Chapter 3: A fight for Life
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"Neji-sama, we have finished digging the tunnel you asked for and my youthful men had set the spying equipments there as well as fortifying the tunnel to withstand earthquakes. It should be safe from any attacks." Rock Lee reported to the Elven King as his men started to clean and store their digging equipments.
"Excellent! Now we can start the operation. All mages to your posts! Archers, take your position in the woods. We will set up our base camp here while our spies try to gather any important information."
"Hai Neji-sama!" Chorused the elves and dwarves present in the area. Soon enough, the dwarves begin setting up the encampment with tents, wooden walls, and guard towers while the elves begin casting spells around the area to get rid of negative charges in the area.
Neji was in his tent, sorting out the data that they have gathered so far. He was reading some reports as he think of the different possibilities that may arise if the facts they have gathered are indeed confirmed true. He was busy writing the full report and organizing the data when a strong earthquake was felt. He tried to dismiss it as a natural phenomenon however a loud knocking was heard from outside. As he opened it, a nervous soldier was seen.
"What is all this?"
"Your majesty! The camp is under attack!"
"What? How many soldiers are there in your estimations. And explain the current situation"
"We have estimated that the group contains 500 foot soldiers and 200 ranged attackers. We assumed that they are the ones guarding the orc outpost situated at the north. Our gate is being attacked and we are already suffering casualties. Our 300 men are no match for this!"
Neji's eyes widened. Then a plan quickly flashed before him. "Quick, travel to the main castle and deliver this message to Itachi-sama. Travel as fast as you can!" He handed the soldier a scroll.
"But what about the camp, my lord?"
"We will hold them here while we wait for reinforcement. Now go!!"
"Hai!" He mounted a horse and quickly went on his way. Neji quickly ran towards his men and took charge of the situation.
"Quick, set up the life barrier level 5! All soldiers go towards the front gate and try to hold the incoming army as best as you can. Archers, hide behind the grasses and shoot as much army as you can. Go!" As he said this, a chorus of "Hai!" Can be heard as they went on with their assigned task.
The elven mages set up the barrier while Neji hoped against hope that the reinforcements arrive before they were obliterated by the orcish horde.
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Back in the northern region, the dark and mysterious undead army clashed against the mystical elves, each group determined to wipe the other party.
Hinata and her elves were clearly losing while Naruto and Sasuke were in a heated battle.
"Fire blast!!"
"Holy Light!"
"Death Blow!"
"Holy Punch!"
"Call of Death!"
"Holy Strike!"
The two hit each other mercilessly with their attacks while avoiding the other's attacks.
"You bastard! If you haven't interfered, I should enjoying my precious ramen by now. But no, you just have to ruin the moment and get me in trouble."
"Heh! What do I care about you and your ramen, dobe! You are the one causing destruction!" Sasuke tried to control his voice as he steal glances to the irritated face of the young necromancer.
"You really are a teme! I'll defeat you for sure!"
"In your dreams, dobe!"
"What! You'll regret ever underestimating me! Take this!!" Sasuke didn't have the time to respond as black flames rained and hit him multiple times in his body! "Black flame!"
Sasuke lied on the ground, weak and exhausted from the burning energy that hit him.
"Ha! Now I'll beat you for sure!" Naruto's staff turned to a giant scythe. He was about to slash Sasuke with it when he suddenly stopped, blood came rushing from his mouth.
Sasuke watched in horror as he saw an arrow piercing Naruto in his back. Naruto dropped to the ground, still screaming in pain, his army of death vanishing as his power and influence weakened.
"It's over you monstrosity!" Hinata said, a bow on her hand. "That was an specially made arrow, meant to paralyze you within seconds, it also has a slow poison that could render your power useless and kill you slowly. You're selfish ambition ends here."
Sasuke was still shocked, he was tempted to go and help him, but he remembered his current position and decided against it.
"No! It's not yet over!" -a series of coughing followed as more blood flowed from his mouth.- "I told you before, don't underestimate me! The great Uzumaki is not that easy to beat!" Then, he struggled to stand up, coughing and breathing hard.
"It is useless! You wont survive that kind of poison! It is meant to target the soul, not your body! Just give up!"
"I promised Kyuu-chan that I will return safe! And I never break my promise!" Then he grinned. "Maybe it's rare for me to run away, but I am running of options."
"As if you can do anything in that current condition, dobe!" Sasuke stated, trying to act his cool and calm attitude despite the worry and fear raging through his system.
Naruto's grinned widened. "I told you before, you shouldn't underestimate me! Recall of Death!" He raised his right arm and after saying a short spell, visible orbs of the souls of the dead warriors around his palm and white light swallowed him. "We will see each other again, teme!" After saying that, he slowly vanished into thin air.
Hinata assisted Sasuke in moving and rested him under a tree. "Sasuke-sama, it appears that we won. I'll go get medical help for you. Wait right--" But before she could continue, Sasuke slapped her on her cheek.
"Sasuke-sama?" A fear-filled voice asked the prince for his actions.
"Why did you interfered with the fight? Don't you see how dishonorable it is?" And not to mention you nearly killed Naruto in an unfair fight. He added in his mind but didn't say it aloud.
"I'm sorry Sasuke-sama, but that is the only opportunity that I found to save us. Please understand the situation! I have to find a way, or else we'll all die."
"I guess you did the right thing. You really did saved us all. I'm sorry for, you know hitting you. I was just annoyed. I am not used to anyone saving me from anything." He excused himself and luckily for him, Hinata accepted it.
"I understand Sasuke-sama. Out scouts reported a suspicious warehouse just behind that gate. But we aren't sure what lies behind that. If you want, we can open it for further investigations."
"Well, I guess we went this far then we have to investigate it." Hinata just nodded, called for two healers as she told the troops to take a short rest. After their break, they opened the gate and was surprised to find the warehouse unguarded. As they continued to explore, they found some prisoners.
"Sasuke-sama! We're glad you are here! We were about to be killed!"
"Hn. We better take these prisoners for questioning."
"Hai Sasuke-sama" Hinata nodded and after they freed the prisoners, they begin their journey back to Konoha.
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Meanwhile, in the western regions of Fire Kingdom, Neji and his men are barely alive. Exhausted, wounded and frustrated, they made their last attempt to hold the advancing orcs at bay.
The orcs continued their attempts in bringing the gate down. As the elven archers continue to eliminate a few soldiers, they found it impossible to wipe out the enemy as the fast and agile orcs keep evading their arrows. Nearly out of arrows, they choose to use magic instead, but they only ended getting exhausted and drained from using energy consuming magics.
Once the gate was finally destroyed, a major slaughter occurred. Neji and the remaining of his men took refuge in his tent. They were surrounded with the vicious creatures, hungry for death and destruction. Just as all hope seemed to fade away, a familiar trumpet sound reached their ears and mighty paladins, led by Itachi himself appeared.
Taken by surprise, the orcs were unable to evade the attacks of the powerful protectors of Fire Kingdom. The surviving orcs tried to fight back, but was single-handedly killed by Itachi and his men. Upon seeing their impending doom, the rest of the orcs fled the scene while Itachi and his men tend to the wounded survivors.
"You have such an impeccable timing your majesty. Just a few more seconds late and we would have been dead."
"You should thank your messenger though. He was fast enough. Well, did you gather any information about the Dark Alliance and their motives?"
"Yes, I was about to write the full report.I'll assemble my men so we can leave as soon as possible."
"Good. I will arrange a meeting then once I read your reports. There's no telling when will this Dark Alliance strike."
"Hai Itachi-sama. Alright men let's move out."
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The trip to the castle is uneventful and peaceful enough and before they know it, they are now on the outskirts of Konoha. They reached the elven outpost and was greeted by a captain.
"Welcome home your majesty. We have received news that the paladins you sent to the southern areas have arrived. And Prince Sasuke had handed his report about his trip to the northern region."
"Excellent. Captain, call for a medical team and treat the spies. Neji, let's go." Itachi and Neji entered his chamber to find Sasuke waiting for them...
"Niisan, where have you been?" A hint of irritation in his voice.
"Sasuke, you're home already. What happened to your trip? Did you make a report?"
"Trip my ass! That was a suicide mission! You never said we will encounter an entire undead army!"
"What? I never received of any reports that an undead had passed the checkpoints."
"That's because they were already dead! I was nearly killed. Luckily, Hinata and her group of elven warriors came just in time!"
This time, Neji said, "Oh, you mean you met her? I sent her on a reconnaissance mission. I have heard of suspicious movement there. I have no idea that it was that serious."
Both brothers just nodded with understanding before Itachi spoke, "It turned out that the situation is more serious than we have anticipated. Whoever leads this alliance must have a lot of experiences and knowledge of our kingdom. Though I didn't know that they were able to penetrate the defenses without us knowing. We better interview those prisoners that you brought with you Sasuke."
"Niisan, they were in Cell A right now, undergoing a one on one interview with chief Ibiki. He may be able to write a report about it later."
"Ah good. Okay, now that it's all taken care of, we better take a rest, and I will examine Neji's report. Be ready for tomorrow's meeting. We have a lot of things to do."
With a "Yes niisan.", he retreated to his bedroom.
"Neji, are you sure of this report? Is all the data genuine?" Itachi anxiously asked Neji as he finished reading the report.
"Yes Itachi, I am sure. There's no mistake and no data altered." Then all the color had been drained from Itachi's face.
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-END CHAPTER-
Well, that's it for chapter 3. See you all in the next chapter!