The singing of the birds was the music of nature. The song that added an extra layer of tranquility of the park. Lush green fields, wide open spaces, towering mountains, running water and a few dense forests were just the kind of thing he was looking for.
'16 sure would like it here' 17 thought peacefully to himself. He already took more of a liking to it.
He set himself up against a tree, content to just listen to some deer in the distance or the sound of the river flowing by only for it to be interrupted by the odd fish jumping up from it and the 'plop' of hearing it return to it.
Though strangely all at once he heard all those other sounds diminish. They were still there, but he focused on something else now, hearing something breaking against the grass. It wasn't a deer or any animal he recognized. Looking down he saw a small white speck making it's way through the grass towards him.
"Hm?" he let out as he pushed himself of his post to look down at the approaching creature. The closer it got the more obscure it seemed; a snow white shape with a crisp dark outline to it. Whatever it was its features certainly were animalistic. The creature standing only up to his shins stopped before him and looked up with a plain complexion.
"Seems I've found a new tenant." 17 said with his hands in his pockets" And a new species at that." he added as he looked back at the creature. He then knelt down to get a better look at this new... whatever it was. "Well, you're a strange looking fellow." he knelt down "You hungry?" he asked trying to get a read off of it, though it seemed somewhat difficult for on its blotchy white face were two blank black dots for eyes.
He cocked his head to the side to get a view of this thing from the side. He heard a noise now, one to replace it's near silent steps now that it stopped before him. 17 thought at first it was some call or cry from the animal though it didn't move or stir before him. He heard it before he saw it; a sort of sizzling sound, as if something was dissipating right before him. And right before him was this small new creature. He didn't want to wait to see how this would end up. 17's first reaction was to kick down at the ground swiping it and this thing on his shoe. It smeared all over him as the crackling of paper could heard as a visible fire ate away at him. Quickly 17 went to his second thought.
Jumping back up to his feet and back away from it, the small creature suddenly erupted in a fury of smoke, fire and strangely enough ink blots. Skidding across the ground 17 remained standing as the ground before him was torn down to bare, destroyed earth and the tree that was his resting post was no more than splinters.
His eyes were wide as he viewed the sudden destruction "What in the world-"
"Well done I suppose." an emotionless voice said, seemingly congratulating him though it sounded far from it. Looking up he saw a man suddenly plummeted out of the sky, landing on his knees and with his back to him. Slowly he got up and 17 showed no emotion as this intruder turned towards him.
As it turns out, he displayed the same thing to him.
He was a man that could be seen, but he was as pale as the creature he just saw with dark clothes on, though his stomach was revealed as if someone cut away at his midriff. His eyes were unmoving and almost indistinguishable from his skin, save for his pupils which were as dark as his hair and clothes. He had an abundance of scrolls on his person. A bandanna was wrapped around his forehead with a strange symbol on it.
"Hm." 17 let out again after getting a better look at him. "I think being in the sun this long will kill you. Better find a tree for shade." he recommended obnoxiously yet in a neutral voice. "But I'll bet you're the one who just blew mine up."
He opened his eyes a bit wider to look at 17 "A park ranger who hurts animals" he paused you're not very good at your job." he retorted similarly.
"Well, most animals don't explode on someone like that." he focused on him further, his dark hair falling down to mask his face as he did.
The young man was silent at first "I just wanted to see what you'd do." he eventually said before returning to silence.
"And who are you who'd want to see that?" The pale man was silent for a few odd moments before he answered him.
"I'm called Sai." he said simply "And you are..."
17 wondered if he should humor such a request and thought either way it didn't matter if he'd answer or not "17" he eventually replied.
"A number?" Sai repeated sounding confused, but his face didn't show it "I think I can do better..." he paused and he seemed to peer closer to 17 as if to get a better look or read off of him "Soulless." he eventually said aloud.
"Hm?" 17 perked up confused.
"My nickname for you." Sai stated coming back upright "You're not very expressive." he said without one of his own "You have emotionless eyes." he pointed towards 17.
"You're one to talk" 17 shot back and even though he didn't show it that comment had done more damage Sai than he could imagine. "Why would I ever want a nickname from someone like you?"
"It creates bonds with people." he answered simply as if he believed it.
"I'll pass." 17 said putting his hands into his pockets "Though I suppose it's a step up from a bomb as a greeting." he recalled one he had in himself at one point "What are you doing here anyway? Poaching?" he eyed Sai suspiciously.
Sai reached for his belt and began to fiddle with the contents on it. Reaching back out he held up a rectangular object, though he didn't display it to 17 just yet. He opened it revealing to be a book and began to flip through the pages. Upon reaching the end he turned it around to show the two page spread he had. It was of the park they found themselves in now; with 17 placed idly on the tree against a scenic backdrop of a river and large mountains in the background. It looked to be incomplete thought it was detailed enough. However, it only came in two colors; black and white.
The linework and coloring though even incomplete were still superb, 17 could admit that. Though he wouldn't do so aloud. Sai, thinking it spoke for itself said nothing as well.
"Far from what I'd call fine art." 17 eventually commented, demeaning Sai and his talents easily.
Sai closed the book and put it away tucking it under his arm "Are you as good a critic as you are a park ranger?" he paused "You seem to have many talents." 17 wasn't sure if that was meant as an insult or not.
"Well, I suppose" 17 brought his hands out of his pockets revealing them to be balled into fists "I've humored you more than anything else today. And as I see it, you are trespassing." his eyes flashed menacingly towards Sai.
"A threat." Sai said, unsure if he was asking or just stating it.
"One you seemed to welcome considering how you greeted me. But I bet I'll get annoyed with you before I get tired out." 17 said sarcastically "So why don't you just go the other way and out of my sight."
"But then I wouldn't be aware of your capabilities or my own." Sai retorted pointedly yet at the same time blandly; his words expressing interest, but his tone the opposite.
"Alright." 17 rolled his shoulders as a smirk grew wider on his face "If you really want this..." he closed his eyes "I've heard of some pretty troublesome animals recently." he mused aloud "Maybe I should add some of these tailed beasts to my park." he said. After he said that he gave Sai no time to respond, though he didn't expect him to either.
Kicking off of the ground, he flew at Sai who quickly reached down to grab at and unraveled one of his scrolls on his belt with the paper rolling out and spreading itself all around him and falling to the ground, encircling him. But for Sai, no sooner had he unleashed the scroll, had 17 been on him. He swung forward with a fist that tore through the paper scroll as if it wasn't there at all. Ripping through it, he connected with Sai's face knocking him to the ground, bringing him lifelessly to his knees.
17 smirked at the sight of it "I gotta say you're not very good at taking a hit." he said standing over him.
"I don't have to." Sai's static voice said. But what alarmed 17 was that it didn't come from in front of him. Instead Sai before him just melted away before him into a mess of ink. 17 turned around as he saw Sai swerving at him with his blade drawn right at his face. 17 twirled around to raise a kick to him as Sai's blade scrapped his right cheek. As his leg came up Sai grabbed ahold of it and used it to propel himself up and away from 17.
As he ascended into the air, he pulled out a scroll and scribbled on it. Sprouting from the writing on the paper, a great winged bird sprang to life out of the pages and beneath him. It was so large that it allowed Sai to perch comfortable on it's back.
Soaring through the air on the bird Sai regarded the land around him from above. The wind rushed by him as he flew across the sky on his creation. Though try as he might despite his aerial advantage he saw no sign of 17 from the ground below.
"Looking for something?!" a voice suddenly let out. Looking ahead of him and floating on the air Sai saw none other than 17 himself.
"So he can fly" he said as he saw him there.
Raising his leg as Sai came flying towards him 17 swung it down forcefully onto the birds head crushing it causing it to dissipate in the air. Black messy ink took the place of blood pouring from Sai's jutsu. Reacting as quickly as he could Sai jumped off of it to fall to the ground below as black ink drop fell like rain from above.
Landing on the ground and dropping to his knees Sai looked up to see if 17 was coming at him, but hadn't realized he was on the ground before Sai had even got there. From behind he swung his leg kicking him on his right side and sent him spiraling across the grass. Some of his scrolls flying out and off of his person as he did. Sai collided hard with a tree shattering it before landing on the ground.
Grunting near silently from the ground Sai picked himself up. Reaching an arm out Sai quickly steadied himself on his two feet to stand. Once at his full height again he stopped and got up again eyeing 17 as he looked at him.
Something on Sai's face must have amused him "Consider that a match for this." he said tracing the scar Sai had given him before.
Sai was unsure of what he meant before he felt some liquid running from the corner of his mouth. Bringing a black glove up to touch it and then bring it away he saw that he was bleeding. He wiped the rest of it away cleansing his face, returning it to being all white.
17 watched him clean himself with some amusement. Bringing one hand up he opened his palm revealing it to be empty. "And as I recall" he began you seem to like explosions as well" as he ended his sentence a ball of energy appeared in his hand lighting it up as well as his face. A hint of dreaded anticipation came over Sai's face as 17 swung his arm back and then flung it forward releasing the blast at him.
Sai jumped out of the way as the energy blast erupted behind him. The force of it was so great that even though it didn't hit him it still flung him forward.
He braced himself against the ground managing to stop himself as the area where he just stood was smoldering and in pieces. He didn't have time to take in the view any longer when he heard the quick rush of the wind. But he knew it wasn't that.
Looking over he saw 17 fly through the air and land behind him. Sai quickly jumped to his feet to turn around and face him.
Sai brought his hands up. In one hand was the blade and in the other, a scroll and brush held together by his fingers. 17 however didn't press his attack. He just looked Sai over, amused at him as he stood there defiantly.
"You destroyed your own park." Sai said
"Don't worry about it" 17 rolled his eyes at him "There wasn't anything there. Nothing besides you." he then brought his hand up, opening his palm again "It's just one of my many techniques after all" he said though no energy ball appeared in his hand now.
Sai eyed him warily, no doubt thinking of not only his next move, but his opponents. 17's composure wasn't one to match his, however. Sure he was calm throughout this, but he was even more relaxed now, as if done for right now that they were tit for tat.
He observed what was in Sai's hands curiously.
"So you drew those. Hah" he let out a small laugh "I suppose you have some skill after all." he admitted. Sai was certainly caught off guard by this.
"You like my drawing of that attack rather than my book?" he questioned before lowering his arms, perhaps to mimic 17's demeanor "You are strange." Sai said
17 flicked his long hair "You do come to odd conclusions." 17 said coming to one himself. Once he did so he turned his head upwards looked up to the sky, hearing birds returning again and the sounds of nature coming back as if it was returning to before Sai's explosive arrival "Where'd you acquire such artistry?" he turned back to Sai.
"I used to be apart of Root." Sai said and 17 noticed there was a slight change in him now. He wasn't sure what he was talking about, but just from the tone 17 could tell it wasn't the best thing to be apart of. Something that for all the oddities Sai processed 17 thought he could relate to.
"Red Ribbon Army." 17 retorted bringing his fist up and clenching it, but extending a thumb to his chest. Though he did his best to hide it, Sai sensed the same connection between them. Not only from his answer, but how he said it.
"Did they take you away as well?" he asked inquisitively.
17 paused for a moment wondering if he should even dispel any of himself to him. And like before realized maybe it didn't matter either way.
"All that and more." he gritted his teeth.
Sai nodded. He was silent for a few more moments and wondered how to word what he wanted to say. Eventually deciding on saying "I knew someone once" getting 17's attention "but..." he paused holding him in anticipation. For Sai it seemed like he was once again trying to find out what to say, as if he had forgotten the words, just as he had forgotten the person he spoke of "I can't remember what happened to him. It's almost like.. he was never there at all." he explained as if he believed it. 17 kept silent as Sai seemed to be pondering what else to say, whether aloud or to himself. "But even though he's gone," he reached his hand down his body and 17 anticipated some attack, but Sai's hand instead only went down to touch the drawing book still latched onto him "I still reach out to him" he concluded patting the book. And for the first time Sai's face displayed something else, something new 17 hadn't seen on him before.
Some kind of emotion.
"Well," 17 announced getting Sai's attention "you're a downer." he snapped at him "But I think I have a nickname for you after all." 17 said and Sai perked up even more to hear it.
"And what would that be?"
"Smiles." he said, though like the nickname Sai had given him it was far from a compliment.
But the closest either one would ever really give.
Years ago at The creation of the Leaf Village
Hashirama lunged forth up at the assailant. Landing on the top of a small hill they found themselves on even ground opposing each other. Even though this young boy brandished a sword, it would not deter him from this fight, not so long as he was a threat to the village. But even for his youth and inexperience there was strength in his swing.
Hashirama shot his leg up, but Trunks dodged it and slashed at him with his sword. Hashirama quickly brought a knife out and used it to clash it against the sword bearing down on him. The small blade held up against the larger one as sparks flew between the clash of metal. Trunks hovered above the village leader, but he held his ground against him even as the ground shook beneath him from the swing.
Grunting against each other their disgruntled reflections could be seen in each others blade. Trunks pushed down against Hashirama, moving his arm away and came forward with a swipe. Swatting the sword away Hashirama came forward with a punch hitting Trunks in the face and then jumped up with a kick sending him back a across the ground.
Stopping himself mid fall Trunks looked to see Hashirama on the attack once again. But he wasn't alone this time. Encircling him from all sides were trees and other such vegetation.
"Wood release!" he shouted aloud before taking to the air as the trees followed him.
"This guy doesn't give up!" Trunks said as he flew away from the oncoming assault of intertwining trees and vegetation "How many times do I have to tell him I mean no harm?! I just wanna get my time machine fixed!" Trunks grinded his teeth and slashed again at one of the trees slicing it with one hand before effortlessly blasted the rest away with the other. But as soon as it was gone more came at him. Hidden amongst them all Harhirama then reappeared before him in the air with a kick. Trunks raised his sword and his knee collided with the blade instead. Trunks slashed at him, but he fell back to the ground as another one of his wood releases came after him taking the ninja's place as attacker. Slashing that instead Trunks flew directly towards the rest cutting them down with his sword or simply drilling through them with his body.
After cutting through his forest he turned back to look at him from across their battlefield.
In the distance behind them was the makings of 'the future'. A newly formed little town dubbed Konohagakure; The Village Hidden in the Leaves. Small compared to the West City he recently found himself in, but still more than the home he was returning to in his timeline.
If he could return to it that is.
He had no explanation for it, but something in his time machine must have malfunctioned on the trip back and instead of returning home he found himself here... whatever or where ever here was. All he knew for sure was that it wasn't home.
Landing in the middle of Konohagakure in such a advanced device, it raised quite a few alarms and that quickly brought him into contact with their leader. The First Hokage. The God of Shinobi. Hashirama Senju.
Try as he might he couldn't explain his situation to him, no matter how hard he tried to understand it.
"Impressive." Hashirama said looking at the battlefield same as Trunks. He then looked up to the half-Saiyan and all the destruction he caused "A match for even Madara I don't doubt." he surmised.
"Hm?" Trunks let out "What was that?!" Hashirama didn't answer him, but instead readied himself for another assault, but Trunks wouldn't let him have this one. Appearing before him in a burst of great speed, he threw a punch, hitting the shinobi in the face. Then he grabbed ahold of his shoulders and threw him into the air. Shooting up above him Trunks shot his leg down hitting him in the face. Blood splattered from under and around his boot as Hashirama was sent flying down to the ground.
Landing on his knees breaking the earth Hashirama managed to break his fall. Trunks shot down from above him with his sword and was prepared to slash at him, but Hashirama raised his hands and grabbed the blade stopping it before it could cut him.
Trunks pushed further down with all his might, pushing Hashirama deeper into the ground, but the shinobi would not break. Their faces inches from the other as they struggled. Gripping the blade Hashirama swung his arms to his side and then moved them across his body releasing the sword and Trunks with it.
Trunks was sent spiraling across the air as Hashirama freed himself from his attack. Steadying himself from the momentum Trunks stopped himself abruptly as Hashirama shot up from the ground at him.
Trunks slashed with his sword hitting Hashirama and cutting him in two. He showed no sign of pain or even discomfort at it and Trunks could see why. It was a replica; a perfect one made entirely out of wood. Not too surprising given his other methods of attack.
Trunks jumped back as another came from his side and with another slash of his sword he cut it's head off. Suddenly two arms wrapped around him from behind and hurled him over his shoulder. Trunks hit the ground and recoiling, his body bobbing back up from the blow. As it did it came in line with Hashirama who reeled his leg back for a mighty kick that sent Trunks skidding across the ground, leaving only drops of blood flying through the air as he left him.
Skidding across the ground Trunks finally came to a halt. With a face full of dirt Trunks starred at the ground. His sword fell from his hands, so he gripped the ground instead. Frustration building into anger. Anger at his displacement, anger at this fight. Anger at Hashirama. At everything.
"Enough of this!" Trunks let out. What he did next stopped Hashirama dead in his tracks. Trunks teeth were grinding against each other, his eyes closed, his body tense and most curious of all his hair seemed to be changing. Rising up now it stood up above his head like spikes, a golden aura began to form all around him and overtook the natural color of his haring turning that very same color. And when he opened his eyes they were changed as well for now they were blue.
Hashirama observed it, but said nothing.
"I didn't want to use this, but I don't think I have a choice." Trunks warned before he shot up into the air, stopped and looked down at him.
Without any hesitation Trunks began rapidly moving his arms around before himself before he stopped and had his palms face Hashirama with his thumbs and index fingers touching each other.
"Hand signs." Hashirama said intently taking notice of Trunk's movements.
A golden beam of light to match new appearance formed before Trunk's hands and he shot it off right towards Hashirama "Burning attack!" he cried out, his voice echoing down at him along with the blast.
The first Hokage could feel the power of that all the way from where he was standing, and he would have to act quickly to stop it. And there was only one technique he knew that could do that.
Just as Trunks was quick in performing his attack so was Hashirama in his defense.
"Summoning: Quintuple RashÅmon!" he let out and five great pillars shot up just as the blast was about to hit him. Instead, it collided with his five quickly summoned gates.
The blast overtook the gates, their shadows stretched out over Hashirama before the blast overtook them. Brining up his arms and averting his eyes Hashirama looked away from the collision, but he could still hear the incredible impact and he felt it as they earth shook.
In the aftermath of the blast Hashirama looked up to see whatever was left. His five gates had been turned to cinders, but they had successfully stopped the blast from obliterating him, and possibly the village.
He looked across the field as Trunks landed back onto the ground. This transformation certainly had changed things, but to him this fight wasn't finished yet.
"An impressive display" Hashirama complemented "Such strength." he said as he observed the boy above him "I would never have suspected such a thing from one so young." he paused regarding him for a few more moments in silence "A curious sage mode, one I've never seen before." he said intrigued looking over his golden hair.
"Sage?" Trunks questioned aloud "Might be the first I've ever been called that."
"The Saiyan Sage" Hashirama dubbed him.
Trunks was ready for what else he had besides words. And he was about to find out.
Before he could even blink Hashirama was before him only he had changed now. Red markings appeared around his eyes and in the middle of his forehead. Trunks brought his arms up for an attack, but Hashirama was quicker and threw a punch at him. Trunks brought is arms up to protect his face.
The fist collided with his forearms and it came so quickly with such strength he wasn't expecting that he couldn't stop it himself from being forced back. His stance didn't break as he remained standing with his feet dragging backwards in the dirt. When he finally came to a stop, collided with the ground, he was ready for another assault, but prepared himself for this great strength his opponent now had.
Out of the corner of his eye, he saw something implanted in the ground beside him. Conveniently stabbed into the ground where he was just forced to was his sword. With a quick motion he reached down to grab it, returning it to his hand.
Trunks gripped his sword tighter with his right hand while his left balled into a fist, but Hashirama didn't pursue him this time. Their eyes remained locked on each other and instead he spoke.
"A shame..." Hashirama said as he looked at Trunks "I can see by the look in your eyes... you've experienced so much in your brief life." he said mournfully as Trunks picked himself up and prepared for another fight. "It pains me to see even you like this... I hope I can change that one day, for both our sakes."
"It's more possible than you think." Trunks said across their battlefield. He had just come from a timeline that proved it. If it happened there, it can happen in his own timeline. And even here.
"I hope so." Hashirama admitted "Thank you, for your kind words. Perhaps in time you'd make a fitting apprentice."
"Tempting as it may be, I'm needed elsewhere, and I've already had a great master!"
"I'd believe it. Who was this master?"
"His name's Gohan."
"Gohan." Hashirama repeated "He has taught you well." he paused "And where is he now?"
Trunks dropped his head, but kept his eyes on him "He's gone." he told sadly.
"A pity. Perhaps this world could use more Gohan's"
"I couldn't agree more!" Trunks said. Gohan would have found a way out of this.
"Sadly we are here in his stead. And there's nothing we can do now, but fight!"
No more needed to be said then that.
Trunks flew at him and Hashirama sprinted forth to face him. They both threw a punch at the same time, their fists collided with the other splitting the ground beneath them. Trunks swung his right leg up towards Hashirama's head who ducked under it, only to shoot back up with a jab at Trunks head. Brining up his left forearm Trunks blocked the blow and jabbed forth with his right, but Hashirama dodged that as well.
Trunks slashed his sword at him, but Hashirama put his hands on the hilt over Trunks and propelled himself up off of the ground. Shooting up and coming down with his knee Trunks jumped back as Hashirama came down breaking the ground beneath them. Trunks snapped his leg forward, and he propelled himself up in the air again to dodge. Following him Trunks swiped at him in the air slashing him across the cheek before elbowing him in his gut knocking him back to the ground. Coming down with his sword, he slammed in the hilt into his head knocking him down to the ground; a few drops of blood could be seen around his head. Twisting the sword in his hands Trunks came down again with the blade this time, but Hashirama rolled out of the way as he stabbed it into the ground splitting it and most of the outlying area with it. Hashirama kicked his leg forward and got the sword out of Trunks hands.
Trunks didn't seem deterred by that and instead he shot his leg forward hitting Hashirama in the face. He was kicked back, but found his footing and came back to charge at Trunks punching him in the face. Trunks was knocked back leaning on his left side. Hashirama then jumped up and kicked both feet into Trunks chest sending him to the ground, splattering some blood as he did.
He reached for a nearby rock to pick himself up, but a wooden branch came to grab ahold of his hand. Trunks struggled in the grip trying to pry himself free as another came for him.
He heard a fierce battle cry and saw Hashirama charging him again. Trunks quickly shot a blast at his hand, not hitting his hand, but the wood that held him place. Freeing his other hand he could retaliate right as Hashirama raised a fist before him.
Bracing himself and plating his feet to the ground, he shot both his hands out and shot a blast out at him.
Disappearing inside it Trunks saw Hashirama gone in a blaze of light. But when it cleared he saw him again. In the aftermath of the blast he was now farther away from him with smoke emitting from his body, standing completely still.
"Eh-" Trunks grumbled before she dashed towards him ready to be on the attack now, but Hashirama looking up prepared for it.
"Sage Art Wood Release: True Several Thousand Hands!" he shouted.
Trunks came to a halt as just as he did before summoned something of a gargantuan size. It towered over Trunks, Hashirama and even the young leaf village.
Flying up to the titanic construction Trunks reared his fist back.
"What is he thinking?" Hashirama pondered. Trunks plunged it forward colliding with Hashirama's justsu.
The two clashed in battle; Hashirama's justsu vs Trunks raw sayain strength. Both of them felt the force of the impact and shook from the force of each others blow, but neither turned away from their attacker. For Trunks it was as if he was pushing against an entire mountain and the Hashirama it was like he was trying to swat a extremely powerful fly. The tiny golden spec fought and struggled against the titanic mass of the First Hokage's justsu. Trunk's entire body was glowing against the shadowy mass of his construction and his hands suddenly began to glow brighter than the rest of his body. Letting out a scream, he shot the blast out of his hands connecting point blank at Hashirama's greatest creation. Blasting it away and creating distance Trunks kept his momentum and swooped down to the bottom of it as it began to crash to the ground.
Landing on the ground beneath it Trunks grabbed ahold of it, bent himself down and shot himself and his arms up hurling it high into the air.
"Wha-" Hashirama let out as he felt the structure raised into the air. From beneath it shooting up on his legs Trunks flung the Thousand hands into the air and Hashirama along with it. But he wasn't done yet.
"Heat Dome Attack!" he let out as he raised his hands shooting up a golden blast right at it.
Shooting up from his hands and towards the flailing obstruction in the air the two collided in a thunderous roar. The once clear sky was overtaken by smoke from the blast and the remnants of the wood jutsu began to fall to the sky. And soon after a body fell with it.
Trunks eyes scanned the skies for it and once he noticed it he flew up into the air and grabbed ahold of the unconscious Hashirama, placing him over his shoulder. Slowly he landed back on the ground as the debris fell around them. Sliding him off his shoulder and grabbing a hold of him he gently lowered Hashirama to the ground to lay on his back. Looking at him lying there Trunks reflected on what he had done, and the man himself.
"I'm sorry." he spoke mournfully looking down at him. He saw the people of the village starting to trickle out of their homes to see. And he knew he wouldn't want to be around for what happened next.
His next movements were so fast that the bystanders didn't even see him. He quickly retrieved his time machine from the town and took it to the outskirts of it. Finding the perfect spot in a mountain overlooking it.
Hoping into it, he looked over the controls and the coordinates one more time.
"Oh finally!" he let out relieved as the device floated up into the air and was prepared to take him home, but before one final look at this world he found himself it. Looking down he saw the people surround Hashirama who seemed more thankful that they were all okay than he was. The look on his face Trunks could see from all the way up here... it reminded him of Gohan.
"There's a lot of bad in the world, but I think you have a chance of making a better one here." he reflected on the words.
That was the last he saw of the world of shinobi's before a flash of light overtook the time machine and him in it. Closing his eyes, he let out a relieved breath. Now it was time to go home.
Opening his eyes he saw the time machine had landed. Grinning with excitement, he immediately jumped out, thankful to be home after all he's been through to end this nightmare once and for all.
But when he put his feet on the ground, he realized he wasn't quite there yet.
He was in the middle of a well kept building, inside the courtyard of a small two floor one to be exact. Further on beyond that he saw more tall white ones all around and what seemed to be a palace atop a hill as well. Despite how well kept everything looked and seemed it was lacking something noteworthy. He didn't notice anyone around, in fact all seemed deadly silent.
Had Cell gotten to here too?
Looking around he found that he was nowhere near closer to home, in fact he was probably even farther away now. But where the hell was he?
"Well, well, well" an almost disinterested voice let out "What have we here?"
Turning over Trunks looked to see a man approaching him. Descending the stairs into the courtyard, he had long golden hair and wore a great white robe. He had a crooked toothy grin on his face, but his face showed disinterested or annoyance that he was here. He was too preoccupied with his finger digging into his ear than he was on Trunks, but once he locked eyes onto him his interest did seem at least just a little perked, or perhaps it was just confusion. "Now who and what the hell are you doing here?" he said rolling his shoulders his long white coat following and flapping with the motions of them. As he did so his robe opened up and Trunks thought he could see the hilt of a sword poking out.
"My name is Trunks." he introduced himself calmly. Doing so didn't seem to do him much good last time, but he was hoping it could do him some good now.
"Trunks huh?" the man let out "That's an odd name.. what's your sisters name bra?" he joked dryly, but the tone he spoke in didn't match his intention. "I'm Shinji Hirako the Captain of Squad Five. And you just happened to appear in the middle of my barracks." he pointed to him across the wide open courtyard. "So..." Shinji dragged the word and the paused "what brings you here?"
"I've-"
"Because you shouldn't be here, I can tell that already." he interrupted him and continued rambling. His eyes then went to the towering device behind him "What is that supposed to be?" he pointed to the time machine.
"It's my time machine." Trunks said "Designed to get me back home."
Shinji looked dumbfounded by his words, but easily brushed them aside "Lost huh? Home sick...Well whatever it is, don't let the new guy at Squad Twelve get it. He's got a knack for weird stuff like that." he said dismissively "But as for me.. Well this certainly isn't your home. And I can't just let you walk away, not after an entrance like that and you don't looked like the kind to come quietly..." Trunks tensed up as she said that and Shinji looked at the sword sticking out over his shoulder "So what's your gimmick?"
"Hm? Gimmick?" Trunks repeated confused.
"Your zanpaktou. What's it do?" he asked curiously as he moved his palm to rest on the hilt of his own sword.
"I don't think you wanna find out. I've taken out enough old geezers today" Trunks grinned "I don't want to add any more to the list."
"Old geezers? Save that for the Head Captain" Shinji said as he gripped his sword hilt, flung his hand out and the blade followed. "Collapse!" he shouted and before Trunks eyes the sword changed. A circle appeared on the hilt, five holes were stamped into the blade and it began to spin around in front of the captain. "Sakanande"
Gripping his own sword trunks took it from it's sheath and lunged forward at Shinji who remained in place awaiting his attack.
Next time: Back to the main story. A once strong alliance, now destroyed?!
Goten and Trunks are turned loose. Who will they bump into next?!