Published at 16th of September 2024 1:02 am

Chapter 12 The Thunder Within – Part 5

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Killer B and A, the Fourth Raikage, sprinted across the rugged terrain, moving with incredible speed toward the borders of Kumogakure. The mission had been successful—the intel they’d gathered would give their village a strategic advantage in the ongoing political tensions with Iwagakure. But as they ran, Killer B’s mind was still focused on the fight with Kurotsuchi.

"Yo, bro, why'd ya cut it short? I was ‘bout to wrap it up, she was too slow for the sport!" B rapped, glancing at his brother with a playful grin. "Coulda handled her with no fuss, but you rolled in like a bus!"

A didn’t smile. His expression remained serious, his eyes locked straight ahead. "B, you’ve got to understand," he said, his deep voice booming even as they ran. "That fight was unnecessary. We’re not trying to provoke a war with Iwagakure. The intel was the mission—getting into a fight with their Tsuchikage could have escalated things beyond control."

B’s grin faded slightly. He knew his brother was right, but the thrill of the fight still pulsed in his veins. He’d always enjoyed testing his strength against powerful opponents, and Kurotsuchi had proven to be a worthy challenge.

"Yeah, I get it," B muttered, his tone less playful now. "But she’s tough, bro. Woulda liked to see how far I could go."

A finally glanced at his younger brother, his stern gaze softening just a bit. "I know you, B. You always want to push your limits. But this was bigger than you. Iwagakure's already on edge after Ōnoki's defeat. They’re looking for any reason to retaliate, and I won’t let you be the spark that lights the fire."

B nodded, understanding the weight of the situation. The world was still fragile after the Fourth Great Ninja War, and even a small skirmish between powerful nations like Kumogakure and Iwagakure could reignite old conflicts.

They continued running in silence for a while, the mountain ranges and valleys of the Land of Lightning blurring past them. Eventually, they reached the outskirts of Kumogakure’s territory, where the village scouts awaited their return.

"Raikage-sama! Killer B!" One of the scouts saluted as they approached. "We received word that the mission was a success. The intel is being delivered to the village as we speak."

A nodded. "Good. Make sure it’s analyzed immediately. We need to know what Iwagakure is planning."

As the scout ran off, B leaned against a boulder, catching his breath. "Yo, bro, I’m feelin’ kinda low. Fight got cut short, and now I got nowhere to go."

A turned to face his brother, his eyes narrowing. "You’ll have plenty of time to train, B. But right now, we need to stay focused. There’s something bigger happening here."

B raised an eyebrow, curious. "Bigger than takin’ down the Tsuchikage? What’s goin’ on, bro? Don’t leave me hangin', yo."

A crossed his arms, his expression darkening. "It’s not just Iwagakure. We’ve been getting reports from all over the continent—unrest, rogue shinobi bands forming, strange disappearances. Something’s stirring, and I don’t like it."

Killer B frowned. He had been so focused on the mission that he hadn’t paid attention to the bigger picture. "You think it’s connected? All the chaos and these skirmishes?"

A nodded. "I do. The peace we fought for after the war—it’s fragile. Too many factions still hold grudges, too many wounds haven’t healed. And there’s something else… something we can’t see yet."

B fell silent, feeling the weight of his brother’s words. He trusted A more than anyone, and if the Raikage was worried, then there was definitely something to be concerned about.

“He’s right,” Gyūki’s voice rumbled in B’s mind. “The world is unstable. And with figures like Ōnoki and the Akatsuki gone, there’s a power vacuum. Someone—or something—will try to fill it.”

B straightened up, his playful demeanor replaced with a more serious look. "Alright, bro. What’s the next move?"

A glanced toward the village, the towering peaks of Kumogakure visible in the distance. "We wait. We’ll monitor Iwagakure and the other villages, and we’ll prepare for whatever comes next. But stay ready, B. I have a feeling this is just the beginning."

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Later that night, Killer B sat alone on the cliffs overlooking Kumogakure. The moon hung low in the sky, casting a soft glow over the village below. B rested his elbows on his knees, his thoughts wandering back to the fight with Kurotsuchi and the ominous words from his brother.

“You’re restless,” Gyūki observed, his deep voice rumbling through B’s mind.

B sighed. "Yeah, bro. Somethin’ don’t sit right. You feel it too, right? Like we’re just waitin’ for the next big fight."

“There’s always another battle,” Gyūki replied. “But A is right to be cautious. We can’t rush into this blindly. The world is changing, and we need to be smart.”

B nodded slowly. He knew Gyūki was right, but that didn’t make the waiting any easier. He thrived on action, on being in the thick of things, and the idea of sitting back while the world slowly unraveled didn’t sit well with him.

Suddenly, a flicker of movement caught B’s eye. A shadow darted across the cliffside, too quick to be a normal villager. B straightened, his senses immediately on high alert.

"Yo, Gyūki, we got company," B muttered, his eyes narrowing as he scanned the area.

“I see it,” Gyūki replied, his tone sharp. “Be careful. It’s moving fast.”

B rose to his feet, his muscles tensing as he prepared for whatever—or whoever—was out there. He stepped away from the cliff’s edge, his eyes tracking the movement in the shadows. The figure darted closer, its movements silent and deliberate.

Without warning, the figure leaped into the open, landing a few meters away from B. It was cloaked in black, its face hidden by a mask, but B could sense the chakra radiating from it—strong and dangerous.

"Yo, yo, you sneakin’ ‘round my block?" B said, his hands already inching toward his blades. "Better speak up quick, before I knock you out with a shock."

The masked figure stood still for a moment, its head tilting slightly as if studying B. Then, in a low, gravelly voice, it spoke. "You’re Killer B, the Eight-Tails Jinchūriki."

B’s eyes narrowed. "Yeah, that’s me. What’s it to ya? You lookin’ to cause a scene, or just here to be mean?"

The figure didn’t answer immediately. Instead, it reached into its cloak, pulling out a small, intricately carved scroll. "This is for you," it said, tossing the scroll at B’s feet. "You’ll want to read it. Things are changing, and soon, not even Kumogakure will be safe."

B’s heart raced as he bent down to pick up the scroll, but when he looked up again, the figure had vanished into the night. His eyes scanned the area, but there was no trace of the intruder.

“Be careful, B,” Gyūki warned. “That wasn’t just any shinobi. There’s something strange about this.”

B frowned as he unrolled the scroll. The message inside was short, written in an unfamiliar script. But the meaning was clear:

"The storm is coming. Choose your side before it's too late."

B clenched his fists, the weight of the message sinking in. Whoever that masked figure was, they weren’t bluffing. The world really was on the edge of something catastrophic, and soon, even he might have to make a choice.

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To be continued...

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