Naruto: Hatake's No Misfortune

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"Quack, quack!"

A flock of birds flew over Nara Shikaku's head, but he didn't have the energy to appreciate the scene.

Muzan's immense presence weighed on him. The strength behind Muzan's punch, rivaling even Tsunade's, was a terrifying reminder of how fragile his own body was. If Muzan landed even one of those punches, it would all be over.

"Boom!"

The sound of destruction resonated through the air as Shikaku felt a sudden breeze behind him. Goosebumps prickled his skin as the sense of imminent danger surged through his body.

Muzan's fist smashed through Shikaku's form, but instead of blood, splintered wood scattered to the ground—the result of a well-timed substitution jutsu.

Mist began to enshroud the battlefield, making it almost impossible to see. Shikaku could still sense Muzan's overwhelming presence nearby, but pinpointing the exact location was a challenge.

Sweat dripped down Shikaku's face as he pressed his back against a large tree, using the fog as cover. He silently cursed his luck. If he had been even a second slower, that punch would have been the end of him.

This mission was quickly becoming a nightmare. Recovering the bodies of the three ANBU seemed impossible, and even escaping alive felt like an unattainable dream.

Far away, Namikaze Minato had anticipated the worst, sending Hatake Sakumo and Jiraiya as reinforcements. However, their preparations had caused a delay, leaving Shikaku to fend off Muzan alone.

Jiraiya, sensing the tension as they moved through the mist-covered Land of Waves, remarked, "Sakumo, your son shows remarkable promise. He's growing quickly."

Sakumo nodded, his eyes scanning the landscape. "Indeed, but this mission isn't about him. Something's not right..." His expression darkened. "We haven't encountered Shikaku. He must have gone ahead."

"What?!" Jiraiya froze, realization dawning on him. If Shikaku had already engaged, it must have been to protect the ANBU or prevent Muzan from reaching them.

"Let's move! We can't leave him alone against Muzan!"

Meanwhile, the deadly game of cat and mouse continued. Shikaku's sharp mind raced for a plan as Muzan sniffed the air, honing in on his position. Realizing the threat, Shikaku activated his jutsu.

"Shadow Imitation Bind!"

Dark tendrils of shadow surged from Shikaku's body, shooting toward Muzan's neck.

"Got you," Shikaku muttered, pouring his focus into the jutsu. Muzan's death was the only way to succeed.

However, as the shadow wrapped tightly around Muzan's neck, a horrifying realization hit him. He twisted with all his strength, snapping Muzan's neck—only for the demon to straighten it with a sickening crack. Muzan's cold, indifferent eyes bore no sign of pain or weakness.

"Katon: Gōka Mekkyaku!"

("Fire Style: Majestic Destroyer Flame!")

A wave of scorching fire erupted from Muzan's mouth, consuming everything in its path. Shikaku braced himself, certain his end was near.

Just as the flames closed in, two figures appeared.

"Fū!"

("Wind!")

A powerful gust sliced through the sea of fire. Jiraiya landed in front of Shikaku, his expression grim as he grabbed the strategist.

"Let's go!" Jiraiya ordered.

Even Sakumo, with his renowned skill, tread carefully in the inferno. The oppressive heat and Muzan's growing strength left no room for error.

The trio retreated, moving quickly through the charred forest.

"Kakkaka," Muzan chuckled, stepping over smoldering branches. His piercing eyes followed their retreating forms.

"Hizashi," he called calmly.

A figure emerged from the shadows, bowing deeply. "Yes, Muzan-sama?"

"Follow them. Once they leave the Land of Waves, return to me."

"Understood."

As they crossed into the Fire Country, Jiraiya and Sakumo couldn't shake the feeling of being watched.

"Could the Land of Waves have a surveillance technique similar to Konoha's Telescope Jutsu?" Jiraiya asked, his voice low.

"If so, it'll complicate any future operations," Sakumo replied, his tone grim.

Once they were safely in Fire Country territory, Shikaku finally spoke, his voice heavy. "Lord Jiraiya, Lord Sakumo, we underestimated the situation. I noticed something unsettling. The ANBU corpses bore traces of the Hyuga Clan's Gentle Fist technique."

Jiraiya frowned. "The Hyuga Clan? Are you suggesting they're working with the Land of Waves?"

"If that's true, it's dangerous for Konoha," Sakumo warned. "The Hyuga aren't as volatile as the Uchiha, but their numbers and the Byakugan's capabilities could spell disaster in the wrong hands."

"We need to inform Minato immediately," Jiraiya said, urgency creeping into his tone.

Back in the Land of Waves, Muzan stood amidst the ruins, his expression dark.

The growing power of the Land of Waves was drawing attention from across the shinobi world. Rumors of unimaginable strength and cruelty were spreading, and Muzan wasn't sure who had started them.

"If I find the source of those rumors, they'll regret it," he growled.

Far away in Konoha, Danzo paced in his Root headquarters, an uneasy feeling gnawing at him. A sudden sense of danger made him glance sharply around the room.

"Who dares direct murderous intent at me?" he muttered.

The Land of Waves had become a hotspot for rogue shinobi and power-hungry maniacs, further complicating Muzan's plans. Despite his dominance, even Muzan found it difficult to keep such chaos under control.

"Forget them," Muzan muttered. "I need to focus on recruiting the new Twelve Kizuki. The rest can wait."

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"Is this truly an opportunity for us to rise?"

Shinobi's stood at the edge of the fog-covered Land of Waves, the air thick with tension. Reaching this place had cost them dearly.

Their plight was unique—they hailed from Iwagakure, the Village Hidden in the Stones, in the Land of Earth. For the survival of their family, they had forsaken their home and turned rogue.

It was a desperate gamble, their only means of ensuring the Saika clan's name wouldn't vanish from history. But the journey to the Land of Waves had been harsher than they'd anticipated, their hopes dimming with each step.

The outer regions were infested with ruthless individuals, all seeking power at any cost. Already, they had lost one of their own in a violent altercation.

"I don't know," Saika Bee muttered, his voice heavy with fatigue. "But the rumors across the ninja world all point here. The Land of Waves has become a force to reckon with. Relying on their strength might be better than struggling to survive in the Land of Earth."

Saika Bee, clad in a worn yellow hat, scanned the crowd with wary eyes. He and his younger sister, Saika Butterfly, had endured endless hardships to get here. Now, surrounded by predators, his sole focus was her safety.

As if on cue, the uneasy crowd stirred, their attention drawn to a massive ship gliding toward the shore. At the vessel's prow stood a man of imposing presence—Muzan. In his hand, he held a small bottle filled with crystal-clear blood, its aura exuding immense power.

Muzan's bloodline limit was infamous, capable of granting unparalleled strength in mere moments.

As the ship docked, chaos erupted. Rogue ninjas lunged forward, eager to seize the bottle for themselves. But their greed was met with swift retribution—Haku, standing beside Muzan, moved with the precision of a seasoned Jonin, cutting them down effortlessly.

The display left the crowd in awe.

"A boy with the power of a Jonin..." Saika Butterfly whispered, her eyes wide.

From atop the ship, Muzan addressed the crowd, his voice cold and commanding:

"I'm pleased you misfits have gathered here. Since you all seek power, I'll grant you a chance to earn it!"

He raised the bottle of blood high. "In one hour, whoever can claim this will gain my favor and strength. Use whatever means necessary. The strongest will prevail!"

Muzan's decree was as simple as it was brutal—only the worthy would claim the prize.

The crowd erupted into a frenzy. Most were wandering ninjas who knew the significance of the blood. For them, it wasn't just power—it was survival, a chance to align with Muzan and the growing might of the Twelve Kizuki, his organization.

Even the Akatsuki had never been so overt in their recruitment of talent. Muzan's actions underscored his audacious strength and influence, his control over the Land of Waves extending well beyond its borders.

Amid the chaos, Bee whispered to his sister, "Wait. Muzan-sama's rules are clear—survival means patience. Let the others fight it out first."

Butterfly nodded, her gaze flicking to the swarms of ninjas already clashing below the ship. The waters ran red with blood, and screams filled the air.

Above it all, Muzan observed with an air of detachment. Beside him, Haku shifted uncomfortably.

"Master Muzan, is it worth putting them through this?" Haku asked quietly, his voice tinged with unease.

Muzan smirked. "Ask them yourself."

Below, the battle raged on, but two figures caught Muzan's attention—a man and a woman unleashing swarms of insects upon their foes. Their technique differed from Konoha's Aburame clan, their bugs smaller and more ferocious.

"The Iwagakure no Saika... how intriguing," Muzan mused.

The siblings worked in perfect sync. Bee targeted enemies with deadly precision, while Butterfly's insects crept toward the bottle of blood, attempting to secure it amidst the chaos.

But their actions didn't go unnoticed. A rogue ninja from Kirigakure spotted the insects and unleashed a barrage of flames.

"Fire Style: Phoenix Flower Jutsu!"

The swarm burned to ash, forcing Butterfly to retreat.

"Damn thief!" the rogue spat. "That blood is mine!"

Bee clenched his fists, frustration mounting. The insects had taken years to cultivate, and now they were gone. But he refused to give up.

"Stay close to me," he told his sister. "We'll get that blood no matter what!"

As the rogue ninja closed in on Butterfly, kunai in hand, Bee didn't hesitate. He threw himself between his sister and the attacker, his resolve unwavering.

"You want to die, boy? Don't blame me for it!" the rogue sneered, his blade poised to strike.

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