Hello all Storm here with a new chapter! Here we'll be seeing the reactions of Konoha about the deaths of the Ino-Shika-Cho Trio, along with the loss of the Land of Tea Stronghold, and what their next moves will be. Plus some looks at Kushina and Esdeath as well. So, without further ado.
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"Order! Order!" The Sandaime Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, said while slamming his fist down on the table he was sitting at, trying get everyone to calm down.
While sitting with him were his old teammates-turned-advisers, Koharu Utatane, Homura Mitokado, and Danzō Shimura. The four of them were currently sitting in front of a large room filled with dozens of Konoha's highest-ranking Ninja, including the Clan Heads. Along with even Jiraiya and Orochimaru, the only two Sannin still in the village.
With a meeting having been called after news reached them of the destruction of the stronghold in the Land of Tea and deaths of the Ino-Shika-Cho Trio, and just who was responsible. Making several Ninja worried, angry, and fearful to know the Midnight Vixen was strong enough to kill those three. None of them were sure what they could do against someone like that, without losing even more of their forces.
"Now, I know everyone is concerned with the deaths of the Inoichi, Shikaku, and Chōza. But we can't afford to act irrationally or panic, especially now of all times." Sarutobi said as everyone sat back down.
"Being concerned is putting it mildly, Hokage-sama. The Ino-Shika-Cho Trio's teamwork was legendary. Rivalling even your own students' teamwork, if not surpassing them." Stated Homura, getting several nods in agreement before Hiashi Hyūga stood up.
"It's not just their teamwork and strength we've lost, but now the Yamanaka, Nara, and Akimichi Clans are in disarray with their Clan Heads gone without any heirs to take their places. And with Shikaku's death, we've also lost our Jōnin Commander as well." Hiashi said, knowing their loss dealt greater damage than anyone would expect to their forces.
"That's not even counting the pressure that the rest of us are now feeling from our clans Hokage-sama. None of our clansmen want to risk losing their Clan Head without a proper heir set to take our place, should the worst happen." Added Shibi Aburame, with several other Clan Heads nodded in agreement, now feeling pressure from their clans to have heirs in place, either their own children or choosing someone
The only ones who didn't being Fugaku Uchiha and Tsume Inuzuka. The having recently had a son in the form of Itachi Uchiha, while the Clan Head title for the Inuzuka Clan isn't passed down hereditarily. Rather, going to the strongest and smartest member of their clan, with that currently being Tsume.
Meaning that it isn't guaranteed that the title would go down to the current Clan Head's son or daughter, if someone else better exhibits the traits needed to inherit the title.
"I know, I will be speaking with representatives from the Yamanaka, Nara, and Akimichi Clans in order to get their opinions on who among them would be fit to take the position of Clan Head. However, the more pressing concern is also the loss of the Land of Tea Stronghold." Hiruzen said, with his adviser nodding in agreement.
"Agreed. The loss of the Ino-Shika-Cho Trio will greatly damage the morale of our forces, but the loss of the stronghold will deal far greater damage. And give Kirigakure a major advantage in the war effort, allowing them to access the Land of Fire through the Land of Tea, as well as the Land of Wind through the Fire Sea. I'd recommend to place patrols along the border of the Land of Fire and Land of Tea, Hokage-sama." Koharu said, with the Sandaime nodding in agreement.
"Indeed Koharu, I'll be sending out messages to our forces near the border to begin patrolling and keeping an eye out for any enemy Ninja." Said Sarutobi, knowing this will set them back a good deal and they'll need to better monitor their borders for any invading forces.
"As for the one responsible for this. From this moment on, the Midnight Vixen will be placed in our Bingo Book as an S-Rank Kunoichi with a Kill-On-Sight Order." Sarutobi added, getting nods from everyone, knowing the Midnight Vixen had now crossed a line in killing three Clan Heads, something that they couldn't let happen again.
"Hokage-sama, there's also the matter of the report we've received from our forces in the Land of Canyons. They've nearly been all but wiped out, by the Crimson Yuki-Onna." Jiraiya said, standing up with a rare serious expression, while several Ninja paled and shuddered at the mention of the Crimson Yuki-Onna.
*With Esdeath*
"I'm slowly growing bored with your continued resistance. All you need to tell me is where your village is located, and the pain will finally end." Esdeath said with a bored expression, while in front of her was a Taki Ninja she crucified to a cross made of ice, with nails of ice having slowly been screwed into their hands and feet.
With the Ninja currently screaming in pure agony as they'd be stripped of all their clothing, showing how their flesh had been flayed from their arms and legs. Before they were frozen solid, turning what was left of them to a sickly and rotten purple color, while their fingernails and toenails had ripped off. Esdeath had also ripped a few of their teeth out, but not enough it'd prevent them from speaking. As well as having sliced away their balls and cock, but not before freezing them solid from the inside out.
Even worse was that Esdeath created a barbed piece of ice from the cross behind the Ninja, and had jammed it right into their ass. With it remaining inside and slowly rotating around, cutting up the inside of their backside. With the bloodthirsty general also idly carving the symbol of her Teigu into the Ninja's chest with her sword.
"Why?! Why do you even care to know where Taki is?! We're just a small village!" Cried the Ninja, not willing to tell where their village was located, but wasn't sure how much more pain they could take.
"Because I've heard of Takigakure's reputation for producing powerful Ninja, despite being considered a Minor Village. You all even sent a Ninja after the Shodai Hokage, someone revered as a god, which speaks of volumes of how powerful your Ninja could become. And now that a war is going on, you could produce Ninja that are even stronger. I wish to see if they truly are as strong as what I've heard." Said Esdeath with a wicked smile, eager for the chance to get a challenge from any Ninja Takigakure's produced recently and fought in the war.
Even more so, if one of their Ninja was a Jinchūriki of the Nanabi, with that being someone Esdeath truly wished to fight. A Ninja with a living force of nature sealed within them, capable of wiping out an entire nation if they mastered the power of the beast.
"Now…I have been remarkably patient, having already dealt with all your comrades. None of whom were willing to tell me what I wished to know." Esdeath said, glancing at the other Taki Ninja she'd already crucified and tortured.
While she had used different methods of torture on each of them, making it so each body was more horribly mutilated than the last.
Before she cut out their tongues and froze the injuries so they wouldn't choke on their own blood, leaving them suspended. All of them moaning, whimpering, and crying, letting them live until they finally succumbed to their injuries to encourage the next Ninja to talk. With all of them also having her Teigu's symbol carved into their chests, Esdeath wanting everyone who finds them to know it was her, who killed them.
"The only reason I've been so kind to you, is because you're the last one left alive and I would be annoyed at having to track down more weaklings. So annoyed in fact, I may just decide to unleash a storm on all of the Land of Canyons, trapping it in an eternal winter. Slowly killing every living thing within, including the weaklings hiding in Takigakure. Of course, while I'd prefer to do it personally, I believe I will be satisfied knowing they will be condemned to such slow and painful deaths. Unable to do anything as their village becomes their tomb." Esdeath said cruelly, much to the Ninja's horror.
"Y-y-yo-you…you're…you're not human! Y-y-yo-you're a-a-a-a-a…a monster! A demon!" Screamed the Ninja, refusing to believe anyone this monstrous could be human, while the bluenette merely giggled darkly.
"I'm not a monster…I am the one monsters fear." Stated Esdeath before she held up her hand, creating two ice screws in the air.
Then to the Ninja's horror, she began levitating them until they were right in front of their eyes, before she started slowly spinning and moving them forward.
"W-wa-w-w-w-wa-wa-wa-wai-wait! Please, no! I'll tell you! I'll tell you where the village is!" Screamed the Ninja with tears falling down their face, making the screws pause while Esdeath smirked.
"See, was that so hard? Now tell me where your village is hidden, and no lying, otherwise you'll see how I punish liars." Esdeath said, making the Ninja cry harder in terror at what else she could do.
"It's…it's located in the south of the Land of Canyons, near the borders to the Land of Fire and Land of Grass. You'll…you'll find a large waterfall there, to get to the village you need to go through an underwater cave system…below the waterfall. That'll lead you to Takigakure." Revealed the Ninja as they cried in shame at having betrayed their village to save their own life.
"Hmmm, that would certainly explain how you've never been successfully invaded, a true Hidden Village. You have my thanks." Esdeath said, pleased at now knowing where to go.
"Ju-just…ju-just h-hu-hu-hurry u-u-u-u-up a-a-a-an-and k-ki-ki-ki-kill me." The Ninja cried, wanting it all to simply end.
Only to begin gagging as they suddenly felt their tongue being frozen, along with their mouth being frozen shut. Before silently screaming as Esdeath created tiny ice hooks and stabbed them into his eyelids, making it so he couldn't close his eyes. With her then bringing the other Taki Ninja's corpses forward and surrounded them.
"Kill you? The weak don't get to choose how they die. No, you'll be allowed to live as my thanks for complying. And I'm sure you wish to have the chance to stay with your fallen comrades, to always see their faces…or at least what's left of their faces." Said Esdeath before she began making her way towards Takigakure.
Leaving behind the Ninja as they were silently screaming, demanding and pleading that she come back and kill them, not wanting to be left like this and staring at the bodies of their deceased allies. Only for the bluenette continue on her way, sighing happily as she heard the silent, agony-filled screams and crying.
*Konoha*
"We have to get our forces out of the Land of Canyons! We need to get everyone as far away from there as possible!" Said one Ninja, panicking at the idea of the Crimson Yuki-Onna was in the Land of Canyons.
"Who would be left?! If the Crimson Yuki-Onna already attacked them, then the only thing we'll find is a blood-soaked tundra! Anyone that's still miraculously alive, would only want to be put out of their misery!" Another Ninja said, knowing those the Crimson Yuki-Onna chose to leave alive would consider death a mercy.
"We should try launching an all-out assault! That monster wouldn't be able to fight an entire army with two Sannin and a Kage! We'd be able to kill her once and for all!" Said another Ninja, believing they'd have a chance in killing the Crimson Yuki-Onna with Jiraiya, Orochimaru, and the Hokage's help.
"Silence!" Yelled Sarutobi, making the entire room fall silent as everyone sat down again.
"While it's regrettable, the Crimson Yuki-Onna is not our main concern and all our forces that encountered her are most likely dead by this point. There's nothing we can do in regards to whatever it is she's planning to do, in the Land of Canyons." Sarutobi said with a frown, only to look at Orochimaru when he stood up.
"With all due respect Hokage-sama, if the Crimson Yuki-Onna is in the Land of Canyons. Then in a few days, or even a single day, there won't be a Land of Canyons anymore. She's little more than an Agent of Chaos, bringing nothing but death and destruction to all sides wherever she goes. Even after she leaves a location, the fighting still continues and grows even worse." Said Orochimaru, with Jiraiya sighing and nodding in agreement.
"He's right Hokage-sama. She's already destroyed several Minor Nations that acted as borders between the major ones. First it was the Land of Bears and Land of Stone the first time she appeared, both of them are little more than ice covered wastelands. While Hoshigakure is basically just a mass graveyard after she was done with them. Even after she left, Sunagakure and Iwagakure are still fighting, now trying to get control over those territories while intensifying the conflict and war efforts on both sides. I've also got reports from my spies that they also seem to be fighting over something left behind in the ruins of Hoshigakure, something powerful by the looks of it. And just recently, she's destroyed the Land of Frost and Shimogakure after wiping out the forces that we and Kumo had stationed there. Resulting in Kumo now trying to assimilate the Land of Frost into the Land of Lightning." Said Jiraiya, making several Ninja nervous and worried to hear how much worse things get wherever the Crimson Yuki-Onna goes.
Along with the idea that Suna and Iwa were fighting over something powerful in the ruins of Hoshigakure, something that they could end up using against Konoha.
"Hokage-sama, it's clear for everyone to see that the Crimson Yuki-Onna is just as Orochimaru-sama said, she's nothing but an Agent of Chaos. All the nations she's attacked and destroyed have led to more fighting between the Hidden Villages. She's purposefully targeting locations that will cause the war to go on longer, as warring villages try to secure the territory she decimates, as well as destabilizing the balance of power. And should the Land of Canyons and Takigakure fall next, then the fighting between Konoha and Iwa will escalate further as we each try to claim the territory left behind and claim what's left for ourselves." Fugaku added, with no one liking this, that the war is purposefully dragged out by the Crimson Yuki-Onna, even more so that there's nothing they can do to stop her.
Danzō, however, saw a silver lining in the Land of Canyons and Takigakure falling, aside from the chance to claim the territory for Konoha.
"Perhaps this may provide us a much needed advantage Hokage-sama. We know the fall of the Land of Canyons and Takigakure is inevitable with the Crimson Yuki-Onna, there. But this will allow us to reclaim the Nanabi in the chaos and once again have a Jinchūriki in Konoha." Danzō said, still annoyed at the loss of the Uzumaki girl and the Kyūbi, having been unable to locate her with his ROOT Anbu or if she's even still alive.
Though he believes she is, given that the Kyūbi has yet to reform, meaning she's still alive somewhere and had chosen to abandon Konoha. Something that Danzō intended to show her how grave of a mistake that was.
While Hiruzen frowned at his suggestion of capturing the Nanabi to give Konoha a new Jinchūriki.
While on one hand, it would give them a much needed asset as they'd be capable of sealing the Nanabi within a larger selection of hosts, as opposed to the Kyūbi who required an Uzumaki Jinchūriki. Even better with the Aburame Clans connection to insects, they'd be the perfect choice to look for a Jinchūriki from. Allowing them a higher chance to master the Nanabi's Chakra and power, letting them start being able to push back their enemies.
But on the other hand, if it was discovered Konoha was planning to make a new Jinchūriki, that may lead the other villages to start sending out their own Jinchūriki. Especially Kumo, who'd also likely make an attempt to capture the Nanabi to create another Perfect Jinchūriki. Along with the chance Iwa also tries searching for and capturing the Nanabi, with them being the more immediate threat than Kumo.
Though even with the risks, Hiruzen knew the reward would greatly benefit Konoha not just in the war, but the long-run of having a more easily controllable Bijū and Jinchūriki.
"Agreed, this will provide us the opportunity to capture the Nanabi and make a new Jinchūriki." Hiruzen said, with Homura and Koharu nodding in agreement.
"However, this must be planned out strategically and quietly, as one mistake could lead to the Crimson Yuki-Onna turning her sights on Konoha. As well as the other villages learning what we're planning, and try to stop us from claiming the Nanabi." Said Sarutobi, knowing that if they weren't careful, then it'd only end in disaster for Konoha.
"I believe I may have a suggestion, Hokage-sama. We could hire the Midnight Vixen to distract the Crimson Yuki-Onna, with this being her last job received from Konoha. And with any luck, they may end up killing each other, removing both of them as threats. And should one of them survive, they will be weakened enough to the point where we can kill them. This will also ensure that the two will be distracted with fighting each other, which would help keep the other villages at bay from getting caught in the middle, allowing a small team of Ninja to sneak in during the chaos to locate and capture the Nanabi Jinchūriki." Orochimaru suggested, with many of the Ninja nodding at the idea.
Liking the chance of the Midnight Vixen and Crimson Yuki-Onna take each other out, removing them as threats and also making it so their enemies couldn't hire the former, anymore. And that they'd be sending the Midnight Vixen to her death, either at the hands of the Crimson Yuki-Onna or they'd be able to kill her themselves to get revenge for all those she's killed from Konoha.
"A sound idea Orochimaru. And I already have the team in mind, Jiraiya you will be team leader accompanied by Tsume Inuzuka, Hiashi Hyūga, and Fugaku Uchiha to track down and capture the Nanabi Jinchūriki. While two other teams will be assigned to observe the battle between the Midnight Vixen and Crimson Yuki-Onna, eliminating one or both of them if the chance presents itself. " Sarutobi said, with Jiraiya frowning slightly but nodded in response.
"We'll make sure the mission is completed, Hokage-sama." Replied Jiraiya, not liking the idea of hunting down a potentially innocent person just to kill them by extracting their Bijū, but the Sannin knew sometimes you had to do things you didn't like during war, especially for the good of your village.
The other team members nodded as well, knowing this will be an incredibly dangerous mission, with it potentially being their last if they weren't careful. Before the Hokage ended the meeting, knowing there wasn't anything else to discuss, as well as a lot of planning and preparations that still needed to be done.
*Later-With Kushina*
Meanwhile in the Land of Whirlpools, Kushina was waking up and stretching, sighing in satisfaction before getting out of bed.
'I'm sure that word has now begun spreading of my last mission. Now it's time to see what kind of missions I'll be getting this time, or to see who'll now be hunting me down.' Kushina thought, having decided to take a few days off, while also getting some training in, after destroying the stronghold and killing the Ino-Shika-Cho Trio.
Having wanted to let word begin spreading of what she did as the Midnight Vixen, especially for the news to reach Konoha. To let them know what she's capable of. With the redhead feeling that enough time has passed for likely everyone in the Elemental Nations to have heard by now. While also being curious of what missions she'll get after doing something like that, along with being positive Konoha would've put her in their Bingo Book by now.
'I'm sure some missions will now be to try and lead me into traps or weaken me to the point where whoever hired me can kill me. Meaning even more chances to show everyone why I shouldn't be crossed.' Kushina thought as she finished getting dressed in her Midnight Vixen attire.
Once she was dressed, Kushina vanished in a flash, reappearing in an alley outside a Mercenary Pub before she headed inside.
"You certainly have good timing, don't you." Stated the bartender when she walked up to the bar.
"I take it another mission come in for me." Kushina said, the bartender nodded in response and handed her a scroll.
"Yeah, messages just came in to every location, and it's a big one too. You're being sent to kill the Crimson Yuki-Onna." The bartender revealed, causing those closest to freeze up and pale slightly at hearing the name.
Given the fact other Mercenary Ninja had been hired before to go after the Crimson Yuki-Onna, all of them being seasoned veterans and very powerful. Only for none of them to ever come back, eventually being found dead and frozen; what was left of them, anyway.
Kushina though merely smirked beneath her mask as she opened the scroll, seeing which village the mission came from. Knowing that things were going to start to get very exciting.
So, what did you think, good. Yep we see a meeting being called in Konoha between the Hokage, his advisers, and all high-ranking Ninja (the same meeting shown in Tsunade's flashback when she first met Dan), with the deaths of the Ino-Shika-Cho Trio being discussed, while showing the fallout of their deaths, with their clans being in disarray with no heirs being chosen and the other Clan Heads being pressured to have heirs of their own, aside from Fugaku and Tsume. Before discussing how they'll be dealing with the fallout and prepare for any eventual attacks from Kirigakure.
Before we see Jiraiya bring up a report from their forces in the Land of Canyons, that they've been attacked by the Crimson Yuki-Onna, a nickname Esdeath has gained thanks to her control over ice and leaving the battlefields she decimates stained with blood.
Then we go to see Esdeath torturing a Taki Ninja on where their village is located, having heard of their reputation for producing powerful Ninja and even sending one to try and assassinate Hashirama, making her desire to test herself against any powerful Ninja they currently have. Eventually breaking the Ninja and getting the location, leaving them alive to continue their suffering.
We then go back to Konoha as a plan is discussed on what to do with this new information, with Danzō seeing a chance for them to capture the Nanabi. Something Hiruzen agrees with after weighing the pros-and-cons, while intending to hire the Midnight Vixen to kill the Crimson Yuki-Onna in the hopes they'll kill each other, or one or both of them are weakened enough to be taken out by two more teams. While a third team made up of Jiraiya, Tsume, Fugaku, and Hiashi will track down the Nanabi Jinchūriki to be captured and extract the Nanabi from them.
Finally we see Kushina waking up and begins getting ready, having taken a few days off to let news of her latest actions as the Midnight Vixen spread along with getting some training in. Before she teleports to a Mercenary Pub and receives her newest mission, to kill the Crimson Yuki-Onna. So, for those that like the story, thanks for your support. For those that don't or at least don't like the direction taken, you're more than welcomed to drop the story. But thanks for giving the story a chance anyway.
Storm out