Naruto: Shadows of the Otsutsuki

Chapter 3: The Hunt Begins

I do not own naruto in any way shape or form, this property belongs to kishimoto, viz media.

Naruto walked through Konoha's streets, his gaze taking in the debris and the villagers' faces, each one bearing fresh scars of the recent attack. Families gathered to rebuild their homes, and teams of shinobi worked tirelessly to restore what had been lost. But even amid the grief, Naruto could feel their quiet determination—a resilience that reminded him why he had to push forward.

The silence was broken by the familiar sound of footsteps. Shikamaru caught up to him, his expression a mix of worry and curiosity. "You called a council meeting for this afternoon?" he asked, his voice low.

Naruto nodded. "I'm going after them, Shikamaru. But this time, I'm not going unprepared. They have something planned—something big. And if they're gathering power, we need to gather allies."

Shikamaru gave a slow nod, his gaze narrowing. "You're talking about an alliance."

"Exactly," Naruto said. "We can't do this alone."

The council room was hushed as Naruto entered. Familiar faces—Kakashi, Tsunade, Sakura, and Shikamaru—looked back at him with quiet intensity. The weight of their expectations bore down on him, but he knew what he had to say.

Naruto took a deep breath, meeting each of their gazes. "The Otsutsuki have attacked us before, but this time... this time, it's different. They're not just here for chakra. They're after something called Project Ascendance—something big enough to destroy everything we've fought to protect."

Tsunade folded her arms, her gaze steady. "You're proposing we go on the offensive?"

Naruto nodded. "Yes. I'm calling for allies outside Konoha. Anyone with knowledge of the Otsutsuki, anyone who can help us understand what they're planning and how to stop it."

Kakashi leaned forward, his eye sharp with interest. "It's a bold move. Do you have any leads on who might join us?"

"I've sent out messages to the other villages," Naruto said. "We're already getting responses. But I'll also need skilled fighters, and if we're to face them again, we need every ounce of information we can gather. I'm done waiting for the Otsutsuki to bring the fight to us."

Sakura's expression was serious. "Naruto, this could be dangerous. We don't know how many of them are out there, or how powerful they've become."

Naruto's resolve held. "That's why we're reaching out to everyone who can help. If we can unite the villages, we stand a chance. I know it's not going to be easy, but we've faced worse."

The council members exchanged looks of agreement, and as the meeting drew to a close, Naruto could feel their support behind him, a silent promise that he wasn't alone in this fight.

Naruto left the council room with a new sense of determination, but he knew there was one more person he needed to speak with before his plan could begin. He made his way to the outskirts of Konoha, where Sasuke often trained by a secluded lake.

When Naruto arrived, Sasuke was there, his gaze focused on the still water, lost in thought. Naruto's approach didn't go unnoticed; Sasuke looked up, his expression unreadable.

"Sasuke," Naruto greeted, keeping his voice steady.

Sasuke nodded. "I heard about the attack. The Otsutsuki?"

Naruto clenched his fists. "They attacked our home, my family. And they mentioned something called Project Ascendance. I don't know what it is, but it's something big enough to threaten the whole shinobi world."

Sasuke's eyes sharpened. "You're planning to go after them, then."

Naruto nodded. "And I could use your help. I'm gathering allies, anyone who can stand against them."

Sasuke's expression softened just a little, a flicker of understanding in his gaze. "Then I'm coming with you. We've fought them before, and we'll fight them again."

Relief flooded Naruto. He hadn't doubted Sasuke's support, but hearing it still gave him a sense of calm amidst the chaos. With Sasuke by his side, he felt more certain of the path he was about to take.

Over the next few days, Naruto's plans came together quickly. He sent messages to each of the major villages and individuals he believed could contribute: A new threat has emerged. The Otsutsuki clan endangers our world, and I need your strength.

Slowly, answers trickled in. Sunagakure and Kumogakure's leaders agreed to meet with him. Konoha's scouts reported that several powerful shinobi and scholars were on their way, bearing any knowledge they had of the ancient clan's operations. Despite the weight of the mission, Naruto felt hope begin to grow.

One afternoon, as he trained on the outskirts of the village, Naruto sensed a powerful chakra presence approaching. He turned to see a cloaked figure walking toward him. The man's face was shadowed, his headband bearing the crossed-out symbol of Kirigakure—Hoshigaki Kisame's son, Jiro.

Naruto tensed, unsure of Jiro's intentions, but held his ground as the newcomer stopped a few paces away, his expression unreadable.

"You're looking for allies against the Otsutsuki," Jiro said, his voice low.

Naruto's eyes narrowed. "And what brings you here?"

Jiro's gaze was unwavering. "The Otsutsuki are a threat to all of us, even those outside your alliance. My father may have fought against Konoha, but he understood the strength needed to face a real threat. And I know that alone, none of us will survive them."

Naruto studied him carefully before nodding. "If you're here to help, then that's all I need to know."

Jiro's expression softened slightly. "They've taken enough from us. It's time we take something back."