Raito Arashi was tired. However, the battle was still ongoing. He watched as some of the people he'd grown up with were slaughtered by Iwa-nin. His previously short cut hair hade grown into a spiky white mess. His eyes were struggling to continue to focus, but the battle wasn't over.
He was hidden behind a tree and saw as his mission fought off multiple opponents at once. Looking down, he saw his teammates. One, Karasu Arashi, was healing their other teammate, Habani. Karasu's black spiky hair and white eyes gave him away as one of Raito's family members, extremely distant.
Karasu turned sweat dripping down his chin, and looked at Raito.
"Raito, how much chakra do you have left? Sensei needs help. I can only sense fifteen of our ninja still standing."
Raito nodded, then reminding himself of who he was, he made the rat hand sign and felt as chakra flooded into his system. It was relaxing, but that was the last of his chakra seals and with the conflict so close to an end, he would get another chance to refill them.
In the distance his sensei cut a man's head clean off with his large blade and then blocked a kunai. Raito then pumped chakra into his eyes, and for a split second he saw it, the wave of light travelling towards his sensei's enemy.
[Light Manipulation: Instant Doubling]
In white flash of light, Raito appeared behind the enemy. The enemy didn't even see it's death as a kunai pierced their brain. Raito landed on the branch and let out a heavy breath.
Reaching into his pocket for a cloth he spoke, "Banari-san, we either need to push or retreat. I don't think this area is good for us."
Banari agreed, his eyes, almost red with strain, closed.
He said, "There's fifteen of our men. I only have enough chakra to send one word before Karasu heals me."
Suddenly ringing through all of the Dato-nin, one word appeared in their minds and ears. Push.
So they did. Rushing forward like a mudslide. All fifteen ninja appeared near Banari and pushed forward. Being one of the faster shinobi, Raito was at the front of the pack. Any Iwa-nin that came for them was slaughtered. The mission was simple, to reinstate Datogakure rule in formerly Iwagakure territory. The only way they could do that is if they reached the town of Menji they would be safe from Iwa and be able to flood the area with their shinobi.
Raito flew as the forest ended, straight towards the city's walls. He landed on the top of them and continued moving. Eventually he stopped. His body finally wore out and he fell onto the dirt street. There he was picked up by Banari.
It was almost a full week before Raito recovered. Even then, he was sore, but he was glad to hear that they succeeded in their mission. Raito had almost another week to completely recover to his former strength, and then a couple days after surpass it. By then the Yokage, his father had met with the Earth Daimyo about the breaking of their agreement. Skipping, Onoki, was not what Iwagakure had expected and so when Iwa funded was cut, they were terrified.
Raito returned to Datogakure within a day of his full recovery. When he arrived in his city, he jumped to the Yokage's building within the estate. There, he and Banari spoke on the mission's success.
Before Raito could leave he was asked to stay by his father.
Quickly the Yokage mask dissipated and Inazuma spoke, "We have a problem Raito, we still have no daimyo in Dirt Country. I was wondering if you knew of anyone who could serve as a Daimyo to counterbalance me."
Raito nodded and said, "Nah Tou-san. I'd suggest finding someone a little bit older than you that fought in the second or third great shinobi war."
Raito internally thought, I don't know, father. I am still recovering from the fact that only 15 people survived in your suicide mission, out of six hundred.
Inazuma replied, "Perhaps a distant relative of mine. One who isn't extremely versed in politics but can easily be taught. Thank you Raito-kun. Now to the other matter."
Raito raised an eyebrow.
"There's going to be a Chunin Exam in Konoha within the next few months. However you need a team to be able to enter. If I'm correct, your teammates died except for Karasu-san?"
Raito gritted his teeth but nodded nonetheless.
"You have three months to find this new teammate. Then when you're done, I'd like you to train together constantly. I might send you on a mission into other countries."
Raito nodded and spoke, "Do you care about these thousands of lives you've shed?"
Inazuma nodded tightly, he knew the question was gonna come eventually but with such hatred, he did not expect.
"Raito. I sent you out with them because one day the people will need a hero. Not yet, as there is no true war out in the open. This hat is heavy Raito, and it is not a weapon, it is a burden that only strong can wear. Only those who understand that from the dirt we rose, and to the dirt we will return. Death is natural. Great leaders understand these, the best leaders, let it happen to avoid worse outcomes. Raito, I sent six hundred shinobi, half of my shinobi force, on that mission. Not because I wanted them to die but because the thousands pouring into this city every year want protection. They want comfort and these shinobi did not want comfort, or they wouldn'tt have become shinobi. Comfort is for the weak and so those who wear the hat, have to brave the uncomfortability of lives being used like pawns. I do not like it, and I fear that the day one who does like it sits in my seat never comes."
Raito's surprise was evident. His father had never said so much in one single sitting, and it made him awe. His father did care, but it wasn't his duty to show that care to his people. His people wanted strength from their leader and so Inazuma gave them that.
"I understand, tou-san."
Raito left.