The 6th Great Ninja War
Chapter XXVIII: Through the Valleys
Roku opened his eyes only to find himself looking up at the ceiling of a cozy room. Roku got out of the bed only to feel a searing pain in his side which caused him to become weary of sudden movements. His waist was bandaged as was his right arm and a small portion of his right cheek. Roku threw on a Kiyoshi robe with several kanji and lotus flower patterns on it. By the robe were a pair of crutches, which Roku took to support his movement. He opened the door and stepped outside of the room, entering the hallway of the place. As Roku looked around, he realized that he was in a Kiyoshi clan settlement house by the intricate design of the home. He slowly stepped down the staircase and opened the front door to go outside. It was a beautiful day. Thin, misty clouds hung over the settlement, leveling near the peaks of the high, grass-covered mountains and hills that encompassed the settlement. The sun’s light partially penetrated the thin screen of clouds, giving the area a very natural, harmonious look. Roku approached a bridge that led to a training ground. When he arrived at a Japanese garden which had several features of a training ground, Roku noticed all of his teammates assembled in that area to train. Goro and Hiruzen were sparring using only taijutsu. Ace was working extremely hard on perfecting a new technique. Kyle sat aside and drank tea casually, watching the others. Amidst the others, Caliburn sat calmly by the gentle river flow, completely one with nature. His katana rested on his lap, as he sat in a meditative stance. Akira was the first to see Roku. Roku, a bit relieved to see him, smiled for a moment and walked slowly toward Akira.
Akira: Hey, guys! Roku’s awake!!
At Akira’s word, everyone stopped what they were doing. Caliburn even opened his right eye to peak and see if Akira’s word was true. Roku worked his way toward everyone until he was within the small garden.
Goro: It’s about time, Roku-san.
Hiruzen: Good to have you back, Cap’n.
Roku: Wait…how long was I out for?
Ace: A few days…Izuna really did some serious damage to you.
Roku: A few days, huh? I’m not surprised. If you had seen our fight, you would have thought that both of us died.
Goro: We saw what was left at least. You two sure did a number on that poor town and the area around it. When Yoshino-san came back to get you, all that was left was some gigantic crater and your ninja tools scattered. Caliburn brought us to this Kiyoshi settlement after Yoshino-san retrieved you.
Roku: So, you enjoyed your stay on Mount Fang?
Ace: It was amazing, Roku-san! I want to go again someday.
Hiruzen: Yeah! Think you can take us back again to see Yoshino-san and the others?
Roku laughed to himself.
Roku: It’s a promise. ^_^
Caliburn walked up to Roku and the two exchanged serious looks. Roku then smiled and ruffled Caliburn’s green hair. Caliburn smiled and bowed respectfully.
Roku: Caliburn, this is the last settlement in the east. I appreciate all of your help so far. If you don’t wish to continue on the mission with us, I’ll understand.
Caliburn adamantly shook his head.
Caliburn: I’d be honored to finish this mission with you, master. *bows*
Roku: ^_^ Alright then.
Akira: Roku…you should come inside. There’s someone who wants to see you.
Roku: O_O
Roku walked on his crutches inside of the very traditional house. He opened a doorway and saw several familiar faces. One was that of a man with short dark brown hair, green eyes, and good complexion. He appeared somewhat young, but there was an ancient aura about him. The other was a young man who appeared to be in his late twenties or early thirties with short, somewhat spiky, brown hair, silver eyes, fair skin, and a white band around his each of his left and right wrists. His clothing was simple enough; he had a silver-colored T-shirt and standard navy blue ninja pants along with custom white-colored sandals. On the face of his T-shirt was the kanji for “wind”. Between both men was Yoshino. He sighed when Roku entered, letting out a large amount of smoke from his mouth due to his nature.
Yoshino: You took quite a while waking up, Roku. Don’t tell me that your age is finally catching up with you…
Roku: *sighs* ~_~ I’m not old…especially not as old as you, Yoshino. *turns to man on the right* It’s good to see you again, Rag.
Ragnaroc: Same here, Roku.
Roku: …Bisha…if you two are here, something serious must be happening.
Bishamon: We’ve gained some Intel on occurrences over the past week. First of all, it turns out that Izuna was after a man named Kento, who is supposed to be one of the head commanders of the 100 Stone Army. He apparently went AWOL last week to take on an escort mission for some money. His current whereabouts are unknown.
Roku: Kento…Izuna tried to capture him and that’s when we fought. Kento helped me fight Izuna and his subordinate, but after I sent him away, he never returned.
Bishamon: That explains why Izuna was in that town in the first place. It also appears that Kirabi is mobilizing.
Roku: I’m not surprised. He seemed pretty prepared when I saw him.
Bishamon: Wait a minute! When did you encounter Kirabi.
Roku: When? It was after my fight with Izuna. O_O
Bishamon: ………that’s strange. Why would he show up and not do anything to you. He should’ve known you’d be a major obstruction.
Roku: Hrmm…I remember he said something about his interest in me and that we’d meet again.
Bishamon: Did he mention anything else?
Roku: No. Just that our attempts were futile.
Bishamon: I see…how about Izuna? Did he mention anything?
Roku: I…I think. Izuna told me that he and Nexus were planning a coup against Kirabi……*sighs* He said something else…
Bishamon: Try to remember!
Roku: ………………that’s right! He was about to tell me how to defeat Kirabi! Unfortunately, Kirabi came in at that moment and finished Izuna off.
Ragnaroc: That’s a shame. We could have missed our only chance to learning a secret about Kirabi.
Roku: *sigh* ………“The truth lies within…”
Yoshino: What?
Roku: That’s what Izuna told me…he didn’t finish what he was saying, but I’m sure there’s some meaning to it.
Yoshino: Strange…I can understand Izuna and Nexus attempting a coup on Kirabi, but Izuna’s words make little sense.
Ragnaroc: Maybe they have something to do with Kirabi’s power.
Roku: I can imagine…but I still don’t know how to apply Izuna’s statement. Considering he never got to finish his statement, something big was definitely left out.
Bishamon: The issue now is understanding what he was trying to say and how it can help us.
Yoshino: It’s far too risky to go into battle against Kirabi and his forces without knowledge on how to defeat him. If his power truly has grown to immeasurable amounts, then we cannot underestimate his potency.
Roku: ………only one person would know the truth about Kirabi’s power…how he was able to gain so much power...
Yoshino: O_O You can’t possibly mean…
Roku: I’m going to send Caliburn and Hiruzen to him
Yoshino: Are you mad, Roku? Do not jeopardize their lives for the sake of information.
Roku: They can handle it…
Ragnaroc: What’re you talking about?
Roku ignored Yoshino’s protest and walked toward the door to get Caliburn and Hiruzen. When he opened the door, however, a familiar face was standing before him. A young, broken youth with green hair and dark grey eyes. He looked to Roku with sorrow and shame.
Kiwii: Roku-san……I need your help…
END OF CHAPTER
Chapter XXVIII: Through the Valleys
Roku opened his eyes only to find himself looking up at the ceiling of a cozy room. Roku got out of the bed only to feel a searing pain in his side which caused him to become weary of sudden movements. His waist was bandaged as was his right arm and a small portion of his right cheek. Roku threw on a Kiyoshi robe with several kanji and lotus flower patterns on it. By the robe were a pair of crutches, which Roku took to support his movement. He opened the door and stepped outside of the room, entering the hallway of the place. As Roku looked around, he realized that he was in a Kiyoshi clan settlement house by the intricate design of the home. He slowly stepped down the staircase and opened the front door to go outside. It was a beautiful day. Thin, misty clouds hung over the settlement, leveling near the peaks of the high, grass-covered mountains and hills that encompassed the settlement. The sun’s light partially penetrated the thin screen of clouds, giving the area a very natural, harmonious look. Roku approached a bridge that led to a training ground. When he arrived at a Japanese garden which had several features of a training ground, Roku noticed all of his teammates assembled in that area to train. Goro and Hiruzen were sparring using only taijutsu. Ace was working extremely hard on perfecting a new technique. Kyle sat aside and drank tea casually, watching the others. Amidst the others, Caliburn sat calmly by the gentle river flow, completely one with nature. His katana rested on his lap, as he sat in a meditative stance. Akira was the first to see Roku. Roku, a bit relieved to see him, smiled for a moment and walked slowly toward Akira.
Akira: Hey, guys! Roku’s awake!!
At Akira’s word, everyone stopped what they were doing. Caliburn even opened his right eye to peak and see if Akira’s word was true. Roku worked his way toward everyone until he was within the small garden.
Goro: It’s about time, Roku-san.
Hiruzen: Good to have you back, Cap’n.
Roku: Wait…how long was I out for?
Ace: A few days…Izuna really did some serious damage to you.
Roku: A few days, huh? I’m not surprised. If you had seen our fight, you would have thought that both of us died.
Goro: We saw what was left at least. You two sure did a number on that poor town and the area around it. When Yoshino-san came back to get you, all that was left was some gigantic crater and your ninja tools scattered. Caliburn brought us to this Kiyoshi settlement after Yoshino-san retrieved you.
Roku: So, you enjoyed your stay on Mount Fang?
Ace: It was amazing, Roku-san! I want to go again someday.
Hiruzen: Yeah! Think you can take us back again to see Yoshino-san and the others?
Roku laughed to himself.
Roku: It’s a promise. ^_^
Caliburn walked up to Roku and the two exchanged serious looks. Roku then smiled and ruffled Caliburn’s green hair. Caliburn smiled and bowed respectfully.
Roku: Caliburn, this is the last settlement in the east. I appreciate all of your help so far. If you don’t wish to continue on the mission with us, I’ll understand.
Caliburn adamantly shook his head.
Caliburn: I’d be honored to finish this mission with you, master. *bows*
Roku: ^_^ Alright then.
Akira: Roku…you should come inside. There’s someone who wants to see you.
Roku: O_O
Roku walked on his crutches inside of the very traditional house. He opened a doorway and saw several familiar faces. One was that of a man with short dark brown hair, green eyes, and good complexion. He appeared somewhat young, but there was an ancient aura about him. The other was a young man who appeared to be in his late twenties or early thirties with short, somewhat spiky, brown hair, silver eyes, fair skin, and a white band around his each of his left and right wrists. His clothing was simple enough; he had a silver-colored T-shirt and standard navy blue ninja pants along with custom white-colored sandals. On the face of his T-shirt was the kanji for “wind”. Between both men was Yoshino. He sighed when Roku entered, letting out a large amount of smoke from his mouth due to his nature.
Yoshino: You took quite a while waking up, Roku. Don’t tell me that your age is finally catching up with you…
Roku: *sighs* ~_~ I’m not old…especially not as old as you, Yoshino. *turns to man on the right* It’s good to see you again, Rag.
Ragnaroc: Same here, Roku.
Roku: …Bisha…if you two are here, something serious must be happening.
Bishamon: We’ve gained some Intel on occurrences over the past week. First of all, it turns out that Izuna was after a man named Kento, who is supposed to be one of the head commanders of the 100 Stone Army. He apparently went AWOL last week to take on an escort mission for some money. His current whereabouts are unknown.
Roku: Kento…Izuna tried to capture him and that’s when we fought. Kento helped me fight Izuna and his subordinate, but after I sent him away, he never returned.
Bishamon: That explains why Izuna was in that town in the first place. It also appears that Kirabi is mobilizing.
Roku: I’m not surprised. He seemed pretty prepared when I saw him.
Bishamon: Wait a minute! When did you encounter Kirabi.
Roku: When? It was after my fight with Izuna. O_O
Bishamon: ………that’s strange. Why would he show up and not do anything to you. He should’ve known you’d be a major obstruction.
Roku: Hrmm…I remember he said something about his interest in me and that we’d meet again.
Bishamon: Did he mention anything else?
Roku: No. Just that our attempts were futile.
Bishamon: I see…how about Izuna? Did he mention anything?
Roku: I…I think. Izuna told me that he and Nexus were planning a coup against Kirabi……*sighs* He said something else…
Bishamon: Try to remember!
Roku: ………………that’s right! He was about to tell me how to defeat Kirabi! Unfortunately, Kirabi came in at that moment and finished Izuna off.
Ragnaroc: That’s a shame. We could have missed our only chance to learning a secret about Kirabi.
Roku: *sigh* ………“The truth lies within…”
Yoshino: What?
Roku: That’s what Izuna told me…he didn’t finish what he was saying, but I’m sure there’s some meaning to it.
Yoshino: Strange…I can understand Izuna and Nexus attempting a coup on Kirabi, but Izuna’s words make little sense.
Ragnaroc: Maybe they have something to do with Kirabi’s power.
Roku: I can imagine…but I still don’t know how to apply Izuna’s statement. Considering he never got to finish his statement, something big was definitely left out.
Bishamon: The issue now is understanding what he was trying to say and how it can help us.
Yoshino: It’s far too risky to go into battle against Kirabi and his forces without knowledge on how to defeat him. If his power truly has grown to immeasurable amounts, then we cannot underestimate his potency.
Roku: ………only one person would know the truth about Kirabi’s power…how he was able to gain so much power...
Yoshino: O_O You can’t possibly mean…
Roku: I’m going to send Caliburn and Hiruzen to him
Yoshino: Are you mad, Roku? Do not jeopardize their lives for the sake of information.
Roku: They can handle it…
Ragnaroc: What’re you talking about?
Roku ignored Yoshino’s protest and walked toward the door to get Caliburn and Hiruzen. When he opened the door, however, a familiar face was standing before him. A young, broken youth with green hair and dark grey eyes. He looked to Roku with sorrow and shame.
Kiwii: Roku-san……I need your help…
END OF CHAPTER
