Shonen - Hero

My fist landed square in the man's face, and I pulled the chakra from my tongue.

"Leave him alone!"

"What's your problem?!"

"My problem?!" I leaned down and grabbed the sound ninja by his scarf. "What's your problem?! He might not have a headband, but he's on our side! It's because of people like you that no one likes us sound ninja!"

"You can't think you'll get away with this!"

"I have once already, Lord Orochimaru didn't even reprimand me for it." I raised my fist with a smile "So clearly, I must be doing something right."

My fist came down, but stopped when he raised his arms to cover his face.

Instead I tossed him back and the inky pattern across my skin retreated back to my shoulder.

"Get yourself in order."

The man scrambled off as I joined up with Kanshi who was with the boy the shinobi had been bullying.

I barely heard Kanshi say something about my 'Hei'(?) coming out, but he smiled and we continued on our way.

"Yumika, when you made your declaration at Kouma's place, I thought that meant less violence. Instead you have had a fight at every outpost we've stopped at since."

I gave him an indignant look before popping out my notebook and scribbling a reply: 'Hey, I'm doing the right thing! They were hurting people, so I stepped in. It's not like I'm seriously hurting any of them, that last guy's bruises will have healed by tomorrow.'

As he read that note I wrote my next one.

'It's still likely Orochimaru won't take my advice. In that case I need to step up myself. The system lets anyone do what they want. There's nothing in the system stopping them from hurting others, but there's nothing stopping me either.'

He finished reading the notes and with concern addressed me again.

"Yumika, the cursed seal makes you strong, but there are people from the village who you can't take alone."

I smiled at him.

"-and when that happens, I'll have you, Isae, and everybody else. Not just uncle Shikyou and the clan, not just Jun'You," I brought my arms out and backpedalled as if that would let me reach further, "but everyone who is willing to do the right thing. People want to be good, most just don't know how."

Kanshi's concerned expression softened.

"True, you're not alone…" Then it hardened again. "...but still, you shouldn't rely on the cursed seal. You have to remember that it draws out and exaggerates the worst parts of you. Furthermore, the seal makes you so enormously strong because of the strength you have without it. It is a tool like any other, and the you of the past showed me more than anyone else that anyone who relies on any one tool can see that tool become their downfall."

I nodded along contemplatively.

"Hm, you're right. It's better if I keep it as the ace up my sleeve. As for it bringing out the worst in me…" I smiled brightly again "...I just have to make sure my worst parts aren't so bad, right?"


Not using the seal made the fights a lot closer.

That was a lot more fun.

I meant the actual fighting itself, not the 'beating people up' part. Even if they were being mean I'd discovered that I didn't like the idea of hurting people.

Pft, they'll be fine, so it doesn't count. Yeah, let's go with that. Though…

I looked down at my fist contemplatively.

It was like I knew what they were feeling. Is this an element of chakra?

My instinct told me I was right.

So I smiled.

If I can understand them, I can get them to stop.

I'd have to try it the next time I make a round.

For now, home.


I had another appointment with Orochimaru. It was more of those weird soul experiments. Not that I minded really.

'Weird' doesn't have to mean 'bad', and I can trust in his self-serving interest in me to stop him from intentionally causing me any harm.

We were waiting on a litmus test -not that I understood how acidity related to the soul- when he spoke to me rather than at me.

"You've been busy."

I quirked an eyebrow at him.

"I can stop if you want."

"Merely an observation, I do not care."

I get the impression he was fishing for a reaction rather than actually interested… meh, whatever.

I gathered my courage.

"Um, sir, about our last meeting-"

"I have people confirming the statistics. While the mathematics was sound, the data was limited."

His tone indicated that there would be no further discussion.

No mention of my advice.

As expected.


That was the second month since my memories were sealed, and Shikyou played a melody to keep them sealed.


Running the next round of supplies was a lonely endeavour without Kanshi, but unlike before, I had something to aim for. I had drive. That made the trip much more bearable.


"You've made your point, leave me alone!"

I sat down next to the guy I'd just beaten up.

"Nope, we're going to talk, and it's going to suck for the both of us, but you'll be better for it…"


Finally, home…

I collapsed down on the bed in my room in the Shiin compound, barely hitting the soft mattress before I heard a knock on my door.

"Yumika, we need to get ready for our mission."

Huh?!

"I thought we didn't have missions?!" I shouted back irritated, getting out of the soft and comfortable bed to open the door and glare at Kanshi.

"That was due to our uncertainty about your abilities." He smiled with amusement, "but seeing as you've been causing mayhem across our outposts and garrisons, it is safe to assume that you're back in shape."

I looked back at my soft, comfortable, and inviting bed mournfully, then followed Kanshi out of the room.


The mission was well within our abilities and went off without a hitch.

On top of that, no one had to die!

…though I did have to rely on the cursed seal a bit.

Well, that is what aces are for.


Experiments with Orochimaru. Still no resolution.


"Excuse me, have we met?" I asked the grey haired teen I saw in the hallway. Something about him had just seemed very familiar.

He smiled mirthlessly and faced me.

"We have actually, albeit briefly." he commented, and adjusted his round spectacles. "Though, I was under the impression you couldn't speak."

"Heh, right. It hurts, but I have a workaround. Though, I don't remember how it works or what it is." I answered sheepishly. "My memories are sealed away you see."

"Ah, so that's why you don't remember me?"

I nodded.

"Well, my name is Kabuto, we didn't have any particular relationship before, so I'll be on my way…"

As he said that, I noticed that he was wearing a hidden leaf headband, not just prompting my curiosity but also stirring a thought from the depths of my mind where I could not normally reach.

"You wear a lot of masks."

The statement forced him to stop and listen, and I circled around to enter his field of vision again.

"We might not have had any relation before, but right now, I'm trying to discover who I am, and do you know what I think?" I stepped closer and whispered "I think you are too."

Then I stepped back out again and offered my hand.

"Let's be friends and figure it out together, hm?"

In seeming amusement, Kabuto shook my hand.

"Perhaps."

Then he left.

Why are my instincts telling me this is a bad idea?

I shook off the feeling.

It's probably nothing.


Three months since my memories were sealed, and Shikyou played a melody to keep them sealed.


"Hey again."

"What? Did you think I'd fight you when you're not being an idiot? Nah, keep up the good work and don't be an ass!"


One of the sound ninja actually set a trap.

"...and what did we learn?"

It wasn't a very good one.

-but I will need to watch my back from here on out.


Still don't know where these letters are going, or who they're for.

I deposited the letter and didn't really think anymore about it.


The door opened.

"Ah, Yumika, no Kanshi this time?"

I shook my head.

"I won't be here for long, busy month, but…" I shuffled nervously "...can I see her again?"

His expression warmed.

"Of course."


The mission went well and we were on our way back to sound.

That sound- Fighting!

"Someone's in trouble, let's help!" I blurted out before sprinting off in the direction of the sound.

"Yumi-! Kanshi, let's follow her." Isae let out before doing so.

I discovered a trio of teens my age surrounded and fighting a losing battle. A pale blonde -Chiumi- boy, a swordsman, and a water user. Just as quickly, I recognised their sound headbands and jumped into action.

With the full force of Team Haruka, things ended quickly, though Haruka himself had split off and gone to help the other team's sensei.

Which leaves the question…

…of why the other genin team looked ready to fight us next.

"Yo, mind cooling down? Fight's over." I asked.

Instead of answering my question, the one with the very large sword asked a question in return.

"Why did you help us!?"

"You looked like you needed help, and I had the power to give it." I stated mildly.

"That's it?!"

"Yeah."

The simple response left them in a speechless horror, and the blue haired water user objected in a quiet voice.

"But… we attacked you. Tried to kill you…"

"Hold up, what?!" Isae exclaimed, before turning to me "Yumi, you never-"

"Wait, really?" I laughed, ignoring Isae's freak out and the silent glare Kanshi sent the other team's way. "I don't remember, and anyway, I'm not dead, so no harm no foul. Good luck with the rest of your mission."

I waved and left.

"Yumi, wait. Explanation! Now!"

I looked back.

"It's not like I remember."

"Argh!"

Isae has stopped responding.


Experiments with Orochimaru. It was the same as before when suddenly.

"My own investigations support your findings. As for your 'advice'…"

I didn't turn to look at him, I couldn't control my expression with the nerves I was feeling.

"...I had intended to dismiss them," I could feel his smirk on my back, "but Kabuto reminded me that you spent most of your time with Danzo debating policy, so I've taken it into consideration."

I didn't shout with joy, but a smile did creep onto my face as we continued.

but who's Danzo?


Kabuto had already left, so I didn't get to thank him.

I'll have to catch him when he comes back.


Four months since my memories were sealed, and Shikyou played a melody to keep them sealed.


The man glared, and I stared back through my mask expectantly.

We'd fought last month when I'd passed through, so the hostility wasn't unexpected.

His shoulders tensed for a moment, but then fell as he stepped aside and let me inside the outpost.

I pulled the chakra from my tongue.

"Thank you."

His right eye twitched.

"You're… welcome." He managed to force out, almost like he was feeling as much pain doing so as it cost me.

Yeah… he's going to crack and try to stab me in the back.

I took one step through the door, and then immediately dodged to the side to avoid the attack from the man who'd lost his patience.

"And you were doing so well!"


"Hey!" I shouted as I approached the trio of genin who'd apparently tried to kill me before.

"Yumika? What do you want?" asked the swordsman.

"Just some company before I head out again…" I hesitated "...if you're okay with that?"

"Yeah, sure, whatever…"


Experiments with Orochimaru. He seemed to be running out of ideas.


"Oi!" a familiar high pitched voice called out.

Friendship, solace, rivalry.

A girl with straight long black hair approached me.

"I hear you've lost your memory, which means we need to get acquainted. Come, you're going to meet my team."

She grabbed my wrist and pulled me along.

Um, okay… So that's what this is like.

Admittedly, Kin had a pretty cool team.


I was running my rounds when I heard something-

Battle!

I upped the pace with a burst of chakra, arriving at the outpost just in time to jump in and deflect a would-be lethal blow towards one of the garrison ninja.

"You're injured, fall back and heal up. I'll deal with this."

I didn't bother looking back at the man, instead keeping my eyes on the missing-nin who'd attacked the outpost.

Alright, let's go.


"...the end." I finished reading, the smaller Yumika having fallen asleep.

You know, getting better at handling the pain was worth it, just for this.

I turned off the lights as I left the room to tell her parents goodbye.


Huh, he had a bounty, neat!

The other two who'd joined him did as well, but not as high. Especially since I handed him over alive.


There he is.

"Kabuto!"

The ninja turned to face me.

"Ah, Yumika, how can I help-?"

"Yeah no, stop that." I interrupted with a scrunched up face.

"What?"

"Well…" I gestured to all of him, "...that."

He raised an eyebrow at me.

"Urgh, I mean the pretending. Your whole posture shifted when you heard me, and you're totally channelling hidden leaf energy right now." I crossed my arms. "I said we'd find ourselves together, and you can't do that if you're busy being something else."

His face went completely blank.

"No, uh, wait, sorry, I got carried away there. I'm not insulting you, I came to thank you for what you told Orochimaru."

"I… see."

The conversation continued awkwardly from there.


Six months since my memories were sealed, and Shikyou played a melody to keep them sealed.


No trouble this time… I know that's a good thing, but it feels weird.

I finished cleaning up after the supply run, and laid down on my bed.

Leaves me with more time too.

I stared at the ceiling.

Hm… I wonder if Kin, Dosu, and Zaku are busy? What about Kabuto? Or that other team?

I bounced back to my feet.

One way to find out.


"Alright Zaku, blast me again!" I ordered.

"This 'training' is stupid." Kin commented in a deadpan way.

"Speak for yourself!" Zaku jovially announced before attempting to send me into the stratosphere with a laugh.


"The sword's a family heirloom? That's pretty damn cool." I responded.

"That's right. My ancestors were ninja, and I'm bringing it back into the family! And it starts with us getting to chunin before you!" The black clad swordsman announced, supported by the cheers of his Chiumi and water-using teammates.

"Wait, what are your names? You never told me."

"Really? Well, I'm Tatsuta." introduced the swordsman.

"Hidenosuke Chiumi."

"T-Tsugu."


"I don't understand why you're bothering me."

"Well, I don't understand why you specialised in medicine as a spy."

"No one ever suspects the medic."

"Well, yeah, but you're better than lord Orochimaru. You don't get that good without motivation. Why'd you do it?"

Based on his expression…

So that's something that's actually you, huh?


Training, lots of training.

It really is a good thing that I kept Kanshi up to date on what I was up to before. I'll need to keep doing that.


Is that..?

I quieted my step and got close enough to the door of the outpost.

"You've got a problem with me?"

"Why were you bothering that lady? Were you going to kill her?"

"Yeah I was, she pissed me off."

There was a moment of silence, then a crash.

"Dude, what the hell is your problem?!"

"Nothing much, you just pissed me off." the vaguely familiar voice growled out, before going quiet. Then his voice shifted such that I could basically hear his smirk "Give me a reason not to kill you."

No way…

I moved so I could peek through a window.

It is!

It was the guy who'd filed a complaint and gotten me into Orochimaru's office. There was also that same girl who I fought him for, and completely contrary to last time, he was defending her!

He was literally quoting me!

I waited an extra 10 minutes after they were done before heading in.

No need to embarrass him.

I had intended to just ignore him and leave the supplies, but he caught me on the way out.

"Porcelain."

That nickname again.

Then he bowed.

"Thank you."

Huh?

"Um, I- huh, what?"

"I see you don't remember, when the base was attacked a couple of months back, you saved my life." He paused. "That you'd do that, despite my behaviour towards you… it forced me to rethink some things."

He straightened to attention.

"I've gotten Orochimaru's new orders on how we're supposed to act, and I intend to follow through. You will not find this sound ninja left wanting."

Then he left, and once my mind caught up, I could only smile.

Good for you, I hope your new leaf turns out well.


12 months, a year, had passed since my memories had been sealed, and Shikyou played a melody to keep them sealed.


"You're kidding me, the whole town?!" Isae exclaimed, and I was tempted to join her.

Anjo wasn't a small town either.

"That's right. Everyone in the town is missing, disappeared overnight." Haruka explained gruffly, then folded his arms. "This time, it wasn't us."

This time.

"Stop glaring, you know we don't do that anymore, and even if we did, I never got involved in that business." He refuted, immediately knocking the wind out of my sails. "If anything, that's the problem."

I quickly caught onto what he was implying.

"If we don't resolve this quickly, we'll be blamed for it anyway, and completely undermine the effort we've been putting into bettering our reputation." I stroked my chin inquisitively as I spoke my thoughts.

But if that's the case…

"Why are we being assigned to this?" Kanshi asked, before I could. "If it is as important as Yumika described, then greater forces would be put to work."

"They are." Isae said calmly, having finished reading through the mission briefing again and reverting to 'Manami mode' "We aren't leading the investigation, merely assisting it. Right, sensei?"

"Exactly." He rose up to his feet. "...and our first stop is the nearest outpost. They haven't reported anything unusual yet, but that doesn't mean they haven't seen anything."

"""Yes, sir."""


Something wasn't right. I could feel it down to my bones.

I shot Isae a look, but she was already on it. She popped a pill in her mouth and listened.

"It's quiet." she reported.

Kanshi's eyes widened, and he turned to Haruka in alarm.

"Sensei, did you say we hadn't gotten any reports from this outpost?"

"Approach with caution."

That answers that.

We moved forward quietly, and while the rest headed on inside I circled the bunker.

Windows and vents are shut. There's no sign of damage or forced entry. Same as the main entrance.

I followed the rest inside.

Urgh, the air in here is stale.

I was still trailing behind.

It's never been like this before, the ventilation usually… handles…

The ventilation was off. Combined with the sealed vents and windows-

"Don't breathe, the base is gassed! It's-"

I stumbled, and my vision began to blur, even as I tried to bring the gas mask I'd popped out to my face.

Three successive thuds sounded as I saw the rest of my team collapse ahead of me.

C-can't, let it–

I got the mask to my face but lost the strength in my fingers to keep it there.

A fourth thud and I was out as well.


Where am I?

Unknown cell, 0 hostiles, but many unknowns.

I peaked a single eye open.

Regular people… the village!

I didn't spot any guards or other forms of security, so I slowly got up and appraised the situation properly. Not only were all the villagers here, but the ninja and conscripts at the outpost too.

Where are Isae and Kanshi? Where's Haruka?

"Hey, she's awake!"

Who?

One of the garrison ninja noticed and called out. It was him, the one who'd got me into Orochimaru's office.

It was that outpost after all.

"Porcelain, Are you alright?"

"Yeah" I answered, before getting to the crux of the issue "What's going on? Where's the rest of my team?"


Talking it out with the ninja and an announcement was enough to put everything together.

This was a death game, and we'd been selected to participate.

In the interest of 'fairness', the participants were sorted into categories based on strength, and my lack of notable chakra quantities, physical capability, and/or blood line had gotten me into the lowest category.

To be exact, this was a battle royale. Everyone would be released into the arena, starting with the weakest group, and ending with the strongest.

The rules themselves were simple: fight and kill each other. Anyone who refused to participate would die, courtesy of a seal they placed on each of our necks.

All of this for sport. Tickets went for a fortune, but the hall was sold out. Rich dastards who just wanted to watch people struggle and suffer.

I'm not going to play by their rules. No one is going to die here.


We were each in our own little elevator, each spread out under the arena. The compartment was completely dark save for a screen with a green number that ticked down.

"10, 9, 8, 7…"

The number went yellow and the elevator began to rise.

"...6, 5, 4…"

I took a calming breath and made a mental image of my chakra.

There you are.

"...3, 2, 1, 0!"

A bell rang as the door shot open and I immediately burst into action. I was a menace, knocking out whoever I came across while they were still flat footed.

Can't break the rules if they're out cold.

"Hey, what the hell!"

"You can't knock them out!"

"That's cheating. She's cheating!"

"How's she getting away with this!"

The crowd really wasn't appreciating my efforts, and the seal meant to kill me remained inactive.

"Hah, I'm a ninja. Cheating is what we do!" I shouted back.

Civilians are out. That leaves…

"We're really sorry about this Porcelain."

I eyed the ninja and conscripts circling me, I smiled.

"Don't sweat it. Whether you waste your time or come at me together makes no difference." I palmed my fist to cover up my wink, "I've beaten you all up before."

I stood alone in the centre of the arena, beholden to the booing crowd.

Seems like I'll need a little showmanship to get myself out of this situation.

"So clearly, your games aren't working, and sorry to tell you, but this-" I pointed to the seal they'd placed on me "-isn't going to stop me."

The booing crowd quieted down in anticipation.

"So if you want to get your games back on track, you're going to have to come here-" I popped out my staff and slammed into the ground for effect "-and stop me yourself!"

There was a moment of silence.

"Come and fight!"

""Come and Fight!""

"""Come and Fight!"""

The crowd began chanting.

Come on, you're running a show right? The crowds made their demands. Show me where you are.

A pair of doors on one of the highest balconies opened up and out strode a well dressed young adult.

I think I can take him-

Then the doors of the balcony underneath opened up and five others came out, the cast of them looking like a typical anime villain gallery.

Oh boy.

I might have been a bit in over my head.

How long..?

"As the public demands, we will answer!" The boss announced, to raucous applause.

Okay, just a bit longer, I need to stall.

"Hah, from up there? I reckon not, or are you going to send your hit squad first?" I held out my arms "Not man enough to fight me yourself?! I thought I was the cheater here!"

Play it up. Keep going.

"Allow me to correct your misunderstanding." The man planted his foot on the railing, "If you can't make it through my 'hit squad', then you don't deserve to face me.

"Not that you'll manage that." he smirked and raised his voice to melodramatic levels "These are the insert over the top name here, they are amongst the finest fighters this establishment has ever seen!"

Together, the five of them jumped into the arena, right towards me.

Yup, definitely more than I can handle alone.

Then the bell rang again, and silhouettes met them.

"You're talking big shit for someone in kicking distance!" Isae announced having met one of the five with a kick. "If you're in the arena, that means we can fight, right?!"

"The finest? Hm, then they might be enough to deal with the best!" Kin declared, backing up her team against another two.

"Looks like everyones here. What say you we get into a little competition," Tatsuta the swordsman proposed, blocking an attack from the last two with the flat of his oversized sword, "the team with the fewest takedowns backs out of trying for the chunin exams!"

"This is hardly the time nor place!" Kanshi answered, before stepping close and addressing me directly. "Go, you're the only one who can leave and stop this. We'll hold them here."

He brought his flute to his lips and I felt his strengthening song surge through me as ink covered my skin and I blazed my way to the balcony.

The fighting took us out of the main hall into another room.

"Damnit, you're ruining everything!"

He was strong.

"Do you know how long it took to get this ready?! How much I had to lie-"

Strike and block.

"-cheat,-"

He threw out a jutsu and I ducked under.

"-and kill?!"

I met his strike with a counter. Before speaking up myself.

"So what?! The people of Anjo should die just for your profit? For Entertainment?!"

He caught the strike.

"No, you fool. I spent years building up a reputation so I could lure them here. These sick bastards who would relish the suffering of others." He retorted "Now that they're here, I'm not letting them get away with their crimes. No amount of hired missing nin or bodyguards will keep them safe. They will suffer!"

He shoved me away creating space between us.

"You didn't answer the question." I growled out, and wiped a bit of blood from my lip "What about the people of Anjo?"

"A cost to pay for justice." It was almost tragic that his solemn look at the statement seemed genuine.

"-and what about their justice?"

"They'll have it." he said with a shockingly calm voice "Once the preparations are complete, everyone aboard this ship will die, myself along with it."

"Like hell…" my legs wobbled as I began to stand, "You don't get to decide who lives and dies."

The flowery patterns on my skin thickened.

"You don't get to decide that your life is the price you need to pay…."

The inky patterns overlapped leaving my skin dark grey.

"You're not a god, nothing gives you the right…"

The grey crawled up my neck and blackened the whites of my eyes.

"If you think otherwise…"

A single curled horn sprouted right above my forehead protector, finalising the second level release of the cursed seal.

"...then you are a fool!"

Of course that wasn't his final form, why would it have been?

He was strong and so was I.

Our battle had torn through this floating island he called a ship. At one point we'd even crashed through the device that was powering the seals on the rest of my allies.

That was when the jonin sensei had gotten involved and taken over the fight against the insert over the top name here, freeing up Isae, Kanshi, Kin, and the others to come help me.

…but it wasn't enough.

We were all bruised and tired. The boss had left us here to head to the chamber where he'd activate whatever weird bomb he'd rigged.

I'm almost out, the cursed seal is going to deactivate soon.

Still I got up and took a step forward, but then I was stopped by a hand around my wrist.

"Kanshi-"

"You have a technique, one you haven't tried yet."

My eyes widened.

"But if I don't remember then-"

"You will, here, open your palm." He turned my hand and face the palm upwards, the fingers clawed around it as if around a ball. "You don't have the chakra you need, so take mine."

I could see his chakra gathering in my hand, and the figment of an image formed in my mind.

"You're not doing any better Kanshi, let me help." Isae said as she held out her hand as well and added her own chakra to the ball. The image became clearer.

"Nothing else has worked so far, show me what you can do." Kin declared as she added her own.

"We owe you Yumika, it's time we paid back in full." Hidenosuke declared as three more hands joined.

Spin.

The image came to the forefront of my mind and I added my own chakra, tying it all together. The bundle swirled aimlessly in every direction and thrummed with power that wafted over us in waves. The slight colourations of everyone's individual chakra gave it a prismatic look.

This…

This wasn't just a technique. It held another meaning.

Determination. Hope.

The hands fell away, and I gave chase.

"Go!" "Take him out!" "You've got this!"

With each shout my steps quickened, and the man was within my sight again.

"Again?! Your persistence is nothing! It will earn you nothing! Begone!"

His hands wove together through hand signs and he held them out firing a massive beam of heat. The clone I'd left in my wake was torn to shreds, but I had closed the distance.

"I'm going to stop you! No one is going to die! This time, everyone lives!"

Poised to strike, I shouted the name of the miracle in my hands.

"Rasengan!"

I buried the attack in his gut, the boom shattering the windows, and blasting him through the machine, up through the roof, and into the light of the rising sun.

The view of the horizon from the roof really was beautiful.

The ship had started taking on water and collapsing in on itself, falling apart just like the plans for it. The main perpetrator of which was laying there, beaten.

I stumbled towards him.

"I get it," I said as the remains of the cursed seal receded from my skin, "these people would be getting this, with or without you. They're horrible, and they treated you horribly."

"I never said-"

"You didn't need to." I stared down at my fist. "We exchanged blows, didn't we?"

"A stupid myth…"

I sat down next to him.

"So you're telling me you felt nothing from that?"

Silence.

"Doing this wasn't going to get rid of death sports, you know that right?"

Silence.

"Hurt begets hurt. Suffering begets suffering. Blood begets blood. It won't change how you feel, it will only share it with others."

"...none of that matters now." he argued resigned "we're on the open sea, my comrades burned the ships the rich snobs used to get here. So we're all going to drown. The result is the same."

I smiled.

"Have a little faith."

Then I pointed out to the horizon.

Reluctantly, he struggled to his feet and approached the railing.

"Ships…" he identified with shock.

I got up next to him.

"Not just any ships, those are hired by the Hidden Sound." I elaborated and leaned forward. "We're going to get out of this alive, and their bodyguards won't stop everyone who came here to watch from ending up behind bars. They'll probably be put on trial and found guilty. Everyone will know that they brought their own fate upon themselves. Anything less would be a mark on the Hidden Sound's pride, so we'll make sure it turns out that way."

I turned to face him.

"Everyone lives, and justice is served."

A single tear rolled down his face, followed by a stream as his legs gave out, like he'd been released of an unbearable weight.

I placed a hand on his shoulder.

"Come on, let's get to a ship. When I say everyone lives, that includes you, Katsuhiro…"


Once I was back in safety, I basically collapsed and was out of commission for a while.

Guess I pushed myself a little hard.

That meant I spent a lot more time hanging around the village with my friends, which was nice. I did eventually end up properly back on duty, and soon enough…

Shikyou's gaze lingered on the three of us. He wasn't my friendly uncle now, or Kanshi's father, he was a superior giving us orders.

"Team Haruka, you have been selected to participate in the Hidden Leaf Chunin Exams, but you have another responsibility…"

He placed three scrolls on the table, and each of us picked one up and read it.

No… invasion?

"This can't be right. Why?! The Chunin Exams are an event held under treaty!"

Shikyou sighed.

"You'd have to take it up with Orochimaru." he explained.

The scroll crinkled in my hands, before loosening as a zen calm overcame me.

"You're right, and I will." I declared, "I can talk him out of it, I'm sure. The Hidden Sound doesn't need war. Whatever he wants, there has to be a better way to get it."

"Yumika…" Shikyou empathised. "This has been in the works for years, this far along, even the one who set things in motion can't put a stop to it anymore. This has to happen."

"Even so… it isn't right. I have to try."

He sighed again with a bittersweet smile.

"That is what makes you you." he exasperated, then he brought out his flute, "but first, since we have you here, let's keep those memories in check. I'm also curious, could you deactivate the cursed seal this time? I would like to make sure it isn't interfering with the technique since you unlocked the second stage."

"Of course Shikyou, I trust you." I answered.

His music played, and everything faded to black.


AN: So that's that. Y'all might have noticed that these chapters were paced quite quickly, that's because as I mentioned in the first note that it was meant to be a flashback.

For the last 'adventure' here, I tried to emulate the vibe of one of the movies. So in a similar vein, feel free to consider it non-fic-canon (or an exageration of such) if you think it was a bit too much.