I meant what I said that I was absolutely not (n-o-t) planning another update for this year. I almost never change my mind on things like that either. However circumstances, such as reconnecting with a good friend and wanting to kind of "gift" her via an update, had me changing my mind. Totally because of her that there's something new to read. But bet your sweet cheeks this is most definitely the final ASiT update of 2019. See everybody after New Year's but for now enjoy the last minute holiday gift.

Kind of proud of the twists and turns this chapter takes.

P.S. This story is not nor was it ever previously discontinued and then picked back up. Not sure why some people periodically think that. You might have this fic confused with others.


This was not a boar. As her mind worked through its surprise, Sakura was confronted by that singular, echoing notion.

Peering down at her indolently was a single eerily green eye. There wasn't much more to be said about the features of the person's face, as they were entirely obscured by the metal brass-colored helmet. Tinny breathing from the slats in the area of the mouth at least let her know this was no ghost. One piece of local folklore debunked.

However, the thick blacksmith's apron that trailed down to the kneecap of the only visible leg instantly raised Sakura's suspicion. The fabric of the long-sleeved, green shirt underneath clung tightly enough to reveal powerful, corded arms encased in tough gloves to the elbows. Arms strengthened considerably by forging, in her assessment. A hard-toed boot traveled up to disappear under the apron.

One leg. One eye. The clothes of a blacksmith.

Usamaro sat nonchalantly and groomed himself.

"Ippon-Datara?" Sakura's voice cracked a little, sweeping once then twice over the person, from top to bottom.

"Hm," The sound filtered out slightly muffled, but audible. "Random human." The god said flatly in sardonic greeting.

Sakura ignored the tone, moving closer in a half-daze. "You're…You're Ame no Me-Hitotsu n—"

"I think you have me mistaken with someone else, unfortunately." He clasped one arm over a wound dribbling red she had somehow missed. The sight kept her enraptured enough not to speak as she thought of how he had sustained injury. "Right…farewell," Ippon Datara cleared his throat and turned his back to her. For only having one leg, he moved with surprising vigor, his foot impossibly noiseless.

Sakura stared after him for only a minute before following suit, sure she had found the right god. How many injured boars transformed into blacksmiths upon being released from traps?

"I went through a lot to find you!" she declared, stomping toward him.

The blacksmith didn't so much as slow down. "Then you're going to remain sorely disappointed. I'm not sure why a human knows my true identity, but I haven't been affiliated with anyone but myself in centuries."

Sakura didn't let the aloof attitude concern her, shaking her head. "My name is Sakura Haruno, and I'm the godslayer of the dragon goddess of rivers, Mizuchi." Strangely, a small spark of pride bloomed in her chest to say it aloud.

"Ha…" The humorless sound wasn't so much a true chuckle but rather a moment of realization. "Mizuchi's up to more antics, then. A godslayer this time…? I can't say I envy whatever trouble she's gotten you into."

"She told me you don't like to be bothered," Sakura worried her lip, rushing to continue, "But I need a weapon to help sa—"

"Tenacious. Mizuchi always did favor that type. But I've said it already…I can't help. Or rather, I'm not interested. I'm staying under the radar in case you don't understand." His footprint sank into the soil and yet not a single twig or rock was disturbed. Usamaro found great fun in hopping after him, his longer back legs making him inclined to the movements anyway.

Sakura tried to muster up more patience from her dwindling well. Since arriving in the river valley it had been one ordeal after another. It would be nice if she could find some cooperation from someone besides sentient animals. The kunoichi reached out and seized his arm. The muscles of his bicep tensed, but she didn't let go. "Then why are you making divine weapons and passing them out so freely? Aren't they supposed to be sacred, or—"

There was the smallest sharp intake of breath, made louder in the forest's quiet gloom. Sakura saw the way his shoulders went stiff before relaxing in practiced composure. His helmeted head tipped down to her slightly, and it was only then she realized he was lean and fairly tall.

Usamaro meowed gratefully, happy to stop trotting after them.

"I haven't made a divine weapon since my banishment." the god spoke slowly, "As I said, you've obviously confused me with someone else."

Sakura's pulse leapt, other explanations tumbling incoherently through her mind. 'Mizuchi confirmed if it hurt me it had to be divine in nature. And the otters said the beavers didn't have anything like that until recently. If I assume the same could be said for the person we fought yesterday who appeared suddenly—'

"You're the god of blacksmithing!" she stuttered, "If it wasn't you—"

"If I know the river goddess the way that I do, I would guess she sent you on this errand to find me and explained the minimum at best." Sakura stepped back as he rounded on her, glowing eye peering into her and measuring her worth. "As you can see quite plainly, I'm not immune to the effects of magic iron." His voice was flat and tired as he held up his arm. While his clothing was intact (that was impressive material) a dark blotch of crimson stained the area around his shoulder and upper arm tellingly.

Med-nin instincts flaring to life, Sakura made a shrewd evaluation, activating her healing jutsu. "Here, you're hurt,"

Though it was hard to determine without looking into his face, she thought Ippon Datara blinked at her. As he had been as an animal, he was a docile patient, not putting up any struggle to her touching him. The pinkette grunted, noticing the resistance the injury had to her ministrations before she felt it slowly knitting shut. "…Why would you do that?" he asked. "I'm not a harmless woodland creature anymore."

"Technically you never were," Sakura murmured, absently pulling his arm out to inspect. "Boars are dangerous and you were huge. What was that all about, anyway?"

Satisfied that her Shosen jutsu did the job, the kunoichi was able to fully focus her attention back to drilling the enigmatic god.

"Normally this would be the part where I left you," he grumbled, the green iris disappearing. Sakura could only assume he'd shut his eye to weigh his words before explaining. "But since you've been embroiled this far, I'm not doing any harm in saying more." One gloved hand came up to cradle the elbow of his opposite arm, the other propped under his chin. "Mizuchi's surely shown you her dragon form. She's far from the only one who's able to transform at will. Sometimes it's simply easier to clear my head and think as I forage for mushrooms as a boar."

"Except when you get caught in a trap and can't get out." Sakura prodded, squinting pointedly.

"That was no ordinary trap. It was made specifically with deities in mind." he defended, although she still detected a glum twinge in his voice. "No ordinary metal saps away at divine essence."

The sensation of the sword sliding through her scaled arm like butter drew a choked breath from her throat. "What do you mean by that? What makes it special?"

"Since before humankind learned how to make their own weapons, metals like iron have had magical properties. Even among those of the pantheon, only a small number of us can draw the power out and forge weapons of divinity." Ippon Datara grumbled under his breath, turning his head. "You might guess," He pointed down at his leg, "That not even gods are immune to being cut down by one. I lost my leg to a forging accident when I was young and clumsy."

"W-Why," Sakura wet her lips and slowly let her eyes trail to his arm. She'd been sure the boar was caught by the hind leg. "I mean your leg is…"

"I would be a fool to work with enchanted metals and let the same thing happen twice." The blacksmith spat, sounding affronted. "The pants and boot I wear now protect my remaining leg from injury, and these gloves protect my hands and lower arms. But I was caught as a boar, and wounds cut into flesh by a divine weapon don't just disappear. So it migrated to my arm when I transformed back."

His head whipped back around so suddenly Sakura jumped. The god unexpectedly leaned forward, making the hairs along her neck rise. "What're you doing? You're way too close."

"You shouldn't have been able to do anything for my injury." he said bluntly. "Not with any ordinary ninjutsu…humans are still calling it that, aren't they?"

Sakura nodded woodenly.

"Mizuchi's fondness for unusual things shines through," The young woman was sure she hadn't been meant to hear the mumbling, but she had, and she wasn't through getting information. Though it served no purpose, Ippon Datara reached one of his gloved hands up to scratch his neck at the area where the helmet met the high green fabric of his shirt. "Well, I can't really spare anymore time."

Sakura was prepared to lunge at him if he tried to get away again, but a peculiarly strong wind picked up, blasting her hair into her line of sight. Not bothering with pushing it from her eyes, she instead spat it from her mouth so she could be easily heard. "Wait, if it wasn't you that's making the weapons, then who is?"

"Telling you wouldn't do much to help your cause." The kunoichi stumbled forward, fingers outstretched as his voice sounded further away. Usamaro yowled like he'd been startled, increasing her level of alarm. "I'll caution you to beware walking through the mountains alone." The whistling of wind picked up to such a pitch that Ippon Datara's voice was a strain of a whisper. The words were choppy, and she only caught snatches. "Wrath…when she's…jealous…"

Shaking all obstruction from her vision, Sakura gaped.

Predictably, he was gone.


The forge was a dim, dingy shack by all outward appearances. With its thatched roof and crumbling stone, it could have just as easily been a pauper's dwelling. As he approached, his feet sinking into the soggy ground and a faint odor of manure filtering in under his mask, a pig lifted its head from some slop and squealed. Crows fluttered off the roof. Ignoring the shabbiness of the building, the young man made his way to the doorstep, knuckles shoving at the sturdy door.

It opened as anticipated, a cluttered one room abode filled with lumps of iron, an assortment of blacksmithing tools and a blazing hearth. His gaze immediately fell to the figure kneeling before it, hands smoothing down a long shape wrapped in cloth and bound at the throat, midsection and feet.

Although he knew the process, respected it, his face still fell a little in disgust underneath its covering.

His benefactor paid him no mind, cooing faintly. "Yes, you put up a nice fight. You'll do well." Deceptively average hands wrapped around the forge's tribute and with a heave it was cast into the fire. The orange hungrily lapped up the offering, and a delighted sigh slipped from thin lips.

"Ugh," A quiet sound of revulsion as round eyes watched the blaze in the hearth grow stronger. For the first time, he bothered taking in the small child sitting on the table and examining an odachi in boredom as she swung her legs back and forth. "Spare us all your debauched playtime and get on with it."

"Silence!" A dark head lifted as her glimmering eyes fell to who would dare interrupt her. "You should consider yourself lucky I allow your presence in this sacred place."

"Sacred place?" The childish voice retorted, gesturing around them. "It's a pit of squalor and it reeks of death. Contrary to what you might think, I find corpses repulsive. Playing with them is gross. Who wants the shell once the walnut is cracked?" She turned to him and beamed, wide and innocent. "Isn't that right, S—"

He could feel his mistress getting testy. "You are free to go, then. You're little more than underfoot at this stage in the process."

A delicate sniff and the girl was turning her button nose up in the air. "You think I'm just going to be delivery girl and then skip off into the mountains? I made a pretty big investment because we've got common interests. I'm going to stick around until I see it pay off to my satisfaction."

Rising from the floor, the woman beside the hearth turned her eyes his way, and they softened considerably. "Cat, how long have you been there?" she asked, almost motherly.

He supposed he should be more grateful. Without her, he wouldn't have Oboro, the instrument to exacting his revenge. The blade in his hand was more an extension of himself than anything. Forged by in the flames of his resentment, it did everything he was told it would and more.

They had both given him the chance to destroy the man who, in his eyes, was responsible for so much of his suffering. If that meant being bound to death and serving it, he would tolerate it for now. But not forever.

"I know where they are. I know I have the upper-hand. Why would we give them the chance to recuperate? If that woman's as big a threat as you say and we let her find the One-Eyed God…"

"I'm with the little kitty," yawned the small girl. "Drawn out plans leave too much time for things to unravel. We can instigate a confrontation while they're still reeling and then we can crush them." There was a malicious gleam to her wide eyes that set even his senses on edge. Diminutive size and unassuming appearance meant little when that dark, powerful aura spoke for itself.

"No, we do this my way!" The blacksmith snapped, taking a misshapen piece of iron and holding it to the fire with a pair of tongs. As it grew hotter, glowing with heat, the slightly crazed glint to her eyes seemed to darken. Her hair, piled into a dark, tight up-do started to stick to her forehead, the forge making her pale cheeks flush. "My plan is all we need to crush the wench. And her godslayer. The heavens will reward us all handsomely. Cat will get his revenge." She stopped only long enough to take the metal from the heat and lay it down to hammer at. "Everyone wins."

"Everyone who's supposed to." the room's smallest occupant purred. Her little fingers wrapped around a wicked knife that had been left on the table near her hip. She studied it inquisitively, poking her finger at the sharp edge.

"What am I supposed to do in the meantime?" Cat asked impatiently. "Make nice with the local wildlife? Those beavers are grating."

"You're a clever boy," The blacksmith hissed distractedly, still working the metal into the desired shape. "Otherwise, why would I have plucked you up as my godslayer?"

Cat huffed, getting a mere shrug of indifference from the child in the corner. "That's about the best you can hope to get when she gets like this."

He made his exit, leaving the goddess of iron to her manic mumbling.


Yurine's vision swam as she rubbed at an eye, laying down her quill. She shifted in her chair and a satisfying crack from her stiff back made her sigh. Her colleagues had already left. She was alone, hunched over and grading the latest exams. It wasn't the most exciting way to spend the evening, but it was the routine she'd settled into.

A ghost of a smile touched her lips as she read the answers on the test in front of her. Kagami Uchiha was a phenomenal student. He was bright, his scores placing him as one of the top students so far. Compared to his easy mastery of genjutsu, Yurine sometimes felt a little inadequate to be teaching him, but the boy was always gracious and humble, absorbing whatever new knowledge presented to him. When it came to interacting with his peers, no matter who he was paired against for a spar, he fought the opponent with respect, making the most of every experience. And, from what she had gathered, the boy was already garnering attention from admirers, which he was unsurprisingly oblivious to.

Yes, Yurine had to admit that Kagami was a student she rooted for especially hard, regardless of her recent rejection by another older and equally talented Uchiha. Wincing, she quickly tallied his total points (he had achieved full marks again) and wrote it at the top of the paper, moving onto the next.

The name drew a groan from her. In comparison to all the nice things she could say about Kagami, Yurine could find just as many unflattering things to say about Danzo Shimura. Knee bouncing, she held her quill poised over his test as she prepared to make marks.

It was so very tempting to want to mark every answer wrong for the hell of it. Unfortunately, a silly little thing called integrity got in the way. It'd be breaking the confidence the Hokage had shown in appointing her this position if she was anything less than professional and unbiased in dealing with each student. No matter how difficult.

Danzo was intelligent too, which meant she didn't often have opportunities to mark mistakes on his work. But there was an unnerving cunning to his demeanor, and coupled with his abrasiveness and disdain for most of his classmates, it didn't lead to a very high opinion of him.

She'd met his father, even tried speaking with him once about his son's general attitude toward learning. It was a waste of time to say the least, her concerns were dismissed almost as soon as Lord Shimura figured out that he wasn't being fed his son's praises.

Needless to say, the gods save them all if Danzo was already such a wayward child. He was only bound to grow into an even more unruly teenager one day, and then probably a nightmare of a man.

Dropping the quill, Yurine put her head into her palms and groaned loudly. She wasn't sure the pay she received as a sensei was enough to deal with what she was up against.

'Should I really be complaining though? I'm doing an important job, helping to shape the next generation. And…' A smiling young woman took shape in her mind, bright eyes, pastel hair and willpower strong enough to move mountains. 'If I really think about it, it's the least I can do. Look at Sakura. We're the same age and she's already so accomplished.' Her heart sank a little, unable to cage her doubts fast enough.

Since coming to the village, she'd told herself she was going to carve out her own destiny. It was definitely something Kureno would call her dramatic if she said it, but instead of that, it almost felt like she was a piece of someone else's. The young kunoichi was awed by so many of the people around her, Sakura not the least of them. And as lucky as she felt to call herself the pinkette's friend, she also sometimes felt she was relegated to a background role. Because compared to someone hand-chosen by a goddess, what was she, really?

Skills with a blade and above average genjutsu skills. A tendency to be flighty and an overactive imagination inclined to fantasies of the romantic kind. None of it exactly shaped up to be the kind of amazing kunoichi her mother always told her she would be.

Realizing the cynical direction her thoughts were taking, Yurine giggled nervously to herself, pushing herself up just to hear the crack from her elbows. "Alright, I think I've gotten enough done for today…"

Collecting her belongings was a quick process. Aside from snacks and spare quills she hardly brought much.

Her footsteps were lonely as she walked the empty hall, occasionally passing by classrooms where other sensei were cleaning up or grading and making eye contact long enough to wave.

Everyone was nice enough, but she was one of the younger members of the staff and sometimes she wondered if anyone eyed her discreetly when she wasn't looking and asked what the Hokage could have been thinking.

It wasn't until she set foot outside that Yurine finally felt like she was getting enough air in her lungs again, the mild weather putting her at ease. 'Kureno better have put the laundry out to dry like I told him to this morning.' she thought. Already her focus was shifted away from grades and rowdy students to what they could have for dinner and who would one-up who in whatever evening debate was waiting to be had.

The shadow of a bird circling overhead had her slowing down and peeking up. It was a hawk, and every pass of air under its wings brought it lower as it glided down. Yurine didn't have time to be startled when it landed on a fence post she was passing and offered her its foot. Moving closer with heart fluttering, the kunoichi's suspicions were confirmed when she saw a small slip of paper on the band around its leg.

The animal took off before she even had it fully unfolded, and there was a single line on the note. "Your presence is requested in Hokage Tower." she read, slowly letting it sink in. "H-Hokage Tower?"

Yurine found herself genuinely baffled as she did an about face, heading back the way she'd come. The Tower was in close proximity to the academy, perhaps so the village leader could gaze out of his office window and watch the children in the courtyard as they played or trained.

Why, though, was she being summoned? And at the end of the day? Possibilities drifted around her brain, but they only made her more anxious. Maybe Lord Shimura or a parent of another child who had issues had complained about her. Requested she get removed. 'I knew I shouldn't have taken that extra six minutes on my lunch break!' The sensei mentally hissed. 'But those pickled radishes were so good…'

Remembering how satisfying her lunch had been that day reminded Yurine that she had yet to eat dinner. Kureno always claimed she couldn't help but be dramatic on an empty stomach. Whatever bad news she received, she really hoped she could take it rationally. Breaking down in front of the Hokage would be beyond embarrassing! She cupped a hand to her heated cheek and drew in a deep breath. She still couldn't quite look him in the eyes after the…hot spring incident. It wasn't that she made a habit of recalling anything she'd seen that night. Just that it was hard to forget.

"Fantastic!" Yurine whispered fervently to herself as she gazed upon the looming Hokage Tower. "I have two things to potentially embarrass myself over now."

Fist clenched and the thought of a warm meal as soon as she got home, she chanted a small, "Go forward with courage!" at herself, attempting to do just that.


Yurine scrambled into the office feeling like she was on the cusp of being chastened. Curse her poor nerves, because she knew the Hokage to be a man of fairness if nothing else. Even if she was going to receive a dressing down, he wasn't going to do it in a degrading way. Still, she all but waddled in with her shoulders to her ears, swallowing around a serious lump in her throat that only sank to settle in her chest.

"Y-You wanted to see me, Lord Hokage?"

"Don't look so defeated. We're all on the executioner's block with you if that helps." Yurine blinked rapidly, because she knew that voice, and it was not the Hokage.

Looking like she had all the time and not a care in the world, Naoko Uchiha sat on the edge of the Hokage's desk with a smile plumping up her full lips. She was impressive and intimidating as always, a stunning woman with entrancing eyes anyone could tell hid layers of secrets. All while picking apart everyone else's.

She wore an average beige yukata with a yellow obi that was a little more opened around the chest than Yurine saw every day, and her asymmetrical hair caught the light coming in the window behind the desk, revealing the navy tint rippling through.

The younger woman briefly turned away to keep from pouting. The Uchiha woman might've well chosen to wear an old rice flour sack with holes cut in it, and probably would have shamed many finely polished courtesans in that too.

"Your phrasing is off once again though I suspect you're aware and unremorseful." Yurine felt herself quickly getting whiplash. She was so blinded by Naoko, she had entirely missed Toka standing proudly right there on the other side of the Hokage's desk.

And the blonde ninja would have openly admitted had anyone asked, that Toka Senju was another exemplary kunoichi she was dazzled by. The woman exuded the confidence of a seasoned warrior, and she was always level-headed on top of that.

Whereas Yurine knew she had moments of being ruled by emotion, causing her to make avoidable mistakes or be indecisive, Toka was all poise and leadership. A genjutsu master with a reputation that proceeded her, possessing a wealth of knowledge about all manners of poisons, raising a niece as her own all while accepting missions as a noted member of a powerful clan.

These were just the random tidbits she'd gleaned from their interactions or when she spotted Toka from a distance in the streets and people made admiring comments. If the brunette were more inclined to talk about herself, Yurine was sure there'd be plenty more amazing feats.

The Senju shook her head scornfully. "You're also not showing the proper amount of respect. How could you think it's acceptable to lounge on Lord Hashirama's desk as if—"

"It's alright, Toka." Although Toka's face was no less disapproving, she waited quietly for the Hokage to continue. "I understand this is an odd time to get called in suddenly. Thank you for coming so quickly, everyone."

"I for one was curious." Naoko spoke up. "There're only so many reasons you'd call on us at this time of day, right?"

"Enough." Toka ordered.

The Uchiha gasped innocently. "I hope you don't think that was supposed to be taken in any untoward manner." she paused, giggling with a shrug, "Although I—"

"C-Could we please just see what Lord Hokage has to say?" Yurine heard herself squeaking. Really, she didn't know how anyone else could keep a straight face, but she already felt herself boiling in her own skin at the implications of Naoko's words. It was too much.

"I think that'd be best," There was a pale blush on Hashirama's face as well, as he held up a scroll for them all to see. Jokes forgotten, Toka stepped forward to accept it, unrolling it without preamble. Yurine slid closer to peer over her shoulder with Naoko doing the same.

"This is the stamp of the daimyo in the corner…" Toka mumbled.

"Surprising, isn't it?" Hashirama said.

Yurine caught glimpses of what seemed to be a request for aid. Directly from the Fire daimyo. "I don't…you can't mean that's why we're here Lord Hokage?"

Hashirama leaned back in his seat, his deep eyes thoughtful. "Yes, it's exactly as you might've guessed. The daimyo reached out with a request for help from Konoha shinobi. It seems he's being targeted."

"His life?" Toka queried, brow knit pensively.

"No. His estate." Hashirama picked up a smaller scroll, the paper thinner. "I don't know if any of you have heard, but there's a thief striking notable dignitaries from here to Lightning."

Yurine shakily held out a hand and the Hokage passed the scroll along. Unfurling it revealed a hasty note. "Fire Daimyo," she repeated, "I know what you've done. In penance to the people, I will come in five days for the most sacred treasure in the capital.—G.I."

"Ah!" Naoko perked up, twirling a thick lock of hair around one finger. "Goemon Ishikawa, right? He's been making quite the name for himself in the last year. Some small villages near the old Uchiha territory would sing his praises. They called him the gentleman thief. He supposedly redistributes any wealth he steals from nobles to the poor."

"But…but this note!" Yurine flailed it around. "Who'd be this brazen?!"

"It's his calling card," Hashirama explained. "He makes his victims aware of his intent to rob them ahead of time. Even doing so, he's never been caught. There've been instances where he's robbed estates blind and gotten away without a trace."

"I like the direction this is all headed." Naoko declared, stretching languidly. "Nothing ensures a new year starts right better than this kind of thrill. I'm guessing we're headed to the capital, no?"

"Precisely." Hashirama nodded. "The daimyo specified he'd like shinobi who specialize in genjutsu to come and join his guard detail until Goemon Ishikawa can either be apprehended or, well, killed."

"Us?" Yurine gaped. She couldn't help it. Suddenly she had gone from silently bemoaning her inadequacies as a kunoichi and wondering what she would be squabbling with Kureno over at home, to being told she was expected in the capital to guard the daimyo.

The daimyo! Konoha was the biggest village she'd ever set foot in. And she didn't know a thing about the proper etiquette in front of someone as important as the country's political leader.

Toka lifted her head from examining Goemon Ishikawa's declaration. "Lord Hashirama doesn't misjudge these things often. If we've been chosen then you should honor the decision by having faith in your skills, Yurine."

Feeling properly scolded, Yurine's shoulders slumped. "I know. I'm sorry…it's just that…well doesn't the daimyo have samurai from famous clans working for him. My grandfather told me that once."

"It's true this daimyo favors using samurai more than shinobi. He's contracted the Minamoto and the Taira clans for some time." Naoko confirmed. "Hm…so we'll likely be teaming up with them."

"There's a high possibility, which is also why I selected ninja with the right skillset who I felt would be able to get along with both the daimyo and his guard." Hashirama looked so proud of himself, Yurine covered her face to hide another blush. Toka was right; for the Hokage to have such faith was an honor and she wasn't sure how to feel about it.

Naoko suddenly burst out laughing, and when the youngest kunoichi looked over she saw Toka eyeing the Uchiha skeptically.

"You can stop wondering why I'd be selected." The woman pretended to wipe away a tear. "I've done my fair share of espionage in the capital. Years ago, but still. I know my way around and I'm very familiar with handling these types. If this mission goes south, it won't be on me."

"Fine." Toka bit out, palm pressed to her forehead.

"Seeing as how time is crucial to this, it'd be advised for all of you to prepare to leave by dawn." Hashirama proposed. "You should reach the capital before midday if you do."

Yurine swallowed, nodding vigorously. "I guess that settles it then. A new mission," An unconvincing laugh bubbled up as she raised her fist in feigned excitement. "To the capital."

No one seemed to notice her lack of true enthusiasm as she scurried from the room.


Had the whole situation been less desperate, Sakura would probably be incredulous over Mizuchi casually walking the streets alongside her. Frankly a part of the pinkette was still surprised. Not that Mizuchi was as discreet about revealing her presence these days, but there were definitely other supernatural beings on the prowl.

What made it all the more ridiculous was Mizuchi's insistence to blend in by playing the part of curious traveler. Nothing was going to convince anyone that she was a normal human woman passing through. Even with her horns temporarily hidden by an oversized straw hat that clashed with the elegance of her silken attire, Mizuchi couldn't pass for human by any stretch.

Since coming to the past Sakura found that gods all had a certain aura that just marked them as "not of this world" pretty plainly. It was different than a powerful chakra, different from even Kaguya. The average civilian that had no clue that gods and goddesses walked among them probably wouldn't immediately guess they were looking at a deity. But they had to have some inclination. As friendly as the people of the region had been, they couldn't help but openly stare with wonder.

Sakura glanced across the road to where the goddess stood, amicably talking to a man selling dyed cloths. 'Where'd she even get money from? And what's she expect to do with all this? She wears the same kimono all the time!' Sakura glared. They were supposedly on their way to an important location, but the kunoichi was beginning to think they'd never get there. Because the deity was too busy shopping. Worst of all, Sakura found herself carrying most of the parcels.

She had half a mind to march over and demand the goddess knock it off. "I see!" Mizuchi cooed, taking the fabric offered to her and daintily holding it out in front of her to marvel over. Then she had the nerve to turn and present it to Sakura with an overly charming smile, her unusual eyes hidden behind closed eyelids. "Sakura, don't you think this would make you a darling outfit?"

"I think," she said lowly, shoving the packages in the arms of the first man she made eye contact with, "That we should go now."

That got a pout. Mizuchi quietly gave back the man's fabric and glided over. Sakura huffed, stomping off ahead as if she had the slightest inclination where she was going. Vaguely it dawned that she was supposed to be following Mizuchi's lead, not the other way around. The deity said nothing though, and the kunoichi was still put out, so she wasn't going to be the one to speak first.

"I haven't forgotten."

"Are you sure about that?" snapped Sakura. "I don't see how that detour helped at all."

"I wasn't merely enjoying human wares." Mizuchi had taken the lead once again. "I wanted to confirm something. It's best to do that out in the open, mingling among the people of Tenryu."

Feeling a little less annoyed, Sakura put a hand to her hip. "So you were collecting information. About what?"

"About if anyone's gone missing in the forest."

The breezy explanation nearly made her pull up short, but she kept on walking since the goddess hadn't stopped.

"Why, do you think those would be linked to everything else?"

Thin fingers clasped the pinkette's shoulders, stopping her from passing by a very tall, ominous building of black stone. "It'll all make sense soon enough." Mizuchi promised, unclenching her shoulder and traipsing up to the door.

Sakura followed cautiously.

The air was musty, indication that the room had been sealed for a while. The window panes were so tinged it was hard for any light to enter, and the pinkette almost tripped over a discarded tool on the floor. "It's a forge." she recognized. A seemingly abandoned one at that.

"Yes," Mizuchi trailed her finger along a shelf, a layer of grime coming away. "Hitotsu hasn't maintained it well. Pity."

Sakura bent her body at an angle to study what looked to be a half-finished blade on an anvil. "This is a divine forge?"

"It seems lifeless and unimpressive." The dragon goddess seized a flail and swung it experimentally. "But when it's in use, I assure you it's every bit as powerful as Hitotsu's abilities."

"I told you what he said. He doesn't plan on helping." Sakura restated, nearly leaning back, then thinking better of it when she saw the cobwebs under the work table. There was a spider in the center that looked like it'd just love the opportunity to climb her leg.

"That might change under the right incentive," There was dark promise in her tone. Sakura's eyes widened as the goddess raised the weapon above her head and brought it down with a resounded crack, smashing a small crate containing raw ore to pieces. She didn't stop there, pounding until everything was dust, a near-diabolical smile exposing her fangs taking up most of her face.

"Mi-Mizuchi!" Sakura yelped. Calling her name did nothing as she moved onto the next thing, slamming the flail into everything strewn on the work table. Seizing a well-used pair of tongs, Mizuchi destroyed them with a grunt and a pull from her clawed hands.

Insane, Sakura thought. She had to be insane. "If we need his help, why're you destroying the forge?!" Unsure of what else to do, she began gathering up whatever looked important to keep it away from the destruction that was a crazed Mizuchi.

"Because she knows I won't stand by and let her."

Sakura choked on her next breath, a palpable feeling of foreboding making her skin crackle painfully. Mizuchi stopped, calmly setting down the bludgeoning tool. Carefully glancing in the direction of the hearth, Sakura got her first glimpse of a less subdued Ippon Datara. The forge had lit itself with white hot flame upon his entrance, and underneath his helmet, a green eye shone like undiluted poison.

Every footstep of his had sweat dribbling freely down her neck, traversing the curve of her spine. The god was as much menacing because of his hostile appearance as the heat now radiating from him.

"Hello, Hitotsu." Mizuchi greeted, entirely unaffected.

"You know a deity's domain is off-limits." His voice echoed from the helmet with gravely weight, "You know the penalty for defiling it."

"You were being silly. I only wanted an audience. Should we duel to the death, or talk civilly one immortal to another?"

Sakura bit her lip, carefully observing the exchange. The heat in the air felt like it was beginning to lower minutely, but it was still sweltering. The flames in the forge ebbed, but still shone so brightly they lit the whole room.

"I told your godslayer," Ippon Datara's shoulders fell, his eye no longer as bright. "I don't want any part in this conflict."

"Understandable." Mizuchi reached for the flail again.

"Don't." The god hissed, snatching it away first. He ran a finger over a spike and then down the weapon's shaft. "What've you done now, Mizuchi? Why did you involve a human and now me in your feud with the heavens?"

"It's far from a petty feud." Mizuchi defended, her eyes narrowing. "They're going to purge the world, Hitotsu. They don't trust humanity to steer its own collective destiny. I've recruited Sakura because she's an extraordinary human with a stake in this. I'm recruiting you to assist her because you're going to be plunged into it one way or another. Don't you think it's better to help a fellow outcast?"

"I think if I transformed into a boar and wandered to the No Lands everyone would have no choice but to leave me alone." he grumbled.

Sakura wasn't seeing how this was going any better than when she'd spoken with him in the woods. The heat and the back and forth was starting to give her a migraine. "If he won't help and there's someone else forging divine weapons, why can't I just ask them?"

"You didn't hear a single thing I said in the forest?" Ippon Datara grunted. "You'd be better off jumping directly into the flames of the forge now. That's where you'd end up anyway."

"It's kind of hard to hear anything with the wind blasting in your ears." Sakura pointed out. "And you're not going to scare me with that. I've been—"

"Scare tactics aren't Hitotsu's strong point." Mizuchi assured her. "There is no way for you to get assistance from the goddess of iron, the only other deity capable of forging divine weapons. She despises me, and truthfully all women."

"Then I'm stuck?"

"No," Mizuchi took her wrist, stroking a thumb over the kunoichi's pulse point before raising the hand high in the air. "Sakura Haruno invokes her right to the trials of the Four Divine Rites."

Sakura balked, staring curiously up at their hands. She wiggled all her fingers just to make sure they still had proper circulation around Mizuchi's grip. "The what?"

Ippon Datara waved his hand at the forge and the fire died to weak embers. "I heard incorrectly, so you're going to have to repeat that."

"It won't be necessary." Mizuchi smirked. "She'll be taking the Four Divine Rites. And you can't go anywhere until they're complete."

"I thought you cared about this human, Mizuchi," the god laughed bitterly. "Her death is going to be excruciating. And squarely on your shoulders for this."

"My godslayer will prevail and you'll forge her a weapon powerful enough to tear the heavens asunder with a single swing."

"It'd be nice if someone clued the godslayer in on things!" Sakura reclaimed her hand, curling it up to join her other on her hips.

"Mizuchi's volunteered you for a prolonged, agonizing death." Ippon Datara tilted his head back, his morose announcement all the more jarring because of his flat tone. "The Four Divine Rights are a series of tests to ascertain the worth of mostly non-divine beings who might have an affinity for a divine weapon. Essentially, it's for humans who might be worthy, bar the occasional minor deity who also shows potential." Sakura stared between the two immortals warily.

"If I did these trials…"

"And lived, which is unlikely," the blacksmith put in unhelpfully.

"I'd be given a divine weapon?"

"He has no choice." Mizuchi crowed. "Unless you object, he has to proceed as an observant party until you pass the trials, voluntarily quit, or perish."

"There's that casual mention of death again…" Sakura quipped. "Alright, what would I have to do?"
"That can't be disclosed until you agree." Ippon Datara sighed in boredom, finally setting down the flail.

It would've been ideal to have time to carefully weigh all options. From the sounds of it, she was favored to die more than beat the odds.
...When was the last time that had stopped her? Sakura recalled her own words during the war, about going down fighting to the last. She couldn't turn back on that now, otherwise the future might as well have been forfeited to the whims of the gods.

"I agree to take the Four Divine Rites." Sakura's voice was clear, and she made sure to speak with her entire chest.

Mizuchi radiated giddiness as she took Sakura by the hand and dragged her to the forge. Ippon Datara hobbled after them. "Then the First Rite is now."

"Now?" Sakura stammered. The fire was going strong again, and Mizuchi's nails were beginning to bite into her flesh. "Wait, you said once I agreed I'd know what I'm meant to do! I—" Talons sank deep into her arm without warning, exactly where her gloves ended. Sakura yelled, tearing her limb away as Mizuchi flicked the blood on her claws into the flames.

It hissed, roaring audibly. She healed herself, giving Mizuchi a dirty look, but half of her attention inevitably watched the flames react as if alive. It beat and scorched the sides of the forge as if it would escape. All at once the fire calmed, becoming as docile as a dozing kitten, leaving her bewildered.

"Your blood offer has been accepted. The First Rite is complete." Ippon Datara droned.

"Just like that?" Sakura sagged in relief.

"The First Rite is by far the most painless. Well. Except those deemed unworthy by the flames. They're dragged straight in." Mizuchi chirped.

Sakura's glowering intensified. "You tell me now?"

"The Second Rite is one I wouldn't take unless you're amply prepared for it. You'll be traveling to The Under." The god told her matter-of-factly. "Return here tomorrow morning and I'll explain your task in full. For now, leave. You've both done enough."

Sakura stared at him, then her healed arm, a thousand questions left unanswered bouncing through her mind. However, she'd gotten much further in a day than she'd expected to, and was one step closer to actually getting what she'd come all this way for. Since Ippon Datara had dealt with them, however reluctantly, it felt fair to leave him to his solitude.

"Alright." Sakura walked backwards, inching toward the door. Deciding he was a divine being, no matter how lazy and emotionless, she bowed. "Thank you." A lock of hair fell into her face and she tucked it away.

"Hm," he grunted.

The day caught up to her all at once, and Sakura yearned for no more than a hot meal and soak in a spring.

The meal she knew the inn would happily provide, though she wasn't sure if there were hot springs anywhere in the valley. Regardless, it wasn't something she could get to right away. There was the small matter of speaking to a certain someone first…


Food was generally delivered with far less disruption. The urgent pounding on his door had Tobirama looking up from his battle plans with a quiet growl. The hostess simply had to leave the tray outside and he'd retrieve it when he was ready. She had been good about accommodating his requests before.

Stepping over all the notes he'd made, he wrenched the door open enough to glare out. Haruno was in the hall impatiently tapping her foot. As soon as she saw him she shouldered her way in wordlessly.

"I'm going to give you the benefit of the doubt. This is important, isn't it?" She should know by his tone it had better be life-saving information.

"You think I'd come over here otherwise?" The kunoichi was still cross about his abrupt distancing.

"I told them I didn't want guests or unneeded disturbances."

"Estudo's willing to make exceptions." Haruno gathered the ends of her hair and wrung it dry, her damp state suggesting it had started to rain since he'd holed himself away. "She thinks we're involved."

Her nose and cheeks were tinted pink, and the vibrant outfit had started to cling. Tobirama purposefully looked away as his mind treacherously recalled the obscene view from the hot springs. "Ridiculous."

"She wouldn't be the first, you know." she mumbled. "Anyway, what I need to speak to you about is much more important. I found the god of blacksmithing today."

Admittedly, that got his full attention.


Whaaaat's this? A shadowy meeting of bad guys? Hm…who could they be? A lot of revelations probably happened with that, though. We now know there's a second godslayer in the mix, so Sakura isn't quite the only special one who has become the champion of a higher being. That deity may or may not be super unhinged (spoiler alert: she is) but hey, for those of you who were wondering if it was Hitotsu/Ippon Datara who was inadvertently causing problems by making divine weapons…the answer is no. That's only the beginning of the mystery of course.

Also, in many cultures natural metals are believed to hold magic. I mean many European folklores even state that iron can weaken fairies who, while not being the most powerful creatures ever, are still pretty strong and versatile in their abilities. Many more tales can be found of the other supernatural creatures metals can fell. I'm sure everyone's heard about enchanted silver bullets killing werewolves and shapeshifters and yada yada. I digress a bit—this story continues to hold the path of belief that there's magic in metal drawn out with divine forging. So while the raw metal itself is harmless, once it makes its way into the right hands, gods better look out, because it's potentially an instrument of a deity's destruction. Who better to work that untapped potential and those magical properties out than blacksmiths, who craft amazing things through the rigorous process of forging? As Hitotsu/Ippon Datara explained, not everyone has this skill just because they're a goddess or god. Meaning there's only a handful of individuals capable of creating a true divine weapon. Which narrows down who's really at fault quite a bit.

While the TobiSaku "dream team" (which will get much, much more time together next chapter) continue to have their hands full together and separately over in the valley, we go briefly to Konoha where a new mission is coming. I will say as this is a new arc, there are going to be new characters introduced. The cast is forever growing. Some familiar names with new faces pop up, although I wonder if anyone will recognize some immediately.

Goemon Ishikawa was a real person who has become something of a Japanese folk hero. Europe has figures like Robin Hood, and Japan had Goemon Ishikawa, who while mostly shrouded in mystery, is still popularly depicted in various media from books to movies to games to this day because of his stance of robbing the corrupt rich for the sake of the poor. A lot of the tales regard him as an anti-authoritarian figure. He met a rather gruesome end of being boiled alive with his son after a failed assassination attempt of a warlord.

I'm looking forward to these introductions either way.

This is well and truly the final update of the year on ASiT. Hope everyone enjoyed it. I'm off to try to squeeze in just one more, in the form of A Requiem for Fireflies. I'm working steadily on that story's next chapter.

Farewell (for now) and happy holidays~

Reviews are very much anticipated. Seriously, do go ahead and review, people. It'd be a nice gesture to end the year on.