Chapter 43: Please... Help Me Tend to My Wound

"The shelter is right there. Stay inside with your mom, okay?" Ren said to Tenten, who was tugging at his arm.

"Auntie, don't worry. This will all be over soon," he added, glancing at Tenten's mother.

The road was crowded with people, all heading toward the shelter under the Hokage Rock. Some were being escorted by ninjas, leaping across rooftops with their charges in tow.

"Ren, aren't you coming with us?" Tenten asked softly, tugging at Ren's arm again.

"I have other things I need to do," Ren responded calmly.

"Tenten, let's go. Ren is a ninja. He has to help people and fight off the enemies," Tenten's mother said, trying to pull her daughter away.

"Ren..." Tenten reluctantly let go of Ren's arm as her mother led her away into the sea of people.

Ren watched them disappear into the crowd before turning and leaping onto the Hokage Rock. Below, half of Konoha was already engulfed in flames, the fire spreading further, with distant flashes of battle visible on the horizon.

The cries and shouts of people filled the path to the shelter. Some collapsed on the side of the road, unable to handle the stress, vomiting as they struggled to keep moving.

"This scene... it's familiar, isn't it?" Ren muttered to himself.

"Fourth Hokage, if you knew it was me behind this, would you hate me?"

He then smirked suddenly.

"You should thank me. I'm the one cleansing Konoha, bit by bit."

With that, Ren vanished into the night.

Slash!

A blade pierced a throat, and blood sprayed across Fugaku's clothes as a Mist ninja fell to the ground, dead. The nearby civilians, frozen in fear, stared in shock.

"It's over," Fugaku reassured them. "Head to the shelter, quickly."

"Y-yes, thank you!" someone in the crowd stammered before the group rushed off.

"Who are you?" one person called out to Fugaku, but he didn't respond. He leapt onto a rooftop, the red-and-white Uchiha fan emblazoned on his back left as the only answer.

Uchiha...

Similar scenes were playing out all across the village as, under Fugaku's orders, the Uchiha clan threw themselves into the rescue efforts. Fugaku's mind replayed Itachi's words repeatedly.

Perhaps this truly was an opportunity for the Uchiha, a chance to cleanse their name after the shame of the Nine-Tails' attack seven years ago.

They had been on the verge of rebellion. Fugaku himself had resigned to the necessity of a coup. But now, suddenly, there was hope.

"Captain!" another Uchiha clan member appeared at Fugaku's side.

"Focus on rescuing civilians. Ignore everything else. Evacuate them to safety," Fugaku ordered firmly.

Seeing that the man wasn't wearing the Uchiha crest, likely due to the suddenness of the attack, Fugaku frowned slightly.

"If anyone asks, make sure to announce yourself as an Uchiha," he added.

"Yes, sir!"

No matter what the future held, tonight would be a night that many would remember the Uchiha for their help. It was a significant move for the clan's future, even if sacrifices had to be made. At least it wouldn't be as bloody as a coup.

Fugaku hardened his resolve. Fighting Mist ninja was far better than spilling the blood of fellow villagers.

"Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu!"

"Water Style: Water Cannonball!"

Flames clashed with the raging water, turning into a thick, steamy mist that engulfed the crumbling street.

Sasuke hid cautiously in a corner, watching as his mother fought off several enemies. He wanted to help her, but he knew his skills weren't enough. He'd only be a burden.

Sasuke couldn't understand how their peaceful village had suddenly turned into a battlefield. He knew enemies had invaded Konoha, but how could so many have crossed the borders undetected?

"Water Style: Water Wave!"

A powerful jet of water crashed into the wall near Sasuke, knocking him back slightly but not harming him directly.

"Sasuke!" Mikoto called out in panic, distracted just long enough for one of the enemies to take advantage. A hard blow struck her in the stomach, sending her skidding back to Sasuke's side.

"Mama, are you okay?" Sasuke asked frantically, seeing her hurt. Anger filled him, and he wanted to fight too.

Mikoto pulled him behind her. "I'm fine, Sasuke. In a moment, I want you to run toward the Hokage Rock. Don't look back, and if you see one of our ninjas, have them take you to the shelter. Understand?"

"I don't want to leave you!" Sasuke protested.

"Silly boy. If you stay, I'll be worried and unable to fight properly. If you go, I can finish this quickly and come after you," Mikoto smiled softly, though the pain in her abdomen was sharp.

The Mist ninjas surrounded them, weapons at the ready. Mikoto's Sharingan spun in her eyes as she prepared herself. She needed to create an opening for Sasuke to escape, even if it meant taking on all the enemies herself.

Just as she was about to make her move, she noticed something strange—the Mist ninjas looked terrified. Their faces twisted in horror, and one by one, their weapons clattered to the ground as they clutched their heads in fear.

"No! Stay away!"

"Don't come near me!"

A powerful genjutsu. But who...?

Mikoto's thoughts raced. Then, a ghostly figure appeared in front of her, slicing through the enemies with swift, lethal precision. The sound of blades cutting through flesh echoed as the Mist ninjas were decapitated in mere seconds, leaving five headless corpses on the ground.

The moonlight illuminated the boy standing before her. He was just a teenager, cold and composed.

"Th-thank you," Mikoto stammered, regaining her composure.

To cast such a powerful genjutsu... Only Shisui could do that...

She was shocked. This boy was around Shisui's age, but she had never heard of someone like him in the village.

The corpses on the ground continued to bleed profusely, and one of the severed heads rolled to Sasuke's feet, leaving a trail of blood.

Sasuke looked down at the lifeless eyes staring back at him and felt his stomach churn. He fought the urge to vomit, pressing his hand to his mouth as he looked up at the mysterious boy.

"Who are you?" Mikoto asked, but the boy didn't respond. He vanished in an instant.

"That... looked like our old cat's eyes," Sasuke whispered.

"What?" Mikoto asked, confused.

Sasuke shook his head. "That person's eyes... they were just like our cat's."

Mikoto paused, recalling something from the past.

Could it be... him?

…

"Damn it, why are there so many enemies?" Kurenai muttered under her breath as she peeked out from a small crack in the door. She saw several Mist ninjas dashing through the streets.

She quickly closed the door again, turning to the two small children she had found in the chaos, separated from their parents.

"Don't worry. I'll help you find your parents," Kurenai whispered to them, trying to soothe their fears.

The children nodded, still trembling with fear.

Kurenai cracked the door open again, cautiously looking outside.

Whoosh!

A sharp whistling sound suddenly pierced the air. Kurenai caught sight of a cold flash speeding toward her. Instinctively, she dodged, and a kunai grazed her cheek, embedding itself into the wooden door behind her.

She had been discovered...

Cold sweat trickled down her back as a single thought filled her mind.

I've been found...

Her brain froze for a moment before she sprang into action, rushing out of the door and slamming it shut, locking the two children inside.

Swish, swish!

A figure landed in the street in front of her.

Only one enemy...

Kurenai could hear her own heartbeat, loud and clear. This wasn't her first real combat experience, but the magnitude of the disaster engulfing the village filled her with a hint of fear.

The enemy wasted no time. He immediately hurled another kunai at her.

In that split second, Kurenai's eyes became sharply focused. She stared intently at the incoming kunai and caught it mid-air, skillfully reversing its momentum and throwing it back at the enemy.

Her chakra surged within her, and her hands began weaving signs without pause.

"Tree Binding Death!"

The Mist ninja, who had been charging at Kurenai, suddenly found her vanishing from sight. Confused, he heard a rumbling sound from below. Tree roots broke through the ground, wrapping around his legs and quickly creeping up his body, immobilizing him completely. Before he could even register what was happening, the roots grew into a massive tree, locking him in place.

Slash!

Kurenai materialized from within the tree, holding a kunai that pierced straight through his throat.

The tree vanished as if it were an illusion, and the Mist ninja's lifeless body fell to the ground.

Phew...

Kurenai exhaled deeply. The enemy hadn't been overly dangerous, but she still felt as though she had just narrowly escaped death.

She rushed back to the door, unlocked it, and ushered the two children out.

"Let's go. It's safe for now. I'll take you to the shelter."

"Sis... sister..." one of the little girls said, her face pale with fear as she pointed behind Kurenai.

"There's... water!"

Water?

Kurenai turned quickly and saw a massive, surging wave rushing toward them.

Her heart sank. She barely had time to shield the two children in her arms.

Boom!

The water hit the ground with a thunderous crash, sending towering waves and torrents of water across the street.

Kurenai felt a sharp, agonizing blow to her back, as if a giant stone had slammed into her. The pain was excruciating, like her body was being ripped apart.

They tumbled across the ground in a chaotic roll before the water finally subsided. The two children looked up from Kurenai's embrace, unharmed.

"Sister, you're bleeding!" the little boy said, his eyes wide in shock.

"I'm fine..." Kurenai coughed, struggling to speak as blood spilled from her mouth, splattering across the boy's face.

"Sorry... cough..."

She wiped her mouth, trying to stand up, but her body felt like it was falling apart.

Footsteps approached, slow and deliberate, sending waves of dread through her.

Am I going to die...?

"You two, run!" she ordered the children, her voice strained. But they just stood there, staring behind her in shock.

Slash!

The sound of a blade cutting through flesh was followed by the sound of a body collapsing. Kurenai struggled to turn her head, and the first thing she saw was a bloodstained blade.

"Can you move?" a familiar voice asked.

She looked up, dazed, and saw a figure she recognized.

"It's... it's you..." Kurenai murmured, still in shock.

Ren controlled his chakra, and the water around him gathered, forming a clone identical to him.

"My water clone will escort them to the shelter," Ren said calmly.

"Sister?" the two children looked at Kurenai, unsure of what to do.

"Don't worry. Follow the big brother. Once you're at the shelter, you'll see your parents," Kurenai smiled weakly, trying to reassure them.

"What about you, sister?" the little girl asked, worried.

"I'll be fine. I'm a ninja. I'm strong," Kurenai said gently.

The water clone picked up the two children and leapt away, heading toward the shelter.

"Want me to treat your wounds?" Ren asked.

Kurenai leaned against the wall, trying to reposition herself. "No need," she muttered, turning her head away.

Silence.

The area was now deserted, with only Ren and Kurenai remaining. The ground was wet from the earlier Water Style attack, blood mixing with the shallow pools. Ruined buildings surrounded them, and in the distance, fires raged.

Kurenai glanced at Ren again, only to catch him staring at her.

She looked down at herself and suddenly realized her soaked nightgown, clinging to her body, had turned nearly transparent, revealing every curve of her figure.

"What are you looking at?!" she snapped, crossing her arms over her chest and turning to hide from his gaze.

"You," Ren replied simply.

"You?!" Kurenai was mortified and furious.

"How dare you... How can you humiliate me like this at a time like this?!"

"When did I humiliate you?" Ren asked, his voice calm and detached.

"You...!" Kurenai glared at him, eyes full of anger.

"Just kill me already!"

"Alright," Ren nodded, raising his blade. His eyes held no trace of pity.

He's serious...

Kurenai's heart raced, and fear began creeping into her mind.

"N-no... Don't..." she stammered, her voice trembling.

Ren stopped his hand midair and looked at her quietly.

"Now, do you want me to treat your wound?" he asked again.

Kurenai felt as if she was losing her mind. Her lower lip bled from how hard she had bitten it.

"... Fine," she whispered, barely audible.

"What was that?" Ren asked calmly.

Kurenai's chest heaved with heavy breaths, each movement making her injury worse.

She inhaled deeply, bracing herself for the pain. "Please..."

"Please... help me treat my wounds."

Ren pulled out bandages from his tool pouch and knelt beside her.

Kurenai, resigned to her fate, slowly lowered her arms from her chest.

Ren glanced down at her, noting how her soaked nightgown no longer hid anything. Her body was fully visible through the thin fabric.

"Why aren't you wearing any undergarments?" Ren asked bluntly.

"You...!" Kurenai whipped her head toward him, her eyes welling up with tears.

She didn't bother explaining why people don't wear undergarments to bed. Instead, she tilted her head back and closed her eyes, stretching her neck as if waiting for judgment.

She felt his cold hands slide under her nightgown, brushing against her warm skin as he began wrapping the bandages around her.

The bandages tightened around her chest and torso, wrapping around her back and beneath her chest. Kurenai began to feel slightly better as the pressure from her wound was alleviated.

Thud!

Something landed on her, obscuring her vision. Kurenai realized Ren had draped a black jacket over her. He was now holding a small scroll, wisps of smoke rising from it.

It was a storage scroll, and he had summoned the jacket from it.

"I'll send another water clone to escort you to the shelter. Stay there and wait until all this is over," Ren said.

Kurenai didn't respond. She just pulled the jacket tighter around herself.

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