The high winds that were so typical of the Land Of Iron blew across the snow-covered land without end. The bitterly cold air bit into his face made it nearly impossible to see where he was going. But at long last, he had made it to his destination. A small cottage sat at the base of a hill with thin wispy white clouds of smoke coming out from its old battered chimney. He was sure in a few more years it would need to be replaced or else run the risk of a fire burning it down leaving both him and his sole daughter homeless.
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Once he was safely inside the small cottage he at once set himself to the task of warming himself up next to the small fire in the fireplace. This year's winter had been much harsher than was usual. Something that he could honestly say he was surprised by given how far north he was. But soon after he had regained some feeling in his hands he began to hear the unmistakable sound of footsteps coming from one of the two second-floor bedrooms. The blacksmith waited ever so patiently for the hug he was surely about to receive from her. He didn't have to wait long before his daughter walked into the room and gave him a happy smile. He eyed the girl. No, that was no longer true. She was now a proper woman of 20 namedays. He had to constantly remind himself of that fact. Her long red hair was tied up in one of the newer hairstyles that were now starting to get picked up by the villagers, otherwise, it would have run down her back like a crimson waterfall. Not too dissimilar to someone else he knew who now lived far to the southeast.
"You're home early father what's going on"? She asked just as she pulled away from her father. Her eyes held a look he knew only too well. A look his sister would give him whenever he was doing something odd.
"Yuna-chan can you please inform our host we'll be leaving soon". Her father asked as he was busy packing his things inside a traveling scroll.
"Are you sure this is a good idea"? Yuna asked looking at her father worried.
"No, but it can't be helped". He said as he placed the last of his things inside the scroll.
"Why"? Yuna asked still not at all understanding the need.
"It's very complicated but needless to say we must go". Her father said as he opened the door and walked out into the hellscape that was the Land Of Iron.
-
The hustle and bustle of the small port town of Jorsoi was one Jiraiya had grown quite accustomed to over the years. Being the spymaster for Konohagakure had ensured he had seen most of the known world this side of the Summer Sea. From the many pleasure houses all the way down to the slave dens. He had seen it all. He had done it all. As for Tsunade, all she had said to him was to buy the tickets to board a transport ship that was set to depart the port in the next few hours. Her mind was still going over the upsetting news. Their beloved sensei was gone. Killed by his very own teammate no less. She could already feel her eyes begin to moisten somewhat and a rage unmatched since the dying days of the second great ninja world war.
"Are you ok"? Jiraiya asked as he looked over at her with concern. For as much as he loved to joke and act the fool, he also knew that his teammate was hurting in the same way he was. She may even be in even more pain seeing as she was the closest to their beloved sensei than her other two teammates.
"I'm fine let's just get to the ship". Tsunade replied never once meeting his eyes as she moved effortlessly through the sea of people. Jiraiya for his part only moved ever deeper into the town in turn. Any words he was going to say to the woman now lay unspoken now forever lost to the endless sea of what-ifs.
-
Yuna slowly made her way to an innately decorated building. The foot-high snow slowed her down considerably but after a full ten minutes of walking, she could finally see the building in question. The samurai guards posted outside all bowed to her. She knew it was done more out of respect to her father's past deeds than to herself or to her clan. Paying that no mind however she opened the doors and entered the building. Once she was inside she could see the many massive stone statues all depicting notable samurai from the Land Of Iron's long and storied history. She loved how beautiful everything was inside this place. From the artwork to the statues. She, however, still had a job to do and so she quickly made her way upstairs. Upon reaching the top floor she knocked softly upon the door. It wasn't long before the door opened to reveal general Mifune.
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"Yuna-chan how may I help you today". Mifune asked giving her a kind smile.
"Father has asked me to inform you that we'll all be going soon". Yuna replied to his question. She could tell that the kind old general was surprised by the news but said nothing for a time as he just took it all in.
"Why now after all this time"? Mifune asked her as he picked up his tea before taking a small sip not fully understanding the sudden urgency. Yuna than proceeded to explain the situation to him.
"I see, will I wish you luck on your journey. If you need anything all you need do is ask". Mifune said as he gave her a hug. One she was more than happy to return in kind.
-
By the time the last clan member entered into the arena the sun had long since set.
"What's going on". One of the youngest clan members asked.
"Be patient I'm sure we'll find out soon enough ". Replied a female who seemed ready to hit the other on their head for asking such a stupid question in the first place. Clearly, whatever it was it had to be big otherwise their clan's representative wouldn't have summoned them all up to the coliseum so fast. After waiting for nearly an hour Yuna's father made his way to the podium. Almost at once, he called for silence, and soon after the whole arena was silent awaiting the man's words.
"As I'm sure you're aware I, Ashina Uzumaki have summoned you all here to announce that we will soon be departing for Konohagakure. Ashina said before the arena descended into chaos. It took several long minutes before he could continue.
"Please allow me to speak. It'll all make sense once I'm done. Now as I was saying I have it on good authority that my sister yet lives and she has two children, a boy, and a girl. Both are likely now in immense danger". Ashina said before once again chaos resumed.
"Who dares to threaten the crown prince and princess"? A man asked. His sword partially drawn out to show his intentions to the fool or fools who thought it wise to put their lives in danger.
"Danzo". That was all that needed to be said before all were in agreement. Danzo would soon woe the day he ever made an enemy of the Uzumaki clan. The chants of nearly 20,000 men and women sounded in unison. The Uzumaki clan was coming to Konohagakure and they were coming with the full intent of liberating Naruto and Naruto from the clutches of Danzo's rule.
Naruto's whole world had seemingly been overturned virtually overnight. First came the news that the kind old Hokage that he had known for all of his life had been killed. By his very own teammate no less. Next was being kidnapped inside his own home in the middle of the night and being thrown inside a jail cell along side his baby sister Naruko. Unbeknownst to either Naruto, Naruko, or even Danzo a fleet of ships were already making its way down to Konohagakure with the sole aim of liberating them from Danzo's tyrannical rule.
-
Ashina Uzumaki could be seen alongside general Mifune.
"You do realize that we are breaking our neutrality with all of the ninja nations by doing this". Mifune said giving Ashina a sideways glance.
"I do". Ashina replied never once removing his eyes from the map of Konohagakure.
"So what's the plan"? Mifune asked as he slowly walked over to eye the map for himself. He could already tell that the walls would take a fairly good beating before they would fall.
"An all-out assault is simply impractical, we would just be cut down to nothing long before we could save my niece and nephew". Ashina said still looking for any possible way inside the heavily guarded ninja village.
"What about your sister? Kushina right"? Mifune asked unsure if that was in fact her name. He had never been told her name outright by Ashina and was guessing based on names he knew the man beside him cared for.
"That's right, but I wouldn't worry too much about her, she is an ANBU level ninja after all. She'll be fine on her own". Ashina replied before pointing to what looked to be an abandoned tunnel on the outskirts of the village.
"That's it, that is our way inside, have your men ready when I give the signal". Ashina said as he rolled up the map.
"You didn't even say what the hell it was". Mifune said just as Ashina walked out of the room. "I really hate it when he does that". Mifune muttered under his breath. The nearby samurai all laughed at the poor general's misfortune.
-
Deer could honestly say this posting sucked. All he did all day was look at rocks slowly being overtaken by the high tide and uncovered hours later with it went out again.
"Anything to report"? His sole companion Bear asked. Bear like all members of the Akimichi clan ate copious amounts of food easily making him one of the biggest in the force. At the moment he was busily enjoying a family-size bag of potato chips. How he could eat anything with a mask on his face was something Deer had yet to work out but the man clearly had a way as he was somehow doing it.
"No, unless seeing a dolphin jump out of the water about an hour ago is something worthy to put into a mission report then no I don't". Deer replied in a dull tone. It was clear he wanted to do anything and be anywhere else. Bear could understand how the poor man felt. He had done his fair share of bad postings in the past. But that came with the job. Being an ANBU didn't always mean non-stop action. It also meant doing jobs like this. Being sent to some out-of-the-way place to watch rocks or trees for possibly weeks on end looking for anything out of place.
"It's not all bad". Bear said as he took his seat next to Deer. "I'm with you". Bear couldn't help but laugh at his companion's reaction.
"Yeah, your loads of fun". Deer said sarcastically. Bear pretended to be hurt by the comment. Just as Deer was about to tell him to stop being so overdramatic he heard a ping. At first, it was slow but soon it grew in frequency until the sound was non-stop. Bear quickly wired headquarters for new orders.
"This is Crow what do you have to report". The man asked on the other end of the line.
"Massive fleet inbound estimated time of arrival is ten minutes". Bear said as he watched as the fleet slowly sailed past the outpost.
-
Konohagakure was in complete and utter chaos. Ninja were running to and fro trying desperately to get a handle on the situation. Reports and counter reports were both flooding into the war room at a high rate of speed with Danzo watching it all. Just than a chunin ran up. "Report". Danzo ordered.
"Massive fleet is confirmed. Fleet consists of both The Land Of Iron and remnants of The Land Of Whirlpools". The chunin reported before Danzo sent him away.
"Send a small detachment of men to secure our prize, I'm not about to lose my ace in the hole due to this mess". Danzo said before storming out of the room.
"Yes sir". One of the ANBU replied before picking five others and exiting the war room.
-
Mifune was busy overseeing the unloading of both men and the war equipment from the many transport ships. A small campsite had already been established running down the length of the beach. Just then Ashina walked over to Mifune and said. "Konohagakure is just ten miles north of our current position. All you have to do is to keep them busy as I make my way through the old tunnel network". Ashina said before taking a handful of men and woman and disappearing Into the nearby forest. He still didn't know what the signal was but was sure he would know it when he saw it. So for the time being all Mifune could do was continue the task of unloading the ships as quickly as possible.
-
Meanwhile both Jiraiya and Tsunade could do nothing but stand on the top deck of there ship watching the invasion fleet from afar. "Tsunade is that flag what I think it is"? Jiraiya asked.
"It is, but I thought the village had been destroyed years ago". Tsunade said stunned by this revelation.
"Looks like you may still have some family yet". Jiraiya said placing his hand on her shoulder. For once she made no move to displace the arm.
-
The walls of Konohagakure were lined with all level of ninja not all that dissimilar to that dark day on October 10th. The gates were closed and any and all defensive countermeasures were enacted. "You all know what is expected of you". A veteran jonin yelled out. His hair slowly turning white with age. He had been offered retirement many times and he had refused each and every time. It wasn't long before the sounds of men marching In mass could be heard in the distance. The banners of both The Land Of Iron and The Land Of Whirlpools flapped in the still cool morning air. Mifune slowly rode up to the gates on horseback. His sword at the ready.
"I'll only ask you just this once release Naruto and Naruko to us or else we're going in ourselves". Mifune yelled out.
"I'll like to see you try you samurai piece of shit". One of the men on the walls said though he couldn't figure out who had said it. Needless to say, he now had his answer and it was now time to in Ashina's own words: knock on the door.
-
Meanwhile, Ashina and his small group were knee-deep in sewer water. "Ok, this should be it". Ashina said moving aside so Yuna could do her thing. It wasn't long before the wall had become a new door. Dust filled the small space making it hard to breathe. But before they could take even a few steps forward Danzo's men entered the hallway. Both groups eyed each other until a droplet of water hit the floor. The battle for Konohagakure had only just began.