"The most important thing for a shinobi is teamwork!"
Minato
Yuko's eyes scanned the terrain with scrutiny, Sharingan glowing as she didn't even let the smallest detail escape her, before flicking upwards and flinching as a raindrop graced its presence. It was wet and rainy, of course, she wasn't sure why she should have been expecting anything less at this time of year. It was the perfect season.
Winter was right around the corner, the stormy clouds were starting to move in and seclude the bright blue curtain above during the day, opening its depths and drenching the earth below. If it was daytime, the clouds wouldn't even be that bad-the sun would always peak through dozens of times, but at night, there was no peaking. The moon's light was calm, not vibrant like the sun's, and it illuminated clouds rather than piercing through them.
She advanced forward steadily, keeping to the shadows and massive bushes that looked like trees. She could hear the distinct loud yelling and barking of Inuzuka in the near distance, man they are a loud clan. Even the Uchiha weren't this loud. Her toes clenched slightly as water streamed down the sole of her foot and got on the bottom of her sandal. It wasn't all that bad-nothing like what she endured in the Water country, like falling into a swamp, but she didn't like her feet getting or being wet.
It also tickled the sole of her foot.
She was terribly ticklish.
She brought herself a stop, signaling for everyone else to stop. She wasn't sure when she became a leader of sorts, but she'd make sure all of them made it out alive. Critically, she turned her eyes onto Kagami and Shin, silently asking them to divulge further.
"The Sarutobi outpost is just a few dozen miles in our two o clock." Shin said, feet pressing into the wet earth as he brought himself down to a crouch next to Yuko, eyes keenly observing their surroundings just like her crimson orbs. The Wave country was a few dozen miles to the north, and the Akigawa village was the third closest village to their current location the others being the Tea village-which was a few hundred miles to the east from their current location and the Hot Water village was more towards the northern borders of the Fire country.
So, they'd either be camping out in the wilderness or staying in one of these villages, either way he got the feeling this mission was going to be a long one. Beating a few shinobi-even if they were Senju wouldn't be much of a problem-but handling thousands...That was problematic.
"Chojo and his Inuzuka are close to their outpost as well as the Shimura's." Kagami evaluated further, eyes staring intensely into the close distance before bleeding into crimson. Red irises scanned everything keenly with three tomoe slowly rotating. "There's roughly one thousand of them including Chojo. The Sarutobi and Shimura outposts are at least double in that number." It could prove to be a problem. It was always a problem when there were so much people-if there were only seven he could get in and get out, and kill them all without them ever even realizing he was near the outpost. But, two to three thousand people, that was problematic.
"The Inuzuka will attack one of their outposts, or both very soon. Until then we'll use them to keep ourselves covered and move into a better position." Yuko said after a second of thought. Though the Sharingan couldn't see through things or walls-like the Byakugan, it gave her the ability to see chakra and the color of chakra, no matter how far she may be. Kagami wasn't lying. The Shimura's and Sarutobi's outpost were crawling with their shinobi easily more than one thousand, Chojo who was close by had at least one thousand Inuzuka with him, give or take. She was all for a direct approach, since it saved a lot of time, but this would be one of those times where seclusion was their best ally.
"We should avoid direct confrontation until it is needed. We'll lay down some traps, too, with some grace we'll catch them by surprise, and the traps should be able to take out a part of their outpost." Yuko added, furrowing her eyebrows as she mulled it over. So long as they didn't run into the Inuzuka or get near them they'd be okay. Looking to Kagami, Shin, and the rest of their small unit of two Uchiha shinobi, one Domou shinobi, and one Domou kunoichi. "Any arguments?"
"It is a good strategy, Yuko-san." Kagami said softly. Avoiding direct confrontation until it is needed would save two or three lives right off of the bat. He didn't want his kinsmen, or any Domou dying. "We should split into two teams. One will lay the traps, and the other will be a diversion to draw everyone's attention. Don't rush when setting the traps, you don't want to misplace them or set them off by accident."
Shit happens as the saying goes.
"The diversion group will consist of myself, Kagami, Shin, and Kenji." Yuko said, looking to the older and messy haired shinobi who stood a few feet away with his arm crossed. He nodded. Good, she had his trust and respect. He was a good twenty years older than her, and was full blooded Uchiha, but he was trusting her. He wasn't being scornful "Toshi and Rio, you two will set the traps. Being two of the swiftest in our unit, it shouldn't take you very long. We'll hold them off until then."
"I got it." Rio said confidently, golden eyes beaming in the darkness as a small grin stretched across her face. She put her thick and spiky light brown hair into a higher tail, just barely keeping her unruly bangs from covering her bright eyes. "Try to keep up, Toshi-san."
Toshi snorted but smirked at her, swiping his long mane and bangs back putting it all into a band and high tail. It was a little weird being united with the Domou, they were quite a...Unique clan.
Their skin complexions varied from slightly fair-still darker than any Uchiha to dark brown, to a very, very dark-much unlike his clan's pale complexion which was down the board, the Domou all varied. Their hair was also much thicker and more abundant than his clan's, though not as spiky, and was usually dark brown, brown, light brown, black, or blonde-there were a few Domou, like Misaka that had blue, red, or green hair with matching eyes. Uchiha just had black hair for the most part.
But, what caught his attention the most was their eyes. They ranged from almost black to bright greens, browns, oranges and yellows, to a milky gold like Rio's. Their irises were so big and round, and their eyes were so bright and beaming. He found it to be a bit unbelievable. If Madara, Hikaku, Aito, and other members of the clan could marry, love, and get along with the Domou, then he could too.
"I'll be fine." Toshi said, giving Rio a blank but humored look as she sent a scowl his way. It was always easy ruffling her feathers. "Well, enough of your gawking, come on."
"Like there's anything to gawk at." Rio retorted with a light huff, shaking her head as she followed after him.
Yuko suppressed a laugh, keeping her mind on the current objective, and not the playful banter between the two older people. There was something astounding and amazing about the Domou and Uchiha coming together, but seeing them socialize was even more astounding, at least for her. Some Uchiha remained very distant and closed off, which wasn't all that surprising since it was common trait among her clan, but for the Uchiha that didn't have a fifty foot pole up their asses and stepped out of their shells-letting the Domou pry and drag them out of those shells, their relationships were...Unique, to say the least, but it was as if they were created for each other.
"I think those two are married." Kagami mused out loud, scratching at the back of his head with a blank look on his face. He knew about the birds and bees, and was far from naive when it came to girls-despite just being eight years old. Of course he didn't do anything along those lines at all, or even gave it considerable thought for that matter.
"Yeah, now they can drive each other crazy." Yuko joked lightly as she moved in a blur. That's what Rio and Toshi would do if Madara and Mikito, Aito and Misaka, Hikaku and Mitsuki, or the other several dozen marriages that occurred were anything to go by. They would drive each other crazy, but love each other without reservations and unconditionally, it seemed like the ideal marriage in her eyes. Izuna could really drive her up the wall, making her debate and wait out in the cold! But, her heart always raced whenever he was close to her-when he was looking at her. "Have you thought of marrying anyone, Kenji?"
The older Uchiha in question looked at Yuko coldly before he flicked his eyes onto Kagami and Shin, noting both of them waiting for his answer to the question. He let out a quiet sigh, closing his eyes for a second.
He considered marriage, and at the stage he was at in his life, he should get married, but it was always such a hassle. A woman and children would be depending on him, while now the only people depending on him were himself, Madara, and Izuna, that was just about it. Some Uchiha women could be a bit cold, and some of them were vixens-he'd like to see a warming smile after coming home from a severe battle, not an emotionless gaze or halfhearted scowl. But, that's not to say Uchiha women weren't lovely. He just never considered the prospect until recently. "I've considered it."
"So, you've taken interest." Shin stated more than asked, glancing at Kenji for a moment before turning his vision back onto the forest ahead of him. He had no problem with it, and if a single hair was harmed or single feeling hurt of any Domou woman the dumbass would be dealing with Mikito and Souji, personally. For Kenji's sake he better be a good husband.
"I guess." Kenji scratched the back of his head, looking a bit uncomfortable with speaking about the topic. "We went to get something to eat a few times, and watch each other's backs in battle." When he returned to the next region he would speak with her, and stare into those light brown eyes, and see if she felt the same way he does. She more than likely does feel the same as him, no woman react the way she did if they weren't at least fond of the man teasing them.
They lapsed into silence as they got into position. There was already a battle raging about just several meters in front of them that was starting to ravage the surrounding landscape. A sudden stream of fire ripped itself free from some feet off to the side before crashing into the shinobi battling and part of the outpost covering everything within sight in noise and light.
Danzo...And...Hiruzen. Kagami thought silently, narrowing his eyes as he felt the prickly exertion of Danzo's chakra and the burning resonance of Hiruzen's chakra. Here goes nothing.
"Usagi..." Yuko muttered, spotting the short girl with her katana in hand, nothing short of a vanishing blur of steel.
Chojo...Yuko looked at him carefully. He was a big and burly man, standing at six foot ten and weighing easily within the three hundred and seventy five pound range-his Ninken was almost as big as he was, and like all the Inuzuka, he was in a frenzy within the blur of steel and fire.
"Leave her to me." Yuko said.
"I'll handle Asuna." Shin said softly.
Usagi and Asuna were always hard to deal with alone, but when they were in sync with each other like this it was close to impossible.
"Keep an eye on each other's backs." Kagami said, nodding to his comrades as they dispersed from their perches and charged right into the swarming inferno.
It didn't take long for Yuko and Shin to encounter Usagi and Asuna. They were in a crumbling part of the forest, just barely missing the group of trees that splattered onto a part of the Sarutobi's outpost. Usagi finished off a Shimura and Inuzuka with one swift swipe, the glittering of her blade and splatter of blood the only sign she even moved. Asuna swiped through five of them, twisting her hips and teeth gritting as she powered forward through the movement, blade transitioning until it was near parallel, and tore straight into Sarutobi's shoulder-the impact sent them both crashing through a nearby tree, colliding with numerous shinobi.
Shin dived right after her, and the ensuing blur of steel was even more radical. Shin and Asuna collided violently, the clang was ear piercing, both glowered intensely at the other as they pushed and shoved, twisted and pivoted, struggling to bind the other and force a misstep. Several Inuzuka and Shimura dashed towards them, the Sarutobi coming from above. Shin and Asuna paused in their clash, both springing off of the ground and swiping through several of them in one swing. Shin transitioned forward going with a slash. Asuna shifted forward, the tip of her blade skewering against the air.
It was astounding and frightening they could fight in sync, despite just battling to the death.
"FANG OVER FANG!" Chojo roared, eyes locked onto Shin.
Usagi eyed Yuko as she swiped her sword clean, far enough from the impact zone that the shock wave wouldn't blast into her. She regarded Yuko more closely, a small smile slowly gracing her face. "I had a feeling I'd be seeing you again. It must be fate that we meet here, Yuko-san."
Yuko kept her eyes narrowed, Sharingan aglow as it traced Usagi's every single movement. Every pore. Every strand of hair. It was defined and in high clarity, so acute. Usagi was an enigma, but she seemed to have respect for her, something she could really appreciate. "I guess it is, Usagi-san."
Syrus breathed out a heavy sigh, pressing his palm into the center of his forehead. He really wanted to give up the title of leader. He earned it, but it was a lot more troubling than he anticipated. Over the the years he learned to ignore certain things, let insults go over his head, not let the sheer lunacy of some of his kinsmen start to aggravate him, but everyone had their limit. Whether it was a short or long limit, everyone still had their limit.
He was starting to reach his.
It didn't help Usagi decided to bring up something that quite frankly he didn't even want to speak about. He didn't want to even think about it. The only thing that came with thinking about it was pain, much worse than any wound dealt to the body, and an uncompromising and wild rage that threatened to consume him and send him spiraling down the wrong path. He couldn't quell his uncompromising rage completely, because that would mean wiping out the entire Shimura clan as a start, since they provoked the whole thing.
He'd never kill a child, let alone an infant.
It brought a whole new problem. The conflicts and wars became perpetual, the only real way to vanquish an enemy clan was genocide.
Haji kept his eyes on his elder brother, carefully observing him. From his body movements, to how much and fast he blinked, to how he'd roll his shoulders back until they cracked, and continue to roll them afterwards. The only thing missing in his brother's hand was one of his smoking pipes. The conversation Syrus and Usagi had before was clearly bothering him a great deal, and it was the primary reason he put the brakes on it before it got too out of hand. Gentatsu was always a sensitive subject, the older Domou had been his friend as well, and for once in his life he didn't feel unease around someone that wasn't Subatsu. Of his own clan. The day Gentatsu was lost so was...
Haji rolled his neck to the side.
"How much longer?" Syrus broke the silence, voice a bit low as he placed his elbow on the table and set his cheek into his palm. His father would be more than angry that he did such a thing, but quite frankly he didn't care for all the show and mannerisms his father could be strict about. Don't put your elbows on the table, don't yawn, don't put you feet on the table, don't sigh, don't fall half asleep...It was always don't. He respected his father, honored his father, but his father was just a bit too far gone.
Giving the Council this much power...This much authority.
It was lunacy, in his opinion.
"They should be here in a few minutes." Haji replied, blinking for the first time in awhile, and glancing towards the door with narrowed eyes. "Those other four won't be present this time around-not including Akio. We'll settle this quickly and implement the new change, without them hindering everything, every single step of the way." He could hear the annoyance filling his tone, and did nothing to hide it. A good majority of the Council, clearly, have forgotten their place. A Council had been necessary, to keep certain types of people in check-in all clans, across the board. "Asuna has reported Chojo and his mob of Inuzuka were spotted around our outskirts, the Sarutobi as well as Shimura have also been spotted near our borders with their battles. Usagi and her both have taken a unit."
Syrus nodded, hoping it would be the case, but he wasn't going to hold his breathe. There was always going to be someone or something present to disrupt anything from being settled quickly. He wasn't patient to start with. "Damn Inuzuka, Chojo is even worse than Cho..."
Haji nodded.
Jime, Aya, Akio, and Kata were the first to enter the room.
Nagakura came in next. He wore a simple black kimono with gray hakama and white zori. He was a tall and very muscular man, with long spiky black hair that fell just between his shoulder blades and spiked out around the sides hanging over a part of his right eye, but he kept it out his vision with a thick forehead protector. His skin was quite dark, and his eyes were dark brown. His irises were particularly round and big. "Excuse my tardiness." He bowed his head slightly, moving towards an open spot and took a seat.
"No need to apologize, Nagakura." Kata said with a dismissive air. "You were taking care of a mission, after all."
Nagakura settled on a nod.
Okita entered the room next, wearing a much more relaxed expression than Nagakura's solemness. He looked very much unlike Nagakura. He wore a simple blue kimono with white hakama and white zori. He had a very youthful appearance, looking to be in his early to mid teens despite being in his twenties. He was several inches shorter than Nagakura, having much leaner than the massive physique, his hair was long and messy-going all the way to his tailbone and was kept up with a band that wasn't quite able to contain all of his mane, or it couldn't simply contain his mane. He was a bit lighter than Nagakura with very light brown eyes. His irises were very bright and big.
"Please take a seat, Okita-san." Jime said a bit tense, gesturing towards the few empty seats.
"Sure thing, old man Jime." Okita said cheerfully, taking a seat right across from Nagakura, keeping a light smile on his face. "I tried to come as fast as I could, Syrus, but you know I was on that mission."
Syrus nodded slightly.
"That's Jime-sama to you." Jime wrinkled his nose, disgusted, clearly not very fond of Okita's nickname for him.
"Sure thing, old man Jime."
Daisuke entered the room next before any other retorts could be dished out.
He wore a blank expression on his face. He wore a simple black long sleeved shirt and gray hakama with white zori. He was a little on the short side, standing around five feet and ten inches, his appearance differed from Nagakura's and Okita's. His hair was dark brown, long and wild reaching all the way towards the middle of his back and spiking upward as it got closer to his forehead. He had a very straight laced appearance, entirely serious, much unlike Okita's cheerful demeanor, and Nagakura's solemness. He was very muscular and just a bit fair skinned. He didn't have anything to keep his mane orderly, just letting it do whatever it wished.
"Daisuke-san." Aya said, a genuine smile on her face.
He gave a simple nod of respect in her direction. He turned towards Haji and Syrus. "I'm not late, am I?"
"Not at all." Haji said.
"Excellent." Daisuke nodded swiftly before sitting down.
Osen entered next. Tsugi was the very last to enter.
"I'm not late am I?" Tsugi asked.
"Twenty minutes." Jime sighed in agitation.
Aya didn't look too pleased either.
Tsugi just shrugged and sat down. Jime could kick rocks and eat a dick for all he cared.
Tsugi wore the most basic attire. A black short sleeved shirt and dark gray hakama. His arm was wrapped up in a sling from the last battle. Fighting Isami always proved to be problematic, the man was massive and tall-not as much as Isamu, but pretty damn close. His size wasn't the biggest problem, though, it was his skill set and the way he could move from one side of the battlefield to another in just the blink of an eye.
Osen wore a simple blue yukata with black lines running down it, with the Subatsu symbol stitched onto the back and shoulders. It stopped just below her knees and sort of fanned out, giving her more mobility if she needed it, it hugged every part of her torso along the way. Her arm was not in a sling, but there was an array of bandages around her head with some dry blood stains. The last battle had been brutal and ferocious, they tore a rift from the next region as they left, and encountered nothing but their foes leaving them behind as simple corpses. She eventually collided with Chiasa, and that's how she suffered the wounds to her head.
Both Haji and Syrus were in a similar condition.
"Where is Ryoku?" Jime asked. Annoyance tinged in his tone.
"He wasn't interested." Osen said with a light shrug, not bothering too divulge any further, because it was a waste of time. Ryoku didn't want to do it and that was that. If Jime knew better, which he did, there was no convincing Ryoku. Her husband definitely wasn't suited to be on the Council in her opinion-he was very strong and experienced, but he was better off being on the front lines. He didn't possess the patience, restraint, or the diplomacy to be on the Council.
"I have a better question." Syrus cut his eyes at the older man. "Why is it that you are still here and I'm not staring at your son or grandchildren?"
"Simple. We came to the decision that should I die, or no longer be accounted as worthy enough to be on this Council I will give up my post and they will take the mantle from that point on." Jime said, almost sneering at the younger man, but maintained his respect-Syrus was stronger than him. He wasn't that stupid. He wouldn't give up his control that easily.
Aya nodded, resting her chin against her clasped hands. "I'd say that just about everyone one."
"In that case we will finish this. The fact you've all come here means you accept." Syrus looked at everyone present-it was refreshing not seeing pruned faces looking back at him.
There were a few nods.
Syrus cleared his throat silently. He was never one for drawn out speeches. "As you all know, and have seen-the world is starting to change. Haji and I have decided to change this Council as well, there needed to be more young people who are with the times, and not elders who are behind the times and set in their ways." He glanced around, eyes scanning everyone critically save for his brother, Akio, and Kata, wondering if some of these people would really nod and admit it. Hashirama wanted to create a village, wanted peace-no matter how false and meager it was, he still wanted to change things for the better. Clans wouldn't be fighting anymore, if Hashirama had his way.
The Uchiha and Domou were in a permanent alliance.
Hajime and Tunoichi could put aside their differences and find a common ground-Daishro, Ajo, and the Shimura could put aside their differences with them, even if it was for their own gain. The fact clan boundaries and enmities could be put aside...He could be foul tempered, but he was honest and straight to the point. He even agreed to a truce, basically, with the Yamanaka and Nara.
They weren't coming on the Subatsu's land, so there was no need to go after them.
Not including missions-which were necessary, he didn't seek conflict. He wasn't like his father. Only those who came onto his clan's land, slighted them, or tried putting them into a paddock felt and suffered his wrath.
"If there is nothing urgent or pressing, you all will take care of it." Haji said with a serious tone, eyes focusing on every person for just a few seconds. "To be more precise, you will handle the paperwork,this includes meeting, writing, and speaking with damiyos, local lords, and civilians and their villages that contact us, if you feel the mission or missions aren't worth the effort then just trash it. You can give your considering and opinion on any possible ententes-you don't have to be obstinate or silent, remember that." He placed a great emphasis on the last few parts.
"So, we have your authority." Nagakura said, eyes going to Haji.
"Yes." Haji nodded. He wasn't going tip toe around it at all. He expected Nagakura to be able to put it together without any trouble. "Barring anything severe you have the same authority as my brother and I. I trust all of you take make the right choice. If you feel that a meeting is necessary, then we will arrange one and talk it over as a group." He wasn't going to over complicate things while explaining, once the change was implemented they would see the full depth of it, but for now he'd just make sure to lay the foundations and cast out any doubts.
"So, we're representatives?" Daisuke asked, clasping his hands in front of him.
"Quite the opposite." Kata said with a knowing smile.
Haji shook his head. "No, that would involve going to shinobi and demon clans and trying to make a formal alliance, lay the foundations of one, and just in general maintaining good relations." The Subatsu weren't known for their social skills, and were extremely reclusive to start with. Excluding the damiyos, local lords, and civilian villages.-that was payment. Not a lot of shinobi clans bothered with civilian villages, sticking to the damiyos and local because of the better pay, at times, and there were always Samurai taking their missions.
If what Daisuke said were the case, there'd be a lot more people than those just gathered now. "You have the same authority as my brother and I, barring anything severe."
"So we can take missions, give missions, handle paperwork, and maintain relations with the damiyos, local lords, and civilian villages?" Osen ventured, titling her head gently. This was stuff Syrus and Haji handled on the daily basis, even the most mundane things were on their desk waiting to be read, signed, and then filed away or sent away. Haji normally met with the damiyos, local lords, and civilian villages, it was a couple at a time. With this change, they'd be able to cover more ground, so to speak. "We can even give our opinion and consideration in regards to possible ententes."
"Seems that way to me." Tsugi drawled, sounding a bit bored.
"Mind your tone, Tsugi." Jime warned.
Silence.
"Your daily duties will consist of that." Haji continued after a moment, keeping his response short and to the point.
Osen nodded, satisfied.
"How are we going to advise you?" Aya asked the elephant in the room.
"You're not going to." Haji said bluntly. No, the days of that were long over.
The Council will be about efficiency not advising. Not dictating.
"How will we-"
"This leaves me more time to work out strategies for coming battles and train everyone." Syrus said, immediately shutting everyone up, and cutting Jime off before he could even catch his stride. They couldn't argue with this fact. If Jime or Aya even tried to argue against this, they were going to make themselves look a lot stupider than just the usual asinine. "I understand this is a drastic change, it is for all of us, including myself. This Council is less about advising and more about taking action and efficiency. I believe this will be more efficient than what we were doing before. All of you have the authority of my brother and I, barring anything severe."
"The whole point of this Council is to advise and offer our infinite wisdom." Jime growled, very close to punching the table, but restraining himself surprisingly.
"I won't argue the fact, a Council was needed, for all clans across the board. Regardless of how big or small they are, every clan has a Council. It was with the sole purpose of preventing and keeping tyrannical, sadistic, and bloodthirsty people from ever attaining power or being shaped into such things in the first place. However, the times are changing, the old Council was stagnant, we needed more efficiency, and I believe this is the first step."
"I won't go along with your perversion of this Council!" Jime shouted, eyes burning with unrestrained fury. The sheer volume and ferocity of his tone caught a few people off guard, even Daisuke and Okita looked at Jime with critical-almost shocked expressions. The room dropped to a deathly silence for several long minutes, and Jime remained standing above his seat.
"Then you will leave and give up your spot on the Council." Haji said, tone nor gaze faltering under Jime's hostile and lethal glare. He stared the older man eye to eye, waiting to see if he'd lose his grip and smash the table in two. It was going to be between him and Syrus, that followed through on the deed. "Don't make the mistake of thinking you are not replaceable, Jime. You are. This is about being efficient, if you wish to hinder things from here on out you will be kicked off of this Council. Immediately. This is happening with or without you."
Jime glowered at Haji, his rage palatable.
"It sounds more efficient." Daisuke nodded after a moment of consideration. Looking between the two glaring men, ignoring the tense atmosphere of the room. Having Syrus present, and free of his time to train the younger generation, and those who are old and in between was a great thing. It was always a huge boost to their drive and intensity-especially the children. It was also getting close to the winter season, though they wouldn't be hit by it, for a wide majority of clans it was crunch time.
"I agree." Nagakura offered two humble words. "But, are we really able to give consideration and opinions about possible ententes?" It was like taboo, to even consider an alliance or a truce, under Hijikata's reign it was nothing short of chaos and war, and ten generations before him it was even worse. If they could really offer their consideration and opinion on alliances. "I'm also little concerned about us-and those after us on the Council having such authority. It can easily be abused and misused."
"You can." Haji nodded without hesitation, smiling for a moment as he pondered over Nagakura's second statement. "This is why you are here, Nagakura."
Nagakura nodded strongly. "I have nothing else to add, in that case."
"What about marriages?" Okita asked, resting his chin in his palm as he looked at everyone curiously, finally letting his eyes settle on Syrus.
"What about them?" Syrus asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Are we able to give our consideration and opinion on those, too?" Okita questioned further. He gave a shrug, hearing Syrus sigh softly. He knew Syrus was a bachelor for lack of a better term, despite redeeming Himeko. Besides, some marriages could be good for the clan-though the Subatsu relied on their own strength, he was free spirited."We've been getting a lot of requests lately. There was even a request from the powerful and influential Mō clan of the Snow Country." The Mō clan were very well known, able to make entire blizzards form with a single thought-or so the common thought was. They were very massive as well, taking up a huge part of territory in the Snow country.
"Yes." Haji said.
"I'm all for it." Okita gave his support.
Aya nodded reluctantly.
Jime left the room.
Looks like his son or grandchildren would be taking his place.
"I'm relieved to hear that." Syrus sighed lowly, scratching at the back of his ear. He really didn't care what people had to say, but within his clan, he cared what they said about him. How they thought of him. Being leader was both a joy and a burden, it was fought for, tooth and nail. He did his best to ensure they were well off and prospered, he had his faults-he's still human after all. Haji was always there to smooth things over, Usagi was diligent with her instruction. "I'd like to implement the changes as soon as possible."
"Well, I'd say we better get started." Kata smiled, showing enthusiasm over the most recent transpired events. "It'll take a good two months to adjust to this change. I heard about what happened with Hashirama and Tobirama, our first priority is ensuring the Senju don't get too gutsy, few oppose them and they've gotten hubris over the last several centuries. The Domou and Uchiha remain in the next region for now, we don't need to worry about them for the moment."
I wouldn't say that. Haji thought with narrowed eyes. Dealing with both of them will be problematic, but then again it's not your objective to confront us...Now is it, Izuna...
Perhaps Usagi was more insightful than she led on.
The rain had been terrible over the last few weeks, and tonight was no different. It wasn't the usual downpour, just a light drizzle-almost like a haze or mist of sorts was cascading down from the sky, surprisingly obscuring everything within a ten foot radius and even further in certain areas. The winter was clear to be rolling in-the numerous and powerful stormy gray clouds which hung overhead were a dead give away.
He slammed his foot into the branch, keeping himself firm against the slick surface, and grunted launching himself some dozens of feet forward keeping his dark eyes narrowed and remaining hyper alert. He could spot the rustle of the undergrowth, and critter skittering off, see the drops of night dew cascading down the tic leaves The sensation of freedom-the wind blowing through his hair, eased his troubled mind just slightly. However, it would keep going back to the contents of the scroll. The current state of affairs in the next region.
Daishiro was using one of his most powerful jutsus-the earth tyrant-he never had the chance to see his leader's jutsu, but from what he heard, and how rarely he'd actually use it...It was nothing short of a destructive force.
There were also three Bijuu and packs of Cyclops constantly attacking day in and night out.
It was insane.
He knew such things existed, but to see them up close...These monsters of chakra and abominations...
The world truly was changing.
Hashirama somehow constructed a wood oni-like statue. Sasuke was using one of his most destructive jutsu-the wood human. And, Madara, not so surprisingly evolved his Susano'o even further-evolved his Sharingan that much further. Atsushi and the Akimichi were proving why they were so infamous and used their Expansion Jutsu to its utmost limit.
And, Mikito...
He knew Mikito as a witch, seeing her in person and in action. Her speed was ridiculous, her strength was so titanic it's just frightening, her powerful chakra and life force, just how much chakra she has in that body of her's, how it'd blister and burst in torrential waves one second, and then the next it'd just flat out dissipate like it swirled and compressed into some kind of vortex. It was baffling and terrifying. But, it was her skills that really put the fear in him, and people in general, she was powerful, but skilled.
He couldn't beat her, but more to the point she wouldn't attack him.
She was a bleeding heart.
So they say at least.
He was missing some of the greatest battles in this era-the greatest battles that could happen in history, period. It was such a strange and extraordinary time to live. Clans were clustering together-clans that rarely met face to face except in exceptional circumstances. The Yuki never crossed the ocean to the Fire country, and the numerous islands clustering around the mainland itself.
He knew he had a part to play-his own part, which was very necessary. Hoshi was counting on him. Daishiro was counting on him. But, he couldn't help but wonder...Have the desire to see these battles that were changing the very landscape, that were sending tremors through the ground, that would force those map makers to completely remap everything. That were spreading these shinobi's names all across the world.
But, the ambitious side of him rejoiced at this. He could make something of him. He'd have great battles as well, he'd prove himself and cement his legacy, and soon, he'd see these freaks and forces of nature, these monsters, in action up close and first hand.
Danzo was off of his feet and speeding through the forest, nothing short of a sporadic blur that blended into the darkness. The twelve men he selected kept an even pace with him, while some opted to stay a few feet ahead. They were all at least ten years older than him, with the oldest being in his mid thirties. If he had to be frank he was outclassed, of course he was indeed strong, talented, and possessed a keen cunning-these men lived through countless wars, have countless years of experience more than he does. When it really came down to it, that's what mattered the most-experience. Even if one was a true talent, if they didn't have experience, they wouldn't last very long.
His mission was quite simple in nature. The first task was to wipe out the Sarutobi outpost. There was now a near constant influx of Sarutobi heading into the next region, allowing Sasuke and Genzo to really provoke and start battles and take a piece of land that wasn't even there's to begin with. He could agree this was priority number one, the sooner Sasuke was cut off, he'd turn tail and head back to the compound.
The second task was to eliminate any and all Senju that they came across, it was always great to deal those sanctimonious and priggish pricks a good few blows that really weakened their forces, and so far they encountered about one hundred and twenty or so of those tree huggers. They were dealt with accordingly, their bodies thrown together before being smoldered by savage flames. The Senju were extremely influential, and they were spaced out over several of the landmasses in little groups-considering how powerful they are, it was more than enough, wiping them out was always a first priority.
The third and final task was to lay down traps along just about the entire coast. Hoshi placed a great deal of emphasis on this part besides the first, and he understood why his superior did. The Water country-its clans were known for their navies, since most of their battles took place in the water or on the islands, which was basically just swamp and water, it only made sense. Some clans were more advanced than others. The Kaguya used the standard wooden boat with paddles, though made them much wider. The Yuki just utilized their ice and made ships. The Hoshigaki and Hozuki didn't even need boats, and the Terumi were pretty advanced in their construction of ships.
Once they made it to coast things were going to get much, much, much worse. There wouldn't be a second of reprieve before they all just stormed into the mainland and spread out from there. The Kaguya were going to be the first to probably hit the coast and the Yuki will follow. The Hozuki and Hoshigaki would remain or near the water. Fighting along a coastline could be a bit tedious, as well as dangerous, because the Hoshigaki-the majority of them can undergo strange transformations and become more shark-like. Meaning that they can remain underwater and just pull someone down and tear off their entire leg in the process with their layered teeth.
The traps would mainly consist of explosive tags-sealed with literal tons of gunpowder as well as kunai and shuriken. Considering they'll be in boats of some sort, this would be the best route to take. If the explosion and shock waves didn't kill them, then they would be skewered to death by the projectiles. He'll also have to lay these on the surrounding overpass, knowing they will make it there, a whole multitude of these traps would be awaiting them-once trees started to fall those fools would be crushed.
The catch was though, the traps themselves would be sealed in a Earth jutsu, making it waterproof. The traps would all go off, on land, and in the water.
Meanwhile he will be long gone, on his next mission. The death blows will be dealt and all of those savage clans will slacken for a good bit.
A flare of chakra tore him from his thoughts.
The man black scruffy haired man in front of him, Goro, raised his hand in a signal. They all stopped, remaining on their perches as they all felt the surges of chakra in the close distance. One chakra itself was boiling and shimmering over, definitely Sarutobi. The other was ballistic and there was distinct barks and howls, Inuzuka. The last chakra was wild and overwhelming, but not yet near the other two, definitely the Subatsu. There were also another seven or so people trying to hide their presence and chakra, could be civilians. "We're close to the outpost, now, but we've got a lot to contend with." Goro said, his tone hard as he crouched lower on his perch.
"We're going to improvise. Three of you will go to the coast and set up the traps, don't be too hasty, the placement is everything." Fujiwara stern faced, a man in his late thirties with a muscular build and long brown hair.
"Be sure to use a replication and cloning jutsu." Goro nodded to the three men at his side with a critical gaze. This was the most important aspect of the third task, they'd literally number their traps into the millions, if not more than that. It'd be overwhelming. The three men dispersed from their group, moving with hast towards the coast. With the main priority now being taken care of, he turned his focus onto Danzo. "Fujiwara, Danzo, and the other nine will stay with me. We'll advance forward, take as much time as you need."
Danzo nodded, clasping his hand around the hilt of his kunai even tighter as he crouched into the soggy undergrowth, getting a head start. This was it. From this point on, there'd be no hesitation on his part. "I'll flank you, Goro-san." Danzo turned towards the older man with a cold and calculating gaze, any emotions completely sealed away.
They were off before he even knew it. His feet slammed into the moist undergrowth, carrying him forward with blinding speed and sheer purpose. He would have preferred to set the traps along the coast-it had a much more long lasting effect, but going right into the hornet's next-he could do that as well. He understood better than anyone that he had his own part to play.
The incoming terrain was wracked with debris and explosions. There were flashes and savage barks...A massive man spiraling until a surge of wind whirled around him destroying everything in sight. Danzo smirked for a moment, he had been anticipating this. That massive wild haired man was definitely Chojo, Usagi and Asuna were also present within the chaos, the flash of their fangs howling through the rain.
He unleashed a quick stream of fire. The attack slamming into the Sarutobi outpost, and any Inuzuka close by smothering everything within his line of sight in a sea of flames. A violent glint alerted him to another attack, and with blinding speed he evaded the sharp edge of the kunai that was poised for his neck. His feet tore into the ground as he slid away.
"Danzo! Kagami! I knew I felt your chakras!" Hiruzen shouted as he landed a few meters in front of him, shuriken clasped firmly in hand as four older men landed beside him before dispersing. His spiky dark brown hair went almost completely up and was hanging off to the sides, showing just how drenched his thick hair truly was. He was clad in the Sarutobi's garb along with dark red plated armor, a confident smile was on his face, though he looked like he was about to seal his emotions away.
Kagami landed a few meters off to the side, katana already drawn and Sharingan activated as he stared down his two foes.
"How cunning of you to use Chojo Inuzuka's attack to you advantage, Danzo. And using it to seclude your presence, Kagami." Hiruzen said with a small upturn of his lips. These two were his enemies, but he wouldn't deny the fact they were both extremely powerful and intelligent.
"I'm not holding back." Kagami said, dead serious, his stance becoming frighteningly stronger. His usual warm and understanding eyes completely cold.
"Tch," Danzo fired three shuriken forward. Hiruzen copied his action, gritting his teeth as he anticipated Danzo's follow up. Six projectiles clanged off of each other, flipping out of control and sinking into nearby branches. Hiruzen blocked the swiping stroke of Danzo's gleaming tanto, staring into those dark and cold brown eyes. He reacted in a flash, swinging a punch at his jaw. Danzo dodged his first punch, gliding passed him and clasping his hilt with both hands surging forward off of his back leg.
Hiruzen grunted hard pressed, blocking the first stroke just barely, quickly unleashing a rapid barrage of strokes. Danzo advanced steadily, blocking and dodging the blur of steel with fluidity. Hiruzen overbalanced on a stab, flying passed Danzo and tearing bark from a tree like tissue paper. Danzo spun kicking him away with his shin, sending the youngest son of Sasuke flipping across the ground in a smoke cloud.
Hiruzen flipped to the side, avoiding a splatter of projectiles, sprinting off to the side. Danzo lunged off of the ground, chasing after his foe. Hiruzen slid to a halt with Danzo dashing in from one side, Kagami flying from overhead with his blade pointed downward.
Danzo smirked preparing for the coming battle.
The trio jumped up and away from each other, putting out a sudden wave of chakra that propelled them even further firing a volley of fireballs at each other. Hiruzen flipped away quickly landing and sliding on all fours, driving mud and grim deep into his nails. Kagami fired a larger blast of fire his way, But, Danzo grunted and an earthen destructive wave of force slammed right into the blast of fire.
Danzo quickly turned watching Kagami rocket towards him from the side, as Hiruzen came from straight ahead. Their battle resumed. The trio launched short ranged punches and kicks at high speeds until it wasn't enough and fired shurikens and kunais at each other in rapid succession. Each attack and projectile was blocked, countered, and returned flawlessly sending small reverberations through the earth and whistles through the air.
Danzo shot up to Kagami's form, he raised his leg preparing to kick the Uchiha while he was still half balanced on the tree. He was stopped grunting in pain as Hiruzen slammed his elbow against his shin and Kagami slammed his knee against both of their blows. The resounding collision rattled their bones, all three of them struggled for supremacy.
Kagami reached down behind him with one arm, blasting off of the ground just as Danzo's blade stabbed into the ground where he had been prior. This left Kagami open, and still rocketing through the air, Hiruzen snapped around, bringing one fist down, and smashing Kagami into the ground. Hiruzen brought both hands forward in a seal, but Danzo slammed his elbow across the side of his skull, forcing the three of them deeper into the ground. Snapping and crunching soon echoed through the area as trees ripped themselves away from the ground.
"HAAAAAA!" Danzo shouted, spirals of earth shot upward, tearing from the ground in sporadic loops, rocketing towards his two foes from every angle. Hiruzen tensed, darting one way and then another as several loops arced passed him just by an inch, while Kagami opted to lunge and jump, trying to outpace the torrent of earthen coils.
"Katon! Gōkakyū no Jutsu!" Kagami shouted, exhaling a massive orb of volatile flames forward pushing off the insteps of his feet, adding speed behind his rotating inferno. The orb of fire made contact with the torrent of earth in an earth shaking explosion that sent out gusts of wind and debris before it was consumed in the massive blast of fire. Kagami shot out of the cloud of smoke, shirt slightly burned, and slammed his right fist into Danzo's stomach before he could dodge. The Shimura yanked him forward, slamming a knee into his sternum, slamming a fist into Hiruzen's attack that sent them skidding away from each other once again.
The trio phased in and out of sight, battling across the ground and the branches above using unreal agility and dexterity. Kagami launched an attack, only for Hiruzen to use a clone and dodge, then when Danzo would dash in from one side launching a strike, they'd disperse and jump to their perches, only to be hit from behind since Danzo could choose where and who he wanted to strike since he'd break the stalemate.
Danzo gritted his teeth, bracing himself as Hiruzen charged him, blocking two quick punches with his forearm, but Hiruzen's speed increased and the rain was becoming a good bit thicker than before. He lunged in slipping right through Hiruzen's guard and aiming a kick for his kneecap, but Kagami halted it with his own shin, eyes glowing a bright and haunting red. Hiruzen opened his hand, forcing both his assailants back with a blast of fire.
Kagami grunted softly skidding along the ground as Danzo forced himself to a halt. "I should've expected nothing less from these two. This could take longer than I thought..." He mused to himself, eyes gazing over Hiruzen first and then Danzo. As long as Yuko, Shin, and the others succeed I will be able to as well. He relaxed his wrist, widening his stance feet as he clasped the hilt of his katana with an overhand grip. I don't know how long they can keep Usagi and Asuna back, considering Chojo is present as well, but I'll do everything that I can here. Kagami placed his two fingers together, ready to execute a jutsu in a heartbeat or lunge forward.
Kagami dashed forward. "OHHHHH!" He continued dodging Danzo's wild barrage, aiming a stroke for his chest with his blade. Hiruzen yelled, extending an arm forward and deflecting the precise cutting edge, hoping to keep Kagami's attention negated long enough so he could land a strike, he launched one forward but Danzo raised his arms grabbing him by the wrists and slamming him into the ground, clipping Kagami along the way.
Hiruzen let out a pained dashing back towards them.
Kagami swayed passed a punch, the force cracking a tree just behind him. He feinted with a punch, and Hruzen quickly copied her action except actually throwing a real punch. Danzo ducked under it lashing out with his other fist smashing it square on Hiruzen's jaw forcing blood to fly from his mouth. "AHHHHH!" Danzo yelled, letting his aura surged wildly, his wrist was caught. Kagami grunted, pushing him back, and pulled in towards himself, stretching his leg up and slamming it under his chin as his knee collided with his own.
Danzo dashed away from Kagami, raising his forearm just in time to block the kick. He blocked Hiruzen's punch that would have slammed right into his nose, lashing out with four punches in rapid succession. Hiruzen staggered back, shaking his head a few times as black blotches swarmed his vision. Danzo lunged forward, stepping into Kagami's guard and rammed an elbow against his jaw. He didn't let up his offensive pressure, swinging his fist forward, Kagami strained slamming his fist into Danzo's the impact shattering the ground around them in a huge cloud.
Kagami dashed for Danzo, swiveling, and at the last moment and shifting his stance. Danzo surged back, momentarily caught off guard, and Kagami slammed the edge of his hand into his neck. He flipped over Danzo, completing his rotation, and twisted, facing forwards, blocking Hiruzen's quick punch with both arms, letting the impact carry him back some.
Hiruzen grunted, a radical green aura of chakra burned to life, enveloping his body like a sheet and licking at the air. He dashed forward colliding with Danzo and Kagami. Hiruzen growled, slamming a fist into Danzo's face, feeling the bones buckle, but just as quickly he was kicked in the kidney and sent reeling by Kagami.
Hiruzen recovered, snapping his forearm up just in time to block Danzo's shin, the impact shattered the ground beneath, all at once they shot off to the side trading punches and kicks. Hiruzen smiled, pulsing more chakra through his system, blocking quick and precise assaults from his foes, his expression one of strain. He lunged back from a shuriken, snapping a punch towards Danzo's face, but Kagami's speed was ridiculous and he slammed his palm against Hiruzen's wrist skewing his punch away by a few meters.
Hiruzen dashed back, putting on another charge of speed as both Danzo and Kagami chased after him, and abruptly shot above both of them hands flashing, and with a shout he unleashed a storm of fireballs. Kagami found the barrage to be a bit hard to dodge at first, dashing back and forth between them and ducking under any that got too close, while Danzo simply weaved between the barrage, eyes burning. Hiruzen may have been using numbers, but his aim and placement were too consistent after awhile. He slid to a stop as the last fireball exploded a few feet away from him, kicking up a blast of heat and destruction.
Hiruzen took advantage of the moment appearing behind him and slamming his foot into Danzo's back sending him forward, only for Kagami to send him reeling with a punch to the face.
"HAAAAGHH!" Hiruzen spun, lashing out with a kick, Kagami jumped over it while sending a flash of shuriken forward, Hiruzen looked up just in time to see the flash of the sharpened projectiles burying themselves into his face as his body splintered to nothing. He recovered a few feet away, launching his own barrage but was sent bouncing across the ground by Kagami's fierce kick. Danzo rolled, dodging two kunai by an inch, and turned back to his foes hand already in the boar seal.
"Damn it..." Danzo stepped back, warily shifting his footing as Kagami and Hiruzen both recovered, setting their eyes on him and then each other. I guess I have no choice but to create an opening, at this rate we're just going to keep going into this stalemate. He formed the Dragon seal letting his chakra howl gloriously until it lashed outwards in a dark purple-almost black aura, completely covering him from head to toe. "Try stopping this one! Uchiha! Sarutobi!" He clenched his teeth. "Doton! Ōkibona Rōringumaddou~ēbu!"
"Katon! Tsuin Rasen-jō no Kyūtai!" Kagami shouted, letting his chakra bellow mightily and kneading that pontent chakra to dangerous temperatures before letting out a mighty exhale. Red and orange flames erupted from between his lips like a ravenous storm, rapidly taking shape and forming two massive violently rotating spheres that connected themselves with the wisps of fire seething around their edges-carving a path as it shot forward leaving only burnt and jagged ground in its wake.
"Katon! Doragonfaiabomu!" Hiruzen exclaimed. Fire and fire didn't cancel each other out, but if the two attacks were of the same strength they'd just feed off each other before exploding, earth could trump fire but the attack had to be powerful otherwise like normal, it'd just be scorched by the ferocious flames. The thick, high speeding dragon Hiruzen forced to take shape and existence collided with Danzo's massive earthen wall that towered some dozen meters above the and Kagami's twin spheres which looked like a sure death sentence with unrelenting force. Smoke and intense flames bellowed up and out of the collision like precise rays of destruction, tearing and gashing through and into trees, alighting them with its fierceness.
BOOOOOOOOOM!
BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!
BOOOOOM!
BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!
Their respective attacks were forced to climb upwards towards the sky as they fought each other for dominance and to just overwhelm the other. Until finally, all three had enough and exploded in horrendous and bone jarring waves covering everything in a bright and smothering light.
Kagami's eyes flickered up, spotting the poof of smoke trailing above the treeline in the close distance before Rio and Toshi darted passed him in the span of a second. The only sign of their arrival being the gusting wind that threw his hair every which way.
"Kagami..." Danzo snarled, his small body walking through a part of the flames remaining completely unscathed despite their ferocity.
"Danzo..." Kagami said, eyes hard and cold.
Hiruzen came in the other side, all flames seeming to run away from him or completely ignore him as he continued his trek. "I don't like fighting you Danzo or you Kagami, but I am not going to hold back, now!"
Unscathed from the assault and destruction thus far, Ajo appeared within the shadows, pulling himself out of the perpetual, eyes spying a bright red head of hair. Well, looks like I have perfect timing!