17 Chapter 17: The Last Night

(4 Years Later)

The sound of footsteps could be clearly heard in a small room, sharp black eyes observed each and every aspect of the room starting from the map in the center of the room upto the 8 soldiers standing in attention around it.

Han looked at the kids around him...no, they were not kids anymore. A small smile came on his face, it had been 4 years...he still remembered the day when these little shitheads came to become blacklight. Back then, they were just a bunch of pussies,

But now...

He looked at a brown haired boy, he was 5ft 4 inch tall, there was a bandanna on his head and a small cap that covered his chin. His bright eyes were the same as back then...but he was not the same weak boy as before.

"Izumo Kamizuki, a strong soldier both physically and mentally. Highly respected and trusted by his comrades"

Han's eyes then shifted to the person standing next to Izumo, and a small sigh escaped from his lips as he saw that cocky smile on the boy's face. The boy standing next to Izumo was of the same height however he had quite a muscular body, along with spiky black hair. But he was giving him that cocky smile...as if to show he had become a blacklight and he didn't need an old geezer like Han ordering him anymore.

"Kotetsu Hagane...a troublesome idiot, but still quite a talented fighter with sharp detection skills"

The veteran Anbu commander walked ahead but not before giving Kotetsu a light bop on the head...however he sighed in relief when he saw the girl standing next giving Kotetsu a firm gaze that made Kotetsu drop that cocky smile immediately.

The girl had shoulder length black hair, and had a beautiful face...however if someone underestimated her due to her kind personality then they would be making a big mistake.

"Shizune Kato...the best medical ninja of Blacklight, a master of medical ninjutsu...and a true prodigy in that art surpassed only by Tsunade Senju and Mikoto Uchiha"

But the most important thing about her was that she could keep Kotetsu in line, and that was quite a relief for Han.

The person standing next to Shizune was possibly the most beautiful female in the entire blacklight force. The girl had silky blonde hair that reached up to her back, and her face had lost all the baby fat that it had a few years ago...and her eyes were so charming that could make any male fall for her.

"Rangiku Matsumoto, a true marksman...and one of the best infiltrators of our force"

He had to admit despite the girl's bubbly personality and carefree attitude, she could become dead serious if push comes to shove...if only she was not so infatuated with a certain Namikaze...she could have become an even better shinobi.

Standing next to Rangiku was a raven haired boy, he was a little short in height...but that didn't mean he was not a skilled blacklight soldier.

"Armin Arlert...while lacking in physical strength, but he is extraordinary in battle tactics and a key strategist...even Nara Shikaku would be impressed with this boy's intelligence."

Han finally came across the last two and to say that he was proud of them would be an understatement...they were the best cadets he had ever trained.

There stood in front of him a very beautiful girl...but more than that she was the most dangerous kunoichi of the group. She had shoulder length silky black hair, and her calm blue eyes could intimidate anyone.

"Mikasa Ackerman...a master of every ninja arts. The best genjutsu specialist of her batch and her speed and strength are flawless. The most level headed person of her group, but her feelings towards a certain Namikaze are really confusing and causes her to act irrationally sometimes"

And there he was...standing 5ft 5 inch tall, his teenage face was covered by a black face mask and he was proudly wearing the Konoha headband with his silky blonde hair reaching up to his neck and some even covering his eyes. Looking at him, Han was sometimes reminded of the late Nidaime Hokage.

"Namikaze Naruto...a master of ninjutsu, genjutsu and shurikenjutsu. Has the power to change the tide of the war...but people don't look up to him for his power and abilities...rather for his selfless attitude towards his friends and comrades. He is more motivated than anyone to win this war...and sometimes even I believe he might just succeed,"

These were the next generation of blacklight troopers...after facing every hardship, going through a world of pain these kids had become some of the most powerful ninja to be born in fire country.

Most of them were only 13 years old...but they could take on entire squads of enemies, and now it was time to test that theory.

"It has been 4 years, back then you were nothing...but now all of you are the best fighters of our army, and the only hope Konoha has in this war. All of you have made sacrifices, endured pain...all of your sweat, your blood, the hardships you faced, the comrades you lost during training...all of that was for this moment. It's time you fulfilled your duty towards your motherland" said Han firmly,

The next instant all the 8 soldiers were bowing in front of Han with utmost devotion, without any hesitation.

"We are ready to follow whatever orders you give us" said Mikasa firmly, and the other nodded in agreement.

Han motioned the young troopers to stand up, he then picked up a small cane and pointed it towards the world map that was in the center of the group.

"This war has costed us a lot...while you were training, everyday our comrades died defending each inch of our country. It was not just blacklight, hundreds of Konoha shinobi have died in the line of duty...but despite all of this blacklight has been able to hold Iwa's entire army from entering into fire country" explained Han briefly and many of the young teens had disheartened looks on their faces.

"How many soldiers have we lost in this war?" asked Armin sadly, and Han saw the others also wanted the answer to that question.

"Counting the casualties of all the divisions we have lost 5000 of our shinobi till today...and that is a big part of our army. But we have also devastated the enemy's army greatly, Minato-sama and other Kage level shinobi have been fighting valiantly and have prevented Kumo and Kiri's army from entering fire country's borders," said Han patiently,

"Why did we have to wait for 7 months in this base? Our comrades were dying, and we just sat and did nothing! Why Commander?" asked Naruto angrily, and his fists were clenched tightly.

"In war you have to take every step carefully, one mistake can lead to destruction of your entire army...the Hokage didn't want the new blacklight forces to jump straight into war...at least not until he launched Operation Flash" said Han shockingly,

"What is this Operation?" asked Shizune curiously, their training had gone longer than expected only because the Hokage gave the orders...and it had given them the time to train rigorously.

"The Second division under the leadership of Hiruzen-sama...had been constantly fighting in River country with the objective of infiltrating Iwa from there along with the blacklight forces from the Kusa and Taki front...but they faced a lot of difficulties. Lack of food and supplies, plus many of his men started falling ill due to the unstable environment of River Country...plus many times Iwa's Bombing squadron destroyed their advance forces...to sum it up they are in hell right now!" said Han devastatingly, and the young soldiers were horrified on hearing the condition their comrades were in.

"What can we do to help them? We cannot let them suffer any more losses..." said Rangiku urgently, and Han saw the passion in the young blonde's eyes.

"Unfortunately we cannot provide them any support right now...they'll have to either retreat and join the fifth division in order to cut their losses or keep on fighting but that would only cause more deaths" said Han stoically, and this time Kotetsu banged his fists on the table.

"If they are getting decimated let us go to River Country...we'll help them destroy the enemies" requested Kotetsu firmly,

"It's not that simple...we made a plan, the enemy had the advantage and it failed. Retreating from River Country is the only option Hiruzen-sama and his division has right now. That leaves us..." said Armin sharply, and Han was impressed with the boy's talent in tactical warfare.

"You guessed right Arlert, it is up to blacklight now to break Iwa's defenses in Taki and Kusa. Till now we were only defending but now we will have to advance right into Iwa on our own, it will be a few weeks before Hiruzen-sama and what's left of his forces are able to join in this invasion...until then it's up to us. The Fifth division is providing us support right now...and you are going to play a vital role in this invasion!" said Han seriously,

"Is this connected to Operation Flash?" asked Naruto sharply, and Han was relived to see the boy still had the ability to quickly control his emotions.

"Yes, since it is up to us now...Minato-sama thought it was best if you guys were used in this invasion. You guys are fresh and healthy...quite opposite from the troops on the front lines. Also you have received more intensive training making you strong enough to destroy the enemy...and under the guidance of the veteran soldiers on the front along with your will to win...we planned to launch this invasion, that was why you were not sent to war earlier. We needed you guys for this" explained Han briefly, and now the shinobi in the room understood why they were not sent to war right away.

"Leave it to Tou-san to figure out a good plan...I hope you and Kaa-san are okay. I won't let you down!" thought Naruto seriously, he had to make sure they succeeded in their operation...everything he had undergone during these years was for this moment.

"When do we leave?" asked Izumo firmly, and Han looked at the kids for a moment...people often said blacklight were the strongest ninja...but Han didn't think like that.

"A ninja's strength is not measured by his power...rather is capacity to endure. All of you are like my own kids...and I swear I won't let anything happen to you." thought Han seriously,

Killing their emotions...no human could do that. And where they were going...it was hell, he just hoped Kami gave these kids enough courage to bear the pain that was going to come.

"Right now Iwa's entire first division is preparing for a massive assault on Shanxi Hill...if we lose Shanxi, Iwa's army would have a free pass into fire country and this war would be over in a few days. But we won't let that happen...we will stop them at any costs! said Han with determination,

"How many men do we have?" asked Naruto seriously, he knew what was coming...day after day they had been getting reports of more and more blacklight troopers dying...Iwa's army were not even able to touch the soil of fire country but a lot of his brothers were dying everyday for it.

"120 blacklight troopers" said Han flatly, and now everyone's eyes widened in shock as they realized what this was.

"It's a suicide mission...isn't it, commander?" asked Armin sadly,

"Are we going to die on our first mission? Is that all we had trained for...all these years?" asked Rangiku disappointingly, she had high hopes and to find that they were going against an entire division was breaking her heart.

"Self Sacrifice...it is the mark of a true ninja, fighting and dying in the shadows...this is what you were trained for," said Han strictly,

"Then what plan do you have for defending Shanxi? I am not dying against some pathetic Iwa shinobi!" said Kotetsu defiantly, and Han chuckled a little on seeing the boy still had guts.

"We have made three positions, the vanguard will be at the first position and they will be the first to encounter Iwa's entire division...and the ones that would suffer the most casualties...so we are only going to deploy 30 troopers there. When that position falls, we will fall back to position 2 where the Garrison force will be there...most of our forces will be at this position and we will hold this position...and if everything falls, then we will fall back to the last position where our medical ninja will be there and we will make our last stand there...there will be no falling back from there...from there it is a fight to the end" explained Han briefly,

"What about air support? I and Armin can provide air support...we both are marksman, Armin with the kunai launcher and I can take out multiple enemies with my power..." said Rangiku smartly,

"I'll have to stay at the last position along with the medics...in order to heal the wounded," said Shizune analytically,

"Kotetsu and I are mid range fighters...so it would be logical if we helped the Garrison set up defenses and help the vanguard in retreating," said Izumi logically, and Kotestu nodded in unison agreeing to the logic.

"All of you have grown up so fast...and I'm proud to be your teacher. It will be my honor to fight by your side in this battle," thought Han nostalgically,

"I'll join the vanguard...and will hold the enemy forces as long as possible," said Naruto seriously, and everyone's eyes widened on hearing that.

"Are you stupid? The vanguard will be wiped out...let the experienced soldiers go there!" said Armin vehemently, and he saw Mikasa was looking at Naruto sternly.

"I'm a sensor...and I can communicate the enemy's strength as well as their strategy to you guys. I'm the only one who can...and it is the most logical choice, there is no room for personal feelings here. We are at war!" said Naruto seriously, and this time any argument his friends had died in their throats...he was right, they had no choice.

"Then I'll be joining the vanguard too..." said Mikasa firmly, and Naruto grabbed her roughly.

"Oi...you are the best soldier of our group, there is no need for you in the vanguard...we'll need skilled soldiers like you in the Garrison when the Vanguard falls...leave this to me and Commander Fox," said Naruto coldly,

"If you join the Vanguard...I'll join too, if you join the Garrison then I'll join it too...you'll send yourself to an early grave without me," said Mikasa flatly, and the embarrassed look on Naruto's face made everyone chuckle.

"You didn't have to put it like that..." said Naruto in an embarrassed manner

"This was what I was worried about...Mikasa's feelings for Naruto are really strong, and putting her in the vanguard would jeopardize the mission...besides I need a good soldier in the Garrison and there is no one better than her," thought Han calculatively,

"Mikasa you will join the Garrison at the second position...I and Naruto will be in the vanguard along with some of the experienced soldiers...you will fight alongside the Garrison forces, the soldiers there will be mostly inexperienced and I need someone like you there, it will be your job to protect your comrades," said Han firmly,

"But-" said Mikasa in protest,

"That's an order Ackerman!" said Han authoritatively, and Mikasa couldn't say anything now.

"Armin, Rangiku...you will provide air support when the Vanguard tries to fall back..." said Han slowly,

"If we are able to fall back" thought Han darkly, he didn't want to reveal this to the other soldiers...there was a very high chance of the vanguard being wiped out...and the young kids would face a great blow if he or Naruto died...it was better to keep their hopes high...for now.

"Shizune under no circumstances you will join the frontlines...you are a medic, and until everyone around you is not dead, you will not die! No matter what happens you will not leave your post, is that clear?" asked Han sternly, and Shizune bit her lip in frustration.

All of her friends were on the front lines...anything could happen anytime, but Han was right if she acted recklessly then the enemy would kill her first. It was a standard tactic: Kill the medic and the rest of the platoon would fall quickly as there would be no one to heal them.

"Hai" said Shizune slowly,

Everyone's eyes were now fixed on the map...specifically on the small area that was Shanxi, it was a hill between Kusa and Konoha...if the enemy captured Shanxi, they would use their bombing squadrons from that hill...and from there the blacklight forces would have no choice but to face the attack...and if Iwa's Tailed beasts stepped in then it would be over in a few weeks.

They all knew blacklight was not going to retreat...they would fight the enemy till the last man, if only the invasion from River Country had succeeded then Hiruzen could have cut of the supplies of Iwa's first division allowing blacklight to advance quickly...but not everything went as per plan.

Konoha was holding on every fronts...but blacklight was facing the worst enemy. Iwa was known for brute strength...they attacked in great numbers, and now they were up against an entire division without any guarantee of reinforcements...and minimum air support.

"120 blacklight soldiers...against 4000 Iwa shinobi," thought Naruto worriedly.

His Mokuton was far from perfect...since there was no one to train him in that bloodline, he had to learn on his own. And so far his progress was very slow...he would have to use his ninjutsu, genjutsu and shurikenjutsu.

Looking at the faces of his friends...he knew what they were up against, and frankly no amount of training could prepare you for something like this.

He was quite surprised when a soft hand gently grasped his left hand...and he found it was none other than Mikasa, and one look in her eyes was enough to make him understand what she was trying to say.

"It'll be alright.."

A small smile came on his face...and he gave her a thankful nod, at least one thing was certain: no matter what happened Mikasa would be there for him forever...and he grasped her hand tightly.

"We move in 10 minutes, Get your gear!"

But neither Naruto and Mikasa noticed the anger in a certain blonde's eyes.

Mikasa was looking at her reflection in the mirror, she had changed a lot...not just physically but mentally too. She now had the power to protect her comrades, power to protect Naruto and Armin.

Thinking about the blonde made her confused...why was he so willing to go so far?

A sudden knock on her door brought her out of her thoughts...she went towards the door and slowly opened it, and she was not surprised when she saw the person she was thinking about standing right in front of her.

He was wearing dark black pants, his feet was covered by black combat boots while there was a dark black tshirt on his chest. He was wearing a dark green cloak over his back with the wings of freedom over it, his face was covered by a black facemask and a headband similar to the Second Hokage was on his face.

There was also a small tanto on his back which was being hidden by the green cloak on his back.

He was ready for war.

She was quite stunned by his look...but what amazed her was the firmness in his eyes.

"Can I come in?" requested Naruto gently, and the raven haired girl suddenly realized she had made him wait quite a while.

She opened the door fully, both of them were ready and it was time to go.

He stepped in her room and now both of them were standing a few inches away from each other...she watched curiously as he took out a small letter from his pocket and handed it to her.

"What is this?" asked Mikasa curiously, she tried to open it but he gently grasped her hand.

"It's for my mother...if something happens to me, I want you to give this to her." said Naruto seriously, and as expected he saw the defiant look in her eyes.

"Shut up...we have not trained so hard just to die, if you are in trouble just call for me...no matter what happens, I won't leave you behind," promised Mikasa deeply, and a small smile came on Naruto's lips.

"I'll hold you to it...Mikasa, don't let your personal feelings shroud your mind. The commander believes you can help our comrades...promise me this that no matter what happens you won't abandon your post for anything or anyone," said Naruto flatly, and now Mikasa realized why he was here.

"But..." said Mikasa angrily, but was silenced when Naruto pushed her to the wall and was now pressing his forehead against her.

"What you want doesn't matter...act rationally, we are up against an entire division and there is no room for mistakes. You understand what I'm saying don't you?" asked Naruto sharply, and Mikasa averted his eyes from him.

"I understand...but-" said Mikasa silently, and Naruto was quite surprised when she hugged him tightly.

"Mikasa..."

"Don't die" said Mikasa worriedly, and a small smile came on his face and he hugged her back gently.

Whenever he was with her, he felt so peaceful...and that was why he knew what he was about to do was right. He gently grasped her waist and he heard her breath stopping for a second...

"Mikasa..."

The raven haired blacklight soldier slowly broke the hug but she was quite surprised when she looked in his eyes.

"Genjutsu:Sharingan"

The last thing she saw was a pair of dark red eyes, and her world went dark...

Nor did she notice a small three pronged kunai being put in her pocket!