Naruto: Road to Death

Chapter 8: Search

.

.

.

The afternoon in Kirigakure was tinted with shades of grey as the persistent fog enveloped every corner of the village. Yuta, his body still sore from training with Mikoto, stood up from the bench where he had briefly rested and began walking towards the market. His stomach growled, reminding him that he hadn't eaten in hours. He decided that some dangos would be a quick fix before he returned home, where Naruko, his adoptive sister, and Akane, his adoptive mother, would likely be waiting for him.

Kirigakure was not a place that offered comfort easily, let alone for a family of ninjas. Both Naruko and Akane were active kunoichis, which meant that they were rarely home for a quiet dinner. Yuta knew that the life of a shinobi didn't allow for too many moments of calm, but he couldn't help but wish for a respite, a moment where he could forget the constant pressure of training, missions, and the weight of the secret he carried.

Walking through the narrow streets shrouded in mist, he came to the dango stand, where a kind, but strict, old woman was serving the customers.

"Wow, Yuta, training hard again?" the woman said as she wrapped a couple of dango skewers.

"Always, Mrs. Hoshiko. Mikoto-sensei doesn't let me rest for a second." Yuta forced a smile as he received the dangos and paid with a few coins.

The old woman laughed.

"That's what it takes to survive in this world. Remember, boy, the fog of Kirigakure not only hides our enemies, but also our fears. Learn to navigate it, and you'll be invincible."

Yuta nodded, thanking Hoshiko for her words, though he knew it wouldn't be that easy. With the dangos in hand, he continued on his way home, letting the sweet scent lift his spirits a little. However, as he made his way through the empty streets, a strange feeling began to invade him.

The air seemed heavier than usual, and the fog felt thicker, almost oppressive. His instincts told him something wasn't right. He quickened his pace, his mind now focused on getting home as quickly as possible.

Upon arriving, the door to the small house was slightly ajar. That wasn't normal. Naruko and Akane always made sure to close it, especially when they weren't around. Yuta set the dangos aside and crept into the house cautiously, his hand ready to draw a kunai.

"Naruko? Akane?" he called out softly, but got no response.

The house was silent, save for the faint creaking of the floorboards beneath his feet. He made his way into the main room and stopped when he saw something that made him shudder: on the table was a hastily written note. The handwriting was unmistakable; it belonged to Naruko.

"Yuta, something's not right. Akane went out on an urgent mission, but she hasn't returned. I went to find her. Don't worry, I'll be back soon. Naruko."

Yuta's heart raced. Akane was a high-ranking ninja; if something had gone wrong on her mission, that meant the danger was real. And now Naruko was gone, too.

"Why didn't you wait for me, Naruko?" he whispered in frustration as he clenched the paper.

He knew he couldn't just sit still. He grabbed his ninja gear, including the Kugutsu no Tachi scroll, and left the house. The night fog was beginning to engulf the streets, and the darkness was growing deeper with each passing minute.

Yuta headed towards the exit of the village, following the trail that Naruko had surely left in her haste. He knew he was not prepared for what he might find, but he also knew that he could not stand idly by.

Deep inside, a mix of fear and determination drove him forward. He was aware that this might be his second great challenge outside the village, but he also knew that he would not be alone. The strength he had begun to develop in his training, along with the mysterious technique he had not yet mastered, would be his only support in what was to come.

The search had just begun.

.

.

.