Hello all Storm here with a new chapter! Here we will starting the first chapter of the Wave Civil War Arc, mostly focusing on the Konoha Ninjas journey and arrival in Wave. So, without further ado.
I own nothing
The four teams were walking down the road as they headed towards Wave Country. While it would have been quicker to run or tree jump the Jonin all agreed it'd be best to approach this with caution, as well as to preserve their strength and Chakra in the event they come across enemies. Considering they don't know to expect when they arrive in Wave Country or how far the Civil War has spread, if it's gone past just Wave Country and reached the mainland.
The Jonin were walking at the front as they discussed the mission and what to expect.
"So, Kakashi any thoughts on what we can expect when we arrive in Wave?" Asuma asked
"Expect anything and everything, from missing-nin to Yōkai. The only reason this mission isn't listed as a borderline B-Rank or even A-Rank or S-Rank is because only bandits have been confirmed to be involved. But I feel we'll be dealing with more than simple bandits." Kakashi said, Kurenai looking at him skeptically
"Don't you think you're overestimating things Kakashi? I mean sure Gato was able to hire Zabuza Momochi and his associates but I doubt he had any other missing-nin working for him. And Yōkai, really?" Questioned Kurenai find it amusing Kakashi was acting like they were entering another Great War
However her amusement was wiped away at the warning look Kakashi sent her.
"I'm going to let that slide as you've only recently been promoted to Jonin Kurenai, but make no mistake we're going into a warzone, we don't know to expect besides bandits. Not to mention the fact Gato's empire is far and widespread, there's no telling if he in fact did have other missing-nin working for him. It's even possible he had Yōkai working for him or at least an understanding with them that they don't interfere in his business and he gives them whatever they want. You heard the Hokage he's already had to send out Chunin, Jonin, and Anbu to Gato's other strongholds and bases to contain the fighting and now he's sent the four of us, currently the strongest Jonin in Konoha, to Wave Country where it all started. Now tell me if this was just simple bandits why would it require all of us, plus our Genin?" Kakashi asked rhetorically, Kurenai gulping at the look he was giving her knowing she didn't have a retort
"Hey Kakashi, come on lay off." Said Asuma in defense of his girlfriend
While he understood the seriousness of the situation that didn't mean he like the way Kakashi was talking to Kurenai.
"Asuma, while I respect your desire to defend Kurenai, Kakashi is right now, is not the time he underestimate the opposition we will face." Gai said in a rare serious moment surprising Kurenai and Asuma, along with his own Genin since they hardly, if ever, see Gai speaking and looking so seriously
"Okay I get it Kakashi, but you don't really think we'll encounter Yōkai right?" Kurenai asked not wanting her students to have to fight any of those monsters
"Like I said expect anything and everything. If we do encounter Yōkai, they'll likely be water-based ones given Wave Country is an island and we'll have to cross the ocean. This goes to all of you, when we get to the ocean be aware of your surroundings along with anything moving under you!" Kakashi said directing the last part to the Genin as well getting a few nods while some looked pale and shaken at the thought of encountering Yōkai
Unknown to everyone they were currently being watched by numerous poisonous insects.
*Naraku's Castle*
"Hm, so they're being sent to Wave Country. This presents a truly marvelous opportunity." Naraku mused with a smirk looking through his insects as he spied on the Konoha Ninja
Sending out more insects Naraku had them go inform the Suiko and Kappa that have taken up residence near Wave Country of the approaching humans. This will allow him to test the ones that have caught his interest, Team Seven he believed they referred to as, and see how much they have grown since the Fire Temple.
While Freed and Preta Ghoul provided them a challenge they were still only humans, Naraku wanted to see how they compared against Yōkai who have the homefield advantage. As for the other teams Naraku didn't really care for them, compared to the girls on Team Seven the rest were remarkably average, with a few Naraku simply dismissing as deadweight.
If they survived the Yōkai then maybe he'll observe them, however if they die, then that'll be a few less worthless humans in the world.
'I hope they can prove challenge, it would be such a disappointment if they were to die to a few low-class water Yōkai.' Naraku thought as his insects focused on Team Seven
*With the Konoha Ninja*
The Ninja reached the ocean and could just make out seeing the island nation of Wave off in the distance.
"Alright everyone stick together, we don't know if there are patrols on the coast or what's lurking beneath the water. Keep your eyes and ears on alert for anything out of the ordinary or if you hear anything, but do NOT under any circumstances take action, we want to keep the element of surprise for as long as we can. Understood?" Kakashi questioned getting nods from everyone
"Good, then let's move." Said Kakashi before they all began walking across the water
Kakashi pulled out a kunai and kept his head on a swivel while occasionally looking in the water for anything moving in the murky depths. The other Jonin followed his example, Asuma pulling out his trench knives, Gai tensing ready to attack, and Kurenai ready to cast a Genjutsu.
Meanwhile Naruko was having a conversation with her mothers.
'Mom if there are Yōkai here, do you have any idea of what they could be?' Naruko asked, Katsumi humming in thought
"Given this is a small island nation surrounded by water and likely with rivers and ponds, at most I'd say you'll encounter some Suiko and Kappa. Normally these Yōkai aren't malevolent preferring to pull pranks on humans, but don't let that fool you, they're still vicious when they want to be. Both Yōkai have the strength fully grown men and they use their strength to drag people below the water to drown them, though both have different ways of eating. Suiko drain their victims of their blood like a vampire and then devour their souls before letting the drained, dead bodies float back to the surface, while Kappa devour their victims alive usually going for the entrails first. Another thing to know is that Suiko are considered bosses of Kappa, with the Kappa attacking humans to look tougher for their Suiko bosses, like wise Suiko attack humans to looker tougher to other Suiko. Both Suiko and Kappa are nearly unstoppable while in water, being faster and stronger, the best way to beat them is get them on dry land. Once on land the easiest way to beat a Kappa is to bow, the Kappa will be honor bound to bow back spilling the water in the dish on their head, if the dish on a Kappa's head in dry they'll be unable to move. The Suiko meanwhile is more difficult given they don't have a dish on their heads to drain, and they usually only come out at night to play pranks, the best way to kill them is simply kill them like you would any other creature. The same with the Kappa, it's just easier to trick them into emptying their dish." Katsumi explained, Naruko gulping at how dangerous Kappa and Suiko sound, even more so if they're in large groups.
Suddenly Naruko was pulled from her thoughts when she heard Ino scream. Looking Naruko saw a small child sized scaled creature climbing on her.
"That's a Kappa!"
Naruko's eyes widened that a Kappa was attacking Ino, a quick look below the waters surface confirmed Naruko's fears that there were more Kappa and what she guessed were Suiko, the latter of which looked plenty more vicious than the Kappa.
Just then a kunai impale the Kappa that was attacking Ino, the thrower being Kakashi.
"Everyone move now, get to land quickly! Fighting these things in the water is a death sentence!" Kakashi ordered pulling out more kunai and shuriken and throwing them at any Kappa or Suiko that got close to the surface making sure all of them were killed
The Genin immediately took running to dry land while the Jonin stayed back to give them time to escape, Kakashi throwing kunai and shuriken, Asuma slashing with his trench knives, Gai delivering kicks and punches, and Kurenai trying to trap them in a Genjutsu but was having difficulty doing so.
As they were running to dry land Naruko kept checking beneath the water in case any Kappa or Suiko were following them. Though her eyes widened when she saw Yakumo was starting to fall behind and a Suiko was swimming straight towards her!
"Yakumo move!" Naruko shouted jumping over and pushing Yakumo out of the way just as the Suiko jumped out of the water and grabbed onto Naruko's back
Naruko didn't have time to scream when she felt herself being dragged under the water her teammates and Himari shouting her name. The Hanyō released a silent scream when she felt the Suiko bite into her neck while feelings clawed hands scratching and tearing at her body, looking she saw several Kappa were helping drag her down and make sure she can't escape.
'Get the hell off me!' Naruko shouted mentally kicking and punching at the Yōkai
She would have tried using her Chakra Chains but she couldn't concentrate enough to summon them and she was starting to feel weaker as the Suiko drank her blood.
"Naruko! You have to concentrate and use your Foxfire! It can burn even underwater and right now if you don't do anything you are going to die!" Katsumi shouted fearful of her daughter dying.
Naruko nodded and tried creating her Foxfire but she couldn't as her slowly decreasing amount of blood and need for air kept her from creating any.
'I… I can't, I can't focus. I'm trying… but I can't… getting… tired…' Naruko thought finding trouble in keeping her eyes open
"Naruko, you have to keep your eyes open and look up. Look at what's happening." Kushina said pleadingly
With the strength she had left Naruko looked up and saw the other Genin being swarmed by Kappa and Suiko.
'N… no.' Naruko thought reaching up a hand towards them
"You have to fight Naruko, you have to keep fighting otherwise you will die."
'N…o.'
"Yakumo will die."
'No.'
"Himari will die."
'No.'
"And Satsuki will die.'
Naruko's eyes snapped open only now they were a blazing red while red Chakra bubbled around her.
"NO!" Roared Naruko as blue Foxfire and red Chakra exploded off of her incinerating the Kappa and Suiko grabbing her
Naruko shot up to the surface of the water and all the fighting instantly stopped as the Ninja and Yōkai looked at her with wide eyes. As Naruko was now covered in a cloak of bubbling red Chakra in the shape of the fox with three tails swaying behind her. Another thing was her disguise was no longer in place revealing her true form to everyone.
'What the hell?' Thought Teams Eight, Nine, and Ten
'Oh no.' Thought Team Seven and Himari upon seeing Naruko's disguise was gone
Naruko growled at the Kappa and Suiko who all shook in fear at being in the presence of a far more powerful Yōkai.
Naruko unleashed a powerful roar that had all the water Yōkai scrambling to escape less they be torn apart.
"Kakashi what's happening?! Is the seal breaking?!" Asuma asked, Kakashi shaking his head no
"No, loosening but not breaking." Replied Kakashi
When all the Yōkai were gone Naruko breathed heavily as her cloak receded within her while all her wounds were healed, though she was still weak from the blood she lost. With some effort Naruko limped her way over to her teammates who all rushed over to her.
"Are you three okay?" Naruko asked seeing them covered in scratches and bit marks
"Are we okay?! What about you?! You're the one that was dragged underwater! What were you thinking?!" Satsuki demanded
"If I didn't do anything they would have grabbed Yakumo." Stated Naruko, Yakumo looking dow at that both saddened that her teammate and friend risked her life for her and angry at herself knowing she'd become a liability thanks to her weak body
Though she looked up when she felt a hand on her shoulder and Naruko smiling at her.
"Don't be upset Yakumo, if I ever see any of you in danger I won't hesitate to save you, that's what friends are for after all. Watching each other's back. And besides like Kakashi always said, those who abandon their friends are worse than trash." Naruko said smiling at Yakumo, with the brunette returning the smile before looking away with a light blush on her face
"Well said Naruko. But right now we need to get to land before those Yōkai come back." Kakashi said looking over the Genin seeing them covered in wounds and looking tired from the fight
All of them nodded and immediately ran to Wave Country soon arriving on dry land and went inland in case the Kappa and Suiko decide to follow them. Better to have to stay far from the water in case that happens.
"Kakashi do you mind explaining just what the hell was that and why SHE looks like THAT?!" Kurenai demanded pointing at Naruko, who was now noticing that her disguise was gone.
Before Kakashi could say anything several bandits, around seventy if Kakashi was correct, stepped out from between the trees.
"Well look what we got here boys; a couple lost ninja. Why don't we show them how we treat intruders!" One of the bandits shouted, getting cheers from the others
"Just perfect. All of you stay back and watch each other's backs, leave these guys to us and only attack anyone that gets past us!" Kakashi ordered as he, Gai, Asuma, and Kurenai charged the bandits while the Genin stood in a circle watching for any bandits that manage to sneak past the Jonin
Though while the Jonin were more than capable of handling the bandits they were still tired and injured from fighting the Yōkai, leading to some of the bandits getting through and rushing towards the Genin forcing them to fight. Team Seven and Team Gai fought most of the bandits, with Yakumo and Tenten giving support with Genjutsu and throwing numerous weapons respectively, while Teams Eight and Ten staying in the back as they were more tracking or capture and interrogating than combat focused.
They also remembered Kakashi's words back in Konoha and didn't hesitate to kill the enemies, with Team Seven and Team Gai doing the actual killing all of them already being in situations involving death and were able to do it without freezing up. Unfortunately they couldn't get all the bandits with several getting past them, thankfully Shino, Kiba, and Choji were able to take care of them, with Shikamaru and Hinata restraining them with their respective Jutsu and Fighting Style, though given Hinata's gentle nature she didn't fully knock out the bandits and only saw one charging at her at the last minute and could only react delivering a palm thrust straight to the bandits chest.
Hinata looked in horror as the bandit froze for a moment before collapsing to the floor, she didn't even need to check to know the man was dead.
She just killed someone!
'Wh-wh-what ha-have I-I-I do-done?' Hinata thought horrified that she just killed someone
Unable to look away from her first kill Hinata didn't see one bandit sneaking behind her with their weapon raised until it was too late.
"DIE YOU LITTLE BITCH!"
Hinata's eyes widened and looked seeing one of the bandits standing over her with a metal club about to be brought down on her head.
"Hinata!" Kiba shouted pushing the girl out of the way just as the bandit brought club down hitting Kiba instead of Hinata
*CRACK*
A sickening crack echoed through the forest as the Genin and Jonin looked to see Kiba fall to the ground with blood quickly staining his hood.
"KIBA!" Kurenai screamed in horror at seeing her student getting attacked and no longer wasn't moving
Throwing a kunai at the bandit that struck him, impaling him through the skull, Kurenai rushed over to Kiba and turned him over.
"Kiba, Kiba, Kiba come on look at me!" Kurenai said horrified when she saw Kiba's eyes staring unblinking up at her
"Ki-Kiba." Hinata stuttered covering her mouth as tears fell from her eyes when she saw Kiba wasn't moving
This was her fault, if she hadn't frozen up that bandit wouldn't have snuck up on her and Kiba wouldn't have had to push her out of the way to save her. Now he was… he was…
Akamaru whimpered as he licked his partners face and nudged him hoping to get a reaction, instead he remained motionless. Sitting down Akamaru released a howl of sorrow realizing his partner and friend was gone.
Kakashi, Gai, and Asuma dispatched the remainder of the bandits and walked over looking at Kurenai cradling Kiba's body as tears spilled down her face. Approaching the crying woman Kakashi put a hand on her shoulder.
"Kurenai we have to keep moving." Kakashi said softly, while a few of the Genin and Asuma looked at him in disbelief
"Kakashi, she just watched one of her students die, you can't give her a moment to mourn?" Asuma questioned before flinching when Kakashi glared at him
"And she'll be forced to watch her other students die as well along with your own if we don't keep moving. There could be more bandits nearby and could be on there way here after hearing the fighting and want to deal with whoever's left. So, unless you want one of your students to die as well then get her to move." Kakashi said, Asuma remaining silent before nodding
Going over to Kurenai, Asuma tried pulling her way from Kiba's body but the woman wouldn't budge. Not seeing Kurenai move Kakashi pressed a pressure point on her neck knocking the woman unconscious.
"Was that necessary?" Asuma asked picking Kurenai up
"It was either that or drag her kicking and screaming. I chose the option that involved less of a struggle. Someone grab Akamaru." Kakashi ordered as he sealed Kiba's body away to bring back to Konoha for his family to bury
Hinata shakily grabbed the whimpering Akamaru and they continued on their way.
Making there way through the forest no one said anything, most of the Genin in shock at seeing one of there own die, while the Jonin knew now wasn't the time to talk.
Soon they reached the only town in the Land of Waves and they didn't see anyone around, at least not anyone alive.
Numerous bodies laid in the streets, some even strung up or impaled on pikes, likely as a warning to anyone that gets in the warring bandits way.
'This is a ghost town.' Naruko thought in sadness at seeing even women, children, and elderly among the dead
It was sad to see what was likely once a prosperous town reduced to this and all because of one greedy bastard. Naruko clenched her fists in anger, Gato should be lucky he's already dead otherwise she'd kill him herself, and she wouldn't do it quickly either.
After walking through the town, they soon returned to the forest again and soon happened upon a large manor that looked abandoned.
'This was likely Gato's base here in Wave. Looks like it was abandoned after his death, we can use it as a stronghold for our time here.' Kakashi thought turning to the others
"We'll be using this as our base of operations here in Wave Country, get settled and then scout the surrounding area, set up traps if you can or anything to alert us of any bandits that come here. Once all that is done, we'll group up to go over the plan for taking care of the bandits, Yōkai if they get involved, and missing-nin if there are any. For now, you have your orders, I'm going to send one of my ninken to the Hokage requesting backup. Be on guard when you're on patrol and even while in the base, we can't risk being caught off guard again." Kakashi said getting nods from everyone while he saw a few were still shaken from the encounter with the Yōkai and bandits, and seeing Kiba die
Kakashi can only hope he can prevent any more deaths, but something told him by the end of this not all of them will be returning to Konoha alive.
So, what did you think, good. Yep we've had our first death, Kiba dying protecting Hinata, who has also made her first kill. We also see what remains of Wave Country after being attacked by numerous bandits, not only that but the Ninja have found a stronghold in the form of Gato's old base of operations. Finally Kakashi will be requesting backup for the mission, who will it be I wonder. So, review if you liked go away if you didn't.
Storm out