Thank you for the support.
I guess this is the last chapter of this arc, so enjoy!
Music Recommendation: Attack on Titan S3 OST- "Apple Seed" (Extended)-Youtube.
Chapter 46
The Great March
Standing upon the edge of the highest peak in Kumogakure, Nagato Uzumaki and every Spartan around him lived a moment they had only imagined in their dreams.
Victory over a foe that had destroyed their lives and nothing was a better proof of that...then their presence in their enemy's homeland.
After routing Iwa's reinforcements in a surprise counterattack, they were quite alarmed when Madara had ordered them to rush towards Kumogakure. The Uchiha had told them that this was not something they could afford to miss.
And he was right.
"It doesn't feel real" whispered Hayate in disbelief,
"I wouldn't have believed it, if I had not witnessed this with my own eyes" agreed Kasumi in a rare smile,
"The Captain and Ghost really did it..." said Matsuri with a content expression upon her face.
Kushina had been standing at a distance with tears freely falling from her eyes as she watched her dream come true, and for her comrades to witness it as well. All the pain and hardship she had endured for the past decade hadn't gone in vain as she witnessed the joy of her dead friends.
Many of her comrades were staring at her with an increased respect and made her cry even harder when they raised their fists to thump it against their chests proudly.
The Spartan Salute.
For you, we give our heart.
She returned the salute whole heartedly even as she broke down with heavy sobs of joy and sadness overwhelming her heart which made her comrades arrive at her side.
Even after all these years, even if she was far older than them in age now, even after everything that had happened in their miserable lives...
"Thank you, Kushina. You fought for our sake even when our own country betrayed us, even giving up on a life of peace to avenge our deaths..." said Nagato gratefully, earning firm nods from every Spartan surrounding her in a protective circle.
"It was your brother who never forgot even one of us. He went through hell for us and gave me a reason to live again when I was consumed by revenge. He is the real reason why we came this far" whispered Kushina sincerely,
"Guess we were all just crazy children who joined the Special forces to make our lives miserable, yet we formed a bond that nations, this shinobi system and even the unstoppable march of time was not able to weaken" said Hayate with a faint smile,
"This bond was all we ever had against this cruel world...many of us were orphans who never really had family to begin with. We were drafted to fight for our nation when we didn't even understand the world fully..." said Matsuri sadly,
"It's not over until we make the Uzukage pay for his crimes and for our people to know the real truth" warned Kasumi seriously,
Silence settled over the entire group as the implications of that action became even more clear.
"Kushina, despite everything that has happened...we died for Uzu. Our Kage disrespected that sacrifice and tarnished our memories by lying to our people about what happened and making our Captain a scapegoat for his own devious orders. For us to get honor in death and to give solace as well as financial support to the ones among us with families, our Captain vilified his own legacy and future. For that alone, we will fight against this entire shinobi world for him!" promised Kasumi fiercely,
"And we will march with you to Uzu in order to make the Uzukage answer for his crimes and restore our Captain's honor in the eyes of our people. But we will not kill our own clansmen in the pursuit of that objective...nor will we allow you to take such action no matter what reason. Family, Duty, Honor- our clan's words still mean much to us" warned Hayate,
"The only Uzumaki that shall die if required will be the Uzukage, nobody else" pointed Matsuri seriously,
Kushina listened to their concerns and even as she assured them that neither she or their Captain had any such plans, she could not help but respect them even more for standing up for the right thing...even when they were betrayed in life.
"The Captain and I have a plan to lure out the Uzukage alone with a small guard only. But that won't be put into action until we completely crush Kumogakure's last fighting force" said Kushina frankly,
"Wish I could be a part of that battle..." replied Kasumi longingly,
"It's best if we keep your presence a secret from the Kirgakure army" advised Kushina with a straight face, making her old friend huff in protest.
"Doesn't mean we can't observe from afar. Maybe step in if things get dire which I am hoping won't be the case" suggested Nagato,
Kushina sighed when many others also voiced similar opinions and considering that she could not stop any of them from doing what they wanted, she could only relent and allow their request. More than that...
They had earned the right to watch Kumogakure's final destruction.
(A Day Later: Twenty Kilometres from Kumogakure)
Nagato alongside the entire Spartan company had secretly taken up positions across a barren hill overlooking the vast open battlefield that was about to serve as the conflict zone between Kirigakure forces and Kumogakure's last army.
The natives were led by A, the son of the deceased Third Raikage. He had a 5,000 strong force made up of veterans and the Kinkaku Blackops in his ranks. They were considered to be some of the most fiercest and loyal warriors which showed as they marched fearlessly towards their enemies despite the threat of complete annihilation.
On the other side was the Kirigakure army.
Nagato smiled when he found his elder brother at the head of that army unlike A who was commanding his force from his own center.
The Kirigakure army had 6,000 men in its ranks after having left behind more than a thousand to continue occupying Kumogakure and the losses they suffered while taking the village. They still had a thousand more men than their enemy on this battlefield, but the thing that strengthened their faction was the presence of the infamous 501st floating over their army.
"The Captain made our duplicates. Wonder how they shall fare against us" said Kasumi curiously,
"They are good but we invented airborne warfare. We'll still kick their asses" commented Hayate confidently, earning a smirk from his redhead female friend.
"Well, if they get their asses kicked...we'll have to step in and save them" joked Nagato,
"I doubt that...look" pointed Matsuri,
(A's Army)
"Ginkaku, take the Kinkaku Blackops and lead the right flank!"
"Arima, you'll lead our center!''
"Mayuri, you'll lead the left flank!"
A was about to give his next set of orders when one of his officers trembled beside him which made him look at the man.
"Get it together, Kanae. I need every man ready to fight and die for this battle if need be! Anything less and all hope for our people is lost" reminded A furiously, and frowned when the despair across the dark skinned man's face deepened further.
"It's not going to be battle, Lord A"
The Third Raikage's son was confused upon hearing those disheartened words and looked in the direction his officer had been staring at and was left speechless himself.
Mei Terumi-The Six Tails Jinchuuriki marched to the center of her army and took up a position beside her Mizukage.
At the same time, the Kirigakure forces dragged two of the captured Kumogakure Jinchuuriki- The Two and Eight Tails to their left and right flank to be used against their own breatheren.
"Fukai and Yugito, no..." whispered A in despair,
He watched a female redhead and another clone of hers forcing the two captured Kumo Jinchuuriki to unleash their beastial powers with the help of the chakra chains from her body that linked her directly to their chakra network.
His eyes widened in horror as he understood the real intention of his enemy and turned towards his last and only hope.
"GINKAKU!"
The new leader of the Kinkaku Blackops saw an old foe in the form of the blond Mizukage looking directly at him. He swiftly ordered his special forces to charge towards the enemy lines and started his own transformation by calling forth the beastial Nine Tails chakra within his own body.
Following their lead the last Kumogakure army charged alongside A!
"How pitiful..."
Mei looked at the Fourth Mizukage as he said those words upon witnessing the enemy's desperate charge towards their lines. She was even more surprised when she saw Naruto clenching his fists painfully and anger clearly present in his eyes.
"To make the same mistakes again and again, to continue fighting even when doing so only causes more pain and misery..." whispered Naruto sadly,
"You were right, Madara. Humanity has never truly united for itself, always so short sighed and petty even in the face of annihilation. They'll kill themselves and this world even if the Otsutsuki never attack us. But I truly didn't want this to be the case...I wanted to believe in them more than anything else. Yet they'll never understand" thought Naruto regretfully,
The fact that A had laughed at the Mizukage's offer for surrender that he had sent via one of the Zetsu and even killed the messenger in retribution only added to the young Kage's despair.
More than enough blood had already been shed including those of young enemy children who died in a valiant yet doomed effort to save Kumogakure, refusing to accept the offer of surrender extended by the victorious Kirigakure army, which increased his hatred for this shinobi system that indoctrinated young children across nations to die needlessly.
Just as it was with the Spartans...
A part of his heart accepted that maybe the plan he and Madara wanted to implement was too extreme, Ino certainly seemed to believe that to be the case. It was why he was not afraid for his own future...
If he was wrong and his solution for peace was flawed, then mankind would find a way to stop him and win back their future, whatever it was would be upto them.
If they couldn't even achieve that, if they couldn't even defeat him...one of their own, then mankind had no hope of ever finding peace or facing the Otsutsuki or any other forces of this universe.
To save mankind from its own evils and regain all that was lost, he had to become their devil himself.
The Mizukage raised his hand making Kushina and her clone currently controlling the two Kumogakure Jinchuuriki to unleash their full power.
"Today we shall put an end to Kumogakure's history" said Naruto with a chilling calmness, and looked at Mei with a gaze devoid of any hesitation or regrets.
She nodded hesitantly and called forth her own Biju chakra as the other two captured Jinchuuriki were forced to do the same by Kushina until three tailed beast bombs were being pointed at the charging enemy army.
"Mangetsu! Haku!"
The Seven Ninja Swordsmen pair alongside the 501st floating above their army now aimed their kunai launchers straight towards the approaching enemies.
"FIRE!"
There was a sharp crack in the wind as hundreds of three pronged kunai were unleashed by the 501st and the Seven Ninja Swordsmen pair from their kunai launchers which flew towards the approaching enemy army.
The consequences that followed would shake the foundation of the ninja world forever.
Nagato and the Spartans watched the rain of three pronged kunai fly towards the charging Kumogakure army.
Ginkaku even transformed into a mini Nine Tailed Fox and obliterated a huge chunk of the projectiles while launching a Tailed Beast Bomb of his own towards the Mizukage and his forces.
But it was too late.
The Mizukage teleported the three tailed beast bombs made by the Jinchuuriki's under his command right at his enemies with the help of the raining three pronged kunai.
"Kami..." whispered Matsuri in horror,
The land trembled as multiple tailed beast bombs exploded taking out hundreds upon hundreds of Kumogakure forces in the blink of an eye, A himself being one of the first to perish when one of the bombs exploded right above his position before he could even blink.
Even the tailed beast bomb launched by Ginkaku was teleported right back at the man which engulfed him in a merciless explosion.
The full power of Jinchuuriki's and their tailed beasts was never experienced by the shinobi world at such a scale...
Even the veteran Spartans paled upon witnessing the scale of destruction and massacre as more and more tailed beast bombs were rained down upon the remaining enemy forces until...
Five thousand shinobi were destroyed at an atomic level in a rain of hellfire that scorched not just the land forever. But also...
The Living and the Dead across all factions.
A frightening silence engulfed the battlefield as the battle came to an anti-climatic but chilling end.
The Kirigakure army itself remained rooted in its spot as their Kage walked forward towards the sole survivor among the enemy ranks.
The man's tailed beast form had vanished and so had the lower half of his body as he tried to crawl away when the Mizukage approached towards him.
"The war...it's really..." said Hayate in a trembling voice,
Nagato could perfectly understand his friend's feelings as they witnessed the end of a war that had dominated their entire lives and led to their death.
Today, they watched the fall of a nation that had terrorized their own for decades and saw their leader reach the last remaining fighter of Kumogakure.
Mangetsu and Haku had been veterans of several battles, they were used to braving against terrifying odds and stealing victories at painful costs. They had watched humans wrecking carnage upon fellow humans many times during this conflict.
But this was not war...
What they had watched was no battle but...annihilation of an entire army in a few passing moments.
The devastating power of the Jinchuuriki's alongwith their tailed beast was a reality the entire shinobi world was aware of. However, not once had it been used so precisely that it led to the destruction of an entire army before it could even fight.
They watched the reason for that reality walking towards the last unfortunate survivor of the Kumogakure army.
"Naruto Namikaze...you...truly...are..." whispered Mangetsu nervously,
Haku remained silent but wholeheartedly understood her friend's feeling as they watched the determination, brilliance and sheer power of the Fourth Mizukage destroying the most powerful military in the world.
"Ginkaku..."
The said man stopped his crawling and barely managed to look back to see the Fourth Mizukage standing over him, the blonde man's familiar cold eyes glancing at him without mercy.
"Demon...If...only...we...had...killed...you...that...day" coughed Ginkaku painfully,
"Truly pathetic. Your mistake and that of your entire nation was in starting a war which you could never win. Your sheer greed and ambition led to your downfall, you had the strength and power to rule...but not the wisdom to govern and prosper" chastised Naruto disappointedly,
"And you will be any different? Don't mock me" retorted the older man even as he dissolved into a painful fit of coughs,
"I will. And when you do meet your brother Kinkaku, your Raikage, Lord A, your own men alongside everyone of your deceased comrades...tell them that their memory and legacy shall disappear from this world" announced Naruto mercilessly,
Ginkaku felt unrivaled rage swell within him upon that insult and the names of all the people this bastard had killed, Ginkaku's dear brother being one of them. But before he could retort...
"What-"
The dying Kumogakure shinobi was shocked when he was swarmed by a familiar ash like chakra that covered his remaining body completely with only his eyes kept free to see the man who destroyed his world looking at him with a satisfied smile.
"The Spartans of Uzushiogakure wish you an eternity in hell"
Ginkaku screamed when the chakra swarming around him ignited and set him on fire. As the flames burned his flesh and melted his bones, he couldn't help but scream in agony while being forced to look at the man who had reduced him to this state.
"Kill...me..."
A cold smile was his answer alongwith the flames burning him becoming even more hotter.
As his last moments were consumed in absolute agony, Ginkaku lamented it all.
If only they had not tried to conquer Uzushiogakure...
They wouldn't have unleashed this monster upon their own nation.
No...
As his eyes closed forever and his last vision was that of Naruto Namikaze looking at him with his cold and merciless red eyes...Ginkaku came to an even more devastating realization.
They had unleashed a Devil over the shinobi world.
(Kumogakure: Few Days Later)
Mei Terumi grunted in exhaustion as she finished her climb and found her target sitting alone and in silence at the edge of the highest mountain in the Cloud village.
"You really should stop making ladies climb mountains to meet you. It's usually the other way around, you know" she teased with a smile, making him look back at her with a subdued smile which caught her offguard.
"Sorry, it's peaceful in places like these...and beautiful"
Mei could not deny that sentiment as it was truly a breathtaking sight with clouds literally passing around them even as their entire army celebrated their complete victory hundreds of feet down on the ground.
"I thought you might be celebrating" she prompted, as she took a seat by his side.
"There is still much left to accomplish. The men however could use some enjoyment after all that's happened" countered Naruto, making her chuckle.
"Says the man who conquered one of the five great nations and now rules over two such territories. Is it not enough?" she asked curiously, earning a wry smile.
"Ever since I was a child, I always wanted to go to the lands across the West. I wanted a world not embroiled in constant war so there was time to explore. I still yearn for that dream" whispered Naruto,
"The West has a way of swallowing men and their dreams"
His eyes widened in surprise upon hearing that from her and the intense stare within her eyes saw right through him.
"But you won't stop here, will you?" asked Mei knowingly,
"I am fighting for something bigger. Many say such a thing is impossible. But each land, each boundary that I cross...I strip away another such illusion. We can connect this world for a peaceful future, Mei. To free the people of the world from this failed system...such would be beyond the glory of conquests, a dream shared by the Sage of Six Paths himself who was a friend to mankind and wanted us to be better than what we are today"
Mei remained silent even as she tried to grasp the revolution within his heart and one which he wanted to spread across the world. Even a few months ago, she would have told him such a dream was impossible.
But then she had fought alongside him in this campaign, watched him lead as a true Kage should. She didn't know whether it was the right path or not, or even whether they could actually accomplish such a thing...but looking at him gave her hope.
There was something about him that made her want to believe, that he could truly bring about a real change in this world.
Maybe he already had and she was just too caught up in the current to see it just yet.
"But there is another dream that is more dear to my heart. One which I have lost time and again...Family"
She looked back at him upon hearing those words and saw a faint smile upon his lips. Her eyes widened in shock as she remembered her own father's words from long ago.
"For a man who has everything, he does not have the most important thing of all...Family"
"I am trying to say..." he hesitated, and was surprised when she gently grasped his hand.
"I know" she whispered with a faint smile, and blushed when he gave her a warm smile in return.
Mei was elated even more when he got up from his seat and knelt on one knee before her. There was a faint blush upon his face as he grabbed a ring from his pocket which cleared any doubts about his intention, not that she had any to begin with.
Naruto looked at the younger woman and was about to hesitate in his next action until he remembered that Ino wanted him to be happy. He truly liked Mei and felt that they could become more if given a chance, more importantly the Terumi clan was the most powerful family after the Hozuki clan. If any of his men ever tried to rebel which was a clear possibility now that some of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen suspected his past, he would need their support alongwith the powers that Mei possessed which had proven extremely crucial.
This war had also proved to him how fragile his own future could be if he continued with his plan, as the last survivor of the Namikaze clan...it was his duty to leave behind heirs that would ensure its survival. He owed it to his mother and their clan's ancestors. The fact that he also wanted to be a father and do better than what happened to his firstborn child was also an important factor.
Even Kushina had encouraged him to go ahead and solidify his rule over his new nation with the help of this marriage, while their own relationship...considering she wanted to go back to Uzu after they dealt with the Uzukage and his own intention of making her the Second Uzukage, the chances of them staying together in the long run were bleak.
There's no going back now. I must keep moving forward.
"Mei Terumi, you have always stood by me ever since we became friends. You have appreciated my strengths and covered my weaknesses. I like you a lot and want us to be more knowing that I can trust you completely. Will you marry me?" he asked sincerely, and saw few tears had arrived in her eyes as she got up on her feet.
"That was barely romantic and Spartan than I imagined...the place you chose was a nice touch though" she commented wryly with an amused smile,
She saw him flinch a little and scratch the back of his head in an embarrassed manner.
"I'm really not good at this. I'm sorry...I should have came up with something better" he apologized honestly,
"No, it's fine. I know you are a warrior at heart and this marriage was politically proposed by my own father. As Mizukage, you could have simply accepted or rejected it via a formal message. The fact that you are making this effort, clumsy as it is, shows it means something to you apart from the obvious benefits and you are willing to work for it" said Mei with a smirk,
The blush across his cheeks became darker when she gave him a suggestive look.
"I accept your marriage proposal on the condition that the wedding ceremony would be better" replied Mei amusedly, as she allowed him to place the ring upon her finger.
"I think the Mizukage can arrange for a grand ceremony" he agreed with a smile,
"He better"
Naruto chuckled and was pleased to be happy in this brief moment. He knew there were challenges and serious threats ahead, the future was uncertain but for now he was content to go forward and kiss his future wife.
A gesture which she returned wholeheartedly and with equal passion.
(Land of Earth: One Year Later)
"The Land of Wind has fallen"
The Second Tsuchikage-Mu of the Rock displayed no outward emotion in the midst of his advisory council as the nervous messenger relayed the catastrophic news.
The same could not be said for his top commanders, advisers and even his own student Ohnoki-now missing an eye thanks to his failed effort of saving the Land of Lightning which had fallen in the same manner, albeit in a bigger bloodbath.
Now another key ally had fallen...
"The Third Hokage has sent a request to enter into a peace treaty" the messenger shouted over the chaotic and heated arguments of the Council,
For the first time, Mu raised his hand silencing everyone else and looked directly at the messenger who nodded firmly.
"Thank you" he replied calmly, earning a bow from the young ninja before he exited the room.
"Why would Konoha sue for peace so soon after winning such a major victory? It doesn't make sense!" asked one of the Iwagkure Commanders,
"It makes perfect sense. The Third Hokage, or should I say Tobirama Senju now leading their war effort knows the heavy losses his nation has suffered in this victory. Their army had already taken devastating casualties while fighting a three front war against Kumogakure, Sunagakure and our assault. This offensive against Sunagakure while leading to their victory has also exhausted their war machine. They can't advance towards us which is why we must strike them with our entire might and liberate our fallen ally" said Ohonki boisterously,
The young shinobi and possible future Tsuchikage received a chorus of approvals from every commander and adviser in the room, all except for his own teacher and current village leader.
"Lord Mu..." he said respectfully, earning a sharp look from the Tsuchikage.
"You're all fools. If it was just Konoha we were facing, I would have backed this plan. Or have you forgotten our situation on our other front?" asked Mu coldly,
He was satisfied when nearly everyone in the room blanched when one of the support staff updated the advance of an underestimated enemy even further.
"The Hidden Frost and Hidden Hot Water village have surrendered to Kirigakure armies. Those barbarians are advancing west right towards us with only the Hidden Waterfall left as a buffer in between. Thousands of shinobi and feudal warriors have flocked their ranks after forsaking their Daimyo's when the Fourth Mizukage butchered them. He now has 40,000 troops under his command after his latest conquests" said Mu bitterly,
"If we combine all the men provided by our Daimyo with our shinobi, we have more than 60,000 men in our ranks. We can face him, Lord Mu!" said one of the old advisers,
"We crushed Kirigakure and their Seven Ninja Swordsmen before! We can do it again!"
"The Unity of Stone can never be challenged!"
Mu could not believe the sheer stupidity his people were willing to make in their blind nationalism and absolute belief in their military and economic power. He had been the same at the start of this war...
As had been his allies, Kumogakure and Sunagkure.
Now they were both gone.
While the Land of Wind had been conquered, its leadership-feudal and shinobi alike had not suffered too greatly. The Kazekage died in battle while defending his village and the Wind Daimyo had been executed, but their families and supporters were spared by a merciful Konoha leadership and its Hokage.
The same had not been the situation on the other front.
Entire feudal dynasties from the Land of Water and Lightning, Land of Frost and Land of Hot Water had been executed till their youngest family members by Kirigakure. Their shinobi villages not strong enough to stop the Mizukage and his victorious armies, now having four Jinchuuriki in their ranks.
To his credit, the Young Kage had been merciful and more than generous in his treatment of civilians, non-combatants and any fighters who surrendered. But he had completely butchered Kumogakure's military, so much so that many historians were now calling it an mass cleansing.
Such a man could never be allowed to ever set foot in the Land of Earth!
"The Third Hokage is a statesman as is his predecessor, they are well versed with the reality of this world and want to preserve the status quo as will the Fire Daimyo. I think this peace proposal has his signature behind it, even our Daimyo had a feeling this would happen sooner or later" said Mu straight forwardly, stopping the jingoism of his commanders rather abruptly.
"Our feudal lord?"
Mu sighed tiredly but did explain as to what exactly had been happening in the most important front as per the reports they had been receiving.
"The Fourth Mizukage is a conqueror. He is coming for everything, his armies have already reached the borders of the Land of Waterfalls. And as much as I have faith in our military might and national unity, I will not allow such a dangerous man to reach anywhere near our lands. He has never lost a single battle, killed the Third Raikage in single combat, executed multiple feudal dynasties completely, crushed a Civil War in his own homeland, defeated one of the five great nations and amassed several smaller nations to now rule over nearly 40 percent of our world! He single handedly murdered the Raikage's son and 5000 veteran shinobi!"
Ohnoki alongside all the commanders and advisers had never once seen the Second Tsuchikage lose his composure during the entire course of the war. It was why they were quite intimidated when Lord Mu explained all of that in a voice so chilling and his killing intent clear enough for everyone to feel wary of and back away from.
"Our Daimyo's intention is clear, as is that of the one ruling the Land of Fire. We must stop that man before he changes the status quo of this world forever" warned Mu,
"Konoha and Kirigakure are allies. Even if we sign a peace treaty, will it really stop Kirigakure?" asked Ohnoki seriously,
"For now. Kirigakure is more powerful than ever, it has become a giant which we cannot ignore like a backwater colony of the past. But its armies are exhausted from their campaigns and its supply lines are getting stretched. If their ally sues for peace and we agree, then the Mizukage will have to agree in part due to his current situation and for the fact that by being too greedy he risks going up against two great nations wanting peace. He is strong, but not enough to take on such a power just yet" said Mu seriously,
"He will be in time"
Mu nodded at Ohnoki's foreboding warning and was satisfied as most of his commanders and advisers had mellowed down considerably after their recent education on the reality of the war situation.
The Second Tsuchikage walked towards the shinobi world map where he looked at the picture of the Fourth Mizukage placed upon the vast territory he had conquered.
"The existence of our world order is at stake everyone. Naruto-The Great, people are already believing in this legend. Most of it maybe hubris, but just look at how much he has conquered..."
Ohnoki glared in anger and envy at the same time when he saw the sheer area that the Fourth Mizukage had conquered. His nation now started from the Land of Water, stretched across the seas to the Land of Lightning, went further into the jungles of the Land of Frost and the mountains of the Land of Hot Water.
He ruled over not just forty percent of the world, but almost equal population, resources and economic power.
His veteran army was growing larger and stronger, its warriors having absolute faith in their undefeated Kage.
"If we don't take the peace deal, then we will be in a two front war with Konoha approaching us from the South and the Fourth Mizukage from the East. Even if we manage to repel them, our nation will be devastated and ruined for generations. More than that, we need to accept this reality and make new alliances against the threat we all face" said Mu frankly,
"We can't afford a two front war" agreed Ohnoki reluctantly,
"Have our diplomatic envoys engage the Land of Fire in negotiations immediately. Ohnoki, you will lead these talks. The very first condition for our engagement will be a ceasefire on all fronts!" instructed Mu seriously,
"Do you really think Konoha can make Kirigakure stand down so quickly?" asked Ohnoki hesitantly,
"They have no choice. Otherwise, the full might of Iwagakure will descend upon them. It'll take a few weeks for the Mizukage to reach our borders, before that happens we will crush the Land of Fire's remaining forces so brutally that their hold over the Land of Wind will be untenable. Tell the Hokage, I guarantee that!"
Ohnoki flinched but nodded at his Kage's orders even as Mu turned back towards the map of the shinobi world.
"If this works...The Second Great Ninja War is finished" whispered Mu disappointedly, as things had not at all gone in their favor.
Two of the five great nations had fallen leading to the birth of two new superpowers threatening Iwa's existence, thousands upon thousands had died across the world, the world economy was badly damaged, even the status quo had been altered so severely that it threatened the entire shinobi world itself.
Most importantly, Mu's eternal rival-Gengetsu Hozuki had cursed the shinobi world. The Second Mizukage had been executed by the Water Daimyo which started a civil war that not only led to the execution of that entire feudal dynasty by Mist shinobi, but now those very same warriors were creating a new world by destroying every feudal dynasty across the world and conquering nations. The crazy bastards had even given this conquest a name..
The Great March.
Hozuki, what kind of monster have you unleashed upon us all? Even in death, you still are leaving behind great problems for me to deal with.
But he had a feeling the next one would be on the horizon soon enough and would be more devastating if they failed to contain the Fourth Mizukage quickly.
For the future of the shinobi world order and feudal dynasty rule, that man had to be dealt with permanently.
And Mu intended to see to that task, no matter the cost or consequences!
Damn you, Naruto Namikaze.
(One Week Later, Near Land of Waterfall Border: Kirigakure Army Camp)
"You weren't kidding, Great Uncle. This is..."
Tobirama Senju could understand Tsunade's astonishment upon seeing the sheer number of fighters residing inside the massive Kiri army camp. His niece seemed a little intimidated but he knew it was necessary for her to understand the different powers that now existed across the world.
With Nawaki dying heroically in the conquest of Sunagakure and his elder brother's children having already died in earlier conflicts, it made Tsunade-his grandniece the only possible leader to the Senju clan after him.
No, there is another more deserving.
He stopped those treacherous thoughts from gripping his heart as they were nothing more than a mere fantasy.
"Does my Uncle really command such a massive army?" whispered Tsunade, barely audible enough for Tobirama to hear and not their guard that had accompanied them here and were currently staying at a little distance from the twin Senju's due to Tobirama's instruction.
He had told the girl about the real identity of his secret son, she hadn't believed him at first but when Mito-her grandmother had vouched for the same, Tsunade had been left speechless for a few moments before she had suggested Naruto to be named as the rightful leader of the Senju clan after Tobirama.
He had the lineage, was more powerful than anyone else including Tobirama among the Senju clan, and the only suitable adult male left after two great ninja wars who had the ability to lead...Nawaki could have been one in time, but his unfortunate death in Suna's fall had placed their clan in a precarious situation.
As such, it left Tobirama with Tsunade and if she was to lead their clan...then she had to know about everything, including its dark secrets.
The existence of a Senju descendant who was now the Fourth Mizukage being one among them.
"He is exceptional and brilliant in war and leadership. Which is why we must ask him to stop for the sake of the shinobi world" said Tobirama frankly,
"The Hokage and his advisers should have been here to lead these talks in person" said Tsunade with a heavy frown,
"Hiruzen doesn't have a good relationship with Naruto because of reasons you already know. The less said about Danzo and the others...the better. The Senju clan is the only one who can even have a chance of getting an audience from him" explained Tobirama honestly,
"What they did to Uncle was a mistake. One which has costed us dearly..." said Tsunade hesitantly,
"I know, Tsunade. Better than most..."
Tsunade lowered her head for making a statement like that for no one had lost more than her Great Uncle due to the mistakes made by the Third Hokage and his advisers.
"I haven't seen my son in a long time, wasn't even invited to his second marriage. I don't know how much he has changed...but I believe he is a fundamentally good man. Still, we must be prepared to protect the interest of our nation above family" advised Tobirama seriously,
He was surprised when Tsunade shook her head and looked him in the eye.
"Estranged as he is, Naruto is still our family. How can we call ourselves the clan whose power is based on love and compassion when we have alienated one of our own so badly? Rather than threatening, we should listen to his thoughts and try to strike a balance between his and our needs" she countered strongly,
"Tsunade, I can be reasonable" protested Tobirama,
"I know...but please trust me on this"
Tobirama looked at his grandniece and the determination in her eyes which made him smile, if she proved herself well here...then he would be relieved knowing the future of the Senju clan and their nation was in safe hands. Maybe even see a future Hokage in making...
Before he could ask their guard to form up and approach the Kirigakure camp, he felt an old but familiar presence behind them.
"It's been a long time, Lord Tobirama"
Author's Notes: End of chapter.
Hope you guys liked it.
That's a wrap for this arc and start of the last one before we enter the endgame arc of the story.
Feel free to review.
Until Next Time,
Blackwolf501
