Chapter 20: The Nine Tails.

Author Note: Nothing of importance, just enjoy the chapter, and if you have any questions, make sure to comment!

And like always, remember if you want to read up to 12 chapters ahead go to https://www.patreón.com/cornbringer

I'm currently updating the novel 2-8 chapters a day in patreeeeon. On chapter 31 so far, though by the end of today it will be chapter 33 - 34.

Discord invite: https://discord.gg/XHduApz

Enjoy you sexy bastards.

--------------------------------------------------------------

It had been two months since I first felt that strange chakra signature at the edges of the village. Two months since I reported it to Minato and Fugaku. During that time, the village had been on high alert, yet the signature had vanished as quickly as it appeared, leaving no trace.

Maybe the new security measures Minato put in place had stopped the intruder from entering Konoha again, or maybe the extra patrols of the Konoha police had done the trick. Either way, I hadn't felt the foreign chakra ever since.

Today, I found myself on the forest grounds once more, wielding my Claymore. The weapon felt familiar now, easier to use, thanks to the countless hours spent training with Teresa's guidance.

As usual, I practiced the Phantom Mirage technique alongside some sword forms, my movements swift and fluid as Teresa's voice echoed in my mind, offering corrections and encouragement. "Your form is improving, but you need to be quicker. Speed is your greatest ally with this technique. Otherwise, you might find yourself jumping into your enemy's attacks."

I nodded, adjusting my stance and pushing myself harder. The technique required incredible speed and precision, creating afterimages to confuse the opponent. It was a skill that demanded not just physical prowess but also a sharp mind, precise chakra control, and keen reflexes. Day by day, using the technique without exerting myself became easier.

"Good, now again," Teresa said, and I complied, my body moving faster, creating an afterimage. "Not bad. In a few months, you should have this technique in the bag."

After a grueling session, I paused to catch my breath, wiping sweat from my brow. The sun was beginning to set, casting long shadows over the village. I glanced toward the direction of the Uchiha compound, wondering if Itachi was training as well. Our sessions together had grown less frequent ever since Sasuke's birth, mostly because Fugaku was starting to teach him the clan techniques, but we still pushed each other to our limits whenever we had the chance. As a rule, we had two spars a week, regardless of how many training sessions we had together that week.

As I made my way back home, my thoughts drifted to the strange chakra signature I had felt months ago. Despite the village's best efforts, there had been no further sightings or traces of it. It was as if it had vanished into thin air, leaving behind a lingering sense of unease. Perhaps I was overthinking it. But still.

Upon reaching home, I was greeted by the sight of my parents in the living room. My mother was knitting, a rare moment of relaxation for her, while my father was reading a book on weapon crafting, the one he had recently written and published.

"You're back," my mother said, looking up from her knitting. "How was training?"

"Intense," I replied, taking a seat beside her. "But I'm getting better."

"Good to hear," my father said, not looking up from his book. "I have to say, this book is awesome."

I snorted. "Didn't you write that book?"

"Yes," he replied with an unabashed smile, his eyes still on the pages, "which explains why it is so awesome."

A low chuckle escaped my lips before I shook my head, a fond smile playing on my face. It was just like my father to find his own work 'awesome'. But I suppose there was a certain degree of character in finding pleasure in one's own work.

"I'll be in my room if you need me," I said, running up the stairs to my room.

----------------------------------------------------------------

I entered my room, the setting sun casting a warm glow through the wooden slats of my window. The familiar scent of aged paper, faint smoke from incense sticks, and a hint of Tsuki's musky fur filled my senses. I let out a sigh, feeling the weight of the day slowly lift off my shoulders as I jumped onto my bed.

I could feel Tsuki rouse from where she had been snoozing on her favored spot on my tatami mat. Even with my eyes closed, I could sense her adorable padded footsteps approaching me. No sooner had my body hit the soft mattress when Tsuki was already in the bed with me, purring.

I ran a hand across the smooth, soft fur of her back, feeling her muscles tense beneath my touch. Then she released a rumbling purr, curling comfortably by my side.

"How was your day, princess?" I asked in one of those voices you only use for your pets.

Tsuki merely nuzzled closer to my chest in response, her purrs growing louder.

"Lazy day, huh?" I laughed lightly, and she seemed to agree with a soft meow. "Mine was pretty much as usual, training until my curfew."

Heaving a sigh, I let my gaze stray to the window and the waning light outside as I continued to pet my cat. Sufficiently tired from the day's rigorous training, sleep threatened to pull me under its tranquil sway. As I lay in the calming silence of my room, my cat cuddling against me, my thoughts spiraled back to my earlier contemplations.

I knew there was no point in worrying, seeing I had done everything that I could to stop whoever that stranger had been. But even then, I couldn't help but feel this strange sense of foreboding that something was going to happen, and that this stranger would be the one behind it.

I sighed once more. "There's no point in worrying, right, you evil furball?" I cooed at Tsuki, who seemed to understand my mood as she nudged her head against my hand, demanding more pets like a spoiled little princess. Needless to say, I obliged and soon found myself sinking into a peaceful slumber.

----------------------------------------------------------------

I woke up in the middle of the night, my heart pounding in my chest. As a familiar yet unsettling sensation washed over me. The same strange chakra signature I had felt two months ago was back. I sat up, my senses on high alert.

I reached out with my senses, trying to pinpoint its location. The chakra signature was close to Kushina, who was… in a different location. As I tried to pinpoint where she was exactly, my blood ran cold as I felt several Konoha chakra signatures around Kushina suddenly disappear, their lights extinguished as if snuffed out.

The strange signature had killed them.

The only chakras left were Minato's, Kushina's, the stranger's, and a new, small chakra… could it be? Kushina's and Minato's kid? I hadn't seen her in a month, but considering how big she was the last time I saw her, she had to be due any time soon.

Was this the intent behind the attacker? To attack while she was vulnerable?

If so, why?

What could this enemy possibly achieve by attacking the entire village on its own?

…

The Nine Tails.

Their objective isn't Kushina, but the Tailed Beast.

Today is the day of the Nine Tails Attack!