01: ISLE OF ORIGIN

[Yasora]

ISLE OF ORIGIN,
Three Weeks Ago

It has been no more than a week since the end of the Second Great Shinobi War and already Odamura has began organizing his next turn of event. It has been seven years since he retired from his position as the Nidaime Mizukage and since that day he'd often wander off and disappear from the village for elongated periods of time, which he no longer lived in mind you, in search of the many mysteries of Mizu no Kuni.

The cast of his ship pointed west as it sailed along the eerie, silent waters of Mizu no Kuni. Upon the ship was the great Nidaime himself as well as four operatives from the 05 Division, Fūinjutsu Corps of Kirigakure, along with a months supply of food and drinks, various weapons, and sources of currency. So far the trip had been a long, hard one. The five had ran into various pirate ships, and encountered a few complications with civilians who loathed the mainland of Kirigakure, but with the tactics of the Nidaime each complication was handled accordingly--the mission remained uncompromised.

In the horizon an unyielding rain poured down over a mountain range that was visible long before they were even remotely close to their destination. A serene whistle shrilled, buzzing within the ears of the five as if trying to ward them off from opposing danger. The waters began to flow slower; it seemed as if it was taking an eternity to arrive to what was made out as an island filled with continuous rains and mountains. An island rumored to possess many of the secrets of Kirigakure's ancient settlers, the Isle of Origin.

"Nidaime-dono," a ninja dressed in a black garb knocked, calling out to the Nidaime from the outside of the door as they stood amongst three others, dressed alike in every way. The only detail that set them apart was the positioning their haori that they each wore. "We have arrived." As the door slowly crept open, a column of light slipped from the opening of the door as the Former-Mizukage clad in a white, hooded cloak, stepped from the frame with his silver locks cascading in the light breeze.

"Aha... We're finally here." Odamura chortled, walking to the front of the ship, looking off into the distance from the main deck. "Dock us at the foot of isle, Hattō-san. Shin-san, Kaoru-chan, and Itsuki-san, you three check the perimeters of the island. I'm going to head towards the mountain." With his instructions given four rifts of smoke appear upon the deck as the rain seemed to pour harder.

Suddenly, the tips of his geta dug into the white grains of sand, an imprint of his foot was left with each step he took, though the rain made the ground murky and moist. With no second thought he wandered deeper and further into the jungles that were set before the mountains. Noises and random movements occurred instantaneously but these threats had little affect on Odamura's will, so he continued on.

A loud shriek squawked while the earth began to rumble something fierce, from behind a colossus tree a behemoth appeared. Its big, bulky cleavers bashed into its even bigger chest, raging on the gorilla pounced at Odamura. Flinging its hammer-like fist towards Odamura, he jumped inward towards the ape as its second arm flung at him which he dodged by ducking and parting away from the ape before it's hammer-like fist torn into the earth.

"Oh. You want to fight?" Queried the Nidaime, smiling as the gorilla began rampaging again. This time instead of ducking and dodging he performed a set of hand signs, a piece of log took the full force of the gorilla's rage as Odamura tact allowed him to avoid it, reappearing behind the behemoth beast. "This island is hectic." Scuffing, he looked at the other, much smaller creatures as they appeared to be gathering around, watching the affray.

"Suiton!" Pressing his hands into a series of hand signs, a thick mist began to settle across the greenery, hiding Odamura from the sight of the ape.

"Kirigakure no Jutsu!"

Within the mist the colossal limbs of the gorilla thrust viciously, aiming for naught whilst surrounded by the blinding pride of Kirigakure. "Hrn." Odamura took notice and quickly planned his actions as he dodged the thrust that came his way, "This should calm you down." Clapping his hands inward once more the particles of water gathered, and from the column of water a dragon was formed--

"Uuuunn--Suiton: Suiryūdan no Jutsu...!" Yelped Odamura, reciting the name of his Jutsu as the water dragon tackled the abdomen of the ape.

A mighty roar boomed, booming across each corner of the forest, the very earth shook. After being knocked to the ground by the water dragon formed by the Nidaime Mizukage, the beast rampaged as the mist subsided--

Locking eyes with the beast that fearless gaze of Odamura's was complimented by a smile--

ARRYYGHHH. Roared the behemoth of the forest--

"So you're a stubborn one, eh?" The Former-Mizukage asked still locking eyes with the great ape. Though this creature was not a human being he could see and read the pride and power it possessed. Sliding the sleeve of his cloak back, chakra seemed to become visible at the tips of his slender digits, buzzing with the might of his unmoving spirit--

FOUR HOURS LATER

"Have any of you found anything significant yet?" Standing at the foot of the island Odamura looked across the vast sea that hindered him and his squad to go to the mountains. The clouds began to move, growing darker with each passing moment and the rain just fell harder. Pondering, lost in the inner chambers of his tactful, yet brilliant mind, Odamura could barely fathom what was on this isle. Thus far only behemoth-sized animals and plants had been encountered, though none like the one they searched for, the one he longed to find.

"No." The redheaded, short, bulky male of the group replied, stopping and standing beside Odamura as the others did so as well.

"Odamura-donol!" Kaoru, the greenhaired, slender, anti-bust girl of the squad called to the Former-Nidaime. "May I inquire?"

"You may." He nodded.

"Well, I just wondered what if what we're searching for is not here?" She stopped, pausing, "What if this is all for nothing?"

"Nn... It isn't." He said as simply as he could, looking off a moment before going on. "The Isle of Origin is the very place where our roots, the roots or Kirigakure, are said to have come from. This place is holds many of the wonders of our country. It was settled back in the early days before the founding of the Shinobi Lands, back when most of the prestigious clans that exist now were just beginning. Back when clans and families took refuge under one symbol and called themselves nakama. That is what these islands represent. As you've already seen this island is already the home of many unique creatures, albeit most of them not norm. So, there's is no doubt that I have saying that a creature such as the Sanbi no Kyodaigame cannot very well be here as well, Kaoru-chan."

"I told'ja to just shut up, Kaoru... He's the Nidaime, he might tell Mizukage-sana about us being disrespectful towards him!" Shin groaned in whispers in sighs, leaning in over Kaoru's ear and saying his piece.

"Oh?" Odamura laughed, interjecting over Shin's shoulder with a smile. "Don't worry," he said patting Kaoru and Shin on the back, "Curiosity won't kill you."

!!

"Eh?!"

"From this point on we will continue to thoroughly search this part of the island, after a few days of searching and getting settled here... We're headin' to the mountains to capture the Sanbi."

THREE DAYS LATER

"He's been standing there for hours, ever since we undocked." Kaoru said speaking in whispers, "Do you think it may be true what they say about him?" Looking up at Odamura as he gazed out onto the might seas with the rains getting harder and harder every moment, she turned and asked Hattō his opinion of the Former-Kage. While her thoughts about him were fixed and possessed the utmost respect, working with him and seeing his methods, his sanity seemed questionable. Here they were sailing amongst a harsh rain, looking for a creature as notorious as he was.

"Odamura-sama is--!!" Before his reply could be completed Shin was interrupted by a yelp that seemed to sound like Shin was alerting everyone, calling to them for some sort of reason. In the time it took everyone to gather around the dank shinobi who didn't seem to have found anything.

"Me and my clones searched all over but we weren't able to find anything at all. I don't think anything's out there."

"Are you sure?" Kaoru asked turned to Hattō, then looked over to Shin again. "Maybe we should tell Odam--"

"Not so fast." In a movement that was unheard, Itsuki appeared from his spot at the ass of the ship. His vibrant tail of red bounced in the rain, cold eyes weaved in and out as if he was expecting something. Suddenly, appearing from behind the trio, Itsuki trudged to the side of the ship, interjecting after the dark rifts of blue broke apart and a serpents head appeared and seemed to communicate to Itsuki for a moment or two. "It seems like my serpents were able to find something, something big."

"Like what?" One of the three others asked quickly.

"A huge turtle-like creature is about one kilometer away from where we are now." He informed them solemnly, a soft breath escaped him. Turning and nodding to the serpent before glide over the water as it was dismissed. "It's hidden about... twelve kilometers underwater."

"So we've found it..?"

"Yes."

"Quick! Inform Odamura-sama!"

A couple of hours later everything began to fit into place, the puzzle was being pieced together. With the location of the Sanbi no Kyodaigame determined, after Odamura was informed, he and the 05 division immediately began devising their method of action, how they would go about luring the Sanbi so that they can stag an attack to weaken it, then capturing it. At first it seemed easier said than done but after a little bit of plotting and preparation, not to mention constant purging of their cognitive eye's, they were able to devise a plan that actually seemed logical enough to work, or it did in theory, and it only took them a few hours to do so.

"Itsuki-san, you and your serpents will provoke the Sanbi no Kyodaigame to the best of your abilities. We need you to make sure he feels threatened, being a beast by nature he will seek to target you. From that point on, Shinjiro-san, you and your platoon of sea jellies will loiter and act as our guide to lure the Sanbi to the surface.

Hattō-san, you are our barrier master, while Kaoru-chan... you are a master of seals and barrier expert as well. After the Sanbi surfaces I will need you and Kaoru-chan to erect barriers around the Sanbi until Itsuki and Shinjiro-san make it back to the ship, at which point I will engage the Sanbi until you all regroup then follow in suit and once we have weakened the Sanbi enough we will perform the Yō-pō: Heigōin no Jutsu."

The water was filled with dozens upon dozens of serpents and jellyfish, accompanied by four black-clad shinobi, Odamura nodded once it seemed everyone understood their job. It was crucial that everything went as planned because if it didn't they'd have hell to pay for it.

"Understood?" Peering deep into their souls with his wise yet cold orbs green, watching as Kaoru and Hattō got into their allotted positions, his eyes closed. "Go!!" His raspy voice boomed, a hint of excitement was present for the first time in years, and just like ants after being given their orders from their queen, the 05 Division instantly scattered, vanishing from various places into the water below for what was to be the capture of a great beast.

Deep under the cool, dank, alarming world that was the seas surrounding the Isle of Origin, Itsuki and his battalion of serpents closed in on their target, prey, predator whichever you you wanted to call it. Slowly stalking the Sanbi as they got into their allotted positions, Itsuki's hand raised and as his two digits extended from their resting spot upon his forehead and directed towards the Sanbi, it began.

A barrage of serpents began to attack the Sanbi from every possible side, tackling and bashing into the behemoth body of the three-tailed creature's body. The Sanbi's giant appendage rose and began swatting away the serpents left and right, right and left, up and down, down and up. For a moment it seemed as though the attempt was for naught, the Sanbi began to resettle. Well, it did before the second barrage ensued; tackles, jolts, and biting were among the many assaults made upon the Sanbi as it lied there in its welling anger.

Fleeing just as quickly as their assaults began the Sanbi followed after them completely absent of their scheme, falling within their grasp as it chased the serpents through the water, its speed, which must be added, was quite impressive. To the thee-tailed turtle it was a simple game of cat and mouse, prey and predator; the unexpected began to ensue as the serpents all disappeared and the Sanbi was now surrounded by a squadron of jellyfish which slowly lifted to the surfaces, directing the Sanbi much like a guide would their tourist.

In the time it took the now enraged Sanbi to arise from its hidden position, Hattō and Kaoru had already erected a barrier and Itsuki and Shin had already made it back to the group. Odamura slowly trekked forth, a smirk rested upon his mug as the Sanbi charged him with much hostility. After redocking the ship on the faraway island which they originally landed upon, Odamura trudged slowly; anxiety was absent as was the though of fear. He'd overcame many situation more pressing than this one in his days and fear was something he grew distant from, a stranger amongst his emotions.

A fierce battle between man and Bijū underwent. As it went on the unyielding rains that seemed to last forever slowly came to a pause, a stop. With numbers reaching over one hundred the rest of Odamura's plan went smoothly and in no time, the Sanbi was weakened. His pace slowed drastically and its anger seemed to dim with the plausible defeat. "Tori, U, Inu, Tatsu, Hebi, Inu, I, U, Ne, Mi, Hitsuji!!" The five bellowed in unison--

"YŌ-PŌ: HEIGŌIN--!!"
And then the Sanbi no Kyodaigame was captured.

[Yasora]

CAPTURE OF THE SANBI,
Isle of Origin, Three Weeks Ago

Dynamic was the presence of the Nidaime. Unmovable by will, he stood firmly as the end-appendages of the Sanbi whipped down upon him, hammering into the renovating sea with a thunderous clap. Copious tides grew into waves that were wild, abundant and towered over the Former-Mizukage just as easily as they were formed. Jumping back, increasing the distance between himself and the Kyodaigame, Odamura cursed under his breath. His silver locks violently cascaded as an adequate wind forced passed his side--beside him now was Itsuki and Hattō, their hands clasped together into a seal that caused the lively waters to fall back and engulf the Sanbi.

Anger welled in its expression as the behemoth-turtle charged at the three great veterans like a lion stalking its prey right before the pounce; the elephantine arms of the beast swatted down upon them. The aggression, the ambition; the danger they were in was tremendous but yet they still remained stationary until moments before the Sanbi's attack landed, when they hurdled away. Bouncing over the swifting waters, each of their hands clapped in a fashion that almost seemed rehearsed, synchronized. Smirks and other mouthy fixations resided upon their profiles; the excitement, the anxiety was thickening.

"NOW!!" The Nidaime yelped, alerting the final two of the group to get into their allotted positions, appearing suddenly Shinjiro and Kaoru both began their onslaughts. A slew of jelly stingers pieced into the side of the Sanbi, some being swept away by its out lash. On the other side of the Sanbi, a large edge of chakra generated from the end of a tantō clashed into the rear of the three-tailed turtle causing it slightly submerge under water as Odamura began his technique. "SUITON: SUIRŌ NO JUTSU--!!"

With two water clones made in his place, positioned on the back and front side of the Sanbi--in front of its face and behind it's three tails--each of the clones began a Jutsu. A string handsigns was utilized in a series of claps of the palms. In no time two dragons composed of the very water the Sanbi lived in, thrived in, rushed into its visage as the 05 Division operatives got into their stances, formed their seals, and recited their chants for the ritual that was to be formed as the circular-fūin was formed under around the lot.

"Tori, U, Inu~!!" Hattō and Itsuki began to recite, "Tatsu, Hebi, Inu~!!" Shin and Kaoru's voice sung in a melodic tone as the fūin began to glow, subduing the Sanbi--

"I--U--Ne--Mi--Hitsuji--!!" Odamura, the Nidaime, Former-Mizukage, student of the Shodai and teacher of the Sandaime Mizukage roared in a voice that transcended the blood lust of his villagers, the power within the ranks, and the pride in his self. A mighty yell shook the earth and the very heavens above, his determination was--unmovable.

As the majestic chains wrapped and locked around the Sanbi, holding the Kyodaigame in its very place despite the refusal of be held down, contained, locked-up, or captured. As the bonsai pot was summoned before the Sanbi, in the epicenter of the circular-seal with the encryption: 『攻略』embeded upon the heart of the seal and upon the Sanbi as it was forced into the bonsai pot with a bellow that almost rivaled the Nidiame's. As it was done the final words of this epic battle were muttered by each of the five--

"YŌ-PŌ: HEIGŌIN--!!"
That was how the Sanbi no Kyodaigame was captured.

NOW,
Mizukage's Office, Kirigakure no Sato

"Mizukage-sama, you have a visitor." An Anbu went to inform Tenzō after someone had arrived to his office. The tone of the Anbu's baritone seemed shaky at first, rather uneasy. It was as if someone unwanted or maybe even as infamous as himself had arrived. Peaking up from his papers, the Mizukage rubbed at his stubble beard.

"Who is it?" Ten queried looking back down to his papers, not believing it was anyone worth notice. Before the Anbu could speak, well more so as he opened his mouth enough to say--

"He didn't s--" Odamura barged into the room, looking left and right, getting a feel for the room before cocking his head to the side and looking at Tenzō. "It's me." He grinned a teethy grin, walking up to Tenzō who, to someone that was capable of reading expression as Odamura was, was hiding the joy he had from seeing his predecessor and former Sensei. That suave half-grin stayed stationary upon the his face for a moment or two--

"Oda-sensei? What are you doing back here?" Tenzō inquired, lacing his digits within one another, the gentle breeze that followed Odamura into the room altered him, git him thinking, questioning himself; attempting to fathom just what Odamura was doing back in Kirigakure after leaving a year prior to the Second Great Shinobi War's completion.

"Nani? Though I'm not the Mizukage any longer I do still have the right to reside inside of the village that I left to you, don't I?" That grin grew wider with a chuckle, dismissing the question with his wordplay Odmaura folded his arms. "And as the Sandaime Mizukage, you shouldn't require yourself to call me sensei, Mizukage-dono."

"As the Nidaime and my former sensei, I will present you with the respect you deserve as long as I'm obliged. Though..." Tenzō's voice began to trail as a grin, a grimace even, almost similar to Odamura's made itself comfortable over his maw; locking eyes with the Nidaime, something he'd done various times before, he chuckeled. "As the Former-Mizukage you should also feel obliged to wait outside of my door until I grant you my permission to enter my office, Oda-sensei."

"Tenchan," Odamura began, his words were cold as ice, his gaze as steady as his reign as Kage was dominate and unforgettable. "As Mizukage there are somethings you have no control over..." He smiled again, "And that is why I am here."

Looking over to the Anbu that guarded his door they immediatley exited. With Odmaura being retired and not coming off as much of a threat they felt safe leaving him in the Sandaime's presence. Besides, Tenzō was Odamura's student and would know everything about him, right? "What are you talking about? What do you know?"

"Ara? Do you remember what I told you before I left the war, about catching word of a place called the Isle of Origin?" Leaning over the Sandaime's desk, he asked in a whispering, hushed tone.

"Yes. I do, but what does that have to do with anything?" Tenzō questioned.

"Let's just say... Everything I told you I would do happened." He smiled that teethy smile once again. An eerie silence followed the end of his confirmation. "And now it's time to undergo stage two of my plan... Once you've made your decision."

end: 01: ISLE OF ORIGIN
next: 02: WHAT IS TWILIGHT?!