Chapter 7: Battle Plans

In the midst of the scorching Desert of the Wind Country, thousands of ninjas in Iwa's uniforms raced across the camp as they prepared for a huge battle that would change the course of the war. And inside a tent located in the center of the camp, the greatest minds of Iwa's army argued among themselves seeking the best strategy for the battle that was going.

Scattered around a large table could find ninjas who lavished experience and wisdom in their eyes. And in the center of the table was a map that showed its main target, Suna. "It is certain that Rasa will put all his troops to defend the death row," said an old general.

"That entrance is not the only option we have to attack the city," exclaimed Onoki, realizing that everyone in the tent turned his eyes to the old king, he then continued. "We will attack by land and air."

Laughing at the statement, Kurotsuchi wasted no time in refuting the old man. "I do not see how only three people will be able to defeat the forces of Suna attacking by the air", putting his hands on the head of his grandfather the beautiful ninja continued. "Even more with me having to take care of an old man."

Everyone knew that Onoki was no longer as strong a king as he was in the past, but his age made the old king vast knowledge and experience of war. And with so much experience, the generals in the room already knew that Onoki was putting up something that he had not yet mentioned to the court-martial.

"Kurotsuchi ...", only the mention of the girl's name made her realize that it was no time for jokes. Examining the face of each present on the spot, the king declared in a stern voice. "Suna's kingdom will be on fire by the end of the day," he said as he fisted his fists on the table. Calming his nerves, he quickly concluded. "The ground attack plan will continue as we have decided, the air strike will be carried out by someone else."

"And who would that person be?" Akatsuchi asked as he folded his arms.

"An old acquaintance ..." Onoki replied with a small smile.

It was another beautiful afternoon in the forests of Konoha, the sound of birds could be heard from every corner and the wind crashed against the trees, causing their leaves to scatter in every corner of the forest. For the animals that lived there, it was just another day, but for people who enjoyed the pleasures of Mother Nature, the feeling of freedom was something spectacular that they all felt. And in the middle of the trees was a small hut with a beautiful blue-haired woman on the porch.

Taking advantage of the tranquility that the forest exuded for the woman, she cannot help but smile with everything she saw in front of her. But that was a feeling she knew she would have to leave some time or another. Sighing, the woman turned to enter the hut to find her old friend. "Things are happening too fast Nagato."

The man in question was a surprising person, his purple eyes exuded a sense of power, on his face it could be seen that man would go through many trials in life and his posture made it clear that each ordeal shaped him in a man who no longer feared anything, a true leader.

"And everything is going as planned, after all this is my will," turning his gaze to the woman, the red-haired man declared. "This is the will of a God."

Before the two continued their conversation, a being began to leave the floor of the hut. Recognizing her presence, Konan a little wary asked. "What do you want, Zetsu?"

"I appreciate seeing you miss me Konan," said the black and white half with an evil grin on his face.

"What's the news?" Nagato asked, interrupting their interaction.

"Danzou fulfilled his part of the plan and Konoha attacked the Land of Demons, conquering his capital with ease," Zetsu informed them while giving them time to absorb what he had just said.

"Okay, so it's time to start our searches ..." Nagato began before being interrupted by Zetsu.

"I do not think it's going to be possible right now."

"What do you mean?" Konan asked.

"Hiruzen did not accept the conquest of his troops very well, he is now in the capital and is trying to compensate the situation with a union between Prince Naruto and Princess Shion," Zetsu exclaimed while waiting for Nagato's reaction.

Walking to a window of the cabin, Nagato began to think about her next steps. 'Damn it, Danzou made sure the troops would plunder and quickly leave the city.' Turning her attention to the other two presences inside the cabin, Nagato exclaimed. "We cannot let marriage happen, an alliance like this would make our mission even more difficult."

"The marriage takes place in five days, what are your orders?" Zetsu asked.
"Continue you're spying, Konan and I will go to the wedding."

Surprised at the leader's statement, Zetsu quickly questioned him. "Are you sure you're going to take a chance?" Zetsu asked, but before Nagato even replied, he continued.

"You can send Deidara and Sasori."

"They're already busy," said the redhead as he left the hut.

While resting propped up on one of the great columns of the royal palace, Naruto was amused at the sight of his friends fighting in the training yard. When Kiba came to him for a fight, the young Inuzuka did not realize that anyone who would fight for the prince would be someone as tough as the bowl-hair fighter Naruto encountered in Konoha's army.

"Force Akamaru, we're going to defeat this guy," Kiba said as he worried about his friend seeing that he had received some injuries from his opponent. Taking his gaze from the dog, Kiba was soon struck by a kick in his chest. Blocking in the last second, Inuzuka quickly invested in the other ninja with a series of blows that was easily blocked by the man in front of him.

Gathering what was left of her chakra, Kiba exchanged glances with Akamaru. Knowing that the dog got what he wanted to do, the ninja quickly made some hand seals and joined the Akamaru forming a kind of tornado that was going full force towards the opponent.

"This is the secret technique of the Inuzuka clan," Ino said as she watched the fight far enough not to be hit.

"The fight is over," Shino said as he continued to focus on the fight with the blonde.

Concentrating his strength on his legs, the ninja waited until Kiba and Akamaru were close enough to make their attack. 'It's now,' he thought as he jumped toward them and with all his might hit a kick in the middle of his opponents' faces. "Hurricane of the leaf," shouted the big-eye ninja.

Falling on his back after his opponent's serious onslaught, Kiba found no way out for his fight other than his surrender. Raising his hands, the ninja spoke as he tried to catch his breath. "You're a really incredible Rock Lee opponent ... your hands are tougher than a rock."

Laughing at Kiba's comment, the boy with the big eyebrows declared quickly. "This is the result of years training."

"Spending years training is not my beach," Kiba said as he took Lee's hand to stand up.

"The only thing you like to do is drink and be turned down by Kiba women," Sakura shouted as she laughed at the young ninja's reaction.

Enjoying his friends' antics, Naruto shifted his focus to something he was once curious about finding out what it was. Moving his hand to his waist, the blonde took the dagger and cannot help but be fascinated by the gun. Despite not having an efficient cut, its beauty was something that attracted the ninja to maintain it with itself. "Why did that man give his life to protect something like that?" He whispered to the dagger. Watching her more closely, he saw something strange on the top of his shaft. 'Is that some kind of button?' He thought as his finger slowly moved toward the button. But before squeezing, Naruto was interrupted by Sasuke.

"I see that the princess will not have to worry about betrayal, since you are more fascinated by daggers than women," he exclaimed as he laughed at his old friend.

"Marriage ... I never thought it would come that fast for me." With a small chuckle, he turned to Sasuke.

"Maybe she'll fix you up and make you less of an idiot," Sasuke said, smiling at the blonde.

"See how you talk to your prince," Naruto also smiled.

Sasuke knew that Naruto did not care about such things, the blonde often said that he would never cease to be the street kid they all knew as children. And that was something

Sasuke admired in him. "Okay ... and how are you feeling?"

"I do not know exactly, she seems to be a very difficult person to deal with."

"Maybe that's why you captured her town."

"Yes, maybe it is," after that the young men could not contain their laughter. When the laughter was over, the blonde lowered his head slightly and sighed. "I do not know what to do to improve the way she sees me."

"In a while everything will work out you just need to show her who you really are." Smiling as he watched his friends' jokes on the other side of the yard, he folded his arms and turned his attention to the blonde. "Start being kind to her, show that you care enough to want the relationship to work out."

"Just thinking about it makes me lazy."

Frowning, Sasuke remembered who he was talking to. He was not a prince who would not spare himself in fulfilling his responsibilities for the sake of the kingdom. He was just an idiot who liked to fight. Thinking of a better way to clarify the ideals of the 'Lion of Konoha', he finally came to a good idea. "Do you know that many men would kill themselves to marry a person as beautiful as she is?" Seeing that the blonde understood the point he wanted to reach, he then finished. "I think I'm beginning to doubt your sexuality." Sasuke could not hold back the laughter at the annoyed face Naruto gave him after the statement.

Pushing the young man, Naruto ran his hands through his hair and sighed a little. "Of course I'm attracted to her, but even so, it's still a lot of responsibility falling on my shoulders."

"Hiruzen has entrusted you with that responsibility," giving the prince a light blow, Sasuke finished. "Like him, we all trust that you will succeed."

"Thank you my friend".

"Love is beautiful," Choji teased as he approached the pair eating their chips.

"Of course ... what was Choji?" Naruto asked.

"Shikamaru did not show up a few days ago, is everything with him?"

"Konohamaru told me he's doing the gun searches along with Danzou."

"I thought he was with Asuma," Sasuke said.

"My father did not take our conquest very well and is making him take all the consequences," he continued, looking at the shock expression of his friends. "It's one of those things to prepare you to take the throne ...".

Beneath the great city, several subterranean passages were being built by Konoha ninjas, and anyone ahead of the excavations was none other than the greatest sloth in the kingdom. Shikamaru Nara.

"Sir," said a miner as he drew the young man's attention. "We found something different in the east tunnel." Seeing that he had Nara's full attention, he continued. "It seems to be some sort of secret passageway built a long time ago."

Crossing his arms to the statement Shikamaru soon began to think. "We have already excavated much of the city's subsoil, this passage must be the place where the weapons are stored." Dismissing the miner he began to walk to the place. "The faster I find these weapons, the faster I can go back to sleep and watch my clouds."

Being immersed in his thoughts, Shikamaru barely noticed the presence of Danzou until he stopped in front of him and began to speak.

"Your task here is no longer necessary," he declared in his usual stern voice that the warlord was known.

"But now that we've finally had significant results in the excavations?" Asked Nara, surprised by what he had just heard.

"Our king thanks you for your efforts, but now I will totally take up the excavations," seeing that Shikamaru intended to continue arguing he quickly continued. "And take advantage and remove all mining team, that's an order," said the old man making it clear the final part of his statement to the young ninja.

Knowing that he had no reason to continue arguing with the old man, Shikamaru quickly bowed and obeyed the evacuation orders from the mine.

On leaving the mine the young man was amazed at the amount of equipment and ninjas Anbu that were going to the place that he had just left. 'Just a reason for Danzou's personal guard to take action ...'. Facing the mine for the last time, Nara concluded. "It's not just guns down there."

As he walked quietly through the corridors of the palace, Naruto was not surprised by the beauty of the place. Even living in a kingdom three times larger than the capital, Konoha was not known for boasting its riches. But the moment of contemplation of the prince was interrupted by someone he did not expect to see until his wedding day. His own bride.

"Enjoying what you see?" Shion smiled at the prince.

"Yes, indeed," replied the young man as he turned to face the princess. "I must say I have never seen a palace as beautiful as before."

"Maybe with a little overhaul, it can get back to the heyday it was before the Konoha attack."

As soon as Naruto passed by Shion, he realized that she would take every opportunity he had to provoke the royal family from the leaf, and seeing that he would now spend most of his life with the blonde, he certainly would be the target of his retaliation.

Placing a serious countenance on his face, Naruto began to speak. "I cannot tell whether the attack was worth it or not," seeing that the princess would begin to question his statement, he quickly continued. "Our informants warned us that you were producing weapons for Iwa, and taking advantage of the situation, the war council decided to act of its own accord," turning his back to the princess he finally finished. "If it serves as help, I was against the attack from the beginning."

Surprised by the blonde's final words, Shion tried to find any words that would continue to attack the actions of the Konoha ninja. But she knew that even if it was difficult for her, one hour or another she would have to abandon her pride and approach the blond, after all her main purpose was in the waist of the prince. The dagger.

Breathing the princess a little then said. "Your father convinced me that he would arrange everything that had been done here." Taking a few steps to withdraw from the spot, she turned to Naruto again. "Maybe the wedding was not a bad idea at the end."

Surprised by what the princess said, the blonde could not find words for the situation and simply saw the back of Shion moving away every second while leaving him standing with his chin on the ground.

So what did you think of the chapter? This time he came faster than normal haha.

In the next update, the story will revolve around the marriage of Naruto and Shion. Any suggestion is welcome :D

Thanks to all who have read. The story continues ...