AN-1: Hello All and welcome back with a new chapter where naruto and tenten settle into a familiar routine. Also the 1st prince makes a choice that will gurantee his bid for Daimyo fails. Read on and find out. Lastly Happy Easter Everyone.
"Speaking"
Summon/Biju
Shadow Soldier
[..Pause ...Long Pause]
シーンブレイク(Scene Break)
Disclaimer: I Own NOTHING
Chappy 4
#Land of Fire - Owari#
The clang of a sword and daggers echo as naruto spars with tenten, "Your skills with the sword is impressive.. It's like you're dancing with it" he says. It's been a month since his group has come to owari to meet ieyasu but were still on probation as the 2nd prince investigates several things, mainly things in konoha concerning him and his leaving. Anytime any of the three leave the castle they were accompanied by soldiers or lin herself.
"Lady Tsunade had me training with a few of Prince Ieyasu's Samurai.. I have a penchant for weapons as well" tenten says, going a iaido draw. The two have quickly fallen back into their old routine as if five years haven't passed since they last saw each other. Naruto avoids tenten's draw with a somersault into a crouch behind her, "Penchant for weapons.. Maybe you can give this a Good home" he says, his samurai killers going into his inventory. He brings out a katana having a sleek black sheath with intricate designs on the sheath of dragons in gold. The hilt wrapped in black and purple, its guard is a round and etched with dragons in the sky, kanji for the words sky, fire and dragon were etched on the blade.
"I took it off a Bandit in Earth country.. The blade is made with Chakra metal from Iron" naruto says, holding out the sword horizontally. Tenten stares at the sword in shock with wide and flickering eyes, "Y-you want to give me this sword" she says. Naruto ruffles his hair a little, "Yeah.. Call it a Late Birthday present Panda" he says. Tenten slowly takes the sword from naruto and grips it in both hands, "T-thank you Foxy" she says. Mei watches from the shadows with a soft smile but glances to see tsunade, "You sure you want them to reconnect" the blonde says.
"I am but I'll be his First.. He deserves a lot of happiness according to his Aunt Miko" mei says.
"He is the last male of the Uzumaki.. If he settles back in Konoha.. Those in power will push for him to be put into the CRA" tsunade says.
"I'll Only accept Tenten because she is Naruto's friend and has known him when he was most vulnerable" mei comments and tsunade smirks. Nightfall comes and mei strokes naruto's blond hair as he falling asleep on her chest, "Lady Tsunade told me something" she says.
"What was is it" naruto says, listening to her heart beating.
"If we go back to Konoha.. Those in power may want to force the Clan Revival Act on you as the last male of the Uzumaki" mei says.
"I don't think I could do something like that" naruto says.
"Could you accept Tenten" mei asks and naruto looks up into her green eyes.
"Huh" naruto says but mei holds him to her chest.
"Tenten and I have been talking.. Getting to know her and her intentions.. So we decided that if she gains feelings for you.. From there I'll share you with her" mei says and naruto sighs softly.
"Do I have a say in this" naruto says.
"No but would you mind" mei says and naruto shakes his head, "Then we'll need a name for this.. When Tenten joins us" she adds, continuing to stroke his blond hair until they fall asleep. Another month would pass as naruto, karin and mei settle into life in owari with their probation lifted. Each of them train in various facets with karin and mei learning from tsunade but also shizune, while naruto spars constantly with tenten or learning meiton from branwen by using his magic. The ravens teach him a few jutsu like Gashadokuro made of meiton and can grow in size due absorbing chakra, the skeletal entity starting at fifteen time the height of him. He learns to break himself down into ravens as well but the most interesting is the Ruler of Darkness Technique. The jutsu works similar to the hidden mist jutsu but shrouds the area in complete darkness but it can't fool the Byakugan, however the Sharingan and Rinnegan are susceptible which will hide the caster.
シーンブレイク
"The Prince left in a hurry" naruto thought, laying on the roof of the meeting hall. Branwen is flying around above him while mei and tenten were training in the countryside. The last month he and tenten have been drawing closer but she has yet to really confess, though there were tiny moments between them that draw them closer. The blond reaches into his cargo pocket for a flavored cigarette pack to slip one into his mouth.
"Kushina would be angry to see you smoke" mikoto says, her chibi form coming from his body.
"Blame Zabuza... You need a Coping thing Brat" naruto muses but doesn't light it. It's a rarity for him to smoke as he does once every two weeks, "Yeah blame me Brat" zabuza comments.
"I plan to" mikoto comments. Naruto ignores them and covers his left eye with his hand to look through several ravens that he has keeping an eye on karin, mei and tenten with shadows attached to ieyasu, tsunade and shizune. The blond monarch decides on a nap to avoid lin as the woman does not like him for some unknown reason. About an hour before sunset naruto snaps awake as one of his soldiers is suddenly injured, "Shadow Exchange" he says, swapping with said soldier and finding himself in the thick of a battle.
[Music: Faust - Mick Gordon(Loop)]
A few moments before naruto arrives ieyasu is fighting for not just his life but lives of his wife momo, his mother Jiyu but also his newborn daughter Nozomi. The attack is fierce and heavy as ninja wearing hitai-ate having a musical note attack Honnō-ji temple where his mother lives as a nun, also where his wife is going through labor. Ieyasu leads the charge with his retinue of soldiers with one of his samurai named Saito Himura alongside him. However ieyasu draws the shortest straws as he found himself facing the leader of the assault.
"W-who sent you" ieyasu says, blood running down his face from a gash above his right eye and half blurring his vision. His foe is a young man with pale skin, vivid green eyes, angular facial features, two scarlet dots on his forehead and shoulder-length white hair. He has it divided down the middle on his head with a zigzag parting and two separate partings on either side of his face.
"You don't deserve to know Trash" the foe says. He wears a light lavender, loose-fitting, long-sleeve, zip-up shirt, black pants cut off around his mid-calf, bandages wrapped around his ankles, shinobi sandals and a purple, rope-like belt tied in an inverted bow around his waist. Ieyasu shoots forward for an upward arc strike but the foe avoids it with ease, driving a white bone like protrusion from his palm into the prince's leg. Ieyasu cries out in pain and drops his sword but the foe follows up with a back elbow to his nose, breaking it and spewing more blood. A heavy kick sends ieyasu his back as stars fill his vision, "I-I can't die.. Momo.. Nozomi need me" he thought, turning on his back and tries to retrieve his sword.
"You will die here.. Do not fret.. I will send the Woman and Baby after you" the foe says, callously. This ignites a fire in ieyasu as he grabs his sword with a war-cry iaido like swing but the foe blocks his strike, "My Bones are as hard as steel.. You will not shatter them with such Weakness" the foe says, as ieyasu's sword shatters. The 2nd prince staggers back in shock but clenches his broken sword while blood coats half his face.
"I-I may not be as strong as a Shinobi but I will Not let you kill my Wife and Child" ieyasu says, determined to protect momo and nozomi to the bitter end. The foe raises his left hand with his fingers pointed and ieyasu gasps as white bone comes from the foe's fingers, "Then Die... Teshi Sendan" the foe says and the bone fires. Time seems to slow as ieyasu sees the drilling bullets coming, his vision hyper focused but everything returns to normal as he on his back with a person made of shadows standing his place.
"W-what?!" ieyasu says but his breath hitches, as naruto suddenly appears in the person's place. The foe charges naruto but a wave of the blond's hand sends him crashing through a tree or two.
"It seems you are need of help Prince Ieyasu" naruto says, his back to the prince.
"I-I am.. They attacked quickly.. I rushed to defend my family.. Tsunade is protecting them but I was unluckily pitted against their leader" ieyasu says. Naruto slowly turns to ieyasu with his face hidden in shadow but leaving two purple orbs, "Then I'll ask you one Thing Prince Ieyasu... Can I kill all those who have attacked this place" naruto says.
"P-please Help me and my Family" ieyasu says, wincing several times. Naruto kneels and tears off the left sleeve of his black sweater, "Everyone... Come out" he says, pulling the bone from ieyasu's left leg. Mikoto and everyone rises from his expanding shadow except inari, isobu and cerberus while the blond ties the prince's leg.
"Fugaku.. Spot.. Taiga.. Take the Prince to his family and defend them.. No harm is to come to them" naruto says, helping ieyasu to his feet. Taiga lifts the prince carefully with a nod and spot a thumbs up, "We'll handle it" taiga says.
"Everyone else.. Go Hunting" naruto says, seeing his foe on his feet. Mikoto and the others vanish as naruto rolls his shoulders with the scorching gauntlets crawling up his arms.
"More Trash come to Die" the foe says.
"Kimimaro.. Strange black things have begun attacking.. We need..." one of the enemy says, running up but kimimaro fires his finger bullets through her head.
"A Kaguya" naruto thought and tilts his head, "Why would a Kaguya involve themselves in Fire Country" he says.
"It is none of your concern Trash.. You will die here along with Prince and his family" kimimaro says.
"Not happening" naruto says, as both rush each and the blond leaps into 540 kick but kimimaro avoids it into crouch. He shoots his palms towards naruto as bone shoot out to stab him but he turns into an unkindness of ravens. Kimimaro whips around to block a flying sidekick and naruto uses that to somersault back to punch forward as he lands to disturb the air, forcing kimimaro right but the kaguya goes in with a series of swipes with his palm blades and adding a few kicks to the mix as well.
"His Taijutsu is impressive.. His Speed.. Agility and Dexterity are high caliber" naruto thought, avoiding a leaping split kick from kimimaro.
"He's avoiding my Yanagi no Mai... No matter.. I'll show him my Tsubaki no Mai" kimimaro thought, unzipping his top halfway. His upper left arm undulates as the upper arm bone slowly rises from his skin and kimimaro fashions it into a sword.
"I have to call this a fortunate opportunity.. I didn't get to meet a Kaguya during my time in Mist" naruto says, lowering his stance to spring forward.
"I am the Last Kaguya" kimimaro says and both shoot forward once again. Naruto meet kimimaro with a snapping six-piece jab combo but the kaguya blocks with his bone sword into several stabs coming from a slightly different angle each time. However he changes the regularity of his strikes with a few getting through due to the constant and chaotic strikes. Naruto sends kimimaro skidding from a concussive punch and rockets forward to slice his cheek with inari's fangs coming from his inventory. Kimimaro's vision begins to blur and his left eye bloodshot but a tattoo of three slightly curved lines on his chest over his manubrium begins to spread in a rip-like pattern.
"Your death is assured now" kimimaro says. The marking on his chest turns orange-red and expands in lines spreading in contorting and parallel lines. Kimimaro blitzes forward with increased speed and his chaotic movements force naruto to put a little distance between them into using ruler's authority to drive the kaguya into the ground. Naruto leaps as kimimaro is still pinned and clenches his right fist as his gauntlet glows, "Scorching Bullet" he thought, bring his fist down on kimimaro's spine and cracking the ground under him. Naruto leaps back as kimimaro lays motionless but remains on guard, "That attack would do most in" the blond thought. Kimimaro begins to move to all fours as his skin begins to turn a dark grey.
"No one.. Not even Lord Orochimaru has seen this form" kimimaro says, looking up with his teeth much sharper. His eyes' sclera has bleed black, his green eyes now a sick yellow as six large bone spines protrude out of his back. A long bone-spiked tail slaps the ground and two dark black curved like markings form under his eyes, one under each eye and two as elongated eyebrows. Naruto brings out his inari's fangs once again but kimimaro tackles the blond and spears them into a tree with naruto spitting up some blood. The blond brings down his daggers into kimimaro's shoulders to deliver more poison, before breaking down into an unkindness once again.
"That will not kill me" kimimaro says, turning to the forming blond. Naruto spits a glob of blood away, "Oh it will" he says, crossing both blades over one another. Kimimaro lowers himself and slowly pulls out his spinal cord to make a whip like weapon, "Tessenka no Mai: Tsuru" he says. Naruto switches his inari's fangs for zabimaru as kimimaro shoots forward with strike of his whip but naruto avoids it, leaping and sending raiton through zabimaru with a whip strike of his own. Kimimaro parries it and wraps his whip around the sword to yank it free from naruto's hands but he quickly punches the air to hit the kaguya in chest.
"Tsūtenkyaku" naruto thought, shunshining above kimimaro for a heel dropkick to his head and it feel like a hitting a steel beam. He quickly uses inari's fangs once again to slash kimimaro before he recovers and leaps away as the kaguya slashes at him. He slowly struggles to his feet as naruto remains on guard but the blond sees bone beginning to coil around kimimaro's left arm, "Tessenka no Mai: Hana" kimimaro hisses. The last kaguya lowers his stance as naruto sends his daggers away for moment and weaving signs before kimimaro rockets forward.
"Meiton: Gashadokuro" naruto thought, as his shadow aura expands and begins form a skeletal enitity about ten times his height. It leans down to block kimimaro and throw him off course but the kaguya grazes the blond's side and naruto clutches his side while leaping away. Naruto quickly weaves signs once again to a ram sign, "Meiton: Ruler of Darkness Technique" he says, before everything around them becomes sheer darkness. Kimimaro looks around but could see nothing, "What has he done" he says but begins to here voices and something slices into his body. He tries to use his bone whip but also hits only shadows before loud pings hit his body.
"You're going die here Kaguya but don't worry.. You'll serve me well" voices say in unison. Kimimaro grits his teeth in anger and prepares to use his Sawarabi no Mai but suddenly blood spews from his mouth as his vision blurs.
"I-I can't die.. I need to return to Lord Orochimaru" kimimaro whispers but something cold presses to the back of his skull, while his limbs become numb and unable to move.
"You'll see Orochimaru again... However as a member of my army" naruto says, pulling the trigger of his revolver. Kimimaro crashes forward but it takes a further six shots to penetrate his skull and destroy his brain. He slowly return to a human visage as naruto brings down his ruler of darkness jutsu, "Arise" naruto says but nothing happens, "Arise" he says but again nothing, "Arise" he says thrice and a shadow hand emerges from kimimaro's body. His shadow soldier resembles his transformed state as he kneels to one knee in service of his new master. [song ends]
シーンブレイク
Naruto winces as shizune looks over his wound to his side while her hands glow a light green, "Prince Ieyasu owes his life to you" she says, sitting on the steps of the temple with soldiers guarding the area. He had raised all the attackers through a few clones while several had fled back to whatever snake hole they were hiding in.
"Tsunade was here.. I'm sure she would've been a force" naruto says.
"Perhaps but we were concerned with Princess Momo and her child but also Prince Ieyasu's Injuries" shizune says, finishing and the blond pulls his shirt down. They head inside the temple to see ieyasu with the prince sitting on his futon next to his wife momo's futon as she nurses their daughter nozomi. Momo has long snow-white hair having a tinge of pink to it and kind blue eyes, her newborn nozomi resembling her but having ieyasu's eyes.
"Naruto.. Thank you saving My family and I" ieyasu says.
"He's right" tsunade says, checking his bandaged leg and forehead.
"What will you do Milord... This attack reeks of your brother" saito says. He is a tall man with a lean but fit frame, pronounced cheekbones and a cross shape scar is on his left cheek, his eyes are yellow and give off the air of a wolf. He's dressed in a dark military uniform and a katana strapped to his hip.
"Prince Nobutatsu would actually convince the likes of Orochimaru to aid him" naruto says.
"It's not out realm of possibility.. Nobutatsu has shown he'll stop at nothing to get the throne.. Even if not proven and is just conjecture.. Danzo has helped him.. That damn warhawk would jump at this chance to aid the 1st Prince.. Which could lead to him becoming Hokage" tsunade says. Ieyasu quietly stares at his wounded leg but then to his wife and child, "My own Brother tried to kill them.. Just to get to me" he thought, as a soft hand rests on his shoulder. Jiyu touches her forehead to his temple but says nothing as her demeanor is enough to steady his shaken heart. After his father died she came to honnō-ji to live out the rest of her life as a nun but that mattered not to his brother.
"When will I be fully healed" ieyasu asks, his tone serious and resolute.
"Two weeks to month" tsunade replies.
"It is time for this Succession War to end.. My brother's actions on this day have proven I need to be more decisive.. I can no longer just win with my words but with my actions" ieyasu says and look to the blond standing by the doorway, "Naruto Uzumaki.. Phantom.. Will you lend me your Strength" he adds. Naruto pushes off the wall the by the doorway and approaches the 2nd prince to kneel next to him with his head down, "You will have it Milord" he says. A week later in akimitsuwari nobutatsu tosses his sake bottle into a wall after being threatened by orochimaru for losing his prized kimimaro.
"How could this happen?!" nobutatsu hisses.
"It's as if Ieyasu has the Gods on his side" miyako says.
"It seems as his wife has a child and his Heir.. While I have neither" nobutatsu says.
"And with this recent attack.. He'll become more fierce in battle but he'll be less inclined to enter the battlefield himself" miyako says.
"Then we'll have Uncle Sanada take one of his Forts near his border.. The one in Hoppi.. It will serve as entrance for our army.. Which I will lead" nobutatsu says but would come to regret that choice. A month later ieyasu with his young family were back in owari with both mother and daughter doing well but it was not all good news as sanada toyomiya has take one of the larger forts guarding owari lands. Saito and ieyasu's military advisor Naoe Kanetsugu believe nobutatsu will use this fort as a staging ground for a larger force.
"Toyomiya has hunkered down in Fort Hoppi with small raiding parties hitting the surrounding villages" naoe says. He is a good-looking man with dark hair in a top-knot, brown eyes and wearing dark samurai attire with kiseru in his mouth. Ieyasu stares at the map in thought while saito points to small forts to the west and east of hoppi, "Sanada may send forces to secure these forts.. Which will give the enemy a corridor to move a larger force unimpeded" saito says.
"What do you suggest" ieyasu asks.
"Sanada leads a force of about two hundred with two Samurai.. The Hinaka brothers.. I suggest we reinforce the two smaller forts.. Lin can take her Onmitsukido to the Eastern fort.. While Saito can lead a force to the Western fort" naoe says.
"That leaves Sanada himself and the Hinaka brothers.. Things hinge on Sanada going for the smaller forts and spreading out his forces" saito comments.
"Even if he does not.. We will strike at the Head of the Snake" ieyasu says.
"Are we going to kill Sanada" saito says but ieyasu shakes his head.
"No.. We will capture Toyomiya and possibly the Hinaka brothers.. Most of my brother's forces are conscripted men and women.. We capture Toyomiya.. They may surrender to us" ieyasu says.
"Capturing Sanada also puts pressure on the Toyomiya.. Consort Miyako treasures her brother" ieyasu says.
"Think so.. She did have her younger brother but also three cousins and her niece killed according to rumors" saito says.
"Regardless.. We need to be coordinated in attacking Hoppi.. Speed and Coordination are key here" naoe says.
"Which is Why I'll have Naruto Uzumaki.. Mei Terumi and Tenten joining me in attacking Hoppi" ieyasu says and speaking of tenten. The bun hair girl is moving through the forest in search of naruto after mei told he was doing some night training to better control shadows. She finds naruto on a hill meditating with branwen on his left shoulder and the raven sees her, "Panda.. Panda.. Panda" she caws, flying off. The night air seems cooler than before as tenten approaches the blonde with her steps hesitant but determined. Mei had given her a pep talk on a few occasions the past month about her feelings towards him but chickened out each time.
"Naruto" tenten begins but her voice is barely above a whisper, "Can I talk to you" she adds, much louder. Naruto looks over his shoulder with a nod but his blue eyes were curious yet welcoming as he gets to his feet and dusts off his rear. His eyes are a feature she most enjoys about him as they were like two sapphires, becoming a fierce amethyst when using his monarch abilities, his whiskers were fun to mess with but they were gone now though his cheeks were still sensitive.
"What's on your mind" naruto asks. Tenten takes a deep breath and musters all the courage she needs to finally let her feelings out, "Well... I've been thinking a lot about us" she says and mikoto squeals from naruto's shadow, as he tilts his head slightly.
"We've been friends since we were little.. Playing with toys.. Sneaking food when the Matrons didn't let you eat.. Helping you read when no one else would help... Spending time together during our brief tine at the academy... Now we've reunited and our friendship has progressed into something more" tenten says. Naruto's expression softens with a small smile on his face and moves closer to her, "I have to agree" he says and places a hand on her shoulder, "I wouldn't be the same without you" he adds. Tenten smiles with a mixture of relief and happiness lighting up her features, "I know you have Mei but I want to be by your side but not just as your friend.. I want to be someone... Who cares for you deeply" she says, almost losing herself in his eyes.
"Then we'll try.. You.. Me and Mei" naruto says and tenten nods with pink cheeks. A distance away from the hill mei watches with a smile gracing her lips while the stars seem to shine brighter above them.
シーンブレイク
In hoppi fortress sanda toyomiya sits quietly as his fellow samurai the hinaka brothers as they celebrate taking this fort with owari land wine while he drinks some tea. Their takeover of the fort went smoothly as they were able to overwhelm the initial defenses rather quickly with their sheer numbers. His next plan is to send forces to take over the forts to the east and west to prepare for a larger force lead by nobutatsu.
"My nephew has never fought in a Real battle or lead soldiers but I must aid him" sanada thought. He has gray hair with a scar on his neck, wearing dark green and silver samurai armor. He has a sworn oath to his nephew due to his sister but also as the first-born son of lord oda. Succession is clear but ieyasu has proven to a better choice, causing this succession war to be born and unlike his power-hungry sister. He believes in honor and respect but his nephew's choices or actions were weakening the country as a whole.
"Hahaha.. I told you this was going to be easy" the older of the hinaka brothers Shinso says. His younger brother Hayama nods his head with several gulps of wine, "Our Lord is overestimating the bastard.. He is the younger brother and our place is to serve our older brothers.. It is high time he learns his place" he says, savoring the warmth as it slides down his throat.
"We were successful so far because we were able to catch their forces unaware.. However despite their lethargic response.. Do not underestimate the enemy force" sanada says.
"Pah!.. They just ran away in fear when they saw us approaching" shinso says, thinking he could see something that not even the older man could see.
"We must exert caution.. I plan to send out scouts to the forts west and east.. To prepare for us to take them over before Ieyasu marshals a response" sanada says, thinking that ieyasu will come himself.
"We don't need Scouts" shinso says and hayama nods, as both brothers drain their glasses of wine.
"They are rats.. Whoever the upstart sends.. We will crush them like rats and Lord Nobutatsu will march into Owari.. Burn the upstart's castle down and Slave away their women" hayama says, smirking at a memory of ieyasu's wife momo. Something his brother thought as well as both brothers believe they'll get a chance to have their way with ieyasu's wife.
"Will the two of you ignore the rumors that Phantom has joined Ieyasu's forces" sanada says, after a sip of tea and both hinaka brothers look at the elder samurai.
"According to his Bingo Book entry.. He fought in Mist's civil war and killed a Jinchuriki.. Such a power turns the Tide further in Ieyasu's favor" sanada says.
"Pah!.. I don't believe that" shinso says. Sanada knows that despite leading this force of two hundred built from conscripted people in lands controlled by his family or nobutatsu, the brothers were too hot-headed and balk at his orders constantly. Old age has caught up to him and his chosen heir in the form of his granddaughter disgusing as her twin brother would lead the family in service of whomever won this war. The aged samurai would test hideyoshi's second son to see if he can lead fire country.
"Ohatsu knows what to do When I fall or I am captured... Miyako.. Nobutatsu.. You've shown that Power can corrupt but has it corrupted Ieyasu" sanada thought, watching the hinaka brother incessant drinking. Two weeks would pass as no counterattack happens which emboldens the hinaka brothers to burn two villages to the ground but nobutatsu's orders were such, despite sanada's misgivings. He sends scouts out but learns ieyasu has bolstered both forts and would be coming to take back hoppi.
"AAAAAH!.. FIRE!... GET SOME WATER!.. WERE UNDER ATTACK!" echoes through the fort, a day after learning of ieyasu's force coming. The shouts reach sanada as he reaches the courtyard to see a storehouse on fire but also the watchtower and shouts of fires coming from their army encampments.
"What is going on?!" shinso shouts, reaching the courtyard with his brother. All of them see a large unkindness of ravens hitting the watchtower before a loud roar echoes.
"What is That?!.. It has Three Heads!" one soldier shouts.
"Arm yourselves!" sanada shouts, drawing his sword as the hinaka brothers do the same. Cerberus leaps over the walls with ease, landing with large dustup as the three samurai and soldiers ready themselves but the three headed beast swirls with black-purple energy. The swirling energy breaks down to change into naruto with his mask on, mei with her hood obscuring her face, tenten with her new sword on her side and of all people ieyasu dressed for battle. He wears a black hakama with a matching kosode that has a yellow patch on his shoulder. Armor in the form a shoulder guard attached to his left shoulder. Chest armor is attached at the waist with a red obi, a segmented bracer on his left arm and segmented shin guard over his horse-riding boots.
"Prince Ieyasu" sanada says with the hinaka brothers flanking him.
"Sanada Toyomiya" ieyasu says. The tension ramps up immediately as both sides stare each down with the hinaka brothers letting their egos get to them, their gazes lusting over tenten and mei.
"Sanada Toyomiya.. I urge you to lay down your arms and surrender" ieyasu says.
"Pah!.. It should be You who surrenders!" shinso shouts.
"You were a Fool to come here with Just three allies" hayama adds. Naruto shifts his hidden eyes as his black hair blows a little but sees a few soldiers with bows trained at them.
"The four of us are More than enough against the likes of You" naruto says, a hint of mockery in his tone and it has the perfect effect on the hinaka brothers.
"Fire!" shinso shouts.
"Stop!" sanada shouts but it is too late as arrows careen towards the four but naruto grins behind his mask. He raises his left hand towards the three samurai and uses ruler's authority to halt the arrows to the shock of everyone but his side.
"You can have this back" naruto says, sending the arrows back and summons numerous ravens. Ieyasu charges sanada with his sword drawn and sanada meets him with the hinaka brothers fighting off the ravens. Tenten and mei spring into action as naruto vanishes to appear behind hayama with his revolver in hand as the samurai cuts down a raven but it is a shadow, "Bang" naruto says, firing and blowing hayama's brains out.
"Hayama?!" shinso shouts and grips his sword tightly, rage in his eyes and locked on naruto. He swings his sword down with all his might and chakra turns his sword a red hue as an invisible slash rips up the very ground towards naruto. The hidden blond breaks into an unkindness and comes towards shinso to reform, now with his samurai killers in his hands.
"You killed my Brother!" shinso roars, swinging a horizontal strike but naruto avoids it. Ieyasu flies back with a skid as sanada is approaching with his right sword hand shaking a little as he raises it up and examines it, gripping his sword tighter.
"Impressive Prince Ieyasu.. Not many can make my hand shake like this" sanada says, complementing the prince but glances to see naruto leading shinso away. Ieyasu simply nods with a slight glance to tenten and mei giving them some distance to fight.
"It seems you are going to make this old man come to you" sanada says and uses shukuchi. Ieyasu barely has time to get his sword up to block as the metal of their blades clash against one another and sparks fly. The 2nd prince of fire country digs his feet and pushes more chakra into his blade, his sword gaining a blue hue but sanada's sword now has a green hue before they break apart. The uncle of the 1st prince closes in on ieyasu while their brief clash is highly sophisticated as the older man brings down his blade. Ieyasu sidesteps the downward strike but sanada seamlessly changes his blade's trajectory, shifting the vertical strike into a horizontal one.
"Amazing" ieyasu thought, leaning back and the blades passes right above him. He sends a heavy kick and sanada jumps back but quickly closes the distance between them in a single stride to attempt a slash to the prince's neck. Ieyasu parries the strike and twists on his heel to swing a swift strike but sanada crouches to avoid, aiming for ieyasu's heart and putting him on the defensive once again. Ieyasu parries several strikes as they clash with their blades sending sparks everywhere from their continuous exchanges. A break allows ieyasu to put a little distance to use his Iron Reaver to cut through the ground but sanada smirks, parrying his attack with his sheath to the prince's shock.
"In terms of skill.. You are strong but..." sanada says, almost praising the prince but only almost. He vanishes in blur with several thrusting strikes but ieyasu only blocks the first two. The remaining five slash his upper arms, sides but his armor blocks and finally his sword as it shatters while he flies back.
"It's over Prince Ieyasu" sanada says, closing in on the prince with a Gatotsu strike. However the prince vanishes and in his place is tenten with her sword coming up and parries the man's strike up as he avoids her counter. Ieyasu staggers to his feet as with pain rippling through him but falls back to one knee as sanada and tenten were staring each other down.
"You've saved the Prince's life at the cost of your own" sanada says, taking a gatotsu strike stance. He shoots forward with his strike but tenten narrowly avoids it with her sword, creating sparks and spins on heels for a strike from behind toward the back of his neck. However the seasoned samurai avoids it and moves away from her while tenten shifts into a Te Ura Gasumi No Kamae stance. Sanada stares at the young woman as in their quick exchange learns tenten is gifted with the sword. Another quick exchange tells more about tenten, her lack of experience is shored up by ninja training. She fights not just with her impeccable sword but with her mind as well, scheming and planning as all great fighters do.
"Did you teach her Saito Himura or could it be You.." sanada thought. Ieyasu watches tenten and sanada as his thoughts go to his former sensei Watashi Hirohito, who taught him but also tenten kenjutsu before his death.
"Tell me..." sanada says, parrying tenten's strikes.
"Tenten" tenten says, going for a Ryūkansen. Sanada avoids the spinning attack with a back step and closes in with a strike but tenten avoids, however not the side-sweeping attack that sends her crashing away.
"Were you schooled by Watashi Hirohito.. Master of the Hiten Mitsurugi-ryū" sanada says. Tenten clutches her bleeding side with a pained look on her face, "Y-yes" she says but before sanada could ask more, the head of shinso lands between them. Naruto moves in front of tenten with shinso's sword in hand and sanada immediately sense this air about the hidden blond but knows the situation just as fast. Sanada drives his sword into the dirt and slowly drops to his knees, "I surrender Prince Ieyasu" he says.
シーンブレイク
"Nobutatsu is leading a force to this Fort" ieyasu says. He, naruto, mei and tenten were sitting in the main building of the fortress after taking it back about a hour ago. Most of the force surrendered after learning of sanada's surrender but the four have to deal with almost half the force.
"How large of a force" naruto asks.
"Toyomiya said it was double what he brought to take this force and his last two samurai Ryozan Kamatachi and Gin Ichinose" ieyasu says.
"We can't fight that with just us" tenten says.
"It would take days for us return with a proper force.. Saito and Lin need to defend their forts in case" ieyasu says.
"We won't need to.. The three of you head back to Owari with Toyomiya.. I can hold things.. Send word that you captured Toyomiya.. It may stop your brother in his tracks before he arrives" naruto says. Mei and tenten stare at their blond as ieyasu contemplates naruto suggestion of holding the fort alone, "Can you do it" ieyasu says.
"I have some Heavy Hitters.. Though once word gets out about one in particular.. Konoha will know where I am" naruto says.
"Or you could simply not use Inari.. Isobu and Cerberus are big enough" mei says and naruto shrugs with a nod.
"Then we'll go through with Naruto's plan.. We will head back with Toyomiya and conscripts he brought.. They'll follow him" ieyasu says and all three nod. The next day ieyasu, mei and tenten leave with a hundred of sanada's conscripts to head for owari while leaving naruto in fort hoppi. Naruto sits on the top of a watchtower with his legs dangling and a flavored cigarette in his mouth burning, "You shouldn't hide me" inari says.
"I would rather not have Konoha scrambling to find me.. Danzo will be nose open if he learns Phantom is actually Naruto Uzumaki.. Former Kyubi Jinchuriki" naruto says, expelling some smoke but sucking up the cinnamon flavored smoke up his nose. Three days later naruto is standing on the wall of the fort with his hood of his lightning storm hoodie keeping the rain off of him. He also wears a graphic long sleeve shirt in a dark purple color with sleeves have bionic designs on it. A pair of hybrid ninja-cargo pants with adjustable straps having tight ankles and steel-toe harness boots. It has been raining heavily since midnight and this will impede both nobutatsu's forces but ieyasu's as well.
"They're here" naruto thought, looking through some binoculars. He sees the force of nearly five hundred strong with about hundred on horseback, leading the pack were two samurai on horseback but no sign of nobutatsu until the hidden blond sees a carriage among the calvary.
"He seems too Good to be in the rain like us" zabuza comments, as naruto slips his mask on and drops the binocular.
"Seems so" naruto says, hopping onto the wall's edge and drops down onto a shadow horse at the sight of white flag between the two samurai from an onna-musha. Naruto rides out to meet them as the two samurai do the same with a few rumbles of thundering echoing.
"Where is Prince Ieyasu" one says. He is older man with lightish hair and calculating brown eyes in full armor, even a kabutomushi helmet on his head and mask over his face.
"In Owari and bringing a force to stop you.. However he has also captured Sanada Toyomiya.. Your Lord's uncle" naruto says and this angers the second samurai. He has dark brown hair in a topknot with a large scar running down the side of his face through one of his eyes that is milky white in light armor
"Then he left you to die.. Pitiful" the first samurai says.
"No.. He left me because he trusts I can hold off your forces until He arrives" naruto retorts and looks to the carriage, "Where is Prince Nobutatsu.. Sanada said he was leading this force.. Is the Rain too much for his sensibilities" he adds.
"You Cur!.. My name is Ryozan Kamatachi and it will be I who will Kill you" the second samurai shouts.
"Then you must Gin Ichinose... The Prince you serve tried twice to recruit me.. First by throwing money at me.. Which would make many fall to Greed.. Then second through a Poker game but both failed" naruto says.
"Then you are him.. Phantom" gin says.
"I am and I ask you turn your army around.. I've learned that your forces are made up of conscripted Men and Women.. Forced to join for one's man greed... Unlike Prince Ieyasu's forces made up of people willing to aid in this war" naruto says.
"We will not.. Lord Nobutatsu has been ordained to become Fire Daimyo by right of being First-born" gin says. Naruto sighs as a flash of lightning erupts to cut a mean figure of his form, "Then there are no words.. Only fighting... I'll be waiting" naruto says and breaks down into an unkindness, heading back towards the fort as his horse vanishes.
"He's as Arrogant as the upstart" ryozan says.
"May be but news of Sanada's capture may break the morale of his forces among our group" gin says.
"It won't matter.. They Know what happens to those who do not serve" ryozan says, a callous smile on his face.
[Music: Solo Leveling OST - DARK ARIA (LV2-Loop)]
Naruto reforms on the fort's wall and grabs the binocular to look, seeing the army continuing their march towards the fort. Naruto's shadow aura begin to expand as his eyes glow behind his mask, "Everyone Come out but Inari only show one tail and not as big" he says, as his arm rises.
"Fine" inari comments. Many in the approaching army see the three bestial forms of inari, isobu and cerberus among the shadow army.
"What are Those?!" a few shout.
"Pah!.. Petty Illusions.. Charge!" ryozan shouts, galloping forward. Nobutatsu looks through his carriage window with wide eyes, "That has some sort if illusion.. Shinobi tricks" he thought and opens his window, "March forward" he declares. Naruto sends his army forward as spot is at the forefront with isobu and cerberus. Spot swings his axe towards the coming ryozan with the samurai confident of passing these illusions but his confidence dies with him. Spot swings his axe and sends ryozan's horse flying and knocking the samurai to the mud but cerberus crushes him into the mud. Arrows and rifle volley flies into the charging shadow army but it does nothing towards them, tight streams of water tear into the enemy lines, large fireballs from numerous uchiha and also inari, while zabuza, ameyuri and raiga unleash a thick mist.
"Sword Art: Searing Swallows!" gin shouts, swing his sword having an orange hue and creating numerous swallows that explode on contact. Gin takes out a few soldiers but they managed to separate him from his horse but he avoids crashing to the ground. Naruto appears with shadow exchange with his samurai killers in his hands and his hoodie discarded while thunder rumbles above them. Around them date cuts through soldiers with his six swords between his fingers with shouts, "Here We go!" he shouts, his sword moving like claws of a dragon. Kenshin moves with the speed of like lightning while oichi moves with elegance using her double-bladed naginata. Hideyoshi upturns the earth and blows back the earth with punches while pakura conjures mini suns to turn soldiers into mummies.
"You don't have to throw you life away for Nobutatsu's greed.. His actions will bring Fire country down and other countries will prey on that" naruto says, overlapping his arms and daggers in reverse grips.
"He may very well but I swore an oath to him and I must honor it" gin says, shifting into a Hasso No Kamae stance. Naruto makes the first move and closes the gap between them but gin swings with force to disturb the rain falling as naruto slides underneath him, going for a strike with one of daggers. Gin moves back using shukuchi but quickly has to block naruto's heavy strikes with his daggers as sparks erupt from each clang. The clash breaks as both fighters leap back while fighting echoes around them but naruto sees through branwen's eyes that nobutatsu's carriage is fleeing.
"Coward" naruto thought, sending his daggers away and holds his right hand down as the demon king's longsword materializes. He swings and creates a miniature lighting storm that gin is forced to avoid but naruto is on him with several heavying swings that gin blocks but has to constantly pump chakra through his sword to keep it from breaking. Naruto breaks the clash as gin swings down hard to slice a gash into the ground and gin meets him when he lands.
"Where is you Lord.. Why is he not fighting.. Why is he letting all these people die for him" naruto says, as both are now locked in a test of strength.
"Sword Art: Searing Shockwave!" gin shouts, forcing naruto back with a shockwave of searing heat. He then sheathes his sword and shifts into a Battōjutsu while focusing their chakra as naruto raises his sword high while lightning begins to skate along the long sword. However unlike before gin has this fierce look on his face as his heart is screaming at him to win this battle, "Thank you Phantom.. You given this old man one Final fun fight" gin thought.
"Secert Sword Art: Hellstorm Beheading!" gin roars, drawing with lightning speed. He unleashes a powerful shockwave that becomes a massive and searing tornado but naruto bring his sword down, "Akuma Rairyū no Tatsumaki!" he roars, creating a red-eyed dragon shape vortex that crashes through gin's tornado. The dragon crashes into him as his tornado explodes with another shockwave, while gin flies back and crashes into the muddy ground. He stares at the dark skies as his blood mixes with the mud and rain but a large discharge of lightning crashes from the heaven like spear. His blurry eyes see naruto standing over him with the demon king's longsword resting on his shoulder.
"That was amazing.. I would love to have a Samurai like you in my Army but I won't.. Good to the Pure Land with you honor intact" gin hears, passing away. [songs ends]
シーンブレイク
Nobutatsu manages to push open the door off his overturned carriage with blood coming from his cut cheek and lip. He falls to the muddy ground as fighting is beginning to die down, "How can this be happening" nobutatsu thought, remembering a bright flash of light before his carriage was turned over.
"While your forces were fighting and dying for you.. You were hiding inside this carriage" a voice says and nobutatsu looks up to see naruto's masked face.
"This is the first we've meet face to face" naruto says. Nobutatsu tries to move his right towards a dagger but naruto fires his revolver at dagger and the prince snatches his hand back.
"Y-you won't kill me.. I am the 1st Prince of Fire Country" nobutatsu says.
"You're right I won't.. You're fate is in your brother's hand" naruto says, grabbing the prince and knocking out the prince. The remains of the day is escort the remains of nobutatsu's forces that didn't flee in terror and raising the others except for gin. He seals the samurai in a scroll to be buried later. His army would guard nobutatsu's captured army using the same encampments sanada used. Nobutatsu switched between ordering naruto releasing him, bargaining, anger and whining to be free. Ieyasu would arrive three days later with his army to find nobutatsu captured, "Tell me Brother.. Was Power worth all this" ieyasu says, a mix of anguish and authority in his tone. A set of bars in the fort are between them, "The Daimyo seat was Mine from birth" nobutatsu says.
"Your right as First-Born justified this war.. Turned your Domain into a place where Innocent are treated horribly.. So much that they fled to mine for safety" ieyasu says.
"The seat of Daimyo is mine by Tradition and Law.. These battles.. Whether Victory or Loss are necessary steps to claim what is rightfully mine... Commoners.. Their lives are the currency of power.. Their sacrifices are expected.. If not inevitable" nobutatsu says, his expression unyielding and eyes cold. Ieyasu stares at this brother with disbelief palpable on his face and his fist clenched, "Necessary?!.. Inevitable?!.. Have you not listened to me.. Akimitsuwari has incited open rebellion.. Those commoners you speak of with disgust.. You don't sacrifice them for personal gain" ieyasu says but nobutatsu scoffs.
"You speak of ideals.. As if they feed and clothe the masses.. Power ensures survival.. The Lessers simply need to follow their Betters" nobutatsu says. Ieyasu stares at his older brother with a piercing gaze and this shakes a little of nobutatsu's arrogance, "Do you think Those Nobles will still follow you after learned you've been captured.. They'll abandon your cause at the first chance they get and they'll be dealt with in time" ieyasu says and turns on his heels.
"My Mother will come for me!" nobutatsu shouts but ieyasu ignores him. Ieyasu heads for the courtyard of the fort with his thoughts on what is to come. News soon spreads of the battle of hoppi and the capture of nobutatsu by ieyasu's side but also sanada toyomiya as well. This event sent ripples through konoha, further dividing opinions and testing loyalties. Miyako toyomiya tries to rally forces to save her son but her niece ohatsu reveals herself and rallies soldiers loyal to her to take over akimitsuwari. Konoha's ruling body attempt to discuss on what to do concerning nobutatsu's capture, their neutrality due to ancient oaths binding them to the peace of the country and not support any child in a succession war.
"2nd Prince Ieyasu Oda has captured 1st Prince Nobutatsu Oda and routed a large number of his army" hiruzen begins and hush fills the council room.
"Has Prince Ieyasu taken Akimitsuwari" tsume asks.
"No but Ohatsu Toyomiya has taken Akimitsuwari" hiruzen replies.
"Ohatsu Toyomiya.. Not Nagamasa Toyomiya" choza says and hiruzen nods.
"I do not know the details but it seems Ohatsu Toyomiya masqueraded as her twin brother" hiruzen says.
"The balance in the Fire Country has shifted with Prince Ieyasu's victory over Prince Nobutatsu.. It holds significant implications for us" shikaku says, concern evident on his face.
"Indeed it does... Konoha has remained true to its oaths but we cannot be blind to the changes this victory brings us" hiruzen says and puffs his pipe.
"Prince Ieyasu's methods show a leader who values strategy and the hearts of the people.. Though the involvement of this Phantom raises questions. We must learn more about this ally of his" koharu says, ever the diplomat.
"I agree.. Phantom aided the Rebels in Water Country.. Now aids Prince Ieyasu.. Could Water Country be trying to use the Prince as a puppet" homura says.
"I've had Jiraiya investigating Phantom and his spies found evidence of him parting with the Rebels after the installment of Godaime Mangetsu Hozuki" hiruzen says.
"We still need to know more about this Phantom.. It is bad enough that Tsunade and her Apprentice have joined forces with Ieyasu.. Now this unknown ninja is in his ranks" danzo says.
"Tsunade gave up her rights as a Sannin and to the Senju assets save the compound.. Same with Shizune.. Also neither are fighting but providing medical care" hiruzen says. The council discuss other matters concerning the succession war perhaps coming to an end and konoha swearing allegiance to a new fire lord. About a hour later danzo is standing in his office within his underground lair and reading reports his informants in nobutatsu's force attacking hoppi, a sense of unease growing with each word he read.
"Shadow Soldiers" danzo says and crushes the paper, "Could Kushina Uzumaki passed her powers to the Jinchuriki.. If so then it explains the death of several operatives before him going missing" he thought. However the shinobi no yami finds himself at an impasse, a very severe impasse as everything he has worked for is crumbling in front of him. If not when ieyasu takes the throne as daimyo his power could subtly diminish as the young prince would root out corruption wherever he would find it.
"Worse he has the Jinchuriki" danzo thought, slamming his cane in a pattern. He would make a decision, a risky decision but one he is willing to take as one of his operatives appears and kneels to one knee.
"Assemble a surgical team of Six including yourself.. Assassinate Phantom and Ieyasu Oda.. Leave no evidence" danzo says and gives the kunoichi a look, "Not even yourself" he orders and the operative vanishes.
シーンブレイク
Naruto rides next to ieyasu on a normal horse while lin, mei and tenten are using a wagon with the persevered body of gin ichinose. The small convoy were making their way towards akimitsuwari to meet ohatsu toyomiya but also deliver the bodies of gin and the remains of sanada. The samurai chose honorable suicide with ieyasu aiding the samurai after learning of nobutatsu's capture.
"Will Ohatsu Toyomiya work with you" naruto asks. Ieyasu looks the lightly clouded sky in thought, "I believe so but I will need to meet her first" he says. Naruto nods his head as a raven lands on his shoulder with a few caws and the hidden blond's eyes narrow into a quick chain of signs, "Meiton: Gashadokuro!" he declares. The ghastly skeletal body forms around and blocks a sudden hail of explosive kunai while the horse neigh in fear.
"What's going on?!" ieyasu says, trying to calm his horse while lin does the same.
"We're under attack" naruto says, bring his jutsu down as the explosion stop. The five of them hop off and calm down their horses as naruto brings out his repeating rifle with it trained for any movement. Lin goes back to back with ieyasu while mei and tenten flank, "Where are they" lin says.
"They're hiding their presence but not from the eyes my Unkindness" naruto says, quickly pointing right and firing to nick a slowly appearing figure. The kunoichi skids to halt as another flurry of kunai fly towards them but mei slams her hand down to create a barrier of rock. Naruto moves through the earth and emerges with a high leap but now has his revolvers firing at their foes. They quickly scatter and swap with logs as naruto lands but once goes for him with her tanto. Naruto blocks with his revolvers but he manages a heavy kick to her stomach, sending her skidding but she doesn't recover fast enough as he puts two bullets to her forehead. A second Ne comes behind with two long kunai knives but he uses kawarimi with a log.
"Katon: Gōkakyū no Jutsu!" a third Ne shouts, spewing a fireball towards naruto. He brings out gin's sword from his inventory to slice through the fireball and shoots forward with shukuchi to slice through the chest of the third Ne. The second Ne sends a wave of insects towards naruto but he breaks down into an unkindness and swarms her, allowing mei to engulf the Ne with lava. The six-person team were dead save for the leader but she uses a suicide jutsu but naruto uses gashadokuro to protect them.
"Again no Evidence of his crimes" ieyasu says, staring at the small crater.
"This Danzo's M.O." mikoto comments from mitsuomi's shadow.
"I was lucky to get the Ne I got" naruto says and looks to ieyasu, "We'll get him sooner or later" he adds.
"We should continue our journey Milord" lin says, shooting the hidden blond a look.
"We should continue.. Naruto.. Have your Raven continue to search for ambushes" ieyasu says and they climb back on their horses. The journey to akimitsuwari is one that continues unimpeded, other than bandits once in the domain but were easily dealt with. Ieyasu and tiny retinue of mei, tenten, lin and naruto could see first-hand how nobutatsu ran his domain. Ieyasu makes a mental note to send tsunade, shizune and young karin with other doctors or apothecaries to aid these people here, also appointing a proper jito to manage things.
"And he believes he can run a country" mikoto comments.
"True.. Bandits are running rampant" naruto thought. They reach nobutatsu's residence and guards keeping a few people from getting in amid their shouting. The guards and people see the convoy with a few recognizing ieyasu as the 2nd prince.
"P-prince Ieyasu" one guard says.
"Yes.. I am here to see Ohatsu Toyomiya" ieyasu says and looks to the people, "Return to your home" he adds and the people slowly disburse as the convoy ride into the castle. A guard quickly fetches ohatsu as ieyasu and company dismount but before long ohatsu arrives. She has an effeminate face making her able to pass for male or female, short black hair in a pixie cut and her eyes are like her father with light samurai armor.
"Prince Ieyasu" ohatsu says, bowing. Ieyasu beckons for ohatsu to follow him to the wagon to reveal her father's armor, weapon and ashes but also the body of gin ichinose. Ohatsu knees nearly buckle at the sight of her father's effects but she knew this would come.
"He died with Honor as a proper Samurai" ieyasu says and ohatsu slowly nods. She calls for her people to carry gin's coffin and father's effects while she and ieyasu go to speak in private. Many things were discussed like miyako committing suicide with a servant's aid by drinking, most of her family's retainers have fled along with similarly thinking nobles. By the end of their talks ieyasu would promise to make ohatsu jito of akimitsuwari and send people for medical aid but also deal with their banditry by way of naruto, his army growing by another hundred by the end.
つづく
AN2: I'll end it here with the Succession War all but over with Nobutatsu's capture. I haven't decided his fate yet but it'll be off-screen. I'll pick up the next chapter about five months after this with a party in the Capital after Ieyasu's coronation, then Naruto makes his return to Konoha when the Rookies are graduating Thank you to Everyone for their support and Byeeeeee!