"I can forgive you...But I will never forgive Konoha!"
Sasuke Uchiha
Yuko found a strange calm, and she didn't like it. She didn't want to accept it, and couldn't accept it. The rain soothed her troubled spirit, strangely enough. It wasn't the sensation of being wet, but seeing the drops fall, and splash on the ground. Energy built up and dissipated. A never ending cycle. She inhaled-the air was heavy with moisture, and it filled her nose with a heavy feeling.
She killed so many, was it right for her to be so calm?
The surroundings of the Domou compound always put her at ease. Out beyond, there were terrible beasts and monsters, but here, there was solace. And, even where those beasts roamed, there was an eerie calm. At the beginning, she found herself staring at the trees for hours-she wondered if some of the formations she thought were trees were actual roots of those trees.
Now, she had to endure something she knew she wasn't ready for. She knew of slavery, inside and out. The Uchiha perpetuated it, and due to her studies, she knew everything about it. She had to take this mission-she had to do it. There was no escaping reality. The cruel reality. Slavery existed, they were ending it. The nobles were already slain, now it was the slave traders who would meet their end.
She had no empathy, pity, nor sympathy for them. She learned through experience, that evil people would never be swayed. Kicking somebody away on the battlefield wasn't enough, even with a broken leg, they'd still come to cut off your head. One had to simply end it. She had to learn it the hard way, too many times to count.
In the same regard, it was far too easy to sway to hatred and anger. To rage and fury. To allow those things to burn a hole through oneself, was too easy. Yuko wasn't ignorant enough to think that she couldn't fall prey to this. She did, on the battlefields. She got into a zone-bodies and faces blurred until they almost didn't exist, and when it was all over...
She wasn't going to make the same mistakes she had before.
This time she wouldn't hesitate.
Yuko exhaled softly, closing her eyes.
Her mother just remained silent, seated close, but not quite by her side. Ahiko was drinking tea just a few inches away, and she opted to stay silent herself. Yuko appreciated their quiet presences. Sometimes, silence was better than saying a word. She knew her mother understood the turbulent thoughts she was experiencing at this moment in time. This couldn't be the first time the Domou executed a mission like this, or something similar. Naturally, her mother had been a part of a few of those.
Or, perhaps, a lot of them.
She wasn't willing to divulge details, but Yuko didn't take it personal. It was more than just being a shinobi, and her mother gave that up long ago. She may have the skills and know the shinobi arts, but she didn't hold to the sect.
Yuko didn't think twice about it before, but technically, she was no longer a part of the shinobi sect. By blood, she was born Uchiha and Kizoku, but her mentality wasn't that of a shinobi anymore. There was more to being a shinobi than just being born in a clan-this was proven true since not every clan member of a clan was actually part of the shinobi ranks.
She jolted briefly, focus drawing back to reality.
The rain picked up, starting to pelt and smack the ground.
It was a loud plopping sound, that the drops made. There was no lightning or thunder, and there was hardly a breeze. Yuko opened her eyes to watch the simple wonder-how people take it for granted. What if the rain stopped for years? What if the grass wilted and turned brown? Only then would people appreciate the simple land that they walk on.
Yuko breathed, finding a rhythm with the rain, and exhaled.
Her feelings, some, dissipated in the rainfall.
Kori shifted slightly. The splashes of water were getting a little close. "Are you sure you want to do this?"
Ahiko looked at Yuko carefully, eyes shading with some sorrow. "I believe my sister wants you to be with her unit. I'll go with Souji, since he insists."
Yuko felt some relief.
"Okay."
"I just thought I'd let you know." Ahiko clarified.
"You're always so thoughtful, Ahiko-chan."
She wanted Yuko, so there'd be no questions asked at this point. She would slay these men and women, whoever, is perpetuating such evil. She was certain Mikito would also act before she did, if anything started going wrong. The more she thought about it, the more this worked in her favor-she didn't want to hear anything about control or restraint. Evidently, Mikito didn't either.
"It's something I have to do. I can't run from reality." Yuko said.
Kori nodded, just barely. "You will only find sorrow."
Yuko could only nod. There was nothing but sorrow in their world, but somehow, there was always something that was more cruel or heart wrenching happening. She couldn't understand it-how the world had become so twisted. How hatred and anger could run so rampant people were worse than animals? In the end, it wasn't good to ponder over.
The fact of the matter was there were people committing the acts, so they had to be put down. They had to be slain. Their existence was nothing but poison and like a cursed plague to all. Once enough people took the hint-the acts would no longer happen. There'd be opposition, but it'd be snuffed out in short. It was folly. But, humans were fickle to start with.
She'd overcome this, like everything else in her life. These were evil and nefarious men-treating humans like show pieces. Selling them. Ripping families apart without a single care.
Yuko took a deep breath, brushing at the gathering moisture on her hakama. There was a settling dark spot growing near the middle, where a pool of water had been before she brushed it off.
Yuko took a deep breath, brushing at the gathering moisture on her hakama. She was further out on the front of the house, allowing most of the rain to hit her. By comparison, her mother and Ahiko were far from the rain.
"I know, but that's reality."
Kori pursed her lips a little, turning her eyes onto her hands.
"You are much stronger than I am, but I am old now...I'm worn out. Really worn out, if I have to be honest. Just know, people do disgusting, evil, and heinous things to animals-I've seen it with my own eyes. They cut off their paws, throw them in boiling water, skin them alive, and much worse. I've put an end to it, many times with the Domou. We have no tolerance for such things, and those people who perpetuate it are killed without remorse. Those that survive get a fate worse than death, and they deserve it. It's why most of the animals in the world are here, and paths have been made for them to retreat here. Humans are no different with how they treat each other. They treat each other worse than they treat animals. I've seen Domou snap over it as well, to the point they don't come back. It's tragic to witness. Nobody and nothing is spared in this world, even children...Even infants. Those still in the womb, even. Just...Understand that.
Yuko wasn't oblivious to her mother's quiet, smoldering anger.
"I..."
Yuko felt a sliver of sorrow.
In the past, she would have had the thought nobody would think to harm a child. For whatever reason, someone always had this thought until they got out into the world and seen how it was. Now, she had no such thoughts. And, her mother spoke the truth. Children weren't spared, and certainly, those younger than even a year old weren't spared. Animals weren't spared, even plants and bugs weren't spared. It was the harsh reality. A cruel truth. Shinobi wouldn't think twice to strike down an infant.
Humans wouldn't think twice before destroying anything.
It was worse that someone could really make a child a slave. To throw them into that bondage. They're not old enough to tell which way is up, and already, they have that filthy title attached to them. The Uchiha may have scorned her and scowled at her growing up, but she was never a slave, or carried that title. Her father ensured it never happened. She didn't want to imagine how it felt.
She could only feel an all consuming rage, a blinding fury, an overwhelming grief, and immeasurable sorrow. She wasn't sure what order she'd feel them in, but she was certain if she had to carry that title, she'd experience all of them.
It was all the more reason to see this through.
These slave traders will get what is coming to them, and those that survive will wish that they were dead.
Those who perpetuated cruelty, had to be slain.
Yuko took a deep breath-for now, her resolve was firm.
"I understand." She forced her voice to stay firm.
Her mother was worried she'd snap, and rightfully so, but Yuko tried to affirm she wouldn't.
A quiet splash caught her attention-it was a bit louder than the rain drops, a foot step to be exact.
"Hiyori..." Kori said with a tilt of her head, observing the man coming into view of her modest home.
"I'm here for Yuko and Ahiko. Mikito wants Yuko, as soon as possible." Hiyori explained, giving a slight bow to Kori.
She returned the gesture gracefully.
"I guess Miki-chan is getting impatient. Izuna must have been really talkative again." Ahiko said with a smile, setting her hands behind her head.
Yuko stood to her feet, shaking herself off-despite knowing it really wouldn't do any good. She bid her mother farewell, silently assuring her that she'd be able to endure this and overcome it. She then followed after Ahiko and Hiyori after the former grabbed her spear and her forehead protector. It didn't take them too long to reach their destination, and they took a shorter route that forced them into dense vegetation, but allowed them to come out into the clearing.
The clearing was their destination.
Yuko nearly took a step back, being overcome by shock. There had to be at least ten thousand people present at the moment, several hundred about to depart, and several hundred that had already departed. She knew that many clans joined them, but she never had anything to do with those meetings or really ever met the leaders in the first place. Seeing the end results of that, was truly tremendous.
It was mind blowing, because there were a few Senju-just Satoshi and four others. It was likely an issue of trust, but also rapport when it came to fighting. Still, the fact Senju were with Uchiha-without anyone coming to blows was something that almost shook her to the core. She had been taught to hate. despise, and shun the Senju. To believe she is superior to them in all aspects.
She was thankful for never really paying any attention to that-she wouldn't be able to admire a moment like this. If everything went well-if there was another gathering like this in the future, there'd be at least two million. Now, that would be something to see, definitely.
"Yo!" Mitsuki shouted, waving them over.
Hikaku bristled.
However, it was Misaka that made a remark. "Why do you have to be so loud all of the time?"
"I think she can't help it." Aito said.
Misaka didn't look impressed. "She's been loud since she turned eight."
Ahiko took note of how tense Madara appeared. All of the leaders left, save for Saki, Katsumi, Kosuke, and Daishiro. She took note of the distance between her brother and sister. It seemed it was just the usual with Madara with his missions. He was always hyper focused, running through each and every scenario, anticipating anything so he'll be able to improvise if worse comes to worst. However, it seemed that her brother and sister had a small fight.
Misaka and Aito were quietly waiting to depart, near the open gates of the compound.
Another group was just surging off.
"I'm here, Souji." Ahiko said, keeping her strides swift.
"Mikito-sama." Yuko said respectfully.
"I'm not sure if Hiyori ran over the strategy with the two of you." Madara said, getting right to the point.
"If Izuna made the suggestion, I assume groups are departing before hand. We're going with our plan G."
"That's about right, sister. If we encounter any resistance you'll push on ahead and join another group." Souji said.
Ahiko didn't respond, only deciding to nod slightly in agreement. She really had no choice in the matter. Mikito was hell bent on running her blade through these slave traders, and when she got focused on a task like this, nothing would impede her. Souji wasn't any better, but he was just a little more restrained, where he wouldn't just lunge out like a predator and go on the attack. It was all too subtle for anyone who didn't know her, but far too obvious for him.
"Where is Izuna-sama?" Yuko asked.
"He left with Akari, Chie, and Mimori. He'd leading the genjutsu units with them." Daishiro supplied.
"We'll be meeting with him and Akari once we arrive. Chie will likely be ensuring that the groups that branched can communicate with us, we'll have a little work to do when we arrive. In any case, Izuna wanted to speak with you, actually." Mikito told Yuko in all seriousness.
"I understand." Yuko nodded, completely serious.
"Don't do anything too foolish brother...We should be expecting Atsushi and two Inuzuka leaders." Ahiko said, pulling on Souji's sleeve.
Souji grunted, noting the worry in Ahiko's eyes. "I'm not fighting Atsushi alone."
Souji knew physically he was outmatched. Isamu and Isami for all their size, were outmatched, Hiro was also outmatched. If they went at Atsushi at the same time, he wasn't sure if they'd come out on top. He was willing to take more risks than necessary. He was willing to take any risk, for that matter. But, he needed more people to be with him when he confronted Atsushi-the numbers game would play in their favor.
"I'll go with. Kosuke, do you mind coming with as well?" Saki's soft tone broke Souji out of his train of thought.
"I have no problem with that." Kosuke nodded his head
"I'll bring him back in one piece." Saki smiled.
Ahiko bobbed her head, smiling back. "Right, I'm counting on you."
"In that case, I'll handle one of the Inuzuka leaders if I must." Yumi said.
"I'll be going with Mikito." Madara said, speaking for the first time.
Souji nodded, pleased with the conclusion.
Mikito was silent for a moment. "Are you going with Izuna?"
Madara as always had his focus on the mission and the task at hand. Unfortunately, that also met he was going to ensure she didn't fly off the handle. He had no problem if she ran through the slave traders, and anyone else who got in her way, but he wasn't going to allow her to change the maps because she lost her temper. More than anything, he was concerned that she'd be consumed with fury and grief-she may get to a point where she can't be reasoned with.
His wife was an emotional creature, but she was a walking natural disaster at times.
Madara shook his head, taking a deep breath.
"No. He's leading the genjutsu units with Akari and the others, until that is all settled, he won't go on the attack. He'll join me at that point, wherever I might be." Madara replied easily.
Quite frankly he wasn't very keen on getting in Mikito's way. When she got focused on something like this nothing would stop her, and if there was even the slightest resistance-she'd run it over like a stampede. He still didn't want her losing herself to grief. The reality of the situation was clear, and Mikito knew it all too well, but despite that, she still lost it.
He couldn't stop her from doing this though-he couldn't stop her from going in those ships and being part of those units that search when the battle is done. He wondered if he should be more worried about Souji-the man would propel himself like a human missile at anyone-including Atsushi. More Domou were going to lunge on Atsushi, and for that matter, Namikaze and others would as well. There'd be at least three thousand Akimichi, and that didn't include the Inuzuka leaders and their packs.
It had been a while since he got a good battle.
Still, considering all of these risks...
Madara shook his head-he never had any doubts, he just had to run through more scenarios.
Improvise.
Improvise.
"Okay then! I'm heading off, getting a little antsy here." Mitsuki said, tapping her sword against her shoulder a few times, and a second later sheathed it swiftly.
"I'll be right behind you." Hikaku said.
Both departed.
Daishiro scowled for a moment, arms crossed over his chest.. "We should all meet at the destination in two hours. Izuna and the others should have camp set up, from their destination, the others will have branched out. Chie and Mimori are handling that network, with the assistance of their clones. We'll be able to communicate over the long distance, if all goes well. We'll execute the plan when all is well.."
"Got it." Saki said.
Yuko turned towards Ahiko. Ahiko's gaze was attentive and searching, Souji's was stony and direct as usual, part of her wanted to go with Ahiko, but she knew both had their parts to play in this. She took off with Mikito's unit, as the others surged around and past her-blurs moving beside, over, and even under her. The blurs that moved under her were almost too fast to be seen, yet, Yuko increased her speed until everything in her line of sight became a tunnel of light.
"Let's increase our speed!" Mikito shouted.
"Not by too much! We need to pace ourselves until we reach the Waterfall country." Madara said with some hast.
"Yuko, get ready!"
Yuko took a breath, gathering her chakra, and focusing, focusing, focusing-she focused until it was singular, almost obsessive. She braced against the speed and force impacting her body, and hoped she could brace for what was to come. Whether she was overwhelmed with grief, anger, or anything similar, she'd complete her mission. She'd run her blade through the slave traders-she'd make them suffer for ever pinning the title of slave to anyone.
They were evil and she was slaying them.
Evil had to be slain.
The Tea country was marked with the same geography of the Fire country. Trees, trees, more trees, cliff faces, and mountains. The mountains all varied in size and were covered in shrubs-even now the half brown, half green vegetation clung tight to the white barren surface. Even snow wasn't enough to make them wilt, but it was enough to make some leaves of the trees wilt and die. Others-like pine trees, rose tall in the falling snow, giving the freeze something to frost over instead of the ground.
What made the Tea country was special was the fact the trees were almost a single organism. Their branches overlapped, their boles and trunks were almost fused together, and their roots danced through each other-and judging from the size of them, it had been happening for centuries. The country itself almost laid on a peninsula, and fishing had always been a booming business.
They set up tents, and other forms of shelter. They made sure not too make them too huge or distinct. A area was quickly made for them to lead things along, and other areas were built around that to keep things organized. Snow wouldn't really effect them, but they couldn't afford to burn of specks of chakra to keep themselves warm in the frigid temperatures. The tents and shelters were made of thick material, layered and layered, to ensure warmth and isolation from the elements.
Akari half listened to Izuna as he spoke about the fish he was eating.
She found the topic to be as puzzling as Izuna himself.
They were more than a few dozen miles away from the actual Tea village itself-the docks in particular. Sequestered away in the thick trees so no one could see, hear, or smell them. Their group made it to the Tea country short of just two hours, maybe less. It was just starting to get dark the sun beginning its fast descent under the horizon.
Their clones dispersed the moment they arrived, taking the units that would be spaced apart and moving to those very locations. Chie and Mimori immediately went about setting up a communications network through the clones, certain people, and an array of seals that kept everything moving in sync. More leaders and people began to arrive, quickly adding to the effort.
Akari took a moment to look at the sky, finding it more suitable than Izuna munching away. She turned her focus onto the men and women under her charge, to her clones, and others' also under her charge. It was nothing short of guided chaos in a sense, as people were coming and going almost constantly. More were arriving before dispersing into small groups to scout-even if there were other groups out there and returning, they had to stay up to date with information.
She found her focus shifting back onto Izuna and she suppressed a sigh.
She knew why Izuna had been so adamant about this course of action. Quite frankly, she didn't want to go to battle with the foreigners either, but she wasn't going to back down if the time came and it happened-she'd be the first in line. Izuna wanted to avoid that whole thing in the first place. He was making it so their focus wasn't shifted or diverted from their task, now, and in the foreseeable future.
The foreigners would add a certain dynamic that none of them were ready for, and at this moment, they still had much work to do before everything was consolidated-it was close, but not there, yet. Once this mission was complete, and they were all back in the compound-only then would checkmate be secured for absolute certain.
Hashirama, the shinobi villages, the foreign nations...None of them would be able to do a thing.
Surrender would be their option or annihilation.
"How are things looking?" Izuna's voice broke Akari from her current train of thought.
"The units in the north and south of us have encountered some resistance with the snow. Some groups in the north have dispersed, and are navigating through the trees. They are now making it part of their surveillance, so they can stay hidden. The units in the west and east are moving a little more swiftly, but we're still spaced apart over a great distance. That should be taken care of once everyone is here, though. Our clones are smoothing things over, but there are a few groups that may need to come closer." Akari explained.
"The communication network should be ready in a few moments. I'm just waiting on a few more groups to return with the seal and one of our clones." Chie continued.
"One of the Tea damiyo's top generals has been spotted moving outside of the estate. Atsushi is with him, I assume his kin are in the estate. They've been making rounds to the docks, and more soldiers have went towards them since they first started their movements. They are spacing themselves apart and grouping themselves together in preparation for the ships that will be docking, I can only assume." Mimori finished.
"Get the communication network up." Izuna said, not quite demanding or ordering, but making it clear he wanted it finished.
Chie tried not to scowl. "Offer your assistance instead of snacking on fish."
Izuna sighed at the remark, and stood up. He was certain Chie was more upset over the fact he was eating and warm in a tent, than being out in the cold going through the rope a dope like she had been. "Okay, what I can do?"
Mimori tapped her finger against her chin. "The units in the north will have a hard time getting the signal or message in time. The groups in between will also need a sign or message-they may not catch sight of something thrown or blasted skyward."
Izuna ran his finger across the ground until there were three streaks. "Some will depart, and other units will embark in there. Once my brother and everyone else arrives, we'll send out more people to the north. Those that depart will report, and will lay down the seals for our communication. The north is important, since that is our way out of here. However, we can't spare too many units, or clones in that direction, until the genjutsu takes effect."
"Keisuke-san, can you lead some units northward?" Mimori asked, blinking as she looked up at the tall and strong built man.
She found herself being fond of him-they thought alike, in a lot of ways.
"I can, but I have another suggestion..."
Izuna smirked for a second. It was always nice to hear a strategy from Keisuke. "Shoot."
"We should have a filter area for all of the units. Our clones can direct. The distance between us won't mean much, we'll also keep the Akimichi and Inuzuka off balance this way."
"I got it. I'll get started on that." Mimori nodded understandingly, waving several people over.
Keisuke nodded, going about completing his duty.
"Chie, let see me the fuinjutsu you're working with." Izuna said.
Chie handed him the scroll. "It's one of the Uzumaki's standard?"
"Uzumaki, eh?"
"They don't divulge their more complex scrolls for outside use, but everything else is on the table." Mimori thought it over, showing Izuna a duplicate of Chie's while she was giving orders.
Izuna clicked his tongue. "That may complicate things. They use more conventional sealing drawings, and favor the trigram pattern. Odd and even."
"Meaning?" Akari fished for an answer.
"Our clans use esoteric sealing. Only we can use it." Izuna drew a sloppy swirl in the snow, for example sake. "The same can be said for the Uzumaki."
"Their pattern is like a lock. Usually even number patterns and odd number patterns don't play a hand in sealing, at least the esoteric kind, but the Uzumaki have made it so even and odd are the core of their sealing. It keeps it a mystery, but also fixed." Akari realized.
Izuna nodded, eyes glinting. "Yes, and look..."
He pointed at the seal in his hand. There was a swirl in the center, with several marks of writing branching out from the central part. Beside all of that was similar writing and designs, all interconnecting into one sequence. There were arrows streaking upward at the very center of the scroll.
"They make it more complicated to decipher their fuinjutsu. By doing this, though, it draws away from being able to do simple tasks like we are trying to complete. It keeps the seal set-rather than active. We want an active seal."
Chie smiled for a second. "So, we just have to reverse their formula."
Izuna shook his head. "Summon eighty of our clones here, each."
Chie did as he asked. It was packed in their small tent, and a lot of the clones had to stand outside. Some didn't appear to care, but others too exception. Izuna took out a brush and dabbed it in ink. With a swift grace he traced a design across the seal-not the entire thing but just a portion of it. It appeared to be a contorted mess, at best.
"Activate." Izuna commanded, forming a hand seal.
"That is remarkable." Mimori said, eyes a bit wide.
Akari's eyes nearly bulged when she seen the seal actually moving...Moving as if it were writhing, or shaking. The designs twisted and contorted, shrinking and expanding-it was almost as if it were alive. Conscious. In some way, aware, even. Akari was further amazed as parts of the ink dissipated into nothing, others solidified, settling, until only half of the original formula remained, contorted and twisted as it was.
"I thought Uchiha are terrible when it comes sealing." Akari remarked, trying to grasp what she just witnessed.
"I studied sealing since I was a child. I can't replicate the Uzumaki's sealing patterns, it's impossible. But, there is a way to 'reverse' the formula." Izuna explained.
It's why he knew what the Uzumaki's fuinjutsu was truly capable of, and why he was making it a point to cut down Mito-when all of this was over with. One could kill a Bijuu, but they'd merely reform in a few years or a decade. No one had ever managed to outright completely control one, so they only logical option was to seal them-but a scroll would only hold them for a few days.
So, Mito substitutes herself in the scroll's place.
"What is going through your head?" Chie asked, eyes carrying a hint of suspicion.
"It's nothing." Izuna dismissed it.
Chie gently took the scroll from the desk-eyeing the seal with scrutiny. It was a crazy design, nothing like what had been the Uzumaki's systematic and neat sealing sequence. This one was looping, twisting, contorting, and ending at several points. It was also about half the size of what had been the Uzumaki's sealing sequence, but for some reason, it appeared more basic than before.
"We could make this the center of communications." Izuna commented, looking up for a second. He tapped the small desk in front of him, nodding once.
"I'll be right back." Chie said, quickly exiting the tent.
"How are things looking in the village?" Izuna pressed on.
"Our clones are in disguise and are playing their roles. It is starting to get crowded around the docks, according to recent intel." Akari replied.
Izuna nodded with a light grunt.
"Izuna!"
Chie came back with everything she had been working on and four people.
However, Izuna stood and made to exit the tent as he heard his name being called. He knew only a few people who had no restraint, and since the voice was feminine by any stretch, he guessed it had to be Akame. He moved one flap to the side, spotting the woman just a few feet away-her strides were quick, and the way she carried herself-four swords on each hip, painted a clear message.
He hadn't got the chance to properly meet Akame, like Madara had.
"Akame."
"Ai and the others arrived. Yamanami and Shinpachi are making their way here right now. The last of the units are moving out."
"Everyone will be here soon, then." Izuna noted.
Akame nodded.
Izuna thought about something, before nodding. He called out Chie. "Take over for me, I'm going to scout real quick."
"I can do that. The network should be finished when you return." Chie replied before vanishing in the tent again.
"Shin, Rio, and Toshi left a couple of minutes ago." Akame told Izuna, keeping pace with him.
"Right."
It was cold.
During the day traveling was horrible, any form of transportation for that matter was utterly horrible. There were snow storms, sleet, hail, the gusting gales causing the blizzards, and there was the ever present cold that froze the marrow of anyone daring enough to endure it. But, at night, it became frigid, and even in this part of the Fire country, it was still cold.
The landscape was still and quiet. There was the occasional rustle of leaves and twigs, forced from their peace by a chance breeze or occasional gust that came out nowhere, howling. The moonlight would be beaming on the land, but tonight it was covered by thick patches of gray that spread as far as the eye could see, harboring frozen intent and nothing less.
Still, its light shined bright, illuminating parts of the thick sheets.
Izuna was used to the cold, but something about the frigidness of the night seemed overwhelming. It clawed down his spine and brought a frost over his pores. His eyes pierced into the darkness, painting everything red before it was distorted by three black tomoe, searching and seeking. The docks were more than crowded at this point, and a good number of boats had begun to arrive. Dock workers, a lot of them their clones, or people they selected for the task, were spread among, still unaware of their presence, and as far as he could see-the two Inuzuka leaders weren't around, yet.
That didn't mean they weren't close, though.
More than five hundred Akimichi were present, and Atsushi was directing them in their duties. Others stood guard and kept an eye on their surroundings-looking in their direction, but never finding them. Izuna looked more carefully-spotting two thousand Akimichi spread out around the vicinity of the docks. There were another thousand several ahead of them.
He eased forward, careful to keep himself completely secluded.
Now he understood why Daishiro was so wary. Even from his vantage point, he couldn't help but be taken by the ships' sheer size. They were larger than whales, and their sails were like wings of a bird of prey.
The cannons which lined them were also impressive-the hole had to be four feet in length and height easily enough. The weight of the projectile put in there had to be a good ten pounds, at least. He seen many cannons-damiyo and nobles in general always had them lined up, and their soldiers spent a lot of time learning how to use them. These cannons looked even more grand, and powerful-even the smaller ones looked to pack a serious punch, considering their design.
That could easily blast a shinobi, if they weren't prepared for it, or got too arrogant.
The docks were starting to line with people, soldiers stood guard and prepared sources of transportation with dock workers, generals kept a constant sweep of the area, and Atsushi was keeping a constant perimeter of the immediate area. He wasn't too concerned about outside forces-he was banking on the damiyo's forces to handle that. He was likely being paid to keep the slaves in line, once they arrived, and take care of anything unexpected-Chouboyou and Gentarou were just assurance that things were finished.
The foreigners were tall, to say the least. The average person in the elemental nations stood at roughly five foot and five inches, but the men he was seeing moving about the ships as they made land fall were easily six foot three, if not taller. Fair skinned, blonde hair, and blue or green eyes, they were like the fair princes in stories of taking the hands of maidens.
They carried the firearms Daishiro and Ai spoke of. They weren't what he thought they were. They were long constructs of wood and steel, with a long barrel or muzzle where the projectiles were placed. They carried swords on their sides, long and thin the blade was-perfect for puncturing organs and the like with a refined grace. The firearms appeared deadly, with a blade at the end of the muzzles, but he could already see that they could be cut in two, easily enough.
Gentarou and Chouboyou both showed up before the moon could cast its faint glow on the water. Wild eyed, wild haired and feral-Gentarou was taller with hair like a lion, while Chouboyou was more massive, and stoutly built. They didn't have any ninken-which wasn't a surprise considering how these two were. The ninken were only at the main compound-where all of the children were as well, and there was stringent conditions that had to be met in order to attain one.
Their group was just as large as Atsushi's.
There had to be at least three thousand in total, the youngest was twenty. No teenagers. All of these men were more experienced, hardened, and grizzled. Gentarou and Chouboyou had the reputations they did for a reason, and it was very good reason. They were killers, pure and simple. A teenager would only slow them down with his or her pride of youth and stupidity.
"Thirty five hundred." Rio whispered from her perch, totally still.
"The other five are spread around the docks, almost pinching and flanking the Akimichi at the same time." Toshi added.
"That means sixty five hundred total, roughly. Not accounting the foreigners." Shin commented. "This could prove to be problematic. Gentarou and Chouboyou must be getting compensated since they aren't coming to blows."
"Money talks." Toshi said simply. "Chouboyou even attacked other Inuzuka packs when he got the chance. Money is about the only thing that can sway someone like him."
"Gentarou attacked anyone he could, including Uchiha and Senju. He even went after Katsu Yotsuki." Rio's tone was hinted with a warning.
It was unspoken-that Atsushi was brash and hot blooded, and he was alongside two killers.
No, two killers leading a pack of killers.
Izuna wanted to kill one of them. He could do it from here with his Mangekyo, but then that'd give them away, and he couldn't afford to do that. Until the genjutsu was set and activated, no aggressive move could be made. It was almost a shame-he understood the value of patience, but he also understood that when there were three men like the ones he was observing, together, it was always better to take one out from the start.
If that didn't happen, usually the unexpected happened. Things and situations happened that were beyond their control.
"We should take him out right now." Rio said, slowly, pulling a senbon from her mouth. "I can rip this through his skull."
"No..." Izuna waved his hand.
Rio furrowed her brows a little, but didn't say anything.
"The three of them are here, so everything is going as we anticipated so far. Let's not deviate from that line. We'll move when all is well, as Daishiro put it. They'll never see this genjutsu coming and won't be able to react in time. When that happens, they'll search for us, but our clones will be taking action."
"It is going to be a problem, though." Shin noted softly.
"How so?"
"Those that know him well, call Souji the man with no fear. When he said he'll propel his body and use it as a weapon, he wasn't bluffing."
Izuna didn't respond he only kept his eyes trained on his targets. More generals and soldiers were starting to arrive belonging to the damiyo-their armor and weapons a clear sign of their pedigree. His mind wandered, feeling a sense of anxiety.
He witnessed what Souji was willing to do in combat. The man really had no fear and never hesitated. He'd jump from thousands of feet-using Hashirama's trees and other fortified jutsus as launching pads. It was always a sight to see, and often brought everyone into a momentary stupor.
It was...Rattling seeing someone flying towards the ground, flipping and spinning, almost falling too fast to be seen.
Whenever he made impact...
If Souji did that with Atsushi, it'd be like running full speed at a tree and jumping into it.
"He wants to handle Atsushi." Izuna noted, feeling a sliver of worry.
"He wouldn't have it any other way." Shin said. "That's Souji."
Izuna realized there were a lot combustible elements in this mission. Mikito alone was bad enough, but Souji, and more Domou, were going to be looking to raise hell and nothing less. In battle, they didn't spare anyone, but this was more than a battle. This was something personal for a lot of them. More than anything, the Domou believed in freedom-and taking away freedom, that was something they couldn't forgive.
"Some of our clones are in the damiyo's estate." Toshi swept his hand to the side, towards the large building in the distance. "We can take out their ranks easily enough, now. More will be getting in within ten minutes."
"What about that bastard?" Rio questioned.
"The damiyo will be taken care of." Izuna assured.
It was the people of the village he was worried about. The Tea country wasn't a small place by any means. Civilians in places like this, were just about the only ones that weren't coming to their compounds. They didn't know or care about the events of the outside world. The damiyo was providing for them, but there were a lot of injustices being committed in the village.
A new damiyo would be named, but...
Izuna shook his head.
They were all sound asleep-the genjutsu would ensure they were totally ignorant of what was going on and remained in their slumber.
A whoosh of air caught his attention-a dark haired woman phased beside him, head down-covered in a black garment. "The last of us have arrived."
Izuna felt a smirk come to his face. "Chie works fast. I'm heading back, Shin..."
It took but a few seconds to return.
The scene back at the communication area was one of organized chaos. What men and women weren't keeping themselves busy were dispersing along the designated routes. All of the leaders were present and directing traffic-Ai headed north to smooth things along, taking a platoon with her. The communication tent in particular was being filled with people every few seconds before they'd exit.
He caught Daishiro's eye, and with a steady pace he reached the older man.
The closer he got, the more men and women he seen spread throughout the area with the most being located at in between their current location, and the locations were units were dispersed. They were accounting for heavy resistance. The Akimichi would attack as brazen as they always did, but they'd be cut off and separated every few seconds-Atsushi would take the charge, and Souji, and whoever was with him, would take the reins from there.
Groups were spread out so far and numerous for the genjutsu, naturally, but there was also another motive behind the strategy. While most of the units dispersed were part of the genjutsu squad, there were more spread among them that were pure guerilla fighters. Small in number, but ferocious, they'd quickly make their presence known to Gentarou and Chouboyou. The Akimichi would follow suit, naturally.
If things went smoothly, they'd close them in, while keeping the docks relatively free of any enemy shinobi.
"How are things going here, Izuna?" Daishiro asked, his eyes hard, his expression giving nothing away.
"It is as we anticipated." Izuna supplied, looking over his shoulder. "Atsushi, Gentarou, and Chouboyou are present. Combined, they have a force of roughly seven thousand."
"I see. I'm going to scout. Madara is in the communication tent."
Izuna nodded, watching the man depart for a few seconds before heading to his own destination. "Brother."
The tent he had left behind had been transformed. It miles well have been a log cabin at this point, though there were no logs. It was quite spacious. There were sections of wooden pillars that supported the entire thing as well. There were similar areas set up, though a bit smaller. The full extent of their force was clearly present, even if the majority of it was moving around and dispersing.
Izuna opened the tent, spotting Madara instantly.
Madara looked up from a diagram laid across the table, his eyes were crimson-Sharingan activated. Mikito and Souji both flanked him, Saki was to their left against part of a wooden pillar. Yamanami was near the head of the table, where Chie was, buried in her duties. Shinpachi and Sanosuke both sat on the ground. Harada was slouched on the ground. Ahiko and Yuko stood side by side, just a few inches away from the table. Kosuke and Yumi both stood off to the side, arms crossed over their chest. What people weren't at the table were bust getting their armor and weapons ready for battle.
Izuna offered an easy smile.
"Izuna." Madara's tone sounded stoic, but there was relief in it.
"Are things as we anticipated?" Mikito ventured, looking at Izuna with steady eyes.
"Indeed. The docks are crowded. More boats are arriving, but it seems that only twenty massive ones are present."
"Those are the ones we want." Yuko looked at Mikito, then at Izuna.
Izuna didn't miss the hardness in her gaze, and it concerned him. "Yes."
Yuko looked to Mikito and the woman only nodded. Yuko always felt a strange kinship with Mikito, but never before, did it feel more prominent than it did now. Her simple gesture was enough to keep her calm, and not ready to lunge at a seconds' notice. It could hardly be called a nod, even. Mikito moved her head just enough, for it to signify anything.
But, for her, it was enough.
Yumi uncrossed her arms and took careful strides until she found a small, open seat near the table.. Her eyes locked with Madara's and the two stared at each other for a long moment before she turned them onto Mikito, and then Souji. She took a small breath. "I will handle Gentarou, as we've planned before. Separating those three will prove to be essential."
"I can handle Chouboyou." Yamanami said.
Madara nodded in agreement, finding nothing wrong the course of action. "I have no arguments. Chouboyou isn't entertained easily, and he loves a good fight. He needs someone that can make his blood boil."
"That's a good way to put it, I guess. If you're macabre." Ahiko didn't look amused.
"Moving forward." Saki cleared her throat gently. "Once we have those three divided, what of those under them?"
"That's simple. We crush them." Shinpachi said bluntly.
"I can't be as simple minded as you, Shinpachi-san." Saki said with a gentle laugh. "I'd like a plan to be in place. I can always improvise."
"Is that right?" Madara traded a smirk with the woman.
"Only what I can handle."
"I have a suggestion." Yuko ventured.
There was only silence.
Yuko continued. "We know that the Inuzuka under Chouboyou and Gentarou are feral. When that chain of command breaks down, they'll run amuck. The Akimichi are a little more organized, and may try to retreat. Did we decide on that?"
"There is a location where everyone is filtering out." Chie said.
"In that case we can set up ambushes. The Akimichi should run right into them. Our clones will handle the docks while the rest of us attack, and stragglers will be eliminated."
She could tell that not everyone was in agreement with her plan. Shinpachi wasn't fond of it since he didn't care for all of the details-his priority was storming the ships and whacking people down. Everything else was just a nuisance to him. Madara probably didn't favor her plan since there wasn't enough blitzing-the ambushes were designed to slow down, and separate the Akimichi, before the real attack began. Souji and Ahiko both agreed with her plan, as did Saki. Distancing the frenzy was their best shot at winning-it also kept the docks clear, so those there, could focus on the task.
"Good plan, we'll add groups to pinch them." Mikito said, looking Yuko in the eye before looking at the table. "It keeps the docks clear, good thinking, Yuko."
"I like it." Saki added in agreement.
"That just leaves executing the genjutsu." Madara said.
Chie took a breath, and escaped from her place at the table. "Where are Akari and Mimori?"
"I'll go get them. They're coordinating with Ai and Katsumi." Ahiko volunteered.
In order for the genjutsu to work they needed to start it, at the same time. One person couldn't be a second late. Half a second late. A nanosecond late. They all applied genjutsu differently, but they had to find a middle ground. The Kurama were sheer force, the Uchiha's genjutsu was solid like a steel chain, and her own clan's genjutsu was like a hazy mist.
But, this was when they used it against people. Using it n a way they were about to, was something neither of them ever dared try to do. One could make someone see the entire environment around them, as it was when they seen it normally. There'd be no change-the sun would shine, the wind would blow, and one would feel it all, and experience it all.
But, this was bending reality, or pretty close to it. They were applying their genjutsu over an area-focusing on an area rather than people. People would be effected by it, naturally. Those oblivious would just believe their day isn't any weirder than normal. Those sensitive would feel the heavy cloak of the genjutsu. With the Kurama and Uchiha backing her up, there'd be no way to break this genjutsu-until they decide to.
She was normally confident, but given the circumstances, she was starting to grow o edge.
Ahiko returned with Mimori and Akari, both looked extremely focused, their strides were quick and filled with purpose.
"The north is clear." Mimori supplied.
"Good." Madara nodded. He stood up from his seat, securing a sword under his obi. "That means our exit is clear."
"We should get into position." Mikito said, turning her focus outside for a brief second.
Sanosuke ran in, eyes on fire. "They're about to start those damned rib hangings!"
"Damn those bastards-" Shinpachi trailed off in his sheer anger, storming out of the tent. "Start that damn genjutsu!"
"They mustn't be allowed to live." Yamanami said lowly, rushing out from the tent.
"I'm going to break their faces!" Sanosuke snapped, rushing out as well.
"Saki, you're with me. We're going to get Isamu, Isami, Toshi, Noboru, and Hiro." Souji said after a short moment of silence.
"I got it."
"Yuko." Mikito stood up, moving towards the exit.
Yuko followed after her.
Madara was quick to follow.
Izuna watched as their area was all but vacated. His mind became heavy for a second-this mission took prominence, but he wished he'd been able to speak with Yuko about what he wanted to. But, he along with Akari and Chie were the center of the genjutsu-their clones were spread throughout the entire area, along with the other units. They were the backbone of this succeeding or failing-everything had to be linked and solidified by them. Mimori's genjutsu was combat based, and wouldn't do anything with this.
This was a good test, however. This is what genjutsu was meant to be. Something that altered reality. That made reality illusion and illusion reality. To make the two one in the same, indistinguishable. They were all capable of doing it-the Mangekyo was very capable of such a thing. Tsukuyomi was a genjutsu that couldn't be broken or dismissed-only the caster could end it.
"Start the communication network."
Akari, Chie, and Izuna formed the Dragon seal-watching the seals activate on the scroll.
He flared his chakra-eyes watering as their depth and acuity increased rapidly.
"Tsukuyomi!"
"Activate!" Akari shouted-the seal shifted for a second.
Something-hot, cold, and neither, clicked. It was instinct, but more, reflex, but more...It was knowing...It was sudden, sporadic, and heavy. The genjutsu fell like a cloak, oppressive and heavy. Nothing appeared out of the ordinary, the tent was the same, they were the same, and everything else was the same, but that was the whole point. It was hard to perceive distance-feeling anything outside of the genjutsu was impossible.
Tsukuyomi was that powerful.
"There's somebody here!" Atsushi shouted. "A genjutsu has been placed!"
"Get the bastards! Sniff them out!" Chouboyou snarled. "Spread out!"
"Keep them close!" Gentarou roared in anger.
"Shut up, I'm doing things my way!" Chouboyou snarled, ready to go on the move. "Spread out and sniff them out!"
"I got it!" One of his men shouted.
"Flank them!" Atsushi roared.
"Hurry up and transport these slaves!" One of the damiyo's generals snarled.
"There's too many!"
"Kill some then!"
"Don't you dare!" One of the slave traders shouted.
"Not before you pay us." Another hollered.
Gentarou snarled, eyes burning with hate. "Damn foreigners, kill them too!"
"Kill these feral men!"
"Wait!"
"Fire the cannons! Who cares about them!"
"How dare you attack damiyo-sama's land! You foreign savages will pay!"
Several shouts began to fire off until it turned into dozens, then hundreds, and then thousands. It became a maddening echo of distortion as it mixed with screams-of pain or agony, or anger. Izuna couldn't distinguish. It didn't want to end, and it wouldn't end for a long time. The noise would get worse and worse, before it finally got totally still and silent. The tell tale signs of battle began to pierce through the air, clangs of steel, and the collision of bodies, the loud explosions of something that wasn't a jutsu also began to sound off.
The thunderous booms of cannons and their thunderous impacts rocked the ground, cushioned by the snow and frozen clay, he could feel the reverberations from his current post. The rapid, consistent explosions caught his attention as well, he could practically hear the air whistling as whatever was fired traveled towards its intended target.
The Inuzuka were feral and charged into the woods. They lunged off of trees and knocked them over. They quickly found the scents of their targets, and went in for the attack, the Akimichi flanking them were quick to rush ahead. Gentarou and Chouboyou took the lead in the charge, roaring with joy at the slaughter to come. Thy struck down foreigner or shinobi. Yumi and Yamanami met them head on-the members of their units colliding as ambushes swept the landscape asunder.
"They're actually firing cannons." Chie said, alarmed.
Her ears pounded as one impact sounded off, close.
"Good thing we set this genjutsu." Akari commented, starting to put on her forehead protector. "Those firearms and cannons seem to be a real pain."
But a bellow painted a clear picture of the situation's direction.
"Souji! You little son of a bitch! I've been waiting for a chance to pay you back!" Atsushi roared.
"I'm not running away now am I!?" Souji roared back.
Izuna could hear the irate shouts, even from his location and could only imagine Souji running right at Atsushi.
Mimori rushed out, moving too fast to be seen. "I'm heading for the docks!"
Her voice was drowned out by the impact of a cannonball-it struck with the force of a chakra punch, ripping into the ground and spreading scorching flames in its wake. Its explosion was something akin to thunder, and the sheer volume, nearly made Izuna cover his ears.
Izuna drew his sword swiftly, barely restrained. He had to get in the battle. "I'm heading out there! I'm going to my brother's location."
"I'm going to try and get a shot in on Atsushi!" Akari shouted, darting out of the tent.
Chie rushed out, remaining silent.
Izuna only grunted, vanishing a second later.
The battle was underway.
The Tea country had become a war zone.