C696 Spider-Man (Patreon)

-Konoha-

The morning sun barely peeked over the horizon, casting long shadows over the Leaf Village. Despite the early hour, the village was alive with activity, a stark contrast to the usual serene mornings. The air buzzed with tension as everyone prepared for the impending attack from the allied forces of Iwagakure, Kumogakure, Kirigakure, and Sunagakure.

Ninja mobilized in every corner, gathering their gear and taking their assigned positions. Teams of shinobi darted across rooftops, relaying messages and coordinating strategies. The village's elite ANBU squads were on high alert, their masked faces revealing nothing of the anxiety they felt.

In the heart of the village, Minato Namikaze, the Fourth Hokage, stood on a high platform overlooking the main square. His presence was a beacon of calm and determination. Clad in his signature white cloak adorned with flames, he exuded an aura of unwavering confidence. His piercing blue eyes scanned the bustling activity below, taking in every detail.

"Kushina, have you secured the evacuation routes?" Minato asked, his voice steady despite the chaos around him.

Kushina Uzumaki, his wife, and the village's powerful kunoichi, nodded firmly. "Yes, Minato. The civilians are being moved to the underground shelters. Our seals are in place to reinforce the barriers. They’ll be safe there."

Minato placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "Good. And Naruto?" he asked.

Kushina smiled sadly. "Don't worry, he's with Mikoto. She took him and her children to evacuate."

Though her heart ached to be with her child, Kushina knew she was one of the strongest ninja in the village. She needed to be here to give them a fighting chance against the incoming army.

The battlefield was no place for a newborn, after all.

As Minato turned back to the crowd, he saw Kakashi Hatake, his student and one of the village's most skilled Jonin, directing a squad of ninja. Kakashi's face was hidden behind his mask as usual, but his visible eye conveyed a seriousness that was rare even for him.

"Kakashi," Minato called out, beckoning him over.

Kakashi jogged up to the platform, his posture straight and ready. "Yes, Lord Hokage?"

"Go to the evacuation zone and find Mikoto Uchiha. She has my son with her. Protect him," Minato instructed, noticing the reluctant look on his student's face. "Please, Kakashi. I know you want to help, but you and Naruto are all we have left. Please, just look after him for us."

“Please, Kakashi…?” Kushina added, guilting him even more.

Kakashi hesitantly nodded. "Understood..."

Though Kakashi wanted to stay and fight alongside his Sensei, he understood how worried and anxious Minato and Kushina must be without Naruto nearby.

As Kakashi left to carry out his orders, Minato turned his attention to the village's gates. He could see Shikaku Nara, the head of the Nara Clan and the village's chief strategist, deep in conversation with several other clan leaders. They were discussing battle strategies, their expressions grim but determined.

Minato made his way over to them. "Shikaku, what’s the status of our defenses?"

Shikaku looked up, his sharp mind already anticipating the Hokage’s questions. "We’ve fortified the outer walls and placed seals in strategic locations. We’ve also set up multiple layers of defense within the village. If the enemy breaches the outer perimeter, they’ll be met with heavy resistance."

Minato nodded, satisfied with the preparations. "Excellent work, Shikaku. We need to be ready for anything. The enemy is strong and well-coordinated, but we can’t let them overpower us."

As Minato continued his rounds, he saw the Yamanaka, Akimichi, Uchiha, Hyuga, and many other clans all preparing for battle. Their members were sharpening weapons, setting up medical stations, and reinforcing barriers. The entire village was united, ready to defend their home at any cost.

A sudden hush fell over the crowd as the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, approached. Much of his body was covered in bandages, a testament to the brutal beatdown Kushina had given him. But, despite his injuries, a determined look etched across his face conveyed his unwavering resolve.

As Hiruzen walked towards the main platform, Kushina’s eyes met his for a brief moment. The tension between them was palpable, a silent conflict that everyone could feel. Kushina's frown deepened before she turned away, refusing to even glance in his direction again. She felt no guilt for his current condition either, nor should she.

Hiruzen sighed, his expression filled with a mixture of sadness and resignation. He tore his gaze from Kushina and directed his attention to Minato. With a bow of his head, he addressed the Fourth Hokage. "Lord Hokage, I report for duty."

Gasps of surprise rippled through the crowd. None of them had ever seen the Third Hokage bow his head before. The gesture carried weight, signaling the severity of the situation.

Minato frowned, concern evident in his eyes. "Hiruzen, you should return to the hospital. You won’t be any help in your current condition. You need to rest and heal first."

But Hiruzen remained steadfast, keeping his head bowed. "I am here to assist in the defense of our village. This is my home, and I will not stand idly by while it is threatened. Please, Lord Hokage, accept my help..."

Minato’s frown deepened as he looked at the elder Hokage, feeling his determination. He knew that Hiruzen wouldn’t take no for an answer. “...Fine,” he conceded, “but you will take a position in the rear lines. Your guidance and experience will be invaluable there.”

Hiruzen lifted his head, a blend of gratitude and determination in his eyes. "Thank you, Minato," he said with a smile, glancing over at Kushina, who still wouldn't meet his gaze. “…”

The Third Hokage’s presence, despite his injuries, seemed to bolster the morale of those around him. The villagers and ninja alike felt a renewed sense of unity and strength. The sight of their former leader, battered but unbroken, was a powerful reminder of the will of fire that burned within each of them.

Minato turned back to the gathered ninja, his voice ringing out with authority. “Our village stands united! We will defend our home, our families, and our future. Prepare yourselves. This battle will not be easy, but we will stand strong together!”

A collective cheer rose from the crowd, their voices filled with determination and resolve. The Leaf Village was ready.

…

Soon enough, the army of Konoha took their positions at the village's outer wall, a formidable barrier that stood as the first line of defense against the approaching allied forces. Shinobi of all ranks, from Genin to Jonin, lined the wall, their eyes scanning the horizon for any sign of the enemy. The tension was palpable, a mix of fear and determination settling over the defenders.

Minato stood at the forefront, his gaze steady and unyielding. Beside him were Kushina, Fugaku, the many clan leaders, and other high-level ninja, their faces reflecting a blend of readiness and anticipation. Hiruzen had taken his position as well, directing the rear lines with Shikaku.

As they waited, a common thought ran through everyone’s mind: Where was Peter? The mysterious and powerful ally had proven his strength and was said to be on his way. His presence would undoubtedly turn the tide of the battle in their favor, that is, if he actually shows up.

Fugaku glanced at Minato, his expression one of concern. "Do you think he’ll make it back in time?"

Minato nodded, though there was a hint of worry in his eyes. "I believe he will. We have to trust that he knows the urgency of the situation."

Kushina, her gaze trailing off into the distance, added, "He'll be here. We just need to hold our ground until then."

The defenders of Konoha maintained their vigilance, their eyes fixed on the horizon. The first rays of dawn began to break, casting a golden hue over the landscape. The calm before the storm was almost surreal, a fleeting moment of peace before the impending clash of forces.

As the minutes ticked by, the tension grew. The sound of marching footsteps began to echo in the distance, a rhythmic thud that signaled the approach of the Allied army. The defenders tensed, their grips tightening on their weapons.

Minato raised a hand, signaling his troops to ready themselves. "Hold your positions. Stay strong."

…

Less than a minute later, the allied forces of Iwagakure, Kumogakure, Kirigakure, and Sunagakure appeared on the horizon, a vast sea of shinobi marching in unison, their banners fluttering in the wind.

Fugaku, his Sharingan eyes activated, scanned the approaching army. “For an allied army, each village sure brought a lot of ninja. They must really want to get rid of us..."

The Konoha shinobi braced themselves, their resolve unwavering. They were prepared to defend their village, no matter the cost.

The allied armies arrived in a formidable display of power. The Kazekage, Rasa, stood at the forefront of his Sunagakure troops, his red hair and piercing eyes reflecting the harsh desert sun.

[Insert picture of Rasa here]

The Mizukage, Gengetsu Hōzuki, with a stern expression, led the Kirigakure forces, their blue and gray uniforms blending seamlessly with the mist they often fought within.

[Insert picture of Gengetsu Hōzuki here]

The Raikage, A, a towering figure of strength and resolve, commanded the Kumogakure army, their presence as imposing as a thunderstorm. Standing beside the Raikage was his younger brother, Killer B, often referred to simply as Bee.

[Insert picture of A and Bee here]

Lastly, the Tsuchikage, Onoki, floated above his Iwagakure soldiers, his eyes sharp and calculating.

[Insert picture of Onoki here]

The four Kages gathered at the front of their respective armies, staring up at Minato and the injured Hiruzen who stood at the top of the village’s wall. The air was thick with tension as the leaders of the allied forces assessed the situation. They had come here with a singular purpose: to finish off the Leaf Village, weakened by the recent Nine-Tails attack.

Rasa, the Kazekage, was the first to speak, his voice carrying across the battlefield. "Minato Namikaze, Fourth Hokage. It seems Konoha has seen better days."

Minato’s expression remained stoic as he replied, "Kazekage, Mizukage, Raikage, Tsuchikage. What brings you here today?"

“I think you know why we’re here…” The Mizukage stepped forward, his gaze icy. "We heard what happened with the Nine-Tails, so we came to bring aid to our tree-hugging friends of the leaf village." He said, his tone razor sharp.

The Raikage, A, crossed his massive arms over his chest, a smirk tugging at the corners of his mouth. "Seeing the state of the Third Hokage, I’d say we made the right decision." He looked directly at Hiruzen, who stood beside Minato despite being told to stay back. "Feeling tired up there, old man?"

Hiruzen, despite his injuries, straightened his posture and met the Raikage’s gaze with unwavering determination. "Do not underestimate the strength of our village. We will defend our home with everything we have."

Onoki floated a little higher, his expression one of amused contempt. "Your bravado is commendable, but foolish. You’re outnumbered and weakened. This will be over quickly."

Minato’s eyes flickered with a hint of concern, but his voice remained firm. "We are prepared to defend our village, no matter the odds. You may have come here thinking you would find us broken, but you will find us stronger than ever."

The allied Kages exchanged glances, their confidence unshaken. They had expected to find a weakened and vulnerable Konoha, and the sight of the injured Hiruzen confirmed their beliefs. They were ready to launch their assault and crush the Leaf Village once and for all.

As both sides stared each other down, a sudden slurping noise drew everyone's attention. The unexpected sound echoed across the tense battlefield, causing all eyes to turn in that direction.

There, Peter sat on the wall, casually holding a bowl of ramen as he slurped the noodles like a vacuum.

Peter gave them a sheepish look, his mouth full of noodles. "Oh, sorry. Did I ruin the moment?" he asked, swallowing his food. "Just pretend I’m not here. Continue with your taunting and insults. Don’t mind me…"

The allied Kages stared in disbelief as Peter went back to eating his ramen, the slurping sounds continuing unabated. “?”

A/N: 2053 words :)