Still don't own Naruto
Chapter 93: The first Move
Naruto and Tenzo were sorting through the scrolls containing parts of the puppets from the full working puppets they found.
Naruto had been eager to return to the island right away but had to put that plan on hold when he was reminded by Tenzo that they needed to return what they found to the joint shinobi HQ.
Once they had finished Naruto began the process of focusing on the kunai that had been kept with Tsunade. It had taken almost ten minutes to activate due to the fact that she was in the middle of the Land of lightening.
"I got it, Hey Yamato Teichou we gotta go" Naruto called the Mokuton user over to him so they could warp to Tsunade's location.
(Giants Graveyard)
Madara walked out of his underground base and found Kabuto waiting for him.
"Looks like you had a bit of trouble in Ame, but by the looks of it you got a good set of eyes out of your excursion" Kabuto smirked.
"You could say that. But as far as I am concerned they were mine to begin with anyway" Madara replied.
"Well either way, I am sure your power has just greatly increased" Kabuto replied.
"You cold say that, on another note, I think it is time we start this war" Madara said darkly.
"Well then it looks like things are going to get a lot more exciting around here" Kabuto said with a smirk.
(Joint Shinobi HQ, Land of Lightening)
Tsunade was sitting at a desk that had the other five leaders around it as well as the lead adviser for each country.
In the center of the desk was a huge three dimensional map of the Elemental nations along with key locations marked. They had just received a letter that told them of the location of the Akatsuki's main hide out and now they were all gathering for the final meeting before they sent there forces out.
This was the scene that Naruto and Tenzo warped in on.
"Hey Baa-chan" Naruto said happily as he arrived behind her ignoring the bodyguards of the other Kage moving to protect there leaders.
"You're back already? how did the mission go?" Tsunade questioned.
"A success, we managed to find quite a few puppets and heaps of old parts that could be added to Suna's own stocks" Naruto said.
"I see, good job. But we are in a meeting at the moment. So you need to leave" Tsunade said.
"Alright, lets get going back to the Turtle Yamato Teichou" Naruto said.
"Wait! Don't go back just yet. We have information to give you and the others once this meeting is over. Wait for us to summon you, go look around the HQ for awhile" A ordered.
"Alright, see ya soon" Naruto said giving the people in a room a friendly wave before exiting the room.
After Naruto left there meeting started up again. "We have Madara's location. We should mobilize all units and attack" Oonoki suggested.
"We do not not know what traps they may have waiting for us. And the fact that the report we received from Anko said that Kabuto was with him is troubling. We also do not know what defenses Madara has in place or their total numbers, the report we were give estimated at around one hundred thousand but we can't be sure. In any case we cant make a full scale attack without first knowing more variables" Tsunade argued.
"Then what do you propose? Letting Madara make the first move. We have a chance to win this war before it even begins" Oonoki replied.
"I propose we make a compromise, set up several front lines to keep his forces contained within the one country, and deploy the ambush battalion along with a few squads from the special forces to infiltrate the Giants Graveyard. It will take several days for everyone to move into position regardless, but is we can trap Madara's forces we will be able to set up smaller bases at key strategic locations" Shikaku said.
"This is purely speculation in any case. Should even one member of the recon teams sent to investigate further be found, Madara will not wait for us to trap him" Mifune added.
"Maybe, but Shikaku's plan is the best, at the very least it will draw out Madara's forces so we will know the types of numbers we are dealing with" Mei said.
"Yes I agree. We're going with the Nara's plan. So we now need to prepare the troops to move out, and give them their orders" A said.
"I have some concerns of the island the jinchuuriki are being hidden" Gaara said.
"Yes, if they are out to see like they are and Madara somehow finds them, help may not arrive in time" Mei said voicing her own concerns about the turtle Island.
"Well it would be possible to order the island to move closer to the coast of Lightening. But in doing so we might give their location away. I suggest we leave them alone, there are some of our top ninja on that island, if they are found or even if we have the slightest hint that they know where the jinchuuriki are we will bring them here to HQ" A said.
"That seems like a wise course of action" Mifune said.
"Well then it is decided send an urgent message out to the Ambush division to leave at once. Our army will have to catch up to them once we move out" A declared.
(With Naruto)
Naruto and Tenzo were walking through the large head quarters of the joint shinobi task force. They the sheer size of the place was necessary on account of it containing all but a few of the battle ready ninja from each village. The only people that had been left behind were a few chunin teams who were left to defend the village as well as mot of the genin.
"Wow I have never seen so many ninja in one place before" Naruto said overlooking the field that was full of massive tents filled with ninja from each division.
"Well this is the largest army of ninja and samurai put together in the history of the elemental nations" Tenzo said.
"Yeah, lets go find Kakashi sensei" Naruto said eagerly.
"Naruto that's going to be rather difficult, I mean look at everyone that is here" Tenzo said.
"Nah who do you think your talking to. I will find him no worries" Naruto declared activating Sage Mode.
It took the blond a few minutes to locate the cyclops chakra signature but having spent a good deal of time with him it was only a matter of time. "I got him, he is about half a mile this way" Naruto said before kicking off in the direction of Kakashi. Tenzo just sighed and decided to follow.
Kakashi was currently sitting in the officers tent reading his book in peace when Naruto and Yamato appeared at the entrance. "Naruto? What are you doing here?" the copy ninja asked.
"I just finished a mission, and needed to drop off what we found to Baachan. I hear they made you a the general of one of the divisions" Naruto said with a friendly wave.
"Yeah, I'm in charge of third division. Gai is my second in command" Kakashi said causing Tenzo to pale and thank kami he was part of team jinchuuriki.
"I guess congratulations are in order then" Naruto said.
"Well congratulating me wont do much if I fail, this is a job that should be given to someone like Jiraiya-sama" Kakashi said.
"No way, you are a great choice for this job, there are no ninja in Konoha that understand the battle ground better than you, besides if there is one person I could rely on to put their comrades ahead of themselves and their orders it is you" Naruto said.
"I would have to agree, but I would recommend spending less time arguing with Gai" Tenzo said. He knew that Kakashi was an excellent squad leader and would always do what ever it took to get the job done while loosing as few people as possible. But when ever he was paired with Gai it was only a matter of time before an ally went completely insane and killed themselves and anyone around them.
"Thanks for the vote of confidence. We should get our deployment orders later today, thanks to Anko's recon team we found out where Madara is" Kakashi said.
"Really, that's good news I guess, now we can set up to prevent him from getting very far in this war" Naruto said.
Yes it is a massive piece of information. With this we could end the war before it even begins. But saying that if we act to recklessly we could be wiped out in the process. We still need more information, Anko's team are still looking closer into the Akatsuki base and sending reports every day" Kakashi said.
"Well looks like things are going to get busy pretty soon, we will have to pick up the pace of our training, I still need to perfect the Bijuudama" Naruto said.
"Bijudama? So you managed to pull it off. You have control of the fox?" Kakashi asked.
"Yeah, I'm still getting used to the power though, and I cant use too many clones or it could kill me, but the added speed and power more than makes up for that" Naruto said.
"Well looks like you are even stronger than your father now" Kakashi said.
"Maybe while I am using Kyuubi, but he is still my better in most aspects of ninja life. I have a lot to accomplish if I am to become a great ninja like he was" Naruto said.
"Well considering they call you the Hero of Konoha I don't think you have that far to go" Kakashi said with an eye smile.
They sat and talked for a few more minutes before the tent opened up and Tsunade and Gaara entered.
"Hey Gaara, Baachan over here" Naruto called waving them to join him.
"Damn it to hell brat you can't go calling me that here!" Tsunade said bonking Naruto on the head.
"Screw you, you old bat" Naruto replied.
"Why I should beat you so badly Jiraiya would be scared" Tsunade growled.
"Yeah yeah. So why did you want me to stay, I kinda wanna get back to the others. Bee is still teaching me how to use Kyuubi's chakra effectively without wasting it" Naruto said.
"Well we wanted to tell you that from now on you will need to be ready to transport a three member team including yourself at all times. Also one of the jinchuuriki will have to stay behind at all times either Bee of Yugito. If something goes wrong or you fall into a trap we can't afford to loose all of the jinchuuriki in one go. You are in some ways safe because we believe they need to seal the Kyuubi last" Tsunade said.
"Yeah Kakashi sensei told me you found out where Madara has been hiding. So when are you going to start moving out?" Naruto asked.
"We are going to gather the forces together this afternoon and give them all there orders and begin moving across the elemental nations. Our first task is to prevent Madara from extending his influence over the elemental nations. If we can trap him hopefully this war will not last longer than a few months at most" Tsunade said.
"We also want to tell you that your kunai will be carried by key members of the alliance who are only to use them in an emergency or if they need you to help breakthrough the enemies lines. Our latest intel is the creature known as Zetsu is the key to Madara believing that he can match our numbers. If you recall there were multiple versions of him at the Kage summit. On first count we predict his numbers to be at around one hundred thousand" Gaara added.
"I will keep that in mind, we killed Kisame so there is only Madara, Zetsu and Sasuke left oh and Sakura, but she is not on the same level as the others, I really don't know what good she will do for them, except maybe heal Sasuke-teme when he gets his ass kicked" Naruto said.
"If you do run into Sakura you better come get me. I am going to pound that betraying bitch into the ground. I swear she will suffer for what she did" Tsunade said.
"Got it, Sakura is yours. But knowing her she will spend all of her time following Sasuke around, and I will not let him escape me again. So I will deal with Sasuke wild you can finish off Sakura" Naruto said.
"You got yourself a deal there kid" Tsunade said happily.
"Is there anything else you need from us Tsunade-sama?" Tenzo asked.
"No not at the moment, I don't believe that we have anymore information at this point in time that can be freely spoken of although it might be worth noting that should at any point in the future the Akatsuki find out about the island that is hiding you, you will all be relocated here to HQ" Tsunade said.
"Well we should be on our way. I want to get home to Yugi-chan feels like an age since I have seen her" Naruto said.
"It's been two days" Tsunade said.
"Doesn't mean I can't miss her" Naruto said.
Tsunade didn't reply she just shook her head in an amused disbelief. Naruto then grabbed Yamato and disappeared in a flash.
"I believe it is time. Kakashi please send word to the other ranking generals to gather the forces for a final briefing in two hours time" Gaara said.
"Um Gaara-dono I don't think Kakashi is the best person for this job. Well not if you don't want the meeting to be several hours late" Tsunade said.
"Well perhaps we should go find some of the other ranking jounin to get them to help" Gaara suggested.
"That would be a wise move" Tsunade replied.
(Turtle Island)
Naruto and Yamato appeared outside of the blonds house where he had left a kunai for him to return safely.
"Huh I wonder where everyone is?" Naruto asked entering his house and looking around but leaving when he didn't find anyone home.
"I don't know, use senjutsu to fine them" Yamato suggested.
Naruto did just that and it didn't take him long to find everyone's chakra signature down at the beach.
"There all down at the water but I don't know why" Naruto said and left to go find his fiance and sensei's.
When they showed up they saw both Jiraiya and Yugito sitting back in recliner chairs while two genin were fighting over a small round object.
"What the hell is going on here?" Naruto asked.
"Oh we are making the genin fight to see who gets out of doing jobs for the next week" Jiraiya said while Yugito got out of her chair to properly great Naruto with a kiss.
"I see, so you are abusing the genin for your own enjoyment again" Naruto said.
"You know it. The next round we are going to give the object to that sexually confused armadillo and make the genin chase it" Jiraiya said.
"You are supposed to be training. Where is Bee sensei?" Naruto said.
"Oh he is forcing the other genin to listen to his rapping and give him positive feedback while they come to fight two at a time. It really makes for some top fighting. Because the losers have to stay and listen until the competition is over" Yugito chuckled.
"That's really cruel" Naruto replied.
"Oh come on Naru-kun, take a seat and enjoy yourself. Making genin do all of your work for you is one of the best things about having genin around. I think it is the main reason some people choose to become a sensei" Yugito said.
"She's right, I had Minato's team clean my house every week" Jiraiya added.
"Well it does look like it's interesting. Yamato Teichou can you make us a couple more seats" Naruto said.
Tenzo happily responded and made two more wooden recliner chairs and took a seat while the two genin wrestled over the small object that meant that they could go on to the next round.
(Giants Graveyard)
"So we are beginning the war are we?" Kabuto asked.
"Yes I will send word for the white Zetsu to move out at once" Madara said.
"Then I guess it is time for me to get to work" Starting with the diciest members of the Akatsuki. Then the old jinchuuriki and Kage's. Finally a large group of well known ninja from the elemental nations and some that I picked for the soul purpose of causing emotional distress within key members of the enemy" Kabuto said as dozens of coffins all rose up from the earth.
"Well then let's take advantage of this and set up a welcoming surprise for the joint shinobi army. Sasori, you and Deidara will go and ambush the army as it approaches with bombs and traps" Madara said.
"The Akatsuki must be in bad way if all that is left is my replacement and Zetsu" Sasori said.
"I wouldn't be go Arrogant considering that you died Sasori-sama" Deidara added.
"Do you want to die too?" Sasori retorted.
"I am already dead!" Deidara replied.
"Are you sure this is going to work out, they are already bickering like children" Madara said.
"Well controlling this many bodies is a tad difficult I admit. But the longer the jutsu holds the more control I should get. And if I need to I can erase all of there personality if they become difficult, however I doubt that will be a problem" Kabuto assured the masked Uchiha.
"We are going to march the hundred thousand white Zetsu through the ground, there is no need to give us completely away. Now it is time to move out, let this war begin!" Madara said loudly and as if the Zetu all heard him way below they started to move out.
(Anko's Recon Team)
Anko and the others were sitting in a dense patch of forest while the Hyuuga watched what was happening. "This is insane, they are moving out" the Hyuuga said.
"How many" Anko asked.
"All of them! They are moving through the ground. We need to get this information to HQ at once" the Hyuuga replied.
"Alright you three fall back, I am going to see if I cant take a closer look" Anko said.
"Are you insane! You will be killed for sure" an Aburame traveling with the group said.
"That's my choice. Now leave, that's an order" Anko said with authority. The rest of the group reluctantly left sending a messenger hawk ahead.
(Joint Shinobi HQ)
Gaara and the other five division generals stood high on a ridge overlooking a massive clearing that was now full to the brim with shinobi and samurai. Unfortunately there was not too much love lost between the ninja from various villages, old prejudice's ran too deep.
Small arguments had started to break out when all at once they were split up by small bursts of sand.
"We do not have time to be fighting amongst ourselves. Now is a time for unity a chance for a better future. Three times now, we've fought world wars for our own nations, our own villages. And we have hurt and hated one another. That hatred and lust for power created me. I was a jinchuuriki, the embodiment of that hatred. And because of that I hated the world and all the people in it... I wanted to destroy it with my own hands. Just like the Akatsuki. But I was stopped, by one man, one ninja from Konoha. I was his enemy yet he wept for me! I hurt him but he still called me his friend! He saved me! My fellow jinchuuriki... He suffered the same pain that I had felt yet he bore no ill will to anyone! There are no enemies here, because we have all suffered at the Akatsuki's hand! So there is no Suna, Iwa, Konoha, Kiri, or Kumo. There are only shinobi! And if you still hold a grudge against Suna, then once this war is over you can come and take my head instead!" Gaara said looking out over the thousands of ninja and samurai who were all listening intently to what Gaara had to say.
'Hm not bad kid, they don't look like fighting with each other anymore' Kakashi thought.
"The Akatsuki are after my friend, the one who saved my life. If they take him, if we allow the enemy to get their hands on him then the world as we know it will come to an end. I want to protect him and I want to protect our world. But I am young and I can't do it alone. Please fight with me and lend me your strength now is the time to strike back and make the Akatsuki pay for what they have done to this world. Now everyone that is with me lets go!" Gaara said earning a huge roar of agreement from the crowd. Everywhere around there were small symbols of forgiveness being passed between the ninja of the various villages.
Up high above Gaara and the other generals Oonoki, A, and Tsunade were standing watching the army move out to war.
"So it begins" Oonoki said.
"Yes the fourth great Ninja world war is upon us. And we are definitely going to win" A said.
End Chapter!
Okay bit of a semi filler chapter to bring about the start of the war but things should begin to pick up next chapter. Anyway hope you all enjoyed it.