Naruto: Shikigami Aizen

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Inside the rippling, transparent, arc-shaped barrier, Nawaki looked at the middle-aged ninja who had just died before him, his expression complicated and lips pressed into a thin line.

"Big brother, is war a necessary means?" Nawaki asked softly.

Hearing his question, Aizen, standing within the barrier, had a faint smile in his eyes as he responded gently. "Do not let the death of one person shake your conviction, Nawaki. War inevitably brings pain, but for us, it also harbors hope."

Nawaki's gaze showed slight confusion, not fully understanding. Aizen continued in a calm voice.

"There will always be war among living beings. Since the dawn of humanity, war has accompanied every era. Countless people have perished in these wars, so there's no need to mourn a single death. Not only during the ninja era—there was war in the Warring States period, the Kamakura period, the Nara period... Every era has been marked by war. This is unavoidable. You could say that every generation of humanity has endured this kind of suffering."

Hearing Aizen's words, Nawaki's eyes filled with sadness, and he quietly asked, "Can we truly end this suffering?"

With a mindset seemingly inherited from the merciful Senju Hashirama, Nawaki often harbored a deep sense of compassion toward such painful matters. Aizen did not blame Nawaki. Looking at the boy, now almost as tall as him, Aizen gently tapped his forehead when he saw Nawaki looking down in despair.

Nawaki froze.

With a soft smile on his lips, Aizen said quietly, "You are a kind child, but kindness alone cannot save this world. Only power can free people from their suffering, Nawaki."

As he spoke, Aizen's eyes flashed with a faint, fervent light, his voice tinged with excitement.

"The curse of war, which has plagued humanity since its inception, will eventually be shattered by my own hands. I will build a throne beyond this world, and a new form of life will emerge. Under this new order, all people on this earth will forever escape the cycle of war, be freed from pain, and usher in a new era for mankind."

This was the first time Aizen had so clearly shared his grand vision in front of others.

Both Nawaki and Saki, standing nearby, looked at him in astonishment.

A new form of life!?

Nawaki fell silent for a moment, not asking Aizen what exactly this "new form of life" entailed. 

At that moment, he couldn't help but recall Tsunade's shocked and tearful expression from before. In a low voice, he asked, "Brother, when Konoha is destroyed, have you thought about how you will face my sister?"

Upon hearing this, the excitement in Aizen's eyes faded, replaced by a complicated expression. The smile on his lips slowly disappeared as well.

Looking at the downcast Nawaki, he replied quietly, "Making choices is always difficult. However, no matter how hard the choice may be, sometimes you have to choose a path and walk it with unwavering determination."

Hearing Aizen's words, Nawaki slowly raised his head, his expression thoughtful, as if he had gained some understanding.

Under the thick cover of night, inside Konoha, within the Hokage's office...

Ninjas who had already gone off-duty were hurriedly gathering at the building, while Hiruzen Sarutobi, Homura Mitokado, and the others were busy directing the defense.

"Nara Shinsaku, you will lead the Nara clan to evacuate the villagers on the streets and guide them to the shelters," Hiruzen said gravely.

"I understand, Lord Hokage," a middle-aged man with pineapple-shaped hair standing below him responded with a nod before disappearing in an instant.

"Danzo, lead the Anbu to the northwest to meet the enemy. This attack is no simple matter; it's likely premeditated by Iwagakure. Be prepared," Hiruzen commanded.

A figure carrying a short blade, whose features were unclear, nodded and vanished into the shadows.

Nearby, Homura and Koharu, though their expressions were serious, continued coordinating the defenses in an orderly manner.

Just then...

Out of the darkness, an elderly figure in a gray-white kimono slowly appeared. A deep cross-shaped scar marked his chin, one of his sleeves hung empty, and his eyes, crisscrossed with wrinkles, were slightly narrowed.

"Sarutobi, Root has received some intelligence. It seems the forces appearing there are ninja from Iwagakure and Sunagakure."

As he spoke, his eyes slowly opened, revealing a sharp glint. In a hoarse voice, he continued, "However, it's strange. None of our ninja stationed there have reported back. There's only one explanation for this—the enemy's forces are overwhelming, and our ninjas were killed before they could retreat."

Hearing Danzo's words, the Third Hokage and the others narrowed their eyes, their expressions growing more solemn.

"What about Kumogakure? Have they made any suspicious moves?" the Third asked.

Danzo lightly shook his head. "Kumogakure is still staying inside the lodgings provided for them, and Root ninjas are guarding them. But right now, they aren't the ones we should be worried about."

A shadow passed through his eyes as he spoke in a deep voice, "My former disciple won't let this opportunity slip by. Prepare yourselves; he may show up tonight."

Upon hearing this, all the Konoha higher-ups, including the Third Hokage, furrowed their brows, their faces growing graver.

On the village streets, once bustling marketplaces were now in ruins. Villagers were fleeing in panic, their faces filled with fear. The destruction from the last attack on Konoha was still fresh in their minds. They dared not risk staying any longer. At intervals along the streets, ninjas were directing the villagers. A young ninja with pineapple-shaped hair stood resolutely among them.

"Shikaku, what are you doing here!?" Nara Shinsaku suddenly stopped as he passed by, shouting at the young ninja below.

Hearing his father's voice, the young man froze for a moment but then responded seriously, "Father, I'm a Nara clan ninja now, and I'm going to fight for the village this time!"

Nara Shinsaku's expression was stern as he stared at his son, Shikaku. After a long pause, he spoke in a deep voice, "Be careful!"

With that, he hurried away.

A small smile appeared on Shikaku's face after receiving his father's approval, and he quickly resumed directing the villagers toward the shelters.

Meanwhile...

Elsewhere, several young people of the same age were also heading to the battlefield, led by their elders.