Alright let's get into it!

The Coming Storm II

When will a war end? When someone wins.

~Lelouch Lamperouge/Lelouch vi.

Konoha

20 years ago

"So hey, can I ask you something? It's kind of personal and I could really use some advice on this"

(Sigh) "If this is about trying to sneak into the women's bathhouse again I'll have to decline. If you haven't noticed I'm quite busy getting ready for the upcoming mission."

"Right…the mission. Well it'll only take a second and I could use your help."

Another audible sigh. "Very well what do you want?"

"Rude much. You don't even know what I'm going to ask?"

"Considering your reputation Jiraiya it's not hard to discern."

"…Fine pasty faced snake. I-I want to know how you handle it.

"Handle what?"

"This! All of it! In case you haven't notice were at war!"

"I'm quite aware what war is. In fact I lost my own parents to a war quite similar to this one not too long ago."

"I-I'm sorry…shit, I didn't mean –"

"It matters little. Their dead now and it doesn't affect me anymore, but apparently it does you. Why?"

"Doesn't it bother you that a lot of people are going to die? Are friends? Some of us may not come back.

"It's the path most of us have chosen. We knew the risks the moment we placed those bands on are foreheads or did you expect to kill but never to be killed."

"…"

"Once again your stupidity astounds me. But it does provide me some level of entertainment in these trying times so I'll forgive it this once. Listen well because I will not repeat myself. Anything less than your own survival is of little importance. Don't think and wallow, but act and persevere. Only then the future you desire come to past."

"Whoa, that was a pretty nice speech Oro. I didn't think you had it in you."

"You're an idiot. But I said what needed to be said. Now you can stop that pathetic trembling of yours. It's beginning to grow insufferable."

"I-I wasn't trembling – "

"Yes you were, of a matter of fact you've been doing it since we got assigned to Ame."

"That's where most of the fighting has been happening…"

"So I've heard. It would seem Hanzo would rather bleed are forces dry then concede defeat. Ah, such needless death. Humans can be so fragile at times."

"I'd say you were being cynical again, but for once I have to agree with you. All this death. It's all so pointless. There has to be another way."

"If you can find one I'd like to hear it. Until then we'll follow our orders like good soldiers into the meat grinder."

"Come on it won't be that bad right? Sensei must have some plan to win this. He's the God of Shinobi!"

"Yes, such a wise God. A man who sat by idly as the world descended into conflict while doing very little to resolve it. Tell how could such a being be nothing short of cruel?"

Jiraiya stayed silent. He had no answer.

(Kiyohime)

I watched the Hokage passively as he finished. His somber gaze doing very little to calm my thoughts. But in truth I dont think anything would accomplish that at this point.

Orochimaru. Fucking Orochimaru.

I was the daughter of the damn snake Sannin himself. A child of a psychotic mass murderer. I would like to say I was surprised. To scream and rage at the secret that was kept from me, but I didn't, I couldn't. It seemed the Hokage held a similar view.

"…You were already aware." He said, his voice barley above a whisper that I thought I might have misheard, but I nodded hesitantly.

"It wasn't hard to figure out." I said, examining my hands and its features. "There's not many who look like me."

The Hokage sighed, "No there isn't. For that reason I made sure that you were well looked after. There are many who would want nothing more than for harm to come to you. Your father made many enemies in his time, both within and outside the village."

It was a sound reasoning, and one I was thankful for. Despite my background I was well looked after and wasn't treated like the villages pariah because of that man's actions. Sure, one can say that a child of a missing nin should have rightfully earned the village's scorn and hatred but that would have been completely inaccurate. Shinobi and civilian life often differed greatly. For that reason while the actions of a rogue ninja would have been seen as an unforgivable act, the average citizen would have seen it as little more than a ninja turned bandit. A small difference, but enough that the people didn't see it fit to judge me for actions that weren't my home."

"And my mother?" I asked, unsure as to why. Perhaps for curiosity sake. The Hokage seemed to hesitate on the topic.

"We found no instances of there being any women who Orochimaru might have been acquainted with. From what records we were able to gather your birth seemed to have been well hidden, but for what reason I can't be certain."

Yes you can. It was clear on his face. A look of disgust and sorrow momentarily flashed before it was quickly hidden, but the signs were there. Orochmaru was a man obsessed with perfection and absolute power. He didn't want to just play God, he wanted to become one. So for years he bided his time, experimenting, and killing hundreds in pursuit of one goal, one purpose - immortality."

And I was just one of many attempts at that. A side project possibly a vessel to store his essence if the need arose and whatever unfortunate soul that may have birthed me no doubt had been forced to comply with the Sannin's demands.

It was an unnerving conclusion, but the most plausible given his character.

"Regardless what's done is done. There's no going back and changing are mistakes, but we can correct them." The Hokage said. "You are one of many rights I seek to wrong."

I frowned, he couldn't possibly mean…

"Naruto." I said, before I could stop myself. He blinked. "You're planning on helping Uzumaki"

He went silent possibly trying to analyze how much I knew.

"That depends. What interest do you believe I have in young Naruto?"

I straightened myself. I had to be careful and revealing too much could prove disastrous."

"He's the Kyubi, no sorry that's not right either. He has the tailed beast sealed within him."

At that reveal, Hokage did begin to pay attention. His expression firm. "And how do you know this." He said, with a firmness that proved why he was the leader of a military power."

I tensed, but continued. "I-It's not a well-hidden secret. People talk. They call him a monster, a demon. Villagers scorn him on the streets and parents tell their children to stay away from him."

He flinched. Did he not know the extent of Naruto's ostracization?

"Also," I continued. "Uzumaki is an old clan with long ties with the village, particular the Senju who they made multiple marriage alliances with, one of which happened to be with the Shodaime himself." I said, putting greater emphasis on the importance the clan toward shaping the village as much as the Senju and Uchiha only to meet a gruesome end. Under the leadership of Hiruzen no less. "They were masters of Fuinjutsu, with little to no equals. Respected, reviled and feared because of their prowess in neutralizing and sealing away a village's greatest asset and weapon. The power of a jinchuriki."

The Hokage's mouth creased further, he was not pleased in what direction this was heading. But he didn't stop me. "Go on."

I licked my lips. "Although hailed for their ability to seal the beasts, they also served as containers for them as well due to their unique levels of chakra. My guess is that Naruto must have been a child or relative of the previous host due to his young age and the date he was born."

"You seem sure of this. How can you be certain he isn't an orphan who was conveniently choose to bear the name of our last jinchuriki?"

"Because it would be stupid if you did." I said, ignoring his raising brow. "The power of a tailed beast simply can't in by anyone never mind a newborn infant. He would need chakra and lots of it in order not to be consumed or driven into insanity by the beast's demonic power." I finished.

Hiruzen sat there and looked at me. Really looked at me as if only seeing me for the first time

I sweated nervously. What am I doing? Why did I tell him all that? No, the better question was why Hirzuen was suddenly acting different from his character. He was a man of patients and subtlety. A person who weighed the risks and consequences before ever moving. Now something had gone ahead and changed that."

"You are an intelligent girl Kiyohime. Some would say too intelligent."

I nodded. "Some would say that then again much of what I said can be found in numerous books and public archives or just speaking to the average person who witnessed Kyubi decimate the village.:"

Or just by having something as convenient as forethought.

"Regardless your assessment is correct if not slightly misinformed. I do have plans to inform Naruto of his origins and prepare him for the challenges that he will most likely undergo in the days ahead."

"How so?" I asked.

"By inviting a long absent guardian for a much needed discussion, but that is beyond your concern, know that I intend talk to Naruto and tell him the truth."

But now the whole truth. That he is the son of the village's hero and the last child of Uzushiogakure.

"Also be aware that all that we've discussed must be kept discrete, at least for now." Hiruzen said.

I agreed, I knew a command when I heard it and went about my day deeply aware that the Kage would no doubt have Anbu agents tailing me for some time.

(Hiruzen)

The door closed and Hiruzen was left more concerned than when the discussion had commenced.

Putting aside Kiyohime's troubling inquires and answers he now had to contend with the knowledge that he had indeed failed his sucessor in every way possible. The confirmation that Naruto had not been as well cared after as he previously had thought was a troubling find, more so was the thought that the hatred the people bore the Kyubi had not been sated with its sealing, but instead had been transferred over to their children and in turn Naruto.

Hashirama once said that Konoha was one vast tree nurtured by the thousands of roots that cultivated its growth.

But what Hashirama failed to mention was that he himself was that tree. The very foundation that planted the seeds for the future.

When you died all that those seeds sprouted was war and ruin. Without its original gardener the great tree would stand but buckle with each new passing hand.

Now Konoha was rotting. Not from the outside, but from within. The roots becoming disjointed and tangled, no longer able to provide the much needed substance.

That's the position Hiruzen found himself in. Trying to sustain a dying tree that was close to falling. A work in progress, but not impossible

Already he had laid his own seeds. To plant a new tree that would arise in the place of the old one.

Naruto and Kiyohime were the first steps to that, but they weren't the most important pieces.

Things are going to begin to change soon. Once I am no longer Hokage I must continue to play an active role in affairs from the shadows.

The board was set and it was time to play.

"Hey old man! Some guys in masks said you wanted to talk to me!" A blonde boy barged into his office. With a face so close to his father and a personality similar to his mothers.

"I did. Have a seat Naruto-kun. There's much we need to discuss."

This generation will have to succeed where mines have failed. The road ahead will be a perilous one but I have faith they will persevere.

They will have no choice, but too.

Amegakure

(Danzo)

Drip

Drop

Drip

Drop

Drip

Drop

"You've grown careless in your old age Salamander and now because of your inactions were both paying for your blunder."

Drip

Drop

Drip

Drop

Drip

Drop

Danzo Shimura sipped his tea calmly, by comparison the man across from him was livid. The mask on his face doing very little to hide the utter contempt felt for him. Not that Danzo much cared for Hanzo's pride or ego. No, despite him and the deadly salamander forming an amicable relationship over the years they were not friends, associates maybe if you stretched the term loosely, but like all tools he was expendable and right now Hanzo was proving himself to be very expendable

"You do well to watch that tongue of yours Shimura." Hanzo threatened, "In case you've forgotten you're a long way from home."

Danzo sniffed. "I would hope so. This tea is bland and tasteless and the scenery isn't much to balk at." He said, subtlety motioning to the war-torn ruins of their rendezvous point.

Hanzo bristled at the perceived insult to his village and reached for his side arms.

Drip

Drop

Drip

Drop

A black shape blurred between them and Hanzo found himself at the mercy of two Root agents who pinned the Ame nin beneath their blades.

"Liar!" Hanzo growled, careful not to make any sudden movement. "You said you'd come alone!"

"Did I?" Danzo feigned ignorance. "Then you're a fool. Just as you were a fool to leave the Akatsuki to move unimpeded."

"It's not my fault! I killed that fool Yahiko didn't I?"

"Yes, you did." Danzo said wistfully. "But you let his comrades escape and in doing so you created a much bigger threat."

Hanzo fumed in silence, clutching his fists. He knew better then to talk back and risk alienating a potential ally in the brewing civil war he had fallen face first in. Not that the leader of Root had much use for the aging man now that he had gone and made a fool of himself by turning most of his country against him. He was almost tempted to cut ties and leave him to his fate. Almost, if not for an intriguing idea proposed to him by an old friend.

Drop

Drip

Drop

"But I believe we can move past this unfortunate misstep. It would be against both our interests if Konoha saw fit to discipline an unruly vassal." Danzo said, making sure to note Ame's position when it came to its partnership with his village.

With a snap of the finger the two Root agents released the old salamander, causing him to tumble into wet mud before he could catch his footing.

It was a pitiful sight to witness, to see a man so great reduced to a shell of his former self. With Ame barely recovering from nearly two decades of strife and its population on the brink of starvation a revolt against the old regime was almost certainly imminent. But rather then curtailing the problem head on and making much needed changes, Hanzo instead clung to his power desperately, doing away with anyone suspected of harboring even the slightest hint of treason thereby squandering whatever support he may have garnered.

And as the years past and the discontent steadily grew he became even more paranoid, allowing himself to grow lax and frail to the point that even the most subpar shinobi could kill him.

So faced with such a man for a ruler the people unsurprisingly turned to a new prospect, a group calling themselves the Akatsuki who offered them peace, bread, and change. It didn't take a genius to know who the masses would flock to.

Now Ame was falling into taters, it's Kage on the run and Konoha now faced an unknown entity on its doorsteps. That was something he couldn't allow.

Originally he had come to offer aid. While Ame wasn't useful militarily it did act as an excellent buffer against Suna and Iwa. However, that was now longer the case. Hiruzen had presented an alternative. A plan so astounding that Danzo was almost embarrassed that he hadn't come up with it himself.

Hanzo glared at him, mud staining his face. "What do you want me to do?"

Drop

If they succeeded Konoha would reach an unprecedented heights not seen since its founding and three minor nuisances would be wiped off the map securing peace for years to come

For once the clouds were rescinding. The rain was beginning to depart and the sun was finally breaking through.

You're starting to understand Hiruzen. The peaceful world you envisioned cannot be obtained without sacrifice. In order to see that dream come into fruition one must do whatever is necessary…

"How many men can you provide me." Danzo smiled darkly.

No matter the cost.

(Iwagakure Southern Border - Outpost)

"Come on Itsuki, hurry up."

"I'll just be another minute – "

"You've been saying that for the last ten. Seriously, what's taking you?"

Itsuki grumbled, doing his best not to lose his temper as he continued to work.

"You're still writing that report." His partner, Kenta asked from over his shoulder, with a hint of mocking.

He glared. "Someone had too after you left me to do the brunt of it. Would it have killed you to help?"

Of course it wouldn't but his partner was never one to do anything that required the minimal effort. It was the same in the academy and throughout their time as genin. He was the muscle, big and strong, while Itsuki was the brains, small yet smart. Being promoted into Chunin hadn't lessened that dynamic and likely never would.

"Pft, that's desk-pusher work. You can handle that while I crack open a few skulls." Kenta said, with a dismissive wave.

Itsuki wanted to curse his friend, but held his tongue. It would do little good. To tell him that, those desk-pusher jobs were just as important or more than being a raging berserker would be a waste of breath. Kenta had always done what he liked, always have and always will and nothing he did or said would likely change that.

He let the issue drop. Kenta sighed, grumbled, and seeing that he wouldn't budge made his way toward the door. "Whatever, have fun with your paperwork I'm going to hit the bar."

Itsuki didn't reply as he gathered his wits and returned to his work. The silence that came from his friend's departure was somewhat unsettling adding to the fact that they were on a remote outpost that served as one of the first line of defense in the case of a possible breach. He tried to ignore it, and finish what he had to do. Fortunately this would be their final night before the next group arrived to replace them in the morning.

It would be good to go home again, to see girlfriend. It sure as hell beat having to spend long hours guarding sand dunes and dilapidated forts that apparently the village budget didn't have the funding to cover. Damn cheapskates.

With a final few strokes of his pen he completed his report, and slipped it in for filing for the next unlucky bastard that had the job of navigating through decade's worth of mishandled records.

Then again there wasn't much to do anyways. Despite being a valuable military asset the location had been greatly neglected over the years not only due to mismanagement, but the lack of personnel stemming from the last Great War.

He himself had already done a fair bit of overtime to cover for the shortage and that likely wouldn't change anytime soon. From what he had heard this year's academy enrollment was the smallest it's ever been with the casualties invoked by the Yellow Flash, the extinction of many of the old bloodlines, the declining birthrate, and the general distrust the civilian population held in enrolling their children into a profession with such a high mortality rate played a significant part in Iwa's steady decline in manpower.

He yawned, as he stretched a few joints and got to putting away the last of the documents. With any luck he'd even have time to catch up with Kenta. Kami knows the big guy couldn't hold down his liquor-

There was a loud crash and Itsuki leapt up from his chair.

The papers scattered to the floor as he pulled a kunai from his poach and held it in a protective stance.

"Who's there?" He called out, not actually expecting a response. Cautiously he began to search the fortified fortress, for any sign of disturbance going so far as to check every nook and cranny hoping that it was just some immature prank Kenta was trying to play on him.

Maybe I'm just mishearing things? He tried to convince himself, stopping in a narrow hallway. After all the base was practically empty with most of its staff being civilian contractors who should have already been asleep in their own quarters or shinobi, most of whom were already out in about in town hitting the few bars and brothels that were still open.

Another crash. This one louder than the first.

He ran toward where he believed the source of it had originated. Trusting that it was just some stray animal that had wandered in and nothing particularly sinister. Of course that notion would soon be proven wrong.

A flicker of movement appeared in his peripheral vision and Itsuki had just about enough time to duck back before a kunai embedded itself into his shoulder as he crashed to the floor.

It hurts. It hurts. It hurts. It hurts. The pain was almost unbearable.

"Looks like we have a rat scurrying around." A voice mocked, the sound of multiple footsteps closing in around him.

Itsuki grunted, trying to remove the projectile lodged in his arm. Key word tried. . .

No sooner did he move did he feel hundreds no thousands of sharp metallic needles pierce his flesh. Each puncture deadly. Each one more agonizing then the last.

"P-Please…" He drawled dazedly, his body trembling from pain and fear as he saw his assailants stand over him

"Nothing personal kid. You were just in the wrong place at the wrong time.." One of the men said, as a sword raised above him

"W-Wait…P-please…" Itsuki groaned? Cried? Plead? He didn't know and in he end it didn't matter. In those final seconds as the sword came down Itsuki thought about many things. His home, his family, his friends. Different faces and meanings flashed through his mind. One of them stood out above all else. The symbol the men wore and the recognition that came to him just as the sword severed his head from the rest of body.

And he couldn't help but wonder why Suna of all people had invaded them.

"…Iwa just declared war on Suna today."

"Really? Isn't that a surprise? But I suppose we should have seen it coming. Regardless, this works perfectly to our benefit."

"Oh? How so?"

"This world has already experienced three Great Wars. Why not a fourth?"

"Now doesn't that sound enticing…"

End of chapter.