FROST COUNTRY
The wasteland like terrain of ice and cold tundra that dotted the country stood strong with its ability to wither anyone to the bone. Its cold chill and inhospitable ways proved as dangerous as any climate could be.
In one large flat plain with a single cliff, near the country's coast it seemed to easily be the most uninhabitable area as the thick ice landscape was more so concentrated there under the provided arctic waters combined with ice.
The coastline of area by itself was deadly yet it was incapable of causing what had changed its scape. A massive almost god-like remodeling had been thrust upon the land which featured a new massive crater that dug yards down in to the ice; exposing ice packed earth.
To any bystander that had seen such a devastating impact on the land and thought it unbelievable, almost terrifying enough it featured a twin equal sized crater that was but inches from its counterpart.
A small cracking in the ice abruptly started near the first crater before the ground caved in and several blurs sped out of the impromptu opening in the earth.
"Who the fuck do those fuckers think they are!" roared Haruo angrily while brushing crushed ice from his body.
Looking around quickly the man saw the impacts in the ground he'd weathered. It only angered him even more, at the power those that had ambushed him wielded. Spitefully he swore to take his revenge on the surprising duo that were not even suppose to be in the area yet were.
Viewing what was left of his once larger than normal recon squad. Haruo got even more pissed as he saw he had but nine men left out of the sixty he had brought with him.
"It was not their main force and they are long gone commander" spoke a man who released his hands from the snake seal when he was done sensing around the battlefield.
"So much for an ambush strike to attack them first!" snorted the red-head as he looked around at the destruction.
"They are a few miles from here probably with their main force. You could gain revenge since they think you are dead, you also have the element of surprise on your side" spoke a seething with ill-intent voice
Every man there looked to where they knew the mysterious voice had come from.
Haruo looked apathetically to his sword and shook his head "No we have to regroup. It's obvious by this that those two guys are not obeying the Raikage's battle plans or they have changed dramatically. Either way we are in no shape to take on anyone. . . not yet at least"
The sword stayed silent at the answer.
The red-haired man then gazed to his surviving squad an sighed before mumbling down-trodden "C'mon" than ran south back to where his own unofficial HQ was located.
WIND COUNTRY| SUNAGAKURE
In the sandy village every ninja it had that was not either needed for guard or the war was in attendance by a rock wall lined with headstones as a memorial to the dead.
There were many tombstones lining the wall and had increased like that since the war's beginning.
Every being in the village knew that and saw day by day the many more graves that were dug and stamped with a new stone as the Sunagakure ninja died one after another. Though not normally every ninja would gather for just one ninja's funeral as if they did, it would be a gathering for a funeral held everyday in response to the village's many causalities.
Today the exception was made as the legendary man who gathered every sand dweller together with his enormous power, then founded Sunagakure in to what it was presently. Had died in combat like so many before him and needed honoring.
Unbelievable at first it was to hear or even understand to the many sand ninjas that such a man was dead but inevitable it was to accept. When the proof was tangible the larger than life to some, man was no longer around to be seen or leading.
Sadness was the most abundant feeling at the loss but it was also overwhelming defeat too that had gripped every heart of civilian and ninja alike at knowing, not only had they lost a leader as great as their First Kazekage, their founder.
But also because Sunagakure after what could barely be estimated or rounded up to a year of warfare had to pull out of the named: First Shinobi World War.
No longer could they in good standing continue to fight abroad and afford to continue in their power struggle with the other village's or countries.
To them though at the least they had fulfilled their Daimyo's wishes as they in fact even after their main rival; Fire Country's expansion and many others rise, were still in fact the largest country like their head Feudal Lord wanted.
Equating size to power though, dangerous it was, did bring prosperity to the village and country but it came at a high cost.
Sunagakure a village boasting over seven thousand ninjas thriving inexplicably well in the desert with such a powerful force. Had been severely wounded by the war and now had but a fraction of their old numbers.
All they could do now in their weakened state was protect their borders and hold on to what the blood of their comrades had paid for while striving desperately for recovery that did not look like it would come easily.
Ironically it seemed now. . . Sunagakure wanted peace. If only because it would ensure their survival.
FOUR DAYS PAST| FIRE COUNTRY| KONOHAGAKURE
Tobirama hummed lowly as he read the title of the page he held.
It had many words written in still drying ink upon it but the most important stated: treaty.
A sure way to end the fighting that plagued everyone and had erupted upon them all.
Knowingly from experience Tobirama knew it seemed reckless that the village of its leader he had killed would send him a starting treaty before it sent its ambassadors.
But he knew three things that contradicted emotion or reason and they were; if Sand ninja were detected in his country or near his village they were usually killed on sight. And not surprisingly Suna, though loved their First Kazekage understood that they were too weak to continue a war like this with out the Shodaime Kazekage at its helm.
An finally Suna as a whole, knew only one powerful village that would answer it's call for peace in said dark times.
"It's only a matter of time now. This war will be coming to an end soon" Tobirama thought aloud already gathering a new scroll to write a reply to the Sand village.
Reverently he began to write words that would slowly pave a pathway for peace.
EARTH COUNTRY| IWAGAKURE
"Seems we have been too busy afar" stated the Tsuchikage as he leaned back in his chair.
The gathered ninja in the room each nodded at the kage's words. More so out of sheer agreement with the man rather than the fear mixed respect that usually was given to the leader.
"Huh I bet Leaf thinks they will get all the spoils that striking a treaty with Sunagakure and Wind country will afford. Yet they forget that we are still here right above them. . . an we definitely aren't exhausted like them" the bandaged man pointed out as he looked to a map on his desk and the many battalion figurines on it.
"Sensei I say you let me lead an attack on Sunagakure while they are weakened!" advised a short and quite young boy
Mu looked over his desk at the short figure and thought on the idea as he measured his growing apprentice. 'Already at 13 years old and he is seeing the profitable and main reason of war. . . I'm proud'
Seconds later Mu decided "I heard they have some choice resources. . . take it from them before they make that treaty official."
Nodding the short boy questioned "That mine right?"
"Of course, it's close enough to us and needs to be exploited now. With Sand pulling out on war efforts they will probably start doing missions inside of their own country and barricade their border as to not have to deal with other ninja as they heal. I will not allow them to heal, especially not the easy way. Everything that country has of value I want here! That's your goal Onoki"
Onoki nodded fiercely at his orders. Already he was calculating on how to steal everything from one of Wind Country's most precious mines that was known world-wide and had been very profitable for the entirety of Wind country.
Except not only would Onoki have to take the mine but also their what it seemed other valuables. Soon Wind country would be facing financial hardships that their luxurious assets would not be able to help them out of.
Seeing his already planning student leave. Mu looked to the other gathered ninja and wondered aloud "Now how else will we undermine our enemies?"
FIRE COUNTRY| BORDER| WATERFALL COUNTRY
With a quiet grunt Aki landed on the ground and crushed the poor grass under his heavy build.
Looking behind him he saw the many assembled Uzu-ninja who each focused on different directions like sentinels scanning for any signs of life.
Assured that his subordinates were all alert Aki looked over the thin stretch of land that was the threshold of grass leading in to the dense forested plains of the country protected by Takigakure.
It was here where he was supposed to meet with Takigakure-ninjas that would help set up a co-front against any Iwagakure plots.
Of course intentionally Aki and his Uzu-comrades could never meet the Waterfall ninja near their home-village as the Taki-ninjas diligently kept the well hidden village secret. Maintaining its' hidden securely location from an outside world, while even more so powerful 'hidden' villages location were upturned every other day.
A thought of how the ninja were able to keep their village completely hidden but operational with so many well skilled infiltrators in the world and from so many other information hungry villages. Went through Aki's mind but it was interrupted.
In vortexes of swirling water ahead of the Uzu party; appeared ten Takigakure ninja. One of the ninja after a glance at the shinobi asked "Are you Aki of Uzushiogakure?"
Aki stepped forward and greeted what he saw as a withered and aging grey haired man "Yes I am, Sent from my village to help"
"You? Help" echoed the man with a blank face but a second later nod.
WEEK LATER| FROST COUNTRY
"Damn!" cursed the Uzumaki slamming his hand on to the wooden table and utterly turning it in to splinters from the impact.
Reigning back his anger quickly Haruo grit his teeth after seeing he'd just ruined a perfectly good table but more or rather most importantly had just destroyed his map of the area and the army he had been entrusted with leading.
Sighing Haruo looked back over to another table in his tent and saw he had but one map left. Viewing it with heavy regret.
Again he saw what had made him angry.
Upon the map covering over a radius of one hundred miles; was the terrain of Frost country where the Uzu-ninja patrolled. At the left corner of the map with a large 'X' was the Uzu-ninja headquarters.
Around the headquarter labeled 'X' there were several red blocks in a semi-circle enclosing around the X but on an outer rim around the several red blocks were many more blue diamonds.
Consequently the Commander knew the red blocks were his men on the map; separated in to smaller squads built with their own recon, medics, combatants and support. Each supposedly made more efficient and capable to accept orders from the central command from their design.
Though unfortunately the efficiently large by ninja standards, many squads ranging from 250 ninja a piece. Built for strategic maneuvers and devastating attacking. Was outnumbered by the greater blue diamonds.
Said blue diamonds were representations of Kumogakure forces. Who too were split and divided up in their own customary ways fitting what ever efficiency they would be suited by their own commanders' will.
Haruo did not care about how the enemy squads of ninja and kunoichi was arranged because he knew the numbers from his many recon parties.
"Dammit nine squads of ninja with at least 150 ninja each. How the hell were they able to surround us?!" whispered the man as if asking the map that showed the cunning of Kumogakure and it's ninja.
Almost the young commander pleaded that the map had the answer to his question.
Looking up from the map. Haruo pondered about his own fighting force which was split in to four main squads with about 250 ninja each.
As a strategists it wasn't hard to see the Whirlpool squads were in no way prepared, like he figured the enemy wanted them to be.
Or pliable in being re-shifted to split and counter attack what would be; quick almost unavoidable attacks delivered upon the squads' rear and front while their handicap of being outnumbered was exploited.
Already the battle plan of the two Haruo despised was clear; they would attack front-line squads first. An take away the by the water advantage they had by using the many close combat oriented Kumogakure ninja as a spearhead who'd use lightning jutsu and cut down the advantage the Uzu-ninja held.
Then obviously Kumo would have their already attacking squads push further with their overwhelming numbers. To break the Uzu held lines and strike quickly before moving to destroy Uzu-HQ.
"Such a transparent strategy... yet so damn effective! Ginkaku... Kinkaku. They are not just brutes... or they have some great minds under them" whispered Haruo feeling the pressure of a losing battle baring down upon him.
"You will be losing many comrades. . . if not most. Sacrifice some to save the rest"
Narrowing his eyes at the words Haruo looked to the standing alone table in his tent and the sword lain carefully upon it.
"Shimugen I can't do that" exhaled the man almost shocked his sword would even suggest such a callous idea. "Sacrificing those men and women like that would be wrong but not only that it would be cowardly!"
"I sense your unease Haruo we both know that with those two; Kinkaku and Ginkaku on the battlefield they will ring up many causalities before you could ever stop them. But at least this way the rest could fall back and regroup in Yu village"
"NO!" answered Haruo sternly then went deeply in to thought of how he would save the lives of hundreds of his ninja comrades without using betrayal laced sacrifice in the solution.
Calmly the sword replied "I know what you are thinking Haruo do not do it"
Shaking his head the teen said "It is the only way"
"I WILL NOT HAVE YOU DO THAT!" thundered the sword. Voice going from a calm tranquil lull to a fury mixed disagreeing tone.
"Shimugen, I'll leave you here then. Tch an I thought you said death was an infinity of evolution. Seems you are all talk" goaded the red-haired teen
The sword stayed silent for a few moments at the goad that was obvious to it.
It was one more moment that the sword took in giving its decision by a slight glow of grey chakra that surrounded the sword and destroyed the table it sat on with a grey wisp of smoke. Signifying its answer.
Haruo nodded at the sword that lay no longer glowing on the table but now grounded; hilt side up.
"Commander!" shouted a ninja as he ran inside of the tent.
Looking to his second in command, Daichi. Haruo spoke "I am aware of their impending arrival. Do that jutsu"
Narrowing an eye at the request but quickly realizing what his commander wanted the mismatched eye man went through a blur of hand-seals then left his hands connected in a diamond shape. Ready, Daichi nodded to his commander.
Clearing his voice Haruo spoke towards the connected hands "My fellow Uzu-ninja. By now you have all heard of the impending sneak attack that shall be upon us very soon"
Knowing his voice was easily heard and directed towards every remote scout with a communicator who told their squads of his words. Haruo continued with his speech.
"I need fearless men who with me will confront the enemy. . . directly. Yes I ask for that. But the choice is yours. For the ones that will stand with me you know we have little time. Meet me at omega position"
Daichi with mouth opened agape in shock at his commander's words broke the jutsu not of his own volition but because he'd run his hands through his hair in utter confusion.
"Sir? Why?" squeaked out the man thrusting his arms out as if trying to grab hold of an answer.
Picking his sword up and sheathing it Haruo left towards the tent exit. He looked back out of pity for the stunned man.
"Ninja from the very first time they agree to serve their village and country have given up their right to hold their life as their own. They live and die for their country and village. Even at my high rank I nor anyone am exempt from that rule. Now. . . I just get to prove that oath I took as a Uzushiogakure ninja"
Nodding in understanding Daichi then assured "I'll join you sir!" and saluted
Haruo for the first time did something that made Daichi again become shocked.
He gave a genuine smile.
"Nope Lt. you are needed elsewhere. I'll go hold off the enemy. You lead the rest of them out of here. . . you are acting commander now"
Saddened Daichi went to say something but saw his commander go up in smoke.
Omega position or rather a simple valley named such to satisfy the urge to keep all things secret in the ninja world. Was actually just the north end of the grounds that was in a mile range of HQ.
Haruo after arriving in a gust of white dissipating smoke scanned around the terrain. Taking in the sight a sigh slipped past his lips at what he saw.
Disheartened by the view he spoke "Are so many fools willing to die?"
In response the four gathered representatives with communicating radios from the many squads at once replied "At your command sir!"
"Alright" huffed the man "Tell squad one to three to pull back and merge around HQ. While Squad four takes this point right here. We will meet the enemy in waves. This is all we have to confront them with"
Nodding each man picked up their com link and began retelling the orders.
"If you die. . ." stated the sword unpleasantly
Sighing Haruo replied "Shut-up Shimugen. Dieing ain't that bad. Maybe I'll see what I have sent so many to"