Read ahead of public release on P atreon at: p-atreon.com/Knockturn_Alley
Check out Chapter illustrations on Pixiv at unhinged_uchiha
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"Damn that Akahoshi… Why is he still going through with this? I've already refused him several times and warned him about the danger…" the Third Hoshikage muttered as he leapt from tree to tree.
He wasn't alone. Several ANBU and a handful of the village's elite shinobi followed close behind as they pursued Akahoshi, tracking the clear trail he had left in his haste.
Natsuhi, who was part of the pursuit team, spoke up as she moved alongside him. "Hoshikage-sama… what danger are you talking about?" The concern in her voice was genuine. If Akahoshi truly intended to fuse with the Star, she needed to understand the risks.
The Hoshikage let out a quiet sigh. After a brief hesitation, he answered, "The Star… isn't completely safe. The radiation it emits can enhance chakra and increase a shinobi's strength… but it also weakens the body's internal organs."
Natsuhi's expression changed the moment she heard that. "W-what?"
The Hoshikage continued before she could say anything more. "As long as the training is done from a distance and in moderation, the damage remains manageable. It doesn't cause any severe or immediate harm."
Hearing this, Natsuhi let out a quiet breath of relief. If the Star truly had such devastating effects, she couldn't understand how the Hoshikage could have allowed Star training at all, it would have led to the deaths of countless shinobi.
The thought would have angered her deeply in the past.
Now, however, she wasn't angry, only slightly concerned, especially considering the role the Star played in Kanzou's plan.
The Hoshikage's tone grew heavier as he continued. "But if someone tries to fuse the Star directly with their body, the radiation enters all at once. The result is immediate organ failure." After a brief pause, he added quietly, "If Akahoshi goes through with this… he'll die. His body won't be able to withstand it."
After another moment of hesitation, he added, "This is how the Nidaime Hoshikage died. He attempted to fuse the Star with his body. It failed. The radiation destroyed his organs, and his body eventually collapsed."
"This…" Natsuhi was stunned. She hadn't known any of this, and the revelation only deepened her anxiety. "Then we need to hurry," she said, quickening her pace.
At the same time, she thought to herself, 'I have to warn Kanzou-sama.'
She knows that Kanzou ultimately intended to fuse the Star into his own body to grow stronger. If what the Hoshikage had said was true, he needed to be warned immediately, lest he'd die, and that's something she doesn't want to do at all.
The Hoshikage nodded. "Yes," he said, and pushed forward, moving even faster.
In truth, however, he had not told her everything.
Star training was far more dangerous than he had admitted. The risk wasn't limited to someone attempting to fuse the Star with their body. Even training from a distance, in moderation, exposes shinobi, especially children, to harmful radiation. For many, even small amounts were more than their bodies could handle.
The exposure gradually corrupted their insides, weakening their organs over time. Internal bleeding, organ failure, these outcomes were common. Even those who survived the training often suffered fatal side effects later in life.
The Hoshikage knew all of this.
But he had chosen to remain silent.
If the truth became known, Star training would have to be halted. And without it, the village's strength would decline sharply.
So, even if it meant sacrificing lives… the training had to continue.
Putting that aside, as the Hoshikage pushed forward, he cast a brief glance at Natsuhi, a trace of suspicion crossing his mind.
'I hope she isn't involved in this…'
He didn't truly believe she would betray the village, but the doubt still lingered. After all, Natsuhi had just lost the man she loved. She might be trying to accept it as part of a shinobi's life, but was she really able to come to terms with it so quickly?
Under normal circumstances, the Hoshikage wouldn't have allowed her to join the pursuit at all. They were chasing one of her own squadmates. When the time came, would she really be able to fight him, especially after losing someone so close to her?
But the situation wasn't normal.
A significant portion of the village's strongest fighters had already been deployed to the borders, leaving Hoshigakure short on elite shinobi. If Akahoshi had already fused the Star into his body, they would need every capable fighter they had to subdue him and recover it.
With a quiet sigh, the Hoshikage shook his head and pushed forward, increasing his speed. After some time, they finally spotted a figure running in the distance.
"Hoshikage-sama, there! I see him!" one of the ANBU shouted, pointing ahead. "That's definitely Akahoshi!"
"Move! Catch up to him and stop him!" the Hoshikage ordered immediately, accelerating even further.
Up ahead, Akahoshi glanced back and noticed the pursuit. As if startled, he suddenly picked up his pace.
"Don't let him get away!"
The chase intensified. The Hoshikage focused entirely on closing the distance, pushing himself faster and faster. The ANBU and the village's elite shinobi did the same, pouring all their attention into the pursuit.
In their single-minded focus on Akahoshi, no one noticed Natsuhi subtly changing her position.
She gradually moved closer until she was directly behind the Hoshikage.
As she ran, her gaze fixed on the spot where his heart would be.
'I have to injure him severely… but not enough to kill him immediately.'
Before long, the group reached the edge of Devil's Ravine. There, Akahoshi finally came to a halt as several Hoshigakure shinobi surrounded him from behind.
"Akahoshi!" the Hoshikage called out.
"Hoshikage-sama… I didn't expect you to pursue me personally," Akahoshi said as he turned to face him, his gaze sweeping across the elite shinobi and ANBU surrounding him. "And to catch up this quickly, no less."
The Hoshikage didn't respond to the remark. Instead, he asked directly, "You… you haven't fused with the Star yet, have you?"
Akahoshi reached into his cloak, pulled out the Star, and held it up for everyone to see. "Not yet."
The moment he saw it, the Hoshikage let out a quiet breath of relief.
Around him, several shinobi prepared to move in—but he raised a hand to stop them. Akahoshi was standing right at the edge of the cliff. If he were killed now, the Star would fall straight into Devil's Ravine.
That couldn't be allowed.
"There's nowhere left for you to go," the Hoshikage said firmly.
"Well… it does seem that way," Akahoshi replied, glancing back at the deep chasm filled with poisonous gas. "There really is nowhere left to run."
"That's right," the Hoshikage said sharply. "Ahead of you is Devil's Ravine. If you try to cross it, I'll have you shot down."
His voice hardened as he gave the order. "Surrender now, Akahoshi. Return the Star to the village, and your punishment will be reduced."
"If I'm going to be punished anyway… wouldn't it be better to just fuse the Star into my body?" Akahoshi said.
The Hoshikage frowned. "Don't be foolish. That would only kill you." He steadied his voice and continued, "I understand you're grieving over what happened to Hotarubi. You're angry, and you want revenge. But throwing your life away won't accomplish anything. Come back to the village with me, and we'll find a way to—"
His words were cut short by Akahoshi's sudden laughter. "Hahahahaha…"
A sense of unease crept into the Hoshikage's chest.
Several shinobi nearby spoke up. "Hoshikage-sama, he's lost his mind. It would be better to eliminate the traitor."
The Hoshikage shook his head. "No. Wait." Because the Star was still in Akahoshi's possession, and attacking him recklessly could cause the Star to fall into the Devil's Ravine, which is something he can't allow to happen. He tried to keep the situation under control. "Akahoshi, don't do anything reckless. You're surrounded."
"Hahahahahaha!" Akahoshi laughed even louder, as if he had just heard something amusing. "Surrounded? Am I? Really?"
The question made the Hoshikage frown. "What do you mean?" From his perspective, Akahoshi stood alone at the cliff's edge, with no escape. If he tried to cross the ravine, he would be shot down immediately. If this wasn't being surrounded, then what was?
"Fufu…" Akahoshi chuckled. "The one who's surrounded… isn't me. It's you."
The Hoshikage's expression changed instantly, and so did the others'.
"A trap?"
But they realized it too late.
Before the Hoshikage could issue a single command, a blade suddenly pierced through his chest from behind.
Puff!
"Ggh—!"
The cry stunned everyone.
"Hoshikage-sama!!!" several shinobi shouted in alarm.
But what shocked them even more than the blade piercing through the Hoshikage's chest was the person holding it.
It was Natsuhi.
One of the village's most trusted and loyal shinobi, someone who should never have done something like this.
"Natsuhi-sama… w-what are you doing? Have you lost your mind?" several of them demanded. At the same time, they began forming hand signs, preparing to use the Morning Peacock technique.
Natsuhi's voice cut through the tension, cold and steady.
"Put your hands down. If any of you make a move, I'll twist the blade."
She pressed the weapon slightly deeper.
"And if I do that… Hoshikage-sama dies. None of you want that, do you?"
With the Hoshikage taken hostage, the shinobi froze. Reluctantly, they lowered their hands. Though their minds raced for a way to save him, they knew they couldn't act recklessly now.
The Hoshikage struggled to speak, pain tightening his voice.
"N-Na… Natsuhi… w-what are you doing? A-are you siding with Akahoshi? H-have you betrayed the village as well?"
He had considered the possibility earlier.
But now that it had actually happened—
The shock was far greater than he had imagined.
While speaking, the Hoshikage tried to buy time. Slowly, he began bringing his hands together, attempting to form the signs for the Morning Peacock technique.
Natsuhi shook her head. "Don't misunderstand, Hoshikage-sama. I'm not siding with Akahoshi-kun."
Her words confused everyone, especially the Hoshikage.
Then her voice turned cold.
"After all… Akahoshi-kun is already dead."
"W-what?" Shock spread through the group. They didn't understand what she meant. Akahoshi was standing right there.
All eyes turned toward him, filled with doubt and suspicion.
The man shrugged.
"I'm just someone using a Transformation Jutsu to pose as Akahoshi of Hoshigakure," he said calmly. "The real Akahoshi is dead."
Kanzou had no issue revealing that much, but he had no intention of disclosing his true identity.
The revelation sent a chill through the gathered shinobi.
Natsuhi nodded, her expression dark. "That's right. Akahoshi-kun is dead. I killed him myself."
She paused briefly, then continued in a flat voice.
"Just like I killed Hotarubi with my own hands."
Then she noticed the Hoshikage still trying to complete his hand signs.
"And just like I will kill you, Hoshikage-sama."
Without the slightest hesitation, she drew a second blade with her free hand and brought it down in a swift, decisive slash.
Puff—
Blood burst into the air as the Hoshikage's left hand was severed and fell to the ground.
"With this… you won't be able to use your jutsu anymore," Natsuhi said coldly.
"Hoshikage-sama!!!" the surrounding shinobi shouted in horror.
At that point, they stopped holding back. They prepared to launch their techniques against Natsuhi and the unknown intruder, but before they could act, several kunai shot through the air and buried themselves into the backs of three shinobi, piercing their hearts and killing them instantly.
The attacker was Kanzou.
He activated his Sharingan, drew his sword, and charged toward the remaining Hoshigakure shinobi. With the blade in one hand, he formed hand signs with the other.
"Alright," he said coldly. "The battle begins."
"Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu!"
The technique didn't come from Kanzou.
It came from Shin.
Hidden along the cliffside with Souta and Hazuki, the three leapt out the moment the signal was given. A massive fireball roared toward the Hoshigakure forces.
Hazuki and Souta followed immediately, launching their own attacks, Chidori, Rasengan, Hair Needle techniques, and more, striking the already shaken shinobi.
"Dammit, where did these kids come from?!" one of them shouted.
"Who are they?!"
"Gaaah—!"
With Kanzou, Hazuki, Shin, and Souta attacking in coordination, the Hoshigakure shinobi stood no chance. Some tried to retreat, but escape was impossible.
One shinobi attempted to flee by taking to the air, only to be engulfed by a swarm of crows. The birds tore into him mercilessly, pecking him apart, his eyes disappearing first.
It was a one-sided massacre.
The Hoshigakure forces were completely overwhelmed.
The Hoshikage watched as his elite shinobi were cut down one after another. Horror filled his eyes. He endured the agony in his chest and the shock of his severed hand, fully aware that death was approaching.
But more than the pain, confusion consumed him.
"N-Natsuhi… w-what is going on?" he struggled to ask. "Who are these people? Have you sided with them? Are you betraying the village? And… what about Hotarubi and Akahoshi? What did you mean when you said you killed them? That… that can't be true… right?"
Even knowing he was about to die, he needed answers.
Natsuhi pulled the blade out of his chest and looked down at him with cold contempt.
"I'm not lying," she said. "I killed both Akahoshi and Hotarubi with my own hands."
Hearing her confirmation, the Hoshikage felt a deeper chill than before. Horror spread through him, and at the same time, realization dawned.
The incident with the supposed Iwagakure ninja… it might have been staged. A plan to send the village's strength away and lure him out.
As the pieces of the conspiracy came together in his mind, he looked into Natsuhi's eyes.
For a moment, the woman before him felt completely unfamiliar.
Cold. Distant. Like a stranger wearing a familiar face.
"Are you really Natsuhi?" he asked hoarsely, wondering if the real Natsuhi was already dead and someone else was impersonating her.
Natsuhi calmly brushed her hair back behind her ear.
"Yes. It's me," she said. "I'm not a fake."
"Why?" he demanded weakly. "Why are you doing this?"
"Why?" she repeated. "The answer is very simple."
She lifted her gaze toward Kanzou, who had just finished eliminating the remaining Hoshigakure shinobi. At the moment, he was checking on Souta, who had undergone a change during the battle and awakened his Sharingan and was being congratulated by Shin and Hazuki.
She said quietly, "The man I love and worship wants to take control of Hoshigakure and turn it into his secret force." Her eyes softened slightly as she continued, "As his woman… isn't it only natural for me to help him achieve what he wants?"
"L-love?" The Hoshikage stared at her in disbelief. "The man you loved… wasn't it Hotarubi?"
"Hotarubi? As if," Natsuhi replied with a cold snort. "How could I ever fall in love with someone that pathetic? The only reason I felt anything for him was because of the jutsu he used on me. If it weren't for that, I wouldn't have even looked at him."
She paused, then added, her eyes filled with devotion, "The only man I have feelings for… is him."
The Hoshikage frowned, completely confused. 'What jutsu is she talking about? Is there even such a technique?'
But he didn't have time to think it through.
The four figures who had been standing at a distance were already walking toward him.
Looking at the man disguised as Akahoshi, the Hoshikage spoke weakly, "You… who are you? And what do you want from Hoshigakure?"
"You don't need to know," Kanzou replied calmly. "From now on, you only need to do as I say."
"You can kill me," the Hoshikage said firmly, "but I won't cooperate."
He could already feel it; his life was slipping away. There was nothing they could make him do.
Kanzou chuckled softly. "Fufu… don't worry. I will kill you. But not before making one last use of you."
"I already said… I won't cooper—"
His words stopped abruptly.
The moment his eyes met Kanzou's, his expression froze. Silence followed.
"…."
"And there it is," Kanzou murmured. "With him under genjutsu, everything will proceed smoothly."
He then turned to Natsuhi. "Stabilize his wounds. He must not die immediately… he needs to stay alive for some time…"
If the Hoshikage were to die, appointing Natsuhi as the next Hoshikage would become difficult. Others would immediately step forward and compete for the position.
It wasn't that Kanzou couldn't eliminate them. But doing so would create unnecessary trouble and, more importantly, attract suspicion.
However, if the Hoshikage remained alive, under his control, yet on the brink of death, then managing the situation would become much easier.
"Understood," Natsuhi replied with a nod.
Using the Peacock Method, she sealed the Hoshikage's injuries, stopping the bleeding and keeping him alive.
Meanwhile, Kanzou turned to his three subordinates and gave his orders.
"Clean up the battlefield. And change your disguises. For the time being, we'll pose as the Hoshikage's ANBU. Wear their uniforms and take their appearances."
"Understood, Kanzou-sama/Sensei," the three replied. They immediately began clearing the area while also changing their guises.
As they worked, Kanzou made another decision.
"Since Akahoshi supposedly tried to fuse the Star into his body and turned to dust… the scene should reflect that."
With that in mind, he motioned for Natsuhi, who had already stabilized the Hoshikage, to step back with him. Then he formed hand signs and unleashed an Earth Style technique at the cliff.
BOOM!
A section of the cliff collapsed, crashing down into Devil's Ravine. Thick clouds of dust and debris rose into the air, along with streams of poisonous gas released by the impact.
Natsuhi looked toward the village. "Those vibrations… they must have reached the village."
"That's fine," Kanzou said. "No, this is better. The entire village will understand how intense the battle here was. And that the Hoshikage's condition isn't without reason."
Natsuhi nodded in agreement, "Makes sense…"
Afterward, they finished the remaining work, sealing the bodies of the Hoshigakure shinobi that hadn't fallen into the ravine. Once everything was in order, the group began its return to the village.
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Hoshigakure Hospital
"How could this happen…? Hoshikage-sama?!"
The village fell into immediate panic as the Hoshikage was brought back, slung over someone's back and in critical condition. A deep chest wound bled heavily, and one of his arms was missing. No one had ever imagined seeing the Hoshikage in such a state.
"There's no time, quickly treat Hoshikage-sama," Natsuhi urged, her voice tight with urgency as she approached the medical team.
"Y-yes… understood, Natsuhi-sama!" A group of medical nin quickly rushed him inside for treatment, while Natsuhi and the three ANBU accompanying her remained outside the room.
An elder of the village stepped forward, his expression tense and alarmed. "Natsuhi… what is going on? How did Hoshikage-sama end up like this? And what was that tremor earlier? Didn't he leave to recover the Star?"
Natsuhi paused briefly, then began explaining.
She described how Akahoshi had stolen the Star and attempted to fuse it with his body. The power had overwhelmed him, driving him berserk. In his rampage, he had killed several Hoshigakure shinobi. According to her account, the Hoshikage had personally confronted him and, after a fierce battle, managed to kill him.
The elder's face tightened. "And the Star? Were you able to recover it?"
The Star was vital to the village. Without it, their strength would be severely affected.
Natsuhi shook her head. "In order to stop Akahoshi… Hoshikage-sama destroyed the Star."
"What did you just say?" the elder asked in disbelief. It was the worst possible outcome.
"He had no choice," Natsuhi said firmly. "Akahoshi had gone completely berserk and was heading toward the village. If Hoshikage-sama hadn't stopped him, the entire village would have been destroyed."
"Even so…" the elder said grimly. "Without the Star, what are we supposed to do now?"
Without it, Hoshigakure would lose its strength and influence.
Natsuhi had no answer. She remained silent.
At that moment, the door to the hospital room opened, and the medical ninja who had been treating the Hoshikage stepped out.
Natsuhi immediately moved forward. "How is Hoshikage-sama?"
"I've done everything I could," the medical ninja replied. "He's regained consciousness, but…" He hesitated.
"But what?" the elder pressed.
Before the medical ninja could answer, the ANBU who had been guarding the Hoshikage inside stepped to the doorway.
"Let Natsuhi in," he said. "Hoshikage-sama wishes to speak with her."
"He's in no condition to meet anyone," the medical ninja objected.
From inside the room, the Hoshikage's weak voice responded, "That is precisely why I need to speak with Natsuhi."
The medical ninja hesitated for a moment, then turned to Natsuhi. "Hoshikage-sama wishes to speak with you."
Natsuhi nodded and stepped forward to enter the room. Taking advantage of the moment, the village elder moved in as well.
The medical ninja tried to stop him. "It wasn't appropriate for too many people to meet the Hoshikage-sama in his condition." But the elder shot him a sharp glare and brushed his hand aside.
The ANBU inside also attempted to block his way, but the elder snorted. "I am a village elder. I need to see Hoshikage-sama's condition."
Ignoring further objections, he walked in and looked toward the bed. "How are you feeling?"
The Hoshikage glanced at him briefly, then turned his attention to Natsuhi.
"I won't be able to handle my duties for as long as I am here," he said weakly. "So, Natsuhi… during my recovery, I am appointing you as the acting Hoshikage. Manage the village's affairs until I return to duty."
"Huh? Hoshikage-sama? Me?" Natsuhi pointed to herself in shock. "I don't have any experience in something like this…"
The elder immediately spoke up. "She's too young. This responsibility requires someone experienced."
"It's fine," the Hoshikage said firmly. "I trust Natsuhi's abilities. She will do well."
The elder's expression darkened. It was obvious the Hoshikage had no intention of letting him take control.
Natsuhi still hesitated. "Hoshikage-sama, I—"
"It's an order," the Hoshikage interrupted.
Left with no room to refuse, Natsuhi lowered her head. "I… understand. I will do my best."
The Hoshikage nodded, then looked at the ANBU and the elder. "Support her in every way possible."
The ANBU bowed respectfully.
The elder nodded as well, though with clear reluctance.
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Let the power stones count surpass 100 within the next 24 hours!!!!
Read ahead of public release on P atreon at: p-atreon.com/Knockturn_Alley
Check out Chapter illustrations on Pixiv: unhinged_uchiha
If you like this story, then you might also like my other story: One Piece: The Incubus' Adventure. Give it a try.