Scarlet Justice: Full Blossom - ep. 72
"Lost Prophets"
[Calamitous Ascent, Part 4]
The mouth of the cave is hidden, out near the water so that one can't see it unless one water walks nearby. Water that flows into it disappears down a gap near the entrance, and we go further down the tunnel as Utakata partially hides the entrance with a large stone again.
Inside is cozy enough, with some blankets over top of old furniture that doesn't look too out of sorts. A table, and a small kitchen area positioned near a small vent that allows air and smoke to exit towards the outside. Lamps placed in different areas for light, working off of oil. Books and other reading material for entertainment, and a radio that looks like military surplus. Good for catching Mist transmissions, I suppose.
"Quite the place you have here," I say before sitting on one of the couches next to Hina. "I really am impressed with how you've set this place up."
"Thank you for that," Utakata says. "We've been out for a while now, so did you want some tea?"
"I would appreciate that very much, thank you."
"I would like some as well, sir."
"I will also take a cup."
"Then you'll allow me a few minutes to boil your water properly. Anything to eat?" he asks.
"Nothing for us, we would rather not impose and we have our own stores that we would like to dip into for varying reasons."
He nods. "Understood. Have a look around at your pleasure while you wait."
Shino takes him up on that offer while Hina rests her head on my shoulder. It's been about a week and a half since we started this mission, for indeed it was a winding road towards this place in order to avoid the patrols moving about. They've increased in number and size, which means that something is up. Maybe we can have a listen on that radio of his at some point.
"With the patrols starting to increase, I would like to move towards another place on the island. It might be able to give us some extra information that we can use to our advantage," Utakata says as he carries a tray with our tea on it. "Here you are, and I will allow you to flavour it as you like."
"Thank you kindly," I say to him. Shino takes his tea plain, while I mix mine and Hina's. "Did you have anything you wanted from us?"
"What do you mean?"
"Information and the like. We may simply part ways in the end, but I think it would be best if you were equipped with the means to evade your hunters if it should come down to it."
"I see. I was curious about what you knew, so this is as good a time as any."
"Then I will oblige you." I recite everything that I can recall about Kai and Ishako, and he listens quite intently to every word that comes out of my mouth. Every so often he asks me to repeat something, or elaborate on a thought that I had. A subtle intensity that runs through him as we speak about the sibling pair. But...he seems calm enough. It might be that this animosity is all there is to it, and I probably couldn't blame him for that much. The way they spoke about Fuu, to her face...it really was despicable. It could have easily been the same long ago with Utakata.
We eventually go to sleep in shifts, though not to Utakata's knowledge. Some lightly constructed rooms serve well enough for our bathroom needs, and we take care of washing up outside, with an eye out for any unexpected visitors.
"Anything unusual earlier?" I ask Hina while washing her back. Utakata has a few buckets for various reasons, and we borrowed one to fill with fresh water before heading towards one of the small coves on the coast.
"Nothing that I could see. There are a few patrols, but they're quite far away at the moment. As for Utakata personally, he seems as normal as one in his situation could be. Many questions regarding those two from Akatsuki, though."
"Animosity from long ago. Being so alone and isolated would make it easier to focus on such a thing. Especially since he doesn't seem the active type like Naruto."
"That's true." She sighs. "You're worrying that he might take action at the wrong time and hurt himself."
"Or one of you. It wouldn't be a surprise if he saw us as expendable...humans historically have treated jinchuuriki poorly, and we're just assets from Leaf."
"It's cruel, but your point earlier was correct. He doesn't have much reason to trust us, or care about us at all. Moving inland seems a bit risky, too. But as long as we can look after him, we have the advantage."
"Four against two. Hrm. Even now, I'm wondering if it's enough."
"You said that Kai person nearly threw you and Fuu into the next country, along with the land itself. It sounds absolutely frightening to go up against," she says with worry. "Bringing too many people would cause problems, surely...even so."
"Even so. I'm hoping we don't see them on this trip at all. Going inland where it would be more of a risk for criminals seems like a better idea than most, all things considered." I hum and pour some water over Hina's back to finish. "There we are. Did you want a massage next?"
"Tempting, but also not the time. You can put your hands on me later."
"Mm."
"You should get back and into your clothes again, just in case. I'll see you in a few minutes, Lili."
"Yes." I grab my robe draped over one of the nearby rocks, and pull the rope tight before heading out of the cove. Across the water, I can see the light catching some floating objects.
"Hm. Are those...bubbles?"
I get closer to the hideout entrance, and see Utakata on top of the water. He's blowing bubbles into the air through that strange pipe of his. There are different colours, not just clear ones. Different sizes, too. Various patterns. Flower, butterfly, bird. He's incredibly talented.
"It's a lovely skill that you have," I say as I approach, standing next to him.
"Thank you. I do elaborate things like this when I'm inspired, and have a wide berth to do so."
"Acids and bases?" I ask.
"I wonder what gave you that impression."
"I noticed burns consistent with corrosion while we were searching for you," I say. "And I figured that you were using some trick to make the bubbles different colours. That just came to mind first."
"..." He's silent as the bubbles float away on the sea winds. "The children enjoy it. They're able to as long as I remain a stranger, and if there's a shinobi around, that doesn't last very long. A long time ago, I tried being quiet and fitting in. It didn't work as well as I hoped."
"Life is hard for those who carry such a burden."
"Hmph. You're good at this whole sympathy thing. Very polished."
"You have the right to be cynical, but these are my words. I already know others like you. I've talked to them. Become close with several of them. Even the tailed beasts themselves gave me audience."
"Did they?"
"I learned their names, and they mine."
"Rather impressive. So you don't see me as just an asset, is that what you mean to say? I wish I could believe it more freely. At the very least, you've shown yourself to be more upstanding than the other humans, which says something. But I couldn't tell you what. Your infamy as a consumer of mortal souls goes far and wide, and I had a much different expectation of you once I heard your name."
He catches my eye, and I look towards him.
"What do you wish for, Scarlet Viper? A better world?"
"Yes."
"The dream of every fresh minded politician and righteous warrior. And who would you choose when it came down to it, for this better world? Me, or the friends that you carry with you in service to the Leaf?"
"You can't see the answer in these eyes?"
"I wonder if you have the courage to speak it out loud."
"I choose my loved ones over the village, and the entire world. And I choose them over you. You are more than a weapon or a trade piece, Utakata. But you should understand your place, here and now."
His face goes from surprise to amusement over the next few seconds.
"Hm. Nobody would expect that answer, but...it was the delivery that reached me, most of all. I see your resolve, Lilith Kobayashi. Maybe, with all that you've done so far...you really will be the one to move heaven and earth towards the peace we seek."
"Is that why you resolved to test me?"
"I might answer that on another day, but not today."
"An expected response. I'll be heading inside, then. Did you want something for lunch?"
"I'll decline."
"Understood. See you in a while, then."
The next two days go by without incident. Utakata doesn't eat much, which explains that figure of his. Our supplies are ample enough to go on for another week without stretching anything, and we'll be heading somewhere more populated anyways.
Utakata is leading us in a wide arc on the sea today, putting us directly west of the Hidden Mist Village. It makes sense that the number of shinobi would increase, and there's not much in the way of sea traffic around this part.
"Something to do with reports from the last few days?" I ask Utakata as we walk.
"Yes, but I haven't been able to get a grasp on what they're scrambling over," he replies. "I know that it's not about me, not entirely."
"Nothing you could intercept?"
"Nothing at this time. It might be the proximity to the village...getting closer could also provide access to more restricted channels with the right timing. I suppose I could let you listen in, seeing as you don't mean to talk too much about our adventures."
"Appreciated. Maybe we could gain some insight now, as we are. Hina, mind looking to the west for us?"
"Easily done." Her Byakugan turns on in the next moment. Shino silently walks behind her. Yesterday, he did mention something curious...his insects would disappear with frequency from Utakata's person. He couldn't discern exactly why, either. Was it just paranoia, or something more than that? And how, exactly?
"Hm? So it's not a large fish..."
"Do you see something, Hina?" I ask.
"Something coming in from the west, but below the water. A shark? No, the chakra is too defined, it's a person..."
"I knew it. Then this is my time."
Utakata turns and blows a stream of bubbles at us. It's an incredible amount all at once that quickly forms into a dome, trapping the three of us inside as he dives below the water and takes off towards the person Hina mentioned.
"Bubbles? What does he think of us?" Shino says, sounding a little irritated. He draws a kunai quickly and moves to pop the closest one.
My hand stops his in the nick of time.
"Boss? What's going on?"
"I know you're confused, but these bubbles are saturated with chakra. They're a special technique, and they use the same corrosive material that made the burns we saw a week ago."
"Lili's right. He meant to have us pop these and severely burn ourselves in the process," Hina says.
"I'll neutralize these quickly. Stand close," I order. Hina and Shino put their backs against mine, and I weave seals. "Water Release: Water Encampment Wall."
The wall of water rises up in a circle close to us. I focus and push the wall outwards, popping the bubbles and letting their liquid get washed away harmlessly.
"He's already a good distance away," Hina says as we start to run.
"A Mist native and a jinchuuriki besides, being a fast swimmer is in his nature. We'll catch up in short order!"
We rush across the water at high speed, and arrive just in time to see Utakata pop up from beneath the water in front of the 'shark' from earlier.
Kai and Ishako.
"Well, that psychological profile was spot on," Ishako says merrily. Her expression shifts to loathing as soon as she notices us. "And you dragged in some glittering trash with you, huh. I was hoping that I was mistaken, but it seems I have to deal with this bitch again."
"Hello to you too, Ishako. I've oft wondered how you can manage to look so consistently spry, what with that brother of yours ravaging you several times each day."
"You have no idea just how much I am going to enjoy watching Kai pluck your guts out, one by one. And it'll be even better after we break the bones of your little friends and force them to watch." She tilts her head and sneers. "More bullshit to deal with. Now there's a fucking Hyuuga wench in the mix. And yet another creature with you, hiding its face."
"Lili did tell us about how charming you were, Miss Shigisei. It seems her description did you little justice," Hina says flatly. "Rest assured, we won't be causing you trouble for much longer, if things go properly."
"Oh? You think your little pressure point dances are going to be enough?" She chuckles darkly. "I see. I wasn't exactly planning for your arrival...but I've got just the thing for all of you. You, your rich cunt of a teammate, the four eyed loser in the back...and our special little beast of a friend, Utakata."
"I should thank you for joining a known menace in Akatsuki, and giving me the greatest justification to end your depraved, pathetic lives," Utakata says. "I'll rid the world of your filth, and gain hero status with the village that treated me so bitterly. I would call that the beauty of karmic justice."
Kai grunts and brandishes his massive sword.
"The only one that will be leaving this world is you, freak," Ishako says with a twisted smile. "What's coming next will be the next best thing to slicing you apart. I...am going to have so much fun listening to those screams of yours. Mm..." She closes her eyes and shudders. "Just thinking about it turns me all the way on. I guess that means it's time to get started, before I get too distracted to help out Kai..."
"You're disgusting," Utakata growls. "This world will be far better without your presence darkening it!"
"Kai, sweetie...buy me just a little bit of time."
He steps in front of Ishako as Utakata charges, and sweeps the area in front of him with his sword. A casual swing sends a massive wave of water to crest over us near instantly.
"Beyond description," Shino says as we drop back to dodge.
"Just one swing with that...sword?" Hina asks in confusion.
"Try to stop Ishako from using her technique. That she hasn't launched it yet suggests serious business," I say. "Right, let's open a lane for Shino."
"Ready," Hina says.
Utakata sends out water dragons from the other side, which crash harmlessly against Kai's bulk as he focuses on us. Slashes across the water that turn into dangerous wind blades, churning up our footing at the same time. Excellent as our team's chakra control is, trying to maintain this and fight such deadly opponents is not a situation we should be in. We need to push them back and get Utakata out of here, now.
Shino sends his insects forward, with another group going through the air. Hina and I weave through Kai's slashes and try to get closer. He must be aware of Hina's abilities thanks to Ishako, but he's a big target and just one touch might help our prospects immensely.
"Kai, radial. Heat up."
He grunts and puts the sword hilt between his teeth, then...does exactly what Suigetsu described to me the other day. He rubs his hands together rapidly until they're red with heat, then slides one hand along the flat of the sword to make it glow red as well. Ishako jumps on his back, and Hina and I slide to a stop.
"Not good!"
Kai spins like a top, turning into a burning tornado that sucks in Shino's insects and keeps us away at the same time.
"What the hell is he?" Utakata yells.
"That's what we've been trying to find out," I shout back. "We need to fall back, now! Fighting these two over the water is bad news, and they definitely have something planned for you!"
"And leave them to regroup somewhere else? No. It has to be here, and it has to be now. If you won't gather your courage, then I will!"
"Your stupid pride will be your downfall, Utakata," Ishako says as the tornado around Kai disappears. She starts to make seals with her arms around Kai's neck.
I can already see it.
This is beyond bad.
"Utakata!"
He's not responding to me. Damn it all, there's no time!
"Hina, Shino! Fall in, now!" I yell.
"Water Release: Hidden Mist Technique!" Ishako yells.
And the terrible scenario comes to pass. Surrounded by water on all sides, it's now being used to make a thick and damp mist that covers every inch of space in front of us. Chakra saturates the air.
We're in their world now.
Hina grumbles in frustration. "It's no good..."
The Byakugan is helpless here. Just as the Sharingan was when Kakashi faced Zabuza. Shino's insects wouldn't fare much better, and they have no lock on Kai and Ishako because of that earlier maneuver. And I don't know what Utakata has, if anything.
The only thing that we can rely on now is me, and my prodigious sense of smell.
"Ishako is a sensor type herself," Shino says. "Why, then?"
"Silent Killing," I reply. "A famous technique in the Mist that allows their warriors to appear from virtually nowhere and carve their opponents into pieces. The art of the Hidden Mist removes sight, and disorients those trapped inside in short order. But those who are skilled enough can navigate towards their opponents, using their other senses and subtle tells in the environment. Broken branches, splashes of water, sounds of breathing, and the smell of iron...homing in on their opponents until they can cut them apart while standing nose to nose, with the other completely unaware until they feel the life bleeding from their body."
"It's a shame that you're such a stupid brat."
Ishako's voice rings out around us.
"What you just said earlier...quite poetic. I've never heard such an enthralling description of our homeland's technique. Seems you might be good for something other than being a home-wrecking slut."
"Compliments from my archenemies are rare and fleeting. I shall cherish this like the others," I say as I guide Shino and Hina to one side. Ishako is at a remove from us still, I couldn't forget her scent and Kai's. Nor the incredible scent of blood coming from that demon sword on Kai's waist.
"What boils my blood the most is that I know you mean that. Even if you're being a complete bitch at the same time."
"We're getting to know each other a little too well." I give my comrades the signal to jump, and we do so towards another spot. Ishako and Kai stop and seem to be deliberating between chasing us, and chasing Utakata. We start through the mist and take a short arc towards his position.
The mist is seriously thick. I can't even see a foot in front of me and it's seriously disorienting trying to move around. Our footing is moving around from all of the earlier action, adding another layer to focus on in the midst of all this. Oh, but there's more to deal with. Because of course there is.
"Perhaps for the first time, we can agree on something. Hopefully it will be the last," Ishako says.
"Boss, we've got trouble. I can't pick them up at all," Shino says quietly. "The kikaichu aren't having a good time of it, free meal aside."
"Barely a shadow...I can see them flickering by from moment to moment, but nothing else," Hina says. "Lili..."
"I know." Their scent is all we have to go on, since they've both suppressed their chakra to avoid being tracked in that manner. They're probably diving and ascending on top of that, which knocks out Shino's attempts at finding them properly. And with Kai doing the attacking, who doesn't use chakra heavy techniques in the first place...
Now they're moving towards Utakata, who might have something prepared for them as a defence. But then, they would be aware of that. It means that we can't approach too closely either, since the mist is blocking our tracking so much. I stick my tongue out briefly to try and taste at the air. It's hard with the mist in the way, but...getting a bit of bitterness back. The bubbles must be out, and large in number.
"An utter joke...!"
I can hear something slicing through the water some distance in front of us, and loud pops followed by the splashing of liquid.
Then something else.
Fresh blood.
"Fucking hell. He's bleeding," I mutter.
"Who, the enemy?" Shino asks.
"Utakata. And he's probably reinforced that defence of his...this is getting troublesome. We'll have to use that pressure of theirs against them. Silent Killing is easily defeated by knowledge, which we have in spades. We're going to quiet our breathing and sneak in for a surgical strike with the Gentle Fist. Even Kai can't guard his internal organs, no matter how thick his skin."
"Should I make a clone, Boss?"
"We want our steps exceedingly light and to keep a low profile. We also have to move together. This is our compromise. Objections?"
"None, Boss. Let's go with your plan."
"Ready when you are," Hina says. "I'm in your care."
"Thank you both. Let's begin. Glide in time with me."
We start across the water, focusing chakra to our feet and starting off with a skating motion. The lessened friction lets us glide across the water easily. It uses a bit more chakra, but with the current environment being bad for sensing and sound, this will work out for us. I bring us around, through the thick mist and curling towards the near overwhelming scent of blood.
We're close...and...
I spin Hina to the front and she lashes out, tagging Kai's body with a few blows before we're nearly blown away by the pressure from his sword swing.
"Did it work?" she asks as we continue gliding. Utakata's wound doesn't seem to be getting worse, at least from here.
"Kai, are you okay? Dammit...so they're using that blank eyed wench to hit and run. It'll be annoying for you, but those idiots will learn how futile their efforts are. Our focus should be on dear old Utakata, who has already sealed his fate by now..."
"Kai doesn't make much use of chakra, but interrupting the flow through his body should give us something to work with," I say.
"I went for the first thing I could see...sorry about that," Hina says.
"Stop, you have nothing to apologize for," I say to her. "This is a tense situation, and you landed a few hits. We'll try for his stability next, now that we've properly calibrated. It's too bad we can't tell where his front is. Shino, any luck?"
"The latest female I planted is already gone."
"Cottoned onto it after the first pass," I mutter. Ishako really is good, much as I'm loathe to admit it. "We need to go faster this time, so we'll start with a bit more distance to throw them off." And we need to do it now. They're stalking Utakata at this point, so we don't have much in the way of time.
Something is moving through the water behind us. It's not Utakata, nor is it Kai or Ishako, so...what is happening?
"I can see a large shadow...a vessel?" Hina says. "Is it the Hidden Mist?"
"A ship?" I ask. But...it seems to be so. I can faintly feel the presence of dozens of people, civilians for the most part. The scents are coming through as well, that of kept meats, liquors and juices, fruits and bread. Perfumes and powders, cologne, deodorants of various kinds, shaving balm. Cigarette and cigar smoke, cannabis plant, strange drugs that I can't recall the names of at the moment. People. Human beings.
We can't fight here, but-
"Kai...get ready! He's escalating!"
No. Not now.
Utakata's chakra explodes through the mist's haze and into my senses. A roar rips past us, not enough to disturb the mist but more than enough to shake me to my core.
"It is finally time to end this farce! Once and for all!" His voice booms through the air as we start moving towards Kai and Ishako. I can smell them, directly ahead.
"Utakata! Don't do it! We need to work together!"
"I told you to gather your courage, Scarlet Viper! Now I'll show you the true path, just as I promised! I know what to do now, and I've been waiting for this exact moment!"
"Something's building," Hina says fearfully. "T-that light...what is..."
I can feel it in my heart before I see it. Everything slows to an agonizing crawl.
Kai and Ishako have already started their dive beneath the water. Utakata has already missed his mark.
The veil of mist parts, revealing a straight path from Utakata to me. A stark white beast with six thick limbs like tentacles. A blinding sphere of light in front of its mouth that opens like a grill, dripping with some kind of substance.
My head turns to one side, and I can see it, finally. The ship. The people. Many of them oblivious, but some with muted awe on their faces, and just a few pained with a great horror.
Barely any time to decide. What do I do? What am I supposed to do?
Drag my team under the water. No, the attack won't stop at the surface. We won't make it that way.
Split and scatter. We're fast enough with a body flicker. We can clear the blast zone, if we move now. We can be safe and continue the rest of the battle around a transformed Utakata.
We can escape this. We can leave. All of these people will die.
A statistic. Another tragedy in the lonely sea. Collateral damage in the fight for the world. Nobody would blame us. Nobody would truly hate us for it, for leaving them behind, even if they did somehow find out. In the midst of the fighting, in the middle of this blinding mist, it wouldn't be our fault.
These people, out on the ocean, in the wrong place at the wrong time. They could never be our responsibility.
"You two monsters...can just go ahead and DIE!"
And as time starts to move in earnest...I realize, as I have for the longest time...
"Shadow Clone!"
...that I made my choice, a very long time ago.
"Brace!" I scream. My two clones hold to me, pushing against the water with their chakra while keeping Hina and Shino behind them.
This is too fast for my body to properly handle.
But fast enough to save everything I care about in this moment.
"Two shots," I growl. In truth, with my chakra cut into thirds, I only have one. The second means the end of my life.
Make this one count.
I raise my right arm into the familiar position, same as I would for my stronger Mobius variants. Two fingers forward instead of one. My head lightens briefly as I pull what is far too much chakra from my body and compress into my arm. It hurts. It feels like my arm will break apart before I can do anything, but I have to hold it until-
Until-
Until the world in front of me is as it is now. Consumed by white light.
But today, we won't be going...anywhere.
"Type Seven!"
"Bracing!" I hear myself in stereo.
"Buster Rifle!"
It parts the sea. A brilliant beam of blue light, erupting from my fingertips and shaking me to my core and beyond. It rips through the great veil of white light and tears it to pieces all at once. It makes a mighty impact against the beast of white, and makes a wave of pressure that continually slaps me awake.
The people are much closer than before. We slid back quite a ways.
The Six Tails reels...and falls in my sight.
There's yelling and screaming in my ringing ears. I'm awake, but barely it seems.
"Lili! Lili, are you okay?" Hina cries out.
"Boss!"
Focus...have to. "Where is...he?"
"What?"
The mist is slowly clearing for some reason, and I can clearly sense him now, walking towards us. Burned and bloody.
Kai.
Something is wrong. Missing...what is it?
"We'll defend you!" Hina and Shino step in front of me. Against Kai, they really can't...
"..." The haze is clearing up. I can't sense it. "The fucking sword! Where?!"
"Hinata, where is Ishako?" Shino asks.
"I'm...oh no! Utakata!"
"Gaaaaaah!"
All we can do is watch.
Ishako rises up from the water behind Utakata, and plunges the demon sword through his chest. Webs of blood spread out from the wound, binding him and stealing his strength.
"I told you...I would get you in the end," she snarls. "Game over, beast."
"No!" Hina yells.
There's still...one more. Still time. If we can't stop them, then...
"I can see you gathering chakra, scarlet whore. But your little bag of tricks has been emptied! Go ahead, try something!" Ishako yells. She's defiant, but there's a fear in her eyes that wasn't there before. She's off balance. It means this might work...
Just...one more shot...to fix this. The chakra gathers in my mouth, as fast I can make it.
Kai's eye widens, and he turns towards Ishako.
"Kai? What is-"
"False...Darkness!"
Pushing the chakra through my body feels like liquid fire. I open my mouth and fire the jagged burst of light towards Ishako, but not at her. She's too slow to get him away.
But something hurtles through the air towards her position. It meets the lightning bolt a few feet in front of her, and takes the full force of the damage before dropping harmlessly into the water like a stone.
Kai's...great-sword. He threw it.
"Kai...w-we have to get out of here. You're right. It's...it's too much. Especially now that Lilith..." She gulps and looks at me fearfully, even more-so than before. Kai drops backwards into the water, and Ishako does the same. The mist hasn't cleared enough before they completely disappear.
Now the sea is clear. It's just us. Three shinobi, two clones, and a boat filled with people.
Kai and Ishako are gone. Utakata with them.
I knew it the moment I couldn't sense Sessho-seki.
My body is shaking with exhaustion.
"Lili...please."
Let it go? Even though...
"It's okay...everything is over," Hina says gently.
"Yes. Everything is over." I dispel my two clones, getting some chakra back. My head is starting to clear. "It's over. We...lost."
I turn to look up at the people in the boat, who are looking back at us with confusion and excitement. My right arm feels numb. I'm so tired that it's hard to stand.
"..."
And maybe now...I can be at peace with it. The choice that I made just now...but was one from just a few days ago, and years before that.
My choice. And all of the consequences that come with it. To love the people that make up my world...more than the world itself.
"It seems we weren't good enough...this time," I say quietly. "Mission failed."
"Lili..."
"Boss, I..."
I shake my head slowly.
"We still have things we must do," I say with a weary voice. "Let's get to them..."