Quest 43: Team DeathMatch
The scorching air and radiant light, of this desolate place, is one of the many reasons I'm grateful for my hoodie. After five days traveling we're here at the edge of the sand country just outside of the town Ikana. The sand was eager to accept our help after hearing about the crimson night, the night I killed all those mist ninjas. Of course destroying the nerve center of Paragon helped that case as well. Their group is less organized, no more leaking our troop movements, and some of the mercenaries are losing heart withdrawing from the battle. Richard's back is against the wall, and the blackguards are closing its only matter of time before he gets caught.
Yet, I not as happy about this as I should be, I have so much doubt clinging to me. Part of me thinks maybe the star should disappear, all the secrecy the and lies they need stop somewhere. I fear that the fate of the betas is just the tip of the iceberg.
"Yo boss the camp is just ahead! Finally, we can get some shade!" Mao shouts out slapping me out me musings.
My attention turns to the tents the sandy color is used to disguise it as dunes at a distance.
"Good let's go, and get out of this heat," I declare, getting a lot relieved sighs in response.
When we arrive we get a pleasant surprise; Leaf ninja are here, I wasn't expecting them to have troops out here. In fact, I was told that most of the fighting they were was much closer to their own borders.
"All right everybody get some R&R and be sure refill your canteens," I order out.
"Roger that," Eric says, then he quickly finishes off his canteen.
"Tokegeroh-taicho!" A masculine voice cracks through the camp, a chunin from the star that already here.
"Dude, stop either Tokegeroh-san or just Tokegeroh I really don't care that much for honorifics." I reply, the young man just nodded.
"I've just been calling him boss," Mashiro chimes in.
"They've been waiting for your arrival sir," the chunin says.
"Alright I'll be right over." I respond.
As we head into the main tent I instantly feel relief coming into the shade of the tent. People coming and going, moving around a ninja beehive of sorts. I get a view of a bunch of different color flak jackets standing around a table. My body freezes instantly we I see, a familiar blonde spiky hair in the mix of hair crowding around the table, I also see a red head in there, could be another Uzumaki.
"Sir Tokegeroh-Taicho is here!" the star shinobi announces, everyone's gaze sudden turns to me.
Dammit seriously I hate that title, and I hate being stared at like this. I see Minato's blue eyes catch me from across the room his eyes light up.
"Tokegeroh, glad you could make it, come on this way no need to be shy," he waves over, damn him for treating me so fucking casually.
"Lord- Minato-san, it's nice seeing you again are Kakashi and the others here," I say as I stride up to the table.
"No, I'm temporarily here with a few others to help push the hidden stone of the Wind country."
"I see," That's a relief I won't have to hear that jackass Obito mouth off. More importantly, I won't have to make good on that promise; fighting Kakashi again would be a pain in my ass, sharingan or not.
"Congrats on your promotion Tokegeroh, I think you made Kakashi quite jealous getting promoted so quickly."
Yeah, that's totally what I wanted to hear wait-.
"You mean Kakashi hasn't been promoted yet?" I ask hoping I didn't screw up the storyline somehow.
"Not yet, but it'll be sooner than he thinks."
" We'll if you're both done with your meet and greet other there, maybe we can we get back to today's briefing." A stoic voice calls out.
I gaze over- oh shit!
The red scorpion of the sand Sasori, that's right he isn't a criminal in this era yet. This must be before he kills the Third Kazekage.
"R-right my apologies," I quickly pardon myself.
He waves it off "Since you just got here I'll fill you in we're going for an all out assault on Ibana and kick the Stone ninja off our borders."
"That's surprisingly simple," I reply, but then again I'm used to infiltrations.
"Well given who have here today we figure simple would work best, intel shows that there no civilians in area." a Smooth voice utters from close behind me he's sending chills done who-
Why me? I'm looking right into two golden slit eyes with light purple eyeliner, and a face that makes an albino's complexion look like a sun tan, Orochimaru that creepy fuck is here too! Goddamn it!
I have to keep my bearing, I peel my eyes from his face back to table, but still, the shifty bastard makes a point, hell this line up alone would have veterans running for the hills.
"Good point especially, given so many famous names in here," I say meekly.
"You say like you're not anything special everyone's here heard about the Crimson night, So you're just as much apart of this as we are." Minato clarifies.
"Tokegeroh your team's role we be to take point on Ikana, My team will be your backup, The leaf ninja will advance past the town deal with the reinforcements before they can get there. Afterward, everyone will regroup and attack the border together."
"A pity really I hoped to see you in action up close," Orochimaru's silken voice whispers in my ear, he's too fucking close!
"We'll make our attack in 1500 hours, is that enough time for your group to rest?" Sasori says.
Two hours should be enough time to rest and prepare. "Yes, everyone should be good to go by then," I reply.
The red-headed puppet master nods "Good everyone's dismissed"
I quickly try and get the hell out dodge, putting as much distance between me and that creepy fucker Orochimaru.
I find my team outside relaxing and playing cards, right now it's Vince vs Midori
"And I lose again, and losing my confidence in my ability to bluff, oh hey Tokegeroh, what up?" Vince call out bringing everyone's attention to me.
Feeling cheeky I answer "A direct assault with the yellow of flash Konaha Minato-" Vince loudly gasps "The red scorpion of the Sand Sasori,-" another gasp. " And the white Snake Sannin Orochimaru." he's silent this time but his gaping mouth speaks volumes.
"Seriously, what are the odds?"
"I know, I wasn't expecting so many legends in one area, either"
"Yeah, i-including you Tokegeroh," Midori squeaks out.
"Please compared to those dudes I'm hardly special," I say.
"There he goes again being all modest," Mashiro butts in.
"Anyways the assault will start at 1500 hours. We'll be taking point by assaulting Ikana Sasori's team is our backup, and Leaf ninja will run interference for any backup that stone might have. All three teams will regroup and attack the border. Spread the word" I order and they all get and move looking for the rest of my unit.
I decide to take a nap before our assault, the searing heat has already tired.
My body flounders around my sleep is disturbed, I awaken to two gold slitted eyes, Levi? No that's not him is far too pale white actuall-
OH MY GOD! That creepy motherfucker what the hell is he doing hovering over me like that!
"Sorry disturb from your nap but time to go." Orochimaru clarifies.
After taking several deep breaths to calm my nerves I reply "O-okay I'll get moving immediately."
Worst wake up of entire life definitely, I mean I'd rather awaken from a fuck up nightmare than to that fucker jeez.
My team starts to trek out again, the sands become more shallow, giving way to hard gravel, then we see the town in the distance.
"So how do want to kick this off?" Vince asks.
"With all this light out it's impossible for them not see us, let's take advantage of that with clones. Make a lot of bodies normal, shadow, water whatever clones you can but, don't expend too much energy before we get to the real fight understand!" I command.
Everyone hands fling around rapidly I watch as my band of sixteen quintuple to around eighty-five men with exception of ten water clones and five shadow clones I mixed myself.
"Solid clones in front and watch for any traps," I've always wanted to say this "Charge!"
We rush out in mass, explosions roar ahead of us as I see mud, and water splatter out against fiery blast erupting from the earth, I'm glad anticipated the minefield. So what else do they have waiting for us?
"Enemy genjustu! Wide range!" a kunoichi screams out. I watch the desert sands get replaced by short hardy grass and plants and an equally barren land a tundra I think, the air even feels colder.
So that's the play, anyone trying to dispel the genjustu will be seen as the real target, clever move.
"Don't dispel! The originals and shadow clones regroup to the center, everyone lock arms."
Everyone huddles together and locks arms, "Give your neighbor some charka."
The I felt jolt of energy burst through me and tundra blurs and fades away. The town is closer and can see stone ninja at the ready anticipating the fight of their lives.
"Mao put that swift release to a good use with the ones on the buildings,"The teen nods and zips off already running up the building sides.
"Midori, Yusuke, and Renji with me gonna hit them with heavy stu-" Just then the guilt hits me.
"Strike that just Midori and me on this one."
My hands come together in a mad dance, trying to complete the longest and strongest technique in my arsenal. Luminescent light blossoms from meek girl's lithe frame the tendrils familiar form wrap around warp into mysterious bestial form, it's yellow eyes some how standing out even against the bright sun. My hands finally finish the meticulous set of seals, my chest becomes a water balloon filled to the brim, I feel like if someone pokes with a needle I will fly off into the distance. I open my mouth and a river charges through, the head of stream shifts into a narrow muzzle with eerie glowing eyes staring out at its prey. However, I'm not finished yet, my digits weave more into the mix, a vortex of wind and streams of lighting swirl and mix together. The serpent dragon takes a cloudy-white appearance, the slender body in constant rotation, like living twister, neon blue tiger stripes undulating through out its body. Thankfully by completing lighting release training this technique didn't wipe me out, but it still took a lot, Using this much chakra feels equivalent to running a two-k marathon, but I still have plenty energy to keep going.
"Whoa! What are calling this one?" Vinces asks.
I didn't come up with a name this collab yet but given how it looks I would call it."Stardust Dragon justu,"
"That's badass,"
The stone ninja's desperately erect a multi-layered mud wall as our two constructs charge at them. The wall might as well have paper for all the good it did, my dragon tears clean through it. Midori monster hops in from behind, savagely gorging on a ninja who wasn't fortunate enough to get a way in time. The SD dragon goes and hits the ground, the violent stream of electric water reams through several shinobi, the elemental freight train boars a deep gash into the earth.
We're in striking distance now only a few feet out from the town more Stone shinobi pour outside with kunai's at the ready. "Spread out and get ready for a fight!"
The angry ringing pierces the air, as does the sickening scent of carrion that I remember all too well. Rage grips me sinking its fangs trying to drag me in, but I can't risk it I need a clear head right now, especially now. It's gotten harder to resist this time much harder.
"Tokegeroh!" Midori cries out, trying to fend off her own attacker.
A shinobi rushes at me with kunai in hand, full of anger, I hurriedly intercept him with my sai.
The clash releases a tiny spark as if the cosmos wishes to remind of how little it takes from me to lose control. With my left hand I complete a set of seals, my lungs are balloons ripe to burst. I open my mouth and cannon of air, slams my assailant on to the ground. I pounce on him sinking my sai into his neck and instantly look for my next opponent. It easier this way if I watch him suffer I'm more likely to give in.
"Hey not be a downer but uh this a lot of guys, when is our support coming?" Vince says.
It's damn good question was there trouble on his end? Maybe they were just slowed down by the minefield.
"Screw it Renji lets party!" Erik howls out.
The ferocious wind whips across my skin familiar sensation, followed by a cool powerful flowing force
"I'm game!" Vince chimes.
Noo!
"Guys wait-" another one, fuck off asshole.
These stone shinobi vermin are crawling of the fucking woodwork.
No! Damnit stay in control, I focus more water in my mouth and compress it I feel liquid harden into thin shards of steel. Doing my best impression of spitting cobra, needles fly from my mouth onto his face one of landed in his eye I wince reflexively as if feel it myself. A quick sai through his throat ended his suffering.
Another one springs up from underneath my feet erupting from the ground. A kunoichi with kunai aim at my neck, I narrowly evade the jab, ramming my sai into her heart. Three more ninja charge in, I need to end this quickly!
Every second those two are using that power brings them closer to death. I look around and see stone ninjas bodies thrown every which way some retreating. Damn their helping but shit much more can they take and where in the fuck is Sasori that prick, if he led us to our deaths...
I'll turn his corpse into my puppet!
Screw this! I can't hold back anymore.
"Yo! Back up is here nice of boys to finally join the party!" Mashiro shouts out.
My gaze turns toward her and I see it, several flying humanoid figures shooting out metal shards and sand ninjas bringing up the rear.
The Stone ninja immediately retreat, apparently, they didn't expect an assault of this level.
"Renji and Yusuke power down and conserve we still have more to go after this," I command.
"Gotcha boss," Renji replies.
I just hope they can live thorugh this, along with my sanity.
to be continued -
