Naruto: Power in Play

Chapter 33

The Ancor Vantian, the massive fortress that had loomed over Konoha's skies like a harbinger of doom, had finally been grounded. The once-imposing structure now sat in the heart of the ruined village, a fallen titan among the devastation.

All around the wreckage, Konoha's operatives steeled themselves. They did not cheer aloud, but deep inside, a flicker of triumph burned. The enemy still stood, but the odds had shifted. Without the Ancor Vantian's aerial advantage, the Sky ninja were now tethered to a battleground that Konoha's shinobi could reach—and destroy.

Fire burned in their eyes. The Will of Fire pulsed with unrelenting fervor, demanding retribution. And Konoha's ninja were ready to deliver it.

From all corners of the ruined village, shinobi rallied under a single purpose—invade the enemy's base and obliterate everything in sight.

High above, still perched upon his hawk, Hiruzen Sarutobi surveyed the battlefield. His sharp gaze followed the Akimichi giants, who continued their relentless assault, causing as much destruction as their bodies would allow. His eyes then shifted to the hovering Sky ninja, still determined to kill, still hellbent on razing what remained of Konoha.

A bad feeling twisted in the Hokage's gut.

It was too easy.

Yes, Konoha had suffered grievous casualties. They had fought tooth and nail to bring down the enemy vessel. But considering the years of planning and subterfuge the Sky Village had invested in this invasion... this battle had been far too simple.

And that left a strange taste in Hiruzen's mouth.

As Konoha's forces charged toward the fallen fortress, poised to strike, a sudden, piercing wail tore through the battlefield. The sound was unnatural, a chilling cry that sent a shudder through even the most battle-hardened shinobi. The very air seemed to tremble in response as pale, serpentine tendrils erupted from the ship's core, writhing and twisting in every direction like a monstrous nest of vipers.

The appendages surged toward the advancing ninja. Though caught off guard, they gritted their teeth and met the onslaught with steel and chakra. But their weapons barely made a dent in the writhing tide. Worse still, the moment their blades struck, the tendrils lashed out, coiling around them with terrifying speed, constricting like living chains.

Chakra was ripped from their bodies in torrents, siphoned away into the writhing darkness. Their strength, their energy—their very life force—was being devoured. In mere moments, skilled warriors were reduced to empty husks, collapsing lifelessly to the ground.

"RETREAT!!" Hiruzen yelled, urging his mount to rush forwards to at least try to save the few ones he could. But a sudden shot from an energy cannon stopped him. Keeping him away from the massacre that was unfolding.

Hiruzen gritted his teeth, his grip tightening around his staff. Across from him, standing atop the tallest structure of the Ancor Vantian, was a tall man built like a warrior, his muscular frame radiating raw power.

Shinno stood tall, his tanned skin illuminated by the eerie glow of the dark chakra surging around him. His spiky brown hair, swept backward, danced subtly in the wind, framing his face, where a thin beard lined his jaw—a knowing smirk playing across his lips.

His long, dark red cloak billowed behind him, the black accents blending with the unnatural darkness rising from his body.

"It's been a while, Hiruzen," Shinno's voice boomed across the battlefield, effortlessly carrying over the chaos. "It seems like you've... aged."

Hiruzen's eyes narrowed, a flicker of recognition flashing in them. "Shinno."

The smirk on Shinno's face widened. "Ah, so you do remember me." He chuckled, his voice thick with mockery. With a slow, deliberate gesture, he extended his hand towards the writhing mass of white tendrils ravaging the battlefield.