Day broke on a Konoha still agitated by the events of the previous night. Naruto, still frustrated by Akiko's escape, stood in front of the Hokage's office with Raiken under guard. Beside him were Kakashi, Shikamaru, and Ino.
"They're not just some thieving organization," Naruto said seriously. "They have highly trained ninja. If Akiko is an example, then we have a big problem."
Shikamaru nodded slowly, staring at Raiken who, although chained and weakened, seemed to be wearing a contemptuous smile.
— We need information. Now.
Ino, sitting nearby, closed her eyes and took a deep breath.
—I'm going to go into his mind and extract everything we can. But it won't be easy.
Naruto turned to Raiken.
—You better talk. These people don't even consider you one of their own anymore. They sent Akiko to kill you.
Raiken burst out laughing, a harsh, bitter sound.
—You think you understand this world, don't you? But you are blind. You, the ninjas of the great nations, you see nothing but your own glory.
Kakashi raised an eyebrow, his gaze serious.
— Explain yourself.
Raiken gritted his teeth, his eyes flashing with rage.
—Villages like mine never had a chance. No help, no mercy. We were crushed by your wars, ignored by your peace treaties. So yes, I steal, I destroy, and I take what I can to survive. And Akumu Shin'en is the only family that matters now.
Naruto crossed his arms, thinking. He had heard this kind of speech before, but this time it seemed laden with pain that he couldn't ignore.
Ino approached Raiken, placing her hands on his temples. She closed her eyes, activating her mind extraction jutsu.
— It might take a while. He has strong mental barriers.
In Raiken's mind, Ino found herself faced with a whirlwind of images: ruined villages, crying children, abandoned bodies. She delved deeper, searching for fragments of useful information.
She finally caught sight of a blurry image: a round table, five silhouettes, and a strange symbol engraved on a map.
—Akumu Shin'en, she whispered. They have a base... but where?
Suddenly, she felt a violent resistance. A dark presence attacked her in Raiken's mind, forcing her back. She broke contact, panting.
—They've implanted some kind of mind lock. I can't go any further without risking destroying it.
Kakashi sighed, his gaze falling on Raiken.
— Very well. Put him under increased surveillance. We have enough leads to start.
In Naruto's mind, Kaguya, in her spirit form, was silently watching.
"These humans are pathetic," she muttered. "Always tearing each other apart for resources or some semblance of power."
Kurama, listening from his own space, growled.
—And yet, it's this kid you're using to survive. Don't be too arrogant.
Kaguya gave Kurama an icy look but didn't answer. She turned to Naruto, who seemed concerned.
—You think too much, boy. Their fight is not yours.
Naruto shook his head.
—Every life matters. Even Raiken's. I'm not just going to abandon him.
An imperceptible smile crossed Kaguya's face, but she quickly looked away.
Meanwhile, in a clearing outside the village, Akiko joined the other members of the Akumu Shin'en. The four figures were gathered around their leader, who was holding a scroll marked with the symbol of their organization.
—Raiken is still alive, Akiko reported, bowing slightly.
The leader, an imposing man with silver hair and a scar running across his face, frowned.
— So you failed?
Akiko raised her head, her sadistic smile intact.
— Let's just say circumstances have changed. But I was able to send them a warning. They know now that we will stop at nothing.
Another member, a muscular woman with piercing eyes, banged her fist on the table.
— They must not discover our base. If Raiken talks…
The chief raised a hand, imposing silence.
— Raiken is already lost. But he can still be used as bait. We'll give them a reason to come to us.
He unfolded the scroll, revealing a map with strategic points marked around Konoha.
—Akiko, go back to Konoha and watch them. If we play our cards right, they will come to us, and we will destroy them on our own turf.
Akiko tilted her head, a mysterious smile on her face.
—As you wish, chief.
Back in Konoha, Naruto stood atop a building, watching the village rebuild. Hinata had joined him, but she remained silent, respecting his moment of reflection.
— Are you okay? she asked softly.
Naruto nodded.
— Yeah… but I feel like we're missing something important.
He clenched his fists, his gaze determined.
—No matter what happens, I will protect this village. I will not let anyone suffer because of this organization.
Hinata smiled shyly, a mixture of admiration and tenderness in her eyes.
—You're truly amazing, Naruto.
---
In the Shadow of Konoha
Akiko, back in the village, watched Naruto from a dark alley. Her sadistic smile returned, as she muttered to herself:
—Let's see if your determination is as strong as your reputation, Uzumaki.
Chapter 11.2: Traps and Illusions
Konoha was in turmoil after the revelations about the Akumu Shin'en. Kakashi, as Hokage, had called a meeting with the village's leading ninja to plan the next step.
Naruto, Hinata, Kiba, and Shikamaru were present, all gathered around a map detailing the borders of the Land of Fire.
"Raiken has spoken," Kakashi said, his eyes serious. "Thanks to his partial testimony and the fragments obtained by Ino, we know that this organization operates from several bases, but their main location remains unknown."
Shikamaru thought for a moment.
—They won't stay passive. With Raiken here, they're likely to act quickly. It would make sense to attempt an infiltration or diversion.
Naruto slammed the table, his voice firm.
—We have to stop them before they do more harm. These guys are dangerous, and we can't let them play with lives.
Kakashi nodded.
—Exactly. I want you to investigate the border villages. One of the bases Raiken mentioned is located near the Tenbaku River. Hinata, Kiba, and you, Naruto, will be sent there. Shikamaru will stay here to coordinate the defense.
Naruto nodded, his gaze determined.
—We'll find them, Kakashi-sensei.
In Naruto's mind, Kaguya stood by Kurama's side, silent. She listened to the exchanges through Naruto's thoughts, a calculating glint in her eyes.
"This gang is insignificant," she murmured. "Yet they seem to play a role in the chaos of this world."
Kurama turned his head towards her, growling.
— You talk a lot, but you stay here hiding. If you find it so insignificant, why don't you do something?
Kaguya replied in a calm tone:
—All of this serves a purpose. My goal remains the same: to survive and reclaim my power. These human conflicts are merely a distraction… but a useful one.
Kurama growled again, but didn't reply.
In the shadows, Akiko had begun her mission. Disguised as a simple villager, she observed the comings and goings of the Konoha ninja, noting surveillance patterns and weak points.
She approached a group of civilians discussing the local market, playing her role to perfection.
—Have you heard? she asked innocently. I hear the guards near the prison have been reinforced.
The civilians nodded.
— Yes, there are rumors of a dangerous prisoner. The ANBU are on guard.
A slight smile played on Akiko's lips.
—Interesting, she muttered to herself.
Naruto, Hinata, and Kiba left Konoha in the afternoon, heading towards the Tenbaku River. Akamaru trotted beside Kiba, sniffing the air.
"It smells like rain," Kiba said, scanning the sky.
Hinata activated her Byakugan, scanning the surroundings.
— I don't see anything abnormal for now. But let's stay on our guard.
Naruto walked ahead, looking focused. Kurama spoke in his mind.
— This mission could be a trap. These guys know they're being watched.
—I know, Naruto answered mentally. But we have to move on.
Kaguya, listening silently, added mockingly:
— Still as reckless as ever. If this goes wrong, you'll still be the one bearing the brunt of the consequences.
Naruto ignored his comments, focusing on the task at hand.
The team reached the river in the early evening. The area was quiet, but there was a strange tension in the air.
"It doesn't smell good," Kiba muttered. "Akamaru has been grumbling since we got here."
Hinata looked at the river with her Byakugan, but her eyes suddenly widened.
— There are traps everywhere. Explosive scrolls hidden in trees and underwater.
Naruto clenched his fists.
—They knew we were coming.
Suddenly, a female voice rang out from the woods.
— Well, well. You arrived faster than expected.
Akiko stepped out of the shadows, her fan in hand and an amused smile on her face.
— You are very brave to come so close to our bases. But your bravery will not save you.
Naruto jumped forward without hesitation.
— So it's you! The girl from the other night. You won't escape this time!
Akiko laughed softly, opening her fan and releasing a shower of poisonous petals.
— You're really too predictable.
Naruto dodged the petals, creating a Rasengan in his hand, but Akiko activated a genjutsu before it could reach her. Everything around him changed, and he suddenly found himself in a clearing filled with flowers.
- What is… ?!
Kaguya intervened in his mind.
— A powerful genjutsu, but not insurmountable. Focus, you idiot.
Meanwhile, Kiba and Hinata attempted to get around Akiko, but she anticipated their movements, bombarding them with explosive petals and poisonous needles.
"You're amateurs," she said, laughing.
Guided by Kaguya and Kurama, Naruto finally broke the genjutsu, activating his KCM mode to counter Akiko's rapid attacks.
"I told you you wouldn't escape," he shouted, throwing a Rasen Shuriken.
Akiko narrowly avoided it, but the explosion from the attack destroyed some of the traps in the area, putting her at a disadvantage.
—Impressive, Uzumaki. But it's not over yet, she muttered before disappearing in a cloud of smoke.
After fleeing, the team surveyed the area, discovering clues to Akumu Shin'en's activities, including traces leading to a possible outpost.
Hinata placed a hand on Naruto's shoulder.
— We didn't capture her, but we have some leads. It's a start.
Naruto nodded, albeit frustrated.
— We will come back stronger. And this time, she will not escape.
In the shadows, Kaguya watched with an enigmatic smile.
— Interesting. Maybe these humans aren't so boring after all.
End of chapter.