SENJU PARK
The scene in Senju Park was a tableau of utter ruin. Where moments before vibrant energy had crackled and the determined shouts of shinobi echoed, now lay a field of stillness. The once meticulously maintained grounds were scarred, craters pockmarking the earth where Hikaru's malevolent rods had struck. Of the one hundred percent of shinobi who had stood ready to defend, a grim tally could now be made.
Roughly seventy-five percent lay motionless, their forms still amidst the debris, the silence surrounding them a stark testament to the battle's brutal efficiency.
A fragile shield of golden chakra, split into two distinct forms, pulsed weakly in the center of the destruction. These were Naruto's Kurama avatars, their protective energy having managed to shelter a small fraction – perhaps ten percent – of the remaining shinobi from the worst of the assault. Within their translucent embrace, the spared could only watch the horrifying aftermath, their faces etched with shock and disbelief.
Elsewhere, the massive form of Gamakichi, the toad summon, hunched protectively over another small cluster, maybe five percent of the original force. Even his considerable size felt inadequate against the scale of the devastation.
And amidst it all stood Naruto, the Seventh Hokage. The weight of the scene pressed down on him, a tangible burden far heavier than any physical blow.
His fists were clenched, his knuckles white, and his orangish yellow eyes, usually so full of unwavering determination, held a deep, agonizing sorrow. The faces of the fallen, comrades he had fought alongside, friends he had sworn to protect, flashed through his mind.
The air was thick with the unspoken grief of the survivors, a silent accusation directed not at the enemy, but inward. For Naruto, the responsibility was absolute. He was the Hokage, the shield of the Leaf. And yet, here, under his watch, so many had been lost. The crushing weight of survival, the bitter knowledge of being alive while so many others were not, was a torment that clawed at his very soul. It was a feeling far more devastating than any physical pain Hikaru could inflict – the profound and agonizing burden of failure.
Among the survivors, a mixture of fear and despair reigned. Those shielded by Naruto's Kurama avatars, while safe from the initial onslaught, were now trapped within the decimated park, their escape routes blocked by the fallen and the ever-present threat of further attacks.
Udon, one of the four shinobi tasked with setting up the perimeter barrier, lay amongst them, his face pale and his eyes wide with a terror that mirrored Naruto's own.
OUTSKIRTS OF KONOHA
The pale moonlight cast long, distorted shadows across the clearing, illuminating a scene thick with apprehension. Every conscious individual was rigid with tension, their gazes fixed on the spot where the disembodied voice had just spoken.
Orochimaru, for once, held a serious expression, his golden eyes narrowed as he subtly scanned their surroundings, a flicker of something unreadable within their depths. Gaara remained stoic, his sand a tightly coiled defense around Kankuro's still form, his usual composure now edged with a palpable wariness. Darui's hand remained clamped on his sword hilt, his powerful frame coiled and ready, his dark eyes darting around, searching for the source of the unseen threat.
Akatsuchi knelt protectively beside Kurotsuchi, his brow furrowed with deep concern, his senses straining for any sign of danger. Omoi's grip tightened on his sword, his youthful face etched with a grim determination as he scanned the darkened trees. Even Kiba, despite his lingering injuries, stood braced, his heightened senses on full alert, trying to detect the presence of the speaker.
The only sounds were the soft rustle of leaves in the night breeze and the shallow, undisturbed breaths of Mirai, Moegi, Kurotsuchi, and Misuno, who remained unconscious on the cool earth. The air itself felt heavy with unspoken questions and a growing sense of dread.
Suddenly, the air seemed to shimmer, the moonlight momentarily distorting as if passing through rippling water. A figure materialized silently from the shadows, his appearance sudden and completely unexpected, amplifying the already taut nerves of everyone present.
His skin possessed a pallid, almost bluish undertone, starkly contrasting with the dark clothing he wore. His hair was long and white, cascading down his back in loose strands that seemed to catch the faint moonlight. His eyes were a striking feature: a pair of pure white orbs, completely devoid of pupils, yet the delicate network of prominent veins characteristic of the Byakugan radiated outwards from the centers, giving them an intense and perceptive appearance. His features were sharp and angular, lending him an almost ethereal yet subtly menacing look.
A faint, knowing smirk played on his thin lips as his gaze swept over the assembled group and the unconscious figures, his unique white eyes seeming to pierce through the darkness with an unnerving intensity. He carried himself with a casual yet confident air, as if completely unconcerned by the palpable tension and the silent, wary scrutiny of the Kage and the other shinobi.
"Who are you?" Akatsuchi demanded, his voice rough with concern as he remained kneeling protectively beside Kurotsuchi. "What did you do to Tsuchikage-sama?" His large frame was tense, ready to defend his Kage at a moment's notice.
Before the mysterious figure could answer, a blur of motion erupted. Omoi, his youthful face set with a fierce, if reckless, determination, shot forward, his katana crackling with vibrant blue lightning.
"Lightning Blade!" he yelled, letting his anger and the sudden appearance of this unknown enemy override any caution. He aimed a swift, powerful strike at the white-haired man.
The newcomer watched Omoi's charge with an almost bored expression. In his hand, seemingly appearing from nowhere, was a slender, red rod with a curved, hook-like tip and a reel mechanism near the handle – an odd weapon resembling a fishing rod. With a casual flick of his wrist, the hook shot out with surprising speed, lashing through the air and wrapping around Omoi's outstretched katana just as the lightning blade was about to strike.
A strange, unseen force emanated from the rod. Omoi's eyes widened in shock as his momentum was abruptly halted, and he felt a strange pulling sensation. With a sharp tug, the fishing rod yanked Omoi forward, his feet leaving the ground. He was pulled directly towards the white-haired man, crashing to the earth at his feet with a heavy thud, his electrified katana clattering away.
The white-haired man casually placed his foot on Omoi's chest, the red rod still connected to the fallen shinobi's katana. A faint, ethereal blue light began to emanate from Omoi's body, flowing along an invisible tether towards the rod in the white-haired man's hand. Omoi gasped, his eyes rolling back in his head as a visible portion of his chakra was swiftly extracted.
"Hmm," the white-haired man mused, glancing down at Omoi with an indifferent air. "Very little indeed… another down. Now will be your all turn if you don't tell me where Uraume is." His gaze swept over the remaining conscious shinobi, the slit-like pupils of his white eyes glinting with a cold, predatory light.
SENJU PARK
Suddenly, a voice, cold and mocking, sliced through the heavy silence. "Quite the spectacle, isn't it, Hokage?"
Naruto's head snapped up, his gaze searching for the source of the voice. Above, suspended in the air amidst the swirling dust and shattered debris, stood Hikaru. A cruel smile played on his lips as he surveyed the scene of devastation. "A true testament to your… 'protection.' You claim to be the strongest, the defender of the Leaf, yet your own shinobi crumble before me like sand."
Hikaru's words were like a venomous sting, striking at the core of Naruto's guilt and self-doubt. The Hokage's jaw clenched, his eyes narrowing into slits. "You… you enjoyed this?"
Hikaru chuckled, the sound chillingly devoid of mirth. "Enjoyed? No, this is merely the beginning. Watch as your precious Leaf crumbles beneath my feet, Hokage. And when it's all over, when the dust settles and the only thing left is silence… I will remind you of your failure. I will remind the world of the Hokage who couldn't even protect his own village."
'So many… I couldn't protect them. I was too slow. Too weak? No…' He pushed the insidious thought away, his gaze hardening despite the tremor in his hands. Around him, Kakashi watched Naruto intently, his black eyes narrowed with concern. The familiar scar ran across the left side of his face. He could sense the turmoil radiating from his former student, the crushing weight of responsibility.
The other surviving shinobi, their faces pale and drawn, also looked to Naruto, their last beacon of hope in this nightmare.
Deep within Naruto, in the swirling consciousness he shared with Kurama, the Nine-Tails could feel the Hokage's inner conflict. "Tsk…" Kurama's voice rumbled, a low growl showing he understood the fight. "His attack was strong and fast. Don't think this means you're weak, Naruto. His power is just different."
"I know," Naruto responded internally, his mental voice surprisingly steady. He unclenched his fists, the action small but significant. "I'm not letting it get to me."
"You're quiet," Kurama continued, sensing Naruto's change, feeling a bit surprised. "What are you really thinking? You have to protect all these injured people."
"This ends now, Kurama. I'm going to stop him," Naruto's inner voice was firm, with no doubt.
"Hmph," a mental scoff came from the Nine-Tails, showing he was still unsure. "Easy to say, Naruto. But look around! You're keeping them safe. How will you fight that Rinnegan user – he's clearly very strong – and still protect everyone? You can't do two things at once."
"That's what I need to do," Naruto replied internally, a new strong feeling in his eyes. "He trapped us here somehow. I'm going to make him take down that trap. Then the others can run. And if that… Rinnegan user tries to go after them, I'll stop him. I'll make sure they get away."
Deep within Kurama, a low rumble started. "That's risky, Naruto. But you sound sure. Alright. Let's see what you can do."
Naruto took a deep breath, his gaze fixed on Hikaru hovering in the air. Despite the devastation around him, a spark of his unwavering optimism flickered in his eyes.
"Hey! You up there!" he called out, his voice carrying across the ravaged park. "What's the big idea, huh? Why are you doing all this?"
OUTSKIRTS OF KONOHA
Orochimaru watched the white-haired man's swift and brutal takedown of Omoi, his golden eyes narrowed in contemplation. 'This one… his appearance is quite unusual. The stark white eyes, the pallid skin… and those prominent veins of the Byakugan. He bears a certain… resemblance… to someone from ancient lore.'
His thoughts were abruptly cut short by Gaara's voice, sharp with authority despite the underlying grief. "Just who are you?" the Kazekage demanded, his sand subtly swirling around him, a silent threat. His gaze was intense, unwavering as he stared at the newcomer.
The white-haired man turned his attention to Gaara, a faint smirk playing on his lips. "Looks like an introduction is required..." he drawled, his voice laced with a dismissive amusement, "Though I hardly see the need to present myself to mere weaklings like you. However..." his gaze flickered towards the unconscious forms, then back to Gaara, "If this charade will somehow loosen your tongues and lead you to tell me about Uraume, then very well. Let me tell you… I am…"
Before he could finish, Orochimaru's voice, a low and thoughtful murmur, cut in, "…like that of an…"
The white-haired man's smirk widened, a hint of arrogance flashing in his white eyes. "Indeed," he confirmed, his gaze sweeping over the shocked faces of the assembled shinobi. "I am Otsutsuki Urashiki."
A collective gasp rippled through the clearing. The name hung heavy in the air, carrying with it the weight of ancient legends and unimaginable power. Otsutsuki…? Another one? How is this possible? The realization sent a shockwave through everyone present, the implications of another being from that powerful and enigmatic clan appearing so suddenly filling them with dread and a profound sense of unease.
Akatsuchi's eyes widened in pure terror as he witnessed the swift and effortless defeat of Omoi and the chilling declaration. 'An Otsutsuki… we can't possibly win against an Otsutsuki!' Overwhelmed by fear and a desperate instinct for self-preservation, Akatsuchi abruptly turned and attempted to flee, his large frame lumbering away into the darkness.
Urashiki watched Akatsuchi's panicked retreat with a look of mild annoyance. "Now where the hell are you running?" he muttered under his breath. With another flick of his wrist, the red fishing rod shot out, the hook lashing through the air and embedding itself in Akatsuchi's back. A visible blue light flared around Akatsuchi's body as his chakra was violently ripped away, causing him to collapse to the ground with a strangled cry. Urashiki reeled in the stolen chakra, a satisfied smirk returning to his lips.
Seeing this display of overwhelming power, Gaara and Darui exchanged a swift, silent nod, a mutual understanding passing between them – attack was their only option. Orochimaru, ever the opportunist, made a theatrical display, launching a few weak projectiles of snake-like chakra towards Urashiki. 'Foolish Kages. This is my chance.' His outward show of assistance was merely a smokescreen, a way to divert attention while he orchestrated his escape. His true priority was reaching Naruto and Sasuke with the vital information about this new Otsutsuki and the mention of 'Uraume.'
Urashiki glanced dismissively at Oroc huhimaru's pathetic attack. As he did, the Sannin took his chance. With a burst of strange, writhing energy, his body dissolved into a mass of countless snakes that scattered across the ground. One particularly large and swift serpent shot off into the broad moonlight, heading directly towards the distant lights of Konoha.
Meanwhile, as Gaara unleashed a torrent of sand towards Urashiki and Darui charged forward, his body crackling with intense black lightning, Kiba, who had been observing the unfolding chaos with wide, fearful eyes, suddenly sprang to his feet.
His earlier pain forgotten in the face of this dire threat and the need to warn Naruto and Sasuke – a motive mirroring Orochimaru's own – he moved with surprising speed, his figure a blur as he raced towards the Leaf Village.
SENJU PARK
"Hey! You up there!" he called out, his voice carrying across the ravaged park. "What's the big idea, huh? Why are you doing all this?"
Kakashi, his black eyes narrowed, exchanged a worried glance with Sai, who stood silently beside him, his expression unreadable.
'Naruto… what's he planning? Talking to the enemy right now? It's too risky…' Kakashi thought, his hand instinctively moving towards his kunai pouch.
Sai's internal thoughts were equally concerned. 'Engaging in conversation in this situation? It seems illogical. The priority should be evacuation, not negotiation with such a powerful adversary.'
Ignoring their unspoken anxieties, Naruto continued, his voice laced with a genuine plea. "Look, whatever happened to make you do this… we can talk about it, right? Hurting all these people… what did they ever do to you? Let them go. Their fight isn't with you. If you've got a problem, take it up with me. I'm the Hokage. Isn't that who you really want to test your strength against?"
Kakashi took a hesitant step forward. "Naruto, wait! This is too-"
Sai, however, stepped in front of Kakashi, his voice firm. "Naruto, with all due respect, this is reckless! We should be focusing on escape, not… bargaining!"
Naruto pressed on, his sincerity evident. "Just let them leave. You want to fight? Fine. I'll give you the best fight you've ever had. But don't involve them in this. They're just trying to protect their home, just like I am. Let them go, and then you and I can settle this, one on one."
A young shinobi, barely out of his teens, his arm bandaged and his face streaked with dirt, looked on with a mixture of awe and fear. 'Lord Seventh… is he really going to try and talk him out of this? After everything that's happened? He's either the bravest man I've ever seen… or the most foolish.'
Another shinobi, a seasoned veteran with a weary look in his eyes, shook his head slowly. 'Lord Seventh… he always was stubborn. But this… this feels different. He's not just trying to win; he's trying to buy us time.'
A moment of silence hung in the air as Hikaru regarded Naruto, a curious expression replacing his earlier cruel smirk. Then, to the surprise of everyone present, he let out a sigh, as if slightly bored. "Hmph. Talkative as ever, Hokage. You really think words can change anything?" He paused, then a flicker of something unreadable crossed his Rinnegan eyes. "Fine. Have it your way."
With a dismissive wave of his hand, the oppressive pressure that had been suffocating the park seemed to dissipate. The invisible barrier shimmered and vanished. The eerie stillness of the fallen clones also began to fade, their forms dissolving into nothingness along with the massive serpant summoning.
KONOHAGAKURE WALLS
High above the ground, perched precariously on the imposing stone wall that surrounded Konohagakure, two figures stood locked in a tense confrontation. The moonlight illuminated their determined faces, highlighting the intensity of the battle that was about to unfold.
Sasuke Uchiha, his Rinnegan swirling in his left eye and his Sharingan blazing in the right, faced his opponent – the older Hikaru, whose own Rinnegan held a cold, calculating glint.
The air crackled with barely contained power.
Sasuke's voice was low and gravelly, filled with a grim resolve. "This time for sure, you're not a clone," he stated, his katana held ready at his side, its polished surface reflecting the pale light. "And this time, I'll finish you, once and for all."
Hikaru let out a dry chuckle, his own stance relaxed yet radiating menace. "Don't tell me your inner instincts are finally telling you the truth, Uchiha?" he taunted, his voice smooth but laced with a sharp edge. "They're right to be scared, you know. You've only experienced a fraction of what the real me is capable of."
He paused, his Rinnegan eye gleaming. "You sure do love to protect that weak Hokage of yours. Tell me, is he truly that precious to you? Or did he finally realize his limitations and run away with his tail between his legs?"
A flicker of anger crossed Sasuke's face, but his voice remained steady, laced with unwavering confidence. "Naruto is more than enough to defeat the likes of you."
Without another word, the battle erupted. Sasuke was the first to move, utilizing his Amenotejikara to instantly swap places with a nearby piece of small rock behind Hikaru on the wall, the stone cracking audibly upon his sudden departure, appearing behind Hikaru with his lightning-infused katana aimed for a swift strike. Sparks flew as Hikaru reacted with incredible speed, summoning a skeletal arm of his Susanoo to block the attack, gouging deep furrows into the Konoha wall upon impact.
"Impressive reflexes," Hikaru sneered, the Susanoo arm now fully formed and glowing with a dark, ethereal energy, further damaging the stone where it exerted force. He retaliated with a powerful swing, shattering a large chunk of the wall as Sasuke was forced to leap back.
Sasuke, landing gracefully on the crumbling edge, unleashed a torrent of Fire Style: Great Fireball Jutsu, a massive sphere of flames erupting from his mouth, scorching the stone and sending cracks spider-webbing across its surface as it hurtled towards Hikaru. Hikaru responded with a casual wave of his hand, utilizing the Rinnegan's repulsive force to deflect the roaring inferno, the displaced flames charring the wall in their wake.
Not giving Hikaru a moment to recover, Sasuke activated his full-body Susanoo, a towering, violet warrior materializing around him, its sheer size causing stress fractures in the stone beneath its feet. With a mighty roar, the Susanoo drew its massive sword, crackling with lightning, and lunged towards Hikaru, its advance further splintering the wall.
Hikaru, unfazed by the immense power facing him, countered by summoning his own Susanoo – a crimson giant that exuded an aura of ancient power, its emergence causing debris to fall from the already weakened wall.
The two colossal figures clashed, their swords meeting with a deafening clang that sent shockwaves through the structure, causing large sections of the Konoha wall to crumble and fall.
As their Susanoo grappled, Sasuke channeled his chakra, black flames erupting around his Susanoo's sword – Kagutsuchi. He aimed a precise strike at Hikaru's Susanoo's exposed joints. The searing black flames melted through sections of the crimson armor, leaving behind trails of viscous darkness and weakening Hikaru's defense.
Hikaru, however, was equally skilled. Utilizing his mastery of all five chakra natures, he unleashed a powerful Water Style: Great Waterfall Jutsu from his Susanoo, the sheer volume of water slamming into Sasuke's Susanoo, the force cracking its armor and further eroding the stone wall with its relentless pressure.
Sasuke countered by focusing his lightning chakra, unleashing a barrage of Chidori Senbon from his Susanoo's hands, the needle-sharp lightning bolts piercing through the water and striking Hikaru's Susanoo, leaving scorched marks and forcing it to raise a shield, further damaging the wall where it braced itself.
Seizing the opportunity, Sasuke focused his gaze, unleashing the inescapable black flames of Amaterasu directly onto Hikaru's Susanoo. The crimson giant roared as sections of its armor were instantly engulfed in the eternal flames.
However, Hikaru's Rinnegan activated, and the black flames were abruptly absorbed into his eye, leaving his Susanoo momentarily unscathed, but the heat still caused cracks to form on the Konoha wall behind him.
Hikaru, gritting his teeth, countered with his own powerful attack. He formed a massive Giant Rasengan in his Susanoo's hand, the swirling vortex of chakra crackling with immense energy, its creation causing the air to distort and the wall to tremble.
He slammed it into Sasuke's Susanoo, the force of the impact shattering sections of its armor and sending tremors through the Konoha wall, causing even more significant damage.
As the dust settled, both Susanoo forms were visibly damaged, and large chunks of the Konoha wall lay scattered below. Sasuke, drawing upon his reserves, channeled his lightning chakra to its limit, preparing his ultimate lightning technique, the sheer power causing the remaining wall around him to vibrate violently.
The air crackled with raw power along with the dark clouds which were already formed due to the fire ball jutsu. Kirin! The immense lightning beast descended, tearing through the sky and striking towards Hikaru, the force of its passage further fracturing the already weakened wall.
Hikaru, sensing the immense power building, smirked. He opened a portal with his Rinnegan, a swirling vortex of space-time appearing beside him, tearing a hole in the Konoha wall as it manifested, ready to either evade or redirect the incoming attack.
He then formed a unique jutsu – a Rasen Ring, a flat disc of swirling chakra crackling with all five chakra natures, which he launched towards Sasuke, slicing through the air and further damaging the wall it passed near.
The clash of titans continued, their battle threatening to tear apart the very foundations of Konohagakure, leaving a trail of destruction along its once-imposing wall.
---
QUIZ QUESTION:
"The concept of "reverses" appears as a recurring idea in our story, "NARUTO: A Change in Timeline," evident in elements like the title and plot points such as the barrier trap turning against the shinobi. Considering the actions and motivations of both Hikaru and the mysterious voice on the outskirts, what underlying thematic significance does this concept of "reversal" most strongly suggest for the overall narrative and the challenges Naruto and his allies are facing?"
(a) It symbolizes the unpredictable nature of time travel and its paradoxical effects.
(b) It suggests a pattern of enemies turning the Leaf's own strategies and strengths against them.
(c) It hints at a future where the traditional roles of hero and villain will be inverted.
(d) All of the above.
Please share your answer in the comment.