Naruto Chapter 5

The armies marched and met in battle. An age when Daimyō's had absolute authority. - chronicles of the great samurai wars

Gohda Castle, Hi no Kuni

Lord Matsunoshin Gohda was in his study when the door slid open. He looked up and saw his wife Kei, she smiled as she walked toward him, food in hand.

"I forgot about dinner again. I'm sorry but I've been busy communicating with the Daimyō and the Hokage."

He received word that war was brewing on the continent and began to secretly mobilize his retainers for battle. The Gohda have the largest army out of all the other Samurai Clans in Hi no Kuni. He was asked to join a war council with the Daimyō in a few days. The Hokage or Lord Danzō would be in attendance as well. But first he would eat dinner and look at some more reports. His most trusted advisor Naotada Sekiya is currently going to Konohagakure to meet the Hokage.

Konohagakure, Hi no Kuni

Naruto woke up to the sound of knocking and grumbled as he got out of bed. He knew it had to be something important, the only other person who would knock is Kakashi but he's out of the village with team 7, apparently a bandit named Jukichi Otowa is causing trouble at the Ushimata Temple. He opened the door and saw two Chunin.

"Can I help you guys?"

"Naruto Uzumaki?"

"Yeah?"

"Lord Third requests your presence. You have five minutes to get in your uniform and get your equipment."

Naruto rushed to get his Shinobi uniform, including the prized Flak Jacket that not only protected you, but signified your rank as well. He grabbed his sword and other equipment which included his sleeping mat, rations, kunai and shuriken. After three minutes he met the other two shinobi outside. Four minutes later they made it to the Hokage's Office. They knocked on the door. They heard the Hokage shout enter. They walked into the office and saw mountains of paperwork.

"Ah. Glad you could make it on short notice Chunin Uzumaki. We have a situation in the Kaizoku Sea. Five of the Daimyō's trade ships have been attacked in the last few days by what we presume to be pirates. He has hired us to find out what's happening in the area. All the ships have been close to the shores of Mizu no Kuni, which is currently in a civil war." The Hokage said

The air grew tense as Lord Third said that. The three Shinobi wondered if this was something they were prepared for. As they were in thought, the Hokage spoke again.

"This is Uzumaki's first mission as Chunin. Show him the ropes, Hisama Shukumi."

"Yes my lord." Sukumi spoke.

They exited his office and made a beeline toward the gate. The other Chunin was a girl in her late teens. She looked toward Naruto and smiled.

"Hello Naruto, I'm Arimi Tomari. Nice to meet you."

"Nice to meet you as well. Where's our rendezvous point?"

Their team leader Hisama Shukumi, a man in his late 20s, looked at Naruto.

"Nami no Kuni. We have a contact in the region. Ever since the Daimyō acquired the land, he's been building a large port for his new Navy. Trade has increased, but so has piracy."

They kept moving in the trees for three more hours before taking a rest at a creek. The team set up camp and started dinner.

Iwagakure, Tsuchi no Kuni

The Third Tsuchikage Ōnoki Kamizuru was disappointed and angry at his position in the political landscape. His spies in Hi no Kuni haven't reported in and to make matters worse the Wind Daimyō Ietoshi Hosokawa was dead. A sudden illness had overtaken him apparently. But Ōnoki knew better, he had survived three Great Wars, multiple assassination attempts and even an encounter with Madara Uchiha. He felt the shift immediately. Even the Earth Daimyō Danjō Hattori was preparing, probably massing his army along the border with Kaze no Kuni through his protectorate nations of Tsume no Kuni and Kiba no Kuni He waved his hand and the head of his ANBU appeared in front of him and bowed.

"Yes, my lord?"

"I want you to send a reconnaissance and raiding force of 50 men from our best ANBU Platoon to Kusa no Kuni. I want to probe their defenses."

"It will be done my lord."

The Tsuchikage wondered about the Daimyō's motives about the massing of his levies. Historically the Hattori Clan, the current Daimyō's of Tsuchi no Kuni had a strong rivalry with Kaze no Kuni's feudal overlords the Hosokawa Clan. He just hoped Lord Danjō knew what he was doing, though he fought side-by-side with him in all three Great Wars. Plus many of his vassals would gain the most out of a successful war, especially the Ogawara Clan led by Lord Nagayori Ogawara, the most powerful man in the Daimyō's court. Tsuchi no Kuni did have a numbers advantage boasting around 150,000 levies compared to 100,000 levies of Lord Hosokawa's domain.

He began to get a migraine thinking about the implications of his feudal lord's motives. He was too old for another war, though he wanted to lead a new political order led by Iwagakure and by extension the Hattori Clan. He decided to retire for the night and headed for the Kamizuru Clan Compound. He felt the chakra signatures of his ANBU bodyguards, he silently cursed at the thought of needing protection.

He wasn't called the great fence sitter for nothing. Always plotting and planning his next move carefully. The Daimyō's council could ruin years of carefully laid out plans. He might have to meet with Lord Danjō in the capital of Iwaraoi, to persuade him to reconsider his petty rivalry with Kaze no Kuni. Just then the hairs on his back stood up, and he was instantly on high alert. It appears he and his bodyguards aren't alone. He hadn't felt this since his fateful meeting with Madara Uchiha years ago.

"Fan out and search for the intruder!" He barked out

"Lord Tsuchikage, is it wise to leave you alone?"

"I'll be fine." He smirked

His own personal ANBU detachment scoured the village for the suspected intruder.

"Show yourself, dead man. I'm the Third Tsuch-." He stopped mid sentence and looked at his stomach. Seeing the Ninjato sticking out. Coughing up blood. Before the man showed himself to his target. Dressed in the uniform of a Kusagakure ANBU operator.

"My master Aizen Nobumitsu and Lord Nagayori Ogawara send their regards."

Ōnoki knew that voice. A voice that should be in the blood prison locked up for grievous crimes against Iwagakure.

"You! You should be at Hōzuki Castle rotting Shigi!"

The man known as Shigi looked at the dying old man. Steel in his eyes.

"We can't allow you to stop the coming war, you foolish old man."

The fake ANBU member quickly left the scene but not before Ōnoki's bodyguards saw the headband of Kusagakure.

Hokage's Office, Konohagakure, Hi no Kuni

The Hokage read another report from Kabuto about the elimination of an Iwagakure sleeper cell in the village of Kenkita, twenty miles south of the capital. Ōnoki, the current leader of Iwagakure, was testing his patience and it was wearing thin. Just then he heard a knock and his secretary entered. Reminding him of his appointment with Lord Gohda's representative Naotada Sekiya was going to happen in a few minutes. He thanked her for reminding him and began to prepare for the meeting. Which would mostly cover the travel arrangements to the capital for the meeting with the Daimyō. The door to his office opened and Naotada Sekiya walked in.

"Lord Third, a pleasure as always." Naotada said

Hiruzen looked at the man, rubbing his goatee as he smiled. Naotada Sekiya was an old friend and one of the few people alive who remembered a time before the Hidden Village system was organized.

"It's been too long, old friend. Are the preparations made for our trip to the capital?"

"Yes, Lord Hokage. The arrangements have been made. Your Shinobi will be providing security as we travel. Of course, Konoha will be well compensated."

"Excellent. As you know, our security will be made up of 25 Anbu Operatives wearing civilian clothing."

"This meeting is very important to the Daimyō. If war is indeed coming to the continent. We need to be prepared."

"I wish it didn't come to this, but sadly the winds of war have come again."

"Lord Gohda hopes a Five Kage Summit can be called in one of the neutral countries to come to an agreement."

"As do I. But with Mifune dead, that seems unlikely."

Shakokawa, Hi no Kuni

Kabuto Yakushi walked into the video shop. Where rows upon rows of video tapes lined the shelves. Of course none of them really interested him. He walked toward the counter and said to the manager.

"Do you have the film called Heaven and Earth?"

"That's a special video sir. Please come to the back room please."

They entered the backroom of the shop which had a small desk, a television for cameras, and a small bookcase. The manager pulled a book from the shelf and a secret staircase was revealed. Both men entered and saw an even bigger office. They entered the soundproof room and Kabuto began to speak again.

"What do you have, Matsukichi? It must be something big to request my presence."

"I have some news about a new criminal organization made up of S Rank Rogue Shinobi. They have unknown motives but our mutual friend is a member."

"Oh. How curious. What is this organization called?" Kabuto asked, pondering what Konohagakure's next move would be when he relayed the information back.

"They're called Akatsuki." Matsukichi said in a guarded yet tense voice

Kabuto wrote the information on a scroll and weaved some hand signs. A small orange toad appeared.

"Gamakichi, I need you to get this information to Konohagakure as soon as possible."

"Sure thing bro. I want sweets next time."