Now that the group had finished their training, they had decided to get some rest. Taking the remainder of their time to explore the hidden Waterfall village with the aid of Botan, who had promised Haku that he would escort them around so they could see the sights.
Meanwhile, Fuyōna who was currently in the village hidden in the Mist had absorbed the knowledge that his clone had gained once he had released the jutsu.
"What is it, Fuyōna?" Mei asked, seeing a sudden smirk appear on his face.
Fuyōna was sitting in his office as he rocked back and forth in his chair, currently planning battle tactics with Mei and Ao in the current war as they planned what they would do depending on the success of the joint effort mission that the Mist and Leaf were running with the Waterfall.
"Ah, nothing," Fuyōna said as he looked at Mei with a small smile. Thinking about how far his students had come in their fighting ability and felt proud of them.
"As I was saying, Fuyōna," Ao said, getting his attention back as he had seemed to become distracted for a moment.
"Yes, go ahead, Ao." Fuyōna then said, giving him his full attention once again.
"As I was saying. Once we get word back from Ganryu and Kogetsu in regards to the mission, we will be able to march forwards with the Leaf and take Kannabi bridge." Ao said, placing the small wooden troops that were spread out across the war table to the point on the map where Kannabi bridge was located.
"If we are able to take this vantage point, we will be able to hold the Stone back, using the same tactic that the Leaf used during the last ninja war," Ao said.
"Surly they won't fall for that again?" Mei then said, not sure it would work.
"You are right Mei. However, this time they are feeding their supply line through the border of the Waterfall. That is the real strong front and support. With that stronghold, the Stone are able to muster a large force and keep them supplied to defend the bridge. Unless we can take that stronghold and cut off their supply, we will not be able to take the bridge." Ao said.
"Why not just attack the bridge and take it right away?" Mei asked, looking at the map on the war table.
"The Tsuchikage is watch us and the Leaf like a hawk. The moment he gets a sniff of us moving our main forces to attack, he will do the same, meeting us in the middle, with no clear winner. Between ourselves and the Leaf. The Stone and the Cloud are just as strong at the moment. That is why we need the bridge."
Fuyōna also nodded as he leaned forwards and interlocked his fingers, placing his chin on them to rest it.
"That is why we have sent a small battalion to the front lines. With the aid of the Waterfall, we should be able to take the stronghold and corner the Stone, suppressing them for long enough so that we can deal with the Cloud and that bastard Raikage." Ao added, standing upright as he pushed his hands off of the table to do so.
"And what if the mission fails and the Stone are able to stop our advance in taking this stronghold?" Mei asked after a moment, wondering what the other plan was.
Both Ao and Fuyōna remained quiet for a moment, causing Mei to give them both a questioning look.
"If that happens, then we will have no choice other than to meet on the battlefield, and put an end to this war with the strongest side coming out on top," Ao said, lowering his head as he knew it would result in many lives being lost.
"If the mission fails. Then I will have no choice but to assassinate both the Raikage and the Tsuchikage in an attempt to end this war once and for all." Fuyōna said, getting a serious look from Mei.
"You are being serious..." She asked, knowing the look on his face.
"Will it really come that such a thing?" She asked, looking back to the war table, studying the placement of their troops and units that were spread across the great nations.
"I can only hope that Ganryu and the others are successful in their mission to capture the stronghold, allowing us to tackle one nation at a time." Fuyōna then said, slowly sitting up before he leaned back into his chair.
Fuyōna hoped that it wouldn't come to the second plan. Knowing that if he decided to kill both of the other Kage, it would create a huge upset between the great nations, resulting in hatred that would last for generations, only leading to more and more wars.
On the other hand. If he was to kill both of them the nation's leaders, perhaps he could prevent them from wanting to fight and at least buy some peace. However, he was unsure if such a thing would work, knowing that if he could defeat them one by one and push them back so that their losses were so great that the very people of their nations questioned the war. Only then would both the Raikage and the Tsuchikage lay down their larges and agree to peace.
All Fuyōna could do now was wait. Wait and see if Ganryu and the others would be able to pull off the mission.
Meanwhile, Kimimaro and the others had taken two days after they had finished their training matches to rest, regaining their energy and healing from any wounds.
Haku and the others had spent their time exploring the village, with the help of Botan who was escorting them around so that they could enjoy some of the pleasantries their village had to offer.
However, Hattori and some of the others had decided not to bother wasting their time, spending both days training so that they could continue to grow stronger.
Kujira did the same. Having learned from the training matches that he was falling behind the others, knowing he would have to put the work in if he wanted to catch up.
Koyuki had also struggled to sit still and relax, finding it helped her focus while she trained. Still, she refused to train with anyone else, only wanting to stay in her own company, unless Haku or Kimimaro came to visit her.
With that, their time in the Waterfall village was coming to an end, with the real reason they were there slowly creeping up on them.
Kogetsu had reported that Ganryu was almost fully recovered from his wound after fighting against Zabuza, telling the group that he would be ready for the mission.
The Leaf ninja seemed to keep to themselves, with the exception of Iseto Uchiha, who would at least speak to Kimimaro and the others.
However, from the looks of things, they had been undergoing their own training under the teaching of Kakashi, who had been keeping them busy and on their toes, not leaving much time for socializing.
Still, the small amount of time they had been given in this village was a small gift, allowing them to rest and to have but a moment of peace amidst the war that was waiting for them.
It was now the evening of the day before the mission was to take place. Ganryu had managed to make a full recovery thanks to the healers of the hidden Waterfall village, showing their great ability in not just ninjutsu but medical-Jutsu.
Kimimaro and the others found themselves surrounded by the others of the group that had survived. Both Leaf Genin and Chunin as well as Mist troops sat inside a small hall, with both Kakashi and Ganryu standing before them, getting ready to brief them on the mission.
"I hope you have all been able to get some well-needed rest, and put those who were lost to rest," Kakashi said, knowing the pain of losing a comrade all too well.
"But there are more pressing issues that are now at hand," Ganryu said, standing tall before them.
Everyone could feel the intensity in the air as he spoke, each of them knowing this was not going to be an easy mission.
"Hisen, the leader of the Waterfall village has made us aware of the plan of attack. Our job is to assist them in taking out the main stronghold of the hidden Stones village reinforcements that runs along the border." Ganryu then said after a long pause.
"This stronghold is how the Stone is reinforcing their front line units at Kannabi bridge, pushing forwards into the land of Fire." Kakashi then said, taking his turn to speak.
"The land of Earth is filled with rigorous terrain. This stronghold is the quickest way for them to deploy a large number of troops and supplies towards their front lines. Which means our mission is to take it out, with any means necessary." Kakashi then said, also speaking with a serious tone.
Everyone remained quiet, knowing the risks of such a mission.
"This is an 'S' Class mission," Ganryu said, knowing what they were asking of them, especially the Genin of the group.
No one said anything, already knowing this was the duty of a ninja.
Ganryu and Kakashi could see the determination in their eyes and both nodded to one another.
"The Mizukage has trusted this mission to us. If we are successful, we will help turn the tide of this war, and bring an end to the fighting!" Ganryu said, seeing the fire burning in them grow just a little stronger.
"To me, you are heroes... Each and every one of you." He finally added, before being finished speaking.
"Alright you lot, make sure to get some rest. We move out tomorrow morning at 5 am." Kakashi said, getting a nod from everyone before they slowly got up and went about their own business.
Kimimaro and the others returned to their living quarters together, with no one really saying anything to one another. They all knew that this mission was risky and that there was a large chance of them encountering a strong and large opposing force.
Still, they knew that this was something that the Mizukage had entrusted to them, knowing it was up to them now to protect the village and its people.
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Alright thats the end of this chapter! I hope you enjoyed it.
Have a great weekend everyone!