Kirigakure was the capital of the Land of Water, yes, but it didn't have a harbour itself. The village that welcomed the ships, shinobi and cargo heading towards it from the sea was named Tesseineko. It gave home to every kind of people and existed in a chaotic order. Ships came and went, merchants yelled at the markets offering their goods, civilians rushed to do what they had to and to be late anyway. Everybody had something to do and in every moment something happened. Paradise for the always bored ones.
'Karcsa would love this place', Kese thought as he ate his last dango and glanced at the bag at his side. Gamashiro was hiding in it, watching his surroundings, searching for one of the pirates the blond could follow. Their ship rested in the harbour, but Kese didn't risk getting near it without getting some information before that. So he waited.
He wore dark blue clothes to blend in better, and he also had his jacket's hood on, to hide his face. It wasn't suspicious: to his surprise many others wore hoods or scarves around their heads. He could have used transformation jutsu, but it might get unwanted attention of shinobi and of his prey. Nezu was a chakra sensor type person, at least he suspected so.
Kese decided to move. He bought some more dango to go, placed them into his bag so Gamashiro could eat something, then headed towards a tavern. 'I should've come here first', he thought when he entered. 'What kind of pirate would go into a fine dango bar when there are enough taverns in town?' He took a glance at other's drink as he walked to the counter, so he wouldn't ask for unusual things. He ordered beer and sat down at a small table. The toad moved in his bag right away, then he felt poking at his side.
They agreed on a code before, and Gamashiro used that to inform him. There was four short poke and two long. Kese glanced over his right shoulder and saw two loud men, their skin tanned by the sun and tattooed under their sleeve. Then six short poke and two long, but he didn't turn around to see those. He sneaked a glance at the drinking people on his left, and he discovered another three. A few minutes later he focused his attention on one of them, who looked uneasy being together with them. To the blond's joy, he was about to leave, so Kese drank his drink and casually left the bar shortly after him.
A strange, pink or purple mist had surrounded the harbour and the village while he was in the tavern. 'It hurts my throat. What's up with this mist?!' he thought as the pirate turned into an alley. He turned too, but didn't see him anymore. He immediately knew the pirate noticed him and hid somewhere. 'He must have sucked in hide and seek when he was a child', the blond thought, giggling inwardly when he spotted his target's head between trash cans.
Kese acted like a normal civilian and simply walked past him to see what he would react. The pirate did just as he suspected, he attacked right away. The blond replied with his fist into his face, calmed him down with a stranglehold, and dragged him into a smaller and darker alley. He wanted to do it quietly and quickly; that man might be a tough opponent in a fight. Just as he dropped the pirate, it began mumbling. – You son of a bitch, what the hell? – he was so surprised by the turn of events, he even forgot he had hit first.
Kese let this compliment slip away. – Why did you attack me, pirate? – the other just chuckled. It pissed the blond off and so he "kindly" "pressed" his feet to the man's crotch. It was an unfair move, he knew, but effective nonetheless.
The pirate winced and didn't dare moving, his scared look amused Kese. – Talk. – he smirked at him playfully. - Why did you attack me?
The pirated gulped and glanced at the feet between his legs, which trampled on him even harder. – I-I thought she sent you. – he spoke in a high-pitched voice. Tears appeared in his eyes when the feet squeezed. – I mean, the Mizukage! Look around: the mist, it's hers, she's in the city. – the blond raised an eyebrow at him. – Because, she's after us. Si-since we, I mean, they attacked her.
- Was it you? – Kese frowned. The pirate winced and nodded.
- Not all of us, but yes… We were to capture someone and some rogue ninja joined us in it. But the capt'n changed his mind and they went after her.
- Why would you attack the Mizukage? – he nearly laughed. Attacking the most powerful shinobi in the Land of Water was equal to suicide, and Kese couldn't decide whether they were complete fools or fanatics.
The pirate's disgusted answer proved the latter. - She has Kekkei Genkai. In addition two.
- And?
– I can hear you aren't from this land, are you? - the pirate chuckled uneasily. – It is the source of all evil things, and those who have it shall die.
- Oh, so are you bloodline-haters? – the blond's question made the other one make faces. – But you didn't succeed.
The pirate turned his face away and winced again when Kese applied some more pain onto his loin.
- Where are the rogue ninja?
- I don't know. They scattered after the attack.
- The Suzumebachi?
- In the harbour. But will leave soon.
- When?
- Anytime. – he shook his head. – The capt'n is an asshole, he never says anything. Sometimes the ship leaves without a few of our men.
- How many of you are there?
- Nowadays... Not much… Twenty or twenty-five, maybe a little more. I don't know exactly.
Kese fell in silence for a few second. - You don't sound very loyal.
The man shrugged. – I never wanted to be with them. I never wanted to be a pirate. I didn't have a choice, and nor do I have any more.
- Why don't you go home?
- If I had a place to go home.
- Then go and find a new one. – Kese stepped away from him. – And you better not return to that ship.
The pirate released a heavy sigh after getting free, and frowned. – Why do you say that? - he looked up, then around, but didn't see that mysterious stranger anywhere. He blinked a few, and decided to keep the hooded man's advice. A strange, ominous feeling growing in his gut also told him to do that - or else his crotch will be the last thing he would want to save.
- Kese… - Gamashiro climbed out of his summoner's bag and hopped onto the tiles of the rooftop. The three-storied house they had been on for a while stood near the harbour. The blond hid on top of it for a few minutes to have a better view on the ships and to get above the mist which was slowly getting thicker. He was examining the Suzumebachi through his spyglass when the toad asked him. – Why did you let him go just like that? He was a pirate.
- He was different. I could see it in the way he talked to the others and to me. That's why I followed him in the first place, then let him go.
- What if he goes back to the ship and talks about you asking things from him?
- If he goes back, he made a wrong decision. – he put away his spyglass and looked at the sky. The sun was culminating, the air was heavy, filled with that strange pink mist, no sign of wind.
- Kese! – Gamashiro pulled his sleeve. – Look there! On the street, the man with that tan and rich one. Do you see him?
His summoner looked at them, and raised an eyebrow. The latter one caught his eyes first. He had light brown skin, dark but piercing yellow eyes, aquiline nose and long black goatee. With his expensive green and gold clothes, and loose turban he was a rare sight even in this port. He was about in the middle of his thirties and looked strong-willed and successful.
The other one Gamashiro pointed at was a thin man in a light blue embroidered shirt, some years younger than the other. His skin was pinkish white, his sleek hair brown, and his light greyish blue eyes curious and loquacious. Those eyes were watchful and cautious, like he was looking for someone at every corner; but enemy or friend, the blond didn't know.
- Yes, I do. – he replied to the toad's question. – What about him?
- He is the Travelling Deacon.
Kese was glad he didn't find anyone on top of the houses. He was following the Deacon and his companion to one of the harbour's secluded part, while trying to figure out where they were heading. He was within earshot, but they didn't talk, except one occasion.
- Do we really have to meet them? – the rich one asked, his voice was deep, barely audible on the rooftops, but Kese noticed his patrician speech style. The Deacon turned his face towards him and nodded. The other one didn't like his answer, and he even declared it. – Despite your efforts I haven't changed my mind concerning this detour. – he added.
The Deacon smiled genuinely. – It'll take only a few minutes. Please, be patient.
'This accent!', Kese frowned immediately when he heard him. 'I know it! But from where? And his face, it's so familiar… Damn it, brain, work!', they turned a corner and he hid behind the wall of a taller building. He peeked down from there and froze when he recognized a third person in front of them. He couldn't believe they had led him right to them.
His blood boiled when that third person bowed and greeted them in a bored tone. – Good afternoon, gentlemen. – his toady way of speaking still made the blond shudder. – A pleasure to see you again, Deacon.
- Nezu. – he nodded. – This is Nishikaze-san, from the Land of Wind. Entertain him while I talk to the captain. – after nodding at said man as well, he entered a door.
It took a great effort for Kese to not leap down and kill that rat right away, but he calmed himself and decided to see where the Deacon had gone. Fortunately, he found broken windows on the wall he had been hiding next to. He peeked in: it was a warehouse, full of boxes and sacks. He carefully climbed in and quietly leaped onto one of the filled sacks. His landing frightened a few mice and they bolted away in that instant. He froze, listened, but he wasn't discovered. In the same moment a door opened loudly on the other side of the warehouse, and he heard the steps of two.
- Ah, Deacon! – a deep voice snapped. - So good to see you again! - Kese got closer until he could see those people. There was the Deacon with someone, they had just entered; and in front of them, around a table three other men. One of them had only one ear, he stood up and stepped to him. - Been a while! – his hoarse voice was showing suspicious joy and respect, but hid something like fear. – How're things in Konoha?
- Doing well. – the Deacon replied in a slightly tensed voice. His accent differed so much from the others' speech, and it didn't cease to bother the blond. – Captain Gorou… – his smile dropped. – Who do you think you are?
This question cooled the air in the warehouse. The pirates looked at each other, then their black haired captain spread his arms. – I-I don't understand what you're talking about. – his voice shook a little.
- You do. – the Deacon's smile reappeared for a moment, then vanished again. – I take the effort, time, money and danger to send mercenary ninjas to you without the Leaf noticing it, so you could seize whom you found. – his voice lost its kindness, his eyes darkened as he pierced his gaze into the pirate's eyes. – And you, Gorou, selfishly decide to satisfy your hatred against the Mizukage and lose all the men I provided.
- I didn't lose them! They must be alive…
- Silence. – the Deacon hissed quietly. The pirate shut his mouth and looked away. – I know where they are: scattered around in little pieces or eaten by animals. Because being a wanted man does not give you the luxury of proper burial, does it, Gorou? If they are still alive, they are hiding in dark places like this, wincing like a bunch of dogs, fearing the many mist shinobis would appear anytime to take their head. – he spoke to all of them, walking up and down. He took great pleasure in emphasising important words, to make the pirates hunch and sweat. His accent made every word more menacing, while his calm voice gave a sharp contrast to his speech.
Kese felt goose-bumps on his neck. This man looked like an honest men with his angel face and pleasant behaviour and he didn't seem violent or someone who could hurt a fly. He was the Travelling Deacon, someone reliable enough to spread the word of his religion. In the same time he ordered the pirates, and could wake fear in the hearts of his audience without using any kind of steel.
- But you know what, Gorou? – he went on. – I don't care about the mercenaries. I don't care about your chakra-user. The only thing that bothers me is that you seem to not wanting to obey our orders. – he raised his hand to his chest, and moved his fingers, so Gorou could see something on it. Kese didn't see that thing, another pirate blocked the sight. – And you know how we make our stubborn brothers understand what they have to do. I'm sure you remember.
The captain paled and glanced at the door for a moment. Before he could open his mouth to protest, the Deacon raised his hand, to silence him again. He stepped closer to the pirate and almost whispered. – See how generous I am: I will give you another chance, so you could prove your worth. Bring here the person you discovered. You have one month. The only excuse I accept is that you are dead.
With this he turned around and walked out of the door with elegance, like he had just finished his work well.
The pirates along with the blond stood there, riveted to the spot. Gorou was the first person who regained his cold blood. – We set sails at dusk. Refill the supplies and call the others. – he barked more orders, but Kese had already left. He knew when they would leave, and he could focus his attention on the Deacon, his companion, and of course Nezu who followed them. He was tailing the three on the rooftops, jumping from one house to the other or rushing above the misty streets on beams. He sharpened his senses* and listened to what they were talking about.
- …And that is why Nezu will also come with us, Nishikaze-san.
Kese regretted he didn't catch the beginning of their conversation.
- I see. – the other man sighed. – Is that boy truly worth the effort?
It was Nezu who replied to his question. - His resources are rich, and he has a rare chakra nature with strong Wind affinity. Shinobis of your land would pay a lot for it.
- How much?
- 1200 ryou* for one unit.
Kese goggled when he heard the price and thought about it. 'Concerning how much chakra he stole from me easily…. I'm a friggin' gold mine!'
- I am surprised you are not familiar with Suna's current exchange rates, Nishikaze-san.
- As we know it, Deacon, I don't need to worry about money.
Nezu stiffened. – We should move faster.
'Did he notice me?', this was Kese's first reaction remembering his suspicion about the pirate. Immediately after this, his sharpened hearing picked up the sound of someone running on tiles. Actually, more than one someone.
He hid behind a thick chimney just in time, and hoped the four mist shinobi rushing by hadn't noticed him. Especially the one he knew himself. 'What's Choujuurou doing here?', he asked in his mind. He remembered what he had heard from the man he interrogated: the Mizukage was in the city. Her shinobi must be searching for the pirates. Somehow the blond hoped they wouldn't find them, they didn't want them to have their heads.
He also didn't want to lose the men he had been tailing. They had got out of his sight and he needed a minute to concentrate and find clues of their path on the street. He was relieved when he finally spotted them in the crowd, but he sneered when they entered a covered market. 'Awesome, now I have to get down and find them again!' He found the market and the people around him annoying but also helpful because he was able to hide amongst them. He acted like an ordinary costumer who was in search for the best wares he wanted to buy. He naturally became one with the crowd; and he already picked up some of the Deacon's track. He knew he had got very close to them and prepared his senses to find them in the mass of human flesh. Just as he switched don his senses, ghosts appeared around him, more than he was used to see occasionally. Then his body froze and it happened.
He hadn't had such an intense vision for a long time. At first he shivered and felt the usual tingle in his eyes. He was about to turn a corner, he knew a wall was close to him: he found it with his hand and tried to not fall. His surroundings changed a little. He was wearing a whirlpool-patterned kimono and he was being attacked right in that market. He started making hand-seals and he felt chakra coiling up in his real body as well, dangerously close to leaking from his seal. 'No, no, it can't, they'll notice my-!', he held it back and forced it into his seal as much as he just could. Then he didn't know why and how, but pictures from another part of the market appeared in front of him. He saw the crowd, a random Leaf shinobi in front of him, but what surprised him the most was Nezu with Nishikaze and the Deacon himself.
He was confused. He didn't know what he was experiencing. That last one didn't seem to be a vision or a flashback: it was present time and not a memory of others or his. And it resembled so much to his strange dream with the chakra monster. Before he could have figured out more of what he was in, a hand on his shoulder dragged him out of it. – You okay? – a voice asked, and the blond didn't know what to answer. – Follow me.
He could barely see what was in front of him, but he recognized the owner of the voice. It was the pirate he had interrogated. The man turned back to him and whispered. – C'mon, hurry.
The cautious side of the blond didn't want to go. But his curiosity went crazy and he couldn't help following that man. 'One day it'll be my death!' he thought as they walked into an alley and the pirate entered a door.
Kese peeked in, then stepped into the empty storage room. He closed the door behind him then turned to the other man. Before he could have said anything, the pirate faced him. – It was you, wasn't it? – he stepped closer to him. - The white hooded demon. You killed the others on that island, didn't you?
The blond couldn't even blink at his sudden questions.
- You're here to finish what you started, right?
Kese felt it would be wise if he left. He didn't trust the excitement in the man's voice and eyes. He turned, and his hand was already on the door handle when the pirate grabbed his arm.
- I'll help you.
The blond frowned at him. – Why would you do that?
- I… I'm not strong or skilled enough to do it on my own. – he answered after a short hesitation. – Look, you can have everything they have, just, please, make them disappear!
- I'm not interested in money. – Kese was still cautious about him. But he reminded himself he needed some assistance. - If you want to help, then find a way for me to get on the ship before sunset.
The pirate released him. He began walking up and down, then stopped. – I have an idea.
Which Kese liked enough. They discussed the details, and meanwhile the blond checked him with his other senses, to see if his judging failed him or not. He didn't get any warnings, so he agreed on carrying out their plan.
An hour before dusk Kese emerged from the alley. Thanks to the transformation technique, he looked like the man he had planned with: Tetsuji, the pilot of the Suzumebachi. On the streets he became one with the crowd, and headed right towards the harbour. He stepped onto the docks, and stumbled closer to the ship with an almost empty glass in his hand. He smirked in his mind when the other pirates noticed him and chuckled at his drunkenness.
'Nice, I've got them. Let the show begin.'
Thank you for reading! :)
* When I write something like Kese sharpened his senses, hearing or vision, I'm talking about different means of assassin senses, like Eagle Vision. I'll mention it differently when he uses sage mode.
* 1200 ryou = 12000 JPY = about 100 USD (6 February 2015)
A little explanation about chakra crisis, trading and donation:
In my story, there are no guns or cannons, powder is only used in fireworks and in some bombs, so chakra is necessary. However, the world is in a growing chakra crisis, which means the amount of chakra a shinobi can produce is getting smaller and smaller, until he/she is not able to practice his/her duty as a ninja. They stay alive, but their body can't produce enough chakra to use jutsus. Although if one gets chakra from someone else (even after getting unable to produce enough) he/she regain his ability to perform jutsus, until he/she uses up the chakra. The reason and consequences of this crisis will be explained later, but one consequence is chakra trading.
In my world if someone donates or sells his/her chakra, it can be used by others. Donating can be done directly from one person to another or via using scrolls. The technique Nezu used to seal away Kese's chakra is a technique specialized at sealing only one natured chakra. This method's is the most used sealing technique in all Elemental nations' chakra trading - because it needs very little of the creator's own chakra compared to other seals. He put a certain natured chakra into the seal, which is weak against the desired chakra type (e.g. he used lightning natured chakra to seal Kese's wind type chakra), and which attracts the other chakra in, helping in the process. Other scrolls with other seals can seal pure chakra, but those seals need more of the creator's chakra. However, some skill in converting the natured sealed chakra into own system is required from the recipient; else his/her body has to adjust the chakra in a time-consuming and strenuous adaptation process.
How much one can do with only one unit of chakra? It depends mostly on the used techniques, as well on the proficiency and precision of chakra usage. One unit of chakra is enough for about 1-2 ordinary Rasengan, or 5 shadow clones without using chakra other way. Kese's Uzutora seal absorbs about 70-100 units each day, and it keeps his available and sensible chakra on a middle-high civilian level of about 2 units. (Nezu would have been able to get more than 5 units from him before had Kese given it freely. Forced chakra drain strains the chakra system and can lead to temporary shut down and unconsciousness.)
More about these will be revealed and explained later.
I'm glad you are still reading my story. Don't be afraid to voice your questions, if you have any. :) Thank you for reading!