TWO MONTHS PAST| KONOHAGAKURE| HOAKGE TOWER
"It is such a lovely village you have. . . Hashirama and you all have truly done so much to build it" commented Arata as he stared out of the window of the office to a stone face in the mountain and another that was being constructed.
"Yes he worked hard to get us all to this point. We all shall remember and be forever indebted towards him." responded a almost drawling voice that was monotone and stoic in it's speech.
Arata looked over to his host as he frowned at the seated man "Hashirama Senju. Said to be the strongest shinobi. Is dead. This is most unbelievable"
"It is as I have said, Uzumaki-san. That be the truth and it has created a gap in power"stated the man shrewdly.
"I would imagine. The leaf being founded initially by the Senju lead by Hashirama and the Uchiha lead by Madara. Both powerful warriors said to only have each other as equals and the world even acknowledging them as the strongest with their clans now dead. Yes I would imagine both of them dieing would make some say your village is weakened and this be the perfect time to attack"
"Your words are true, yet you have not answered the question of why I have invited you here as our guest. I must apologize for frankness but I need to know Uzumaki-san will you honor the alliance you struck with my brother?"
Arata thought on the idea as he made his way back to his comfy chair he was sure the Leaf hosts probably spent all night picking out for him.
The idea of not honoring the deal and all of the information Hashirama had given to him went threw his head, knowing it would be easy to just stay out of the extreme problems this village was having, but it quickly was swept away. He knew Hashirama was in fact a peace loving individual but was just trying to find it in a unconventional way.
He himself would not be shocked if Hashirama sacrificed himself saving a comrade that would never in their life time be as powerful as he was. Yet at the same time he knew the man probably died in a even more dramatic; knight and shinning armor scenario.
He was just sure even if his brother Tobirama skirted around the question, Hashirama must of died doing something others as ninja would see as less. . . ninja like.
It didn't bother him though. Hashirama could keep the last respects of the world in his death, untarnished as the man who was the strongest ninja.
He on the other hand would gain; In this life for his country and village threw this rough alliance.
'Surely with a man like Hashirama having led this village. They must be worth something and a alliance made more official with them, has to pay off. Plus they seem to treat Mito very well' he thought relaxing a bit in to his choice.
"Yes of course, it would be dishonorable not to uphold the deal. Except of course there will be some slight changes. Me and Hashirama never really finished up our original deal."
Tobirama nodded as he was open to the assistance that one as powerful as the Uzushiogakure village could provide.
"Yes, that will be fine but we have a much more pressing matter to attend to. A new enemy of ours has made itself known. A minor village it is when it is compared to others now, in size but it is heavily populated with ninja and can afford plenty more. It had been successfully attacked and supposedly devastated but it seems they bounced back very quickly. It is near your country and will surely make a staging point out of your country before attacking us your known ally directly."
Arata nodded "Yes. . . Cloud village. Last time I checked they have a few ships on their coast that are supposedly growing in number by the day."
"Well then that would mean you are well informed but that is the least of the immediate threats. To the east in Water country their is a village called Mist that has successfully formed and is undoubtedly powerful. They have made it clear they intend to annex Tea Country's Nagi island and much more. In response to that the Tea Daimyo has all but begged our help in defending his country and our Fire Lord has saw it fit to order we protect the buffer country. We are then made to be even more short handed as a village in the desert named Sand to our west has yet to make it's intentions clear"
"You. . . we. . . have a lot of problems" sighed Arata wondering if he should have just said no to the man.
Tobirama kept going "Not only do we have to worry of that but some minor villages around us have saw it fit to 'test' a village of a major country's defenses from time to time. So many seek our downfall and valuables"
The General nodded knowing it was to be expected; the powerful always incurred the wrath of those looking to become more powerful and they; the less powerful were always one opportunity away from being the powerful. Rather that 'opportunity' be from killing or teaming up on a opponent it mattered not the way but what was the end result in the shinobi world.
With a steady gaze Arata looked in to the eyes of the new Second Hokage "So do tell me what were Hashirama's plans for the future. My own intelligence has told me quite a few things. Some of those things are most frightening"
"My brother never did things to intentionally harm those who did not seek to harm him" explained Tobirama in his same ever calm voice.
"So he was still the very peaceful man. . . That sounds nice and all but it does not in anyway answer my question. Did Hashirama actually give Tailed Beasts to each of the major villages?" accused Arata with a edge to his tone, brokering no skirting around the direct question.
"That was suppose to be a secret. One between the most powerful villages. But it was only because it was to cement a trust and a sense of balance between the villages. After his battle with Madara. Hashirama saw that one could tame the tailed beasts and he captured all of them. Giving them to the most powerful villages he thought it would be for the best. Each village would posses a powerful weapon while also being extended a sign of trust"
Arata almost reached for his sword to attack the man before him.
It was only his pure restraint and reminder that he was now acting in the capacity of a leader and his people needed one not prone to outbursts that he was able to restrain himself but he was still unbelievably angry.
'He was suppose to say that it was just a rumor not confirm this idiot suspicion. Hashirama catches all nine tailed beasts. . . Or rather eight then spreads them out as gifts to the other villages. It was laughable on paper. But that son of a bitch did it. . . And they let the fool!' wondered Arata in disbelief.
"Are you angered by this General-dono?" asked Tobirama seeing the man before him go incredibly silent then eyes narrow dangerously all the while he watched the man's right hand twitch.
"Yes. It makes me wonder the true goals of Hashirama. Then it makes me question his sanity" stated the General not caring he was talking about the man to his own brother.
With a sigh the Hokage reasoned "I know it seemed a very radical idea but trust me that Hashirama had the best intentions, an it was seeming like it was going to work except the problem had developed of many not truly knowing how to take the gift or what to do with it but they were glad to have it. They even at first began to want talks of peace-"
Arata interrupted the relaxed man "I can see you are about to make something up. Especially seeing as how Hashirama did not grace our village with a tailed beast. Even though we would never want one. Yet at the same time we; Makers of the seals being able to contain the beasts. This tells me that your brother has done a great offense against my village and personally me. Threw his shady dealings with the villages and not even warning let alone having decency to say: Oh I'm giving out weapons of mass destruction. Watch out!. . . Now why is that?"
"What my brother did for his village is and was his own choices. I make no supportive or not supporting comments about what he did nor do I think he meant to offend anyone. On that fact I ask that we may get back to the point why I have asked your presence here to see if you would commit your forces to the war"
"Pretty cold thing to say. . . Especially if what the man was doing was for you and everyone else here" retorted Arata gruffly
"General-dono, He is no longer among the living. It's the job of those alive to live. I want my village to live, to never die. Let us not discuss anymore of philosophy or past men with dreams but on the actions we shall try to take in this crisis." coaxed the Hokage with a more kinder voice.
Shifting slowly in his chair Arata asked "Do you not need your council to help you?"
"No. I am fully capable to lead with out one. They are at best only functioning and usable on facilitating and transitioning the needed requirements to put my plans in to action. Besides the fact councils can become liabilities in leaking information that is best left between two leaders. Why, is it that you need your war council to consult with you before you can take actions?" shot back the Hokage almost too shrewdly.
"Of course not. My title would not have any weight or meaning behind it if I had to consult with others to fulfill my goals. I am the General, no one is higher in rank then me in my country besides our Daimyo. Though my council is very much used as they provide pivotal information and great wisdom without liability." stated the man with a smirk.
Tobirama kept his face blank as he nodded a okay to the statement. It did not bother him one bit it would have to constantly be him talking to the man before him allot to upkeep their alliance and communicate information.
"I-" began the Hokage only to be interrupted.
"I believe that we should make things clear to the world. So clear that all enemies will think many times before ever attacking one of our villages"
"A demonstration of might?" asked the Hokage about to pick out flaws to such a plan
"No I say we-"
NINE DAYS PAST| EAST OCEAN
Shuji stared out over the bow of the ship at the dark water that without the sun appeared dead and onyx colored in the moon light rather then the vibrant and crystalline blue it was oppositely in the sun.
It seemed only the small ripples caused by his ship, were the only tell tale signs of making sure he was upon a liquid surface and rather not the still solid slate the ocean appeared as.
"Commander" quietly called a voice making Shuji stand back up and turn around.
"Yes?" he asked staring at the young Uzu ninja.
Embarrassed the boy saluted, having remembered to give proper respect then continued on "We shall make land fall soon sir. . . but" trailed the boy.
"Yeah?" asked Shuji looking the incredibly young man. . . rather boy, over. Seeing he had a nervous expression on his face peaked his curiosity.
"Well ya see. . . Some of the guys well. . . " muttered the boy
"Is this going some where?" asked Shuji bored and annoyed at the not confident boy's attitude.
"Yes well. . . Sir. We had uh heard some tales you know stories that said uh. . . well as people say them. . . They say that General-sama. . ."
"What about our leader?" calmly stated the red haired man showing no aggression but a blank face that was almost equal to a stoic glare.
The boy scratched his head with one hand nervously as he spoke looking everywhere but the green eyes that stared intently at him.
"Uh. . . Nothing sir! Just ah nothing sorry I even brought anything up" sputtered the boy before he turned and ran away to the far side of the ship easily disappearing behind large folded sails.
"Hm. . . i wonder what he had to say about Arata-kun" wondered a voice aloud.
Shuji looked left then right until he simply looked up and saw the owner to the voice. "Haruo-san. I did not know you had come to my ship. How may I be of assistance to you?" he asked politely
"You are aware we are both commanders of the same rank. No need for formality especially not at this time of the night. Besides I am only on your ship because my own ship is full of such damn bed wetters. I swear it seems ever since I got this rank all anyone ever wants to do is ask me questions on how to improve their jutsu, how to do this better or that better and my oh so favorite the how'd you get so strong sir? I swear it is like it never ends"
Sarcastically the red head man responded "Sorry about your subordinates will to want to get stronger. It must be very cumbersome to be in charge of the lives of so many and then they want to interact and learn from their leader"
Haruo nodded unaffected by the sarcasm "Yeah. . . but I persevere. Hopefully you will too when your subordinates start to annoy you day and night."
Turning his back the older Uzumaki rolled his eyes at the brashness of his fellow clansmen/commander.
"So got any news on where Arata is?"
Annoyed by the question Shuji drawled out slowly and deliberately "Of course not. He is probably on a mission like us. You know doing something important"
"Alright be snarky. We will see who is laughing when I'm made in to your boss for being the superior ninja" chuckled Haruo
Smirking in clear challenge at such words the man asked "I thought you didn't care for rank?"
"I don't, though when I am your boss I will be sure to forbid you from ever using sarcasm and make you smile all threw out the day and pretty much everyday you gloomy guy"
"That is the pot calling the kettle black. . . Yet it is also very much delusional behavior fit of your character; to think you're a better ninja then me. Although that makes me smile. . . Heck because of that I might just smile all day today. Speaking of time you might want to give the signal" warned the man rolling his eyes at the carelessness of his comrade.
Haruo said nothing as he reached in to his pocket past his plate armor and pulled out a long tube.
He then took the tube inside his hands as he pointed it upwards to the dark sky and gripped it with both his hands, as he twisted the cylinder. Making a bright spark explode from the cylinder outwards in to the night sky.
The red spark illuminated the dark sky and cast a red glow that shown over the dark ocean in seconds then gave view of hundreds of boats flying the Whirlpool flag upon their masts that each clustered in formation sailed behind one ship the apparent flare had come from.
"I will lead this battle Shuji. Just pull up the rear!" yelled Haruo as he jumped from the ship's tall mast and landed on the ocean surface to run across it, leaving a trail of grey wisps behind him, as he ran towards a few ships that were slowly branching off from the large fleet formation.
Shuji watched the extremist and sighed "You can't rush in an kill everybody to claim a country. . . idiot. Even if you do take out their hidden village. Yet as true as that is. . ." murmured the man as he watched the branching off ships heading to land following behind a figure that ran across the ocean with quick speed.
"As true as that is. . . I do feel sorry for Yu village."
HOT WATER COUNTRY
Haruo was first to make landfall. It was easier for him to as he had no ships holding him back, so he had not the need to drop anchor and get off board.
Nothing held him back as his blood was pumping, he was leader of this attack and he wanted to cut loose. In fact he was very excited in being able to to cut loose and would make sure that he allowed others to cut loose too. Mostly from their lives.
"Kill everyone in our way. No one can beat our combined power." announced a confident voice.
Haruo gave a wide almost predatory smirk as he heard the words. "I don't do things any other way. Just sit back and watch buddy. We will have this country by morning! An maybe then Arata will come here and give some praise"
"Not if he brings Akasuikage. . . that sword is twisted." reminded the still confident voice.
"What ever. I don't care what you say Arata is my friend. Any problem you got with his sword is yours. An don't ever expect for us to fight it out or anything so you can. . . HEY STOP DISTRACTING ME!" shouted the teen almost tripping over a crab shell.
"Whatever. Just remember. . . " began the voice as it went silent suddenly and Haruo felt a small chill travel up his spine.
"Death. . .a infinity of evolution" both voices spoke synchronized speaking as one.
"Of course it is. . . ShiMugen. . . " assured Haruo taking his sword from his back strap and gripping it tightly. Dead-set on using the blade many times before the day was over.
"Commander Haruo-sama!" cried a womanly voice
Haruo did not even bother to turn around as he felt the vibrant chakra's of ten then four hundred then soon double that then another doubling of the amount of men and women who took up running behind him, following his lead as he ran on the sandy white beach.
"You are all aware of why we are here and what I expect. A total 100% no survivor rate for our opponents. An a true kick to the faces of Yu's ninja for ever thinking they could engage in conflicts that did not concern them. Since! they WANT to be the lap dogs of Kumo, obeying those fools to take up arms and ally with them. Then they are our enemies and soon our past victims!"
A chorus of roaring cheers rang out but was quickly silenced when Haruo looked over his shoulder and released killing intent of what was the smothering predatory kind.
"They are a minor village and have forgotten their place. There was reason why they smartly not ever sail OUR seas while not asking for permission now those same cowards prepare to take up arms against us. . . Let us go and show them how minor they are! And remind them! Why they feared us to begin with!" commanded the Uzumaki man.
An so the trek lead by a determined and what some might have called slightly deranged commander had began.
The battalion consisting of eighteen-hundred kunoichi and ninja respectively, moved fast behind their leader traveling at a pace that was break neck and almost reckless to move so fast at in enemy territory.
It would have been reckless if not for the two beings with milky lavender eyes that were located at the front of the formation just a few steps from Haruo.
Within minutes the battalion had left from the large sandy white beach in to the lightly dense forests that littered Hot Water nation.
Haruo was confident that at any moment he and his division would encounter some Yu-nin that maybe patrolled the country or had seen them coming in the dark of night and went to report to their village. Though if they did not see them coming it was still to their advantage.
"Thirty meters ahead sir. Four Yu-ninja. They are camping it out sir. One is on guard" whispered a voice that made sure to speak quietly but loud enough to be heard.
The Uzumaki gave a nod having heard the Byakugan wielder and immediately picked up speed.
He would not give in to something such as tactical planning or anything like that in this type of attack. He was Haruo and was known for his prowess of power and would not have things done differently from his reputation of: Godly overwhelming destruction.
With close to two thousand ninja against just four half sleep ninja he saw it as unnecessary to plan for their getting closer by the second engagement.
He would simply kill them as he went past and kept charging up threw the center of the country destroying everything in his way as he got closer to Yu village as it stood now he was but a few hundred miles from the village with the only commitment he could make was one rest stop to his division then a overwhelming invasion upon a minor village. Everything else was just. . . everything to be taken out of the way.
Fifteen meters and closing on the team of four ninja and he did not need the words of his sensor to tell him the ninja had run at their coming approach.
'Run. . . Run right to your village. . . I'm coming' he thought menacingly.
Haruo knowing the men would make it to their village before he could get successfully all of them decided on a better approach. He had remembered Arata did say to project a impossible amount of strength that would make anyone worry to challenge Uzushiogakure.
Lucky enough that 'strength' truly did not need to be projected per-Se as he himself had the power to back up any claim of power that would make anyone worry with fear.
With a sudden stop Haruo halted the advance of every man and woman behind him as the sounds of foot-steps slowly stopped echoing.
Reaching down to his pouch he kept on his hip he rambled inside of it with his free hand before pulling out a long expanse of steel wire. Then proceeded to tie the wire around the hilt of his sword till it was very tight and would not come off.
Being very careful in making sure his sword's blade did not touch anything he stepped forward and began twirling it in a smooth circular arc with the string, as if it were a simple toy. Not the deadly weapon revered by everyone in Whirlpool. An those who witnessed it's power.
When the twirling sword became just a blur of a cycling object barely visible in glimpses, Haruo with a under toss threw the sword out and almost lost concentration as behind him he heard the many abundant fearful gasps.
The grey sword hit the ground like a razor threw air. Carving threw the earth and trees that were in it's way in what was a blink of a eye as everything it cut became a disappearing grey wisp of smoke.
Slowly Haruo let out more and more string as the sword, being able to demolish everything in it's path without having to slow to cut something to pieces did not loose any momentum and could travel for what was known as a indefinite amount of time and reason number two why the sword's use was forbidden to be used in Whirlpool nation territory.
Only a few inkling seconds passed before Haruo was running out of string at a alarming rate yet did not seemed concerned.
Then. . . It happened.
The grassy ground began to tremble underneath the feet of the battalion unnerving many of the men who feared a impending earth quake from the running gash in the ground.
Haruo seemed to be the only person unaffected as he fished out a last few feet of line.
Suddenly the volatile shaking of the ground increased and some had to even prepare to retreat backwards at the idea of what was happening inside of the earth.
Finally feeling the quakes of the ground beneath his feet at a sizable level and slowly receding, the commander yanked on the line of wire. To quickly be greeted by a sword that careened directly towards his chest in a fraction of a second but was caught with experience and sheathed.
"The ground is completely not worth a damn now. There is a huge fault line in the place we are to travel. What is going to happen is; no the ground will not suddenly give way beneath us but I recommend you guys be careful we can't afford to lose anyone"
"Sir, why was this necessary?" questioned a man suddenly anxious to know.
Haruo looked back towards the man with a wide smirk "What is in this area?"
The man thought for a moment before he said "A beach and a town a few miles west"
"Yes good. Seems you did your geography homework on this country. Now what you majorly forgot is in this area is simple. A beach and allot of rock. Tell me does anyone knows what happens when cold sea water and the well known hot water of this country from it's springs mix?"
No one answered not understanding the point.
"Alright then I will put it in laymen terms. You all felt the sudden quakes. That was from splitting the 'crust' of this place quite deep with a pretty nice gash-"
Haruo was quickly interrupted as a sudden shifting of the ground made him silent as he had to try to keep balance.
With a wider smirk he continued "This is now kind of like constantly splashing water on fire. If you splash water on fire but not enough to make it go out, it'll just flare up but won't die. Just like now how the abundance hot pressure in this land is meeting now with cold sea water from the ocean. Aggravated by cold sea water seeping in to the gap I've made meets hot steam that moves the plates in the earth hence these quakes."
Rumbling the ground another quake shook the earth before slowly dieing down.
A chuckle reverberated threw the red head's throat as he said aloud "There is no way they will be able to plug this up. Plus with a few more of these around their country, this will make them rethink ever messing with us again. With seemingly the world falling to pieces while we attack. This will be apart of their death."
Having explained himself Haruo then took off in to a frenzied sprint.