Chapter 23: Shadows at the Border
The forest grew denser as the team moved closer to the border. The air felt heavy, laden with tension. Nicolas could feel the faint thrum of energy in the distance—a resonance he was beginning to associate with the masked shinobi and their sinister presence.
Rina signaled for the group to halt, her sharp eyes scanning the treetops. "Something's off," she whispered. "It's too quiet."
Nicolas focused, his senses reaching out. His unique connection to the artifact allowed him to detect subtle disturbances, and he felt it now—a faint ripple, like a drop in a still pond.
"They're here," he said softly.
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The Ambush
Before anyone could react, kunai rained down from the canopy above. Nicolas leaped back, unsheathing his blade in one fluid motion. Kotetsu and Izumo moved in tandem, deflecting the projectiles with expert precision.
Rina darted forward, her movements a blur as she engaged the first masked shinobi to appear. The enemy moved with unnatural speed, their chakra distorted and chaotic.
"These guys are enhanced," Rina called out. "Be careful!"
Nicolas nodded, his grip tightening on his blade. Another shinobi lunged at him, their masked face revealing nothing of their intent. Nicolas parried the attack, his strength surprising even himself.
As he fought, he felt the entity's presence stir within him. "Their energy is tainted, but not entirely foreign. This is only the beginning, Nicolas Null. Focus."
He pushed the voice aside, concentrating on the fight.
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A Fateful Encounter
The battle spread through the forest, each team member locked in their own struggle. Nicolas's opponent moved with relentless aggression, their strikes aimed to overwhelm. But Nicolas countered with a mix of skill and intuition, his movements becoming more fluid as the fight went on.
As he disarmed his opponent, another figure emerged from the shadows. This one was different—taller, their mask adorned with intricate markings. Their chakra was oppressive, radiating an aura of dominance.
"You must be the Sage," the figure said, their voice cold and distorted.
Nicolas stood his ground, his blade at the ready. "And who are you?"
The figure tilted their head slightly. "A harbinger of what's to come. You don't belong here, Sage. Leave this world while you still can."
Nicolas smirked. "Not a chance."
The figure's chakra flared, and in an instant, they were upon him. Nicolas barely had time to react, blocking a strike that sent shockwaves through the ground. The sheer force of the attack left him momentarily stunned.
"You're not ready for this," the entity's voice warned. "Retreat and regroup."
But Nicolas wasn't one to back down. He steadied himself, his own energy surging as he countered with a powerful slash.
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Rina's Intervention
Rina appeared at his side, her kunai striking the masked figure's arm and forcing them back. "You okay?" she asked, her breathing heavy.
"Yeah," Nicolas said, though his arms ached from the force of the encounter.
The masked figure laughed, the sound chilling. "You're stronger than I expected, but you're still just a fledgling Sage. We'll meet again soon."
With that, they disappeared in a swirl of smoke, leaving behind only the faint trace of their chakra.
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Aftermath
The team regrouped, their expressions grim. The ambush had been intense, and though they had survived, it was clear the masked shinobi were becoming more organized—and more dangerous.
"We need to report this to Tsunade immediately," Rina said, her tone urgent.
Nicolas nodded, but his mind was elsewhere. The masked figure's words lingered in his head, their warning a dark cloud over his thoughts.
"You don't belong here, Sage."
The entity's voice whispered softly, "Their fear betrays their desperation. You are more important than they wish to admit."
Nicolas clenched his fists. He didn't fully understand his role yet, but one thing was certain—he couldn't afford to fail.
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