Chapter 6: Knockout! Trouble in Mangetsu Village!
Ayaka, Kazuki, and Takeo rush into the large room down the hallway. It was completely dark until they arrived in the center; suddenly a light came on only in the center of the room on the three of them. The three Genin looked around surprised when suddenly there were some sounds around them as if someone was running around someone at an extreme speed.
"Must be that guy we're here for." Kazuki said looking around trying to follow the sound.
"So you three are the ones that made it past my traps? Hmm? Genin? The great Mikimoto Itani will not fall to mere Genin but why is it that three Genin from three different villages are working together?" Mikimoto asked standing in the shadows watching the three of them in the center.
"This must be his trick. Too bad I'm from the Village Hidden in the Clouds and expert in Thunder Jutsu." Takeo said with a smirk putting his hands together. "Thunder Style – Daylight Jutsu!" He thought putting his hands together and doing the hand seals: Dragon, Ram, and Snake creating a bright light on the tip of his finger bright enough to brighten up the entire room.
"Oh? An interesting jutsu but seeing won't be helping you much if you can't fight." Mikimoto said standing near the wall in front of the three Genin wearing a formal ninja uniform complete with facemask and hood all in black. "Now my pets… tear them to shreds." He said revealing the room was completely filled with summoned werewolf-like creatures.
"I can't hold the jutsu and fight so we'll have to fight with only the one light." Takeo said putting out the light.
"Fine with me, I know where they were." Kazuki said pulling his Ninjaken from his back looking straight ahead.
"I would know where they were even if I didn't see them. They were everywhere, just throw anything and you'll hit at least one." Ayaka said with a focus face while pulling out a kunai.
"No choice then." Takeo said putting his hands together. "Thunder Style – Electric Eel Jutsu." He thought making the hand seals: Dragon, Ram, and Rat electrifying his fists.
"If it's that easy, I'll end this quickly. Ice Style – Rapid Icicle Projectile Jutsu!" Kazuki shouted stabbing his sword into the ground and putting his hands together to make the seals: Bird, Snake, Horse, Bird, and Tiger but just as he finished nothing happened. "What happened?" He asked confused.
"Ha-ha, your Ice Jutsu won't work in here. I know all about it, you must be able to use the upper atmosphere to cool down the moisture or water enough to turn it to ice. Only a real idiot wouldn't know that about their own jutsu." Mikimoto said laughing in the shadows surrounding them.
"Seems we agree on one thing but that's not enough to let you off the hook!" Takeo said when a werewolf-like creature jumped out of the shadows at him and he quickly punched it rendering it to smoke.
"Grrr, only friends are allowed to joke with me like that! I cannot allow you to get away with that!" Kazuki shouted picking up his Ninjaken and charging forward into the darkness.
"Kazuki, wait! That's exactly what he wants you to do!" Ayaka shouted trying to get Kazuki's attention but it was too late, he had already gone into the shadows.
"Damn that Kazuki. Does he ever think ahead?" Takeo asked annoyed when Kazuki came flying back into the light unconscious. "He's out cold, just what happened?" He asked surprised kicking a werewolf-like creature that dove at him.
"Same thing that'll happen to you!" Mikimoto said coming into the light behind Takeo and hit him in the back of the neck rendering him unconscious in an instant.
"Takeo?" Ayaka asked turning around getting hit in the back of the neck as well and falling unconscious.
"That was it? I didn't even have to use any of my jutsu to take you out. Pathetic some Genin think they can take me out when they go do so easily with a mere pressure point attack like that. Did you three really think you could defeat the great Mikimoto Itani!?" Mikimoto shouted while laughing with the three Genin unconscious at his feet.
"Not good enough mister 'I'm so great and powerful'!" Ayaka said standing up. "Secret Technique – Fire Wheel Jutsu!" She thought putting her hands together and in an instant does the hand seals: Tiger, Ram, Ox, Dragon, Ram, and Tiger with only her right hand next to her mouth.
Out of Ayaka's mouth she spouted flames that started to spin around the room destroying the werewolf-like creatures surrounding them leaving the center the only place untouched by the flames. Ayaka fell down to one knee breathing hard after the jutsu had finished since it took a large strain on her due to the fact she hadn't used the jutsu more than three times and it takes up a good amount of chakra.
"Was that it? A nice jutsu but it looks like you're not ready to use that one in combat yet. Plus, you don't have enough chakra to do that too often, do you?" Mikimoto asked confident in his analysis.
"So, she knows a jutsu like that, huh?" Takeo asked still acting as if he were unconscious.
"Do I even have enough chakra for another attack? No point in asking so I might as well give it a shot!" Ayaka thought standing back up.
"Oh? I doubt you have enough chakra for anymore attacks. You're done for little girl." Mikimoto said putting his hands together. "Summoning Jutsu!" He stated making the hand seals: Boar, Dog, Monkey, Bird, and Ram.
Suddenly the floor started to glow and tons of werewolf-like creatures appeared all over the room. They were snarling as they turned towards Ayaka.
"See little girl? No matter how many of my creatures you defeat, I'll just summon more of them." Mikimoto said with a smirk.
"What is that guy talking about?" Takeo thought listening to the two of them talk.
"Creatures… what creatures?" Ayaka asked looking around to see no werewolf-like creatures in the entire area.
"Im…Impossible! How did you…?!" Mikimoto asked in complete shock from what he had seen.
"They were nothing; I took care of them in less than a second. That thing before was just an act, I'm nowhere near my limit yet." Ayaka said with a smile on her face walking towards Mikimoto.
"N…no way! I…I can't move!" Mikimoto shouted trying to move his feet but unable to.
"What in the world is this guy going on about? Has he gone crazy?" Takeo thought wanting to open his eyes to see what was going on.
"No… stay away from me! You're… a monster!" Mikimoto shouted in sheer terror falling backwards with his feet still stuck to the ground.
"You're done for." Ayaka said walking over to him and the ground suddenly started wrapping around him.
"Genjutsu! That's what it is!" Mikimoto shouted realizing it finally and snapped himself out of it.
"Good thing I had a chance to tie you up before you found out." Ayaka said holding some rope up with Mikimoto completely tied up on the ground.
"You brat! How dare you do this to the great Mikimoto Itani - the greatest Jutsu researcher!" Mikimoto shouted angrily trying to struggle when Takeo hit him in the head.
"Be quiet. You're now in our custody until we hand you over to the village's officials." Takeo said knocking him out cold with his electrified fist. "Oops, forgot I still had that jutsu going." He thought with a blank face stopping the jutsu.
"At least he's quiet now. Let's get Kazuki and get out of here." Ayaka said just as Kazuki started waking up.
"Ooh, my head hurts." Kazuki said rubbing his head standing up slowly. "Oh! That guy!" He shouted turning around with his sword in hand to see Ayaka and Takeo with Mikimoto tied up. "I guess I missed the whole fight, huh?" He asked chuckling lightly while rubbing the back of his head.
"Of course you did, we took him down easily after you were out of the way." Takeo said with his hands behind his head.
"'We' took him out? I'm pretty sure you just woke up as well." Ayaka said glancing over at Takeo.
"Right… anyway, job done. Let's get him locked up and rub this in Yuki's face. Kazuki, carry him." Takeo said heading towards the door.
"What? Why me!?" Kazuki shouted angrily.
"Because you were the last one to wake up as well as the first knocked out." Takeo replied walking out the door.
"I'm going to have to agree with him. Hurry up." Ayaka said already at the door.
"Such evil in those two…!" Takeo stated cleaning his glasses before he put his Ninjaken back on his back. "Now to go pick up that jerk." He said hitting Mikimoto on the head before picking him up. "That was for what you said earlier!" He shouted running after Ayaka and Takeo.
The three Genin walked through the halls with sprung traps all over the place. There were some pitfalls that fell into spikes, water filled with man-eating fish, and even one that had both together. There were walls that smashed together when you got near them, kunai shooting across the room, and one wall full of spikes smashed against another near the door.
"You must've had a lot of fun…" Takeo said looking back at Ayaka as they reached the front door.
"What did you guys have to go through?" Ayaka asked looking over at Takeo and Kazuki.
"Oh it was nothing." Kazuki said with a slight chuckle. "Just kunai, a wall chasing us, stair slide to hell, and the Well of Death." He said under his breath.
"What was that?" Ayaka asked glancing over at Kazuki.
"Nothing, right Takeo?" Kazuki asked looking ahead at Takeo.
"Right, it wasn't a problem… but that was a lot of water." Takeo said remembering the well when they stepped outside to see the other battle taking place.
"Isn't that… Yuki and that strange guy from before?" Ayaka asked noticing the two of them but unable to see Itachi and Kisame.
"Mangekyo Sharingan! Time to end this, Yuki Takashi." Itachi said instantly appearing before Yuki in an instant.
"The Akatsuki…!" Takeo stated surprised and quickly rushing towards the battle.
"What is he thinking? There's no way any of us could match an Akatsuki member." Kazuki said watching Takeo run off balancing between the holes on the lawn. "Take care of this guy, I'm going after Takeo." He said dropping Mikimoto and rushed after Takeo.
"Okay… why did I have to use up all my chakra? I can't even help them now even if they get into trouble… This is so frustrating!" Ayaka shouted frustrated as she sat down next to Mikimoto in front of the door.
Yuki sudden exploded just as Itachi was about to use his Tsukuyomi technique. Itachi jumped back a split second before the explosion and looked around with his Sharingan still active when Takeo arrived where the Ice Clone had blown up.
"Itachi Uchiha, we meet again." Takeo said pointing at Itachi.
"Go away. You do not interest me." Itachi said still looking for Yuki.
"Underestimate me? I'll show you!" Takeo shouted angrily putting his hands together. "Thunder Style – Electric Eel Jutsu!" He shouted making the hand seals: Dragon, Ram, and Rat making his right fist exploded with electricity to the point it nearly looked like Chidori but it was yellow like lightning. "Now we will see who is weak!" He shouted charging full speed at Itachi.
"I have already dealt with a similar jutsu already. This will be no different." Itachi said looking towards Takeo.
"That idiot, he's actually charging at an Akatsuki member?" Kazuki asked getting to where Yuki's Ice Clone had blown up.
"Hopefully this will derail his want to take them on." Yuki thought watching from a tree nearby as Takeo reached Itachi.
"Not good enough." Itachi said moving his hand swiftly to deflect it but Takeo quickly shifted to the side just glancing Itachi's cloak.
"He actually hit the cloak?" Yuki thought surprised watching the fight.
"Very well, if you wish to die here – I will allow you to die." Itachi said swiftly pulling out a kunai from under his sleeves and aiming at Takeo's heart.
"He's… too fast…!" Takeo thought trying to dodge the attack but he was too slow when suddenly an ice shard smacked the kunai away.
"This is between you and me, Itachi." Yuki said jumping down from the tree he was.
"Then tell this boy to leave us and I'll think about sparing him." Itachi said turning to Yuki.
"Kazuki, take Takeo and get out of here." Yuki said when Itachi suddenly appeared in front of Yuki.
"Let us continue then." Itachi said trying to get Yuki to look into his eyes but Yuki quickly countered with a kick.
"Let's get out of here." Kazuki said putting his hand on Takeo's arm.
"Tch, I'm too slow to fight with Itachi but I didn't have much of a problem with Kisame last time." Takeo thought annoyed by the difference in ability.
"Too slow." Itachi said blocking the attack and came up with a fist straight through his chest. "Got you." He said when Yuki suddenly held onto Itachi followed by the piles of snow from the other Ice Clones piled onto the two of them.
"Was that it for the great Itachi Uchiha?" Yuki asked standing between Takeo and the pile of snow that was Itachi and one of Yuki's Ice Clones.
"That can't be it – it was too easy!" Takeo thought throwing Kazuki off him while charging forward.
"Forbidden Jutsu – Ice Enclave!" Yuki thought putting his hands together with the hand seals: Ram, Bird, Horse, Dragon, Snake, Monkey, Boar, Tiger, and Monkey clapping his hands together making the pile of snow perfectly round. "Now, to end this!" He yelled making the hand seal Tiger creating ice shards stabbing throughout the pile of snow but no blood was coming out.
"Itachi?" Kisame asked turning towards the snowball along with Raito.
"Did he actually get Itachi?" Raito asked surprised when suddenly Itachi appeared in front of Yuki.
"Too late to get away, my Tsukuyomi will end this quickly." Itachi said when Takeo suddenly hit Yuki in the back knocking him over exposing himself to the Tsukuyomi.
"What's this…?" Takeo asked suddenly stopping in place after looking into Itachi's eyes.
Takeo found himself in a strange world, the world created by the Tsukuyomi. He was just standing on a floating island of rock with Itachi standing across from him.
"I did not intend to get you in this; however I already used the technique on you. You shouldn't have been in such a hurry to die." Itachi said suddenly appearing behind him and cut off all of his limbs in a split second.
"Argh! My… my arms… and legs!" Takeo shouted in shock and pain watching as his limbs fell beside him.
"Here in the Tsukuyomi, I control everything. You will endure this for the next three days." Itachi said while Takeo was suddenly all healed for a second before Itachi cut off his limbs a bit slower this time.
"N…no way... Three days of this…?!" Takeo shouted in pain.
In reality only a few seconds had passed and Takeo fell to the ground as if he had been traumatized. He was just staring straight ahead with no response.
"Kisame, we're leaving." Itachi said jumping back through the trees.
"Fine. We'll settle this another time then. Water Style – Water Shark Projectile Jutsu." Kisame said quickly doing the hand seals: Tiger, Dog, Bird, Rat, followed by crossing his index fingers, and finally ending with Tiger launching water shaped like a shark in-between him and Raito to assist their escape.
"Damn, he got away." Raito said jumping back.
"Why are we leaving this time?" Kisame asked catching up to Itachi.
"I failed to get Yuki Takashi with the Tsukuyomi. That Genin got in the way and that is all I was allowing for this capture. It is up to the other members now." Itachi responded as they left the area.
"This is exactly the reason why I didn't want any of you to take on any of the Akatsuki members, especially Itachi and Pein." Yuki said shaking his head looking at Takeo when he noticed something. "Wait, wasn't there three of you annoying Genin?" He asked counting Takeo and Kazuki.
"Yeah, I would make three." Ayaka said carrying Mikimoto over to where they were standing.
"Okay but… who is that guy you have tied up there?" Yuki asked confused.
"Mikimoto, the idiot lost to three Genin? How pathetic…" Raito said shaking his head looking at Mikimoto. "Leader made a wise choice to cut him loose… however, he knows too much about us to be left alone." He said walking closer.
"Hold it right there. This guy is a criminal and bounty for my job and I won't let you kill him… or my bounty would be reduced quite a bit." Yuki said standing between Raito and Mikimoto.
"Hmm, if I try to kill him then Yuki will get in the way. If I hurt or injure Yuki the leader will kill me… not much I can do in this case until he arrives." Raito thought playing out the scenarios. "Fine but what is this about the three Genin?" Raito asked surprised to see Yuki with them.
"Takeo? Hey, wake up." Kazuki said smacking him around but getting no response.
"Stalkers." Yuki responded quickly.
"Stalkers, huh…? You seem quite familiar with them, are you sure that's all they are?" Raito asked looking at Yuki and then back at the Genin.
"What happened to him? I get left behind with that heavy guy and the next thing I know Takeo is like this!" Ayaka stated looking over at Kazuki.
"I'm sure; they're nothing to me and shouldn't be involved in our matters. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have someone to turn in for the bounty." Yuki said walking over to Mikimoto and put him on his shoulder.
"What…?" Ayaka and Kazuki asked turning around after hearing Yuki.
"Don't look at me like that. I told you three that I would train you if you passed my test but you all failed to land a single hit on me. You only hit my clones and because you were the ones that took this guy down, I'll give you three a share of the bounty but you should really get that kid back to the Leaf Village. Tsunade should be able to help him regain his consciousness but his mental state might be a different case… anyway, she has previous experience in dealing with those that have been hit with Itachi's Tsukuyomi." Yuki said starting to walk away.
"I can't believe you! And here I thought you were actually a good person!" Ayaka shouted angrily with a tight fist.
"I thought you said you were going to help me with my Ice Jutsu's but I guess that was a lie as well! Right?" Kazuki said lifting Takeo up on his back.
"They really aren't getting it. Such annoying pests!" Yuki thought annoyed when he suddenly stopped. "You three should not get involved with me, I'm involved in a whole different world than you three are used to dealing with and Takeo is proof of that." He said walking off again.
"Wow, you really dealt some good damage to those Genin without even having to lay a finger on them. Just what I would expect from the Demon of Ice! Ha!" Raito stated cheerfully following Yuki.
"Why you…!" Kazuki shouted about to swing at Yuki when Ayaka stopped him. "But…!"
"I'll tell you in a bit." Ayaka whispered into Kazuki's ear.
"Why are you following me?" Yuki asked glancing back at Raito.
"Me? I have to keep an eye on you till the leader arrives." Raito replied following him towards the village.
"How annoying… and I thought those Genin were bad." Yuki thought annoyed. "You do know I'm going to kill your leader once he arrives, don't you?" He asked holding back his anger.
"I would like to see you try." Raito said under his breath as they left the area.
"Now, explain to me why you stopped me." Kazuki said looking back at Ayaka while she was wiping her eyes.
"Yuki was telling us to stay away from him for the time being. That guy must've been pretty strong and none of us are in a condition to fight them… not to mention the Akatsuki are after him as well." Ayaka said walking over to Kazuki.
"Then we have no choice but to get Takeo back to the Hokage and catch up to Yuki once he's okay. Then we'll take on the Akatsuki and Tasogare with Sensei." Kazuki said with a determined look on his face looking straight ahead.
"Right, let's hurry up. The Leaf Village is at most three days from here and Yuki still has two more days till his cloak is done and he leaves the village." Ayaka said ready to follow Kazuki.
"Right, two days to get him healed and return to Sensei's side! Let's get going, Ayaka!" Kazuki shouted starting to run into the forest with Ayaka behind him.
Yuki and Raito were walking by some shops in the village when Yuki turned to face him with annoyed look.
"How long is it until he gets here?" Yuki asked still carrying Mikimoto on his back towards the tailor's shop.
"Two days." Mikimoto quickly responded.
"That was a quick response. Don't tell me you intend on following me around everywhere I go until he arrives…." Yuki said with squinty eyes and an annoyed look on his face.
"Don't give me that look. I'm just following the Leader's request and that is to make sure I do not lose sight of you until he arrives." Raito replied shooing Yuki forward.
"Don't tell me you have to follow me to the restroom as well or I'll just have to make sure to kill that guy twice over." Yuki said turning around and continued walking straight ahead.
"No… I do not intend on following you into the restroom – I'm not interested in men." Raito responded with some annoyance in his voice when they finally arrived at Kei's shop.
"Kei, I have the guy that was creating those creatures." Yuki said walking into the door and spotting Kei working on his cloak still.
"Oh? Finished already are we? That was fast." Kei said setting his things down while turning around to see Yuki followed by Raito. "Eh…!? Isn't he a Tasogare member?!"
"Don't worry about him… he's only here to annoy me." Yuki responded sighing while setting down Mikimoto on a stool nearby.
"Nice to meet you." Raito said flicking his wrist in Kei's direction and sat down across from Mikimoto in a chair with his hand ready on a kunai.
"Raito, I told you I need him alive for the full bounty." Yuki said noticing his killing intent and turned towards Kei. "So, about that bounty…"
"Fine, I'll let him live for now but I cannot guarantee he'll live after you get your bounty." Raito replied leaning back in his chair.
"Right, I'll get it together and you'll have the Ryo by tomorrow. I'll take him over to a holding cell with some sealing tags." Kei said taking off his apron and walking over to Mikimoto.
"Right, I still have my room over at the Full Moon Inn so leave the bounty there if you cannot find me in my room." Yuki said walking out of the shop.
"Can't even sit down without having to get up right away… that Yuki Takashi really doesn't have a heart does he?" Raito said getting up from his chair and heading towards the door. "I'll be seeing you, Tailor. I may just pass on word about your nice work to the Leader when I meet up with him." He said stepping out of the shop to see Yuki was nowhere in sight. "Great… I lost him already. Leader isn't going to be pleased."
"Hmm, at least Yuki might have gotten me a new contract." Kei thought as he picked up Mikimoto so that he could haul him off to the holding cell.
Elsewhere in town, Yuki had already taken off to nearly the other side of the village walking down the street when he spotted a familiar face.
"Man, what a drag. Those two are nowhere in sight. We're supposed to be leaving today too." Shikamaru said standing at the street corner looking around.
"Ah, you're that guy from the Leaf Village." Yuki said walking over to Shikamaru.
"Huh? Oh, it's you. That guy that was with those Genin – have you seen the other two that were with me? They seemed to have vanished on me when I told them it was time to go." Shikamaru said slightly annoyed.
"Are you talking about us?" Ino asked standing behind Shikamaru making him jump slightly.
"Good, you're finally ready to go… now…? Ino, what's with the bags?" Shikamaru asked while Ino was standing there with two bags in hand.
"She said she found some cute clothes and couldn't live with leaving them in the shop so she bought them." Choji said eating some potato chips.
"…Choji, you bought some food for the trip I take it…?" Shikamaru asked looking at Choji with his bag filled.
"Exactly! I won't be hungry at all during our trip back thanks to these rations!" Choji stated happily while eating more chips.
"Just how much do we have left for the trip back?" Shikamaru asked with his hand on his head in disappointment looking over at Ino.
"…we spent it all…ha-ha." Ino said reluctantly laughing with a smile.
"Great, looks like we'll be sleeping outdoors on the way back then. Let's get going before we end up too late." Shikamaru said putting his hands in his pockets while turning around to see Yuki. "Oh yeah, was there something you wanted to ask?"
"Actually, the three Genin should be heading back to the Leaf Village about now. Would you mind looking after them? Takeo was hit with Itachi's Tsukuyomi and isn't in a good enough condition." Yuki said surprisingly worried about the three Genin.
"Sure, we're headed the same way so we'll catch up with them." Shikamaru said shrugging.
"Okay, I'll leave you with this then." Yuki said handing Shikamaru some Ryo. "That should cover the babysitting fees, correct?"
"Heh, that should do just fine. Ino, Choji, let's get going. We have some Genin to catch up to." Shikamaru said sounding more motivated than usual.
"Jeez, he's more motivated than usual." Ino said sighing thinking that she'll have to hurry with her bags in hand.
"Ino, shouldn't you be able to help that Genin out since you've been studying under Hokage?" Choji asked looking over at Ino while they hurried off.
"I don't know. I'll have to see his condition first; I've never seen what the Tsukuyomi does to anyone." Ino said as they left the area.
"Speaking of Takeo… he is no normal Genin – well that could be said about all three of them but Takeo is different. There is no way a normal Genin should be able to stand up to Kisame as he did even when he is just playing around with them." Yuki stood there thinking to himself. "Finally caught up to me did we?" He asked standing at the street corner.
"Of course, this village isn't small but it isn't big enough to lose anyone in. I know you'll be in the village for at least two more days since you're waiting for your new cloak so it'll be perfect timing for the Leader's arrival. Until then, I will be by your side to make sure no harm comes to you and you do not try to run away." Raito said standing behind Yuki.
"Oh great, I have a new pet dog. We'll have so much fun together in the next two days… I'll make sure of it." Yuki said with a grin.
Author's Note:
Okay, next week's chapter might be delayed by a few days or so but I was able to get this one out on time... or rather close to it.
-Steve Masters