Chapter 17

"I said, report." Came Ashidon's voice through the crow.

"Um, yes, we came into contact with one of the high-priority targets. Our attempt at eliminating the target resulted in failure and we've been chased nonstop by the enemy since then. We haven't suffered any casualties but we are slowing down. We are currently pinned down and I don't see any conceivable way out other than pushing forward."

Ashidon listened intently to Nakko's report. Once he was finished Ashidon went through the options he had. 'If only I had checked in on them sooner, I could have at least taken out the target without being seen. And from what I'm feeling they are too far away for me to help in any significant way. By the time I'd reach them they'd all be dead. No wait, I still have this crow. I could use the crow to help them escape, or even eliminate the enemy all together. All I'd have to do is go invisible then strike when they let their guard down. At least take out their leader, from there I'd have to see. I also need to know their numbers. I wonder if I could use that?'

The crow looked back at Nakko before speaking. "Nakko, I want you to fortify yourselves here. I'll go in and try to take out whoever's in charge, hopefully they'll retreat after losing their leader. If that doesn't work then we're just going to have to push forward. What are their numbers?"

"There are six stone nin sir, if you can take out at least one we should be able to handle the others."

"Alright, just wait for my signal, and be sure to cover your ears."

Nakko looked confused at the last part but nodded nonetheless. Ashidon's crow went invisible and stalked its way over to the enemy. Ashidon wasn't exactly controlling the crow as if it was his own body. He gave it orders and the crow followed, he ordered the crow to get a better vantage point on the enemy.

The crow moved swiftly and found a spot in a tree looking down at the battle going on. Through its eyes Ashidon was able to identify the position of the stone nin and his team. The stone nin were moving forward while throwing kunai with paper bombs attatched to them. They would reach his team in a few moments. Scanning the enemy he couldn't necessarily identify who the leader was, they all seemed to be attacking in unison. And it wasn't like the leader wore something that would mark him out. Not wanting to waste anymore time Ashidon focused.

He wasn't sure if this would work or not but he would try. He focused on his connection with the crow, if he could speak through it then he should be able to use his abilities through it as well. At the very least his paralyzing scream, and he planned to use it to stun the enemy. Once they were stunned he would go in and kill as many as he could.

The stone nin got even closer to his team and just before they were in visual range the crow opened its mouth. The scream that came from it was exactly like the one Ashidon made. It was a high pitched haunting sound that would send chills down the spines of those who heard it. The stone nin upon hearing the scream were momentarily shocked before their bodies locked up. Every single one of them was affected by the attack thus making them unable to counter it. The paralyzing scream had one major flaw, it is easily countered. As long as you covered your ears well enough then the paralyzing effects would not apply. A simple counter yes, but if used correctly could have devastating effects.

Once all the stone nin were affected by the scream, Ashidon commanded it to quickly kill the stone nin. With preternatural speed the crow descended upon the helpless stone nin like a bird about to catch an unsuspecting worm. The second the crow reached the first stone nin it immediately raked its claws along his neck. Blood gushed but the crow didn't waste any time and moved on to the next one. Ashidon hadn't expected the crow to be so quick, he had underestimated the power of the scream mixed with the swiftness of the crow, the results were unexpected.

The crow ran through all six of the stone nin taking them all out with swift efficiency. Nakko and his team came rushing out of their hiding positions only to be met with the dead bodies of the enemy that had given them so much trouble. They looked on in awe at the carnage and some even gasped when the crow became visible. They stared in wonder at the sight of the crow, all except Nakko who by this point had grown used to such sights.

"It seems you didn't need our help, captain." Nakko said as he made his way towards the crow.

'It seems so.' Ashidon thought.

"Search the bodies, then we will discuss what we'll do moving forward." Ashidon said.

Twenty minutes later the bodies were searched and disposed of. Nakko and his team stood some distance away from the battle site waiting for Ashidon to speak. "Okay, good work everyone. You all handled the situation well and because of that you still live. Your suffering was not wasted, for it has brought to my attention a flaw in our current battle strategy. I have yet to check in with the other teams, but once we are done here we will meet up, all the teams that is. Your new orders are to follow this crow back to my current location, are there any questions?"

"None, captain." Nakko replied.

Having given his orders the crow nodded before Ashidon disconnected from it. Back at the cave Ashidon opened his eyes and took a deep breath. "That was close, losing an entire team would have hurt, especially for what I have planned next. I need to send the message to the other teams, while I wait for them to arrive I'll work towards strengthening my connection with the crows."

Closing his eyes Ashidon went about informing each team of their new orders to meet with him. Having accomplished this Ashidon began his task of strengthening his connections. An entire week passed with him doing nothing but the task he set for himself. The first team to arrive was Nakko's and they stood guard leaving Ashidon to his task. Once all the teams were present Ashidon opened his eyes and looked at all the members of his scout teams.

"You're all here, good, now we can begin." Ashidon summoned a few more crows and tasked them with guarding the surrounding area. Once that was done he cleared his throat before speaking.

"I have called you all here to reassess our strategy. Before that however I would like to thank you all for performing with such excellence. If not for your efforts we would have sustained far more casualties. You have my gratitude. Now, pay attention."

Ashidon went on to reorganize the formation of his scout teams. Their general makeup wouldn't change, but he made it so that they would operate as more of one large company. Each team would be spread out but not so far that they would not be able to support one another. Also, each team would have one extra crow. This meant that Ashidon would have twenty crows active at all times, not including his two black ghosts. This was well within his capabilities as he could manage fifty crows at a time.

Whenever a team would come across an enemy they would assess the threat and decide if they require reinforcements or not. Should they require reinforcements then the nearest team would rotate over. The teams would move in an upside down U shape with Ashidon in the center functioning as the central nervous system. He would relay information amongst the teams and direct teams where they would be needed.

"Does anyone have any questions?" Ashidon asked and nobody spoke up.

"Good, we move out immediately."

The teams got into formation and moved towards their next target. This new formation worked wonders for them as they were able to more easily handle many different situations. Every enemy they came across didn't stand a chance against their teamwork. When they came across a high priority target Ashidon would personally participate ensuring the death of the target.

Weeks passed as they ran all throughout enemy lines causing chaos and confusion. When the enemy would send hunters after them they would easily evade their pursuit and lure them to a more favorable position before wiping them out. At this point the stone nin were well aware of Ashidon and his exploits. Not only them but the leaf forces became aware as well, Ashidon and his scout teams became a force to be feared. Wherever they went death followed, and by Ashidons insistence each member of his scout teams rubbed dirt and the like to give them the appearance of the dead.

Ashidon found that he enjoyed scare tactics and he used them well. So well in fact that the enemy even began assuming the scout teams were in fact ghosts haunting the forest, and these ghosts would summon the bane of every stone nin, they would summon the Wraith.