Mokuton Phantom in Naruto

When Aiko and Kousei returned home, Ryuusei was already sitting in the living room, waiting for an explanation. He couldn't shake the image of his mother's tense expression and the urgency with which they had left.

"What happened?" he asked the moment they stepped inside.

Aiko took a deep breath, trying to keep her voice steady.

"Your grandparents are having some health issues," she said carefully. "Nothing serious, but we need to make a quick trip to Uzushiogakure to help them."

Kousei chimed in, trying to sound casual:

"You'll stay at Seiryu's place while we're gone. We don't want you missing your lessons, and his family already agreed to host you."

Ryuusei frowned, suspicion flickering in his green eyes. He wasn't a genius, but he could tell there was more to the story.

"Why can't I come with you?" he asked, looking directly at his mother. "I've never met my grandparents. This would be a perfect chance."

Aiko avoided his gaze, her throat tightening.

"Now's not the right time, Ryuusei," she replied firmly. "You need to focus on your training. We can't risk you falling behind."

He wanted to argue, but the finality in her tone told him it was useless. The decision was made, and nothing he said would change it.

"Fine," he muttered, dropping his head.

That night, sleep evaded him. He lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, his mind swirling with questions. Are my grandparents really sick? The thought gnawed at him, the unfamiliar weight of worry pressing down.

The next evening, while staying at Seiryu's house, they tried to distract themselves with idle talk.

"Do you think Konoha is as big as they say?" Seiryu asked, flipping through a book filled with illustrations of the Great Shinobi Villages.

Ryuusei glanced at the vibrant images, curiosity momentarily pushing aside his unease.

"They say it's the largest ninja village in the world," he replied, imagining bustling streets and powerful shinobi. "It must be incredible to see it up close."

Seiryu grinned, eyes sparkling.

"When we graduate, let's take a mission there. Imagine it, two Hoshigakure shinobi exploring Konoha!"

Ryuusei chuckled, feeling some of the tension ease.

"Maybe we'll even spar with some of their ninjas," he joked, picturing himself in an epic, friendly battle.

The conversation drifted into playful dreams of future adventures, filled with laughter and grand ambitions. Yet, beneath the light-hearted banter, a lingering unease gnawed at Ryuusei. Something's changing. I can feel it.

Two days after leaving Hoshigakure, Aiko, Kousei, and a small team of experienced shinobi neared Uzushiogakure. The plan was simple: enter quietly, evacuate as many Uzumaki as possible, and leave without attracting attention.

But as they approached, distant explosions shattered the morning calm. The earth trembled beneath their feet, and the air grew thick with the scent of smoke and burning wood. Shouts and the clash of weapons echoed across the hills.

"It's coming from the village!" Aiko cried, her face paling. "We can't wait! If we hesitate, they'll all die!"

Kousei didn't think twice. He dropped his supply pack and sprinted after Aiko, leaving the rest of the group behind.

"Eizen was clear about discretion!" one of the shinobi called, hesitation freezing him in place.

Another, more resolute, snapped back:

"And he also said saving the Uzumaki was the priority. Move!"

The team followed Aiko, who led them through a secret path known only to the Uzumaki. Along the way, they encountered a small group of desperate refugees, led by an elderly woman whose eyes widened in recognition.

"Aiko! You shouldn't be here!" the woman exclaimed, clutching a trembling child's hand. "They attacked without warning. We're trying to stay alive until Konoha's reinforcements arrive, but…"

"Konoha won't make it in time," Aiko interrupted, her voice cold and resolute. "Where are my parents?"

"In the main compound. The strongest are holding the line there," the elder replied, tears welling in her eyes.

Aiko didn't wait. She sprinted toward the heart of the village, Kousei and the Hoshigakure shinobi close behind.

The sight that greeted them was nightmarish, homes reduced to rubble, bodies strewn across bloodstained streets, and the cacophony of battle echoing from every corner. Though Uzushiogakure was home to many civilians and smaller clans, the Uzumaki were its heart and soul, and now they were the primary target.

They didn't get far before masked shinobi, clad in dark uniforms devoid of village insignia, appeared to block their path.

"Mercenaries," Kousei muttered, shifting into a combat stance.

But Aiko didn't wait. Rage blazing in her emerald eyes, she charged forward.

"Aiko, wait!" Kousei called, but it was too late.

The enemy unleashed a volley of kunai, glinting like deadly stars. Aiko didn't flinch. From her back, chains of pure chakra burst forth, serpentine and swift, swatting the projectiles aside as if they were leaves in the wind.

One chain shot forward, piercing a masked shinobi's chest and hurling him into a crumbling wall.

"What the, ?!" one of the mercenaries stammered, but the words barely escaped his lips before another chain wrapped around his leg and yanked him off his feet.

A third enemy, bolder than the rest, drew a sword and lunged at her. Aiko didn't even blink. She extended her hand, and a chakra chain coiled around his arm, bones snapping with a sickening crack.

"You have no idea who you're dealing with," she growled, voice cold as ice.

One kunai slipped past her defenses, nicking her shoulder. But instead of retreating, Aiko bit her thumb, activating a healing seal etched into her forearm. The wound sealed almost instantly, leaving the mercenaries wide-eyed with panic.

"She's an Uzumaki! Run!" one screamed, but it was already too late.

With a flick of her wrist, Aiko's chains swept through the air, wrapping around the remaining enemies and hurling them into the rubble. In mere moments, the threat was neutralized.

The Hoshigakure shinobi stood frozen, eyes wide in disbelief.

"That was… terrifying," one muttered, voice shaky.

"The Uzumaki really are monsters," another whispered, unable to tear his gaze from Aiko.

Kousei stepped forward, equal parts proud and concerned. These mercenaries were cannon fodder, meant to spread chaos. The true enemies, the ones targeting the Uzumaki, were deeper within the village.

"Let's move," he urged, placing a firm hand on Aiko's shoulder. "There's still more to do."

Aiko nodded, her face hard as stone. The battle was far from over, but one thing was clear, she would not stop until her family was safe.