So, here's the next chapter, and I hope you all like it, as I am in need to re-tirate that I only did that note about the GTA fic, so no need to worry about this or any other story.
Anyway, I hope you all will like this update, as I certainly am enjoying the direction One Piece is going to, and the next chapter, will certainly be something you all might like.
Please leave a review (comment) after reading, and enjoy!
Grand Line - Sea Snake
The Collier ship, that was on his way back to Alabasta was in full speed as it was in no need of the normal way of sailing, being on schedule to arrive there in a mere day. All of it wouldn't be possible for the one invention that this ship had and was build for.
The steam engine, precisely the triple expansion one that was an modern invention that was on the forefront of a revolutionized way of travelling around these seas, only it wasn't yet becoming the norm of it, making this ship one of the outliers.
Right now, with it being full night as it was only a hour after midnight, many of those who were on the ship were in their sleeping quarters, most of them being tired of the previous operation.
Most, as there were a few exceptions, like the person in his own quarters was awake with the light on at his desk, as he was seen working busy writing something.
Naruto was that person with an uncommon sight of him: wearing a pair of reading glasses. A view that not many would be able to see or even comprehend, as he was busy writing into something that looked like a journal.
It was a journal to be exact, but it wasn't the only thing that was on the working desk of the 1st Lieutenant. There were also written pages of the report he was making, a map of the Grand Line, especially that of Paradise, there was also an ashtray with some ashes of the few cigarette sticks he had smoked but not yet had cleaned up from yesterday, and a bottle of water.
In the last two years as a Legionnaire, Naruto had really changed in all aspects. As he had made sure to make serious progress that made him into the person he was today.
An First Lieutenant of an well-trained volunteer force wasn't something you would easily earn, no. It was what you would study for and that is what he had done. Having attended the military courses of both that what the Legion provided and that of the Alabasta Kingdom's traditional military academy.
At first, he didn't want to go and do the thing he hated the most: studying and exams, but after being given time to think about it, his more mature mind had taken this decision and he went on to study hard and excel in most courses, with those that he failed, he would redo and pass on those too.
Not alone had Naruto being busy excelling in his studies, he'd also proceeded to do his part in combating any kind of hostilities wherever it was needed. Especially where the Legion was asked to go.
Having crossed all seas, and both Paradise and the New World. He had taken part in a lot of military operations. Battled many pirates, fought off hordes of bandits and saved countless lives, his actions had caused him to be a formidable, respected, strong and recognized member of the Legion.
*Knock!* *Knock!* *Knock!*
"Come on." Naruto said.
The door opened, coming in was Vic, who immediately saluted him and in formation. "Sir!"
"At ease, Vic." Naruto told him while finishing up the report before he then dropped his and turned his head to his comrade. "What is it?"
"Got this box for you, sir." He pulled out one unopened packaged box that was sealed. "From the usual."
Naruto accepted the letter. "Thank you." He stood up and decided to sit on his bed instead.
His quarters consisted of a normal bed for his own and a small window. With in the room being several sealing scrolls that he wore during the operations, with on the bed the two blades he used, and the Thompson gun seen hanging on the wall with his Springfield rifle.
But also on the wall, were pictures, a hobby he picked up also. With the pictures consisting either of nature, the cities he visited or even a few of himself and colleagues of the Legion, classes he helped train fresh members.
But the most precious pictures, were of him surrounded by friends and those he considered close as family. Like the ones of him with the former members of the Sun Pirates, or even Queen Otohime and her family, when he went on breaks to Fishman Island.
There were also photos of him being in places, where he made a few good people who he had helped out in their situations, especially one where he had a personal connection to. Some of whom he kept in contact with.
Opening it up, the Lieutenant found himself smiling when his nose sniffed the similar smell that this particular sender would use in…
"Are those-"
"Of course." Naruto smiled as he picked one out and handed one over. "Roll of Tobacco, fresh from the East Blue."
Vic caught the tangerine and smiled. "Nice, I'll leave you to it-"
"Attention!"
Naruto and Vic both stood in formation, with then Captain Bishop seen entering the room, with both military men still standing up to the presence of their commander.
"At ease." Bishop told them. "Corporal Denley, you can go now."
"Sir." Vic responded by leaving the private quarters, leaving the Lieutenant and the Captain by their own, l, having left the door open.
"At ease, kid." Bishop said to his protégé, as he went over to sit down onto the chair at the desk to rest. His eyes did not meet the boy, instead they were for a moment focused on the ground, and then he looked back up and told him:
"I've just got word from our main headquarters back in Nanohana."
….
Bishop then did what was perhaps for the best, and closed the door behind him.
*Click*
The news perhaps was better not yet revealed to the rest, for now at least.
Next day
Alubarna
The Sea Snake had arrived the next morning at a remarkable time, having already docked in the harbor. With the Legionaries seen going off towards either the barracks to take some rest, or use the free time they had, to be in the city.
But that could not be said for the officers of the Legion, who were to be travelling to the capital, to the anticipation of King Cobra, who by now had yet to reveal much of what happened in the latest Reverie.
Now sitting in the hallway, Naruto was waiting as now Bishop and Whitehall were being briefed by the King's visit and results of the Reverie.
'You are conflicted.'
'That, I certainly am.'
'So long you keep yourself calm, kid.'
Unable to deny it, Naruto didn't even pull out one of his bad habits. Smoking, drinking, or even going on his leaves to Rainbase to gamble, that of which he usually did once visiting the gamble town of the desert with other things to do.
But at moments like these, when his conscience was clear on what was to happen. He was focused, no bullshit, thinking and calm, yet he wouldn't lie to himself that he was both nervous and scared, something he hid deep in him to avoid any unnecessary distractions, as he had taken his responsibilities to the max.
Whatever he was told, he did it. Ordered, he fulfilled it. Anything what was asked of him would be done, without a question.
And now, he would do that what he would be ordered next.
*Click!*
The doors opened up.
Naruto stood up and got into attention, as he saw that with the doors opening fully, both Captain Bishop and recently promoted Major Whitehall came walking out.
"Lieutenant Uzumaki."
"Sir!" Naruto responded with a salute, as they approached him with the Major responding.
"At ease, Lieutenant."
Naruto puts his hands behind his back and stood, he requested. "Sir….is it confirmed?"
"About what?" The Major responded.
"The deployment….to the Shinobi Lands…"
….
….
Whitehall sighs and much to his dissatisfaction, he replied. "Yes, son. On orders of the World Government and in the last Reverie meeting. All major kingdoms are to be part of a coalition force to be placed alongside the Marines, taking part of the occupation of the Eastern coastal regions, in order to keep the peace and stability in the port cities."
"Including the Foreign Legion?"
"Especially the Foreign Legion." Whitehall clarified. "Your men will be the first to leave."
The fact that the Major confirmed it to him right here and now, was alone for Naruto to digest the fact he was now part of something he tried to avoid for the longest part of his time.
Returning to the Shinobi Lands, the continent he came from…. His birthplace.
Naruto then brought up an important question. "How long until we're departing, sir? I'd like to prepare me and my men."
"We've been given 3 months of preparations." Bishop replied to the question. "Enough time for us, why do you ask?"
Naruto responded firmly. "That's enough time for me to prep up my men for the unforeseeable future. If it's okay with you, I'd like also to train the newest batch of volunteers."
That sudden request got the two senior officers to blink and turn to each other for a brief moment. Right before as Bishop then asked.
"You sure about this, kid?"
"A 100%, sir." Naruto responded without a hint of doubt in his voice. "Better to be prepared than to be not. Sir."
Normally, it being a job for the drill instructors, Naruto never really took that much of a role to the fullest extent.
"I don't see why not, I'll grant you it." Whitehall responded, agreeing to the idea. "But I expect you to be strict, Uzumaki. Am I understood?"
"Sir!" Naruto responded.
*Click!* *Click!* *Click!*
The sound of footsteps got the three men to stand in formation and faced the entrance, as the sound of footsteps came closer.
And those footsteps belonged to a man of average height with a wrinkled but good face, with a tied-off beard and long, curly, black hair. Wearing a green robe with yellow edging, an orange and beige sash around his waist, and a purple coat, a modest piece of clothing for a king.
Yes, the man who approached them, was none other than Nefertari Cobra, the current ruler of the Alabasta kingdom, a man who of a greater sense of duty, responsibility and a great amount of respect that he earned from his people.
The three men saluted at point to the royal highness, with no words being uttered, they stood in formation and responded with respect to the monarch. Accompanied by two normal guards, the king wanted to address something to them.
"I know that this is unorthodox for a king to speak to you like this, but let me make something clear to you." King Cobra stated. "I will do everything I can, to make sure, you all come back home."
"We only do what we're ordered to, your majesty." Bishop responded first. "That's what we're trained to do."
The king looked at every one of these men, and then lastly turned to the youngest, the Lieutenant whose well acquaintances with the army, and had done much for this country.
"Lieutenant Uzumaki, right?"
Naruto raised his head up. "Yes, your majesty."
…
The king, having never personally met the young officer with the good reputation, the deeds that he had done, and the past he had overcome from the stories he had heard about the blonde, from the Queen of the Fishman Kingdom, did something that monarchs didn't do often.
He extended his hand out to Naruto - to which even for King Neptune's guards, was an astonishing sight to see.
"Let me at least shake the hand of the young man who saved Queen Otohime's life - and has lived with them. Its an honor meeting you."
Naruto, being the man who's learned his manners from Queen Otohime herself, and accepted the king's hand.
"I only try to serve, your Majesty. That's all."
"Daddy…"
That sound came from out of nowhere, until some movement was seen from behind King, and they all saw that at the door, someone was standing.
The person was the 10-year-old Vivi, the Princess of Alabasta, with her light blue hair and often her headbutting personality, was standing there and watched with curiosity on what her father was doing.
"Vivi, what are you doing here?" King Cobra asked his daughter. "Your caretakers must be worried about you."
"I wanted to see you." The small girl said as she approaches the adults and couldn't take her eyes off the weird looking men with the brown uniforms, but was more focused on the guy with the blonde hair.
"Who are you?"
Naruto couldn't help but smile at the little girl, of whom he heard stories was also, a bit of a hothead with friends she made. And honestly, he could see it in her, bit of a daredevil if been given the right tricks.
He bent the knee and introduced himself. "My name's Lieutenant Naruto Uzumaki, I am a member of the Alabasta Foreign Legion."
Vivi's eyes widened when she heard that. "Wait, you're one of them?"
"Yes, been for two years." Naruto responded. "Something wrong?"
"No, no! I always wanted to meet you guys!" The excitement could be read on her eyes as she pressed on. "I heard you guys saved a lot of people against pirates! You guys are heroes!"
The few chuckles could be heard from the older crowd, with Naruto being the last as he responded carefully to the Princess.
He could only give a smile to the princess, who in return giggled back.
That night
Nanohana
Once having returned to the port city, it was best to call it off easy tonight, as now word had spread out fast to every service member and military personnel.
They all were now in the Spice Bean restaurant, a local hangout where members of the Legion were known to hang out, drink, eat, have a good time or just take a break for the moment.
And even when the house was full, some of the men inside were seen at the counter, being quiet as they just digested the whole news from their First Lieutenant who had enlightened them up with the details.
"Are you sure about this, boss?" Vic asked, having just ordered a jug of beer but needed to know for sure. "Three months before we go there?"
…
*SMACK!*
Naruto slammed his jug of beer down on the counter, not drunk, but the strong odor helped him to easy the tension in his head, as his head was still sober enough to properly reply or even walk. As he now wore his blue standard shirt with the visible suspenders, and his sleeves rolled up, and his army boots with brown pants.
"Three months, yes."
"What are we going to do there?" Luca, who happened to sit next to them also had a few questions. "And why are occupying that region anyway? Isn't there a war going on?"
"You're going there to protect basically World Government assets."
The one person who was saying that, happened to be not their lieutenant, but instead it was the owner of the restaurant, Mr. Yoshimoto, a middle-aged cook who happened to be a former Royal Army member that recently retired from it. As he now owned one of the city's most popular restaurants.
"Yoshimoto?"
"It is true, if you look at it closely." The middle-aged man said while pouring a new beer. "You guys have heard about those new railways' construction that World Government has been stretching out from the Land of Lightning, to the Land of Hotsprings, the Land of Fire and to the Land of Tea?"
"Oh yeah, the Kettle Railway, I heard about that." Vic remembered it and pointed out. "That railway alone is making millions, and the Government owns it."
The Kettle Railway, was one of the many World Government funded projects that made a significant amount of progress over the years. With it having obtained now more naval bases, influence and other portions of significant presence in the Eastern coastal region.
The railway stretches from the Land of Lightning, across the heartland of the recently demilitarized Land of Hotsprings, with its Shinobi village now gone, by the eastern parts of the Land of Fire, ending then in the peninsula that was the Land of Tea. As it became a centerpiece of the World Government's presence in the region.
"Isn't it bit crazy, that while that continent is shredding itself apart over a war, its also going through big changes." Vic spoke, having thought this through and still being kinda taken back by the developments in the region. "I heard that wasn't the only railway build there. Heard there were roads, energy plants, anything else being built there. Meanwhile, my island is struggling to get our governor to build a damn oil well."
The men laughed a bit at Vic's mentioning, as indeed, for the last decade, the Shinobi Lands was going through the weirdest period of time. But given that now, the Great Pirate Era was still in full swing, nothing really looked out of the ordinary for them anymore.
"Yeah, that one made headlines across the world." Yoshimoto commented as he handed over a jug of beer to an customer, noting. "It also pissed off the locals, especially those Shinobi."
"Oh, someone mentioned us?"
That came from behind the men sitting at the counter, and before they could've turned around, it was Naruto who felt something from behind, as a pair of arms crossed around his neck and he felt something pressed against his back.
"Hey you."
Naruto popped a smile on the corner of his lip as he felt his hair getting stroked and didn't stop her from doing it.
"Hey Temari." Naruto smiled at her and saw his brothers were also there. "Kankurō."
"Hey man."
And he turned then to the redhead youngest of the three and extended his hand…into a fist.
"Gaara."
…
The silent redhead replied with his own fist bumping against the blonde.
"Good to see you, Naruto." Gaara replied, as he sat on the right side of Naruto while Temari sat on his left. "Heard you just got back from another mission."
"What's this about Shinobi you guys mentioned?" Kankurō asked, getting to the topic. "Something wrong?"
…
Temari looked over to see Naruto was a bit silent on that, before she saw him raise his head up and spoke.
"Let me explain."
1 hour later
Outside the Spice Bean, things were getting interested when a person underneath a brown cloak was seen making its way towards the packed restaurant, as the person was luckily not noticed by many of the drunk men who passed by.
Once entering the packed restaurant, the person noticed it was exceptionally full with men in uniform. Members of the Legion who were still eating or making laughter, but the cloaked person also notice some eye worthy moments.
Of men seen writing letters on the tables, with others seen putting in even checks or even paper currency into their envelopes as there was an underlying feeling of anxiety that happened to be overshadowed by the alcohol and loud sphere.
'Poor guys.'
The mysterious person then spotted one particular one being at the counter with some of the political refugees from Suna, with them.
…
"I wish we could've stayed longer, but we have to go to the meeting." Kankurō said as he also apologized. "Sorry if it sounds-"
"That's no problem," Naruto waved him off, not bothered by it. "I know you guys got your meeting with the others," He turned to Gaara and told him. "See you later, man."
"Good evening, Uzumaki." Gaara said as he patted Naruto on the back. "Remember, our trainings on-"
"Wednesday, I know." Naruto chuckled at his full schedule that he had, having barely free time for himself. "Training and sparing, around 9, Gaara. See you then."
Gaara nodded as he left with Kankurō, leaving then Naruto alone with the lone female at the counter, who wasn't done with her own conversation.
"So, Temari, you said you wanted to talk about something?" Naruto went back to the fan user, of which hers was laid between them for context. "You said it was about something important."
Temari, for her being the oldest of the former 4th Kazekage's children, she then grabbed, with her fingerless gloves for the beer jug she usually didn't drink, but felt like today it was an exception.
"You forgot that it has been two years since we met?" She said with a smile that fits her flustered expression on her face as the alcohol was kicking in, with then her eyes giving that low-key look that she gave with her head close to him"... And a year since you told us about your background…after that first date."
The turn of this conversation was quickly noted by both Vic and Luca to leave, as they'd better not have to listen, or get themselves in potential trouble with their boss.
And even worse, with her.
Naruto's eyes widened at that realization before saying. "Oh….damn it."
This reaction however didn't do much to dishearten Temari, who instead giggled a bit before then reminding him.
"Well, let me refresh your memory on what that date was. Of us going to the same restaurant as this, drink the same beer, but got to know each other very well." She went a bit closer with her head to his. "And we got to know each other really well, afterwards…"
That signalling was clear for anyone who knew where this was going, and there was only one last thing to do.
SMASH!
Temari's hand already placed a small bundle of Belli's on the counter, as payment. And that same hand then gently grabbed that of Naruto's and began to take the lead.
"Let's leave…" She spoke in a soft tone that she rarely used, as she grabbed her fan and put it on her back. "To some place for us to be more….private."
Not going to protest, Naruto just simply let her take the lead, and followed up this time taking the orders, without questioning them.
'Ah, wreck it-'
'Shut…it.'
The two young people began to leave the restaurant, with luckily many of the Legion members inside the restaurant better to know to just not look or even make a sound about it, as the only person who made a comment with laughter, was Yoshimoto himself.
"Ah, young love." The middle-aged man chuckled. "Even he can't escape from it."
The two blondes were seen leaving through the front door, and it was then that one other person who stood up from their seat.
The cloak wearing person stood up and then left through the same door - not losing her sight from the target.
Later
As the main street of Nanohana was primarily busy with the markets being open, there were relatively few folks walking across the center of the road, all for a good reason because-
VROOOOOM!
Something sped through the road, with luckily nobody on its path, the vehicle could just move up in its wanted speed towards its destination.
What was speeding through the main street was an Norton 16H motorcycle, and it was being driven by Naruto, with on the back saddle being Temari seen holding onto him.
With some goggles to keep the sand dust off his eyes, Naruto looked back briefly to his passenger and saw she has basically locked her arms across his torso.
"You sitting good?" Naruto asked loudly, so she could understand him. "I can slow down a bit if you want."
"Do you hear me complaining? No!" Temari shouted back, quirking a smile at him as her hair was seen waving through. "I'm a wind lover, so this isn't bothering me!"
Naruto chuckled as he smashes his foot in the gas pedal to make the motorcycle go faster, gaining a bit more speed.
"What's the count now?" Naruto shouted out as he was driving a bit faster. "I heard more people from Suna had arrived recently, if I am not mistaken!"
"Around thirty last week, why?"
Having now exited the busy market area, and had to stop at an crossroad, where multiple carts were seen crossing paths.
"I heard about some news coming from Suna, that's all." Naruto said in a lower tone, not needing to speak loud as he waited for the traffic. "Your teacher, the one with the eye covered up is also here now, right?"
"Baki-Sensei, yes. And he's our former teacher." Temari corrected that last detail. "But yeah, he's back again, he and the others have been very busy trying to assemble as many people as possible for the future."
For the past two years ever since the Coup in Sunagakure occurred, many and upon many of Shinobi and regular villagers have been taken the option to leave after the internal crisis began and forced many of them out - like many other recent arrivals who now resided in Alabasta.
That was one of the few and lately unspoken factors of the current Fourth Shinobi War. It was that a enormous refugee crisis was in full swing, with hundreds of thousands of people being on the move from their homes that by now were torn up war zones. With the continent housing not even over ten million people living there in the worst possible time, displaced, trapped and some cases even worse.
Yet there were those who were lucky, like Temari and her brothers, plus the almost ten thousand of refugees who have managed to cross the seas into safety, with Alabasta being a major hub for those from the Land of Wind, and primarily Sunagakure inhabitants who were flocking into the desert kingdom.
And it was a BIG number of people, with it being said that the 'Suna Community' had perhaps now over 10 000 living within Alabasta's borders.
"Road's empty, Naruto." Temari tapped his shoulder. With the road pretty much clear.
"Right."
Driving up the crossroad, their conversation had ended for the time being as they were very close to their destination.
"And we're here."
Naruto slowly stopped right in front of the apartment building, where coincidentally, he himself and Temari happen to live in, as she still lived with her brothers, but was happy to know she could often leave them…
Once he turned off the engine on his parking spot, Naruto looked back over to Temari, and saw she had the most innocent looking, but turned into that one she'd only make when asking him-
"Thanks for the ride…wanna hang out at your place?..."
Naruto's own lips grew a genuine smile as he pulls his goggles up and was about to respond-
"Lieutenant Uzumaki!"
The plan was then interrupted by the sudden presence of a Legion runner, who was seen sweaty as he ran up towards them, presumably having come all the way from the barracks as he looked distressed.
"Private, what is it?"
"Emergency meeting!" The private, out of breath, took time to inhale some air before handing over a piece of paper to the lieutenant. "All officers are to be recalled to the barracks, effective immediately, sir!"
Naruto took the paper and read it, finding out its content he groaned. "God damn it…"
"I'm sorry sir, but it's Major Whitehall's orders." The private responded and turned to Temari and assumed. "Again, my apologies for interrupting your-"
"No need to apologize." Temari politely replied, while internally being annoyed by the interruption of her attempt to be 'alone' with Naruto. Knowing that these meetings would take hours, so she stepped off the bike and decided to return to her brothers' apartment.
"I'll need to go. Sorry, Temari."
"Like I said, no need. See you later." Temari waved off as she entered the building. "See you tomorrow." she walked through the door, leaving both the private and Lieutenant by themselves.
"I'll be on my way." Naruto said, starting the engine before leaving off the spot and going directly to the base.
"Great, have to walk back again." The private complained to himself as he made his way to the barracks, not knowing that things were about to change drastically.
Then appearing from the shadows, the mysterious female hooded person was seen making her way towards the apartment complex.
Her brown heels began making way towards the building, and then pressed her brown glove finger against the lock, breaking it open.
Apartment building
Opening the door, Temari rushed in before slamming the door behind her, causing a few eyes to turn towards her. As her two brother had recently returned back home.
"Temari, you're back? That's quick." The puppeteer Kankurō spoke, seen working on his puppets at the table. "What happened?"
She let out her frustration and just landed with her face on the couch and her head buried in the pillow, releasing an agonizing groan just next to Gaara, who could've already guessed what has happened.
"I suppose it has something to do with Naruto, am I right?" Gaara guessed as he was simply sitting on the couch, in his meditative stance. "And I guess that yelling was coming from one of his men from the Legion, correct?"
"Correct, Gaara." Temari responded through the pillow. "Both times. Correct."
The two brothers weren't blind to know that Temari had been going out lately with Naruto, with much actual focus on having some 'alone time' with Naruto, of which she wasn't given much of a chance except for in a bar or outside, to which the later brother was kind of glad to know.
"Seriously, Temari. Why don't you give up on him?" Kankurō asked, daring that question. "He's clearly not having much time on his hands, and you guys barely got the time to properly-"
"Kankurō…"
That tone and the surprising amount of Killer Intent that was suddenly released, froze the puppet master but did little to effect the redheaded Jinchuuriki, with him knowing better to piss off his older sister.
"Y-Yes?"
"Shut up…or I will kill you." Temari told him this warning once. "And you know that I don't fool around, don't you?"
Kankurō nodded in response.
Temari calmed down. "Good."
*Knock!* *Knock!* *Knock!*
The unannounced knocking got the three siblings to turn towards the door, having not expected any visitors, especially at this hour. It was Temari who stood up and walked over towards the door to open it.
"Who's there?" The blonde asked as she opened it. "Its late-"
She then was met with a woman, close her age, with an hood over her head but her hair and face being visible to her.
"Who are you?"
"...I'm an old friend…of Naruto."
Legion HQ: Briefing Room
The news had just been told, and emotions were high, with anger and disbelief. As all the CO's of the Alabasta Foreign Legion had just been briefed of the latest news that they've been briefed on by both Major Whitehall and Captain Bishop.
Sitting at the front of this full room, was Naruto who still couldn't believe the latest developments that had just been shared, and was digesting it while the rest of his fellow officers were beyond livid.
"Order!" Major Whitehall ordered his angered men down. "One for one, your questions will be answered."
"Major, what's this?" One Sergeant stood up, seated right behind Naruto and demanded. "They can't just simply change the plans in the middle of the night!"
"Unfortunately, we're speaking of the Gorosei, Sergeant Hawkins. So yes, they can simply change their minds." Bishop answered the question with the following. "We're now with full orders being told that the deployment date will be changed."
"From 3 months to 3 weeks now!" One other lieutenant shouted. "THAT'S SOME BULLSHIT!"
The lieutenant's words sparked the collective anger that the officers were experiencing, as they were angered by the Gorosei's conclusion:
Instead of a 3 months given preparation period for the Alabasta Foreign Legion before departure for the Shinobi Lands, they instead were given a shortened timestamp, with orders to deploy ALL members of the Legion to the region. Both active and non-active, combat and engineers and even mechanics to be moved to the Haran Bay, which in itself was an task that could not be seen with common sense.
"Sir, if I may." One of the logistics officers stood up, in full uniform as he just came back from a transportation task. "Why did the Gorosei made the decision to fully deploy us? They didn't attend the Reverie."
"That, I am also wondering about, Lieutenant. But I've got the direct orders here, handwritten." Major Whitehall pulled up the written document that was delivered to him by bird and he waved it around. "The decision is out of my hand. Instead of sending in 3 battalions. We've now been ordered to deploy all the 20 000 strong Legion to be sent in, alongside a now additional 70 000 strong coalition of Reverie country member naval and ground forces to be added to the coalition forces that's already stationed there, with it all being overseen by a division of 10 000 Marines who are already posted there."
The numbers at first, didn't add up until some were beginning to do the math, and it was now clear that close to up to over 100 000 armed men were to be stationed in the Shinobi Lands, from all parts of the world.
"Sir, we're speaking of an massive surge of troops in the region," The same logistics officer mentioned up. "What they're asking is going to take more than just three weeks to have all our equipment ready to be shipped."
"Yeah, what gives?" One of the Staff Sergeant asked out. "Why the sudden surge? And so out of nowhere."
"It's because this group called 'The Akatsuki' that's why."
The officers this time heard word coming out from Captain Bishop, who had been sitting by the sidelines and instead now stood up and clapped his hands twice.
"Dim the light."
They did, and in a quick moment the room was dark, with then a picture projector was turned on just as when Major Whitehall stepped a few feet away.
"I normally planned to debrief this information next week, but given the situation, it is for the best now to inform you all on the news that's coming out of the continent - so focus on this, lads. Because I'm only going to show this once."
The command given by the Captain, got all the young officers to start focusing on the screen, with some even taking out their small notebooks, ready to make notations.
*Click!*
A picture came up, forcing the officers to focus on this intel, with what they were seeing at first was the map of the Shinobi Lands, with the different Village symbols being shown at big, with the smaller versions being shown as troop movement.
"As you can see, the current state of the Fourth Shinobi War has turned out what was predicted, a fucking stalemate across the damn place, with no end in sight. With it being on multiple fronts as you can see it for yourself." Bishop spoke as he pointed at several positions. "The regions that you see where multiple smaller symbols of the 5 big Villages are drawn, is the current troop placement of where their Shinobi forces have dug in: With Iwa forces having completely deadlocked their entire border with Konoha, with multiple reports having been clarified that incursions between the two nations have occurred within the Land of Wind territory."
"Sir, why hasn't Suna intervened?" One lieutenant spoke, briefly interrupting for this important question that came into mind. "Aren't they supposed to be the host village of the Land of Wind?"
"Its a valid question you brought up, son. But wait until I'm finished with explaining." Bishop told the young officer before continuing. "As you can see, the Iwa and Konoha forces have not been able to break each other's lines, and caused their front to be in total shutdown."
*Click!*
The slide turned to a close up to a different front, that instead now focused on the Southwestern part of the central continent, primarily to the Land of Wind, where the symbols were of:
The Green Konoha, several brown Iwa but also the most recognizable, two different versions of the Suna symbol, one in its traditional blue color, the other being in red. Which came to one of the secondary conflicts that was taking place within the Fourth Shinobi War that was going to be talked about:
"As you may all know, the Suna Civil War is still in full swing between the two opposing sides." Bishop brought up and pointed out. "The blue represents the overthrown former regime that was loyal to the Fourth Kazekage, who was assassinated two years ago that resulted in a coup d'etat, and the red Suna are representing the current insurrectionist forces, who still haven't been able to take control of the countryside."
'Pretty much what we know now, but still impressed there are still those fighting against each other.' Kurama commented by what he was listening to. 'You would've thought that after they deposed the government of the Jinchuuriki's father they hated, they'd be getting a easy power grab.'
'Looks like it's not, must be more to it.' Naruto's mind replied back, focusing back on briefing.
"You can all see the current state of the civil war," Whitehall spoke up, also now joining in and giving up important details. "To begin, Suna is still under control of the red colored coup plotters and its insurrectionist forces, with a few cities and port towns also loyal to them, while countryside remains out of touch and loyal to the Loyalists of the deposed 4th Kazekage, with it still performing mid-level intensity guerilla warfare. Ranging from local ambushes to major attacks on port towns."
"Is that what that Suna community's been up to?" One junior officer whispered to another. "Working like a government-in-exile or something?"
"Shhh, trying to focus."
Bishop continued on Whitehall's explanation. "As expected, the Daimyo of the Land of Wind, along with all the other members of the nobility have long fled the country, mostly out of the continent to safer havens, with basically the local villagers and peasant population being very vulnerable to bandits and a famine that's unable to sustain in a civil war."
It was well known, that for the last two years, the Land of Wind was becoming all a more depopulated nation, with more and more villages, towns and settlements becoming deserted because of the internal conflict that also started a famine that forced all of those deep within the countryside to leave, for either the neighboring nations or to the port towns.
It also already being the weakest of the Five Great Shinobi Villages, Suna had plunged into a total downfall with its economy, trade, and even military prestige having gone to rock bottom, with fighting over scraps being the order of the day.
Naruto's feelings for this was mainly sympathy for Temari and her brothers. Knowing fully well that they wanted to return back home to join the fight, but couldn't due to the large political obstacles that were laid in front of them, many of which he couldn't even bring up by now.
TCHK!
Turning to that sound next to him, he saw that one of the officers, a fellow junior who was from the Kano Kingdom of the West Blue, who happened to lead an assault-oriented company that was similar to his men, with the man being Lieutenant Li.
Li, an sniper close to rival Naruto, offered a burning lighter. "Need it?"
Shrugging, Naruto pulled out a cigarette and lit it up before putting it into his mouth and nodding to the fellow junior officer before focusing back the projection.
"Now, we focus on the Eastern coastal regions, and as you can see. Here's where our job is at."
The next picture showed the whole of the eastern region, from the Land of Lighting all the way down to the peninsula that was the Land of Tea, with the large island of the Land of Water where the Hidden Mist was located, with some noticeable pointers on the map.
Large drawn out parts of the coastal areas were marked in blue as 'controlled areas' that were being occupied by the Coalition forces, Marines and detachments of Cipher Pol agents who had infiltrated the important port cities.
The big power however, laid in the Haran Bay, where most of the large coalition forces were stationed at, within reach of the borders of the Land of Lightning and Hotsprings, as these two countries' Daimyos had by now, signed treaties with the World Government that leased the sea harbors to them.
"We're being assigned with two objectives on this six months long tour: first, we're ordered to guard the construction and maintenance of the Kettle Railway, that's about to be complete its connection to the Kumo-railway system, and secondly, maintaining and keeping the stability in the region."
The murmurs of the officers erupted again, before then they were shut down once more by the next slide that appeared.
This time, it was just a symbol of a red cloud with white linings in a black background. With then another slide being brought up of men carrying weapons while wearing robes with these clouds on them.
"Sir, what's this?"
"That, is the sole reason perhaps why we're called in for , son. They are known as the Akatsuki." Bishop introduced his men to this group, as he began explaining the details to the trained leaders who were to be informed to the last update, on this mysterious group.
Rooftop
Almost a full hour has passed ever since this emergency meeting took place, and still, it hasn't ended yet.
On top of the building where the briefing was taking place, it was Jiraiya who was seen sitting and watching the city lighten up in the full night.
*Click!*
Looking down to the front door, he saw the many officers seen walking out with their notebooks out and preparations that were given out for the following weeks that they've been given.
But some were seen walking towards the exit of the base, with one of them seen hopping onto his bike and intending to return to his home.
"Later on, Lieutenant."
VROOM!
Jiraiya just watched on, as the person who drove away in the fast mobile vehicle, had just been briefed in about the organization that was he knew, they were focused on hunting him down.
Later
With it the content of the information that was debriefed, Naruto hasn't spoken a word anymore as he re-entered his apartment, with the lights being off and he lumping towards his bed.
Laid on his back, his head was only focused on one thing, as everything else now was irrelevant to the main topic that was craved into his head.
'Its going to be a busy three weeks, kid. I can tell you know that."
Naruto didn't respond at first to his friend's comment, but took a moment before he sat back up on his bed and placed something on his night desk:
The briefing report of the whole briefing. To every last detail, wording and order. That was to be strictly kept in secrecy to the officers.
Taking all his clothes off, Naruto then laid himself again on his bed, knowing he had to be up early tomorrow for the newest recruits to be drilled in that were already given their equipment and waited for their introduction to their new commissioned officer.
"Three weeks, that's what I'll work with." Naruto spoke to himself. "That's enough for me to be prepared for home."
And with that, he now went to sleep. Unknown to him, it wouldn't be the last of the surprises.