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<<<>>>
Unlike Kaoru, who could form water droplets instantaneously and fire them in any direction, Mizuki's domain technique was much slower and lacked control after the initial command.
To compensate, she had been given a much larger area to cover, where she was expected to continuously release and spread her scorch butterflies.
And she was doing exactly that.
The forest, once a tranquil mix of deep greens and earthy browns, was now bathed in red as countless fiery butterflies hovered in the air, flickering like living embers among the trees.
Unlike Kaoru's technique, where water could be summoned and manipulated freely, Mizuki's butterflies had to follow a pre-determined path, avoiding obstacles as they moved. From a distance, they almost seemed to be patrolling the forest, drifting through the air in deliberate formations, weaving through the branches without scorching them dry.
She kept forming more and more, refusing to stop until she reached her absolute limit.
But ironically, despite all her preparation,
No one came.
Not a single Kiri shinobi entered her domain.
Mizuki stood alone in the vast, fiery forest, her technique still expanding… Yet with no enemy to fight.
<<<>>>
In Konoha, a council meeting was underway.
Jiraiya sat at the head of the room, contemplating the benefits and risks of involving Konoha in the ongoing war. He wanted to hear everyone's opinions regarding his decision.
"Shikaku, explain the situation to everyone," he said.
Even though Jiraiya had named Hiruzen as his official advisor, he had also kept Shikaku in the role, finally crushing the Nara's dreams of a peaceful, carefree life.
Shikaku sighed but complied.
"Takimura and Kiri have begun their battle. The last report stated that Kiri was two days away from the Takime Valley, meaning the fight should start within the next six to twelve hours."
He paused for a moment before continuing.
"There's also a new variable in Kirigakure. One of the Seven Swordsmen has started a rebellion and gathered a considerable force, but their whereabouts are unknown."
"And most importantly," he added, glancing around the room, "Kumo's army is also on standby near the border, just like ours."
Shikaku finished his report with only the facts, free of personal speculation, though his deductions were usually just as reliable as the facts themselves.
Tsume leaned forward as she scratched the back of her head. "Will Kumo attack? What do you think?"
"I don't think that's likely," Shikaku replied without hesitation.
"Just like us, they won't risk starting a war as the initiators. However…" He exhaled, arms crossing over his chest. "I get the feeling that Raikage wouldn't mind a war, as long as they're not the ones starting it."
Jiraiya nodded. His expression remained serious, his usual laid-back demeanor absent.
"My hope of using this war to weaken Kiri and gain land and resources seems unlikely now." He sighed. "We can't afford to start this war, not when Kumo is waiting for an excuse to follow."
Becoming Hokage had changed him.
Carrying the weight of Konoha, he had learned that ideals had to take a backseat to practicality.
"Is there any chance of Takimura surviving this war without us or Kumo making a move?" Choza spoke up.
He already knew the answer, but he wanted to hear more details.
Shikaku shrugged slightly, his focused gaze briefly returning.
"It's unlikely. Even with Kiri's forces split, Takimura is still vastly outnumbered. Yagura sent a considerable portion of his army to patrol the borders with both us and Kumo, but that still leaves thousands attacking Takimura directly."
He leaned back slightly.
"But… if those rebels move while Takimura is fighting, there might be hope for them."
His sharp gaze faded back into its usual laziness, signaling that he was done thinking about it, at least for now.
Danzo, who had remained silent until now, finally spoke.
"Who cares about that small village?" His voice was cold, eyes scanning the room. "As long as Kiri is weakened, they won't be a threat to us."
He leaned forward slightly.
"Even if Takimura is destroyed, another group will rise to take its place. As long as chaos consumes the Land of Water, we can use it to our advantage."
He glanced toward Jiraiya, his calculating expression making it clear he was testing him.
Since Hiruzen had stepped down, Danzo had been under constant surveillance, his influence and Root gradually diminishing. It was bothersome. He could no longer move as freely as before and he despised it.
Jiraiya's response, however, was measured.
"Takimura could have been a valuable ally," he admitted, as if thinking aloud instead of answering Danzo.
Then his expression hardened.
"But I agree with you, Elder Danzo. If it benefits Konoha, we shouldn't care who wins this war."
Jiraiya despised Danzo and everyone in the room knew it. But now he was a Hokage, and despite Konoha being his priority, as long as Jiraiya remained in power, Danzo's influence would continue to fade, slowly but steadily.
"So we all agree that we should not make a move right?" no one answered, signaling that the decision was unanimous.
<<<>>>
A similar discussion was unfolding in Kumogakure.
The Raikage had just been informed that Konoha's army had remained stationary for days, confirming that the Hidden Leaf was also playing it safe.
"We might as well pull our forces back and stop tiring out our shinobi for no reason," one of the council members remarked with a smirk.
His suggestion was immediately met with Dodai's disapproving frown.
"Keeping our forces at the border puts pressure on Kiri, giving Takimura a fighting chance however slim that may be." His voice was sharp and carried a hint of disappointment, cutting through the room. "At the very least, it ensures that Kiri weakens even more."
Dodai's gaze hardened as he looked at the councilman.
"Is that not worth 'needlessly tiring' our shinobi? And what if we withdraw, and Konoha moves instead? Should we then remobilize the army again?"
His irritation was clear.
From Dodai's perspective, anyone with half a brain should have understood why Kumo's army needed to stay where it was. And yet, time and time again, he had to spell it out.
Dodai's greatest fear wasn't the present. It was what came after.
After he retired, who would control A's temper? Who would balance his aggression with strategy?
The room fell into brief silence, until A finally spoke.
"Anyway, we can't make a move like this," he admitted. "So let's hope Takimura can at least weaken Kiri significantly."
Then, with a smirk, he added, "Old man, I'm bringing B with me. We're heading to the border. I want to put even more pressure on Kiri."
Normally, leaving the village so openly would be out of the question.
But Dodai didn't protest.
He knew full well that Raikage's presence alone would force Kiri to take notice. And right now, that was exactly what they needed.
<<<>>>
Somewhere in the Land of Water, in a hidden camp deep within the mist-covered wilderness, Zabuza Momochi stood before the gathered rebels. His presence was domineering as the massive Kubikiribōchō rested against his back. The faces before him were a mix of seasoned warriors, desperate exiles, and leaders of nearly destroyed clans who had suffered under Yagura's rule.
"The war has started." Started Zabuna in a low, commanding voice.
Everyone already knew it, but hearing it from him made it even more real.
"Takimura is fighting right now. Kiri sent several thousand shinobi to wipe them out. The latest reports say Yagura divided his forces, sending a good chunk to patrol the borders with Konoha and Kumo. Still, Takimura is fighting an enemy they have no chance of surviving against."
He scanned the crowd, watching their expressions shift.
"Normally, this would be a fight we stay out of. Let them kill each other, weaken Kiri in the process. That was the plan, right?"
No one spoke.
Then, a grizzled old man, a former clan head, crossed his arms.
"And what's wrong with that plan?" His tone was grumpy. "Let them butcher each other first. Even if Takimura dies, Kiri will be weakened. We wait. We don't need to throw away our lives for someone else's battle."
A younger shinobi scoffed. "Coward. You want to wait? For what? A chance like this won't come again! If Kiri is busy fighting Takimura, this is our moment! We should hit Yagura's forces now!"
Several murmurs of agreement rippled through the room, but not everyone was convinced.
Another leader, calmer, more measured, spoke next. "I don't disagree that we should act, but let's think first. We don't have enough forces to take Kiri head-on. If we make a move too soon, we'll be wiped out before we get a chance to make a difference."
A tall, broad-shouldered warrior from one of the weaker displaced clans slammed his fist against the table. "We have over a thousand shinobi ready to fight, many of them are jonin-level. If we strike at the right place, we could tip the scales. I say we move."
"Move where, exactly?" the grizzled elder countered. "Do we hit Takimura's battlefield? Do we attack Kiri's main forces? Or do we go straight for Yagura?"
A moment of silence followed.
Everyone knew that attacking Yagura directly was almost suicide. But doing nothing might be even worse.
Zabuza, who had been listening quietly, finally spoke again.
"I don't give a damn about Takimura," he admitted bluntly. "But I do give a damn about Kiri. And if Takimura somehow survives this fight, that means Kiri's lost too many men. That means Yagura's army is spread too thin."
He exhaled through his nose, then smirked slightly.
"We need to decide now. Because a chance like this might never come again."
<<<>>>
Unaware of the events unfolding in other places, Takimura's leadership remained fully focused on the battle.
The clan heads had yet to enter the battlefield, but they would soon make their move - all except Suiren. She had one responsibility, she would be waiting for Yagura. As the only one capable of fighting a Perfect Jinchuriki, Suiren could not afford to engage prematurely.
Meruem was the first to speak,
"Shin's squad has sent nothing but positive reports. They're dominating their opponents."
His eyes flickered toward Akura.
"That obviously means Mei's team is struggling more and more. Kiri must have concentrated their stronger forces in that direction."
The implication was clear. They needed to reinforce Mei's squad immediately.
Most of the Terumi Clan followed her leadership and she was the future of their bloodline. If she or her squad fell, the entire clan's future would be in jeopardy.
Akura exhaled sharply.
"I'll have Shin send a small group to assist her," he decided. "I'll also reposition the Noda Clan squad, they've already eliminated their opponents."
Akura was thoroughly impressed by the Noda Clan's secret technique. He had expected them to be strong, but their performance had been devastating.
At his words, the Noda Clan head simply nodded. He had no objections. He would soon join the fight himself, leading twenty elite warriors from his clan. Every single one of them had suffered at Kiri's hands, forced to flee when Yagura had sent his hunting dog, Mangetsu, to eliminate them.
Now, they were thirsty for blood.
Suiren also spoke.
"Any news about Kaoru and Mizuki?" But in reality, her concern was mostly for Kaoru.
Akura's face darkened slightly.
"Shin reported that Kaoru defeated his opponents, but he's missing." His voice turned stern, clearly irritated. "He's definitely alive, but he disobeyed orders. He was supposed to return, but he didn't."
Akura was furious.
'Even if he does something outstanding, disobedience in war can't be tolerated. I'll scold him later…' His eyes flickered with grim resolve. 'If we survive.'
Suiren frowned but said nothing.
"What about Mizuki?" she asked next.
Akura's expression relaxed slightly, this time with satisfaction.
"She's fully controlling her assigned area."
That meant one critical thing - their retreat route was secure. If they had to retreat, Mizuki's domain would cover their escape.
Akura allowed himself a small smirk, but before Suiren could ask anything else, he added,
"Maki just moved. Her opponent has been spotted and she's going for him."
There was something dark in Akura's eyes. Something close to hatred.
Suiren's breath caught slightly.
"Did she… Did she manage to break through?" Her voice was almost a plea.
**
A/N -
The blizzard finally stopped, it lasted for almost 10 days. I was charging my laptop and phone in my car just to keep things running xD
Still don't have WiFi, though. The provider said they can't fix it until the snow melts… xD
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