WAR NEVER ENDS – EIGHT BACKS
Outside the Hidden Leaf
This will be the scene for the greatest collision of powers this world has ever seen. It's a backwater world, a pocket world, created by a mad man as little more than a puddle in the hope it would grow into a reservoir. It is not designed for battles of this magnitude, it is designed for mass slaughter. A fight between colonels is something that may draw attention in Clyde's world, news of a fight between generals is rare but it does happen. Aristocrats may even turn it into a spectator sport if they can arrive fast enough. A pocket world though, that is designed as a realm with limits; limits are designed so that a general won't lose in such a world.
There was a brief period of determination just a few moments ago. The people had seen two leaders of their combined armies show each other mutual respect. That respect did rise their morale but not for long. Now an almost deadly silence has fallen on the battlefield, as if they are waiting for the enemy to emerge from the ether, ready to fight.
Various people give silent gestures to one another. Some nod their heads, as Mitsuki does to Tsunade. Some pat each other on the back, knowing that they are afraid. Amongst the forces of the Hidden Leaf there are many who share romantic relationships, they take hold of their lover's hands, perhaps for the last time.
At the front of this eerie scene, eight people must stand strong. Clyde and Peterson, Tobirama, Hiruzen, Minato, Tsunade, Kakashi and Shinki. Eight people to represent two combined armies. Theoretically, this is the second strongest force ever amassed in this world; unfortunately, it is second only to the one they are facing.
Looking at the faces of the Kage, one could tell that they are whispering between each other, the only ones who dare to talk. They twist slightly and lean to their side, anyone could tell that Clyde is the target of their questions. Despite this, Peterson is usually the one to answer, often requesting they stop talking and allow the general to think.
Clyde has never beaten Lara. However, that is the battle that will likely determine the outcome of this fight. They are the two mightiest warriors in either force who only Elliot could rival. If one could defeat the other early on then they would have practically guaranteed victory for their side. Clyde knows this is unlikely, knowing Lara, she will send in the others first. She will want to watch the blood and the gore as the weakest of her enemies die. She will enjoy her appetiser before moving onto the main course, him.
He feels what Naruto was meant to feel in this moment. The eyes of so many looking at his back, pleading with the divines that he can rescue them. He is the unlikely hero of so many, the gallant captain of so many more. He doesn't even give it a second thought. Naruto is in his early twenties, more inexperienced now than when he was supposed to become the Hokage. Clyde has a thousand years of experience, hundreds of them as a leader for a military force. It is only natural that the elder of the two leaders would be better accustomed to this situation, to these eyes.
There are two sets of eyes on Clyde, that he doesn't realise.
The eyes of someone he doesn't even know the name of.
The eyes of one black-cloaked lackey and his leader, Tao Ma.
"Well, well, I've never seen anything quite like this before. A full-scale rebellion by one of the generals, not a weak one either. These locals as well, they're remarkable, the strongest I have ever seen. This will be interesting".
Tao Ma's mannerisms fail to match his word. He sways around like a drunkard, interlacing cackles into his words as he watches. He speaks the words of an intellectual in the manner of a crazed-hermit.
"Yes. This is a first for me too" his lackey admits.
"This battle. I wonder how they will lose it. Perhaps it will be even closer than I thought" Tao Ma notes. "There is a pain coming, that's for sure, but I wonder who will feel the most of it. Will it be those who lose, or those who win?".
"I've assessed the strength of both sides".
"And what did you think?".
"The others are more powerful than this lot" the lackey says, "The difference isn't just marginal either, the difference is substantial but…".
"But?".
"There is a chance the rebels may do OK, all by themselves".
Tao Ma begins to laugh again. His booming voice would give him away to the shinobi if he were a bit closer. Still, he remains hidden to them, just out of earshot, perched on the branch of a tree. He rocks back and forward, seemingly the only one in on the joke. He has a mad sense of irony, a sense of irony that requires so much knowledge he shouldn't have.
"Did I say something funny?".
"Not at all, it's fascinating to finally see some locals… stand a chance… but this isn't the battle I was talking about".
The lackey turns to look at his leader, away from the stationary army. "This is unprecedented, are we still going to proceed?".
"Of course, we have nothing to fear here, not now. Go, join the others again, I am going to stay here".
The cloaked lackey nods. He then hums a tune to himself. The same tune that follows Tao Ma around like a bad smell. He slowly lifts his fist into the air and his song reaches a crescendo, he opens his fist and disappears.
Tao Ma looks over the battlefield again. Not a chance as things stand, not a chance of things going against plan. The battle will pan out exactly how he is anticipating, exactly as predicted.
"Uzumaki Naruto is not here. Instead they are being lead into battle by a rebellious general. This general of the people, someone who understands darkness. It will be interesting, perhaps he will surprise me. It will be a pity, putting a light out when it is at its brightest".
At the head of the army Clyde is beginning to feel something he hasn't felt in a long time; flustered. Previously he was calm, enduring the weight of so much expectation. Now though, the time is approaching. He cannot even feel the gazes of those behind him anymore, what he feels are the gazes of millions of times more people. Those of his home world, those suffering oppression who are depending on him, here today. He must make the way for Naruto to escape, to win.
Taking several deep breaths, he tries to make a quick excuse in his head. He tells himself that he should wait for darkness to fall, then he would have the advantage. He knows that is nonsense though, his power holds no such correlation with the time of day. There are people behind him in peak condition, they are fully alert and even a bird would cause them to react violently. They are operating at peak capacity, he cannot delay any longer, he must act now before they cool off.
A hand touches the shoulder of the general, something he wasn't expecting. He looks to his side, there is his faithful companion, Peterson. Despite Peterson's scarred appearance, right now he looks so calming to the general, such a reliable figure. Peterson is a new golden cloak user, he will be helpful in this battle but won't be on the same level as the enemy generals. What is more important now is his value as a friend, as that mental support that Clyde needs.
"Relax" Peterson whispers, keeping a strong grip, "You were born to do this. We all believe in you".
Clyde takes one final breath and smiles. He tells himself it's an act of defiance and nods to his subordinate, "thank you Peterson".
"So, it's finally time".
"Yeah, I'm going to do it now".
Clyde takes two steps forward, sending a soundless pulse of energy through all those behind him. They are more alert than they ever realised possible, they fail to even realise the increase in sound amongst them as their breathes collectively deepen and their pulse increases.
Clyde slowly draws his divine energy out, just as he did the very first time he saw that stone tablet. He remembers it now, the thrill and exhilaration he felt as he saw that word for the first time. 'Darkness'.
He ramps it up.
First he activates his 'darkness' cloak.
For many of the Kage, this is their first time being able to feel his power. They have seen him fight before, felt the after-effects of his attacks but they have not been able to sense his divine energy. Now they can and they realise just what Naruto was up against.
This is not his limit.
He activates his golden 'darkness' cloak and leap in power is incredible, beyond what they thought was possible just moments ago.
Even those who can't feel divine energy like Tsunade and Mitsuki can feel something. It is purely a product of their imagination but they can both swear that it is real. The captains all start as if they have never felt strength like this before.
Most of the shinobi haven't, their reaction is one of even greater terror. It is a nightmare from their past and even now that Clyde is on their side it is frightening. He is so far above them, they question how someone can possibly climb so far.
As a golden beacon of pure divine energy, Clyde is very detectable, just as he wants to be.
He is screaming, 'here I am'.
The Portal
Stood around doing nothing much, the leaders of Lara's forces await her orders. That is until they are given an external stimulus. It's an energy that surpasses their own, an energy that only Lara can rival.
Brooks jumps a little, if those present didn't know about her power they may label it 'cute'. "That must be him, right?".
"There is no doubting this familiar power, it is Clyde alright" Elliot answers.
As if it could be anybody else. As far as they are concerned there isn't anybody else in this world who could produce this kind of power, at least outside of their group. Unfortunately for them, they are ignorant to the truth, to the many people and their many abilities. They may be the queen on this chess board but they are a blind queen.
Lara smiles maniacally though, her sharp teeth showing through the gap in her lips. "Clyde, we're finally going to do this after all these years, a fight to the death… I'm finally going to crush you".
She partially wants to rush there in the next few seconds but there is something she must do first, she must cement this moment in the military's history, she must make it glorious, she must answer the challenge.
Stepping forward, the others watch Lara as she does exactly what Clyde did. She draws on her divine energy, recalls the stone tablet in her inner world and ramps her power up.
Of course, she goes all the way to the golden cloak stage.
This moment represents the greatest demonstration of power in the history of this pocket world.
Both Clyde and Lara call to one another. They each tell the other, 'let's do this'.
Clyde's Headquarters
Sheer sucks in a breath of cold air as she feels the two powers diffuse through the atmosphere.
"Here she goes again" Sisto announces.
Grace closes her eyes, "General… Peterson…".
"You can't pretend to me that you don't feel that" Hinata shouts at them as they hold her down, "Are you all going to tell me that you aren't worried".
"The general can win" Sheer says through gritted teeth.
"I can feel their powers from here, she is stronger than him".
Sheer leans in close to Hinata, shaking the weaker woman as she does so, "The general will win! He will!".
"Let Naruto go, or everyone will die".
Sheer's argument seems so certain yet she doubts herself, as if she has been betrayed, like she's had a promise to her broken.
"Sheer" Burns calls after a moment, "Should we…".
"Shut up".
"Sheer…".
"The general, Peterson, everyone else, they are all giving their lives to keep Naruto from this battle. So, don't you dare let him go".
They all nod, reminded of that common cause once again. It binds them, a firm resolve built up through many years of being oppressed, a fire rekindled by the attitude of the same Uzumaki Naruto they keep confined.
"You have to let him go" Hinata says, "Please, I'm begging you… PLEASE".
Her struggles are futile though. That power she displayed before is showing no signs of resurfacing.
Naruto is trapped!
Half an Hour Later, Outside the Hidden Leaf
Lara floats behind her army, a figure higher than everyone else. Other than her only her generals dare to fly, even then slightly below her. Not even Brooks is willing to float alongside Lara in this situation, despite her life of being hailed as a prodigy, she realises that this is a realm she cannot reach.
The eyes meet of the two fated generals. The duo who will go down in history. The academy's golden student and the one who just wouldn't stop following her. The chosen one and her understudy.
Lara smiles, she has waited so long for this and it will come any moment now. The start of her most anticipated meal.
Clyde is less upbeat, 'Now that she is here, I must admit the truth, I'm intimidated by this woman'.
"Look at him there, pathetic, he doesn't stand a chance and he knows it" comes the boast of General Georgia.
"I will finally have my revenge on him, on Clyde" Martin echoes from his position amongst the colonels.
Blackburn is saddened by this situation. 'Is this really what it has come to Clyde? You are really going to fight against Lara? Do you honestly believe you can win?'.
On the other side, the formerly alert shinobi have had their senses dulled, fear has found them as it should have done previously.
"Mitsuki" Inojin begins, "Do you really think we have a chance in this battle".
"No".
Inojin sighs in resignation, at least his dad has bought them 3 happy years. For that alone, he would always be a hero.
Clyde grits his teeth. He will not accept this mood.
He takes three steps forward, gesturing to his fellow leaders to come with him.
This is his final chance, he must do something to rally them.
"General…" one of his captains calls after him.
"What do you see?!" he shouts, refusing to turn back to look at his soldiers.
The men and women of two forces look at him in stunned silence. Why won't he face them, is he afraid to look away, just as they are.
"Over there is the most intimidating woman any of us have ever faced. She is ruthless aggressive and powerful" he begins.
"Over here you see eight leaders, representing two groups, but there is also one big difference".
"You are looking at eight backs!".
The realisation hits like lightning.
"That's right, I'm not turning to face you even now because it is important you know this difference".
"Whether you are a captain, a colonel, a shinobi or anyone else…".
"In this battle you have a leader who represents you, a leader who is stood in front of you right now".
"You have eight backs!".
The silence for his speech is broken by grunts of approval, accompanied by nodding heads.
He is right.
"The difference between us and our enemy is more than our ideals, it is what we are showing you right now".
"Lara is showing her followers her front, we are showing you eight backs".
"So, remember this as you charge into battle…".
"We are stood in front of you and we will never ever turn around".
"You will always have these eight backs!".
"You don't need to be afraid as you charge into this battle".
"You don't need to worry about what will happen".
"You can be courageous because have these eight backs!".
"You don't need to fear this battle…".
"… BECAUSE WE WILL LEAD YOU INTO IT!".
The silence is broken once again.
This time it is a cheer.
Judging from the volume he has helped them find their resolve.
Peterson smiles, he can't even turn his head to speak to his leader. 'The old man would be proud of you, general'.
Mitsuki suddenly feels a lot better about the battle. 'Well, I guess these guys need not worry. It will mostly be up to those eight'.
'Cousin, Lord 6th, Lord 2nd, everyone, go for it' Shikadai shouts in his head.
With a merciless soundbite, Lara orders her followers to "kill them".
She wanted this to be perfect, she was enjoying their fear. Clyde has started to spoil her meal already.
Clyde's mood is different entirely, he feels the vibration of the earth as the feet begin him begin to hop and down impatiently.
"Follow me!" he shouts as he charges into battle.
He has done everything he could, taking inspiration from the old man and from Uzumaki Naruto.
Lara at the back waiting until she is ready.
Clyde at the front charging into battle first.
The battle for the fate of the pocket world begins!
Author Note:
Hi All,
We have reached 100 chapters!
Now 100 chapters and over 300,000 words since this story started 14 months ago, it has been really fun to write for you and see that so many of you continue to read and enjoy 'To the Future'.
This story has taken up a lot of my time and I don't intend to stop any time soon. There is a long way to go yet and I hope that I can continue to entertain you.
So, thank you for reading everyone, it means a lot,
Cbehrills