The Fire Temple

Namaru and Chino, after a long walk, have finally reached the Fire Temple just to find out something tragic. "It is being guarded by samurai," Chino says as they keep their distance in a nearby tree, "How do we get in?" "I have no idea about that one, old friend. Let me see how many we're dealing with." Namaru closes his left eye, and shuffles his Kirokugan into the Byakugan. He begins looking around at chakra signatures. "We have 2 on each side of the door, 4 on the top at every corner, 2 guarding every door inside, 16 on your way up the stairs, and 25 inside just walking around."

"This won't be easy," Chino states with widened eyes. "You're correct. It won't. Let's start with the stairs and work our way up." They both jump down from their tree and stand at the base of the stairs, where two Samurai turn to them, but make no advancements to attack, which halts the onslaught of attacks the two were about to unleash. The samurai both salute Namaru and Chino. "You two must be the ones he was talking about. You definitely look the part. Please, come with us," one of the samurai says before they both begin walking off, being closely followed by Namaru and Chino.

When they get to the top of the stairs they are both greeted by a familiar face, and bow at an old friend of theirs. His name is Osawa Murio. "No need to bow, my friends. You may just hug me." Before Namaru can get a word in, Chino speaks up. "How are you still alive and look so young? I died centuries ago." Osawa chuckles. "You remember that technique I was working on all those years ago?" They both say, "Yeah." "Well, I've perfected it. I have created a jutsu that has stopped my aging process completely. I have out lived many Samurai leaders and still look like I'm 25 or 30."

"Wow. So, you can only die if your K.I.A (Killed In Battle)?" "Precisely. But seeing as that won't happen any time soon, I think I'll be alright. Please, come in." They both follow Osawa into the temple to find many young men training in Wind Style and Chakra Control. Namaru feels the need to finally get his words in, "What is all of this?" Osawa laughs. "This, Namaru, is the resistance. It is formed of those of us who still believe in the power of Jutsu. As for the samurai who guard this place, they don't agree with what Musashi is doing in the ninja world." Namaru asks, "So it isn't just Konoha?" "I'm afraid not, Namaru. This has gone all through the world. The only land they still need is the Land of Wind. The Sand is fighting against them, too. That is actually where we were going to head next."

"I don't think we should," Namaru interjects. "I feel like we should stay here and bring in other people with potential from other villages to train here with us and fight in the resistance alongside us. The more people we have closer to the Leaf, the better. We might even be able to get the current Kazekage involved." "There isn't a current Kazekage. There hasn't been since the death of Shinki. The elders won't allow it. The elders are who currently lead the village. Either way, it is good to have somewhere to go in case things go south here at the Temple."

Namaru jumps in, "That is definitely a good plan, but let's not jeopardize our current post. We should still try and defend it by bringing some other people from the Mist, Cloud, and Rock so we can teach them proper Chakra Control. Plus, with mine and Chino's extensive knowledge in Ninjutsu, we could also teach them different jutsu depending on their Chakra Natures. If we have them here, we'd be unstoppable. There wouldn't be a need to flee."

Chino decides he hasn't spoken in 5 minutes, so he butts in, "I agree with both of you. As Namaru stated, we could get people from separate villages who still have potential, and defend the Fire Temple and if things begin to go badly here, we can go to the Sand Village, where there are walls to protect us. Both plans go together. It isn't a matter of one over the other. Both are good, and both will work. However, my favorite of these plans would be to stay here that way we are closer to the village, and we wouldn't have to travel as far to get there. If word got out we were on our way from the Sand, they could easily prepare for an attack, and fight most of us off, plus trace down those who flee. There is no point in going to the Sand yet."

"Chino is right, Osawa. We can't just run. We must stay and fight for the good of the Land of Fire." Osawa thinks for a moment before saying, "Fine. But if we stay here, we run the risk of putting ourselves in jeopardy. At the same time, we have the two of you, plus our Wind Style users. We should be fine until we get more people here." "Which is something myself and Chino could go do. We can travel and find more people to bring here." Chino agrees with this statement. "Ok, but I can't let the two of you go alone. There is someone I would like the both of you to meet. She is our top Wind Style user. Her name is Misako Tamachi."

At that moment, a beautiful young woman walks toward Osawa before asking, "Did you say my name, Master Osawa?" "I sure did, Misako. These men are Chino and Namaru. They are highly skilled Shinobi who I knew from many years ago. They are going to go travel to the lands of Water, Lightning, and Earth to gather more potential allies and bring them back here. I want you to go with them and keep them company." Misako stands up a little straighter, "Yes, sir." Misako turns to join Namaru and Chino, and they all 3 exit the temple, to head for the Hidden Cloud Village in the Land of Lightning.