The forest just before dawn was still and quiet, blanketed in shadows and heavy mist. A cool wind swept through the dense canopy, rustling the branches above the narrow trail that cut through the trees like a scar. Kazuma moved at the front of the group, his eyes sharp, his breath steady. The faint orange glow of approaching daylight barely crested the horizon behind them.

Seven of the Twelve Guardian Ninja followed in formation. Silent. Tense. Each of them carried packs, cloaks, and weapons. They had left behind the temple with conviction, but uncertainty gnawed at their edges now.

Strapped to Kazuma's back was a boy, wrapped tightly in thick cloth and protective seals, Sora. He was unconscious, breathing shallow, but the red chakra deep in his body stirred restlessly.

Kazuma's jaw clenched as he pressed forward through the woods.

"Konoha turned its back on the Land of Fire. Killed the Daimyo in cold blood. Took military power for itself. The fire they lit will consume them next."

He didn't speak these thoughts aloud. But the others, marching behind, could feel his rage. They had followed him out of conviction, or fear. And none dared question his course now, as they were now past that situation.

They thought they had Gone undetected by Konoha.

They were wrong.

---

A thunderous BOOM cracked the silence like a whip. Birds scattered in all directions. The air vibrated.

The Guardian Ninja stopped dead in their tracks. Instinct kicked in. Weapons drawn. Hands formed seals.

From behind, something massive came crashing through the treetops.

KRAKKKK!

A giant halberd, longer than a man, gleaming silver with blue warp-light etched across its blade, spun through the forest. It tore through tree trunks like they were paper. Bark and splinters exploded in every direction as the weapon blazed a path of raw destruction.

It embedded itself deep in a tree, nearly 40 meters ahead of them, its blade humming ominously.

No one spoke. No one moved.

Then, from the shadows behind, footsteps echoed.

Heavy.

Measured.

Oppressive.

...

Emerging from the fog and mist was a figure taller than any of them, clad head-to-toe in metallic grey armor. His steps made the earth tremble slightly beneath him. His face was hidden behind a helmet with glowing red lenses and a golden iron halo shimmered faintly above his head like a divine emblem.

The halberd behind them twitched.

The younger Guardians froze in place, fear crawling up their spines. Some recognized the armor. Most had heard the name.

Kazuma took one step back, his voice low. "That's… Hajime."

Silence followed. He swallowed hard.

"The apprentice of Tsunade. The man who annihilated Kumogakure's army himself…"

The halberd yanked itself free from the distant tree and hovered behind Hajime once more, locking magnetically to the Backpack on his back.

He didn't draw it yet.

He didn't need to.

---

Kazuma's face twisted with a mix of anger and urgency. He couldn't allow fear to take root in the group. He slammed his hands together.

"Wind Release: Vacuum Blade Storm!"

Blades of wind burst forth, slicing the air in high-pitched howls. Trees cracked and splintered. Rocks tore from the ground. The wind barrage struck Hajime dead-on

WHAMMM!

A dust cloud erupted.

But as it settled…

Hajime was still standing.

Blue psychic energy rippled across his armor, nullifying the damage entirely. His glowing lenses stared forward, unblinking.

"...Tch."

Kazuma grit his teeth.

....

Without a word, Hajime raised his right gauntlet. His palm opened, and the air vibrated with invisible pressure.

The halberd detached from his back, and launched forward at blinding speed.

It struck one Guardian mid-charge, piercing through his armor and body that sends him crashing into a tree. The man crumpled, bloodied and hole in his chest.

Panic broke out among the rest.

Kazuma barked, "Attack him! All of you!"

.....

What followed was chaos.

Three Guardian Ninja unleashed jutsu in unison:

Fire Release: Dragon Flame Barrage

Earth Style: Stone Lance Eruption

Lightning Release: Arc Net Bind

Explosions rocked the forest floor. Trees collapsed in all directions. But Hajime strode forward through the smoke, psychic energy flaring around him like a barrier.

The halberd spun again, this time circling his body like a vengeful spirit.

One Guardian leapt into the air to flank, but was grabbed midair by telekinetic force and slammed into the ground.

Another raised his weapon to charge, only to be blasted back by a psychic shockwave, his ribcage breaking on impact.

A third was caught by the halberd and knocked out cold with a sweeping strike to the legs.

Within seconds, Four of the seven were down.

....

Only Kazuma and 3 Members remained.

Kazuma knew. They couldn't win. Not like this.

His hands trembled slightly as he reached back and gently untied the cloth binding his son. He laid Sora down carefully.

"You were made a weapon… They took your body, your soul, and cursed you with their sins."

He whispered softly, barely audible but clearly heard by sora, who was in his arms.

"Now show them your pain. Show them what they did to you."

Sora's eyes fluttered open, clouded with confusion, fear… and rage.

Then the chakra came.

Blood-red, hateful, burning chakra exploded from his body in a violent pulse. The surrounding foliage blackened. The very air shimmered.

His eyes turned red. His canines elongated. Claws erupted from his fingers.

A single tail formed behind him, crackling.

Hajime watched, calm, silent.

"...Pseudo-jinchūriki," he muttered.

Sora stood up fully, the red cloak of Nine-Tails chakra licking the ground beneath his feet like fire. His young face was twisted into a mask of fury and loss.

He pointed one clawed finger toward Hajime.

"...You're Konoha," he growled. "You're the one who made me a monster…"

Hajime's halberd hovered at his side, glowing faintly.

End of Chapter 143

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