Ante Up!

Nyguyen arrived at the gates with all of his effects, ready to go. The Hokage had five canteens of Hero Water on him. One for himself and each of his comrades. He even had a lengthy and inspiring speech planned.

Chika came to the gates as well, also geared up with his transportation module on his back with his 5 main puppets attached, and Yuru walking close beside him, all 6 geared up in their combat gear as well. As much as he wanted to bring Loyal, he had put too much effort into making him and he couldn't risk it's destruction if everything else was destroyed. But he couldn't help but be quite annoyed with all of it. While he had managed to avoid going out into the field for the several small wars that sprung up due to him having to fix the mess that was Hyuga leadership, but now with a proper major nation involved, one that Konoha used o own no less, and the injuries that a Rinnegan user was also involved in this war somehow, he couldn't sit back and simply fill out forms. No, he had pushed his eyes and body as much as they could physically allow him to in the past week to prepare for this.

"So why are we at war with Iwa again? Didn't the last Hokage willingly give the land back so that this sort of thing wouldn't happen?"

And then there was the current Hokage, his mentor Nyguyen Uchiha. The man had barely spoken to him after the failed attempt at a meeting a year prior, and while he had made negotiations to increase the Hyuga stipend, that was a fairly brief meeting that left little time. And then there was the fact he instated the new Team salary system which, while he got a letter saying that Nyg was sorry and would reimburse him, it still stung that in his eyes, Nyg had basically kicked him out and replaced him, the only one of the group who actually tried to keep it all together by the end of it all. But that was then, right now, they had a mission that needed to be completed and if he let past grievances get in the way, well he was no better then an 1 tomoe Uchiha who thinks edgyness is how you awaken more powers.

Ari wasn’t really looking forward to having a repeat of her hometown. To run away while everyone she knew was getting slaughtered. Her grandfather certainly didn’t appreciate that Ari was going back to the Land of Earth, the land of which Ari spent some time waiting on her parents to come back like they said they would. However, her memory goes back to the kind people in the local villages at Land of Earth who gave Ari and her grandfather shelter, food, and clothes so long as they worked a bit in exchange. The memory of her home swelling in flames and smoke still burned into her memory. Yet at the same time, there was a fire burning within young Dokuma. Her fists clenched tighter as she approached the gates.

Evacuating Meijing City? What in the world is the Tsuchikage thinking of putting his own people in danger?! Doesn’t he care about their well being? Ari bitterly thought to herself. It still angered her that they are having to do this in the first place. She understood that in war Ari might be thrown into situations like this, but it just didn’t make sense to her as to why the Tsuchikage would attack his people. Ari was garbed in her armor and weapons. Including a backpack to which contained clothing, food, hygiene, and bedroll. She didn’t pack heavy of course, but enough to last herself a week if need be.

Upon arriving at the gates to see two familiar faces, her expression slightly brightened to where she spared a smile at their direction.

”Ready to go and make history of your own Nyguyen-sensei?” Ari directed the question to their teacher. While yes she was angry, Ari is at least trying not to let it lash out against her teammates. She doesn’t know if that’s any better, but at least she tried.

Nyguyen frowned when Chika questioned the war with Iwa. He didn't have time to explain the geopolitical interests at work here but since he was taking them into the thick of things, he'd simply have to make time for it.

"A point of national pride and security Chika. The Fifth gave back the Land of Earth for reasons still unknown...surrendering a failed state to the criminals of the world isn't good for peace. Haku was an unvetted and foolish leader that had surrendered the gains of his predecessors for no discernible reason. The Earth Province belongs to the people of Fire Country and the Second's legacy is at stake here. Iwagakure has consistently shown that they are unable to maintain their own affairs and allowing a rump state of that size to exist harms Konoha's national defense. It is now time to take back what is rightfully ours."

Nyg decided to skip speech as they were already running late. He gave Ari and Chika some hero water.


Apparently Kimiko didn't want "wa-wa." The man shrugged and began to set out. If the wanted one, he'd give it to them but they couldn't stand around waiting forever. "Always" Nyguyen said with a smile in response to Ari's question.


Exit

Spoiler:

Kimiko had spent a bit of time getting ready, but she had been doing some last minute training, hence her lateness. Running out after the group, Kimiko was a bit more speedy in catching up with them than she otherwise would have been. If Nyguyen was still willing to give her some Hero Water, she'd take it, but since she wasn't there for the original offer, it would be up to him to notify her of the item's existence.

Kimi had her gear all ready, her seals were all set up on the weaponry, and she was as prepared as she could be sans the Hero Water.

"Sorry for running late." she said, offering an explanation to Nyguyen if he asked for one. "Last minute training, I lost track of time. I have to be prepared in case we run into that shinobi I fought last time again. I won't be ending up in the hospital this time."

Distribution and wearing:

Spoiler:

-exit-

Chika wasn't a fan of the answer Nyg gave him, but he wouldn't say anything as he accepted the Hero Water. Personally he didn't care whether or not Fire Country owned Earth Country, but that...that couldn't get in his way today. he had to send out Hyuga members to go and fight for their lives, and now he was going to do the same. Though he couldn't help but wonder just what the previous Hokage did to make Nyguyen as angry as he was, as just giving over land didn't seem like reason enough for the anger.

"Understood Hokage."

And then there was Ari. Why was she fighting, wasn't her home around Iron or Earth? Was she trying to help incorporate it into Fire so that she could help protect it? It sounded hypocritical, but to each their own. Making a final check on his puppets and thei gear, he'd feel comfortable to get things rolling. And hey, if things really did get out of hand, he still had his secret weapon to get the heck out of dodge, though he was really hoping he wouldn't need to use it.

{Exit}