Yo, it's Ken
Sorry not sorry about the cliffhanger I left you guys on last chapter, but it was what had to be done. I'll keep this top section short, but I had fun writing this chapter I got to explore a good bit into some characters I really wanted to get into from the beginning of the arc as we approach the endgame of the Land of Iron Arc.
Let's get to the reviews!
Hnbutt: This chapter was definitely heart breaking for me to write too but I really enjoyed being able to write it the way I did, Kurotsuchi was always a complex character that I wanted to write this moment for so I'm glad you enjoyed it. Thank you for reading and I hope to see you in the next one!
Jagsboy: Jags! Yeah, this chapter was crazy but there were multiple ways that it could have gone down, but that way was the one that fit with Kurotsuchi and her development she had gone through up to that point genuinely becoming human while still thinking she was some kind of monster. Now is this the end of Kurotsuchi? You'll have to read to find out. Thank you for reading, I hope to see you in the next one!
Dragonkeeper10: I had to bump up the intensity the Land of Iron Arc is coming to an end, so I want it to keep the energy of a finale throughout it. You also metnioned a bunch of stuff I am so excited to write but first we have some unfinished business here in the Land of Iron so until you again for reading and I hope to see you in the next one!
meh31324: I really appreciate the high praise; I'm hoping my passion for this story and series shows in my writing and I plan on only getting better as we go forward. As for the cliffhangers, you're welcome haha. Thank you again for reading I hope to see you in the next one.
Alexander4443: Thank you, bro! Thank you again for reading, I hope to see you in the next one!
Reedz22: As a lover of fight scenes, I will admit for a little while I was considering a face-off between the two characters of Naruto and Kurotsuchi but with that stacked on top of the general fight I opted to go with the more dramatic option her one woman raid is also ironic in a sense, but I'll leave that for you to put together. Thank you again for reading and I hope to see you in the next one!
Uday Sada: Thank you for reading!
The ultimite deity: Oh no indeed, haha. Thank you again for reading! I hope to see you in the next one.
Krieger Techpriest: Krieger! Yes, this chapter was a lot even for me, but I enjoyed writing it. Koga was one of the genereal I was kind of dreading writing honestly because of the way his character would unfold but I'm glad you were able to enjoy him and the quote fits perfectly. Now as for Kuro there's a lot of irony in her big scene but I really wanted to display her development and where it's brought her since Chapter 9 (Holy Crap) also will three become two? Spoiler Alert just for you pal. Yes. How? Now that you'll have to read for. Thank you again for reading and I hope to see you in the next one!
Ashmole: You know honestly at one point I was concerned about just that, that the Land of Iron Arc was too focused on samurai stuff and not enough ninja stuff and that it was too long but I had to face it and really write what I've been wanting to write and how it relates to what this story means in this moment for Naruto the character. A reason to live and a reason to die what a great way to put it, I'll continue to write and follow up on the things that get promised. Believe it. Thank you again for reading, I hope to see you in the next one!
TheUrr: You are welcome, I will say while this story does have tragic elements and characters, I wouldn't really call it a true tragedy for myself at least but I'm weird so fair lol I'm glad you stumbled onto this story, and I hope you continue to follow the journey there's light in this cave I promise. Thank you again for reading, I hope to see you in the next one!
Dastewie2012: Cliffhangers am I right? Thank you again for reading!
mothefcking oak: Welcome back! Koga is surprisingly a well-received character I'm glad you enjoyed him I really wanted to channel a more 'human' general through him unlike the two others we met to act as the finale of the trio. I honestly loved writing for Temari again I enjoy writing for her type of character and usually have a lot of fun doing it and the Jiraiya scene was also fun to write with the illusions as a little treat for those waiting on the soon to be reunion. Lastly Kurotsuchi might be my favorite character to write for this arc, it's just nice being able to work with a character arc I've been planning since before her first appearance in the story a beautiful tragedy indeed you'll have to read to find out more. Thank you again for reading, I hope to see you in the next one!
Guest Guest: I'm glad you liked the Koga! Unfortunately, there will be more scenes like this one before the arc ends so buckle up. Thank you for reading!
Guest1110: Heart wrenching was the goal and I'm glad you enjoyed it! Thank you for reading!
Spellbat: The research on subject Spellbat continues with this review as well haha Glad to see it. Also, I got the second half for your review on the previous chapter I'm not sure if there was supposed to one for this one. You mentioned a SAOA reference a series I happen to enjoy a lot well who knows haha Naruto and Koga's fight was super fun to write and a great way to wrap a part of Naruto's arc that's been built up since the beginning of the story so those parts were nice to revisit in that fight. Also, tears are good for you so you are welcome haha. Thank you so much for reading and I hope to see you in the next one pal!
Javiur: The high praise is awesome, I'm really glad you are enjoying this story it comes from the heart the only way I choose to write. You are super right, as someone who has been around there's a lot of nuances that's in this story that adults would be more akin to then teens, looks like art is imitating life haha. Also, a fellow sucker for romance I understand your pain, but you'll have to read this chapter and find out what happens next. Thank you again for reading and I hope to see you in the next one!
Zipzapdoowoop: I genuinely loved your takes in your last review, when I first read through it I was like dang was I really that see through? Haha. You got really close but I couldn't say anything even though I wanted to. This was always going to be a part of Kurotsuchi's character for a long time since she's a complex tragic character you'll have to read to see more on that though. I'm a passionate writer and I know people are probably sick of hearing me say that but it's true haha I like to reflect the feelings of the characters I write through myself first before I actually write it down on the page to really add to the emotion of it and these characters despite everything are humans that makes them compelling as they all have their own struggles I love to focus on that stuff. Combination Stances huh... My lips are sealed haha. Thank you so much again for reading and I hope to see you in the next one!
You guys blew up the reviews last chapter with good reason it was a pretty big one but as always if you have any questions, thoughts or critiques I'm happy to read them and will respond accordingly so tell me what you think! Anyway, I'll keep this one short because of all the reviews but thank you again for taking out the time to read and look forward to this story. I'll continue to do my best. This chapter is a fun one for me at least haha.
There are only three chapters left of the Land of Iron Arc before we make it to the next one, gah I can't wait but you can't rush a good thing so I won't start now. Shout out to Gamesdean1 for putting up with me as always.
Thank you again for reading and I hope you enjoy.
-Ken
Next Time! Chapter 24: Will
{...}
Chapter 23: This Strike's For You
Naruto stood in the middle of a vortex while his eyes looked toward a yellow silhouette standing a little further ahead.
He looked at the ground before he started taking steps toward the yellow silhouette that was looking back toward him. "Are you… him?" The blonde teen asked while the yellow silhouette stared at him silently, his face obscured by the light coming from him.
"I think… I know why you're here… I don't know it for certain, but I can just feel it."
Naruto spoke again, getting closer to the figure who stood there waiting for him, the blonde teen slowly reached his hand out.
"What are you trying to tell me? What exactly is it that I'm missing?"
The blonde asked while the yellow silhouette stepped to the side revealing a large red silhouette of the Nine Tailed Fox. Naruto watched as the silhouette narrowed its visible red eyes at him while a slow grin grew on his features.
"Ah… so that's who you are."
The familiar voice of the Nine Tailed Fox spoke while Naruto's eyes widened at the response before the silhouette warped and contorted before rapidly shrinking into a smaller figure. Another silhouette that was a crimson color looked toward the blonde before the yellow-colored silhouette stood beside it.
Two hands extended toward Naruto while the boy looked at the two figures noticing the same warmth, he felt from his Rasengan was also coming from them. Naruto walked toward the pair a little faster while reaching out his own hand.
If he could just reach them, could they tell him what he wanted to know? Who they were? Why he couldn't see them? Naruto's hand almost made contact with theirs, but he stopped noticing another figure walking away.
The figure turned around while Naruto noticed who it was, "Kuro?" The blonde asked while the girl turned around.
A sweet smile graced her features while her pink eyes came to a close facing the confused blonde teen.
"Be happy."
She said simply while Naruto paused as she walked away, "Kuro…" the blonde spoke while the girl began walking away again.
He looked toward the silhouettes again before he pushed past them, the blonde began to run after Kurotsuchi who seemed to walk faster than he ran after her.
"Kuro!"
The blonde yelled while the ground began to shake violently, the ninja staggered before he kept running after her.
"Kuro!"
Naruto yelled again as he broke into a full-on sprint after the girl as the ground continued to rumble heavily around him.
"Ku-"
Naruto was cut off while his eyes opened slightly revealing the roof of the room, he was resting in his hand reaching toward the ceiling.
"Naruto!"
Marika yelled while the blonde groggily looked toward her, she looked distressed as she pulled at him.
"Come on!"
The girl yelled while Naruto's vision went in and out, he gripped his other hand feeling something in it. His head looked toward the objects in his hand, in it was a red headband with the Hidden Stone symbol on it along with a braid of black hair tight in his grip.
The blonde looked wordlessly at the objects before Marika gently moved his face with her hand toward her gentle gaze. "Stay with me, we have to move." The girl said while Naruto looked back toward her before the sound of an explosion went off before the room shook.
"Come on!"
Marika yelled while Naruto felt his vision slipping into black again, he couldn't stay conscious while Marika continued to pull at him.
A few moments passed for Naruto before his eyes opened again, this time he was looking down at dirt.
He was laying on the ground face down while he could hear the sound of feet crunching against the ground around him. The sound of metal clashing echoed around him while the blonde pushed himself onto his back, his eyes caught the sight of a samurai running toward him while lifting his sword.
The warrior yelled while he stabbed his blade toward Naruto, the stab was intercepted by another sword.
Naruto watched Mifune slash his blade through the air, cutting the attacking samurai down before he turned toward the downed teen.
"Naruto!"
Mifune yelled while the groggy blonde looked toward him, "Samurai Pops… what's happening?" The boy asked while the older man lifted him from the ground.
"Come now, this is no time to die. We need to get you to safety."
Mifune spoke calmly while Naruto looked around, it was chaos. Their men were fighting against Arashi's forces within the compound, the blonde blinked while Mifune ran with him.
"I gotta… I gotta help… wake up damn it."
Naruto uttered while Mifune cut down several more soldiers in his way while dashing toward the bamboo forest.
"Mifune!"
The voice of Urakaku yelled while Mifune traded blows with another samurai before cutting him down.
"Urakaku! Okisuke! Take him!"
Mifune yelled while he passed Naruto to his men before he turned around aiming his blade toward the group approaching him.
"Mifune…"
Naruto said groggily while Urakaku looked down toward him, "Save your breath, Naruto. He'll be fine, focus on recovering!" The man yelled while the blonde blinked as Okisuke dashed ahead, slicing through multiple soldiers ahead of their path.
Naruto fought to stay awake, but he lost consciousness again.
The blonde forced his eyes open while he felt another rumble, his eyes looked up toward Marika who was holding reins in her hands.
"Yah!"
The girl yelled while the horse they were on galloped even faster, "Marika… we have to turn back. They're fighting back there…" The blonde spoke while her purple eyes looked down toward his.
"Shhh, Naruto. Look, just recover. I'm going to make sure you're safe, but you have to get better, ok?"
The girl spoke while Naruto wanted to protest against the girl, but he felt it wash over him once more.
He was exhausted.
It was a struggle just to stay awake to look at the girl who kept the horse galloping forward, slowly Naruto's eyes closed again.
The blonde forced himself awake once more, immediately sitting up while panting, "Marika!" The blonde yelled before he looked around.
He was in the forge.
Naruto looked around with confusion before he forced himself to his feet, "Naruto, please don't move around so much." He heard Marika's voice speak to him from behind.
"The compound, it's being attacked!"
Naruto yelled while he looked at Marika, she looked tattered and covered in blackish marks causing the boy's eyes to widen with concern.
"You look better, that's great."
Marika spoke while Naruto rushed over to her cupping her face in his hands, "Marika, what happened?" The blonde asked while rubbing his thumb over one of the blackish marks wiping it off.
"It was a massive ambush, more like a full-fledged assault. It came out of nowhere."
The girl spoke while he gave her a look before he felt his pocket feeling the headband in it, "Where's Kuro?" The blonde asked while Marika looked away from him.
"She… she disappeared last night… no one's seen her since. I think she went to the capital, alone."
Marika said while Naruto's expression twisted into horror before he turned walking toward the front entrance. "Naruto, wait!" The girl called after him while the blonde slid open the door walking toward the rest of the compound.
Slowly Naruto began to slow down, his eyes taking in the toll of the attack.
The compound was in flames a lot of it was heavily damaged while bodies were being dragged away into a large pile of the dead. Blue eyes trailed over to Mifune who also looked tattered and tired as he looked away from the blonde.
Swords and destruction littered the ground while the blonde looked at all of it, slowly he fell to his knees. While he was sleeping, Kurotsuchi had disappeared and the people he swore to protect and fight with had been hurt.
He couldn't do a single thing.
The blonde punched a fist into the ground while Marika caught up with him watching Naruto punch into the dirt.
"Damn it… Damn it!"
The blonde yelled while Marika went to his side the blonde continued to punch at the ground until she stopped his fists. She slowly wrapped his arms around her while she did the same to him, holding Naruto close while the boy shut his eyes and gritted his teeth.
"This isn't your fault."
Marika spoke gently while she held Naruto as tightly as she could while the boy's growls began to subside.
Naruto continued looking at the carnage in front of him while Mifune and his men continued to collect their dead.
All of them…
Lost.
{...}
Arashi slowly looked out of the window of his tower watching his men make quick patches to the walls from the damage caused to them last night.
Kurotsuchi's rampage still scarred the capital, but that didn't deter his plans even still. Arashi had a back-up plan for a worst-case scenario, the last plan he wanted to resort to. Using his resources to launch a spread assault on the villages and compounds outside of the capital to attack the heart of Mifune's forces.
If he couldn't find them in one place, then he would attack them all.
The last thing Arashi wanted was the lives of those innocent to be caught in the crossfire of the war.
However, the attack last night, the loss of his generals, and Spring arriving made him desperate. He did what he must.
He had no choice.
Arashi turned toward the front door that slid open revealing a samurai, "Sir, I'm here to confirm that Koga has indeed fallen." The samurai spoke while Arashi looked toward the floor downtrodden.
"I see…"
His thoughts went to the old man in the snow looking toward him and Amanai before he took them both to safety back at the capital.
"In other news sir, the assault that took place throughout the surrounding areas was successful. We located the enemy compound and destroyed it, however we failed in capturing the shinobi and Lord Mifune."
The soldier reported while Arashi nodded his head, "I expected that. Mifune and the shinobi both are powerful adversaries… The good news is that they will have nowhere to hide. Be prepared." Arashi spoke while the samurai nodded.
"One last thing sir."
The samurai spoke while Arashi looked toward the man who revealed a vibrant flower, "We found this on Lord Koga's body. It appears he wanted to give it to you in his last moments." The man said while Arashi looked at the flower.
"His experiments, perfect. We can still take advantage of these for our assault, they should give us the edge once we make it to the mainland."
The general spoke while his hand touched the flower, suddenly a mist came out of the flower slowly rolling onto the floor.
Arashi took a step back while he looked at the mist, an illusion must be because he touched the flower. Slowly the mist formed into the grayish black-haired general who kneeled in front of Arashi with his head bowed slightly.
"Lord Arashi."
The general spoke while Arashi looked toward him, "Forgive me old friend. It appears that you too will haunt me as I continue to move forward." Arashi spoke while Koga stood to his feet.
"That isn't the reason why I am here, Arashi."
Koga spoke while the general's eyebrows lifted in curiosity while the grayish black haired general looked toward his lord.
"I must confess to you… despite my many achievements on the battlefield. I've always despised war."
Koga spoke while Arashi looked at the illusion with surprise while the fallen general looked at his clenched fist.
"I found a rose growing in the battlefield and thought it was beautiful… so I picked it. Before it was just something that I wanted to do but only now I understand that by picking the rose… I stole its life."
Koga spoke while Arashi continued to look toward his senior with surprise while a rose appeared in the older general's hand.
"I truly wanted to watch life live, not to take it. While it's far too late for me now… that too is also not the reason why I appeared before you."
Koga spoke while Arashi closed his eyes, "Then why have you come, old friend?" The general spoke while the red eyed man sighed.
Koga's features became older, and his hair turned gray while he looked at Arashi, "I will never forget the day I saw your eyes when you returned from the rescue operation… brought back a small girl and lost your master." The older illusion spoke while Arashi turned his head away slightly.
"Those words your master spoke… about peace, a world that can truly appreciate it. I haven't forgotten about those words you told me either."
Koga spoke while Arashi growled, "You think I have? Everything that is being done, that we fought for, died for. It's all for the sake of that world. That peace. My master's words are all I remember." The black-haired man spoke while the gray-haired general nodded his head.
"My will… the one who will carry it into the future is not you… but that shinobi. Naruto Uzumaki."
Arashi's eyes snapped open as he glared toward Koga before he was caught off guard, the illusion had aged more with white hair standing beside him was both Amanai without her mask on and Judon.
"Each of our wills are carried by him."
Koga spoke again while Arashi looked at the visages of his old comrades before he gritted his teeth, "Was I so wrong?! We had purpose! A belief! Our strength. Our honor. That is the only path that leads to peace. Isn't that what I lost you all for? This is the only way." Arashi spoke with frustration in his voice while Koga looked toward the floor.
"That shinobi… you and him are far more alike than you currently understand… you will soon. Old friend, I bid you farewell."
The illusion of Koga spoke while Arashi's eyes slowly widened at the fading illusion, "Koga, Amanai, Judon… why?" The general spoke as Koga looked at him one last time.
"When the time comes, you will have to face yourself… once you do. Then you will truly understand exactly why our wills are carried by a man considered our enemy."
Koga said while the fading illusion closed its eyes as Arashi reached his hand out toward it slightly before pulling it back into a clenched fist.
"How cruel… we couldn't see it with you."
The last words of the illusion hung in the air while Arashi closed his eyes taking a deep breath through his nose.
Naruto was a powerful adversary, far stronger than he ever could have imagined. However, that didn't change the fact that he is a product of that world.
The world of cold blooded peaceless murderers that were the shinobi.
Those kind eyes of his… how did he have them despite being born in that world? Was there something he missed? Was there something more to those eyes that he had yet to see?
The sound of light coughing broke Arashi out of his stupor as he turned his head toward the other side of the room. He dismissed the samurai holding the now dead flowers before he slowly walked toward the side of the room he was staring at.
The sound of water sloshing as a towel dipped into it before touching wounded fair skin cleaning the blood away from the bandage. Slowly pink colored eyes stared directly into Arashi's soul while the dark eyes man looked back into them just as deeply.
Kurotsuchi's hands and feet were cuffed to chains while two women in kimonos tended to her wounds and cleaned the blood off of her body.
"I see you're finally awake."
"I'll kill you."
Kurotsuchi spat while Arashi continued to look toward the injured girl, "Still so driven even after your rampage and defeat last night. As expected from you." The general spoke while Kurotsuchi glared toward the man.
"As long as we breathe, monsters still exist in this land. I promised Naruto that I would get rid of them all. You should have killed me."
Kurotsuchi growled while Arashi looked away, "Monsters? Is that how you see us? Beasts of war, hellbent on fulfilling our purposes? No, you see shinobi, you're missing something." The general spoke while shaking his head.
"A beast is exactly that, a beast that kills to survive. Monsters like you and I… we kill because we must for our purposes. What you believe in and what I believe in, we kill consciously for our own gain not out of our innate natures."
Arashi spoke while he waved his hand dismissing the two attendants that were treating and cleaning Kurotsuchi.
"The thing that you are forgetting about monsters like me and you is that they are man-made. The true monster is man just as man is a monster."
Arashi spoke while his dark eyes glared into Kurotsuchi's while she glared back.
"This world made you and I to kill each other. Humans make each other into monsters just for the excuse to kill each other. That is your world, the world you ninja made. Out of your hate and greed."
Arashi spoke while he leaned toward Kurotsuchi's face, "I kept you alive because I need him to see you. I need him to slip. I need Naruto to look you in the eyes as I end your life." The general spoke while the girl narrowed her eyes.
"Those kind eyes he has, I know what kind monster lurks underneath them. A good man cannot be born in a world with people like you, a man who has lost things will always have those holes in his heart."
Arashi spoke while Kurotsuchi growled, "Naruto isn't like that. That's who he truly is. Just good, why can't you accept that?" The girl spoke while Arashi took a step back.
"He is still a shinobi, the blood of valiant men with families still stains his hands, my old friends… Naruto has an attachment to you, once I sever that attachment then I will be able to see him as he truly is. What's behind those kind eyes."
The general spoke while Kurotsuchi thrashed at the man from her chains, "I'll kill you! I'll end your life before you harm a single hair on his head!" The girl yelled while Arashi exhaled out of his nose.
"Shinobi that have truly embraced hatred and violence like you… I believe they should be dealt with first."
Arashi spoke while Kurotsuchi looked toward the general with confusion entering her expression while he narrowed his eyes at her.
"I've changed our target. Instead, once we finish the rest of Mifune's forces we'll march to the Land of Stone. You've proven how dangerous your people are and have shown the depths of their hatred. For the sake of peace, your home will fall first."
Arashi spoke coldly while Kurotsuchi cowered back slightly at the words, "You aren't going to make it there, you bastard." The girl spoke with defiance.
"I assure you, the monster that you were afraid of was never Naruto… It is what I will become to protect this world from you and your people. I will not hesitate; I shall keep you in my thoughts as I do what needs to be done. As a reminder."
Arashi spoke while Kurotsuchi thrashed at him again, her chains holding her back from reaching him.
"This world must kill itself and all of the hate that lives on it before there can be peace. My master's words, a peace that the world can truly know."
Arashi spoke while Kurotsuchi panted while her chains shook slightly, "You'll meet your end, once you do. I'll make sure to be there." The girl spoke while the general turned away from her.
"I understand that this world will hate me. Vengeance will try to be taken in the names of those I slay, but once the dust settles. And all those who hate can hate no more and those who wish to be free can be happy. I shall finally find rest along with everyone who's ever died for that. Until that day… shinobi. With justice, honor, and conviction I shall draw my sword and move forward."
Arashi spoke while Kurotsuchi watched him with a glare sit on his knees in front of her while his attendants entered carrying his navy-blue chakra armor.
"No matter where it takes my blade."
{...}
"Arashi's forces have devastated nearly the entirety of the villages along the capital."
"Our men we have scattered across those villages have been slaughtered, this whole time he was still holding back that much force."
"There's little to no chance that we have now! This assault took almost everything!"
The voices of multiple injured men debating with each other echoed around Mifune who stared toward the ground. Out of the 16 men on the war council resisting Arashi's forces, only 5 of them were left.
Himself and a sparse few other, all of that time that was put into building up their forces and their morale to fight against him.
Gone in less than half a day from a single large-scale assault.
They were still gathering bodies, wives were still mourning their husbands, mothers were still crying over their sons. That chance that they believed that they had all of this time… was a false hope. Arashi had in good faith to Mifune as a man he respected held back against them.
He stopped holding back now… and every single person felt it.
Mifune's eyes looked toward the body he was dragging; it was a young man. A fresh samurai that had been trained and dedicated his sword to their cause.
Still ignorant to the true world of war.
The older samurai felt his heart wavering at the sight of the slightly cold utterly unresponsive young man.
Now reduced to a corpse in a pile.
Mifune placed his body along with the rest of the dead men, while the flames that ignited them danced in the dark eyes of the older samurai. The man was speechless while he watched the men, he had watched train and progress the men that became like his brothers… burned.
As a young man, Mifune had gathered a few achievements in his short time living. However, none of those achievements would ever match up against when he earned the scar on his head.
There was a man named Hanzo, a man so fearsome that even mentioning his name alone sent shivers down the spines of the most hardened veterans. While his comrades cowered, Mifune alone faced off with the man. His bravery and ego carried him as he clashed with the infamous murderer.
He barely survived.
However, the lesson that Hanzo had taught him still lingered in his head slightly, in his old age admittedly he has forgotten some details.
However, now that he wanted to draw strength from these words. The man couldn't remember a single utterance.
"General Mifune!"
One of the surviving men of the war council called out to him while grabbing on his shoulders to look at him. "Our forces are depleted; we've gone from several brigades to just 50 men… we have no plan right now. You have to tell us what's our strategy?" The panicked man asked Mifune who was drawing a blank, the flames from the pyre filled with the fallen still dancing in the corner of his eye.
"I…"
Mifune uttered while another one of the men ran over, "Lord Mifune please… it's asinine to continue to resist. Another assault like this will wipe the rest of us out." The other man practically begged while he earned a glare from the panicked man.
"You call yourself a warrior, you rat bastard!?"
The panicked man yelled while the begging man growled, "A true warrior knows when a battle is over! Look at this! Look at what Nobuzagi has done with a single assault!" The begging man yelled while Mifune slowly looked around.
The compound was massively damaged, the swords of the fallen men were still scattered in the scorched dirt.
"I… I don't…"
Mifune uttered while the two men continued to fight, their fighting was muted to his ears while the old samurai thought back to the festival. The way Arashi looked back toward him, that respect alone even after all this time fighting against him prevented this.
A counterattack was impossible, with the fortification of the capital and the sheer number of forces he had at his disposal they would be destroyed before they could breach.
Okisuke and Urakaku looked toward their lord along with the rest of the battle-weary survivors of the war council.
"My lord… What do we do?"
Okisuke asked while Mifune gave his subordinate a broken look while his hand came off of the hilt of his sheathed blade.
"...I don't know."
Mifune spoke while the small group of men in front of him looked toward the seasoned general with shock.
In war, lives would be lost. That is the inevitability of conflict, but the scale of those losses would always change everything on the battlefield.
They had a chance in those small encounters, those small victories in skirmishes. It wasn't a surprise that they were outnumbered but for a while it felt like they were enough.
That they made some kind of difference.
Now that the true might of Arashi's influence on the rest of the land made itself prominent in this assault.
They never really stood a chance, did they?
If he were to make them push on, to force them to fight when their spirits were shaken, to guide these men that trusted him to their deaths meaninglessly.
That would make him just as bad if not worse than Arashi.
"You don't know… what do you mean you don't know?!"
The panicked war council member yelled while Urakaku narrowed his eyes at the man, "That's enough!" The purple scarf clad man raised his voice while the other man narrowed his eyes.
"Enough? Maybe it is, general Mifune doesn't see any way to fight back either! There's nothing we can do against them!"
"Perhaps it could be better to turn over and surrender, this endeavor of ours was always a risky gamble. It's better to submit, we never should have fought against him."
"You take that back!"
"This fight was never without purpose!"
"Then tell us what these men died for! Facing an impossible objective? A war that we never could have won? Please tell me why we're even fighting anymore!"
The men around Mifune fought each other while the older man watched them argue in front of him speechlessly. He slowly looked around again, noticing the surviving villagers beginning to make their way into the compound.
Their faces wore defeated expressions, they too had found their limits and couldn't handle their losses.
He was the one who inspired them, the one that made them think they had a chance. As the leader all of this was his fault.
That means the responsibility falls on him.
Arashi mentioned something about facing him, if he turned himself over to the general and sent Naruto away would that be enough?
Would that be enough to save the rest of these people?
Mifune continued to watch the fighting break out in front of him while his face twisted fighting against a defeated expression before he closed his eyes tightly.
He had to do what he must.
Mifune's thoughts were interrupted by the sound of dirt crunching underneath shoes, his eyes slowly opened looking toward the source of the sound. The old samurai watched Naruto walking toward the group of men, he watched the blonde silently while the men continued to fight.
Was Naruto going to stop them? What would he say? Was there something he could inspire them with?
He gave them more hope than they had before when he bravely fought against the likes of the generals. Their morale boosted immensely when Naruto came back victorious against some of the strongest in this land with the Iron Treasures.
Surely, the heroic teen could say something to rouse their spirits. To give them some kind of inspirational direction.
Instead Mifune watched the blonde walk past the fighting men wordlessly, his eyes slowly widened as Naruto instead walked past them. He watched the blonde crouch to the ground picking up a discarded sword from it, before he walked a little more picking up another sword from the ground.
And then another.
Slowly Mifune watched as Naruto silently gathered the swords of the fallen from the ground, piling them up in his arms. Cleaning up the chaos, he forgot for a moment that Naruto despite being a shinobi was still a mere boy himself.
This must have devastated him as well, who was he to depend on a teenager to rouse men during war.
What a failure of a master he was to expect such from a child.
Mifune continued to look at Naruto with personal shame for himself in his gaze while the blonde slowly made his way to a large wooden platform.
Avoiding the fires where the rest of the bodies were burning completely, the older man's eyes widened slightly while Naruto stood on the platform. He watched Naruto take one of the swords into his hand, stabbing it into the platform he was standing on.
"What?"
Mifune pondered out loud while he could no longer hear the sounds of fighting, only instead watching Naruto stabbing swords into the platform. Mifune walked toward the platform while Naruto without saying a word continued to stab the swords into the wood.
The older samurai looked at Naruto who stabbed another sword into the wood, the multiple blades made an arrangement before he slowly opened his mouth.
"Why?"
Mifune asked simply while Naruto stabbed another sword into the wood without looking toward the older man.
"Because I'm selfish… I didn't want to throw their swords in the fire. Not like this."
The blonde said while Mifune looked toward him with confusion before he turned his gaze to the swords Naruto was stabbing into the ground.
Some of them had dirt and blood staining them, others had footprints and marks indicating their fight in them. These swords were trampled, struck against iron, and covered in the blood of their foes and comrades alike.
But they were not broken.
"I'm not done yet, Samurai Pops… I know you aren't either. I don't have the words to describe the reason why I'm still fighting… but you do."
The blonde spoke while Mifune looked at the blonde in shock before his eyes trailed along the swords. All around himself and Naruto, these blades that once belonged to their comrades stood tall on this platform. Mifune let out a harsh chuckle before he looked toward Naruto who stabbed the last sword into the wood below them.
"I'm such a miserable old man."
Mifune spoke while Naruto slowly looked up at the man who suddenly turned around toward the masses that had been fighting in front of him.
He was an old man now.
The time when he had fought Hanzo bravely was long behind him along with so many other memories that he has made over the years and years. While he didn't remember things as good as he used to, it came to him along with his frustration that he had never truly forgotten why.
"YOU FOOLS!"
Mifune roared while the mass of samurai and civilians both that were fighting in the crowd looked toward the furious old man.
"How dare you… no how dare I… For even a single second allow such thoughts and weakness to run through my mind."
Mifune spoke while Naruto looked at the older samurai from behind on the platform while he stood up straight.
"For a moment… I had forgotten it just for a single moment. One of the most important aspects of my life that I had the pleasure to forget because I'm still standing here. An aspect that those who have fallen on this battlefield didn't forget even in the end!"
Mifune yelled before he pulled one of the swords Naruto stabbed into the floor, holding it above his head confidently.
"Look at these swords! The blades of our fallen brothers in arms! They bit steel! Sliced flesh! Killed in the name of what they believed in! Look at them! The war they fought, and these swords remain unbroken! Our brothers, our sons. Their bodies turned to ash, but the steel of their blades still remains even after their deaths! Who are we as the living to throw that away?!"
Mifune yelled out over the masses that looked toward him while the furious man glared into the crowd.
"Breathe fills our lungs, blood runs through our veins, and life flashes in our eyes! Yet we cower while they died fighting for their beliefs! For their homes! The only warriors I see before me are the ones that have returned to the dust from whence, they came. With every moment we spend debating, fighting, and losing ourselves. The ashes of those men blow away into nothing and their lives become nothing!"
Mifune spoke while he took a deep breath growling it out while he looked toward the still burning pyres.
"What are we fighting for? What's the point? Is there a chance? Those are the incorrect questions, the questions of lesser people! What did they die for? What do we fight for? Why do we fight? Those are the questions asked by the people of the Land of Iron! As samurai! Enough of this nonsense! War never asked for your input or your excuses or your fears! Only your beliefs, the blade you hold in your hands that you'll die with! The brothers we lost to carry into battle with us!"
Mifune yelled while he looked at the blade in his hand before he slowly clenched his hand around its hilt tightly.
"Their precious memories… their precious souls… their precious dreams… their precious love. Their chance to have and achieve these things are no longer with them, they are with us. When they can't carry them, we have to. Their banners, their blood, their steel. Their wills and their Iron! We have to carry them all!"
Mifune looked over at the crowd again while he pulled out another sword holding it in his other hand.
"I don't care that we only have 50 men, when we carry our brothers into battle, we'll make them feel like 5000! Every ounce of Iron we have at our disposal, every hand that can hold a sword, everyone who lost something! They will carry these swords with them! Their dreams with them! Our hopes and everything we started this war for! As long as these swords are unbroken then neither are we!"
Mifune yelled while the crowd started to pick up swords from the ground as well, Naruto watched as the crowd picked them up from the ground holding them. Civilian and soldier both.
"I'm a selfish bastard! That's what my dreams have made me into! So, I'll ask you all to break your iron fighting for what you believe! To not allow our fallen comrades' swords to go unbroken with fighting until the bitter end! Rage! Fight! And die! For their honor and to accomplish their dream! To finish what we started so that they may rest in peace!"
Mifune roared while the crowd yelled back while Naruto looked at the masses with a surprised expression.
"Naruto… I remembered what Hanzo said. That man despite becoming a monster never betrayed his ideals. Holding to them enough to save even a young fool like me back then because he believed. I almost let my guilt let him and everyone we lost down."
The older man spoke while Naruto looked toward him before his eyes looked back toward the inspired masses that were no longer fighting each other.
Each person held a newfound spark in their eye they didn't have before.
"A samurai's duty is Justice and Honor. The cost of those duties is worthy death. As the survivors it is our responsibility to make their deaths and our own worthy. This will… is what will end this war."
Mifune spoke while Naruto looked toward the reinvigorated man standing right in front of him with a twinkle in his dark eyes.
"Or die trying."
Mifune spoke while Naruto looked at the crowd again, before his determined blue eyes looked toward the older samurai.
"You mind if I help with the plan? I have an idea."
The blonde asked while Mifune looked at the boy before a small smile came to his face.
"I thought you'd never ask."
Mifune spoke before Marika looked toward the stage at both the old samurai and the ninja as they began gathering the crowd.
A small smile appeared on her face while she made her way to the forge.
Meanwhile, the sound of wood being sawed into, and large logs being moved around by multiple builders filled the air as villages of the Land of Iron got to work.
Mifune stood at the front of the destroyed war room with a paper map pointing out multiple circled targets while all 50 men nodded their heads at the plan being formed.
Naruto meanwhile was sitting down in front of a sheet of paper, in his hand was an ink brush before the blonde took a deep breath. His brush hit the paper while he began the strokes of his calligraphy with the black ink against the page.
His thoughts became both swordsmanship and Kurotsuchi.
Time began to pass as morning slowly became night with the sounds of working and building came from the destroyed compound. Night slowly began day once again while the sounds of swords and armor being equipped filled the air instead.
Each soldier carried three or four swords with them as they took the blades of their fallen comrades and added them to their personal arsenals.
The samurai began to line up on their horses while Mifune stood on his horse at the very front of the small army. The man looked toward the rest of the men with pride while their faces screamed, they were ready for battle.
"This war ends today!"
Mifune yelled into the air while the small army held up their swords roaring into the air proudly and full of passion.
"Naruto."
Marika spoke while the blonde looked toward her, "Hey, you call for me?" The blonde asked while the girl nodded her head.
"I did, I made you something that I want you to have."
The girl said while she grabbed his hand tugging him into the forge, the blonde was dragged along before they both made it to her newest creation.
"I'll admit… I'm no armorer but this should keep you safe out there."
Marika spoke while Naruto marveled at the set of orange samurai armor that was a mix of both leather and iron sat in front of him.
"Go ahead."
The girl spoke while the blonde chuckled before he grabbed onto the armor taking it off of its stand.
Soon Naruto was suited up in his new armor, the boy stretched a bit in his new armor while Marika smiled at him.
"How's it feel?"
The girl asked while Naruto grinned, "I guess it feels as good as samurai armor on a ninja would. Thank you." The boy joked while Marika giggled before she took a step closer to him.
In her hands was Naruto's sword Kaze no Yakusoku in its sheath.
"I also repaired your sword; it's seen many battles, but she's well made. I barely had to do anything other than sharpen it."
Marika spoke while Naruto grinned, "Of course it's well made. You were the one who forged it after all." The blonde spoke while the girl smiled before she used her free hand to pull her hair from her usual braids.
Her long hair flowed freely before Marika placed both hands on the sword again, presenting it to Naruto in a similar manner to the first time. The blonde grabbed the sword but before he could take it Marika gripped her hands on the weapon tightly.
"Naruto… before you do. There's something I have to say."
Marika spoke while the blonde gave her a look, "Yeah, of course." The ninja said while she took a deep breath.
"When a female Kaji forges armor and a matching blade for a male warrior it's a symbol of an iron bond between both of them. If the warrior falls in battle, then so too does the Kaji."
Marika spoke while Naruto's eyes widened, "Marika why would yo-" The blonde was cut off by a smile from the girl.
"When I first presented this blade to you Naruto, I gave you this sword with the strict purpose of vengeance. In this blade I forged all of my wicked intentions and hate into this weapon… I asked you to become my vengeance and you agreed."
Marika spoke while the blonde looked toward her wordlessly while she took a step closer to him still holding onto the blade.
"I have watched you grow so much and become a worthy warrior to hold this blade despite it being cursed with my pain… I wanted to present this sword to you again differently this time."
The girl spoke while she looked up into the eyes of the taller boy.
"You mean so much to me… when I first laid eyes on you, I saw a ninja and nothing else. However, you found me here at my forge, a girl wallowing in her pain, and you stayed with me for days. You made me laugh, you worked so hard alongside me to create this weapon, and you bore half of my burden."
The girl spoke while Naruto looked into her passionate purple eyes before she took another step forward toward him.
"I'm grateful. More than you know. I also cherish you so much and want to continue to do so. So, I present to you again this wicked blade not as a girl longing for revenge…"
Marika spoke while she was close enough to Naruto to feel the warmth of his body against her own.
"But with love."
Marika spoke while Naruto's eyes widened and looked toward the girl, she smiled at him while she laid her head on his chest.
The blonde looked at the girl for a few moments before he took a breath, "I'm so-" Naruto was cut off by arms wrapping him into a hug.
"Don't finish… I know."
Marika spoke while her ear was on his chest listening to his steady heartbeat, "Even if she's gone?" The girl spoke with vulnerability laced in her voice.
"She isn't gone… I can feel it. Somewhere deep within me… I have to go get her."
Naruto spoke while Marika took a deep breath, "I know… it's funny. I already knew but just wanted to tell you… I already knew but it still hurts." The girl spoke into his chest while Naruto hugged her back.
"Your vengeance ends today."
The blonde spoke softly while Marika nodded her head against his chest before she felt his warmth leave her. Naruto now with his sword in his hands turned to walk away while tears formed in Marika's eyes.
"Wait… General Nobuzagi is an extremely powerful warrior. He's fought shinobi already and has that chakra armor that was made for just that purpose…"
Marika spoke while Naruto paused in place at her words, "The last three generals almost killed you every time…. He's stronger than them as their lord. He could…" the girl trailed off while her tears fell from her face.
"He could end you."
Marika spoke while a light sob came from her, the wind blew causing the blonde's hair to sway gently in it as she heard the sound of a snicker coming from the boy. Naruto turned around while his blonde hair swayed in the wind, he held a confident look on his face as he looked toward her.
"Nah, I'd win."
{...}
A gentle breeze blew through the capital as the sound of hundreds of boot clad feet hit the ground.
Samurai gathered into groups as they completed their formations, the time was nigh one would be a separate assault to sweep the enemy compound again hunting for Naruto and Mifune.
While the rest of the men were prepared for entering the mainland, beginning their march to the Land of Stone.
They would no longer have any sort of opposition whatsoever, Arashi was now free to begin his plan to collapse the ninja world. The general was a man of his word so of course he would wait until he had dueled with Naruto before beginning the full deployment.
According to his sources the blonde had unwound most of the 4 seals of Iron meaning he was no longer completely held back by his lack of chakra. The general was prepared, with his chakra armor that should help negate any techniques from truly reaching him. That would force the blonde into combat strictly with his swordsmanship.
There Arashi held his main advantage against the shinobi.
It was inevitable that they would cross their paths in this way, just as it was inevitable that his forces would shake the world to its core.
It was time to end this.
To finally give those words he was left with and the life that he lived.
Meaning.
Arashi stood in front of the still shackled Kurotsuchi who glared toward the floor silently.
"Has it finally sunk in? The weight of your situation?"
Arashi asked while Kurotsuchi slowly looked up toward the general, "I was thinking… maybe the head first but nah. Too fast. For you I'd like to make it mean something… when I bury you." The girl spoke while Arashi's eyes widened slightly.
"Is death all that occupies your mind, Shinobi? Such a horrible thought, these moments are your last. You should at least think of some kind of pleasantries."
Arashi spoke while Kurotsuchi chuckled, "Honestly I kinda am… he's going to be pissed with me. That Naruto, I really don't want him to see me like this."
Kurotsuchi spoke while Arashi tilted his head toward the girl, "No need to fret girl, I still hold respect for you regardless. I'll give you a swift death in front of him when we drag him here, he won't have to see much then." The general spoke while the kunoichi began laughing.
"Has the fear made you go mad, Shinobi?"
The general asked while Kurotsuchi shook her head while laughing, "No, actually it's just funny. The way that you're thinking right now. You genuinely believe your own words…" the girl spoke while Arashi glared at her.
He took a step closer to the girl while his hand touched the hilt of his sword, "Your bluffing does not deter me girl. I believe my words because they are my truth.' The general spoke while the brunette stopped laughing instead glaring at him.
"You genuinely believe that you're dragging Naruto here? That your men are going to capture him, bring him to his knees in front of you, so that you can kill me to break him?"
Kurotsuchi spoke while Arashi glared toward the girl silently while a smile grew on her face, "You believe otherwise." The general said while the girl sighed.
"I know otherwise. You think you're going to go to Naruto but no… he's coming for you. These walls you pride yourself in to keep out your enemies will become your tomb. He won't be stuck in here with you… you'll be trapped in here with him."
Kurotsuchi spoke while Arashi took a step back as the ninja stood on her feet in her chains, the confident smile on her face growing.
"I'm just worried about what he's going to say to me when he gets here. Seeing me like this. It's really embarrassing for me. I'm also hoping that when he fights you before you die I get to end you as well."
Kurotsuchi spoke while Arashi gritted his teeth, "Naruto has no forces, he is a single man with a sword. He's no warrior, just another shinobi like you. Your bluff gives him no strength." The man spoke while the kunoichi's chains flexed at her pull on them.
"You tell yourself that, but even a shinobi like me knows deep down in my soul that you believe my words. That you know he'll be here, that he'll face you. That you could lose… the truth is Arashi…" the girl trailed off before chuckling while the general took another step back.
"You're fucked."
Kurotsuchi spat out while Arashi growled, "You cur." The man spoke before he slowly turned around. They were both inside, surrounded by walls separating them from the outside with not even a single window open. Yet he felt it.
A disturbing breeze.
On the damaged walls samurai patrolled watching over the horizon and into the forest that separated them from the rest of the land.
One samurai stopped spotting a moving object right as the front gates had opened for the assault squad to scour the land to eliminate the rest of their enemy's forces. The samurai snatched his binoculars off of his hip while he looked into them toward the moving object coming toward them.
"We have incoming!"
The samurai roared into the air while the rest of the prepared forces looked toward him, in the sights of the binoculars the object came closer and closer. It was a large tower made of logs that was rolling on wooden wheels blasting down the hill directly toward them.
Standing on the top of the tower a red Land of Stone headband's tassels blew in the wind while a hand holding black braided hair in its palm extended, opening it to allow the hairs to fly free into the wind.
Naruto Uzumaki's ice blue eyes narrowed toward his enemy from the top of the wooden tower.
"The shinobi is here! Approaching from the east! Archers!"
The samurai on the wall screamed while the archers broke out of their formation to aim their weapons at the east side.
"Fire!"
The samurai on the wall roared while the archers launched their projectiles, crossbow bolts and arrows filled the air as they flew toward the blonde on the moving wooden tower. The ninja was quick to react, slashing and cutting through multiple arrows and bolts while the tower got closer and closer to the wall.
The samurai on the wall pulled his own bow off of his back, he drew back on his weapon with a readied arrow poised to kill. His eyes narrowed behind his mask while he was waiting for the perfect moment to take his shot at the ninja.
Naruto continued to deflect the projectiles while the tower nearly made it to the wall, the samurai took a breath before he waited even longer.
For the perfect moment.
That perfect moment came while Naruto deflected the last of the arrow rain, the tower slammed against the wall the samurai was standing on. His footing shook but he stood as firm as possible as he saw it, the crash into the wall not only started to break apart the tower.
Naruto's late reaction to getting off of it due to the arrow rain made him stagger, creating the perfect opening. The samurai released his breath along with his arrow, it's iron tip cut through the air speeding toward the staggered Naruto before meeting its mark.
The samurai watched as Naruto fell backward from the arrow hitting him right in his heart, the soldier's eyes widened.
He had hit his mark.
It was a perfect shot.
The man was about to celebrate but he noticed a rain falling around him, not of rain or of the usual snow in this area.
But paper.
His eyes darted toward the falling blonde as he noticed the boy's body began to glow, the samurai's eyes widened into horror while he snapped his head around to look toward the army below.
"STAY AWAY FROM THE WAL-"
The samurai roared before he was engulfed by a massive explosion that nearly knocked over the men on the other side of the wall.
"There's a breach!"
One of the samurai at the head of one of the larger groups pointed his hand toward the breach causing the men to rush toward it. A rain of swords fell from the sky landing around the men who rushed toward the newly formed opening. The head of the group lifted his hand stopping the men who deflected the falling blades causing them to stab into the ground.
The head of the group of samurai looked at the opening in the wall with confusion, there were no forces waiting for them. It was just a massive empty hole and destroyed logs smoking on the ground.
"What?"
The head of the group spoke while the sound of footsteps crunching into the snow ran toward him.
"The western group spotted the shinobi approaching from their side! The archers are already firing west!"
The samurai yelled while the head of the group gave him a confused look, "That's not… the shinobi was just here." The head spoke with slight shock causing the other samurai to give him a confused look.
Another massive explosion shook the compound while the army looked toward the west, another massive hole had opened in the collapsing wall, yet no one entered.
"What's going on?"
The samurai asked while more footsteps crunched in the snow, "Sir, the shinobi was spotted coming in from the south! He's on some kind of wooden structure!" The soldier yelled while he gave that man a shocked look.
"The hell?"
The head spoke out loud while the compound shook again from another massive explosion even more swords rained into the compound.
Yet still no enemies.
This wasn't making any sense, right now they were just punching holes into their walls. They should be entering into them, shouldn't they? That had to be the point.
But they weren't, all of these sides they had attacked? Was it a bluff? Some kind of distraction?
"The Front Gates!"
A samurai yelled while the head looked toward the front, yet another wooden log tower was approaching with Naruto on top of it.
The head thought of the paper rain that caused the explosion before his thoughts went to what caused it.
The impact.
"Open the gates!"
The head of the first group called while the other heads gave him a look, "Open the gates? Why? That will just bring the explosives into the walls." The samurai head of the 2nd group looked toward the first head who pointed his finger toward the gate.
"The rest of their attacks were a distraction; the main gate has been their target this whole time! Allowing the tower to enter will prevent the gates from being destroyed. Once the tower has been disabled without an impact, we fortify the defenses toward the castle and send squadrons into the woods. Our enemy is in the forest waiting for us to abandon our sections."
The first head spoke while the three other heads looked toward him.
"Our enemy is waiting for the one hole we abandon to enter through for their attack."
The man spoke while the other heads nodded, "Open the gates!" The second head yelled while the third and fourth heads started scattering their men to cover the entrances.
Their feet ran in the snow while stepping past the swords stabbed into the earth while they armed themselves ready to defend against their attackers to the death.
The front gates opened allowing the tower to enter into the walls, just as they expected it rolled in without exploding. The Naruto clone standing on top of the tower puffed away into smoke.
"Guard the holes! Don't allow a single man into these walls!"
The first head yelled while the second head began maneuvering his men to support the rest of the army now scattering toward the holes.
Scattered…
With this much spread they were completely covered if they decided to rush in into any of the newly formed holes.
There was still something that felt off, why punch multiple holes if not enter through them? They were outnumbered ever since their last assault on the villages. What would such a small number of men gain from a random suicide charge into the walls from any of the entrances knowing they would be covered?
Unless…
The head samurai looked at each of the other holes in the east, west, and south before he looked at the swords on the ground. Each entrance had rained them down upon the destruction of the towers approaching and impacting against the walls.
They were faulty projectiles but why?
The head's eyes widened before he looked at the untouched wooden tower, why would he have one second thought that it would explode? It was an assumption, it made sense but why rain down swords toward the front gates when distance wise it was the furthest from where the army stood.
They wouldn't have touched anything; they would have been pointless. That however wasn't this tower's purpose at all.
It was built just like the rest of the towers that had exploded, but the thing that the head samurai's brain caught onto was exactly the purpose of the blades. They weren't projectiles, the explosions weren't meant to open breaches into the capital walls at all.
They were warnings that this tower that they had just allowed into their walls…
Was also filled with swords.
"The tower! Fire at the tower!"
The first head yelled while the large groups by the holes in the walls as well as his own group turned their attention toward the front. The wood from the tower suddenly exploded open sending logs flying everywhere while Naruto, Mifune, and 50 samurai burst from the tower all wielding their weapons.
"Charge!"
Mifune roared while the men yelled with him, the army had turned away from the holes their archers prepared their weapons while the swordsman pulled out their swords.
A full-frontal assault was suicide, the element of surprise couldn't carry them to any sort of victory against them. Snow crunched while the 52 men charged at the hundreds of samurai waiting for them, the first head led the charge of his own men toward their rush.
There was something else that was miscalculated though.
While the first head was able to discover at just the right time the true strategy of Mifune's forces of how they would strike.
He was still wrong because he underestimated the meaning of the discarded swords.
They were not warnings at all, nor were they mere projectiles, they were the unbroken blades of the men that had fallen. These swords had souls, dreams, and wills that could still be fought for. Most importantly of all about these swords…
They had hands to carry them into battle.
The sound of snowing crunching underneath multiple sets of running feet were heard while one of the archers looked into the hole again. His face twisted in horror as he caught sight of what had approached.
"When we carry our fallen brothers into battle, we'll make 50 men…"
The walls suddenly had large masses of Naruto's clones pouring over them and through them slamming against the forces of the samurai army while grabbing swords from the ground.
"Feel like 5000!"
The Naruto clones began to clash into the army fighting them with the blades that had rained into the compound to arm them while Mifune and Naruto pushed in from the front surrounding them.
"My soldiers! FIGHT!"
Mifune roared while the men slammed into their conflict heavily while the battle in the capital had begun. Naruto immediately began cutting through multiple samurai with his blade, the blonde flipped before landing on one with his feet crushing the man into ground. He looked up toward the castle while Mifune slashed through another samurai before looking toward him.
"We'll make you an opening! Get to the castle!"
Mifune yelled while Naruto nodded his head, "Right!" The blonde yelled back while Okisuke and Urakaku landed by their lord.
"Okisuke! Urakaku! Keep swinging your blades along with mine and don't stop even for a second! And if you die..."
Mifune trailed off while he entered into Lightning Stance with his sword as Okisuke entered Water Stance and Urakaku entered Earth Stance."
"Keep swinging."
Mifune spoke before the three men dashed into the crowd of samurai, "Water Stance: Deathly Torrent!" Okisuke yelled while water formed around his feet causing him to glide across the battlefield while his blade slashes sent sharp waves of water at multiple opponents cutting through them while he continued to glide across the ground.
Urakaku shoulder checked a samurai denting his armor before he stabbed his blade into the dirt underneath the snow, "Earth Stance: Stone Disturbance!" The man yelled while he pulled his sword free from the earth. He lifted his stone covered blade before he spun his blade unleashing a vortex of stone with every one of his slashing smashing them into multiple samurai.
Mifune spun kicking a man across his face before he landed on his feet, he took a deep breath before placing his hand on the sheath of his sword. The snow evaporated around his position while the ground under his feet lifted off of the ground slightly.
His hand pulled his sword free from his sheath as he moved at lightning fast speed cutting and stabbing into multiple enemies ahead of him in a zig zag before his blade stopped stabbing into the chest of the samurai in the back of the line.
"While it pains me to bring my blade down on those who I once called my brothers… you have slain your own as well. That makes you currently my enemy."
Mifune spoke while he unsheathed his blade from the samurai he stabbed into before twisting behind his back elbowing the man behind him into a stagger before sheathing his sword.
"Lightning Stance: Chain Sparking Strikes."
Mifune spoke while lightning crackled to life in the path that he made through the men, the lightning arched stabbing into the men before shocking them with a bright flash.
"PUSH!"
Mifune roared while his forces yelled again pushing their blades against their enemies forming a path.
Naruto dashed down the opening path while his eyes landed directly on the castle, he charged into another large group of samurai who slashed at him with their swords. The ninja deflected the blows while spinning his blade around cutting through multiple swords with his own.
"Roaring Moon Stance: New Moon!"
The blonde yelled while he slashed his blade in the air blasting back multiple soldiers launching them into the air.
His clones jumped after them while wielding their swords, one clone channeled Fire Stance through his blade igniting it with flames while the other clone across from it channeled Water Stance through its chakra blade.
"Fire Stance: Burnt Cutter!"
"Water Stance: Liquid Metal!"
The clones yelled in unison while they crossed each other's blades clashing against each other in midair as the cut through the airborne samurai before landing on the ground. Their slashes that touched each other exploded into a massive plume of steam while they looked toward their handy work.
"Boiling Oblivion!"
The clones yelled while Naruto's thoughts went to his fight with Koga and his copies, the blonde continued to push forward while his clones fought around him aggressively.
"Don't let him get any closer!"
A row of archers aimed their bows at him while they began their movements, "Lightning Stance!" "Water Stance!" "Moon Stance!" The archers began yelling while drawing their arrows.
Four Naruto clones jumped from the insides of buildings before aiming their blades downwards toward the archers.
"Moon Stance: Twilight Descent!"
The four clones yelled while their chakra blades were cloaked in a purplish chakra before they hit the ground launching the archers into the air.
Naruto took a breath before he jumped in the air, he spun before landing on his heel spinning off of it while exhaling.
"Dancing Moon Stance: Crescent Moon!"
The blonde yelled as his movement became faster and more graceful as he cut through the falling samurai before crashing into another group he weaved and slashed through.
His thoughts went to his fight with Amanai and her dance to the death with him.
The blonde ended his movements before immediately being surrounded by samurai who were slashing their blades toward him. Naruto stomped his foot into the ground, hardening his stance before changing it in response to the attacking men.
Brave Moon Stance, this stance was the slowest of Naruto's new stances however the concentration gives the slower slashes undisturbed and even movements.
A defensive and deliberate stance.
Naruto evenly and slowly deflected the showering blows from the men deflecting with strong strikes before his foot stomped the ground again.
"Brave Moon Stance: Daydream."
Naruto spoke while he brought his blade around heavily slashing through the group of men with a single swing of his sword.
His thoughts went to Judon and his sheer overwhelming strength and unmoving determination. His enemies and the lessons they had taught him through combat. It was as if he could feel them fighting with him.
"Brat, you're reaching your limit on how much of my chakra you can draw thanks to that seal. You'll start burning into your own reserve soon."
Naruto heard the Nine Tailed Fox speak to him while he panted, "I hear ya! Look, do me a favor whatever I got left I'm putting all into this next move! So no complaining!" The blonde yelled while the Tailed Beast groaned.
"Shut up, Brat."
The fox growled while Naruto channeled more of the chakra, he could draw from the Nine Tails through himself. His body began to have a sharp pain run through it before he opened his eyes, the orangish red chakra flowed around him as he blasted forward. Two of his clones dashed toward the front of the castle, they both began to somersault gathering wind chakra at their feet as Naruto ran toward them.
Meanwhile Arashi's eyes looked at another explosion outside from the top of the castle he and Kurotsuchi were in.
This was completely unprecedented.
He already was aware that the blonde had released a majority of his chakra with the other seals, but he still had yet to receive his. Yet he had enough chakra in him to do all of this? The clones more than made up for what Mifune and his forces were lacking, giving them a chance against his own army pushing against them.
Arashi was firm in his belief in the Will of Iron and he knew that will burned in the hearts of the samurai.
But this shinobi born in the land of those peaceless murderers?
This man Naruto… was far more than he ever could have believed.
"Naruto… what a scary monster right?"
The pink eyed girl spoke while Arashi turned his glare toward her confident look, "Time to face the music, General." The kunoichi spoke while the black haired man narrowed his eyes at the girl.
Arashi was a man bound by his honor as a Samurai, everything he had done was in the name of that honor.
However, these people. The ninja and the awful warriors that they were forced his hand and pushed him to the very brink of that honor to the point he couldn't even know if what he was doing was right.
However, he couldn't allow himself to be deterred, the only question in a battle was why you fought. Not what or what actions go into your fighting. Arashi had to face Naruto as he was, his true face like Kurotsuchi had shown him the night before last with her warpath.
He had to fight the true shinobi Naruto was under the mask of that kind smile.
Arashi drew his blade as he looked toward Kurotsuchi who glared toward him before sighing.
"So much for your honor."
Kurotsuchi spoke while Arashi huffed, "I shall still grant you a swift death out of respect. This is what must be done." The man spoke while the girl looked toward the ground.
"Because you're scared of him?"
Kurotsuchi spoke while Arashi gave the girl a surprised expression, "Because you're afraid that when he smiles that he means it? That his kindness isn't some mask, that it's real? Yeah… he scared me too." The girl spoke while Arashi shook his head.
The man lifted his blade while he glared down at Kurotsuchi who held a soft smile on her features before she chuckled.
"I'll be selfish a little longer if you don't mind and think about him… Naruto's always been a scary guy. His warmth yet he felt like a moving storm ready to destroy those that threatened what he cared about. That is what made him so strong, the way he cares with all his heart."
Kurotsuchi said while Arashi tightened the grip on his blade glaring down at the girl, "You wanna know what else scared me about his strength?" The girl asked while Arashi closed his eyes before he swung his sword downward.
The wall behind them both exploded while a single footstep was heard on the floor behind Arashi. The general used all of his might to turn around mid-swing to block against Naruto's strike, the boy spun sliding his blade off of Arashi's before using it to cut into the armor on his shoulder.
Chains shattered while Arashi slowly looked up at Naruto who was in front of him holding a freed Kurotsuchi in his arms.
All in a single move.
Arashi's black eyes widened while he looked back toward Naruto, Kurotsuchi's smile grew on her face looking toward the boy she cherished. A single furious red eye looked back at Arashi while a demonic aura waved around the boy gently holding Kurotsuchi in his arms.
"Naruto was always way too damn fast."