Alchem Syaoran; Volume I
Chapter 0: Prologue
Syaoran was abandoned to the clan as an orphan child at a young age. He was told and believed all his life, until recently, that his parents had died while protecting the village. He has recently found out that they had left him in the clan’s care as they were banish from Iwa for doing hideous experiments on live animals and forbidden ninjutsu effects with Alchemy. Through focused Alchemy and much time and thought they had mastered a new level of Alchemy and were able to mix animals with each other into monstrousities called chimera’s. These chimera were found by the Tsuchikage, who immediately wanted them banished for taking part in such a forbidden art. The clan head, at the time Alchem Vaguardo had dismissed them from the clan and told them to never return as they had disgraced the clan. They left the village never to be seen by any Iwa villager again.
Up until Syaoran was 12 nothing particularly exciting had happened to him. He had done some stunts, played some pranks, but nothing serious. He had a close to normal childhood being raised in the clan house as a member and being training daily in Alchemy. He looked up to the clan head, Alchem Rouni, who had trained him personally many times, and was the closest thing Syaoran ever had to a parent.
Chapter 1: The Wolf Girl
Since his beginning as a genin under the guidance of his jounin teacher Tsukishi Maomi, Syaoran has grown much. He started in Iwa team #2 with his teammates Shimo Kadiska and Chain Figaro. He had become friends with Kadiska right before being placed in the same team, and the two had started a good friendship. Little did Syaoran know, Kadiska had not had any really good friends aside from her brother Shimo Sakuya and pet wolf Katori. They spent much of their free time together, Kadiska slowly but surely opening up to the childish Syaoran. She had a troubled past, one that Syaoran tried to help her heal through. Looking back, Syaoran even might have truly begun falling in love. She was the first girl that he did not have perverted lusts for, but actually just wanted to be around. She had made him happy. They had been close even up to the day Syaoran had left the village, not knowing he was going to be gone for almost five years.
Chapter 2: In Search of Answers
When Syaoran left the village of Iwagakure he intended to head for Konohagakure to do some training, see the village and learn the ways of the fire techniques. He wanted to take in some research to progress his alchemy to a higher level, hoping to impress the clan elders. After meeting a quickly improving genin girl and doing a couple of missions with here, Syaoran broke off on his own. Doing freelance missions and work for Konoha Syaoran took residence in a visitor apartment set up for people of other villages. For about a year Syaoran trudged on like this. But ne day Syaoran had a sudden urge to leave and suddenly took a leave from the village. For two years, or close to, more like 21 months, Syaoran roamed the countryside and villages. He had seen two other great ninja villages, Sunagakure and Kumogakure. Learning the ways of the wind Syaoran spent a lot of his time in the village libraries. Reading up on the history of the land and searching for documents on alchemy. While in Kumogakure Syaoran stumbled upon a document telling of a middle aged couple arriving in the village about 12 years ago. They preformed some medical miracles, saved a young man's life with strange ninjutsu and left mysteriously. Tracking this down Syaoran eventually found out from some of the older village residence that they had both been from Iwagakure and fit the description of Syaoran's parents. The next week was spent leaving Kumagakure and picking up the trail of his parents. After about a month of moving from small village to small village he found a new lead. Apparently his parents had left a journal of their followings to a village leader outside of the country of rice. They had spent a significant time there and left the book with instructions saying if a young Iwagakure ninja ever came looking for them to give him that.
Within the journal it told of many forbidden jutsu and alchemy technique that they had tried, It gave components, recipes, algorithms, and arrays for the most powerful of alchemic jutsu. Many of them required human lives, human bodies, blood of people, animals, and other living creatures. Looking over it Syaoran became sick, and threw up. He spend a couple months in the small village, practicing with the lower and less dangerous alchemic techniques in the book, learning much of the gate and what it can do to a person. For this time he had contemplated what it meant to be an Alchem. He let himself go, stopped bathing or washing clothes, he became a drifter. Moving from village to village he eventually made it back to Iwagakure with the intent of killing the Tsuchikage for lying to him for so long. When he returned though he found that the Akatsuki had taken over the village already and had killed his clan, many of his friends, and even the kage.
Chapter 3: A Long Journey Home
Leaving the village after a run in with some old friends he made his way slowly back to Konoha. Entering the village he went back into his old routine of missions and training. The Hokage had welcomed him back and he was happy to be back. Soon afterwards Syaoran ran into his cousin Alchem Sanji, who he would later find out to be the only other survivor of the Alchem clan aside from himself.
During his time in Konoha Syaoran met a young girl around his age by the name of Nicol. They soon started dating, and fell in love with each other. This helped Syaoran get over the death of his clan, though it would never leave him entirely, nor did he want it to.
About this time Syaoran enlisted in a large squad who's mission was to recover the Tsuchikage from Iwa, who apparently had been imprisoned for questioning rather than killed. Upon entering, fighting through, and much adu, the squad finished the mission. Though there was a single casualty in the mission, a young genin by the name of Akasabure Genome, whom is engraved forever in the katana sheathe of the curse sword Hinshi, which Syaoran aquired from the final battle. The young genin would never be forgotten. At the end Syaoran had become to new clan head and him and Sanji began to rebuild the clan from the ground up.
Chapter 4: To Reconstitute a Library
During this rebuilding period the two cousins came across a snag. They had lost multiple volumes of knowledge to the fires and had a need for them. The only other place in the world that had alchemic works though was the village of Kumogakure. So the two Alchem cousins resolved to go and gather information from the far and unfriendly land. On the way there Syaoran stopped in Konoha for a quick stop at Nicol's where he gave her a necklace symbolizing his love. Sanji made some cracks at him but it was all put aside.
Leaving early the next day Sanji and Syaoran made for Kumogakure. They arrived later in the day and were strangly greeted with a warm welcome. They were given a place to stay and even a tour guide. They met the local alchemist and all seemed to be going well. Though the Alchems had trouble trying to get into the works at the library the local alchemist had a private library with copies of many of the books from the library. Sanji and Syaoran delved into the area, borrowing many of the books and learning much as they skimmed through them. Though things turned sour as they tried to leave and were captured and imprisoned by the Raikage. After a long ordeal in which Sanji's sensei and an old friend of his broke them out, Syaoran and Sanji were on a bullet line for Konoha, the closest safe haven.
As they arrived they landed and stayed for the night at Nicol's house. Telling her all about it she made them great meals and gave them a place to stay. The next day they headed to the Hokage's tower and informed him of what had happened. Leaving the country and heading back to Iwa Syaoran and Sanji continued to train and rebuild the clan. Syaoran got a good amount of training in before the Chuunin Exams began.
Chapter 5: The Chuunin Exams
Heading to Kusa Syaoran signed up and competed in the Chuunin Exams. Through each grueling test Syaoran proved his worth, and many times far exceeded the other ninja. Each test Syaoran watched as the other ninja worked hard to get through. It was obvious that he should have gone through the exam earlier in his life, if he had not been searching for his parents. He was granted the title of Chuunin and headed back towards his home village with Sanji.
Chapter 6: A Broken Heart
On his way back he stopped in the Country of the Fire, making a visit to Nicol's house. When he arrived though he was greeted sorely. Nicol had another man in the house with her and decided it was a good time to break up with him. Giving him back the necklace he had given her she closed the door on him. Leaving the house he wandered into the forest, followed by Sanji where he took out his frustration and pain on the forest, and in the process triggered an array less transmutation, something that should be impossible for him. Sanji promptly knocked him out before he hurt himself and took Syaoran home.
Awaking in his small shack of a house Syaoran was completely depressed. He dragged around the house; despite his cousin's attempts to cheer him up he was completely out of it. He was getting over it, but slowly. As he was eating a bowl of cereal one day there was a knock at the door. An old "friend" of Sanji's and a young man Syaoran met during the chuunin exams were at the door. Apparently the man wanted Sanji to reattach a limb for the ninja. Giving Sanji assistance with this operation, Syaoran slowly lifted from his depression, if only for a little bit. The man also seemed to want Sanji's services to help him with a problem he had, though this did not involve Syaoran directly.
Chapter 7: Sirens
Later that day as Syaoran returned from training it happened. The village sirens rang loudly and explosions could be heard near the gates. Syaoran rushed off to help and to see what he could do. The alarms only sounded during an attack. Syaoran rushed over rooftops towards the gates. He could see from his distance that they had been blown clean off the hinges, a feet that would take a large group of very powerful ninja to do. As he came upon an opening in the market he saw Sanji fighting three ninja. Not giving a moment's thought to himself he jumped down to help his cousin. During this battle Syaoran came across a peculiar fact: He could no longer activate the Sharingan. Despite this, the battle did not last long, Syaoran and Sanji were relieved and told to help the civilians. The Iwa Jounin and ANBU would be taking up the fight for them. This was the last time Syaoran saw Sanji.
Running back to his house first Syaoran immediately burning the house with alchemy, desperate to not let the clan documents be destroyed again. Syaoran then immediately left the village out the back doors, taking caverns he knew until he was far away from the village. If he ever saw or came near a Kumo ninja he would dissolve into the ground. Finding a safe place out in the middle of the Iwa wastelands, Syaoran buried all his ninja equipment under a large tree. Taking up a civilian look Syaoran blended into society and started his journey.
Chapter 8: On the Lamb
Syaoran started off his journey heading to each of the countries in turn to collect information on the world attacks. Doing much reconisence he made away with much information. Deciding it too risky to stay in the major countires Syaoran headed for the outlands, feared he may be spotted, he spent his first year sailing between the small islands to the east of the Country of Fire, meeting people and picking up any lore on the city of Tyranical he could. He also searched for an explanation to his sudden loss of the Sharingan. It was as if the mysterious bloodline had dissolved itself away into him. The horrible visions he use to have also had resided, though he still had free memories of them in his head, almost as if he had lived two lives.
Any chance he got to practice his alchemy also he tried. Ignoring the warning Sanji had given him Syaoran was determined to control and master his seal-less alchemy. He traveled as a wandering alchemist, devoid of all ninja arts. He never once risked to try and use any ninja skills, there were Kumo officers and spies everywhere, no where was safe anymore.
Chapter 9: Knight in Shining Armor
But one cold and rainy night Syaoran was walking down the street from the library to the inn he was staying at. He heard a scream of a lady and turned to find where it came from. Running down the street and turning a corner he saw a large group of men, seven to be exact, cornering a woman as she stumbled over herself into an alley. They chased after her and Syaoran ran to the alley. He turned and saw the men trying to undress the woman and one raised a fist to strike her. The first came down quickly but hit metal. The man yelled out and the other's jumped back in confusion. The woman had suddenly turned into a garbage can.
"Hey, ugly." Syaoran said from behind them, the girl behind him looking stunned. Syaoran was dressed in a large light brown cloak which was darkened by the rain. He wore his goggles still on his forehead, and the hood of the cloak was pulled back. Removing quick and handing the cloak to the woman Syaoran disappeared only to reappear in the middle of the group of men. Three of them went flying instantly and Syaoran struck each one. The remaining four came at him but they were two slow. Sliding under one of their arms, Syaoran threw the largest of the men over his shoulder and into two others. They hit the ground hard, and fell unconscious. The last man went to run for it but soon found to his horror, that following a snap of the fingers by Syaoran the end of the alley didn't exist. He could barely turn around before Syaoran had picked him up and pushed him against a wall, holding him two feet off the ground by the throught.
"Say your sorry to the lady." Syaoran said calmly. "I..I...I'm s-s-sorry miss." The man said in a studdering voice. "Tell her that what you did was the lowest thing a man to do and that you are dirt." Syaoran calmly said. The man shot Syaoran dirty look but after a little more pressure was exerted on him he squeezed out the sentence. Dropping him he snapped with his other hand and the alley ripped open again, revealing the street. "Now go to the hospital and get your friends some help." Syaoran said as the man ran as fast as he could away. Making sure the woman was all right Syaoran escorted her home and then left quickly. Leaving the island with the NCIA on his heels he sailed off to the next island. Making it to a small island that was not occupied by Kumo, as it had only one small village on it, Syaoran made residence and laid low for six months. It was not only the lack of Kumo ninja but also the knowledge contained here in the village of 'Tooran'. The villagers were very well accomplished in alchemy and Syaoran learned a lot from their outlook. During the next six months Syaoran decided to try and do what he had always wanted to do since first hearing of Tyranical. Thus he started his construction of his flying ship. In these times though it would need a good cover as to not be caught.
Chapter 10: Tooran, A Lost Soul & The Gates of Oblivion
During his stay in Tooran Syaoran finally came across what he thought was the answer to his lost Sharingan. While speaking with the local shaman (Yes, Tooran has a local shaman) he found a way to clear his mind. Apparently, in the depths of his mind lay another living soul which had carried on with him through the eyes. Through some work of his pure blood alchemy chakra the Sharingan eyes had literally dissolved into his own body. The Soul of the original owner, who Syaoran came to find, was named Uchiha Tsunami, now resided buried deep within Syaoran.
During his meditation with the shaman Syaoran also came across a large gate he had never seen before. It stood in front of him within in a large white are, only it was visible. It stood three stories tall and was a dark grey. Around the door were ancient alchemic symbols and arrays, and the doors seemed to be made of human parts, trying to reach out. Upon walking closer to the door it opened, very slowly. Beyond it was a mass of darkness, swirls and engulfing the light all around it. Syaoran, entranced, walked closer and closer Suddenly dark tentacles shot out of the door and grabbed his limbs, pulling at them and burning them with what felt like acid. They pulled him within the door and he could see the light fade behind him. Just as he felt as if his limbs would break off the limbs retracted in pain. Syaoran's body had begun to glow golden and he felt a warmth inside of himself. He became sleep, very sleepy...
When Syaoran came too he was back in the room with the shaman, he had awaken from hois meditation and could feel a power flowing through him. Not knowing what it was Syaoran continued normally with his days, meditating, going back to the door, but it never opened again. Slowly Syaoran began to understand. Something with Sanji and the passing of the eyes had triggered this to happen. The soul of Uchiha Tsunami was no longer with him after that day, though the memories would never fade. After months of meditation Syaoran came to the conclusion that he must have made some kind of trade with the doorway. In exchange for releasing the soul of Uchiha Tsunami he was able to gain a great path of alchemy to travel. His seal less transmutations became ten fold easier and he could control them all the time now.
Chapter 11: A Ship of Dreams
After six months of hard work (Syaoran did not want to make it all with alchemy, where was the feeling of accomplishment in that?) he had finished the ship. The large balloon which held it aloft could be deflated and stored in the deck within a large opening in the middle. The rudder which propelled it in the air, collapsed in on itself to make an odd looking decoration on the back. Other than that it had a large mast, which could collapse into the deck in the same compartment the balloon did when not in use, and was a very sea worthy vessel. After testing it many times around the small neighboring island Syaoran set sail with his new ship. It would normally take a crew of at least 10 to sail. But with a little alchemic help, with arrays laid out through out the ship, it was easy to sail it by himself.
Syaoran lived out on his ship, enjoying weeks at sea and months at shore, always learning and trying to expand his talents. He finally took the ship inwards toward land, hiding it in a deep mine shaft, sealed in a wall where only he could find it. Making his way back for a return to Iwagakure, Syaoran prepared himself for anything.
Chapter 12: Another Uchiha
As Syaoran headed back to the village he came across a pair of training ninja far off in the desolated areas of the Country of Earth. Upon introducing himself and speaking with them he finds that one is a jounin, who is destined to be the Tsuchikage once the rebellion is over, and the other is a Konoha ninja names Uchiha Asher. Not wasting any time, Asher and Syaoran began to spar. They did two series of spars, once under the guidance of the Tsuchikage where they could only use taijutsu (Which neither was too good at) and another with no rules. Syaoran ended up winning both of the spars, but it was just barely. The Uchiha was gaining power rapidly and would soon pass Syaoran and leave him in the dust.
Later that day, Syaoran, through use of Kage Bunshin no Jutsu and a voice amplifying technique, announced to the village of Iwagakure and the capital of Metropolis his own attentions and the state of the country. He called for them to stand and fight with him. Calling upon the pride of his nation Syaoran rallied the citizens and left them with a message, before disappearing.
Later that evening, after meeting up with Sanji and getting a hint to drop by the estates, Syaoran finds himself in front of a large tree house directed in the center of a forest which was placed on TOP of the old Alchem Clan Estates. Moving towards it he finds Sanji and Asher fighting, and seeing his cousin’s situation, joins in the fight to help him. The two of them were able to push back the Uchiha, though with much trouble. Syaoran sustained substantial damage to his stomach from a fang of Asher’s summon, though in the end it was Syaoran’s swordsmanship that was able to cut through the Uchiha’s ninjutsu defenses.
The next day Asher came back by the house to apologize and offer Syaoran and Sanji a position in his organization he was gathering. They would fight against Kumogakure and repel their empire from all of the hidden villages, and hopefully from all of the countries.
Chapter 13: Taijutsu Masters
Asher was gone, probably to find more recruits for the organization. Sanji was also gone most of the time, as he was running around working for the NCIA. Syaoran sat alone in the house for most of the days training in secret and awaiting a summons from the Tsuchikage. One day though a young boy came to his door, thinking it was the resistance headquarters. After challenging Syaoran to a duel, which Syaoran won, he asked to join forces with Syaoran. His name was Daisuke and he was an expert of Taijutsu and hand to hand combat. They quickly became good friends and sparred regularly, which Syaoran won every time. But this did not discourage Daisuke in the slightest. He kept working and training harder and harder to one day surpass him. Training with Daisuke helped improve Syaoran’s taijutsu defense and strategies, a weak point in his style.
The next week Syaoran finally got summoned by the Tsuchikage and got his first big mission. He was to investigate the disappearance of a Tadashi Masanori. It was thought that Masanori, a taijutsu user of jounin rank and of great use to the resistance, had betrayed them and gone to the side of Kumogakure. Following a tip he got in town he Syaoran followed the trail to the Country of Fang. Once inside the capital Nigiyakashufu, Syaoran questioned under disguise as a NCIA detective about Masanori. Finding a lead he followed it out into the barren wastelands of the Country of Fang. Finding and confronting Masanori Syaoran fought viciously with him. Though positioning himself he set up a series of traps that ended with Masanori below a small cliff side. Removing his signet ring Syaoran burned the body and left the country.
Returning to the Country of Earth Syaoran met up with the Tsuchikage and returned the ring. Seeing the way the events had unfolded the Tsuchikage was saddened, but not broken. The Tsuchikage then gave the ring to Syaoran to keep. It was an Iwagakure no Sato Council ring, wore by the council members. The Tsuchikage then said,
"~The Alchem are quite resourceful aren't they. It seems quite fitting that one day the heads of Iwagakure will bow to a Tsuchikage with the Alchem family name; don't you agree Syaoran?"
Chapter 14: Infiltration
One day as Syaoran had finished a task for the Tsuchikage he was summoned to see him. Going with Daisuke to the Tsuchikage Syaoran was taken aside and given a mission of infiltration the Iwagakure Academy and to teach classes there and gain their trust. Sneaking down into the basement of his house, into the buried library of the Alchem clan Syaoran learned, with permission from the kage, a forbidden technique from the Divine Scroll of the 77 Forbidden Arts. He also used Alchemic Metabolism to alter his appearance so that he could easily infiltrate the school.
Upon infiltrating the academy Syaoran soon discovered he enjoyed teaching. He was a natural with children also, which came as a surprise to him. Through time and other small missions the Tsuchikage placed on Syaoran he gained their trust and led a field trip to The Country of Fang, in which Syaoran secretly obtained photographs and information about the city and it’s occupants. During this time Syaoran also heard of a devastating attack on the resistance headquarters by the NCIA. He did not know the details, but all he could do was continue his mission.
Upon returning from The Country of Fang, Syaoran found a letter on his kitchen table requesting his presence in Metropolis. So Syaoran left his identity of Novascocia Reed and left for Metropolis.
Chapter 15: Free at Last
The streets of Metropolis were as normal as an occupied and controlled city could be. The market was closing down along with the sun, people walked the streets and the occasional NCIA guard walked about. Upon entering the city Syaoran was approached by one of these guards, a bubbly young girl named Hikari. She was making passes at Syaoran and instead of giving her the cold shoulder and possibly angering an NCIA officer, Syaoran took her out to eat. Upon her spilling her reasons for becoming part of the NCIA, Syaoran’s opinion of the meeting changed. Offering her a way out he made her a deal, but for now she would have to stay in the mess.
Leaving her in the restaurant Syaoran went to the slums, finding Hikado and obtaining from him the information he would need for his next mission. He was to set up explosive tags all across the city, many of which were on civilian buildings. Having a problem with this Syaoran approached Hikado, expressing his concern. Only after being assured that the civilians would be evacuated before they were set off did Syaoran continue with his mission. Easily moving about the city with his disguise, he planted every tag on ever mark.
The day of the music festival was upon them, and Syaoran attended with his all access pass. Enjoying the music and taking the time to cut back he let himself go, but this was short lived. Soon, though the crowd could not hear it over the music and from the shelter of the stadium, but explosions went off all over the city. Leaving the concert Syaoran made way towards the first district he could get to. Upon reaching it he found no one about, but two NCIA officers who were moving down the street fast. Tailing them Syaoran overheard them talking about calling for reinforcements and intercepted them. A brief fight ensued in which Syaoran came out victory, killing one and incapacitating the second.
Moving about the city Syaoran aided the other resistance members in their fights. By the end of the day the NCIA forces had been overwhelmed and the city was theirs. Setting up a headquarters the wounded were tended to, NCIA and resistance alike. Many of the NCIA were given the choice to switch sides, and many took the chance. The others were kept prisoner and interrogated. Finding Hikari once again, whom was thrilled to see him alive, they set off together with her friend Kia. Moving around the city searching out the Tsuchikage or any remnant forces, they eventually were lead back to the HQ. A small skirmish erupted as Hikado announced to the city that they were in control, but was quickly taken care of.
Finally Metropolis was given back its people.
Chapter 16: Formation of Team Syaoran
In the aftermath of the Metropolis takeover Syaoran made friends with an odd bunch. First was Hikari and Kia, the NCIA turncoats who both had tragic pasts with the NCIA. They had been forced into service because of their ninja skill, given the choice of join or die. Hikari had taken Syaoran's attention the most, and a kindling relationship began between the two. The third was Uchiha Nevan, a strange boy who came from Konoha a while ago and trained directly under Hikado. His strength had helped them win back Metropolis and Syaoran was glad for this.
The group was somewhat of a mismatch, and Nevan distrusting the two former NCIA. They in turn distrusted him which created much tension. Syaoran on the other hand had a knack for choosing trustworthy people, and when he decided that was it. And in this situation the group spent their first night, all in the same apartment. Though things lightened up as the night went on. Nevan, in a very rare departure from his usual self, kissed Kia in the presence of Syaoran and Hikari. Hikari on the other hand, had stripped herself down and pleaded Syaoran to take her virginity on the kitchen table. Shocked at this act, Syaoran would end the night. It was the first sign that maybe not all was right with Hikari, and it was the start of the end of their relationship.
Soon the group moved back to Iwagakure proper and started to take missions together. Nevan and Syaoran began to bond, even though neither of them had spoken much. Their trust grew and they became like brothers. Nevan even passed the knowledge of a special technique he knew, known as Jutsu Formula.
On one such mission, a mere border patrol, the group split into two teams to cover more ground. Syaoran, the most powerful, was paired with Kia, the weakest of the group. As they moved around though Syaoran and Kia were ambushed by an attacking force. In an attempt to save Kia, Syaoran threw himself between her and the blade of the opponent, severing his own arm. Syaoran was left defenseless as Kia tried to help. In the last moment though Nevan appeared, thanks to the Jutsu Formula he had taught Syaoran. Syaoran was carried back to the village hospital, the mission a failure.
Chapter 17: Recouping
In the ensuing days Syaoran found himself lost and confused. The loss of his arm had brought about a lot of painful memories, such as the death of his friend Daisuke, the powerless feeling he got, and his inability to protect those he cared for.
Delving into the depths of his library and using the knowledge he had gained from his parents journal, Syaoran made out to recreate his arm. It was a tiresome task, and once completed with the preparations, it would take another 700 hours, or 29 days and 4 hours to finish. Using his right arm, inversed, he calculated and created an array. Playing this array on a seal and placed it over his left shoulder. Over time the arm would slowly grow back.
One day however Syaoran was called in by Hikado for a meeting. In this meet Syaoran learned that Nevan had gone missing and it was considered that he may be conspiring with the enemy. His confusion and anger led Syaoran to explode towards Hikado during the meeting, making the kage question his ability to fight. The message was clear, Syaoran needed to focus himself. Drawing himself into his training Syaoran focused himself. His found his resolve. He would rescue Nevan, or if he was a true traitor, he would kill him himself. If Nevan had betrayed them he would depart this earth, as he would become a threat to Syaoran’s loved ones and his treasure itself, the Country of Earth.
A couple weeks later, Syaoran’s arm already grown back to the elbow, Syaoran and the rest of the village was called together. The news of the invading army to the west was announced and the lines were drawn. The army was being assembled, and Syaoran signed up without a second thought. He would not allow another disaster to befall the Country of Earth.
Chapter 18: The Catalyst is Cold
All the ninja of Iwagakure no Sato gathered at the newly instated Tsuchikage’s summit. The large number of people to show up showed the remaining force of the resistance, the fortunate and loyal people to make it through the violent revolution. Syaoran, Kia and Hikari all stood in this crowd together, awaiting Hikado to begin his speech.
When finally the man appeared, he silenced the crowd with his presence. He announced a sad bit of news though, that the forces of Yukigakure no Sato led by a third party man were launching an attack on the Country of Earth. All of the remaining people who were willing were asked to make a force to intercept them at the front lines. Syaoran was of course the first to sign up, his will to protect the citizens of the country strong as ever. Others followed his lead and soon there was an entire force of ninja marching towards the Northern Border.
When they arrived though there was much to take in, as the initial forces were already in combat with the enemy. Syaoran and the others jumped into the fighting to help as many as they could but it eventually ended up being futile. Syaoran could only do so much with his one arm. Trying to protect the girls, Syaoran took out as many Yuki ninja and mercenaries as he could, but it was to no avail. They were loosing the battle and eventually were forced to retreat. Syaoran, knowing that they would push forward to Iwagakure, had to go and inform Hikado. This meant though that he would have to leave Hikari and Kia behind to be taken care of by the retreating forces.
This was one of the worst decisions of Syaoran’s life and one of the few he regrets.
Chapter 19: Snowfall on the Stone
Upon arriving back in Iwagakure no Sato Syaoran collapsed of exhaustion before he could carry out his message. When he awoke in a hospital the next morning it was too late, the attack had just begun and Syaoran prepared himself for another round of fighting. Cutting his way through mercenaries and Yukigakure ninja, Syaoran was lucky to not require the use of his bloodline, but it seemed luck had also deemed him another hand. There was a rumor spread from the battles in the north, that a ‘black swordsman’ was afoot and extracting revenge on the enemies of Iwagakure no Sato. Syaoran remembered what had happened, it was himself that had been the start of this rumor, and his cursed blade Hinshi. The power had overwhelmed him at one point in the north, the bloodlust had risen beyond his senses and he had struck down multiple ninja with ease before regaining himself. It was frightening, not being in control of such a fierce power…
The bulk of the Iwagakure no Sato forces had been pushed back, and through word of mouth Syaoran caught wind that the last of the forces were planning to regroup and mount a final offensive from the arena. Moving as quickly as he could Syaoran made his way across the village to the arena. Arriving he saw that the forces were already in battle with the resistance forces held up within the arena. Fighting his way in Syaoran started to help clear out the mercenary forces that fell like flies as they moved wave after wave towards the arena. Everything looked a bit hopeless as the attackers closed in, the roar of battle never ending within the stands of the arena.
Chapter 20: The Masquerade
At the last moment as the forces closed in on the remaining Iwa ninja though, Hikado and the members of the village council appeared, throwing out devastating attacks that destroyed the Yukigakure forces. Using this as momentum, the rest of the forces pushed outward and started to repel the enemy.
Then two people appeared. The first and most noticeable was Uchiha Madara, the leader of the enemy forces approached Hikado himself, engaging him in battle. As the rest of the Yuki forces scattered, another Uchiha appeared, this one by the name of Uchiha Shinaki, cutting through the Iwagakure no Sato ninja like paper, nothing could touch him as he made his way through the crowd.
Syaoran, caught in his own battles held off the Yukigakure no Sato ninja, striking them down as he could. Within the confusion a krackle went off in his ear, his trap had been set flawlessly. With a single command a cube of purple flames flew up, engulfing the entire arena in a purple glow. It was the forces outside, they had set up a perimeter and prepared the jutsu, now no one could leave or enter the arena, even if Syaoran and Hikado were to die, the rest of the enemies that survived would have an extremely hard time leaving.
Shinaki closed in on Syaoran, after considering the option of helping Madara, found it much better to attack the Alchem instead. The two engaged in battle for a few mere seconds, before the appearance of a third and final person broke the fighting. Uchiha Nevan, Syaoran’s lost friend.
The two compromised, seeing the needlessness in their battle and turned towards the fight. Syaoran was bewildered by the appearance of Nevan. He did not know why he was there, or how. Shinaki soon explained how the two of them had been found by Madara in the unforgiving West and brought into the army to fight under him. He was like a father too both of them, and they had become like brothers.
Before Syaoran could react though, Shinaki disappeared and grabbed Nevan, lifting him up and taking off in the other direction towards the wall. Syaoran made no hesitation to chase them, he used his newly found technique, Forbidden Art #14; Flying Thunder God Technique, that had been learned through the use of the Jutsu Formula, the technique Nevan himself had taught Syaoran. Yet as he closed in on the two another unexpected thing happened, the older of the two, Shinaki, took in a deep breathe and extruded a black flame from his mouth, burning down the wall in front of him and making a way to escape. To be able to burn through that wall, the attack must have been a long secret art.
Syaoran would be damned if anyone would take Nevan from him again. No matter the reason for him being taken the first time, he would not let it happen again. Appearing between the two and the hole Syaoran held his sword at the ready, pronouncing a challenge to both Uchiha now, he would fight them both if he had to, just to make sure Nevan stayed with him.
Shinaki was full of surprises. Instead of a fight, he immediately surrendered, knowing he was at his limits after the last technique. Syaoran, who had yet to activate his own bloodline, stood floating between them, ready to arrest them both for their crimes.
Syaoran took the two with the help of an ANBU squad to the prison cells, locking them both in their own confinement and keeping them from making hand seals. He questioned each of them separately and kept their information for records.
It was not long until word of the outcome of the battle was heard. Hikado had died, along with the council members. Madara had won, and the wall had been taken down. Syaoran, after long deliberation and talking with the Uchiha, released them from the prison. If Madara was to find out they were there, he would kill his way in to release them. It was better to cut the anchor than to loose the whole ship. Neither of them though left with Madara, whether of their own choice or because he did not want them too was unknown though. Nevan was still a friend, but his trust had been diminished, and Syaoran did not know what to think of him.
Uchiha Madara left, his remaining forces with him. He walked out of the village a free man, and Syaoran vowed to find him and brign him to justice one day. Nevan had mentioned once that the man was a God, to which Syaoran had replied ‘There are no such things as Gods, only power starved fools, pointing their strength at the world in an attempt to leave a mark.’
That was what Madara really was, and that was what he would be brought down for.
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