Disclaimer: I do not own any of the content following this statement. All titles, names, and plots are owned by Masashi Kishimoto.
Warning: The following will contain material that some viewers may not find suitable. There will be smut, graphic explicit sex, lemons at random moments, character deaths, and multiple pairings. There will be no additional warning as without reading the smut what little plot there is will not make any sense. You have been warned.
Dogs of War
The ship moved quickly for a merchant vessel of its size, its steam engines blowing out smoke as it unfurled its sails to catch the wind at its back. The Inuzuka teams, known for their keen senses and fierce loyalty, remained vigilant on deck, their ninken partners alert and ready.
Hinata and Kiba had entrusted this critical task to their best teams, ensuring the safety and success of the mission. Temari, standing at the bow, kept a keen eye on the horizon, ensuring they stayed within the safe limits of Sand Village waters. Her presence was crucial to prevent any misunderstandings or potential attacks from her homeland.
Two other merchant ships followed close behind, their crews equally tense and watchful, with a team of Inuzuka on each deck scanning the horizon. The convoy had to navigate the treacherous waters as they passed Dakujan, the capital of Nature Country. The waters of The Unforgiven Sea would pull any ship to the bottom if they were not careful. On top of it all, the delicate political landscape with Wind Country to the west and Tea Country to the east had everyone on edge. Temari turned to Akamai, who stood beside her with her midnight black ninken at her side. The twins were identical to everyone but Akamai's eyes.
"How's it looking, Akamai?" Temari asked, her voice steady.
Akamai gave a low growl in response, her ears twitching more than her companions. Akamai said, "We're good for now. No sign of any hostile ships or sea creatures. There is a scent in the air we have not smelled before, it smells like flowers and fire."
Temari nodded, her gaze shifting back to the horizon. "Stay sharp. We're not out of the deep sand yet." She used an old Sunagakure saying, but even the dogs understood her meaning.
As the ship sailed onward, the tension was palpable. Every ripple in the water, every shift in the wind was scrutinized. The Inuzuka teams, with their enhanced senses and unparalleled coordination with their ninken, were looking for revenge against the one who had stolen their treasures. They were ready for anything that might come their way, be it from the sea or the sky.
Temari moved to the center of the deck, addressing the crew and the Inuzuka teams. "We'll maintain this pace and formation. If anyone spots anything unusual, report it immediately. We can't afford any mistakes." The sound of the crew yelling "Aye" echoed as they moved back to their posts. It would take another 12 hours to make their way around Hashirama Island to head east into the Sakuru Sea. For those 12 hours, the sea and the unknown attackers were their enemies.
The sun began to set, casting an orange glow over the water. The convoy pressed on, focused on reaching their destination safely. Temari's presence was a constant reminder of how important this mission was, and the Inuzuka teams were prepared to face whatever challenges lay ahead.
As night fell, the ships continued their journey, their paths lit by the moon and stars. The Dogs of War were ready for whatever came their way.
The captain of the good ship Sasayaki, a large and portly man of middle years, walked up to Temari at the bow of the ship. "All the other ships were reported missing on day three of their journey. I worry you and your 'people' will be worn out by then," he said, pointing at the collection of men, women, and mostly dogs that were watching the waves.
"Thank you for your concern, but the Inuzuka are known for running prey to ground over days or even weeks. They will not tire," she said, getting an approving howl from the collection of dogs on the ship. They soon heard the other dogs joining in from the two ships at their stern. For a ship named after a whisper, they were far from quiet. The challenge was made, and now it was the unknown enemy's turn to make a move.
Once the captain returned to the wheelhouse, Temari turned to Akamai, the leader of the pack formed for this mission. Akamai was a small woman, standing only at Temari's shoulders. Temari had initially mistaken her for a young girl until she noticed the lines around her eyes and the predatory look she gave everyone. This was a battle-hardened shinobi, one of the best the clan had.
"The captain is not wrong. It would be better if everyone were fully rested," she said just above a whisper.
The growl she received didn't surprise her; Akamai was known for communicating with dogs more naturally than humans. "The pack is still wild and won't settle down for a few more hours, but I agree. We cannot afford to fail because of young pups running around all night." With that, she walked off to confer with the elder dogs of the pack before addressing their human partners.
…..
The scream was piercing and hit her like a lightning jutsu as she jumped out of bed, still not fully awake, and headed for the door before she realized she wasn't wearing anything. Looking around, she found herself in a hospital room full of flowers and soft colors, clearly a high-end hospital as it was a private room with its own bathroom.
Finding nothing to wear but a thin robe, she put it on and walked out, the scream sounding like Tomiko for some reason.
"What do you think you're doing?" asked the guard at the door as soon as she opened it.
"That scream, didn't you hear it?" she said, walking down the hall only to be grabbed by the arm and held back.
"My orders are for you to stay in your room," he said, holding her still with an ever-increasing grip as she tried to pull away.
Ino's heart raced as she struggled against the guard's grip, the echo of Tomiko's scream still ringing in her ears. The hallway was dimly lit, and the sterile smell of the hospital mixed with the faint scent of flowers from her room. Her mind was a blur of worry and urgency.
"You don't understand," Ino snapped, her voice low and dangerous. "That scream was from someone I care about."
The guard's grip tightened further, his expression cold. "My orders are to keep you here, ma'am. For your safety.", he said the oldest ly in all guard's handbooks.
Ino took a deep breath, her shinobi instincts kicking in. She needed to stay calm and think clearly. With a sudden, fluid movement, she twisted her arm free, using the guard's surprise to her advantage. She pressed her fingertips to his forehead only to be stopped as a hand with an iron grip pulled her arm behind her back.
"Stop, this game of yours is over," said the voice behind her. As she was pushed up against the wall, she looked into the eyes of the shinobi who had found them, his eyes flaring in anger. Being one of the twelve, she knew she had no choice.
"Release me, I am under orders from the Hokage herself," she growled in a low voice, pulling her arm free.
"And I am under orders from the Daimyo to keep you away from the royal family until he speaks with the Hokage," he said, taking a step back to give her room even as he moved to block the hall, leaving her only the room to return to.
"They are my friends. I just want to know how they are doing," said Ino, not giving him any reason to move against her.
The hospital corridor buzzed with activity as Ino stood her ground against the stern shinobi blocking her path. Just then, a nurse approached with urgency, her expression tense.
"Excuse me," the nurse spoke firmly, "but the princess has requested Ino Yamanaka's presence. It's imperative she be allowed to visit."
The shinobi's jaw clenched visibly, his stance unwavering. "I am under direct orders to keep her here. The Daimyo's command cannot be ignored."
"And I am under orders by the princess of the land, next in line, do you really want to get between them," she said getting in the much larger man's face.
"I have my orders." his response was the same but the nurse would have none of it.
"Get out of my way you buffoon, this is my hospital, not some shinobi bar where you can push your weight around." she nearly yelled in his face.
Ino seized the opportunity while they argued, slipping away unnoticed. She moved swiftly down the hall, careful to avoid drawing attention. The urgency of her mission propelled her forward, each step bringing her closer to her friends.
Finding their room, Ino entered quietly. Outside, the nurse and shinobi continued their debate over the true power in the capital, unaware of Ino's daring escape. Inside, Ino walked over to find Yoka sitting heavily bandaged in a chair beside Tomiko's still form, her head bowed.
Placing a hand on Yoka's back, Ino asked softly, "How is she?"
Yoka's head shot up at the touch, tears streaming down her face as she turned to face Ino. As their eyes met, she lost all composure and threw her arms around Ino's waist, sobbing uncontrollably. Through her tears, Yoka managed to choke out fragments of information about Tomiko's condition—words like "coma" and "chakra depletion" tumbled out, none of them making coherent sense.
Ino held Yoka tightly, absorbing the weight of their shared sorrow in the sterile hospital room. The stench of antiseptic mixed with the metallic tang of blood hung heavy in the air, a grim reminder of the brutal realities they faced. Ino's mind raced, grappling with the harsh truth of what had happened, this world where pain and loss were constant companions, and hope flickered like a frail flame in the darkness.
Outside the room, the debate escalated into shouting matches as the nurse and shinobi clashed over authority and duty. But inside, Ino ran her hand down the back of Yuka's head brushing the hair with her fingers until the princess pulled back.
"They said she may never wake up, her chakra was so low when they brought her here," Yuka sobbed, her voice breaking with despair. "They said she was going to die!" Her last words echoed through the room, a raw wail of pain that tore at Ino's heart.
Ino gently removed Yuka's arms from around her, her expression hardening as she moved to Tomiko's bedside. Closing off her emotions, Ino commanded, "Be quiet."
She swiftly made a series of hand signs, channeling her chakra as she placed her hand on Tomiko's forehead. In an instant, the world around her dissolved, and Ino found herself standing in the mindscape of the fallen princess.
It was not the serene, flower-filled dreamscape she had anticipated. Instead, cold stone walls loomed around her, water dripping ominously in the echoing silence. Ino's senses sharpened as she navigated the eerie landscape, her purpose clear—to reach Tomiko's consciousness, to find a way to bring her back from the brink.
Inside this mental labyrinth, Ino knew she had to tread carefully, navigating the depths of Tomiko's mind where shadows and memories intertwined. She had trained for this, understanding that the walls and hallways held no logic, and any path was as viable as the next. Ino jogged down the twisting corridors, following the pull of Tomiko's true self.
Minutes stretched into what felt like hours as Ino raced through the labyrinth, though in reality, only seconds passed in the physical world. Emerging from the maze, she entered an expansive plain of darkness with a pinpoint of light at its center. With a clear objective ahead, Ino broke into a full sprint.
As she ran, manifestations of Tomiko's inner defenses materialized—demons of smoke and creatures born of deepest fear. Many would falter against such adversaries, but Ino was no ordinary mind walker; she was Sōsui of the Yamanaka clan. With a wave of her hand, she blasted each obstacle aside, clearing her path toward the distant light.
At the center of the light, Ino saw a bed with a small child who appeared to be three years old, dressed in pure white, lying as if prepared for burial. The idea of Tomiko's potential death was unbearable for Ino. She gently placed her hand on the child's forehead.
"Awaken, for there are those that still love you," Ino urged, her voice echoing in the empty expanse.
The child remained unmoving, wrapped in an eerie stillness.
"I can't. I do not have the strength. Let me go," a voice whispered all around her, chilling the air.
"If it is strength you need, then I will give it to you," Ino declared, flooding the child with her own chakra.
Suddenly, the atmosphere shifted. Shadows twisted and danced around them, voices murmured in an unknown tongue. The child's eyes fluttered open, revealing depths of darkness that seemed to swallow everything around them. A cold wind swept through the barren plain, carrying with it whispers of ancient despair.
Ino pressed on, her determination steeling against the mounting dread. She knew she had to succeed, for Tomiko's sake and for the fragile hope that still clung to life.
"You try to steal from the Moon God," a new voice resonated through the barren expanse, its tone laden with ominous weight causing the imaginary hairs on the back of her neck to stand on end.
"I do not try, I will take my friend back!" Ino cried out defiantly. She placed both hands on the child, her willpower born of hope and desperation. With a surge of chakra, she pushed it into the child, forcing out the consuming darkness that had gripped her.
The air thickened with a malevolent presence as shadows writhed and twisted around them, resisting Ino's relentless efforts. Whispers filled the void, carrying echoes of ancient curses and forbidden knowledge. The child's form trembled under Ino's touch, caught in a battle between light and the malevolent dark forces that sought to reclaim her.
Ino gritted her teeth, pouring every ounce of her strength into the struggle. Sweat beaded on her ethereal brow as she fought against unseen forces, her mind aflame with pain. She refused to yield, knowing that failure meant not just the loss of a friend, but the unleashing of these unspeakable horrors upon the world.
With a final surge, Ino's efforts broke through. The child's eyes flickered open with clarity, the darkness retreating like a fog before dawn. Gasping for breath, Ino withdrew her hands, leaving the child to awaken fully, her small form trembling with the remnants of the ordeal.
As silence settled over the mindscape, Ino stood vigil, her senses alert to any lingering threat. The Moon God's presence lingered, she could feel it still, a reminder of the perilous balance between light and darkness that they had challenged—and for now, overcome.
"Ino," said the child, her voice innocent and fragile amidst the lingering echoes of the mindscape, "Can I have ice cream?"
The innocent request almost overwhelmed Ino, tears of joy streaming down her face. "Yes," she whispered, her voice choked with emotion, "we can all have ice cream."
In the real world, Ino withdrew her hand from Tomiko's forehead and stepped back, taking in a deep breath as if the air had suddenly become fresher. She gazed into eyes as blue as Naruto's, filled with hope and wonder, a smile spreading across her face. "Good, you are awake," she said softly, her voice filled with relief.
Tomiko, lying in bed, returned the smile weakly, her hand reaching out to touch Ino's before she closed her eyes again, exhausted but conscious.
Turning to Yuka, who was overwhelmed with relief, Ino fell into her arm to embrace her tightly. The weight of the moment, combined with the drain of channeling her chakra, finally caught up with her. Ino slumped against Yuka, her body giving in to the exhaustion.
As she drifted into unconsciousness, the sounds of the nurse and shinobi arguing in the hallway faded into the background, becoming a distant echo. Just before slipping away, Ino heard a faint voice ask, "Where is my ice cream?"
…
"What do you mean it wasn't Tsukasa?" Ino demanded, confronting the Root members kneeling at her feet. It had been a long five days of recovery in the hospital, and now, back in the princess's room in the castle, one of her agents had appeared in the middle of the night.
"We uncovered messages from the civilian council member to agents of Iwagakure. They were demanding payment in full for the assassination," said the Root agent, whose name she hadn't bothered to ask.
Ino laughed at the irony that it wasn't the killing that would get the council member caught but the lack of payment. She hadn't bothered to put on the persona of the Master of Root, and her laughter worried the Root member more than a slap to the face.
"Are you sure it was only the one?" she asked, noting the widening of his eyes.
"Yes, Master. We were very thorough in our questioning," he said, bowing even lower.
"Questioning? You questioned the council member?" Ino's voice dripped with incredulity.
"No, Master. The messenger was stopped at the border by Anbu. We were able to get the report from T&I," he explained. She knew what he meant; her people were staffing some of the T&I posts, some of her best interrogators.
"So the Hokage knows," she stated, more than asked.
"Yes, my Master," he confirmed.
Ino laughed again, a dark, almost feral sound that sent shivers down the spine of the Root agent. After all this, a lucky Anbu patrol had uncovered the truth. This mission was a failure and yet not, the princesses were safe. She needed to learn more about these Moon Priests. She wondered aloud as she paced back and forth, her movements sharp and predatory.
Not having taken the time to dress, her short nightgown, nearly transparent, allowed the full moon to shine through, casting an ethereal glow over her form. The Root member couldn't help but glance up, the sight searing itself into his memory, a show he would not soon forget.
Her bare feet whispered across the cold stone floor as she moved, the sheer fabric clinging to her skin with each step. "We need more information," she mused, her voice a husky whisper as she allowed the Master Persona to take control. "These Moon Priests... what else are they hiding?"
The Root agent dared not lift his eyes fully, his head bowed low. "We will find out, Master. Nothing will be left uncovered."
"Good," she purred, a dangerous edge to her voice now. "Make sure of it. I want to know everything." Her eyes glittered with a fierce intensity as she stopped and looked down at the kneeling agent. "Send out as many teams as we can spare. I am done playing games with these Moon Priests."
"Yes, Master," he whispered, the weight of her words pressing down on him as he bowed even lower, trembling slightly under her gaze. Her beauty and her will blended together, creating a dramatic, glorious magic that lingered in his mind. As he looked up at her, the nearly transparent nightgown illuminated by the full moon, he was captivated. This would be a story to tell the others as they waited in the dark to do her bidding. It was well known that most of the Root members, both men and women, were fully in love with their new master.
Ino's presence was intoxicating, her commanding aura wrapping around him like a vice. She knew the power she held over them, and she wielded it with the precision of a master puppeteer. The Root agent's heart pounded in his chest as he committed every detail to memory—the way the moonlight played on her skin, the steely resolve in her eyes, and the underlying softness that hinted at a depth they all yearned to explore.
"Remember," Ino said, her voice cutting through his reverie, "we must uncover everything about these Moon Priests. Leave no stone unturned."
He nodded fervently, the spell of her presence still holding him in its grip. "Yes, Master. I will ensure it."
"Good," she replied, a satisfied smile playing on her lips. "Now go. We have much to prepare for."
With one final bow, the Root agent stood and backed out of the room, the image of his master etched into his mind. As he returned to the shadows where he and his comrades thrived, he couldn't help but feel a new sense of purpose. Serving Ino was more than a duty; it was a devotion that bound them all to her will. There was no seal, no threat that could pull them away from her side, and many had sworn that even death itself would not stop them from following her.
In the darkened corridors of their hidden bases, whispers of her beauty and power mingled with the cold air, inspiring unwavering loyalty and fierce protectiveness. Each Root member, man, and woman alike, knew that their master was unlike any other before—her strength and allure were unparalleled. It was this magnetic combination that fueled them and cemented their allegiance, creating an unbreakable bond that transcended life and death.
As the agent melded into the darkness, her parting words echoed in his mind. They had a mission to complete, and failure was unthinkable. For Ino, they would move mountains, uncover secrets, and confront any enemy. Their loyalty was absolute, their devotion to their master akin to that of religious fanatics at the feet of a living god.
…
"Did I hear you talking to someone last night?" asked Yuka, as she and Tomiko enjoyed a morning breakfast of fruits with Ino out on the balcony.
"Word came that the person responsible for your father's death has been caught," said Ino casually, as if discussing the weather or the latest fashion trends.
"What!" yelled Yuka, jumping to her feet. "And just when did you plan on telling us?"
Ino looked up at the angry princess and set down the fruit she was holding. "Now seemed like a good time. Or should I have shaken you awake in the middle of the night? Would that have changed anything?" Her tone held a hint of anger.
"No, but still," paused Yuka as she sat down. "So, who was it?"
"I could tell you their name, but you wouldn't know them. A member of the civilian council who feared losing power. I'm sure the Hokage has him in chains or worse by now," said Ino, having not bothered to inquire further, trusting that Tsunade would fulfill her duty as she always had.
"We will return with you to the village. I want to see this man with my own eyes before we remove his head," said Yuka firmly, her voice cutting through the gentle melody of birdsong that filled the morning air.
"Should we tell Uncle?" asked Tomiko, absently twirling a berry between her fingers as she glanced down at her brightly colored silk robes. "Maybe he will sign those papers you keep waving around."
The morning sun cast a warm glow over the palace as Yuka, Tomiko, and Ino made their way through its ornate corridors, their footsteps muffled by the lush carpets underfoot. Their attire, a mix of traditional silk kimonos adorned with intricate patterns of cherry blossoms and flowing ribbons, added a splash of color against the rich wooden walls and tapestries depicting scenes of historical battles.
They arrived at the private quarters of the Daimyo, where the air was heavy with the scent of incense and the faint murmur of servants in the background. The Daimyo, a stout man with a stern demeanor softened only by his finely embroidered robes, looked up from his morning tea as they entered. His expression quickly shifted from curiosity to concern as he saw the determined looks on their faces.
Yuka stepped forward, holding out the papers that would strip power from the civilian council and transfer it to the clan council. "Daimyo-sama, we have discussed this matter at length. It is time to act in the best interests of our land," she said, her voice firm yet respectful.
The Daimyo hesitated, his fingers tightening around his teacup, he had read the report from the Hokage this morning. The idea that Iwakajure was prepared to get in the middle of internal affairs worried him. "I understand your concerns, but this is a delicate matter," he replied, his tone cautious, not willing to change what had worked for the last thirty years.
Ino stepped forward, her eyes focused. "With all due respect, Daimyo-sama, the future of our village hangs in the balance. The civilian council's incompetence has cost us dearly. The clan council is better equipped to lead us through these turbulent times," she argued, her words carrying the weight of conviction.
Tomiko, usually quiet but now willing to speak, added, "Uncle, please consider the stability of the village. We need strong leadership now more than ever. I know Karin Sama will be a great leader of the council"
The Daimyo sighed, all his reasons sounding hollow even to his own ears. After a moment of contemplation, he finally nodded. "Very well. I will sign the papers," he conceded, setting down his tea and reaching for the quill.
As he signed, the atmosphere in the room shifted, a palpable sense of relief. Now was the time for action. Ino would personally hand the scroll to the Hokage with Karin at her side. The time had come for the clans to rise up as one. The world would understand what it was like once again to have a unified Konohagakure with one goal in mind. Naruto's dream of peace would be made real, one way or another.
….
Akamai paced the railing of the ship with her two companions following close behind. The dawn of the third day was turning the sky bright red as if blood had stained the clouds. This was an omen in her mind; the time had come for blood and fire. The dogs seemed to feel the same way, their feral grins mirroring her own sense of foreboding.
She had been on hundreds of missions over her long life, but this was the first to be so far from land. Years of training and experience told her that any enemy worth its salt would attack tonight. Stopping to speak with each member of her team, she gave them words of warning and encouragement. The battle was coming, though she did not know from where or with whom. In the grand halls of their clan in the deep woods, they would tell the tale of this battle. Some may fall, but they would be remembered in story and song. This was the way. Let the songs of the pack howl their telling down the ages.
"The wind is still," said the captain as the sails faltered. "I will order the engines to half steam, but we do not have the fuel for a windless voyage."
"I can move the wind if I must, but I do not have the chakra for three ships. Do what you must, but we can't be still in the water—not out here," said Temari as she stood by the captain's side, watching Akamai pace the deck.
An hour later, a haunting howl from the second ship turned their eyes eastward. A dozen sails materialized on the horizon, eerily gliding toward them.
"How are they moving? There's no wind," the captain asked, perplexed.
"It doesn't matter. Full steam ahead and turn north. We need to group closer together," Akamai commanded as she stepped into the wheelhouse. "I know a pack attack when I smell one. They'll try to encircle us."
Using signal flags and lights, the captain swiftly coordinated the maneuver with the other ships. As black smoke poured from the smokestacks, the fleet turned in unison, drawing nearer to each other.
The air grew tense with anticipation as the howls of the dogs intensified. Their keen senses caught the scent of the approaching enemy, a pungent mix of sea salt and sweat drifting over the waves.
An hour passed, the tension mounting as the distant sails slowly closed the gap.
"I don't see any smoke; they're only using the wind. It'll take them an hour, maybe more, to reach us. Are they mad to give us time to prepare?" the captain mused aloud.
"Mad? Unlikely. Overconfident. This is their first encounter with armed merchant ships," Akamai replied, her voice tinged with a mix of caution and readiness.
"Once they get closer, I can change the wind to slow them down," Temari stated calmly, unstrapping her battle fan from her back.
"Stay low and quiet!" Akamai barked, her eyes scanning the approaching vessels. "We don't want them to see you until it's too late." Her command echoed across the deck, where the teams had assembled, their growls and howls barely contained in their anticipation.
As Akamai observed, the twelve ships began to encircle theirs, tightening the noose around the merchant vessels. The Inuzuka teams had fanned out strategically, positioned to leap between the closely packed ships if needed. Temari scanned the scene from her vantage point on the deck, noticing several teams utilizing the Man Beast Transformation jutsu to merge with their animal companions, enhancing their abilities.
On the approaching ships, she spotted crew members preparing for boarding maneuvers. Some wielded large hooks attached to ropes, ready to secure their vessels to the merchant ships, while others held long ladders with hooks on the ends, aiming to bridge the gap between decks swiftly.
The tension in the air was palpable as both sides prepared for the imminent clash, each move calculated to gain the upper hand in this high-stakes maritime skirmish.
The unexpected scream of the middle ship's crew filled the air as the vessel lifted into the air on the back of a giant sea creature. As if this was the signal, all twelve ships turned as one and rushed toward the merchant vessels. Their sails filled with wind as they turned displaying the use of wind jutsu or some other power.
"Great Wind Cutting Wind!" Temari cried out, sending cutting wind blades into three of the nearest ships, reducing their sails to rags.
Akamai glanced toward the middle ship. It was dead in the water, half its crew missing as they battled the beast's tentacles rising from the water.
"Attack! Take the battle to them!" she yelled, and the Inuzuka teams jumped into action.
Inuzuka warriors moved swiftly across the decks, their forms blending with those of their animal companions. Some activated the Man-Beast Transformation Technique, their senses heightened as they scanned the approaching enemy ships. Others deployed Fang Passing Fang, spinning into enemy lines with devastating force, while clones created through Beast Human Clone dashed between ships, confusing and distracting the enemy.
A swift maneuver enhanced by the Four Legs Technique allowed a group to board an enemy ship almost simultaneously. With Dynamic Marking, targets were identified and marked, guiding coordinated strikes. The Inuzuka's Sensing Technique kept them aware of enemy movements, anticipating attacks before they came.
The clash was fierce. Blades clashed, wind and water roared, and amidst it all, the howls of the Inuzuka and their animal companions filled the air—a symphony of battle that spoke of their unity and their relentless pursuit of victory.
"The Kasumi is failing, I think the beast breached the hull," said the captain, looking back at the middle ship as it lagged behind, its bow dipping low in the water.
"Turn us about! We can't let them get between us," commanded Akamai shielding her eyes from the sun.
A loud crack split the air, drowned in the chorus of battle cries echoing across the sea. The main masts of a sailing ship splintered and crashed into the turbulent waters below. Inuzuka warriors sprinted over the calm surface, leaping from ship to ship with primal ferocity, their animal companions at their side.
Amidst the chaos, another ship erupted in flames, the blaze fanned into an inferno by the devastating Fang Passing Fang technique. The fiery vortex bore a gaping hole into the side of a nearby vessel, sending shards of wood and sparks flying through the air, lighting another ship's sails on fire.
The twelve attackers, now down four ships, continued pressing forward as hooks and ladders crashed onto the railing, and screaming pirates rushed over. With the shinobi on the sailing ships engaged, only the merchant crew remained to defend themselves.
"Be safe," Temari said as she left the captain's side and leaped into battle. With fan and blade in hand, she cut down their assailants, but their numbers seemed to swell.
In the confusion of battle, they had turned and reached the side of Kasumi as it faltered in the water, the sea creature having withdrawn, giving the crew a moment to regroup and fend off boarders.
Leaping from deck to deck, the survivors joined the battle as a team of shinobi abandoned the burning sailing ship, their mission now clear: defend the ships and repel the attackers at all costs.
In the midst of the chaos, surrounded by enemies with blades dripping blood on the deck, Temari stood alone. The ship's crew lay dead and dying around her, casualties of the fierce melee of a moment ago.
Unfolding her fan to its fullest, with a grin on her face that made some step back in fear, she unleashed her jutsu with a commanding shout, "Cutting Blade, Wind Cutter!" With a mighty swing, a thousand blades of wind erupted in every direction. The bodies of the attackers seemed to fall in slow motion as they lost limbs to the razor-sharp gusts. The battle paused momentarily, the screams of the dying mingling with the shocked silence that even gripped the battle-hardened warriors of the clan as the sound of arms legs, and even heads hitting the deck echoed over the sea.
"Press the attack!" yelled Akamai breaking the silence, and unleashing the dogs of war as they leaped over to the nearest ship, wreaking havoc in their wake. The roar of the returning sea monster reverberated as the ship lifted up.
"Passing Fang Over Fang!" yelled out a team as they attacked the creature emerging from the water. The sea soon turned red as the creature was sliced open by the onslaught of the combined attacks.
As the battle subsided, the survivors aboard the damaged ships watched in solemn silence as the last three pirate vessels sailed away into the distance. The crescent moon emblazed on their sails lit in the sitting sun. The sea around them churned with remnants of the conflict—burning wreckage, scattered bodies in the debris, and the lingering cries of the wounded and dying.
Temari stood at the railing of the Kasumi, her fan still in hand, her gaze fixed on the sinking merchant ship as it slowly slipped beneath the waves. The loss weighed heavily on her heart, a stark reminder of the cost of battle. This first failure, even if partial, stung deeply. Around her, the crew moved with subdued urgency, assessing the damage and attending to the wounded, while disposing of any dead or dying enemies by throwing them overboard.
Akamai joined her, her expression grave yet focused. "We held them off, but at what cost?" she murmured, her voice carrying the weight of their collective sacrifice. The dogs of war had been unleashed, and they had fought with everything they had, but victory had come at a price.
The sea monster, wounded but alive, retreated back into the depths, leaving behind a trail of crimson in its wake. Shark fins soon filled the waters around them as they feasted off the dead. The air was thick with the scent of smoke and salt, mingling with the metallic tang of blood. The sky above, once ablaze with the colors of battle, now softened into hues of twilight, casting a somber glow over the scene.
"We're dead in the water," the captain announced grimly, his voice breaking the stillness. "Propellers are gone. We'll need to be towed back to port, the sails are useless with no wind."
Temari nodded silently, her thoughts drifting to those they had lost and the challenges that lay ahead. The survivors gathered on the decks, their faces etched with exhaustion and sorrow, yet also with a glimmer of relief for having endured.
"Do we have a count of the lost?" she asked Akamai
"No one escaped without an injury, including yourself it seems," she said, pointing to Temari's side as blood seeped from her battle dress onto the deck. "The clan lost two to the sea beast and two to the pirates. Their names will be sung at the next full moon."
As they watched the distant ships disappear over the horizon, a sense of bittersweet accomplishment settled over them. They had defended their own with courage, but the scars of battle would linger long after the sea had calmed.
In the quiet aftermath, with the sun dipping below the horizon and stars beginning to emerge, they stood together—warriors, comrades, survivors all bound by the trials they had faced and the bonds forged in the crucible of battle.
"Bring any survivors to me. I want to know who these people are and what they want," ordered Temari. At this point, there was no question among them that she was the daughter of a Kage, sister to Gaara of the Sand, and an unstoppable force in her own right.
"As you order Temari-sama", echoed the words of the clan around her.
…
"You asked to see us, Hokage-sama," said Karin, her bow measured, showing the Hokage respect but no more, her gaze unwavering.
"Read this," Tsunade commanded, flinging a scroll at the two redheads before her desk. The ANBU had sealed not just the office but the entire floor upon their arrival, their presence a shadow, unseen and unspoken.
Karin unfurled the scroll, her eyes scanning its contents before passing it to Tayuya. She crossed her hands protectively over her growing belly, a silent reminder of past trials. Each day, she silently thanked whatever gods listened that this child was alone, not requiring the need of another's body.
"I know this fucker," Tayuya snarled, tossing the scroll back onto the desk. "He's the one who dared call Naruto an illegitimate bastard of the Third Hokage."
"Indeed," Tsunade's voice was a cold echo of that fateful council meeting. "He rots in T&I now. Claims he alone orchestrated the Daimyo's brother's murder, but something stinks about his confession."
"What is it you require of us?" Karin's voice was as steady as stone.
"The message has reached the Daimyo, but I trust Ino and her cadre of mind readers have already whispered it in her ear. Now, we wait to see if she can sway the Daimyo to sign the papers," Tsunade replied, her tone a steel blade sheathed in velvet.
"And if she fails?" Tayuya's question hung in the air like a specter.
"Then we find ourselves in a precarious position. I cannot approach the Daimyo; it would reek of self-interest. Nor can either of you," Tsunade's gaze bore into Tayuya, quelling her unspoken protest.
"Who stands to become Daimyo if he were to meet with an unfortunate accident?" Tayuya's voice was devoid of humor, her eyes cold, the training of her old master evident in her demeanor.
"That would be our dear friend Yuka, or I should say her husband if he was still alive," Tsunade replied, her tone heavy with the weight of their shared understanding. "All others of the Hiroshi family have perished over the years, leaving her and her sister as the sole heirs to the seat of power in the Land of Fire." She noted the grim realization mirrored in their expressions, confirming they had arrived at the same conclusion she had.
"Let us hope that Ino returns with the news we are looking for so that such dark thoughts can be forgotten," said Karin taking the arm of Tayuya as if to leave.
There is one more matter I need to address before you leave," Tsunade said, her voice taking on a more somber tone as she picked up a scroll that had been the true reason for their meeting.
"I received a message from Jiraiya an hour ago. It seems Naruto and Sakura have been missing for two days now."
"What!" Tayuya's voice cracked as she yanked the scroll from Tsunade's hand, her eyes scanning it frantically. She read it over and over, as if sheer repetition could change the grim reality.
"How could this have happened? Lord Jiraiya is a pervert, but he is no fool," added Karin, her voice tense with worry.
"You have read the same thing I have," said Tsunade, leaning back in her chair, her expression grave. "I have sent a hawk to your third. If Temari manages to reach the Land of Moons or whatever they call that cursed island, she has six teams of Inuzuka under her command. If anyone can find that fool husband of yours, it will be them."
Tayuya's eyes darkened, her grip on the scroll tightening. "If something has happened to them—"
"Don't let your emotions cloud your judgment," Tsunade interrupted her voice firm.
"Can you send a message to Ino? She has resources that can get her there just as fast as Temari," said Karin, thinking of Sai and his bird. He had been able to get from Sunagakure to Konohagakure in one night.
"She will be here before a message can reach her. Now is the time to watch and wait. Naruto is no easy prey to capture, and with Sakura's new training, they are a force few would be able to stand against," said Tsunade.
"Pray that is true, for I have stood before the gates of hell and I still have the key," said Tayuya, spinning around and pulling Karin with her as she marched out of the office.
...
I had two lemons planned for this chapter but in the end, they didn't fit. Oh well.