The Akumu Shin'en gang meeting room
In a dark room lit by a dim, flickering light, five seats surrounded a round table made of ebony. Four of them were occupied by silent, menacing figures, each carrying a distinct aura. The fifth seat, placed at the head, was empty.
A deep voice broke the silence:
—The information is confirmed. Raiken has been captured by Konoha ninja, said a burly man, his eyes staring intently at the other members.
A slim, elegant figure to his right crossed his legs, a mocking smile playing on his lips.
—That impulsive fool got what he deserved. Always charging headlong without thinking.
— Akiko, intervened a third voice, more calm but icy. Perhaps, but he remains one of us.
The leader entered at that moment, an imposing figure wrapped in a black cloak, and sat down on the main seat. His eyes roamed over each member, stopping for a moment on the empty seat, as if to emphasize its absence.
"Raiken was reckless," he said, his voice heavy with authority. "But his recklessness could cost us dearly. If he speaks—"
The other members exchanged tense glances.
"We cannot allow Konoha to discover our location or our objectives," the leader continued. "It pains me, but Raiken must be eliminated.
He then turned to Akiko, who was sitting with perfect elegance, absently playing with a red flower between her fingers.
— Akiko. I entrust you with this task. Make sure he does not leave this world alive.
Akiko nodded, a cruel smile playing on her face.
— Consider him already dead.
The leader stood up, signifying that the meeting was over. As the other members left the room, Akiko stood for a moment, her smile widening as she gently crushed the flower between her fingers.
—I'll have fun with this one...and maybe with those Konoha ninjas too.
The next evening, Akiko approached the great gates of Konoha, under the cover of darkness. She wore a simple pale blue kimono, her pink hair tied in a neat bun. She had abandoned her distinctive scarlet appearance for a discreet disguise.
Using a subtle genjutsu, she manipulated the perception of the guards at the entrance, making them believe she was merely a traveling merchant seeking shelter for the night. They let her pass without a word.
Once inside, Akiko blended into the backstreets of Konoha, observing the place with calculated curiosity. She had to locate Raiken and complete her mission quickly, but she couldn't help but relish the challenge.
A village so renowned for its safety… Let's see if it really deserves its reputation.
Meanwhile, at Kakashi's office, Naruto and his team were giving a detailed report on their mission. Raiken, still unconscious, was being held in a reinforced cell under ANBU guard.
"We've taken every precaution," Shikamaru said, consulting the files. "Ino and Hibiki will work tomorrow to extract all the information they can from his mind."
Naruto nodded, but a lingering worry gripped him.
—What if his allies come for him? he asked.
Kakashi, sitting behind his desk, thought for a moment before answering.
— It's a possibility. But Konoha is well protected. As long as we remain vigilant, we have nothing to fear.
Kurama, in Naruto's mind, growled softly.
— Something doesn't please me. Isolated prey always attracts predators.
Naruto frowned but said nothing, preferring to keep his worry to himself.
Akiko, after several hours of reconnaissance, managed to locate the underground buildings where Raiken was being held. She discreetly observed the rotations of the ANBU and noted the entry and exit points.
In an alley, she took out her fan and opened it delicately, revealing poisoned needles hidden within its structure. She stroked them with her fingertips, murmuring to herself:
—They will never know what hit them.
She also dropped a few poison-infused flower petals, which discreetly scattered into the air, ready to affect anyone who got too close.
Raiken… I'm here for you. But I think these Konoha ninjas will make this mission even more entertaining.
As Akiko planned her infiltration, Naruto, back home, felt a commotion in his mind. Kurama growled loudly.
— Someone is here… This is not an ordinary presence.
Naruto sat up, his senses on alert.
— You mean in the village?
Kurama nodded.
— Yes. And she is not a simple merchant or a traveler.
Naruto took a deep breath.
— Maybe I should warn Kakashi-sensei.
In his mind, Kaguya suddenly manifested, observing calmly.
—Another piece is moving onto the chessboard, Naruto. This village will soon become a scene of chaos.
Naruto frowned, the feeling of impending danger becoming harder and harder to ignore.
Chapter 10.2: The Petals of the Night
The night was quiet in Konoha, but for Akiko, it was the perfect time to act. Her figure glided through the shadows, silent as a breeze. The petals she had scattered earlier had already weakened some of the ANBU on duty, plunging their senses into a subtle fog.
Their vigilance is impressive, but not invincible, she thought with a smirk.
Akiko headed towards the underground buildings where Raiken was being held. She used her fan to send
poisoned needles on the few remaining guards, who fell into a deep sleep before they even realized what was happening to them.
At home, Naruto was in a restless sleep. Suddenly, Kurama roared in his mind.
Kid, get up! Someone has infiltrated the village.
Naruto jumped out of his bed, his heart pounding.
Huh? An infiltration?!
Kaguya, in her spirit form, appeared at his side, arms crossed.
This energy... It seems to be a familiar presence, is it a residue?
Naruto frowned, quickly putting on his outfit and rushing out of his house.
Kurama, guide me to that person!
Akiko finally entered the cell where Raiken was being held. He was chained and visibly weakened, but conscious. When he arrived, he opened his eyes with difficulty.
Akiko... What... are you doing here?
She crouched down in front of him, an almost affectionate smile on her lips.
I'm here to free you, Raiken. Well... in a way.
Raiken stiffened upon hearing the implication.
You're here to kill me, aren't you?
Akiko tilted her head, a hint of sadness in her red eyes. The chief can't risk you talking. You understand, don't you?
Raiken gritted his teeth, a spark of rage in his eyes. They're abandoning me after all I've done?
Akiko placed a hand on his cheek, her voice becoming almost soft. It's not personal. But don't worry, I'll make this quick.
As Akiko was about to stick a poisoned needle into Raiken's neck, the cell door shattered. Naruto appeared, surrounded by a golden KCM aura, his face serious.
Let him go! he shouted.
Akiko slowly straightened up, pivoting towards Naruto with calculated grace.
Hmm... The famous Naruto Uzumaki. I've heard a lot about you.
Naruto observed the woman before him, noting her elegant appearance and the strange fan she was holding.
Who are you? And what are you doing here?
Akiko smiled, waving her fan lightly.
Just a flower lost in the night, trying to fulfill its duty.
She suddenly sent a burst of poisonous petals towards Naruto, but he dodged them with a jump.
You won't get away with this!
Naruto charged, throwing a Rasengan at her. Akiko skillfully blocked the attack with her fan, but the impact sent her flying backwards. She landed gracefully, an amused smile on her face.
Impressive. But let's see how strong you are, Uzumaki.
The fight between Naruto and Akiko broke out in the cell. Naruto used his speed and brute strength, but Akiko countered with her genjutsus and poison attacks.
At one point, Naruto felt his vision blur slightly.
What is...?
Akiko laughed softly.
You've been breathing in my poisons. It's only a matter of time before your body gives out.
But Naruto clenched his fists, summoning even more of Kurama's energy to purify his system. Sorry, but it doesn't work on me!
He threw a Rasen Shuriken, forcing Akiko to retreat into an adjacent hallway.
Despite her skills, Akiko knew she couldn't defeat Naruto alone.
What a nuisance, she muttered.
Using a powerful genjutsu, she cast an illusion over the area, surrounding Naruto with clones of Akiko. While he tried to break the spell, she took the opportunity to escape.
When Naruto finally managed to dispel the illusion, it had already disappeared, leaving behind only a faint scent of flowers.
Kurama growled.
She managed to escape.
Naruto clenched his fists.
We can't let her come back.
He turned to Raiken, still tied up and weakened.
You're going to tell me everything. Who is she? And why did she want to kill you?
Raiken, exhausted, growled.
You don't know what you've gotten yourself into, kid...
In a clearing outside of Konoha, Akiko stopped to catch her breath. She stared at a small vial of poison in her hands, a satisfied smile on her face.
This is just the beginning.
As she disappeared into the shadows, the sky above Konoha seemed to grow a little darker, foreshadowing the trials to come.
End of chapter.