EXCERPT FROM 'AMES NINJA REVISION GUIDE.'
'...The geography of the elemental nations is actually rather simple. As of this book's publication, there are only sixteen nations that make up our continent. The major nations sit at the corners of the nation, the Land of wind to the South-West, Land of Earth to the North-West, Land of Lightning to the North-East, Land of Water to the East and South-East, and the Land of Fire which sits in a central, Southern position of the continent. Everything else beyond that is just known as the 'Encompassing Ocean.'
The five major nations are largely self-sufficient, with the only large exception to the rule being in terms of food. The Land of Wind, as a desert, cannot grow its own food in sufficient quantities and as such it trades heavily with the Land of Fire for such a resource - helped along by the fact that both nations are allies. The Land of Lightning also cannot grow its own food largely as much of the country is mountainous, and so it uses its natural resources in trade, including the Lands of Fire and Earth for food and necessities. The Land of Water also trades for some foods, as limited island space and incompatible environments means that some crops cannot be grown.
The Land of Rain does have to trade for food, largely due to its high population size for a small country and that the marshy and rainforest environments of the land prevent much agricultural production. Given that they serve as an excellent defence and that food can be traded with cheaply with our ally, the Land of Stone, this has remained this way for decades now.
The surrounding regions of the Land of Rain are comprised of five nations. The Land of Earth lies along a narrow border strip to the north, with the Land of Grass taking up the rest of the northern border, dominating the North-western border and occupying some of the eastern border. The Land of Fire lies to the east, along a moderately large border that sees most of the trade run through it from Ame (as per the fifth trade protocol, all trade from other nations is to be heavily scrutinised and discouraged). The Land of Wind takes up the entire south border with the Land of Rain, as does the Land of Stone with the Rain's western border.
Much of the terrain in the Northern regions of the Land of Rain is open earth and hilly environments. This is extended from the Land of Earth's own open earth terrain, and makes for excellent training grounds...'
TEN YEARS AFTER THE THRID WORLD WAR, THE LAND OF STONE.
A Rain jonin stood on top of a podium in front of a crowd in a small village in the western regions of the Land of Stone. He was addressing the crowd, reading from lines on a piece of paper as the crowd, many of whom had annoyed expressions.
"I repeat, the current restrictions and security procedures are for your safety only. During this vulnerable time of merging and changing countries and completely switching everything from policing institutions to government systems, this measure of security and lockdown is justified." The jonin spoke to the crowd.
A farmer stepped up, who looked very annoyed. "How is it justified when you search the premises of my farm without warning nor reason and then give me no form of compensation?" They spoke aloud, getting a few murmurs from the crowd.
"The authorities now in place are carrying out such searches for many reasons, from looking for contraband and to making sure no enemy spies sift in through this vulnerable time period. Pleaser cooperate with the authorities to ensure a smooth and easy process which ensures the happiness and security of your community." The jonin answered professionally, before consulting the sheet of paper once more. "You are reminded that your previous government signed the merging document with the clause for security and military matters being given to complete Rain jurisdiction - as such, our rules and laws become yours. Though more laws have been added, local citizens are asked only to read upon them and be reminded that normal life can be continued as usual."
"Your laws suddenly mean that my farm can be searched when you please?!" The farmer demanded an answer.
"Yes." The jonin answered honestly, before he pointed two closed fingers at the farmer as eyebrows went up in the crowd. Many gasped in surprise as two more jonin leapt into the crowd from the neighbouring rooftops and roughly seized the farmer, who gave a shout of fear and surprise. Before anything could be said upon the matter, the ninja had already leapt away.
The jonin's voice took on a hard edge as his serious eyes pierced into the gathered crowd, a few fearful expressions amongst it. "Let this be a lesson for cooperation to you. Your democratic nation signed a merging document, after a democratic vote was held to debate it; in which it was heavily agreed to merge and take advantage of our economic boom and resources. This does not come without rules and cooperation, however, this is a two way system - you are expected to obey the laws and policies of the authorities and the rules imposed by them and the Rain village. Any action or even threatening word taken against those factors will be seen as treason by the authorities."
"Sorry sir." A woman stepped out from the crowd, a questioning and serious look on her face. "Did you say treason?"
"Yes, I fully mean treason." The jonin nodded. "You are now under the system of the government of Rain in which your own representatives have say, but ultimately it is led by our Lord in the Rain village. His word is law."
The crowd was murmuring amongst themselves at this point. Some were fearful of this new system, fearing it to be oppressive over what they had led their lives like so far. Others spoke with more hope, taking the jonin's speech better than overs is it merely seemed like all that was needed was their compliance and life would be as normal anyway, with the benefit of even better security than before. Most withheld judgement, seeing the security as something unknown and perhaps intrusive, but also seeing the advantages of having better police and the Rain's resources and economy to help them.
"Moving onto an explanation of security procedure." The jonin spoke, quietening the crowd. "A new authoritative system has been put in place. A series of five levels has been developed, and put into place across both the Land of Rain and Stone. Level one is that of cooperation and peace in the local community - little crime exists within the community, and local authorities have been instructed to help residents with their inquiries and requests to help foster a better community. Level two is of a significant increase in crime within the local community. Local authorities will have extra resources and manpower to police the local community to deal with troublemakers who threaten the peace, with more policies enacted such as increased patrols to help in this endeavour."
"Level three is that of military involvement." The jonin spoke, his voice deadly serious as silence started to reign. "Matters within the local community have the potential to or are threatening and endangering innocent lives, and military forces will be called in by the local authorities to help assist them in dealing with the threat, such as local rival gang wars. Level four is that of serious escalation - the local community as a whole is under serious threat by enemy forces or criminal parties so much so that military forces will enact a takeover and lay down strict policies to ensure the peace is kept, the threat to innocent lives is reduced and the enemy is being dealt with. Such policies include a curfew, permanent patrols every hour and uncalled inspections of both papers and infrastructure."
"And level five." The jonin concluded. "Is that of serious war. Such dangerous, but rare scenarios include formations of enemy ninja close by, the frontline is being pushed o the local community in a war or there has been civil riots and coups. Residents of the local community are warned that although is level is very unlikely to be reached, it can happen and thus cooperation with all authoritative figures is paramount. Policies in the case of such a level can include full evacuation, the involvement of elite ninja in battles or policing and the seizure of any property deemed vital to the war effort."
"Once again, you are reminded that such levels are put in place only for your safety and knowledge should such scenarios occur. However, these are rare. The current level stands at level three, the involvement of the military to assist in authoritative matters and to help the local police forces. Policies enacted within this local community include the inspections of identifying documents, road blocks, uncalled searches of residential and business properties and patrolling of neighbourhoods. The governance in Rain apologises for all inconvenience caused, and wishes you a pleasant day." The jonin finalised as he then stood down from the podium, and leapt onto a rooftop.
Many people in the crowd paused to discuss a little bit as the speech ended, before most just shrugged their shoulders at the affair and started to disperse. A group walking west actually had to halt as a squad of Rain ninja completely sped down down the road, obviously in a great hurry to get somewhere as their speed eclipsed all that the civilians had seen before. It was a major and shocking transition for many, as most had never seen a ninja before in their life as they merely farmed within the rural community of about a hundred; and then two squads of jonin and chunin arrive in their village and established order.
Most seemed eager to cooperate, whether out of fear or glad for a sign of increased security and stability was personal to each individual.
A chunin was busy nailing a a sign to a wall on the square building the Rain troops had commandeered as the local police station, a chunin on the roof fixing a radio antenna into place and wiring it up to a point in the wall.
And thus began the subjugation of the Land of Stone's population, all under cooperation.
THE LAND OF RAIN, AMEGAKURE.
Deva stood close by the window in the radio centre, watching as the rain pelted his city as it always did. The Deva Path had no need for work at least, not when the Preta Path was going through it in his private quarters in the restricted floors. No, he was here for guidance.
His musings were interrupted as a chunin raced over to his desk, knocking Pain out of his stupor and turning to face the man who approached him. No emotion crossed his face as he merely watched the man falter as his gaze turned on him before continuing and then bowing before his desk.
"My lord." The chunin began. "I have news that was marked urgent for you."
"Ah." Deva spoke. "That must be the troop movements along the border with the Land of Earth that I asked for. Tell me, have they pulled back their reinforcements?"
"Yes, my lord." The chunin responded, before carefully placing the report on the desk that Deva quickly seized. "Watchers along the border report a marked decrease in the amount of Rock ninja."
Deva gave an approving nod as he read the report. "Good. Back to your post, chunin." Deva ordered, only getting another bow from the chunin who then quickly scurried off.
Deva took a few more minutes to properly glean through the report, before placing it down and turning back to the window. He lost himself in thought for half an hour more, rinnegan eyes remaining unmoved at the murky view as the puppet master upstairs did the thinking.
Reaching a good strategy in his head, the Deva Path looked as still as ever apart from bringing up his right hand and clicking his fingers twice. Putting his hands behind his back, he didn't have to wait as two corresponding thumps on the floor on either side of him sounded out, eyes not needing to look as he saw their reflections in the mirror.
Two blue uniformed ninja had landed on each side of him about a metre away, the blue of their uniforms reflective as it was revealed to be made up of a metallic armour. Covered from the neck all the way to the hands and feet, these soldiers were fully armoured as only their heads remained exposed, headbands proudly displaying the four vertical lines of the Ame symbol wrapped tight around their foreheads. Two thin white lines went up the outside of each leg, up diverging up the front and back of the torso before each line met under each arm. The paint scheme of the guardsmen of his elite division.
"You, on the right." Deva addressed as the corresponding ninja stood to attention whilst pulling off the salute, silently awaiting their orders. "Go and make sure all elite units involved in the Grass incident are prepared for tomorrow. All troops need to be equipped, fully rested and knowledgeable in preparation for moving tomorrow. This especially concerns those already behind foreign borders. Alert all units to be prepared for tomorrow." He gave a casual wave of his hand, knowing the strictness of his elite branch. "Go." The ninja was gone as soon as he said the word.
"And you remaining on the left." Deva spoke, the ninja also standing to attention. "Make sure the Second Army commander is fully prepared for invading tomorrow. All sealed orders are to be distributed now in preparation for opening them tomorrow. Also, all reinforcements from the Land of Stone from pulled back units of the First Army are to be put on standby too, to be prepared to move at a moments notice - either to the Land of Grass or to the borders or even to Ame. Oh, and make sure there is not any resistance or increase in hostility within the Land of Stone ever since we reduced the army strength there to two divisions. Go."
Deva watched the rain for a few minutes more as he planned, but it was already too late. The orders had already been sealed and sent off to their respective troop units. To change it now would delay everything.
No, Pain mused. If something really didn't go as he planned then he would have to make a personal appearance in order to turn back the tables, something that he really did not want. It was bad enough that he was risking the exposure of his elite units, but to reveal his existence to the world years before he was ready would be disastrous to his plans. He wasn't being arrogant, at least he liked to think so, but rather utilising the assets he had to the best if his abilities. Including himself.
Deva abruptly turned on his heel and left the radio room, returning back to the preserving machine that would house the lifeless corpse before it was needed once more.
THE UPPER FLOORS OF PAINS TOWER.
Nagato gave a hiss as once more the chakra rods slid out of his skin, standing up after a second and taking a moment to properly focus now that he was using his own perspective once more. He took no notice of closing wounds all over his body, being far too used to it by now as well as secure in the knowledge that his Uzumaki healing rate combined with the rinnegans powers would deal with them.
Striding across the attic and leaving through the single door to it, quickly moving down the metal spiral staircase before reaching the end of the corridor of the supposed last floor of Pain's Tower. Walking down the carpeted hallway, he stopped outside the living room before slowly opening the door and observing what was happening. A low lying table had been moved into the empty space besides the sofas where the toys were kept, Naruto and Shino currently sat at it as Konan was knelt at it. She was pointing at a grid on a piece of paper before Naruto who was chewing a pencil, Shino sat quietly next to him filling out the grid on his. Nagato didn't even have to look as his sensing abilities pinpointed the Fox further to the right lying besides the window, supposedly snoozing.
The tailed beasts had a lot of mysteries about them, including whether they needed necessities such as sleep.
"Konan, I think that's enough maths for today. Please attend to the computer in my office, make sure all the messages on it are answered." Nagato requested, seeing Konan nod before standing up and walking out. Nagato silently mused at how lucky he was to have someone like her, knowing he could've done such a menial task himself but Konan was giving up her time so that he could now spend time with the kids.
Turning to the two boys, Naruto throwing down his pencil and smiling as Shino took a moment to finish his grid, Nagato smiled himself before speaking. "Well boys, I did promise if you did well we could go out to eat. So have you done well?"
"Yeah!" Naruto cheered out, followed by a nod from Shino. Naruto paused as he noticed the Fox, noticeably taller than him as the boy was sat down, slope next to him before lying down next to him. A contented sound came from the Fox as Naruto reached and scratched the scalp of the head of the nine tails.
"That's good." Nagato praised, before he motioned for them to stand up which they did - getting an annoyed look from the nine tails who stood up too. "Now, Shino, you hold onto Naruto before you grab my hand - good, good..."
"Can Foxy come?" Naruto asked, hope in his voice, the Fox giving a smile to Naruto before craning his head to look at Nagato.
"Yes, can the animal come?" The Fox asked, making Nagato raise an eyebrow.
He thought for a moment, staring at the two before nodding his assent. Naruto gave a small cheer before grabbing the scruff of the Fox's neck, Nagato quickly formed a half hand seal with his free hand before all four of them disappeared.
STREETS OF AME.
A whistle in the wind was the only warning before suddenly in a slight distortion of the air the three Uzumaki family members and the Fox dropped into sight. Taking note of his surroundings, Nagato was pleased to see he'd gotten the target destination of the body flicker technique just right - they were currently in an alley he'd remembered, two brick walls on either side of the group. He'd not used many techniques over the years of locking himself away in a tower, but the rinnegan aided in keeping the techniques spot on, especially the Asura Path which was very useful in keeping control of his chakra.
The Fox took a look at Naruto who seemed disoriented from the instant moving technique he'd just experienced, before giving a snort as he reached out with a tail, grabbed the boy by the waist and slung him on his back. A squeal came from Naruto as he did so, before the boy grabbed the fur around the Fox's neck to keep himself upright. The Fox would have done the same with Shino, but he had already grabbed Nagato's hand.
"So, where we headed?" The Fox inquired as he started forward, Naruto gripping on tighter as the group moved out of the alleyway. They emerged onto a wide path which was completely boxed in and overshadowed by the tall buildings overhead, some of the smaller towering buildings of Ame's many skyscrapers seemingly looming overhead. The paths seemed to snake around the buildings as if they had been given priority, pipes and thick wires running along overhead the path between buildings. Individuals flitted about the path, off-duty ninja instantly recognisable as they went about relaxing or other purposes, the on-duty ninja occasionally being able to be spotted as they raced across rooftops or down the path in squads. Then of course, there was the constant rain - drizzling down from the buildings and any free space in between them.
"Right here." Nagato pointed directly to the other side if the path ahead of them as they exited the alley, to an open restaurant. It had 'FISH BAR' written above it in big letters, a lit up sign of a fish to the right of the letters. There was of course an extended piece of cover from the restaurant, so customers could eat at the bar under cover and stay dry. "It's supposedly good, and it's out the way."
The four of them went under the cover, greeted by a 'hello' from a man in a white chef outfit from behind the bar. Nagato lifted Naruto off the Fox's back and put him on a stool at the bar, Shino having already been placed on one as Nagato sat in between the two boys - the Fox slumping down and lounging at the bottom of the stools. The chef took no notice of the strange animal that had walked into his open restaurant - it was open after all, and paying customers were something he wasn't going to drive away.
"What would you like, sir?" The chef asked, directing the question to the adult among them. Nagato kept his head down looking at the menu to keep the man from seeing his eyes, he had after all come as himself instead of Pain.
Nagato took a brief glance at the menu, and was able to decide right away. "I'll have two small fish meals for the boys, a large fish meal for myself and a fish to takeaway, please."
The chef looked confused for a moment. "I'm sorry, sir, does this mean you want it all to takeaway?"
"No." Nagato replied simply. "I simply want a fish that does not come with a plate."
"Ah. Of course sir. It will be ten minutes." The chef answered, before making his way over to a freezer beneath the worktop.
Whilst the chef was gone, the Fox lounging beneath them and nobody else was in the bar space, Naruto turned to his uncle. "Hey, uncle! Uncle!" Naruto asked, making Nagato's bemused eyes settle upon him. "I always wanted to ask, how good a ninja are you?!"
"Oh, very good my dear nephew." Nagato replied. "I could certainly beat any jonin that challenged me."
"Wow!" Naruto spoke with amazement, imagining his uncle as super strong as jonin were always stated to be the strongarm of any ninja force. Nagato couldn't help but give a chuckle at that - his nephew didn't yet know the power of S ranks, let alone people like Minato Namikaze and himself who could command said S ranks.
That was how the next ten minutes past, small talk being made between Nagato and his excited nephew, or a curious Shino as the Fox lay comfortably on the matted floor. Nagato made sure to interact with both of the boys, being aware that for at least the next few weeks he would have his hands completely full.
The nine tails snapped his head up as something landed in front of him, taking a cursory glance at it he discovered it to be a battered piece of fish that lay in front of his clawed hands. Looking up, he saw only Nagato give a nod to him before the Uzumaki turned to a plate that had just been set in front of him. Giving only a moments thought to the kind act towards him that was kind-of rare for the Uzumaki to do to him, the tailed beast merely bent his jaw forward and began to bite into the fish.
Naruto, meanwhile, had given a clap as a small plate halfway laden with a battered fish and a pile of chips was placed in front of him, even Shino looking happily at his own fish. Nagato was about to start eating his own, much bigger fish when Shino caught his attention and caused the Uzumaki to look at him out the corner of his eye.
"Thank you." Shino spoke politely, giving a small smile as a purple insect skittered about his face.
Nagato gave a friendly snort from his nose with a small smile of his own. "No problem, Shino."
NORTHERN BORDER BETWEEN GRASS AND RAIN.
Thunderous claps suddenly rang out across the entire skyline, causing many a ninja in their observation posts to look towards the sudden, deafening intrusion to their senses. The answer was devastatingly obvious, as balls of incinerating fire flew into the air, raining flaming and ruined debris across a mile of forest.
At an observation post built into one of the trees of Rain country along its border, a jonin was lowering their binoculars. Placing their finger to their ear at the portable radio attached to it, they spoke. "Ma'am, we've just seen a large explosion a mile west of our post. Most likely the radio station near the border, likely destroyed. I am sending two of my squad to investigate."
A sharp burst of static in their ear caused the ninja to wince uncomfortably before a woman's voice crackled into life. "Negative jonin, you are to belay that order. Priority orders are already incoming from Ame who have received news from other posts. You are to hold position and wait for my orders."
A few miles from the observation post, an elite jonin with one bar of dark green quickly set the radio receiver down and picked up a ringing telephone from its cradle instead. "Yes sir, that is multiple confirmations of a large explosion several miles north of the village of Crile, sir. Reports indicate that the radio station there has most likely been completely destroyed. Awaiting orders, out."
It took only a second before a burst of crackling overcame a likely moving radio or phone on the other side, murmuring and footsteps drifting down the line before a clear sound of picking up the opposing receiver was heard. A smooth, deep voice then began to speak. "This is Lord Pain, your Leader. As of 12:13pm, it is clear that our border has been violated in an unnecessary act of aggression by Grass forces. You are hereby ordered to seek out all guards or local forces close to the border of loyalty to the Grass, and terminate them I specifically order them to be killed or taken prisoner, jonin. There is to be mercy against such an act. Reinforcements will be joining you soon with these orders on paper." The phone line went dead in her ear as the junior-elite jonin took a second to consider those roders.
Back at the observation post, the jonin in charge of the post quickly received their orders. "You are hereby ordered to go on a search and destroy mission, jonin. Find all local Grass units nearby whether guards or otherwise and take them down - either death or taking them prisoner. Nothing else is acceptable, by order of Lord Pain." The radio then went silent.
The jonin slowly withdrew the finger from his ear, slowly considering what they had just been told. It was tantamount to a declaration of war by engaging in such actions against an opposing side. But it was not his place to judge either - the orders had come directly from the top, and they had a duty to carry it out.
The man stretched to alleviate the tenseness in his muscles, before immediately turning to the ninja next to him. "Chunin." The jonin barked, causing them to stand up straighter. "Gather the rest of the squad, we have our orders."
That was swiftly done, with the jonin simply ordering the three chunin that made up the squad with him to follow him, explaining on the way. "This is a search and destroy mission!" The man shouted as they moved swiftly through the trees, rapidly getting to the border and being covered by the trees of the forest to make their approach less likely to be seen. "We are to seek out what Grass forces are in the area and engage! The enemy may only be taken prisoner or killed!"
There was a moment of silence before one of the chunin spoke up. "But sir!" They shouted, confusion evident. "Since when was the Grass our enemy?!"
"Since their attack on the radio station! Now be silent chunin, these orders are directly from Ame!" The jonin ordered, the squad falling silent as they crossed directly over the border. There was no official boundary, just merely the knowledge of passing over a man-made territorial line that signified their breach into the Land of Grass.
The jonin immediately targeted the local observation post on the opposite side, sending out silent hand signals to get two of the chunin to flank the small wooden post built into the trees. They only nodded, before optimising the chakra within their feet to climb higher as they leapt across the trees.
The jonin himself prepared for battle as the wooden post was only metres away now, dipping his hand into his kunai pouch attached to his leg and withdrawing an explosive tag already attached to a kunai. Seeing that their enemy must be within the post itself apart from the lookout on top which had just spotted them if their shocked appearance was anything to go by, it was already too late for them to shout a warning; for the kunai that the jonin had been spinning in his hand to build up momentum was released directly towards the outpost, explosive tag already fizzing.
The ninja who was on lookout duty on the outpost had already leapt away, landing sideways on a tree and utilising their chakra to stick there, before rocketing off the tree, kunai drawn to engage them. However, the chunin beside the jonin had already surged forward to meet them, kunai in their own hands as they clashed blades in mid-air.
The explosive tag then thunked into the wooden observation post and exploded, the explosion caving in the entire front of the outpost and sending half of the wooden building crashing to the forest floor. The body of a ninja joined the raining debris as two Grass ninja leapt out from the result of the surprise attack upon them - one sporting burns in their uniform and arms. A second kunai was sent hurtling towards the Grass ninja who couldn't do much in a mid-air trajectory course, but they did lower their head enough to duck the kunai.
Unfortunately, that only further blinded them to danger as one of the flanking chunin launched themselves downwards from above, using their chakra in an explosive fashion against the bark of the tree top they had been on to instantly gain momentum. The Grass ninja could not dodge this one as a kunai was plunged directly into their heart, the metal tip of the blade actually penetrating straight through the torso from the power behind it.
The second Grass ninja was a harder enemy to fight, primarily as they had managed to recover from the surprise attack as the Rain ninja focused on their comrade. They retaliated with the same attack - an explosive tag landed next to the Rain jonin and was but a second away from detonating - but the jonin was not trapped within the confines of a building unlike them.
The jonin had already launched himself at the enemy, kunai in hand as the explosion occurred behind him, flying towards the Grass ninja with a downwards swipe at their head. This was quickly blocked by the Grass ninja with their own kunai, before deflecting the opposing blade and jumping away. Flashing through a series of hand signals, they called on their natural wind element. "Wind style: great breakthrough!" They called out as they thrust both of their hands forward.
A rippling distortion of air powered by the wind natured chakra emerged, a scythe of rippling, sharp wind blade formations surging towards where the jonin was. Having no choice, the jonin jumped up to avoid being cleaved in two, but not before retaliating himself. Calling upon his own fire natured chakra, the man channelled it to his lungs as he sucked in breath and clapped his hands into a hand seal.
The man gave no indication of what technique he used as he spat out a C-rank fireball from his mouth, the fiery projectile flying towards the enemy ninja who made no hesitation in dodging themselves. This was when the second flanking ninja made themselves known however, having manoeuvred themselves to be directly behind the enemy ninja and taking a stab at them - successfully gouging deep into the side of the Grass ninja's ribs as they dodged the fireball.
They were given no time to recover as the other flanking ninja launched a series of kunai at the Grass ninja - only one of which missed as three kunai penetrated straight into their back and one blew straight through the skull; brain matter emerging with the exit of the kunai.
Landing on the ground just in time to see the dead body flopping to the floor with him, the jonin exhaled and allowed himself to relax a little, the tension from the fight seeping away. Giving a nod, he once more made a hand signal to reform on him.
THE KANABI BRIDGE, MAIN ENTRY POINT ON THE BORDER BETWEEN GRASS AND EARTH.
The Kanabi Bridge was the main gateway between the Lands of Grass and Earth, being the best place to take both trade and ninja movements; especially as it offered direct routes to both the Hidden Stone village, and the Grass capital. The bridge itself was a simple structure - hanging over a canyon, it was a flat metal construct that resembled the wide path on either side that it joined with two main supports diagonally joined to both the bridge and canyon sides.
That was what a group of eight people, all with hiking gear and backpacks, saw as they leaned against the sides of the bridge, taking in the natural aesthetics of the landscape they were in. Whilst the lack of colour in the brown rocky landscape may not be that much to look at, the steep sides, rock formations and others made it a geological marvel.
Not that the group of eight cared, however, as they seemed to be talking amongst one another. Indeed, a woman who seemed to be the leader of the group appeared to be issuing orders.
"Now remember the plan." The woman quietly spoke to the others. "Lord Pain is counting on us - should we fail to destroy this bridge, the entire invasion could be thwarted by intervention from forces from the Land of Earth. That being said, however, we are not here for war with them either - the Stone ninja on the right side of the bridge are not to be harmed. For that reason, we shall focus exclusively on the left side of the bridge."
"How should we do this, captain?" One of the men in the group spoke up.
"I have planned for this." The captain spoke calmly. "Four of you shall each take one of the four Grass guards and kill them, no exceptions. As part of the elite unit, I do not expect failure. Then another two will plant the heavy duty explosive seals on the supports on the left side of the bridge as well as underneath it. Finally, me and another shall stay here and keep the Stone ninja from holding you up - remember, none are to be killed. After you have finished with the Grass guards, one of you shall come back to help us as the other three stand guard on the left and protect those planting the explosives. We move at one o'clock, which is in four minutes. Understood?"
A round of nods gave their assent to their captain, who looked satisfied before they all stared back at the scenery. They caught the occasional eye from the guards who would make sure they gave no trouble, but they didn't bother to further be suspicious of what was clearly a group of hiking tourists.
An assumption they got dangerously wrong as the transformation technique on each of the eight elite Rain ninja dropped, revealing all of them to be wearing the metallic armour that signified the elite units Pain had created. Being trained to the extreme in order to become part of said elite units, the bridge guards on the left could only turn their heads and try and withdraw kunai before half of the Rain ninja were upon them. They couldn't even block as three of their throats were slit, the last one having an even more painful death as a kunai was plunged right through their torso, destroying the lungs and heart.
Methodically, two of the ninja had already retrieved scrolls the size of their hands from their backpacks, the metre long scrolls being unravelled and stuck down to the bridge with chakra. Being so long, the seals upon the scrolls identified themselves as heavy-duty the likes of which could blow apart entire houses in one go - enough firepower for the bridge as the ninja retrieved more and jumped down to where the supports were located.
Meanwhile, the final two Rain ninja had assumed position in the middle of the bridge. Taking up defensive stances, they had plenty of time to see the Stone ninja recover from their shock and start running towards them. Withdrawing their standard issue swords, they deflected a barrage of kunai that had been thrown at them, one of the Rain ninja having to leap to the left a particularly heavy mud projectile slammed into the bridge next to them. Not that they cared - gouging material out the bridge would only help their demolition.
"Remember, don't kill them." The captain reminded as she found herself close to her fellow comrade.
"Of course, captain." The ninja replied, as he took out a senbon. The Rain country, being particularly full of exotic plants and resources, was well known for its poisons - as this ninja was about to prove as he threw the senbon laced with the lime green paralytic poison. He successfully scored as the metal stick plunged into the neck of one of the approaching ninja, delivering the poison straight into their bloodstream as the ninja gave a gasp, before two seconds later collapsing.
The other three Stone guards were knocked down in a similar manner, the last one falling to the captain of the group as she worked around the close combat thrusts of the ninja and sent a powerful blow to the back of their head with the reverse of her sword.
Just then three other ninja joined the two, the captain recognising the two ninja assigned to setting the explosives and the other ninja who had come to help them. "Are the explosives in place?" She questioned.
"Yes captain." One of the ninja, getting a nod from her.
"Good." Replied the captain before making a motion to the left side of the bridge. "Move out off the bridge and then we can complete the mission."
Arms being thrown back, the group of elite ninja quickly raced off of the bridge and into the rocky outer edges around the border of the Land of Grass before they would emerge into the lush grassy plains the country was named after. Looking back only briefly, the captain of the two squads formed a half hand seal before pulsing her chakra through it in a specific pattern - responded to by the sparkling flaring of bright chakra fizzing from the heavy duty explosive seals on the bridge.
She quickly looked forwards again as she sprinted at the head of the group, heading to their next assignment. Having an elite formation deep within enemy territory where the action was furthest away (and thus more surprising) was an opportunity Pain was going to take full advantage of, after all.
THE LAND OF RAIN, PAINS TOWER - RADIO ROOM.
The Deva Path was once more stood in his contemplating pose as he stood behind his desk, rinnegan eyes glaring dully at the falling rain from behind the window panes. Pain mused upon the rain - if he pushed enough chakra into the rinnegan to fully utilise its chakra seeing properties, the rain would start appearing as fast falling white specks. His natural Uzumaki sensing abilities would reveal more if he focused, that of sensing his own chakra falling in minute amounts for miles around.
"Its almost quarter past one, Pain." Konan stated, looking at the Deva Path as she joined him at his desk. "Are you sure you really want to escalate this?" She asked more queitly.
Deva's eyes slowly flickered to Konan's face as she spoke, his musing now focusing upon her instead. She was in no way regretful, he knew that. After all, as his second in command, she had access to everything he did - and he knew she'd seen the reports about how he'd ordered all of Hanzo's family and followers mercilessly slaughtered; especially as he'd never mentioned it. They'd both come too far for such sentiments. No, she was inquiring about whether they were truly ready. He couldn't help feeling it himself, especially given the Akatsuki was only three members strong with one potentially traitorous member.
"Let us not doubt now, Konan. I know you hesitate before the potential might of the world crashing down upon us with one wrong move." The Deva Path spoke, one hand reaching up to grip her shoulder. "But we have planned for this. We have several constituencies and tricks of our own to counter what they may throw at us, and so long as it is done quickly then other engagements will also be finished quickly. After all, a potential intervention by the major powers would be made to combat a still moving enemy that they expect to be weaker than them as a 'minor' nation. They will soon learn how wrong they are."
"And so you decide to leave some of the country behind." Konan spoke.
"But of course." Deva spoke, eyes turning back to the window. "With our stronger enemies considerably delayed, we have time to go beyond the capital which was always within a few hours reach of us anyway. Taking more of the country means more resources, but we already have much resources and most of the population lives around the south of the country anyway due to good industry, jobs and trade. By advancing no further than where the country begins to narrow, we create a good defensive line as well as a bottleneck where Leaf and Stone forces will almost certainly meet, slowing down long-time enemies even further."
Konan nodded, but said no more as a chunin had risen from their seat and dashed over to the two highest authoritative figures in the country. "Lord Pain, an urgent message for you at once!" The chunin spoke, quickly saluting.
Pain only nodded as he took the slip of paper given to him, only waving the chunin away as he turned back to Konan whilst reading.
*URGENT*
KANABI AND TENCHI BRIDGES CONFIRMED DESTROYED. ALL ELITE UNITS ENGAGING ENEMY. OVER.
That was all Pain needed to see as he merely passed the note over to Konan so she could see it, before he turned around away from the window and began to walk towards the radio operators in the centre of the room. The very people who would initiate war at his command.
Stopping close by, Pain watched as each man and woman before him stood up and saluted, to which he only nodded. "The time has come." He spoke, a professional hard edge solidly infusing his tone of voice as he initiated the biggest order he'd ever given in his life so far. "Order the First Army forward to seize their objectives."