Naruto - Azure Awakening

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The link is also in the synopsis

<<<>>>

The moment Mangetsu finished speaking, Maki's chakra flared up as her expression became that of an angered tigress.

But in a room full of powerhouses, her presence, though formidable, was far from overwhelming.

"Kid, this isn't a battlefield." Dodai shot her a sharp glance, there was no anger in his voice, just amusement after seeing hot-blooded Kunoichi's reaction.

'She is just like A,' Dodai momentarily got a positive impression of Maki, just like A himself. He was looking at Maki with curious eyes.

Maki on the other hand didn't waver, her gaze was locked on Mangetsu. It was clear that she was actually considering whether to attack or not.

It was Tsunade's sudden laughter that cut through the tension and calmed Maki down.

"And here I thought we managed to avoid conflict," she chuckled, however, her tone didn't reflect her words.

Mei leaned toward Maki and whispering urgently, "Maki, don't start trouble here."

She may have been in charge of the delegation, but Mei knew very well that Maki wasn't the type to be controlled when she lost her temper.

'Good, even Mei thinks that I lost control of my emotions, someone had to show that Takimura can't be pushed around,' Maki was angry, but her anger was not a chaotic emotion, instead it was like a powerful wave following her will.

Maki inhaled sharply. Then after a brief pause straightened and gave a slight bow toward the Kumo and Konoha delegations.

"I apologize. I lost myself for a moment when Takimura was insulted," she said smoothly before her lips curled into a smirk. "Especially by someone who kills his own people."

The air thickened again, it was becoming clear that Takimura and Kiri delegations would not be leaving the island peacefully.

Kaoru was at a loss for words.

'Isn't this guy supposed to be loyal to Kiri people? Reasonable, even, compared to his brother?'

The way Mangetsu was acting didn't align with the fragmented memories Kaoru had of him.

Yet, as if none of the commotion concerned him, Mangetsu remained utterly at ease. After a brief moment, he leaned forward slightly, finally fixing his gaze on Maki.

"So what's it going to be?" he asked. "Do we settle this or will you just walk away?"

For a brief moment, silence reigned.

The rest of the Kiri delegation looked stunned.

Yagura had maintained a strangely passive stance toward Takimura for a very long time. It was to the point that many within Kiri had begun to suspect that Takimura was actually his project, an extension of his influence, a potential army being cultivated outside Kiri's borders.

But now, Yagura's most trusted swordsman was openly insulting Takimura, perhaps even initiating a war.

Yet, beneath Mangetsu's carefully neutral expression, even he was surprised by his own words.

Before he had left Kiri, Yagura had summoned him personally and given a direct order.

'Taunt them. Declare war. If possible, eliminate their delegation.'

Normally, Yagura wouldn't have bothered with a formal declaration. But Takimura's recent closeness with Konoha had changed things. Kiri wasn't concerned about Konoha defending Takimura. There was no chance Konoha would join a war on their behalf. But that could become leverage against Kiri in the future. Konoha was famous for their diplomatic moves and while Kiri never cared about such stuff, Yagura did not want to create unnecessary variables. So he chose to act now. Or more precisely, it was Obito who decided it was time…

Mangetsu wasn't sure how he felt about it. He had always followed orders without question. His loyalty to Kiri and Yagura had never wavered.

But now, for the first time, he felt doubt creeping in.

If Yagura had always intended to eliminate Takimura, then why wait until now?

Had the previous bloodshed been pointless? Had Kiri sacrificed shinobi after shinobi just to stall for time?

And more importantly…

If Yagura's orders continued to make less and less sense, then at what point did blind loyalty turn into deliberate foolishness?

Mangetsu exhaled slowly, his fingers were curled slightly against the table.

'Whatever happens next, there will be no turning back.'

Mangetsu's words were a clear taunt, and this time, Maki's anger burned cold. Neither the Hokage nor the Raikage found it inappropriate for her to respond as this was beyond a mere exchange of words now.

Her chakra no longer flared wildly but instead settled into something far more dangerous - steady, controlled, and suffocating in its intensity. She stood slowly and without a shred of hesitation turned toward the exit.

"Follow me."

Her voice was like ice, sharp and authoritative. It was carrying a weight that sent a shiver down the spines of even seasoned veterans.

Jiraiya watched as Mangetsu rose to follow].

'These kids are about to start something big.'

He exhaled slowly.

'I know Tsunade is trying to protect Takimura, but I can't step in. I'm the Hokage now.'

Jiraiya had to remind himself of that constantly. His actions no longer belonged to him alone as everything he did now represented Konoha. If he were still just the wandering Toad Sage, he might have interfered, cracked a joke, or at least thrown in some words to cool the situation. But not anymore.

Tsunade felt the same.

She wanted to stop this before it escalated, but her involvement would only make things worse for Takimura. If she stepped in, the other villages would immediately assume that Konoha was pulling the strings behind Takimura's actions.

A, on the other hand, had an entirely different reaction.

'What a woman.'

His lips curled slightly as his interest was piqued. Maki had everything he admired - fierce determination, overwhelming confidence, and the power to back it up. She was a warrior through and through.

'Too bad she's walking into a fight she can't win.'

A wasn't blind. Mangetsu was the strongest of the Seven Swordsmen. Maki might be powerful, but taking him on was another level entirely. That being said, there was no way he would interfere.

Mei, however, was the most troubled of them all.

'The moment the Kiri delegation arrived, this was inevitable.'

There was no stopping it now.

'This just confirmed it, there will be a war.'

Kaoru watched Maki walk out as his stomach twisted with unease.

He didn't doubt her strength. He had seen how powerful she was, but Mangetsu was an unknown factor.

'How strong is he?'

He knew that, logically, Mangetsu shouldn't be stronger than Mei or at the very least, the gap should not be that big. And if Maki was already stronger than Mei, then this fight should be in her favor.

And yet, there was no certainty in war.

Still, if Tsunade's training had truly pushed Maki to the edge of a breakthrough, if this fight was the catalyst she needed, then maybe, just maybe…

This would mark the birth of Takimura's first S-rank shinobi.

<<<>>>

Another emergency meeting was underway in Takimura, but this time, the atmosphere was heavy with unease. Every face around the table was etched with worry as the weight of the situation was clear in their expressions.

The war had finally arrived. Kiri, tired of playing with Takimura, had ordered the gathering of an army.

"Do we have any information on when Kiri will attack?" asked Meruem who was pale with worry.

"One month at the very least, three at most," answered Tenma curtly. He had returned only a few days ago, bringing two new clans with him. The delay in his mission had been because he had found another clan willing to join Takimura, a clan barely smaller than the Takime Clan itself. The effort was definitely worth it as Takimura needed every single shinobi they could get.

"We need to face reality and start preparing," Suiren said as she paused her frantic flipping through the reports and looked up at the group. "We knew this day would come. Thankfully, Tenma's efforts have given us more strength. With these two new clans, our chances aren't as grim as we initially thought."

She paused again before adding, "We also need to elect a head. In a war, we need one person in charge, not a council. This decision needs to be made." She turned her gaze toward Meruem, her expression remained neutral. His response would determine how Suiren proceeded. If he tried to push for more power for the Terumi Clan, she would make her decision accordingly. If he attempted to strengthen Terumi's influence even in this critical moment, Suiren knew she would lose respect for him and would not hesitate to remove him from the council in the future.

'It's sad,' Meruem thought, 'but there's only one person in the entire clan capable of leading this war and it's not someone from the Terumi Clan.'

Meruem's instinct, as always, was to strengthen Terumi Clan's position. But this was different. This was about the survival of the village.

"There are two candidates, as I see it," Meruem said. "Either Akura or Maki should take the lead. Maki is our strongest shinobi, but Akura has the most experience. He's also our best strategist. I support Akura."

His reasoning was solid, but there was an undercurrent of self-interest. If Maki became the head, she would essentially become a Kage, while Akura would be left to temporarily lead.

"I also agree," Suiren said after a brief pause. "We need Maki on the frontlines, and she won't be able to plan effectively from there. Akura is the better choice." She didn't hesitate to back Meruem's suggestion as this time, she genuinely thought Akura was the right person for the job. "We also need to allocate a spot on the council for the new clans. One spot for each should be sufficient for now."

Everyone nodded in agreement with Suiren's suggestions, and Akura was officially declared the temporary head of the village. With his new role, he now had absolute authority.

"No genin and no chunin under the age of ten will be deployed on the battlefield," Akura said firmly, making his first official order. When Takime had still been part of Kiri, Akura had held a significant position, so this role as leader wasn't new to him. "We can't afford to sacrifice the next generation."

Then, he met Suiren's gaze. "We also need to make full use of Lady Suiren's power. That's the only way we'll stand a chance."

Suiren's expression remained calm, but her mind seemed elsewhere. Akura's gaze softened for a moment, he understood the weight of what he was about to ask of her.

"You must also teach Kaoru that technique," Akura added. "It can't be delayed any longer."

Suiren nodded reluctantly. Her gaze lost focus, distant, as though she was considering something, or perhaps remembering something painful.

'The day has finally come,' she thought grimly. 'The day I'll teach this damned technique to my grandson… I'm sorry son…'

There was a deep sadness in her heart as she made the decision. But she knew it was the only way forward.

<<<>>>

The four delegations stood outside as Maki and Mangetsu faced each other. 

Mangetsu's stance was relaxed and he wore a mocking smile.

'He doesn't see Maki as his equal,' Thought Kaoru.

"Wanna make this interesting?" asked Mangetsu as his grin widened.

Maki remained silent.

"If I win, you'll give me the Kiba Blades. If you win, I'll give you my sword," he chuckled, lowering his massive blade to the ground. Despite it being covered in bandages, everyone understood what blade Mangetsu was holding.

Maki's eyes narrowed. "I don't have the Kiba Blades."

Mangetsu smirked, then pointed toward Shin without even looking.

"That's fine. He does."

Kaoru stiffened.

'How the hell does he know that?'

Before he could analyze it further, Maki's expression caught his attention.

Her lips curled, her gaze darkened, and at that moment, Kaoru could only describe her expression with a single word - 'scary'.

"Fine," said Maki, her voice was cold but there was a hint of amusement. "That's the deal. If I lose, you take the Kiba Blades. If you lose, I take that sword…" her eyes flickered to the bandaged blade "and Kiri will completely withdraw from the Dragon Vein Crystals. The Kages will be our witnesses, I assume?"

She glanced toward Jiraiya, but A was already nodding enthusiastically as his eyes gleamed with excitement.

'Strong women are the sexiest,' he thought, fully enjoying the spectacle.

Jiraiya exhaled and stepped forward to act as the judge. There was no need to discuss rules, both fighters understood the unspoken truth. If either of them had the chance to kill the other, they would.

"Alright then," said Jiraiya and raised a hand.

"Are you both ready?"

Both Mangetsu and Maki nodded.

Jiraiya's hand dropped.

"Begin."

**

A/N -

Some things might not be clear right now, but as always, everything will be revealed in time as the story progresses. As promised the peaceful days in Takimura are officially over.

I'm not sure yet how long this arc will be, but I want to make it as intense and gripping as possible - filled with tension, high stakes, and moments that will keep you on edge.

Small Request – If you're enjoying the story, consider gifting Power Stones to help it reach more people, it would help me a lot!

If you'd like to join AA discord - discord.gg/RWNrMSp8nC

The link is also in the synopsis

**