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Chapter 20 – Shadows Over Konoha
The morning sun poured golden light over Konoha, but the village's usual warmth felt strangely absent. The market streets were quieter than normal, as if the air itself was holding its breath. Whispers traveled like shadows—rumors of a dangerous enemy spotted near the village borders.
Inside the Hokage Tower, I stood in front of Tsunade, her gaze sharper than any kunai.
> "You're certain about this?" she asked, voice low but heavy with urgency.
"Yes," I replied. "The chakra I sensed wasn't just strong—it was malicious. Whoever they are, they're not here to talk."
Shizune shifted uneasily beside her. "If they're this close, we need to prepare a defensive squad immediately."
Tsunade didn't waste time. "I'll handle the patrols. You—" her eyes locked on me "—will lead the advance team. Find them before they find us."
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The First Signs
By midday, my squad and I were already moving beyond the village gates. The forest was thick with the scent of pine and the distant sound of rushing water. Every leaf's movement felt like it could hide an enemy.
"Stay sharp," I murmured to the team. My Sharingan flickered to life, scanning the treeline.
At first, nothing. Then—
A chakra spike.
It was sudden, like a flare in the dark. Before I could warn the others, three masked shinobi burst from the shadows. They moved with perfect coordination, weapons already drawn.
"Konoha rats," one spat before lunging.
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The Clash
Steel met steel. My kunai intercepted the first attacker's blade, sparks lighting the air. I twisted, using his momentum to slam him into the ground. The second came from the left—fast, too fast. My Sharingan tracked every movement, predicting his strike before it landed. I ducked low, sweeping his legs out from under him.
But the third… he didn't move. He just stood there, watching.
Then I realized—his chakra wasn't just large, it was distorted, almost unstable. The moment I took a step toward him, the forest floor erupted in an explosion of earth and smoke.
The shockwave knocked my teammates back, their cries lost in the roar. I landed hard, my ears ringing. Through the haze, his silhouette emerged—tall, cloaked, and wearing a half-mask that revealed only a smirk.
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The Awakening
"You're different," he said casually, tilting his head. "Your eyes… you've seen battle."
"Who are you?" I demanded.
Instead of answering, he blurred forward. I barely managed to block his first strike, but the force rattled through my bones. His speed wasn't normal—it was like fighting a shadow that hit harder than steel.
Every blow pushed me back. My arms ached, and my breathing quickened. But then something inside me shifted. My vision sharpened further, colors deepening, and patterns within his movements became clearer.
The tomoe in my Sharingan spun—then a third one clicked into place.
I didn't think. I moved.
His next strike came, but I saw it before it happened. My counter hit his guard, forcing him back a step for the first time. His smirk widened.
"Ah… there it is," he whispered. "The awakening."
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Pushing Back
We clashed again, each movement a blur of speed and instinct. I caught his wrist, twisted, and slammed a kick into his ribs. He staggered but didn't fall—if anything, he seemed more entertained.
"You're fun," he said. "Let's see how far you can go before you break."
His chakra flared violently, sending leaves swirling in the air. I matched him step for step, Sharingan tracking every feint, every twitch of muscle. Each strike was precise now, every dodge perfect. My body burned, but my mind felt cold and focused.
One opening—that's all I needed.
I baited him into overextending, then pivoted behind him, pressing a kunai to his throat.
For a moment, the forest was silent.
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The Vanishing Enemy
Then, without warning, his body dissolved into smoke. I spun around, searching—but he was gone.
Not a sound, not a trace of chakra remained.
The others regrouped, breathing hard. "Who was that?" one asked, fear still in his voice.
I didn't answer. Whoever he was, this wasn't over. He hadn't come to win today. He'd come to test me.
And he'd gotten exactly what he wanted.
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Back in Konoha
When we returned, Tsunade listened in silence as I recounted the fight. Her expression darkened.
"You awakened a new stage of your Sharingan," she said finally. "But that also means you've caught the attention of people we'd rather avoid."
Shizune glanced at me, worry clear in her eyes. "If he comes back—"
"He will," I interrupted. "And next time, I'll be ready."
Tsunade nodded slowly. "Good. Because I have a feeling next time, he won't come alone."
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Author's Note:
Hey everyone!
I wanted to make this chapter really push the intensity, showing both the tension of the mission and the emotional impact of the Sharingan awakening. If you enjoyed this fight and want to see what happens when our mysterious enemy returns, don't forget to add this to your collection and drop a power stone—your support keeps me writing!
Also… do you think the masked shinobi is working alone, or part of a bigger plan? Comment your theories—I read them all!
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