The next day, Retsu spent a few rounds of tough love with Michi in which he taught him the vicissitudes of life, a.k.a, beating him up so he wouldn't break his stuff while he was gone.
Afterward, he prepared his sword, three empty storage scrolls, then placed some herbs, water, dried jerky, and poisons into a fourth scroll. Overall, his current build was quite light, and his gear didn't weigh him down at all.
Looking at himself in a slightly cracked mirror, Retsu made sure his medium-long black hair was not in a bun, and tied the Kiri headband to his forehead to cover up the distinctive Kaguya red dots. After this bent out with Iguru, he would have the money to buy things like a mirror. Kiri was such a nexus of trade, money would allow him to buy so much more than a new mirror. Science, as Orochimaru had proven was powerful in this universe. And Retsu was sure to capitalize on it!
Retsu shook his head, and looked back at his reflection. Retsu considered wearing a standard grey Kiri uniform, but shook his head. He knew it made him stand out, but he decided to keep rocking the white kimono robe thing that most Kaguya wore. He was the type of guy who would use a worse weapon in a game, or worse armor because it looked cool. To dress the same as a bog standard Kiri nin? Hmph. Pathetic!
Besides, without the hair buns, and easily observable red dots, he was sure most ninja wouldn't immediately assume he was a Kaguya. He would be fine.
Nodding his head in satisfaction, Retsu turned to Michi one last time to say goodbye. Only, Michi was knocked out unconscious, drool spilling onto the floor.
"Goodbye, little brother." Retsu nodded in acknowledgement, and wiped the drool from the corner of his mouth. He conveniently forgot the brawl he had initiated moments ago, and happily strode out of his house.
At the village entrance waiting for him was the same adult from yesterday, waiting to collect the bone tax. However, he wasn't alone. Two other teens flanked his side.
"This the one, son?" The adult questioned one of the teens.
"Yeah, this bunless bastard poisoned my brother!" The teen had an obnoxiously whiney voice, and pointed his finger angrily toward Retsu.
"To use poison? I looked over your shirking of donning the sacred bun, but poison?! How low our clan has fallen! Pay the ultimate price! Die!" The adult Kaguya man lunged forward, three bone spears extended from his right arm, giving him an extra three feet in reach.
Unphased by the sudden assault, Retsu unsheathed his sword, and in one clean move decapitated the adult Kaguya. Copious amounts of blood jetted into the air, as the adult Kaguya's neck gushed red tinged liquid like a fountain.
"The Kaguya only believe in the strong." Retsu looked both teens in the eye, and calmly walked past the pair. The decapitated man's head hit the floor just as he passed them by, Retsu never broke his stride.
Predictably, the duo took Retsu's back as an opening, and pounced onto him.
In a flourish of his crimson-alabaster bone blade shone with chakra enhanced murder. Retsu easily cut off one hand from each teen.
Unphased by the pain, the teens went into a berserker state, true to their Kaguya nature, and kept moving forward. The fingers on their remaining hands had massive claws form, like some sort of beast from a mythical era.
Retsu let out a sigh. Who would know about his increase in strength if he killed these two idiots? Sure, remaining anonymous was a good method of survival, but among the Kaguya, strength was the only law. He had to do something to make sure his idiot little brother didn't get himself killed while he was gone.
So Retsu spent the next ten minutes kiting the berserked brothers. Utilizing his superior speed, and functioning brain, Retsu played the pair like the idiots they were. He made small cuts here and there, damaged ligaments, and severed tendons. There was even a moment where he had them run head first into one another, they were so focused on murdering him, they lacked almost all spatial, and situational awareness.
Before long, the two brothers were a frothing, bloody, twitching mess on the damp grassy ground.
Finally, after what felt like hours, their battle rage calmed down, and the pain of their wounds started to catch up to them.
"Uhh. Can't move! I've got his toes! Nom! Nom!" One brother gnashed his teeth, creating agreat clicks when he chomped his teeth together. He strained his neck to bite at Retsu's toes, only to fall short.
"Ahhh, I almost had the bunless bastard!" The other sighed in disappointment.
Listening to their complaints irked Retsu to no end. Here they were, crippled and on the verge of death, yet there were no moans of pain, no begging, no sorrow! The Kaguya clan was truly built different!
Of course, Retsu recognized the irony of the situation. Here he was, a cold blooded killer, a bonafide naturalized citizen to the ways of Kirigakure. Retsu was very tempted to end these guys and be done with it. However, keeping them alive served a purpose.
Nodding his head in resolution, Retsu ignored their insults, and unleashed an ultimatum.
"Your father was weak. I am strong. You follow me now. While I am away, make yourself stronger. Think nothing but revenge on me. If you are still this weak when I come back, I'll kill you both." Retsu intoned in slow, deliberate syllables so that the pair clearly understood what he was saying.
Retsu arrived at the entrance to the Kirigakure port entrance just before noon. The whole area was a cacophony of noise, and pollution. People directly dumped their trash onto the road, for the next rainstorm would sweep it away.
People of all colors, accents, and styles of clothing paraded the streets. Ninja, ronin, foreign looking mercenaries wielding wicked scimitars, and the scum of the earth all congregated in this den of liars, thieves, and killers. The loud sound of blacksmiths pounding on iron, fights breaking out, prostitutes screaming to the heavens, and merry makers getting drunk at bars flooded Retsu's ears.
If the entrance stalls to the front gates of Kirigakure were depressing, grey, and packed tight, then the port was the opposite. The waterfront possessed dozens of large piers.
Moored to the docks were thousands of ships of all sizes. There were the standard Kiri ships, distinctive by the triangular sails, meant for fast speed, and foreign merchant vessels with their square sails. Canoes, rowboats, and even a few floating fortress ships graced the docks.
Retsu had once read that when Kirigakure went to war, these mobile castle boats were critical for transporting logistics, and hundreds of men at a time. They were slapped full of fuinjutsu seals to protect them from oncoming ninjutsu attacks.
Suddenly, as if a blanket had muffled out all the light, the crowd of people entered a hushed silence.
Retsu could feel it before he laid his eyes upon him. A thick, cloying pressure of chakra, and killing intent pressed down upon his shoulders. The size and density of the chakra was so powerful, some of the floorboards on the pier began to crack and wither.
Strutting down the dock, was a giant red headed man. It was the current leader of the Seven Shinobi of the Mist, Fuguki Suikazan. Following behind him was a familiar blue sharkman.
Any who met Fuguki's gaze looked down at the ground, and made way. Those brave, or stupid enough to hold his eyes entered a state similar to that of a genjutsu, and immediately passed out on the ground.
Those who failed to move out of Fuguki's way were trampled upon as he refused to avert his path.
Retsu's Kaguya DNA began to act up, and he couldn't resist taking a look at such a powerful, and legendary warrior.
Blood boiling, Retsu channeled all his willpower into resisting Fuguki's bloodlust.
When Fuguki reached the entrance to Kirigakure, he glanced at Retsu, and entered the city.
Retsu grinned to himself, and blinked his eyes rapidly to keep conscious. His hands were clammy, and a small stomach ache came and went in the blink of an eye.
That man was POWER. Retsu felt giddy all inside knowing that one day, not only would he command such strength, but he would surpass it!
"Sensei must like you. I'd be careful if I were you. Both of you." The skinny teenaged Kisame Hoshigake gave a piercing look to Retsu, and someone who was behind him, before he to passed by to enter the village.
Surprised that someone else had the balls to meet the titans visage, Retsu turned around to see who it was.
"Hmph." Retsu couldn't help but snort. He was expecting someone like Mangetsu, not...him!
Standing behind Retsu, and a whole head shorter was a chibi Zabuza Momochi. Famed "Demon of the Bloody Mist" and slayer of 100 children. He had the same short, spiky haircut he had as an adult, and was covered in bandages across half his body. The rest of his apparel were a faded pair of cargo pants, a short that was so threadbare, it barely clung to his skin, and a rusty katana, almost to big for him to carry.
Overall, it was hard to believe that this guy, one who never attended a day of class at the Ninja Academy slew 100 people by himself. And yet, the world was vast, and genius' showed up in every generation. In essence, Zabuza was the Kakashi of the Hidden Mist.
"You two made it. On time no less! Wonderful!" Making his way from the crowd of people, the Hershey swirl, Iguru came and clapped both boys on their shoulders. A big grin adorned his face.
Retsu on the other hand couldn't help but feel that something was off.
'Yeah, isn't Iguru's palm super sweaty? Was he nervous when Fuguki walked by right now? If they were comrades, shouldn't they have greeted each other or something?' Retsu directed a suspicious glance at Iguru, yet maintained his silence.
"Tch." Zabuza rolled his shoulder, and escaped Iguru's grasp.
"Ahha ha…come on to my ship, everyone else is waiting!" Iguru twirled away, and confidently led from the front.
Sparing a glance at Zabuza, Retsu figured he might introduce himself, but was greeted with his back. Zabuza promptly followed after Iguru, brooking no discussion.
Retsu shrugged his shoulders. It wasn't like he couldn't talk to Zabuza later. Just like his rivalry with Mangetsu, he would let his fists do the talking.
"Welcome, to the Monday Typhoon!" Iguru proudly opened his arms, and shouted to both Zabuza, and Retsu.
Before them was a sleek vessel. It had orange sails, and was narrow, yet robust in design. There was space on the deck to easily accommodate more than thirty people with room to spare.
Standing on the boat were six more people, for a total of nine crew members. Each of them bearing a Kiri headband somewhere on their body.
Walking up beside Mangetsu, Retsu whispered "does he do that when anyone boards his ship?"
Mangetsu quirked an eyebrow, and silently smiled.
Retsu squinted his eyes. This was suspicious behavior!
"Okay!~ Introductions are in order! Everyone, this is Retsu Kaguya! Yes, we have a living breathing Kaguya on our Team!" Iguru pointed at Retsu.
"I had heard about a weirdo Kaguya who actually attended the academy. So it was you. Well, as long as you don't stab us in the back, I'm happy to have you aboard! I'm the second in command, and squad sensor, Ao." A blue haired, blue robed, tough looking man nodded his head at Retsu.
"What, no way, he doesn't have the buns!"
"He doesn't have the dots!"
A pair of shaggy dark-brown haired teens in worn Kiri style grey clothing complained in sync.
Retsu simply extended both his arms, pointing them at the duo. Before they had time to react, a bone blade extended from Retsu's arms. Each blade was sharply pointed at their jugulars, one slight movement, and blood would be pouring out over the deck.
"Sorry for Gozu and Meizo's outburts. They're still genin, and have a long way to go." Ao calmly played peacemaker.
Retsu withdrew his bone blades, and nodded at Ao. He had no doubt in his mind, if Ao wanted him dead, he'd probably succeed. The man in front of him was in his mid to late twenties, and a veteran of the Kiri civil war. He was not to be underestimated.
"The kid in the white cloak with red facial tatoos, and a shark hoodie is Kajika. He's good with water style ninjutsu." Iguru introduced.
"Yo." Kajika did a two finger salute, and greeted with a smile.
"Then we have Gengo in the back, it's the guy in the stylish black coat. He's our genjutsu expert." Iguru pointed out a man in his late teens, he had hazel eyes, black trimmed sideburn/beard combo, and sharp eyebrows.
Gengo remained silent throughout the introduction.
"Don't keep us in suspense Iguru, who is the small one?" Flicking back a lock of long auburn hair, a teenage Mei Terumi made her presence known.
Retsu did all in his power not to stare. She was an almost fully developed woman! Hell, she was the only woman on the boat right now!
It was at that moment Mangetsu struck. Coating a layer of his water, and some sludge from a vial, Mangetsu created a toxic solution. Capitalizing on Retsu's distracted state, Mangetsu slathered a stinky paste onto Retsu's backside. It was such a stealthy application, Retsu didn't even notice it.
"Of course, Mei! This is the recent famous graduate, the newest "Demon" of our Hidden Mist, Zabuza Momochi! A true genius who killed over one hundred other students!" Iguru praised.
"Over one hundred you say? You've got a bright future kid. Unlike stinky here, kid never heard of soap, but what can you expect from a Kaguya." Mei praised Zabuza, and in the same sentence directed a scorching insult Retsu's way.
"Hm." Zabuza nodded, a small crease rose from the corner of his mask as he was praised by a beautiful lady.
'What is he, a Uchiha now?! No, that's not important, why do I suddenly stink so much?! Why is Mei giving me such a coy yet calculative look? Damn ninja! It's another one of those blasted test isn't it? The Kaguya already threatened two lower caste teens, will he lose his handle on an upper caste? Fine. I'll play your games.'
Seeing the look and fast expression warp on Retsu's face, Mangetsu slowly, and silently moved away from Retsu. He made sure to place a few bodies in front of him just to be sure. No one must ever know that he was the one to apply the taint to Retsu from behind.
Retsu was suddenly broken from his stupor by an awkward cough from someone in the crowd.
"So what if he killed a bunch of academy kids, so what!? Only the lower caste participated in the Bloody Exams. Zabuza may be powerful amongst the weak, but how does he measure up before the strong?" Retsu taunted with a crooked grin. He pulled his sword, and released his bloodlust.
Zabuza squinted his eyes, and drew his rusty katana. He matched Retsu's bloodlust with one just as, if not more powerful.
'!' Retsu opened his eyes wide, and took a serious look at the chibi Zabuza.
No matter the difference in their strength, endurance, speed, and chakra density, Retsu would never treat someone with a bloodlust like that casually.
"Not. On. My. SHIP!" Iguru shouted in rage.
An all encompassing pressure pushed down on Retsu and Zabuza. It was nothing compared to Fuguki's pressure, but it was still sizeable nonetheless. This was Iguru, wielder of the Hiramekari, one of the Seven Swordsman of the hidden Mist. He was POWERFUL.
After the moment had passed, Retsu sheathed his sword. Briefly meeting Mei, and Ao's eyes, Retsu was quick to turn to Iguru, and gave a slight bow. "Sorry Captain, won't happen again. A man's ship is his wife after all."
"Sorry." Zabuza mumbled out quietly.
"As Captain of this crew, and leader of this team, there are some rules I expect you to abide by." Iguru addressed the two newcomers.
"Number one, failure to listen to orders will have you marooned at best, killed if you annoy me, and tortured to death if you piss me off.
Number two, if you kill or steal, keep it covert. We're out here to take money, and have fun. I'm not going to baby sit you, or stifle your growth. However, if you bring danger to the rest of us, don't be surprised if we confiscate your loot, or force you to do some annoying jobs.
Number three, when we're pirating, unless you see an enemy action, or I move first, DO NOT ATTACK. We want our marks to live, sweat, and grind for that money. Because we can take what's rightfully ours the next time we're fishing in troubled waters. It's common sense not to pluck all the leaves from a tree if you want to harvest it next season.
Lastly, murder amongst the crew is an immediate exile, and I'll have Kirigakure list you as a missing-nin. Savvy?"
"Aye." Retsu replied.
"Hm." Zabuza nodded along.
"Excellent! Now, here's the plan!" Iguru pulled out two maps that had conflicting data on them, and began to detail their route, and future escapades.
AN: Avast, thar be pirates in this Naruto fanfiction! Go forth, the ninja pirate viking mercenaries of war!
Quick PSA, there is no yaoi for the MC, and I won't write any H scenes with yaoi characters. The vanilla tag exists for a reason.
Forewarning: MC isn't a sadistic killer/torturer, more of a quick killer, or acts ruthlessly to get a point across. However, his crew is from Kirigakure. Zabuza for a fact is a sadist. Don't let Haku's sacrifice white wash this man! I won't ever glorify rape, torture, or NTR, but as you may have noticed, I do enjoy my fights to be on the bloodier/brutal side!
What kind of targets would you hit if you were a Naruto pirate?
Peace!