Published at 18th of September 2024 10:56 am

Chapter 115 Destiny's Vow: 8 Unseen Shadows

This chapter is updated by JustRead.pl

The quiet of the night brought little peace to Naruto’s mind. He lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, replaying the events of the day. Shion’s calm explanation of her duty, Hinata’s unexpected confession, and the weight of it all pressed down on him like never before. He had faced S-ranked criminals, bijuu, and even death, but this—this was something entirely different.

“I’m supposed to… have a kid?” he muttered to himself, running a hand through his spiky blonde hair. “And… Hinata… she likes me?”

Naruto’s head spun. He had never thought of things like that before. His dreams were always about becoming Hokage, protecting his friends, and proving himself to the village. Love, marriage, and children were concepts he hadn’t given much thought to. Not seriously, anyway.

But now, with Shion’s sacred mission hanging over him, and Hinata’s feelings laid bare, Naruto knew he couldn’t ignore it anymore. These were real, life-altering decisions, and he had no idea what the right thing to do was.

His thoughts were interrupted by a familiar feeling—a dark, unsettling presence that brushed against his senses. Naruto sat up, immediately alert.

“What the…?” He leapt to his feet, grabbing his jacket and heading for the door.

_______________________________________________________________

The village of Konoha was peaceful, but Naruto felt the disturbance. It wasn’t an enemy inside the village walls, but something else, something lurking beyond. He ran toward the source of the uneasy feeling, his instincts guiding him through the dimly lit streets and out toward the surrounding forest.

As he reached the edge of the village, Naruto’s sharp blue eyes spotted a figure moving swiftly through the trees. At first, it was barely more than a shadow, blending seamlessly with the darkness. But as he focused, the presence became clearer—a cloaked figure, silent and purposeful.

Naruto crouched low, blending into the shadows as he followed. “Who is this?” he whispered to himself, keeping his distance but tracking the figure’s every move.

The figure slipped through the trees with practiced ease, heading toward a secluded area far from the village’s watchful eyes. Naruto’s suspicion grew with every step. It wasn’t until they reached a small clearing deep in the forest that the figure stopped and turned, as if sensing Naruto’s presence.

Naruto crouched behind a tree, watching closely.

The figure lowered its hood, revealing a pale face, sharp and calculating. It was a woman—someone Naruto had never seen before, but the look in her eyes sent a chill down his spine.

“So,” the woman said quietly, as if speaking to the air, “the time is drawing near. The priestess must not be allowed to succeed.”

Naruto’s breath caught. She was talking about Shion.

His heart pounded in his chest. Who was this woman, and why was she targeting Shion? Was this the danger Shion had mentioned, the threat she had sensed after their battle with Mōryō’s remnant?

As if in answer to his thoughts, the woman raised her hand, summoning a dark, swirling energy that seemed to ripple through the air. The ground trembled slightly beneath her power, and Naruto could feel the malevolent intent radiating from her.

“I won’t allow the priestess to create an heir,” she muttered, her voice filled with venom. “The darkness will rise again. Mōryō’s legacy will not end with her.”

Naruto’s blood ran cold. This was serious. Whoever this woman was, she was determined to stop Shion at all costs—and she had the power to back it up.

Naruto knew he couldn’t let her get away with this. He stepped out from behind the tree, his hand already forming the familiar seals.

“Hey, lady!” he called out, his voice cutting through the silence of the clearing.

The woman’s head snapped toward him, her eyes narrowing dangerously. “You…”

Naruto clenched his fists. “I don’t know who you are, but you’re not going to hurt Shion!”

The woman smirked, her dark energy swirling around her like a living shadow. “So, you’re the one she’s chosen… the fool who doesn’t even realize what he’s been drawn into.”

Naruto’s eyes narrowed. “What are you talking about?”

“Do you really think this is just about creating an heir?” she taunted, her voice dripping with contempt. “Mōryō’s power runs deeper than you know. And Shion’s bloodline—her line of priestesses—is the only thing keeping the darkness at bay. If she succeeds, my plans are ruined. But if she fails…” The woman’s smirk widened, her eyes gleaming with malice. “The world will know true fear.”

Naruto gritted his teeth, his body tense and ready for a fight. “I don’t care what your plans are! If you’re trying to hurt Shion or the people I care about, I’ll stop you!”

The woman’s smile faded, replaced by a cold, calculating glare. “Then try, boy.”

In an instant, the clearing was filled with the crackling energy of battle. Naruto leapt into action, summoning a shadow clone as he charged toward the woman. Her dark energy flared, meeting him head-on with a wave of malevolent force.

Naruto’s clone was dispelled instantly by the raw power of her attack, but the real Naruto pressed forward, his chakra swirling into a Rasengan. “Take this!” he shouted, driving the spiraling ball of energy toward her.

But the woman was faster than he anticipated. With a flick of her wrist, she summoned a barrier of dark energy, deflecting Naruto’s Rasengan with ease. The force of the impact sent Naruto skidding backward, his feet digging into the earth as he tried to regain his balance.

“Tch,” Naruto muttered, wiping sweat from his brow. “She’s strong…”

The woman watched him with cold, emotionless eyes. “Is this really all the great Naruto Uzumaki has to offer?” she mocked, her voice like ice. “I expected more from the one chosen to father the next priestess.”

Naruto’s heart skipped a beat. “You know about that?”

The woman’s smile returned, dark and knowing. “I know more than you think, boy. You have no idea what you’ve been dragged into. But soon… you will.”

Before Naruto could respond, the woman vanished in a swirl of darkness, her presence disappearing as suddenly as it had appeared.

Naruto stood there, panting and on high alert, but she was gone. The clearing was silent once more, the air heavy with the remnants of her dark energy.

Naruto clenched his fists, frustration boiling inside him. Whoever she was, she wasn’t just a random enemy. She knew about Shion’s mission—about the heir—and that meant she was a serious threat.

“I have to warn Shion,” he muttered, turning and racing back toward the village. The time for confusion was over. Now, it was time to act.

Share