Chapter 69

As we headed down the corridor, I couldn't help but notice that the further in we went, the more bats seemed to be hanging off the ceiling. Frowning, I moved over to Saisu and drew his attention to all of the bats. Unfortunately, he just shook his head at that. Apparently, just the oddity of having a bunch of wild animals in your secret base like this wasn't enough of a red flag to make him reconsider our course of action.

"We've got our orders. We clear this tunnel and report back in. I'm not about to radio back to Lord Jiraiya just cause of a few flying rodents." Huffed Saisu.

"The Kid's got a point, though. It is pretty suspicious." Tried Fang.

"Yeah, Orochimaru is supposed to be big on lab space in his bases." Added Kibagami.

"I'd bet it's hard to keep a bio lab in a base with bats all over the place." Agreed Shiori.

"Especially with how much they shit." Insisted Kibagami.

"You think they might be trained?" Questioned Saisu, holding up a fist to pause the platoon.

"Weirder abilities have been known to crop up." I shrugged.

"True. I once fought a guy who was able to shapeshift. I'm not talking Henge no Jutsu (Transformation Technique) either. This was a physical change, right down to the voice and smell. Had to weed him out of the population of a small town in Tea Country." Pointed out Fang.

"How'd you manage that?" Queried Shiori.

"We didn't. We eventually had to call in a Sensor for backup. Some Yamanaka Guy. He managed to pick out the shapeshifter from the Civilians thanks to sensing the Guy's Chakra Capacity. We wound up splitting the mission pay with the Sensor cause of it." Shrugged Fang.

"I had a similar experience with a shapeshifting Ninja. My solution was different, though." Offered Kibagami.

"How did you handle that?" I asked.

"I cut down the entire caravan he'd been traveling with." Shrugged Kibagami.

"Ouch." Hissed Shiori.

"Regardless of a potentially unknown clan of Shapeshifting Ninja, if you think it's a good idea to call back for backup, I will." Grunted Saisu.

Unfortunately, just before Saisu could reach for the Radio at his throat, another innovation traded for from the Polar People, the bats that had been hanging from the ceiling swooped down and let out a screech of sonic waves. There was a feedback noise and suddenly our radios were smoking as the ultrasonic frequencies from the bat screech shorted them out. I winced as the waves washed over me, as did everyone else, before the bats flew off further down the tunnel, leaving wrecked radios behind them. I ripped my radio off my throat and out of my ear and sealed it away in a storage scroll, hoping it could be fixed later. The others did likewise, though only Kibagami and Shiori gad sealing scrolls, leaving Saisu and Fang to put the wrecked sets into pouches.

"That's gonna come out of our backpay most likely." Grumbled Fang.

"At least we've got a decent trade relationship with the Polar People for replacements." Shrugged Shiori.

"Replacements that have to go through Neutral Iron Country, with all their customs checks. The delays with that are killer." Pointed out Kibagami.

"Well if we didn't know that the bats were being controlled before, we do now." I intoned.

"Quiet! Someone's coming!" Ordered Saisu.

The rest of us shut up and sure enough, the staccato pounding of approaching footsteps could be heard from down the tunnel. Lots of them. I couldn't make out how many, but fortunately, my platoonmates made up for my lack of experience.

"What do you think we're looking at?" Questioned Saisu.

"At least eighteen from the noise." Offered Shiori.

"I'd say closer to twenty as a baseline. Too much noise for less than that." Hedged Fang.

"Twenty-one. Listen for the flapping. Someone's being carried through the air." Corrected Kibagami.

"Sounds like our bat-controller's coming to pay us a visit." I mused.

As soon as I said that, however, there was a flapping of wings as a small swarm of bats came flapping for us out of the darkness of the Tunnel. We braced ourselves for sonic screams, only for me to notice that they were carrying explosive tags in their little paws. Saisu and Kibagami noticed it too, as Kibagami threw himself to the ground and Saisu called out to brace for bombardment. It was all too late as the bats released their grips on the tags and the tags flew toward us, seemingly attached to small pebbles for aerodynamic ability. Then the explosions started and I threw myself to the ground to avoid a rush of flame and a detonation that would've at the very least scorched me somewhat. The others did likewise as the booms began to roll through the tunnel, causing dust and pebbles to fall from the ceiling and threatening to bury us in a cave-in.

Fortunately, Shiori was on the ball and immediately began going through hand seals as soon as she'd ducked and covered. She cast the Kekkai: Tengai Hōjin (Barrier: Canopy Method Formation) on the lead elements of the Platoon, forming a protective dome of white chakra around us that the explosions washed over without harming us. Unfortunately, the rumbling of the explosions began to actually collapse the tunnel further. The Chunin of the Platoon, the ones I didn't spend time with outside official duties paused, looking to Saisu for orders. Saisu looked back at them, nodding at the lead Chunin, a Spiky-Haired Ninjutsu User named Kyoraku.

"Get out of here! Return to Lord Jiraiya and let him know what we've seen!" Commanded Saisu

Kyoraku nodded and the other Chunin withdrew just in time for the roof of the tunnel to collapse in behind us. In the process, two of the slower shinobi were buried alive. Both were clanless Ninja, one of them a Sai User named Toki and the other a Genjutsu User named Asuka. Both likely hadn't survived, which meant Saisu would have letters to write to their families if we survived. That wasn't the worst of it, though. Saisu, Fang, Shiori, Kibagami, and I were now cut off from the rest of the Platoon, as well as from the rest of the Attack Force as a whole. It's likely we wouldn't be able to link back up with them until after Target One had been fully cleared.

It was a pain, but that was war, or at least so I figured. Saisu didn't seem perturbed in the least. Kibagami even seemed like he'd been expecting something like this to crop up sooner or later. I was suddenly reminded that this wasn't his first or even second War. Kibagami was an old veteran at this point. It figured he'd have been waiting for the other shoe to drop this whole time. Saisu was probably just a pessimist thanks to his position as Platoon leader and his experience with Itachi. As we all stood up, and Shiori's barrier faded out, we brushed rock dust free of our armor and clothing and took stock of the situation.

"I can still hear the enemy closing. The footsteps are louder now." Advised Fang.

"They'll be here soon. We need a plan." Insisted Kibagami.

"Right. Manji Formation. It's optimal for defense and we don't know what they'll try to hit us with aside from more bats." Ordered Saisu.

"Manji formation's a bit basic, isn't it?" Queried Shiori.

"There's a reason it's taught in the Academy." I shrugged as I began to move into formation.

"It was good enough for Lord Tobirama." Added Kibagami, doing likewise.

Soon enough, we were all in the Manji Formation. Saisu, Kibagami, Fang, and I were facing out to the north, south, east, and west with Shiori in the middle to give support from a central location. Ordinarily, we could've used the cave-in as a wall to help anchor the formation, but we didn't know the enemy's makeup. If they had Doton specialists, they could swim through that batch of fallen earth with Doton: Moguragakure no Jutsu (Earth Release: Hiding Like a Mole Technique). That would turn our formation anchor into a weak point, so we opted not to use it like that and act as if we had to defend from being surrounded on open ground. No sooner had we done that, than the enemy appeared.

A group of twenty Oto Shinobi in black, white, and gray Urban Camouflage Outfits appeared up the tunnel. The color scheme was an odd choice, given how cities outside of places like Amegakure or the Polar People's Territory tended to be made more of wood and white plaster than concrete and steel. In an underground bunker complex, though, it worked all right. Regardless, the group was led by a Brown-haired Shinobi in a purple, brigandine, vest, and light blue poncho. He was being held over his men aloft by a veritable swarm of bats gripping the hem of his poncho and flying for all they were worth. I couldn't help but wince in sympathy for the small, fuzzy, creatures and sincerely hoped he was helping them out with his Chakra because that had to be hard on the Bats.

"So, looks like you didn't get taken out by my opening gambit, huh? Shame, but oh well. It looks like you got whittled down some by the explosions anyway. Now we've got your lot covered at four to one, you might wanna think about surrendering. If you cooperate, you might not get vivisected by that Freak in the glasses." Grinned the Bat User.

"We have orders, we're not going anywhere." Retorted Saisu.

"Fine, fine. We do this the hard way, then. Kill 'em." Commanded the Bat User.

Then the enemy charged up the tunnels under the cover of a hail of thrown Kunai. I unsealed my Tinbe and Roshin and parried a few that were on target for me as Kibagami did the same with his katana, the Bai'oudoku (Plum Warbler Poison), Fang backhanded away several with his bare hands, already infused with the power of his Shi Hōkō Kyōka (Four Directions Enhancement) Chakra Flow technique, his body cloaked in a faint white aura of chakra, while Saisu whipped the weighted chain of his Kusarigama through the air to parry.

With that done, I engaged my own enhancement techniques, bulking out with the Oni no Karada no Jutsu (Ogre Body Technique) and turning my body to steel with the Kōton: Kōtetsu no Tai (Steel Release: Body of Steel). I saw Kibagami do likewise with his Tenno seidō no Karada no Jutsu (Heavenly Bronze Body Technique), bulking up slightly as he infused his skin, bones, and muscles with raw, untyped, Chakra. It looked almost as effective as a single one of my own jutsu, though I knew that mine were better. In a fight between Fang and Kibagami's techniques, though, I'd give the edge to Kibagami. Enhancing what you already had was just better most of the time than covering it with a cloak of Chakra. At least if you weren't the Raikage, anyway.

Then the enemy closed with us and there was no more time for introspection. . .

XXXX

Guren was annoyed. It seemed that Kigiri had fallen and now Rinji was being forced to fight the same Akimichi Brat that'd both taken out Kigiri and ruined her fun during the initial bombardment phase of the battle. Fortunately, he'd managed to close off the tunnel with his Kōmori Bakudan no Jutsu (Bat Bomb Technique), though with an opponent like Jiraiya of the Sannin behind them, the enemy wouldn't be blocked off from that tunnel for long. Also, fortunately, Nurari had managed to use his ambush force to wipe out a platoon advancing up another corridor toward the Mess Hall. He'd since utilized the Shisha Kugutsu (Casualty Puppet) technique to absorb several of the enemy casualties, gaining their affinities and Jutsu in the process.

Guren disliked the Casualty Puppet. She understood that Orochimaru-Sama had developed it as a way to get favored minions stronger more quickly, but it was considered a failure of a technique for a reason. Those who used it often developed psychological quirks akin to the sorts that it took Jonin years to acquire, speeding the process that made all-powerful Shinobi at least somewhat eccentric. In Nurari's case, it had manifested in an obsession with androgeny. Though he'd gained several advanced Suiton Ninjutsu, a unique Taijutsu Style, and now Raiton and Doton affinities and Ninjutsu as well using the technique, the mental quirk was clearly a drawback for Nurari as he refused to take the field until he was properly 'Kei' as he called it.

Guren liked the eccentricities she already had, thank you very much. Some might consider her bloodthirsty, but at least Guren had come by that quirk the normal way and not had it induced via Jutsu-derived mental instability. She would use the jutsu if Orochimaru-sama demanded it, of course, but she was strong enough already that he hadn't needed to order her to do so. The Shōton she'd inherited from her deadbeat of a father had been more than enough to carry her through every mission that Orochimaru-Sama had thus far assigned to her, thank the Kami.

Switching through the various security feeds with the Fuuinjutsu-based Monitor, Guren looked to see that the Enemy had footholds in three tunnels now. There was the group headed for Nurari to check up on the progress of the platoon he'd slaughtered, the smaller group fighting Rinji, and a group facing off against Kihō near the Barracks. Interestingly, the group that was attacking Nurari had the Jinchuriki and the Protege of Maito Gai who had helped the Akimichi Brat kill Kigiri in it.

Kihō on the other hand, seemed to be facing off against a Nara-heavy group. Guren had never cared for Kihō, personally. The unpleasant little Toad of a Man was a master of Smoke Ninjutsu, similar to how Kigiri had been. While Kigiri had favored subtlety and cleverness in his application of such things, however, Kihō preferred blunt force. His favored justu were the Enryū (Smoke Dragon) and the Maengan (Dark Smoke Sphere). Both used smoke ninjutsu offensively in overt displays of power. Kigiri's Kemuri Bunshin (Smoke Clones) that could be turned into traps with Enmaku Rō (Binding Smoke Prison) was much more subtle and elegant. It was why she'd taken Kigiri under her wing and not Kihō.

She normally wouldn't have cared whether or not Kihō died. His brute force mentality and his disgusting yellow teeth appalled her. Unfortunately, the duty that Orochimaru-Sama had foisted off on her to act as commander of Fort Copperhead compelled Guren to at least keep an eye on the situation. She watched as he and the forces he was leading ambushed the enemy with Maengan techniques, poison Senbon, explosive tags, and various other elemental jutsu as they emerged into the main barracks from the tunnel. She saw several of them go down to the barrage, including a few Nara. If nothing else, it seemed that Kihō's methods, while crude, were effective.

Switching over to the Topside Entryway, Guren spotted exactly what she had feared might happen. An assault from the enemy had attacked the Topside Entrance after scaling the Cliffs the whole way. They were being led by an Older Shinobi who had all the hallmarks of a Senju down to the rare and unique Taijutsu style. That was interesting, and if she hadn't been forced to stay in reserve to keep an eye on the situation, Guren would have moved to that front to help Gozu defend the Topside Entrance. It wasn't every day you could bleed a Senju, after all. They were so very rare nowadays.

Unfortunately, there were several enemy combatants that hadn't engaged yet which Guren would have to handle herself if they did. Several Tokubetsu Jonin such as Orochimaru-Sama's Failed Apprentice and the Wielder of the Kyodai Konbō (Conch Shell Mace) had yet to take the field personally, to say nothing about Jiraiya of the Sannin. No, Gozu would have to gut the Senju himself. He was more than capable thanks to his use of the Doton: Doro no Karada no Jutsu (Earth Release: Mud Body Technique). Guren had to wait for one of the truly strong enemies to begin fighting to have her fun.

It was as she was keeping an eye on the situation that Guren received word from Fort Asp and Fort Rattler. They had also come under attack by large enemy forces. It seemed that Konoha had actually decided that it would push for a full-on war against Otogakure. Fort Asp had even requested Jonin Reserves from Otogakure itself thanks to being assaulted by Maito Gai himself, and had received them. Guren hadn't thought Konoha had it in them. Apparently, they had if they'd committed this many forces. One thing was for certain, though.

This was just the beginning. . .

XXXX

Rock Lee was prepared to face off against anything. With a friend as formidable as Naruto-Kun at his side, there wasn't much he felt unable to handle. When Platoon Tsuzumi had been wiped out, and the lone survivor that had managed to escape the enemy ambush reported in to Lord Jiraiya, Lee had immediately volunteered to assist with defeating the ambushers. Lord Jiraiya had sent him and Naruto-kun with Platoon Mizunoto to handle the situation. Unfortunately, it seemed not every Chunin was up to the task of fighting at a wartime level. When they'd fought the strangely Good-looking Enemy and his Ambush forces, most of Platoon Mizunoto had been wiped out.

The Enemy had an odd body shape that utilized the Nan no Kaizō (Soft Body Modification) but that also produced oddly sticky fluids. Furthermore, he wasn't limited to Suiton Techniques and had killed several of Platoon Mizunoto by using the sticky liquid to hold them in place for a casting of the Raiton: Kaminari Ryu no Jutsu (Lightning Release: Thunder Dragon Technique). Between such odd Suiton Jutsu as his sticky water, high-level Raiton Jutsu, and Defensive Doton Jutsu such as the Doton: Ganki no Kōra no Jutsu (Rock Turtle Shell Technique) which had deflected an attempt by Mizunoto to use the Konoha-Ryuu: Mikazuki no Mai (Leaf Style: Dance of the Crescent Moon) to kill him, the Enemy had wiped out much of Platoon Mizunoto. Only Mizunoto, Lee himself, and Naruto-kun remained, and Mizunoto was badly wounded.

"Lee! My Rasengan (Spiraling Sphere) can break through his defenses, but won't do dick against his weird body! Do you have anything for that?" Demanded Naruto-kun as he dodged away from a lightning bolt sent his way by the Enemy while planting a Kunai in the head of one of the remaining enemy troops.

Lee ducked under a flaming sword stroke from another of the remaining enemy troops and planted his elbow into the Man's ribs, breaking several of them. Three others charged him, but he whirled around into a Konoha Senpuu (Leaf Whirlwind), his kicks breaking bodies and flinging them away. "Possibly! It will be risky, though!" He answered.

"Do it! This guy's too tough for half-measures!" Demanded Naruto, hitting an enemy into two others with an overpowered Futon: Daitoppa (Wind Release: Great Breakthrough) before tossing a wadded-up ball of Explosive Tags onto the pile of enemies, killing them.

"Yosh! Here I go! Tomon (Gate of Limit) Open!" Shouted Lee, power flooding his body as he opened the fifth and final gate he currently knew how to open.

"Right! Kage Bunshin no Jutsu (Shadow Clone Technique)!" Intoned Naruto. Two Shadow Clones popped up next to him. One, charged into a group of enemies near the Main Enemy, who was still dealing with Mizunoto, albeit Mizunoto was down an arm. The remaining enemies blocked the Clones' path only for the Clone to explode using Bunshin Daibakuha (Clone Great Explosion) killing them. The other shadow clone helped Naruto to make a Rasengan while Lee finished mopping up the other enemy troops with punches that split the air as he threw them.

Just as Naruto finished his Rasengan, there was a crunching noise as Mizunoto's skull caved in from an odd, Doton Chakra-enhanced, elbow to the top of the head. Lee knew that to be a technique of the Korugare Nadara (Rolling Avalanche) school, of which one of the members of Platoon Tsusuzumi was a student. Had the enemy gained that from observation? There was no time for such questions, however. Naruto's Rasengan was finished forming. He looked over at Lee and nodded.

"Here I go!" He warned.

"Yosh! I am with you, Naruto-kun!" Called out Lee.

They charged together toward the Main Enemy, even as Mizunoto's corpse fell away from the Enemy. Naruto's Rasengan moved in and the Enemy flickered through Hand Seals, rocky armor covering his torso like a turtle shell only to be broken into shards by Naruto's technique. The Main Enemy was sent flying as the Rasengan failed to tear through a rubberized body, but still sent him flying backward. The enemy smashed through the barracks wall and through the other wall of what looked like a guardroom to collapse in a heap in a storeroom. Battered, but still able to fight, he stood up, only for Lee to shoot forward with the Ura Renge (Reverse Lotus) spear hand strike coring the enemy's softened torso, though causing Lee's right arm compound fractures.

Lee leaped away from the opponent and immediately closed the gates back up. He took a soldier pill to be able to heal his arm enough to keep fighting, slapped one of his Chakra Battery seals on, and waited. Sure enough, the enemy began to rise, odd black tattoos spreading along his body as the Curse Seal Activated.

Just like the last time, this fight wasn't over yet. . .

XXXX

AN: All right, here's the next part of the Assault on Target One. Lee, Naruto, and Shikamaru are facing off against two other members of Team Guren, while Choji Faces off against a Third. Guren meanwhile, is still hanging back to direct the battle, though none of the big names like Anko or Jiraiya have taken the field on Konoha's side yet either. Meanwhile, the other targets have been engaged as part of Phase One now.

Also, Platoon Mizunoto was one of the Root Platoons that got sent into the front by Hiruzen and Tsunade to weaken Danzo. Mizunoto is a Tokubetsu Jonin that Root had planted in the Anbu, hence his knowing one of the High-Level Konoha-Ryuu Techniques. That's a full platoon that Danzo no longer can call on, lost to the war. Expect that to be a factor in any future Root Purge.

At any rate, the next chapter will be the next part of the attack, involving fights with Choji vs Rinji, Shikamaru vs Kihō, and Naruto vs Curse Seal Nurari.

Stay tuned. . .