Naruto: Hatake's No Misfortune

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As it stood, the Fourth Raikage's strength in close combat was unparalleled, granting him a distinct edge. However, Muzan's resilience was terrifying—he didn't falter despite his injuries. The longer the battle dragged on, the more the pressure mounted on the Raikage.

"Bee, stay back," the Raikage commanded, his voice sharp.

Bee grinned, defiance flashing in his eyes. "Nah, bro. Two's always better than one."

Ignoring his wounds, Bee leapt to the Raikage's side, his chakra surging. Over the years, their bond as brothers and teammates had forged an unshakable partnership. Their coordinated attacks were legendary, a testament to countless battles fought together.

"Lightning Release: Lariat!"

The Raikage lunged at Muzan, his arm crackling with lightning chakra, aiming to knock him off balance. But Muzan was no ordinary foe.

"Blood Demon Art: Black Blood Trifoliate Thorn!"

Dark, serrated thorns erupted in a web-like barrier, intercepting the Raikage's strike. Muzan moved like a shadow, vanishing behind the thorns.

"Think I'm slow, Muzan?" Bee growled, already closing in. He spun his blades, their hum resonating as he aimed for Muzan's midsection.

"Don't underestimate the Raikage's lil' bro!"

Their synchronized assault forced Muzan to retreat momentarily. But just as they launched their ultimate technique—Double Lariat—Muzan countered with a grotesque maneuver. His head flew off, severed cleanly, but his body moved unnaturally, retaliating with deadly precision.

A serpent-like appendage, formed from Muzan's torso, struck Bee. Its fangs sank into his arm, venom coursing through his veins.

"Bee!" the Raikage bellowed, rage igniting his movements. He delivered a devastating kick, sending Muzan's headless form crashing into the rubble.

But the damage was done. Bee staggered, clutching his darkening arm as a malevolent aura spread from the wound.

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Aftermath in Kumogakure

Back at the Raikage's office, Bee's condition deteriorated. His arm was swollen and discolored, the venom eating away at his strength. A sickly aura radiated from the wound, filling the room with an ominous tension.

Dodai, standing nearby, broke the silence. "Raikage-sama, the medical team says this is beyond our capabilities. Even our best fuinjutsu specialists are at a loss."

The Raikage's fists trembled as his anger boiled over. "Then who can save him?!"

Dodai hesitated before answering. "Konoha sent their top medic. She's confident only Lady Tsunade has the expertise to neutralize this poison."

"Tsunade…" The Raikage's voice softened, though his frustration lingered. "Fine. Prepare a team to find her immediately. If we lose Bee…"

Dodai nodded, leaving the room swiftly. Meanwhile, the Konoha medic prepared a temporary sealing technique to slow the spread of the poison.

---

Across the Elemental Nations

The conflict with Muzan rippled across the ninja world. Reports of his Twelve Kizuki spreading terror were mounting, while the Akatsuki made another daring move against Sunagakure. Konoha's intelligence network intercepted their plans just in time, ambushing them and securing a temporary victory.

In Konoha, Hokage Minato Namikaze furrowed his brows at the growing stack of reports. The Akatsuki's recent failure didn't diminish their threat.

"Send word to Sunagakure and Kumogakure," Minato ordered. "We can't let this escalate further. If the Akatsuki or Muzan gain any more ground, we'll all be in danger."

At his side, Kakashi nodded. "Understood, Hokage-sama. And what of the Raikage's request for Tsunade?"

Minato exhaled deeply. "We'll send a message immediately. If Bee's life is at stake, Tsunade won't hesitate to assist."

---

In their last conversation, Jiraiya had uncovered the true identity of the Akatsuki organization members and identified the regions they operated in. However, pinpointing their exact locations required meticulous investigation. Despite the risks, Jiraiya had volunteered for the mission, driven by the growing threat the Akatsuki posed and his personal ties to some of its members.

"I wonder how Jiraiya-sensei is doing," Minato murmured as he worked through the endless stack of reports on his desk. The Hokage's duties left him little time for personal reflection, but the thought of his mentor on such a dangerous mission lingered in his mind.

Suddenly, hurried footsteps echoed in the hallway. The door to his office burst open, revealing an Uchiha clansman, his face pale with urgency. Since the failed Uchiha coup, the clan had begun rebuilding their relationship with the village under Mikoto Uchiha's leadership.

"Lord Hokage," the Uchiha reported breathlessly, "Itachi Uchiha has defected!"

Minato froze, the brush in his hand still hovering above a report. His expression shifted from shock to calm determination as he processed the news.

"Send for Mikoto immediately," he said after a pause, his voice steady.

Minato had anticipated this moment. Itachi's loyalty to Konoha had never wavered, but the young Uchiha prodigy carried an immense burden. By feigning defection, Itachi could infiltrate dangerous organizations like the Akatsuki or the Twelve Kizuki, becoming an invaluable asset to Konoha. Only a select few, including Minato and Mikoto, knew the truth behind his actions.

---

Far from Konoha, Muzan stood amidst the aftermath of a skirmish in the Land of Waves. The ground was littered with bodies, the air thick with the stench of death. Muzan's crimson eyes gleamed with fury as he surveyed the destruction.

Even the Twelve Kizuki, kneeling in submission nearby, dared not look up. Muzan's killing intent suffused the area, an oppressive force that made even the strongest among them tremble.

"You're all useless!" Muzan hissed, his voice like ice. "Kumogakure's forces escaped, and you let them retreat without wiping them out."

The Twelve Kizuki flinched at his words, but none dared to speak. Muzan's anger was like a storm; any protest could mean death.

"I shared my blood with you," Muzan continued, his tone dripping with contempt. "Gave you power beyond anything these pathetic shinobi could dream of. And yet, you let them escape. Tell me, was that a mistake?"

Before Muzan's wrath could escalate, Kabuto Yakushi stepped forward. His composed demeanor contrasted sharply with the chaos surrounding them. Only Kabuto possessed the confidence to approach Muzan in such a state.

"Muzan-sensei," Kabuto said respectfully, "the losses in the Land of Waves have been assessed. The laboratory and the children in training remain intact, and the damage to our operations is minimal."

Muzan's gaze shifted to Kabuto, his rage cooling slightly. The children—future assets trained in both shinobi and demonic arts—were vital to his plans. Their survival was a small consolation.

"Oversee the laboratory personally," Muzan ordered. "Ensure there are no further disruptions. Orochimaru's weapon is ready, and it will turn the tide in our favor. We cannot afford any more setbacks."

Kabuto bowed and retreated. Muzan turned back to the Twelve Kizuki, his eyes narrowing.

"Pakura and Haku are stationed on the front lines. The rest of you have no excuse for failure. If you disappoint me again, you'll beg for death before I'm done with you."

---

In Kumogakure, Bee's condition worsened. The venom from Muzan's attack was spreading, threatening to claim his life. With no other options, the Raikage had authorized a mission to find Tsunade, the only medical ninja capable of countering Muzan's poison.

Meanwhile, Muzan had already deduced their plan.

"If they're looking for Tsunade," Muzan mused, "they believe she can save him. I won't allow it."

He turned to his spies. "Deploy our agents. Find Tsunade before they do, and ensure she never reaches Kumogakure."

---

Unaware of the forces hunting her, Tsunade was seated at a gambling table in a bustling casino. The dice clattered across the table, landing with six sixes.

"Jackpot!" someone exclaimed.

The crowd erupted in cheers, but Tsunade remained unusually quiet. Shizune, at her side, moved to collect their winnings but paused when she noticed Tsunade's expression.

"Tsunade-sama, what's wrong?" Shizune asked, concern evident in her voice.

Tsunade's eyes scanned the room, her instincts honed from years of battle. "Something's off," she muttered.

Despite the celebration around her, an uneasy feeling gnawed at her.

"Shizune," Tsunade said abruptly, standing. "Grab the money. We're leaving."

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