Kiba (Naruto)

I'm back, guys. I just recovered from a five-day cold, so here's the update

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"How was your journey here?" Hoshikage inquired, his tone measured but not unkind.

"Uneventful, thankfully. We encountered no ambushes or threats along your borders, a testament to your village's security." Yamato offered a polite smile, his words carrying quiet respect.

A faint curve touched Hoshikage's lips at the unspoken praise.

Straightening slightly, Yamato stepped forward. "A message from Hokage-sama." He extended the scroll, waiting as the Hoshikage accepted it before retreating to his previous position.

The Hoshikage unrolled the missive, his eyes scanning the contents with silent approval. Once finished, he rolled it shut again, his expression unreadable.

"We've prepared accommodations for your team. The Land of Stars trusts the Leaf shinobi will perform their duties as reliably as ever."

"You have our word." Yamato dipped his head in acknowledgment, his team mirroring the gesture before they took their leave.

Outside the Hoshikage's residence, the group made their way toward the crater the scar left by a fallen star.

Yamato halted, issuing his first orders. "I'll begin surveillance of the village. The three of you will rotate guarding the star."

A collective nod answered him.

"Keep in mind," he added, "even when your shift ends, the mission continues. Stay alert for anything or anyone suspicious."

At the crater's edge, two structures stood one cradling the meteorite, the other a long-standing outpost for Hoshigakure's sentinels. Shinobi from the village patrolled the area, their vigilance unwavering as they kept watch over the celestial fragment.

Yamato's voice cut through the silence, quiet yet authoritative. "I'll take my post. Coordinate the shifts among yourselves."

In a blur of movement, he disappeared.

Kiba waved a dismissive hand. "Go ahead, guys. I've got this covered."

"Really?" Naruto's face lit up. "Sweet! I'm outta here!"

He dashed off without another word, eager to explore a foreign country for the first time.

Sasuke lingered, his dark eyes narrowing as he studied Kiba's fixed stare at the building below.

"Planning something?" Sasuke's tone was dry, but the faint edge in his voice made it clear he recognized that scheming glint in Kiba's expression.

"Maybe." Kiba's attention never wavered, his seismic sense honed in on the meteorite inside.

The energy radiating from it was dense, unnatural, a swirling mass of chakra that didn't belong.

Sasuke exhaled sharply. "Then I'll leave it to you." He turned away, confident Kiba wouldn't do anything reckless, and strode back toward the village.

Kiba descended the crater's slope, his footing steady until he reached the base. As he stepped closer to the meteorite's containment building, the same Hoshigakure shinobi from earlier blocked his path.

"Outsiders aren't allowed near the meteorite," Sumaru stated, his voice firm.

"Got it." Kiba took a few deliberate steps back before settling into a cross-legged position. He closed his eyes, extending his seismic awareness just far enough to envelop the building's perimeter.

Sumaru watched him with a skeptical frown. 'Is he slacking off? We were promised seasoned Konoha shinobi. What's a genin supposed to accomplish here?'

Sumaru remained at his post, vigilant as always, when Akahoshi, one of Hoshigakure's Jonin, approached him. The older shinobi's sharp eyes flicked toward the Leaf ninja stationed nearby before he spoke.

"What's that Konoha shinobi been doing all this time?" Akahoshi demanded, his voice edged with suspicion.

Sumaru glanced at Kiba, who hadn't moved in hours. "He's just sitting there. I think he might be asleep."

Akahoshi's jaw tightened at the memory of Kiba laughing at him earlier. "Let's test that theory," he muttered, irritation simmering beneath his words. Without hesitation, he drew a kunai and hurled it straight at Kiba.

The moment the blade left his hand, Kiba's senses flared. As the kunai neared, his eyes snapped open, and in one fluid motion, he caught it midair, spun, and flung it back with blinding speed.

Akahoshi barely twisted aside in time, the kunai grazing his cheek before embedding itself into the wall behind him. A thin line of blood welled from the shallow cut.

Akahoshi froze, shock flashing across his face.

Kiba rose to his feet, a smirk playing on his lips. "Try that again. Let's see how it ends."

Before the confrontation could escalate further, Naruto dropped down between them, his usual exuberance cutting through the tension. "My turn for guard duty, dattebayo!"

Naruto blinked, glancing between Akahoshi's seething glare and Kiba's smug grin. He couldn't figure out why the Hoshigakure jonin looked ready to murder his teammate.

"Perfect timing. I've had enough of delusional people for one day," Kiba remarked, shooting Akahoshi a pointed look as he turned to leave.

Akahoshi's hands clenched into fists. "Delusional?" he spat, voice rising. "With the power of the Star, Hoshigakure will surpass the Five Great Nations!"

Kiba paused, then burst into laughter, clutching his stomach as if he'd heard the funniest joke in the world. The surrounding Hoshigakure shinobi stiffened, their expressions a mix of offense and discomfort at the blatant mockery of their village's prized weapon.

"Naruto, you seeing this?" Kiba managed between laughs, jabbing a finger toward Akahoshi. "This guy actually thinks that star of theirs can compete with the Great Nations!"

'One Bijuu, and this whole place would be rubble,' Kiba thought derisively.

Naruto scratched his head, unsure how to respond, but the stunned look on Akahoshi's face was impossible to miss. Clearly, no one had ever challenged his belief so openly before.

Fury overtook Akahoshi's reason. In a flash, he body-flickered toward Kiba, intent on striking him down.

Kiba's smirk widened. He shifted into his boxing stance, poised and ready.

Akahoshi lunged then jerked to a halt as Kiba's fist shot upward, stopping just short of his face. A stone blade protruded from Kiba's knuckles, glinting dangerously. One more step, and it would have pierced straight through Akahoshi's skull.

'Just as I thought. This guy's a joke,' Kiba mused. 'A simple Genjutsu would wreck him.'

Akahoshi trembled, teeth grinding in humiliation. He started forming a hand seal, but before he could complete it, the Hoshikage's voice boomed across the area.

"Akahoshi, stand down!"

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