A/N - Thank you, Scott Robertson for supporting Azure Awakening!

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Kaoru woke up to the sounds of the camp already stirring. The sky was still dark and the air was cold and damp just like usual, but shinobi were already awake, moving with quiet urgency. Everyone was in a hurry, noone slacked. Each additional trap they managed to set up and each ditch increased their chances of survival although slightly.

Kaoru sat up, rubbing his face before stepping out of his tent. Despite noone saying it out loud people were tense and scared.

Some shinobi were gathered around fires, eating quickly and speaking in low voices. Others stood in small groups, adjusting their gear, making sure everything was in place.

To his right, a group of younger shinobi sat together, their voices barely above a whisper.

“We’ll be fine, right?” one of them asked as he sought comfort from his friends.

“As long as we stick to the plan,” another answered, but his voice lacked confidence.

A third, older than the rest, scoffed. “Scared already? We haven’t even started yet.”

Kaoru walked past them without a word as he headed toward the supply tent. The smell of food lingered in the air, but he wasn’t hungry. He just knew that he had to eat.

Further ahead, he spotted two shinobi leaning against a stack of crates, speaking in serious tones.

“We just have to hold out long enough,” one of them muttered. “Takimura’s our home. If we don’t fight, who will?”

His companion nodded. “I know. But it’s Kiri. They’ve crushed villages much bigger than ours before.”

Kaoru kept walking.

The weight of what they were about to face was everywhere. Some shinobi tried to keep busy, focusing on weapons and armor. Others sat quietly, staring into the distance.

He stopped near the training area where Akane was stretching, rolling her shoulders. She noticed him and grinned.

“Ready?”

Kaoru nodded. “Yeah.”

She studied his face. “Did you sleep?”

“A little.”

“Good. You’ll need it.”

She didn’t say it to scare him. Just the truth.

Kaoru looked around once more. Some were afraid. Some were eager. Some were silent, keeping their emotions hidden.

But they were all here. Waiting for war to begin.

<<<>>>

In the largest camp of the army, Akura stood over a detailed map, he was trying to analyze every possible scenario. He hadn’t stopped planning, not even for a second, evident by .

Takimura had four hundred shinobi, including weaker chunin. These four hundred would have to fight against five thousand Kiri-nin.

There wasn’t a single advantage in their favor.

Kiri had better numbers, better training, more experience and their shinobi had been raised in blood and war, while most of Takimura’s army was still young, still growing.

Their only hope lay in the valley and Suiren.

And even then, their chances were beyond slim.

If Kaoru and Mizuki could fully utilize their domains without facing jonin-level enemies, they could turn part of the battlefield into a slaughter. But even that wasn’t enough to secure victory.

That was why, before leaving the village, Akura had given a simple but absolute order - if they lost, every clan was to flee.

A messenger would be sent the moment defeat was confirmed, and every resident of Takimura would disappear into the wind. Konoha, Kumo, or another village would take them in. Strong clans were always valuable and any major power would gladly absorb them into their ranks.

But that was only if they lost.

Akura turned to Shin and Mei, the two commanders he had chosen to lead the army.

“Shin, Mei, you’ll each command two hundred shinobi.”

Shin gave a sharp nod, but Mei had a confused look.

“I’m placing Kaoru and Mizuki in Shin’s army because of his speed and close combat skills. If jonin target them, I need you to do everything you can to protect those two.”

Shin nodded again, he understood that his role was probably the most important one - he would have to defend two of the four key figures of Takimura’s army.

Mei, however, frowned. “What about Maki?”

“She won’t be in charge of any forces.”

Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions.

Mei’s eyebrows rose slightly, Maki was the strongest shinobi of Takimura, her mere presence would have boosted the morale of her army.

“Maki will be facing their commander. She needs to move freely.”

Mei sighed but didn’t argue.

“Suiren will fight Yagura when he arrives,” Akura continued. “Meruem and I will engage their swordsmen. Kiri has far more jonin than us, but if we break their structure, we might hold.”

Meruem crossed his arms. “Even with the valley, we’re going to be overwhelmed.”

Akura’s eyes darkened. “That’s why we need to discuss every possible scenario. We won’t have time to think once the battle starts.”

The tent was silent for a moment before Suiren spoke.

“The biggest issue is separation. Kiri’s shinobi are used to battle formations and group combat. They’ll try to cut us off from each other, break us into smaller groups, then slaughter us.”

Noda clan head nodded. “We can’t let that happen. If even a fraction of their army gets behind us, we’re done.”

Akura pointed at the map. “That’s why we use the terrain. The valley has three main choke points. We reinforce those with traps and explosive tags. The main force will attack from the west, but if they send a detachment to flank us from the south, we’re in trouble.”

Mei leaned in. “That means we need scouts in the south at all times.”

Meruem frowned. “Even if we see them coming, do we have the forces to stop them?”

“No,” Suiren admitted. “But we might be able to stall them enough to retreat and regroup.”

Yko Uzumaki had been working nonstop, crafting seals to aid Takimura.

Contrary to what many had expected, he hadn’t fled. Instead, he chose to stay and help however he could. If Takimura lost, he would escape with the rest of the village residents, but until then, he would do everything in his power to ensure they had a fighting chance.

Fuinjutsu traps were a nightmare for large armies. Kiri’s forces wouldn’t have the time to check every inch of the ground while advancing, and that was where Takimura had an advantage.

They had a seal master on their side.

Small advantages like this, minor shifts in the battlefield, were what gave them hope. That maybe, just maybe, they could survive this war.

“Let’s go over possible scenarios. First, the best-case scenario, what happens if we hold them back?” Asked Mei.

Akura leaned against the table, thinking. “If we stall them long enough, Konoha and Kumo might take advantage of Kiri’s distraction. We already know that both villages moved their armies near the borders, that is our best bet. If they fear Kiri getting stronger, they wont let them defeat us. Yagura can’t afford a war on two fronts.”

Mei nodded. “And worst-case?”

Meruem’s voice was grim. “They break through in the first two days. If that happens, the war is over.”

No one argued.

They all knew how difficult this battle was.

Shin took a breath. “We need contingency plans. What happens if Lady Suiren loses?”

No one wanted to answer, especially Suiren.

Because if she fell, nothing could stop Yagura.

Mei sighed. “Then we retreat. It’s that simple.”

Shin’s fingers drummed against the map. “If we’re forced to retreat, we need an escape route.”

Akura pointed at a pass leading toward the mountains. “Here. But we only use it as a last resort. If we abandon the valley, we lose everything.”

Shin crossed his arms. “And if Kaoru and Mizuki are taken out?”

Akura exhaled sharply, for a moment he was glad that Maki was not in the room. “Then we abandon the choke points and regroup at the second line of defense. We’ll have lost a major advantage, but we’ll need to conserve as much manpower as possible.”

Mei tapped her fingers against the table. “What about Zabuza?”

Akura’s jaw tightened.

“That’s the other issue. He should be making his move soon, but we don’t know when. If he attacks during the battle, Kiri will be distracted. If he waits until after, then we have no idea who we’re dealing with.”

Mei frowned. “Is there any way we can contact him?”

“No,” Akura said flatly. “We have no way of knowing what his plans are.”

The tent fell silent again.

Meruem leaned back, rubbing her temple. “There’s too much we don’t know. We can prepare all we want, but in the end, we’re still fighting blind.”

Akura nodded. “That’s why we focus on what we can control.”

Mei exhaled sharply. “So, bottom line… if things go well, we stall them. If things go badly, we run.”

Akura’s expression was dark. “That’s the reality of war.”

“By the way, where’s Maki?” Mei asked, glancing around.

“She’s close to a breakthrough,” Suiren replied absentmindedly. “She’s doing everything she can to progress before the fight.”

Her mind, however, was already elsewhere - on her upcoming battle against Yagura.

‘Can I really stop that monster?’

Suiren knew this would most likely be her last fight. No one but Akura knew the price she paid each time she pushed her Suijingan to its limit.

‘At the very least… Maki is strong enough to survive. Strong enough to take care of Kaoru.’

A faint, regretful smile crossed her lips before she turned and left the room.

The others exchanged glances, confused by her sudden departure.

But no one spoke.

Suiren was the most respected person in Takimura. And if she was feeling uneasy, the only thing anyone wanted to do was stand by her side.

<<<>>>

Kaoru had just finished sparring with Akane when he noticed Suiren approaching.

“How are you doing, Kaoru? Are you nervous?”

It was a pointless question, like asking ‘oh, youve come?’ when he was already standing there. But people asked it anyway, because they didn’t know what else to say.

“I’m fine, Grandma. I know we’ll win.”

Suiren studied him carefully, testing if he had actually meant what he said. But Kaoru’s gaze was steady and filled with determination.

‘At least he believes it.’

She nodded slightly and turned away, slowly making her way toward her tent.

“Follow me.”

Kaoru didn’t hesitate.

Inside Suiren’s tent, a small lantern flickered, casting dim shadows along the fabric walls. It was simple, not luxuries. There was only a low table, two cushions, and a rolled-up sleeping mat in the corner.

She sat down, signaling Kaoru to do the same. He obeyed, watching her carefully.

For a moment, she didn’t speak.

Then, finally, she broke the silence.

“You’re strong, Kaoru.”

Kaoru blinked. He was genuinely confused, unable to understand why Suiren was so sad.

“But strength isn’t enough to survive in this world,” she continued. “You have to understand the kind of world we live in. What happened to our clan. Why Takimura even exists.”

Kaoru remained quiet, letting her speak.

“Our clan was once one of the strongest in Kirigakure. The Takime Clan had the greatest water affinity ever recorded, and our Suijingan was feared. But power invites fear. And fear turns into hatred.”

Kaoru clenched his fists. He had heard fragments of this before, but never the full truth.

Suiren exhaled slowly.

“Do you know why Samehada accepted your sister so easily?”

Kaoru shook his head, he heard the explanation but he thought that Suiren was building up to something.

“It’s because Samehada was made for our clan,” Suiren said simply. “It was forged for the Takime.”

Kaoru did not show any emotion, he simply listened.

“But that’s not the most important part,” she continued. “Your eyes, they are different from mine. From any Suijingan user before you.”

This time Kaoru’s eyes widened. He had always felt that his eyes were special, but hearing it from her made it real.

“They are fully awakened,” Suiren confirmed.

Kaoru swallowed. “What does that mean?”

Suiren looked at him differently now.

“It means you are stronger than I ever was. It means that the secrets of our bloodline, the power that Kiri feared, are locked within you.”

Kaoru’s heart pounded.

“But before I tell you what that truly means,” Suiren said, her voice lowering.

“I will tell you why my son, your father, was killed.”