Chapter 20: Merge
Senju Tsunade made a quick stop to her bedroom to drape a large cloak over her, before leaving the palace.
The sun was just starting to set beyond the visible horizon, the sky turned a bright shade of pastel pink and orange. To the east, darkness slowly ebbed towards Konoha.
The slug sannin took off to the rooftops, and headed towards the Forest of Screams. She continued on her way, occasionally giving longing glances to what remained of her home.
She set her teeth in resolve. This is for the good of the village and the shinobi world, she justified to herself.
She reached the outskirts of the forest in no time, and landed on the ground.
With one last look at her beloved home, Tsunade entered the deep forest.
The slug sannin was plagued by several thoughts.
The deaths of her loved ones, the horrible attack on her home all those years ago, Sakura's capture. They nearly drove the woman wild.
Her hands rolled into fists, and her eyes hardened in determination.
Sometime along the way, she sensed a presence to her side.
Tsunade whipped her head towards the area. "Show yourself," she ordered.
Obediently, another cloaked figure came into view.
The short person removed the hood to reveal the face of the former female elder.
Tsunade frowned. "Koharu, I banished you from Konoha."
The older woman gave a displeased look. "Yes, after all that we've done for the sake of the village."
Tsunade sneered. "Look at what you and the rest of your foolish friends have done. Konoha's been devastated, and we've lost many of our brothers and sisters. Look at what you've done to me!"
Koharu's face softened slightly. "It was a horrible accident. Something that never should have happened if it weren't for Danzo's experiments."
Tsunade narrowed her eyes dangerously. "Don't try to excuse yourself from the blame. You're just at much at fault like that old bastard is. I nearly died because of you fools."
The older woman looked away. "Yes, you're right. And he paid the price for it," the former elder said.
"But not before the damage was done," Tsunade retorted as she felt her patience wear thin.
Koharu glanced back at the younger woman with a serious look. "Now's not the time to argue the past," she said slightly impatient. "I know what you intend to do, and I'm advising you to reconsider it."
The slug sannin raised a delicate eyebrow. "I believe that after all that you've done, it merits me to not trust your judgment."
Koharu glared at Tsunade. "You can question my methods, but you can't deny that all I ever wanted was the wellbeing of Konoha!"
Tsunade's eyes flashed dangerously. "Watch your tongue before I end your pitiful existence," she hissed.
Unperturbed, Koharu continued. "You'll damn us all if you free her," the older woman warned.
Tsunade gave a dry smirk. "Not any more than you have."
The former elder stepped forward. "You have no idea what you're dealing with! This thing is not even of our world. You have no idea what'll happen if you merge with her."
The slug sannin closed her eyes, and looked away. "On the contrary, I know her more than anyone else. After all… I birthed her."
"What a miracle it was that you survived. If it weren't for your Byakugō no In you would have died."
Tsunade opened her blank eyes as suppressed memories invaded her mind. "You would have liked that, wouldn't you?" She asked quietly.
Koharu let out a sharp breath. "Don't be stupid. Your survival was the only reason Konoha was saved. The question is, why did you keep that thing alive?"
Tsunade whipped her head to face the older woman. "You have no right to judge my actions. I could easily ask you what in the world were you thinking when you brought back those eggs from the crash site?"
The former elder's face flushed indignantly. "It was the discovery of a lifetime! The technology that was onboard would have given us the edge over all the other countries!"
The slug sannin's eyes narrowed once more. "Yet you didn't think about the possible consequences that would arise by bringing back foreign biological samples. That advantage was not worth the loss Konoha suffered."
Her point struck a blow onto the former elder who visibly flinched, but she persisted nonetheless. "If that's the case, why do you use their metal to make the armor for your army?"
A tense silence went by as both women were lost in their thoughts. The slug sannin began to visibly shake from rage.
She focused her wary attention on the former elder who replaced the thick hood over her head.
She stared straight into the younger woman's eyes. "I am very sorry for all that has happened, but resorting to using her will only bring more harm than good. Minato has already sent Jiraiya to Oto. Why won't you wait for them to make a move?"
Tsunade closed her eyes, and breathed in deeply. "It's about time that I took matters into my own hands. Besides, Orochimaru made things more personal when he decided to hold Sakura hostage."
Koharu lowered her head so that her face was hidden by the darkness. "Ah yes, your apprentice. You don't suppose that Orochimaru knows the truth about that poor girl's fate?"
Tsunade's eyes flashed open, and glared at the former elder with intense hatred. "I'll personally rip out that snake's heart before he even so much as lay a hand on Sakura," she threatened venomously.
The older woman looked away. "How much you've changed," she said quietly.
Just as quickly as she appeared, Koharu blended in with the forest scenery, leaving Tsunade alone with her worries.
Tsunade snarled, and punched a nearby tree, leaving an impressive dent in its bark.
She held her fist out as she panted heavily. She gritted her teeth. Damn that old hag, she cursed mentally.
Tsunade took some deep breaths, and with a shaky exhale, went on her way.
When she arrived at a considerable distance from the forest's outskirts, she executed a few hand signs, and focused chakra all around her.
Her body began to disfigure as it turned to leaves that blew with the wind.
Several kilometers to the north, Tsunade teleported to her destination.
She sat on top of her grandfather's statue in the Valley of the End, a man who valued peace and the Will of Fire over violence.
Tsunade chuckled dryly at the irony of what she was about to do.
She jumped down, and landed gracefully onto the ground. She stood up, and walked towards the running waterfall.
She passed through the rushing water, and entered a dark cave.
Her superior eyesight allowed to walk without difficulty, until she reached the edge.
Tsunade could feel steam rising from down below.
With a deep breath, the woman jumped down.
Once again, she landed safely, and walked down the narrow space between the large boulders.
She squeezed through, and entered a vast chamber with a natural hot spring. With a flick of her wrist, various torches alit with flames.
Light droplets of sweat formed on her face, but Tsunade paid them no mind as she walked over to a switch.
She momentarily hesitated as she grabbed the lever. Time to resurrect you, she thought before pulling the lever down.
Immediately, the floor in front of her began to separate as chains from the ceiling slowly started to rise.
Within moments, a large black mass was lifted from the compartment below until the chains fully retreated within their chambers.
Tsunade took a moment to study the frozen body with blank eyes.
She pressed a button beside the lever, which activated electric currents that ran through the immobile body.
After a minute, a large hand burst from its frozen cage, and slowly stretched as if it ached greatly.
The other hand broke free, and the entire body began to shake as its face slid out of its head covering.
It opened its wide mouth, and revealed rows of frightening-looking teeth. The creature let out a harsh hiss before its voice became stronger and turned into a victory roar. I am free!
Tsunade stepped around the lever, and walked over to the resurrected creature. You have me to thank, she thought.
The Akuma looked down at her, and hissed lowly in recognition. Hosuto[1], she acknowledged and tipped her massive head as low as the chains allowed.
Tsunade bowed to the waist, and looked up fondly. I apologize for keeping you frozen for so long. You needed the time to heal, just as I needed to restore order.
The large Akuma sniffed the air. I sense a great restlessness in this land, she stated.
Tsunade's eyes hardened. Yes. Your children have been out of control, especially recently. I fear that they may have sensed another queen, and are heading towards her.
The creature snarled in disgust. I shall restore order as soon as I'm free.
The slug sannin shook her head. I'm afraid it's not as easy as simply letting you go. I… I want to merge with you.
The Akura shot its head up in surprise. You want us to become one?
A smile that did not reach Tsunade's eyes wrinkled her face. Yes. That's exactly what I want. With the two of us together, no force will dare to stand against us.
A harsh expression wiped away the fake smile. I want revenge for what was done to us.
A mental hum passed through their connection.
Finally, the creature slightly nodded. Very well. I am ready to begin when you are.
Tsunade jumped on top of the Akuma, and sat on her head.
She closed her eyes. This won't be an easy process. It will take time.
The Akuma hissed in understand, and Tsunade focused chakra around her, before she slowly began to spread it to her spawn.
The countdown to disaster had begun.
[1] I'm not sure if this is the accurate translation, but apparently that means "host" in Japanese.