30 Under Attack

Training went well and Sasuke was now able to keep up with Naruto when they sparred. Kakashi was impressed by how quickly Sasuke adapted to his enhanced physical capabilities. The younger Uchiha excelled in close-ranged combat with faster and sharper reflexes than even Naruto. Against a mage, that would be a good counterattack.

Kurama noticed that his brother's mate was better at close combat and ranged attacks so he got the golden fox to focus on countering magic. Although Sai wasn't able to recall a lot of details from when he was under the mind-control influence, he was able to give Kurama and Kakashi enough information for them to formulate a strategy to trick the snakes at their own game.

There was no doubt about it, they will employ mages against Naruto and Sasuke because those two foxes aren't very strong in magic. A surprise attack will surely take them out. However, that's when Lady Bunny came in. She made both Naruto and Sasuke lucky charms that will save them from one strike and after that, it depended on the fruits of their crash course training. One week of combat training was barely enough but it will have to do.

According to Sai's memory and the intel gathered by Kakashi's pups, Danzo was intending to use the old divide and conquer trick because they lacked the numbers. Kurama also guessed the motive Danzo had because countless of foxes have fallen prey to Danzo, including Menma, even when Hagoromo Gitsune was still the clan head. now that the ancient fox was dead, the fox clan was considered crippled. Danzo would never pass up the chance to exterminate the clan at its weakest.

Right now they had to guess which team Danzo was sending after them and in what which order.

"Sasuke and Naruto will be a pair, Danzo must have considered that already. the question lies in if Danzo knows about Mei's involvement. Tsunade's cover was exposed when she broke the mind-control spell. they would never pit a mage against a mage."

Kurama agreed with Kakashi's observations. "It's better to have a magic proficient user with each pair. You should go with Tsunade. I will go alone."

The alpha wolf disagreed. "No, you will most definitely be Danzo's target. You should go with Tsunade."

Kurama shook his head. "I need you to watch over our mates. I can handle Danzo or at least hold him off for long enough before reinforcements arrive."

"You have reinforcements?"

The Hunter grinned. "The tanuki clan that Naruto befriended offered their assistance. However, they'll take some time to arrive. I left the contact token with Mei."

"Who do you think we will be facing if I went with Tsunade?"

Kurama shrugged. Sai didn't have a clue but according to Kiba, they smelled some dark art practitioner in the city. It wasn't someone they knew but Tsunade seemed to have a bone to pick with that magician. The witch's mood got fouler and took to drinking more than before. At the rate that she was drowning herself in alcohol, Kakashi didn't know if they could count on her in a fight.

"Let's just go with this for now. The priority will be Itachi and Iruka. Mei will be with them so it should be alright... never underestimate the power of luck."

The alpha wolf threw his head back with laughter. Kurama was still sore about betting with mei and losing half his possessions. Tsunade won the match for the very first time and the Hunter just knew that Mei was behind it no matter how much the rabbit denied it.

>>Xxx Destiny Aitsuji xxX<<

Even though they were prepared for the attack, it was still chaotic when it happened. Itachi was on the way to a client's meeting place when his car flipped mid-air and off the cliff. the CEO didn't know how he would survive it but Mei's blessing proved more powerful than the accident and the car landed in a lake.

The CEO struggled against the snakes in the water that tried to drown him. As oxygen became sparse and his lungs failed to get the air they required, a shadow from the side of his view appeared. There was a glint and Itachi felt the grip on him loosen.

Wasting no time, the CEO swam to the surface as fast as he could, fuelled by desperation. Someone pulled him out of the water when Itachi lacked the strength to do so. Itachi thanked them until he realised that he wasn't actually being saved. They were unfamiliar faces with knives in their hands.

Panicked, the CEO tried to run away but his shoes weren't made for running and he slipped. The knife cut through some of his hair but missed his neck by inches. Mei's luck blessing was still in effect and Itachi did what he could to get away from his potential murderers. Kurama should probably be alerted of the attacks by now. All Itachi had to do was survive until then.

"Over here!" Itachi heard someone yell at him and snapped to the right.

Mei looked worried from the bridge that she waiting on top of. The bunny clan head started hurling stones at the snake pursuers and one of them made a lucky shot to the eys, knowing the three pursuers down to only two.

Itachi was out of breath. His vision was doubling and his lungs, like his legs, were on fire. he didn't know what to do once he got to the bridge but he still made it a goal for now as Mei continued throwing stones.

For snakes, these demons ran fast. They caught up to Itachi and the CEO was quick to let them rip his expensive blazer off. he didn't dare look back and left it all to fate while he ran forward. Reinforcements were supposed to arrive the moment Mei contacted them. Kurama said that they would arrive within minutes but just how long moe would Itachi have to hold on for? The CEO cursed not going to the gym more often. He could really have used the fitness he boasted off many years ago.

Just as he rounded the bend, Itachi heard something behind him snap. The two snake demons were caught off guard as Iruka yanked on a rope harshly, tripping them. The teacher didn't just let it end there. He grabbed a baseball bat and threw one to Mei who caught it effortlessly before the duo started beating the two pursuers into pulp.

Itachi collapsed onto the bridge not too far from the beatdown taking place and gasped for air. he watched them take down the snake demons who looked way too pitiful but then spotted something that didn't look right.

"Watch out!" he yelled out when the snake demon who was knocked over by Mei's stone earlier approached the two in front of him who were too engrossed in their own world.

Itachi urged his tired body to move but he wouldn't make it in time.

SNAP!

Itachi didn't know what just happened but he saw something pierce through the skull of that snake demon and there were even blood splatters.

From behind a tree, a man with way too pale skin, severely sickly dark circles beneath his eyes and red hair appeared. There was even a kanji for love tattooed on his browless forehead. the man wore a maroon chinese martial art costume and looked extremely out of place.

The reinforcements finally arrived and Itachi almost cried in relief. However, he couldn't rest just yet. If they were attacked, that would mean Danzo has started his operation and the others were also in trouble.

"We must help Kurama!" he told the stranger who only stood there unmoving for three seconds.

"Temari, get them to safety and guard them well. I will hunt Danzo. Kankuro, check on Naruto for me."

With his orders passed, Gaara made his getaway and the blond female racoon demon heaved Itachi over her shoulders before leading the party away to safety.