Outside the Walls of Zaofu
The guards of Zaofu were some of the best metal and earth benders in the world as well as excellent fighters, but they had their limits especially when forced to fight a relentless army of stone statues they couldn't bend.
In the end, earth benders willing to protect their home to their last breath meant there were trampled, dead bodies strewn about as the fighting force shrunk further and further. Even Iroh's men, when they arrived, could only achieve so much in the grand scheme of things.
The stone army was slowly approaching the walls of Zaofu as the remaining guards and united forces moved back bending everything they could at their opponents. Even then, it just wasn't enough. Fortune was about to favor them as two people came in to reinforce them.
From the back, a literal wave of earth moved through the ground toppling statues. From the front, a huge, light blue humanoid shape, with wings, flew overhead throwing out large Mangekyo shaped shuriken that warped large sections of soldiers away on contact.
The men were stunned by the pincer attack before they all cheered as these reinforcements worked to clear out countless numbers of statues. As things stood now, it seemed much more manageable. They only cheered more as the old lady from the swamp appeared.
"Toph Beifong!" The soldiers all coursed together joyfully.
Toph shouted at them. "That's enough you bumbling buffoons. Stop your cheering and at least make yourselves useful by clearing out some of the enemy. Some old lady and foreigner are making you all seem like chumps. Get moving you lazy bums."
Her words instantly got the soldiers to refocus their efforts. Toph gazed up at the Susanoo and made out Obito as he flew by. Of course, she had no idea who Obito was, but she still saw someone in there. The old woman then turned her attention to Zaofu, and earth bent herself in.
"These statues are the same ones Moryo used which means I need to make sure Roshi still sealed." Toph thought.
Art Grounds
"Wind Style: Divine Wind!" Gitai called out.
Several small tornados made of air encircled Baatar, Baatar Jr., Opal, Huan, Hong Li, and Taruho.
Setsuna added to it. "Fire Style: Running Fire!"
Fire ran along the ground and into the tornados creating several, flaming tornados for the group to deal with.
"Hing Li, defense!" Taruho declared as he drew his bow and imbued his arrows with water style. "What Style: Torrential Soak!"
He began firing arrows at the tornados, but this wasn't your average fire Jutsu. It was high level fire Jutsu further boosted by high level wind Jutsu meaning Taruho's arrows were only having so much of an effect.
As he worked, Taruho dodged what came his way. For Hong Li's part, both he and Huan bent up slabs of metal to block most tornados which came for them. Both doing their best to work together in an effort to protect the other Beifongs.
Setsuna jumped into the air throwing down shuriken at them before weaving hand signs. "Fire Style: Blazing Shuriken Dance!"
The Shuriken ignited in fire and started to move gracefully in the air encircling the group minus Taruho who had been pushed away by his current task. Huan and Hong Li moved to defend the family bending up earth, as it was less dense, and trying to follow the shuriken's path.
That only got harder as Gitai added his nature to the mix weaving more hand signs. "Wind Style: Divine Enhancing Wind."
Wind Style flowed into the shurikens making them burn brighter and hotter while picking up speed. Soon, the group were surrounded by blue, flaming shuriken that Huan and Hing Li were having trouble keeping track of.
"Huan, focus on the right half!" Hong Li shouted. "I got the left!"
Huan nodded. "Okay."
Even with that, it was hard for the benders to keep up. Baatar and Baatar Jr. were both worried while Opal felt so scared and helpless. What made matters worse was the fact that all but two tornados encircled around the outside of the dancing shuriken.
Baatar grit his teeth before sighing. Huan, you, Kuvira, and Baatar need to look after your younger siblings for me. Hong Li, I'm ordering you to keep them safe until this attack is over." He stepped past everyone. "I'm sorry it must come to this."
Gitai looked over at Setsuna who took a step back. "I'm interested to see where this goes, so hold off." Gitai stared at him judgingly. "Relax, we can capture the rest no matter what this old man does. Just keep that other guard from interfering."
Gitai stepped back as well.
"Dad, what are you doing?" Baatar Jr. asked.
Baatar closed his eyes. "After I do what I'm about to do, you won't need that Jr. tittle, son."
His family and Hong Li were starting to get it.
Hong Li nodded sadly, "Understood sir."
"No, dad…" Opal shook her head as tears came to her eyes. "Whatever you're going to do, you don't need to do it. We can…"
Baatar shouted. "Opal, Hong Li and Huan can't keep up with those flames, and there's no telling when those two are going to attack!" He took a deep breath. "So, listen up all of you. Huan, I never did get your art, but it made you happy. Don't stop."
Huan looked at the ground. "Yes, dad."
"Baatar Jr., you are more brilliant than I ever was, and you're stronger than you know." Baatar stated. "Someday, you'll be the one to lead Zaofu. Your mother and I know it. We've discussed it. Remember to take care of the people and your family. Your responsibility is to them."
Baatar Jr. didn't realize his father and mother saw him that way. He always felt they belittled him at every chance. Even though he now wanted to say something, he'd been rendered speechless.
"Opal, you are a kind and caring person." Baatar shook his head. "Not matter what life throws your way, never lose that. Your family will need you now more than ever after today."
Opal cried. "Don't do this! Please!"
Baatar continued as tears came to his own eyes. "If one of you could, tell the others my final words. Wing and Wei should never lose their spirit for life, or their joy for fighting. Kuvira may have been adopted; however, she's just as much my child as any of you were.
Your mother gave my life more meaning than she knew. I've enjoyed every minute of our time together. Finally, I love all of you. You gave me a life full of purpose to the point that I have no regrets."
"That was truly moving old man, but unless you're actually going to do something, we're going to end this." Setsuna stated now a little impatient but still willing to see where this goes.
"Careful." Baatar stated as he removed his robe revealing his body. "Overconfidence is anyone's downfall no matter how strong they are." He turned to Hong Li. "My final order is for you to launch me at those two."
Hong clenched his fist. "Understood sir."
"No, don't do it!" Opal yelled.
Hong Li ignored her as he started the movements to bend Baatar through the fire at the two Shinobi.
Baatar closed his eyes as black lines and markings appeared on his torso. "I'm not a fighter, but thanks to Su's father, I can protect my family. I can protect my family even though I am a non-bender." He clenched his fist. "Even if it means losing my life."
Hong Li bent Baatar through the flames which worked to burn the older man in multiple places. As Baatar moved forward, everything seemed to slow down as his mind turned back to the day he'd found this seal.
Library:Many Years Ago…
Baatar was a much younger man, and in his right arm he carried his 1-year old son who seemed happy to be surrounded by all this knowledge. Baatar couldn't help but smile at his son's enjoyment.
The husband of Su nodded. "I can just tell you're going to be a man with a strong mind Baatar Jr. No baby would enjoy this room as much as you do without that being the case. My parents said the same thing about me. I must wonder what you'll become.
To someone with knowledge, the world is ripe with possibility." Baatar Jr. reached out for a children's tale and Baatar chuckled. "Well, I guess it is still awhile before you get into the bigger books." He took the book off the shelf. "Until then, I'm content to be the one to read to you."
He showed the book to Baatar Jr. "This was one of my favorite children's stories Baatar Jr." He walked towards a comfy chair in the back of the room. "Tale of Four. Truly a remarkable tale from well before the 100-Year War.
Such a simple one at that as it's just about four people from the four nations coming together to better their lives. Granted, it's a lot more factual thanks to Avatar Aang and Fire Lord Zuko but still a remarkable read."
Baatar stopped as he noticed a leather-bound book sitting on the floor along with a vial, which contained a pill, and a letter. He looked around the room and noticed an old man standing against a wall. He had a long white beard and wore a purple robe with finery.
"He looks familiar, but I don't think I've ever seen him around Zaofu." Baatar reached down and started to pick the items up which resulted in him taking his eyes off the man. "Sir, are these…" He managed to grab every item and stood only to find that the old man had vanished. "…yours?"
Baatar looked around before turning his attention to Baatar Jr. who was starting to get fussy. "Oh, I'm sorry son. I got so wrapped up in that man, that I've been ignoring you." He walked over to the chair, sat the items on the table nearby, and put his son on his lap.
"Don't worry little guy." The husband of Su shook his head. "I was likely just hallucinating form all the work I've been putting in." Baatar ruffled his son's hair making him giggle. "Now, let's get started and enjoy our time together."
Baatar opened the book and started reading the story to Baatar Jr. who seemed to love it. Later, after putting Baatar Jr. down for a nap, Baatar returned to the library where he found the items still sitting there.
Upon further inspection, the letter would reveal that the book was on sealing. No doubt it'd be useful to Baatar once he and Su told him all about his grandfather and what they shared. Who knows which of his children could also make use of it?
He also found out that the pill was a Chakra pill. Something that could help him in creating a single seal. Upon finding a specific one, even though it'd cost him his life upon activation, Baatar was determined to imprint it on his body. Just in case it was ever needed.
Art Grounds: Present…
Baatar came out of the fire which allowed the two Shinobi to notice and recognize the seal on his torso.
"A Reverse Tetragram Seal!" Setsuna shouted. "He shouldn't… Kusuna didn't sense any Chakra in him. We need to move Gitai!"
Both Shinobi prepared to move but found it hard as the earth had formed over their legs trapping them. They looked at the people still within the flame where they noticed Huan and Hong Li settling themselves after bending. Those two had trapped them.
Baatar was stopped right between them as a black sphere expanded out around himself and the two Shinobi. "You two are far more powerful than I ever could be; however, you were mistaken if you thought powerless meant helpless. Now, I will protect my family with my life!"
"Gitai, we need to take the others…" Setsuna began.
He was stopped as he and Gitai sunk into the ground until their heads were all that was left.
Two voices, the exact same, called out, "Earth Style: Headhunter Jutsu."
Two poofs were then heard.
Baatar gave a smile as his tears fell. "Whoever just helped me… thank you."
The sphere darkened around them with Opal desperately screaming. "Dad!"
The sphere grew massively before stabilizing. It then slowly vanished as did the Jutsus. The area was left scorched from the fire and wind jutsus. Where Baatar, Setsuna, and Gitai had been, there was nothing but a large hole in the ground. There were no bodies left.
Opal collapsed on the ground, Huan hung his head, Baatar Jr. was utterly stunned, Hong Li was impressed while being filled with great respect for the man, and Taruho was angry at himself for failing to save him.
"Hey!" That same female voice from before called out.
Only Baatar Jr., Hong Li, and Taruho looked in the direction of it to see Soren and Kanan running towards them.
"We're with General Iroh of the United Forces." Kanan stated as they got close.
"I was… well the two Shadow Clones I managed to create… were the ones to help you stop the enemy." Soren added.
Hong Li and Taruho moved to meet them. The guards stopped them well away from the three children of Su and Baatar. Soren and Kanan were more than okay with stopping across from them. Based on what Soren said, it was only logical that they would be suspicious.
"What proof do you have that you aren't with those who just attacked us?" Taruho had his hand on his blade.
"That's true." Hong Li stated. "For all we know, your attack didn't pan out, so you're trying a more sneaky approach."
Kanan stepped forward. "When I was five years old, Suyin Beifong and her 5-year-old son Baatar Jr., my aunt and cousin, came to visit Air Temple Island." He put a hand on his chest. "I am Kanan first born son of Lin Beifong. I swear we are not deceiving you as this is my sister."
Hong Li and Taruho were uncertain how to proceed until Baatar walked over. "Stand down." Baatar looked at Kanan. "He might be older, and I only got a brief look before my aunt slammed the door in our faces, but that is my cousin." He looked at Kanan. "You are here with Iroh?"
Kanan nodded. "It's a long story, but we got a distress call from the city. There's an army just outside your walls, and those two Shinobi you were fighting aren't the end of this. Based on what our allied Shinobi have said, three others are likely engaging you family."
"The others… I see." Baatar looked at Taruho and Hong Li. "Get Opal and Huan out of here. I will accompany these two to check on the rest of my family."
"Lord Baatar Jr…" Taruho began.
Baatar Jr. shook his head. "My name is now Baatar, and I will not bunker down. My mother and siblings are in trouble, and I will only rest once I know their fates."
Huan walked over having put a distraught and sill crying Opal on his back. "At least take Taruho with you Baatar." The second oldest seemed down, but he was determined to keep moving. "I can take Hong Li, and we'll see Opal to safety."
Baatar sighed. "Very well, but you need to bunker down until it's safe."
Huan nodded.
Taruho looked at Hong Li. "No more of them can die."
Hong Li nodded. "I swear it sir."
With that, Hong Li, Huan, and Opal ran off.
"Alright, you three follow me." Baatar stated. "I know where my family is likely to be."
Everyone remaining nodded before they followed Baatar. At that moment, Kuvira and Korra ran up to them.
Baatar looked at her shocked. "Kuvira, you're actually hurt?"
Not since her training days had Baatar seen his adopted sister hurt. Now here she was missing her armor, scuffed up, and bleeding at her side.
Kuvira was looking at the battlefield before turning to Baatar. "I'm fine enough, so let's just hurry to Su." She looked at Korra. "The Avatar has given me more than enough information to go on, so let's not stand around."
Korra nodded. "Agreed. I'm glad more of the people we came to save are still standing, but let's make sure your mother's okay."
Baatar nodded. "As I just said, follow me."
He ran on with everyone else following behind him.
Park
Shisui was running throughout the city looking for any signs of the enemy. Unfortunately, his luck had been terrible. All he came upon was the sight of a battle and a few citizens trying to get to the bunkers.
He jumped onto a roof, to get one last look around, and was just about to head to the Beifong residence when he saw a young man standing in the middle of a park. He had tasseled, medium length brown hair, matching eyes, and fair skin.
He wore an orange fedora with a yellow stripe. In addition, he had a matching suit with pale yellow undershirt and pants. On the back of his suit, there was the image of a full length, light blue air bender arrow. He kept the jacket open.
Shisui was just about to approach him when the guy knelt and picked up a handle hidden in the grass revealing a trap door. Shisui immediately hid and observed the person looking around the area before heading inside. The trap door closed behind him.
Once he was sure the guy was gone, Shisui came out of hiding. "This bears some investigation."
The Uchiha jumped off the roof and ran over to the area easily finding the handle now that it'd been uncovered. He waited a good couple of minutes before throwing the trap door open and jumping in.
Once Shisui was in, Toph rounded a corner seeing the now open trap door. "No, someone's found Roshi's hidden chamber."
She earth bent her way over and into the hole.
Beifong Residence
Iroh and Asuma entered the house as silently as possible. For Asuma, that was no problem, but the Shinobi could hear his general no matter how quiet he tried to be. Asuma looked back and held up his right hand. Iroh nodded.
Asuma then held up 5 fingers, punched the palm of his hand, and crossed and uncrossed his arms. Iroh nodded before crouching down and staying as still as possible. Now Asuma had five minutes to move about alone before his general started moving.
If trouble occurred, Iroh would come running. The Jonin crept along the bottom floor carefully listening to his surroundings and trying to separate any noise inside from those outside. Eventually, he thought he heard a couple of voices upstairs.
The Sarutobi crept on up and started to make out words from a male. "Where… four… answer…"
A female answered the man. "I…anything."
Whatever answer the female gave was followed by a clear scream of pain. The lieutenant crept along the second floor closing in on the study of the house. Now, he could clearly make out the voice and words from inside.
Power Disc Field
Baatar led Korra, Kuvira, and Hong Li into the twin's field as they headed for their nearest entrance only to stop as they saw the bloody, dead body of Wing on the ground. Mako had just followed Wei.
Baatar clenched his fist. "They got Wing as well."
Kuvira looked at Baatar. "Baatar, what do you mean by 'as well'?"
Baatar shook his head. "I can explain later." He ran to the open door leading inside. "We need to hurry."
The others followed him
Inside, Second Floor…
Asuma listened to what was going on in the study.
The male said, "Well Suyin, I don't know what is taking my people so long but rest assured that they will bring dead or injured children of yours to me soon enough. Once they do, maybe you'll change your attitude. Until then, where is the four tailed Jinchuriki?"
Suyin panted. "I will never tell you were my father is?"
"Father?" Asuma questioned. "She should be much older than a mere child. Is it possible that Shinobi have been brought into this world before us?"
Asuma's thoughts stopped as the male said. "The same answer again. You already know what it's met with."
The Jonin heard a stab followed by more screams of pain. He immediately acted drawing his two trench knives and imbuing them with wind Chakra. At that moment, a door somewhere else in the house was thrown open as two sets of footsteps ran inside.
"Mom!" Wei worriedly shouted.
Asuma had to make his move now.
Study
Kusuna removed his scalpel from Su's leg just as Wei shouted, "Mom!"
"Wei!?" Su questioned.
"Flying Swallow!" Asuma declared.
The Sarutobi cut the door dow and burst forward. Before Kusuna could react, Asuma kicked Kusuna through the nearby window and outside. He looked looking at Su who was in terrible shape.
Asuma sighed. "I'm sorry, but people should be coming to you now." He moved to the window. "Right now, I have a Shinobi to stop."
He jumped out the window to the ground below.
Su watched him go grateful for the man's intervention. "Thank you."
She heard Baatar shout for her now. "Mom, we're all coming!"
Then Iroh, "Suyin Beifong, we're coming!"
Everyone burst into the room with Baatar, Wei, Taruho, and Kuvira immediately rushing to Su's aid. While Iroh, Korra, Soren, Kanan, and Mako were shocked to see her in this state, they couldn't help but stare at the broken window.
Outside Zaofu
The men cheered as the last of the stone statues fell. Obito was above them staring down satisfied. He dissipated his Susanoo, and before hitting the ground, used Kamui to vanish. He had a specific place that he had to be in.
Underneath Zaofu
Shisui was running along a long corridor lit with lights all along the ceiling. He just kept running hoping to catch up to that person before they got whatever they were after. He had no idea what they were there for, but it would be easy to find out.
If it were a citizen, unlikely given the attire, he'd help them. If they were an enemy, he'd capture them for information. It seemed that no matter how fast he ran, he never caught up to the guy. Then, he entered a chamber where he found that guy standing before what looked like an Uchiha.
"Hold on, you're the guy who hired me to do this, yet you suddenly appeared before me as if by magic?" It was clear that the guy in orange was confused.
"That doesn't matter but rest assured when I say your mission was a success Ketu." The Uchiha tossed him a briefcase. "You performed above my expectations, so I'll be contacting you in the future." He then looked at Shisui. "You even led one of stronger ones down here."
Shisui ran into the main room figuring there was no reason to stay back now. "Alright, what's going on here, and who are you two?"
Shisui was ready to fight at a moment's notice, but he reserved some judgement by not drawing his tanto yet.
Obito turned around to a lava red barrier which contained an older man with red hair, moustache, and beard. He wore a large headpiece consisting of a three-pointed crown-like ridge, bore a ring, and prominent black piece of armor running across his cheeks and the bridge of his nose.
He wore a long-sleeved magenta kimono shirt and pants, with mesh-armor shirt underneath, along with calf-length sandals. Around his waist he wore a brown sash that held a brown armor-like breast plate.
Shisui stared at the figure in shock as he looked around. "What? The Four Tails is below Zoafu and sealed behind a barrier." He shook his head. "I don't understand."
Obito drew a kunai. "You don't need to."
As he plunged the kunai into the barrier, Toph appeared shouting, "No, don't!"
It was to late as the kunai emitted a black Chakra which decimated the barrier.
Roshi fell to the ground before opening his eyes. "I'm free?" His vision was blurry as he got to his hands and knees. "Toph, is that you? What's happening? Did Avatar Aang find a way to stop Moryo?"
"Roshi…" Toph stated conflicted in this moment.
Unfortunately, the moment would not last as two more Obitos appeared. All three of them had their Mangekyo Sharingan activated. Roshi, Toph, and Shisui, before they knew what was happening, were Kamuied away leaving Obito with Ketu.
Ketu was genuinely shocked. "Okay, this is officially one of the strangest missions I've been on."
"Get used to them because I'll have use for you in the future, and I'll be willing to pay well." Obito stated.
Ketu shrugged. "I didn't say I wouldn't take the jobs. Especially with pay this nice." He raised an eyebrow. "That said, you remember my rules, right?"
Obito nodded. "I remember them."
"Good." Ketu looked at the man. "Any chance your magic eyes could send me home?"
Obito replied, "The most I'll do is send you back to the outskirts of the Fire Nation."
"Works for me." Ketu stated. "From there, it'll be easy to get back to Ember Island."
Obito Kamuied him away before doing the same to himself.
Ultimate Trojan (Ch. 10): pretty good so far just have a few thoughts on how you changed the mangekyo Sharingan and how Elemental jutsus in Interact with benders.
so the fact that vendors can normally Bend Elemental Jutsu it's kind of odd. because one of the Shinobi uses in Elemental Jutsu that element is either produced by the Shinobi with their chakra or manipulated by the Shinobi with their chakra. that being said, doesn't that mean that those elements would be harder if not impossible to bend. vendors use their Chi to direct elements I don't believe they can completely control them. at least that's how I've always interpreted it. How Elemental jutsus interact with benders currently seriously nerfs them almost to the point that they would be useless to the average shinobi.
second is the Mangekyou Sharingan. I understand why you changed it to some degree. but did you get rid of genjutsu because it can be okay or what? just seems odd to just completely erase that from the Sharingan.
Quillion9000: First of all, grateful for the review. Now onto answering it.
The Sharingan's loss of Genjutsu was essentially Sasuke willingly giving it up to get rid of the Curse of Hatred in any future children or descendants he may have. It was the lose of one thing to gain assurance for the future. Yeah, the curse of Hatred seems to be a thing of the past in Boruto, but the Sasuke in this story would have no idea about that.
In addition, Obito was a great guy, but events were manipulated to implant him with the Curse of Hatred proving that even the most good natured Uchiha can fall under the curse. Sure, there was Shisui who was great guy that broke away from the curse, but Sasuke doesn't know if such a thing is a guarantee. Sasuke didn't have to do as Raava said, but he made that choice to make an attempt in ridding the Curse of Hatred.
As for Elemental Ninjutsu and Benders... you do bring up some good points; however, Ninjutsu isn't all a Shinobi has. They still have Taijutsu, Genjutsu, and the sub categories like weapons. In addition, some Ninjutsu has no elemental affinity or can't be bent easily. Some Shinobi can also speed up their hand signs to cast one Jutsu after another putting pressure on any bender opponent.
There are many Shinobi who can take into account what works and doesn't in the midst of battle to strategize around it. The way I see it is this. Bender's in Last Air Bender and Korra eventually become predictable unless they train to nullify that weakness while Shinobi are all about exploiting things like predictability.
The reason Benders can bend Jutsu of their element is to ensure that battles last longer. To essentially work on making Shinobi and Benders on some form of level playing field. To ensure that Benders can still win even if they don't have Chakra. In other words, it's to bring you guys the best fight scenes I can.