Anthology of the Holy War
Chapter Two: Onset of war
A/N: here's chapter two, thanks as always for reading.
X X
8 years earlier...
The elder monks guided Naruto through a gigantic maze of hallways, the walls were adorned with the portraits of all the previous blessed ones, dozens if not hundreds.
Finally, they arrived in the main hall, at the head of the room he saw a stone altar in the shape of a fox with candles in the eye holes and mouth; they chanted in a strange language and the fire rose before receding.
"Naruto-Sama," The Elder, Moro stated as his compatriots on both sides of him continued the incantations, the wind in the room began to pick up as the elder man's beard flew side to side in the extreme wind, "-repeat after me"
"Praise Kurama Tail Lasher Of Mountains, Bringer Of Tidal Waves,"
The elder man folded his hands in prayer.
"-May he rise up and defend us in our time of need,"
"-I shall follow the ways of our lord and savior Kurama, and bask in his infinite wisdom and glory to crush all who defy the true harbinger of the sage,"
"-And may we spread his name in glory through our halls for as long as our name shall reign."
The wind intensity doubled as the fire increased in size dramatically, the sound was deafening to all who inhabited the ancient chambers, the fire began to take shape.
Naruto flinched in fear and awe as the shape took hold into the face of a fox.
He heard a deep demonic voice in his head.
"I have chosen you to be a vessel of my power, don't disappoint me Ningen." a second later he felt a burst of power like nothing he had ever felt before.
Naruto felt a powerful rush of energy flow through his body. Falling to his knees as the chakra felt like liquid fire burning his body from the inside.
A second later he acclimated to it and rose to his feet a new sense of purpose overcame him and he knew things could never be the same.
LINEBREAK
Current time…
Eyes opening as the morning sunlight illuminates the room; Naruto yawned as his eyes blearily scanned the room.
he hopped out of bed and stretched feeling all of his muscles, he went to get dressed.
Putting on an orange kimono with a blue sash and traditional geta sandals he walked out to speak with the elders about last night's events.
Looking for the older men, he spotted them near a campfire surrounded by warriors starting a sermon to begin the day.
He walked over to them.
"Elder Moro, I request an audience." The man bowed.
"Of course Naruto-sama, how can I help?"
The warriors who previously were focused on the elder, bowed to Naruto.
"Long live Naruto-sama!" They shouted.
Naruto smiled but cringed internally at the response. He was far too used to it and it reminded him of the duty he upheld.
He turned his attention to the elder.
"We need to discuss last night, the girl, has she awoken?"
"Yes, and her wounds were treated," Elder Moro paused.
"-Her interrogation is to be handled by Mizuhiro-sama's elite guard, we are only to observe."
Naruto nodded in understanding.
"I'm going to drop by."
Entering a large tent Naruto spotted the black armour of the clanheads own special unit standing around the mint haired girl he found yesterday.
Her hands and feet were restrained to the chair she was sitting on.
"A little much don't you think boys?" He walked up to the captain wrapping an arm around him.
"Picking on a wounded girl Oji-San, what, were there no starving kittens for you to pick on?
"your crass humor and insolence is unbecoming for the bearer of the gift." The middle aged man sharply replied with an annoyed and dangerous glint in his eye.
"And this is no kitten, she is the acolyte of a false god and heretic, her mere presence alive makes me feel uneasy as if I am blaspheming myself."
Pulling out a self rolled cigar the man brought forth a small fire from his fingers with a snap.
"See for yourself, look at the mark on her palm." He stated as the smoke exited threw his nostrils floating past his short cropped dark red hair.
Naruto looked at her palm and saw 七 the symbol for seven he nodded.
"What would you propose we do?"
"Personally I would take her back to the homeland and have her executed for all to witness but, alas I have my commitment to this crusade and my orders are to question her."
Blowing out more cigar smoke from his nostrils he turned back to the girl.
"Now girl, my orders are not to kill you but, they never said anything about torture," He grinned a sadists' smile as the girl looked to him with a mixture of defiance, apprehension and a underlying hint of fear.
Lowering the upper half of his body until his head was level with her's he stared deep into her shaking amber eyes.
"-now tell me what I want and I might not hurt you too bad." the imposing man whispered maliciously.
Naruto grabbed his shoulder, gripping it with a slight strength.
"No need to get violent now eh Oji-San let me talk to her, you always extend an olive branch before a sword." He lightly shoved him out of the way earning a glare from the man.
"Why don't you boys go get some drinks on me? Tell them the acolyte ordered it. I'll talk to our guest here."
The men with exception of their leader left the tent, on their way out another person walked in.
This one a woman, standing around 5'4 with shoulder length dark red hair, she had a proud walk.
Her crimson field kimono showed her noble heritage and her ability as a capable warrior. The man in black armor immediately stiffened.
" Ayu-sama it's a honor that you grace us with your presence" He quickly bowed
The woman gave the two males a glance and then her eyes set upon the girl still strapped to a chair.
"Banri-San please unstrap that girl and escort us both to a more fitting place for a young woman." She said with a gentle, refined, yet flat voice.
He nodded fervently terrified at the prospect of offending her and he began to unstrap the girl Naruto smiled.
"Hey Ayu-Chan I could've handled it."
Banri looked as if he would explode, walking over to Naruto he grabs him not so gently.
"boy..." he growls in his ear .
"-do not disrespect Ayu-Sama. She is well above you in status to speak to her as if you are familiar, she is Mizuhiro-samas grandniece and while you are blessed you are still a boy." He ground out.
Sliding out from under his grip Naruto gave him a foxy grin.
"Are you worried I'm going to steal her from you? It's okay Oji-san you never had a chance to begin with." he walked away leaving the furious man behind.
Naruto followed Ayu to her tent, a much nicer white tent with gold trim they went inside and saw it was decorated lavishly.
"Please, sit." Ayu said while gesturing Fu to a tatami mat.
Naruto walked in followed shortly by Banryu who was still fuming.
Ayu walked over taking a seat across from the girl and began to make them some tea
"Greetings my name is Ayu I'm sorry for any mistreatment you may have endured." She finished cutting her bindings handing her a cup of tea.
"What is your name?" the green-haired girl looked at her warily.
"Fu." Ayu nodded.
"Nice to meet you Fu."
Fu's heart pulsed in her chest as Ayu's polite disposition did nothing to distract Fu from her current predicament.
"What... do you want from me" Fu began slowly.
Ayu smiled.
"I just need to ask you a few questions."
Jaw tightening and eyes narrowing Fu sat up straighter in her chair.
"Ask away." she bit out
Ayu smiled taking a sip from her tea
"You're from the Taki clan correct?"
Fu looked directly into the eyes of Ayu, looking for any deceit or malicious intent but, there was nothing just a cool and calm facade.
"Yes." Fu replied in a monotone voice, not willing to show anymore of her unease.
Ayu nodded, taking another sip of tea.
"And you're the acolyte of Nanabi?"
"Yes." Fu quickly replied seeing no reason to lie as her status had already been revealed earlier.
Ayu nodded.
"How did you come to be in this position?" Fu looked off in the distance.
"The Son Clan attacked our clan while they slept. They used Lava Style. We barely had time to react before our numbers were more than cut in half." Ayu looked at her empathetically.
"I'm sorry to hear that."
Still puffing on his cigar from earlier Banri stood in the corner watching the entire conversation.
'What a fool, telling us her clans' numbers cut in half does she not realize the position she is in, we could easily kill her and annihilate her clan. Getting rid of one cesspool of non-believers for all eternity.'
Banri thought this to himself exhaling smoke from his mouth and continued to focus on the interrogation at hand.
Ayu looked at her, finishing her tea and setting the cup aside.
"The Uzumaki clan is not fond of genocide but we would be remiss to let an enemy run free and not capitalize on the current situation."
Ayu folded her hands regally over her lap.
"So, the way I see it we have two choices either we give you back to your clan as a token to seal an alliance of peace, or we kill you and finish your clan; it's your choice." She looked at Fu, her relaxed gaze turning deadly serious.
"You have five minutes to decide."
Fu's heart was now pounding, she was an acolyte and a young one at that. Fu didn't have any real political clout to be making decisions like these.
"You can't make me decide I am in no position to negotiate an alliance between two clans." Fu exclaimed as her voice rose in volume as she spoke.
The interrogation was interrupted by loud approaching footsteps a boy burst in looking urgently.
"Naruto-sama," cried the boy of 8 or 10, he was dressed in field hand clothes, a beige cotton shirt with dark brown breeches, a conical hat made out of straw covering his head.
"-Urgent message from Elder Moro!" the boy said in a serious but, high pitched voice.
"What is it Usuya?" Naruto walked over to him
Pulling out a sealed parchment from his back pocket.
"See for yourself Naruto-sama." he responded as he handed it to Naruto.
" I will take my leave Naruto-sama." Noticing Ayu and Banri he quickly walked up to them and bowed.
"It is an honor Banri-San, Ayu-sama." Usuya quickly walked away to deliver more messages.
Opening the message Naruto's eyes scrolled down the letter. His eyes soon widened. He quickly schooled his expression as his eyes narrowed.
"How unfortunate Ayu-sama, but it seems I am needed elsewhere." Naruto spoke without any of his previous lightheartedness.
"I am needed by task force Alpha." Naruto slowly began to walk away.
After a short trek across the fields he saw the war tents in the distance.
He arrived at the alpha base and was greeted by a random soldier.
"Naruto-Sama we've been awaiting your arrival." Naruto nodded.
"Sorry I had other business to attend to."
Naruto looked around the entrance to the base noticing the large number of soldiers moving out on missions or preparing defenses.
"Hmm, soldier-San what has happened that has you all up in arms?"
The soldier looked into Naruto's eyes wearily.
"Heretics have infiltrated our forces here and in the whole Province, and have incited a multitude of small uprisings."
Naruto nodded.
"Very well where shall we begin?"
The man's gaze became bleaker.
"Sir they have called in task force alpha, Saito Kurama is waiting to brief you in the base."
Naruto stiffened at the name.
"Saito-sensei." he muttered lowly with a hint of nostalgia.
He followed the soldier into the tent and saw his old sensei standing there talking to another soldier.
Saito saw Naruto out of the corner of his eye and turned looking at him with a smile donning his face.
He walked over grabbing his shoulder.
"Naru-Chan look how big you've gotten you might even be able to take me now." Naruto chuckled
"I doubt that." They both laughed cheerfully.
Naruto's expression turned serious as he snapped back into focus.
"Who's attacking the inner fields?" Saito looked at him.
"It's the Shinobi scum they snuck in and slaughtered some of our best men." Naruto nodded in understanding.
Shinobi were rogue warriors who used stealth and cheap tactics to get the advantage in battle whereas the standard paladins fought using an honor system of direct combat assisted with chakra techniques.
"If we're dealing with shinobi this could get tricky" Naruto thought to himself as his expression deepened.
"These Shinobi's have been inciting rebellions helping the peasants and many deserters from our armies gather weapons, money, and other resources." Saito's mouth formed into a frown as he stared Into Naruto's eyes.
"We have our suspicions as to who these Shinobis have been hired by but, that's not your problem to worry about. You will link up with two of my subordinates near Tanzaku Gai in three days' time."
Naruto nodded.
"Very well."
Naruto walked out of the command center with his expression grim.
'The heretics, the non-believers , a power play? I don't know who could be at fault for these insurgents but, I will silence them anyways.' Naruto thought to himself, determined to end the fighting.
" Hopefully this will be over fast." Naruto said to himself as he headed towards the main road on foot.
After several hours of walking he stopped at a small village and went to a tavern.
He sat down and ordered a drink which was brought to him by a buxom blonde wearing tavern clothes that left little to the imagination. He blushed lightly but kept his composure.
"What a handsome young man, are you spoken for, if you would like, we can head to a private room and get to know each other better."
Blushing he politely declined the offer for extra nourishment and proceeded to drink in peace.
After dismissing the waitress Naruto sat and enjoyed his drink. Looking around the tavern Naruto's locked eyes with a Orange haired young man, his brown eyes staring intently into Naruto's own.
The man nodded his head slightly beckoning Naruto to join him at his now empty table.
Naruto walked over and sat down with the man.
"Hello."
The orange haired man smiled slightly, his eyes never leaving Naruto's own.
"Care to play a round?" the man said gesturing to the deck of cards neatly stacked on the table.
Naruto nodded.
"What's the game?"
"High-hat." the man said his smile morphing into a straight line
he reached into his coat pulling out a deck of cards and shuffled them.
"You know how to play?"
"Yeah." he replied
Naruto smiled.
"Your Name?" he looked up from shuffling the cards.
"They call me Y," The orange-haired man smirked, "-Let's play."
X END X
