Anthem Of My Dying Days
Author's Note
- Writing stories while listening to Japanese band X - Japan album... nice moment of writing stories...
- I'm trully apologize for my lack of attention on correct usage of grammars and some typing error... guess this week is a bad week for me... (no cigarette, no money... Ahh, I"m dead meat!!!)
- I just can't replace the usage of the word 'sessha' and 'de gozaru yo' by Kenshin... in Japanese language, people do use these words to express their politeness towards the one that involved in conversation with them... sorry 'bout that!!!! After all, Kenshin is a polite and kind person, isn't he?
- In this episode, the Three Demons of Tokugawa along with their high-ranked officer will reach Konoha after travelling for 5 days from Tokyo, but what are the first thing which stepped on their mind as soon as they reach Konoha?
Okay, back to the stories...
Episode 7 - The Killers
Naruto went to a quiet place not far from his apartment, to train his Ki and senses. It has been three times since he started training in the quiet field, which is situated near a thick forest that used to be the training ground for Jounin and Chuunin. Sometimes he always thought of building a porcelain kiln and a small hut to begin his porcelain vase, pottery and dishes business, since he saw the 14th Seijyuro Hiko earned money by involving himself into the business, yet had a successful business.
Naruto had spent 3 months learning about the art of pottery from the most famous potters in Kyoto, Mazumaki Onisei and the 14th Seijyuro Hiko, Kakukoshin Niitsu himself. Now he has the confidence of producing the best hand-carved clay-pots and vases using the Japanese legendary pottery skills that he had learnt from them. Before that, he must find the potter-wheel and some stuffs to build his small hut and the potter-kiln.
"In Kyoto, even the 14th Seijuyo Hiko of Hiten Mitsurugi-ryu involved himself in the art of pottery, without revealing his own identity. Why don't I just follow the 14th way of life? Simple and easy, at least I can earn some monet to buy cigarettes, foods and some bottles of sake...", Naruto thought as he made his way to the hardware shop.
"How can I help you, sir?", the shop manager asked Naruto just after Naruto stepped into his hardware shop.
"Oh yes, I want to hire your workers to build a potter-kiln and a small hut for me, this is the place...", Naruto says as he showed the map of the place to the shop manager.
"Oh, I know this place... Okay, sir... we will start the building process and finish it by the evening... the cost will be 15000 yen... agree?"
"Yes, and I need a potter-wheel too... so, how's the payment?", Naruto tried to bargain with the manager.
"That will cost you 17000 yen... together with installation payment... is it okay?".
"Here's 20000 yen cash, keep the balances... don't forget to buy meals and drinks for your workers...", Naruto gave the money to the manager.
"Thanks a lot, mister... I really appreciate it very much... We'll start the work right now... Yo, Haniyya!!! Follow this client to his place!!! You and your men will build a potter-kiln and a big hut for him... don't forget to take the potter wheel with you!!!", the manager thanked Naruto and ordered his men to follow Naruto to the construction site.
"Yes, manager-sama!!!"
"Ah, before you forget, ...", the manager asked Naruto's name.
"Kanashii-san...", Naruto told the manager his name.
"Yes, Kanashii-san... In case if you want us to supply you the porcelain, just told us and we'll get them for you... with a little cash.. alright??"
"Of course, manager-san. Thanks for everything... I hope we will deal again in the future... until we meet again...", Naruto replied with a calm face.
The building process of the potter kiln and the hut, together with the installation of potter-wheel had been finished in the evening, right before the sun began to set its sails and the sky turned slowly into its usual dark colour as a symbol that represented the night which has arrived.
Naruto slowly lit up the fire in the kiln, just before he lit his cigarette and poured sake on his tiny cup. He drank it while watching the beautiful sky and the stars shining brightly, which made his heart became easy, filled up with happiness and absolute serenity for the first time.
"hmm, the Japanese delegacy will be arriving tomorrow, hope they do not cause any major problems... No, they're well-educated, there is no way they will humiliate their own rank as an honourable samurai...", Naruto, mumbling to himself while watching the sky.
Tomorrow, he will start his own business of pottery. With a large supply of porcelain, he was very confident of at least produce one or two high-quality flower vases and sell them to the customers. Maybe he'll receive orders from the customers, and start making pots and vases according to their own styles, tastes and needs.
That time, he heard a sound of footsteps walking towards him. He already knew to whom that the walking styles belonged to.
"What are both of you doing in this quite place this dark night... Sakura, Tenten??? Do you want me to have sex with you? Hell no!!", Naruto spoke quite loud just before he continued drinking sake.
"No, Hentai!!! Tenten want to have a simple conversation with you... please Naruto, don't act so cold-hearted and gruffy...," Sakura told Naruto.
"Yes, Tenten-dono... I'm here to hear any words from you...".
"I request a taijutsu-fight here, you and me... If I win, you are going to teach me the techniques of Hiten Mitsurugi-ryu...", Tenten voiced out, with confidence.
"And if you lose?"
"I will not going to beg you to teach me again...", Tenten replied, fast.
Sakura watch both ninja and samurai with worried feelings, but she sure that Naruto wouldn't that cold-hearted to kill Tenten without mercy since the fight was to decide whether Tenten was qualified to learn the techniques of Hiten Mitsurugi-ryu or not.
"Draw your sword, Tenten...", Naruto spat out his usual words, while gripping the hilt of his Shinuchi No Sakaba-tou
"Phew, finally he uses the reversed-blade sword... this shows a very good sign...", Sakura thought as she watched Naruto and Tenten in their own fighting stances, Tenten with her usual taijutsu stance while Naruto with his Hiten Mitsurugi-ryu Battou-jutsu stance.
Naruto realised that besides Sakura, there were some other eyes that watching their upcoming fight, such as Shikamaru, Neji, Hinata, Kiba, Shino, Chouji, Ino, Sai, Rock Lee as well as Gai, Kakashi, Kurenai, Jiraiya and Tsunade.
"Nijo... Jinjounii... Hajime!!! (Fair and Square... Start!!!)", Sakura Shouted loudly, as both fighters dashed towards their each opponent.
"Chrouching Tigress sword-dance... Double Slash!!!!" Tenten led a war cry and quickly unsheathed her sword, ready to attack Naruto
"Hiten Mitsurugi-ryu... Double Battou-Jutsu...", Naruto whispered before he dashed in full god-like speed towards Tenten.
The sounds of swords colliding into each other can be heard twice before both fighters stod up in their next stances.
Tenten suddenly spat out bloods from her mouth and quickly kneeled in pain before she heard Naruto said about something.
"Tenten, do you think that Hiten Mitsurugi-ryu is easy to be learned? To achieve this god-like speed you must leave all of your belongings and feelings in this world... That's the main reasons why I leave Konoha and all of my prevoius attitudes behind... In order to learn the highest stance of Hiten Mitsurugi-ryu, you have to gain the strongest will to survive, which means you must not hesitate to kill even your family all by yourself...".
"I'm promise i'll leave everythings behind... please Naruto!!! I beg you!!!", Tenten spoke, as her tears dripping wet all over her cheek.
"No, Tenten... Don't ever promise that forsaken words again, or you'll end up your life being just like me, the famous Kenshin Himura Battousai or even worse the crazy Yoshinobu Tokugawa... Our lives now are ruined miserably, thanks to this Hiten Mitsurugi-ryu...", Naruto spoke, in sad tone.
"Naruto...", Tenten said, watching Naruto's face which showed the feelings of despair and sadness.
"But don't worry Tenten, I'll teach you the royal sword techniques of Tokugawa Family which have been used by Tokugawa Ieyasu, or maybe the Hell-Fire sword of Kazuguchi which had was used by my senior 1st Shadow Hitokiri, Makoto Shishio...", Naruto spoke as he tried to comfort Tenten.
"Gee, thanks Naruto... thanks a lot... I'll never forget your kindness...", Tenten said as she kissed Naruto's left cheek, which made Sakura and Hinata felt envy of Tenten.
All of the ninja who had watched the fight began to reveal themselves as Naruto laid his glance towards each of the ninjas.
"Naruto.. getting better and better, huh??", Jiraiya spoke loudly as he tapped Naruto's back.
But their joy and happiness moments didn't last longer, due to the presence of three figures that totally shocked them.
"Uzumaki... thank god we have found you..."
All of the Konoha ninja, including Tsunade quickly changed their direction to the figures, surprised to see that the three figures are the Three Demons Of Tokugawa themselves.
"Yes, brat... we just arrived here for about 3 hours ago, then that lousy Battousai persuaded me to join them in our search for you...", Saitou spoke while holding his cigarette.
"Naruto-kun?? How are you??", Battousai walked towards Naruto and hugged him.
"Hei, Kenshin-sensei... I had left Japan for a month, and you're started missing me??".
"That redhead really missed you very much...", Yoshinobu began his conversation.
The environment was fillled of silence just before Saitou mentioned about the Konoha ninja which gathered the place before their presence.
"Naruto, what do you want us to do with these rubbish?? Should we kill them all?", Saitou spoke as he was gripping the hilt of his sword.
All of the ninja began to feel the fear of fighting against the Three Demons Of Tokugawa when they watch the three Hitokiri gripped the hilt of their sword.
"The former comrades of mine... leave them alone...".
"Wow, just like Aoshi Shinomori's clan during our past days as Hitokiri...", Yoshinobu added, releasing his grip of the hilt of his Tachi (Long sword).
"Everybody, meet my new comrades... Kenshin Himura Battousai, Miburo Saitou Hajime, Yoshinobu Tokugawa who had taught me about all of the things regarding of being a trully samurai...", Naruto introduced his new comrades to the ninjas.
Gai felt his body trembling in fear as he met, eyes to eyes with the man who had once slaughtered two famous ninja clans in Japan, Saitou Hajime.
"Gai, why are you shaking in fear?", Tsunade asked Gai.
"That man... Saitou Hajime... I heard many bad rumours about him during his past days as the Captain of The Shinsen Gumi 3rd Division. He is just too strong that he was able to finish two famous ninja clan in Japan, Iga and Kouga in just one night...".
All of the ninjas heard Gai's explanation to Tsunade, resulted them the show the shock expression on their faces.
Silent, until Tsunade walked slowly towards Saitou Hajime.
"Is it true?? If is it true, I just wanna know on what reasons do you kill them all??", Tsunade spokes with calm voice while she laid a glare on Saitou.
"I'm afraid that's true.", Saitou replied in a simple answer.
Dushhh!!!!!!
Tsunade laid her fist on Saitou's right cheek, but the Shinsen Gumi ex-captain didn't even dodged her punch.
Saitou was still standing, with a smirk on his lips. Tsunade quickly pulled off her fist, nervously waiting for Saitou to attack her.
"Tsunade, I have my own reasons to kill them...", Saitou began his words just before Kenshin interrupted the conversation.
"Why didn't we Ishin Shishi knew about that?? They're innocent, you know!!"
"Shut up, Battousai... They have plotted to demolish the Shinsen Gumi as soon as after Tokugawa government crushed the Ishin Shishi rebellion against the government... The last descendant of the Tokguwa Family told Kondou-sama, the president of the Shinsen Gumi about that plan... Kondou-sama ordered my division to make sure that there will be no signs of Iga and Kouga families in this world...", Saitou continued his explanation.
"But why do you kill them??"Tsunade asked, but in a total harsh tone.
"It's easy, Tsunade... Shinsen Gumi are similar to the Konoha police force, we protected the freedom and lives of the citizens in Japan. The Iga and Kouga Clans planned on restoring their power and starting massacres to develop the citizens' fears upon them. Of course the Shinsen Gumi will not let that things happen...".
"In order to protect the innocent lives of the citiizens, you have wasted every lives of the ninja clans which had greatly contributed to your former government... That's too awful!!!" Tsunade spoke, in sadness plus angry tone.
"You ninjas wouldn't understand the true meaning of justice...".
"Justice means being fair to all without considering to their status and life, Saitou.", Kakashi spoke as he stared wildly towards Saitou.
Then, Saitou gave a cruel glare which stunned all of the ninja in the field, before holding his swords at the same level with his face. Slowly he unsheathed his sword while speaking.
"Aku, Zaku, Zan... Slay the Evil Instantly... That's the differences between we, the Hitokiri and all of you, the ninja... in front of this sword which I have used since my first days in Shinsen Gumi camp, I swear that I will end the life of the evil person no matter who he or she is, instantly...".
"Although the evil person belongs to your own family?", Tsunade asked spontaneously while prepare herself in taijutsu stances. She knew that she was going to face the ferocious wolf Saitou Hajime and his Gatotsu technique, the technique that rivaled the famous Battousai.
"Yes..." Saitou replied calmly, as he possed in Gatotsu stance, where he pointed the sharp-pointed front of the blade towards Tsunade. The new fight between Tsunade and Saitou Hajime was going to start, just in the time where Kenshin stood between them, unsheathed his new reversed-blade sword.
"Saitou, I will not let you waste another life tonight, enough with your Gatotsu... Tsunade, I beg you... please don't mess up with us again, you're just a mere Sannin who doesn't possess the power to lay even a scratch on us... It's not that I underestimate you, but now you're messing with one of the most powerful sword-fighter in Japan?? Even Uchiha Itachi was nearly defeated by Saitou in their first fight in Mibu Temple 2 years ago, you know??".
All of the ninjas were shocked to hear that the most dangerous missing-nin in Konoha who had slaughtered the entire Uchiha Family, was nearly defeated by the ex-captain of the Shinsen Gumi 3rd Division.
Kakashi voiced out his disbelief, accusing that the words were just a propaganda to scare them off.
"Wait, how can you avoid his Magenkyou Sharingan Genjutsu : Tsukiyomi and Amaterasu?? We also can barely avoid his Genjutsu by not looking into his eyes!!!".
"My strong Ki can easily break the spell of Magenkyou Sharingan Genjutsu : Amaterasu and Tsukiyomi... Look deeply into my sharp eyes and you'll know why I can defeat him easily... That's why the Uchiha Family were so afraid of me... Even Uchiha Madara avoided himself from fighting against me, because he knew that he will lose in all of his fight against me...", Saitou revealed his own way to make the Uchiha Family knelt in fear upon him.
"See, Tsunade... you'll never defeat him although in your ninja world, Sannin is among the best ninja in all ninja villages... Even a small child can predict who's going to be survivor when the Sannin are fighting against us, the Three Demon of Tokugawa...", Yoshinobu spoke arrogantly while pointing his 1.5 metres Tachi (long sword) towards Tsunade.
Silence again conquered the place, just before the Hitokiri made their ways leaving Naruto and his former comrades of ninja behind.
"It's time to leave, Naruto-kun... we'll meet tomorrow..", Kenshin spoke loudly, waving his hand to Naruto.
"Bye, my friends...", Naruto spoke in a calm tone, also waving his hand to Kenshin.
"Your new comrades are very cold-hearted, for sure... even though they possessed the sword skill that fears everybody...", Ino spoke in anger, while watching the three hitokiri walked away to their hotel.
"After all, thanks to them I'm able to survive any big battle that I've faced prevously... They had taught me the main reasons why I must survive, how can I uphold justice by using my sword and finally, how do I battle against my fears...", Naruto replied.
"I must admit that they're cool... even though I don't like them either...", Rock Lee expressed his admiration about the three Hitokiri.
"Those badass jerks, I don't like them either!!!" Sakura shouted, showing her unsatisfaction to those samurai for insulting her sensei, Tsunade.
"Yup, the same goes to us..." all of the ninja were completely unsatisfied with the way Yoshinobu, Saitou and Kenshin had humiliated them before.
"So Naruto, are are you gonna do tonight? Drinking sake, smoking or maybe just wasting your time staring at the sky?" Chouji asked Naruto while eating his potato chips.
"I think I will spend my time tonight reading Icha Icha Paradise, maybe...".
"My god, pervert!!! Naruto!!! Do they teach you on how to be pervert??!!!" Sakura shouted at Naruto's face.
Tsunade, Jiraiya and Kakashi smacked their heads after hearing Naruto's words. What have changed Naruto from a naive ninja into a prevert badass samurai??!
"Hei, pink slut... I'm happy to watch you performing your tiger-show, stripping your clothes one by one... only if you're willing to.." Naruto replied back while lighting his cigarette.
"Oh God, I swear I'm gonna kill you right NOW!!!"
"Go on, my dear hot Sasuke's mistress... fuck me up to the sky, baby!!!" Naruto spoke in his usual humiliation voice, while gripping the hilt of his Shinuchi.
Again Tsunade, Jiraiya and Kakashi smacked their heads after hearing Naruto's words.
"He's more pervert than you're, Ero-sennin... He's even worse, you know??!!" Tsunade spoke as she looked at Jiraiya.
"Thank god, I'm not that high-level of being a pervert..." Jiraiya sighed.
"Okay, Naruto... I guess this is the end of our gathering party tonight... until we meet tomorrow... ", Kakashi spoke while he and Tsunade dragged Sakura away. Everybody left the field, going home leaving Neji and Hinata with Naruto.
"Naruto, I have one request for you to fulfill... can you??", Neji asked in a shy tone.
"What, Neji??"
"Hinata-sama insist in staying here with you tonight.. even me myself couldn't persuade her to go back to Hyuuga Mansion with me. Oh god, Hiashi-sama will surely kill me tonight...", Neji sighed.
"Oh, crap... She's going to make me kill myself tonight...", Naruto smacked his head.
Their conversation has been interrupted by Hinata, walking slowly towards Naruto.
"Naruto-kun... I... can I... stay with... you here, tonight??" Hinata requested shyly, causing Naruto to be in a total shocking condition.
"Sorry, Naruto... not my fault..."Neji sighed again.
- God, please spare my life just for tonight... Don't let me getting slaughtered just because this girl couldn't get the best moment of sex in her entire life... -
"Ahh, okay, okay... only for tonight...".
"Yeah, Naruto-kun!!! Thanks!!!" Hinata kissed Naruto's lips, only to make Naruto's face blushed.
"Okay, until then... Please take a good care of Hinata-sama for me... Otherwise, Hiashi-sama will slaughter me into tiny pieces..", Neji spoke before he left.
"Okay then..."
The night became the most unexpected night for the first time in Naruto's life, to let a girl staying with him and finally sharing a small bed with him. Only god knows the bad feelings in his heart, while picturing the reactions of his former comrades of Konoha ninja if they know Hinata was staying in his home for a night. Yes, a night is enough for a girl with bad-mouth such as Ino or Sakura, making bad gossips and speculations about his night with Hinata...
God, please avoid me from being humiliated tomorrow... Please!!!!!
- End of Episode 7 -
Author's note :
- Stay tune for next chapter : (Special Episode) Exclusive - A Midnight's Dream (Pairing NaruHina)
- Hints for next chapter - it's all about NaruHina, I mean on how Hinata is going to make Naruto believe that he is not alone anymore, with the presence of Hinata in his heart... Love is in the air... make a way for love!!!!
- Thanks everybody for the supports!!!