Chapter Ten; Snakes Bane

Land of Spring; Palace

"Mifune-Sensei…" Naruto bowing before his samurai teacher within the throne room of the lands palace, "…I'm sorry for not inviting you sooner. Things are a bit..."

"I understand…" the man of honour declared, "...I believe you had good reason."

"Well, I guess I should explain the Waterfall incident?" The Uzumaki chuckled nervously and the stern, almost demonic visage of his Sensei who nodded slightly "It was only a distraction to gain the Leafs attention." Naruto began earning a raised brow suspecting more than just that "…and...?"

"I admit…" Naruto shrugged "…part of it was petty vengeance, for kidnapping my kids, and clansman..."

"I see." The Samurai General hummed now understanding, he would be a lair if he wouldn't have done the same but wouldn't let that show "...with the Leafs forces concentrated on the border and rescue operations in Waterfall, we infiltrated the leaf and rescued…" Naruto continued dutifully, "…them. On our way out, we defanged them to prevent them giving chase, and with our resurgence, Kumo was less inclined to war. This did the same thing for Leaf."

"Very well." Mifune comments taking a sip from the provided tea "It is as I expected of my student, many of the minor nations I have placated already though I was most surprised by Iwa's inquiries upon your actions." This caused a blond brow to raise "Iwa? Are you...?"

"Are you questioning me?"

"Never." Naruto chuckled with his smirking man before him "Speak with the Mizukage when you get the chance, and my people will handle Iwa."

"Thank you, sensei." Naruto bows his head before an idea hit him, "Oh, seeing as you are here, Master Mifune, I should give you a heads up of our next offensive."

"Another offensive?"

"Yes." Naruto dropping his cup to the table, leaning forward on his arms upon the table, "It's time for us to tackle the big one."

"The Hidden Sound?" The old man grunts earning an affirmative nod from the woman, "We had held off for far too long. Many of my own have been petitioning for the activation of Operation Soundless." He let out a deep sigh as he rubbed his eyes, "I don't even know how it's objectives were leaked to my shinobi, let alone the samurai though I suspect a certain redhead let it slip."

"I suspect that many of the minor nations, mine included, would like nothing more than to aide you in those particular nations downfall." Mifune adds with his teacup waiving around as he spoke, "Perhaps we could..."

"Sorry, sensei, but as much as I want to lean on you all…" Naruto looking more serious than usual "We all have more than a passing interest in the Hidden Sounds destruction, my student." Mifune stated with a voice of pure, barely restrained fury, "Do not deny our own vengeance."

"Okay, okay old-man sensei. Six months. Should be enough time for your people to get up to spec. The other minor nations too." Naruto informs and the man nods, "I will spread the word."

"Discretion. Please."


Land of Spring; Ryken Town

As Naruto was meeting with Mifune…

"Congratulations miss Ryūzetsu. You are pregnant." The doctor says in the small clinic of this idyllic town, the site of the recent defence against Kumogakure, far removed from the hustle and bustle of the capital city. The white haired woman takes a very long and deep breath, to try and calm her growing anxiety levels and with a tight throat she asks "…are you sure?" The young lady doctor, smiled as softly as she could, her ginger ponytail swaying as she kneels down before the clearly anxious young mother "We can run the test again, if you like…" he pale hands take up the tanned kunouchi's rubbing a thumb upon the back of the hand in a calming nature "…though it is up to you."

"Please." Ryūzetsu nods slowly and the doctor nods, smiles and stands as she turns to leave Ryūzetsu speaks up again "…and doctor…" the round-faced woman turns back "…thank you. For accommodating me and keeping this…"

"We woman need to stick together, right? Besides…" a warm smile donned the caretakers face "…motherhood is a gift that only us ladies are blessed with. It's my job to ensure you enjoy the journey of it."


Land of Spring; Yuki no Kuni

A bell tolls twice before the third is interrupted by the sound of sword clashes, the echoe rebounds and the forth chime causes the two to split before the metal was felt against the exposed neck "Yield!"

"Shit. I yield!" The tanto was removed from them and Kin strode back towards the edge, to find her pack along with her training partner Bela, a light samurai who focuses more on agility than stalwart denfence "So, Captain, what gives? Why are you pushing your kenjutsu so hard?"

"I just need to improve. I realises that my skills have dulled a bit since Dawns earlier days, so I need to get back to where I once was." Kin responds as she takes a sip from her water bottle, "Damn, if this is your with your skills blunted…"

"You should have seen my husband at his peak." Kin smirks causing the hazel haired beauty to gulp, "You mean…?"

"Not as bad or far as me." Kin admits with a slight grin "…but his skills aren't the same as before. His desk job is really hitting him hard."

"I guess the White Death moniker was earned somehow." Bela sighs hard, being a samurai means she is far more aware of life and death battles but due to the high level of comradeship within the Dawn, it is easy to overlook the fact that the higher ups are nothing short of boogeymen and monsters to anyone standing against them.

"Say, Bela, where you been these past few months? Last time we hung out…"

"Was in that bar when those shinobi came, right?" Bela chuckled as she leans forward on her knees whilst sipping her own water as Kin nods, "Well, Commander Larne had me assist in setting up our facilities in Water Country."

"I thought…" Kin was confused as according to official documents, but she was cut off by Bela's snort "You thought what? That a shinobi has any say in Samurai affairs? Hehehe, did you forget about that?"

"I did." Kin admits with a long sigh, "It's just that with that whole sting operation against the leaf and that woman sniffing around."

"Ah I heard about that…" Bela sitting up against the crate she was now leaning against "…a sappy from the leaf. What happened there?"

"I don't have all the details, but from what I heard from Tayuya is that they purposely left certain documents out of the way enough for the spy to assume they were top secret plans and the like." Kin shrugged "Though she did get a few names of the Uzumaki. My husband was not happy with Tayuya on that breach." The ravenette chuckled at that, "…her punishment was hilariously harsh…"

"I got a feeling I don't want to know." Bela standing from the small crate they were using as a bench "should we go again?"

"Are you sure about this? Me using genjutsu during the spar?" Kin questioned as they head to the centres of the training ground "Yeah. It helps me learn to see through it, develop a true sight to ignore it going forward." The lady of the sword explained as they both take up their stances, "If you say so…" Kin says before beginning her subvocalise whistling that began to harmonise with the hang8g icicles above them and for Bela, it appeared that Kin just multiplied into six causing a smirk to appear on her face "Yes. This is great."


Land of Spring; Kaze no Sato

A crepe appeared in the vision of Karin, a quick glance showed that it was Tayuya and was thus promptly taken as the woman sat beside her on the bench and joined in the overwatch of the children getting accustomed to their new local friends in the park. "How are they doing?"

"They've already established a hierarchy and are displaying a rather high level of leadership for their ages." Karin reports as she watches her son lead his 'Ninja team' through an imaginary battle against his cousin/brother Bashir "Though it seems he's been caught out of position by both Kushina and Rell."

"Sounds just like something Naru would pull off." Tayuya sighs before returning to her sweet treat, Karin nods whilst adjusting her glasses "I have been meaning to ask you, Tayuya." Looking to her fellows red head, earning a bewildered expression from the woman who swallows her mouthful before nodding "About what?"

"What do you think of Naruto?" It asa blunt and to the point but Karin knew Tayuya would skirt around the question, deflecting any attempts by anyone who wasn't said man to learn the truth. But her curiosity was it so easily swayed "What do I…?" Tayuya murmured before looking blankly at hear friend and cousin "…why the fuck do you want to know? It is none of your damn business."

"Well, you see. Everyone within the family knows my reason." Earning a snort from Tayuya, "Ah the cute little sister card, huh? Last time I checked, little sisters aren't meant to sleep with their brothers."

"True but we're cousins, distant at that. I checked."

"I bet." Tayuya spoken in a tone that didn't sound like she was not convinced "Kin loves him, as does Lady Sāra. What about you?"

"I have my reasons." Tayuya spoke lowly, trying not to growl, glaring at the red eyed beauty who stared back with a perfect neutral expression "…still, you should know that he is the only man who isn't worthless in my eyes."

"Although I agree to an extent, surely there is someone who you might want to settle down with and create an…"

"Bitch, Are you being serious right now?" Tayuya's glare could have ignited the sun but Karin, at least outwardly, showed no reaction "If some dumbfuck tries anything with me…"

"Hey mum!" Tayuya's rant was cut off by her son, Bashir running over and her mood flip was the stuff of legends "Bashir… what's up?"

"Well, the others are going to a sweet shop nearby and wondered…"

"Sure thing. Let's go. Your auntie will stay here and watch the others." Tayuya standing up, ignoring the tick mark Karin had with professional ease, and followed her son and his friends toward the shop not too far away. Karin sighs as she watched her cousin, and her son leave wondering what it was that bonded the foul mouthed kunouchi to her ever-loyal older brother figure.


Land of Spring; Yuki no Kuni

"Come in." The knock on his door subsides as it parts and in comes Bela, "Commander…"

"Captain. What brings you here?" Larne questioned leaning forward on his desk "Well, sir, was wondering if there was going to be a big engagement soon?" This caused the man to chuckle, his pale blond brow raised "Very observant of you."

"Whom is the target?" Bela questioned him, body tensing out of habit, "Fear not…" Larne leaning back in his oak chair, gripping his seat whilst maintaining eye contact "…we have time to prepare. Six months…" speaking up upon seeing her question as she opened her mouth "…No doubt the intelligence department will already be running at full tilt."

"…and us? What will we samurai be tasked with?" Bela questioned "What we do best?" Larne smirks reaching for his ode katana, "Frontline assault. Leave the espionage to the ninja." Waiving off the ending of his statement. Bela couldn't agree more, sure she knew there were honourable ones among them but vast majority, even her colleagues, lacked the courage and strength that the samurai held. "Once we get the information, we will be going forward to finally clean up the trash known as the snake sannin, Orochimaru. He has caused far too much death and destruction."

"I agree." Bela nodded; it was common knowledge of his crimes list was as long as a village charter, "It is about time."

"Well, we would have been able to do so earlier but Kumo…"

"Kumo…" Bela chuckled as Larne snorted, "Wanna be swordsmen."

"Indeed. Speaking of Kumo…"

"Not my department." Larne waived off that inquiry, although as a commander he did know their fate, he didn't need to inform his subordinates. "Anything else?"

"I just need to up my game and practice harder. Wanted to be sure my schedule was free." Bela explained and Larne nodded in understanding. "You have time to head back to Fang for a month at most before coming back." her surprise must have been transmitted upon her face as he smiled and continued "You're a captain of the Fang defence force. It would be natural to worry about it."

"Thank you…" bowing repeatedly before she headed out, she had a trip to plan.


A month later…

Ryūzetsu stepped into the office of her love interest, who himself was running through the paperwork furiously, "Naruto…" she calls out softly and he glances up "…Ryūzetsu. What can I do for you, Ryūzetsu? You've been rather scarce these last few weeks."

"You noticed?"

"Why wouldn't I?" Naruto not breaking his stride with the paperwork, "I know you are a formidable kunouchi, the best I know, so I know I don't need to worry about…"

"I'm pregnant." Ryūzetsu's voice halted time in the office, even the air seemed to still, and Naruto slowly looked up at his lover with a solid look and seeing her concerned look, her entire body tense as he can surmised that she was even more concerned than he was. No doubt, this was the reason for her scarcity in recent weeks and no doubt has tripled checked so no need to ask stupid questions. Without words spoken between two, Naruto simply stood, approached, and embraced her tenderly while whispering words of assurances.

Ryūzetsu was a mess, emotionally at least, but found safe haven in his arms, the arms of the man she loved and turned to see his loving warm blues looking down at her with all the care he could project "I love you." was the only thing he could say, and the fears she held from her previous experience began to melt away, one of her brightest thoughts that broke through the numerous darkening ones 'This time, this time will be different. We shall be a family this time.'

"Say, Ryūzetsu, I think we should take a trip… to our special place, no?" Naruto's warm voice was music to her stressed mind, "I… I think so. I think our little boy would like that." her equally soft response, as the two simply enjoyed the moment of silence and warmth.


Land of Spring; Prison Camp Dome

Kauri sat down upon the solid ice bench, her food was surprisingly warm and tender, with fresh greens and soft meat. It wasn't the finest of foods, but it was far greater than what Kumo would give to their prisoners. Didn't make things any better though. These terrorists had killed her best friend. She will not let them win.

Her spiralling thoughts were interrupted by the arrival of one of the Jonin leaders, Samui "May I?"

"No one else is." The red head shrugs as she stabs her fork into the meat, "We were fools." Samui suddenly speaking up, but Karui turned on her with anger "Fools? No! We should have fought these scoundrels and thieves to the last man, slaughter them until the snow ran…"

"Revenge is not cool." Samui interrupting the rant glancing to her former school mate, "Omoi would not allow you to…"

"Omoi is dead! Over half our force!" Karui standing up, glaring in rage at her fellow Kumo kunouchi "We fought. We lost. It's cool."

"Your brother's dead." She screeches and Samui tenses notability, "I know damn it. I know!" Samui glared at the younger woman with a frozen rigid glare "I know it's not cool, but I… I…" she sighs slumping into her seat "I can't help but admire them. They could and should have locked us up, not only that, but they also brought down so many of us. We should first be thankful that our lives were spared. I want revenge but who to blame? The commander of these units, the leader of the units, the raikage? Who?"

"I… I… don't know." both fall to silence the others in the mess hall join in it, the lack of moral evident as from the distance numerous Yuki and Dawn shinobi watch on with samurai as back up with their hands never straying far from their weapons.


Several months later…

Land of Spring; Hidden Docks

Naruto looked from the top railing lining the upper level over the constructed flying ships that have been developed in secret of the highest level. Luna was its security detail thus none were none the wiser. These five vessels were built to the group's specifications, the engineers had done expert work with them "…you seem distracted."

"Of course." Naruto responded continuing to look out the yard, "Another campaign… another charge into the bloody battlefield." He sighs harder than before, glancing to the actress at his side "another group of soldiers I will be sending to their deaths. Naturally, I would be hesitant."

"You've done this before though, no?"

"It's because I've done it before, as to why I am nervous." Naruto states with clear signs of his growing frustrations, "With everything I have to deal with right now, organising the neutral country alliance, the financial situation within both the group and Spring, and the redevelopment of Yuki no Kuni whilst keeping enough time for family…" he takes a deep breath, Naruto drops his head into his folded arms resting on the railing.

A deep breath followed before he mumbled out "I need a vacation." Earning a chuckle from the daimyo who was leaning beside him "You and me both. Though, I do have a movie filming starting soon that…"

"Fucking…" Naruto jolting up before looking to the brunette "…when is it again?"

"Three months." Koyuki with a raised brow wondering if he had forgotten it, he just stood there with eyes closed and hands on his hips "Kit, calm down. Based on you're clone memories, it's been handled."

"Thank you, Kurama, you're the best!"

"Huff, I know already. I am the…" Naruto cut off the connection knowing the rant coming by heart, he looks to the actress "Ah, you've got special team six for that one."

"Team six? Why not one of your Luna squads?" Koyuki pouted and Naruto sighed "The fact that you know about Luna is a problem in itself." Naruto sighed loudly and with exasperation, "Talk to Kiyo. He's the one who only authorised the payments, and only requested a top-level team not a special forces unit."

"…and he dare say he doesn't skimp out on security. Tch." The lady pouted, arms folded and glaring at nothing in particular. "Fucking cheap scape."

"Language, mi'lady!" Naruto chides with no heat whatsoever, she glowered at him, "Last time I checked, you work for me do you not?" Koyuki growled again lacking any heat, but just as they both chuckled lightly before Naruto spotted Kin waving him down "Well, duty calls…" sighing he offers a side glance, his arms still folded, "…thank you, princess." smiling broadly "Your welcome."


Naruto appeared beside his wife, Kin, who smirked at him, "You ready?"

"Naturally." Naruto smirked back and the two walked towards the podium at the front of the gathered forces that quietened down upon his approach. Standing at his side was his fellow commander Larne and Captain Tayuya, who had requested to be apart of this operation from its inception, thus his two lieutenants were selected.

Clearing his throat Naruto addressed his forces "All of you are here for the sole reason for ending the reign of terror known across the elemental nations known as Orochimaru. You may have volunteered but know that all of you are heroes to be honoured, and naturally, regardless of outcomes, you will be remembered for your willingness to put your life for the betterment of mankind. For that, I…" he shook his head "…we thank you."

After the cheers had died down, the five hundred operatives, three hundred ninja, two hundred samurai, Naruto continued "We are not alone in this desire, the neutral alliance have all despatched forces to the land of iron and are currently marching towards our target. We are going to be at the tip of a very long and unyielding spearhead for the vengeful, the steel defence of the innocence." Roars bellowed far and wide, all the group, split into the five flying ships which were preparing them for take off.

Naruto going for the second to the left, "Good luck out there." Koyuki called out and Naruto glanced back and waved back at her with a carefree smile "Yes ma'am." striding off calmly, smirking the entire time.

As the five airships moved off, and as they passed into the ocean Naruto saw, very clearly, a waving Ryūzetsu near the coast and went to wave back but stopped. Instead, he flared his chakra once and he noticed her smirk as he stopped.


Land of Rice Shoreline

The five ships approached the target area of operation, Naruto looked to his side where the vessels captain, a young man by the name of Ozani Towaki who was known for his adrenaline junky ways "Okay Ozani; time for battle stations. We are doing a combat drop…"

"YES SIR!!!" His grin was damn right feral as he grabs the microphone, radioing the other two units, "ALRIGHT, ALRIGHT, ALRIGHT!! LISTEN UP! We are doing a combat drop! We are going in first… ships two, four, and five hold back. Three stick close for air support."

"Understood!" was received and the man nodded to his helmsman who grinned too as he slammed the throttle past max, jolting the ship forward as it dived towards the waves in seemingly ruthless pursuit for death.

Naruto, channeling chakra to his feet as he went, reached the hold his forces were "Alright people, prepare for a combat drop."

"Sir!" Was called out followed by mumbles and nervous laughter as they have only tried this once before in practice, leaning towards the nervousness "Prepare for battle."

Saying the Hidden Sound forces were surprised would be an understatement, they found themselves shielding their faces from the down draft of a massive airship, just as numerous samurai and shinobi drop from the falling lines from them vessels belly "Go, go, go!" over the next three minutes, all hundred operatives had deployed and cleared the landing zone of enemies meaning the first enemy fort had been taken.

When Naruto landed, the group charged and cut down the eighty shinobi which inadvertently freed the nearby villages from their reign of terror. The beachhead was made, and the other four ships landed 'Normally' and boringly it didn't take long for the full Dawn forces to unload and reinforce their location.

Dawn the next morning….

With the FOB up and running, three of the five ships immediately returned home to begin loading up on supplies, the White Dawn moved forward toward their next objective, a town along the coast to link up with the allied force led by Larne. To hide this fact, Kin would lead a diversionary expedition toward the east.

Just before the two groups were separating, Naruto took Kin aside and they had the heaviest make out session they've had in recent months "I love you."

"I love you too." Kin responds with a pink dusting to her cheeks as she rests upon his chest, "I want a kid when this is over."

"Another?"

"Yes. I think it's time."

"Fine." Naruto sighs exasperatedly but with a smile, "Good luck…" smacking her ass as he leaves earning a sulrty glare from her.


Land of Rice; Koto Town

Command squad one consisting of twelve operatives, backed up by two platoons of samurai and a single squadron of shinobi commandos moving ahead to sweep for traps and ambushes and clearing what they could, marking what they could not.

Leading with this rapid force was meant to suggest guerrilla tactics to the Sound Force commanders, those that noticed at least. Dropping into the final line of trees, Kin and her second Bela observe the town ahead to find minimal presence of Sound forces despite an alarm no doubt raised by now "Curious, no one's moving." Bela mentions earning a nod from her kunouchi counterpart "Yeah, we'll hold per orders. We can see what our scouts have found."

"Yes ma'am." Bela then turns back and signals their forces using hand signs and they all all respond and dissolve into the shadows of the trees, perfectly hidden from sight. "I hope the main force is having more predictable results." Kin murmurs "They have the Commander with them. You don't need to worry about them." Bela assures with a smile to which Kin nods at returning to her forces.

Land of Rice; Kipow Plains

"Don't let them escape! We can't let them flank us!" Called Larne pointing his sword at a fleeing duo, not even two seconds later a fire dragon splashes down ahead of the duo forcing both to leap back towards the Dawn company, and two shinobi hit both with kunai, dropping both. An earth wall looms over the Samurai, moments later it shudders under the force of a tsunami force water blasts. Stepping from its shadow, Larne clears the ten metres between him and the next dugout, screaming the whole way "Keep pushing!"

"For the DAWN!" was returned as Larne notices his fellow samurai following him down into the trench, swords impelling the numerous ninjas within. Glancing up, his shinobi clear the trench entirely and meet their counterparts in high speed, high stakes, all for nothing clash in the open ground, "For humanity!" their common charge declaration and despite them being shinobi, he had to respect that. Nodding to his fellows, they leap out of the trench and follow after their comrades. They are the shield to the shinobi's spear, falling behind wasn't an option.


Land of Rice

To the southeast of Larne, on a beeline for the Hidden Sound, was the recon unit under direct control of Naruto. Twenty pairs of dual teams spread out to intercept any messengers and aggressively scout the country of Rice patties. their primary objective was to intercept any runners, messengers, or messenger hawks from reaching their destinations by any means. Secondary operation was to set traps to delay any retaliating forces.

Naruto was paired with a light samurai, an increasingly more popular unit made famous by Larne and himself as a compromise between shinobi and samurai. Blending the two disciplines but both fall either side of it; Larne is and always will be a samurai, his combat style revolves around that but has adapted his armour and stances to allow more free flow variant of his previously rigid postures. Naruto is the diametrically opposite, he is and always be a shinobi despaired being trained by Mifune personally, and any shinobi swordsmen would tell you that at a glance. His posture is rigid yet adaptive, a remnant of his unpredictable nature he is known for, and surprisingly free flow. His standard outfit had far more armour than shinobi are typically known for, but less than Larne by only about twenty percent. A few shinobi have joked he's a 'heavy' shinobi and although that didn't stick, there are more than a few who have adopted his mentality and found more than fleet success.

Landing on the edge of clearing, that screamed suspicious, Naruto turns to his partner "Renold, what do you think?" below even a whisper to which the man, standing an a average five-foot nine, dark brown hair and black eyes, looks down at the clearing and nods "It's too quiet and way too perfect for an ambush." His equally soft response. They continue to scan to try and discover the traps but Naruto's impatience reached out and he crossed his fingers in his favourite position for his infamous technique and two clones popped up behind him, one immediately transforming into his partner and both lands gracefully within the open "Something wrong here." Naruto's clone spoke so flatly, even Naruto had to resist the urge to face palm.

The second Kuni flew out from the bushes opposite, the two in the trees made their way around the clearing whilst the clones fended off the attack fitting to their characters. A pitch battle took place where the two clones fended off a wave of Sound chunin with little effort. Ducking and weaving their kunai slashes before slicing through their jackets with a single slash from their katana, in clone Renold's case, and ode katana in Naruto's case.

Just as the last chunin lost the light in his eyes, C.Naruto looked around and nodded "Yeah. I think that's…"

"You spoke too soon." C.Renold sighed as a Sound Jonin lands, his right arm armoured with a contraption of some kind, earning a slight from C.Naruto "So I did." A quick glance at the cocky smirk of the Jonin and paired with the gauntlet reminded Naruto from his one chunin exams "Ah, a sound cannon. Haven't seen one in a while. Didn't think they still used them."

"You know about my arm?" The Jonin chuckles, arrogance rolling off him in buckets loads which caused the two Dawn members to glance at one another, "You take him. You drew him here."

"How?" The Naruto clone gawked as the Renold lifted his nose at him, "You recall the 'Yeah, that's all of them!' you spoke of earlier."

"Gah, you're impossible!" The Naruto grumbling stepping past the samurai, but action was not needed as the sound of a thousand birds burst into the clearing and punches right through the Jonin and narrowly misses both clone who leap clear. Boom.

Landing beside one another, ready stances with hands on swords as at the end of the lightning created trench now stood the king of self importance in the flesh, "Uchiha." Spoken with so much venom, one could mistake the shinobi clone for a cobra, "Dobe… surprised?"

"Nah… you always seemed way too eager to get your ass kicked." Naruto responded casually earning a scowl from the duckbutted avenger "You got lucky. Were it not for that bitch…" were it not for his sharifian, Sasuke would have lost his head instead of the impromptu haircut as he ducked beneath he double slash from both clones "Theme… one more word about her…"

"Oh?" Sasuke grinning psychotically, "One of your 'precious people' huh?" the narrowing of their eyes suggested just that "Good, good. Figured after what the leaf did, you'd change. Should make my revenge all the greater." Nodding to himself, before looking up at his eternal enemy "In that case, she dies in front of you preferably…" again, saved by his eyes as the duo move in perfect harmony, the ground passed beneath them as if ice, swords passing the air as if it parted for them as they swung. Sasuke's grin grew "Maybe, I'll use her first."

"Never!" Was their collective roar, three trees the uchiha stood before sliced to kindlings in their wake, chirping birds and one sword was shattered and the Samurai clone was dispersed, momentarily stunning the uchiha, long enough for a cut to his arm to land. "You will never touch her."

"So touchy!" Sasuke chuckles, ignoring the cut to his upper left arm "I'll show her a good time, perhaps even give her the honour of birthing…"

"Shut up teme!" The clone roared charging straight at the last uchiha until everything went black, the last thing it swore was the swirls of the mengakugo.


In the next search grid, Naruto froze abruptly having received the memories from his samurai clone, eyes widening as he charges back without a word to his partner who struggles to keep up. After a few minutes, the second set of memories hit him and full-blown panic sets in, "He knows where she is…" growling deep in his throat, anger flaring causing his chakra to follow suit and everyone within a hundred kilometres knew where he was.

The Hidden Sound was now aware of an intruder and the Bloody Patty War had begun in earnest.


Land of Rice; Koto Town

All eyes snap to the southwest "What got the Commander so worked up?" Bela questioned stepping beside her fellow captain who was notably concerned "No idea. I hope he's okay."

"He's the commander of the White Dawn. Half of us wouldn't serve him if he was weak." Bela trying to reassure the kunouchi who simply nodded but the worried from did not waiver. Just then her forward team arrives "Ma'am, the enemy garrison has gone to alert. We thinned them out a bit but theirs about fifty chunin and three Jonin here."

"Manageable." Kin mutters before signalling to her hidden troops, "Time to move in. Move swiftly and with silence. They may suspect an intruder but not our presence so close." Earning nods "I want no heroes here. Let's liberate this place!" and with that, what would late be known as the Iron Siege of Koto began and with it the legend of the Iron bell duo mark in history was assured.


Land of Fire; Border with Rice patty

Kakashi lands at the Anbu outpost, Kiba, Shino, Sai, and Sakura in tow as there were waived over by the captain of the guardsmen "Kakashi. You got orders for us?"

"Yeah, Boar. The Hokage is aware of the situation and is preparing an Anbu squadron to be followed by a Jonin platoon. Lock down the area."

"Understood. What about you?"

"Recon. It's been suggested that a small team would go unnoticed among the chaos. We are to recon and gather what intel we can on both sides." Kakashi explained to the Anbu who nodded "Still think we should be deployed. He's our mess and all."

"Orders are orders." Kakashi shrugs before signalling his team to follow.

Once clear of the outpost Sakura forms up beside her former sensei, "Do you think he's leading them?"

"Probably." Kakashi responds without looking away from his course, "Do you think Sasuke…?"

"Will fight him or be a target? I don't know Sakura, honestly, I don't. Even if they did. I couldn't predict what either would do." Kakashi spoke with clear strain at the thought of his two former students going toe to toe, "Can we…?"

"Let it go already Sakura!" Kiba barked out, growling at the pink haired mess of a kunouchi earning a glare from said kunouchi "Sasuke is a traitor and Naruto was banished. The former is to be killed on sight and the latter is none of our concern as long as he stays out of the land of Fire."

"…but…"

"Dog breath is right." Sai speaking up, perfectly hiding his true objective to gain information to lead to the containers eventual capture, "The uchiha is a traitor. If we find him, execution is all that awaits him."

"…but… he's…"

"Drop it Sakura." Kakashi speaking up now, not even offering a glance at the clearly upset woman "He chose all those years ago. We haven't heard much but he has killed far more than recorded no doubt. He is a criminal. Plain and simple."

"You can't…"

"With any luck, the dead last and his cronies will kill the bastard before I find him." Kiba bellowed and Akamaru barked once, signalling his agreement, and Sai nodded. Shino remained unreadable and unresponsive to the whole ordeal. "Eyes on a swivel everyone…" Kakashi orders bringing them to shinobi mode, "…we've just entered enemy territory. No talking."


Land of Rice; Kipow Plains

The arrival of alliance forces from the opposite side forced the surrender of over fifty Sound hold outs, and the two groups officially joined forces. Taking a quick breather to allow the forward outpost to be set up and his forces to seek medical and Pearson all attention, Larne is met by Mifune "Ah, Lord Mifune. Thank you for your prompt arrival. It was turning into a real slug fest." Bowing to the senior samurai "No need, young one. You're tenacity had force the enemies hand. You have my respect for that." Nodding at his junior "Though, I must admit, I had thought Naruto would be leading this flank."

"Well… seeing as it was largely an open plain, was had to change the plan slightly seeing as samurai are far better than shinobi in open combat." Larne reports earning a nod from his senior "Wisely put. Then he is…?"

"Leading the scout teams, clearing the way in for us." Larne states taking a large bite from his nutrition ration bar, "He is supposed to meet up with us in the morning after we set up shop."

"It's this not rather slow for an advance?" Mifune inquires confused at the conservative action plan, and Larne nods with a smile "A careful one, defiantly. The problem is our enemy are experts in guerrilla warfare. We will need to proceed with caution, and diligence."

"Wise words." Mifune nods.


Land of Rice; Koto Town

The battle between the Sound and Dawn was a tooth and nail, block by block, jutsu used sparingly as kunai flew and shiriken littered the walls, road, and bodies. It was brutal yet devastatingly fast paced. Over the course of six hours, half the town was secured, and Kin was taking a breather Beaufort the next push was to be taken, when Kashimi, another kunouchi formally of Taki, approach and her "Umm… ma'am… could I…"

"Sure, what's up?" Kin smiled softly at the woman, putting her at ease "Well, I was wondering if I could get your autograph?"

"An auto…graph?" a puzzled Kin questioned bewildered by the request and the girl nodded frantically, "Yeah, I am a huge fan of yours. The work you did in Fang, Wind, and even Mash was amazing." The dark-haired girl bellowed in quick succession causing a warped eyebrow "Didn't think I was that famous…"

"You are, in certain circles. You are the reason I joined up with the Dawn and not Taki's own shinobi force."

"Oh really?" Kin brows now firmly in her hairline, and enthusiastic nod was the response "I also took up audio genjutsu combat, though I use a low whistle currently and not that good with it."

"Well, Kashimi-chan, once this is cleared through, I could show you a few things." Kin offered the and the girl beamed, she must be around fourteen the older lady muses and the younger kunouchi began gushing over the chance to work under her idol. A new student master relationship would be formed over the next few hours.


Over the last few hours, the Sound remnants finally surrendered and the immediately the group fortified their positions, utilising the very defences they broke through on the way in. The shinobi placed so many traps, the towns outskirts would later be called the death marsh by their attackers for many decades later.

Kin was talking with Bela about their defence plans when a samurai approached, "Ma'am, our scouts have reported an underground facility nearby. We suspect it to be a hidden sound laboratory, what are your orders?"

"We can't ignore it can we?" Bela questioned, "No. We can't." Kin grumbled, thinking over the options "…but I can't feel comfortable leaving it as is."

"We lack the man power to split our forces."

"Mine it to the maximum, prevent them from using it as a forward base."

"Agreed. I'll round up…"

"I'll lead the team. You grab a team." Kin commanded earning a bewildered nod from Bela but broke out of it moments later "Wait! Your the leader here. You can't just…?"

"I just can't just give an order I'm not going to give to myself." Kin retorts and nods at the samurai who silently nods, yet before they could act a shinobi appeared beside her "ma'am, enemy forces are encroaching on us. Your orders?"

"Fuck." Kin growled before taking only a moment to contemplate their course of action, before looking to the newcomer, "How long?"

"An hour at most, half that at worst…"

"That excursion will have to wait, spread the word, and get to front. It's time to show the Sound that the Dawn is their doom."

"Yes ma'am." They all bellow.


Four hours later…

The edge of the town was littered with Sound bodies, shinobi and kunoichi torn and hung asunder. Kunai flew, shireken spun, and fireballs exploded. In the lead building Kin looked out at the kill zone they set up, plenty have been lured in and cut down to the point to the ground was caked in blood.

Glancing around she notices that most of the battleground was stationary, it could mean that the enemy had pulled back or waiting for something big. Before making up her mind, a shinobi landed at her rear, taking a knee "Captain, the enemy is withdrawing towards that underground outpost. Shall we pursue?"

"Damn it." Kin cursed before looking to the nearby samurai "Go tell Bela to get her the excursion team up here now,"

"Captain!" Before rushing off leaving the others all awaiting their own instructions "Everyone else, search for survivors, reset any traps, and make any you can. No doubt they'll be back, move out!"

"Ma'am!"

At that moment Bela and her party arrive, at the front not looking much better than the others "Alright listen up…" Kin getting the commando squads undivided attention, "…the enemy has withdrawn towards the nearby laboratory. As to prevent rapid counter attacks, we are to either destroy the entire facility or trap the route back here so heavily, that sempoku will seem the better option. Am I clear?"

"Yes ma'am." Was responded but many of those who overheard offered prays to the log, their captain was saucing only to the Commander of shinobi affairs in her trap making skills so their enemies will need their mercy if to remain coherent enough to commit to leave them alone. Bela approached another samurai nearby "Kellya, you have command until we get back."

"No Bela…" Kin speaking up causing the samurai to look to her good friend and leader, "…I'll handle this. You maintain the defence here."

"…but… no…" taking a deep breath to re-centre herself, Bela realises she was still somewhat high on the adrenaline of the fight they just fended off, nodding "This is your specialty. We await your return, command squad one!" Saluting causing others to salute the squad of eight who nodded before body flickering away.


The kunoichi coughs and wheezes as her eyes were staring into the mix matched grey and crimson that reflected the chirping lightning, "I… I…" the light left her eyes as she hung upon the man's fist, dropping back as the final thing she saw was the sight of pink hair hovering above her, final thoughts were of her family, unaware of tears running down her temples.

Not even a minute later the reinforcements arrived to find their comrade's dead, Hidden Leaf shinobi standing over their corpses, despite their rage at the sight, especially from their commander, they looked on and listened "…but sensei, he's being controlled…"

"That may be so, we can't overlook this, Sakura." Kakashi states, "He's injured our comrades and caused destruction wherever he went."

"What about the other guys?" A new voice, Kiba approaching the duo, "They were in the way." Sai shrugged, swiping out his tanto "Taking them out was necessary."

"Yeah, I know but…" he looks at the kunouchi of the group, "…she smells familiar."

"Familiar? How?" asked Kakashi approaching the body, "I don't know." Kiba scratching his head, but it was Akamaru who figured it out, barking repeatedly and Kiba paled "Oh… she smells like Naruto."

"Naruto? Why would someone smell like…?" Sakura paled upon figuring out something, looking to her sensei "Is she…?"

"She must be involved with him."

"…and you killed her." Sasuke chuckled darkly, "How do you think he'll feel about that…?"

"Well, once we…" a colossal level of killing intent slammed upon them all as just then they spotted the White Dawn troop arriving but what caused them all to almost wet themselves was the only blond among the newly arrived, slit red eyes with fury, rage, and sorrow "To think my own former comrades were the ones to kill my wife, the love of my life. I guess I must have done something wrong in my previous life."

"…wife…?" squeaked out a near heart attack Kakashi, backing away from the advancing Dawn Forces "You were married…?" Sakura whispered maintaining distance with fellow shinobi, "Seems we've made a miscalculation…" Sai sweating heavily, "Fuck." Kiba stepping back as Shino stayed stiff.

"Now-now… we can talk about this Naruto." Kakashi stepping back, the others falling back along with him as the rage seemed to spread across the other White Dawn members, all drawing their blades to their ready positions.

Much to the Leaf surprise, Naruto reached his wife's body despair threatening to overwhelm him as he slowly dropped to knees hands reaching her cooling frame, noticing the very familiar scorched hole through her chest, a rikari strike with the signature of his former sensei. "Kit. Listen to me. This is not the time. We need to get you away from here. Before you break. Nod if you understand?"

As he lifted her into his arms, holding her to his chest as he teared up, sniffling hard whilst nodding "Kin… I'm sorry. I wasn't fast enough."

"Sir, should we apprehend them?"

"We… we don't have time. Let's... lets... just get our people home." Naruto instructs, stroking his wife's hair running his fingers through the silky long raven hair "It's all we can do now."

"Yes commander... at once."

"Attention any and all units receiving this… This is Captain Renold of the 5th Samurai attached to Command Squad actual. We have found Command Squad One, All KIA. Be advised, Hidden Leaf forces have been discovered in country and are to be deemed hostile. Approach and engage with extreme caution. Repeat." He repeated his transmission which did spread among their forces and those in the know knew who exactly was in the dead squad broke down in tears, not for themselves but rather for their Commander.

In response to this, the entire Dawn offensive line pulled back from current operations and engagements in short order. Many of its ranks put the Hidden Leaf forces on their shit lists, right beside the Sound Forces, unofficially of course but the slain captain often did band work with kids and played alongside the musically inclined among them as equals. She was respect by many and will be avanged.


A/N; Sasuke being a bitch and causing shit forcing a Leaf vs Dawn confrontation that the Leaf won, but at what cost?

AN/N; I was on a roll from the last chapter which how I finished this one as quick as I did. This was finished the day after i published the last chapter. Been editing it whilst working on Kitsune Knight, Purple Asters (Yes, i am still working on this one.), and Young Eclipse. This however is going to change for a bit. I will switching my focus to ANBU Team Zeta, as a request from a friend of mine, and thus will step back briefly from Sin's Forgiveness as its already deep within it's storyline unlike the other three. Just until i finish Anbu's next chapter at least.

o7