More time seemed to pass as the threat of war grew larger with skirmishes between the nations breaking out across the world. All of the nations, large and small, had seemed to become dragged into what had started as a petty squabble as if a pebble that had created a small ripple had resulted in a tidal wave.
Fuyōna had his hands full as he tried to deal with the outbreak of battles that his troops had become engaged in. Even simple missions had turned into life and death not that everyone was out for their own gain.
Another pressing concern was that the Sand had also re-joined the war, taking the side of the Stone and Cloud, also seeming to draw in other smaller nations such as the Rain, Grass, Rivers, Rock, Hot-water and Frost joining the Cloud and Stone. Leaving only the Mist, Leaf, Waterfall and Snow against the rest of the world.
Battles had been breaking out all across the land, and Fuyōna along with Fugaku, the 5th Hokage were trying their best to contain the smaller skirmishes across their land, knowing that a full-scale battle could arrive any day.
Fuyōna sat in his office, trying to decipher reports flooding in from scouts and squads from all over the place at the constant warfare taking place.
It had now been one whole month since his meeting with Fugaku and Jiraiya at the meeting for the new Hokage. Fugaku had been chosen and his coronation had taken place a few days later, which of course, Fuyōna attended with both Mei and Suiren.
"Sir, I have more reports coming in that an assault force from the hidden grass and Stone are trying to lay siege to the hidden Waterfall." Kōgetsu, Fuyōna's personal head of his Anbu guard and next head of the Hōzuki clan said, appearing before him dressed in his Anbu robes.
"What? Is the Hokage aware of this?" Fuyōna asked.
"I am not sure sir," Kōgetsu spoke.
"Aō, dispatch a message to the leaf at once," Fuyōna said as he looked over to him.
"Yes," Aō said, not wasting any time before he exited the office.
"The Waterfall placed their trust in both me and the Hokage by joining us in this war, the least we can do is try to support them from our enemies," Mei said, knowing that they were surrounded by the rest of the nations, making them an easy target.
Fuyōna read the rest of the report, seeing that a strike force of at least 300 shinobi had been sent to try and take out the Waterfall, knowing that if they attacked from all sides, they would spread their forces thin and wipe them out.
"The shinobi from the Waterfall are no pushovers, but they will still need help," Mei said, having battled against them before in the last war, knowing first-hand that their small nation had produced some powerful shinobi.
"Sir, I have a message from the Hokage, Aō said, having used one of Fuyōna's ice mirrors to directly hand the message over to Shikaku Nara, the lead advisor to the Hokage.
"Go ahead, Aō."
"The Hokage has been made aware of the situation and is preparing to send a unit of skilled shinobi to deal with the assault, he is, however, asking that we too send a unit to assist with the battle," Aō said.
"Very well... Kōgetsu, I want you and Ganryu to lead a force of fifty chunin to help in the battle," Fuyōna said, knowing that was all he could spear.
"Of course, sir," Kōgetsu said, lowering his head before he vanished, not wasting any time.
"I know what you are thinking, dear," Mei said after a moment.
"But you can't do everything yourself. You are needed in the village for the time being." She then said, placing her hand on his.
Fuyōna sighed, knowing that she was right, having no choice but to place his faith in his men.
"I know, Mei. I just wish it didn't have to come to this." He said, leaning back in his chair.
Kōgetsu had wasted no time in finding Ganryu, who was currently busy training Hattori on one of the training fields on the outskirts of the village.
"Not bad brat! But can you handle this?" Ganryu shouted as he swung his blast sword down at Hattori.
Hattori was using his steel release and swift release in combination as he avoided the attack and attacked with his hardened arms like blades.
Ganryu in his experience was able to predict the direction of attack, even though Hattori's swift release was indeed quick and caused him to disappear from his eyesight.
Ganryu blocked one of Hattori's attacks with his sword, triggering the explosion tags, acting as a simultaneous defence and attack, one that blasted Hattori back, even with his steel release protecting him.
"Come on, is that all you have?" Ganryu said as he placed the head of his sword on the ground.
Hattori was breathing hard now, having used much of his chakra to simply maintain the steel release around his body to protect him from the explosions.
"I'm not done yet..." He said, biting his lip as he placed his hands together.
"Oh, another ninjutsu, eh?" Ganryu questioned, keeping the same expression on his face as he always had.
"I'm afraid I must ask you both to hold your battle for now." kōgetsu suddenly said as he appeared in the middle of them both, causing Hattori to stop his hand signs halfway through.
"Ah... And just when things were getting good." Ganryu spoke before he spat on the floor and put his sword away.
"Well, what is it?" He then said, knowing it would be something important if Fuyōna's head Anbu guard had come to speak with him.
"We have a mission from lord Mizukage." Kōgetsu said before he took his mask off.
"Is that right?" Ganryu said, smiling for the first time all day.
"And here I was thinking I would be stuck on babysitting duty for the whole war."
Kōgetsu turned around to look at Hattori, seeing that he had become stronger from his training so far, not being able to help but wonder how strong the others in his class had also become.
"So go on, what's the mission?" Ganryu then asked after a moment, growing impatient.
"Yes... Our allies of the Waterfall are under attack from the Stone and Grass. We and the Leaf are sending a combined force to help assist them in the fight, and lord Mizukage has requested that you lead a squad of fifty chunin, including myself to help in the battle." Kōgetsu explained.
"The hidden Waterfall, eh?" Ganryu said as he pulled out a cigarette and lit it, taking a large puff before he blew out the smoke.
"Sounds fun." he then said, looking over to Hattori.
"Pack your things kid, this will be the perfect opportunity to test out you're training." He spoke.
Hattori didn't show any hesitation and simply nodded.
"Wait Ganryu. I don't think that lord mizukage will approve of you taking him on this mission." Kōgetsu said, not liking it.
"Oh, don't worry about that, all of these brats are coming, they are chunin after all aren't they?" He said, blowing out more smoke towards Kōgetsu.
"Besides, what the hell is the point of all this training if they don't get to experience real combat." He then said.
Kōgetsu knew there was no arguing with him, and he also knew that he outranked him, leaving him with no other choice other than to obey his orders.
"Very well, I will make the preparations. We will be leaving for the Leaf tomorrow." Kōgetsu said before he vanished, leaving Hattori and Ganryu alone again.
"Well kid, you ready to get stuck into this war?" Ganryu asked, turning back to Hattori as he took the cigarette from his mouth and held it in his fingers, blowing another large puff of smoke into the air.
"Yeah," Hattori said with no emotion, leaving Ganryu impressed.
"Well, I guess we had better finish your training." He then said, dropping the cigarette onto the ground before he crushed it with his foot.
"Now, show me what you have learnt," Ganryu said as he drew his blast sword before pointing it at Hattori.
"Yes sir!" Hattori yelled as he allowed his steel release to cover his entire body, taking a fight stance.
"ARGHHH!!!"
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