The Ways and Words of a Witch
(Morning, with Kakashi and Shikamaru's group)
The dawning sun was shining over the grasslands, its rays landing on a dead fire pit in the center of an open dirt area. Everyone was getting ready for the day's journey. Hinata, Sakura and Ino were checking inventory, Lee and Mata were keeping watch, and Shikamaru, Kakashi, Itachi, Kisame and Baba were in the middle of going over the map.
"So far we're making good time. Right now we're here near the edge of the grasslands and we should make it to any of the port cities within less than a day's run. Naruto should be in the vicinity of this area so it's a high probability that we'll run into him before he tries to cross the ocean. Baba can explain the next part." Shikamaru explained pointing to a spot on the map.
"There are three port cities that have routes to the Light Country: one to the northeast, and two to the north and northwest. The one we want is at the northeast, located in a small outcast harbor. I know one of the harbormasters there and he owes me a favor. Long story short, I'm the reason he still has a marriage. He can give us a private boat to the Light Country, simple." Baba said. The other four looked at her with the same thought running through their heads: I don't want to know.
Itachi looked back at the kunoichi trio while they talked amongst themselves. "While we're discussing the matter of information Baba, maybe you could tell everyone what you know about Nine Hells prison. You mentioned before that you heard some disturbing rumors surrounding the facility. Anything and everything you can tell us would give us an advantage in case a scenario comes up, forcing us to make a necessary retreat." He said.
"Very well, does someone have a large sheet of paper, four items that are flat and heavy, and something to write with?" Baba requested. Shikamaru had a pencil, paper and four shuriken and handed them to her. Baba took the shuriken and used them to hold down the sheet. Next she turned the pencil point down in her hand and slowly pushed it into the dirt. She placed her hand above it and, after muttering some words, pulled it out and began drawing on the paper. When she finished it showed a rough draft of what Shikamaru described as the Light Country.
"To begin, the rumors I heard about this place aren't very pleasant. From what young Shikamaru here has told you all about the island, everything is straight on. The Light Country looks like a paradise in the eyes of the unsuspecting world, run by the current lord of the land. However in reality it is under harsh dictatorship, ruled by Goturo with an iron fist and falsifies all information regarding Nine Hells prison as he passes it on to the lord.
"Along with funding from the numerous nobles of the world and other political officials, Goturo takes money from the island's people. When they don't pay, or they hold out, he 'releases' one of the prisoners unto the public until they gave everything they had, then he recaptures the prisoner. As a result they live in a chaotic and corrupted state of fear and poverty."
While she talked the picture shimmered and moved around in sync with her explanation. The picture changed from the outline of the island and zoned in on the prison structure allowing everyone to see it in clear detail. Now that's something useful. I wonder how she did it. Shikamaru thought.
Baba continued, "For the prison itself it's a nasty piece of work. The outside has seven elevated harpoon guns capable of puncturing through the toughest hull with tags attached to them for precision chakra control strings connected to whoever's manning the weapon, allowing them to change direction in midflight and five high powered cannons with chakra-empowered ammunition giving the rounds increased firepower for that little extra kick, all positioned on all sides of the prison walls. The only entrance in or out is a makeshift stone wall that becomes a temporary dock with any number of guards appearing on it.
"The inside is just as bad. While the five-foot bedrock that makes up the prison is strong it's the inside metal plating that can cause problems. When Nine Hells prison was created the stone that made up its structure and the metal that was made for it had special properties infused in it that turned every inch if it into one enormous security system. One of them steals the chakra and stamina from people that bear a mark the guards brand the prisoners with, to an extent. For transporting the criminals there are two means of traveling through the structure: a pair of steel hydraulic platforms with four guards that run through its entirety, even to the warden's office located at the very bottom.
"Each level holds all kinds of S-rank criminals who have high degrees of skills and powers, some of which you may have never heard of. They may be all S-rank but when placed in Nine Hells prison, they are put in a new system that rates them not for how dangerous they are, but for how long it takes to 'acquire' them. The longer it takes, the farther down they're placed and only the worst of them are put at the very bottom.
"Each prison cell is made to perfectly inhibit the occupant's power and restrict them as much as possible, making them as harmless as the breeze drifting across your face and their cells are made differently for each one. Each level has a different form of security measures as well, based on how they will affect the prisoners and how much of a threat the prisoners become, ranging from nerve gas to who knows what and I don't even want to know what's waiting at the bottom. The most curious part is that supposedly, this was all before it underwent…certain renovations." She finished.
Shikamaru groaned and put a hand to his face. "Okay, I don't about you, but that makes me worry a little. I'm going to assume you don't know what these new renovations are, which means we're back in the dark." He said. Itachi glanced at the drawing. "What interests me is how you know all this and how you made the picture come alive. You weren't imprisoned there were you?" He asked. Sakura came over and handed her report of the inventory to Shikamaru.
Baba cackled heartily. "Oh no, if I had been imprisoned there you wouldn't be talking to me now. I merely have fingers in a lot of pies as the phrase goes. The picture coming to life is easy to understand, it's just a simple spell. Magic, you see." She said. Sakura's ears twitched at the mention of the word as she just now entered the conversation.
"What's magic?" She asked now seeing the drawing move around. "That looks like Sai's justu. Sai is a teammate of ours and he uses justu that brings whatever he draws to life." She said. Baba removed the shuriken and rolled up the paper. "Magic is the word for the universal mystic energy that surrounds us all. I can utilize different types of magic because I'm attuned to it, seeing as I am a demon witch. For instance, I can use earth magic to affect the lead in the pencil and by connection, the drawing." Baba told her.
"Magic is very similar to justu. Our justu works by us utilizing the energies inside ourselves and using it to an extent whereas magic isn't confined to how much chakra we have and can influence the world around us when we become connected to it in some way." Itachi explained stoically. "It's good to know you still remembered what I taught you those many years ago." Baba said. Itachi shook his head. "I never forget anything I learn Baba. Maybe it's you who have forgotten, hmm?" He replied.
Ino and Hinata joined Sakura carrying everyone's packs. "We need to pick up some things before we attempt to cross the sea. Unless Baba can conjure things out of thin air, we'll need to make a side trip, which will take up more time than we have." Shikamaru analyzed.
Baba reached over and grabbed the report. "If its food you need, that won't be a problem. As far as equipment goes, you're on your own." She said returning the report and the other items to Shikamaru. Baba grabbed her cane to help herself up and slammed it on the ground. She muttered more words and let go, leaving it standing by itself.
Roots started growing from the cane's base and it grew thicker and larger. Branches began to sprout from the knobs on top, spreading and growing. Everyone had to back away as the roots tunneled through the ground with such vigor Lee and Mata, who were standing a good fifteen yards away, turned in surprise to see what was making the noise. When it stopped changing it was in the form of a giant tree. High up in its branches were loads of fruits.
Lee and Mata joined the group once everything quieted down. "That is incredible!" Lee yelled his eyes glowing with amazement. Mata rolled his eyes, "You really think that's incredible? Something tells me you'll have a lot of learning to do while you're with us. Mistress Baba isn't just capable of using magic. She is also heavily knowledgeable in potions, poisons, healing treatments, etc. Something like this is simple in our eyes."
Mata jumped and climbed up to the higher limbs of the tree and broke off a thin branch that had a piece of the fruit with his mouth. He brought it to Baba, who plucked the fruit and handed it to Kakashi. It looking like an orange but it didn't feel like one. It was orange and tiny black dots could be seen covering the skin but the skin itself felt like glass. "What kind of fruit is this? Is it safe for humans to eat?" Kakashi looked at it like it was about to come alive and take a bite out of him.
"Oh hush now, it's perfectly safe. That's fruit from a tree hosting a kodama spirit. A kodama is a nature spirit that dwells in many forms of flora." Baba said holding the broken limb. She turned it over in her hands and tapped it twice against the ground and it changed back into her knobby walking stick.
"The spirit of a kodama is carried in this cane, one that I saved many years ago. The kodama live only as long as the trees they inhabit do and are very helpful if you can get on their good sides. You think this was something special," She asked him pointing at the new growth. "You have no idea what she can do if angered."
Sakura stared incredulously at the new cane Baba had. "The kodama is female?" She said. "This one is anyway. Humans can't see their true form because they can't live very far from their home or they wither away. For this one it's because she's young and quite fearful of people." Ino gave the tree a proper once-over and looked at the cane. "Does she have a name?" She asked. Baba held the cane up and rubbed the head of it. "Her name is Sengen and we've been with each other for a very long time."
Kakashi shrugged and told Hinata, Mata, Lee, Shikamaru and Ino to collect what they needed. While they did Sakura and Baba talked more about kodama spirits with Itachi explaining as best as he could. Kisame and Kakashi checked and rechecked everyone's weaponry. By the time everyone was done with their task it was nearing noon. Shikamaru did a personal inspection over everything and seemed a little satisfied.
"Our food supplies are good but as far as going on the offensive or the defensive goes, let's just say I hope we don't run into a whole lot of enemies anytime soon, which brings me to something I forgot to ask. Do you know any sort of battle magic or tactics, something that could be of use in the field for stealth or intense combat? The tree was a nice trick but I don't need to tell you that it won't be of much use for fighting off foes that may outnumber us." Shikamaru said.
"I know enough youngling. If I didn't I wouldn't be here talking to you right now." Baba simply put with her trademark wide grin. "That's something else I was thinking about. The large scale genjustu field that covered the temple, did you cast it or was it something else?" Shikamaru asked again. Baba looked at him with a newly found interest.
"I'm going to assume you know something about it, the temple's secret." Mata's eyes widened with shock at the statement and turned to his mistress with something like alarm. Shikamaru noticed this and thought to use it. "I listened in on Hinata as she scoped the place out. She talked about the foundation and the tablet, how there was something in them she couldn't identify. I didn't think of it much when you appeared. If I put together what I knew then and what I know now there's something that doesn't fit." He started.
"Not just that either. You mentioned something about a young man with black hair, a sword on his back and strange red eyes. Your description matches up with a certain person that we've been looking for, Itachi's brother in fact. Maybe you could explain what went down." He finished.
Baba was passive, her head leaning to one side in amusement and her hand slowly moving over Mata's fur. "What you saw wasn't genjustu. It was magic and not my own doing. The temple has a barrier covering a wide radius that keeps it out of sight. If it should ever be found and dispelled, the field is brought back up when the intruder's presence has gone. I'll tell you more about it later. The young man, like you he discovered he was caught in its grasp and he was able to nullify it and enter the temple. I wasn't aware of him until he walked up the steps.
"I've been around the world in my years but for the time being I decided to use the temple as a baiting ground. I went through the same routine I did with you all but before I could make a move he told me he knew all about what I was and was only interested in making a deal with me. He wanted to know how many years the prison had been in use."
"Did he say anything about why he needed it?" Kakashi asked. Baba moved her head back and forth. "I asked if he had his head on straight, that nobody goes looking for me unless they're desperate or willing to pay the necessary price and he just tossed me a scroll." She reached in her robes and pulled out a black scroll with red bindings on each end and holding it in place of string was an iron ring with a seal on it.
"He said the scroll talks about some old secrets and that it should be enough for a single payment. Information for information, that's how the agreement works. It seemed good so I told him. The prison has been around for over a hundred years, a hundred-and-twenty to be precise. After that he ran off. I haven't been able to unseal it yet to see what's really inside, it really is unusual; it isn't a bloodline seal nor is it magical. I can't open it with my power but for the time being I believe it may be more suitable for one of you to hold on to it. Who knows, it may prove to be more beneficial to you than it has to me." She exhausted and held out the scroll.
"Are you sure you should be handing something like this over to us?" Kakashi asked. "A deal is a deal." She replied. Kakashi took the scroll and looked at the seal. This is beyond me. It looks small but it's unlike anything I've seen. Whoever made this didn't want it anyone to get their hands on its insides too easily. He thought wearily. "Itachi, I think this might be more up your alley of the weird." He tossed it to Itachi and Itachi examined it.
"Now, about the tablet…" Shikamaru started and Baba raised a hand to stop him. She poked her demon companion behind his ear. "Mata, please round up everybody and bring that strange boy with the large eyebrows." Mata dipped his head compliantly. Shortly after everyone was crowding around Baba and Lee was standing before her a blank look on his face. "You asked me before what the depictions on the tablet were. Since you are young and obviously willing to work with an old crone like me I'll tell you about it as best as I can." She started.
"The magic field wasn't just covering the temple it was also protecting the tablet. The tablet has magic that was ancient when I was young. If you look at it closely you would see that it's a part of something bigger; the edges are cracked as though someone broke it off something larger which means there is more of it though where the other parts are and how many exist are unknown to me. The piece residing in the temple speaks of a prophecy. Unfortunately the full meaning of it is unclear seeing as it is incomplete.
"The left side tells of a man with eerie powers lethal and dangerous. He is cruel and his heart incased in the deepest cold. He runs with unnatural creatures and wields a fabled weapon he uses to claim the souls of his next victims. His skills are unmatched even so that one day he will be known as the Kamikage, or the God's Shadow, not out of politics but out of fear; fear that he is Death Incarnate, the embodiment of demise itself. The man rides in and owns the darkness and he only cares about himself yet he searches for something and will have a choice to make.
"The right side speaks of three entities out of many that play a role in the man's future, each to come at different points in his life that will test the man's strength of character in hopes of diverging him from the path he chose out of hatred and to help him fight a great battle: two elderly men, brothers in arms since the day they were born, and a great dragon both wise and powerful.
"The one in the middle is the worst of the three. It talks of a fallen god who was banished and sent to Hell, cursed forever to remain in the abyss to rule over the devilish creatures of old. He yearns for freedom and covets revenge on those who cursed him by seeking out something called the Light of Five Presages and should he get his hands on it he will devour the world with the vehemence of his power. This is all the tablet says." She finished and took a deep breath.
Kisame whistled. "That sounds heavy. Personally I haven't been one to put money on Fate and all that." He said. Itachi looked at his comrade. "But what if it happened to be true? The oldest of legends do speak of such a power, the Light of Five Presages. It's unknown what it really is, but all of them have two things in common: the Light of Five Presages must first be called into physical manifestation and it can only be done so by certain requirements, one of them involves bringing together three impossible things. Every myth has a grain of truth to it." He said oddly enthusiastic.
Itachi's change in character made Kisame raise an eyebrow, "What brought this on all of a sudden? You're normally so apathetic about everything." He asked with his shark-like grin on his face. "Let's just say there was something I was interested in before I left Konoha and leave it at that for now." Itachi answered.
During the conversation Mata watched the sky and the movement of the sun. Halfway through Shikamaru and Lee joined him, Shikamaru for obvious reasons, Lee because he didn't understand what was being said. Mata looked down at Baba and spoke with urgency in his voice. "Mistress Baba if we do not leave soon we will not be able to catch up with whom they seek." Lee quickly turned his head. "You mean Naruto? I know we're behind him a ways but how can you tell by looking at the sun?" He asked in his stupor.
Mata returned his gaze to the heavens. "I was given a gift by my mistress when she first found me. I can look into the sun without burning my sight and use it like a crystal ball. I can see the shadows of every human in the world that the sun creates while it is high in the sky. I have found your friend as you described him. He looks different but I know where he is now. At the moment he is running through large grasslands not too far from here, and he has a companion with him." He told them.
"Who is it?" Baba said. Mata stood on his hind legs and whispered the name in her ear and Baba's eyes widened at the words. "We must hurry! We don't have any time to waste." She hollered and to everyone's surprise, jumped on Mata's back and rode him as he ran off. Nobody moved for a few seconds then the moment passed and they were all in a hurry to catch up with Baba, Ino and Sakura barely having time to gather their belongings before running after following them in frenzy.
The two of them caught up with Kakashi and almost ran into him at the breakneck velocity they were running at. "Kakashi-sensei, what do you think has gotten her so riled up?" Sakura asked in between breaths. "I don't know but anything that can aggravate an old witch like her may be something we can use in the future." He replied and ran after her as fast as he could.
A/N: Okay, to those who are with the story so far earlier I mentioned anyone trying to translate what the meaning of the tablet was. Some people got it others didn't. So I'm going to show you the guesses people tried. Prophecy and puzzle piece was a good guess, about three others said summoning slab, one got decoration. I want to thank th4n for helping with some details on the matter of where the fuck they are, so thank you. Next chapter I'll reveal more of Naruto's demon sage powers and we find out what else Enra has in his robe. Also we start on the sea voyage part of the story.
P.S. Memphis my old friend asked me in this chapter of where the story is going. To answer all questions this will be slightly off story line. The events will happen as they have happened in the canon, this one will just take place away from it and as I'm typing this I now realize I should have mentioned this earlier. Later on there will be a few time skips that will relay more about what's going on in the main world and what's happening on the shadows. Read & Review.