Naruto: Dragon's Maw

Chapter 54

Blanket disclaimer: I do not own Naruto, Ninja Gaiden or DOA

AUTHOR'S NOTE:

This chapter is more action oriented. There's not much else to say. Here is chapter 54. Enjoy!

[ ] Signifies hand signs

Last time:

Commissioner's Office, Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department Headquarters, Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo -10:12 PM

Police Inspector Otaki had a long day and was exhausted. The last thing he wanted to deal with was the Commissioner. He sighed and thought, 'I don't get enough pay for this kind of shit…' Entering Kobayashi's Office he saw the Commissioner in his usual impeccable dress uniform and Detective Akihara Minako looking more disheveled than ever. 'She looks bad even for an alcoholic. That hostage situation must have really shaken her up badly.' He said, "Inspector Otaki Seburo reporting as ordered Commissioner. How may I be of service?"

Kobayashi said, "Inspector; I want you to team up with Detective Akihara here and help her sort this disaster out."

Otaki asked curtly; "With all due respect sir; which disaster? I was assigned to the Juhyō Ninja Case but the terrorist attack certainly takes precedence."

"I want you investigating the Tetsu-Kai Case Inspector." ordered the Commissioner. "Their drug operation is a greater threat than the Juhyō Case and the terrorist attack falls under the jurisdiction of Public Security."

'Is the old man blind?!' roared Otaki in his head. "Sir, the Tetsu-Kai case is-"

"-Top priority." finished Kobayashi. "That's why Akihara here is joining you. We believe she was held hostage by the Tetsu-Kai and I want them stopped before more people are kidnapped or killed."

Minako smiled tiredly and said, "It looks like it's you and me Inspector. I'll be in your care…"

"I guess you will Detective." replied Otaki. 'I guess you will…'

…

Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department Headquarters, Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo, Japan

The next morning; Commissioner Kobayashi was counting up his losses due to the investment he'd made in the Juhyō Ninja Clan and was beginning to think it was not worth it. It was his intention to move up to the Senior Commissioner position with the support of his own ninja forces but the Juhyō Clan were proving to be unreliable and uncontrollable. The elimination of the Tetsu-Kai had (mostly) been successful but the so called 'terrorist attack' was completely against the Commissioner's wishes. He understood the necessity of wiping out other ninja clans but the damage to the Tokyo Police Department had been unacceptable!

Now he was stuck between a rock and a hard place. Kobayashi realized that if he turned on the Juhyō Clan that they would expose him to the public (or worse). On the other hand he couldn't afford to keep them around while they were running amok. Being more concerned with his own career than the public safety left the Commissioner desperate to find a third option such as eliminating the Juhyō Clan entirely. 'Why did I hire the Juhyō to be my retainers anyway…? Oh yes, Detective Akihara.' He'd put a leash on her in the form of Inspector Otaki but was it enough? There had to be some way to whip the Juhyō Clan into line…

…

Uzumaki Safehouse, Akihabara Station, Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo

In the meantime; Naruto and his wives were formulating a plan to find out exactly what was going on. They decided to start by checking out the explosion at the Edo-Tokyo Museum.

Hinata said, "Let Momiji-chan and Aoi-chan rest today Naruto-kun. This cold is brutal and they were out in it all day yesterday. Maya-chan and I can examine the museum explosion. Kasumi-chan and Ayane-chan can orbit the area and run interference if the Juhyō Clan makes an appearance."

The blonde sighed. "You are right Hinata-chan but I want everyone to be extra careful. I think Otaki, Yamada and the Shiranui Clan are the only ones we can trust for now. We don't know exactly where the rest of the Tokyo Police Department stands and technically we don't have a contract with them. I guess we're loose cannons for now. That's my fault."

"Don't beat yourself up Naruto-kun." said Aoi. "Your heart is in the right place even if your business sense isn't."

Momiji laughed. "Aoi-chan is right Naruto-kun." said the Dragon Priestess. "Otaki and Yamada are our friends after all."

Naruto sweat dropped and said, "I'm going to be contacting the Shiranui Clan later today and update them. Mai-sama indicated she wanted to attack the Tokyo Skytree as quickly as possible but I convinced her to hold off in case it was a trap. There are just too many unknowns."

Maya smiled brightly. "Don't you worry Naruto-kun. We'll get to the bottom of this. It will be simple enough to slip past a couple of guards."

"I just hate sitting still while my wives are out in danger." said Naruto. "Be careful my hime."

…

Edo-Tokyo Museum, Sumida Ward, Tokyo

An hour later; Hinata and Maya arrived at the Edo-Tokyo Museum and entered the cordoned off site of the explosion under the hiding with camouflage jutsu and Maya quickly started investigating the scene. The bodies of six victims had already been removed and there was fire ki everywhere from the flame ninpo. The area was marked as to the epicenter of a single (bomb) explosion but Maya quickly deduced there had been multiple ninpo used…

Maya said quietly to Hinata, "This cell room was the center point of the first shockwave. There was a massive flame ninpo that travelled out in a wave and blew the door and wall out." She motioned towards an area where two bodies were marked off with tape. "These two bodies here were probably guarding the door. They never saw it coming." Then the violet eyed beauty motioned to a lighter area on the floor and explained; "This is where the door was; probably a metal one from the scorch marks." Tracing her line of sight she pointed to where the door would have landed. "Looks like the Police already removed the door but you can see where it was because the paint on the wall behind it wasn't burned, just discolored."

Both kunoichi looked to their right and followed the trail of destruction down the hallway. "This door is still on its hinges but the lock is burned out." said the Byakugan Princess as they carefully stepped over another point where a body was marked off with tape. It looked like a storage room where one would keep supplies.

Maya nodded in agreement. "Whoever cut the lock out did it surgically like you would with a cutting tool… actually more like a cutting torch."

"Judging by the amount of ki here; this ninpo was extremely concentrated so a cutting torch is pretty accurate." replied Hinata with her byakugan active. "I think it's safe to say our Shiranui bodyguard made their escape this way."

"My question is why the bodyguard left Detective Akihara behind." said the ex-detective. "The initial explosion would have killed a civilian assuming they were held in the same cell."

The two beautiful Uzumaki kunoichi backtracked to the cell and Hinata once again examined the area with her byakugan. After a few minutes she said, "There was another person in this cell. Whoever it was protected themselves with some sort of ice barrier …A Juhyō ninja no doubt."

Maya replid, "But whoever it was survived even if they were banged up. The most plausible theory is the Juhyō were holding Akihara somewhere else but where? We have seen anywhere else that even resembles a cell."

…

The two would have gone on theorizing but they heard the echoing voices of Inspector Otaki and Detective Akihara's coming down the hallway and quickly hid themselves on the ceiling. Akihara was pointing out obvious things to Otaki who seemed to just be nodding in agreement. When the two Police entered the cell where the two Uzumaki kunoichi were; the discussion became much more interesting…

Otaki was clearly in a bad mood. "So you escaped from the Tetsu-Kai and your bodyguard Shiranui Akina just left you for dead Detective?" asked the Inspector; "I don't buy it. Six people died here and you claim they were Tetsu-Kai but there is no evidence to support that."

"I was blindfolded the whole time Inspector!" exclaimed Minako. "All I know is the accent and terminology they used was clearly Yakuza."

The Police Inspector glared at her and said; "I've been fighting the Yakuza for decades including the Tetsu-Kai. They just don't operate this way. If it had been Yakuza they would have dragged you to the warehouse district or some other anonymous place where they could interrogate you. The idea of any gangsters running some sort of operation out of this museum is ludicrous! …And the idea that they treated a cop with kid gloves is even more ridiculous! They'd have beaten you within an inch of your life and then questioned you." He took a deep breath and said; "What really happened here Akihara?"

Kōri was starting to lose her temper. "Listen you old fool! I'm a detective and-"

"And you are lying!" roared Otaki. "I see evidence that six people died here in an explosion and fires. I also see that your Shiranui bodyguard could well have been responsible for this destruction. But where is your bodyguard now? Just as importantly; what room were you being held in? There are no other cells to be found."

'I have to eliminate him. He knows too much.' thought Minako. That's when she saw Maya and Hinata in the hall peeking into the demolished cell room. Inspector Otaki took no notice but Kōri was terrified at what they'd possibly seen. Playing the part of a Police woman to the hilt, Akhara Minako drew her gun and screeched, "Halt! What are you two doing in a crime scene?! You're under arrest!"

The two Uzumaki kunoichi took off like bats out of hell with Detective Akihara in hot pursuit…

Otaki turned to go after Akihara but found himself restrained with a hand over his mouth. He was sweating but a soft voice said; "It's Uzumaki Hinata. Calm yourself so I can release you." He exhaled and relaxed; then Hinata said. "Whispers only; I'm going to let you go now."

The Inspector turned around and saw Hinata and Maya there. He face palmed and whispered, "What are you two ladies doing here?"

He saw Maya smile under her facemask. "It's good to see you too. Akihara Minako is a Juhyō kunoichi. Hinata saw her ice ki and created a couple of shadow clones to lead her away so we could talk to you. Consider us your guardian angels…"

…

Tokyo Skytree, Sumida Ward, Tokyo

Having lost track of the two clones; Kōri radioed her Master promptly. "Ashensunō-sama, I've spotted two kunoichis of the Uzumaki Clan searching around the Edo-Tokyo Museum. I presume they are investigating the explosion. I cannot engage and cannot pursue. What are your orders my Lord?"

"Continue to observe them Kōri." replied Ashensunō. "You are positive they are Uzumaki and not Shiranui Clan members?"

"Affirmative Master." reported the Juhyō kunoichi. "Their uniforms are nothing like Shiranui ones."

The Juhyō Clan head pondered for a moment and smiled. "Excellent! You have served me well Kōri. I shall send Yuki's forces out to eliminate them. Continue to observe until they are out of your range."

Kōri quickly replied; "Yes Ashensunō-sama. I shall do as you command."

…

Ashensunō was very enthusiastic to test his forces against the Uzumaki Clan and called in his youngest Captain; Juhyō Yuki to search around the site of the Edo-Tokyo Museum where Kōri spotted Maya and Hinata. Yuki was tiny and younger than her comrades (at fifteen) and had long snow white hair like her master. She was considered a genius among the Juhyō Clan and was excited to prove herself. Her unit specialized in electronics and technical fields. As it was they'd been cooped up in the Tokyo Skytree setting up the Juhyō base for weeks…

"My twenty ninja have been idle too long Master." said Yuki. "Please give the word and our forces will crush the enemy no matter how strong they claim to be."

"The word is given Yuki." replied the delighted clan head. "I await news of your success…"

…

The youngest of Ashensunō's Captains deployed her forces carefully and they soon spotted their prey. Unfortunately or fortunately (depending on your point of view) Yuki's forces spotted the wrong pair of Uzumaki kunoichi: Instead of Maya and Hinata they found Ayane and Kasumi. Reasoning the two beautiful sisters would be no match for her crack team of middle ninjas; Yuki motioned her Lieutenant to take six others with him and eliminate the two troublemakers.

When the seven white clad Juhyō stealthily approached the two black wearing Uzumaki it became obvious that the snow wasn't slowing Kasumi or Ayane down at all. The ice wielding ninjas were used to having a huge advantage in the frosty weather due to their superior snow gear and experience in sub-zero conditions. They could usually overwhelm their slow moving enemies without much effort. As it stood, Ayane and Kasumi were easily chakra hopping over the snowdrifts and found little to impede them in the cold.

Yuki's Lieutenant motioned his six followers to surround and pincer the two Uzumaki kunoichi when they rounded a high rise building. The seven Juhyō leapt into action only to find themselves looking at each other.

"…Where are the Uzumaki?"

"…The streets are clear…"

"…Radio Captain Yuki we've lost them."

"…How could they have escaped us?"

Too bad the Juhyō shinobi never looked up.

…Perched above the white uniformed ninja were Kasumi and Ayane sticking to the vertical side of the high rise effortlessly with chakra in the soles of their feet.

["There are only seven down there."] signaled Kasumi. ["I sensed at least twice that number. What do you think Ayane-chan?"]

Ayane pulled out an exploding tag. She smiled under her mask and signed, ["They tried to blow up Naruto-kun; let's return the favor."]

Kasumi pulled out her own exploding tag and nodded eagerly. ["Let's do it."]

…

The confused Juhyō Lieutenant said, "Spread out and search. They can't have gotten very far." Then two exploding tags attached to kunai came flying down from above at the speed of rifle bullets. One hit the Lieutenant square in between the shoulder blades. The other hit a Juhyō kunoichi in the back of her head and both exploded milliseconds apart. Blood, meat, brains and bone shrapnel few everywhere and the remaining five white clad ninja were injured and burned in the explosions. Seeing the two Uzumaki kunoichi soaring down from above like black angels of death; the remaining Juhyō bolted toward the nearest building in a hasty retreat…

…

Ryōgoku Sumo Hall, Sumida Ward, Tokyo

The Ryōgoku Sumo Hall was packed with excited spectators as the some of the best top division sumo wrestlers got ready to compete. As the sumo gathered in a circle to begin the ceremonies the five remaining white uniformed Juhyō Clan ninja came crashing into the middle of the ring with Ayane and Kasumi hot on their heels. The two petite Uzumaki kunoichi appeared to be overmatched when the beat up Juhyō Clan ninja drew their katana and stood their ground but Ayane slid in low and Kasumi went airborne as they drew their own weapons and struck like lightning. Anytime a Juhyō kunoichi or ninja would block low; Kasumi was among them slicing them down like death from above and any that blocked high were shredded to pieces by the speeding Ayane from beneath.

The five Juhyō ninja that the sisters had been pursuing were cut down in a spectacular spray of blood and body parts. The crowd thought it was all staged and part of the show as they cheered wildly. The heavy set wrestlers were clearly not cheering as crimson soaked limbs and gore showered down upon them. The sisters' eyes were blazing with chakra when the next wave of ten Juhyō shinobi came crashing in from all sides screaming in to avenge their comrades. Blood was flying fast and furious as the two Uzumaki kunoichi defended themselves.

Kasumi unleashed a Raiton: Triplet jutsu which launched three lightning element charged shuriken into three of her oncoming opponents. One ninja was hit directly in the heart and died instantly. Another was speared in the throat and was decapitated between the razor sharp metal and burning electricity. The third shuriken was blocked by a Juhyō kunoichi but she was badly shocked and Kasumi impaled her through the sternum upon landing.

The remaining two white clad ninja landed on either side of the former Mugen Tenshin Princess and she immediately attacked the one in front of her. Kasumi landed a roundhouse kick to his face causing him to go spinning. Then she dodged the second ninja with a sidestep and stabbed him from behind in the kidney with the Shrouded Moon as he skidded by. It was a fatal wound. The last remaining ninja was trying to get back up from the earlier roundhouse only to have his head grabbed and neck snapped in an instant by the pony tail wearing kunoichi. "That's eight for me." said the older sister.

While Kasumi was fighting her battle; the other five Juhyō shinobi came roaring down upon Ayane. She channeled lightning though her hands and released a Raiton: Electromagnetic Murder jutsu which sent out a high voltage shockwave with such force that three of the five ninja were killed on impact. Then the red eyed kunoichi drew her twin kodachis and spun. One white clad ninja was bisected instantly as he landed and the other managed to leap back in time to avoid the spiraling whirlwind of death. He wasn't fast enough to avoid a kunai launched at point blank by Ayane though and her twin kodachis finished him off in a spray of crimson. "I got nine." replied the lilac haired beauty.

The smell of cooked meat, blood and ozone filled the air. The three remaining Juhyō shinobi retreated from the scene of the slaughter and vanished behind a smokescreen…

Juhyō Yuki looked on in horror as her highly trained forces were mercilessly cut down. After she witnessed her clan mates getting decimated and Yuki didn't feel that she was any sort of match for either of the two Uzumaki kunoichi let alone both of them together…

The two sisters looked around them and saw no more opponents were in the area but they were surrounded by shocked and dumbfounded sumo wrestlers. Ayane smiled weakly under her mask and said, "Sorry about that big guys." Then she hastily vanished in a body flicker.

Kasumi was dismayed that Ayane jumped ship and she added, "My apologies for the mess." Then the beautiful kunoichi followed her sister's example and body flickered out…

…

Edo-Tokyo Museum, Sumida Ward, Tokyo

While the battle at the Ryōgoku Sumo hall was raging; Detective Akihara Minako returned to Inspector Otaki and said, "They got away! Why didn't you follow me?"

"By the time I got down the hall you were long gone." grumped the Inspector. "I tried to call you but no one answered so I came back here."

"You're that slow?" asked Minako with a laugh. She was fingering a shuriken.

"No; I'm just not as fast as a Juhyō kunoichi traitor!" said Otaki.

Kōri reacted on instinct and darted the shuriken into the Police Inspector's throat. He slumped to the floor bleeding profusely as she smiled down at him. "Too bad Otaki; you were just too damn smart for your own good." Then he poofed out of existence. The bleach blonde's eyes widened and she said, "A clone?!" She immediately looked around wildly and started tearing the place apart looking for the real Otaki…

By the time Kōri made it out of the back exit of the museum; she was in her all white kunoichi gear and had drawn her tanto Aisukattā (Ice Cutter) to slice Otaki Seburo down. She dashed across the open ground to where Otaki's car was and found Detective Arii Maya standing there sipping coffee. "…Hello Akihara Minako…or whatever your real name is Juhyō. You've led us all on a pretty merry chase. To think you tried to murder Otaki and blew up the Tokyo PD front entrance. For shame Akihara."

Minako's eyes were as big as saucers by now. "You're not real Arii. You're already dead! I know and illusion when I see one. Who are you?!"

"You always were a disappointment." said Maya. "For all the help I gave you back at the Police Academy; you still couldn't pass English."

"Don't you look down on me Arii!" screeched Kōri. "Don't you dare!"

Maya continued. "You're a second rate detective that lacks in critical thinking abilities Akihara. You had to sleep your way up through the ranks. Are you a second rate kunoichi too?"

"GRRAAGGHH!" roared Kōri. "You bitch! Just die already!" she raised Aisukattā above her head and went to cut Maya in half with a downward slash…

…Only to be blocked by the katana Yawarakai-Ti. Maya's henge shattered revealing her true, violet eyes and Uzumaki uniform.

"You're…Arii Maya?" asked Kōri in confusion. "But…how?"

"It's Uzumaki Maya now." replied the ex-detective. "Get ready; it's going to hurt!" said Maya as she sent Kōri flying with a chakra enhanced mid kick.

Minako went rolling back but recovered her footing quickly. "It really is you Maya…" she growled.

The two kunoichi quickly charged one another and Kōri found that she was on the defensive. Her tanto simply didn't have the reach of Maya's katana and the ice kunoichi had to resort to shuriken to level the playing field. Minako darted three of them at the Uzumaki kunoichi.

Maya was forced to deflect the incoming shuriken with the Yawarakai-Ti and Minako was able to get inside the raven haired beauty's guard. The bleach blonde attempted multiple stabs at shot range only for Maya to dance around them all. Akihara charged low and the violet eyed kunoichi flipped over her and landed a kick to back of the Juhyō kunoichi's head which sent her sprawling.

Akihara was down on her knees shaking the cobwebs from her head when she saw Maya charge her at high speed. She registered the pain when the Yawarakai-Ti pierced her chest and exited her spine. Minako knew she was finished when she tasted blood and fell back to the ground lifelessly. Maya was standing above her with her violet eyes blazing. Kōri whispered weakly, "Ashensuno-sama… Kobayashi… avenge me…" then she expired in a freezing pool of her own blood.

Maya pulled her katana out of her foe's body with a squelching sound and said, "Rot in hell traitor."

…

"Damn…" said Otaki as he peered around a van in the parking lot. He'd been watching the whole time along with Hinata who was guarding over him.

The violet eyed beauty flung the blood off her katana and sheathed it before walking over to Hinata and the Inspector. "How did I do Hinata-chan?" she asked.

Hinata smiled under her mask and replied, "You did well Maya-chan. You were fairly evenly matched at low jonin speeds but she was angry and sloppy because you psyched her out. Your swordplay was excellent. I'm proud of you."

Maya beamed and said, "Thank you Hinata-chan."

The Byakugan Princess nodded. "Let's search that body for evidence. Come Inspector. We're in your arena now."

Otaki Seburo scratched his head and said, "I guess you've grown into an amazing ninja Maya. I'm happy for you. You did well."

"Thanks old man." replied Maya with a smile under her mask. "It means a lot to me."

…

Within an hour a Police coroner's unit came over to take over for the Inspector and Otaki, Maya and Hinata were discussing things at a coffee house under a multi layered genjutsu…

"So Akihara Minako was a Juhyō kunoichi all along and is somehow connected to Commissioner Kobayashi." said Otaki irritably. "The whole bit of her being captured by the Tetsu-Kai was a farce and she was the one who leaked the information about the Clan head meeting to the Juhyō. Why go to such elaborate lengths though? The evidence we have and what she said on her deathbed all points to the Commissioner playing dirty..."

"I have to wonder if this snowstorm over Tokyo isn't part of an elaborate plan too." said Hinata.

Maya replied, "It could be a demonstration of power or just a way to throw people off of Kobayashi's scent…"

Otaki nodded. Either way we need to involve the Public Security Bureau if we're going to nail Commissioner Kobayashi. He's too deeply entrenched and could easily cover his tracks if we accuse him directly."

The Inspector's phone rang. It was Yamada's personal number. "This is Otaki, go."

"Sorry to bother you sir." said Yamada. "I have evidence I need to get to you."

"I understand." replied Seburo. "When and where do you want to meet?"

The Officer answered, "Kashiwagi Park in Nishi-Shinjuku. I can be under the torii gate in one hour. Can you be there?"

Otaki quickly said, "Got it; I'll be there. Bring an escort. I will too."

Yamada hung up…

The Inspector asked, "Would one of you ladies ride along? It's Yamada."

Maya smiled. "I'll go. Hinata-chan…?"

"I'll head back to base and report in." said the pearl eyed beauty. "Good luck."

…

Shiranui Safehouse, Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku Ward, Tokyo

Yamada turned off the phone and said, "Kashiwagi Park, one hour at the torii gate. Inspector Otaki said to bring an escort."

Shiranui Akina said; "I was planning on going anyway. Is he bringing an escort?"

"Yes he is." answered the Officer.

"Smart man." replied Akina. "Better bundle up when we head out."

…

Commisioner's Office, Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department Headquarters, Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo

Kobayashi watched in shock as the wrestling tournament at the Ryōgoku Sumo Hall exploded into a fountain of blood on his television screen. At first he was in denial but it soon became evident to him that the Juhyō ninja in his employ were being cut down in droves and didn't stand a chance. Not only was the Sumo Wrestling Tournament shot to hell; it had happened live on national television and the tabloids were all over it. 'A stadium full of people saw my ninja driven down like cattle.' He thought morosely. His officers were at a total loss as to what to do and it would be impossible to cover this up. 'How can I spin this to put the public at ease?' he thought.

That was when his emergency line rang. He was expecting a member of the cabinet to chew him out but it was worse; Ashensunō was on the line and he sounded angry. "Have you been watching the news Commissioner?" asked the Juhyō Clan head.

"How did you get this number?" demanded Kobayashi.

Ashensunō replied, "That is unimportant. The Uzumaki Clan slaughtered an entire squad of my people on national television today! We had a deal Kobayashi. I took out the Tetsu-Kai and was going to take out the Shiranui Clan. Why did you bring the Uzumaki Clan into the picture? You knew-"

"I didn't!" exclaimed the Commissioner. "It must have been Detective Akihara; Akihara Minako! She is the one responsible!"

The Juhyō ninja sounded disgusted. "That's unlikely. Akihara Minako worked for the Juhyō Clan all along. She is dead. The Uzumaki killed her."

Kobayashi gasped, "Akihara is dead? But she's the only one that had access to the Uzumaki Clan!"

"…Aside of you Commissioner." replied Ashensunō. "The Juhyō will never forgive this traitorous act. Your life is forfeit Kobayashi."

"Wait! I'll compensate you for your losses!" pleaded Commissioner Kobayashi. "How much money-"

"No amount of money will pay for this atrocity." growled the ice wielder. "You are a dead man."

Then the line went dead…

The Commissioner was in a cold sweat. "Think Kobayashi; think! How do I get out of this?!"

…

Tokyo Skytree, Sumida Ward, Tokyo

Ashensunō turned off his phone and hung his head. "Kobayashi will pay for this." he thought aloud. Yuki was kneeling before him shaking. The disaster at the Ryōgoku Sumo Hall had shattered the girl's confidence. He turned to her and said, "Rise Yuki-chan. It is not your fault. There is nothing to atone for. I should have foreseen this treachery on the part of Kobayashi." The girl was planning seppuku to atone for the losses but Ashensunō would not allow it.

"What shall we do Master?" asked the snow haired girl. "A third of our forces and Kōri were all lost within a day."

The Clan head sighed. "I will try to negotiate with the Uzumaki… But Commissioner Kobayashi must be terminated at all costs. That is my decree."

"Shall I carry out your decree Ashensunō-sama?" asked the diminutive kunoichi. "To avenge my followers…"

"No Yuki-chan. I want you to sift through the data you copied from Kōri's phone." replied the Clan head. "I need to find the Uzumaki Clan's contact number so I may negotiate with them."

Yuki nodded. "As you wish my Master."

…

After Yuki was dismissed; Ashensunō summoned Mizore in. He asked her; "You were listening?" Mizore simply nodded. "…Then you understand the gravity of the situation. I intend to kill Kobayashi myself."

Mizore's eyes widened. "Let me go in your place Ashensunō-sama! You are far more important than I."

The clan head smiled wanly and said; "I am known to the enemy. You are not. That means you can take Yuki-chan and flee back to the Kurile Islands. The remainder of our forces will stay here while you two escape."

"But why my Master?" asked the Juhyō kunoichi with tears in her eyes.

"…Because I have a mission for the two of you." said Ashensunō. "Each of you will carry my child back with you to lead the next generation of the Juhyō Clan. Both of you are excellent kunoichi's and fit to be the Mother of my offspring."

Mizore was shocked. 'I will carry Ashensunō-sama's child but Yuki will not. My child will be the sole heir to the Juhyō.' She bowed her head. "I will be honored to carry your child my Lord. I shall prepare for your blessings tonight. May I inform Yuki-chan? She is young and may not be prepared for such a sacred task. She will need guidance from someone she trusts." 'It's a shame I must eliminate her.'

"So be it." said Ashensunō. "The next generation will be assured between you."

"I shall do as you command my Lord." replied Mizore.

…

POSTSCRIPT:

It seems that the Juhyō Clan is not exactly one big happy family. Backstabbing seems to run in these people's blood. Next chapter will be a violent one so be on the lookout. See you next time. Blue out. 1/29/21