Chapter 18 : A Conversation With a Murderer
As soon as Itachi and Kisame escaped, the Konoha police force arrived. Of course, they saw Hono standing over an incapacitated Sasuke who had a broken wrist. What could they think? Perhaps he wasn't the killer and this was an unfortunate coincidence? Oh wait, he is the Kyuubi's host, let's throw him in jail!
And that is the story of how he ended up in that shitty cell. He stayed there for about a week before the Hokage was informed. Some sort of "rookie mistake". Hono made a mental note never to forget that cop's face. He'd make sure the man would find out why they called him Red Demon. When the Hokage came to visit, he immediately freed Hono and let him tell his side of the story. The Hokage was surprised at how Hono overcame the S-rank duo so quickly, even when he explained that Itachi had used his eyes too much. Sasuke was doing alright, but he was still in a coma. Tsukuyomi put a whole lot of strain on the mind. You roamed your nightmares for 72 hours after all. After he was finished reporting, Hono had to listen to the Hokage, who said he had contacted an old acquaintance of his to protect Hono until he was ready to face any challenge. A few moments later, a tall man with a big white mane and a forehead protector saying "Oil" in kanji stepped in the room. He wore a green short shirt kimono and matching pants over a mesh armor. He also wore hand guards, traditional Japanese geta and a red Haori with yellow circles on each side. He carried a big scroll on his back. The Hokage explained that he was Jiraiya, one of the Three Great Sannin and that he would be Hono's mentor aside from bodyguard.
And that was why Hono was now pounding a piece of hot metal with a hammer in Higashi's shop. That place was crowded ever since people learned Higashi sold the Mistic Blacksmith's creations, Higashi couldn't be happier and was planning of making a second shop. Now, Hono had full access to his blacksmithing workshop and materials as Higashi's thanks. And misteriously, a suitcase filled with money appeared at the front of his door every monday. He didn't complain, he could need the money later, and Higashi would be offended if he returned it. He had offered Higashi the design for his nature katana and given him the original for show. When Higashi asked why, he said he was going to upgrade his arsenal. The result were two serrated machetes that would slice with no effort. If he spun with them on his hands, they would create a tornado of fire aside from simply conducting the fire into strikes like the katana. Thanks to Akasha's bandana, he was able to control fire however he wanted, and thanks to Mizore's scrolls, every fire jutsu he performed could end up with black fire like Amaterasu, though it costed a fuckload of chakra that drained him off his energy in seconds. He had to get used to it. If killing himself each day in training would mean he got to spit gigantic flame balls of black fire that burned everything in their path, he was willing to do so.
Hono joked about many things. Violence, Death, Suffering. But he did not joke with one thing. His dream. He was willing to go through hell and back to achieve it and by fuck, there was nothing no one could do to stop him. He had arranged to meet up with Zabuza in the Konoha forest. When Hono asked him to come without Haku, Zabuza hesitated but eventually accepted. It was three in the afternoon when the murderer walked into the forest clearing. Hono was playing with the KubiKiriBocho.
"Look kid, if you just called me to taunt me I'm going to be fucking pissed!"- Zabuza started, pointing at him. Hono turned his head to face him.
"Calm down, no-brows. I called you here so I could give you the sword. But I need info before that."- Hono stood up and placed the back of the sword on his shoulder in a relaxed position.
"What do you want to know?"- Zabuza asked, raising the part of his face where the right brow would be. He wanted the sword, it was like his partner. Like Haku.
"Kirigakure. Is it a powerful village? Is it suitable for a murderer? Can one live there? Who's the kage? I want to know everything!"- he demanded. Zabuza wondered why, but he got to the answer quickly.
"As the name says, it is enveloped in mist. It is a big village, but it is governed by Yagura, the fourth Mizukage. He is a tyran and will kill any Kirigakure traitors without a second thought. He is the jinchuuriki of the third tails (don't worry guys, I know the story. I am just altering it a bit.) If you like to kill, yes, it is a great village to live in. It's powerful, but it has a lot of enemies. Now that I have answered your question, why did you want to know?"- Zabuza asked after answering, he was too curious to stay shut. Hono shrugged.
"I received an invitation to join the Kirigakure village signed by some dude named Yagura through one of Mei Terumi's students. Now I know who he is. I'll probably join. I want to get strong."- at his reply, Zabuza shrugged as well. The kid seemed strong enough as he was, yet he wanted more power. He was going to the right place, but he would eventually clash with Yagura. Hono threw him the KubiKiriBocho which he catched with no effort.- "Thanks, I'll join it in one or two years. And be careful with the sword. Show it to the Hokage and you'll lose it again."- Hono said before leaving. Haku stepped out of her hiding place.
"That boy is going through a dark path. The worse is, I feel like he is suited for it."- she muttered. Zabuza nodded.
"People call me a demon, but him? He's the devil."