struck – but the kunai veered off-target, sinking into the wooden post at a slightly different angle than her previous attempts. The Makiwara already bore testament to her inconsistent aim, with several kunai scattered haphazardly across its surface.
Sarada's face fell, disappointment etched on her features. Her eyes dropped to the Makiwara, the scattered kunai a stark reminder of her inadequacies.
"I guess I truly am weak... if I can't even..."
Her thoughts trailed off, self-doubt creeping in. The memory of her father's words echoed in her mind: "You don't need to compare yourself to Sakura... You're not strong yet." The weight of those words settled heavy on her shoulders, making her question her own abilities.
But before she could sink deeper into despair, the doorbell rang, shattering the silence. Sarada's head jerked up, startled. Her heart skipped a beat as she wondered who could be visiting at such a late hour.
"Who could it be?" she wondered, her mind racing with possibilities.
"Coming!" she called out, composing herself. She smoothed her expression, trying to shake off the lingering doubts.
Sarada approached the door, her footsteps light on the wooden floor. She opened it to find Mitsuki standing on her porch, his expression grave and serious. His eyes seemed to bore into hers, his jaw set in determination.
"Mitsuki?" Sarada asked, surprise coloring her voice.
Mitsuki's gaze held hers, unyielding. "It's rare to see you sitting at home while the village is in danger," he stated, his tone firm but laced with concern.
Sarada's words caught in her throat. She stood there, speechless, her mind reeling from the sudden rebuke.
Mitsuki's expression didn't waver. "Let's go, Sarada. We need to evacuate the villagers. The village is in a huge mess right now."
Sarada's gaze locked onto Mitsuki's, her eyes searching for answers. "A mission?" she asked, her voice laced with a mix of curiosity and trepidation.
Mitsuki's expression remained serious. "Not yet. I couldn't meet with Konohamaru-sensei. If we had, it would've been a mission."
Sarada's eyes darted away, her thoughts racing. She knew the implications of acting without orders. Her voice took on a cautious tone. "We can't act on our own if it isn't a mission. We'd be removed from our current posts."
Her words were laced with a hint of desperation, a desire to justify her inaction. But Mitsuki's keen eyes saw past her facade. He sensed the turmoil brewing beneath her surface.
As Sarada spoke, her eyes avoided Mitsuki's, her voice barely above a whisper. "Besides... "
Her words trailed off, but Mitsuki's intuition filled in the gaps. He saw the doubt creeping in, the fear that had taken hold of her heart.
"What's wrong, Sarada?" Mitsuki asked, his voice softening. "Did something happen? You're not your usual self."
Sarada's eyes closed, her lashes trembling. Her voice cracked as she spoke. "No, it's just that... what's the point in protecting the villagers if I can't even protect myself?"
The words hung in the air, heavy with emotion. Mitsuki's expression turned empathetic, understanding etched on his features.
"Don't tell me your parents said that to you," Mitsuki said, his tone gentle. "Leave that talk aside. Of course, it's a parent's job to demotivate their child, so they won't be in danger."
Sarada's eyes snapped open, her gaze meeting Mitsuki's. A glimmer of understanding dawned on her face. She realized her father's words weren't meant to crush her spirit but to shield her from harm.
Mitsuki's smile was warm, reassuring. "But it's our job to follow our ninja way, isn't it?"
The words struck a chord within Sarada. Her eyes, once filled with despair, now shone with determination. The sadness lifted, replaced by a renewed sense of purpose.
"You're right," Sarada said, her voice firm.
She looked at Mitsuki, her eyes sparkling with gratitude. "Now I know what to do."
Mitsuki's smile broadened. "Well, then... shall we?"
Sarada's response was instantaneous. "Yeah."
In a flash, they vanished from the house, leaving the quiet night behind. They soared toward the village's main street, their movements swift and synchronized. The wind rushed past them, carrying the promise of a new beginning.
The village was bathed in darkness, the only light coming from the full moon and the raging flames. Sarada soared through the night sky, her face tense with worry. An explosion had rocked the village, engulfing houses in fire and sending people fleeing.
Panicked screams echoed through the streets. Sarada's thoughts turned to her mother, Sakura, and the villagers. "Please, everyone has to get out safely..." she prayed. Her Sharingan activated, scanning for dangers.
Mitsuki flew ahead, his gaze fixed on the blazing houses. "It's an explosion!" he shouted back to Sarada. She yelled out instructions, "let's go evacuate the villagers! Now!" Mitsuki nodded and swooped down, dodging embers and panicked civilians.
Together, they worked tirelessly, rescuing trapped villagers and guiding them to safety. The child Mitsuki had saved clung to him, sobbing. "Everything will be okay," Mitsuki reassured. Sarada's Sharingan continued to sweep the area, searching for any signs of further danger.
As they helped the last of the villagers to safety, Sarada's gaze met Mitsuki's. "What caused this explosion?" she wondered. A faint, ominous energy signature lingered, leaving her with a sense of unease.
The ground trembled beneath their feet as another deafening explosion rocked the village. A nearby house cracked, its walls splintering, trapping screams echoing from within. Panic-stricken villagers fled in terror, their faces illuminated only by flickering flames.
"Aiee!" someone wailed, while another voice pleaded, "Hey, don't push!" A third shouted, "Run! Hurry!" Sarada and Mitsuki stood frozen, their eyes locked on the devastation. Their village, once a haven of peace and prosperity, was now a scene of unmitigated chaos.
Their faces, smudged with dirt and soot, reflected their anguish. Sarada's voice barely above a whisper, "What happened here?" Her eyes, normally bright and determined, now seemed haunted. Mitsuki's gaze mirrored hers, his brow furrowed in concern.
The wind picked up, whipping Sarada's hair into a frenzy. She raised her face toward the sky, her Sharingan gleaming in the moonlight. For a moment, she forgot she was a kunoichi-in-training, seeing only her home, her people, her childhood haven, crumbling around her.
As they stood amidst the devastation, their hearts heavy with sorrow, determination ignited within them. Their village, their home, was burning. And they were determined to protect it.
Explosions rocked the village, four simultaneous blasts shattering the night air. Flames engulfed nearby buildings, casting a hellish glow.
A man's frantic voice pierced the chaos, "Where is Nanadaime sama?!" Another shouted, "Don't stop... run for your life!" A woman wailed, "Waahh! YUMIKO!" tears streaming down her face.
Amidst the mayhem, a small girl was knocked to the ground, crushed by the stampede. She cried out, "Waahh!! Mommy!!"
As she struggled to stand, her eyes widened in terror. A massive explosion was unfolding right before her eyes.
The blast's shockwave rippled through the air, sending debris flying. Flames danced, casting eerie shadows.
The girl's scream grew louder, her tiny body trembling. "Mommy!!!"
Sarada sprang into action.As she rushed toward the girl, thoughts swirled in her mind. "What's happening in the village? Why isn't Papa or Nanadaime sama here? Who's behind this?!"
Her feet pounded the ground, each step fueled by desperation.
Mitsuki's distant shout echoed, "Sarada, wait!" But Sarada didn't hesitate.
She reached the girl just as the explosion's heat washed over them.
With a swift motion, Sarada scooped up the girl and soared into the air, escaping the blast zone.
For a moment, they hovered above the chaos, the girl's terrified sobs filling Sarada's ears.
Then, gently, Sarada set the girl down, asking, "Are you hurt?"
The girl opened her mouth to respond, but her face contorted in pain. She collapsed, clutching her knee. Blood seeped from the wound.
Sarada's eyes widened, uncertainty gripping her. Unlike her mother, Sakura, she hadn't mastered medical ninjutsu.
"P-please hold on," Sarada stuttered, scrambling to think of a solution.
The girl's tears mixed with the blood on her knee, and Sarada's heart ached.The girl's whimpering grew louder, and Sarada knew she had to act.Sarada looked around, searching for any signs of aid or rescue.
As Sarada struggled to tend to the wounded girl, a soft voice pierced the din. "Sarada." The worried tone was unmistakable. Sarada's gaze shifted, searching for the source, and locked onto Kakei Sumire, their class representative.
Sumire's striking purple hair was tied in two neat braids, and her purple eyes shone with concern. Her purple dress, usually immaculate, was now dusty and disheveled. "Sarada" Sumire repeated, her voice laced with urgency.
Relief washed over Sarada. "Oh... Class Rep," Sarada said, her voice tinged with gratitude. Sumire's expression turned serious. "Let me have a look," Sumire requested, her eyes locked on the injured girl. Sarada nodded, "Oh, alright... after all, you're more skilled at this than me."
Sumire's hands moved with precision, assessing the wound. Her purple eyes narrowed, concentrating on the task. The injured girl whimpered, but Sumire's gentle touch seemed to calm her. With Sumire taking charge, Sarada felt a weight lift off her shoulders.
Amidst the chaos, a lone figure emerged. Konohamaru Sarutobi, a seasoned Jonin, stood tall, his brown hair mussed from the wind. His standard Jonin attire was a testament to his experience, and the forehead protector with the Fire symbol emblazoned on it signified his allegiance to the Hidden Leaf Village.
Konohamaru's voice was firm, issuing instructions to Mitsuki, his trusted student. "If you can't contact Boruto, leave him. Take Sarada and start evacuating the villagers. That's the mission priority."
Mitsuki listened intently, his eyes locked onto his sensei. "Alright, sensei."
Konohamaru turned to leave but paused, turning back to Mitsuki. "Start the evacuation from the hospital. That's the primary evacuation point."
Mitsuki nodded, determination etched on his face. "Alright, sensei. Leave it to me."
With a swift nod, Konohamaru vanished into the night, leaving Mitsuki to execute the plan. Mitsuki sprang into action, racing toward the direction where Sarada was last seen.
Though distant, Mitsuki's keen senses guided him through the chaos.He weaved through the panicked crowd, his focus fixed on reaching Sarada.Flames illuminated the darkening village, casting long shadows.
As he ran, the sounds of destruction grew louder – crumbling buildings, screams, and despair.
Sumire carefully applied the scientific ninja tool's spray to the girl's wound. The silver canister with a green sticker and intricate instructions seemed almost magical as it worked its healing magic.
As the wound closed, Sumire smiled warmly at the girl. "Now then, you should be okay."
Sarada watched in awe, praising Sumire's skills. "Wow, Class Rep! You truly are amazing."
The girl's face lit up with a smile, her eyes shining with gratitude. "Thank you, big sisters. Now I'm alright." Sumire's smile broadened, relieved the girl was healed.
Just then, Mitsuki arrived, his presence a stark contrast to the warmth of the moment. "Sarada... let's go." Sarada's voice dropped to a low tone, "Mitsuki."
Mitsuki's urgency was palpable. "Hurry up, Sarada. Konohamaru sensei ordered us to evacuate the villagers at the hospital."
Sarada's expression turned serious, understanding the gravity of the situation.
She turned to Sumire, her voice firm. "Class Rep, please take this girl to the evacuation center." Sumire nodded resolutely. "Alright."
Sumire gently offered her hand to the girl. "Come on, little girl. Let's get going." The girl took Sumire's hand, her eyes still shining with gratitude.
As Sumire and the girl departed, Sarada shared a determined glance with Mitsuki. Together, they set off into the chaos, their mission clear.The village's fate hung in the balance.
And as they vanished into the night, the flames consuming the village seemed to roar in defiance.
---
Quiz Question:
What is the name of the technique Naruto uses to track the mysterious attacker's chakra?
A) Sage Mode
B) Sharingan
C) Multi Shadow Clone Jutsu
D) Chidori
Share your answer in the comments below!