Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto, all rights go to Kishimoto.
ITALICS – thinking
BOLD – demon talk/jutsu
Arc Two: The Meaning of Life
Chapter Four
Worried.
It was one word which perfectly summed up Mifune's thoughts as he paced his office in the hopes that some good news would come in today. Two day's has the leader of Iron Country waited, two long days with no word from any commander; a truly unsettling feeling. With a sigh, Mifune was ready to sit back at his desk and order a search party to be organized. However, as he was about it sit down, one of the gate guards burst into his office; his face filled with fear and a tinge of relief.
"Mifune-sama! Hideki and Takuma have been seen in the distance, but they are badly injured Mifune-sama." The guard took a deep breath before he gave more bad news. "Also, they come back with only 65 samurai. Orders general?"
"Naruto is missing as is my student, and to think that many were killed as a result." Mifune closed his eyes and let out a sigh. "My worst fears have come to pass."
"Mifune-sama?" The worried voice of the gate guard broke the elder out of his stupor.
"Get medics on standby, and have a group go out there and escort them in…dismissed!"
The gate guard bowed and left the office to do as told, not even closing the door behind him. Eyes now open, Mifune couldn't help but slowly sit in his chair, lean back, and stare at the blank ceiling with a form of confliction.
He was at a loss.
The mission, by what the guard said, was a total failure which meant that Takeshi would have a foothold in this war.
"With so many lost, we cannot continue to protect the innocent. Perhaps drastic measures need to be taken."
Mifune rubbed his temples and looked around the office before standing and walking towards the nearby window to look down upon the masses. Medics and various samurai were rushing about, loading people into stretchers, applying quick aid at the gate, or praying for any whom would not live to see tomorrow's sunrise. For how serious their injuries were, the fact that they all lived two days in the unforgiving environment of Iron Country was testament to their training and of their will to fight for the cause.
As Mifune turned around, he saw Takuma and Hideki limp inside, only to close the door behind them then seat themselves on the nearby couch to rest.
"You both should seek medical treatment, your report can wait until later." The samurai leader stated calmly even though his two commanders were badly injured.
The two commanders were not put off by their general's stern tone, instead, they simply nodded their heads in acknowledgment before giving their reports. Thirty minutes had passed and both commanders looked ready to pass out, possibly due to blood loss, but their reports were relayed. The news wasn't sitting well with Mifune as he knew that the war would be lost if a miracle didn't present itself. Too many, both civilian and samurai alike, have perished already, far more than Mifune would have liked. However, such is the price of war, one which the samurai leader knew all too well.
"Uzumaki-san and I figured the assassin was up to something, but I didn't think it would be this." Mifune leaned forward, his gaze hardened and professional. "The fact is, we have two commanders MIA, possibly KIA, with you two out of service. This leaves Hiroto, but we need him at the field base and thus cannot call him back. Sadly, if we don't have a miracle, this war is all but lost."
Takuma coughed into his right hand, and flinched when he saw blood on his palm. "Hmm, some internal injuries…not surprising. Anyway, I sadly have to agree with you Mifune-dono. Uzumaki-san was our best hope of turning the tide of this war, his mistake has cost us dearly."
The general narrowed his eyes at Takuma, "And do you blame him? A boy which has not yet reached an age of maturity?"
"No, Mifune-sama!" Takuma and Hideki blurted out simultaneously, with Hideki continuing.
"Your right, he is but a kid, and human at that. We all make mistakes, but it seems like this one has cost him."
The conversation was interrupted by something pecking at the window. Turning to see what it was, Mifune and the commanders were worried upon seeing the hawk with something tied to its leg. For they knew that this was either an ultimatum from Takeshi, or from one of the missing commanders.
Without hesitation, Mifune got up, opened the window, and took the message off the leg of the hawk before dismissing it. The office went silent as Mifune slowly took the message out of the envelope; he read the contents aloud.
"I will keep this message brief, and I hope it does not fall into the wrong hands. My platoon has perished, there were no survivors; I am the only soul left. I awoke to find myself in a hospital where my wounds have been addressed and taken care of, sadly, however, I was decreed a two week leave of absence due to how serious these injuries were.
I will stay where I am at, but as to where, that will remain secret in case the enemy happens upon this message. I will update you if I can, however, and I advise we meet in a week; you will know where. Lastly, for the sorrow I have caused unto the whole of Iron Country and unto myself, I hereby resign from my position. Until next we meet. Masamune out."
"Damn kid took it hard, hell, he probably thinks Fukui-san has perished due to his mistakes." Hideki said, his tone matching those in the room; somber and distant.
Takuma coughed again, then wiped the blood off his lips. "Unless he finds his path again, I fear Uzumaki-san will do what many have done in this situation."
Mifune scanned over the message again and slammed his fists on his desk in a mix of emotions.
"He will need someone to help him find the path again, Takuma, Hideki. Naruto's sorrow is deep, and he's likely burying his mistake deep within." Mifune let out a deep sigh of frustration. "When I meet him in a week, I will inform him of my decision on his self-demotion." The general leaned back in his chair and waved towards the door. "Now, see yourselves to the hospital, I have much to think on."
The commanders bowed and left the office to leave a distraught leader all by his lonesome.
With Fukui
The Harumasa groaned as he came to, but it took a little bit before his eyes adjusted to the dark confines he was in. As his vision cleared, Fukui saw bars in front of him which made him sigh as flashbacks of the second war started to occur.
"Brings back memories, doesn't it brother." Takeshi said in a quiet tone as he stepped out of the shadow he was in.
"Hai, bad memories." Fukui replied as he stood up and stretched. "Leaving me to wander this cell was a big mistake Takeshi."
The rebel leader shrugged, "I could care less, you won't be alive for much longer anyhow."
"Oversight was one of your biggest downfalls, Takeshi."
Said person scoffed, then changed topics. "It was in a cell like this one where I told you of our parents demise…ironic isn't it."
Fukui walked up to the bars and placed his hands around them. Although he was calm, the sadness on his face was easy to distinguish.
"My father died with honor, by the blade, and my mother was sadly butchered in front of you. I wonder," Fukui paused with a smirk, "Do you still have those scars when you watched mother die from the burning debris you were under?"
Takeshi growled and slammed the iron bars on the cell which made Fukui's smirk grow into a smile.
"I may have lost my comrades, my wife, and everything I have held dear to my heart, but I have not strayed off the warrior's path…brother. Perhaps, there is a shred of the old you left in that black heart of yours."
The rebel leader gave a heated stare to Fukui. "That shred was lost to the abyss the moment I was saved by a wandering shinobi, and when I had to bury my own parents."
With that, the brother stormed off to leave Fukui all by his lonesome. As the commander paced his cell, he could only wonder how Naruto was faring, and if he was still alive.
"Be strong, my student, be strong and don't stray off the path."
Present Time – Naruto
Naruto just finished giving his life story to Shizuka and, without realizing it, he finished off three cigarettes and a bottle of sake. Luckily for him, Kurama wouldn't allow his container to get drunk or get cancer. Upon hearing the story, Shizuka's interest was piqued and she started to see some similarities emerge. The biggest, however was that they both started with pain in their hearts, but eventually found a path to follow which lead them to where they are now. Although it didn't look like much now, this chance meeting would be the start to a very long relationship.
Another hour passed which was filled with mindless chatter, but soon the bar was ready to close and they had to leave. As they got up, however, Naruto took off the necklace Shizuka's mother had worn and handed it to her.
"Take it, Shizuka. I can tell this means a lot to you."
Her shock turned into a sad smile. "You're the one who buried her and had to live with the memories of what you saw that night. You deserve it more than me."
"But…" Naruto started but was halted by a finger on his lips.
"No buts. Take it with the thought that you might see me again." Shizuka put the necklace back on Naruto's neck with a smile. "I thank you for your time Naruto-san, have a wonderful evening."
As Shizuka left the bar, the bartender let out a small chuckle as he cleaned the bar area.
"She's a real keeper, you know. Not many samurai give their life story that easily, perhaps she would be a good choice to keep you on that path."
Naruto let out a snort of amusement as he replied, "You sound just like my master."
"As a former samurai, I would know. Damn back injury in the second war." The bartender mumbled the last part, but Naruto caught it.
As the Uzumaki put money on the counter then got up to leave, he couldn't help but smile at the time he had.
"Perhaps I've been too hard on myself." Naruto thought with a smile as he put money on the counter and started to leave. "Maybe this is what master meant by not knowing his words until he was gone."
Meanwhile, in the mindscape, Kurama smiled as the sun rays started to overpower the ominous sky. However, the fox knew it would take much more than a chance meeting with a girl to cure his container's depression. In the dark abyss of Naruto's mindscape, a certain being basked in this depressed state, one which amused him greatly.
"Yes…YES! Let the depression and angst of your mistake flow through you." Yami let out a mad chuckle before continuing. "It will only make me stronger and in the end, when the time is right. Oh yes." Yami let out another amused chuckle, before he took a deep breath. "There will be blood!"
Outside the mindscape, Naruto was at a loss with the feelings he had after meeting Shizuka. It wasn't butterflies in the stomach, no, it was almost as if something connected. Deciding to ponder this later, Naruto decided to head to the hospital to see if Goro was in. as he wondered if an antidote to the poison he got hit with could be made.
After checking in with the receptionist, he calmly meditated in the waiting room for Goro to arrive. For the civilians watching this, they were curious as to how a person can stay that calm and stay that still for a long period of time; not to mention with all that armor on. Picking up on these, Naruto couldn't help but internally chuckle, but it stopped when he sensed one civilian child coming towards him after jumping off her mother's lap. This got everyone worried as they knew that a samurai was on guard at all times, but what happened next was something they weren't expecting.
"Mister Samurai…why do you seem so sad?" The curious five-year old asked.
"Sit child, I mean you no harm." Naruto didn't break his meditation, he simply patted the floor on his right.
The child happily obliged and tried the seiza position, but failed which made her giggle. Instead, she decided to sit normally, the megawatt smile still on her face; a childlike innocence which made Naruto remember his own.
"To sense my emotions at your age is truly a gift, you would be a great samurai in the future if you so wish to take up the warrior's path."
"But mama says samurai are dangerous." The child replied as she curiously poked Hanjo's sheath.
Naruto gasped in fake shock. "Did she now?"
The child's head nodded. "Uh-huh! She said you use your pointy things to make all the bad men go away. Is that why you're sad?"
Naruto broke his meditation and let out a guffaw, then looked to the child's mother who had sweat on her brow. After a second, his attention turned back to the girl beside him.
"I am sad due to a certain decision of mine leading to the loss of those who I swore to protect. And your mother is correct about us being dangerous, but we samurai are dangerous in order to protect you and all of Iron Country from harm."
The child frowned, "Does mister samurai need a hug to make the boo-boo in his heart all better?"
Naruto smiled sadly, and ruffled the girl's long blonde locks of hair. Just as he was to answer, however, the girl suddenly engulfed him in a hug which left Naruto speechless for a second. With a sigh, he stood and carried the child over to her mother bridal style.
"Thank you samurai-san, and I apologize for my daughters' behavior." The mother said as she took her child.
"No apology is needed ma'am, just don't discourage the gift she has." Naruto smiled, one which the civilian returned. "Guide her down the right path to ensure that her childhood innocence is left intact until she makes the decision which is buried deep within her mind."
The mother nodded at the sagely advice then posed a question, "Do you ever regret following the samurai way?"
"I have been down many paths, some good, some bad, but if not for my master I would have killed myself long ago." Naruto sadly replied as he sensed the doctor was nearing the waiting room. "Now if you excuse me, Dr. Goro is here to see me."
As Naruto left with the doctor, the mother, and the civilians who overheard the whole conversation, would never see samurai the same way again.
"That was some speech kid." Naruto shrugged which prompted Goro to continue. "So, I take it you're here for that poison we got outta yah?"
"You know your patients well Goro-san." Naruto smirked. "Please, and I will be meeting Mifune-dono in six days' time. If you approve that is."
The doctor sighed knowing that Naruto wouldn't take no for an answer, "Fine, but no fighting or strenuous activities. You may have that magical beast of healing in your gut, but that does not heal all the wounds…does it."
"The mind is a fickle thing, is it not?"
Goro slapped Naruto in the back with a small chuckle. "It sure is, Akuma no Senshi, it sure is."
Six Days Later
It was early morning and the sun had just started to peak above the mountains in the distance. At the Inn, Naruto did his morning stretches per Goro's orders but, all the while, he couldn't help but think back on the antidote that was made. It was experimental for the most part, but they hoped it would work.
For most of the night, Naruto was injected with the poison that gave him the scar on his cheek, a poison which was replicated in the hospital labs. From there, Goro and the nurses used diagnostic jutsu to see how the Kyuubi reacted with the poison and if the bijuu could somehow bypass it. The first three tests were failures much to everyone's dismay, even more so seeming that they could only create five different antidotes. Like the first three, the fourth failed, but it was the fifth and final one that proved successful to a certain degree. By time Naruto left the hospital, he had the antidote stored away in a vial in his bag with other necessities.
Done with his stretches, Naruto went over to his armor and began to check it for any signs of damage, places that needed polished, and places that needed repaired. Seeing a dull spot, Naruto went to grab his polish in his bag, but a knock on the door interrupted him. Expanding his senses, Naruto recognized the signature, a familiar one, which made a small smile come to his face.
"One moment, please!" Naruto shouted at the door as he put his polish away and greeted the person whom knocked. "Hello Shizuka, what brings you here today?"
"Word got around town that you're leaving," She asked curiously. "By chance would you let me come along?"
"Perhaps." Naruto quirked an eyebrow, "But as to why that would be, fair maiden, is the question."
"Will you stop calling me that?!" Shizuka blushed at the nickname, "And…and…dammit." She huffed to get her mind straight. "I enjoyed your company last night, OK. I just can't help but feel there might be something between us."
Naruto hummed in thought before he shrugged his shoulders. "Well, I suppose, but you will have to do any fighting if we come across enemies…I cannot fight, doctors' orders."
"YES!" She blinked in shock at her outburst then giggled nervously. "Heh…heh…I'll be going to get my stuff now. Bye!"
Naruto closed the door, but couldn't help to look back at the spot Shizuka was in and let out a snort of amusement.
"Women…one aspect of life that is a continuous puzzle that cannot be solved."
"So..." Kurama started out slowly with a smirk. "When can I expect grand-kits?"
"KURAMA!"
After getting a map from Taichi, the blacksmith, Naruto now had his bearings and was ready to find the place where his platoon was slain, where he almost lost his life. Although Naruto didn't wish to go back to that place, he knew he had to do it…for closure purposes. The walk there, however, was awkward to say the least as Naruto and Shizuka never talked, they only stole glances at each other.
For Naruto, it was towards a place he knew was wrong; the cleavage. He really began to regret reading that Icha Icha book Jiraiya had given him whilst training on the mountains. So yes, in a sense, Naruto was a closet pervert. For Shizuka, who saw the wandering gaze, smirked to herself and purposely pushed her breasts together and walked in a very provocative nature, one where her butt would sway.
A very awkward walk indeed.
After about an hour of travel, they were finally at the sight where it all happened, but the blizzard had covered the remains of the building and of the countless corpses strewn about. Upon looking around, Naruto couldn't help but shudder as his mind replayed the events over and over again.
"Naruto, you going to be alright?" Shizuka worriedly asked.
"Hai just…let me do what I need to do." He replied shakily.
Knowing where each body lied, Naruto walked forward a little then bent down and brushed the snow away. There, now staring him in the face, was two lifeless black orbs and the pale face of one of the comrades he let down. Naruto's whole body shuddered as the screams of the dead played back in his head, screams which made Naruto collapse to his knees.
He couldn't hold it in any longer.
"Naruto!" Shizuka shouted and instantly was by his side. "Go ahead, just let it out. I'm here for you."
The Uzumaki did just that, and cried into Shizuka's chest. The pain in his heart was immense, but somehow it felt as if Shizuka was there to ease it. Both didn't know how long they stayed in that position, but soon enough Naruto recovered and wiped the tears from his eyes.
"Thank you Shizuka." Naruto sniffled and wiped a stray tear away. "Without you by my side, I would have likely ended my path here."
Said person smiled, then looked at the corpse beside her for a brief moment before she buried it in snow again.
"Don't live in the past Naruto, the past is just that. Look toward the future, toward the here-and-now."
"I let my platoon die, and who knows how many others…" Naruto replied sadly as he gazed at the battlefield. "How can I live when their deaths' ride on my shoulders?"
"Look, I will be frank." Shizuka grasped Naruto's face so that they were looking eye to eye. "This is war, this is the path you chose, the path I chose. We may be a year apart age wise, but the fact is we are still kids. We are human Naruto, and as humans…"
"We all make mistakes." Mifune's voice finished for her which made both Naruto and Shizuka stand to bow in respect.
"Mifune-sama."
"And who might you be?" The general smiled as he looked at the girl, "I must thank you for helping Naruto in his healing process."
"Shizuka at your service, and if I may beseech you, I was once a student of Takeshi. My information is yours."
"Quite a pick Uzumaki-san," Mifune looked at Naruto with a smile, "She was just the miracle we were looking for."
Naruto nodded, then sighed. "How many…how many died as the result of my lapse of judgment?"
"None." The general said with a smile. "All of us forgave you, and Shizuka here explained it perfectly. Even an old man like myself makes mistakes time and again. You need not resign commander Uzumaki, you need not commit seppuku in my presence, but what you do need is to use this experience. Take these burdens which you now bear, and make yourself stronger like many have before your time."
For the first time in a while, Naruto let out a true smile, one which made the other's smile back. After a little while for prayer for the deceased, the daunting task of collecting the fallen begun. Being too far away from the main village, enemy and ally alike were gathered and placed on a funeral pyre for cremation. As they burned, an honorary ceremony would take place so that all would have safe passage to the afterlife. Although it took most of the day to gather the dead from all four assassin's guilds, by the end of it all Naruto felt oddly at peace.
His error no longer harming him like before.
As they were finishing up, Shizuka, in a show of goodwill towards ending this senseless war, wrote down the outpost where she was stationed at for a while, and where Fukui Harumasa was likely at. Although happy that his master was still alive, Naruto feared that it wouldn't be for very much longer.
"You two will be in charge of the mission, and I want you two to take it on alone." Mifune ordered Naruto and Shizuka as they were about to part ways. "Yes it is risky, but as you said Shizuka; oversight was Takeshi's biggest issue. Good luck, and until we meet again Uzumaki-san, Shizuka-san."
The two bowed, and started off towards the village they were at. Although it would take the rest of the day to do so, in that time a plan would come together. In all intents and purposes, the plan was downright idiotic, full of holes, and one that would surely fail. However, knowing about Takeshi's the oversight issue was a great boon as they could use this to their advantage.
Perhaps, this plan would work out after all.
One Week Later – Takeshi's Outpost
Naruto, whose arms were currently bound at his side, couldn't help but shakr his head with a smirk as he was currently escorted towards the hideout.
"Explain to me why we came up with this plan in the first place?" Naruto asked as he watched a sealing scroll which contained his swords were put in one of Shizuka's pouches. "You haven't been in Takeshi's care for about a year now."
"Well, for one, it would cement that I was just away to clear my head, and with you captured it is an added bonus. Think of it as a security measure." She replied sweetly which made Naruto chuckle a bit as he remembered how it got to this.
The morning after the two returned to the village, Naruto admitted himself to the hospital to make sure that the poison which crippled him before would not do so again. Although Kurama hated being blocked, he reluctantly agreed. And so, the injections began with the antidote injected hours later. While undergoing this process, he and Shizuka laid out many ways in which their plan would work. For one, they needed to know if Fukui was actually at that outpost. Shizuka revealed that Takeshi had many, but only knew the location of one; the one they were going to raid.
As they neared the outpost, Naruto sensed multiple signatures underground, but only a few were familiar. None, however, were Fukui's which made Naruto worry.
"Stay sharp, we're on in five." Shizuka whispered harshly which broke Naruto from his musing.
The Uzumaki nodded and kept up a calm façade as they neared the gates of the outpost. Five minutes later, the guards halted them and asked for identification, but that quickly changed to looks of shock when they saw Shizuka.
"Shizuka-san, it's been so long…do you know how long Takeshi's been looking for you?"
"Too long I suppose." Shizuka shrugged then motioned to Naruto. "I must talk to him about certain matters…you see, I have an important prisoner for him."
The guards looked at Naruto's armor then read the kanji on the back which made both gulp in fear as the legends of what this Akuma could do was already well known within the ranks. With haste, they ushered Shizuka and her prisoner inside where a couple rebels escorted them to Takeshi's office. Within minutes, they stood by the door and, one knock later, voice of the man which Shizuka grew to hate was heard on the other side.
"No, I must not falter now."
The door opened, and Shizuka shoved her prisoner inside before she walked inside and closed the door behind her. As the door closed, she kicked Naruto in the back of the knees which made him kneel in front of Takeshi.
"That's better, you should know that it's only proper to bow in front of your new master." Shizuka snidely remarked, but smirked internally at her acting.
The rebel leader smiled as he saw who was knelt in front of him.
"Oh ho ho, you never disappoint Shizuka. I knew there had to be a reason for your departure."
"I just needed to clear my head master." She internally gagged at what she had to call Takeshi, but kept up her evil façade for operation's sake. "And in my travels, I found just the boy you were looking for. Their failed raid on the assassin guilds seems to have broken his poor, pea-sized, mind."
"Yes…this is perfect, now I can kill two birds with one stone. I will send their heads to Mifune as an ultimatum."Takeshi smirked, this was almost too good to be true. "Surrender or suffer the same fate."
The rebel leader looked down at Naruto with a sneer, "Look at me demon."
Naruto looked up into Takeshi's eyes, and promptly spit on his face. Of course, this earned a slap in the face courtesy of Shizuka. She even took a handkerchief from who knows where and wiped the spittle off of Takeshi's face.
"That demon's filth does not belong on a pretty face like yours."
"Damn she's good…" Naruto thought with a smirk.
"You picked quite the vixen, kit." Kurama quipped which made Naruto splutter mentally.
"She is not my girlfriend! Acquaintances, Kurama…here let me spell it out for you. A…C…Q…"
Kurama couldn't respond with anything as he was currently rolling on the forest floor of the mindscape laughing to the point where he could barely breathe.
"Stupid Fuzzball." Naruto mumbled to himself, which only made Kurama laugh even more.
"You know, I have just the special someone down in the dungeons for you to meet." Takeshi grasped Naruto's chin so that they were looking eye to eye again. "In fact, you can share the same cell." He paused to yell out to the guards outside. "Guards, take our prisoner to THAT cell. Shizuka, you will stay as we have much to catch up on."
Said person nodded, but inside she was doing a happy dance.
"If he is thinking of what I think he will do, then Takeshi just made the biggest oversight of them all."
Dungeons
The guards drug Naruto all the way to his new destination but, while on the way he looked around the area to see if he could ascertain any weaknesses in the outpost. What he found was not surprising.
"Guards, guards, and what do you know…more guards. Buildings are spaced like a small village in the Elemental Nations…good for ambush. Not looking too promising."
The screech of the metal door of the cell followed by being ceremoniously thrown inside, brought Naruto out of his thoughts.
"Phase one done." Naruto mumbled once the guards locked the cell door and left.
"Hmm, what is this I hear about a phase one?"
Fukui Harumasa had a smile on his face as he came from the shadows of the corner of the cell.
"Master?" Naruto said in disbelief.
"Hai, it's me and…"
The snap of Naruto's rope bindings could be heard as he used Ki to cut them was the only warning Fukui got before he was hit by a heavy blonde and red haired bullet. Of course, the Harumasa just laughed and let his student get what he needed out of the way. The next hour was filled with talks about what happened after the raid operation from both point of views. Naruto was shocked when his master said that in two days' time, he would be executed and his head sent to Mifune for an ultimatum. Naruto vehemently protested this, of course, and said that they would escape and turn the tides of the war as a result.
Naruto didn't know it yet, but his words would ring true.
"So…" Fukui let out a playful smirk, "This Shizuka, by any chance is she your girlfriend."
"First Kurama, now you." Naruto pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed, "The answer is…"
"NO!" Naruto and Shizuka said at the same time which made them blush.
Fukui couldn't help but let out a hearty chuckle. "Oh ho ho, I will take that as a yes."
Shizuka glared at Naruto's master, "Have I told you how much I hate your master?"
"You just met him." Naruto sweat dropped.
"Exactly, first impressions mean everything don't they." She replied sweetly, and with a smile.
"Good pick, I approve." Fukui couldn't help but laugh at the roars of anger the supposed couple made. "Yep, definitely a relationship in the making!"
Shizuka broke up the laughter with the jingling of keys, "Did someone order a prison break?" Shizuka asked as she jingled the cell keys, the laughter now ceased.
Once the cell was unlocked, master and student happily exited only to find the guards that drug them in here were dead via a slit jugular. Naruto's eyes were taken off the sight by a poof of smoke followed by his swords being placed in front of him.
"Thank you Shizuka." Naruto said as he affixed them on his right side. "Now, I sensed some familiar signatures down here. I don't know how, but Takeshi managed to capture a lot of our civilian population and samurai it seems."
"He would brainwash them and turn them into soldiers for his cause." Shizuka replied, anger evident in her voice.
Fukui smiled as a plan came to mind. "Did anyone order a mutiny?"
The three didn't hesitate and left to plan what would become known as the great escape, one which would help cement Naruto's fame long after this war had ended.
Keeping up appearances, Shizuka walked around outside like she was inspecting buildings, but in reality she was planting explosive notes in discreet places. Once she was done with that, Shizuka went into the bars and talked with severely inebriated rebels in order to gather information. Most of which was how to gain access to the heavily guarded armory that the outpost had. Once Shizuka was in, explosive tags would be placed in order to cripple the rebels. Although it would be a blow to the samurai if they wanted to use this area as a field base later on, she knew it could be rebuilt; a necessary loss. Shizuka's next trip was the barracks which Takeshi had ordered her to go liven up the troops before the next big raid. However, her vision of livening up the troops wasn't morale boosting, no, she would plant the seeds of doubt and ensure that the mutiny would overtake the outpost with minimal casualties.
"Perhaps I will lead the prisoners to the armory before blowing it up…" Shizuka suddenly thought as she entered the barracks. "…yes, that might do nicely."
She cleared her throat which got everyone's attention. "All right you lot! Listen up, Takeshi is planning a test for all of you, a test which will simulate a raid on this outpost. You will not know when, you will not be given details of the supposed enemy, and if you fail, Takeshi has tasked me to kill you on the spot. Do I make myself clear?"
"Tch, who is this bitch?" One rebel got cocky, forgetting who is was he was leering at. "Looks like some cheap wh…"
The man couldn't continue as his head was now on the floor; the body soon followed.
"ARE WE CLEAR?!"
"Yes ma'am!" The rebels in the barracks said with fear.
"Perfect, now to report to Takeshi." With that, she left the barracks.
With the utmost precision, Naruto and Fukui silently took out any guards along the way while grabbing any keys they had for the cells. For the prisoners who saw the guards fall, they couldn't help but cheer knowing that they would soon be free of this hell that they've been living. Master and student disregarded their cheers for now as they were headed to the weapons storage of the dungeons; it would be where Harumasa's swords were as well as many others. As Fukui went ahead to do this, he nodded to Naruto who began to unlock the many cell doors which made many of the prisoners start to rush out. However, as Naruto raised his right hand which had Honjo in it, everyone stopped and became silent. Seeing that he had everyone's attention, Naruto smiled and began a speech to rally the troops. It would be one of many which he would become famous for.
"Before you blindly rush out and have yourselves killed for nothing, join me, no, help me stage the mutiny you so desire. Help me turn the tide of this war so that Takeshi and his vile ways can be stopped! What say you, people of Iron Country? Will this mutiny be our last stand?!
"NO!" They cheered.
"Then rise my brothers, my sisters, my children…we, as one, will fight this tyranny. We, as one, will ensure that your freedom lasts for many generations to come."
The clang of multiple weapons hitting the floor could be heard as Fukui forced many guards to do his bidding. Obviously, he killed them in front of the prisoners as their task was done.
"Your ticket to freedom is laying in front of you." Fukui motioned to the pile of weaponry in front of the deceased guards. "TO ARMS I SAY! FOR IRON COUNTRY!"
"FOR IRON COUNTRY!" The prisoners yelled and quickly grabbed whatever weapon they could.
Fukui and Naruto looked at each other with twinkles in their eyes. They now had a force of over 400, while at a slight disadvantage, they knew Shizuka would come through in the end.
Takeshi's Office
"So, are you going to stay for the execution in two days Shizuka" Takeshi asked with a sickening grin. "I will even let you do the honors."
"You flatter me, and I would gladly join you again Takeshi-sama."
The two had been talking for ten minutes now, most of which had been a big back and forth about the past and future dealings in this war. Currently, however, the conversation had taken a turn and, with Shizuka's last statement, Takeshi knew something was amiss.
"Why do you hesitate Shizuka?" The rebel leader said sternly as he glared at his once apprentice.
Said person laughed then took a breath to calm herself. "Oh, Takeshi. Oversight was one of those weaknesses you could never overcome."
She flared her chakra which made explosions rip through the outpost, an action which Shizuka smile.
"You bitch! What have you done?!" Takeshi snarled and stabbed Shizuka through the heart with his katana.
Although she spit blood in her master's face, Shizuka said one thing which made Takeshi curse.
"Never trust your own apprentice."
And with that, the clone puffed into smoke. Just as that happened, a war cry was heard which made the rebel leader look down onto the mini village from his window. The prisoners were out and headed to the armory; this outpost was lost.
"Master will not be pleased, Takeshi." Zetsu said as he suddenly appeared in front of the person in question.
"I will use you as a perfect appetizer when master is done with you!"
"Just shut-up and take me away from this place..." Takeshi snarled.
Zetsu simply sighed and grabbed the rebel leader, both vanishing just as some of the prisoners entered the office.
With Naruto and Fukui
Master and student lead the charge as they and their entourage erupted from the bowels of the dungeons. As the explosions erupted, the rebels scattered into small groups, something more manageable for the mutiny forces. All in all, it was almost mass hysteria for the rebels, and shooting fish in a barrel for the others. As they were rushing out, Naruto saw Shizuka motion to him.
"Follow my lead!"
Naruto nodded then motioned for everyone to follow.
"Hai sir!" They chorused and did as told.
While at the armory, the civilians discarded the weapons they had, and picked up ones they knew how to use. Bow and arrow, maces, clubs, axes, and just about anything that had a resemblance to something of their craft was now equipped. With this, Naruto had a plan in mind which Fukui let him take over.
"A test for you Naruto, a test to see if you are truly worthy in taking that next step." Naruto's master thought with a huge smile on his face.
"Those with bows and arrows, I want you to make haste to the tallest buildings you can find! Each will be escorted by four others; two samurai, and two civilian. The rest, form up into squads of 20. I want equal weight on each. The rest, stack-up with Master Harumasa or I. Do I make myself clear?!"
"Hai sir!"
Naruto nodded with a grim smile, "I know many of you will not live to see the results of this day, but know that you died with honor; your sacrifice will not be in vein. FOR IRON COUNTRY!"
"FOR IRON COUNTRY!"
And with that, everyone broke into their respective groups. While the archers made haste to their positions, the squads of 20 went around and killed any rebel group they came across. With Naruto and Fukui's squad, which consisted of more samurai than civilians, it was a complete slaughter.
The rebels stood no chance.
As Naruto got to his first group, he didn't even draw his katana. He simply used his Ki like a blade and used Aikido to dance around the enemies until they resembled something that had gone through a blender. Those that tried to get behind them were taken down from the bow and arrow fire which the samurai in the groups pinpointed targets for the civilians to shoot at. Upon seeing how accurate they were with such a weapon, they took a glance to see if the other civilians were the same. Sure enough, the civilians didn't bat an eyelash when they impaled the enemy and the blood ran down their hands. Impressed wouldn't even begin to describe how the samurai felt, no, they began to wonder if their views on civilians being weak was flawed. Sensing these emotions and seeing the civilians in action themselves, Naruto and Fukui knew that Mifune would be getting multiple requests which would baffle him until the report on this battle came through.
As Fukui cut down his opponents much like Naruto did, and the civilians went about killing the rebels like barbarians, Shizuka decided to keep the armory and headed into the fight. As she pulled out kunai from her pouch, she smirked as multiple rebels tried to surround her.
"Fools." She coldly said as she started to spin around at a high rate of speed.
Dance Performance: Second Step
A hail of kunai flew out of the twister that was Shizuka which many rebels tried to avoid. The ones that did were quickly taken down by an arrow through the eyeball or Adams apple. As Shizuka slowed down, then landed on the ground, she smiled and waved at those on the roof ones which were quickly returned. Content, she rushed off to see if Naruto and Fukui needed help.
As Fukui's group was thinning out the rebel resistance on their side, Naruto and his group started having trouble as some assassins decided to come into play in an attempt to halt their advances.
"These guys again!" Naruto yelled as he ducked under a dagger stab then parried another with Honjo.
As the assassin went in for the jugular, Naruto made himself fall to the ground and snap kick the dagger out of the assassin's hand. Just as the assassin was going to grab it out of the air, he quickly found his hand to be gone. Any screams that escaped his throat were instantly silenced upon Honjo going through his throat. Sensing enemies around him, Naruto calmly initiated his Tatehiza no bu. As the enemies rushed in, Naruto closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and He performed a mix of many of the waza, some having Ki added to them. When all was said and done, he breathed in deep as he sheathed Honjo slowly, once it clicked he opened his eyes and watched as ten assassins fell to the snowy ground dead around him. Any civilians and samurai watching the ordeal couldn't help but blink in awe, not only at how calm the young commander handled the situation, but also on his perfect swordsmanship; not one slice was wasted. Those that watched felt the urge to fight even harder, one which they pronounced with a war cry. The cry, which the other mutiny forces joined in on, was music to Naruto, Fukui, and Shizuka's ears.
"Hey, I see you are enjoying yourself." Shizuka said with a smile as she landed beside Naruto whom just got out of his Tatehiza no bu.
Naruto returned the smile then sighed as more assassins surrounded them.
"They never learn, do they?"
"Hmm, it seems we will have to take our first dance earlier than expected."
"This is awkward on so many levels." Naruto mumbled in amusement, but got into his stance while Shizuka got in hers.
"Get used to it, I think we will be together for a long time." Shizuka replied as they went back-to-back, not noticing the blush on her face.
With that, Naruto and Shizuka initiated their first dance, and it wouldn't be their last.
Somewhere in Iron Country
Takeshi and Zetsu came out of the ground to see Tobi standing there with an annoyed look in his eye; a Mangekyou that was spinning I might add.
"N-now Tobi…I can explaugh!"
Tobi had heard enough and grasped the rebel leader by the throat, and lifted him in the air so that they were looking eye to eye. As Takeshi tired in vein to get out of the choking grip he was in, the enraged Uchiha began his rant.
"I trusted you to do one job, Takeshi, and that was to ensure Iron Country would fall…and now, with this recent screw up, I have to question if my time and effort was wasted on the likes of you."
Takeshi was thrown to the ground where he coughed multiple times to get the air back in his lungs.
"The nine-tails brat is much stronger than we anticipated, Tobi. He has full control over the beast, and rallies troops behind him like I've never seen before!"
The Uchiha narrowed his eye, "Hmm, valid points…very well, I will give you one last chance, Takeshi. ONE! I don't grant mercy lightly."
With that, Tobi disappeared in Kamui and Zetsu into the ground; Takeshi was now alone, and without any idea of what to do. With a grunt, the rebel leader eventually got up and decided to find his closest outpost from here.
Dusk – With Naruto
After Naruto and Shizuka's dance, it only took another thirty minutes until the outpost was theirs. Once they made sure that all the rebels were dealt with, they went about burying disposing the enemy's corpses while separating theirs which would be properly buried the next morning. Surprisingly, only ten from the mutiny perished; two were samurai who were killed by assassins, the others were civilians. For now, the new field base was coming along nicely as it had a fully functional hospital thanks to some civilians being trained medics, and many other amenities that a small shinobi village had. Although this was a big win in everyone's minds, there was one question which remained in everyone's minds though.
Who would lead this field base?
The answer was quickly decided thanks to the speech one person gave, and it was this person whom was currently wide-eyed in shock as he sat in the chair Takeshi used to use.
"WHAT!"
"You heard us right Naruto-san, we want you to become our leader." A civilian said with many others behind her nodding in agreement.
"Whoa now," Naruto waved his hands in a "no" gesture. "I'm only a child, a mere 12 years old!"
"But you are a child that showed us the courage to fight, and even led us to victory." One of the samurai that was imprisoned, whom was twice Naruto's age, sagely added. "Please Naruto-san, I speak for everyone here."
"Here, Here!" The many people in the office said which made Shizuka and Fukui smile.
Both were currently behind Naruto as support, but it looked like he wouldn't need it.
While Naruto sighed and began to think about this monumental task, Kurama noticed his containers struggle.
"Do it, Kit. If you helped me break out of my cold shell and helped me see the errors of my ways then you are more than ready to lead these people." Kurama said from the cave in the mindscape. "They need a role model, Naruto, and you have given them that in the time of need. Does your speech that you touted in that dungeon mean nothing?!"
After thinking about what Kruama had said, Naruto smiled which made the civilians and samurai who were freed hopeful. Smile still on his face, the Uzumaki unsheathed Honjo a little, and cut his left palm open which made it bleed. He showed it to the crowd in his office, and made his decree.
"I, Naruto Uzumaki, aka the Akuma no Senshi, hereby take the position of field commander. And by the blood which runs down my palm, this I swear!"
While the people in the office erupted into cheers and fled the office to tell the others the good news, Naruto couldn't stop the happy tears that rolled down his face.
Edited: 8/28/15
