AN: Chapter title: Arrived At Last!
Sasuke Uchiha barely resisted the urge to cover his eyes as the group of Shinobi finally reached the Daimyo's estate. It had been a temptation since he had been all but dragged out of his tent by one of the Haimaru Brothers. Even after hours of walking the road to the capital, walking through it to the expansive manor, all he wanted to do was close his eyes.
'My head is killing me.' He had overindulged last night, drank too much with the Centurion. With the news he had gotten that night, he would forgive himself. The Tribunes were functioning as he intended but they were also causing too many problems to list. He had drafted new orders to forestall the worst of it all, try his best to create some form of order while he was away from the village.
Even still, he would be busy on his return.
After leaving the tent, things were…foggy.
He remembered speaking with the rest of the squad but he couldn't recall the exact topic.
He wished he was one of those Shinobi who wore glasses, would even consider wearing goggles like Caesar once did, if they would just block the light from his eyes. His Dojutsu didn't help either, almost made the ache in his head worse than it already was.
'At least this is almost over.' Sarutobi had given them their instructions that morning. The formation they'll use on arrival to the capital, where they'll be standing, everything for the Daimyo's formal procession back to his estate in the capital. With the gates closing behind them and the samurai taking their positions, they're job was nearly over with. 'I'll be back in the village before Caesar's return.'
Getting back to the Hidden Leaf would, even with delay, take no more than a few days. Realistically, the Shinobi would be back in the Hidden Leaf by night if they left at dawn tomorrow.
Asuma was going through some formality with the commander of the Daimyo's guard, a ceremony of some kind for everyone around the two to witness.
The Uchiha was tempted to vanish from sight but restrained himself, remained in position.
This was the simple part of the mission.
'Almost over.' He spared a glance around the open courtyard.
Kakashi was to his left, Muta next to the masked Shinobi, Gai next to him. Kurenai was to his right, Ko to her right. Hana stood with Asuma in front of them. The commander of the Daimyo's guard had another samurai with him. Sasuke guessed the Inuzuka's position was part of the ceremony taking place.
The Sarutobi brought his fist into his palm, bowed to the samurai. He said something the Uchiha couldn't hear and the samurai copied his movements. The two rose as one and spun on their heels, Asuma heading towards the lined up Hidden Leaf Shinobi with Hana and the commander marching back to a line of samurai arrayed in the same way.
"We've got a banquet tonight. Stay on your toes." The Jonin's whisper carried over the group of Shinobi as he stepped into line and folded his arms behind his back.
The last of whatever pleasantries needed to be said were finished and the Shinobi were dismissed to their guest quarters within the next five minutes.
The Uchiha immediately collapsed on his bed, dragged an arm over his face, particularly his eyes. It was only habit that kept the Dojutsu in his eyes active.
"You look miserable." Hana dropped onto a bed next to him, the three Haimaru Brothers finding a spot on her bed, the floor between them, and on Sasuke's bed. The Uchiha's free hand reached out and rubbed behind his ears. "Drink too much last night?"
"I hadn't noticed." Sasuke didn't find much amusement in her joke. He settled for blindly reaching for the pitcher of water that had been left out for each of them. "I've learned I'm not a drinker." He was forced to sit up and use his eyes to find the pitcher and a glass. "I don't see how anyone does that nightly."
"It's more relaxing once you get older." Judging by the scoff her words earned, the Uchiha didn't believe her. The Inuzuka laughed at him.
"I don't see how barely remembering the night before is fun." Sasuke downed two cups of water in rapid succession, found some relief once he did so. "I should send word to Caesar to ban any Legionnaire from drinking. It'll only cause problems."
"It seems like you can't hold your liquor." Kakashi spoke up from his bed across the room. He was stretched out over the sheets, one of his books already in his hands.
"One weakness I'm fine with having." Sasuke dropped back down on the bed. His arm covered his eyes once more. "I can only hope I didn't embarrass myself last night."
"Oh, you didn't do that." Kakashi flipped to the next page in his book. The sound of the pages turning was too loud in the silent room. If the Chunin was sitting up, he would notice the eyes on the masked Jonin.
"How about you try watching yourself at the banquet tonight?" Asuma spoke to the Uchiha but his eyes didn't leave Kakashi. "The Daimyo likes his wine we'll be expected to drink enough to be polite. Even you. We may not be on duty anymore but we're still representing the Hidden Leaf Village. Best not to embarrass ourselves in a place like the capital."
"Of course." Sasuke's enthusiasm was near zero at what laid ahead. "I can only hope I don't make a fool of myself." He didn't see any of the glances exchanged by the group of Jonin in the room with him. He seemed set to remain on the bed until he had to leave. He rubbed at his head. "Or maybe I just won't care. Unfortunately, the Daimyo likes me. He's bored me to death enough times with his pointless ramblings."
"Part of guarding the Daimyo is listening to him. It doesn't happen often but he lets something important slip." His eyes weren't revealed but the Sarutobi could feel the glare the Uchiha shot towards him. "We've got a fair number of important guests in the capital with us. The Daimyo from the Land of Sound for one, a party from the rebels in the Hidden Mist will also be here, and the Tsuchikage sent his granddaughter to advocate for more high-profile missions."
Days had passed between learning each piece of information but the Daimyo had been the one to provide it.
As much as the man spoke on nothing, what he could inadvertently let slip could prove valuable enough to endure his prattling.
"Rebels from the Hidden Mist…" The youngest Shinobi among them thought for a moment.
"Momoichi mentioned them in his reports…The Bloody Mist almost doesn't do it all justice." The Uchiha grimaced at even thinking about the picture Momoichi's reports had painted. "The Mizukage's insane and seems driven to destroy the village he runs. Momoichi tried to kill him, others have as well, but they've all been unsuccessful. The rebels must be looking to bring one of the samurai clans into their civil war. Outside of the Land of Iron, coming to a place like this is their best option. Samurai groups are always around the capital. Even with that, I don't see what the rebels expect to gain here. Any force that can make a difference would cost a fortune and most wouldn't take the job in the first place."
"Anything can be a tipping point in a civil war. The rebel leader knows this as well as the Mizukage. Fresh troops, new supplies, experienced commanders, all of them have their role to play." Kakashi flipped to the next page in his book as he spoke. "You've never thought about having your army just march into the Land of Water and take it over?"
Once again, Kakashi ignored the looks sent his way by the rest of the room.
"Ha ha." Sasuke's half-hearted laughter was accompanied by him sitting up. "Caesar would find you hilarious Silver Fang. You should pursue a career in comedy." His red and black eyes met the single eye of the Jonin. "I'll be clear on this, I'll even tell you exactly what Caesar told Momoichi and myself when he became aware of the situation: He sees no worth in defeating a crippled foe. Once they've stabilized after the civil war, he'll consider offering them the chance to join the Uzumaki Empire or facing them in battle. Until then, they're of no concern to him so they're of no concern to his Legion."
"Good to know." Kakashi flipped to the next page. He seemed satisfied with his latest line of questioning.
It was well timed as there was a knock on the door a moment later.
"Great." Sasuke dropped back on the bed. "This is going to be great news. I'm sure."
By virtue of being closest to the door, Gai was the one to open it. One of the Daimyo's attendants stood on the other side, passed over a scroll while greeting the Shinobi with a bow. He stepped back as Gai read over the message. He turned to the Shinobi around him with a forced smile on his face.
"The Daimyo is presenting an exhibition match in a few hours. Sasuke Uchiha will be taking on Kurotsuchi of the Hidden Stone Village."
Sasuke threw his head back against the too soft pillows. He wished it was a brick wall so he could have given himself a concussion. "I've changed my mind. I think I'll take up drinking."
Within the expansive halls of the Fire Daimyo's estate, two Shinobi from the Hidden Stone Village ignored the Hidden Leaf ANBU Black Ops following their every step. The third member of their group made it a point to shoot a pink eyed glare at each and every one of them. If it was to draw a reaction or simply to prove she knew where they were, was unknown.
Their watchers wouldn't follow them any further than this hallway.
The Hidden Stone's own ANBU Black Ops were stationed just around the next corner. It was a much smaller detachment, only two squads on account of who had traveled to the capital of the Land of Fire, but conflict would be avoided by both groups.
The Leaf unit would break off without trying anything.
"Are you sure it was a good idea Kurotuschi? We don't know what the Uchiha can do."
"He's a fresh brat." The dark haired Chunin had her hands behind her head as she walked. "Besides, I'm not going to kill him. I'm just going to show off a real Kekkei Genkai and get this mission done early."
"…Of course." The Chunin who had asked seemed to realize he wouldn't convince her otherwise. 'She's just like her grandfather.' The Tsuchikage was just as bullheaded when it came to his own decisions. His granddaughter would, after years of his mentoring, be no different than the old man.
"What? Worried about me Ittan?" Kurotsuchi laughed at the older Shinobi, it was harsh but didn't have any malice to it. "He hasn't even been a real Shinobi for a year. Even with Kakashi Hatake being his teacher, he's not on my level. I'll wipe the floor with him and show the Daimyo where the real power is."
"Even if he's inexperienced, the Sharingan can't be discounted. He'll be able to read each of your movements before you make them. With that kind of ability, he can land a lucky shot." Towering over both of his fellow Hidden Stone Shinobi, Monga's voice rumbled down. "None of us can claim to have any experience with that Dojutsu."
"Don't you two just have all the faith in me." Kurotsuchi wasn't ignorant of Sasuke Uchiha's abilities. She had used the days she had known he would be in the capital going over any information she could find before presenting the idea of a challenge to the Daimyo the first chance she had. This being the Land of Fire, information on the Uchiha Clan's infamous Dojutsu had been easy to find. "I'm going to win. It'll be an embarrassment if I lose to a rookie."
She wouldn't accept failure.
She'll burn the kid to ash before she lost to him.
No matter how her victory came about, it would showcase the Hidden Stone's strength to the Fire Daimyo. It would give him even more reason to write off the Hidden Leaf if the invasion from the Hidden Sand and Hidden Sound didn't already.
The only reason she had accepted this mission was to prove that to the returning Daimyo. It was only chance that Sasuke Uchiha would be the one she beat. Her original plan had been to burn Asuma Sarutobi to a crisp when he was assuredly assigned to escort the Daimyo back to the capital but the Uchiha was better. Even if the clan was down to two, they were infamous.
Beating Asuma Sarutobi would have been great but beating the last of the Uchiha? It would make her a legend.
"And what about the army of clones? You've seen them in the city and our reports put him as being able to summon any number of them directly to him." Ittan's next concern earned a minute of thought from the younger Kunoichi.
She shrugged.
"I'll burn them too. Fancy clones or not, I'm not losing." The Tsuchikage's granddaughter wouldn't accept defeat.
"If we're being honest, those clones freak me out." Monga frowned at even thinking about the clones he had spent the day watching. "They remind me of the Yellow Flash."
Kurotsuchi laughed again. "Like Minato Namikaze had a kid with nobody knowing."
A messenger hawk was sent off with fresh instructions from the hotel room.
Her bodyguard unit had locked down the floor, the near dozen Shinobi of the True Hidden Mist responsible for her safety on this trip deep into the Land of Fire. It was one of several trips to stir up support for their cause. The reports she had received detailed Yagura's latest actions and they didn't make sense. The madman had left the Hidden Mist without warning. He didn't even have his bodyguards with him.
It was insanity.
It was the height of arrogance.
Was he that sure of his power? That assured that no one would challenge him and his blood-soaked regime?
Was he wrong to think exactly that?
"We can't stay here much longer." Mei Terumi allowed her exhaustion to show behind the closed doors of the hotel's top floor suite. "Yagura must know I'm gone. He has to. Why else would he be moving so freely?" She had survived battles against the mad Mizukage. She had even done something most had deemed impossible and pushed him into retreat once.
The swell of support that battle had brought her and her cause was worth the pain and exhaustion, the worry from her commanders. Even Chojuro's constant hovering for months afterwards.
"We still haven't made contact with the Shiranui Group." Chojuro wouldn't question her decisions. For that reason, Ao had joined her for the trip here despite how volatile his presence could prove in the Land of Fire. "If Yagura's arrogant enough to think he can't be touched, let him keep thinking that. You told me our main goal here was to gather new allies to take down that tyrant. Our trip here would be wasted if we return with nothing."
"And I brought you here because I knew you'd remind me." Mei leaned back in her chair, brought a hand up to her tired eyes. She centered herself, focused on what she could do instead of what she wanted. "Our meeting with the Shiranui Group isn't for a few more days. And it wouldn't hurt to speak with the Hokage's son. Intelligence can be just as valuable as men and the Hidden Leaf's intelligence network is second to none. As well as their knowledge on Fuinjutsu."
The Three-Tails that Yagura contained as the Jinchuriki couldn't be ignored.
His death was more than acceptable but the lost of the Tailed Beast could leave the Hidden Mist vulnerable to opportunist neighbors. Preferably, the Tailed Beast would be sealed into another.
"Anything on contacting Jiraiya?" It was a long shot but the Toad Sage's knowledge of seals couldn't be discounted. Perhaps he had something to deal with a rogue Jinchuriki? Something that could serve as the foundation to their own research into seals.
Ao's silence was telling enough. He didn't speak for a moment. "We've made efforts to contact him. So far, none of our agents can reach him but some are remaining in the village hoping to meet him on his return. Others are following what they can find of his trail. Naruto Uzumaki's clones have made it easier than usual to pick up."
"That seems to be the one thing they're good for." Mei frowned at the reminder of the clones. She didn't know how Zabuza had learned of her route but he had. No doubt, he kept some agents in the Hidden Mist on both sides. Regardless of how he had found her, he had been a gold mine on the blonde army that seemed to be everywhere in the Land of Fire.
"Take my advice Terumi: Don't. I want him dead as much as you do but it's not worth involving this kid in our fight."
"We're losing this war Zabuza. If he can change it, put Yagura down, I'm willing to pay any price."
"He's not going to ask for money. He doesn't want it. He'll add the Land of Water to his empire, send a couple thousand clones in the fleet he's building. You'll trade a tyrant for an occupying force. Like I said, not worth it."
"Then why are you working for him?"
"He's…interesting. Besides, I've got some time to kill."
The only good thing to come from her meeting with Zabuza was his promise to reach out to another of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen. While he couldn't join her cause, as focused as ever on his own plans, he was owed a favor by one of the rogue Swordsmen.
Though, he hadn't said who it would be.
"Ao. Who do you think Zabuza will send?"
"Hard to say. Hoshigaki would be a likely match for the Mizukage with Samehada but…"
"Having him involved would taint our victory. Even if it was for the proper reasons, massacring his squad tainted his name. Some even still question him taking Samehada from that traitor Suikazan." Kisame Hoshigaki's name would always carry that stain. Even if he had stayed loyal to the Hidden Mist, the stain would forever be there. As powerful as he was, attaching him to their cause would jeopardize everything they had worked for, what so many had already suffered and died for.
"Last I heard, Kiba was still separated. Until either Ameyuri or Raiga kill the other, I doubt he'll bother asking either for their help. Raiga was also a late addition to the Swordsmen."
"He was supposed to replace Jinin after his death, one of the many aiming to wield the Kabutowari. I observed his training with the Bluntsword. He was reckless with it even if he was undoubtedly skilled, stood heads and shoulders above the other candidates." She had once considered it an honor to oversee the selection of the next member of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, had thought the Mizukage had truly acknowledged her strength and skill by giving her such a position.
She had been wrong.
Yagura's "final exam" had seen to that.
"Whoever kills Terumi will earn the sword."
Even years removed, the bitter sting of betrayal, of being used, burned hot.
But it had been needed. It had shown her that she couldn't wait for change, that she couldn't adhere to the words of a tyrant.
As much as it burned, it had been what she needed to finally act. To fight back.
"You know more than me about him but I believe he's genuinely too dangerous to chance as an ally. He's a threat both on and off the battlefield." Ao wasn't wrong.
As strong as Raiga was, he was dangerously unhinged. Even before his attempt to take Kiba from Ameyuri, he had been a Shinobi of questionable loyalty. He followed his own code, abided by his own morals, and carved a bloody path in the world all to his own liking.
"He wouldn't be my first choice to take into battle. But Ringo has potential. Even if she's just as bloodthirsty as Hoshigaki she's still considered the true master of Kiba even with its separation. Having her fight on the battlefield with us would bring more legitimacy to our cause, bring more Shinobi who follow Yagura to our side. Especially if we could have Zabuza make an appearance. Three of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen would be quite the sight on the battlefield."
She couldn't help but entertain a harmless fantasy. Bringing forth a new age in the Hidden Mist AND bringing all seven of the legendary blades back to the village. It would be an achievement ever greater than bringing down Yagura.
"Honestly, Nuibara and Shibuki would be the most useful." Ao wasn't incorrect. Nuibara's Chakra sealing thread and Shibuki's raw destructive power would be an aid against the mad Jinchuriki. "Unfortunately, their wielders see no reason to work with us. Yagura lets Munashi and Kuriarare kill as they please and they'll follow him as long as he gives them that."
"And they'll die for it." If not her, she had made sure Chojuro would see to it. The two had turned a civil war into a bloody playground for their own sick delight. To truly change the 'Bloody Mist', both would need to die once Yagura was ousted. "What about Kabutowari? One of the Shinobi from the Hozuki Clan has petitioned Chojuro to wield it."
"Mangetsu." Ao knew who she was talking about, a frown on his face. "I've shared a few battlefields with him. He's skilled, driven, but he's also bloodthirsty. Dangerous. Chojuro's right not to let him have the Bluntsword."
"People are starting to talk the more Chojuro rejects anyone else wielding it. He's had it sealed away for years now." It had even reached her ears. More than one of the field commanders had come to her, had steered their discussions towards the unused sword time and time again. "When we make our final push against Yagura, Kabutowari will need to be wielded."
"…I'll speak to him." Ao was smart enough that she didn't need to say it directly. Whatever issue Chojuro had with another wielding the sword, it was unimportant. As it stood, Mei didn't have to order him to give the sword up yet but the time for a decision was running out. Ao would need to convince him before time was up.
Mei would give him as long as she could but there wasn't much else she could do. If Chojuro wouldn't make a decision, she would make it for him. The people they were fighting for needed to see the legendary swords of the Hidden Mist when the tyrant who had taken so many lives, destroyed so much, was at last removed.
Hiramekarei. Kabutowari. A reclaimed Shibuki and Nuibara. If things worked out as she hoped, once Yagura was defeated they could showcase four of the legendary seven blades. Kubikiribocho and Kiba could even be present. Even if not all seven, having six of the blades back in the Hidden Mist would be a boon for the people. It would be the perfect way to declare an end to the civil war.
The perfect start to a new era.
AN: 1/6 chapters for this update.