Chapter 47: The War Begins
At the alliance HQ the kage are convening a meeting.
"We've received a report from the reconnaissance division that they've located Akatsuki's main base." the kazekage says
"That's good news now we can begin deploying the divisions to attack the enemy." the mizukage says
"It appears that will win this war quickly." the raikage says
"Not likely the report indicates that the enemy is 100,000 strong." the tsuchikage says
"That's more than the total number of shinobi we have counting the additional 5,000 troops we've received from taki and ame bringing our total forces to around 85,000." the hokage says
"It won't matter if they outnumber us if we have superior tactics." the kazekage says
"That's true but, we have no idea what the enemy's forces are capable of." the mizukage says
"We'll have a better idea of their combat capabilities after the first encounter." the raikage says
"Hopefully it won't come at a heavy cost to our forces." the tsuchikage says
"We should reconsider hiding away the jinchuriki whose battle power can help us even the odds back in our favor." the hokage says
"No they're still targets by putting them out front for the enemy to target them is a mistake." the kazekage says
"I agree even the jinchuriki will be overwhelmed by the number of forces we'll be faced against." the mizukage says
"I still don't like that the kyuubi jinchuriki snuck off the island to rescue someone." the raikage says annoyed
"Yes it was a reckless thing to do considering the enemy is targeting her." the tsuchikage says
"A member of her family was in need of help and she acted to save her. She didn't leave for long and we've gained intelligence from the incident that Madara has obtained the rinnegan so, I feel it was worth the risk." the hokage says
"It's because of her recklessness that we can't send her out to the front." the kazekage says
"Yes if she's reckless for the sake of family then, we can't trust her to follow orders when she may need to abandon her comrades." the mizukage says
"We can't disclued the nanabi and hachibi jinchuriki their wild and just as reckless and not able to follow orders." `the raikage says with a sigh thinking of his brother.
"We can't afford to have shinobi that don't follow orders in the middle of a war." the tsuchikage says
"I still think that they would be useful in dealing with the numbers we're facing but, I understand your point." the hokage says in resignation.
"Has there been further word from the reconnaissance team?" the kazekage asks
"No there hasn't been any further reports, odds are that the enemy has discovered them." the mizukage says
"We'll be sending the surprise attack division anyway if they did survive they can link up with them." the raikage says
"It's probably the best move we can make under the circumstances." the tsuchikage says
"I agree as well." the hokage says
"Then, it's time for me and the mizukage to head out to our designated divisions." the kazekage says as he gets up
"Yes I can't keep the daimyo waiting for me." the mizukage says as she gets up as well
"Both of you good luck on your assignments." the raikage says
"Yes we'll be here ready to step onto the field at a moment's notice." the tsuchikage says
"Be careful we don't know when the enemy will make their move." the hokage says as she watches the Kazekage and Mizukage leave the office and out of the building to tend to their roles.
Several hours later the Surprise attack division is making its way toward Akatsuki's base when they spot survivors of the reconnaissance party. They move towards them to rescue them but, Mubi aburame warns them away as he explodes from explosive clay trapped in his jar. When the explosion clears we see Deidara, Chukichi, Shin, and Mukade. They launch an assault against the surprise attack division with Mukade using members of the reconnaissance as puppets to fight against the team while, Deidara launches explosives at them that kill two of the team members Zaji and Kiri. Meanwhile, Omoi cuts the chakra strings to the two reconnaissance members setting them free. One of the members of the surprise attack division uses earth release: moving earth core lowering the ground around them to avoid an explosion triggered by Deidara's explosives. They raise the ground back up when the explosion passes and Sai manages to help Shin find peace so, he passes on to the pure land. Deidara attempts to blow himself up but, is trapped in the black ant puppet and is stabbed by Omoi who uses lightning chakra to negate the clay explosives. While, Mukade and Chukichi retreat back into the forest to meet up with another team of reincarnated shinobi. With members of the reconnaissance division rescued, the surprise attack division lead by Kankuro take to the skies on Sai's ink birds in search of another Akatsuki cell; they encounter one with a reincarnated Haku, Zabuza, Hiruko, Chen and Gari. Even though they outnumber them they're pushed back by the might of the reincarnated shinobi. They send up a flare for assistance to call in the third division led by Kakashi. They are rescued in time from being finished off by the reincarnated shinobi by the third division's arrival, but Hiruko summons the remaining seven legendary swordsmen of the mist and four of their swords. Kakashi, Lee, Guy, and Sakura hold off against Zabuza and Haku eventually managing to seal both of them. Kakashi takes up Zabuza's sword and charges forward to challenge the remaining swordsmen of the mist. While, the surprise attack division pulls back to allow the third division to handle the reincarnated shinobi.
Meanwhile, the second division lead by Kitsuchi at the border of the land of frost and land of lightning unearth about 20,000 zetsu moving underneath the ground and engage them in battle as they slowly make their way toward the first division who are defending the coast of the land of lightning. When the edo tensei emerge from the sea along with the zetsu they're assaulted by the longe range jutsu users. The edo tensei Mito, Hizashi, Dan kato,Yahiko, Hidan, Kakuzu, Kisame, Kinkaku, and Ginkaku assault the shore as they face the first division lead by Darui who with Atsui and Samui engage Kinkaku and Ginkaku. Atsui and Samui are sealed away by one of the treasured tools. Darui eventually turns the tables on the two brothers and manages to seal Ginkaku. While, Kinkaku goes into a rage and transforms into a six tailed state. The alliance HQ teleports a pot called the Kohaku no Johei to seal Kinkaku with the assistance from Ino Yamanaka. Dan Kato is sealed in four violet flames formation trapping him. Kakuzu and Hizashi are subdued by Choji and eventually sealed.
Meanwhile, the surprise attack division is making its way through the land of hot water with the captured Deidara. They're attacked by reincarnated shinobi and are paralyzed by poison from Ibuse Hanzo's summon. Deidara is rescued and the surprise attack division is about to be finished off when the fifth division led by Mifune arrives to the rescue to face the edo tensei of Hanzo, Sasori, Chiyo, Kimimaro, Chukichi, Sesshomaru, Hayate, Danzo and Mukade. Mifune faces off against Hanzo and Ibuse. He manages to slay Ibuse and defeat Hanzo in a duel causing Hanzo to admit defeat and commit seppuku allowing him to be sealed.
At the same time back at the battle of the coast of the land of lightning Madara appears along with the Gedo Mazo that goes on a rampage as the reinforcements of the second division led by Kitsuchi arrive. Choza, Choji and Kitsuchi battle the giant statue during the struggle Hizashi, Dan Kato, and Kakuzu are freed. Madara retrieved the Benihisago that contains Ginkaku and the Kohaku no Johei that contains Kinkaku and warps away with them and summons the Gedo Mazo away from the battlefield.
Away from the battlefield at a secret compound Kurozetsu attempts to capture the Daimyo but, they turn out to be puppets to lure him in. He engages the Daimyo protection squad led by the mizukage. Kurozetsu uses the land and his wood release to his advantage to attack and keep the squad busy. Night eventually starts to fall and the shinobi hunker down for the the forces of the alliance down to 45,000 while, the zetsu army of Akatsuki is down to 50,000. The zetsu begin to use night time maneuvers and use their substitute technique to imitate the shinobi that faced during the day to take their place and sneak into sensitive areas and begin assassinating the shinobi including the logistical support and Medical division led by Shizune. Where the medics are slowly being picked off one by one by unknown assailants but, Sakura manages to catch one of them and begins examining and dissecting one of the zetsu. The battlefields are thrown into chaos as the shinobi are being attacked when their guard is down. Back at HQ the chief strategist Shikaku hearing the news is coming up with a blank except to use the Jinchuriki particularly Naruko with her negative emotion sensing to locate and pick out the enemy.
"You can't be serious!" the raikage says
"I am, it's the only way that I can come up with to deal with the zetsu is to use Naruko's ability." Shikaku says
"Things are looking dire we may not have a choice if we don't do something. The alliance will fall apart due to paranoia about their comrades." the tsuchikage says
"Plus if they don't get a chance to recover from the fight, the next day they'll be easy pickings for the zetsu." the hokage says
"Still if we do this then, the enemy will take the opportunity to try and acquire the jinchuriki." the raikage says
"It will do us little good to hold them back at the expense of the whole alliance." the tsuchikage says
"Besides if this continues the alliance forces will either be weakened and over runned by the zetsu or outright annihilated for the remaining army of zetsu to make their way to the island turtle and capture the jinchuriki that way." the hokage says
"I guess we've no choice then we'll let the jinchuriki enter the battlefield." the raikage says
"That is the only option we have at this point so, let's hope it pays off." Shikaku says
"I best head out to lend my aid while you two stay here." the tsuchikage says
"It seems that the time for all of us to enter the battle is drawing close." the hokage says
At the island turtle the jinchuriki are honing their skills with their new chakra shrouds. They've begun to train in using the tailed beast ball. With Bee's guidance they're making great progress. When they receive word that they're to head to the battlefield.
"It's about time I hope we aren't too late to help our friends." Naruko says
"Things must be bad if they're deviating from the plan to keep us on the island." Fu says
"It's time for us to move out you've both made great progress now it's time to put your new skills to the test." Bee says
"What are we waiting for let's go!" Naruko says as she begins to exit the temple and out the falls of truth.
"Fu is following right behind you." Fu says as she let's Naruko take the lead.
"I'll be right behind you guys lending my support." Bee says as both Fu and Naruko go ahead of him as the three headout off the island turtle to head toward the battlefield. Naruko activates her shroud and senses the malice of the enemy everywhere so, she picks up the pace. As she is making her way to the battlefield she is drawn into the seal to have a chat with the kyuubi.
"What is it Kyuubi?" Naruko asks
"Other than you using my chakra as a flashlight not much." the kyuubi says annoyed
"You're at least looking better have you been feeding on my chakra?" Naruko asks curious
"Yes and I've regained my strength but, that's beside the point you're being naive about the hatred you're about to confront." the kyuubi says
"What do you mean?" Naruko asks curious
"What I mean is you're about to enter a war where the worst of human nature occurs despite everything you've been through you haven't seen a thing such as war it's a true hell." the kyuubi says
"I get that this is where the road to peace often falls flat as people seek out vengeance in their hatred and grief at what they experience." Naruko says
"That's right war is the opposite of peace and you're running right into it with the desire to overcome hatred at such a level you can't comprehend." the kyuubi says
"I'm aware it's something I haven't experienced but, I will bear the hatred and the pain of this war just as I have my whole life for the sake of peace." Naruko says
"You can't bear everyone's pain and hatred, it's impossible even for someone like you." the kyuubi says
"I will bear the hatred and pain somehow for everyone's sake even yours and maybe someday I will be able to do something about the hatred you carry." Naruko says
"You are truly a fool to think such a thing. I am the embodiment of hatred itself. Someone like you isn't capable of changing me." the kyuubi sneers
"Come here." Naruko says as a torii gate pins the kyuubi's head to the ground and Naruko gets into kyuubi's face.
"Just you watch I will endure it all and help you and my fellow shinobi overcome the hatred that grips them. I will never give up on them or you!" Naruko says firmly right into kyuubi's eye.
"You truly a fool beyond all hope to challenge hatred itself and expect to survive unchanged by it and even probably a greater fool to hope to overcome it." the kyuubi says
"We'll see if a fool who refuses to give up can bring hope." Naruko says
"War is where hope dies. In the end Naruko it's something you'll see for yourself." the kyuubi says calmly as he closes his eyes to sleep as Naruko continues on in the darkness toward the battlefield.