SMST: "Hero Initiative!" – By DS Wynne


Disclaimer: "Sailor Moon", "Ranma ½", "Star Trek", "DC/Marvel Comics" and other concepts belong to their respective owners.

Note: This is a multi-genre story.


Part 43
Meanwhile…

Within one of her many secret lairs, Lady Usashinko—The Orochimaruko—was in her study when Kabuto-onna enters the room. She was dressed in a violet kimono, and carried a tray of steaming tea, a cup and saucer, and small dish of animal crackers.

"I have brought you your snack, Lady Usashinko," Kabuto-onna says.

"Good," Usagi says, as she continues her work. She was trying to figure out her next move…against the Akatsuki.

"Sit it down…over there," Usagi says, as she points to a small table.

"Of course, Lady Usashinko," Kabuto-onna says, as she does as she is told. She then turns to Usagi.

"Lady Usashinko, how long-?"

"If you wish to be allowed to have use of your male form, you will have a long wait," Usagi says, as she finishes uploading data onto "The Digital Web". She stops, and turns to look at her retainer. "By the way, I do hope my instruction in the art of 'inujutsu' has not…affected you adversely."

Kabuto-onna looks down, but determined not show signs of feeling humiliated.

"Your instruction has been…informative, Lady Usashinko."

"Not that I believe you, Kabuto, but it is still nice to know."

"Thank you-"

"Oh, I want you to begin restoring those so-called experiments that my…predecessor liked to partake in."

Kabuto-onna mulls over "her" mistress' words.

"But why?"

"I told you…I am in the perfect body. The whole point of those ungodly experiments was to become more powerful. I happen to be in one of the most powerful body in the world…and perhaps beyond. And besides, that which makes me 'Usagi Tsukino' has tempered my more nefarious leanings…mostly."

"I see," Kabuto-onna says. "Then…what purpose is there for us?"

Usashinko smirks. She takes a sealed file from her desk and tosses it to Kabuto-onna…who catches it easily.

"In my long life, I have developed quite a rogues gallery. And for most of that time, I allowed them to come to me."

Usagi pauses for a moment.

"It has been brought to my attention that a 'secret invasion' of Earth has been initiated by an alien species known 'Skrulls'."

"'Skrulls'?"

"They are shapeshifters…which make them perfect for infiltration purposes. And so far, they have infiltrated human society on a scale that I have never seen before, especially the so-called 'metahuman' community."

"So, how does this affect us?"

"They have already infiltrated 'The Hand'," Usagi says. "And if the Skrulls can infiltrate five shinobi clans, then it doesn't take a genius to realize that all the other shinobi clans within the 'Go Kamasori Gama' are equally vulnerable to Skrull infiltration."

Usagi pauses again.

"This…I will not stand. I will not sit by and allow all my work to create a better tomorrow for this planet to be perverted. Being a hero will not allow me to do what it takes to prevent this from happening."

"Ah," Kabuto-onna says with understanding. "I understand, now."

"Yes, and I rather have the Fuuma clan whole and ready for my crusade, rather than in the mess that it is in now."

Silence.

"And what of Sasuke Uchiha?" Kabuto-onna asked. "What will be his purpose?"

Usagi leans back in her chair.

"My son Genshin will handle most of the training duties," Usagi says. "The more…esoteric training will be MY job."

"Of course. And what of his girlfriend Maiko Fuuma? How does she factor in all this?"

"Heh, they're just friends, Kabuto. And besides, I believe Sasuke would rather train to kill his older brother, than to know the art of young romance."

Pause.

"By the way, what is the status report on the Sound Ninja Eight?"

"Kimimaru has successfully acquired three members of the 'Great Lakes Initiative' team, while one has escaped."

"Excellent. Their test is proceeding nicely. I want you to personally make sure that their needs are attended to. There is no need for any interrogations, RIGHT?"

"Yes, of course," Kabuto-onna says, as she adjusted her glasses.

"Good. Because I would be very unhappy if my instructions are not followed to the letter."

Meanwhile…

"There," says the middle-aged man, as he breathed heavily. "We should be safe for now…"

"What the heck did you do NOW, pervy sage?" the boy yells.

"STOP CALLING ME THAT!"

"Naruto, you should be treating him with little bit more respect," the pink-haired girl says. "He IS one of the legendary sanin."

"Yeah, right!"

"Um, excuse me," Spy Smasher managed to say. "Could someone tell me what's going on?"

These three shinobi turns to face three others.

"Well, it looks like you picked up new friends," the older man says, as he smiles broadly. "Yeah, they just came up to us," the boy says.

"Who are you people?" the girl asked.

Spy Smasher turns to her companions, who both shrugged their shoulders.

"My name is Katrina," Spy Smasher says. "And these are my companions 'Craig' and 'Doreen'."

"Hey," Mister Immortal says with a wave.

"Hello," Squirrel-Girl says bubbly.

"Katrina," Jiriya says, as he takes Spy Smasher by the hand. "What a lovely name…"

"Er, yes," Katrina says, as she removed her hand from his. "And you are…?"

"Allow me to introduce myself," Jiriya says, as he stood back while unfolding a fan. "I am HE who stands for righteous justice! I am HE who is a man amongst men…and a man amongst women! I AM the legendary 'Toad Sage'…Jiraiya Konohani!"

"…"

"Surely, you have heard stories of my gallant ways, no?"

"Actually, we're just…American tourists," Craig says.

"Mister Konohani, I would like to hear those stories," Doreen says, with hearts in her eyes.

"Ah, a fan…"

"Um, not to pry, but what just happened back there?" Katrina asked.

"Let's just say there were a misunderstanding."

"Ha, I bet!" Naruto says in a gruff manner.

The pink haired girl shook her head. She then remembered something.

"Oh, where are my manners," the girl began. "My name is Sakaura Haruno, and this is-"

"Naruto Uzumaki…BELIEVE IT!"

Katrina looked at Naruto intensely. There was something familiar about the boy…

"And if I may ask, what are you three doing here in the Land of Sound?" Jiraiya asked.

"Just…taking in the sights," Katrina says. "We wanted to see the town that you had just left, but-"

"But that would be not a wise thing to do at the moment," Jiraiya says. "And you say you are tourists?"

"Yes."

"Well, perhaps I can be your guide during your stay."

Katrina looks at her companions.

"Very well, then, Mister Konohani-"

"Please, call me Jiraiya."

"Um, sure," Katrina says. "We will accept your offer."

"Great! Of course, I would have to charge a nominal fee…"

As the adults spoke, and as Naruto scoffs, Sakura stares at Doreen. According to her senses, what she looked like was a false image…

Meanwhile…

"Man, I can't shake that guy OFF," Ranma says, as he enters his new home, which was near Nekomi Institute of Technology ("NIT"), in Nekomi Prefecture.

Akane Tendo, who trying to arrange the new furniture, turns to face her fiancé. Since she was going to be married in a few days, she wanted to make sure that the house was ready for use, when she and her soon-to-be husband Ranma return from their honeymoon.

"Shake WHO off, Ranma?" Akane asked.

"You know that guy I'm supposedly dating?"

"Ah, you mean Taki Mitsuguri?"

"Yeah. No matter what I do, he insists on trying to date me. I even took him on dangerous 'missions', and yet he perceives me as HIS girlfriend."

"I see…"

"And I'm surprised that YOU are taking things so casually."

"Because I know that you won't end up being another man's girlfriend, that's why," Akane says, as she adjusted a painting that she had just bought. "And besides, after being held hostage by that Gravyn guy…well, I'm just putting things into perspective."

"Wow," Ranma says, as he folds his arms. "I LIKE this…new you."

"Ranma, I've ALWAYS been this way. I was just afraid to…face certain truths."

"Like what?"

Akane goes over to Ranma and gives him a kiss.

"That I liked you when we first met."

"Feh," Ranma replied. "Then what was that table slam for?"

"Hey, I DID say that I was afraid of facing certain truths, you know. And for the record, you DID have that coming."

"Humph!"

Tbc.