Bodies piled up into a mountain. Their souls already into the afterlife. Their blood stained the earth. Their widows and children would soon be weeping for them. Soon enough, crows would sail from nowhere for a feast if the bodies were left to rot here.
Itachi had mentioned seeing a scene like this when younger. It was an image burnt into his very being. Arguably, the thing that twisted him into a family killing pacifist. War twisted people. Any sane people couldn't stare the lifeless bodies and remain the same. The difference with him and Itachi was that this was the result of his actions.
How many bodies had he chopped up? His insides twisted at the question. But he would never throw out what he ate. He'd seen this scene too many times for it to leave him nauseas. It wasn't to say he'd sleep like an infant while surrounded by the dead. Even for him, their pained screams would haunt him. He was certain, he would be haunted even in the after life.
He glanced up into the sky. Dark and moody clouds had gathered. A warning of the rain to follow. Perhaps the earth felt sickened by the sight before it and thought to wash it away. If only it could also wash away the turmoil inside of him.
Naruto closed his eyes, and sheathed both his swords. There was blood in his face, courtesy of using the Mangekyo. His clothes were bloodied, unfortunately for anyone who wished death upon him, it was not his blood. His body felt sore. He'd exerted too much power. And worse, the mental scars wore him out more than anything.
Slowly, he walked away from the scene. Hanzo's entire compound had been reduced to a massive graveyard. He would not forget, even in this situation, he was a grave robber. Anyone known, Naruto had chopped off the heads and sealed away for the body. He would do so with Hanzo once Nagato was not looking.
A grave robber and a greedy bounty hunter. Those were his sins added to being a mass murderer. Truly, he was death.
"I never thought I would ever meet someone who has as much chakra as me." Nagato said, staring straight at Naruto.
"You can use your chakra more freely and the Rinnegan does add a bit," Naruto shrugged. "But we are Uzumaki."
"That we are…" Nagato nodded. "There is much more death than I had anticipated. I'm surprised nobody even came to help. This is not what we expected."
"We didn't seem like we needed help. Besides, they were all weak. It was disappointing really. I would have thought Hanzo spent time training his people."
"By the looks of things, he wasn't even training himself."
Naruto glanced toward the legendary shinobi's corpse with a frown. "I hope I never reach that point," he said.
"We should pay our respects to the dead. Enemies but they were fellow Ame shinobi," Nagato said.
Naruto wanted to remind Nagato that he had just killed them mercilessly. But reminded himself that people had different rituals. And Nagato was a respectful person, even to the dead.
"Let us." He slowly stood up. And said his prayers.
"They will be given a proper memorial but not Hanzo. He does not deserve it. Had he been willing, none of this would have happened. They wouldn't have died needlessly…" Nagato shook his head. "Jiraiya-sensei once spoke of mutual understanding and when we were able to form that with Hanzo, I thought perhaps we would be able to realize the dream he failed to realize. But we were wrong. Men is selfish. I sometimes think we're truly incapable of understanding each other."
Death was the only thing shinobi understood. But Naruto didn't want to get into all the idealism with Nagato. He just wanted to step away from the dead.
"Are we going to walk?"
"We should. It would attract those who remain and standing in the shadows." Nagato replied.
"I thought as much." He sighed. "A brand new day for this nation, huh?"
The Following Morning
Amegakure woke up with rain and thunder – a mixture of Nagato's jutsu and natural rain. Looking at it, Naruto thought perhaps indeed did weep for the bloody battles it was forced to host, and the blood it was forced to swallow.
He hoped, new life would be spread out once the water reached the soil.
The streets were littered with shinobi while civilians stayed in doors. You heard sounds of battle – a mop up of those loyalists who wanted to avenge their fallen Lord. The village was already alive to the fact that Hanzo was dead. Soon, the Great Nations would also know of the great battle that resulted the deaths of many and most of all, Hanzo.
But the time Naruto left the tallest tower with Nagato, the rain had ceased but water streams ran through the streets.
"It seems that Yahiko and Konan are still busy with putting out flames." The two had not returned to the tower.
How familiar he was to this situation. He'd lived through it within the Hidden Mist after the death of Yagura. It was an unpleasant experience with death and betrayal. It was o e of those moments that made him appreciate prisons.
Nagato raised his hand as he came to a halt. A smoke bomb dropped just in front of them. Neither moved until it cleared. When the smoke cleared, they were surrounded by about thirteen shinobi. The street wasn't narrow, but some of them crawled through the tall buildings, watching them.
"There are still those who choose to act like this."
"So, it seems. It is a little annoying, really."
"It can't be helped. We came here because we want to invite them to attack."
"After we handle them, I'm going to leave this village for a couple of days to do other things. Maybe when I return, things will be much calmer for me to talk to Yahiko."
"You'd leave at this time?"
"I've done my part. Besides, I've killed enough people…" Naruto said, unsheathing his sword. "It is also much better for me to just go and do something else rather than waiting here."
"Then handle this group. Maybe as you leave, you'll attract others to follow you. We'd rather not have fights in the streets as it will cause destruction to buildings."
"It will be may leave then."
Nagato nodded and without warning, he took off like rocket, leaping into the air, leaving Naruto to face the thirteen vengeful shinobi.
Naruto didn't wait for the shinobi to attack him; he immediately summoned his second sword. There were three in front, blocking the path; four more behind and others were spread into the building walls on his left and right side.
Without warning, he started to dart toward the ones in front of him. One of them followed him while holding a kunai. They met midway, with the rogue Ame shinobi stabbing his kunai forward. Naruto reacted by swinging his sword toward the kunai. There was no resistance as the sword cut through the kunai. While doing this, Naruto stabbed his free sword toward the man's throat. The sword pierced through the man's throat, but death wasn't instantaneous. He tried to grab the blade of his sword, to keep him grounded while two more lunged at them. Naruto's other sword was on the move with brutal consequences. He swung it across the man's torso, severing his body.
The other two were already upon him. One was sliding through the wet ground, attempting to sweep him off it while the other flashed just above, in front of him. The shinobi twisted around, weaving his right foot toward his temple. Naruto's reaction was a quick short jump, just to get his feet off the ground while his body adjusted horizontally. Both missed him as he sandwiched between them. He stabbed the sword be held with his left hand down to the shinobi below him, piercing through his chest. When he attempted to stab the one above him, another shinobi appeared out of nowhere, and pulled his comrade out of danger.
Naruto's eyes worked over time as the men launched at him from all sides. He quickly twisted his body, rotating quickly and then hurled one of his sword toward his right. It took off in blinding speed, giving the man charging toward him with no chance to evade. The blade pierced through his chest, sending flying backwards and nailing him on to the wall of a building.
Five men surrounded him immediately. Before they could strike, Naruto disappeared in a blur. Their eyes widened when they saw three glowing explosive tags as his replacement.
Boom!
"Arg!!"
Naruto heard loud cries while standing on the handle of his sword which was stabbed on a wall, along with the man it had killed. The explosion triggered by the tag was of flames. The second it exploded, it covered the five in a cloud of flames. None was able to escape. One by one, their burning bodies dropped to the ground.
The others didn't attack but scattered.
'Live to fight another day, huh?' he thought mildly. He would not give chase. He had to hurry up to the Fire Country, exchange the bounty on Hanzo's head and then quickly speak to Kisame in the River country.
But still, Ame shinobi were really weak. It was no wonder this was a small nation. It was going to take years to develop this country. But dynasties were not built overnight. Naruto still had the time and years on his side.
A Week after Naruto left Amegakure
"Hello, Kisame." Naruto greeted the former Kiri shinobi who sat under a tree, a small fire in front of him, fish being baked and his giant sword laying beside him.
Kisame glanced at the blond and then at Samehada. The glutton of a sword seemed to be giggling with excitement. There was one reason the sword would only be this excited – and that was chakra.
Before he could reply, the blond had already sat across him. Inwardly, he smiled. "Who are you?"
"A shinobi who doesn't know my name."
"I don't keep up with what is happening around the shinobi world." Kisame replied with indifference.
"Ah, my apologies then. I am Naruto Uzumaki… a friend of Kirigakure."
Kisame's eyes flashed toward his sword. He grabbed it and pointed it toward the blond, who didn't flinch. Seeing no movement, he dropped hostilities and placed his sword on his right, ignoring its protests as it obviously wanted to devour Naruto.
"You must have an impressive amount of chakra reserves for Samehada to be this happy."
"Slightly depleted…" Naruto conceded. The battle in Amegakure had taken a lot out of him. Overusing the Mangekyo Sharingan burnt through his chakra reserves. And he hadn't really taken time to rest in order to recover. "I am here on behalf of the current Mizukage. You've probably heard, Yagura has been long dead and Kirigakure has been in process to heal from his bloody reign.
"I understand reasons you departed from the village. Your role within the Seven Swordsman was not enviable. Regardless, Kiri calls upon your service. Mei-san wants you to return to lead a new generation of Swordsman."
Kisame already knew Yagura was dead. At least he kept up with what happened in his former village. But he really didn't have any intentions of returning, even though he had nothing better to do. He has just been wondering about.
"Ah, you've shown no you surprise to my eyes. Then you lied about not knowing me."
Kisame ignored this statement. "And if I refuse to return?"
"Death and I take the sword back to Kirigakure. I had promised Mei to collect all swords which have left Kiri. I have collected all but one. She said you were a valuable shinobi and would want you in her new Kirigakure. Thus, before killing you, I would have to drag you back to face her."
Kisame swiftly grabbed his sword once more and within the blink of an eye, he'd swung it above the flames. Naruto's reaction to the attack was instantaneous; he leapt onto his feet and jumped back.
"I would like to see how you go about that…" he grinned sadistically. "If you're lucky, I'll chop you up and send you back to her."
Naruto sighed. "Should have expected this," he said. "Fine; let us move to a more suitable clearing that will not hinder us…" by the time he finished talking, he was already running away from Kisame, holding both his swords.
He arrived at a small clearing that was surrounded by trees. It wasn't big enough but still fine. He landed gracefully and immediately held out left sword in a vertical manner, his grip firm.
Samehada crashed into the sword with its scales. The force behind the strike caused Naruto to skid to the side slightly. But he didn't mind it as he was already on the assault, stabbing his other sword toward Kisame's left shoulder.
Kisame saw the attack coming and shifted his body to the right, just enough to avoid a fatal blow. The sword just grazed him, but he ignored it and held a single hand seal with his free hand.
"Water Bullet!" At point blank, Kisame spat out a mouthful of water from his mouth. The attack hit Naruto straight on his chest, sending him flying backwards.
Naruto was quick to shake over the attack. He flipped once, stabbed the sword he held with his left hand to the ground to stop the momentum.
Kisame was already lunging at him. The man charged with a diving kick. Naruto dropped both his swords and went through hand seals as his opponent neared him. In the blink of an eye, he vanished from Kisame's sight, causing the man to hit the ground in a loud boom with his kick.
Kisame quickly twisted around, sensing a spike of chakra.
"Katon: Great Fireball no Jutsu!" The chakra Naruto had converted into fire within, was released from his mouth. It was a gigantic ball of flame that he released while at mid-air. The atmosphere changed under the heatwave it generated.
"Oi oi…" Kisame was amazed by the amount of heat the flames produced. He was certain, he'd get burnt badly if he allowed the flames to touch him. He strengthened his grip on Samehada and swung the sword toward the flames. He cut through the flames, severing them. The ball split into to waves that surrounded him harmlessly.
"Hmm…" Kisame was too late to do anything. Naruto had suddenly materialized behind him. A strong kick on the back of his head. The second the foot collided, he heard a ringing sound and a flash of a headache. The brutal blow sent him flying like a rocket despite his immense physical strength.
While in midair, struggling to control his body, Naruto appeared above him, holding just one sword. Kisame knew there was danger. Held Samehada as if his life depended on it.
"Lightning Wheel!"
The blond rotated, along with lightning bolts. Kisame only saw a lightning wheel flash across him in the blink of an eye before he found himself crashing into the ground in a boom. He got buried, static coursing through his body, but Samehada took most of the blow.
"Flame Wheel!"
There was no rest. Kisame grinned thinking Naruto was really trying to kill him. While buried in the ground, the blond launched a similar attack, just an elemental difference. But unlike the lightning attack, it was a little slower. He put Samehada in front, and closed his eyes.
Boom!
The attack struck him. It was like a grinding force of flames had hit him. Samehada cut through most of the attack, but the flames were so intense that they left a scorched the Earth upon contact. Even Samehada complained. He was sweating bullets, some of his clothes burnt.
Luckily, there was no attack that came to him.
Slowly, he rose up. "If I don't take this seriously, I might just die…" he said with a grin. "Why does the Mizukage want me specifically?"
"She understands circumstances in which you left. But her hope is creating a better Kirigakure while fostering happy relationships with other Great Nations. for that to happen, she demands people who truly love Kiri, to protect it and support her agenda."
"She seems like the idealistic type. What has really happened in Kiri?"
"Great change, Kisame…"
"It seems…" Kisame trailed off, suddenly finding himself within the grasp of the Kyubi's paws. The huge beast was grinning madly, crushing his body slowly. " Genjutsu?" the thought ended with his body exploding into a shower of blood.
His eyes snapped back into reality. There was a feeling in his heart. He felt a sharp pain on his right shoulder but he ignored this for the sharp feeling in his heart. He had just watched his life end. Sharingan Genjutsu was really deadly – it made him a little afraid and otherworldly excited.
Naruto was standing in front of him, cold as ice. Kisame grinned. "This is going to be fun?" he said, gripping Samehada sharply.
Naruto removed his sword from Kisame's shoulder. Blood dripped out. He swung it, removing the blood from its blade.
"I could have cut your head from your shoulders in the brief moment you were caught under my Genjutsu…" Naruto leapt back, creating some distance between him and Kisame. "Give it everything, Kisame… I want to see if you truly can become the leader of the Swordsmen and lead Kirigakure into a new world."
"I have no desire in becoming what you expect of me."
"Well, at least if I beat you, you'll go to Kirigakure."
"Are you going to drag me?"
Naruto shook his head. "You'll go on your own accord."
Kisame replied by holding his hands together while kneading chakra within him. "Suiton: Bakusui Shousha!" He spat out a large amount of water from his mouth, creating a gigantic sea wave that exploded toward Naruto, covering a wide area.
Naruto had one sword on him, he stabbed the one he held on the ground. Kisame was an adept water user, apparently, then giving him the advantage by allowing him to create a sea of water would be detrimental to him. He was already leaking wounds from the last battle. He didn't want to do anything that would compel him to use Susanoo.
He immediately began to gather chakra while speeding through hand seals. Once the chakra inside of him was converted into flames, he took in a mouthful of oxygen.
"Katon: Gokka Mekkaku!" Naruto breathed out intense flames from his mouth. The flames were a sea wave, just as Kisame's jutsu. The flames span out wide, rising high while scorching the earth as they moved toward the waves of water.
The two Jutsu collided, both elements showing their strengths. But it was fire against water, neither won. It the flames and water just started turning into steam, creating a large cloud within the area.
Kisame hadn't expected the blond to reply in that form. By the end of the attack, there wouldn't be a drop of water. Even if there was, it wouldn't be anything he could use.
Naruto was standing still when Kisame burst through the steam, lunging toward him with Samehada at hand.
He grabbed his sword, increasing its weight before hurling it straight toward the incoming man as if it was just a kunai. It left his grip as if it were a bullet. The sword hit Kisame on his chest while in mid-air, piercing through him, but he immediately burst into a water.
The former Kiri shinobi blurred into view in front of Naruto, a huge grin on his lips, his sword him waving toward him. Despite its size, Samehada weaved through the air in great speed, leaving Naruto with little option but to told his hands in front. The sword's scales hit him, sending him flying backwards.
The sword wasn't the one to cut a person. It was more like a grinder. But still, Naruto felt it. The second it touched him, a large chunk of his chakra disappeared. He wasn't going to allow the sword to touch him again or it would just drain him of chakra.
Naruto skidded a couple of feet before coming to a halt. He didn't have time to glance at his bruised arms as Kisame was already charging toward him.
He summoned one of his swords, and took a step forward, putting chakra into his grip. He twisted around and then hurled his sword toward Kisame, aiming straight at his forehead.
The sword was coming at him fast. Kisame had no other way than to hit the breaks while jumping to the right slightly. But the sword was too fast. He avoided a fatal blow, but cut through the left side of his head, leaving a deep gash.
Naruto flashed behind Kisame, grabbing his sword while in mid-air. He twisted around, slashing his sword across Kisame's back. The sword ran through the man's back, leaving a huge gash. But Kisame didn't seem to mind it, he just twisted around, waving Samehada toward him. Naruto reacted swiftly by pulling his sword into a defensive position to avoid Samehada touching him. The sentient sword slammed into his, sending him flying into the air.
Kisame quickly sheathed Samehada and tried his Jutsu once more.
"Suiton: Bakusui Shousha!"
Naruto was still in midair, being carried by the momentum of his attack when the waves started to gush toward him. Kisame was rushing toward him, riding on the wave, speeding toward the blond.
By the time Naruto landed, he was landing on water with Kisame charging toward him in blinding speed. There was no time to go through hand seals. Even the entire land had been submerged under the water. It looked as if he was standing in the middle of a sea.
The water Kisame was riding on turned into a huge shark. Seeing this, Naruto gripped his sword rightly and channeled chakra through it.
"Flaming Wheel!"
It did a quick burst, twisting around creating a moving circular motion of flames that charged toward Kisame's shark. The Jutsu cut through the shark through his gaping mouth, dispelling it before it could do any harm.
When Naruto stilled, Kisame was already in front of him having jumped from the shark to avoid getting hit along it. His right knee hit him straight his abdomen. Truthfully, it hurt like hell. Naruto felt his intestines shifting, while he spat out a mouthful of saliva from the blow.
Kisame followed this by a brutal punch to the face. The punch would have sent him rocketing away if the man hadn't caught him by his right leg. He spun around, before hurling him to another direction.
Naruto felt a little disjointed before crashing into the sea of water.
When Naruto suddenly vanished into thin air, Kisame immediately twisted around. It had happened exactly like this before.
When he turned, he found Naruto standing on the water, holding both his swords.
"Teleportation jutsu?" Kisame asked with a grin. "You really are good opponent. I could go all day…"
Naruto shook his head. "There are other things I must do. Little time… We must end this now…" he shifted into the Mangekyo Sharingan and then pointed one of his sword toward Kisame. "Here I come."
Kisame didn't wait for Naruto to attack him. He threw Samehada into the air, and sped through hand seals. He then slammed both his hands into the water.
"Suiton: Senshokuko."
Naruto watched as a thousand sharks formed from the water. He leapt backwards, watching the large wave of sharks charging toward him. It completely obstructed his view of Kisame – which bothered him.
By the time he landed on the water once more, he'd already sheathed his swords. He went through hand seals, while exhaling large amounts of air until his stomach could no more.
"Katon: Gokka Messhitsu!"
Naruto released an intense stream of flames from his mouth. The scorching flames spread toward the incoming wave of sharks before exploding upon contact. It turned into a sea of flames.
But the steam that rose was much smaller than he expected. It didn't take long for it to be evident that the sharks were eating the flames. Fire was supposed to cancel out water based jutsu. He'd not expected the jutsu to be able to absorb chakra.
He frowned slightly. He couldn't use chakra based techniques then. He didn't have any other jutsu he could use that didn't require chakra. Sword techniques wouldn't be enough for a jutsu of this scale… Unless he used his swords to create a jutsu that would negate chakra based attacks.
To think be would be forced to resort to such measures. He shook his head, orange chakra began to form him, creating a dome of energy that burnt like flames around him. he closed his eyes and waited.
The wave of sharks slammed into him, some dispersing into clouds of smoke upon hitting his defensive jutsu. He was surrounded in all sides, the sharks hitting into his shield but it did not falter under the strain.
He glanced below the water, sensing movement. He quickly jumped into the air. The second he took off, a shark burst out of the water. Naruto dispelled the Yata Mirror and flipped upside down to face the shark. Kisame lunged from the side, holding firmly onto his sword. Naruto unsheathed both swords and hurled the sword he held with his left hand straight toward the incoming shark while positioning the one he held with his right hand by him. The sword he threw pierced through the shark while Samehada clashed into his other sword.
Kisame grinned, pushing him.
"Is this all the mighty Sharingan can do?"
Naruto held a single hand seal with his left hand. "Five Elemental Seal." Black ink spread from the blade of his sword as it glowed slightly. The ink turned into black chains that wrapped around Samehada. The sword shrieked, vibrating furiously in an attempt to cut off the black chains. But they did not budge and it slowly began to lose power.
Kisame was forced to let it go and jump back into the water.
Naruto did the same, landing gracefully a distance away from Kisame.
"Oh, so, you can't use your sword while employing that jutsu."
"Unfortunately so… that is why I would rather not use it unless forced…" Naruto shook his head. "As you can see…" he was talking about his hand seal. "It's an active jutsu. The sword is not sentient… so, I must do everything myself."
"Bold of you to casually reveal your secrets like that."
Naruto smiled. "You're not going to tell anyone…" he said. "Besides, you asked if this was all the Sharingan could do… I thought to show you…" he said while undoing his hand seal. He pointed his right hand toward Kisame while both swords started to drop. "Amaterasu."
"Grrr!" Kisame gritted his teeth as his body was engulfed by black flames. The flames suddenly ignited all over his body. The heat was intense but they burnt slowly. He clapped his hands, creating a water prison, surrounding himself with water.
But the flames continued to burn.
He considered creating sharks to just eat the black flames, but Naruto was suddenly in front of him, holding a different sword. It was a lightning sword.
"Sword of the Thundergod… I hunted down the man who stole it from Konoha." He grinned while Kisame was holding his breath. "This is going to hurt…" he said, stabbing the sword into the pod of water.
Kisame knew what was coming and it was going to be worse because of water. He tried to release the jutsu in panic but it was too late.
Naruto released the electricity he had built within him through the sword. It hit the water with powerful lightning currents.
The electricity hit Kisame, coursing through his body. There was so much power behind it that he felt like his body was being burnt. He was still being burnt by the black flames. It had happened in an instant before the water prison burst. He fell to the water, his limbs twitching as electrical currents still ran through his body.
Naruto quickly dispelled Amaterasu and ignored the pain and bleeding.
"You know Kirigakure's direction. You'll find Samehada waiting for you there. Since it's a sentient sword, it will likely have a problem with me taking it. I'll just seal it and send it to Kirigakure. Hopefully, you recover well enough before anyone comes here…" Naruto sighed. "I'll join you in Kiri once I have completed my other duties."
Kisame wanted to speak but his body was numb. He couldn't move any part of his body. There was nothing but raging thoughts.
Amegakure
Civilians were back in the streets, but the bridge was heavily guarded. Nobody was getting out. He figured they wanted to control the flow of information. You didn't want Hanzo's allies attacking the Rain.
With Civilians back, normalcy appeared to have returned – at least on the outside. It would take some time for everyone to be free. There was still some fear that renegades could just bomb buildings. Sooner, the peace that Yahiko cherished would return and he would begin his conquest for world domination. To really challenge the authority of the Great Five meant war.
"Naruto-sama."
Hearing someone call him so respectfully in this village weirded Naruto for a moment. He turned around to face the person; it was a young blue haired woman.
"I sent by Yahiko-sama to fetch you."
Naruto raised an eye brow. It had been more than a week since he left this place. If this person was saying this, then Yahiko wasn't in the tower.
"Where is he?"
"In a meeting." She replied, turning around. "I am Ajisai by the way."
Naruto nodded.
"How are things here?" He asked curiously as he followed Ajisai. They had turned into dark parts. No doubt, heading to a secret meeting room.
"Some have surrendered. The villagers are tense and there are some who are determined to make this ungovernable. Yahiko-sama has ordered such people be hunted down."
They arrived at what seemed to an abandoned building. Ajisai led him down a secret door with dark stairs that were guarded by shinobi. They arrived at what seemed like a bunker. Men were sitting in Akatsuki cloaks, with the three leaders sitting in front.
Yahiko stood up and welcomed him.
"I'm glad you returned at this time." Yahiko said. "Were you able to succeed in whatever you were doing?"
"Yes."
Yahiko nodded and put a hand on his shoulder. "This is Naruto Uzumaki. You've already heard about his efforts with Nagato in defeating Hanzo. He is our friend… an ally and hopefully, be will be our brother. As the name suggests, he is from the same clan as Nagato.
"I have already told you that our peace cannot be achieved unless we become stronger. We are weak. Even with Hanzo alive, the Great Nations have always used us as a battlefield. We became war orphans for wars we had nothing to do with. The Great Nations are drunk in power and treat as nothing. We always suffer when they fight and they are not apologetic. This is why we must become stronger. We must challenge their unjust rule. They have no desire for a better world but are only pushed by their greed and selfishness. They sacrifice our lives for their peace."
Naruto watched around the room. Yahiko took over everyone. They all listened carefully as he spoke with anger and power. He was indeed a man on a mission.
"Both Naruto and Nagato have also suffered because Great Nations think only for themselves. Their home, Uzushiogakure was destroyed by the Great Nations simply because they feared their power. They destroyed them simply because they did not want anyone to challenge their hegemony. We must stop them and teach them to humble.
"But if we do not grow stronger, we will become just like Uzushiogakure. Iwagakure will attack our borders as it does with those who border it. We must grow. For the sake of Amegakure, our children and our future. Removing Hanzo was the first step. We must unite Ame and lead it into a prosperous future!"
It didn't take long for Yahiko to issue orders and declaring himself leader of the village. A few more words were said by Konan on strategies in gaining control over those who used to control the village with Hanzo. Once that was done, the meeting was over.
"What had you really gone to do?" Nagato asked him as they slowly walked toward the tower.
"Kisame… Kiri demands his return. I had to convince him to go back." Naruto replied. He smiled looking at Nagato. "Do you ever wish you were alive before our clan was destroyed?"
"It is not something I think about." Nagato replied honestly, while looking up into the sky. "I have always held grieve over the deaths of my parents."
"And anger toward the shinobi who killed them."
"Yes."
"Do you think we could become brothers?"
It was Yahiko who responded. "You seem genuinely curious about that."
"I am human. Despite everything, we do seek to belong somewhere, people we can call friends and family. Over the past years, I have avoided that, focusing only on dreams. But that just leaves you empty and with little regard to life. I want to be alive. Why not enjoy companionship?"
"It is possible. It all depends on the willingness. I think we can only fruitfully work toward the same goal when our friendship is much stronger. When it is strictly just business, betrayal is easy."
"I look forward to the possibilities…" Naruto replied with a blank look across his face.
The tower had a lot more people then before and it was heavily guarded. Then again, leaders of the village resided on this very place. There were still Hanzo's loyalists who would not rest until they avenged their fallen lord. Nothing short of a systemical eradication of all those related to Hanzo would ensure a smooth transition of power. But that was just an extreme and bloody method. It was not one that should be chosen willingly.
Naruto smiled inwardly. Should he really be talking now given the lives he has taken? How many people have died by his hands? Just in this village only. He was surely, not going to meet his mother in the afterlife. He was certain, the souls of many who resented him would drag him away to eternal condemnation.
They arrived at the top of the tower in silence. Konan's child wasn't around. He was certain that she was in this tower. There was no safer place to be than here.
Yahiko led them into a meeting room. It had a steel table with wooden chairs around it. There were no windows. It was lit by sticks of flames. Naruto took his seat quietly while the three sat across him.
"I cannot thank you enough for your help in this situation. We have avoided a civil war. Much blood was shed, but this is better for the future of our nation." Yahiko said in a hardened tone, yet thankful expression.
"I'm helping you to help myself. You could say, I am using you." Naruto made the admission with a straight face.
"Everyone uses someone." Yahiko smiled. "But as long as we're open about our intentions, our friendship should be a lasting one. We have experienced treachery from those we considered friends before… so, you have to be open with us for there to be trust."
Yahiko didn't trust Naruto simply because of Nagato. His friend could be swayed by words. Yahiko had made the decision alone. He was fine with Konan holding reservations. One of them had to remain open. Konan would always be critical and would see things they could not.
"I have no intentions of misleading you about anything." Naruto replied. "What I have already stated is the truth. Of course, my idea is for changing the shinobi world. It is not much about peace really. For me, it is disturbing the status quo. You have your agenda, and I won't stand in the way. But it is my hope that you grow this nation enough to demand being called a Kage."
"You said that before…" Konan stared at him. "Amegakure doesn't have the power to stand against any of the Great Nation."
"Surely, you jest."
"We can't simply depend on Nagato's power alone."
"Then you have to raise your shinobi's level. Because of Hanzo, Ame's Jonin are the same as a Chunin from other village. You must change this. Those who do not qualify to be called Jonin must be demoted."
"It would cause conflict if we did that. Shinobi will be dissatisfied. For some, rank means everything." Nagato said.
He could imagine other shinobi even thinking about fleeing this nation. They had to do things different. Shinobi were the heart of the village. To alienate them by simply demoting them would even kill their morale. Members of the Akatsuki had real rankings. So, they would not face demotion once they are integrated into the village ranks. It would seem as if they were favoring those of their own than others.
"You can handle things in a smart way. I understand there could be displeasure. But it helps no one to keep things as they are."
"It would be better to give them a chance to grow. I will hold a meeting with our ranks. We need to demonstrate that they are weak. We will put everyone through training. But we will not take anyone's rank." Yahiko said.
"A sound plan." Konan agreed.
Naruto shrugged. "But I must warn you. Once things on my end take place… and you start growing in strength, you'll be in danger with the Earth. It is quite possible you may even go to war with them."
"Would that not have you to blame?"
"Maybe… but Iwa's history needs no introduction."
"Naruto is right." Yahiko said. "We have to be careful about the Earth. If anything happens, can we count on you?"
"Naturally." Naruto then smiled. "I still have issues with the village. And they probably wont be resolved until I am dead. Once news of my actions here spread, they'll grow more weary. Not to mention, my feats in Kiri will also spread. Ame's rise will only make them hasty."
"And the smile?"
"I have been doing missions for a while. I admit, I once considered just wiping Iwagurr off the map…" Naruto replied casually.
The three stared at him. Iwagakure was no small village. Maybe Nagato could destroy it using the powers of the Rinnegan. But for him to suggest it just like that was really surprising. It just made it clear just what kind of person they were dealing with.
"You believe you have the power?"
"The Kyubi in me wouldn't take too long to make it happen." Naruto replied with a wave of his right hand. "But we are not in the business of simple destruction. It won't achieve much in the long run. In fact, it would seal our fate."
"Then, no action will be taken unless Iwa declares war."
"That is a stance I have also taken." Naruto replied. "Now, onto the projects. I want to create a line between the Rain and the Wave. It would run through the Fire Country. As you can imagine, it is going to be quite the stretch of a track. Within the Fire Nation, it will have three stops in three Towns. From your side, I will require two thousand men and women, shinobi and civilians."
"Fire Nation?"
"I have already dealt with the Feudal Lord. As long as he gets his taxes, he has no complaints. But before I return to Kiri, I still stop by the Fire capital to go through things with them one more time."
"Two thousand people is a lot. How long will this even last?"
"They can work on rotational basis. But mission should last a month. One decides whether they continue for the next month or new people come in. Of course, that means we will need to have camps. We can't have all people in one place. They'll be building in blocks of four. Five hundred in one place. That means camps need to be built with a constant provision of food. Shinobi need to be hired for the sole purpose of guarding the work and the camps. We will use shinobi from Kiri, Rain and some in the Hidden Leaves. The Feudal lord demanded that Konoha also benefits."
"Given its industrial design, Amegakure can keep up the supply of rail tracks without a problem. But we must admit, our nation is poor."
"I have already procured some materials from the Land of Springs. I don't expect you to spend money you do not have. I have collected a lot of money over the past years. I must admit, I was merciless in plundering. It sickened me at times…"
"Then you'll cover the costs."
"Of course."
"We must discuss the rates in which shinobi will be paid and the builders as well before coming with an estimate of much you'll need to give us."
"There is no problem there. But the missions can't be more than C-rank for shinobi."
"Then we will charge the rate of C-rank shinobi." Konan said. "Will this be over the two thousand you require?"
"Yes."
"How many are we talking about?"
"Fifty to seventy shinobi per camp."
"That's fifty shinobi protecting five hundred people." Yahiko shook his head. "You need to at least double that number."
Naruto frowned deeply.
"For you it is nothing. But usually, a single person is not even protected by a single shinobi. A team goes out."
"Fine." He'll have to do more hunting. "Orochimaru's head is worth about 110 million ryo. It should lighten the burden…" he mused loudly. "I think expenses shouldn't go above that in a month. But even if they go above, it is fine… I'll leave you with one hundred million for preparation. That is camping things. Uzushiogakure will provide food supplies to all camps."
"We're talking about feeding at least two thousand five hundred people a day for at least three months."
"We can help with some others." Nagato said. "We will share the burden of food supplies."
"I have been farming over the past years. We have wheat and rice. Wheat should solve the noodles problem. We are closer to the sea… we will provide sea food for consumption. We will require beef and pork as other alternatives. I can buy other things… But for the beef and pork, there are merchants who will deliver…" he closed his eyes, thinking of the costs. He was really going to be broke after this. "It wouldn't hurt if people hunted… but the major supply will be fish. It won't cost me much for that."
"Then major costs are the workers."
"Yes."
"When must we be ready?"
"Start preparing any time now. I will send you a message. I need to first clear things in the Wave. Konoha has caused a rather curious situation. But it is nothing. Once you have prepared the shinobi and the workers, let me know. But the most important thing is the materials. We can't send people out to work if there is no steady production of the rail tracks."
"We will begin preparations."
"I think that is about it." Naruto said in thought. "Uzushiogakure should be ready any day to keep up with food supplies."
"Are you also using this to secure clients for Uzushiogakure?" Konan asked.
"Yes; by providing food for two thousand people, we will show that we have the capacity and are reliable. Not to mention, we'd have the means to transport our things."
"Can we give preparations a month? We have to stabilize the village."
"That is fine with me." Naruto replied. "But on the side of the Wave, they should start quickly."
"You're going to hire more people?"
"Yes." Naruto replied. "This is after all, just the first phase. Once we have build the first track, we need to quickly move onto the second one which stretches to Suna. I'm afraid, that one might have to be built on debt." He shook his head.
"What is happening with the Great Nations? I think it would be helpful for our planning if we knew how things are with them." Konan asked.
"Suna and Iwa are most likely plotting an unholy alliance. Nothing good is going to come out of it. You need not worry about Kiri. She is a friend, and will become an ally. Konoha well, has fallen from glory. It is not the same. And the Sandaime Hokage is a pacifist. Kumogakure has been keeping to itself…" Naruto smiled. "I've mainly just avoided the latter. The Raikage is a difficult person. Your problem will be Iwagakure. It is not going to want a nation growing in power next to it."
"You can't be strong. But being weak means you get destroyed at their pleasure…" Yahiko said with anger. "But we must build. We cannot be afraid of them."
"It will take some years to fully build a Great Nation."
"We are prepared." Nagato replied firmly.
"I'm ready to help when you need it."
Yahiko shook his head. "You've done enough." He said. "We will try to keep up with you." He walked over to Naruto and held out his had. "May this be the beginning of a true friendship that will change the very foundations of the shinobi world."
Fire Capital
Getting audience with the Fire Nation's leaders was easy since they knew him. But Naruto hadn't been here since the whole issue with Iwagakure went into international news. He had also seen Konoha's people here. Had they come because they thought he was manipulating the Fire Lord? It would have been stupid for him. Once discovered, everyone with association with him would be suspected of being manipulated.
The people who ruled the Fire Nation did not lack in authority and arrogance. It was often amusing hearing them talk. But they still held the power. In such peaceful times, political might moved even the Kage. After all, the Feudal Lords often treated Shinobi villages as their little armies. They just had to throw money and shinobi would fight.
Naruto stood in a large map, illuminating brightly in blue around the circular room. Up above him in their protected spaces, the Councilors sat, observing him. It was like he was in some sort of a trial.
"It is my thanks for permitting to come here, Daimyo-sama." Naruto said, bowing slightly before looking up toward the Feudal Lord.
The Feudal Lord didn't reply. Someone else spoke in a cold tone.
"We've been meaning to get hold of you. You're rather elusive."
"I assume that would be about Iwagakure's accusations."
"Yes. You'd understand from our view that we would not want to deal with someone who has attempted to kill a Kage. We too would be blamed for this and it would become an international incident."
It was not like if war broke out they would be fighting anyone. Naruto wasn't going to say that, lest he foils his plans.
"I understand but it is an issue that I have resolved. Iwagakure has retracted its claim and no longer demands my head. This happened because of a misunderstanding and someone trying to ruin my reputation."
"Who would do that?"
"Orochimaru. A former Shinobi of this Great Nation."
"A pity about him."
"But how have things been resolved? Will this not resurface in the future?"
"I hope not."
"You're not giving any reassurances."
"I cannot claim to know what the Tsuchikage plans to do. For now, I consider the matter closed. I went to him and we cleared the air."
"What of your relationship with Konoha?"
"My promise remains the same. I will not use power against the Leaf or this nation. And in case of an attack, if this nation demands of it, I will help."
"If you don't?"
"Well, my business will be running through your country. If I displease you in that way, you're in a position to destroy everything."
"We wish you keep that in mind. You are but one shinobi. The reason we do nothing now even with your history with Konoha is because we can crush you at any moment we choose."
"I understand."
For the first time, the Feudal Lord spoke. "Why have you come here today? Is it about your project?" He said, trying to change the subject before anything more threatening could be said.
"Yes… it is about that. We are ready to begin with the help of Amegakure. There will be about two thousand people from the Rain coming into the Fire Nation to work on building the rail tracks."
"Two thousand?"
"Yes… it will be a mixture of civilians and shinobi to quicken the work."
"We had not thought it would be that many. And circumstances have changed. Who will be guarding those people?"
"Do we even need to ask? We cant have shinobi from other villages in our country offering protection for such an important job that will change our country. Konoha has to benefit from this. With more mission requests, we'll have to give it less money. Even if we don't, it still helps it grow."
"Yes. Protection must be from the Hidden Leaf."
"Agreed."
"Agreed."
They would decide something like that as if he was taking orders from them. How mightily those in authority operated. They decided arbitrarily and sought no opinion, even if you were standing before them.
"I had already made an arrangement with the Hidden Rain regarding this. But if it pleases you, we could work on fifty fifty."
"sixty forty."
"Must we even debate this?"
"We cant have shinobi or another village here. Especially in large numbers."
"I think it is only fair." One of the Councilors said. "Ame can provide fifty percent of the protection. Provided there is some benefit to us."
"What would that benefit be?"
"Some of us have homes in Konohagakure. And we travel to other places. Along with the planned route, there must be one that links the capital and Konoha. But this will not be for goods but for the trains you told us about. For our travel and our people."
"Why don't all trains carry people? It would revolutionize the shinobi world."
"I will accept your proposal. A station will be build for the Fire capital. It will be a first within the shinobi world."
"And the taxes?"
"Nothing has changed. It still remains at 23 percent."
"Collection?"
"Monthly as stated before. But those complex negotiations can be discussed once we are done building. We already have broad terms under agreement." Naruto paused for a second before asking. "Will people from here discuss those other issues with the Hidden Leaf?"
"We will send them word. But the finer details, you will negotiate with them. It will be up to them how much they charge for each shinobi."
"I understand."
Once all things were said and done, Naruto was relieved there was nothing that popped up he would have considered a deal breaker. He could work with Konoha shinobi.
He didn't linger about the capital but did send a clone to speak with the Feudal Lord about some personal matters. A message had to be sent to Yahiko. Haku should have received his message by now. So, he could go to the Wave and then deal with the leader there, before taking Shizune back to her master.
Before he could go far, he stopped hopping through the trees and landed down. He was immediately surrounded by a squad of Anbu.
"Konoha Anbu?" He said in question. "What do I owe this pleasure? I doubt you're here for any trouble."
"What is your relationship with the Feudal Lord? Not everyone can just come and get audience with him."
"The Hyuga was really here to check if they were being manipulated by a Genjutsu. I do wonder what they'd think about that." Naruto said with a slight shake of his head. "You're worried I may have a bit of a too good of a relationship with your Feudal Lord when we could become enemies… You worry that I could twist the Feudal Lord who in turn would twist you."
"Do we have reasons to be concerned."
"The shinobi world truly is a dangerous place. But no, you should have no fears. My relationship with those people only goes as far as my business deals."
The Anbu vanished into thin air without a response.
Uzushiogakure
Shizune was surprised to be called upon by Haku. The office was busy as usual. With the rail tracks having reached the village, more work was put on him. But he'd often say, Naruto worked even harder than him. Even in Naruto's office, more work was waiting for him upon his return.
She stopped in front of the desk and folded her hands across her chest.
"It is unusual for you to call for me."
"It is important."
Shizune raised an eye brow. "What is important that it requires me? Is it my master?" She'd been told she would receive information about Tsunade, but nothing had come. She hoped it was nothing bad.
"It relates to that."
Haku's smile was the only thing that kept Shizune from worrying. After all, the man was a good natured human being. He was someone she got along with.
"I received a letter from Naruto. He said to prepare you for departure. You're to head to the Wave country."
"The three months haven't past yet. And I haven't taught them that much." Shizune replied.
It wasn't that she had grown too comfortable being in this village. She just knew she was doing something good. There was no war. There were no evil intentions – it was just as Naruto had said to Tsunade. His methods were questionable but the people here really needed the help. They were innocent people who really did need the knowledge she held, to be able to save lives.
"Naruto didn't explain in his letter and I'm not going to question his motives. He's probably still in Amegakure or has already departed. Even if I wanted to question him, I wouldn't get the response in time."
Shizune frowned deeply.
"Are you trying to get rid of me because of the Kirigakure shinobi who are coming here?"
Just a couple of days ago, over three hundred shinobi from the Hidden Mist had arrived. They camped and got their houses. They integrated well. They had nothing but praise for Naruto and would love to serve him. The village was getting lively.
Shizune had also become used to the Friday nights camps. It was like a tradition. The fishermen were hardly in the village, so were the farmers. But every Friday, fires were started around the streets, the men returned with meat from wild animals. People danced while drinking within the streets. Some horror stories about their pasts were shared. She'd become used to all that.
Her students earnestly called her 'master.'
"I thought you'd be thrilled to go back to your master."
"I am but I was going something good here."
"You'll probably get another opportunity, knowing Naruto. I can't speculate but you have to prepare. Someone will meet you in the Wave but wait for him. He has things for you and will tell you where to find your master."
"Can I take a couple some days to prepare? I'd already written some scrolls on techniques. I'd like to write some more instructions and give them more tips."
"Three days. You have three days for that." Haku said. "He said it was fine if you wanted to take some flowers from the garden."
