Not far from the scene of the explosion, Itachi followed a trail of destruction, his heart pounding with a mixture of dread and determination. The forest bore the scars of a ferocious battle: shattered trees, scorched earth, and the lingering scent of blood.
'Did Arashi do this?' Itachi wondered, observing the claw marks and the unfamiliar chakra signature that hung heavy in the air. 'No, that's not it. Naruto did.'
His gaze lifted towards a plume of smoke rising in the distance. He quickened his pace, urgency fueling his every step.
'The Uchiha compound will be in turmoil with this level of destruction and casualties,' Itachi realized, a sense of foreboding washing over him. 'The clan's animosity will only grow... But I can't worry about that now. Finding Arashi and Naruto is my priority. I hope it's not too late.'
As he rounded a bend, Itachi stumbled upon a gruesome sight: multiple lifeless bodies strewn across the ground. One figure, in particular, caught his attention. His eyes widened in shock. 'Is that Lord Danzo?!'
Cautiously, he took cover behind a nearby tree, throwing a kunai at his feet, ready to react to any sudden movement.
"Who's there?!" Naruto's voice echoed through the clearing, tense and alert.
'Naruto?'
"It's just me, Naruto. Relax," Itachi called out, emerging from his hiding spot.
"What happened? Are you alright?" Itachi's voice was thick with worry.
"You need to help Arashi quickly!" Naruto urged, pointing behind him, his blood-stained face etched with worry. Blood still flowed from his eyes, a chilling reminder of the Nine-Tails' influence.
"Arashi..." Itachi's gaze shifted to his fallen comrade. He approached cautiously, carefully turning Arashi over. The sight that greeted him was grim. Arashi's face was a mask of blood, his own life force seeping away.
'Not only is he depleting his chakra rapidly, but he has also lost a significant amount of blood,' Itachi observed, activating his Sharingan to assess the extent of Arashi's injuries.
"Naruto, do you remember what happened?" Itachi inquired, his focus remaining on Arashi's critical condition.
"Yeah, but... I'm not entirely sure," Naruto stammered, his voice filled with confusion and worry. "Arashi... he... He looked at them and pulled me aside, and then... and then they all collapsed."
"They all collapsed?" Itachi repeated, his mind racing to comprehend the situation. Naruto nodded affirmatively.
"Listen, I'm not entirely sure what happened, but Arashi saved me, you know?"
'There's no doubt about it now. He placed them all under a genjutsu, and a potent one at that,' Itachi concluded, observing the state of the incapacitated shinobi. 'To ensnare them all with a single glance... Not even Shisui has demonstrated such power.'
Releasing his grip on Arashi, Itachi turned his attention to one of the affected shinobi, attempting to break the genjutsu through his own Sharingan. However, his efforts were met with resistance. The genjutsu was too powerful, even for his advanced ocular prowess.
"Heavy breathing, sweating, and worse... He's bleeding from his nose and mouth. What kind of genjutsu is this?" Itachi muttered, his brow furrowed in concern. He carefully removed the shinobi's mask, revealing his eyes.
'His eyes... They bear the Rinnegan pattern. Yet, there's a difference. Arashi's eyes always have a purple background, while this shinobi's eyes display a red hue with multiple rippled patterns.'
Closing the shinobi's eyes, Itachi carefully lifted Arashi onto his back. "Come with me," he instructed Naruto, his voice firm and resolute.
Together, they sprinted through the forest, their footsteps pounding against the earth. Itachi's Sharingan guided them, navigating the treacherous terrain with unwavering precision. Their race against time had begun, fueled by the desperate need to save their friend.
----------------------------------------
Shisui and Kakashi convened within the Hokage's office, specifically in a well-guarded, hidden room. This clandestine meeting place had become their sanctuary, a space free from prying eyes and ears, accessible only to high-ranking Anbu members and a select few others.
"Lord Third," Kakashi began, his tone grave, "we would like to report Danzo-sama."
Hiruzen's brow furrowed. "Danzo? What now?"
"He attacked us," Kakashi explained, his voice steady. "He attacked Shisui and me while we were formulating a plan for the Uchiha situation."
Shisui stepped forward, his expression grim. "And just now, he came from attacking Arashi and Naruto. Itachi stayed behind to get them to safety. We haven't heard anything from them since."
Hiruzen's face paled. "What?!" He slammed his cigar onto the tray and rose abruptly from his chair. 'Attacking Arashi Uchiha was bad enough, but now even our jinchuriki?! Danzo has gone too far.'
"Shisui," Hiruzen said, his voice laced with both anger and regret, "I hope you understand that I had no part in this. You must understand this before I retaliate and–"
Slam!
The door burst open, revealing Itachi carrying an unconscious Arashi. Naruto followed closely behind, his expression a mix of worry and anger.
"Itachi? What happened?" Hiruzen demanded, his voice sharp with concern.
"Arashi most likely used too much chakra," Itachi explained, his Sharingan activated as he assessed his brother's condition. "His eyes are bleeding, and Danzo and his subordinates are nearly dead from a genjutsu. I checked on them and tried to get answers, but I can't break them free."
"Old man, is Arashi gonna be okay?" Naruto's voice was thick with worry.
"He'll be fine, Naruto," Hiruzen reassured him, his gaze shifting to the unconscious boy. "But I'm worried about you too."
Naruto looked away, his voice barely a whisper. "What? Just because I'm the village's special weapon?"
Hiruzen's eyes widened in shock. 'Damn you, Danzo. You've even said all this?'
"I'll forget about it as long as Arashi gets better," Naruto declared, his determination clear.
Itachi gently handed Arashi over to Shisui, who cradled his brother protectively.
'Arashi,' Shisui thought, his heart aching with guilt and worry, 'I've failed at protecting you again...' He looked up, his resolve hardening. "Let's go," he said to Itachi, his voice firm. "We'll take them to a medic."
Itachi nodded, and without another word, they hurried out of the office, carrying Arashi between them. Naruto trailed behind, his anxiety palpable.
Kakashi remained in the hidden room, his mind racing. He knew that this incident would have far-reaching consequences. Danzo's actions had crossed a line, and the delicate balance between the Uchiha clan and the village was teetering on the brink.
Meanwhile, Shisui, Itachi, and Naruto rushed Arashi to the private medical center within the Hokage's office, hoping for a swift recovery.
----------------------------------------
Meanwhile, Arashi's consciousness slowly returned. He blinked open his eyes, finding himself in a dimly lit, grimy space that resembled a sewer. The air hung heavy with an oppressive dampness, and the stench of decay clung to his nostrils.
"Grrrr..."
A deep, guttural growl reverberated through the chamber, sending shivers down Arashi's spine. The menacing sound suggested a powerful, unseen beast lurking in the shadows.
Drip! Drip! The rhythmic echo of water droplets added to the unsettling atmosphere.
"Ugh... Where... Where am I?" Arashi muttered, his voice raspy and weak. He tried to lift his arm, only to find it coated in a sticky, yellow substance.
"Ah! Is this pee?!" He recoiled in disgust, scrambling to his feet.
Bump bump! A wave of pain crashed over him, and he stumbled, falling back onto the damp floor. 'That was stupid of me. This place doesn't even reek.'
"Naruto? Shisui-Nii-san?" he called out, his voice echoing in the emptiness. There was no response. He was alone in this nightmarish place.
Arashi's gaze swept over his surroundings. A tunnel stretched before him, its walls rough and uneven, disappearing into the darkness. A sense of foreboding washed over him.
He clutched his head, a throbbing pain making it difficult to think clearly. "My head feels like it's about to explode! But I have to find out where I am."
Despite his weakened state, Arashi willed himself to stand. But his body felt heavy, his limbs sluggish. A malevolent presence seemed to press down on him, filling the air with a palpable sense of dread.
"Hello? Who's in here with me?" Arashi's voice echoed through the eerie sewer, the silence pressing down on him like a heavy shroud.
"Hmph." A deep, resonant voice scoffed, sending shivers down Arashi's spine. "I was wondering when you'd come to see me."
Arashi noticed his hand trembling and willed it to stillness. "This place... It feels sinister, as if an evil presence is here with me."
Whoosh! A sudden gust of wind whipped past him, carrying a familiar sensation. Chakra.
"This feeling... I've experienced it before," Arashi thought, memories of his encounters with Naruto flashing through his mind.
"Hey, are you... the Nine-Tailed Fox?" he ventured, his voice cautious yet firm.
"Hm hm hahaha!" The mischievous laughter echoed through the tunnels. "How about I help you find out?"
A surge of chakra hurtled towards Arashi. He turned to see a swirling vortex of orange energy barreling towards him with incredible speed. Before he could react, it engulfed him, carrying him through the corridor like a leaf in a hurricane.
As the powerful chakra propelled him forward, Arashi noticed something peculiar. But before he could fully grasp it, he was violently thrown, landing with a jarring thud.
"My eyes... They're back to normal," Arashi realized, blinking in surprise. His Rinnegan had deactivated, replaced by his ordinary dark eyes.
His relief was short-lived. Before him stood a colossal fox, its nine tails swaying menacingly, its eyes burning with an unholy light.
Arashi tensed, his Rinnegan reactivating instinctively. His gaze locked with the Nine-Tails', a silent battle of wills unfolding.
"Hmph, what's wrong? Are you afraid?" the Nine-Tails taunted, its voice laced with malice.
"So, you are the Nine-Tailed Fox," Arashi acknowledged, his voice unwavering. "Do you have a name?"
The Nine-Tails seemed taken aback by the question. "A name?" it mused. "I am the living embodiment of hatred," it finally declared, its voice echoing with centuries of resentment.
"Hatred?" Arashi's voice echoed through the cavernous space, unwavering despite the imposing presence before him. "Why would you want to be that? It's sad. Is that the reason you killed so many people, including my mother? I don't like you very much. But if you did it out of hatred... then I'm not afraid of you!"
The Nine-Tails tilted its massive head, its fearsome features contorted in a mixture of surprise and amusement. "Hmph, you know nothing about how the world works. You are naive and blinded, just like the average human trash."
Its voice resonated in the air, echoing with centuries of bitterness. "For centuries, you humans have mistreated my kind, using us as weapons in your selfish wars. I can never trust a human, and the moment I break free from this seal, I'll kill you all."
Arashi's expression hardened, his resolve unyielding. "I refuse to believe that hatred is the only answer. Naruto has shown me that even the darkest hearts can change. I won't let you hurt him. I'll find a way to keep you from causing him pain."
The Nine-Tails regarded him with an empty gaze, its thoughts hidden behind a facade of indifference. "Protecting the Jinchuriki? What a fool," it sneered, a hint of amusement in its voice. "I am the embodiment of hatred, and he is my vessel. You cannot change my nature, nor can you stop me when the time comes."
Without warning, the Nine-Tails lunged, its immense form enveloping Arashi. "What are you doing?" Arashi cried out, struggling against the overwhelming force. But his efforts were futile; he could barely move a finger, completely at the mercy of the beast's power.
"Stay still," the Nine-Tails commanded, its grip tightening. "You claimed you weren't afraid of me. Let's test how well you can endure my hatred."
Arashi felt a surge of raw power coursing through his veins, the intensity threatening to consume him. He clenched his fist, feeling his strength gradually returning. But before he could fully comprehend the situation, the Nine-Tails released its hold, and Arashi's consciousness faded.
He awoke with a start, his head throbbing with pain. He found himself lying in a hospital bed, the sterile white walls a stark contrast to the darkness of the sewer.
"Ugh..." He groaned, clutching his head and then stretching, his mind reeling from the encounter.
"Yawn..." He let out a long yawn, his body still feeling the lingering effects of the Nine-Tails' chakra. He was determined to confront the beast again, to understand its hatred and find a way to protect Naruto from its influence.
Arashi blinked, his vision adjusting to the unfamiliar surroundings. 'Whose room is this?' he wondered, shielding his eyes from the bright sunlight streaming through the window. 'My Rinnegan is back?'
He glanced across the room and saw a familiar face sleeping peacefully on the couch. Naruto, bathed in the soft glow of the morning light, still emanated a faint orange aura that seemed to intertwine with Arashi's own chakra. 'The Nine-Tails... Healed me?' Arashi pondered, a sense of wonder washing over him.
Footsteps echoed in the hallway, and the door creaked open. Shisui entered the room, his eyes widening in relief as they landed on Arashi.
"Shisui-Nii-san!" Arashi exclaimed, leaping out of bed and rushing to embrace his brother. The residual Nine-Tails chakra dissipated as Shisui returned the hug, his expression a mixture of joy and concern.
"Arashi!" Shisui held him tightly, his voice thick with emotion.
Naruto, roused from his slumber, rubbed his eyes and stretched. "Arashi?" he mumbled, then his eyes snapped open. "Arashi!" He jumped up, joining the heartfelt reunion.
Shisui shook his head solemnly, his grip on Arashi never faltering. "I'm sorry I wasn't there, Arashi. I should have brought you with me and kept you close. You almost died because of my mistakes."
"Shisui-Nii-san..." Arashi's voice quivered, understanding the weight of the situation and appreciating Shisui's remorse.
Soon after their reunion, Arashi and Naruto were dismissed from the hospital, but Shisui made it clear that neither of them should speak about the events that had transpired. He kept them close, holding Arashi's hand as Naruto followed closely behind, guiding them towards the Uchiha compound.
Despite Arashi's protests that he had healed quickly, his body was covered in bandages. No one wanted to take any chances, given the severity of his injuries.
As they stepped out of the main village, Arashi tugged on Shisui's hand, his gaze earnest. Shisui looked down at him inquiringly. Arashi hesitated for a moment before speaking.
"Shisui-Nii-san, can Naruto stay with us tonight?" he asked, a hopeful expression on his face.
Shisui considered Arashi's request, understanding the young boy's need for companionship after the harrowing events of the previous night. However, he also knew the importance of Naruto returning to Kakashi's care. "You two can meet up tomorrow," he finally said, his voice gentle but firm. "I'm sure Kakashi-sensei is worried about him after what happened."
Arashi nodded, a flicker of disappointment crossing his face. "Right," he acknowledged, his voice subdued.
"Well, alright. Later, Arashi!" Naruto chimed in, staying behind as Shisui and Arashi continued towards the Uchiha compound.
"Later, Naruto!" Arashi waved back, a small smile returning to his lips.
As they walked, Shisui remained acutely aware of their surroundings, his senses heightened. The encounter with Danzo had served as a stark reminder of the dangers lurking in the shadows, and he couldn't afford to let his guard down. Arashi, however, walked beside him with a lightness that belied the gravity of their situation. He was still blissfully unaware of the full extent of the challenges that lay ahead, his mind focused on the warmth of his brother's presence and the promise of another day with Naruto.