The Future: Naruto Fanfiction

Chapter 49 THE OLD MAN

Clyde's Headquarters

Besides Hinata and Clyde, everyone in the tent is shocked. They look as if a dormant volcano has just exploded right in front of them. She quickly realises that it must be something to do with the invaders' power, something that only they could feel. The temperature seems to drop by a couple of degrees as their creases in their brows deepen. It's like somebody has just died.

Hinata understands that Clyde likely foresaw this. Either that or he knew about this power previously. Those are the only ways to explain the unperturbed look on his face. To her, he appears more annoyed than distressed.

"Clyde… what is that power, what is happening?" Naruto asks.

"It's all coming true it seems" he says in reply, raising to his feet, "I am really opposing her, after so many years of silent animosity".

Clyde leans forward, pressing his knuckles into the wooden table as if to support him. He looks down at the table. His eyes aren't depressed as one may expect but behind them there is an intense focus. Something has changed, like Clyde is no longer the same man he was three seconds prior.

"Hey Clyde! Who is it, who is here?". The Hokage is in no mood for hesitation.

Clyde looks up at his former foe. "The one who has come here is named Lara. Of all the generals in our land, there is one who stands at the very top, one mightier than all the others. Her name is Lara and she has finally come".

Hinata finally understands. "The strongest general".

It is hard for her to imagine that there is someone stronger than General Clyde. Just a few years ago she had felt protected by the Hokage, like nothing could threaten her. What she once believed to be true power had changed. She had a new perspective granted by the likes of Pain. By Obito. By Madara. By Clyde. Looking to her Hokage she laments that this seems to be part of his destiny. Naruto will forever be fighting stronger and stronger enemies.

"So, this the power of our strongest enemy" Naruto nods. The Colonels thought he would be more scared but he is surprisingly calm, showing a maturity beyond his years. "But why has she come here now? Why would such a strong general come to our world?".

"This is something we have discussed before Naruto but I want to make it as clear as possible before we talk about Lara".

"Something we have discussed before?".

Clyde nods. "My element is 'darkness'. 'Darkness' is stronger than other elements like fire and water".

"Making the breakthrough to captain will put you on a whole new level. It will turn a commoner into a fighting machine" Sheer explains, knowing what the General is attempting to say, "That is what happened to me and the others when we broke through".

"It was different for the General though. The moment he first made the breakthrough to captain, he instantly became as strong as a colonel. It was as if his elemental cloak was invisible".

Clyde's face was stone like as his voice fell quiet. He spoke as if he were in a museum, talking about the ancient history that is his own past. "That is the power of the element that is 'darkness'. It allows me to transcend a whole level".

He continues.

"As a captain I could fight against colonels, because of 'darkness'".