Hello! How are you all doing? Good I hope! I bring you the latest chapter to this story! I hope you all enjoy it and keep those reviews coming! I can find some great reviews and I hope to see some more! With this, I let you read on, bye!
1 Week Later:
It has been a whole week since the events of Omashu, when the new of Omashu's fall was released, the people in Republic city were worried and they had ever right to be. Omashu was one of the 5 hardest cities to take due to its location and how it was built and for a Nation to swipe in and easily take it was quite troublesome, even the Earth kingdom was worried. As a result we find political figures from many different Nations and cities. The Earth Queen was here as to represent the Earth Kingdom as a whole, same with Fire Lord Izumi, who was representing the Fire Nation. From the Northern Water Tribe were Desna and Eska, they were here not only for the Northern Water Tribe, but also their Southern Water Tribe comrades, who were living under this Empire. President Raiko, the first president of the United Republic of Nations was also present on the behalf of his people.
Suyin Beifong was also present, much to Lin's displeasure. Suyin was here for two reasons, one, her city was a very important city that was very close to Omashu and as such, it was only felt right to bring her on board, the second reason was her daughter; Opal had gained Air Bending as result of Harmonic Convergence. She had brought her along with her in hopes that she would at least get some help from the Avatar and Tenzin regarding her Air Bending. Korra was also there along with her team Avatar and they all now waited on Air Temple Inland for the air ship that would take them to the locations of the negations.
"Are you sure they will show? I mean, this could be a trap." Izumi, the Fire Lord, spoke. She had learned from the mistakes of her grandfather and her great-grandfather. For a hundred years her Nations wasted lives and resources in a foolish war and she would not drag her Nation into a pointless war. She, like Tenzin, preferred a peaceful way out of this mess.
"I am sure they will show, otherwise we would be hearing news of their armies taking cities." Tenzin replied. Suyin was very interested as to how this Nation was able to do conquer a city at lightning speed. Her city was at the forefront of modern technology and architecture. Asami herself was interested in the technology that the Empire fielded. Then they heard a chopping like sound and looking closely in the distance they could see some kind of machine that was heading towards them. It was something they had never seen! The machine drew closer and slowly started descend until it was slowly hovering over the ground. It was like the machine was...Air Bending.
"What is that thing?" Everyone though. This machine could fly, hover, descend and take over. It was like a plane, but clearly far ahead of a plane. The machine made touchdown and the doors on the side opened and out came two Soldiers. The Soldiers approached them and stopped right in front of them.
"Are you the ones who are here to pick us up?" Tenzin asked. The two Soldiers nodded and asked them to board the machine called helicopter. It was quite big on the inside as everyone boarded, but it was not that big.
"Are we going to have to spend the whole ride in this small space?" Korra voiced her annoyance.
"No, we are merely transporting you to the air ship." One of the Soldiers answered her question. Everyone raised an eyebrow, wasn't this the air ship? Seeing their confused face the other Soldier spoke up.
"Our mother ship is waiting a few miles out for us. Once we land, it will take you to Japan, the place where the peace talks are being held." The Soldier said as everyone nodded. It was going to be a long ride.
With Naruto A few Hours Later:
Naruto was getting ready for the peace talks as how one would call them and so was his mother. Her mother questioned why he would want such talks and he had given a valid reason. Japan, while had the ability to create their own fuel, still had a large military, a military that had remained un-used for many decades and as such, the fuel Japan created went to the civil sectors of the Nation. This means that the Military received very little oil. They could create more plants to convert trash to oil and gas, but it was a very long and expensive process. The Military could not be sustained on such supply on oil that was only based for the civil sectors of the Nation. They had underestimated their own capacity to produce oil and now they needed to find way to sustain the Military and as such the vast oil reserves in the South Pole were an ideal place and it would take time to build. The reason was justified. The large, organized, well-trained and technological superior Military was what separated the Bending world and Japan. It was vital that the military was kept well supplied and funded if they wanted to conquer anything.
"Is everything ready?" Naruto asked his advisors as they all bowed and nodded.
"Good, then all that's left are the guests." Naruto said. The sight of the negations was the Imperial Palace, his home. He walked over to the large balcony of the room in which the negations would be held. He looked outside just in time to see a large air ship that had massive wings and in the middle had a large opening for a runway. Naruto smirked. This was the Aigaion, a prototype air carrier that served as a Mobil Command base and an airfield. This was the very first of its kind and currently was only a prototype. He had it sent out to pick up the guests, because he wanted to show them Japans technological power and Military might. The Aigaion was designed to control large portions of territory with aerial launched aircrafts and cruise missiles. This was the single largest weapon ever to be conceived by Imperial Japan. He heard the sound of the door opening and turning around he found his mother in an elegant dress fitting for an Empress.
"I see that you are ready?" His mother asked him as she took her seat on the table.
"Yes, I was just about to head outside to greet our guests." Naruto said as he headed outside, Kushina giggled. Naruto was very serious when it came to businesses and he looked so cute when he did that. Both Kushina and her daughter made fun of it and it annoyed the hell out of Naruto.
"Don't be too serious." Kushina told him as he sighed and headed outside. He waited outside for quite a while and soon a convoy rolled up right in front of the palace. Soldiers lined up as Naruto spotted Tenzin and the Avatar walk out, along with many other people that he did not know of. Their faces were that of shock and he knew why. They had witnessed a war ship that was far ahead of their time, and the city of Kyoto that was far larger than any other city they had seen.
"It is good that you are here, now then follow me. The Empress is waiting." Naruto said with a professional ton. They were almost shocked, well Tenzin and Korra were. This young man had an aura of command when they had first met and now he was acting like another soldier. He didn't address the Empress as his mother, but just Empress. They didn't know it, but Naruto greatly respected his mother. She had had lead the Nation when his father had died when he was still young. She pulled through her depression and cared for the Nation and cared for her son and daughter. She was his mother yes, but right now, she was the Empress. Leading the group through the extravagant hall ways of the palace that were nothing like those of the Earth Palace and the Fire Palace and it was all made larger from wood. They stopped in front of a large door.
"Behind this door is the Empress. I expect you all to respect and behave, however if you take any hostile actions, you will not be leaving this palace alive." Naruto said as he opened the door to reveal a large room with a large table in the center. There were guards posted at each coroner of the room, most likely there to prevent them from doing anything stupid. Sitting on the other side of the table was a woman with flawless skin and long blood red hair. They similarity between her and Naruto, she was the Empress. Naruto asked them all to take a seat on their side of the table before heading to his side and taking a seat next to his mother.
"Now then, let us begin the negations." Naruto's mother stated. Tenzin was the first one to speak.
"Your highness, we have reports that your forces not only attacked Omashu, but also attacked and occupied the Southern Water Tribe Nation, are these reports true?" Tenzin asked her as she took a sip of her tea.
"Yes, those reports of yours are true, the Imperial Japanese forces have indeed taken the South Pole and as you already know, Omashu has also fallen." Kushina said calmly. Her response only served to anger the Earth Queen and the Twins from the Northern Water Tribe.
"Then would you kindly withdraw your forces from both Omashu and the Southern Water Tribe?" Tenzin asked, he wanted to handle this in a calm matter. Kushina took another sip.
"No." She answered, much to the others shock and the Earth Queens rage.
"Listen her you brat! You will withdraw your forces or the Earth Nation will use force to drive away your forces!" The Earth Queen said as she stood up. Kushina however stayed calm and looked at the Earth Queen.
"You must be the Earth Queen. I expected you to be a bit younger, but clearly you I was wrong. Tell me, how are you still in power when my son tells me that your own Nation is crumbling under your rule? My how must you keep your people in line by force? Anyways, I will not withdraw my forces. We are here to stay and I would gladly accept your challenge." Kushina challenged. She was not going to be a push over. The Earth Queen huffed in anger as she sat down.
Please, we request that you withdraw. We would rather like to avoid a pointless war." The president of Republic city said.
"Then you should surrender and submit to the Empire and the war will be avoided." Kushina said with a sweet smile, but they all knew that it was not a good kind of smile.
"We will never surrender, but we would also like to avoid a war." Izumi spoke up. She would rather fight then give up, but she would also find a way to prevent a war and so for the next hour or so, they put forth many ideas. Then Naruto coughed in his hand, getting everyone attention. This was the first time he had spoken in an hour.
"If I may, I have a solution. We will release all Southern Water Tribe citizens and political prisoners; this also includes all the survivors from Omashu, but we keep Omashu and the South Pole. A peace treaty will also be put into effect, along with trade agreement." Naruto offered as Tenzin and the others began to talk to one another. Naruto could see that the Fire Lord and the President of Republic city were on board with the idea mainly because they would have peace, but the Earth Queen was quite against the idea, but agreed none the less. The Northern Water Tribe leaders were also didn't accept the idea quite well, but they did agree it to none the less. Gaining back their sister tribe members was better than to have them live under the rule of some other Nation.
"Agreed, now the Sprite portal that is located in the South Pole-" Tenzin began, but Naruto stopped him.
"Will remain closed, the South Pole is now Imperial territory and as such, we have the right to do what we want with the portal or any other land mass located in the South Pole." Tenzin could not believe what he was hearing. Korra slammed her hand down the table.
"You can't do that! The sprits are part of this world and have the right to live in it as much as we do!" Korra yelled.
"For you and your people it might be, but not for us. Sprites belong in the sprite world. The physical world belongs to us." Naruto said.
"How can you say that? Humans and sprites have lived together for many years in the past! You can't do this." Korra said.
"Used to, but they left and now this world belongs to us humans. You can keep your Northern Water Tribe Portal, but the Southern Portal is under our jurisdiction." Naruto said as Korra was about to saw more.
"Korra, you need to stop. We have achieved what we were here for. The Northern Portal is still open and in time I am sure that they will open the Southern Portal. For now we have achieved a peaceful solution out of this." Tenzin whispered to her. Korra balled her hand into a fist and calmed down. Soon the treaty was drawn up and was signed by both sides.
"Now then, shall we proceed to the banquette?" Naruto said as he stood up, along with his mother and lead everyone to the large hall that had many tables filled with food they had never seen. They banquette was well under way and everyone other then Naruto and his mother was shocked at the food they were eating. So many tastes and dishes they had never even seen.
"Excuse me, Naruto was it?" Naruto turned around to find Suyin Beifong and her daughter, Opal, who was quite beautiful dare he say.
"Yes?" Naruto asked.
"You see, I am the leader of the Metal clan and the leader of the city of Zaofu." She started. Naruto raised an eyebrow.
"So you are the leader of Zaofu? I must say, it is quite the city. Even my engineers were impressed by its designs." Naruto praised. He had seen the city of Zaofu and it was quite amazing to say the least. The large metal domes that could open up like flowers blooming in spring. It was quite the sight to see and he was indeed impressed.
"Thank you, but we are more impressed by what your Nation has to offer. Your cities are far larger and even cleaner compared to most of the cities. I was actually wondering if you would enter a treaty with my city, Zaofu. We would like it very much if you would exchange knowledge regarding architecture. We would give you Metal Benders that can make you buildings and other structures and in return you can send some of you engineers to help Zaofu?" Suyin suggested. Naruto thought it over. Metal Benders were not around when Japan was not sealed away, but they seem powerful.
"It might be possible, but I would have to ask my mother and if that happens, and then a small military garrison would be stationed at Zaofu, for the sake of the Engineers, but tell me, why would you want a treaty like that with us? I am sure you are aware of the fact that the other Nations are not so happy with us. So why are you not?" Naruto questioned. Japan did just take the South Pole and an Earth city. He expected the other Nations to be more angered.
"That maybe true, but you have proven that you are willing to negotiate and are accepting a peaceful end to this mess. I also look forward to advance my peoples lifestyle and their welfare and technological progress. Trade and commerce is what make Nations grow, besides, Zaofu is not even part of the Earth Kingdom. We are independent from the rest." Suyin answered. Naruto thought it over and nodded. It seemed like Suyin and her people were more opened minded then most.
"Very well, I'll talk with my mother." Naruto said as he smiled towards the two Metal Benders and turned around; missing the small blush Opal bore on her face. While on his way to talk to his mother, Naruto was intercepted by Asami.
"Can I help you?" Naruto asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Yes. I am Asami Sato, head of Future Industries. You see, Future Industries are the leaders in technology, and I believe that having a sort of mutual technological trade agreement could benefit us both." Asami stated, she knew that this was a futile attempt as her company had nothing that could match what the Empire fielded.
"Sorry, but that seems highly unlikely. Japans industrial capacity far overshadows yours. If anything, you would be better off with the trade agreements like the rest of the Nations." Naruto answered. He could see the disappointed look on the girls face, but he moved along. He had a lot of talking to do with her.
Hours Later:
The peace talks had ended and Tenzin and his party left soon after. Naruto had talked to his mother and she had agreed with the treaty with the Metal Clan. Now we find Naruto looking up at the stars in the night skies. It was odd. For the past few weeks he felt his whole view on the world change. The outside world was quite different. He expected armies of Nations, all lined up, ready to fight as a single unite, but all he found were Nations that were centuries behind technology. He also saw the suffering people endured from the wealthy and Benders. Japan never had any problems like that due to many policies and laws placed to make sure that the wealthy do not use or crumble the middle class.
There were no Benders in Japan, so there was no oppression on that part. The Earth Kingdom was a broken and shattered Monarchy that crushed the backs of its workers and while the other Nations might not have the same problems, they did have problems with Benders. The failure to properly protect their boarders and their own territories led to the establishment of bandits and warlords. He might hate the Avatar, but were the people really to blame? By people, he meant the common man, women and child. Those who couldn't Bend, they had no choice but to follow their leaders who had armies of Benders. Only a few leaders of the outside world gained his respect. The he remembered an old saying.
"The sins of a Father does not mean that the punishment be carried out on his children's." He thought. Those who wronged his Nation were long gone dead. The only one who remained was the Avatar. He needed to make a decision. Led a bloody camping that would leave millions dead, mostly innocents or to try and to pull the people of the outside world to accept Japan, but if that was to happen, he would need to treat them kindly. What point would it be if he treated them as second class? It would only lead to revolts and uprisings.
"I could use the trade agreements as a way to spread our culture and knowledge. Inform the people about our governments, laws, policies. I am sure that people will join us if I do that. Leaders like Tenzin have no real backbone. When the people demand something, he would most likely give it to them. I guess, I start with the Earth Kingdom first." Naruto though as he knew that Zaofu would be the perfect place to start the spread. Zaofu would willingly join Imperial Japan. If there was one thing he knew, it was that ruling through oppression and force would eventually lead to rebellion. He then remembered an old quote from a book that was written long ago by a man who lead an army of Non-Benders and defeated a rival army that consisted of Benders.
"The supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting." Naruto thought to himself. Then it clicked in his mind, he would take over the world, by turning the people of every Nation against their own leadership and show them what the Empire had to offer. Yes. He will win, but he would never fight. That is the art of war.
Well, that's it for now people! I hope you all enjoyed it! And no Bend the Truth, I will not delete your review. It is a very good review and it also gave me a bit insight. Well anyways, I will see you all next time, bye!