"Damn it!"
News from Skull Island quickly reached the Hidden Mist encampment.
When the Six-Tails' host, Utakata, read the report, rage flooded through him. His energy surged so violently that he almost transformed into his tailed-beast form right there, threatening to destroy the entire tent.
"Calm down, Utakata. What happened?"
"The Skull Island logistics base has been taken over by the Hidden Cloud ninjas."
Utakata tossed the intelligence scroll onto the table. The advisors gathered around and, after scanning its contents, gasped in disbelief.
"The Hidden Cloud forces infiltrated Skull Island alone?"
"One man defeated a hundred defenders—and even captured Rin'ne Yuri?"
"That's impossible! The Fourth Raikage already withdrew from the eastern front. Aside from the Two-Tails' host, no one in the Hidden Cloud possesses such strength."
"But the Two-Tails is fighting against us. How could he appear behind our lines and raid Skull Island?"
"Could it be… the 'Star in the Clouds,' Hyuga Neji?" someone whispered.
The tent fell silent. Even though Rin'ne Yuri was not one of the Seven Swordsmen and lacked fame, her lightning techniques made her a formidable warrior—almost unmatched below the Kage level. Yet such a gifted ninja had been captured in the heart of their army.
"Utakata," an advisor said gravely, "Kisame has ordered nearby Mist forces to besiege Skull Island. But with the power of this 'Star in the Clouds,' they may find nothing left to fight."
"No," Utakata replied, his voice calm but eyes hard. "That man attacked the supply base and captured Rin'ne Yuri to draw our attention and relieve pressure on the Hidden Cloud army. I'm certain he's still on Skull Island."
"But ordinary Mist ninjas are no match for him."
Utakata sighed. Once, the bloodline-limit clans of the Hidden Mist Village had been proud and numerous. But after the Fourth Mizukage came to power, he purged them ruthlessly, wiping out the Kaguya clan and the Yuki clan. Many survivors—like Biwa Juzo and Raiga Kurosuki—fled the village. Among the younger generation, few capable fighters remained.
Finally, Utakata declared, "You all stay here and maintain watch. I will personally hunt down the Star in the Clouds."
"What? You're the first commander—this is reckless!"
"Yes, Utakata, the risk is too great."
"Perhaps," he answered steadily, "but the Star in the Clouds is a spike driven into our formation. If we don't remove it quickly, it will bring endless trouble. The risk is high, but hesitation now will cost us the war."
Seeing the determination in his eyes, no one dared to object further.
Although his decision was dangerous, they had no better alternative. If the Star in the Clouds held Skull Island and struck in unison with the Hidden Cloud forces, the Mist army would collapse from a pincer attack.
Before departing, Utakata warned, "Remain alert for the Hidden Cloud army once I'm gone."
"Understood," the advisors answered.
---
Meanwhile, the Hidden Cloud forces noticed the unusual movement behind the Mist's lines. After the Fourth Raikage's withdrawal, Yugito, commander of the eastern sea domain, received intelligence about large troop mobilizations from the Hidden Mist and frowned.
Their defenses had held longer than expected. With the Raikage advancing west and elite units redeployed to the Land of Hot Water, she hadn't expected the Mist Village to move on such a scale.
"Could something be wrong at the rear of the Hidden Mist?" she wondered aloud.
An ANBU operative rushed in and handed her a scroll. Yugito's eyes widened after reading it.
"Is that man back?" she asked, rising to her feet, unable to hide her excitement.
"What happened at the Mist camp, Commander?" an aide asked.
Yugito smiled faintly. "Everyone, our opportunity has come."
She passed the scroll to the senior officers, whose faces lit up when they read it.
"When did that kid Neji arrive at the eastern front? He didn't even notify me. That old fox Tsuchida really works fast…" she murmured with a laugh.
Then, in a clear and decisive tone, she ordered, "Rest for two hours, then prepare for a full-scale attack."
"Yes, ma'am!"
The Hidden Cloud camp erupted into organized motion. Watching her troops, Yugito whispered under her breath, "Neji, let's see how long your strength can hold."
---
Time passed slowly on Skull Island. More and more Mist ninjas gathered around the perimeter. Through his binoculars, Uchiha Izumi saw them setting something up along the coast—strange glowing lines forming a vast pattern over the waves.
"The Forbidden Copper Barrier?" he murmured uncertainly.
They were surrounded—trapped like fish in a net. No one knew when the Mist forces would strike. Though Izumi trusted Neji deeply, anxiety gnawed at him. He could face death calmly in battle, but waiting helplessly for it was torment.
"Your eyes are beautiful," a calm voice said behind him.
Izumi turned to see Sasori approaching.
"Thank you," he replied politely.
Sasori stepped closer, examining him with interest. "No need to be so tense. No one here will throw away their life meaninglessly. You should trust that man."
Izumi glanced toward the tent. Inside, Neji sat on a long bench before a small brazier, quietly heating sake. His face was relaxed, almost serene—as if Skull Island were not enemy territory at all.
"He's so calm," Izumi thought. "He doesn't look like a child."
The tension in his chest eased slightly.
Across the tent, Pakura sat cross-legged, refining her energy and meditating on her Scorch Release technique. Nearby, Samui shifted restlessly, glancing between Pakura, Sasori, and Neji. Despite the danger surrounding them, all three looked utterly composed. That kind of calm, Samui realized, came only from unshakable confidence in one's own strength.
Neji set down the scroll he'd been reading, looked at her, and smiled. "Sister Samui, if you're nervous, why not show me a bit of your swordplay?"
"What? At a time like this—" she began to protest, but his calm gaze left no room for argument. With a soft sigh, she drew her short sword—its red hilt gleaming in the lamplight—and began to practice within the tent.
Since they could not change their circumstances, better to train and focus their minds.
"Flying Knife."
"Rising Dragon."
The air hummed as her blade sliced through it, the sound crisp and rhythmic. Izumi watched, impressed by her graceful yet powerful movements.
Neji, sipping his sake, studied her attentively. Feeling his gaze, Samui's pride flared, and her strikes became even sharper—showier. The thought that even the prodigy Hyuga Neji might admire her skills filled her with satisfaction.
When she finally paused, Neji smiled faintly. "You really suit being a 'heavy' woman with shoulder strain. Such magnificent recklessness—I approve."
Samui blinked, confused. "What is that supposed to mean? My sword technique isn't bad, is it?"
Before Neji could answer, Sasori scoffed coldly. "Bad? It's child's play."
"What did you say?" she snapped.
Sasori folded his arms. "The short sword's advantage lies in speed, fluid combos, and agility. But your style mixes it up with too many Cloud Village hand-to-hand moves—elbows, knees, all sorts of kicks. That's not swordsmanship; that's taijutsu with a blade strapped to it."
He continued mercilessly, "Hidden Cloud taijutsu depends on immense physical strength and the amplification of Lightning energy. You lack both. Your energy isn't exceptional, and your body isn't built for raw power. So you've created a confused style that's neither pure taijutsu nor pure swordsmanship. It's a miracle you're still alive."
Samui's lips parted to retort, but she hesitated. His criticism, harsh as it was, made sense. Her teacher, Killer Bee, was a legend. Yet his terrifying eight-blade style worked only because of his monstrous stamina and lightning-charged physique. She was nothing like him—"soft," as some had once said.
Turning to Neji, she asked quietly, "Is there really nothing I can do?"
Neji frowned slightly, rubbing his temples. Samui had no bloodline limit, no secret technique, no overwhelming reserves of energy. At best, she could reach the level of an ordinary elite ninja. No amount of training could change that completely—not everyone could defy destiny.
He spoke gently. "Ordinary people can still challenge fate, but the price is heavy."
"How?" she pressed.
"Through technology—or forbidden techniques," he replied. "One way is through the Impure Resurrection technique. But in its current form, it's deeply flawed. Combining it with natural bloodlines turns the user into something monstrous. I would never let you risk that until it's perfected."
He paused, then continued, "Another path is through the Curse Mark—created by Orochimaru. After mastering Sage Mode, he tried to help ordinary people reach greater heights. Jiraiya once caught up with him through Sage training. But Sage Mode isn't for everyone. Most bodies can't handle that power."
He gazed into the flickering flames. "Unable to master it, Orochimaru developed the Curse Mark instead—hoping to create sages artificially. It's dangerous but holds potential. If the flaws are ever removed, an era could come when anyone might become a sage."
A sudden buzzing roar cut through the air.
Samui froze at the tent's entrance, words caught in her throat. In the next instant, Neji pulled her aside with a burst of gravity-like energy.
Boom!
The explosion tore the tent apart. Where she had stood seconds earlier, a crater yawned in the ground.
"They're here," Neji said calmly.
From the settling dust, a figure stepped forward—slender but radiating immense pressure. Brown bangs covered one eye, and a long tail swayed behind him. His blue haori hung open, revealing a scarred chest.
Recognition struck Samui. "Neji—he's the Six-Tails' host, Utakata!"
"Yeah," Neji said, taking a measured sip of sake. His calm smile returned. "I can see that."
So the Six-Tails Tailed Beast Host himself had come. He had underestimated Skull Island's importance.
Utakata exhaled softly, releasing a string of translucent bubbles. "Star in the Clouds — Hyuga Neji. A pleasure."
Neji set down his cup.
A flash of black lightning burst around him.
Whizz!
The two vanished from sight, colliding midair with a thunderous crash. The shockwave blasted the surrounding sand into a storm. Their fists met again and again, each impact shaking the island.
Utakata's mind reeled. Even using the Six-Tails' energy, his strength and speed multiplied more than tenfold—yet he could not overpower the boy before him.
"Water Style: Acid Bubble!"
He inhaled sharply, then unleashed a torrent of dense bubbles that spread in all directions. Each bubble glowed, filled with corrosive acid from the Six-Tails' body. When they burst—
Bang! Bang! Bang!
A chain of explosions rocked the battlefield. Smoke engulfed the area; Izumi and the others could see nothing but chaos.
Then, through the haze, a deep thud resounded.
Neji's fist drove straight into Utakata's chest, launching him dozens of meters through the air and slamming him into the ground. Blood splattered across the rocks.
"You must know," Neji said evenly, "that only by entering your tailed-beast form will you have any chance of piercing my Lightning Armor. What are you waiting for?"
Utakata glared up at him. Black lightning crackled around the boy, lifting his hair like a halo. For a moment, he looked almost divine—a child of thirteen radiating the same destructive power once wielded by the Third Raikage.
No wonder he had single-handedly seized Skull Island. If Utakata didn't fight seriously, he might truly lose.
Blood streamed from his chest, exposing bone. Red energy flared across his body, knitting the wound shut. Then tails of bubbling chakra unfurled behind him—one, two, three, until the full feral might of the Six-Tails filled the air.
The true battle was only beginning.
Advance Chapters avilable on patreon (Obito_uchiha)