Naruto Of The Uchiha
Its Begun
Hiruzen looked over the railing of Hokage Mansion. On the grounds below him, stood ever Jonin, Chunin, Genin, and even the villagers. Today there was going to be an announcement of something major. It was a day after Naruto returned from fighting Roshi.
"As you all know, we've been under martial law...war's now begun. We are at war with Iwagakure, Kirigakure, and just this morning we've been notified of an alliance between those two and Kumogakure. Kumo is currently neutral but won't be for long."
Everyone gasped at Hiruzen's words and couldn't believe it. War came again? Who would save them this time? The Yondaime had practically single handedly won them the last war. No one was capable of doing that again...atleast to their knowledge. The Jonin knew their ace was Naruto...what they didn't know was his illness.
"From this point, all Jonin, and Chunin will be going to war. You'll be placed into different divisions and sectors to be in...all Genin will remain in the village! You are to defend and maintain the village. All of you headed to the battlefields...your village...your country thanks you for your service and await your return once you've been deployed. Come to the war room at 1800 hours today and we will discuss more." Hiruzen said and couldn't help but feel saddened that he'd see a third war in his lifetime. Having to see what it causes once more...
"HOKAGE-SAMA! WHAT OF SUNA?" A chunin said from the crowd.
"They will remain neutral. Once Kumo becomes active, Suna will as well." With tha, Hiruzentyrned away and went inside. Everyone remained still for a few seconds before finally leaving. The only one left standing there was Sasuki with her fists clenched.
"Why are they sidelining us? This is stupid!" Sasuki thought as she looked towards where Hiruzen had stood.
Naruto had come back and was in a terrible state from chakra exhaustion. She began to wonder if this would always be the case now. Him coming back exhausted and beat up. The once untouchable, untiring shinobi no more. Now he was like a normal person but worse off.
It made no sense to her to have the Genin remain in the village. Wouldn't you want all available forces to go into battle? Whatever the case, it definitely wasn't sitting well.
The village was headed to war against 2 and soon 3 villages. Vastly outnumbered, holding back wasn't making too much sense but then again, it would be inevitable for the need of retreats. Perhaps they wanted to be ready for such an eventuality.
She still hadn't known Naruto's role to play, only that he would fight, while she remained at home. Far away and safe from the fighting. Just what the hell did they think she was? Some useless housewife?
5 Days Later
The entire shinobi force of Konoha's Chunin, and Jonin had been deployed throughout Fire Country. They were mostly posted at the northern borders as Earth and Water country were both to the northern sections. They sent forces also towards Kumos direction so that if they chose to secretly join in, then they wouldn't be blindsided.
That post also served as a buffer for the current fighting. They would go there for a switching of posts rather than just falling back to the base behind them to switch. That still would happen but it was just another option to get them all involved in some way. If they were injured, they fell back to a base closer to Konoha and got taken care of.
If they were fine and just switching duty, they would head towards Lightning country's border and swap there. The ANBU were not among the standard forces, they were the invading force and were working in enemy territory to gain land. The rest served as an occupational force that once the ANBU gained territory, they'd push up and fill that land.
The ANBU would also run covert ops and assaination targets to try to weaken the opposing side. There was the wide rule of not taking on any Jinchuriki if found. They were to fall back and regroup somewhere else. If there was no other option, they weren't to attack as a large group or they'd be killed in an instant. They'd need to be spread out.
It wasn't to be expected anytime soon, but eventually the Kage may take the battlefield. If that happens they were to fall back immediately. Very few of Konoha's shinobi could take on a Kage and survive.
All in all, they were generally on the defensive based on numbers. They couldn't lose ground otherwise it would be even harder to overcome the enemy. Iwa and Kiri outnumbered Konoha 3-1, once Kumo got involved as well as Suna it would be 4-1. If Suna didn't come in when Kumo did, it would be 6-1 and it would be almost a guaranteed loss for Konoha. 4-1 was still not very great as far as odds go but it was better than 6-1.
Konoha had the reputation of being the strongest shinobi village in the world. Having won all three world wars without relying on Jinchuriki to do so definitely helped that argument. However, victory has not come without cost. The main 2 clans have been practically lost. The Senju died off during the first 2 world wars, the Uchiha were lessened throughout all three but now only two known members remain.
The Hyuga are technically the "strongest" clan left however even with only two known members of the Uchiha remain, they're stronger than who the Hyuga have to offer. Neji is renowned as their prodigy but he'd end up losing to Sasuki, let alone Naruto...in Naruto's eyes, the strongest Hyuga is Hinto, but the clan sees otherwise.
The Akimichi, Inuzuka, Nara, Yamanaka, and Aburame clans are all still strong and thriving, but their level of power isn't the same as the once great Senju, and Uchiha. They also don't measure up to the Hyuga. Whatever the case, the Hyuga always wanted to boast how they were better than the Uchiha...this war was their chance.
Merely two Uchiha couldn't show up an entire clan...right?
Wherever the war leaned to, even more loss could be expected. There were only a few heavy hitters left on Konoha's side.
When Sasuki returned home, she noticed Naruto was outside training. She smiled as some things never change. However the look in his eyes showed that he was hurting. Being reduced to this point was weighing heavily on him. Sad thing was, he'd only continue to get weaker as time went on...even without using the Kyubi's chakra, all that did was delay the inevitable loss of all his power and he'd die shortly after that.
"Hey, Naru-kun. How are you feeling?"
"I'm fine." Naruto then winced in pain and began to fall over but Sasuki caught him making him scowl. He wasn't some helpless kid, he's one of the deadliest shinobi alive dammit!
"Take it easy. Hokage-sama just announced the war. You need to rest now, who knows how much rest you'll get to get during this war."
Naruto agreed reluctantly and the two went into the house where Kakashi stood. To his left was Yugao and right was Commander Wolf.
"To what do we owe the pleasure of your presence?" Naruto said while taking deep breaths.
"Naruto...we've come to tell you that Jiraya sent word back...he'll be here in a month, but is unwilling to give the key." Kakashi said as he looked at Naruto, he was on edge in worry of what Naruto may do.
Naruto closed his eyes and took a deep breath. Slowly opening his eyes, the EMS glowed in all it's power shining into the dark living room. "What did you just say?" Naruto spoke in his demonic voice and everyone took an unconscious step back. Even Sasuki had let him go.
"Naruto, calm down. Jiraya instead plans to teach you something in place of that." Wolf said trying to calm Naruto.
"That bastard abandoned me...now is aiding my death. Why should I calm down? At this rate I'll die at 21 from the illness or sooner because I'll be too weak!" Naruto clenched a fist and lightning started sparking from it.
"Naruto he says it should help you gain your strength back and even make you stronger than before. Please try to relax!" Yugao said and his gaze now shifted to her. It began to get hard to breathe and she felt like she was suffocating under his glare.
"WHAT GOOD IS THAT STRENGTH IF I'LL STILL FUCKING DIE? No matter what, unless i get the key, I'm dead! No medicine, no training, will fix it!" Naruto flared more chakra and the black aura of the Susanoo appeared.
Everyone got defensive and prepared for Naruto to lash out at them. He may be weaker now, but they still weren't looking forward to fighting him if it came to that.
"Naru-kun...please, calm down. I promise you, we will get the key...we will save you...for now, you have to trust us like we trust you. We aren't your enemy my love...we're your friends and we all love you...So take it easy, you know your Commander, Kakashi-sensei, and Yugao-san won't let you die. I certainly won't, so have some faith in us, ok?" Sasuki took Naruto's hand and his Chakra died down instantly.
The Susanoo's black aura faded away and his EMS went down to the 3 tomoe Sharingan. Naruto nodded and apologized to them. Once that happened everyone relaxed and took a seat at the kitchen table and got some tea.
"So...how the hell is training going to strengthen me?"
"We aren't sure Naruto. He didn't say, just that he'd be back in a month." Kakashi said
"Just take in what he has to say. It'll help you be stronger and when you get healthy, you'll be even more powerful." Wolf pat Naruto's shoulder and Naruto could only nod. They were right...even if he hated his supposed Godfather. For them, he'd train under him.
"We will always believe in you Naruto. Just keep doing what you do best. And everything else wil fall into place." Yugao said with a smile.
"Oh? And what would that be?"
"Protecting the ones you love." Yugao said and they all smiled at him.
"I-I'll do my best." Naruto looked over to Sasuki and felt better after seeing her smile. "I'll go through any type of hell, just to see you smile."
"Naruto...you're deploying with your squad in a week. We received intel that Kiri will be pushing. You will show them the strength of Konoha...and strengthen their fear of the Sharinganed ANBU." Wolf said with all seriousness.
"Hai. We will neutralize the enemy and there will be no survivors. Who will be accompanying us?"
"We already have a the platoons there from 2nd Company. You'll be in command of those men and women. You're leading the way and you're now the acting CO of 2nd Company."
"Hai. We will not lose." Naruto stared ahead and tried imagining how things would go. No longer was his worry of only 4 shinobi, now he had an entire company that he looked over. 180 shinobi were under him, split into 3 platoons of 60 shinobi.
There was more lives on Naruto's shoulders from this point on and to aim to keep them all safe was still the goal, however, with so many such a goal would be impossible.
One Week Later
Naruto woke up early in the morning and looked over seeing the sleeping Sasuki. He was deploying in 5 hours. Getting up he got dressed and was about to wake her to say his goodbye. He reached out but stopped a few inches away and pulled back.
Saying goodbye was too hard, he just left. It was easier to just disappear from one day to the next rather than say goodbye. Besides, they could always send messages with the crows...she was still going to be pissed.
He was the first in the lockers and was prepared. Sealing away all he'd need, he stood in front of a mirror as he slid the hand red fox mask. It was near perfectly split in half of whit and red but not quite as the blood had flown to the white side here and there when he'd coughed up blood from being stabbed in the heart.
Naruto looked to his tanto and this sword would face a second war. Its been through a lot and the blade still held strong. Normally a blade would either have been broken or decommissioned by now. Not this one apparently.
"You there...Nii-san? We are headed to war again, hopefully we can come out without too many losses...but I know that's wishful thinking. So long as I can keep those I care about safe...I think I can continue to push on."
Naruto walked to the squad meeting room and upon entering, the rest of the squad had arrived and geared up as well. He slid his mask off and attached it to his belt. Sharingan active and he looked at them all.
It was dead silent in the room. Each person knew that once they left for the war, there would be no guarantee that they come back. It was that way with missions too, but it becomes more apparent in this situation.
"Listen...I know we always haven't seen eye to eye, I just ask that during this war, you trust in me. I want to bring you all back home safely...I know it is a potentially impossible goal but it is what I wish for. I can't do that if you don't trust me as your leader, as your fellow shinobi."
"You've always got my trust, Captain." Hinto said with a bow. Naruto nodded in appreciation.
"You've gotten my trust." Yumi said as well and Naruto nodded to her.
"I will always be wary of your power...maybe always hold some sort of fear of you, but I must admit that I do hold respect for you and what you've done. I'll place my trust in you." Renzo said and Naruto understood. He did possess some scary amounts of power.
"I...I'm not sure...if you give an order I'll follow...but I don't know how I feel about you yet." Shura said
"I understand why you guys are wary of me. Just know, I will do whatever it takes to bring you back. Now, let's discuss our roles. I'm the Commanding Officer of 2nd Company. Hinto will be Platoon Leader of 1st Platoon, Renzo is Platoon Leader of 2nd Platoon, Yumi and Shura will be in the leading the medical camps. Any questions?"
No one said anything so he nodded and led them out of the building. It was so empty and there was no activity going on in ANBU Hq. Everyone was pretty much already deployed to their positions.
It was so odd to see the building so empty and so quiet. This only added to the atmosphere and thoughts they held going into the war. Some of their friends, they may never see again. They may never see their families again.
It was a long walk out of the village and a silent one at that. Once exiting the gates, they looked back one last time to what they were fighting for. The village was still mostly asleep and the sun had yet to really rise, the Hokage monument was visible and Naruto looked to his father. At once they all disappeared and went to their post.
They were 10 miles from the border that led to Water country. The base that held reinforcements, the hospital and whatnot was 20 miles behind them towards Konoha. Naruto walked around and took a look at his troops that stood before him. His designated PL's stood infront of their platoon. The third platoon wasn't one he designated but was led by Zabuza, he was going to prove useful when Kiri attacked since he understood their strategies.
He didn't know any of these shinobi, perhaps it was simultaneously good and bad. He had no attachment to them, as such, won't have clouded judgement towards any actions. He could act without bias and that would be important. Since a hesitation of any kind may be what makes the difference in life and death.
"I wonder where the others are stationed? Will I fight alongside Ojisan, or anyone else?" Naruto shook the thoughts from his head and looked to those in front of him. "Hello, fellow shinobi, I am your CO, Captain Fox. It is an honor to stand before you today and although I wish it were under better circumstances, I'm glad to be here with you...the enemy may come any day, they may come today...whenever it may be we will stand together and destroy them all!"
The 180 shinobi cheered in agreement and they were all ready for the coming days. The enemy was of unknown quantity for their first assault but the assumption that they'd be outnumbered would be 100% correct. The enemy force outnumbered them vastly, so to send in a large first attack to show strength would be the first move.
Konoha sent 180 to every post. When include the officers, you have 185. Currently Naruto doesn't have an XO (Executive Officer/number 2 in command) so his total is 184. There were 10 total posts meaning that they had 1850 shinobi in the front lines. The reserve units amassed to a total of 5500. The ANBU were only 1000. Naruto and his squad would have made it 1005 but they were with 2nd Company at the moment.
Their invading force was small...but they wouldn't be doing any invading at the moment. Not until they weakened the enemy's numbers...which currently was at 20550...if Suna wasn't getting involved they'd have to face 41100. That would be an insurmountable number...you didn't have to be an analyst to figure that out. Luckily once Suna got involved they would stand at 10275 and it was still a 4-1 battle but it was better than 6-1.
Suna lost a great deal during the last war and only have 3425 ninja that they'll be sending. 1000 would remain in Wind country to keep Suna safe. If Genin were involved, the numbers would rise for the two but they weren't willing to send in Genin. This was a sentiment not shared by the other villages.
The way they would fight this war would be to hold specific points that would give them every advantage they could get. Whether it was by geological features, or environment. The other villages aren't used to the forests of Fire country and it would slow their massive numbers down. On top of that, Konoha tried to have the down slope on their side as much as possible.
Sending down barrages of kunai and shuriken from the high ground is far more effective than trying to send the same or jutsus up hill. Plus, it was less tiring to work going downhill.
Everyone had left to their little circles of people who they seemed to befriend or were already friends with and sat in rings around a fire. Naruto couldn't help but smile. In this moment, everyone was relaxed and conversing together. There was laughter and smiles all around...even though there was no guarantee for what tomorrow may bring.
Maybe one day everyone could be this way together...without the threat of war having to loom over them. The fires illuminated their faces and after the attack comes, some of them wouldn't be there. Naruto looked into the fire in front of him watched the flames dance around. Chaos, that's what people described fire as...yet there's just something beautiful and alluring to fire.
As destructive as a flame may be, it's warmth and light brings security and life. Watching the flames dance, he could almost lose himself in the trance of the flickering flames.
"Fox, you ok?"
"Yes. I'm fine, Hawk. Just imagining this type of atmosphere but without the war. Somehow, the moment just before the fighting starts...it feels the most peaceful." Naruto looked up across the fire as Hawk sat there.
"You know, Fox? Sometimes I wonder if you really do hate fighting..."
"What do you mean?" Naruto tilted his head slightly and couldn't believe what Hinto said. Him not hating fighting?
"I don't know man. You say how you hate it but at times, it seems like you almost crave it. Like you've got a hunger for a fight. Maybe that's why you've taken losing so much power so hardly..."
"Are you saying I want this war?"
"Not quite. But I think you're happy for the excuse to fight. Think about it man...when you took on those 100 on your first mission-"
"It was to protect you guys and succeed in the mission."
"Maybe, but you jumped to that opportunity instantly. You saw a challenge, a chance to prove something."
"What would that be?"
"I don't know...for someone who's been shunned maybe it would be your own existence. Like you fighting proves that you're seen. Whatever it is, I'm just saying that I think you enjoy fighting far more than you realise."
Naruto shook his head "I don't need to prove my existence! I-"
"It's not a bad thing Fox. I have no issues with you. You're my friend. I just want you to look into yourself and think about these things. I don't want you to find a home and comfort in war...I don't want you thinking that the only value you have is that of your fighting capabilities...there's more to you than just a warrior. You are still young my friend. There's plenty of life in you, so don't settle for just fighting. You aren't some weapon, you're not a tool...you're a kid, soon to be man."
"You aren't that much older than me." Naruto said with a little attitude. "But, I understand...get some rest. I have a feeling that tomorrow will be a long day." Naruto stood up and walked into the darkness outside of their little campsites.
He looked to the full moon and out to the distance. His jaw nearly dropped when he saw the enemy out in the horizon. There were so many. They were stationary, most likely resting after all the travel and would definitely strike the next day or two.
From where he stood, there was atleast 1500 shinobi out there. Tomorrow would be a long day indeed...
Hey y'all, Happy Thanksgiving. This is later than I thought it'd be as its already 9:31 but i got busy today. Didn't think I'd spend so much time cooking it up in the kitchen lol. But regardless here's the chapter. Its short yes...but it was to be the precursor to what will come. I'm currently trying to plan out how to write out my imagination of the fight to come...it is frustrating because i can imagine how i want it, but to write that, it is hard. Anyways, I'll figure it out. If I can get into the zone, it'll be out tomorrow, otherwise you'll have to wait till Tuesday or Thursday.
Yo you right bro...I tend to forget at times that they're still young man...I always treat the characters like they aren't kids even though, they're actually 12. I tend to when I write express the age as more of a reminder to myself that they still are young...I just have trouble remembering that this is a 12 year old facing this crap...definitely fucked up the whole power balance a long time ago lol. When I do have him destroying people left and right I think of him as an adult and welp...yeah...so I'm leaning away from that stuff as much as possible from here on out. It kinda took your comment to make me facepalm and remember that.
Yo sorry that you don't like the whole weaker thing, but it is as you said temporary and its also to make him better appreciate his power.
I have so many different ideas for future projects. Like I have 2 that I'm currently bouncing between. Hard to choose! I want to do both and will do them eventually but as I said I will finish this one no matter what. I won't introduce another project until some point next month...I'll still do guaranteed weekly chapter updates for both when it comes to that point. As it stands, maybe you'd rather choose which one I do? I don't know...worst case scenario I flip a coin and thats decides the story i start...can't go too bad right? The coin toss chose Sasuke's gender LOL why can't it chose the second project? I don't know, I'll take into account how I've handled this fic into the next...like I wish I took more time to develop the relationships with the characters and I'm always trying to make up for that I feel.
Anyways, I hope you've all gotten to have a great day and got to see some family. See y'all in the next chapter. I'm bouta get some cheesecake and ice cream