Chapter 11

The sun shone through the tree tops, casting patterns of light and shadow on the forest floor. The air was alive with the sounds of nature: the singing of birds, the whisper of the wind in the leaves, and the occasional cracking of a branch under the weight of some small animal. Yet, these natural sounds were accompanied by a respectful silence, as if the forest itself was aware of the powerful presence resting within its bosom.

There, among the ancient trees, Kurama, the Kyuubi, lay, her immense form almost blending with the earth and leaves around her. Her orange fur seemed to absorb the rays of the morning sun, and her breathing was slow and deep, nearly imperceptible.

The calmness of the scene, however, was deceptive. Kurama was not truly at rest; her mind was alert, and her vast sense of chakra allowed her to sense the presence of other beings nearby. Ninjas, no doubt, and by the pattern of their chakras, they were from Konoha.

She felt the chakras approaching cautiously, as if they were uncertain of the best way to proceed. Naturally, they should be confused and apprehensive. A loose tailed-beast was a threat to any village, but for Konoha, the Kyuubi was both a guardian and a symbol of power. Her presence outside the village bounds was an omen of changes and, possibly, of crisis.

With a sudden focus of attention, Kurama opened an eye — a red, penetrating eye that reflected the morning light and the deep wisdom of centuries of existence. The beast's gaze swept the forest, and for a second, it seemed to fix on a specific point among the trees, where the presence of the ninjas was strongest.

Then, as quickly as it had opened, the eye closed, and Kurama returned to her previous stillness. But not without first emitting a low growl, a sound that might have come from the depths of the earth. A message was embedded in that sound, a warning to those who dared to approach.

"Konoha..." murmured Kurama in a tone that was more a vibration of the air than a voice, "you should know better than to disturb my rest."

The warning was clear: although the creature seemed passive, any attempt to capture her or provoke her would be met with a response no one would wish to witness.

The silence among the ninjas of the Anbu Root intensified, a tense quietness that spread through the air. They remained motionless, their presences almost as undetectable as the shadows among the trees.

Kurama, the immense nine-tailed fox, felt their resolve, but did not move. After all, she had more centuries of experience than they had years of life as well as years of another life, and she knew that patience was often the better path.

"If you insist on disturbing me," growled Kurama, her voice resonating like distant thunder, "there will remain of you nothing but memories fading with the wind." The power of that warning was palpable, vibrating in the air and causing the surrounding plants to tremble.

Yet, the threat remained only in words. Kurama had little interest in unnecessary conflicts — her desire was elsewhere. She wanted to return to the dream that, for some reason, seemed more pleasant than any she had had in a long time. The reasons for this pleasure were a mystery, even to her, but they were sufficiently powerful to make her want to maintain it.

With a deep sigh, which made the leaves around her rise and float softly, Kurama closed her eyes once more. Her immense body relaxed, and a deep silence took hold of the place. It was a silence filled with power, but also with a strange and profound peace.

So, as if nature itself wished to protect the beast's slumber, various birds, unaware or perhaps disregarding the danger, landed delicately on Kurama's orange fur. With their gentle chirping and light presence, they seemed to bestow a blessing on the creature's rest.

The Root ninjas, witnesses to this moment of harmony, stood firm at their post. Their orders did not include retreat, nor direct confrontation, but surveillance. And so they would remain, like shadows under the sun, watching over the immobility of the Kyuubi, each grappling with their own reasons and loyalties.

- urgent mission -

- drive away enemies close to you -

- reward -

- A chance to win a character -

Kurama suddenly opened his eyes after he saw the system message; he turned his head towards the ninjas and unleashed several biju damas at them. They didn't even have time to react, before they could do anything they were obliterated by Kurama's biju dama. He glanced at the explosion he had caused, but even the system did not announce that the mission was complete.

The forest was now silent, the noise from the explosions of the biju damas still echoed through the trees, causing the leaves to tremble and the birds to flee in hurried flocks. The shockwaves from the powerful chakra spheres had devastated the area, leaving smoking craters where the Root ninjas had been.

With his eyes now fully open, Kurama watched attentively the outcome of his attack. The creature knew the effectiveness of his power, but he was also aware that the system message didn't indicate the end of the mission. There was something else at play, something that not even the immense nine-tailed fox could immediately understand.

Rising heavily, the Kyuubi shook the dust and leaves from his orange fur. The sunlight, now higher in the sky, cast a golden glow over the imposing figure. Kurama sniffed the air, searching for signs of more enemies, but all he found was the scent of the scorched earth and the distant fragrance of forest flowers that still endured.

- mission incomplete -

- remaining objectives: unknown -

The system emitted a cryptic message, and frustration grew within Kurama. The beast then focused, expanding its chakra perception.

Kurama wondered what enemy he had, as far as he knew, he should be able to sense any enemy or person with his senses. Kurama wondered if he would have to use the powers of Gilgamesh, pausing for a moment to think, he had forgotten that there was someone who should be able to hide from him, Black Zetsu.

- mission complete -

- earned a chance on the roulette -

"?" Kurama didn't understand.

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