Naruto: The Senju Patriarch

If Katsuro could hear the Kazekage's inner thoughts he would laugh out loud, elated that the plan was working. But as he made his way back to the camp, he finally took notice of the state Kato Dan and his team were in. Almost all of them were injured, many with holes in their body, likely from the iron sand. Tsunade was already at work healing them, and when she looked up to see Katsuro unharmed, relief covered her face. Smiling reassuringly at her, Katsuro joined her in healing the wounded, while giving his report to Sakumo standing nearby, with a couple of other experienced Jonin. Watching him perform the Mystical Palm Jutsu they almost forgot, Katsuro has been an expert in Iryo ninjutsu long before he even became a Shinobi.

"I think the plan worked - I'm sure the Kazekage thinks he's got a solid idea of my strength, but I made sure to hold back. I also managed to take down a couple of the Kazekage's assasination squad - at least 6 or 7 Jonin," he began.

"But there's no doubt - they're targeting Dan, and their team is strong too - especially the Kazekage and Ebizo. If they add more Shinobi to the squad too, we'll be in trouble, Sakumo, especially since there's no guarantee that you or I can respond if we're somewhere else on the battlefield. Dan should stay back for now."

Before the commander could respond, Dan spoke up, his wounds already treated.

"I appreciate the concern, Katsuro, but I think I'll be fine - I managed to escape and live today, didn't I?"

Doesn't he realise that the only reason he's alive is because he got lucky that I was there to respond immediately? Katsuro thought.

"Dan, the fact that you survived today is largely because of the sacrifices of the Jonin in the squad that was guarding you, and the fact that Katsuro was there too - if he hadn't been there, or if he'd have been just a bit slower, what do you think would have happened?" Sakumo said.

"True, but the war effort needs me regardless - without me, the Suna shinobi will eventually overrun us, don't you think?"

No, we wouldn't - if I went all out, Katsuro thought. But to be fair, his presence on the battlefield means I can afford to underplay my strength until the One Tails is deployed. In that case…

"Fine - but you definitely need more protection," Sakumo said, saying exactly what Katsuro had been thinking. "Considering how close the situation was, 2 teams isn't enough - you need at least 3."

"That's a lot of valuable shinobi to guard just one person," Dan replied, thinking that if need be, he could escape again. I don't need more protection, he thought.

"You're right, Dan," Katsuro interjected. "In that case, I should join the teams protecting you instead, so more shinobi are available on the battlefield." He's not going to like that suggestion, Katsuro thought. 

Dan's eye twitched. Is he trying to play the knight in armour in front of Tsunade? I won't let him have to protect me again! He looked at Tsunade out of the corner of his eye - she was focused on healing his wounded comrades, but there was no doubt that she was listening.

"No! I mean, no, Katsuro, it's important that you stay behind, in case the One Tails or anything else shows up. I'll take the extra team to guard me." 

Just as I expected, Katsuro thought, inwardly smirking to himself.

"I agree with Dan." A new voice spoke up - it was Nara Shikaro, the head of the Nara clan.

"Lord Katsuro is a far too valuable asset to our army to be tied up in protecting Dan - we should have as many Kage-level shinobi ready for battle as possible." 

Sakumo nodded in agreement, along with the other shinobi.

"In that case, Dan will continue to operate, now with 3 teams guarding him. Everything else remains the same. Dan, you should remain more vigilant and careful for the time being! Give orders to keep an eye out for the Kazekage, Chiyo, Ebizo, Rasa or the One Tails - if any are seen, report straight to me. Dismissed!"

As the rest of the shinobi dispersed, Tsunade and Katsuro stayed behind to treat the rest of the wounded.

"Will Dan be okay?" Tsunade asked Katsuro. He looked to look at her, and saw worry written over her face. She doesn't want to lose anyone else.

"I can't say for sure, Tsunade. But as long as he has 3 teams protecting him and doesn't go so deep into enemy territory, he should be," he said soothingly, trying to reassure his girlfriend without offering any false promises. 

Tsunade nodded in response, and the two of them continued to heal the wounded shinobi in silence.

////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

Surprisingly, for the next 3 weeks, no attempts were made on Dan's life, nor were there any major changes to the war. Small-scale skirmishes continued in Amegakure, and both Konoha and Suna continued to fight a guerilla warfare style battle, and Katsuro's involvement was limited to when the highest level Suna shinobi would appear, making sure to save as many Konoha shinobi as possible, while simultaneously downplaying his strength. His impact was very brief, but the effects were massive.

This isn't right. Why haven't they made any big moves yet? Feeling that something was off, Katsuro brought up his concerns at the next meeting.

"I agree," said Shikaro. "They're definitely planning something, but we have no clue of knowing what it is."

"What if they're not planning something?" Dan interjected, opposing them. "What if they're waiting for us to make a move first?"

"Well, you could be right I suppose, but from what we've seen of the Kazekage, he's a cunning and proactive leader - I don't think he would be content with just sitting back and letting us make the first move," Shikaro replied.

"Maybe you're right, but so far they haven't done anything yet, have they? Why would we need to change anything if nothing's wrong yet? Besides, we can't just guess what they'll do!" Dan was adamant. He wants to stay involved in the war as much as he can, Katsuro thought. Admirable - he's fixed on fighting for the village, probably not for altruistic reasons though.

"I suppose you're right," Shikaro muttered, "Though I still do have a bad feeling about this." 

"Then it's decided," Sakumo, who had been observing the conversation, finally spoke up. "We'll continue as before, but I want every shinobi to know that there's a high chance that the enemy will make a significant move now, and to be on high alert, even more so than before. Dismissed!"

As Katsuro was leaving the tent, a familiar voice called out to him.

"I take it you still think that something bad is about to happen?" Shikaro inquired, hands in pockets.

"Yeah," Katsuro replied, sighing.

"Well, in any case, we can't prepare for a threat if we don't know what it is. That being said, I'm sure I don't have to tell you, Lord Katsuro, but you and Lord Sakumo, in particular, need to be on high alert. I have a feeling they're going to have a big appearance at some point, and we can't let that widen the gap in numbers any further."

"Of course, Lord Shikaro - and please, call me Katsuro, no need for the Lord."

Shikaro gave him a small smile.

"Likewise, then, Katsuro."

They nodded at each other, and parted ways.

That night, as Katsuro lay in bed beside a sleeping Tsunade, he thought to himself.

Just what are you planning, Kazekage?

////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

2 days later, Katsuro was summoned to Sakumo's tent. The shinobi in the room all wore worried and sad expressions, and Tsunade ran to him, hugging him in tears. Katsuro's heart sank as he embraced Tsuande, guessing what had happened, as his master confirmed it with his next words.

"Kato Dan has died," Sakumo said grimly.

"And our scouts have reported that the Kazekage is preparing for large-scale battle. Be prepared, Katsuro."

AN: If you would like to view up to 20 chapters ahead, and would also like to support me, please visit my P@TR30N, at pa tr eon.com / GhidorahWriter (remove the spaces). Thanks for reading and make sure ADD to your COLLECTION and VOTE with POWER STONES! The target is 100 POWER STONES for the next BONUS chapter!