Chapter II – The 7 from the Mist
- When we decided to gather this group, of course we needed to have some… requirements… we needed people willing to kill… cold-blooded… thirsty of revenge… merciless… addicted to human flesh… in other words, we needed you…
The swamp was shivering with the strength of the rain drops. The rain was falling heavily; the only light coming from the sky was from thunders. Seven shadows were hiding behind the tall bushes, each with its curious shape and form. The moon was weak that night, it was holding itself not to fall or betray the orbital rotation it was painfully destined to.
- Is that a compliment, sensei?
The voice raised his tone while it was heard. He had an odd and black Anbu mask on, with the devil in it. He was wearing a medieval tabard, his boots had the size of a lion's paw and some sorts of wings were coming out of his back. He was carrying a long double handed hammer.
- I'm going to take the chance and say I am…
The group made a terrible sound resembling to laughs. The shorter guy who was wearing a traveler's hat and a samurai outfit made the final sound. Without ever showing his face, he was staring at the ground the whole time. His voice was strong.
- Wasn't that a bit gay, Shinsei-sama?
- Don't say that. You're offending Kusa-kun.
The tall guy stretched his long arms to reach the other guy's headband. His members were made of rubber; he had an unpleasant ugly face with some big sabre teeth coming out of his mouth. The other guy he was trying to reach was lying on the floor. He seemed to be sleeping against the tree. He had a really spiky hair ending up in a pony tail that was covering his face. His social skills weren't too high. His baggy pants had some worn out pockets, maybe because he spent most of the time with his hands in it.
- Its Kusanagi for you… pfft… don't make me get up and kill you…
The others started laughing while Kusanagi remained in silence. His IQ was the highest among the group. He was the mind of the operation, the tactician of the organization. He could aspire to be an awesome ninja but his lack of interest about everything ruined everyone's expectations. He would rather adopt an "its not my business" attitude. His hands had some strange seals carved on. He kept looking at the ground, while the others were trying to tease him as much as they could:
- That's enough!
In a second the place remained in silence, while the water drops suddenly started falling in slow motion. A thunder flashed…
- We are not here to play… I have an assignment for you. It will give us a lot of work, but its something is worth trying.
The man in the Anbu mask shivered.
- Our current goal is… to take over the Hidden Village of Shades.
One of the ninjas pffted. The wind was strong…
- That's easy… why you say it will give us a lot of work?
- Because…
*Monkey* *Dog* * Wolf* An hologram came from the underground showing a man with white hair.
- The white Konoha Fang is around…
The guy pffted again.
- 7 against 1… Aren't we supposed to win?
The master hid his hand in his clothes and looked at Kusanagi.
- I want you to go there for information gathering only. Your purpose will be to find the weak points of the village, explore them, report them to me each day about the walkthroughs and finally come up with a successful strategy. Am I clear?
Kusanagi ignored him.
- I said… Am I clear?
Kusa raised his head and looked his master in the eyes. He had some big red eyes, several scars all over his face. He shouldn't have more than 6 years old.
- Aye, sensei…
- Kojiro, go with him. Anbus are allies in the village. You won't have any problems entering. But make sure you change your Anbu mask.
The guy in the Anbu mask nodded.
- Why is this village important? Why not take over the Hidden Leaf? – said the man who resembled a gargoyle.
- For one to target and control Konoha it takes a whole army of S-ranked ninjas to do it. It pisses me off to say it but… at this point, we don't have enough resources at our disposal.
The group owled in a negative way. The only who remained in silence was Kusa.
- The rest of you go back to the Mist. I need yo…..
The master suddenly shut. He was feeling a sharp spear on his back. The holder was looking at the ground, raising his voice:
- You better not be mocking us…
The master shivered. "I know we shouldn't piss off Kusa. He has enough power to kill us all…"
Kusa raised his head. His eyes were bright red and scary, as he had blood running throughout his eye balls.
- I am serious… - he added coldly.
A guy popped out of the shadows into the fight holding Kusa's spear. He was big and blue, resembling a shark… a shark with a huge amount of chakra. He was holding a big and wide sword he called Samehada, covered with bandages. He was carrying it on his shoulder, as it was much heavier than average swords.
- Kisame, step back… - the master's voice remained calm.
- Are you going to let this piece of shit do everything he wants to? Maybe we should cut his arm off for misbehavior…
Kisame's last words were said slowly and with enthusiasm. Kusa stepped back looking at the floor. Kisame let the spear go and remained still, thinking of the punishment anxiously.
- Enough… Time to go.
The master made a sign with his arm. Everyone vanished under a cloud of smoke. Shinsei looked at the spot where Kusa was, staring at it for a long time. The rain kept falling from the sky as he said:
- It is time…
-------------------------------------------
Next Chapter: Asami will take you back to the battlefield where she and Ayame fought. Check out chapter III.