Chapter 2-A Flex from the West
The Imperial Palace of the Western Elemental Empire of Kyoto was an impressive sight to behold for all those with eyes could see its majestic, almost glowing beauty, and even more so when one looked inside to see the décor. Crimson carpeting edged with golden lining filled each floor of the palace, the sides of the floor not covered were showing high quality wood, and the walls had rows of doors leading to different rooms. Where there wasn't doors, there were paintings on the walls, and each depicting the Empire's greatest of heroes. Each of them fought beside the Emperor, bled for the man, and like them...the Emperor did too. Each picture was commissioned to show their greatness, to show their loyalty to the man they followed, and help unite the lands ravaged by war.
Among these paintings? The Emperor of the West himself!
Of course, the portrait itself had never revealed his face, as he wore a golden Fox shaped helmet with face cover, but designed to make sure it didn't impede his line of sight, and wearing crimson black armor. A sword in hand, stained in the blood of his fallen enemy, and the torn flag of the Empire on a pole looking like it was fighting against a heavy wind in the chaos below. Guards could be seen everywhere, watching every area of the palace, Shinobi hiding in the shadows to provide additional support for them, and each servant walking without fear through the halls to do their duty.
At the moment, the Emperor of the Western Elemental Empire was now in an important meeting with the Grand Council, which was made up of his most trusted advisors, who handled their regions they once fought each other over, and to keep out of the hands of some of the very people in the room. That had been put to an end by the Emperor, as he fought his way through the masses upon his arrival, making a name for himself in what was the known as the "Divided Western Warzone", and brought others to the table for peace talks when violence would make things worse.
As his powerbase grew, the Emperor's reputation spread throughout the West, as different warlord, and leader of different guilds that did not wish to fight requested an audience with him. Within a span of three years, the man had accomplished what no other person had done before, and it was bring peace to the West under his guiding hand.
A peace that had lasted for three long wonderful years after being made Emperor.
Warlords, who had once led their armies into battle to fight each other for additional land, and power now served the Emperor with undying loyalty. The guilds that once worked in the shadows, now worked to serve the Emperor to keep the peace, and stability the man himself had bled for during the fighting.
"How is everything along the Southern Border of the Empire Lui Bei? I had heard there was some kind of disturbance there?" said the Emperor in a muffled voice while wearing his mask, which while normally would be removed in a meeting like this among his most trusted advisors, was not to be, as he had business elsewhere after this, and with people that did not deserve to see his true identity.
"Some bandits have been harassing some of regions near the port region. I've sent Pang Tong and a regiment to handle this accordingly," said Lui Bei, as he saw his Emperor nod in approval of the decision, and looking over some documents pertaining to the situation.
The Shu region was once divided into multiple ones ruled mostly under Wu and Wei with all three sides forming an uneasy balance between each other. However, that all changed when the Emperor came when he was still a Warlord by right title, and had his agents observe all sides before choosing which one would be worthy of his support. Out of all the three main powers, Shu had the most honorable, and Lui Bei had the support of the people in his region more then the others did. At the battle of Fan Castle, Lui Bei's sworn brother Guan Yu was trapped on both sides by Wei, and then Wu in a surprising move had sided against Shu in the battle. Guan Yu and his army would have perished in the battle had the Emperor not intervened in flanking Wu with his forces long enough for Lui Bei's army to arrive to send Wei retreating.
After that, Shu became an allied with the Emperor, and together they had defeated Wu before the side sent Zhou Yu to negotiate peace. The Emperor handled the negotiations with his Chief Advisor between Shu and Wu with both becoming one under Shu's banner while being allied at the time with the Warlord that would soon be Emperor. Together, they took down Wei, and renamed the entire area the Shu region.
"Good. I will not have my people harassed by bandits. Though I am curious as to why you sent Pang Tong? The man is a well renowned strategist and to send him seems to be...overkill?" said the Emperor while Lui Bei nodded.
"I agree, but the regions being attacked are well known to Pang Tong, and I would prefer to send one of my trusted Generals with knowledge of the terrain against the bandits to remove this annoyance," said Lui Bei with the Emperor again nodding in agreement.
"I agree. You chose wisely Lui Bei. It shows you care about your people within the Shu region a great deal. Sesshomaru, how are things going in your territory of the Empire with the various demons, and half-demons living there?" said the Emperor, as the regal Demon Lord of the West had been a hard man, or rather demon to win over.
The two had fought in battle, fiercely in the final years of violence the West received, and the Emperor had barely come out of it alive while Sesshomaru was just weakened. It did not end for the Emperor however, as rival demons of Sesshomaru saw their chance to kill the Demon Lord in his weakened state, but surprisingly their plan was foiled by the Chief Advisor of the Emperor, and had been ordered to stay on the sidelines watching until that point. When it was over, Sesshomaru himself was surprised at just how the Emperor had gained someone so powerful by his side, and through all that did the Demon Lord of the West join the cause to end the violence.
"They are going well. There are no new changes to report in my region," said Sesshomaru calmly while seeing the Emperor nod.
"Good. General Iroh, how are the new Fire Division Troops handling the different kinds of training sessions, and drills you setup for them?" said the Emperor to the semi-elderly man smiled at him.
"They are doing well my Emperor. The Fire Division Troops will be ready for anything that comes our way should the conflict in the East spread here," said Iroh, as he had been put in charge of the training of the troops along side his younger brother Ozai, and to help in the defense of the wall the separated the two sides.
"My Emperor, our reports from the spies you ordered to head for the East have reported back that the violence there is escalating drastically, and I fear the threat of being invaded by the arrogant forces there is looming in the shadows of the future," said Zhou Yu, who was a key strategist in the territories to the North Eastern region of the Empire, and had been put in charge of the fortifications there with several of his well respected Generals.
"The eastern side of the Continent. Such a bane on this world those fools at the top have become on their side. Only a select few of them are level headed, but are being threatened by the war mongers, and it doesn't help that they are allies of mine. Prime Minister Zhuge Liang, I seek your council on this matter, and your insight into the future. Will the wars in the East spill into our borders?" said the Emperor seeing the Sleeping Dragon himself, a former General of Lui Bei, now appointed Prime Minister of the Empire for his years of service to two of the most honorable men he ever met, and served in his life.
Slowly, the Master Strategist rose to his feet, the Peacock Feather Fan in his right hand, and walked over to the large map showing both sides of the Continent with the dark line running North to South where the wall stood. The man gazed at it with half closed eyes, as he ran his weapon of choice over the map, and making a humming noise like he was examining something no one else could see.
"The winds of change blow heavily around us. Even in these years of peace granted to us by you my Emperor. War increases in the East while ours has only just ended and peace being achieved here in the West. The wall, forged years ago, and sustained for centuries now has been the main reason our side has not flooded the region with our own brutality. However, peace will not be forever, and it should not be expect to stay peaceful here in the West. We must always prepare for outside forces, never become arrogant in the belief no one from the East can oppose us, as I along with the rest of us here have all learned how the East is filled with surprises, and yet most of these surprises cannot be expected to always be good," said Zhuge Liang while the others chuckled along with the Emperor.
"So we should prepare for the flood that is to come from the storm," said the Emperor, who saw Zhuge Liang nod his head.
"Yes. We must prepare for the worst and hope for the best," said Zhuge Liang before he sat back down while the Emperor closed his eyes in thought.
"Each of you will return to your respected territories, inform all of your officers, and the troops that their training is to be doubled from the standards currently set. General Iroh, I'm giving direct command of the Dai Li Earth Division Defense Troops over to you, and the Fire Division Troops over to your younger brother Ozai. Sephiroth, I want your own SOLDIER Division to be twice as strong since I last saw them several Months ago for when I see them next," said the Emperor while seeing the tall man next to Sesshomaru smile slightly and nod his head.
"They will meet all the expectations you would have set for yourself my Emperor," said Sephiroth in a smooth voice.
"I have no doubt about that. This meeting is now officially over," said the Emperor while the Council members rose, bowed, and left the room one at a time to return to their own territories to give out orders.
"The intelligence report you had me gather just came in," said a figure wearing spiky red hair and appearing from the shadows wearing crimson red samurai armor.
"Is this accurate? Down to the last detail?" said the Emperor with narrowed eyes, as he took the report, and read each line.
"I'm afraid so," said the samurai sadly while the Emperor crushed the paper in his hand.
"Hinata. Even her love for me does not go unpunished by those arrogant fools! " said the Emperor while shutting his eyes and shook with an intense rage.
"I'm sorry kit. Its my fault they hate you. Without me, you'd be living a much different lifestyle, and things would be so much different in the Leaf," said the samurai while the Emperor just chuckled.
"And be as weak and arrogant as them. No. I'd choose this Empire over the Leaf any day at anytime. Now that think about it...you haven't called me that name in years Kyuubi," said the Emperor while the demon fox let out another chuckle.
"I know. Force of habit when comes to you and me...Naruto," said Kyuubi while the man behind the mask removed it and the matured face of Uzumaki Naruto was revealed.
His hair was still a spiky blonde, the face was the spitting image of the Yondaime, the whisker marks thin, almost nonexistent unless seen under a bright light setting, and eyes that were an intense blue that made even the battle hardened warrior in the West know fear. For three years after his banishment, Naruto had made his way to the West, gotten over the wall, and started from scratch in making himself known. The Uzumaki brat, who no one in the West took seriously had beaten, killed, and in certain cases negotiated his way to unifying the Western side of the Continent under his banner.
"Bring in Ezio and Altair. I need to speak with them," said Naruto before putting on his mask.
"Now? You're going to be late for the airship Princess Koyuki provided for transport to her country to have some of your fighters participate the Taijutsu Tournament there," said Kyuubi with a frown.
"It will just be a moment. Besides, this is important," said Naruto seeing Kyuubi nod and left the room to come back later with the two individuals.
"You summoned us my Emperor?" said Altair knowing this was important and was ready to devote the whole of his half of the Assassin's Guild to the Emperor's wishes.
"Yes Altair I have. As you know, the East is spiraling out of control. War is inevitable no matter how you look at it. However, the intensity of such a stupid attempt is the only real thing we have control over at this point, and to weaken the war machine that will threaten the peace we have fought so hard achieve," said Naruto with both Grand Masters of the Assassin's Guild nod their heads.
Each Grandmaster was assigned half the Assassins Guild, each one bound in a bond of Brotherhood sealed in blood before the eyes of the Emperor himself, and each one swore never to turn one side of the Guild against the other. They acted as one, yet they worked individually as two, but both reported everything to the Emperor, and neither one dared to keep anything from the man.
"You wish to use the Brotherhood against the war machine of the East," said Ezio seeing Naruto nod his head.
"Yes. I've had agents from the Thieves Guild and Head Mistresses running the Brothels in the East to keep tabs on them. The major war mongers are Iwa with the backing of the Earth Daimyo, Kumo with the back of the Lightning Daimyo, and finally Orochimaru of the Sannin. Each one has been fighting other places, territories, and raising all kinds of Hell in the East. Not to mention the Akatsuki are also going around trying to find other Jinchuriki for their own plans with no success," said Naruto with both men frowning at him.
"With all due respect my Emperor, but aren't most of the Jinchuriki, aside from Sabaku no Gaara, and Killer Bee of Kumo here in the Empire?" said Altair seeing Naruto nod again.
"That they are. The only one unaccounted for is the former Mizukage of the Mist Yagura, who was slain by the Rebels, and his demon was taken by the Akatsuki," said Naruto, as he had saved most of his fellow Jinchuriki, and even freed them of their demons.
Both human and demon from each one were currently living deep within Sesshomaru's territory. Living their lives happily while still training to get stronger per the Demon Lord's request since he didn't want weak people in his region of the Empire.
Naruto agreed.
After the Akatsuki attacked Suna for Gaara's demon, it had been Naruto's wish to see them thwarted, and did so by sending Shinobi from the Hayabusa Shinobi village to remove the pair of Akatsuki members from the equation. Ryū Hayabusa led his squad of Dragon Shinobi to Suna, revealing the Imperial Seal to Gaara's siblings, and explained they came to protect the Kazekage under the command of the Emperor himself. That Gaara was one of the few friends the Emperor still had in the East and fulfilling the personal promise of paying the Kazekage back for sticking up for him when it mattered most three years ago in Konoha.
By that point, Gaara understood just who the Emperor was, and requested to Ryū that he inform the new Ruler of the Empire that Suna would like to have an alliance with him. Naruto had embraced the alliance with Suna without any hesitation and further secured Gaara's protection against the Akatsuki by making a secret visit to Suna to alter the man's seal to prevent forceful extraction of the Biju. Normally, Naruto would have tried to take Shukaku out of Gaara like Kyuubi had, but the insanity was sadly irreversible after so long, and Gaara was not about to risk the lives of people in his village. In the event of Gaara's life ending, whether be natural, or other causes a special seal was put on him to inform the Empire of such a thing before giving the siblings another one to hold onto so Shukaku could be resealed away into jar like he had been before in a teakettle. By that point, an Imperial Shinobi would arrive, take Shukaku in his newly sealed home to the Empire to be kept someplace under guard to ensure the insane Raccoon could do no further harm to anyone.
"How will we set up our Assassin Guild bases within the Shinobi villages? Or the even the Capital of the Countries with the assigned targets?" said Ezio knowing the Assassin Guild bases required discreet and slow movements.
"They are already setup. You see, I had them setup when your Predecessors, both of your Predecessors were still alive, and ready to pass the torch," said Naruto shocking the two.
"Why weren't we told about this beforehand?" said Altair seeing Naruto shrug.
"Because at that the time, I was hoping this contingency against the East wouldn't' be put into motion, and I needed there to be experienced members of the Brotherhood that know the lay of the land in each area. You two have both been to the East before, but never on a assassination mission, and never so high level. Each of you will be assassinating a Kage or a Daimyo of the assigned country. I am sending you two and several of your Brothers to help in the removal of those that can protect them," said Naruto seeing the two nod in agreement.
"What about Orochimaru of the Sannin? With his allies gone, he can easily pick up the pieces, and become an even greater threat," said Ezio seeing Naruto nod.
"I know. He will be dealt with in another manner. While Orochimaru is not a threat to the West like his ego would wish him to be, the man is not to be underestimated, and given his own affinity for acting like a snake...it only reinforces the point that an Assassin will not be used against him. This is in no way an offense aimed at the Guild, but Assassins are not trained to fight someone like him, and I won't have your Brothers be sent to their death before being dissected like lab rats for the man's sick experiments," said Naruto with the two Grandmasters nodding in agreement.
"We accept your reasoning and obey your command my Emperor," said Altair bowing and Ezio doing the same.
"Your words are wise and true," said Ezio before the two left the room to carry out their orders.
"Naruto, we can't wait any longer," said Kyuubi seeing Naruto nod and stand from his seat in the room.
"Is all the registration of our fighters gone through the proper channels to compete in the tournament in Spring Country?" said Naruto, as he walked with Kyuubi, and the demon fox nodded before putting on a fang mask, and kept his own whiskers from being seen by those in the East.
"Yes. Though I must warn you Naruto to keep your emotions in check when seeing the Leaf Shinobi participating in the tournament," said Kyuubi seeing Naruto nod.
"I shall. The report you gave me regarding...her tells me she will be there too. This will be the only chance I get to set her free before...before...," said Naruto while Kyuubi put a comforting hand on the blonde's shoulder.
"Before her marriage to Inuzuka Kiba," said Kyuubi wanting to puke when saying those three words in a single sentence.
"Marriage? Ha! It's a joke. She'll be his slave in all, but name at that wedding, and no one in the village gives a damn. Not her so called family, friends, even her own former sensei just...pats Hinata on the head while smiling saying 'Its going to be all right Hinata' when everyone knows deep down in the depths of their souls it is not all right!" said Naruto, as he kept walking, and getting angrier with each passing second.
"I've already spoken to your bodyguards. They are the best at what they do," said Kyuubi, as he saw Naruto nod, and knew his former vessel would have his aching heart finally be soothed.
It had suffered for too long already.
(Konoha-At the Moment)
Tsunade sighed heavily, her work load of papers assigning missions from D to A-rank missions had not dwindled in the slightest since taking office as the Leaf's Hokage, and the war with two different Shinobi villages along with Orochimaru didn't help either. To make matter worse, Suna had ended their alliance with Konoha, Wave Country had torn up their trading contract, followed by Spring Country telling the Fire Daimyo any deals she made with him were hereby terminated. In fact, every place Naruto ever went to for a mission, and made an impression to the people in charge there had cut off all ties with the Leaf.
It caused a horrible backlash, which Konoha had not recovered from since, and the Fire Daimyo had been less then pleased with them. The Feudal Lord had brought an army of with him, stormed into the Hokage Tower, into a meeting ironically regarding Konoha's future, and looked ready to order the execution of every single person in the room.
(Flashback-Four Months After Naruto's Banishment)
The door to the room shattered. Splintered into pieces after being kicked by two samurai with the Fire Daimyo's symbol on their shoulder armor. The Hokage, the Councils, and the Clan Heads saw the room start to fill up with samurai before the Fire Daimyo himself entered the room.
And he did not look happy.
"Daimyo-sama! What do we owe the pleasure of your visit?" said Civilian Councilman in charge of the Merchant Guild in the Market District.
"Pleasure? For the past few Months, I have been feeling everything else, but the feeling of the word you call as 'pleasure' my esteem Leaf Councilman, and it has made me oh so very...unhappy!" said the Fire Daimyo with his anger showing on his face and on that of his own samurai too.
"What reason is that sir?" said Homura starting to rise, but a glare from the Fire Daimyo immediately made him sit back down, and see the Feudal Lord begin pacing.
"Do not insult my intelligence Shinobi Councilman Homura. You know damn well what has been causing me discomfort these past few Months. First, I hear that Suna had ended its alliance with the Leaf, then I hear from the Wind Daimyo, who is a good dear friend of mine, that he has expressed his full support of the Kazekage's decision, and has banned Leaf Shinobi from entering his country. Of course, little did I know, that was just the start of my displeasure, and would certainly no be the last! A week later, Spring Country has sent a message from the Spring Daimyo herself to my office, informing me she's cutting off all form of trade with my Country, have asked Wave Country to do the same, and do you know what happened in less then week later in my office? I get yet another message from the Wave Daimyo and according to him...the people of Wave have agreed to do the same! Now, at first glance of this happening in a slow, painfully, and unexpectedly...it seems to be from something I may have done. So, for then next few weeks, I'm looking back on everything I have done recently that could be the cause of this displeasure, and find that I have done nothing wrong. So I decide to rethink what the problem is by looking at the various places that have expressed their scorn for my country and one thing popped up. Do you know what that one thing was? Or rather...who that one person was?" said the Fire Daimyo before taking out his fan and waving it at his face.
"Perhaps you could enlighten us Daimyo-sama," said Danzo though he already knew the answer.
"I'm afraid Buddha himself could enlighten anyone in this room even if the light from the Sun was at his command! Still, perhaps the name of the individual, who has been the key focal point of these different places, and their discomfort on a certain action you took a few Months ago. I believe you are all well acquainted with a former Leaf Shinobi by the name of Uzumaki Naruto?" said Fire Daimyo and as expected the people in the room yelled out like children.
"That demon! I knew he was involved in this!" said a Civilian Councilman.
"We should send out ANBU or Jiraiya to remove that pest from this world once and for all!" said Koharu to the Hokage while completely ignoring the Fire Daimyo at this point.
"ENOUGH!" yelled the Fire Daimyo with his yell actually shaking the room and his face looking red with anger.
"Daimyo-sama?" said Tsunade, as she saw the man was glaring at her, and knew things were really bad.
"You think I came here, with my army in tow, and say without fear of reprisal from my neighbors that I support your decision to banish Uzumaki Naruto? Fools! I am here to inform you that I oppose your decision," said the Fire Daimyo, which made the officials of Konoha looking at him in shock, and clearly did not expect this.
"You're not?" said Tsunade while the Fire Daimyo's glare increased.
"No. In fact, I've come alter your ruling on his banishment, and at least appease some of my former allies to the point where they will not consider being my future enemies!" said the Fire Daimyo while glaring at the entire room.
"What change are you making?" said Tsunade seeing the man turn his attention directly to her.
"For one, Uzumaki Naruto is not going to be harmed by any Leaf Shinobi in this village should he ever step foot in my Country, or is spotted by any Leaf Shinobi for that matter. Two, the order to have him executed should he ever step foot in the village for whatever reason is hereby nullified, and will continue to be until I say otherwise. For those of you, who don't understand what that last part means, I'll explain it to you in a way everyone here can understand, and comprehend with their pea size brains. If one Uzumaki Naruto comes into this village, into this tower, into this room, and kicks ever single one of you right between the legs regardless of your gender...you have to take it with a smile on your faces. No excuses!" said the Fire Daimyo seeing the Hokage, the Councils, and all the Clan Heads go pale in the face.
"You can't be serious Daimyo-sama? The boy is the Kyuubi reincarnated! He harmed the Uchiha. He had to be banished and still has to be punished!" said Homura in protest to the Feudal Lord himself.
"Enough! I can't stand the sight nor wish to hear anymore from this old crone or any of his supporters. Though what I can't stand more of then anything else...is the sight of the current Hokage, who betrayed her own Godson, and all for doing his assigned mission! A dangerous mission, he was recruited for by your appointed squad leader, and completed it down to the letter by bringing back the rogue Uchiha," said the Fire Daimyo while seeing the woman not looking him entirely in the eyes.
"He hurt the Uchiha badly! The poor boy was influenced by the Curse Seal and yet the demon nearly killed him!" said Koharu, but any further protest in her mouth died from another glare from the Fire Daimyo, and stayed quiet.
"Funny you should mention that. I have it on good authority from an anonymous source that the injuries Uzumaki Naruto received were far worse then the Uchiha's own. As for the Curse Seal, why didn't Jiraiya of the Sannin cut it off entirely from the Uchiha in the first place, or remove the boy from the Shinobi program until a solution to the matter was found? Why allow it to thrive and grow?" said the Fire Daimyo seeing no one willing to answer him.
Danzo and Tsunade were wondering who the anonymous source was.
'It has to be someone with access to his medical records. Not many people on that list, but who would lend a sympathetic ear to Naruto, and usurp me to tell the Fire Daimyo about both boys' injuries?' thought Tsunade seeing the woman sigh in frustration.
"Since no one here can give me an honest answer, much less an honest one, I am forced to yet again, appease my neighbors, and prevent my country from being invaded due to your stupidity! I understand Uchiha Sasuke is still recovering from his injuries?" said the Fire Daimyo seeing Tsunade nod.
"Yes. He's going to be out of action for at least a few more Months before training for him can begin again," said Tsunade with the Fire Daimyo frowning.
"Only few Months. Pity. I was hoping he'd out of it a little while longer. Though given how this village gives him the royal treatment, as if he was me, or one of my children...I imagine you are personally overseeing his road to recovery. Uchiha Sasuke will not be ready for training after a few Months," said the Fire Daimyo seeing Tsunade frown.
"Daimyo-sama?" said Tsunade while seeing the anger in the man swell further.
"Uchiha Sasuke won't be training for the next three years! That means no lessons in the way of Taijutsu. No lessons in chakra control. Teaching him Jutsus and anything else that is Shinobi related. If there is so much a way for a Shinobi to kill someone with just the tip of his fingernail, it will not be taught to the Uchiha, and if I find that is the case...the boy will be executed publicly before everyone in the village with everyone in the room soon following!" said the Fire Daimyo before leaving the room.
"He can't do this!" said Danzo furiously.
"He can and will Danzo," said Tsunade before Jiraiya made his usual appearance via the window.
"Is this a bad time?" said Jiraiya with Tsunade scowling.
"You could say that. Why are you here?" said Tsunade, as she didn't have time for his shit, whether it was perverted, or otherwise in whatever it is he does in life.
"To bring more bad news I'm afraid. I was aware of the Fire Daimyo's decrees before he came here and decided to track down Naruto in order to bring him back home here," said Jiraiya while having a look on his face that told them it didn't go according to plan.
"Seeing as how the demon brat's not with you, I take it the mission was a failure, and he managed to escape," said Tsume, as she saw Jiraiya grimace, and run his hand through his hair.
"You could say that. I found out he went West. Towards Iwa," said Jiraiya with Homura scoffing at this news while Tsunade's eyes widened.
"Did he go directly to Iwa?" said Tsunade while Jiraiya shook his head no.
"Thank Kami I can say the answer is no to that question. But what he did so was either very foolish or suicidal in my mind," said Jiraiya seeing confusion on the faces of those around him.
"What did the Kyuubi Jinchuriki do?" said Danzo knowing that he would send his Root forces to find the boy.
"Naruto...he...he went over The Wall," said Jiraiya seeing Tsunade begin to panic.
"You mean The Wall that leads to the West?" said Hiashi knowing why that place was off limits for a reason.
"The very same. Naruto summoned Gamabunta and told him everything. Its why I wasn't here sooner before the Fire Daimyo to give you the heads up. Gamabunta has declared the people of the Leaf unfit to be protected by the Toads. He's calling for every summons in Konoha to break their contracts with us. He already did it with me," said Jiraiya seeing the shock on their faces.
"They wouldn't! Who will summon them if not us?" said a Civilian Councilman seeing the Sannin shrug.
"I don't know. Though in their mind, anyone not tied to Konoha is probably better then us right now at this point, and if anyone from the Leaf tries...Gamabunta promises there to be some major retaliation," said Jiraiya while Tsunade looked grim.
"Jiraiya, you are going to head over to the West, find Uzumaki Naruto while there, and upon doing so will bring him back home!" said Tsunade knowing the only way to make things partially better for the Leaf is if the brat was back in Konoha.
"After everything that's happened? The kid's not exactly going to be jumping with joy at the news of being allowed to return only because its only to help the Leaf. The younger generation will be out for blood should Naruto come back here and we both know that was your fault to begin with by rescinding the Sandaime's Law," said Jiraiya with the female Hokage growling.
"I don't care how you do it Jiraiya, but one way, or another I want that brat in my office to become a Shinobi again. Even if it means we have to erase all his past memories and starting from scratch!" said Tsunade knowing that was always a possibility at this point in time.
"Me? Go over to the West? Tsunade, you don't seem to understand something about that side of the Continent, and what you fail to understand is the West is not a very friendly place for anyone on this side. Period! I maybe a Sannin, but there are beings over there that will crush me with a flick of their wrist, and I have no contacts over there to help me even find a strand of hair from his head," said Jiraiya seeing Tsunade and the others look down in defeat because they knew it was true.
For all their strength and reputation built here in the East...it was the West that had the real muscle.
"Fine! Focus on the Uchiha for now by getting that damn Curse Seal off his body. The last thing I need is for Orochimaru to make a second attempt and using that thing to make it possible," said Tsunade seeing Jiraiya nod.
"Will do hime," said Jiraiya, as he would have to research his former teammates personal handiwork, and see just how much of the damn thing was really influencing Sasuke.
(End Flashback)
"Our contestants along with their former senseis are on there way via boat to Spring Country," said Jiraiya having sent Lee, Neji, Sasuke, Kiba, and Hinata though the poor girl wasn't competing per orders of her Father.
She was there to support her future husband and get married upon their return home.
"Good. The prize money will help keep Konoha funded," said Tsunade knowing there were budget cuts being made by the Fire Daimyo and missions had been a state of an unstable flux as of late to get a stable income that way.
"I heard the Konohamaru Corps. are going to be nominated for the Chuunin Exams this year. Why?" said Jiraiya seeing Tsunade glaring holes into him.
"Because they still support Naruto and the Exams are in Suna this year. I figured Gaara would give them a descent enough welcome since they don't hate the damn brat for being a Jinchuriki," said Tsunade seeing Jiraiya nod his head knowing that was a good enough move as any she could make right now.
"That and you want their sensei Asuma to report on the rumors of Suna having some kind of connection to the West. Just like this tournament you signed our Shinobi up for was meant to see if Spring has also acquired ties to the West," said Jiraiya seeing Tsunade smirk a bit.
"Am I that see through?" said Tsunade while Jiraiya smirked back.
No. Not really. That could change if you wore a very wet white shirt," said Jiraiya with a perverted grin before being sent through a wall via Tsunade's fist to his face.
"Ero-baka!" said Tsunade knowing what he was implying.
(Underground Root HQ)
"Is this accurate?" said Danzo looking at his ANBU Captain with a single narrowed eye.
"Yes Danzo-sama. The Emperor of the West is traveling via airship to the East to see his own fighters competing in the tournament provided by the Spring Daimyo herself!" said the Root ANBU Captain while sensing the man's displeasure.
This Emperor believes himself untouchable. He's a threat to me and Konoha," said Danzo while wishing he could get a picture of the man, but knew that wasn't possible until now, and even then it was rumored the Emperor wore a masked helmet to keep his identity a secret.
Plus, there was no way of telling if the man on the airship now was the actual Emperor, or some fanatical stand in prepared to die for the ruler of the West. Danzo didn't want to risk the failure of another assassination attempt like he did several years ago shortly after word reached him of the regions of the West beyond The Wall had become one under a mysterious Emperor. Danzo had wanted that place to stay divided, as he knew that while alone they were stronger then most of the East, but merged together into a greater whole would make them a threat to the East, and to his plans for ruling Konoha as the Hokage.
His agents were sent back in pieces, broken down to fit in square boxes in the middle of the night, and found in the morning by the patrols that day in the middle of the village square. Tsunade had inquired to the use of Root Shinobi being used, but Danzo was able to explain it, as his security force hunting down someone entering his home, and that this foe had skills capable of defeating his private security forces. His pawns on the Councils had done there job well in sweeping the issue under the rug, but it made Danzo become forced into being more careful, and to not make the same mistake twice.
'I sent a squad of some of my personally trained Root Shinobi. Clearly the ones working for the Emperor had a great deal of skill,' thought Danzo, as he knew the Emperor was not interested in war at the time of the attack, which was why the war hawk got away with just the dead Root Shinobi, and that their bodies being sent back to the Leaf was a warning to not try it again.
"Should we try again Danzo-sama? Perhaps a means of sabotaging the airship itself when the Emperor heads back home?" said the ANBU Captain before seeing Danzo narrow his eye at him.
"No! Konoha Shinobi are already participating in the tournament and even I must admit the prize money would help the Leaf in our economic state. When they return, we will have a description of the Emperor, and hopefully a description of his face to go with the man's identity in the process," said Danzo knowing there was no point in letting his side do the same work Tsunade's Shinobi were going to do before sharing the information in the first place.
(Spring Country-Sometime Later)
"We've arrived my Emperor," said the elderly figure softly with his still dark hair pulled in a tight pony tail, wearing a butler uniform, and dark gloves to match.
"Thank you Walter. How are the others?" said Naruto seeing his personal butler, servant, and bodyguard aside from Kyuubi himself standing at attention barely 5 feet from him.
"Ready to fight for you in this tournament my Emperor and they promise to make sure to make you proud," said Walter knowing these fighters from the Empire were among the best in Taijutsu and chosen for that fact.
While some were chosen for another more...covert reason.
"Good to hear. All I ask is they do their best in this...and to kick the crap out of any Leaf Shinobi they fight in it," said Naruto with a smirk, which Walter joined him in sharing, and nodding in agreement.
"They are aware of such things. They will show these young fools a lesson in true in the way of violence, followed by humility, and by making them know of such things by the way of humilities nearly identical twin brother humiliation!" said Walter while sensing his Emperor was pleased to hear it.
"Let's not keep our host waiting," said Naruto before standing and walking out of the room with Walter following on his right while Kyuubi did the same on his left.
(Spring Country Stadium)
The people gathered to see the tournament their Daimyo was sponsoring. Rumors of the Western Elemental Empire sending fighters to participate and event he Emperor himself coming too. Everyone knew the Emperor was an ally of Spring Country after peace over The Wall had been heard and many feared the great dragon that had awakened in the process of the unity. However, according to the rumors, the Spring Daimyo met with the Emperor, who had requested an audience with her through unknown channels, and she agreed if only to satisfy her own curiosity.
No one knew what was spoken between them or the man's true identity on account of the man keeping his face hidden from everyone. However, the Daimyo of Spring Country had a smile on her face by the time it was over, and it was one many had not seen since their long lost hero had helped free them from the tyrant Doto. When asked by one of her samurai guards why she was once again smiling, Koyuki merely replied, "Our long lost hero is no longer lost," and didn't stop smiling for the rest of the day.
As the Emperor of the West made his way to the booth where Spring Daimyo Koyuki was waiting for him, the crowd of people that were in the stands near them hushed at the sight of the Emperor, and his bodyguards. Each of them walked with a purpose, walked like a veteran of war, their eyes showed they had seen battle, blood, and death in more ways then one. The Emperor walked the same way, his robes swishing around him in the wind, and his eyes behind the mask showed an incredible intensity that made everyone around them have more then enough healthy space to get by.
"Welcome Emperor of the West. I am honored that you've come all the way here from the Empire to see this tournament," said Spring Daimyo Koyuki, as she took his hand, and shook it with a knowing smile on her face.
"The honor is mine. Your country flourishes under your rule. May it continue to do for years to come," said Naruto while smiling behind his mask.
"Thank you. Please sit. The tournament is about to begin," said Koyuki, as she sat down with the Emperor, and made a hand motion to inform her subordinate to start everything.
"LADIES AND GENTLEMEN! I AM PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE BY THE POWER INVESTED IN ME BY OUR BELOVED THE SPRING COUNTRY DAIMYO THAT THE GRAND TAIJUTSU TOURNAMENT WILL NOW BEGIN!" yelled the Arena Announcer with the crowd roaring and cheering.
"Do you hear that you guys? All those cheers. Once I win this tournament, I'm going to get fame, some fortune, and a nice piece of Hyuuga tail that is my future wife," said Kiba, as he had been so excited since being informed that his former teammate, Hyuuga Hinata would be his wife, and would have the Cage Bird Seal on her forehead to further ensure her obedience to him without question.
"IF you win Kiba. You are no match for an Uchiha," said Sasuke arrogantly despite his inner anger at Naruto for beating him six years ago and then being deprived of training for the first three after the loss.
"Says the guy, who was prevented from training for three years, and Curse Seal locked away," said Kiba while the others smirked and Sasuke growled.
"Just don't use the excuse of not having your dog for backup when you lose," said Sasuke while Kiba growled back this time.
"Such arrogance from weaklings makes me sick," said a voice behind them and the Leaf Shinobi turned to see a man in white karate gi pants, shirt ripped along the shoulders, and red headband tied to his forehead.
"Who the Hell are you?" said Kiba while the figure crossed his arms in front of him.
"Names Ryu. Hoshi Ryu. I am one of the fighters participating in this tournament. You are fighters from the Leaf. Correct?" said Ryu seeing Kiba puff out his chest and saw the others flexing what muscles they had.
"That's right! The best the Elemental Countries has to offer," said Kiba with Ryu merely smirking slightly.
"How sad," said Ryu simply before walking away.
"What did you say?" said Sasuke taking several steps forward.
"I said 'how sad' and I say it...because you are all weak," said Ryu before he continued to walk away.
"And what gives you the right to judge us? You're just a nobody wannabe fighter!" said Sasuke, which made Ryu stop, and look back at them.
"No Uchiha Sasuke. It is you along with the rest of your fellow Leaf Shinobi here, who are the wannabe fighters, and when compared to the rest of my fellow warriors from the West...you are the nobodies!" said Ryu before he continued walking.
"Jerk! I'm going to mess him up should we fight each other in this tournament. I bet the fighters from the West are all talk," said Kiba while Neji just stared at Ryu for a second.
'He's dangerous. There is an aura of some kind buried deep inside of him,' thought Neji, as he used his eyes to track the man's movements, and saw him stop in front of others no doubt from the West.
"OUR FIRST CONTESTANTS WILL BE INUZUKA KIBA FROM THE LEAF AND HOSHI RYU OF THE WESTERN EMPIRE! WILL YOU TWO PLEASE ENTER THE ARENA AND WE CAN BEGIN THE TOURNAMENT!' yelled the Arena Announcer with the crowd booing Kiba and cheering on Ryu.
"What a bunch of ingrate assholes. We help their Daimyo become their Daimyo and they boo guys like me!" said Kiba walking out with Ryu doing the same.
'Probably because of your village mistreating our Emperor you stupid fool,' thought Ryu, as he was going to look forward to crushing the Inuzuka in the name of the Emperor, and remembered his orders to humiliate Leaf Shinobi.
Not that Ryu would kill since that went against his own moral code, but given how bad things were in the West, killing did happen, and he had done if only to protect those that were precious to him. It was why he joined the Emperor in the first place. The Emperor had been uniting the lands, fighting cruel warlords, and talking with the more honorable ones joining him in the unification of the West. Ryu saw that the Emperor was a man not unlike himself and thus pledged his loyalty to the man during all of the fighting to use his power to bring about peace to the West.
"FIGHTERS! THE RULES ARE SIMPLE! ONE STANDING AT THE END OF THE MATCH IS THE WINNER AND ADVANCES TO THE NEXT ROUND. KILLING IS ALLOWED, BUT WE PREFER IT THAT YOU DON'T, AND JUST KNOCK OUT YOUR OPPONENT," yelled the Announcer so the crowd also knew the rules.
"Let's get this over with. I want to get back home to marry and plow my future Hyuuga for a wife," said Kiba with a smirk on his face.
In the stands, Hyuuga Hinata shuddered in disgust at Kiba's words, and dreaded the day she returned to Konoha. The trip over hadn't been pleasant either, having practically felt Kiba's leering eyes on her body the whole boat ride over, and made sure to keep him at arms length whenever near.
(Flashback)
"I don't know why you're acting like this Hinata-chan. We're going to be married soon anyway. We're on a boat, my room isn't that far away, and it wouldn't be difficult to start the inevitable early. So let's have our honeymoon early," said Kiba, as he was leaning on the rail with his back, and staring at Hinata leaning over it with the front while keeping her arms crossed to keep the Inuzuka from seeing her chest despite it being covered by a heavy coat.
"I'll pass on the offer Kiba-san," said Hinata in a stiff Hyuuga tone almost worthy of her Father's praise.
Almost. Her Father would never praise the woman no matter how perfect Hinata did in something.
"Your loss. Still, its going to be fun for me when we're married, and I'm having all those coats of yours destroyed. You're not going hiding that chest from me," said Kiba while failing to keep his grin off his face knowing this girl was going to be shown like a prize to every guy in the village and to let everyone know Hinata belonged to him.
"Do not presume to dictate what I can and cannot wearing Kiba-san. I may become your wife, but it will be a loveless marriage, and I will not make things easy for you," said Hinata before being grabbed by Kiba, who was no longer happy, but very angry, and it showed in his eyes.
"You still have a thing for that demon, don't you? After all this time, your heart still aches for him, and wishes to be married to him!" said Kiba seeing Hinata's resolve not waiver under his glare.
"And what if my heart does belong to Naruto?" said Hinata with Kiba growling.
"That's going to change the moment we're married. Do you understand me? When we're husband and wife that sweet ass of yours will be tattooed with my name on it. That way, even if you do leave, even if you do find Naruto, and decide to become his lover like you have always wanted...my name there will forever know just who you belonged to before him," said Kiba with a grin, but was ruined by a vicious palm strike to the gut by Hinata, and the blow sent the Inuzuka flying into the metal wall of the boat.
"Hinata!" said Kurenai seeing her former student do that to her own teammate.
"What?" said Hinata glaring at the woman she trust to support her, but instead had just stayed quiet, and done nothing.
"Apologize to Kiba," said Kurenai while Hinata scowled at him.
"You want me to apologize? After what he said? Did? I'd sooner lick the railing!" said Hinata while her former sensei scowled back at her.
"He's your future husband Hinata. The nicer you are the less...discomfort you will feel when married to him," said Kurenai while glancing at her forehead where her headband was and what lay beyond it.
"I'm going to be feeling all sorts of discomfort whether I'm nice to Kiba or not. We both know it!" said Hinata seeing Kurenai look away and knew the Jounin also believed it.
What was the point of being nice to someone when it wasn't going to be returned?
"Even still, you will have to be when the child is born," said Kurenai seeing Hinata suddenly radiate killer intent.
"As if I will ever give Kiba a child. I'd sooner destroy my womb with my own hands then give that arrogant perverted baka a one child from my belly from any so called union we have together," said Hinata before storming away from a shocked Kurenai.
"You don't have a choice Hinata. Not this time. The one you want to be with isn't going to come back to Konoha. Not even he can't stop this," said Kurenai making Hinata stop.
"I don't care about that. No matter what happens while I'm married to Kiba, my heart, and my soul will always belong to Naruto-kun. Nothing can change that. Nothing!" said Hinata while walking away from her former sensei.
She didn't want anyone to see her cry.
(End Flashback)
"CONTESTANTS READY? AND...BEGIN!" yelled the Announcer with both sides cheering for the battle to fight.
"Tsuga!" said Kiba, as he went forward on the attack against Ryu, who easily moved to the side, dodging the move easily, and didn't look impressed.
"This tournament is for fighters of skill. Not brawlers," said Ryu seeing Kiba snarl at him.
"Shut up and prepare to get your ass kicked by the Alpha male of the Leaf!" said Kiba, as he tried to get close, and use his claws to tear into Ryu's flesh.
Key word being tried. Ryu dodged one strike after the next, no one was impressed with Kiba's brawling like ways, and even expressed it by booing the boy. Kurenai, Kakashi, and Gai didn't understand why their fellow Shinobi was being booed since the fighter from the West had barely done anything except dodge.
"I'm not impressed," said Ryu finally, as he easily caught Kiba's right hand at the wrist, broke it, and then followed up with the locating the Inuzuka's shoulder while spinning the man around so he landed on his back.
"AHH!" yelled Kiba, as he soon found a bare foot smashing down onto that dislocated shoulder, and could feel his muscles tearing.
"How do you want this to end Leaf Shinobi? To go home in pain with your arm attached? Or without it?" said Ryu, as he pulled the arm further, and made Kiba scream out further in pain.
"I give up! I give up!" said Kiba tapping the ground to indicate his submission to Ryu.
"WINNER! HOSHI RYU!" yelled the Announcer to make the crowd cheer at the victory Ryu gained for the Empire.
"If you are an Alpha of the Leaf, then your village is not as strong as you make it out to be, and none of your comrades will advance since they are weaker then you," said Ryu before letting Kiba's arm go, turned to the Emperor in the stands above, bowed, and then left the arena.
"BASTARD!" yelled Kiba, as he charged forward with his one good arm cocked back ready to thrust it forward to hit Ryu in the back.
"Foolish Leaf scum. 'Hadoken!'" said Ryu, as he turned around, and shot a blue fire ball at Kiba that sent flying right off of the arena floor into the wall.
"Disqualify him!" said Kurenai while looking at the Spring Country Daimyo doing no such thing.
"The match is over Kurenai-san. Kiba attacked after it was declared officially over," said Hinata seeing Kurenai turn and scowl at her.
"Leaf Shinobi support each other no matter what Hinata," said Kurenai, which got her a glare from Hinata, and the Hyuuga girl stood up with her Byakugan active.
"Just as you supported Naruto-kun? You didn't support him when he was in the Leaf or when about to be banished. No one did, except for me, and put into an arranged marriage with Kiba because of it! You say Leaf Shinobi should support each other no matter what, but all that really means is to support Leaf Shinobi, who aren't Jinchuriki of the Kyuubi, or those that love the Jinchuriki! You and the rest of the Leaf Shinobi in Konoha are all hypocrites!" said Hinata before storming away before Kakashi caught her hand.
"Hinata, where are you going?" said Kakashi before he found himself on one knee, and his arm being twisted painfully to the point of breaking.
"That's none of your business and don't you dare touch me again Hatake. If you do, I'll take out that Sharingan Eye, and your balls for good measure," said Hinata coldly before she released him, and walked away.
"Damn that girl's got a vice grip," said Kakashi clutching his arm.
"My Emperor, the Hyuuga girl is out of their line of sight," said Walter in a whispered tone while seeing Naruto just nod like he was being asked a question and lifted his finger a single inch before a figure from the shadows moved undetected towards Hinata.
It was time to set a bird free from her cage.
(A/N: YAY! A long chapter for all of you. My gift for making such a short first chapter. Hope you can tell who are who in this so far since anime and game characters of my choice. I just hope some of my choices don't turn you away. Until next time...PEACE!)