Yuko rubbed her eyes tiredly as she strolled to the front gate to sign her name on the log and the reason for her departure. She was already up so she figured she'd do this so she didn't have to when it was time to leave. It was still dark out the sun not yet ascending, she looked around the compound taking in its empty appearance aside from a few members who were just coming back from a mission or leaving for one. Okay, so I have water, food, a few sealing scrolls, clothes, and shuriken... She nodded to herself as she headed for the northern wing of the complex, where their blacksmith was.
She was never really in the northern wing unless she needed more weapons like now, she spent most of her time near the west wing admiring the gardens and taking what little time she had to simply relax. The smithy was housed in a small but roomy complex, Yuko winced every so often hearing the echo of pounding steel, now she recalled why there was hardly anyone in the northern wing this would drive her crazy!
"Um, excuse me?" Yuko questioned as she leaned her arms against the 'windows' counter speaking over the loud pounding. The man paused halfway down with his hammer, turning to look back at Yuko grumbling something she didn't quite catch as he put the thousands degrees article of steel into water, steam flew in front of her eyes as the deep hiss of the weapon cooling slammed against her ears, the blacksmith was tall and well built around the age of forty, anyone who needed weapons came here she even seen Madara here on occasion picking up a large order of projectiles.
She wrinkled her nose at the look he gave her. He had a menacing appearance and air about him with sharp eyes and an angled chin his whole aura screamed danger. "I need three sets of kunai before the sun is up." She said digging through her pocket pulling out a few ryo. A set consisted of anywhere between twenty to thirty kunai, she wanted to be prepared for the worse since she was essentially heading into a war zone.
The man looked at the piece of paper she handed over, nodding a few times as he regarded her with a cool expression. "I can do that for you." He said moving towards a shelf to get started on the job, it would be roughly two hours before the sun was up so he had a good amount of time. Yuko looked around in the shop, her eyes widening at the collection he had, he was blacksmith yes but she never seen such a variety.
There were long swords like the Nodachi and Katana, short swords like the Kodachi and Tanto, there were an array of shuriken varying in size from the size of her hand all the way up ones that were about the size of half her body, her eyes narrowed spotting a strange Kunai, it looked like a normal one but the main blade was a few inches longer and one shorter blade curved on the side where it began. Wow... She thought resisting the urge to snatch everything in sight.
"Are you staying here until it's finished?" The man asked, Yuko was shocked not hearing any disdain or hostility in his tone like she got with the other Uchiha.
"Can I?" Yuko asked her interest piqued by the offer, and her eyes kept roaming the endless collection of weapons.
"I don't see why not just don't touch anything." He said getting back to his work, Yuko nodded dumbly finding a seat a few inches away from him folding her legs and setting her hands on her knees. She winced every so often hearing a pound and a loud clang, but it wasn't as bad as before and she couldn't complain that someone didn't mind her company.
She stood up moving over to a wall where there were swords and four pointed shuriken that varied in size, the Uchiha were excellent in shurikenjutsu though they were great in other jutsus shurikenjutsu was like the primary skill all had even from a young age. Even she had some degree of skill and versatility but she preferred to use a sword, it had a longer reach and she trained extensively in swordsmanship. Before she knew it the smithy was finished with her order, she took her focus of the array of weapons and grabbed the bag they were in.
"Thank you very much." She bowed her head in gratitude pulling out some ryo to pay for her order, she had an hour to spare and could finish packing in just a few minutes which meant that she could go over her mission details. She glanced over to the side spotting the sword he finished creating when she arrived, her eyes practically glowed as she took in the work of art. The blade still gleamed like a burning star, and had a flawless design everything was proportioned all the way up to the squared hilt.
She snapped out of her thoughts hearing a throaty chuckle. "You want the sword too?" She narrowed her eyes slightly was he serious or joking?
"No, no." Yuko said shaking her head after a moment, it wasn't hers and she came here for kunai. Taking away his piece would be like an insult, thought she loved the blade she had enough respect to know a masterpiece when she saw one and it was his. "I couldn't.. I'll be going." She took a few steps almost out of the shop but a large hand palmed her shoulder turning her around, Yuko looked with some confusion and surprise as he extended his hand out with the sword in it.
"Take it." He said, though it sounded like an order. Yuko wasn't going to disobey an order, or what she thought was an order. She nodded bowing her head in gratitude as she took the sword and its saya that it would kept in, with that she left the smithy. She carefully moved the sword through the air hearing it whistle as the gentle morning breeze blew against it, she gripped it overhand sheathing it slowly and carefully putting the saya under her obi for now.
Water, food, clothes, kunai, shuriken, a few sealing scrolls, clothes, and my sword. Yuko nodded in confirmation as she packed everything in a neat order, folding her clothes into small squares so they didn't take up as much room and began to fill her belt contents with kunai and shuriken, she ate breakfast and headed out with her sword strapped to her back and her bag slung over her shoulder. It was nice of the smithy to give me this sword.
She thought it was a bit much back then, but she just felt safer feeling the weight of the blade just on her back the hilt just a flicker away. "I'm leaving!" She yelled to a guard who simply raised his hand letting her know that he heard her, rolling her eyes Yuko walked passed the gates. The sun was slowly beginning to set now she couldn't believe how early she was awake, but she couldn't sleep last night she was too anxious. She focused some chakra into her legs about to leap into the woods when she stopped abruptly.
"Hey there, funny seeing you out here so early in the morning again."
Yuko turned around staring into Izuna's dark eyes, he stood against the gate with his arms crossed over his chest, he was wearing a black high collared shirt with matching pants, his hair was messy but was still in his customary low ponytail. Yuko gulped slightly as she couldn't take her eyes away from his, Izuna walked forward stopping a few feet away from her observing her carefully. Yuko felt her knees shaking under his intense gaze she stared at his chest instead of his eyes.
"Leaving for the mission?" He asked in a light tone, noticing Yuko's flustered appearance, he took a few steps forward she didn't move from her spot, so he stepped up until he was inches away from her.
Yuko inhaled sharply keeping her eyes on his chest since she couldn't focus on anything else, she glanced up for a moment. I wonder if his lips are soft I bet they're juicy just look at them... She blushed slightly where her train of thought began to go. Get a hold of yourself!
"Do I have something on my face?" He asked smirking ever so slightly but hearing no retort she just stared at him so he continued. "Does my presence fluster you so?" He asked again as his smirk grew but he stopped quickly noticing her hesitancy to speak. "Answer me!" He commanded, folding his arms over his chest why was she acting so nervous and strange.
"Uh- I apologize Izuna-sama. I'm heading out for my mission now. And there's nothing on your face." Such a handsome face... Yuko said in one breath wincing at the tone his voice took.
I apologize? Did I really just say that, Yuko you idiot! She opened her mouth to continue her explanation but froze when she felt his calloused yet soft fingers gently pull a strand of her hair back behind her ear. Izuna's eyes softened as he tucked it with a gentle touch pulling a few more back. Yuko swallowed the lump in her throat, for some reason... She liked this... It was affectionate..
She steadied her knees looking into his dark eyes, she hoped he couldn't her heart hammering in her chest or her burning cheeks.Just move your head up Yuko and you can... The thought came out of nowhere causing her to shudder slightly, thankfully Izuna brought her out of her stupor.
"You're so... Different." He said pausing for a moment to think of the right word to describe the red haired Kunoichi as he continued to gently pull her hair back, his lips edged with a small smile as he finished tucking her hair behind her left ear. "But I... Like you." He rubbed her cheek with his thumb, his eyes softening as he spoke. "Be careful in the Water country, blood runs like the rivers that surround the mainland.
"I will.. And I have to get going. Izuna-sama." Yuko said in a strangely quiet voice hiding the smile that wanted to burst out any second now. His touch was so gentle, so tender. It completely betrayed his reputation as Izuna Uchiha the second in command of the clan and strongest Uchiha next to Madara and sent a shiver up and down her spine. But, she was always interested with him he was always so different. "I have to be at the docks in fifty minutes and better to get there early to beat the crowds you know."
He nodded stepping back to give her space. Yuko inhaled deeply feeling her heart steady and her body relax. "Come back alive."
"Y-Yes." She almost sputtered like a child, what was that just now, she felt her heart skip a beat and then sink to her stomach. She put the feeling in the back of her mind taking off in a sprint as she smiled to herself. She began to leap from branch to branch already a good distance away from the compound, her heart was telling her that Izuna was interested, but her mind told her the complete opposite.
About an hour later... Docks
Yuko by this point but on her black cloak, putting the hood on which covered her bright hair and half of her face. It didn't take her very long to get to the docks, they were in the same village she went to just days ago near the southern wing as she deemed it for her own personal navigation. Dozens and dozens of boats crowded the harbor and marina from small fishing boats that merchants used to boats several times larger that were used for civilian transportation in and out of the Fire country.
She walked with some speed looking over her information then back at the boats on her left side. Her boat was a medium sized fishing boat that was going to one of the islands which one she didn't know, besides herself only one other person would be on the boat which was the person who owned it.
She wiped sweat from her forehead cursing that she put on her cloak so early, sighing she took the hood down relishing in the cold breeze blowing through her mane. Okay, so my boat isn't the smallest but it's not the biggest, it doesn't say where it would be located... She tapped her chin in thought as she looked over each boat looking for a pattern or certain order. The big ones are mostly here and in front of me, so that means my boat is either all the way on the end or somewhere in the middle.. She rolled up her scroll putting it back into her pocket ignoring shouts that weren't directed at her but still broke out of her train of thought.
The end it was. Yuko walked down the length of the dock slowly but surely the boats began to get smaller and less grand in a sense of appearance. She was never out of the compound except for these last few days, normally something like this wouldn't effect her; all of these people and different boats but she never seen the outside world.
So this was a spectacle taking in the withered appearance of some boats, watching the crew go about their daily duties hauling supplies and goods down box by box. That's when she realized she was far from the compound and would be out of the country soon enough, she felt a sparkle of excitement. Freedom. Living in the compound constantly being looked at like she was the devil incarnate itself, she would finally be away from all of the spite and disdain she felt for her entire life.
She hastened her steps seeing a tall and elderly man with silver hair reaching his waist and a beard of equal length staring out at the market just a few feet ahead of him. Yuko took the time to observe it as she was on her way noticing how many different kinds of food there was being sorted, some of it made her nose wrinkle and stomach turn there were a lot of unappetizing things but there were equally good things for sale, but she already ate and not wanting to vomit her breakfast she turned her eyes away from the spectacle.
She came to a stop, looking at the old slightly tan skinned and well built man. He turned his head towards her unexpectedly, his sharp eyes drinking in her visage, she flicked the sleeve of her cloak feeling self conscious. Why did everyone have to stare at her? "What do you need woman?"
Yuko frowned slightly, who did he think he was calling her woman! Damn it she had a name and it was a damn good one to and it was Yuko. She took a few calming breaths resisting the urge to punch him in the jaw and turn around, but this was a mission where she would prove herself. Either she would succeed and obtain the scroll, or most likely die. For these reasons alone she calmed herself down, smiling sweetly. "I was told I would have a boat waiting for me to head to the Water country." She raised one eyebrow for effect.
"Hmm.." The man grunted, turning on his heel and getting in his boat. "So you're the one. Get in, we should leave now to avoid any delays." He disappeared down a flight of wooden stairs. Yuko shrugged to herself carefully stepping onto the boat, looking for a place to sit but couldn't find any seat where she was currently so she walked towards the front right side finding a small chair that he likely used for fishing.
She sat down, unzipping her cloak halfway letting herself air out, what possessed her to put the cloak on so early? She didn't jump when the boat hitched before it began to move at a steady pace, she kept her chocolate eyes on the water passing beneath her, every so often her reflection rippling. Girl you are a hot mess... She thought seeing her reflection dip away a moment later, she turned around to see how far out they were slightly surprised to see the docks growing smaller and smaller.
She pulled out her scroll going over her mission. Okay, so I have to get to the mainland, find out where the Yuki clan are keeping the hyoton scroll, get the hyoton scroll, and I have to do all of this while watching my back for a lunatic every step of the way... She laughed dryly running a hand through her hair. And here I thought I over packed. She went through the pictures of who or what she would be facing, her eyes narrowed in confusion all of the photos of the person contained a strange mask with slits for eyes, she resisted the urge to laugh who in the right mind would walk around with something like that on?
She continued skimming the details, like Madara told her it was indeed in a state of turmoil and she was walking into a hornet's nest with little experience in a situation like this. She glanced around, noticing the elderly man wasn't anywhere to be seen, more strange was that this boat was moving with an oar.
She wasn't sure how much time passed until she got up to stretch out the kinks in her back and neck but it was night time and the stars were decorating the sky. She took a moment to stare at the majestic sight, how a simple thing as watching the stars wasn't possible in this era, all that mattered was strength and only strength. It was kind of depressing people didn't do these simple things, they never even thought of it.
Dad... She thought remembering her stern and strict father who showed no emotion and trained her until she couldn't move her fingers, she sighed softly supporting her back against one wall dragging her knees up to her chest. I never could understand... Showing my emotions is forbidden, but... She took a breath pushing the thoughts away.
"Mind if I ask you why you're heading to the Water country little lady?" Yuko turned to see the elderly man sitting on a chair looking out into the ocean around them. His voice didn't have a mocking quality or any insult, he was curious and somewhat worried... Maybe? He brought a cup to his mouth drinking the cold liquid as he leaned back. "It's terrible you know?" His voice got quiet. "The islands around the mainland run with blood, and the mainland is in a constant state of war and turmoil even civilians are caught in the crossfire there's no where safe to go." He looked at her with a narrowed eye stare, he took routine trips back and forth and knew of the Water country well.
Should I lie? Yuko debated for a moment staying silent. "I'll answer that if you answer me this."
"Shoot."
"How is this boat moving all on its own. Are you a Suiton user?" Yuko asked with curiosity regarding him with her full attention, she could easily activate her Sharingan and see his chakra pathway but chose against it. She didn't want to give herself away, and she wasn't the best sensor but she could feel a constant ripple coming from him, but to have such a mastery over any element was amazing...
"Very perceptive of you." The man commented his lips cracking with a smile. "Yes I am a Suiton user."
"That explains it." Yuko muttered as she frowned in thought. "I guess I'll answer now." She said taking off her cloak and setting on her lap. "I have family in the Water country and they wanted me to come visit. I know it's dangerous and all going there on my own, but hey I love my family." She didn't wince from the pain that ripped through her heart, family that was such a distant unfamiliar word to her. "We're really close." She wanted to cry.
He stayed silent observing her closely. She was certainly a strange woman, red hair that fell just beyond her little waist and bright chocolate eyes that held an innocence behind them. He seen that kind of light before, everyone had it at some point in this era the look of safety one that never experienced the horrors of war that didn't have blood on their hands. But it wouldn't remain that way, it never did sooner or later the light would fade. He didn't mention it, but he could see the pain fleeting through her eyes the way her face tensed ever so slightly and the way her eyes would gloss but she quickly hid it.
"You must be hungry." He said chugging down the rest of his drink. "I'll fix you something."
"No I'm not... And I packed my own food for the long trip so you don't have to make anything for me." Yuko said after a moment pressing her hand on her right eye wiping a tear away. "But thank you anyways..."
"Nonsense come." He said putting more authority in his tone so the woman wouldn't deny his kind offer. It was going to be a long trip and he didn't doubt she would have half of the food left that she packed, this was a much better more suitable choice to make. "I'm old anyways and don't need to eat a lot. Besides it's a long trip, conserve what you have." He said before standing up and walking back towards the staircase not turning around as if he knew Yuko would follow him. Yuko stood up carefully holding her cloak and following after his shadow, it was getting cold anyways and not digging into her supply of snacks didn't sound like a bad idea.
"Miles well.." She said to herself as she began to descend down the stairs, sniffing the air her eyes popping open with a certain glee followed by her stomach growling. She walked into what she would consider a living quarter, she wasn't sure what he had, but it wasn't hot whatever it was. She took a seat on a mat setting her bag to the side and waited patiently for him to finish or speak to her, no need to start rambling on, plus she had to control her thoughts. All she could see was Izuna fixing her hair and feel his warmth as he traced his thumb on her cheek, she didn't know what love is, but that had to be the closest feeling to it. You're so different... But I like you. Come back alive... His voice rippled though her being making her spine tingle, did he really like her? Like the like 'like' or was it just something else? Did he believe in her?
Or was he just trying to get in her head, she didn't know exactly what, but she wouldn't mind him fixing her hair again and she could go on her tiptoes and... Ugh! Yuko start thinking with your brain! She scolded herself mentally, she was a mess of emotions. Mikito-sama gave me this mission, going as far as to vouch for me and somehow convinced Madara to allow it and gave her full support but... She looked at the ceiling for a moment before turning her gaze back on the table. Just focus on this mission Yuko not Izuna's delicious and juicy lips... Damn it...! She huffed quietly, not noticing the bowl of food in front of her.
"Eat." She looked at the elderly man who was seated across already eating at a fast pace though he didn't have half as much as Yuko. She didn't respond verbally she grabbed her spoon shoving a spoonful of whatever it was in her mouth, it was a bit spicy and danced on her taste buds but wasn't unbearable and made her eyes tear up.
That woman... Madara thought with a scowl as he tore a piece of paper into thousands of pieces incinerating them with a low scale Katon jutsu. How in the hell had he allowed himself to be convinced of giving that half breed such a dangerous mission. Izuna already valuated that she wouldn't last once she had to enter combat, he should have told Mikito to shove it where the sun don't shine and send Yuko back to her home, but he didn't do that.
Izuna would give him a lecture about his anger and that he can't let personal feelings interfere with his duty as clan head. Who does she think she is trying to boss me around why I... "Enter!" He said with annoyance radiating off his aura.
Izuna entered unscathed from his small outburst. He fought back a chuckle seeing his brother with that sour expression on his face. I've never seen him get so riled up over a girl before... He cleared his throat before he began to laugh and anger Madara further. "Did the half breed depart?" Madara asked after a moment breathing out a sigh as he finished another document stacking it neatly with the others. He was a perfectionist and that meant with everything, even his paperwork was immaculate with neat and narrow handwriting.
"Yes she did." Izuna answered walking passed him and leaning against the windowsill looking over the compound.
"Hn." Madara made a noise of acknowledgement leaning back into his chair. The more he thought about it now, the more of a disaster this was going to turn out to be for him in the long run. Why didn't Izuna pull her back into the compound, damn it! "That woman has a lot of nerve trying to order me around. I should have sent her on another mission one that requires less force." Madara scowled resting his elbows on the table as he cupped his chin in one.
Trying. Izuna thought with a mental laugh. "Well, Mikito-san brings up a good point. She does have Uchiha blood flowing through her veins after all, maybe all she needs is the chance to prove herself." Izuna supplied.
"And she dies." Madara finished coldly.
"We'll just have to wait and see." Izuna said with a slight nod, not completely disagreeing with his brother. He had been in the Water country when he was younger his father deeming it as practice and to toughen him up. Needless to say Izuna witnessed a lot of death one those islands enough for six lifetimes, and that was back when he was still eight. Now it must have been hell on earth and that was no joke. "Anyways I know you didn't call me up here just to talk about little Yuko." Izuna said with a slightly wistful tone thinking of the flustered red haired girl for a moment.
"Yes you're right." Madara leveled a glare with Izuna, he certainly hoped this woman was attracting Izuna's attention. He had enough to worry about as clan head that didn't involve his brother's shenanigans with women in the clan, especially a half breed. He could hear the council already in an uproar their underwear too tight and their heads so far up their ass they don't know which way is up. "The Senju have showed movement several miles away from here, I'd look into it myself but I have other things to take care of." And by other things he meant the nauseating Hashirama, since he would most likely leading the group.
Izuna's eyes narrowed and a deep frown formed on his face as he took in that bit of information. "Senju." He spat the word with enough venom to kill a Rancor and then some. "In which direction?" Izuna asked carefully.
"To the east, it should be a small unit about ten men give or take." Madara explained further frowning slightly, they were moving awfully close to their compound. It looked like he would need to get out of this office and on the battlefield. "Kill them all, and spare one to get information and finish him after." Madara said laying the foundation for the mission, he would send back up with Izuna. There were ten men in total, believe it or not that was a lot in this era, but Izuna was his equal in every way, he was the strongest among the Uchiha next to himself. Ten pesky Senju wouldn't be too much trouble.
"I'll be back in a few minutes at the most." Izuna said in a low tone slowly leaving Madara's room anger radiating off of his aura. He would bet good money that it was the white haired prick by the name of Tobirama that was leading this team of tree huggers. Madara stared at his brother's back for a moment as he exited the room shutting the door quietly, the head of the Uchiha stood to his feet looking out of his large windows at the compound with a calm and ready stare as he watched his kinsmen go about their nightly activities. Now it begins... Hashirama.
Izuna dressed in his war attire consisting of dark armor of their era, four katanas were secured on his back and a tanto was sheathed on his lower back. He headed to the location where Madara first said they were seen. It was mainly woodland with a few fields in the distance with a river that produced many sources of food for their clan, basically it was an essential location that kept their clan supported, with more men going off to battle, more children were born and needed to be taken care of. Izuna could have sent a unit of his finest men out here to deal with the Senju but he took upon himself to take care of them and send a message. Stay away.
He was adept at sensory and could pick out the unit without a second thought, there were ten just like his brother said on the eastern border that was their territory. He couldn't hold back the snarl of anger that escaped the back of his throat they were getting gutsy more so than usual, before they wouldn't dare tread near their territory but now they were moving and fast.
Grabbing one of the hilts of his many swords he pushed chakra into his legs and feet leaving small craters in the ground as his speed more than tripled, his onyx black eyes flicking in every direction taking in the details of his surroundings as they passed by in a flash, Izuna was always observant and could pick apart even the tiniest things if he seen for a moment that's all it took. He was used to this place, this is where he used to sneak off to do his own training growing up, while his father was a good teacher, Izuna needed time alone to hone everything.
Not only were they treading on Uchiha territory they were treading on his training ground with their filthy feet, he thought back to what Souji said about the Senju being a big problem in the future. He scoffed at the notion in his mind the Senju were sub par when compared to the Uchiha it was an insult to him and all of his kinsmen, but the Subatsu... He only heard rumors about them just like the Domou clan but the way Mikito and Souji put it they were always on good terms with the Senju, well he hated them on that fact alone. Anyone who could ally themselves with those tree huggers was on his hit list.
His eyes narrowed as he caught the symbol emblazoned on their armor, he seen the curved ends with the ling going through the middle. The symbol alone was enough to make his blood boil, there were ten just as Madara said, they were older than Izuna by give or take five years judging from their stubble and facial hair.
But, their chakra was considerably weak compared to his arch nemesis Tobirama, speaking of the prick he hadn't seen him in this little pack, he was disappointed to say the least he wanted to send a message to that white haired bastard. He landed on top of a tree branch staring down at the ten men that all shot their heads up in alarm, their eyes widened as they quickly dug into their belts to pull out kunai. "You're trespassing..." Izuna said coldly but pasued swiftly, with speed that bellied the impossible he drew one katana deflecting four kunai in a row sending the tips sinking into branches.
"Shit! It's Izuna!" A man snapped glowering up at him with absolute hatred.
"Since you know me, you should know that even stepping foot here is a death sentence." Izuna sneered jumping off of the branch and landing on the ground a few feet away, he snickered as they scrambled to get ready for his attack, but they had no idea what he was going to do. "Enough talk!" He shouted suddenly pushing chakra into his legs, propelling himself forward pointing his blade forward, the Senju he connected with gurgled as blood rushed out of the wound at the center of his throat his hands instinctively went to the wound. Three more charged in while the other six retreated back going through a flash of hand seals.
Izuna tore his blade from the man's neck ducking under the slash of the shuriken aimed to cut his throat, with another flick he stabbed the blade forward pushing off to the side watching with satisfaction as he severed the man's body in two watching the blood splatter on nearby trees, he shot his head back dodging another kunai that skimmed by his cheek the Senju that threw it was upon him with his fist cocked back. Izuna slashed to the side hearing the throaty scream as a pint of blood flew in every direction soaking his dark uniform beneath his armor.
The last one came running forward with a war cry, mistake number one never charge forward without a plan, just as quickly as he disposed the first three he brought his shirt down in a vertail downward swing, slicing through his cranium all the way to the pelvis, Izuna moved quickly leaping off the ground flicking his eyes around spotting the remaining Senju their chakra alerting him.
"Suiton:Bakusui No Jutsu!" At the same time the unit of Senju inhaled deeply, spitting out a large amount of water, the water twisted defying gravity itself as it swirled at dangerous speeds. Tree bark split and chipped and branches were completely torn from the combined force of the jutsu, Izuna was already on the move flashing his hands through several seals slamming them in the seal of tiger while inhaling deeply. He should have known that those first few were a distraction for the others to execute a collaboration technique, the jutsu itself was a high level but split between them it wasn't nearly as taxing and it quickly grew in size. He was staring into a water tornado.
"Katon: Gokakyu No Jutsu!" He parted his lips, unleashing a wave of fire that quickly grew in size as it spread itself outward hungrily burning entire trees and the grassland as it headed for a crash course with the water wall. The two attacks met in an explosion that shook the entire area from its power and magnitude, the air hissed as steam was pushed out in all directions covering everything for a good ten miles in any direction even going as far up as the tree tops. Izuna smirked to himself, lunging forward and bringing the blade down slicing a man's head from his shoulders kicking the body aside and moving onto the next.
"Sharingan!" They spat venomously.
Izuna took full advantage of his enhanced vision slashing and stabbing in what appeared to be an erratic and wild manner, but the puncturing sound of his sword sinking into flesh signified this wasn't a wild attack, his movements were quick and graceful with a calculated approach. His Sharingan blazing crimson as they locked onto four more intruders.
Flashing forward he blocked one strike from a kunai, grabbing a second hilt from his back bringing it forward in a skewering motion, the man he killed fell to the ground in a loud thump as he yanked his sword out going after the other three putting one under a genjutsu at the last second leaving him in a twitching heap, he stabbed through the side of his head watching pieces of his brain fly across the floor. By the time the steam settled Izuna had already disposed of eight Senju leaving two behind who escaped by sheer luck.
"Retreat!" One spat in disdain turning around on a dime, his loud scream silenced as Izuna swiped his sword forward watching the Senju's head fly off.
"No." Izuna's voice was cold as he advanced on the last man, his crimson eyes boring into the man's soul as three tomoe rotated quickly. "No one is retreating." He blocked and dodged the erratic swings of a shuriken, he parried a thrust bringing his sword down cutting off his hand in one motion, before the man could even scream Izuna pushed a good amount of chakra into his foot slamming it into his chest feeling the bones buckle from the force and give way.
His body flew to the side rolling across the ground until it came to a stop, Izuna spat on the ground as he approached the injured man flicking the katana he first used to the side ridding it off blood. "Why are you here?" Izuna demanded punching him in the stomach taking pleasure in his pained wheezing.
"G-Go to hell!" He snarled spitting, but Izuna moved his head away at the last minute. "Rotten Uchiha!" He glared staring into Izuna's eyes, he gasped realizing his mistake but it was already too late he was captured in the genjutsu his eyes rolling behind his head as he slumped forward like dead flesh. Izuna frowned as he listened to the man spill the truth under his control. Izuna didn't just cast a genjutsu, he took it a step further manipulating the neurons that sent signals to the body such as to sleep, or to shut down.
"Tch." Izuna scoffed grabbing a kunai from his utility belt and drilling it through the man's forehead standing up with a frown. "So the Senju are on the move, I need to inform brother of this." He frowned knowing full well about his brother's dangerous temper. With his objective complete he turned around sprinting back to the compound, he'd have some men pick the bodies up and then send them back to the Senju compound.
Yuko sighed softly as she rubbed her sleepy eyes, one thing she knew didn't mix was her and boats. She didn't get seasick but sleeping was a hassle when every so often there was a wave that would slightly jar the boat, and her nightmares which were happening more often now kept her awake or she'd wake up in a cold sweat, panting for air and her hands shaking. It was terrible, death there was so much death around her and fires, she knew it was more than a nightmare it had to be memories that she long since suppressed. She was surprised when he showed her what would be her own room while she was on the trip, she thanked internally happy that she had her own space and privacy.
Little light go in the room and she wasn't sure what time of day it was, she let out a soft yawn as she moved the blankets down from her chest sitting up. She spotted her cloak hanging on a small piece of wood that acted as a hanger, her bag was situated at the side of her bed where she put it last night spare of the moment.
She was happy to go to sleep, she was up early and spent her morning and afternoon packing for this mission. "Wake up," she told herself as she began to doze off again, shaking her head she kicked her legs out from under the blankets letting them hang off the other side of the bed as she forced herself to stand.
She yawned again stretching her arms out over her head cracking the kinks out of her neck and back, with a loud aahh she dropped her arms to her side heading for the door. She knew she was still riding on the ocean, if the boat did ever stop off somewhere she wouldn't know, but that man had to take a rest sooner or later right?
He just couldn't keep this boat going twenty four hours, she sighed putting her hair up in a neat ponytail why should she care if he stopped or not of if he could keep this boat going for twenty four hours. She opened the door, looking into the room where she had sat down and ate last night. Everything was clean and spotless and one would never take this as a makeshift kitchen for lack of a better term, her guide wasn't here, she focused for a moment feeling his chakra with the same ripple as yesterday up another level.
She went back into her room changing out of her dirty clothes and putting on clean ones. Her outfit consisted of a white short sleeved top the crisscrossed at the thread by her breasts keeping it tight, blue tight shorts that went to the middle of her thighs and lastly she tied the blue sash neatly around her stomach giving it a small tug, sucking in her stomach as she finished tying it one last time. She always felt a lot better having this tight feeling around her torso, and it also helped keeping her boobs from bouncing in her line of sight and messing up her aim when it came time to train or fight.
She left her room swiftly, going up the flight of stairs that lead to the top deck of the boat. She squinted her eyes feeling the sun's rays piercing into her eyes that had yet to adjust, carefully she stepped onto the deck walking to the front of the boat keeping a hand on her forehead to keep the sun light away for now.
Her throat closed, not literally but she lost her breath, there was water surrounding her for miles upon miles upon miles there was nothing but water. It made her a fire user slightly uneasy but she couldn't take her eyes away from the glittering waves that rushed beneath her as the boat continued its course, it was one of the simple wonders she always admired like the gardens in the western wing of her compound, and the river right by the Naka Shrine where'd she go as a child to be alone.
She saw the man, who's name she had yet to get. Funny she didn't ask for it she felt it was rude, but he called her woman and she wasn't very fond of being referred as that by anyone, yet alone some old geezer. Sighing softly she rested her arms on the edge of the boat, resting her chin on her hands.
Mikito and Madara did say it could take two months, and most of that time would be spent on the trip itself, she knew from past experience that the Water country was a good hundred or more kilometers away from the Fire country it was very, very far and once you got to a certain point there was nothing but the ocean surrounding you. "You're awake." She turned at the source of the gruff voice.
"Yeah, I couldn't really sleep." Yuko said with a small shrug, she didn't want to tell him about the nightmares that began to plague her nights leaving her drenched in sweat and her heart about to leap from her chest. No that was far too personal and her pride wouldn't allow her to show such weakness openly towards another. "How much longer until we get there?" She asked after silence crept by for several minutes.
"Give or take a few more weeks or three months.." He answered with a huff. "We need to take the safe routes to avoid conflicts on the outer islands if we get caught in the middle of one of these fights it's as good as over for the both of us. We also need to avoid the routes that are plagued by Kaiju." His voice held no deception or anger, just the plain truth. Yuko stared at him for a moment contemplating what he said, was everyone so afraid of coming here? There really wasn't blood running like rivers and the mainland wasn't in turmoil where even the innocent died? She gave up, sighing quietly. "But there's one island where there are no conflicts, I'll be stopping there to get supplies and get my payment ready for when we depart back to the Fire country."
"Payment?" Yuko asked with a curious expression.
"I'm a fisherman little lady." He answered looking at her for a moment ignoring the way her eyebrows scrunched from the nickname. "You'd be surprised how much some people will pay in the Fire country to have one come out this far. Not that I can complain I get to fish while enjoying the freedom of my surroundings if only for a little while. The pay helps too."
"Un." Yuko nodded her head in understanding.
Being clan leader was a difficult task. Between paperwork, documents, and making sure all of her kinsmen were at their peak condition both physically and mentally wasn't an easy feat.
Mikito headed for her office as soon as she came back knowing there was something that needed to be signed and confirmed, read, or just thrown out; Ahiko and Gen did as they said they would and she couldn't be any happier with their efforts, even though Ahiko wanted a truce and the fighting to stop she put that aside when it came to their welfare. A knock snapped her from the document she was currently reading from the Damiyo in the Earth country. "Come in." She called from her seat.
The door opened revealing Souji and Ahiko, the youngest with a large bow clasped in her right hand and a holster on her back containing several dozen arrows. Mikito raised an eyebrow at the two as she set the document down. "Are you going out to the training grounds?"
"Yes." Ahiko nodded in confirmation adjusting the obi that kept her hakama in place. "Souji has finished briefing the others of our current situation, he's already devised several plans and the division leaders are getting ready to follow their orders." She smiled widely as she eyed Mikito with admiration, by now everyone in the compound knew of their alliance with the Uchiha.
While several were unhappy about it naturally, the majority were happy that they had such a powerful clan on their side, and more so that they agreed. Ahiko herself was a bundle of joy when she heard the news, how Mikito ever convinced Madara to agree she'd never know. "Congratulations with the alliance between our clan and the Uchiha, I knew you could work something up with them."
Mikito nodded with a small smile silently thanking her younger sister. "Well, if that's all you can go and perfect your craft Ahiko-nii." She looked back down at the document before looking back up at them again. "We'll be leaving again in two months to the Uchiha compound to see if Yuko was able to complete her task." Mikito was interested in the girl, she wasn't like most shinobi she showed when she was nervous and uncomfortable she'd blush when all the eyes settled on her hardly composing herself.
"Yuko?" Ahiko asked confused.
"A girl from the Uchiha clan." Souji answered in his calm and deep voice. "We sent her to the Water country to obtain the Hyoton scroll from the mainland."
Ahiko's eyes widened for a moment, her mouth dropped. "Water country but!?"
"She'll be fine." Mikito said smoothing out her sleeves.
Souji shrugged. "If not she'll be dead on one of those islands with or without the scroll. If we're lucky she may destroy the scroll so the Yuki clan won't be able to utilize the Hyoton generations from now."
"Always so blunt..." Ahiko said with a sigh, she didn't know Yuko but she already felt for the girl. Going to Water country was dangerous with a captial D. "Well I'm off, come on Souji." Ahiko turned on a dime exiting the room with Souji following close behind.
The Domou compound had four wings one in each cardinal direction. In the west was the medical wing where the injured were brought and the dead were buried, unlike most clans in this era when one of their kinsmen died in battle they carried the body back to the compound. In the east was what one could consider the 'city' that's where most of the shops were and where many of the members lived, in the south was their blacksmith who was always pounding away, and lastly in the north was where her office was located and where most of the activity took place besides in the west. There were hundreds, even thousands of training grounds where parents would take their children to begin their training to become a shinobi and where Souji or herself would be checking the strength of their kinsmen.
Ahiko strolled through the moist forest at a leisure pace humming a light tune to herself as Souji walked on her left side keeping hs eyes pointed forward. Every so often the younger sister would look at her bow carefully removing anything that was on, it was something that amused Souji when they were growing up anytime he or Mikito tried to take it Ahiko would throw a fit and stash it somewhere she thought they'd never find it. He himself wasn't an expert in kyujutsu but he always did have a love for archery it may not be as much as Ahiko though she was infatuated with the art and was excellent in it, far surpassing him in it.
They stopped in the center of a group of trees that spread out at an obtuse angle that stretched as far as five miles, they were much smaller trees and didn't have the dense soaked leaves like the others trees did showing just how young they were. "Okay, we'll warm up from 500 yards sound good?" He asked watching Ahiko for an answer when she nodded he ripped a target with eight rings and a dot in the middle running ahead, Ahiko covered her eyes with her hand in a gesture to keep sight of him, though she didn't have trouble with or without her hand.
"Anytime you're ready." Souji said as he jogged back standing a few feet behind his sister.
Ahiko reached behind towards her back, feeling the familiar tickling feeling of a feather at the end of her bow as she grabbed it. Five hundred yards wasn't too difficult shinobi were trained to see over long distances and things moving at high speeds. She pulled the suspender back feeling the pressure already in her forearm as she brought the bow forward closing one eye and taking a deep breath as she measured up the target carefully.
She felt light, hearing the air whoosh in front of her as her arrow distorted the very molecules, it whistled as it traveled moving faster and faster the sharp tip promising a quick death, it struck the target dead center sinking through it and into the tree for several inches. She smiled in satisfaction as she relaxed her posture lowering the bow slightly. "One thousand yards this time." She said looking at Souji with the same smile that gleamed with confidence.
"Oh cocky are we?" Souji asked smirking slightly as he watched his sister shrug, he knew she could get impatient so he ran forward putting the target one thousand yards away. He stood back watching Ahiko as she carefully pulled the arrow back with her arm rippling with muscles underneath showing her athleticism and poise, though she wasn't ripped to the bone her smooth and glowing skin housed dense tissue thanks to her father's intense training that would leave her in a puddle of sweat literally.
Okay... She steadied her stance, releasing the sling, her eyes widened with glee as she watched shoot away from her like a bolt of lightning. Souji widened his eyes slightly watching the arrow rocket forward with enough speed to puncture and push through four cows and then some, a loud crack reverberated as animals left their cover scurrying or flying away as the ground began to rumble for a few seconds.
"Ahiko you didn't happen to forget not to use your wind nature?" Souji asked as if he was ready to give her lecture.
"Oops." Ahiko covered her mouth with her hand, eyes widening as it finally hit her. "I'm sorry don't make me run twenty thousand laps around the compound!" She wailed as she whirled around looking at him with big brown eyes.
Souji chuckled shaking his head. "You don't have to don't worry." He chuckled again hearing his sister sigh audibly. "I'm impressed... One thousand yards is nothing to scoff at, you've really improved sister." He looked at the tree in the distance with shimmering pride in his eyes and posture, very few could shoot one thousand yards let alone accurately in this era kyujutsu wasn't widely practiced due to its tedious process when one could draw a sword or throw a kunai in the same amount of time.
"Thank you!" Ahiko perked up hearing the compliment sent her way. They repeated the process several times over, Souji would move the target one thousand yards away and she would fire her arrow being careful not to amplify it with her wind nature but it was so hard when she was concentrating with every fiber. To really give her a test he put up a dozen of so targets each varying from five hundred feet to one thousand feet away from them, Ahiko fired the arrows in rapid succession despite having to pull back and settle herself into a comfortable stance before firing each arrow. She smiled proudly once all of her arrows were gone every single on a bulls eye, dead center hit except for one or two but they were close to the middle.
"Alright now come at me." Souji said crouching his legs as he settled into a defensive stance.
"Taijutsu." Ahiko said offhandedly as she too settled into a stance, pushing chakra into her feet and legs she sprung forward like a snake coiled ready to strike lashing out with a fist which Souji easily blocked.
"I see, so the Senju are beginning to move." Madara said as he stared at Izuna who gave a report of the fight and everything that happened in that time span. The Senju he placed under a genjutsu was of little use but held on piece of information that was crucial. The Subatsu were in fact allies and Tobirama pushed for it every step of the way. Figures. "I take it you had no trouble."
"This is their blood not mine." Izuna commented wrinkling his nose in disgust as he looked at his black outfit. "I'm going to take a bath." Madara simply nodded in response watching Izuna leave. Looks like he was destined to meet Hashirama sooner than he expected, but again he'd expect nothing less from him. And the Subatsu... He'd test them to see if the rumors were true or just blown out of proportion.
"Get a unit ready with Hikaku and Aito, we are heading back out." Madara smirked.
"On it." Izuna slid the door open, vanishing a moment later.
Like a flash, a slow deliberate flash two and a half months came and went for Yuko as she got into a schedule while on the trip.
She'd wake up at about ten o clock and go out on the deck until the elderly man called her down for dinner. She went into her collection during the morning for breakfast and went over the mission details over and over in her head until she was sure she engraved on her brain. Then after dinner she'd go to the chair she first sat on and watch the water rush passed her while talking with the older man about random things.
Nothing in particular, she began to feel comfortable around him listening to the many stories he had to tell, a part of her was excited whenever he would tell her one how many generations had he seen grow up and die, how many things had he seen in his lifetime. She was only 16!
Yuko swallowed the lump in her throat, nervousness taking hold of the pit of her stomach and anxiety taking a firm hold of her heart. The thought dropped on her when she had two days until she got to the Water country, she was walking into a war zone she'd be surrounded by death, the smell of blood permeating the air with its lingering stench, she'd see the bodies of hundreds and thousands of shinobi, the thought made her knees shake. She was never on the battlefield once in her life and wasn't sure how to ready herself for the carnage she was entering. She told herself not to be scared that she would make it and go back to Izuna, she'd bring back the scroll and see Mikito's eyes light up with confidence.
She put on her dark cloak making sure to put the hood over her head not to attract any attention, she put her supply bag in one of her sealing scrolls so she didn't have to lug it around while she was on the run. She filled her utility belt with as much kunai and shuriken as she could putting the rest under her sash in a sealing scroll, her sword was sheathed strapped on her back ready to be drawn if the need was to arise.
She looked out at the smothering mist that surrounded her and the boat as the man brought it in, she stretched her senses out not able to pick out any chakra signatures for several miles in either direction but the smell of sulfer and blood smacked her right away. Maybe the rumors and their warning weren't all that far fetched, come on Yuko... She said mentally as she walked at a brisk pace about to leave the boat.
"Are you sure you want to go ahead?" She stopped hearing the question. "It's not too late to turn back now you can save yourself the trouble."
No I have to do this! Yuko sucked in a shaky breath turning her head halfway to regard him. "I'm sure I have to do this." She steeled herself hoping her voice didn't shake.
The man grunted. "I see, well I'll be right here waiting." He said locking eyes with her for a moment.
Yuko nodded not sure if she should thank you or keep going ahead. She decided to run ahead not feeling sentimental at the moment. She took a breath, the air was humid and moist more so than the blazing heat of the Fire country but there was a coolness to this mist or fog whatever it was that set her on edge. She turned her head every so often unable to see anything except for what was right in her line of vision as she continued her trek. "Sharingan!" She muttered, her eyes widening as the chocolate vanished replaced by blazing crimson and black tomoes.
She smiled slightly happy that she could see everything now in full clarity despite the mist growing thicker and thicker as she ventured further in, unconsciously she brought one hand to her belt grabbing a kunai firmly in it.
Yuko kept her senses stretched out to pick out any chakra signals, to much surprise or not so much she couldn't find any around her. But she didn't relax at all as she continued to sprint forward, if Izuna warned her just before she left there was a good reason behind it. In fact everyone warned her, even Madara in own cruel way, she didn't believe for a second he cared what happened to her on this mission and was most likely expecting her to die on this island.
Her eyes flicked, Sharingan a glowing red as it searched out for any shinobi nearby for a sneak attack. She wasn't sure what to expect if the shinobi hear could hide their chakra it'd make things a lot more difficult. It was quiet, too quiet she had been running for hours if she had to guess and hand't run into anything not even a dead body. Not that she was looking forward to stumbling over a corpse, but it'd take the growing trepidation away that kept pounding at her heart and twisting her stomach into a knot.
She observed her surroundings carefully as she moved with the speed and stealth of a cat, it was a wilderness for the most part probably uninhabited since the beginning of time vines twisted all over the ground and climbing up to the trees.
She avoided the vines the best she could leaping over them with a certain grace. Her senses flared, like they were on fire. "There!" She exclaimed dodging a kunai just as it dug into the ground, spotting the explosive tag. Yuko crossed her arms in front of her face more to block the dust then to guard against the blast force, she could handle it.
BOOM!
The tag exploded, the ground quaked cracking into small fissures for several inches, cracking and twisting the earth greedily as the power searched for a target smothering the area in a deep black smoke and setting flames to several trees around her. Her eyes flickered wildly searching. One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight... She frowned pushing a small amount of chakra to the soles of her sandals clinging them to a tree branch squatting down in a crouch as she waited. The attack came as fast as lightning, kunai meant with a sword and the clash began.
Yuko clenched her teeth pushing forward and up exposing the attacker's torso with a snap she sent a fist forward slamming it under his rib cage cringing when she heard the throaty scream escape the man's lips as blood flew several feet in the air.
She couldn't gather her wits two more attackers were on her, the first thrusting a sword forward which Yuko dodged in an act of flexibility bending her back halfway, pushing off of the branch and leaping back already seeing the second attack coming followed by the second attacker with a kunai in hand.
Her sandals dug into the ground, her knees bent as she flashed her kunai in a half circle slitting the man's throat that was poised to drive his sword through her cranium, she turned away as he choked and gurgled clawing at his neck to stop the bleeding. The two men from before dived forward one slashing the other stabbing, Yuko twisted her body evading the slash but wasn't fast enough to dodge the kunai gritting her teeth as she felt break her skin, she ignored the pain flashing her sword forward watching the blood fly in a gushing stream, his head flying off to the side.
"Suiton: Hahonryu!" Yuko whirled to the side already flashing her hands inhaling deeply as she spotted three men already complete the jutsu, a torrent of water rushing against their palms.
"Katon: Goenkyu!" The ground around Yuko began to crack, spreading outwards like a spider web, she exhaled with all of her force sliding back from the force of the jutsu. A fireball more than twice the size of the coming of age technique shot forward incinerating the ground and slamming through dozens of trees. Her fireball clashed with three spiraling spouts of water that tore away at the ground and shook the ground for miles around, the air hissed as steam gushed in every direction forming columns that snaked around the area flashing passed Yuko. My jutsu had no effect, those waves just smothered my flames like it was a joke...
She shot forward, flicking her wrist to the side spinning in mid air to add velocity to the projectile haring the sound of flesh being ripped followed by the gurgling of struggled breathing and internal bleeding, her eyebrows narrowed as she slid to a stop watching their movements carefully. Four down four to go... She said to herself clenching the handle of her kunai tighter, her heart pounding in her ears as adrenaline surged through her veins, she could smell sulfur, see the ash left by her jutsu, and could smell the blood that splattered on the ground and several feet away from her.
"Now!" She heard one shout, that's all she needed with a another push of chakra she lunged forward, kunai pointed forward as she tore it through the loudmouth's chest, with a quick jerk she spun to the side carving the kunai entirely through his sternum tearing his left lung in two and rupturing his appendix, he dropped to the ground in a twitching heap only able to gurgle and gasp in agony as she seen a pair of crimson eyes piercing into his own. Uchiha... He thought as the life left his eyes.
Three. Yuko counted in her head turning to face the trio glowering at her with shock, looking at the bodies of their fallen comrades and the damage done around the area from their intense fight. It was going on ten minutes but it was fast paced from the beginning and Yuko had to push herself to her limit to keep up with the pace this fight was going in, she only had one thought and that was to survive.
That's when her eyes widened as she felt dozens, and dozens of chakra signatures landing behind the trio and running towards her location, thinking fast she threw a shuriken forward in a flash, the sound of flesh ripping sounded through the air, with a large amount of chakra focused into her legs she took off in a sprint that was literally blinding her black cloak billowing in the violent breeze as she flipped to the side every few seconds evading the projectiles or low scale water jutsus thrown her way.
Shit! She cursed putting on another boost glancing behind her for a moment. There's at least thirty I can't take them all at once and they're trying to close me in! She looked forward, feeling a wet substance seeping into her shorts and covering her side she knew it was her blood the wound she got was bleeding more readily as she expended more and more energy.
She kept running until she stumbled on wood thickets that were nearly impossible to navigate but thanks to her Sharingan she had little trouble twisting and bending her body to get through the small openings that left her pursuers stuck and slamming head first howling in agony as they dropped to the ground. She sighed after a few minutes that felt like an eternity and she couldn't see any traces of chakra or feel any within several miles from her current location.
Yuko slid to a stop on a branch flipping to the ground, and landing with a loud thud as she fell to one knee heaving her chest to fill it with oxygen. "I need to take care of this wound, and rest..." She said to herself as she looked around finding a small den just a few feet away, it would do for now. She carried herself over to it, letting herself drop forward once she got in wiping the sweat from her forehead, first thing was first she ripped a piece of her top off wrapping it around the wound and tying it tightly to slow the bleeding, she dug into her bag popping a few blood pills into her mouth to replace what blood she lost.
Slightly better but feeling lightheaded she crawled forward leaning her back against the dirt wall, summoning her bag from its sealing scroll and dug through it finding her canteen, without a second thought she opened it bringing it to her lips taking slow and long drinks every minute or so. She grabbed a map that showed the dynamics of her location and where she was headed.
Going by this map I'm here... On the third island closest to the mainland. And to get to the mainland I have to go in the direction I was going in for a few hundred miles before I run into a town and find the boat that is going there. Simple enough I guess. She rolled the map up sealing it back into the scroll so she didn't lose it and took this time to rest. She looked at her hands, gasping as her eyes widened in shock. Blood there was so much blood it dripped from her fist that held the kunai as if she'd die without it, which was completely true .
"I...!" She exclaimed tossing the bloodied weapon away as if it burned her looking at her hand in horror. "I lost them..." She muttered to herself feeling dizzy, her stomach churned as she emptied out her breakfast gagging as the vomit burned the roof of her mouth, she coughed hoarsely spitting out the rest of it. Calm yourself!" She screamed mentally unable to find her voice as her body began to slightly, bringing her knees up to her chest she buried her face in her knees.
She never killed anyone before in her life, sure she trained with targets, clones, and dummies but never had she took the life of another human being. Never were her hands drenched with blood that wasn't hers. Breathe just breathe... She told herself mentally inhaling sharply but vomited again, the stench unbearable she couldn't stand it any longer she put her bag back into the sealing scroll grabbed her bloody kunai and ran as fast as she could towards the town.
She didn't dwell on the shinobi she killed, she held no qualms about surviving it was her life or theirs and she wasn't planning on dying anytime soon. She was shocked at first, taking the life of another human being but she needed to complete her task, she was a kunoichi of the Uchiha clan!
The rest of the trip to the city went by in dreadful silence, Yuko stayed alert keeping her senses stretched out to check her perimeter, there was another attack she walked right into it and was short about twenty shuriken and kunai she didn't dwell on their death, it was her survival that mattered she had to live.
Her wound had stopped bleeding after a few hours the last minute medical treatment she performed doing its work, she just needed to clean it before it got infected which wouldn't be a problem when she got in the mainland there was bound to be a bah house and even better a hot spring somewhere and if not she'd just find a river and use a little medical ninjutsu that she took the time to learn when she was younger, though she wasn't the greatest admittedly. The town was surprisingly busy as if there wasn't a war going on right now, and battles weren't being fought just miles away like her own before.
Merchants gathered people around their stands hoping to capture their interest and make a sale, Yuko didn't pay the stands much attention as she made her way through the city and toward the dock section where the boat was getting to sail off. She learned that this entire area regardless of any island was covered in a thick and eerie mist, she stared out at the blankets as the boat began its trek to the mainland. Now she understood why they warned her, even Izuna gave her a warning, and he'd rarely ever talk to her before so it had to be serious. Being here firsthand now she had no doubts.
The boat arrived a little past ten at night, Yuko managed to take a small nap and wash her wound in one of the boat's bathrooms sighing in relief as the wound began to heal. She kept her eyes trained forward Sharingan deactivated by this point no longer needing it since she wasn't running through the wilderness and a swamp dodging explosions while throwing her kunai with deadly accuracy, using them only when she needed to if running was a choice she took it, if not she fought back.
She noticed several large clusters of chakra that were higher than average no doubt it was one of the many clans that were warring in the area but they paid her no mind, she wasn't sure to be thankful or insulted at the notion but took it with a grain of salt in the end t made this easier. She kept her eyes moving searching for anyone with a creepy mask but had no luck in finding her target and focused on finding a place to stay for the night to formulate a strategy.
Luckily she found a small Inn on the northern part of the city and walked inside scrunching her nose as smoke wafted in her face, flowing into her nostrils making her cough slightly. She never smoke a day in her life it never interested her, and more so it'd just hold her back she always stayed in peak condition and the luxury would only hinder her in the long run.
Yuko brought her hand up cupping it over her nose looking around the place with an observing look, it was booming with business at the moment she noticed a stair way going up and figured where she was must have been the bar. She walked swiftly ascending the stairs leisurely stopping when she seen a front desk, she noticed the elderly woman going through paperwork, she gathered herself walking forward.
"What can I help you with?" Yuko stopped, staring in surprise as the woman seemed to notice her before she got to the desk.
"A room for one." Yuko replied not missing a beat, ignoring the attitude that the woman exhibited. Rude...
The woman regarded her with a stern stare, scribbling something down on a sheet of paper and handing it to her, slapping it a few inches from Yuko's hand. "Room number is on there." She said looking away going back to her paperwork. "If you need anything else just send the word and I'll send a maid up."
"Okay." Yuko said snatching the piece of paper and sauntering away shooting an annoyed glance at the woman. "Old hag..." She muttered to herself laughing quietly. She wasn't sure what she'd rather deal with, thirty shinobi chasing her or this woman's bad attitude.
But on the bright side she had a place to stay for the remainder of her mission, she entered her room which was '34' on the third floor down two hallways immediately shutting the door and opening her sealing scrolls setting her supply bag next to the futon and her mission information which she placed in the bag. She took her dark cloak off, sighing as she felt cool instantly, she began to undress herself smiling slightly when she seen the size of the bath she was provided with. "Finally I can take a bath!"
It was going to be like all the other times he came to the Lightning country, but one difference was that the Senju were now his allies. Hashirama from his experience was idealistic it wasn't a good combination with the Damiyo of this country in his opinion. But he'd still get the wounded to safety, he brought ten of his best men with him all seasoned in combat and despite their age gap they respected Haji for his strength and more so his intellect; where Syrus was strong and forceful Haji did things in an order that best suited the situation at hand.
The trip took a couple of months as they encountered many shinobi on the way and they all meant the same fate in the end, and there was the navigation of the tall and dangerous mountains that surrounded the Lightning country like a natural barrier. One of his men asked if they should burn the bodies, Haji answered with no leave them there as a message. There was a power shift that was beginning to crack the shinobi world there were going to be drastic changes.
"Haji-san I expect you are satisfied with my hospitality." The Damiyo said speaking through the silence that dragged on for a few minutes. He was a short and pudgy man with slightly tanned skin. He had dark brown eyes and a sharp chin with a long and slender nose. Like many nobles he dressed in an expensive kimono that Haji didn't care to look at for very long, he was a shinobi and had no need for such things that were meaningless, trivial. His relation with the Damiyo was good, he could say they were on good terms; they took on many tasks before his father in specific had close ties with the Damiyo.
"Yes I am pleased." Haji replied, turning his head head up and locking eyes with the older man. "I did not expect for the news of our alliance to travel so quickly it's only been a few weeks since we've agreed." Haji hid the edge in his voice as he spoke with a detached demeanor folding his arms over his chest, his armor off in place of a black kimono with matching hakama and a white obi that was tied around his waist, from experience Haji knew that this Damiyo was the most savory person in the world but who was in this era? Yet he knew that and always tread carefully despite being on good terms. He loved to gamble and more often than not it was more than just with money.
"The Uchiha and the Senju are the mightiest next to the Domou and your clan the Subatsu, naturally of course the news would travel far and in a short span of time." He smirked slightly, bringing a mug up to his lips taking slow and steady sips. "And their leaders Madara and Hashirama and their siblings fearsome reputations those two have." He set the mug down leveling a gaze with Haji; he knew of the increasing violence in the Fire country now with the power shift, despite his own country having its own quarrels within.
Haji closed his eyes pondering on the thought. True, Hashirama's chakra was massive and that's just putting it lightly he certainly lived up to his reputation. But he seen the way he acted at times almost like a child with the antics to go along with it, a prime example when it came time for their alliance he almost backed out of it hearing Syrus put it cut and dry only thanks to Tobirama did they agree to an alliance the white haired Senju was practical and Haji himself could appreciate that. "I've yet to cross with the Uchiha brothers, but the time will be soon. I ran into a unit of Uchiha near the mountains scouting the Senju which I brought in, when they don't return it'll raise suspicion and their leader Madara may act."
"So you're saying that they might attack?" The Damiyo looked slightly nervous but kept his composure and dignity as expected from any noble until the time came when the attack was going on.
"There is a possibility I wouldn't doubt it. They didn't retreat so they must know that they'll send someone one here." Haji said smoothly as he stood up from his seat glancing out the window for a moment, "but we have other problems to take care of before focusing on the Uchiha, now the reason you called me here." Haji said in a serious tone cutting through the useless chit chat at this point he was here for a mission and he was going to get started as soon as he could.
"Yes," The Damiyo cleared his throat. "I am to marry a princess from a nearby village but the road is plagued with bandits and shinobi alike so you see it's much too dangerous for her to come here alone." He started waving to a servant to take his dishes away, he looked at Haji folding his arms behind his back. "I want you to be her escort. I will continue taking care of the Senju until they make a full recovery do you need anything else?" He raised an eyebrow he was pressed on time and needed to get to meeting, not that he cared to go when all they did was ramble and complain, and he was sure Haji didn't need anything else, he dug through his pocket pulling out a piece of paper with a picture and information.
Haji took it staring at the image. "Her name is Hitomi Kazuma, she is everything that says there beautiful, elegant, and refined. But, she has quite the temper apparently."
She does have a refined air. Haji thought as he pocketed the paper he couldn't deny she was beautiful but she was probably a stuck up snob that couldn't defend her. She wouldn't last a day in the real world she would be killed within a few hours too use to being pampered and protected by the walls that blocked out everything for most of her life.
More of a liability than anything but he put his personal feelings aside and would complete this mission. "I'll be going to speak with my team now." Haji said nodding to him.
"Of course." The man replied walking towards the door, opening it swiftly. "I must be going myself."
Haji didn't waste anymore time staying in the Damyo's estate though the man did say he was welcome to.
Haji appreciated the gesture but he wasn't one to sit around so he searched through the long and winding halls decorated with exotic paintings of birds, vines, and fishes of different sorts, he found where the injured Senju were being treated and talked to the nurses about their conditions and was most satisfied that they would all pull through their injuries while severe weren't enough to kill them, they'd have a better chance of dying from the amount of blood that they lost then from the wounds inflicted themselves. He exited what he called the medical wing which was nothing more than another part of the estate where the Damiyo kept and hired the best nurses and doctors that the village had to offer.
With his first task taken care of he began to navigate the long corridors again reaching an exit a few short minutes later, he pushed the door open looking from side to side seeing his men standing at attention and turning to face him as he entered the room, they nodded in respect and went back to talking while another one who looked much younger, but was very much older approached him with an easy expression. "Haji, ready when you are.. We estimate that the village where princess Hitomi resides is about five miles away from here, we should get there in all but a few minutes a half hour at the most." He said in a relaxed tone.
"Tsugi.." Haji said as he leaned against the wall watching his men strap their armor on and getting their weapons situated in the right place. Haji was all about being efficient and careful that meant he cared about small things like having the right amount of kunai or taking a different route in contrast to the designated one if it was shorter or the other road was plagued with bandits and shinobi.
He looked at Tsugi with an easy smile, Tsugi was thirty six old with messy light brown hair that fell to his shoulders, dark eyes and an angular face that made his eyes and nose sharp giving him a more menacing appearance, like all shinobi he was well built from his time in the battlefield and training that he underwent. He wore dark red armor that looked almost like a rusted dirty type of red and not a bright scarlet. "We should leave as soon as possible it's better that we're early." Haji said after a moment of taking in his report with a solemn expression.
"Right away sir." Tsugi said respectfully walking over to the men still getting ready barking out orders and pointing in several directions while doing so. More than knowing that Tsugi would be meeting him at the front of the gates he made his leave already dressed in his wartime attire with a sword clasped in his hand the dull side of the blade resting on his armored shoulder.
Coming to the Lightning country was always bitter sweet for him on one end he was glad the Damiyo called for them he paid a hefty sum every time and despite his own unmaterialistic views he as well as his clan benefited, but on a different end the Damiyo could be smug, rude, and spiteful and he was a brute of a man he already married three times and this would be the fourth. He felt for the princess, despite her being a snobby stuck up little wench. no one deserved going into a relationship that she was going into.
But he wasn't a hero or match maker he was here to do his job and that was escort here safely and that's it nothing more and nothing less.
He waited patiently a few feet away from the large gates separating this world from the next, to him that's how it was at least here there were no battles, no bloodshed, no explosions but just outside of these tall and giant walls were all three of those. Funny how one place can change so many things, he sighed to himself watching several people going about their daily tasks none of them experienced in ninjutsu he doubted they could even focus long enough to mold their chakra, hell maybe they couldn't even something as basic as taijutsu it almost sickened him how soft people could be when there wasn't a war knocking on their door.
"Haji-san." That was Tsugi he noted glancing behind him watching him and nine others walking towards him ready for battle at a seconds notice, he couldn't help but smirk with pride at the sight his brother did a fine job of leading their father bless his heart did a lot of questionable things during his time as clan head like letting that stupid grudge with Mikito's father to run rampant to the point he didn't use any resources within a five mile radius of their compound; it was truly foolish.
If they went on any longer than that they'd be in thin tents with barely enough food to tide them over, the first thing Syrus did was harvest these fields for their resources while planting more with his assistance of course Haji planted many different fruits and vegetables to sustain the natural animals that fed on it, so it was a situation they got come of the crops but some were killed in the end as food. Tsugi was one of the few that strongly disagreed with his father on many points, unlike the elders who swore up and down swooning over his father's borderline madness.
Without another word Haji took in a sprint leaping over the walls as if they were garden fences and not hundred foot concrete slabs, Tsugi took the lead next to Haji while the rest of their group followed close behind. The scenery changed from buildings and shops to wilderness and tall mountains that went as high as the clouds, from experience Haji stretched his senses out as far as he could Tsugi following his lead as he tried to pinpoint any chakra signatures nearby within a mile radius but no flares as he described them came to his mind.
"Tsugi." He said turning to look at the older man with a blank expression, the man simply nodded telling him to continue as he kept up his search. "You're more familiar in these parts than I am, so tell me which clans do you think we should keep an eye out for?" Haji asked cutting right to the chase, leaping over a river as their trek began to take them to the more dry and harsher landscape.
"I'd have to say the Inuzuka or the Yamanaka clan." Tsugi said in a calm tone. "The Damiyo has always had issues with the Inuzuka clan with their constant attempts in breaking through the walls." Why those untamed beasts tried doing so was beyond him, breaking through the walls was one thing but once they got inside they'd be meant by his father and his best men which was something not even Haji looked forward to confronting in any type of battle be it taijutsu or ninjutsu, but they weren't known for their smarts the Inuzuka. "I'd watch out for them more than anything in these parts. I wouldn't second guess that they're already after the princess."
"Those mutts." Haji said with disdain. "It'd be stupid to ask why, but how would they know of her?" Haji shook his head, he didn't like the Inuzuka one bit from their disheveled appearances to the rags they wore in battle. They were a true pain in his rear and he would very much like to exterminate them and their stupid ninken, there was a reason his clan was called wolves and it wasn't just some fancy moniker to scare the Domou children into going to bed early.
"Hitomi is known through this land." Tsugi answered curtly. "From her refined nature to her subtle kindness, many men have asked for her hand in marriage and all of them were turned down..." He paused why she accepted the Damiyo's proposal was beyond him.
A woman of her class and attitude wouldn't be caught dead with the greedy and spiteful Damiyo that employed them, but it wasn't any of his concern for all he knew she was the biggest stuck up little... "Anyways word of this would spread like wildfire Haji-san, I advise that we stay alert on this entire journey I feel trepidation and I don't like it." Tsugi turned his head forward again picking up his speed.
"You shouldn't." Haji said in his gruff voice. "You are my second in command essentially in this group I will take everything you say seriously." Haji nodded his respect to his senior, though Tsugi wasn't the strongest he had cunning and intelligence on his side not to mention his intuition never lead him in the wrong direction, their father held Tsugi in high regard and now he could see why. "In your opinion should we keep on the path we are now or divert?"
Tsugi frowned in thought. "Stay on our current path if we run into any Inuzuka on the way they won't be any trouble and if they have any brains they'll just tuck their tail between their legs with their ninken and run off."
"If." Haji muttered.
The warm morning rays beamed through her curtains, Yuko waved her free hand in front of her in an act to brush the growing heat away, groaning quietly she sat up. She stayed still for a moment until the grogginess settled, she kicked her legs out from under her blanket standing up to her feet and walking into the bathroom.
She always washed her face first thing in the morning the cold water helped her wake up, but today she did it out of habit. She was up bright and early to start scouting the city she was currently in, it was the main city in this part and was crowded with people during the day and at night with the bars nearby. She was a spy first and foremost finding information wouldn't be a hard thing in her case, she looked out her window for a moment watching the mist curl across the ground though it wasn't nearly as thick as what she first seen she was a little tired of it.
It was creepy, but only fitting for all of the rumors that she confirmed as true now.
She grabbed her black cloak slipping it on in one fluid motion buttoning it all the way up and pulling the hood over her head. She made it a point to keep it on anytime she left her room, no need to draw attention to herself with her red mane of hair. She strapped on her utility belt underneath filling it with dozens of kunai and shuriken putting the rest in her sealing scroll and sliding it under her obi, with a quiet breath she stood up walking to her bed side sitting down promptly.
She hardly got any sleep there was too much on her mind and she was still feeling the effects of her adrenaline rush. That was her first fight that was life or death, well multiple fights since it wasn't a one on one but that was only wishful thinking on her part if she thought it was going to be a one on one fight. She didn't and was glad she packed what she did, at first she thought it was too much and she was being meticulous and bringing more than what was needed.
Yuko dug into her pocket pulling out her rations for the day and took a bite out of it, savoring the taste it wasn't the best food but it certainly wasn't the worse and she could live with it, thanks to that old man she had almost the same amount of food she brought with her besides one or two things when she was watching the ocean alone at night on the boat and got hungry. She stood up, walking out of her room and heading down the hall towards the stairs, now was as good time as any there wouldn't be so much people aside from the merchants who were opening their stands for the day.
She walked at a leisure pace glancing around at everything she could searching for any abnormally high chakras or people who looked like they would be shinobi. She encountered several people though she didn't pay them any mind she could tell they were from some clan from the grayish snow white hair and piercing eyes but they didn't spare her another glance to them she was just another girl.
Another whore who stumbled upon the wrong area and was barely getting by, probably a runaway or sold into prostitution it happened a lot. Though surprisingly it wasn't with the clans but average every day people, she knew this and for some reason it sickened her, but she was just as sick for killing those men earlier.
She didn't activate her Sharingan instead relying on her sensory skills which weren't the greatest and she could admit she needed to work on it, but with her Sharingan she could see chakra so it balanced out in the end, the early day flow of people began to come in waves around eleven thirty Yuko took the chance to sit down in a small shop and ordered some tea.
She figured she could rest her legs and listen in on the conversations going on around her, maybe she could find a piece of information from someone who was too stupid for their own good or was drunk already. The tea shop was modestly sized and a lot of the regulars came in judging by their interactions and the way they carried themselves, several had been in here since the day before since it was a twenty four hour shop. So far I've got nothing about this Yuki clan...
Yuko rested her cheek on her palm as she sipped the warm liquid. They're supposed to be famous and running around here but I've yet to see one person with a mask like in the picture. She sighed quietly as she kept listening to the conversations around her, her trained ears picking them apart trying to find anything crucial.
"I heard the Kagyua clan is getting ready to attack the Yuki clan again near the outskirts of the city." A gruff voice spoke in a slur, Yuko glanced to the side spotting the person behind the conversation with three others.
"I wouldn't go near the Yuki clan all of them wear those creepy masks, especially their leader he's merciless I heard he freezes his prisoners and smashes the blocks of ice right after..." Yuko grimaced slightly at that she may have killed shinobi while her stay here but freezing someone and smashing them into pieces was on a whole other level. She couldn't begin to build an image of that scene in her mind, it was too bloody too brutal, she sipped her tea casually listening. "We need to watch ourselves from now on, especially here in the main city the Kagyua clan continues to push attacks."
"I don't who I'm more afraid of their clan leader who can grow bones out of his body or the leader of the Yuki clan and that damned ice technique he and his clan are famed for using." A younger man spoke up bringing a mug to his lips downing the liquid in a few gulps.
Bones? Yuko raised an eyebrow at that she didn't hear of anyone morphing their bones... Tapping her chin in thought she dug back into her memories, her training with her father that left her exhausted both physically and mentally. That's right... She murmured to herself recalling hearing rumors of the famed Kagyua clan known for their brutality and ferocity in battle, they were an archaic clan believing in their own ways and set policies and not giving a damn about anyone else's they lived for war and bloodshed, just like the Uchiha. But, the Uchiha were intelligent and cunning when entering battle not like the Kagyua who had no strategy when entering a conflict.
"I'd have to go with the Yuki all of those freaks wear masks, something about protecting their identity and the secrets of their jutsu. I don't know if you ask me they're nuts, who in the right mind walks around wearing masks like that?" Another voice chipped in, fear lacing every word. She frowned for a moment, putting a few ryo on her table to pay for her tea and left at a brisk pace, she heard all she needed to and could begin a more in depth search of the city, first place was the outskirts.
She stopped herself from taking off in a sprint, not wanting to attract any unnecessary attention so she walked at a brisk pace snaking and weaving through the crowds of people ignoring the glances that came her way.
It took a little more than two hours for her to arrive at the outskirts, she was surprised when there was literally a labyrinth of streets leading to the destination from the city. It was almost like this place was set up as a grid of some sorts, the mist and eerie fog was thick and hung several feet off of the ground shadowing trees and vines in the background that she could barely make out, she turned her head to the side looking at a patch of fog that was rising off of the ground just a few feet away from her.
Sharingan! She shouted mentally activating the dojutsu, her eyes swirling from chocolate to crimson with three tomoes. This mist and fog is getting worse... She observed taking a few steps forward seeing everything as if there wasn't a enough mist and fog to cover up an entire city if not more than an entire city. I suppose it's only fitting... She recalled her battle when she first made land fall the mist was eerie and she couldn't help but feel growing trepidation. Now she didn't feel the knots in her stomach, she was nervous rightfully so but it was more tamed a level of awareness rather than fear of the unknowing.
She walked deeper into the blankets of mist keeping her senses stretched and her eyes focused on everything around her, she could smell the familiar stench of blood and smoke that signaled there was a battle taking place or there was a battle that took place, the blood could have been her she idly mused even after a bath last night the stench was still fresh like when it splattered on her, she wrinkled her nose slightly continuing her search.
Long winding dirt paths and mountains were what greeted Haji and his team as they got closer to the village, he went over the mission again paying more attention to the details now that he wasn't worrying about the wounded Senju and his men finding someplace to stay, his first and foremost goal was to help the wounded Senju apparently the clan treasured comradeship more than anything.
But, he'd yet to see that and didn't pass judgement. Tsugi kept up with him his eyes narrowed in concentration as she continued feeling for any chakra in the area, he had been doing this now the entire route both of them taking turns while the others stayed right behind them Tsugi was a great sensory shinobi able to feel even the most faint flare of trace of chakra it was the reason Haji brought him with on this assignment.
Haji was always more attentive, he was an observer watching for the slightest movement or waiting to hear the crack of a twig being broken from someone not so stealthy. His brother Syrus was the opposite he jumped into battle and though he had great strength Haji always stressed a strategy should be set into motion. But regardless of his own thoughts he was the leader of the clan and Haji was the second in command he'd follow the order in the end.
"Haji eight o clock!" Tsugi's voice broke him from his train of thought, he jumped to the side grabbing the hilt of his sword an instant later landing roughly on the ground sliding to a stop. Tsugi and the rest of his men were a few feet away, from what appeared to be six spiraling tornadoes shooting towards the ground, the earth quaked and shook as the powerful blast gouged several feet down into the soil throwing a whirlwind of debris.
"Haji we meet again." A harsh voice snapped as the figures came into view up ahead. Haji clenched his teeth in irritation he recognized that voice anywhere.
"Cho," Haji retorted dryly as he eyed him with a glint. Cho was a tall and light skinned man with messy dark brown hair, his eyes were a dark brown and were sharp giving him a bolder appearance. He had two canine tattoos on each cheek and they were a blood red. It figures the Inuzuka were a savage clan their appearance proved that alone, Cho along with his team all bared their fangs growling like the ninken right by their side. Each of the ninken the size of a horse. "Funny meeting you here."
"You're not getting the little princess she's mine!" Cho snarled gesturing towards his men signaling the cue to attack. "I've got a good deal. You're not getting through."
"Tch, you mutts." Tsugi spat.
"Says the guy who looks like a bird!" Shouted one of the Inuzuka, he was in his late twenties with messy brown hair a trademark of the clan with the same tattoos on his cheeks except they were a clearer red.
"Enough, Tsugi let's take care of them." Haji muttered putting an end to he tirade before it even started. He hid the chuckle that wanted to leave his lips, how did he know he was going to encounter the Inuzuka on the route to the village they had a nasty knack for interfering with him and it was beginning to happen more and more. "On my cue." Haji flashed through a few hand seals slamming his hands together in the dragon sign.
"Raiton: Nenshou Mori!" Chakra crackled around his enclosed hands spreading out over a wide margin a few inches above his knuckles encircling his wrists, the lightning surged to life producing a volatile glow around them. In a flash, quite literally, the lightning shot towards Cho and his division gouging the ground when it was just a breath away, he grunted exerting more energy into the attack changing its width from a few meters to dozens of meters it was like watching a wave of lightning about to crash into you but there was focal point in the attack.
"Gatsuga!" The ground rumbled as the collaboration attack met with the elemental attack, Haji already knew what they were planning. Three tornadoes spun against the wave of lightning distorting and rupturing its current, blue arcs flared violently scattering across the ground in a flurry before fuzzing out.
Dropping his chakra level quickly he cancelled the attack, watching as the three now blizzards of chakra and wind spiraled and snared through the wave of lightning continuing forward, with his sword in hand he jumped forward swiping it vertically. A small sonic boom erupted as the air around him distorted, his blade gleaming in the vibrant sunlight as he felt some resistance then it smoothed out. He glanced to the side watching a man drop to the ground with a wet thud blood erupting from his chest as he clutched it in a vain attempt to staunch the bleeding.
Tsugi and the others dispersed moving in to attack. Haji landed on the ground whirling from left to right, dodging a large paw his eyes zoned in on the snarling ninken eyeing him with hatred. He landed on the ground shooting forward with his sword pointed forward, the ninken dodged to the side its claws tearing through the moist dry soil as it slid to a stop, but Cho was already on Haji swinging his sword with unmatched ferocity.
Steel reverberated through the area as the two clashed bitterly, Haji using a sword more a keen to a katana while Cho used what would be considered a cleaver and was much wider than Haji's blade, but size wasn't everything. The two continued their deadly dance both moving too fast for the average human to trace, to on lookers it was mere flashes where blurs of black and gray shot across the ground followed by the eerie gleam.
Cho swung forward aiming to take off Haji's head, but Haji was quick to react and ducked under the swiping swing jolting forward with a thrust aimed for his knee but a snarl alerted him, he kicked off the ground flipping back narrowly avoiding the saliva and blood drenched teeth of the dark furred ninken. He slid to a halt staring at the two impassively as he gripped the hilt overhand, crouching slightly as he eyed the two intensely. Fighting Cho by himself isn't likely to happen that ninken will stay at his side...
Haji set his jaw taking a few steps forward hearing the cries around him as their opposing teams battled each other, Their sense of smell is impeccable I need to use that to my advantage while evading their attacks I can't let them push me.. He pumped chakra into his legs, sprinting forward at unreal speeds, his hand swiping forward the sword following soon after, the clang of steel echoed through the land.
Yuko sat in the 'lobby' of the inn she was staying at for the duration of her mission she stared out the window watching people walk by or come in. She didn't have much luck finding anyone with a mask, that was her mindset; when she found the person with the mask that was who she would tail. But it seemed all of the Yuki clan members wore masks but the one the person was wearing in the picture was definitely unique and didn't look like the rest. She was down twenty more shuriken and kunai.
And then she caught it, it was a flash in her peripherals. Turning her head she watched the clerk speak with someone tall with long black hair kept in a low ponytail, he was wearing the most outrageous outfit it was very baggy and looked like something a shinobi wouldn't wear. That's... The one.. She thought as she caught sight of the white mask with narrow slits for eyes, she smiled inwardly soon she'd be able to get out of here and back to the compound, funny she couldn't remember being happy to go back but anywhere was better than here.
The mist and fog never let up and it was slightly cold despite the moisture in the air, it was strange and didn't quite fit. Seeing him make his leave she silently stood up from her chair following after him discreetly, making sure she was several behind him and suppressed her chakra to nearly nothing if anything he would think she was an animal at best if he was to feel anything.
Come back alive... Izuna's words rang in her mind she sighed softly wondering about him and herself for that matter, like why she would get so flustered around him. Sure he was the second in command but she barely blushed and fumbled over her words with other boys, but she did constantly with Izuna. Ugh hormones! She shouted mentally pushing the thought away, she'd finish this mission the figure out everything else. With her objective in mind she continued to follow him silently being sure to stay a few feet behind.
Haji allowed a smirk to grace his face as he faced off against Cho for the dozenth time, he held his sword firmly in an overhand grip his calloused hands purchasing the article with vigor. He was only getting a feel for Cho's attack patterns which was challenging, Cho and the Inuzuka themselves attacked in random and erratic patterns almost as if they were sloppy in their approach but they weren't. It was deadly accurate and effective giving them their reputation for being barbaric, but Haji was getting the pattern down pact by now and was ready to capitalize.
The ninken was like a team mate which he already knew, but to this extent he couldn't have guessed it was like there was another human he had to battle, their moves were in sync when he went to attack an opening the ninken would jump him when he went to stab the ninken Cho would slash at him using the infamous Gatsuga technique to create distance.
Haji fought many Inuzuka none of them were quite as strategic as Cho, there was a reason he was their clan head and it showed in this battle. However that didn't make a difference, Haji was fighting strictly with kenjutsu using his ninjutsu as a barrier and lance to keep him on the move and guessing. It seemed Tsugi was doing the same thing as he battled it out with a man around Haji's age, the battle was going over twenty minutes now and it was moving at breakneck speeds from the beginning.
"Don't tell me you're breaking a sweat already Cho we've just started." Haji taunted pushing the older man's temper to his advantage.
"Tch, hardly." He scoffed sprinting forward, his sword swiping through the air in a horizontal slash, Haji blocked the attack their blades grinding against each other sending sparks flying around them as far as three feet, clasping his hilt with both hands Haji surged chakra into his arms pushing the larger blade to the side but was sent flying upward from the force dispensed between the two of them. Cho was already flashing through an array of hand seals, his ninken bolting across the ground before it took a deafening leap up towards him.
"Raiton: Jinrai!" Haji shouted sending his sword forward, lightning crackling and popping as it beamed towards the ground. The ninken gave a guttural growl as it deftly dodged the bolt sailing towards the ground where it slid to a stop. But that's what Haji wanted, his attack shot towards Cho streaming through the air with a loud whistle.
CRACK! BOOM!
The air shook as a shock wave dispersed itself tearing the ground into cracks that moved faster than his senses could follow, soil was thrown up from the concussive force of the attack showering the area and shinobi with dirt, lime, and crust, Haji tucked his knees in to his chest in a mock cannonball pose landing on the ground, absorbing the impact with his powerful legs and hips, he looked ahead raising one arm over his eyes as the dirt was shot off in every direction.
His attack was just like it's namesake a thunder clap, he focused a high amount of chakra into his hand before launching it forward like a javelin, then it was on its own trajectory as it careened towards its target slamming into the person or object with enough force to split the ground in two; the added bonus of it being a lightning based jutsu kept his target paralyzed too numb to do anything besides breathe.
"Gatenga!" Haji narrowed his eyes craning his neck to the side in time to spot the two barreling buzz saws of pure force and chakra shooting towards him. Cho and his ninken respectively drilled through the ground sending widespread debris through the area as they continued on their course towards him. This technique was meant for rapid and ferocious hits that caused internal and severe damage it was for the sole purpose of literally mowing down the enemy reducing them to a trail of blood, torn flesh, and severed organs, it wasn't the prettiest jutsu but it got the job done.
Using my Raiton won't do any real good in this at the speeds they're moving my attack will cancel out before it even got within ear shot of them... And using a donton technique would only be a waste of time and energy they'd blow right through it. He bent his knees as the two were just a couple feet away from, if possible the two serrated saws moved even faster seeking to close the distance in a heartbeat.
Pushing chakra into his legs he sprung up tucking his legs into his sternum as he watched the two barrel passed him, the wind kicking up his hair and forcing him to squint his eyes, the ground quaked as the two saws crashed into several boulders grinding them to dust, finally Cho and the ninken finished their rotations halting.
"Damn," Cho cursed as he clenched his fist. "Ever the elusive one." He heard a throaty gurgle and turned to see two of his men lying on the ground, blood pooling out under them and their ninkens not far off from their own bodies.
"Looks like I win." Haji stated trying not to sound smug, in all reality this was just a waste of his time.
"Pull back!" Cho shouted throwing down a few smoke bombs covering him and the area up in a patch of black and gray. Haji didn't let the smokescreen get to him, instead he stretched out his senses but couldn't feel any flares of chakra but he heard the all too familiar sound of feet crashing against the ground in the distance.
"Should we go after them?" Tsugi asked as he swung his sword to the side causing the air to erupt with a wild swishing sound. He watched the blood splatter on the ground as he sheathed his sword quickly walking to Haji's side.
"No they're just trying to delay us. Unfortunately for them it didn't work." Haji replied glancing around the area noticing some of his men were coming towards him while others stared at him expectantly waiting for further orders, the dead Inuzuka and ninken were no where in sight but the puddles of blood left on the ground signaled that their demise did in fact happen. He sheathed his sword, craning his neck around to look at his unit. "Let's move." With that they got back into formation and sprinted towards their destination.
So maybe spying wasn't her thing, standing around for prolonged periods of time drained her, she had to keep moving or do something. She leaned her hand against the cold tiling of a small home, she was on the outskirts of the city, she was definitely not in the same place before when she came her on her own. She was in a scarcely populated area the smell of rotting flesh and death made her wrinkle her nose despite trying to be indifferent it was just an awful smell but she would deal with it, several feet in front of her was the compound...
An entire compound the symbol of the Yuki clan a snowflake with dark shadows and lining blew proudly in the quiet night breeze. She couldn't see passed the opening very much, but it wasn't much to look at just a barren area but on several angles and sides there were homes situated in a grid like order. They're organized.. She said mentally, looking thoughtful as she sprinted to the side, jumping with a certain nimbleness she pushed her chakra to her feet quietly running up the tree careful to keep her chakra low. She stopped leaning her right hand against a stable branch as she walked further out, coming to a squat behind the seclusion of thick leaves. This was going to be more difficult.
She knew not to underestimate anyone, but she was going to tread very carefully from here on in. Maybe she was being too paranoid, but if their houses were grouped in grids that meant there was close quarters.
She'd need to move fast and somehow divert their attention. She made sure to engrave all of the information pertaining to this mission into her brain, that man was the leader it had to be no one else wore a mask like that, even the members of the clan she seen now going about their business as if she wasn't even there wore masks but not as creepy as the one the leader wore. She figured the leader's office would be in the center if her assumptions were correct it'd be the most logical thing with them they'd literally have a center of operations. But still she was weary that was wishful thinking, and she still had to get passed the guards that stood stoically or moved along the inside of the gates. Mikito isn't lying this is going to take some time. She said sighing softly as she leaned her back against the trunk blending in with the shadows, for once she was thankful for wearing the too big and hot black cloak.
The minutes ticked by at a slow pace, minutes turned into hours and hours turned into days and days turned into weeks or so it felt.
Yuko sighed adjusting her back against the trunk she'd been here for at least three hours now and there was no visible change. The guards continued their routes although the couple dozen or so switched places but it wasn't something to be noted, she gathered that they wore masks for a ranking or in her opinion before she took refuge in the large tree she stretched her senses out and as she expected now they were grouped in an order weakest to strongest, though all of their chakra was exceptionally high, her eyes flicked lazily scanning the area for a training ground of sorts recalling the dozens at her compound, and the one where she'd go when she was growing up the only she knew of. She couldn't spot any from her location. Some more time passed and the sky darkened more if it was possible Yuko kept her eyes half open fighting against her tiredness.
"Get in formation!" Yuko jolted at the loud shout moving her head from left to right spotting a tall member of the Yuki clan his face hidden by a mask but his messy black hair was on full display. "The Kagyua are coming in fast at twelve o clock!"
What? Yuko asked herself mentally as she carefully maneuvered the sturdy branches looking in the direction the guard shouted. At first She thought she was seeing dust balls or smoke flying around by now it was common to see the fog and mist curl and move on its own as if it was living, squinting to get a better view she nearly gasped but covered her hand with her mouth, even without her Sharingan she had good vision and she could tell without there were at least twenty people running right for her location.
Shit! She cursed fumbling through her pockets, grabbing the hilt of her sword which was sheathed and resting under her blue obi. She braced herself against the sturdy trunk as the ground quaked with tremendous force, her finger nails gouging thin lines into the bark as she struggled to hang on.
So much happened in just a short amount of time. What she determined as the Kagyua clan charged with reckless abandon all screaming battle cries as they smashed and busted through the ice walls members of the Yuko clan quickly put up, dispersing and taking on several at once or individually the entire area became the epicenter of shrieking screams and reverberating explosions.
Members of the Kagyua clan continued to flood in hordes bones jutting from their forearms, neck, shoulders, and even their skulls; Yuko grimaced at the sight it was unusual to see seven people running around with a crown of bones literally, so that fool near the inn was telling the truth she mentally noted. Blood splattered through the air flying onto the ground and drenching the trees nearby, the Kagyua took a direct course stabbing and slashing through anyone that they could reveling as heads flew for several yards, blood gushing from the wounds leaving their bones cut and organs ruptured thrown across the ground it was brutal and fast paced.
Crap! Yuko shouted mentally as she spotted an explosive tag flying for her location, obviously it was a stray but nonetheless still dangerous. She clenched the hilt of her sword tighter, pushing chakra into her legs and leaping off of the branch in one bound, flipping forward and planted her feet on the ground, her Sharingan activating on instinct alone as she honed in on the battlefield. She ignored the corpses the dull gray eyes that stared at her with an emptiness only death could grant.
She didn't have to wait long for an attack, several happened at once, good thing she trained herself so vigorously. Yuki and Kagyua members swarmed her while attacking each other, she wasn't supposed to be there and she knew so she was a target. Swiping her sword forward in a one handed thrust she heard the famliar sound of flesh tearing and a throaty scream, twisting the sword to the side she pulled it out already swinging to the side slashing through another man's torso knocking him back a few feet where he bled out.
Yuko fought off one, two, three, seven at a time and killed them all though she suffered some minor wounds a few cuts to the arms and one on her stomach. But she ignored the pain continuing to slay anyone who came in her path her sword drenched in the crimson liquid that lingered in the air and spilled on the ground in copious amounts.
Her senses were in overdrive as she dodged another ferocious swing, looking at the bone with curiosity and disdain all the same, his movements were sloppy and telegraphed she took advantage and plunged her sword through his stomach yanking it out in one smooth motion Time to make my move. She noted there was an absence of Yuki clan shinobi near a large opening caused by an explosion ten minutes ago that knocked her back into a tree though it didn't slow her down, the concussive force was slightly surprising.
Sprinting as fast as she could she beamed through the opening, moving forward an instant later her eyes locking onto one building. It was the largest by far that she had seen, but there was one difference it was slightly more to the east than she expected. But it wasn't a problem, putting on another burst of speed she evaded the ongoing battles inside of the compound the best she could weaving under the bones and flipping over the boulders of ice and senbons the Yuko clan utilized with ease. Her heart raced pounding in her ears and stomach as she neared the building she could go home after this, a soft laugh escaped her dry throat causing her to swallow dryly.
"Who the hell-" Yuko stabbed through his midsection before he could finish his sentence kicking down the door in the process, swiftly entering looking around carefully. It was an old styled Japanese home with sliding shoij doors and tatami mats, there were pictures of snowflakes decorating the walls, Yuko noted that it was their clan symbol, she raised an eyebrow seeing a desk in the middle of the room with a scroll on top.
"Are you kidding?" She asked herself out loud as she sauntered over, picking up the scroll and opening it taking a look at the contents. A small smile wanted to grace her lips but she suppressed it, she rolled it back up carefully running to the door and swiftly exiting.
Her yelp of surprise was cancelled out by a fireball that literally went off several feet away from her sending waves of dirt and cement flying in every direction, the normally harmless projectiles smashing through the windows and doors of nearby homes. She moved faster dodging and ducking when something headed her way, she knew sitting and waiting wouldn't do her any good now. No she needed to get out of here and fast they'd be all over her in just a few hours.
The fighting would get worse it always did but after they settled down and found out this was missing... She didn't want to think of what would happen to her when and if they found her if she didn't get off the mainland and out of the immediate area in general. She witnessed the deadly hyoton she could hardly believe her eyes when dozens of mirrors were literally froze into existence, seeing the blood drenched ice didn't do her any favors either she didn't know it was possible to bleed if the body was encased in a block of ice but it was chilling all the same.
While the Kagyua were brutal and merciless in their own right slashing and stabbing anything that came into their path; the Yuki were cold -no pun intended- the way they killed their attackers freezing their limbs and piercing their bodies with hundreds of senbon at a time, it was lethal and efficient. Now it was as clear as day the rumors weren't exaggerated and the warnings weren't ill placed. All of it was real, very real, this was a place of pure turmoil.
Mission success. She thought feeling satisfied with her efforts, she craned her head back when she was several feet away the battle only got worse and more bodies littered the ground. So far... She added.
Haji, Tsugi, and their men were escorted to the main building of the village where Hitomi resided, he was pleased with their ready response as soon as they arrived. He had no intention of sticking around as soon as he meant the princess he would be heading out a second later, it was better doing things that way before Cho formulated another scheme of attacking at the wrong time, it was always the wrong time.
Biting back a sigh or irritation as he entertained the thought longer than he would like. Cho was always interfering, somehow that man always had information on his movements, but he supposed it was natural. This was around their territory anyways since they were more nomadic than anything traveling between the Lightning and Fire country and staying at one place for an un-designated amount of time. Although the same could be said in his case and every other shinobi clan, they were moving though some were better off than others the need to relocate was always a strong one.
"Haji." Tsugi's voice broke him out of his stupor.
"Tsugi." Haji returned back calmly shoving his thoughts away for the moment as they steadily approached a door. The massive gates got closer as his steps stayed the same, the doors were thick and massive he could see, the sides and bottom were encased with solid steel and had stony studs that were for decoration more than anything it appeared, running alongside the steel was solid oak wood. He ran his eye over it, well it looked formidable and tough but one Raiton technique and he was sure any shinobi could smash through it, yet alone someone like him who would have no trouble breaking it down.
"You shouldn't look so... Agitated." He said almost in a chiding manner, chuckling when he seen Haji stare at her him hard. "Nobles are sensitive to these things after all."
"Yeah." Haji said succinctly as he blew off the good humored jab from his comrade. He appreciated the gesture though, he had been wracking his mind formulating solutions, but the big part was done helping the wounded Senju, this was just a bonus. "We won't be staying long, our best course of action is to be mindful of our time and leave once we meet Hitomi-san." Haji said the honorific more out of habit than anything, while Tsugi didn't care very much about the added suffixes he knew from experience nobles were ardent of their titles. Too damn pampered and spoiled for their own good was his one and only thought every time, they'd starve out in the real world to use to being fed and not ever having to feed themselves.
"We maybe longer than that." Tsugi murmured as the door opened and the sight of a obviously beautiful woman drew his, Haji's, and everyone else's attention. Respectively everyone in what he now deemed as the throne room or meeting room was staring at them, and vice versa. Haji looked around noticing a row of guards all armed with spears, he rarely seen that aside from one person a spear was not the most popular or sought out way to fight. One needed to keep a perfect distance at all time and never over extend or over reach when one attacked, it took too much time to perfect when there were other arts much more versatile and readily learned.
"Ah, you must be my escort. Haji, was it?" The woman asked with a calm but curious tone as she inclined her head to get a better look at him. Haji nodded his head once locking eyes with her. He wasn't so surprised to see Hitomi so beautiful from her long wavy brown hair that fell just passed her waist, to her light brown almost golden irises that almost glowed with a certain understanding.
She was fair skinned but it looked healthy her skin had a radiant, subtle glow it looked soft to the touch, she had full pink lips and a small nose, she was currently wearing a light blue yukata with floral patterns stretching from the center to her sleeves with a white obi tied at her waist, she smoothed out the wrinkles in her hem.
"That's correct lady Hitomi." Tsugi answered in a slightly cheerful tone as he eyed her carefully. Why were nobles all so beautiful yet so stuck up, of course the latter was the reason why. "Tsugi at your service." He gave a small bow.
"Stop your flirting." Haji growled under his breath, Tsugi simply shrugged at him. With that scolding taken care of he turned his attention back to the princess. "Hitomi it would be best if you take your leave now, time is always of the essence." Haji said ignoring some heated looks he got from the guards and most likely her family for his blatant way of speaking, but he didn't care what looks came his way he was in charge or guarding her and that's what he intended to do whether they agreed with his methods or not.
"Hmm-hmm..." The princess hummed softly for a few moments as if debating. "I would like for you to stay Haji-san, after all you and your men must have come a long way..." She sniffed the air once the smell of blood smacking her like a sledgehammer but she remained indifferent. "You need to rest."
"I assure you that we are all fine." Haji said folding his hands into the sleeves of his shirt, damn Tsugi and his mouth. He said this might happen, but Haji didn't give it a grain of salt when it came up. "Your offer is most gracious and I would accept it under normal circumstances-"
"Normal?" Hitomi raised an eyebrow though she didn't seem offended.
"Yes, but we a pressed on time and your safety is the most important thing." Haji continued undeterred by her interruption, looking around what now he considered the throne room. "Therefore leaving now is the best course of action."
"I still have to reconsider." Hitomi said in a slightly chipper tone as she rose from her seat, striding towards him. "You and your men look tired, and it would be rude not to accept my hospitality." She came to a stop a few feet away from him standing with a dignified air that made Haji want to punch a hole in the wall. He could only think of conceited as he stared at her. "Show them to their rooms." Hitomi said waving her hand towards several maidens who bowed their heads and walked over to Haji and his men.
"I-" Haji bit back a growl, damn it he just wanted to get this over with. "Fine." He relented.
"Excellent." The princess clapped her hands once with a pleased smile.