"-which led to the destruction of Uzushiogakure," said Iruka. "Over 99% of the Uzumaki clan was killed that day. The building that they retreated to was covered by many fuuinjutsu wards but it was ultimately unable to withstand the massed forces attacking it."
"Wow. So why did three of the other Hidden Villages think Uzushiogakure was such a threat?" asked Sakura.
"The Uzumaki clan were known for their fuuinjutsu," said Iruka. "While we still use it for storage seals and the like, the Uzumaki clan were able to use it for many other purposes. There was also a rumor they were on the verge of some great breakthrough in their Art. Whether it was true or not, we don't know. It may have been just a rumor."
"What was so important they pulled forces from everywhere else just to do that though?" asked Ino, not wanting Sakura to dominate the class in any way.
Iruka Umino frowned slightly. While he approved of the idea of seeking further information, he had to specify that this WAS unconfirmed. "Just rumors, but it was said that Uzushiogakure had developed Animation Arrays. Fuuinjutsu inscribed on brooms that would animate them so that they would sweep rooms on their own."
"That doesn't sound so bad," said Kiba, thinking of shovels that could clean out kennels without being watched.
"Again - just rumors. This is not at all confirmed, but they were supposed to be working towards making metal suits of armor that could be deployed to defend their city without anyone actually inside them." Iruka shook his head. "Imagine that for a moment. An army of metal warriors that would rise up to defend a city? While a jonin or high jonin could likely cut through ranks of them easily with Lightning Release techniques - such things would make it far more difficult for chunin or genin ranked attackers. And as Uzushiogakure was a strong ally of Konohagakure - they might well have shared some of those metal warriors with us."
Naruto was awake and listening, but quiet and thoughtful. Which really should have alarmed anyone who saw that at this point.
"Protect the shelter!" Naoto yelled. "Women and children only!"
"They're in! Preparing the seals now!" yelled back Kaji. "Get in!"
"I'm neither a woman or a child, I am a ninja of Uzushiogakure!" declared Naoto.
"Stubborn wench," grumbled Kaji. He paused. "What's that wheezing noise?"
"No idea," said Naoto. "Here they come!"
Kaji picked up his twin hammers, letting one twirl briefly in that hand. "At least we'll take a few of them with us."
"You got it," said Naoto, leaping forward. "Back to back."
"Just like old times," said Kaji. "Just so I get it off my chest. I want you to know-"
The explosion scattered the two chunin into red ruin.
"Explosive mine drop success," said the member of the Iwa Explosives Corps as he ran through the area. "This is one of their shelters. Civilians from the look of it."
"Enough explosives always solves the problem," said another member of the team, pulling out a scroll.
"If this is a trick," warned Erza Uzumaki.
"Oh, it's certainly a trick," said Levy Uzumaki. "Look how much bigger it is on the inside."
"Well, as long as Konoha remembered their allies," said Gray.
"Too bad you couldn't remember your clothes," grumbled Natsu.
"WHAT?!" yelped Gray as he noticed he was down to boxers.
"Konoha has remembered what it is to be men!" said one of the kids.
"Get in quickly," said the little yellow-haired boy. "I'm keeping it active."
"Everyone," said a little girl with the eyes of a Hyuga. "They're putting explosives onto the outside of the building."
"YEAH! This is so freaking awesome!" said a little boy with a little dog. "Rescuing dozens of people from certain death! THIS is what being a ninja is all about!"
One of the women going into the blue box paused to stare at the boy. "I want to see his face when he gets his first D-Rank mission."
"So, that's how it is," said Hiruzen Sarutobi after taking a couple of headache pills.
"So indeed," said Makarov Dreyar.
"You were there because of your age, they were the last group of women and children," said Hiruzen.
"I saw the Iwa Explosive Corps at work," said Makarov. "The Hyuga girl confirmed it. The building would have blown in a minute at most."
"It did," said Hiruzen. "It's part of the ruins. I've read the report. Every civilian shelter was blown open and the people inside killed."
Makarov nodded, silent. He wanted to be outraged about it all but it was now well over a generation in the past.
"So what now?" asked Hiruzen Sarutobi.
"I'm too old for this crap," said Makarov. "Just the time travel aspect is more than I can get my head around. I'm going to open an ice cream factory. Retire from ninja activity."
"It's a good cover, and what will you do really?" asked Hiruzen Sarutobi.
"See to the kids' education and development," said Makarov. "They're too young to do anything else - no matter what some of them think. Leela and Ace on the other hand - they're chunin level. You should let them join your forces as soon as you can."
"Okay," said Kakashi Hatake, ANBU Captain. "We have several candidates for inclusion in the Konoha forces. Most of whom are unsuitable for ANBU."
Ibiki Morino nodded, he was going through them - not only looking for ringers but also for suitability for various duties. "Leela is a small weapons expert, particularly thrown weapons. Suitable for ANBU as a stealth and tracking specialist. Not particularly good as heavy combat. I'm suggesting she be placed in a four-man squad and evaluated - if she passes muster train her in some suitable ninjutsu."
"I have a suitable squad," said Kakashi. "Patrolling the Western border."
"Keep her away from the Iwa border," said Ibiki, nodding. "Ace. Explosives expert. Her specialty is in charged explosive notes where the explosion is directed in a particular direction. She's also quite good with two-handed bludgeoning weapons. Has a weapon called a 'baseball bat' she's decorated with a fuuinjutsu enhancement that degrades armor it's used on. Very promising."
"Hmmm," said Kakashi. "Yeah. There's a use for that. Can it be duplicated?"
"Apparently she hasn't been able to duplicate it since then," said Ibiki. "Next is Sarah. Chunin. Teacher. Fairly capable on her own, but really not suitable for ANBU duties."
"Pass," said Kakashi. "I've met her. Agreed on the unsuitable for ANBU part. Might do well in the Academy."
Ino was ready from her place of ambush. She'd just wait until Sakura passed underneath her position, throw this water balloon she'd readied with pink paint (it was water soluble so no permanent damage) and then she'd get pictures.
She moved slightly to better get a view in case Sakura was coming when movement on the opposite ledge drew her attention.
Sakura stared back at her, a water balloon in one hand and a sack of something else in the other.
A moment of silence as the two former friends regarded each other.
"Hurry," said Ami, running through the street below them. "We've got to set up our ambush before they get here."
"This'll get them," agreed Kasumi as she and Fuki followed their leader.
Ino looked back up at Sakura. After a moment, Ino made a show of putting her balloon to the side. Sakura seemed to consider that for a few minutes before doing the same.
"Oh come on. Don't tell me you're giving up now," said another voice.
Ino blinked and looked at the woman in trenchcoat nearby. She considered that before replying. "More a temporary cease-fire to assess changing battle conditions."
"Good," said Anko. "You're learning."
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(Posted Thu, 16 Apr 2015 16:47)
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