"Kazekage-sama."
"Report." Ryushi ordered as soon as the messenger returned. Things are looking bad, very bad, and the information that he had just gathered over the day isn't painting a very great image of their current situation.
"The village had just been attacked. We don't know who they are exactly yet since interrogations haven't produced much results. According to the reports, the invaders set off explosives in several key points around the village to draw the attention of most of the ANBU and shinobi that were stationed in the village. It was all just a diversion, as a smaller force of the invaders had broken into the Academy and Kazekage's office. The invaders also sent plenty of their agents all around the village to ambush the ninja that were trying to save the citizens. Although our forces managed to repel them, according to ANBU Commander Rylan, we did suffer some decent losses."
The messenger replied as he gave a detailed summary of the report he held in his hand.
Ryushi was quiet for a moment before he nodded. "Are there any other things that the ANBU Commander told you to relay?" He asked, trying to conceal the slight amount of pain from hearing the state of his home and his people while he was away. They weren't the first casualties in this war that he had led them into.
In response, the messenger handed over a scroll that had been marked for the Kazekage's eyes only. Ryushi unrolled the scroll and quickly read through it, taking all the information within.
"But how did they manage to get so close into the village without us knowing? We have barriers and protections set up. The only way they could is if we have a trai-"
"Don't you dare finish that sentence…" a Suna Jonin growled towards the other who said that statement. "If we start pointing fingers then this won't lead anywhere and will just cause distrust amongst us."
"I quite agree, we can't waste time doing something useless."
"But what about the mo-"
"Enough." Ryushi cut in with a tone of warning, instantly quieting everyone in attendance.
"The situation back in the village is being handled. ANBU Commander Rylan has things under control and is taking temporary leadership of the village as per emergency protocols." He told everyone. Currently all the commander level shinobi are within the tent awaiting his next order. "We have already lost much throughout this war and potentially splitting our forces due to incredulous theories won't help anyone."
He says that, but he knows the truth. The situation with the potential traitor had been a problem since way back when Souei completed his mission in the Land of Vegetables. He had attempted to investigate but the spy proved slippery enough to avoid detection.
But according to the scroll that the ANBU Commander had given him, it seems they finally have a lead.
"Tsumari, what can you tell of the previous battle in the outpost?"
Ryushi eyed the woman who still had bandages around her arms and torso due to her injuries. She was a member of the Kogeru Clan, known for their bloodline the Scorch Release. But what was more important was the fact that she was there in the fight and was the highest ranking surviving member of Chiyo's contingent of forces.
"It was a slaughter, Kazekage-sama. At first things worked out pretty well, by the time we arrived at the border outpost, Konoha forces were already attacking the base and breaching through the gates. Chiyo-sama had us arriving directly behind their forces so we had the benefit of surprise. Things were going just as planned, only for Iwa to suddenly appear in an ambush." She said, before continuing with an audible gulp. "I've never seen so many die so quickly… massive walls blocked us from the escape route and the ground beneath us opened before it swallowed the majority of our and Konoha's forces. I thought I was a goner, only for Souei to save me by pulling me up with a string. He was the reason why many of us survived too. And now both he and Chiyo-sama are missing."
Ryushi let out a breath as he now pondered the next step. He had to use all his willpower to not let his emotions get the better of him. Chiyo had always been his anchor. If someone asked him who in this world he trusted the most, it would be her.
Chiyo had been the one to help him that day when first got into the office. She was the one that continued to serve him as his chief advisor as the years went by. She was the one whose opinion about the village he cared about the most since he knew the older woman loved the village even more than he did.
And now, she and her nephew had been missing for over twenty four hours. They were last seen fighting Onoki and Roshi, under any other circumstances, he would have kept hope. But the fact that they had heard no news from them at all after a full fay, protocol states that it's safe to assume they had been killed in action.
It genuinely hurts to admit that they had lost one of Suna's pillars and one of their brightest of the next generation and potential future kage, but it was war. They had to endure.
He is the Kazekage of the Hidden Sand, he can't afford to show emotions now, not when so many people are looking up to and depending on him.
"...Very well then. At this point, it's safe to say both Chiyo and Souei have been declared KIA. For now we have to move on."
He could tell that plenty of the shinobi in attendance was angry. Chiyo was a widely respected figure in Suna. No one would accept her death lying down.
As the meeting continued in earnest, plans were revised and discussed, the final details hammered out before they were dismissed to prepare for the next battle.
"Go and rest, make your own preparations for the next bout. Dismissed."
As the last of his subordinates left the tent, Ryushi finally allowed himself to grieve. With no one to see this vulnerable side of him, he took the chance to bow his head down. Mourning the woman he had called a friend.
.
.
Konan ran through the streets of the village. She had just finished an errand for Jiraiya-sensei and was now returning back to the small shed that they used as a hideout.
It's been a few weeks since she, Yahiko, and Nagato begged the Konoha ninja to train them in ninjutsu so they could protect themselves. At first she was scared, especially at the snake-like man. Especially when he threatened to kill her and her best friends.
But Jiraiya wasn't like that at all. He had taken pity on them, cared for them, and now trained them.
She lifted her arm and a paper rose was created in the middle of her palm. She smiled at the level of mastery she has of her unique jutsu. She, along with Yahiko and Nagato, were still far from ever being able to even touch the man, but it was a start.
She had hooked on her arm a basket of fruits that Jiraiya-sensei had asked her to get. Now it was time to go home.
It was when she was on her way back when she spotted something peculiar.
In the shadows of two tall buildings, she saw the hidden form of someone lying down on the ground. Heck, the person was so deep in the shadows that she had to squint to make sure she wasn't seeing things.
Curiosity getting the best of her, she creeped closer towards the sleeping person only to gasp in surprise. The boy was older than her, and was most definitely a shinobi.
He had some of the weapon pouches she often sees on some ninja. That alone told her enough.
But what worried her was the state the boy was in. He had obviously just got out of a fight, his clothes were covered in dried blood and torn in plenty of places. His blue hair was covered in ash and soot and his face was marred with sweat.
Konan frowned as she bit her lip in nervousness. She doesn't know where this shinobi is from since he wasn't wearing any headbands.
She took a sweeping look around her, there was no one else in their surroundings and it seems whoever did this to him wasn't here.
Deciding a course of action, she put down her basket of fruits and picked him up on her back. He was a little heavy and even somewhat awkward since the boy was much taller than her.
She then immediately ran off towards their hideout.
'Hopefully Yahiko doesn't yell at me for this.'
She thought of nothing else as she was determined to save the injured boy.
______________________________________
AN: Quite a short chapter but you work with what you got.
Souei will be joining up with the Ame trio and Jiraiya for quite a while here. Hope you found it to be a fun tie-in to the canon story.
Did anyone expect this was the direction the story would go? I sure as hell hope not.
Anyways, advanced chapters on my pat_reon page! Make sure to check it out! Chapter 39 should should be available by the time this chapter was posted, chapter 40 is finished and currently going through editing.
Leave a review and some power stones! Thanks!
P@treon.com/TeemVizzle
(Remove the spaces)
Cheers!
"What do we do with him?"
"How should I know?! You're the one who brought him here!"
"He was hurt! I couldn't just leave him there!"
"Yes you could've! He might be an enemy ninja for all we know!"
"You don't know that!"
"You don't know that either!"
Nagato sighed as he watched his two best friends scream at each other. Their topic of conversation, the sleeping blue haired ninja that they laid down on a bedroll. They had already tried their best to stem his injuries, but none of them really know how to bandage a wound properly so most of it is rough work at best. They would have to wait for Jiraiya-sensei to get back for the ninja to get actual treatment.
He honestly didn't expect for his day to start like this. Konan was just supposed to get a basket of fruit that they would have for breakfast, then they would stretch to loosen up their muscles before going straight to training.
It was a routine they have built after a few weeks of learning under Jiraiya-sensei. But now, that routine has since shattered since Konan brought this new strange element into their home/hideout.
Even now they're still arguing whether or not bringing the ninja here was the correct move. Nagato understands Yahiko's apprehension, this was an unknown situation they were dealing with after all.
He knows that he should be supporting his best friend, but deep down he couldn't help but agree with Konan. Helping the ninja was absolutely the right move.
The reasoning for it is actually simple, not something profound or anything like that. Above all else, Nagato knows what it's like to be helpless. How many times in his life did he need help but no one was there to extend their hand? How many times had he begged for someone to help only for no one to come?
It was only pure luck that Konan had found him that one time. He was dying on the dirt ground, left for dead as the people just walked by, not having eaten anything for weeks at that point. She found him, brought him back to meet Yahiko, and nursed him back to health. It took several days for the other boy to accept him as part of the group, but the three of them eventually became inseparable.
And now there was another just like him, with Nagato being the one in the position to help. And he damn well sure do it to the best of his ability.
The argument between Konan and Yahiko continued to escalate, their voices growing louder and more heated by the second. Nagato watched them with a little bit of frustration, they've been screaming like this for ten solid minutes now.
As the two of them argued, a small groan from the injured ninja on the bedroll interrupted their argument. They both fell silent, turning their attention to the blue-haired stranger who was slowly regaining consciousness.
Nagato hurried to the ninja's side, placing a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "Easy there," he said gently. "You're safe now. We're not here to harm you."
The ninja's eyes flickered open, revealing a mixture of confusion and pain. He tried to sit up but winced in agony, clutching his side where a bandage was hastily applied. Nagato noticed the white bandage slowly turning red from the wound.
Konan and Yahiko approached cautiously, their previous argument momentarily forgotten. Konan offered a small smile. "You took quite a beating out there. But don't worry, we've done what we can to patch you up."
Yahiko crossed his arms, still wearing a skeptical expression. "Konan found you injured in some random alleyway. You're lucky she decided to help."
The injured ninja's gaze shifted from one face to another, his wariness evident. "Who are you people?" he asked, his voice hoarse.
Nagato introduced themselves with a soft-spoken demeanor. "I'm Nagato, and these are my friends, Konan and Yahiko."
"You, on the other hand," Yahiko scowled. "You're a shinobi, right?"
The stranger hesitated, then nodded weakly. "Yes, I'm a shinobi. My name is Souei."
Before the conversation could progress further, the flap of the hideout's entrance was thrown open, and Jiraiya walked in. His eyes swept across the room, taking in the scene, the injured ninja, and the Ame Trio.
"What's going on here?" Jiraiya demanded, his tone stern.
Konan stepped forward and explained the situation, detailing how she had found Souei and brought him here for medical attention. Jiraiya listened intently, his expression unreadable.
Once Konan had finished, Jiraiya turned his attention to Souei. "I see. You're lucky these three found you," he said, his tone softening. "I'm Jiraiya, though I guess you already know that, don't you kid? I remember seeing you that one time. You're one of Ishito's students, right?"
The only bit of expression that Nagato could see from the injured ninja was the widening of his eyes. It seems that Jiraiya-sensei has some sort of history with him.
Jiraiya then sighed as he shook the back of his head, an obvious dilemma in his mind. "Just rest up for now, we'll talk later. I know our countries are currently at war, but I won't do anything to you if you don't do something stupid and attack me or the three children. Are we clear on that?"
His sensei's voice took on a stern and threatening tone that Nagato didn't know the man possessed. Jiraiya had always been a calm, if not goofy kind of guy. This was not the sensei he knew, but rather the experienced ninja underneath.
The ninja, Souei, just nodded tiredly before he laid his head back down and instantly fell asleep.
"Looks like he was more exhausted than I thought..." He heard Jiraiya mutter before the man started properly bandaging up the injuries that Souei had suffered. "Remind me to add basic first-aid to your lessons." He said with a grimace as he eyed the godawful treatment that the three of them had made.
"S-Sorry sensei." Konan said, embarrassed.
"Do you know who he is, sensei? And who's Ishito?"
There was a moment of silence before Jiraiya answered Yahiko's question. "Sort of. I met him a couple years back during the Chunin Exams. I brought my team there to see if they had what it takes to get promoted. Coincidentally, a ninja from Sunagakure, Ishito, who's kind of a friend of mine, also brought his team. Souei here was part of Ishito's group. He won the exams too."
"What?! This guy won the Chunin Exams?" Yahiko exclaimed loudly in surprise, not that Nagato's much better really. He too was shocked that the guy sleeping through after what could have possibly been a really deadly fight was someone who won the Chunin Exams. He sure didn't look like one, with his entire appearance bloodied and disheveled. Konan just stood there with her jaw slightly ajar.
Jiraiya chuckled lightly as he pulled out some type of cream from his pouch and applied it to some of the burns. "Yep! Pretty impressive showing too. He beat Minato in the finals along with the Raikage's son. I never expected to see him here to be honest. Last I heard, he was part of the Suna contingent sent to the Land of Stone to fight Iwa."
"Wait, so he's an enemy right? You said so yourself. Konoha and Suna are at war. Then is it safe to let him live with us? Shouldn't we kill him?" Yahiko questioned with a gulp.
"What?! Of course not!" Konan huffed angrily at Yahiko's suggestion. "Are you crazy?"
"He's an enemy ninja, Konan! He's the reason all our parents are dead!"
"No he's not! He's just barely older than any of us. Stop blaming any ninja you find in the street for their deaths! Jiraiya-sensei is also a ninja! He's also an enemy to Amegakure! Why don't you hate him?!" Konan wailed towards their orange haired friend who could only stare wide eyed as Konan continued to scream at him. "Don't you have a heart, Yahiko?!"
"All right, that's enough." Jiraiya-sensei's voice immediately cut into their argument like a knife. "Right now, he's just an injured child way behind enemy lines with no allies to speak of within miles in every direction. He's alone, broken, battered, with nowhere else to go. He'll be safe here and so will you."
Jiraiya then stood up before he walked up to Yahiko and patted him on the head. "It's not easy to let go of hatred, Yahiko. Believe me, I know what it's like." Nagato then saw how Jiraiya smiled his goofy grin, an action that instantly melted all the tension in the room. "But sometimes, letting something go and forgiving could do wonders you never thought would happen. Like what Konan said, you forgave me didn't you?"
Yahiko bowed his head, a small sniffle came out of him before he nodded and looked back up with a teary smile. "It's not easy, sensei. But I'll try."
"That's all I ask, hahaha!"
Konan, who came out of her spiel after Jiraiya-sensei's interference finally calmed down enough for Nagato to talk to her. "Hey, are you okay?"
She gave a shaky smile before she nodded. Nagato knew she was still upset, he hesitated a little bit before patting her shoulder in silent support.
Unnoticed by the three children, a small smile appeared on the face of the injured ninja. The first one he had since the outpost.
______________________________________________________
AN: Honestly not that happy with how this chapter turned out. Something about it just seemed off.
In any case, I hope you enjoyed it. We meet the Ame trio this chapter and Jiraiya makes his reappearance after way back during the chunin exams.
Coming next: Souei wakes up, he and Jiraiya have a talk. Then we'll see a small glimpse of what's happening back with Ishito and Rukia. Hopefully. Maybe. Idk. We'll see.
Advanced chapters on my pat_reon page! Make sure to check it out! Chapter 41 should be uploaded in a few more hours. Chapter 42 is finished and currently undergoing editing.
Leave a review and some comments pls. Helps a lot for motivation when I read the things you people write.
Cheers!
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