Naruto Fan Fiction ❯ Twilight ❯ We Wage War! ( Chapter 8 )
[ T - Teen: Not suitable for readers under 13 ]
By: Haru Mclean Namikaze 
Anime/Manga: Naruto Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Action / Adventure / Comedy / Romance | Type: Other | Uploaded On: 12.19.2009 | Pages: 5 | Words: 6.7K | Visits: 396 | Status: Work In Progress
Anime/Manga: Naruto Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Action / Adventure / Comedy / Romance | Type: Other | Uploaded On: 12.19.2009 | Pages: 5 | Words: 6.7K | Visits: 396 | Status: Work In Progress
Chapter 2 We Wage War!
"What now? Just when the battle was getting serious enoughÉ" muttered Neji as a guard came up to them running and panting.
"There is urgent news from Tsunade-sama!" exclaimed the guards. "She requests you there at once!"
They looked at each other first before making a wild dash to the looming mansion ahead, Sasuke making his hand return to normal.
"What could it be this time?" grumbled Shikamaru. "Don't tell me war is on."
"Don't wish, Shika, we don't want it to start right now when were away," muttered Ino, running fast.
They made it to the Private Hall, and they caught sight of Tsunade standing in the middle surrounded by the Jounins and ANBU, looking worried and aghast.
"What the hell's the matter?" exclaimed Naruto, who had now gained consciousness.
"Oto integrated with Kusa and Taki already. [- Grass and Waterfall. - They have strengthened their forces another level up and they are starting to move into Konoha along with the Kage, that new country I told you about. I think that country was founded by Itachi, and the residents are the Akatsuki," frowned Tsunade. "We need to move and line up a defense along Konoha. The Suna, Kiri, Ishi and Kumo [- Sand, Mist, Stone and Cloud. - are already at Konoha, but they aren't enough. Now is the time we need help."
"What the hell! Why the hell does it have to start now, when we're away!" flared Lee.
"I imagine they've been waiting for this opportunity all along. Then when they heard that we left they made their move immediately, thinking we're dead since we made it head on with the barrier. That will come as an advantage at some point," said Shikamaru.
"What we need right now is one brilliant tactician, with one brilliant plan to mobilize one brilliant army," grinned Sakura. "Let the wars begin."
"MOVE PEOPLE, THERE'S A LOT TO DO!" hollered Sasuke, and everybody started acting at once. "Shika, maybe we should introduce you to the army. You'll be like their new sir. You'll make the moves," Sasuke said to Shikamaru, who nodded, laziness all gone. Then Sasuke turned to Saichi. "Saichi, you and Raiha assemble the army. Make sure everybody's there." Saichi nodded and ran off, followed by Raiha. "Naruto, c'mon. There's a lot to do."
Naruto and Sasuke walked off. Sakura turned to Aya and smiled at her. "Can I entrust you with them? Lead them and introduce them to the army. This takes some preparing," Sakura said. Aya smiled and said, "Anytime, my mistress. Anytime." Sakura smiled and walked off after the two boys, followed by a very serious Hinata.
"Where are they going, Aya-san?" Lee asked a very worried Aya.
"They are going to their office to talk about matters confidentially. Personally, even I find it kinda hard that after quite a period of time you've lived inside a world watching the outside without them knowing you're there, without having any contacts with them, with them believing you're dead, you're gonna show up to them after all these years. It takes some kind of preparation for the shock," smiled Aya. "Now, if you'll follow meÉ kindlyÉ"
á---------á
"Itachi-sama, everything is stable so far. The forces are moving currently towards Konoha at a fast pace," said Kisume, reporting to Itachi, who was having a conversation with a slightly pissed Orochimaru.
"We have them in a situation just like we want them to. The Hokage is away with her 'elite team' and some other ANBUs and Jounins and Konoha is left unprotected. How dumb of them. They're gonna return to find Konoha reduced to cinders," smirked Orochimaru.
"There are reports that the Hokage and the 'elite team' are all dead, having approached the hurricane near the Water Country head on, the same hurricane that killed the four most formidable ninjas of Konoha," said Kisume again.
"Then the better! With them dead, there would be no more distractions and hard obstacles to face," smirked Orochimaru. "HoweverÉ" he said, throwing the kunai he had been playing with at the wall with a loud 'ka-pok'. "It soundsÉ fishyÉ that a whole group of formidable and elite ninjas collided head on with a hurricane intentionally. I have a feeling that they're up to something."
"Kisume, has there been any reports on what is beyond that hurricane barrier?" asked Itachi suddenly, receiving a silent 'no' from Kisume. Itachi sighed. "What is my otouto up to? Why did he go into that storm 3 years ago?" Itachi wondered, showing the slightest signs of interest. "Sasuke is far too sane and intelligent to commit suicide. And I know he is craving for revenge. I know he won't commit suicide. And of course, I know that he has his reason to live even though he doesn't want to have revenge anymore. He has his cherry blossom beside him. So why?"
"Don't fret, Itachi," said Orochimaru. Then he turned to Kabuto. "Gather as much information as you can about that barrier, why it is there and what is beyond it. Don't leave out anything. Something is going on around here, and I don't like it one bit. We need to make sure that our plans work."
Kabuto adjusted his glasses and nodded, then disappeared with a poof.
á---------á
At KonohaÉ
"Shit. Why does this have to happen while Hokage-sama is away!" exclaimed a very tensed Anko.
"How can you be so sure that the Hokage is still alive, Anko-san?" asked the Tsuchikage, who was sitting quite calmly in his seat.
"I have my sources, sir," grinned Anko. "I just hope that they arrive soon with it, or else everything will crumble into ruins. One small wrong move, and everything will be undone."
"Where did the Hokage go anyways?" asked the Tsuchikage again. "When we need her here, she's not here."
"She's off to negotiate with the Tasogare. I dunno where they headed, but I'm sure they're alive coz I heard news that they're soon gonna head home," said Anko. "Lets just hope they hurry up. We haven't got time in this game."
á---------á
"How much men are you going to deliver off, Sasuke?" asked Tsunade as they walked out to the valley, where the rest of the army are already situated and waiting for them and their orders. They were gonna take a portal to transport straight to Konoha Square.
"About 50 men are enough to incinerate all of those nutheads. The ratio is 1 Tasogare ninja is to 5. My ninjas are well trained, they underwent way more harsher trainings than the other countries' ninjas have, even Konoha. They underwent nothing you could ever dream of. They can finish the job off. The hard part is how to wind up their boss' mind. Orochimaru with Itachi is no joking feat. They're both strong and intelligent, they're bound to find out the plan if we use a simple one. That's where Shikamaru comes in," explained Sasuke, walking briskly, followed by Naruto, Sakura and Hinata in clothes more suitable for battle.
Tsunade nodded. Sasuke has really matured over the years. He's become a great leader, as well as Naruto. He's more composed, prim and proper nowÉ unlike before. I guess Hinata and Sakura helped and evolved as well. Hinata has overcome her shyness while Sakura has matured from a prissy little girl who needs protection to a fierce young woman who can hold her own. I guess there are more to them than I think. They have changed a lotÉ and its evident. Good thing I immediately sought help from them.
They arrived to where the portal was to be opened. There were about 50 ninjas there, excluding the ones from Konoha, Saichi, Raiha, Aya and Miyu. It seems that the ninjas from Konoha were in good terms with the army. Shikamaru already organized the ninjas and oriented them on how he runs an army. As soon as the ninjas saw Sasuke and Naruto, they immediately came sharply to attention, abandoning anything they've been doing previously and saluting. Sasuke nodded to them.
"Shikamaru will direct your moves. He will be your new boss here, he is our tactician. His word is like my and Naruto's word, so no one will disobey. Clear?" Sasuke said clearly over the crowd.
"Crystal, Yami-sama," said the leader of the troop, a guy about 15 with flaming red hair tied into a pony tail that reaches to his waist and striking blue eyes.
"Shuta, you along with Kogure lead this troop and are the best fighters in here, right?" Sasuke asked the red haired boy named Shuta.
"Hai, Yami-sama," nodded Shuta.
"You and Kogure are in immediate contact with Shikamaru. Kogure!" called Sasuke, and a boy with spiky darker red hair and the same blue eyes came forward as well.
"Yes, Yami-sama?" he grinned carelessly.
"Shuta, Kogure, you will protect Shikamaru with your life. Our moves rely on the decisions he makes, and he plays a gravely important role in this war. If he dies, everything will crumble. Got it?" barked Sasuke, emphasizing 'with your life'.
"Transparently, sir," said the two simultaneously.
"Good," grinned Naruto. "Remember everybody that when you get to Konoha, you will treat everybody with the respect they deserve. I don't want any brawls or fights."
"Don't retaliate if somebody insults you, you will get the opportunity to show them what you're made of," smiled Hinata.
"When you are given a mission, no disobedience, no complaints, no faults. Every single one of you here plays a vital role in winning this. And in order to do that, we need the discipline to operate things accurately and properly, without any mistakes. Remember our motto number 1," Sakura said firmly.
"Whatever it takes," said the 50 ninjas.
"I cant hear you!" hollered Sakura.
"WHATEVER IT TAKES!" they shouted loudly, their voices echoing around the valley.
"Good," smirked Sasuke. Tsunade and the other nins raised an eyebrow.
"Such strict policies, unwavering belief, firm discipline and unconditional obedience," muttered Kurenai from behind Hinata.
"That's the secret of our success," smiled Hinata. "Just the right dose of everything makes a mixture perfect."
"This country is a perfectionist country," muttered Ino.
"Recite the 3 mottos, Shuta, Kogure," snapped Naruto.
"Motto number one: Whatever it takes," complied Shuta.
"Motto number two: As perfect as possible," followed Kogure.
"Motto number three: Discipline, Belief and Obedience," finished Shuta.
"And what are the 3 words?" chided Sakura.
"Swift, Clean and Perfect," snapped Resha.
"If you want top nins, you have to have them learn the importance of discipline and obedience first. And you have to have them believe in you, so you need to have a kind of friendship with each of them. You musn't treat them as inferiors all the time. Even though we might appear strict right now giving instructions, its only proper for the situation. We don't abuse them as well. We aren't corrupt, you know," smiled Sakura. "Very well. Sasuke is everything ready? Maybe I should open the portal already."
"Go ahead, everything's fine," confirmed Sasuke after asking Shikamaru if there's anything he'd like to say. "He says he still needs to see the situation before he makes the move. The game's touch-move."
Sakura nodded and performed several seals: Ox, Dragon, Rabbit, Rat, Ox, Goat, Boar, Rabbit, Snake, and Dragon. Then after that she wrote some runic letters in the air with her index and middle finger, which were emanating a kind of light that made the runic letters visible. To the trained eye, it read "Konohagakure". Then a small ball of light appeared in front of her, which evolved into a huge portal enough to fit a whole tree into.
"Saichi, I entrust everything to you while I'm gone," Sasuke bid to his friend and right hand.
"Make sure that Homura doesn't degrade and destroy our country, Raiha!" bid Naruto.
"Yeah, and take care of yourselves!" smiled Hinata.
"Don't worry, we'll be visiting you very often using portals. And since this is the safest place we have, this might serve as a safe haven to us as well," smiled Sakura. "Let's go!"
Group by group they walked into the portal. Soon all the 50 ninjas were gone as well as the Konoha nins. Sakura smiled at them one last time before performing seals and closing the portal once again.
Saichi sighed. "Its gonna be a very boring and sad life without our masters and mistresses here."
"I sure am gonna miss Sakura," sighed Aya. "She's a really wonderful person."
"Let's just hope they be safe in this war. I still cant see why they need to be involved, we could just go there ourselves instead of them," sighed Raiha.
"Well, we'd better get back at the mansion now," sighed Miyu. "Don't worry, I know our masters and mistresses, they're strong and they can handle their own. They'll be fine. Besides, they are the most powerful nins here, aren't they?"
"Aa," muttered Saichi, tearing his gaze away from the green pastures studded by colorful flowers and walking off to the looming mansion ahead, followed by his silent and sad comrades. It was gonna be a sad life for a while without their masters, who painted their previously dull world with bright colors and splashed their dry universe with refreshing spring water. [- --U I honestly don't know where that statement came from. -
á---------á
Sakura closed the portal and sighed, turning around to face the townspeople bustling around them who halted their activities to look at them.
"IMPOSSIBLE! NARUTO-NII-SAN!" Konohamaru bawled at the top of his lungs, glomping Naruto. Naruto laughed as Konohamaru bustled over him.
"SASUKE-KUUUUUUN!" rang out a mix of several voices from afar. Sasuke looked towards the direction and saw the thing he feared the most. Gaggles of fangirls were rushing towards him at record high speed, squealing with delight and popping their eyes out. Sasuke quickly performed several strange seals not included with the 12 original seals and a shield appeared around him, blocking the fangirls off.
"Don't even think about it," he muttered, walking off from the squealing girls.
"SAKURA-CHAAAAN!" called out male voices from another direction. Sakura braced herself and looked towards the direction and saw the fanclub dedicated to her dashing towards her, males drooling for her, and soon Lee joined the gaggles of supporters. Sakura performed the same strange seals as Sasuke and had the same barrier around her.
"This is turning out into my worst nightmare," she wept, bawling her heart out.
"HINATA-CHAN!" called out a very familiar voice. Hinata looked towards the direction where the voice came from and she saw Mei running towards her.
"Mei!" she smiled as her old friend came up to her and hugged her, she hugging back. "Its so good to see you again! Are you free now?"
"Hai," smiled Mei, wiping some tears. "I've been free ever since you left. Where have you been all these years? They thought you were all dead, but I never gave up hope since you said you were gonna come back."
"I'll explain later, Mei," smiled Hinata. Then he looked over to where Tsunade, Shikamaru, Sasuke, Naruto and Sakura were talking and waiting for her, so they can go and initialize the plans. "Right now there are more important things at hand."
She let go of Mei and walked over to the five who nodded to her and walked to the hall where everybody was waiting for them.
"Sasuke, wear your hitae-ate now," hissed Sakura, stopping Sasuke before they entered the doors. Sasuke fished out his silver hitae-ate out from his pocket and strapped it on his forehead. Naruto did the same with his gold one. Hinata and Sakura fished out their necklaces as proof that they come from Tasogare. As they entered, heads turned towards them and murmurs and whispers broke out in the crowd inside. Everybody hushed as they came up front.
"I think that Hokage-sama has a lot to explain first," smiled Kurenai as she watched the shocked faces of the other persons in the room who knew the rumors spread that the four died.
á---------á
"What have you learned, Kabuto?" asked Orochimaru.
"There is a legend about a country lying within the barrier said. The legend is called The Legend of the Twilight, yet it hasn't been proved yet. And very scarce is known about the legend since there were few who knew about it and it was never passed on publicly. It is said that four families knew about it and kept it as a secret. A scroll contains the legend, but it is written in runic, so there is no use to get the scroll," said Kabuto. "No one knows how the barrier was placed there, why and when. Nobody knows for certain as well what lies beyond the barrier or how to cross the barrier itself."
"Very mysterious indeed," said Orochimaru.
"Sounds fishy to me," muttered Kisume.
"I know how to read runic," said Itachi suddenly, surprising the others. "I was taught how to read, write and comprehend runic, I dunno why. There must be a reasonÉ if only I could go back to the mansion and scour that good for nothing libraryÉ at least I know this has some connection with the family. Mom and Dad must've known about this. Wonder why they never told usÉ I should've queried them first before slitting their throats. Tsk, tsk. Pity."
"HmmÉ I am slightly interested in this matter," muttered Orochimaru. "I want to know what's behind all of this bogus. But I'll just have to wait for the mystery to crack itself on its own accordÉ"
"Is it going to help us in any matter?" asked Kisume, raising an eyebrow.
"Oh of course! I need to know what drew the four nice ninjas to go there, considering the fact that those four were among the strongest nins, Naruto with Nine-Tails, Sasuke with his hidden talents, Hinata with her remarkable healing skills and Sakura with her hidden clairvoyance and perfect chakra control," smirked Orochimaru. [- Yes, you read it right, people, Sakura has clairvoyance here, although she can only make short term predictions. Am I not creative? wink wink Ohohohohoho! -
"In any case, research on this, Kisume," dismissed Itachi. "I amÉ interestedÉ as wellÉ"
á---------á
"So you are saying that them four leads the Tasogare, a legendary country and you've been from there?" asked Kazekage. "They are willing to help us in this war?"
"Apparently they haveÉ more advancedÉ ways," said Tsunade.
"Okay, okay, so that's technical. But 50 ninjas? Is that really enough?" asked Tsuchikage.
"Why, ya want some sample, for starters?" grinned Naruto carelessly, rocking his chair and raising his legs to the table. "We can show you what our nins are really made of. They're not the ordinary, mind you. They can certainly slit YOUR throat in the mere matter of a single split second."
"Naruto, yamero!" hissed Sakura, whacking his legs with a karate chop off the table.
"Itai! MouÉ" hissed Naruto, nursing his legs. Hinata sweat dropped.
"This troop we sent here, I admit, aren't the best troops our country has, but I assure you there's no need to use the best to defeat a bunch of knuckleheads who know nothing but to kill and destroy ruthlessly and recklessly, not minding the techniques or strategies. I suggest we move on to devising the plans. For all we know, the enemy might arrive right now," snapped Sasuke. "And I am getting really pissed here, I admit."
"I already have a plan in mind," sighed Shikamaru. The other leaders sighed, crossed their arms and listened. "But there are three other options apart from my plan. #1: We make traps as undetectable as possible around Konoha to protect, and then the ones who survive the traps are the ones that we will fight. #2: We collide with them head on. #3: We erect a barrier around the village to protect the innocent then we can fight freely without any casualties."
"Those are pretty good ones, young lad," smiled the Kazekage.
"Only there are a lot of gaping holes and flaws all around it that could cause the fall of the whole plan," Hinata pointed out. "Lets hear your other plan."
Shikamaru went out of his lazy slacking position and leaned on the table with one arm. Then he started to tell them the plan.
About an hour laterÉ
"Then its agreed. We do the plan I thought of," smiled Shikamaru.
"Matte! Only the leaders from Tasogare, Hokage, and Mizukage agreed. This plan is way to risky," said Tsuchikage.
"You don't win anything without taking risks, mister," smiled Sakura coldly. "You cant do anything without risking something either."
"We have to risk it. That's the most formidable plan I've heard so far," said Sasuke. "And its ideal. Just the type of game I'm most accustomed to."
"Well then its settled. Call in everybody," said Shikamaru.
Hinata stood up and proceeded outside, and called in everybody that was relevant in the war.
Hokage spoke first, after the other nins settled down. "We have now devised and plotted out a plan expertly sharpened by our prodigies right here. You will hear the rest of it straight from the horse's mouth."
Shikamaru wasted no time in explaining the plan. "This plan is quite a risky one, but as we all agreed earlier, we cannot win this war without taking any risks. Now, I will divide you into the proper category you are in, according to your specialties, with the exception of Shuta and Kogure; you two, come up here and stay," stated Shikamaru clearly. The two complied immediately. Shikamaru turned his attention back to the other nins. "This only includes the elite teams. 11 elite nins comes from each country, including the Tasogare. The others left will be for the final battle, or for emergencies, or when we need backups. The ones left will be assigned the task to guard and protect Konoha with their life. You guys should remember that if Konoha crumbles to ashes, it will be the end for the other countries as well. So those ones left should NOT think that they are insignificant, for they play an important role here. You NEED to protect Konoha while we're out and acting to stop those nutheads outside. Clear?"
"Hai," a chorus of voices replied.
"Good. Now those elite teams please step forward, those left, kindly proceed outside where our Jounins will assign you your positions and tasks," Shikamaru said clearly. The nins complied, going out. The Jounins one by one said their goodbyes and left with a sinister 'pop' each time. 66 nins were left, standing in the middle of the hall tensely, waiting for the next instructions.
"Now, guys," Shika said to Neji, Kiba, Chouji, Ino, Shuta, Kogure, Lee and Tenten. "You know what to do." They nodded and stood in front of the other 90 nins in a straight horizontal line, with some space between each of them except for Chouji and Kiba, Shuta and Kogure, who were standing side by side.
"Now we'll categorize you. There are 8 categories or shall we call it 'specialties', namely Weaponry, Medicine, Stealth, Spying and Assassination, Open Field Battle, Tacticians, Chemists, Jutsu Masters and Traps, Larceny and Deception. [- Open Field Battle is battling many opponents at once. The enemy has a lot of armies, so they will clearly be outnumbered, but only outnumbered. Not in skills. - Now guys don't take larceny as a bad thing. [- Larceny means robbery, for those who doesn't know. - We include larceny here coz we need to steal the enemies' technologies and examine them in order to make an exact copy of it to use it against them or to build a proper defense system against it."
"Basically the Weaponry divisions and Chemist division will work together most of the time since they're the ones who has the mechanical and chemical know-how to expertly bind together complex parts so we can create new weapons, healing potions, as well as poisons and drugs that could come in handy. The Medic team will be equipped with medicines anywhere they go, and one of them will always be assigned to come a long with a team if ever we need to send out any. The tacticians will be working with all of you, basically, coming up with plans and tactics to reduce the enemies to ashes. The Jutsu Masters will have a certain place where they can practice the jutsus freely, without worrying that they could harm anybody. The Traps, Larceny and Deception will occasionally work with the Weaponry and Chemist division to report and surrender anything they managed to conjure from the enemies, and also to the Tacticians they will surrender their knowledge about the enemy so far. Meanwhile, the most tedious and difficult job of all 8 is the Stealth, Spy and Assassination department. Here you must be prepared to kill and spread blood on your hands. You must master you stealth abilities, and basically your chakra controls. And I think this division is by far the strongest one, since this also requires a high mind quality thinking. Spying, you might think, is quite similar to the Deception works. But you're mistaken. Deception deals with our troops entering the enemy's base wearing a faade. Meanwhile, spying is more difficult and complex. You will have an assigned target and you will have to spy on him 24/7, non-stop. You'll follow him everywhere he goes, take note of everything he does, watch every single one of his steps, and you wont escape if he finds out you are spying. Means of communication are by magical scrolls. The head of the department will teach you how to use them."
"Now. Tenten here is the head of the Weaponry department, since her specialty is weapons. Ino will head the Medicine department. Lee will lead the Open Field Battle department. Shino will lead the Chemists department. The Jutsu Masters department's head are Shuta and Kogure. Kiba and Chouji will head the Traps, Larceny and Deception department. And last but definitely not the least, the head of the Stealth, Spy and Assassination department will be Neji. When I call your name, come forward, and when I say where your department is, you go and form a line in front of your department head."
"Wait, wait," interrupted Sasuke. "I just wanna ask the elites, what particular characteristics do you guys expect in those nins who will be picked for Neji's department?"
A girl with black hair and eyes came forward. "Sir, I think the department will be all boys, and most of them will be cold and distant in nature."
Sasuke nodded with understanding. "How many of you agrees with her? Raise your hand."
Everybody agreed. Sasuke nodded for Shikamaru to continue.
"For the Weaponry department, here are the names. Kurumi Resha, Temari, Yoshinari Keiko, Rori Haru, Niwa Shinna, Niwa Shoru, Nomura Junichi, and Nishi Yori," called Shikamaru. Now there was a line composed of 8 nins in front of Tenten.
"Then for the Medics department, may I call on Mina Tara, Muramasa Tanaka, Amamiya Kyo, Minamoto Horo, Kagami Miho, Minamoto Rino, Yohiko Juno and Kina Chiko," he followed, watching the line of 8 form slowly.
"For the Open Field Battle, Amamiya Ryu, Asamegi Shita, Mina Rita, Nishi Naoki, Toshiro Masuda, Rori Maru, Inari, and Toshiro Ishi."
"For the Tacticians, Kurumi Ayano, Asano Rei, Amante Fuji, Anzaki Tomika, Taira Shinju, Shourai Ami, Shiro Yuki, Kagami Mino, and Yoshinari Reiko. You guys should really be smart to pass me, mind you. Smarten yourselves up, get ready for some riddles, we'll see how intelligent you really are."
"Then for the Chemists, Kurumi Shinja, Asano Yuuya, Kashin Tei, Amamiya Fujin, Hyuuga Hanabi, Amamiya Dujin, Nari Shiko, and Akita Rika."
"For the Jutsu Masters, Toshiro Tenshi, Nakasone Toshi, Rikata Rika, Yoshinari Meiko, Nari Suko, Hana Kasuma, Akita Taka, and Kyusha Kurai."
"For the Traps, Larceny and Deception, Konohamaru, Kuroi Kichi, Kuroi Ichi, Nomura Okune, Yohiko Gon, Tameshi Akane, Kyusha Kirai and Asamegi Mou."
"And lastly, for the Stealth, Spy and Assassination department, Gaara, Kankurou, Akashi Kai, Shourai Ren, Shourai Mori, Amazaki Hayate, Kashin Rai, Yuri Aikawa andÉ" Shikamaru paused and walked over to Sasuke and Sakura, whispering something to them.
Meanwhile, one nin from the Weaponry department named Niwa Shinna spoke up. "Hey, otouto," he said, calling to his younger twin behind him. "See those SSA [- Stealth, Spy and AssassinationÉ too longÉ - membersÉ they all look like they were born to killÉ"
"YeahÉ but its expected, coz they are supposed to be cold-hearted. Don't think that coz I'm younger than you for a couple of minutes means that you are smarter and greater in all sense, nii-san," scowled Niwa Shoru, Shinna's twin.
True, the members of the SSA department really looked like they were born to kill. It seems as if its in their nature to be harsh and cold. Their faces were inexpressive, cold and neutral, and their eyes were sharp yet unfathomable. Just like what Neji and Sasuke's faces looked like before.
Back to Sasuke and Shikamaru, Shikamaru was inquiring about the last member of the SSA. There were only two nins left, one poker-faced boy and one cold-faced girl.
"Are you sure about this, Sasuke?" asked Shikamaru.
"Don't worry, Shikamaru, I know what I'm doing. Just say it," muttered Sasuke.
Shikamaru sighed. "Fine. You choose." Then he went back to the center. "The last member of the SSA isÉ" Shika looked back to Sasuke once before saying. "Taira Aira."
"A GIRL!" came a chorus of voices from the crowd.
"Don't ask me, ask Sasuke."
Sasuke stood up and stood beside Shikamaru. "Does anybody of you know the most powerful clans in the whole of the 5 countries?"
"Of course," snapped Nishi Naoki. "The Uchiha and the Hyuuga clans are rivals for first place, even though the Uchiha has only two members left."
"Then does anybody of you know the next most powerful clans?" asked Sasuke. There was silence. So far they didn't know any clan that came up to the Uchiha and the Hyuuga clans. "None. Just as I thought. The next powerful clans are the Yuri and Taira clans. They are rivals for second place as well. The Yuri clan is a traditional clan, picking the boy to be the heir, but then they like to keep a low profile. The Taira clan meanwhile, always picks the youngest and most talented girl to be the heir. When they marry, instead of the girl carrying the boy's surname, its vice versa. The Taira clan is also well-known before for their reputation as very good assassins. They rival the Uchiha clans prowess in assassination, I admit."
There was an impressed murmur that ran across the crowd.
"Uhm, excuse me, but would you mind not blabbering all about my family's secrets, Uchiha Sasuke?" snapped the girl with strange dark blue hair and dark blue eyes with a sharp expression on her face, much like a killers. She wore a blue halter-top that showed her belly and a skirt with two high slits. She had modern blue trousers underneath the slits, and she had two kunai holsters tied to both of her thighs. This girl's name was Taira Aira
"Yeah, you have no right to tell so much about my clan, Uchiha," followed a raven-haired boy with his hair standing upwards and had two slim fringes down his face. He had sparkling blue eyes and a very passive, cold and serene expression like he had no care in the world whatsoever. He wore pants, two kunai holsters tied around both of his thighs and had a sleeveless shirt on. [- Don't ya think he fits with Taira Aira? - This was Yuri Aikawa.
"Well sorry, but what I said was nothing really," shrugged Sasuke. "No more questions, I supposeÉ get on with it, Shikamaru, I want this finished as early as possible."
"Fine. Now I want everybody to sit down on the floor," ordered Shikamaru. The nins complied, dropping to the floor in an Indian seat style. "Now lets form a circle," said Shikamaru as Sasuke, Sakura, Hinata and Naruto as well as himself joined the other nins. As the circle was formed, he started to talk again, in a much lower voice this time.
"Now I will give your headquarters. Basically the main headquarters is in that high cliff in the mountains that no one can reach. We can reach through via portals. The whole mountain is covered with every single protection known to the ninjas, ancient or new, powerful or weak, legal or illegal, meaning we have freedom of movement within the mountain. We can train freely; make weapons without worrying about raw materials since the mountain has endless supplies of all kinds of minerals, chemicals, springs, natural resources etc. That's why the mountain is called Hoseki no Konoha. [- Jewel of Konoha. - We need not worry about being spied on also, so we can make plans."
"Now you might think that we will get orders from the kages. But you're mistaken with that. We were given permission to do ANYTHING in our power as long as we destroy the enemy. So we decide what to do, not them. We will only protect them, but they are not our commanders. This time, we're the leaders."
"Now, the Chemists will have a lab inside a vast cave. Don't worry, the cave has enough ventilation to let out the fumes of chemicals so you wont die. The Weaponry department are close by, just above the chemists, and you will have a headquarters nearby as well. You will work on a flat plain above the cave, about the size of the whole of Konoha main town. But over it is a cover of rocks. Meaning you have a roof. A chunk of land was taken off from there by God knows what. Then the Open Field Battle and the Jutsu Masters will share the wide flat plateau at the West side of the mountain, and their headquarters is in a nearby cave. The Traps, Larceny and Deception owns the forests on the West slope of the mountain, to try out their traps. They have a headquarters at a nearby cave. The Medics are on a medium sized plateau and the headquarters is also in a cave. The Tacticians will be working inside a cave as well, and that will serve as their headquarters. The Stealth, Spy and Assassination meanwhile has the freedom to roam all around the mountain to train their techniques and enhance their skills. Their headquarters will be at the top peak of the mountain. There is a cave there. You will notice that all the caves has a small passage inside that leads to one big chamber in the middle of the mountain, enough to hold all of us and we will sleep there. It has a sunlight source too, mind you."
"We will make our plans there, since its unsafe here. You can now go and mingle outside, while we add more protection with the Tasogare country arts to the mountain."
"Arent you being too secure?" asked a boy named Gon.
"It doesn't hurt to be ready, Gon. Now go, familiarize yourselves with each other."
The nins one by one stood up and proceeded outside, some of them already making friends. After they all left, Shikamaru sighed.
"It will be a very bloody war this timeÉ" he sighed.
"These nins seem pretty good. The standards are now higher than before, and they've improved, I admit," said Sakura.
"The assassinsÉ they're the ones that are vital. We must mold them carefully. They're the foundation. And I think they're pretty firm," said Neji.
"C'mon guys, we'd better unwind a little bit firstÉ too much thinking makes my headache," whined Naruto.
"That's coz you're a subspecies with an IQ capacity that is ankle height," muttered Sasuke.
"What was that, kisama!" yelled Naruto.
"Nandemonai, dobe," smirked Sasuke. [- Nuthin'. -
"What now? Just when the battle was getting serious enoughÉ" muttered Neji as a guard came up to them running and panting.
"There is urgent news from Tsunade-sama!" exclaimed the guards. "She requests you there at once!"
They looked at each other first before making a wild dash to the looming mansion ahead, Sasuke making his hand return to normal.
"What could it be this time?" grumbled Shikamaru. "Don't tell me war is on."
"Don't wish, Shika, we don't want it to start right now when were away," muttered Ino, running fast.
They made it to the Private Hall, and they caught sight of Tsunade standing in the middle surrounded by the Jounins and ANBU, looking worried and aghast.
"What the hell's the matter?" exclaimed Naruto, who had now gained consciousness.
"Oto integrated with Kusa and Taki already. [- Grass and Waterfall. - They have strengthened their forces another level up and they are starting to move into Konoha along with the Kage, that new country I told you about. I think that country was founded by Itachi, and the residents are the Akatsuki," frowned Tsunade. "We need to move and line up a defense along Konoha. The Suna, Kiri, Ishi and Kumo [- Sand, Mist, Stone and Cloud. - are already at Konoha, but they aren't enough. Now is the time we need help."
"What the hell! Why the hell does it have to start now, when we're away!" flared Lee.
"I imagine they've been waiting for this opportunity all along. Then when they heard that we left they made their move immediately, thinking we're dead since we made it head on with the barrier. That will come as an advantage at some point," said Shikamaru.
"What we need right now is one brilliant tactician, with one brilliant plan to mobilize one brilliant army," grinned Sakura. "Let the wars begin."
"MOVE PEOPLE, THERE'S A LOT TO DO!" hollered Sasuke, and everybody started acting at once. "Shika, maybe we should introduce you to the army. You'll be like their new sir. You'll make the moves," Sasuke said to Shikamaru, who nodded, laziness all gone. Then Sasuke turned to Saichi. "Saichi, you and Raiha assemble the army. Make sure everybody's there." Saichi nodded and ran off, followed by Raiha. "Naruto, c'mon. There's a lot to do."
Naruto and Sasuke walked off. Sakura turned to Aya and smiled at her. "Can I entrust you with them? Lead them and introduce them to the army. This takes some preparing," Sakura said. Aya smiled and said, "Anytime, my mistress. Anytime." Sakura smiled and walked off after the two boys, followed by a very serious Hinata.
"Where are they going, Aya-san?" Lee asked a very worried Aya.
"They are going to their office to talk about matters confidentially. Personally, even I find it kinda hard that after quite a period of time you've lived inside a world watching the outside without them knowing you're there, without having any contacts with them, with them believing you're dead, you're gonna show up to them after all these years. It takes some kind of preparation for the shock," smiled Aya. "Now, if you'll follow meÉ kindlyÉ"
á---------á
"Itachi-sama, everything is stable so far. The forces are moving currently towards Konoha at a fast pace," said Kisume, reporting to Itachi, who was having a conversation with a slightly pissed Orochimaru.
"We have them in a situation just like we want them to. The Hokage is away with her 'elite team' and some other ANBUs and Jounins and Konoha is left unprotected. How dumb of them. They're gonna return to find Konoha reduced to cinders," smirked Orochimaru.
"There are reports that the Hokage and the 'elite team' are all dead, having approached the hurricane near the Water Country head on, the same hurricane that killed the four most formidable ninjas of Konoha," said Kisume again.
"Then the better! With them dead, there would be no more distractions and hard obstacles to face," smirked Orochimaru. "HoweverÉ" he said, throwing the kunai he had been playing with at the wall with a loud 'ka-pok'. "It soundsÉ fishyÉ that a whole group of formidable and elite ninjas collided head on with a hurricane intentionally. I have a feeling that they're up to something."
"Kisume, has there been any reports on what is beyond that hurricane barrier?" asked Itachi suddenly, receiving a silent 'no' from Kisume. Itachi sighed. "What is my otouto up to? Why did he go into that storm 3 years ago?" Itachi wondered, showing the slightest signs of interest. "Sasuke is far too sane and intelligent to commit suicide. And I know he is craving for revenge. I know he won't commit suicide. And of course, I know that he has his reason to live even though he doesn't want to have revenge anymore. He has his cherry blossom beside him. So why?"
"Don't fret, Itachi," said Orochimaru. Then he turned to Kabuto. "Gather as much information as you can about that barrier, why it is there and what is beyond it. Don't leave out anything. Something is going on around here, and I don't like it one bit. We need to make sure that our plans work."
Kabuto adjusted his glasses and nodded, then disappeared with a poof.
á---------á
At KonohaÉ
"Shit. Why does this have to happen while Hokage-sama is away!" exclaimed a very tensed Anko.
"How can you be so sure that the Hokage is still alive, Anko-san?" asked the Tsuchikage, who was sitting quite calmly in his seat.
"I have my sources, sir," grinned Anko. "I just hope that they arrive soon with it, or else everything will crumble into ruins. One small wrong move, and everything will be undone."
"Where did the Hokage go anyways?" asked the Tsuchikage again. "When we need her here, she's not here."
"She's off to negotiate with the Tasogare. I dunno where they headed, but I'm sure they're alive coz I heard news that they're soon gonna head home," said Anko. "Lets just hope they hurry up. We haven't got time in this game."
á---------á
"How much men are you going to deliver off, Sasuke?" asked Tsunade as they walked out to the valley, where the rest of the army are already situated and waiting for them and their orders. They were gonna take a portal to transport straight to Konoha Square.
"About 50 men are enough to incinerate all of those nutheads. The ratio is 1 Tasogare ninja is to 5. My ninjas are well trained, they underwent way more harsher trainings than the other countries' ninjas have, even Konoha. They underwent nothing you could ever dream of. They can finish the job off. The hard part is how to wind up their boss' mind. Orochimaru with Itachi is no joking feat. They're both strong and intelligent, they're bound to find out the plan if we use a simple one. That's where Shikamaru comes in," explained Sasuke, walking briskly, followed by Naruto, Sakura and Hinata in clothes more suitable for battle.
Tsunade nodded. Sasuke has really matured over the years. He's become a great leader, as well as Naruto. He's more composed, prim and proper nowÉ unlike before. I guess Hinata and Sakura helped and evolved as well. Hinata has overcome her shyness while Sakura has matured from a prissy little girl who needs protection to a fierce young woman who can hold her own. I guess there are more to them than I think. They have changed a lotÉ and its evident. Good thing I immediately sought help from them.
They arrived to where the portal was to be opened. There were about 50 ninjas there, excluding the ones from Konoha, Saichi, Raiha, Aya and Miyu. It seems that the ninjas from Konoha were in good terms with the army. Shikamaru already organized the ninjas and oriented them on how he runs an army. As soon as the ninjas saw Sasuke and Naruto, they immediately came sharply to attention, abandoning anything they've been doing previously and saluting. Sasuke nodded to them.
"Shikamaru will direct your moves. He will be your new boss here, he is our tactician. His word is like my and Naruto's word, so no one will disobey. Clear?" Sasuke said clearly over the crowd.
"Crystal, Yami-sama," said the leader of the troop, a guy about 15 with flaming red hair tied into a pony tail that reaches to his waist and striking blue eyes.
"Shuta, you along with Kogure lead this troop and are the best fighters in here, right?" Sasuke asked the red haired boy named Shuta.
"Hai, Yami-sama," nodded Shuta.
"You and Kogure are in immediate contact with Shikamaru. Kogure!" called Sasuke, and a boy with spiky darker red hair and the same blue eyes came forward as well.
"Yes, Yami-sama?" he grinned carelessly.
"Shuta, Kogure, you will protect Shikamaru with your life. Our moves rely on the decisions he makes, and he plays a gravely important role in this war. If he dies, everything will crumble. Got it?" barked Sasuke, emphasizing 'with your life'.
"Transparently, sir," said the two simultaneously.
"Good," grinned Naruto. "Remember everybody that when you get to Konoha, you will treat everybody with the respect they deserve. I don't want any brawls or fights."
"Don't retaliate if somebody insults you, you will get the opportunity to show them what you're made of," smiled Hinata.
"When you are given a mission, no disobedience, no complaints, no faults. Every single one of you here plays a vital role in winning this. And in order to do that, we need the discipline to operate things accurately and properly, without any mistakes. Remember our motto number 1," Sakura said firmly.
"Whatever it takes," said the 50 ninjas.
"I cant hear you!" hollered Sakura.
"WHATEVER IT TAKES!" they shouted loudly, their voices echoing around the valley.
"Good," smirked Sasuke. Tsunade and the other nins raised an eyebrow.
"Such strict policies, unwavering belief, firm discipline and unconditional obedience," muttered Kurenai from behind Hinata.
"That's the secret of our success," smiled Hinata. "Just the right dose of everything makes a mixture perfect."
"This country is a perfectionist country," muttered Ino.
"Recite the 3 mottos, Shuta, Kogure," snapped Naruto.
"Motto number one: Whatever it takes," complied Shuta.
"Motto number two: As perfect as possible," followed Kogure.
"Motto number three: Discipline, Belief and Obedience," finished Shuta.
"And what are the 3 words?" chided Sakura.
"Swift, Clean and Perfect," snapped Resha.
"If you want top nins, you have to have them learn the importance of discipline and obedience first. And you have to have them believe in you, so you need to have a kind of friendship with each of them. You musn't treat them as inferiors all the time. Even though we might appear strict right now giving instructions, its only proper for the situation. We don't abuse them as well. We aren't corrupt, you know," smiled Sakura. "Very well. Sasuke is everything ready? Maybe I should open the portal already."
"Go ahead, everything's fine," confirmed Sasuke after asking Shikamaru if there's anything he'd like to say. "He says he still needs to see the situation before he makes the move. The game's touch-move."
Sakura nodded and performed several seals: Ox, Dragon, Rabbit, Rat, Ox, Goat, Boar, Rabbit, Snake, and Dragon. Then after that she wrote some runic letters in the air with her index and middle finger, which were emanating a kind of light that made the runic letters visible. To the trained eye, it read "Konohagakure". Then a small ball of light appeared in front of her, which evolved into a huge portal enough to fit a whole tree into.
"Saichi, I entrust everything to you while I'm gone," Sasuke bid to his friend and right hand.
"Make sure that Homura doesn't degrade and destroy our country, Raiha!" bid Naruto.
"Yeah, and take care of yourselves!" smiled Hinata.
"Don't worry, we'll be visiting you very often using portals. And since this is the safest place we have, this might serve as a safe haven to us as well," smiled Sakura. "Let's go!"
Group by group they walked into the portal. Soon all the 50 ninjas were gone as well as the Konoha nins. Sakura smiled at them one last time before performing seals and closing the portal once again.
Saichi sighed. "Its gonna be a very boring and sad life without our masters and mistresses here."
"I sure am gonna miss Sakura," sighed Aya. "She's a really wonderful person."
"Let's just hope they be safe in this war. I still cant see why they need to be involved, we could just go there ourselves instead of them," sighed Raiha.
"Well, we'd better get back at the mansion now," sighed Miyu. "Don't worry, I know our masters and mistresses, they're strong and they can handle their own. They'll be fine. Besides, they are the most powerful nins here, aren't they?"
"Aa," muttered Saichi, tearing his gaze away from the green pastures studded by colorful flowers and walking off to the looming mansion ahead, followed by his silent and sad comrades. It was gonna be a sad life for a while without their masters, who painted their previously dull world with bright colors and splashed their dry universe with refreshing spring water. [- --U I honestly don't know where that statement came from. -
á---------á
Sakura closed the portal and sighed, turning around to face the townspeople bustling around them who halted their activities to look at them.
"IMPOSSIBLE! NARUTO-NII-SAN!" Konohamaru bawled at the top of his lungs, glomping Naruto. Naruto laughed as Konohamaru bustled over him.
"SASUKE-KUUUUUUN!" rang out a mix of several voices from afar. Sasuke looked towards the direction and saw the thing he feared the most. Gaggles of fangirls were rushing towards him at record high speed, squealing with delight and popping their eyes out. Sasuke quickly performed several strange seals not included with the 12 original seals and a shield appeared around him, blocking the fangirls off.
"Don't even think about it," he muttered, walking off from the squealing girls.
"SAKURA-CHAAAAN!" called out male voices from another direction. Sakura braced herself and looked towards the direction and saw the fanclub dedicated to her dashing towards her, males drooling for her, and soon Lee joined the gaggles of supporters. Sakura performed the same strange seals as Sasuke and had the same barrier around her.
"This is turning out into my worst nightmare," she wept, bawling her heart out.
"HINATA-CHAN!" called out a very familiar voice. Hinata looked towards the direction where the voice came from and she saw Mei running towards her.
"Mei!" she smiled as her old friend came up to her and hugged her, she hugging back. "Its so good to see you again! Are you free now?"
"Hai," smiled Mei, wiping some tears. "I've been free ever since you left. Where have you been all these years? They thought you were all dead, but I never gave up hope since you said you were gonna come back."
"I'll explain later, Mei," smiled Hinata. Then he looked over to where Tsunade, Shikamaru, Sasuke, Naruto and Sakura were talking and waiting for her, so they can go and initialize the plans. "Right now there are more important things at hand."
She let go of Mei and walked over to the five who nodded to her and walked to the hall where everybody was waiting for them.
"Sasuke, wear your hitae-ate now," hissed Sakura, stopping Sasuke before they entered the doors. Sasuke fished out his silver hitae-ate out from his pocket and strapped it on his forehead. Naruto did the same with his gold one. Hinata and Sakura fished out their necklaces as proof that they come from Tasogare. As they entered, heads turned towards them and murmurs and whispers broke out in the crowd inside. Everybody hushed as they came up front.
"I think that Hokage-sama has a lot to explain first," smiled Kurenai as she watched the shocked faces of the other persons in the room who knew the rumors spread that the four died.
á---------á
"What have you learned, Kabuto?" asked Orochimaru.
"There is a legend about a country lying within the barrier said. The legend is called The Legend of the Twilight, yet it hasn't been proved yet. And very scarce is known about the legend since there were few who knew about it and it was never passed on publicly. It is said that four families knew about it and kept it as a secret. A scroll contains the legend, but it is written in runic, so there is no use to get the scroll," said Kabuto. "No one knows how the barrier was placed there, why and when. Nobody knows for certain as well what lies beyond the barrier or how to cross the barrier itself."
"Very mysterious indeed," said Orochimaru.
"Sounds fishy to me," muttered Kisume.
"I know how to read runic," said Itachi suddenly, surprising the others. "I was taught how to read, write and comprehend runic, I dunno why. There must be a reasonÉ if only I could go back to the mansion and scour that good for nothing libraryÉ at least I know this has some connection with the family. Mom and Dad must've known about this. Wonder why they never told usÉ I should've queried them first before slitting their throats. Tsk, tsk. Pity."
"HmmÉ I am slightly interested in this matter," muttered Orochimaru. "I want to know what's behind all of this bogus. But I'll just have to wait for the mystery to crack itself on its own accordÉ"
"Is it going to help us in any matter?" asked Kisume, raising an eyebrow.
"Oh of course! I need to know what drew the four nice ninjas to go there, considering the fact that those four were among the strongest nins, Naruto with Nine-Tails, Sasuke with his hidden talents, Hinata with her remarkable healing skills and Sakura with her hidden clairvoyance and perfect chakra control," smirked Orochimaru. [- Yes, you read it right, people, Sakura has clairvoyance here, although she can only make short term predictions. Am I not creative? wink wink Ohohohohoho! -
"In any case, research on this, Kisume," dismissed Itachi. "I amÉ interestedÉ as wellÉ"
á---------á
"So you are saying that them four leads the Tasogare, a legendary country and you've been from there?" asked Kazekage. "They are willing to help us in this war?"
"Apparently they haveÉ more advancedÉ ways," said Tsunade.
"Okay, okay, so that's technical. But 50 ninjas? Is that really enough?" asked Tsuchikage.
"Why, ya want some sample, for starters?" grinned Naruto carelessly, rocking his chair and raising his legs to the table. "We can show you what our nins are really made of. They're not the ordinary, mind you. They can certainly slit YOUR throat in the mere matter of a single split second."
"Naruto, yamero!" hissed Sakura, whacking his legs with a karate chop off the table.
"Itai! MouÉ" hissed Naruto, nursing his legs. Hinata sweat dropped.
"This troop we sent here, I admit, aren't the best troops our country has, but I assure you there's no need to use the best to defeat a bunch of knuckleheads who know nothing but to kill and destroy ruthlessly and recklessly, not minding the techniques or strategies. I suggest we move on to devising the plans. For all we know, the enemy might arrive right now," snapped Sasuke. "And I am getting really pissed here, I admit."
"I already have a plan in mind," sighed Shikamaru. The other leaders sighed, crossed their arms and listened. "But there are three other options apart from my plan. #1: We make traps as undetectable as possible around Konoha to protect, and then the ones who survive the traps are the ones that we will fight. #2: We collide with them head on. #3: We erect a barrier around the village to protect the innocent then we can fight freely without any casualties."
"Those are pretty good ones, young lad," smiled the Kazekage.
"Only there are a lot of gaping holes and flaws all around it that could cause the fall of the whole plan," Hinata pointed out. "Lets hear your other plan."
Shikamaru went out of his lazy slacking position and leaned on the table with one arm. Then he started to tell them the plan.
About an hour laterÉ
"Then its agreed. We do the plan I thought of," smiled Shikamaru.
"Matte! Only the leaders from Tasogare, Hokage, and Mizukage agreed. This plan is way to risky," said Tsuchikage.
"You don't win anything without taking risks, mister," smiled Sakura coldly. "You cant do anything without risking something either."
"We have to risk it. That's the most formidable plan I've heard so far," said Sasuke. "And its ideal. Just the type of game I'm most accustomed to."
"Well then its settled. Call in everybody," said Shikamaru.
Hinata stood up and proceeded outside, and called in everybody that was relevant in the war.
Hokage spoke first, after the other nins settled down. "We have now devised and plotted out a plan expertly sharpened by our prodigies right here. You will hear the rest of it straight from the horse's mouth."
Shikamaru wasted no time in explaining the plan. "This plan is quite a risky one, but as we all agreed earlier, we cannot win this war without taking any risks. Now, I will divide you into the proper category you are in, according to your specialties, with the exception of Shuta and Kogure; you two, come up here and stay," stated Shikamaru clearly. The two complied immediately. Shikamaru turned his attention back to the other nins. "This only includes the elite teams. 11 elite nins comes from each country, including the Tasogare. The others left will be for the final battle, or for emergencies, or when we need backups. The ones left will be assigned the task to guard and protect Konoha with their life. You guys should remember that if Konoha crumbles to ashes, it will be the end for the other countries as well. So those ones left should NOT think that they are insignificant, for they play an important role here. You NEED to protect Konoha while we're out and acting to stop those nutheads outside. Clear?"
"Hai," a chorus of voices replied.
"Good. Now those elite teams please step forward, those left, kindly proceed outside where our Jounins will assign you your positions and tasks," Shikamaru said clearly. The nins complied, going out. The Jounins one by one said their goodbyes and left with a sinister 'pop' each time. 66 nins were left, standing in the middle of the hall tensely, waiting for the next instructions.
"Now, guys," Shika said to Neji, Kiba, Chouji, Ino, Shuta, Kogure, Lee and Tenten. "You know what to do." They nodded and stood in front of the other 90 nins in a straight horizontal line, with some space between each of them except for Chouji and Kiba, Shuta and Kogure, who were standing side by side.
"Now we'll categorize you. There are 8 categories or shall we call it 'specialties', namely Weaponry, Medicine, Stealth, Spying and Assassination, Open Field Battle, Tacticians, Chemists, Jutsu Masters and Traps, Larceny and Deception. [- Open Field Battle is battling many opponents at once. The enemy has a lot of armies, so they will clearly be outnumbered, but only outnumbered. Not in skills. - Now guys don't take larceny as a bad thing. [- Larceny means robbery, for those who doesn't know. - We include larceny here coz we need to steal the enemies' technologies and examine them in order to make an exact copy of it to use it against them or to build a proper defense system against it."
"Basically the Weaponry divisions and Chemist division will work together most of the time since they're the ones who has the mechanical and chemical know-how to expertly bind together complex parts so we can create new weapons, healing potions, as well as poisons and drugs that could come in handy. The Medic team will be equipped with medicines anywhere they go, and one of them will always be assigned to come a long with a team if ever we need to send out any. The tacticians will be working with all of you, basically, coming up with plans and tactics to reduce the enemies to ashes. The Jutsu Masters will have a certain place where they can practice the jutsus freely, without worrying that they could harm anybody. The Traps, Larceny and Deception will occasionally work with the Weaponry and Chemist division to report and surrender anything they managed to conjure from the enemies, and also to the Tacticians they will surrender their knowledge about the enemy so far. Meanwhile, the most tedious and difficult job of all 8 is the Stealth, Spy and Assassination department. Here you must be prepared to kill and spread blood on your hands. You must master you stealth abilities, and basically your chakra controls. And I think this division is by far the strongest one, since this also requires a high mind quality thinking. Spying, you might think, is quite similar to the Deception works. But you're mistaken. Deception deals with our troops entering the enemy's base wearing a faade. Meanwhile, spying is more difficult and complex. You will have an assigned target and you will have to spy on him 24/7, non-stop. You'll follow him everywhere he goes, take note of everything he does, watch every single one of his steps, and you wont escape if he finds out you are spying. Means of communication are by magical scrolls. The head of the department will teach you how to use them."
"Now. Tenten here is the head of the Weaponry department, since her specialty is weapons. Ino will head the Medicine department. Lee will lead the Open Field Battle department. Shino will lead the Chemists department. The Jutsu Masters department's head are Shuta and Kogure. Kiba and Chouji will head the Traps, Larceny and Deception department. And last but definitely not the least, the head of the Stealth, Spy and Assassination department will be Neji. When I call your name, come forward, and when I say where your department is, you go and form a line in front of your department head."
"Wait, wait," interrupted Sasuke. "I just wanna ask the elites, what particular characteristics do you guys expect in those nins who will be picked for Neji's department?"
A girl with black hair and eyes came forward. "Sir, I think the department will be all boys, and most of them will be cold and distant in nature."
Sasuke nodded with understanding. "How many of you agrees with her? Raise your hand."
Everybody agreed. Sasuke nodded for Shikamaru to continue.
"For the Weaponry department, here are the names. Kurumi Resha, Temari, Yoshinari Keiko, Rori Haru, Niwa Shinna, Niwa Shoru, Nomura Junichi, and Nishi Yori," called Shikamaru. Now there was a line composed of 8 nins in front of Tenten.
"Then for the Medics department, may I call on Mina Tara, Muramasa Tanaka, Amamiya Kyo, Minamoto Horo, Kagami Miho, Minamoto Rino, Yohiko Juno and Kina Chiko," he followed, watching the line of 8 form slowly.
"For the Open Field Battle, Amamiya Ryu, Asamegi Shita, Mina Rita, Nishi Naoki, Toshiro Masuda, Rori Maru, Inari, and Toshiro Ishi."
"For the Tacticians, Kurumi Ayano, Asano Rei, Amante Fuji, Anzaki Tomika, Taira Shinju, Shourai Ami, Shiro Yuki, Kagami Mino, and Yoshinari Reiko. You guys should really be smart to pass me, mind you. Smarten yourselves up, get ready for some riddles, we'll see how intelligent you really are."
"Then for the Chemists, Kurumi Shinja, Asano Yuuya, Kashin Tei, Amamiya Fujin, Hyuuga Hanabi, Amamiya Dujin, Nari Shiko, and Akita Rika."
"For the Jutsu Masters, Toshiro Tenshi, Nakasone Toshi, Rikata Rika, Yoshinari Meiko, Nari Suko, Hana Kasuma, Akita Taka, and Kyusha Kurai."
"For the Traps, Larceny and Deception, Konohamaru, Kuroi Kichi, Kuroi Ichi, Nomura Okune, Yohiko Gon, Tameshi Akane, Kyusha Kirai and Asamegi Mou."
"And lastly, for the Stealth, Spy and Assassination department, Gaara, Kankurou, Akashi Kai, Shourai Ren, Shourai Mori, Amazaki Hayate, Kashin Rai, Yuri Aikawa andÉ" Shikamaru paused and walked over to Sasuke and Sakura, whispering something to them.
Meanwhile, one nin from the Weaponry department named Niwa Shinna spoke up. "Hey, otouto," he said, calling to his younger twin behind him. "See those SSA [- Stealth, Spy and AssassinationÉ too longÉ - membersÉ they all look like they were born to killÉ"
"YeahÉ but its expected, coz they are supposed to be cold-hearted. Don't think that coz I'm younger than you for a couple of minutes means that you are smarter and greater in all sense, nii-san," scowled Niwa Shoru, Shinna's twin.
True, the members of the SSA department really looked like they were born to kill. It seems as if its in their nature to be harsh and cold. Their faces were inexpressive, cold and neutral, and their eyes were sharp yet unfathomable. Just like what Neji and Sasuke's faces looked like before.
Back to Sasuke and Shikamaru, Shikamaru was inquiring about the last member of the SSA. There were only two nins left, one poker-faced boy and one cold-faced girl.
"Are you sure about this, Sasuke?" asked Shikamaru.
"Don't worry, Shikamaru, I know what I'm doing. Just say it," muttered Sasuke.
Shikamaru sighed. "Fine. You choose." Then he went back to the center. "The last member of the SSA isÉ" Shika looked back to Sasuke once before saying. "Taira Aira."
"A GIRL!" came a chorus of voices from the crowd.
"Don't ask me, ask Sasuke."
Sasuke stood up and stood beside Shikamaru. "Does anybody of you know the most powerful clans in the whole of the 5 countries?"
"Of course," snapped Nishi Naoki. "The Uchiha and the Hyuuga clans are rivals for first place, even though the Uchiha has only two members left."
"Then does anybody of you know the next most powerful clans?" asked Sasuke. There was silence. So far they didn't know any clan that came up to the Uchiha and the Hyuuga clans. "None. Just as I thought. The next powerful clans are the Yuri and Taira clans. They are rivals for second place as well. The Yuri clan is a traditional clan, picking the boy to be the heir, but then they like to keep a low profile. The Taira clan meanwhile, always picks the youngest and most talented girl to be the heir. When they marry, instead of the girl carrying the boy's surname, its vice versa. The Taira clan is also well-known before for their reputation as very good assassins. They rival the Uchiha clans prowess in assassination, I admit."
There was an impressed murmur that ran across the crowd.
"Uhm, excuse me, but would you mind not blabbering all about my family's secrets, Uchiha Sasuke?" snapped the girl with strange dark blue hair and dark blue eyes with a sharp expression on her face, much like a killers. She wore a blue halter-top that showed her belly and a skirt with two high slits. She had modern blue trousers underneath the slits, and she had two kunai holsters tied to both of her thighs. This girl's name was Taira Aira
"Yeah, you have no right to tell so much about my clan, Uchiha," followed a raven-haired boy with his hair standing upwards and had two slim fringes down his face. He had sparkling blue eyes and a very passive, cold and serene expression like he had no care in the world whatsoever. He wore pants, two kunai holsters tied around both of his thighs and had a sleeveless shirt on. [- Don't ya think he fits with Taira Aira? - This was Yuri Aikawa.
"Well sorry, but what I said was nothing really," shrugged Sasuke. "No more questions, I supposeÉ get on with it, Shikamaru, I want this finished as early as possible."
"Fine. Now I want everybody to sit down on the floor," ordered Shikamaru. The nins complied, dropping to the floor in an Indian seat style. "Now lets form a circle," said Shikamaru as Sasuke, Sakura, Hinata and Naruto as well as himself joined the other nins. As the circle was formed, he started to talk again, in a much lower voice this time.
"Now I will give your headquarters. Basically the main headquarters is in that high cliff in the mountains that no one can reach. We can reach through via portals. The whole mountain is covered with every single protection known to the ninjas, ancient or new, powerful or weak, legal or illegal, meaning we have freedom of movement within the mountain. We can train freely; make weapons without worrying about raw materials since the mountain has endless supplies of all kinds of minerals, chemicals, springs, natural resources etc. That's why the mountain is called Hoseki no Konoha. [- Jewel of Konoha. - We need not worry about being spied on also, so we can make plans."
"Now you might think that we will get orders from the kages. But you're mistaken with that. We were given permission to do ANYTHING in our power as long as we destroy the enemy. So we decide what to do, not them. We will only protect them, but they are not our commanders. This time, we're the leaders."
"Now, the Chemists will have a lab inside a vast cave. Don't worry, the cave has enough ventilation to let out the fumes of chemicals so you wont die. The Weaponry department are close by, just above the chemists, and you will have a headquarters nearby as well. You will work on a flat plain above the cave, about the size of the whole of Konoha main town. But over it is a cover of rocks. Meaning you have a roof. A chunk of land was taken off from there by God knows what. Then the Open Field Battle and the Jutsu Masters will share the wide flat plateau at the West side of the mountain, and their headquarters is in a nearby cave. The Traps, Larceny and Deception owns the forests on the West slope of the mountain, to try out their traps. They have a headquarters at a nearby cave. The Medics are on a medium sized plateau and the headquarters is also in a cave. The Tacticians will be working inside a cave as well, and that will serve as their headquarters. The Stealth, Spy and Assassination meanwhile has the freedom to roam all around the mountain to train their techniques and enhance their skills. Their headquarters will be at the top peak of the mountain. There is a cave there. You will notice that all the caves has a small passage inside that leads to one big chamber in the middle of the mountain, enough to hold all of us and we will sleep there. It has a sunlight source too, mind you."
"We will make our plans there, since its unsafe here. You can now go and mingle outside, while we add more protection with the Tasogare country arts to the mountain."
"Arent you being too secure?" asked a boy named Gon.
"It doesn't hurt to be ready, Gon. Now go, familiarize yourselves with each other."
The nins one by one stood up and proceeded outside, some of them already making friends. After they all left, Shikamaru sighed.
"It will be a very bloody war this timeÉ" he sighed.
"These nins seem pretty good. The standards are now higher than before, and they've improved, I admit," said Sakura.
"The assassinsÉ they're the ones that are vital. We must mold them carefully. They're the foundation. And I think they're pretty firm," said Neji.
"C'mon guys, we'd better unwind a little bit firstÉ too much thinking makes my headache," whined Naruto.
"That's coz you're a subspecies with an IQ capacity that is ankle height," muttered Sasuke.
"What was that, kisama!" yelled Naruto.
"Nandemonai, dobe," smirked Sasuke. [- Nuthin'. -