Naruto: The Tale of an Otsutsuki

"Hokage-sama has already joined the battle?" TenTen asked in surprise after hearing Shikaku's update.

The war had only begun less than a day ago—why would Hokage-sama, the commander, enter the battlefield so soon?

Shikaku paused briefly before explaining, "According to reports, traces of the masked man were discovered in the Land of Fire. He brought six reanimated Jinchuriki directly toward headquarters.

"After realizing that ordinary ninja couldn't stop him, Hokage-sama summoned the Five Kage to the battlefield immediately.

"Because you're further away, we arranged for you to secure the front lines first. Once reinforcements arrive, you'll move on to support the Five Kage."

"Is it to prevent a diversionary attack?" Darui speculated, listening in.

"Exactly," Shikaku confirmed. "Aside from the masked man, the mastermind behind the Impure World Reincarnation—Kabuto Yakushi—still hasn't revealed himself. We must remain cautious."

"What about Kirito?" TenTen asked.

She knew Kirito was part of the Reconnaissance Team, tasked with taking down Kabuto, the one responsible for the reanimation. Since the technique hadn't been undone, it meant Kirito and his team hadn't succeeded yet.

Shikaku replied vaguely, "He's already infiltrated the Akatsuki base and is likely fighting Kabuto as we speak.

"However, the Surprise Attack Division, which was also sent to the base earlier, is on its way back. They'll update us on the situation soon."

"I see..." Though disappointed not to hear more about Kirito, TenTen believed in his strength. She knew there was no opponent in the ninja world who could match him.

After briefly updating TenTen and Darui, Shikaku ended the communication and returned to coordinating other battlefields.

Darui turned to Samui, who had recovered somewhat. "Raikage-sama has already joined the fight. We need to wrap up this battle quickly and support him as soon as possible."

"I'll take care of recovering the Six Treasures from Kinkaku and Ginkaku," Samui volunteered. "I also need to find a way to release Atsui from the Benihisago."

Darui nodded after considering it. "Fine. And I think the safest place for those tools is inside the Benihisago itself."

"Agreed."

With their goals set, the two split up to carry out their tasks.

On the other side, TenTen approached the massive iron ball sealing Kinkaku and noticed something lying on the ground. She bent down and picked up a simple, unassuming fan.

"So this is the Basho Fan?" TenTen murmured, examining the legendary weapon. "It doesn't look particularly special..."

She recalled Kirito's words when he had entrusted her with the fishing rod: "This is comparable to the Six Treasures." That description had made her think the Six Treasures would be equally strange in design, but the Basho Fan appeared surprisingly plain.

While she contemplated testing the fan's power, a group of White Zetsu emerged from the sea, rushing toward the coast.

"Perfect opportunity to try it out," TenTen thought. She raised the Basho Fan and gave it a casual swing.

Whoosh! A terrifying gust of wind erupted from the fan. The wind tore across the battlefield, sweeping up the White Zetsu along with massive swaths of seawater and flinging them skyward.

TenTen blinked in surprise. "That was just a light swing..."

Encouraged, she aimed the fan at another wave of White Zetsu preparing to come ashore and swung again.

Zzzt! Zzzt! Bolts of lightning as thick as her arm crackled through the air, striking the White Zetsu directly. Some were instantly charred to ash, while others were stunned by residual lightning that spread through the seawater.

"This is incredible!" TenTen marveled.

The Basho Fan felt as if it were made for her. Unlike other tools that forced her to "borrow" elemental attacks, this weapon converted her chakra directly into elemental ninjutsu. The wind, lightning, and flames all felt like extensions of her own body.

"Unfortunately, the chakra cost is ridiculous..." TenTen frowned slightly, already feeling the strain.

The Basho Fan, as powerful as it was, demanded chakra equal to the strength of its attacks. Unlike natural ninjutsu, it lacked an internal limit to prevent overuse—it would drain every last drop of chakra without hesitation, even if it meant killing its user.

"Of course... A powerful ninja tool needs enormous chakra to match," TenTen muttered, disappointed. Despite her rigorous training, her chakra reserves were still far from enough to wield the fan freely.

"It doesn't matter. While the effects of the chakra pill are still active, I need to help as many people as I can."

Spotting a squad of Allied Ninjas being overwhelmed by strange, black, masked creatures in the distance, TenTen leaped onto a broken wall. Some of the ninjas were already seriously wounded.

"Zzzt!" An orange-masked creature opened its mouth, releasing a lightning spear that struck several soldiers, cutting them down instantly.

"No, I can't use the fan here—I'll hit the others. I need to get closer."

TenTen sprinted toward the battlefield, drawing the attention of one of the flying black creatures. It turned and spat several powerful air cannons at her.

"Don't underestimate me!" TenTen shouted.

Predicting the creature's trajectory, she swung the Basho Fan.

Whoosh! A stream of roaring flames erupted from the fan, engulfing the air cannons and the creature itself before it had time to dodge.

The creature shrieked as it was consumed by fire, falling from the sky in a blaze.

(End of Chapter)