Chapter 37: The Attack of Isshiki and Toneri

The Five Kage had just concluded their summit, discussing the potential consequences of the new Tailed Beasts and their unpredictable actions, when the door to the Hokage's office burst open. A shinobi, panting heavily, rushed in, his eyes wide with panic.

"Lord Tsunade! The village—Konoha—it's been attacked!" he gasped.

The room immediately fell silent, and all eyes turned to the messenger. Tsunade's face went pale as she stood up, her voice steady but urgent. "What happened? Who attacked?"

The messenger struggled to catch his breath, his hands trembling. "It's Isshiki... and another Ōtsutsuki. We have confirmed it's Toneri Ōtsutsuki—he's here!"

Tsunade's eyes widened in disbelief. "Toneri... but he was supposed to be gone after the events in the Hidden Moon Village." She clenched her fists, frustration building up inside her. "And Isshiki... what's he doing here? The Ōtsutsuki should be a distant threat."

Naruto's expression darkened. "If Isshiki's here, we're in for a fight. He was a dangerous force when we fought him before. And Toneri... I don't know how strong he is now, but I didn't think we'd have to face him so soon."

Sasuke's sharingan activated, his eyes sharp with determination. "We can't waste time. We need to head back to Konoha now."

Before anyone could move, a flash of black smoke appeared, and Black Zetsu stepped into the room, his usual eerie calmness filling the air. He wasn't alone. The cubs—each with their respective trainers—were right behind him, ready for action.

"Naruto, Sasuke, Sakura," Black Zetsu spoke in his usual monotone voice, "Kaguya has made a decision. She is aware of the threat. These Ōtsutsuki will not be left unchecked."

Naruto's eyes met Black Zetsu's, understanding the weight of the situation. "We need to get to Konoha now. I'll go with Sasuke and Sakura. The rest of you, stay back and guard the cubs."

"Your cubs are prepared," Black Zetsu continued. "They have already been trained in the ways of battle and will assist when necessary. However, their involvement will depend on their choice. If they choose to fight, they will do so."

Gaara, his expression as calm as ever, stood up, addressing the room. "We'll send reinforcements to Konoha. But we need to know exactly what we're up against. Isshiki and Toneri are not to be taken lightly."

The room filled with murmurs of agreement, but Tsunade silenced them with a raised hand. "We'll organize a defense. Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura—go, now. The rest of us will coordinate from here."

The Battle Begins: Konoha Under Attack

Konoha was in chaos. The sound of distant explosions and crashing buildings echoed through the village as the remaining defenders scrambled to hold their ground. The mysterious threat had already begun its assault. Isshiki's ominous presence lingered, and Toneri's moon-like energy pulsed with an eerie light.

Toneri appeared high above the village, his presence sending ripples through the atmosphere. His eyes glowed with power, and his body exuded a celestial energy unlike anything the villagers had encountered before. His once calm demeanor had transformed into something more sinister, darker than before. He was no longer the Toneri they had faced in the past.

Isshiki stood next to him, his eyes burning with malice. His presence alone was enough to cause unease in the strongest of shinobi. He was the same Isshiki who had nearly wiped out the village once before. His dark, imposing figure sent waves of dread through the air.

"You think you can stop us?" Isshiki sneered. "This world will fall under Ōtsutsuki rule, whether you like it or not."

Toneri's voice was soft but filled with deadly intent. "I'm here to finish what I started. This world was always destined to be ours."

The shinobi defending the village could barely hold their ground as the two Ōtsutsuki loomed over them. But the battle was just beginning.

Team 7's Arrival

Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura arrived at the village gates with incredible speed, ready for whatever came next. As they approached the battlefield, they saw the destruction firsthand—huge craters had formed where the blasts from the Ōtsutsuki had hit, and there was a clear trail of devastation leading toward the center of the village.

Naruto clenched his fists, his anger rising. "They're not getting away with this. We're stopping them now!"

Sasuke's eyes locked onto Isshiki's figure, his hand gripping the hilt of his sword. "Let's make this quick. We've fought Isshiki before, and we know what he can do. But we don't know what Toneri is capable of now."

Sakura's expression was determined as well. "We'll fight together, like always."

As they charged forward, the ground beneath them trembled. The air itself seemed to grow heavy with the presence of the two Ōtsutsuki. Toneri's energy surged, and Isshiki's deadly gaze focused on Team 7.

"Ah, the little ninjas have arrived," Isshiki mocked, his tone dripping with arrogance. "Let's see how much you've grown."

The Tailed Beasts Watch

Meanwhile, the cubs and pups, along with their trainers, stood on the outskirts of Konoha, watching the battle unfold. They could feel the immense energy emanating from Isshiki and Toneri, and the tension in the air was palpable.

Kurama, in his chakra form, appeared next to Naruto's cub, who had stayed close by. "Stay close to Naruto, little one," Kurama spoke through the bond they shared. "You have much to learn still. But remember, you can choose to fight if you want. Just be ready for what's to come."

The cub looked up at the massive energy signatures, its mind focused. It might be small, but it wasn't afraid. It was eager to prove itself.

Back with the trainers, Kakashi and Might Guy stood with their respective cubs. "This is what we've been training for," Guy said, a fiery determination in his eyes. "We'll fight with youth and strength! Let's go, my green cub! Show them the power of youth!"

Kakashi, ever calm, addressed his black cub. "We may not be able to communicate fully, but you know what to do. Let's fight to protect the village."

Black Zetsu observed from afar, his role as a guide clear but distant. "Kaguya has given them a task. The choice is theirs. When the time comes, they will fight if they wish."

The air was thick with anticipation as both sides prepared for the inevitable clash. Team 7 and their allies knew this battle would not be easy, but they were ready. The Ōtsutsuki would fall today.