Naruto: Road to Death

Chapter 4: Mission of the Mist

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The cold air of Kirigakure was like an invisible hand clinging to the exhausted bodies of the brothers. The dense fog continued to cover the village as if trying to hide the horrors its inhabitants faced day after day. The Blood Test had ended, but the consequences were only just beginning to reveal themselves.

Yuta and Naruko walked silently towards the barracks where the test results were being evaluated. They knew that the village's superiors would not ignore what had occurred. The black-haired boy's act of intervention, as noble as it was, had broken the rules. Kirigakure did not tolerate weakness, and interference was seen as an affront to the cruel traditions that defined the village.

When they arrived at the barracks, Akane was already waiting for them at the entrance. Her face, normally serene and stoic, was tinged with worry. She knew what was about to happen, but she could not stop it. Kirigakure politics were rigid, and no one, not even a kunoichi as respected as she, could alter its course.

"A meeting has been called with the Council leaders," Akane informed them in a low tone, her eyes flashing with a mix of suppressed anger and fear. "You must be prepared."

Yuta nodded, not saying a word. He had expected this from the moment he decided to intervene in Naruko's fight. The only thing he regretted was the possibility that his action could affect his adoptive sister as well. Naruko, though hurt and exhausted, looked at him with that same determination that had always defined her.

"No matter what they say," the blonde said quietly. "We do not regret what we did."

They entered the room where the leaders of the Kirigakure Council were waiting for them. Sitting on their stone thrones, the village elders looked at them coldly. Each of them represented a different facet of the brutality that ruled the village hidden in the mist. Among them, the Mizukage watched from the main seat, his gaze hidden behind a layer of shadows that fell over his face.

The silence grew oppressive. Yuta and Naruko stood before them, aware that their fate depended on the words that came from the lips of these powerful men and women.

Finally, one of the elders broke the silence.

"Yuta, you have violated one of the most sacred rules of Kirigakure." His voice was cold as steel. "You interfered in someone else's battle during the Trial of Blood. This not only shows weakness, but also a lack of respect for the traditions that define us."

Yuta raised his head and looked the elder straight in the eyes. There was no fear in his expression, only unyielding determination.

"It was not weakness," Yuta replied, his voice firm. "It was loyalty." Kirigakure teaches us to survive at all costs, but it also teaches us to protect what is important. I was not going to let my sister die in front of my eyes just for following a rule I do not share.

A murmur ran through the room, and the council members looked at each other. The hardness of their expressions did not diminish, but Yuta's words resonated in the environment, challenging the established norms.

"And what do you propose then, Yuta?" the Mizukage intervened, his deep voice reverberating in space. "That we abandon our traditions? That we change what has made Kirigakure strong?"

The gaze of the leader of the hidden village was fixed on the blue-eyed man like a knife. He maintained his position, without retreating.

"No, Mizukage-sama," Yuta replied. "I am not asking that we abandon our traditions, but I believe that we can be strong without having to destroy each other." Our village should not only be feared for its brutality, but also respected for the unity of its ninja.

The silence grew even heavier. The tension was palpable, and though Yuta felt the weight of every word he spoke, he did not stop. He knew the chances of changing anything in that very instant were slim, but he also knew he had planted a seed of doubt. If not now, then perhaps one day those words would echo.

The Mizukage stared at him for a long moment before leaning forward, his face still hidden in the shadows.

"Your bravery is undeniable, Yuta," he said finally. "But Kirigakure was not built on ideals of compassion. Here, only the strongest survive. Yet you have proven yourself strong, even if your methods are questionable. Your punishment will be the mark this trial leaves on you and those who were present. But it will not cost you your life… this time."

The council members exchanged surprised glances, but did not protest. Yuta knew that even though he had avoided a severe punishment, this did not mean that the council trusted him. He had defied tradition, and that made him a potential enemy of the system.

When the meeting ended, Yuta, Naruko, and Akane left the room. Outside, theThe fog seemed thicker than ever, as if the village itself was watching them with suspicion.

"That was..." Naruko began to say, but Akane interrupted her with a grave look.

"What happened here is not over," Akane said. "They have decided to let you live, but they will keep a closer eye on you now, Yuta. They know you are a threat to the established order. Do not trust their kind words."

Yuta nodded, understanding the weight of what Akane was saying. He had survived the Trial of Blood, but he was now more aware than ever that his true fight had only just begun.

As they walked towards their home, the fog enveloped them, hiding them from the outside world, but it could not hide the resolve that burned in his heart.

Their battle had only just begun, and although the fog of Kirigakure was still thick, Yuta could already see the first ray of light peeking over the horizon.

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