Chapter 4: Divide and Conquer
I do not own Naruto, nor the character Shinachiku. Both belong with their respective owners.
A constant tapping echoed throughout the room as Naruto sat there with his eyes closed. His fingers moved where his body couldn't out of the fact he was holding a meeting with his comrades. He gathered himself and thought of what he was going to say for the impending war.
A quick shuffling of paper caused Naruto to open his eyes and glance towards the noise, seeing Shikamaru passing out sheets of paper to several others. Naruto groaned as he stretched his limbs. Doors would open and close, he would see familiar faces and his children come in silently, but aside from a few smiles and nods, Naruto remained quiet and focused.
"Lord Hokage." Naruto turned towards Shikamaru, who had a projector and screen at the front of the room with the remote in his hand. Naruto glanced around the room to see it in full attendance, seeing Sakura sitting beside Tsunade, who now sat in a wheelchair of her own given her age, but still looked well with her genjutsu.
Eyes turned to Naruto as he played with his hat for a moment before standing up and gesturing to the paper that sat in front of everyone.
"Good afternoon," Naruto said with a sigh. "As you can clearly see, I'm not in a happy mood. As to why … well here's the gist.
"Late last night, I was called in by the Daimyo for an emergency conference with my fellow Kage. Shortly after everyone arrived, General Daisuke of the Land of Iron contacted us to inform us of a great conflict that lies ahead."
Murmurings started to quickly spread, but Naruto raised his hand and they went silent.
"The world is at world with itself. Every country is on their own, seeking to expand beyond their borders for more land. And undoubtedly, we will be a target for many of them." Naruto casted his eyes downwards toward the paper and proceeded to pick it up.
"The Land of Iron has requested the Shinobi's assistance to combat this threat and end the war as quickly as we can."
"You're willing to side with the Samurai after what they attempted to do to us?" Kiba questioned, sitting beside Shino and Hinata. Naruto turned towards Kiba and huffed as he recalled the argument he had with the Tsuchikage.
"Yes … I am. They're under a different leadership and the issue has been resolved. I see no issues with siding with the Samurai once more." Kiba looked to retort, though a glance from Hinata and Shino had him bite his tongue as he rested his back against his chair.
"You may have already guessed that I've agreed to assist the Samurai, and three other Kage have also agreed to lend their assistance."
"I assume the Lady Tsuchikage is not one of them." Kakashi said aloud.
"You could threaten her life and she wouldn't do it." Naruto pointed out. "The rendezvous time in the Land of Iron will be in less than a week. However, we're not exactly taking an army out there, as it is too dangerous for the Village to leave so few here. Much less leaving the Genin, Chunnin, and some Jounin here." Naruto glanced over to Noboru, who was sitting on Hinata's other side. The two made eye contact before Noboru broke it, looking defeated. Naruto felt a twinge of guilt in his chest, but he pushed it aside as he looked forward once more.
"Shikamaru, the intelligence that you've gathered on our enemy?" Shikamaru nodded as he directed the group's attention towards the screen.
"The war has been in full swing for a month; numbers have thinned out, and for the most part the larger forces are looking to conquer smaller armies before combating the larger ones. In this case, it's a survival of the fittest kind of deal. This puts us in a decent edge, but undoubtedly there will be hardships to face. Certain groups have made themselves well known and we are more than likely to deal with them in the future." Shikamaru showed the next slide, featuring a cloaked man on horseback with a bow and quiver of arrows on the horse's saddle. Naruto grimaced at the sight.
"You all remember these guys from sixteen years ago, the Mongolian Archers."
"How fast was their rate of fire?" Hikari asked from a corner.
"The myth is a hundred a minute." Shikamaru said. "However, sixty is more like it. I'd say these guys are the least of our worries, given that the faster rate of fire means their accuracy is off. But who needs it when the rain of arrows fly down from the sky." He proceeded with the next slide, a dark skinned man in a loin cloth holding a short spear in his hand and a shield made from what looked like hide from a cow. Over his shoulder appeared to be another weapon.
"Zuluns." Shikamaru started. "The country they live on is large, and they don't cover the majority of its territory as some of the countries has advanced its technology to meet the standards of the world. Zuluns however make up the lack of technology with … something akin to our chakra." The shinobi in the room glanced at one another with uncertain glances, and even Naruto raised an eyebrow.
"You're telling me there is something like chakra?" Naruto questioned. Shikamaru sighed as he turned back towards the group.
"Well … if you want more to be more specific, it's just chakra. With different properties."
"But that's impossible." Tsunade said aloud, leaning forward in her wheelchair. "No one else ate the fruit that gave the Goddess chakra. How can there be chakra in other parts of the world."
"I can't quite explain it, Lady Tsunade." Shikamaru said, turning to her. "But my best theory is that such a fruit or something with a similar property to the chakra fruit exists in other places, thus giving such a gift to everyone else in the region. Curiosity did kill the cat, and humans are notorious for not holding back their curiosity as was the case with the Goddess." Tsunade crossed her arms and looked at the table in front of her.
"It's not something they can access at will as we can. Witch Doctors are the ones who evoke these abilities with certain practices and give those warriors powers. Which means that there are two factions in that group. The weapon wrapped around this warrior's shoulder is a gun. I'll get into those devils in a bit."
"Hang on." Naruto interrupted, as the group looked towards him. "If chakra exists in other parts of the world, then … what about Jinchurriki?" A collective breath in inhaled as they all looked to Shikamaru for an answer. Naruto quickly glanced towards Sakura, who looked worried at Naruto's question. Shikamaru shuffled in his spot and he looked down at the ground and was tossing the remote in his hands.
"It stands to reason that as we had Bijuus, there must be other … beings with similar powers or are classified as Bijuu. I don't know how they would do it, but I think that there are other Jinchurriki." Naruto let Shikamaru's answer sink in as he proceeded to do the same into his chair.
Kurama ….
Don't know what to say Kit. Admittedly, I'm as stunned as you are. If there are others like the Bijuu, then you and I may have rough times ahead of us.
Wouldn't you be able to feel their existence?
You forget that the nine of us were separated from the body of the Juubi, what you could argue to be the first. However, as Shikamaru pointed out there could have been other means to acquire the power we have. Perhaps they were the first to possess chakra as the Juubi was in our corner of the world.
That's not good.
No shit. The next question is how many would be out there? Nine as we were? Or hundreds as many myths do exist. The only thing I can say is to be prepared for them.
And if they are stronger than we are united?
Hmph … then they're like us with a broader scope of abilities. Your Rinnegan on the other hand is probably enough to handle them by yourself.
Naruto sighed as he recalled the mutated Dojutsu he had acquired decades ago from the deceased Kamikage, Raikiri Uchiha who had passed it on to Naruto as its successor.
Will it be enough?
You doubt yourself?
Eh … given how big this world is, you could attempt to put my claim to the test.
"Naruto." Naruto jerked his head up as he turned to the voice and saw Sakura looking at him in concern. He quickly glanced around the room to see everyone's faces towards him, to which he gave a weak grin and rubbed his head.
"Sorry, must've dozed off." Some of the Shinobi rolled their eyes, though Shikamaru, Sakura, and his children seemed to have known that Naruto had actually been in conversation. Naruto looked to Shikamaru and nodded. Shikamaru responded in kind and proceeded with the slide.
"Now we've got Spartans, a ruthlessly trained soldier." The slide featured men with bronze helmets with a black ponytail on top, a short sword and dagger at their side, two spears in hand and a medium sized shield in the other. Their armor seemed to be plated.
"They travel in groups of eight, and rely mainly on their equipment. But … similar to the Zuluns, and the next three soldiers, they have something akin to chakra." The group groaned and Naruto studied the slide.
"Death means little, as for them it means to please their gods." Shikamaru continued. "But they're not quite mobile as we are or the Zuluns."
The next slide showed three men clad in plated greaves, gauntlets, chest pieces, a sword in the hand of one. Bow and arrows on another, a wooden stick in the hand of another.
"Knights, Archers, and Wizards." Shikamaru said. "These are always three man units consisting of one of each. But there is an abundance of them that it wouldn't be safe to assume that the rule is being overlooked for the time being given current standings. Wizards are the ones who utilize their 'magic' the most and give power to their allies. That isn't to say the other two don't have tricks up their sleeves."
"Seems to give them benefits." Noboru said aloud. "The Knights close in, Archers pick off, and Wizards support."
"More or less the idea." Shikamaru nodded. "I doubt we'll ever see a solo soldier walking the wilderness and fight off a hundred foes."
"Yet I did that." Naruto said offhandedly. Shikamaru rolled his eyes and his kids groaned while Sakura huffed but allowed a small smile on her face.
"Yes Naruto. You did, but it's not like you're going to replicate that same feat again. These aren't Shinobi where you have an idea of what they can do. These are guys with powers beyond our understanding." Naruto shrugged as he gestured his aide to continue.
The next slide revealed a man wielding a thin blade, and holding a weapon grooved to fit their palms. Chest plating was apparent, as was a holster and belt lined with metal spheres.
"Duelists … more or less what the Knight, Archer and Wizard are rolled into one person with their rapiers, pistols and magic. They can fight solo or work together as a force. I guess what you can call a one man army. But they do have a tendency of wearing themselves thin. Perhaps one of the easier forces we're going to deal with. The next group on the other hand … not so much."
As Shikamaru clicked the next slide, Naruto saw a man heavily saddled with equipment and clad in camouflage, carrying what looked like an advanced gun compared to what the Zuluns had in hand.
"These are Armed Forces. One of five units within their military. Army, Marines, Air Force, Navy, mostly share the same equipment for combat. Marines will be first on the front lines before the Army shows up. Air Force utilizes flying machines to attack from the air, and the Navy uses fortress like boats to attack from a distance in the waters. These guys are the only ones who don't use a chakra like power."
"So what's the fifth unit?" Takeshi questioned in his corner. Naruto quickly glanced over his shoulder to see his nephew standing there silently. Some of his comrades looked spooked when Takeshi spoke, causing Naruto to grin a little. When he looked back to Shikamaru, Shikamaru was looking at him in the eyes with concern, which caused Naruto to give the same expression.
"What?" He asked. Shikamaru looked up to the room and looked around it for a moment.
"The fifth unit is a specialized one. Simply known as the 'A.V Class'. A. V standing for 'Anti Vessel'. They're trained to and equipped with the means to eliminate people with supernatural monsters within them. You're a prime target for them, Naruto."
The entire room quickly looked towards Naruto, and Naruto immediately looked towards his wife, concern written all over her face. Naruto looked between the slide and the table in front of him.
So … we've got something of an Akatsuki here.
Hm. Maybe. But if we avoid attention, then we have a chance.
"I assume you have no clue as to whether or not they can detect Jinchurriki or not?" Naruto asked.
"It would be safe to assume they can if they've created a class for the means of eliminating them." Shikamaru said, turning off the projector. "Technology has advanced so far."
"Yet look at how far back we are." Naruto said aloud. "Take twenty, guys. We'll convene again then, I have to mull it over." Everyone proceeded to get up from their seats as Naruto walked over to the open balcony and leaned onto the railing, pondering over how he was going to split off teams. He heard footsteps behind him and join his side on the railing.
"Are you seriously considering going on this trek?" Sakura asked him. Naruto continued to stare out to the Village, listening to the echoes of passersby below the Office.
"Someone has to lead our division. And … it needs to be me."
"Did we not say that we were going to consider retirement soon?" Naruto looked to her with a tired expression. She looked back at him with a determined look.
"Sakura … can we not start on this again?" Naruto asked with slight desperation in his voice. "I've got too much to handle right now, and retirement is the least of my worries." Sakura huffed in annoyance and turned her body towards him.
"Send Konohamaru out, he knows how to lead an army. Lee, Kiba, anyone else besides you. Konoha needs you."
"You want me to stay out of trouble's sights." Naruto said as he bowed his head and let it rest on the railing. "You want me to be happy and not worry about a thing while this world wide war goes on. To keep the kids here so that they don't have to endure what we did nearly three decades ago." Naruto groaned as he picked himself back up and looked back to Sakura, both of whom had their eyebrows narrowed in concentration on their discussion.
"I want to, you know. God do I want to protect you and the kids from harm's way to make sure not a scratch grazes your skin or the kids. But you know better than I do that it can't be done that way." Sakura looked off to the side and downwards, closing her eyes.
"Naruto … the vows we gave to one another on our wedding day, I swore to protect you from the evils of the world so that you wouldn't ever be hurt again. During Sasuke's Revolution, I vowed to make your life the happiest it's ever been, to always be by your side. After Noboru was born, I swore to be a good mother for them. A good wife for you. I just want the best for you all." Naruto looked at her for a few moments before he sighed as reached over to wrap his arms around her, digging his face into her hair.
"My love, you always have been the best. Perfect for our family. But I don't want you to burden yourself to the point that you've taken on too much. That's what I'm there for." Sakura shook her head.
"But I don't want you to hurt yourself as you did years ago." Naruto smiled a little.
"Sakura, it wasn't all bad." Sakura broke free from Naruto's embrace and maintained the same look she had moments ago.
"You sacrificed your own happiness just so that I could be happy. It hurt you that you went above and beyond to put a smile on my face. To bring Sasuke back. To stay alive so that you could come back and be with me. Your life has been nothing but burdens. I just don't you to carry anymore of it." Naruto looked on in silence before staring up to the Monument, looking to his dad's face.
"Well, I am the Hokage. I swore to protect the Village, and I'm going to do that by ending this conflict." He looked back to Sakura, who stared at the ground once more.
"When will it all end?" She questioned. Sakura looked back to Naruto and wrapped her arms around herself. "When will I not have to worry about you getting killed out there?" Naruto shrugged and stepped forward, towering her and giving her a small smile.
"When the world stops finding things for me to resolve." Sakura rolled her eyes and looked up to him.
"And if it doesn't?" Naruto chuckled.
"It will. We just need to put forth the effort." Naruto clapped her arm proceeded to walk back into the building until Shikamaru, Tsunade, Kakashi, Takeshi, and a couple of Anbu walked out. Naruto raised an eyebrow as Shikamaru extended a piece of paper towards him, a look of regret on his face.
"Lord Hokage, Sakura, it pains me to hand you this now … but you need to read it." Naruto looked at the group and turned to his wife who shared the same look on his face before Naruto took the paper and proceeded to read it, as Sakura looked over his shoulder.
To Naruto Uzumaki,
Last night, we received your message concerning your daughter's return to your 'Village'. You will find to your dismay that she won't be making the return trip home, as we are holding her captive in the heart of our country. As of now, we are torturing her in the most delightful ways to get what we need out of her, and you may find that she won't have much time left before we decide to kill her off once we have what we need. We know who you are, Nanadaime Hokage of Konohagakure, and we assume that you will be coming out to play in the upcoming war.
Any attempts made by you or your comrades to rescue her or kill our men will result in her premature death. I give her little less than two weeks before we finish her off.
The Duelists Army
Needless to say that the letter fell from Naruto's hand. Naruto felt paralyzed, and he couldn't move.
"You two need to think this through before you charge after Mai." Shikamaru said. Naruto realized then that Shikamaru had restrained himself and Sakura in place to prevent them from moving. Try as Naruto could, the bonds didn't break. He glared to Shikamaru.
"Bastard, let me go or,"
"Or what Naruto?" Shikamaru asked. "You'll fire me? Go ahead. But at least hear us out."
"It's bad as it is that there's a war going on." Kakashi started. "But you need to remember that you're the Hokage of this Village."
"My daughter's out there getting tortured." Sakura growled through her teeth. "And you expect me to be calm about it?"
"Remember what I taught you Sakura." Tsunade spoke up. "Control your emotions, you're letting them get the better of you. If they see you going after them, they'll kill her."
"Naruto." Shikamaru turned to his superior. "We know what you want to do, and by god, we would let you do it. But circumstances are different from what they are now, and we simply can't let this opportunity go to waste. Konoha needs you." Naruto struggled once more against his restraints.
"And I have to sit here and do nothing? That's my daughter!" He yelled at the group.
"And she's a Kunoichi." Tsunade said, folding her hands into her lap. "Each of your children swore to protect the Village with their lives, as you two did when you were their age. We cannot let the life of one person get in the way of the Village's safety. You know that better than anyone, Naruto. Your parents gave their life for the Village and you. The Sandaime Hokage did it for the Village, as did my grandfather and great uncle." Naruto felt his tears start to build up as he recalled every memory he had of her and just broke down, defeated as he was held down by his advisors.
"Just let me save her." Naruto whispered. "She's my blood, my kin, I can't let her die because I have to be the leader during a time of crisis."
"That's merely how it goes Naruto." Shikamaru said. Naruto pulled his lips back and looked up to the group.
"Shut up!" He shouted. "It's not that you are experiencing what I'm going through right now! I've already lost Shin! I'm not going to lose Mai either!" Naruto resume his efforts into breaking free of his bonds.
"Naruto!" Kakashi shouted. "We're not going to let it happen. I'm going after her." Naruto slowly diminished his struggle as he looked to his Sensei, his eyes tired and weary, and yet determined by the words he said.
"It's our job." Sakura said angrily. "We swore to protect our children." Kakashi raised his hand to silence her.
"Yes, but both of you are needed to lead the division. I'm going because I'm retired, and you can't officially tell me to stay where I am. That said, I would like some company to help me in my travels … say Shinachiku and Aimi." Now Naruto was confused.
"But …"
"This way, the two of them won't need to see the war." Kakashi started. "With me, Shinachiku will learn a few things and Aimi can help keep me from losing my edge dealing with him. The boy still needs training, and I can provide that for him." Naruto had to collect himself before thinking of what Kakashi said.
A three man team would slip under the radar, and given that he is Kurama's Jinchurriki, they would undoubtedly see him and Sakura coming. Kakashi, Shinachiku and Aimi would slide under the radar well. Naruto growled as he tried to think of another way. Kakashi shook his head.
"Naruto, Sakura … Don't worry about Mai. We'll get there before they kill her." Naruto went silent for a moment before he looked to Sakura, who had her eyes closed, face streaked in years. He bit his lip and looked back to Kakashi, sighing once more out of defeat.
"Please Kakashi, do what you can." He could hear Sakura raise her head and look to them. Kakashi nodded, offering a smile beneath his mask.
"You have my word, Naruto, Sakura. I'll go prepare for my venture." Kakashi proceeded to jump from the balcony towards the streets. Naruto casted his eyes downwards as he felt the pressure go away, collapsing to his knees.
"We'll be sitting down in ten." Shikamaru said aloud as he turned back to the room. Tsunade and Takeshi watched the two parents for a moment before they too left their vicinity. The agents remained where they were as Naruto and Sakura remained where they were.
"Must we?" Sakura asked Naruto.
"Do we have a choice?" He replied. "We … have to have faith. Kakashi will bring them back." He said this aloud, but he wasn't sure if he was trying to convince Sakura, or himself.
Author's Note:
And we step closer to getting to the War. What is in store, time will tell.
Similar to the previous story, I intend for there to be different perspectives. Where there was six last time (Naruto, Sakura, Kakashi, Sasuke, Karin, and Shikamaru), it'll just be four this time around (Naruto, Sakura, Kakashi, and the last one I'll be quiet for until we get to their chapter but you may have already guessed who it's going to be).
If you enjoyed this chapter, great! If not, sorry to disappoint.
Until next time, see ya!
