Yeah yeah, it's short but I literally wrote this in the span of like an hour. I had this itching idea so I just sat down and dedicated all my time to this chapter. I wanted to sit on it and make a bigger one but I decided where I had it was the best place to pause. Get some more teaser and plot twists before things really get fun! A key thing, everything has a reaction. Naruto and Sasuke's presence will have that 'reaction' soon enough. On with it!
'Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending' ~ Maria Robinson
Chapter 9
Sasuke moved quietly through Gaoling's bustling crowds. The city grew in size, if only slightly, but it still had the same feel of unwelcoming outsiders. Only now an imposing border of earth surrounded the Beifong estate. Once word reached Toph her family died she gathered what she wanted and erected a massive wall around the estate. It was more to keep prying eyes away and to keep the area protected from the elements. He meant to move towards that direction until he noticed Kuvira veering off.
"Naruto headed towards the estate" stated Melawin.
"I know, but I want to see something. Spread out for a few minutes and get a head count on the number of guards in the city. There's not much area to cover but we can get a feel for the immediate response before we go snooping around the Beifong estate." Sasuke seemed to nod in approval before once more disappearing through the crowd. Bolin shifted his route, moving to another side as Kuvira noticed Melawin stuck to her side.
"I'm still your guard when he's not around, and your advisor. I won't ever be too far" said the red head with a soft smile.
"I'm not even dressed in uniform but there's still a risk my face is noticeable" said Kuvira, bringing her arms up to show off her new clothes. It looked like casual clothes any diplomat would wear to the Earth Kingdom. A long sleeved button up, slim pants, shoes made for earth benders and a few accessories to flaunt wealth. She needed to dress the part if she wanted to hold up her rouse.
From there, they wandered. Browsing some of the foods, eating a bit and buying a small amount of wears just to keep their identity secure. Melawin noticed the guarding was rather lax inside but outside their were check-ins at every point and no one moved through without a valid pass. She was glad Naruto had them passage, going through normally would have been nearly impossible as she saw it now.
"We'll need to find a similar way in from the water. A frontal assault won't do us any good but ruin our supplies and forces. From within, we can hope for a quicker finish and less lives lost on all sides" said Kuvira, mapping out a few routes in her head before Melawin's head snapped towards the Beifong Estate.
"What is it?"
"Follow me" was all the warning she got before the read head shot off like bolt of lightning. Kuvira slipped through the crowded streets as best she could without causing a scene. She quickly noticed that a small section of the barrier had been broken farther away from were most would pass by. Taking that as her ticket in she quietly slipped inside and closed up the hole so no one would notice her entry. She instantly noticed the heavy feeling in the closed off area. In the distance, she could see something akin to a house but it didn't look quite right. She quickly moved to investigate only to be stopped just shy of the building by Melawin.
"Stay back, things aren't well right now." Kuvira, thoroughly lost, finally had her eyes adjust to the light only to see the house wasn't a house at all. It was only the rubble remains, torn down from the very foundation that lay in ruins by new earth. Lava bending. It seems that fanatic Zaheer didn't take kindly to the Beifong's either and sent one of his lackies here to destroy the building at some point. She also noticed Naruto sitting on a pile of rubble with Sasuke standing just a ways back. Only now did she notice the heavy feeling seems to be excluding from him.
"What's going on? What's he doing?" asked Kuvira.
"Grieving and doing his best to keep calm" said Melawin but a look from Kuvira made her sigh before she elaborated.
"He respected Toph's wishes and put up seals to keep this place from being taken down using any earth bending but what was used wasn't earth bending. He's usually reserved but when he gets worked up like this only Sasuke can really handle him if things get…..loud."
"What do you mean by loud?"
"He'll retaliate in a nonsensical way, with his powers already bursting at the seams from such a peaceful time anything too strenuous causes them to flow. He doesn't mean to but he can't control it sometimes. It's another part of his curse, Sasuke is blessed with unparalleled sight amongst other things. Naruto's is the control of terribly powerful chakra and energy manipulation. A double edged sword rests in each of their hands." Kuvira kept silent, watching the two from afar was her only option. They stood in silence for quite some time but slowly the weight seemed to lift and Naruto stood.
'Was his back always that broad?' thought Kuvira before he turned and offered a small smile with a wave before the duo walked down towards them.
"Sorry for that, just had a few things Sasuke and I needed to talk about. How's things look out there?"
Kuvira snapped out of her thoughts as they began to walk towards the barrier wall "The surrounding of the town is heavily fortified and there's checkpoints at every entrance. Inside is lightly defended, only a few guards make partial rounds so they rely heavily in the checkpoints on the border."
Naruto thumbed his chin "Hmm, that'd be tricky to bring your men into the city without causing a massive issue or getting a favor from the United Republic but that won't happen. Oh well, guess we'll just do it my way."
"Your way?" asked Kuvira before he opened a small portion of the barrier to let them out. Once they'd all left it closed back up and he looked at the surrounding area then walked towards the bustling streets.
"Don't worry, it'll be over quick. They won't even bother struggling." Kuvira could hear a subtle change of his tone and his posture seemed to straighten up. Once again, the heavy feeling was back and she saw Sasuke take a step forward.
"He's just going to blow off a little steam. He's right, once they see what he'll do they won't bother fighting."
"Wha-" Her words died in her throat as his form glowed gold once more. Last time, she didn't feel any pressure in that form but now she felt like she was walking in water. The air around her was so thick and heavy. Was this just because of his excess energy? He gained attention immediately as his golden form walked through the crowd before he stopped. Naruto took a deep break in then spoke in a booming voice.
"I'll offer you a peaceful surrender, and I'll give you two chances. This is your first. In the name of the Earth Empire, kneel before us and be saved from the foolish controllers of this failing nation." She could see him let out a sigh as the lone guard unit quickly surrounded him in a fighting pattern.
"Whoever you are, surrender! We won't ask again!" shouted a man, clearly dressed as the one in charge. He was the presiding general from what Naruto could gather. Good, this would be easy. His golden form turned to the man and he flinched backwards at the weight of his gaze.
"I guessed it'd take more than this flashy show to convince you. Let me give you the second, and your last chance to bend knee. Be warned, should you retaliate I will act in kind. Let's show the world that which it has forgotten through time. Look upon me and know I wish only to free you from your chains of a puppet." From there, his energy began to rise and take shape. Growing and growing…...and growing, it continued before the golden energy shaped into what she could make out was a….nine tailed fox.
"Ah, such a comforting thing to feel again. How I've missed this" said Melawin, looking to the sky with her eyes closed. She felt the warmth of his chakra raining down on her. It didn't weigh her down, no, it rejuvenated her anew. She felt refreshed once more.
Sasuke's lone coal black eye gazed unto Naruto's form that stared at the general. He hadn't seen his friend this lively since Aang and his band of friends were around. It was a refreshing sight but it also made him worry. He'd never set such a heavy hand, even back during Ozai's reign they took a backseat to it all but now they were at the forefront. The Uchiha needed to speak with Naruto soon. Things were changing and not necessarily for the better.
Kuvira was in awe, the mass of energy could easily encompass part of the town by the sheer size. Nearly five stories tall and easily twice as long. It emitted radiant energy like the sun given shape. It was then she saw a sight she never thought she'd see. The general kneeled, bowing his head to the being before him. His other four men followed suit and soon many of the town fell down in a single mindset. To show fealty to a being of pure energy and life.
It was a sight no one would ever forget. Kuvira would always remember the day Naruto summoned what she would later learn to just part of his power and brought a town to its knees. In one fell swoop, Gao Ling was conquered by the Great Uniter and the man who they called "The Savior."
Word of the feat spread quickly and reached back towards the United Republic within 24 hours.
"So it's already begun then" said Tenzin, looking outwards towards the city.
"Is there nothing we can do? Korra?" asked the President.
Lin shook her head "Mom always used to warn us about him and his friend. If they ever did something there was a reason. She said Aang wasn't even one to press their matters after a certain point. He didn't have the power to stop them anyway. If he couldn't, neither can we."
The President sat down in his chair with a heavy sigh "So we just leave these immortal gods to do as they please? For how long!? They'll ransack the Earth Kingdom."
"For the better" said Suyin offhand, earning a glare from the president to which she shrugged it off. She supported it. It needed to be done but she wouldn't dare do it herself. Then, a knock came to the door before someone stepped inside. It wasn't a very definable person. She was extremely average looking, slim build, mid length brown hair, soft hazel eyes and typical workers clothing seen all around town.
"Hello, I was paid to give you this and recite this statement. If you wish to take care of the problem that is blossoming in the Earth Kingdom I will be reserving a table here at the restaurant just across the street from your office for dinner. Ask for a reservation for Orochimaru. I'll be waiting, Mr. President." A moment later, she bowed and exited, leaving them only more confused as Lin opened the letter she handed them. Inside was an old picture of the blonde they'd seen, along with the one they guessed was Sasuke. The two looked a lot younger, a pink haired girl was in between them and a masked silver haired man with a headband over his eye was residing over them all.
'I know these two more than anyone and I'd love to help you, help me. The enemy of my enemy is my friend after all. I can tell you much more in due time. See you all soon!'
"I don't feel good about this" said Suyin. This just reeked of something horrible.
"I don't either but is there any other option. I'd prefer you all accompany me there, at least to assess this. If not, I'll relent completely and let them be from now on. You have my word."
Tenzin sighed, wanting this man to cease his drive "Very well, let's entertain whoever this man is and be done with this foolish errand. I have other business to attend to anyway."
"Sounds like a plan to me" said Lin, wanting this over just like her sister did. Suyin kept her thoughts to herself but she agreed to go only to cease this entertainment.
WOAAHH LIKE THAT SURPRISE!? I BET YOU DIDN'T SEE THAT COMING! Is it really him or just some guy who found his name in old artifacts? Could he really survive? FIND OUT NEXT CHAPTER! MAYBE! HAHAHAHA! AREN'T I GREAT OR WHAT!? Next few chapters are going to begin to close in on book four wrap up, max of 5 chapters to wrap it up. From there, we begin a new arc. WHO'S MESSING WITH OUR BOIS?! See ya'll soon, take care and as always if anyone needs some help shooting ideas around for stories my PM's are open.
