Jin Arashi: The Storm Amongst the Mist

Chapter 7: Sarushima Island

Sarushima Island, Land of Water, EN.

Tightly gripping the ship railing, Yagura glared at the mist in front of him, as if he could make it disappear.

He was close, and he knew it. Taking this island would put him one step closer to ending this war. The rebels didn't even know he was coming... it would be a slaughter.

There will be reinforcements, of course, but that's what I want, Yagura thought excitedly. All he had to do was not reveal himself in this battle, and his men would make sure a couple of the rebels got away. The reinforcements would rush to their comrade's aid, and he would kill them all!

Yagura briefly found himself hoping that Mei herself would be forced to come, but crushed the feeling. His overconfidence had nearly been his downfall from the very beginning. When the Resistance had first arisen, he'd gathered as many Shinobi as he could and marched on the island he believed they were hiding on.

It had been a trap, and had he not sacrificed hundreds of his men, he would have died.

I won't make such a mistake again, Mei.

Hearing someone run across the deck toward him, Yagura turned around.

"Mizukage-sama! We're approaching the island now."

Yagura smiled.

"Give the order," Yagura demanded.

The Captain hurriedly spun around and sprinted back across the deck.

"Begin the attack," Yagura whispered gleefully.

This was his favorite part, the calm before the battle. It was the only time he felt peaceful.

A bell clanged loudly.

He couldn't see them, but he could sense them.

Hundred of Shinobi pouring over the sides of a dozen ships on the ocean around him. Landing skillfully on the surface of the water, they all quickly formed ranks and, at their platoon leader's order, began sprinting toward the island through the fog.

There was no more need for stealth, and he couldn't stop himself from grinning.

Pushing up off the railing, he gripped his staff and leaped up into the air. Grabbing the bottom of the crows' nest, Yagura pulled himself up.

The bell clanged again, louder this time, echoing across the surface of the ocean. It was the island's only warning.

Pulling his staff free, Yagura held it between his palms. This was the only time he'd get to participate in the coming battle, and he intended to make his mark.

Having expected it, Yagura easily kept himself steady as the boat crashed against the beach beneath his feet. They were here.

Whipping the staff around his hand, Yagura rapidly began forming seals. The staff never stopped moving, never stopped spinning.

"Wind Release: Air Current Wild Dance!" Yagura roared.

The thick mist parted violently, shoved to the side by a giant whirlwind. Grinning wildly, Yagura spun his staff faster and faster, the wind growing ever more powerful.

He could only hear the roar of his Jutsu in his ears as the thick mist rapidly vanished. His jutsu propelling his men forward, the trees bending beneath the force.

As abruptly as it had begun, it stopped, and Yagura reattached his staff to his back.

It was beautiful. Yagura's men sprinted through the trees. Some on land and some the canopies, all heading for the capital of the island. Sarushima was finished.