Naruto: The Senju Patriarch

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Back to the present…

As Tsunade wept in his arms, and the rest of the Shinobi wore solemn, grieving looks, Katsuro thought to himself, about Dan. Although he was clearly trying to get Tsunade, and trying to one up me for that - he was a Shinobi of Konoha, and a friend of Tsunade's. He fought for the village, won the respect of everyone here, and was more than willing to put his life on the line for it. An excellent Shinobi, and a good man. 

Sakumo spoke up now.

"Listen, everyone. We cannot let Dan's, or any other of the Shinobi that have died, today or otherwise, hold us down. They would all want us to fight on, for their sakes and our own, and win this war!"

The words of the White Fang were beginning to turn the solemn expressions into ones of steely determination, as Shinobi began to raise their heads, and Tsunade stopped crying.

"Remember, the war is not over yet - we still have many Shinobi, we still have power and strength - we can and will fight back! This battle will likely be the final one between Konoha and Suna - they'll undoubtedly come with everything they have, but so will we! We are more than enough, and we will win."

The White Fang's words were met with shouts of approval from the Shinobi present, and Katsuro appreciated his master's talent for giving speeches - the morale in the room had significantly improved. Even Tsunade, who was bawling mere minutes ago, was now wiping off her tears, her expression battle-ready. Katsuro smiled, glad that his village Shinobi had the strength of mind to remain devoted to protecting their village, even in difficult times. He decided to speak up now.

"Shikaro, Sensei, you'll probably need to double check it, but everyone - I have a plan for the battle," he announced to the room.

The Shinobi quietened down, looking at him expectantly.

"Go ahead, Katsuro," Sakumo said, and Shikaro nodded, eyes fixated on Katsuro's, and so the Senju Patriarch began explaining. 

It was not until late into the night that the plan was officially finalised, and as the Shinobi were dismissed, only Katsuro, Tsunade, Shikaro and Sakumo remained. 

"A lot of people died today," Sakumo said quietly, finally betraying the stresses of being the commander, "but we won't let their sacrifices be in vain.

Shikaro and Katsuro merely nodded, and surprisingly Tsunade punched her fists together, seemingly invigorated for the battle to come.

"They won't know what hit them!" she declared loudly.

The others smiled at her declaration, before parting ways.

Tsunade's right, Katsuro thought.

They won't know what hit them.

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"Excellent work, Rasa." The Third Kazekage was pleased - Kato Dan had finally been eliminated. Now that the pest is gone, I don't need to worry about any assassinations on any of the elite Shinobi, or me, or the One Tails Jinchuriki. That means …

"Listen, everyone! I'm confirming it here and now! Tomorrow, we will engage in a large-scale battle with Konoha - it will be the last one of this war, and with it, we will crush them!"

The Kazekage's words were met with enthusiasm from the assembled Suna Shinobi.

"All forces will be deployed, including the One Tails," he said, nodding to the One Tails Jinchuriki, Bunpuku, "and the Puppeteer Corps too - Chiyo, Ebizo, I want you to go with them."

"Lord Third, please, let us go after the White Fang - we must have our revenge on him for killing my son and daughter-in-law!" Chiyo pleaded, desperate for vengeance. The Kazekage sighed but had to honour her desire to set things right. 

"Very well, Chiyo - but take Rasa too, just in case."

"What about the Stormbreaker?" Rasa interrupted the Kazekage. "You said he's strong."

The Kazekage's eye twitched at the interruption, but nevertheless he answered the question.

"He is, but he's nothing I can't handle. I will handle the Stormbreaker - you, Chiyo, Ebizo and the Puppeteer Corps handle the White Fang. That leaves the One Tails to wreak havoc on Konoha's main force - I want you to focus on the medical ninja, Bunpuku - particularly Tsunade. If we can stop her from making antidotes to Chiyo's poisons and healing their injured, we'll finish them much quicker."

Bunpuku nodded at the Kazekage, who finished his orders with a speech.

"Tomorrow, we will beat Konoha into submission! Tomorrow, we honour our fallen comrades, and welcome a new age of Sunagakure! Tomorrow, we triumph!"

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

Back at the Leaf campsite, everyone knew that tomorrow would either preserve or destroy the future of Konoha. If they didn't succeed here, the Hokage and the rest of the Konoha Shinobi fighting the Iwa Shinobi and the Tsuchikage, would be completely overran and, without a doubt, would not be able to fight a battle on both fronts, by the sheer volume of enemy Shinobi. Then, Konoha would be taken. 

Everyone at the Konoha camp knew this, but no one dared to say it aloud. It was a definitive fact that hung heavy in the air. Regardless, all of the Konoha Shinobi present had steeled their resolve. They would win tomorrow, whatever the cost. To protect their families, friends, home - all of Konoha…

Soon, the morning sun illuminated the sky in a bright orange. Both sides were ready and making the hurried final preparations. Swords, kunai, blades, and shuriken were being sharpened by all Shinobi. Medical ninja dashed around organising and readying the last few ingredients and necessary equipment. Leaders from both sides went over their plans with everyone, making sure every last detail was certain. 

Katsuro in Tsunade's tent, who was currently with the rest of the Leaf Medical Ninja making last minute preparations, was left alone. While he sharpened his sword, which had been with him during this entire war, he thought back to the days when life was so simple. Him, Granny Mito, Nawaki, Tsunade, Kushina, Sakumo. He even remembered the days when his father, Raito, taught him the basic Katas while his mother, Hana, cooked for the three of them. Back before the days of death and despair, life was so peaceful. So perfect. But even now, Katsuro was grateful with the life he had- he was blessed with Tsunade, Kushina and Sakumo and was able to cherish the memories of Granny Mito, Nawaki and his parents. He was set on protecting everything he loved without fail. He would end this war. As his sword was finally sharp enough to slice through a wood block with little effort and his gear was all set, the Senju Patriarch stood up and stepped outside of the tent. 

He looked around to see the rest of the Konoha forces, rushing around and getting ready for their final battle, at the borders of Amegakure and Sunagakure, before stepping inside the tent where Sakumo, Shikaro and Tajima were. Surprisingly, Tsunade was also there, but Katsuro's resolve was only strengthened by seeing her. 

"Katsuro, glad you came. We were just talking about you," Sakumo started, "We've all agreed that, while everyone is moving as one, entire main force, you will be free to not only act according to your own intuition, but also, not too freely, give orders to others. Your experience and ability to lead and fight has gotten everyone's approval here. Of course, you'll still be present in our army, as well, but don't let that hold you back."

Katsuro was slightly shocked. He had requested for this, but didn't expect them to pass it. Also, give orders?? Katsuro knew this only meant that everyone, the other Shinobi and the leaders, had full faith in him. He was determined to do a good job, and wouldn't allow the Suna army to succeed. 

Smiling, he expressed his gratitude to each of them, "Thank you, all, for putting your trust in me. I'll honour your belief, and pull us to victory even if it kills me." 

His bold yet encouraging declaration affirmed everyone else's own confidence.

If Katsuro said he would do something, he would never fail.

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