The cool night air of Konoha offered little comfort to the shinobi gathered in Senju Park. The usual cheerful sounds of the village were absent, replaced by a heavy silence that pressed down on everyone.
The moonlight, usually a gentle glow, cast long, distorted shadows, making the familiar park feel sorrowful. The scent of pine and earth mingled faintly with something metallic, something grim, that clung to the air – a lingering reminder of the recent, brutal events.
Near the center of the clearing, beneath the ancient, gnarled branches of a massive oak tree, Temari sat slumped on the ground. Her fan lay forgotten beside her, its usually proud blades dulled in the dim light.
Her eyes, red and swollen, stared blankly into nothingness, her body shaking with silent sobs. The shock of her brother Kankuro's death had traumatized her, stripping away her usual fierce strength.
Standing protectively beside her, Shikamaru's expression was grim. He placed a gentle, comforting hand on her shoulder, his own worry etched deep onto his face. His sharp mind, usually buzzing with complex strategies, seemed unusually still, grappling with the sheer weight of their losses.
A few steps away, Naruto stood rigid, his hands clenched into tight fists at his sides. He wasn't in his glowing Kurama Link Chakra Mode, but the raw anger radiating from him was almost as powerful. His bright blue eyes, usually full of warmth, blazed with a fury that promised swift retribution. His teeth were gritted, a low growl barely escaping his lips.
Kakashi stood nearby, his lone eye narrowed, fixed on the ground. His posture was tense, every line of his body speaking of deep concern and readiness for conflict. The masked Jonin seemed burdened by the heavy atmosphere, his mind undoubtedly racing through the implications of everything they had just learned.
Closer to the edge of the small gathering, Kiba sat on the dirt, his head bowed. His usually boisterous energy was completely gone, replaced by a profound emptiness.
Beside him, Sakura knelt, her expression somber and focused. Her hands glowed with gentle green chakra as she tended to Kiba's wounds, her healing efforts a quiet contrast to the storm brewing within the others.
Sai stood silently, a stark contrast to the emotional turmoil around him. His usual smile was absent, his face unreadable as he observed the scene, his mind likely processing the grim reality in his own unique way.
Konohamaru stood with his fists clenched, his gaze alternating between Naruto and the ground, a mixture of sadness and determination on his young face. Hanabi, usually composed, looked visibly shaken, her byakugan inactive but her eyes wide with sorrow.
Choji's expression was heavy, his typical cheerful demeanor replaced by quiet grief. Even figures like Himekawa and Udon, who often carried themselves with quiet diligence, now stood with somber faces and slumped shoulders, their usual efficiency replaced by shared sorrow.
The many other shinobi present also reflected the mood, their faces etched with a blend of sadness, anger, or deep concern for the future of their battered village.
The air thrummed with unspoken grief and simmering rage, a silent agreement that the time for mourning would soon end, and the time for action would begin.
Shikamaru finally broke the heavy silence. His voice was low, almost a murmur, but it cut through the night's stillness. He didn't look at Kiba directly, keeping his gaze on the distant village rooftops, yet his words were clearly aimed at Kiba.
"So... you ran away."
Kiba flinched, his head snapping up. His eyes, swollen from grief and fatigue, met Shikamaru's. The accusation wasn't sharp, but the weight behind it was crushing. Kiba saw it instantly in Shikamaru's gaze – a flicker of disappointment, a silent question. It was the look of a friend who held back harsh words out of loyalty, but couldn't hide the raw truth in his eyes. Kiba knew what Shikamaru wasn't saying, loud and clear: 'You ran away, just to save your own life, like a coward.'
A fresh wave of shame washed over Kiba. He clenched his fists, digging his nails into his palms. "Yes," he said, his voice raw, barely a whisper. "I ran away. What else could I have done? Stay and die pointlessly like Kankuro?
Let Akamaru's sacrifice be for nothing?"
He then forced himself to meet Shikamaru's eyes, a defiant spark battling the shame within him. "I ran away... to call for help. I ran to find someone, anyone who could fight him. And I did. I met the Kages."
Kakashi, who had been listening intently, finally spoke, his tone neutral, almost contemplative. "So that's how you met the Kages, then?" He glanced from Kiba to the others, processing the information.
Naruto, who had been stewing in his anger, finally moved. He took a deep breath, letting some of the fury drain from his face, replaced by a fierce resolve. "Alright," he declared, his voice firm, drawing everyone's attention. "I've been thinking about what we need to do next. We can't just sit here. We need a plan to defend Konoha, to prepare for whatever comes."
Just as Naruto finished speaking, a voice cut through the air from behind them, clear and strong, though tinged with urgency.
"Naruto! I have a message from Sasuke-kun... he wishes to have a conversation with you."
Every head in the park snapped towards the source of the voice. A new figure stood at the edge of the clearing, her vibrant blonde hair glowing faintly in the moonlight, her stance confident even amidst the somber gathering.
Sakura's eyes widened in recognition, a mix of surprise and relief coloring her voice. "Ino!"
Sai, who had been standing quietly to the side, also turned. A faint, almost imperceptible shift crossed his usually blank face as he saw his wife, Ino, standing there.
Sai, his usual calm shattered by worry, immediately hurried towards Ino. His concern was clear in his voice, even though his face remained largely unreadable. "Ino! Where were you this whole time? I've been trying to reach you."
Ino, still a bit breathless from her journey, quickly began to explain. "Before... before all this chaos, I was at the flower shop, you know, doing my usual sensory work during the time when evacuation was going on. But then,"
Her voice tightened, a hint of fear in her eyes, "that Rinnegan man... he somehow located my position. Not just me, but all the other sensory shinobi who were working with me. We were found out, so we had to run."
She paused, taking a moment to catch her breath, then continued. "I managed to get to the shelter near the Hokage's office. I gathered any other sensory shinobi I could find in the area, and then we rushed towards the barrier team's location."
She looked at Naruto, her gaze intense. "And that's where I finally sensed Sasuke's chakra. I managed to make contact with him. He asked me to let him and Naruto... well, he said he wants to talk with you, Naruto."
A tense silence fell over the park as everyone absorbed Ino's words.
Kakashi, his eyes narrowed, broke the quiet. "So, along with Sasuke... was there another chakra present? When you sensed him?"
Ino nodded, her expression grim. "Yes, Kakashi-sensei. It was the Rinnegan man's chakra."
Naruto's eyes flared, a flicker of his earlier anger returning. "Are you sure, Ino? Absolutely sure?"
Ino met his gaze, her voice firm and unwavering. "Without a doubt, Naruto. It was the same chakra.The one which came at your house, the one that attacked me, the one in Senju Park, and the one that was with Sasuke-kun. There's no mistaking it." Her words sent a fresh wave of dread through the already somber gathering.
Ino turned to face the core group: Naruto, Sakura, Kakashi, Shikamaru, and Sai. She quickly formed a series of precise hand signs, her fingers moving with practiced speed: Tiger, Ram, Boar, Dog, Snake.
As her hands came together for the final sign, a soft, almost invisible ripple of chakra expanded outwards from her, connecting with each person. A moment later, a strange sensation washed over them.
It wasn't physical contact, but a sudden, direct link within their minds. Images, thoughts, and emotions, usually private, now seemed to brush against each other.
Naruto's eyes widened slightly as the link settled, a faint tremor running through him. It was a familiar, yet always jarring, feeling to have his thoughts so directly connected to others. He pushed past the initial surprise, his mind immediately focused on Sasuke.
Sakura, who had been kneeling, felt the connection and her posture straightened, her green eyes hardening with determination. She was ready. Her own thoughts were a whirlwind of concern for the anticipation of hearing Sasuke's voice.
Kakashi remained outwardly calm, but a subtle shift in his chakra indicated the connection had taken hold. His mind, always quick, instantly began to analyze the new pathway, preparing for the flow of information. He was ready to listen and process.
Shikamaru's eyes, already tired, seemed to gain a new sharpness as the link settled. He felt the distinct presence of his friends' minds, and the distant, familiar presence of Sasuke. His own thoughts immediately began to arrange themselves, preparing for the complex discussion to come.
Sai's expression finally showed a hint of active engagement. He felt the connection, his analytical mind already observing the nuances of this shared mental space.
Ino herself closed her eyes for a moment, concentrating. She felt the multiple connections stabilize, a complex network of minds now linked by her jutsu. A bead of sweat trickled down her forehead, but her resolve was firm.
'Okay,' she thought, 'everyone's linked. Now, Sasuke-kun...' A new, distant voice echoed directly into their linked minds, clear as if he stood right beside them, yet filled with the weary weight of countless miles.
"Naruto." It was Sasuke.
The mental link snapped them all into a shared space, even as their bodies remained in Senju Park. Naruto's voice, usually booming, was now a mere thought in their linked minds, but its urgency was clear.
"Sasuke... where are you right now?"
Sasuke's voice, calm and steady despite the chaos, resonated back. "Currently, near the Hokage Office." Naruto frowned, a hint of confusion in his mental tone. "But... weren't you out on the wall, in a battle with the rinnegan man?"
There was a slight pause from Sasuke, a subtle shift in his presence in their linked minds, before he responded. "Leave that for now. Tell me, where is the turtle? The one I retrieved from Kaguya's palace."
A sudden spike of alarm went through Naruto's mind. "The turtle? Last time I checked, it was at my house... with Himawari." He hadn't considered it a priority in the recent attacks.
Suddenly, Shikamaru's mental voice, sharp with disbelief, cut through the link. "What?! Naruto, how could you leave such an important thing under a child's care?! This is beyond irresponsible!"
Naruto's mental defenses bristled. "Hey! How does the turtle even come into our conversation right now? We're talking about defending the village!"
Sasuke's presence felt heavier, more serious. "That man... the Rinnegan user... the reason he is attacking the village, the reason for all this destruction, is just because of that turtle. He's after it."
Sakura's mental voice, though calm, held a note of dawning understanding. "This means the turtle is incredibly important then. If someone like him is risking so much for it."
Shikamaru's thoughts shot back, his strategic mind already racing ahead. "We already know that, Sasuke! We've already figured out the turtle is the cause that the village is being ravaged! But we still don't know what it does!"
Kakashi's voice, always the one for measured logic, entered the conversation. "So, Sasuke, according to you, is this turtle something we should hand over to the enemy, or is it something we must protect at all costs? The future depends on our choice."
Sasuke's reply was immediate and firm, with an undeniable weight of conviction. "It must be protected. The future... everything is dependent on this only. If he gets his hands on it, it's over."
Naruto's thoughts, usually driven by instinct, now shared a grim understanding. "He's right. We still don't know what that turtle is truly used for, but it has to be really important. First, it was in Kaguya's palace, guarded, and now this horrific man is after it. It can't be a coincidence."
Naruto's mind made a quick decision. His mental voice, now filled with a renewed sense of purpose, cut through the mental link. "Ino! Give me Sasuke's exact location! I'm going to assist him. If we take down the real one, this whole mess might end faster! The rest of you, spread out and carry out other tasks!"
Sasuke's response was immediate and firm, his mental presence solid. "No, Naruto. You are needed in the village. I will defeat him."
But before Sasuke could elaborate, Shikamaru's thought interrupted, cutting in with sharp, undeniable logic. "Yeah, Naruto.
Sasuke's right. You are needed here. You're the Hokage. If you don't stay and explain the situation to the masses, if you don't show your face and lead them, they'll lose faith in you.
The village needs its leader, not another fighter out there."
Kakashi's voice then added calmly, supporting Shikamaru's point. "Both Sasuke and Shikamaru are correct. We can't afford for the Hokage to be away from his people.
Someone else can go and assist Sasuke. The rest of us can then spread out and handle other urgent tasks."
Suddenly, Sasuke's mental voice, sharp and commanding, filled their minds. "Wait, everyone. There is no need for anyone else to come. I'll take care of him myself and retrieve the turtle back."
A collective mental gasp went through the group. Sai's thought echoed, disbelief clear even in his mental tone. "What?!"
Shikamaru's mental voice, usually so composed, surged with exasperation. "Are you crazy, Sasuke?! You can't just—" Naruto's mental voice, filled with immediate protest, cut across Shikamaru's. "Sasuke, hey! What do you mean?! You can't just go alone! We're a team!"
Just as Naruto's protest filled the link, Ino's strained voice, now audible both physically and mentally, broke through the connection. "Guys... he broke the jutsu!" Her eyes, which had been closed in concentration, snapped open wide, a look of shock on her face.
The mental link that had bound them shattered instantly. The sudden disconnection was jarring, like a loud noise silencing all other thoughts. Everyone in the park blinked, feeling the abrupt absence of Sasuke's presence and the mental connection.
They were once again physical individuals standing in the cool night air, the shared thoughts gone, replaced by the weight of their own immediate concerns and the lingering shock of Sasuke's defiant declaration.
Shikamaru ran a frustrated hand through his hair, his eyes narrowed. "What in the world was that supposed to mean?" he muttered, looking at the spot where Ino had just been concentrating. "How can he just do something like that? Taking on this entire responsibility, and this huge enemy, all alone?" His voice carried a mix of anger and sheer bewilderment.
Kakashi sighed, his eyes showing deep concern. "You're right, Shikamaru," he said, his tone heavy. "I don't know what Sasuke is trying to do right now, or what he thinks he's capable of. But if he's actually going to do this... it's pure recklessness. Utter foolishness."
As Sakura heard their words, a pang of sadness went through her. Her gaze dropped to her hands, which were still healing Kiba's wounds. 'Sasuke-kun,' she thought, her heart aching, 'the reason you're trying to do everything alone... it's always for the safety of others. And yet, they don't understand that.'
Naruto, standing rigid, felt his annoyance rising. He clenched his fists again. He couldn't stand hearing anyone speak ill of Sasuke, his best friend and rival. Yet, at the same time, he couldn't stand the idea of Sasuke trying to bear this burden all by himself.
Despite his frustration, a deeper part of Naruto understood. If Sasuke was going to these lengths, if he was trying to handle things in such a solitary way, it could only be for the welfare of others, for the good of the village, even if his methods were impossible for them to accept.
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AUTHOR'S NOTE:
Hey everyone! Hope you're all doing great! I'm back with Chapter 43, and wow, this one was a heavy hitter, wasn't it? 🔥
We really dove deep into the aftermath of everything that's happened, with the silence and grief hanging heavy in Senju Park. It was heartbreaking to write Temari's despair and Kiba's raw shame, but it felt crucial to show the real impact of their losses.
The big moment in this chapter definitely had to be Ino's arrival! Finally, a connection to Sasuke! That mental link was so intense, getting to hear everyone's thoughts directly, and then Sasuke drops that bombshell: he's going after the Rinnegan user and the turtle alone! 🤯 Talk about a mic drop! And then for Ino's jutsu to break right at that moment – the timing was everything.
It's clear our heroes are on "Divided Paths" now, literally. Sasuke's determination to handle things solo is definitely going to create some huge waves, and it leaves Naruto and the others reeling. You can feel the frustration and worry radiating from them, even as they try to understand Sasuke's reasoning.
What do you think is going to happen next with Sasuke going rogue? And how will Naruto and the rest of the village leaders handle this new development? The tension is building, and the story is about to take some serious turns!
Thanks so much for reading and for all your amazing support! Your enthusiasm keeps me going every single time. 😉