Naruto: Shoton of Konoha

by Arch-Daishou00

: For Stormy Rebel, miss you, Joachim, and thank you: "By the actions of the traitor Mizuki. Naruto awakens a rare Kekkei Genkai. And his path has now changed. And in the darkness awakens an ancient threat more terrifying than the Akatsuki, which only stirs thought of myths from a lost and forgotten age." : huge world expansion story, OC. Co-Author: Etheral-23

57. Harsh Reality: Act V

Disclaimer: We do not own Naruto

Co-Author and Beta: Etheral-23

Chapter 57: Harsh Reality: Act V

XxX ~ xx ~ XxX ~ xx ~ XxX ~ xx ~ XxX ~ xx ~ XxX

Several eyes laid upon the large map of the Han'ei capital on a wooden table. Kushina motions toward four sections, which was the main objective for starting their battle. "The guard towers are heavily fortified with elite soldiers, cannons, and riflemen."

To the redhead's side, Kakashi spoke up next, "If we want to even get near the capital, these four places need to fall. Their vantage points give them full range to anyone getting close."

"Figured Tokuhara reinforced those," Shibata gruffly retorted.

Takeda listened to every detail the Konoha Shinobi spoke about every detail of the defenses they would have to face when mounting an attack. Removing the towers will be a challenge as storming the palace itself. "Which one should we take out first?" He questioned the Uzu woman.

Kushina stared at the young leader, "This has to be done in sync, or the alarms will be raised and alert the main forces elsewhere."

"We can forget any surprise attack if that happens," Hatake addressed plainly.

Isamu rubbed the back of his head, glancing at his brother, "This will be close to the chest."

"Got that right," Isao murmured back.

Tapping her foot with hands on her hips, Yoimiya cocked a brow, "We can't use large forces on these outposts. So they need to know stealth and quietly take out everyone in the towers."

All eyes turned to Kushina and Kakashi at her words, "We can take down one." The redhead spoke.

"Exactly what you will be doing," Takeda quipped with authority, "Consider it a test."

"Prove we're really on your side. Got it."

"The daimyo has recalled all the soldiers back to the capital. So invading it has become our only resort," Shibata explained. "Our rebellion lacked the numbers for something like that, but now that the Manji clan has joined us," He gave a curt nod to Yoimiya, who grinned and flashed a peace sign, "we have the forces to fight them head-on. So we need to take out the outposts, the last early warning system the capital has left, before we can finally attack."

"You think you can root out the army?" Kakashi asked.

"We will fight it for as long as possible," Takeda answered, "The real target is Tokuhara. The nobility and the military leaders think themselves untouchable, so killing him will destroy the morale and any hope of mounting a defense."

Kushina frowned, "What about the rest of the nobility?"

"They'll put in their place; once we show the people our uprising has triumphed, they'll be emboldened and no longer bow to the 'elite.' The nobles lack a spine to stand up when the tables finally turn; against them."

"So what happens after?" The Uzumaki asked again.

Takeda turned to his adoptive grandfather, "We establish a new daimyo."

The giant of a man had his eyes closed and arms crossed, a deep brown adorning his wizened features as he let a weary sigh.

"Not you?" Kushina looked surprised at the teen rebel.

His blue eyes shone with understanding. "Leading this rebellion has been the greatest challenge of my life, and I am thankful for all the trust and loyalty placed upon me. But leading a group of freedom fighters is not the same as leading a country. I am much too young; someone older and wiser must take the reigns."

Her eyes, alongside Kakashi's, turned to the elderly veteran in the tent, "Shibata-san?"

"Wasn't my choice," A disgruntled grunt left his throat, "I'm a warrior, but for the good of the nation, I shall do what is needed." He made no falsehoods; he was a soldier, not a diplomat. But for his nation, he would become one to restore it and make it a better country than what it had become.

And his grandson fully knew and understood the limits of what he could and could not do. Moreover, he did not crave nor was enticed by the power of rulership as a daimyo.

Both were scarce individuals to find in such times.

Kushina and Kakashi could not help but admire these two for their selfless devotion to their nation and people. "Shall we go over the plan again?" The former ANBU questioned the group.

XxX ~ xx ~ XxX

Despite the inner turmoil brewing within Naruto for several days, he felt a tad uncomfortable being stared at by the hulking Kosuke who sat with him, Sakura, Soujiro, and Karin. "Um, you need something?"

The older shook his head, "Sorry, never seen a blonde Uzumaki before."

"You and every other Uzumaki I've met so far said so," the Shoton user droned, slumping forward, "Would have been a little cool if I was a redhead."

"I think you're alright. You look like your father after all." Sakura offered some kind words to her teammate.

Kosuke let out a snorted grunt shaking his head, "Hard to believe Kushi married a Namikaze. Finding one is next to impossible. You don't hear of any laying down roots somewhere."

"Isoyuki and Reitsu," names of the grandparents he never knew. His father's parents, Naruto, was lucky enough that he found some photos of them to at least know what they looked like.

Honestly, Namikaze men were not... shall we say, very masculine looking. So his poor dad ended up looking like his mother more than his own father.

Maybe he lucked out on the gene pool that got his mom's face?

"And you have a Namikaze cousin in Konoha, too?"

"She's dating our aunt," Naruto supplied, followed by a nod from Soujiro.

"Right," Kosuke said, the large man donning a distant look. "Lyn, Saito, Samenosuke... I have not seen them in decades."

"Oh, they'll be so happy to see you," Karin said excitedly, a joyous grin forming on her face just thinking about it. "When this is all over, you can come back home with us?"

"Yeah... I'd like that," Kosuke said, reaching over to the bespectacled girl. She hesitated, but she was patient. He finally settled on setting his large hand on her head, ruffling her hair slightly.

Soujiro did his... usual thing. "Perhaps we'll share the same jail cell. That way, we'll spend more time together."

Everyone gave him a look.

"What? It's obvious we'll be imprisoned given what we did."

Naruto's head slumped, and a dark cloud hung over Karin's eyes. And Sakura's eye was twitching, muttering something about how mad her parents will be.

"Right... and that includes me then?" Kosuke wondered, hand scratching his wild mane of hair.

"Unfortunately, yes," Came Kushina's voice, and sure enough, the woman was approaching them alongside Kakashi, looking rather harried. "It might not be a good idea for you to make yourself known there until we can find a way to hide your involvement."

"Not on your life Kushi," He said, much to the others' surprise, "I stand beside my family. Even if it is a prison cell."

"Well, you are a dedicated one," Kakashi quipped back.

Kushina grumbled and growled, running a hand through her red locks, "When did you get so damn stubborn?"

"I'm not the same meek tiny brat you remember."

"Clearly 'ttbane." She sat down on the grass beside her son and the big man, "We move in a few hours."

That drew looks from Kosuke and the others, "that soon?" Karin questioned.

Kakashi responded, "Our defection likely took Tokuhara off guard along with his generals. Therefore, our window to use this will be small but doable. But, of course, our targets will be the guard towers first."

"Given the range, those riflemen and cannons have no shock there," Kosuke grunted, rubbing his chin.

"Indeed," the silver-haired scarecrow turned his eye to the kid, "Our team will be going after one of those towers on our own."

Soujiro seems the pick up the reason before it was stated, "To show we are on their side and not tricking them."

"Yes, we long since went beyond the chance of turning back," Kushina stated gravely, "Now all that's left for us is do this and face the consequences" Her violet eyes carried a pang of tremendous guilt to them; she looked at all the kids under her care as though she had failed them significantly. "You all will... I'm sorry. I should have done anything to make sure you would be spared from the backlash."

"Why?" It didn't make sense to Naruto. "We all choose this. So why should you be the only one to blame?"

"Because you all have your whole lives before you, and what happens now will ruin them" She let out a long weary sigh. "You can forget about being ninjas. Now the whole villages will only see you as traitors..."

"Then that's our burden to bear," Sakura said firmly, "I'd rather be called a traitor than to stand by and let these horrible things keep happening."

Kushina's mouth opened and closed several times, "I should have done a better job as a mentor. Ideals won't save you."

"It is ideals that will save a lot of people, here and now" A deep wizened voice spook, and the unmistakable figure of the giant samurai stepped forth. "The rest of the rebels here might be giving you a wide berth, but I would like to extend my gratitude personally."

"No..." Naruto said, eyes downcast. "I don't feel we deserve it."

"Deserve it or not. You're getting it. Thank you," He nodded, "for choosing to help us this day. And I wish I could offer you words of comfort, and I know how much you are risking by doing this"

"Do you really?" Kushina was being strangely confrontational. "I betrayed the home that took me in when my homeland was destroyed. I just dishonored my adoptive mother, my Hokage, and betrayed my comrades in arms." The more she spoke, the more desperate her voice became.

"Kushina-Sama..." Kakashi's voice came just above a whisper.

"I... I decided it's better to give it all up for people who won't thank me. I decided to give up my life, my son's future, for a cause I have no stake in. When Konoha had given me decades, friends and family, a whole life to build again after I lost it all."

They all stayed silent for a moment.

Kosuke softly questioned. "Are you having doubts, Kushina?"

Her palm roughly came over her face. "I'm trying to make sense of it all!" She gasped. "Is it really the right thing I'm doing? I have no idea anymore! I'm a shinobi. Loyalty to my village should be paramount!" The hand slowly came down. "And yet... every time I say that's what I should do I... I remember my grandmother, and all she stood for"

"Be acutely honest throughout your dealings with all people. Believe in justice, not from other people, but from yourself. To the true warrior, all points of view are deeply considered regarding honesty, justice, and integrity. Warriors make a full commitment to their decisions."

All eyes, save Kushina, peered at the old Samurai, "The eight virtues of Bushido," Kakashi remarked, recalling his old lessons.

"Virtues I, along with my clan, always held even when we left our home in the Land of Iron. However, the path of righteousness is never meant to be easy. Nor should it, but better to walk with heads held high and hearts unburdened by regret."

Kushina was not in the mood to listen. "Look, old man, I'm grateful you're concerned and all. But I don't think some philosophy is going to help. Samurai talk big about honor, but many of them are really no better than ninja at their worst."

Shibata doesn't look offended. He shrugs. "So you had no code other than loyalty to justify your actions. Or is being upfront about all the death you caused somehow nobler because 'at least you're honest about it?"

Kushina did not reply.

"Are you not tired, child?" He asked, "Of being soaked in blood? Are you not tired of being the Red Death?"

Kushina stayed quiet for the most extended moment.

"I hate that nickname," She seethed. "I always have. The Red Habanero, that's the one I liked. Because it was my friends being jokey with me, it was fun... But when I came soaked in blood from head to toe from that field, nobody ever called me that again. I was the Red Death to friends and foes; all saw 'Death' following me everywhere. I killed... I killed and killed and killed Iwa and Kumo, hoping it'd avenge my clan and give me closure."

Shibata crossed his large arms, nodding as he pondered. "Did it?"

"No," Kushina said bleakly, "It was pointless in the end. They hurt us, so we hurt them. Which made them hurt us back, and so we retaliated. But, again and again, throughout it all, never once did I feel good about myself. Never did it ease the pain of what I lost. It did not bring my clan back, and neither could I claim I avenged them because the villages responsible still continue to do what they do best... What Konoha always does."

Her words were heresy.

"The Will of Fire... it's nothing but a tasteless joke," The redhead spat. "We give up and burden our children with our mistakes, saying it's their responsibility now. We use philosophy and a sense of kinship and loyalty to justify this broken system we're trapped in"

Violet eyes looked at Shibata as if accusing his philosophy of having nothing but empty promises as well.

"You're right. I am no different."

She then looked at her son, so confused and sad witnessing her state. And she knew he had to break his vision of her further.

"Naruto, listen well," She intoned gravely. "The reason why your mother became an ANBU, the reason why I left it."

Naruto felt like his heart was beating in his ears, a strange form of... fear overcoming him. It wasn't fear for his life or something that threatened his existence, yet he couldn't explain it.

"I became an ANBU to kill more people because I wanted to seek out anyone who profited from Uzu's downfall... and it got to the point where I no longer cared who got in my way." A shudder had escaped her lips, "For a mission, I nearly would have called for the deaths of dozen or more innocent people to get at a group of Iwa shinobi. My unit heavily protested, but I didn't care. I believed they were with Iwa, so they deserved to die."

The blond's eyes rose as he felt his heart sink like a stone. His shock was shared amongst the others, including Kosuke.

Recognition glowed from Kakashi's eye but said nothing while Kushina continued. "I still remember Fox and the others arguing with me. I can still hear fox's words; 'Do you want to become like the monsters that killed your kin at Uzu? Because you will be no better than they were.'" The redhead hung her head in shame, "I quit being ANBU after that."

"Mom..."

"Do I deserve to be called that? After I almost became a monster." She snorted humorlessly, "Why should I say almost? I am one for all the lives I took without caring."

Shibata closed his eyes, "Hatred can be like a disease in one's heart." The Uzu woman peered up with a solemn gaze, "question is, do you let it remain or finally set yourself free?"

"...I can never forgive Iwa or Kumo for what they did." Violet eyes narrowed harshly. "They destroyed my nation. Them and those gods forsaken snakes. Slaughtered every Uzu they could find, civilian or warrior, it didn't matter."

Shibata was familiar with the loss on a large scale, an entire clan of loyal warriors and subjects. All abandoned and slaughtered like cattle...

"Minato... his ideals, his dreams. They were always so beautiful," Kushina said distantly. "I always thought that perhaps he was too naive to realize them. And that's when I promised I'd help him achieve those ideals... by erasing anything that stood in its past" A humorless laugh escaped her lips. "Because that's who I am, 'The Red Death.' That is all I am good for anymore, killing..."

The giant samurai let out a long breath, looking at the woman in contemplation. "So this is why you wanted to help. Your sins are weighing heavily on your soul."

"I wanted..." She sighed, "I wanted to do something I know was right. Something good. Just once... just once."

Her eyes rose as her son's hand soon held one of her own. Peering into Naruto's eyes, she saw no judgment. Even after hearing what his mother had become, his eye shone with only compassion and warmth.

Nothing else was spoken, for no other words were needed to be said.

XxX ~ xx ~ XxX

A short yawn escaped the mouth of a Han'ei soldier perched on top of a guard tower as evening set in. "You want the captain to ride your ass?" A comrade beside him quipped.

"For what, being bored, and oh yeah, it's nighttime." The unenthused soldier droned back with a deadpan.

"Hey, we have to keep vigil thanks to those damn Konoha scum turning on us," Another spoke up near a cannon. "Gripe at them, not us."

"Yeah, yeah," The soldier adjusted the rifle strapped to his back as he idly saw from the corner of his eye another guardsman patrolled around the barracks for what to be the twentieth time today. In a bit, he'd appear on the other side again. "Why hasn't the daimyo recalled us back to the capital, though? Most of the forces around the country are there already."

"Fool. Don't you know anything of warfare?" Then, standing on the other end of the tower, an older soldier said disapprovingly. "What do you think our forces would do if there weren't anyone keeping an eye out for when the enemy finally moves?"

"Yeah, I'm sure we can spot a NINJA moving through" If the daimyo wanted to get ready for the rebels properly, he should have just put them all inside the fortifications in the city. It's not like they didn't have space; almost all civilians had evacuated en masse due to the incoming invasion. There was no stopping it now, but they were better off setting killing zones if anyone asked him. "Don't the Manji have some super archers anyway? Aren't we sitting ducks here?"

"Hmph, most people overestimate those thieves. They can shoot an arrow far away," The soldier near the cannon said. "but this" He patted the large armament with a smile. "This is the future of warfare" He tugged the rifle strapped over his shoulder for emphasis.

"You two are too young to realize what truly makes warfare when great powers are involved," The older soldier said with a growl. "Calling upon the rage of the elements, facing blows that could tear regular people to shreds, there are monsters in this world..."

The tired soldier stifled down a yawn. "They die all the same to a well-placed bullet."

"If you get them while they're far away, you do not want a seasoned chakra wielder getting close to you."

The first guard merely shrugged his shoulders and turned back. He idly expected the soldier making his round around the barracks to appear by now.

But he didn't.

"Hmm," He mused. Maybe he was caught up with something.

A few minutes later, he still hadn't shown up.

Now, this was odd...

Growing a touch wary, he asked over his shoulder, "Hey, when's the next shift anyway?"

The older soldier replied. "Fifteen minutes"

Still too early for someone to just up and leave…

"Hey, Matsudo." He called out, but he walked around to the corner when hearing no response. Nearing the open door into the tower, he felt the hairs on his neck rise. Peeking through the threshold, not a single soul was inside the room. Taking a few steps inside, his eyes darted around, "Captain Koji? guys?!"

The soldier darted out of the room, "We got trouble!" He called out; turning the corner, he stopped as he felt his heart sink to his stomach. "G-guys..." His voice quivered with slight terror. A chill crawled up his spine as now the people who he just spoke to a moment ago were now gone.

His breathing was becoming erratic, "This isn't funny!" He called out, falling to notice a masked, one-eyed ninja was standing behind him. "what's going on!?"

XxX ~ xx ~ XxX

Naruto sighed beside Karin as Kakashi brought down the last soldier. He was dumped on a pile of all the dead guards posted on the tower like the rest. "Was there enough guards in this damn place?" he muttered.

"Likely upped the guards because of us," Sakura quipped close by Soujiro.

Kushina said nothing while cleaning her blade. "From here on out, this will be even more dangerous. Do you all understand?" Everyone nodded before she turned her head to the lone rebel who came to observe their actions. The man nodded before running up the tower.

"He's gonna be giving the all-clear to the other rebels," Kakashi explained, and sure enough, the rebel on the tower began flashing a flashlight. Turned it off and on repeatedly, conveying a message to whatever rebels had to be watching in the distance. "There it is. We have to regroup with the others now."

"This will be like the Sound and Sand Invasion, isn't it?" Naruto muttered. Primarily to himself, but loud enough for the others to hear him.

"Nothing as chaotic," Kushina assured, "Of that, at least, I think we can be certain."

Then something unexpected happened; Kurama spoke.

"You know, there's this old saying, I can't remember what it's called... But, anyway, basically, it says, 'anything that can go wrong, will go wrong."

The reason as to why this was so unexpected was because Kurama had been... very silent lately. Now Naruto was used to the fox keeping to himself for long periods of time; recently, he preferred to sleep so his clone copy outside his body could enjoy his freedom all the more, but often enough, there was a quip here or some light mocking words there, as Kurama was wont to do.

But lately, he had been silent for days at a time. Even full weeks. And whenever he actually spoke, he sounded so... tired. Sad maybe? It was hard to gauge.

He had been like that ever since that day in Mount Myōboku. Naruto wondered if it had something to do with that kitsune Yasaka.

Kurama, either unaware (which was hard to be considering their situation...) or uncaring of his thoughts, continued. "You'd think Kushina would have learned to keep her mouth shut by now. But that woman's motormouth runs on unending fuel."

His mother, suddenly looking annoyed, glared in Naruto's direction. "Oh, shut up you."

Five seconds of silence passed.

Then ten.

Then twenty.

It was almost half a minute when what just happened finally dawned on them.

"Whaaaaaaaaa..." Mother and son droned together at the same time.

Kurama, temporarily brought out of his funk by a sudden sense of confusion, could only stare through Naruto's eyes at the woman who was once his jailor. "Did you just... hear me?"

"H-H-how?" Naruto muttered in sheer disbelief.

"I... I don't know. I thought our connection was severed when he was extracted from me."

"You can't just 'sever' a connection like us, Kushina. I was inside you for decades, chained deeply against your very chakra cores," Kurama spoke up, "Yes, your absence weakened it, but the tie between our spirits remained. And it only grew back in strength the more time you spent in proximity with the runt, and by extension, me."

Mother and son gawked at each other before the redhead swore loudly, "OH FUCK ME!" She and Naruto ignored cocked brows sent her way from her yell.

The Bijuu laughed loudly. "HAHAHA! Oh, this is the best! I can talk in your head, and you can't do shit, Kushina! HAHAHA!" Even though he was no longer within her soul, the redhead could mentally see that fake Kitsune bastard rolling around chortle in pure joy. "Providence does exist!"

"Oh, shut up, furball!" Kushina's retort was only met with louder laughter in her head.

"Make me! Oh wait, you can't!"

"Why you...!" Kushina pretty much let her anger get the better of her and tried to strangle the closest thing to the fox, which ended up being Naruto.

"GAH! Mom, can't breathe!"

Kurama just kept laughing as Kushina apologized while crying waterfalls. Those around them only deadpan at the scene unfolding.

It felt good just to forget the pain, if only for a moment.

XxX ~ xx ~ XxX

As they returned to the camp, they saw everywhere darting from one place to the other, and not a single person was idle. So be it from carrying and handing weapons, outfitting the rebels with actual proper armor. Squad captains organize their fighters one last time.

Comrades who had been forged in the fire of battle, joined by their cause for a free and just Han'ei, shared one more moment together, for they knew it could be their last. Naruto could see it in the faces of many Han'ei folks here; they knew it was very likely they would die, but they were still willing to lay down their lives so that this country might have a future free from Tokuhara's oppression.

The Manji clan fighters, numbering almost two hundred in total, looked far more at ease. Though thieves by profession, they did not look out of place when preparing for a fight, making the older shinobi wonder if they had taken part in large offensive operations before.

They were a relatively more minor player in the shinobi world, but their reputation still carried where it mattered. So why would a clan of thieves look so ready for a fight...?

The large form of Kosuke quickly became known as he approached them, smiling widely. "You're here, good. Takeda already got word from the scouts. You took down that outpost."

"So, are we good now?" Naruto spoke up.

He was answered with a thumbs up and smiled, "You're all good, kiddo. You guys will be with me when the craziness starts."

"Be nice to fight beside family," Kushina murmured though her enthusiasm did not match her face as she looked pretty annoyed.

"You alright, Kushi?"

The red-haired woman waved off her cousin's concern, "Will tell you after this is over."

Kosuke cocked a brow noticing Naruto shared his mother's expression but conceded with a nod, "Okay then."

"What will the Manji be doing in this?" Hatake questioned out of curiosity.

"Mostly long-range support with their arrows. A few will be close-quarters with us, like Yoimiya."

Resting her hands on her hips, Kushina grunted, "When Fūma shows up, you leave her to me. I made her a promise after all."

Concern bloomed on Karin's face. "You really should bring more support with you. That woman feels dangerous."

Her adopted mother shook her head, "I'd rather not agitate her by bringing in someone else with me to the fight, or she'll ignore her agreement and attack the rebels. She wants to fight me, and she'll get it. Uzumaki honors their word."

"That's the Kushi I remember."

The agitation and activity of the campsite began to be apparent. Then, finally, Takeda stepped outside his tent and was joined by his grandfather and other rebel commanders. The young rebels' blue eyes have never looked as determined as now. This was the moment of truth, and everyone knew it.

As the leader, they had all pledged themselves to stand in the middle of the camps, and all eyes stared at him intently; the silence that followed was deep, and even the forest itself seemed to stay silent.

Takeda took a deep breath, the weight of the coming battle crashing down on his shoulder. But a simple pad on the shoulder with the enormous samurai and a kind-hearted look from him gave him all the courage he needed.

Long locks of black hair swayed as he looked around at the faces of each and every last one of the people who swore to stand up to the tyranny with their lives if they had to. He could not fail them, no more than ever; he was not allowed to.

"Everything we've fought for, bloodshed, and sacrifice has led to this moment," He spoke, and his people listened. "We rose from peasants who starved in poverty" He looked at the craftsmen who supplied their forces, the men and women who had never taken a blade before all this. "From those who suffered injustice at the hands of the opulent nobility," Angry scowls and encouraging voices rang out, "And those who could no longer stand aside as our nation fell to corruption."

Shibata nodded grimly, and a sentiment followed the soldiers who defected to Takeda's side, from foot soldiers to even the people who stood as commanders of his army.

"Tokuhara and his ilk believe us to be beneath them" He pointed to the side in the direction of the capital that lay far. "They think we exist to serve them, exercising some sort of divine will by which they feed while we starve, as they celebrate while they beat us down" Takeda's nostrils flared as he exhaled, righteous anger building into his every word. "They think themselves dragons and we ants. I ask; which waterfall did they climb to be crowned as such?"

It was a known tale of the carp that climbed a great waterfall through effort and will, passing through the Dragon Gates to become a great dragon of the heavens. But the nobles of Han'ei knew nothing of effort and nothing of suffering; they did not know what it was to starve, yet they had the gall to think of everyone else as 'lesser'.

"So I say it's enough," He seethed, "WE have said ENOUGH!"

"Yeah!" Shouts and cheers rang out through the crowd, long since held anger and a desire for a better future echoing in their voices.

"Tokuhara waits for us, behind his gilded walls and protected by his weapons of fire and metal! But he will find no safety from us! Instead, they will find us to be the karma that's long since been waiting for them! And we will make them see how much worthless their riches are as their walls crumble around them and their soldiers with their prized weapons flee in terror at the sight of people who fight for a true cause! Not for glory, but for a better future!"

Naruto and his peers could only stare in awe at the impassioned words from someone who was not that much older than them.

"So I ask you to join me this day... for today, a new Han'ei is born!"

XxX ~ xx ~ XxX

A full moon settled in the skies above with few clouds lingering. Lunar light shone over the capital of Han'ei as tension brooded within the soldiers of the daimyo. Would the rebels attack now that those blasted Konoha turned traitor and joined them? Some glowed with anger, cursing the damn ninja, while others bore deep concern.

The renowned copy-ninja Hatake and legendary Red Death's shifting allegiances would concern anyone who knew their reputations.

Patrols were brisk, with cautious eyes turning in every direction to every corner within the lower city.

"Does the captain think those scum might attack tonight," A soldier questioned.

His comrades gave varying shrugs, "Better to stay sharp than do nothing. Especially after those Konoha betrayed us." Anger laced in the man's tone.

Most of the city had been evacuated, and the peasantry could see the oncoming storm approaching and had taken to flee the city as fast as possible. The commanders in charge should have really stopped them, and the rebels may not have risked a more significant assault if there was too much collateral.

But once again, their superiors turned up their noses and just decided it wasn't worth their while. But perhaps they had a point. They were entrenched enough; they couldn't waste resources keeping the civilians in.

Across the city, multiple regiments had fortified the streets, set up chock points, and stationed multiple riflemen in towers. Cannons were placed high above the streets. Rows of spearmen kept tight formations on any potential passage the rebels might use. The entire city had been fortified for an assault, with the highest security placed on the castle to protect the daimyo and the royal family.

Morale was poor, and they had been pushed back to the capital, with only their lookouts being their only way to spot the enemy when they approached.

If they spotted them at all, under cover of night, the Manji thieves, those Konoha traitors, they could arrive too late before they knew it.

Their fears were realized when a loud whistling sound was heard, a trail of sparks launching into the air and creating a light show, illuminating a portion of the city momentarily.

"Contact!" Their radio flared to life. "South Kanna district!"

"Shit!" The commander in charge of the area quickly grabbed the radio transceiver. "Captain, that's close to here! What are your orders?!"

"Hold your position!" The officer at the other end ordered. "Chances are they're closing into you as well!"

"Understood!" The commander hung up and began shouting orders. "Rifles, eyes up! Pikemen at the front, archers behind!"

"Ugh!" A pained grunt was heard above them, and from the makeshift lookout tower, one of the riflemen fell to the ground dead, an arrow stuck right on his chest.

"...Oh no," One of the soldiers muttered in realization.

Then, more arrows came, launched by the cover of night beyond their ability to spot them before it was too late.

XxX ~ xx ~ XxX

Tokuhara sat on his throne, his gaze almost emotionless as he stared at nothing in particular. The sounds of fireworks, muffled as they were by the castle walls, still managed to reach his ears. He knew that in the war room, Commander Moroi and his generals were working non-stop, issuing orders as the battle began in full force.

He shifted his gaze towards the large woman who chose to sit above one of the great carp statues of his chamber, smoking that pipe of hers with a grin.

"I believe it is time you set out," He said dispassionately at the mercenary.

She chuckled, tapping her pip and letting the ash dirty his floor, much to his annoyance at her lack of decorum. Then, jumping down from her spot, Fūma Kotarō's grin became wild with rampant glee. "The show begins..."

As soon as she left the room, Tokuhara let out a sigh. Right now, that demon should be carrying out its plan...

He prayed to the gods they would forgive him for using such heretical arts, but the damned rebels had forced his hand. They needed to be quelled down so this country might prosper for the good of Han'ei.

So their rightful rule could be preserved…

XxX ~ xx ~ XxX

With Manji arrows decimating the riflemen and cannon operators, the remaining soldiers were distracted as rebel ground forces roared, charging through the streets. Takeda is at the head of one group alongside his grandfather. Yoimiya and the twins with another, and Kosuke with Kushina and the others with the third. Many scattered alone at the sight of a giant bear barreling towards them, roaring in a fury.

The more seasoned of the Han'ei soldiers got their weapons at the ready. But most were unable to escape from Shibata's sword cutting through them like paper. While he knew most of these men, he knew their loyalties to the daimyo were also unshakable. Thus he showed them respect as fellow warriors by ending them quickly and honorably.

Takeda's blade parried against a spear before plunging into a soldier's chest. He dodged a swing from a warpick before slamming his foot into the attacker's face.

On the opposite end, Yoimiya's curved daggers tore into enemies with Isao, and Isamu's kunai flew through the air into soldiers' throats.

Kosuke's massive fists slammed down into enemies with ease. Kushina almost looked like she glided around him, cutting enemies that drew close to her cousin. Kuma's maw tore into soldiers who barely could scream before their life was snuffed out. Naruto sent a dozen crystal kunai through the air before leaping over the bear and forming a Rasengan. He slammed his father's jutsu into a foe sending him flying like a cannonball.

Soujiro moved like the wind dispatching soldiers with Karin and Sakura as his backup. Karin's ability to track people and their movements helped immensely. However, most of the riflemen were placed in high elevated positions, which the Manji archers were taking out; they did not know the forces on the ground lacked firearms. "Sakura, to your right!"

The pinkette quickly reacted and avoided a shot that rang out like thunder; the bullet missed her, and the rifleman cursed under his breath, quickly trying to reload. But he was not fast enough as the pinkette was upon him, fist burying in his cheek and sending him crashing against a wall. She held the weapon in her hands and quickly broke it in two.

Naruto tried not to let his anger get his better, but it was a fool's errand. Every bit of frustration and hatred he felt both at himself for taking so long to stand up for what was right and to these people who beat down and oppressed the downtrodden with impunity. So he let out that anger in every blow, attack, and the chance he had to make these people pay; each was a stepping stone to reach the daimyo, so he would make sure to build a bridge out of them.

A blow to the chin on one of the soldiers made this one fall back to the ground; Naruto caught a glimpse of his face and recognized him as one of the soldiers who had harassed that family the other day. "Tch, bet you're reconsidering your life choices," He said scathingly.

The soldiers turned around, crawling on the ground to getaway.

"Oh no, you're not" Naruto was soon upon him; he grabbed the man's shoulder pad and forced him to turn around. "Not so tough when you stand up to someone who can fight back, huh, you ass-"

His words died in his mouth when a flintlock was positioned right on his face. The soldier had not crawled to get away, and he had reached for a fallen pistol, which was aiming right between Naruto's eyes, almost inches from making contact with his nose.

The soldier cocked the hammer.

"Naruto!" Kushina shouted in terror at the sight.

The finger slowly pulled the trigger.

Only for this hand to lose his grip on the weapon, a shout of pain escaping his lips as a shuriken pierced the back of his hand.

Naruto didn't waste time and knocked the man out like a light with a swift punch. He took a look at the shuriken, briefly wondering who had been the one who saved him.

His answer came to him with a voice he did not expect to hear right now.

"You idiot, when will you stop talking during fights?!"

His cerulean eyes widened, and from a nearby roof, Sasuke jumped down, glaring at him.

"Sasuke..." He muttered.

Their pink-haired teammate stared back in surprise, the fight around them dying down as the few soldiers remaining were swiftly taken down by their allies. "You're... You're back."

The Uchiha's lips pursed, awkwardly avoided looking at them. "Yeah"

"But you said-"

"I know what I said!" He snapped, seething through clenched teeth. "I'm dooming my clan to shame with this, so you better be grateful!"

The two said nothing.

"I was halfway to Konoha when I turned back. I..." He shook his head. "I don't know why I did it. But when I thought about you all fighting here, while I just turned tail and run... I didn't feel it was fair."

"You're turning your back to the village," Sakura warned him. "You'll be branded a traitor like us, like..." She didn't have to say the last word.

"I know," He said, and it was clear it weighed on him. "But I don't think I can choose my clan's honor over the memory of my mother and the loyalty she had for yours."

Kushina approached him, a solemn look in her eyes.

Sasuke briefly looked at her before turning away. "I, too, owe you much."

He briefly made a sound of surprise when Kushina knelt to hug him. However, he did not move then, nor did he stop his teammates from joining in.

Kakashi watched the scene with a soft smile beneath his mask, betrayal to their village this may be... but they still did not abandon their comrades. Any of them.

Deep down, he knew Obito and Rin would have done the same thing.

Even though his family name being tarnished once more hurt him, even though it pained him having to follow this path... part of him felt he could take pride in it.

As he saw his family sharing this moment before him, he knew it was worth it.

"Well, isn't this a happy scene"

Immediately, they were all on alert right now.

Walking down the street appeared a tall beast of a woman, her white haori contrasting brightly against the road's darkness, eventually stepping into the light from the lamps and fires ignited from the fighting. Her long orange hair seemed to blaze, and those red eyes shone with endless bloodlust.

Fūma Kotarō had entered the fray.

Kushina quickly stood up, everyone tensing as the muscular woman walked closer and closer. She licked her lips in anticipation as she spotted her target. "Haven't killed any of your rebel friends... so don't give me a chance to do so, Kushina. You know what I'm here for"

The redhead pulled the kids behind her and raised one hand to stop Kosuke and Kakashi from walking up to her.

No, if the only thing stopping this woman from going on a rampage was the promise of a one-on-one fight with Kushina, she'd be faithful to her words.

"I want to fight you, Red Death."

Again with that damn nickname. It shouldn't surprise her that this battle-hungry woman wanted to fight the Kushina, who was known with fear as a bloody blade of vengeance.

"That name holds less importance to me than you think, Fūma," Kushina said, slowly walking forward. "But I'm willing to face you as Kushina of Uzu."

"Ehhhhh," The woman frowned, tilting her head. "You got some hang-up with that name? Heh, but I think it fits you well. After all, didn't people say you were bathed in blood after all the death you brought to the battlefield"

"That was another time... maybe I have not moved beyond that person, but I think that legacy is beneath me."

Fūma Kotarō stared at the woman, her shoulders shook, and then a burst of loud laughter escaped her lips. "HAHAHAHA! Ohhh, you growing a conscience, now ain't that something! I'm so glad I picked this job!"

Kushina said nothing.

"I've been so bored lately, but you... I think you can do something about my dry spell" Her grin grew wider.

Then, it was like waves of pressure were emanating from the woman. Chakra flowed so heavily and so densely that it became visible.

"So you better give me what I seek, Kushina of Uzu. Fight me like a ninja, a righteous warrior, or a blood maniac, and I don't care... but know this..."

Killing intent exploded.

Karin fell to her knees and heaved.

Kuma cowered and whined like a cub who had been baring his fangs and growling at the woman.

They could all feel this overwhelming sense of sheer pressure crashing down like a mountain.

"You better not insult me and hold back even a little bit!" The large woman bellowed; her wild grin was all teeth. "Because Demon Wind Kotarō shall go on a rampage!"

XxX ~ xx ~ XxX ~ xx ~ XxX ~ xx ~ XxX ~ xx ~ XxX

War… War never changes.