The screech of steel on steel echoed through the streets near Naruto's apartment, followed by a shower of bright orange sparks.
Clang!
Kakashi skidded back a step, his single visible eye narrowed in focus. Across from him, the Cloud Jonin known only as C shook out his wrist, a new layer of grudging respect in his glare.
"Damn it, Kakashi," C grunted, adjusting his grip on his kunai. "Guess you didn't just copy your way to the top. You've got some decent skills of your own."
"Do you have any idea the diplomatic nightmare you're about to unleash?" Kakashi's voice was tight, the words coming out between controlled breaths. He was still trying to talk his way out of this, even as his muscles screamed for the fight.
C let out a short, harsh laugh. "We're starting it? After all the crap your village has pulled? You're the ones playing with fire and threatening the whole damn shinobi world. Don't talk to me about consequences."
"Those are just allegations. They haven't been proven—"
"Save it! We all know the truth!" C snapped, cutting him off. "The Raikage's orders are clear. We're taking the Nine-Tails jinchuriki today. We're not leaving without him."
Thump. Thump. Thump.
The argument was punctuated by the sickening sound of two more Leaf ninja being effortlessly tossed through the air like ragdolls by Killer Bee.
'This is bad', Kakashi thought, a cold trickle of sweat tracing a path down his temple. Really bad.
Seeing the momentary distraction, C seized his chance and lunged.
"Lightning Style: Lightning Blade!"
Electricity crackled around his sword as he swung it in a brutal, horizontal arc aimed straight for Kakashi's neck.
Kakashi twisted his body sideways at the last second, the charged blade humming past his face. But as his feet touched the ground, he felt a presence materialize behind him—a wave of pure, murderous intent that made the hair on his neck stand up.
'This is bad!'
"Leaf Hurricane!"
A flash of green intercepted the lethal thrust aimed at Kakashi's back. Might Guy landed between them, one leg extended from his kick, striking his signature thumbs-up pose. His teeth gleamed with an almost blinding light.
"Kakashi!"
"Guy?!" Kakashi gasped, his eye wide. "Your injuries... you shouldn't be—"
"A mere scratch cannot hinder the fiery path of youth!" Guy declared, his grin never faltering.
"Yo-yo-youch! You one weird-lookin' freak!" Killer Bee frowned, eyeing the green-clad ninja with the atrocious bowl cut. "Kickin' the Bee? Gonna chop you into salsa, see!"
"Be careful" the sensor-nin, C warned, his expression turning serious. "This one's different."
"Frontal Lotus!"
Guy didn't wait, launching into another powerful flying kick. The clang of his foot meeting crossed swords rang out as Bee blocked it. The brief diversion was all C needed to press his attack on Kakashi again.
And just like that, the area dissolved back into chaos.
—
Meanwhile, on the eastern edge of the village, Yūgao Uzuki was leading a squad of Leaf Chunin toward the escalating fight. For the sake of the village that Captain Yuto had loved so much, she had to step up.
"Eh? Shizune?" Rounding a corner, she nearly collided with a frantic-looking Shizune. "What's wrong?"
"Yūgao! Thank goodness! Have you seen Lady Tsunade?" Shizune asked, her voice tight with anxiety.
"No, I haven't... She's missing?" Yūgao's brow furrowed in confusion.
"She just vanished from the morgue!"
"The morgue?" Yūgao began, but her question was cut off by a piercing shriek from above.
Everyone's eyes shot skyward.
"That's—!"
"A messenger hawk! From the VIP section!"
The blood drained from Yūgao's face, a sentiment echoed by the Chunin behind her. The VIP section. That could only mean one thing: trouble where they could least afford it.
"The VIP section?" Shizune asked, her search for Tsunade momentarily forgotten.
"Where the Fire Daimyo and all his court nobles are watching the exams from" Yūgao explained, her voice grim. "Sorry, Shizune. I have to go."
"Don't apologize. I'm coming with you," Shizune said, taking a steadying breath. A crisis with the Daimyo trumped everything, even a missing Sannin. Tsunade could handle herself. Probably.
With a shared nod of understanding, they changed course and sprinted toward the VIP quarters.
—
Several minutes later, they arrived. The air, usually scented with cherry blossoms and steam from the hot springs, was now thick with the coppery tang of blood.
The scene before them was beyond a nightmare.
The beautifully manicured gardens and exquisitely carved walkways were desecrated, painted in a single, horrifying shade of crimson. Bodies of nobles and their attendants lay scattered, their fine silks soaked through.
"You've got to be kidding me…" one of the Chunin whispered, his voice trembling.
"Damn it! This is a catastrophe!" another cursed, turning away.
Shizune brought a hand to her mouth, her eyes wide with horror. "Who… who could have done this? It's monstrous…"
"The Daimyo!" Yūgao cried out, snapping into action. She sprinted toward the most opulent central building, the others following in a stunned daze. They burst into the grand lobby—and froze.
Standing calmly in the center of the slaughter, as if he were in his own house, was a boy in a pristine white coat, black-rimmed glasses perched on his nose. A gentle, almost placid smile was on his lips.
"Good afternoon, Miss Yūgao. Shizune-senpai," he said, his tone light and conversational. "You're a tad bit late than I expected."
Shizune could only stare, her brain short-circuiting. The words wouldn't form.
"Captain Yuto!" Yūgao's entire body trembled, a wave of disbelief and overwhelming joy crashing over her. The horror around them suddenly seemed distant. "Is it… is it really you?"
One of the Chunin pointed a shaking finger at the far wall. "Th-that's the Daimyo!"
Strung up on the wall like a macabre tapestry was the gaunt, terrified form of the Fire Daimyo himself.
"Indeed, it is," Yuto confirmed pleasantly, as if identifying a common plant. "I sent the hawk. I wanted an audience for his… final performance."
"What are you saying?" Shizune finally managed, her voice numb and distant. The pieces refused to fit together in her mind. "Are you saying… you did all of this?"
"Is there a problem, Shizune-senpai?" Yuto's smile never wavered. It was the same polite tone he'd always used.
Is there a problem?! The question screamed silently in Shizune's head. Why are you alive? Why are you here? Why is the Daimyo on the wall?
Before she could find her voice, Yūgao broke from the group. She rushed forward, tears streaming down her face, and threw her arms around Yuto in a desperate, tearful embrace.
"Captain! You're alive! This is wonderful! I knew it—!"
She was clinging to him. In that moment, nothing else existed for her. Not the dead nobles, not the Daimyo. Only him.
"I saw your speech," Yuto said softly, one hand coming up to gently stroke her lilac hair. "It was very heartfelt. It moved me, Yūgao."
He held her close.
"As a reward," he whispered, his voice still unbearably gentle, "I prepared a gift for you."
Shink.
The sound was soft, wet.
A blade, already dark and slick with blood, erupted from the center of Yūgao's chest.
Her eyes, wide with adoration a second before, now clouded with confusion. She looked down at the steel protruding from her body, a silent question dying on her lips. Then her body went limp, and she crumpled to the floor at his feet.
The lobby became silent again.
Shizune stood frozen, her jaw slack, trapped in a silent scream she couldn't voice, staring at the man in the white coat who was still smiling.
_____
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