A/N: sorry this chapter took awhile, but only because I was deciding on how to end things between Orochimaru and Lelouch while handle things with Tayuya afterwards. I came to a decision at last and then I moved on with the rest of the chapter while at last introducing Charles and Britannia into the story.
I upped the rating due to Tayuya's mouth by the way.
Now I do want to thank everyone who has reviewed so far as I appreciate your support for the story, but to address something Amusebeard pointed out to me and I am sure some of you were wondering that as well. Actually I intended for that oversight and the reason for how Lelouch was able to understand her despite having his ears plugged is going to be revealed during the Invasion of Konoha. It's sooner than I was planning, but the questions to what Lelouch has will be revealed and yes some of you are right to guess that he has a Kekkei Genkai which is the reason why he has more than two elemental attributes.
Parts of this chapter will provide some possible insight and even hint at what might have led to Marianne's demise.
Now as for the pairings well it's unlikely now I'll do Lelouch and Sakura so you can guys who are so against it can rest at ease. However I still can't pick between Temari and Tayuya right now, but I'll proceed ahead and see where things go with them and decide from there. I am still not sure how I would pull off Lelouch and Anko and that is assuming I proceed with the harem option. Regardless I'll see where things are heading and decide from there as we got a VERY long way to go before I do any romance and stuff like that, but for now the likely pairings for Lelouch will either be Tayuya, Temari or both depending on how events play out.
As for Naruto I'll experiment with the idea of Kallen and Naruto and see how that works out otherwise I'll default to Hinata and Naruto…maybe both IF it is possible to make it work or not.
So on with the chapter…
Chapter 9
The Crow Witch
Lelouch stood feet away from Orochimaru who was merely studying the boy with a mix of fascination in his stare and dark intent which the young man knew did not bode well for him. As confident as Lelouch was he knew he did not have a chance in hell of defeating Orochimaru in a one on one battle, but even if he were to use THAT then he would expose himself which would mean his death anyway especially if Konoha and the higher-ups within the Akatsuki found out. Running was clearly not an option as he had doubts he would get far enough and then he had C.C. and Guren to worry about.
C.C. cannot be killed, but Guren on the other hand, Lelouch thought weighing his options.
Orochimaru grinned as he knew just as well as Lelouch that the situation did not look good for him. The Sannin made no sudden movements, but he eyed Lelouch carefully noticing the fear in his eyes but in them he saw the determination to survive. Instead of bringing forth his blade Orochimaru simply armed himself with a kunai he drew from inside his sleeve. Lelouch stiffened himself as he was alert and ready for whatever.
You know running isn't an option for you boy, so let's see how well you match up to Sasuke.
Everything fell silent for a few tense moments before a bead of sweet dripped from Lelouch's chin which acted as the trigger as Orochimaru rushed the young man with Lelouch responding instantly. Lelouch deflected the strike before delivering a kick to Orochimaru which was blocked. A fierce exchange of blows erupted between the two as a barely conscious Tayuya could only watch with a mix of shock and awe on her face. Seeing an opening Orochimaru slipped past Lelouch's defenses after having just barely blocked one of his kicks before slashing open Lelouch's arm with the kunai.
Lelouch grunted in pain, but was trying to prevent a loss of focus. It didn't stop Orochimaru from landing a kick on him knocking him to the ground. As Lelouch recovered Orochimaru put the kunai away into a white bag and summoned his Kusanagi no Tsurugi from a snake that emerged from his mouth. Ignoring the pain on his left arm as he was dripping blood from the wound Lelouch hardened his resolve and knowing Orochimaru was likely toying with him decided to use it as a chance to maybe land a decisive blow.
If I can at least incapacitate him somehow I can maybe escape and get C.C. and Guren out of here.
Going on the offensive Lelouch drew a scroll from his pouch before using it to summon a spinning Fūma Shuriken upon which he hurled it at Orochimaru. The older shinobi easily dodged the attack, but while in mid-air he noticed a wire attached to the weapon. A second later Lelouch pulled the wire and the rigged shuriken fired out its four blades, but pulling his body more to the side Orochimaru narrowly dodged it. Using this chance Lelouch moved in and tried to deliver a blow with his sword by hoping to cleave off one of Orochimaru's limbs at least, however the Snake Sannin blocked it with his own sword.
Orochimaru followed up with a kick sending flying a few feet away before both shinobi adjusted in mid-air and landed on their feet. Unfortunately for Lelouch his foe didn't waste a second launching his own counterattack by engaging the young man in mêlée combat as their swords clashed in a vicious and quick-paced fury of exchanges as the sound of their blades colliding rang through the air. Tayuya was watching the fight and she was surprised that Lelouch was managing to keep up with Orochimaru, but it was just barely as Orochimaru's experience and skill with his sword was clearly more than a match for Lelouch who despite being able to predict where his strikes would go he was barely knocking the Sannin's rapid attacks.
Lelouch was at a disadvantage as he preferred mid to long range combat using jutsu and his wind-style with his sword, although his training with Kisame was meant to help Lelouch develop more close-quarters skills should he ever find himself in mêlée against a foe but he was far from ready to face someone of Orochimaru's level. Suddenly a snake shot out from Orochimaru's sleeve and bit the boy on the neck at the moment Lelouch barely managed to block another strike.
Stunned for a second too long Orochimaru disarmed the boy and delivered a kick that sent him to the ground, but before he could go in for a finishing blow a voice called out.
"Suiton: Suikōdan no Jutsu (Water Release: Water Shark Bullet Technique)!"
A large shark composed entry out of water shot between Orochimaru and Lelouch, but before anyone could react the Sannin dropped a smoke bomb and tried to resume his attack, but a flock of crows barred his path and the smoke was quickly brown away as Orochimaru was face to face with Itachi while behind him with Samehada drawn was Kisame. Despite their unexpected arrival and the fact he was now facing two of the Akatsuki's strongest shinobi next to a few others Orochimaru was surprisingly calm.
"Itachi and Kisame it's been a long time," Orochimaru said acting more like he was greeting a pair of old friends than enemies.
"When we saw the large columns of smoke in the distance and then considering Lelouch and his group was running late we figured the kid ran into some trouble. I didn't think it would be you through," Kisame replied as he held his signature weapon close to Orochimaru's neck. "But what we have here is a good opportunity to get rid of a headache the higher-ups have had with you."
Orochimaru chuckled while Itachi maintained his usual stone-face expression as he glared at the former Konoha shinobi.
"Orochimaru this is the only time we shall warn you, but if you attempt anything further against this boy and his team then we and the Akatsuki will formally use our resources to hunt you down and kill you. You have only been tolerated because it works to our organization's advantage, but that can easily change."
"Heh I see so this boy is your student," Orochimaru said with a smirk that grew in realization. "Oh this is too good. Very well I'll leave your student alone for now, because I am very interested to see how he'll do with Sasuke next month during the last rounds of the Chunin Exam."
"Shouldn't we use this opportunity to take him out?" Kisame suggested.
"This isn't the real Orochimaru before us."
"Huh," The former Seven Mist Swordsman began before Orochimaru before them began melting into a mound of mud.
"During our arrival he managed to switch places with him Doton Kage Bunshin (Earth Release Shadow Clone) and escape." Itachi pointed out before the melting Shadow Clone pointed out.
"I have nothing to gain from fighting you and Kisame, but my primary objective has been achieved." The Doton Kage Bunshin said before dissolving completely. It wasn't that Orochimaru probably couldn't handle Kisame, although taking down Itachi was a different story. Regardless even if Orochimaru was capable of defeating them the Sannin knew that would only bring down the full wrath of the Akatsuki Organization down on his head. With all of his plans for Konohagakure in motion it was something Orochimaru could not afford.
Once Kisame and Itachi were certain Orochimaru was gone the Uchiha turned to his student as Lelouch rose to his feet trying to tend to the wound his foe had dealt him. Without a word Itachi punched Lelouch in the face knocking him to the ground, although Kisame was surprised he said nothing.
"Lelouch you understand why I did that?"
"I have a good feeling why, but what else could I have done?"
"Maybe so, but this could have been avoided if you kept a low profile at the Chunin Exams like I had instructed."
"I think it was a bad idea to have sent Guren to go with Lelouch as a teammate to the exams," Kisame said stepping in on Lelouch's behalf.
"Perhaps, but regardless we need to leave this area immediately." Itachi began before he stopped to turn his attention to the wounded Tayuya who was still lying on the ground.
"Oh it seems Orochimaru left behind one of his lackeys. Don't worry I'll finish her off," Kisame said before advancing towards Tayuya who was too weak to flee due to her injuries. As the former Seven Swordsman approached Tayuya passed out from blood loss.
Elsewhere in the world…
"Your highness," A chamberlain called out approaching a man in his early sixties, but despite his advance age the man in question was still a handsome man which was probably no surprise considering how his numerous sons and daughters through his consorts looked.
He was also surprisingly tall and muscular despite being in his early sixties with long white hair styled into curls adding to his regal appearance with a white beard. His choice of attire consisted of an extravert mantle of royalty with a black cape and a purple uniform underneath trimmed with gold complete with white gloves, white pants and black boots. His purple eyes closed for a moment in careful silent contemplation as the chamberlain approached and whispered something into his ear.
"Something wrong," A figure asked sitting across from a table the two men were seated at.
"So Schneizel thinks he can challenge me," Charles zi Britannia the current Emperor of the Holy Britannian Empire said a amused smile before turning back to the black-robed chamberlain. "For now let him do as he pleases. He is incapable of threatening me."
"Yes your majesty," The chamberlain replied with a light bow of his head before looking to the figure Charles was conversing with. "Please forgive my interruption."
With the apology directed towards the man the Emperor had been conversing with aboard his private train which was being pulled by Britannian Duke-class steam locomotive. The two men were inside a special car which was more of a lounge than a dining car with sofas a bar and tables with chairs. It was quite luxurious which was only fitting for the private train own by the Britannian Emperor. Other than the Emperor's bodyguard, his Royal Guard and chamberlains including the locomotive's operators the only people of importance onboard was the Emperor and his guest. The man the Emperor had been speaking to gazed out the window as the train was coming over a large hill before providing a view of the capital city of Pendragon.
Unlike most cities with the possible exception of one place in the Elemental Nations overseas the city of Pendragon was the world's largest and technologically advance city where thanks to Britannia's advances in architectural and technology they could not only construct taller buildings dwarfing those in Amegakure, but it was a active industrial center with large factories and a railway system that linked it to key areas around the city including its harbor for transportation by steamship or across the land by train. Noteworthy was its advanced transportation infrastructure, with feats of engineering such as an elevated mass transit system and several suspension bridges connecting the city center with its outlying districts and sections of the city. Its roads were filled with automobiles and small railcars powered by electricity by means of electric cables they were attached to that ran above the rails they ran upon.
Outside its outskirts was the royal palace where the Emperor and some members of the royal family lived while dotted around the general area was a number of villas which were granted to the consorts of the Emperor and their children.
What also set Britannia part from other countries was the fact that it did not employ shinobi openly as its military force as other countries did due to their people's dislike of shinobi because of their abilities being called cheaters that defied their national stance based on the theory of evolution proposed by Charles Darwin that conflict and competition promoted growth was widely accepted in Britannia. Even through shinobi existed for some time the Britannians saw that the unnatural abilities possessed by shinobi allowed them to cheat natural selection.
Although some assumed this was because few people in Britannia were capable of becoming shinobi even through there was evidence to suggest that a majority had the skill and talent to use and manipulate charka. What provided the greatest influence for this discrimination was what had happened to their country during the founding days of the shinobi villages in which the newly formed Konohagakure led by Hashirama Senju and Madara Uchiha repelled the first major invasion of the Elemental Countries providing the effectiveness of the shinobi village system which led to other countries forming their own villages in response. Although some shinobi were used by Britannia, but they were discriminated against harshly and usually ruthless methods were employed to keep them in check.
To compensate for their lack of shinobi the Britannians used their scientific ingenuity and technological superiority to give them an advantage, but what made them stand out was their use of Knights who like the Samurai from the distant Land of Iron used swordsmanship combined with using charka to empower their swords. From those who had the talent to manipulate charka and use it effectively became Knights with those who were the strongest and most skilled being inducted into the Knights of the Round, the Emperor's twelve elite bodyguards.
"Britannia has come a long way since its defeat generations ago, but the time is coming in which it will be given the opportunity to have its revenge." The man said looking out at the vast cityscape where the industrialization and skyscrapers held its own charm in a way to the man.
"I assume the project is proceeding well then?" Charles inquired.
"Yes, although there are some minor issues that will need to be addressed but I wouldn't worry. Everything is proceeding on schedule."
"I see, so the Akatsuki will be making its move soon."
"Not yet, but in about a year or two we will make our move as we still have some preparations to complete first and some insurance policies to put into place to ensure the project will not be hindered nor delayed in anyway."
"What of my son?"
"Oh him," The man said as he began to smile. "He has been quite entertaining to watch…a real chip off of the old block."
Slowly Tayuya began to regain conscious and opened her eyes. Her eyes were blurred, but slowly her vision began to clear. However she heard voices while her worn body was slowly regaining its strength, but she felt something different about her. As his vision cleared her hearing improved as she heard two voices talking one another, although one voice was familiar the other sounded old and somehow threatening all at the same time…it was almost demonic in nature.
"I see, so you want to use her? Can she be trusted the curse mark bound her to Orochimaru, but now," An elderly female voice asked Lelouch.
"True, but we can use this information for Itachi when the time comes for him and Sasuke to meet in battle. It was ultimately Itachi's idea we should make more practical use of her and her abilities. I have to admit I agree with his reasoning."
"Aye lad but removing it will be no easy task I assure you, but considering its nature and the traces of the charka that made it up she could be of more use to you than you realize."
"Would mind explaining that to me? Itachi wants that information more than me."
"Yes, but we have the girl we need to talk to…I sense she is waking up."
Tayuya began struggling to sit up feeling as if her entire body was on fire somehow, but she didn't feel any injuries just a burning soreness throughout her body. Her vision finally cleared finding herself atop a stone slab resembling an altar. Tayuya sat up, but her shift in movement causing the crows that had been walking around atop her previously prone form to scurry away. Looking around the red-head woman found she was inside the ruins of an ancient stone temple judging from the pillars, but all around her she found nests for crows and bones lying about.
Eventually her eyes settled on Lelouch, but her focus went straight to the one he had been talking to. The person Lelouch was talking to wasn't human, but rather it was a gigantic crow-like creature that easily towered over Lelouch at least being around twenty feet tall with the body of a crow, but the head of the creature was a polished white skull of a crow.
"Ah so our little guest is awake at last." The demonic crow spoke with a female elderly voice, but it had strong demonic overtones to it that was almost mocking.
Tayuya's eyes widened in fear as she naturally began scrambling trying to put as much distance between her and the giant crow.
"WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU?"
"Tayuya was it…this is the Crow Witch Malphas and you are in what remains of the temple of the moon within the branches of the giant tree Nordrassil also called the Crown of the Heavens in the ancient tongue," Lelouch said introducing the demonic crow-like being.
"So you are the genjutsu flute user Lelouch and I was just talking about. I wonder if you are an Uzumaki, but hard to tell these days with their clan mates scattered all over the world. Still her talent with her flute is rare through as I haven't seen too many people with her kind of talent. I have also been told about the demons you can summon and command too." Malphas said approaching the frightened kunoichi. "Yes you found yourself a real keeper Lelouch."
"Just stay the fuck back!"
"Oh please I have no interest in eating you…too skinny for my tastes anyway, but I see you can serve an important role in what will come to past soon. Yes your abilities once refined and developed you will be invaluable. Orochimaru might have prized your abilities for research and his own purposes, but he was a fool not to develop your talents further. I think you could be capable of so much more with the proper training. Even the fact you had one of his curse seals that provided you with some of his senjutsu charka shows you could have the capacity of learning the sage arts even." The Crow Witch did hovering dangerously close to Tayuya as the red-haired kunoichi was forced to look into the empty eye-sockets of the demonic crow looming over her.
"Of course we need to work on freeing you from Orochimaru's influence, but once we do I am interested to see how you will turn out?" Lelouch said as he noted that Tayuya's sound-based genjutsu alone could prove useful to him. However Itachi wanted to use Tayuya as a means of testing an effective means of removing the curse seal which he likely planned to use on Sasuke. "I'll be keeping you here for now, but you'll be well cared if you behave, but I will return once the chunin exams are over."
"WAIT…you can't fucking leave me here!"
"Why not," Lelouch replied with a bored expression. "As far as I can see that you have little choice in the matter all things considered and I am sure you realize it, so what is the problem?"
Lelouch was referring to the fact that if anything Orochimaru would probably have her killed since his attempt to stab through her to get Lelouch made it clear her survival meant nothing to him. Even if she went back to Otogakure it was unlikely Tayuya would last much longer. Going to another village was out of the question because if Orochimaru or his lackeys didn't catch up with her then the shinobi of those villages once they find out her former allegiance would probably imprison her to study her curse mark and jutsu which amounted to a death sentence either way.
It would have been just as bad if not worse if she went to Konohagakure, but that didn't stop Tayuya from voicing her displeasure at Lelouch's intention to leave her behind.
"IT'S NOT FUCKING OBVIOUS?"
"Oh sure there are human bones and animal remains lying about, but don't worry this is one of the safest places to be as very few people can make it up here. Let alone survive the trip up," Lelouch replied as if to prove his point a scream was heard from one of the branches below.
"LUNCH TIME my pretties," The Crow Witch announced as a flock of crows took flight seeking the body of the poor idiot who attempted to scale the tree which had been covered with a series of deadly traps of ingenious cunning that only a few had managed to survive with Itachi being among them. "Oh don't worry dear it's not a daily thing. Some poor fool dies once or twice a week attempting to get up here to make some kind of bargain with me."
"But other than Itachi and maybe a few others which include me hardly anyone makes it to the top." Lelouch noted.
"Yes and bodies to pile up quickly after awhile, so I have to do something about it before the smell gets to me which can be unpleasant after awhile." Malphas commented as well which didn't seem to make Tayuya feel any better. "If you behave I'll do something special for you…I'll read into your future and tell what might await you."
"Bullshit you can't do that," Tayuya said thinking her method of seeing into the future was just some cheap trick.
"I would be careful with that Tayuya. Why do you think so many people attempt to scale this giant tree to reach her? You think they risk their lives just to enjoy the scenery?" Lelouch pointed out revealing that Malphas ability to see into the future for others is among the chief reasons people have tried to scale Nordrassil. "The other being that people have also sought to create a summon contract with the crows or both sometimes."
"Oh and I should mention that I had put a seal over your curse mark while you were unconscious which suppresses the curse marks power, but at the same time it ensures you cannot leave here without my permission." The Crow Witch was quick to point out. "I'll be looking into a way to remove it, but you should advise Itachi that he should seek more information on the curse mark. It would help me in my own efforts."
"Remove the curse mark," Tayuya said deciding to speak on the subject. It was clear she was taken captive to experiment on ways of removing the curse mark or at least breaking what ties her to Orochimaru. "That's impossible no one can remove the curse mark…not even Lord Orochimaru."
"You know I am surprised you still hold any loyalty to that snake considering he not only left you to die, but he literally stabbed you in the back." Lelouch pointed out while he was wondering if this loyalty was a result of the curse mark's effects or maybe the loyalty was genuine. "I think those wounds alone had put you out of it for a day before you finally came to."
"WHAT, I was out cold for a whole fucking day?"
"Do you see a hospital up here? But don't worry; we did treat your wounds at a clinic in Amegakure before coming here through. Still you lost a lot of blood, so you just needed a lot of rest to recover properly." Lelouch answered casually. "Anyway it's time for me to go."
Lelouch preformed a quick hand-sign before he vanished in a cloud of smoke as someone had preformed a summoning jutsu to whisk him away.
"HEY COME BACK HERE!" Tayuya cried out realizing she had been left alone and was more or less helpless with the crow witch.
"Don't worry I got shogi and card games if you get bored."
Tayuya said nothing, but she was shivering out of fright for the large creature now in charge of watching over her.
Arriving back at their temporary place of residence inside an underground cavern Lelouch was standing in the middle of a summoning circle that had been prepared to call him back from the den of the crows once his business there was concluded. Present inside the wide open cavern complete with an underground lake that was lit by a dozen lamps placed around the cavern to provide sufficient light for its inhabitants. Itachi was standing before the summoning array having preformed the summoning to bring Lelouch back while Kisame was tending to his signature weapon Samehada sitting on a rock a distance away overlooking the underground lake.
"I take it everything is in place?" Itachi inquired.
"It is, but I still have reservations about her usefulness through."
"Is that because she tried to kill you?"
"Yes and the fact that I doubt her loyalty to Orochimaru can easily be broken. It's questionable if that loyal remains through," Lelouch answered calmly. It's true her sound-based genjutsu could be a useful weapon for Lelouch to use in the future as per Itachi's suggestion, but making her loyal to him would be a problem.
"We'll address that once the Chunin Exams are over. Besides I believe leaving her with Malphas may soften her up a little." Itachi said confident that they could win Tayuya's loyalty over with enough time although Lelouch still had his doubts. "Speaking of the exams it's time we intensify your training so I have asked Kisame to take over for a little while with you."
Kisame was grinning just as he finished cleaning and tending to his living sword.
"I am ready at any time."
Lelouch swallowed hard knowing that Kisame was a very brutal and demanding instructor compared to Itachi who was more flexible, but he was very strict through.
In a small cabin above ground acting as look outs for Lelouch, Kisame and Itachi while they were in the underground cavern directly below them was C.C. and Guren who were inside the small cabin on guard duty. The green haired woman was enjoying a bowl of ramen as a likely sign that the small incident that endangered her partner didn't bother her enough to the point she wouldn't give up her ramen addiction. Guren on the other hand through would never eat ramen from some small shack out in the middle of nowhere ever again.
"Still angry we both fell for such a trap?" C.C. said after finishing her seventh bowl.
"Well aren't YOU?"
"It's not the first time someone managed to lure me into a trap with ramen, but I always got out of it." C.C. said brushing off the whole incident as nothing.
"But Lelouch was left fighting for his life alone."
"He's a tough kid, so he could handle it. He's Marianne's son alright that much is for sure."
"So what was Marianne like then?" Guren asked as she was a little curious about Lelouch's mother. She knew at one time in Britannia she was not only Empress and one of the many consorts to Charles zi Britannia, but before that she gained fame as being the youngest knight to be inducted into the Knights of the Round at the age of nineteen before the previous Emperor died and Charles assumed the throne with Marianne becoming one of his consorts shortly after that which led to Lelouch's birth.
"She was a real live wire with a sweet and sunny disposition sometimes. She was quite the rebel too, but she did care for her children through even when she was ruthless and brutal as they come. I think Kisame would have liked her." C.C. mused with a smile remembering Marianne and recalling the time they had met years ago when she was sixteen. "I met her right after she escaped from the place where she spent her entire life as an experimental test subject for a project they spent generations since the early days the shinobi villages came into existence. After so many years and so many failures Marianne was the lone subject who was close to what they had wanted to create, but they did too good of a job training her. And everything they did to turn her into a killing machine backfired on them very badly."
"Basically she went on a rampage and killed everyone right?"
"Pretty much…it wasn't an easy battle for her I assure you given who her handlers were. But she took out everyone else to ensure no one could pursue her and she destroyed anything that could've been used to trace her movements. Either way she went to Britannia to be doubly sure that no one could ever find her since what shinobi in their right mind would hide in a country where its general population despises shinobi with a passion." C.C. further elaborated.
"I guess so, but wouldn't people become suspicious especially since Marianne became a knight and rose through ranks quickly right?"
"Well not initially, but I think really began looking for dirt on her after Charles married her. I am not entirely sure why she did it, but because of her commoner status she earned the ire and jealousy of other imperial nobles and the other consorts." C.C. answered.
"So what led to Marianne's death?"
"Only Itachi I think knows the full details as Marianne was still alive when he got to her. Lelouch likely knows, but I haven't even asked about it."
"I see, but considering her opposition shouldn't Marianne have been able to fend off her assassins?"
"She could have, but I don't know if she was careless. Unless they somehow drugged or poison her before the attack happened they caught her with her guard completely down." C.C. replied as she did contemplate how was a seasoned warrior and shinobi mortally wounded so easily by a group of assassins who as far as C.C. knew that Marianne could have dealt with them easily.
Unless there was something else that happened that Lelouch didn't see.
A few days later in Sunagakure, but more specifically in the chambers of the Kazekage or in this case her father was where Temari was kneeling on one knee before the blinds that her father the Fourth Kazekage sat behind in quiet contemplation while his two bodyguards stood alert. Temari wasn't sure why her father had called for her. She knew that her sensei Baki had been speaking with her father regularly regarding the Chunin Exams and the planned invasion of Konoha which was going to be done alongside their new allies Otogakure and Orochimaru.
Her sensei was aware of it, but Temari had some reservations about the whole plan. Orochimaru's reputation aside which was troubling enough was the fact that Konohagakure was their ally whom they had signed a peace treaty with. However Temari also knew that their village has been in steady decline ever since the daimyo of the Land of Wind began cutting their village's budget using Konohagakure's shinobi because it was less costly he claimed. If nothing was done to correct the situation then their village would likely decline into nothing.
I understand why we are doing it, but I don't have to agree with it.
"Temari do you know why I summoned you here?"
"No I do not," Temari replied, but she did wonder if was because of what she had said to Baki on her disapproval of this plan.
"I have need of your skills for a special mission I wish to entrust to you only because I think you are the best one suited for it."
The blonde-haired kunoichi was surprised by this bit of news, but she kept silent and listened.
"As you know of our invasion plans for the village of Konoha you are aware of your intended role. But I have another assignment for you that I need you to take care of at the request of our allies from Otogakure."
"What would that be exactly?"
"During the invasion I need to find and kill the shinobi from Amegakure called Lelouch Lamperouge." The Kazekage answered while Temari was stunned by such an order as she was trying to contemplate why would their allies request such a mission. Unknown to Temari through that hidden under the face mask of the Kazekage which conveniently hid the uncharacteristic evil smile he bore.
A/N: I thought this was a good cut off point for the chapter as I intend to focus more on Sasuke and Naruto next chapter and get caught up with them as we move closer to the final round of the Chunin Exams.
I based the crow witch on the boss from the Castlevania games she was named for, specifically Lords of Shadow. I was considering a sage-like character, but I thought to do something different this time and went with more of a witch than a sage but serves a similar purpose.
As for Britannia I went for a style set up similar to what has been seen in the Legend of Korra mixed with what we have seen in the shinobi villages as far as modern convinces go, but as Knightmare Frames they will appear in a more shinobi world adapted from which will be very different, but yet they'll fit in the Naruto world thanks to ideas from AlSmash on their design. They will appear later when Britannia joins in the new Shinobi World War and I intend to make that world war bloodier than in canon that much I am intending.
I hope to have the next chapter out sooner, but likely depending on how the next chapter turns out we'll likely be going into the final round matches in the following chapter after the next one after this. Thank you guys for your reviews in advance.
