Hokage's office
Fugaku sat in the Hokage's chair, wearing the official attire with bundles of documents neatly arranged before him. The room was quiet, and faint sounds of the bustling market below pierced the windows. Portraits of the previous Hokages adorned the walls, and a man sat facing the Uchiha patriarch. Jiraiya was middle-aged now, but not lacking in zeal and energy regarding battle, and 'other' things.
"If I've been informed correctly, you have a vast spy network Jiraiya-Sannin?" The older man nodded with a smirk. Fugaku had met Jiraiya before, but only on official business. These days with his position as Hokage, he became aware of many things previously outside his reach.
"And you must know of the current affairs?" Jiraiya nodded again, seeking a good opportunity to respond. He knew where this conversation was going, but sought clear orders from his 'superior' to speak. The Hokage finalized his question,
"So can you share all the necessary intel with me?" The Toad Sage could see the stark contrast between Hiruzen and the new leader. His sensei had been a practical man who disregarded all unnecessary formalities. His voice carried authority, his word was law. Fugaku was respectful towards everyone, too respectful Jiraiya would say. The council members might start thinking highly of themselves again.
"Kirigakure, Sunagakure, and the Land of Iron have recognized the USC and formed close ties, alliances I'd say. There's tension between Iwagakure and the confederation over the Mountain village." Fugaku nodded in understanding,
"Yes, it broke away from Iwa several years ago. They might want to reclaim it."
"Exactly, but they're part of the USC now, and any actions by the Land of Earth mean war." The Hokage put his hand to his chin and inquired,
"What of the other nations?"
"Kumogakure is open for talks, but they show no clear friendliness. The Land of Lightning has isolated itself since its defeat in the previous war, rumors are they're secretly developing their military." Fugaku commented,
"Rumors are rumors, who can believe them? Continue." Jiraiya cleared his throat,
"The Romans and Samurai are pointing swords at each other. All Roman shipments to the Land of Iron have ceased. There is the possibility of war, but their threats are empty." Fugaku stayed silent for a minute, then questioned,
"It seems we must pick sides. What do you suggest?" Jiraiya remarked,
"We have fought Iwagakure multiple times, but that's just politics. If we fight the USC, Konoha will be surrounded on three sides by Kiri, Suna, and the confederation. If we aid the 'upstarts', enmity with Rome is imminent. Remember, the Westerners are our biggest commercial partners, without their support our logistical capabilities are considerably reduced. All those resources will be diverted to our enemy's camps." The Hokage considered his words and decided,
"We will fight with the Romans. Yes, we'll be surrounded, but a lightning campaign is the way to victory. Send more troops to the borders, and prepare logistical lines. War is imminent, we'll be prepared." Jiraiya smiled at hearing those words.
Other nations were probably doing the same, and sensing large amounts of enemy troops on the border might trigger a war that could've been prevented. He didn't rejoice in the declaration of war, the reason for his smile was Fugaku's manner. It differed from Hiruzen, who was a good fighter and apt administrator but a bad general. The Fifth Hokage showed promise, a talent for civic and military affairs -something reminiscent of Lord Tobirama's reign.
Byzantium
Marcus stood on a raised platform, and facing him were roughly eighty men, standing alert and in a straight posture. They were at the central plaza of the city garrison, surrounded by buildings of all sizes. The midday sun scorched the Earth and parched every man's throat. All the men wore similar armor and were arranged in neat rows & columns. Hands behind his back, the governor addressed the group,
"You know why you're assembled here?" The men remained silent, Marcus continued,
"Sixty years ago, we made landfall on this continent. Eleven years ago, I arrived on this continent. Today, I stand here to give Rome its first shinobi platoon. You are the product of supernatural powers combined with Roman discipline, so consider yourselves super soldiers. I see many 'native' faces among you, and rogues I picked up running for their lives. Well, the past no longer matters, you're all part of one big machine now.
You are nothing but a cog in the mechanism, a tool to be used by your commanders, and human life only matters to you if it serves Rome a purpose. If this sounds inhumane to anyone, they can leave right here and now. All the dirty work will be left to you, cleaning up the mess after legionaries or starting it for them. You are the republic's trump card, our counter to enemy shinobi.
You are no longer Ikemoto, Takimoto, or any other motto, from this day on you're Romans and expected to be like one. You will serve for twenty-five years, get your pension, and scramble. But until then, I expect complete obedience and success. IS THAT CLEAR?"
"Yes sir!" The shinobi shouted back.
A centurion soon escorted them away, and Marcus was left alone on the plaza. Minutes later, he was joined by Lucius who could only cast a curious glance at the governor. Both men kept gazing at nowhere until the assistant broke the silence,
"It'll be winter soon, do you wish to fight in the cold?"
"It doesn't matter." Lucius nodded and shifted the topic,
"The 'natives' are content with our rule, there's minimal unrest," Marcus smirked and remarked,
"They should be, ever since we freed them from de facto slavery under Daimyo. The samurai have been almost completely abolished, there's only one law in the land." The subject piqued both men's interests as they talked on,
"All the states in this continent are absolute monarchies -unlike us. Do you think there's the chance for any uprisings?" The governor almost laughed and replied,
"These are mindless folk Lucius, the Daimyo says 'me son of god' and they believe it, the Daimyo takes half their income to pay his poets and whores, but they remain silent. It's only when things get unbearable, droughts and all, that they raise their voices. The shinobi crush it, or the nobles reduce taxes for a year or two, and all is forgotten afterward. Peasants can achieve nothing on their own, they need leaders and a common cause." Lucius agreed,
"It's been one hundred years since the second republic was established, the last emperor was overthrown. What you say aligns with history -disgruntled veterans, not famished peasants, carried the revolution. Can something like that happen here?" At last, Marcus chuckled,
"It took millennia to get freedom in our part of the world, and we had experience killing kings! Since their birth, the civilians of this land are told that it is the natural order and that nobles and shinobi are superior to them. This 'fact' is repeated by friends, relations, the local shinobi, and the tax collector who wipes away a year of hard work with a single stroke of his imperial pen. No, it will take tremendous effort -and education, to bring change." The assistant commented,
"You can spark something during the upcoming war, generate unrest." The governor was a bit surprised,
"You know?" Lucius chuckled,
"Of course, I handle all your correspondence."
"Stop peeping into my letters, you bastard." Both men laughed.
Land of Fire Capital
Shigehira wiped the sweat off his brow and prepared to speak. It was broiling heat in the Country of Fire, and they were standing in the armory that smoked like an oven. His students rocked on their heels and waved their handkerchiefs about, tolerating the temperature and feeling restless. The armory was an underground structure, deep in the city's citadel, increasing the heat. But a shinobi must be able to bear such conditions, especially the Daimyo's guard, thought Matsumae. With a clear voice, he grasped everyone's attention,
"Today we're gonna select your weapons. There are many fancy things here, but lemme tell you, the only practical weapons in this world are a sword, spear, dagger, and bow, everything else is just warrior fantasy." Maximus shrugged, 'tell this to the rebels who got smoked by Roman muskets seven months ago.' Indeed, death by firing squad was becoming a favorite pastime of many 'sadistic' commanders.
"-so throw away those knife-sized kunai you got there and get some real weapons." The tutor finished his sentence, but Maximus didn't listen to half of it.
Quickly, the twelve men crowded the racks and stands, picking the equipment of their choice. Shigehira had said there were only three practical weapons in this world but didn't tell which variety. Roman gladii and spathas, local Katanas and tsurugis, and the like.
'Too short. Too heavy. Not sharp enough.' Every blade was passed with such comments until Shigehira interfered and recommended,
"Since you already have a sword, white-head, why don't you try some other weapon? Maybe ranged?" Thus, the shinobi was directed towards bows and quivers.
Here too, it was different varieties of the same thing. After five decades of alliance, the Romans still refused to sell any gunpowder or even crossbows. 'Why give up a trump card kid?' He'd heard Marcus comment.
Still, there was diversity, Composite bows, were powerful but expensive. Longbows, are cheap & easy to repair, but weaker. After inspecting each one, he finally picked up one. A local variety, made using the composite method. Its size was a quarter of Maximus' height and, so easily carried. After giving the string a few pulls, he waved it at Matsumae.
"Good choice," The sensei commented. Might need to take lessons from Narses, Maximus thought.
Author's note
I'm dying to finally begin the war arc, but everything must be covered first. Before it starts, I wish to cover a bit of lore in the Naruto world, particularly clans and countries, but that must be figured out. Note that Daimyo was the generic title for powerful landowners in feudal Japan, and Kishimoto just adopted it into his work. It doesn't necessarily mean king.
Do review the story if you've read this far.