The 150 Sendai

by Dan Rush

This is the story of the 7th Hokage Tatsunjin and his 150 combat engineers during the aftermath of Orochimaru's assault on Konohanogakure and the death of the 3rd. Tatsunjin must defend the village while Jirayh and Naruto search for Lady Tsunade.

3. Chapter 3

150 Sendai no Jin

The hour of the Engineers of Konohagukure

And the days of the

Hokage no Tatsunjin

Chapter 3: The ship in need of a rudder

Konohagukure

Orochimaru departed 15 minutes earlier.

Kushino observed the ruin around him mixed with exhaustion, anger and shot nerves. He gave the bandage around his left arm a glance, played with the knot and sighed. He spied an overturned chair near Ichiraku Ramen House and all but collapsed on it, his sword lolling lazily under his good hand.

He then turned to see two of his engineers laying across the street against a wall and slowly he walked up to them and knelt to look at them.

It was Sachiko Sanjo and she looked like hell. Her eyes were dropped and forlorn and she was resting her chin on the shoulder of Hachigoro Akimoto, the young combat Genin was silent, his head bandaged, his left leg wrapped in a shirt to stem the wound in it but he was alert. "Sensei? Will you take care of Sachiko?"

Kushino shook the woman and was relieved that she responded. "I'm tired." She said weakly.

"Obviously." Kushino replied as he signaled a passing duo with a stretcher. "You need anything?"

"Water would be nice. Just don't try to move me too much…I'm feeling good right now and it would be a shame to start screaming."

Kushino pulled Hachigoro off and set him aside. "Water?" He asked.

"Sake?" The boy replied. He pulled a bottle of it from his tool bag. "My apologies Sensei, I kinda stole it from a house during the battle."

Kushino pushed it back. "This time I'll allow it but you better pay recompense."

"Yeah…" The boy smiled. "I'll do that after I get a band-aid."

Megume Akane came up as Kushino stood. "We stormed the amphitheater Sensei. The crowd inside was asleep. Mercifully, No casualties."

Kushino wiped his head. "We need to go around the village…check for wounded…get these fires under control…have you seen my son?"

Megume pursed her lips slowly. "Sensei…..he died."

Kushino paused as the shock rolled through.

"He took a katana…some of the fellows was with him….I…."

He raised a shaking hand to quell any further words. "We….must attend to our own, there will be time soon enough….to mourn." The man closed his eyes and shook. "Go now… do your duty."

"Sensei?...please you…"

Kushino gave her a deep gaze back. There was no time at the moment for personal feelings, the village was in need.

Chouza Akimuchi walked up with Choji behind him. "We have routed the enemy but I've just been told that our….beloved 3rd has died."

Kushino nodded scornfully. "Many have died this day…all due to that bastard Orochimaru." Kushino wiped his eyes, he was so tired. "We need to get all these fires out before we all end up sleeping in the streets tonight."

Trail leading to the civilian bunkers

Anko and Kiba came upon a scene of carnage. "Oh…." Kiba said mournfully as he knelt before the body of young Iesada Akimoto, still clutching her Nunchucku. Akamaru sniffed around the ground and whined near the body of Seiichi calling attention to a shocking discovery…

The boy was moaning. A horrible wound was cut through the right side of his head and he was moaning and raking the ground with a hand.

"UGH! This kid's still alive!" Kiba carefully bound Seiichi's head with his torn undershirt and whispered into his ear. "Stay with me ok? Hold my hand and stay with me. Anko! We need a stretcher fast!"

From the Diary of Are' Akimoto

I was still attending to the young children of the school when Anko came up and ask my attention. I asked of her "How goes the fight?" To which she replied. "It has been a horrible battle in the village." I replied. "I assume so but our elites have counterattacked, I am sure we will win." Anko took my hand and held it tightly. "It is a most terrible battle honored Are', you can't be comforted that all your relatives will make it home."

I was about to chide Anko when Toshiko Naito, who was a good friend of my eldest Grand daughter appeared and when I gazed upon her countenance, I learned the terrible truth. Not far from our bunker, my grandchildren had met the enemy in a slaughter and only one of them, beautiful Seiichi, had survived with a horrendous wound in his head. Had it not been for the immediate concern and attention of the little ones sleeping around me, I would have gone mad.

Konohagukure Hospital

3pm

The building was filled and the street in front was filled with the moans, and cries and sorrows of the maimed, the wounded, the dying and family who had come to find their loved ones only to discover tragedy.

Ino Yaminaka tended to two seriously wounded Sendai, Kinnosuke Satoh thanked her for the drink of water and died not moments later as she turned to the wounded Genin beside him. She froze till her mother brought her comfort and more linen for bandages. "If you need to go home Ino? I can take over." He mother asked. The girl clenched the linen tightly, how shameful it would be to bow out when she saw Sakura not a foot away binding the stump of another Genin's limb with such care and stoic showing.

She suddenly watched Sakura rise and run from the wounded to meet Sasuke as he was walking down the street carrying a limp and dead looking Naruto in his arms. She had heard of the battle in the wilderness between him and Gaara from Sakura whom Naruto and Sasuke gave all to save.

"Put him here." Sakura asked as Sasuke lowered him onto a futon.

"He put up a hell of a fight. I think he's very exhausted and beat all to hell but…"

Kushino passed them by while looking through matt after matt of wounded. He stopped to comfort those he found still alive, embraced the family members who'd come to find their loved ones gone and pursed his lips to hold back his emotions…

"25 dead…33 wounded Sensei." "First" said sorrowfully as he read from the paper in his hands. "The Yamato siblings from the medics are dead. Four of the Akimoto's from Ich-Company Squad Seven are dead, the one surviving boy is gravely wounded."

Of course…Genkoki, his son. Kushino stood for a moment among the battered bodies of his Sendai and wept, unashamed he wept as wounded arms and hands reached to grab his legs and assure him that he did the right thing. A moment later he raised his shaking good arm and clasped his "First" shirt tightly and shook him confidently as he regained his spirits.

"Come…we have work to do. Gather up those who are able…I will speak to them."

Inuzuka Family Home

Late afternoon

Are' was taken through the house by Kiba's mother. "The hospital is over flowing so we called for a medical nin and put him here Honorable Are'-chan."

"How…..how is he?"

"Lucid….he lost a great deal of blood and his condition is very grave. I don't know if he'll know you're here."

Kazumi Fujimoto rose as Are' came through the bedroom door. "He's been calling for you Are'-Chan, he is so weak."

Are' knelt by the bed and took Seiichi's hand. "Seiichi…..child….it's Grandmother."

She felt a clench. "He knows I am here!"

"Are'-Chan he has lost so much blood and he's been doing this for hours." Kazumi said softly.

Are' wiped his face with a wet cloth. "Seiichi my love…do you know me?"

All looked at the trembling lips that were trying to form words…it was faint and feeble and yet it came to everyone's shock…"Yes."

Early Evening

The main workshop of the

Engineer's school.

They sat or slept sitting or tried to sleep lying on work benches and tables or on the floor. A hundred of the 150 members who set out that morning counted their luck, showed off scars and scrapes and talked about the disaster that befell their village and their families. They jumped to attention when they saw Tatsunjin walk into the shop with the First and the two Chunin behind them. When they passed by the first engineer…she started clapping, then another, then another until the whole room erupted in emotional cheering. Kushino raised his hand slowly….

"If you cheer for me…I do not deserve it."

"No!" One engineer cried out. Then others….

"It is my fault so many of our fellow Sendai are gone or now horribly wounded…"

"No! Another cried out…

" I am so sorry my children…"

"No sir! No Sensei! We would follow you to hell! The enemy knows they are doomed! Bless you Tatsunjin-sama!"

Kushino wiped his eyes. "Today…today…today my children…You proved to those who defiled our homes, who came to murder our people! What kind of children are raised in Konohagukure!"

"Yes!.....(clapping and cheering)

"Today I asked you to stand…and you did. I asked you to give them hell….and you did. I told you to fight like demons and send them to hell…..AND YOU DID!"

(Clapping and cheering)

"Today….I lost my good and faithful son…I lost 25 brave daughters and fearless sons. But today my One Hundred and Fifty children told that Bastard Orochimaru and his filthy lackies what stubborn bastards they've managed to piss off!"

(Clapping and cheering)

"Our people! Our people! Our village, our homes, our families and our hearts are hurting today but damn if we let them hurt by the morning dawn! We will rest now for the work ahead will be hard and as we showed our people our strength in defending our village, so too shall we prove it double in rebuilding her!"

(Clapping and cheering)

"And we will send a message that Orochimaru and any filthy bastard with a chip on his shoulder that's perfectly, absolutely and resoundingly clear…you have scratched us but you have not defeated us!"

The Sendai broke into a frenzy of cheers and shouts, embracing, touching and gripping the shirt of their Sensei as he passed through them…

"We are with you Tatsunjin-Sama!"

"Tatsunjin will bring victory from tragedy!"

"Tatsunjin-Yama Banzai!"

"Banzai!.......Banzai!.......Banzai!....." The chant could be heard around the streets. They followed him out of the building, they followed him down the street, they took turns embracing him and shook their fists as he slowly and tiredly slipped through the door of his house and finally they dispersed to return to their own homes and to the worried embraces of family.

Next Morning

Konohagukure Hospital

Tai Nozaki walked up to the nurse's station and found Sakura Haruna asleep on the counter. She slowly touched a hand and whispered. "Sakura-chan? You alright?"

Sakura slowly opened her eyes and sat up wincing from pains in her back. "Ugh…. Collectively? I suck."

Tai looked about. "I heard Naruto Uzamaki was brought here all messed up. Did he?"

Sakura shook her head. "No…thank the Gods. That crazy knucklehead's too stupid and hard headed to die."

"Can I go see him?" Tai asked. "I have something to clear from my mind."

Sakura gave her the room number and Tai left, wandering through the hospital and trying not to think of yesterday, so many friends had died. Faithful Kinnosuke, funny Akeme…

She reached the room and slowly opened the door to find Naruto pulling up his pants. "Oh! Forgive me Naruto-kun."

"Bah! Come on in!" Naruto said as he flopped on the bed. He remembered Tai from the time he and Sasuke got into that serious fight at the academy and ended up trashing a piece of the school they had to work months to rebuild. "You look ok, I heard about what you guys did."

She smiled. "And I you. I am here to give recompense for my own insult to you. I…bet against you yesterday in your fight with Neiji…I am sorry."

Naruto smiled and threw a hand out. "Come on….you don't have to say your sorry, I think a lot of people lost tons of Ryo on that fight. It was a stupid trick that he fell for, nothing more."

Naruto scratched his head. "Kushino-Sensei? Is he?"

"Yes…but….his son Genkoke was killed."

Naruto drooped. "I see…I should see him on my way around. The old 3rd died too…fighting that Orochimaru guy." He stood up and snatched up his jacket. "Well I can't sit here like a rock can I? Gotta find Konohamaru, he's probably upset."

Naruto walked up to Tai and embraced her. "Just to let you know…everyone thinks you guys are bad ass."

Tai hugged him back. "Thank you Naruto-kun."

Room 112

Kazumi Shiomi slowly fed breakfast to her older sister Eiko as she lay feeling the empty space below that once was her left leg. "I hope it's not going to be a simple peg down there. Do I look like pirate material?"

Eiko smirked. "That's just a silly myth. Master Etagawa's a great woodsmith, I'm sure he'll make a nice replacement."

Kazumi groaned. "I zigged when I should have zagged. Ewww….is that all we have here? Don't they have Hyrogan or something palatable?"

"I asked. For now ramen's the fare till they clean everything up."

"Baka…it's enough to lose a leg now I'll lose my mind in Ramen hell. Sheesh what an operation this is."

Inuzuka House

Kushino stood in the doorway gripping the frame and pursing his lips at the sight of Seiichi Akimoto lying with the top of his head wrapped in gauze, his grandmother spooning cold water into his mouth and wiping his face with a wet towel. She looked towards him and walked up bowing…

"Good Morning Kushino-Sensei." She said calmly. "He is resting."

Kushino looked on her face. How the old woman kept her composure was a miricle. "Forgive me…" He asked sorrowfully.

"I have no grudge." She replied. "My grandchildren put me first and you know them, they make up their minds and…"

Kushino didn't change his face. "How is he?"

"The night was rough but he has held like a stubborn mule, his mother was so much the same. There is hope."

Kushino walked up to the bed and placed a hand on Seiichi's shoulder. "Your Grandmother says you're as stubborn as your mother. You get well soon."

He pulled back, hugged Are' and walked outside where Tsume Inuzuka stood with a cup of coffee in one hand while fooling around with her dog Kuromanu with a chew toy.

"Horrible yesterday." She said frowning.

"Yes…Orochimaru whacked us good the Demon son of a bitch."

"Kuromanu chewed up a great deal of ass, you should have seen this one fool, He was kicking and screaming in the air, Kuromanu had half his ass sunk into his jaws."

Kushino chuckled a little. "Bet he hated the taste. I could have used a few attack dogs in the opening assault to take the side streets and reduce their numbers, those Ronin scum cut us up."

"Your Son…" Tsume remarked. "I wish you will have your revenge."

Kushino snarled. "When Orochimaru's carcus is rolling in the damned breeze? The I will have my vengence. That vermin bastard caused this, I swear he will God damned pay for it."

Kushino started walking around to survey the damage around him when Naruto came running up from behind. "Tatsunjin-Sensei!"

"Well….brat." Kushino smiled. "You beat Neiiji Hyuuga? Commendable."

"Yeah but it's not like I won anything at all what with the Chunin exam getting trashed. Tai told me about….Genkoke." Naruto frowned.

Kushino rubbed his blonde hair. "There will be time enough for us to cry when it is appropriate Naruto-Kun. Now is the time to to worry about our village is it not?"

Naruto straitened. "Yes sir. I'm going to check on Konohamaru."

"The honorable Grandson…I'm sure your spirit will please him. Buck up and fight?"

"Yes…buck up and fight, you got it!" Naruto ran down the street as the "First" walked up to Kushino.

"Here is the damage list…quite lengthy."

"Hmmm….the defenses come first, put our people to rebuilding the torn sections of the outer wall. How many graduates, students and trade workers do we have available right now?"

The first flipped through his note book. "Current students 125 in all grades. Recallable graduates 263. Current trade workers 131."

"Once the Graduates and trade workers put their own affairs back in order, parcel the 125 students out among them and set them around the village. Make sure we take care of the basic needs first, the hospital, food stores, water and the like."

The First pointed to his notes. "I already got several volunteers. Saito Konishki took 50 concrete and Masons to that big hole in the South Wall where the snake demon punched through. He says he can have it repaired in three days if good weather holds."

South Wall

"Boy! What in hell do you think you're doing?" Saito snorted as he saw Junzo Hasekura sitting in a chair with his broken leg stirring concrete in a bucket.

"Working."

Saito snatched the stir shovel from his hands. "No…you just go home and lay down, you're going to get in the way."

Junzo snorted back. "I can't go home! My house is gone, my parents are dead and if I don't do something I'll….I'll….." Junzo stripped the shovel back and started stirring again.

Saito rubbed the boy's head. "I'm sorry, you're doing a fine job…keep it up." He walked up to the foreman and pointed to Junzo. "Make sure that kid's drinking water and check him every few minutes? After a while someone can take him back to their house till we find out what to do."

Konohagukure Hospital

Room 87

Squad 14

1. Sanjo, Sachiko 20Battalion Medical Nin (w)

2. Takishida, Hidetsugu 18 Battalion Medical Nin (w)

3. Fujimoto, Kazumi 18 Battalion Medical Nin

Hidetsugu came in on crutches with Kazumi behind him. "We got you a gift!"

Sachiko couldn't sit up even if she wanted too. She just smiled as Kazumi slowly put a ball cap on Sachiko's head. "There…fits just nice!"

"Thanks. You read my mind." The wounded medical nin said smiling. Half her hair was gone, thanks to the vicious sword slice on the side of her head. One of the many wounds she took from the 20 engineers and civilians she carried out of harms way the day before. Both her arms were bandaged, her left leg, her lower body, two thick dressings to her upper body, a busted lip, two missing teeth, a black eye and burn wounds from hot shrapnel…

Otherwise…She was doing fine in her own mind. Visually though, she was a mess.

Hidesugu was one of those she plucked from death. Lucky or unlucky she ran back through the mess to snatch his severed hand. It had been stitched back on and cured with Sutra and chakurah but it was forever lame and limp. "If I use my arm like a crane it'll grip. Chopsticks will suck."

"I feel like a pin cushion." Sachiko complained.

"You look wonderful." Kazuni remarked smiling.

"Screw you." Sachiko brooded.

Ichiraku Ramen

. Narato, Jiro 13 Lumbering and clearing

. Tamuro, Kinuko 20 Lumbering and clearing

. Sanjo, Mieko 17 Lumbering and clearing

Naruto had his arm wrapped around Konohamaru and hugged him tight. "Hey, I got two free coupons to Ichiraku, let me treat you to some ramen ok?"

Konohamaru leaned into Naruto, he was upset to state the obvious and when they both rounded the corner, they ran into tragedy.

"NO!" Naruto shouted as he ran and jumped in front of the store. "They trashed Ichiraku's?! FILTHY SNAKE SUCKING SLIME!! Oh…oh the bar's ruined! The whole place is a mess!"

The three lumber engineers thought Naruto was insane. "It's just a ramen shop."

"Just….a….YOU TAKE THAT BACK YOU CREEP! HOW DARE YOU INSULT ICHIRKU'S YOU MONKEY EXCUSE FOR A…"

Konohamaru pushed Naruto backward while waving his hand. "Sorry "giggles" bad day really! He's like this often when he doesn't get his medication "giggles" Naruto? Let's go before you get us killed. "Giggles" sorry…."

Jiro looked at the other two and smirked. "What the hell? Did he call us monkies?"

"Yeah….what's a monkey excuse?"

"Some people need to lay off the wasabi, I told you that stuff has hallucinogenic properties."

Early Afternoon

Counsel of Elders

Jiraiyah leaned against the large glass window overlooking Konohagakure and pursed his lips as the elders behind him laid into him with disappointed barbs to his character.

"We need you Master Jiraiyah! You can't simply turn away from this!"

"How could you refuse after what your teacher sacrificed for the people? You seem to live up to your expectations as a lazy oaf very well."

"The village needs a strong leader, you can…."

Jiraiyah raised a hand. "Silence all of you." He warned. "Don't make me do something you'll regret."

"Master be reasonable."

"I am. I am declining, which I have good reason for. You don't want me as Hokage, trust me. I do know someone who's more suited to the task trust me. Tsunade."

One of the elders balked. "Master Jiraiyah, no one had seen Tsunade-Sannin in years, no one knows where she is and as for her reliability? You must jest!"

Jiraiyah frowned. "You wish to tempt fate with further insults Hotsugya? I will find Tsunade."

"And what about till you do? What then?" Said another. "Not one of us can hold the post, we are too aged. We can't give it to a Jonin, we need every able fighting field ninja. We have no one able or qualified…"

Jiraiyah raised his hand. "You don't need someone who can pull a magic drum from their ass cheeks to be Hokage. You can appoint a temporary leader with some sharp teeth and a firm hand to oversee the village till I return. Right now you need a leader who can scare the almighty shit out of our enemies and keep Orochimaru and his henchmen at bay and….it so happens I know the person you need to talk too."

Konohagukure Water Supply

"Sensei? The pumps are shot, the piping needs replacement, the electrical system is seriously fried….day and night at best? 3 days."

Kushino snorted at the manager. "You have until tomorrow afternoon at 5pm. If at least one pump isn't up and working by then, sufficiently to feed the Hospital and supply the emergency water stores with ample amounts? I will see you get fired and spend your days scraping horse crap off the streets…with a miniature kunai."

"Sensei! It's very difficult as it is! This place is trashed!"

"I'm sending you more than enough people to fix the problem Amagaki, I trust you won't allow them to sit around and pick their noses will you? Tomorrow afternoon….1 pump….better be cracking."

Kushino walked out with his First. "What next?"

"There's the ninja supermarket, flattened. The open air farmers market, flattened. Kanubishi's adult manga store…"

Kushino laughed. "Oh my…we must save the perverts."

"And the pre-acadamy school…partially ruined."

"A more worthy place than the Hentai college of arts. Send 60 workers to make an assessment and get me a written quote."

Kushino was making notes in his notebook when a young woman walked up to him holding a schedule pad. "Excuse me Sensei but the village elders need a word with you."

"Keep looking around for assignments "First"…and tell Kanubushi we'll send some carpenters when we can. Can't well deprive anyone of their "entertainment" or they'll start missing work because of bruised hands."

Kushino followed the girl to the building where the elders performed their daily functions and ran into Jiraiyah as he was walking out.

"Jiraiyah-Sannin." Kushino bowed stiffly.

"Tatsunjin-Sensei." Jiraiyah replied. "I see you are still well. My deepest sympathy for the loss of your son."

Kushino nodded. "We were fortunate our losses were not horrid…the battle was madness."

"Eeeh…." Jiraiyah replied. "The elders are waiting upstairs."

Jiraiyah grabbed Kushino by his shoulder. "I want you to know that I personally recommended you. Keep your mind open and listen carefully. I'm counting on you, my reputation is at stake here."

Kushino nodded. "You're leaving us?"

"Just a short excursion, a fact finding trip I was planning before this mess. I won't be gone too long if things pan out "

Kushino watched the Frog Sannin walk away as he slipped through the door behind him. "Personal recommendation?" He thought as he walked up to the chamber door and fussed with his work clothing. Kushino entered slowly and bowed deeply. "Elders…you have asked for me?"

Koharu rose from her chair. "Welcome Tatsunjin-san…please?" She pointed to a chair and waited for Kushino to sit. "On behalf of the counsel I must offer our condolences. Jiraiyah-Sannin told us of your loss."

Kushino nodded. "I lost 25 children, not just one Lady Utatane."

"Mmm…" She replied. "We have asked for you Tatsunjin because our village faces a serious crisis in leadership. Jiraiyah Sannin has declined to assume the role of Hokage."

Kushino pursed his lips. "This is a shock…he was the only one who could…." Kushino suddenly remembered what Jiraiyah had said…

"I recommended you."

Homura leaned forwards. "The village needs a leader for the people to rally around. We can not chose an active Jonin to assume the responsibility, we need all our ninja to combat the threat Orochimaru has unleashed on us. Jiraiyah Sannin has proposed a temporary interim leader to assume the title of "Hokage pro tem" until he brings Tsunade Sannin back as the new Hokage."

Kushino's facial wrinkles curled deeper.

"Tatsunjin-San…we of the counsel beseech thee with the recommendation of Jiraiyh Sannin…will you accept the responsibility of Hokage?"

Kushino was silent.

"Tatsunjin?" Koharu asked.

Kushino stood up and placed his good hand behind his back. "What you ask is….difficult."

"Your leadership has proven our trust." Homura said as he rose. "Tatsunjin, the people…"

"I know…what the people need Homura-sama." Kushino said as he closed his eyes and nodded. "If I have your confidence, if Jiraiyah Sannin has faith…then I accept."

The "First" was standing outside the front door when Kushino emerged. "What did the counsel want Sensei?"

Kushino gave him a long look then rested a hand on his shoulder. "My friend, you have just received a promotion. The Battalion is now yours…for a while anyway."

"What?!" Katashi said with a shock. "Sensei?"

"Master Jiraiyah told the counsel I'd make a better Hokage than him. Actually he refused them and recommended me. I just lack those "funny coffee table tricks" befitting a true Hokage."

They walked down the street. "But….to be so chosen….Sensei this is a great honor!"

"You call it an honor, I just call it an extra ton of concrete. But as they would trust me Katashi, so I would trust you with the battalion. Looks like we'll both be working overtime for the foreseeable future."