Hello, it's been a very long time since the last update of our little story here. I've been having a tough time putting the words to paper as it were. Thankfully I was able to finish this chapter to end things off here. I do plan to finish the series eventually. But I thank you for those that have kept up or those who wandered and found themselves here thank you.

Hard walked path chapter 28:

The island of the Misty shore was silent, save for the sound of crashing waves and crickets.

*Yawn*

"Another boring watch, huh Zakuro?" A Kiri nin lazily eyed his partner. Who let out a grunt as he pondered his next move.

The two were playing shogi, one of the many pass times the unlucky people on guard duty. Monitoring the coast in case of infiltration.

'Like that will ever happen. If only we had some saki, this would make this less dull,' letting out a long sigh. "I'm going to take a piss. Don't you dare swap those pieces. I've memorized their positions." Threatening to gut him with a kunai should he do so.

He walked a fair distance into the woods. Stopped in front of a random tree and went about his business. Right as he finished, a snap from nearby drew his attention.

"That you Zakuro?" he questioned, only for silence to answer him. "I swear to the heavens if you're trying to scare me again. I'll gut you this time for real," he stated, tensing up as the nearby bush shook.

Grabbing a kunai, he readies himself to face the enemy. Only to blink owlishly as a little toad popped out of the foliage.

"I'm losing it," dropping his guard and pocketing the kunai with a chuckle.

"what are you doing out here alone, little guy?" he pondered crouching down to get a closer look. The toad was unique, sporting a purple tone with its underbelly being a light yellow.

"He's not alone," an unfamiliar voice spoke from behind him. His eyes widened and attempted to jump back, but found his body unmoving.

"W-what?" he croaked as his eyes got heavy and darkness claimed him. Falling to the ground with a small thud.

"That went well. Good work, Captain," Mizu said, appearing from the branches and twirling a dart.

"It's because of this little guy. Thanks, Umi." Naruto stated, giving the little guy a pat on the head. Umi gave him a sloppy salute before puffing into smoke.

"Have a couple of our guys keep an eye here. The rest of you, it's time to move out. Stick together and keep your senses sharp," Naru stated, jumping into the trees with the others following behind.

Naruto and his troops moved cautiously through the forest, keeping an eye out for traps and patrols. It took less than an hour for them to arrive on the outskirts of the fort.

'So this is it' Naruto eyed the fort from his tree branch. The walls were twenty feet tall, with guards patrolling them. The exact number he couldn't tell.

It was a straightforward fight with little to no coverage on the walls. The guards would instantly notice them and sound the alarm. Raining death from above on their forces.

"Dam, we're not prepared for a siege." Muttering under his breath in frustration. The other looked at him in confusion. He waved them off and returned to the matter at hand.

After a long moment of silence, he spoke low enough for them to hear.

"We're leaving." His words earned a wave of confusion, but they didn't voice their thoughts. Silently, the group left the outskirts and made their way deep into the forest.


They made camp in a cave their scouts had discovered. It was large enough to house the group and out of the way for the enemy patrols. With a few lookouts set up in the woods, they would know long before anyone got close.

The fourth split up into their clicks and rested up while their leaders met up with the Major in the back.

"So, any reason we're camping out here instead of taking a certain fort?" Mizu spoke lazily, leaning on an adjacent wall. Taka and Akina were silent, but it didn't take a genius. They were also confused about the turn of events.

Naruto was silent for a moment, compiling his thoughts into words.

"We have a problem. If we attack the fort now, it will end up with our defeat." He said, Mizu and the others looked to him for further explanation.

"We did not prepare our forces for a long siege. Our food stores will last about a week or two before running out. The Kiri troops only have to hold the wall and stall us out." he stopped, allowing them a moment to catch up.

"If we don't take that fort, the war will probably turn against us. So it's imperative that we take that fort within the week." He stated as the trio frowned at the information.

"Akina's confused. How will we take it, then?" she spoke up for the other two.

"As it stands, I have a plan for us to take the fort. It will require us all working together for this to work." he stopped to determine their reactions. Their faith from the looks he received hadn't waned in the slightest.

"Alright, so here is what we're going to do." He spilled his plan to the trio and had a grin the entire time.


Next morning:

The fourth division arrived at the fort once more with little hassle. One could easily see the Kiri forces were ready for them. No doubt tipped off about their assault. His feeling from earlier saved them from being ambushed by their reinforcements.

The soldier of the fourth division stood behind him in silence. He didn't need to turn around to sense their nervousness and slight fear. Turning, he gazed at the people that stood before him.

"Everyone listen. This will be one of our toughest battles. If we capture this base, the war will turn around and put us on equal terms with Kiri. If we fail, it will deal the resistance a critical blow." He paused here for a moment.

"I have no doubts about our victory. Why do you ask? Because I've fought with you, trained with you, and lived with you. You are the toughest fighters on this side of the elemental nations. Kiri has butchered not only their fellow ninja but innocent civilians. Will you let those crimes go unanswered? The fourth let out a small cry of no. Many having witnessed the brutality of the Kiri forces.

Let us show these Kiri that it is us they should fear. I ask, will you stand with me?!" they answered with a loud roar that would shake the heavens.

Throughout the speech, their fears drained away and what filled them was confidence and fury. For too long, Kiri had tormented the people of these lands.

Turning back to the fort, Naruto slowly stepped out of the woods with the others following. Not too long after, he motioned for the attack to begin.


The fourth division, upon stepping out from the woods, was under fire from kunai and paper bombs. Several striking true but luckily left minor injuries.

"Ho, these rabble have spirit," spoke the fort's commander. He was a heavyset man, with two chins and greasy black hair rolled into a ponytail. "Keep up the bombardment. We'll show these rebels the might of Kiri."

Naruto and his men continued forward despite the hail of death rained upon them.

"Stop them, don't let them filthy these walls!" Turning to the surrounding men in growing worry.

"Too late!" A voice shouted from behind him. Spinning around, a pole struck him across the face. Standing there above the trembling commander was Hiken, sporting a menacing grin.

"Let us have some fun!" he shouted and pounced upon the defenders with his comrades right behind him.

"Seriously, he's rushing in like a boar in rage." Tokuro sighed heavily at the sight.

"Come now, we should let him have his fun," Nadate whispered to his friend not that he heard him.

"Oi, cheater, whispers, get your butts up here and help me!" Hiken shouted over the noise. Both of whom sighed and rushed in after him.

Naruto took a moment to look over the battle. They caught the defenders off guard, but reinforcements were trickling in, forcing them back.

'It's time,' he thought. "Everyone, we're falling back to the rally point," Naruto shouted, gaining the attention of all present.

The fourth followed his lead, jumping from the wall and running towards the woods.

"Don't let them escape after them, you fools." The commander shouted. The defenders abandoned the walls and followed behind the rebels.

They chased them through the forest and to a rocky hill, effectively trapping them.

"Ho seems you rebels have run out of luck. Now be good little peasants and die!" the commander laughed as his men were about to pounce. A hail of kunai halted their advance on the rebels.

"Grr, who dares!" the commander shouted. From both sides, more of the fourth division arrived.

On one side was Taka, with his group, who didn't take part in the attack. The other was Akina and her loyal troops behind her.

"R-retreat!" he fearfully shouted. Sprinting back the way, he came with the troops behind him.

The rebels chased after them, nipping at their heels as they finally arrived at the clearing in front of the fort.

"Quickly, back onto the walls. We can hold them there!" the commander shouted.

However, a rain of paper bombs shook them from their hopes of safety. Launching several to the ground hard.

"W-what?" he mumbled in confusion as he picked himself off the ground. His face then paled as he glanced at the top of the walls.

"Well, well, looks like the rat ran into a trap~" the smug voice of Mizu as he sat on the top of the wall with his troops standing behind him.

The commander looked from the rebels on his fort's walls to the group behind him.

"How. What happened to my men?!" He howled, unbelieving of the sight before his eyes.


Before the battle:

Mizu and company made their way around and to the opposite side of the fort unsee due to the thick trees. The backside of the fort was just as guarded as the front.

'Seems the commander of this ol fort has some sense.' he murmured as they waited for the signal. An hour later a loud cry from the other side was heard.

"Enemy attack from the front!" A Kiri soldier shouted.

"Quickly send reinforcement!" Another voiced as the number of people on the wall on his side lowered.

"Well looks like it's time. Let's not trip and fall now the others are counting on us."~ He said, launching out of the woods with the others close behind him. Mizu had his men launch a series of smoke bombs on the field covering them from sight.

"Enemy attack!" One of the wall guards cried upon seeing the smoke. Those who were about to leave turned confused about the turn of events.

With the shroud covering them they made it to the wall and to the top with little issues. The minor defense forces didn't last long either. Leaving the fort all for the taking for him and his little troop.


Present:

"Oh you know I just knocked and asked politely and they let me stroll on in."~ He said with a large grin.

The commander gritted his teeth before letting out his official surrender to the fourth division.

The men and women of the fourth let out cheers as they won a hard-fought victory over the Kiri forces.


Hours later:

The fourth, under Mizu, rounded up all the Kiri forces and were being held them in the prison. Taka was overseeing the defenses and Akina was taking stock of the supplies and status of the factories.

Naruto was resting in the commander's office. After cleaning it of all the photos of him. The man was a narcist of the highest degree.

"Well Kurama, we did it. One step closer to ending this war and finding Chusei and Amane." The fox responded with a small hmm, letting him know he was listing.

*Knock Knock*

"Enter!" he spoke. Isara entered the room with a bunch of files.

"Sir, these are the report you wanted on the fort. Akina also submitted her findings." Placing the files on the desk for him to look over.

"Thank you," he said, looking them over. Isara stood there with a nervous stance. "If something is bothering you, then speak." She hesitated for a moment.

"Sir, I'm just worried about the future. The battle went without issue, but I can't shake the feeling that it will get harder from here."

"I agree. The closer we get to the capital, the stronger the enemies we'll have to face. But, we'll face it together non the less." he stated with his trademark grin.

"Yes, together." She said with her worries eased. Leaving shortly after to allow him a moment to himself.

Naruto leaned back in his chair and gazed out the window to his side. It would be a hard fight, but a part of him knew it would be fine with the others lending him their support.

Mizu had his men launch a series of smoke bombs on the field covering them from sight.

Chapter end.