Naruto - Warlord
AN:
Boom, i'm back! Already!
Got an early day today so i sat down to get this out in one big squeeze. I also wanted to get this out a bit quickly since the last few chapters have either been a bit short or slow in regards to action. I just want to show you guys that we are building up towards something, and when we reach this metaphorical peak, we're going to be moving towards the next one... And then the next one, and so we'll continue til we reach the end.
You guys had some questions in either the reviews or PM's, but there's little i can currently give you without spoiling anything, so i've been purposefully ambiguous. If this has frustrated someone, i do apologize.
This is where i normally talk about my thoughts regarding the chapter, but here too i feel like i'd best wait until the next few chapters have been released.
One thing i CAN say however, is this; Something is mentioned in this chapter, that has been briefly glossed over before, that i think might trigger some of the readers who think and feel like the shinobi should be the epitome of all that is powerful and badass in the Elemental Nations, but that never made sense to me, seeing as they have a Daimyo who rules them. Therefore, since the vanilla universe is so lacking in information regarding society and hierarchy outside of the shinobi, i've made my own interpretation. If my interpretation angers you, i do apologize, but honestly whoever has gotten this far into the story to read this probably doesnt mind.
Next chapter MIGHT be out soon too, but i'm not quite sure; it depends on how much work i get over the next coming few days. We'll see, but i will try my best!
ENJOY!
Chapter 22
After another week, they eventually packed up an left 'Tatenai' behind. Having told the locals of their story from Kisara had convinced most of them to join them in their journey, fearful of the Daimyo's response, but some of the more stubborn ones decided to remain. Naruto welcomed the almost 500 men and women with warm appreciation and prayed for the ones who remained, but that was their own choice.
As their journey resumed, Naruto made a critical decision on the training of his people; He now participated daily in the training of his soldiers fighting capabilities, using his 'Shadow Clones' to full effect. He could train several hundreds of his men at any time this way, which provided him with a valuable insight to the level of fighting capability of his forces. Naturally, his own technique in fighting was improved like this as well, but clones wouldn't allow him to improve his body.
Because of that, himself, the original, had taken to exercising with En and his Iron Guard whenever he could, both for his own benefit as well as theirs.
As he was now personally guiding each man and woman in his army in their training from time to time, he was able to get a proper estimate of their abilities which gave him a lot of ideas for future tactics. While his usual day to day spearmen and archers would have to primarily focus on mastering their weapons to full effect, the captains and the officers would have to learn chakra techniques sooner or later, in order to properly fend of chakra attacks and protect their men. If they wished to teach those arts to their own men, then that would be their choice, but Naruto himself couldn't take the responsibility of teaching his soldiers complicated techniques. There was about 3000 men and women under his command as soldiers, there was no way he could take on such a task, even with his clones.
During their next month of travel, as the weather got warmer, a lot of issues appeared in Ryu's rangers day to day tasks. It was an administrative issue regarding their tasks since they worked in smaller teams, typically no more than 6 in any given mission. While Naruto had made sure to educate the rangers in survival, tracking, and other fields they'd need to fulfill their tasks to full effect, 120 men and women of rangers ended up becoming a lot of teams that had to work autonomously apart from everyone else. While the unit was split between two platoons, about 60 men under each of the captains, the unit still needed a firm hand from their officer in command.
But Ryu had lately been lax in his management of his rangers. Communication and decision making regarding their daily tasks was lacking, as the unit needed an officer in charge to lead them while the captains and team leaders could focus on the smaller details.
Naruto had long since had enough of his former friend's behavior. Something was going to have to change, Ryu's and Naruto's personal differences aside.
"Warlord. Warlord!", a voice called out from outside his tent. Blinking the sleep out of his eyes quickly, Naruto attempted to rise, but was held down by the weight on his chest.
Glancing down, he saw Asuka naked, her hair still a mess from their earlier activities, leaning on top of him with a wary expression on her face. Even after she began to share his bed, she took her guard duty as seriously as ever, if not more so.
"Relax darling.", Naruto murmured, smiling tenderly at her as he pulled her back to the sheets. The girl obeyed, if a bit involuntarily, as she let Naruto drag her close. The light moan that escaped her lips helped wake Naruto in more ways than one. "Go back to sleep." Turning towards the closed entrance of the tent flap, Naruto frowned with annoyance. Considering how dark it was, it was obvious that it was in the middle of the night. "What is it?"
"There's trouble.", the voice continued and Naruto recognized it as one of his other Iron Guardsmen. "You need to get out here, quick."
Grumbling with annoyance, Naruto quickly pulled on a pair of cotton pants and a shirt, before stomping towards the entrance. Asuka remained in bed, gazing longingly after him as he left.
Leaving the warm confines of his tent, the frisk, cool night air greeted him along with the soft light and glow of nearby campfires. His Iron Guard covered the perimeter as always, but 2 men kneeled before his tent with their head bowed.
"What's going on?", Naruto grunted, crossing his arms with a frown at the Iron Guard who had awoken him. He hoped they had a good reason to disturb his sleep.
"Apologies, Warlord.", the man said and bowed respectfully as he recognized Naruto's annoyance. "But these two have a report of great importance for you. An army of samurai from 'Fire' is on the approach."
The words rang out into the silent gathering and it took Naruto several seconds to register what had been said.
When it finally sunk in, his eyes widened with a barely restrained gasp.
An army!?
His gaze snapped to the two kneeling men in front of them and instantly recognized their cloaked, leather gear as rangers. The one on the right carried the distinctions of a captain.
"Captain.", Naruto barked, his eyes glancing up and about the area. He had expected Ryu to be giving the report considering it's importance. "Where is your commanding officer? Why is Ryu not here to make the report?"
"Unknown, my Lord.", the Captain responded dutifully, his eyes still lowered to the ground. "We couldn't find him, so we made the decision of coming directly to you, as we believe the situation to need your immediate attention. Apologies."
Naruto pursed his lips with distaste at this, but not at the man before him. Had this been the first case of Ryu's absence, he would have been suspicious of the man before him attempting to undermine his officer, but considering Ryu's lack of discipline lately...
Even so, he could not publicly condone the man's actions, not directly.
"Stand up.", Naruto muttered neutrally, clasping his hands together at his back. "Make your report." The man stood and gave a nod as he mirrored Naruto's posture while the team leader next to him remained in a kneeling position.
"One of our teams...", the captain began with a gesture towards the remaining kneeling individual. "...Was out on a practice reconnaissance mission tonight, to the west, where they made a disturbing observation. An army carrying the colors and banners of the Fire Daimyo are on approach, a 2 days march out from our position."
"How many?", Naruto questioned, a tinge of worry flaring in his chest.
"Difficult to tell, considering the dense vegetation of the surrounding country.", the captain began. "But my man here assures me the army consists of no less than 5000 men."
5000.
The number rang like an echo through Naruto's head. 5000 armed and trained fighters. While Naruto and his forces had chakra, they still had about 2000 less men than them, so some of their own was undoubtedly going to die, no matter how well they fought. They were going to have to be smart about this.
"An impressive number.", Naruto murmured, rubbing his chin thoughtfully while he carefully hid his worry; It wouldn't do for his soldiers to see him rattled. "But we can easily fend off such an attack if we manage to entrench ourselves in a defensive position. Assuming this is a response to our attack on 'Tatenai', whoever reported the incident did not see our full capabilities, so we will have the element of surprise on our side."
The captain however didn't seem to be reassured, closing his eyes with a frown.
"Warlord.", the captain breathed. "There's one more thing. A small contingent of The Royal Army of Fire has been sighted."
Naruto's heart jumped in his chest upon those dreadful words.
The Royal FUCKING Army.
Naruto's hand clenched involuntarily once, before he forced himself to let go of his surging frustration. Konoha hadn't even shown their faces yet and he could already feel the walls closing in around him. He'd been rash in his decision to move on Tatenai, but he supposed what was done was done.
There was a reason why the Daimyo's of the lands allowed the Shinobi to do as they pleased and it had nothing to do with the fact that they were scared of the potential retaliation, no. The Royal Army of any country that served the Daimyo was an army of elite fighters, hundreds in number and fully trained in the usage of chakra and it's many obscure arts. The Daimyo's rule was never even anywhere close to being threatened because of these soldiers, as they could easily compete and overcome Shinobi nations.
They weren't ready to face such an adversary. Not even close.
"...I see...", Naruto murmured, taking deep breaths to calm himself. He could loose his shit later when he was out of view, but not in front of his men. As another thought struck him, he gave the Captain before him an inquisitive gaze. "Why were your people out training in the middle of the night?", Naruto interrogated. "I've never heard of your rangers performing such exercises before now. Did Ryu order you to do this?"
"No, my Lord.", the Captain shook his head and bowed immediately, no doubt believing he was about to be reprimanded. "We have not received any training orders from Ryu in some time. I took the initiative to have my platoon training during nighttime in a steady rotation as a way of training their navigation, stealth and tracking in the absence of daylight. Seeing as we rangers may be sent out for days, if not weeks at a time, I believed the training to be necessary for our efficiency. Apologies if-"
"You apologize too much.", Naruto chuckled. Walking forward and closer to the Captain, his Guard shadowed him in his step in case something happened. Standing over the bowed Captain, Naruto smiled down at the man. He looked to be a couple of years older than Naruto, but not by much. He had short, black hair in a buzz cut and a light 5 o'clock shadow. His face was sharp and he seemed to carry himself with an expression that was as severe and straight as his posture. He looked every bit the dutiful soldier. "What is your name?"
"It's Hisao, my Lord.", the man replied without hesitation.
"'Hisao'." Naruto let the name roll of his tongue. The man had showed great respect, discipline and eagerness, as well as great initiative. More so than Ryu ever had, even before he'd condemned Naruto for whatever imagined slight that now angered him to the degree of being unprofessional. "Where are you from?"
"I am from Earth, my Lord.", Hisao began, casting a reverent glance up at Naruto before he lowered his gaze again. "You found me and my family in the cellar of one of the houses, a day after the Wind's army had sacked it."
Naruto narrowed his eyes as he remembered the incident.
Stepping down the ladder, Naruto could only seat himself upon it in shock, his breath leaving his body upon the sight.
Malnourished and scared beyond belief, an entire crowd of families hid within the basement, trembling upon the sight of Naruto and his halberd. They were dirty, many covered in blood from what had probably happened not long ago.
Naruto ignored their pleading as anger towards the Daimyo's of all lands welled up inside of him.
"Aye, I remember.", Naruto nodded after recalling the memory. "You've been with us for quite some time then."
"Yes." Hisao bowed even deeper. "Me and my family owe you our lives."
"I am grateful for your dedication, but know that I do not hold you bound by what happened. You and yours are your own people, you know?"
"With all due respect, Warlord.", Hisao pushed back, surprising Naruto with his sudden vehemence. "We are your people and I say so with pride. I serve you because I wish to do so."
His words brought a calculative smile to Naruto's face; It seemed the man could think for himself as well. Pondering what he'd learned for just a few seconds, Naruto quickly made up his mind.
"Hisao.", Naruto began with an outward smile, although he was sad for what he was about to do to his friend Ryu. "From this moment on, I promote you to the commanding officer of the 'Rangers'." Naruto chuckled as Hisao's head snapped up with an incredulous expression. "Effective immediately."
"M-My Lord, I am hardly fit to-", Hisao began, but stopped as Naruto held up a hand, unwilling to hear his excuses.
"You have already shown yourself to be much more capable than your predecessor.", Naruto muttered bitterly. Ryu had let him down. More importantly, he'd let his unit down and no longer deserved to lead them. Naruto didn't care about Ryu's reasons anymore, but they were going to have words about his current absence later. "Have your second take your spot as a captain immediately and prepare your rangers for mission. Meet me again here in 1 hour."
"Yes, Warlord!", Hisao exclaimed, kneeling quickly before disappearing with a burst of chakra. The team leader that had arrived with him disappeared the following second in the same manner.
Turning to go back into his tent again, Naruto gave his Iron Guard a passing glance.
"Wake Shou, En and the rest of the officers. Bring them here after they're dressed."
"Yes, Warlord!"
As they burst into activity while a sound number of them remained to keep watch around Naruto's tent, Naruto entered his shelter to see Asuka fully dressed in her armor, fastening some forearm steel protectors. Asuka smiled at him as their eyes met, her face flushing as he smiled back at her fondly.
"I assume you heard?"
"Yes.", she replied easily, rising with a flourish of her naginata. Biting her lip cutely, the girl was obviously worried but tried not to let it show as she gave him a flirty smirk. "Need help putting your armor on?"
Naruto gave her a flirty smile of his own. It was nice to have some illusion of being distracted from the shit that was raining down on them.
"Please."
An hour later, his officers, En, Shou and the newly appointed commanding officer of the Rangers, Hisao, were gathered around a bonfire. Their encampment was a blur of activity of worried families and soldiers packing up and getting ready to move, despite the fact that it was in the middle of the night.
A large map was spread out between Naruto and the rest of their gathering, grave expressions shared between the people present.
Naruto stood at the head of the map, flanked by En and Asuka, all clad in their armors. Naruto's helmet was held in his left hand, his halberd in his right.
"As I am sure you've all heard by now...", Naruto began, eyeing his officers meaningfully. "An army of no less than 5000 men, the Fire Daimyo's men, are on the approach about 2 days away. Had they been common samurai, like the ones we faced back in Kisara, I would say we could easily take them on. However, a contingent of men from the Royal Army are accompanying the forces."
Some of his officers sucked in sharp breaths, the severity of their situation finally dawning on them. Naruto gave Hisao a nod, allowing the newly appointed officer to take the floor.
"One of my teams observed them west from our current position.", Hisao began as he stepped forward to take the attention. "They are currently following the 'Hazel River' and will catch up to us unless something is done."
"Can we outrun them?", Masaru questioned hopefully, but was instantly shut down by Hisao.
"No. Their entire army is on horseback. If we wish to outrun them, we will have to leave behind our feeble and sick."
"Unacceptable.", Naruto stated as a matter of fact and he was pleased to see Hisao and the rest of his officers nod.
"Agreed.", Hisao sighed and frowned at the map before them. "But that still leaves us with the approaching army. What should we do?"
"As far as I can see...", Shou began, his arms crossed as he studied the map. "...Our only option is to have a small unit sabotage their movement while the rest continues to move on. It will buy us time and distance to think of something else."
"There's no way we'll ever reach the border of 'Hotsprings' to the north before they catch up to us, sabotage or not.", another officer denied with frustration and Naruto had to admit that she had a point along with Shou. Luckily for them, Naruto was familiar with the land from his youth.
"This is what we will do.", Naruto began calmly, yet clearly. His voice calmed the officers and stilled them to utter silence. Lifting his halberd, Naruto pointed it at a small island on the map, right off the eastern coast of 'Fire', between there and Water Country. It was the island of 'Wave'. "This island right here is called Wave. It's just a weeks travel away from here and it's people live off the ocean, which means that they should have many sea faring vessels. We will procure whatever boats they have and escape to here." He then lifted his halberd to point to a chain of islands north-east from wave, between there and 'Lightning'. "We'll make landfall at whichever island is best suited for our needs. Chances are, we might have to craft some rudimentary sea vessels ourselves. The islands are easily defensible and not strictly within Fire's jurisdiction. They might follow us into Wave, but I doubt they will do so all the way out to these uncharted islands."
"And the army?", Shou pushed, smiling softly at Naruto's plan. Their eyes were hopeful now, less frustration with their situation clear as there was finally some metaphorical lights at the end of the tunnel.
"Hisao.", Naruto continued upon Shou's question, the man in question perking up with interest. "You and your rangers will accompany me and my 'Iron Guard' for the sabotage mission, though your men will carry the brunt of the responsibility. As they are still 2 days away, we might have at the very least 1 night to successfully sabotage their movements before they increase their security. Shou." Shou nodded then, showing Naruto he was listening intently. "I want you to keep a contingent ready at a safe distance. If our mission fails, or we are partially successful but have to make a hot escape, we need you to be able to cover us."
"Understood.", Shou bowed, making Naruto smile.
"Good man.", Naruto chuckled, leaning onto his halberd as he regarded the rest. "The rest of you, make preparations. You're all-"
"I'm so, so sorry!", the familiar voice of Ryu interrupted him. Naruto's expression instantly lost it's joviality, turning his head slowly to regard Ryu who was jogging towards them. He wore a sheepish and embarrassed expression that furthered Naruto's irritation. Ryu was not smiling however, a strange emotion captured upon his features, but Naruto was too angry with him to care.
"...Dismissed.", Naruto finished with a drawl after a moment of silence. His officers dispersed without a word, sensing the storm that was about to come.
"Oh, are we finished already?", Ryu muttered, glancing towards Naruto with a hesitant, yet cold expression. Turning around to follow Hisao, Ryu turned his back on Naruto without as much as a word to him.
Enough was enough. Naruto could feel his heart thunder in his chest now, his eyes narrowing at his former friend's form with a mix of anger and disgust at Ryu's behavior
"Ryu.", Naruto growled out, loud and clear for Ryu to hear. Stubborn and insistent on ignoring him, Ryu merely stuttered in his step, before he continued to walk on. Losing control of his temper, a surge of the Kyuubi's chakra filled him, turning his eyes red, elongating his fangs and distorting his voice. "Do not walk away from me!", Naruto roared.
His yell carried across the surrounding camp, and everyone froze. His Iron Guard followed Asuka's lead, who had immediately drawn her weapon facing Ryu, eager to aid their Warlord should he command it.
Sensing the turbulent situation, most of the crowd around them quickly vacated the area.
Ryu had frozen in his spot. Taking a deep breath, Ryu finally turned and regarded Naruto with a cool and neutral expression.
"Naruto.", he muttered, his voice neither respectful nor disrespectful. "Forgive me, but-"
"As long as you wear that armor, you WILL refer to me as 'Warlord'.", Naruto spat angrily, pointing his halberd aggressively at Ryu. There was no way Ryu was going to be allowed to treat him in the way he did and expect to be allowed to call him by his name.
Sighing, Ryu pursed his lips bitterly.
"...Yeah, suppose that's fitting.", he scoffed, before bowing mockingly at Naruto with an expression that clearly showed how little respect he meant. "Warlord. I am sure you are angry with me, but-"
"Oh, I am not angry with you, no.", Naruto hissed, the Kyuubi's madness whispering into his ears now. He was in full control, but it felt so good to let his anger and frustration finally go. "No, I am FUCKING furious with you!", Naruto roared. Some of the Kyuubi's chakra leaked out, whipping across the ground next to him. It turned the grass to ash wherever it touched, as if burning it without setting it on fire. "You ignore and disrespect me for WEEKS! WEEKS, without any explanation to it!"
"Did you ever give me an explanation?", Ryu fired back, his tone bitter and angry. "Were we ever friends at all? All these years we knew each other, and you lied-!"
"I NEVER, NEVER FUCKING LIED!", Naruto thundered out with a roar. The Kyuubi's chakra whipped out in currents now, tearing the ground apart around him as if responding to his internal anger. Naruto's blood felt like it was boiling beneath his skin, yet there was no pain to be felt. Only maddening anger at his friend. As Ryu bristled in his place, Naruto pressed on before his friend could argue. "My past was my own to share! Not yours! I wanted it all dead and buried and I sacrificed the peace I had to save your worthless hide back in Kisara!"
"Don't talk to me of sacrifice!", Ryu hissed back. The Iron Guard tightened their perimeter around Naruto despite the Kyuubi's chakra tearing at the ground around him. Asuka glared fiercely at Ryu, but waited faithfully for Naruto's command. "You were the one who set us on this path! The path that ruined our home! You could have saved it all, if only you'd had used the power you hid! You could have-"
"We would have been swarmed by shinobi long before we ever left the 'Vein', you bloody fool!", Naruto snarled. Shaking his head to clear the maddening influence of the Kyuubi, if only by a little, Naruto fixed Ryu with another glare. "I don't care if you do not agree with my decisions. I do not care if you think I've lied to you or betrayed your trust. Since the very first moment, your choices have been your own, just the same as me, so don't push your own shortcomings unto me. It's pathetic." Ryu's expression turned dark at this, but Naruto pressed on before Ryu could take off. "Furthermore, you've betrayed the trust of your men and proven yourself to be unreliable as an officer. You're hereby stripped of all authority."
Ryu's eyes finally widened in shock now, his mouth opening before closing again silently. Some dark, hidden part of Naruto took some sadistic pleasure in having his former friend tongue tied, but he ignored it to the best of his ability.
After a moment of shock, Ryu regarded Naruto with a cold and neutral expression, but a tinge of desperation was present in his eyes.
"Naruto.", Ryu started, his voice wavering. "What sort of petty decision is this? Because I speak out against you, you strip me of the responsibility of which I have strived so hard for? It's the only thing I have left, i-"
"Petty.", Naruto repeated after Ryu with a chuckle, closing his eyes as he rubbed his temples. His laugh was a hollow one, filled with malice due to the Kyuubi's influence. "Do you even listen to yourself? You've said all that you have and you call me petty?", he shook his head, refusing to even try to wrap his head around Ryu's choice of words. "You have neglected your duties as an officer for far too long. I do not care for your reasons or disillusioned grasp of reality; Hisao was NOT the one who should have brought me the report of the approaching army. You didn't even fucking KNOW until just recently, nobody knew where you were, and you dare call me petty!?" Naruto snorted. Scowling down at Ryu who now glared back at him, Naruto slammed the bottom of his halberd into the ground. "Take off your distinction and get out of my sight."
Ryu clenched his hands angrily and Naruto almost hoped he'd be dumb enough to try something. After a full, tense minute, Ryu ripped the distinction off his armor and threw it on the ground between them, before he stomped off and into the darkness of the camp.
Seeing his former friend go brought forth another surge of anger and hurt in Naruto. Naruto had done everything he could to nurture their friendship since the beginning, and this was how Ryu decided to treat him? He had WEDDED him to his wife!
Letting the distinction lie on the ground, knowing someone else would pick it up and deliver it to Hisao in his stead, Naruto turned on his heel as he intended to go cool off in the confines of his own tent.
Wordlessly, his Iron Guard holstered their weapons and followed him silently, though only Asuka followed him into his tent.
As he seated himself in his tent, his emotions and thoughts in turmoil, Naruto felt dead and hollow inside, even as Asuka cradled his head to her chest from behind.
How had it gotten so sour to the point that it had? The worst part of it all, was that Naruto could understand a part of Ryu's argument. If he'd fought at Kisara at full power, perhaps he could have bought them another month, or at least some weeks, but eventually they'd have to move or die defending it.
Naruto couldn't understand it; Why should this cause so much strife between them now? NOW, of all times!
As Asuka began to trail kisses down his neck, Naruto let himself close his eyes and be swept away by her loving affections. He had more pressing matters to attend to now, such as the most immediate threat and danger to his people.
Ryu could wait.
The next day, Naruto and his rangers were standing on a mountainside looking down on the enemy army. They had journeyed out about the same time as the rest of the people had began to continue their trek towards Wave. Naruto had taken his rangers and went on ahead from Shou and those that would provide their cover, should it be needed, and reached the enemy army in the late afternoon.
They were currently observing their movements from their elevated position a kilometer away, too far for the moving army to notice them. Even so, the rest of the rangers where hidden behind the thicker parts of the surrounding vegetation, while Naruto and a few others crouched among the bushes.
"They seem to be more than 5000...", Naruto muttered dryly. Hisao and his 2 captains, chuckled with some dark humor. The Fire's army was moving along the shore of the wide 'Hazel River' that curved along the terrain towards the east, where it eventually curved south and away from their migrating horde. Another day with their current pace however and the Fire's army would have to break off from the river in order to pursue Naruto's people who were travelling north-east towards Wave.
"That's the Royal Army right there.", Hisao said and pointed towards the center of the moving army. As they were moving in a line unit by unit, they were easy enough to make out from the rest with their bright and exotic colors of red and gold. While it didn't provide much for camouflage, Naruto supposed they didn't need to hide as they were supposed to be seen and install fear in the hearts of their enemies. The contingent of the Royal Army seemed to be no larger than 2 units, about 300 men in total. Despite their relatively short number, Naruto did not have confidence that he and his people were ready to fend off 300 elite fighters that had trained with the arts of chakra for years longer than they.
While it helped that his people had been training under the motivation and duress of fear and desperation, there was only so much that could be done in under a year. Naruto had no illusions regarding their fighting capability and he would not fall to something as immature and trivial as overconfidence.
As Hisao and his captains bantered with ideas among them, Naruto tuned them out as he narrowed his eyes in observation; Such a large army would need supplies. Considering how they were tactically following the river meant they used it to quench the army's considerable thirst, which would be difficult to deny them. As they were a professional army, and not a migratory group like Naruto and his own, it would be safe to assume that their army was primarily focused on warfare and not survival; Naruto doubted they knew much about hunting, foraging and generally living off the lands around them.
As a plan began to form in his head, Naruto couldn't help the vindictive smirk that came to his lips.
"Considering your smile, my Lord...", Hisao began with a raised brow, stilling the conversation between him and his captains. "...Am I right to assume you have a plan?"
"You assume correctly, Hisao.", Naruto chuckled with a grin that spelled violence, his eyes remaining locked on the moving army. "Prepare to send a messenger to Shou and ready your men. Make sure they get some sleep."
"Aye, Warlord.", Hisao nodded dutifully. Giving his captains a meaningful glance, they responded without a word, slinking back into the dense vegetation without a sound as they fulfilled Hisao's unspoken order. "I assume we're moving out tonight then? In the cover of darkness."
"Yes.", Naruto muttered, his voice a near whisper. "And after tonight, I swear their army will forever remember us after we've carved ourselves into their worst nightmares."
And done. Like it? Hate it?
Feel like grammatically tearing me a new one? As always, i'm always up for a conversation, discussion or getting my head bitten off; But i can't promise i'll agree with you.
Til next time.
MiNdZeRo here, signing out.