HOT WATER COUNTRY | BORDER
The air itself seemed on the side of the freezing snow, the sparkling white specks fell daintily inside of piles on to the plains and mountains of the icy glacier terrain that was the meeting between the Hot Water country and the Frost country so aptly named.
Though of what was see-able for miles a strange phenomenon had taken the border between countries and it's mountain ranges which had been completely halved right through their upper levels of what we're stemming peaks. Now featured smooth flat tops, some even had tents upon them that provided living habitats for many people.
Except none of the flattened tops proved as strangely noticeable as the one that featured a giant flying high Whirlpool flag. Atop the flat surface of the once giant peaking mountain sat on a throne made entirely of stone; Haruo Uzumaki.
His eyes stayed stiffly fixed on the many glaciers that were the majority landscape of Frost country. He regarded the intensely deformed, littered with a few dead ninja upon the ice in some spots battlefield landscape with a tensed concern.
"To believe they thought they could get past me" he remarked about the dead ninjas with a listless tone.
A quick breeze alerted of the arrival of one of his ninja making Haruo break his concentration on the landscape/battlefield.
"Sir. . . there is no reason for you to scan the field. The sensors are always at work" spoke the man reassuringly
Haruo looked the man over and smirked "I remember you"
The man seemed to tremble as the black and gold flecked eyes looked at him.
"I am no one!" he quickly informed nervously
"You were that guy I met in the steam that day, yeah the terrified one. So our new allies made you their representative. I'm shocked, they usually just tell one of my guys to tell me something rather than speak to me directly. So what did you want?"
Stricken with fear the man tried to not feel intimidated but he knew he was a mere mouse in the presence of a psychopathic lion. Barely he was able to numb his own feelings towards the man to do his job as the commander had stated. He was the go to guy for interaction between the not truly integrated with the Uzu village force of ninja and Yu-village comrades.
"We are wondering what you will do about the Iwagakure problem sir?"
Unsurprised at his 'second' division's fear of a battle against two powerful villages. Haruo pondered the very idea.
From the first time of hearing about the Leaf and Uzu triumph over the once majorly feuding Suna and Iwa due to their proximity. In which Suna was resilient in fighting off all Iwa's advances but then heavily weakened by the efforts of Uzu and Leaf in the last battle which Arata had become legend in. He too was wondering what the but few countries away and actually clear enemies of theirs' Rock village would be up to.
Haruo had gotten no orders at all stating he attack the village or prepare for an attack. His only orders though had been simple of; holding Hot Water country and all its assets as Uzu's while fighting Kumogakure. Who had taken to using Frost country as it's buffer; staging point for their attacks.
Sufficiently he had taken over Yu village and destroyed so far any hopes Kumo would have on attacking them back.
Though with the new idea of possibly confronting Iwagakure too on their flank it would become harder, then taking a range of mountains and bunking down to repel pissed off ninja.
Shrugging Haruo stood up "Nothing we can do. Until we have orders so just tell everyone to simmer down and be on watch like now for instance"
Watching the sky the Uzumaki saw a white colored hawk flying incognito while sticking towards the clouds for cover.
Reaching out his hand Haruo commanded "Give me a kunai Zen!"
The man quickly obeyed as he reached in his pouch an procured a kunai than handed it to the red-headed man.
Haruo took the kunai and channeled his unique grey colored chakra in to it and ignored the shrinking back in fear Zen.
The kunai when introduced to the grey chakra started to slowly disintegrate, loosing its form as it began to turn to a sludge that didn't drip but wisp away in a grey smoke.
Before the deformed kunai could fully disintegrate Haruo threw it at the hawk and watched as it tried to dodge the projectile but was caught in its disintegrating spread that pelted the bird with disintegrating bits of metal still laced with the harmful chakra.
The pair watched the screaming and flapping for its life hawk fall from the air leaving behind itself, a line of quickly disappearing grey smoke.
Trying to keep his rations down Zen forced the forming lump in his throat down as he had visions of the last time he had seen this. . . monster kill in such a way.
THOUGHTS OF THE PAST
Haruto looked apathetic to the man he had scared the very utter word of hope out of now carrying a white flag towards him.
"My leader would like to speak to you about. . . our surrender" stated the man
Happy but not showing it the Uzumaki nodded to him as he put up his fist and opened it showing three fingers then closing it showing four.
The Yu ninja watched the odd gesture but as he saw a few men separate from the formation of Whirlpool ninja. He then understood it was some sort of secret code.
"Lead the way" spoke Haruo sternly
Nodding and almost terrified to turn his back to the ninja who had killed so many of his comrades and friends. Zen forced himself to move, hoping while his back was turned the man wouldn't kill him for fun or something.
"So what is your leader like?" asked the Uzumaki calmly as he followed the slightly shaking man
Looking over his shoulder the Yu ninja informed "He is wise and very strong-" then looked down mortified he had said such words in the presence of a man who made it clear he lived to fight, destroy, and what had become an almost true rumor: kill everything that proved a challenge.
Not wanting to cause unintentional harm to go to his leader Zen recounted "What I meant to say-"
Haruo smiled threateningly at the man silencing him "Say no more" he commanded as he passed through the gates of the village to see the lined up Yu ninja with what he knew to be the Yu village leader.
"Ginga-sama the commander of the Whirlpool ninja" introduced the still carrying the surrender flag Zen.
"Thank-you Zen" said the Yu-leader coldly.
Walking forward but leaving his men behind him standing at attention Haruo greeted the white-haired leader "Smart move surrendering, although it leaves much unsolved"
Still cold but diplomatic the old man spoke "I have you here for a reason, yes we must talk conditions to our surrender. You know of our position and of Kumogakure. Your men have suffered not a casualty so I ask that-"
"No!" interrupted Haruo swiftly causing the old-man to go a bit slack-jawed "Foolish were you to join in alliance with Kumogakure. Then even more foolish to waste my time. Do you think I am stupid? I'm a commander for a reason, how about you stop your little show and attack me like you want. . . Jashinist!"
Sputtering the man spoke "W-w-we got rid of all the Jashinist in this village and country years! ago! nobody here practices that religion any more!" denied the man
Drawing his sword causing many others to do the same Haruo went on the offensive "Alright then. I'll give you a deal of a life time seeing as how a Jashinist would make a hell of a fight. Beat me and I assure you my men will leave. I win and well, there won't be any 'conditions' to your surrender. Now are we fighting or not. . . high priest? Matter of fact you can pick your best warrior to take me on"
Stepping forward the man waved his hand at the ready to strike army behind him. Telling them to relax.
"I am the strongest warrior here" declared the old man as he took off his robes showing thick plated red armor underneath.
'Of course you are high priest. The strongest are always the high priest. Though it seems not many here are even Jashinist. They sure are keeping the religion under wraps, though not too covertly. Tch like I wouldn't notice that!'
Taking a stance the man whipped out his arm and instantly from what was a hidden brace; three red spikes revealed themselves from the old-man's wrist pointing outwards for about two feet.
Pointing at the man's neck Haruo informed "Your necklace is showing"
The Yu-leader uncaring used his non-bladed arm to tuck back in the circle with a triangle in it, back underneath his plated armor. The sign of him being an obvious Jashin worshiper was once again hidden from view.
"Any time now" taunted the Uzumaki channeling chakra to his sword
The hidden Jashinist did not enjoy the taunt. Furiously he charged with blades pointed to impale the standing still commander.
Haruo sighed with disappointment as the old-man got close to him and lashed out.
'So reckless is this old man as if h doesn't fear death!' thought Haruo while skillfully defending with his sword that cut through the three spikes of the Jashin worshipers arm blades then instantly on a back-swing the man's neck, leaving behind only a trail of grey smoke with the finished parrying attack.
Severed of a head; the body slumped and pooling blood fell to the dirt while the lopped off head rolled to Hauro's feet. An image of horror written all over the shock filled face.
The decapitated old-man's head as if revived changed it's expression to anger and began speaking "How? There is no way you could cut through my spikes! They were blessed by the God Jashin!"
Chuckling the Uzumaki announced "And now you finally admit it" surprising the assembled ninja who already were awed at the talking head.
"Jashinism might give a bit of immortality but what does it count for when you face an opponent who can cut through anything eh?" questioned Haruo with a cheeky smile while he thought inwardly 'Holy shit, Jashin is real?'
"You will be cursed for laying a hand on a high priest!" yelled the man "Your blade can't kill me!"
Challenged Haruo jeered "Did you know I have no elemental affinities? Nope not one. Can't learn them either. So I with my very destructive stuck in shikai mode blade and chakra have perfected myself to a very extreme level to compensate. So you will understand if I have to make do with killing people in my own special way, so please have some patience. . . you will die"
Snarling the man spoke "You heathen! Jashin strike him down now! MY LORD!"
Still smiling Haruo gripped his sword tightly as he informed "Not going to happen. Transform!"
In a plume of disguising smoke that cleared quickly. The once sword had quickly been transformed in to a large grey block shaped hammer.
The man seemed to have some fear in him as he asked "What the hell is that for?!" then realizing what the Uzumaki intended the blunt instrument for. He stuck his tongue out to use it as a lever to roll his head away.
Haruo rolled the handle of the grey hammer around in his hands as he answered "The blade on my sword has a nasty ability to destroy whatever it cuts. Except that is just a blade. Not much use in being able to just slice things but say if I transform the blade in to large things. . . well then it gets DANGEROUS!"
Swinging the square-shaped hammer high in to the air Haruo brought it down on the yelling stop man's head and obliterated half of it, causing at first a shower of flesh and blood before the power of the sword took hold to erase everything under the block's flattened path.
All the while the blood curdling screams of the man could be heard as Haruo made sure to bring the hammer up when half way through torturing the man then hammered it right back down to deliver the final killing blow.
Many in the audience though none of Whirlpool; began to throw up in disgust.
Haruo turned around covered in the faint splatters of gore and blood than spoke one word to the Yu-ninja "Bow"
Every Yu ninja there obeyed quickly as they went to their knees in fear.
"Tch who ever here is a Jashinist I recommend you quit that bullshit now or I'll rip your fucking souls out. Now to the rest of you sane individuals you are under Whirlpool's control. Obey and you survive and things will be fine. Don't and this hammer here" he warned then instantly transformed it in to a large scythe.
Many fear filled ninja murmured at the now giant scythe wielding being who let loose massive amounts of killing intent. Crowning the image the man had become as a crazed glint entered his eyes and he easily slashed the decapitated body of the old Yu-leader to pieces.
"This weapon here can become many things! Hell I am such a nice person I will let any who rebel tell me what they would like to be killed with! You'll get to choose! Your own deaths!"
THOUGHTS OF PAST END
Zen grimaced at the awful thoughts.
Everyday he had to fight off the paralyzing fear that threatened to make him take his own life when he was around the man named the Reaper. Haruos' very aura seemed to just suck the life out of anyone around him.
Zen knew for sure this man deserved the title as the undisputed Reaper for the amount of carnage he could cause was unreal. He couldn't possibly be human.
"Why are you still here?" questioned Haruo stoically
Realizing he should have been gone. Zen ran away quickly forgetting to simply body flicker, he scuttled down the mountain.
Left alone Haruo began to contemplate what his kin Arata could be up to. 'He does not actually think we could take on two of those damn villages with out help. We just don't have the damn numbers let alone could watch our backs against so many opponents'
"Sir!" interrupted Daichi appearing at his commander's side
"Yes?" Haruo questioned looking to the mismatched eyed man.
Daichi quickly took out a scroll from inside his armor and presented it to his commander with a bow.
Taking the scroll with a Uzu crest on it Haruo got a bit excited knowing it would no doubt be from HQ and contain orders straight from his entertaining leader.
TWO WEEKS PAST| LAND OF LIGHTNING| FROST COUNTRY|
"Calm down Kinkaku!" yelled Ginkaku to his brother rising from his seat at the camp fire.
Looking over to his lax brother he growled "I am not calming down! You know this is bullshit that bastard has us doing!"
Head swiftly looking around the camp to make sure no one awoke heard his loud brother's words Ginkaku slapped his whiskered brother upside the head with a heavy hand.
"Shut up talking like that! could you scream treason even louder?"
Rubbing the bruise on his head the man apologized "Sorry brother. But You know this is wrong, that damn Raikage sends us to do his dirty work while he sits at his comfy desk giving out orders. Need I remind you from that damn speech he gave 'Uzugakure must fall! For killing the 1st Raikage' yet he isn't the one on the front line! Some leader he is!"
Rolling his eyes Ginkaku reminded "He is a God-damn wuss remember? Of course the Y-shaped hair wearing weirdo won't do his own dirty work. But we soon brother will show everyone in Kumo and Lightning Country no! THE WORLD! what a weak fool he is. Then they will have no choice but to make me or you the Raikage as they should have"
Smiling menacingly the man whispered "Gold and Silver are always the best! And we will show Uzushiogakure No! the world! why we are legends!"
"Exactly, that Reaper won't know what hit him. Picture us killing that bastard. It will bring us a lot more fame"
GRASS COUNTRY
In rows the many Grass ninja each, unremarkable by their choice of black clothing, but distinguishable by the shiny plate on their head with the Grass insignia stamped neatly upon it. Hopped from tree to tree in direction of their chosen target.
They too had thought to take part in what was the 'War of Wars'.
For what reason they had decided to use their small ninja village to fight in the war that had already claimed thousands, it was unknown, but what was known was; as they jumped from giant tree to tree. They would bring death to many with their arrival.
MOUNTAIN COUNTRY| HEAT HAZE VILLAGE
At attention stood kunoichi and ninja lined at the gates of their village.
Each had large bundles upon their back as if they were going on what was bound to be a very long and treacherous journey.
Appearing from out of the village walked a man with a cane in his hand yet it seemed he did not at all need it if his straight posture accompanied by a steady gait was anything to go by.
"We have been hired to do a job. Those of Heat Haze do not fail!" yelled the man as he raised the cane decisively in to the air.
His roar carried sternly over the crowd who roared right back festering for their chance at power and the fight they would have to go through to get it.
WATER COUNTRY
Breathing heavily the blood covered Tsuchikage slowly leaned his whole body in to a wall of rocks before he became apart of them, as he dodged the attacks of many Kiri ninja avoiding sickle-shaped kunai that bounced off the rocks.
'An the invisible man makes another get away' thought the 2nd Tsuchikage confidently
"GET YOUR ASS BACK HERE MU!" roared the Mizukage as his gigantic modified fist came down upon the rock wall he knew his enemy to be hiding in.
The wall of rock tumbled to the ground completely crushed as the Mizukage's hand shrunk back to its normal size.
Looking over the rubble the Mizukage grew even more upset as he saw the sneaky Tsuchikage was nowhere to be found.
"Mizukage-sama. . . he got away. . . again" spoke one of the Kiri ninja
Angrily the kage turned and pointed a finger at the man whispering "Water Gun" as he shot a droplet of water at the man's throat.
The water droplet sped thru the air and through the man's throat, a second later making the shocked man fall to the ground clutching his injury.
Taking out a comb from his robe and shaping his hair back in its smooth comb-over style the Water-shadow spat "Maybe you won't state the damn obvious anymore eh?"
In pain the man nodded his head frantically.
Combing his hair again as if to cool his nerves the Mizukage addressed his other waiting subordinates "That underhanded scum got away again but he can't be alone. I bet that brat he keeps around him is somewhere close!"
"The boy? Onoki?" inquired one kunoichi
With a sigh the Mizukage pointed his finger at the woman who shrunk back trying to make herself a smaller target.
"I hate when people state the damn obvious! Water Gun!"
METAL COUNTRY| CAPITAL
Tearing the cackling electrocuting blade out of the twitching burnt dead body, Tobirama stood back up as he looked around to make sure that everyone was dead.
Around the room in piles were the bodies of elite samurai guard strewn which other way they'd been struck when alive. Their died before they hit the ground bodies lined the inside of the marble and column filled hall.
Up the stairs to a throne there were even more equally identical defeated and dead bodies sporting the savage electrocuted slash or stab from a most devastating lightning enriched blade.
Tobirama finished scanning, satisfied. Looked to the man he had just killed. The important looking man now sat slumped and clearly lifeless. His robes once immaculate, now singed slightly around a fatal wound that went threw his heart. A once mighty symbol of his power; his headdress lay on the floor.
The Hokage picked the headdress up as his sign of completing the mission.
Pained by his actions but not regretful he whispered to the dead ruler "You should have just worked with us. . . now your country will just be absorbed"