The Will of Fire

44...The Chinese Coalition

The mysterious person that held the spear appeared to be a woman. She was brown skinned with platinum blonde hair. Her attire seemed to be wild and tribal like, adorned with colorful bird feathers, boned spikes and tiger print. She also was barefoot. The scar under her left eye stretched across her cheek. She had smiled a bit, happy that she had executed a very effective stab with her spear. Rashaad looked down at himself and noticed he wasn't injured.
"If I'm not hurt...then who the hell is?" He thought to himself.
He took a look in front of him and noticed something very disturbing. He was correct, he wasn't hit by this woman's spear. However, one of his teammates surely were.
"No...can't be." Mai said in fear.
"Damn. What was he thinking?!" Soho said out loud.
Luisa began to tremble.
The spear had been thrusted through the body of Jared.
"A pity. This was meant to happen to Rashaad. I guess this kid will just have to do." Said the woman, as she pulled the spear from Jared's body.
Jared's body hit the ground as his wound began to take effect.
"Jared, no!" Luisa screamed in complete anguish.
The woman yawned and looked behind her.
"Naija. Come." She said.
"That fool! Jared jumped on front of Rashaad and took the attack head on to save him. What was he thinking?!" Kizumi thought to herself.
Hanzo stood still with no expression on his face.
Luisa began to tremble even more. She looked at Hanzo and could feel her blood boiling.
"How could you just stand there and watch?! Jared is your protege!" She shouted at him.
Before she could run over to Jared, Hanzo grabbed her arm.
"Use your head, Luisa!" he demanded.
"Are you kidding me? Mai sensei, tell him to let me go! My brother is dead!" Luisa shouted, tugging and pulling to break away.
"Don't count me out yet." Said a voice.
Suddenly, Jared's body began to burn a blaze.
The woman along with Naija backed up quickly as the flames grew.
"What is going on?!" Soho asked im confusion.
Jared dropped from the sky and appeared next to Rashaad. Rashaad looked quickly to his left and noticed Jared.
"What the hell is going on here?" He asked him.
"Just as I thought. Good work, Jared." Said Hanzo.
Everyone looked in awe. Jared looked over his shoulder with a smile at Hanzo.
"What can I say? You taught me well." Jared responded.
I am never to be underestimated. Never!
"Wait...I don't get" Said Hanabi. "Jared was just stabbed by that spear and for sure died on front of us. How is he standing next to Rashaad now?"
"Good question." Kotetsu followed.
"I'm just as confused." Said Iori.
"Allow me to explain" said Hanzo. "That Jared that was stabbed with the spear wasn't the real Jared at all. It was a clone. A clone created by Jared using his own flames through a Level 3 Strategic Ranked Power Attack known as Pyro Clone."
"Pyro Clone. I should have known. One of your own unique Power Attacks" said Mai. "Pyro Clone was created by Hanzo himself. He opens his pores and expels his Power Energy outside of his body in flames that take the visage of him while the real him stays hidden away. However, this can't be seen by the naked eye, and the Pyro Clone only bursts into flames after its attacked. A smart move indeed."
Hanzo and Jared both soaked in their glory.
"Thank God, Jared is alive" Luisa thought to herself. "Now it makes sense. Jared used Pyro Clone to take the fatal blow from that woman's spear to save Rashaad. Meanwhile, the real him was hidden up there in that tree. I see he also learned a lot in his training with Hanzo. I shouldn't have reacted so quickly without thinking. I'm so proud of you, brother."
"Pyro Clone, huh? Clever. I guess that's the perks of being trained under The Fire Sage, Hanzo Akamine." Kizumi said with a smile.
"Good one, Jared. Man, he's so skilled." Soho thought to himself.
"What a brilliant thing to do. Jared is amazing!" Anko said.
"I second that!" Said Yugito.
"Thank you, Jared. I had no idea." Rashaad said.
Jared nodded his head.
"We're both on Squad One. You're my comrade. I got your back and everyone else's on our squad. And since we're paired with Squad Three right now, that also goes for them as well." Jared said.
"Enough of this!" Said the woman.
She whistled loudly as it echoed the South of Senzu Forest. Numerous warriors began to appear before everyone, all standing next to the woman and Naija.
"We've got company." Said Suigetsu.
"Yeah. I'm sure its the guys the animals picked up on." Kotetsu added.
"Just who the hell are these guys?" Kizumi asked.
"Allow me to introduce them." said the voice of a man.
He appeared from what seemed to be thin air. Hana, Maxi, Mi-Na, and Mayonaka all snarled and bared their teeth at this man.
"So if it isn't the son of the Chinese Emperor. Prince Landi Ryo." Said Hanzo.
"Ugh...that brat." Kizumi scowled, curling her lip in anger.
Rashaad's eyes grew wide.
"Its him...the man who almost killed me in the tournament. Landi Ryo. And Naija...why is she just stoically standing there?" He thought to himself.
"Allow me to introduce these wonderful people behind me" Said Landi Ryo. "Cao Jin. I will tell of your business."
A man with jet black hair in a long chinese braid bowed.
"As you wish, Prince." He said in a serious tone.
He wore an eyepatch over his right eye and clutched some kind of sword that was strapped at his hip inside of a black and gold cover. He sported light black armor with magenta accents, along with designs of golden dragons. He wore black silk ninja slops along with black ninja sandals.
"This is Cao Jin. A general under my father, and my right hand man serving as my bodyguard. He will fight with his life on the line just to be sure that I do not lose mine" Said Landi Ryo. "The woman who appeared first is Ko Meixiang."
The woman carrying the spear now bowed.
"Ko Meixiang is the wife of Cao Jin. She goes as he goes, following him wherever. She stands next to him in all that he does, and does not hesitate to kill" said Landi Ryo with an evil smirk. "She is a member of the Ko Family in China, a family known for being wildlike and full of tenacity. She has the aggression of a lion, the strength of a tiger, the speed of a cheetah, and the flexibility of a snake. Her ability to wield the Primitive Spear is impeccable."
Ko Meixiang chuckled softly as she stuck her spear into the soil of the earth beneath her, clutching it and standing tall.
"Next up are three siblings. The siblings known as the Wei Siblings." Said Landi Ryo.
Three others now bowed as well. Two males and one female.
"Wei Xing, Wei Xiaojian, and Wei Xiuying. Allow me to brief you on these three powerful siblings" said Landi Ryo. "All children of the late Wei Xu, who was once a noble palace guard to the Landi Palace in China. Wei Xing is the oldest, and also a general under my father. He's a very impressive warrior, being known to have mastered three types along with their classes."
Everyone on Japan's side tensed up. Especially Jared.
Three types and three classes that goes along with those types huh? I wonder what those could be...these Chinese are coming out of the woodworks.
"Wei Xiaojian. The second son of the late Wei Xu. Wei Xiaojian is not a general under my father. However, he is next in line should his brother Wei Xing loses his life. This wasn't given though, it was earned. Wei Xiaojian killed seven warriors at one time who all wanted to become a general after Cao Jin or Wei Xing should lose their life. Wei Xiaojian takes his upcoming spot very serious, and his powers are a pure sight to see. Not even I would want to rival him." Landi Ryo explained.
Wei Xing and Wei Xiaojian smirked menacingly.
"Now, Wei Xiuying" said Landi Ryo. "She is the youngest child and only daughter of the late Wei Xu. Wei Xiuying is a formidable warrior, do not let her small stature fool you. She is only sixteen years old and is noted to be stronger than most women warriors in China, and known to best some men warriors. After all, she once saved her two brothers all on her own when they were on the brink of death."
The Wei Siblings all gloated in their accolades. The three seemed to have the same dress schemes going on. All three dressed in white, red and purple. All had black hair as well, along with honey colored eyes.
"This is Hawk. A chinese mercenary full of murderous intent. Next to him are the assassins known as Shuji and Anaki." Landi Ryo said, as three more bowed behind him.
Wait! I know him! That's the Chinese guy from Fukushima's Ramen Shop back in Kujaku Village! The guy who Natsu took on, allowing me and Alisa to flee. And those two. The guy and girl. We fought them in that alley...that alley where...
"Hawk is the one who gave Natsu and Fukushima a hard time back in Kujaku during the time of the ambush. I've been warned of the power of that man." Said Hanzo.
"I did my research before the war. I know of Hawk's powers" said Hwan. "Hawk is a Magic Type, but the Class he belongs to is Shadow Arts. A Class created by Emperor Kuan of Vietnam, where the user has the ability to manipulate shadows. He can also use a materialized dust substance of shadows to paralyze opponents. He even carries an assassin blade within his sleeve, not visible to us until it is too late. Hawk is the only one to have this Type and Class combination of Magic and Shadow Arts, along with Weaponry Type of Assassin Class. He's a force to be reckoned with. Letting our guard down with him would prove fatal."
"Ah, you did well in your research" said Landi Ryo with a cunning look. "Do you also know of Shuji and Anaki?"
"He doesn't. But I do." Jared said quickly.
"Well would you look at that, Anaki. Its the pipsqueak that fell in love with Sun-Mi." Shuji said with a chuckle.
"Sure is. Pathetic." Anaki laughed.
"Jared? You know those two?" Luisa asked.
"I do. They're the two who me and Alisa-...I mean, Sun-Mi, fought in the alley that day of the ambush in Kujaku. They're strong warriors, no doubt" Jared said. "Shuji is a Water Type belonging to the Aqua Runner Class. Anaki is also a Weaponry Type belonging to the Assassin Class. Like Hawk. The difference is that she uses that sword there at her hip. Except it seems like only a sword until she flicks her wrist, transforming it into a whip blade that has great reach. They work well together."
Luisa scoffed in anger.
"You all think you're so cool huh? Just where the hell is Alisa anyway? I've been itching for a fight with her after what she did to Jared." Said Luisa.
Landi Ryo snapped his fingers, and a girl walked out from behind a tree. Jared felt his heart beating faster than normal. His lips quivered at the sight of her.
"Nice of you to join us Sun-Mi." Landi Ryo said.
Hwan became alert.
"What is it, Hwan?" Kizumi asked him.
"Sun-Mi...I...I know her. She's from my village in Korea." Hwan said in disbelief.
"I thought she looked familiar" Sung-Joon added. "I am from Jirisan Village, but as you know, Korea is small."
"So this is the real you, Alisa? You make me sick." Luisa said, lip curled in disgust.
"Would you all please stop calling her that stupid name "Alisa"? It was just a code name to hide her true identity when we sent her to the states" said Landi Ryo. "Sun-Mi is her name. A powerful warrior who is noted as the best Water Type of the Aquamancer Class there is."
"I highly doubt that! Rei is the best Water Type of the Aquamancer Class! I know this. I saw this during our battle against Makaio." Luisa said.
Jared felt his heart beating even faster. He couldn't believe he was face to face with her again. The girl he knew as Alisa. Betrayed him and set him up as part of her mission.
Damn. I can't get out a single word. I thought I'd always know what to say if I ever crossed paths with her again. I'm speechless and full of anger all over again. Damn it!
"Sun-Mi...what are you doing sided with China? Your grandparents know of this?!" Hwan exclaimed in anger.
"That doesn't concern you, boy. Sun-Mi left Hallasan Village in Korea to follow in her mother's footsteps." Said Anaki.
"Just what are you talking about? You haven't a clue of anything. What do you mean follow in the footsteps of her mother? Chae-Lin would have never had dealings with China!" Said Hwan, as Mi-Na growled.
"Quiet, foolish one. Allow me to explain" interrupted Cao Jin. "Sun-Mi is the only child of Chae-Lin. I'm sure you know of Chae-Lin's death. But you do not know the truth of it."
"Chae-Lin died after someone murdered her while she took a visit to Japan. The body was sent to Korea from Japan" Hwan said. "This started a conflict between Korea and Japan. I remember because I attended the funeral where it was said that someone in Japan slaughtered her for no good reason! Sending her body back to us to threaten us and show us that they were stronger than us! This is why Korea didn't want any parts of Japan for a long time. I know all of this already. Sun-Mi, tell them."
The girl known as Sun-Mi, looked away and said nothing. Hwan looked in disbelief.
"That is the story you have been told. Here is the truth" said Cao Jin. "Chae-Lin was an assassin under Emperor Landi Kang. She secretly worked as an assassin along with others. There were four assassins. Chae-Lin, Hawk, Anaki and Shuji. On that day, when Lady Kushina and Empress Kokoro were abducted, all four executed this. It was their mission. Orders given by Emperor Kang. Chae-Lin had successfully captured Lady Kushina, but was stopped by the late Emperor Tskune, Lady Kushina's real father as you all know. Emperor Tskune killed Chae-Lin instantly with his lethal Power Attack known as Shock Fist. Hawk, Anaki and Shuji brought her body back home to us in China, along with young Lady Kushina and Empress Kokoro. From that point on, we sent her body to Korea, her home. We couldn't risk Korea questioning us in China, because we had just anonymously captured Lady Kushina and Empress Kokoro, secretly siding with Vietnam as well. Emperor Kuan of Vietnam needed time to initiate his very first Mind Deletion Technique. This took a week. Empress Kokoro tried desperately to escape in that week's timeframe with the young Lady Kushina, but it was futile. All the while, we posed as Japan, and framed them in killing Chae-Lin for what seemed to be no reason. In actuality, she died in reason. Letting her guard down led to her death. Japan did kill Chae-Lin, but not for no reason as you people of Korea have thought all these years. That is the sole truth, foolish boy."
Everyone on Japan's side grew tense. Hwan couldn't believe what he had just heard. Sun-Mi's silence had confirmed it all.
"I just don't understand why Chae-Lin would side with China. I was a such a young kid...I looked up to her." Hwan said.
"Newsflash, your dear village friend Sun-Mi here is half Chinese. Meaning that Chae-Lin had her with a Chinese man." Ko Meixiang butted in.
"Impossible...that can't be." He said.
"That's the truth and nothing but the truth. Believe it" Cao Jin snapped. "The Chinese man by the name of Guan Buu was her father. Guan Buu died in a battle with a bandit, though he was a formidable warrior. After both of her parents died, Sun-Mi was taken under the wing of Anaki and Shuji, replacing her mother." 
"She has been trained in assassin combat skills and will not hesitate to kill" Landi Ryo said with a smirk. "The four feared assassins are now back in action. The spirit of Chae-Lin lives within Sun-Mi. Sun-Mi's half brother; her kid brother, Guan Ren, is now under our tutelage as well after Guan Buu's death. Guan Ren's mother trusts us to raise him into a killing machine."
"You Chinese are sick. How could you  all do such heinous acts?" Hanzo asked.
"A bit of a obvious question, isn't it?" Landi Ryo asked with a laugh. "We are rotten. No other way to put it."
"At least you all acknowledge that." Mai scoffed.
"These guys...there all so strong." Said Anko.
"I know...are we good enough to go against them?" Yugito added.
"Stop that!" Luisa cut in. "I told you two before. There's no time for fear! No time for second guessing! This is war, this is death, this is blood! We can't let these Chinese get one up on us!"
Anko and Yugito shook their fear.
"You're right, Luisa. Sorry." Said Yugito.
Jared was amazed by his sisters courage.
Mai has taught you well, little sister.
"Now, last but not least. Naija." Landi Ryo said.
"That's Rashaad's wife for sure. Pregnant and all, just as he said." Mai said.
"Naija! Why do you stand there as if you do not know me?!" Rashaad shouted.
"Have you not caught on yet?" Asked Landi Ryo. "She is no longer the woman you once knew. She is now under the sacred technique of Emperor Kuan of Vietnam. The technique responsible for the state Lady Kushina and Empress Kokoro are in now."
"What, no way!" Hanzo exclaimed.
Jared nudged Rashaad.
"Look closely dude. That isn't your wife. She's under mind control." He said.
Rashaad looked into her eyes.
"Naija..." He said thought to himself.
"Naija is our newest victim of the Mind Deletion Technique. She has no emotional ties to you anymore, Rashaad" said Landi Ryo. "You shouting at her is futile. She's now ready to serve under us and take you all down. Pregnant and all."
"Naija, you mustn't!" Rashaad shouted.
Naija raised one finger.
"Quiet, husband. From this point forward, I do not care of your life. For I will take it. Anyone who stands in my way will suffer consequences. You shall feel the wrath of Naija of the Sand!" She announced.
"Your wife is a Power Warrior as well?" Jared asked him.
"She is" responded Rashaad. "She is a Earth Type of the Sunakinesis Class, like myself. Her abilities prove just as strong. However, they have been compromised since she's been pregnant. Doctors stated that she should not use her Power Energy until after the baby is born. I fear that under this mind spell that she has no regards of that, that she will use her Power Energy regardless. This isn't good. These bastards did this to my wife."
Landi Ryo laughed as his coalition stood behind him.
"Now Japanese dogs, what are you going to do?!" He boasted.
"Why's he gloating like that, Captain Hanzo?" Asked Shin. "I mean, they're totally outnumbered by us."
"Yeah" Hazashirama added. "There's ten on our squad, and then Squad Three led by Mai has ten on theirs. There's twenty of us against them who are only ten."
"Do not get full of cockiness just because there are more of us" Hanzo said sternly. "Numbers mean nothing if your enemy is experienced. A single warrior can take down ten men all on his own."
"Just like Landi Ryo said earlier about Wei Xiaojian over there." Said Darui.
"Right" Hanabi said. "He said that Wei Xiaojian killed six men all at once."
"Look at them, honey. Strategizing." Ko Meixiang laughed.
"No matter what strategy they come up with, they will die here. All of them." Cao Jin responded.
Suddenly Landi Ryo was struck in the neck, causing him to collapse to his knees.
"What in the world?!" Ko Meixiang shouted.
"Look!" Anko said, pointing.
As Landi Ryo fell to his knees, standing behind him was Naija.
"What the hell are you doing?!" Ko Meixiang shouted.
"Something isn't right here." Said Kizumi.
"Deception! Kill her!" Cao Jin shouted as he withdrew his sword.
Suddenly Naija was snatched by a glob of sand and pulled to Japan's side.
"Sand Shield!" Rashaad shouted, as a whirling dome like structure of sand swirled around Naija.
"I don't get it. What just happened, Mai Sensei?" Luisa asked.
"Well I'll be damned." Said Mai.
"Just what is the meaning of this?!" Landi Ryo shouted as he stood to his feet again.
"You all are the actual fools here" Naija said. "I was never under the Mind Deletion Technique! I fooled all of you!"