34. The Secrets of the Poneglyph

Kakashi, known by his ANBU codename Eagle, led his team through the dense forest bordering the Land of Fire. The night had been long and perilous, every rustle of leaves and snap of a twig keeping them on edge. The group was acutely aware that they could still be pursued by Cloud Shinobi after the intense battle that had nearly cost them their lives. The image of Kira's devastating Thunder Breathing technique lingered in their minds, the sheer power of it leaving them both in awe and on alert.

Hyuga Hiro, gravely injured from the battle, was being carried by Takeshi, his breathing shallow but steady. Uchiha Mei, also badly wounded, was slung over the back of Kitsune—Yugao Uzuki—who moved with careful but swift precision, her own fatigue masked by her duty. The journey had been grueling, but they pressed on, driven by the need to return to Konoha safely.

After traveling nonstop through the night and into the following day, they finally found a secluded spot to rest. The dense canopy overhead provided cover, and the cool air was a welcome relief after the battle's heat. The group moved quickly to set up camp, their first priority tending to the injuries of Hiro and Mei.

Once the camp was established, the wounded were tended to, their injuries cleaned and re-bandaged with what limited supplies they had. The mood was somber, the weight of their mission and the battle they had narrowly survived heavy in the air.

Kakashi, ever vigilant, kept watch as the others settled down to eat. His mind raced, thoughts of the battle and Kira's extraordinary power swirling in his head. He knew they needed to understand more about their young comrade, but the priority now was the safety of his team.

As the group finished their meal, the conversation inevitably turned to the events of the previous night. Kitsune was the first to speak, her voice laced with curiosity and disbelief.

"Kira… he was too powerful," she began, breaking the silence. "How come we've never heard of such a kid in the Hidden Leaf?"

The question hung in the air, unanswered for a moment, before Eagle turned to Takeshi, the jounin leader of Team 4. "Takeshi, did you know Kira was this strong?"

Takeshi shook his head, his brow furrowed in thought. "No… I knew he was talented, but this… this is beyond anything I could have imagined. The techniques he used, the sheer destructive power… it's unlike anything I've ever seen."

Weasel, his expression inscrutable as always, added quietly, "I've come across Kira training in the woods several times. He always kept to himself, but the intensity of his training was different. I never imagined he was capable of something like this."

Kakashi's eye narrowed in thought as he recalled a memory from not too long ago. "Do you remember when there was a report of a sudden lightning storm that devastated the woods near Konoha? The damage was extensive, and it seemed unnatural… To think that was Kira. He developed such a technique in secret."

Kakashi paused, his gaze distant as he remembered the technique that had left such an impression. "What was the seventh form he used? Flaming Thunder God? The power… it was overwhelming. And everything he uses isn't something we've seen or heard of before. Whether it was the technique to step in the air or the fast movement technique similar to Body Flicker…"

Kakashi let the thought trail off, the implications clear. "Could it be that these techniques are self-created, like the Thunder and Water Breathing techniques? If that's the case, Kira is even more extraordinary than we realized."

The group fell silent, each lost in thought about the enigmatic young shinobi who had fought alongside them.

Kakashi broke the silence, his tone decisive. "It's no use speculating further. What's important now is what we discovered on the mission." He turned to Weasel, his gaze serious. "Weasel, about the information you recorded from the Poneglyph. What did it say?"

Weasel hesitated, the weight of the information heavy on his mind. The Poneglyph's contents were not something to be taken lightly, and he knew that revealing it here was a risk. But his comrades had risked their lives for this mission, and they deserved to know the truth.

"It's… incredible," Weasel began slowly, choosing his words carefully. "The Poneglyph contained information about a lost power… Titans."

"Titans?" Kitsune echoed, her voice filled with confusion. "What are Titans?"

Weasel took a deep breath before continuing. "According to the Poneglyph, these Titans were created by a being known as the God King Ghidorah, a three-headed dragon of immense power. Ghidorah created these Titans during a rebellion of his Angels. With their assistance, he defeated the rebels. Afterward, the Titans were left behind to protect the world in his absence."

The revelation sent a ripple of shock through the group. The very idea of a three-headed dragon, a God King, and ancient Titans was almost beyond belief.

Weasel continued, his voice steady but grave. "The Poneglyph mentioned three Titans by name: Rodan, who has massive wings and the ability to breathe fire; Mothra, the Queen of Monsters; and the most powerful of them all, the Ancient Titan Shimo."

"Shimo?" Takeshi asked, the name unfamiliar and foreboding.

Weasel nodded. "Shimo is described as a powerful ancient Titan with the ability to freeze the entire world. According to the Poneglyph, Shimo is one of the earliest Titans created by God King Ghidorah, making Shimo incredibly ancient—around three million years old."

"Three million years?!" Hiro, Mei, Kitsune, and Tenzo exclaimed in unison, their voices filled with shock. Even Kakashi's normally impassive face showed signs of astonishment.

"Three million years…" Kitsune repeated, her voice barely a whisper. "Even the legend of the Sage of Six Paths doesn't stretch that far back. The Sage is only said to have existed around 2,000 years ago, when he first gifted chakra to humanity. But this… this is on an entirely different scale. How old is this Ghidorah?"

Weasel nodded, acknowledging their disbelief. "I hesitated to say anything because it sounds so farfetched. But the Cloud Village clearly believes it. They wouldn't have sent such a force to secure the Poneglyph if they didn't think it held real power."

Kakashi's mind was racing, the implications of this revelation overwhelming. "If Shimo is as powerful as the Poneglyph suggests, capable of freezing the entire world… then whoever controls Shimo could potentially rule all of life. That's why the Cloud Village was so desperate to get their hands on this information."

Everyone listening was sweating bullets. The sheer scale of what they had uncovered was incomprehensible. Titans that predated the legends of the Sage of Six Paths, a God King whose power surpassed anything they had ever heard of… It was no wonder Weasel had hesitated to speak. And it was no wonder the Cloud Village was so serious about this.

"The power of Shimo," Kakashi mused, his voice tense with the weight of their discovery. "If unleashed, it could change the world forever. We have to ensure this information doesn't fall into the wrong hands."

The group sat in heavy silence, the gravity of what they had learned settling over them like a dark cloud. They knew that this information was far too dangerous to be left in the hands of any single village. It had the potential to tip the balance of power in the Shinobi World in a way that could lead to catastrophic consequences.

"We need to get this information to the Hokage as soon as possible," Kakashi finally said, his voice firm and resolute. "This is bigger than anything we could have imagined. We can't let the Cloud Village gain control over something like this."

Weasel nodded in agreement, his expression serious. "We'll make sure it reaches the Hokage. But for now, we need to stay focused and keep moving. The sooner we're back in the Land of Fire, the better."

The group finished their brief rest, the weight of their mission now heavier than ever. They packed up their camp in silence, each of them knowing that they were carrying something far more dangerous than they had anticipated.

As they set out once more, Kakashi kept his senses on high alert, ensuring that they would not be caught off guard by any pursuing enemies. They moved quickly and efficiently, their shared understanding of the stakes driving them forward.

In the back of his mind, Kakashi couldn't help but think of Kira, the young shinobi who had shown a power that defied explanation. There was more to Kira than met the eye, and Kakashi knew that they hadn't seen the last of him.

But for now, their priority was returning safely to Konoha with the knowledge they had gained. The secrets of the Titans, hidden for so long, were now at the forefront of a new and dangerous game of power in the Shinobi World.

And Kakashi knew that the repercussions of their discovery would be felt far beyond the borders of the Land of Fire.

Upon returning to the village, Kakashi immediately took Weasel aside. "We need to report this directly to the Hokage," he said with urgency. Team 4 and the remaining members of Team Ro headed towards the medical center, their injuries needing immediate attention.

As they approached the Hokage's office, Kakashi and Weasel found themselves facing a closed-door meeting. From within, the voices of Konoha's Council could be heard, including Shukaku, Shimura Danzo, Mitokado Homura, Koharu Utatane, and lastly, the Hokage himself, Sarutobi Hiruzen. Kakashi's face grew more serious; the situation demanded immediate reporting.

Kakashi knocked firmly. A brief silence followed before the Hokage's voice permitted them entry. The council members turned their heads as the two Anbu operatives entered. Kakashi's usually composed demeanor was now tinged with urgency and unease. Weasel, too, appeared tense.

Sarutobi sensed the gravity of the situation. "Report, Kakashi. What happened?" he commanded, his eyes sharp and attentive.

Kakashi hesitated, glancing around the room. There were too many ears. "Hokage-sama, this information is highly sensitive," he began, his voice low. "It's not suitable for open discussion."

Realizing the weight of Kakashi's reluctance, Sarutobi reassured him. "You can speak freely here. Every person present is a trusted member of the village."

Kakashi looked at Weasel, who gave a subtle nod. Taking a deep breath, Kakashi began. "After arriving to reinforce Team 4, we were immediately engaged. We managed to eliminate two chunin squads and two jounin. However, just as we thought we had the upper hand, two Cloud Anbu squads arrived."

The room fell silent, the council members exchanging worried glances. Sarutobi's brow furrowed. "I sent Team Ro to reinforce Team 4 because they were outnumbered. How could this happen again?"

Kakashi continued, "It seems the Raikage had anticipated our moves. The arrival of two Anbu squads indicated that the Cloud was prepared for a significant confrontation."

Danzo's eyes narrowed. "Why would the Raikage commit such resources? Is he seeking to provoke a war?"

Before Kakashi could answer, Weasel interjected, "It was clear they put so much hope what they discovered. However, something remarkable happened."

Kakashi nodded. "As Takeshi was about to order a retreat, Kira stepped forward. He insisted we make our stand there, refusing to retreat. His resolve was incredible."

Sarutobi leaned forward. "Kira? What did he do?"

"Kira used a technique I've never seen before," Kakashi replied. "He said 'Soru' and moved with such speed that even my Sharingan couldn't trace him. In an instant, he decapitated an Anbu operative."

Gasps filled the room. Homura, visibly shocked, asked, "Is there such a powerful Kira in the Leaf?"

Sarutobi, deep in thought, answered, "Kira is the son of a Hyuga clansman, though he was rejected by the clan because he did not inherit the Byakugan. However, it seems he possesses other formidable abilities."

Kakashi continued, "He also awakened the Blood Release but refrains from using it as it weakens him. Instead, he has developed a technique he calls the Water Breathing Technique, an S-Rank technique."

Surprised murmurs spread through the council. Koharu voiced the collective astonishment. "An S-Rank technique? At such a young age?"

Sarutobi nodded, his expression grave but impressed. "Kira's abilities are indeed extraordinary. His potential must be recognized and nurtured."