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The Legendary Sage of Konoha Series
July 2010 - July 2014
Series Finale, Part 4;
"Great, great grandpa... What is a Hokage??"
"Bwuhaha, I'm glad you asked Ikari! The Hokage is the leader of our village, the one elected to make the important choices for all of us, and the one who looks over us and protects us if so needed. It is a title that comes with much responsibility and respect, but it is not a title so easily received..."
"Hmm... Well then, I guess I one day should become the Hokage!"
"Oh??... It warms my old heart to hear such a thing, but isn't it a bit soon to proclaim such a dream Ikari, hmm?"
"Hahaha! I might just be four years old, but one day, that title is surely mine!"
"Do you know how you become Hokage, Ikari?"
"Uhm..."
"In order to become Hokage, there are a lot of requirements... The most important in your case, would be-..."
"Yes?"
"Becoming a shinobi first, bwuhahahaha! Are you sure that is something you want son?"
"You have to be a shinobi to become Hokage??"
"But of course! Everything starts with baby-steps, Ikari, and with time, maybe you too will become a shinobi."
"Yeah, maybe..."
"You know what? I once too wanted to become the Hokage, but in the end, that dream kind of faded. My father was the Hokage for a very long time, before my long time rival took over after him. I'll tell you what... Perhaps you want to hear the story of my siblings and I taking part in the Chunin exam when I was younger??"
"What does it have to do with becoming Hokage??"
"Everything..."
Utakata: So he accepted the title, did he now...
Sitting in his tent, the Mizukage was enjoying some good company from his two advisers as the latest news of Ikari becoming the new Hokage had just reached his ears.
Zise: Yes, perhaps this was always meant to be.
Rei: Sigh... Who knows how long it will be before someone else dies and a new Kage has to be made... For all we know, you could be next Utakata, ehehehe...
Zise: Bwuahahahaha, that's nonsense Rei and you know it!
Utakata: Uhm... You should not speak like that Rei, it might bring bad luck...
Zise: He's right... Let's look to the future with bright minds, I'm sure it will have much in store for all of us, including the new Hokage...
Rei: Geez, I suppose you speak the truth, let's not meddle in depressing thoughts any further. In fact, we should celebrate this moment!
Zise: Not a bad idea Rei!
Utakata: Then what are we waiting for??! Let's invite him over for a drink!
Zise: I'll send him the invite in person then, see you guys in a bit!
Leaving the tent, Zise was already on his way over to Ikari as the the evening moon lit his way over there. Not long after, Ikari had already taken his seat as the four of them enjoyed a short time of relaxation for a change, before it was time for Ikari to get back to his own Kage-tent just a few hours later. After having arrived back to his new tent, which was designated for the Hokage and his advisers, Ikari proceeded to sit down in a chair as he laid his hat on a table in front of him. It had been a long day, but it had been worth it. He had finally decided to become what he always dreamt of, but as he was looking down at his hat, Ikari knew that it did not come without its sacrifices, and the utmost responsibility. He could not afford to be weak any longer now, this time it was his turn to lead. Knowing well that he had to be less reckless from now on, Ikari still couldn't stop thinking if this was what Naruto had foreseen all along. Pouring himself a cup of sake, Ikari finally decided to open the mysterious letter. It was time, and he was ready to read it. Opening it up, Ikari read the following...
"To Ikari... What you are about to read might sound crazy, wrong and shocking, it might make you mad, angry or even sad, but please read through it to the end as it is important that you hear the whole of it..."
Just what was he reading?? Who could this letter be from? Continuing to read, Ikari soon realized that it was not a simple letter meant to salute him if he became Hokage, but something far more serious.
"...As I'm writing this, I'm finding it hard to decide where to begin. What we need now, what this alliance need now, is stability and continuity, something which would never have worked with me as Hokage, not in the long run at least. I suppose now that I look at it, this was always meant to be, like the 6th Hokage said-..."
Ikari: !!
Could this letter really be from him?? Ikari couldn't believe what he was reading before him, it just couldn't be.
"-...The time I came with you to Mt. Myobokuzan. While you were away with that other toad, I talked a bit to Naruto about how the alliance was breaking apart. Once I left that day and Naruto teleported me back to Konoha, he also left me with a message. I didn't realize it at first, but when I did, I knew what I had to do, what my role was always meant to be... I can't really explain it, but I knew for sure what he meant. He revealed some of what he had foreseen to me, how you would eventually become Hokage Ikari, but not before many great sacrifices had been made first, not before you had walked a long and hard path ahead of you. Back then I knew you had potential, but even I found it hard to believe at first. The moment I landed back in Konoha, the message ended. It was unclear at first, but over the years I understood more and more what it all meant. Sooner or later, we all have to make a choice, a choice we have to go through with no matter the cost, no matter the risk and no matter what we personally feel about it. In the end, we all live on borrowed time, and like all the living, we will eventually die. That's just how it is. We all have roles to play Ikari, and we must fulfill them for peace to ever truly happen..."
It just had to be Akuma-Sensei, who else could it be? But when did he slip that letter into his pocket? When did he have time to write it? How did he-...
Ikari: !! He didn't?!
Thinking back to that day, flashes of Akuma jumping in pushing Ibuki and himself aside suddenly began to re-emerge in his head. He remembered how he held onto Ikari by his jacket for a brief second, before he tossed him out of harm's way. It just had to be then, that was the moment he slipped the letter into his pocket!!
"...I should have done more to prevent Jin from dying, I should have been there to stop Bruce from falling into a coma. Even when Rin died, I-... I can't afford to do more mistakes, it is utterly important that you and Ibuki lives, that you two make it through this war, no matter the cost. I can't say for sure whether or not Bruce will make it, but if he does, I'm certain you three will be able to figure everything out in the end. That's all I can say for now. A great Hokage leads the way, struggles to find the right path for his friends to walk on after him, protecting them, protecting the people he cares about, the people who look up to him, to the very end, not the other way around. This will be my final lesson to you, Ikari, make us all proud."
Dropping the letter onto the table, Ikari knew that Akuma's final smile was more than what he originally thought. Just as he had finished reading, Ibuki came in to see him as he showed her the letter as well. She was shocked to say the least, wondering what exactly Akuma had seen, why the two of them had to survive no matter the cost. She was a bit mad at first, but she knew why Akuma did what he did and why he felt obliged to save them. After a brief talk, the two of them then left the tent as Ikari headed for the tent where his son slept. It had been a long day, and it could finally come to an end. Over at Mt. Myobokuzan, Naruto was making his final preparations.
Fukasaku: Are you sure you want to do this Naruto-San??
Naruto: Positive... I can't let this opportunity escape me again, this time, it just has to be it, my call, my purpose, it will finally reveal itself soon...
Shima: Naruto-San...
Thinking back, Naruto remembered one of the last days he ever talked to the previous Great Toad Sage.
*Flashback Begins*
'Naruto: Immortality... So I will really live forever then, bound to this world until I find the answer?
Great Toad Sage: Yes... That is what I have foreseen, what your final prophecy, your destiny is. Eternal life can be a blessing, but, it can also be a heavy burden, a cursed existence... Over time, you might find yourself losing purpose, losing sight of your goals, but once the new child of destiny springs forth, so will the long-awaited answer you are looking for also arrive with him. The future is long and hard ahead of you, but if you do this, if you undertake this task, Naruto-San, the only one capable of pulling through with such a burden... This world will eventually experience True, Ever-Lasting Peace...'
*Flashback Ends*
Naruto: I've been looking for the answer, the Key to Peace for countless generations, I have waited for the destined meeting with the Ancient Wizard, the one being supposedly holding the Key to everything... If I am right in my assumption, if I am able to come in contact with him... I might finally be able to... Move on... Like I always was meant to do in the end... Hinata, Jiraiya, Kushina, Minato, Sasuke, Sakura, Kakashi-Sensei, Shikamaru, Ero-Sennin, Iruka-Sensei, father, mother and all the rest... If I can fulfill my final task, I can finally reunite with them, at long last...
Fukasaku: ...
Naruto: The war will be ending in the not too distant future... Now that Ikari has become Hokage, much rest on his very shoulders. Even if it's no longer my role to be the hero, the savior, I still have one more role to play, just like Ikari has and just like the Great Toad Sage once promised me ages ago... This is it, this just has to be it. I can feel the change of nature, the change in me... Even now, my ability to foresee the future is starting to become dim, alas, this was always meant to happen once the promised day arrived.
Fukasaku: We will keep an eye out here while you are gone, but remember... The Forsaken Forest is a dark and dangerous place... Whatever you do, don't lose your path, as even the likes of you might get lost there, never to return again, never to be the same... Tread carefully, until we meet again.
Naruto: I will...
Turning his back on the two toads, Naruto had a determined look on his face. In the next second, he was gone as the wind blowing through the Great Temple.
Shima: Will he succeed??
Fukasaku: The future depends on it, both on him and on Ikari-San. If either one of them fails, True Peace can never happen...
As the three next months passed, things had seemed to quiet down a bit, with not even a single battle being fought since the day Akuma died. It felt like most of the shinobi had lost the will to fight, but it was more that they had no proper plan to approach the situation from there on and out. Having visited Bruce every day since he fell into a coma, Ikari always saw Ibuki sitting by his bed as he entered the tent where he slept, but this day was different, this day, she never showed. Coming across her as the evening sun began to sneak behind the horizon, he finally spotted her by a small pond by a great forest just outside their camp.
Ikari: Ibuki, where have you been all day, I was looking for you and... It's not like you to not visit Bruce like you do at least once a day-...
Ibuki: Oh Ikari... I... Nothing is wrong, I just... I just needed some time to think.
Going over to her, Ikari then sat down on a rock beside her as he took of his Hokage hat, letting it rest on his back.
Ikari: Mind telling me what it is about??
Ibuki: I... I don't really know, I just... I just didn't feel like it today. I don't really have much else of an explanation...
Ikari: Then why here of all places? Why out of the safe zone we've established, I mean, anyone could attack you out here and we wouldn't even know it before it was too late... Ibuki, I'm starting to worry a bit about you, you seem...
Ibuki: ...
Ikari: So indifferent to most things lately... You do remember what Akuma-Sensei wrote in his letter, you do remember what we talked about, right?
Ibuki: I know, I just...
Ikari: I don't like you shutting yourself down like this, it can't be good for-...
Ibuki: Why do you even care Ikari??...
She seemed to be a bit bothered by his concerns. Did he really have a reason to worry?
Ikari: What is that suppose to mean, of course I care!!
Ibuki: Why Ikari, why do you care so much, how can you continue to-...
Ikari: Because I am your friend! Because we are part of the same alliance, the same village, the same team, because we grew up together, because we-... Of course I care, there's no reason for me not to-...
Ibuki: I see...
Picking up a rock, she then skipped it across the pond as if not even slightly interested in what he had to say.
Ibuki: So what now, are you going to order me to return to the camp?
She was testing him, but Ikari had no idea why.
Ikari: Ibuki I-... Who do you think I am?!
Ibuki: !!
Standing up from the rock, Ikari seemed quite upset hearing what she said.
Ikari: What's going on with you, is that really what you think of me, after all we've been through? That now that I'm Hokage, I would stop caring and just be bossing you around, is that it?? Sigh...
Turning his back on her, Ikari looked into the vast forest in front of him. It was dark, and not even a single sound except for some birds could be heard. A frog was croaking down by the pond, but other than that, it was a silent and beautiful night.
Ibuki: No I... I'm sorry Ikari, I know you care, I care too you know, I just... I haven't been feeling like myself lately and-...
Ikari: It's a beautiful night, isn't it?
Ibuki: Huh??
Turning around towards her, Ikari had a bright smile on his face. She was trying to give him an explanation, but now he suddenly didn't care to hear it?
Ikari: I suppose when you stare down at different reports all day, you fail to notice how beautiful this world really can be...
Ibuki: ...
She looked at him, almost a bit taken back. Had Ikari changed somehow, become more mature since he became Hokage?? No, that was not it, but it was still strange of him to talk like this. Walking up to her, Ikari reached his hand out as he helped her up to her feet. He looked at her, still with his smile intact. Just what was he thinking?
Ibuki: Ikari, what are you...
Ikari: Do you remember our first mission together, the one where Akuma-Sensei sent us to find that white Crimson that only grew high up in the mountains in the Land of Fire every third year?? Do you remember how Bruce and I competed to find it first, but in the end, you were the one to find it??
Ibuki: I... Yes, but what about-...
Ikari: Life... Life itself is attracted to you... All things in this world is draw towards you, it has always been like that, and probably always will be. And like that flower which blooms every third year, I'm sure you will bloom again when the time is right too. It's only a matter of time Ibuki, everything will be fine then.
Letting go of her hand, Ikari then proceeded to walk towards the camp again. Ibuki was numb-struck, not knowing what to say. It wasn't just random babbling either, she felt glad again. She wanted to go with him and so she did as she ran up to him before the two of them entered the camp together. It felt like she saw a new side of him, but Ikari... Ikari would always be the same nice guy he had been since the first day they met. Not long after as the torches around the camp was lit up to combat the darkness, Ikari felt it was time for him to visit an old friend. It had been three months since they last spoke, and he knew he had to go see him once more sooner or later. Thinking back at what Naruto once told him, about someone close to him being his counterpart, the one Ikari would have to fight no matter what happened, he could not help thinking if Raikiru really was the spy everyone had thought him ought to be. Arriving at a small facility specialized to keep chakra-powerful shinobi restrained to the South-West near Konoha a day later, Ikari then came face to face with Raikiru once more.
Guard: Are you sure you want to do this Hokage-Sama??
Ikari: Yes I'm sure...
Having been escorted down to the lower blocks, Ikari was then shown the way to the room where Raikiru was still being detained. However, since he had not been convicted for anything yet due to the lack of any real evidence and due to still waiting for his "trial" to commence, Raikiru was, as of now, still an ally in Ikari's eyes. Hopefully, he would get the chance to confirm it this day as the guard opened up the door for him, letting him inside the room.
Raikiru: *Pant, pant, pant-...* Ikari??
Hanging from the ceiling doing some workout, Raikiru then jumped down to the floor as he looked at him for a brief second before going over to a nearby desk to get some water.
Raikiru: What do you want? And what's with that uniform, did they promote you to Kage or something??
Ikari: ...
Taking a sip from a glass, Raikiru then brushed away some sweat from his forehead with a towel as he was a bit surprised to see him there, but not more than he would have been for any visitor.
Raikiru: So... What's up?
Sitting down in a chair, the room Raikiru was being detained in seemed quite nice. It was nowhere near the standard of a prison-cell, as he had his own living room, kitchen, bathroom, and so forth. Taking another sip of his glass, Raikiru rested his right foot over his left as he looked at Ikari with a rather peaceful look.
Ikari: Good to see you again, I hope you are being treated-...
Raikiru: You're not here for chit-chat are you? Just get to the point...
Putting down his glass on a table, Raikiru waited for him to continue.
Ikari: You are right... I'm here because I need to ask you about three things, and I need you to be truthful and honest, can you do that for me? For old times sake...
Ikari was serious. He had one thing on his mind, and that was settling things straight once and for all.
Raikiru: That really depends on your questions and how much I'm able to answer them, Ikari...
He knew Ikari wasn't joking around, so he too decided to be serious. They just looked at each other for a while, as if having a stare-down, before Ikari finally picked up the pace.
Ikari: Raiga Utabana...
Ikari had to play it smart. For all he knew, Raikiru could be an excellent deceiver, so he couldn't give away all the information at once.
Raikiru: Raiga?? Hmm... I suppose this is the part where you expect me to give you slim hope, before stating that I've never heard the name before with a cold and dark tone... And unfortunately, I don't really have any idea who he-...
Ikari: Lies!!
Using his speed, Ikari was up in Raikiru's face as he grabbed a hold onto his shirt, pressing him down in his chair.
Raikiru: !!
Ikari: Tell me the truth Raikiru, at least have the decency to be honest this once!
Raikiru: But, but, I am telling you the-...
Ikari: Stop playing around already!!
Starting to shake Raikiru heavily back and forth, Ikari was desperate to find the answers he was hoping for, with only a slim hope of salvaging what little that was left of their friendship. In fact, Ikari seemed only inches away from starting a battle right there and then to beat it out of him if he had to.
Raikiru: Stop being reckless and violent, that's not going to solve a thing. Ikari, stop shaking-...
Ikari: Tell me!!
Raikiru: I AM TELLING YOU THE TRUTH IKARI, NOW BACK THE HELL OFF!!
Pushing Ikari aside, Raikiru stood up to his feet as he was furious, but luckily, he managed to stop in his track, knowing well that there were guards just outside the door ready to bust in at any moment.
Ikari: ... Stand down, I got this...
And as he had predicted, the door slam open as three guards were ready to assist Ikari at any and all commands. Hearing Ikari's request of them drawing out, they did not even question his will as they closed the door tightly behind them without even as much as another word spoken.
Raikiru: Heh, so I was right about you becoming Hokage huh...
Ikari: Why are you going so far to protect your true identity Raikiru, can't you see it is over?? At least tell me, after all we've been through, please just tell me already...
Raikiru: ... Ikari...
Ikari: ...
Raikiru: I... I just don't know what you want from me!! I already told you I am not a traitor, what do I have to do to prove it once and for all?!?! Just name it and I'll do it!!
Ikari: !!
There was just something about the way Raikiru shouted back at him. Normally it would seem like a rat being cornered, desperate to say anything to get out of the situation, but something about Raikiru was just different, he seemed so true to what he was saying that Ikari wasn't sure what to believe. Could he be telling the truth??
Ikari: So you don't know that man then...
Raikiru: Would you just tell me who he is already?!
Ikari: He was my opponent in the semi-final of the Chunin exam all those years ago, the Kumo Shinobi who defeated me badly, leaving me hospitalized, before beating Bruce in the final. The man you claim to be...
Raikiru: ?!
Ikari: There just can't be another explanation! Your explanation of the Chunin exam you took part in matches his data perfectly, defeating an Uzumaki in the semi-finals before moving on and defeating a Senju, whom also was the son of the Hokage, in the final, but even so, he was still not promoted. The only matching shinobi to that Chunin exam who are of Uzumaki and Senju blood, are Bruce and I, so there's no doubt about it... Even the whereabouts of that guy, together with his two team-mates and Sensei were labeled as unknown right before the first entry of your name appears in the Kumo database. In fact, the database claims that you two are the very same man, but I know different! To make things worse, the archives doesn't even have an entry for a guy named Raiga Utabana and no one seems to know or remember who he could possibly have been. His entry has simply been wiped out of the archives all together, and no ones knows why or even if he ever existed!
Raikiru: ...
Ikari: What were you doing for the first twelve years of your life in Kumo?! When did you infiltrate the village and become a spy-...
Raikiru: It's all lies, shut up!!
Refusing to hear anymore, Raikiru had already had enough. He was getting tired of Ikari's constant blabbering of how he wasn't being who he claimed to be, laying out information that made no sense to him at all.
Ikari: Explain how it is possible otherwise!!
Raikiru: I don't know!! I-... I just... Just leave me be!
Ikari: What do you mean you don't know-...
Raikiru: I don't remember okay!! I-... I can't remember a thing before that Chunin exam, I-... I don't know what it is, or how it is possible, but that is the truth! I am no traitor, and I did take part in that Chunin exam!!
Ikari: Sigh... If you did, you would have known me before we met that day... We would have had an intense battle and-...
Raikiru: Look... All I remember are the details, I can't remember the faces of those I battled, I-... It can't have been you and Bruce I fought, I'm sure there were someone else... You are probably just mixing things up-...
Ikari: Lies!! That is not possible!! There are no other Senju or Uzumaki Shinobi around besides us in this entire world!!
Raikiru: I was in that exam-...
Ikari: Liar!!
Raikiru: That was me-...
Ikari: Enough of your bullshit Raikiru!!
Raikiru: What is going on, why won't anyone believe me... Why can't I remember...
Sitting down in his chair again, Raikiru seemed very confused as he started to get stressed, losing focus on the conversation at hand. Ikari didn't even have to question him any further, it was as if he was believing truthfully that he was the same person that Ikari fought all those years ago. Could he be suffering from amnesia or something, or having experienced a great trauma when he was little, causing his memory to wipe itself out along with his entire childhood?? How was that even possible, some other explanation just had to exist as Ikari sought to draw the conversation to a close.
Raikiru: Who am I... Where do I belong, I...
Ikari: Raikiru...
Raikiru: Huh??
Ikari: The final question...
Raikiru: ...
Gaining his focus again, Ikari was ready to ask him the final question.
Ikari: Your data matches that man named Raiga perfectly, from your time of appearance in the database when you were twelve, to your memories of the Chunin exam, down to every last details... And you claim to don't remember a thing about the first twelve years of your life... I can't tell you otherwise than the fact that it seems too faulty for me to believe, and the fact that I've been told that someone I know, someone who was close to me, would betray me in the future... If it is not you, then who can it be?! If you are not Raiga, then who the hell are you?!!
Raikiru: !!
Ikari was ready to give him one last chance before he ran out of patience, but Raikiru just seemed to be as clueless as he was.
Raikiru: ... I don't-... Know... What am I even doing here?! There's no evidence against me to prove a thing, why am I still being detained Ikari, just tell me that and get me out of here already!! This is not fair, this is not just!!
Ikari: How can we even begin to trust a guy who don't even know who he is and where he really is from, suffering from some type of amnesia, believing that he is a guy he in fact isn't?!
Raikiru: I... I can't answer that...
Ikari: Sigh...
Raikiru: Then help me Ikari! Help me find out about my past, help me remember who I am, who I was...
Ikari: Raiba... Did you or did you not know that man? Why did you act like you did when he fell on the battlefield? Tell me, and I might start believing you...
Having already turned around, Ikari was ready to leave the room as he had not got anywhere closer to finding out anything new, when suddenly Raikiru answered the one question he knew the answer to.
Raikiru: It's hard to explain, but...
Ikari: ...
Raikiru: Somehow, right there and then, I felt like I knew who he was, or that I was supposed to at least. I could not remember where I had seen him or why he felt so familiar, and even though I knew he was the enemy, even though I knew he had almost killed you and Ibuki, I still felt sad when he died, like I was bound to... But I just don't know why...
Ikari: !!
Raikiru: His name was Raiba Raitobashi, but how I know, or where I know him from, I can't honestly remember...
Ikari: Raitobashi?? Hmmm... He also revealed the name of the man commanding the entire enemy army, the one who killed Jin and left Bruce in coma... Perhaps his name holds the key... He is Raiba's brother, and his name should be...
Raikiru: ...
Ikari: Raigo Raitobashi...
Raikiru: !!
[...]
?: Raigo... It is time.
Raigo: Excellent... I will have you avenge our brother personally Raika, hopefully you will not be as reckless as him.
Raika: I won't fail you brother.
Raigo: And remember, don't take any chances, don't underestimate your opponents. Kill them off swiftly when the chance displays itself. Playing around too long is what got Raiba killed in the first place, and if you were to fall too-...
Raika: I won't, you can count on me.
Raigo: Ever since our father Raito died, I've been following in his footsteps, trying to realize his dream, but as the years passes by and the enemy continues to resist, that dream is but ever fading from memory. The coming months will be decisive. Go forth Raika, and bring just to Raiba's memory!
Raika: Yosh, talk later-...
As the army from the North beyond the Great Sea was about to prepare another march in their never-ending campaign, a younger man approached the two brothers, demanding that he also could join his uncle to war.
?: Uncles, allow me to come along, allow me to fight by Raika's side to avenge my father's death!
Raika: Raido...
Raigo: No, you are only still sixteen, too young to go out to war. You will sit this one out and let the grown-ups take care of things.
Raido: But-...
Raigo: That's final. It's enough having to worry about my son being out there all alone, yet to have you marching out there as well. Raika, set off...
Raika: Roger.
Leaping off with his horse, Raika was out of sight as Raigo turned around to deal with his nephew, but he was already on his way back to camp.
Raigo: Don't do anything foolish Raido Raibashi...
Raido: I'm only going back to camp, relax already...
[...]
Ikari: What, what is it?!
Raikiru: That name!! I...
Ikari: Yeah??!
Raikiru: I... No... Same deal... Damn, but it also sounds so familiar...
Ikari: Your last name Raikiru... Do you know where it comes from?? It sounds oddly similar to their last name...
Raikiru: Raigobashi you mean... I'm afraid I don't... I don't even know if I ever had a family to begin with or not...
Ikari: I see... Well then, I suppose I don't have more to say for now...
Raikiru: Wait, are you leaving?? I thought-...
Ikari: I'll be back later, but I can't promise I'll be able to fix thi-...
As he was about to wrap things up, the door slammed open once again as a guard hurried inside the room, demanding to speak with Ikari.
Guard: Hokage-Sama, it is urgent!!
Ikari: !!
Guard: A small force of shinobi has snuck around our lines and are on their way straight for Konoha as we speak!!
Raikiru: ?!
Ikari: What?! Why would they come all the way over here?! They have nothing to gain by trying to take Konoha... Alert all available shinobi, we must stop them at all costs!
Guard: Right away!
Running out the door, the guard disappeared from view as an alarm started sounding loud and clear through the entire building.
Ikari: We'll continue this conversation later Raikiru, I'll have to go and deal-...
Raikiru: Take me with you, allow me to demonstrate once and for all which side I am on... At least give me that chance Ikari!!
Ikari: !!
Raikiru: It is not me seeing a chance to escape, although I would not blame you for believing so. This is me trying to prove that I am the man I claim to be, that I haven't fought by your sides for all those years for nothing!
Ikari: You're serious...
Would Ikari risk it?? He needed every man he could muster, but at the same time, what if this was his plan all along? Could he trust him? Could he take the chance without consulting the other Kages first?
Raikiru: With that technique of yours, no one will ever see me missing. I can grab an armor and-...
Ikari: Fine... But if you betray me Raikiru...
Raikiru: ...
Ikari: I will not hesitate to kill you on the spot. You stay close to me and don't get out of sight, you hear?
Raikiru: Yes... Let's do this Ikari, like in the old days!
Placing his hand on Raikiru's shoulder, the two of them were gone in a flash. Reappearing shortly thereafter by a smaller building just outside of Konoha, Ikari then proceeded to walk through an iron door as Raikiru followed right after. Coming inside a room with a lot of battle equipment hanging around, Ikari then grabbed a hold onto some stuff as he tossed it Raikiru's way.
Raikiru: ?? What am I suppose to do with this ridicules arm-...
Ikari: Wear it... If anyone sees you, they might think you have escaped and truly are a traitor, but with this armor and helmet, no one will see who you are, just like you suggested. This is the only armor I have here...
Raikiru: Uhm...
Being a bit hesitant, Raikiru then took on the equipment as he let out a loud sigh, showing his restlessness wearing it.
Ikari: Relax, it will only be temporary until I get to clear your name...
Raikiru: Clear my name??
Ikari: If you can prove to me what side you are on once and for all, I will no longer have a reason to doubt you, and therefore, there won't be a reason to throw you back into that facility.
Raikiru: I see...
Ikari: Now, let's get to work.
Placing his hand onto Raikiru's shoulder once again, the two of them were gone. A little after, they were back at the facility as the guard from before came running towards them.
Guard: Oh there you are, where did you-... Who is this ridicules guy and why is he wearing that armor??
Raikiru: Don't-...
Ikari: Don't worry about it, he's one of the strongest shinobi I know of that I knew I could get a hold onto fast. It is not much, but with his help, we will be one step closer pushing the attackers back. Let's gather the remaining forces we have stationed here and get to work!
Guard: Right!!
Leading the forces, Ikari, Raikiru and the shinobi stationed by Konoha were already out on the field. They were counting about 1000 shinobi as the enemy forces came into view with the sun burning strong behind them. Halting their advance, the two forces stood watching each other as the enemy commander rode out in front, trying to boost his troops' moral.
Shinobi: Report! The enemy forces numbers about 3000 shinobi, three times the size of our forces! The nearest allied unit is about half a day's march from here, so we will have to hold our ground until either reinforcements arrives, or until we can figure out the enemies true motives coming here and find a way to make their approach futile.
Ikari: I see... Yosh, everyone, let's-...
Raika: Enemy commander, come forth! I challenge you to a battle, man against man! There's no reason for useless bloodshed, let's just decide this between us! The winner takes the glory, the loser dies!
Ikari: !!
Having just readied himself to send his forces forward, Ikari was quite shocked hearing the enemy's sudden call for a challenge.
Raikiru: What is he planning... Who is that man?
Ikari: What, you don't recognize him?
Raikiru: Not with his helmet, no...
Ikari: Whomever he is, he seems strong, perhaps even as strong as that Raiba guy...
Raikiru: ...
Shinobi: Commander, what will you have us do??
Thinking things through, Ikari could not avoid feeling that this was all a setup, however, if he denied the challenge, it would only demoralize his own troops moral, strengthening the enemy forces even further. He had to accept, didn't he?
Raika: Well?! What is your answer?!!
Riding back and forth, Raika laughed out loud with a dark and powerful voice, trying to taunt Ikari to answer his challenge.
Ikari: Fine!
Raikiru: Ikari, what are you...
Ikari: Hiyaa!!
Giving his horse a knock, the two men rode fast towards each other as both of them clapped their hands together starting to form some hand-seals before sending out two powerful techniques each others' way. As the two techniques clashed in the middle of the field, the two men followed shortly thereafter as Ikari drew his two swords to meet him. Just as he was about to clash with him however, Raika suddenly blew in a horn as two more forces came in from their sides, with the rest of his troops following from behind.
Raikiru: I knew it! Everyone attack, we must help our Hokage!
Riding towards him trying to help him out, Raikiru and the allied shinobi quickly caught up as they clashed hard with the incoming troops, with Ikari being caught in the middle, being surrounded on all sides.
Ikari: ?!
Raikiru: Ikari!!... ?!
As Raikiru was trying to fight his way through to him, an enemy shinobi swung his sword Raikiru's way as he merely scratched his horse, cutting the rein to the saddle he sat on. Falling off the horse, Raikiru's left foot was caught as he was dragged along the ground with the horse heading in the complete opposite direction of where the battle was taking place.
Raikiru: !!
Trying to get his foot free, Raikiru was dragged so far and so fast that he bumped his head into a rock as his helmet flew off, and just as it did, his foot finally came free as he landed flat on his face. Forcing himself up, Raikiru could only watch as the horse disappeared from view as he looked around, realizing that he was nowhere near the battlefield anymore. Walking over to the helmet, he reached down to pick it up as he placed it on his head again, before looking up, and just as he did, a man was suddenly standing in front of him.
Raido: So I finally found you...
Raikiru: ?!
[...]
Raigo: ...He's gone isn't he...
Having returned to his main camp after giving his brother the command of the forces, Raigo went to find his nephew to talk some sense into him, but as he got there however, he discovered that Raiga was nowhere to be seen.
Shinobi: I... I'm not sure, where would he-...
Raigo: He went after my brother Raika, despite my command for him to not go out there. If he was to go into battle and fall, Raiba would definitely haunt me from the dead for not being able to protect his only son. I will have to go after him.
Shinobi: Go after him?! You don't even know if he-...
Raigo: I know...
Shinobi: But, but, if you go out there too...
Calling for a horse, Raigo mounted his trusted stead as he called some of his most trusted men over to join him.
Raigo: Let's go.
Despite several objections from the shinobi, knowing very well that he would risk the whole operation by going out there himself, Raigo still rode off with his men to find his nephew before it was too late. He could not let him ruin their plot, even if he had to go out there himself to stop him.
[...]
Ikari: *Pant, Pant*
Raika: You are persistent... I like that.
Ikari: I wouldn't be Hokage otherwise, would I...
Being locked in an intense stalemate with the enemy commander, Ikari had managed to get out of the immediate danger he found himself in when the enemy springed their traps and surrounded him on all sides earlier. Despite this, the situation was far from over, and the battle was still going full throttle. Breaking away from him, Ikari jumped backwards to gain some space, but as he did, three enemy shinobi were waiting for him as he quickly turned around to face them, swinging his swords around as he blew them away in an instant. Turning back towards Raika, Ikari just looked at him, trying to come up with a plan.
Ikari: This is not going to be an easy battle I see...
Raika: Hah, why would you think so??
Ikari: No reason... However, there must be a reason for you guys suddenly coming this far down South all of a sudden with a small group of shinobi... What is your purpose coming down here, what is the reason for this war??...
Ikari was persistent indeed, but he figured he would use this situation to his advantage. This time, it was his turn to ask the questions, hoping that he could get some well deserved answers.
Raika: Hahaha, why do you think I would just give you the answers you seek? There's not without reason why all of our soldiers are ready to die before even giving away anything about our reasoning for this war!
Ikari: Choose wisely what you decide to say next... I will not delay this battle any further than necessary...
Raika: ... You are strong... However, so are every man out on this battlefield as well, which means that you are still only just another obstacle for me to overcome. You have fought many battles in this war I presume, and you seem to have adapted very well to our way of fighting...
Ikari: What is your name...
Raika: My name?! Hah! This is no time for chit-chat, you are about to die anyways-...
Ikari: Are you Raiba and Raigo's brother? It's hard to tell with your helmet, but something tells me that the commanders of your forces are being led directly by a clan that I still have to identify. If you are, my assumptions has to be right-...
Raika: Don't you dare mention my late brother's name you bastard! How do you even-...
Ikari: I fought him.
Raika: !! Was it you who...
Ikari: No, but regardless, this war will not end good for any of us... There is no reason for this war to go on! Why do you continue to wage war against us, on what purpose have we been fighting for almost seven years straight?! Just retreat your troops and we can-...
Raika: Enough of your hot-boiled confidence! This is where you'll die!! Raiton: Odin's Wrath!
Reaching both his arms up in the air, a roaring thunder storm began to form on the skies above them as lightning bolts started to strike down towards the ground. Channeling a large portion of lightning in his arms, Raika sent of a powerful beam towards Ikari.
Ikari: That's almost the same as!!
Just barely managing to dodge the beam using his Flying Thunder God, Ikari reappeared behind Raika as he sent off an attack straight to his back, sending him flying away.
Ikari: Rasengan!!
Raika: What-... Ugh?!
[...]
Raikiru: Who are you?!
Raido: Relax, I'm not your enemy...
Raikiru: Then who the hell are you?!
Raido: My name is not important... We don't have much time before they find out, so I have to be brief...
Raikiru: They?!
Raido: What matters is that I know who you are and what your true purpose is, Raikiru...
Raikiru: !!
He could not believe it, what in the world was going on, who was this man claiming to know who he was, and what were the odds for the two of them meeting like this?
Raikiru: My... My purpose?!
Raido: Your brother... He was originally the man placed in your position, his job was to infiltrate Kumogakure as a spy and act as a... Well, it doesn't matter now I suppose...
Raikiru: My brother?!
Raido: Yes... Raiga he-...
Raikiru: Raiga?!! As in Raiga Utabana?!
Raido: Yes... Or, not quite... Utabana was only his cover name... Your brother shared the same name as you Raikiru, and I suppose you already know what it is...
Raikiru: Raigobashi...
Raido: Your brother he, he lost track of his mission, of his purpose... He got too warm to the feeling of being in a village, to have team-mates and friends by his side in a time of peace, where everything was just... I can't say I blame him, I really can't... But it was no excuse, even if we come from a land ravaged by 100ed years of war, where nothing grows anymore, where the word "peace" is just a far-away dream, a simple minded illusion... The battles of the five clans have really had its impact on our land....
Raikiru: What are you talking about?!
Raido: Your father had no choice... As a member of the Rai clan, even your brother had to follow our code... He had to be replaced, and all the traces of him had to be removed, even his team-mates and his Sensei, every single bit of information that there were...
Raikiru: !! My father did what??! Where you guys behind the assassination of the 9th Raikage?! Just who are you guys, what is it that you want from me, why am I here, why can I not remember anything else before that Chunin exam?!
Raido: Our late grandfather Raito-Sama, he had a distant dream... A dream of taking our clan away from the battlefield, to a new land across the sea, to claim a land of our own, a land that was not torn apart by constant battling... In order to stay true to that dream, we will have to win this war, to find a way to claim this land our own! There is nothing left where we come from... The other clans have already terminated each other, however, there are only burnt soil and death up there now, nothing left for us to return to... Here on the other hand, there's still trees! Rivers! Green fields! Animals! Life!!
Raikiru: Hold on a second, what are you getting at?!
Raido: Your older brother he... He wanted to get away. Our leader saw no other options than to send him back to our old lands, to serve better purpose, he... He fell shortly thereafter on the battlefield, refusing to fight his opponents... Your father he, he couldn't dispose of his own son, but he knew... He knew Raiga would end up dying on the fields if he sent him back there, he... He knew, but he still sent him back there... This is where you come in Raikiru, where your role, your part to play comes into light...
Raikiru: How do you know all this?! Just who are you?! Answer me!
Raido: After the Chunin exam all those years ago, it was all clear to him... Your father removed your brother and put you in his stead, however, he could not take any chance, he had to make sure that you did not turn out the same way, that you fulfilled your mission, stayed true to the cause...
Raikiru: My brother took part in the Chunin exam?? But, but that was me-...
Raido: Your father implemented your brother's last memories of his time with his team-mates and Sensei into you, so that you would continue where he left off, that is why you remember that Chunin exam as your own Raikiru... However, it was no easy task to perform, his mind-transferring technique only managed to get parts of the details... It wiped out most of your memories that you had from your childhood... Even the mission itself became blurry... This only became apparent after we already had sent you in there, and there was no time to pull you out to alter your memory, to restore those lost parts... The war had already started, and you had already been in Kumo for four years.
Raikiru: I... I wasn't even the man in it, that was my brother?? I-... I... What is your name?
Raido: It is Raido... Raido Raibashi. I am your cousin Raikiru, and my uncle Raigo he, he is your-...?!
Raikiru: !!
?: Over there!!
Raido: They have found us! I need to go... I'll see you another time Raikiru, until then...
Raikiru: Wait, don't go, you haven't even-... What is my mission, what is my purpose?!
But it was too late... Raido was already out of sight as a troop of shinobi came riding in towards Raikiru. Surrounding him on all sides, they were not sure whether he was an ally or an enemy at first.
Raikiru: Hold your men back!
Shinobi: Just who are you, being alone all out here and why are you wearing that ridicules armor?! Are you an ally or an enemy?! Speak up!
Raikiru: I... I am at your side...
Shinobi: Then who are you?!
He had to think fast as what he said next, could potentially decide whether or not he would have to fight his own allies of all people. He just had to think of something to get out of the situation, to get back to Ikari and the rest before it was too late.
Shinobi: Show your face!
Raikiru: ...
He knew that if he removed his helmet, it would all be over; that would leave him no other choice than to fight his way out...
Raikiru: I'm Kitsuke Uchiha! I was out patrolling the area around here with my squad when we heard news of a battle taking place near Konoha. We came as fast as we could, but we encountered some enemies on the way as I got cut off from the rest... My horse ran off and I bulked my head into a rock, that's why-...
Shinobi: Kitsuke?! Why didn't you say so right away!
Raikiru: !! There's no time to lose, we need to go now to help out the rest!
Shinobi: Right, someone give this man a horse!
Believing him to be the man he claimed to be without even as much as an eyebrow raised, they were all on their way back before Raikiru even could analyze the things that had just happened, what he had been told and what he would do about it.
[...]
Ikari: ...
Raika: *Pant* That was close! Still though, that attack is not strong enough to break through my armor... This helmet however, is blocking my sight...
Ikari: ...The same type of armor that Raiba had... I need to make up something more powerful to break through it to make a real impact...
Dropping his helmet to the ground, Raika then prepared another attack as Ikari readied his defenses.
Ikari: This time, I will strike first!
Raika: !!
Ikari: Futon: RasenShuriken!!
Raika: Impossi-... Ugh?!
Ikari: !! I threw it?!
Before Raika had managed to summon enough chakra for his technique, Ikari had already fired up a RasenShuriken in his hand as he tossed it hard Raika's way, sending him flying backwards at top speed. Amazed by the fact that he was finally able to throw it rather than having to smash it into his opponent, Ikari then followed up with another attack, seeing the previous technique giving him the momentum.
Ikari: I will end it now!
Disappearing using his Flying Thunder God once more, Ikari reappeared just as the RasenShuriken came smashing into Raika, sending him flying backwards towards his new position. Preparing his swords, Ikari charged them both with lightning based currents as he threw them towards Raika's back with great intent.
Ikari: Raiton?! Since when could I... What is going on?!
Raika: !!
Receiving a direct hit, both of the swords pierced through his armor and through his back, coming out the other side as they pierced deep into the ground. But it did not end there, Ikari then fired up another RasenShuriken as he threw it towards Raika's back, connecting with the other RasenShuriken and creating a massive explosion with Raika being caught in the middle as great shockwaves were sent everywhere. He did not stand a chance as his entire body was ripped to pieces as he fell towards the ground, landing with a trail of smoke behind him. It was as if Ikari's body moved on its own, as if he was being guided through the proper path somehow, but was it enough to deal with the enemy commander?
Ikari: I... Did it??...
Running over to him, Ikari discovered that both his attacks did the trick. Raika was no more, with only his dead body remaining, and Ikari was ever puzzled over how he was suddenly able to throw the RasenShuriken and how he suddenly was able to utilize Lightning affinity when he could do neither before this battle.
Ikari: Did Naruto do something to me when he-...?!
Raikiru: Ikari, watch out!!
Ikari: !!
Almost being caught in his own mind for a few seconds, Ikari did the one mistake you are not allowed to do when out on the battlefield- losing focus. From behind him came a sword-wielding shinobi as he swung his sword right towards Ikari's head, and Ikari was nowhere near being able to intercept it in time. Luckily for him, Raikiru had finally returned to the battlefield as he rode by Ikari's two swords, grabbed the both of them up from the ground, placed both his feet on the horse's saddle and leaped off at rapid speed, charging both of them up with lightning currents mid-air, as he span around towards the shinobi's back, almost slicing him in half as he swung the two swords around. Blood spat on Ikari's face as the shinobi's sword merely scratched his shoulder on its way down towards the ground. Ikari was saved in the last second by the one man he had doubted for the past few months, the best friend he had believed to have lost.
Ikari: Raikiru, you, you saved me...
Raikiru: Damn that was a close one! Are you alright??
Ikari: Y-es... Yes I am... Raikiru, your helmet...
Raikiru: ... It must have fallen off when I went for the swords I-...
Not knowing what to make out of it, Ikari didn't manage to say much before Raikiru placed his eyes on the fallen man on the ground behind Ikari's back.
Raikiru: !!
Ikari: You know that man too?!
Raikiru: I-... I don't know, there is something familiar with him too, but...
Ikari: Same deal as with Raiba huh-... Raikiru, you are...
Raikiru: !!
Tears had begun to stream down his chin, but Raikiru in all honesty, had no idea why, why he felt sad for that man, why he felt sad for the enemy commander. He couldn't explain it, and Ikari knew that as well.
Raikiru: I...
Ikari: You don't have to explain it...
Raikiru: So this was his face underneath the helmet...
Ikari: Yes... His name was Raika...
Raikiru: Raika huh... Well-...
Ikari: !!
Raikiru: ?!
As the two of them were trying to figure things out, a small group of enemy horse riders suddenly came towards them as they halted some distance away from them. Seeing this, the remaining allied shinobi gathered at Ikari's back as the rest of the enemy shinobi had fallen. Just as the battle seemed to have been won, even more enemies arrived to the field, but why only a few horse riders they wondered as Ikari walked forward to face them, stopping only about 20 meters or so away from them. Walking up to him was Raikiru, as he was completely stunned seeing the leader of the small squad before him. His face sprung forth so many emotions at once that Raikiru didn't know whether to be mad, sad or happy seeing him. The man on the horse closest to them had a menacing look on his face as Ikari knew instantly there and then that it could not be anyone else than the enemy leader himself.
Ikari: You... You are the one who killed Jin and left Bruce in a coma!! I remember you from that day! How dare you show your face all the way down here?! What is it that you guys want from this war?!
Raigo: ... I have no intention telling a low-life like you...
Hearing this, the other allied shinobi from Konoha were fueled by rage at the realization of their past Hokage's killer standing right before them, almost to the point where Ikari had to hold them back.
Raigo: But... I am not here to fight...
Ikari: Then what do you want?!
Raigo: I see my last brother also fell before you... I can only regret not being here sooner... However, I was the one to kill the past Hokage and leave his son in a coma... And I've also heard rumors that your past girlfriend was killed in the war as well, Hokage-Sama... With you killing both my brothers... I suppose, this would in one sense make us even. But don't think for even a second that you will die by any other hand than my own!
Shouting out, Raigo was not scared of a single man standing before him, even though they were outnumbered beyond measure. Devastated by the lost of his second brother, he knew that he had to hold himself back, because if he was to charge the man in front of him now, he would risk the entire campaign for a simple revenge, and he could not let himself fall for that tempt, no matter how much he wanted to.
Ikari: Not if I kill you first you bastard-...!!
Raikiru: Ikari don't, you can't attack that man, not now...
Ikari: Why, why can't I?! This time around I have you by my side Raikiru, together with the rest of our allies, we will definitely end this war right here and now by taking that man's head!
Reaching his hand up in the air, Ikari boosted the moral of his remaining troops as they all were on the brink of charging the small squad of five men in front of them.
Raikiru: This is not the time Ikari, just trust me on that one...
Ikari: What do you mean?! If we let him go now, we will never get a better chance at taking care of him!
Raigo: ...
Watching them from the top of his horse, Raigo was analyzing what to do as one of his men leaned over to him and whispered some words into his ears.
Raigo: You are right... I suppose my nephew is not here any longer, however, it's been ages since I've been this close to my own-...
Raikiru: !!
Ikari: ...
Raigo: Fall back, there is no way we can win here today, even though I would personally never fall before any of you weaklings... If I was to fall now, there wouldn't be anything good to look forward to, would there?? We will meet again Hokage-Sama, and when we do, we will have our fight... And then, then you will meet your proper end.
Signaling his men to retreat, the five horse riders then turned their backs on Ikari, Raikiru and the rest as they leaped off in the opposite direction, much to Ikari's frustration.
Raikiru: I'm telling you, now is not the time!!
Shinobi: Hokage-Sama, what should we do?! Should we pursuit them?!
Ikari: ...
Shinobi: Hokage-Sama, they are getting away!!
Ikari: Tch... Fine Raikiru, but if you are wrong...
Raikiru: I am not... In fact, there is something I need to tell you...
Ikari: ... Everyone retreat!
Leading his forces back towards Konoha, Ikari then took Raikiru with him as the two of them teleported to a small town, just outside the Shinobi World Alliance's main camp. Landing on the ground, Ikari then demanded an explanation.
Ikari: Look...
Reaching his hand out, Ikari laid it gently on his shoulder.
Ikari: There is something I can't explain about you... Even though everything has pointed towards you lying for the past few months, you have done everything to prove us wrong, to prove me wrong... You even saved my life today and-...
Raikiru: Ikari...
Ikari: I trust you... But we need to figure this out once and for all before we return...
Raikiru: As the battle begun and the enemy springed their traps, my horse ran off with me being dragged behind it by its reins... I was dragged away from the field, until I fell off, bulking my head into a rock. Once I stood up to my feet again, there was this man standing before me, not old of age, but with a lot of intel in hands...
As he laid out the events that led up to him returning to the field just in time to save Ikari, Ikari could only look puzzled at him in response, wondering what exactly it all meant.
Raikiru: I don't know what to make out of it all Ikari, but I know where I belong, who I'm fighting for! I'm scared, I'm confused, but my will to fight for our cause is still the same, not even three months locked away, being doubted even by probably my only true friend here, will ever change that!
Ikari: I-...
Raikiru: My past... Whatever I did, whoever I used to be, whomever my family is, what I was suppose to do, my role in all this... It doesn't matter! I don't care! You are my friend Ikari, you are all my allies... I will die fighting by your side if I have to, to see this war to an end, nothing can change that, you have my word...
Ikari: I believe... This could be used to our advantage Raikiru, I believe we're closer to figure out what it all means than ever before, however-...
Raikiru: ??...
There was nothing wrong in his consent. Raikiru had never been more sincere in his life, and Ikari had no reasons to doubt him, not anymore, but there was still a lot to take into consideration, a lot to be careful about. If his seal was to be opened and all his memories spring back, would Raikiru be the same? Would he still be fighting for the same cause? Would he risk taking the chance, to convince the rest of Raikiru's true intentions, that he was their allies, and that they had nothing to fear? Would he tell the rest about what he had learned today, or would he keep quiet? Would they be able to take advantage of this or could it potentially backfire at him? So many counted at him, counted in him to make the right choice... Ikari had a lot to consider, and he had to make up his mind now.
Ikari: Okay... I have a plan.
Going over to a local horse-renting rancher, the two of them mounted on their two horses as they took off towards the allied camp. Not long after, they entered through the front gate as a lot of staring eyes looked their way, seeing Raikiru out of custody, however, with Ikari the Hokage leading the way, few dared doubt his intent or speak their mind, not right away at least...
Ikari: Let me do the talking...
Raikiru: Are you sure??
Ikari: Yes, now it is your turn to trust me Raikiru, just follow my lead...
Raikiru: Ahah, that is funny because you are the Ho-...
Ikari: ...
Raikiru: Okay, not the time to crack jokes I see...
Dismounting and leaving the horses behind by a stable, the two of them were headed towards the Raikage's tent when they were suddenly surrounded and confronted by Kitsuke and some other men whom stepped in front of them, blocking their way.
Kitsuke: Hold it, hold it, hold it!!
Raikiru: ??
Ikari: ...
Kitsuke: Ikari, what is going on?! What is that traitor doing here?!
Ikari: Not now Kitsuke, I'll explain later...
Trying to pass through them, Ikari was simply stopped in his tracks as Kitsuke gently placed his right hand on his chest to stop his progress. Looking him straight in the eyes, Kitsuke had a worried look on his face, almost to the degree of being quite upset and irritated. It was as if Ikari could feel that Kitsuke found this to be going against what they had decided and as if he felt betrayed by Ikari himself. However, Ikari knew that even though he wouldn't get passed him too easily, he simply didn't have time for his complaints now.
Raikiru: Kitsuke, what the hell are you doing?! As a fellow Kumo Shinobi, I urge you to reconsider what you are doing and just let us through. It is not wise for you to take matters into your own hands and to oppose the Hokage like th-...
Kitsuke: I wasn't talking to you Raikiru!
Ikari: ...
Kitsuke: Ikari, that man should not be here, he should be in custody! You are doing a great mistake trusting that guy! If even we Kumo Shinobi can't trust him, how can you, a shinobi from Konoha do so?! We barely know anything about this guy!
Demanding an explanation, Kitsuke and his men refused to move out of the way, much to Ikari's frustration.
Raikiru: Ikari...
Ikari: I'm going to sort things out Kitsuke, in matter of facts, we are heading to the Raikage's tent right now-...
Kitsuke: No need, he has already been called here... You will not move a single step before he gets here.
Ikari: ...And who gave you the authority over the Hokage, Kitsuke??
Looking at him with a stern look, Ikari knew he had to avoid getting the situation more tense than what it already was, but he could not restrained himself much longer. After all, he was the Hokage now, one of the five leaders of this alliance, and it was almost out of its place for Kitsuke to demand anything from him, against the shinobi code to act this way, however...
Kitsuke: I-...
Ikari: Look, I know you don't trust him, that what you witnessed before has convinced you that this man is not on our side, but latest intel has proven otherwise... If you don't trust him, at least find trust in me Kitsuke, I'm sure you don't want any trouble here...
Kitsuke: No, you look, Hokage-Sama! I know it's dangerous for me to do this, but I am afraid I have no choice... I know you are a reasonable man, just please wait here until Maki arrives...
Ikari: Sigh... Fine, we'll wait.
Not seeing any way out other than to use force, Ikari decided to listen to his plea, and only a few moments later, Maki arrived with a couple of guards behind him as Ikari turned his attention towards him.
Maki: Ikari?? What is going on here and why have I heard that-... So he's here...
Kitsuke: Raikage-Sama, please do something about the situation! The Hokage is clearly violating the-...
Ikari: I'll explain...
Maki: Very well.
Raikiru: ...
Ikari: Raikiru is not a traitor... The leader of the enemy forces just had a small group attack our forces just outside Konoha's border as I was paying a visit over there, and-...
Maki: Yeah, reports about that incident has already reached our ears... I've heard about the battle and its outcome already...
Ikari: Then you should also know that Raikiru offered to assist and so he did... He even saved my life on one occasion and-...
Kitsuke: He also pretended to be me, didn't he?!
Raikiru: I had no choice! If I hadn't, I wouldn't have made it back in time to-...
Ikari: It is fine Raikiru, let me talk...
Kitsuke: Still, you were in no position to-...
Maki: Step down already Kitsuke, that is an order... Let the Kages talk.
Kitsuke: Humph... Fine.
Maki: You are sure this is not all part of his plan, Ikari??
Ikari: Tch, if anything, this all proves that the accusations against him is purely fictive. They were never solid to begin with-...
Kitsuke: Objection! You can't simply take his word for it just because Ikari is the Hokage! Raikage-Sama, you are not going to let this guy out of our sigh, are you?! We will just be doing what the enemy wants and it will strike back at us!
Maki: Kitsuke!! I understand your concerns, but as a fellow Kumo Shinobi, can you for sure say that there are enough evidence to support the claims or to counter the things he has shown out in battle?? He still hasn't had his trial, and-...
Kitsuke: I-...
Ikari: I don't know whether you trust Raikiru or not Raikage-Sama, but all I ask is for you to trust me... I will take full responsibility for whatever actions Raikiru may or may not take, and will so be equally punished by Shinobi Laws if he so makes them. I will give you a personal report for you to read, detailing the events that took place and Raikiru proving his worth... Until then, I request Raikiru to be reinstated in our forces... Like you said yourself, he hasn't had a conviction yet, so it is all merely speculation as of now... I'm convinced that he is a righteous man, and he has done more for our forces in the last four years of war than most people have-...
Raikiru: Ikari... Why would you-...
Ikari: Because you are my friend Raikiru... And that is what friends do for each other... I have no doubt in my mind that you are on our side, not anymore... You are one of us Raikiru, that is all that matters now.
Smiling at him, Ikari had made his stand. There was no going back on his word now and only the Raikage's approval left remaining.
Maki: Fine, that is all I need to be hearing... I'm sure you have your reasons Ikari, and I will choose to believe in you and in them as well... Raikiru...
Raikiru: Y-es, Raikage-Sama!
Maki: You are hereby reinstated in our forces... You may carry on.
Raikiru: Thanks!!
Ikari: Then it's settled...
Kitsuke: But-...
Taking his leave, Maki and his guards were then out of sight as Kitsuke continued to press his concerns, disappearing from view together with him and his men. Turning his attention towards Raikiru, Ikari then concluded the situation at hand as he told him he had to go see someone to seek out some answers. Not long after, Ikari placed foot at Mt. Myobokuzan once more as he headed straight for the Great Temple.
Ikari: It's been three months Naruto, you better have returned by now-... Fukasaku??
Entering the temple, Ikari came before the seat which Naruto usually was seated in, but as he deep down inside had expected, he found it to be empty. However, sitting beside it meditating, the elderly toad known as Fukasaku was, as Ikari knew he could at least seek his guidance if Naruto wasn't there to help him out.
Fukasaku: Ahh, Ikari... Glad you made it... Naruto spoke of this day before he left three months ago...
Ikari: He-... He did??
Fukasaku: Yes he did indeed... So, what may I assist you with?
Ikari: I-... I suppose that since Naruto hasn't returned yet, I-...
Fukasaku: If you came to ask when he'll return, I'm afraid I can't help you... Naruto's journey to the Forest of the Great Giants is one he must travel on his own, no matter how long it takes, just like we all have our own paths to walk...
Ikari: I see... Naruto spoke about my counter-part, the one destiny had foreseen me to battle, like all the great shinobi of the past, we were to walk in their footsteps, however...
Fukasaku: ...
Ikari: For the sake of the future of this world, for the sake of peace... I need to know if it is him... If it is Raikiru Raigobashi, and whether I'm doing the right thing trusting him, whether I'm walking the right path... Everything and everyone depends on me to make the right choices, and-...
Fukasaku: Hmm...
Ikari: If I fail...
Fukasaku: Ikari-San...
Ikari: Am I doing the right thing, Fukasaku, risking everything, every trust and faith people has ever put in me, by keeping what Raikiru told me a secret from everyone else? Is the risk worth taking, or will it backfire on me, on the alliance and everyone I care about, endangering Konoha's entire position in the Shinobi World Alliance??... As the Hokage, I have to make the right choice, but it is so easily to let emotions decide instead of reason, I-... If I let the other Kages down, the entire alliance could shatter because I'm trusting the wrong guy...
Fukasaku: How long have you been Hokage now Ikari-San??
Ikari: Uhm, three months?...
Fukasaku: Which makes you not only the youngest Kage in the alliance, but also the newest, am I right??
Ikari: Y-es...
Fukasaku: Hmmm...
Ikari: I need your advice more now than ever before, if there is something you have to say, something you know, then I must hear it! Should I continue to walk the path I am, betting everything on this coincidental meeting between Raikiru and what seemed to be his cousin, or should I take a chance and risk the entire operation by telling the rest of the Kages?? I feel so... Indifferent about the whole thing, I mean... One part of me bases every choice I make on my experience with Raikiru, while another bases itself on reason... Raikiru is not one of us, he was sent as a spy to infiltrate our forces, but some time along the way, his memory was lost, and he is now-...
Fukasaku: Many great choices has been made up through the countless generations of shinobi, and like everyone in the past, it is up to each and everyone of us to make what we believe is the right choices to make, not only for ourselves, but for everyone else as well... Even though you feel like you have to do what is expected of you, by your friends, by your allies, by Naruto, even by destiny itself, and that whatever choice you make, will decide the future of this world, sometimes, you just have to... Not try so hard to follow the path Naruto or the world has foreseen for you, but instead, try to make your own path, your own destiny... Choice what you feel is the right path to walk, to find your own way, your own answers. Sometimes, destiny comes to you, not the other way around, Ikari... If you try too hard, if you try to force destiny upon yourself, you will only tire yourself out, and in the end, even make the wrong decisions...
Ikari: Fukasaku, you...
Fukasaku: If you feel that keeping this to yourself is the right thing to do, to best take advantage of the situation at hand, then you do that, but if you feel like you have to tell the rest, then you do that instead! It is entirely up to you Ikari, no faith or destiny can change that... Now, I need to head home for supper, Ma is not going to be pleased if I'm late again.
Jumping down from his seat, Fukasaku stopped by Ikari as he looked at him one last time with a reassuring smile on his face, before he then continued to walk towards the exit of the temple.
Ikari: Wait! How will I know if I make the right choice?!
Fukasaku: It has been too long of a time since I last saw you kid... Make sure not to wait this long before we talk next time, will you? Ma would probably be happy to see you as well...
And with that, he was gone from view. Ikari could have run after him, but even as ever puzzled he was at Fukasaku's wise words, he knew there and then that he had to find his own answers from now on. Taking his leave, Ikari then returned to the allied camp, but before heading back to his tent, he decided to stop by the memorial graveyard where Rin was buried. Stopping by her grave which was just in between Jin and Akuma's graves, Ikari fell to his knees in front of hers as day had turned to night, and the late night cold had already snuck its shivering feels down his spine.
Ikari: Rin... I know it has been awhile since I've come to visit, but I-... I-...
The day had been long and decisive, and as Ikari already had a lot to think about, the fact that he missed Rin now more than he had in a long time, slowly pressed some long awaited tears forth in his eyes. They streamed down his face, uncontrollably, as Ikari hadn't cried this hard since the day Rin died. He had just locked everything out, staying strong for everyone else dependent on him, but even Ikari was only human, and like all humans, his feelings eventually got the better of him.
Ikari: I don't know what to do Rin, I don't know what I am suppose to do, I-... Why could I not protect you, why could I not-... If you only were here, if I only was stronger, I-... I should have been able to prevent you from dying, I-... I need you Rin, not one day goes by without my heart still missing you. The pain, it is eating me up from the inside, and I can only take so much before I-... I can't let go, I refuse to let go, I-... I know it has only been three months, but I-... I try to stay strong for our son, for Makar, but even he is-... Even he knows there is someone missing, he-... He is still so young, but he understands it and I-...
He had to pause to catch his breath, and Ikari was almost too devastated to go on, but he knew he had to clear his mind and this was where to do it.
Ikari: Am I doing the right thing? If I fail again, if any more people dies under my watch, I-... It is unfair, why can't my heart let you go, to let go of the pain and the sorrow, I can't keep going like this, God I miss you so much Rin, if I could only bring you back... Will I ever be able to move on Rin? Will I ever find happiness again, like I did with you through the short time we had together? One day will come where I will have to tell Makar about his beloved mother, and when I do I-...
Trying to wipe his tears, Ikari seemed to be too sad for anyone to be able to cheer him up again. His tears dripped down from his face and onto his robe as the black clouds that had formed above him, opened up, and let a large pond of water down upon him. It was raining hard, as if the heavens above cried with him, and it was then as he looked at Akuma's grave, struggling to see words to tongue, that a woman approached him from behind, perplexed to see him just sitting there all by himself.
Ibuki: Ikari??
Ikari: !!
Turning around, Ikari suddenly saw Ibuki standing behind him as she was carrying a bucket of flowers in her hands. She was surprised to see him, but more importantly, she was surprised to see Ikari in such a devastated state,
Ikari: Ib-uki, what are you doing here...
And just as she arrived, the clouds above shut their gates as the evening moon broke through them and shone its dim grey light upon them. Just like that, the rain had stopped just as fast as it had begun, as Ikari tried to stand to his feet, but before he got the chance to, Ibuki had already come down to his height instead.
Ibuki: Ikari, are you alright??
Ikari: I-...
Reaching out for him with her hand, she immediately realized that everything wasn't as it should have been as she laid the bucket of flowers at Akuma's grave beside them, before she turned her attention towards him.
Ibuki: Ikari, you're-... Crying...
Ikari: No-...
Ibuki: Yes, you are, you don't-...
Ikari: No Ibuki, I'm n-ot, I-...
Ibuki: Hey, it's okay, it's okay to be sad Ikari, you don't have to hide your tears from me, okay?
Her tone was so gentle and so caring; was Ibuki the person who could get Ikari on better thoughts?
Ikari: I'm not crying-... I just-...
Reaching her hand out to his face, she tried to comfort him as the skin around his eyes had already turned soar from all the crying. He couldn't deny it, there wasn't even any point in trying. So long had he been able to hide his tears, to hide them away from her, but not this time around. He had to stay strong, but sometimes, he just had to let his feelings go, and he knew it.
Ibuki: I didn't know you were this-... Uhm, didn't think I would find you here, I... If I knew, I would have come with you. If there is anything you need to talk about, you can talk to me okay, you don't have to do this alone Ikari, you don't have to do this all by yourself... I know you feel like you have to shoulder everyone's burden upon you, but you can't forget that we are here too if you ever should need us.
Reaching out for him even further, she then drew him close as she gave him a warm comforting hug as his tears continued to drip down his chin. This time it was her turn to comfort him as he was almost too devastated to come up with a reply.
Ikari: Ibuki-...
Ibuki: It's okay Ikari, I know it is hard. Rin and Akuma, and with Bruce still in coma, I...
Ikari: There is something I need to-... Need to tell you...
Giving him some space, Ibuki then looked at him as he tried to wipe his tears away to gather himself a bit. Taking a deep breath, Ikari then sulked it up as much as he could as he laid out the troubled thoughts on his mind. Detailing the events of the day from everything about the battle, to Raikiru's revelation and his own talk with Fukasaku, Ikari didn't hold anything back. She didn't react much, but Ikari understood that she knew what he was going through. She tried opening up with a light reply, but quickly realized that Ikari needed something more than a simple nod and acceptance.
Ibuki: So he's back in our forces, huh... Well I don't know what to say Ikari, but-... Whatever you decide, I'll always be supporting you 100 percent, not only as our Hokage, but as my friend and-... It's a dangerous road to go down and you have to be utmost careful and delicate of how you handle this situation. If you think we can take advantage of this, to lure the enemy into some sort of trap and gather much needed information on why this war is even taking place, then that might be a risk worth taking. If we can use their spy against them as a double agent, we will surely be many steps towards ending this war, I'm sure of it. However, I'm still not sure if it's the best or the most secure idea though, and you might need to go through this with the other Kages first... If the plan backfires...
Ikari: I know, I...
Ibuki: Like I said though, if you feel that it is better to keep it a secret, I will support you, you have my word... I won't tell anyone, not even Yoshi or Inba if it comes down to it.
A bright smile formed on her face, a smile he hadn't seen in a long while as she laid her gentle hand on his face once again. How could she be so confident, how could she be this sure that he would be alright, that he would make the right choice, not only for himself, but for everyone else as well? Like Fukasaku, how could she be this calm about something so serious and potential decisive?
Ikari: Ibuki... This is so not right, I mean, I'm the Hokage now, and I'm literally laying in your lap crying, having to be comforted by you and I shouldn't be this weak, this-...
Ibuki: Don't worry... Nobody else needs to know if you don't want to...
Ikari: I... How can you be so sure, so confident that everything will be alright, Ibuki??
Ibuki: Because you were the one to tell me to cheer up, to keep up hope and to keep believing. You were the one to tell me first, Ikari, remember? That is why...
Ikari: !!
Still looking at him, the two seemed to not be able to break eye-contact for a minute as complete silence filled the air. It was as if he couldn't look away from her, take his eyes off her as her gentle touch and innocent and warm smile was too nice and comforting to not look at. It was then that she finally broke off as she stood up to her feet and reached her hand out to him to help him up.
Ibuki: I was suppose to visit Akuma's grave to pay my respects to him today, but for now, let's just head back to camp. I'm sure you'll need some help getting there in this state, don't you think? Let's lay every important decisions on hold, at least until tomorrow...
Ikari: You're absolutely right Ibuki... It's already getting late enough as it is I guess.
Leaving the graveyard together, Ikari then bid Ibuki goodnight some time after as he left for his tent to write his report about the battle that took place earlier that day. Not long after, he entered the Raikage's tent as he was greeted inside.
Maki: Oh Hokage-Sama, what brings you by my tent this late? Hah!
Ikari: Raikage-Sama, good evening. Only my evening report sir, haha.
Maki: Even-ing... Report, Ikari??
Ikari: Well yes, like I promised, here is my report.
Maki: Hmm...
Handing him the report, Maki took a brief look at it before gently laying it away without much further thought.
Ikari: What, aren't you going to read the whole of it, Maki??
Maki: No need. I've already made my decision regarding the situation about Raikiru, and you have my support. That is, unless there is something else you want to add that is, bwuhahahah!
Ikari: I-...
Breaking out in laughter, Maki seemed to be in the good mood, unbeknownst of the fact that Ikari actually had something important that he hadn't revealed to him, something that would most likely change his mood in a drastic favor. Was this the time to tell him, to seek his thoughts on the dilemma, or would he still keep it a secret, at least for a little while longer?
Maki: You know... You got to be the most polite-, but at the same time, the least formal Kage I've ever met Ikari, hahaha, though I hope you don't take any offense in that, no?
It wasn't just that Maki was in a good mood... The bottle of Sake on his table clearly indicated that he was more than "just in the good mood," to say the least.
Ikari: Ehm, oh yeah?
Maki: Well for one thing you seem to hang around with anyone, which is not too common for a Kage, and then there's the fact that you don't send your advisers to schedule a meeting for you, but instead, show up in person yourself, humbly requesting a meeting... I like that!
Pointing his finger at him, Maki then sat down in his chair as he continued to enjoy himself. It was after all, starting to get late, and perhaps Ikari should find himself in bed sooner rather than later.
Maki: Raikiru is free to do what he wants, but I would still like you to keep an eye out for him for me though... You never know what could happen, and you are probably the one who knows him the best... If it comes down to it, I'm trusting you to be able to make the right choice, for all of us, Ikari, keep that in mind.
Ikari: Good to hear Maki... Well, I guess I should take my leave then...
Maki: By all means! I suppose a drunkard like me isn't much company to begin with, ahahah!
Heading for the door, Ikari then left the tent after paying his respects as he decided that with what Maki said fresh in mind, he would not tell him what really happened out there on the battlefield, at least not at this point of time. Making his way over to the Hokage tent, he was then greeted by his two advisers, Yoshi and Inba,
Inba: Ikari, welcome back.
Yoshi: I suppose you've had a long day already?
Ikari: Oh, so you two are here I see... Well yeah, but I suppose it could go on for a little while longer. Anything on your minds??
Sitting down in his chair, Ikari then took off his Hokage-hat as he gently placed both his feet on top of the table in front of himself.
Yoshi: No, not really, we were just archiving some reports...
Ikari: I see... Well now that you are here, how about a cup of sake?? I was thinking of inviting some people over as well and... Yeah, to celebrate...
Inba: Celebrate, Hokage-Sama??
Ikari: Well not to directly celebrate, but like a late night drink of sorts?
Yoshi: I would love to, but it is already getting too late for me. At some other time though.
Inba: I hate to break it to you, but I need to get some sleep as well...
Ikari: Oh, okay... Well that is fine I suppose...
Yoshi: Just be careful of who you invite... I'm not saying I suggest against it, but now that you're Hokage, it is important to keep tradition up, to be a bit less carefree and a bit more formal, and-...
Ikari: Formal?? Why is that so important? Isn't that just some outdated ideals, Yoshi?
Yoshi: What I mean is that, if you act like a mere shinobi in the army when you are the Hokage, few people will be able to identify you as a Kage and the power that comes with it-...
Ikari: How can you win the true respect of the people and the shinobi around us if you're never going to socialize with anyone else than the higher-ups in the system? The people needs to know who their Kage is in person for them to be able to fully respect him, that is at least what I believe to be true, to be important...
Yoshi: Hmmm... Well that is one way to look at it I suppose...
Inba: I never thought of it like that... You truly are the Hokage of the people, Ikari.
Paying their respects, the two of them then left the tent as Ikari made up two shadow clones, one each to get the two men he had planned to invite for a cup of Sake. One of them was Raikiru, the other, Kitsuke, and not long after, both clones returned with each their guest of honor, as Ikari was pleased to see them there.
Ikari: Glad you both accepted...
Kitsuke: What?! I thought you said you had something to discuss with me alone over a cup of sake, Ikari, what is Raikiru doing here?!
Raikiru: Oh, that is a harsh way to say it...
Obviously mad at seeing Raikiru there as well, Kitsuke was just about to leave the tent when Ikari managed to hold him back from doing so.
Ikari: Just wait one minute Kitsuke... Why do you continue to have so much anger towards Raikiru, towards a shinobi from the same village as you?? I know you have your reasons, but I called you both here as my guests, so that we could bury the axe once and for all. What better way than to do it than over a cup of sake? Please, have a seat, both of you.
Raikiru: So that was your intent, huh...
Kitsuke: You really are full of yourself Ikari, but, as long as it's your treat, I suppose I won't deny it. I won't promise anything though, unless you are able to convince me otherwise, humph...
Finally sitting down in his chair, Ikari's two clones then disappeared as Raikiru also sat down in his shortly thereafter. The clock went by as night became morning, and as the two drunk men finally left the Hokage-tent together, it seemed like they had buried more than the axe as getting them both drunk had really managed to do the trick. Ikari was dead tired, and not a minute later, he fell asleep in his chair. The coming months were of the peaceful kind, with only a few small skirmishes every now and then, but nothing of the big kind. About a year had now passed since Rin and Jin died, and Bruce had yet to awaken from his deep slumber. Returning from a recent battle, Ikari and Raikiru stopped just outside the main camp as they dismounted from their horses. Sitting down on a nearby rock, Ikari then spoke out.
Ikari: We really are getting nowhere, huh...
Raikiru: Doesn't seem like it at the moment, no...
Ikari: Sigh... The war has just entered its eight consecutive year, Raikiru, this war has lasted for seven full years now! It got to end soon, in one way or the other or we'll be old or dead by the end of it...
Raikiru: Your concerns are not without reason, however, there must be a light at the end of the tunnel... We've taken every territory around Kumo and managed to secure them, what remains now is to push forward straight North, to push them back against the Great Sea, and in order to do that, we just need to...
Ikari: Hmm...
Raikiru: My latest findings has brought me closer to figuring out more about how to be able to use the intel we came across seven months ago to our favor. I have a feeling I'll be able to come in contact with my cousin on the other side quite soon, and if we're able to capture him somehow, I'm certain we'll be able to get all the information we need, perhaps even finding a weak point to their mighty fortress of a main camp, so that we can finally get rid of them. If we only could find a way to break my seal, to get my memory of my past return... It would be so much easier, sigh...
Ikari: Raikiru, you know we've discussed this before... Even if there is a way to break the seal, no one knows what will happen. It is too dangerous to even think of...
Raikiru: What, you think I'll turn or something if we break it? That just like that, I'll forget everything I've been experiencing for the past eleven years of my life, neglecting how hard we've fought for the past seven years??
Ikari: I'm not saying that, I'm just saying we should be careful...
Raikiru: Yeah, I suppose you are right... With what we know already, I fear that any further discoveries might mess me up more than I can handle, I mean, considering the fact that those guys we fought, Raiba and Raika, probably were my uncles, and the fact that the leader of the enemy forces, Raigo Raitobashi, might be my-...
Ikari: If you're going to think too much about it, you will only destroy yourself. I'm sure that you will figure things out eventually Raikiru, but now is not the time to think such thoughts...
Raikiru: Probably not...
Ikari: I'm still trying to figure out why they just came to our lands seeking war just for the sake of it... If what your cousin said about them needing a new land that was not torn apart by war, is true, then I suppose I get it to some degree, however, this is not the way to do it... If they came to us peacefully, we could always have worked things out... If their clan, which was one of five clans fighting a war over there, is this big in force, I can't help wonder how big the Unknown Realms to the North really is. There are still so much we don't know, and-... What if we could manage to find a peaceful solution to this war somehow, what if we could just end it right here and now without further bloodshed?
Raikiru: Don't flatter yourself Ikari... Even if we might think like that, there is no way someone like them would even begin to understand the word of negotiations... If they did, they would have come to us before starting this war.
Ikari: Well... What you say is probably true, but if they couldn't take all the war over in their land any further, why come here to seek further war? If only we could get in contact with Raigo, there might be another way than this...
Raikiru: You are the Hokage, Ikari... I get it, you don't want your people to suffer any longer, however, even if such a possibility was to present itself, we would have had to act with the utmost delicacy regarding the matter...
Not able to come to a conclusion, the two of them were then just about to get up again as a horse rider suddenly came their way, greeting them as he halted his horse right in front of them.
Kitsuke: Ah, there you are, I saw you from a distance. Why did you guys stop here, this close to the camp?
Ikari: Oh it's you Kitsuke, well, we had some things to discuss.
Kitsuke: Like?
Raikiru: Well it doesn't matter now. Come, let's head back to camp together.
Kitsuke: Right.
Returning to camp, the three of them dismounted as Ikari was greeted by a group of Konoha Shinobi waiting for them. Greeting them as he passed through, Ikari then found his way over to the tent where Bruce slept, as he entered inside. And as he had come to expect, Ibuki sat there by his bedside.
Ibuki: You're back already??
Ikari: Yes, the situation only required my supervision, nothing more.
Ibuki: I see...
Ikari: Anything new on Bruce??
It wasn't just that he asked for there to be anything different than the usual, as that would have been, well, nothing short but amazing, however, Ikari felt that he was obliged to ask, not only because of having to show some manners, but also because he cared- not only for Bruce, but for Ibuki as well.
Ibuki: No-... Nothing new...
Ikari: Understood...
Ibuki: I-... I don't think there will be anything new to report regarding Bruce, Ikari, I-...
Ikari: ...
Ibuki: It's been a year already... Looking to the past, no one has slept this long in a coma and woken up before, not at this stage... And even if Bruce wakes up, he might have changed, his memories might not be fully intact, and-...
Ikari: Ibuki I-...
Ibuki: I don't feel like giving up, but the honest truth Ikari... Is that I've kind of given up a long time ago, and I only feel like I have to visit him once a day, not because I still believe that he will suddenly wake up if I do, even if that would have been a miracle, but, because that I feel like I have to, because we were-...
Ikari: But you can't simply give up Ibuki, it wouldn't be-...
Ibuki: Just don't Ikari... We've been through this before, seven months ago, remember? You might have been able to rekindled my hope back then, but not-... Not this time around.
Standing up from her chair, Ibuki was then about to leave the tent when Ikari grabbed a hold onto her arm, as gently as he could. She was surprised to see this, even though she knew Ikari so well that she should have expected it. Instead of getting upset, she stopped to listen to what more he had to say.
Ikari: I know I'm being unreasonable here, but how can you say such a thing?! I know the chances are dim, but even the slightest of hope is something, right?! The moment we give up is the moment it is over!
He wasn't mad at her, but the way she was expressing herself made him upset. She knew Ikari was passionate about the situation, but to see him this serious, even a year after Bruce fell in a coma, was not what she had expected.
Ibuki: ...
Ikari: If even you've given up hope Ibuki, then what is the point?!
Ibuki: The point?? What do you me-...
Dragging her with him, Ikari went over to the machine keeping Bruce's vital organs going as he stopped right by it.
Ibuki: Ikari, what are you-...
Ikari: If you're going to be like this, we might as well just pull the plug on this machine already and get over with it, to ease our suffering and pain, and finally be able to move on! Is that what you want?!
Ibuki: Ikari stop it...
Forcing her arm towards the plug giving the machine the electricity needed, Ibuki got more and more stressed and more and more anxious the closer she got to it.
Ibuki: I said stop it!!
Ikari: !!
Dragging her arm free, Ibuki then slapped him hard across the face, but just as she did, she immediately regretted it as she reached her right hand up to her face to express it. Ikari didn't even react, not even a single sign of pain or him being mad at her for doing it, could be seen on his face. She tried to reach for his face with her hand, but he gently pushed it aside, much to Ibuki's astonishment.
Ikari: Don't... I deserved it...
Ibuki: Then why?...
Ikari: To find out...
Ibuki: ??
Ikari: Your true feelings...
Ibuki: !!
Ikari: If what you said was really true, you wouldn't so anxiously have tried to stop me, and you would not have reacted like you did. Deep down inside, you still care, I can sense it. You might not even have noticed but...
Ibuki: I-...!!
Reaching his hand up to her face, Ikari wiped a tear away from her chin as she was surprised to realize that she was actually crying.
Ikari: After all these years Ibuki... I know you better than you might think.
Leaving a smile on his face, Ikari then turned around as he was heading for the door. Reaching out for him, Ibuki then tried to stop him from leaving, but Ikari simply turned his face towards her, still with the smile intact on his face as he left her a few comforting words before taking his leave.
Ikari: I'll let you two have some time for yourself. Don't worry, I'm certain he will wake up sooner or later.
Leaving the tent, Ikari then looked up on the blue sky above him. The day was still young, and with some things to think about, including the Kage-meeting that he was planning to gather the rest of the Kages at for some much needed discussion in three days' time, Ikari knew that he would have to try giving Naruto a new visit, another try before long. Three days later, Ikari was seated in his tent with Yoshi and Inba by his side as the morning sun had just taken its place on the sky. As he was going through some reports with them, Raikiru suddenly entered the tent, looking quite stressed and with a serious look on his face.
Ikari: Raikiru??
Raikiru: Ikari, it's urgent! I need to talk to you, now and in private!
Yoshi: ??
Inba: In private? What is it that you have on your mind that Yoshi and I can't-...
Ikari: Inba, Yoshi, please take your leave. It won't be long, I promise.
Yoshi: Uhm... Okay, if you say so...
Inba: Sigh, as you wish...
Leaving the tent, Ikari and Raikiru could then have some privacy to talk.
Ikari: So??
Raikiru: Raido... My cousin Raido has made contact with me!!
Ikari: What?!
Raikiru: He wants to meet me, later this day!!
Ikari: !!
Immediately standing up to his feet, Ikari was shocked to hear the latest news.
Raikiru: What should we do?? This is our chance, the chance we've been waiting for! We need to take it, we need to capture him and-...
Ikari: Right!! But only the two of us can hear about this, okay?
Raikiru: Agreed.
Ikari: So we can finally use the situation to our advantage! Did he say when or why?
Raikiru: One of the guards outside the North gate came to me with a small note, that was delivered to him by a traveling merchant. He was told specifically to give it to me, and when I read it, I realized that it was from him. He only said a time and a place, nothing about why... However, this is it Ikari! We have to take the bait, despite the risk it will include!
Ikari: I know, but we have to be careful...
Raikiru: Right! It said 5pm by the Fallen Bridge.
Ikari: Excellent! Raikiru, make the proper preparations, we'll be heading out as soon as it's time.
Bowing before him, Raikiru then left the tent as Ikari followed shortly thereafter. This was the chance he had been waiting for, but would this be enough to turn the tide in their favor and quite possibly draw the war to a conclusion? Knowing that he had to go see Naruto, Ikari then disappeared from view. Not long after, he entered the Great Temple.
Fukasaku: ...
Shima: Hmmm...
Ikari: !!
Coming before the seat where he was suppose to be seated, Naruto was still nowhere to be seen.
Ikari: He-... He hasn't returned yet, has he?
Shima: Ikari-San, so nice to see you! It's been ages!
Fukasaku: The answer, is unfortunately still no...
Ikari: I see... How long will he be gone anyways?? I mean, a year is already a good while, and-... If I knew he was going to be this long away I would have-...
Shima: Ikari-San...
Fukasaku: Like last time we spoke, I can only tell you what I know, and what I know is still the same. At this point of time, it is uncertain how long he will be away, in fact, he might not even return...
Ikari: What?! But, he would at least have said something if he wasn't going to-...
Shima: Don't talk like that Pa, you are upsetting the kid!
Fukasaku: I don't mean to say it like that, but it might be the reality of how things are, Ma!
Ikari: That can't be true! If he doesn't return, who will oversee things, oversee that everything goes as it has to for true eternal peace to ever happen?! If Naruto isn't around, how will his dream ever come true?!!
Uneased at Naruto's whereabouts and when he would return still being uncertain, Ikari didn't know just what to say as he was walking back and forth in a fast paced motion. His Hokage-cape was swaying in his wake as the two toads looked at him with earnestly.
Ikari: If he's not going to return, then perhaps I'll have to go to him...
Shima: !!
Fukasaku: What are you saying?! You can't simply go to the Great Forest, Ikari! Not only is it quite dangerous, but it is also a place where only a few people have walked and come back alive!
Ikari: I don't care! The war is rapidly closing to its end, I can feel it, and when it does, Naruto needs to-... I need to know what to do, I need to know if things are going as planned, as they should, I need his guidance to be able to pull through with what I am about to... How is peace able to last eternally?? How is that even possible to begin with?! The dream he's been talking about, the way it will happen eventually, how does he know that, what is it that he knows that we others don't? The end of this war will simply not cut it, there will always be pain and death, that's just how life is!
Fukasaku: ...
Ikari: What is it that Naruto seek, what is it that lies beyond the Great Forest?
Shima: The Forsaken Forest of Mt. Myobokuzan, the place where the Giants lives... It's a dark, mysterious and unholy place... What Naruto seeks there is...
Ikari: ...
She paused for a bit, pondering what to say next as Ikari looked at her anxiously.
Fukasaku: What Naruto-San seeks, is the same thing the Sage of Six Paths himself once sought before him... The answer, the Key to finding peace... The Great Toad Sage, Naruto's predecessor, told Naruto-San once that he would meet with someone claiming to be a sorcerer, an old ancient wizard from the past who is said to have all the answers Naruto himself doesn't have. It was always a matter of time, but Naruto-San, he's already waited a long, long time for this destined meeting. He went to the Great Forest, hoping to find some long awaited answers, but he-...
Ikari: ...
Shima: It won't be long now, I'm certain, but what matters is this... Everyone has their part to play, even Naruto-San.
Ikari: So I continue to walk the path I'm going, no matter what happens, no matter the price??
Fukasaku: Continue to believe in yourself Ikari, believe in your mandate as Hokage, and together with your allies, this war will surely be brought to a deserving end.
Bowing respectfully, Ikari then took his leave, raising his hand up in the air as he was walking to say goodbye. Just as he left Myobokuzan, a shadow emerged from behind one of the many pillars in the room as Naruto's presence was revealed by some daylight piercing through the roof as he was leaning up towards the pillar. His eyes was closed, listening to what had just taken place.
Fukasaku: He's gone now...
Naruto: ...
Stepping out into the light, Naruto then sat down in his chair as he had a worried look on his face.
Shima: Naruto-San...
Fukasaku: I know you've just returned, but why do you hide your presence away from him? Why do you neglect him the answers he seek??
Naruto: His Hokage-robe looks good on him... He seems to have changed accordingly as I've predicted since the last time we spoke.
Fukasaku: ...
Naruto: If I give Ikari the answers he seeks, the future will not pan out as it has to... We will have our talk eventually, but for now, it is important that we all play our roles... If he sees me like this...
Standing up from the chair, Naruto then took a few steps as he looked towards the entrance point of the temple.
Shima: Will he succeed?
Naruto: Ikari is a brave kid with a strong heart... I'm sure he will do fine.
Fukasaku: So the war will come to an end?
Naruto: The road to get there is long and hard, and although I've sensed that his life will be in grave danger, this time, this time it is my turn to believe in him...
Shima: What do you mean?
Naruto: As Ikari goes to fight the battle of his life, I'll have to be someplace else...
Shima: Someplace else?
Fukasaku: Have you found something on your journey Naruto-San?
Naruto: The Three Wolves Mountain... That is where the Wizard will be, in the Land of Iron.
Fukasaku: !!
Shima: ?!
Surprised at hearing this, the two toads could only predict what he had to say next.
Naruto: And I will have to go tod-...?! Ugh, *Cough, Cough*!!
Fukasaku: Naruto-San?!
Out of the blue sky, Naruto suddenly felt a great pain in his chest as he fell to his knees gasping for air. Running over to him, the two toads tried to help, but Naruto quickly told them not to as he struggled himself back up on his feet.
Naruto: *Pant, Pant*
Shima: Naruto-San, what is going on with you?!
Naruto: Ever since I first sensed his presence, I've felt strange... Like, parts of my older-self slowly returning. I've felt-... Old, but at the same time, alive...
Fukasaku: Old?? But the Great Toad Sage gave you his immortality, how can you-...
Naruto: I don't know... There's just something about his dark, strong presence, it's something I've never sensed before... The signal is weak, so if I don't track him down now, I fear I won't ever get the chance again... Everyone put their trust in me to find the Key to peace, Ero-Sennin, Nagato, my father and mother, and all my friends... I just have to end it once and for all, while I still can, while I still possess my powers, I-...
Shima: Naruto-San, you seem different...
Naruto: !!
Fukasaku: Did something happen while you where on your journey to the Forsaken Forest? Did you discover something else than the Wizard's presence??
Naruto: I feel... Human again. I can't explain it, but, it was like he contacted me, like I was able to find the source... I don't have much time, I can feel it, that is why I need to go now, that is why I need to believe in Ikari this time around, because if I don't, I fear that I won't just lose my chance to end this once and for all, but if Ikari falls, all hope dies with him...
Fukasaku: Are you saying that he will?!
Naruto: I don't know... For the first time in a long time, I can't say for sure, I just... I can't foresee how it will end, but I know one thing for sure, we will all have to believe, now more than ever before.
Shima: So you are making a choice??
Naruto: Yes... I can only hope I am right.
Leaving the temple, Naruto was then on his way to the meeting of his life, but would he finally meet the ancient Wizard that was said to hold the Key to everything, and what outcome would this meeting bring? As he walked outside, Naruto could feel several voices from inside, each Beast with their own opinion on the matter, as the combined voice of the Jubi suddenly spoke out.
Jubi: Naruto... You know that this meeting will change everything, right??
Naruto: I know... I will have to be careful though as no one knows if this Wizard truly is who he says he is and if he really is good or evil...
Jubi: You once tamed me like you so boastfully claim... You should not have any trouble dealing with him, however, I can sense that he is strong... Probably at least as strong as you...
Naruto: ...
Using the Flying Thunder God, Naruto was then gone from view as both Fukasaku and Shima looked towards his last position, knowing very well that the future of the world could rest solely on two key events taking place this night, one involving Ikari and the Shinobi World Alliance's battle against the Rai clan and Raigo's forces, and the other, Naruto and the ancient Wizard. Returning back to camp, Ikari then called in a Kage-meeting, as he entered the tent and sat down in his designated chair. Together with him was the Tsuchikage, Nakimura, the Kazekage, Haku, the Raikage, Maki, and the Mizukage, Utakata, as well as the newly appointed Jonin Commander of the Shinobi World Alliance, Uchiha Kitsuke.
Ikari: You are all here. Good, I have a few things I want to clear with you guys...
Nakimura: It must be important since you called us in like this, Hokage-Sama...
Utakata: Nevertheless, this gives us opportunity for some well needed talk. We had after all, planned for such a meeting eventually...
Maki: Indeed... I suppose it has been a year since last time we all met like this, since the time of-...
Ikari: ...
Pausing for a bit, Maki looked over at Ikari, knowing well that Ikari knew what he was going to say, so he refrained from it.
Haku: Much has changed since then... Ikari has become the new Hokage after Jin, Kitsuke has become the new Jonin Commander after Akuma... And the alliance is still strong, even after the withdrawal of Hoshi and Kusa and the deaths of the last Hoshikage and the last Kusakage a year ago... The Daimyos are also secured and the enemy forces seem weaker and less eager to fight than they ever have been. The war must surely come to an end quite soon.
Utakata: We can only hope so...
Maki: I still find it surprising that you recommended Kitsuke to become the new Jonin Commander, Ikari, I mean, it's not like the need for a new one has been called for since Kazama Akuma died...
Kitsuke: ...
Maki: However, I suppose you have some sort of a plan since you so eagerly proposed it?
Ikari: Yes... But more on that later, for now, I have something to say to you all, something I should have said seven months ago, especially to you, Maki...
Standing up from his chair, Ikari took a deep breath. It had already been seven months since he came across the intel of Raikiru's meeting with his cousin, and he had only revealed that information to Ibuki so far. However, now it was time, as Ikari had a plan, a plan that needed all the Kages approval to succeed. The twist to it all though was that he hadn't told anyone about it, not Inba or Yoshi, not Naruto, Fukasaku or Shima, not even Raikiru or Ibuki. This was a plan he had devised all by himself, taking advantage of the information Raikiru had come to him with.
Maki: What do you mean??
Looking patiently at him, the other Kages waited for him to continue.
Ikari: I haven't been entirely honest, however, I have only done what I did in favor to us all... I've tried to discuss how to go through with my plan with the Great Sage at Mt. Myobokuzan, but I haven't been able to come in contact with him in a year, and-...
Nakimura: What is it that the old hermit of a Hokage could possible have to say anyways? He didn't help much when the war started all those years ago...
Ikari: It doesn't matter now, all that matters is your consent, that you are all informed on the current situation, and how it can possibly end the war.
Utakata: !!
Nakimura: End the war?! What information can you possibly possess that we don't??
Laying out the details of Raikiru's encounter with his cousin, all the information he had gathered in the months afterwards, and how Raikiru's cousin had once again contacted him seeking a meeting at this very day, Kitsuke and the other Kages were shocked to say the least.
Kitsuke: ?! Raikiru is-... And you knew?! Then my assumptions were right all along!! How could you defend a guy like that?! I can't simply believe that he has some sort of memory loss! Yes, he has fought with us in this entire war, probably killed more enemy shinobi than the most of us, but he's still one of them! If he's the enemy commander's own family, he's simply too much of a risk to be trusted, no matter what he claim! I don't like this plan, not the single bit. This might be the enemy's plan to get him back to their ranks, unseal his memory and use him against us! Raikiru is a powerful shinobi, and if he was to be turned against us, we will only make things ten times worse! He must be valuable to them since he's the leader's own family, we should use that to our advantage and draw him out, tell him somehow that we know, and threaten to kill Raikiru! That should draw him out and enable us to end the war! I can't agree on this Ikari, unless you really have an exceptional plan that is, which I doubt to be honest...
Ikari: I know this is a huge risk Kitsuke, but if my plan works, we can end this war today without further problems! Just hear me out, it is crucial that you are with me on this, that is why I recommended you for Jonin Comma-...
Haku: Are you saying that you've known this and kept it away from us all this time, Ikari?! This is outrageous! It's almost like spitting on the trust this alliance builds itself upon! Ikari, how could you keep this away from us as the Hokage?! There are five Kages in lead of this alliance, you should have come to us immediately, not kept it a secret for this long. I wouldn't call it a betrayal, but it's not far from it! This doesn't only put you in bad light, Ikari, but Konoha as we-...
Ikari: Just hear me out, if I can only explain my reasoning, I'm sure you will underst-...
Nakimura: Why do we have a spy among our ranks?! He should be imprisoned and locked away, not running around in our ranks!!
Utakata: Don't jump the wagon just yet guys, I'm certain Ikari had his reasons, and if you will just let him explain, we will all probably understand why...
Maki: If you believe that it is a risk worth taking, using Raikiru's origins to our advantage, then you still have my support Ikari, like I told you those months ago.
Kitsuke: !!
Nakimura: You really trust this kid, don't you Maki??
Maki: I do...
Haku: ...
Maki: Does Raikiru know about our Kage-meeting? That you are telling us about it?
Ikari: No... It's important that he doesn't as I told him only the two of us could know about it. You guys will be my backup to make sure everything goes as planned... The meeting with his cousin will take place in just a few hours, and it will only be Raikiru and I to go there to meet with him... Now, let me tell you my plan in a bit, where I'll explain why that is crucial, among some other things...
Halting for a brief second, Ikari paused as he gathered his thoughts on how to lay out his plan the best way for the rest of the Kages. Filling a cup with water, he then proceeded to take a sip as the other Kages filled in their thoughts on the matter in the meantime.
Maki: Hmmm...
Kitsuke: Well... If you truly believe we might be able to end the war tonight Ikari... I suppose I will also believe in you, even though I don't really like it, regardless of what you have in mind...
Nakimura: I'm with Kitsuke on this, but like him, I'll lend you my trust if your plan is solid enough.
Haku: In the end, Maki is the one in charge of Raikiru, being that he is the Raikage and Raikiru is a Kumo Shinobi, so I suppose it will be up to him to decide whether or not to let this plan go through, whatever it is...
Maki: I've already left full responsibility over Raikiru's actions to Ikari, even Kitsuke can consent to that.
Kitsuke: Mhm...
Utakata: I've never had my doubts in you kid, but first, let us hear your plan of approach then...
Ikari: Right... My plan for us to end this war tonight... Is as follows...
Revealing his plan, the other Kages finally approved as the meeting came to and end. Leaving the tent, Ikari was then approached by Raikiru as it was already time for them to move out. Mounting two horses, the two of them then left the allied camp, and as day became evening, the two of them finally reached the Fallen Bridge, where only passage on foot was possible to get across. Halting their horses, the two of them waited patiently.
Ikari: So we're here...
Raikiru: This is where he said he would be... It's time, he should have been here by now...
Ikari: ...
Raikiru: Maybe he just needs some more time? Yes, we just need to give it some time, he just has to be here like he said, he just...
Ikari: Or maybe, maybe it's a trap... This was already a huge risk to begin with Raikiru... There's just something not right about the whole thing, I can feel it...
Looking around, Ikari had a worried look on his face. Maybe it was all too good to be true?? Or maybe, just maybe Ikari was walking into a trap devised by Raikiru all along?? He had to be utmost careful, and above all else, he had to watch his back.
Ikari: We should retreat, we are already exposing ourselves too much at this position...
Knowing well in mind that Raikiru's further position in the army could be jeopardized and that even his own role in the whole play could be demolished if this so-called meeting was a dead fuse, Ikari still couldn't risk taking any unnecessary chances, and he knew it. It was only a matter of time now before he had to call it, no matter how many parts of himself that didn't want to.
Raikiru: No, I don't understand it, he should have been here by now, he should have been-...?!
Ikari: !! Someone's approaching...
Looking across the bridge from the top of their horses, a lone horse rider suddenly came riding towards them on top of a dark tall horse. As the silhouette of his shadow finally came into light to reveal who it was, both Ikari and Raikiru were shocked to see that it was not Raido that had decided to meet them, but the enemy leader Raigo himself. Halting his horse on the other side of the bridge, he just glared across it towards the two of them.
Raikiru: That is?!
Ikari: ...
Raigo: So we meet again, Hokage...
Ikari: You knew...
Raigo: That my nephew has been trying to get into contact with Raikiru ever since that battle seven months ago where my brother Raika fell... Yeah I knew... Your foolish attempts to end this war prematurely by using Raido's errors against me, is just another pathetic attempt by your side... However, this time around, it wasn't my nephew who tried to come in contact with you, it was simply... Me.
Ikari: ?!
Raigo: There is no way you can come on top of this war, that we would fall prey to such an easy trick!! Last time, I promised you a battle the next time we met, but seeing how easily fooled you two are, I doubt you are even worth my time, so why should I even bother!!
Shouting out, Raigo had managed to see through what Ikari thought to be a bullet-proof plan, luring the two of them out instead. But why did he come alone instead of preparing a trap for them?? Was he really this cocky?
Ikari: Then why are you here all alone?? If your plan was to lure us out here without us having a battle, then what was the point of it all?? Why are we here??
Raigo: ...
Raikiru: Ikari, we should be careful, he might still have troops hidden in disguise...
Ikari: Why do we continue to fight?? If your clan wanted to escape the war-torn land you have been living in, why come here to wage another?!
This was Ikari's chance to find some long awaited answers. If a peace-treaty was deemed impossible, only one option remained for him and he knew it.
Raigo: I have no interest discussing politics and the difference between our ethically views with you... You guys will never understand our struggle, and war is the only way to obtain peace! This will be the final day of battle, as I've sent all our remaining forces straight for your main camp for one last glorious battle!! This will end tonight Hokage, and you guys will all fall on the battlefield! This land will be ours, and there is nothing you can do to prevent it! That is the only message I can be bothered to share with you guys... You better flee back to your friends before it is too late. Next time we meet, I will kill you, that is a promise.
Raikiru: You're bluffing?!
Ikari: Wait!!
Turning around, Raigo steered his horse towards the direction he came from as he slowly started to disappear from view.
Ikari: ...
Raikiru: Ikari, what will you do?! If what he said is true, we need to-...
Ikari: I know, we can't let him escape this time around... Raikiru, are you with me??
Raikiru: I-...
Ikari: It is now or never... If we let him escape now...
Raikiru: Damn it! I knew there was no way we could negotiate with them! There is only one way to end this war it seem, however Ikari, shouldn't we head back to help our allies??! If they really have sent all their remaining forces against us, we need to-...
Ikari: We'll have to pursuit him...
Raikiru: But, shouldn't we at least call for backup first?! If he overpowers us, we will surely-...
Ikari: There is no time Raikiru, stop making excuses! Last time you told me to withdraw, this time, we give chase! Will you come with me for one last ride?
Thinking about it hesitantly, Raikiru finally agreed as the two of them jumped across the bridge with their horses. However, instead of chasing the tail head on, Ikari told Raikiru to hold their distance.
Raikiru: What do you mean?? Why don't you use your Flying Thunder God to knock him off the horse, we can end it here and now!
Ikari: It's not that simple. Besides, it's too risky and I need to save up enough natural energy to enter Sennin Mode first, as without it, I probably won't stand a chance... We should follow him back to their camp without him noticing us for now. When the time is right, we will take him out.
Raikiru: Are you sure about this??
Ikari: Positive...
Thinking back to the Kage-meeting, Ikari was betting everything he had on the plan he had devised, but how was it panning out so far? Was there still more to it?
*Flashback Begins*
' Ikari: First, Raikiru and I will head to the bridge. If we've learned anything by the enemy so far, it is certain that it is some sort of a trap. In best case scenario, Raigo himself will come to face Raikiru, but what he doesn't know is that I will be there with him. Because of it, he will most likely decide to retreat and that is where we will follow him. Three hours after we leave, you guys will open this first green scroll that I have prepared, and it will summon a shadow clone of mine whom will update you on the current situation. Then there is the red scroll which will summon another shadow clone of mine, that you will open three more hours after that, before the black scroll finally comes into play, seven hours after we've left. This one is more important than the other two, and this is where your role as the Jonin Commander, Kitsuke, comes into play. It is vital that you follow these instructions, because if things goes as according to plan, the war will end tonight. Now, to the next phase of my plan...'
*Flashback Ends*
[...]
Kitsuke: Raikage-Sama, a massive enemy force is reported to be heading our way, just like Ikari had predicted!
Maki: Yosh, we will have to head out to face them. If we can hold our ground long enough, we should be able to take advantage of the situation.
Utakata: Haku, it's time to open the scroll.
Haku: Right!
Opening the green scroll, a shadow clone of Ikari then appeared before them as he laid out the details of the meeting at the Fallen Bridge, and just as they had talked about upfront, they all prepared to head out to defend their position while Ikari and Raikiru gave chase.
Haku: Everything is going as planned so far then it seems...
Nakimura: Indeed, if Ikari's plan really succeeds, this might actually work.
Kitsuke: The red scroll should be opened in another three hours, right?
Utakata: Correct... If anything goes wrong or something drastic changes, Ikari will preform a seal to unseal the scroll himself so that we can get updated on the situation before then. If not, we will open the red scroll in three hours' time. After that, the black scroll is all that remains, and it has to be opened by all five of us at the same time by placing our hands on the seal, one hour after the red.
Maki: Whatever happens from here on and out, we will have to play our roles for this war to be brought to an end! Everyone, forward!
Heading out to face the enemy forces, the entire allied main camp and all the Kages except Ikari, headed out for war.
[...]
Raikiru: Off you go, you have done your jobs...
Ikari: So this is how their camp looks like... Nothing like the reports we've received...
Raikiru: The horses have been sent back, now our focus should be all on how to proceed from here on and out...
Standing in cover by some trees, the two of them had followed Raigo all the way up North as they had stopped just outside their main camp.
Ikari: We need to draw him out... Their camp shouldn't be too heavily guarded now...
Raikiru: Hmm...
Ikari: If we can draw him out and defeat him once and for all, we can finally end the war... I can only regret that we are passed negotiation by now...
Raikiru: Are you sure that will be the end of them?? Is this really the way Ikari, the only way to end this war?
Ikari: It has to be done this way, just trust me Raikiru. Now, how to get him out I wonder...
Raikiru: ... So do you have any plans to lure him out?
Ikari: Actually... I was hoping you had one?
Raikiru: Me?? You overestimate my ability Ikari, however, now that you mention it, I can actually think of something, but it is kind of risky...
Ikari: Well then, let me hear it.
Raikiru: What if I just walk up there to the gate, enter the camp, find my cousin and asks him to tell Raigo to come see me outside the camp?
Ikari: !! Huh, how do you propose to do that??
Raikiru: Simple... Since I'm one of them, I will easily slip inside. If I can convince Raido that I'm ready to return to them, but only if Raigo can give me some answers first, we can lure him outside.
Ikari: What will you say?
Raikiru: I will say that once Raigo retreated, you wanted to head back to camp to help your allies out. I used the opportunity to knock you out from behind, and now I'm ready to come back to them...
Ikari: ...
Raikiru: Well?
Ikari: It's too risky-...
Raikiru: Well that is the only thing I can think of... You asked me to think of something, this is it... If you have something better, then let's hear it.
Ikari: Hmmm... I like it, however, there is no guarantee the enemy won't attack you, I mean, it's probably only the higher-ups that know your true identity. Thinking back, there hasn't been a single incident where any enemy shinobi has halted their killing-strokes when seeing you...
Raikiru: I know... I should be able to sneak inside though with this little guards keeping an eye on the gate...
Ikari: Granted, but be careful Raikiru, everything rests on your shoulders now, and if they capture you... It will all be over.
Raikiru: I know... Head over by that mountain-pass over there and hide, I'll tell my cousin to get Raigo to go there. That is where the final battle will take place.
Leaping out of cover, Raikiru easily snuck by the guards as he entered the camp. Watching patiently, Ikari knew that his plan needed more luck than he could hope for, for it to go as planned. Teleporting over to the location as planned, Ikari hid behind some rocks, anticipating Raikiru's return.
[...]
Haku: Maki, now!!
Maki: Yosh!! Lightning Style: Tiger's Wrath!!
Sending out a massive tiger made up of pure lightning, Maki cleared the way as the four Kages and Kitsuke quickly regrouped.
Utakata: It is time for the black scroll. Kitsuke, we will depend upon you to lead our forces in our stead from here on and out.
Kitsuke: Leave it to me... If I can't go with you, I will make sure to mess up the enemies quite good here at least!
Nakimura: ...
Maki: Well let's do it then!
Slamming their hands down on the black rolled-out scroll on the ground in front of them, the four Kages were suddenly gone from view.
Kitsuke: I will believe in you all... Everyone, we will have to hold our ground until the five Kages return! Never back down, never surrender!!!
Charging ahead, the two mighty armies clashed hard once more in what would be the decisive battle to finally end the war.
[...]
Raikiru: *Pant, Pant*
Ikari: Now??
Coming running towards him, Raikiru jumped behind the rocks as he sat down by Ikari for a bit, revealing how his operation went.
Raikiru: It should have done the trick...
Ikari: Good job Raikiru...
Raikiru: Raigo should be here in... About a minute.
Ikari: Well, you better not sit here then.
Raikiru: Right. This is it Ikari, it is now or never.
Jumping out of the cover, Raikiru positioned himself by the ruins of an old house as he waited. Leaning up towards a rock that once belonged to its wall, Raikiru was then confronted only about 30 seconds later as Raigo seemingly had taken the bait. Approaching him, Raigo seemed to have a calm look on his face, yet, there was definitely something beneath his devious smile.
Raigo: So... My son, I hear you have betrayed the allied forces??
Raikiru: Yes, father... I have come to find out the truth.
Raigo: Did you kill the Hokage like Raido said to me??
Raikiru: I-... I did.
Raigo: You know, it saddens me to see you like this... A mere shadow of what my son used to be once in time... If you could only have spoken the truth, this would have been so much easier!!
Raikiru: ?!
Reaching his right hand out, an electrified traction-beam-like technique suddenly shot out from him as Raikiru's entire body was immobilized on the spot.
Ikari: ?! Raikiru!!
Seeing this, Ikari jumped out from cover as he headed straight from them, but before he could get close, Raigo lifted his other arm up as another beam shot out towards him as well.
Ikari: Ug-h!!
Not able to react in time, Ikari was hit directly as he was lifted up from the ground and into the air, before getting tossed hard into a nearby building, crashing down through its roof.
Raikiru: Ika-ri?!
Raigo: This was always part of your plan I suppose, to lure me out here, however, I knew back then at the bridge that this was your plan all along, and that is why I sent my entire force towards your camp to keep the other Kages busy... No backup will arrive this time around, and not only will I kill your friend the Hokage, but I will open your seal and turn you back to us, my son... You wanted the truth, so I will give it to you!
Raikiru: !!
Walking up to him, Raigo got closer and closer as Raikiru was unable to move. Pressed up towards the ruin of the once strong wall behind him, he could only watch as Raigo got up to his face and placed his right hand on his head.
Raigo: Release!!
[...]
Naruto: ...
Finally touching ground again, Naruto now found himself in the Land of Iron. It had been ages since he last was here, and he had never ventured up towards the Three Wolves Mountains' top before. Somehow, it all still seemed so familiar as he was gasping for air with each step he took. Getting closer and closer, Naruto finally reached the top as a large dark cave came to view in front of him. A few faint torches lit up the cave as a mysterious being stood with his back turned towards him at the end of the cave. With a dark cape and a red Kabuki-Helmet, not much could be seen of the man standing in front of Naruto. Walking even closer, he knew that the time had finally come.
??: So you finally came... I've waited 7000 years for this meeting...
Naruto: ...
??: Well then, I suppose we should get this over with, Uzumaki Naruto...
Ikari and Raikiru goes to fight the final battle as Naruto finally encounters the Ancient Wizard!! How will The Legendary Sage of Konoha finally come to an end? Only two parts remains of this Series Finale, as the war is brought to an end, Next Time!!
[
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]The Legendary Sage of Konoha Series
July 2010 - July 2014
Series Finale, Part 4;
The Legendary Sage of Konoha
&
The 6th Great Shinobi War
The Beginning of The End...
The Shinobi World Alliance and
The Five Kages' Final Stand Begins!:
The Beginning of The End...
The Shinobi World Alliance and
The Five Kages' Final Stand Begins!:
"Great, great grandpa... What is a Hokage??"
"Bwuhaha, I'm glad you asked Ikari! The Hokage is the leader of our village, the one elected to make the important choices for all of us, and the one who looks over us and protects us if so needed. It is a title that comes with much responsibility and respect, but it is not a title so easily received..."
"Hmm... Well then, I guess I one day should become the Hokage!"
"Oh??... It warms my old heart to hear such a thing, but isn't it a bit soon to proclaim such a dream Ikari, hmm?"
"Hahaha! I might just be four years old, but one day, that title is surely mine!"
"Do you know how you become Hokage, Ikari?"
"Uhm..."
"In order to become Hokage, there are a lot of requirements... The most important in your case, would be-..."
"Yes?"
"Becoming a shinobi first, bwuhahahaha! Are you sure that is something you want son?"
"You have to be a shinobi to become Hokage??"
"But of course! Everything starts with baby-steps, Ikari, and with time, maybe you too will become a shinobi."
"Yeah, maybe..."
"You know what? I once too wanted to become the Hokage, but in the end, that dream kind of faded. My father was the Hokage for a very long time, before my long time rival took over after him. I'll tell you what... Perhaps you want to hear the story of my siblings and I taking part in the Chunin exam when I was younger??"
"What does it have to do with becoming Hokage??"
"Everything..."
Utakata: So he accepted the title, did he now...
Sitting in his tent, the Mizukage was enjoying some good company from his two advisers as the latest news of Ikari becoming the new Hokage had just reached his ears.
Zise: Yes, perhaps this was always meant to be.
Rei: Sigh... Who knows how long it will be before someone else dies and a new Kage has to be made... For all we know, you could be next Utakata, ehehehe...
Zise: Bwuahahahaha, that's nonsense Rei and you know it!
Utakata: Uhm... You should not speak like that Rei, it might bring bad luck...
Zise: He's right... Let's look to the future with bright minds, I'm sure it will have much in store for all of us, including the new Hokage...
Rei: Geez, I suppose you speak the truth, let's not meddle in depressing thoughts any further. In fact, we should celebrate this moment!
Zise: Not a bad idea Rei!
Utakata: Then what are we waiting for??! Let's invite him over for a drink!
Zise: I'll send him the invite in person then, see you guys in a bit!
Leaving the tent, Zise was already on his way over to Ikari as the the evening moon lit his way over there. Not long after, Ikari had already taken his seat as the four of them enjoyed a short time of relaxation for a change, before it was time for Ikari to get back to his own Kage-tent just a few hours later. After having arrived back to his new tent, which was designated for the Hokage and his advisers, Ikari proceeded to sit down in a chair as he laid his hat on a table in front of him. It had been a long day, but it had been worth it. He had finally decided to become what he always dreamt of, but as he was looking down at his hat, Ikari knew that it did not come without its sacrifices, and the utmost responsibility. He could not afford to be weak any longer now, this time it was his turn to lead. Knowing well that he had to be less reckless from now on, Ikari still couldn't stop thinking if this was what Naruto had foreseen all along. Pouring himself a cup of sake, Ikari finally decided to open the mysterious letter. It was time, and he was ready to read it. Opening it up, Ikari read the following...
"To Ikari... What you are about to read might sound crazy, wrong and shocking, it might make you mad, angry or even sad, but please read through it to the end as it is important that you hear the whole of it..."
Just what was he reading?? Who could this letter be from? Continuing to read, Ikari soon realized that it was not a simple letter meant to salute him if he became Hokage, but something far more serious.
"...As I'm writing this, I'm finding it hard to decide where to begin. What we need now, what this alliance need now, is stability and continuity, something which would never have worked with me as Hokage, not in the long run at least. I suppose now that I look at it, this was always meant to be, like the 6th Hokage said-..."
Ikari: !!
Could this letter really be from him?? Ikari couldn't believe what he was reading before him, it just couldn't be.
"-...The time I came with you to Mt. Myobokuzan. While you were away with that other toad, I talked a bit to Naruto about how the alliance was breaking apart. Once I left that day and Naruto teleported me back to Konoha, he also left me with a message. I didn't realize it at first, but when I did, I knew what I had to do, what my role was always meant to be... I can't really explain it, but I knew for sure what he meant. He revealed some of what he had foreseen to me, how you would eventually become Hokage Ikari, but not before many great sacrifices had been made first, not before you had walked a long and hard path ahead of you. Back then I knew you had potential, but even I found it hard to believe at first. The moment I landed back in Konoha, the message ended. It was unclear at first, but over the years I understood more and more what it all meant. Sooner or later, we all have to make a choice, a choice we have to go through with no matter the cost, no matter the risk and no matter what we personally feel about it. In the end, we all live on borrowed time, and like all the living, we will eventually die. That's just how it is. We all have roles to play Ikari, and we must fulfill them for peace to ever truly happen..."
It just had to be Akuma-Sensei, who else could it be? But when did he slip that letter into his pocket? When did he have time to write it? How did he-...
Ikari: !! He didn't?!
Thinking back to that day, flashes of Akuma jumping in pushing Ibuki and himself aside suddenly began to re-emerge in his head. He remembered how he held onto Ikari by his jacket for a brief second, before he tossed him out of harm's way. It just had to be then, that was the moment he slipped the letter into his pocket!!
"...I should have done more to prevent Jin from dying, I should have been there to stop Bruce from falling into a coma. Even when Rin died, I-... I can't afford to do more mistakes, it is utterly important that you and Ibuki lives, that you two make it through this war, no matter the cost. I can't say for sure whether or not Bruce will make it, but if he does, I'm certain you three will be able to figure everything out in the end. That's all I can say for now. A great Hokage leads the way, struggles to find the right path for his friends to walk on after him, protecting them, protecting the people he cares about, the people who look up to him, to the very end, not the other way around. This will be my final lesson to you, Ikari, make us all proud."
Dropping the letter onto the table, Ikari knew that Akuma's final smile was more than what he originally thought. Just as he had finished reading, Ibuki came in to see him as he showed her the letter as well. She was shocked to say the least, wondering what exactly Akuma had seen, why the two of them had to survive no matter the cost. She was a bit mad at first, but she knew why Akuma did what he did and why he felt obliged to save them. After a brief talk, the two of them then left the tent as Ikari headed for the tent where his son slept. It had been a long day, and it could finally come to an end. Over at Mt. Myobokuzan, Naruto was making his final preparations.
Fukasaku: Are you sure you want to do this Naruto-San??
Naruto: Positive... I can't let this opportunity escape me again, this time, it just has to be it, my call, my purpose, it will finally reveal itself soon...
Shima: Naruto-San...
Thinking back, Naruto remembered one of the last days he ever talked to the previous Great Toad Sage.
*Flashback Begins*
'Naruto: Immortality... So I will really live forever then, bound to this world until I find the answer?
Great Toad Sage: Yes... That is what I have foreseen, what your final prophecy, your destiny is. Eternal life can be a blessing, but, it can also be a heavy burden, a cursed existence... Over time, you might find yourself losing purpose, losing sight of your goals, but once the new child of destiny springs forth, so will the long-awaited answer you are looking for also arrive with him. The future is long and hard ahead of you, but if you do this, if you undertake this task, Naruto-San, the only one capable of pulling through with such a burden... This world will eventually experience True, Ever-Lasting Peace...'
*Flashback Ends*
Naruto: I've been looking for the answer, the Key to Peace for countless generations, I have waited for the destined meeting with the Ancient Wizard, the one being supposedly holding the Key to everything... If I am right in my assumption, if I am able to come in contact with him... I might finally be able to... Move on... Like I always was meant to do in the end... Hinata, Jiraiya, Kushina, Minato, Sasuke, Sakura, Kakashi-Sensei, Shikamaru, Ero-Sennin, Iruka-Sensei, father, mother and all the rest... If I can fulfill my final task, I can finally reunite with them, at long last...
Fukasaku: ...
Naruto: The war will be ending in the not too distant future... Now that Ikari has become Hokage, much rest on his very shoulders. Even if it's no longer my role to be the hero, the savior, I still have one more role to play, just like Ikari has and just like the Great Toad Sage once promised me ages ago... This is it, this just has to be it. I can feel the change of nature, the change in me... Even now, my ability to foresee the future is starting to become dim, alas, this was always meant to happen once the promised day arrived.
Fukasaku: We will keep an eye out here while you are gone, but remember... The Forsaken Forest is a dark and dangerous place... Whatever you do, don't lose your path, as even the likes of you might get lost there, never to return again, never to be the same... Tread carefully, until we meet again.
Naruto: I will...
Turning his back on the two toads, Naruto had a determined look on his face. In the next second, he was gone as the wind blowing through the Great Temple.
Shima: Will he succeed??
Fukasaku: The future depends on it, both on him and on Ikari-San. If either one of them fails, True Peace can never happen...
As the three next months passed, things had seemed to quiet down a bit, with not even a single battle being fought since the day Akuma died. It felt like most of the shinobi had lost the will to fight, but it was more that they had no proper plan to approach the situation from there on and out. Having visited Bruce every day since he fell into a coma, Ikari always saw Ibuki sitting by his bed as he entered the tent where he slept, but this day was different, this day, she never showed. Coming across her as the evening sun began to sneak behind the horizon, he finally spotted her by a small pond by a great forest just outside their camp.
Ikari: Ibuki, where have you been all day, I was looking for you and... It's not like you to not visit Bruce like you do at least once a day-...
Ibuki: Oh Ikari... I... Nothing is wrong, I just... I just needed some time to think.
Going over to her, Ikari then sat down on a rock beside her as he took of his Hokage hat, letting it rest on his back.
Ikari: Mind telling me what it is about??
Ibuki: I... I don't really know, I just... I just didn't feel like it today. I don't really have much else of an explanation...
Ikari: Then why here of all places? Why out of the safe zone we've established, I mean, anyone could attack you out here and we wouldn't even know it before it was too late... Ibuki, I'm starting to worry a bit about you, you seem...
Ibuki: ...
Ikari: So indifferent to most things lately... You do remember what Akuma-Sensei wrote in his letter, you do remember what we talked about, right?
Ibuki: I know, I just...
Ikari: I don't like you shutting yourself down like this, it can't be good for-...
Ibuki: Why do you even care Ikari??...
She seemed to be a bit bothered by his concerns. Did he really have a reason to worry?
Ikari: What is that suppose to mean, of course I care!!
Ibuki: Why Ikari, why do you care so much, how can you continue to-...
Ikari: Because I am your friend! Because we are part of the same alliance, the same village, the same team, because we grew up together, because we-... Of course I care, there's no reason for me not to-...
Ibuki: I see...
Picking up a rock, she then skipped it across the pond as if not even slightly interested in what he had to say.
Ibuki: So what now, are you going to order me to return to the camp?
She was testing him, but Ikari had no idea why.
Ikari: Ibuki I-... Who do you think I am?!
Ibuki: !!
Standing up from the rock, Ikari seemed quite upset hearing what she said.
Ikari: What's going on with you, is that really what you think of me, after all we've been through? That now that I'm Hokage, I would stop caring and just be bossing you around, is that it?? Sigh...
Turning his back on her, Ikari looked into the vast forest in front of him. It was dark, and not even a single sound except for some birds could be heard. A frog was croaking down by the pond, but other than that, it was a silent and beautiful night.
Ibuki: No I... I'm sorry Ikari, I know you care, I care too you know, I just... I haven't been feeling like myself lately and-...
Ikari: It's a beautiful night, isn't it?
Ibuki: Huh??
Turning around towards her, Ikari had a bright smile on his face. She was trying to give him an explanation, but now he suddenly didn't care to hear it?
Ikari: I suppose when you stare down at different reports all day, you fail to notice how beautiful this world really can be...
Ibuki: ...
She looked at him, almost a bit taken back. Had Ikari changed somehow, become more mature since he became Hokage?? No, that was not it, but it was still strange of him to talk like this. Walking up to her, Ikari reached his hand out as he helped her up to her feet. He looked at her, still with his smile intact. Just what was he thinking?
Ibuki: Ikari, what are you...
Ikari: Do you remember our first mission together, the one where Akuma-Sensei sent us to find that white Crimson that only grew high up in the mountains in the Land of Fire every third year?? Do you remember how Bruce and I competed to find it first, but in the end, you were the one to find it??
Ibuki: I... Yes, but what about-...
Ikari: Life... Life itself is attracted to you... All things in this world is draw towards you, it has always been like that, and probably always will be. And like that flower which blooms every third year, I'm sure you will bloom again when the time is right too. It's only a matter of time Ibuki, everything will be fine then.
Letting go of her hand, Ikari then proceeded to walk towards the camp again. Ibuki was numb-struck, not knowing what to say. It wasn't just random babbling either, she felt glad again. She wanted to go with him and so she did as she ran up to him before the two of them entered the camp together. It felt like she saw a new side of him, but Ikari... Ikari would always be the same nice guy he had been since the first day they met. Not long after as the torches around the camp was lit up to combat the darkness, Ikari felt it was time for him to visit an old friend. It had been three months since they last spoke, and he knew he had to go see him once more sooner or later. Thinking back at what Naruto once told him, about someone close to him being his counterpart, the one Ikari would have to fight no matter what happened, he could not help thinking if Raikiru really was the spy everyone had thought him ought to be. Arriving at a small facility specialized to keep chakra-powerful shinobi restrained to the South-West near Konoha a day later, Ikari then came face to face with Raikiru once more.
Guard: Are you sure you want to do this Hokage-Sama??
Ikari: Yes I'm sure...
Having been escorted down to the lower blocks, Ikari was then shown the way to the room where Raikiru was still being detained. However, since he had not been convicted for anything yet due to the lack of any real evidence and due to still waiting for his "trial" to commence, Raikiru was, as of now, still an ally in Ikari's eyes. Hopefully, he would get the chance to confirm it this day as the guard opened up the door for him, letting him inside the room.
Raikiru: *Pant, pant, pant-...* Ikari??
Hanging from the ceiling doing some workout, Raikiru then jumped down to the floor as he looked at him for a brief second before going over to a nearby desk to get some water.
Raikiru: What do you want? And what's with that uniform, did they promote you to Kage or something??
Ikari: ...
Taking a sip from a glass, Raikiru then brushed away some sweat from his forehead with a towel as he was a bit surprised to see him there, but not more than he would have been for any visitor.
Raikiru: So... What's up?
Sitting down in a chair, the room Raikiru was being detained in seemed quite nice. It was nowhere near the standard of a prison-cell, as he had his own living room, kitchen, bathroom, and so forth. Taking another sip of his glass, Raikiru rested his right foot over his left as he looked at Ikari with a rather peaceful look.
Ikari: Good to see you again, I hope you are being treated-...
Raikiru: You're not here for chit-chat are you? Just get to the point...
Putting down his glass on a table, Raikiru waited for him to continue.
Ikari: You are right... I'm here because I need to ask you about three things, and I need you to be truthful and honest, can you do that for me? For old times sake...
Ikari was serious. He had one thing on his mind, and that was settling things straight once and for all.
Raikiru: That really depends on your questions and how much I'm able to answer them, Ikari...
He knew Ikari wasn't joking around, so he too decided to be serious. They just looked at each other for a while, as if having a stare-down, before Ikari finally picked up the pace.
Ikari: Raiga Utabana...
Ikari had to play it smart. For all he knew, Raikiru could be an excellent deceiver, so he couldn't give away all the information at once.
Raikiru: Raiga?? Hmm... I suppose this is the part where you expect me to give you slim hope, before stating that I've never heard the name before with a cold and dark tone... And unfortunately, I don't really have any idea who he-...
Ikari: Lies!!
Using his speed, Ikari was up in Raikiru's face as he grabbed a hold onto his shirt, pressing him down in his chair.
Raikiru: !!
Ikari: Tell me the truth Raikiru, at least have the decency to be honest this once!
Raikiru: But, but, I am telling you the-...
Ikari: Stop playing around already!!
Starting to shake Raikiru heavily back and forth, Ikari was desperate to find the answers he was hoping for, with only a slim hope of salvaging what little that was left of their friendship. In fact, Ikari seemed only inches away from starting a battle right there and then to beat it out of him if he had to.
Raikiru: Stop being reckless and violent, that's not going to solve a thing. Ikari, stop shaking-...
Ikari: Tell me!!
Raikiru: I AM TELLING YOU THE TRUTH IKARI, NOW BACK THE HELL OFF!!
Pushing Ikari aside, Raikiru stood up to his feet as he was furious, but luckily, he managed to stop in his track, knowing well that there were guards just outside the door ready to bust in at any moment.
Ikari: ... Stand down, I got this...
And as he had predicted, the door slam open as three guards were ready to assist Ikari at any and all commands. Hearing Ikari's request of them drawing out, they did not even question his will as they closed the door tightly behind them without even as much as another word spoken.
Raikiru: Heh, so I was right about you becoming Hokage huh...
Ikari: Why are you going so far to protect your true identity Raikiru, can't you see it is over?? At least tell me, after all we've been through, please just tell me already...
Raikiru: ... Ikari...
Ikari: ...
Raikiru: I... I just don't know what you want from me!! I already told you I am not a traitor, what do I have to do to prove it once and for all?!?! Just name it and I'll do it!!
Ikari: !!
There was just something about the way Raikiru shouted back at him. Normally it would seem like a rat being cornered, desperate to say anything to get out of the situation, but something about Raikiru was just different, he seemed so true to what he was saying that Ikari wasn't sure what to believe. Could he be telling the truth??
Ikari: So you don't know that man then...
Raikiru: Would you just tell me who he is already?!
Ikari: He was my opponent in the semi-final of the Chunin exam all those years ago, the Kumo Shinobi who defeated me badly, leaving me hospitalized, before beating Bruce in the final. The man you claim to be...
Raikiru: ?!
Ikari: There just can't be another explanation! Your explanation of the Chunin exam you took part in matches his data perfectly, defeating an Uzumaki in the semi-finals before moving on and defeating a Senju, whom also was the son of the Hokage, in the final, but even so, he was still not promoted. The only matching shinobi to that Chunin exam who are of Uzumaki and Senju blood, are Bruce and I, so there's no doubt about it... Even the whereabouts of that guy, together with his two team-mates and Sensei were labeled as unknown right before the first entry of your name appears in the Kumo database. In fact, the database claims that you two are the very same man, but I know different! To make things worse, the archives doesn't even have an entry for a guy named Raiga Utabana and no one seems to know or remember who he could possibly have been. His entry has simply been wiped out of the archives all together, and no ones knows why or even if he ever existed!
Raikiru: ...
Ikari: What were you doing for the first twelve years of your life in Kumo?! When did you infiltrate the village and become a spy-...
Raikiru: It's all lies, shut up!!
Refusing to hear anymore, Raikiru had already had enough. He was getting tired of Ikari's constant blabbering of how he wasn't being who he claimed to be, laying out information that made no sense to him at all.
Ikari: Explain how it is possible otherwise!!
Raikiru: I don't know!! I-... I just... Just leave me be!
Ikari: What do you mean you don't know-...
Raikiru: I don't remember okay!! I-... I can't remember a thing before that Chunin exam, I-... I don't know what it is, or how it is possible, but that is the truth! I am no traitor, and I did take part in that Chunin exam!!
Ikari: Sigh... If you did, you would have known me before we met that day... We would have had an intense battle and-...
Raikiru: Look... All I remember are the details, I can't remember the faces of those I battled, I-... It can't have been you and Bruce I fought, I'm sure there were someone else... You are probably just mixing things up-...
Ikari: Lies!! That is not possible!! There are no other Senju or Uzumaki Shinobi around besides us in this entire world!!
Raikiru: I was in that exam-...
Ikari: Liar!!
Raikiru: That was me-...
Ikari: Enough of your bullshit Raikiru!!
Raikiru: What is going on, why won't anyone believe me... Why can't I remember...
Sitting down in his chair again, Raikiru seemed very confused as he started to get stressed, losing focus on the conversation at hand. Ikari didn't even have to question him any further, it was as if he was believing truthfully that he was the same person that Ikari fought all those years ago. Could he be suffering from amnesia or something, or having experienced a great trauma when he was little, causing his memory to wipe itself out along with his entire childhood?? How was that even possible, some other explanation just had to exist as Ikari sought to draw the conversation to a close.
Raikiru: Who am I... Where do I belong, I...
Ikari: Raikiru...
Raikiru: Huh??
Ikari: The final question...
Raikiru: ...
Gaining his focus again, Ikari was ready to ask him the final question.
Ikari: Your data matches that man named Raiga perfectly, from your time of appearance in the database when you were twelve, to your memories of the Chunin exam, down to every last details... And you claim to don't remember a thing about the first twelve years of your life... I can't tell you otherwise than the fact that it seems too faulty for me to believe, and the fact that I've been told that someone I know, someone who was close to me, would betray me in the future... If it is not you, then who can it be?! If you are not Raiga, then who the hell are you?!!
Raikiru: !!
Ikari was ready to give him one last chance before he ran out of patience, but Raikiru just seemed to be as clueless as he was.
Raikiru: ... I don't-... Know... What am I even doing here?! There's no evidence against me to prove a thing, why am I still being detained Ikari, just tell me that and get me out of here already!! This is not fair, this is not just!!
Ikari: How can we even begin to trust a guy who don't even know who he is and where he really is from, suffering from some type of amnesia, believing that he is a guy he in fact isn't?!
Raikiru: I... I can't answer that...
Ikari: Sigh...
Raikiru: Then help me Ikari! Help me find out about my past, help me remember who I am, who I was...
Ikari: Raiba... Did you or did you not know that man? Why did you act like you did when he fell on the battlefield? Tell me, and I might start believing you...
Having already turned around, Ikari was ready to leave the room as he had not got anywhere closer to finding out anything new, when suddenly Raikiru answered the one question he knew the answer to.
Raikiru: It's hard to explain, but...
Ikari: ...
Raikiru: Somehow, right there and then, I felt like I knew who he was, or that I was supposed to at least. I could not remember where I had seen him or why he felt so familiar, and even though I knew he was the enemy, even though I knew he had almost killed you and Ibuki, I still felt sad when he died, like I was bound to... But I just don't know why...
Ikari: !!
Raikiru: His name was Raiba Raitobashi, but how I know, or where I know him from, I can't honestly remember...
Ikari: Raitobashi?? Hmmm... He also revealed the name of the man commanding the entire enemy army, the one who killed Jin and left Bruce in coma... Perhaps his name holds the key... He is Raiba's brother, and his name should be...
Raikiru: ...
Ikari: Raigo Raitobashi...
Raikiru: !!
[...]
?: Raigo... It is time.
Raigo: Excellent... I will have you avenge our brother personally Raika, hopefully you will not be as reckless as him.
Raika: I won't fail you brother.
Raigo: And remember, don't take any chances, don't underestimate your opponents. Kill them off swiftly when the chance displays itself. Playing around too long is what got Raiba killed in the first place, and if you were to fall too-...
Raika: I won't, you can count on me.
Raigo: Ever since our father Raito died, I've been following in his footsteps, trying to realize his dream, but as the years passes by and the enemy continues to resist, that dream is but ever fading from memory. The coming months will be decisive. Go forth Raika, and bring just to Raiba's memory!
Raika: Yosh, talk later-...
As the army from the North beyond the Great Sea was about to prepare another march in their never-ending campaign, a younger man approached the two brothers, demanding that he also could join his uncle to war.
?: Uncles, allow me to come along, allow me to fight by Raika's side to avenge my father's death!
Raika: Raido...
Raigo: No, you are only still sixteen, too young to go out to war. You will sit this one out and let the grown-ups take care of things.
Raido: But-...
Raigo: That's final. It's enough having to worry about my son being out there all alone, yet to have you marching out there as well. Raika, set off...
Raika: Roger.
Leaping off with his horse, Raika was out of sight as Raigo turned around to deal with his nephew, but he was already on his way back to camp.
Raigo: Don't do anything foolish Raido Raibashi...
Raido: I'm only going back to camp, relax already...
[...]
Ikari: What, what is it?!
Raikiru: That name!! I...
Ikari: Yeah??!
Raikiru: I... No... Same deal... Damn, but it also sounds so familiar...
Ikari: Your last name Raikiru... Do you know where it comes from?? It sounds oddly similar to their last name...
Raikiru: Raigobashi you mean... I'm afraid I don't... I don't even know if I ever had a family to begin with or not...
Ikari: I see... Well then, I suppose I don't have more to say for now...
Raikiru: Wait, are you leaving?? I thought-...
Ikari: I'll be back later, but I can't promise I'll be able to fix thi-...
As he was about to wrap things up, the door slammed open once again as a guard hurried inside the room, demanding to speak with Ikari.
Guard: Hokage-Sama, it is urgent!!
Ikari: !!
Guard: A small force of shinobi has snuck around our lines and are on their way straight for Konoha as we speak!!
Raikiru: ?!
Ikari: What?! Why would they come all the way over here?! They have nothing to gain by trying to take Konoha... Alert all available shinobi, we must stop them at all costs!
Guard: Right away!
Running out the door, the guard disappeared from view as an alarm started sounding loud and clear through the entire building.
Ikari: We'll continue this conversation later Raikiru, I'll have to go and deal-...
Raikiru: Take me with you, allow me to demonstrate once and for all which side I am on... At least give me that chance Ikari!!
Ikari: !!
Raikiru: It is not me seeing a chance to escape, although I would not blame you for believing so. This is me trying to prove that I am the man I claim to be, that I haven't fought by your sides for all those years for nothing!
Ikari: You're serious...
Would Ikari risk it?? He needed every man he could muster, but at the same time, what if this was his plan all along? Could he trust him? Could he take the chance without consulting the other Kages first?
Raikiru: With that technique of yours, no one will ever see me missing. I can grab an armor and-...
Ikari: Fine... But if you betray me Raikiru...
Raikiru: ...
Ikari: I will not hesitate to kill you on the spot. You stay close to me and don't get out of sight, you hear?
Raikiru: Yes... Let's do this Ikari, like in the old days!
Placing his hand on Raikiru's shoulder, the two of them were gone in a flash. Reappearing shortly thereafter by a smaller building just outside of Konoha, Ikari then proceeded to walk through an iron door as Raikiru followed right after. Coming inside a room with a lot of battle equipment hanging around, Ikari then grabbed a hold onto some stuff as he tossed it Raikiru's way.
Raikiru: ?? What am I suppose to do with this ridicules arm-...
Ikari: Wear it... If anyone sees you, they might think you have escaped and truly are a traitor, but with this armor and helmet, no one will see who you are, just like you suggested. This is the only armor I have here...
Raikiru: Uhm...
Being a bit hesitant, Raikiru then took on the equipment as he let out a loud sigh, showing his restlessness wearing it.
Ikari: Relax, it will only be temporary until I get to clear your name...
Raikiru: Clear my name??
Ikari: If you can prove to me what side you are on once and for all, I will no longer have a reason to doubt you, and therefore, there won't be a reason to throw you back into that facility.
Raikiru: I see...
Ikari: Now, let's get to work.
Placing his hand onto Raikiru's shoulder once again, the two of them were gone. A little after, they were back at the facility as the guard from before came running towards them.
Guard: Oh there you are, where did you-... Who is this ridicules guy and why is he wearing that armor??
Raikiru: Don't-...
Ikari: Don't worry about it, he's one of the strongest shinobi I know of that I knew I could get a hold onto fast. It is not much, but with his help, we will be one step closer pushing the attackers back. Let's gather the remaining forces we have stationed here and get to work!
Guard: Right!!
Leading the forces, Ikari, Raikiru and the shinobi stationed by Konoha were already out on the field. They were counting about 1000 shinobi as the enemy forces came into view with the sun burning strong behind them. Halting their advance, the two forces stood watching each other as the enemy commander rode out in front, trying to boost his troops' moral.
Shinobi: Report! The enemy forces numbers about 3000 shinobi, three times the size of our forces! The nearest allied unit is about half a day's march from here, so we will have to hold our ground until either reinforcements arrives, or until we can figure out the enemies true motives coming here and find a way to make their approach futile.
Ikari: I see... Yosh, everyone, let's-...
Raika: Enemy commander, come forth! I challenge you to a battle, man against man! There's no reason for useless bloodshed, let's just decide this between us! The winner takes the glory, the loser dies!
Ikari: !!
Having just readied himself to send his forces forward, Ikari was quite shocked hearing the enemy's sudden call for a challenge.
Raikiru: What is he planning... Who is that man?
Ikari: What, you don't recognize him?
Raikiru: Not with his helmet, no...
Ikari: Whomever he is, he seems strong, perhaps even as strong as that Raiba guy...
Raikiru: ...
Shinobi: Commander, what will you have us do??
Thinking things through, Ikari could not avoid feeling that this was all a setup, however, if he denied the challenge, it would only demoralize his own troops moral, strengthening the enemy forces even further. He had to accept, didn't he?
Raika: Well?! What is your answer?!!
Riding back and forth, Raika laughed out loud with a dark and powerful voice, trying to taunt Ikari to answer his challenge.
Ikari: Fine!
Raikiru: Ikari, what are you...
Ikari: Hiyaa!!
Giving his horse a knock, the two men rode fast towards each other as both of them clapped their hands together starting to form some hand-seals before sending out two powerful techniques each others' way. As the two techniques clashed in the middle of the field, the two men followed shortly thereafter as Ikari drew his two swords to meet him. Just as he was about to clash with him however, Raika suddenly blew in a horn as two more forces came in from their sides, with the rest of his troops following from behind.
Raikiru: I knew it! Everyone attack, we must help our Hokage!
Riding towards him trying to help him out, Raikiru and the allied shinobi quickly caught up as they clashed hard with the incoming troops, with Ikari being caught in the middle, being surrounded on all sides.
Ikari: ?!
Raikiru: Ikari!!... ?!
As Raikiru was trying to fight his way through to him, an enemy shinobi swung his sword Raikiru's way as he merely scratched his horse, cutting the rein to the saddle he sat on. Falling off the horse, Raikiru's left foot was caught as he was dragged along the ground with the horse heading in the complete opposite direction of where the battle was taking place.
Raikiru: !!
Trying to get his foot free, Raikiru was dragged so far and so fast that he bumped his head into a rock as his helmet flew off, and just as it did, his foot finally came free as he landed flat on his face. Forcing himself up, Raikiru could only watch as the horse disappeared from view as he looked around, realizing that he was nowhere near the battlefield anymore. Walking over to the helmet, he reached down to pick it up as he placed it on his head again, before looking up, and just as he did, a man was suddenly standing in front of him.
Raido: So I finally found you...
Raikiru: ?!
[...]
Raigo: ...He's gone isn't he...
Having returned to his main camp after giving his brother the command of the forces, Raigo went to find his nephew to talk some sense into him, but as he got there however, he discovered that Raiga was nowhere to be seen.
Shinobi: I... I'm not sure, where would he-...
Raigo: He went after my brother Raika, despite my command for him to not go out there. If he was to go into battle and fall, Raiba would definitely haunt me from the dead for not being able to protect his only son. I will have to go after him.
Shinobi: Go after him?! You don't even know if he-...
Raigo: I know...
Shinobi: But, but, if you go out there too...
Calling for a horse, Raigo mounted his trusted stead as he called some of his most trusted men over to join him.
Raigo: Let's go.
Despite several objections from the shinobi, knowing very well that he would risk the whole operation by going out there himself, Raigo still rode off with his men to find his nephew before it was too late. He could not let him ruin their plot, even if he had to go out there himself to stop him.
[...]
Ikari: *Pant, Pant*
Raika: You are persistent... I like that.
Ikari: I wouldn't be Hokage otherwise, would I...
Being locked in an intense stalemate with the enemy commander, Ikari had managed to get out of the immediate danger he found himself in when the enemy springed their traps and surrounded him on all sides earlier. Despite this, the situation was far from over, and the battle was still going full throttle. Breaking away from him, Ikari jumped backwards to gain some space, but as he did, three enemy shinobi were waiting for him as he quickly turned around to face them, swinging his swords around as he blew them away in an instant. Turning back towards Raika, Ikari just looked at him, trying to come up with a plan.
Ikari: This is not going to be an easy battle I see...
Raika: Hah, why would you think so??
Ikari: No reason... However, there must be a reason for you guys suddenly coming this far down South all of a sudden with a small group of shinobi... What is your purpose coming down here, what is the reason for this war??...
Ikari was persistent indeed, but he figured he would use this situation to his advantage. This time, it was his turn to ask the questions, hoping that he could get some well deserved answers.
Raika: Hahaha, why do you think I would just give you the answers you seek? There's not without reason why all of our soldiers are ready to die before even giving away anything about our reasoning for this war!
Ikari: Choose wisely what you decide to say next... I will not delay this battle any further than necessary...
Raika: ... You are strong... However, so are every man out on this battlefield as well, which means that you are still only just another obstacle for me to overcome. You have fought many battles in this war I presume, and you seem to have adapted very well to our way of fighting...
Ikari: What is your name...
Raika: My name?! Hah! This is no time for chit-chat, you are about to die anyways-...
Ikari: Are you Raiba and Raigo's brother? It's hard to tell with your helmet, but something tells me that the commanders of your forces are being led directly by a clan that I still have to identify. If you are, my assumptions has to be right-...
Raika: Don't you dare mention my late brother's name you bastard! How do you even-...
Ikari: I fought him.
Raika: !! Was it you who...
Ikari: No, but regardless, this war will not end good for any of us... There is no reason for this war to go on! Why do you continue to wage war against us, on what purpose have we been fighting for almost seven years straight?! Just retreat your troops and we can-...
Raika: Enough of your hot-boiled confidence! This is where you'll die!! Raiton: Odin's Wrath!
Reaching both his arms up in the air, a roaring thunder storm began to form on the skies above them as lightning bolts started to strike down towards the ground. Channeling a large portion of lightning in his arms, Raika sent of a powerful beam towards Ikari.
Ikari: That's almost the same as!!
Just barely managing to dodge the beam using his Flying Thunder God, Ikari reappeared behind Raika as he sent off an attack straight to his back, sending him flying away.
Ikari: Rasengan!!
Raika: What-... Ugh?!
[...]
Raikiru: Who are you?!
Raido: Relax, I'm not your enemy...
Raikiru: Then who the hell are you?!
Raido: My name is not important... We don't have much time before they find out, so I have to be brief...
Raikiru: They?!
Raido: What matters is that I know who you are and what your true purpose is, Raikiru...
Raikiru: !!
He could not believe it, what in the world was going on, who was this man claiming to know who he was, and what were the odds for the two of them meeting like this?
Raikiru: My... My purpose?!
Raido: Your brother... He was originally the man placed in your position, his job was to infiltrate Kumogakure as a spy and act as a... Well, it doesn't matter now I suppose...
Raikiru: My brother?!
Raido: Yes... Raiga he-...
Raikiru: Raiga?!! As in Raiga Utabana?!
Raido: Yes... Or, not quite... Utabana was only his cover name... Your brother shared the same name as you Raikiru, and I suppose you already know what it is...
Raikiru: Raigobashi...
Raido: Your brother he, he lost track of his mission, of his purpose... He got too warm to the feeling of being in a village, to have team-mates and friends by his side in a time of peace, where everything was just... I can't say I blame him, I really can't... But it was no excuse, even if we come from a land ravaged by 100ed years of war, where nothing grows anymore, where the word "peace" is just a far-away dream, a simple minded illusion... The battles of the five clans have really had its impact on our land....
Raikiru: What are you talking about?!
Raido: Your father had no choice... As a member of the Rai clan, even your brother had to follow our code... He had to be replaced, and all the traces of him had to be removed, even his team-mates and his Sensei, every single bit of information that there were...
Raikiru: !! My father did what??! Where you guys behind the assassination of the 9th Raikage?! Just who are you guys, what is it that you want from me, why am I here, why can I not remember anything else before that Chunin exam?!
Raido: Our late grandfather Raito-Sama, he had a distant dream... A dream of taking our clan away from the battlefield, to a new land across the sea, to claim a land of our own, a land that was not torn apart by constant battling... In order to stay true to that dream, we will have to win this war, to find a way to claim this land our own! There is nothing left where we come from... The other clans have already terminated each other, however, there are only burnt soil and death up there now, nothing left for us to return to... Here on the other hand, there's still trees! Rivers! Green fields! Animals! Life!!
Raikiru: Hold on a second, what are you getting at?!
Raido: Your older brother he... He wanted to get away. Our leader saw no other options than to send him back to our old lands, to serve better purpose, he... He fell shortly thereafter on the battlefield, refusing to fight his opponents... Your father he, he couldn't dispose of his own son, but he knew... He knew Raiga would end up dying on the fields if he sent him back there, he... He knew, but he still sent him back there... This is where you come in Raikiru, where your role, your part to play comes into light...
Raikiru: How do you know all this?! Just who are you?! Answer me!
Raido: After the Chunin exam all those years ago, it was all clear to him... Your father removed your brother and put you in his stead, however, he could not take any chance, he had to make sure that you did not turn out the same way, that you fulfilled your mission, stayed true to the cause...
Raikiru: My brother took part in the Chunin exam?? But, but that was me-...
Raido: Your father implemented your brother's last memories of his time with his team-mates and Sensei into you, so that you would continue where he left off, that is why you remember that Chunin exam as your own Raikiru... However, it was no easy task to perform, his mind-transferring technique only managed to get parts of the details... It wiped out most of your memories that you had from your childhood... Even the mission itself became blurry... This only became apparent after we already had sent you in there, and there was no time to pull you out to alter your memory, to restore those lost parts... The war had already started, and you had already been in Kumo for four years.
Raikiru: I... I wasn't even the man in it, that was my brother?? I-... I... What is your name?
Raido: It is Raido... Raido Raibashi. I am your cousin Raikiru, and my uncle Raigo he, he is your-...?!
Raikiru: !!
?: Over there!!
Raido: They have found us! I need to go... I'll see you another time Raikiru, until then...
Raikiru: Wait, don't go, you haven't even-... What is my mission, what is my purpose?!
But it was too late... Raido was already out of sight as a troop of shinobi came riding in towards Raikiru. Surrounding him on all sides, they were not sure whether he was an ally or an enemy at first.
Raikiru: Hold your men back!
Shinobi: Just who are you, being alone all out here and why are you wearing that ridicules armor?! Are you an ally or an enemy?! Speak up!
Raikiru: I... I am at your side...
Shinobi: Then who are you?!
He had to think fast as what he said next, could potentially decide whether or not he would have to fight his own allies of all people. He just had to think of something to get out of the situation, to get back to Ikari and the rest before it was too late.
Shinobi: Show your face!
Raikiru: ...
He knew that if he removed his helmet, it would all be over; that would leave him no other choice than to fight his way out...
Raikiru: I'm Kitsuke Uchiha! I was out patrolling the area around here with my squad when we heard news of a battle taking place near Konoha. We came as fast as we could, but we encountered some enemies on the way as I got cut off from the rest... My horse ran off and I bulked my head into a rock, that's why-...
Shinobi: Kitsuke?! Why didn't you say so right away!
Raikiru: !! There's no time to lose, we need to go now to help out the rest!
Shinobi: Right, someone give this man a horse!
Believing him to be the man he claimed to be without even as much as an eyebrow raised, they were all on their way back before Raikiru even could analyze the things that had just happened, what he had been told and what he would do about it.
[...]
Ikari: ...
Raika: *Pant* That was close! Still though, that attack is not strong enough to break through my armor... This helmet however, is blocking my sight...
Ikari: ...The same type of armor that Raiba had... I need to make up something more powerful to break through it to make a real impact...
Dropping his helmet to the ground, Raika then prepared another attack as Ikari readied his defenses.
Ikari: This time, I will strike first!
Raika: !!
Ikari: Futon: RasenShuriken!!
Raika: Impossi-... Ugh?!
Ikari: !! I threw it?!
Before Raika had managed to summon enough chakra for his technique, Ikari had already fired up a RasenShuriken in his hand as he tossed it hard Raika's way, sending him flying backwards at top speed. Amazed by the fact that he was finally able to throw it rather than having to smash it into his opponent, Ikari then followed up with another attack, seeing the previous technique giving him the momentum.
Ikari: I will end it now!
Disappearing using his Flying Thunder God once more, Ikari reappeared just as the RasenShuriken came smashing into Raika, sending him flying backwards towards his new position. Preparing his swords, Ikari charged them both with lightning based currents as he threw them towards Raika's back with great intent.
Ikari: Raiton?! Since when could I... What is going on?!
Raika: !!
Receiving a direct hit, both of the swords pierced through his armor and through his back, coming out the other side as they pierced deep into the ground. But it did not end there, Ikari then fired up another RasenShuriken as he threw it towards Raika's back, connecting with the other RasenShuriken and creating a massive explosion with Raika being caught in the middle as great shockwaves were sent everywhere. He did not stand a chance as his entire body was ripped to pieces as he fell towards the ground, landing with a trail of smoke behind him. It was as if Ikari's body moved on its own, as if he was being guided through the proper path somehow, but was it enough to deal with the enemy commander?
Ikari: I... Did it??...
Running over to him, Ikari discovered that both his attacks did the trick. Raika was no more, with only his dead body remaining, and Ikari was ever puzzled over how he was suddenly able to throw the RasenShuriken and how he suddenly was able to utilize Lightning affinity when he could do neither before this battle.
Ikari: Did Naruto do something to me when he-...?!
Raikiru: Ikari, watch out!!
Ikari: !!
Almost being caught in his own mind for a few seconds, Ikari did the one mistake you are not allowed to do when out on the battlefield- losing focus. From behind him came a sword-wielding shinobi as he swung his sword right towards Ikari's head, and Ikari was nowhere near being able to intercept it in time. Luckily for him, Raikiru had finally returned to the battlefield as he rode by Ikari's two swords, grabbed the both of them up from the ground, placed both his feet on the horse's saddle and leaped off at rapid speed, charging both of them up with lightning currents mid-air, as he span around towards the shinobi's back, almost slicing him in half as he swung the two swords around. Blood spat on Ikari's face as the shinobi's sword merely scratched his shoulder on its way down towards the ground. Ikari was saved in the last second by the one man he had doubted for the past few months, the best friend he had believed to have lost.
Ikari: Raikiru, you, you saved me...
Raikiru: Damn that was a close one! Are you alright??
Ikari: Y-es... Yes I am... Raikiru, your helmet...
Raikiru: ... It must have fallen off when I went for the swords I-...
Not knowing what to make out of it, Ikari didn't manage to say much before Raikiru placed his eyes on the fallen man on the ground behind Ikari's back.
Raikiru: !!
Ikari: You know that man too?!
Raikiru: I-... I don't know, there is something familiar with him too, but...
Ikari: Same deal as with Raiba huh-... Raikiru, you are...
Raikiru: !!
Tears had begun to stream down his chin, but Raikiru in all honesty, had no idea why, why he felt sad for that man, why he felt sad for the enemy commander. He couldn't explain it, and Ikari knew that as well.
Raikiru: I...
Ikari: You don't have to explain it...
Raikiru: So this was his face underneath the helmet...
Ikari: Yes... His name was Raika...
Raikiru: Raika huh... Well-...
Ikari: !!
Raikiru: ?!
As the two of them were trying to figure things out, a small group of enemy horse riders suddenly came towards them as they halted some distance away from them. Seeing this, the remaining allied shinobi gathered at Ikari's back as the rest of the enemy shinobi had fallen. Just as the battle seemed to have been won, even more enemies arrived to the field, but why only a few horse riders they wondered as Ikari walked forward to face them, stopping only about 20 meters or so away from them. Walking up to him was Raikiru, as he was completely stunned seeing the leader of the small squad before him. His face sprung forth so many emotions at once that Raikiru didn't know whether to be mad, sad or happy seeing him. The man on the horse closest to them had a menacing look on his face as Ikari knew instantly there and then that it could not be anyone else than the enemy leader himself.
Ikari: You... You are the one who killed Jin and left Bruce in a coma!! I remember you from that day! How dare you show your face all the way down here?! What is it that you guys want from this war?!
Raigo: ... I have no intention telling a low-life like you...
Hearing this, the other allied shinobi from Konoha were fueled by rage at the realization of their past Hokage's killer standing right before them, almost to the point where Ikari had to hold them back.
Raigo: But... I am not here to fight...
Ikari: Then what do you want?!
Raigo: I see my last brother also fell before you... I can only regret not being here sooner... However, I was the one to kill the past Hokage and leave his son in a coma... And I've also heard rumors that your past girlfriend was killed in the war as well, Hokage-Sama... With you killing both my brothers... I suppose, this would in one sense make us even. But don't think for even a second that you will die by any other hand than my own!
Shouting out, Raigo was not scared of a single man standing before him, even though they were outnumbered beyond measure. Devastated by the lost of his second brother, he knew that he had to hold himself back, because if he was to charge the man in front of him now, he would risk the entire campaign for a simple revenge, and he could not let himself fall for that tempt, no matter how much he wanted to.
Ikari: Not if I kill you first you bastard-...!!
Raikiru: Ikari don't, you can't attack that man, not now...
Ikari: Why, why can't I?! This time around I have you by my side Raikiru, together with the rest of our allies, we will definitely end this war right here and now by taking that man's head!
Reaching his hand up in the air, Ikari boosted the moral of his remaining troops as they all were on the brink of charging the small squad of five men in front of them.
Raikiru: This is not the time Ikari, just trust me on that one...
Ikari: What do you mean?! If we let him go now, we will never get a better chance at taking care of him!
Raigo: ...
Watching them from the top of his horse, Raigo was analyzing what to do as one of his men leaned over to him and whispered some words into his ears.
Raigo: You are right... I suppose my nephew is not here any longer, however, it's been ages since I've been this close to my own-...
Raikiru: !!
Ikari: ...
Raigo: Fall back, there is no way we can win here today, even though I would personally never fall before any of you weaklings... If I was to fall now, there wouldn't be anything good to look forward to, would there?? We will meet again Hokage-Sama, and when we do, we will have our fight... And then, then you will meet your proper end.
Signaling his men to retreat, the five horse riders then turned their backs on Ikari, Raikiru and the rest as they leaped off in the opposite direction, much to Ikari's frustration.
Raikiru: I'm telling you, now is not the time!!
Shinobi: Hokage-Sama, what should we do?! Should we pursuit them?!
Ikari: ...
Shinobi: Hokage-Sama, they are getting away!!
Ikari: Tch... Fine Raikiru, but if you are wrong...
Raikiru: I am not... In fact, there is something I need to tell you...
Ikari: ... Everyone retreat!
Leading his forces back towards Konoha, Ikari then took Raikiru with him as the two of them teleported to a small town, just outside the Shinobi World Alliance's main camp. Landing on the ground, Ikari then demanded an explanation.
Ikari: Look...
Reaching his hand out, Ikari laid it gently on his shoulder.
Ikari: There is something I can't explain about you... Even though everything has pointed towards you lying for the past few months, you have done everything to prove us wrong, to prove me wrong... You even saved my life today and-...
Raikiru: Ikari...
Ikari: I trust you... But we need to figure this out once and for all before we return...
Raikiru: As the battle begun and the enemy springed their traps, my horse ran off with me being dragged behind it by its reins... I was dragged away from the field, until I fell off, bulking my head into a rock. Once I stood up to my feet again, there was this man standing before me, not old of age, but with a lot of intel in hands...
As he laid out the events that led up to him returning to the field just in time to save Ikari, Ikari could only look puzzled at him in response, wondering what exactly it all meant.
Raikiru: I don't know what to make out of it all Ikari, but I know where I belong, who I'm fighting for! I'm scared, I'm confused, but my will to fight for our cause is still the same, not even three months locked away, being doubted even by probably my only true friend here, will ever change that!
Ikari: I-...
Raikiru: My past... Whatever I did, whoever I used to be, whomever my family is, what I was suppose to do, my role in all this... It doesn't matter! I don't care! You are my friend Ikari, you are all my allies... I will die fighting by your side if I have to, to see this war to an end, nothing can change that, you have my word...
Ikari: I believe... This could be used to our advantage Raikiru, I believe we're closer to figure out what it all means than ever before, however-...
Raikiru: ??...
There was nothing wrong in his consent. Raikiru had never been more sincere in his life, and Ikari had no reasons to doubt him, not anymore, but there was still a lot to take into consideration, a lot to be careful about. If his seal was to be opened and all his memories spring back, would Raikiru be the same? Would he still be fighting for the same cause? Would he risk taking the chance, to convince the rest of Raikiru's true intentions, that he was their allies, and that they had nothing to fear? Would he tell the rest about what he had learned today, or would he keep quiet? Would they be able to take advantage of this or could it potentially backfire at him? So many counted at him, counted in him to make the right choice... Ikari had a lot to consider, and he had to make up his mind now.
Ikari: Okay... I have a plan.
Going over to a local horse-renting rancher, the two of them mounted on their two horses as they took off towards the allied camp. Not long after, they entered through the front gate as a lot of staring eyes looked their way, seeing Raikiru out of custody, however, with Ikari the Hokage leading the way, few dared doubt his intent or speak their mind, not right away at least...
Ikari: Let me do the talking...
Raikiru: Are you sure??
Ikari: Yes, now it is your turn to trust me Raikiru, just follow my lead...
Raikiru: Ahah, that is funny because you are the Ho-...
Ikari: ...
Raikiru: Okay, not the time to crack jokes I see...
Dismounting and leaving the horses behind by a stable, the two of them were headed towards the Raikage's tent when they were suddenly surrounded and confronted by Kitsuke and some other men whom stepped in front of them, blocking their way.
Kitsuke: Hold it, hold it, hold it!!
Raikiru: ??
Ikari: ...
Kitsuke: Ikari, what is going on?! What is that traitor doing here?!
Ikari: Not now Kitsuke, I'll explain later...
Trying to pass through them, Ikari was simply stopped in his tracks as Kitsuke gently placed his right hand on his chest to stop his progress. Looking him straight in the eyes, Kitsuke had a worried look on his face, almost to the degree of being quite upset and irritated. It was as if Ikari could feel that Kitsuke found this to be going against what they had decided and as if he felt betrayed by Ikari himself. However, Ikari knew that even though he wouldn't get passed him too easily, he simply didn't have time for his complaints now.
Raikiru: Kitsuke, what the hell are you doing?! As a fellow Kumo Shinobi, I urge you to reconsider what you are doing and just let us through. It is not wise for you to take matters into your own hands and to oppose the Hokage like th-...
Kitsuke: I wasn't talking to you Raikiru!
Ikari: ...
Kitsuke: Ikari, that man should not be here, he should be in custody! You are doing a great mistake trusting that guy! If even we Kumo Shinobi can't trust him, how can you, a shinobi from Konoha do so?! We barely know anything about this guy!
Demanding an explanation, Kitsuke and his men refused to move out of the way, much to Ikari's frustration.
Raikiru: Ikari...
Ikari: I'm going to sort things out Kitsuke, in matter of facts, we are heading to the Raikage's tent right now-...
Kitsuke: No need, he has already been called here... You will not move a single step before he gets here.
Ikari: ...And who gave you the authority over the Hokage, Kitsuke??
Looking at him with a stern look, Ikari knew he had to avoid getting the situation more tense than what it already was, but he could not restrained himself much longer. After all, he was the Hokage now, one of the five leaders of this alliance, and it was almost out of its place for Kitsuke to demand anything from him, against the shinobi code to act this way, however...
Kitsuke: I-...
Ikari: Look, I know you don't trust him, that what you witnessed before has convinced you that this man is not on our side, but latest intel has proven otherwise... If you don't trust him, at least find trust in me Kitsuke, I'm sure you don't want any trouble here...
Kitsuke: No, you look, Hokage-Sama! I know it's dangerous for me to do this, but I am afraid I have no choice... I know you are a reasonable man, just please wait here until Maki arrives...
Ikari: Sigh... Fine, we'll wait.
Not seeing any way out other than to use force, Ikari decided to listen to his plea, and only a few moments later, Maki arrived with a couple of guards behind him as Ikari turned his attention towards him.
Maki: Ikari?? What is going on here and why have I heard that-... So he's here...
Kitsuke: Raikage-Sama, please do something about the situation! The Hokage is clearly violating the-...
Ikari: I'll explain...
Maki: Very well.
Raikiru: ...
Ikari: Raikiru is not a traitor... The leader of the enemy forces just had a small group attack our forces just outside Konoha's border as I was paying a visit over there, and-...
Maki: Yeah, reports about that incident has already reached our ears... I've heard about the battle and its outcome already...
Ikari: Then you should also know that Raikiru offered to assist and so he did... He even saved my life on one occasion and-...
Kitsuke: He also pretended to be me, didn't he?!
Raikiru: I had no choice! If I hadn't, I wouldn't have made it back in time to-...
Ikari: It is fine Raikiru, let me talk...
Kitsuke: Still, you were in no position to-...
Maki: Step down already Kitsuke, that is an order... Let the Kages talk.
Kitsuke: Humph... Fine.
Maki: You are sure this is not all part of his plan, Ikari??
Ikari: Tch, if anything, this all proves that the accusations against him is purely fictive. They were never solid to begin with-...
Kitsuke: Objection! You can't simply take his word for it just because Ikari is the Hokage! Raikage-Sama, you are not going to let this guy out of our sigh, are you?! We will just be doing what the enemy wants and it will strike back at us!
Maki: Kitsuke!! I understand your concerns, but as a fellow Kumo Shinobi, can you for sure say that there are enough evidence to support the claims or to counter the things he has shown out in battle?? He still hasn't had his trial, and-...
Kitsuke: I-...
Ikari: I don't know whether you trust Raikiru or not Raikage-Sama, but all I ask is for you to trust me... I will take full responsibility for whatever actions Raikiru may or may not take, and will so be equally punished by Shinobi Laws if he so makes them. I will give you a personal report for you to read, detailing the events that took place and Raikiru proving his worth... Until then, I request Raikiru to be reinstated in our forces... Like you said yourself, he hasn't had a conviction yet, so it is all merely speculation as of now... I'm convinced that he is a righteous man, and he has done more for our forces in the last four years of war than most people have-...
Raikiru: Ikari... Why would you-...
Ikari: Because you are my friend Raikiru... And that is what friends do for each other... I have no doubt in my mind that you are on our side, not anymore... You are one of us Raikiru, that is all that matters now.
Smiling at him, Ikari had made his stand. There was no going back on his word now and only the Raikage's approval left remaining.
Maki: Fine, that is all I need to be hearing... I'm sure you have your reasons Ikari, and I will choose to believe in you and in them as well... Raikiru...
Raikiru: Y-es, Raikage-Sama!
Maki: You are hereby reinstated in our forces... You may carry on.
Raikiru: Thanks!!
Ikari: Then it's settled...
Kitsuke: But-...
Taking his leave, Maki and his guards were then out of sight as Kitsuke continued to press his concerns, disappearing from view together with him and his men. Turning his attention towards Raikiru, Ikari then concluded the situation at hand as he told him he had to go see someone to seek out some answers. Not long after, Ikari placed foot at Mt. Myobokuzan once more as he headed straight for the Great Temple.
Ikari: It's been three months Naruto, you better have returned by now-... Fukasaku??
Entering the temple, Ikari came before the seat which Naruto usually was seated in, but as he deep down inside had expected, he found it to be empty. However, sitting beside it meditating, the elderly toad known as Fukasaku was, as Ikari knew he could at least seek his guidance if Naruto wasn't there to help him out.
Fukasaku: Ahh, Ikari... Glad you made it... Naruto spoke of this day before he left three months ago...
Ikari: He-... He did??
Fukasaku: Yes he did indeed... So, what may I assist you with?
Ikari: I-... I suppose that since Naruto hasn't returned yet, I-...
Fukasaku: If you came to ask when he'll return, I'm afraid I can't help you... Naruto's journey to the Forest of the Great Giants is one he must travel on his own, no matter how long it takes, just like we all have our own paths to walk...
Ikari: I see... Naruto spoke about my counter-part, the one destiny had foreseen me to battle, like all the great shinobi of the past, we were to walk in their footsteps, however...
Fukasaku: ...
Ikari: For the sake of the future of this world, for the sake of peace... I need to know if it is him... If it is Raikiru Raigobashi, and whether I'm doing the right thing trusting him, whether I'm walking the right path... Everything and everyone depends on me to make the right choices, and-...
Fukasaku: Hmm...
Ikari: If I fail...
Fukasaku: Ikari-San...
Ikari: Am I doing the right thing, Fukasaku, risking everything, every trust and faith people has ever put in me, by keeping what Raikiru told me a secret from everyone else? Is the risk worth taking, or will it backfire on me, on the alliance and everyone I care about, endangering Konoha's entire position in the Shinobi World Alliance??... As the Hokage, I have to make the right choice, but it is so easily to let emotions decide instead of reason, I-... If I let the other Kages down, the entire alliance could shatter because I'm trusting the wrong guy...
Fukasaku: How long have you been Hokage now Ikari-San??
Ikari: Uhm, three months?...
Fukasaku: Which makes you not only the youngest Kage in the alliance, but also the newest, am I right??
Ikari: Y-es...
Fukasaku: Hmmm...
Ikari: I need your advice more now than ever before, if there is something you have to say, something you know, then I must hear it! Should I continue to walk the path I am, betting everything on this coincidental meeting between Raikiru and what seemed to be his cousin, or should I take a chance and risk the entire operation by telling the rest of the Kages?? I feel so... Indifferent about the whole thing, I mean... One part of me bases every choice I make on my experience with Raikiru, while another bases itself on reason... Raikiru is not one of us, he was sent as a spy to infiltrate our forces, but some time along the way, his memory was lost, and he is now-...
Fukasaku: Many great choices has been made up through the countless generations of shinobi, and like everyone in the past, it is up to each and everyone of us to make what we believe is the right choices to make, not only for ourselves, but for everyone else as well... Even though you feel like you have to do what is expected of you, by your friends, by your allies, by Naruto, even by destiny itself, and that whatever choice you make, will decide the future of this world, sometimes, you just have to... Not try so hard to follow the path Naruto or the world has foreseen for you, but instead, try to make your own path, your own destiny... Choice what you feel is the right path to walk, to find your own way, your own answers. Sometimes, destiny comes to you, not the other way around, Ikari... If you try too hard, if you try to force destiny upon yourself, you will only tire yourself out, and in the end, even make the wrong decisions...
Ikari: Fukasaku, you...
Fukasaku: If you feel that keeping this to yourself is the right thing to do, to best take advantage of the situation at hand, then you do that, but if you feel like you have to tell the rest, then you do that instead! It is entirely up to you Ikari, no faith or destiny can change that... Now, I need to head home for supper, Ma is not going to be pleased if I'm late again.
Jumping down from his seat, Fukasaku stopped by Ikari as he looked at him one last time with a reassuring smile on his face, before he then continued to walk towards the exit of the temple.
Ikari: Wait! How will I know if I make the right choice?!
Fukasaku: It has been too long of a time since I last saw you kid... Make sure not to wait this long before we talk next time, will you? Ma would probably be happy to see you as well...
And with that, he was gone from view. Ikari could have run after him, but even as ever puzzled he was at Fukasaku's wise words, he knew there and then that he had to find his own answers from now on. Taking his leave, Ikari then returned to the allied camp, but before heading back to his tent, he decided to stop by the memorial graveyard where Rin was buried. Stopping by her grave which was just in between Jin and Akuma's graves, Ikari fell to his knees in front of hers as day had turned to night, and the late night cold had already snuck its shivering feels down his spine.
Ikari: Rin... I know it has been awhile since I've come to visit, but I-... I-...
The day had been long and decisive, and as Ikari already had a lot to think about, the fact that he missed Rin now more than he had in a long time, slowly pressed some long awaited tears forth in his eyes. They streamed down his face, uncontrollably, as Ikari hadn't cried this hard since the day Rin died. He had just locked everything out, staying strong for everyone else dependent on him, but even Ikari was only human, and like all humans, his feelings eventually got the better of him.
Ikari: I don't know what to do Rin, I don't know what I am suppose to do, I-... Why could I not protect you, why could I not-... If you only were here, if I only was stronger, I-... I should have been able to prevent you from dying, I-... I need you Rin, not one day goes by without my heart still missing you. The pain, it is eating me up from the inside, and I can only take so much before I-... I can't let go, I refuse to let go, I-... I know it has only been three months, but I-... I try to stay strong for our son, for Makar, but even he is-... Even he knows there is someone missing, he-... He is still so young, but he understands it and I-...
He had to pause to catch his breath, and Ikari was almost too devastated to go on, but he knew he had to clear his mind and this was where to do it.
Ikari: Am I doing the right thing? If I fail again, if any more people dies under my watch, I-... It is unfair, why can't my heart let you go, to let go of the pain and the sorrow, I can't keep going like this, God I miss you so much Rin, if I could only bring you back... Will I ever be able to move on Rin? Will I ever find happiness again, like I did with you through the short time we had together? One day will come where I will have to tell Makar about his beloved mother, and when I do I-...
Trying to wipe his tears, Ikari seemed to be too sad for anyone to be able to cheer him up again. His tears dripped down from his face and onto his robe as the black clouds that had formed above him, opened up, and let a large pond of water down upon him. It was raining hard, as if the heavens above cried with him, and it was then as he looked at Akuma's grave, struggling to see words to tongue, that a woman approached him from behind, perplexed to see him just sitting there all by himself.
Ibuki: Ikari??
Ikari: !!
Turning around, Ikari suddenly saw Ibuki standing behind him as she was carrying a bucket of flowers in her hands. She was surprised to see him, but more importantly, she was surprised to see Ikari in such a devastated state,
Ikari: Ib-uki, what are you doing here...
And just as she arrived, the clouds above shut their gates as the evening moon broke through them and shone its dim grey light upon them. Just like that, the rain had stopped just as fast as it had begun, as Ikari tried to stand to his feet, but before he got the chance to, Ibuki had already come down to his height instead.
Ibuki: Ikari, are you alright??
Ikari: I-...
Reaching out for him with her hand, she immediately realized that everything wasn't as it should have been as she laid the bucket of flowers at Akuma's grave beside them, before she turned her attention towards him.
Ibuki: Ikari, you're-... Crying...
Ikari: No-...
Ibuki: Yes, you are, you don't-...
Ikari: No Ibuki, I'm n-ot, I-...
Ibuki: Hey, it's okay, it's okay to be sad Ikari, you don't have to hide your tears from me, okay?
Her tone was so gentle and so caring; was Ibuki the person who could get Ikari on better thoughts?
Ikari: I'm not crying-... I just-...
Reaching her hand out to his face, she tried to comfort him as the skin around his eyes had already turned soar from all the crying. He couldn't deny it, there wasn't even any point in trying. So long had he been able to hide his tears, to hide them away from her, but not this time around. He had to stay strong, but sometimes, he just had to let his feelings go, and he knew it.
Ibuki: I didn't know you were this-... Uhm, didn't think I would find you here, I... If I knew, I would have come with you. If there is anything you need to talk about, you can talk to me okay, you don't have to do this alone Ikari, you don't have to do this all by yourself... I know you feel like you have to shoulder everyone's burden upon you, but you can't forget that we are here too if you ever should need us.
Reaching out for him even further, she then drew him close as she gave him a warm comforting hug as his tears continued to drip down his chin. This time it was her turn to comfort him as he was almost too devastated to come up with a reply.
Ikari: Ibuki-...
Ibuki: It's okay Ikari, I know it is hard. Rin and Akuma, and with Bruce still in coma, I...
Ikari: There is something I need to-... Need to tell you...
Giving him some space, Ibuki then looked at him as he tried to wipe his tears away to gather himself a bit. Taking a deep breath, Ikari then sulked it up as much as he could as he laid out the troubled thoughts on his mind. Detailing the events of the day from everything about the battle, to Raikiru's revelation and his own talk with Fukasaku, Ikari didn't hold anything back. She didn't react much, but Ikari understood that she knew what he was going through. She tried opening up with a light reply, but quickly realized that Ikari needed something more than a simple nod and acceptance.
Ibuki: So he's back in our forces, huh... Well I don't know what to say Ikari, but-... Whatever you decide, I'll always be supporting you 100 percent, not only as our Hokage, but as my friend and-... It's a dangerous road to go down and you have to be utmost careful and delicate of how you handle this situation. If you think we can take advantage of this, to lure the enemy into some sort of trap and gather much needed information on why this war is even taking place, then that might be a risk worth taking. If we can use their spy against them as a double agent, we will surely be many steps towards ending this war, I'm sure of it. However, I'm still not sure if it's the best or the most secure idea though, and you might need to go through this with the other Kages first... If the plan backfires...
Ikari: I know, I...
Ibuki: Like I said though, if you feel that it is better to keep it a secret, I will support you, you have my word... I won't tell anyone, not even Yoshi or Inba if it comes down to it.
A bright smile formed on her face, a smile he hadn't seen in a long while as she laid her gentle hand on his face once again. How could she be so confident, how could she be this sure that he would be alright, that he would make the right choice, not only for himself, but for everyone else as well? Like Fukasaku, how could she be this calm about something so serious and potential decisive?
Ikari: Ibuki... This is so not right, I mean, I'm the Hokage now, and I'm literally laying in your lap crying, having to be comforted by you and I shouldn't be this weak, this-...
Ibuki: Don't worry... Nobody else needs to know if you don't want to...
Ikari: I... How can you be so sure, so confident that everything will be alright, Ibuki??
Ibuki: Because you were the one to tell me to cheer up, to keep up hope and to keep believing. You were the one to tell me first, Ikari, remember? That is why...
Ikari: !!
Still looking at him, the two seemed to not be able to break eye-contact for a minute as complete silence filled the air. It was as if he couldn't look away from her, take his eyes off her as her gentle touch and innocent and warm smile was too nice and comforting to not look at. It was then that she finally broke off as she stood up to her feet and reached her hand out to him to help him up.
Ibuki: I was suppose to visit Akuma's grave to pay my respects to him today, but for now, let's just head back to camp. I'm sure you'll need some help getting there in this state, don't you think? Let's lay every important decisions on hold, at least until tomorrow...
Ikari: You're absolutely right Ibuki... It's already getting late enough as it is I guess.
Leaving the graveyard together, Ikari then bid Ibuki goodnight some time after as he left for his tent to write his report about the battle that took place earlier that day. Not long after, he entered the Raikage's tent as he was greeted inside.
Maki: Oh Hokage-Sama, what brings you by my tent this late? Hah!
Ikari: Raikage-Sama, good evening. Only my evening report sir, haha.
Maki: Even-ing... Report, Ikari??
Ikari: Well yes, like I promised, here is my report.
Maki: Hmm...
Handing him the report, Maki took a brief look at it before gently laying it away without much further thought.
Ikari: What, aren't you going to read the whole of it, Maki??
Maki: No need. I've already made my decision regarding the situation about Raikiru, and you have my support. That is, unless there is something else you want to add that is, bwuhahahah!
Ikari: I-...
Breaking out in laughter, Maki seemed to be in the good mood, unbeknownst of the fact that Ikari actually had something important that he hadn't revealed to him, something that would most likely change his mood in a drastic favor. Was this the time to tell him, to seek his thoughts on the dilemma, or would he still keep it a secret, at least for a little while longer?
Maki: You know... You got to be the most polite-, but at the same time, the least formal Kage I've ever met Ikari, hahaha, though I hope you don't take any offense in that, no?
It wasn't just that Maki was in a good mood... The bottle of Sake on his table clearly indicated that he was more than "just in the good mood," to say the least.
Ikari: Ehm, oh yeah?
Maki: Well for one thing you seem to hang around with anyone, which is not too common for a Kage, and then there's the fact that you don't send your advisers to schedule a meeting for you, but instead, show up in person yourself, humbly requesting a meeting... I like that!
Pointing his finger at him, Maki then sat down in his chair as he continued to enjoy himself. It was after all, starting to get late, and perhaps Ikari should find himself in bed sooner rather than later.
Maki: Raikiru is free to do what he wants, but I would still like you to keep an eye out for him for me though... You never know what could happen, and you are probably the one who knows him the best... If it comes down to it, I'm trusting you to be able to make the right choice, for all of us, Ikari, keep that in mind.
Ikari: Good to hear Maki... Well, I guess I should take my leave then...
Maki: By all means! I suppose a drunkard like me isn't much company to begin with, ahahah!
Heading for the door, Ikari then left the tent after paying his respects as he decided that with what Maki said fresh in mind, he would not tell him what really happened out there on the battlefield, at least not at this point of time. Making his way over to the Hokage tent, he was then greeted by his two advisers, Yoshi and Inba,
Inba: Ikari, welcome back.
Yoshi: I suppose you've had a long day already?
Ikari: Oh, so you two are here I see... Well yeah, but I suppose it could go on for a little while longer. Anything on your minds??
Sitting down in his chair, Ikari then took off his Hokage-hat as he gently placed both his feet on top of the table in front of himself.
Yoshi: No, not really, we were just archiving some reports...
Ikari: I see... Well now that you are here, how about a cup of sake?? I was thinking of inviting some people over as well and... Yeah, to celebrate...
Inba: Celebrate, Hokage-Sama??
Ikari: Well not to directly celebrate, but like a late night drink of sorts?
Yoshi: I would love to, but it is already getting too late for me. At some other time though.
Inba: I hate to break it to you, but I need to get some sleep as well...
Ikari: Oh, okay... Well that is fine I suppose...
Yoshi: Just be careful of who you invite... I'm not saying I suggest against it, but now that you're Hokage, it is important to keep tradition up, to be a bit less carefree and a bit more formal, and-...
Ikari: Formal?? Why is that so important? Isn't that just some outdated ideals, Yoshi?
Yoshi: What I mean is that, if you act like a mere shinobi in the army when you are the Hokage, few people will be able to identify you as a Kage and the power that comes with it-...
Ikari: How can you win the true respect of the people and the shinobi around us if you're never going to socialize with anyone else than the higher-ups in the system? The people needs to know who their Kage is in person for them to be able to fully respect him, that is at least what I believe to be true, to be important...
Yoshi: Hmmm... Well that is one way to look at it I suppose...
Inba: I never thought of it like that... You truly are the Hokage of the people, Ikari.
Paying their respects, the two of them then left the tent as Ikari made up two shadow clones, one each to get the two men he had planned to invite for a cup of Sake. One of them was Raikiru, the other, Kitsuke, and not long after, both clones returned with each their guest of honor, as Ikari was pleased to see them there.
Ikari: Glad you both accepted...
Kitsuke: What?! I thought you said you had something to discuss with me alone over a cup of sake, Ikari, what is Raikiru doing here?!
Raikiru: Oh, that is a harsh way to say it...
Obviously mad at seeing Raikiru there as well, Kitsuke was just about to leave the tent when Ikari managed to hold him back from doing so.
Ikari: Just wait one minute Kitsuke... Why do you continue to have so much anger towards Raikiru, towards a shinobi from the same village as you?? I know you have your reasons, but I called you both here as my guests, so that we could bury the axe once and for all. What better way than to do it than over a cup of sake? Please, have a seat, both of you.
Raikiru: So that was your intent, huh...
Kitsuke: You really are full of yourself Ikari, but, as long as it's your treat, I suppose I won't deny it. I won't promise anything though, unless you are able to convince me otherwise, humph...
Finally sitting down in his chair, Ikari's two clones then disappeared as Raikiru also sat down in his shortly thereafter. The clock went by as night became morning, and as the two drunk men finally left the Hokage-tent together, it seemed like they had buried more than the axe as getting them both drunk had really managed to do the trick. Ikari was dead tired, and not a minute later, he fell asleep in his chair. The coming months were of the peaceful kind, with only a few small skirmishes every now and then, but nothing of the big kind. About a year had now passed since Rin and Jin died, and Bruce had yet to awaken from his deep slumber. Returning from a recent battle, Ikari and Raikiru stopped just outside the main camp as they dismounted from their horses. Sitting down on a nearby rock, Ikari then spoke out.
Ikari: We really are getting nowhere, huh...
Raikiru: Doesn't seem like it at the moment, no...
Ikari: Sigh... The war has just entered its eight consecutive year, Raikiru, this war has lasted for seven full years now! It got to end soon, in one way or the other or we'll be old or dead by the end of it...
Raikiru: Your concerns are not without reason, however, there must be a light at the end of the tunnel... We've taken every territory around Kumo and managed to secure them, what remains now is to push forward straight North, to push them back against the Great Sea, and in order to do that, we just need to...
Ikari: Hmm...
Raikiru: My latest findings has brought me closer to figuring out more about how to be able to use the intel we came across seven months ago to our favor. I have a feeling I'll be able to come in contact with my cousin on the other side quite soon, and if we're able to capture him somehow, I'm certain we'll be able to get all the information we need, perhaps even finding a weak point to their mighty fortress of a main camp, so that we can finally get rid of them. If we only could find a way to break my seal, to get my memory of my past return... It would be so much easier, sigh...
Ikari: Raikiru, you know we've discussed this before... Even if there is a way to break the seal, no one knows what will happen. It is too dangerous to even think of...
Raikiru: What, you think I'll turn or something if we break it? That just like that, I'll forget everything I've been experiencing for the past eleven years of my life, neglecting how hard we've fought for the past seven years??
Ikari: I'm not saying that, I'm just saying we should be careful...
Raikiru: Yeah, I suppose you are right... With what we know already, I fear that any further discoveries might mess me up more than I can handle, I mean, considering the fact that those guys we fought, Raiba and Raika, probably were my uncles, and the fact that the leader of the enemy forces, Raigo Raitobashi, might be my-...
Ikari: If you're going to think too much about it, you will only destroy yourself. I'm sure that you will figure things out eventually Raikiru, but now is not the time to think such thoughts...
Raikiru: Probably not...
Ikari: I'm still trying to figure out why they just came to our lands seeking war just for the sake of it... If what your cousin said about them needing a new land that was not torn apart by war, is true, then I suppose I get it to some degree, however, this is not the way to do it... If they came to us peacefully, we could always have worked things out... If their clan, which was one of five clans fighting a war over there, is this big in force, I can't help wonder how big the Unknown Realms to the North really is. There are still so much we don't know, and-... What if we could manage to find a peaceful solution to this war somehow, what if we could just end it right here and now without further bloodshed?
Raikiru: Don't flatter yourself Ikari... Even if we might think like that, there is no way someone like them would even begin to understand the word of negotiations... If they did, they would have come to us before starting this war.
Ikari: Well... What you say is probably true, but if they couldn't take all the war over in their land any further, why come here to seek further war? If only we could get in contact with Raigo, there might be another way than this...
Raikiru: You are the Hokage, Ikari... I get it, you don't want your people to suffer any longer, however, even if such a possibility was to present itself, we would have had to act with the utmost delicacy regarding the matter...
Not able to come to a conclusion, the two of them were then just about to get up again as a horse rider suddenly came their way, greeting them as he halted his horse right in front of them.
Kitsuke: Ah, there you are, I saw you from a distance. Why did you guys stop here, this close to the camp?
Ikari: Oh it's you Kitsuke, well, we had some things to discuss.
Kitsuke: Like?
Raikiru: Well it doesn't matter now. Come, let's head back to camp together.
Kitsuke: Right.
Returning to camp, the three of them dismounted as Ikari was greeted by a group of Konoha Shinobi waiting for them. Greeting them as he passed through, Ikari then found his way over to the tent where Bruce slept, as he entered inside. And as he had come to expect, Ibuki sat there by his bedside.
Ibuki: You're back already??
Ikari: Yes, the situation only required my supervision, nothing more.
Ibuki: I see...
Ikari: Anything new on Bruce??
It wasn't just that he asked for there to be anything different than the usual, as that would have been, well, nothing short but amazing, however, Ikari felt that he was obliged to ask, not only because of having to show some manners, but also because he cared- not only for Bruce, but for Ibuki as well.
Ibuki: No-... Nothing new...
Ikari: Understood...
Ibuki: I-... I don't think there will be anything new to report regarding Bruce, Ikari, I-...
Ikari: ...
Ibuki: It's been a year already... Looking to the past, no one has slept this long in a coma and woken up before, not at this stage... And even if Bruce wakes up, he might have changed, his memories might not be fully intact, and-...
Ikari: Ibuki I-...
Ibuki: I don't feel like giving up, but the honest truth Ikari... Is that I've kind of given up a long time ago, and I only feel like I have to visit him once a day, not because I still believe that he will suddenly wake up if I do, even if that would have been a miracle, but, because that I feel like I have to, because we were-...
Ikari: But you can't simply give up Ibuki, it wouldn't be-...
Ibuki: Just don't Ikari... We've been through this before, seven months ago, remember? You might have been able to rekindled my hope back then, but not-... Not this time around.
Standing up from her chair, Ibuki was then about to leave the tent when Ikari grabbed a hold onto her arm, as gently as he could. She was surprised to see this, even though she knew Ikari so well that she should have expected it. Instead of getting upset, she stopped to listen to what more he had to say.
Ikari: I know I'm being unreasonable here, but how can you say such a thing?! I know the chances are dim, but even the slightest of hope is something, right?! The moment we give up is the moment it is over!
He wasn't mad at her, but the way she was expressing herself made him upset. She knew Ikari was passionate about the situation, but to see him this serious, even a year after Bruce fell in a coma, was not what she had expected.
Ibuki: ...
Ikari: If even you've given up hope Ibuki, then what is the point?!
Ibuki: The point?? What do you me-...
Dragging her with him, Ikari went over to the machine keeping Bruce's vital organs going as he stopped right by it.
Ibuki: Ikari, what are you-...
Ikari: If you're going to be like this, we might as well just pull the plug on this machine already and get over with it, to ease our suffering and pain, and finally be able to move on! Is that what you want?!
Ibuki: Ikari stop it...
Forcing her arm towards the plug giving the machine the electricity needed, Ibuki got more and more stressed and more and more anxious the closer she got to it.
Ibuki: I said stop it!!
Ikari: !!
Dragging her arm free, Ibuki then slapped him hard across the face, but just as she did, she immediately regretted it as she reached her right hand up to her face to express it. Ikari didn't even react, not even a single sign of pain or him being mad at her for doing it, could be seen on his face. She tried to reach for his face with her hand, but he gently pushed it aside, much to Ibuki's astonishment.
Ikari: Don't... I deserved it...
Ibuki: Then why?...
Ikari: To find out...
Ibuki: ??
Ikari: Your true feelings...
Ibuki: !!
Ikari: If what you said was really true, you wouldn't so anxiously have tried to stop me, and you would not have reacted like you did. Deep down inside, you still care, I can sense it. You might not even have noticed but...
Ibuki: I-...!!
Reaching his hand up to her face, Ikari wiped a tear away from her chin as she was surprised to realize that she was actually crying.
Ikari: After all these years Ibuki... I know you better than you might think.
Leaving a smile on his face, Ikari then turned around as he was heading for the door. Reaching out for him, Ibuki then tried to stop him from leaving, but Ikari simply turned his face towards her, still with the smile intact on his face as he left her a few comforting words before taking his leave.
Ikari: I'll let you two have some time for yourself. Don't worry, I'm certain he will wake up sooner or later.
Leaving the tent, Ikari then looked up on the blue sky above him. The day was still young, and with some things to think about, including the Kage-meeting that he was planning to gather the rest of the Kages at for some much needed discussion in three days' time, Ikari knew that he would have to try giving Naruto a new visit, another try before long. Three days later, Ikari was seated in his tent with Yoshi and Inba by his side as the morning sun had just taken its place on the sky. As he was going through some reports with them, Raikiru suddenly entered the tent, looking quite stressed and with a serious look on his face.
Ikari: Raikiru??
Raikiru: Ikari, it's urgent! I need to talk to you, now and in private!
Yoshi: ??
Inba: In private? What is it that you have on your mind that Yoshi and I can't-...
Ikari: Inba, Yoshi, please take your leave. It won't be long, I promise.
Yoshi: Uhm... Okay, if you say so...
Inba: Sigh, as you wish...
Leaving the tent, Ikari and Raikiru could then have some privacy to talk.
Ikari: So??
Raikiru: Raido... My cousin Raido has made contact with me!!
Ikari: What?!
Raikiru: He wants to meet me, later this day!!
Ikari: !!
Immediately standing up to his feet, Ikari was shocked to hear the latest news.
Raikiru: What should we do?? This is our chance, the chance we've been waiting for! We need to take it, we need to capture him and-...
Ikari: Right!! But only the two of us can hear about this, okay?
Raikiru: Agreed.
Ikari: So we can finally use the situation to our advantage! Did he say when or why?
Raikiru: One of the guards outside the North gate came to me with a small note, that was delivered to him by a traveling merchant. He was told specifically to give it to me, and when I read it, I realized that it was from him. He only said a time and a place, nothing about why... However, this is it Ikari! We have to take the bait, despite the risk it will include!
Ikari: I know, but we have to be careful...
Raikiru: Right! It said 5pm by the Fallen Bridge.
Ikari: Excellent! Raikiru, make the proper preparations, we'll be heading out as soon as it's time.
Bowing before him, Raikiru then left the tent as Ikari followed shortly thereafter. This was the chance he had been waiting for, but would this be enough to turn the tide in their favor and quite possibly draw the war to a conclusion? Knowing that he had to go see Naruto, Ikari then disappeared from view. Not long after, he entered the Great Temple.
Fukasaku: ...
Shima: Hmmm...
Ikari: !!
Coming before the seat where he was suppose to be seated, Naruto was still nowhere to be seen.
Ikari: He-... He hasn't returned yet, has he?
Shima: Ikari-San, so nice to see you! It's been ages!
Fukasaku: The answer, is unfortunately still no...
Ikari: I see... How long will he be gone anyways?? I mean, a year is already a good while, and-... If I knew he was going to be this long away I would have-...
Shima: Ikari-San...
Fukasaku: Like last time we spoke, I can only tell you what I know, and what I know is still the same. At this point of time, it is uncertain how long he will be away, in fact, he might not even return...
Ikari: What?! But, he would at least have said something if he wasn't going to-...
Shima: Don't talk like that Pa, you are upsetting the kid!
Fukasaku: I don't mean to say it like that, but it might be the reality of how things are, Ma!
Ikari: That can't be true! If he doesn't return, who will oversee things, oversee that everything goes as it has to for true eternal peace to ever happen?! If Naruto isn't around, how will his dream ever come true?!!
Uneased at Naruto's whereabouts and when he would return still being uncertain, Ikari didn't know just what to say as he was walking back and forth in a fast paced motion. His Hokage-cape was swaying in his wake as the two toads looked at him with earnestly.
Ikari: If he's not going to return, then perhaps I'll have to go to him...
Shima: !!
Fukasaku: What are you saying?! You can't simply go to the Great Forest, Ikari! Not only is it quite dangerous, but it is also a place where only a few people have walked and come back alive!
Ikari: I don't care! The war is rapidly closing to its end, I can feel it, and when it does, Naruto needs to-... I need to know what to do, I need to know if things are going as planned, as they should, I need his guidance to be able to pull through with what I am about to... How is peace able to last eternally?? How is that even possible to begin with?! The dream he's been talking about, the way it will happen eventually, how does he know that, what is it that he knows that we others don't? The end of this war will simply not cut it, there will always be pain and death, that's just how life is!
Fukasaku: ...
Ikari: What is it that Naruto seek, what is it that lies beyond the Great Forest?
Shima: The Forsaken Forest of Mt. Myobokuzan, the place where the Giants lives... It's a dark, mysterious and unholy place... What Naruto seeks there is...
Ikari: ...
She paused for a bit, pondering what to say next as Ikari looked at her anxiously.
Fukasaku: What Naruto-San seeks, is the same thing the Sage of Six Paths himself once sought before him... The answer, the Key to finding peace... The Great Toad Sage, Naruto's predecessor, told Naruto-San once that he would meet with someone claiming to be a sorcerer, an old ancient wizard from the past who is said to have all the answers Naruto himself doesn't have. It was always a matter of time, but Naruto-San, he's already waited a long, long time for this destined meeting. He went to the Great Forest, hoping to find some long awaited answers, but he-...
Ikari: ...
Shima: It won't be long now, I'm certain, but what matters is this... Everyone has their part to play, even Naruto-San.
Ikari: So I continue to walk the path I'm going, no matter what happens, no matter the price??
Fukasaku: Continue to believe in yourself Ikari, believe in your mandate as Hokage, and together with your allies, this war will surely be brought to a deserving end.
Bowing respectfully, Ikari then took his leave, raising his hand up in the air as he was walking to say goodbye. Just as he left Myobokuzan, a shadow emerged from behind one of the many pillars in the room as Naruto's presence was revealed by some daylight piercing through the roof as he was leaning up towards the pillar. His eyes was closed, listening to what had just taken place.
Fukasaku: He's gone now...
Naruto: ...
Stepping out into the light, Naruto then sat down in his chair as he had a worried look on his face.
Shima: Naruto-San...
Fukasaku: I know you've just returned, but why do you hide your presence away from him? Why do you neglect him the answers he seek??
Naruto: His Hokage-robe looks good on him... He seems to have changed accordingly as I've predicted since the last time we spoke.
Fukasaku: ...
Naruto: If I give Ikari the answers he seeks, the future will not pan out as it has to... We will have our talk eventually, but for now, it is important that we all play our roles... If he sees me like this...
Standing up from the chair, Naruto then took a few steps as he looked towards the entrance point of the temple.
Shima: Will he succeed?
Naruto: Ikari is a brave kid with a strong heart... I'm sure he will do fine.
Fukasaku: So the war will come to an end?
Naruto: The road to get there is long and hard, and although I've sensed that his life will be in grave danger, this time, this time it is my turn to believe in him...
Shima: What do you mean?
Naruto: As Ikari goes to fight the battle of his life, I'll have to be someplace else...
Shima: Someplace else?
Fukasaku: Have you found something on your journey Naruto-San?
Naruto: The Three Wolves Mountain... That is where the Wizard will be, in the Land of Iron.
Fukasaku: !!
Shima: ?!
Surprised at hearing this, the two toads could only predict what he had to say next.
Naruto: And I will have to go tod-...?! Ugh, *Cough, Cough*!!
Fukasaku: Naruto-San?!
Out of the blue sky, Naruto suddenly felt a great pain in his chest as he fell to his knees gasping for air. Running over to him, the two toads tried to help, but Naruto quickly told them not to as he struggled himself back up on his feet.
Naruto: *Pant, Pant*
Shima: Naruto-San, what is going on with you?!
Naruto: Ever since I first sensed his presence, I've felt strange... Like, parts of my older-self slowly returning. I've felt-... Old, but at the same time, alive...
Fukasaku: Old?? But the Great Toad Sage gave you his immortality, how can you-...
Naruto: I don't know... There's just something about his dark, strong presence, it's something I've never sensed before... The signal is weak, so if I don't track him down now, I fear I won't ever get the chance again... Everyone put their trust in me to find the Key to peace, Ero-Sennin, Nagato, my father and mother, and all my friends... I just have to end it once and for all, while I still can, while I still possess my powers, I-...
Shima: Naruto-San, you seem different...
Naruto: !!
Fukasaku: Did something happen while you where on your journey to the Forsaken Forest? Did you discover something else than the Wizard's presence??
Naruto: I feel... Human again. I can't explain it, but, it was like he contacted me, like I was able to find the source... I don't have much time, I can feel it, that is why I need to go now, that is why I need to believe in Ikari this time around, because if I don't, I fear that I won't just lose my chance to end this once and for all, but if Ikari falls, all hope dies with him...
Fukasaku: Are you saying that he will?!
Naruto: I don't know... For the first time in a long time, I can't say for sure, I just... I can't foresee how it will end, but I know one thing for sure, we will all have to believe, now more than ever before.
Shima: So you are making a choice??
Naruto: Yes... I can only hope I am right.
Leaving the temple, Naruto was then on his way to the meeting of his life, but would he finally meet the ancient Wizard that was said to hold the Key to everything, and what outcome would this meeting bring? As he walked outside, Naruto could feel several voices from inside, each Beast with their own opinion on the matter, as the combined voice of the Jubi suddenly spoke out.
Jubi: Naruto... You know that this meeting will change everything, right??
Naruto: I know... I will have to be careful though as no one knows if this Wizard truly is who he says he is and if he really is good or evil...
Jubi: You once tamed me like you so boastfully claim... You should not have any trouble dealing with him, however, I can sense that he is strong... Probably at least as strong as you...
Naruto: ...
Using the Flying Thunder God, Naruto was then gone from view as both Fukasaku and Shima looked towards his last position, knowing very well that the future of the world could rest solely on two key events taking place this night, one involving Ikari and the Shinobi World Alliance's battle against the Rai clan and Raigo's forces, and the other, Naruto and the ancient Wizard. Returning back to camp, Ikari then called in a Kage-meeting, as he entered the tent and sat down in his designated chair. Together with him was the Tsuchikage, Nakimura, the Kazekage, Haku, the Raikage, Maki, and the Mizukage, Utakata, as well as the newly appointed Jonin Commander of the Shinobi World Alliance, Uchiha Kitsuke.
Ikari: You are all here. Good, I have a few things I want to clear with you guys...
Nakimura: It must be important since you called us in like this, Hokage-Sama...
Utakata: Nevertheless, this gives us opportunity for some well needed talk. We had after all, planned for such a meeting eventually...
Maki: Indeed... I suppose it has been a year since last time we all met like this, since the time of-...
Ikari: ...
Pausing for a bit, Maki looked over at Ikari, knowing well that Ikari knew what he was going to say, so he refrained from it.
Haku: Much has changed since then... Ikari has become the new Hokage after Jin, Kitsuke has become the new Jonin Commander after Akuma... And the alliance is still strong, even after the withdrawal of Hoshi and Kusa and the deaths of the last Hoshikage and the last Kusakage a year ago... The Daimyos are also secured and the enemy forces seem weaker and less eager to fight than they ever have been. The war must surely come to an end quite soon.
Utakata: We can only hope so...
Maki: I still find it surprising that you recommended Kitsuke to become the new Jonin Commander, Ikari, I mean, it's not like the need for a new one has been called for since Kazama Akuma died...
Kitsuke: ...
Maki: However, I suppose you have some sort of a plan since you so eagerly proposed it?
Ikari: Yes... But more on that later, for now, I have something to say to you all, something I should have said seven months ago, especially to you, Maki...
Standing up from his chair, Ikari took a deep breath. It had already been seven months since he came across the intel of Raikiru's meeting with his cousin, and he had only revealed that information to Ibuki so far. However, now it was time, as Ikari had a plan, a plan that needed all the Kages approval to succeed. The twist to it all though was that he hadn't told anyone about it, not Inba or Yoshi, not Naruto, Fukasaku or Shima, not even Raikiru or Ibuki. This was a plan he had devised all by himself, taking advantage of the information Raikiru had come to him with.
Maki: What do you mean??
Looking patiently at him, the other Kages waited for him to continue.
Ikari: I haven't been entirely honest, however, I have only done what I did in favor to us all... I've tried to discuss how to go through with my plan with the Great Sage at Mt. Myobokuzan, but I haven't been able to come in contact with him in a year, and-...
Nakimura: What is it that the old hermit of a Hokage could possible have to say anyways? He didn't help much when the war started all those years ago...
Ikari: It doesn't matter now, all that matters is your consent, that you are all informed on the current situation, and how it can possibly end the war.
Utakata: !!
Nakimura: End the war?! What information can you possibly possess that we don't??
Laying out the details of Raikiru's encounter with his cousin, all the information he had gathered in the months afterwards, and how Raikiru's cousin had once again contacted him seeking a meeting at this very day, Kitsuke and the other Kages were shocked to say the least.
Kitsuke: ?! Raikiru is-... And you knew?! Then my assumptions were right all along!! How could you defend a guy like that?! I can't simply believe that he has some sort of memory loss! Yes, he has fought with us in this entire war, probably killed more enemy shinobi than the most of us, but he's still one of them! If he's the enemy commander's own family, he's simply too much of a risk to be trusted, no matter what he claim! I don't like this plan, not the single bit. This might be the enemy's plan to get him back to their ranks, unseal his memory and use him against us! Raikiru is a powerful shinobi, and if he was to be turned against us, we will only make things ten times worse! He must be valuable to them since he's the leader's own family, we should use that to our advantage and draw him out, tell him somehow that we know, and threaten to kill Raikiru! That should draw him out and enable us to end the war! I can't agree on this Ikari, unless you really have an exceptional plan that is, which I doubt to be honest...
Ikari: I know this is a huge risk Kitsuke, but if my plan works, we can end this war today without further problems! Just hear me out, it is crucial that you are with me on this, that is why I recommended you for Jonin Comma-...
Haku: Are you saying that you've known this and kept it away from us all this time, Ikari?! This is outrageous! It's almost like spitting on the trust this alliance builds itself upon! Ikari, how could you keep this away from us as the Hokage?! There are five Kages in lead of this alliance, you should have come to us immediately, not kept it a secret for this long. I wouldn't call it a betrayal, but it's not far from it! This doesn't only put you in bad light, Ikari, but Konoha as we-...
Ikari: Just hear me out, if I can only explain my reasoning, I'm sure you will underst-...
Nakimura: Why do we have a spy among our ranks?! He should be imprisoned and locked away, not running around in our ranks!!
Utakata: Don't jump the wagon just yet guys, I'm certain Ikari had his reasons, and if you will just let him explain, we will all probably understand why...
Maki: If you believe that it is a risk worth taking, using Raikiru's origins to our advantage, then you still have my support Ikari, like I told you those months ago.
Kitsuke: !!
Nakimura: You really trust this kid, don't you Maki??
Maki: I do...
Haku: ...
Maki: Does Raikiru know about our Kage-meeting? That you are telling us about it?
Ikari: No... It's important that he doesn't as I told him only the two of us could know about it. You guys will be my backup to make sure everything goes as planned... The meeting with his cousin will take place in just a few hours, and it will only be Raikiru and I to go there to meet with him... Now, let me tell you my plan in a bit, where I'll explain why that is crucial, among some other things...
Halting for a brief second, Ikari paused as he gathered his thoughts on how to lay out his plan the best way for the rest of the Kages. Filling a cup with water, he then proceeded to take a sip as the other Kages filled in their thoughts on the matter in the meantime.
Maki: Hmmm...
Kitsuke: Well... If you truly believe we might be able to end the war tonight Ikari... I suppose I will also believe in you, even though I don't really like it, regardless of what you have in mind...
Nakimura: I'm with Kitsuke on this, but like him, I'll lend you my trust if your plan is solid enough.
Haku: In the end, Maki is the one in charge of Raikiru, being that he is the Raikage and Raikiru is a Kumo Shinobi, so I suppose it will be up to him to decide whether or not to let this plan go through, whatever it is...
Maki: I've already left full responsibility over Raikiru's actions to Ikari, even Kitsuke can consent to that.
Kitsuke: Mhm...
Utakata: I've never had my doubts in you kid, but first, let us hear your plan of approach then...
Ikari: Right... My plan for us to end this war tonight... Is as follows...
Revealing his plan, the other Kages finally approved as the meeting came to and end. Leaving the tent, Ikari was then approached by Raikiru as it was already time for them to move out. Mounting two horses, the two of them then left the allied camp, and as day became evening, the two of them finally reached the Fallen Bridge, where only passage on foot was possible to get across. Halting their horses, the two of them waited patiently.
Ikari: So we're here...
Raikiru: This is where he said he would be... It's time, he should have been here by now...
Ikari: ...
Raikiru: Maybe he just needs some more time? Yes, we just need to give it some time, he just has to be here like he said, he just...
Ikari: Or maybe, maybe it's a trap... This was already a huge risk to begin with Raikiru... There's just something not right about the whole thing, I can feel it...
Looking around, Ikari had a worried look on his face. Maybe it was all too good to be true?? Or maybe, just maybe Ikari was walking into a trap devised by Raikiru all along?? He had to be utmost careful, and above all else, he had to watch his back.
Ikari: We should retreat, we are already exposing ourselves too much at this position...
Knowing well in mind that Raikiru's further position in the army could be jeopardized and that even his own role in the whole play could be demolished if this so-called meeting was a dead fuse, Ikari still couldn't risk taking any unnecessary chances, and he knew it. It was only a matter of time now before he had to call it, no matter how many parts of himself that didn't want to.
Raikiru: No, I don't understand it, he should have been here by now, he should have been-...?!
Ikari: !! Someone's approaching...
Looking across the bridge from the top of their horses, a lone horse rider suddenly came riding towards them on top of a dark tall horse. As the silhouette of his shadow finally came into light to reveal who it was, both Ikari and Raikiru were shocked to see that it was not Raido that had decided to meet them, but the enemy leader Raigo himself. Halting his horse on the other side of the bridge, he just glared across it towards the two of them.
Raikiru: That is?!
Ikari: ...
Raigo: So we meet again, Hokage...
Ikari: You knew...
Raigo: That my nephew has been trying to get into contact with Raikiru ever since that battle seven months ago where my brother Raika fell... Yeah I knew... Your foolish attempts to end this war prematurely by using Raido's errors against me, is just another pathetic attempt by your side... However, this time around, it wasn't my nephew who tried to come in contact with you, it was simply... Me.
Ikari: ?!
Raigo: There is no way you can come on top of this war, that we would fall prey to such an easy trick!! Last time, I promised you a battle the next time we met, but seeing how easily fooled you two are, I doubt you are even worth my time, so why should I even bother!!
Shouting out, Raigo had managed to see through what Ikari thought to be a bullet-proof plan, luring the two of them out instead. But why did he come alone instead of preparing a trap for them?? Was he really this cocky?
Ikari: Then why are you here all alone?? If your plan was to lure us out here without us having a battle, then what was the point of it all?? Why are we here??
Raigo: ...
Raikiru: Ikari, we should be careful, he might still have troops hidden in disguise...
Ikari: Why do we continue to fight?? If your clan wanted to escape the war-torn land you have been living in, why come here to wage another?!
This was Ikari's chance to find some long awaited answers. If a peace-treaty was deemed impossible, only one option remained for him and he knew it.
Raigo: I have no interest discussing politics and the difference between our ethically views with you... You guys will never understand our struggle, and war is the only way to obtain peace! This will be the final day of battle, as I've sent all our remaining forces straight for your main camp for one last glorious battle!! This will end tonight Hokage, and you guys will all fall on the battlefield! This land will be ours, and there is nothing you can do to prevent it! That is the only message I can be bothered to share with you guys... You better flee back to your friends before it is too late. Next time we meet, I will kill you, that is a promise.
Raikiru: You're bluffing?!
Ikari: Wait!!
Turning around, Raigo steered his horse towards the direction he came from as he slowly started to disappear from view.
Ikari: ...
Raikiru: Ikari, what will you do?! If what he said is true, we need to-...
Ikari: I know, we can't let him escape this time around... Raikiru, are you with me??
Raikiru: I-...
Ikari: It is now or never... If we let him escape now...
Raikiru: Damn it! I knew there was no way we could negotiate with them! There is only one way to end this war it seem, however Ikari, shouldn't we head back to help our allies??! If they really have sent all their remaining forces against us, we need to-...
Ikari: We'll have to pursuit him...
Raikiru: But, shouldn't we at least call for backup first?! If he overpowers us, we will surely-...
Ikari: There is no time Raikiru, stop making excuses! Last time you told me to withdraw, this time, we give chase! Will you come with me for one last ride?
Thinking about it hesitantly, Raikiru finally agreed as the two of them jumped across the bridge with their horses. However, instead of chasing the tail head on, Ikari told Raikiru to hold their distance.
Raikiru: What do you mean?? Why don't you use your Flying Thunder God to knock him off the horse, we can end it here and now!
Ikari: It's not that simple. Besides, it's too risky and I need to save up enough natural energy to enter Sennin Mode first, as without it, I probably won't stand a chance... We should follow him back to their camp without him noticing us for now. When the time is right, we will take him out.
Raikiru: Are you sure about this??
Ikari: Positive...
Thinking back to the Kage-meeting, Ikari was betting everything he had on the plan he had devised, but how was it panning out so far? Was there still more to it?
*Flashback Begins*
' Ikari: First, Raikiru and I will head to the bridge. If we've learned anything by the enemy so far, it is certain that it is some sort of a trap. In best case scenario, Raigo himself will come to face Raikiru, but what he doesn't know is that I will be there with him. Because of it, he will most likely decide to retreat and that is where we will follow him. Three hours after we leave, you guys will open this first green scroll that I have prepared, and it will summon a shadow clone of mine whom will update you on the current situation. Then there is the red scroll which will summon another shadow clone of mine, that you will open three more hours after that, before the black scroll finally comes into play, seven hours after we've left. This one is more important than the other two, and this is where your role as the Jonin Commander, Kitsuke, comes into play. It is vital that you follow these instructions, because if things goes as according to plan, the war will end tonight. Now, to the next phase of my plan...'
*Flashback Ends*
[...]
Kitsuke: Raikage-Sama, a massive enemy force is reported to be heading our way, just like Ikari had predicted!
Maki: Yosh, we will have to head out to face them. If we can hold our ground long enough, we should be able to take advantage of the situation.
Utakata: Haku, it's time to open the scroll.
Haku: Right!
Opening the green scroll, a shadow clone of Ikari then appeared before them as he laid out the details of the meeting at the Fallen Bridge, and just as they had talked about upfront, they all prepared to head out to defend their position while Ikari and Raikiru gave chase.
Haku: Everything is going as planned so far then it seems...
Nakimura: Indeed, if Ikari's plan really succeeds, this might actually work.
Kitsuke: The red scroll should be opened in another three hours, right?
Utakata: Correct... If anything goes wrong or something drastic changes, Ikari will preform a seal to unseal the scroll himself so that we can get updated on the situation before then. If not, we will open the red scroll in three hours' time. After that, the black scroll is all that remains, and it has to be opened by all five of us at the same time by placing our hands on the seal, one hour after the red.
Maki: Whatever happens from here on and out, we will have to play our roles for this war to be brought to an end! Everyone, forward!
Heading out to face the enemy forces, the entire allied main camp and all the Kages except Ikari, headed out for war.
[...]
Raikiru: Off you go, you have done your jobs...
Ikari: So this is how their camp looks like... Nothing like the reports we've received...
Raikiru: The horses have been sent back, now our focus should be all on how to proceed from here on and out...
Standing in cover by some trees, the two of them had followed Raigo all the way up North as they had stopped just outside their main camp.
Ikari: We need to draw him out... Their camp shouldn't be too heavily guarded now...
Raikiru: Hmm...
Ikari: If we can draw him out and defeat him once and for all, we can finally end the war... I can only regret that we are passed negotiation by now...
Raikiru: Are you sure that will be the end of them?? Is this really the way Ikari, the only way to end this war?
Ikari: It has to be done this way, just trust me Raikiru. Now, how to get him out I wonder...
Raikiru: ... So do you have any plans to lure him out?
Ikari: Actually... I was hoping you had one?
Raikiru: Me?? You overestimate my ability Ikari, however, now that you mention it, I can actually think of something, but it is kind of risky...
Ikari: Well then, let me hear it.
Raikiru: What if I just walk up there to the gate, enter the camp, find my cousin and asks him to tell Raigo to come see me outside the camp?
Ikari: !! Huh, how do you propose to do that??
Raikiru: Simple... Since I'm one of them, I will easily slip inside. If I can convince Raido that I'm ready to return to them, but only if Raigo can give me some answers first, we can lure him outside.
Ikari: What will you say?
Raikiru: I will say that once Raigo retreated, you wanted to head back to camp to help your allies out. I used the opportunity to knock you out from behind, and now I'm ready to come back to them...
Ikari: ...
Raikiru: Well?
Ikari: It's too risky-...
Raikiru: Well that is the only thing I can think of... You asked me to think of something, this is it... If you have something better, then let's hear it.
Ikari: Hmmm... I like it, however, there is no guarantee the enemy won't attack you, I mean, it's probably only the higher-ups that know your true identity. Thinking back, there hasn't been a single incident where any enemy shinobi has halted their killing-strokes when seeing you...
Raikiru: I know... I should be able to sneak inside though with this little guards keeping an eye on the gate...
Ikari: Granted, but be careful Raikiru, everything rests on your shoulders now, and if they capture you... It will all be over.
Raikiru: I know... Head over by that mountain-pass over there and hide, I'll tell my cousin to get Raigo to go there. That is where the final battle will take place.
Leaping out of cover, Raikiru easily snuck by the guards as he entered the camp. Watching patiently, Ikari knew that his plan needed more luck than he could hope for, for it to go as planned. Teleporting over to the location as planned, Ikari hid behind some rocks, anticipating Raikiru's return.
[...]
Haku: Maki, now!!
Maki: Yosh!! Lightning Style: Tiger's Wrath!!
Sending out a massive tiger made up of pure lightning, Maki cleared the way as the four Kages and Kitsuke quickly regrouped.
Utakata: It is time for the black scroll. Kitsuke, we will depend upon you to lead our forces in our stead from here on and out.
Kitsuke: Leave it to me... If I can't go with you, I will make sure to mess up the enemies quite good here at least!
Nakimura: ...
Maki: Well let's do it then!
Slamming their hands down on the black rolled-out scroll on the ground in front of them, the four Kages were suddenly gone from view.
Kitsuke: I will believe in you all... Everyone, we will have to hold our ground until the five Kages return! Never back down, never surrender!!!
Charging ahead, the two mighty armies clashed hard once more in what would be the decisive battle to finally end the war.
[...]
Raikiru: *Pant, Pant*
Ikari: Now??
Coming running towards him, Raikiru jumped behind the rocks as he sat down by Ikari for a bit, revealing how his operation went.
Raikiru: It should have done the trick...
Ikari: Good job Raikiru...
Raikiru: Raigo should be here in... About a minute.
Ikari: Well, you better not sit here then.
Raikiru: Right. This is it Ikari, it is now or never.
Jumping out of the cover, Raikiru positioned himself by the ruins of an old house as he waited. Leaning up towards a rock that once belonged to its wall, Raikiru was then confronted only about 30 seconds later as Raigo seemingly had taken the bait. Approaching him, Raigo seemed to have a calm look on his face, yet, there was definitely something beneath his devious smile.
Raigo: So... My son, I hear you have betrayed the allied forces??
Raikiru: Yes, father... I have come to find out the truth.
Raigo: Did you kill the Hokage like Raido said to me??
Raikiru: I-... I did.
Raigo: You know, it saddens me to see you like this... A mere shadow of what my son used to be once in time... If you could only have spoken the truth, this would have been so much easier!!
Raikiru: ?!
Reaching his right hand out, an electrified traction-beam-like technique suddenly shot out from him as Raikiru's entire body was immobilized on the spot.
Ikari: ?! Raikiru!!
Seeing this, Ikari jumped out from cover as he headed straight from them, but before he could get close, Raigo lifted his other arm up as another beam shot out towards him as well.
Ikari: Ug-h!!
Not able to react in time, Ikari was hit directly as he was lifted up from the ground and into the air, before getting tossed hard into a nearby building, crashing down through its roof.
Raikiru: Ika-ri?!
Raigo: This was always part of your plan I suppose, to lure me out here, however, I knew back then at the bridge that this was your plan all along, and that is why I sent my entire force towards your camp to keep the other Kages busy... No backup will arrive this time around, and not only will I kill your friend the Hokage, but I will open your seal and turn you back to us, my son... You wanted the truth, so I will give it to you!
Raikiru: !!
Walking up to him, Raigo got closer and closer as Raikiru was unable to move. Pressed up towards the ruin of the once strong wall behind him, he could only watch as Raigo got up to his face and placed his right hand on his head.
Raigo: Release!!
[...]
Naruto: ...
Finally touching ground again, Naruto now found himself in the Land of Iron. It had been ages since he last was here, and he had never ventured up towards the Three Wolves Mountains' top before. Somehow, it all still seemed so familiar as he was gasping for air with each step he took. Getting closer and closer, Naruto finally reached the top as a large dark cave came to view in front of him. A few faint torches lit up the cave as a mysterious being stood with his back turned towards him at the end of the cave. With a dark cape and a red Kabuki-Helmet, not much could be seen of the man standing in front of Naruto. Walking even closer, he knew that the time had finally come.
??: So you finally came... I've waited 7000 years for this meeting...
Naruto: ...
??: Well then, I suppose we should get this over with, Uzumaki Naruto...
~ End of Part 4
Ikari and Raikiru goes to fight the final battle as Naruto finally encounters the Ancient Wizard!! How will The Legendary Sage of Konoha finally come to an end? Only two parts remains of this Series Finale, as the war is brought to an end, Next Time!!
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