Naruto Fan Fiction / Crossover With Non-anime Series Fan Fiction / Mobile Suit Gundam 00 Fan Fiction ❯ The False Apocalypse ❯ Bevelle The Fortress City ( Chapter 32 )

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]

Having arrived in Rice Country the Zate prepare to build their new base of operations but not everyone wants them there. Will everything go to plan or will a confrontation ensue. Meanwhile our supposedly dead heroes prepare to leave the elemental countries.

Anime/Manga: Naruto Fan Fiction / Crossover With Non-anime Series Fan Fiction / Mobile Suit Gundam 00 Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Action / Martial Arts / Adventure | Type: Alternate Universe | Uploaded On: 12.27.2009 | Pages: 3 | Words: 6.0K | Visits: 172 | Status: Completed

The False Apocalypse

Shinobi Saga

Chapter 32

Bevelle the Fortress City

Disclaimer: See chapter 1

“Then it is decided, we shall call this place Bevelle, the Fortress City of the Zate.” Master Windu exclaimed with excitement. Choosing a name for their new city was the first order of business the Zate chose to act upon after summoning themselves into the large clearing. It had taken nearly an hour of strong debate and idea gathering but the name had been set in stone. Bevelle was an elusive word that Master Yoda had only heard a couple of times from his own master. He did not know the language but he knew what it meant. Bevelle meant refuge from the storm. To the Zate it was a fitting name for their new base of operations.

Back in Logan's world the Zate had set up a large temple for their operations. Before the incident with that mad scientist, the Zate had accumulated the aid several hundred Mutants as well as a few humans. A few had even become seated members of the Zate until the untimely world shift left every mutant that actually wanted to be a Zate back in their home world. Logan as luck would have it didn't particularly mind the Zate but had never actually intended on joining. As of the moment he broke that container, he had no choice.

Originally the temple of the Zate served the simple purpose of centralizing the Zate's movements around the world and the Galaxy. They had no need for any truly permanent dwelling due to their eventual world shift. Now things were different. With the knowledge of what the dimension crystals are, the possibility is higher than ever that trans-dimensional travel is truly possible.

Nilus Sarn was heading up the research and couldn't wait to have an actual lab again. Performing experiments in the back of an apartment while hoping it never got loud enough to disturb anyone was a daunting task that had held back a great deal of his research. It was only thanks to his assistant Mirta Haako that he was actually able to get anything done. So far the two of them were able to determine how to read a world's dimensional frequency and compare it with the stones. If all went well then they could calculate the frequency at which the next world vibrates. With a bit more luck they may actually be able built a gateway between worlds. The prospect had Nilus high simply thinking of the possibilities.

With that possibility in mind Yoda sent Master Windu to gather a handful of the more creative Zate as was done back in Logan's world. It was among the tasks Master Windu had to accomplish before speaking with Sasuke earlier that day. Five of the Zate's most brilliant minds spent the afternoon with most of the council in an attempt to design their new home in full view of the beautiful landscape. A few specific aspects had already been decided. The city would have to be capable of full self sustainment. It would need heavy fortifications both above and below ground. It would need to be large, no organization with the goals the Zate had in mind could succeed in any simple village. This place, Bevelle, would have to span miles and miles while preserving a degree of the beauty so abundant in this area. This city would need to be large enough to assist refugees of both war and famine while the Zate worked to quell the two. The task was huge but they had the minds to accomplish it.

While the details of the city were being debated Kaoru and the other Medically inclined fallowed through with plans to move the recovering to the nearby village inhabited by the two men who were shocked by sudden appearance of so many. Sasuke went with them wanting to be with his brother and Sakura went along, planning on keeping him company.

Before leaving Konoha, Anakin was charged with placing the bodies of the fallen Zate into freezing chambers to slow the deterioration rate before the passing ceremony. They wanted everyone to be there at the end. There hadn't been many Zate to fall over the years but this ceremony held a lot of value to its members. Not everyone had arrived yet and many of them were out on important missions that could take a few days.

It was decided that Tenzo (Yamato) would create a few temporary houses as they were needed and Zate slowly showed up. It was an exhausting task but he was given the time that was needed and nothing too large or fancy was constructed.

These were the matters that were being discussed and acted upon when a small army immerged just over the hill headed towards the Zate's chosen location for the new city. There had to be at least six hundred in their numbers as they were lead by a highly decorated swordsman on horseback. By the look of things they were swordsmen, likely here to deliver a message of some sort. The large numbers caused some commotion among the Zate who were scattered around performing various jobs. Some were clearing some of the nearby trees that needed removal. Others were scanning the area for stone while the heads of the Zate organized the effort. After a few looks most of the Zate returned to whatever they were doing, not really all that worried about it.

Thanks to the allies the Zate had brought along they were at least eighty strong with at least four-hundred more coming from various parts of the Shinobi world. A great multitude of the Hyuuga clan had decided to fallow Hiashi in leaving Konoha. The thought had been further solidified with the promise of revoking the caged bird seal. Sadly those who chose to stay did not have such an offer. The council was furious and attempted to kill Hiashi as he left. Hesitation within the remaining clan members was all it took to solidify the escape of the former clan head and no less than one hundred clan members. They saw much dishonor in Konoha's recent movements and made the decision to join this new village the Zate were creating. Among the Hyuuga leaving Konoha around thirty had full intentions of Joining the Zate while the others had no other place to go. They couldn't stay in Konoha after seeing the unmasked faces of the Konoha elite. Similar reasoning's brought small but significant portions of other clans within the village. The move was truly Konoha's greatest folly.

Today those numbers and the strength of their leaders was the reason no one really worried all that much about the army. Whoever they were, they clearly weren't Shinobi and even if they were, an attack against the Zate in its current state would be suicide.

The apparent leader of the group moved ahead of his men followed closely by what were clearly his best bodyguards. He strode up into the loosely formed group of Zate towards a more condensed group of Zate. The man could only assume they were the ones organizing these people. The top three of each Zate division were sitting on large stones they had gathered and laced in a circle as their temporary headquarters.

Hearing the distinctive sound of horse hooves the leaders of the Zate took noticed and turned to face the man as he made his presence known. Before anyone had a chance to ask the warrior what business he had with them he pulled out a scroll. The parchment was held high in a very official manner. He looked somewhat bewildered by the apparent young age of the people in the field. Regardless he had his duty.

“By order of the Lord of the Land of Rice Fields you and your people are to cease all illegal forms of construction within the Lands of Rice and leave the country immediately.” It wasn't very surprising the country was able to mobilize such an army in under a day. The country was small and its Lord's mansion was only a few miles away.

“I'm afraid you misunderstand the situation. Orochimaru and the Village of Sound lost their War with the Shinobi nations. You're Lord lost any actual power he had the moment Orochimaru attacked. The Nations no longer recognize your lord as such and we the Zate, participants in said war are taking claim to these lands as spoils of war. We have already sent an envoy to peacefully procure them. We do believe he will find our offer most generous considering the circumstances.” The man looked shocked. His Lord, lost his power? That was impossible. No one could have defeated Orochimaru. The Lord wouldn't have placed his trust in the man if such a thing were even conservable. The man was a freaking Sannin of the leaf; no man could take him down that easily. It was too bad for his rational that he misunderstood to some degree. Orochimaru's forces were defeated and the snake forced into hiding.

“After giving Orochimaru and his lot power over your lands you should count yourselves lucky it is us taking them. I don't believe any of the other countries that participated in your defeat would offer as much forgiveness as we will.” Anakin added before the man had a chance to respond.

“In addition to our own interests in this land we are here under charge of the Shinobi Nations to weed out Orochimaru and his remaining Shinobi as retribution for his attack on the nations and their Jinchuuriki. We do suggest you leave peacefully and await further orders from your Lord.” Windu finished as the other Zate in the circle watched, satisfied with the statement. The man blinked at the thought that the Sannin was forced into retreat, in some ways that was worse than being killed. If that man was forced into retreat he had to of seen the battle as a lost cause at some point. Who were these people?

“This… You're invading, you can't…” The man prepared to draw his blade but in mid-draw a mysterious force ripped him from his perch and violently threw him to the ground. The nameless man's body made an appalling sound as it connected with the rocky sod. Before he realized what had happened his blade flew from its sheath and far into the distance as a humming green beam of light came to life, resting only inches from the man's neck. His two guardians attempted to draw their own blades while charging to protect their leader only to find similar blades of energy to their throats as pieces of their molten blades fell to the ground.

“Attack us will you? A foolish thought… yes? Yes… foolish indeed.” Master Yoda commented with a scoffing chuckle as the man slowly recoiled from the blade only for it to inch closer. “To your Lord return and of these events tell him.”

“And if I refuse? You can't kill me, you're outnumbered. If you kill me my men will descend upon you like flies on a carcass.” The captain spat without any fear of death.

“Orochimaru and the Akatsuki have greatly upset the Shinobi Nations and any who side with them will not be dealt with favorably.” Windu replied as Yoda retracted his blade drawing a sigh of relief from the man. Off in the distance the soldiers were obviously restless and were definitely on alert after seeing those beams of light. The other Zate released their blades from the guardians and backed away in the hope the men would leave peacefully.

"Go, if you attack, their deaths will be on your head." Kenshin added sternly neglecting his usual spoken mannerisms. The man looked to the red haired young man and froze in shock when he noticed the piercing red hair and the cross shaped scar on his cheek.'It's him...no...i-it can't be. There's no way that could be right, could it?' His fears were right, he was the Battousai.

"Sir, is there something wrong? What were those lights? Was there a fight?" A voice popped up on a small communicator attached to the fallen commander's neck. The average person may not have been able to hear it but most shinobi and Zate were more than capable at this distance. “Commander Jao please respond…” The communicator spoke again but the Commander said nothing. He wasn't sure what to do. If the Battousai was in the ranks of these people an attack truly would be suicide. Still, was falling back an option? Could their every word have been a ruse to buy some time? Maybe plan a surprise attack of their own? There was simply too much to consider to give an answer.

“Don't be rude commander; we won't stop you from communicating with your men.” Anakin stated to the still dumbfounded Jao. With a regretful sigh the commander finally gave his reply. “…Fall back”

“Commander?” His lieutenant asked questioningly. Had he actually negotiated with the group? Most of the men would be proud though there were a few mercenaries that wouldn't like the peaceful resolution.

“I said fall back, were going home.” The commander shook his head in defeat. He had heard of the Battousai, the young boy who had slain some very high bounties. The most frightening report was of a fortress that had fallen to the boy in only a day. Apparently a former member of the Seven Swordsmen of the Mist had built up a moderate sized fallowing just west of bird country. By the reports nearly fifty nin were slain with over two hundred mercenaries on top of the former mist Shinobi. If any portion of it were true the kid was definitely Kage level. It would be hard enough for the army to take down the Battousai alone but with him backed up by a small army of his own… there was no way in hell.

The commander rose before saying another word. “If anyone attacks it will be by my command and mine alone is that clear? Anyone who does otherwise will be drawn and quartered.” The commander quickly blurted through the communicator to clarify his intent.

“Y-yes sir.” The subordinate replied quickly and shakily as the horrid image passed through his mind. Drawn and quartered, was the commander serious? Had the Lord even given him permission to issue such an order? It seemed a little extreme but if the commander said so…(if you must know what it specifically means, look it up… it is most gruesome... Far worse than simple hanging.) Satisfied with the reply the commander decided to speak to the Zate one again, making sure to turn off his communicator for the moment.

“There…but if this is a ruse we will fight to the last man. We will do as our Lord commands”

“No ruse is there, peace our goal is but for it, need land we do. Perfect a fallen mountainous land is.” Yoda replied. The drawn and quartered comment disturbed Yoda somewhat. Nazomishi had told the master of such a punishment from his home world. Such punishments were forbidden within the Republic but it saddened Yoda that he had in fact heard of such a punishment taking place by the hands of the Sith. He could sense the man meant it and why. He could only hope this move wouldn't cause too much bloodshed.

“One way or another, these lands will be taken, either by us or one of the Shinoibi Nations. Konoha is but a shell of its former self and without it the balance of power is at risk. We the Zate will take on that military balance and forge a new system in which it is no longer necessary. For that end, this land is necessary.” Windu further explained. With that explanation the commander was more satisfied. It made sense. With all the power Orochimaru brought to that battle it was no wonder Konoha was in ruins. Jao had studied the effects of war intensively to achieve his rank and he could see the trouble his Lord was in now. With Orochimaru and his allies defeated all those lands were up for grabs. They would all be taken or have a new Lord put in charge by one of the victors of the war. With Konoha weakened it would only be a matter of time before they too would be dissolved if they didn't attempt to take some of the lands for themselves. No matter how Jao looked at it the Land of Rice would be gone soon enough; the only question was who it would go to.

“I understand.” Jao stated with a nod before turning to leave. “Ken, Jozu, we're leaving.” With the Battousai in their ranks there was no doubt in Jao's mind that such power could be achieved. That thought gave way to the realization that there had to be others at least near that skill level in some respect.

“Sir!” The two saluted and turned to fallow Jao as he mounted his horse. The one to Jao's left jogged off to gather Jao's blade while the other gathered the remains of their own weapons.

The sun began to fall and the sky turn colors as the Military men walked off towards their army. The Zate leaders watched intently as they left the aria and disappeared over a nearby hill.

“Do you think we will have any problems out of them?” Windu asked no one in particular as Kenshin stood next to him.

“Not him, I could see it in his eyes after you explained the situation. He understands the position this country is in, that he does. The mercenaries though…” Mercenaries… Something in the Force was telling Kenshin to be watchful about them. Mercenaries were usually hired for a purpose; they wouldn't like a peaceful resolution.

“I think you're right. I'll double the night watch until we can get some security towers up.” Windu replied seriously.

---Late That Night Deep in Wave Country---

Three nearly invisible streaks flew from rooftop to rooftop. The three figures all landed on the edge of a single roof and dropped down into an ally under the cloak of darkness. They were next to a clothing shop. The apparent leader of the three raised his hand, signaling the others to hold. His eyes darted around the area taking note of the lit streetlamps. After noticing the simi-populated street he scooted back into the alley and leaped over a tall wooden fence at the back end of the ally. Moving quickly and avoiding any sources of light the trio moved towards the back door to the establishment as the leader whipped out a thin card and plunged it into the crack between the door and its frame. In a matter of seconds the door was open and closed without a sign of tampering.

Moving with the stealth and grace of a Ninja Cat the three moved around the store making every attempt to remain undetected. They moved through the clothing racks efficiently when a light soon beamed through the window. An officer on her nightly patrol took a quick glance around the store and noticed nothing. The three figures had hidden in that split second. Satisfied with her check of the storefront she moved on down the road. As soon as the officer was gone and the light was no more the figures once again moved into action. Grabbing and examining the various clothes within the store they soon made their way back together again examining what they had raked in. With an approving nod the leader pulled out a small bag and left it on the cashier's desk. In only fifteen minutes the figures had come and gone. The next morning the owner of the store came in to find a small sack of money on his desk. He had no idea why until the next time he did inventory. Still there was no trace of how it actually happened.

--- A Few Miles Away, A little after Midnight---

Three silent figures ascended the last few inches on a rope leading to a cavern about twenty feet off the ground. As the three entered the cavern the first gathered a few of the dead leafs lying around and gathered them into a circle surrounded by a ring of stones. Twigs and a few larger pieces of wood soon made up what became a fire shortly thereafter. Each of them sat around the fire and began unloading their haul. Supplies, hair dies, clothing, belts, and cheap weaponry fell to the ground and was quickly sorted. The clothing was plain and traditional for the area. Everyone from peasants to mercenaries wore the garments that Nazomishi would recognize as a traditional Japanese style. In all reality Shinobi were about the only people who avoided the traditional dress of the area. Being different made them distinctive, much like the way Jedi were recognized by their own traditional robes.

Naruto, Hinata, and Nazomishi used the gathered supplies to change their appetence as much as humanly possible. All three had their hair dyed deep black though Nazomishi had already done this before leaving Konoha. Of the three he had used his metal manipulation abilities to dramatically alter his appearance before sealing them away. Hinata used a set of blue contacts to hide her distinctive eyes while Naruto used water and some hair treatment to smooth out his raged hair. The initial idea was met with much protest but they had agreed they would travel as siblings, at least till they were on another continent. The ruse wouldn't work so long as their hair was that dramatically different. The eyes were the same. Both Naruto and Nazomishi's eyes were a deep blue but Hinata's were the ones that were different. Giving her contacts solved two problems.

Naruto used a comb to straighten out his hair, complaining every inch of the way. “I just don't get it, this isn't me. I liked my hair the way it was. Are you sure it'll go back?”

“Yes Naruto, for the fifth time, yes, it will go back.” Nazomishi replied with a sigh as he used a small knife as a mirror to make sure the die got down to the roots of his hair.

“It won't be too bad Naruto. B-besides, it makes you look handsome.” Hinata said to Naruto a little hesitant as she poked her fingers together, as was her habit. Naruto blushed as he pulled out a knife and used it as a mirror like Nazomishi to see if she was right. He didn't like what he saw but…

“…Well, if you like it, I guess it won't be so bad.” Nazomishi couldn't help but smile though the pain he could still feel from losing the Force. Perhaps he could use their relationship to his advantage. Getting Naruto to do anything different was like pulling teeth from a Krayt Dragon. With Hinata's encouragement at least he would try it. “So Nazo, you said we were going east right? Why that way, couldn't we go west?” Hinata asked, curious about where they were going specifically.

“I had thought about it, but there are too many countries where Zate could be present. Hell, that's probably where those others are. It's not like they would attack from across the ocean in a world like this, though I guess they could. If I were them I would have set up base as close to my target as possible. Regardless, going east we're more likely to avoid unnecessary confrontation. Going by ship means less stops which means were harder to track once I erase our travel records. It'll be like we never left.”

“What about my swords, am I ever going to get those back or will those help them track us down too?” Naruto asked while rolling his eyes. It seemed like every answer he got lately was `because they will find us.' It was starting to get on his nerves. Hell, it was on his nerves when it started.

“Did Hayate ever teach you how every sword is unique?”

“…Yea, something about every sword cuts a certain way…oh … damn it.” Investigation squads usually had a weapons expert that could identify some of the most unique blades in the world. That was one of the reasons Shinobi didn't normally get any custom blades till they were at least Jounin level. Every cut of the blade left traceable evidence if an expert were to look at it. Even if the blade couldn't be traced back to the Shinobi it could be traced back to its creator.

“It matters not, Naruto. You're entering puberty and in a few years you would have outgrown them anyway.” Naruto could only blink, dumbfounded by the answer. Nazomishi sighed; this was going to be a long few years. “Yes Naruto, it was a normal full sized Katana. But that's to a fully grown adult. With your age and size you were essentially wielding a short Nodachi.

“Ano…” The two turned their heads to the dark haired girl who was once again poking her fingers together.

“Yes, Hinata?”

“Um…What am I supposed to do about my Juuken. Wont that be traceable?”

“Hmm, good point, it's not like it's that useful without the Byakugan anyway. We'll have to teach you a weapon. Are there any you're familiar with?”

“Only kunai and shuriken…” Hinata replied somewhat disappointed. She shouldn't have been, it was merely the way of the Hyuuga. It was traditionally frowned upon for their population to take up outside weapons. The only reason they permitted the traditional style of Konoha to be taught was because it was required by Konoha law. Sadly that too would be useless.

“The basics, I get it. Well we don't have much need for weapons right now so I suggest we get some sleep and look for a boat in the morning. We'll deal with that once we reach land.”

---A Great Distance Away, Deep In A Dark And Mysterious Place---

Six Figures entered a sparsely candle lit room and took places around a large wooden table. All six wore long flowing robes as if to a ritual. Their heads were covered so that only the occasional gleaning from the candles could reveal their faces.

“Report…” The dominating figure in the room commanded as the others coiled back fearing the meeting to come.