The atmosphere in the office was so tense that it seemed like you could cut it with a knife. The tension lingered in the air, and the oppressive silence in the room was so stifling that it felt as though it might shatter at any moment. No one wanted to speak, as the information you had just shared was shocking.
In that moment, a strange feeling of oppression engulfed everyone—everyone but Tanaka. Most of them felt like mere atoms, unable to affect anything. But Tanaka was in despair, as he, even if just for a moment, recognized that feeling—fear and suppression, the same energy he remembered so vividly even after 50 years, as if it had happened yesterday. Only that energy could bring such fear to a proud S-rank ninja. Even facing the Nine-Tails for a second time had not left such an impression on him.
No, not even their first encounter could compare to this energy. If an artist were to paint Tanaka's portrait at that moment, the artwork would be called "Pure Fear." Only fear was etched on his face; just a brief moment of that energy had scared him so much that, despite his "aging" instantly, his chakra overflowed through his channels so intensely that they nearly burst. Turning his head stiffly toward the window, he saw just one image.
Little Yuki, holding a straight stick, stood proudly over his brothers, while Haru had risen to one knee, and Sora was still lying on the grass. Takeshi, noticing Tanaka's reaction, immediately tensed up and looked to his left, where he saw the same scene. Satsuki, seeing the change in his friend and worried for him, got up and looked into his eyes. Tanaka, now calm but still struggling to contain his chakra, saw the sympathy in his friend's eyes, simply rubbed his nose bridge, closed his eyes, and said:
"I'm too old for this crap." And although he appeared calm, the chakra surge had not come without a cost to his body. Completely uncoordinated due to his chakra channels or nervous system, he simply collapsed. Satsuki just caught his friend's body and turned to Hirata, who said:
"Judging by his reaction, I'd say he recognized it, which means everything he said is not the ramblings of a mad old man." Hirata, analyzing the situation in a split second, continued, "Takeshi, check on your sons. We'll take Tanaka to the emergency therapy unit."
Takeshi nodded in agreement, used Shunshin, and appeared before his sons, while Hirata and Satsuki exchanged glances, nodded, and disappeared from the office together.
"The Battleground Against the Three-Tails"
Tajima Uchiha stood before a destroyed forest, now replaced by a massive void—a gigantic crater left by the beast's last attack.
"Finally, the power of this clan is waning, although revenge was just a very pleasant bonus. I think if I kill another one of their elite, they'll become more cautious, which would hinder my plans. So, perhaps I'll wait until Takeshi Masuroboshi Kuu Mono's anger subsides," he thought, turning around and picking up speed with each step as he ran toward his clan.
"Clan Nara. Gate Entrance"
At the entrance to the clan, two guards from a branch family of the clan stood, which meant they were lazy, albeit wise. From the forest opposite, a group of red-haired people emerged. The eldest among them had maroon hair streaked with gray and wore red armor. This was Ashina Uzumaki, the well-known leader of the Uzumaki clan. Beside him ran a 14-year-old girl with hair just like her father's. Even at such a young age, she was known by the famous nickname "Misaki," meaning "Beautiful World," and her real name, Mito Uzumaki, was known due to her genjutsu skills and talent in fūinjutsu.
The Nara guards, lazy though they were, were not asleep and quickly spotted the uninvited guests and recognized them, as they were required to know the entire Bingo Book by heart. As soon as they recognized them, one of them, following protocol, rushed to the clan leader, while the other stepped out beyond the gate, extending his palm forward and waiting for the guests to approach and stop. Stopping before him, the group heard the words:
"I am Izuna Nara. Please wait while my partner returns with instructions regarding you. I apologize in advance for any inconvenience caused by a long wait for my partner," said the poor Nara, who had nearly been asleep, now fully awake and remembering all the etiquette he'd been taught before becoming a guard.
The group remained silent, but the young, impatient Mito didn't want to wait. After ten seconds, she began releasing chakra into the air. Perhaps she seemed impatient, but the journey had tired her, and the inability to speak during travel had completely ruined her mood. Seeing the two guards, no more than mid-level masters, she decided to play with them. She expected her father, Ashina Uzumaki, to stop her, but he didn't pay attention, lost in thought along with the others. Watching Izuna Nara already sweating, she smiled and released even more chakra. The poor guard began gasping for breath.
But the situation was saved by an even stronger surge of chakra that simply swept hers away like a small leaf in the autumn wind. The young, hot-headed Uzumaki was shocked when two forty-year-old men walked out of the gate. One had a short ponytail that Mito immediately nicknamed "Pineapple," black eyes, and smooth features without scars. He had narrowed brows and an aura of severity. Mito understood that it was he who was the center of the chakra that had just crushed her own. The other man, taller than the first, had long, thick hair that fell just below his shoulders, creating a somewhat messy look. His sharp features bore scars that couldn't hide his handsomeness. Danger radiated from him, and she thought her father had a similar aura.
It was a great compliment for someone from Nara, as she knew there were few people in the world who could stand up to Ashina Uzumaki. But she hadn't noticed that half, if not more, of the danger came from his shadow. Ashina Uzumaki, noticing this, squinted, concentrated chakra in his eyes, and looked again, but even in that darkness, he found nothing.
Raising his gaze to meet the eyes of the notable person, he made a short bow and said:
"Greetings to Ryobu Nara, Head of the Main Branch of the Clan, and I wish him many long years of leadership." Turning to the other person, he bowed briefly and added, "Greetings also to the second leader of the Nara clan, head of the branch family, Shikatsuki Nara."
Shikatsuki Nara nodded and replied, "Greetings to the head of the great Uzumaki clan and his daughter."
Mito, who was stunned by the dangerous aura of those present, finally regained her composure and quickly said:
"Greetings to the second leader of the Nara clan and the head of the Nara branch family," she said, bowing her head, then addressed Ryobu Nara, "And also greetings to Ryobu Nara, leader of the Nara clan and head of the main branch of the Nara clan."
Shikatsuki Nara merely nodded, while Ryobu Nara, bowing first, said:
"Greetings to the entire delegation of the great Uzumaki clan and the leader of the Uzumaki clan," straightening up, he added, "I hope you feel at home, and the Nara clan will do everything possible for your comfort. The clan assembly will start tomorrow at ten o'clock, where we can discuss all issues."
After finishing, he turned and headed home, while the second head of the clan waved and disappeared into his shadow. Despite the adherence to etiquette, the tension between the two sides was palpable.
«Shizuka no Mori»
It was a beautiful forest where the trees reached over 112 meters or 380 feet tall (which is taller than the Statue of Liberty). This magnificent forest had nurtured many beasts, but I am not talking about wolves or foxes; I am talking about summoning beasts. In a clearing, you could see a large frog and a snake talking. But their conversation didn't seem peaceful.
-"Gamabachi, do you know that people will soon come here?" the snake hissed quietly but threateningly. She was completely dark purple, while the frog opposite her was orange with red spots. The frog did not remain silent. An ancient dispute between them could have continued, but if people destroyed their home, what would they do? Even though they were large, a two-meter frog and a four-meter snake wouldn't be able to do anything against an entire clan.
-"I know, but what can we do? Even if we work together, we still won't be able to protect it. I think we should call the elders." This forest had nurtured them; even though they were small, they had lived here for four years. They liked it here, and they knew that not only they loved to be here. They had their domains for summoning, but since they wanted to fight, they gathered here. However, due to the unstable supply of natural energy, they hadn't grown, not even realizing their talent.
Manta simply agreed.
And the two beasts disappeared into smoke.
"A Few Days Later"
This once beautiful, large, and majestic forest had been completely destroyed. The war did not spare this forest; it was entirely burned, partially flooded, and turned upside down. The forest died, but even two days after the battle, fighting had not ceased; a few men from both clans were still clashing.
Forty-year-old Tajima Uchiha, along with his elders and son, faced off against Butsuma Senju, who were with their elders, including Senju Hashirama. Izuna Uchiha, Tobirama Senju, and others simply could not endure the duration of the battle and retreated. The air was thick with tension, and everyone was already on the edge.
But suddenly, in a clearing that was hard to call whole, two large foxes appeared, and from the smoke, a Great Green Frog gradually became visible, but the snake beside her was several times larger. The frog slowly began to speak:
-"So, this is all that remains of the forest?" she was saddened, as the place where she last saw the Sage of Six Paths had been destroyed. "Well, it seems someone must be punished."
After these words, she erupted with natural energy.