Naruto: Different Path

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Although Naruto had been using Sage Mode chakra, the prolonged battle had still drained some of his energy. 

Using the Flying Raijin Jutsu, he quickly arrived at the battlefield where Danzo was engaged. 

However, instead of immediately joining Danzo, Naruto decided to observe the situation from the shadows. 

He also wanted a better understanding of Danzo's capabilities, including his strategies and jutsu.

Naruto carefully concealed himself on a high vantage point using Wood Release. 

From there, he could view the frontline, where Konoha and Kirigakure forces were clashing. 

While observing, Naruto took the opportunity to rest and recover. Kirigakure forces were on the offensive, while Konoha relied on the terrain for defensive manoeuvres.

One Kirigakure ninja, using Water Release, launched an attack, but the Konoha defenders quickly evaded it by hiding behind their fortifications. 

The Kirigakure ninja sneered, "Are all Konoha shinobi cowards? Hiding behind walls and using dirty tricks all the time? If you're real men, come out and fight!"

A Konoha ninja retorted, "And you Kirigakure scum are any better? Always outnumbering us—how honourable is that?" 

"Lord Danzo's strategies are leagues ahead of you beasts who only know brute force!"

"You dare call us beasts? We'll see who's stronger! Everyone, attack!" the enraged Kirigakure ninja roared. 

A group of them charged at the Konoha defenders, who continued to rely on their advantageous position to stall the attackers.

From his hiding spot, Naruto shook his head in exasperation. 

It was evident that Danzo favoured underhanded and extreme tactics, which had rubbed off on his subordinates. 

However, it was also clear that Kirigakure had suffered significant setbacks due to Danzo's schemes, explaining their deep-seated hatred for him.

Naruto spent the entire day observing. While he did not approve of many of Danzo's methods, he couldn't deny their effectiveness in warfare. 

As a commander, Danzo indeed possessed considerable skill. Resting and watching simultaneously, Naruto soon returned to peak condition.

As night fell, Kirigakure ceased their assault to regroup, treat the wounded, and adjust their strategy for the next day. 

Konoha, on the other hand, also needed time to recover and reorganize. 

Additionally, Danzo ordered the Earth Release ninja to construct new fortifications, as the existing ones had been heavily damaged. 

Though effective, these structures required significant manpower and time to rebuild, which made them a risky endeavour at night.

Being a constantly wary man, Danzo was always on guard for surprises. 

His vigilance paid off when he suddenly threw a shuriken into a shadowed area. 

A loud metallic clang echoed, and a large man stepped out of the darkness, smirking.

"As expected of Lord Danzo," the man said. "We were being extra cautious, yet you still noticed us."

This man was none other than Ketsueki Shinkaze, accompanied by a dozen Kirigakure elites. 

Among them were fierce combatants like Chojuro, and Ao. 

It was clear that nearly every high-ranking Kirigakure ninja, except the Mizukage, was present.

Ao stepped forward. "It's no surprise that Danzo is using the night to rebuild fortifications. But we've learned from you, Lord Danzo." 

"All we need to do is send a strike team to eliminate your builders."

Ketsueki sneered, "Your forces are stretched thin, Danzo. Did you think we wouldn't take advantage of this opportunity?"

Although Danzo maintained a composed expression, inwardly, he felt cornered. 

He had anticipated a potential night raid, but Konoha simply didn't have enough personnel to allocate additional guards. 

Aside from the Earth Release ninja constructing fortifications, his forces consisted of only a handful of Root members.

Two Root operatives quickly moved to Danzo's side. 

One of them suggested, "Lord Danzo, the enemy's strength is overwhelming. We will hold them off while the Earth Release ninja retreat immediately."

Ketsueki scoffed. "Do you think we'll let them escape so easily?"

At his command, Kirigakure shinobi sprang into action. 

While the Root operatives intercepted two of them, the remaining attackers sped toward the Earth Release ninja. 

Although Danzo prepared to engage, Ketsueki charged at him, shouting, "Your opponent is me!"

Ao stood back, his Byakugan active, carefully monitoring Danzo to prevent him from using Kotoamatsukami. 

Meanwhile, another Kirigakure ninja stayed close to Ao, acting as his bodyguard.

The Earth Release ninjas attempted to flee, knowing they couldn't match their opponents in strength. 

A few Konoha jonin joined the fray, but they were no match for the elite Kirigakure forces, who easily outmanoeuvred them. 

Soon, the Kirigakure attackers caught up to the fleeing Earth Release ninjas. 

With no other option, the Earth Release ninja used their jutsu defensively, but it wasn't enough to stop the onslaught.

One ninja closed his eyes, bracing himself for death.

Suddenly, without warning, a streak of lightning flashed across the battlefield. 

The attacking Kirigakure ninja was sliced in two, their body disintegrating in the crackling electricity. 

The other attackers quickly regrouped, realizing something was wrong.

From the midst of the lightning, a figure emerged, holding a sword radiating with electricity. 

Clad in a black cloak that fluttered with the energy, the masked figure stood imposingly. It was Naruto.

Pointing his sword at the Kirigakure ninjas, Naruto declared, "Konoha reinforcements have arrived. Your mission ends here."

Relieved, a Konoha ninja exclaimed, "We're saved! Reinforcements are finally here. Is it the ANBU?"

He looked around and froze in shock. "Wait, it's just one person? Are you kidding me?"

Another ninja nudged him, whispering, "Look carefully at who it is."

The Kirigakure ninjas also stared at Naruto, their expressions turning to unease. 

One muttered in panic, "Such powerful Lightning Release… such speed… You must be the fabled Black Flash!"

Another said sceptically, "But Black Flash was just fighting the Tsuchikage. How could he have arrived here so quickly?"

A more experienced ninja grimly replied, "Someone like him doesn't operate by normal logic. Regardless, our situation just became extremely dangerous."

...

Seeing that several Kirigakure ninja had already successfully pursued their targets, while the two Konoha ANBU members had also been restrained. 

He unleashed punch after punch at Danzō. Despite the commotion, no other Konoha ninja came to reinforce them. 

Observing the situation, Ao remarked, "It seems Konoha's forces are stretched thin." 

"There's no one else to support this location, just these few individuals."

Chōjūrō and the Ketsueki swiftly eliminated a few ordinary Konoha Jōnin, and the remaining construction ninjas fled. 

Confident in the pursuit team's success, the two redirected their attention toward Danzō. 

With a sinister grin, the Ketsueki said, "Danzō, my mission was just to kill the construction ninjas." 

"But since you've brought so few people with you after killing so many of ours, I'll make sure you don't leave alive." 

"Outnumbering you isn't dishonourable—it's just strategy. Let's take him down together!"

Surrounded by so many enemies, Danzō activated his Sharingan, his expression cautious. 

Ketsueki charged in, his powerful fists aimed directly at Danzō. Although his attacks were potent, the Sharingan easily read his movements. 

Danzō couldn't block effectively, but evasion wasn't an issue. Suddenly, the Ketsueki roared, "Earth Splitting Slash!" and unleashed his unique jutsu. 

Through the Sharingan, Danzō detected an unusual chakra wave, but his focus was divided as he dodged the Ketsueki's relentless assaults. 

Unable to avoid the attack, the peculiar chakra struck him, injuring his internal organs and leaving blood trickling from the corner of his mouth. 

Chōjūrō seized the opportunity: "Hiramekarei: Unleash!" 

Infused with a massive amount of chakra, his weapon grew immensely large and swung heavily at Danzō.

Despite his injuries, Danzō maintained his composure and summoned a large tree to block the attack. 

Chōjūrō's strike cleaved through the tree, but Danzō used the moment to reposition himself. 

Ketsueki immediately pursued, prompting Danzō to counter with shuriken imbued with wind chakra, transforming them into massive wind blades. 

He hurled several of these wind blades—not at the Ketsueki, but toward Ao, who was observing the battlefield with his Byakugan.

Anticipating the attack, Ao's accompanying ANBU bodyguard stepped forward, brandishing a chakra-enhanced blade to deflect the projectiles. 

With a smirk, Ao taunted, "Danzō, even now, you're still obsessed with killing me for my Byakugan, aren't you?"

Ignoring the danger behind him, Danzō closed the gap between himself and Ao while weaving hand seals. 

"Wind Release: Vacuum Serial Waves!" he began to cast. 

But before he could complete the technique, Ketsueki struck again with his Earth Splitting Slash, its unique chakra coursing through the ground to disrupt Danzō's movements.

Simultaneously, Ao's ANBU guards responded, using Water Style: Water Whip to restrain Danzō tightly. 

Helpless, he was struck by Ketsueki's devastating punch. His body shattered into a mist of blood.

Believing Danzō was finally dead, Chōjūrō began to withdraw his blade, and Ketsueki relaxed. 

Even Ao confirmed through his Byakugan that Danzō's chakra had dissipated entirely. He nodded to the others, preparing to speak. 

But suddenly, Danzō reappeared nearby, lunging directly at Ao. Caught completely off guard, Ao froze. 

He had seen Danzō's body obliterated moments ago, something his Byakugan could not have been mistaken about. 

However, Ao's ANBU bodyguards reacted swiftly, intercepting Danzō's attack with kunai. 

The clash was brief as Danzō quickly retreated to avoid being surrounded again.

Weapons drawn, Chōjūrō and the others readied themselves for battle. 

The Ketsueki, still collecting blood from fallen enemies for his jutsu, questioned Ao, "What's going on? Didn't you confirm that Danzō was killed?" 

"Or is this some kind of genjutsu that even your Byakugan can't see through?"

Ao's face was conflicted. "I saw it clearly—Danzō was obliterated. And based on everyone's chakra flow, it doesn't seem like we're under genjutsu." 

"But looking at him now, he's uninjured. Perhaps he has some unknown ability we don't yet understand."

Ketsueki growled, "Even my jutsu can only heal wounds quickly. There shouldn't be a technique in this world that brings someone back from the dead!"

While they debated, Danzō evaluated the situation. The enemy's strength surpassed his, and reinforcements from Konoha weren't likely to arrive soon. 

He decided to retreat. Swiftly weaving hand signs, he unleashed Wind Release: Vacuum Serial Waves, firing countless high-speed wind bullets at Ao and his group.

Ketsueki stepped forward, creating a protective water membrane that expanded into a large bubble. 

The wind bullets slowed and dissipated upon contact with the bubble. 

Seizing the opportunity, Danzō signalled his two remaining ANBU to follow him, and they retreated rapidly.

Suddenly, a flash of lightning appeared before Danzō, blocking his path. The speed was so astonishing that even the experienced Danzō was taken aback. 

He stopped abruptly, thinking, "A new enemy?" His ANBU guards tensed and readied their kunai.

But the figure before them did not attack immediately. Instead, they chuckled. "Who could have forced the great Danzō into such a pitiful retreat?"

Danzō was momentarily stunned before recognizing the newcomer. 

"Such powerful lightning release… If you're an ally of Konoha, you must be the Black Thunder. And it seems your lightning techniques have improved."

His ANBU companions, though surprised, had heard of the Black Thunder's legendary reputation. 

However, the brief pause allowed Ketsueki, Chōjūrō, and their allies to catch up, encircling Danzō and his group once more.

Naruto, the so-called Black Thunder, scanned the Kirigakure ninja and turned to Danzō with a smirk. 

"Danzō, you're not telling me this small group of people had you running for your life, are you? With your Sharingan, is this the extent of your power?"

Embarrassed by Naruto's mocking, Danzō's face darkened. "Their strength is formidable, and that meddlesome Byakugan made it impossible to avoid being surrounded." 

"I had no choice but to retreat to protect the construction team."

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