Chapter 59

A,N. The characters here are not part of Marvel crossover. Think of them as counterparts in the Naruto world. 

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Leaving Naruto and his team to continue their adventure in the immortal world, Team Shino had arrived at their destination: Star City, also known as Hoshigakure. The city was a breathtaking sight to behold, nestled under a vast sky, its towering spires and glowing lights creating an almost otherworldly atmosphere. Star City had been founded two hundred years ago after a strange meteorite, which the inhabitants called the "star," struck the land. The meteorite itself was not enormous, but it carried an unusual power—a chakra-enhancing radiation that had a profound impact on the people of the city.

From the citizens' accounts, Team Shino gathered that the city had been established much earlier than Konoha, and its leader, the Star King, possessed unknown and seemingly unfathomable powers. Despite the meteorite's relatively small size, it was revered as a sacred relic—an object of immense significance to the city and its people. The Star King, a figure of authority and mystery, had devised a unique method of harnessing the meteorite's power, allowing his followers to unlock supernatural levels of chakra. Over time, this training method had led to the emergence of powerful bloodlines within the population, with some even undergoing mutations that granted them extraordinary abilities.

The fragment of the meteorite, known as the Star Fragment, was considered a treasure of the Orion Kingdom, a neighboring power that was distinct from the Kingdoms within the Land of Fire. The Kingdom of Orion was culturally and geographically different, with a society that bore more similarities to Western civilizations than the traditional Eastern kingdoms. The people were taller, more robust, and their official language, inspired by the languages of the Land of Lightning, had evolved into what they called "English."

The citizens of Star City worshipped the Star Fragment, which they believed to be housed within the Palace of the Star King. The piece of the meteorite was paraded during an annual celebration, a spectacle that drew visitors from across the region. Though the location of the Star Fragment was a well-kept secret, rumors persisted that it played a pivotal role in the city's strength—and its plans for the future.

Upon arriving in Star City, Team Shino immediately noticed the stark differences between this city and the more familiar sights of the Land of Fire. The people's heightened chakra density was undeniable, and Shino, ever perceptive, could sense the abnormal power radiating from them. The official forces in Star City were strikingly powerful, with a police force so formidable that it could potentially take down someone as strong as the Hokage. This was too suspicious for the team to ignore, and they soon realized they were under watch. Despite their efforts to enter the city as normal citizens with their powers sealed, they could feel the subtle yet unmistakable presence of surveillance.

Shino, relying on his abilities honed through his connection to the Seven-Tailed Bijuu, began using his insects to gather intelligence from within the city. Through the network of insects, he was able to gather crucial details about the inner workings of Star City. He uncovered the existence of elite forces that were stationed throughout the city, ensuring the security and strength of the nation. He also managed to catch a glimpse of the elusive Star King—his power, though not yet fully understood, was undeniable.

One of the most valuable pieces of information Shino gathered was about two critical items: the Hero Water and the Star Fragment. Both items were located within the Palace of the Star King, a heavily guarded fortress at the heart of the city. It became evident to Shino that the Kingdom of Orion was not content with merely strengthening their own people; they were on the path to world domination. The powers granted by the Star Fragment, when combined with the Hero Water, would be enough to reshape the world in their image.

The Star King and his forces were not content with these two artifacts alone. They were actively searching for additional powerful relics, determined to gather more items that would bolster their already formidable strength. As Shino pieced together the puzzle, it became clear that Star City and the Kingdom of Orion were preparing for something far more ambitious than anyone had imagined. Their plans for expansion and conquest were already in motion, and they would stop at nothing to achieve their goal of dominance.

The conversation among Team Shino was tense as they processed the overwhelming revelations about the forces of the Orion Kingdom. Kiba stood frozen, his face a mixture of disbelief and frustration. His partner, Akamaru, whined softly as if sharing in Kiba's exasperation.

"Are these people dumb?" Kiba finally blurted out, his voice laced with incredulity. "How can anyone even think of fighting Naruto at this point? The guy's practically invincible!" He gestured wildly, as though the very idea of defying Naruto was an insult to logic.

Storm, however, was less quick to dismiss the threat. Her sharp, calculating mind didn't allow for blind confidence. "Maybe they're not dumb, Kiba," she said, her voice calm but tinged with concern. "Maybe they're delusional—or worse, maybe they're not delusional at all. If these mutations are as miraculous as they claim, overcoming Naruto isn't impossible. Plus, they're still in the preparation phase. You've seen how carefully they're hiding their powers. There's a reason for that."

"Do you sense anything unusual about their power levels?" she asked, turning to Shino, the team's stoic strategist.

Shino, who had been quietly listening, nodded. His insects had scoured the city, gathering critical information from every corner. The intelligence he had pieced together painted a picture far more dangerous than any of them had anticipated. "Agreed," Shino said, his tone measured. "Their abilities are miraculous... and extremely dangerous."

Kiba furrowed his brow. "What do you mean by miraculous?"

Shino's expression remained impassive as he began to detail the threats they were up against, his voice steady but grave. "The first is a fighter code-named Iceman. He possesses absolute control over ice. Not only can he manipulate ice with ease, but he can also turn his body into ice itself, making him nearly impossible to kill. Even if he's reduced to a single molecule of water, he can regenerate completely. His ability borders on true immortality."

Kiba's jaw dropped, but Shino pressed on. "Then there's Vulcan. He passively absorbs energy and can use it at will. His limits are unknown. If his capacity is truly limitless, he's a threat to anyone who relies on energy-based attacks."

Storm raised an eyebrow. "And you said he has brothers?"

"Yes," Shino continued. "One of his younger brothers is called Havok. Like Vulcan, he can absorb energy, but instead of storing it, he transforms it into plasma—extremely dangerous in close combat."

Storm's lips tightened, her mind already strategizing counters to such abilities. Shino continued. "Another key figure is Quicksilver, a speedster capable of moving at extraordinary speeds. He can even phase through objects—and his enemies."

Kiba was visibly overwhelmed, but Shino wasn't finished. "Then there's Captain Marvel. She shares the ability to absorb energy but uses it to enhance her strength and other abilities. The more she absorbs, the more powerful she becomes."

Storm crossed her arms. "That's a lot of energy-based abilities. What else?"

"There's Supergiant," Shino said, his voice lowering slightly. "She's a psychic. She can read and control minds, and she has the ability to absorb mental energy. To make matters worse, she's immune to physical damage."

Kiba groaned. "You're telling me we're dealing with someone who can mess with our heads and can't be hurt? Great."

Shino ignored Kiba's outburst and continued. "Then there's Magneto. He's a strategist and a manipulator of the electromagnetic spectrum. His abilities allow him to control metal, but his mastery extends far beyond that. He can disrupt communications, disable technology, and even interfere with energy-based powers."

Storm frowned. "This is starting to sound impossible."

"It gets worse," Shino said grimly. "The most dangerous individual after the Star King himself is Scarlet Witch. She wields chaos magic, which she draws from a contract with the Dark Dimension. Her abilities include reality warping, power manipulation, and clairvoyance. If the rumors are true, she's the strongest among the Star King's warriors."

Kiba's face paled. "Reality warping? You're telling me she can just... change the rules?"

"Yes," Shino confirmed. "And finally, there's the leader of the Orion Kingdom, the Star King, also known as Apocalypse. He's been alive since the kingdom's founding and possesses an ability called superior adaptation. It allows him to survive any adversity and grow stronger because of it. He's immortal, with powerful regeneration, energy absorption, and the ability to bestow powers upon others. He also has psychic abilities, making him a nearly unbeatable opponent."

By the time Shino finished speaking, Kiba and Storm were visibly shaken. The sheer scale of power they were up against was staggering. Kiba's earlier confidence had all but evaporated, and even Storm's normally composed demeanor showed cracks of unease.

Storm's concern was evident as she gazed at Shino, who stood stoically, analyzing their options with his usual logic. "Do you think we can handle this?" she asked, her tone betraying the uncertainty she felt. Shino, as the strongest among them and the most pragmatic, was the one she relied on for an honest answer.

Shino's eyes narrowed behind his glasses as he considered her question. "I am unsure," he admitted after a moment. "Normally, it would be impossible for anyone to bridge the gap created by Chomei's influence. However, the unique abilities we've observed among their forces are cause for significant concern."

Kiba, unwilling to entertain the notion of retreat, cut in sharply. "Don't tell me you're asking us to back down already!" His gaze bore into Shino, a mixture of disbelief and frustration simmering in his expression.

Shino met Kiba's intensity with calm indifference. "We will retreat only when necessary," he replied firmly. "First, I'll send a clone to assess the situation. If the opportunity arises, I will attempt to steal the items without engaging in combat. If combat becomes unavoidable, we will decide how to proceed based on how they respond to the clone. Is that acceptable?"

"I have no problem with that," Storm agreed, her voice steady. Despite her apprehension, she trusted Shino's judgment. Kiba, however, clearly bristled at the plan, though he didn't voice his dissent outright.

After a pause, Kiba broke the silence with a hesitant question. "Are you sure about our new capabilities?"

Shino turned to him, his tone unyielding. "Kiba, if I can't fight them, then none of you can."

The bluntness of Shino's statement hit Kiba like a punch to the gut. He clenched his fists, his jaw tightening as the weight of Shino's words sank in. Even after gaining a significant boost in power by becoming the vessel of Cerberus and mutating Akamaru, Kiba knew deep down that his strength still fell short when compared to Shino—or even Gaara.

Kiba forced himself to remain silent, swallowing the frustration and inferiority that churned within him. As much as he hated it, he couldn't deny the truth in Shino's words. He understood his responsibilities as a shinobi, and while his pride was wounded, he resolved to endure it. There would come a time, he promised himself, when he could prove his worth. For now, he retreated to stand beside Akamaru, seeking solace in the loyal presence of his partner.

Shino observed Kiba's silent struggle, the tension visible in the way his friend held himself. For a brief moment, he felt a flicker of guilt and considered adjusting his plan to accommodate Kiba's feelings. But logic prevailed, and he pushed the thought aside. There was no room for sentiment in a situation as perilous as this one.

Summoning a clone crafted from his insects, Shino shaped it into the form of a single, inconspicuous fly. With a slight gesture, he sent the clone toward the palace, its mission clear. As the fly approached its target, it split into multiple smaller clones, each moving toward different locations to maximize their surveillance and chances of success.

However, as the first fly neared the palace, it was stopped abruptly by an invisible barrier. The barrier shimmered faintly, pulsing with a faint energy that rendered the fly unable to pass through. Shino, observing through the clone's senses, quickly realized that the Orion Kingdom's defenses were even more formidable than anticipated.