The sun was rising over Konoha, casting a golden light over the village under reconstruction. Naruto, who had woken up early, stretched for a long time before heading to the kitchen. Another day full of surprises awaited him, but for now, he only had one thing on his mind: breakfast.
However, upon entering the room, he froze. "Hikari" – or rather Kaguya – was there, sitting at the table, quietly sipping tea.
— Hey, Hikari! Since when do you drink tea like an old lady? he asked with a big smile, hoping to lighten the mood.
Kaguya raised an eyebrow, her tone calm and icy as always.
— This is not tea. It is a herbal mixture I discovered in your reserves. I must maintain my vitality, even in this form.
Naruto sat down across from her, helping himself to a plate of instant ramen.
—Vitality, huh? Worried about your human appearance? he asked, a teasing smile on his face.
Kaguya looked away, crossing her arms.
— This body is temporary. I have no interest in becoming attached to this insignificant form.
Naruto burst out laughing.
— Yet you act rather well. No one has yet guessed who you really are.
Kaguya stared at him, a serious glint in her eyes.
—And it has to stay that way. If one of your friends finds out my true identity, everything could change.
Naruto nodded, his expression becoming more serious.
— Don't worry, Hikari. I'll make sure no one finds out your secret.
As the morning progressed, a messenger came running to Naruto's apartment.
— Naruto! Kakashi-sama wants to see you at the Hokage's office immediately!
Naruto sighed as he stood up.
— Another mission? I just got back.
Kaguya observed him calmly, hiding her interest.
— If it concerns the events of the day before, things may change quickly. Be vigilant.
Naruto shrugged, put on his jacket and left the apartment quickly.
At the Hokage's office, Naruto found Kakashi, Shikamaru, Ino, and Sai gathered around a map.
—Ah, Naruto, there you are, Kakashi began. We have been investigating the ruins you visited further.
He pointed to a location on the map, marking the former Akatsuki base.
—As you suspected, this was indeed one of the main sites used for Gedo Mazo rituals. What is worrying is that these bandits seemed to be deliberately seeking to exploit the chakra residue left behind.
Ino added:
—We also found traces of sealing techniques around the ruins. It's possible someone is trying to recreate or manipulate the Akatsuki's techniques.
Naruto frowned.
— Do you think anyone wants to bring back the Gedo Mazo?
Kakashi shook his head.
— It's not clear at the moment. But if this corrupted energy continues to circulate, it could attract even more problems.
Shikamaru, ever analytical, intervened.
— We must act quickly. If someone actually tries to manipulate this energy, it could cause chaos similar to the previous war.
After the meeting, Naruto returned home, his mind occupied with the information he had just heard. Opening the door, he found Hikari sitting on the couch, flipping through a book.
"So what did they say?" she asked without looking up.
Naruto collapsed onto the couch next to her, sighing heavily.
— Apparently, this site was one of the old Akatsuki bases. They think someone is trying to manipulate the chakra that was there.
Kaguya didn't answer right away, but Naruto felt a tension in the air.
— What? You know something, don't you?
She slowly closed the book, placing it on her lap.
— I know the Akatsuki rituals. Their method of extracting the Bijûs left fragments of energy behind. This chakra is unstable, corrupted by the statue itself. But for those who know how to manipulate it, it can become a weapon.
Naruto frowned.
— So you knew this chakra was dangerous? Why didn't you tell me?
Kaguya stared at him, her gaze icy.
—Because it didn't concern you. You're impulsive. You would have simply attracted more enemies if I had revealed everything to you.
Naruto clenched his fists in frustration, but he eventually sighed.
— Maybe you're right... but you're really annoying sometimes.
A slight, almost imperceptible smile crossed Kaguya's face before she hid it behind her usual mask.
During the night, Kaguya, still in spirit form, returned to Naruto's mental realm. There, she felt the fragments of chakra she had absorbed.
Not enough yet… but it's moving forward.
She delved deeper into Naruto's memories and energy, searching for clues on how best to locate the other chakra sources.
In his cage, Kurama watched silently, his red eyes glowing in the darkness.
—You're playing a dangerous game, Kaguya. But don't think for a second that I'll let you hurt Naruto.
Kaguya didn't answer, but an enigmatic smile played on her lips.
The next day, news reached Konoha: a group of mysterious individuals had attacked a nearby village, using a technique that resembled those of the Akatsuki.
Kakashi summoned Naruto, Ino, and Shikamaru to investigate. As the team prepared to leave, Kaguya watched Naruto from the shadows, her mind still focused on her own goal.
These movements… someone else is trying to exploit these fragments. Interesting.
She knew her plan was in jeopardy. But at the same time, it might present her with an unexpected opportunity.
Chapter 7.2: Shadows at the Borders
In the Hokage's office, a strategy meeting was in full swing. Kakashi was sitting at his desk, while Shikamaru, standing next to him, was presenting the latest information gathered by the scouting teams. Naruto, accompanied by Hinata and Kiba, was listening attentively.
"According to our investigations, a gang is operating in a village on the border of the Land of Fire," Shikamaru explained. "They are stealing supplies and transporting them to other villages, probably to supply a black market."
He pointed to a map spread out on the table, showing an area near the border with the River Country.
— This village has become a strategic point for them. They make sure the villagers are too terrified to intervene.
Naruto slammed his fist on the table, his gaze determined.
—These guys think they can do whatever they want, huh? We'll show them they can't trample on others like that.
Kakashi nodded.
— Naruto, you will leave with Hinata and Kiba. Your mission is to find out who is behind this gang and, if possible, neutralize their operation.
Hinata, who was standing next to Naruto, nodded slowly.
—We'll do our best, Kakashi-sama.
Kiba, with Akamaru at his side, said excitedly:
— No problem, we'll track them down and corner them in no time!
As the team left Konoha, Kaguya observed everything from Naruto's mind. In her spirit form, she stood in a corner of his subconscious, paying attention to every detail.
A human gang? This kind of conflict is insignificant. But… it could be an interesting opportunity to learn more about this world.
Kurama, ever vigilant, noticed his presence.
—What are you planning to do, Kaguya?
She slowly turned her head towards him, her face impassive.
— Just observing… for now.
Kurama growled.
— I've got my eye on you.
After a day of traveling, Naruto and his team arrived at the village in question. The place was in a pitiful state: dilapidated houses, abandoned fields, and villagers who looked at them with suspicion.
Kiba sniffed the air and growled.
— The place reeks of fear. These poor people must be truly terrified.
Hinata activated her Byakugan, scanning her surroundings.
—I don't see any signs of unusual chakra so far, but the villagers seem tense.
Naruto approached an old man sitting on the porch of a house.
— Hey, we're Konoha ninjas. We're here to help you. Can you tell us what's going on?
The old man looked up at them tiredly.
— There's nothing you can do. Those who stand against them always end badly. Leave while you still can.
Naruto clenched his fists, frustrated by this resignation.
— Look, I promise we'll work this out. You have my word.
The team spent the evening questioning other villagers and exploring the surrounding area. Naruto, Kiba, and Hinata eventually learned that the gang members operated primarily at night, using carts to transport stolen supplies.
—They're coming from the north, a woman said, pointing them in a direction. Their lair is surely hidden somewhere in this forest.
Naruto nodded.
— We'll stop them before they can do any more damage.
Later that night, as the team prepared to ambush the gang, Kaguya decided to intervene discreetly. In her spirit form, she left Naruto's body and floated around the area.
She explored the dark forest, sensing the faint traces of chakra left by the gang.
Weak, but organized humans… interesting.
Suddenly, she felt an anomaly. A slightly different energy was emanating from the direction where the supposed lair was located.
This is something that deserves my attention.
She quickly returned to Naruto's mind.
Soon after, Naruto, Hinata, and Kiba took up position, hiding near a forest path. As expected, a group of bandits appeared, pushing carts filled with stolen supplies.
—It's time, Kiba murmured.
Naruto nodded.
— Let's go!
The team leapt out of their hiding place, taking the bandits by surprise. Naruto threw himself into their midst, incapacitating them with quick, precise blows, while Hinata used her Jūken to immobilize several enemies.
Kiba and Akamaru, with their transformation technique, charged the rest of the bandits.
However, in the midst of the fight, Naruto felt a strange vibration in the air.
Kaguya… is that you? he thought.
In her mind, Kaguya answered calmly.
— That energy… there's something or someone else behind that gang. Be careful.
Once the bandits were neutralized, the team interrogated them to obtain information about their leader.
—Who is behind all this? Naruto asked, his gaze piercing.
One of the bandits, terrified, replied:
— He's a masked man… he gave us the means to exploit this strange chakra in the forest. We don't even know his real name.
Naruto exchanged a worried look with Hinata and Kiba.
— A masked man? This is getting more and more suspicious…
Hinata activated her Byakugan again, scanning the forest.
— Naruto-kun… I see a cave a little further. There is a strange concentration of chakra inside.
Naruto stood up, determined.
— Then let's go see that.
End of chapter
The team headed towards the cave, Kaguya monitoring everything from Naruto's mind.
A masked man, fragments of corrupted chakra… this could complicate my plans.
But a glimmer of curiosity shone in his thoughts.
Let's see how far this goes.