FSDYT Note's:
Well! We have broken 100k in words for this story. An hopefully in this long journey the story has still remained interesting!
To all who read and review. Carry on ya guys, because the story ain't even half way told!
Thank you, and please enjoy the new chapter in our saga.
FIRE COUNTRY| KONOHAGAKURE| HOSPITAL
Laid up in bed like he had been for months the bandaged form of the once icily unreadable 2nd Hokage sat partially propped up by pillows. Quite often now the visage of the Hokage was marred with dismay hidden under a deep frown.
Miffed by having sensed the slow building up of chakra that tried to enter the sealed off room. The Hokage braced himself and reached slowly for a kunai that was a few centimeters from his hand hidden under the crisp white sheets.
Breaking through seal upon seals that barred any entrance based on using chakra and not the conventional method of using the door. Moments later a exploding vortex of water erupted in the corner of the room then died out to show the widow of the 1st Hokage.
After giving a respectful bow the red haired woman asked "Would you please put the kunai down?"
Narrowing his squinted eyes Tobirama ignored the woman and growled "What sits at the lake?"
Quickly as to not incur the punishment for not remembering the secret password Mito said "The leaves dance across the surface. They do not sit"
Satisfied but still cautious the man loosened his grip upon the sharp blade.
Walking up to the bed side of the white haired leader Mito scanned over the laying body with a green glowing hand then looked to a curious Hokage.
Breathing in then sighing out the woman proclaimed "You aren't healing well. You've been pressed to your limit. If you were not who you were then you would have been dead by now. . . I would guess you'll never be able to reach your full power again without very severe consequences. . . "
Gnashing in his bed the Hokage blandly spat "What do you know. . . Your ability with medical jutsu has been crap since you had that thing sealed in you. I will be fine no matter what. Besides my life is only for my homeland not my own legacy"
Calmly the Uzumaki woman crossed her arms and remained neutral. "Since we are speaking of homelands. . .My own maybe coming under attack soon. . . The ANBU say large groups of Iwa's ninja are suspiciously moving east while Kiri ninja have been witnessed withdrawing more and more from Tea Country. I talked to one of our Nara strategist and she said it'll be possible they are both trying to make Uzu a battleground. . . then staging point"
Looking blankly at the calm woman Tobirama wondered aloud "Let me guess you expect for Leaf to spare every available man and aid Uzu exclusively. Mito in case you have forgotten Leaf comes first. Period."
"I have not" scoffed the woman showing emotion "But I do also remember Hashirama making my families' crest a joining insignia of our village's friendship to show our alliance. A symbol that is worn by most of Leaf's ninja. Rather we can spare a man or not we have to help them! Without Uzu Tobirama we have not a ally as useful as them!"
"It is out of the question Mito" said the man stoically "If they can defeat the largest army that has ever graced the Elemental Nations. Then they can withstand fighting those other two nations, they will have to"
Taken aback by the man's callousness Mito regarded "You've gone so cold Tobirama. . . "
"This is war. We can't afford to baby-sit anyone. Call it what you want Mito! I can see it in your eyes. You think I'm turning my back on Uzu but you too know if we try to help by sparing men. Our enemies will attack us from behind. From wherever we took our own ninja from"
Glaring at the truthful man Mito stayed silent.
Closing his tired eyes the Hokage sighed "Glare all you want woman but I have made my decision. Tch it isn't like they possibly couldn't of known this was coming. Anyways is that all you have come for?"
Looking down trodden but holding her head back up high the Senju/Uzumaki rubbed her stomach with a small smile forming on her lips"No it is not. I have also come to tell you that you will be-"
EARTH COUNTRY| IWAGAKURE| TSUCHIKAGE TOWER
"Kid I get your reasoning that if we go through Hot Water country we will get to Water country faster but you do get that going that way leads us right past Uzu's heartland. They will attack our army if we navigate past the whirlpools plus don't forget Whirlpool has the Four Jutsu"
Almost comically the Tsuchikage clothed in his full Rock-shadow garb stood against the cream colored wall of his office with a ninja that marked a line over his head.
Stepping forward with back off of the wall the small in stature young man looked at the measuring mark for his height.
"Stop worrying about your height kid. You just can't grow. Oh well" summed the aged man flippantly
Turning around to look at the only being who could taunt him about his height Onoki glared "Old man I will grow!"
"Ninja don't need height Onoki. Grow up and get back to your duties" said the robed man with a knowing smirk "Now tell me of the war efforts taken?"
Seething but knowing he would never lay a hand on or disrespect his elder Onoki went back to the desk that had been modified just for him. Giving him the appearance of not a tiny boy but a strong leader.
After looking down at the opened scrolls on his desk and then the few left by his late mentor. Onoki then looked back up at the mustached man in robes identical to his own but missing a hat and said "Shodaime-sama I'm doing what Mu-sama planned. I'm not making this decision lightly to travel through Uzu territory; it's here in black and white. Lord Second reasoned that Kiri would try to eventually take out Uzu then come for us"
Opening his sagging eyes wider the founder of Iwa looked to the third person he had viewed at the helm of Iwagakure.
"Mu figured out they would do that but why would he head there too? I know Kiri has not been affected all too much by this war thanks to their distance but for us to fight them so head-on why?" asked the aged man
Onoki smiled brightly as he informed "Sensei planned for a great opportunity. Think about it Shodaime. Wouldn't two great villages fighting in one place completely destroy it? We could have two victories in one"
Chuckling with a devious mirth the old man cackled "Oh that Mu-boy he sure was a soul that loved to play dirty. Though I wonder what does Iwa get from a destroyed Uzu? There ain't much we could take. . . That those Uzumaki haven't put a seal on to"
Sighing the 3rd Tsuchikage reminded carefully "We get their destruction elder. Along with a clear pathway to Water country an a route that leads to all other nations. We could attack without buffers at any nations' village!"
"Boy oh boy. That Mu. . . he even had invisible ambitions" said the grey haired man before floating in to the air but abruptly after losing his chakra control land back to the floor.
Ignoring the Shodaime's clear visible lack of the power he had once wielded but now was gone with age. Onoki immediately went to the man's aide and was at his side in a mere second. He then patiently walked the man to a chair and sat him down.
"Thank you kid" sighed the old man leaning back.
Bowing his head respectfully Onoki mentioned "No need for thanks sir. A great warrior like you deserves to be carried. Why your feet should never have to touch the ground like us commoners"
Laughing softly the dilapidated man waved a hand dismissively "Don't feed my ego Onoki-boy I'm old, heck I can't even fly even more. Though let's not worry about my old bones; Iwagakure needs planning. Tell me what else did Mu have en-store for the future war effort?"
Taking a seat before the 1st Tsuchikage; Onoki began to tell him the plan his sensei had crafted. Along with his own ideas to help Iwagakure win. For he knew the village founder might have been old but the man was still a sharp mind and his opinions were as a good as gold.
LIGHTNING COUNTRY| KUMOGAKURE| RAIKAGE MOUNTAIN
The room was all but silent, except for the continuous tapping of the Raikage's fingers on the oaken desk in front of him. He glanced down at the paper once more.
Just like before bile rose in to his throat that was strangled down through control. Back in to his gut. He could only sigh from the reflexive action of being sickened at what he read on the white sheet.
Standing up suddenly from his seat too quickly. He sent the chair toppling backwards in to the solid blue wall where it crashed loudly into, becoming a wooden heap of splinters.
Uncaring at the destruction of furniture the Raikage picked up the sheet of paper with his only good working arm and walked around the desk making his way slowly to the glass windows of his blue colored office.
Mustering a calm facade the man looked at the paper one last time. Reading again the code that had been sent to him.
"Ginkaku and Kinkaku. . . got away" growled the man unsatisfied.
Huffing angrily he looked out the window to the newly rebuilt village and scowled darkly at the view of many scaffolds that still were landings on some being rebuilt mountain sides.
It sickened him beyond anything he'd ever seen or known. His village had been attacked by assassins who'd succeeded. Not once; by taking his brothers' the Shodaime Raikage's life and crippling their village but also twice. The so called small; Uzumaki ran village of Uzushiogakure was a force. A wild carded force with even more wildly unknown but now popularized as powerhouse ninja.
Beating the odds Uzu had defeated a division of samurai combined ninja all hailing from Lightning country with uprooting tactics. Strategies that scared everyone and supplemented their smaller force.
But alas it was just not only that. The Raikage knew more was to the story of the crushing blows Kumogakure was being dealt. Of course he'd know of such as his surviving ninjas all but ranted about it. An he'd saw it once himself too.
"Zanpakuto. . . that is their secret without that they are beatable. . ." griped the man to himself while crushing the sheet of paper in his hand in to a crumpled ball.
"It's those damn bloodlines. . . Some of the minor villages have them! ARGH! Mist has them. Rock has them. Even those pathetic desert rats have them. An Leaf! has the deadl-. . . No, Uzu has the deadliest. Look at us! No EDGE! No advantage!"
Glaring at his village with hate the man exhaled "An these weaklings here! They let themselves be walked upon!"
A second later the Lightning Shadow's anger boiled over as his hand filled with the crumpled paper went alight with blue cackling lightning that burned the highly durable sheet of paper slowly.
Instantly after winding his arm back the Raikage looked at his village and picked a target. 'Who dies!? Who is keeping this village so damn weak! Is it the academy teachers; are those bums coddling the children!? Maybe it is those excuses for clans! Noble warriors my ass! Or could it be the civilians? Are their weaknesses rubbing off on everyone!? Should we had even trained them to become ninja!? WHO IS TO BLAME FOR ALL THESE FAILURES!?'
"Who IS IT?!" raged the man aloud before finally deciding on his unsuspecting target. Whipping his body around in to a 360 degree spin the brawny man then came to a sudden stop and released the glowing crumpled ball.
The Raikage watched frowning as the lightning filled paper disintegrated on impact in to smoking ashes when it met the glass windows of his office.
"Even the paper is weak" he sneered "But not any more, this is a military. . . village- NO! battle-station! It'll be ran like one. Tzu!" shouted the man
Appearing from the very wall of the room a black cloaked hooded man appeared with a bow. "Yes Raikage-sama?"
Looking over his shoulder the Raikage addressed his trusted subordinate "Order the recall of all forces to the borders. Stop all war mandated actions. . . we are withdrawing"
"Withdrawing?" parroted the man disbelievingly "But sir! We have teams in most of the other countries that if they withdraw we will lose our foothold on territories! I know we've sustained a blow since that incident" the man said treading lightly "But we are down not out!"
"It matters not! We've extended our reach far enough! At the beginning this country was half the size it is NOW! We have gained everything our Daimyo wanted long ago! Staying in this endeavor will only kill us completely. . . the winds have changed. . . an now so must we"
Wilting in disappointment the jounin nodded but asked "What of the brethren we lost, shall they not have their justice!?"
Turning fully around the Raikage faced the jounin then ripped from his amputated shoulder, bandages that covered the last remaining piece of a half destroyed kanji.
Silenced Tzu looked down after seeing the upper half of a kanji that stated: B. Regretful thoughts intrusively then began to roam his mind 'He hasn't been the same since Lord Shodaime's death! An the Gold & Silver Brothers taking his arm in that coup' has only made it worse! May some God have mercy on Kumo?'
Scowling the Raikage steadily and emotionless asked "Justice? Do you truly believe they want justice? Do you think my brother wants justice?! He is dead! The dead want nothing! But allow me to tell you what the living Kumo-ninja want! What ever I fucking say that's what! I'm tired of your emotions Tzu I'm tired of Kumo always moaning of their loses! SHUT THE HELL UP AND TRY TO MAKE A GAIN!"
Feeling like a small child in the presence of a angry lion Tzu apologized "Sorry Lord Raikage, I'll do as you command"
"To the damn letter!" accosted the man "There is a new age coming for Kumo! One I will reign in. No more fucking complaining! Now go!"
Instantly upon command the man left in a blitz of sparkling lightning.
Growling the Raikage said aloud "We will be the strongest by any means. . . Kumogakure will be the best village in everything we do. Even down to how we destroy our enemies. . . all of them"
THREE MONTHS LATER| WHIRLPOOL COUNTRY| UZUSHIOGAKURE
Standing atop crystalline blue water via a precise chakra mastery shown in the film of glittering blue energy at the soles of his shoes; Arata admired the three beings around him positioned in a rough triangle.
Not touching the ocean due to his flight ability a bored looking Shuji hovered meters in front of the leader of Whirlpool. Patiently the man waited while limply holding his sword in his left hand. He didn't look at just the General but another that stood in his view a long ways behind the General.
Like a predator the being known as the Reaper stood on the shore of Whirlpool upon white sands. Holding a giant scythe in his hands while twirling the handle of the weapon. He unlike the one staring intently at him paid no mind to the other Uzumaki. His full attention was upon a opponent he'd for a long time wanted to fight.
Mask hanging limply off of the side of his haori's sleeve. Leaving his face visible to the bright sun that showed his usual hidden identity. Tomio stared at all three of the other Uzumakis feeling a bit out of place.
'I so don't belong among these three' thought the youngest Uzumaki present while remembering how he'd even gotten to stand among the ultra-powerful three ninjas.
In recent time all four Uzumaki had become icons that made Whirlpool fiercely known as a powerful nation. Even capable of harboring ninjas that were of a caliber that was called "kage-level" without actually being one of the renowned five kages. Meaning it was believed that such called "kage-level" ninja could possibly if tested fight on par with any kage and hold their own.
Alas if the believed hype was true or not was a debatable thing. Although what was known was that all four: Shuji the Soft Wind. The Eternal Dreamer. Whirlpool's Reaper and Arata of the Blood ocean. Had proven they were extremely powerful with lore about them that spread as far as any other elite ninja; kage or not. Along with previous battles they fought showing their yet undisputed strength.
Tomio stood a short stones throw away from someone he knew put fear in man's hearts that was paramount to deaths' cold icy touch. Yet he couldn't be as on edge about him without being on needles about the other two around him.
Knowing Shuji well from the refinement the man had put him through when he inducted him in to FOAM. Allowed Tomio knowledge to know that Shuji was easily the smartest person he'd ever known or seen in action.
Then frighteningly there was the sheer power his village leader; Arata wielded who proved to be staggering and completely awing.
Although Tomio would bet other then the battles they had as a team began to fight in together which begot them all the name; Four techniques for their unparalleled mastery over Assassination. Illusion. Destruction. and Strategy.
He could only wonder if he and his team would get even stronger then they already were if they continued fighting. The thought of such a possibility made him shiver a bit. 'Arata-sama and them stronger. . . they would be impossible to ever stop'
Haruo seeing a day dreaming Tomio attacked the boy almost as fast as lightning would hit landfall.
The startled boy seeing a incoming swipe leaped backwards and dodged the blade that cleaved through air than sand. Leaving a disintegrating grey smoke in it's wake.
Tomio was well aware as he back flipped far away, that one glancing blow from that sword even lightly laid upon him would have horrible foreseen consequences.
Righting himself from the impromptu set of back-flips. Tomio became very intimidated seeing the well above him skill wise warrior, come storming towards his direction kicking up a sand storm as he came closer.
Doing the only thing he could Tomio defended by sheathing his sword then zoomed through speedy hand seals, afterwards pressing a hand flat in front of him. Ending in a result of a torrent of water being expelled from his hands alone.
Unimpressed Haruo stayed on course towards the generated from chakra wave of water that swam near. "What a pathetic move. An they call you a great warrior. Watch and learn boy, I can't be stopped by a leaky faucet of a water technique!"
Bracing the large scythe in front of him the Uzumaki began to twirl the weapon expertly before it became in a few twists and turns; a blurring image around the running form of the red haired man.
From the short distance away Shuji took in the effort of his direct subordinate trying to fight the tactics of a destroyer. It was but a second later the young man's wave of water cast from his hands enveloped the running Haruo and the water was turned to grey smoke by the speed of the windmilling scythe.
"Ahh! I didn't know he could destroy jutsu too!" cried Arata after seeing his best-friend force the poorly defending Tomio back even farther.
Tilting his head over to his amazed leader Shuji replied "Shimugen. . . a sword bent on infinite destruction. The one to fight that thing an its' wielder is in for a great challenge. Though Arata aren't we suppose to be sparring too and not watching?"
Looking at his sensei the young leader opened his mouth and indifferently exhaled "I forfeit you win. I want to watch this" then turned his eyes back to the spar.
Shaking his head in shame at his leader's relaxed attitude Shuji resigned himself to just watching the affair. But in a way to annoy and tease his student announced "Haruo will win by forfeit. Tomio could never be able to cut through the grey chakra to touch that destroyer"
"What?! Who knows maybe To-" began Arata but was interrupted in to stunned annoyed silence.
"I FORFEIT!" yelled a exhausted Tomio as he afraid looked at the giant blade of the scythe that was pointed at his throat.
Head dropping in defeat Arata sighed "I hate when you do that. It spoils things"
"Learn to read a battle better then me and then you would no longer be irritated. Now move off my sparring field. It's just me and the insane boy now" reminded the master.
Annoyed Arata spoke "You're gonna lose!" then looked to a walking on quickly disintegrating water under his feet Haruo who menacingly twirled his scythe to and fro. "Gette'em Haruo!"
"Oh this will be my pleasure bro" said the Uzumaki genuinely smiling as he walked closer to a relaxed looking Shuji.
In a vortex of water that exploded from the ocean a in all black with the distinguishing Whirlpool swirl headband wearing ninja appeared. Kneeling the ninja looked to the leader of Whirlpool and addressed "Sir we have a major problem!"
Aki had never agreed with the mission he'd been assigned to. Having the duty to watch Waterfall country's border in defense of Rock village did not upset him but it was the second hidden mission of retreating if Waterfall village looked to be unresistant to a Rock village takeover. That was the reason he was unsettled.
Though he may look like a cold and heartless man it was far from the truth. Even knowing the duties of a ninja he still felt what was commanded of him was entirely wrong. Even more so as he had stayed on what he believed to be the outskirts of Waterfall village -due to the unknown location of the place and the fact the Taki ninja did not invite any being in to their village to keep it safely hidden.
It did not take him long though to figure the village of Takigakure could not stand up to a powerful village like Iwagakure. An that his assignment was more so geared towards watching the destruction of a place rather then watching out for it.
Unfortunately the day had come. Iwagakure had sent a messenger decreeing they wished to travel through Waterfall country without being bothered in anyway.
Such a idea was opposed by every single Taki ninja and their leader. As it was not a stretch to figure that if Taki dropped their defenses and let the Rock ninja travel through their country three things were very possible.
One: Iwagakure could easily attack them after bypassing their dropped defenses or figure out where the hidden village lay. An hold the information for ransom of some sort.
Two: The unknown target Iwagakure would attack, could confuse Taki letting the Rock ninja travel through their land; as Taki being aligned with the Rock village and maybe in retaliation attack Taki. Leading to a war caused by association.
Three: The well known treacherous Rock village could just be pretending to want to peacefully enter the country but really wanting for a reply of denial. To falsify a reason for invading them publicly for 'rightful' annexation.
For what ever reasons Aki knew that Iwa was up to no good.
WATERFALL COUNTRY| WEST BORDER| OZAI CLIFFS
"Aki sir this does not look good" spoke the Whirlpool kunoichi in a foreboding voice as she unconsciously rubbed the kunai holstered on her thigh.
Casting a glance at his subordinate Aki rolled his eyes huffing "That is a understatement"
"Aye" replied the kunoichi while viewing what had made her captain so apathetic.
Positioned below their high cliff position was miles of rainforests stretching as far as the eye could see. The treetops easily blocked sight below creating a dense canopy. Rendering the only thing visible was three ninja loosely placed upon treetops. All wearing the stylize hexagons symbol of Rock village.
Uneasy Aki swore "Damn scouts. The main army won't be far behind. Probably even hidden under the ground for all we know"
Nodding respecting her captain's words the kunoichi asked "What do you think HQ will order?"
"I don't know. Let's not even discuss it. . . there are ears" warned the man sternly while looking over his shoulder then back to the scanning around Iwa-nin.
After one more glance towards three Iwa-nin sensors the man then jumped off of the cliff and landed upon a sturdy tree branch before taking off in to a sprint jumping from branch to branch.
Having been left behind the kunoichi wondered about her superiors haste but after seeing one Iwa ninja create a large spiraling tower made of rock. She understood instantly why retreating was best.
"They're making forts. . . already" murmured the woman while turning her back.
WATERFALL COUNTRY| EARTH COUNTRY| BORDER
"Tch a wonderful day to destroy ants" said the floating young man alongside three other equally airborne beings.
"Eh Tsuchikage-sama why are we so far up here? We can't see anything"
Smiling as he clapped his small hands together the Tsuchikage looked to a questioning jounin and explained as he channeled chakra "Oh there is allot of things to see up here! Like this for instance!"
Appearing in a clear three dimensional shape. A glowing sphere surrounded by a rotating cone hummed to life between the small hands of Onoki.
Taken aback all three jounin simultaneously thought 'My God! He would use that here!?We are but miles from the base camp! Ruthless! '
Onoki looking downward at the lush jungle below sneered "I never did like the damn forest. . . too constraining for my liking! It needs space!"
Propelling the sphere/cone shaped jutsu from his palms with a simple adjustment of chakra the young kage sent the steadily gaining speed white blur at the heartland of the green lush forest.
Instantaneously upon impact with but the first leaf upon a tall tree the conical shaped jutsu rapidly expanded to over a hundred times it's original size before engulfing acre after acre of forest. The technique within seconds stood as a odd shape towering in the rainforest.
Yet it was not for long the humming loudly technique would tower over everything as the words; Detachment from the Primitive World rung out, a blinding white light erupted.
Blinded all of the Iwa-nin shielded their eyes with both arms. Each praying they would not receive any retina damage.
Moments later after feeling the bright light subside the ninja uncovered their eyes.
"Holy. . . M-my G-God! It's all gone!" sputtered one of the ninja while flailing his arms and pointing to a area that was no more.
Having seen the technique done by it's predecessor an recently only user; time and time again the now by necessity commanding jounin reminded quietly but sternly "Be professional! You're in the presence of the Tsuchikage and on a mission n- Tsuchikage-sama!"
Surprised the very young jounin saw his leader unconscious fall out of the air towards a perfectly circle shaped crater that stretched for hundreds of yards in every direction.
Already increasingly worried the young man became even more troubled as without the Rock-Shadow's help his flight ability quickly wore off and he too was falling thanks to gravity.
Relying on his instinct the young man put his arms at his side. Reducing his wind resistance as he like a arrow aimed himself to the falling impossibly helplessly kage.
"I've got Onoki! The rest of you just land safely!" he commanded to his already spitting mud from their mouths to make landing-pads comrades.
Receiving nods from his comrades confirming they'd heard him over the whistling air-pressure. The young man then reached out as he got closer to the free-falling boy.
'You've over taxed yourself Onoki! Now look at you: deprived of chakra. About to fall to a death of your own making upon ironically the rock you've exposed! Tch Mu is probably glaring at you from the grave! God I hope this becomes just a learning experience!'
Barely grasping the kage's flapping robes the jounin reeled in his leader an tucked his body in to himself forming a ball. Knowing he had his village leader safe the young man concentrated his whole being in to kneading chakra then expelled the earth element from his mouth.
Pure rock escaped the young man's mouth forming in to a tight ball around the two and engrossing them as their descent to the ground became nearer and near.
Seconds later the already recovered jounins landed safely inside of the deep crater upon mud cushions without any injury. Instinctively each looked to the sky as they saw the incoming boulder.
Impacting like a dramatically thrown to the ground cannonball the rock sphere cracked wide open when it hit the earth casting a cloud of dirt to the sky.
"Geez are they alright?!" yelled one ninja nervously "Roshi-san is tough but-"
"Tch don't count me out!" huffed the young man as he appeared through the cloud of dust traveling with his leader half slung over a shoulder.
Sighing with relief the Iwa-ninja replied "Roshi-san you'll get a medal for this! You've saved the Tsuchikage!"
Shaking his head slowly no. Roshi muttered "I don't think he would like it if anyone found out about this let alone give me a medal. . . You know how he feels about me now"
Feeling dumb the ninja spoke "Sorry Roshi-san. . . I forgot since. . . that. . .he thinks it is your job to always protect him. Well- Uh what now?"
Looking around at the durable ninjas the red haired youth informed "I guess this part of the plan is over we just have to wake him up -here" he said passing the out cold Onoki to another ninja "He'd have a fit if he awoke and I was holding him. . .I'm not fit. . . to touch'em he says"
Disagreeing mentally but taking the young Tsuchikage the ninja asked "Anyone know how to wake him up?"