Chapter 86: The Crucible of War
The Third Hokage had made his decision. After all these years, the new generation had grown strong. Perhaps Danzō had a point. Besides, the situation hadn't yet deteriorated to the point of desperation. And recalling Akatsurugi so soon after he'd left for training would seem... panicked.
Seeing Sarutobi Hiruzen adopt his suggestion, a faint, cold smile touched Danzō's lips. Perfect. Everything is proceeding as I foresaw. Soon, the Fourth Hokage's seat will be mine.
The shinobi world began to churn like a boiling pot. Every major village saw an opportunity and sought to exploit it for their own gain. Iwagakure and Kumogakure, both bloated with more shinobi than they could sustainably support, were the most aggressive. War was not just an option for them; it was an economic necessity.
While no formal declarations of war were issued, large-scale skirmishes erupted along the borders. Even Sunagakure emerged to pick at the edges, their ninja raiding Konoha-aligned caravans as if the four great nations had silently agreed to test Konoha's resolve in unison.
In the Hokage's office, Sarutobi Hiruzen frowned at the latest reports. He could feel the war looming. If this wasn't handled correctly, these provocations would escalate into the official start of the Second Shinobi World War.
"Hatake Sakumo," Hiruzen ordered, "you will lead a team to the border of the Land of Rivers and put an end to the provocations from Suna."
Hatake Sakumo acknowledged the order with a curt nod and left without another word. A mission was a mission.
"Danzō," Hiruzen continued, "you will take command at the Land of Hot Springs and guard against Kumo."
Danzō nodded, indifferent to the location. His Wind Release was a formidable force, and there were few who could truly counter it. Wind was weak against Fire, and the truly powerful Fire Style users were all in Konoha—one in particular came to mind. His Wind Style gave him an advantage against Kumo's predominant Lightning Release. The last time, the Third Raikage's sheer, overwhelming power had been too much, but the Third Raikage was dead. Danzō felt confident that short of a Tailed Beast Jinchuriki, no one in Kumo could stand against him now.
That left Iwagakure. Those underground-dwelling rats were a persistent annoyance. He turned to his old comrades. "Homura, Koharu. You two will take Tsunade and her team to defend our positions in the Lands of Rain and Grass."
Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu accepted the assignment, though a flicker of concern remained. "Hiruzen," Koharu ventured, "what about Kiri?"
There had been no signs of invasion from the Mist yet, but they couldn't leave that flank completely undefended.
Sarutobi Hiruzen sighed, thinking for a moment. "I will dispatch the Sarutobi clan members, along with the new Ino-Shika-Chō formation. We will also formally request aid from the Land of Whirlpools. That should suffice for now."
Satisfied with the arrangement, the two elders nodded. Yet, in that moment, the same thought crossed both their minds: If only Akatsurugi were here.
"Go now, and may fortune favor Konoha," Hiruzen said, his dismissal final.
The two elders left, soon to be joined by the Hokage's three disciples. Jiraiya, Tsunade, and Orochimaru's power was undeniable, but they were still young and inexperienced. This baptism of fire was necessary. If they could mature through this conflict, the future burden on Konoha would be greatly lessened.
Deep within the Shikkotsu Forest, Akatsurugi looked at the small intelligence scroll in his hand and allowed himself a thin, cold smile. Just as he'd predicted. The moment he was gone, the vultures had begun to circle.
Good. If they didn't act, how would they ever learn my value?
It had only been a few years since the last war, and already some had dared to question him, a hero of that very conflict. Now, after five years of peace, his legend had likely faded in the minds of the common folk. Sometimes, people need to carry the weight themselves to understand why the pillar was there.
He ran a hand over the hilt of Ryūjin Jakka at his side and let out a sigh. "Bankai... it's truly elusive."
For years, he had meditated on it, but forcing the zanpakutō to submit was no simple task. In his inner world, he had clashed with its manifested spirit countless times. He was always almost there, but that final, critical step remained just out of reach.
The spirit of Ryūjin Jakka had taken the form of a magnificent, towering fire dragon. His quest for Bankai had become a relentless series of spiritual battles against this fiery sovereign.
"Lord Akatsurugi," a small slug stated, appearing on a nearby rock. "A message from Lady Tsunade. She has departed for the front lines."
Akatsurugi nodded. He already knew.
The nature of the slugs still bemused him. The entire population of the Shikkotsu Forest was, in fact, the Slug Sage herself. These were all her clones, yet they possessed independent consciousness and even addressed him with deference. It had taken him some time to get used to it.
"Let it proceed," he muttered to himself. In the next instant, his consciousness was projected into his inner world.
Clad in his shihakushō and gripping his katana, Akatsurugi faced the colossal fire dragon. "I'm back."
The dragon shook its great head, embers falling from its scales like glowing snow. "You are still lacking."
Akatsurugi took a deep breath. The dark markings of Sage Mode appeared around his eyes, and flames erupted along his blade. He had fought the dragon many times in this state, always falling just short. The final barrier was his own soul's power, and strengthening that was a matter of slow, arduous refinement.
The battle was fierce, a symphony of clashing flames and wills. But once again, Akatsurugi found himself lying on the scorched spiritual ground, defeated.
He sighed in frustration. Is it just a matter of time?
Then, a memory surfaced. The surge of spiritual power he'd felt after slaying the Third Raikage... Could that be the key?
It was a theory worth testing.
He rose and returned to the physical world. From his weapons pouch, he retrieved a small scroll. Placing his hand on it, he summoned a much larger storage scroll. Unsealing it, he revealed two carefully preserved bodies: the former Two-Tails Jinchuriki, Takahashi, and the Third Raikage, A.
After taking a few tissue samples for later study, he resealed the corpses. A grim plan formed in his mind. He would need to capture a few high-caliber shinobi. Then, he would perform the Impure World Reincarnation, summon these two powerful souls back into a temporary existence, and kill them once more.
If their souls still held power he could absorb... then he would know exactly how to proceed. The path to Bankai might be paved with the souls of the fallen.