Chapter 36
Hospital blues
"Sentence." -Speech
'Sentence.' - Thoughts
'Sentence' -Kyara's/Kyuubi's mental dialogue
"Sentence." -Distorted speech/Jutsu.
The Kiri General Hospital was, rather ironically given the turbulent history of it's village, one of the most technologically advanced of it's kind, and boasted the highest rate of patient recovery in the Five Great Shinobi Nations. It was first established during the Nidaime Mizukage's reign, in an effort to lessen the mortality rate.
And for the most part, his plan succeeded.
Civilian-wise, the average life-span increased for men by six years, and for women by a whopping ten. Less birth complications occurred, resulting in a higher birth-rate for Kiri as well, with at least six newborns each day, all birthed at Kiri General.
But for the shinobi, not much changed. Medic-nin weren't truly capable of fully healing wounds in the field like a stay in the hospital. They could stabilize wounded shinobi, but an individual medic-nin was incapable of restoring a severely wounded shinobi back to fighting condition. A team of five medic-nin, utilizing the Chikatsu Saisei no Jutsu (Healing Resuscitation Regeneration Technique), could heal mortal wounds, but it had a very low success rate due to the fact it took an extremely long time, so long, that spare medic-nin were assigned to replace members of the team when their chakra reserves dwindled to dangerously low levels.
Ultimately, while the Nidaime's plans only truly affected the civilians, it still meant that Kiri had the ability to be prideful for the fact that civilian deaths were more often than not, because of natural causes.
If only they could stop that nasty habit of civil war. Then the Kiri-nin could say that as well.
Today was a rather hectic day for the doctors and nurses that worked at Kiri General. Several dozen wounded shinobi limped in, each touting tales of monsters that spit acid, had sharp tails, or immense blades attached to arms that burst out of their shoulders. The hospital was filled almost to capacity, which meant every doctor and nurse was called in to work.
A female patient scowled as her television's screen became awash with static, ruining the Princess Gale movie she was watching. With a light growl, she grabbed the little remote, mashing buttons in an effort to somehow fix the TV. Little did she know, that every television screen both in the hospital, and in the entirety of Kiri was producing the white noise.
Just as she was about to shout angrily at any nearby staff, the hospital TV produced an identifiable image. Just not of the Princess Gale movie.
It seemed to be of the office building of the broadcast company's HQ where the subterranean cables that brought the TV signal to Kiri originated from. But rather than the normal to and fro of blue collared workers maintaining the signal, ensuring the people of Kiri got their daily dose of mindless drivel, the walls of the office were drenched in blood. Bodies were everywhere in the room, in varying states of damage, from dismemberment, to bifurcation, and some were even on fire, the sound of crackling flesh faintly being picked up by the camera's microphone.
And demanding the full attention of every person watching, was a trench-coat clad figure, directly in the center of the camera's field of view. He wore a double-filtered gas mask, with glowing red lenses, and black helmet to conceal his features, as well as black gloves to further hide his identity. The masked man held tightly onto a struggling office worker, the balding man begging to be allowed to live. As if he were lifting a feather, the masked man clamped his right hand down on his hostage's neck, silencing his cries, hoisting him up. The hostage clawed at the gloved hand around his throat, in a desperate, and vain attempt to free himself.
Nonchalantly, the masked man jerked his wrist harshly, with a sharp crack of his victim's vertebrae snapping. Tossing aside the now paralyzed hostage, the masked man walked forward to the camera and leaned over, until only his masked head was in frame.
"I am addressing Kiri as a whole." He crackled out through what may have been an electronic voice changer. "My name is Jupiter. And I seek one thing. To personally kill your Mizukage." Jupiter put his hands behind his back, leaning in closer. "For every day Yagura continues to live, I will detonate a bomb in Kirigakure. There is already one set in Kiri General Hospital."
The patient's eyes widened in horror, as she took a quick glance to the hall through the small window in her room door. There were a few nurses there, all huddled around a television on the desk of the nurse's station. From the muffled screams she could barely hear through the walls and said door, they were terrified as well.
She quickly returned her attention to the TV, but not before glaring hatefully at the casts on her legs. Why did she have to try and imitate those damn ninjas anyway? All that accomplished was a fall from a rooftop, and two shattered femurs. The nurses had since fled, and left her behind, more interested in saving their own hides.
"This is only a warning. A sign of things to come. I won't stop killing. Not until I get Yagura. Bring him to me alive. Or I'll see your village crumble. Building by building." Jupiter sinisterly threatened, forming a hand-seal.
And anyone who was watching their television, from the comfort of their own home, or through the window of an electronics store, they all heard that one word.
The word, which heralded the deaths of over a hundred.
"Katsu."
Before the patient could announce her last regrets to any who would hear them, the hospital shook violently. She was situated on the top floor, underneath which, were twenty-four other floors.
The last thing she ever felt, was the sensation of floating upwards, as the building she was in collapsed in on itself. Then nothing, as the ceiling above slammed into her mercilessly.
On the limits of Kiri, Naruto strolled out of the broadcast company building, whistling a little tune. He raised a single hand into a half-seal.
"Katsu."
And like the destroyed hospital in the distance, the office complex was reduced to a mere pile of rubble, the support pillars that kept it standing having been destroyed with more high-explosive tags. The accompanying cloud of concrete dust serving to conceal his quick shunshin.
No evidence.
No survivors.
(The Sea Cave)
With a thick cloud of black smoke, Naruto re-appeared in the cave, much to the delight of the Brawlers and Hydras. Before they could get too rowdy, he allowed them some time outside, to do whatever they wished. From killing animals to eat, to killing people to eat, and just plain killing. Naruto couldn't care less. He had more important matters to think over.
Like the fact that Yagura's days were numbered. Naruto had consumed a medic-nin in order to acquire a suitable disguise to infiltrate the hospital. The medic-nin was an expert in neurology, specializing in the after-effects that genjutsu had on the human brain.
As it turns out, this particular medic-nin was sent a top-secret document about the Mizukage's current status a few years before. It was incredibly vague, only providing some quips about how Yagura was experiencing a disrupted chakra flow to his brain, oddly similar to what was caused by an extremely powerful genjutsu. The medic-nin was ordered to provide an estimation of the kind of damage this could result in, and after filling out his reply in the document, it vanished in a puff of smoke.
The estimations included and were not limited to, major stroke, loss of motor function, and eventual brain death. If that last one came true, it presented a huge problem.
If Yagura were to become a vegetable, it meant that his consumption would have a high potential of yielding little to no memories. Of course, Naruto would still acquire his DNA, but that didn't matter. The knowledge Yagura possessed was incredibly valuable.
Would Naruto be able to somehow reverse the genjutsu? Presumably, with the Sharingan. Mikoto had a good deal of experience with the Sharingan. Naruto could do with some coaching by her. Reversing it was only to ensure that Yagura's brain, and thusly, his memories would remain intact for consumption.
While he did now possess Indra, the original wielder of the Sharingan's memories, he would have to fish through nearly a thousand years worth of them, sifting through not only Indra's personal memories and experiences, but also those of his numerous re-incarnations. Something which Naruto simply didn't have the time for right now.
Well, while he was here, he could also upgrade Kubikiribocho. Maybe combine the Kiba's attribute of Raiton manipulation with the zanbatou, and vice-versa for the Kiba, adding on the ability for the blades to repair themselves with the blood of it's victims. Ameyuri would certainly like that. Naruto could even change the grips, make them more ergonomic, and thusly, the blade easier to handle. Should be simple.
And then there was also the matter of teaching Saya how to fully shape-shift like he could. And ensuring Saiyuri wasn't mentally reprogrammed like the rest of his Evolved. Not to mention figuring out a solution to Anastasia's chakra problems. Last, but not least, planning Yagura's assassination and consumption. Naruto's bombing of the hospital was in an effort to turn the people of Kiri against him. Induce anarchy. In addition, the Mizukage would likely recall a large amount of shinobi to the village in anticipation for another bombing, as well as to control the populace in the event of rioting, providing the rebels a prime opportunity to attack understaffed Loyalist encampments.
Oh yes, and heading back to Mei because he didn't think ahead when acquiring her DNA. Sure, he could transform his chakra into Yoton (Lava Release) and Futton (Boil Release) natures, but Naruto didn't know any actual jutsu.
That being said, Mei was a rather interesting individual. Obviously charismatic. Admittedly very attractive physically. A waste to just consume. She'd make a good Evolved. That, and if she took over as Mizukage, then he would get an entire village under his thumb. What a prospect.
It never stopped for him, did it? All work, no play.
Thankfully, a fully awake Saiyuri helped him out.
"Naru-kun!"
Naruto was tackled to the ground roughly by an air-borne Saiyuri, with him unable to even cry out in surprise. Her onyx eyes gleaming with exuberant joy.
"I'm like you now! I have the virus!" She happily exclaimed, almost shouting.
With a slight groan, Naruto sat up, Saiyuri straddling him by the waist.
"Hi, Yuri-chan. Good to see you awake." A gloved hand gripped her firm derriere, squeezing lightly, prompting Saiyuri's cheeks to flush slightly. "But I'd like to get up now." His lips twitched into a sly smirk. "Unless of course, you want to remain in your current position. I'm not complaining."
Saiyuri's cheeks blazed crimson as something stiff bumped against her groin, and she quickly got off Naruto, stuttering all the while.
"Erm...Uh...y-you...I didn't m-mean to..."
Snickering, Naruto got to his feet, wrapping an arm around Saiyuri's waist, pulling her in close, and cupping her cheek gently with his free hand.
"You have no idea just how cute it is when you blush and stutter like that." He admitted, his eyes glowing in amusement. They soon lost that glow, as concern took hold instead. "How you holding up? Your body underwent a lot of changes. Do you feel any pain or discomfort?"
Her blush quickly faded away, as Saiyuri laid her own hand upon Naruto's, leaning into it slightly.
"Not at all. Why?" She made eye-contact with him, a hint of fear within her eyes. "Did something go wrong?"
Shaking his head slowly, Naruto tried to put his worries into words.
"Nothing physically. It's...mentally, where I'm concerned. The other Evolved, they regard me with reverence. My word is law to them. They are simply incapable of refusing a direct order from me. You can see where I'm getting at, yes?"
Saiyuri nodded, the apprehension she was feeling vanishing.
"You're worried that I don't have free will anymore." She whispered, her free hand coming up to his face, gently stroking his whisker marks.
"Yes." Naruto breathed out. "You know how I go on and on about leaving this world, about gaining freedom, but...I want you...all of the magnificent women who I love with every fiber of my being, to share in that liberty." With a sigh, he leaned forward slightly, bumping foreheads with Saiyuri. "I couldn't bear it, knowing that I had willingly brainwashed you, to the point you were like Ameyuri, and Haku. Capable of some independent thought...but irreversibly bound to me. To my will."
Saiyuri smiled lightly, helping ease Naruto somewhat.
"I'm starting to think you worry too much, Naruto. I'm fine. I promise."
The whiskered blonde chuckled briefly, agreeing with her.
"I suppose I am. I'm fairly certain I'd be getting gray hairs with all the things I stress over."
The Uchiha Heiress giggled along with him, before asking a question that gave Naruto pause.
"Do you have the Sharingan now?"
"I think so." He closed his eyes, and pumped chakra into them. Slowly, Naruto re-opened them, revealing a pair of mature Sharingan eyes. Three tomoes spinning lazily. The whiskered blonde raised an eyebrow when he saw what appeared to be the flow of chakra within Saiyuri, colored a with a soft blue. "Huh. Guess I do. Only problem is, I have no experience with it."
"Me and Kaa-san can teach you..." Saiyuri muttered offhandedly, enraptured by the sight of another pair of Sharingan eyes. The only times she ever saw that doujutsu anymore was when looking in the mirror with them activated, or at her mother's eyes when she had them activated. It was something that deeply saddened Saiyuri, knowing that the Sharingan was a rarity now. And yet, it was combated by the intense elation she felt as she looked upon Naruto's Sharingan eyes.
Another thing they had in common now.
"I was planning on asking Mikoto for some help anyway." He blinked, eyes returning to their normal blue-silver. "Well? Come on. Lots of things to do today. Let's get this whole Sharingan training thing underway."
Naruto walked away, intending on waking up Mikoto.
The day was still young. Only around 5:45 AM.
More than enough time to do all those little errands.
Maybe afterward, Naruto could kick back and relax. Let things happen without his input.
Hopefully, Mei would recognize the opening Naruto had given her with the bombing, and take full advantage of it.
It was time to end this little escapade.
Time to start making plans for Yagura's demise.
And that's another chapter down. So, yeah. Civil War is coming to a close. Naruto's a mad bomber and anarchist now. Yada-yada.
Got something kind of important to discuss. A beta.
I'm not a perfect writer. I will admit that readily. And I'm a hundred percent certain that I have a lot of areas that I'm fairly weak in.
So...if you want to help me out, make writing a bit easier for me, let me know either in a review, or in a PM.
And of course, if you have questions about the story itself, make sure to let me know, via the above methods.
Make Sure to Review.