Naruto: Hatake's No Misfortune

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"Not good!"

The Double-Size Technique, once a source of pride for the Akimichi Clan, was now being shredded by sharp, creeping thorns.

"Get out of here, quickly!"

As the words left his mouth, Akimichi Choza released the technique. His massive form shrank back to normal, revealing bloodied arms riddled with jagged thorn wounds.

"What a terrifying technique..."

The rumors were true: Muzan's jutsu involved thorns infused with dark chakra. But their destructive power far exceeded anything recorded in Konoha's archives. Even Choza, a powerhouse in battle, couldn't withstand them.

The thorns were no ordinary chakra constructs. Driven by immense natural energy, they grew faster than vines in a storm, their tips as hard as steel.

"Break!"

The thorns erupted upward, towering higher than the mightiest trees, their dense canopy blotting out the midday sun.

Choza, known for his ability to bulldoze through obstacles, was visibly struggling. Just as he prepared to retreat, Nara Shikaku's voice cut through the chaos, steady and confident.

"I've found the weakness."

Shikaku's sharp eyes zeroed in on the gaps between the writhing thorns, shadows flickering within.

"Shadow Sewing Technique: Black Spider Lily!"

Shikaku unleashed his chakra, a dark wave erupting around him. Shadows coiled and twisted like the petals of a monstrous black flower, each imbued with lethal intent.

The shadows darted between the thorny labyrinth, weaving through the gaps.

"Physical damage won't work against Muzan," Shikaku muttered. "Binding him is the only option."

Shikaku's plan aimed to immobilize Muzan, but there was a glaring flaw—they lacked a sealing specialist from the Uzumaki Clan. Without sealing techniques, their efforts could only buy time.

"Kakkaka!"

Muzan's laughter echoed, his golden eyes devoid of panic as the shadows constricted around him. His pale form began to ripple ominously.

The jutsu might have slowed Muzan, but it couldn't stop him. His body exploded with bone spurs, tearing through the shadow bindings effortlessly.

"Blood Demon Art: Spine Stab!"

The bone spurs shredded through Shikaku's jutsu, and Muzan's form blurred. In the blink of an eye, he appeared in front of Shikaku, claws poised to strike.

"Boom!"

A massive figure crashed into Muzan at the last second—Choza, having reactivated his Partial Expansion Jutsu, intercepted the attack.

Yet even in his enlarged form, Choza was sent hurtling through the air, leaving a trench in the ground as he landed.

"Choza!"

Shikaku rushed to his fallen comrade, but Choza's condition was dire. His arm, bearing the brunt of Muzan's blow, was mangled and fractured. Though still conscious, he wouldn't last long in this fight.

"Why hasn't Hatake Sakumo-sama taken action yet?" Shikaku muttered under his breath, sweat dripping down his face.

The Ino-Shika-Cho trio was losing. Yamanaka Inoichi's mind-based jutsu had no effect on Muzan, and his wind-based techniques barely slowed the demon down.

"If your so-called reinforcements don't show up soon..." Muzan said, his voice dripping with disdain. "They might as well stay hidden forever."

The battle-hardened trio could only watch as Muzan approached, his claws glinting in the dim light.

"Time to die."

Muzan lunged at Shikaku, but just as his claws were about to pierce flesh, a silver flash sliced through the air.

"Clang!"

Muzan's claws screeched against the blade of a white chakra-infused sword. Sparks flew, and Muzan's attack was halted.

"Father..." Muzan muttered, narrowing his eyes.

The man before him was none other than the White Fang of Konoha, his signature blade gleaming in the dim light.

Sakumo's expression was grim as he faced his son.

"Muzan."

The name hung heavy in the air, laden with regret and resolve.

"I never thought I'd face you like this," Sakumo said, gripping his sword tightly. "But as your father, I must take responsibility for my failure."

The two clashed, their swords moving with blinding speed.

Muzan's blade, infused with blood and lightning chakra, clashed against Sakumo's with terrifying force. Each strike sent shockwaves rippling through the battlefield.

Sakumo's technique was precise, every move honed by years of mastery. Yet, no matter how many times he cut Muzan, the wounds healed instantly.

"It's futile, Father," Muzan said with a mocking grin. "Even if your blade is coated with poison, it won't work on me. I am far beyond such tricks."

Sakumo ignored the taunts, his focus unwavering. Each strike was deliberate, designed to create an opening.

"I know my tricks won't work," Sakumo muttered under his breath. "But I don't need to win alone."

At that moment, the shadows stirred once more, and a familiar chakra signature surged.

"Now!"

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Hatake Sakumo presence was like a silent storm. But Muzan's attention shifted when a new figure stepped onto the battlefield.

Standing tall with his bright yellow hair glinting in the dim light, a man clad in a white robe emblazoned with red kanji appeared.

Namikaze Minato, the Fourth Hokage!

"Boom!"

A massive Sage Mode-enhanced Rasengan descended from the heavens, slamming into Muzan with devastating force.

A spiral mark materialized beneath Muzan's feet as the technique hit its target, pinning him in place. The Rasengan exploded into brilliant blue energy, tearing through Muzan's body. The sheer force left the battlefield trembling, and the air filled with an ear-splitting roar.

For the first time in decades, Muzan felt true pain. His body, the pinnacle of regeneration and resilience, began to falter under the devastating attack.

"This is Sage Mode," Minato murmured, his aura radiant as natural energy coursed through him.

It wasn't mere chakra but a perfect blend of his own energy and the life force of nature itself, amplifying his strength exponentially.

Minato had intentionally delayed his arrival to gather the necessary natural energy for this form. With the speed granted by the Flying Thunder God Technique, he could strike at the perfect moment without fear of leaving his allies vulnerable.

"Is it over?"

Yamanaka Inoichi, still shaken from an earlier encounter with Muzan, watched the smoke rise with hopeful yet wary eyes.

"I doubt it."

Shikaku's voice was calm but laced with caution. His years of strategizing against the most dangerous opponents in the ninja world had taught him one thing—never underestimate an enemy like Muzan.

A low growl reverberated through the battlefield as the smoke cleared. Muzan's torn and broken form crouched in the crater, his breathing labored.

But then, the mouths scattered across his grotesque body opened wide, sucking in the surrounding natural energy with alarming speed. His flesh began to stitch itself together, bones snapping into place.

"Roar!"

A shockwave erupted from Muzan, blasting away debris and forcing everyone to shield themselves. The oppressive killing intent in the air grew so heavy it felt tangible.

Minato and Sakumo stood firm, their expressions grim as they braced themselves for the next wave of attacks.

Muzan's regeneration was not merely physical—it was relentless, powered by an inhuman hunger that drew strength from everything around him.

The bones on his back erupted outward, forming sharp, whip-like appendages. With a flick, they sliced through the air, severing trees and carving deep trenches into the earth.

Hatake Sakumo gripped his ninja blade tightly, stepping forward to meet Muzan head-on. His years of experience as Konoha's White Fang had prepared him to face monsters, but even he felt the crushing weight of Muzan's raw power.

"Ding!"

Sakumo's blade met Muzan's bone whips, sending sparks flying. Despite the force behind his strike, Muzan's relentless attacks pushed Sakumo back, the sheer momentum threatening to overwhelm him.

"Shikaku, now!"

At Minato's shout, Shikaku sprang into action. He formed a series of hand signs, pouring every ounce of chakra he could muster into his jutsu.

"Shadow Sewing Technique: Black Spider Lily!"

Dark tendrils of shadow shot from the ground, weaving through the battlefield with precision. They latched onto Muzan's limbs and torso, holding him in place.

The immense strain of restraining such a powerful foe caused Shikaku's knees to tremble, but he gritted his teeth and held firm.

"Do it now, Hokage-sama!"

Minato didn't hesitate. With a flicker, he vanished, reappearing directly above Muzan with another massive Rasengan in hand.

But this wasn't an ordinary Rasengan—it was infused with natural energy, glowing a vibrant green.

"Sage Art: Massive Rasengan!"

The spiraling sphere crashed into Muzan, the explosion of energy creating a shockwave that leveled the surrounding area.

The earth beneath Muzan cracked and crumbled as the attack landed, the sheer force driving him deeper into the ground.

But even as the light faded, Muzan's grotesque form began to move again. His wounds healed at an impossible speed, his body regenerating faster than before.

"That's not enough..." Muzan sneered, his voice a chilling whisper as he rose once more.

Minato landed gracefully, his brows furrowed as he surveyed the battlefield. Muzan was relentless, his body adapting to every attack.

"We'll need a coordinated effort," Minato said, his voice steady despite the growing tension. He turned to Sakumo and Shikaku, their resolve unwavering despite the odds.

Hatake Sakumo raised his blade, blood dripping from his hands but his grip unyielding.

"Whatever it takes," he said firmly.

Shikaku, still holding Muzan with the last of his chakra, nodded. "Just give the order, Hokage-sama."

Muzan's golden eyes glinted with malice as he prepared for another assault. The battle was far from over, but the will of Konoha's finest shinobi burned brighter than ever.

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