Credits
Artwork: jessejzette - The 7 Generations of Hokage - Find jessejzette on deviant art.
A NEW WORLD – WHAT'S THE PLAN?
The Nara Family's Tent
The villagers of the Hidden Leaf proceeded to walk for another three days at the behest of General Clyde. The journey would have been a lot slower if it were not for the bursts of high-speed travel when shinobi carried the villagers on their backs. After three long days they made it to the edge of the grassy region. In this time, the high-level fighters may well have been able to cross the entire pocket world, but the journey they have taken here would barely be visible on a map of the homeworld.
With the group at a complete stop they erected the tents that would serve as their home until they could work out how to execute their plan. A plan so poorly developed yet upon which all of reality is depending. Emperor Furst rules over the world. Furst Jonas is the man who holds dominion over all of reality, a powerful dictator, driven by his own desire to become a god, a man whom they must remove from power.
For generations now, plans like this have been the responsibility of one family in the Hidden Leaf Village. A family with tactical prowess superior to the Uchiha or Senju, who make up what they lack in wisdom through shear intelligence. That family comes from the Nara clan and the two most well-respected members are about to discuss their ideas.
Shikadai enters his parents' home, prompted by a message he received from a runner just moments ago.
"Father, you wanted to see me?".
"Ah yes, sit down" Shikamaru says, pointing to the seat opposite him.
Shikadai takes his position atop the hard-wooden stool. The table between the two gentlemen is not a common commodity. The majority of the villagers were not afforded such luxury as it would be too difficult to carry. There were some exceptions though, notably the Hokage. Another such exception was the Nara family who needed the table for planning purposes.
The table is flimsy at best, a collapsible structure clearly constructed by an amateur in the last-minute rush before they left the village. Shikadai wouldn't be quick to complain though, somewhere to rest his elbows for once is a welcome change. As he balances his forearms on the table and takes the weight from his shoulders he lets out a gentle sigh, wondering why he ever referred to life before this as a 'drag'.
"Where's mom" he asks finally.
"She's checking up on the villagers from the Hidden Sand Village".
Shikadai nods. "This tent situation is less than ideal, isn't it? I wish we could have made huts like the last time".
"I admit it's rather tiresome. If Lord 1st was still with us we could have done that again. Anyway, I didn't ask you here so that we could complain, I wanted to speak with you about the Circle"
"Oh yes, I will set up that tent soon" Shikadai says, forcing himself to sit upright. His only official duty now is as the Circle's Administrator, he feels that he must at least take that one duty seriously. "I believe that four of Naruto's clones carried the canvas and furniture here".
Shikamaru flips the papers on the table to reveal his scribbles from previously. "I think we should expand the Circle, take up a bit more room and take advantage of this opportunity to include Clyde's group".
"You're thinking of cohesion". Shikadai scratches his chin. "This will require more administration. It won't be easy work and it will require someone with a strong mind. Are you still up to it?".
"Of course, I may be older than you but I'm still a shinobi".
With the principle agreed upon, the two great strategic thinkers of the last 50 years shake hands and prepare to usher the Hidden Leaf leadership into a new age.
The Circle
Later the same day they achieve what they set out to do and collect a group of people who they feel should have a say over the fate of the Village. They gather not only the leaders of the Hidden Leaf but the individuals who the captains look up to and form a new Circle. A Circle who can represent everyone.
Sarada's initial impression is positive. This idea appears to be in line with her thinking, with Naruto's thinking too. Including Clyde's group in the decision-making process will be just another step to true cohesion between the two parties. It is another step towards the peace she yearned for since the start of the invasion.
"I guess I should make an opening statement for this new joint venture" Sarada says, rising to her feet as the incumbent leader of the village. "Nothing complicated, I would just like to welcome Generals Clyde, Peterson and Sheer to the Circle".
Sarada returns to her chair.
"Thank you Sarada" Peterson says, "But we are not Genera…".
"Peterson!" Clyde snaps, cutting his subordinate off. "I know that we are rogues, no longer part of the true military, but we still represent Endou Akashi, the true emperor. You would still hold a commission in his eyes, a commission as a General, so be proud and accept your rank, General Peterson, General Sheer".
"Yes sir" they both answer, his juniors in rank for the final time.
Shikadai, positioned as the administrator in the centre of the Circle, explains the nature of the decision-making concept.
"To explain to you newcomers, this is called the Circle for a reason. Partially because of the formation we are sat in and partially because of the equal weight of the opinions we share here".
The lead general grunts his approval, arms crossed, "Emperor Endou used a similar method to come to a consensus with his closest allies".
"That's why we use it as well" Shikamaru says before passing the reigns back to his son.
"We recognise you as our close allies and we want to discuss issues such as logistics here".
Sarada takes note of this, having influenced joint logistics significantly. "Key issues will include food and water. Waster won't be in short supply given that many of your captains can make it as easily as breathing. However, we only have so much food and it's not easy to get more out here".
"I expect that you have brought a hefty reserve of food with you" Sheer asks.
"Yes, but if we're here a long time, if it's not enough…".
"We will provide you with more of course" Clyde interrupts.
"General, can we spare it?".
Clyde looks back at the questioning Peterson. "I don't know but I have a collection of highly trained soldiers under my command. They are ready for anything. They are fit and healthy, a short while without food will do them no harm. However, the children of the Hidden Leaf will surely suffer if our reserves get low, so we shall prioritise them".
"Yes General".
Naruto, the youngest in the room, runs out of patience with the subject of logistics. It is not his specialist field and there are people far better equipped to discuss it. However, he is ready and eager to discuss the highest-priority subject on the list.
"Sorry, could we discuss the most important thing first" he says, drawing the eyes of all those around him.
"How are we going to kill Furst Jonas?".
In the minds of Clyde, Peterson and Sheer, chemicals start to reach places they haven't reached in a long time, the mere speaking of such a sentence puts them in a state they are not familiar with. It's real, it's not a dream, someone is discussing how to kill Furst Jonas.
In their minds two figures stand opposite sides of a chasm. On one side stands Furst Jonas, the figure of oppression who has made their lives hell for years. On the other side is the echo of their previous emperor, the man who gave them years of freedom. On the other side is the echo of Endou Akashi. On the other side, is Uzumaki Naruto.
Through the medium of battle, two completely opposing ideologies will clash. Endou Akashi's podium has been unattended for years but finally it has someone who will stand by it and shout the words of his cause. Uzumaki Naruto will carry the flag of freedom, he will be the second one to clash with the demonic emperor who wishes to become god.
"How to kill Furst Jonas" Sheer whispers to herself, forcing her giggles away. "It's a strange thing to even ask about. It's not something that would normally be thinkable".
"It's a bit like trying to kill god" Peterson notes.
"Remember the prophecy Peterson, we are trying to kill a god".
"Emperor Furst isn't a god" Clyde says, asserting himself to stop his colleagues getting too carried away. "However, just because he's not a god doesn't mean he will be any easier to defeat".
"What do you know of his power?" Hiruzen asks.
It's like pouring a bucket of cold water over the three homeworlders. Suddenly all the memories come rushing back, along with the realistic expectations of failure.
"I've never seen Jonas fight. I've only ever heard of one person fighting Furst head on, that was the previous emperor" Clyde explains glumly. "As far as combat goes, people don't fight Furst Jonas. They just don't. There is perhaps only one person in the world who would stand a chance against him and he's not willing to risk it".
Peterson explains things more bluntly. "If they were to fight one hundred times, Furst would win at least ninety-nine".
Sarada understands what it's like to see people with that kind of power. From a young age, she and Boruto got dragged into their parents' battles. Two children standing next to Naruto and Sasuke, when they looked at their fathers' they realised just what it was like to look at a god. There was nobody in the world who could stand on that plateau with them and there wouldn't be for at least another twenty years.
"Unlike Sheer and Peterson, I have stood before Emperor Furst, spoken with him, been looked at by him" Clyde says. "He's a scientist by nature, an incredibly intelligent man on par with our administrator I would say".
Many look, awkwardly at Shikadai, appraising him as having the greatest battle intelligence they have ever witnessed. That was perhaps their greatest advantage a few seconds ago but they cannot even rely on that anymore.
"Good people are willing to kill one another if Furst orders them to. Everyone is afraid of him, naturally, he has the power to have their families killed at a moment's notice but that's not all".
The Hokage wonder what more there could possibly be about this man.
"When he looks at you, you can feel the weight, as if his eyes are each four tonne masses pressing down into your back. The people he surrounds himself with, they are the most talented and powerful people in the history of this land, they could kill me without breaking a sweat. They don't show fear around him but… they don't take orders well, not unless they come from him, then they never hesitate".
Sheer has never met Furst before, only heard the stories. She has met one of these fabled subordinates though. It was as Clyde said, there was no giving them orders. There was no mutual respect in the encounter, just a one-way respect born out of fear for her life. Sheer knew then that this person was above her, at a level she could never hope to reach. Yet this person would take orders from Emperor Furst without hesitating. The same fear this individual inspired in her, the individual felt for Furst.
"In the corner of their free-spirited eyes, eyes that conceal everything, there is still one emotion that leaks through. Fear" Clyde explains. "I have never seen Furst Jonas fight, because his power is so great he no longer needs to fight. If he were made to fight though, his power would be the greatest this world has ever seen".
Tobirama leans back in his chair, humbled. This is what it feels like to be completely outmatched. He always figured that if he were given enough time, he could reach the same level as his brother. He felt that if he were given the opportunity to prepare, he could find a way to defeat Madara. He was even sure that if the gods let him live longer, he would be able to outpower Clyde and Lara one day. He feels nothing like that for Furst, this demonic emperor is on a godly level that he can't even imagine. It's no wonder that Sheer and Peterson got excited, that level of power was more akin to a fairy tale than reality.
"You haven't seen him fight. Are you certain that it is his power they fear, it could simply be his influence?" Tobirama asks hopefully.
"These people cannot be blackmailed" Clyde answers. "Only intimidation would make people like them behave in a way like that".
"Anyway, Endou Akashi's power was well documented, he was the saviour of this empire" Peterson says with a shrug of his shoulders, "A mighty user of 'life' that had reached the golden cloak stage. That's two levels beyond Naruto currently".
"That's not all" Sheer adds. "The Emperor used strength training manuals like the General and had a divine ability too. He was far beyond Naruto and in a straight up fight, he completely lost to Furst".
"Then this isn't a battle that can be won with a head on attack. Naruto, I hope you are prepared to use whatever tactics are necessary".
Everyone looks nervously towards the young Hokage. If he isn't willing to do it then they will all suffer for his pride.
"I dislike using cheap tactics" he admits, "But I am more than willing to do so to protect the Hidden Leaf Village".
A sigh of relief is shared by the room's occupants. Thank god for that.
"As the General said, Emperor Furst is a scientist, a one-in-a-billion level genius" Sheer says cheerfully, losing herself in a moment of admiration, "He will see through your techniques after seeing them a single time. He will be virtually untrickable, feints won't work, dummies won't work. Any sneak attacks we plan will have to be godly".
"… that will be fine then" Kakashi says calmly.
"Oh?".
"You haven't known we shinobi for a very long time, but you should have learned a few things about us by now. When it comes to tricking our opponents, there isn't anyone better".
Sheer is awe-struck by the sudden presence of each shinobi in the room. It would take a godly sneak attack to fool Furst Jonas, but the room is full of sneak attack experts.
Minato concurs. "We have teleporters, a man who can walk in another dimension, a woman whose punch can shake mountains, someone who can turn herself into a comet. Then we have Naruto himself".
Clyde smiles.
"Indeed, this is part of the reason why you present so much hope for us…".
"… if a perfect assassin exists for Furst Jonas, they are most probably here right now".
Sarada senses the excitement the homeworlder trio shares and can't help but wonder if their minds are blowing the situation out of proportion.
"Is it really impossible to defeat Jonas?".
"Was I unclear before?" Clyde asks.
"I can't help but feel you're underestimating us Clyde, as well as yourself. When you, Naruto and I work together, our strength is incredible, enough to surmount any obstacle".
"Sarada do you truly believe that?" Shikadai says incredulously.
"Of course I do!".
"Just a short while ago, the three of you worked together yet you lost to Boruto and Hashirama. Do you really think that you can recover from that and work as a team to defeat this legendary foe before us"?
Shikadai's words sober Sarada. It's true, they struggled recently to fight someone on the same level as them. More than struggled, they lost. Prior to that, Naruto fought tooth and nail against Clyde before he understood 'life' and he couldn't' defeat him.
"Perhaps it isn't possible after all".
"Defeat Furst Jonas conventionally may be possible. Numbers can overwhelm any foe when they are applied correctly" Clyde says. "There are millions upon millions of soldiers in the military, they may be willing to rally behind a leader greater than Lara or myself. On top of them, there is the aristocracy. The aristocracy is almost as large as the military and they are much stronger, truly the homeworld's best and brightest".
Naruto nods, recalling Clyde's previous tales of the aristocracy. Neither universally bad nor good, but they are the powerful ruling class whose power allows them to rule over this cruel world.
"Many of the aristocrats are discontent with the rule of Furst but rallying them against him would still be difficult. They were warring against one another for many years before they were united to form the aristocracy, and only one man has ever successfully united them. Of course, that was Endou Akashi".
"Would it be possible to rally them again?" Naruto asks.
Clyde smiles at Naruto, nodding to himself. He knows the truth of that matter, but the full truth is not worth saying. There may be one person who could pull that off. But it may not be worth pulling off anyway.
"The one to do that would have to be truly inspiring. They would have to spread their message for years while avoiding the terror of the regime hunting them. Such a figure would have to be less of a leader and more a hero for the people to rally behind".
"This path is unpractical, it's not even worth considering" Kakashi says, aware of what Clyde is thinking. "None of us in this room could do it, we would have to spend a thousand years making a name for ourselves. The world is too big".
"Lord 6th is right" Shikadai adds, "You are working on another level now, your approach to strategy has to be different".
Kakashi refocuses the conversation. "Let's think about this assassination, it won't be easy to reach Furst, surely he will be well guarded".
"Yes. His headquarters are enormous. In terms of your world, they would be the size of a small country. It's very well guarded, a transparent but unbreakable dome surrounds it in its entirety. An impenetrable shield".
"Then how do we get in?".
"I happen to know about another… 'back way' that might be able to help us".
Peterson frowns as he looks at his commander. "A back way into the imperial palace sir? That sounds like nonsense to me".
"I'm telling the truth, Peterson. It won't be guarded, likely even Furst himself doesn't know about it. However, the Military Academy's Headmaster, Emperor Endou's brother-in-law knows about it. And once upon a time, he took a young Clyde and Lara to see that entrance".
Sheer and Peterson share a questioning glance. They suppose that it might be possible for the headmaster to know about such a thing. If that man were to tell anyone about the entrance, it would likely be Clyde and Lara.
"That's the perfect opportunity then" Sarada says, leaning forward slightly. "An entrance that won't be guarded, a golden ticket to a once-in-a-lifetime assassination".
"That entrance will make us seem like ghosts" Clyde declares, "We go in through that and then it will seem as if an entourage of invisible assassins are descending upon Jonas".
Sarada has been encouraged. "It could work".
"It will work" Naruto answers.
"Yes… yes, we will make it work!".
"We will take this back door, we will walk right into god's house without him noticing".
"While he sits back and enjoys playing with human lives, we will defeat him from the rear".
"And we will free this world, once and for all".
Thanks to the talent Clyde showed in his youth, they now appear to have a fighting chance.
A golden ticket to history's greatest assassination.