Path of Hardships. (Naruto fanfic)

Chapter 25: Counterattack

Here is the next update of the series. From last time Naruto ran into a mysterious figure.

Hard walked path chapter 25:

Main Campsite, Command tent:

Naruto franticly raced back towards the camp. Figuring out who the cloaked figure would come later but first his troops. Seeing smoke in the distance, he increased his pace.

It was around noon when he arrived at the primary site. Coughing heavily as he ran himself ragged getting here. Turning his attention to the camp, he saw chaos. People were moving and attending to the wounded. While others fought, the number of fires spread about the camp. He walked through it all, taking in the damage.

'I'm too late' he scowled and balling his fists in anger. Making his way to the medical tents, he saw Isara passing out orders. Her eyes widened when she spotted him.

"Captain, you here," she said, excusing herself and rushing over to him. Wrapping him up in a hug, the others seemed to stand up straight at his appearance. "It was terrible one moment everything was fine. Then explosions rocked the camp before these weird animals attacked us," she sobbed.

'Seems she was putting on a strong facade for the others,' he thought with a small smile. Returning the hug and rubbing circles into her back to help calm her. "It's fine now, report. How bad we're we hit?" he asked gently.

"The attack caught us off guard they injured many people in the attack. The medics are working on those in critical condition now," she replied. As they walked through the camp, noting the various damages. Before heading back to the command tent. Saluting the guards as they passed.

Naruto sat down at his desk tiredly, pinching his nose to relieve his stress. The total damage was minimal but the number of injured was high.

'We need to ramp up security. This cannot happen to us again,' he pondered on ways to improve the defense. While offering a quick prayer for the wounded. "Isara, I need you to send word to the others. Everyone is to regroup here post haste. Also, inform the others an emergency meeting is being held," he ordered and dismissed her with a wave.

Two hours later.

It took the full two hours for the others to gather up their supplies and move. The chaos grew with the included personal from the three other groups. Taka arrived first, with Mizu being the second and Akina being the last. They soon piled into his tent upon arriving. The trio standing before him with Isara at his side.

"Report," Naruto growled. Letting them know how serious he was.

Taka was the first to step forward to break the silence. Covered in dirt, he overall looked fine save for the gash on his left cheek.

"They ambushed us while out hunting. I quickly gathered everyone and drove them off. No one died, four of mine were wounded," he said. Stepping back in line with the others.

Akina was the next to step forward, her kimono ripped and dirtied. Looking into her eyes, you could see how tired she truly was.

"The attack caught Akina off guard while she was doing her poetry. The others fought them back easily enough. Though two of ours died and six received wounds from the attack," she whispered. "Zakuro also received an injury while protecting me," she added in a depressed tone.

He could understand she had two men under her killed. Cleary that and Zakros injuries weighed on her. This would give her a new drive and make her take things more seriously.