Impervious
Regret and Redemption
(A long time ago…Yushin is 20)
It's not everyday you're summoned to the shrine because the gods wish to see you. I'm betting it has to do with the completion of my trials or something that I finished up not too long ago.
I walk over to my main god's shrine, Jevel, and I put some blood on the stone to bring him forth since the gods want to speak with me. I do the small ritual and after some rumbling a familiar copy of myself crawls out of the well just to my left.
My clone stands up and greets me, " Hello Yushin, you're probably wondering why we called you here in such a hurry."
" Indeed. Is there something the matter?" I inquire most curiously since the gods rarely ever have demands.
" It has to deal with the completion of your training. It's a prophecy from the god, Garmuth."
" Really? This is my gift for the trials?" I ask a bit irritated I'm just going to be told some silly riddle that isn't true for my good fortunes.
" Silence! You mustn't be foolish now young Yushin. Our prophecies do come true eventually, and we believe you are a critical component for the world's balance." Jevel barks back and I straighten up. He seems dead serious about this prophecy.
" Well, what is it?"
Jevel takes in a deep breathe and blinks slowly before going on, " Alright, listen up good because I will only say this once, and listen very carefully. ' The chosen one bearing a spiral eye shall restore order to a divided land.' We believe you are the one to discover this "chosen one" and be the catalyst for balance among the shinobi world."
" Hmmm. What is this 'spiral eye' that you spoke of? Is it a deformity or something?" I ask since it seems quite strange.
" No. From my understanding it is the rinnegan. The sacred doujutsu of the sage of six paths from the ancient times. There has been accounts of incarnates since his time having the same eyes, but it is rare." Jevel explains and I nod.
" Ok, so I'm supposed to go out and find a myth?" I question slightly irked that I've been rewarded with a wild goose chase.
Jevel shrugs as he walks back over to his well and starts to climb in and says, " I don't make the rules, and I'm just the messenger. If you really want to complain, talk with Garmuth. Farewell, you will need luck to seek out the rinnegan." After he said that he disappeared into his well.
I walk back into the center of the shrine and pull out my transportation scroll. The rinnegan is what I must find, but where do I start? And how will find this ' Chosen One'? Sometimes I hate the gods for being so damn vague. Sure makes my life more complicated.
(Present Time)
" Yushin! Why did you drug us to the freaky shrine again!" Tsuma moans as Zakaru follows behind her along with Kimimaro. It's about time I let them in on who I a truly am.
" Silence. All of you take a seat; I have something very important for you all to hear. Something that will dictate your destinies." I command as the three of them settle on a spot on the cool ground of the shrine.
" Yushin-sama, why did you bring us here?" Zakaru asks and I coolly respond, " To make sure nobody spies on us."
I sit down infront of them once it everyone quieted down and I slowly say, " I've…. Done things in my past that I regret, and for that reason I keep them where they should be. In old history books and my memory. But, I sense the time is drawing near for a great change in the shinobi world, and I fear I cannot do it alone. I tried once, and I failed."
" What is this 'change' you speak of?" Kimimaro asks from behind Tsuma and Zakaru.
" A shift in either towards peace or domination. I sense war is drawing near and the reemergence of my identity has put me even more on edge. As we speak some that already know who I am plot against me due to whom I am and used to be. I used to have the goal to unite the shinobi world like so many before me and after, and I nearly did it over 100 years ago." I explain to my group.
" What happened?" Tsuma asks in a serious tone, which is a little strange due to her 'fun' personality.
" Not many know, or even remember that it was I who started the first shinobi war. Most credit Hashirama Senju and Shodaime Kazekage Keuro Omacho for the war, where it was I who persuaded Hashirama for us to band together and fight for our dreams of peace, which were very similar to each other. Eventually Suna teamed up with Iwa, Ame, Yu, and Kusa to strike down Konoha, Kiri and Taki. Kumo stayed neutral at the time being which suited me just fine. Around 5 years into the war I infiltrated Suna by myself and assassinated the Kazekage turning the tide for my side in the war temporarily." I pause for a moment to see if anybody has any questions, but they all seem fixated on my story.
I continue, " So, with Suna crippled and Iwa at bay, I turned my attention to Kumo and attacked. Konoha decided to lay low since they were tired of war as Hashirama was losing patience in all the bloodshed, and eventually went neutral. About 4 months into the attack against Kumo I faced the Shodaime Raikage, one of the most fearsome shinobi I've ever faced to this very day. We fought for almost a day and a half until he used his ultimate lightning style jutsu to nearly kill me. Defeated and with Konoha on the verge to betray me at any moment while my own government started to have doubts about me, I fled. I accepted defeat and disappeared to Taki where I would lay low."
" So…you started the whole conflict between nations?" Zakaru asks in an adamant tone.
" Not exactly, but I made it official. There has been conflict since the dawn of time, and I just started it in a new age trying to unite everyone and end future bloodshed. After my failure I turned my focus to the prophecy of the gods, which I will tell you three now. 'The chosen one bearing a spiral eye shall restore order to a divided land'. I've sought out the Chosen One for almost 100 years and no success as of yet, but to my knowledge the " Spiral eye" or rinnegan, the legendary doujutsu of the sage of six paths himself, has remerged thanks to a reliable source, I sense the time of the prophecy is near." I explain to my pupils as the digest the large amount of information.
The first one to speak up is Tsuma who asks, " So how does this work back to us?"
" Simple. I've made mistakes about this before but I do hope you Tsuma are the Chosen One." I answer to receive shocked looks from everyone, besides Kimimaro who manages to seem unfazed.
" Me? Is this some kind of prank?" Tsuma blurts out as Zakaru adds, " I think you're off your rocker Yushin-sama. Pervert girl is hardly the image of a "Chosen One" in any book, plus she doesn't have the rinnegan."
I rub my chin and tilt my head to the left slightly a reply, " True you are Zakaru, but the gods as well as I sense Tsuma is indeed the chosen one. Not only have the trials make you stronger, but also they have shown your inner self, which is why I have faith in you. You may be strange, but as a warrior you are serious, intelligent and valiant. That is why you have passed the trials and why you are the Chosen One."
" What about the rinnegan? You said it yourself that someone with the rinnegan is the Chosen One." Counter Kimimaro as he stretches out his legs.
" Indeed, but I've analyzed the prophecy carefully. It says ' a spiral eye' which can be interpreted that it is only one eye of the rinnegan, and it doesn't say anything about it having to be the original user. As I delved deeper into research about the rinnegan I sense that the bijuu will play a crucial part in this prophecy as well." I respond and Tsuma gets a weird look on her face.
" So wait. Your saying you want some eye implanted in me? Why don't you do it since you could be the Chosen One after all? It seems all too much for something like this to be my destiny." Tsuma dryly responds as she crosses her arms and narrows her eyes at me.
" Impossible. My kekkei genkai will reject any foreign body parts and blood transfusions, thus turning them into a rotted organ and soon after into dust once in my body. You alone must bear the rinnegan, and don't worry. I will be here at your side to guide you." I say to ease Tsuma of the sudden overload she's experiencing.
" Okay, so the rinnegan has appeared and you think Tsuma is the Chosen One, but the world is fine right now. What's got you thinking the time is drawing near." Zakaru skeptically asks and I look into his eyes and say, " Akatsuki. They are what are going to throw this world into turmoil, mark my words. Kakuzu, who I once believed to be the Chosen One is among the group and my intel says the leader is the one who bears the rinnegan. If this isn't it, I don't know what is." I say to Zakaru who seems to accept my answer.
I take another deep breath and close my eyes before asking, " Which has me asking this…. Will you three accept this task?"
The three of them look at each other for a few brief awkward moments and Kimimaro stands up and is the first to say, " I am in. I'm grateful for you saving my life, and I shall help you by any means necessary."
I bow to Kimimaro just as Tsuma jolts up and says, " Well if I am the Chosen One like you say I am, Kimimaro is along for the ride and sounds like an exciting adventure, I'm in. You've always had my back so you can count on me!"
I look over to Zakaru who is still on the ground and mumbles, " Well I'm not going to be left out, so count me in too. It'll give me more time to win more games of Shogi against you Yushin."
As Zakaru stands up I smile at the three of them and proudly state, " I'm glad you three have taken on this burden, but I swear it won't be in vain. That is a promise as your sensei, some what of a parent, and as a friend."
" Great. Now…what's the first move?" Tsuma anxiously asks as her eyes wander aimlessly around the shrine.
" Well. First is obtaining the rinnegan, which won't be easy and for a bit. Once the Akatsuki leader has reveled himself we can put our plan into action. For now, we remain as Konoha shinobi and play it cool." I instruct to my disciples and they seem to get the message.
" Alright! Now let's leave because this place is still really creepy!" Tsuma joyously shouts in her usual mood and I pull out the transportation scroll. Finally, after all this time the prophecy has a chance to come true and bring balance, and best of all I have these three to be by my side, rather than trying to forcefully do it my myself like before. I wouldn't have it any other way this time around.