The long-awaited chapter is here. The update you all have been waiting for. I've been taking my time with this chapter as it is important to the development of our hero's. The long-awaited meeting between the Shinigami and the Ice General Esdeath is at hand.

I won't apologize for the large gaps in between updates. This is how I ensure the quality of my craft.

With little more to say let's get on with the show!

EDIT: Please do note that the last part of this chapter is some concept work from chapters 5 and 6. So what you read here was the original work from chapter 5.

Disclaimer: I do NOT own any of the anime or characters who may appear in here. They are owned by their respective authors and copyright holders. I own nothing as I am a poor man who lives in an attic.

Bold Underlined Italics: Non-Human

Bold Italics: Attacks or Techniques

Bold Underline: Exclamations

Bold: Item Names

Italics: Thoughts and silent musing

Italic Underline: Letters and Reading

A man with a porcelain kitsune mask exhaled heavily. The past two weeks had been stressful. Far more than he was accustomed to. Kurome and a few of his agents had been moving around outside his orders. Now, this wasn't a large concern it was worrying. There were implications that varied in severity. The best-case scenario was they were simply acting a bit more independent. Something he advocated for constantly. The worst-case was someone found out some of his secrets and now his shadows were running damage control. To top things off Esdeath was slated to be back any minute now along with her entourage.

He would admit readily that he was a fan of the Partas woman's friend. Emilia was a breath of fresh air in the palace along with the Capitol as a whole. Being a descendant of a supposed 'witch' led to a stigma against her. It was truly a disservice to the white-haired noble/maid. Had he not pointed her in the direction of Esdeath he would have taken her for himself. People like her needed to be preserved and protected to the last breath.

Konan would be happy to be by his side once more as well. The poor woman clung to him identically to that of Kurome. Stripped of advanced and complex emotions what little she had was dulled. She could feel three emotions at any given time. Those being love, hate, and sadness. Treated like a lab rat for a time span nearing that of a decade, the blue-haired woman could pass as a doll seamlessly. It had taken Naruto years to help her feel anything again. The raging flames called emotions were not present in Konan. All that was left were the smoldering embers of a once great fire.

Finally, there was Esdeath herself. The woman he taught to fight. To hunt. To survive. He had looked after her when no one else would. Her father was the chief leaving little in the ways of time. His own grandfather was busy also being a 'secret' general and later the Shinigami. She had grown to be a near unrivaled goddess. Amongst the women of the Partas clan, she took a spot in the top three with ease. His own mother being the only one above her and Rem tying. Now all that was left was a slowly dying husk much like himself.

He was acutely aware of his own mortality. Especially now. With his time leaving the years and now entering the months he was moving much more. Decade's worth of groundwork was done and set. The Foundation was ready to be used. His death would come with the new era. The era of a cleansed Empire that would grow to a Utopia. All in the name of his sister, cousin, subordinates, and clan. Everyone under his command knew the stakes and was willing to give the same sacrifice. The only ones spared from this gruesome fate were those they were training to take over after them. Kurome, Aoshi's protegee, and some of the younger members as well.

The large doors leading to the throne room groaned while moving. Standing now in the grand doorway were five figures. The first four were easy to identify. Esdeath dressed in her usual attire strolled in with little care for those who shrunk away from her. The maid/noble Emilia was at her side like the alert attendant she was. Aizen was further back in the group with his meek and mild façade on full blast. The man wore the typical uniform of the members of the strongest general's army just with his glasses slightly askew. Konan, like the loyal assassin she was, stayed in the shadow of the two leading women. She was a true professional. The fifth figure walked in and came as little shock to those in the room. Budo, the lightning general, and his royal guards entered the room.

With the newest and final members of the meeting in attendance, the Shadow Hand made his move. Silent as the night he stalked out from the darkness behind Makoto's throne. He could feel the air grow tense with apprehension. He was always hidden in these meetings unless someone was going to be executed. The room grew quiet with his stance next to the Emperor.

The only people who acknowledged his presence were Budo with a nod of satisfaction. Aizen with a slight inclination of the head. Esdeath and her look of suspicion mixed with intrigue. Emilia with a light bow and cheeks gaining a pink hue. The last was Konan with a nearly unnoticeable brightening of her eyes. Honest knew he was here as always but didn't comment. Makoto looked happy to have the assassin here and by his side. The other occupants, being the various palace staff, military officers, and politicians felt a minute shiver crawl down their spines.

Turning to the eleven-year-old leader Naruto gave a light bow to him. His distorted voice soon traveled from his covered visage. Many in the room cringed at the near demonic tone.

"I have arrived as promised Lord Makoto. The documents have been collected and organized. Now they await your careful eye." The room stood frozen from the words. Someone was outed. But who? Who was going to be executed? The pondering members of the meeting didn't wait long.

"Excellent! With this, we can see if the culprit is guilty. Shinigami-san who would you recommend to go through these papers?" Honest wasn't the first choice? This was shocking to some, heartwarming to others, and left a bitter taste in Honest's mouth. Damned assassin had made him unable to shape Makoto's decision. Maybe he should push for someone in his pocket to be the overseer.

"I would recommend Lieutenant Aizen from the esteemed army under Esdeath-dono. He has a decorated history of exemplary service, strong morals, and a burning desire for justice. Before he entered the military, he was studying to be a lawmaker. He would be the best choice as the overseer. That is if Esdeath-dono has no issue." Well, there went that plan. The fat pig probably wouldn't get someone he wanted in charge. Shame that. He would have to try and bribe this Aizen guy or have him… removed.

"I see no problem with that Shinigami-dono. My army won't be marching anytime soon. Aizen…" The glasses-wearing soldier looked to his general with a swift salute. "You will help Shinigami-dono with whatever it is he needs, am I understood."

"Yes ma'am. I shall give my all when helping Shinigami-sama." A small side glance in the direction of the shadow-like man went mostly unnoticed. Esdeath was more curious than ever now. The Shadow Hand seemed to be familiar with her lieutenant. Interesting. She would inquire about it later. The obese pig wanted her report.

As she gave her in-depth verbal report the Esdeath could just barely make out movement on the edge of her peripherals. Shadows moving back and forth from corner to corner before landing near the Shinigami. With her part finished and Aizen taking over the report, she was given time to watch. While she would probably never admit to it, she admired the enigmatic Shinigami. Who he was and what he ultimately wanted was shrouded in the dark. His organization and shadows moved with unrestricted impunity. She knew he was strong. He had bested her in single combat. Even when teaming up with Budo she lost. Her Three Beasts had been soundly humbled by the man too.

"… General Esdeath what would you like your reward to be? Name it and we shall make sure you receive it without delay." The fat man's voice broke her line of thought for the moment. What did she want? She was originally going to as to hold a tournament to try finding a lover. Now things were different. As she was returning to the Empire, she had ample time to search her mind and deeper thoughts. With that time, she came to several conclusions. The one that changed her original thought was one glaring fact.

She loved her cousin. The Maelstrom of the Partas Clan had stormed her heart and become the center of it. Rem and herself had been the center of his world. Now she was the same with him. She could never love another man without comparing them to Naruto. So, she found a different reward to look forward to. Finding the two people who meant the world to her.

"I would like to find any remaining members of the Partas clan." The room quieted quickly. This was absolutely absurd to most of the attendants. The ruthless butcher wanted to find her family? Utterly ridiculous! She must want to find them so she can kill or torture them. Yes… that must be it. All but a select few could see past her well-maintained poker face. Anyone who knew her and of her past could glean the true reason. She wanted to find her cousins. That was her only concern. Naruto silently assessed how this could work in his favor.

With Esdeath now looking for himself and Rem that made the transition of his sister to the blue-haired woman easier. He could spin his previous plan with little flaw. Esdeath naturally wanting to find them had made many of his contingency plans around his beloved younger sister unneeded. Now a different problem arose. How would he convince Rem to keep his involvement quiet?

He had plans that fell well within his normal style of action of course. The problem was the justification of a select few. He had two ideas that were near one hundred percent in terms of success. His most viable option that stayed well within his moral compass was lying. He would request that Rem say he, Naruto, was Kitsune. Kitsune and the Shinigami were known as friends so him having Rem would make sense. While Esdeath would take it hard and possibly turn homicidal his sister could likely run damage control. With this 'Naruto' would be dead and the Shinigami would be someone else entirely.

His runner up plans conflicted with his personal ethics and very much conflicted with his moral compass. The plan was simple and had a perfect chance of success. Aizen had a teigu. A rare one at that. So much so that there were only speculations as to its existence. Mirror Moon Flower: Kyōka Suigetsu. The Teigu held the ability to put a limited number of targets in complete hypnosis. Ten people in total. Right now, as far as he had ordered only four slots should have been taken. With his Teigu, Aizen would, temporarily, 'alter' any memories of Naruto being alive. Naruto would have died in the North and as far as Rem would be concerned, he was just the Head Assassin of House Genryūsai, Menma Namikaze. A distant cousin of their late father's. Or something to that effect.

His biggest reservation was obvious. Even with a perfect rate of success for the hypnosis. How did he justify doing it to Rem? He swore to never harm her or let her be harmed. While he trusted Aizen implicitly his older brother instincts went haywire. The thought of having to do that burned him. Scalded him worse than when Yamamoto first used Ryujin Jakka on him.

Both Aizen and himself had talked at length over this action. The only glaring weakness of the Teigu was simple but equally lethal. If you knew what it looked like when it was activated but weren't the target you gained immunity. He had been the first person to become immune. Same with his personal staff. Everyone in the innermost circles of the Akatsuki and his praetorian guard had this done to them. If one had strong enough mental conditioning, they could throw the effects off as well. It was how they trained to resist torture and mind control-based abilities. Those kinds of people however were far and few between.

Luckily the dying Partas man still had time. With his current progression rate coupled with Ryujin and Sode buffering some effect he estimated he had ten months before he died. Eight months before he would start to drastically slow down physically. Five months before he needed to make his decision.

With the meeting almost done the various military staff started to leave. Budo and the royal guards left to make their usual rounds of the palace. Konan had vanished. Likely to her quarters to write her report. Emilia was waved off by Esdeath to make to her personal quarters. A twitch of his hand had his shadows tailing her. Aizen was gone to do whatever he does when he is alone. Probably reading or manipulating the corrupt staff. Cunning and shrewd were adjectives that defined Aizen.

"General Esdeath. The Emperor and I would like to make a request." Well, this should be good.

"Yes?"

"We would like you to make a group dedicated to finding and eliminating NightRaid. While I have faith in Shinigami-dono's shadows and hands they can only do so much. We would like you to make an elite strike team with the sole purpose of tracking and destroying the group. Is this something you can do?"

"Easily. I would need a list of potential members and access to the vault."

"I… We have already put a list together for you and access to the vault will be given for those you recruit. If that is all that you need you are welcome to start."

Esdeath however remained. Now he would have to stay. This could be interesting. No sooner than his finished thoughts did she speak.

"Minister Honest. It has come to my attention that you tried to arrest my private adjutant. Is this true?" Her tone was murderously cold. The fat man had earned the ire of a dangerous foe. If the sweat on his brow was any indication, he knew it too. The hidden Partas chuckled. He was glad he stayed.

"I haven't the slightest clue as to what you mean." Lying his way out huh. Not with Naruto fucking Partas here.

"So, it wasn't you who asked me to use my shadows to frame Emilia for conspiracy, espionage, and traitorous acts? Funny because I remember you signing the order personally. My memory must be slipping." If possible, the man paled further as the air grew a noticeable chill. You could see the pig of a human shift in discomfort.

"A-a lapse in judgment… Yes, that's it a lapse in judgment. I must have had a rough day and didn't read the documents correctly. A mistake that shall not happen again I assure you." The only one who believed him was Makoto. Even the shadows and guards looked on with veiled disgust.

"Be sure that it doesn't. For your own safety." The Partas general sneered as she replied. She should kill the man now and be done with it. After her trip, however, she would much prefer to relax and not make an enemy of the whole Empire. Granted the Shinigami wouldn't lift a finger to fight her but Budo would on principle alone.

A shaky nod from the minister was her response. She would keep an eye on him from now on. She turned to face the object of her investigations.

"If possible, I would like to thank you personally Shinigami-dono. Both for your aid in the war and for protecting a certain VIP." She turned to leave and wait for the man in her quarters with Emilia. He would be there soon.

"Well. That was eventful. Please refrain from angering her further Minister Honest. I fear in her rage Budo and myself would be unable to protect both you and Lord Makoto. The Empire would be… different… without your influence." His insinuations were less than hidden from the aforementioned man. Slipping into the shadows he vanished leaving Honest pale and Makoto confused by what his Shadow Hand meant.

Appearing outside of Esdeath's room he made sure his uniform was in order. 'Armor? Check. Mask? Check. Hair covered? Check. Teigu? Check. Hidden blade? Check. Nothing that can give me away? Check.' With the mental checklist finished he knocked. The reply was almost instant. Entering the room, he looked around it. He was now one of few who entered her domain and would live to tell.

The room was fairly spartan. A large king-sized bed. Love seat, armchair, coffee table set. Dressers and nightstands. Body mirror. A door leading to what he assumed was Emilia's new residence and another leading to a bathroom. The only interesting thing there was a few pictures she had on the nightstands. Pictures ranging from her first Danger Beast takedown in the North to her graduation from the military academy. It was odd to see the so-called 'ruthless butcher' keep sentimental items, or it would be if he didn't know her well.

Currently, Emilia and the owner of the room were seated on the love seat with a pot of tea freshly brewed and three cups set up. Moving to one of the armchairs he sat down with little hesitation. Moving his mask enough to take a sip of the brew he sighed at the taste.

"Perfection…" While barely audible both women could hear it perfectly. Emilia flushed heavily at the blissful and honest praise. Esdeath smirked at her attendant while privately thinking where she heard his voice before. She would get her answers sooner or later.

"Emilia's amusing reaction aside I would like to thank you and your assassins Shinigami-dono. If not for your interference I fear the worst would have happened to her. For that, you have my gratitude." The Shinigami sat there for a few moments silent as death itself. This continued until a slight chuckle exited his mask.

"You have nothing to thank me for Esdeath-dono. People such as Miss Emilia must be protected. Preserved at all costs. She is the reason I seek to weed out corruption when and where I see it. So that the ones like her can survive and thrive. Those who are weak but have strong hearts are stronger than the best of us. Myself included…" He seemed to trail off. Sadness and regret dripped from his silhouette. Before their very eyes, he seemed to age considerably. Finding his voice, he continued again.

"Miss Emilia reminds me of a young woman I came across while in the North. I found her mere days after The Great Clan War. The poor lass was only a few years old when we met. Scared and alone she clung to a coat many times her size. Said her brother wore it before he told her to hide and left. That was all she remembered." Esdeath was now very intrigued. She was on the edge of her seat. Dare she say she was giddy? This could be the lead she had been looking for. A lead on one of her cousins.

"I took her with me and nursed her back to health. I, at different points in time, asked if she remembered any names. Every time she said she didn't. I knew she was lying but never pushed the subject. She eventually asked to be taught to be a maid. I will never know where the maid fascination came from." The Shinigami said in exasperation. "She, until recently, couldn't 'remember' the name of her family members outside her brother. But it must have been a month or so ago she started to talk as she slept. Normally I would have just let it be, but she said a name. A name that caught my attention. 'Esdeath' she said." Now both women were listening with poorly concealed interest. The blue-haired general for obvious reasons. The white themed woman for the sake of her friend.

"I was understandably confused at first. She had never to my knowledge met Esdeath-dono. So, after it occurred for a few weeks every night I asked if she knew you. She said her brother spent a large amount of time with you. Naturally, I asked what her brother's name was. 'Naruto' she said. 'Naruto Onii-Sama'. It was the first time she ever told me of her past…" Again, the man seemed to age. Even with Esdeath internally jumping for joy. She knew only one person who used 'Onii-Sama' in the Partas clan. As a chibi Esdeath danced in her head the Shinigami chuckled at her face. He knew what she was thinking. Emilia seemed to know as well given her own stifled giggles.

Behind his mask, Naruto's eyes widened. He was nearly fast enough to catch it. So damned close. A coughing fit took his form. Taking both women by surprise. Esdeath more so. She could smell blood. His blood. As the coppery smell took to her nose both witnessed the red liquid dripping from his mask and chin. Grabbing a cloth, the noble maid was at his side in moments moving his mask. While it never left his face the kitsune themed mask moved enough for Esdeath to see something. Something familiar. Blue with crimson highlights. She had more questions than before, but it could wait.

Emilia was scared. She didn't show it externally, but she was indeed scared. Terrified even. While she never fully removed the porcelain accessory, she could see just how much blood came up. Given how close she was she could also see the tell-tale signs of ice. Working with Esdeath gave one experience with the solid-state of liquid. She could see small crystalline flecks in the blood right before they melted. Sode no Shirayuki did not cause this. She had read about all the known Teigu's and next to Demon Extract she knew the most about sword-based Teigu's. Murasame, Sode no Shirayuki, Ryujin Jakka, Yatsufusa, and many others.

Sue her. She liked swords and swordsmen/women. She had great respect for the art and in a subtle way to get closer to the Shinigami she learned about them. Everything from Trump-Cards to lesser-known weaknesses/strengths she knew them. So, she knew for a fact the ice-based sword was not the cause. She could only think of one other Teigu that used ice and could cause this form of damage.

Waving off the woman for now he made to stand. With masterful skill, he hid the shake in his stance. With a small nod to the two beautiful women, he strode to the door. As he reached for the knob, he gave Esdeath a side glance.

"What just happened… Never happened. I would like you to meet my young charge soon. Until then I wish you luck finding your cousins. I will let you know when she arrives in the city." He was gone as the door closed. Probably back to his domain.

Silence reigned supreme. The women couldn't get that image out of their heads. The invincible Shinigami. A man both respected greatly. Coughing up large amounts of blood. He was either injured which both didn't believe. Or he was ill and dying. Far more likely. Emilia out of respect for what she had witnessed would leave her speculation to herself. If the Shinigami hadn't asked for help and hidden this there was a reason. A reason she didn't know but would respect, nonetheless.

After the meeting had finished Konan had returned to the barracks of her master's operations. She had gone in-depth and provided meticulous details of her assignment. The report was rather short to write as every night she spent in the North she had recorded the day's events. All she had to do was turn in the prewritten reports and proofread what was there. Having a photographic memory was a boon to her career as an assassin as much as it was a hindrance in her near nonexistent personal one. On the ride back to the capital she had spent much time thinking, something she did often. Perhaps it was that woman, Emilia's, doing. Maybe she was just feeling nostalgic. It could be the looming date of her master's death as well. She was one of the few who knew about it. Her unflinching loyalty compounded by her lack of any attachment to life made her something of a confidant of his. Adjutant was the term he used. She was his Emilia.

That woman was truly something else. She was subtle in how she got the blue-haired assassin to open up to her. Now that she further pondered, she was certain her thinking was a mix of nostalgia and trepidation for the fast-approaching date. Her zealotry toward the enigmatic Sis-Con was from his crusade to kill any who threatened his family. When Lady Rem was attacked and Kurome was taken from his shadows he had been apocalyptic in his rage. It cemented many with the opinion he was a god. A god of Death, Justice, and Retribution. Even the ever scheming Honest quailed when he saw him.

Flashback

Konan who until now was perched in the shadows of her cell felt something. She had been in this laboratory for almost a decade, not that she knew the time. She had been abducted during the Great Clan War in the North. A mixed blood, she was the daughter of a self-exiled Partas and an unnamed mother.

When the war had started her family stayed isolated but informed. That was when the Empire decided to stick their noses in the slaughter. Being found by a splinter faction under Prime Minister Honest her parents were murdered. Her mother fearing rape killed herself and tried to kill Konan. Looking back, she didn't blame her for it. But at the time the betrayal was fresh and made her join with little protest. With her lack of resistance, she was taken to a man named Dr. Stylish.

The odd and exceedingly flamboyant man had told her she was now the last Partas in the world. Her extended family and by extension clan were gone. She soon collapsed in on herself. Her emotions suppressed she accepted whatever Stylish wanted. A mistake that was grievous on her part.

After being experimented on by Dr. Stylish and genetically modified so much she lost her emotions. Originally only suppressed she simply lost all but three of them. Every day she lived in that lab was a blur that repeated almost endlessly. Eat, be tested on, forced to train, more testing, eat again, then sleep only to repeat the next day. She lost track of the time spent there, after being inducted at the tender age of four.

When she turned sixteen something happened. The newest Shinigami of the Empire came in while hunting down those who conspired against him. He looked at her once before turning to the flamboyant doctor and saying a phrase she would never forget.

"If you want to live longer than the next few minutes as a human as opposed to an ice sculpture you will open her cell, give me every document pertaining to her, never mention her or this again, and you will tell me everything I want to know. Do this and I will let you live."

That was how her captivity ended and she came under the protection/employment of the Shinigami.

Flashback End

His tone had been glacial with eyes just as cold. His hand was tapping the hilt of his sword. Something she later learned was something of a habit. When he was ready to kill, he would do this to show his displeasure. To show he was about to end someone's life.

Ragged breathes accompanied by dripping sounds caught her attention. Looking up from her spartan desk she saw her master. The smell of copper filled her nose with little remorse. The nigh unnoticeable widening of her eyes was all it took for her to comprehend. Less than a second later she was at his side. Konan knew what to do before he opened his mouth. Laying him on her bed she vanished only to appear by his side with Ryujin Jakka in her hands. The Teigu seemed to know what was happening otherwise it would have scorched her. Small mercies as it seemed.

Laying the blade by his side the young woman saw the immediate effects. The rising temperature followed by a wave of icy air. This was how he used opposing forces to keep things under control. He would first raise his internal temperature to just enough to melt the ice near his organs before cooling them, so they weren't damaged by the intense heat. Only known to those who used either blade was neither controlled fire nor ice. Instead, they controlled temperature.

Ryujin Jakka held dominion over heat and to a lesser extent combustion. That was how you got the fire of the Teigu. Heating objects or people so fast that all it took was a spark to ignite them. The same was how Sode no Shirayuki worked only in reverse. Sode was used by cooling things with speeds that caused the air around the target to skip from a gas to a solid with no need for a liquid state. The user would control the strength and range of these reactions. Then the chemical reactions happened with speed and precision that at times made it seem instantaneous. Other times they were slow and longwinded. It was dependent on what the wielder wanted.

This was also the reason he couldn't just melt the ice in his body. It would require his entire body to be heated at the same time. Doing that could either ignite his own body or liquify it. Really it was all about which happened first. That was the best-case scenario. The worst case is he would irreparably burn his internal organs and suffer for an undetermined amount of time. At least if he was ignited or liquified it would be quick. Living with your innards burned just shy of lethal with it being permanent was not something he would be fond of.

In addition, the body was not meant to use two Teigu's like Ryujin and Sode at the same time. Thus, he had to endure until it was eventually no longer useable. The ice Esdeath used seemed semi-sentient, not surprising given the Danger Beast it was made from. It had a strong enough foothold that he couldn't just melt it all and call it good. Sode gave his body a natural resistance to that level of cold when added to his being raised and trained in the North. But that resistance did nothing in terms of immunity. He was just damned good at not showing how much pain he was in.

Konan could only watch in silence as her master went through this process a handful of times. He was someone who would rather suffer in silence than to talk to people. The only reason Aoshi knew was by guesswork and careful observation. Their doctor, Megumi Takani, was the third and final person to know. Mostly due to the fact that like the enigmatic Partas man she was a stickler for accuracy. She all but tied him up and tortured it out of him. In the silent opinion of many, she spent too much time with that Retsu woman. Damned innocent smile.

The bluenette continued to observe the man as he fought through the pain. He had told her many things as his adjutant. She knew how he felt about all the women around him, herself included. How he loved all of them. Something that only spurred her fanatical levels of loyalty further. She was witness to his many 'crimes' against the Empire. To his silent meddling in Honest's affairs. His manipulation and blackmail of many nobles. Dare she say she knew him better than anyone. Every secret he held was known by her. She essentially made herself his diary. His journal. His most trusted subordinate.

When he told her about his impending doom, she knew he was resolute. He was ready to die for the 'new era' as he called it. When he had told her, she responded with unflinching devotion. Never once did she hesitate in her reply.

'Where you go. I go, master. When you die, I will be right there beside you in hell.' Such was the strength of their bond. While she was his confidant the reverse was the same. All of her personal problems were his. Every question, he answered. Every thought, he gave another opinion. When she was ready to die, he gave her a chance to live just a little longer.

'Fight for justice. Fight so no one else suffers like us. Pave the road for the new era. The era of peace and prosperity.'

That was all she needed to hear. She swore fealty to him and him alone. That was her Shinobi Code. Her iron clad will.

Her Iron Code.

The past few weeks were rough for the three conspirators. Rem had the easiest part out of everyone. Act normal and continue to go along with her brother's plans. It was easy enough. Even if her elder brother knew something was going on, he wouldn't do anything. He trusted her to be careful. Odd for an overprotective brother but that was how he was. He would dote on you when in his presence but the second you weren't, he only kept half an eye on you. He respected the privacy of those he allied with and their independence in equal measure. Only if they had proven themselves to him.

Akame was similar in her part. Just keep playing the part of an assassin with a growing adoration for the older male. The only odd thing was Sheele and her interactions with everyone here. They seemed less airy more reserved. Akame and Rem just chalked it up to her added free time. Not having a job around the base would get to anyone. In between missions with nothing to keep your mind off of the killings. It would mess with anyone.

Kurome had by far the most precarious role. It actually stressed her out a bit. So, many factors that just sprung upon her. It gave her a new respect for what Naruto dealt with daily. Knowing who Sheele really was but being unable to explain it without being branded a traitor. The woman may seem ditzy and airheaded, but it was an act. A façade that Kurome saw though because of the files she read. If she hadn't seen the file she would have been fooled too. Just like everyone else in this group.

The next biggest stressor came in the form of a woman. The Adjutant of the Shinigami. Konan. An emotionless doll that shadowed their shared master. Her lack of emotions made it impossible to get a read on what she thought. In an odd way, Kurome was a bit jealous of the blue-haired woman. Konan had no emotional ties to anyone but their master. She was loyal to the degree that fanatical lacked the proper weight.

She, Kurome, was fanatically loyal, yes but she had other ties that sometimes contradicted with her allegiance. Her love for her sister and her love for her master being the most critical. She loved Naruto to the point of disobeying his orders, going behind his back, and undermining his plans to die. Konan loved him to the point of following him to the afterlife.

She had also noticed many of the older members moving more frequently. They were gearing up. Saying goodbyes. Writing wills. Some imparting the last dregs of wisdom they could. Other's paying respects to the fallen in the Mausoleum. All of them were prepping for something and she assumed it was big. Aoshi was doing this. The wily old pervert who served as Yamamoto-sama's Spymaster and Adjutant. That vixen like Doctor Megumi Takani. Even the pink-eyed emotionless bastard Itachi Uchiha was doing it. The fact that she nor Aoshi's apprentice, Misao Makimachi knew what was happening worried her. Her master's private assassin/apprentice, Seta Sojiro, appeared to know something she didn't.

The only fact the young assassin could glean was more of an assumption. She hypothesized that it was surrounding her master's death.

Oh, how woefully right she was…

After he had recovered enough strength the young Shinigami sent all of his youngest assassins and shadows out. Anyone over the age of twenty-one stayed. Entering what was called The Sanctuary he held court. This was to be one of the last major meetings before The Foundation was put into effect. In his full garb, he walked to the podium. His apprentice Sojiro and adjutant Konan to his left with Aoshi to his right. Behind him, Aizen, Retsu Unohana, Itachi Uchiha, Jiraiya, and all those who were of high standing now lay behind him. A quiet and proud bastion of strength. Banners bearing their symbol and creed hung in the flickering torchlight. The well-hidden sky light welcomed rays of silver moonlight through it. Bathed in torch and the light of a full moon they stood in solemn silence. This was the end days for them. They knew it.

"As you all know I have been in close contact with NightRaid as per my predecessor's last and dying request. These past months I have come to know them a little better. I will say this. I feel no real camaraderie for most of them. They are a means to an end to that extent. While they are skilled and powerful in their own right, they won't be around at the end of this cleansing. Most of them will die before the end game even starts. Hell, aside from Akame, Najenda, maybe Sheele and Mine most of them will die." He sighed out at the end. These were dark times.

"Let's face the facts and be realistic" he continued. "We are commonly seen as part of the problem. By the time we finish our crusade to right the many wrongs and purge this corruption, we will have no place to exist. We, the oldest members, will be seen simply put, as obsolete at best or at worst a threat to be dealt with. I hold little doubt that we will likely be executed after we finish this. No matter the evidence of how much we did or tried to do we are still part of the 'corruption' as everyone will see it. We live and thrive in the shadows of that corruption. We aren't usurpers or revolutionaries… No… We are assassins. Murderers plain and simple. The generation that we are training and guiding will be those revolutionaries. They will be the ones who strike us down so that our bodies may be the final foundation for which they build a better world." All in attendance knew this. It was never said out loud by any of the older members because they had already come to the same conclusion. The only reason it was said aloud was that it needed to finally be confirmed. To be brought for them to see. It was their final act for this cursed world.

"I am currently allowing an… illness… to ravage my body. I have been for many years. Some among our ranks have done the same. We are strong. Too strong for these youngsters to beat on their own. We will help them along." There was no noise. Not even a breath. To hear that their leader… No… Their God. Their Messiah. The Guiding Light of their order. To bear witness to him standing at the top of the era sick and in pain. Letting himself be ravaged by some unknown ailment. To know that he was so powerful and resolute that he dealt with mind-numbing pain while fighting alongside them.

Yes, this was further proof to many. He was not a man. He had transcended to Godhood. It was now cemented in the collective minds of every assassin, Akatsuki member, and shadow. He was a true God. A God of Justice, Death, and Retribution.

"I've thought about being healed a number of times. Truly I have. But we know that we are already dead men walking. Why would I fix what will be obsolete in the next few months? Simply put by letting it spread I have ensured that when the time comes, and we become martyrs for the next generation, I will be easy to kill when my replacement comes for my head."

"Still… The amount of pain you must be in has to be absurd." The short-haired man would never say it aloud, but he thought the choice was both commendable and respectable.

"Ha, you have no idea how right you are. The truth is I am the strongest in the Empire and still haven't hit my prime. By letting this spread I am weakening myself to the point that either Kurome or Akame will be able to take my life when the time comes. They can help cement their place as the next Shinigami."

The silence was deafening for all in the room. The object of their worship was not only letting something kill him slowly and by the sounds of it very painfully. He had also had plans to have Akame or Kurome kill him. It was shocking.

"What about your sister? Or the other women who love you? You can't possibly be that blind or stupid to not be aware of it." Now the Shinigami's subordinates were interested. He always seemed dense when it came to the matters of female love and affection. A hollow laugh of nothing but pain and self-loathing filled the Sanctuary.

"I know very well of their affection and adoration. Your right about the blind and stupid part. I digress yes, I do know of it. I know Akame has been struggling with her budding feelings as I help her overcome her fear of losing Kurome. I know Kurome also has developed a deep love for me that stemmed from an infatuation. I know of Rem as well. Why do you think I'm doing this? I mean lords above Esdeath is looking for love. Esdeath of all people! Her attendant Emilia has been flirting with me since I took the mantle of Shinigami." The blue-haired man's tone sounded like that of someone crippled by regret. It hurt him to act oblivious to the romantic advances of the precious women in his life. It was debilitating more often then he would care to admit.

The resolute men and women in the room on the other hand had salty tears streaming down their cheeks. The liquid emotion was now telling in how much they cared and valued him. He was the heart and soul of these stalwart pillars. For he was the temple and they, his pillars and foundations.

"Do you love them back?" The air stilled as Naruto's surprise was almost tangible and his response was with no hesitation.

"Yes, I do. I love them to death. Which is why I'm prepared to die so they can live full lives. The same as you are with Misao. The same for all of us here tonight. We are going to die at the end of this. There is no doubt we will, and I'll be damned if I at the very least don't help those two sisters rekindle their love for each other. It has been my plan since day one after all. I am hoping my death will be the catalyst for them to rekindle their love for one another." The air stilled once again. He was one of the most compassionate people they knew. Time and time again he proved it. Such displays of love were far and few between.

"You do know if you die Rem will very likely follow close after you, correct?" The air seemed to lose all movement.

"I have thought about it quite a lot. I have a plan in place to hopefully circumvent that outcome and it involves Esdeath. Yet I do fear that she will follow regardless. The difference is simple though. When I die, I will be going to the lowest bowels of hell. She will not, as she is innocent of all this madness. I knew very well when I stayed in the Empire and allowed its corruption to taint me. I did it so she would never be touched by it. I have taken what would have touched her, Kurome, even Akame and to a lesser extent Esdeath onto myself. I have taken the vile corruption of this Empire plus theirs as my own. All so they may pass on to the pure world. Granted the same can be said for you with Misao once again. You are doing the exact same thing as me. Are you not?" It was a sobering thought for both master assassins and members of the order to hear. Shaking his head at the depressing thoughts he looked back to his comrades.

"The culmination of almost 70 years of work draws to a close. All who came before have set the stage for us. We are in the home stretch. Once this corruption is routed and exterminated. Only then can we rest. Rest in the lowest bowels of the underworld…" He paused for effect.

"and then we will cleanse the underworld. Our righteous sacrifices will clean all that it touches. With the Gods as our witness let them know. We are not Holy Paladins. We are not sinless men and women. We are the solution. An instrument of Order and Justice. We are assassins. We work in the dark to serve the light. Where others blindly follow the truth, remember." The hundreds in the room chorused after him.

"Nothing Is True"

"Where other men are limited by morality and law, remember" He continued.

"Everything Is permitted."

With the meeting concluded all but the Shinigami himself and those to his left and right vanished. Almost as though they were never there.

"Let us prepare." They too vanished.

There ya go. A lot has happened in this chapter. I won't summarize so read it yourselves. Yes, I'm talking to you! You know who you are! The one who has been needlessly flaming me! I couldn't care less if you want to flame, but if you are at least flame about logical and valid things. I hate having to explain simple and obvious concepts to people. Don't get me wrong I love interacting with you guys/gals. But some of the shit I get messaged about is basic shit.

My gripping aside I hope yall liked what ya read.

Yall should know this by now but...

READ, REVIEW, FOLLOW/FAV

And I will see you all in the next Fic

Ja Ne