Chapter 76: Moon God

Land of Lightning, Interior

Kumogakure is built atop towering mountains, boasting the highest average altitude among the Five Great Shinobi Villages. Shinobi undertake arduous journeys to descend the mountains for missions and supply runs, but as a village that values Kenjutsu and taijutsu, they consider it a worthwhile endeavor.

In a building inscribed with the large character for "Lightning," a strong man tore a scroll in half and smashed the table.

Splinters flew past his subordinates' faces, cutting their skin and drawing blood, but they didn't dare to move.

Everyone in the room knew how terrifying this enraged man could be.

"Four days! Four whole days!"

"He is still unconscious in the medical unit. If it weren't for the help of the tailed beast sealed within him, he'd be dead!"

"And the one who defeated him and slaughtered our shinobi, all I know is the name 'Aizen Sōsuke'!"

A subordinate swallowed nervously, "A-sama, the analysis of Aizen Sōsuke's jutsu is in the report, along with predictions about his actions…"

"Useless! I can read!" A roared furiously, "What I want to know is, where is that bastard! I want to tear out his heart... Send all shinobi out! Find him!"

"But, A-sama," the subordinate hesitated before responding, "we are at war with other major nations…"

"Fool! Are you defying…"

"Enough, Aoi," a deep voice interrupted.

A clenched his fists, instinctively wanting to retort, but he knew better. When his father called him by his full name, it was best not to argue. Otherwise, even as the primary heir to the Raikage, he would be severely punished.

The Third Raikage stood up, his massive frame and long yellow hair flowing to his waist, exuding powerful charisma, "Aoi, no one wants to see their comrades killed. Both the Land of Lightning and our Yotsuki Clan have a tradition of avenging blood debts. But never forget, you are my son... destined to inherit the name 'A'!"

The position of Raikage is always passed from father to son or brother to brother, with the Yotsuki Clan being the undisputed ruling family.

A gritted his teeth. Despite his nearly two-meter-tall, bear-like physique, he was not simple-minded. As the Raikage's heir, he understood his father's words.

—The war had been raging for half a year, involving every nation and shinobi village. Everyone had lost loved ones on the battlefield, and the war showed no signs of stopping. In this situation, Kumogakure couldn't be thrown into chaos by one rogue shinobi.

"But…" A wanted to argue for his partner.

"No buts, Aoi," the Third Raikage interrupted:

"The village will issue a mission and bounty for Aizen Sōsuke, and an elite team will be formed to track him down. But we can't spare the manpower for a full-scale hunt right now." He paused before continuing, "Tomorrow, we head back to the front lines. Our forces have been losing ground in our absence."

One must not act impulsively for personal grudges and endanger the village.

...

Kirigakure, shrouded in mist

Yagura Karatachi held a uniquely shaped club, listening to his subordinates' reports. Despite his childlike appearance with green hair and purple eyes, his demeanor was calm and imposing.

"Aizen Sōsuke, age unknown, gender unknown, appearance unknown, origin unknown."

"Extremely proficient in taijutsu, capable of manipulating repulsive and attractive forces, and absorbing jutsu and chakra. He has no apparent weaknesses at any range and possesses extremely powerful jutsu!"

"His jutsu's power is akin to a natural disaster, capable of piercing the Eight-Tails jinchuriki in an instant."

"Bold and bloodthirsty, he seems to be overly arrogant, which might be a point we can exploit."

"Four days ago, in the Land of Hot Water, he killed 62 of our shinobi, including seven Kaguya clan members, and heavily injured Fuguki Suikazan-sama, who won't be able to wield a sword for at least two months."

"We don't know his motives, but it seems he may be interested in shinobi with kekkei genkai."

Yagura Karatachi listened silently, and after his subordinate finished, he asked, "Even the Byakugan of the Leaf can't see through his mask?"

"Yes, Mizukage-sama," the shinobi replied respectfully, "This morning, we exchanged information with the Leaf and Kumogakure. The Byakugan can't see through that mask."

"Heh…" Yagura chuckled, a hint of helplessness in his voice, "To specifically wear such a mask means many people recognize his real face."

...

Konoha, Hokage Office

Hiruzen Sarutobi looked helplessly at his old friend in front of his desk, "Danzo, stay in the hospital with all those injuries."

"I'm not dying." Danzo Shimura, smelling of medicine, sat in his chair with a cane, his face grim, "Hiruzen, are we just going to let that guy go?"

"Of course not. The wanted notice is being prepared. Konoha will form a special team to deal with this Aizen Sōsuke."

"A team? That guy is a real powerhouse. In my opinion, you need to send the Sannin or Minato Namikaze, or better yet, go yourself…"

"And then get ambushed by other villages?" Hiruzen took a drag on his pipe, the taste bitter on his tongue:

"A shinobi of that level isn't just some rogue. He either hails from a major nation or has a highly skilled sensei. Right now, the five great nations suspect each other of orchestrating this, intensifying the war. There are even rumors that he's a weapon trained by me and the Mizukage to eliminate uncooperative kekkei genkai clans… Ridiculous."

The brief alliance between Konoha, Kirigakure, and Kumogakure ended that night.

The camaraderie of that day was a fleeting act by Killer B, misunderstood by the world, much like the late White Fang of Konoha.

In this world, shinobi are bound by chains of hatred.

"But if we get the chance, we should send more experts… Oh, by the way." Hiruzen seemed to remember something, "Konoha has lost many Chunin and Jonin. If suitable, let's have the senior students in the academy graduate early."

"You are the Hokage, you decide."

"Also, here's a joint wanted notice issued by the three major nations. Review it and have it posted."

...

Land of Rain, Nagato's hideout

Nagato looked at an intelligence scroll.

"Repulsive and attractive forces, sealing absorption… This ability sounds a lot like mine."

"A joint wanted notice by three nations, dead or alive…"

"This person is extremely powerful, comparable to a natural disaster. It's advised not to engage, just report his whereabouts."

"Jutsu as powerful as a falling moon…"

"Nickname is… 'Moon God.'"

Nagato paused, recalling the demigod of Amegakure, Hanzō of the Salamander.

The red-haired young man frowned and handed the scroll back to Konan, as if it were burning his hands.

—He detested the word "god."

TN: Instead of the Moon God the name should've been Tsukuyomi, but there are too many things named Tsukuyomi on Naruto, so I named it the English translation.

(End of Chapter)