Prologue
The birds chirped as the sun rose from slumber, beaming its strong rays over Hokage Tower. The Five Kages sat around the table, curious as to the sudden meeting called by Tsunade. All of the leaders were extremely busy, trying to conserve and repair their own lands after the devastation of Uchiha Madara. All of their countries were in a state of unrest, and what they needed was direction. If not for the desperation in the messenger ninja's voice, none would be there that day.
Ōnoki was the first to break the silence.
"Tsunade, what is the meaning of this? I have a country full of people who are currently in strife, and need their leader. State your purpose, or I shall take my leave now."
Tsunade eyed the old man, and her glare was enough to make him hesitate.
"Ōnoki, Gaara, Terumī, and Ei... I am deeply sorry to make you leave your countries unattended at the time when they need you most."
The Kages simply nodded in agreement, acknowledging her statement.
"I'm sure we have all been doing everything we can to restore our lands to their former glory. However, as I watch over my people rebuild their lives, I can't help but think that the countries we rule need us more than ever."
Ei slammed his fist into the table, bits of wood splintering from the force of the impact.
"If you know that already, then why did you call us here?! Get to the point, or you'll make me think that this Ninja Alliance was a ridiculous idea after all."
Tsunade rose from her seat, until she was eye to eye with Ei.
"Let me finish, Ei."
The menacing voice made the gruff man hesitate for a moment, before settling back into his chair.
Tsunade exhaled a deep sigh of exhaustion, before continuing.
"I sent a group of Jounin ninjas to do a Class A escort mission 10 days ago. Shortly after they had begun, one of the members came back in a state of extreme shock, with severe physical injuries . After intense medical assistance, we were finally able to discover that a new group of terrorists posing as Akatsuki were sending me a warning.
Gaara neatly intertwined his fingers together, allowing his chin to rest atop them. Sensing the opportunity, he quickly interjected.
"Akatsuki is dead. I myself can guarantee that. You may safely assume that this is a new enemy, simply riding the tails of what was the biggest threat in nin-."
"That's what I thought too. However, it doesn't stop there."
Though Gaara was unhappy with being interrupted, curiosity outweighed his feelings. He fell back into his seat, waiting for Tsunade to finish.
"I then sent 2 ANBU teams to address the situation, obviously expecting them to return within a few days."
Terumī leaned forward, her eyes already assuming the worst.
"And?"
Tsunade shook her head from side to side, closing her eyes in shame.
"They were returned to the village, their heads on pikes."
The room fell under a deft stillness, everyone undoubtedly pondering the new potential threat.
Ōnoki was the first to break.
"Tsunade, I'm extremely sorry for your loss. However, if you're looking to us for help, I cannot be there for you. My country is already too busy with the last ninja war's damage. I of course, only speak for myself."
Tsunade's face filled with rage, completely astounded at the man's idiocy.
"My country is only the first to be targeted! Soon after mine falls, yours, or any of the other Kage's countries will be next! That is of course, if you allow it to happen."
The ever calm Terumī stood to her feet, one hand neatly folded into the other.
"You've made your point Tsunade. I'm sure you would not have brought this to our attention without having a solution in mind. Please, share your thoughts."
Tsunade smirked. What a perfect segue to my next point.
"I've given this issue a lot of thought, and after further discussion with my aids, I believe we should temporarily create a new faction to specifically target this new opponent."
Ei was about to burst into another outrage, when Gaara raised his arm in front of him.
"Do elaborate on this plan of yours, Tsunade. I will only give you my opinion once I have heard the whole story."
Tsunade then proceeded to launch into her plan.
"Each of you will choose 2 of your strongest ninja to come live in Konoha for the duration of the mission. We will erect separate quarters for them, and give them full control of capturing this group. Teamwork will be essential if they are to succeed alive, hence the living situation."
Another cold silence fell upon the room, the Kages not sure whether she was joking or not. Was she seriously asking them to give up some of their best fighters? How would they know if they were being treated justly?
Ōnoki cleared his throat, all eyes falling upon him.
"Tsunade, I know you have good intentions, but I'm not entirely sure of this. I feel as if there is no guarantee for our ninjas. Plus, to leave their village for an undefined amount of time is quite the commitment. I'm not sure if I can knowingly ask one of my soldiers to make that choice."
Tsunade slammed her palm on the table, commanding the attention of the room.
"Ōnoki, any ninja should know that it is an honour to serve and defend this land! If they aren't able to make the choice, we don't need them!"
Insulted by her lack of respect, Ōnoki lunged across the table to reach Tsunade. However, Ei caught him by the arm mid air, and using his forward momentum, swung him into the nearest wall. Ōnoki's aids caught the elder before he crashed into the wall, cushioning his impact.
"My apologies Ōnoki, but the Ninja Alliance is still intact. I would hate for it to be ruined over a simple squabble."
Ōnoki rose from the ground, patting the dust off his jacket.
"I accept your apology Ei, but don't let it happen again."
Tsunade used this opportunity to grab control of the room again, her patience wearing thin.
"Besides, I only suggested Konoha because we were the first to receive the threat. In my mind, it seems they have a personal vendetta against us, since our ninjas made the biggest impact in the last war."
The Kages could not dispute her statement. After all, Naruto and Sasuke were the only reason why they were even alive now.
Ōnoki stood tall on his feet, doubt spreading across his face.
"How do we know that you won't betray us with our own soldiers?"
Before Tsunade could answer, Ei stepped in between the 2 conflicting personalities.
"I have a suggestion."
Before any could even question him, he formed several hand seals that were foreign to any of the other Kages. Soon after, a scroll laced with his chakra appeared in the centre of the table.
"This is a blood contract that uses my chakra threads to wrap the individual's heart. If by any chance, she decides to betray us, the chakra threads will immediately sense the breach of contract, and will constrict around the organ til it bursts, resulting in death. This may be slightly on the extreme side, but I do believe this is the surest way to stay loyal to one another. Of course, not only Tsunade has to sign this, but we all do. The potential of betrayal is there within all of us."
Terumī leaned closer to the scroll, further examining its contents.
"I've heard that the Nidaime Raikage developed this ninjitsu when one of his closest companions betrayed confidential information to a threatening village. It's my first time seeing it in person though."
Tsunade grimaced. How could the idea of betrayal even come up now, after everything we've been through? If this is all it takes though...
She bit down hard on her right thumb, allowing blood to spill from the newly opened wound.
"Shall we do this? Or are there other ideas to be put on the table?"
For the third time that morning, the room fell into silence. The air around them grew tense, as they balanced both the gains and the consequences of implementing this program.
"I'm for it."
Eyes turned to Gaara, his thumb already bleeding from a bite he made beforehand.
"I agree with Tsunade. We need a specific faction that can target such a formidable enemy. Besides, this will also strengthen the Ninja Alliance, ensuring no treachery occurs. Yes, there are potential costs that come with this, but there is no reward that comes without risk. I, the Kazekage of Sunagakure, am for the introduction of the new faction."
Terumī moved next to Gaara, gently pressing her kunai against her thumb until red liquid seeped out.
"The Mizukage of Kirigakure is for the introduction of the new faction."
Ei bit down on his thumb firmly, blood gushing out of the wound like a strong current.
"The Raikage of Kumogakure is for the introduction of the new faction."
All eyes were centred on Ōnoki, knowing that his answer could make or break the proposition.
After what seemed an eternity, Ōnoki let a sigh escape his lips, and approached Tsunade with an outstretched hand and a kunai.
"The Tsuchikage of Iwagakure is for the introduction of the new faction."
With a cheeky smirk, Tsunade grasped Ōnoki's hand, and gingerly made a slit in his thumb.
As all of their blood dripped onto the parchment, the characters started to glow an iridescent blue, showing that the contract had been made and was now active. Though no one showed any sign of change, the new weight of the chakra strands could not go unnoticed by any individual.
Tsunade shook off the feeling, knowing that this would only be a temporary agreement.
"Great! The Kibō Nin will be in effect as of next month!"