They followed Tsugi again, he gracefully swung his sword, clearing out a path. They shifted direction and began heading up steep slopes towards a vine and tree smothered ridge line. There would be little to see up there, even from their current location, because the foliage was so overwhelming. They took a minute to rest, then continued on. Souji and Shin were trekking through, clearing a path, even if they couldn't see every single thing that was around them, they hoped their blades would cut it aside if it was dangerous. Tsugi stopped, checking branches and leaves, crouching low to the ground and dragging his fingers across it, touching claw marks on tree bark.
He led them further across the valley. Crumbled bones covered the ground, and every time they took a step, their feet crushed down on them, turning them into fine dust. He wondered if the ground beneath them was made of bone. Yuko saw a brood of birds resting on a giant skull, their heads hunched down as they watched them pass. She felt a sense of relief as the clouds began to grow more numerous. Tsugi moved with caution, sweeping his sword left and right.
They passed an extremely long, giant rib cage. Souji and Himari took point, Shin backed them up with Usagi, all of them stepping through the hollow space that once housed a creature's insides. They went towards a dip, the dip beyond remained secluded until they reached the edge. They had seen them from a distance, but close up the giant monster's and lizard's skulls were even more overwhelming. One lizard's skull was three times larger than one of these monster's skulls. Yuko didn't have to wonder what might be capable of killing such a giant creature. Beyond them were more skulls, smaller, larger, scarred by cruel claw marks.
Usagi looked around carefully, feeling, sensing, searching for what could lay beneath them in silent wait.
Yuko could only look around in wonder.
Tsugi cut through vines, roots, and creepers with ease. Himari and Usagi stayed closed behind him, watching him, observing him, analyzing every little detail of him that they could. Yuko didn't wish to interrupt his flow and concentration. She sensed his tension as he looked across the valley that opened up before them. It wasn't fear, and anxiety, not totally. They were at the end of the treeline, and they had a clear view of the land below, and all that rose up as high as it could to the cloud line.
Yuko took a deep breath. The sky was so blue, and the sun was shining, and everything was thriving, and so verdant. Her skin was kissed, and she closed her eyes as a strong breeze graced her.
"I love the blue sky."
The silence broken, everyone turned to Yuko. She was looking up, eyes trained up at the sky. Without a moment's hesitation they put their eyes on the same spot as her, and just stared. They felt a sense of wonder. A sense of peace. Up here—it was only them together.
"The blue sky is so far and wide. It is infinitely high and crystal clear. It must be clear no matter how high it is. The world should be like that. A world of infinite possibilities that are crystal clear. For everyone and everything."
Souji felt his heart clench at the words. They resonated with him, deep, deep inside. He wiped at his eyes, feeling emotion bursting from deep within his being. A world where they could all be free, and live how they wanted. Where they could all be friends. A world that was bright and clear like this blue sky. Not covered in storm clouds of black and gray, not covered in clouds at all…
Souji always knew Mikito loved freedom more than anything, but hearing Yuko say these words, it just made the point all the more clear. If they could all fly, and be blissfully ignorant of everything, and laugh like when they were children, totally innocent. But, that wasn't possible for them. Too much blood was on their hands. But, still, he felt a deeper meaning behind her words. They touched his soul.
"Yuko."
"Hmm?"
"Is that your dream?"
She closed her eyes, smiling. "I want the sky to always be like this. For the world to be like this sky. I want people to be free, and to see a world of infinite possibilities."
Tsugi clenched his hand into a fist, struggling to control his emotions. He wasn't angry or furious. Far from it. He was just overwhelmed with emotions, all at once, that he could barely get a grasp on himself let alone reality. Few could invoke so many emotions within him, he didn't think Yuko would ever touch him so deeply.
Yuko didn't want to establish a village the way Hashirama did. She had no grand ideas of conquest like the Water damiyo. She just wanted people to be free, and for their dark world to be a bright one—like the sky he was staring at.
Now I see why Haji trusted this Uchiha…She isn't like the rest of them... Tsugi thought, closing his eyes.
Souji knew he would lay down his life for Mikito and Ahiko, without a second thought. He loved the amalgamation more than he loved himself. But, he would do the same for Yuko. He would do it without thinking twice. He would protect her, and her dream.
"When you talk like that..." Tsugi trailed off. "You remind me of Haji."
Yuko turned her head towards him, eyes wide. "What?"
"He's the one that organized this. There were a few others. You're both always speaking of something higher and meaningful."
"There has to be more than just war. We can all agree on that." Yuko reasoned.
"I agree. This is the progress that we needed." Himari said.
"Death without victory, and victory in name only." Tsugi said.
"The code..." Yuko said aloud, eyes widening a fraction.
"No single person kills, Yuko. We all kill. We all bear that burden, together. We move as one unit, as one mind. There is no honor or victory in war, there is only death. Only sorrow. Souji, Shinpachi, Ahiko, Daishiro, Gotou, Touma, Saki, Katsumi, I, and everyone else in the compound...Those who will be in the compound later. We will be there with you in battle. If it ever comes to that." Shin said.
Yuko smiled for a second, taking a deep breath. The oppressive weight that had been pressing down on her slowly went away, and she felt as light as a seed being carried off by the wind's currents. When she had been speaking with Hisao-only she could confront the problems. Only she was capable enough, next to Hisao. But, she was no longer alone with Hisao studying the world. She was with Mikito, and thousands of others.
She no longer just carried the burden alone. To insist on carrying the burden alone would be foolishness of the highest degree.
Hisao was right.
Shin was right.
She took a deep breath, slowly letting it out. "You're right."
"Even with the Mangekyo. Don't get arrogant." Usagi warned.
The Mangekyo was a fierce power. A destructive power beyond magnitude. Yuko seen how destructive it was whenever Izuna had used it in battle. She knew first hand, now, thanks to her ferocious battle with those carnivores. She knew there had to be a drawback to such a technique. Her body was taxed beyond its limits and it felt like her cells were burning. It came and went, but whenever it came, she'd nearly freeze and dread the pain that was coming. Every fiber of her being was exhausted on top of the spasms of pain.
She wasn't going to be able to do anything for the time being.
"Are we in the clear?" She asked, hoping there wasn't a monster lurking close by.
"We're clear. Just have to sprint now." Usagi replied.
Yuko could appreciate that and closed her eyes, just to rest a little bit. She didn't want to see another jungle, marshland, or lagoon for the rest of her life.
They couldn't miss the stark contrast when they got out of the jungle and saw the brown plains looming before them. How different it was from other parts, a place of green grasses, towering trees, towering root systems, and deep blue waters, with cloud patterns swirling all above it. Where they were was just plains of brown and green hanging in the distance with trees.
"We are home again, to go to rest!" Usagi cheered.
"By the heart, we go into the house and rest!" Himari cheered.
Tsugi looked over at her, pleasantly surprised. "Home at last."
"You don't sound too sure." Himari said.
"I'm just enjoying this peace." Tsugi said.
Usagi nodded. "We're home at last!"
"They haven't signaled any of us yet." Yuko noted.
"They probably won't. We have to go to our respective compound gates. Things aren't very strict here, usually. Just walk around and enjoy yourself, then hope no one challenges you to a sparring match while you go about your business."
Yuko looked at Himari and nodded. She tried to manage a smile, but the edge of her caution kept it from appearing genuine. Too many disturbing thoughts assaulted her. Were there more predators around this far in? Was there a scattered band of pack hunters somewhere? Were those skeletons just ancient remains?
They continued their strides, breaking through the brown plains and soaring across them.
"Home." Tsugi explained when the skyscapes of their compounds came into sight against the horizon. "Home at last."
Shin smiled with a nod. "Home. We can take care of what needs to be taken care of."
"Sure." Himari said.
"You can count on me." Usagi said.
"Now there's just one thing left to do." Souji said.
"I guess this is where we'll go our separate ways. For now. You were amazing back there, Yuko." Tsugi said.
"It was nice working with you guys. Good work back there, Yuko." Usagi said, tone cheerful.
"Thanks, you guys." Yuko said, clutching onto Souji's back as Tsugi let her go.
"I should be thanking you. I know you're on guard still, but you were great back there." Usagi said.
"Until we meet again very soon." Shin said.
"Until then." Usagi smiled, giving a wave.
Then she was gone with Tsugi, sprinting into the distance.
"Things are probably going to start to move fast from here, Yuko." Shin said.
Yuko knew it was going to be moving fast. It already was. Usagi was Shin's wife to be, and this mission was a success. She'd have her duties to fulfill, and she'd do them just as she always did. The fact there was even a mission involving such teamwork only showed that the leaders would move without her, Mikito, or anyone else. They'd always keep their eyes on the prize and get after it.
Although Yuko couldn't shake the feeling she'd have more responsibilities at some point. For the longest time she had been a subordinate, following orders, attacking her duties with conviction. But, once Tsugi, Usagi, Shin, Himari, Souji, and herself explained what happened, she knew she'd no longer be in that subordinate role. She'd be in a leadership position without a question. She'd be tested of course, regardless of her showing, she had to ensure it was consistent.
"Ahiko will check you out when we get back. Susano'o is quite taxing." Souji said, his tone curt.
"Thanks. I need her treatment, bad."
"We should be thanking you, Yuko." Souji said.
"No need to be modest, Yuko." Himari added.
Yuko took a deep breath and nodded.
They were right, once again.
They began their descent, light fading as they dropped below the canopy of the nine hundred meter tall trees into an area of majestic cliffs crowned with vegetation. Adjusting course, they moved to a lake. Towering majestically over the lake shore and the deep blue lake rose the compound, which consisted of massive clusters of giant, tiered over nine hundred meter trees. In his eagerness to get back, Shin nearly fell, but he got his purchase for balance easily enough. As soon as everyone had exited the vegetation, Himari disappeared to find Ahiko.
Yuko gazed at the trees and sheer cliffs in wonder. Her hopes being fulfilled upon returning, this land rendered other countries she had visited bland by comparison. The scene at the exotic gates alone was impressive, with people coming and going, and groups of men and women haggling with each other. Over sized logs and slabs of fine-grained hardwoods were heaped about, and the air was rich with the smell of rain and sap. Leaders supervised the loading and offloading of everything, which was moved by teams of people or exquisitely crafted sleds. All of the activity shaded and dwarfed by trees that seemed to reach to the very edge of the clouds.
Yuko had to catch her breath. The gargantuan size of everything made her feel like an insect. She was still gaping when Himari returned, accompanied by a spiky blonde haired woman dressed in a blue kimono and white hakama.
"Here's Saki." Himari said, by way of introduction.
Saki smile at everyone in turn. "I informed Ahiko of your condition, Yuko. She'll be right with you."
"Thank you." Yuko replied.
"I hear that you were great."
"She was splendid." Souji clarified.
"That's great news. Damn fine work, Yuko. Yes it is." Saki said, nodding her head.
"How bad were things here?" Shin asked. "The battle?"
Saki followed his gaze to the tree-cities. "Bad enough. We are still cleaning up."
"Many killed?" Souji asked.
"Thankfully, no. We got the hole sealed. Yuko got rid of what we were going to send units after."
A short silence fell over everyone.
"Well, let's see if I can't get Ahiko to come here for you, Yuko" Saki said at last.
Yuko kept quiet until the woman had moved off.
"I don't think that battle went so well." She said to Souji and the others.
"Possibly." Himari said.
"That wasn't a battle against humans..." Souji said, his voice shifting.
"That's what Hikaku and Aito were saying-" Himari started to say when Souji cut her off.
"Saki is back."
With Ahiko, Chie, Mimori, Daishiro, and Gotou in tow, Yuko saw.
"They've come back at last. The mission was a success. Yuko was splendid." Saki was telling the four of them.
"A success indeed." Gotou said, though his face was hidden, the tone of his voice made it clear he was satisfied.
"Damn fine work." Daishiro said, nodding slightly.
Yuko nodded back. Before she could open her mouth to speak, Ahiko put her on her back and adjusted her accordingly. Yuko wrapped her arms around her neck and leaned in. "Himari told us a good bit. I'll make sure to fix you right up."
"Sounds great." Yuko said, beaming with a smile.
"I'll hear your reports with Chie and Touma. The sooner we get that sorted through, the sooner we can move ahead." Daishiro said, looking over the trio.
Yuko traded a glance with Himari, Shin, and Souji.
They nodded at her.
"You can give your report when we're done healing you." Mimori said.
"Not a second sooner." Ahiko clarified.
"Sounds good. I'm happy to be back home." Yuko said, voice filled with relief.
A few people gathered looked shocked upon hearing her words, upon hearing the word home spoken so bluntly. For many, it was still debatable, others may have been more hesitant, but hearing Ahiko's confirmation made them all concede to the point.
"I'm happy you're back home, Yuko-san. I'm happy all of you are back home." Ahiko said with a big smile.
"Home at last." Yuko said. "Where the sky is always crystal clear."
"Yuko, I'm so proud of you. You've come a long way." Ahiko said, moving towards the medical center.
Yuko beamed, unable to hide her proud smile.
Unlike other buildings in the vast sprawl of the compound, the Temple stood alone. A colossal pyramid with multiple pillars rising skyward from its flat top, it sat apart from everything at the end of a broad cliff linking it with bulkier, sharper-edged mountain edges in which solitude and mediation were more likely to be found. Within the Temple were housed the leaders and the whole of the compound engaged in contemplation and study of chakra, handling paperwork, and in training to build a connection with chakra. The Council room dominated a central portion of the complex.
The Council itself was in session, its doors closed, its proceedings hidden from the eyes and ears of all but seven people. Seven of them comprised the Council at the moment, a diverse and seasoned group who had gravitated to the position of leader from both ends of the Elemental Nations. The final two, who were guests of the Council this afternoon, were Tsugi and Usagi. The seats of the current seven Council members formed a circle facing inward to where Tsugi and Usagi stood, both of them relating the events of the past few days, the latter a step behind, listening attentively.
The room was circular and domed, supported by graceful pillars spaced between broad windows open to the tree-scape and the light. In their world, the balance of life within chakra was the pathway to understanding and peace. Tsugi studied the faces of his listeners as he spoke, each of them familiar to him. All were leaders unlike himself, among them Haji and Shuji, seniors in rank among those seated. They were more compliant in the ways of chakra than he had ever been or would probably ever be. He stood apart in the circle that formed a speaker's platform for those who addressed the Council, his tall, muscular form and deep voice commanding the attention of those gathered, his dark eyes fixing them each in turn, constantly searching for a reaction to his words.
They watched him carefully, upright and stout Nagakura, young and beautiful Osen, slender Enshi, stone faced Daisuke, smooth faced Jime despite his age, and all the others, each different and unique in appearance, each with something vital to offer as a leader. Tsugi brought his eyes back to Haji and Shuji, the ones he was addressing, the ones most respected and powerful of those who sat in the room.
"My conclusion..." He trailed off quietly, his story completed. "Is that Yuko Uchiha has a Mangekyo Sharingan."
The silence that followed was palpable. Then there was a stirring, a shifting of bodies and limbs. Glances were exchanged and murmurs of disbelief quickly voiced.
"A Mangekyo Sharingan?" Haji repeated, leaning forward. He was a strong, dark skinned man with long hair kept in a high tail and penetrating eyes.
"That can't be!" Nagakura snapped irritably, not bothering to hide his disbelief at the suggestion. "I thought Madara, Arata, and Izuna were the only ones!"
"Evidently, they're not." Daisuke commented.
Haji shifted only slightly in his seat, a calm and serene presence in the company of hot heads, his eyes narrowing as he contemplated, he turned toward Tsugi and Usagi thoughtfully.
"It's a good thing, since it falls into our field." He observed in his thoughtful voice.
The others began to mutter anew among themselves. Tsugi said nothing, waiting them out. They had believed there to be only three with the Mangekyo. They had believed there would only ever be three. He could feel Usagi shift at his shoulder, having trouble maintaining her silence. Shuji leaned back, his head tilting in a nod. "This is difficult to accept, Tsugi. I do not understand how one could have the Mangekyo and we'd never know."
"Underestimating her is a mistake." Haji said with a small snort.
"Perhaps she will be able to show us." Osen suggested with a nod to Tsugi.
"Yes." Shuji agreed.
"The Mangekyo isn't what we were thinking, that much is clear. There's a cycle of the Sharingan. Since she succeeded once, she should be able to do it again." Daisuke added.
Jime lifted his finger, pointing at Tsugi. "Do you agree?"
"It depends."
"I see. So it's strictly for battle." Haji snorted again.
The others murmured their approval, showing the confidence they felt in the Daisuke's and Haji's deductions. Still Tsugi said nothing.
"We will discover the cycle through her." Shuji advised. One hand lifted in dismissal.
Usagi turned to leave. She stopped when Tsugi did not follow, but instead remained standing before the Council. Usagi held her breath, knowing what was coming.
Haji nodded his head just barely. "You have more to say?"
"With your permission..." Tsugi trailed off, gaze steady. "I suggest Yuko be made a leader."
Haji's eyes widened slightly. "A leader, you say?"
"Do you know what you're saying?" Shuji asked quickly.
Tsugi nodded. "Yuko Uchiha. Her cells have to have extremely high concentrations of chakra." He paused. "It is possible the Mangekyo drains her of this."
There was a shocked silence this time. Tsugi was suggesting the impossible, that Yuko truly had a Mangekyo, but a strong life force as well, by the connectors to chakra itself.
It was Haji who gave voice to the Council's thoughts. "You believe in this woman?"
Tsugi hesitated. "I do. She proved herself."
"You do!" Shuji snapped challengingly. "I seen the Mangekyo first hand when Arata came to my compound."
Tsugi took a deep breath. "I request that when the time comes, that she be tested. If she passes the test she will have the rank of leader."
"She could be a captain, but a leader..." Daisuke looked at Tsugi carefully.
Again, there was silence as the members of the Council exchanged glances, communicating without words. Eyes shifted back to Tsugi.
"For Yuko to be a captain. A leader. Is that what you request of us?" Haji asked softly.
"Finding her was a miracle." Tsugi pressed ahead recklessly. "I have no doubt of it."
Haji held up one hand, bringing the debate to a close. "When the time comes, she will be tested."
Shuji nodded somberly, eyes closing. "She will be tested by all of us."