39 Behind The Scenes

Author Note: Hope you all like how the story is advancing so far. I know it's been like forty chapters now but I like taking it slow. Also even though Im writing this I still hate Danzo being alive. (I need Grammarly Premium...)

The flames being released from Rei grew as they began engulfing an entire area of the bridge. 'What powerful flames…' Even from within the ice mirror Haku stared at Rei with a sense of awe. These mirrors were special in the sense even Fire Style Jutsu wouldn't melt them. However even with Ryujin Jakka's flames being concentrated around Rei's body, the mirrors cracked right away.

Not wasting a movement, Rei slowly raised Ryujin Jakka into the air. "Taimatsu." Swinging downwards Ryujin Jakka's flames were fully released. Flying in every direction the flames crashed into the ice mirrors on each front. The ice was melted and reduced to water and so the water was reduced to steam.

'I can't hold this Jutsu together!' As Haku was engulfed along with his Jutsu the flames raged into a spiraling pillar. Being held back by the heat Zabuza used his executioner's blade to try and avoid the heat but even then he was being pushed back. "What the hell… All this from a single swing?"

Standing in the center of this Rei spoke to himself in a whisper. "That should be enough. I don't want their souls to become permanently damaged." Reacting to Rei's will the flames of Ryujin Jakka began to disperse, expanding and dispersing into thin air. Looking at the bridge now the stone around Rei had been completely melted and that wasn't all.

The mist that had been so thick you could barely see had been cleared for what looked like hundreds of meters. Glancing around Rei spotted Haku lying on the ground unconscious with burn marks across their entire body. "Crap I did not control the intensity well enough." The one issue Rei had with Ryujin Jakka's power was that it was too overpowering.

The real reason why a Shikai is supposed to take years of training isn't just so you could unlock it but also master it. If he had gone the normal route he would be able to control Ryujin Jakka's flames perfectly. Heat, range, shape, and even their intensity he could control it well enough to light a candlewick.

However, he skipped all of that and was instead forced to master it the best he could over the past two years. 'That's what I get for showing off… But I was trying to prove my strength to them so I guess it's fine.' Having the flames completely retract to the point they are only focused around Ryujin Jakka's blade Rei turned to Zabuza.

He clearly had a more cautious look on his face compared to when he was lecturing Rei but it was also full of concern. Rei could catch his gaze falling onto Haku who was lying closer to Rei than himself. "Relax, he's fine. Thanks to me holding back and his mirrors he probably just passed out due to the pressure."

Zabuza let out a light sigh that was barely noticeable as he lowered his blade. Seeing this Rei decided to deactivate Ryujin Jakka. "So I think I have proved my strength plenty don't you?" Looking at the state of the Great Naruto Bridge Rei actually felt kinda bad. The stone had been completely melted away from his attack and a large chunk of the bridge had been cut off.

'Once I finally get everything set up, maybe I can ask Tsunade to help with the damage.' Shrugging his shoulders he watched as Zabuza fully lowered his guard and began to smile. "You know for a brat trying to make the world a better place you're terrifying. I've never felt that kind of pressure peering down on me before."

Rei returned Zabuza's gesture with a coy smile of his own. "In all honesty, I'm surprised you're still standing. But that aside, have you come to a decision?" Zabuza walked over to Haku who was still unconscious and picked him up over his shoulder. Glancing over at Rei, Zabuza asked a question.

"Tell me if I do decide to join you what will it be like? Will you force us to act as your lapdogs to accomplish your own goals?" Rei didn't respond right away since he could guess why Zabuza was asking a question like that. He had lived as a mercenary ninja after going rogue and Rei doubted he wanted to go back to that after being revived.

And more importantly, Zabuza wanted to give Haku a chance to live freely without worry. "I can't say things will be perfect like some kind of heavenly paradise. But I can promise that you won't be used as some kind of tool." With the future being so unpredictable Rei didn't dare promise anything more than that.

And that was because he was basing that promise purely on his own thoughts. Seemingly analyzing Rei's words, Zabuza pulled down his makeshift bandage mask. "That's more than I've gotten when I was alive so that's good enough for now." Rei let out a sigh of relief as he chuckled to himself. "Good cause that was the best answer I could come up with."

Although Zabuza still remained very cold and distant to Rei he didn't mind. Beating someone into submission didn't mean instant trust. After waiting for Haku to wake up and filling him in on what happened Rei made the two of them cloaks to cover their appearances.

"Sadly you two are still pretty popular even after all these years. Until we get to the Soul Society it's best you hide your faces." Handing them the cloaks both Zabuza and Haku put them on. "If you don't mind me asking where are we heading next?" Looking over at Rei, Haku had accepted Zabuza's decision to join Rei quickly.

"Well, normally I would just have all three of us head back. However, I feel like this is the beginning of a streak and I'm on a time limit. There are two more souls that have survived the passage of time like yours so where going after them next." Nodding their heads Rei tried to remember exactly where he had sensed those two souls as they made their way back towards the Land of Fire.

"By the way how did you get a sword like that? I've never seen anything like it before." Looking at Ryujin Jakka who was now at Rei's side, Zabuza's interest peaked. Glancing at Zabuza and then at Ryujin Jakka Rei spoke in a slightly sarcastic tone. "It's called a Zanpakuto. Originally I planned on everyone I recruited getting their own but now… I'm thinking it would be best if you all proved yourselves first."

Zabuza's eyes narrowed as he realized Rei was repeating exactly what he had done. "Hmm as far as I can see the perks of joining you aren't half bad. I may enjoy this more than I thought if I can get a sword like that." Despite having his executioner blade he knew it was the real one. And besides all even if it was it couldn't compare to a Zanpakuto.

"Well no matter what I still have a lot to think about so this journey will give me some time. Other than the name Soul Society I still haven't come up with the names for a bunch of other stuff. And more importantly, I don't even know how ranks are going to work. Which by the way is not a good look for someone trying to create an official country."

As Rei along with Zabuza and Haku began to talk amongst one another some things have changed behind the scenes. Soon after Team 10 and 8 delivered their report Tsunade had a message delivered to each of the Elders through the Anbu Black Ops. This was a meeting that would involve their support since it was going against what the Daimyo wanted.

While he wanted Rei and his country gone before it could begin, Tsunade personally owed Rei. It was because of the note he left behind that she knew Orochimaru was up to something and returned to the Leaf ahead of time. Not only that because she became Hokage sooner than normal she could deal with a lot of issues that were sprouting in the village.

And so the time of the meeting was set and eventually, that day came to pass. Sitting in their respective seats in a small room Tsunade along with the other two elders of the council began the meeting. "I've heard that the Akatsuki have become bolder recently. Your quick action has resulted in the Kazekage of the Hidden Sand being saved however it is still troublesome."

Koharu the female elder spoke at a slow pace as the male elder Homura nodded his head. Tsunade who was sitting silently spoke after Koharu was done. "Indeed Kakashi's squad will be returning to the Hidden Leaf soon enough however there is another pressing issue." The two elders looked at one another before Homura spoke up.

"Yes, the boy named Rei if I am not mistaken. We received a detailed report on him from the Anbu Black Ops you had sent to us. His accomplishments are impressive however I do think favoritism is getting in the way of your judgment on the matter." Tsunade prepared to refute him but was cut off by Koharu.

"Indeed. Starting a country is no easy matter and even with his ability and his classification as an S-Rank. With the Akatsuki becoming more and more of a threat we can not risk causing strife between us and the Daimyo." Tsunade remained silent as she listened with her eyes closed before speaking.

"I would have to disagree with that statement. Other than the Akatsuki members we are currently tracking we are at their mercy when it comes to information and preparation. If this country does come to fruition we will have an ally we can rely on. And even if it doesn't Rei is a valuable asset in himself."

Placing both of her hands on the table Tsunade spoke in a more compelling tone. "If we refuse to grant the two months he said he required then we will simply be making an enemy we don't have the resources to waste on. Risking multiple Chunin and Jounin lives when the Akatsuki are at our doors is simply not worth it."

Trying to explain that is it better to let them grow whether they succeed or fail than simply denying them right the elders thought to themselves. The real factor was considering Rei. If he succeeds they have an ally and if he fails he could still join the leaf and become one of their driving forces.

And with the time required only being two months at most, they wouldn't be losing too much by openly supporting them. "Very well Tsunade however there are still things you must handle. Keeping an entire country hidden is impossible and word will spread however we must keep Rei's existence under lock and key until the two months have passed."

As Koharu spoke Homura agreed with her. "Yes if we go through with this we can't risk other nations trying to after him or even worse snuff him out. If you do this then you will have our support against the Daimyo's word." Tsunade's eyes lit up as she stood from her chair nodding her head.

'Rei consider my debt to you paid in full.' With that matter settled the meeting began to move on to other topics however that was not the end. Sitting at his desk with an open scroll was one man Rei wished he would never see again. "I see so that's what happened to this boy." Looking nearly identical to how he was years ago was none other than Danzo.

Rei had brought Danzo's operations to a standstill. Because of his destruction along with the fact he had stolen some of Danzo's important scrolls he had been inhibited. He was running his ROOT behind the scenes and that was mostly due to the information-based network he had set up throughout the leaf.

Whether it is the Anbu or not he was able to see everything in the Leaf including High-Security information hidden from the public. 'If I had to guess those foolish elders will listen to Tsunade as she makes a case for him. And even more so they will try to keep his existence a secret not realizing the danger he poses to the Leaf.'

Placing his hand on his chin Danzo's gaze went sharp. 'Destroying him as soon as possible taking away that power of his should be a top priority. However, my ROOT won't be enough to handle him…' Rei had already proven he was strong enough to defeat Chunin to Jonin level ninja over two years ago.

Danzo was foolish enough to think his current forces as hidden and scattered as they were could handle such a task. "But if Information about a boy like this was to be leaked ever so slightly… I'm sure many factions would rise up to the chance to snuff him out before the Leaf can take advantage of him."