Chapter 1

Ranma Town

Ranma Town was once a beautiful sight. It was a small town of hunters and lumberjacks, sometimes providing some entertainment for the outsiders. The town had about three shops in total, each providing a different kind of service, two pubs, where men could let out their frustration, especially in 'The Blue Oyster'. It also had one hot spring resort, 'The Heaven's Pools', popular for amazing service and really good healing-like effects of the water. It was also a good merchant point near the border, sometimes best for smugglers.

As they walked through the town, they found it much different from what it was. Most buildings were deconstructed as people needed material for their palisade and war machines. Those who could hold a weapon, old or young, were having a basic training of combat. Most women and children, along with those incapable of combat, were being evacuated into the hot spring resort, which was the biggest building in town, still untouched. Minato had no doubt it was to serve as the last line of defense.

But the town itself… this wasn't a pleasant few.

Minato took a look at his students' expressions. He could tell it pained them to see a none-ninja metropolis look like this. They were even concerned about who was this enemy, who was going to hit this town. By the look in the town folks' eyes it must be a serious matter. Otherwise, why would they hire a team of shinobi? Minato took his eyes off of the kids just in time to see a woman in her 60's walking towards them. The old woman had long white hair and whore a traditional blue kimono, supporting herself with a wooden crane, with a sculptured hand holding, what looked like, a scroll. The woman stopped before them and eyed them skeptically, before giving them a warm smile.

"I welcome you, Yellow Flash of the Leaf." She said, surprising the team, "I am Usagi Mio, the elder and de facto chief of this town. I am pleased to see you have arrived." She bowed before them and they followed.

"We are honored." Minato replied, before straightening himself. He was not really surprised by the fact she recognized him. After all, he did make a reputation in the war. "We wish to know more about the si…"

"The business can wait for now, young man." Mio interrupted him raising her hand. "You and your young pupils are most likely tired and hungry after your travel. Please, come with me. We'll feed you and tell you about your employment at the time." She turned and started to walk, leading the team to the nearest cantina. Minato wanted to refuse, but something told him it would be better to obey her. So he followed.

At the cantina, or rather what was acting as one, the team from Leaf found a small table at the far side of the building. What they had wasn't what you would expect as a royal feast, but they weren't complaining. They were better then to ignore the harsh situation. As the youngsters were helping themselves, the blond leader had a serious expression while facing the town elder.

"I hope the food is at least good." She said. As the kids were still eating, she looked at Minato. "I'm guessing you want to know about the job, boy." As Minato nodded, she sighed heavily. "As you know, the Third Great Shinobi War was announced to have ended. However, it does not mean the lands are battle-free. As the war did influence the countries' stability in politics, economy and infrastructure, the real peace cannot come just yet. The postwar period is a perfect time for organized criminal gangs or traitors to have their strike, whether just to get themselves rich or take over the land."

"That much I am aware, Ma'am." Minato answered.

"However, this enemy that is to strike is actually an army. An army great enough to hit us at least thrice. We fear of whom that might be, but… we are still waiting for our scouts to arrive with confirmation." She said. Then her expression changed to a sad one. Very, very sad one. "To be honest, I fear we may have no choice but to give into their demand. But, my son, Gin, the head hunter, is too stubborn to negotiate. This is why I have hired you, hoping you can talk some sense into him or help us defend our homes."

Minato looked at her, trying to find something off in her words. But he couldn't find anything. Maybe that was true. But if her son wouldn't hear about negotiating, then perhaps it was for the best to help fight the incoming threat. He knew what it was like to loose a home after all.

Even to this day, Minato could remember the flames when he was merely four. The entire compound attacked by a mysterious group of shinobi, who set on fire every house and killed every man, woman or child in sight. He remembered the clash of kunai, the smell of blood running through his nostrils, the screams of his relatives. He also remembered his mother running while carrying him, only to die by the exit from the compound. His mother was killed by a man with red eyes. That was all he could remember about the killer. These red eyes, blazing with hatred and bloodlust. The only thing that saved him from death was a thunder. And nothing more than a huge silhouette towering before the small child.

When he returned to reality, Minato looked at his team, who seemed eager to hear out his decision. He wondered deeply about it. He knew these were rough times and backup was out of the question. They just didn't have the time to waste. They should retreat. On the other hand, they couldn't leave these people to their fate. If this enemy was as powerful as they say, they wouldn't survive even if they had better arsenal or twice the number. Minato looked at Elder Mio again. "When do you expect the attack?" he asked. Her expression made him feel uneasy.

"Tonight. Tomorrow at dawn if we're lucky." She answered. The blonde tightened his fists, making the joints crack. He already knew the seriousness of the situation. The answer was obvious.

"We'll help you protect your home. It is better to make a stand now and ensure the other towns are saved as well than save just one." Minato said. Mio nodded in agreement. The thought of having her town suffer the battle loses not suit her well. But the legendary ninja before her was right. Ranma town wasn't the only place threatened by this hostile army.

"I shall leave you to someone else then." The town elder spoke, turning to a young man at the next table. "Kazuna! Take these people to Fujimaru. Tell him they're the help I hired." She ordered. The man nodded and let the Leaf-nins know to follow him. As they left, Mio sighed heavily and then coughed.

A man of average height, but of bulky posture, kept yelling at the people working by the wall. He was so furious in dissatisfaction. Apparently, no matter what was done, he just didn't see it there. His thick, black beard, matching his aggressive appearance, made him look like a monstrous gorilla of sorts. His brown shirt and black cargo pants were covered in dirt, though not as much as his boots. The man was reaching for his bow, when Kazuna called to him. After introducing Minato and his team, he chased him off and analyzed the ninja.

"So you're the ones who are supposed to help us?" Fujimaru asked, running his hand through his short, black hair. He looked at the kids as if he was about to slaughter them. "You gotta be kidding me, kid. Since when are kids backup? We might as well ask the dead to help us." He said sarcastically. Kakashi and Izo narrowed their eyes hearing that. They wanted to give him a piece of their mind, but Rin stopped them.

"Umm… sensei? Is it alright with you if we go walk around the town?" Rin asked, hoping to cool the guys' heads. Luckily, Minato agreed. So Rin pulled them away.

"These kids are gonna die fast." Fujimaru commented.

"You underestimate them, sir." Minato answered. "They have already experienced war. So they know how to fight."

"I can't believe you both lost your cool there." Rin scolded them both. However, neither Kakashi nor Izo bother to listen to her. This annoyed her so badly, she hit them. "Are you even listening?"

"Sorry, Rin. We we're just thinking." Izo excused.

"Still, I would like to give that idiot a knuckle sandwich." Kakashi growled. Suddenly he stopped. Something caught his attention. The silver-haired kid looked to his left. There were stocks with axes and bows, already sharpened and ready for use. Each of them was seemingly new, though it wasn't true. But that's not what caught the boy's attention. It was something else. A cloaked figure was hiding in the shadow of the storage building, from where people were carrying out the rest of the equipment. The figure was tall, obviously, and had some dark aura surrounding him. Aside from that, Kakashi could feel him hiding an incredible bloodlust and rage. He narrowed his eyes, as if trying to see more about the figure. But as one of the town's folks past, the mysterious person disappeared. Kakashi was surprised. He did not think this stranger would be gone. He knew the cloaked one didn't notice him. He wasn't even looking at the young Hatake. Still, maybe this was the enemy's spy. No, it couldn't be. Could it?

He returned to reality when his teammates called him. He started walking their way, but still looked around for that stranger. Who was he? And why did he feel like someone, who was going to play a major role in the upcoming events?

End

A.N./ This is where I'll end for now. See ya soon, partner. Yee-ha!