Chapter IX
The Village Hidden in the Rain!
Xentall is lying on top of Ryuu's head; starring at the clouds trying to rationalize his mother's decision. Then Ryuu stops in her tracks sending Xentall flying off of her head. He lands in front of her face with a groan.
"Stop throwing me off of things, god damn it!"
"I can't swim."
"What?"
"I can't swim. Looks like you and everyone else is walking from here." Xentall stands up and looks ahead to see a large city in the middle of an even larger lake. Bridges with railroad tracks lead in and out of the city like a web system. But, there are only two bridges on the north and south side of the city that are much larger and thicker than the other ones, "You can walk into them using those. Now don't summon me for at least a week!" Ryuu then disappears and Xentall can hear the horde of refugees gathering behind him. Before turning around, Xentall notices three large statues resembling three men with their arms out and water falling out from their hands.
"It's not raining." He mumbles to himself as he turns around and faces all the refugees, "Ready for a walk?"
"We got this far." A man says as he hoists his large work bag over his shoulder, "Lead the way." Xentall guides them to the south bridge and they start to walk over the large lake; getting closer and closer to the three statues. The one to the left has a gas mask and the other two look familiar.
"Who are they?"
"The three Amekage of Amegakure. Hanzō of The Salamander; from what we read he was a nasty son of a bitch. And those two are Yahiko and Nagato." Xentall stops in his tracks and looks up at the statue of Hanzō.
"So... that's Hanzō." Xentall stares at the man with the mask and smiles. Xentall has always had respect for Hanzō. Yes, he did kill his uncle and crippled his father. But he was powerful. He was the most powerful Shinobi of his time, plus his ability to create a poison so deadly that he had to wear a mask for his whole life was pretty badass. Xentall always wanted to find a Black Salamander so he could do the same. He turns to the other two statues and examines them, "Which one is Nagato?" The man points to the third statue and Xentall stares at him with intensity.
"What's wrong?" Xentall ignores him and continues walking.
"So how does this system work?"
"What do you mean?" The man asks as he walks beside Xentall.
"All these train tracks. Where do they lead?"
"They lead throughout the continent. Amegakure is the transportation hub for food, weaponry, Intel—everything you can think of."
"So we supply everyone with the supplies they need in return for what?"
"No blood to be spilled on your land. Taxes on the transportation and delivery of said supplies, and you get non-allied Shinnobi to train under your rules and Jutsus to have a Nin-Force."
"How do you know all of that?"
"I'm the foreman for this new batch of workers. Naruto himself debriefed all of us on the situation down here." They enter the city and the sound of factories and people climbing around the half-built structures echo through the still empty city.
"How long until we're operational?"
"A few more weeks with this new batch of workers you just brought, and we'll be able to start supplying civilians and Ninjas of our own!" A woman sighs as she flips her long red hair over her shoulder, "You are just as cute as the reports said!" She shrills as she picks up Xentall and embraces him; shoving his face between her breasts, "You 're so cute I could just eat you up!"
"Can't—please god-
"Oh! Sorry!" She says as she lets Xentall go and backs up a bit. He takes a gasp of air and starts to cough.
"Who the hell are you?"
"I'm Mei Terumī! The Fifth Mizukage of Kirigakure!"
"I'm Xen-
"I know who you are! I read your file."
"That was quick. What is a Kage doing here?"
"Seeing as The Hidden Rain and The Hidden Mist are Sister Villages, I thought I'd help with your rebirth! Plus, I'm the one who pushed the other Kages to support this operation and the first wave of workers are all from my land. So the others said I would be the one to oversee it all."
"Rebirth? You're very dramatic, huh?"
"A true thespian!" She looks around as the refugees go to their assigned work places, "Where's the rest of your squad?"
"Had to stay behind to deal with some Rouge Shinobi." He says as he walks beside Mei, "Where are you taking me?"
"I have to give you the grand tour! First The Academy, then the Hospital, then the Kage Office and finally The Shrine!"
"The Shrine?"
"Where Yahiko, Nagato and Hanzō are laid to rest?"
"I thought Madara stole my father's body? And Hanzō's?"
"All the bodies just appeared where they were taken when he was killed."
"How does that work?" She shrugs and Xentall looks down, "I want to see the shrine first." He looks up at Mei and she has a concerned look on her face, "Bring me to my father." She sighs and makes a sharp turn to the left towards the west side of the city. It takes them a few minutes to arrive at a large oval building with a large flower on the roof. They walk in and Xentall's muscles soothe instantly. The aroma smells like the most beautiful flower garden. Two large pillars with flowers on top of them block the view of the large, glass case of flowers. They walk towards it but stop when Xentall looks down and sees the pattern of the Rinnegan is carved into the tiled floor. He then looks up and sees three bodies lying peacefully in the bed of flowers.
"Your mother made this for them." Xentall walks closer and sees him. He places a hand on the glass and Mei puts a hand on his shoulder, "I'll wait outside." Xentall takes off his headband and stares at him.
His hands are at his sides and his headband is on his chest; folded neatly to reveal the Rain Village symbol with a cut going across the headband. His hair is red with faint hints of silver and white. He's wearing the Akatsuki cloak along with the other man beside him. Xentall falls to his knees and tears start to form in his eyes. He then punches the thick glass; making a large spiderweb crack around his fist.
"Hey—dad. Long time, never seen." Blood slowly trickles down from his knuckles as he keeps is fist on the cracked glass. Mei comes running in and gasps.
"What did you do?!"
"Go meet the rest of my squad. I'm staying here."
"But I was told to give your whole squad-
"JUST GO!" Xentall yells; his voicing booming throughout the hall. Mei sighs and walks back out of the building and towards the South Bridge. Xentall remains on his knees as he begins to cry in solitude, being sure to keep his fist firmly planted on the glass, "Dad."
"It was just a lake! And now—this." Konan stutters as she covers her mouth with both of her hands, trying desperately to hold back her tears, "It's beautiful." Konan, Kuro and Riu finally make it to the lake and they see a large city expanding out from a large, deep lake.
"Let's go check it out!" Riu yells as she's already running towards the south bridge. Kuro smiles up at his mom before chasing after Riu.
"Wait up!" He laughs as he almost trips. Konan contains her excitement as she walks towards the bridge where Mei is waiting for them.
"Slow down you two! If I didn't know any better, I'd think we were under attack!" She laughs as Riu jumps into Mei's arms and hugs her tightly, "How are you doing?" She asks as she places a hand on her head and then brings it towards her bust, "Have you been growing?!" Riu flashes a wide, toothy grin and Mei laughs, "It seems only yesterday that I was holding you in my arms." She coos as she cups her arms like she's holding a baby.
"You've known her since she was a baby?"
"I found her! She was crying on an abandoned boat that drifted onto my shores. She was so little!" Konan wraps an arm around Riu; almost being protective, "Oh—don't worry Konan! I'm not stealing her from you. I just missed her." She says as she pinches Riu's cheek. She then grabs Kuro and shoves his face between her breasts, "And you must be Kuro! You're even more adorable than Xentall!" The mention of his name sets everyone on edge and Kuro shoves himself out of her grip, "What?"
"Is he o.k.?" Kuro asks with worried eyes.
"Don't worry! He's visiting his father." Kuro's eyes instantly turn to waterfalls and Konan sighs, "He seems—okay?" She cocks her head as she looks at Konan, "Want me to take you all to him?"
"What he needs right now is to be alone." Konan sighs as she looks at the city, "Mind showing us around?" Mei recomposes herself and smiles.
"If you'll follow me, I'll show you The Academy!" She leads them over the bridge and through the city, "So the outer parts of the city are all factories and train stops. While further in we get to houses, apartment buildings, hospitals and other recreational buildings like offices and such for the civilians." She says as she points out specific buildings under construction.
"And if we go further in?" Riu asks as she walks beside Kuro.
"You get to The Academy, The Training facility, The Barracks and The Kage Office."
"Academy? Training facility and barracks?" Konan asks as she crosses her arms, "We have no Shinobi."
"Yet."
"Whoa! What do you mean yet?!"
"The deal of rebuilding this village is that YOU manage the income, outcome and distribution of all supplies for the Allied Shinobi Forces and their villages. And WE supply YOUR village with civilians, resources and Shinobi who have no definitive training so they can become marked as Ninja from Amegakure; giving you a Nin-Force." Mei says as she places a hand on Konan's shoulder, "Seems pretty fair, don't you think?"
"Wait—I'm to run this whole place?" Konan says as she stops in her tracks.
"Yeah—didn't Naruto tell you? You're the new Amekage" Konan's jaw drops as she covers her mouth with a shaking hand, "I take it he—didn't tell you?" Konan slowly shakes her head and Mei sighs, "Well—surprise!" She says with enthusiasm, "Welcome to the League of Kage!"
"But—I have a squad. I have three children!"
"Calm down, calm down! I'm to fill those shoes for you until your squad graduates into Chūnin. From there you'll be made Amekage. You'll monitor them, train them when you can but they'll be able to go on their own from there—I hope."
"Hey!" Riu and Kuro protest at the same time.
"I meant no disrespect, you two." She laughs as she continues her tour, "You'll be getting Chūnin and Jōnin once the inner-city is complete; along with your own ANBU Forces of your choosing, which you kinda have to pick now; so once we finish the tour I'll show you the Kage Office and get you acquainted." Konan nods and looks around to see the buildings are getting closer to being finished the further they move into the city.
"You built from the inside out?" Kuro asks as he squints to pick out some of the workers.
"Yup. It's quicker that way." Mei winks at Kuro, "We're allowed to build anywhere we want if we build from the inside out. Think of it like drawing. If you draw yourself, you can draw anything. If you take an already drawn picture-
"You can only color within the lines." Kuro finishes with a sigh, "I might be ten but my brother and I have the mind of an experienced Shinobi."
"I don't doubt it." She smiles as she cocks her head towards Konan, "You have her as a mother." Both Kuro and Riu chuckle under their breath and Konan raises an eyebrow.
"What's so funny?" All three of them laugh and Konan's face contorts in confusion and it just makes them laugh harder, "What!?"
Xentall has his head down and his fist still planted on the cracked glass. Blood is now dry and his arm his shaking due to cramping.
"And that's when I used two of the six Paths. I guess I have you to thank. But from what I've read; the Rinnegan isn't hereditary. So, I guess I have to thank some higher power. But who's stronger than you? You had the power over life and death." His arm starts to slip but he grabs it with his other hand to keep it up, "You were a god."
"Yes he was. But like all gods—his rein had to end." Mei says with a sigh, "What are you—a statue?" Xentall remains still and Mei walks over to him, "You must be in pain, you've kept that arm like that for a few hours now. Your squad is waiting for you in the Kage Office." She steps between the pillars and Xentall cocks his head.
"Don't come any closer!" Mei stops in her tracks and looks at him, "I don't need your pity."
"I'm not giving you any."
"I don't need any sympathy or empathy. Pity or a shoulder to cry on, no friends or revenge. I don't want anything—but him!" He then starts punching the glass with both fists; making the crack larger but not breaking through it, "God damn you!" Mei grabs Xentall and tries to pull him back but he rips from her grip and jumps on top of the glass, "Why!?" He then starts punching the glass right over Nagato's face and Mei jumps after him, "What did you owe them!? Why did you sacrifice yourself!? You didn't have to do anything!" Mei grabs his arms and puts him in a gentle hold, "We could have been happy! We could have been a family you bastard!"
"Calm down Xentall!"
"But I guess I'm the bastard since I've never known you!" He kicks in her grip and she tightens it.
"XENTALL!" Xentall grows still and she jumps away from the glass case; keeping Xentall in the hold. She looks at his face and sees no tears but a raging desire to kill in his eyes. She sighs and lets him go, "Come on. Your family is waiting for you." Xentall gets up and then grabs his fists in pain. "I'll wrap you up on the way there, come on." Xentall walks next to her and she grabs his left arm and starts to wrap it up, "Mind explaining that?"
"No."
"You know that glass is very expensive."
"No shit." She glares at Xentall and he glares back.
"I thought you loved your dad?"
"I do."
"Then what was-
"I also hate him." She looks at Xentall as she finishes his wrapping, "He's given me and my brother a gift, but also a curse." She moves to his right side and begins wrapping his right fist, "Naruto is right. One good deed doesn't outweigh a lifetime of bad ones."
"Oh my god! There are hundreds of scrolls on Jutsus here!" Kuro cheers as he stares at the library, "Why are there so many?!"
"Amegakure was famous for its Genjutsus along with its own hand-to-hand combat techniques."
"Hand-to-hand?!" Riu cheers as she joins Kuro in the library, "Oh I'm going to be unstoppable!" Konan laughs behind her future desk as she looks at four very large piles of files. She takes the first file and looks it over.
"Hey... maybe you guys can help me with something?"
"We're not looking at files." Kuro laughs as he opens the first scroll, "God I love that archaic smell."
"What should our ANBU be called?"
"What do you mean?"
"The ANBU is the official name for Black Ops Nin. But each village calls them something else."
"What about Akatsuki?" Riu asks with raised eyebrows. Both Kuro and Konan look at her and she shrugs, "Makes sense. The only force Amegakure had was your organization… aside from Hanzō's clan, of course. But, it seems fitting right?" Konan nods with a smile.
"Good thinking sweetie. Maybe I should have Akatsuki robes sewn as well?"
"That would be awesome! Can I have one as well?!" Riu asks with shimmering eyes.
"If she's getting one, me and Xen are DEFINETLY getting one as well!" Konan laughs as she closes the file and grabs the next one, "So what do you think he's doing at Nagato's shrine?" Kuro asks as he reads the scroll, "Think he's crying?"
"Probably? But if we ask him, he'll deny it to the death." Konan sighs, "That or yelling at him."
"Why is he so stubborn and angry all the time? You'd think he'd be more like everyone else from Amegakure, sweet and loving." Riu says as she opens up a book on Ame-Taijutsu. Kuro and Konan both burst with laughter; causing Riu to jump, "What's so funny?"
"You got it backwards sweetie. Most Amegakure residents were known to have short tempers, are stubborn and very antagonistic. Xentall is the perfect Rain village member. It's us that need to be more like other Amegakure residents." Konan laughs as she throws the second file on the other side of the desk.
"Besides—why would we want him to change? He's awesome the way he is." Kuro laughs as he closes the scroll and takes out three books, "Awesome! The whole collection of Ame-Genjutsu! Xentall is going to love these!" He says as he sets them aside.
"Xentall—using Genjutsu? I don't think so." Riu laughs as she turns the page, "He's more of a hands-on kinda fighter."
"Actually no. What Xentall wants more than anything is the fear factor." Kuro says as he takes out another scroll.
"The fear factor? What do you mean?"
"Xentall likes his enemies to be filled with fear. Makes them fight stronger than usual."
"That makes no sense."
"Without fear—there is no courage." Konan says as she places the third file on top of the second, "Xentall likes a challenge. He likes to learn. If you look closely during a fight, you'll be able to see the wheels turning in his head; learning about his opponent as well as himself."
"If they're turning at all." Kuro chuckles, "He's smart, but he doesn't use his smarts as much as he needs to. Relies mostly on impulses. Which makes him unpredictable but also easier to beat at the same time."
"But when he's determined nothing can stop him." Mei says as she walks in with Xentall.
"Oh my god Xen! What happened to your hands?!" Konan yells as she jumps up from her seat and runs over to him, "Did you get into another fight?!"
"If you count the glass over Nagato and Yahiko's bodies an opponent. Then yes; and the glass won." Mei laughs as she takes a seat in front of the desk.
"Shut up." He groans as he sits next to Kuro, "Holy crap! Where did you find these?!" He yells as he picks up the three books on Ame-Genjutsu.
"IN the—LIBRARY!" Kuro says as he gestures to the towering bookshelves around them, "Go ahead and read."
"Have you been crying?" Riu asks as she lifts Xentall's head by grabbing his chin. Xentall rips from her grip and she pouts.
"No."
"Told you." Konan and Kuro say at the same time.
"Shut up and let me read."
"So now what do we do? Do we have to go back to Konoha?"
"Nope. Naruto sent you here to see your home. You'll get your next mission when he sends it. I'm your liaison until missions are given to you directly." Mei says with a sigh, "And don't worry Konan, I'll have the glass repaired before you go and see him." Konan places a hand on her shoulder with a nod and goes back to looking over files; with Mei helping her.
"There are some kick ass Genjutsus in here! Even some for Kenjutsu!"
"Told you." Konan and Kuro say at the same time again. Riu shifts in her spot and sighs.
"I obviously need to learn more about you then."
"Learn about me later. Too focused on reading." Xentall says before laying down, holding the book close to his face.
"By the way; did the refugees get here okay?"
"We wouldn't be having this conversation if they didn't, now would we?" Konan sighs and goes back to looking over the file.
"I can't believe these many Shinobi wanna be a part of Amegakure." Konan says as she leans her head into her hand.
"You have the good word of the other Kages. Garra, Naruto, Darui and myself."
"Not Kurotsuchi?"
"We haven't been able to get a hold of her." Mei says with an uncomfortable sigh as she scratches her cheek.
"She hates me too, huh?"
"Her entire village does. The Akatsuki bombed them!" Konan lets out a large sigh and looks over to her kids who are too focused on their reading, "Those two will be fine."
"I'm worried about all three of my kids."
"You adopted Riu?" Konan nods and Mei smiles, "Thanks. She was really upset when I had to send her to Konoha."
"So... is Kurotsuchi a part of our stock?" Mei looks at her with a surprised eyebrow raise and Konan winks, "I read fast. So, is she?"
"Yes. Naruto and I got her to agree to that at least. You'll have to convince her of everything else."
"And how do I do that?"
"Throw your son at her."
"Kuro isn't that type of boy."
"I wasn't talking about Kuro." Konan looks her in the eyes and Mei winks, "He'll win her heart over."
"He's ten!"
"And she's eighteen! Only an eight-year difference. Plus, he acts older than his age."
"He's—TEN! You can't be serious Mei!"
"Oh, but I am!" Konan looks at her like she's crazy and she shrugs, "She'll love him! He has a strong head, she has a soft heart. He's strong, she's stronger. He's ten-
"She's eighteen! I'm not going to arrange a date where it involves throwing him at a young girl who hates me for my past!"
"What?" Both of the women jump, and Mei turns her head and sees Kuro looking at them.
"Nothing. Go back to reading sweetie." Kuro sighs and goes back to reading, "I'm not doing that."
"But I will. There's going to be a Kage summit in two months—here. She'll be here and so will Xentall." Konan slams the file down on her desk and stares at Mei, "It'll be fun!"
"No, it won't!"
"Maybe I'll make them dinner."
"No!"
"Maybe I'll arrange a fight for them."
"It's like I'm talking to one of my sons!"
"Oh, I can hear the wedding bells already!" Mei cheers as she claps to herself.
"No, it's worse. It's like I'm talking to Yahiko!"
"Hey Xen! How would you like to-?"
"No!" Konan yells as she slams her fist on the desk, cracking the hard wood and her voice booming through the room, "Mei—no."
"Relax sweetie I'm only joking. Throwing Xen to her would be like throwing him in a pit filled with hungry, blood-thirsty sharks." Mei laughs, "Plus he didn't even hear me."
"Must you always get a raise out of me?"
"You're just too easy Konan." Konan sighs and goes back to reading the files, "So—aren't you curious?"
"About what?"
"About how I know Riu?"
"I always figured you were the type to bring in kids since you can't find a man to stick one in ya." Mei pouts and Konan flashes a stare of victory, "Only a joke."
"But still, aren't you a little bit curious?"
"Not really, but I'm pretty sure you're going to tell me any-."
"It was late at night and I was walking along my island like I do. Leaving imprints of my feet in the cool, sandy beaches when out of nowhere a destroyed ship bearing a strange symbol on its sail crashes into my beach."
"Is that about Riu or one of your fantasies?"
"I ran over, and an old woman was crawling out of the wreckage—poor, wrinkly old thing. She looked up at me and practically shoved Riu in my arms and told me, 'Keep her safe and away from the Ruins.'"
"The Ruins?" Konan sighs in fake interest.
"Don't know what she meant. Still don't to this day, she was dying and old; probably senile too. The symbol is what bothered me most."
"Do tell."
"It was a paw print. Again, don't understand why someone would want an animals' foot as their symbol-
"A what?"
"What?"
"The symbol. You said it was of a paw print?"
"Yeah, why? Do you know of it?"
"The rouge Shinobi we fought on the way here. Kuro used one of the paths and read one of their minds. He saw a cloaked man surrounded by a force of his own—all bearing a paw print. They traveled across the sea; passing your island!"
"We did get four non-registered ships moving across our borders, but they checked out; just a bunch of merchants."
"What was their manifest?"
"Spices, rugs, pottery—you name it they got it. But no need to worry. You dealt with them already."
"You said four ships. We only fought enough men to fill up half of one."
"Not to worry. They'll be picked off by the Shadow Villages and law-enforcement. Don't read into it too much." Mei sighs as she picks up a new file, "So what will be your first order of business tomorrow?"
"What do you mean?" Konan asks as she completes the first pile of files and throws them into a drawer.
"As the Amekage! What will you do first?" Konan raises an eyebrow at Mei, "What?" Mei asks as she returns the stare at Konan.
"I'm not a Kage. I thought someone else was."
"Didn't you get the memo?"
"Nope. Apparently, I'm missing a bunch of memos these past few days." Konan sighs as she slides the next pile next to her and begins to read.
"That's why we're having the summit in two months. I'm here to observe you and see if you're Kage material."
"Well that's nice. But I thought you said you were overseeing Amegakure until my kids raised to Chūnin."
"Well... yes. But now that you're hear I'm to coach and watch over you. Aren't you excited?"
"Not really. Last time I was Kage of this place it was empty, and I almost lost my life to Madara. Not sure how good I'll be the next time."
"Well, baby steps then! What will you do tomorrow?"
"Introduce myself to the people, I guess? Help with construction maybe?"
"Can we help too?" Xentall yawns as he lays down on his side.
"Sure, sweetie. But you all look exhausted. Mei... can you show them to some beds?"
"Sure thing. You better get some rest too." Mei stands up and beacons the kids to follow her, "See you bright and early tomorrow morning Paper."
"Don't go making my kids petty romantics on the walk, Rock." Konan teases as they walk out of the office, leaving Konan to her files.
"How do you know our mother?" Kuro asks with a yawn.
"I interrogated her when she turned herself in. When we knew she was no longer a threat I helped her settle down away from the populous and helped her give birth to you two cuties." She giggles as she wraps her arms around Kuro and Xen, "Which would make me your godmother!" They turn into a room with double doors and a large living room that separates three bedrooms with paper walls and sliding, paper doors and a kitchen to the left.
"Holy shit. It's a like a house within a house." Riu giggles as she skips over to the single room to the left, "Night guys!" She slides the door shut and Mei walks Xen and Kuro to their room.
"Good night you two." She slides the door shut and then they both unload their bags with the books they took from the library.
"This is strange. Being in a place filled with refugees... no pure Nin whom are of Rain decent."
"We are." Kuro sighs as he slumps into his bed, "Just get some sleep and we can explore our home tomorrow." Xentall rests his head on his pillow and stares at the ceiling.
"Yeah." He closes his eyes and lets his exhaustion take a hold of him.
