Chapter 6: Chapter 6: Chains of Hatred II: Invasion!
Sarutobi Hiruzen sat behind a desk in the Mission Assignment Office puffing slowly on his pipe. The windows were open and a fresh breeze swept gently into the room. His hat on the table in front of him, the Third Hokage allowed the bright sunny day to wash over him and he enjoyed the low buzz of chatter and the call of birds from the distance. It truly was a marvellous day and he could feel his eyes drooping down. Without a care of his Chunin subordinates, the Hokage closed his eyes and exhaled deeply.
It was a marvellous day.
The office was relatively quiet at this particular time- the early-morning queues had been sorted and taken care of and it was still a few hours before the lunch rush would appear, usually the elderly and less urgent chores that would see Genin Teams scurrying about doing everything from gardening to washing dishes to painting fences. Many of the newly-instated Shinobi were seemingly baffled at the tediousness of the missions but it was good for them, Sarutobi thought. A Shinobi Village served the needs of its clientele and Shinobi would complete whatever missions they were allocated, whether the client wanted their dog walked or a country overthrown.
For the sake of prosperity, Sarutobi would sacrifice the pride of some punk Genin who thought the work was beneath them.
"Yosh! What a splendid day, Gai-sensei!"
"Indeed! Come, Team Gai, let us find a new mission for us to complete!"
Sarutobi felt a twitch developing as the two voices grew louder and louder. He kept his eyes closed as many of the Chunin around him grimaced. Sarutobi liked Gai as a shinobi. He was powerful, strangely charismatic and energetic. He got on well with clients, performed each mission with enthusiasm and dedication and filed his paperwork correctly. There was no doubt that the hand-to-hand combat master was one of the most powerful shinobi on Konoha's roster. None in the Village could best the eccentric Jonin at his art, his ninjutsu was sparse but rare and quite powerful and his genjutsu were surprisingly potent. All in all, Gai had earned his A-rank with ease and was one of the few Jonin who continued to climb higher and higher towards S-rank territory.
Yes, Sarutobi liked Gai as a Shinobi. As a person, however, there were few others who could bring about such a powerful headache.
"Ah, Hokage-sama!" Gai boomed out from across the hall. Sarutobi grunted and opened his eyes, looking grumpy. "How are you this fine day?"
The Hokage muttered something inaudible as he yawned, his lethargy leaving him as pure youth flowed through him merely by association with the spandex-wearing bowl-haired man. Bright white teeth gleamed as Gai's Genin Team followed up. The little-Gai was just as headache-inducing as his Jonin Instructor but the Hyuuga appeared resigned by Gai's behaviour and the girl just looked sheepish.
"I am well, Gai," Sarutobi said a little snappily. There went a perfectly good afternoon snooze. "Has your team come for another mission?"
"Indeed we have!" Gai grinned and flashed thumbs up. "We have already weeded Konoha's public gardens in record time!" He paused and glanced around. "Oh. Hokage-sama, where is your youthful aide?"
"Ferret is on an A-ranked mission," Sarutobi replied as he reached for the D-rank mission scroll.
Gai seemed to ponder this and it was the intelligence that flashed in his eyes that was what Sarutobi believed made Gai truly dangerous. Beneath his exuberant and somewhat-annoying personality was the mind of a shinobi who could look underneath the underneath and connect the dots.
"I see!" Lee chimed in. He clenched his fist. "Ferret-kun has truly been blessed with the springtime of youth! I shall train even harder to match his genius!"
"Heh," Sarutobi uttered in amusement.
Perhaps one day Lee would be giving Naruto the same headaches that his Jonin Instructor gave the Third. The Hokage was reading over the D-ranked mission scroll in no particular hurry when a puff of smoke burst from nowhere. Sarutobi saw Gai instantly tense and relax as the summoning technique became clear.
"Oh?" Sarutobi muttered, raising his eyebrows.
A small brown monkey chattered excitedly as it appeared in the room. Ignoring the somewhat-bemused stares of many of the Chunin and clients, it bounded over to the Hokage with a curious lumpy parcel in its hands. Sarutobi took it from the monkey and felt cloth and cold metal in his hand. With a flutter, the cloth unravelled and something white fell to the ground. It clattered there, the sound resounding quite loudly as Sarutobi stared at it grimly.
Pieces of a white porcelain ANBU mask lay there, cracked and smeared with the muck and bloodied grime. Absently, a part of Sarutobi's mind noted the distinct patters and put a name to the shattered remains of the mask- the first one was definitely a piece from Dog-2, a member of Gamma Team's Fourth Squad. The second was too smashed and scorched for him to recognise. They spoke of a tale to Sarutobi. There had been a battle. There were casualties. Naruto was still alive. There was a situation urgent enough that required immediate communication with the Hokage.
All this passed in an instant as Sarutobi turned to the rest of the parcel. The Genin Team looked confused and Lee was just about to speak but Gai's hand shot up and for once the Jonin was silent, his face sombre and serious as he too gazed at the package.
Sarutobi opened up the paper deftly and laid it flat on his table. It was a field map, extending from Fire Country's South-Eastern border. Sarutobi's eyes took in the detail- the large red 'X' drawn over the ANBU rest station, the number circled and underlined in the corner. Konoha had also been circled, arrows pointing at it with a rough estimation of speed. He flipped the map over. There were crude and hurried sketches, quick dot points of vital information had been scrawled down in a rush. His eyes swung to the last object and with steady hands he turned it over.
As soon as he saw the symbol staring back at him defiantly, he understood.
The room froze. The walls trembled and the wooden floorboards creaked as a huge swell of force blanketed the area. The Genin were paralysed, each limb locked in place by the sheer intent behind the chakra. Gai looked deathly serious and the Chunin froze in their duties. Many of the clients looked absolutely petrified. The incredible pressure weighed down on them all but it was not suffocating killing intent that poured forward.
Each one could feel the heavy iron-laden will roar into existence as Sarutobi Hiruzen rose from his chair, the God of Shinobi emerging from his aged counterpart. The Hokage snapped his fingers and two ANBU appeared before him, their heads bowed as they weathered the pure force emanating from their leader.
"I am declaring a Level 3 Emergency!" Sarutobi thundered. "Sounds all alarms! All non-combatants are to evacuate at once! All Shinobi forces are to report to defensive stations immediately! Prepare the ANBU and assemble the Council!" His brown eyes were cold and hard. "We are now at war!"
At roughly midday, the peaceful tranquility of the Village Hidden in Leaves was broken by a loud wailing siren that tore through the air. Flocks of birds screeched as they burst from the trees and tens of thousands of men and women froze all at once. The siren rose up to an almost head-splitting screech and began to fall. A moment later, the Konoha burst into a flurry of activity as preparation began to take place. A voice began to calmly speak, amplified by a technique that made it echo all over the village as shinobi began to move to their designated stations.
"Attention: A Level 3 Emergency has been declared. Attention: A Level 3 Emergency has been declared. This is not a drill. I repeat: this is not a drill. All combat personnel are to attend their action stations. All non-combat personnel are to evacuate into their designated safe-zone. Seek immediate assistance if you are unable to evacuate. I repeat, seek immediate assistance if you are unable to evacuate. Attention: a Level 3 Emergency has been declared…"
The Third Hokage appeared on the top level of the Hokage's Tower and immediately swung his eyes out to his village. The woman's loud calm voice continued to repeat the same instructions and he saw hundreds of Shinobi pouring through the streets and jumping on the roofs, rushing to their various defensive positions. Hoards of milling civilians and non-combatants were scurrying into buildings, seeking the safety of the tunnels and shelters that led them to the mass-evacuation area underneath the Hokage's Monument. Despite the urgency of the situation, Sarutobi felt proud as he saw the men and women under his command following their training and working together.
Two small puffs of smoke appeared in the room as Koharu Utane and Homura Mitokado appeared. They wore a white ornamental cloak but underneath were glimpses of flak-jackets and utility pouches. They were as old as the Third Hokage was yet they two were listed as Jonin on the Shinobi Roster and for good reason.
"Hiruzen," Homura greeted quietly. His voice was sombre as both he and Koharu joined him in observing the Village reactions. "What new crisis threatens us now?"
"Hardly new," Sarutobi replied quietly. He passed Koharu the headband he had received and saw the dawning comprehension in her eyes.
"I see," she said softly. "So it's come to this once more. Sky Country has returned."
"The cycle continues," Homura murmured as he took in the symbol of the Sky Country's Hidden Village. "They, who we destroyed them in the Second Shinobi War, will now try to destroy us."
"They will try," Sarutobi said. His voice was as hard as stone. "The Will of Fire is with us. They will not succeed."
The Third Hokage turned around as he felt more and more Shinobi gathered around them. Nara Shikaku joined them looking unnaturally sharp and focussed, the Jonin Commander muttering furiously with a continuous stream of aides as he organised the Village's defences. Four white shapes blurred into the room as the porcelain masks of the ANBU captains appeared. There wasn't even a flicker of movement as the ANBU Commander appeared, his silver mask gleaming in the sunlight. More shinobi appeared, Jonin Squad Leaders and Defence Team Captains.
They assembled before him and waited patiently.
Sarutobi took a deep breath and began. "Earlier this morning an ANBU Rest House was attacked by enemy shinobi," he said quietly. The room was still as the siren blared and the instructions continued to repeat themselves. "They managed to send back vital information regarding the composition and identity of their attackers, as well as their current bearing." He paused. "It was Sky Country," he finished gravely.
His advisors remained still as a ripple of shock spread across those Shinobi older enough to remember the Second Shinobi War.
"Sky Country?" Gai repeated. "I have never heard of such a place."
"You wouldn't have," Nara Shikaku interrupted. The man's eyes were darting round furiously as he began to formulate strategies and make connections. "They were a moderately large group of Shinobi who entered the Second War attempting to overthrow the Five Great Nations. Konoha defeated them forty-years ago." He frowned. "If I recall correctly, Sky Nin used advanced technology to supplement their offensive power. They lacked the resources and knowledge of the Five Great Villages and focussed on small personal weaponry and mobile-platforms."
"Indeed," Sarutobi said solemnly. "This will be an aerial attack on the village."
Hyuuga Hiashi inhaled sharply. "There has not been a direct military attack against the village for quite some time. Barring the attack of the Nine-Tailed Demon Fox, we have successfully prevented such an occurrence since the First Shinobi War."
"Although an aerial attack explains how the enemy bypassed our border guards," Akimichi Chouza rumbled.
"An aerial attack?" Sarutobi Asuma questioned. He scratched at his chin. "Is such a thing possible?"
"It has never been demonstrated as a legitimate military doctrine," Homura replied. His glasses glinted. "Nonetheless, by the time the sun sets we shall soon see just how effective it is."
"The number of enemy range in the late hundreds, if not a thousand," Sarutobi continued. "Each Sky Nin possesses a device that allows them to fly. They are equipped with advanced weaponry- propelled launchers that are able to throw kunai at incredible speeds and with incredible force and small spheres that can explode with the force of a Class One explosive note. Furthermore, they appear to be in possession of a mobile flying platform that allows them to deliver a devastating attack to an area immediately below it."
The surrounding Shinobi burst into mutters, quietly talking with each other as they digested the news. Nara Shikaku looked thoughtful as he absorbed the new data while the ANBU Commander shifted.
"At present, we have a force of 2128 active Shinobi in the village," the Commander said. His or her voice was monotone and sounded artificial in nature. Nothing could be seen behind the mask. "Approximately 6250 of our armed forces are currently engaged in missions around Fire Country and can be recalled in a matter of days. We have several thousand shinobi deployed on international missions."
"We outnumber them but they are better equipped," Shikaku murmured. "They've also had forty years to gather intelligence and strategize where we have half a day. This will become bothersome."
"Bravo and Epsilon Teams will provide security for Konoha's priority infrastructure," Sarutobi declared and the muttering halted. "Omega Team will be on standby to repel invaders who penetrate past the outer defences! Hunter Teams 'Omicron' and 'Lambda' will target the enemy's mobile platforms. We shall designate these targets as 'Bombers'. The Communication Department will coordinate between local garrison commanders to engage the enemy!"
"And," the ANBU Commander interjected. "Recon Squad 'Kappa' will replace Sigma Squad's priority role and aid in the defence of the Hokage."
The ANBU's voice held no emotion whatsoever and Sarutobi accepted this with a grudging nod.
"Nara Shikaku has full operational control!" He declared firmly. "I shall join the field of battle and hold position here."
Captain's Bird, Boar and Dog exchanged looks. "We protest, Hokage-sama," Dog said quietly.
"Your protest is noted," Sarutobi acknowledged. "However, I will not let my village burn as I cower away in a bunker. At this present time, Nara Shikaku has full control over Konoha's military forces. Should I be killed in action, Protocol-7 will be enacted. Shinobi, remember what you fight for and defend our home. Dismissed!"
Sarutobi turned away from the Council and stared out at the village. He felt his former teammates take his side and smiled grimly, knowing that they too would not be dissuaded. As the chakra presences of ANBU Recon Team Kappa surrounded the, Sarutobi watched the skies and waited for the enemy.
He would not have to wait long.
Naruto wiped the sweat from his head as he finished tying the bandage around his arm. Several kunai had punctured his cloak. While most had blunted on his armour, one had struck his exposed upper arm and sliced a good chunk of muscle and flesh off. The pristine-white bandages were already beginning to darken with red but the young blond ANBU ignored it as he donned his cloak. He could feel the medical chakra pre-soaked into the bandages settling in his arm as he jumped up and donned his mask.
"I'm all patched up," he called out to his remaining teammates.
Towa looked pleased as he crouched beside Komachi. The Squad Captain had ingested a blood clotting pill and Towa had patched her superficial wounds. A thick bandage was woven around her head, the medical chakra imbued in it rushing into the split scalp and easing the pain in her head. Towa himself had come out of the fight relatively unscathed- but because of that he had been the one to enact ANBU Directive 7.
There was nothing left of Frog and Dog-2- not even ashes.
Despite the relative good health of the surviving members of Squad 4, the mood in the air was grim and tense. The attack had come suddenly and without warning and they had failed to defend their post. The enemy had taken the lives of their comrades and they had been powerless to avenge them. In Naruto's heart burned a terrible ache of deep roaring hatred. The symbol of the enemy haunted him and in a rather detached way he noted that he had never felt as savage and angry as he did right at that particular moment.
It was only the thought of the Third Hokage that allowed him to keep his emotions bottled up. If the information was received by the Hokage in time then the incoming aerial invasion would meet a fully prepared and alert village, thousands of Shinobi ready to defend their precious home with their very lives. That gave Naruto comfort. By surviving, they had dealt a massive blow against the enemy and could very well have saved tens of thousands of lives with the vital intelligence they had sent back.
The rational part of him- the one that Sarutobi had drew out of him with cold logic and brutal truth- knew that the lives of Dog-2 and Frog had been worth the intelligence they had gathered. The emotional part of him just strewed and despised the fact that he could even think that.
Something tugged at the edge of his mind and Naruto instantly focussed. He raised his hand and snapped his fingers. "We have incoming!" He muttered.
Towa twitched in annoyance and his hands blazed a series of seals. Illusion: Mirage of the Forest! A steady field of chakra rose around both he and Komachi, he was staggering to her knees as she gripped a gleaming senbon in her hand. The moment a shinobi entered the shimmering waves of expanding invisible chakra they would be gripped by the illusion and see nothing but trees and swirling leaves.
There was no need.
Naruto felt his ANBU tattoo pulse and held up his hand. The approaching shinobi were ANBU- perhaps it was another squad from Gamma Team. They waited as the Shinobi- three, Naruto concluded as they came closer- leapt into the clearing. They appeared with a flicker of movement right before Naruto- and they were good. If he had blinked, he would have missed them arriving.
"Identify," Naruto commanded. There was no hesitation in his voice.
"Iota Squad, Recon Squad 4 of Konoha's ANBU Division," came the soft, almost too-quiet reply of the head of the three Shinobi. "I am Squad Captain Kage. Accompanying me is Crow-3 and Snake-5."
The man lifted his head and Naruto saw a pure-black porcelain mask staring back at him. There were two white dots where the eyes should have been and when combined with the effect of the dark ANBU cloak produced an eerie effect indeed. There seemed to be no end to the darkness in the hood and for a split-second Naruto almost became lost in the two white dots of light as they sucked him in and beyond. Then, with a subtle shake, he dispelled the illusion.
"I am Ferret, Sigma Squad attached to Gamma Team's Fourth Squad," Naruto introduced. He nodded at the two members of the recon squad, who had been standing behind him all along. Behind them was Towa and Komachi, the two combat ANBU lowering their weapons cautiously. "This is Komachi, Squad Captain of Gamma's Fourth Squad, and Towa."
"Status?" Kage asked as he rose from the ground.
Naruto grimaced from behind his mask. "Two dead, one moderate injury," he said. "We were attacked by a group of unknown shinobi. They were able to fly and they wore a gold machine on their backs."
Kage nodded. "Sky Country," he said. His voice seemed naturally soft. "They have attacked up and down the southern border. We saw no signs of the rest of Gamma Team but there was significant battle-damage in many areas. We encountered a group of twelve. I lost three men to them."
Naruto paused for a moment out of respect. "A large group of them flew overhead about twenty-five minutes ago," he informed the other group. "Their bearing put them in line with Konoha."
"Their speed would indicate that they will only be a few moments off their destination," Komachi broke in. Her voice sounded wobbly but she stood firm. "They might already be there."
Snake-5 took a step forward. "Yamanaka Yuuka, codenamed Snake-5," she introduced. Her voice was pleasantly smooth. "I'm the communications and interrogation expert. Is there time to send a message?"
"I sent a summon creature that should have arrived by now," Naruto answered. Snake-5 sighed in obvious relief. "We'll have to trust in our comrades to defend our home."
The ice was broken. As a courtesy, the ANBU took off their masks and observed their comrades faces. Naruto had seen Komachi before, a grey-eyed woman with two light-brown bangs dropping from her head and the rest of her hair tired up in an elaborate senbon-filled bun. Towa a dark-brown haired man with red lines tattooed down his face. Crow-3 turned out to be a member of the Hyuuga clan with short-cropped black hair, pure white eyes and a black seal imprinted on his forehead. Yuuka was a slender and lean blonde girl in her teens with bright blue eyes and smile that made something twist uncomfortable in Naruto's stomach, while Kage was a young man in his early twenties with non-descript looks.
Naruto was so busy analysing them that he missed them analysing him. Crow-3, Hyuuga Daichi, looked impressed and whistled quietly to himself while Yuuka's mouth dropped.
"Aw!" she cooed and reached over to pinch his cheek. "Why, don't you look so cute?"
Naruto swatted her hand away in annoyance. She pulled it back and grinned, placing her hands on her cheeks. "Aren't you a big tough ANBU…" she sang in a babyish voice. Naruto had developed a twitch above his eye as he narrowed them at the pretty girl.
"Yuuka," Kage said tiredly. "Stop poking the Combat-Squad ANBU before he sets you on fire."
"Oh, poohey," Yuuka pouted. She folded her arms. "You're no fun."
Komachi, Towa and Daichi were chatting quietly, each of them clearly relieved to see other Konoha shinobi while Kage and Naruto walked a little further away from the group. The rather bland-looking ANBU turned to Naruto and observed the young boy carefully.
"Have you taken command?" he asked abruptly.
Naruto went to shake his head and paused. "Komachi is still the squad-leader but we'll have to see if her head injury affects her judgement. Until them, I suppose I am."
"I was contemplating taking my squad back to Konoha," Kage said. He gazed off into the distance. "Perhaps we can link up with other shinobi in the surrounding regions and assist with the defence of the village."
Naruto bit his lip. He definitely wanted to go back to the Village as soon as he could. Even now, his stomach clenched as he thought about the incoming danger. Konoha could be under attack right now. He wanted to go, but…
"I think we should stay," Naruto said quietly. "This was a safe-zone for the surrounding patrols. We should regroup with Gamma Team and continue to patrol the border. The air attack might only be the start of an invasion and there'll be nobody left to fight if we leave.
Kage paused. "I had considered that," he admitted. "Very well. We'll stay to assist you."
Naruto shook the man's hand firmly and together they walked back to the group.
During the founding of the Konoha, the First Hokage and the Senju clan had worked together with Uchiha Madara and the Uchiha clan to design and construct the village. Both clans were powerful and over the course of centuries of warfare had made many enemies, none who were happy at the idea of the two strongest clans in the Elemental Countries allying with each other. The village was designed on the principle that their enemies could- and would- eventually launch an attack to settle old feuds. The Hokage's Office and the vital administrative buildings that would eventually become the Shinobi Academy were tucked away underneath a mountain range. Konoha's hospital was built a little further out from the mountain but still maintained a close distance with the other two areas. Together, these three blocks of land were deemed important strategic assets and in the event of an invasion were to be protected at all costs.
The residential and small industrial areas of Konoha branched out in a circular arc from them, mazes and rows of street designed to form a rather misshapen heap. It wasn't uncommon for alleys to be suddenly blocked in or walls to disappear and form new paths every other week as Konoha's Intelligence Division launched counter-intelligence efforts against attempts at espionage. Surrounding the village were enormous walls which spanned even higher than the tallest building in Konoha. These walls were part of a collaborative project between the Leaf Village and Whirlpool Village. Powerful- and now lost- sealing techniques stopped the application of chakra as an adhesive surface on the outer edge of the wall. Shinobi were unable to climb over them- like everybody else they would have to use the single and easily defensible gate. The walls had only ever been breached twice- once during the devastating First War which saw enemy siege equipment use pure force to break them down and once only twelve years ago when the corrosive and devastating potent chakra of the Nine-Tailed Demon Fox proved to be too strong for the walls to repel- right before the Third Hokage and repelled the enormous fox right through it and out of the Village.
With stockpiles of food to last months, the ability to produce new weapons and enormous walls and gates that would resist some of the most powerful techniques known to man, any army attempting to take the Village would walk into a bloodbath. The other Hidden Villages had also been constructed to suit the advantage of those inside and Iwa, Suna, Kiri and Kumo had just equally formidable defences.
Unfortunately, neither the Senju nor the Uchiha had ever once considered the possibility of a large aerial attack- and with good reason. Flight was extremely rare. There were some techniques that could emulate it and a few summoning contracts amongst the clans of birds but these were limited and not applicable for a battalion of shinobi, let alone a division.
Sky Country was the first true and only master of airborne warfare.
Sarutobi watched from his vantage point atop the roof of the Hokage's Tower, his dark eyes peeled at the sky. The traditional robes of the Hokage were gone and he wore and somewhat antiquated but still highly-effective set of plated and mesh armour. His two teammates, Homura and Koharu, stood on his left and right, each contemplating the implications of the battle which was to come.
An ANBU squad surrounded them all, each member crouched down and ready to defend the Hokage with their lives. Below them, the village of Konoha was almost deserted. Jonin Leaders organised platoons of Chunin around designated defence zones while three ANBU Combat Platoons patrolled around Konoha's critical assets, white porcelain masks gleaming in the sun.
"It's a beautiful day to go to war," Koharu murmured almost wistfully. Her voice sounded melancholic. "I'm reminded of the very first battle during the First Shinobi War. It started looking a lot like this."
Homura scoffed. "It's never a good day to go to war in your own home," he disagreed quietly. "For decades we've kept the enemy away from the Village. Now they're simply going to fly over everything we constructed to keep them out."
"They were always dangerous," Koharu admitted. "It's why we destroyed them."
"We killed them and destroyed their home and they hated us," Sarutobi said quietly. The wind on the horizon was cool. "Now, they come to kill us and destroy our home and we will hate them. Perhaps, in another few decades, we shall go and kill them again- a cycle that goes on and on."
Koharu and Homura shared a look behind the Third Hokage's back.
"You sound like your student," Homura said after a few moments. It hadn't sounded like a compliment.
"He can be wise when he chooses to be," Sarutobi replied with a ghost of a smile.
"Wise isn't quite the word I would have used," Koharu murmured under her breath.
Sarutobi chuckled and the tension amongst the group of veterans was broken. Suddenly a bell began to toll on the other side of the village. Sarutobi's head shot up and he squinted against the glare of the sun. Another bell rang and then another and soon the village filled of noise. The Third Hokage could just see them in the sky, a series of black specks high above in the clear sky.
"They come with the sun behind them," Homura observed grimly. "How clever."
"They will have tactics that we cannot predict," Koharu added.
"Put our faith in Shikaku. He has guided our forces well in the past," Sarutobi reminded them. "Look sharp- they come!"
With the sun behind their backs and the visibility of the defenders limited, the first wave of Sky Nin soared towards the Village, numbering in the hundreds at least. They stayed out of range as best they could, weaving around ninjutsu as the first of the Leaf Nin began attack. As they began to glide over the massive imposing walls, small black dots fell from the back of the golden contraptions strapped to their backs. They dropped to the ground and struck at the walls and outer residences. With a sudden tremble, massive gouts of fire detonated from where they lay and explosions rocked through the village. Their bombs dropped, the Sky Nin abruptly dove, swooping past the shattered defences and into the Village. More bombs dropped and flashes of fire and lightning began to fill the sky. Metal crashed against metal as kunai blitzed through the air as the vengeful enemies began their invasion.
Sarutobi saw a tower explode in a shower of wood, the Shinobi inside instantly killed, and drew himself up. The chakra inside of him stirred. It was not as plentiful as it had once been but that did not reflect much. Long before Hoshigaki Kisame was even born there were many who had once compared the God of Shinobi to the Tailed Beasts- a man with enormously large and potent chakra able to lay waste to entire fields of armies. Even in his old age, he far outstripped most of the current generation of shinobi.
"Another wave!" Homura called out.
"I see them," Sarutobi murmured. His chakra flared and the ANBU around him involuntarily stiffened as a heavy and suffocating presence began to crush down all around them. His teammates remained unaffected as they raised their hands in preparation. "We shall repel the enemy's explosives!"
His hands came together and the three old warriors, each in their late sixties, worked in unison. Hands flicked through seals with disgusting ease and chakra melded together seamlessly as they each brought their hands up.
Wind Release: Vacuum Shockwave Sphere!
Koharu and Homura supplied much of the elemental chakra as Sarutobi focussed on the shape of the technique. He brought his hands up, gathering enormous quantities of air from all over the village, and the wind howled all around them. The dark cloaks of the ANBU flapped madly as Sarutobi concentrated and slowly dragged his hands down. They moved sluggishly, as if encounter a lot of resistance and at the centre of the village the air rippled and the winds howled with the power of a restrained tornado. With a deep breath, Sarutobi brought his hands down and pulled apart the air in front of him with a loud grunt.
From the middle of the village came a resounding boom as a massive quantity of air was instantly displaced. From the rippling air came a shockwave of high-speed winds that spread around the village in all directions. The second wave of Sky Nin, again numbering over a hundred, buckled and wobbled furiously in the air as they were hit by the outer edge of the shockwave. The explosive spheres they had dropped were lifted up and propelled away from the ground, many exploding in the air and taking a few of the flying attackers with them. For the most part, however, Sarutobi was irritated as he saw most of the enemy shinobis adjust to the new winds with an ease brought on by complete control of their flying machines.
"How annoying," Koharu remarked as she lowered her hands, not even looking winded from her part in the collaborative technique.
"They seem to be able to adjust to wind techniques quite easily," Homura agreed.
"Hokage-sama!" one of the ANBU called out. "I have observed the enemy with my Byakugan! Chakra is flowing over the wings. It's making the air flow over the top faster, allowing them to fly! That is why they can withstand the wind techniques!"
"Understood!" Sarutobi turned his head. "Rat-6! Transmit that data to Command. Wind Techniques are ineffective. Resort to other measures!"
The rat-masked ANBU nodded and placed a finger against his mask. He placed his other palm on the roof, telepathically communicating the information using Yamanaka mind techniques.
At the same time, the same cool female's voice that had given out the evacuation instructions blared out from all sides of the village.
"You have come here only to die, Sky Nin!" the woman said solemnly. "Your comrades will fall be taken away from you. Your blood will be spilled here and your country will gain nothing. Why do you fight? What are you fighting for? Why do you attack? Your ancestors sacrificed their lives so that their descendants may live and you waste it all on this?"
"Hiruzen! Over the monument!" Homura called, whirling around.
"Incoming!" Koharu declared. Her face tightened. "I count a dozen!"
"ANBU!" Kappa's Squad Captain called out. "Protect the Hokage and the Council!"
Sarutobi spun around and watched as the two squadrons of Sky Nin descended upon them. The ANBU blurred as they rose up. Metal glinted as kunai and shuriken shot through the sky. Some of them exploded in puffs of black and grey, needle-sized splinters shooting through the air in an explosion of flak. Sarutobi crossed his arms over his face and felt several impacts over his armguards, blocking a volley of kunai aimed at his vital points. Koharu stood forward, her hands blurring in a familiar signs, while Homura formed a tiger seal and waited. Unspoken understanding passed between them and Sarutobi formed his own seals.
Koharu finished first. Illusionary Technique: Bringer of Darkness! She spread out her hands and her chakra settled down on the enemy shinobi like a restrictive net. For the Sky Nin, it must have been terrifying as they were suddenly surrounded by swirling darkness- their visions completely suppressed. Some of them instinctively used the Release technique but Koharu was far too adept for her illusions to be shrugged off that easily.
The Sky Nin scattered and slowed, Sarutobi finished next. Wind Release: Breath of the Sage! He flung his hands up and brought them down. With them came a shrieking column of wind that slammed into them from underneath. Some of them cried out in dismay as the wind beneath their wings suddenly moved faster than the wind on top. Effectively, Sarutobi nullified their ability to fly and they began to drop to the ground like bricks.
Homura finished up. Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique. He held his hand up to his mouth and a flash of heat and fire exploded from his lips. It expanded and enveloped into a decently-sized sphere of burning flame. Homura followed by raising his hands. Shinobi Technique: Web of the Red Spider! Using complex shape manipulation, a series of chakra strings shot from the tips of his fingers and into the fireball. It broke apart as Homura sent multiple streaks of fire surging through the air and into the now defenceless enemy.
A moment later, the scorched and burning enemies hit the ground with a thud. Sarutobi heaved a sigh and turned to the ANBU.
"Two of you go and make sure they're dead," he ordered. Two of the ANBU nodded and disappeared in a blur of movement.
Sarutobi took the moment's respite to observe the battle. Explosions continued to rock the air as waves upon waves of Sky Nin soared between buildings and dropped their bombs. Kunai flashed through the air as they levelled their launchers and pounded through the windows and walls, aiming at the squads of Shinobi's hiding inside. Smoke was beginning to rise as the village burned. There were several dozen squadrons of Sky Nin attacking the Academy and the Hospital, keeping the ANBU Platoons busy. Flashes of lightning and fire sparked all over the village as Konoha Shinobi resorted to ninjutsu. Overall though, the attackers seemed happy enough to lay waste to the outer buildings of Konoha and were methodically wiping out building after building. A tall, orange-tiled clock tower shuddered as an explosion took out a large chunk of its side and it careened over, falling into the rest of Konoha with a deafening roar.
"This is tragic," Homura whispered. Smoke and embers rose from the burning village, blowing over the Hokage Tower. "I have wished to never see our village burn again."
"Buildings can be replaced," Koharu consoled him, placing an arm on his shoulder. "We have entrusted the Will of Fire to the next generation, who we fight to protect. Konoha will live on no matter how many buildings they destroy."
The woman's voice had been replaced with a man's voice now, gritty and rough, and he shouted at the enemy with reckless abandon.
"You stupid fools!" He thundered. "Of all the villages, Konoha is the strongest! Look at your dead comrades! They died for nothing! We will kill you all! You have started a war you cannot win! You are condemned to die a miserable death along with the rest of your loved ones! Your families will die! Your women will weep and beg and your children will hang from the trees! We will burn your homes, destroy your armies and salt your land! That shall be the price you pay for your hubris!"
"Hokage-sama!" Rat-6 called out, a hand pressed against her head. "Command reports that the targets designated as 'Bombers' are approaching the village!"
Sarutobi could see them, the strange machines flying over their single-manned brethren. There were only four that he could see as they slowly hovered past the village walls. Squadrons of Fliers guarded them, pounding at the ground and Leaf Nin in a wave of brutal suppressing fire. The Hokage watched them with narrowed eyes as Koharu stepped forward.
"If you would, Homura," she asked softly.
Homura nodded and inhaled deeply. He formed a sign, titled his head back and spat out a large globe of water. It shot into the sky as a swirling mass that quickly began to lose form when gravity took hold of it. As it slowed and reached the apex of its ascent, Koharu formed a series of signs. Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet Technique!
The mass of water twisted in on itself and a giant dragon of liquid roared into the heavens and sped across the village. Koharu held the ox sign as she directed her technique at the nearest enemy Bomber. It arced through the air, past the defensive screen of Fliers, and shot towards the three-manned contraption. There was a sudden jerk and Koharu twitched and suddenly the chakra-generated dragon veered off, spinning around wildly and dispersing in a sudden spray of water.
"What happened?" Sarutobi asked his female teammate. Koharu was still standing strong but the strain of multiple high-level techniques was beginning to show. She reached into her pouch and pulled out a small black soldier pill.
"Sir!" the Hyuuga ANBU called out again. "From what I observed, the enemy bomber is using the chakra of three to power its flight. It works on the same principle as the other machine. However, the use of the additional chakra is creating an effect somewhat similar to the Hyuuga technique Kaiten! There is a sphere of rotating chakra circling the Bomber! Koharu-sama's technique did not having the piercing quality to penetrate it!"
Sarutobi didn't even need to order Rat-6 to report and he watched as the Bombers began to slow down. The furthest one stopped over the river, hovering over the moderately large brick bridge. Something protruded from the end and there was a build-up of light and bolts of purple electric-like chakra. A flash of light slammed down into the bridge and it disappeared in a cone of destructive fire that instantly vaporised not only the bridge but a good portion of the buildings one either side. Purple bolts of electricity sparkled around the thick plume of black smoke as it rose into the air.
"What on Earth?" Homura gasped as he felt the building rumble beneath him. "What a devastating technique!"
"Hiruzen!" Koharu called out. "From behind!"
Sarutobi whirled around. One of the bombers had come from over the monument. For a moment, the Third Hokage feared that the craft would stop and begin to attack through the mountain and into the evacuation centre hidden deep inside. Instead, he glided over and began to slowly make its way towards the Hokage's Tower. A wave of Sky Nin advanced before it, two dozen or so enemy Shinobi on an attack vector towards them.
"If the Hokage's Tower is hit by that much concentrated chakra…" Homura muttered worriedly.
"Supress the advance guard!" Sarutobi called out. He bit his finger and formed some signs. "I will destroy the Bomber!"
He slammed his hand down on the ground as his two teammates stepped in front of him and worked with the ANBU to send a volley of fiery streaks through the air. Smoke exploded in front of him and Sarutobi straightened as Enma, the Monkey King, appeared.
"So Naruto was right," Enma rumbled. His yellow eyes surveyed the Village with something like anger as the well-polished Leaf Headband on his head glittered. "Perhaps I will not punish him for ordering me to reverse-summon one of the little infants."
"Enma! Use the Transformation Technique and be prepared for a Replacement Technique!" Sarutobi barked. He gestured at the enemy Bomber, which approached closer and closer as its defensive screen darted around it, combatting the ANBU and Council members. "We will destroy that machine before it can unleash its weapon!"
"Understood!" Enma nodded.
He disappeared in a puff of smoke and Sarutobi reached out and grabbed the adamantine staff. Sarutobi held it under his arm and levelled the tip of it so it was pointing at the bomber.
"Go!" He thundered.
With a streak of black, Enma elongated and shot forward with incredible force. The same drawn-out staff that pushed the Nine-Tailed Demon Fox out of the Village clipped one of the Fliers and turned the shinobi flying it into mush as it rocketed past the defensive screen of Fliers and approached the bomber. For a moment it looked as if it would overshoot but suddenly a large hairy arm lashed out from the side of the staff and a strong meaty hand grabbed at the nearest metal pod. Behind it, the Sky Nin jerked in surprise. He fumbled behind him, reaching for a blade, as the head and torso of Enma the Monkey King appeared from the end of the staff. Enma ducked the first swipe and caught the second in his powerful grip. He ripped the sword out of the shinobi's hands and tossed it away.
The shinobi leaned back as Enma flashed through a series of hand-seals and suddenly he glowed. On the roof of the Hokage's Tower, Sarutobi also glowed and the two of them transformed into glowing orbs of shining light with a long black bar in between them. In a flash, Enma's orb of light rocketed downwards towards the ground and Sarutobi went up towards the sky. The orbs approach each other, passed through and exchanged spots. Enma reappeared on the roof, his feet digging into the tiles, his left arm gripping his right- which was still transformed and wobbling in the air. On the other end, Sarutobi reappeared on the tip of Enma's staff, staring down at the Sky Nin in front of him with death in his eyes.
"No!" the man screamed as Sarutobi leapt at his pod, half-a-dozen shuriken in his fist. He threw them at the Sky Nin as he landed on all fours in front of him. His right hand darted forward, slamming the man's face up and exposing his neck. His left gripped a kunai and shoved in the side of the shinobi's neck. The Third Hokage jerked it across and stood, his enemy already forgotten. His kunai fell from his grip and it bobbed around him, dangling from a piece of wire that was coiled around Sarutobi's finger.
Fire Release: Flame Dragon Bullet Technique!
Sarutobi breathed out a stream of fire and held his hands apart. The fire roared as it broke into two different currents, one following his left hand and slamming into the second occupied pod and another curving around as his right hand did and exploded on the third. The two pods exploded in a shower of splintered metal and wood and the humming of the machine instantly stopped.
Sarutobi's eyes narrowed and pressed against the pod he was standing on. Chakra fed into his feet and he propelled himself off the pod and onto the centre of the machine as it began to slowly descend. With a show of chakra-enhanced strength similar to his former student, Sarutobi ripped open a metal panel and flicked his right hand. Behind the panel, a large, bare-chested and muscular shinobi jerked in surprise. Sarutobi's left hand slammed forward and gripped him mercilessly by the neck as the wire in his right hand pulled the kunai into his palm. The Third Hokage's eyes darted around the small compartment, memorising everything he saw in an instant, as he reversed his grip and brought the kunai directly across into the veiled-man's temple.
Sarutobi hurled the kunai back at the first pod and flicked the air with his other hand. Explosive notes slapped onto the metal compartment and sizzled. Sarutobi pulled himself back to the first pod, jumped on the black staff still protruding out in the air and tapped it sharply. On the ground, Enma pulled back on his arm and the staff shortened, taking Sarutobi down from the Bomber. On the way down the Third Hokage absently cut the wire on his finger and flicked it through the air, where it coiled around a Flier's contraption and sent the kunai attached to the end neatly through the Sky Nin's eye-socket. An instant later, Sarutobi touched back down on the roof in a graceful crouch, two fingers held straight in one hand.
"Detonate!"
As the veering bomber exploded in a tremendous ball of fire, the God of Shinobi rose from the ground. There was none of the kindness, cheerfulness or grumpiness that many of the newer generation only knew him for. This was the face of the man that had led his Village through three separate world wars- and was prepared to lead it again in a fourth. The Fliers abruptly withdrew and his teammates walked back to where he was standing.
"You're still as reckless as ever," Homura chided. His armour was singed and the tip of a kunai lay embedded in one of his arm-guards.
"It's to be expected," Koharu sighed.
Sarutobi grunted in response and watched the battle occurring over the village. The female voice was talking again in soothing tones, her voice echoing loudly over the village.
"There is no hope left for you," she said and she sounded truly sympathetic. "Our Village will crush you and grind you to dust. This is not a threat- this is a fact. This is the inevitable conclusion of this attack. Surrender. Lower your weapons and offer yourself up to the nearest Leaf Nin. Mercy will be shown. Names will be taken. Your families and loved ones will be spared. You can still come out of this alive and happy. Surrender. Please. Let us show you mercy."
One of the bombers near the Hospital was in flames as the ANBU platoons coordinated an effective defence. As he watched, another bomber disappeared underneath as a Gai's Daytime Tiger Technique tore it to pieces underneath its massive concussive power. He steadied his breathing and attempted to hide his weariness from his subordinates. There was a tight pain in his chest and he carefully settled his raging chakra. His body was simply not able to contain it as well as he used to. Luckily, the invasion seemed to be faltering as Sky Nin peeled away from the attack and soared back into the sky.
"Hokage-sama!" The Hyuuga ANBU called out. "The enemy shinobi have depleted the majority of their chakra. They are withdrawing!
"Excellent," Sarutobi rumbled. He watched his village burn and turned around. Homura and Koharu followed him as he walked past the dead or dying Sky Nin littered around him. "Summon the Council immediately. We have much to discuss."
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone