Disclaimer: I don't own any of these.
Chapter 6.1: Stone Commander
While the other commanders are enjoying the ride on StingRai, Commander Kurotsuchi is having a revelation that might end the giant business in Elemental Nation and shake Onion Land to the core.
The cluster of Class 3 she pursues on her way to the Leaf HQ apparently didn't just happen to cross her way. The cluster that consists of two Class 3's and five class 2's, led by a giantess with blonde hair, is there in her way to confront her. Just not in the way Kurotsuchi expected.
First they lead the Stone Commander squad on a wild chase, as if they were caught and tried to flee in the sight of her flying squad, bursting in and out of little forest that make most of Fire Country's land. Then in unexpected turn the squad is in strategic position to corner them between two cliffs. There, the giants drop their act and adapt a relaxing stance albeit submissively. The squad is instantly suspicious until the giants turn around and bare their nape to them, at this point the raven haired commander hastily put a 'halt' sign to the squad.
"What is the meaning of this?!" The Stone Commander demanded, This is beyond strange behavior of these giants. Any normal Class 3 and Class 2 have healthy dose of fear against shinobi, what with news that can travel between them, so their reaction to run from the squad is normal, heck even a fight back reaction is not uncommon. But this surrendering act is a first.
"We want you to listen to us," the blonde giantess answers with somewhat guttural voice.
"And why would I do that?" Kurotsuchi raised an eyebrow, though the giants can't see, her tone must be registered since they answer.
"We can explain to you about our origin, why we, titans, exist." She-giantess answers with the same calm albeit guttural voice.
"And why would you do that?" she demands, not even for one second relax her stance.
"We need your help."
That simple answer is like a slap on the commander's face, coupled with their submissive posture which is statement enough that they're on her squad mercy, these giants—however unlikely they might be—are speaking the truth. And in the back of her mind she remembered the lecture Senju Tsunade gave them five years ago.
"…With preservation seal immediately applied on the nape of this giant momentarily before decapitated, we're able to study their nape, and I hate to spring this on you but, we've been butchering former human all this time."
At that, it was as if they were doused by icy water. And with solemn eyes, Tsunade continued their discovery coupled with some theories. In the few weeks after that, the Hunter Corp. was tasked to make contacts with them to find out if the giants were aware of this, if they ever remember that they used to be humans. The investigation came out negative, these giants in spite of having humanoid figure with human past, are impassive beast. So the hunters stop contact and back to simply eliminate them, to put them off of their misery of becoming a monster.
Until now that's it, it seemed like these giants, or titans as they called themselves, have the possibility of remembering after all.
"What makes you start to remember?" She asks, purely out of curiosity.
"The last thing I saw before I was turned was an airship," the giant blond replies.
"Hmm, start talking, and maybe we won't end you," Kurotsuchi appears calm, but inside, her mind is running mile minute playing scenario on how to break this news to Naruto, because among the commanders, Naruto is, unsurprisingly, the one who wanted to save the giants the most; all his act of killing as much as giant possible was a way he believed the most merciful lest the giant later realize that among the people they ate (before coming to elemental nation) is a loved one. Of course, Naruto didn't say any of this; however, she bet that most of his friends know this too anyway.
Now that there's a potential evidence of giant remembering their human past, Naruto's method of helping might become his greatest regret.
Why the hell does she's the one to break this to him?
Chapter 6.2: The Doctor
One Grisha Yaeger believes that he might have inhaled some hallucinogen, or maybe he's sleeping and this—whatever is this— is merely a bad dream. Because what he saw should not be possible in at least some couple of years later, no, this confined humanity should not be able to build a blimp just yet let alone an airship; a thing that still haunts his nightmares from time to time, force him to remember just how much he lost. And now an airship is lazily floating above his head, crossing the Shiganshina District with no apparent care of the world.
He stands frozen in his spot along with his neighbors as they all come out into the street. Then he realizes that the airship comes from the outside, this airship is not theirs; it is theirs. Though now there are two possible factions in determining the owners of the airship, theirs of his past or the recent one. He prays to whoever might listen that the airship is not from the former, because that means this thing is here to invade. But with the lack of people suddenly dropping dead from bullets he can safely bet that this airship belongs to the shinobi Nation. He then unsteadily makes his way inside the house to regain something resembling his usual composure.
Ever since the day Eren told him about his a couple of foreigners that came with the Scouting Legion few weeks ago he had been in a constant state of hyperventilation bordering to panic attack, they'rehere-they'rehere-theycome-iamnotreadyforthis, kind of panic. But then a new development came, those people are from different country altogether, they're here to offer an alliance, yes offer, not negotiate, because these people are beyond capable of ridding the world of titans. This humanity doesn't have anything to offer, but this Shinobi deliberately offer alliance anyway. But then again maybe it was just an excuse, to what; he didn't have a clue yet.
But, with the recent development maybe he can guess, and maybe start planning on what to do; as soon as his heart goes back to its healthy pace.
Few minutes later, he can think calmly again.
Rai Country representation appeared out of nowhere outside the walls, they displayed supernatural abilities unknown to mankind, gave the impression that they're very, very much stronger than they displayed, they said just seven years ago they encountered titans and since then had been in constant war against them, thus they wish to cross-check with a nation who've been dealing with titans a great deal longer than them.
...
Hmm...maybe this is the clue he's been looking for. Though subtle, there's the lingering accusation that this caged humanity is the origin of this titanic problem. And theoretically, they're right, Grisha bitterly smiled at that.
The doctor is so distracted that he doesn't notice an eyeball that briefly stops to observe him from the window.
Chapter 6.3: The Head Strategist
Shikamaru not so patiently waits for the chakra orb to show him the StingRai control room. Thanks to Sandaime's Seeing Ball and Orochimaru's apparent research on Fuinjutsu, they have developed a long-range communication device. The first prototypes are installed in both the Central Intelligent Office and in the StingRai. They've tried several times for rather long distance and the device held somewhat steady connection. While it's true that the communication devise used by the former Five-Kages and the Daimyos were considered long-distance, this new chakra orbs cover even vaster area with minimum space required for installation.
The reason for his uncharacteristic restlessness is the report delivered by Kurotsuchi earth clone, about the newest development of evolved giant. That the little piece of humanity they found is literally piece of humanity. Seeing as there's a whole other world heavily involved with these giant infestation.
The giant who gave them all this information can't really remember anything, as the only memory triggered by seeing an airship was just some flashes of her former country and an old legend. In short, this information is so troublesome, since it generates more questions and for Shikamaru, it creates theories and routes on how Onion Land fit in the story, and how Rai's existence is undoubtedly going to change the equations.
Before he can even think of more scenarios, a frantic-looking Naruto appears on the chakra orb. Seven years ago, such expression was not unusual on Naruto's face, but since he took up the rank of a commander after Tsunade decided that she'd had enough and promptly threw her Hokage Hat Naruto, the blond prankster learnt to stay composed and level headed to actually use his head, developing his laid back but cool as cucumber persona. Thus, this expression, five years later became rarer and rarer. To show up at a time like this, there must be something rather unexpected happened.
"Shikamaru! You won't believe what Hanabi Squad and my clones found!" Naruto shouts immediately the moment Shikamaru's face became clear.
"A big population?" Shikamaru guesses offhandedly, as though he doesn't get the confirmation he needed.
"How do you know that! But—Ahem," Naruto cuts himself as he's going too 'excited' to tell his advisors about his discovery.
"We find a main land after leaving the island, because apparently it was an island. And we find a whole new world; it was nothing like Onion Land. It actually looked modernized and militaristic; it was as if—Hey! You don't seem surprised at all!" Then Naruto pauses, contemplating his next words.
"What do you know Shika?"
"You're not going to like this."
Chapter 6.4: Gaara of the Dessert
Being a man of a few words and a Kage since the age of fifteen often left Gaara with silent communication, he got more information from a person's body language than what actually said. He can easily differentiate between people who are favorable to his cause to people who have the slightest chance of betraying him. Not only that, he actually read books about it, about people language—other than verbal. Sometimes he wondered if he knew this knowledge before, would he be able to interpret Yasamaru's smile, the twitch of his hand when his uncle was about to touch him, or about his father icy glare and his Temari's hesitancy to leave him alone, even when he threatened her life.
But there's no use contemplating about his past, the important thing is that his skill in people watching—which probably only topped by Uchiha's Sharingan—is useful and saved him many headaches in the course of a decade after he took the Leader Position. Currently, he used his skill to categorized Onion Land (Damn, now, even he calls them that) citizen reaction over Rai's display of power to gauge just how successful their plan is. So far their reactions are as predicted, he can detect raw fear and begrudging respect from the soldiers under their disgusted expression, he can even already predicts who are going to have fans club.
On a whim, he guides his eyes to fly over the wall and start people reaction upon seeing their airship. He sees many awed faces, suspicion, even recognition—wait, that can't be right.
-to be continued-
Can't really put out the first AN, or else I will violate the rules, it can be found in my profile though, at least it will force people to actually use their account if they want to discuss, so I can reply, hehe. Thanks for reading.
AN2: Sorry a bit short, I'll make up for it later. Thanks
AN3: don't forget to review but please refrain from demanding an update; I appreciate your opinion more than your demand, because I, too, love this story and I will see it to the end.
