Chapter Six: The Bandit's Voice
Itachi's genjutsu led the three of them away from the Leaf and off the usually traveled roads. The three of them camped by night, and here Neji's ranging skills proved very useful. They ate rations now and then and walked the rest of the day.
And all the time, they saw or heard no sign of Itachi. At first, they'd see a merchant on the way, but it wasn't long before Tenten got discouraged. Especially when they began to get into the rocky hill country. The wind and rain gave them problems.
"Ugh, why are we following Itachi's genjutsu again?" murmured Tenten.
"Because it is our only means of locating Itachi. Remove it, and we would be flying blind," said Neji. "Metaphorically speaking, of course."
"Well, why does it have to lead into these hills?" murmured Tenten. "Couldn't Itachi lead us into a field of flowers?"
"Nonsense, Tenten," said Lee. "We must become stronger, and mountain climbing is an excellent way to do that."
Tenten was aching. "Yes, well, rations are starting to stick in my throat."
"Well, don't worry, Tenten," said Lee, "we're almost out of rations."
"Don't remind me," said Tenten.
"Where is this place anyway?" asked Neji.
Tenten looked up. "Oh, these are the Hills of Steel. They are a poor region of the land of fire. They used to have a trade network running through them, but that dried up a long time ago. Master Panda always told me that there was a bandit problem that no one could do anything about."
"Then perhaps Itachi-sensei wishes us to do something about it?" asked Lee.
"That seems highly unlikely, Lee. We have only begun our training and have no even formally passed our field exercise," said Neji.
Privately Tenten wondered if anyone knew where she was and what had happened. As they walked, Tenten looked around. There, down in the shadow of the cliffs, she saw a village. Several villages, actually, and in the distance a tall castle. The trees around the castle had been cleared away, and many stakes were set in the ground.
"Well, maybe we can ask that village over there," said Tenten.
Something about this was giving Tenten a bad feeling.
"...These highlands are not that far from the Leaf, are they Tenten?" asked Lee.
"No, I guess not," said Tenten. "Why do you ask?"
"Surely we could have done something about this bandit problem," said Lee.
"Maybe the bandits weren't on the target list," said Tenten. "Ninja only work for people who pay them."
As they came to the village, however, they saw people waiting for them. They were obviously afraid and looked at their weapons in fear.
"Why are all these people coming out to greet us?" asked Neji.
"Greetings to you, Master Samurai. We have the tribute you requested," said an old man.
"Tribute? What are you talking about?" asked Tenten.
"You mean... you're not here as a representative of Lord Suzaku?" asked the man.
"We are not associated with the Lord of this place," said Neji. "We are ninjas of the Hidden Leaf, and we are seeking our sensei."
"We have absolutely no idea what is going on here," said Tenten. "Now we're completely lost and are running out on food."
They looked at one another. After a moment, the old man came forward. "I see.
"So you are hungry ninja?"
Tenten nodded. "...Yes, we were hoping to do some work in exchange for supplies and directions, actually."
"Very well then, you'd best come inside," said the old man. "I will explain, and perhaps we can help one another out."
It felt very nice to have some stew. It wasn't rationed, and even if it wasn't very good, it was great. The old man spoke. "It all started during the Restoration of Fire, after the Third Great Shinobi World War. The samurai as an institution had been falling behind the Shinobi in usefulness. And as more Ninja villages sprouted up, they had less and less use.
"Eventually, many of them began to hang up their swords and go into careers other than war. Samurai Lords became men of peace who delegated wars to professional soldiers. The process had begun from the time of Hashirama. But after the Third Great Shinobi War, it was nearly completed.
"However, many samurai were unable or unwilling to make the shift.
"Some had a taste for blood and refused to give up the life. Others simply had no talent for administration. These samurai became a nuisance, and many of them were stripped of their powers. Many of them congregated to the Land of Iron, where they became a power in their own right.
"But many others could not do so.
"Some choose to remain and become cutthroats and bandits. I am old enough to remember when this great shift began, and I have seen it come to this point."
"So what does this have to do with this Lord Suzaku?" asked Neji.
"Suzaku's Father was given a position as Lord of this Village by the Lord of Fire," said the old man. "The previous lord had crossed the Leaf during the Third Great Shinobi War. He was killed by Itachi Uchiha, you see.
"A few years ago, however, Lord Suzaku returned from a journey. His father died suddenly, killed by his own wife. Suzaku then executed his mother and... and the rest of his family just killed themselves. They took poison or committed seppuku, all on the same night, leaving only him. From there, he ascended as Lord and was officially recognized by the Leaf.
" He spoke works of justice, and then he killed anyone who spoke out against him."
"Why would the Lord of Fire allow this?" asked Lee.
"The Lord of Fire is far away," said the old man. "He might intervene in ninja village business now and then, but we are not nearly so important. To him, we are but nameless peasants who will never be seen again. And legally, Suzaku has the power of life and death over us.
"It is his right to kill us when he wills.
"And... in any case, he has not acted against us. Not directly.
"But... oftentimes, people who go to his castle come back different. Changed. A friend of mine and his daughter went to the castle on business and spoke with him. However, when they came out for a week, they were ordinary, if a bit dazed.
"Then the daughter stabbed her own Father to death in broad daylight. She was smiling while she did it, and he was smiling as well. As he died, he actually declared he was proud of her and...
"It was as if she has spilled water on him by accident.
"Then when Lord Suzaku was alerted, he ordered her to take her own life, and she did it willingly. And... we all were happy at what we saw. A madness fell over us so that we thought we were seeing some heartwarming spectacle or act of heroism rather than a horrific tragedy.
"And now there have been disappearances on the road.
"Merchants enter that castle and never come out. Other times they simply vanish. Their supplies and equipment found left by the roadside. There are bandits in the woods, but they kill and steal nothing. Then sometimes, they come back and admit their crimes and are crucified with a smile.
"They're always smiling."
"You needn't fear. We shall gladly see what-" began Lee.
"Sit down, Lee. This doesn't concern us," said Neji.
"What? Neji, how can you say such a thing?" asked Lee.
"The Leaf Village is supposed to remain neutral in the affairs of the local lords, Lee," said Neji. "If we take a side here, it could have disastrous consequences. We cannot, in good conscience, intervene. Let alone willingly oust one of the local lords."
"But Neji, whatever is happening here has got to be some sort of really powerful genjutsu," said Tenten. "Can we really just do nothing while this happens? I mean, Itachi must have led us out here for a reason, right?"
"Yes, and if we do not help these people, who will Neji?" asked Lee.
"Your friend is wise to be cautious," said the old man. "Suzaku is not an enemy to be faced lightly. He is more than a swordsman; his voice... his voice alone can put spells on men. I am one of those lucky enough to stand in his presence and not do the unthinkable.
"To be honest, I would settle for you returning to the Leaf and telling your Hokage of this. Perhaps he can do something to help us. Sarutobi Hiruzen is well known for his benevolence."
"But if we do that, we will be disqualified from the bell test," said Lee.
"Do you want to save these people or not, Lee?" asked Neji. "We might be able to get a dispensation out of consideration for the situation. Our alternatives are turning a blind eye or assassinating a member of the nobility."
"Hang on, I have an idea," said Tenten. "What if we head back to the Leaf and write a report. We can give it to the gate guards, and they can send it. Then we won't technically have-"
The door was opened, and a younger man stepped through. "Elder Anas, he's here; Suzaku is coming."
Anas nodded and stood. He looked to them. "Stay here and watch.
"Do not show yourself to him; he will put a spell on you if he is able to speak directly to you."
Anas walked out of the door, and Tenten looked through a window. Out of it, she saw a man walking into the village. He wore no armor, only simply black robes. At one side was a magnificent blade of ornate craftsmanship, and with him were several men. His skin was dark, very dark, and his hair long and black, and he looked very handsome.
Anas approached him, trembling, but he seemed to take no notice of him. "Elder Anas, I see you are doing well. I'm glad; I was afraid we'd have some problems on this end."
"We understand well the importance of obedience, Lord Suzaku," said Anas, voice afraid.
"I know, but you don't need to be so formal," said the man. "Just call me Suzaku. I'm here for your benefit, not the other way around." He motioned to the guards with him. "Collect the tribute.
"So, who are the ninjas?"
"They are... just passing through, I assure you, Lord Suzaku," said Anas. "They were in a hurry and were asking for work."
"Well, I can't hold it against them in these days," said Suzaku with a shrug. "I may not like their fighting style, but so long as they aren't against us, I don't think we'll have a problem."
"I will be certain they receive the message," said Anas.
"Nonsense, I'll give them the message myself," said Suzaku. "Please, let us go inside, and I'll talk to them personally."
"Right, yes, milord I... I will do as you ask?" said Anas, changing.
"Still with the formalities. Please, I've known you since I was a boy," said Suzaku.
Tenten suddenly realized her cover was about to be blown, and they needed to get out. Yet somehow, she found herself checking her clothes. Why was she wondering if she looked presentable? By the time she checked herself, the door had slid open, and Suzaku had walked in alone.
Tenten went for a kunai and almost drew it, feeling foolish for doing it.
"Kunai?" laughed Suzaku. "Hmm, you don't look like the terrifying ANBU black ops my lookout man saw. I guess he must have been a bit paranoid. I'm Suzaku, rightful Lord of this region. I suppose, though, I prefer not to stand on formality.
"Might I ask your names?"
Tenten felt as if she was meeting a friend she had known for years. Instead of speaking with a dangerous stranger. She opened her mouth, but Neji put a hand on her shoulder and Lees. He then stood. "I am Neji Hyuga, with me is Rock Lee and Tenten. We are journeying to find our sensei as part of a test."
Suzaku seemed amused by this. "A test?
"You're a long way from home for a test. But then, I guess I went a long way from home to become who I was as well. Who was your sensei?"
"He was-" began Lee.
"Lee," said Tenten.
Something was very wrong here. Suzaku seemed to pick up on their unease. "Come now, why keep the information secret? I can't hurt you to tell me. Perhaps I've seen him."
"We're looking for Itachi Uchiha," said Tenten, not seeing any reason to hide the information.
"Itachi Uchiha?" asked Suzaku. "Oh yes, I saw him once. Though I doubt he remembers me, he caught me in a genjutsu while I was on a journey. It was an important moment for me.
"Do you have any idea why he brought you out here?"
"We think that he believes-" Tenten started before catching a look from Neji. "Stop it, Neji. We're outnumbered here, and the information can't hurt.
"We think he's trying to make us stronger by dragging us through here."
"Well, a hike in the mountains can do wonders for one's health," said Suzaku. Then he saw the scroll at Tenten's side.
"Hmm, what is this?" asked Suzaku.
"Oh, it's a Fuijutsu Scroll," said Tenten, not sure why she was so at ease.
"May I?" asked Suzaku.
"Sure I... of course," said Tenten, now feeling terrible for not complying faster.
Suzaku took the scroll and opened it, reading through it. "Yes, yes, I recognize the handwriting on this anywhere. And I had thought I'd sensed your chakra once before. So you are the assistant that I gave to him. I thought I knew his name."
"You know Master Panda?" asked Tenten.
"Of course," said Suzaku, getting a fond smile of some old memory. "Master Panda.
"It was he who gave me my sword." He drew the sword and offered it to Tenten, who held it. It had truly expert designs, but it did not seem made for fighting. "Beautiful, is it not? The finest weapon one could ask for. And it cost me dearly to get it.
"In fact, the cost was you."
"What are you talking about?" asked Tenten. "He found me in the woods abandoned."
"That was more or less true," said Suzaku. "Master Panda wanted an assistant to pass his techniques onto. And he asked that I procure him a child for him to raise in exchange for this blade.
"That was when I was younger, of course.
"I remember, I walked out and wondered how I should find such an apprentice. By chance or fate, I came across a Leaf Village escort. They carried only a lone, brown-haired child.
"It was such an odd sight, and it stuck in my mind, for it's an absurdity. I decided then and there to kill the man and take the child as my tribute. I left you there by their corpses and let him collect you."
"You killed ninja of the Leaf?" asked Lee.
Tenten tried to go for a weapon. However, she found she could not. It was like she didn't have the will to pull the weapon.
"Of course. Why not?" asked Suzaku. "All men die, and most die horribly. To die that another might benefit makes a certain sense, no? And when I found the child, I also found letters of commission. The child had been a product, mere chattel.
"But what sort of slave warrants such an escort?
"I did not know, but I sought the answers in time.
"So, what did the Elder want to speak to you about?"
"He... he was simply offering us his hospitality?" said Neji.
"Hmm, that is a poor lie," said Suzaku. "He asked you to do something dishonest, didn't he? Hard done by villagers rarely offer their houses to ninja without reason. He asked you to kill me, did he not?"
"We..." Tenten struggled to speak while Anas hung his head in shame.
"I..." Neji shuddered.
Something about Suzaku's mere presence, his expression, was telling them to be honest. The idea of killing him seemed something akin to heresy or like murdering a guest.
"I would never," said Anas.
"You don't have to hide it, Anas," said Suzaku. "I've suspected you'd attempt something like that. Did you think you'd pulled the wool over our eyes with all those messages to the Leaf?
"You haven't been nearly careful enough for that."
"No, no, he didn't, he... he just wanted us to talk to you," said Lee.
"Well, you are talking to me now," said Suzaku. "What shall we talk about?"
"Why are you killing merchant caravans?" asked Tenten. "What do you gain by wrecking the economy of this area?"
"What indeed?" asked Suzaku. "What you have to understand is this; The Leaf believes that they stand at the center of the world. Every event that affects them must be about them. Every event the does not affect them is irrelevant.
"But in the end, I know differently.
"Your world revolves around that what you choose as a focus."
"You didn't answer the question," said Neji.
"The merchants are much the same," said Suzaku. "They make the pursuit of money their entire goal in life, disregarding honor or battle or glory. They make the contemptible trade of moving other men's cargo for exploitative prices. What honest work has a merchant ever done?
"And yet they are growing ever richer and more powerful. Just as they overthrew the samurai, so too will they overthrow the ninja.
"But, of course, each one of you does not see it.
"Men turn their eyes away from that which provides them with benefits. Safety, comfort, food, love, every one of these things can blind a man. Yet, they can also motivate. And destroy. And also achieve peace.
"Would you care to learn more?"
"Don't listen to him!" Rock Lee cried out, and the spell was broken, someone. "Past your fancy words, all you are saying is that you can do whatever you want to get whatever you desire."
"That's a simplistic response to a complicated answer, young man," said Suzaku.
"And you make a complicated response to a simple question," noted Neji. "Tell me, do you actually believe anything you are saying? Or are you using speeches about peace to justify the indefensible?"
For the first time since Tenten had seen him, Suzaku looked less like a friend. A slight shadow came over him, filled with cruel amusement. Although she couldn't quite shake off his will, she was stuck in place. "You are a cunning one, Hyuga. More cunning than one who wears such a brand ought to be.
"Servants ought to concern themselves with their purpose and no more. Still, since you are thinking; You will find that belief does not require truth. Take them."
"What-" began Tenten.
Suzaku's men were all around them. She hadn't even seen them. Now they reached forward to grab them. Tenten still couldn't move, and Lee was similarly held. But as they grabbed Neji, the men recoiled in pain. Instantly Neji was up, knocking their captors away, and it was like ropes had been taken off their hands.
They surged out the window into the square but found many more men waiting. Each one of them had eyes that were strange. Like they were mirrors to Suzaku. They lunged at the three of them, but Lee kicked one away. Backflipping away, he floored two of the soldiers. At the same time, Tenten pinned two against the wall.
"Drop your weapons," said Suzaku.
However, when they spoke, they looked to see several of the men holding blades to the throats of a family. They were all dressed like merchants, and Tenten shifted.
"Let them go! They didn't have anything to do with this!" said Rock Lee.
"They are the source of this conflict," said Suzaku. "If they had not corrupted the spirit of the Land of Fire, there would be no need for this conflict. Throw down your weapons."
Tenten thought about just letting him kill them. She really thought about it and decided there was nothing she could do here. "...Do it."
"But Tenten," began Neji.
"He's going to kill them if we don't," said Tenten.
Tenten disarmed herself of most of her knives but kept two hidden at her wrists. They could escape later.
"Take them," said Suzaku. "I have to admit, when I had my men all around you without you even knowing it, I thought you'd be easily captured. Still, it seems things have worked out after all." He motioned to the family, a man, a woman, and three daughters. "These five were easily caught, too easily; I needed only speak to them and learn their history. Then I gained control over them. Anas, go to stand beside them."
The five of them were released, and Tenten saw that their eyes were mirrors of Suzaku's.
"What are you doing, run?!" shouted Tenten.
"It's like they're under a genjutsu. Neji, can you see anything," said Lee.
"There's nothing," said Neji. "Their chakra patterns are completely normal. They must have been sent into a trance by other means."
"Other means indeed, Neji Hyuga," said Suzaku. "I suppose you might not understand it, being one who was born to such an illustrious name. Shall I tell you the secret to power? True power?
"I spent a long time searching for it myself, so maybe I can make things a little easier on you.
"Jutsu do not give one power. Kekkei Genkai do not give one power.
"Anas, could you give our friends these." He handed the old man six kunai.
The old man handed one to each of them down to the others, keeping them with him. "Here you are."
'Oh, yes, thank you," said the woman. "Here's your knife dear."
And she handed the kunai to her children. Those children passed them out among themselves like they were popsicles. It was horrible, and Tenten tried to move, but she found the ropes had come back.
"Mommy, don't you usually tell us not to play with knives?" asked a child.
"Hush, dear, this is an exception," said the mother.
"Let them go! Release them from this depravity!" said Neji.
Suzaku laughed. "Release?
"I cannot release them from a spell of their own devising. Now, you five are merchants, and your very existence is threatening the peace of the world. I realize you were confused about things; indeed, you were born as you are.
"No one blames you.
"But I need your help. Will you please help me save this world?"
"We... we will..." They murmured.
'Good, but one moment," said Suzaku, kneeling by one of the girls. "You should put the kunai here, see. That'll cut the artery and make things quick."
"Thank you, Mr. Suzaku," said the girl.
Tenten watched in horror as Anas and the children drew the knives back. Suzaku raised a hand. "Now, help me achieve world peace."
"NO!" screamed Neji.
The blades went home. The six people smiled as blood poured from their wounds, and they died. And the people of the village were looking at it like it was some kind of heartwarming and inspiring scene.
"They were truly honorable people. It is such a shame they had to die to achieve my dream," said Suzaku. Then he turned to them. "You see?
"Why would I waste chakra using a Sharingan when words alone can ensnare my enemies? Why seek after dangerous forbidden techniques? My force of personality can drive my enemies to exterminate themselves?
"That is true power.
"The power of Talk No Jutsu, if you want a label."
"You are a monster! No true Shinobi would ever be interested in the horrors you offer!" said Neji. "None of this is to be believed!"
"Oh really. And who is to say I am a shinobi?" asked Suzaku. "I am a Lord, and these people are my property. These exist to serve me and die at my command. So say all the histories, so say all the ancient laws.
"What histories do shinobi have that refer to lesser beings? Were you even aware of their existence until you saw them destroy themselves?
"But then, you know something of such treatment, don't you, Hyuga? I heard about the Hyuga affair on my journeys. And I read your name as a footnote.
"It was your father, wasn't he?
"Was he not tortured to death by the Cloud as a decoy? For the sake of peace.
"This, too, is for the sake of peace. And so the Leaf cannot stand in judgment."
"You're insane!" said Rock Lee. "This insanity will bring only misery and destruction! Surely you must see that! Your actions will lead to your own destruction if you don't stop this! The Leaf won't sit idly by what you do this! They'll destroy you!"
"Am I? Will they?" asked Suzaku. "You are a ninja. You thrive on war. Your very existence relies on you feeding on the blood of weaker creatures. The wolf devours rabbits, just as the rabbit devours grass. Following that, the grass devours dirt, and the dirt devours them all. And from it comes the plants and animals.
"All things are ultimately connected, and their deaths are but part of a great cycle of life.
"This slaughtered group of peasants is, in the end, the world as it should be."
"DON'T TALK NONSENSE!" snarled Neji. "You are a corruption of the world as it ought to be. You are responsible for all the pain and agony that these people have endured."
"What pain? What agony? Do you see anyone mourning?" laughed Suzaku. "I have altered their perception by my words, so they see this as good. And if a thing is perceived as good by everyone, it is good."
"...You are wrong," said Lee. "Good is what is outside us; it is what we do and why we do it."
"But is that even your own concept?" asked Suzaku. "Why do you believe that, if not because another talk you right from wrong? Without that teaching, you would not know differently.
"I ask you, why did you train so hard to excel to gain power? Why did you follow your sensei with blind trust into a den of bandits? Who taught you that hard work always pays off, that Leaf Shinobi must always trust one another.
"Words alone gave you that power.
"What are you but a product of what you have been told? All that you are is given to you by your perception of outside forces. And yet you claim what you were given by the universe is yours? As if the body you were born with was of your forging.
"You are a thief, in the end." Then he turned to Neji. "And you, a practitioner of gentle fist at such a young age? You fight and speak like one many years older. Yet your technique is lacking; there is an element to it that does not fit with the usual style. I think you must have picked it up by observation, did you not?
"No Hyuga who read their scrolls would make such ordinary errors in the technique. But you are far too disciplined to be a slacker. I think you are then a thief too, but a thief who steals with his eyes.
"You wear a headband to hide that brand on your head, the headband of the ordinary soldiers of the Leaf. Did you beg your masters to let you train alongside the conventional forces? To show your defiance? For what other alternative could you have.
"You cannot leave your master, you cannot question him, and you cannot kill him.
"You dwell in his house because you have no choice; eat of his table because you have no choice. And your defiance serves only to effect his will." Then he turned to Tenten. "And last of all, the product.
"A child sent as shipment from parts unknown to parts unknown. Apprenticed to among the greatest of smiths in the world, yet casting it aside to fulfill her destiny. As inglorious and agonizing a thing as that will be.
"What a trio you make.
"Three slaves, one to words, one to a brand, and one to herself. Two are thieves and the last of immaculate creation.
"It has been quite a day."
Then with a laugh, he turned away from them and regarded the others. Tenten tried to struggle but could not. Seeing the dead bodies on the ground had robbed her of all her strength. "You, my people, shall burn yourselves alive in the square of my palace in repentance for your crimes. Do you accept this verdict?"
"Of course, Lord Suzaku," said one. Others cheered openly.
"As for you three, I think the fire is too good for you. Think on my words as you die," said Suzaku. "Crucify them for the sake of peace."
And the three of them could not resist.
But Tenten still had her knives, even if her hands were not tied by a rope.