Chapter 259
The army waited for the orders. Headquarters were busy with coming up with different plans of attack. Mito would be getting restless if she didn't have a bunch of letters to read and reply at same time. Most were from Konoha, family and friends that were not sent to the battlefield. It was interesting to see that they lived normaly, she really hoped that would stay that way, the only change they noticed was that some prices were higher and that they could not really buy ninja equipment, as most of it was reserved for the people that were active in the war. Next she could read the letters her kids sent. Sora was not really into writing, so his letter was the shortest, telling her how he grew taller in few weeks she was gone, how he missed her, how he hoped she would come home soon, how he missed seeing the family together, he was glad that Kouske and Maya were still with him together with aunt Suzume and little Arata. Mito felt the same, she was glad they were safe, but sad because she wasn't next to them, she would give up the world if anything happened to them. She wanted to hug them, to sleep in their scent, she only could sense the small amount of their scents that still lingers on the paper, was it enough for her, definitely not, but she had to be satisfied. She wrote down a reply to Sora's letter first. Then she started to read Kouske one, his handwriting was pretties, he always tried to make things look nice, sometimes you get lost in his words. His letters sometimes would be more mature than Sora's even though Sora was supposed to be big brother. Kouske asked if the war would end soon, if it would start again, asked why it was even happening, and Mito knew that this didn't make any sense to the children, that is how messed up these things were, even if she tried to explain them, she wouldn't be able to do it. She smiled as Kouske snitched on Sora and Maya for eating more snacks than they promised, Kosuke always was a good child, cute always ready to listen. And then there was Maya's letter, as expected it was the longest messiest letter. Mito had noticed that Maya had a knack for writing, well when she is calm down, when she is full of energy it was quite messy, this letter proved the other part of the sentence as Maya was too excited to write to her mommy. Retelling Mito her usual days with quick switch of topics, so that even she didn't realize she didn't finish the previous topics. Mito didn't know what to reply to first. Shisui had gotten his own letters from the kids.
While this side was having a peaceful moments the other side, with Kakashi, Genma, Killer Bee, Yugito and others in their army were facing a large number of white zetsus. And crazy Tenzo, as the medics found out that his chakra system was poisoned but they couldn't figure how, how to treat it either. Tenzo was once again in range of the something that made his poisoning act up, causing him to be led by the addiction. No matter how strong they hit him to knock him out he would wake up in few minutes and start walking towards a certain direction. White zetsus were also calling him by his name. While fighting the others. Using wood realses as well to create a path for Tenzo to saftly walk towards them. It was very clear what was their goal, which made Kakashi order a fire attack. Eventually they had managed to stop the attack and make the remaining white zetsus return to the underground. Kakashi had to report this to the headquarters.
Minato understood that situation was dire, that they should do something about it, but seeing how Tenzo was reacting to white zetsus, the creatures that could be anywhere was bad, sending him to the front line would just cause same problems, whole sending him elsewhere with few people was option he needed to hear what Mito thought. So je got Inoichi to connect them, repeating what he heard from Kakashi he asked Mito for her opinion, so she spoke :“ honestly we won't miss him on the battlefield, but he can become a great enemy, so sending him away with few people would be OK, but we don't send them back to any of the cities, as that may lure over the white zetsus there. „ Minato nodded he understood that himself, they couldn't deal with attacks on their territory right now. So he sent this decision to Kakashi, Kakashi would need to pick few people to go together with Tenzo, planing on giving the young boy sleeping pills, that would give enough time for the few shinobi to pass through the area where zetsus posion is effective on Tenzo.
With Tenzo gone, the army was sent towards the second battlefield. The headquarters wanted to recover as much manpower as possible as well as to make the Akatuski waste as much supplies while waiting for their attack.
Mito thought differently though, this calm before the storm would be a knife that stabbs them, as the shinobi felt relaxation before going in what is mostly likely the battle that was going to detrime the result of the war. But Mito wasn't sure about it.
Mito looked at the few more injured people as she tried to use her special chakra to heal them, but she still needed to be careful with amount of chakra she was still recovering. She softly smiled at them saying hopeful things, she knew they most have felt downy but she belived everyone could do anything. Mito then went back to her tent and started to cleanse her things, she was wearing a clothes that weren't hers, because Shisui wasn't able to find the seal with her clothes while she was uncouncious, he as a good husband changed her from dirty and torned clothes. He also picked Jisoo, the crown and Jennie and put in the tent, the crown had mud covering it, so Mito had to carefully clean it, she sharpened Jisoo with drop of her own blood, she did same with Jennie before returning them as accessories.
She would mediate and check if anything was happening around her. Well she could feel that no Akatuski forces were leaving Akatuski baze. Ame was lively enough though many people seemed regretful and fulll of desire to to take revenge. She could no longer pinpoint where Nagato truly wss neither Konan. If she remembered correctly, not a lot of original Akatuski were left, but a lot shinobi could be felt at the city. This didn't mean this Akatuski was any waeaker than the one in the original.
In the next dawn they started to slowly march forwards, while also checking the space for traps. Just because. Mito knew that Kakashis group was slowly catching up with them. But that didn't make excimnet any less, Mito wouldn't show it though. She couldn't. This war was something you shouldn't be happy in, not for a long time. Because you can die any second. As the sun was slowly getting up on the sky, she could feel clearly where the enemy forces were, not moving much. As if they were waiting for something.
Mito didn't mind them, she noticed that the North had more traps set their because they the Ame thought they would recklessly rush from north, Mito had prevented that. She knew that Black Zetsu would adjust to anything that was happening on the battlefield, he was like a snake after all. She didn't fully understand the plan he had, but she figured out crucial points, like jinchuriki losing control and wrecking chaos. Using as much senjutsu as possible, that was why he was actively trying to make Tenzo join his side. He still had Nagato and Konan on his side, and there was someone mysterious there also, Mito didn't think he was the biggest threat but as he was unknown, he could do the most damage out of them, the other lesser members of Akatuski weren't anywhere near the original line up of Akatuski strength, their caution rates rose only when they joined Akatuski. Mito huffed, as she realized that Akatuski had somewhere became a larger organization than it was originally, it was basically a military force of minor countries.
Her thoughts were disturbed as another trap was disabled. She focused on ahead, she could feel new rain start to fall, and her sensory skills were once again useless. She calculated if the black Zetsu would fight in Ame or outside, seeing how he fought until now. Well if anything was to ask Nagato the fight would be outside of the Ame, but Nagato was just a pawn in this plan. Mito looked ahead as the rain hit her, far away she could see something watching her from a far away tree. Interesting she never felt someone there.
Fu, looked at Izuna for a moment, he was calm, but she knew him better, he was bolling on the inside, Fu realized that this would be his fight, his first fight he would be fighting for his own cause. He probably was the most alive at this time. She could feel the pain and confusing feelings, she felt that often from him, but right now she knew that he accepted them. She had seen him go into dark so much, he was no longer the same person she firstly met, she changed as well, however that didn't mean she didn't like it. Yet she missed his softness, his light touches,, his understanding expressions. In the last few weeks those were replaced with cold and calm expressions, words that would motivate you to do something but not comfort you. She looked away just for a second, noticing that the rain once again started falling, she didn't like the rain much, especially since it rained here so much, actually she didn't minded water falling down that much, she after all lived in a village hidden by such fenomen, but she didn't like this type of water falling down, as far as she rembered, even though the waterfall was always hiding her village, she rarely saw it rain there. Her gaze returned to Izuna, Izuna who was soaked now, she freaked out, looking up at the cealing but there was no leak there, was she looking away from him for so long, she had impression that it was only few seconds. Izuna mumbled something :“ I saw her. Once again, I don't think she realized that it was me. „Fu immediately realized what had happened. Izuna used this moment to check on the person he loved but now hated. His wet clothes were dripping on the coach and Fu had to get angry at him :“ I see, but can you please change, your clothes will make you sick and stain this nice sofa we are currently sitting on. „ Izuna huffed :“ like I care“ Fu responded :“ hey, I care for the sofa, it is only nice thing in this room. „ Izuna hummed :“ so I am not nice. „ and Fu responded :“ who gave you that idea, black Zetsu. „ Izuna had twisted smile on his face as he spoke :“ if it was anyone else telling those exact words I would strangle them, just so you know. „ Fu responded :“ oh, how kind of you. „ Izuna hummed :“ why do I even bother talking with you, you ungrateful teenager. „ Fu responded :“ because only I look your age. Problem with not aging at all. „ Izuna stood up and said:“ I guess. „ as he went out of the room with his wet clothes, preparing new set of clothes.
Black Zetsu waited as the slow push of allied forces continued, he waited as they neared the location he picked. The push was slower than he expected, he wished to rush it, because he needed it to be faster, thats is why he didn't send anyone to fight them right now, rather he was using white zetsus to remove as much traps as possible. His plans with Tenzo failed for now, but he managed to slow down the reinforcements from Kumo battlefield, the problem being that two jinchuriki were still there. His patientce was low, even though he waited for so long. He waited until the stars allienged perfectly. He was so close on getting his mother back, on ruling this pathetic world, no more hiding. He hoped to see his mother and death all around. He would personally watch some people die, those red haired troublemakers. Those stubborn fools. Hoping to see Hagomoros twisted face as he fails shinobi, to see Sage of six paths on his knees. How satisfying would that be. His thoughts were broken as his favourite toy entered, Izuna, Izuna looked at him, with no emotions, like the first time he saw Black Zetsu. Black Zetsu loved that about Izuna, never showing his fear, but you could still feel it. But not right now, there was none, well the person in front of him was dead once already so this war with the same outcome wasn't something he could relate to, much more because he never truly said he wished he was alive, not saying simple thanks to Black Zetsu for bringing his soul back to life. Black Zetsu hummed :“ did you go out, your hair is damp. „ Izuna nodded :“ yes, I went to see the rabbit. „ Black Zetsu hummed :“ still obsessed I see. „ Izuna answered :“ well you would know the best. „ Black Zetsu stared for a second, as his playing had fought back, he loved it, because no matter what Izuna said it would not matter at all, Black Zetsu then asked :“ so what did you see, did it make you want to do something. „ Izuna hummed :“ I saw her, her enjoying her life, while I rot here. She continued living normally, it makes me want to destroy it all, because as long as she is happy with others I won't be able to be happy. „ Black Zetsu smirked :“ that is right. Those thoughts are thoughts that make you stronger. Those thoughts will make you not regret living. „ Izuna wouldn't agree with him, because he knew better, but he didn't have a choice, he wanted to do this according to his will, but as he was getting controled, he would just change his will to suit his actions. He would play a delusional person play if he had to. He had nothing to lose, nor gain, he was all alone after all.
Hours passed, Mito felt lead on, as the bigger distance they went through the less traps she found, and their pace began to pick up, the rain was still falling and making it impossible to feel where the enemy exactly was, actually she barely could feel allies right next to her, the rain was slowing then down, but they were still moving faster than what they expected, from the reports coming from headquarters, Kakashi and others were catching up with them fast, and would meet up before the night. This army would take many small brakes, just to make sure everyone was OK.
Kakashi, led the army, knowing how weird enemy was acting, he hoped to prevent whatever was about to happen around Ame. His instics screamed to hurry, his mind troubled with worries about Tenzo and the other battlefield. He hoped that putting a seal would completely get rid of Tenzos chakra signal. He hoped the boy would not become a enemies pupet, that is why he sent people he could absolutely could trust and people he knew could protect Tenzo from anything. He sent Mei and Kisame together with few people of Konoha. Why Mei and Kisame, because those two were hardest to manage and because they were so rounded up that no shinobi could find their weakness.
As he led them, he saw the dead bodies littered around, enemy dead bodies, as allied shinobi had buried their own but were afraid to touch the enemies one, as it was possible that white zetsus were still hiding there. And that wasn't just their imagination, they seen it happen. Kakashi heard that in one of the reports Mito sent to the headquarters. Kakashi knew that this meant they were only few hours away from the main group, they would find here and there few medic nin just healing someone and let the join. Kakashi first checked the amount of seals they had one, asking them which was the last one they got, as Mito would sent out new seals every few hours, so the possibility of white Zetsu integrating in their army was low. The answers were satisfying, as Mito confirmed through the messages the last seal those people should have got. The closer he got, he was more nervous, Genma had now joined him in leading everyone, softly whispering him words that would calm down Kakashi. Kakashi sometimes didn't understand Genma, the man was collected when he was nervous, flustered only when he was with Mito, but rarely show it. IT looked like nobody else was as important to him as she was. Genma told him that to him Mito was a person who accepted him fully, who made him grow, and that is why he wanted to be her husband that would never shake, never hurt her, never leave her. Kakashi felt inspired ever since he heard those words, it has been years since then, since they married Mito.