God Of Void

The soft glow of a laptop screen illuminated the dimly lit Hokage office. The air inside was heavy with tension as Shikamaru Nara scrolled through the urgent message from the Hidden Sand Village. His narrowed eyes scanned the words carefully, each line only adding to his growing unease.

"Mysterious creatures spotted. Corrosive attacks, enhanced strength, and unnatural coordination. Our scouts believe these are not ordinary summons. Request immediate support."

A digital image followed — a horrifying sight of several grotesque beasts. Their bodies twisted and deformed, covered in slimy black tendrils. Crimson eyes glowed within their twisted forms, and their distorted bodies seemed to pulse with unnatural life.

Shikamaru grimaced. "This… isn't Code's style."

The Hidden Leaf Village was calm — too calm. The streets bustled with merchants calling out their wares, children playing near the training grounds, and shinobi patrolling the walls. But beneath the surface, tension simmered like a quiet storm.

The Hidden Sand Village's distress signal had reached Konoha earlier that morning — fragmented reports of twisted beasts cloaked in shadows, creatures unlike anything the shinobi world had seen before.

---

The Hokage's Office

In the dimly lit office, Shikamaru Nara, now serving as Konoha's hokage , stood behind his desk, flipping through scattered reports. His face was drawn — tired yet sharp. He exhaled a sigh before turning to the shinobi before him.

Kawaki stood near the window, arms crossed, staring blankly at the village below. Konohamaru stood with his hands in his pockets, waiting silently. Sarada and Mitsuki stood together, both alert.

"We don't know exactly what's happening," Shikamaru began, his voice low and serious. "But the Hidden Sand reported massive casualties. They claim creatures — unlike any beast we've seen before — are behind the attack."

Kawaki scoffed. "So what?" His voice was cold. "The Sand Village can handle itself. Why are we getting involved?"

Shikamaru's sharp gaze landed on Kawaki. "Because these creatures didn't just attack civilians — they targeted shinobi. And the few survivors reported one detail that concerns us…"

He paused, then tapped a document on his desk. "One of the creatures left claw marks... the same kind that Code leaves behind."

Kawaki's eyes narrowed. His fists clenched. "Code…" he muttered.

"It's suspicious," Shikamaru continued. "We don't know if it's him — but if it is, it means he's evolving, growing stronger."

"You think this has something to do with the Ten Tails?" Konohamaru asked.

"It's possible," Shikamaru replied. "Either way, we need a team to investigate immediately. Konohamaru, you'll lead the squad. Kawaki, Sarada, and Mitsuki will accompany you."

"I'm not going." Kawaki's words were cold and firm.

"You are," Shikamaru shot back without hesitation. "This isn't a request. If this is Code, we need someone strong enough to face him — and you're the only one capable of that."

Kawaki turned fully, glaring at Shikamaru. "Code's my problem. If he's the one behind this, I'll handle him alone."

Shikamaru's voice dropped lower — colder. "If you go alone and it turns out to be something worse... people will die. We need a team."

There was silence. Kawaki's gaze lingered, then shifted downward. He grunted in frustration, turning back toward the window.

"Tch… fine."

---

Eida's Hideout

In her lavish hideout, Eida sat comfortably on a silk-draped couch, her fingers lazily playing with Daemon's hair as he napped on her lap. The room was quiet, save for the faint hum of chakra from the walls.

Sarada stood before her, arms crossed.

"Eida," Sarada said,"I need to ask you something."

Eida's eyes flicked toward her, a small smile tugging at her lips. "Oh? What could you possibly need from me?"

"It's about your Senrigan," Sarada said, her tone serious.

The smile faded from Eida's face. "What about it?"

"…Is there a way to undo its effect?"

The room seemed to grow colder. Daemon stirred slightly in Eida's lap but didn't wake.

"Undo it?" Eida repeated slowly, her voice quieter now. "Why?"

"I…" Sarada hesitated, then stood straighter. "I need to know if there's a way to break your control over people's hearts."

For a moment, Eida was silent — studying Sarada's face. Then she let out a soft laugh, shaking her head.

"You think I can control it?" Eida said, her voice tinged with bitterness. "The Senrigan isn't something I manipulate. It's just... there. I can't turn it off. And I can't choose who's affected or not."

Sarada frowned. "So you're saying you have no control?"

"None." Eida's gaze hardened. "If there was a way to fix it... don't you think I'd have done it by now?"

Sarada's expression softened. "I see…"

Eida's sharp gaze lingered on Sarada a moment longer. Then something clicked in her mind.

"…Wait," Eida murmured. Her eyes narrowed. "Why are you even asking this? Are you..."

Sarada tensed.

"…Are you unaffected by my ability?"

Sarada's face turned slightly pink. "W-What? No!"

"Me neither!" Sumire blurted out from behind Sarada, her face suddenly red as well.

For a moment, Eida blinked in surprise — then her smile returned, sharp and knowing.

"Oh?" she hummed. "Both of you?"

Sarada grabbed Sumire's arm. "We have a mission to prepare for," she muttered, quickly turning to leave.

As they exited the room, Daemon lazily lifted his head from Eida's lap, his sharp gaze narrowing as he watched Sarada's back.

Then, with a slow exhale, he flopped back down, yawning.

---

At the gates of Konoha, Konohamaru stood with a stern expression, addressing the assembled shinobi.

"This mission is dangerous," Konohamaru warned. "The Sand Village reported casualties — we're dealing with something unknown."

Beside him stood Sarada, her Sharingan faintly flickering in one eye. She adjusted her gloves, her expression firm. "If this isn't Code's doing, then what is it?"

Kawaki, standing with his hands stuffed into his pockets, muttered, "We'll find out when we get there."

"Glad you're so optimistic," Konohamaru deadpanned.

Mitsuki, calm as always, adjusted his headband. "These creatures… they sound unnatural."

"Then we better be prepared for the worst," Konohamaru added. "Move out."

---

Meanwhile... in Konoha

In a small teahouse near the edge of the village, Draven sat silently. His calm expression masked the storm that raged beneath the surface.

Through the countless symbiote-infected beasts now roaming the Sand Village, Draven's vision flowed seamlessly — observing through their eyes. He watched as grotesque creatures slithered through alleyways, their oily black tendrils creeping along walls and twisting around trees.

Scorpions with venomous stingers as sharp as blades. Serpents that could spit corrosive acid. Falcons soaring overhead, dripping black venom from their talons.

Each one was his creation — birthed from the endless void of his Abyss.

The people of the Sand Village screamed as their once-familiar desert creatures had turned into mindless predators — twisted, relentless, and driven by a single will: his.

"I won't need to lift a finger," Draven murmured to himself, sipping his tea with an eerie smile.

His red eyes flickered. Through the beasts' vision, he saw Gaara himself — sand swirling protectively around him — attempting to hold back the horde.

"This is only the beginning," Draven whispered.

He closed his eyes, feeling the power within him swell — the endless darkness of the Abyss merging with his very being. He was no longer bound by mere mortal limits. His body could regenerate endlessly. He could manipulate shadows to form weapons, consume space itself, and even distort reality.

His newest ability — Symbiote Creation — had given him power unlike anything this world had seen. Each of his symbiote beasts acted as his eyes and ears, weaving a web of influence that stretched across nations.

And now, while the world focused on the Sand Village's chaos… Draven simply sat back, quietly watching from the shadows.