Chapter 10

Konoha Squadroom, 225 E. 85th St.

"Zabuza Momochi," Aburame began, pinning an old mug shot of the man in question onto a board, "Age 35. Serving a life sentence for assassinating an entire graduating class in Kumo. Suspected in the death of several political leaders in countless countries."

"So we're being led to a certifiable psychopath," Nara said with a yawn. "What a drag!"

Hatake studied the picture of the man whose DNA showed up at their crime scene. For once, I agree with that lazy-ass Nara, he thought to himself. "How do you guys plan on bringing this guy in?"

"Momochi was last seen at a weapon shot near the border," Aburame replied. "We'll send two people undercover to make a deal with him. Once we catch him, we'll go from there."

Hatake nodded. "Do whatever it takes," he told them. "No child deserves to die without their killer being caught and punished."

Several hours of tracking and a long drive later, Detectives Nara and Aburame found themselves at a weapons shop near the Hi and Kaze borders. Both men appeared in expensive-looking suits and dark shades. One couldn't tell if they were businessmen, bodyguards or mobsters.

Their target soon appeared out of an old Dodge Camaro. "You two looking for somebody?" Momochi asked, sitting on the hood.

Detective Nara leaned against the driver's side door. "An associate mentioned someone up here that could help me with a little…problem," he told the target.

Momochi nodded. "I may know someone who can help you," he said. "What kind of help are you looking for, though?"

"There's a multi-billion dollar deal in the works between my company and the government," Nara replied. "Unfortunately, there's a few certain people that are working to destroy the deal. I need these people…quieted."

Momochi sighed. "Business dealings are boring," he said with a yawn.

Nara nodded in agreement. "Perhaps," he said.

Before Momochi could comment, another door opened. Aburame stormed out, banging the hood of the car near Nara's waist. "I cannot tolerate your pitiful negotiation skills!" he yelled. "You'll be lucky to make it back to Konoha alive!" He turned to Momochi. "I apologize for my pitiful subordinate. I will pay you twenty million dollars to deliver the heads of my two main obstacles within three days."

Momochi grinned. "I need at least half of the money up front," he replied.

"No problem," Aburame said. He turned to Nara. "Don't just stand there! Get the money!"

Don't get too caught up, Shino, Nara said to himself. You sound too damn convincing now. He reached into the car, retrieving a briefcase of money. "Ten million in cash," Nara said, handing the case to Momochi.

Momochi graciously accepted the case. "A pleasure," he said. As he turned, however, a gun was pointed in his face. Momochi narrowed his eyes. "You've got balls to shove a gun in my face." Aburame, rather than answer, pulled out his badge. "Fuck."

Six hours later, Momochi sat across from a one-way window. He growled, cursing himself for being caught so easily. I should've listened to that kid, Momochi said to himself. Haku tried to tell me that money is the root of all evil…

Aburame stood against a nearby wall while Nara paced back and forth. Neither spoke, trying to make Momochi either nervous or angry enough to make the first move.

Lucky for the detectives, the setting finally unnerved Momochi. "If you detectives aren't going to do anything more than look at me, I'm leaving," he said, getting up from his seat and walking toward the door.

"Have a seat," Aburame said to Momochi, eyes narrowed.

Momochi snorted, stopping. "You guys set me up," he said. "You can't hold me for that."

"Maybe not," Nara replied. "Murder, though? We can hold you for that."

Momochi looked at the Nara, eyes widened. "What murder?" he asked, trying to cover something up.

"The murder of a young child," Aburame replied, placing the bruised and battered picture of Arashi Hyuuga in front of Momochi. "The rape and attempted murder of a young woman." He placed the bruised and battered picture of Hinata Hyuuga in front of Momochi as well. "Your blood was found near the crime scene."

Momochi leaned against a wall, feeling cocky. "Konoha doesn't scare me," he said to the detectives.

"Fair enough," Nara said. Momochi began to walk toward the door. "You walk and Kumo will be allowed to execute you."

Momochi froze. The last thing he wanted was to face the wrath of Kumo. From what he'd learned, Rai's president wanted his blood. Apparently, his niece was one of the children killed during Momochi's rampage. "What guarantees can you offer me?" he asked.

"Tell us what we want to know and we will keep you in Konoha," Aburame replied. "One lie and Kumo gets you on a gold platter."

Momochi grumbled. "Fine," he said. "I'll take the deal."

"Good," Nara replied. "Walk us through the days leading up to the attacks."

Momochi closed his eyes. "I got a letter in jail to meet someone in a curry shop on the edge of Kaze and Kawa," he began. "I ended up finding some bitch in a pink wig. She paid me fifteen million dollars up front to off both the kid and…" He paused to lick his lips and reminisce. "…the blue-haired cutie. A beautiful lay."

Aburame slammed the table. "What else?" he asked, sickened by Momochi's display.

Momochi sucked on his teeth, changing position. "Pinkie told me the beauty needed to truly suffer," he continued. "She said I needed to guarantee that the kid would die and to be truly merciless."

Nara shuddered, recalling the crime scene photos. He officially pitied Uchiha and Uzumaki. Soon, an important questioned came to mind. "How did you get out of jail?" he asked. "You were in maximum security."

Momochi smiled. "I had help," he replied. "A group of guys showed up one day and bashed in the wall of my cell. They gassed the guards and helped me escape. Once we got to the border of Kaze, they thanked me for accepting the meeting offer from their boss. When I asked for the man's real name, they gave me the same bullshit answer that was written on my letter: Mr. H."