Published at 18th of September 2024 10:56 am

Chapter 116 Destiny's Vow: 9 Unseen Bonds

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Naruto sprinted back toward Konoha, his mind racing as fast as his feet. The mysterious woman’s words echoed in his head: “If she succeeds, my plans are ruined.” What was her connection to Mōryō? Why was she so determined to stop Shion from creating an heir? The questions churned in Naruto’s mind, but one thing was clear—Shion was in danger.

As he reached the village gates, Naruto paused for a moment, catching his breath. His instincts screamed at him to head straight to Shion’s quarters and tell her everything, but another thought gnawed at him. Hinata. She had made her feelings known, and now this dark threat loomed over them. How could he protect both of them, and everyone else he cared about, when he didn’t even fully understand the enemy?

Naruto gritted his teeth. “I’ll figure it out,” he muttered to himself. “But first, I’ve gotta make sure Shion’s safe.”

_______________________________________________________________

Shion sat quietly in her guest room, the dim candlelight flickering against the walls. She had spent the evening meditating, trying to clear her mind and center her spirit. The darkness of Mōryō’s legacy still lingered in the air, and she could feel the shadows creeping closer. But what troubled her more was Naruto’s confusion about his role. Despite her attempts to explain it, she knew he didn’t fully grasp the gravity of what was expected of him.

Her thoughts were interrupted by a knock at the door.

“Come in,” she called softly.

The door creaked open, and Naruto stepped inside, his face serious. Shion immediately sensed the shift in his energy—something had happened.

“Naruto,” she began, rising from her seat, “is something wrong?”

Naruto wasted no time. “We’ve got a problem. There’s someone out there who’s trying to stop you from having the heir. I followed her into the forest. She’s powerful, Shion. And she knows about your mission.”

Shion’s eyes widened slightly. “Did she say who she was?”

Naruto shook his head. “No, but she mentioned Mōryō and something about the darkness rising again if you fail. I don’t know what her exact plan is, but it’s clear she’s targeting you.”

Shion’s expression darkened, her brow furrowing in thought. “So, the shadows are moving faster than I expected.” She turned to Naruto, her gaze steady. “This only confirms what I feared. Mōryō’s influence is still strong. There are those who seek to undo the balance we’ve fought to maintain.”

Naruto clenched his fists, his frustration bubbling to the surface. “But why you? Why do they care so much about stopping you?”

Shion’s voice was calm, though there was a weight to her words. “Because the line of priestesses is the seal that keeps Mōryō’s power contained. Without an heir, the seal will weaken, and eventually, Mōryō’s essence will seep back into the world. The heir isn’t just a continuation of tradition—it’s a safeguard for the future.”

Naruto’s eyes narrowed in determination. “Then we can’t let them stop you. I’ll protect you, Shion. No matter what.”

Shion gave him a small, appreciative smile. “I know you will, Naruto. But this threat is more than just a physical one. These enemies deal in the shadows, manipulating the spiritual realm. You’ll need more than strength alone to face them.”

Naruto frowned, but before he could respond, another knock echoed through the room. This time, the door opened to reveal Hinata, standing in the doorway with a look of quiet concern.

“N-Naruto,” she began hesitantly, “I heard… there’s trouble?”

Naruto turned to her, his face softening. “Yeah, Hinata. There’s someone out there who wants to stop Shion from completing her mission. I just fought her, but she disappeared before I could figure out who she was.”

Hinata’s lavender eyes shifted between Naruto and Shion, sensing the gravity of the situation. “Then… I’ll help. Whatever this is, I won’t let it happen without doing everything I can to protect you.”

Shion observed the interaction between Naruto and Hinata, her expression unreadable. She could sense the bond between them—a deep connection that had been growing for years. But her mind was focused on the task at hand. “Thank you, Hinata. Your assistance will be invaluable.”

Hinata nodded, her determination evident despite the fear she felt. She stepped further into the room, standing beside Naruto.

Naruto, however, was still grappling with the emotional weight of the situation. He had to protect both of them. Shion’s life was in danger, and now Hinata was getting involved too. He couldn’t bear the thought of anything happening to either of them.

Before they could continue the conversation, a sudden crash sounded from outside. The three of them tensed, immediately on guard. Naruto rushed to the window, peering outside into the night.

The village was dark, but in the distance, near the edge of the forest, Naruto saw movement. A shadow darted through the trees—too fast for him to identify, but the malice was unmistakable.

“They’re here,” he said grimly.

Shion’s eyes hardened. “Then it’s time we face them.”

Naruto looked at her, worry creeping into his voice. “You don’t need to fight, Shion. Let me and Hinata handle this.”

But Shion shook her head. “This is my battle too, Naruto. I cannot remain idle while the darkness moves against us.”

Hinata stepped forward, her Byakugan activating as veins bulged around her eyes. “I’ll scout ahead. If they’re moving in the shadows, we need to be prepared.”

Naruto nodded, his hand instinctively going to his kunai pouch. “Alright. We’ll follow your lead, Hinata.”

The three of them moved swiftly through the village, heading toward the forest where the dark presence loomed. Naruto’s heart pounded in his chest. He had fought powerful enemies before, but this felt different—more personal. He wasn’t just fighting to protect his village now. He was fighting for the people he cared about.

As they approached the edge of the forest, the air grew colder, and a strange, oppressive silence fell over them. Even the usual sounds of the night—the rustle of leaves, the chirping of crickets—had vanished.

Hinata scanned the area with her Byakugan. “I see them… there’s a group, hiding deeper in the forest.”

Naruto frowned. “A group? So she’s not alone…”

Shion’s voice was low but steady. “It seems we’re dealing with more than just one enemy. They’re likely followers of Mōryō, dedicated to ensuring his return.”

Naruto’s hands tightened into fists. “Then we’ll stop them here and now. Let’s go.”

_______________________________________________________________

They moved silently through the trees, closing in on the group that Hinata had spotted. As they neared the clearing, Naruto caught sight of them—cloaked figures, much like the woman he had encountered earlier. Their energy was dark, oppressive, and filled with malice.

One of the figures turned, sensing their presence. “They’re here,” he hissed, his voice low and venomous.

Without waiting for an invitation, Naruto charged forward, his chakra flaring as he created several shadow clones. “Let’s see what you’ve got!”

The battle erupted in an instant. Naruto’s clones engaged the cloaked figures, while Hinata and Shion worked to flank them. The enemies moved with precision, their attacks swift and calculated, but Naruto and Hinata fought with determination, refusing to give an inch.

Shion, meanwhile, focused on channeling her spiritual energy, preparing to unleash a powerful seal that could neutralize the dark forces they faced. Her hands moved in intricate patterns, her voice steady as she chanted the ancient incantations.

But just as the battle seemed to turn in their favor, a familiar voice cut through the chaos.

“You can’t win.”

Naruto froze, his eyes darting toward the source. Standing at the edge of the clearing was the woman from before, her dark energy swirling ominously around her.

Naruto’s heart raced. “You again…”

The woman smirked, her eyes gleaming with malice. “You may defeat these pawns, but the real battle is only just beginning. You cannot stop what’s coming, Naruto Uzumaki.”

Naruto gritted his teeth, his fists clenched. “We’ll see about that!”

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