Chapter 44:

After refocusing his attention back on the map on the table, the tension that permeated the room seemed to dissapate.

Everyone gathered around the table, where the fate of the entire water country would be decided.

Ichigo took out a cube and placed it atop the map. Under the astonished gazes of everyone around, the map seemed to come to life. The terrain morphed and turned 3 dimensional. Mountains, lakes, forests, rivers, valleys and swamps. Every bit of detail showed up on the map.

"This is a scaled map of the entirety of Kirikagure. Every known pathway and a few secret routes are marked green and yellow respectively. Allies are marked with blue and enemies are marked with red. Since our plan is tight on time we have to agree on a plan of action as soon as possible." Nero informed everyone present as be started marking different facilities, and important locations on the map.

Aiko, who was just as shocked as everyone, cleared her throat."Ahem....Our initial plan is to directly attack the Mizukage and take him down as quietly and quickly as possible. We have various clans, stationed here and here who'll handle any unforseen events and fight off any reinforcements. With a force consisting of more than 70% of shinobi stationed in the village. We'll be able to swiftly take him down and place a new kage. The only problem thus far is Kumo or other villages attacking during this brief period of weakness when we're reorganizing our forces. We plan to ally ourselves with Kumogakure to offset this disadvantage. The head of the current Mizukage should suffice as a show of goodwill." Aiko went on to explain in depth information her her plan, she presented her strategy with perfect clarity and skill.Her collegues all nodded in agreement with her plan, afterall they had agreed on this beforehand. It wasn't perfect, but it was still good enough to work.

"Since you've already sorted everythign out. I give you this week to deliver satisfactory results." Nero instructed and left the tent. All the other people let out deep sighs of relief once the nuclear weapon had left.

....

Outside the tent— a distance away from the camp.

Nero and Ichigo were walking slowly and without purpose, they would take turns at random intervals and in random directions. They literally walked in circles as Nero looked at the sky from time to time, nodding and mumbling to himself.

After about 10 minutes of this strange scene, Nero sat down and Ichigo also settled beside him.

"You're unsatisfied about something?" Ichigo asked with a light frown.

"My dissapointment is immeasurable. I'd hoped Ameruyi wouod be better than this, she's underwelming." Nero spoke with a low sigh.

"Not everything you touch will turn into gold. I also agree with you, she's lacking. Whether it be awareness when it comes to strategies and planning and most importantly she's indecisive. I don't know what you saw in her all those years ago."Ichigo replied with a cold voice, sharper than swords and harsher than the coldest of winters.

"I'd hoped she'd turn out like you. Strong, smart, ruthless and ambitious to serve and bring the world at my feet." Nerk replied, his eyes gaining an appriciative glint as he 'complemented' Ichigo.

"It is certainly true that I am all those things, but what if one day my ambitions exceed beyond serving you? Don't you fear betrayal from me?" Ichigo asked, genuinely curious.

"We've been working in close proximity for 18 or so years. And in the beginning I was weary of you turning against me. But honestly I don't fear such an occurance anymore. If you were to turn against me, our battle would exceeed everything else I've experienced so far. It feels so easy to gain power, it's honestly underwelming at times. But you know me inside out and I you. I don't doubt I'd enjoy fighing against you, you'd help me learn and grow as we battle with our lives on the line.But alas I'd still like for you to remain by my side. Alteast 500 more years." Nero replied in a jovial tone, but he didn't add the fantasies that played in his mind. A charred world full of battles that shake the eartg and bring it closer to death everyday. Such a world would be his paradise. The testing ground for who has absolute power.

A madman's dream. A dream that could be prevent with a single thought and his opponent would fall dead. A single thought and Ichigo would die, but Nero didn't want that. Atleast not such a bland ending. Afterall he had taught Ichigo everything about anyhting. She was sharper than ever before, stronger and honestly if she did decide to become a threat. Nero would be challenged and forced to keep up.

"Haha....you flatter me, but I can never see myself not by your side. Everything I am is thanks to you. You literally built me from every little cell to the my every strand of hair on my head. I'd rather fight for you, and help you find worthy apponents than fight against you." Ichigo replied with a loving smile, she loved Nero to that point. She would rather the world burn that to see Nero suffer.

"Then let us 'save' this country from the hands of a futuer tyrant." Nero replied with his own smile;wide and childish smile.

.....

Back at Kumo's camp

A and B were currently resting in a decently luxurious tent. They were currently resting. A medical ninja having alreafy healed their most dire wounds.

"Lord A!This came for you. It'sa very important letter." Suddenly the flaps of the tent were flung open and a messenger ran within. His hands held tightly a small scroll and his forehead was dripping with sweat.

"What does it say!" A asked in his usual loud voice.

"Our inside man found a very concerning piece of news. Apparently, the secret project Kiri's been working on. The one where countless refugees from the Uzumaki were invlolved in has been revealed to be a teleportation array. They say that the army we intercepted back in our shores were sent there to set up the array to create a link and they succeeded. We have a week to destroy array on their side to stop the one on Kumo's shores from activating." The man shared the news. A's face became all shades of pale and turned ugly the more he listened. But like he was taught, he calmed down. And started giving out orders in response to the news. If their source was correct then they needed to act very fast.

...

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