"You can not be serious. I'm not doing that!"

"Son as the leader. . . You must compromise on things. . ."

"Father I know that but I am not doing that! I don't want to have to try and barter with the Hyuga!"

"It has been many years since that event General-sama. We could do well to gain a new eye or ear on to the main land. Plus sir it is not uncommon for once enemies to one day become strong allies" spoke Shuji

Arata rolled his eyes. . . And thought 'Has it truly been that long. . .'

THOUGHTS OF THE PAST

Yes, truth was it had been very long since the day of what was now called or known as the False Invasion affair. Given such name by the survivors of the incident and the General.

Said General who was Arata the fourth, having taken office and leadership of the Whirlpool village less then three days after the attack bringing on major change. Yet said attack was more so the known changing spectrum on a small point of view the Whirlpool village but largely the Whirlpool nation.

Whirlpool village it seemed had almost over night but to others, threw hard work and planning simply exploded in to a once four thousand people in total village with low ratio of ninja, to the third most inhabited place on the whole island country also taking the title of the nation's most important military village second only to the capital in importance.

An it all happened via a idea by the old leader, Arata the third. A man who was heavily regarded as a treasure of the village as him being grandson of the very man who founded the village and parts of the nation.

No one who called themselves a citizen of Whirlpool country would never want any type of harm to befall such a icon. The man may not have been the extremely powerful and believed unbeatable being that his grandfather was.

Or the sealing genius who invented hundreds of the conveniences implemented threw seals that the village was privy to; from their somehow never ending reservoir of fresh water that made living on a isolated island easier. All the way to their hospitals that used seals to heal the otherwise mortally wounded.
That was all created by Arata the second his father.

Though he still had the drive to be strong, to live up to his heritage even after it was learned he would not be able to manifest a zanpakuto an his skills in sealing still paled to his father's he had something else.

He was without a doubt a genius strategists. Able to command and plan on a level higher then his predecessors. His planning and calm attitude was only trumped by what was his radical ideas that at one time terrified others and inspired some.

Under his command everyone in Whirlpool was sure of his ability to lead and formulate plans to guide them smoothly in to the future. Like he had with his thirty six year long reign. Many had become accustomed with him as their leader.

But things had changed. With him electing his son the new leader and the boy, yes boy of only thirteen with only the reputation of being in line from the heritage of Arata the first. Took on the role of the new village leader with his father given title as his adviser soon after.

Then the idea that was soon realized to have been over twenty years of thinking was told to Arata by his father.

A idea to create a village more so geared to the development of the village for everyone as a whole. No longer a barely strung association of clans working together in times of need but a full functioning village built on the idea that had originally founded it.

Love for one's family and a hope for a better tomorrow.

A great idea it was, Arata the third knew he could not achieve for his village in his lifetime as there were many obstacles in his way. For one he had not the needed funds to even implement the training of other ninja, that was left up to the clans to just train their own then if needed protect the village and country.

Arata the third saw all the flaws in such a idea. He knew other people could be trained as ninja, that only keeping strength for such a few select people as the clans would inevitably weaken the country as a whole. As even samurai in their strict ways allowed others to learn their way.

If others were to be trained and utilized the skills that was so coveted by the ninja clans. Arata the third believed it could bring on a new era one in which would be more stable for Whirlpool.

But it was just a dream. Training fresh new beings to be ninja who had no background in it itself would be pricey in time, money, and skills to undertake what would be a consuming task. Which would have to be done in a large scale to pay off. As one could not just train a few hundred people to make up the time of training them and the debt it would incur.

The time, money, and skillful teachers were the major problems that had destroyed the plans of ever making a stronger force for Whirlpool not mainly created from the clans which other then the Uzumaki were not likely to let go of their techniques to empower others.

But the radical thinker did not give up, and kept re-working plans to make his village and country stronger. . .

Then the idea took birth. . . With a need of necessity. Some would probably say it was wrong while others would say it was the genius of Arata the third.

It was a known secret among higher Whirlpool village officials that had either previously did a stint in protecting the daimyo and her property, that she had a secret mine right under her house. One that was kept so secret because of the recognized issues it would bring.

People would want the precious items in the mine if they tried to explore it and found any, like what had happened when it was realized Whirlpool country had great agricultural land, and speaking of it would bring upon the eyes of greedy individuals so it was kept silent.

Very silent until chance shined upon Arata the third who had one day had the fortune to need to redo the seals of the underside of the daimyo's residence as one could not be weak to a earth jutsu from below. So a simple exploration of the caves underneath to make sure the mines were still stable and the seals of the past were still good.

Led to a chance discovery of; diamonds.

At first picked from the ground after a sandal scuffed over them. Then examined by a seal-master. An soon by a daimyo and finally a jeweler.

Then forever kept secret between a jeweler, daimyo, village leader, and then a head-senior warrior of the Uzumaki clan.

Within time a new advance was made in to the secret ambition of the former village leader. A advance that made his dream possible threw a shared mutual trust and possible underhanded tactics.

The village began to take on missions with clan members from other clans, more and more than on a steady rate.

Then rather Arata the third wanted it or not, his clan members and him began learning techniques of their fellow villagers threw just fighting alongside them. It was all out of trust though except it brought forth a closer understanding of those around them that. . . could potentially be used for other reasons.

The pieces one by one began to collect for the radical man of strategic genius until it all hinged on one being.

Arata the fourth.

The strategist knew if his son were to become the new leader of Whirlpool there would be need for change, change that every leader who assumed the mantle of being the leader of Whirlpool could incur. Change, that was actually a law.

A law that was blatantly stated and even allowed by the daimyo. A law that at first glance seemed meaningless but was the most important one the village had.

The law the strategist knew by heart as he knew all of Whirlpool's country and village's law. The law stated; the new leader of Whirlpool when first elected during a time of crisis could assume full control over the village, due to any strife.

Such a law seemed almost insanely tyrannical but necessary as three things were prevalent. The first was that the Uzumaki clan held much sway in the village and country but shouldn't be totally all powerful that was very much agreed upon.

The second- was in the world; quite possibly some one who was less then reputable could possibly cheat their way to being the leader of the village. And then show their true face. Of course they would need to be able to be -handled- in a certain way that would be quick. This law allowed that as a new elected person who probably and mostly likely was the one who handled the old leader could then change things back to normal unopposed.

An the last reason was the mutual bond of trust between the clans that blatantly between leaders said; only the best may rule this village, anyone who thinks otherwise may try and take the lead of this village threw. . . the darker path.

Then after all his planning Arata the third had his biggest plan happen before his eyes. . . unplanned.

Sending his most trusted warrior of his clan out to sell a secret resource to the daimyo of another nation was a risk especially since he was fully aware of the trouble the Tea daimyo was having with the Fire daimyo who was becoming rumored to wanting to expand and stabilize his borders yet not threw his samurai force which would have gladly fought for him but threw a more ready force like the many ninja clans in his country.

A decision anyone could easily make as killing proven loyal men like the samurai threw war would be stupid when mercenaries you don't even care for were so readily available. The issue was; mercenaries especially the ones the Fire Lord hired were the most dangerous around and not for something simple like; border control but destruction.

With a Uzumaki ninja coming to Tea Country from Whirlpool it would surely look like a plot to anyone who saw, then would aggravate the situation.

Although the Tea daimyo just could not pass up the excellent offer. A import of high quality diamonds at only fifty-five percent of the price would make him foolish to not jump at the offer that only included he pay in gold as if it was cash then keep the deal to himself. With a commodity that was prized on the mainland and at such a low price and so much of it, the Tea daimyo readily accepted knowing the profit he could make.

It was then that two of the major pieces of a long time formulated plan was set.

The village via the Whirlpool daimyo's help had the money. The country had more or less been attacked and he wounded as well as proficient strife been caused. An his son was to be the new leader.

Time then began to wisp past quickly for the aging grandson of Arata the first. Arata his son agreed to his plan after it being explained to him. Then took full control and reformed the village.

A bit difficult it was asking the clans to train others with their techniques. Though surprisingly all the clans agreed readily but did say they would not train others in their more so secret techniques or direct clan styles.

With the admission of the clans being on board Arata the third let his son take his rightful reins of the village and sat back only slightly as Arata the fourth completely changed the village.

Moving back a once long standing wall to enlarge the village and make way for what was a mass recruitment program that soon filled the village with a array of people who had visions of being able to be ninja and protectors.

Most had been able to past the regiments thrust upon them in the academy -that was constructed near the Tomoko clan's mountains-. Yet some did not past the many qualifying tests and were sent away.

While others though not passed the tests did stay in the village and try to still be apart of such a event.

But time soon passed and what was suppose to be a great revolution had soon swelled to a miss-hap of failure after failure as to properly train the assortment of recruits thoroughly all but completely destroyed the village as it was realized over eighty percent of the village's resources, including it's food, money, ninja and everything else would need to be dedicated to developing those that were suppose to be apart of their future now slowly becoming their doom.

Slowly the village had to shut down in order to deal with their biggest endeavor turned problem.

For a while the village only had a barely acceptable watch over the whole country to guard it and a few to guard the village and were at their weakest as they were drained. . . . for years.

Until one day the village after so many years dedicated to training and sacrifice. The recruits were ready.

The people who had willingly undergone a training that showed their love for their country and will to get stronger had been tested and proved unflinching, each began a life of service to the country and village.

Armed with knowledge from a curriculum that was a mutual collaboration between the clans and a new simpler armor of a all black outfit of long shirt worn over a mesh armor then topped with a dark blue segmented breastplate over the torso covered in small Whirlpool emblems and simple black pants, sandals. To complete the look of a new ninja from the Whirlpool.

On that day Whirlpool could call itself what it always wanted to be. The protector of it's home and now a true defender of anything that could be thrown it's way as nothing short of armies could penetrate the new high walls of the enlarged village.

Nothing short of a massive army could ever even defeat the new ninja force of over six thousand that inhabited the village.

Whirlpool was definitely here to stay. It's bustling over six thousand strong ninja force would make sure of that and it's seventy thousand civilian inhabits would support their protectors and the place that was Whirlpool country's first and last defense.

THOUGHTS OF THE PAST END

"General-sama!" yelled Shuji none too politely

Arata looked across the table swiftly at his sensei. "Sorry I zoned out. . . I was just thinking about the past"

"An here I thought they gave the title of General to those who were intelligent head commanders of a large force. Tch seems they just hand it out" snorted a man to Arata's right.

The red haired teen quickly looked over to the long haired man and glared at him "Shut up! No one cares what you say Jiro"

Jiro Fuuma glared right back to his leader with unveiled annoyance. Even after all this time they did not get along.

"Anyway, like I was saying the Hyuga want to make amends for the past. . . miss hap. They have been sending letters for a while now but finally sent one with a more aggressive tone to it" explained the father of the most important man in the room.

"I don't like it. They probably just want to know what we did with those bodies." replied Arata looking at a neatly embroidered Hyuga seal stamped letter before him.

From far across the long table a man spoke up "Sir, it was from my understanding that not one Hyuga had made it back to their respective clans nor had a Inuzuka. So what could they possibly want aren't the bodies rotted by now if that is what they want?"

Arata looked at the man who had addressed him. The man away from him was many years older then him and someone he had grew used to seeing as his purpose of being a long standing representative of the civilian side of the village who were quite active in the lives of their ninja by usually being related to them or performing the jobs ninja couldn't do or rather tasks that were more so civilian oriented.

The man before him was a very needed insider on being able to govern the lives of the seventy thousand civilians who lived in his deemed by the daimyo semi-sovereign village that was absolutely the military backbone of the country.

"No. . . They don't per-SE want the bodies back as they want what they contained. They want the eyes. Well the ones they know that we have." explained Arata offhandedly.

The man was speechless as he gasped but went silent as he looked around the table. He could see that he was the only one who did not know of this information. So he suspected it must of until just now been a ninja thing he was privy to as a councilman.

"We have the legendary byakugan?" the man asked almost in disbelief.

"Yes Shiro-san we do and have had it for many years. You see the Hyuga have a seal upon their so called branch members that are from my understanding suppose to help the main branch members keep power over the other clansmen. The thing is the seal is only worn by the branch members. NOT the main members. What the seal does is seal the byakugan on it's user's death and has some type of control over the wearer. Fortunately though the Hyuga have some type of arrogance about them and some main branch members were on that mission. My understanding was that the branch members were suppose to protect the main members but that did not work out too well" he finished looking to his father.

The older Uzumaki continued the story "We were able to extract the byakugan from three main branch members. Giving us a total of six byakugans which we implanted in a select few giving them one eye each. It proved a very exceptional idea as with a few modifications the users were able to fully harness the eye and use it without problems. This is what the Hyuga clan fears as they fear our seal capabilities and know if it were not for the seal upon the branch members we would have extracted those other eyes successfully too. Although it will be a matter of time until we decipher the Hyuga's seal which I think the Hyuga clan may think we already have done this. Our reputation does precede us now."

"This is most incredible! But why would they try to befriend us?" asked the man not seeing what the ninja already knew.

Arata spoke to the man with a serious voice "We are a ninja village. We make many fear us by our drastic change and growth in power. Plus we pose a threat to them. They would probably want to know if we are weak enough to get rid of in time or if they have to become our allies."

The man nodded at the answer.

Jiro clicked his tongue and muttered "Vultures"

Shuji spoke as he saw it would be up to him to make the meeting progress "On to other matters we have been told that there is a certain clan that would like to speak to us. . . Well at the least the Uzumaki"

The other two Uzumakis in the room quirked eye brows at the words beckoning the man to continue.

"The Senju clan of the forests"

Arata did not know what to say. He had heard of the legendary shinobi and their leader who was rumored to have a ability over wood. That often would be whispered about with his brother Tobirama who was said to be unsurpassed in water jutsu. They both were from a strong clan. So why they wanted to meet with the Uzumaki was beyond him.

"What requests have they made?" spoke Arata the third.

"Nothing but a simple meeting on the Fire country's east border and coast. Port City. To speak with the head of the Uzumaki"

"This is preposterous. Of course they know that the villager's leader is also head of the Uzumaki clan. Smells like a assassination attempt to me." gruffly spoke the masked head of the Tomoko clan

"No they don't work like that. The clan of a thousand skills has many tricks but one so obvious as this is not one of theirs. They probably just want to reconnect with. . . family"

"Family huh. That sounds a bit weird dad. Are ya sure?" asked Arata rightfully suspicious as his position made him to be.

"Yes. Although they probably want something. . . Now a days everyone does." reminded the man making every clan head and senior shinobi nod.

"What about the Hyuga?" reminded Jiro

"They're up to something. Don't respond to them at all. An the Senju. I guess we could meet them, they have so graciously made sure to keep our meeting spot at the water. I guess that is it" finished Arata standing up.

Everyone around the long table stood, then bowed to the leader before walking out except Shuji who walked towards Arata.

The teenaged leader gave a sigh as he saw his sensei approach. "I know. . . I know" he assured knowing what his sensei was about to say.

"Yes you should know. Dealing with Hashirama will only get you trouble. . . trouble with the Uchiha, specifically his arch enemy Madara. . . Arata ain't it obvious what that guy is going to do?"

"I'm not stupid sensei. . . I know of his intentions. His well spouted words of peace."

Shuji moved closer to his leader, and still student laying a hand upon the teenager's strap of his armor on his shoulder "He will want to acquire our knowledge. He will want to make his own village and I will not be shocked if it was with some of those other clans his own is so friendly with"

Arata nodded thinking of those he knew were friendly with the Senju; the Hyuga. Sarutobi. Inuzuka. Yamanaka. Kurama. Akimichi. Nara. Aburame.
And that was just in their proximity of Fire country not the world.

"Sensei he may have allies but he lacks, the power. There is no way even if he were to gather the greatest clans that he would be able to found a village that would pursue his dream let alone be able in the slightest to compete with us." insisted the teen

"General-sama" began Shuji with a frown causing Arata to wonder why the man was disappointed with him now to use his title not name.

"I suspect. . . He will offer you something to ally with him. Like I taught you don't underestimate anyone."

"Offer me something?" spoke the young man not responding to the underestimation advice.

"No not you. . . the village. It'll probably be something that as a leader you can not turn down"

"Tch there is nothing I could want. My village is thriving. The people are prosperous and the ninja though still fresh are getting stronger day by day. What could that guy, give us the we all have not created in these last long years?"

Shuji shrugged "They are called the clan of a thousand skills for a reason"