Beneath the Night Sky
Under the dark shroud of the night, the moon cast its pristine light upon the earth, accompanied by the occasional call of a nightingale.
Ten minutes later, the group from the Hidden Cloud emerged from the dense forest. The surroundings transformed gradually into towering stone structures, signaling the shift from wilderness to civilization.
A vast expanse of barren land stretched before them.
The tension that gripped the team finally eased. They were almost at the border of the Land of Fire, marking more than halfway through their mission.
All that remained was an uneventful return to the Land of Lightning.
Unlike the careless demeanor of those trailing behind, Dee's sharp eyes remained fixed on their surroundings. The unease that gnawed at him only intensified, his instincts warning of impending danger. Warriors of his caliber often trusted their sixth sense—rarely was it wrong.
Meanwhile, Kushina stumbled forward in a haze, her strength utterly drained. The secret technique cast on her had sapped even the energy to lift her hands, let alone muster chakra to resist or fight. Despair gripped her heart.
For someone with Uzumaki blood to be in such a state was alarming.
Mikoto fared no better. The grueling pace had left her utterly exhausted.
"Naruto... I'm sorry. I think I'm going to die."
Her soft murmur caught the attention of the Cloud shinobis.
"Naruto? Who's that?"
"Kushina, Mikoto!"
Suddenly, a familiar voice rang out, echoing through the barren land and piercing the despair that shrouded the two women.
Through her blurred vision, Kushina caught sight of a figure cloaked in gold—a radiant presence she thought she'd never see again.
"Naruto," she whispered hoarsely.
"Naruto-kun!" Mikoto rasped, her voice cracking, her bloodstained face radiating with a flicker of hope.
Dee muttered under his breath, his tone heavy with resignation. "So, the worst has come to pass."
He raised a hand, signaling the Hidden Cloud team to halt.
The squad quickly shifted their formation into a defensive triangle, encircling the two captives.
Dee stepped forward, his left hand resting on the hilt of the blade at his waist, his sharp gaze fixed on the forest's edge. The chakra within him began to stir, ready for battle.
Under the moonlight, a boy with short golden hair emerged, his breaths ragged but steady.
"A single person?"
"And just a brat at that..."
"Came out in his pajamas, too."
"Is this a joke?"
"Must be an idiot."
Seeing only one child instead of an army of Konoha shinobi, the Hidden Cloud shinobis exchanged mocking jests, their laughter rippling through the group.
"You bastards really made me work to find you," Naruto growled, his crimson, slit-pupiled eyes locking onto the two women trapped in the enemy formation.
"Kushina, Mikoto, are you okay? Don't worry, I'll get you out of here soon," he said, his voice laden with urgency and frustration.
Hearing this, the women's lifeless eyes flickered with renewed hope. They knew Naruto's power.
"Kid, you're celebrating too early."
Dee stepped forward, his voice cold as he drew the blade from his waist. Its edge gleamed ominously under the pale moonlight.
"Samui, lead the squad forward. The mission objective must not be compromised."
"Yes, Lord Dee."
Following his orders, Samui gestured to two female Cloud ninjas, who hefted the weakened Kushina and Mikoto onto their shoulders and sped away.
Naruto watched in silence, his expression unreadable.
Dee regarded him curiously. "Not going to stop them, boy?"
Twisting the blade in his hand with a flourish, Dee added, "By the time your reinforcements arrive, our mission will be complete. Even Konoha's army won't stop us."
Naruto tilted his head slightly, gripping the Flying Thunder God Kunai in his hand. His voice was low but icy. "Doesn't matter. Killing you first, then the rest, is just a matter of time."
Dee's face darkened. "Bold words. I hope you're ready to pay the price."
The air grew tense as Dee's body began to glow, encased in the dazzling light of the Lightning Armor.
"Let me share a Hidden Cloud secret," he began, his voice laced with pride. "Every Raikage is protected by a partner—code name B. And then there's C, the support. As for me..."
"I am D—the Raikage's shield. From the moment you faced me, your fate was sealed."
Naruto feigned disinterest, cleaning his ear with a pinky. "A dead man rambling on and on... Who's that for?"
Furious, Dee lunged at him, lightning crackling around his body.
Clang!
Naruto intercepted the strike with his kunai, sparks flying in the darkness.
"So fast... and heavy," he muttered, his arm trembling under the force.
In one swift motion, he tossed the kunai behind Dee, who barely noticed.
Flying Thunder God Technique—activated.
In the blink of an eye, Naruto appeared behind Dee, his right hand glowing with lightning.
"Chidori."
Naruto's hand drove into Dee's neck, the sound of thunder echoing through the night.
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