The wind howled between the jagged peaks, carrying the scent of snow and pine. Evening settled quickly, drowning the northern valleys in shadows. Strange reports had reached Konohagakure: travelers vanishing, caravans abandoned, and ghostly lights dancing like stars. After much deliberation, Tsunade-sama decided this was no ordinary patrol.

That was why four shinobi squads, along with their sensei, moved through the mountain pass. Team 7—Naruto, Sakura, and Sai—followed Kakashi. Team 8—Kiba, Shino, and Hinata—kept close with Kurenai. Team 10—Ino, Shikamaru, and Chōji—marched under Asuma, while Team 3—Tenten, Lee, and Neji—strode with Gai.

The presence of so many shinobi was unusual, and the younger ones felt the weight of it. "Oi, Kakashi-sensei," Naruto said, tugging his scarf. "Why'd Baa-chan send all of us? It's just some spooky lights, right?"

"Funny," Kakashi's voice was calm, "I thought you'd be the first to welcome action. Afraid of the dark?"

"Tch! As if!" Naruto snapped. "I just think it's weird! Everyone's here! Something's going on!" "What's going on is trouble,"

Shikamaru sighed, hands in his pockets. "Whatever's waiting better be worth dragging this many shinobi into the cold."

Ino shot him a glare. "People are disappearing, Shikamaru. Doesn't that bother you?"

Hinata, quiet until now, glanced at Kurenai. "It feels strange… The air is heavy. Like chakra, but… not quite."

Kurenai's eyes scanned the cliffs. "Trust that instinct. Stay alert."

They pressed on as the path narrowed. Snow began to fall, blanketing the world in silence. The mountains loomed higher, their silhouettes cutting into the sky where the full moon gleamed like an unblinking eye.

Sai was next to speak. "Reports said the phenomena intensify during the full moon. I'll document it for Lady Hokage."

"Tch, even creepier," Naruto grimaced.

Asuma slowed his stride. "This many shinobi should scare off anything causing trouble. Unless…" He stopped, eyes narrowing at the cliffs.

Shino's voice was quiet. "Unless this isn't a simple enemy. Natural or supernatural—both demand caution."

They walked on until the trail opened onto a plateau with a ruined outpost. The watchtower was snapped in half like a bone. The footprints around cold, abandoned fire pits seemed fresh.

"This will be our temporary camp!" Gai announced. "Teams, spread out! Report anything unusual! YOSH!"

Sakura crouched by a fire pit. "This wood burned out recently. A few days at most."

Kiba sniffed the air. "Whoever was here left in a hurry. The scent feels… washed away." "Washed away? By what?" Naruto frowned. "There’s no stream here."

Hinata activated her Byakugan, her eyes glowing. "I see… traces. Chakra residue. It's too… stable. It's lasting unnaturally long."

Kurenai's gaze sharpened. "Stable chakra?"

"Yes," Hinata nodded. "As if… it's waiting."

Even Shikamaru looked uneasy. "So the mountain itself has chakra? Troublesome."

As the moon climbed, its silver light washed over the ruins. Then the first spark appeared, like a shard of starlight. Soon, dozens of blue-white orbs floated through the air, drifting like will-o’-the-wisps.

"What are those?" Sakura exhaled.

Naruto stepped forward, entranced. "They're… kinda pretty."

Hinata, Neji, and Sai quietly agreed. The young artist, despite himself, even sketched the position of the stars. The teams regrouped to rest. The sensei stayed awake longest, but even they eventually surrendered to weariness.

That night, however, something happened. Something that would change all their plans for this "simple" mission in an instant.