"Don't worry everyone, As long as I am here, your safety is assured under my protection", reassured Hiashi, the clan chief.
In a momentary lull, the Nine-Tails paused in its movements, freed from the masked man's control. At that precise moment, the boy lying on the stretcher stirred, his eyes fluttering open.
-------
-------
Hyuga court,
In a grim scene of calamity, the unmistakable signs of disaster were present on every face. Despair hung heavy in the air, mingling with the overt cries of pain that had now become a haunting norm in the area. The atmosphere resonated with sounds of constant anguish, the shrill cries of women and children, and the thunderous cacophony of Jutsus unleashed by the Leaf ninjas. Tremors reverberated left and right through the scene, painting a vivid picture of hell on earth.
The child, connected to an IV for the last hour, was finally awake. His eyes tiredly woke up from slumber as if the very movement was a burden on the body. His thoughts were still jumbled up from the previous series of events. His mind was weakened by the input of all the memories being mixed together. He could still not feel movements below the neck region.
It took him a few moments to move his tongue, form the words in his mouth, and say them in a weak, frail voice.
"waatter..."
The caretaker, Dai didn't notice the weak frail voice being uttered. As there was still a littany of noise and chaos, caused due to the surroundings. He was currently admiring the Hyuga clan Lord on his enormous wall surrounding the Court.
"waatter..."
"waatter..."
"waatter..."
Coughing "Ukhugh..."
At the sound of coughing, Dai abruptly turned around, his face alight with disbelief and uncontainable joy at the boy's revival.
"SHIN!!!!.... YOU'RE AWAKE"
His shout woke up Akiko, sprawled across the floor, who jumped awake.
"SHIN, are you okay?"
"SHIN, are you okay?"
"waatter..."
"Ah, right", Dai hastened to fetch water.
After gently picking up the boy's head, he helped him drink.
"How are you feeling...Shin?", his expression now tinged with relief.
Shin turned his head to the left, catching sight of the tear stains on the boy's face. A flicker of warmth crossed his own features.
"I am feeling better, Aki".
Dai gave out a sigh of relief. "That's good".
After feeling some of his energy back in his body, Shin turned his attention to the hall's surroundings.
A multitude of injured individuals were still being ferried to the hospital. Some lay beyond hope of recovery, their bodies grievously wounded, while others were encircled by weeping relatives and friends, their pain palpable.
He asked weakly," What's been happening?"
Dai explained to him the situation, recounting how he and Emi had brought them here following Shin's headache episode during the NineTails attack.
After a lingering silence, Shin hesitantly asked about Kirimoto, hoping against hope, for the boy's miraculous recovery.
"He is dead, Shin," Akiko responded solemnly.
"He saved me during the attack," a pang of guilt crept into Shin's voice.
"Yes"
A few moments of silence were disturbed by Dai, who placed his hands on Shin, forehead. "Don't worry, he... he is in a better place. You should be proud of him. He died while trying to save you". Akiko and Shin lowered their gaze, the weight of mourning heavy upon them, unaware of the tears welling in Dai's eyes.
Every kid in the orphanage, was like his own little brother or sister, having lost his parents at a young age, being an orphan, he understood the bonds created in the orphanage. But that didn't take away, what his own heart felt. Gently wiping his tears, he reminded himself of his role, as the only pillar of support for the young ones.
----------------------------
Leaf Village, Somewhere in the outskirts
Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.
In the aftermath of a huge explosion, an area lay devastated, bearing witness to a prolonged duel between two formidable ninjas. The fierce combat had laid waste to everything in its vicinity, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake. The air was thick with the acrid scent of burning wood and vegetation, testament to the powerful jutsu unleashed during the intense battle. The ground bore scars from the impact of massive explosions, some areas dented and cratered from the force unleashed.
Amidst the desolation, Minato stood poised on a small cliff, a natural formation born from the chaos and upheaval of the ground. His gaze was fixed upon the exhausted figure of the man. The earlier exchange of Taijutsu gave away the masked man`s vulnerability, and it increasingly became evident that the battle would result in the victory of the Hidden Leaf`s Hokage. With a sense of calm resolve, Minato observed his weary adversary.
"You're really worthy of your Title, Lord Hokage... How intriguing...That wife of yours is a real treasure... My seals were completely suppressed by you."
"Interesting... I wonder...", He looked as if lost in thought, then faced Minato again.
"Injuring me and seperating the Nine-Tails doesnt mean you won. It will be mine, one day. I shall rule this world. There are plenty of ways to do it". He raised his hand up till his forehead as if covering his eyes. An unreal situation unfolded, As his hand rotated, his body started disappearing as if being sucked into a spiral of void. As his hand completed the full rotation, his body vanished completely.
Minato looked gravely at that particular spot, he affirmed that the masked man was serious in his threat. Gazing towards the Leaf Village's direction, His sensory skills picked up the conglomeration of an unsual amount of chakra.
'This is bad.'
----------------------------
An Hour Earlier,
Underground, In an isolated place in the Leaf, an elderly man walked in the shadows. His right hand, in a perpetual state of injury, was swathed in bandages that also concealed half of his face, veiling one eye and his forehead. The elder`s gaze lingered on the shadows, as his eyes reflected a mix of cunning and serenity. Every step of the elder was made with careful steps, as he approached the podium in the middle of the room. Each step overshadowed by the darkness, added an air of mystery.
To the right of the podium stood a demonic statue, crowned with jewels, its visage portraying a twisted semblance of kindness. On the left, stood a statue depicting the disfigured face of Buddha, twisted in a wrathful expression. The duality of the statues perfectly encapsulated the ideology of the person, currently seated on the podium.
A ninja silently infiltrated the room, his breaths strained with tension. He approached the elder in a respectful manner and knelt down.
"Lord Danzo"
"Report"
"We cannot communicate with our ninja, assigned to guard the Hokage's wife; there is a complication, it seems. Our orders were not to interfere. We require your further instructions, Lord Danzo".
"Hmm", The elder pondered over the implication of the news.
"Relay the order to all Root shinobi to track movements of all Uchihas. I expect the update within the next ten minutes"
"Yes, my Lord"
A heavy silence settled in the chamber as the elder looked to be lost in his own thoughts, enveloped in the cold dead silence.
----------------------------
Uchiha Clan,
Outside of his home, due to the huge ruccous caused by the colossal beast, Fugaku observed the situation and swiftly issued orders to his second in command, "Yashiro, gather all the deputies and lower ranks."
"Yes Captain"
In a matter of minutes following the Nine-Tails' summoning, every Uchiha had assembled at the clan chief's dormitory. Fugaku still pensive about the operation, ordered, "The Jinchuriki has lost control. Low rank officers are to engage in rescue efforts, while every Uchiha with the Sharingan is to engage the beast directly with the other ninjas. Uchihas of the Leaf, Follow me".
As Fugaku moved to assist in the rescue operation, a nagging thought crossed his mind, 'Will my Mangekyo be finally unveiled during this disaster'.
As the Uchihas prepared to join the fray, an ANBU agent leaped forward, blocking their path, quickly followed by more of their comrades. In an instant, the entire Uchiha clan, comprising four hundred elite ninja, found themselves encircled by ANBU's. Fugaku eyed the incoming ANBUs with a mix of caution and apprehension. He recognized them from their tip less Tantos, as being under Danzo's Foundation.
Suddenly, hundreds of Sharingans ignited among the Uchiha ranks. Most of the seasoned Uchihas had three-tomoe pattern, while young ones had one or two-tomoe.
Fugaku aggresively spoke, with activating his Sharingan, "Speak, what is your purpose?",
"Lord Fugaku, Lord Danzo has ordered the Uchiha clan to settle down and remain in their safety shelter until the crisis is resolved.", the lead ANBU agent relayed the order.
"I dont take orders from elder Danzo and I advise you to stand down before this gets ugly. The leaf police will protect the village", Fugaku retorted firmly, his Sharingan swirling with a hint of aggression. His hand was raised to form a half-Ram sign, indicating the potential release of a Fire-Style Jutsu.
The squad leader of the Foundation's team stepped forward. He produced a brown scroll with an ornate pattern from his ninja pouch and handed to Fugaku, "The directive has been sent via Elder Scroll, My lord. Only the Hokage can rescind it now", The foundation ninja continued in a dead pan manner, "Until a decision to overrule has been made. You are ordered to stand down", His voice hardening as he spoke.
Fugaku checked the scroll for traps, and then read it, his expression shifting from fury to composed resolve.
"We will comply. Leaf Police, stand down. We shall return to our shelter," Fugaku declared.
Turning to the incensed Yashiro, he added in a calm tone, "Stand down, Yashiro, and instruct the lower ranks to do the same."
"B—But Captain", Yashiro tried to protest.
"Enough, We will address this matter later", spoke Fugake in a decisive tone and turned to the ANBU, "The Hokage will learn of this".
"Affirmative, Lord Fugaku"
----------------------------
"Amazing, Lord Third," Scythe exclaimed with joy.
"As expected of the Third Hokage," Sword echoed.
"Incredible," Shadow muttered under his breath.
"Hiruzen you have to keep attacking". Hiruzen held a black staff of notable thickness. There were intricate patterns that indicated some ancient carvings at the extremes. What set the staff apart, was a pair of two eyes that seemed to observe a weary Hiruzen.
Monkey King Enma in the form of a staff had proven effective in driving the beast out from the heart of the Hidden Leaf, hurling it back to the adjoining forest surrounding the village.
"Scythe, take the ANBU and establish a perimeter around the outer walls. If it readies another Tailed Beast Bomb, we need protection. Sword, Shadow, Raven, follow me. We will contain it with the Steel-Shell seal," Hiruzen commanded.
"Understood, Lord Third," the four affirmed in unison.
"Good, move out", As Hiruzen issued order, he moved towards towards the beast in a hurry, eager to end its onslaught and capture it again before anything unexpected happens.
Nine-Tails still in a daze was jolted into conciousness. Under its wild nature and enormous pain, it started attacking the ninjas surrounding it in a frenzy.
As Hiruzen and ANBU was about to launch the sealing array, They suddenly heard a sound coming from above.