Chakra Wizard
Active member
Awards
Sorry about the huge wait to everyone reading. My class got to be a big pain during that last stretch, so I had to be back off from this until I could finish. Now that I’m back, though, more key players and big developments on the way, and here’s the biggest one yet! *_* lol I honestly never thought the developments in this chapter would flow so well, so I really hope you enjoy it
Here’s my previous chapters, for those who missed any:
Chapter 088: The End of an Era
????: Excuse me, Lord Hokage, but before you start, would you mind telling that one to wait outside while we have our discussion?
Konohamaru nearly choked on his words as he paused mid-breath to heed the Raikage’s request, the air in his mouth momentarily leaving him upon finding his outstretched finger pointed toward an equally surprised Manako. A million questions instantly conjured up inside their heads, but the samurai general took it upon himself to respond to his interruption before they could do so themselves.
Rounin: Otori, the bodyguards each Kage brings to the summit have just as much right as us to listen in on the diplomatic issues we discuss in this meeting.
Otori: (His dark eyes instantly flared up at hearing his name, though the rest of his face remained void of emotion.) I have a title, General, and I expect to be called by it. …And do not ever speak to me of things like diplomacy in that manner again.
He hardly increased his volume as he spoke, nor did he move much apart from sitting up slightly in his chair, but his voice carried with it such power and authority that Rounin had no choice but to slowly return to his seat. Once he had done so, Otori rested his back against his chair again, still greatly annoyed, and turned to the darker of his two subordinates with a small request, in the process revealing the shinobi’s name.
Dageki: What the Raikage is saying is that that boy is a telepath. To let him to stay in here would be detrimental to the openness and trust we share with one another during these summits.
In all his years as Hokage, or even as a shinobi in general, Konohamaru’s eyes had never expanded to the size they did in the moment of this revelation, nor could Manako say the same of his own brief career as sweat began pouring down the back of his neck. Even Naruto found it difficult to recall a point in his seasoned history where his plans were so utterly wrecked by such a small act, and the trio exchanged their reactions with one another as they struggled to figure out their next move.
Manako: (He knows…how the hell does he know!?)
Konohamaru: (After several seconds of silent contemplation, he heaved a sigh and subtly glanced down at the phone sitting on the edge of his seat.) (Relax, Manako. Just do as he says for now.)
With immense regret, Manako hesitantly complied, slowly closing the door behind him as Otori met Konohamaru’s disgruntled expression with a grateful smile.
Otori: Thank you, Hokage…and please, turn off your cell phone while you’re at it. That’s very rude, you know.
Every set of eyes that weren’t on Konohamaru already immediately turned his way, including an equally surprised Gaara. From hundreds of miles away, in the cave they were staking out in no more than eight hours ago, Airon, Sasuke, and Sakura also exchanged shocked expressions before staring in bleak anticipation at the phone laying between them.
Airon: No, Lord Hokage, don’t do it-
His request went unfinished and unfulfilled as a loud click emerged from the small device, prompting him to slam his fist against the ground, nearly shattering it as a small crack rippled through the point of impact.
Airon: Shit!
Back in the room of the summit, Konohamaru held up the phone, as per Otori’s request, to show that it was indeed off before returning it to his pocket and intertwining his fingers once again.
Konohamaru: Now, as I was saying…as all of you know, the five hidden villages have recently been attacked in two devastating ways. The first was the destruction of our homefronts. In the Leaf Village’s case, our Academy building, largest hospital, archives library, and orphanage were just some of the multiple locations laid to waste by the bombings, with both the assailant and the means by which he planted the explosives still being unknown at the time. …The second is painfully obvious…the murder or attempted murder of our five Kage, myself included in the latter case.
Naruto and Gaara both lowered their heads in memory of their fallen comrades, Ryoku and his two bodyguards showing the same courtesy. Otori and Unagi showed no such consideration from their seats, though, nor did their bodyguards, prompting Konohamaru to glare at them in suspicion before continuing.
Konohamaru: Investigations in our own village regarding the culprit’s identity have proven fruitless thus far, but we do have information that I believe will prove helpful to all of us in the coming days. …I am assuming in saying this that everyone in this room wants nothing more than to find out who is responsible and have them brought to justice.
Otori: Naturally.
Ryoku: Yes.
Gaara: …More than anything.
Konohamaru turned to Unagi to await his own response, finding him sitting silently in his seat with the corners of his mouth curled upwards in the most twisted fashion.
Unagi: Well, go on. Share with us.
Konohamaru: (He narrowed his gaze.) You find something about this situation funny…Mizukage?
Otori: The Mist shinobi are all impaired in their own ways, Lord Hokage. Please, just continue.
Unagi scoffed in his direction, but otherwise reacted with indifference to the Otori’s snide remark and merely sat back in his seat. He made no attempt to look back over at Konohamaru thereafter, though the Hokage had a strong feeling that what he said next would spark some reaction.
Konohamaru: Less than an hour prior to the bombings, we experienced a small invasion attempt by a five-man group comprised of missing-nin, each originating from a different village. This in it of itself can easily be passed off as a coincidence, but the one member of the five who did survive and escape explicitly warned the shinobi sent to confront him of an impending attack on the village. …For those who don’t know yet, the rogue ninja in question is Masurao, a renowned swordsman from the Mist Village-
Unagi: (He slammed his hand against the table and stood up, glaring at Konohamaru as he held his hand out in an accusing manner.) There you go again! Are you trying to start something with the Mist, Hokage-
Rounin: (He quickly stood up in protest.) Lord Mizukage! You are speaking out of line-
Otori: EVERYONE, SIT…down.
By merely looking at him, apart from the color of his hair and beard, few would accurately determine that Otori was the oldest man in the room as he stood there, gazing maliciously around the room at those who took part in the brief uproar. One by one, all three of them slowly sat back down, practically forced to comply with – and even admire – the emasculating aura which rang in his bellowing voice. When all tension vanished from the room once again, he took his seat, as well, immediately turning back to Konohamaru with questioning and spite in his eyes.
Otori: Lord Hokage, are you implying that because of Masurao’s involvement, you blame the Mist Village for everything that has happened as of late? Including the death of their own Kage?
Konohamaru: (He struggled not to gulp the air in his mouth as he attempted to regain his gritty composure.) …Not at all. He’s a missing-nin, so I doubt they would still have any sort of contact with him, anyways. …But he certainly has something to do with what’s been going on, so among other things, I’m asking for the cooperation of the other four villages in tracking him down and interrogating him.
Otori: (He exchanged stares with Ryoku and Unagi before leaning back in his seat and twiddling his thumbs.) That should go without saying. …And among what other things, might I ask?
At this, Konohamaru was forced to stop for a brief moment and look around the room. He studied the faces of the three newest Kage as he struggled to keep his composure, knowing that in a moment, the curiosity in their expressions would transcend into anger.
Konohamaru: When I was attacked, it was by one of my most trusted subordinates, who is now on the run. He said that he had plans to become Hokage after my death, and to ensure he got the position, he teamed up with the assassin or assassins responsible for attacking the other four Kage in order to ensure anyone likely to be chosen for the position over him was also eliminated. …According to the Kazekage, a similar situation occurred during his own assassination attempt.
Gaara: (Meeting his gaze for a moment, he leaned forward and rested his elbows on the table, also anticipating the change in emotion.) The first one the assassin attempted to kill was not me, but my granddaughter who, as my strongest heir, is also my likeliest successor. I have little doubt that my grandson and older brother were also potential targets, but the assassin retreated when he found himself unable to kill me. …At this moment in time, I am still uncertain who among my ranks might’ve intended to betray me, but with the Hokage’s testimony, I am certain the assassin was attempting to open the position up to a specific individual.
Rounin: (Seeing the caution in his tone and understanding why it was there, he looked somewhat nervously around the table before responding.) What are the two of you saying, Lord Kazekage?
Konohamaru: (He exchanged glances with Gaara one last time, heaving a sigh before sharing their suspicions with everyone.) We’re saying that however painful the thought of it is, our newest colleagues might very well be part of a scheme to replace the generation that came before them…and we need them to affirm that this isn’t true.
Even Naruto secretly crossed his fingers as he awaited a reply from the three accused shinobi. For the longest time, they received none, though whether or not this arose from a struggle to find a viable response or to keep their rage in check was anyone’s guess and more than likely differed with each Kage. In the case of the former was Ryoku, who finally spoke up after nearly a minute of silence with little audible change in emotion.
Ryoku: That’s a bold accusation, Lord Hokage. Some of us might take offense to this.
Unagi: You’re goddamn right! Old man, how many times do you plan on insulting us during this meeting!? Is that all you dragged us out here for!?
Konohamaru: (He stood up from his seat enraged.) Unagi, the security of the hidden villages and the Shinobi Union are all on the line here!! And if you, Ryoku, and Otori are part of the group attempting to destroy them, I demand you come forward now and avoid any further losses from any of us!!
The outburst was a product of conflicting emotions building over the course of the summit, and was therefore made mostly in the heat of the moment, hence Konohamaru’s immediate sense of regret upon looking around the room to find those he deemed suspect in his rant staring back up at him in displeasure.
Otori: Of course, only the Hokage could demand such a thing…seeing as you have the most to lose.
Konohamaru: …What?
Naruto and Gaara also gazed towards the center of the table in suspense, followed shortly by every other person in the room, including his own subordinates. Otori paid no mind to any of them, though, wearing a face devoid of amusement, yet still somehow full of confoundedness from what he perceived as Konohamaru’s ignorance.
Otori: Did you think the four of us hadn’t realized it, Hokage? Or has the Shinobi Union been clouding your judgment as to just how much more successful your village has been in recent years? Thriving populations, advancing technology, better shinobi…did you think such things wouldn’t cause the rest of us to suffer in the long run?
Konohamaru: Lord Raikage, I meant by no means-
Otori: Yes, of course you didn’t. You were more concerned with keeping good ties with the other villages and promoting maintaining the peace we’ve had until now, not even realizing that peace doesn’t change the fact that we all generate profit by renting out our shinobi. …What good is the equal opportunity system provided by the Shinobi Union if the rapid improvement of your ninja overshadows our own? Did you never once think that it would ultimately displace the balance of wealth and power between the villages taking part in the alliance? Look at the Sand. The smallest population of us all, as well as the fastest declining economy.
Gaara: (His brow deepened in response to the subtle insult.) I fail to see how our economic standing has anything to do with our relations to the other villages, Raikage.
Otori: Then you’re an old fool, Kazekage. The shinobi wars have always been as much about profit as they are about settling international disputes. With the peace holding strong over four decades, our economic standings all boil down to who can generate the best and most diverse quality of shinobi for hire…and you just haven’t been able to present since the fourth war, albeit with a few obvious exceptions you were kind enough to distinguish earlier.
He referred to the mentioning of his grandchildren as he said this, but Gaara couldn’t even take this as a compliment as Otori implied that only his bloodline was capable of producing worthwhile shinobi within his village, a thought which the few specks of dust and sand around him to begin fluttering ever so slightly. He stood up from his seat, his dark-ringed eyes fixed on the old man sitting beside him, the fury blazing within them growing larger by the second.
Gaara: Then what are you suggesting, Raikage? That I either let my village run into the ground on its own or start a war to help spin a profit? You’re out of your mind if you think your words are going to coerce me into breaking the bonds your predecessors and us have shared all these years!
Otori: (Just as before, he responded with no emotion save for mild disbelief, as if he was disgusted by how unknowledgeable those surrounding him were.) Predecessors…our predecessors are dead, Kazekage. And you two are merely part of a dying breed. …Every war we’ve ever had was ensued by two things, spikes in village profit and spikes in village population following each army’s return to their homes. This was our reality for nearly three-quarters of a century and they worked to stimulate growth when long spans of merely renting out shinobi became too inadequate. …We’re entering into an age where long-term peace takes its toll on our international economy, where shinobi grown so used to war can’t figure out how to manage themselves properly without it.
His words were not without truth. Everyone in the room knew this in the back of their minds, thoughts which might’ve ventured closer to the forefronts had Konohamaru not been there to realize just how far off topic their discussion had become.
Konohamaru: Raikage, this is about the attacks on our villages and finding out how to deal with the ones who carried them out, NOT ranting about economic despair and promoting war. …Now, I came here looking for help finding the shinobi Masurao and the assassin who killed three of our former Kage, and if you don’t wish to comply, then I have no more reason to confide in you.
Otori: (He shook his head in denial, a look in his eyes one normally got when feigning innocence.) I never said I wanted war, Hokage. I’m merely saying we need to find a way to stir our own economic growth to prevent a drastic occurrence like a war from being the only means to pull ourselves out of a rut. …Sitting by and watching as your neighbors grow larger and wealthier every year can cause people to take very desperate measures. I’m sure your village can elaborate further on that, Kazekage.
Gaara: (Subtly acknowledging the reference to his village’s long-forgotten invasion of the Leaf, he lowered his head as he responded to it.) And what is your proposal for a means of doing so, Raikage?
Otori straightened his sitting posture as he prepared his response, as though he’d been waiting for this opportunity ever since the meeting began. Instantly, Konohamaru and Naruto knew that whatever he said next was going to be highly objectionable.
Otori: Well, recapturing the Tailed Beasts would be a good start.
Finding his intuition to be correct, and Konohamaru quickly stood up to object to his proposal in a civilized fashion. Unfortunately, Naruto beat him to the punch with his more…Naruto-esque approach.
Naruto: Old man, you’re out of your goddamn mind if you think that’s gonna slide. We promised the Tailed Beasts a long time ago that they wouldn’t have to worry about being used by shinobi ever again. We are NOT going to break that promise just so WE can put more money in our pockets!
Otori: (He quickly stood up from his seat and met Naruto’s fierce look in spades, unfazed by either his temper or his repute.) There is a Seventh Hokage now. YOU no longer have any place speaking up during these summits, Sixth.
Naruto was not one to normally back down from an argument, as even shinobi of legendary status – for better or worse – had come to know over the years. The firmness and unquestionable authority in Otori’s voice, though, made it impossible for even him to respond, surprising everyone familiar with him when he closed his gaping mouth once again and took a step back. Smirking for the first time since his appearance, Otori returned to his seat, smugly readjusting his robes as he did.
Otori: And this isn’t just about profit. This is about doing what we can with what we have to remove all possible reasons for us starting wars with one another again, the FIRST and biggest reason being unequal distribution of economic wealth and prosperity. The Leaf Village is much too powerful and the Sand Village, among others, much too frail for this peace to hold as strong as it has for another forty years.
Konohamaru: If that’s the only cause for concern, sharing the wealth is well within our range of options, Raikage. Naruto is right. The pact with the Tailed Beasts was made between all the villages, and to disrupt it now would not only be detrimental to our now peaceful relationship with them, but an insult to all the men and women who perished trying to contain them during the years they were seen merely as weapons.
Otori: …There are two things I picked out of that monologue that I take issue to…and might I say before I share them that you disgust me more with every passing second.
Rounin: Raikage!! That is just about enough-
Once again, Rounin’s attempt to referee the discussion was cut off by an outstretched hand. This time, however, that hand belonged to Konohamaru, who gently rested it back against the table when the samurai general had returned to his seat, looking off towards Otori with as calm a demeanor as he could still manage.
Konohamaru: Then please…share.
Otori: (His disgusted tone gradually slipped away as he spoke.) Gladly. The first is your offer to “share the wealth”. It’s an old and famous saying that giving a man a fish feeds him for a day, but teaching him to fish feeds him for a lifetime. The scraps you feed us would eventually run out, and in the end, we would still be without shinobi of a high enough quality to compete with your own so that we ourselves could then stir a profit. …The second is the fact that you speak so freely about letting the Tailed Beasts continue to roam free…when there’s one standing beside you right now.
All eyes instantly fell on Naruto, the realization that he was still a jinchūriki having surprisingly not fully registered with everyone in the room before hearing this remark. Only Konohamaru didn’t bother looking over his shoulder, feeling no need as he already knew what face he was making and what sort of marks his nails were leaving as they dug into his arms. Naruto himself was currently more focused on a skirmish occurring inward, as witnessed by his closed eyes. He eventually reopened to reveal slit pupils, a sign that his mind and body were now under the temporary control of someone else.
Kurama: Old man, I chose to remain inside Naruto after the Fourth Shinobi World War. I’ll stay in him until the day he dies, and it’ll be my choice to do that. DO NOT talk as if I’m still a weapon for him or the Leaf Village to use in case a war breaks out!!
Everyone in the room immediately leaned back and away from the Kurama-controlled Naruto, even Konohamaru finding it difficult to hide his unease at hearing his outburst – though having the closest proximity to him made this perfectly understandable. The only one seemingly unintimidated by the Tailed Beast’s sudden appearance was Otori who, in fact, seemed as equally sickened by what he said as he was at Konohamaru’s earlier statements.
Otori: Nine-Tails, have you not also grown blind after living inside that man for so many years? You feed your power to him every day. Every moment he still lives, you are being used by him in one way or another. Perhaps it’s more obvious to you when he actually uses that power, but it’s clear as day to everyone else…you are still very much a weapon, more so than you are an independent creature.
Naruto’s eyes quickly shut themselves again, a few stints of rapid blinking indicating that his subconscious was currently a very hectic place. To the relief of a few other people in the room, he opened them again moments later to reveal his normal eyes, which were still filled with just as much rage as Kurama’s.
Naruto: His name is Kurama, you old bastard! And you’re lucky I managed to hold him back, cause I almost let him mangle you!!
Rounin: Sixth Hokage-
Naruto: I’M FINISHING!!! And who are you to talk about us having a jinchūriki when the only other one that’s still around today lives in YOUR village!?
He instantly tightened his lips upon finishing, both embarrassed for Konohamaru for having to face the repercussions of his own behavior and ashamed that he had actually stooped to the same level he previously criticized Otori for speaking at. The Raikage made no attempt to match his outburst, staring blankly at him from across the table as yet another small smirk etched itself across his face.
Otori: Oh, I’m very well aware of that, Sixth Hokage. That’s why I intend to allow the Rock, Mist, and Sand Villages the honor of determining which of the seven remaining Tailed Beasts they wish to take for themselves…once they’ve been recaptured, that is.
The two Hokage immediately looked over at Unagi and Ryoku upon noticing that they didn’t have the same bewildered reactions shared by Gaara and themselves. With their prior suspicions of their loyalties still in place, though, this never transcended beyond an acknowledging stare.
Konohamaru: You two are in on this idea of his?
The Mizukage responded with a grin showcasing his sharpened teeth, as the others had come to expect from him. Ryoku, on the other hand, continued to sit silently in his seat, his bodyguards looking down on either side of him in confusion at his persisting refusal to answer.
Konohamaru: Tsuchikage?
Ryoku: (He continued rubbing his hands together in front of his face as he finally spoke up, refusing to make eye contact with the older shinobi.) His points are all valid, Lord Hokage. This peace can’t keep going on forever…and we need the Tailed Beasts again if we’re gonna be able to compete with you or the Cloud Village.
Konohamaru: (He rubbed his eyes in frustration, his boiling point at an all-time low.) This is ridiculous. Otori, who the hell decided to make you Raikage?
Rounin: Hokage-
Otori: (He smiled and held out his hand to stop Rounin’s objection.) No no, please, General. It’s a valid question. …In truth, my ascension to this position was a unanimous decision by both the Lightning Daimyo’s council and our village’s entire shinobi population. …All I did was speak the truth, just as I am to you now.
It was a statement that neither Konohamaru nor Naruto bothered objecting to, as prior cases of such coercion had taken place in the past – their own Danzō Shimura was among the most memorable. Indeed, his words thus far were clearly chosen with the utmost care and his arguments had all the support they needed to sway any opposing party. All the logic in the world, though, was miniscule to Naruto’s determination to live up to his ninja way – a solemn vow to never go back on his word, one which had thankfully been passed onto his successor.
Konohamaru: I refuse to approve of your idea, Otori…you will not touch the Tailed Beasts.
Otori: (He glanced up at both of his bodyguards, who returned his gaze before he stood up from his seat and glared across the table at Konohamaru.) And I suppose you’ll be the ones to stop us from going after them.
Konohamaru: (He exchanged looks with Naruto, waiting until he received a firm nod from his predecessor before standing up from his own seat.) …If we have to.
Unagi watched their face off from his seat with steadily building enthusiasm, shared on a smaller scale by his warmongering subordinates. This feeling was unique to them alone, though, as everyone else standing in the room looked on in horror at what appeared to be the calm before the storm. Otori broke their staring contest after several seconds to eye their spectators, emotionless on the surface but evidently pleased with the scene he had helped create.
Otori: So…war, then?
Konohamaru: (His frown deepened as he lifted one hand to form the Seal of Confrontation.) Quit pushing things out of proportion, Otori. A simple duel will suffice for this. If I win…you back off.
A quick glance from Naruto cut off any attempts at objection made over the next minute, during which Otori merely stood in front of his chair, eyeing the Hokage before finally sitting down and motioning to Dageki to step forward.
Konohamaru: The battle is between Kage, Otori.
Otori: (He closed his eyes and shook his head in perceived amusement.) Please. Why should I waste even a fraction of my power on you when my strongest subordinate has more than enough to bring you to your knees…Lord Hokage?
Dageki: (He leapt over the table to shorten the gap between them before forming the Seal of Confrontation.) I’m ready when you are.
????: Wait.
Being put off by the swift progression of the conflict at hand only made their reactions all the quicker as everyone turned wide-eyed towards Otori’s second subordinate, confusion and bewilderment consuming the minds of even his fellow Cloud ninja.
Dageki: Masuku?
Masuku: (Arms crossed, he nodded in the direction of the main entrance to the meeting room.) …It seems we have an uninvited guest waiting beyond that door.
Gaara and Konohamaru immediately traded shocked expressions while Naruto turned to the door with one of his own, he and the latter already wary of the newcomer’s identity – considering only one person alive was capable of traveling such great distances in an instant.
Konohamaru and Naruto: (Airon!)
Otori: Hmm, perhaps he’s here to stand in for the Hokage then…since he’s so fixated on dueling only those he deems worthy of his interest.
He rested his arm on the back of his seat as he awaited a response from either Konohamaru or the newcomer, smirking all the while as if he already knew how this situation would work out. The Hokage made no movements in his seat or with his mouth, except occasionally swallowing or glancing off towards the doorway to see if someone would be coming through it at any moment. It wasn’t until Otori’s patience finally ran thin that he remembered the marked kunai laying next to his chair, reaching for it as the elderly man spoke up.
Otori: No?
Dageki: (He clenched his fist and lunged forward at breakneck speed, prompting Konohamaru to look up as everyone looked on in shock.) Very well. Then I’ll attack first!
Airon: THE HELL YOU WILL!!!
Konohamaru quickly chucked the kunai upwards as the doorway flew open to reveal Manako, standing alone as Airon reappeared in midair directly in front of the Hokage. Only marginally put off by his teleportation, Dageki managed to brace himself as Airon’s foot collided with his cheek, forcing Rounin to duck as he was sent flying over his head and against the wall. Grinning in light of his accomplishment, Airon landed gracefully atop the table and turned around smiling at his grandfather and Konohamaru, both of them relieved by his sudden appearance while Manako ran up beside them.
Airon: (Manako called me right after you hung up. I had a feeling this might happen once he told me everything.)
Dageki: (He rubbed the back of his head in irritation as he slowly stood back up.) Uggghh…you’ll pay dearly for that, kid.
Determined but eager to see his new opponent’s skill set, Airon grinned as he pulled out kunai after kunai, tossing them at every corner of the room before teleporting to the one closest to Dageki as he charged forward to hit him. Stopping just short of hitting Naruto, who leapt back on impulse, he turned around with rage-filled eyes to find Airon smirking back at him, his sword at the ready. A handful of similar exchanges followed, each one concluding with Airon safely out of Dageki’s reach, only one person in the room even bothering to protest the fight.
Rounin: Lord Hokage!! Lord Raikage!! This summit is supposed to be a discussion of diplomatic affairs, not a brawl between-
Otori didn’t even bother looking in Rounin’s direction as he watched the duel carry on, as per the samurai general’s expectations, but to his great surprise, neither did a visibly conflicted Konohamaru.
Konohamaru: I’m sorry, Rounin. …This is for the sake of the Shinobi Union.
Dageki: Goddamn it, stop moving so I can hit you!!
Airon: Hehehahaha, please tell me you actually said that!
A few minutes into the fray, as Dageki grew more and more familiarized with the technique and recognizing his patterns, Airon began throwing extra kunai around the room with each new attempt to attack him, shifting his movements around to further confuse his opponent. Noticing his ploy shortly after and realizing he fell for it, Dageki stopped in the middle of the room, keeping his head low to hide his fiery eyes as Airon teleported directly behind him and awaited his next move.
Dageki: Alright…then I don’t have a choice!!
Clasping his hands together, he followed this exclamation with a long series of hand signs which even Manako and Naruto found near impossible to follow. Seated directly in front of him, Otori stared attentively at his rapid hand movements with a gradually broadening smile until finally, Dageki held out his hands out and slammed them together, a surge of white-colored chakra resembling lightning appearing between his palms in that instant. Before those unfamiliar with him could even process the bizarre nature of the technique, they were forced to duck as the lightning projected from his fingertips at the speed of its namesake, flying in every direction that led to one of Airon’s marked kunai and dissolving the steel devices almost immediately after contact. Cut off from all his previous escape routes, Airon tossed three more kunai around the room, but before he could teleport to one of them, Dageki’s foot connected with his chest and sent flying high against the wall.
Naruto, Konohamaru, and Manako: AIRON!!!
No attempt was made by him to climb out of the large hole created by his impact, nor did he try to stick the landing when his body eventually slipped out of it on its own. His fellow Leaf villagers watched in horror as he slowly stood back up, cringing through the pain of having to relocate his jaw, before gazing back towards Dageki with intense curiosity in their eyes.
Manako: (What the hell was that?)
Naruto: (He stared wide-eyed at the white lightning flashing around Dageki’s hands.) (I don’t know…I’ve never seen anything like it.)
Despite being slow when returning to his feet, Airon quickly recovered from Dageki’s kick, rubbing his jawbone and flexing it in either direction to ensure it was popped back into place. He mused over the attack for several seconds, recalling his strength and the strange jutsu he used to destroy his kunai in unison moments before, finally looking back up to find Dageki in a battle-ready stance awaiting his next move, a sight at which he grinned with building enthusiasm.
Airon: Where have you been all my life?
Every inch of his being became coated in chakra as he vanished from view, prompting Dageki to clench his fists, stimulating the lightning gathered around them before moving them over the entire length of his arms in order to coat them, as well. He scanned the room with his one good eye as everyone else joined them in locating Airon, only his grandfather and cousin being able to follow him with their highly trained eyes. Perhaps it was this cue that allowed Dageki to turn around just in time to catch Airon’s incoming fist in his own, the energy produced by the collision rippling across the room in amounts that greatly impressed him, though his blank face made this difficult to tell.
Dageki: Nice punch…
A brief contest of strength followed between their pushing arms, one which quickly became two adjacent bouts as Dageki caught his Airon’s second fist in his free hand. The younger shinobi had strength to spare even against a opponent of his caliber, but his attention was quickly becoming expended upon the condition of his hands rather than their current standing. His eyes widened as he came to realize that the white lightning channeling safely through Dageki’s fingers was eating away at his own, his gloves and the uppermost layer of his skin having already deteriorated beneath it.
Dageki: Could use a little work, though.
The remark was followed with a sharp knee to the chest, one that might’ve knocked anyone else unconscious. Through sheer willpower, though, Airon maintained his footing, taking a pointer straight from his grandfather’s handbook and sending his forehead crashing into Dageki’s, drawing blood from them both and dazing him just long enough for him to pull back and perform a somersault, smashing his foot against his chin and freeing his hand in the process. The brief victory only prompted Dageki to step back a short ways, though, forcing Airon to leap over Otori’s unflinching head and to the other side of the table, putting enough distance between them to allow him time to catch his breath and inspect his gradually healing hands.
Airon: (What the hell? …My skin just dissolved.) Huhh…huhh, you’re no slouch, Dageki. …Huhh, don’t think you’ll be able to pull that shit with me again, though-
Konohamaru: Airon…
Airon was already in the process of unsheathing his sword when the Hokage’s voice called out, its dismal tone causing him to look over in shock, as it suggested he bore little to no hope in his eventual victory.
Konohamaru: …that’s enough.
He nodded in Dageki’s direction upon noticing the frustration building in his face, prompting Airon to turn to find his opponent already fully recovered from his attack, the lightning previously spread across his arms now coating his entire body. Recalling what hand-to-hand contact with it did to his skin, he kept a strong front out of pride despite knowing deep down that nothing in his massive arsenal would be able to counter its destructive power. However, the duel was destined to end there for the time being, Otori standing up and motioning for Dageki to stand down just as Konohamaru had done to Airon moments ago. The other Kage watched their colleagues’ standoff for the longest time, knowing full well how it would end and acknowledging it in the own distinctive ways.
Otori: You really intend to keep the Tailed Beasts from us.
Konohamaru: (He exchanged saddened, but determined looks with Naruto before clenching his fists and answering him with fierceness building in his eyes.) …As long as we live.
The Raikage responded after a while with the subtlest of nods before adjusting his robes and walking towards the exit as his subordinates followed, stopping short of walking through the doorway and turning to address the entire room.
Otori: Then enjoy two more weeks of peace, Hokage. And the rest of you begin picking sides, because once they’re up…the Cloud and the Leaf are at war.
The Shinobi Union crumbles – war has been declared after forty-three years of peace!!!
The End
Here’s my previous chapters, for those who missed any:
You must be registered for see links
You must be registered for see links
You must be registered for see links
You must be registered for see links
You must be registered for see links
You must be registered for see links
You must be registered for see links
You must be registered for see links
You must be registered for see links
You must be registered for see links
Chapter 088: The End of an Era
????: Excuse me, Lord Hokage, but before you start, would you mind telling that one to wait outside while we have our discussion?
Konohamaru nearly choked on his words as he paused mid-breath to heed the Raikage’s request, the air in his mouth momentarily leaving him upon finding his outstretched finger pointed toward an equally surprised Manako. A million questions instantly conjured up inside their heads, but the samurai general took it upon himself to respond to his interruption before they could do so themselves.
Rounin: Otori, the bodyguards each Kage brings to the summit have just as much right as us to listen in on the diplomatic issues we discuss in this meeting.
Otori: (His dark eyes instantly flared up at hearing his name, though the rest of his face remained void of emotion.) I have a title, General, and I expect to be called by it. …And do not ever speak to me of things like diplomacy in that manner again.
He hardly increased his volume as he spoke, nor did he move much apart from sitting up slightly in his chair, but his voice carried with it such power and authority that Rounin had no choice but to slowly return to his seat. Once he had done so, Otori rested his back against his chair again, still greatly annoyed, and turned to the darker of his two subordinates with a small request, in the process revealing the shinobi’s name.
Dageki: What the Raikage is saying is that that boy is a telepath. To let him to stay in here would be detrimental to the openness and trust we share with one another during these summits.
In all his years as Hokage, or even as a shinobi in general, Konohamaru’s eyes had never expanded to the size they did in the moment of this revelation, nor could Manako say the same of his own brief career as sweat began pouring down the back of his neck. Even Naruto found it difficult to recall a point in his seasoned history where his plans were so utterly wrecked by such a small act, and the trio exchanged their reactions with one another as they struggled to figure out their next move.
Manako: (He knows…how the hell does he know!?)
Konohamaru: (After several seconds of silent contemplation, he heaved a sigh and subtly glanced down at the phone sitting on the edge of his seat.) (Relax, Manako. Just do as he says for now.)
With immense regret, Manako hesitantly complied, slowly closing the door behind him as Otori met Konohamaru’s disgruntled expression with a grateful smile.
Otori: Thank you, Hokage…and please, turn off your cell phone while you’re at it. That’s very rude, you know.
Every set of eyes that weren’t on Konohamaru already immediately turned his way, including an equally surprised Gaara. From hundreds of miles away, in the cave they were staking out in no more than eight hours ago, Airon, Sasuke, and Sakura also exchanged shocked expressions before staring in bleak anticipation at the phone laying between them.
Airon: No, Lord Hokage, don’t do it-
His request went unfinished and unfulfilled as a loud click emerged from the small device, prompting him to slam his fist against the ground, nearly shattering it as a small crack rippled through the point of impact.
Airon: Shit!
Back in the room of the summit, Konohamaru held up the phone, as per Otori’s request, to show that it was indeed off before returning it to his pocket and intertwining his fingers once again.
Konohamaru: Now, as I was saying…as all of you know, the five hidden villages have recently been attacked in two devastating ways. The first was the destruction of our homefronts. In the Leaf Village’s case, our Academy building, largest hospital, archives library, and orphanage were just some of the multiple locations laid to waste by the bombings, with both the assailant and the means by which he planted the explosives still being unknown at the time. …The second is painfully obvious…the murder or attempted murder of our five Kage, myself included in the latter case.
Naruto and Gaara both lowered their heads in memory of their fallen comrades, Ryoku and his two bodyguards showing the same courtesy. Otori and Unagi showed no such consideration from their seats, though, nor did their bodyguards, prompting Konohamaru to glare at them in suspicion before continuing.
Konohamaru: Investigations in our own village regarding the culprit’s identity have proven fruitless thus far, but we do have information that I believe will prove helpful to all of us in the coming days. …I am assuming in saying this that everyone in this room wants nothing more than to find out who is responsible and have them brought to justice.
Otori: Naturally.
Ryoku: Yes.
Gaara: …More than anything.
Konohamaru turned to Unagi to await his own response, finding him sitting silently in his seat with the corners of his mouth curled upwards in the most twisted fashion.
Unagi: Well, go on. Share with us.
Konohamaru: (He narrowed his gaze.) You find something about this situation funny…Mizukage?
Otori: The Mist shinobi are all impaired in their own ways, Lord Hokage. Please, just continue.
Unagi scoffed in his direction, but otherwise reacted with indifference to the Otori’s snide remark and merely sat back in his seat. He made no attempt to look back over at Konohamaru thereafter, though the Hokage had a strong feeling that what he said next would spark some reaction.
Konohamaru: Less than an hour prior to the bombings, we experienced a small invasion attempt by a five-man group comprised of missing-nin, each originating from a different village. This in it of itself can easily be passed off as a coincidence, but the one member of the five who did survive and escape explicitly warned the shinobi sent to confront him of an impending attack on the village. …For those who don’t know yet, the rogue ninja in question is Masurao, a renowned swordsman from the Mist Village-
Unagi: (He slammed his hand against the table and stood up, glaring at Konohamaru as he held his hand out in an accusing manner.) There you go again! Are you trying to start something with the Mist, Hokage-
Rounin: (He quickly stood up in protest.) Lord Mizukage! You are speaking out of line-
Otori: EVERYONE, SIT…down.
By merely looking at him, apart from the color of his hair and beard, few would accurately determine that Otori was the oldest man in the room as he stood there, gazing maliciously around the room at those who took part in the brief uproar. One by one, all three of them slowly sat back down, practically forced to comply with – and even admire – the emasculating aura which rang in his bellowing voice. When all tension vanished from the room once again, he took his seat, as well, immediately turning back to Konohamaru with questioning and spite in his eyes.
Otori: Lord Hokage, are you implying that because of Masurao’s involvement, you blame the Mist Village for everything that has happened as of late? Including the death of their own Kage?
Konohamaru: (He struggled not to gulp the air in his mouth as he attempted to regain his gritty composure.) …Not at all. He’s a missing-nin, so I doubt they would still have any sort of contact with him, anyways. …But he certainly has something to do with what’s been going on, so among other things, I’m asking for the cooperation of the other four villages in tracking him down and interrogating him.
Otori: (He exchanged stares with Ryoku and Unagi before leaning back in his seat and twiddling his thumbs.) That should go without saying. …And among what other things, might I ask?
At this, Konohamaru was forced to stop for a brief moment and look around the room. He studied the faces of the three newest Kage as he struggled to keep his composure, knowing that in a moment, the curiosity in their expressions would transcend into anger.
Konohamaru: When I was attacked, it was by one of my most trusted subordinates, who is now on the run. He said that he had plans to become Hokage after my death, and to ensure he got the position, he teamed up with the assassin or assassins responsible for attacking the other four Kage in order to ensure anyone likely to be chosen for the position over him was also eliminated. …According to the Kazekage, a similar situation occurred during his own assassination attempt.
Gaara: (Meeting his gaze for a moment, he leaned forward and rested his elbows on the table, also anticipating the change in emotion.) The first one the assassin attempted to kill was not me, but my granddaughter who, as my strongest heir, is also my likeliest successor. I have little doubt that my grandson and older brother were also potential targets, but the assassin retreated when he found himself unable to kill me. …At this moment in time, I am still uncertain who among my ranks might’ve intended to betray me, but with the Hokage’s testimony, I am certain the assassin was attempting to open the position up to a specific individual.
Rounin: (Seeing the caution in his tone and understanding why it was there, he looked somewhat nervously around the table before responding.) What are the two of you saying, Lord Kazekage?
Konohamaru: (He exchanged glances with Gaara one last time, heaving a sigh before sharing their suspicions with everyone.) We’re saying that however painful the thought of it is, our newest colleagues might very well be part of a scheme to replace the generation that came before them…and we need them to affirm that this isn’t true.
Even Naruto secretly crossed his fingers as he awaited a reply from the three accused shinobi. For the longest time, they received none, though whether or not this arose from a struggle to find a viable response or to keep their rage in check was anyone’s guess and more than likely differed with each Kage. In the case of the former was Ryoku, who finally spoke up after nearly a minute of silence with little audible change in emotion.
Ryoku: That’s a bold accusation, Lord Hokage. Some of us might take offense to this.
Unagi: You’re goddamn right! Old man, how many times do you plan on insulting us during this meeting!? Is that all you dragged us out here for!?
Konohamaru: (He stood up from his seat enraged.) Unagi, the security of the hidden villages and the Shinobi Union are all on the line here!! And if you, Ryoku, and Otori are part of the group attempting to destroy them, I demand you come forward now and avoid any further losses from any of us!!
The outburst was a product of conflicting emotions building over the course of the summit, and was therefore made mostly in the heat of the moment, hence Konohamaru’s immediate sense of regret upon looking around the room to find those he deemed suspect in his rant staring back up at him in displeasure.
Otori: Of course, only the Hokage could demand such a thing…seeing as you have the most to lose.
Konohamaru: …What?
Naruto and Gaara also gazed towards the center of the table in suspense, followed shortly by every other person in the room, including his own subordinates. Otori paid no mind to any of them, though, wearing a face devoid of amusement, yet still somehow full of confoundedness from what he perceived as Konohamaru’s ignorance.
Otori: Did you think the four of us hadn’t realized it, Hokage? Or has the Shinobi Union been clouding your judgment as to just how much more successful your village has been in recent years? Thriving populations, advancing technology, better shinobi…did you think such things wouldn’t cause the rest of us to suffer in the long run?
Konohamaru: Lord Raikage, I meant by no means-
Otori: Yes, of course you didn’t. You were more concerned with keeping good ties with the other villages and promoting maintaining the peace we’ve had until now, not even realizing that peace doesn’t change the fact that we all generate profit by renting out our shinobi. …What good is the equal opportunity system provided by the Shinobi Union if the rapid improvement of your ninja overshadows our own? Did you never once think that it would ultimately displace the balance of wealth and power between the villages taking part in the alliance? Look at the Sand. The smallest population of us all, as well as the fastest declining economy.
Gaara: (His brow deepened in response to the subtle insult.) I fail to see how our economic standing has anything to do with our relations to the other villages, Raikage.
Otori: Then you’re an old fool, Kazekage. The shinobi wars have always been as much about profit as they are about settling international disputes. With the peace holding strong over four decades, our economic standings all boil down to who can generate the best and most diverse quality of shinobi for hire…and you just haven’t been able to present since the fourth war, albeit with a few obvious exceptions you were kind enough to distinguish earlier.
He referred to the mentioning of his grandchildren as he said this, but Gaara couldn’t even take this as a compliment as Otori implied that only his bloodline was capable of producing worthwhile shinobi within his village, a thought which the few specks of dust and sand around him to begin fluttering ever so slightly. He stood up from his seat, his dark-ringed eyes fixed on the old man sitting beside him, the fury blazing within them growing larger by the second.
Gaara: Then what are you suggesting, Raikage? That I either let my village run into the ground on its own or start a war to help spin a profit? You’re out of your mind if you think your words are going to coerce me into breaking the bonds your predecessors and us have shared all these years!
Otori: (Just as before, he responded with no emotion save for mild disbelief, as if he was disgusted by how unknowledgeable those surrounding him were.) Predecessors…our predecessors are dead, Kazekage. And you two are merely part of a dying breed. …Every war we’ve ever had was ensued by two things, spikes in village profit and spikes in village population following each army’s return to their homes. This was our reality for nearly three-quarters of a century and they worked to stimulate growth when long spans of merely renting out shinobi became too inadequate. …We’re entering into an age where long-term peace takes its toll on our international economy, where shinobi grown so used to war can’t figure out how to manage themselves properly without it.
His words were not without truth. Everyone in the room knew this in the back of their minds, thoughts which might’ve ventured closer to the forefronts had Konohamaru not been there to realize just how far off topic their discussion had become.
Konohamaru: Raikage, this is about the attacks on our villages and finding out how to deal with the ones who carried them out, NOT ranting about economic despair and promoting war. …Now, I came here looking for help finding the shinobi Masurao and the assassin who killed three of our former Kage, and if you don’t wish to comply, then I have no more reason to confide in you.
Otori: (He shook his head in denial, a look in his eyes one normally got when feigning innocence.) I never said I wanted war, Hokage. I’m merely saying we need to find a way to stir our own economic growth to prevent a drastic occurrence like a war from being the only means to pull ourselves out of a rut. …Sitting by and watching as your neighbors grow larger and wealthier every year can cause people to take very desperate measures. I’m sure your village can elaborate further on that, Kazekage.
Gaara: (Subtly acknowledging the reference to his village’s long-forgotten invasion of the Leaf, he lowered his head as he responded to it.) And what is your proposal for a means of doing so, Raikage?
Otori straightened his sitting posture as he prepared his response, as though he’d been waiting for this opportunity ever since the meeting began. Instantly, Konohamaru and Naruto knew that whatever he said next was going to be highly objectionable.
Otori: Well, recapturing the Tailed Beasts would be a good start.
Finding his intuition to be correct, and Konohamaru quickly stood up to object to his proposal in a civilized fashion. Unfortunately, Naruto beat him to the punch with his more…Naruto-esque approach.
Naruto: Old man, you’re out of your goddamn mind if you think that’s gonna slide. We promised the Tailed Beasts a long time ago that they wouldn’t have to worry about being used by shinobi ever again. We are NOT going to break that promise just so WE can put more money in our pockets!
Otori: (He quickly stood up from his seat and met Naruto’s fierce look in spades, unfazed by either his temper or his repute.) There is a Seventh Hokage now. YOU no longer have any place speaking up during these summits, Sixth.
Naruto was not one to normally back down from an argument, as even shinobi of legendary status – for better or worse – had come to know over the years. The firmness and unquestionable authority in Otori’s voice, though, made it impossible for even him to respond, surprising everyone familiar with him when he closed his gaping mouth once again and took a step back. Smirking for the first time since his appearance, Otori returned to his seat, smugly readjusting his robes as he did.
Otori: And this isn’t just about profit. This is about doing what we can with what we have to remove all possible reasons for us starting wars with one another again, the FIRST and biggest reason being unequal distribution of economic wealth and prosperity. The Leaf Village is much too powerful and the Sand Village, among others, much too frail for this peace to hold as strong as it has for another forty years.
Konohamaru: If that’s the only cause for concern, sharing the wealth is well within our range of options, Raikage. Naruto is right. The pact with the Tailed Beasts was made between all the villages, and to disrupt it now would not only be detrimental to our now peaceful relationship with them, but an insult to all the men and women who perished trying to contain them during the years they were seen merely as weapons.
Otori: …There are two things I picked out of that monologue that I take issue to…and might I say before I share them that you disgust me more with every passing second.
Rounin: Raikage!! That is just about enough-
Once again, Rounin’s attempt to referee the discussion was cut off by an outstretched hand. This time, however, that hand belonged to Konohamaru, who gently rested it back against the table when the samurai general had returned to his seat, looking off towards Otori with as calm a demeanor as he could still manage.
Konohamaru: Then please…share.
Otori: (His disgusted tone gradually slipped away as he spoke.) Gladly. The first is your offer to “share the wealth”. It’s an old and famous saying that giving a man a fish feeds him for a day, but teaching him to fish feeds him for a lifetime. The scraps you feed us would eventually run out, and in the end, we would still be without shinobi of a high enough quality to compete with your own so that we ourselves could then stir a profit. …The second is the fact that you speak so freely about letting the Tailed Beasts continue to roam free…when there’s one standing beside you right now.
All eyes instantly fell on Naruto, the realization that he was still a jinchūriki having surprisingly not fully registered with everyone in the room before hearing this remark. Only Konohamaru didn’t bother looking over his shoulder, feeling no need as he already knew what face he was making and what sort of marks his nails were leaving as they dug into his arms. Naruto himself was currently more focused on a skirmish occurring inward, as witnessed by his closed eyes. He eventually reopened to reveal slit pupils, a sign that his mind and body were now under the temporary control of someone else.
Kurama: Old man, I chose to remain inside Naruto after the Fourth Shinobi World War. I’ll stay in him until the day he dies, and it’ll be my choice to do that. DO NOT talk as if I’m still a weapon for him or the Leaf Village to use in case a war breaks out!!
Everyone in the room immediately leaned back and away from the Kurama-controlled Naruto, even Konohamaru finding it difficult to hide his unease at hearing his outburst – though having the closest proximity to him made this perfectly understandable. The only one seemingly unintimidated by the Tailed Beast’s sudden appearance was Otori who, in fact, seemed as equally sickened by what he said as he was at Konohamaru’s earlier statements.
Otori: Nine-Tails, have you not also grown blind after living inside that man for so many years? You feed your power to him every day. Every moment he still lives, you are being used by him in one way or another. Perhaps it’s more obvious to you when he actually uses that power, but it’s clear as day to everyone else…you are still very much a weapon, more so than you are an independent creature.
Naruto’s eyes quickly shut themselves again, a few stints of rapid blinking indicating that his subconscious was currently a very hectic place. To the relief of a few other people in the room, he opened them again moments later to reveal his normal eyes, which were still filled with just as much rage as Kurama’s.
Naruto: His name is Kurama, you old bastard! And you’re lucky I managed to hold him back, cause I almost let him mangle you!!
Rounin: Sixth Hokage-
Naruto: I’M FINISHING!!! And who are you to talk about us having a jinchūriki when the only other one that’s still around today lives in YOUR village!?
He instantly tightened his lips upon finishing, both embarrassed for Konohamaru for having to face the repercussions of his own behavior and ashamed that he had actually stooped to the same level he previously criticized Otori for speaking at. The Raikage made no attempt to match his outburst, staring blankly at him from across the table as yet another small smirk etched itself across his face.
Otori: Oh, I’m very well aware of that, Sixth Hokage. That’s why I intend to allow the Rock, Mist, and Sand Villages the honor of determining which of the seven remaining Tailed Beasts they wish to take for themselves…once they’ve been recaptured, that is.
The two Hokage immediately looked over at Unagi and Ryoku upon noticing that they didn’t have the same bewildered reactions shared by Gaara and themselves. With their prior suspicions of their loyalties still in place, though, this never transcended beyond an acknowledging stare.
Konohamaru: You two are in on this idea of his?
The Mizukage responded with a grin showcasing his sharpened teeth, as the others had come to expect from him. Ryoku, on the other hand, continued to sit silently in his seat, his bodyguards looking down on either side of him in confusion at his persisting refusal to answer.
Konohamaru: Tsuchikage?
Ryoku: (He continued rubbing his hands together in front of his face as he finally spoke up, refusing to make eye contact with the older shinobi.) His points are all valid, Lord Hokage. This peace can’t keep going on forever…and we need the Tailed Beasts again if we’re gonna be able to compete with you or the Cloud Village.
Konohamaru: (He rubbed his eyes in frustration, his boiling point at an all-time low.) This is ridiculous. Otori, who the hell decided to make you Raikage?
Rounin: Hokage-
Otori: (He smiled and held out his hand to stop Rounin’s objection.) No no, please, General. It’s a valid question. …In truth, my ascension to this position was a unanimous decision by both the Lightning Daimyo’s council and our village’s entire shinobi population. …All I did was speak the truth, just as I am to you now.
It was a statement that neither Konohamaru nor Naruto bothered objecting to, as prior cases of such coercion had taken place in the past – their own Danzō Shimura was among the most memorable. Indeed, his words thus far were clearly chosen with the utmost care and his arguments had all the support they needed to sway any opposing party. All the logic in the world, though, was miniscule to Naruto’s determination to live up to his ninja way – a solemn vow to never go back on his word, one which had thankfully been passed onto his successor.
Konohamaru: I refuse to approve of your idea, Otori…you will not touch the Tailed Beasts.
Otori: (He glanced up at both of his bodyguards, who returned his gaze before he stood up from his seat and glared across the table at Konohamaru.) And I suppose you’ll be the ones to stop us from going after them.
Konohamaru: (He exchanged looks with Naruto, waiting until he received a firm nod from his predecessor before standing up from his own seat.) …If we have to.
Unagi watched their face off from his seat with steadily building enthusiasm, shared on a smaller scale by his warmongering subordinates. This feeling was unique to them alone, though, as everyone else standing in the room looked on in horror at what appeared to be the calm before the storm. Otori broke their staring contest after several seconds to eye their spectators, emotionless on the surface but evidently pleased with the scene he had helped create.
Otori: So…war, then?
Konohamaru: (His frown deepened as he lifted one hand to form the Seal of Confrontation.) Quit pushing things out of proportion, Otori. A simple duel will suffice for this. If I win…you back off.
A quick glance from Naruto cut off any attempts at objection made over the next minute, during which Otori merely stood in front of his chair, eyeing the Hokage before finally sitting down and motioning to Dageki to step forward.
Konohamaru: The battle is between Kage, Otori.
Otori: (He closed his eyes and shook his head in perceived amusement.) Please. Why should I waste even a fraction of my power on you when my strongest subordinate has more than enough to bring you to your knees…Lord Hokage?
Dageki: (He leapt over the table to shorten the gap between them before forming the Seal of Confrontation.) I’m ready when you are.
????: Wait.
Being put off by the swift progression of the conflict at hand only made their reactions all the quicker as everyone turned wide-eyed towards Otori’s second subordinate, confusion and bewilderment consuming the minds of even his fellow Cloud ninja.
Dageki: Masuku?
Masuku: (Arms crossed, he nodded in the direction of the main entrance to the meeting room.) …It seems we have an uninvited guest waiting beyond that door.
Gaara and Konohamaru immediately traded shocked expressions while Naruto turned to the door with one of his own, he and the latter already wary of the newcomer’s identity – considering only one person alive was capable of traveling such great distances in an instant.
Konohamaru and Naruto: (Airon!)
Otori: Hmm, perhaps he’s here to stand in for the Hokage then…since he’s so fixated on dueling only those he deems worthy of his interest.
He rested his arm on the back of his seat as he awaited a response from either Konohamaru or the newcomer, smirking all the while as if he already knew how this situation would work out. The Hokage made no movements in his seat or with his mouth, except occasionally swallowing or glancing off towards the doorway to see if someone would be coming through it at any moment. It wasn’t until Otori’s patience finally ran thin that he remembered the marked kunai laying next to his chair, reaching for it as the elderly man spoke up.
Otori: No?
Dageki: (He clenched his fist and lunged forward at breakneck speed, prompting Konohamaru to look up as everyone looked on in shock.) Very well. Then I’ll attack first!
Airon: THE HELL YOU WILL!!!
Konohamaru quickly chucked the kunai upwards as the doorway flew open to reveal Manako, standing alone as Airon reappeared in midair directly in front of the Hokage. Only marginally put off by his teleportation, Dageki managed to brace himself as Airon’s foot collided with his cheek, forcing Rounin to duck as he was sent flying over his head and against the wall. Grinning in light of his accomplishment, Airon landed gracefully atop the table and turned around smiling at his grandfather and Konohamaru, both of them relieved by his sudden appearance while Manako ran up beside them.
Airon: (Manako called me right after you hung up. I had a feeling this might happen once he told me everything.)
Dageki: (He rubbed the back of his head in irritation as he slowly stood back up.) Uggghh…you’ll pay dearly for that, kid.
Determined but eager to see his new opponent’s skill set, Airon grinned as he pulled out kunai after kunai, tossing them at every corner of the room before teleporting to the one closest to Dageki as he charged forward to hit him. Stopping just short of hitting Naruto, who leapt back on impulse, he turned around with rage-filled eyes to find Airon smirking back at him, his sword at the ready. A handful of similar exchanges followed, each one concluding with Airon safely out of Dageki’s reach, only one person in the room even bothering to protest the fight.
Rounin: Lord Hokage!! Lord Raikage!! This summit is supposed to be a discussion of diplomatic affairs, not a brawl between-
Otori didn’t even bother looking in Rounin’s direction as he watched the duel carry on, as per the samurai general’s expectations, but to his great surprise, neither did a visibly conflicted Konohamaru.
Konohamaru: I’m sorry, Rounin. …This is for the sake of the Shinobi Union.
Dageki: Goddamn it, stop moving so I can hit you!!
Airon: Hehehahaha, please tell me you actually said that!
A few minutes into the fray, as Dageki grew more and more familiarized with the technique and recognizing his patterns, Airon began throwing extra kunai around the room with each new attempt to attack him, shifting his movements around to further confuse his opponent. Noticing his ploy shortly after and realizing he fell for it, Dageki stopped in the middle of the room, keeping his head low to hide his fiery eyes as Airon teleported directly behind him and awaited his next move.
Dageki: Alright…then I don’t have a choice!!
Clasping his hands together, he followed this exclamation with a long series of hand signs which even Manako and Naruto found near impossible to follow. Seated directly in front of him, Otori stared attentively at his rapid hand movements with a gradually broadening smile until finally, Dageki held out his hands out and slammed them together, a surge of white-colored chakra resembling lightning appearing between his palms in that instant. Before those unfamiliar with him could even process the bizarre nature of the technique, they were forced to duck as the lightning projected from his fingertips at the speed of its namesake, flying in every direction that led to one of Airon’s marked kunai and dissolving the steel devices almost immediately after contact. Cut off from all his previous escape routes, Airon tossed three more kunai around the room, but before he could teleport to one of them, Dageki’s foot connected with his chest and sent flying high against the wall.
Naruto, Konohamaru, and Manako: AIRON!!!
No attempt was made by him to climb out of the large hole created by his impact, nor did he try to stick the landing when his body eventually slipped out of it on its own. His fellow Leaf villagers watched in horror as he slowly stood back up, cringing through the pain of having to relocate his jaw, before gazing back towards Dageki with intense curiosity in their eyes.
Manako: (What the hell was that?)
Naruto: (He stared wide-eyed at the white lightning flashing around Dageki’s hands.) (I don’t know…I’ve never seen anything like it.)
Despite being slow when returning to his feet, Airon quickly recovered from Dageki’s kick, rubbing his jawbone and flexing it in either direction to ensure it was popped back into place. He mused over the attack for several seconds, recalling his strength and the strange jutsu he used to destroy his kunai in unison moments before, finally looking back up to find Dageki in a battle-ready stance awaiting his next move, a sight at which he grinned with building enthusiasm.
Airon: Where have you been all my life?
Every inch of his being became coated in chakra as he vanished from view, prompting Dageki to clench his fists, stimulating the lightning gathered around them before moving them over the entire length of his arms in order to coat them, as well. He scanned the room with his one good eye as everyone else joined them in locating Airon, only his grandfather and cousin being able to follow him with their highly trained eyes. Perhaps it was this cue that allowed Dageki to turn around just in time to catch Airon’s incoming fist in his own, the energy produced by the collision rippling across the room in amounts that greatly impressed him, though his blank face made this difficult to tell.
Dageki: Nice punch…
A brief contest of strength followed between their pushing arms, one which quickly became two adjacent bouts as Dageki caught his Airon’s second fist in his free hand. The younger shinobi had strength to spare even against a opponent of his caliber, but his attention was quickly becoming expended upon the condition of his hands rather than their current standing. His eyes widened as he came to realize that the white lightning channeling safely through Dageki’s fingers was eating away at his own, his gloves and the uppermost layer of his skin having already deteriorated beneath it.
Dageki: Could use a little work, though.
The remark was followed with a sharp knee to the chest, one that might’ve knocked anyone else unconscious. Through sheer willpower, though, Airon maintained his footing, taking a pointer straight from his grandfather’s handbook and sending his forehead crashing into Dageki’s, drawing blood from them both and dazing him just long enough for him to pull back and perform a somersault, smashing his foot against his chin and freeing his hand in the process. The brief victory only prompted Dageki to step back a short ways, though, forcing Airon to leap over Otori’s unflinching head and to the other side of the table, putting enough distance between them to allow him time to catch his breath and inspect his gradually healing hands.
Airon: (What the hell? …My skin just dissolved.) Huhh…huhh, you’re no slouch, Dageki. …Huhh, don’t think you’ll be able to pull that shit with me again, though-
Konohamaru: Airon…
Airon was already in the process of unsheathing his sword when the Hokage’s voice called out, its dismal tone causing him to look over in shock, as it suggested he bore little to no hope in his eventual victory.
Konohamaru: …that’s enough.
He nodded in Dageki’s direction upon noticing the frustration building in his face, prompting Airon to turn to find his opponent already fully recovered from his attack, the lightning previously spread across his arms now coating his entire body. Recalling what hand-to-hand contact with it did to his skin, he kept a strong front out of pride despite knowing deep down that nothing in his massive arsenal would be able to counter its destructive power. However, the duel was destined to end there for the time being, Otori standing up and motioning for Dageki to stand down just as Konohamaru had done to Airon moments ago. The other Kage watched their colleagues’ standoff for the longest time, knowing full well how it would end and acknowledging it in the own distinctive ways.
Otori: You really intend to keep the Tailed Beasts from us.
Konohamaru: (He exchanged saddened, but determined looks with Naruto before clenching his fists and answering him with fierceness building in his eyes.) …As long as we live.
The Raikage responded after a while with the subtlest of nods before adjusting his robes and walking towards the exit as his subordinates followed, stopping short of walking through the doorway and turning to address the entire room.
Otori: Then enjoy two more weeks of peace, Hokage. And the rest of you begin picking sides, because once they’re up…the Cloud and the Leaf are at war.
The Shinobi Union crumbles – war has been declared after forty-three years of peace!!!
The End
