Author's Notes - This fanfiction work is basically my creative input on the formation of the Akatsuki and its members based on what we know thus far plus my own speculations. I hope you all enjoy
Disclaimer - I do not own Naruto or any of it's trademarked characters. These characters were originally created by Masashi Kishimoto. Thank you for your marvelous work.
The Heavens Shall Rain with Blood - The Rise of Akatsuki
Chapter II - Dealing with the Devil
The sun had begun to rise over the sleepy gates of Konoha as it did everyday. The guards standing by the closed gates as the sun starts to shine over them, it's warm helping them to feel at ease that another night had indeed passed. A lone man stands at the gates with the guards, preparing some travelling scrolls and other supplies for his long journey out into this warring world. His white hair shone brightly under the gleam of the morning sun, his eyes focused on the path that lays ahead. He would bring back his former ally Orochimaru, no matter what the cost. As Jiraiya began to head to the gates, he noticed the guards straightened out their posture and salute suddenly.
" Hokage-sama!" both guards yelled in unison. Jiraiya looked back to see his old sensei, Sarutobi, the Sandaime Hokage; standing there behind him with his two ANBU guards. Jiraiya smirked and ran his fingers through his hair.
" You aren't going to stop me now sensei." Jiraiya said calmly to his teacher.
" I know I will not be able to stop you Jiraiya. However, this may perhaps." Sarutobi said as he handed Jiraiya a scroll. Jiraiya opened it and started to read it, his eyes shooting abit more open upon reviewing the document.
" This is the extent of the research notes and records in Orochimaru's base we found while he was here in Konoha. As you can see, the list of victims exceeds atleast into the hundreds." Sarutobi said as he wiped his eyes after telling Jiraiya of Orochimaru's crimes.
" Even based on these facts, I still couldn't kill Orochimaru myself. Jiraiya, I do not wish to see you follow the same path I did. Please reconsider your mission." Sarutobi continued to plead.
" I am sorry Sarutobi-sensei, upon seeing this, I see further reason that Orochimaru must be brought back to the village. He was once our ally, he will have a chance to answer for his crimes. Deep down, I know he will seek redemption for what he has done." Jiraiya replied.
" It is my deepest hope that he does." Sarutobi said, hoping that Jiraiya can succeed where he could not. However, he knew this would not be the case, Orochimaru was too far gone.
" It's a shame really. Orochimaru had to leave like this causing so many problems. Just when I was thinking of settling down and starting my career as a world famous writer. One cannot helped but be inspired by all the young, beautiful girls of Konoha after all." Jiraiya said with a perverted smile on his face and a hint of blush.
" Like anyone would read the ramblings of an old peeping tom." Sarutobi retorted.
" Well, I know you will be the first in line to buy it then, sensei!" Jiraiya laughed. The ANBU guards not being able to help but chuckle themselves. Sarutobi shot them a look that could shatter stone and they stopped immediately.
Jiraiya regained his composure, turning away from his teacher and long time friend and started to head for the Konoha gates. After a few moments, Jiraiya's figure could no longer be seen in sight. As the Sandaime Hokage started to head back for hsi office, some exhausted Konoha nins had managed to make it through the gates, carrying scrolls on how the recent campaign against the Rock country went. The Sandaime Hokage reviewed the scroll's contents.
" Get these two the medical attention they need. Secondly, send out an ANBU team and a medic nin team to the northwestern borders. We have some injured who need some assistance." Sarutobi commanded. The two ANBU bodyguards quickly disappeared along with the injured nins. The Sandaime Hokage began to review the situation, it is a shame that there was a casuality and a few injuries during his campaign, however, it is not often you see a ninja pull through such a tough campaign with few resources. Did it rather quickly too, heh, no wonder he is called "The Yellow Flash of Konoha". I know you would love the irony of what I am thinking of Jiraiya, you were always trying to surpass Orochimaru yourself, though I think your student may have.
Days Later.
Jiraiya gave cahse after Orochimaru, it hopes of picking up his trail or any clues of where he may have gone. Upon arriving at a nearby village, some people did notice someone of Orochimaru's description had passed through days beforehand. They also noted he was trying to get more recruits and travelling allies to accompany him. Jiraiya knew he was on the right track and would eventually find Orochimaru. An S-Rank criminal of his description stuck out like a sore thumb. However, upon seeing the scroll given to him by the Sandaime Hokage, his stomach began to turn slightly as what Orochimaru might be doing with the people he recruited along his travels. It was evident to Jiraiya that he needed to find Orochimaru and he needed to find him soon.
Meanwhile...
Inside the halls of a darkened fortress, tormented screams can be heard no matter what corridor you were in. The screams seemed to originate from a flame lit room and continued on for several minutes before suddenly stopping. The stone walls even continued to echo with the man's screams for end minutes even after the man had stopped. After a few moments, a bloody knife was put down as Orochimaru smiled upon his horrified dead victim.
" What a shame really. This one was showing such interesting results too. Ku ku ku. Oh well, we shall move unto the next one I suppose." Orochimaru turned to face another man, bound and restained by chains. The poor man's eyes shot open in terror as he had witnessed all the pervious victims before him, hearing their screams chill him to the very bone. The man knew exactly what was going to happen, but had no way of preparing himself for what was about to happen. The man looked on in horror as Orochimaru licked the blood from his cheek with a long, slender tongue.
" Don't worry, you might be lucky and produce the results I am looking for. Wouldn't that be grand? Ku ku ku." Orochimaru said approaching his victim and grabbing him by the chin. Suddenly, Orochimaru's eyes open widely as his pupils travelled to the right side of his eye sockets. Orochimaru's head followed suit.
" Who is there?! Show yourself!" Orochimaru yelled into the dark. The man sighed in relief as he thought someone had come to save him. Orochimaru's hand went from his chin, wrapping around his throat harshly, squeezing tightly. The man's eyes shoot openly widenly as he tried to gasp for air, Orochimaru smiled and squeezed even harder causing the man's neck to snap.
" We don't need you telling others what you saw here now do we?" Orochimaru whispered with a sadistic grin.
" I said show yourself!" Orochimaru yelled into the darkness. Without much warning, something came rolling out of the shadows. Orochimaru threw a kunai at the ground before it to stop it's rolling, it was a scroll. Orochimaru walked over and picked up the scroll, opening it and preparing himself for any ninja attack that may come forward. However, no attack came, all that was written on the scroll was "Please come outside. We mean you no harm, Orochimaru". Orochimaru snickered to himself, wondering what kind of trick this was.
Moments later, Orochimaru was seen coming out of his hideout into the darkness of the night. The trees even blocked out the glare of the moon's glow, allowing the darkness to better hide the person or group approaching Orochimaru. Suddenly, the ground under Orochimaru began to shake and heave. Without warning, the ground on either side of Orochimaru exploded as two large leafs emerged from the ground, dozens upon dozens of long, sharp, plant-like teeth decorated the rims of the leafs. Orochimaru knew this to be a venus flytrap in nature as he was quickly consumed by it. After a moment of a few crackling sounds, as well as blood flying in all direction from between the plant's grasps, the torrent of agony finally stopped. The venus flytrap completely emerged from the ground now, baring a black robe around it's lower half. The robe was also decorated with round, puffy, red cloud with a white outline around them.
" Please show yourself Orochimaru-sama. I mean you no harm. However, these actions show a lack of respect for me and my leader." said the plant refering to his latest meal. Upon saying so, the mouth of the venus flytrap opened to reveal a man inside. The individual inside was not very human looking to say. His shape was that of a human; however, the entire left side of his body was as white as deepest snows and the right half was black as shadows of the night. His eyes were a very pale yellow and his hair was the same green colour as his plant like body.
" So, you are Zetsu, formerly from Kusagakure, the Hidden Grass Village. No surprise you saw through my little deception there. Was trying out a new jutsu there I heard of, where one creates a clone around a corpse. However, it is not yet perfected as the corpse does nothing more then move in my image. Still, one can never be too careful in these times. Specifically those of us in our positions." Orochimaru snickered, stepping out of the shadows.
" Though I am in your thanks, it has been awhile since I last ate!" Zetsu added, his personality changing suddenly.
" Ku ku ku. You are quite welcome. However, state your reason for coming here. If your answer does not interest me, I will send your remains back to your master. " Orochimaru said as his tongue danced along his lips.
" And we would not be approaching you, Orochimaru-sama, if we did not think our proposal would interest you." Zetsu said in his other personality.
" Our leader recognizes that you have the ability to excel in places where other ninjas are afraid to tread. We, of our organization, think in the same way and have excessive knowledge in various jutsus that were otherwise forbidden in the eyes of many villages." Zetsu proposed.
" So, you are offering me an invitation into your organization in exchange for knowledge of my jutsus? What makes you think that I even want your knowledge of forbidden jutsus?" Orochimaru inquired.
" Quite simple. You seek power Orochimaru-sama. What does our organization seek? Power. You took the steps needed to show that you are will not be hindered in your quest for power. In this, we all have a common goal Orochimaru-sama. However, our leader will give you time to make your decision. If you wish to join us, come to this location in seven days time. If not, you will never hear from us again. " Zetsu replies as he tosses Orochimaru another scroll.
" Also, in the scroll, you will find the steps for a Kinjutsu, a forbidden jutsu. It is not the most powerful jutsu in our arsenal, but a proposal of things to come. If you do not decide to join us, it is a sign of good faith from our leader. We await your reply Orochimaru-sama." Zetsu says, his emotion not changing at all as he beagins to fade and mould back into the earth. Orochimaru opens the scroll and begins to read its contents. Upon completion, a sinister smile lights up Orochimaru's twisted face as he begins to snicker to himself before it erupts in a hidious laughter.
End of Chapter II