I do not own Naruto in any way shape or form.
Hello again well we are at chapter ten now so yay I suppose. Well I hope that you have all enjoyed the last chapter.
Ok decided to add this before the update because I saw this mentioned so many times. Ahem Gaara is not an idiot for not asking about Naruto, his actions were pragmatic and logical given the situation. The reasons why are as follows. One because what happens when a tailed beast is removed from a host….that's right they die, very very dead, heck it was kind of the akatsuki thing to be killing the jinchuuriki. So if he saw the Kyuubi free of a host what does that logically mean that the host, in this case naruto, is dead. He has no reason to believe Naruto is alive.
Ok second point, it's called timing. Does Gaara want to know about his friend yes, would he likely ask about this if they were in a meeting or on a mission of some kind yes. But they aren't, the emperor just showed up on his doorstep with an army and bluntly said we are here for your city. Why is Gaara an idiot for focusing on the pressing issue? Ok hope that clears up that point onto the story.
Oh and Suna's fight is going to be at least a three parter… yep it's a long fight so sorry if you were looking for it to end here.
Thanks to everyone who followed favorite and reviewed.
Now onto the chapter.
Chapter 10
"Talking"
"Thinking/Mental conversation"
"DEMON/God or the like/printed words"
"Jutsu"
-Danger at home and abroad -
As the sun moved steadily further into the over the wasteland of sand the shifting tide below began to glow with a golden light, the heat visibly pushing off of the surface throwing a haze across the land. All across the silently shifting dunes the light fell upon the stillness of the desert…all but for one spot among the great sandy expanse where war raged in all its horrible magnificence.
There, as two armies watched, the peaceful sands were raging, great rivers of the very body of the desert hurtling itself forwards or being thrown back as fire and flesh meet in the throng of battle. The sound, like the steady drum of a thunderstorm as those powers crashed, explosions serving as the lightening, flashing their power into the heavens even as the earth was scattering before them. From that din of battle one cry drowned the others as a massive red kitsune bound past another wave of sand, its red fur bristled as nine powerful tails beat into the rivers of living desert around it, two red eyes turning back and forth as it searched for its foe.
As the creatures head swung round it stiffened its rabbit like ears falling back across its head as it let out a growl towards where a redheaded man stood upon a wisp of sand, as though the earth had attempted to become a cloud.
From his appearance the man was, as of yet untouched his light brown and maroon clothing smattered with a mix of sand and sweat, but otherwise not disturbed as he looked out, his ringed eyes flashing with a bright golden hue as he threw out his arms towards the Kitsune again his hand closing into claws as the sands bubbled around him. The next moment the shifting sea of crumbled stone exploded out into great spears of sand that plunged towards the kitsune who leapt towards him its jaws opening in a roar that flung a visible wave of force ahead of it.
As the sand spears and the roar meet there was an explosion of force as they collided, scattering sand that the kitsune burst through a moment later. Reacting of its own accord the sand rushed before the redhead forming into a pair of hands that sprang up just as the beasts tails whipped around to smash into them with an audible crash as the sand creations buckled under the impact. From behind the wall of sand Gaara's eyes turned up to see bits of sand breaking off as the hands buckled from the force of the blow his hand raising as he pumped another wave of chakra into the creations.
From the other side Kurama let out another growl as he saw the appendages suddenly reaching down towards him, the hand moving to trap him even as he spied another pair emerging from behind him. With a roar of defiance the kitsune rounded on the surrounding sands his body tensing as his jaws opening, wisps of black and blue chakra springing to life around him as they slowly coalesced into an orb before him.
Meanwhile Gaara seeing the glimpse of the Kitsunes flung himself skyward even as the sands slammed forwards from all sides forming a dome around the fox. With another surge of chakra Garra thrust his hands out as the dome shivered once before crashing into upon itself intent on crushing the kitsune within it.
However, as the sand rushed in there was another audible roar, so loud that even muffled by the sound it still rang out across the desert a moment before a line of pure destruction lashed out from the dome swiping left and right cutting effortlessly through the dome before with a final surge the structure shattered to show Kurama crouched in its center, his jaw slowly snapping shut as the last particles of power dispersed from him.
"Not bad human, but my power is not so feeble!" roared Kurama as he spotted Gaara still looking down at him his hands clasp before him as a steady flood of chakra continued to leak from him. Before Kurama could recognize what this meant there was a tremor through the very sands, joined moments later by a roar like the waves of the ocean itself. Spinning towards the source of the sudden sound even Kurama was forced to admit the sight before him worthy of pause.
There across the horizon, slowly rushing towards him was a wave of sand tall enough to top the very walls of Suna, all now barreling as if of its own will towards him, seeking to drown him amongst the dunes the cresting wave forming into the clawed hands of his brother as if the wave itself was tearing its way towards him. As the wave raced nearer Kurama turned fully to face it his fur standing on end as his eyes glowed in what almost appeared to be elation.
"Well it seems you are worth the trouble, very well human, brother, witness the true power of the KYUUBI NO KITSUNE!" called the fox his last words becoming a roar even as his chakra surged off of him in waves, exploding out even as his body swelled with it, growing to tower as tall as any building in Suna its tails now smashing the sands flat with every sway, the wind itself enough to cause small storm of sand to whip out around it as another roar broke from its lips louder than any before it so that even miles away solders clapped hands to their ears at the sound.
If there had been any doubt from the defenders of Suna as to what they faced it was now dashed, as even from this distance the Kyuubi was now plainly visible as it turned to face the approaching wave its jaws opening as another wave of chakra began to collect before it. Seeing his last attempt about to be smashed Gaara began to rush forwards desperate to stop the Kyuubi's work.
But, even as he darted ahead, his sand swirling around him, the Kyuubi's tails lashed out at him each waving like a deadly tendril the force of each stroke enough to jolt him aside. Even as Gaara darted past one of the massive battering rams, of fur and flesh, he spun only to see another rushing towards him, and this time he was not fast enough to avoid the assault.
With a crushing impact the tail smashed down upon him, his only saving grace his mother's sand, which sprung up to soften the blow as he was smashed into the desert below the force enough to smash his own protective sand against him in a blow that shook his very mind, his reserves all but gone, even Shukaku's own having been drained to all but nothing. The redheads last view, before the darkness took him, being the great explosion of power from the Kyuubi as it tore its way across the desert to shatter his final attack scattering sand to high into the air that it appeared to be raining now across the entire battlefield.
As Kurama turned, smirking at his work, he spied the form of Gaara now laying silent as with an irritated chuff he shrank back down to his preferred size now standing no taller than a large dog his face in a rather smug expression as he padded over to stand above to unconscious Kazekage.
"And that brother is why I am the strongest of us, be glad I as merciful as I am powerful." Boasted the fox, as even from within the seal Kurama could feel his brothers glare upon him.
"Oh glare away Shukaku, no how best to carry you….oh I know. Something that shows just how great the mad tanuki is." Smiled the Kitsune wickedly as it lazily looped a pair of tails back around Gaara's ankles gripping them tightly as he turned back towards were he could distantly see the explosion of blue flame that signaled Naruto's fight.
"Well no point in taking away the kits fun, shall we take the long walk back to my camp?" chuckled Kurama as with he turned back towards the empire's lines dragging the unconscious Gaara through the sand leaving a trail behind him as the Kage's face bumped across the shifting sands.
00000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000
Meanwhile across the desert the remaining tailed beast was skipping back from another slash of the emperor's blade letting out another hissing roar as it lashed out with its two flaming tails intent on smashing the armored figure into the sands.
Jerking to the side the flaming tails found only sand to crush beneath their weight as Naruto's blade flashed in the suna sun slashing down towards the flaming tails as Manabí's howls tore into the sky. The next moment the great flaming cat leapt back, landing with a crashing thump upon the sands the stumped remains of its twin tails waving behind it as beside Naruto two trails of blue and black flamed waved weakly before disbursing into wisps of chakra.
Turning to face the great flaming cat Naruto's eyes trailed up to see the stumps of the tails waving back and forth, even as another hissing roar broke from the beast. With the roar came a flood of chakra as the flames rushed forward from the stumps growing longer, breaking forth till the flaming appendages had returned to their previous magnificence.
"So I guess being made of flame has its advantages…." Muttered Naruto as he brought his blade back up to guard eyes narrowing upon the mismatched gaze of Matatabi.
"You cannot win emperor; surrender and I may leave enough of you to bury!" roared the flaming cat, its voice an odd mix of Yugito's and the tailed beast. Hearing this Naruto actually broke into a small grin as he tensed his body for the coming strike.
"Not much of a negotiator are you?" chuckled the blond a moment before he flung himself across the sands towards the beast. With a hissing roar the flaming cat answered his charge rushing forwards one clawed paw, the size of a food stand, hurtling towards him claws like great curved blades that trailed the blue flames of the beast aimed for his thought.
As the flaming death shot towards him, Naruto leapt, the paw passing below him, even as a pair of flaming tails swung down towards him intent on smashing him to the sands below. Twisting in midair Naruto maneuvered so that his blade meets the tails forcing the blows away from him as he descended towards the beasts head his own blue eyes meeting the blazing mismatched ones of his opponent.
Rushing down Naruto found himself facing the now open maw of the beast, a great tongue of flame licking out as it congealed into a swirling sphere that took form before him. Without pause Naruto swung his free hand up, palm open, as a blazing ball of blackened chakra sprang to life within it. Just as Naruto dropped to hang before the beast's maw his arm thrust forwards the blackened sphere firing off with a wave of force plunging into the two tails own flaming attack. As the attacks meet there was a small shudder before with a thunderclap of sound the flaming sphere erupted, sending flame and sand back as Matatabi was sent skipping across the sands, even as Naruto was thrown much the same skipping a few feet before righting himself his blade digging into the ground as he used it to steady himself. Shaking a few bits of sand from his hair Naruto glanced across to where Matatabi was slowly rising, its face horribly mangled long fangs showing through in several spots a moment before blue flame washed over it once again.
Grumbling slightly to himself Naruto rose looking across as the beasts face reformed from the flames. Watching this the man rolled his shoulder receiving a few popping cracks for his efforts even as his mind began to move once more a hardened look upon his face.
And she heals again… I thought Kurama could take a beating, at least he has an actual body…hum…well I suppose so does she...but where is it?" Thought the blonde as he shifted his gaze across the beast pausing as he saw its small patch of flame, somehow dimmer that the rest just where the beasts head meet its back.
Well, good a place as any. Thought the man as he looked back to the beast, just as it disappeared in a burst of blue flame. A second later Naruto swung his blade up, his free hand flying up to support the flat side of the blade as a twin set of flaming paws crashed into them from above, the force sending a termer through the man's body, even as he sunk slightly into the swirling sands now flying away from this fresh assault. Crouching behind the man Matatabi now stood, its front claws pushing down upon the man's blade even as its eyes flashed with a burning furry, mirrored by its host thoughts.
Finally, this bastard is going to pay, come on Matatabi lets finish this! Roared Yugito from within her mind, as a hissing growl answered her in kind.
"Count on it kitten, this boy has dared to harm my tails and my kitten, let him taste my flames to his very bones!" roared Matatabi from within their joined mind as they slowly pushed emperor deeper into the shifting sands.
From beneath the massive beast Naruto's body staggered slightly with the effort of holding the beast at bay, his eyes glancing back to the beast as he drew in a heavy breath turning his gaze back ahead, as he chakra slowly began to build.
….Thi..this is not one of my better plans….and I just had to bring those three along, man I'm getting an earful after this… Naruto muttered from within his mind, even as his chakra slowly bubbled out around him another sphere of chakra began to form in the hand currently supporting the flat of his blade. For a few more heartbeats both Jinchuuriki and tailed beast pushed down upon the emperor secure in their victory as the emperors plan slowly came into place. Then it came, a sound like a cannon blast and the next moment the Jinchuuriki's world was replaced with only pain.
As the blackened sphere expanded there was a sudden detonation as the orb erupted into a concussive blast of sound and force. With the power of the blast behind it, the emperor's blade swung up the force enough to slice clear to the ski above a trio of dull thumps that followed it a moment later. At the same time the arm supporting the blast was flung back down with a jarring snap as the seals blazing across the armor flickered and died a moment before the force smashed the gauntlet, sending small bits of red steel into the sands.
Panting slightly Naruto fought to keep standing as he slowly turned towards his opponent the echo of his last attack till ringing in his ears. With that sound still accompanying him the blond began to make his way slowly forward passing both of Matatabi's arms where they had flopped to the ground from where his blade can lobbed them clean from the beast's body. Pushing steadily past the arms Naruto next stepped past the great beasts head now sitting cockeyed in the sands, its eyes distant as the head slowly followed its limbs in flickering to nothing.
Biting back the new pain flaring up from his arm the blond swept his gaze up to where the remaining bits of the tailed beast were settling to the sands, the stumps of the beast's neck waving back and forth, even as blue flame began to work itself forwards, doubtless aiming to repair the damage he had managed to inflict.
With a burst of speed, fighting back his pain, Naruto tore across the remaining sands that separated him from his goal. After a few strides the armored man flung himself free of the desert his final steps kicking up great waves of sand as he was sent airborne. As the mangled form of Matatabi swung itself forwards it was to find the emperor's blade descending down point first to thrust into that darkened flame at the base of the creatures neck the red clad emperor glaring down from above as he fell on the tailed beast.
The blade sunk into the flames without effort the beast itself shuttering for a moment before a pained scream broke out from the body of the great cat. The next moment the flames broke away as Naruto dropped to the desert his blade now visibly planted cleanly through Yugito's back. As the two meet the sands Naruto's feet slammed upon the shifting sea, a as with a dull thump Yugito fell from the flaming body of the two tails, which slowly faded flickering away as Naruto turned his eyes down to her.
Gasping on the ground Yugito was forced to fight back the pain now surging across he chest the blade having found its home in in her right lung. As she hacked a bit of blood onto the sands, her face turned slowly up to see the emperor his whiskered face impassive as he looked down upon her.
"Ki…kitten…I'm sorry….I'm out of chakra." Whispered Matatabi from within the woman's mind, the battle having drained her to near exhaustion.
"Fi….finish it…" spat Yugito her eyes glaring up at Naruto as with an audible squelching sound he withdrew his blade from her the action drawing a small spasm from her the metal left her flesh. As the blade slowly left her the man never looked way from the woman, even as her blood slowly died the sands around her crimson and her breathing slowly grew more labored. A moment later her head thumped silently to the ground as the pain overcame her leaving Naruto gripping his bloodied blade as he looked from the woman across to where his line stood before slamming his blade down once more drawing his battle their battle to a close…and beginning the larger battle before them.
00000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000
Along the empires line, cheers when up as Kurama arrived, dragging the unconscious from of Gaara behind him, the kitsune grinning as he came to stop before Cornelia and Euphemia, his tailed waving out behind him as he settled himself down before the pair.
"Well that wasn't so hard, I suppose I'll let the rest of you have some fun before I finish up the rest of them." Smirked Kurama as Cornelia's armored form came around to face the kitsune a disapproving look apparent even from behind her horned helm.
"I see your ego is at least uninjured." Remarked Cornelia as the Kitsune chuffed at her glancing over to the medical team as he hefted his tails up to drop the unconscious redhead into the sands before them.
"Here, the emperor wants this one alive. So try to keep him that way, oh and make sure to seal him, don't want my brother acting up." Smirked Kurama as a small group of medics stepped forwards hoisting the Kazekage onto a stretcher as a pair of guards fell into step beside them. Soon the group was moving back through the lines as Kurama turned to see the conclusion of Naruto's fight letting out a chuff at it.
"And now sister as well, looks like it's your show now." remarked Kurama as Cornelia sent word down the line, as armored forces formed rank, kunai and chakra cannons coming to attention even as the dull hum of ships engines slowly began to erupt around them as the fleet prepared to move.
"Sound the call, move out in staggered formation, chakra cannon's to the second line, defenders up front and someone get me the fleet on the line." Called Cornelia as the armored figures around her snapped to attention rushing out through the blocky formations of armored soldiers. Glancing back to the medical team beside her Cornelia's eyes fell upon the forms of her sister and Hinata both looking slightly uncomfortable as the war machine behind her slowly came to life all around them.
"Euphemia stay here, my team is already retrieving the emperor, and lady Hinata do not leave her side do you understand." Called Cornelia as the two women turned to her nodding slightly as a solider approach snapping to attention beside her.
"General Cornelia, Commander Lelouch is saying that the barrier needs to come down before we move, otherwise the fleet will only be limited use." Spoke the man as Cornelia turned to him.
"He said that?" asked the woman as the man paused before shaking his head slightly.
"No… his exact words were "it appears they aren't as stupid as I thought, get Kurama to show them what they get for trying to be clever." " replied the man as Cornelia turned to him nodding slightly before glancing around to where Kurama sat.
"Kurama!" Called Cornelia as the kitsune glanced up to her.
"What?" barked the Kitsune as Cornelia turned back towards the Suna her eyes narrowed upon the shimmering dome slowly working its way over the city.
"I need you to remove that eyesore." Finished Cornelia as the Kitsune looked back towards the city, a vulpine grin spreading across his lips as he let out a small chuckle.
"Well since you asked." Replied the kitsune padding slowly out ahead of the armored line, as above ships moved into staggered lines their cannons shifting back and forth as they prepared for the assault. As Kurama passed out of the fleets shadows he idly chuckled at the thought of him standing before the waves of armored forces all lined behind him prepared to move upon his signal.
"Somedays it pays to be a Kitsune." Chuckled the fox even as it slowly began to expand. From the skies those among the massive fleet were able to look down upon the slowly moving force across the thousands of slowly moving figures to the head where a massive Kitsune slowly shifted itself into place, eyes turned towards the sandy village.
00000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000
As the jinchuuriki's battles came to an end, upon the walls of Suna the defenders looked out across no man's land none able to believe what they had seen.
"Th…the Kazekage." Whimpered one shinobi falling to his knees as beside him another pair of suna chunnin simply stood frozen eyes looking across the desert unable to believe what they were seeing.
"Yugito….it can't be….what are they?" whispered a few Kumo shinobi glancing around at their fellows, even as the forces from the other great nations were in similar states of shock. One such group having their own deeper reaction to the recent encounter.
"Raikage-sama." Whispered a man glancing around to where A stood atop the battlements his eyes narrowed into the distance as his whole body tensed, as if he were trying to hold himself physically back.
Yugito….not again….damn them. Thought the man forcing himself to remain calm as he looked around to the shinobi forces, his eyes falling upon his guard C.
"Is the barrier up." Whispered A calmly, his tone barely above a whisper as the blond man beside him looked up still in apparent shock at what he had seen.
"Wha." Began the man before A rounded on him his eyes blazing down at the shinobi.
"IS THE BARRIER UP!" roared A his words shaking the man out of his shock as he struggled to answer.
"Almost Raikage. But…but it." Started the man before a roar downed him out. As one the defenders of Suna turned to see the monstrous from of Kyuubi now facing them its jaws opened wide as a mountainous amount of chakra began to flood into its jaws.
"NO GET DOWN!" roared A as all along the line the shinobi and kunoichi began to move diving down under cover, or simply standing frozen in fear as the sphere of power continued to build in the beasts jaws.
A moment later there was an audible crash as Kurama let out another roar the bijuudama flying free from him to plunge towards the village. As it streaked across the skies shinobi and kunoichi alike watched the massive orb darting up the sound like the rumble of thunder as it stretched up over the village.
Then with a crashing eruption the blast smashed into the incomplete barrier a ringing crack going out a moment later as the top of the barrier meet the attack shattering under its assault. In horror the defenders of Suna watched as the bijuudama erupted the power smashing their dome of protection as the seals and chakra of its fell to pieces around them.
Below the collapsing barrier a group of shinobi flung themselves against a wall as the wave of chakra released hurtled itself out knocking many from their feet.
"The…the barrier." Muttered a bun haired girl looking around to her team as they gave her equally distressed looks.
"Focus Tenten, this is just the start, we can't panic." Called Neji as he looked around to his sensei who was no longer sporting his usual bravado.
"Neji is right, Tenten we need to stay focused, you three need to watch for one another…understand." Spoke Guy even as the shattering sound of the barrier falling and panicked chatter of voices threatened to drowned him out.
Meanwhile across the wall another group of shinobi stood slowly drawing blades as they saw the sky slowly falling above them. Glancing back and forth a raven haired youth caught sight of a bearded man standing beside his students drawing his own blades as he shouted instructions to those around him.
Glancing back over the wall the man's eyes focused for a moment upon the monstrous from of the nine tails his eyes shifting into swirling crimson pinwheels as he tracked back to where he vaguely saw the enemy camp stirring with activity.
"THEY'RE MOVING!" cried Sasuke as he looked back across the line to where Asuma stood beside his students, his eyes meeting the Uchiha's for a moment as he looked from the desert his own voice rising in a cry to rouse his fellow forces for the coming assault.
As shinobi and Kunoichi threw themselves into position along the walls and trenches those at the head were able to watch as a steady sea of armored figures stepping forwards, their combined footfalls shaking the sands as they slowly swallowed the dusty yellow of the desert with their metallic glow. At the same time above the encroaching iron sea the skies themselves slowly fell under the empires might as great ships flew into place pushing forward towards the defenses. Then as the forces were just reaching the location of the previous battles the front line of ships dropped down so that they now flew just above the sands rushing ahead like the tips of so many spears their fellows following along behind them as a steady river of steel approached the village.
"What the hell are they doing?" cried one shinobi as the ships drew closer a few shaking slightly as the ships continued to barrel towards them looking as though they intended to simply crash into them. As commanders rushed up and down the line attempting to keep their forces calm several shinobi leapt into position flying through waves of hand signs as they prepared to meet the massive ships with a storm of fire.
"Something's wrong, why drop to the ground?" muttered a pineapple haired man as he glanced at the approaching ships even as a few gouts of flame and thunder lashed out some carving small trails in the sides of the ships or simply glancing off their edged bows to crash into the desert below. As he watched his eyes narrowing beside him his friend looked between him and the approaching line with a slightly worried expression upon his brow.
"Shikimaru? What is it?" asked Choji as the pineapple haired man shook his head glancing back to the ships as he tried to calm himself.
"Choji get command on the line, tell them to spread everyone out!" Shikimaru suddenly yelled turning to take off down the line leaving his friend behind. In response to his friend's call the heavy set man sprang up rushing towards the opposite line his feet pounding upon the sands as he sprinted through the shadows made from their defenses.
As each man hurtled along the line, across the steadily shrinking no man's land within the great white ship that formed the point of the advance, Lelouch sat upon a raised seat his eyes fixed upon the village ahead through the layered glass bridge of his ship a small smile upon his lips as he watched the walls nearing. From around him the crew sat behind complicated instruments handing the progress of the massive ship, as still others kept up communication with the fleet and ground forces constant reports still coming in as the advance continuing.
"Commander, the emperor has been recovered, he is slightly injured, however his armor requires massive repair, he says it will be some time before he can rejoin the fight." Called a communications officer, turning form his radio to look back to where Lelouch sat. At the man's words the purple eyed man nodded slightly looking back to the city a small smirk playing across his lips.
"Understood, contact the fleet, let them know the emperor is leaving the city to us. This emperor has cleared out path sons of the empire it is time to repay him with our victory!" called Lelouch rising from his seat as he spoke drawing nods from the crew, even as his message went out across the fleet. As the message went out the fleets line seemed to shake slightly as the captains urged their ships forwards, gun crews preparing their kunai and chakra cannons even as the airborne troops locked themselves into position, wings snapping out into place as they settled themselves upon the launchers eyes trained upon the horizon.
Ahead the walls rushed towards the fleet, closer, the spots of the wall coming into sharper view, and closer, the small pinpricks of color the bodies of the defenders, and closer, the few shinobi in clear view still flying though hand sign's prepared to meet them.
"NOW ASSEND! FULL VOLLY!" cried Lelouch the captains taking up the call as the lines of the fleet suddenly wrenched themselves up now shooting diagonally above the defenders of Suna, who now faces a shimmering wall of the ships bows, and the hundreds of kunai and chakra cannon's now levied upon them.
Then the world erupted into fire and steel.
00000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000
Meanwhile across the continent as the first shots of the war began, a much smaller war was currently underway as a pink haired woman made her way slowly through the outer walls of the emperors palace returning a few salutes as she passed, her mind racing as she forced herself to remain calm.
Ok Ino just breath, they don't know anything…looks like I lucked out with this one, she's pretty high up in the forces…still some of these memories don't seem right. I mean they have a pet Kitsune here? Must be some kind of mental trailing to try and thrown in false memories or something. Thought the woman as she steered her armored puppet around to travel slowly down a stone pathway the white boots of her body tapping against the stone as her eyes shifted back and forth across the majestic gardens.
Wow…if we weren't at war I'd love to get a few of these plants for the shop. Hum maybe once we trounce the empire I can meet the gardener here…well if they aren't trying to kill me at any rate. Continued to blond as she continued forwards, the images she had managed to pull from the woman's mind flashing past her one by one. Though as she tried to get a good image of the emperor the woman's mind seemed to harden, showing only blurry outlines causing Ino to privately swear at the woman's stubbornness.
Oh just stop it, you can't protect the memories forever just give them over already! Yelled the blonde from within the woman as her host returned only silence as she continued to struggle against her intrusion.
As Ino shook herself from the continuing mental battle it was just as she found herself stepping by a pillared side of the palace, the garden now upon her right as she passed another pair of guards heading in the opposite direction.
Snapping off another small salute to the pair Ino was just about to enter the palace when the patter of footsteps drew her attention around. Turning Ino almost lost control of the pink haired woman as her eyes fell upon a familiar red haired boy dressed in a simple blue shirt and pants as he rushed across a small opening between two hedgerows his blue eyes turning back, along with a wide smile, towards where another figure was pushing out of the shrubbery.
"Menma-kun now come back it's time for lunch!" called a motherly tone as a red-haired woman pushed through the hedgerow her simple green and white dress waving around her as she fixed violet eyes upon the escaping child.
"Heheheahaha Kassan catch me!" called Menma happily as Kushina rushed after her son the appearance of the two stopping Ino dead in her tracks as she watched the two move past her and into the opposite hedgerow the child's laughter never stopping as they disappeared into the gardens. Before Ino could pull herself from the shock of the pairs arrival another voice drew her attention as she watched wide eyed as a blond man appeared in a small flash of yellow light glancing back and forth before focusing on her, his blue eyes looking across her white helm, as a small smile cross his lips.
"Sorry but have you seen my wife and son around her?" called Minato as Ino stood for a moment frozen at the appearance of the forth Hokage her mind sputtering as it tried to understand what was before her.
He….them….here, what? Why the hell is the fourth Hokage here? and his family? Didn't they escape from the battle? Wait if they did why are they here? What the hell is going on? raced the blonds mind as before her Minato took a small step forwards his eyes narrowing slightly upon the armored figure as he did.
"Solider? What are you doing here?" asked Minato as he looked the guard up and down something felling off about how the armored figure had suddenly gone stiff at his presence. Snapping herself out of her momentary stupor Ino forced herself to remain calm as she reached her hosts hands up to remove her helm, letting the pink wave of hair fall free around her delicate face, the twin red eyes blinking across at the man above a blank expression.
"My apologies, I am captain Anya of the fourth royal guard, I am looking for," here Ino's mind cast around the woman's memories until she seized upon a green haired woman, "Lady C.C." replied the red eyed woman as Minato watched her for a moment longer nodding slowly as the tension left his body.
"I see, well she is in the throne room last I saw her." replied Minato as the controlled Anya nodded to him.
"Thank you, and your family went that way." Finished Ino raising her body's armored hand to point across the garden getting a small smile from Minato as she did.
"Thank you Anya, if you will excuse me." replied the man a moment before a flash of yellow light illuminated the area leaving only the controlled Anya behind who slowly replaced her helm letting out a heavy breath as she did.
Oh Kami, that was close…but why is the fourth here? Co…could he have turned on Konoha? I know he and his family were angry about his son's actions but why leave the village for the empire? Wondered the blond as she shook herself slightly turning back towards the palace, her mind set upon her mission.
00000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000
As Ino set about her desperate mission, across the content the defenders of Suna were facing their own daunting task as the ships crested over their first line of defense the cannons of the many ships swinging towards them. Before many could even understand what was happening the dull metallic chatter of kunai fire began alongside the thunderclaps of the chakra cannons as a sea of steels and fire rushed down upon the lines of shinobi.
Thousands of steel blades descended upon the stone battlements slamming home into the stone and sand alike as bits of the stone and sand flew from each impact all along the wall. Those few shinobi and kunoichi to frozen or slow to get into cover soon found themselves riddled with impacts, some falling without even being able to raise a cry at their own demise. Those who survived the beginning hail of steel crawled or flung themselves off the walls hopping to find cover as their fellows rushed to aid them pulling blades free from their bodies as splashes of crimson began to drip across the sands of Suna that drank the red liquid greedily.
However, what came next was more devastating, every tower still standing from the previous assault was soon engulfed in eruptions of fire or lightening what few surviving platforms crumbling to ruin, only a few casting their blasts back into the aerial assault. One such cannon spat a gout of flame just before a thunderbolt smashed it to peace's, its final defiant roar hurtling itself up to smash into one of the ships rear drawing a series of eruptions as the rear of the vessel exploded into fire causing its bow to dip down out of the ski and towards the walls of Suna itself.
As the ship fell across the lines those caught within its shadow scattered glancing back up with looks of triumph as the ship slowly fell across the rear defenders of the wall.
From the bridge of his ship Lelouch watched as one of his fleet fell into the walls of the village its great pointed bow smashing into the stone as steal and wood splintered against the massive walls of the village forcing the ship back from the sheer force of the impact as its rear buried into the desert sands.
"Commander the Countess is crippled, that shot hit their main engines. The captain says that he's pulled what forces he has into the ship but the shinobi are already swarming them!" called the radio operator as Lelouch nodded glancing across at his line as they slowly passed above the village proper.
"Tell them to hold out, reinforcements are on the way, contact Cornelia and give her the ships position, prepare the gliders to launch we will circle around to the Countess's crash site after our next volley." Called Lelouch as he his ship slowly moved above the village the line rising slowly as it continued to poor fire into the lines below, working slowly back towards the rear lines.
"Where are they going?" called a shinobi as he pulled himself out of cover turning away from the desert his eyes tracking the movement of the fleet. Before he could receive his answer a Shinobi dressed in the green vest of Konoha rushed across the stone walls throwing himself into a dive as he took the watching shinobi off of his feet just as a chatter of kunai danced across the wall where the man had been standing.
"GET DOWN! FORM UP THE ENEMY IS HERE!" roared the shinobi as he looked up and down the line where figures dressed in the multiple uniforms of their nations flung themselves into the battlements shooting glancing across out to where the empires forces now stood, having moved forwards under the cover of their ships to now threaten the first line of defense. Upon the sands Armored figures now pushed forwards the front lines carry massive iron shield as behind them waves of troops sporting kunai launchers marched, alongside pockets of the white armored figures sporting the larger chakra cannons, doted here and there with the colored armor of a commander.
"EXPLOSIVES NOW!" cried a few Jonin along the line as shinobi drew kunai and shrunken loaded down with explosive tags rising across the walls to fling their weapons out towards the approaching wave. At the same time defenders rushed from cover to man their positions, trying in desperation to reach the line before the full weight of the empire crashed against their walls, and all under the peppering of kunai and fire from the skies, which forced them to weave in and out towards their places. All along the walls the defenders, that had managed to arrive, popped out from behind cover just long enough to hurtle their weapons down towards the armored forces below.
As steel weapons plunged down the empires front line surged forwards great shields slamming into place as soldiers flung themselves against the iron walls as explosions began to erupt against them. Explosions of force exploded down the line a few blades found their ways past the defensive line crashing into the armored assault eruptions flinging steel and flesh aside as armored figures crumpled to the sands, adding their own blood to the sands below.
"KEEP IT UP! HEAVY JUTSU'S TO THE LINE!" cried the Jonin defenders as more forces arrived on the walls flinging themselves into position alongside their fellows as they added their own power to the battle. At that moment the front line of the empire halted seeming held back by the slowly growing assault, a dull hum of power from behind them drowned out by the explosions of the battle.
As more and more fire descended upon the armored force the defenders of Suna began to hope that they just might be able to stop the assault after all. That was until the armored forces of the empire shifted to allow groups of white armored figures to rush forwards the heavy packs of their cannons adding to the pounding of their footfalls as they rushed ahead. Slamming into place hundreds of chakra cannons rose as if guided by a single hand to point towards the defenders.
Before those upon the walls could recognize the danger the chakra cannons spoke as one the world once again disappearing in eruptions of force as huge blasts of fire and lightening rocketed forwards. Whole companies of white clad soldiers coordinated their fire upon points of the wall intent to bring them down. The stone structures held for only a moment before overcome by the combined wave of destruction crashing upon them as stone and sand shattered under the thunder of cannon fire. As the chakra cannon's assault smashing into the walls great chunks of the structures crumbled, the resulting eruptions of stone and fire calming several lives even as the breached walls opened up to the now charging armored force.
From atop the remaining walls the defenders stagger back and forth, the dust of the previous assault hanging about them a moment before the heavy footfalls of the empires poured through the new holes and towards the first lines of trenches beyond, where the chatter of kunai was soon joined by the roar of elements flinging themselves forwards.
Staggering forwards a Jonin, draped in the blue and white of Kumo, attempted to get back from his position just as the sound of metal hitting stone drew his eyes around to see a purple armored figure stepping out through the dust accompanied by several white armored figures, their cannons levied towards him.
Turning fully to face these figures he pushed himself forwards one hand flicking down towards his kunai pouch just as the dull chatter of kunai launcher rang out. A moment later the man dropped to the ground his chest now sporting a small smattering of blades as Cornelia lowered her cannon glancing around at the remainder of the wall as the dust slowly dispersed.
"Captain, take a squad and secure the wall, clear out the defenders, if they surrender fine, if not do not risk our men's lives giving them the chance." Called Cornelia as a white armored solider snapped to attention before turning to move down the line as the purple armored woman stepped onto the edge of the wall looking out across a small sea of trenches already erupting into battle, her eyes slowly trailing up to the second wall beyond that, and finally to the towering walls of Suna itself.
"Once the wall is secure bring the medic ships in, but keep them back from the combat line and tell Lelouch to scrabbled the gliders once we reach the second wall!" called Cornelia as another of her guard snapped to attention rushing to follow his generals instructions as she turned to descend down to the sands and back towards the battle ahead.
00000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000
As the empires forces slowly pushed forwards into the shinobi's defenses, back, within the medical corps figures were rushing back and forth as a few of the airships began to lift slowly into the air rushing forwards full of medics and soldiers towards the outer walls. Meanwhile at the head of the camp sat a blond man his hair fluttering in the small wind from the desert as he turned blue eyes across the battlefield to where he could hear the distant sounds of combat.
"Emperor, word from General Cornelia the first wall is secure and they are currently pushing towards the second." Called a solider as he stepping up beside his emperor.
"Good contact Lelouch tell him to have a few of his fleet move to provide cover to the medical core, I don't want to risk having the enemy hit them." Called Naruto as the man nodded rushing to relay the message as Naruto looked back towards the desert his eyes drifting down to his newly healed arm. He'd had to get an earful from Tsunade, Euphemia and even Hinata about the injury, but at least they were willing to fix him fast enough, though his armor was another matter. His right arm now stood bare nothing between it and the blazing sun above.
Idly Naruto raised is unarmed hand to run through his hair idly eyes moving towards one of the smaller troop ships standing ready for him as he let out a tired sigh.
"Right," breathed Naruto as he pushed himself up, his armored hand moving down to grip the handle of his blade, wrenching it from the sand as he turned towards the ship, "there's a war to win." Muttered Naruto as he started to move towards the ship. As he padded across the sands he found himself suddenly barred from proceeding by an unexpected figure.
"Kurama?" asked Naruto as the fox gave him a tired look.
"No I'm the other Kitsune you know." Replied the beast in a sarcastic tone as Naruto let out an annoyed sound at his words.
"Even I'm not that unlucky Kurama, now what is it?" asked the blond as Kurama gave a small yawn before glancing across the battlefield before his red slitted eyes traveled back to Naruto.
"Just making sure you didn't leave little old me behind." smirked the fox as Naruto felt a small smirk tugging at his face.
"No I suppose not, come on then." Called Naruto as the pair turned to the ship the kitsune glancing up at him idly with a vulpine grin upon his lips.
"What?" asked Naruto as the pair reached the ship, the kitsune turning ahead with a grin still upon his face.
"Oh just thinking it's a shame you lost the helmet, it was an improvement over your face." Chuckled the fox as Naruto gave him an annoyed look before shaking it off.
"Yeah, yeah, good to see you're alright." Replied Naruto as Kurama gave a chuff in reply, the two soon standing at the open door to the ship as it picked itself from the desert pushing towards the outer line of the battle. As Naruto looked back at the camp, his blond hair whipping about his face in the rushing wind, he could vaguely make out where a small group of soldiers stood sentinel around a sealed enclosure, his thoughts focusing on it for only a moment as the sounds of battle soon drowned out such things, as the ship plunged forwards towards the siege of Suna.
00000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000
Meanwhile within the battlefield Naruto and Kurama were currently hurtling towards shinobi and Kunoichi were slowly being pushed back from their trenches as the armored forces of the empire moved steadily forwards pushing through their positions on all fronts.
From one trench a pale eyed man turned a corner in the passages only to see a group of three grey armored troops who hurried to levy kunai cannons towards him. As the chatter of their fire began to ring out, their target began to spin his voice crying out barely audible above the chatter of their cannons.
"KAITEN!" roared Neji as a dome of chakra sprang to life around him the assaulting kunai smashing into his shield one after another as they were sent spinning into the earthen and stone walls around them. As the chatter of their cannons slowly died away Neji halted his rotation his hands flinging out to seize a pair of kunai from the air before flinging them forwards as his voice roared out once again.
"TENTEN NOW!" cried the man as a bun haired woman leapt from behind him a scroll unraveling before her as with a blast of smoke an enormous spiked ball erupted out hurtling itself into the three armored figures. As the deadly iron sphere smashed home the dozens of explosive tags littering it went up in a fiery explosion that caused the trench around the men to collapse in on what remained of them.
"Got them.." panted Neji as he turned his pale eyes around the veins visibly strained on his face as he the area around him came into shape. As the man's vision shifted into a three hundred and sixty degree view of his surroundings his body seemed to tense, drawing the eye of his companion.
"Neji, what is it?" called Tenten as she turned to him, his face slowly shifting into a hardened gaze as he turned to her.
"We're surrounded." Whispered Neji simply. For a moment his words simply hung in the air as Tenten looked around them down a few of the winding trenches where she could vaguely hear the metallic stomp of armored boots. As her gaze shifted back to her teammate she was Neji pulling out a small pill tossing it into his mouth as he pushed himself back up.
"What now?" muttered Tenten pulling the massive scroll that hung upon her back forwards as she moved over to stand beside her partner?
"I don't know Tenten…" whispered the man as he looked left and right down the tall walls of the trenches where a few armored figures were stepping into sight more than a few turning towards the pair as he felt Tenten's back push against his own.
"Well then just shut up and fight." Called the bun haired girl as a blast of smoke erupted a moment before a small storm of weapons of appeared around her even as the empires forces lowered their cannon's began to chatter away.
At the same time across the battlefield the smoking wreckage of the Countess battleship was the sight of its own war as shinobi leapt from cover to cover, closing in on the downed beast as its defenders continued to fire kunai and cannon out at their ranks desperately attempting to keep the advancing forces at bay. However, for their bravado their struggle appeared grim as armored figures slammed themselves behind the wreaked bits of steel and wood only to be greeted by a sea of Justus's of every kind that continued to rain down upon them tearing fresh wholes into the ship and earth as well as their numbers.
From an upper deck an armored figure appeared his chakra cannon falling to bare upon the advancing shinobi as it spat a gout of flame that caught an unlucky red clad shinobi its path a moment before a series of flaming blasts erupted around him as the shinobi returned his fire in kind drawing a pained cry from the man as he was flung back into the bowls of the ship. Such was the same all across the downed ship as it's the crew continued to mount what defense they could, trails of kunai and fire lashing out as within the narrow halls of the ship armored forces found themselves squaring off against those shinobi that had already battered their way inside.
From the bridge of the ship the captain and his men loaded their own smaller kunai launchers even as they heard the distant sound of battle slowly approaching them. As the captain slid his own clip of kunai into his cannon with an audible snap he turned to the communications officer who was turning to him with a slightly panicked look.
"Captain Commander Lelouch says that General Cornelia is past the first line, she's on her way and he's sending ships our way now!" called the man even as an explosion drowned out his words as the ship itself shook all eyes turning towards the roof as bits of dust were thrown free from it.
"Good tell them we are holding as best we can but the enemy is already beached out defenses in several points; we will continue to broadcast as long as we can." Called the captain as another explosion cut him off again.
"Are any of the cannon crews still operational?" called the captain over this newest eruption as another solider turned to him.
"Only number ten is still reporting, but they're stuck the cannons just pointed towards the village wall!" called the man as a sudden burst of static flickered across their radio.
"This is the launch pad, can you contact number ten!" cried a man as the captain turned to the radio.
"Answer him!" cried the captain as the radio operator sprang to obey.
"Yes, but what is happening up there?"
"It doesn't matter, just tell ten to be ready they'll have their target soon!" called the voice as another explosion cut the line leaving the crew to look towards the radio wondering just what was happening above them.
As the newest explosion went off, rocking the ship the source slowly came into focused for those upon the top of the ship. There on the launching pad a muscle bound man rose slowly from the source of the most recent eruption, his body coated in a glowing blue field of electricity as he turned his bearded fact across the open deck his eyes falling upon the ship's crew as they levied kunai launchers upon him.
As the chatter of their launchers joined the sound of their fellows the man vanished in a flicker of movement before he was suddenly among them his arms smashing out with enough force to send two of the attacker off of the top of the ship their armor caved into their chest even as the man's glowing shield seemed to flicker for a moment.
Grunting A channeled another wave of chakra into his lightening armor as the blue glow of his defense sprang back into full life as he shivered away from another wave of kunai before he began to tear into the defenders with renewed ferocity.
"Damn it, he's taking us apart!" roared one of the empires soldiers from where he stood beside a group of armored and unarmored crewmen who now sat fortified within the wreaked remains of the observations deck now littered with bits of glass and steel. As he watched A smash aside another pair of defenders a few already backing away as they tried desperately to keep the shinobi at bay slowly moving back to their position.
"I got through to the captain! Number ten is ready!" called a solider suddenly turning to the others as they looked around to him before looking back out to where A was a white armored commander standing amongst them.
"At least that's something, now come on let's give them a target!" called the white armored figure as he pulled up a large yellow lance four back armored figures leaping up beside him as they jumped over their defenses rushing out onto the deck towards where A had just finished tossing another pair of solders aside.
As A spun he was forced to raise his arms to cover his face as a small sea of steel crashed into him, his armor shredding the steel as a group of four solders fell into place before a fifth who stood behind them dressed in the heavy white armor that he vaguely recognized as their commanders.
The four grey armored solders continued to fire kunai after kunai into him even as he slammed his feet down into the hull of the ship sending bits of steel and wood splintering out as he charged them. In response to his charge the four slowly back peddling as he rushed across the deck towards them so fast they could barely make out his shimmering blur as they traced their cannons back and forth in a desperate attempt to stop the muscle bound destroyer.
The next moment the four were sent scattering just as A appeared before them his arms swinging out sending two crashing into their fellows as they smashed to the deck just as an odd metallic click drew the kage's eyes up towards the final solider. As the Raikage looked up it was to see the white armored man suddenly shooting forwards upon some kind of metal sled that seemed to be affixed to the deck in, his yellow lance pointed directly towards the muscled man's heart.
A split second later with a screeching tearing of metal the lance smashed into A's armor as the lightening split the spear as though it were made of paper, even as his other arm slammed home into the white solider chest. But even as a crimson splash erupted out to stain the deck the ship launcher carried the pair forwards across the ships length A finding his chakra armor fading around the arm still plunged into the man's armor. With a heave the muscled man attempted to pull his arm free even he felt the man's armored limbs slamming around his arm capturing it as the two reached the end of the ship, a sudden jerk sending them both plummeting towards the ground between the ship and the great stone walls of suna.
As they fell A finally managed to wrench his arm free of the now dead solider as he allowed his chakra to flood over him securing his armor for the coming landing. However, as he fell a movement from before him caused him to look up just in time to see a massive black cannon, shaped like an oversized version of the ones carried by some of the armored soldiers, swiveling to face him as an ominous blue hum of power began to ring out from it. The next moment with a thunderclap of sound a lance of pure blue power thrust out from the cannon catching the Raikage in midair as he fell, hammering him back into the walls of Suna with a crash of breaking stone that sent spider webs worth of cracks up the stone structure.
00000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000
Meanwhile above the battlefield the fleets ships slowly began to decent towards the second line of defense, kunai and chakra cannons alike tearing into the defenses as shinobi and Kunoichi pulled themselves back from the wall attempting to get out of the coming destruction. From the command ship Lelouch watched his face emotionless as a below the empires line slowly pushed forwards, the small pinpricks of red and white medics slowly filtering into the rear of the battle as they moved injured back to waiting ships. As his eyes trailed back over the trenches he spotted the towering form of a shinobi his armored uniform standing out against his fellows even had he not been currently standing some twenty feet tall.
Before Lelouch could make further note of the man however, eruptions of force smashed into the man's front carving into him as armored troops began to poor fire into the expanded target. Watching further Lelouch saw as the man sent a massive fist down scattering a few troops before several more charged him flinging steel and fire into his face, one glider even landing upon the man's back to jab his cannon down into the man's neck as he proceeded to unload kunai after kunai into the shinobi splattering his white armor with a fresh coating of crimson as the massive figure slowly crumbled to the ground.
Shaking this newest image from his mind Lelouch turned back to the battle ahead even as an odd surge of dark grey flesh drew his eyes to the walls of Suna where something was slowly taking form something that caused his heart to skip a beat.
"EVASIVE ACTION GET THE SHIPS BACK!" Lelouch suddenly cried as he saw the towering head of what appeared to be some type of bull forming from a sea of waving tentacles. As the crew hurried to obey the growing beast swiveled his head to face them its jaws opening in a roar as it turned towards the nearest ship as a shear of blackened chakra began to from before it.
As the front row of ships began to pull back their bows turning away from the creatures' sudden appearance there was a thunderclap of sounds as the blackened sphere burst allowing its wave of destruction to wash out into the suna skies towards the fleet.
A solid lance of destruction tore its way into their line plunging through two ships completely sending them spiraling down to the sands below even as those on the outskirts of the blast found themselves listing down as well the force of the blast enough to tear their winds from their bows.
Watching this Lelouch looked on in horror as three of his ships spiraled down towards the edges of the battlefield even as the remainder of the fleet began to louse their own force back at the beast that swung itself back and forth dancing among the blasts.
Idly Lelouch noted one ship a small one now climbing above the beast ignoring his order.
"GET ME THAT SHIP ITS GOING TO GET ITSELF KILLED!" called Lelouch as the radio operator turned to him looking slightly worried.
"A…apologies commander but I can't." replied the man as Lelouch rounded on him. Before Lelouch could speak the man continued his voice slightly stronger.
"The emperor said that he and Kurama would handle him." finished the man as Lelouch paused for a moment before turning to look out as from the smaller ship leveled off, a pair of brightly color dots falling from it towards the massive beast which swiveled to meet them. A second later in midair the massive form of Kurama sprung to life as the kitsune crashed into the eight tailed beast the pair crashing back over the walls disappearing into the city beyond as Lelouch found himself audibly swearing.
"Get me General Cornelia we need to reach the city NOW! THE EMPIROR IS BEHIND THEIR LINES!" called Lelouch as the crew set to work even as within the walls of suna the emperor began his next battle.
Ok chapter done…and yes you can bitch about the cliffhanger, god knows I'm used to it by now lol. Like I said I built up to a big showdown in Suna so ya it's a big one worthy of that build up no quick two page spread that just says we won, this is full scale war and I do hope you are enjoying it. Thanks as always for those who support my work and to all who favorite follow and review.
Songbird out.