"When people get hurt, they learn to hate... When people hurt others, they become hated and racked with guilt. But knowing that pain allows people to be kind. Pain allows people to grow... and how you grow is up to you."
Jiraiya
Hiromi. The current Lightning damiyo was by no means pompous. He had maneuvered himself into the picture when his predecessor had been killed by the Domou or one of the clans with them. From there, it was just the fact he had been able to gather the clans together.
Certainly, he had his pride, Certainly, he was arrogant. But, he wasn't pompous. To be pompous was to overlook a variable. A variable that could lead to trouble. That could lead to doom. To be pompous would be to not put a plan into motion to deal with the variable.
Having the plan shuffled away was certainly crucial. In such violent and uncertain times contingency plans were needed in high abundance. They had to be laid out, written down, extremely specific. Every single word meant something and had to be executed to the very letter.
That meant time and deliberation. Such things, the Lightning damiyo didn't have and he was no patient man. To deliberate with shinobi was to only entertain the notion of a docile argument. He wasn't a man that was going to argue, not with shinobi, and not with his subordinates.
He had always known Arata was a wild case, but having the man and the Uchiha join his country was beyond invaluable. It brought them both fame and infamy at the same time. The feared Uchiha clan now being under the banner of Kumogakure, their home the Lightning country.
The power scales were always tipping, but this was forcing them to slam down and hurdle. His predecessor was aware of this, but, he had also been pompous. He couldn't see beyond what he wanted. He couldn't see what Kumogakure, and shinobi villages in general, were going to do to the world.
The change they would bring.
But, with such power came risk, and so when news of Arata's acts reached his ear from the Kizo Magistrate, and surrounding Province Magistrates, the Lightning damiyo was thankful he had many plans to fall back on. He was gracious, that he didn't follow his original thought-it was just paranoia.
Arata was needed as were the Uchiha, as were all of the clans. But, Arata had always been a problem. Long before Kumogakure had been formed. Long before this union ever came about. He had been trouble in the Uchiha compound, pissing off his superiors, slighting them with his flippant haughty behavior.
Kumogakure couldn't be led by one man, naturally. Arata wasn't the typical leader material or blueprint, but his power was essential. His status and name carried weight. The Uchiha name had great power. The original plan was to have two Raikage-a First and Second respectively. Under them would be a nominal commander, in name only, a symbol.
Under that commander were two assistant commanders and under those two were the captains, corporeal, and so forth until it broke down into rank and file. This had been set aside, at the request of his Council, in order to placate Arata and show the Uchiha due respect.
The Lightning damiyo could concur, but he was a man of vision and foresight, and what he should have done long ago, he was about to do.
From here on this is the new ranking system until told otherwise. There are Two Raikage. The First Raikage is Arata Uchiha. The Second Raikage is Katsu Yotsuki. Nominal Commander is Tunoichi Shainingu. The two Assistant Commanders are Takehito Shainingu and Hajime Hageshii. The Observer is Koizuki Hageshii. Under which, the Captains and so forth fall under, to this, I leave to your discretion.
The Lightning damiyo nodded at what was written so far and continued for another half hour. His writing was careful and calculated where not even the ink was splotched. Where not even a bristle of the brush was unfettered from its scope. He called for a Yotsuki shinobi to deliver the message.
Alone, the Lightning damiyo closed his eyes, looking over his vast country.
What will you make of this, Arata Uchiha?
His eyes gleamed, sharp and bright.
It was a cold morning when a message arrived. Jeisuke Hageshii had retrieved the letter from the scout, relieving it to Setsuna to give to one of their higher superiors. It was signed by the Lightning damiyo with the symbol for the country-in addition to the symbol from Kumogakure stamped onto it. While light, it carried a heavy weight, and all of the men knew what weight it carried.
Setsuna slid open the door to Katsu's room. Arata and Tunoichi were seated beside the burly man. Hajime was nowhere in sight. They had a map of the surrounding area, with circles and x's dotting it every now and again. Setsuna realized it was a strategy to route out the Hyuga for good. There were too many sticking around, which could only mean there was an outpost somewhere.
But, this message took importance.
"Setsuna." Tunoichi greeted him curtly. "A message? Have you read it?"
"No." Setsuna said, tone curt as well. "I've brought it here. Jeisuke had it before me."
Arata walked towards the sliding doors by the adjacent wall, and slowly slid them shut. He took a seat once more, crossing his legs.
Setsuna handed it to the man, bowing his head slightly.
Arata carefully unfurled the scroll, setting his hand behind it in order to support it. He let his eyes skim across the elegantly written ink. It was near calligraphy, Arata dared to say, in its perfection. He only wished it had good news. It did not. It seemed the head of the Magistrate sent a message to the damiyo, and the man was taking decisive action.
Arata composed himself well enough as he rolled the scroll back up and set it aside. He went to retrieve his baggy and thick overcoat, connecting the equally large and thick hood along with an attachment for his entire back to his ankles. The mere thought of the damiyo going this far was enough to vex him, but he had seen it coming.
"Where are you off to?" Katsu asked, eyeing Arata critically.
Arata's eyes flashed crimson, tomoe slowly rotating. He glanced back at Katsu, narrowing his eyes angrily. "Route out the Hyuga..."
Katsu only nodded, not saying anything.
Arata grabbed his long sword, slung it over his back, and went on his way to route out the Hyuga. Tunoichi only watched the man with a sort of vague interest that came from experience more than annoyance. The Uchiha and Domou had been fierce enemies of the Shainingu-the raid in the Sand country, and all of the battles before and afterwards, had led to a loss of men.
During that time Arata had been known as a terrible killer. Among the Uchiha and Domou he wasn't the most ferocious or brutal killer. He hadn't split someone in pieces like a turnip, or anything remotely close to that. Izuna, at one point, had bisected a Senju man from the skull to the hip. Mikito was known to bash in skulls and break bodies with her iron sheath.
But, what set Arata apart was the fact he was always apt at having no regard for anyone or anything. Even his fellow Uchiha didn't mean everything to him.
The severity of this was not missed by the men still gatered in the room.
Tunoichi sighed softly, staring at the spot where Arata had been.
He looked at the scroll, arching a brow for a brief second.
"Have you made up your mind yet, Katsu?" Tunoichi asked.
Katsu took note that they were the only ones present. It was strange, a little too strange for his taste. He hadn't spoken to Tunoichi too much recently. The man was always around Arata now that he thought about it. Katsu didn't consider that to be a good thing. He didn't put it past Arata to start subjecting their comrades to genjutsu in order to make them obedient.
He sighed softly. He knew factions were going to form, but he wish they hadn't. He wished it wouldn't have to come to what it was about to, but there was no way to stop it. Not now. They were all too resolved to see things through, and not all of them had the same goal in mind. Not all of them wanted the same thing. More important, Kumogakure didn't mean everything to everyone.
That is why the Lightning damiyo did what he did...As a precaution. After all, it wouldn't look good if rank and file took out the Raikage, even if he was not such. This method just smoothed things over for when it came time to facilitate his plan. However, he knew, the Lightning damiyo was hoping that this would resolve many issues plaguing them.
Certainly, it would not.
"I have."
Tunoichi smirked for a second, leaning back. "Good, that makes things clear. I will speak with Hajime about the position of damiyo...After all, Arata has that man under his control. Logic dictates you should have been the first Raikage."
"That doesn't matter to me."
"Even if the Lightning damiyo has named you the Second Raikage?"
Katsu grunted, sipping his sake.
It didn't taste good at the moment.
"Ridiculous."
Tunoichi smirked and then swiped the scroll. He opened it partly, and he couldn't stop his eyes from widening even if he wanted to. He had been merely jousting with Katsu. Prodding. Seeing where his words could penetrate the man's guard.
But, for it to be like this...
"Looks like the battle lines are drawn."
Katsu only narrowed his eyes.
Every day and night the men of Kumogakure would go out and patrol. They would encounter Sarutobi and Hyuga which they would kill. Ronin and rogue were often run down and killed. The leaders initiated a system of command to facilitate control over the rank and file. Beneath First and Second Raikage was nominal Commander Takehito, Head Ninja, or Observer, Koizuki, and commanders Hajime and Tunoichi.
The main point was to disperse the power so all of it was not centered around Arata.
There were many assistant commanders. These included Setsuna Uchiha, Hirayama Uchiha, Jeisuke Hageshii, Nimi Uchiha, Kai Shainingu, Heisuke Yotsuki, Sano Uchiha, Ay Yotsuki, and a new spy named Susumu Hageshii, Gorou Uchiha and Hirama Uchiha, both loyal to Arata. Beneath these assistant commanders were observers.
Arata's egoism defied description while Kumogakure was in the process of first being founded. While Katsu, Tunoichi and even Hajime had joined Kumogakure as mere rank and file in order to speed the process along, Arata, a prevalent shinobi by birth, demanded special treatment from the start.
He had been recruited as one of twenty officers overseeing the laborious task. Meanwhile, Katsu had been assigned the duty of hauling supplies to and fro from where they were made, most of the time with only a dozen men. It complicated things, but he was not one to complain over a little hard work.
That egoism was reaching its peak now. Bloody from his recent conquest against the Hyuga, in which he finally wiped out their outpost, he stood at the entrance of a shop. It was impossible procure a room for Arata, for which the owner apologized profusely. But, Arata was not going take the offense lightly, nor did he accept the apology.
"This lack of respect is unbecoming. We are keeping this place safe day and night." Arata said, tone low.
"We are sorry First Raikage-sama...All of our rooms are currently occupied. Even the annex is being used."
Arata eyed the hapless man. He was thankful that Katsu and the other clan leaders were flanking him. If they weren't he would be tempted to take out his iron fan and pummel this man with it until he screamed to stop. Arata couldn't care less if he was bloody. He was an active leader. The only reason he couldn't enter is because he was bloody.
If he hadn't used Amaterasu on those Hyuga he would use it right now. The walk back to the estate was a long one, and it was getting later into the night where the moon was making its steady climb. To travel now would invite the cold and frigid air to turn them into icicles. He would need to set everything ablaze just to stay warm in these dire temperatures.
"We can go somewhere else." Hajime suggested.
Setsuna scowled briefly, not thrilled with the idea of being outside.
"It's too damn cold." Yamazaki bit out, shivering.
"I guess that is fine, there are other means..." Arata spoke in a tone of malicious intent. "I can make do without lodgings for the night. But, house my comrades at the very least. I will light a fire to keep myself warm...But, don't be surprised when the fire is too large."
Katsu and four others were escorted to a room that they had to share. Koizuki, Hajime, and Setsuna flanked him. The room had one man who was staying on the left side. Unbeknownst to them as they tried to settle in quickly in order to get after Arata, the Uchiha was already preparing for his act of madness this time around. A smoldering rage burned in him and he was going to unleash it.
He, Yamazaki, Susumu, and three Yotsuki gathered firewood and stacked it near the center of the town. Arata exhaled a large cloud of flames that devoured the stack and swept through the area like a wave of force. The flames rose high into the night sky, raining sparks upon the surrounding buildings. People, fearing that their houses would be set aflame had their clutched with pales of water, climbed to the rooftops to put out the fires.
The burning rage that engulfed Arata would not be so easily extinguished. He snapped at whoever tried to put the bonfire, comrade or innocent. He drew his sword against two men who tried to put the fire and drove a carriage into the flames, letting the whole thing ignite.
Arata laughed, the flame shining off his ebony irises.
A rumored coup only made the tensions worse that night. Sarutobi shinobi and their embroiled enemies, the Hyuga, both who managed to remain in Kizo went into hiding. They renewed their resolve, and there were rumors that the Hyuga were planning another attack near their borders. The Sarutobi were going to attack the Magistrate and forego anything else.
Naturally, panic began spread through the general populace. With the coup now driving a part of the Lightning country into a panic, the shinobi proving they only bring disorder, this would only hasten things. The men of Kumogakure had already received official orders to patrol the area day and night.
They had been sanctioned to kill, and they had cut down many. Many streets would run with the blood of the men they cut down who refused arrest. The blood of those who would flee, still detained, would also run down the streets. For these men to tighten their grip would certainly mean nothing good for the Kizo Province in the prolonged sense.
However, Arata and the others performed their duties well. His, and some of the other men's side activities and behavior aside, the ronin and rogue were nearly just an afterthought. The Hyuga and Sarutobi persisted, but would soon be routed.
The extraordinary sense of self-importance Arata exuded and the unyielding will to power that Katsu exuded interacted with each other. They both reacted with the bloody and turbulent era they had inherited. A semblance of order was restored.
The Lightning damiyo was happy with his investment, which, in fact, was becoming his most powerful security force. Kumogakure and the shinobi who were a part of it were proving just how valuable they truly were-and the fact they could never be replaced.
Kumogakure's unprecedented strength was bolstered by their severe code of conduct. All the leaders hailed from prominent clans and it only strengthened their resolve to conduct themselves according to the most stoic shinobi traditions. To the most stoic traditions of the Lightning country in of itself. Never before, had such a force of shinobi been seen, all working together.
This killing squad, as some called it, would make their mark in the Kizo province on a cold night. A night that was ill fated and ill from the very beginning, but shinobi had never reasoned before, and they would not start now. There was only one thing left to do, and that was take out the rebels before they could take them-the squad from Kumogakure-out of the picture.
Since the failed coup performed by the Hyuga just three days earlier, it had been rumored that those that straggled behind after Koizuki and Ay Yotsuki went on two quests, felling many, were planning an attack on the Magistrate. The Hyuga and Sarutobi continued to wreak havoc. They left the head of a shopkeeper on a stake. Kizo Province, and its neighbor-Hiyoshi Province, were steeped in blood.
The Hyuga and Sarutobi were declared the doers of this, but everyone knew it was the ronin and rogue were naturally suspected of the crimes.
Still, that did not stop the men of Kumogakure from swaggering through both provinces. Their acts of rounding up dozens and killing hundreds was as widespread as the wind. Their reputation began to precede them. Wherever they stepped, people would tremble with fear.
Jeisuke Hageshii, Arata, Setsuna, Katsu, Hajime, Ay Yotsuki, and their respective units swarmed upon a shop. They had good intel that the man was harboring Hyuga and Sarutobi, as well as rogue and ronin. Business was business. Duty was duty.
If their intel were correct, the man was really a Sarutobi in disguise playing the part of a shop owner in order to his own kin, and the Hyuga, to continue staging their attacks.
Katsu clenched his fists, nostrils flaring as he inhaled a deep breath.
The remnants of the Sarutobi and Hyuga made a pact, and they would attack together.
Ay pounded on the door.
No answer.
Ay pounded again, but this time Jeisuke slammed his fist against the door three seconds afterwards.
"Open up!" Setsuna pounded on the door. "Now!"
Ay slammed his hand on the door several times. There was a small movement from the other side and he yanked the door open without any hesitation. A man, in his late twenties, stood before him. Trying his best to look put off, his eyes were a bit wide.
"What is the matter?"
Arata stepped forward, flicking out his fan. He rammed it into the mans chest. "We are men of Kumogakure and I am the first Raikage. We are here on orders of the Lightning damiyo and the head of the Kizo Magistrate. Submit yourselves."
"Wait-"
Setsuna shoved the man aside. Their unit spilled into the shop. They found weapons. Under the pain of torture this man divulged that roughly three hundred Sarutobi were hiding in Kizo and one hundred and fifty Hyuga were hiding as well.
The same night Susumu Uchiha and Ichimaru Shainingu arrested two suspicious men on the east bank of the river that ran through the city. They turned out to be Hyuga, running a watch. The three divulged that the remaining forces planned to assassinate the Head of the Magistrate and burn the Imperial Palace where the Head lived. They would also set fire to the province, and in the chaos, take the Lightning damiyo as they swept the flames through the entire country.
Before the men of Kumogakure had even arrived they knew both the Hyuga and Sarutobi were in debilitating battles with the Subatsu, Mo, and Hagoromo. They also knew that in addition to the Hyuga and Sarutobi-violent ronin and rogue had been coming and going from inn that doubled as a restaurant of sorts called the Mushirn.
This inn was located in the Clover district, on the west side of the river, just north of Ying Small Bridge. Not so ironically, it was in close proximity to the headquarters of the Imperial Palace, the nerve center of the city. The heart of the Kizo province. The startling implications of the confession at once alarmed and enraged Arata and Katsu—and stimulated their propensity to kill.
Katsu decided that their patrols would become like a noose. On the same evening, soldiers of twenty clans under the Lightning damiyo, along with Kumogakure and other smaller forces, performed security checks at inns, teahouses, restaurants, and even went as far as inspecting headquarters of feudal domains in and around the Kizo Province itself.
The number of men from Kumogakure had started at five hundred. Katsu took nine of these men to search the east side of the river. Among them were Setsuna, Hirama, Ay, Tunoichi, Takehito, and Susumu. Arata led the rest of the men, including Yamazaki, Jeisuke, Inoue, and Koizuki, to the south side.
It was a frigid winter night.
The vicinity of the bridge, covered in snow, wasn't crowded with people. They were all crammed into their homes or establishments seeking relief in the shelter and heat coming from burning wood or other sources.
No one among in the homes suspected, even in their wildest imagination, that one of the bloodiest fights and most significant incidents of Warring States Era final years was about to unfold in their midst. Katsu and the men he lead, even as they reached the front gate of the suspected inn just short of nine thirty at night, suspect that they were about to cross swords with numerous of the enemy upstairs.
Certainly, they knew they were in for a fight. Their breeding and upbringing had prepared them for this very battle, but, certainly nothing could prepare them for the consequences that would follow this battle. Nor could anything prepare them for this very battle.
Th Hyuga and Sarutobi upstairs in the inn, along with ronin they had forced to their cause, had no idea that ten prominent shinobi, as resolved to die to protect the Lightning country, as they themselves were to destroy it, now passed through the front gate of the inn.
Katsu and his men wore shirts of chain mail and iron helmets with flowing mail hoods and gloves, their shinobi war armor fastened tightly to their limbs and vulnerable areas.
The Hyuga and Sarutobi had armor, but weren't totally protected. The ronin had no such protection. They were crowded into multiple rooms, dressed for battle. They drank sake, wine, and whisky, and fervently discussed their war plans. It seemed the more these hot blooded men drank, the more they grew excited. the greater their excitement, the more they drank. They yelled more and cursed and screamed who they would kill.
Katsu heard the ruckus upstairs.
He entered first, followed by Ay, Takehito, and Setsuna.
The others remained outside to prevent escape.
As they entered, Katsu took note of the weapons. Spears, kunai, and shuriken lined two walls. He gestured for everyone to take them down. They tied the spears together, first. They took the kunai and shuriken, tying them together as well. Now they would not be so readily used.
"Where is the owner of this inn! Come to the entrance now!"
The owner came quick. "Who's there?"
"Kumogakure contingent sent of behalf of his Majesty!" Katsu roared. "We've come to search this place under strict orders."
The owner panicked. He ran up the rear staircase. Katsu, Ay, Takehito, and Setsuna followed him. Ay struck the owner through the back with his blade before he could make headway, sending a scream piercing through the inn. The sword clattered to the floor.
He had been about to strike.
The further they got upstairs the more bodies they could see. They were confronted by some two hundred men, their swords or shuriken drawn.
"We've come to investigate under orders of the Lightning damiyo and Kizo Magistrate! If you resist, we'll kill you without mercy."
All of the men trembled with fury, but moved back nonetheless. The threat was real, and there was a stand off. One of the rebels, a particularly brave Hyuga, suddenly attacked with his sword. Setsuna killed him with one stroke. Two more attacked. Takehito felled the first. Others fled downstairs. Takehito battled his second foe as three more swarmed him.
"Follow them." Katsu ordered.
Ay Yotsuki battled downstairs. His body streaming with lightning. He fought off savage attacks from dozens of men, sword barely traceable. Katsu guarded the rear of the house. Takehito covered the area near the front door. Setsuna watched the garden.
Never to be outdone, Arata soon arrived on the scene with the full force of his troops. As one of the Sarutobi tried to escape through the front door, a Yotsuki shinobi, of Arata's group, stabbed him with a blade. Susumu followed, delivering the last blow to the man's chest.
"Don't let any rebels escape!" Arata roared, eyes mad with power.
Four more Sarutobi tried to flee through the front door. Takehito swiped, slicing open the first retreating man's upper body, from the shoulder to the opposite side. He went after the second, cutting him through at the waist, and tried to fell the third, but only managed to cut his foe on the arm.
Arata marched into the garden, eyes whirling, he spotted one man hiding in the annex. His comrades and foes battled around him. He went into the fray, striking out a dozen times in the span of a second. He stabbed the man in the annex through. His tried to draw his sword, but Arata was in no mood and immediately cut him across the stomach.
The Hyuga and Sarutobi screamed in fury, brandishing their swords fiercely above their heads. Tunoichi's and Jeisuke's helmets were knocked off by enemy swords. Everyone suffered bits of chainmail being chipped away and parts of their armor flying off from strikes.
Jeisuke staggered, but recovered quickly enough to continue to attack. However, they were both cut at the center of their foreheads. Blood ran into their eyes, making it difficult for them to fight."
"Cover those two!" Ay roared.
"Now!" Setsuna echoed.
The Sarutobi that had cut Jeisuke came after Arata. They fought fiercely, more than once their battle spilled to the floor before they kicked each other. The tip of the enemy's blade caught Arata on the chest not wounding him, only blasting into armor and ripping part of his clothes to shreds.
Arata blocked another attack to his wrist and immediately delivered a counterattack, cutting the man from the left side of the face to the neck. Blood sprayed as he fell.
Koizuki was in his own desperate fight for survival. He noticed his right hand was sticky. Looking closer, he saw that the flesh had been torn away at the base of his thumb.
He took the time to wrap it, hastily.
"Are you okay?" An Uchiha asked, fighting his own battle.
"It's nothing." Koizuki assured, fighting just as fierce.
Hajime fought furiously against many of the rebels. He was nearly cut three different times. Koizuki quickly joined the fray, along with Setsuna. Together they fended off the group, but because of that, it began to grow. Still, it did not deter them.
"Hajime-" Hirayama found himself cut short.
Several of the rebels upstairs fell through the ceiling.
Hajime had little time to even move before a sonic thud went off in the entire inn as bodies thudded and bounced with so much force some were flung out of the walls. Yamazaki cut two and Hirama delivered the deathblow with his sword to another one. Two managed to get away but were quickly fell by Setsuna.
Hajime's shoulder plate was knocked off. His iron helmet was plunged with a blade, but it didn't cleave entirely through. He fought his own battle, relying on Setsuna's quick wits and Takehito's ruthlessness to keep him clear of any immediate danger.
The sparks flew from their swords and other weapons. The fighting had lasted for a couple of hours. Many swords were broken in two. Ay's sword had been broken off at the tip. The blades of Koizuki, Jeisuke, and Hajime were cut up like bamboo whisks. Arata and several others had suffered moderate wounds and bruises, Katsu and Takehito both sported nasty bruises above their eyes.
By the time the fighting ended, thousands of soldiers of the Magistrate had been deployed to the area surrounding the inn. With all of the rebels defeated, and those who escaped, gone into hiding, the threat had been quelled. The bodies were hauled away and the entire inn was demolished before everything was set aflame a safe distance away.
They didn't want to have any memories of this event and it was better that way. It was a terrible blemish on the Lightning country and Kumogakure, but it would sent a ghastly message to all those who dare slight Kumogakure. Security and stability were most important, an unyielding will to power, a propensity to kill, and the use of these in accordance, would maintain.
However, the following backlash of this was barely snuffed out. The Hyuga and Sarutobi that had gone into hiding, came back out into the open, and even few in number, they wee fierce. They rushed to their deaths with crazed grins or hateful scowls.
The ronin and rogue that had bee under their control, now united, just barely, began to plunder what they could. They too, were met with the swift end of a blade or strike of lightning. Kumogakure-the leaders and their captains in particular, became as dreaded and reviled as they were renown.
The dreaded force struck with pointed precision. Setsuna and Ay routed the remnants. Arata and Tunoichi would lead them off one flank. Hajime and Koizuki would lead them off of another flank.
Arata Uchiha, First Raikage and co-founder of Kumogakure, strode through the gore of the battlefield, a tall shadow in the night's gloom. Dozens of ronin and nearly a hundred Hyuga had given their lives trying to take them out-and they had lost.
In the distance a storm was brewing. As each flash of lightning illuminated the sky, Kumogakure's Raikage office and the capital of Kizo Province were momentarily visible, stark silhouettes towering over the horizon.
A pair of figures waited in the center of the slaughter. Arata recognized them despite the darkness. Hajime and Tunoicbi, two of the wiliest shinobi. Once they had been bitter rivals, but now they served together in Kumogakure. A bolt of lightning cracked into the ground, and a few meters from them stood Katsu.
Second Raikage. Katsu's word carried the same weight and authority that his own did. Arata wan't happy about it, but this is something that the Lightning damiyo more or less just took upon himself to do. As a loyal server, even with his status, Arata couldn't object.
Katsu, his fierce rival.
Arata approached them quickly, smirking.
Hajime, tall and so lean as to appear almost skeletal, smiled back. "This is a great victory, Arata. It will do well to spread our name."
"I sense you are eager to begin training the new students." Arata replied.
"Kumogakure should and will have many more powerful and loyal shinobi in the coming years. We must not let our strength wane even a little and that applies to those who came after us." Tunoichi agreed.
"Kumogakure?" Katsu asked pointedly. "Don't you mean the Lightning country and Kumogakure."
His question was met with an easy laugh by Arata. "Of course, Katsu."
"A mere slip of the tongue?' Tunoichi ventured.
"Katsu here refuses to celebrate in our triumph." Hajime noted. "He has been like this all night."
Arata clasped a hand on the burly and hefty Yotsuki's shoulder. "This is a great victory for us. Kumogakure is more than just a shinobi village or a village. It is a symbol. This victory sends a message to Konoha, Mikito, Madara, and anyone else, and even the Water damiyo and those mad clans. Now they will truly know and fear Kumogakure. They will fear the Uchiha!"
Katsu shrugged free of Arata's grip and turned away. "Celebrate if you wish. But, the real war hasn't even begun."
Arata eyes darkened, then turned bright. His three tomoe rotated. "That is indeed true. While we have routed all of the rebels or killed them, incuding the Hyuga and Sarutobi...There are still the merchants that must pay for their crimes. If they were willing to pay those ronin and other ruck, then naturally, they should pay us as well. But. let us get a drink first and celebrate our victory."
News of the slaughter at the inn reached the Sarutobi and Hyuga clan four days after the incident. The whole of the Hyuga and Sarutobi were outraged. The entire Sarutobi compound was up in arms. Seven days later they dispatched troops to retaliate led by Genzo.
Until this incident the Sarutobi compound had been divided between conservatives who advocated restraint in the face of recent losses and the harsh winter and radicals who screamed for war and revenge. Within the Hyuga compound there was a smolder rage, many were voicing for patience and to strike later.
But their mutual outrage was not enough to unite the two sides, oddly enough, and neither side called for full fledged war against Kumogakure or the Lightning country. Within a night, more than two thousand Sarutobi, including some three dozen rogue who had been hiding, were raring to fight.
They divided into four divisions at as many locations outside the Capital. In the northwest, in the south, in the southwest, the east, and the northeast. Genzo made it clear to the Imperial Court and Kumogakure their complete devotion to revenge, they defended the innocence of Sarutobi shinobi.
Genzo spoke his threat solemnly.
"We will remain in the Kizo Province and the Capital to investigate those responsible for slaughtering our comrades. If our appeal is not accepted or we see even a hint of hostile intention we will attack the troops surrounding the Imperial Palace and take the Court by force. We will install ourselves for the dual purpose of toppling the Lightning country and avenging the slaughter of our comrades. "
Neither Kumogakure, the Imperial Court, the Lightning damiyo, nor the Kizo Magistrate would accept Genzo's demands. Which was clearly a threat and more over, a declaration of war. Fifty thousand troops were placed on high alert throughout the city. Among them were samurai under the command of the of Senior Commander of the Kizo Magistrate, defending the gate Imperial Palace.
The contingent of Kumogakure men were given the duty of patrolling the entire city and capital day and night. If anyone was even remotely suspicious they were to be detained and brought in. If they showed intent to harm, and attempted to kill, then and only then, was lethal force to be used.
Two days later the Court issued a declaration, stating that the founding of Kumogakure was in complete harmony with the Lightning damiyo's will, and that Genzo, and all of the Sarutobi must withdraw immediately.
When the declaration reached Genzo and his four commanders at their camps surrounding the province, they merely rejected it as having been arranged and laughed it off. They renewed their resolve to bring destruction to the Lightning country and the Kumogakure.
The two leaders of the Hyuga and Sarutobi, Sasuke Sarutobi and Kurou Hyuga opposed an attack on the Kizo Province, deeming it as dangerously reckless. They not only called for restraint until they could better prepare for war, but they exercised it. This, unfortunately, left their hot blooded kin alone during their time of strife, instead of being backed up by a majority.
No deadline was set for Genzo and the Sarutobi to take their leave. Genzo and the Sarutobi eventually retreated and returned back to the compound, but their rage and the after effects of their actions would last very long.
Sasuke's lack of support in Genzo's eyes would also have disastrous consequences.
In the same light, it can be said that the Hyuga suffered the consequence first.
For all his unruliness and bad temper, Arata was indeed a man of fine breeding and sophistication. He was cultured, educated, and had class. He was not without a certain sensitivity. He wielded this certain sensitivity and sophisticated, but rugged form to his benefit, particularly with a certain type of woman.
He was a stylish dresser and ruggedly handsome. As the First Raikage of Kumogakure, he believed that he was above the rule of law. This excessive sense self-importance coupled with his arrogance, made Arata a severely flawed man. He had no qualms about accepting merchandise on credit from shops in town. Naturally, without any intention of paying his debts.
Arata, of course, just didn't do this without anyone calling him on it.
"I risk my life day and night to protect the populace of Kizo. Law and order are invaluable symbols that merchants need for their vert survival. Otherwise, they would just be killed and their goods would be taken. This includes the proprietor of that kimono shop, and his attractive wife, are indebted to me."
This was why Arata did not pay for the exquisite kimono and yukata he ordered from the shop, although the proprietor attempted to collect the debt on numerous occasions.
Finally, the proprietor committed a fatal blunder.
It was something that no one seen coming and couldn't quite get used to.
Ay and Setsuna led their unit of men back. The walk was long and purposeful. The Kizo Province was almost clear of all the rebels. It was a happy time. Many of the men were anxious to return to Kumogakure and pour their efforts into building the village.
Hirama and Jeisuke met them at the gate. They were dressed in the same attire and armor, eyes narrowed and set. Jeisuke approached the two men with a stoic expression, but his steps were filled with hasty purpose.
"How are things on your end?"
"We didn't spot any rebels." Setsuna supplied, nodding with ease.
"Indeed. It would appear that there are no ruck at any of the main points in the Capital. We've managed to get them to the borders and into the wilderness. We can take care of them at our leisure." Ay added.
Jeisuke frowned briefly. "It will be a problem if they team up with the Water damiyo or come under his control. Even worse, those clans. We are to kill them with hast. Katsu's and Arata's orders-"
The slightest flare of chakra made the men pause in place. Minimal. Civilian. The men froze where they stood. It was a woman. Undoubtedly beautiful, but there was something about the way she moved...
"What are you doing here, woman?" Jeisuke nearly snarled out the question.
It was no secret that women brought disorder to ranks and in general. Men could be fine doing their thing, but the minute a woman even showed herself things began to change. They got soft. They lost focus. They wanted the woman for themselves, and even worse.
Jeisuke could see this woman for the true threat she presented.
"I am Azumi, wife of the proprietor of the local kimono shop." The woman spoke smoothly, unafraid.
Setsuna scowled for a moment, turning his focus in the direction of the estate. This is the woman that Arata has been avoiding?
Hirama eyed her carefully. She didn't appear to be a spy, but she was still trouble. "What do you want?"
"Arata hasn't paid for the kimono or yukata he purchased a couple of weeks ago. I've been sent to collect that debt, in addition to what he owes right now."
Jeisuke had the thought to backhand Azumi but refrained. "And, if we don't allow you access?"
Azumi pouted slightly, or did so mockingly. "My husband has said I am not to return until I have all the funds. I will wait here until Arata comes to see me and pays his debt."
Setsuna could see that this woman was dead serious. If it were true that she had nowhere to go, she would remain here. Of course they could tell her to leave and make her, but she would only...
"Weren't you here before?" Hirama asked, eyebrow raised.
"I was, but Arata never met me. I waited for two hours and then took my leave." Azumi admitted.
"She is that woman." Hirama said, eyes on Setsuna.
"Collector..." Jeisuke said, eyes narrowed and tone low. His hand hovered near the hilt of his sword.
By sending his wife, Azumi to collect the debt, naively assuming that Arata could be charmed into paying...This wealthy and arrogant kimono maker set off a chain of events.
A sporadic, but turbulent time of disorder.
Unbeknownst to the proprietor, Katsu, and everyone else, Arata had already been charmed on several occasions at the shop. He had offered smiles and Azumi offered sweet nothings. She would smile and laugh. She'd saunter over to him and engage in conversation. They even made it a point to speak to each other as if no one was watching them.
They were made for each other, and that was another problem.
Stupid woman is going to cause disorder. I should kill her. Sending her away is useless. Jeisuke mused, looping his little finger and ring finger around the hilt of his sword.
"Let her in."
Jeisuke turned to Arata, noting that Hajime and Katsu were close by.
"What is this woman doing here again? What is the meaning of this, Arata?" Katsu demanded.
"Debts." Hirama replied vaguely, shrugging.
Katsu glowered at Arata.
"Arata, do you mind if we talk in private?" Azumi asked, her lips perked.
"You will not come in. You are nothing but a scandalous little wench." Katsu spat. "Arata, take this somewhere else. It does our reputation no good."
"Naturally, but since she is already here...I can't just send her away in the cold now can I?"
"I have no qualms about it." Hajime remarked.
"She is coming with me. Don't try to interfere." Arata led the way.
Katsu bumped right into him, going the opposite direction. "You are nothing but a fool."
"This looks bad." Setsuna said, frowning.
"One of our Raikage running from a woman debt collector. That same woman seducing him..." Hajime shook his head, genuinely disappointed.
Despite everyone expressing their disapproval of just allowing the woman to come in, Arata indulged her attempt to make him pay his debt. He found the whole thing to be amusing. For that man to send his wife-a mere merchant, well, that spoke volumes of his arrogance.
I should blow his damn shop to pieces. He was doing business with those Hyuga...
"Arata-san..."
Arata turned towards Azumi, eyes taking in her form carefully. "No matter how many times you come here and do this, the same thing is going to happened.
Azumi frowned, turning away from Arata. "I hate that about men. Stubborn. Won't concede. Won't reason or listen."
Arata only shook his head. "That has nothing to do with me."
"I can't return to the place I call home because my husband wants his money. He is too afraid to come here himself. You are too arrogant to pay the money. That leaves me stuck and homeless. Do you think I will just tolerate being kicked aside like some play thing?"
Arata advanced on Azumi, a snarl breaking free from his throat. "I don't like your tone."
"That is too bad because I speak the truth. What am I to do?"
"Leave."
"I refuse."
Arata was a mere few feet from Azumi instead of several. Closing the gap would be so easy, but instead, he just inched forward by a centimeter, careful to read this woman's expressions and body language. She was not afraid. She was bold. Too bold.
"I am the First Raikage." Arata remarked.
"So you have the money to pay then?"
Arata didn't even flinch a centimeter. "I am not paying."
Azumi was tired of this. She was not going to play cat and mouse. She would overwhelm Arata with her wiles and sensuality. She was not going to be second to a man in general, or tolerate being second class. Absolutely not. Her husband had to learn the hard way.
Now, Arata had to.
"I can pay you through another means."
Azumi provoked Arata. She smacked him across the face, forcing his whole head to turn to the side.
He was upon her a moment later. Gripping her by the arms, he rammed her into the wall and threw her to the floor. Azumi enthralled. His scarred torso and powerful stature took her breath away, and she clutched against him.
"Will either of you men be men and take responsibility?"
Arata narrowed his eyes, increasing his strength.
Azumi invited him
"You want me to be a man and take responsibility for you?" Arata smirked.
Arata's virulence and brute strength, combined with that certain culture, enraptured Azumi. Azumi's sensual charm and immaculate dexterity overtook Arata.
Azumi ended up leaving her husband and Arata in no uncertain terms staked his claim.
"She will be staying at the estate with us. When we leave, she will be coming with us. There is no argument."
This, of course, didn't go over well with most of the men.
Katsu scowled.
Takehito scowled.
Tunoichi scowled.
Hajime smirked.
Koizuki just released a heavy sigh.
No one could have anticipated that a woman could have enraptured Arata and vice versa. For a woman to be so bold, to saunter up to battle hardened shinobi didn't just happen.
And, all of the men knew this.
This was not normal.
"That woman..." Hajime mused, almost silent. "Reminds me of a hannya."
Ay and his unit of men came back to the estate. Battle worn and weary, they reported to Arata and Katsu in their shared office.
"The last of the Hyuga rebels abducted a wealthy merchant from his home. They killed him and left his severed head skewered on a bamboo stake stuck in the mud along the river near bridge. They claimed Revenge for the merchant's crime of engaging in commerce with filthy scum."
Another motive was extortion, of course. The rebels needed to raise money to fund a planned uprising. They had no support from their clan, and so little in number, their funds increased dramatically. The need to maintain those funds began to override everything else.
Even returning to their compound.
Greed had gotten the better of them.
"Near the head, they placed a leaflet naming a wealthy proprietor of a silk wholesaler known as the Kimon Nihongajishi. They threatened the silk merchant with the same fate, if he should commit a similar crime of doing business with us. They implied was that the proprietor can redeem himself by contributing money to their cause."
"Did he?" Arata asked.
"He readily did." Ay replied.
This problem would not end so easily. Arata would ensure that. This merchant was going to wish he never associated with the rebels. "If the Nihongajishi is funding rebels who are doing nothing except causing trouble, then they had better give us some money also."
Arata and several others paid a visit to the Nihongajishi. Arata swaggered up to the door. He stepped through, glancing around until his eyes came upon a short man advancing on him.
"Law and order are not free."
"Come again?"
"We know you've been giving money to those damn rebels. Quit with the act." Hirayama grated through clenched teeth.
"I am not going to give you money."
Their demand for money was flatly refused.
Arata looked around the interior of the shop. At all of the expensive silk. He nodded his head once, ready to take drastic measures. He advanced on the owner, eyes about to flash crimson.
"You're not going to give us money? Yet, you freely gave money to the Hyuga and those other rebels."
Silence.
Arata led his men back to the estate. They hauled the cannon, property of the Lightning damiyo, out into the open. They returned to the house of the silk wholesaler just a few minutes later, swords drawn, and a cannon at their side. They loaded the cannon with gunpowder-laden balls, and aimed it at the storehouse.
The owner came running out, but was met with the edge of Arata's blade. It carved from his right shoulder to his left hip. Blood sprayed everywhere, soaking the snow.
Arata stared at the corpse before scoffing. "Burn it to the ground! This will be the last time some wealthy arrogant merchant will ever gladly lend money to those causing disorder."
He use a small scale fire jutsu, setting a portion aflame.
Arata watched with delight as he and his men fired round after round at the storehouse. Sparks and burning projectiles scattered through the air.. Nearby buildings were nearly about to catch on fire.
The bell finally sounded in the fire tower, and soon the fire brigade arrived at the scene. Arata, sword drawn, fan gripped firmly in hand ordered his men to train their intent on the brigade and told them to kill without a second thought or mercy, should they try to extinguish the blaze.
He jumped to the rooftop of a nearby building so he could see the growing crowd and growing flames. He laughed hysterically over the havoc he and his men had caused. They continued the uproar throughout the night and into the following day, until the storehouse was completely destroyed and nothing, not even ashen remains, were left behind.
Katsu would cut an imposing image. Broad and beefy shoulders. Massive arms. He was all around a very massive and burly man. One wouldn't bother him if he were like this. Everyone knew better than to poke an angry bear. He was the closest thing to an angry bear right now.
He sighed heavily, annoyed.
"Try not to brawl right here."
Katsu hissed, glancing behind him to see Hajime staring at him with nothing but intent. He wasn't smirking at all.
"What do you want, Hajime?"
Hajime smirked briefly, slowly advancing towards him. "Still don't trust me. Guess I can't blame you. Still, we both know that I am right. There are factions forming and some of your kin are siding with Arata."
"Get to the point."
"Eventually Arata is going to go too far. When he does, we will be ordered to kill him and his followers. This is the moment we have been waiting for."
"I will not kill my own men."
"Katsu, you are the Second Raikage. You have certain responsibilities that you have to see through. This is not the time..."
Of course, Hajime was right. Katsu wouldn't say that out loud. He had a duty, and it was a heavy duty. It was something he took serious. If he had to kill his own men, he wished it would never come to that, but if he had to...He would. Kumogakure was to help security and stability. Law and order. Not be a detriment to it.
They were in a bind, and had been, but it was starting to squeeze.
"What makes you think it will come to that? Why are you so sure of yourself?"
Hajime paced away from Katsu, looking off into the distance. He was silent for a long time.
Katsu didn't shift or move during that period of time.
"You say it all the time. Security and stability. That is what the Lightning country has fought to maintain. Kumogakure is supposed to be an asset. To boost security and stability. This way, law and order is common. Merchants, artisans, and people of those other classes can flourish, allowing the country itself to flourish. If those four things are not around, nothing is achieved."
"Okay..." Katsu nodded. "And...?"
Hajime smirked shortly. Perhaps he was going to have to be blunt about it. "If the Lightning damiyo doesn't order it, that will mean he is under control of Arata."
"Then, that means..."
Katsu trailed off. Arata was swaggering towards them. He was grinning, his laugh was so loud he swore Arata was going to blow his head right off. It appeared that he was drunk from his power. An aura of ecstasy surrounded Arata, it was almost strange.
"How delightful! How delightful!"
Katsu walked up to Arata, bumping right into him. "We need to talk, now."
Arata eyed Katsu, but it was a Shainingu shinobi that spoke. "Move aside."
Katsu eyed the man, then was careful to eye his own kin that were around.
"Remember your place." Arata warned the rank and file. "I will speak with you later, Katsu."
Arata cut down the Shainingu shinobi that had spoken out of turn.
To say the action was met with outrage would be an understatement.
"Arata!" Hajime roared, eyes aflame with fury.
"He showed Katsu disrespect. Certainly, Katsu isn't going to complain."
"I will not." Katsu smashed his fist under Arata's chin, knocking him off of his feet with a loud pop.
If damiyo-sama doesn't order your death I will kill him myself and you...This will not keep going.
Katsu shook, rage building inside of him.
So absorbed by his power he kills his own comrades...
Hubris...
The recent news was nothing but horrible. The Lightning damiyo was extremely disturbed. Kumogakure had been established to preserve stability and security and to maintain law and order. He could no longer indulge behavior contrary to that purpose. It was one thing to kill a merchant for doing business and handing money to Hyuga-that was punishable by death.
But, killing his own comrade. Using the cannon he lent him to cause nothing but mayhem and destruction in the Kizo Province was unforgivable. Katsu and Tunoichi shared the damiyo's indignation, though for different reasons.
Unlike Arata Uchiha, who was the son of a high ranking Uchiha officer, Katsu and Tunoichi hailed from lower clans, some would consider. The role of a shinobi was to wage war, and Arata was awarded accordingly for doing so. He did not engage in moneymaking affairs, which were left to the merchants, artisans, peasants, and those not of the warrior or high class.
This was certainly how Arata thought.
Katsu nor Tunoichi had this thought process. As long as they were shinobi, they were compelled to work, and had to earn their living by their own hands. They earned their living by killing, and they were not adverse to killing one of their own to protect their livelihood. The fact that these lowly shinobi were now heading their own village was nothing short of miraculous.
The two were poignantly aware that their rise to power was made possible only by the bloody times which they lived in. Arata's behavior jeopardized the very existence of their village, which had become their home. Katsu and Hajime had been waiting for an opportunity to purge Arata from their village, but that also included the faction he headed.
Katsu wasn't sure if Tunoichi would be with them on this and truth be told, he wouldn't be. Only Hajime and Koizuki really knew and were more than willing to do what needed to be done. Katsu still didn't fully trust them, their end had yet to be fulfilled.
There was a chance Tunoichi would try to play both sides, and that meant their plan would come into the light. That would be nothing short of hysterical in the worst way possible. Tunoichi had a rapport with Arata for what it was worth and Katsu didn't take it lightly.
But that did not mean the Lightning damiyo would provide them with that opportunity. That didn't mean they would get his support at all, and they didn't. Their worse fear came.
Regardless of the tides that raged against them, they would have to wait for the right time.
"Damiyo-sama wants us to kill any remaining rebels and return to Kumogakure." Jeisuke read the most recent message received.
"Good, this place was getting boring." Arata mused. He turned to Azumi. "You still coming with me?"
She laid on him. "Of course."
That time would come during a brief moment of peace back at Kumogakure.
Katsu wanted to do no
Or so was the thought.