THE HIDDEN FROST VILLAGE
Team Tobirama felt like their efforts were for nought as they saw Kai revived. Had it not been for Kane, Kai would have surely perished. Nevertheless, each member was occupied with their own opponent. While Koharu struggled with Kai and Tobirama and the wolves struggled with the summons, Hiruzen and Homura faced off against Kane and Kenji. Kane dashed to Kai's rescue, leaving Kenji to handle the two boys.
Kenji licked his lips in a manner of zeal and his fingers began to turn white and twist around each other. Kenji's hands had become high-velocity drills and he plunged them into the ground, creating a huge fault. As the fault widened, Hiruzen and Homura lost their balance. In their distraction, they saw Kenji jump onto them with drills an inch away from their chest. It was a close call but they managed to pull out some kunai to block themselves. As Kenji tried to stab them with his drills, the boys blocked them at each strike. However, they should have known that an ordinary kunai would eventually give way against Kenji's powerful weapon. As they felt their kunai crack, they dove behind where Hiruzen sought for his defence.
"Doton: Doryuheki!"
A huge slab of earth rose from the ground just in time and Kenji jabbed his hands through it. Of course, mud is sticky, so Kenji's hands were stuck in the wall. As Kenji struggled to get his hands out, Homura quickly dove to Kenji's backside and kicked his head into the wall. He was about to do it again when he saw Kenji's body protrude bone spikes. Despite immobilising his hands which technically immobilised his entire body, there was still no way to touch him. But this was a start.
Kai had created a bone whip from his hand and wrapped it around Koharu who held onto the Devil's Claw as much as she could. But Kai was stronger; with all his strength, he pulled her back and she went flying into the snow nearby. As she brushed the powdered snow of her shoulders, she held her sword in her hand and sprinted directly for his head. Kai flung his whip in an underarm motion but missed as Koharu jumped over it. For her, this was like playing with a jump rope. When the whip touched the ground, she stabbed her sword through the centre of the bone at the tip of the whip – the cracker. Kai was unable to pull the whip from under the ground since it was pinned by the Devil's Claw. So he broke it off and decided to fight her with just his bone staff. She blocked his first strike and swiped her sword to his neck. A bone popped from the neck and blocked the beheading strike much to Koharu's disappointment. With her hindsight, she noticed Kane come behind her when he stopped and stared at the ground instead. Kenji's drills had created a fault so intense that it was spreading in all directions fast. Kane smiled as he stared into the darkness present in the metre- wide abyss below. All of a sudden, Kane disappeared into the fracture between the two blocks of earth. Koharu yelled at the top of her lungs, "Everyone! Kane has gone underground! Watch out below!"
Everyone was alerted to Koharu's cry; the question was whether everyone could hear it. Hiruzen wheezed as he tried to get up.
"H-Hey Homura? What did Koharu say!?"
"She said that Kane–"
Before Homura could utter the rest of the sentence, a pair of hands broke through the cracked ground and held his legs firmly. Kane had travelled underground through the fissures Kenji had created with his drilling technique and appeared directly below Hiruzen's feet above the ground. Hiruzen felt his soul depart from his body as Kenji laughed hysterically.
"Nice, Kane! Now let me get out of this damn wall!"
While Kenji's hands were still lodged within the mud of the wall, his legs were free. The heels of legs, flat for the stomp, took on the shape of a brick. With his might, he kicked the wall which crumbled and broke down. Homura realised what was about to happen. Oh no! Kenji is free and since Hiruzen is stuck where he is...that means...! Homura had guessed correct. Kenji was going to execute Hiruzen then and there. Since Hiruzen wasn't bouncing around anymore, it would be easier for Kenji to deliver his death blow. Homura tried to attack Kenji but was kicked in the stomach where he hit his back on a tree and lost consciousness.
But Homura wasn't the only one who noticed this; Tobirama's keen red eyes saw Kenji free for the kill. He realised that Kane cannot see above the ground since only his hands were held beyond the surface. Tobirama left the wolves to take care of the porcupine and the sea urchin while he attempted to save Hiruzen from getting killed. Simultaneously, Kenji had his bone blades ready.
Kenji began to take a good run-up and raged towards Hiruzen who closed his eyes waiting for a death he wished to be painless.
Tobirama threw his teleportation kunai to a branch above. It was the perfect height for his idea to work. The branch was about two and a half metres above the ground.
Kenji had reached speed unimaginable and in a split-second, he felt ecstasy as he felt his blades pass through the warmest of flesh. The blood splattered on his face as he felt the dying groan of his victim. His eyes were closed as he felt the pride swell in his chest. However, when he opened his eyes, he saw something that turned his entire world upside-down.
"...Brother..."
No...it can't be! I was certain that it was...
Kenji shivered as he saw into Kane's teary eyes. As Kenji painfully turned his gaze to his hands, he saw his blades inside Kane's chest. The blades were all the way in and Kenji could feel his fingers coursing through his brother's own flesh. But how? He saw Tobirama hanging upside-down from the branch above holding Hiruzen's hands. As Hiruzen was suspended in the air, his legs were dragged downwards by Kane who firmly gripped them. Tobirama, whose heart had stopped at that moment, placed his faith in a last-second idea to stop his student from getting killed. It was a long shot idea but he was relieved that it worked out.
Kenji retracted his blades from his brother's abdomen and his knees gave way as he fell to the ground. Kane fell into his hands as he bled profusely and then closed his eyes, never to wake up again. Kane...no! But how?! HOW DID THIS HAPPEN?! I WAS SURE I WAS GOING TO KILL THE BRAT! HOW DID THOSE BASTARDS ESCAPE!? HOW DID KANE GET STABBED?! He stared at the corpse in his hands; his dead brother growing colder by the minute, not because of the snow, but because his soul had left his body. The green in his eyes disappeared as his pulse came to a complete stop. His last breath was signalled by the little plume of mist in the snowy weather. I killed my own brother...no! THEY MADE ME! Yes...they made me kill my own brother. THOSE LEAF SCOUNDRELS!
Hiruzen felt the blood flow in his veins again as he mused on how his sensei saved him. I see...he aimed his teleportation kunai at the branch so when he teleported there, he would grab my hands and hoist my entire body up. Not only would this save me, but since Kane's hands firmly gripped my legs, it would hoist him up as well! It was the exact height for Kane's chest to be in perfect alignment with Kenji's blades...!
Koharu gave a sigh of relief on seeing Hiruzen safe but saw her opponent Kai run towards Kenji who was equally heartbroken at what he saw. His cerulean eyes turned to Kenji who squeezed his brother's corpse as he forced himself to stop his tears from flowing. Kai stood still.
Emotionless.
Thoughtless.
Angry.
"Forget about Kane. We can do this on our own. We shall make those Hidden Leaf ninja bleed."
"But I killed..."
"...it was an accident. Leave him. He's gone; nothing will get Kane back. Don't let your emotions get in the way. The only way you can be at ease is if you avenge his death."
"Alright then. I shall make them bleed."
Tobirama ordered Hiruzen to go and tend to the unconscious Homura who rested at the trunk of a tree. Tobirama came back to his original task: to destroy the summons. So far, his wolves had defended themselves from their attacks. But the remaining Kaguya brothers regrouped with their summons for a coordinated attack. Koharu also went to her teacher's side. Kai leapt beside his brother's porcupine and made the sign of the dragon. This hand sign formed a connection between the porcupine and Kai, enabling the porcupine to swear allegiance to its new summoner.
"Kyūkyoku no henkaku: Uku!"
The porcupine began to expand as it sucked in air through its mouth. It began to swell like a balloon and started to rise above the ground. Suddenly, the porcupine began spinning and shot its quills in every direction. Hiruzen put up a mud wall since he was far away but Tobirama and Koharu could not since it would be broken down immediately by their opponents. The sea urchin, which was directly linked to Kenji, was ready for action as well.
"Kyūkyoku no henkaku: Kage Bunshin!"
The sea urchin began to form multiple tangible clones of itself and scattered them across the snowy bed. Their path was now blocked by several sea urchins hidden in the snow whose spikes could strike the foot at any time. Koharu picked up a possum scuttling furrowing in the snow and redirected its movements in the path in front of them. The urchins detected and stung the possum. Within a few moments, its body turned purple and it bounced around before it died. Tobirama and the wolves took a few steps back. So the spikes are poisoned! At all costs we cannot touch the ground! But at the same time, we cannot fight above either because of that damn porcupine! What shall I do? I must set my sights on one obstacle first. It takes a team to kill even one enemy properly; since everyone fought individually without any team work, Saru was almost killed and Homura is now unconscious. Koharu and I can do this...together!
Koharu tugged her sensei's shirt.
"Sensei, is there any way for me to use my Water Style?"
"We need water for that first."
"I mean, there is snow around us, right? Why not just melt it and use our Water Style then?"
"That's absurd! I don't even think–"
Holy crap! That actually might work. Along with Koharu's idea, I can employ my idea as well. I have decided to kill the floating porcupine first. By applying a sealing formula on it, I can teleport it anywhere out of our way. But where? No, I need Hiruzen for this.
"Koharu, can we use your Scorch Style?"
"No, the Scorch Style will vaporise it instead. You won't get water. And plus, the Devil's Claw doesn't allow me to use the Scorch Style anywhere. It is mandatory that I draw a boundary within which I perform my jutsu."
Tobirama quickly debated himself in his mind.
Alright, that shouldn't be an issue, one of us can perform a basic Fire Style jutsu and melt the snow. Then, we can meddle with the water for our jutsu. With that covered, what of the porcupine? None of the elemental natures would work on it since it possesses the Shikotsumyaku ability as well. Wait! Koharu's Scorch Style would be able to kill it! It almost nearly killed Kai if it wasn't for Kane. However, Koharu would not be able to draw her boundary quick enough without getting killed. And if she makes a run for another direction altogether, it would be a repeat of the previous fiasco all over again. I need to keep both Kai and Kenji right here. Unlike the animals, they have wits.
"Koharu, can anyone use your Scorch Style?"
"Well yeah, if you have the Devil's Claw with you. Without that, you will not be able to use the kekkai genkai."
He glanced at Hiruzen who avidly watched the battle unfold as he tended to Homura. Can it work?
Kenji cracked his knuckles as he manifested bone spikes from his palms.
"Are you pieces of shit done babbling?! FIGHT ALREADY, GODDAMNIT! I WANT TO SLAY YOU RIGHT WHERE YOU ARE! I WANT TO KILL YOU ALL FOR WHAT YOU DID TO KANE!"
Tobirama could sense that his opponents' patience was running out. After allowing the snow wolves to return to the Land of Iron, he whispered into Koharu's ear and handed her a teleportation kunai behind her back.
"On my signal, aim this kunai at the tree above Hiruzen and Homura. After I place the teleportation seal formula on the porcupine, throw the Devil's Claw to Hiruzen."
With a clear plan in mind, they stood silent for a moment.
Tobirama suddenly yelled, "NOW!"
The teleportation kunai hit the tree and Tobirama lunged high to place the formula on the porcupine. It hurt like hell no doubt as he felt his palm impaled by the several quills. Yet, he pushed through and placed the formula.
"Koharu, throw it!"
Koharu turned and tossed the Devil's Claw into the trunk where Hiruzen dislodged it and drew a perfect circle below the teleportation kunai Koharu previously threw. As the Tobirama activated the teleportation, the porcupine appeared on the other side and fell right into the centre of the circle. Hiruzen smirked as he performed the final act.
"Shakuton: Takakkei no kanso!"
As predicted, the porcupine's flesh and skin burnt away completely as the moisture in its body vaporised. It's blood was set on fire and the skeleton was reduced to a mere pile of ash. Half roasted quills were strewn all over the place but the summoning was dead for sure.
Kai and Kenji had enough and lunged forward. Tobirama brought our his Sword of the Thunder God where he blocked all their strikes. They noticed that they can only move backward and not forward since they had not taken care of the urchins yet. However, the Kaguya brothers could move wherever they want since they were immune to its venom. Hiruzen had hurled the Devil's Claw back to Koharu. Teacher and student began to duel with their swords against the Shikotsumyaku- wielders and led them into the mob boss' private forests behind the tent so that Hiruzen could work his magic. When Hiruzen saw the Kaguya brothers occupied with Tobirama and Koharu, he secretly went behind he trees – around the snow with the urchins – and lit a flame with his Fire Style. The surrounding water was losing its opaque white hue and began to turn transparent, revealing all the hidden urchins. With a fallen branch he found nearby, he shovelled them out and whacked each one of them far away. This was a lot easier since the telepathic link between the urchin and Kenji was broken since he moved into the forests. With the snow all clear, he rushed into the forests to help his teammates out. When he found them, he made the necessary hand signs for the first jutsu his sensei taught him.
"Koharu! Sensei! Step aside!"
Rat. Tiger. Dog. Ox. Rabbit. Tiger.
"Katon: Hosenka no jutsu!"
After throwing shuriken, Hiruzen created a dazzling orange fireworks display by blowing a fireball that split into several different streaks of flames. The streaks mesmerised Kane and Kenji whose eyes shifted by the second trying to follow each fireball. In this time of their distraction, Tobirama and Koharu led them back to where they initially started fighting: the mob meeting place. Hiruzen bolted after them with just enough time for his jutsu to cover for their escape.
No sooner did half a minute pass than the brothers immerged from the trees; they were astonished at how Team Tobirama was standing on the snow unharmed. Where did the sea urchins go?
Hiruzen cheekily laughed as his mischievous eyes mocked their anger. When sensei and Koharu led you into the forests, I took the opportunity to melt the snow and remove all those nasty urchins.
"KAI, WHERE THE HECK DID THE SEA URCHINS GO?!"
"It doesn't matter. I am sick and tired of this! Let's kill them already."
As they ran towards their opponent, Tobirama placed his hand on Koharu's shoulder. He was impressed by how she was subconsciously standing on the water. Almost a foot of water had accumulated since Hiruzen lit the fire; it wouldn't drown her. Although, not even a inch of her foot was submerged underwater which indicated that she had mastered the art of walking on water.
"You remember how I taught you to walk on water?"
"Oh yeah! I'm doing it! Without your help!", she beamed with joy when she realised.
"This is the perfect time to use that jutsu!"
"Oh my god, yes!"
"Together!"
"Suiton: Oduro Mizu no jutsu!"
Koharu and Tobirama rose on a tower of water as raging waves surrounded them. Streaks of water whirled around them as Koharu brought out her fuma shuriken. It was beautiful. Koharu closed her eyes in the moment as she felt the cold droplets of water patter on her face. A feeling of pride and power coursed through her entire face. She could see the sky and the sun as she rose higher than everyone else. The sun which had been concealed by the forests all this time, flashed its golden rays on her face. It gave her strength. With a new sense of confidence in her eyes, she looked directly at her enemies charging towards her. She was going to win.
"RELEASE!"
Gusts of water violently blasted towards Kai and Kenji to the point where they felt like cannonballs. The brothers covered themselves with as much bone as possible and planted their feet into the ground to prevent themselves from being shot into the forests. Kai and Kenji blocked their eyes with their hands; Tobirama and Koharu pitched their fuma shuriken where they lodged themselves in their bodies. It was a direct hit and they were seen with three to four large shuriken in their chests and shoulders. A streak of blood appeared from Kenji's mouth as one of them were lodged in his heart. He was too slow to ossify himself and the shuriken went partially into his heart. He still managed to stand and glare at Tobirama. From behind, Hiruzen darted with a kunai in each hand and stabbed them both in the lumbar region. Fortunately, for Kai, he had learnt to ossify himself on time but Kenji, not so much. He was dazed after his injury and lost focus as pain clouded his vision and decision. Kenji fell to the ground when Hiruzen was about to stab him again but Kai reacted on time and punched him in the gut. Hiruzen spat out blood as he stumbled behind and plunged into the snow. Tobirama grabbed Kai's fists before he could land another blow on Hiruzen.
Koharu took the chance to stab Kenji with the Devil's Claw, finishing off Kenji for good. Kenji knew he was going to die now. Two stabs in the back and one stab in the heart. He was a goner. In his last moments, before he felt the snow for the last time, he looked at the sky as the noises of the fight began to fade from his ears. The sunlight made him want to close his eyes faster. But he wanted to live his life to the last breath. In his last seconds, he saw a vision of Kane.
Who... would have thought that we would lose...to these Leaf ninja? I mean, a girl of all things. I mean look at her, she's just a kid! Damn it...we should have stayed at home, eh Kane? I mean, this wasn't even a battle of our lives. We were just bound by greed, money and sorts. Anyways, it's fine...I am pretty sure heaven is much more peaceful than this war-hungry world. We have only known war. I wonder what it's like to NOT have war. To finally start a family instead of bloodshed. Maybe I can find out with you...right Kane...?
At this point, Kai did not even notice that Kenji died but was driven by fury and hatred to kill them at all costs. He managed to punch Tobirama in the jaw and the Senju fell backwards. Kai, whose bulky figure towered over him, lifted his leg high and stomped on Tobirama's injured hand; Tobirama had impaled his hands with the quills of the porcupine when he placed the sealing formula on it. As Tobirama shrieked and clutched his hand in pain, Kai picked up his sword and was about to behead Tobirama when Koharu blocked it with the Devil's Claw. Kai tripped her and grabbed the magenta sword from her hands as well. Koharu yelled as she saw Kai bring the two swords down to her sensei's head.
"THIS IS FOR ALL THE TROUBLE YOU CAUSED US, SENJU! I SHALL CUT OF YOUR HEAD! THEN YOUR BRATS'!"
Tears formed in Koharu's eyes as she ran towards her teacher to save him. Hiruzen bent forward and reached his hand out to stop Kai but he was a metre away. Tobirama grunted as he saw Kai bring the swords down and closed his eyes waiting for the inevitable.
When nothing happened.
Tobirama looked up to see the swords a few centimetres away from his neck. What? Why did he stop!?
"You all owe me big time..."
Tobirama, Koharu and Hiruzen turned back to see a wheezing Homura perform his new jutsu. He was wheezing and his left lens of his glasses was cracked. Yet, he regained consciousness just in time.
"Kori Shinchu no jutsu...successful!"
Kai was trapped in Homura's illusion where he found himself beheading Tobirama multiple times. Each time, his white-haired head would fly off his body and roll onto the snow with a trail of blood. Why is this happening again?! I chopped his goddamn head off already! Why are we here again! In his mind, Kai hysterically glanced around and saw the same scenario repeat again. Koharu trudged with her knees deep in the snow. Hiruzen yelling as he reached his hand out. But each time he saw the head roll down, he would turn back and see a new head in its place.
But his mind was silenced when in reality, Tobirama reached for his sword and stabbed him through the chest, ensuring his death for good. As he saw the ferocious Kai fall, he noticed how he snapped back to reality. And as his body reached the cushion of powdered snow, his cerulean eyes covered by the black streaks of hair could see his enemy as the victor. The condescending crimson eyes of the Senju which silently confirmed that he lost. Kai gave a stifled grunt as his punctured heart stopped beating.
Tobirama sighed as he sank to the ground beside the dead Kai. For a first mission, they all could have died. His crimson eyes never left Kai's corpse. So this was their first enemy as a team: the powerful Kai, the sensory-type Kane and the fast Kenji. Formidable opponents who were worthy of remembrance.
Tobirama suddenly ached as he clutched his flattened hand. Hiruzen helped Homura up and stumbled to Tobirama's side.
On the other hand, Koharu felt the Devil's Claw disappear into thin air. It looks like she no longer needed it. The appearance of the sword testified to the fact that this day was the most dangerous day of her life. As she saw the magnificent sword leave her fingers in a cloud of smoke, she sat next to her sensei and wrapped his hand in a bandage.
Tobirama calmly smiled as he watched her nurse his wound. In the final battle, Koharu had impressed him the most. Hiruzen was gifted prodigy and Homura had his wits but Koharu learned a bit of both and showcased it early on. In this time, Tobirama grasped the full power of these mere eight- year olds.
In the silence, Hiruzen decided to start another war.
"Koharu, I'm impressed. You've done more today than you have your entire life, huh?"
"If I had my sword, I would have beheaded you right here this very instant!", snapped Koharu.
"Jeez, guys! We are all tired! Can't this wait till we get back home?!", pleaded Homura.
"I don't think so! I can't have Koharu outshine me as well!", replied Hiruzen.
"Why?! You think I can't do it?!"
"I think you–"
"–CAN!", interrupted Tobirama.
"In fact, all of you can. Competing with each other makes you stronger. The desire to surpass someone would always take you higher in your skills. You become more mature as you correct each other, guide each other and work together. That's the Will of Fire."
As Tobirama got up, he ruffled his students' hair. Well, it looks like our job here is done...excellent job, you three!
"I think it's time we head back."
"Can I bug Koharu on the way?", requested Hiruzen.
"Well, you barely escaped with your life today, Saru...watch out for Koharu!"
Koharu, however, was pondering over something else. She tugged her teacher's sleeve.
"Sensei, I did not understand one thing...how did Hiruzen know about the plan? He was with Homura near the tree! He couldn't have possibly heard us!"
"Ah! So you noticed! Well, just after I saved Saru from Kane, I created a shadow clone that hid behind the tree the entire time. While I told you the plan, Hiruzen heard it as well. This probably explains why our final attack was so well coordinated."
The students were amazed at their mentor's intellect. To come up with a plan like that on a whim was no easy feat. Tobirama suddenly let out a chuckle.
"Also Koharu, Hiruzen challenged you to teasing contest...would you like to participate?"
"Like I would give Hiruzen a chance to roast me! Bring it on, monkey boy!"
Homura raised his eyebrows as he braced himself for the incoming chatter.
"Sensei, we just fought. How could you possibly want another one on the way back?"
"Because, Homura, I have a fight to pick with someone else. I thought I should learn some pointers from these two.", Tobirama said as he pointed to Hiruzen and Koharu arguing amongst themselves.
"With who?"
"The First Hokage, of course. It was his fault that we endured this mission in the first place. What say we reciprocate the danger in his office when we return, eh?"
"I don't like getting into fights, you know?"
"That's alright. You can sit this one out. I shall make my elder brother's life a living hell.", Tobirama laughed.
When the night sky flushed the atmosphere, the night grew colder in the Land of Frost. The bodies of the mob and the Kaguya brothers sunk deep into the layers of snow as the night blizzards raged on. A huge white monstrous ape curiously dug up and sniffed the snow for possible trails. He came across piles of corpses and cold carcasses. Unsatisfied, the snow monkey sat down and examined the bandage Hiruzen wrapped around his bleeding leg half a week ago. His wound had heeled and he was less angrier than usual. Pain had disoriented his emotions and his past made it worse. Nevertheless, he picked up a scent from the few millimetres of blood on the snow. It did not match the scents of any corpse at the scene; it was definitely that of Team Tobirama's. With a new lead and confidence to track Hiruzen specifically, he disappeared into the trees and went north-east: the direction of the Hidden Leaf.
Doton: Doryuheki — EARTH STYLE: MUD WALL
Kyūkyoku no henkaku: Uku — ULTIMATE TRANSFORMATION: FLOAT
Kyūkyoku no henkaku: Kage Bunshin — ULTIMATE TRANSFORMATION: SHADOW CLONES
Shakuton: Takakkei no kanso — SCORCH STYLE: POLYGONAL DESICCATION
Katon: Hosenka no jutsu — FIRE STYLE: PHEONIX FLOWER TECHNIQUE
Suiton: Oduro Mizu no jutsu — WATER STYLE: DANCING WATER TECHNIQUE
Kori Shinchu no jutsu- SLY MIND AFFECT TECHNIQUE