Chapter 24 – The Thickening Mist
Their footsteps echoed dully along the narrowing path. The forest pressed in on both sides, tall trees blotting out most of the afternoon sun. The mist that had been following them since morning was now growing thicker, almost as if it were alive.
Kazuki led the way, his expression set in stone. His eyes never stayed still, flicking from tree to tree as if searching for something only he could sense.
This feeling… it's not just a hunch. Someone's out there… waiting for us.
Hinata swallowed hard, clutching her hands close to her chest.
"A-Akihiro-kun… this fog… it doesn't feel normal."
Behind her, Shikamaru gave a long, exaggerated sigh, his hands tucked lazily behind his head.
"Figures. I was hoping this mission would stay boring, but of course… it had to get troublesome."
Tazuna, caught in the middle of the group, looked pale as a ghost. He clutched the sake bottle he always carried, his hands trembling.
"Y-you kids see it too, right? This isn't just fog… this is—"
"Mr. Tazuna," Kazuki cut him off sharply, his voice firm, "don't panic. We'll protect you. Just keep moving."
The words sounded reassuring, but even Kazuki couldn't hide the tension tightening his grip on the kunai.
---
The forest was unnervingly silent. No birds, no insects—only the damp sound of their boots pressing into the earth.
Hinata clenched her fists, her body trembling faintly.
Why does this feel so terrifying…? But I can't look weak. Not now. I want to stand beside them… no matter what.
Shikamaru's eyes slid toward Kazuki.
"Oi, Akihiro. You feel it too, right? Something's watching."
Kazuki gave a curt nod.
"Yeah. And it's not just watching. They're testing us."
Hinata's grip on her kunai tightened, her knuckles turning white.
---
A small river cut across their path, its murky waters crawling sluggishly under a worn wooden bridge.
Tazuna's throat bobbed as he swallowed.
"This place… those thugs always use it. W-we need to be careful…"
Kazuki stepped onto the bridge first. The wood groaned beneath his feet, every creak echoing in the still air. His eyes scanned the trees—then froze.
A shadow. Quick, darting just at the edge of his vision.
His hand snapped to his kunai.
"EVERYONE, STOP!"
Hinata and Shikamaru moved instantly into defensive stances. Tazuna yelped, nearly tumbling over in fright.
But nothing came. The forest remained still.
Shikamaru clicked his tongue.
"Tch… they're playing games with us."
Hinata glanced at Kazuki, her voice trembling.
"A-Akihiro-kun… what do we do?"
Kazuki's jaw tightened.
"We keep moving. If we stop here, we'll only make ourselves easier targets."
---
High above them, on the branch of a massive tree, two shinobi hidden by the mist watched silently. Chains dangled from their hands, glinting faintly in the dying light.
"Hmph… these brats are sharper than they look," one muttered.
"Doesn't matter," the other sneered. "The more nervous they get… the easier they'll break."
Their eyes met, cruel smiles hidden behind the mist.
But from another direction, a calm pair of eyes observed everything. Leaning against a tree, his headband pulled low over his hidden Sharingan, K*** stood watching.
Alright… let's see how far you can go. Don't disappoint me, team.
---
Nightfall
They stopped at a small clearing as the sun began sinking in the west. The mist still lingered, heavy and unmoving.
Kazuki sat with his back against a tree, kunai still in hand.
Hinata quietly laid out a bit of dried food, forcing a smile even though her hands trembled.
Shikamaru sprawled out on the grass, staring up at the darkening sky.
Tazuna sat apart from them, brooding in silence.
But beneath it all, the tension never left.
Something was out there.
Something waiting for the right moment.
Kazuki opened his eyes, his gaze sharp as a blade.
I know you're there. If you're coming for us… then come. I'm ready.
And then—faintly, from beyond the mist—a chain glimmered in the last rays of sunlight, swaying slowly like a mocking invitation.
.....
TO BE CONTINUED…