"They've discovered the sacrificial altar beneath the Naka Shrine."
"Have they now? Perfect."
"The guard around the hokage's daughter has increased greatly in strength Haru."
"Of course it has, after figuring out our purpose for her, Jet. I'd like for you to focus on figuring dismantling the barriers holding you in place, in addition to observing the movements with the village."
"Fine. After that?"
"Don't break out right away. Search for the best opportunity to cripple them from the inside. Then I will arrive and take care of the rest."
"Perfect Haru."
The connection broke off. Haru opened his eyes and relaxed his shoulders as he came out of meditation. The candles in front of him were still burning strong. Barely a single drop of wax had melted. But that should be expected of a Master such as himself. Communication through the world's energy would normally take someone thirty minutes to establish a connection. Judging by the candles Haru had barely taken two seconds. Haru stood up and gave himself a mental clap on the back.
He turned around and stared at a pillar and smiled to himself. "You can come out Taiga." A young woman with silver hait slowly stepped out from behind the pillar like a child caught spying on the illicit activities of her parents.
"How long did you I was there?" asked Taiga.
"Since before I even came in here." Haru coolly replied.
Taiga gave him an incredulous look as if she wasn't sure how to interpret Haru's response. He smiled at Taiga who immediately took her eyes off of him and took them to her feet, blushing.
"Haru, I-"
"Don't look so scared." Haru interrupted her. "I just want to know, did you enjoy what you saw?"
"Y-yes." Taiga stammered out. "The air around you seemed like it was dancing. Is that how it is when you communicate through the world's energy?"
"Indeed. Can you do it yet?"
"No." She turned her eyes away again as if she were expecting to be hit for the lack of success.
"Oh well. You'll get in due time." Haru said. "Come let's step outside."
Taiga followed like a school girl happy her crush had noticed her. She is so easy to read. But then all people are. The stepped out of the cave and into the bright sunlight. He shielded himself from the rays with his arm. It was a pleasantly warm day. He was glad he'd taken off his poncho.
Haru sat down rock while Taiga sat on a slightly larger one across from him. "What news from Jet and the others sir?" Taiga had her hands clasped in her lap and had addressed him as sir. She only got like that when she was worried.
"They are being held in chakra barriers by the hidden leaf village. Jet will find a way through them in due time, but in the meantime I've been having Jet use the world's energy to observe the village and discover its weak spots. Or rather its weaker spots." Haru replied while looking up at the clouds.
"Oh." Taiga released her hands from within each others grasp. Her posture became relaxed as she looked at the grass at their feet. Haru couldn't help but feel warm inside at how much Taiga had grown from how she was when he first met her.
"Tell me Taiga. Your resolve for fighting with me." Haru already heard the answer many but he liked to be reminded of the resolve of those who followed him. I was also healthy for them to remind themselves.
"I pledged myself to the Black Sun to avenge myself and to protect you Haru." Her demeanor had changed. She was looking him directly in the eyes without any hesitation and with the utmost righteous anger.
"Good. It's always good to remind yourself of why you fight. The last thing I want is for you to walk to battle with me having forgotten your resolve and your purpose."
"You are my purpose Haru."
"Indeed. I became that the day I found you didn't I?"
"Yes. We were both children. My parents who were ninja of the grass village drove me away out of shame for having a child with no chakra. I wandered aimlessly wanting to die but too afraid to slit my throat."
"That's when I found you."
"You weren't any older than me. But you spoke as if you were a great, wise, philosopher. You said I was afraid to kill myself because deep down I believed that I did not want to die. That I had a reason to keep living."
"Yes. And what was that reason?"
"You know it Haru. It was to avenge myself. For the wrongs that were done to me. You said a human must never count their lives less than another's. That is why a person is just as justified in avenging themselves as they are their friends."
"For if we see no worth in ourselves than how can we be of worth to others?"
"You taught me how to fight. Showed me the worth that was buried deep within me."
"Hardly. It wasn't buried deep within you. People just told you not to dig for it in the first place."
"You were the first. You found me at the riverside trying to eat worms to feed myself. Do you remember what you said?"
"'Why are you eating worms girl? Aren't you a human being? All humans should eat real food.'" He chuckled silently to himself. Taiga laughed lightly on her rock as well.
"That was when you became my purpose." She sighed out.
Yes. He remembered vividly how she was when he found her and how he was as well. He had recently migrated to this continent with his father while his sister was gone. His father, who led the Black Sun at the time had accused Haru of speaking Heresy when he asked why he believed that all Chakra user swere monsters. He told him that it was "because Chakra is the power of devils. It is the monstrosity that came forth when the witch Kaguya ate the forbidden fruit." Haru didn't believe it. Chakra or not, they were all still human. His father's apprentice Jet however was far more in his father's favor than Haru himself. But was simply because the poor Jet recited out the lines his father wanted him to. Feeling dejected he ran into the wilderness and that was when he came across the young Taiga.
"What is you resolve Haru?" Taiga asked, snapping him out of his memories.
"To exercise my humanity to my heart's content. And to allow other the same chance." He didn't look at her when he said it, but he could feel her confusion. Thought he had grown used to it. Haru Chinatsu wasn't a man easily understood, but he was a man easily followed despite that. "It seems Jet has found my nephew in the leaf." He said with grin.
"Really. Your sister's, Lady Himiko's child? That's great news." Taiga had jumped off her rock in excitement, her hair bouncing as she did.
"Not necessarily. He was born with Chakra you see."
"Oh." There was a bit of venom on her tone now.
"Though I believe he may still be of some use."
"I don't understand."
"You will. I promise." He walked over to Taiga and took her in his arms. They locked eyes and Jet knelt forward. He l lightly locked his lips with Taiga's; he could feel her desire through their contact and he could feel her joy at this act. When they separated, Haru couldn't help but smile at how red her face had gotten. He could tell that she was struggling simply not to faint thus he held her to keep from doing so.
Haru turned to the clearing where he began to here countless footsteps in the distance. "The others are approaching." Taiga said. Haru was impressed that her senses were as sharp as they were.
"They are. Come let's go change the world together, Taiga."
The door opened revealing Sarada's mother to give a great hug to her daughter who'd just returned from her mission to see Orochimaru. "Mom, you're crushing me." Sarada groaned out.
"Sorry sweetie." Sakura replied as she let her daughter go. Sarada looked over at Boruto who walked in and was also tackled by hugs from both his mother and his sister. Sarada couldn't help but smile at the three as they got up. Seeing Boruto's smile caused Sarada's heart to melt. This was the inherent kindness in him the she admired. the same kindness that Uncle Naruto possessed. "Are you children alright?" Sarada's mother asked.
"Yeah Mom, we're all fine." Sarada replied catching her breath from her mother's monster hug.
"Yeah what she said." said Boruto. "And those Taka members are weird." Boruto complained.
"Hey. I thought Karin was alright." Sarada protested. She really did find Karin rather likable.
"Are you kidding me? She was insane." Boruto claimed.
"You met Karin?" Her mother joined. "How was she?"
"She was fine Mom." Sarada went on to explain how she had greeting them with the utmost warmth and kindness.
'And what about Orochimaru?" her mother finally questioned venomously. It was clear that she wasn't particularly fond of Mitsuki's father just Konohamaru wasn't.
Sarada opened her to speak though not sure of what would come out.
"He was just like Mitsuki." Boruto suddenly blurted out. Lady Hinata and Sarada's mother both shared a look of confusion and understanding. Sarada hadn't really thought about it during the meeting with the man. Only that he had striking resemblance to Mitsuki but seemed far more threatening. But his manner of speaking however was shared by his son. Both polite yet blunt.
"So where is Mitsuki?" Himawari questioned. It was a rather rare thing for her speak out like this in front this many people. She was after all quite shy despite feistiness in private.
"Oh, Dad asked him stay back." Boruto replied in an annoyed tone.
"I see." Lady Hinata said. Sarada looked over at Boruto who looked like a little boy who'd just been denied his favorite junk food. Even Sarada wondered why Mitsuki was asked to stay behind. Perhaps it had something to with the secrets he'd kept from the hokage, though Sarada didn't see the issue. Mitsuki never meant anyone any harm.
"Mom, you'll never guess who we met at the hokage's office today." Sarada wanted to retell her meeting with the kazekage only to be cut off by the door bell.
"Oh, let me get that." Thus Sarada's mother went for the door.
Sarada heard the door open and a familiar male voice speak. "Sorry Sakura but I brought along a visitor." It was her father. Sarada looked towards the door to find that the kazekage entered as well. She couldn't believe it. It was enough just to meet him at the hokage's office but to have him in the same home as her was almost divine. She always admired the kage and Gaara of the Sand was special due to his friendship with Uncle Naruto.
"Lord Kazekage." Her mother began.
"No need to be so formal Sakura. We're all friends here." The kazekage said.
"Hell again Sarada. Boruto." The kazekage turned to the children. "And this must be Naruto's and Hinata's daughter."
Himawari retreated slightly into herself until she received reassurance from her mother, Lady Hinata, that it was okay.
"I'd like for the children to leave for a moment." Sarada's father announced.
"Leave? For what?" She spat at her father.
"This isn't something you'll want to hear. I know I didn't" Her father said back. The honesty in his voice kept Sarada from spitting something insulting at him. She looked at the kazekage who had the same sort of frightened expression her father was wearing. It was clear that there was something that they discussed something with the hokage that they didn't want the children to worry about. "Let's go Sarada." Boruto said. That surprised her the most. Normally he'd be the first to speak out against something like this. His silence during this whole episode was rather unnerving.
Despite her awkwardness at the situation she left with Boruto and his sister. As the three were about to enter Sarada's room She felt Boruto tugging on her arm. "What?" She quietly demanded.
"Let's go spy on them." He said with a mischievous smirk.
"Are you crazy?" She didn't need that question answered. Thus she was glad the Boruto didn't give one and simply continued smiling. "Fine. So what about Hima?"
"Taken care of." He motioned over to Hima who was playing with Boruto. Wait. What?
"You left a shadow clone with her?" She was resisting the urge to yell. How could this boy be so insensitive to his own sister so as to leave a shadow clone?
"No dunderhead. I'm the clone. That's the real me. I'm not like my old man you know."
"Oh." Though now Sarada felt slightly jealous that she was stuck with the clone though didn't voice her feelings. Instead she simply followed Boruto back towards the stairs to spy on the adults all the while wondering on the way, how Boruto created a shadow clone so fast and switched places with it. She decided to write that off as the prodigious talent her father must've been so proud of him for.
They crouched behind a wall at the top of the stairs not bothering to look at them. They decided simply hearing their conversation would've been enough.
"No." That was Lady Hinata's voice which was dripping with fear.
"Hinata." The was Sarada's mother. No doubt trying to comfort Hinata over whatever it was that they wee talking about.
"I can't believe it. That man Haru wants to sacrifice my daughter." Sarada heart landed in her stomach and legs almost gave way. She turned over to Boruto's clone whose eyes were burning with such volcanic rage that was reminiscent of her father's at that age.
"For that purpose. . ." The kazekage was talking now. "A special guard has been formed to protect your daughter Hinata."
"A guard?" Lady Hinata choked out as if she'd been crying.
"Yes." the kazekage replied. "It will consist of myself, the sixth hokage, and Killer Bee the eight tails jinchuriki. And I have no doubt all those living in this house will participate in this task as well."
Sarada heard several "Hns" and "yeses". She felt like she was out of her depth. The kazekage, the sixth hokage, and the eight tails jinchuriki. These were people that Sarada was very knowledgeable about. The fact that this many powerful ninja were needed to guard against Haru spoke miles about their enemy's power. The whole time Boruto seemed to be getting more enraged as the conversation went on. "Boruto . . . " She began. There was a light puff of smoke and the Boruto clone disappeared. Oh, Boruto. Hima.
"Sarada. Boruto" she heard her father's voice from downstairs. "Did you catch all that?"
Of course he knew they were there. He always knew about Sarada, but Sarada wasn't able to know anything about him. She walked down the stairs towards the living room like a soldier marching off to the battlefield. Once she reached the living she looked her all the adults in the eyes. She would not let them nor their dark business intimidate her. "If you mean if we caught the bit about Haru's plan to sacrifice Hima and the roster for her bodyguard squad then yeah. We caught everything." She said to her father sarcastically.
Her father though simply grinned at her. "It seems you've gotten better at stealth since the last time you spied on me."
"Hn." She knew her father had given her a sincere compliment. He was usually quiet, but when he spoke, he spoke whatever was on his mind. Since she didn't want to let him know that she appreciated the compliment she simply scowled at him. She turned to the kazekage. "Do we have any kind of plan on dealing with Haru? Even the seventh hokage was on the ropes against him."
"Well we are working on a plan." her father said instead of the kazekage. "But having so many kage-caliber ninja as bodyguards for Himawari is a good place to start."
"Hn."
Sarada heard light footsteps running down the stairs. Himawari entered the room and ran to her mother. All eyes in the room became somber and regretful, but Hima had no idea what was going on. "Mom. Boruto ran out the window."
"He what?" Lady Hinata almost jumped out of her seat.
"He didn't fall. He just hopped away somewhere. He was angry when he left." There was sadness and disappointment in the young girl's eyes.
"I'll go get him." Sarada's father said. "Don't worry Hinata." He turned to Sarada. "And don't you worry either." The tone in his voice was meant to tease her.
She simply turned her face away to hide the fact she was blushing. Her father lightly laughed and walked out the door in hunt of the angry boy.
The practice post had several fist impressions on it's surface. Boruto threw another punch at it, putting his whole being behind the strike. That Haru wants to kill my sister.
Not if I kill him first. Another punch, another mark on the post. He looked at his knuckles. Anyone else' would have been bleeding by now but his were barely bruised. He'd made a habit of this shortly after his father became hokage. Thus his hands had become desensitized to the abuse. He reeled back for another punch. "Will stop hurting that poor practice post?" A familiar voice called out behind him.
He twisted his head and there he was, long black cloak and all. "Old Man Sasuke. What are you doing out here?"
"Well first off. I knew you and Sarada were spying on us. Second of all when our conversation ended Himawari came down and told us that ran and were pissed off." He voice was cool and calm. It was the Sarada way sounded on general basis and it annoyed him.
"Does Hima know?" Boruto asked.
"No. She doesn't."
"Good." Boruto went back to his punching.
"She will find out though. This isn't something we can keep hidden from her for too long." Old Man Sasuke really holding anything back. "So. What are you doing exactly?"
"Well you can see what I'm doing." Boruto turned his back and began punching the practice post again. "I'm training."
"It looks like training, but it's not." Sasuke said behind him over the sound of Boruto rage fueled punches.
"Then what is it?" He punctuated it with a punch and turned back towards the Uchiha.
"A rather ineffective way of dealing with anger."
Boruto scoffed and turned back towards the post and was about throw another punch.
"Your father's adviser has created the best guard imaginable for your sister. Two kage and a master jinchuriki."
"Yup and how do you plan to fit them all the house?"
"We know a woodstyle user who can set up a quick guest house in the back."
"Great. Can I go back to training now?"
"You're not really training if your mind isn't on becoming better."
"And how do you know what my mind's on?"
"Well I don't, but I know what your mind isn't on."
Boruto turned his full body to face Old Man Sasuke. "Then what should I do?"
The Uchiha smiled. "Come with me."
Boruto diligently followed unsure of Sasuke's intentions.
He found himself at the side of the river on a great open patch grass with forestry on either side. In the center of the grass sat a large beautiful rock. It was cut like a giant kunai and it was perched upon a small platform. On it Boruto could make out countless faint engravings. "What are we doing here Old Man Sasuke?"
Sasuke walked to the rock and looked with a melancholy expression. "This is the Memorial Stone. On this rock are written the names of K.I.A. heroes. Killed in action."
"Oh." Boruto wondered what was the point of showing him this. He walked over the rock and looked over all the names. "Obito Uchiha. Hayate Gekko." These names didn't mean anything to him. He scrolled over countless other names. "Jiraiya, Neji Hyuga." These last two names did mean something to him. "Hey Old Man." He said to Sasuke. "Jiraiya and Neji Hyuga's names are on here as well."
"Yeah. You heard how they died right?" Sasuke asked him.
"Yeah, but why are their names here?"
"Like I told you. Every name here is the name of someone who died a hero."
Boruto looked back at the rock. But why? "Why are you showing me this?" He looked Sasuke dead in the eyes. Or at least the eye that wasn't covered by his hair.
"These are the names of those who endured for what they believe in. For what they wanted to protect." Sasuke was looking at Boruto as if he were waiting for response.
"A true ninja is one who endures." Boruto's father had never failed in telling that, time and time again. But what did it mean to endure?
"Ninjas must endure a great many things to achieve their goals. It's not so much a prerequisite of being a ninja than it is a consequence. You will have to endure a great deal in your mission of defending your family. But you won't have to do it alone. I will help you bear that burden." There was determination in the Uchiha's onyx eyes. He truly meant to help Boruto. "Boruto. Your training begins now."
Boruto's jaw dropped. He wanted to jump him in the air. "Wait, but I'm not ready!" This was all happening too fast.
Boruto however realized it was too late to complain when Sasuke's fist connected with his face. The Old Man had a menacing grin on his face.
"Jet! Wake Up!" Naruto said to the man who was meditating behind the barrier. The man opened his eyes and smiled knowingly at the angered hokage.
"I wasn't sleeping." Jet said coolly. That made Naruto even more angry. Shikamaru had a worried look in his eyes beside him.
"What do want to sacrifice my daughter for?" Naruto struggled to get the 'sacrifice' out.
"Why would I tell you that?" Jet's response didn't surprise Naruto but it made want strangle the arrogant prisoner. He suddenly felt a hand on his shoulder. It was Shikamaru no doubt sensing his hokage's silent rage. Naruto understood and took a deep breath.
"You've answered all our questions up until now?" Shikamaru was asking this time. Naruto decided it was for the best since Naruto knew he wouldn't able to contain himself during this interrogation. "Why the sudden secrecy?"
"You know why Shikamaru Nara." Jet replied.
"You only told us what you meant for us to know."
"That's right."
Naruto stepped in again. "Well seeing as how we're not get anywhere regarding your plans for the sacrificial altar underneath the Uchiha clan's sacred grounds. I suppose I 'll ask what is the Black Sun? What do you people believe in?" Naruto always made a point to try and understand the his enemies as well as he did friends. Despite his personal connection to this situation, he couldn't play it differently this time.
"We all have our own reasons for joining Black Sun. There those like myself who had parents and grandparent as members and they lived with organization thus we became part of it as well. There are those like Kana over there. . ." he said gesturing to a green haired woman in one of the barriers. "Who were drafted into the organization for being born Sol. Then there are those like the other four Tora brothers in the other four barriers who were cast out by ninja for being born without Chakra. For being born into conditions out of their control. You can understand what that's like right hokage?" Jet sneered at him. Naruto couldn't deny that.
"So what about Haru Chinatsu?" Shikamaru asked.
"He's a special case. He was the son on the old leader of the organization. But he had no particular love for it or its goals. You see the Black Sun's greatest desire is to take back the world from the Chakra users. We all somehow attached our own motivations to fighting towards the collective goal. But for Haru, he really didn't care about. He used to say things like all Humans are equal, that no human is worth more than another for any reason whatsoever." Jet chuckled lightly.
"He thinks all humans are equal? That doesn't sound like the guy who wants to sacrifice my daughter." Naruto growled out.
"You misunderstand. Just like I do. You see before Haru took over leadership form his father we were but mercenaries waging war on ninja in any way we could but in secret and always depending on others. Haru had no interest in such things. To him the Black Sun's goals were childish and short-sighted. When he took over. We became a far more independent organization."
"And a far more violent one." Shikamaru said his voice drenched in disgust.
"Indeed. Did you know her only became that town's chief out of boredom? He befriended the guild leaders so he could tear them and the town apart any time he wanted."
"Sounds a like a psychopath." Naruto said.
"I told you. Even I, his second-in-command don't understand him. But he understands and accepts all of us. It's quite an irony actually. The old leader ruled with an iron fist. Haru is different. He doesn't inspire fear in his subordinates but the utmost loyalty. But to those who aren't his subordinates, their fates are up in the air." Jet sounded quite proud as he spoke.
"And what about Himiko Chinatsu?" Naruto didn't expect an answer but if this man was Haru's second in command perhaps he knew about his sister as well.
"She left the Black Sun quite early in her life for most likely Orochimaru. That was when the rest of organization decided to leave for this continent. We never saw Himiko again. But I'm guessing you know her fate since you asked about it." Jet didn't seem to care about this woman at all. Did Orochimaru convince her to leave the Black Sun or was he smitten by him and that was her reasoning?
Naruto turned to leave and Shikamaru followed. Leaving behind Jet without a word.
Once they exited the prison hold Shikamaru began talking. "Well what do you think?"
"I think I need to go back home and start Sarada's training." Naruto replied.
"Wait? Shouldn't we be worrying about this Haru guy first." Shikamaru asked.
"I'll send a few shadow clones to the office to help you out." Naruto began walking away. He stopped walking when he remembered his fight with Haru. He could barely touch the young man. "Shikamaru."
"Yeah?" Shikamaru lazily acknowledged.
"This guy Haru is different from the likes of Obito and Madara. He isn't much just more powerful than them. He also operates on a completely different wavelength. So we can't handle Haru the same way as Obito and Madara. It's clear that this man won't be understood by us right now. He thinks on whole different playing field. So I'm gonna go home and prepare Sarada while no doubt Sasuke will be preparing Boruto for the upcoming battle no one will be able to avoid."
"What about Himawari?"
"Hinata will train her. She has the byakugan so that would be the best course of action."
He heard Shikamaru sigh behind. "What a drag."
"Good luck Shikamaru." Naruto smiled.
There was no way any ninja in this village would be able to avoid the battle to come. Haru didn't sound like a man who desired vengeance like Obito and Madara. He was completely heartless on a whole other level than Kaguya. She was void of any emotion. This man was different. Haru frightened Naruto in a way none his previous enemies did and it truly wasn't just because he was more powerful than any them.
Whatever Haru was after, it wasn't what his Black Sun members were after. And if one thing was clear, it was that everyone would suffer from this man's actions. It wasn't that he wanted to allow Sarada or Boruto to get involved, it was that there was no possible to keep them out of it.
The boys skills were superhuman. Though what else could be expected form the son of Orochimaru? It was the strangest feeling. Konohamaru held no resentment towards the boy, but he was just unable to look at him the same way as he used to. Yes, he held no resentment towards the boy but towards himself for not being to push aside his personal feelings. This was his student who he was sparring with. Not some evil creature. But he still couldn't look at him as he once could. There could be no forgiveness for that.
"Alright Mitsuki. That's enough for today." Konohamaru said to the boy. Mitsuki stopped back and looked at exhausted. He was breathing hard, his clothes had been tattered and his body was covered scrapes and cuts. But the boy's eyes did not reflect his physical condition. His eye gave the impression of wolf thinking of the best way to kill his prey. Even now Mitsuki was thinking of how to defeat Konohamaru. He liked to hide it, but Konohamaru could see that Mitsuki had the same contempt for losing as his teammates. He had to smile at that.
"Sensei." Mitsuki said. It sounded like he was asking a question though.
"What is it Mitsuki?" Konohamaru replied.
"I'm sorry."
Mitsuki's reply caught Konohamaru off guard. He couldn't be apologizing for his performance today for it was splendid. It was clear that he held even more potential than Boruto and Sarada for he actually manged to land a few hits on him. Though none of them were enough to truly take him down.
"I'm sorry about your grandfather. I'm well enough aware of his relationship with my father. As well the circumstances of his death. I understand how you must feel towards him" Mitsuki's voice was sincere and sympathetic. That only made Konohamaru feel more guilty.
"Thank you Mitsuki. Your condolences mean a lot to me." He smiled at Mitsuki who returned the smile. He wondered if Mitsuki had been afraid to say what he said. He wondered if he felt guilty. If his heritage weighed as much on him as Konohamaru's did. There was silence between them as they sat down on the ground and took in the cool soothing night air. "Mitsuki. You and Oro- your father seem to get along quite well."
"I suppose. He took care of me for a while until I decided to come to the Leaf." Mitsuki replied.
"You decided?" That surprised Konohamaru.
"Yes. You see my father did give me the option of staying with him but in the end I decided to come here."
"Why?"
"I suppose I just wanted to see more. I knew of my father's status before I met him for the first time. I was aware that I'd be remaining in that hideout for the better part of my life if I stayed with him. It's not like I don't stay inside here as well, but here I can do it of my own discretion. My father was rather supportive of the idea. He said it would be the decision that my mother would've supported." There was a sort of hidden sadness in the boy's voice and that was not something that was often expected of Mitsuki. Konohamaru decided not to press the matter further.
"Mitsuki let's go home. It's getting late."
"Uh, sensei. If it's okay I'd like to satay out here a bit longer. Enjoy the night air."
"Alright just don't stay out too long. It's important for you get some rest."
"Very well. Good night sensei."
"Good night." Konohamaru walked home in silence. Mitsuki was a good student and a good ninja. He deserved better than what Konohamaru could give him.
After the sensei was gone and out of site. Mitsuki pulled his mother's sun blade from his sleeve. He'd decided to keep close as of late. Especially after the conversation with his father. He held up to the moonlight to examine. It was truly a beautiful blade.
"That is truly a beautiful blade." A calm voice said behind him. Mitsuki whipped around and there stood his greatest enemy. Golden hair, purple eyes, casual white clothing, and gold on his ears and wrists. Mitsuki wasted no time in throwing shuriken at him. Only for them to hit the rock standing behind Haru. He hadn't dodged that was for sure. They had simply passed right through him.
"You can't kill an illusion like that nephew." Haru said with smirk. Mitsuki concentrated and realized that he was translucent. "It is a special technique that allows me to appear as illusion in the mind of anyone I target. Normally one has to be close. But me, well I'm special."
"What do want Haru Chinatsu?" Mitsuki pointed the sun blade at the man despite knowing it wouldn't do him any good.
"Oh come on Mitsuki. You can call me Uncle you know. We are family after all." Haru smirked.
Mitsuki scoffed.
Haru sighed. "I never thought I'd see the sun blade again."
"I asked again what you wanted."
"To talk with you. My nephew. I'll get right to he point. I was hoping you'd join me on my crusade."
"And what crusade is that?" Mitsuki narrowed his eyes.
"To give humans a chance to act like humans of course."
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"Well I can't give you the 'how.' But the 'what' is to create a calamity to take things to a point where people will be well aware of their mortality and live accordingly."
"Survival of the fittest?" Mitsuki was certain but he wanted Haru to confirm it.
"Yes. You catch on quick Mitsuki. Just like your mother."
"What do you want me to do?"
"Work with me of course."
"I have chakra. I'm not a sol."
"That doesn't matter. All humans are equal right? There is nothing that can truly put one above the other."
"I'll pass."
"You didn't let me finish my explanation even." He looked like he dejected.
"I don't need to hear the rest. It's clear that you and I won't get along." Mitsuki said with as much finality as he coul muster.
"Tell me something Mitsuki. Do you know what means to be chosen by the sun?"
"Of course I do. Those chosen by the sun are meant to be humanity's salvation."
"So why will the sun blade curse them?"
Mitsuki had asked his father the same question. He wondered if Haru would give him the same answer as his father.
"You see." Haru began. "'Chosen by the sun' is a phrase that had existed before the creation of the moon. Since the sun was all we had it was what the Sol of the past would worship as a god. It seems most logical since it was provided life and energy to the world. To be chosen by the sun meant that one possessed the qualities of the sun. It could be literal or metaphorical. One could truly have as much as power as the sun or one could lead people into prosperity and happiness replicating the what the sun means to people. But those chosen by the sun are cursed. It means to be alone and push those you love and those who love you away. It's not a duty but rather a consequence. Much how you ninja are the ones who endure."
Indeed it was the same answer his father given him. He just wasn't sure what the blade had to do with it. His father simply told him that those who were chosen by the sun always wielded the blade.
"Now about the sun blade. For our family it was meant to be a reminder of our duty to be the world's salvation. I always thought that was nonsense. If there was only one blade that meant only one could be chosen. So the Sol as whole could not be chosen by the sun."
"So why did my mother leave me this blade. Why did she say it will protect me?"
"Because it will. You are of her blood and that is what matters. Himiko was the last to be chosen by the sun. You are the next."
"But I'm not alone I still have people by my side." He said as calm as could, hiding his desire to cry out.
Haru looked at him with an almost apologetic expression. "Mitsuki. The curse spoken by the blade isn't some abstract conjuring of the imagination, like the curse of hatred the Uchiha like to go on about. It is real. If you are not willing leave behind the people who you love and those who love you. The blade will turn you into something that is willing. And trust me the change will be all too obvious."
"You're lying."
"It happened to your mother. Why do you think she left the Black Sun? Why do you think she and your father separated? Why do think she died and you lived when your boat capsized on a bright sunny day in the ocean? Originally she pushed the Black Sun and your father so no one would get hurt by the curse. But she couldn't lose you. So the blade took you away from her. She died alone because of it."
It was true. There was no call for a storm on the day the ship capsized. Thunder clouds formed only above the ship is what captain said. And Mitsuki went and confirmed it be true. In all directions it was clear save for anything in vicinity of the ship. It was the opposite of being the eye of a storm. It seemed like a divine prank at the time, but now he understood that it wasn't. His legs were about give way under him.
"I understand how this must feel for you. The blade was meant for Sol and those with Sol powers. You are not either. So what the blade will do to you is anyone's guess. I'm offering you a chance to join with me because there will be no one in the Black Sun you will love or will love you. No one would get hurt." With that the Haru illusion vanished. Mitsuki sat back down on the ground wanting to cry but he couldn't. What will the sun blade do? It will protect him but it will hurt everyone else. "Why did this happen to me?!" Mitsuki yelled at the moon.