ꜱʜᴀᴅᴏᴡꜱ ᴏꜰ ᴛʜᴇ ᴍɪꜱᴛ | ᴛᴇɴᴛᴇɴ ꜰꜰ|

Chapter 102

The village was in utter chaos. The air was thick with smoke and the sounds of explosions filled the air. The streets were littered with debris, and the villagers scrambled for cover, desperately trying to escape the onslaught of Pain's forces.

Ugetsu was moving quickly through the village, weaving through the chaos with his senses heightened, every part of him focused on finding Pain. As he ran, he could hear the sounds of destruction and the cries of the injured. He clenched his fists, frustration bubbling within him. *I have to stop him. I can't let anyone else get hurt.*

Suddenly, he heard a familiar voice cry out in distress. His eyes darted to the source of the sound—Moegi Kazamatsuri, one of the younger villagers, was cornered by one of the Pain bodies. The figure, the one with the animal path, stood ominously in front of her, its eyes cold and unblinking as it advanced toward the terrified 12-year-old girl.

"Moegi!" Ugetsu shouted as he sprinted forward, a flash of white and blue cutting through the smoke.

Moegi's eyes widened as she saw Ugetsu charging toward her, but before she could react, the Pain body raised its hand, ready to strike.

"No!" Ugetsu shouted again, his voice sharp and filled with resolve.

With a burst of speed, Ugetsu closed the distance in an instant. He slid to a stop just in front of Moegi, the ground cracking beneath him as his feet made contact. His hand shot out and gripped the wrist of the Pain body, stopping its strike before it could reach Moegi.

The Pain body's expression remained cold and emotionless, but Ugetsu's glare burned with determination. He flexed his muscles and twisted the arm with precision, forcing the creature back. His water-based jutsu swirled to life, his chakra flaring as the air around him seemed to shimmer with energy.

"Stay back, Moegi," Ugetsu said, his voice a quiet command, though it was laced with care. He couldn't afford to let his guard down, not with the powerful foe in front of him.

Moegi froze, her heart pounding as she took in the sight of Ugetsu—his white hair wild, his blue eyes burning with intensity. She had seen him fight before, but never up close like this. The power radiating off of him was undeniable, and she couldn't help but feel a strange sense of awe and admiration.

Before the Pain body could react, Ugetsu's chakra surged, and with a single motion, he unleashed a powerful wave of water, sweeping the enemy off its feet. The creature was momentarily disoriented, struggling to regain its balance as Ugetsu stood firm, eyes locked onto it.

"Go!" Ugetsu barked at Moegi, his gaze never leaving the threat in front of him. "Get to safety!"

Moegi hesitated, still frozen in place, staring at him with wide, starstruck eyes. Ugetsu's presence was overwhelming, his power, his protectiveness, it all made her heart race. He had saved her without a second thought, rushing in without hesitation.

Finally snapping out of her trance, Moegi nodded shakily, her legs moving as she ran for cover. She could hear Ugetsu's voice urging her to move faster, but her gaze lingered on him for a moment longer. His determination, his strength—it was all so... captivating.

Ugetsu watched her retreat to safety for a split second, then turned his attention back to the battle at hand. The Pain body had recovered from the water attack, but it was too late. Ugetsu's chakra surged once more, and he stepped forward, ready to finish what he started. The fight would continue, but as Moegi ran, she couldn't help but glance back at him, her eyes soft and filled with admiration.

Ugetsu was more than just a powerful shinobi to her. In that moment, he became something else—something she couldn't quite put into words. Her heart beat faster as she stared at him, unable to tear her gaze away.