AN: Sorry that this took so long. Work and writer's block made it harder. Also had some issues over the past so many months in the family. A few of them passed away and some I was close to or starting to try and form somewhat of a relationship with (due to a lot of drama that happened in the past with my dad and his family). Plus, for people that keep leaving negative reviews and the like, you'll have to do better than that. I work with people that point blank hate me so I've gotten a good amount of thick skin on dealing with people.

Naruto: Add to the fact that you've been working on a few other stories at the same time that haven't been updated in months or even years.

Shikamaru: What a drag.

Shut up you two or I'll put you two through the worst hell I can imagine.

Naruto: Good luck. I've already been through that.

OK. I warned you. It's time for a POP QUIZ!

Naruto: NOOOO! *Goes into fetal position*

Shikamaru, if you please.

Shikamaru: Mr. Redbeard doesn't own Naruto or any of that junk. What a drag.

Better than nothing I guess.

The news that Mansburg had fallen to the rebels lifted the spirits of the rebel armies. Now they had a strong position and were ready for however long the war was. They also gained more support from the population and more troops and even some more mercenaries were flocking to the rebel cause.

Now with an Emperor, a temporary capital, and troops joining the ranks every day, the rebels were now prepared to face Cole and the main Imperial Army. Cole still had a sizable force under his command. With many Imperial Armies still loyal to their Emperor, each rebel commander would have to fight on different fronts.

As for Naruto, after his arm was replaced by Sakura thanks to her summons bringing over Hashirama's DNA needed for it, he was able to return to the front line, but not before asking Hinata to join him in the 4th Division in command of the 18th Infantry regiment, a primary support group that would be deployed to delay any enemy advance while the 4th Division would reform.

Naruto's other friends soon found themselves in command of different regiments or placed in the command staff of the main Rebel army. Kiba and Shino were placed in the 2nd Light Horse Regiment, scouting around for any sign of the main Imperial Army. Shikamaru and Temari were given command of Matthew's home province, helping command the defenses and provide any troops they could to Matthew's army. Lee was given command of the 5th infantry regiment in General Takaishi's 1st Division.

For Cole's forces, the loss of Mansburg was a severe blow to his army's morale. His men were leaving their posts and returning home or joining the rebel armies. More generals were starting to rebel with their own armies and to make matters worse, pirates in the employ of the other nations were harassing his port cities, forcing him to pull more men back from the front lines to defend his shipyards.

At the Thomas Bridge, General Seville was preparing for the march against the capital, hoping to strike a major blow and help end the Civil War as quickly as possible. If the war could end, they could get back to building the empire into what it was meant to be before Cole took over. The only thing preventing him from marching on the capital right now was the fact that he had very few cannons to breach the massive walls of the city, causing him to wait on the main rebel army.

While he knew that he had Naruto's division along with some of Naruto's friends, he was reluctant to use their powers due to his military code. They had come to him and asked him to let them march on, stating that they could use their strengths and win without having to use the soldiers themselves, but they were given an explanation about the old officer code.

"An officer fights on equal terms with his opponent," he began. "Warfare is a gentlemen's fight and must be conducted as so."

"You do know that our opponent hasn't been following it, right?" Kiba questioned. "If they won't fight fair then why should we?"

"It's due to Matthew wanting to keep some type of honor in this war," Naruto replied. "He's all for us using our powers, but only against invaders and criminals. That's why when I used my clones at the fort and at Mansburg, he had no issues with it. To him, the mercenaries were criminals when they attacked civilians and the Knights were invaders. Still, we need to at least gain control of the other side or even make an attempt to march on the capital."

"What are we waiting on then?" Kiba wondered. "We can at least take the high ground on the other side."

"We're waiting for the main army to arrive," General Seville answered. "We need the main army and the cannons to breach the walls. There's also the fact that it should be an Emperor that takes the capital. If the Emperor enters the city, it gives them more legitimacy that their rule is just."

"So," Shino deduced. "It's also about show, not just ending the war." Naruto and his friends left the tent to figure out what to do, knowing that they might not get another chance for a while.

"I'm going to send out a few scouts to get a feel of where the main Imperial Army is," Naruto mentioned as they were walking to the river. "If we can find them, we'll be more prepared for battle. I just hope our main army arrives soon so we can begin the march again. Also, I'm taking my men across the river to keep an eye out for Cole's army."

"I'll go with the scouts," Kiba offered. "They seem to at least be more willing to let me do what is needed to get the job done."

"Just remember that the goal is to scout," Naruto reminded his old friend. "Try not to get into an engagement if possible." Kiba nodded and went off to find a few soldiers to ride out and see what was happening. Naruto turned to Shino. "Think you can find where our main army is at?"

Shino raised his right arm and sent out a few bugs to fly out in different directions and check where the main Rebel army was at, hoping that they weren't in battle against a larger force. If they were, Seville's forces would pack up their camp and begin to move, knowing that only together, the Rebel armies could win. There could be no glory seeking like there was with the Imperial officers. Each soldier and officer would have to do their duty and protect their comrades, something that was starting to show as the Rebels were starting to form into new armies each day instead of the two massive armies that the Imperial forces would assemble. This new force was now starting to come unto its own with officers like Naruto organizing some of the smaller groups into their own army, realizing that the old way of doing things would soon lead to disaster in the future and began to work on new ideas of organization.

Tactics were still the old fashioned form in lines and fire at the opposing force. Some officers were starting to try and form out of the large lines into smaller groups, but even then, soldiers would form lines on their own to stay close to their fellow soldiers. It would take time, but hopefully newer tactics would prevail in this war. If not, then maybe forming newer units to specialize in new forms of combat would work until the rest of the army was ready. When that time came, new weapons would be ready and the leaders would be the ones to lead the soldiers to victory.

As the first of Naruto's regiments crossed the bridge, a small number of men went further up, forming an advance skirmish line. These men would keep the enemy at bay while the main regiments formed up for battle. Naruto's regiments were some of the more veteran ones, but after the battles, they had to be replaced with newer soldiers that had barely any training. Part of the reason to camp near the bridge was to train the new soldiers while the main army arrived, but with each day going by, it seemed as if the main army had disappeared.

"Where are they?" Naruto questioned as he looked out across the open fields around the bridge. "We can't just keep waiting. If we can just get close enough to the city to threaten it, we might be able to force a surrender."

"They shouldn't be too much longer," Sasuke said, walking over to Naruto. "We would've heard something if the main army was attacked."

Sasuke had joined up with Naruto's forces as an officer in the 5th Dragoons, a regiment that had proven itself at the Rail Junction when they had charged the retreating enemy forces, capturing many of the mercenaries. Now, it was the main shock unit of the Rebel armies, doing what they could when they could advance. They would fight on foot and horseback, making them one of the more valuable units.

Before Naruto could reply, gunfire was soon heard from the skirmish lines. While at first it seemed as if they had run into a forge party of Imperial soldiers, the sounds of the guns signaled something bigger. The bugles sounded a retreat as Rebel skirmishers started to pull back to the defensive line. It was then that Naruto realized what was going on. The banner of Cole was at the front of the army. Cole had arrived with the main Imperial Army, ready to push back the smaller Rebel force.

Bugles in the Rebel camp sounded as cannons were put into place. Soldiers scrambled to grab their weapons and form into their lines as the crews loaded the guns, many of them dropping their equipment as they were still dealing with the shock of the large army that had arrived. Imperial cannons lined up on the hill and opened fire, the crews finding their mark as small lines of Rebel infantry were hit and a few of the Rebel cannons were knocked out. Imperial infantry began their advance, drums beating as the soldiers marched forward.

""Rally with me!" Naruto shouted to his men. "Hold the line. One regiment at a time will cross back over the bridge. Dragoons first, followed by the 3rd Light Artillery. The 2nd Infantry Regiment will cross next. 18th Infantry, you'll cross after them. 19th Infantry, we'll hold the line until all others are back across the river. After that, we'll make a break for it under the cover of our artillery."

Naruto's men stood firm as they followed their orders. The Dragoons mounted up, firing off one volley before galloping back over the bridge, the light artillery following close behind. Many of the Dragoons shots had missed, as they were mostly trying to get away from the enemy, but a few lucky shots had hit some of the high ranking officers in the first wave. As the Imperial infantry closed in, Rebel soldiers took careful aim, picking different targets.

As the Imperial infantry stopped, the Rebels opened fire, their shots hitting their mark on many Imperial soldiers. Behind their makeshift barricade, Rebel soldiers soon began to open fire, not waiting for anymore commands, but that of keeping up their fire as the next group began their withdrawal. They knew what to do. They had to hold the line until they could regroup. It was hold at all costs.

As the remaining regiments fled, the only group left was the 19th Infantry. Naruto's own personal regiment. As the first platoons ran back across the bridge, Imperial infantry charged forward, reaching the defenses and opening fire, shooting many Rebels in the back as they ran. It soon turned into a rout as the 19th broke formation and made a break for it, trying to avoid the bullets coming at them. As Naruto and Hinata ran across, the Imperial Artillery opened fire, hitting the center of the bridge, with Naruto on the Rebels side of the river, and Hinata and a small squad of soldiers on the Imperial side.

"HINATA!" Naruto shouted, about ready to go back and help her, only to be held back by General Seville. They could only watch as Imperial soldiers marched over to them, stabbing the squad with their bayonets as Hinata was grabbed before she could jump across the bridge, being held down by three Imperial officers. The dead soldiers were pushed into the river with Hinata being taken away back to the Imperial Camp to be interrogated by Cole himself.

"Let me go!" Naruto commanded, still trying to get free.

"You need to get your men to our right flank!" General Seville ordered. "We'll get Hinata back another day. Right now, your men are needed on our right. Pontoon bridges are being brought up. We need to hold until reinforcements arrive!"

Naruto calmed down and turned to General Seville, staring the General dead in the eye. He knew he was right, but he didn't want to lose Hinata. While he knew Hinata could take care of herself, she was once again held captive in the enemy's hands. Naruto took a deep breath before walking away, getting his men to their positions for the upcoming fight.

At the Imperial Camp, Cole was watching as his men had set up the bridges. He was ready to crush this small Rebel force that had camped near his city. He had already spun the story in his head how he had defeated the main Rebel army. He would soon receive more support from the local Military Governors to crush any remaining resistance to his rule. He smiled at how Governor Dante had promised his full support once his cousin's little rebellion was crushed.

"Well," Cole began. "It seems that we have a most welcome prisoner."

Cole walked over to the soldiers that had brought Hinata over to him. He had his eye on her when she was first brought over with her now dead fiancé. Now, he felt as if he could take her for himself, giving him a strong reason to soon take over the Dragon Empire, giving him more glory and a staging ground for new invasions in the other lands.

"Take her to my tent!" Cole ordered. "I'll get her to spill the Rebel secrets myself. For now, continue the attack. Crush all remaining resistance."

The soldiers took Hinata to Cole's tent before tying her to a post. Hinata could only watch in fear as Cole walked in, a look in his eyes that she had seen on Toneri ever since she met him.

"Now," Cole began. "Time to make you talk."

With that, Cole advanced on Hinata, ready to do what he wanted.

At the battle, Naruto's men were holding off the main attack force, as Cole wanted to crush the right flank of the Rebel army. The left flank was situated on a hill, which allowed for the Rebels to hit him from a long distance. While Cole knew he had numbers, he didn't want to risk them in a suicidal attack on the high ground. The right flank was on level ground, but it was also the deepest part of the river, meaning that the bridges had to be built under fire. While Imperial engineers were working as fast as they could, Imperial infantry used boats to get across, unloading on the Rebels side and forming their lines, marching bayonets forward.

The number of boats was making it harder for Naruto to hold his position. His men were running low on ammo and were exhausted from the fighting earlier. It seemed as if his men would be overwhelmed. They would've been, had it not been for something in the distance. The sounds of more bugles. That of the main Rebel army.

The 16th Infantry Regiment charged forward, reinforcing Naruto's lines. The 16th opened fire, pouring hell onto the attackers. Soon more regiments arrived, forcing Cole's men back across the river in retreat. The Imperial Engineers stopped their building, retreating back to camp with the infantry. The attack was called off. Neither army could push the other back.

As Matthew rode up with General Takaishi, he surveyed the field. The bridge was destroyed and Imperial artillery was firing on the camp, forcing many of the rebels to tear down the camp and move out of range. The Rebels left flank was in a better shape as it was barely attacked. The right flank however was a mess. It became clear that there was only one thing to do. Retreat and fight another day.

"Looks like we've suffered a defeat as well," Takaishi said, looking over the field.

"Jeff said that Cole was stepping up his plans," Matthew replied, his mouth forming a thin line. "Order the retreat. I'll try to find out what happened. I'm just glad those scouts found us and told us where General Seville was. Next time, I'm not relying on the Governors for anything."

"You'll have to when you take over," Takaishi reminded him.

Matthew nodded before riding down to the camp as Takaishi ordered the withdrawal of Rebel forces. They had lost this day, but the war was far from over. As Matthew made it to the camp, he found General Seville being carried out on a stretcher, his body lifeless. He had been shot by an Imperial sniper just as Matthew arrived. Matthew turned and saw Naruto walking over, stumbling over his feet as he collapsed onto his hands and knees, breaking down.

"Naruto," Matthew began. "What happened?"

Naruto looked up at his Emperor, taking a few deep breaths before explaining what had happened. From them first debating on moving on the capital or waiting for him to arrive, the battle on the opposite side of the bridge, and Hinata's capture. As Naruto finished, he broke down completely, not caring if anyone saw. Matthew got off his horse and went over to his officer.

"We'll get Hinata back," Matthew began. "I've ordered a retreat. We've taken too many losses. Jeff sent word that he was forced to retreat on his front. It seems that Cole had brought even more mercenaries to fight his wars. Naruto, I know you don't want to hear this, but right now, I need you to get ready to go back into battle. General Seville was killed and now I need a new Corps General. I'm sorry that I have to place this on you, but I'm giving you command of Seville's entire 58th Corps. Try and get some rest. I'll need you for the next battle. Right now, try to focus on the war ahead."

With that, Matthew went back to his horse and began to help his forces get ready to return to Mansburg. The battle was over, but the war would continue.

"I will save you, Hinata," Naruto said as he got up, going to his tent. "Don't give up on me."

Figured this would be a good place to end this chapter. Been working on this one for over a year.

Naruto: I'll make you pay for Hinata being captured.

No you won't proceeds to hit Naruto with a frying pan for my safety, you'll have to sit there.

Shikamaru: What a drag. At least we hopefully won't wait another year for another chapter. Now you're getting into the Pokémon fandom and still doing your other stuff.

I'll keep going until I'm done. Well, time to end this. Will Naruto save Hinata in the next chapter? How will this Civil War end? Keep reading to find out.