Chapter 10
Team Kakashi
Kakashi and his team were in the Hokage's office waiting for the full rundown on their mission. "So, your mission is to escort actress Yukie Fujikaze to the Land of Snow while her crew films her next movie. They're paying big money for this. Keep your guard up because there is something fishy about this whole thing. If something happens way beyond the scope of the mission I have given Kakashi here a special scroll that will summon four shadow clones of myself. I'm not sure exactly how durable they are but I'm not really sure you could possibly come across anyone that could actually defeat them if they're being serious. A quick update on those training regimens and masters, I'm already about halfway through making all the plans. You all should be able to have specialized training when you return from the mission," Axel examined and gave them time for any questions.
"So the mission parameters are merely to get her to the Land of Snow or to bodyguard her through the whole film shoot?" was Satsumei's question.
"Both. The first objective is to make sure she makes it to the Land of Snow then your second objective is to make sure she remains safe throughout the whole filming process."
"Very well Lord Fifth I believe that is all the information we need. Am I to assume the crew is at the village gates?" Kakashi attempted to confirm. "Correct, I will be sending one summon to communicate with you in about three days. Stay safe and be careful. I have no idea what the hell I would say if any of you got hurt or worse."
With that they left the Hokage's office and he turned to looked out the windows. Three more presences made themselves known.
"The three I was waiting for," he said as he looked over his bodyguard detail for his own mission. Jiraiya the Sannin, easily one of the most skilled and dangerous shinobi in the lands. His information gathering skills are second to none and as a sage his durability, speed, strength and reflexes are on a whole other level compared to even some kage level shinobi.
Mikoto Uchiha, an excessively dangerous kunoichi in that she now had her Mangekyou which came with a Susanoo and powers unknown. She was a master of the sword and her taijutsu capabilities could put anyone on the ropes due to her chakra enhanced super strength. She also has such high capabilites in medical ninjutsu she is said to have rivaled Lady Tsunade herself. Also, even now years later from when they were a team together she was still cute as a bunny to him.
Lastly, the one he was unsure of due to possibly still being pissed off at him. One Kushina Uzumaki, last of the pure Uzumaki bloodline as far as he knew. Her stamina was beyond what most could ever achieve without a tailed beast as well as her chakra levels and durability for that matter. He was pretty sure he watched someone try and stab her on the battlefield and the kunai broke but he was also sure that he had fallen asleep drunk off his ass that night as well soo… there was that. Her chakra chains were beyond useful and potent and she was surprisingly so innovative that she managed to help Satsumei create a non Kekkei Genkai version of them. In her time during the wars she had her own kenjutsu style based on the water affinity and she also learned the Rasengan from Minato to combat tailed beast bombs. She was also considered a fuinjutsu master only beaten by Minato and Axel.
"Alright Team Jiraiya. Your mission is to escort me to the Land of Iron for a meeting with Lord Ay of the Village Hidden in the Clouds. This meeting is to hopefully form an alliance with the Lightning. You are to escort me to and from the Land of Iron back to here."
"Anything we should know Lord Fifth?" Mikoto asked trying to soak up whatever she could. She was a shrewd one. He supposed that she could sense the slight urgency in his voice. "Yes, Jiraiya-sensei here has reported that there has been more than one organization going around targeting high priority targets. We don't know the name of the second organization all we know is that they don't seem to be related to the Akatsuki. While the Akatsuki seem to be after the bijuu this new organization doesn't seem to have a target other than high priority people of political status. Frankly this is the only reason that this mission is even active is because Shikaku refuses to let me leave the village on my own," Axel explained gauging each of their reactions. Obviously Jiraiya already knew but his facial features were still grim. Mikoto seemed to be on the verge of nervousness and horror, he expected this reaction due to how much she cared about those around her. Kushina was much harder to read.
"If there are no questions, Jiraiya and Mikoto are dismissed and shall meet at the gate in one hour."
They looked at each other unsure but left anyway. Jiraiya through the window and Mikoto through the door like a civilized human being.
"So, you probably still hate me from yesterday but are we going to actually treat each other like comrades or am I just the Shinigami incarnate? I need to know if your up for this mission."
"I've had time to think. While I'm still pissed at the way you talked to me not once have you ever done anything that hasn't been in our best interest. You've even once stated that the only reason your still in this position is to protect Naruto and I."
"Ah, so you remember me being sappy. Still, those words ring true even today however I now have a few more reasons to wear this hat," he stated gaining her curiosity. He walked towards the window that looked out across the village and she stood next to him. "This village is the dream of both my father and his best friend to give a safe haven for those who couldn't fight. When Hashirama took on the responsibility of Hokage it was his job to protect the weak through the strength of the strong. Then it passed to Tobirama, I have comments I could make but I'll let them slide. It moved to Hiruzen and then my brother. Now I have this responsibility. We call this the Will of Fire. The ability to keep going no matter what. The will to do the right thing no matter how tough it gets. This flows in most of our shinobi but it burns brightest in one specific one. Care to take a wager?"
"Is it Naruto?"
"Very good. Yes it's Naruto. Even without having Minato around he has gained his spirit. When he was a child I taught him a motto to live by. It's one that Kakashi and Minato also live by. 'To know what's right and choose to ignore it is the act of a coward'. We taught him a few other mottos but that is definitely the most important one."
"He's become a strong young man hasn't he?"
"Indeed, in mind, body, and spirit. His moral compass is also strong. Anyways, can I count on you for this mission?"
"Of course Lord Axel. I refuse to let my feelings get in the way of the line of duty, I am a professional after all," she answered with a foxy grin and he could swear he saw Naruto grinning next to her.
"Well then… I suppose I have nothing to worry about then."
Team Kakashi on their way to the Land of Snow
They had to track down Yukie Fukijkaze as she had decided to try and run. They managed to with the aid of Kaakashi's summons and after a bit of arguing with her Kakashi decided to use his Sharingan to knock her unconscious. Now they were on a boat on their way to the Snow.
They'd met some of the film crew by now as well as the actual client. Sandayu Asama was the assistant to Yukie and the one who put in the mission request. An old gentleman with slightly gray hair kept in a low ponytail along with a short beard. He also wore round glasses. He wore a black coat over a long sleeve white shirt and black pants.
There was the director Makino, very gray hair, blue sunglasses, a brown cap, a orange-yellow turtle neck sweater and dark brown khakis.
The cast consisted of three people other than the main actress, Michy the handsome long haired one, Kin the bald almost monk-like one, and Hidero the tough looking one. There was also an old man that played as the villain but they didn't get his name.
"I don't get it. Why is this mission such a high rank? We're just escorting an actress," Sasuke inquired in a bored tone leaning against a rail on the boat. Satsumei wasn't too far away watching the crew filming. Kakashi's face was stuck in that damn book of his. If Satsumei got the opportunity, she planned on taking it and burning it. As if sensing her intent Kakashi put the book away and gave his chunin his full attention. "Well, at this point its more like Lord Axel is taking every precaution at his disposal at all times. You see if Lord Third would have been in charge still he probably also would have given this an A-Rank as well but only because we're escorting a celebrity and technically high priority target. Lord Axel has labeled it as such because of our mission to the Land of waves. He's convinced a missing nin could pop up at anytime on any mission now, especially escort missions."
"Still, this seems like a mission that's beneath our caliber regardless," Sasuke replied before looking over at the scene they were filming. He didn't understand acting, it was all just fake to him.
"Yes, well, Lord Axel surely has a reason he picked us and I'm sure we'll know soon enough. In the meantime just keep your guard up."
The next day they broke land and seemed to be in front of a large glacier that was blocking their way to the Land of Snow. "When I woke up I found this," the assistant director explained to the director in a panic. "What will we do?"
"This is perfect! We'll film right here! Don't you see!?" He was quite the eccentric man Satsumei noted but she had a bad feeling about this. It wasn't necessarily part of the mission. They were supposed to be filming in the Land of Snow. "Kakashi-sensei-" she started but was interrupted as he could feel her unease. "It's fine. What have I told you all before? I won't let anything happen to you."
Feeling reassured she watched as the film crew setup everything they needed. The team stepped out off the boat just behind the crew so they weren't in the way. The scene was about the villain confronting them but Satsumei just couldn't shake this bad feeling. This backdrop just seemed to convenient. Kakashi saw the gears in her head turning as she looked around the landscape at multiple points reaching for her kunai, she never drew it but she was ready. Sasuke followed suit, if his sister was on edge about something he refused to get caught off guard.
That's when it happened, an explosion on what looked like a mountain of ice farther up the landscape. Kakashi jumped in followed by Satsumei and Sasuke. "Everyone get back! Sasuke, Satsumei, look alive there's more than one of them!"
They watched as where the explosion was a man in chakra armor, pale blue hair, and pale blue eyes along with a forehead protector that came down to the jaws with the symbol for the Land of Snow on it. "Princess Kazahana, you'll be coming with us now," he declared in a monotone voice that sounded not unlike Gaara's. Kakashi's eye widened at the news.
"Nadare Rouga, a highly skilled ice style shinobi," Kakashi stated as he then looked far to their left where a kunoichi was standing on a large ice pillar. The same chakra armor, forehead protector and pale blue eyes, the only thing that was different other than her gender was the pink hair that was in small pigtails coming out her forehead. "Fubuki Kakuyoku, another highly skilled ice style user. Watch out for her, she's a wily one."
Kakashi jerked his head to their right and another one appeared. Similar chakra armor but his arm looked like he had a giant gauntlet of some kind up to the elbow. The man was much larger than the other two, clearly a brute force fighter, he had an almost rectangular face and short purple hair with beady black eyes. He really didn't look like he had much of a brain. "Lastly, Mizore Fuyukuma. All three of the ice style shinobi that Doto used to overthrow the Land of Snow back in the day."
"You know, your as good as they say but it's not good enough," Mizore taunted as he charged at the princess. He was intercepted by Satsumei with a chakra enhanced fist to the gut sending him flying. She waved her hand around for a moment trying to get rid of the numbing sensation she was feeling. "That was different."
"Be careful! They're wearing chakra armor! It negates ninjutsu as well as genjutsu!" Kakashi yelled to them. "So you do remember. It will do you no good though," Nadara stated plainly as he charged at Kakashi engaging him in a fierce bout of taijutsu. They separated and ran through hand signs. "Ice Style Tiger Versus Dragon/ Fire Style Dragon Fire Jutsu!" they both shouted respectively as a tiger made of ice appeared behind Nadare and leapt at Kakashi zigzagging in its path. Kakashi released a bullet of flames that took the shape of a dragon and collided with the ice tiger. Both jutsu exploded and created steam. Kakashi pulled his headband up and prepared for the next bout.
Sasuke engaged the kunoichi known as Fubuki with her just barely dodging his lightning enhanced tanto swipes. It didn't matter if she had the chakra armor, while the lightning may be negated the force of the blows wouldn't be and she could tell those were some pretty hefty hits. How a kid of his age could possibly swing a sword with that much force she didn't understand but she refused to be hit by him. She jumped back and waved her hand at him as a large flock of swallows made of ice flew at him. "Ice Style: Tsubame Blizzard!"
"Fire Style: Phoenix Flower Jutsu!" he yelled back as he fired off numerous balls of fire that exploded on contact with the ice swallows. What the shinobi didn't notice was the terror that went through the princess at the sight of fire. "Ice Prison!" Fubuki yelled and large blocky constructs of ice came out of the ground blocking a Fire Ball jutsu.
"Tch, this is getting annoying," Sasuke commented offhandedly. He noticed Satsumei wasn't having any better luck either with her opponent. He also noticed the man had what looked to be a snowboard and was dancing circles around his sister. 'Think Sasuke, think. What the hell can we do to get past those suits of armor? What would Naruto do?' he flashed back to the fight with Gaara and how Naruto was able to manipulate natural lightning. "Tch, this better work or it's a waste of our chakra."
He'd noticed that his sensei's technique had increased the temperature around them just a bit so maybe this wouldn't be too far off. What would he call this new technique though? He had the perfect name. "First, Fire Style: Dragon Flame Jutsu!" he launched the blast at first at his foe but when she dodged it the blast went straight up into into the sky and when it dissipated the heat caused thunderclouds to form. 'Manipulating those shouldn't be anywhere near as difficult as forming them but I need at least these two foes close to each other to make this count.'
"Satsumei get them close to each other for me!" she looked at him, to the clouds, then the lightning crackling around his hands and nodded. She tapped a seal on her body and instantaneously became twice as light and took off before Mizore could even react. The momentum behind the blow was such that even though the chakra was negated he was still sent careening into Fubuki. Sasuke raised his hand to the sky and pulsed chakra allowing him to direct the lightning. "Now, I know this won't be quite as strong as Naruto's attack but if you get up from this I'll be damn impressed. Kirin!"
Sasuke brought his hand down and from the thundercloud a giant bolt of lightning came down in the shape of a dragon with red eyes. It flashed at the speed of actual lightning 1/1000th of a second so they had no hope of evading it, not like they could right now because he didn't even give them the chance to get up. The howl of thunder and ensuing explosion of lightning was enough to bring Kakashi's battle to a grinding halt. As both shinobi looked at the devastation. "What the hell are you teaching them?"
"I uh… didn't teach them that. Believe it or not that probably was inspired by the special jonin of my team who isn't on this mission. You've probably heard of him even here. One Naruto Uzumaki-Namikaze-Uchiha?" he supplied with an eye smile.
"Well, it's no wonder your team is so dangerous. The son of the infamous Yellow Flash. Yes, most shinobi in the world know of his legacy left behind. They say he'll take the world by a literal storm. Mizore! Fubuki! We're retreating for now. Kakashi consider this a small reprieve for being impressed by your students' bravery as well as skill. Ice Style: White Whale Jutsu!" he flew through hand seals and a GIGANTIC whale made of ice came out of the nearby water ready to crush them all. "Ice Style: White Whale Jutsu!" Kakashi yelled and used the exact same hand signs creating an ice Whale from the opposite direction. "Satsumei and Sasuke! Get everyone out!" they didn't need to be told twice, Satsumei grabbed the princess and Sasuke grabbed Sandayu and they booked it. By now the film crew was already on the boat.
The barely made it in time to the boat when the resulting avalanche had finally settled down. Kakashi finally appeared in a shunshin. "Well, that was something. I wasn't aware you could do that Sasuke."
"I wasn't either. I thought about how you said chakra armor negates chakra but then remembered the battle with Gaara and how Naruto used natural lightning and then just ran with it. Like I had said his attack was much stronger but I think this did the trick," Sasuke explained with a smug smirk. "Indeed, I will have to remember that all three of you are keen strategists not just Naruto from now on."
They took a look at the landscape and noted their opponents were gone. "Hmmm… they got away. Well, it's not like they were originally part of our mission in the first place so no loss. We move onto the Land of Snow now people," he declared to the crew and they set off.
Halfway between the Land of Iron and Land of Fire
Axel wasn't having at all a hard time keeping up with his escorts obviously, in fact he was bored with this pace. He ironically wished something would happen, just something to relieve him of his boredom. That's when something hit him or it would have if he hadn't dodged to the left. It was heat and something else but he had no time to contemplate it as it happened again. He had to dodge but caught sight of it with his Sharingan this time. It was what looked to be a superheated ray of light. He could FEEL that amount of heat and he didn't even get hit by it.
He looked up to see a little girl floating no… flying. She couldn't have been any older than Naruto and she got the slip on him! He hadn't noticed her at all. Underneath her feet seemed to be platforms of light that were holding her up.
She had a red baggy kimono and large blonde yellow pigtails that came down to her knees. She had shimmering red eyes and a smirk that sent shivers down Axel's spine in the worst of ways. Like either she had no idea who he was or she knew EXACTLY who he was and was confident she could win. "And you might be?" he asked pulling out his claymore as his shinobi surrounded him. Mikoto pulled out her tanto from the great wars and Kushina had summoned her old katana that was brimming with chakra. Jiraiya didn't do anything special other than assume his fighting stance.
"My name is Lissa. I've come to test your prowess Axel Uchiha. The great God of Fire. If this is true you should have no problems defeating me. Hahaha!" she was amusing that's for sure. "So… you came here to fight me? That's it?"
"That is it. I just want to know how strong the legend is," she replied with a confident smirk. "Hmm… I suppose I need to relieve some boredom. Alright, your on!"
"Lord Axel, you can't possibly be serious! The whole point of having us escort you was in case you encountered combat in the first place! Why would you fight instead of letting one of us!?" was Mikoto's hasty reply. She was of course correct. This completely went against the protocol of the mission. "I know however, this is something I really want to do. I need a good challenge and something tells me this is it."
There was no convincing him. Jiraiya didn't even need to talk to him and Kushina has known him long enough to tell. "Fine, but the moment we see your life is in danger we join in," Mikoto relented. "That is acceptable. I merely wish to test his mettle I seek not a death match," the newly named Lissa stated with hands on her hips in full confidence.
"Very well, a mere sparring match. Let us begin," no sooner did Axel say this than did he have to move out of the way of the same attack that previously took him by surprise. "A light ray?"
"Ooohhh, you've guessed correctly. You see I use the Laser Style. That is unfortunately all the information you shall get from me."
She continued to barrage him with those attacks which could apparently be launched from her finger. He stayed on the defensive for awhile until he got tired of it and unsealed his gunbai and struck one of the rays with the flat of it. "Uchiha Deflection!" the ray flew back at her but she easily dodged it. "That's the spirit! Show me more!" she yelled as she lowered herself to the ground. He darted right at her his claymore coming down to strike before it was stopped by what looked to be a scythe made from light. The light radiated heat that he recognized as reminiscent from what his sage fire puts out. "Laser Style: Light Ray Scythes!" She yelled as another one appeared in her other hand and he was forced to block it with his gunbai. With as much might as he could muster he threw her back and swiped his gunbai creating his signature wind attack and then slashing with his sword creating a blast of fire. They combined into his favorite combo attack and quickly pursued his foe.
All he saw her do was swipe her hand and what looked to be a wall of light appeared in front of her completely nullifying the attack. At his furrowed brow she began laughing tauntingly. "How do you like my Laser Style: Light Ray Wall?"
"Like it? If you were twenty years older I'd be in love. Abilities like those don't come around very often but I think I've figured out your Laser Style by now."
"Appreciate your complement but you're an old geezer. If you've really cracked the code to my Laser Style though I'd love to hear."
"Tch, smug little brat. I'll show you not to mess with your elders. I can't tell if it's a Kekkai Genkai or not but your Laser Style is an exceedingly rare combination of both the Fire and Lightning chakra natures as well as Yin. Essentially you've created what one might call light chakra. Does that just about some it up?"
"Very good. Maybe wisdom does come with age but as always age before beauty so I'll let you take the first shot in our second round."
"You'll regret that," he quite literally growled out. She could barely react fast enough, one moment his hands were clenching his weapons so tight his knuckles were white, the next he was on her with a chakra cloak of brilliant red flames engulfing him. She almost didn't have her scythes crossed in time to block the downward hammer blow from both his weapons. She couldn't believe the amount of force behind it. 'Did I completely underestimate him? In hindsight maybe I shouldn't have kept calling him old.'
The struggle didn't last too long as he completely broke her guard, the twin scythes of light shattering. He went to deliver a spartan kick when he stopped mid kick and looked to the right. Standing on top of a large tree was a man in dark blue armor similar to that of Tobirama's with a sword strapped to his back. Long silver hair and two long fang-like bangs framing the sides of his face. He had icy cold blue eyes that seemed to have a cloud of frost emanating from them.
"I would prefer you didn't perform that kick on my subordinate," his voice was chilling quite literally. They noticed the tree he was standing on was slowly being frosted over. "And you might be?" Axel asked as he put his foot down. Clearly this battle was over. "The name is Gethroe. Remember that for we may yet meet on the battlefield. Lissa get over here now."
"Yes sir!" she exclaimed with a hand in the air in excitement. When she got up the tree and next to him she got a punch to the head. "Ow! What was that for!?"
"You were told specifically not to engage but merely to observe. Had you followed your orders you would have clearly never once been detected. Now, let us go," he stated in a monotone voice and dragged her through the air as he jumped through trees.
The Leaf shinobi looked to Axel who damn near was shaking. "Grrrrr. What the hell was that!?" he shouted to no one in particular. "I'm not sure but if she was that strong he must have been significantly stronger. It could be that second organization we were talking about," Jiraiya supplemented. "Indeed, notice they didn't have last names. It's really quite curious. Their chakra signatures were also on the level of Doomwraith Otsutski."
He was about to start moving again when he damn near collapsed and Mikoto had to catch him. "Are you okay Lord Axel?"
"I feel like I've lost my energy. I feel so exhausted," he was out cold. "What the hell just happened? They barely fought!" Kushina yelled. They barely heard his body whisper "Raikage… honorable man… get me to Iron," before he went silent.
"Come on. Our dear hokage seems to think it's safe to proceed so we continue the mission," Jiraiya stated while taking the unconscious man on his back. 'You idiot. Always getting yourself into trouble," with that they took off toward the Land of Iron again.
Axel's mindscape
It looked like a massive sacred temple of sorts. An orchard of Sakura Cherry Blossom trees surrounded the entirety and a Karesansui garden in the back. There was a large mote surrounding the orchard but if it went anywhere no one would know. This was the difference between Naruto's and Axel's mindscapes, Axel actually had scenery that even Kurama enjoyed.
Axel was inside the temple staring up at Kurama. "What the hell happened just now?"
"Hmmm… you felt it. Every time that Laser Style touched you, you were drained of energy. She was quite literally robbing you of your stamina."
"How the hell is that possible? I've heard of chakra techniques draining chakra but not literal stamina. On top of that none of her abilities actually came into contact with me."
"A problem for another day. In the meantime will you be up in time for the meeting with the Raikage?"
"I'm not sure but I doubt he'd call it off just because I'm unconscious. Especially with the information we now have on not one but two possible organizations. He's not going to pass up the prospects of info on someone who can stand toe to toe with me."
"I hope for the sake of the Leaf your right."
"Enough of that! I say we drink my exhaustion away!" Axel hollered loud as a sake cup appeared in front of him and a GIANT sake cup appeared in front of Kurama, both full already. "I can't make myself drunk outside but maybe I can get us drunk in here? Worth a try, I need a drink"
Team Kakashi in the Land of Snow
'How the hell did this happen!? First the damn princess runs off, Kakashi-sensei chases her, we get into a damn fight with a train. A FUCKING TRAIN. Now Sandayu is dying,' Sasuke lamented as he barely got Sandayu out of the way of a mass volley kunai in time. He wouldn't live regardless but it was the sentiment. Or that's what Sasuke told himself. Truth was he was just guilty that this pocket of what was left of the revolutionaries ended up dying such a tragic death. That's just what happens under tyrannical regimes though, if your not strong or smart enough there was no use in trying to fight back. In his mind these people were fools, the princess was clearly against trying to take back her throne anyways.
"Where the hell is Kakashi!?" he yelled as he ducked behind a small chain wall Satsumei made. She was getting really good at the technique. Couldn't make any weapons but large shields and even small walls big enough for two people? It just took a little extra chakra. "I don't know but we could use his help right about now," she didn't let out the other thought she had. "We could use a Naruto right about now too."
That statement shocked her, she never expected prideful Sasuke to admit something like that. "We need to learn to fight without him though. Even if I do agree. He would have had that train destroyed already," she replied as she looked down at her hands. Everyone kept telling them how much progress they've made but the moment Naruto went on a separate mission things fall apart.
No, they would not fail just because they were missing a member. She craned her head back a bit just to get a glimpse of the mountain behind them careful to keep her chain shield steady. Sasuke followed her gaze and they both smirked at each other a moment later. Oh yeah, Naruto would be damn proud of what they were about to do.
"Keep that shield strong and get ready to book it when it collapses," Sasuke asserted as he set Sandayu down in a way that wouldn't aggravate his wounds. "Fire Style: Dragon Flame Jutsu!" he yelled as he flew through hand signs and launched the familiar dragon headed flame at the base of the mountain. Near instantly an avalanche occurred. They darted away as fast as they could to safety, Sasuke carrying Sandayu.
When Kakashi arrived back from gathering the princess he saw the majority of the train other than the front two cars covered in snow and Satsumei leaning over Sandayu trying to heal him, while Sasuke was hovering nearby in his 'big brother protective mode' as Axel has once dubbed it. "I can't do anything for him. He's been hit in the heart. I'm not even sure if mom or Lady Tsunade could have helped him," she said with tears falling as she stopped her ministrations.
"You did the best you could Satsumei. It's not your fault," Kakashi consoled as he placed a hand on her shoulder. The response was immediate, she turned and almost crushed him in a hug while crying. He did his best to console her but to no avail. 'This mission has been nothing but a drag. Oh great, I'm starting to sound like Shikaku. Well, could be worse, I could be talking about the flames of youth I guess.'
"P-princess, please don't cry for me. I died serving the country and the princess I love. Please take the throne back from Doto and free our people," Sandayu barely managed to get out as the light in his eyes faded and he drifted to the darkness. Satsumei squeezed Kakashi harder and it almost felt like she used her enhanced strength but he was pretty sure even in this state she'd have total control over that. "You fool Sandayu," the princes said as she stared at his corpse. Satsumei craned her head around just enough to watch, curiosity evident in her eyes.
"I can't cry, you have my eye drops," the monotone voice was enough to drop any atmosphere. "Let's go, I don't want to be here anymore."
Something in Satsumei snapped she marched right up to the princess and picked her up by her collar as if she weighed nothing. "How DARE YOU!? That man died believing you to be the sole hope of this land. He had a dream that you could solve the problems and right the wrongs of this land. THIS is how you treat that dream!? Your not even worthy of being called a princess! You should be ashamed of taking so many people's dreams and dashing them!" she was positively seething. She'd never felt so much anger in her life, not even when she found out all the details of the Uchiha massacre. She was starting to see red. She noticed her vision had gotten a slight bit blurry before it went to pristine as could be, recording EVERYTHING in her vision's range. Kakashi laid a hand on her shoulder and she looked up at him receiving a head shake.
"We can't be attacking our charge Satsumei. If this is the way she wants to operate then this is the way we operate even if I don't like it," he said as he looked into her now red eyes with one having two tomoe and the other having one. Strong emotions to awaken a Sharingan indeed. Who would have thought that Satsumei's would be anger though? "But Kakashi-sensei, we can't leave this land as it is."
"I agree but if the princess doesn't want to take her place on the throne, who are we to force her?" he replied as gently as he could trying to placate the young kunoichi. "I… suppose your right."
"Good, now… I believe the young princess wanted to get away from the Land of Snow?" he reminded everyone but noticed the princess walked away from the group a bit. He heard the sound of a large piece of machinery and turned his head to see that a large blimp was coming up from below the cliff. On one spot that looked like a balcony of sorts was Mizore who looked to be in rough shape. He had his gauntlet trained on the princess and launched the hand off which grabbed her and rapidly pulled her to the blimp.
"Princess!" Kakashi yelled as their charge was taken right from under them. "Dammit! Should I use the scroll or not at this point!?"
"Don't, we've still got this under control. You rescued the princess before so you must know where they're palace or main stronghold lies. I say we assault that and get her back," Sasuke replied. "Fine, our main objective is to rescue the princess now. Are you both ready?" he got nods from both of them. Even if Satsumei was pissed off at their charge she wouldn't let her personal feelings get in the way of the mission. They took off after Kakashi as he ran to where he knew the castle to be noticing the film crew following not too far off.
Axel in the Land of Iron
"My goodness! What has happened to Lord Axel!?" a samurai by the name of Mifune asked. This man is the general of the Land of Iron. The funny thing is the shinobi party had no idea there were any connections between Axel and Mifune making this interaction awkward. "Um… we ran into some interference on the way here and our Hokage decided to overrule his own mission objectives," Jiraiya explained with a deadpan expression as well as a sweat drop.
"Yes indeed, that sounds exactly like the Lord Axel I've come to know over our various business dealings," Mifune responded with a sagely nod.
"Is there anywhere we can put him until he fully recovers? My arms are starting to fall asleep. If I have to I'll talk to the Raikage for now," Jiraiya requested prompting Mifune to think for a moment before nodding and walking away. They wisely followed after him.
A few minutes later Axel was laying on a bed in an infirmary with Kushina and Mikoto by his side and Jiraiya was in the meeting room with the Raikage.
"You mean to tell me that you encountered not one but possibly TWO people who can take on the current Hokage on the way here?" the overly buff man asked incredulously. He was bewildered, it was widely agreed upon across the nations that if you had to fight the current Hokage you may as well just pray that you'll be given mercy in the afterlife. To think someone like that could possibly have equals was unimaginable. Lord Ay was already angry when they got there because they were later than they originally agreed. But when he heard about what happened his anger turned to interest and intrigue.
"Unfortunately Lord Ay yes. There are possibly two out there that are equal if not stronger than our Hokage."
"Enough Jiraiya, the girl is not stronger than me. That man Gethroe may be though," they turned to see Axel in the chamber door way holding onto the wall. Mikoto and Kushina were right behind him trying to tell him to return to the infirmary but he wasn't listening. Any other village leader may have taken this chance to strike but Ay was a smart man. He knew even in this condition, the slightly heavy breathing, the leaning, he KNEW Axel was still an extremely dangerous shinobi. On top of that the three with him were absolutely some of the most dangerous across the board. But even more than that was that Ay was genuinely curious and interested in forming an alliance with the Leaf.
To him it was a chance to right the wrongs of the past but also he highly respected the Leaf's shinobi. What wasn't to respect? First and foremost the only man to actually defeat him in combat came from the Leaf, Minato Namikaze, then their was obviously Axel himself who was regarded to be of equal power. Kushina Uzumaki and Mikoto Uchiha were one of the most dangerous duos to ever take the battlefront in the second and third wars. Jiraiya of the Sannin and Kakashi Hatake were also both know for their incredible versatility, it was theorized they both were prepared for any situation. No, the Leaf is not an enemy that Ay wants to make an enemy of.
"I must apologize for my tardiness Lord Ay but as you can see I got into a bit of a tussle," Axel stated as he made it to a chair at the table. This was the chamber used for all Hokage Summits. Just a large circular table in the middle and five seats around it. "It is fine. I've heard the details and I'm sure anyone would have been held up. Let's instead move onto the peace talks though."
"Yes indeed. So as you know we were recently attacked by a combination of both the Sand and the Sound. I have decided to not pursue repercussions from the Sand due to the fact that Orochimaru was impersonating their kage. I've even taken on a mission to help them out as a sign of good faith but they still are unconvinced. I fear they may become hostile at some point. While I am more than willing to go to war for my people I would rather have an ally. Your shinobi were willing to work with my genin Naruto Namikaze at the time to not only protect themselves but also to fight for what they could see was right. I would like to run off this. Your shinobi seem to be taught well and I would love to have you as an ally."
"I agree with an alliance of sorts but what would the particular contract involve?" Ay asked, he wasn't particularly concerned that Axel would ask anything unreasonable of him, Axel was the kind of guy to resolve his issues on his own anyway. "All I ask is that if we have two or more nations attack us you come to our aid. In return if you have ANY number of nations attack you we come to your aid. I can also see why this statement may seem unfair for both sides but I need to make sure you lose less than us. Otherwise the agreement means nothing. I would prefer to keep you a long time ally if possible," Axel explained with all seriousness, all pain in his face gone by now.
"It almost makes us look weak in comparison to you though. But theoretically this information never has to get out so it doesn't matter. Very well, I agree to your terms, was there anything else you would like to discuss?"
"I have a bit of information to pass onto you, that's it."
Kakashi and the team
They'd managed to get into the castle easily enough and even to the holding cells without any attention drawn to them. These snow ninja really did suck at their jobs. Either that or Kakashi was that good. Regardless they found the princess easily enough. Kakashi recognized the seal on the cell door though and it would mean anyone touching it would get shocked. That meant Satsumei's super strength would be useless here.
"What about your chains? Can you make a gauntlet or a glove like Aunt Kushina does?" Sasuke asked. "I can try but I haven't quite had enough practice with more complex shapes like that," they watched in fascination as for the next two minutes she slowly formed chakra chains around her hand and they melded around her fingers. It wasn't perfect, certainly something possibly to work on when they got home, but it would work for now. She placed the gloved hand near the seal and ripped it off as quick as she possibly could and dropped it.
"Well, I still felt a light tickle but past that it took most of the damage for me. Kakashi-sensei would you do the honors?" he nodded with an eye smile and formed a Chidori in his hand and promptly cut through the top and bottom of the bars allowing them to fall. "Well, as you can see, we're here to rescue you princess," he stated in a monotone tone.
"Why? There's no hope against Doto. You can't do anything," well that seemed like déjà vu for all of them. "Listen now and listen well princess," Satsumei sneered putting an odd tone behind the word princess. Regardless she did look straight at the kunoichi.
"You have a people under a tyrannical rule and an opportunity to end it. I understand that you've lost hope but there are people who need you. Seeing what is right and not doing it in the face of adversity is the coward's way. What will you do? I can assure you that we can take back the Land of Snow for you but you need to give us the affirmative that you'll stand and fight," it was heart felt they could tell, but Kakashi's trained ears could also hear the slight anger behind her voice.
They watched as Princess Kazahana went through a slew of emotions until finally her eyes landed on fiery determination. "I'll fight. This is something that needs to be done and frankly I'm tired of my uncle having his way with MY land," she finally answered and Kakashi handed a crystal that was hanging around her neck previously in the mission. "Oh yeah, that's right. YOU took this from me and left me with a fake."
"Yeah well I figured it's what they wanted from you and I didn't feel like letting them have their way. Call it professional pride."
"Now that that's settled, from what I hear your one hell of an actress, is that correct?" Satsumei inquired with a devilish grin. Kakashi understood her line of thinking right away and while it took a moment for Sasuke to figure it out he matched Satsumei's grin.
"Well, yes that is what I'm known for, why?" she replied. "We're going to put those skills to use. Let's just say Doto is going to get what he wants and then have it all taken away right before his eyes," Satsumei ended her explanation in an almost sing song voice. After telling them all the plan they ran to the throne room as fast as possible. Satsumei wasn't convinced her plan was going to work, most plans never survived contact with the enemy but also she could see the slight twitching of Princess Kazahana. Something wasn't right, but she wanted to give the woman the benefit of the doubt.
They came to a very large room that was very grayish green, not much light to be honest. It had a weird symbol in the middle that looked like a moon on top of a bigger moon symbol. There was also a large platform that had stairs. It was about six feet off the ground and had a throne. Go figure, someone was sitting there of course. That almost mullet like hair and square jaw definitely belonged to Doto Kazahana. They saw him on the train so they knew him by now.
"This is where rescues Doto. Surrender now or prepare to die," Kakashi commanded with a blast of killing intent. Doto seemed undeterred and completely sure of his victory which was exactly what Satsumei wanted. Princess Kazahana ran to Doto as part of the plan. "Ah, that's a good girl. Finally came around?" he was overly exuberant. But it worked with the plan so they said nothing, instead keeping grimaces on their faces. She handed him the crystal and he smirked evilly. "Yes, everything is according to plan."
"Not quite, I AM an actress after all," she said as she pulled out a very small knife with a sheath. It looked like a dagger sized katana. She stabbed it into him as everyone's eyes widened in shock. This was not part of the plan that Satsumei laid out. The actress pushed him over the edge of the raised platform and they both looked as if they were knocked unconscious. Satsumei stepped forward but was interrupted when three presences made themselves known in front of her. It was Nadara, Fubuki, and Mizore, although the latter two still looked a bit beaten from the Kirin.
"Well, apparently our profession now has trash cleaners as part of the job description," Sasuke commented as he glared at them. "What's the plan Kakashi?"
"Well, I'd say the plan is to take out the trash as you so kindly put it. Chakra armor has one main weakness. It doesn't help against basic taijutsu. It also can only absorb so much chakra at a time but I definitely don't recommend trying to reach that point," Kakashi replied before they all charged at their foes. Satsumei smashed a chakra enhanced fist into Mizore's gut sending him flying. She looked at her hand noticing it was bruised. 'This chakra armor is indeed problematic. Even with my enhanced strength I'm still taking damage I normally wouldn't.'
"Lion's Barrage!" she heard Sasuke shout as she turned her head to watch him punt Fubuki into the air and jump up punching her farther. He then flipped over her and kicked her twice sending her careening into the ground. How the hell did he defy gravity like THAT? All well, it looked like the combined damage from the Kirin before plus that combo knocked her out anyway. She looked back at Mizore and noticed he barely managed to stand up. She also noticed that the chakra absorbing core on his shoulder was cracked. "Well, well, well. It looks like your still conscious. Don't worry, I'll rectify my mistake this time," she stated cracking her knuckles menacingly and walking towards him.
He began backing away in fear the moment those red eyes of hers began spinning. What everyone around him saw was her merely walking to him ready to knock his lights out. What he saw now was a genuine demon ready to rip his throat out. She'd put him under a genjutsu with her Sharingan and he was in no condition to break out of it. It was no surprise when she merely ran behind him and delivered a chop to the back of his neck knocking him out.
She looked to see that Doto was escaping, Flying off with Princess Kazahana. 'Wait, when did he get those wings? That must be a different type of chakra armor,' she thought in exasperation. She just wanted this mission to be over. Seeing that Kakashi was still fighting Nadare, he seemed to be jonin level if their fight was anything to go by, she called to her commander. "Kakashi-sensei! Sasuke and I will pursue them, catch up when you can!" she received a nod and then bit her thumb. She performed the hand seals for the summoning Jutsu and slammed her hand down. The cloud of smoke revealed her standing on top of Azmus from the fight against Gaara. He seemed to be a bit bigger now. "Azmus we need to catch up to them. Can you do it?"
The Phoenix seemed to have scoffed at that. "Of course I can. Their speed is paltry compared to Lord Ifrit's," he responded as Sasuke hopped on his back and the bird took off like a rocket.
They soared over the Land of Snow trying to figure out where the man was going but could come up with nothing. "Tch, we'll have to wait until he lands to attack. We can't put her life in danger. Azmus we'll just have to follow," she received a nod. She DID notice the camera crew not too far off pursuing them. They were damn persistent if she had to admit it.
When the chase ended they arrived at what looked like a very large clearing that had a very small shrine in the middle. The shrine looked like it had a big pot but from above they could see it was some kind of device. The shrine was surrounded by eight stone pillars that rose roughly thirty feet and each spread out fifty feet away from the shrine. With the trails of ice between them it almost looked like a snowflake pattern.
Satsumei jumped off Azmus when she was within a safe distance and launched a chakra enhanced fist at Doto not giving him a chance to put the crystal into the device. He barely managed to dodge back several paces before being smashed. When he saw the huge crater she left in her wake he barely managed to remain calm. He didn't have time to stand still as a large volley of fireballs came down at him. He looked up to see Sasuke AND Azmus firing jutsu down at him. He quickly blasted through hand seals and a blizzard like vortex of frost formed around him. "Ice Style: Blizzard Wall!"
The firestorm stopped and so did the Blizzard but Doto barely had enough time to block a punch from Satsumei who capitalized on the moment. It was a mistake as he felt the armor around his left forearm dent in painfully. His arm was probably bruised and even fractured right now. She didn't stop there as she brought a foot up and he backpedaled. Another volley of fire but smaller, he let his armor absorb it. THAT was a bad choice tactically because now they seemed to have an idea as to the armor's limit.
"Alright, now we truly strike!" she yelled as she jumped back and he heard the chirping of birds. "Chidori!" Sasuke shouted as he came down like a missile aiming directly at the older man's armor core on his chest. It cracked and Sasuke was thrown back but caught by Satsumei. "Good job but it's my turn," she helped him stand up and charged creating a small chain shield and extending a chakra scalpel on her right hand. She slashed repeatedly which was sidestepped until she bashed him in the stomach and swiped upwards on the unprotected part of his left arm. His arm went limp and next came his other arm. She was relentless, giving no time to recover.
With a swift stomp on the ground with extra chakra she threw his balance off, then she elbowed him in the gut bringing him down to her size, clutching his stomach in pain. She finished him off with a swift kick to the side of the head. He collapsed ten feet from her in a crumpled heap. "Good job brother. I couldn't have done that damage if you didn't take his shield down."
She collapsed but he was right there to catch her. Too many of those TERRIFYING punches of hers he supposed. He noticed Kakashi walk into the clearing. "Wore herself out?" he asked nonchalantly.
"Yeah, it seems using the summoning jutsu plus her chakra enhanced strength and her scalpel and shield back to back may have used way more chakra than she expected."
"I see. Well you get her back somewhere she can rest and I'll communicate with Princess Kazahana about the end of the mission. I suggest the ship."
Axel and Ay
"You mean to tell me we have TWO organizations to worry about?" the Raikage asked in incredulousness.
"It would seem so. You see if I were to die of my bijuu being extracted I wouldn't necessarily be so desperate to make alliances. But I'm too strong to threaten so I fear for young Naruto. I fear the Akatsuki will go after him instead of me. I figure they may go after your two jinchuurikis afterwards. Of course if they need the full Kyubi they'll take me last," Axel explained careful not to use Kurama's name with someone who hasn't even been introduced to the concept of the beasts having names.
"Hmmm… you've given me much to think about. Was there anything else to discuss Lord Hokage?"
"I can't really think of anything else Lord Raikage. What will be the most appropriate way to contact you in the future?"
"You have a summoning contract, is that correct?"
"Yes, I bear the Phoenix contract."
"Then I feel as though the summons delivering a message to the gates of my village may be the best. I understand your now special jonin Naruto may have gained a friendship in my now chunin Samui. If he wishes to communicate with her then all you need do is include his messages and they shall make it to her. Apparently also your chunin Sasuke may have made a rival in my genin Karui. If there is any interest there also send them in a letter with the summons."
"Then I believe that's it Lord Raikage. I thank you for agreeing to this meeting as well as being much more agreeable than that damned fence sitter," Axel stated as he rose up and offered a hand to which Ay shook. They ended with a grin, released and walked their separate ways. Axel couldn't help the slight smirk as he returned to the infirmary. It went according to plan, the Raikage is just as honorable as he remembered and that was a good thing for both of their villages. Now he just had to find a bed and… collapse.