Chapter 28 - Shadows Gather: The Hunt Begins

Hey everyone!

I'm back! 😄 Thank you so much for your patience and continued support. Starting today, I'll be updating the story every other day, so get ready for consistent chapters, intense arcs, and a lot more action, emotion, and twists ahead.

Your comments and feedback keep me motivated, so please don't hesitate to share your thoughts after each update.

Let's dive back into the journey together 💥🔥

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The desert wind howled across the dunes of the Land of Wind, carrying whispers of something foul. Hidden beneath a stormy sky, the vast, isolated stronghold of Sunagakure braced itself. Gaara—no longer the monster they once feared but now the Kazekage—stood atop the sandstone tower overlooking his village. His crimson hair danced in the wind, his teal-ringed eyes sharp and focused.

Inside him, Shukaku stirred restlessly.

"They're coming," Gaara murmured.

Temari approached quietly from behind, her battle fan strapped across her back. "You sensed it again?"

Gaara didn't turn. "The sand tells me of foreign chakra—dark, ancient, and relentless. Not just spies. Hunters."

Temari's expression hardened. "We've increased patrols. Kankuro is monitoring movements outside the borders."

Gaara closed his eyes. "It won't be enough. These men—they aren't shinobi. They are predators. And they want the Bijuu."

Elsewhere, far from the dunes, in a hidden cave carved deep into the rocky mountains of the Land of Rain...

A giant statue with ten eyes towered in the dark. The Demonic Statue of the Outer Path loomed over the figures in black cloaks, red clouds painting their bodies in a pattern of dread.

Pain stood at the center, his Rinnegan eyes glowing faintly in the dim light. "It's time."

One by one, the silhouettes of the Akatsuki flickered to life—Zetsu, Kisame, Itachi, Sasori, Deidara, Kakuzu, Hidan, and others still shrouded in mystery.

"Our targets," Pain said, his voice cold, emotionless, "are the Bijuu. We will begin with the One-Tails in Sunagakure. Gaara of the Sand."

A sharp chuckle came from Kisame. "Kazekage now, isn't he? Quite the promotion for a Jinchūriki."

"Won't change the outcome," Sasori replied with venom. "He's in my backyard."

"Itachi," Pain continued. "You'll partner with Kisame. Extract Gaara and bring him to the designated point. Minimize unnecessary bloodshed."

Zetsu's body twitched slightly. "What of Konoha? What if they move?"

Pain's gaze darkened. "They will. And we will be ready."

In the shadows, Obito—still masked and only known to the others as Tobi—watched in silence. He didn't speak. Not yet.

Meanwhile – Hidden Leaf Village – ANBU Headquarters

Rain slicked the rooftop tiles of the Hokage Tower as Naruto adjusted his black ANBU armor. The silver wolf mask hung from his side, unused for now. Beside him, Haku moved in silence, her violet eyes glancing toward him. The quiet between them was familiar, charged with unspoken understanding.

"I felt something," Naruto said finally, eyes narrowing. "Like the storm before the lightning."

Haku tilted her head. "You think it's them?"

Naruto's jaw clenched. "It's more than a feeling. A disturbance in the network. A sudden surge of missing-nin in the Wind and Water borders. Tsunade's trying to keep it quiet, but… there's only one group who could make even the ANBU twitch."

Haku didn't need to ask. "Akatsuki."

Naruto gave a silent nod, then looked toward the Hokage Monument. "They've started hunting. And if Gaara is the first target... we're already late."

Inside the Hokage Office

Tsunade slammed her palm into the desk, cracking the wood.

"Two missing patrols from Suna. Three merchants were found dead near the border with strange chakra burns. And now this report—unconfirmed sightings of red clouds on black cloaks."

Minato stood beside her, face grim.

"There's no doubt. Akatsuki is making its move."

Kushina stood quietly near the window, arms crossed, her red hair braided tightly behind her. "If they've started... it means they've gathered enough intel. They won't stop now."

Tsunade took a breath and looked at the gathered squad.

"Team Alpha: Naruto, Haku, Neji, and Yamato. You're heading to Suna immediately. Offer aid and secure the Jinchūriki. Protect Gaara at all costs."

Naruto raised an eyebrow. "Not Sasuke?"

Minato shook his head. "He's on a separate mission under Mikoto and Izumi—tracking Orochimaru's movements. We suspect a potential alliance brewing... and it's not just Orochimaru. Danzo's been quiet. Too quiet."

Naruto muttered, "Figures. That snake and the rat always find each other."

Tsunade continued, "Ino, Hinata, and Sakura will serve as backup coordinators. They'll remain here for now, but they'll be dispatched as needed."

Kushina placed a hand on Naruto's shoulder. "This isn't a typical mission. If Akatsuki is involved… you'll need to use everything you've learned."

Naruto looked into her eyes for a long moment, his voice low. "I haven't forgotten what they did. Or what they're after. This isn't just about Gaara. It's about all of us."

Later That Night – Naruto's Apartment

The room was warm despite the storm outside. Naruto sat with Haku on one side, and Hinata leaned into his shoulder while Ino sat cross-legged opposite them. Sakura had just left after dropping off field medicine scrolls.

"Are you ready for this?" Haku asked quietly.

Naruto didn't answer immediately. He looked at the photo on the shelf—Team 7, years ago. So much had changed.

"I have to be," he said. "Gaara was the first person who ever understood me. The pain. The loneliness. I won't let him be taken."

Ino reached out and grabbed his hand. "We'll be right here, Naruto. Always."

Hinata nodded. "And we're stronger than ever. You taught us never to give up."

Naruto chuckled softly. "Heh. Guess I'm finally rubbing off on you guys."

The mood softened briefly, but the tension remained.

Haku whispered, "Let's bring him back. Before it's too late."

Elsewhere – Deep Underground

In a forbidden chamber beneath the ruins of an old laboratory, Orochimaru stood before a twisted glass tank. Inside, the barely conscious body of a young boy floated—Menma, sealed and sedated, with the faint shimmer of a three-tailed chakra surrounding him.

Danzo emerged from the shadows, his right eye covered and his voice sharp.

"Progress?"

Orochimaru smirked. "Soon. The Three-Tails is almost stabilized. When it awakens fully, he will become the weapon we need."

Danzo growled, "You promised results."

"And you will get them," Orochimaru hissed. "The Akatsuki's hunt will draw Konoha's forces away. While they look to the desert... we will strike from the sea."

They both turned toward a map marked with red ink—targets circled, villages pinned, and the word Fuu scrawled at the center.

Sunagakure – Midnight

The moon peeked through the swirling sands, casting a silvery glow over the high ramparts of the Hidden Sand Village. All was unnervingly still—too still.

In the Kazekage's tower, Gaara stood at the center of a war council flanked by Kankuro and Baki. His expression was calm, but a subtle tension tightened his fingers around the gourd strapped to his back.

"They'll strike tonight," Gaara said simply, eyes staring through the map on the table as if reading the future itself.

Kankuro frowned. "You're sure?"

Gaara nodded. "Shukaku hasn't stopped whispering. He's never this alert unless another predator is near."

Baki exhaled. "We've stationed elite jonin at every possible entry point. But if what you say is true—if Akatsuki really is coming—our defenses may not be enough."

Gaara turned his gaze to the door. "That's why I sent for them. Help is on the way."

In the Skies above the Wind Country

Naruto's ANBU team soared through the air atop summoned hawks, the harsh desert wind cutting across their faces.

Haku leaned close to Naruto. "You're quiet. Thinking about Gaara?"

"Yeah," Naruto replied, his voice steady despite the urgency. "He saved the village he once tried to destroy. They finally trust him. And now the same people who used to fear him… they'll mourn him if we're too late."

Neji glanced over from another hawk. "Then we won't be too late."

Yamato, at the lead, called out, "Brace yourselves. We're entering Suna airspace."

As the team descended toward the high walls of Sunagakure, a blinding flash illuminated the village outskirts—and then the ground shook.

"Explosion!" Haku shouted. "Northwest wall!"

Naruto's eyes sharpened. "They've already begun."

Sunagakure – North Wall

A massive section of the wall had been obliterated, flames licking the sand where the blast hit. Amidst the smoke stood two figures.

Sasori, draped in his Akatsuki cloak, his expression like carved marble. Beside him, Deidara smirked, a clay bird fluttering above his shoulder.

"Boom, yeah!" Deidara laughed. "Told ya they'd never see it coming!"

Sasori's puppet limbs clicked beneath his cloak. "Focus. We retrieve the One-Tails. No distractions."

Sunagakure shinobi rushed in, but their numbers thinned quickly. Traps, poison, and living explosives left nothing but bodies and broken walls behind.

Gaara descended like a falcon, sand spiraling around him in a protective dome. "You won't leave with Shukaku," he said coolly.

Deidara grinned. "Ohoho~ Kazekage-kun wants to play? Let's see if you can catch me in that coffin of yours!"

Gaara didn't reply. He simply raised one hand, and the battle began.

Inside the Village – ANBU Reinforcements Arrive

Naruto's boots hit the sand with a crunch. "Haku—go support Gaara. Neji, Yamato—split and search for backup targets. Akatsuki always moves in twos. There's more than just those two here."

They nodded and vanished into the smoke.

Naruto vanished with a flicker.

On the Battlefield – Gaara vs. Deidara and Sasori

Sand missiles rocketed from Gaara's gourd, deflecting clay bombs and shielding civilians. He moved with control honed over years of reform, no longer ruled by Shukaku's madness.

Deidara cackled, flinging birds into the air. "Dance for me, sand boy! Art is an EXPLOSION!"

Sasori, meanwhile, had unleashed Hiruko, his outer puppet body, launching venom-tipped needles from hidden compartments.

Gaara grunted as his shield faltered slightly. "Too many variables. I need to end this."

Then—

Boom.

A huge detonation rocked the battlefield—and a gust of wind cleared the smoke, revealing Naruto, standing between Gaara and the Akatsuki duo, his black ANBU cloak flapping behind him, eyes filled with cold fury.

"You're done," Naruto growled.

Deidara tilted his head. "Whaaa~? Konoha ANBU? Not on the guest list, yeah."

Naruto stepped forward. "You hurt my friend. That was your first mistake."

He formed a seal.

"Storm Release: Thunder Wolf Descent."

A brilliant surge of crackling chakra erupted around Naruto as a bolt of lightning forged into a massive, snarling wolf slammed toward the Akatsuki pair. Deidara barely dodged, and Sasori's Hiruko lost an arm.

Sasori's eyes narrowed. "That technique… Kekkei Genkai. Who is this boy?"

Naruto's eyes glinted. "Your end."

Elsewhere – Suna's Underground Chambers

Haku darted through the tunnels, dispatching Sasori's hidden puppets with a series of ice needles laced with Shizune's paralyzing toxins.

"Too quiet…" she whispered, entering a lower chamber.

A sudden clang echoed behind her—an ambush puppet triggered.

She spun, dodged, and impaled it with a crystal kunai. Poison hissed from its ruined chest cavity.

From the shadows, a new voice spoke.

"You've grown. Deadlier than you used to be."

Haku froze.

A young woman stepped out, black hair cascading over her ANBU cloak.

Guren.Orochimaru's Crystal Release user.

"You're working with Akatsuki?" Haku asked, blade at the ready.

Guren smirked. "I'm only here to observe… for now."

With that, the chamber exploded in a prism of crystals and mist.

Outside – As the Storm Breaks

Naruto charged forward, clashing midair with Deidara as lightning clashed against clay. The battle painted the sky in hues of blue and orange.

Gaara floated above, suppressing Shukaku's urge to rampage. "Naruto… his chakra. It's different now. Sharper. Focused."

Sasori growled, retreating briefly. "We underestimated them."

A blast from Yamato's Wood Release shook the opposite ridge. Neji emerged from the dust, Byakugan glowing. "All paths are blocked. You're not leaving."

Deidara's smile faded. "Tch. Time to abort. Sasori!"

But before they could retreat—

A powerful chakra presence descended upon the battlefield like a hammer.

Pain.

Through a summoned link, his voice echoed.

"Abort. Retreat. We'll deal with the One-Tails later. Change target."

Naruto's eyes narrowed. "They're after more than Gaara..."

Back at Konoha – Hokage Tower

Tsunade received the update scroll. Her expression turned grim as she read the coded ink.

"They failed to capture Gaara. But... Akatsuki is moving again."

She turned toward Ino, Hinata, and Sakura.

"They'll now turn to the next easiest targets. The Seven-Tails. The Three-Tails. Prepare yourselves. Your missions begin soon."

Far Away – In the Shadows of a Mist-Shrouded Island

A young girl with green hair—Fū, Jinchūriki of the Seven-Tails—watched the sky from atop an abandoned watchtower. A strange unease tugged at her chest.

"They're coming," she whispered.

A pair of glowing eyes opened behind her in the mist.

And deep underground, in Orochimaru's lair…

Menma stirred inside the glass tank. His eyes opened—bloody red, with the unmistakable glow of the Three-Tails' influence surging through his veins.

Orochimaru leaned in, smiling cruelly. "Awaken, my weapon. Your brother is waiting…"