A sharp pain spread through Ryuga's body as he jolted awake. His breaths came in short gasps, his body drenched in sweat. He felt weak—his limbs heavy, his chakra barely circulating properly. His mind was a haze, but the deafening explosions and screams from outside snapped him back to reality.
"What's happening?"
The door to his medical room burst open, and he saw Kushina standing there, her face filled with urgency.
"Ryuga! Thank goodness you're awake." She moved toward him, helping him sit up.
Ryuga blinked at her, still groggy. "Mom… what's going on?"
Kushina frowned. "Orochimaru is attacking the village."
The words sent a chill down Ryuga's spine. "Where's Naruto? Where's Dad?"
Kushina helped him up. "Minato is with the Third Hokage. They're fighting Orochimaru together. Naruto… I don't know, but I'll find him."
"I'll come with you," Ryuga said, trying to stand properly.
"No, Ryuga." Kushina put her hands on his shoulders, gently but firmly pushing him back. "You're still injured. Go back to safety."
Ryuga gritted his teeth. He hated this. He hated feeling helpless.
Kushina gave him a small smile. "Let me take care of Naruto. I trust you, Ryuga, but right now, you need to recover."
With that, she dashed out, heading toward the battlefield.
Ryuga clenched his fists. He understood his mother's words, but something inside him screamed that he couldn't just sit back and do nothing.
He had to find his father.
When Ryuga arrived at the scene, his breath caught in his throat.
A massive purple barrier encased Minato, Hiruzen, and Orochimaru. The air around it shimmered with chakra, forming a nearly impenetrable seal. Inside, Minato and Hiruzen were locked in battle against four resurrected Kage.
Minato, his face lined with sweat, barely dodged a high-pressure water blade from Tobirama. Hiruzen countered an earth attack from Mu, but the strain was showing.
Ryuga's stomach twisted. They're struggling…
Minato's sharp gaze flickered to the outside of the barrier. His expression hardened when he saw Ryuga.
"Ryuga! Get out of here!"
Before Ryuga could respond, a group of Sound ninja leaped from the rooftops, surrounding him.
Orochimaru chuckled from inside the barrier, his golden eyes gleaming with amusement. "My, my… what a touching moment. I had no interest in you before, Ryuga, but now that I see your desperation… I think I'll have my subordinates take you in."
He turned his head slightly. "Capture him."
The Sound ninja lunged forward.
Ryuga gritted his teeth, drawing his kunai. His body protested every movement, his muscles sore from his earlier battle with Mitsuki. Still, he wasn't going to let himself be captured.
One of the ninja swung a blade at him, but Ryuga barely managed to block, the impact sending a painful vibration up his arm.
Damn it… I'm still weak.
Another enemy came from his left. Ryuga ducked, barely avoiding a kunai aimed at his neck. His body was sluggish, his reaction time slower than usual.
One of the Sound ninjas smirked. "Looks like you're not in top condition, kid."
Ryuga exhaled sharply, trying to focus. He needed to fight smarter.
A shinobi lunged at him with a spear. Ryuga sidestepped, grabbing the shaft and twisting it, sending his opponent crashing into another ninja.
But the others didn't wait. A kick slammed into his stomach, sending him skidding across the ground.
He coughed, tasting blood.
I won't go down here.
As the Sound ninja closed in—
A blur shot past him.
SLASH!
A gust of wind followed, and suddenly, the Sound ninja collapsed, unconscious.
Ryuga blinked.
Standing in front of him was Mitsuki, a playful smile on her lips.
"You really can't catch a break, huh?" she teased.
Ryuga exhaled in relief. "Mitsuki…"
She glanced at the barrier, then back at him. "So, you're planning to break in?"
Ryuga nodded. "I need to help them."
Mitsuki's smile faded slightly. "You do realize the danger, right? This isn't like the Chunin Exams. You'll be fighting against Orochimaru and four Kage."
Ryuga's eyes burned with determination. "I don't care. Minato and Hiruzen… they're my family. They've given me so much, even though I was just an adopted child. I can't just stand by and watch."
Mitsuki studied him for a moment before sighing. "Well, I had a feeling you'd say that."
She stepped forward, placing her hands together. "I can break the barrier for a short time. Just enough to get you in."
Ryuga looked at her in surprise. "You can do that?"
Mitsuki smirked. "I may not look like it, but I'm pretty strong, you know."
She closed her eyes, chakra surging around her. Slowly, cracks formed in the barrier.
"I can't hold this for long," she warned. "Once you're inside, you're on your own."
Ryuga nodded. He stepped forward, but before he could enter, Mitsuki suddenly reached out and tapped his forehead with two fingers.
A pulse of energy spread through his body.
He gasped as warmth flowed into him, his muscles loosening, his injuries dulling.
Mitsuki grinned. "Consider it a small gift. Sorry for beating you up earlier."
Ryuga stared at her, stunned. "You…"
Mitsuki waved him off. "Go."
Taking a deep breath, Ryuga nodded. "Thank you."
And with that, he stepped through the opening in the barrier.
Mitsuki watched him disappear inside, then exhaled. "Well, this is going to be interesting."
Inside the Barrier – Ryuga Enters the Fray
The moment Ryuga entered, the battlefield's atmosphere hit him like a wave. The air was thick with oppressive chakra, the ground scorched and cracked.
Minato had a deep cut on his arm, blood dripping onto the dirt. Hiruzen was breathing heavily, his staff trembling slightly in his grip.
The four resurrected Kage stood emotionless, their eyes blank. Orochimaru, on the other hand, was grinning.
Then, he noticed Ryuga.
Orochimaru's smile widened. "Oh? So you decided to join us?"
Minato's eyes widened in alarm. "Ryuga, no!"
Ryuga's grip tightened on his kunai. "I won't stand by and watch. I'll fight beside my family."
Orochimaru chuckled. "How brave."
He gestured, and the First Hokage stepped forward.
Ryuga's breath hitched. I'm about to fight Hashirama Senju…
Minato tried to move, but Mu intercepted him. Hiruzen swung his staff, trying to push back Tobirama.
And that left Ryuga alone.
Hashirama raised his hand. "Mokuton: Jukai Kōtan (Deep Forest Emergence)."
The ground trembled as massive roots erupted toward Ryuga.
He didn't hesitate. He charged forward.