A heavy silence enveloped the cemetery, broken only by the sounds of weeping and sorrow echoing throughout the grounds.
"Let's make our way back, everyone," Dai's voice cut through the solemn air, and the group from the orphanage followed his lead.
----------------------------
A ninja clad in a white slack jacket and traditional ninja attire, the cloud symbol proudly displayed on his headband, sprinted desperately through the shadows of the forest, his heart pounding in his chest.
Abruptly, a disorienting clamor erupted behind him.
"Hehe. Got'em. But I better send a messenger anyway...", he muttered under his breath.
Pressing his hand against the earth, he invoked, "Summoning Jutsu."
A giant eagle appeared amidst the smoke. "Com'mere shizo".
Retrieving a scroll marked with intricate seals from his waist pouch, he secured it to the eagle's leg. With a series of deft hand signals, he directed the intelligent creature on its mission.
The intelligent creature quickly understood its task and took to flight.
"Right, less go", he murmured, preparing to continue his escape.
"Where do you think you're going"
A voice stopped his steps.
"Haha.. finally caught me".
Genma looked at the spy from the Hidden cloud with nonchalance.
The spy took out the sword from its scabbard. Infusing the sword with his chakra until the sword took on a yellow hue barrier and glow.
"Azure technique: Cloud Dance".
As his hand lunged towards Genma, he readied himself to deflect or dodge the incoming attack. Yet the sword left the spy's hand and came straight towards him, charged up with chakra.
Genma picked the senbon from his teeth and threw at the incoming sword. Changing its trajectory. The sword passed through right by one inch of Genma's Shoulder and passed through many trees trunks.
"Give up"
"Fat chance of that"
"Your funeral". Genma replied with cold eyes.
The spy gulped a mouthful of saliva.
"Ring formation: Needle Jizo".
Suddenly hundreds of senbons emerged from the surrounding trees. The spies eyes widened at the numerous needles aiming towards his body.
He shrieked, attempting to flee, but the forest offered no refuge.
Thwack!.
One struck.
Two struck
And then four, ten, twenty five.
"Ahhhhh!"
Genma descended gracefully from the canopy, landing next to the stricken spy, breath heavy with exertion. The ground was littered with senbon, each one a cruel reminder of the spy's imminent demise.
"Did you take care of the summon, Raido?."
"Yes," Raido affirmed as he touched down beside them.
"Hahah.."
"Hahah.."
"What so funny.. kindly share with us", Genma asked.
Ukhu..ukkuh
Blood bubbled from the spy's lips, transforming his chuckle into a macabre gurgle.
"I was the bait.. you fool", the spy wheezed, a manic glint in his eyes.
Genma grabbed the spy's collar, waving him vigorously with anger.
"WHERE ARE THE REST OF THEM?."
Hahahah...
Laughter erupted from the spy, a twisted, maniacal sound that ended abruptly as life fled his body, leaving behind a chilling silence in the darkening forest.
-----------------------------
Hidden Cloud Village
In the mountainous land of lightning, nestled amidst a range of majestic peaks and floating lakes, stood a village enveloped by clouds. The scenery, with its breathtaking mountains and unique lakes, painted a picturesque view.
The village itself was nestled in the valley, with inhabitants dwelling both in the central region and atop the towering peaks that surrounded it.
In the central region of the village on the huge plateau, the Raikage "Unruly A of the cloud" lounged on a sofa, flanked by his two trusted subordinates. With dark skin, a massive muscular frame, blonde hair styled in long strings, a small mustache, and a goatee, his bare-chested form was adorned only by the Kage's overcoat, a symbol of his status. A sense of boredom etched across his face.
Stifling his yawn with his hand, he addressed the serious looking blonde haired young ninja standing next to him."C, any news from the Leaf".
"Not yet, Lord Raikage. I have not received any new intel", replied the young man, dressed in standard Cloud Village attire - a white flak jacket over a black shirt.
Echoing the Raikage's weariness, the second subordinate, Darui, stifled a yawn of his own.
"Boss, Are we going to make a move against the Leaf this soon?"
"Hmm. If there is enough trouble, then yes... But, we cant do anything until their new Hokage is somewhere else" the Raikage mused.
"How dull—", Darui responded with another yawn, the black tattoo on his right hand and shoulder shimmering in the morning light.
"How is your progress with the tattoo? Did you finish the jutsu?"
"Nah Boss, I am stuck. Everytime I try to develop the animal, the jutsu breaks apart. It takes me a few days to recover each time I try. Mah back's been killing me"
"So, that's why you've been taking so many 'sick' days. I thought you were just avoiding Killer B's rapping," C teased.
"Nah, B's rhymes are cool but—"
An interruption came as a cloud ninja burst into the room, bearing urgent news.
"Lord Raikage, pardon the intrusion. We've received intel from the Leaf."
"Speak," A commanded with authority.
"We have just received word from one of our spies that there has been a major disaster in the leaf. The Jinchuuriki host of the Nine Tails lost control, and the village suffered a disaster. The Nine Tails rampaged in the village. Most of the Hidden Leaf is destroyed and their defenses are down."
"Boss ,that's good news"
"Hmm, what about the Hokage", C inquired, skeptical of the intel.
"We lack specifics on the Hokage," the spy admitted nervously.
"Why not?", A demanded, his anger simmering.
The spy trembled at the Raikage's response and replied, "Lord Raikage, The spies fled during and after the disaster, otherwise it would not be possible to deliver this intel. To my knowledge, all of our spies have been killed and I only managed to escape due to five others causing a distraction for the Leaf's assassins".
"C, Darui, prepare the troops. We must seize this opportunity. If they regain stability, it'll slip through our fingers," A declared decisively.
"Lord Raikage, I must advise against this decision, until we are certain of the Hokage's condition and the overall situation, we must not be hasty to declare war"
*Thud!*
A slammed his hand on the table, shattering it. "This is our chance, I will not let it go to waste"
"Boss, maybe C has a point. We've seen the Yellow Flash's power firsthand; he outmatched us before. We need more information," Darui interjected.
Fuming, the Raikage eventually relented, recalling his past encounter with Minato.
"Fine, we'll wait for more intel. But ready the Cloud ninja regardless."
"Yes, Sir."
----------------------------
Hidden Stone Village
Nestled within the cradle of rugged cliffs and ancient rock formations, the village hidden in stone was a testament to the stubbornness and the indomitable nature of the people of the land. The entire village was surrounded by giant stone walls. Even inside the village, sturdy stone walls rising like sentinels, divided each section from the other.
Houses made of stones, streets lined up with bricks and narrow alleyways across the village spreading like spider webs. The labyrinthine streets of the Hidden Stone Village, the earthy scent of petrichor mingles with the faint hint of incense, creating an atmosphere that is both grounding and spiritual. The entire land consisted of plateaus and mountains, making it a strategic location for defense when facing enemies.
In the heart of the village, on a man made mountain, stood the Tsuchikage's residence, a formidable structure that exudes authority and strength. Its walls adorned with intricate patterns reflected the ancient legacy of the people and their connection with the earth.
From the vantage point of the Tsuchikage's office, towering cliffs loom in the distance, their jagged peaks silhouetted against the horizon presenting a rich tapestry of stone and sky.
Tsuchikage Onoki, currently seventy-six years old, sat in the office half asleep, as his son Kitsuchi stood on the side as his assistant. The bubble from the nose contracted and expanded continuously with each breath.
Sigh...
*Pop!*
After popping the bubble, Kitsuchi spoke in a deep voice, "Father, Wake up... these documents need to be signed today".
"What, how dare you... I wasn't asleep.", The old man with the height of a child stood up from his seat and started stretching.
*Crack*..*Crack*..*Crack*
"Owww...Owww... My back"
Sigh...
"Here, Let me Do it", Kitsuchi cursed the day he agreed to be his father's assistant. Although he was dutiful and filial, he didn't like to do all the office work. However, that became his main job after he became the assistant to the Tsuchikage.
After setting the old man's back straight, he sighed again and explained the document again to get the signature.
khuh..phurr..
khuuh....phurr...
"FATHER!!!"
Suddenly Akatsuchi, one of the newer guards of the Tsuchikage brought in a stone ninja inside the office, bursting Onoki's dream bubble.
"Yes Akatsuchi, What's the matter?", asked Kitsuchi.
"Our spies in the leaf have been eliminated and we have just received word from a summon about a major disaster that occurred there"
"Ohhh, That's interesting", Onoki replied after hearing the full story.
"So, the genius prodigy is dead. Sucks to be them. hehe... I bet that Unruly Raikage is going to flip once he hears the news. He would be itching to go to battle". Onoki exclaimed curtly.
"You can leave Akatsuchi, and relay the orders to our spies in the land of Fire to relay anymore updates", Kitsuchi ordered
After the guard and the ninja from the spy division left. Kitsuchi turned to the old kage and asked, "Are we making a move, Father?"
"NO, Let us watch how things play out first. Even if Minato is dead, we can't afford another war after participating in the crucible of the Great Ninja war. Too many of our shinobi died in the previous war. Hiruzen is no slouch either" Onoki remarked.
"Also, they have another powerhouse among the Uchiha Shinobi. The one I told you about last time. He killed two hundred of our Ninja. I haven't seen anything like it. I barely made it out alive" Kitsuchi shuddered with the thought of the battle.
He had planned everything in that battle, luring the enemy into a deep valley and then launching a full on strike against a squad of fifty ninjas. However, the last man on the Leaf side awakened in the midst of battle and killed each and everyone of the attackers.
"That's why we will wait. Our village has thrived by controlling our impulsiveness. They call me the Fence-sitter, but they don't see the value of being the one on the side lines...", Onoki smirked with a crafty smile.
"Youngsters like you should take note of this and never act on emotions alone, it has caused too much destruction", the Tsuchikage spoke in a serious tone.
"I will, Father," Kitsuchi responded in a firm tone.
"Okay now, just the documents about the new building approval in the village center has to be approved, then we need to go over the budget—"
khuh..phurr..
As Kitsuchi turned, he saw that another dream bubble had formed around Onoki's mouth. "Unbelievable".. He gnashed his teeth and roared,
"WAKE!!.. UP!!!!!!"
----------------------------
Hidden Sand Village
South to the Land of Fire, lies the Land of Wind.
In the deepest recesses of the desert, the Hidden Sand Village emerges like a mirage of resolute beauty in the scorching heat of the sun. This hidden oasis is a place where the shifting sands whisper tales of resilience and adaptability, where life thrives amidst the harsh unforgiving landscape.
Keeping up with the traditions, the village's architecture mirrored the undulating dunes that surround it, with buildings crafted from sun-baked clay.
Within the village, bustling bazaars and steam-filled hamaams painted a picture of thriving activity. A massive Sand Wall enclosed the oasis, its single entry point a gateway to constant movement - ninjas, civilians, nobles, and caravans coming and going in a steady stream.
The villagers, draped in loose clothing with ghutras shielding their heads, moved through the streets. The ninjas, clad in traditional attire of brown jackets, black inner shirts, and protective bandages, symbolized the unity of the Sand Village.
The whole village was divided into seven sections by sand walls, with huge roads constructed on top of the walls connecting different sections with each other.
At the heart of the Sand Village lies the office of the Kazekage and the office of the council of elders. A clamor of differing opinions in loud voices could be heard in the ongoing meeting of the Council.
The competition for the seat of the Kazekage was over, and the current heir from the line of the first and second Kazekage had been selected as the fourth Kazekage.
The new Kazekage "Rasa of the Sand" faced the difficult position of stabilising the village, since the previous prodigy of the sand, The master of Iron Sand "Third Kazekage" disappeared during the Third Great Ninja War.
Due to his disappearance, Sand had been thrown into instability for quite some time. The council was currently in heated debate over the news that arrived yesterday. All twelve elders presented their points.
Amidst a heated council meeting, voices clashed in disagreement.
"I am disappointed in this council. If the Third were here, he would already have thrown the alliance and mount the attack"
"Which Third are you talking about Tojuro, the Third kept all the agreements that he signed. Do not lecture me on what he would do. I was there when I appointed him as the Kazekage."
"Lord Ebizo, I mean no disrespect, but this is a prime opportunity to make a move against the Leaf". Tojuro turned his head towards Rasa, who had been silent since the start of the discussion. He smirked, trying to elicit a response from the newly risen Kage.
Rasa looked at Tojuro with cold dead eyes, "State your case with proof. This council will weigh the benefits and losses. Any attempts at personal vanity projects will not be permitted in this council", In a stern voice, he reminded Tojuro of his position.
"The Leaf is weak currently, Orochimaru has fled the village, and the Yellow Flash is no more. The Third Hokage Hiruzen is old and in no shape to battle anymore. The Leaf is vulnerable. If there ever was an opportunity, this is it."
"Oh really, have you completely forgotten to factor in our own state of affairs. With what army are you going to attack the leaf? If you haven't forgotten, We were the first ones to wave the white flag in the previous war due to our losses being the second highest.", Another elder named Ryusa replied to Tojuro.
"Also, we have lost another Kage candidate, Pakura of the Scorch Style. Along with the missing Third Kazekage and the Scorch Release Pakura, we are in a more weakened state than the leaf" Joseki, another elder in the opposition, made the comment.
"I am sure we have enough shinobi in the puppet core and the Anbus to mount a sufficient assault if we are talking about the numbers." Tojuro tried to make a comeback.
"This discussion is moot, The council should make this decision soon." Ebizo, the grand elder, gave word and looked towards Rasa, his old weary eyes conveying his decision on the matter.
"I will put this decision under the Intikhab", Rasa spoke as the final word on the topic.
Rasa stood up and raised his hand to start the voting process, "I taswit in favor of honoring our alliance and non-aggression with the leaf"
"Seconded", The grand elder, Ebizo spoke.
"I taswit in favor", Ryusa
"Me too", Joseki
"I, as well"
"I taswit in opposition" Tojuro
"Tch, I second the opposition" Ikanago
Nine votes in favor, two in opposition and with the Kazekage's two votes, it was eleven against two.
"The motion is passed, The Sand will remain an ally of the Leaf as we should." Rasa ended the discussion.
"Tch.."
"We will move towards the other topics, The reconstruction efforts after the war...."
----------------------------
After the council meeting concluded, Rasa sought a private audience with Ebizo.
"Lord Ebizo, is there truly no other candidate for Shukaku?"
"No... Rasa, remember you are first the Kazekage and a father second. No one has shown more compatibility with the One-Tail than your unborn child..."
"But—"
"There should be no ifs in your decisions. You must look towards the future. Don't think that I am unaware why the Scorch user went missing during the war", The elder's eyes steeled with resolve, as he whispered.
"The Jinchuriki of the One-Tail is necessary for our village's survival."
"If we just wait a bit longer, I am sure we can find someone else"
"Why does your child takes precedence over someone else's child"
...
"Besides, there is no more time left. The old Jinchuuriki has died and the tailed beast can only be kept for a week in the artifact before it frees itself. The sealing must be now"
Rasa's resolve faltered, shoulders slumping in acceptance of the inevitable. "I... I understand..."
"Hmm"
'I am sorry, Karura...' Rasa silently mourned within his heart, the weight of duty heavy upon his soul.
----------------------------
Hidden Mist Village
In the land of water, east of the land of Fire, lies an archipelago, in which more than five hundred big or small islands were located and countless smaller ones. In the shadowy embrace of the mist and veil, the village was sometimes referred to as the Mist Village. It was located at the center of the archipelago on a medium size island.
Navigating the treacherous path to this central isle meant braving turbulent whirlpools and murky waters, while the surrounding chain of islands, cloaked in imposing mountain ranges, stood sentinel, providing formidable natural defenses. Amidst this eerie landscape, the village's architecture emerged as a blend of rustic wood and modern stone, a harmonious contrast against the misty surroundings.
Whereas the strategic buildings and pathways seemed to be constructed with stone, mirroring the spiderweb network of the Hidden stone to some extent, with modern techniques added in.
In the northwest corner of the village, amidst the oppressive silence that seemed to suffocate the air, loomed the Mizukage's office. A macabre display greeted any who dared to approach—a ghastly sight of corpses suspended from trees, each one noosed by a constrictor device that cruelly tightened its grip with every sway of wind, ensuring a slow death by suffocation.
The hushed stillness that enveloped the village seemed to deepen near the Mizukage's domain, as if the very air itself held its breath in fearful anticipation.
The Guard platoon, with bated breath and wary eyes, parted as the Fourth Mizukage made his foreboding entrance. Yagura Karatachi, a mere sixteen years of age, had ascended to the title of Mizukage through sheer force of power. The grim tableau of elders' corpses and the grisly spectacle of bodies adorning the Bay of Trade's slaughter posts bore witness to the brutal nature of his reign.
He had short grey hair, pupilless pink eyes and what seemed to be a stitch-like scar running from under his left eye, all the way down his cheek. He wore a green poncho over the regular ninja wear and carried a club with uneven sized hooks, which bared a green flower on the larger end. The club making ominous sounds as it struck the ground with each step.
The young kage sat at the Kage's seat and summoned the platoon guard leader, one of the seven ninja swordsmen, Fuguki Suikazan, wielder of the Samehada sword.
The tallest and largest member of the order had small round eyes and like most of the other members of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist, sharp jagged teeth—a clear features of their non-human origins. Six green Stripes on his face represented the Suikazan clan.
"What is the progress on the rebel alliance, any intel?"
Fuguki trembled and knelt before the young Mizukage in deference, "Lord Mizukage, our spies are searching continuously for that rebel Mei, We will surely find her soon."
"Actions speak louder than words, Suikazan"
"Yes—Yes lord, rest assured, I will surely have an answer for you soon."
"Hmm, you may leave..."
"Yes, Many thanks Lord Mizukage...", Fuguki stammered, bowing deeply before taking his leave.
Another ninja stood outside the room, waiting for his turn...
"Enter", Yagura announced.
The ninja, visibly shaken, knelt before the Mizukage, "Lord Mizukage, we have received news from the leaf."
"Speak"
"A huge disaster has taken place inside the leaf with their tailed beast, nine-tails being released causing large scale destruction and losses."
"Continue..."
"Lord, it has not been confirmed but there are rumours of the yellow flash dying in the skirmish."
Hmm. Yagura's expression remained inscrutable, a mask of indifference veiling his thoughts.
'It is of no consequence to me now' Yagura thought.
"Keep up with the intel and update me later on the proceedings. However, move the bulk of our spies into the land of water. We need to find the rebels first and get rid of the parasites leaching off the nation."
"Affirmative, Lord Mizukage", the head of the spy division nodded before leaving.
"I will purge this nation of all Kekkei Genkai parasites. They will bow before this Mizukage"
----------------------------
Somewhere around the border of the land of Fire, Hidden Rain and the Land of Rivers, There lied a cave marked with invisible seals. The gateway to which was surrounded by thick canopy of trees and flora.
Within the shadowed recesses of the cave, Tobi meticulously unwrapped the bandage encircling his arm, revealing the intricate web of Hashirama cells integrating into his flesh.
"How are you feeling now Tobi?" White asked in a gentle tone.
"I am fine Zetsu", Tobi replied curtly.
"Has your arm healed yet?. The Hashirama cells that have been implanted in you are acclimating to your skin quite nicely."
"Yes, its working well for the moment"
Black zetsu emerged from the ground and stood face to face with Tobi wearing the mask, "Is it time now, Tobi?"
"Yes, let's head towards the Hidden Rain"
.
.
Hiatus Explanantion: So sorry to everyone that my hiatus was extended so long. it couldnt be helped because of IRL situations. Even now those same situation dont allow me to write long. So please bear with me and send power stones to motivate me more. Thanks & Enjoy
Sorry reposting this chapter under the correct volume.
Author's Notes:
THREE advance chapters on Patreon.
Join and support me on my Patreon pa treon.com/Admirers_Quill
(No space)