Meeting of the Five Kage
Kakashi immediately went to the Five Kage meeting, which was held in a neutral location, under heavy guard. Around the table, Raikage Darui, Tsuchikage Kurotsuchi, Mizukage Chōjūrō, and Kazekage Gaara were present. Kakashi laid out the details of the attack led by the Akumu Shin'en.
—They used sealed jars to extract the chakra residue from the Bijuus and the Juubi, Kakashi said calmly. Their organization is becoming a direct threat to the stability of our nations.
Gaara, arms crossed, thought for a moment.
—These chakra residues are unstable, but their power is undeniable. If their leader manages to control them, it could pose a danger equal to Madara's.
Darui clenched his fists.
—How did they manage to infiltrate such a well-guarded area? We need to tighten security immediately.
Kurotsuchi, more pragmatic, added:
— It's not just a matter of security. They have advanced sealing knowledge. We need to discover their true intentions.
Chōjūrō turned to Kakashi.
— Konoha seems to have had several clashes with them already. Has your ninja, Naruto Uzumaki, discovered anything concrete?
Kakashi nodded.
— Naruto is working on this case. He has already faced two of their members. We will organize a new mission to discover their main location.
The Kage approved of the strategy, but the urgency of the situation was clear.
---
Return to Konoha: A New Mission
Naruto, Hinata, and Shikamaru were summoned to discuss the next mission. Kakashi, arms crossed, explained to them the urgency of the situation.
— We need to locate their main base. Hinata, you will be essential thanks to your Byakugan. Shikamaru, you will have to coordinate the strategies on the ground. Naruto, as always, you will be on the front lines.
Naruto nodded in determination.
— I won't let these guys cause any more damage.
Hikari, still present in Naruto's mind, watched with interest.
—These humans are still as chaotic as ever. But I have to admit that this organization has a certain ingenuity, she thought.
Kurama growled warily.
— Don't get distracted, Naruto. You have to stay focused.
---
Akumu Shin'en is preparing
In an underground base hidden in the mountains, the leader of the Akumu Shin'en studied the chakra jars. Energy streams danced within, unstable but powerful.
Akiko, who had returned from her mission, stood by his side.
—The jars have absorbed a significant amount of chakra. With time, we will be able to stabilize this energy and use it for our plans.
The chief nodded.
— Good. Raiken has failed, but our progress remains intact. We must speed up our preparations.
Another member of the Akumu, a tall, silent man named Jiraku, intervened.
—The Konoha ninja will not remain passive. We should prepare countermeasures.
The chief smiled slightly.
— Let them come. The more they struggle, the more tired they become. We will wait for them with our traps.
---
On the way to infiltration
Naruto, Hinata, Shikamaru, and a team of elite ninja left Konoha at dawn. Their goal was to find clues to the location of the enemy base.
Along the way, Naruto noticed Hinata's concerned look.
— Hinata, is everything okay? he asked.
She blushed slightly before answering.
— Yeah, I was just thinking about what's ahead. These ninjas are different... dangerous.
Naruto gave him a reassuring smile.
— Don't worry. As long as we work together, we'll get through this.
Hikari, in Naruto's mind, couldn't help but comment.
— How naive. This blind trust makes you vulnerable.
Naruto ignored his words, but Kurama growled.
— Ignore her, Naruto. Focus on the mission.
---
An unexpected ambush
As they approached a dense forest, Naruto's team was ambushed. Explosive seals hidden beneath the ground activated, forcing the group to scatter.
Shikamaru shouted orders:
— Form groups and keep moving! This is a coordinated attack!
Members of the Akumu Shin'en appeared, masked and armed. One of them, Jiraku, headed straight for Naruto.
— Naruto Uzumaki… Finally, I will be able to test your power, he said in an icy voice.
Chapter 13.2: Jiraku Kaen
As Naruto and his team advanced through the dense forest following the trail of the Akumu Shin'en, an ambush was set off. Explosions of flames erupted, separating the members of the group.
Naruto, after dodging a jet of flames, found himself face to face with Jiraku Kaen, one of the most feared members of the Akumu Shin'en.
While Naruto fought Jiraku Kaen, Hinata, using her Byakugan, detected the enemy positions and guided the team.
Jiraku twirled his flaming daggers, a chain between them creating a glowing circle around him. His red hair blazed like a living torch, and his black and gold cloak reflected the light of his flames.
—Naruto Uzumaki, the so-called savior of the world, Jiraku sneered.
Naruto clenched his fists, his face serious.
— Who are you? Why are you attacking villages?
Jiraku burst out laughing.
— Who am I? I am the one who reminds you that your peace is a lie. You do not understand the suffering of small countries! Your peace has never reached ours.
Naruto frowned.
—I don't know what you've been through, but that doesn't justify hurting innocent people.
Jiraku screamed, his flames intensifying around him.
— Innocent? Great nations have never been innocent! You know nothing of the pain of having lost everything!
Jiraku charged towards Naruto, his flaming daggers tracing fiery arcs in the air. Naruto narrowly dodged the rapid attacks, countering with a Rasengan.
— Rasengan! Naruto shouted.
Jiraku parried the attack with a wall of flames, scattering it.
— You won't be able to touch me with such a basic technique!
He fired a wave of fire towards Naruto, who used a series of clones to dodge and reposition himself.
Naruto activated his Kyūbi Mode (KCM), enveloped in golden chakra. His movements became faster, and he began to push Jiraku back with a combination of Taijutsu and Rasengans.
—Impressive, but not enough! Jiraku yelled.
He stabbed his daggers into the ground, releasing a massive burst of flames. Flaming circles erupted around him, forming a barrier of fire.
— Dance of the Phoenix:
Jiraku transformed his flames into fiery birds that attacked Naruto and his clones. Naruto used chakra orbs to destroy the flames, but the intense heat forced him to retreat.
Suddenly, Jiraku ripped off the belt containing the residue of Son Goku's chakra. The red chakra seeped into his body, and he screamed in pain, before transforming into a humanoid phoenix.
—Now see the true power of fire! he shouted.
In this form, Jiraku became faster and his flames more destructive. He charged at Naruto, striking with brutal force that knocked him to the ground.
"It's over, Uzumaki!" Jiraku roared, preparing a massive attack.
Naruto stood up, wiping the blood from his face. Kurama growled in his mind.
—This guy is playing with a power he doesn't understand. Don't lose your focus, Naruto.
Naruto nodded and created a Rasenshuriken infused with Kyūbi chakra.
— You want to play with flames? Fine. I'll put you out in one go!
Naruto threw the Rasenshuriken, which directly hit Jiraku. A massive explosion shook the forest, scattering Jiraku's flames.
Jiraku, injured but still standing, staggered while laughing.
—You are strong, I admit… but I will not fall so easily.
Naruto created another clone and charged up a giant Rasengan.
— It's over for you, Kaen!
Jiraku tried to retaliate, but his flames weakened. Naruto struck with precision, sending Jiraku to the ground.
Naruto approached Jiraku, who was on the ground, badly injured.
—Why do you insist on fighting like this? Naruto asked.
Jiraku spat out blood but smiled.
—Because I have nothing else. You, Naruto Uzumaki, have everything. But we, those of the small countries… we have nothing.
Naruto was silent for a moment.
— So instead of stealing and killing, why not ask for help?
Jiraku laughed weakly.
— Because we cannot ask for what will never be given to us.
Meanwhile, Hikari, in her spiritual form, watched silently. Taking advantage of Jiraku's weakening, she discreetly absorbed some of Son Goku's chakra residing in his body.
—Every fragment of power brings me closer to my goal, she whispered.
Naruto had Jiraku tied up by Konoha ninja, placing him under heavy guard. Hinata and Kiba joined Naruto after fighting other members of the Akumu.
Ino contacted them via telepathic communication.
— We have reports of an attack on a major nation's secure site. Hurry back to Konoha, we have news.
Naruto clenched his fists.
— It's not over. This organization is hiding something much more dangerous.
Shikamaru inspected the remains.
—They weren't there to kill us. They wanted to slow our progress.
Hinata, exhausted but focused, activated her Byakugan to try to spot traces.
To be continued…