Chapter 24
The dawn broke over Amegakure, the usual rain giving way to an unusually clear sky, as if nature itself recognized the significance of the day. At the city's main gate, a sight unlike any the ninja world had ever seen was unfolding.
Garp stood at attention, his massive frame clad in a pristine white coat that billowed in the morning breeze. The word "Justice" emblazoned on his back seemed to glow in the early light.
Beside him, Hanzo cut an imposing figure, his respirator gleaming dully as he was dressed in a full white and gold Marine admiral uniform adorned with medals.
Before them stretched a sea of blue and white - 1,500 Marines, standing in perfect formation. Gone were the traditional shinobi headbands and varied clan outfits. In their place was a uniform that spoke of unity and purpose. Each Marine wore a standardized blue and white uniform, crisp and clean, with a cap bearing the Marine emblem. At their hips hung katanas, a departure from the varied ninja tools of the past.
As Garp's eyes swept over the assembled troops, he couldn't help but feel a surge of pride. This was the force he dedicated his entire life to in the past, yet this time it was not bound to a cruel system led by the Celestial Dragons, one that made the word that they each wore seem akin to a joke.
Hanzo stepped forward, his voice carrying easily over the assembled Marines and the gathered citizens of Amegakure.
"Marines!" he called out, his tone commanding attention. "Today marks a turning point not just for Amegakure, but for the entire ninja world. For too long, our lands have been ravaged by endless conflict, our children thrown into battles they should never have had to face."
He paused, letting his words sink in. The Marines stood at attention, their faces a mixture of determination and pride.
"But no more!" Hanzo continued, his voice rising. "Today, we march not as shinobi serving a hidden village, but as Marines dedicated to protecting all people, regardless of their village or clan. We fight not for glory or conquest, but for Justice and Peace!"
A murmur of approval ran through the crowd of citizens gathered to see off their protectors. Garp noticed his grandchildren in the front row, their faces shining with pride and determination.
Hanzo gestured to the assembled Marines. "Look at these brave men and women. They have cast aside the old ways, embracing a new path. No longer do we send children to die on battlefields. No longer do we value clan techniques over the lives of the innocent. Each Marine before you has earned their rank through merit, dedication, and a commitment to justice."
He turned, indicating the various insignias that denoted the new rank structure. "From Seaman Recruit to Captain, each rank represents not just power, but responsibility. The responsibility to protect, serve, and uphold the ideals we have built here in Amegakure."
Garp stepped forward, his presence drawing all eyes. Hanzo nodded to him, a silent acknowledgment passing between them.
"Citizens of Amegakure." Hanzo addressed the crowd, "I know many of you have questions, and concerns about the changes we've implemented. You wonder if we can truly stand against the might of the great ninja villages. I tell you now - we can, and we will!"
His voice rose to a crescendo. "Because we fight not just with ninjutsu and weapons, but with conviction! We fight for a future where our children can grow up in peace, where villages cooperate instead of constantly warring. And leading us in this fight, I give you Vice Admiral Monkey D. Garp!"
A cheer went up from both the Marines and the citizens. Garp raised a hand, acknowledging the ovation with a grin that was equal parts fierce and joyful.
Hanzo continued, "Garp will lead our forces against the invading Sunagakure army. Chiyo of the Sand, the so-called puppet master, thinks she can waltz into our lands and take what is ours. She thinks we will be a momentary stop on their path to conquer the Land of Fire. She is wrong!"
Another cheer, louder this time. Garp could see the fire in the eyes of the Marines, with their determination evident in their stance.
"We have built something precious here in Amegakure." Hanzo's voice softened slightly, filled with pride. "A system that values life, that seeks to protect rather than destroy. And we will not let anyone threaten that, be they from Suna, Konoha, or any other village."
He paused, his gaze sweeping over the assembled crowd and Marines. "Make no mistake, the road ahead will be difficult. The other villages fear what we represent - change, progress, a challenge to the status quo that has kept them in power for so long. But we will not falter!"
Hanzo's voice rose once more, filled with unwavering conviction. "Because we have something they lack - a cause worth fighting for! We fight not for a single village or clan, but for all people who cry out for justice! We fight for a world where strength is measured not by how many enemies you can defeat, but by how many innocents you can protect!"
The crowd was fully engaged now, hanging on Hanzo's every word. Even the usually stoic Marines seemed moved by the speech.
"So let them come!" Hanzo declared, his arms spread wide. "Let Suna send their puppets and they watch as their wind does nothing but become a gentle breeze! Let Konoha send their flames to watch the rain extinguish it with no hesitation. Let Iwa send their stones for them to erode under the rain!! They will break against the unshakeable will of our Marines, against the righteousness of our cause!"
He turned to Garp, who stood tall and proud beside him. "Vice Admiral Garp, I entrust you with the hopes and dreams of Amegakure. Lead our Marines to victory, show the world the power of true justice!"
Garp stepped forward, his voice booming out over the assembly. "You can count on us, Fleet Admiral! We'll send those dust bunnies packing and be back in time for dinner!"
A ripple of laughter ran through the crowd, breaking the tension. Even the youngest of children couldn't help but smile at Garp.
Hanzo simply gained a helpless look on his face, though a hint of amusement appeared in his eyes. He turned back to address the Marines and citizens one last time.
"Marines! Citizens of Amegakure! The time has come! Let your hearts be strong, your resolve unshakeable! For today, we do not just fight for ourselves, but for the future of the entire ninja world!"
His voice rose to a thunderous crescendo. "And let all who stand against us know this - JUSTICE WILL PREVAIL!"
The roar that followed was deafening. Marines and citizens alike took up the cry, "JUSTICE WILL PREVAIL!" The sound echoed through the streets of Amegakure, a declaration of intent that seemed to shake the very foundations of the ninja world.
As the cheers continued, Garp turned to his troops. With a single gesture, the Marines snapped to attention, their discipline evident in every movement.
"Marines!" Garp's voice carried easily over the din. "Form up! We march in five minutes!"
The response was immediate. With precision that would have been unthinkable in the old shinobi system, the Marines began to organize themselves into marching formation.
Garp took a moment to approach his grandchildren. Yahiko, Konan, Nagato, and Kaya stood together, their faces a mixture of pride and concern.
"Don't worry, you little brats." Garp grinned, ruffling Kaya's hair affectionately. "We'll be back before you know it. Keep an eye on things here, alright?"
They nodded, each hugging Garp in turn. No words were necessary - their bond went beyond what needed to be expressed with words.
As Garp returned to the head of the formation, Hanzo approached him one last time.
"Garp." Hanzo said, his voice low enough that only Garp could hear. "Be careful out there. Chiyo's poison is not to be underestimated."
Garp's grin widened. "Bah! Don't you worry about us, old friend. We'll show that puppet master what real strength looks like!!"
Hanzo nodded, clasping Garp's shoulder. "Good luck, Vice Admiral. May justice guide your path."
With a final nod to Hanzo, Garp turned to face his troops. "Marines!" he bellowed, his voice carrying to the very last row. "Forward march!"
As one, the Marine force began to move. The rhythmic sound of 1,500 pairs of boots hitting the ground in unison filled the air. Garp led from the front, his white coat a beacon of hope and justice.
The citizens of Amegakure lined the streets, cheering as the Marines passed. Flowers were thrown, children waved flags bearing the Marine emblem, and cries of "Justice!" echoed from every corner.
As they passed through the main gate of Amegakure, Garp allowed himself one last look back. He saw Hanzo standing tall, his grandchildren gathered around him. The future they were fighting for, embodied in those he was leaving behind to protect.
With renewed determination, Garp faced forward. The path ahead would be challenging, but he had no doubt in the righteousness of their cause. They marched not just to repel an invasion, but to change the very nature of the ninja world.
As Amegakure faded into the distance behind them, Garp's mind was already focused on the battle to come. Chiyo and her forces were in for a surprise. This wasn't the Amegakure they thought they knew. This was the dawn of a new era, and Garp was determined to make sure it began with a resounding victory.
As the last Marine passed through the gate, a gentle rain began to fall, as if Amegakure itself was bidding farewell to its protectors. But unlike the oppressive downpours of the past, this rain felt cleansing, and rejuvenating - a promise of growth and new beginnings.
The citizens slowly dispersed, returning to their daily lives, but there was a new energy in their movements, a sense of hope and purpose that had been missing for far too long. They had seen the face of the future in those Marines, in the conviction of Hanzo's words, in the unwavering determination of Garp's stance.
Yahiko, Konan, Nagato, and Kaya remained at the gate long after the others had left, their eyes fixed on the horizon where Garp and the Marines had disappeared.
"Are you sure they'll be okay?" Kaya asked, her voice small but steady.
Yahiko grinned, ruffling her hair much like Garp often did. "Are you kidding? With Gramps leading them, those Suna ninja won't know what hit them!"
Konan nodded, a small smile on her face. "Yahiko's right. Grandfather is strong, and so are our Marines. They'll come back victorious. I can guarantee it."
Nagato, his Rinnegan eyes covered by contacts scanning the horizon, spoke softly. "If it's one person who will not fail, it is Grandfather."
The four of them stood there a moment longer, each lost in their own thoughts. Then, as one, they turned back towards the village. They had their own duties to attend to, their own roles to play in this grand vision of a new world.
As they walked back into Amegakure, the rain continued to fall gently, washing away the old and nurturing the seeds of the new. The future was uncertain, but for the first time in generations, it was also bright with hope.
~
The age of hidden villages and endless conflict was coming to an end. The era of the Marines, of true justice, had begun. And it had started here, in the rain-soaked streets of Amegakure, with an old warrior's dream and a village's unwavering resolve.
The ninja world would never be the same again.
[Author's Corner. Alright. I've written about 20 chapters ahead and I love how I write the future chapters.
Give me a Hundred Power Stones and I'll give you the next chapter early. Fair Trade?
What do you guys think of that Yamanaka Book? It's incredible in it's premise. Only thing on the same level of it to me right now is that Papa Silver book. Let me know which one you guys prefer.
Read Chapters Ahead on P@treon.com/KillerDJ2023
Till next time.]