Chapter 26: Kyubi Attack
As the moon's soft glow began to filter through the thick curtains of Shikai's small chamber, a sense of anticipation filled the air. The room, though modest in size, was impeccably organized, with every item in its place. A shelf laden with ancient scrolls and books occupied the left wall, just above a worn but well-maintained wooden desk. On the desk, scrolls were spread out, with hurriedly scribbled notes on the corners, and intricate fūinjutsu symbols carefully drawn. Beside it, a barely extinguished oil lamp left a faint scent of combustion hanging in the air.
The bed, tucked away in a corner, remained untouched, its sheets perfectly folded. Shikai had chosen the chair, an old but sturdy wooden piece, where he had sat working through the night. His body was slightly slumped, one hand resting carelessly on the armrest, the other still poised on an unfinished scroll. His face, usually marked by intense concentration, was relaxed in an involuntary slumber.
On the table, a partially unrolled scroll displayed a detailed plan of what appeared to be an underground facility: the layout of his secret laboratory. Annotations adorned the map, describing areas dedicated to biological and technological experiments, training grounds, and even a section for storing rare resources.
Other notes surrounded the main scroll, listing the jutsu he had mastered and hypotheses on their improvement.
- Advanced Raiton Manipulation: Utilizing raiton at an extreme level to create light, a technique that would enhance his speed.
- Mobile Aquatic Barrier: A combination of water-type techniques and fūinjutsu to create a shield that would move with him. And more...
Scrawled notes in a corner also mentioned future plans, detailed strategies on how to utilize these techniques in an eventual confrontation or even a war.
Despite the apparent order of his notes, fatigue had betrayed him. With heavy eyes, he had dozed off without realizing, his head slightly tilted to the side, a folded scroll pressed against his chest.
*BOOM*
A loud, abrupt noise suddenly reverberated, causing the room's walls to vibrate. Shikai startled, jolting upright in his chair. His eyes widened at first, then narrowed as he quickly analyzed the situation.
The noise seemed to come from outside, a mix of explosion and chaos echoing through the village. A second of silence followed, then distant screams began to be heard.
Shikai swiftly ran a hand through his face, dispelling the last traces of sleep. He grabbed a black headband from the table and tied his blond hair back in a ponytail, out of his way. His gaze fell on his notes, but he reluctantly pushed them aside: "Not now."
He rose in a fluid motion, grabbing a bag containing pre-prepared jutsu scrolls and kunai marked with his Hiraishin seal. His dark eyes turned to the window, through which he could see a column of black smoke rising into the sky.
"It's tonight... the fateful moment has arrived. Kyubi's attack."
He took a deep breath, preparing himself mentally. A part of him had hoped it wouldn't happen, that the future he had foreseen could be averted. But events seemed to unfold inexorably, as if everything was written in advance.
Shikai cast a final glance at his chamber, a space he had meticulously prepared for his research and development. His eyes paused for a moment on a photograph placed on the table. It showed Minato and Shikai together. He sighed and turned on his heels.
As he left, he murmured to himself: "Minato-sensei... Kushina... I wish I could have done more."
"But for now, my main objective is to confront the chakra rampage of that fox."
The screams outside intensified, and Shikai leaped through his window and started running, ready to face the chaos that awaited.
...
The night, which should have been peaceful, was torn apart by screams and explosions. The moon seemed to tremble in the sky, obscured by the glowing red light emanating from the chaos below. In the streets of Konoha, an unprecedented terror gripped the inhabitants.
Families ran in haste, holding their children close to their chests, fleeing the neighborhoods where the ground had opened up under the impact of the attacks. Heart-wrenching cries filled the air, voices calling out names that would remain unanswered. Looks were filled with panic, legs heavy with despair, and everywhere reigned a fear that froze the blood.
At the heart of this night of horror, an overwhelming presence was felt. Kyubi, the nine-tailed beast, erupted with immense power, each roar sending waves of negative chakra through the village. This chakra was not just powerful; it was palpable, almost suffocating, like a poison infiltrating souls. Those not trained to sense or counter such energy fell to their knees, dizzy, unable to think clearly.
Huge gusts of wind accompanied by a sinister hum swept through the streets with every movement of the creature. Kyubi's chakra was not just a manifestation of power; it was a torrent of raw emotions, a blend of hatred, pain, and its anger, projected onto everything nearby.
The village's ninjas gathered hastily, forming groups to protect civilians and try to slow down the beast. But their determination wavered in the face of this mountain of chakra incarnate. Every movement of the creature was an unstoppable force: massive tails crashed down on the ground, reducing houses and towers to dust; monstrous claws tore through the strongest defenses as if they were nothing.
The ninjas, though trained to face the impossible, were overwhelmed. The most powerful attacks were but drops of water on a burning stone.
The streets of Konoha were unrecognizable. Once majestic buildings collapsed with a dull thud, debris scattering in all directions. Flames erupted from fires sparked by the explosions, and smoke rose in dense columns, veiling the stars.
In a residential area, a young woman desperately tried to remove a piece of wood stuck on her husband, while another carried her child in her arms, screaming for help. Nearby, a group of low-ranking genin ninjas tried to dig with their bare hands to extract a comrade trapped under a pile of debris.