Rippa had maintained his residence at the sword saint compound while awaiting further summons to the Hokage's office. He was concerned with the rapid change of Kage but other than that was perfectly happy to be back among his men. His trip to Kumo had been nothing but fruitful he thought though not much in the way of fruit. There had been a shift in seating there as well so he wasn't able to meet with the Raikage. He had however met with a fairly prolific member of their jounin ranks and taught them a bit of ninjutsu. Hopefully by strengthening their forces konoha would be looked upon favorably by their neighbors in the mountains. Regardless it was no longer his issue. Instead he was taking the time being back home to relax a little. Skirmishes on the border were becoming smaller so it was mostly being handled by the ANBU patrols leaving his men alive and healthy. All was well within the division and yet something was different. The men had bred themselves night and day for combat. They lived through battle after battle and were constantly prepared for the next one. Being on leave had been nice for the first couple of days. After that a couple fights broke out and tempers were high. The men were in need of direction and release. They weren't blood thirsty animals but they were dogs of war being chained to a pillar. Alpha dog among them or no they were prone to misbehave.

He himself was laying in his cot in the barracks as the morning sun was just rising. His swords were still on the stand having been left to dry what little polish was left on them rather than being immediately re-sheathed. He was a creature of habit and his habits had him clean his weapons as often as was possible. In the compound it was safer to take apart the hilt of his weapons and clean it entirely. In the field he had to settle for a cloth being wiped across it here and there. Still his sky blue eyes would shift to the sound of boots slamming on wood as they drew nearer to his door. His body would shift upwards in one rapid motion as he spun. Grabbing his swords by the handles as his feet hit the ground and turning with crossbows pointed at the threat. Hammers cocked back. His men respected the barracks and under any normal circumstances wouldn't set boots on the wood of the barracks itself. It was disrespectful to ones home. Boots were removed prior to entering. That left another possibility. One he would confirm in a moments notice. Two shadows loomed in his door before it slammed open. A pair of masked bandits were there somehow within the village. Each with a katana in hand. How they got into the sword saint grounds was beyond him but he wouldn't spend time guessing. The moment they both slammed into the room with weapons drawn practically dripping killing intent he pulled the triggers on his crossbow.

The first man took a bolt through the eye and fell back to the ground with a thud. His body already dead before he hit the ground. The second managed to step into the crossbows path and take it to the shoulder. Before he could recover from it though Rippa had slid passed him in a step as his katana blade would slice the mans gut. In the end of that step he would be in the courtyard. A single drop of blood dripping from his blade. He would swish it so the blood would fall away before turning to face his attackers. The man he had caught in the shoulder pulled the bolt out and tossed it to the ground at Rippa's feet. An impressive throw since Rippa was several meters away and he was holding his guts in. The man pulled down his mask as he stumbled forward and spat at Rippa. Smiling through blood soaked teeth. "You may have saved yerself captain. But the docks is already ours. The village burns tonight!" With that he grinned and a surge of chakra happened on both his arm and the dead mans. Rippa saw it starting and immediately launched himself backwards. Not sure what would happen but glad he did. He could only shield his face and drop to a knee as two barely separate explosions rocked the barracks tearing his room to bits. A small fire started where the two men were now just stains on his walls.

Quickly men were assigned to put out the fire while the majority of the compound was raised to emergency status. Men armed themselves in full combat gear ranging from light to heavy armor. Men with spears shifted with men with swords and shields. Behind them men with bows and crossbows formed single file lines in four single file lines of eight. A total of eight swords and shields with sixteen spears and thirty two archers ready to go on a moments notice. Rippa himself was dressed in his command gear. A dark vest with a long red coat with the captain symbol on the back and a konoha headband stitched into each shoulder. Dark pants and boots on underneath with his belt of ammo tightened securely. His twin katana crossbow were fully loaded on his back crossed over each other. With that done he led the men in a rapid movement march to the docks. When they arrived fires had already started and people were fleeing the docks themselves. There were only two ramps up from the docks with wide stone staircases. As they arrived he positioned four swords and eight spears with two archers at each entrance. Along the ridge between the two ramps moving up the other thirty archers lined up and took aim waiting for any bandits to start funneling in through the single entrance to the docks. A cement gate that stood open with only smoke from the fires visible inside. Rippa stood behind the archers stroking his beard. Odd that they seemed to be waiting for them to charge. What would benefit them from close range combat?

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Rippa had taken up a command post with his intentions clear. If any hostiles tried to come up from the docks they would be eliminated. A message had already been sent to double the ANBU patrols and modify their current routes and times. Someone had been studying them and probably tipped off these bandits on how to get in.He doubted these bandits had managed it on their own. Smart attackers would of positioned themselves in key locations for a simultaneous attack. However they had only chosen to take out one threat from what he could tell and had failed at that. Perhaps their whole plan relied on the disorganization of him being caught in the blast or even cut down. If that was the case they were sorely mistaken. It was good that he was as capable as his title of sannin suggested. However these people were a threat still. They had made it into the village and secured a port of trade. He needed to move to eliminate them but knew so little of the enemy. Perhaps they wanted it that way. They wanted to lure in his forces for some reason. The longer this stand off stood the less moral the village might have.

However his attention had been pulled for the time being to maps of the area. They had look outs everywhere surrounding the area for if these individuals were capable of supernatural walking practice or even just grappling hooks. He wasn't of mind that the only way out was just the door and ramp. However the enemy hadn't moved as of yet. They knew if they moved to the water they would be caught in the open and cut down with well placed raining arrows. If they tried climbing the walls then jutsu would envelop them one at a time as they shifted to an awkward angle. What held his attention the most was the ramps but even with a bulk force there would be casualties before they ever reached his line. Were they planning something else perhaps? His eyes closed for a moment as he considered the possibilities. A knock on the wooden post to the strategy tent drew his attention back to opening his eyes. A jounin was standing there with a young lady. Thin and almost sickly but with hair much like his own. The first thing he noticed was her eyes. He had studied the legends and depictions of century old stories. Most considered it fiction by now but maybe...still he would nod to the introduction and listen to what the lady had to say. Listening for tone and key phrases of doubt one might be using to mislead him.

"What he says is correct, I think by their description the bandits you're fighting are the same ones who held me hostage for two years in Sunagakure. They're katon experts and have a body seal much like a stronger variant of the Bomb seal on their bodies that their commanders are capable of setting off with a single hand-seal. I thought that we had crippled them and killed their leader... But, apparently there were more of them than we had given them credit for. Since then, they had attempted to attack me in the forest outskirts of Konoha once, but the village ANBU got rid of them. I'd never believe they would do something like this. But, if this is anything like before... they may be after me... But I don't know why. But I would like to help, if you can think of anything, please... I'm a Special Jounin from Kumogakure, I can help."

He would raise an eye brow at the young ladies words. So they were katon specialists. There was going to be fire spreading from this fight. They needed to suppress it as best they could. Keep it from spreading. That aside the fact that this girl was in the village and so were these people supposedly targeting her made her story more believable. At least part of it. The details about who they were and what they did was clear and confident. However when it came to why they were after her the hesitation was obvious. She knew more than she cared to let on but he would ignore that for the time being. He wondered if it was due to her eyes but instead he would nod. His eyes glancing back to the map of the docks. They were likely going to use fire as a smoke screen and then get in close. Cost them death for death. One bomber could take out an entire unprepared squad. The death count would be dangerously high if he didn't have this information. He would look to one of the jounin and speak up with authority. His words to be obeyed immediately.

"I want Suiton specialists to the front line immediately. At any sign of smoke or fire suppress it and clear it. Use only ranged tactics as much as possible against the enemy. Prepare barriers around the area so they can't get out and once that is done we will make our next move. Go." With his orders out the Jounin vanished and he would turn to the young lady. His blue eyes looking her over for a moment. Normally he was far more friendly but for now, for now it was war. "A special Jounin from Kumo eh? Well out of your jurisdiction. I am Chi Rippa. Captain of the Sword Saints division and Sannin of Konoha. How would you suggest we go about this than mystery...hmmm...Sir?"

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Rippa would glance at the young man as he slipped into thought. Not drawn to impulsive reactions he noticed. He wondered why he chose to appear so feminine though. If not for his own medical expertise he might have believed the boy a girl as well. He supposed if the Jounin were simply using it as a disguise it was a decent idea. No one would be looking for a man if something went awry. On the other hand this was all just a theory to test to begin with. The individual claimed they were after him and that would explain why they showed up on his radar at about the same time. For all he knew this kid was just telling him lies to ease him into a sense of comfort. He had no way to confirm in the current situation the young mans origin. Then again he was making another assumption. Young? What was to indicate that but what he saw? Already the appearance of another gender had him suspicious. Would it be so difficult to conceal ones age as well? The world was a dark place indeed. Still the man known as Hanbei had begun to prepare himself to speak. It was time to pay attention.


"They're saboteurs who are more than happy to sacrifice the many to attain their objective, so, i think its a fair bet to think that the major force is a distraction to take your attention. They wear a sort of uniform, which draws your eye and has you look for the uniform more than they themselves. It would be the chakra signature of the brands you should lock onto to find them i guess. Uhm, are there any drainage pipes or aquaducts from the factory area they could use? Or a way to travel that's unique to the docks to get into konoha? Rivers maybe? They had to have attacked there for a reason right?"

Saboteurs? His thoughts shifted to the men that tried to take him out already. They had managed to slip in already and there was little indication that was all who had. The idea to lock onto the chakra brands was a brilliant one though. Already they had begun to detect strange chakra signatures within. He wanted to compare them to the ones that had attacked him but he had his place at the command. However the part of the docks they were on did have access to drainage pipes. Rippa had spent time down there himself just practicing his chakra control with the tide. He would click his tongue and raise his right hand. As he did an assistant would step forward. Now was as good a time as any to test this Hanbei's information.

"Contact the guards of any prominent individuals. Do not raise panic as you do but have them be alert and looking for the chakra signature of the brand. Also, have a team of ANBU enter into the sewers at the sword saint compound and backtrack to here. Have them report in any sightings of residual chakra signature. Lastly bring in the sealing division. I want a chakra seal over the area. If they intend to use explosive jutsu over close combat we will take that advantage."

His eyes were drawn to rising smoke from behind the wall. Were they simply burning property in spite? He took into account the words Hanbei had said. They were trained. Perhaps not in combat but they were not fools. No, these were not acts of wanton aggression. It was a smoke screen. However a sheen of red was rising over the area in a large triangle from three different points. Covering the docks and locking what forces were there in. Even with a smoke screen they had no escape now. The seals would be placed within the barrier and the side they would enter in was left open. If they chose to come that way nothing but death awaited them. Still it was Hanbei who spoke up again even as the assistant rushed off.

"However, if they're after me, I'm trained, and not against being used as bait. If they've come in this far twice with this many I doubt they want me dead, so, if you could use me as a hostage you could probably break their ranks... I wouldn't oppose being the trojan horse, so to speak."

He let his blue eyes fall on the man. There was the risk he had been waiting for. If he used the boy as bait he could simply use the event to rejoin the enemy if he was working for them. At what gain though? He was close enough to set off an explosion and do some major damage but to begin with no one was sensing the chakra brand on him. This was his own test to administer. He would raise his hand and stroke the white stubble on his own chin as he considered it. There was one way of testing this without putting the foreign shinobi in danger and without letting him have the chance to join up with the enemy if he was with them. If he did as asked it would at least confirm for the time being he was willing to lay waste to the enemy. So Rippa spoke once more.

"Very well. If they want you badly enough to slip into a desperate enough move to attack Konoha so directly, we should let them know your here. With any luck it will spur them into something foolish like a frontal attack. Obviously they have been tracking you so likely they will recognize your chakra. Do you have any long range jutsu someone in Konoha is unlikely to have? Perhaps the ability to rain hell down on them from here? Sensory units are reporting in there are no surviving citizens on the docks. So feel free to unleash a little."

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Rippa would wait and watch as the young man would seem to consider the standoff. How he might involve himself further along the way of the battle. If he could do as Rippa had asked of him. Already he could see the technique forming in the boys mind and he would cross his arms and turn to glance to the rising smoke column into the sky. So this was the target of the assault? What had prompted them to be so bold against Konoha of all things? Through out history their strength had never been up for doubt. Their economy and their military force were both considerable the majority of the time. Even if they got away here somehow they had to know that Konoha would dedicate a considerable amount of resources to tracking them all down and inflicting vengeance upon them. This one boy couldn't be the one thing they were after. Or perhaps it was the one thing someone of influence had. It wouldn't be the first time someone with resources didn't care who stood in the way. If that was the case these were just pawns. Men about to die for coin and the source still unknown to him. But not the boy.

His blue eyes would turn to glance once more at the boy as he began to gather energy. If not for the fact that they did not negotiate with terrorists he had no obligation to a Kumo shinobi. Even as some of the sealing division began to arrive and set up there would form before him a vision. The boy gathered a pure white energy. Like transparent lines of dove feathers floating around him as they all focused into his out stretched hand. Rippa supposed even if they were the type to negotiate he wasn't one to let threats bend his sense of right and wrong. The boy formed a needle as long as a spear and gripped it i his hand. Something about the needle was frightening besides the size of it. More so than Rippa's lightning javelin. More unique as well. If there was a signature jutsu for the boy it was likely this. Hanbei hmm? A name to recall. Still the young man launched the spear through the air as it shot through the smoke and left a hole in its wake. With its passing all sound beyond the smoke seemed to fade to silence. It was about to begin.

"Ready yourselves! Pick your targets!"

As if in response the force moved forward. Beneath them something shook the ground with a large explosion of fire. Rippa stood his ground though with confidence. Unclipping his two crossbow katana from their sheaths. He wanted the front line. However he was the only command unit there at the moment. Even as foot steps rushed forward the barrier would drop sealing them in together. The sealing division was finally in place and ready. Men from the enemy side started throwing phoenix fire jutsu at them but they faltered and faded mid air. The anti chakra field was in place. Arrows flew but they had the high ground. His men were trained with their chosen weapon well before any jutsu. Targets were picked and a volley launched picking off targets without any mercy or survivable wounds. Chest, eye, throat, any of them were wounds that could collapse their ability to breath. Some were turned into pincushions while others were simply hit once and dropped. Their charge cut short. After those a set of three volleys were launched into the smoke where the enemy arrows had come from. Inaccurate but plentiful enough to hit something. Even as this continued Rippas attention was drawn from the messenger. The explosion beneath them explained.

"Take all but three of the suiton specialists with you. Flood the sewers and set extra patrols from the base shinobi not in a division. Reporting in on the hour. If they are still in the sewers we will drown them. If they are not, we will find them."

With that done Rippa would turn and begin walking towards his men. Glancing to Hanbei. Speaking calmly as they put down the rush of men that initially came at them. Nothing but bodies on the floor. "We are about to push and clear the docks since we have shut down their suicide ability. There is a field keeping chakra from forming outside of the body so if you feel vulnerable feel free to stay behind. Stay with the archers and they will protect you. Or confront the enemy with the advance force and myself and see what you will for yourself. The choice is yours." With that said he moved to the line of spear-men behind sword and shield lines. Drawing his twin Katana repeating crossbows Adam and Eve as their metal glistened in the light of day. Was one archer going to go with them? Well it certainly appeared that way.

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Rippa walked forward and formed up behind his men. His katana gleaming brightly in the dim light the smoke allowed cast off from the fires. The flames still flicked with life but some were being doused manually and more would be as well as they progressed their clearing progress through the docks. Of course the fire fighters wouldn't be entering into the danger zone without a guard. Rippa wasn't one to assume all the forces would engage him. The sewers were being cleared as they prepared so their vital targets would be safe for the time being. Even if some found another way through sensory would be running patrols. This was a mistake they made to think Konoha wouldn't be prepared for a shinobi ran invasion. This was madness without purpose involving them. Did they really think that they would be allowed to do as they pleased? Or perhaps they thought since their target was a kumo nin that Konoha would readily surrender him in order to avoid conflict. If nothing else there was one thing Rippa was not about to lower himself into doing. He was not about to allow the village to negotiate with these terrorists. They brought the sword to Konoha and they would receive it right back.

Hanbei has stepped up next to him with a fist packed full of Senbon. If nothing else this youngling knew honor. Though he didn't honestly know their age. He assumed they were young but that might not be the case anyway. They had someone with this kind of desperation after them. However they were at least willing to step up and help fight their own battles. Guanyin Hanbei eh? He would certainly remember the name. Still it was time to prepare for the battle ahead. He took a step forward and his men stepped with him. Forming a guard wall on three points. Spears pointed forward while swords were drawn and directed to the left and right. The rear guard consisted of only Hanbei and himself. Perhaps they were overestimating their abilities but Rippa was an experienced rear guard. Covering the retreat of his men at the end of every engagement he participated in. This would be no different. Water pressure burst from the pipes below into the bay and that was their trigger to move. Force the enemy to dedicate what they had left to engaging them before the sewers cleared enough for a second attempt. So long as those were flooded they had their backs pressed to the water with a standing force closing in.

With that they passed through the field of the fallen charge. As they passed each body was without mercy cleaved into before they got within arms reach. Making sure those that were laying in the battle field would not rise up again. They had made a sin here a reality and now they were going to repent. They marched into the docks as a unit. Trained to engage in just these kinds of situations. The enemy had made the docks a war zone but for the sword saints this was home. This was what they had grown accustomed to. As a group rose up her they were cut down quickly while another rose from the debris to the opposite side in an attempted pincer move. However the group they assaulted were experienced and knew this was coming when they triggered this trap. Rippa paid it little to no mind. Two figures had caught his eye. One was charging from behind with a twin sided warhammer and closing quickly. A boss by the look of him. The other was an archer. Rippa would glance at that one before speaking to Hanbei.

"Deal with the big one trying to close in on us. He is strong but slow. You and I are the rear guard here. These men depend on you to stop him so they can continue to do their jobs. I will only be a moment,"

With that Rippa would turn and look up a ship docked nearby. The one he had noted had made his way to the crows nest. Overlooking the men and preparing a large black arrow. Rippa would shift his blades in front of him before planting his feet. Judging where the arrow was aimed. Trajectory and wind speed with the way his eyes shifted to Hanbei. He knew his target but it was aimed low. So they wanted Hanbei alive. That would serve him well in the fight with the hammer. However the archer was his. With a step Rippa was already halfway there. A second step launched him straight up as the bow string released. A Katana would flash and with a clang the arrow would fly off to the side. With that the archer took note of him with surprise in his eyes. Rippa was already aiming with both katana though as the man reached for another arrow. Two bolts let loose as they flew true through the air. One catching the man under his arm just above the armpit. He was going to bleed out with that quickly. The other however slammed across the mans turned face. Shooting through both his eyes and breaking his nose Blinding the archer and eliminating the threat. With that done Rippa landed on the deck, Spinning his swords to load in the next round. Turning to look at the battle below as blood began to pour out from the crows nest above.

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Rippa would stand on the head of the docked ship as blood dipped around him. Seeping through the cracks in the wood. It was surprising to some just how much one could bleed from a severed artery. If his jutsu were available right that moment he might have been able to use even his strongest blood jutsu with this. One body providing all the power he needed for those jutsu. Still he had not the access to his own chakra at the seal held. Instead his focus was on how the boy fought. This Hanbei had a fascination with needles and precision at that. Even from a distance Rippa could tell where those needles were intended to land. However a part of him wondered idly. Did the lad have much fighting experience? Was this all simply practice and theory put to the test? His attacks lacked any real impact. There was the other conclusion of course. The lad had grown to resort to chakra use as his go to attacking method. Likely if he had access to his chakra he would be far more lethal. Certainly a note to consider. Still he was faster than the large man and took advantage of it. Rippa of course took notes of the use of nerve damage and even the liver strike. If the man wasn't practiced in the medical arts he would not be long for the world. His own body poisoning itself as he lay there face down on the docks.

Still as soon as that was done there was a call out from Hanbei. The lot of them were coming now. They had seen their target and instead of surrendering as was reasonable they would charge to their deaths. It was madness but that was something his men, the men of Konoha had stood against their entire lives. Madness was something the knew how to fight and did not fear it. Still his eyes took in the charge. First noting the most notable and possibly the last leader of these men. A man with a huge and heavy lance. However he noticed second what he should have noticed first. Four archers perching up on some wreckage and drawing tight. His hands snapped up and quickly took aim pulling the trigger mechanisms. Even as he let loose his two rounds and two of the archers fell the other two let loose. Two of his men fell. Two at the front. One with an arrow to his left thigh and the other in his chest. Already Rippa had reloaded and launched into the air. That heavy lance was heading right for the gap allotted. Rippa would sail through the air as a red blur as his swords spun and he took aim mid drop. Adjusting for his own momentum and firing as he felled the last two archers. Hanbei was doing well as the rear guard and sending men to their doom. It was a matter of time now as the enemy numbers thinned.

However they had to halt their progression. If they continued forward they could not shield their two fallen. Rippa would land in the opening as his men surged back and forth. Enemies crashing against them as bloodied waves. A well trained oiled unit. The men fighting them died as they fell to sword strike after practiced sword strike. However Rippa focused on his own fight. The lance was thrust forward only to meet a katana blade as for all its weight and power behind it the strike was knocked upwards with one swing from Rippa's left blade. The impact of the two weapons sending out a blast of air from it. With his right Rippa stepped in and swung. His sword carving through armor and flesh but still the man came back again. His berserk state keeping him from falling even as his men fell around him. Having failed to take the center. Time and time again they would clash and Rippa would toss aside the blow as more cuts would slice through the man. Not targeting anything vital. There was a rage within Rippa now. The man in the end was the last one standing. Rippa and he standing alone with his men stepping back to guard while stabbing anyone within reach to reaffirm death. The large man was panting. His own blood soaking him while Rippa stood in front of him unwind ed. Looking relaxed and poised. The large lance had cracks running through out it while the katana's had not a single mark. Finally with a roar the man stepped into a lunging thrust and Rippa thrust forward himself. Purposefully taking the blow head on only to have his katana pierce through the lance. Shattering it as he went. His point slicing through the mans temple as his other blade pierced the mans heart. Letting him fall before Rippa turned from the battle. Flicking the blood off his blades and looking to the now silent battlefield. Observing it a moment before barking out further orders.

"Two of you, take the injured out of the anti chakra zone for immediate medical attention. The rest, give any survivors peace. Cut any marks or seals you find on the bodies and gather them to be burned. Summon two sensory nin for the docks only once that is done. Go."

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Hanbei had to shake himself awake, he had been out of needles as the final charge came, having easily thrown all fourty in his reserves out into the area, some had dropped enemies on their own, but the vast majority of them had been used to paralyze a point or cause pain within a target with an attempt to cover the backs of ninja around them so that advantages could be taken in the middle of combat. Interestingly enough, Hanbei had taken very few lives in the fight, even though his fighting style had been pretty precisionate. He was young, and while the skirmish they fought in was bad, it was the closest he had ever come to being in the middle of a war-zone. The battle had been a massacre, the bandits having lost dozens upon dozens of men, maybe even over a hundred while the casualties on the side of the ninja forces, assuming there were any beyond being simply heavily wounded, you could count on a single hand.




The chakra barrier wouldn't lift for a while, but moving outside of it with the wounded Hanbei would attempt to set up a sort of temporary medical way point that people could be taken to for triage as he would set up some of his lingering area of effect healing needles to take the edge off their wounds and maybe help stem the bleeding of some of them in the mean time. Namely his re-energization needle and healing pulse needles maintained simultaneously as fatigue and wounds would begin to re-knit slowly over time around them. Though maintaining the needles as long as he could with the object permanence technique, he would look to the leader of the group, having witnessed the last bloody duel, Hanbei was almost pushed for words as he struggled to make a comment on it... he wanted to say it was awful, he wanted to say it was like a man hacking away at a cow carcass until it fell over. The blood from the battle alone was sprayed all over him and the area they had fought... but all that struggled out of his mouth was.

"Uhm, mr Rippa? Are you ok?"

Hanbei felt like an idiot, regretting his meager words immediately as he bit his lip, looking a little ashamed at the fact that he couldn't do more. Rippa was like a hurricane on the battlefield, moving through and laying waste to everything in his path, Hanbei was more like a wasp, stinging at vulnerable points of a large beast hoping to draw its attention for a moment, praying that someone else could land the finishing blow. Without chakra, there was really only so much that the Guanyin could do...

But soon enough the after battle team would strip the bandits of their weapons as well as the arrows and ammunition that had been pumped into them, their bodies would be sent away likely to be cremated and fed to the forest in one way or another. Hanbei in the collected weapons would easily find his unique throwing needles and recollect them before looking around to the massive operation. But, there was one last thing on the boy's mind as he couldn't help but see the devastation, innocent people and ninja crying out in triage, people having lost their homes, their livelihoods to the attack, over a hundred men dead in the streets and near no accountability. He could only bring himself to say yet alone think one thing...




[4416 words.
trained PRC B-0 -> B-3 2400/2400
Trained REAT B-0 -> B-2 1500/1500 ]

Rippa had moved back with the wounded to the tent. His own weapons collected and brought to a cleaning team. He was no longer concerned with being approached by a situation that would require them. His own tight grip on the hilts slowly releasing. The battle was over and once more he had moved his unit with fluid training. He found that the village had been a sleeping giant waiting for the proper training. His sky blue eyes looked over the injured and watched as the dead were confirmed as such and burned. The citizens that had died during the take over of the docks were being identified by loved ones and lined up while the barrier seal still held. They had pushed into Konoha and Rippa still didn't know the source. One boy from a different village? Someone wanted him badly. A horrible act had been committed here and Rippa wasn't sure who to blame. He could see the tears and confusion in the eyes of loved ones and his fists gripped tightly. Burning them wasn't enough. He wanted their heads on stakes. However that was not in Konoha's best interest. He would need to remain calm and rational about all this. To be distant from the rage building within.

He would move passed the clean up crews as a final patrol confirmed there were no more hostiles present. The barrier fell and once more he felt his chakra returning to him. Blood was being washed off the docks quickly while a damage assessment was being made. It had been held mostly at the docks but that didn't mean there wasn't costly damage. Trade would need to be monitored for a while and repairs would need to be done. A general cleanup might take almost a week. Guards would be increased for a while taking from the rest of Konoha for a time. It was an interesting issue but not one he wasn't prepared to arrange. Konoha would not be halted by this little attack. Most of the village would of course speak of it among themselves and there would be those to comfort the grieving families. However they as a village would overcome. As angry as he was he needed to keep his calm and poise for those that were watching. If he was to remain calm him men could as well. A leader that gave into his emotions was one destined to die a hero or martyr. Rippa was not interested in either ends.

Still his steps would move him passed the whole mess into the medical tents. He was interested at the very least to find Hanbei there preforming the medical arts on Rippa's men. His methods of healing them was highly interesting indeed. His methods seemed to be fairly related to that of a clan he was only slightly familiar with. The Guanyin had made a name for themselves across the world over the last decade. He now wished to know a little more about them. Still that might be his first lead as to the boys popularity with these mad men. Still he would admire the medical arts. His own were about along the same par but he didn't wish to compare notes just yet. The fact that the boy was actually assisting the wounded earned him some points. Not enough so that he would't place a guard on him. However a question about his current condition made him pause in his stride. Glancing down at himself and noting how much of the enemy blood soaked him. He looked like a walking corpse. So he would take a deep breath and focus just a small amount. The blood seeming to fade into him from his skin, his hair and clothes until there wasn't a drop remaining. Only than would he speak.

"I may have lost my temper but I am better now. I will need to review all the reports from this incident and come up with my own. Do us both a favor and do not leave the village. You and I will speak of this again in a more private setting young Hanbei. I have many questions."

With that Rippa would slightly bow his head. A couple of patrols came and reported to him. However he hardly acknowledged them. The bit about his ANBU being rescued from the sewers had warranted some interest. A sketch would be made and brought to him later. For the moment he needed to have the village issue a statement. Informing its citizens this was an isolated incident and it was being looked into. With that Rippa was gone about his business.

Exit thread

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