Sakura: Demon of the Leaf
Chapter 9: The Withering Leaf
Conspiracy of the Mist Arc
"Why is it that you summoned us Mizukage-sama?" Zabuza asked in his usual gruff tone, standing in the Mizukage's office alongside his subordinate donning the Shinobi headband of his village.
"To put it simply I have a mission for you. One to test little Sakura-chan's abilities in the field of a true mission, a simple A-Rank to truly see if she can handle the dangers that lie beyond the village walls" Yagura explained with a smile gracing his lips, quite confident in his future weapon's prowess as is to be able to handle an A-Rank mission to which he would affirm his desire to allow her to gain control of her tailed beast.
"What is our mission Mizugake-sama?" Sakura asked while Yagura in response to the child's mispronunciation of Mizukage had a red anime vein appear on his forehead, repeating the mantra in his head of 'mustn't kill girl' over and over again until his anger quelled over the butchering of his title.
"Your mission is to recover a scroll stolen by Takeshi Kirafuda. Former Leaf Ninja now turned Missing Nin, often nicknamed the Wandering Ninja given his sightings in multiple villages. Known for having quite a mastery of his jutsu despite his official Genin rank" Yagura began as he exposited his knowledge on the Mist Swordsman and the Nine Tailed Jinchuuriki's target.
"So I take it you wish for us to retrieve the scroll and assassinate our target?" Zabuza asked.
"If at all possible. Considering the time of theft and last reported location it's likely that he's already delivered the scroll to his client. However the scroll is really of no importance, it was the fact that he was able to break in that has Kirigakure's concerns at hand" Yagura replied becoming noticeably more serious as he turned his attention to the massive hole in his defences given that there was a security breach in their records hall.
"But if the scroll was what he came here to steal then wouldn't that mean that something on there is important Mizugake-sama?" Sakura asked while Yagura's face tensed up in abject hatred of the child butchering his title as Mizukage much to Zabuza's amusement.
"Whatever damage that has been done to the scroll has been done already, I already told you that your mission is to recover the scroll, but failing that your objective is to kill Takeshi Kirafuda before he's queried as to our weak points for our enemies discover an exploit in our defences" Yagura replied having no interest in the stolen item and wishing to see to it that such an infiltration never happened again.
"Do I make myself clear?" the Fourth Mizukage added as if for dramatic effect.
"Hai Mizukage-sama"
"Hai Mizugake-sama"
Yagura had flinched in anger again. Even despite their unison he could still pinpoint the word 'Mizugake' hidden within to demean his title and legacy.
As the two had left the Mizukage's office, returning to Zabuza's residence to prepare for their mission. Sakura had noticed that something was bothering the Mist Swordsman. Not a look of concern, but one of reflection.
"What's wrong Zabuza-sama?" Sakura asked while Zabuza never even bothered to look at her.
"Did you notice something in the Mizukage's speech?" Zabuza asked which in response Sakura had shook her head.
"I thought you would've been more perceptive than that. But for the time being I'd rather keep my suspicions to myself"
"Hai Zabuza-sama" Sakura affirmed realising that her master did not wish to speak anymore about his suspicions of the Mizukage.
But she did have to wonder what Zabuza had suspected of the Mizukage for him to be suspicious. Surely after having her be something of value to Yagura he'd have more of an incentive to keep him around after such 'loyalty.'
Now dressed in Kirigakure Jounin attire and looking absolutely adorable, Sakura had prepared her equipment while Zabuza overlooked the mission details once more to ascertain the last reported location of their target so they could work from there to hunt their target down.
With the report stating Takeshi last being spotted in a small village on the outskirts of the Land of Water Sakura and Zabuza headed south to their destination, unknowing of what they may encounter but none the less determined to find their target and complete their mission.
xXx
Takeshi Kirafuda was a broken man to say the least. The path that had lead him to this point wasn't anything of real significance or tragic backstory. He once held a sense of pride and honor in himself that had been lost long ago after what he did to his Sensei. But it wasn't like he had a choice, it wasn't like there was even a decision to make knowing what he had seen back there, being the only one who had known the truth behind what happened 5 years ago.
Memories he had wanted washed away from his shameful past, and honour he yearned to reclaim as if a statement to say that his own redemption was proof that his pride in himself was founded in reality and a truly reachable goal should he dedicate himself to it.
And so his goal had remained relatively the same way as it had done since he was a child. Become one of the greatest Ninja in the world.
In Konoha he had missed his chance but he knew that if he worked hard enough he would prove that even in spite of failing his deceased sensei and his friends he'd show them all that even though he never came from a clan or respected lineage he still would become a powerful ninja.
Unfortunately this little stain on his history would demonstrate his rise from a Missing Nin to a Kage just as he had wanted to be since childhood.
And as it turned out his current goal was to deliver a scroll containing specialised Medical Ninjutsu to a Doctor Shiro Ito at his private residence in the Land of Fire.
Takeshi didn't know who this Doctor was but quite frankly he didn't really care. After all it was as he came to know in the Ninja world. Each job taken, no matter how demeaning or tough always amassed respect and knowledge in its own right. And for as basic as a courier job this may have been Takeshi undertook his mission with the utmost of importance, especially given the title of his employer.
He especially was not one to be disappointed.
Suddenly feeling himself halted in place, Takeshi panicked for a second, worried that he was caught in one of those bastard Shadow Possession Jutsus the Nara clan were so famous for.
But this wasn't a paralysis Jutsu, it was in truth the man himself who stood in front of him.
Takeshi had heard the rumours and stories but he never thought that they were actually real. Standing in front of Takeshi was a man with shoulder length long hair who bore a black flame patterned orange mask wearing a traditional black hooded robe.
The mere presence of the legend had Takeshi trembling as he frighteningly peered into the blazing red Sharingan eye of Madara Uchiha.
"So this is the delivery boy? He's becoming reckless, wouldn't you agree Takeshi?" Madara chuckled much to the horror of the former Leaf Ninja as THE Madara Uchiha had known his name.
"Wh-what?" stammered the so called 'delivery boy' barely able to suppress his fear from expressing on an emotional level.
"Your employer, you know who I'm referring to do you not?" Madara asked with his Sharingan slowly spinning, as if to hypnotise the fear driven fool into deepening his gaze into Madara's visible eye.
"How the hell do you know my name?" Takeshi asked bluntly, trying to assert dominance he clearly did not possess.
"I know everything, I'm an evil genius after all" Madara joked, almost dryly being well aware of the reputation he had garnered as a ghost story told to scare Missing Nin of Chuunin rank into running back to the villages they betrayed.
"What do you want from me?" Takeshi asked as a lump had built up in his throat, his voice cracking as he uttered the words.
"Straight to the point, I've always liked that about you Takeshi. But as you well know it is not you that I am interested in… Merely the information you hold about the true intentions of your employer" Madara replied as he began to approach the ex Leaf Nin.
"T-true intentions?" Takeshi stammered unsure of what Madara was talking about regarding his employer.
"Surely you had suspected that somebody of your client's status would never stoop as low as to hire a Missing Nin to do such a mundane courier mission?" Madara asked rhetorically tilting his head to the side as if to wonder if Takeshi was actually as naive as he looked.
"In fact, if my hypothesis is correct you will not live beyond today" Madara added surprising the ex Leaf Ninja who was now scared out of his wits upon the revelation that he was being double-crossed by his employer and that it was only just now that he was being told this.
"And if I am also correct the two Ninjas are already closing in on your last reported location" Madara spoke just further adding to the spooked Missing Nin.
"S-so what are you trying to do?" Takeshi asked realising that at this point he'd either be killed by Madara, his employer or whoever was chasing him down so in some small sign of relief his fear had lessened knowing the futile nature of his dwindling time on this Earth.
"As I've told you, I simply want to uncover the true intentions of your employer. Now then… Lets dig inside that pretty little head of yours" Madara stated rather menacingly as he uttered the word which had shifted reality into a twisted nightmare.
"TSUKUYOMI!"
xXx
"… Well I'm not surprised really. The fact that this Warmonger rumour is going around is chilling enough"
"… Hey, I'm just saying man, I'm just getting the impression that Jashinist guy isn't somebody you wanna mess around with, I mean did you see that kid he was hanging around with?"
"… Aww man, it's gonna be a quiet last day"
"… Have you seen that Nosy Guy who recently skipped town?"
"Yeah, I heard he was stalking around the women's hot springs before taking off with some scroll"
"Wasn't he a Leaf Ninja? I dunno I never got a good look at his headband"
"Well whoever he was if he took a peek at my wife there'll be hell to pay if I ever see him again"
"Hey man, if you're looking for payback then I heard him mumbling something about the Land of Fire, I'm guessing that's where he's going."
It may have taken a solid few hours of looking around town but they Zabuza had finally found the clue he needed.
"We're moving" Zabuza commanded with Sakura replying with an affirming 'hai.'
Even without the aid of a Summoning Jutsu or outside contacts Zabuza like most regular Ninja had to rely on their skills by becoming but a blade in the crowd and simply remain hidden as he pooled through the information whether by locating traces of his target's presence or by the eyes and ears of those who had seen his target.
"So how are we going to track him down from here Zabuza-sama?" Sakura asked.
"Considering his destination being within the proximity of the Land of Fire and his description as the 'nosy guy' it's quite likely that he'd have been essentially leaving a trail behind him given his lack of subtlety" Zabuza explained as he departed the small village and onwards towards the Land of Fire, now having a better grasp on his target's current position.
On the journey across Water Country to Fire Country Zabuza's mind drifted to his suspicions of the Mizukage. Why would he initially state that his mission was to recover the stolen scroll but then instantly negate that with him saying that the scroll wasn't important but instead that it was merely about silencing the one who infiltrated the Mist Village.
Why was the scroll now suddenly so unimportant when it was the object of his desire just as Sakura had pointed out to him. The Mizukage had flat out ignored even a simple question that a child however perceptive she might've been would ask in such a scenario.
It was clear to Zabuza that there was more to this than met the eye but to his question as to why he was left without an answer.
There was no doubt in Zabuza's mind that Yagura was up to no good, but what his motive was and how both he and Sakura were tied into everything was what was the most important thing. If the Fourth Mizukage was plotting something, what was it and why were he and Sakura involved in some way or another.
But as a Ninja Zabuza knew that these were questions that he would have to think about later. But the Mist Swordsman could only ponder whether or not this mission was but a deception which had hidden a trap for him and his subordinate or perhaps something far more sinister beneath the surface layer.
Whatever the case he stowed his thoughts and continued his mission.
xXx
"SENSEI!"
"… Please… Protect…"
"Lord Hokage? What are you doing?"
"… What have I done… I failed my mission… And my Sensei"
Madara would have to admit he did enjoy torturing this fool with his own memories, and quite a coincidence given his current circumstances, one in which he could use to his advantage, in fact such a turn of events also meant that he wouldn't need to strain himself with such pointless activities when he could focus on better preparing the Akatsuki for their purpose when the time had come.
And so it was that Madara had simply left Takeshi writhing on the floor for the next thirty minutes in his own personal hell.
Though Madara had already found what he needed, he had decided to employ a new strategy in his plan. And that strategy was due in just over the horizon.
xXx
"Zabuza-sama. I can sense a big spike in Chakra ahead of us" Sakura commented, informing the Mist Ninja of what she had sensed on the horizon.
"Unsurprising should the Mizukage's information be accurate of our target's skill with jutsu" Zabuza replied before looking back to his target who began from the distance he was at looked as if he was stirring from some kind of slumber, seemingly unaware of his soon to be assassins.
"Hold it" Zabuza commanded, terminating the quick speeds the Master and subordinate were travelling at.
"Are you aware of our approach plan?" Zabuza asked which Sakura nodded her head affirmatively.
"Good" Zabuza stated before performing his Hiding in the Mist Technique, encroaching the area in a thick fog preparing to engulf the dazed Missing Nin.
Unfortunately for Zabuza Takeshi had taken notice of the incoming fog and had begun to flee causing the Mist Swordsman to outwardly grumble, wondering if he had encountered many Mist Nin in the past.
"Sakura, pursue" Zabuza commanded which had the child take off at break neck speeds now in hot pursuit of her target, quite the inverse of her role during training.
Takeshi like most Leaf Ninja had stuck to the trees, leaping from branch to branch, a technique taught at the Academy as it had given the Leaf Ninja the ability to freely travel much faster given the parkour running technique.
But this did little to steady the Ex Leaf Ninja's nerves as he found himself sweating bullets knowing that a child no older than five was managing to keep pace with him on the ground. And that look of determination on her face was something he had never seen before in a young child, not even the clan children of his time had such a dedicated expression on their face and they grew up in a time of war.
Steadily poising her fingers, Sakura readied the senbon needles. The first step was neutralising the target.
With the flick of her wrist a senbon flew through the air as it impacted the muscle in Takeshi's left leg which had sealed his fated descent from the trees and into the ground where he got a face full of grass and dirt.
Utilising the active limbs he had left Takeshi realised that their plan was most likely interrogation but what had him stop in his tracks was him getting a good like at the girl who paralysed him. Though he didn't recognise her face at first he would always remember that pink hair and most horrifically of all, the whisker marks on her cheeks from that fated day he saw the horrifying truth of what happened five years ago.
"Not you… Why of all people did it have to be you" Takeshi remarked in a panic as his voice cracked at the sheer totality of his actions from years gone by.
Sakura visibly stared at the man wondering why he spoke as if he had known her all her life when she had never seen this man before nor recognised the name from the mission briefing.
As if things couldn't have gone more pear shaped for Takeshi, Zabuza had suddenly decided to make his appearance to which in a frightened state the Missing Nin began to perform the necessary hand sign for a Jutsu he found quite useful in time such as this.
"NINJA ART!: Hiding in Surface Technique!" exclaimed the Missing Nin who phased beneath the ground while Zabuza was in mid swing of his executioners blade, impacting the dirt where Takeshi had once laid helpless.
"Fuck!" cursed the Mist Ninja turning to his subordinate with an angry look in his eyes, silently expressing his disappointment for not having killed or at the very least interrogated their target for more information on something that could've exposed Yagura for whatever he was doing based on Zabuza's suspicions.
Focusing his mind on the mission the Mist Swordsman realised that given his gimped leg Takeshi would not be able to travel fast even despite his little trick.
"Zabuza-sama!" Sakura piped up as she picked up what looked to be the scroll the Mizukage had specified.
"Give it here" Zabuza commanded with his subordinate obliging.
Upon taking a look at the scroll, carefully checking it for any seals or traps Zabuza unraveled the scroll and saw not a list of powerful Ninjutsu, but rather advanced medical techniques, not even the kind that required Ninjutsu. Simply basic medical practices used during surgeries or dissections.
"What is it Zabuza-sama?" Sakura asked wishing to know what was in the scroll.
"This scroll is not one of Ninjutsu or powerful techniques. in fact it details some form surgery that given my lack of experience in the field of medical practices I cannot comprehend" Zabuza explained wrapping the scroll back up and tossing it to his Jinchuuriki.
"Though we have retrieved the scroll our mission is not yet complete, we still need to locate our target and assassinate him under the Mizukage's orders" Zabuza added with an affirming nod from the child.
"Although considering the distance between towns and villages it's likely that our target has retreated back to that small village we were at before the battle" Zabuza remarked. implicit in that Takeshi would most likely be heading back there rather than running around on a dead leg considering that the pain would likely not wear off for a long time considering the nerves Sakura had likely paralysed.
Whatever the matter the two Mist Shinobi returned from whence they came.
xXx
Raising up to the surface and biting his lip as he removed the senbon, though his leg was numb his mind still interpreted the pain which had felt no less physical than if his leg was fine.
But luckily for Takeshi he knew that his client's location wasn't too far off from where he was. But to have come into contact with her in such a way… That was more terrifying than any enemy Ninja he had ever encountered.
It was as if that black spot in his past was catching up to him.
He wouldn't have dared contact his employer knowing full well his reputation and status but at the same time he was up against not only her but Zabuza Momochi, the Demon of the Bloody Mist.
As if his day couldn't get any worse he first comes up against Madara Uchiha, then Zabuza Momochi. If this was ever a sign that kami wanted him dead this was heavy handed in its implicit nature.
But even despite this how could he submit to that fate. Wasn't it true that even the most fucked up of fuck ups could try again? That even those who had lost sight of the path can still seek peace if they try hard enough?
Why couldn't fate be on his side for a change, why couldn't things have gone his way instead of the way of those less deserving than him. Takeshi set out to be the best Ninja imaginable, and for this goal life had set him needless challenges?
If any bit of advice was ever true 'life is a bitch.'
Inhaling a deep breath Takeshi hated to have done this, but in such a scenario when pitted against the Demon of the Mist as well as that Jinchuuriki by his side drastic measures would need to be taken.
He would have to ask his client for help.
Not that Takeshi wasn't sure how willing this Doctor Shiro Ito would be to help him but in this case he would have to make an exception.
Surely he would understand.
xXx
"So let me get this straight, YOU a so called master of Jutsu given the simple task of being a delivery boy had fallen to a FIVE YEAR OLD?" exclaimed the good doctor in utter disbelief after hearing Takeshi's story.
"For fucks sake…" Sighed Shiro shaking his head as he seriously began to ponder what kind of help he was getting from his 'investor' as his business partner liked to call him.
"In my defence I was up against a Jinchuuriki and the Demon of the Mist Zabuza Momochi" Takeshi replied in a steadfast tone, desperately trying to justify his failure by means of title and status of his enemies.
"That doesn't change the fact that you failed in such a simple task? And you really expect me to believe that you were bested in direct confrontation by a FIVE YEAR OLD GIRL? Jinchuuriki or no, I find that a little hard to believe that a master of Ninjutsu was bested by someone so young?" retorted Shiro, reasoning that there was no excuse for failure, let alone his outlandish story.
"Next thing you know you're going to tell me that you ran into Madara Uchiha" added the good Doctor as a sarcastic quip making the ex Leaf Nin tense up in anger.
"As a matter of fact I DID!" snapped Takeshi clearly not in the mood to be condescended in such a manner as he let out a slip of the tongue, unaware of how ludicrous he sounded when mentioning the famed Uchiha's name.
However Takeshi soon came to regret that outburst as he was met with Shiro's killer intent and a dull glare.
"Listen, don't bullshit a bullshitter. I'm in no mood to be fucked with kid, I've got more than enough work on my plate without you making a mess of things. So I'm only going to say this once in that you get back out there and bring that scroll to me as you were ordered to" Shiro explained in the most deadpan yet seething voice he could convey with his eyes never leaving Takeshi while giving his orders.
"It's not that simple, Zabuza's the Demon of the Mist and that girl, she's-"
"I don't care if she's Kami herself you do your job and you do it RIGHT! … I'm on a tight enough deadline as it is without you further stalling with excuses" Shiro snapped cutting Takeshi off from another one of his apologetic excuses.
"I'm just saying that what might happen if Zabuza tries to have me interrogated, it might end up looking bad on you or the-" Takeshi was cut off again by the sound of some kind of metallic scalpel being dragged against the steel surface of the work bench Dr Ito had used to store his tools for the time being.
"If your loose tongue is your biggest concern, I'd be more than willing to sew that mouth of yours shut" Shiro remarked as with a grin on his face, looking quite pleased at the prospect of having such an annoying whelp never speak again.
"In fact… Come over here, I think it's time for your appointment" Shiro stated as he began approaching Takeshi who had backed away slowly clearly not liking where this was going.
"What are you afraid of? It's just a little open mouth surgery, I'll even give you a lollipop when I'm finished" joked the good Doctor always finding humor in sadistic situations.
"Get the fuck away from me!" Takeshi spat only to have fallen over cursing as he found out that he was still reeling from the effects of Sakura's initial assault on him.
"Consider this your punishment for failing me the first time" Shiro said as he restrained Takeshi against a table after a considerable struggle.
"Don't worry, this won't hurt a bit… It'll hurt a lot" Dr Ito remarked before Takeshi was out like a light.
A/N: Beginning of the first arc, yippee.
As SaiyenWarrior200 had pointed out in one of the reviews I am aware that I run the risk of losing readership if people don't see what they want in the story (namely the arcs that were actually featured in the Manga/Anime) But this does serve a point.
And that point is to develop not only Zabuza, but Yagura and Sakura as she comes to see the side of the Shinobi world that was seen less and less in Naruto as the show went on. And in this case it's a side that isn't as happy go lucky as many might think.
And honestly for the first part of this Arc it'll probably be only 2 or 3 chapters at most before returning to Kirigakure for some Yagura development as a breather chapter as well as a return to Konoha for familiarity's sake as well as showcasing how things will eventually shape up for future chapters.
As for planned arcs before the return to canon (as in the land of the waves) there are only two.
One is the Conspiracy of the Mist arc which is currently in motion.
And the other is going to detail Sakura (at age 12) and Zabuza's adventures as a Missing Nin set a while before the Land of the Waves arc where there will be the inevitable encounter with the Leaf again.
^^ Anyway, see ya next time.