Chapter 122
An Enemy on our Doorstep: Jiraiya's Mission!
"Of all the things we could potentially have shortages in, why can't it ever be paperwork?" Tsunade lamented from behind her desk, on top of which stacks of mission reports, mission requests and correspondences with Lords, Lady's, businesses and residents and workers of the Leaf were organized into intimidating towers of white.
"It's the situation you inherited as Fifth Hokage," replied Shizune compassionately. Also unhelpfully. Her assistant set a paper in front of her. "Now, we have a requisition request from the foreman overseeing reconstruction of quadrant 3, subsections 2 through 4. Everything has been arranged; this one only needs your seal of approval."
Before the recent attempted infiltration by the Stone at their northern border and successful attack performed by the Sound Four, the existence of a piece of paperwork requiring nothing but her seal of approval would have been a cause for relief. It meant quick turnover. And quicker turnover meant she might even have a chance to relax at the end of the day, thus spurring Tsunade to hastily provide her seal of approval before carrying on with the next report or issue.
In the end, the reconstruction efforts couldn't afford to be restrained by red tape. All of the foremen hired and employed across the Leaf were intensely vetted for security purposes; if they struck a deal, it was doubtlessly with trustworthy business partners.
A betrayal would irreversibly damage their businesses reputation, erasing future opportunities for work and money. After all, what Village or town would risk hiring a business which crossed a military power? If they were willing to betray a shinobi Village to bandits, rogues or another military might, who was to say they wouldn't do the same to a small town or a different Village for the same purposes?
Trust was important. Besides, when it came to money their work and discretion earned them quite the consequential sum. And rebuilding would take enough time without additional bureaucratic oversight.
However, the threat of the Stone sending spies—or the Cloud utilizing their weakness to infiltrate while their eyes were drawn elsewhere—demanded caution.
Betrayal by the workers wasn't necessary for their enemies to infiltrate. Konoha's body was heavily damaged, their vision obscured by blunt trauma to the head, and the phantom pain of missing limbs thoroughly exacerbated their weariness.
It wouldn't be easy to infiltrate, of course, but it wouldn't be extraordinarily difficult, either. There were gaps in their defenses. Gaps shinobi like the Akatsuki could exploit.
The existence of the Crimson Flowers doubled her caution. Bad enough they existed in the Land of Fire. Such a vile organization could not be allowed to take root inside of her home.
It didn't take long to cross-reference the arrangement. Thirteen years ago, after the Nine-Tails attack, the Leaf had worked out deals with the business in question to rebuild what was destroyed then. Satisfied, Tsunade provided her seal of approval and pressed onwards in her duties.
More paperwork. More reports. More correspondences.
Around noon she had to stand up and stretch her legs around the office. Shizune kept her working even then. The paperwork wouldn't sort itself out, her assistant reasoned. The Village needed her, and if she fell behind then it would absorb her free time.
Tsunade scoffed at the idea of free time.
"What free time?" she asked while pacing, reading another report.
"The time you use to train Sakura and Ino," Shizune pointed out. "And I don't want to hear you complain about that, either. I have plenty on my plate, too. Including training Mimi Inuzuka and Hinata Hyūga—a task you volunteered me for without asking my opinion."
"Would you have said no?" Tsunade asked, lifting her eyes briefly from her report.
"No," Shizune shook her head. "Mimi Inuzuka's points on the necessity of more medic-nin, especially among these young squads who seem to attract trouble, are absolutely valid. Also, they are attentive and hardworking students, which helps ease the burden significantly. However, my previous point remains. My free time is just as limited, Lady Tsunade. But we make it work. There isn't any other choice."
"I suppose," she sighed.
If only Dan could sweep me away for a few moments, the Fifth Hokage thought, imagining Dan's warm smile. For a small walk out in the fresh air together, holding hands. Or for lunch. Or just a kiss or two.
She was old. But she wasn't dead.
Unfortunately, Shizune was right. In the current climate there was no other choice. The continued safeguarding and recovery of the Leaf required a tremendous effort from all parties, especially the Hokage, and it was her ambitious goal to have the Village's defenses prepped and ready for a war before it began.
Additionally, she appreciated the work ethic of the Genin under their tutelage. None of them searched for a free pass to success, nor did they whine and gripe about the difficulty of the training. They welcomed it, the spirited little runts. All to reach their individual goals.
To surpass an "old hag" like her. To become strong enough to walk beside and protect those who inspired them. To overcome their rivals and prove their strength. To stand as unbreakable and supportive guardians, just like their precious comrades.
And, of course, the simplest and most meaningful reason of all: To save and nurture precious lives.
The rivalry between Sakura and Ino was also helpful, strangely enough. They supported each other well. Also instigated no small amount of friendly bantering, and verbal sparring. Familiarity, camaraderie and rivalry were all good for growth.
Comparatively, Mimi's and Hinata's relationship was akin to teacher and student rather than rivals. Or, to Shizune's eyes, the Inuzuka had taken on the role of the big sister patiently teaching her baby sister to walk. Supportive, fond, but also willing to tease the hell out of the shy girl until laughter ensued.
Shizune herself seemed fond of the mouthy little brat and her shyer student. Impressed, too. Tsunade couldn't deny sharing similar feelings.
Work continued. At least until her window slid open unannounced.
"Well, well, would you look at this?" Jiraiya leaned in from the window wearing a coy grin. "The Fifth Hokage hard at work. Not a drop of alcohol in sight. No gambling. I must say, I am impressed, Shizune. You've tamed this old minx well! I barely recognize her. What's your secret? Perhaps I can test your tricks. All in the name of innocent research, I promise!"
Tsunade's tight fingers clutched and wrinkled the paper. An irritated vein on her forehead pulsed.
"Old minx, huh?" she repeated.
Shizune blanched in terror.
"Well, despite your renowned beauty you certainly aren't a young maiden anymore. Ha ha h—"
The Hokage's office vibrated with the force of thunder. Towers of white exploded into the air as if destroyed by cannon fire, then the papers floated gently towards the floor. Through the vibrations there were two distinct screeches.
"Aiiiieeeeee!" Shizune cried out, recoiling in horror at the surprise attack. And the resulting mess.
"Oiinnnkkkk!" Tonton oinked.
Their fear was palpable.
In the aftermath of floating papers, Jiraiya could be seen face first inside the office, a large lump ballooning on top of his head. Pulsing with every beat of his heart.
Tsunade hovered over him with her fist still clenched and the paper crinkled in her grip. He hadn't seen her coming.
"How's that for a tamed old minx, you perverted fool?" Tsunade said calmly, eyes drawing over the correspondence.
"Owwwww," moaned the Toad Sage, voice muffled by the floor.
"Oh, stop whining. I barely hit you."
"Easy for you to say." Jiraiya rolled over and sat up, rubbing the lump on his head. He winced. "You're the one with super strength here."
The Fifth Hokage huffed and applied Medical Ninjutsu to the lump. Maybe she'd taken it too far.
"There. You're fine now," she said once the swelling completely vanished.
"Aw," Jiraiya grinned. "I think you're getting soft on me, Tsunade."
Tsunade rolled her eyes. "Keep at it, Jiraiya, and I'll make something else soft. Permanently."
She swatted the man in the back of the head. Knock a little sense into him, if such a thing was possible.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa! Let's not do anything hasty, all right?"
"Whatever you say," she drawled, kneeling down to clean up the mess. Shizune and Tonton were already at work. "So, what news do you have for me?"
"What? Can't I just pop in to check in on my comrade and friend?" Jiraiya asked innocently. Too innocently. He kneeled down to join her in picking up the sheets of paper.
"Didn't you hear? This old minx is tamed and hard at work now."
"Oh, come on. You know I didn't mean anything by that."
"Yeah, yeah. Well, as you can see by the stacks of papers scattered all over the floor, there is no shortage of work for me to do. There's always something thanks to that pain in the neck Orochimaru, and unfortunately there isn't a jutsu that can instantly rebuild what was broken within days or a few weeks or months.
"At the end of the day, the destroyed businesses, houses and defensive walls require time, materials and manpower to rebuild, and all three have limitations. There are only so many hours in a day, and only so many hours you can ask laborers to work.
"As for the workers themselves, people need rest and food and shelter, all of which, of course, requires more supplies flowing through the Village in order to feed and shelter them, thus preventing food shortages while keeping the workers warm and happy through the winter.
"Finally, the acquisition of building materials requires trade, which wouldn't be so difficult if it weren't for bandits, rogue shinobi and shady businesses and scams, all of whom are aware we suffered greatly from the Invasion. Not to mention the threat of spies, sabotage, Orochimaru, the Akatsuki, the Stone and all the other enemies lurking in the shadows."
Tsunade lightly tapped the ends of the paper on the floor, aligning them into one firm stack. She sighed as she rose.
"Why did I ever let that snot-nosed pupil of yours talk me into becoming Hokage?"
Jiraiya chuckled at her complaint. He aligned his stack with a few taps on the floor before rising to join her.
"Sounds like he's as charming as his teacher." He grinned and handed the papers to her. "Though nowhere near as handsome."
With a scoff and roll of her eyes, Tsunade took his stack and placed it horizontally over her vertical pile. Jiraiya dispensed with his grin, becoming serious.
"As for the issue of Orochimaru, I may have a remedy for it."
"A remedy?" she repeated, furrowing her brow.
"There's no point sugar-coating it: We're surrounded on all sides at the moment. We have no knowledge of where the Akatsuki are presently gathering. Quite frankly, they could be anywhere. The Stone are, thankfully, still on their side of the border. But we both know it's only a matter of time."
She hummed deeply, acknowledging his point.
"And Orochimaru and the Sound Village are right on our doorstep," she finished.
"Exactly," Jiraiya nodded. "Orochimaru has doubtlessly changed bodies despite failing to capture either Sasuke or Amaririsu. There are also his little pawns to consider—Kasai and Kabuto. One wields the powerful kekkei genkai of Wood Style, the other is a master of infiltration and spying. Crucially, however, Kasai attained severe injuries in his battle against Amaririsu. She herself is still recovering, and he likely is, too."
She could see where he was leading her. Setting the two stacks down on her desk, Tsunade turned and sat lightly on its edge, lightly drumming her fingernails along the wood as she mulled over the idea.
"Orochimaru may have a new body, but the Reaper Death Seal has stolen his arms. Permanently. Sarutobi-sensei saw to that," she said after a moment of silence. "And although Amaririsu and Sasuke are both in the final days of their recovery, Amaririsu's final act of nearly incinerating Kasai with the Amenominakanushi will have severely damaged his body from the top layer of the epidermis to the deep tissues beneath.
"Without seeing his scorched body personally, I can't accurately estimate the recovery time, or what damage may linger on for years to come. Considering what I do know of the power through firsthand and secondhand accounts, I'm confident it will take more than three weeks to recover. Especially given what Amaririsu described.
"Kabuto is a gifted medic-nin, of course. However, we are talking about a Mangekyō Sharingan ability. After yours and Shikaku's witness report of the Amaterasu used by Sasuke and Itachi, in addition to the accounts I've heard of the Amenominakanushi used by Amaririsu and her father before her, it's safe to assume he hasn't fully recovered quite yet. If he ever will.
"Also, like the workers repairing our Village, Kabuto can't heal Kasai all day and night. He also needs rest and food to replenish his chakra and energy."
Not to mention potential limits on supplies and equipment at their disposal. Or potential limits on how far Orochimaru or Kabuto were willing to go to heal the child.
"Despite losing his arms, though, Orochimaru is still dangerous." Tsunade shook her head. "He won't be helpless. We both know that."
"True," Jiraiya agreed. "But I won't be partially incapacitated when we fight next. Unless you plan to drug me again."
Tsunade scowled at his jest but said nothing.
"However," his eyes darkened, "I also believe we must eliminate Kasai. Preferably now, while he's weakened and long before he can master Wood Style. If he has a chance to grow in strength, I fear with or without whatever enhancements he gains from Orochimaru he may one day rise to wield power like your grandfather's, the First Hokage—a man who was able to capture Tailed-Beasts with his Wood Style."
"You don't think he can turn away from the path of evil," Tsunade stated instead of asked.
"No. I don't. And I know you don't either."
She hummed, nodding slightly. "No, I don't. We may share an ancestor through my grandfather, he may be a Senju, but sharing an ancestor won't soften my heart towards him. He doesn't care for me, anyway." Tsunade shrugged. "Frankly, the feeling is mutual. I think he's an arrogant and annoying little pest.
"Besides, I've heard enough of him and his goals to know he'd only laugh at us for being foolish enough to moralize with him. He'd pretend to accept and kill whoever tried. No," she said with a shake of her head, "I don't believe he can be redeemed. He hates Amaririsu too much to turn away from evil. He'd set the whole world ablaze to spite her and see her suffer. And he'd laugh and play a fiddle while he did."
His hatred was overwhelming. Powerful. Tangible. It resonated through his words and actions even when hearing of it secondhand from Amaririsu. Jiraiya was right, he needed to be eliminated. And soon.
"Despite my agreement to your plan," she drummed her fingernails one last time, "we don't know where Orochimaru's hideout is within the Land of Rice Paddies. Or Land of Sound, I suppose," she corrected herself.
"We only know he's somewhere in their Land. Knowing him, he wouldn't pick somewhere obvious. He'd hide somewhere out of sight, probably underground."
"And that's where my remedy comes in," Jiraiya said, smiling. "I have a plan to root him out and take him down. But I'll need you to make the mission official since I plan to bring a team of precious Genin, and a certain Chūnin."
Narrowing her eyes, Tsunade decided she wasn't fond of whatever plan her comrade was concocting. She sensed Shizune set more papers on the desk behind her before hovering nearby to listen.
"Obviously you intend to bring Naruto since he's your pupil," said the Hokage. "Which we've indirectly already discussed as a bad idea. If Kasai is even remotely active, who's to say he won't use his Wood Style on Naruto? Last time he claimed to be playing around, at least with Naruto and the others. This time he could try to capture him for Orochimaru, or worse.
"You can't be at his side because you'll have your hands full with Orochimaru. That's not to mention the threat Kabuto would pose to this team you're thinking of."
"That's why I need the other Genin and Chūnin. They'll be there to even the odds, and I already have two in mind."
"Amaririsu and Sasuke are out of the question," Tsunade said resolutely with a shake of her head. "Not only are they in their final days of recovery, I cannot in good conscious send them on any missions involving Orochimaru when I know he seeks to capture them. It's too risky."
"Then it's a good thing I had no intention of bringing Amaririsu and Sasuke," Jiraiya smiled again. "Although I am certain Amaririsu would jump at a chance to finish Kasai off, as you said it's too risky for her or Sasuke to be within Orochimaru's grasps. Definitely at their current level and current state of recovery."
"Okay. Who do you have in mind? They may be on missions already, you know that, right?"
"I know for a fact they aren't. I've already scouted them."
"I need names, Jiraiya," she pressed impatiently. "Then I'll consider whether or not to approve this mission of yours."
After listening to his reasons for picking his squad, Tsunade offered her approval and sent him on his way.
And then it was back to paperwork.
Haku,
You are more than worthy of my admiration and inspiration. Never doubt that. It's true you tread through the darkness before we met. You were dedicated to Zabuza, willing to do whatever he commanded for the sake of his ambition. Even kill. But that doesn't make you any less admirable. It doesn't devalue you, not to me.
Back then, Zabuza was the only precious person you had. He was the one who reached out to you when you were hungry and alone, who took you in when this cruel and cold world ripped your loving mother from your arms and forced you to kill your father to survive. He was there when you, a child, was left in despair, existing rather than living, wondering what the point was when you felt unnecessary.
Zabuza gave you a reason to exist. Someone finally needed you, even if at that time it was only for your power. It's all any of us want. To feel wanted. To have someone in this vast world who cares we exist. To have a reason to live and dream, because simply existing in a frozen chasm of isolation is too painful.
You were never evil, though. Unlike the truly evil people you encountered on your recent mission, you found no satisfaction or joy in the suffering or death your actions caused. In your heart of hearts, you did not wish to hurt others. It's why you lost pieces of your heart along the way. Walking that path of darkness was hurting you; it was breaking your heart, stealing the pieces that made you human.
But, in spite of that, you didn't relinquish your humanity in its entirety. You didn't forfeit your heart to the pain. You didn't kill your heart when the world had given you every reason to.
A heartless monster would've killed Sasuke and Naruto without a shred of remorse. A heartless monster wouldn't have hesitated. They wouldn't have felt pain every time they had to hurt us. They wouldn't feel their heart break when witnessing the suffering of others.
Despite all you have suffered, despite the cruelty you experienced, you were able to hold onto your heart and soul. Ultimately, you did not forsake yourself. You did not kill your heart and fully become a tool to be broken and discarded.
How many others could endure as you have and not lose themselves entirely? I don't know if I could. I've been so fortunate to have people to guide me back towards the light, while you held onto your heart without help or guidance.
The thing is, I know how easily my path could have changed had the Leaf shinobi not arrived in time the day they found me; I know who I would've become. And I don't know if that person could change their path like you have. I don't know if that person would even want to.
You're one of the strongest people I know, Haku. Beyond shinobi skills, I mean. You are also kind, compassionate and warm.
Our meeting changed my path, too. Battling you and Zabuza taught me so much. I learned how far I had to go to call myself a shinobi, true, but you two taught me more than that.
Ironically, it was while the mist was thickest on an unfinished bridge where I finally began to see where my path was leading me. Had the shinobi we faced been someone else, someone like Gatō, someone utterly reprehensible and irredeemable, I wonder how different things would have been for me and my team.
It was because of you and Zabuza we began to change. You woke us up. Forced us to look at ourselves and the shinobi world with clear eyes, and realize how utterly naïve and ignorant we were.
I will always be grateful we met.
You are worthy of admiration and inspiration. So no more arguing, troublesome boy. And I won't ever ask for anything in return because you don't owe me anything. I absolved you and Zabuza of all debts. Though I might start tallying a new one for the old man, specifically for the amount of times my hand has earned the right to slap the eyebrows back onto his face, and then off again.
I will crush him. Just wait and see.
You weren't too forward at all. You're right about how fragile shinobi life is. But I think it's simply life that is fragile. All it takes is someone with evil intentions to fracture our everyday routines, our peace. I don't think our brains are wired to remember that. It's probably a protective mechanism to mitigate stress and fear.
But our lives are fragile. Life itself is fragile. Peace is fragile. And that makes it all the more important to always tell those we hold precious how much they mean to us while we can, why we should and must hug them and hold them while the chance is there.
Because they won't always be there. I know that pain all too well. I was blessed with a chance to hold Shisui in my arms again, to tell him how much he meant to me… But it isn't enough. I want him back. I want to hug him every day. I want to see his smile again. I want to hear his laugh. Hear him tease me, that troublesome boy. It's a feeling that won't ever go away, I know. Not until I take my final breath and tackle hug him in the next life.
How you felt when reading my words, I felt the same. Knowing and hearing those words is totally different. We can know someone cherishes us, but to have it confirmed or reaffirmed makes the feelings real. It's a loving reminder that we are cherished, whether by family or friends. That there are people who care whether we come home or not. And it feels good.
I think sometimes we need to stop and think about those we hold most precious, who fill our lives with joy, then go and tell them how happy we are to have them in our lives. It costs nothing. It hurts no one. In fact, it does the opposite. It makes their day brighter, happier.
So thank you for being open with your feelings. Thank you for all of your kind words in your recent letter. I think you like making me blush, troublesome boy. I don't know if I'm as wonderful as your words make me out to be, but I'll keep trying to resemble what you see in me and in my heart. I'll keep reaching out to others. That's my ninja way.
Thank you for cherishing me. I cherish you, too.
Sitting with her left leg crossed beneath her on a stone bench on a quiet road within the Leaf Village, Amari groaned and buried her burning face behind her hand.
Yukiko was right, she despaired. I'm totally not smooth at all!
She was as smooth as sandpaper. Blunter than a sledgehammer, too. And to make matters worse, that sandpaper sledgehammer was naturally super awkward because the comically oversized mallet was wielded by an inexperienced child.
Yukiko would have laughed at the comparison, she believed. It made her miss the aspiring Hero more. The hum of laughter, deep in her throat. The charming smile on her scarred lips and the tenderness of those same lips pressing against hers. Her warm embrace and affectionate touches gliding along her arms, over her legs, cupping her cheek and running through her hair.
After a moment, and when she no longer felt like she had a fever, she lowered her hand to continue reading.
I appreciate your desire not to burden me with the details of this vile organization you and your comrades uncovered and dismantled. But, strange as it may sound, I am grateful you did tell me. I, too, hope my superiors will eliminate this new enemy. I hope I do not have to witness the same horrors which have burdened your heart so deeply.
Yet we have no such luxury to feign ignorance. To hide behind our walls and hope the evil will stay outside. It won't. It's already breached our walls once already. We are long past the point where me and my peers can be sheltered from the cruelty of this world.
Ignorance has a price. A high price. Especially when our lives as shinobi are incredibly fragile. We must be prepared to face it, to combat this evil.
Thank you for your honesty. I know it couldn't have been easy. I would have wrestled with myself over it, too. But thanks to you we can attempt to prepare ourselves for the chance we face these Crimson Flowers. And even if we do not face them personally, we can now keep our eyes open in search for their secret businesses. That's a good thing. It means we can save people.
Hopefully you are right. Hopefully your information is useless to me and I can try to forget it. But should that not be the case, should I encounter them in any capacity, these eyes of mine will penetrate through the darkness they obscure themselves in. I will drag them into the light where justice can be served.
I've already passed this information to my peers. We'll keep our eyes open and act with caution; it's the only way we can save all these people, should we encounter the Crimson Flowers. I hope they haven't spread too far. I hope they do no wield similar power and influence to the branch in the Land of Water. I hope we can save those they've enslaved.
And she hoped the clients and members of the organization were made to suffer at the hands of her superiors. Specifically Ibiki.
I wish this evil didn't exist. Kidnapping orphans, homeless, preying on impoverished families and poisoning the population with an addictive narcotic; all of this suffering, and for the most wretched of excuses: Greed. Power. Because they simply enjoy the suffering of others. Those poor people forced into slavery, to be used and abused, scarred and molested, branded like cattle, caged and treated less than human…
No. I do not want see this for myself. I do not want to bear witness to this evil. I do not wish to bear the same burden you now do. But I will if I must. I will stand against them and help save all they've imprisoned if given the chance. For the people who are suffering at their hands now, and for those who will suffer in the coming days, I will do all I can to help them. I will not shrink away from my duty as a shinobi and guardian.
So thank you for preparing me. More than that, thank you for inspiring me.
I can sense your pain in this recent letter. Just as you sensed mine, I can feel yours in every word. In every pencil stroke. I wish I could help you. I wish I could alleviate this heaviness in your heart and the dreams that haunt you.
But I sense more than pain in you. I sense your resolve and your warmth.
Admittedly, when I first read the details you provided of the Crimson Flowers, there was a part of me that was disheartened. You asked the same questions I felt. How do we combat evil like this? What do we do? Killing them and destroying their businesses is good, but it doesn't heal the scars. It doesn't take away the pain.
Those wounds are scarred deep into the tissues of the victims. Embossed on their hearts and callously carved into their psyches.
I was reminded again of how cruel this world was. How I cursed it as you did for the pain it forces onto innocent children. I was reminded that this world of shinobi is deeply flawed, and there are evil entities that are perhaps smaller than the Akatsuki in their goals, but no less evil.
Evil is evil, no matter the size. And, like a virus, it mutates into different variants to survive.
However, as I began to feel despair, you proved again why you are worthy of inspiration and admiration.
Your words of how to combat this evil, on how we can change this world and the power of the human heart has made me all the more determined to walk my path. To embody light, as you said, and burn away the darkness. I'm going to keep reaching out to others. I'm going to defy the status quo and use the innate powers we humans are born with.
It's just as Miss Nemuri said: Kindness and generosity are gifts we can give each other without needing a reason. It's what you do when we write to each other, when you visit Meer and Yumi.
Oh, I'll have to tell you more about Miss Nemuri and the Hero World when we meet next. It's too much for one letter. Short version: I confirmed the theory of the multiverse. I have proof, too!
Please don't think I'm crazy.
There was too much else to tell him about. Too much to warn him of.
Anyway, Naruto inspired me, too, when I was reading your letter. He also made me cry in public, the troublesome boy. He couldn't wait to tell me how he was happy to know me and how I changed his life until we were in private?
We're going to change this world, Haku. We'll inspire hope and strength, spread kindness and empathy. We'll combat the evil and then focus on helping all those in need, as you and your comrades are doing now. That's a part of the path I've chosen. It'll be troublesome, but it'll be worth it.
We'll show the world what good the human heart is capable of. Let's do it together. All of us.
I hope Mika, Chinami, Meer, Yumi and all the others find their way forward. They're survivors now. They're strong. Stronger than they may realize. If there's ever anything I can do to help, please let me know. I don't know if there is anything, but… I just want to help somehow.
This boy, Fuugetsu Hōzuki, sounds absolutely strange. Also strangely entertaining.
On one hand, I'd be extremely worried if I were you; "surprises" from him sound ominous. On the other hand, I think I'd like to meet him. Alliteration can be fun. I don't know if I would be any good at it, but it could be like a game of shogi except with words to see who can make the best alliteration filled sentence.
Be careful with him. I know you can beat him, but he may surprise attack you again. It'd be troublesome if you let him get the best of you.
Amari grabbed her cane, resting horizontally over her lap, and turned herself on the bench to lie along the length of it. She placed the cane on the inside of the bench so it was between her and the backrest. Propping her head up with her free arm, she tilted the letter so the sun hit the words without impeding her ability to read.
As for how me and my teammates are doing, unfortunately we've had our own share of troubles since my last letter. The Hero World I mentioned was a crazy trip in of itself. Crazy, amazing, frightening and wonderful all at the same time. But I'll tell you about that either in person or in separate letter. There's too much to talk about, and a lot happened in my trip there.
Where do I even begin? Well, Orochimaru sent a squad of his lieutenants after Sasuke and I, hoping to capture us. They struck us inside the Leaf, the bold bastards. They struck right after Sasuke and I finished an intense spar. We were exhausted already and…
They killed me. The giant ogre of a man among them crushed the life right out of me. My heart stopped for a short time, but Lady Tsunade was able to bring me around. The quick action of everyone prevented any complications.
I'm okay now, so don't worry. Dying only pissed me off. Apparently resurrection is my newest skill, according to Shika anyway.
Sasuke also saved me while I was dead. He prevented them from stealing my eyes and forced the amputation of the giant's arm. Then my Uncle Shikaku and Aunt Yoshino arrived with Atsuko to scare them off.
What followed afterwards was a grueling and stressful mission for all of my peers. Sasuke volunteered to go with the Sound Four—the four who attacked us—under the ruse of abandoning the Leaf to prevent the four from following through with their threat to attack the civilian populace if our superiors didn't hand him over.
If we failed to rescue him, he would have then become a deep cover agent spying on Orochimaru. Don't worry, he's with us still. We did save him.
Through the first battle to get Sasuke back three of our elite Jōnin were critically injured. Almost killed. If they weren't so resilient and if the Hokage's assistant hadn't been on the squad, I don't think they would have survived.
Following their return, my cousin Shikamaru was tasked with leading a squad of our boy comrades to rescue Sasuke. Along the way they were forced to fight one on one life or death battles to maintain pursuit.
They all almost died. I was so scared. At the time I didn't let it show, but afterwards it all came rushing forward. My friends, my family, they all almost died. I did die.
When Mimi returned from the border, she mobilized with a squad of our girl peers to follow after Shika's team and recover them and Sasuke.
Before she left, while I was confined to the hospital, I slipped her a shogi piece printed with a technique Kakashi-sensei wanted me to learn. It's called the Flying Raijin, a space-time ninjutsu used by the Second and Fourth Hokage.
I'm not very proficient with it. Not like the Second and Fourth. I've only recently been able to transport myself from point to point when I focus entirely on it—a faulty Seal sent me to the Hero World. But it was good I did. Like I said, all of my peers were left in critical states, pushed to deaths doorstep to defeat our enemies.
Without Mimi being there to stabilize them and the Flying Raijin to transport them home… I don't want to think about it.
I joined Mimi's squad but we had to split up after finding Chōji and Neji. We finally caught up to the remaining boys, but they'd been separated in their battles. It only got more complicated from there.
First, I encountered the kunoichi of the Sound Four again. Her name was Tayuya. I…I wanted to save her when I learned her history. She'd been enslaved by Orochimaru and his dreaded Curse Mark. Starved. Forced to fight and kill other prisoners to survive. She endured through hell, scraped and clawed her way to become a lieutenant for a meager scrap of freedom.
She hated him. Hated him with every fiber in her being, I could sense it. If she possessed the power to Tayuya would have killed Orochimaru and set herself free… But, at the same time, she was bound to him. Bound by his Curse Mark, which eroded her Will and twisted her into just another one of his pawns. Bound in servitude to the idea of freedom.
I wanted to save her. I wanted to take away all the hatred and darkness inside her. Because…the person Tayuya used to be, the one I never met, didn't want any of that. I could feel it. She was hurting inside. The person she used to be wanted help. Wanted someone to reach out and save her. Free her.
I tried to reach out, I did. I tried to reach through the darkness to Tayuya despite knowing she bears blame for the death of Lord Third and countless lives in the Invasion. Maybe I was just being a soft-hearted fool. Maybe she was manipulating me. I don't know. In the end, it didn't change anything. I couldn't save her.
The only choice she gave me was to abandon all I held dear and kill Orochimaru, thus becoming her new master. That was her idea of freedom. Servitude to me. It makes my heart hurt.
I think…I think I was too late to save her. Maybe if we had met earlier, maybe if the corruption hadn't eroded so much of her Will, maybe I could have saved her. But I couldn't. I couldn't follow her to Orochimaru to free her from his vile grasps when I needed to save my friends and comrades.
Shikamaru told us of a fifth member. I raced after Naruto and Sasuke with my friend Hinata, leaving Sakura and Tenten to fight alongside him against Tayuya. Shika killed her.
I hope she is at peace now.
When I arrived on the next battlefield, my past and present collided. Kasai, the boy who stole Ryu's life, the boy I once called brother, was there. He was working with Orochimaru, or using him. I don't know. But he was there and he was waiting for me.
I was filled with so much emotion. After Hinata asked me to chase down his real body while she, Naruto and Rock Lee fought a Clone and the Sand shinobi and Sasuke fought Kimimaro, I followed him to the Valley of the End. It's a valley carved into existence by a battle between the First Hokage and Madara Uchiha, who's statues now sit on the border between the Land of Fire and Land of Rice Paddies.
Kasai told me of my lineage. Our lineage, and the "gift" of inheritance they left us. I'm…I'm the great-great granddaughter of Madara Uchiha. Atsuko confirmed it, so I know it's true. Kasai is apparently the great-great grandson of Hashirama Senju. And their gift is this war between us.
He's become so twisted, Haku. I don't recognize him. He doesn't resemble the boy I called brother. I don't know if I ever even knew the real Kasai anymore.
We fought. We battled to a severely injured and exhausted stalemate. He's still alive. And that means our war with each other isn't over. Now we're just picking up where our ancestors left off, chained to this endless cycle of hatred that keeps spinning.
He claims he wanted to be free. But neither of us are free. We're bound by this Curse. Bound by this hatred and darkness that our ancestors left us to inherit. This cycle, this war of Senju verses Uchiha, of the Curse of Hatred verses the Will of Fire, it never ended. It just paused for a bit. Now the time has come for it to resume, for us to fight in it to whatever end it brings.
I hate this so much. I hate what he's become, what he seeks to do. Hate how he can't see the pain he is causing me and the pain he is causing the world with his selfish and arrogant and singleminded goals.
Worst of all, I can't even ask how this happened or why it has to be this way, because I know the answer.
After our battle ended, a Masked Man claiming to be Madara Uchiha revealed himself. I don't know if I believe him. It seems impossible; the real Madara should be dead by now. But he knew things about the real Madara only the Crows remember. Not that it matters. Not when he's the one who set us on this path.
He was the one who I would've been taken in by without the Crows and the Leaf shinobi. He's the one who twisted Kasai by telling him the truth of both of our lineages, claiming he hoped it would bring us together since Hashirama and him had no equal when they worked together.
Yet here we are, renewing an age old battle. Here we are, both of our hands stained with Ryu's blood. Him from the killing blow, and mine from my inaction.
The Masked Man spoke his honeyed words to me. He wants to twist me and drag me into the darkness. To get me to help him change this world towards whatever grand twisted vision he has. He intended to kidnap me then and there. But Kakashi-sensei and my mom showed up just in time to save me.
You must be careful of this man. Whoever he is, whether he is really my great-great grandfather or just another Uchiha survivor masquerading as the man, you must warn Lady Mei of his existence. He has the ability to make himself intangible and to teleport himself, or anyone he is close to, wherever he desires. He can also cheat death with a Forbidden Jutsu.
From what I've learned, the first powers I mentioned—intangibility and teleportation—are specifically the power of his Mangekyō Sharingan. Shisui learned its weaknesses before his death; the Masked Man tried and failed to steal his eyes. Here's how you can counter it:
When he is intangible he cannot physically harm anyone, nor can he teleport. His intangibility is also limited to around five full minutes, which means there is a brief moment between intangibility and when he attempts to teleport or physically harm someone that he can be harmed. As for the Forbidden Jutsu, kill him once, wait for it to activate and then kill him a final time.
It isn't much, I know. Hopefully you won't ever have to encounter him.
And if these encounters weren't enough, we've also learned the Stone Village wants to build a Shinobi Empire by destroying us, the Sand and the Mist, conquering our territory in the process. I suppose they think the Cloud will be tougher. We're all weakened and, in their eyes, easy targets.
The thought of war is scary. I saw a grain of its grim reality in the Invasion. But a full-scale war will be worse. Like Naruto told me, it'll last more than an afternoon. I'm not sure we're ready for it, but we're all doing our best to prepare. Well, my peers are. Sasuke and I have spent the last three weeks recovering from our injuries on the last mission. I've had to relearn to walk since my Achilles tendon was severely damaged. It's been a real drag.
I've also taken on the role of Head of the Uchiha Clan. It was a unanimous decision between Sasuke and I. I plan to rebuild and reform the Clan, eventually. Right now I'm focused on my final days of recovery so I can get back to training.
However, as I write this, it's like I can see the path ahead of me. Team Seven is going to split up for a while, I can feel it. Naruto and Sakura are going to be training with Master Jiraiya and Lady Tsunade. They'll be on their own separate paths on their personal journeys to grow stronger. To prepare for the threats ahead.
But I don't know what Sasuke and I will do. The Masked Man, unfortunately, was right about one thing: Our superiors will begin sending Sasuke and I on less dangerous, less important missions. It'll be done to protect us, and I understand it. With Orochimaru wanting to steal our bodies and the Masked Man wanting to twist us towards darkness, the reasonable decision is to keep us safe and protected inside the Leaf.
Yet, although I understand it, it also annoys me. How do they expect us to grow stronger if they shelter us? How will we be ready to protect ourselves from these threats if we aren't challenged by missions? I don't know. There has to be someway for Sasuke and I to keep pace with our peers. Someway for us to keep walking our path without turning the Masked Man into an oracle.
Oh, before I run out of space, tell that old man that I will destroy him! He'll learn to fear the woman I become!
Also, thank you for your reassurance. I hope I hit a growth spurt, but at least I know someone won't think the same way as that old man.
Kaito has no intention of forgiving me. I asked. He shook his head. Then slapped me with his wing. Troublesome bird, it's not like I planned the Crows to train him.
Thank you for your kind words. I'll keep reaching out to others. And I'll try not to be troublesome, but since it is hereditary I can't promise anything.
Be careful. Thank you for these little moments we share. I hope we can see each other again in the near future.
Your troublesome friend,
Amari
Gently hugging the letter to her chest, Amari shut her eyes and exhaled deeply.
I wish I had happier news. I wish this situation wasn't so complicated. I wish I could train or workout. At least I could relieve some of this stress and anxiety.
Unfortunately, Shizune had forbidden any intense physical activity that placed stress on her ankle. She was even more adamant on it lately.
"You're both in the final stretch of your recovery," Shizune told her and Sasuke. "But that doesn't mean you get to jump right into your training. Your bodies may feel recovered, but even now they are still healing. I need you two to show restraint just a little longer. Keep up your physical therapy. Don't do anything reckless, otherwise you'll be off-duty even longer."
Neither Uchiha were excited about it, but they agreed. Reluctantly.
It was hard not to be impatient. Three weeks they had spent regaining mobility and strength in their injured limbs. Three weeks of nothing but rest and recovery while everyone else was working. The only silver lining for Amari, and reason she stayed sane, was the ability to spend time with her mother.
It'd been so long since they weren't in and out of the house on missions consistently. Since they'd just been able to stay home together with few responsibilities requiring their immediate attention. It was nice.
However, the end of their recovery was finally in sight. Soon they'd be able to train and work again. They just had to persevere a little longer.
And not go insane.
The crisp fresh air felt good. Smelled like winter, if a season could have a smell. It wasn't too breezy, either.
The sun was shining, the heat warming the minimal expanse of skin exposed to the elements by her long sleeve and shorts. The street was quiet. It made it easier to hear the casual approach of a bipedal person and their quadruped racing up the street towards her.
"Aoko, time to dive bomb!"
The ninken did as commanded and leaped to the arm rest, then dove straight onto Amari's belly, knocking a bit of air out of the Nara. She giggled as she lifted her head up. Aoko panted happily.
"Nice to see you too, Aoko."
Aoko yipped.
"She's happy to see you, too."
"I can tell," the Nara giggled, petting Aoko.
"Hope you weren't taking a nap," Mimi said as she strolled up, grinning.
"Would it make you regret it?"
"Nope," the Inuzuka replied, her grin never falling. There was a noticeable flush to her cheeks and neck behind her Clan markings, as well as dampness to her wild mane. Aoko's fur was a bit damp, too.
"Well, I wasn't napping. Just relaxing and thinking in the fresh air. What about you two? What are you up to?"
"Aoko and I went for a run. It was too nice out not to enjoy it while we could. Caught your scent so we decided to come see you."
"And dive bomb me, apparently. Excellent execution, by the way."
Aoko barked happily, wagging her tail. She then hopped off her stomach, down to the ground and then up onto Mimi's shoulders. Amari sat up and patted the seat beside her.
"You can sit if you aren't in a hurry."
"Thanks."
Mimi settled down beside her, lounging back against the bench and looking up at the sky. There wasn't a cloud in sight. Mimi was right, it really was a beautiful day.
Amari exhaled a deep and relaxed breath. We have to savor these moments while we can.
Before the next battle. Before the war.
"I heard your meeting with Lord Hiashi went well."
"Word travels fast."
"Nah," Mimi shook her head. "Hinata and I train together, remember? She filled me in on what she knew. Sounds like you made a good impression."
"It went as well as it could have." The Nara lightly scratched the tip of her cold nose. "Honestly, I nearly fell for his bait a few times. Took a lot of willpower not to say some of the things I wanted to. If it weren't for us rescuing Hinata from the Cloud, and then Neji on that same mission and the last big mission, I doubt I would've been shown the leniency Lord Hiashi offered me.
"On top of that, I had Hinata fighting in my corner. Sasuke told me she raised her voice to Lord Hiashi on my behalf, in defense of how I came into possession of Ryu's eye, among other things. By Hinata's own admission it was the first time she ever did that."
Mimi whistled. "Can't imagine how hard he had to question her or what threats he levied your way to lead to that. Hinata is even shyer than you. Haven't known her as long as everyone from your graduating year, but I can tell she's not the type to raise her voice to anyone. Let alone her own father. Not unless it was important to her."
Amari nodded in agreement. No. Hinata wasn't the type at all. That's what made it shocking, and why it was so meaningful.
Hinata took a stand against her father, the man who shoved her off onto Kurenai and made her feel worthless when she didn't meet the set expectations, for her.
The significance wasn't lost on Amari.
"How is your training going, by the way? I haven't found the time to ask. Is Shizune the teacher you hoped she would be?"
"Definitely. Shizune is one knowledgable medic-nin," Mimi said. "I can't say I'm surprised since the Old Hag taught her. Plus she saved Neji's, Genma's, Anko's and Raidō's lives, so I knew she was damn good.
"But… Hmm." She frowned thoughtfully. "I guess despite all of that I underestimated her. I've never seen her work before. Beyond being the Hokage's assistant, I mean. Never really spoken besides basic pleasantries or mission debriefs until she started teaching us. It's like I've run into her a whole bunch, but we're only really meeting now, you know?"
"I get that."
"I'm learning a lot from her; deeper knowledge of poisons and antidotes, also the means to create them and special jutsus that utilize the power of poison; the Cell Activation Jutsu has come up, its applications and the variation that Kabuto bastard used, which could be useful; other advanced techniques, like the Old Hag's Strength of a Hundred Seal and important information on surgeries and how to refine my healing techniques; a whole lot to study and learn all around."
Mimi ran a hand through her damp mane, stopping at the back of her head and shutting her eyes as she inhaled. Then exhaled.
"I've got a long way to go to reach my goal," she admitted. "There is so much more I need to learn. The field of Medical Ninjutsu and its potential is as wide as and as limitless as the universe." She shot a grin at Amari. "Or should I say the multiverse."
"I'm never living that down, am I?" Amari asked with small smile.
"Nope."
Aoko barked, adding a second agreement. Amari sighed.
"There's a lot to learn, but I'm up for it. I welcome the challenge. I'm the kunoichi that's gonna surpass the legendary Lady Tsunade, after all. Convincing the Hokage to have Shizune train us was the right move. She's a good teacher. Nice, patient, is willing to answer questions and she demands our best just like you and Sasuke said.
"Hinata is doing real well, too. Better than I anticipated, actually. Could be the chakra control of Gentle Fist or simply because she is so determined to learn Medical Ninjutsu. Or combination of both. Sooner rather than later she'll be applying rudimentary treatments to her team. She's focused. Determined. Not afraid to admit ignorance or ask for guidance.
"Moreover, with her speciality in close-quarters combat and Gentle Fist, along with Kiba, Akamaru and Shino as her teammates, she won't have to fear suddenly fading into the background. They'll keep her safe and she'll kick ass at the same time."
"Good to hear it," Amari smiled. Her eyes were drawn past the canopies of trees to the great wide open sky again. "Everyone is really finding their way since the Retrieval mission."
Mimi looked to her with a curiosity. "You say that like you aren't."
"Well, besides the last three weeks of recovery and Uchiha Clan stuff, Sasuke and I are in limbo." Amari's eyes fell to the letter to Haku. "My team is splitting up. Maybe not permanently, but it is in the near future. Naruto will be gone with Master Jiraiya at some point. Sakura will be training with Lady Tsunade from now on, learning everything she can as her apprentice. Kakashi-sensei will soon be taking on missions expected of him as a Jōnin.
"Our situation is complicated. The Masked Man and Orochimaru will make it dangerous for our superiors to send the two of us out on regular missions. Orochimaru or his goons will hunt us down. The Masked Man can appear anywhere he wants. So, what do we do? We can't just be sheltered in the Leaf, not when there is a war coming. We need to keep moving forward."
"Any plans?"
"Not yet."
"Isn't this what the Masked Man warned you would happen?"
Amari nodded, frowning. "Yes. It's the situation he helped create. Although he hadn't anticipated my mom or Kakashi-sensei arriving to save me, he was aware if I somehow managed to slip through his grasps that the knowledge of his existence would cause this exact scenario.
"It's for this reason he 'warned' me of what would eventually happen. He fed my suspicions of the Foundation and the Councilors, fueled my distrust. If I hadn't met Shisui and learned the truth, I can't imagine how effective his words would be. Because even now they effect me. They haunt me. They make me impatient, annoyed."
The kunoichi exhaled a long sigh, leaning back against the bench. "This is all such a pain. I miss the days when Orochimaru was our biggest problem."
Mimi chuckled. "True enough."
Aoko barked in agreement.
"Still, at least we aren't blind and deaf to these bastards, right?" said the Inuzuka thoughtfully. "We know they exist and that they're trying to manipulate us or overthrow the Leaf or set the world on fire or whatever their goals are. Knowing means we can actually stop them before it's too late."
"I suppose. Still troublesome."
Chuckling, the Inuzuka reached over ruffled Amari's hair. The younger kunoichi giggled.
"Don't let it get you down. We'll figure something out for you and Sasuke. No way I'm letting you get lazy. Then who will keep me on my toes? Sir Superiority? He isn't nearly as fun to fight."
Aoko barked. Amari giggled again.
"Don't worry so much," Mimi reassured. "You aren't going to fall behind and we aren't gonna let the Masked Man or Orochimaru take you. We'll figure something out. Together. Then we're gonna rip all these fools threatening you and the world to shreds. That's just the way it's gonna go down, whether they like it or not."
The Inuzuka leveled her with a meaningful expression.
"I won't let you fall behind. And I'm not gonna let you fight these bastards alone. We're in this together, Amari. Through whatever hell we face."
"Thanks, Mimi," the Uchiha smiled warmly.
"Of course," Mimi slung an arm around her neck and pulled her into a one armed hug. "You're my sister. Gotta look out for each other."
They discussed Atsuko's condition and Osamu whereabouts after a short silence. Mimi had expected to see a legion of Crows patrolling around Amari at all times with the existence of the Masked Man; Amari teased her by asking how she was so certain there wasn't a legion.
"The Crows can hide their presence entirely from your noses and Neji's eyes. Are you sure they aren't hovering behind you right this moment? Waiting for the slightest aggressive movement to strike? Are you so sure I'm alone?"
"Good point."
The Uchiha noticed how Aoko and Mimi glanced around suspiciously in search of any sight of the Crows. They saw nothing. After giggling, she went on to explain that Atsuko had recovered from her injuries and was performing her duties as Head of the Crows by organizing her agents while restrengthening her wings. Osamu, she explained, was presently on a scouting mission outside of the Leaf, the details of which she was unaware of.
She asked how Lee's recovery was proceeding.
"He's driving Guy-sensei into the dirt," Mimi said, shaking her head with a grin splitting her lips. "Never thought I'd see the day where Guy-sensei's hot-blooded spirit was matched and then rivaled by another. Ever since he was cleared for training, Lee hasn't wasted a single moment. He's becoming a beast in his own right. I get it. He's been on the shelf since the Prelims. I'd feel the same way."
"I feel the same way, and it's only been three weeks for me. Can't imagine how it feels after a few months."
"Just so you know, he'll be coming your way as soon as you're cleared."
"Ah, crap." The kunoichi sank into the bench in despair.
"It's not that bad. I honestly doubt he'll ask for a spar first," said Mimi. "He's seen how far you've come since the first time we all fought you. He'll want to be in top shape when you fight, and he'll want you to be, too. So I'd expect a different kind of insane challenge."
"If that was supposed to make me feel better, it didn't," the Nara deadpanned.
"You'll be fine." Mimi shrugged. "Can't be worse than a five on one battle."
"I hope you're right."
Considering the kind of insanity Guy consistently challenged Kakashi to, she was certain it could be worse than a five on one battle. A lot worse.
She didn't have long to contemplate it. A strong presence appeared behind the pair. The Inuzuka duo stiffened, briefly. Amari mirrored it, but then relaxed when she sensed the chakra.
"Ah ha! There you are—"
In the mere seconds of their arrival, the individual attempted to clap his hands on their shoulders. They never had the chance. A whirling tornado of black feathers spawned around the trio, swarming their intruder in an instant. The ominous caws encompassed them.
"Wait! Wait! It's me! Master Jiraiya the Toad Sage! Waaaaaahhhhhhh!" wailed the intruder.
In a flurry, the Crows dumped the Toad Sage on the street in front of the two kunoichi. Then vanished entirely.
Mimi and Aoko observed the departure with nervous grins. Aoko rumbled.
"Heh, yeah. Lucky they saw us coming or we'd have been in trouble dive-bombing her," the Inuzuka replied to her ninken. "I don't know what's creepier. How they appear from nowhere, or that they disappear just as easily." Aoko rumbled again. "Both? Yeah, both sounds about right."
"Master Jiraiya," drawled Amari, smirking at the legendary Sannin. "Didn't you learn your lesson the last time you tried this?"
Master Jiraiya, legendary shinobi of the Leaf, Toad Sage of Mount Myōboku, poked his two pointer fingers together, pouting childishly in shame.
"First Tsunade, now the Crows? What did I ever do to deserve this?"
"Peeping on women?" offered Amari.
"If this is the divine punishment I face for research…" Jiraiya leapt to his feet, placed his hands on his hips and looked to the sky with a prideful and determined grin. "Then that's the price I am willing to pay! In fact, it only emboldens me to see my research through to the very end! None shall stand between a writer and his muse, not even the divines themselves! I will travel where few are willing to go! I will chase inspiration wherever it takes me! I will taste the forbidden fruit, even if it costs me my life! Ha ha ha!"
"I see. Then I'll make sure Lady Tsunade knows of your declaration."
"Whaaaaaa!"
Jiraiya, clearly having forgot he was in the presence of two girls and Aoko, snapped his horrified expression to the trio. Amari's flat stare and Mimi's vicious grin changed his tune faster than Yukiko's music player could change songs. He waved his hands rapidly in front of himself.
"Hey, wait a minute! You don't need to do that! I was, uh, I was just…reciting a line from the new book I'm writing! Yeah! Testing it out on a new audience. There's no reason to do anything drastic or hasty like jumping to conclusions without context!"
"Pretending for a moment I didn't hear you say 'None shall stand between a writer and his muse', which doesn't leave much room for debate on what you meant, if that's what your protagonist is saying in regards to the person he seeks intimacy from, I'd throw your book in the closest fire I could find. I might even use a Fire Ball Jutsu just to be sure," Amari replied.
"You wouldn't understand the brilliance of my series," Jiraiya dismissed her critique.
"It's all smut, isn't it?"
"Do not insult me!" boomed the Toad Sage. "Smut? No. It is not only smut. There is passion, romance, plot, lust, ecstasy, tragedy! It has all the ingredients of a best seller. I have captivated the minds of people from every Nation! And soon my novel will be on the silver screen!"
"I'm aware. I'm also aware of who was casted as its lead actress."
She narrowed her eyes at the Toad Sage.
"Fair warning: If I hear that Princess Koyuki's experience on set revolves around a bunch of perverted men who aren't essential to the production of the movie hovering around her while she is undressed, which by your own admission of 'not only smut' makes clear such scenes exists, Lady Tsunade will know all about your little declaration."
Jiraiya shuddered visibly, then rubbed the back of his head.
"Geez, Kakashi. Teaching a Nara how to blackmail of all things? What were you thinking?"
"What brought you here anyway, Master Jiraiya?" Mimi asked.
"I'm here for you, actually," he confessed, lowering his hand.
Mimi grinned. "Sorry. You're way out of my dating pool."
"Heh," Jiraiya huffed a laugh. "Very funny, you little brat. That's not what I meant. I've personally selected you to join the squad I'm forming for an important mission. Mission has already been cleared by Tsunade. I need you to head home and get ready then meet me at the gate. Pack for a week away from the Leaf."
"A mission?" Mimi tilted her head. "Where to?"
"I'll debrief you with the rest of the squad. Now get moving. We're leaving as soon as possible."
"All right." Mimi rose from the bench, half-turned and placed her fist out to Amari. "Remember to stay focused. We'll figure something out."
Amari bumped her fist. "I will. Thank you. Good luck. And stay vigilant, both of you."
"Of course. Aoko and I are the ultimate team. There's nothing we can't do. Right, Aoko?"
Aoko barked in agreement.
"See you when you get back."
"See you then."
With Mimi jogging off, and then Master Jiraiya's sudden disappearance, Amari quickly found herself alone again. She looked down at her response to Haku.
"There has to be something we can do," she thought out loud. "But what is it?"
She hoped the answer would come to her soon.
Once at her home, Mimi took a swift shower to wash off the sweat. There was no telling when the next opportunity to be clean was, and she didn't fancy stinking of sweat right out of the gate; like the rules for eating and rest, a shinobi bathed when they could. Afterwards she prepped her gear.
Dressed in her flak jacket, blue V-neck, mesh long sleeve, black shorts and gloves, equipped with her ninja pouch and tool box, the Inuzuka slung her pack over her shoulder and made for the door with Aoko padding along beside her.
Tsume was at the door, hands on her hips and curious expression on her face. Her aunt wore a grayish almost black long sleeve and matching pants with her flak jacket unzipped. Kuromaru, Mimi observed, padded out of the main hall towards the living area, the adult ninken distinguishable by his wolfish appearance, his black fur and white underside, missing left ear and the eyepatch over his right eye.
"Where are you off to?" asked her aunt, slit pupils taking in her niece's appearance.
"Master Jiraiya apparently handpicked a squad for some mission he and Lady Hokage set up," she explained. "Turns out I was one of his choices."
Tsume nodded once. "All right. I expect nothing less than your best then."
"Didn't realize half-ass work was acceptable in this house," Mimi grinned.
A wild, animalistic grin pulled onto her aunt's face. "It isn't." She lifted her chin towards the door. "Now get going. Tardiness isn't acceptable either. When you get back I better hear nothing but praises about your performance."
"I'll make sure of it. See you when we get back, Aunty Tsume. Give Hana and Kiba a hug for me."
"You can hug them yourself when you get home. Aoko, keep her out of trouble."
"You know that's impossible," rumbled Aoko.
"Ha! True," Tsume grinned. "Keep your senses sharp, both of you."
"We will."
"We're the ultimate team, after all."
Mimi opened the door. Then felt a harsh slap crack her in the back of the skull.
"And no cussing in the house!" Tsume scolded.
"Gah!" groaned Mimi, grabbing at her head. Damn! I thought I had gotten away with it, too!
"What are you doing standing around here for? Get moving, Mimi!"
"All right, all right. Later, Aunty Tsume! Let's go, Aoko!"
Her ninken leapt and climbed up her back, taking her position on top of the Inuzuka's head. Mimi jogged and ninja jumped across the Village to the front gate.
There she found Naruto and Sakura. Besides their travel packs, they wore their usual gear, though Sakura's outfit was complimented by pinkish-red matching arm and leg warmers. Considering the chilly weather, Mimi couldn't blame her for it.
"Oh, Mimi! And Aoko, too." Sakura was the first to greet them.
"Hey you two!" Naruto waved.
"Well, well, looks like we're in for some fun, Aoko," Mimi said, smirking at the pair. "Anywhere Team Seven goes, trouble always follows. This mission is bound to be entertaining."
"Or perhaps there will be half the trouble."
"Heh. Maybe. This is only half of Team Seven, so maybe it will be half the normal trouble they get up to. Or maybe Amari and Sasuke are the bad luck charms."
"Although, with Naruto and Master Jiraiya involved, I wonder if that in of itself is an omen of what we will face."
Mimi hummed but said nothing. Could this mission involve the Akatsuki of all things? It didn't seem likely. Surely there were stronger, more experienced shinobi for Master Jiraiya to recruit for such a mission.
Sakura and Naruto, unaware of where her thoughts traveled, slouched in defeat.
"Is that how everyone sees us?" Sakura asked. "As bad luck charms?"
"How did this happen?" Naruto whined. "I thought seven was supposed to be a lucky number."
"I don't think I've ever seen them so depressed. Teasing them will be fun."
"Heh!" Mimi laughed at her companion's amused analysis. "I don't know. Looks to me like they're already tapping out."
"How dull. I miss Tenten already. She is always entertaining to tease."
"Agreed, Aoko." The Inuzuka cast her eyes about the area. "So, where's Master Jiraiya? He said he wanted to leave as soon as possible."
"Knowing that old coot, he probably snuck off somewhere to do more of his 'research' as he puts it," Naruto said, frowning in annoyance. "I wonder if this mission is even as serious as he made it out to be."
"It is."
Naruto stiffened, inhaling sharply. He whirled around and threw a fist, which slapped into the palm of his ambusher. Sakura jolted at the sudden appearance of the Toad Sage behind her teammate. Mimi had caught his scent this time, but she knew it was because he let her.
Unlike the entertaining perverted buffoon before, Jiraiya's expression was devoid of foolishness. The serious countenance broke slightly for a smile.
"Easy, Naruto. Why so jumpy? I thought for sure you'd recognize your master's voice."
"Why am I so jumpy?! You about gave me a heart-attack, Pervy Sage!"
A vein, Mimi noticed, bulged on Jiraiya's forehead. His eyebrow quivered in annoyance.
"You ungrateful little brat… I told you to stop calling me that!" boomed the Sannin, lifting and dangling Naruto above the ground so he could yell in his face.
"Maybe I would if you weren't always sneaking off to do your stupid 'research'!"
"I'm a writer! My research helps me write breathtaking novels!"
"Oh, sureeee! That's what it's about. Writing! What do you take me for? An idiot?!"
"Well, as a matter of fact, yes! You have no idea the painstaking efforts that go into writing my books!"
"Painstaking my foot! You just sneak off to watch women in the bathhouse or any other time they're undressed or practically naked! All while you're supposed to be training me!"
"Would you stop slandering me so loudly!"
"Would you stop being a massive pervert!"
"Never!"
"Argghhhh! Do you have any idea what Amari has threatened to do to me and Sasuke if we ever become remotely like you?!"
"Ha! You would be so lucky to ever grow up to be like me!" Jiraiya declared.
"I'm never gonna be a pervy hermit sage like you!"
"Stop calling me that, you little brat!"
"Oh, brother," Sakura groaned. "They're more alike than I thought."
"I'm nothing like him!" Master and student chorused.
Sakura stared flatly at them.
And just like that he changes from Legendary Sannin to a normal guy. Mimi chuckled beneath her breath, crossing her arms. I guess I shouldn't be surprised. All my life I'd only ever heard stories about him and the Old Hag. Heroic stories. But heroes are just regular people. Strong, sure, but flawed like everyone else.
The bickering continued a few moments longer. Then Sakura snapped.
"Knock it off, you idiots!" screamed the kunoichi in a rage. "If I hear another word about 'research' or perverted behavior, I'll… Actually, you know what, I'm going to do it anyway! CHAAAA!"
Eyes white with rage, fists clenched, Sakura leapt through the air like a demon possessed, cracking master and student on the tops of their heads, an act which drilled them into the street.
Mimi winced, then grinned. Things were definitely bound to be lively with this team.
"She's like a mini-Tsunade already," she heard Jiraiya mumble in despair. "Sheesh. Who's bright idea was it to make her Tsunade's pupil? That temperament will only get worse in the future."
"Geez, Sakura. What'd you hit me for? I was on your side," Naruto groaned.
Sakura brushed her hands off and huffed.
"Nice one, Sakura. Saved me the trouble of drilling them myself," Mimi said.
"There will no shortage of opportunities for entertainment on this mission," rumbled Aoko, grinning.
"Can we please learn what we're all here for now?" Sakura asked rather politely for someone who had just clobbered a legendary pervert and his protégé.
"Right." Jiraiya rose from the ground.
Naruto joined his master, touching the tender bump on his head, and wincing as he did.
"Yeah, what's the deal, Pervy Sage? You said this mission was serious, right?"
"I did. And it is." Again he took on a no-nonsense countenance. "I hope you're prepared. This mission will require you three to fight shinobi like those you faced on your last mission."
"Shinobi like that Kimimaro guy? And those other guys?" Naruto asked, caught off guard by the news.
"Like the Sound Four?" Sakura followed.
"Quite the specific shinobi. We're going after Orochimaru, aren't we?" Mimi deduced quickly.
Her peers snapped her direction in shock. Jiraiya nodded.
"You're sharp, Mimi. Yes, you're exactly right. This mission of ours is taking us straight to the pit of darkness he hides in, right into the Land of Sound where the Sound Village rests. However, Orochimaru is mine to handle."
Something about the way Jiraiya's eyes narrowed at the air itself made Mimi thankful he was an ally.
"He and I have a score to settle. He must face justice for his crimes."
Switching his gaze to them, he continued. "Orochimaru isn't our only target, however. Although the world will be safer without a snake like Kabuto roaming around, whether you three have the opportunity to eliminate him doesn't matter. Your true target is Kasai."
"Kasai?" Naruto growled.
"Wait, are you serious? We're going after him?" Sakura didn't sound worried. Surprised, sure, but not worried. In fact, she sounded ready to crush his insides.
Mimi narrowed her eyes. "This is why you didn't tell us what our mission was. You didn't want Amari knowing."
"Amaririsu has a vendetta against Kasai," Jiraiya explained patiently. "I understand how personal this is to her. However, she is at the end of her recovery. Not only that, the Hokage has forbidden Sasuke and Amaririsu from partaking in any mission which brings them as close as we will be to Orochimaru. Were she to know this mission was to eliminate Kasai as well as Orochimaru, there isn't a doubt in my mind that she would find some way to join us. Even against those orders."
"He's protecting her from punishment, in his own way. Even so, she will not be pleased to learn her chance at retribution has been stolen from her," Aoko rumbled thoughtfully.
"Putting it mildly, Aoko," said Mimi.
Breaking that news to her wouldn't be fun. Still, maybe it was better this way. By killing him they'd take a burden off her shoulders. She wouldn't have to worry about Kasai being somewhere out in the world hurting people. She could focus on her Clan, on the war and the road ahead.
They could rid her of Kasai. Her, Aoko, Naruto and Sakura, they could finish the bastard and turn him into an afterthought—a bad memory that no longer had power over her.
They could stop him from hurting her ever again. From ever leaving her in that lacerated, burned, bruised and exhausted state in the future they found her in.
From breaking her heart more.
Shutting her eyes, she inhaled a deep breath.
"All right. Well, if I had doubts before about this mission, they're all gone now." Mimi opened her eyes, revealing slit pupils. She uncrossed her arms and placed on hand on her hip. "I relish the chance to rip his guts out!"
"There will be nothing left for the scavengers when we're finished!" Aoko barked.
Naruto slammed his fist into his palm, teeth grinding together. "No way Kasai's getting away from us again. I won't let him. This time we'll crush him!"
"We have a score to settle, too. He's going to pay for everything he's done," said Sakura, clenching her fists at her sides.
"I had a feeling you four would feel that way," Jiraiya replied, smirking. "So, how about it? Are you all prepared to infiltrate the Sound Village?"
"Hell yeah. Is that even a question?" Mimi said.
"You better believe it!" Naruto declared.
"We won't let you down, Master Jiraiya," Sakura said confidently.
Master Jiraiya grinned at the group.
"All right, my eager little chiclets. Let's go!"
Review Response to Guest: You're welcome! Happy to hear you enjoyed seeing a little more of the political side of things.
As for the three year gap, I'm honestly not sure how much of it will be seen because, in a way, the next arcs will be taking part within the first year of those three years, and I'm not sure how far into the first year we'll get by going through them. I know what the final arc of Part 1 before we enter Shippuden will be and the state of the shinobi world at its end, I just don't know how far forward we will be at that point. For instance, right now they're entering winter, so it's not out of the realm of possibilities it'll still be winter when it ends, or possibly the beginning of spring due to the missions between now and the end.
I can say, though, that I won't go through the entirety of the three years between now and Shippuden. I don't think I could fill that much time without risking it becoming redundant and definitely without it taking significantly longer to reach Shippuden, and I'm really excited to get into that portion of the story. Some of what happens in the time skip will be used as sort of flashback chapters or arcs in Shippuden, probably near the start of it, to get an idea of what everyone has gone through from the end of Part 1 and the beginning of that part of the story.
Happy you're enjoying the growth of everyone's characters! I'm trying my best to flesh out the other characters and Clans, also the other Villages, to give them all a chance to shine or grow and show their potential because of how cool I've always thought they were. I do hope to expand on more of what their specific Clan jutsus and even what Medical Ninjutsu could be capable of. Hopefully, fingers crossed, it all turns out well.
Thank you for taking the time to read this giant story! I'm happy it has been able to entertain you as much as it has entertained me.
Thank you for the review!