Chapter 216 - Fleet Invasion
"Commander Baal, the sensors have detected intelligent life on the planet's satellite."
The researcher's instrument suddenly shifted, its needle swinging toward the moon. Numbers on the display began to spike, prompting the technician to report in astonishment.
After all, a small celestial body like the moon typically lacked the conditions necessary for life. Developing life was no simple feat—it required countless variables to align. Even securing a basic water source would be extremely difficult.
From their scans, it was clear that the planet below—home to the shinobi world—was only just beginning to develop technology. They clearly weren't advanced enough for interstellar travel.
So… what was going on with the moon?
"Hm? Life on the moon? Never mind that. Once we've acquired their method of immortality, destroy it all. No point wasting time."
Commander Baal paused for a moment at the technician's words, but quickly dismissed it. These underdeveloped backwater planets failed to interest him. He was far more focused on Orochimaru's rumored method of immortality. If it proved useful, they would take and assimilate it. If not—they would wipe out the planet without hesitation. He had no desire to linger here.
"Find this planet's ruler. Make him lead us to the one who possesses the key to immortality."
His gaze swept across the planet, settling on its most prosperous region. With a single motion, Baal tapped a point on the surface—directly over Konoha.
Darkness was coming.
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Konoha
At that moment, Konoha remained peaceful and serene, entirely unaware of the encroaching threat.
The sun was beginning to set, casting a golden glow across the village. After a day of learning and play, the children of the Ninja Academy cheerfully made their way home, backpacks swinging behind them.
Veteran shinobi, returning from grueling missions, gathered with comrades to celebrate their survival. The Akimichi family's barbecue restaurant buzzed with laughter and the clinking of cups.
And as for Kazane? He too had no inkling of the looming danger. He was spending the twilight hours on the mountain behind the village—watching the sunset with his girlfriend.
---
On the mountaintop, Yūhi Kurenai lay in Kazane's arms, her face tinged pink as she enjoyed the rare peace between them.
To Kurenai, moments like this were precious—almost too rare to believe.
Two years. It had been two full years.
During those years, her father, Yūhi Shinku, had buried himself in mission after mission like a man possessed. He seemed obsessed with working nonstop, and as a result, Kurenai had less and less time with Kazane.
If she hadn't known her father so well, she might have suspected he was purposely trying to keep them apart.
Now, bathed in the soft light of sunset, surrounded by calm, she felt herself melt into the moment. Resting against Kazane's chest, she looked up at him and asked gently, "Kazane, can you transfer my dad to the Ninja Academy? His genjutsu is excellent—he could train the next generation of illusion masters."
Kazane blinked in mild surprise, then gave a small nod.
He didn't understand why someone of Yūhi Shinku's caliber would fight over assignments with Chūnin, but since Kurenai asked—it was easy enough to arrange.
Her heart lifting at his agreement, Kurenai turned her gaze from Kazane to the horizon. The sun was just beginning to dip below the mountains.
One second, two, three, four, five…
Squinting against the brightness, she rubbed her eyes. The sunset was dazzlingly beautiful, but also harsh on the eyes.
When her vision cleared, Kurenai looked up at the sky again—and paused.
Had she seen something? She blinked and rubbed her eyes again, then looked back at the same spot.
A small black dot floated in the sky. And it was… growing.
It grew rapidly. In less than two minutes, one black dot had become five—and all five were increasing in size.
She tugged on Kazane's sleeve, pointing toward the sky. "Kazane, look! There's something flying up there!"
Kazane had been silently watching the sun, lost in thought. Soon, they would march on Akatsuki, and it might be a long time before he could return to Konoha. He'd been quietly thinking about how he would miss her—when he heard her voice.
Following the direction she pointed, Kazane's sharp vision immediately picked up on the incoming ships. The five vessels were growing larger as they approached.
He rubbed his eyes, thinking he might be mistaken—but when he opened them again, the sight remained. His expression shifted.
What are those doing here?
Unlike Kurenai, a native of the shinobi world, Kazane recognized the unmistakable shape of warships—spacecraft.
It was as absurd as waking up in the Qin Dynasty and seeing someone fire a nuke.
These things weren't supposed to exist here.
If this had happened decades later, it might be understandable. Konoha had brilliant scientists, and with Kazane's wide-ranging knowledge as a transmigrator, developing futuristic technology wasn't out of the question.
But this… was far too soon.
And Kazane was absolutely certain—those five ships did not belong to Konoha.
Which raised the question: Which village did they come from?
Or… were they from someplace even more dangerous?
What was their goal?
The ships drew closer, their massive frames becoming more defined by the second.
Now wasn't the time to ponder.
Kazane immediately turned to Kurenai. "Kurenai, go back to the village. Get everyone to the evacuation shelters. Something dangerous is coming."
He stood up and reached into his system space, retrieving a signal flare.
With a press, a streak of light shot into the sky and exploded—taking the shape of a katana. It was Kazane's personal emergency signal.
The blast echoed across the village.
Many civilians looked up, curious. To them, it seemed like someone was setting off fireworks. They didn't think much of it and continued with their evening.
The board gamers kept gaming. Families finished their cooking. Children played in groups on the streets. Everything was still calm.
Until—
WooooOOOOoooo—
A deep, chilling alarm blared from every loudspeaker in the village. The sound raced through Konoha's alleys and streets.
The civilians may not have understood the specifics, but the ANBU certainly did—especially since the warning had come from Kazane himself.
If he deemed it dangerous, there was no room for error.
Startled, villagers froze for only a second before instinct kicked in. Parents grabbed their children. Everyone turned to the appearing patrol shinobi, following their directions swiftly toward shelters and escape tunnels.
At the Ninja Academy, teachers immediately began evacuating students. All Konoha jonin and ANBU operatives assembled outside the Hokage Tower, where Orochimaru began organizing the forces with military precision.
To prevent sneak attacks during his absence, Kazane had long prepared for such emergencies. Thanks to repeated drills, the evacuation was smooth and orderly, with no panic or trampling.