33. The Aftermath & New Path

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As the dust began to settle and the smoke slowly dissipated, the battlefield was revealed in its full devastation. The sight left everyone in stunned silence. Konoha and Cloud shinobi alike emerged from the debris with wide eyes and slack jaws, all of them grappling with the fact that a mere Genin had unleashed such a terrifyingly powerful technique. The ground was scorched black, the air thick with the scent of ozone, and the crater where Kira had struck was a gaping wound in the earth.

Kakashi was the first to regain his composure, though his single visible eye betrayed his shock. He had witnessed many powerful jutsu in his life, but what Kira had just done was on a different level. It was something that shouldn't have been possible for someone so young, and yet here it was, undeniable in its destructive grandeur.

"Kira...," Kakashi muttered, more to himself than anyone else. He could sense the danger of staying here any longer. Whatever Kira had done had clearly taken a massive toll on him, and they were still deep in enemy territory.

"Everyone, fall back!" Kakashi ordered, his voice cutting through the stunned silence. The shinobi around him snapped out of their shock, quickly moving to follow his command. Even the Cloud shinobi hesitated, unsure whether to give chase or remain cautious after witnessing such power.

Just as they began to retreat, the ground near the crater shifted. Everyone froze, eyes darting toward the movement. From beneath the rubble, Darui emerged, bloodied and battered, but still alive. His clothes were torn, and his breathing was labored, but there was a fierce determination in his eyes. He struggled to stand, his legs shaking under his own weight, but he forced himself upright, activating his chakra mode once more. Lightning crackled around him as he powered up, his resolve steeled by the knowledge that if this boy was left alive, he could grow into something even more monstrous.

"I won't... let you escape...," Darui wheezed, his voice ragged but filled with resolve. His gaze locked onto Kira, who stood at the center of the battlefield, still recovering from his last attack.

Kira turned to Kakashi, meeting his sensei's worried gaze. "Kakashi-senpai, take everyone and retreat. I'll catch up with you."

Kakashi hesitated, but before he could respond, a familiar figure materialized beside Kira, his presence like a sudden chill in the air. Byakuya Kuchiki stood tall, his expression as composed as ever, his eyes glinting with a mixture of amusement and pride.

"Well, well, I must say, I'm impressed," Byakuya remarked, his voice carrying a hint of mockery. "Who would have thought a mere Genin could cause such chaos? Life is full of surprises. Leaf and Cloud shinobi rats fighting over something so useless as a mere stone."

Kakashi and the other Leaf shinobi stared at Byakuya in shock. They had no idea where he had come from, but the sheer power radiating from him was palpable. It was clear that this was no ordinary man.

"Kakashi, go," Kira said, his voice firm. "I'll be fine."

Kakashi hesitated for a moment longer before nodding. "Everyone, fall back! Now!"

Team Ro and Team 4, along with the remaining Leaf shinobi, quickly began their retreat, moving with a speed born of urgency. They knew that staying any longer would only invite more danger.

As they fled, Byakuya's voice echoed in Kira's mind, his tone laced with a hint of disdain. "You did well, but now it's time to end this charade. Pretend to faint, and I'll handle the rest."

Kira understood immediately. He allowed his body to slump, his vision blurring as he feigned exhaustion. He let himself fall to the ground, lying still as if completely spent from the battle.

Darui, seeing Kira collapse, gritted his teeth and prepared to make his move. But before he could take a step, Byakuya moved with a speed that defied comprehension. In an instant, he was in front of Darui, his hand outstretched.

"I think I'll be taking him as my prize," Byakuya said coolly, his voice carrying an air of finality.

Darui's eyes widened in shock and fury. "You won't take him! Not while I'm still standing!"

Byakuya's response was swift and merciless. With a flick of his wrist, he summoned Senbonzakura. Thousands of tiny, razor-sharp blades formed from the petals of his sword, swirling around Darui in a deadly dance. The Cloud Jounin barely had time to react before the petals struck, sending him flying back into the rubble with a force that shook the ground.

Darui hit the ground hard, struggling to get up but finding his body unresponsive. The pain was overwhelming, but his will was stronger. He tried to push himself up again, only to see Byakuya standing over him, the blade of Senbonzakura pointed directly at his throat.

"I'll spare you this time, but remember this well," Byakuya said, his voice cold and unyielding. "The next time we meet, you won't be so lucky."

With that, Byakuya sheathed his sword, the petals dissolving into the air as he turned and picked up Kira's limp form. Without another word, he vanished into the woods, moving in a direction opposite to the retreating Leaf shinobi.

As the dust settled and silence returned to the battlefield, Darui lay on the ground, seething with anger and frustration. He knew they had lost the battle for the Poneglyph, but he also knew that this fight was far from over. Gathering what strength he had left, he swore that the stone pillar would make it back to the Cloud Village, no matter the cost.

As Darui lay in the rubble, his body aching from the fierce battle and the powerful blow he had taken from Byakuya's Senbonzakura. The remnants of his Lightning Chakra Mode flickered around him, barely sustaining him as he struggled to his feet. His vision blurred slightly, but his resolve remained strong. He knew they had to act quickly before any more surprises emerged. "All remaining shinobi" Darui commanded, his voice hoarse but authoritative, ''store the Poneglyph and

withdraw immediately. We can't afford any more unforeseen circumstances. We move now!"

The Cloud Shinobi, despite their fatigue and injuries, responded without hesitation. They swiftly moved to secure the massiva stone pillar, using sealing jutsu to contain it within a large scroll. The Poneglyph, though ancient

and seemingly indestructible, was safely stored away, and the shinobi began their retreat, carrying their wounded and moving with the urgency demanded by Darui's command. Darui watched as his forces withdrew, the weight of the battle and the responsibility of ensuring the Poneglyph's safe transport bearing heavily on his shoulders. He knew this wasn't over, and he silently vowed to bring the Poneglyph back to the Cloud Village, where it would be studied and its secrets revealed. In the dense woods far from the battlefield, Kira began to stir, the sensation of movement slowly pulling him back to consciousness.

He opened his eyes to find himself

being carried by Byakuya, the tall figure moving swiftly through the trees with an effortless grace. The forest was alive with the sounds of nocturnal creatures, but Kira could hear nothing but the steady rhythm of Byakuya's footsteps. "You're awake, when I said pretend to faint I mean you must actually faint for real!" Byakuya said, glancing down at Kira with his usual calm demeanor. He carefully set Kira down,

allowing him to regain his bearings. Kira nodded, taking a moment to steady

himself.

The exhaustion from the battle still clung to him, but his mind was clear. "What's the next move?" Kira asked, his voice firm despite his weariness. Byakuya considered the question fora moment before responding. "You should use this opportunity to roam the Shinobi World for at least six months. Set your plans in motion. We need to secure the Ryūmyaku, recruit more members, and strengthen our position. We only have a few months before Danzo makes his move on Shisui." Kira listened intently, knowing Byakuya was right. The encounter with Darui had shown him the importance of growing stronger, not just individually but also in

terms of the resources and allies they could gather. The Ryūmyaku, an ancient and powerful source of chakra, was crucial to his plans, but he also needed allies-people he could trust, or at least control. "There's someone we should recruit first," Kira said, his thoughts shifting to Kusagakure. "Karin Uzumaki. We're the same age, and she has a unique bloodline that could be valuable. Plus, she's alone and vulnerable right now." Byakuya nodded in agreement, his eyes

narrowing slightly as he considered their next destination. "Kusagakure then. It's decided. But be cautious; we'll need to avoid being spotted by Kusa-nin." Kira took a deep breath, knowing this was the beginning of a new chapter in his journey.

He channeled his chakra, allowing his body to take on the form of Gin lchimaru, his features shifting into that of the silver-haired, fox-faced captain. With his transformation complete, Kira gave a nod to Byakuya,

who remained unchanged, and together they sprinted through the forest, heading towards Kusagakure. The journey was swift and silent, the two moving like shadows through the trees. The outskirts of Kusagakure

were heavily patrolled, but Kira and Byakuya used their skills to slip through the defenses undetected. They moved through the darkened streets of the village with purpose, avoiding the watchful eyes of the Kusa-nin as they made their way to their destination-a small, shabby-looking house on the edge of the village.

Inside, the sounds of sobbing could be heard, muffled by the thin walls. Kira and Byakuya approached cautiously,

peering through the window to see a young girl, around Kira's age, kneeling by a bed where a pale, frail woman lay. The girl, Karin Uzumaki, was begging her mother to eat, her voice trembling with desperation. Kira and Byakuya stepped inside, the creak of the door drawing Karin's attention. She turned, her tear-streaked face filled with fear and uncertainty as she saw the tw strangers in the same uniform. "Who...who are you?" Karin stammered, her voice barely above a whisper. She instinctively moved in front of her mother, trying to protect her despite her own fear. Byakuya stepped forward, his expression softening slightly as he spoke. "Do not be afraid, child. We are here to help you and your mother leave this place...but you'll have to do something for us in return." Karin's eyes widened, her mind racing

with thoughts of what these strangers could possibly want. Her heart pounded

in her chest, but she felt a glimmer of hope. "I'm willing to do anything," she said, her voice trembling. "Even if you

want to suck me dry...just please, save my mom."

Byakuya couldn't help but chuckle at the girl's words, the sound both amused

and slightly exasperated. "Suck you dry? Does this brat think we're perverts? No, child, that's not what we're here for." Kira stepped forward, his eyes narrowing as he examined the condition of Karin's mother, Yuki Uzumaki. It was clear she was on the brink of death, her life force ebbing away. Kira knew there was only one way to save her, and it would require the power of the Noblesse. "We can save her," Kira said, his voice calm and reassuring. "But it will require something...special." Kira formed two shadow clones, each one immediately performing the Transformation Jutsu to take on the appearance of Karin and her mother. The clones were left behind ensuring that no one noticed their absence while the real Karin and her mother were taken to safety. Kira gently lifted Yuki Uzumaki into his arms, her frail body light as a feather.

Byakuya did the same with Karin, who was too stunned to resist.

[A/N:The name of Karin's mother was never mentioned so for this fic I'll call her Yuki]

The two moved quickly, slipping out of the

house and disappearing into the night, avoiding detection as they made their way out of Kusagakure. They traveled through the forest at a swift pace, heading toward the Land of Hot Water. After several hours of travel, they arrived at a small, secluded inn nestled in the mountains. The inn was

quiet and empty, the perfect place to rest and recuperate. Once inside, Kira carefully laid Yuki onone of the beds, her breathing shallow and labored. Karin hovered nearby, her eyes wide with fear and worry as she

watched her mother. Kira turned to Byakuya. "I'll need to use the Awakening of the Noblesse to save her. It's the only way."

Byakuya nodded, his expression serious. "Do what you must, however an Awakening makes one unlock their potential, however your lack of Chakra won't allow it. I suppose we'll try once more after project Ryūmyaku"

Kira moved to Yuki's side, placing his hand gently on her forehead. He closed his eyes, concentrating as he channeled the power of the Noblesse. A soft, white light emanated from his hand, bathing Yuki in a warm glow. Karin watched in awe, her fear momentarily forgotten as she saw the color slowly return to her mother's cheeks. After a few tense moments, Yuki's breathing steadied, her face relaxing as the life force within her was restored. Kira removed hand breathing a sigh of relief and stepped back.

"She'll recover now," Kira said, turning to Karin. "But it will take time. You're safe here, for now." Karin looked up at him, her eyes filled with gratitude and a new resolve. "Thank you...thank you so much. I'Il do whatever you ask, just please, don't let anything happen to my mom." Byakuya. smiled, a rare expression that held a hint of genuine warmth. "We have no intention of harming you or your mother. In fact, we want to offer you something-an opportunity to leave this place, to find strength and purpose beyond these walls. But you must trust us." Kira nodded, his eyes meeting Karin's

with a sincerity that belied his age.

"We'll protect you. But in return, you must join us. Together, we'll grow

stronger and carve out our place in this World." Karin hesitated for only a moment before nodding. She had nothing left in

Kusagakure, and these strangers-no matter how mysterious or powerful-had shown her more kindness in a single night than she had ever known. "Alright," she agreed, her voice steady. "I'Il go with you." Kira smiled, satisfied with her decision. He knew that this was only the beginning, but with Karin and the others he would recruit, his plans were already taking shape. The world was vast, and the Shinobi World held many secrets yet to be uncovered.

As the night wore on, the small group in the inn found a brief moment of peace.

But Kira knew that the journey ahead would be fraught with danger and challenges. The Ryūmyaku, Danzo's schemes, and the unfolding plans of the Shinobi World awaited them. And Kira, with Byakuya were happy with first new real numbers of the Gotei 13.