ꜱʜᴀᴅᴏᴡꜱ ᴏꜰ ᴛʜᴇ ᴍɪꜱᴛ | ᴛᴇɴᴛᴇɴ ꜰꜰ|

Chapter 79

Jiraiya stood by Kakashi's bedside, his expression somber as he recounted the events that had transpired. "It was an accident," he began, his voice low but steady. "When Naruto lost control, Ugetsu was nearby, and he... he absorbed some of the Kyūbi's chakra. That kind of power—it's not something just anyone can handle. It's doing more harm than good to him, messing with his mind."

Kakashi's head remained bowed, his shoulders tense. He gripped the blanket tightly, his knuckles whitening under the strain. The weight of responsibility and regret was etched deeply on his face, his usual composed demeanor shattered by the gravity of the situation. The quiet hum of the hospital machinery only seemed to magnify the silence hanging between them.

"So, he's out there somewhere, alone, because of that chakra..." Kakashi murmured, barely audible. He swallowed, the sharp sting of guilt piercing through him. He had always been responsible for his team, yet Ugetsu's suffering now felt like his own failure.

Jiraiya nodded, his gaze solemn. "The Kyūbi's chakra is more than just raw power; it's volatile. For someone with Ugetsu's past... it can awaken dark memories, fears. He saw visions of his father, lost control, and ran. Yamato, Sakura, Sai, and Naruto tried to stop him, but he escaped before they could bring him back."

Kakashi's eyes closed as he took a shaky breath. He felt the weight of his inadequacy, the helplessness gnawing at him. "I should've been there. Maybe I could have... done something."

Jiraiya placed a firm hand on Kakashi's shoulder. "Blaming yourself won't help Ugetsu. What he needs now is for someone to understand him, to reach him before that chakra does any more damage. He's fighting more than just the Kyūbi's influence; he's battling his own past."

Kakashi looked up, his eyes hardened with resolve. "Then I'll bring him back. He's part of my team, and I'm not giving up on him."

Jiraiya nodded approvingly. "Good. He trusts you, Kakashi. If anyone can reach him, it's you."

Kakashi rose from the bed, his earlier fatigue replaced by a quiet determination. He knew it wouldn't be easy—Ugetsu's mind was likely a maze of fear and pain, made worse by the Kyūbi's chakra. But he was resolved to find him, to remind him that he wasn't alone in his fight.

"I'll find him," Kakashi vowed, his voice filled with conviction.

-

-

Ino was busy arranging flowers in the back of the Yamanaka Flower Shop, the sweet fragrance of blooming blossoms filling the air as she delicately handled each stem. Her fingers moved deftly, combining colors and textures into vibrant bouquets that reflected her meticulous eye for detail. It was one of her favorite ways to unwind, surrounded by nature's beauty, but today felt different. An undercurrent of unease tugged at her, making it hard to concentrate.

Just as she placed the finishing touches on a particularly striking arrangement, the door swung open, and Shikamaru stepped inside. Ino looked up, expecting to see his usual relaxed demeanor, but the weight on his shoulders was evident. He shuffled over to her, his brow creased with concern.

"Ino," he began, glancing around the shop as if ensuring they were alone. "Can we talk?"

Her heart dropped at his tone. "What's wrong?" she asked, setting down the flowers. "You look like you've seen a ghost."

Shikamaru ran a hand through his hair, a sign of his stress. "It's about Ugetsu."

Ino's stomach dropped. "What about him? Is he okay?"

"He's... not. He absorbed some of the Kyūbi's chakra during a mission when Naruto lost control. It's messed with his head, and now he's missing." The gravity of Shikamaru's words hit her like a punch to the gut.

"No," she whispered, shaking her head. "He can't be missing. We have to find him!" Panic surged within her, but she fought to maintain her composure. Ugetsu had always been someone who took care of others, and now he needed them more than ever.

Shikamaru nodded. "That's why Kakashi, Asuma, and I are heading out to look for him. We're leaving soon."

"Without me?" Ino's voice rose, disbelief lacing her words. "You can't just leave me out of this! Ugetsu is my friend too, Shikamaru!"

"I know that, Ino, but—"

"No buts!" She stepped closer, her eyes fierce. "Ugetsu is important to me, and I won't just sit around here while you guys go off to find him. I can help!"

Shikamaru sighed, clearly torn. "It's not that we don't want you with us, but this is dangerous. The Kyūbi's chakra can have unpredictable effects. We don't know what Ugetsu is capable of right now."

Ino's heart raced as frustration boiled within her. She couldn't just wait for news while Ugetsu was out there, struggling. "If he's seeing things that aren't there, he'll need someone who understands him. Someone who can reach him. I know him better than any of you do."

"Which is exactly why I'm worried," Shikamaru admitted, meeting her gaze. "I don't want you to get hurt."

Ino's expression softened slightly, but her resolve remained. "I appreciate that, but I'm not going to back down. Ugetsu needs us, and I'm not going to abandon him. Not when he's going through something like this."

Shikamaru studied her for a moment, a mix of admiration and reluctance in his eyes. "Fine," he relented. "But you have to promise me you'll stay close to me and follow my lead. If things get out of hand, you have to be willing to step back."

"Deal," she replied, a sense of relief flooding her. "Now let's go find him."

As they prepared to leave, Ino quickly grabbed her ninja gear, her heart racing with a mix of excitement and anxiety. She knew the risks ahead, but she couldn't shake the feeling that she had to be there for Ugetsu. He had always been someone who quietly looked out for her and their friends, and now it was her turn to be his anchor.

---

Once outside, the trio met Kakashi and Asuma near the village gates. Ino's heart pounded as she approached, her mind filled with thoughts of Ugetsu. She caught a glimpse of the concern etched on Kakashi's face, and it only fueled her determination.

"Kakashi-sensei" she said, stepping forward. "I want to help find Ugetsu."

Kakashi looked at her thoughtfully. "Are you sure about this, Ino? It's going to be dangerous."

"I know," she replied, her voice steady. "But he's my friend, and I won't let him face this alone. We need to find him before it's too late."

Asuma nodded in agreement, crossing his arms. "If you're going to come, then we need to move quickly. Time isn't on our side."

With a plan in place, the group set off, their spirits low but their resolve strong. Ino kept her focus sharp, her senses heightened as they traversed the terrain. Memories of Ugetsu flooded her mind—his gentle smile, his unwavering support, and the way he always seemed to understand her without words.

The journey felt long and arduous, but Ino refused to let doubt creep in. She was determined to find Ugetsu, to show him that he was not alone in his struggle. With each step, she reminded herself of the bond they shared—a bond she was willing to fight for.

As they ventured deeper into the wilderness, Ino's heart beat in time with her determination. Ugetsu needed her, and she would not rest until she found him and brought him back home, no matter what it took.