Here's the next chapter, hope you all enjoy it. Also, as you read please note that I'll be having the affects of the reanimation be prevalent for quite a while, even those that die here may still have influence at a later date, so I'm sorry if it feels rushed, but just know that those stories will be waiting for the sequel, this is the endgame and I'm just trying to get this done, so we'll enjoy those stories another time.
Broken Angel
Chapter 93
"So… you're my descendant?" Rowena Ravenclaw stated. Her body was currently pierced by several black bones that negated her magic and prevented her from moving.
Riley stood over her, her eyes cold, yet curious.
"It would seem so. I wish we had the time to properly have a discussion, but I am in a bit of a rush. You'll have to forgive me, but I must send you on your way." Riley replied, earning a quick nod from the ancient founder.
"No time to chat? I understand. See my fellows along, would you? We've been back in this world too long already. It's time for us to go back to our rightful place." Rowena stated, receiving a nod from Riley whom quickly separated her soul from her body with the Killing Curse.
"Well done. The founders are as skilled as the stories say." Bellatrix noted as she approached Riley, standing over the ashes of the man used to revive Rowena.
"How in the seven hells did Mito find DNA of the fucking founders? It just doesn't make sense." Riley pondered, earning a curious look from Bellatrix, the woman unaware of the requirements for Tobirama's resurrection jutsu.
Riley didn't have time to explain her statement, instead she turned and headed over towards where more fighting was occurring. She spotted her mother trading blows with what could only be Godric Gryffindor. Both were matching each other blow for blow, with Kushina's blade wrapped in chakra, while Godric's own sword, one that seemed to have been provided for him, was glowing with some sort of Fire magic.
Godric went to stab at Kushina but she quickly side stepped his strike, golden chains bursting out of her back as she did. They quickly shot into the ground and then burst out around his feet, wrapping around him and causing him to fall. As he fell forward, Kushina brought her blade down and bisected the man, splitting him in half at the waist.
Kushina let out a huff as she dropped to a knee. She sported a few cuts and bruises, but her worst injury seemed to be something on her right leg, which she was favoring. Her Dementor cloak was missing, signaling that the Founder must have done something to chase it off of Kushina's body. Riley didn't know if the Patronus was even around a thousand years ago, but there was the possibility that there was some sort of other spell that was used to combat Dementors all that time ago.
"Well fought." Godric stated with a smirk.
"You as well. The stories of the legendary founders did not exaggerate when it came to you prowess as a fighter." Kushina offered her own compliment, earning a hearty laugh from the man.
"Well I'm glad I impress. See me on my way will you, and make sure that bastard Salazar is right behind me, I wanna be there to greet him at the gate of the afterlife and wish him good luck on his trip back to hell." Godric stated, his smile never fading. Kushina couldn't tell if the ancient founder truly was reveling in the idea of his long time rival burning up in the hot place, or if he was simply being boastful.
Regardless, Kushina turned her attention towards Riley and offered her daughter a nod.
Riley and Bellatrix strode forward, with Riley quickly launching a green burst of magic into Godric's body, causing it to break down into nothingness.
"Two down, Two to go." Riley noted.
"Dumbledore is around here somewhere as well." Bellatrix noted, earning a loud sigh from Riley.
"That bitch just cant let the dead rest in peace." Riley hissed with a shake of her head. She quickly made her way over to her mother and knelt next to her.
Kushina simply offered her daughter a smile as Riley set to work on healing her. The muscles in the upper part of Kushina's leg were severely torn, her Uzumaki endurance was one of the few reasons she was still able to move at the moment.
Riley was quick to heal them, earning a sigh of relief from Kushina as the pain in her leg faded.
"Watch over her?" Riley inquired towards Bellatrix, earning a pouting look from Kushina.
"I can look after myself ya know." Kushina noted, but Riley pretended not to hear.
"My lord is busy fighting Dumbledore, you should hurry and help Sirius and Remus with the other two founders, I don't know how long they will hold out on their own." Bellatrix informed her earning a nod from Riley who quickly activated her Byakugan and vanished from sight.
Salazar Slytherin and Helga Hufflepuff, dueled together against Sirius and Remus. Both men were on the defensive, doing their best to not be overpowered by the founders. Despite their spells being dated, both founders were masterful duelers, Helga actually showing more prowess in offensive magic, then even Salazar.
An odd thing considering the woman's supposed generous and caring nature, but then again, it was a different time, perhaps the gentle puff founder was such a skilled duelist to protect her students? Regardless of the answer, both Sirius and Remus were kept on the defensive, even with their Dementor cloaks to shield them from most magic, they still were kept moving by the skilled duo.
Magic blasted through the air as both men continued to backpedal away from the dangerous duo. Both men were operating at their sharpest so both caught the glint in the air as a kunai shot over the two founders and Riley appeared above them, Odama Rasengan in hand.
With a twist she slammed the rotating sphere into the head of Salazar Slytherin before the man could react. The impact tore the man in half, exploding his whole body while it sent Helga sailing away from the blast. She hit the ground hard, and would have broken several bones had she been alive. Before she had a chance to recover, Sirius hit the woman with the Killing Curse, ending her assault before it could continue.
Riley was quick to do the same to Salazar as he began to reform, while she had wanted to share a moment to speak with the two, she knew that time was off the essence, so with a sigh, she quickly moved towards where Dumbledore and Tom were fighting. Even as Helga's and Salazar's spirits rose in the air, offering Riley nods of approval as they did.
Riley was quick to arrive at the location of Dumbledore's and Tom's duel. Magic exploded around the two as they drilled each other with spell after spell.
"Your skills have improved since the last time we dueled." Dumbledore noted.
"That was a long time ago, Albus. Much has changed since then. I am not the same young man I was in those days." Tom responded as he fired another curse at Dumbledore, one that was deftly blocked by a powerful shield.
"Yes… things have changed. You seem lighter, almost as if a great weight has been lifted off of you." Albus noted as he fired an overcharged Reducto at Tom, which was redirected into the distance.
"I am lighter. Things in Britain are changing, even now, the era of stagnation and bigotry is coming to a close." Tom responded with a smirk.
"And you wish to have a hand in the creation of these changes." Dumbledore noted, earning a shake of the head from Tom.
"No Dumbledore. Perhaps in my youth I had such dreams, not now though, now I only wish to see the world move on. What path it takes is of lesser concern. My goal was to break the mold. Now that I have accomplished that goal, I only wish to see Britain protected as it undergoes this transformation." Tom responded, earning a curious look from Dumbledore.
"I see. Perhaps in age does come wisdom." Dumbledore noted, earning a chuckle from Tom.
"Perhaps." Tom muttered before launching another curse which Dumbledore quickly deflected.
"You alright Tom?" Riley inquired as she landed next to his side, unleashing a monstrously powerful Reducto that tore through Dumbledore's sheilds and tore his arm off.
"Doing fine. How's the rest of the battle going?" Tom inquired as he launched a blasting curse at Dumbledore which the old man blocked with a new shield while his opposite arm regrew.
"Most of the undead have been dealt with, Itachi and Madara are sending the rest of the Uchiha back to their graves while Hashirama finishes off the rest of the devils along with Alucard. I've already made the rounds and helped to finish off the founders." Riley informed him, earning a nod from the Dark Lord.
"It seems the time for playing has come to an end Dumbledore. It was fun to have this chat but it's time I sent you back to your 'Great Adventure'." Tom stated earning a chuckle from the old man.
"It would seem that the time has indeed come. I hope you are doing well dear girl." Dumbledore offered to Riley with that signature grandfatherly smile of his, sans the twinkling eyes.
"I am headmaster. I hope to finish this war soon so I can return to Hogwarts. I'd hate to have spent all that time learning and dealing with all of those yearly shenanigans, and miss my seventh year." Riley responded with a genuine smile, earning one in return from Dumbledore.
"Yes, that would be a great waste. I wish you luck, I know you'll do well keeping the country safe, as you have for Hogwarts so many times. Now if you would Tom, see me on my way." Dumbledore stated, earning a nod from Voldemort, whom quickly went on the offensive.
Riley merely stood and watched as Voldemort unleashed a powerful assault against the old man. Where once the two were near equals, now Voldemort stood on another level from his old foe. Even though Dumbledore had infinite energy and was, for all intents and purposes, immortal, Tom was still able to overpower him due to his additional training and the power boost he received from being Riley's familiar.
The duel between the two raged on for several long minutes until Voldemort finally overpowered Dumbledore's shield and struck the old man with the Killing Curse. His body began to dissolve into ash, and as it did, his spirit rose up out of it, offering Tom a careful look, but giving Riley a small smile as he returned to the afterlife.
"The dead have such a curious outlook. They all seem so eager to return to the afterlife. Is wherever they go so amazing that they're simply eager to get back to it? Or are they compelled to return to death, much like how time travelers are compelled to return to their own time?" Kurama mused as they watched the old Hogwarts Headmaster fade into nothingness.
"I'm not sure. It's curious though." Riley responded with a tilt of her head. She shared a quick look with Tom before both left the scene. Both masters of the dark arts were eager to see this war come to an end and a return to things that both held in higher regard.
Elsewhere on the battlefield, Madara stood over the ruined forms of the remainders of the Uchiha clan. By his side were several of the elder Uchiha survivors, including Sasuke.
Madara had made quick work of his old clansmen, demolishing their immortal bodies and leaving them as slowly regenerating corpses.
"Is there nothing we can do to bring them back?" Sasuke inquired as he stared down at his mother and father, both of whom were smiling at him.
"The Curse of Hatred is a powerful thing. Death may not even be enough to satiate their bloodlust. Riley may be able to bring them back, but without knowing whether the curse is still in effect, we could never trust them. Eventually hatred would override their senses. It turns good people into monsters. Some may find love to replace the hatred, but others… others will be consumed by it. And they'll take that hatred out on the ones they feel are responsible for their suffering. In this case, Itachi. Your mother and father may be alright, but other members of the clan who blame him, and despise him, will only attempt to see him to the afterlife in their stead." Madara noted sagely, earning a quiet sigh from Sasuke, and some of the other children.
"The Curse of Hatred can only be broken by love. That is how the sage intended it. Perhaps they can be revived, and allowed to return to their lives." Came the voice of Itachi, as he appeared with Shisui by his side.
"Brother?" Sasuke gave his older brother a curious look before glancing down at his parents. Despite what he had done, neither parent showed any signs of anger towards their eldest son.
"You think Narumi can give them their lives back?" Shisui whispered as he stared out across the broken remains of his former clan mates. Seeing them revealed something to Shisui, if Itachi's parents and many of the older members of the clan were dead, that would mean that Itachi was unable to find another way, and the Leaf and the Uchiha did battle.
"Perhaps." Itachi responded quietly as he locked eyes with his mother, whom stared back, offering her eldest a sad smile.
"Unfortunately… that's going to have to wait." Came the voice of Mito Uzumaki, from the mouth of Fugaku Uchiha.
"Mito!" Madara hissed, and the grin that was present on Fugaku's face quickly fell.
"Madara…" Mito muttered with confusion. Madara was quick to clear the distance between himself and Fugaku, picking up the man and holding his regenerating form up by the throat.
Madara's Mangekyou spun with vicious intent within his eyes, and he was quick to push his way into the man's mind, towards Mito's presence.
"Still the spitfire, eh Madara?" Mito's voice carried out of the Uchiha patriarch.
"You will suffer for all that you've done, wretched woman!" Madara hissed.
"Ooh… I'm frightened. Are you truly Madara? No… you can't be. This is an interesting development, but it does explain a lot. Regardless… I didn't come here for you, old friend… tell that granddaughter of yours to hurry up. I've got a deadline to keep, and I'd rather not have to wait on her any longer then I already am." Mito responded with a chuckle, earning a snarl from Madara.
Madara was about to fire something back in reply, but he was forced to release the Uchiha patriarch when the ground around him suddenly erupted, and a coffin burst up from the Earth.
Madara jumped back to avoid being encased in the coffin and he watched in surprise as all of the Uchiha, and in fact, all of the undead, not yet destroyed were encased in coffins.
"Brother, what's happening?" Sasuke demanded, while Itachi narrowed his eyes and scanned the coffins.
A tense moment passed and suddenly all of the coffins exploded into poofs of smoke, disappearing from sight.
"Son of a bitch!" Sasuke and Madara hissed simultaneously.
"She recalled them to her side. She either doesn't want Riley to revive them, or she has something else in mind." Itachi noted.
"But then why did she allow me to be revived?" Shisui stated as he scanned the area, his Sharingan, analyzing everything in sight.
"She was waiting for me, when I pushed through to the link that bonded you to her." Came Riley's voice as she appeared next to them.
"What do you think that means?" Itachi asked, while Madara and Sasuke started cursing the woman, one for the taunt and the other for stealing away his chance to have his parents back. The other Uchiha were also furious and they raged alongside their kinsmen.
"I think she's watching through their eyes. I think the moment that she saw my focus on Shisui, she used him to deliver her taunt to me. She told me she was waiting at the Fire Capital. She wants me to head there. As soon as she delivered her message I tore her connection to Shisui to ribbons and then revived him. She didn't let me do anything, she simply wasn't in a position to stop me from reviving him." Riley explained as she stepped up next to her fuming grandfather and cousins.
A quiet moment passed as everyone allowed their mutual hatred for the woman to permeate the very air they all breathed. After nearly a full minute Riley activated her Byakugan. A quick scan showed that the battle was over. All of the undead had been recalled and the devils had been completely destroyed.
Deactivating the dojutsu Riley turned and headed in the direction of the Kazekage, passing Itachi as she did and offering him a pat on the shoulder. While the rest of the Uchiha fumed, Itachi seemed receptive to her attempt at comfort and offered her a nod of thanks.
The two locked eyes for a moment and Riley let out a sigh. "The Angel is back."
Her words broke everyone sans Madara out of their enraged state and they stared at her with confusion. Most of those present knew that she was the Angel of Carnage, and that she had sealed it away. All those present being Shinobi, they quickly caught on that something was in the works, and so they maintained their looks of confusion or concern. Itachi played his part very well, giving her a hard look, and then letting out a sigh and rubbing at his face.
Within less then an hour, Riley had finished reviving any individual that had been killed in the fighting, and she had also assisted Hashirama in healing the injured. Now she stood in Gaia's command tent, eyes locked with her mate, surrounded by the commanders of the Magical Alliance.
"How in the hell did the Angel break free?" Temari demanded with a look of concern. Kankuro shared her worry and bit at his thumb while he paced.
"The seals I utilized drew power from the energy of nature… it's what kept it's floating prison in the sky. When these things started to invade, their dark magic pierced into the laylines, raping the magic of our world and turning it foul. The energy of nature is twisted the longer this attack goes on. My seals weren't designed to utilize this kind of energy. The introduction of demonic magic, must have weakened my seals enough for the Angel to escape." Riley lied straight to their faces.
Gaia and several others in the room knew the truth, and even as Riley spoke, offering up her speculation as to why Ralael had reappeared, she was having a mental conversation with Gaia within Gaia's mindscape.
"You intend to retake your form as the Angel of Carnage?" Gaia asked, her gaze locked onto Riley, as if she was listening intently to everything that was said.
"Yes. As Ralael, I can unleash my full power and my familiars. I cannot afford to play around with the Akatsuki, or Mito. When I hit her, there wont be any dances, there wont be any games. The second I see that rotten whore, I'll unleash my full power and hit her with everything I've got. I intend for her to be standing before the fucking devil himself, before she can even utter a single syllable." Riley responded earning a slow nod from Gaia.
"I see." Gaia stated aloud, drawing her siblings and subordinates attention.
"We need to focus on the Akatsuki right now. The angel is a single foe, and when this war is over, I'll deal with it, personally. For now though, we have to focus." Riley stated earning a nod of agreement from Gaia.
"You're right. The angel is a singular threat, and for now, it's a tentative ally. The only thing an angel of carnage would hate more then sinners, is demons. We can use it's assault on the demonic forces to our advantage." Gaia stated as her gaze fell down to a map of the land.
"Mito and her forces are laying siege to the Fire Capital as we speak. That's where their next set of portals is located, and if I have my way, it'll be the place of their last stand." Riley said, finishing her statement with a snarl.
"Very well then. It's time we begin moving." Gaia informed her comrades, earning solemn nods from each of them.
"No." Riley stated, earning looks from everyone, including focused looks from the Suna nin that did not like having their leader countered.
"Riley?" Gaia questioned her with a curious gaze.
"Organize our forces here and prepare them for a rapid movement. I'm going to take a strike force to the Fire Capital and I'm going to end this invasion." Riley stated earning confusion from her fellows.
"While we do what? Sit here and twiddle our thumbs?" Temari demanded.
"No. While I deal with this, you will all prepare for the final fight. Mito is at the Fire Capital and she's calling me out. I'll admit that there's a lot I don't know about that woman, but from what I do know, she's a manipulator, and she's calculating. She wants my attention on the Fire Capital, she wants me there. I plan on giving her just that. I'll head for the Fire Capital and spring her trap, but before I do that, I'm going to dispatch a small army of clones in every direction from where we are now, and each one is going to use it's Byagukan to scan the surrounding countries to try and locate Obito Uchiha. The enemy has a plan to revive the Ten-Tails. I would place my bet on them using this moment to do it, with me distracted in the Fire Capital." Riley stated, earning look from all of them. Silence permeated the room for several long moments until finally, it was broken.
Temari asked the question that all those, not part of Riley's inner cicle, wanted to ask.
"You truly believe that there ultimate plan involves tricking you?" The question was less of an inquiry and more like a demand for Riley to verify if she truly believed that the enemy held her in that high a regard.
They all knew she was powerful, more powerful then anymore. By their own admittance she was stronger then her grandfathers. Many believed her to be the second coming of the Sage of Six Paths, or even the second Merlin. But despite their beliefs about her, many still struggled to understand her place in all this. Most were unaware of Riley's true role in Voldemort's defeat, or her position as the Angel of Carnage. Not even Riley's friend knew that she was the heir to the Rabbit Goddess, or the woman's reincarnation's grandchild.
Riley was for all intents and purposes, a self invented individual, who forged her own destiny. She was the Grandchild of great men, the child of the Fourth Hogake, but beyond that, she had no destiny, no greater purpose in life. To many, Naruko was still the one with the so called destiny, or purpose. Riley was her own woman, her place in the world was how she made it. No one had ever doubted that freedom she had. But with that belief came the confusion about her place in all this.
Many wondered what place in all this Riley held, because it was obvious that the enemy knew that she was important. And it wasn't just her power, it was something about Riley, something that people suspected but no one really knew. There was something about her that was special, something that made her more important to these events, yet most people didn't know what it was.
Only a handful, believed they understood. Those like Riley's friends and mates, and even her family. They all suspected that it was because of that secret she held closest to heart. The secret that only her true friends and family knew.
Everyone knew she was special, but they just couldn't place exactly what it was about her that made her so special. What separated her from the greats like Hashirama and Madara? What separated her from Merlin, or the Sage of the Six Paths? Only those that knew her secret, believed they understood just why the enemy was determined to move around her, to move with her actions and try to anticipate her.
She was a demon. Something beyond imagining. What separated her from them was that she was a full blooded, fully realized demon. This is what separated her from them. This is what made her reaction to everything much more intriguing to the world at large.
So when Temari asked the question that many in the room were wondering, it was less of an inquiry into the state of mind, of the enemy, and more so, an inquiry into Riley's own belief into where and how she fit into all of this.
"You believe the assault on the Fire Capital is a trap designed specifically for you?" Gaia asked, watching her fiance with a piercing gaze.
"Yes. Not only did Mito call me out, but she's struck at a place that is familiar to me. I've been to the Fire Capital, I've spoken with the Daimyo, I even held the title of a Fire Ronin for a short while. Technically, I believe I still am one. Despite my feelings about this place, the Elemental Nations is where I was born. Konoha is gone, Minato Namikaze and Lily Namikaze are both dead. Everything that once tied me to this place has been destroyed. All that remains is the new ties I've forged since coming here. But I don't think Mito knows about them. So she's striking out at the only thing I'm familiar with that she can reasonably reach." Riley explained looking distant and thoughtful as she did.
"But why you? What makes you think this attempt is specifically for you?" Temari asked, again pushing for a bit more information, something that may aid them in better understanding their enemy and what the enemy knew that they didn't.
"Because… I'm the only one that can stop her. Mito's been playing this game since long before most of us were born. She's an enigma, everything she does is in service to her ultimate goal. It's that goal though that's eluded me since I first began hunting her. She possesses a cunning mind, and the life experience to use it. She believes she's in control of all aspects of this game. Everything has it's part to play, and Mito has memorized where it all goes. She believes she's in control of everything. Everything except for me. I'm the unknown, I'm the thing she doesn't understand. These plans have been in place for decades yet with my interference, everything is starting to come unraveled. It's why Mito is drawing me out like this. I may not know what she's planning, but my actions are somehow hindering her. She feels that I am a credible threat, and that's why she seeks to lure me away. And if I'm being honest… I believe that grants me a unique distinction in her eyes. I'm the threat. I'm the unaccounted for, piece." Riley explained to them all.
"You believe that somehow you've disrupted Mito's true goal, or at least you're some kind of threat to it? You speak as if Mito's true goal isn't to awaken the Ten-Tails. If that isn't her plan, then what is?" Kankuro inquired as she he shared a glance with Gaia.
"It's like I said, despite our orbits coming into contact with each other on numerous occasions, I've never actually been able to pin down her motive. The things she's done, it all points towards a personal motivation beyond the Akatsuki's goals. I don't think the Ten-Tails is the end-all for her plan. I think its just another stepping stone, and that worries me." Riley answered with a thoughtful look.
"I believe Mito is somehow aware of the possibility that I suspect her motivations are far grander then even the revival of the Ten-Tails. I think she knows that I know she's got bigger plans and that worries her." Riley speculated, offering up her own theory as to why Mito had taken an interest in her.
"Why though?" Temari asked.
"Because she intends to use this to disappear." Came a drawl voice from a nearby corner. Everyone glanced over to find the ever vigilant, and perceptive Shikaku Nara, smoking away, quietly listening to their conversation.
"What do you mean?" Gaia asked, curious as to how he came to that conclusion. Many of the others stared at him with the same curious looks, but some, found themselves agreeing with him, despite not knowing his reasons.
"You said it yourself, she wants something more then the Ten-Tails. If something as monstrous as the Ten-Tails Revival, is just a stepping stone. And if you're right about her being concerned about your anticipation of something greater, then that says to me that she intends to use this to vanish. She wants us to think this is her ultimate plan, that this is what matters to her, but in reality this is just a part of her plan, and she intends to use this monstrous occurrence to disappear from sight." Shikaku theorized earning slow nods from several within the room.
"You think she's intentionally going to fake her own demise during this conflict and disappear?" Gaia inquired.
"I suspect that whatever she intends to gain from the Ten-Tails revival can be done secretly, and then she'll disappear. Whether that means faking her own death, or trying to hide, I'm not sure. But it sounds to me like she's going to use this as a cover. Don't get me wrong, she needs something from this. Something about reviving the Ten-Tails fits into her plan, but I agree with Riley, this isn't the end. If we don't kill her, fast and hard, we run the risk of her returning someday." Shikaku clarified, earning thoughtful looks from many, and a nod from Riley, who found herself agreeing with him.
Riley knew that he was probably right. She knew that the next time she faced Mito, there was no room for boasting or posturing. She had to hit the woman, and hit her hard, before she could do anything to escape.
After several long thoughtful seconds Riley turned and headed out, her movement drew everyone's attention but no one moved to hinder her. They all knew what she intended to do. If Mito was going to draw her into a trap, then Riley would spring the trap.
Her grandfathers were immediately following her as she marched out of the tent. Outside her mates, family and Shisui were waiting.
"So what's the verdict?" Shisui inquired as she made her way too them.
"Enemy's laid a trap. I'm off to see what kind of trouble I can get into." Riley responded with a smirk, covering up her concern behind a veneer of pride.
Those before her seemed to see through the attempt, which was surprising considering Riley was very good at covering up her emotions. While most didn't really get why she was pretending, her mates strongly suspected that something was on her mind, and was thus, distracting her.
"Riley..." Fleur began.
"I'll see you when I get back." Riley cut her off, as she created a swarm of Shadow Clone and disappeared into Kamui. Fleur, and Katie both let out curses as she vanished while Hashirama and Madara both collectively sighed. Riley's clones quickly dashed away in every direction, intent on seeking out Obito, wherever he was hiding.
"Don't worry, we'll be going with her." Hashirama offered to Riley's mates and her children.
"Thanks. Keep her safe… please." Katie asked earning a nod and a smile from Hashirama as he and Madara vanished in a poof of smoke.
"What was that about?" Shisui wondered aloud.
"She's gone, right?" Itachi asked as he stepped out of the tent.
"Yes, she left along with her grandpapas." Fleur replied.
"I see." Itachi responded as he shared a look with Shisui and motioned for him to follow.
The two quickly headed off while Riley's family were left to pray for her safety and swift return for what felt like the tenth time in the last few days.
"Alright Itachi, now that we've got a moment, you wanna explain to me what the fuck is going on?" Shisui stated as the two walked.
"I'm sure there's a lot that doesn't make sense to you, so I'll try to clarify things as best I can. We're in the middle of a war, as I'm sure you can tell. The ones leading the enemy are Mito Uzumaki, the woman who revived you, and Obito Uchiha, a member of our clan the supposedly died during the Third Great Ninja War." Itachi began to explain.
Shisui offered him a nod of understanding as the two continued to stride through the camp.
"Okay, I picked up on a lot of that, so let me ask you this, why are you and Narumi out here with Suna Ninja? I haven't seen anyone in Konoha uniform since I came back but I recognize some people like Kakashi and Guy." Shisui asked. His question caused Itachi to come to a pause. Itachi was silent for several long moments before turning to his long time friend. For a moment, silence hung in the air between them, when finally Itachi's Sharingan sprung to life and he quickly cast a genjutsu on Shisui so that they could converse without anyone hearing them.
"What's going on?" Shisui asked, as he felt the illusion swallow up his senses. He knew that Itachi had cast the technique, so he wasn't overly worried, but the reason as to why, escaped him.
"I wish we had the opportunity to really sit down and discuss this, but unfortunately time is of the essence. Much of what I'm about to tell you is a secret, but I know for a fact Riley would have told you herself if given the chance so she wont hold it against me if I bring you up to speed now." Itachi began, causing Shisui's features to harden.
Despite being only a teenager, Shisui was worldly enough to know that any conversation that started like this was about to become very heavy.
"Konoha is gone, Shisui." Itachi stated, earning shock from his friend.
"Gone? What do you mean it's gone? Wait! The Coup… did it…?" Shisui started to ask but Itachi simply shook his head.
"No. I stopped the coup that our family was planning. I wiped out the older members of the clan, and rescued as many of the children as I could. The Fourth Hokage and I worked out a deal to remove the troublesome aspects and offer the children a chance to forge something anew. We also hoped that the chance for revenge would draw Obito out of hiding, and we were right. He appeared and aided me in destroying the clan, though he also slaughtered many of the children before I could stop him. He managed to escape when Riley disrupted our plans." Itachi explained, again earning a nod from Shisui.
"Many in the clan began to suspect that I was involved in your death, and eventually that knowledge reached Riley. I suspect upon learning of your death, she awakened the Mangekyou Sharingan, and when she came to the compound that night, she did so with the intention of avenging your death. Despite her age, she was still strong enough to push me to my limits, and unfortunately, her sudden appearance disrupted things enough that our attempt to kill Obito failed. Regardless. I stopped the coup, and prevented a war. I thought the village would appreciate all that I had sacrificed for them. I thought they would treat my surviving kinsmen with respect and decency. But I was wrong." Itachi explained, letting out a sad and tired sigh.
Hearing that, Shisui let out his own sigh, but motioned for Itachi to continue. "The village sought to turn Sasuke into a weapon, one they intended to use to oust me as clan leader. When I tried to speak out, they began sending me on the most dangerous missions they could think of. All the while, someone in the village, presumably Lady Tsunade, began poisoning me. It took a few years, but I guess I finally had enough. My love for the village began to sour, and when the opportunity came to leave, I seized upon it and removed our family from Konoha. Riley was there to assist me. Shortly after you death, she left the Hidden Leaf, renouncing the name Namikaze and changing her first name to Riley, while moving her original to her middle name. She also took on the title of her grandfather's lordship, as head of the Uchiwa clan."
Again, Shisui let out a sigh, but he did offer a small smile at hearing that. So Riley had found out where her Uchiha blood came from, and from what he had just heard a few moments prior, the older Uchiha man that disappeared to follow Riley, must have been said Grandfather. Shisui didn't know who the man was, but he could easily tell that the man radiated power, and Riley seemed to take after him quite heavily.
"After leaving the village and freeing ourselves from the Leaf's manipulations, I tried to settle our clan into a peaceful existence. We moved out to Britain, where Riley had settled, and aided her in founding the Cysgodol Legion, or Shadow Legion. A kind of Hidden Village of our very own. During that time, Riley butted heads with the Leaf government on several occasions, and over time the village grew more and more corrupt as they tried in vain to regain control of Riley, as by that point in time, her power was already greater then the Fourth Hokage's by several magnitudes. It wasn't long before Naruko Namikaze awakened the Rinnegan, which is the ancestral Dojutsu of our clan. The eyes of the Sage of Six Paths. It's much like Riley's current eyes, just without the tomoe. Once the Leaf had access to this new weapon they began to drill her into the ground, and when that didn't produce the results they wanted, they resorted to abhorrent means to breed her eyes with others. Using gender alteration magic they forced her to impregnate several women. When Riley learned of this, she was furious, and under the guise of the Angel of Carnage, she laid seize to the village and rescued her sister." Itachi explained earning a dark look from Shisui.
"Damn it all. Why did it have to be like this? We always considered ourselves better. Better then the other villages, better then creeps like Danzo and Orochimaru. Being a Leaf ninja used to mean something. We held ourselves to a higher standard then the other villages. Did things really change that much after I died? Or was I just too blind to see the forest from the trees?" Shisui asked, earning sigh from Itachi.
"I know what you mean. This event was just one of a handful of terrible things that befell Riley that pushed her to destroying the village entirely. Naruko's rape. The truth of Riley's parentage. And finally, the Leaf council attempting to murder Riley's friends and lovers, and succeeding in killing the mother of someone she holds very near and dear to her heart. I know it's hard to believe, but trust that this didn't come out of nowhere. The village simply could not leave the slumbering Dragon alone. Riley was even kind enough to deliver a warning when she rescued Naruko. She told them all the truth about what the Leaf was doing and why they were being punished. She offered them the chance to leave. Those that did, are probably still alive somewhere. I don't know where, but Riley didn't hunt them if they abandoned the village." Itachi continued his explanation, earning a pained look from Shisui which quickly morphed into a distant gaze.
"Ya know… when I was training her, I always knew she was going to do great things. She was so powerful even as a kid, that I just knew she'd go far. I guess I always secretly hoped that she'd be the one wearing the Hokage hat one day. That she'd gain the recognition I knew she deserved. Now I hear that she might not even be the child of the Fourth Hokage…. Damn it…" Shisui muttered.
"She is the Fourth's child. That much is certain. The question is her mother. From what I understand, Riley's true mother is Kushina Uzumaki who was impregnated by the Fourth whom later used magic to remove Riley from Kushina's womb and implant her into Lily Namikaze's womb alongside Naruko, making the two twins. Riley learned of this truth from Danzo, right before she killed him. She then launched her first attack on the Leaf, and rescued her mother whom had been in a coma since her conception. You probably remember seeing her outside of the command tent with Riley's mates and family. She's the one with the long red hair." Itachi offered, earning a nod of understanding from Shisui.
The man was silent for several long moments as he ran his hand over his head. Finally he raised his gaze to Itachi's and continued asking questions.
"Who was it? The person close to Riley who lost a family member to the Leaf?" Shisui inquired.
"Katie Bell. One of the Riley's lovers, and someone I believe she fully intends to marry upon a day. Her mother and father were both killed by the poison attack, but Riley was able to revive her father. Many others were hurt in the attack, including the father of another of her lovers. Since your death, Riley had developed a very strong attachment to her loved ones. In response to the attack on her mates and friends, Riley slaughtered every single person in the Leaf. She even killed her own father. Her love burns so strongly, that anyone who dares harm a hair on the head of those she holds close to heart will meet with an end that will make them wish they had never taken their first breath." Itachi answered, earning a growl from Shisui.
Itachi knew his friend was taking this all seriously, as he hadn't even offered a single comment about Riley's choice in lovers. The Shisui Itachi knew would have seized upon that with great enthusiasm. The fact that he didn't just went to show how serious he was about all of this.
"Dammit. Why did this have to happen? Why couldn't they just leave her alone?" Shisui muttered.
"She saved us. The Uchiha, the others you recognized from the camp. People that she knew to be good-natured or capable of change. She saved those people and gave them the chance to decide for themselves. I know you must be feeling a torrent of emotions right now, but I ask that you reserve judgment until you speak with her yourself. Riley would know of her reasoning far better then I would." Itachi offered, earning a sigh and a nod from Shisui.
"Thank you for telling me this Itachi. You've given me plenty to think about." Shisui stated as Itachi broke the Genjutsu. Itachi offered his friend a nod as Shisui turned and headed off, obviously deep in thought about what he had just learned. Itachi watched him go with sad, but calculating eyes.
-Elsewhere in Kamui-
Riley sat with her grandfathers, all three gathering gear and preparing for their assault on the Fire Capital.
"Where did you send the angel, Riley?" Hashirama inquired as they worked.
"I sent it out to annihilate the remaining devils in the Land of Rain. I dealt with most of them in Ame, but a few were probably far enough away to escape it's destruction." Riley answered as she sealed several scrolls worth of kunai and shuriken into seals on her wrists.
"Mito will be expecting us. Especially since she saw me, she'll more then likely be more prepared then she was before." Madara noted.
"I know." Riley responded as she picked up Madara's Gunbai fan and tossed it to him.
"When we arrive at the capital, no holding back. We cannot allow Mito the chance to escape." Hashirama stated, earning a nod from the other two.
"She isn't getting away this time. Come hell or high water, I'll see that bitch to her grave if it's the last thing I do." Riley stated, earning a smirk from Madara.
"Well, time to see it done." Madara said.
Riley nodded and turned her gaze off to the distance for a moment. She felt her blood begin to rush as excitement built within her, but she quickly squashed it down. She needed to be one hundred percent focused for the coming battle. When she saw Mito again, she would annihilate the treacherous woman.
After several seconds Riley reached out and took her grandfathers hands. With intense focus and an iron will the three left the pocket dimension and appeared in the Fire Capital.
Riley took them directly to the Daimyo's palace where she had been before several years prior. They arrived to find the palace in ruin. Blood, and corpses lined the main throne room.
"The samurai must have tried to put up a defense." Hashirama noted as he scanned the carnage.
"Against devils and reanimated Shinobi, Samurai have little chance of succeeding." Madara noted as he started towards the door. Riley and Hashirama were quick to follow beside him.
The three made their way through the palace, it was mostly empty save for a devil or two, torturing some survivors. They quickly dealt with these foes, and Riley sent the survivors into Kamui, so that they'd be safe. After several minutes they made it outside and found themselves staring out over the war torn streets of the Fire Capital.
The city itself was in flames, and awash with the screams of the dying. Roars of demons and devils pierced the air to accompany the screams in a chaotic orchestra.
Sitting before the entrance to the palace was a wide open square, filling the square was several hundred devils, all chanting and roaring, surrounding a large portal, and a pike with a human corpse on it.
Riley was able to quickly identify the corpse as the Fire Daimyo, and as they watched, they saw the man's soul literally leap from his corpse and fly into the portal.
"Their sending the souls of their kills through the portal, either to their dark master, or to somewhere else." Kurama surmised with a snarl.
Riley let out a snarl of her own, as she raised a hand into the air. A massive torrent of wind, signaled to the devils that someone new had joined the fray, and the horde turned almost in unison to find Riley, armed with a Rasenshuriken, ready to attack.
The horde let out a chaotic roar, that was almost instantly silenced as Riley threw the rotating sphere of wind, right into the center of the mass.
Try as they might, few were able to escape the sphere as it expanded and consumed most of the square, including the large portal. Hundreds of devils vanished in an instant, and Riley felt the portal collapse under the ferocity of her attack.
"Ferocious though they may be, their skills lead much to be desired." Madara noted with a chuckle.
"It's almost like they haven't had a proper fight in ages. They have the power to be formidable, but none of the training or experience." Hashirama stated, looking thoughtful.
"It doesn't matter. We need to get going." Riley stated as the rotating sphere of wind, finally cleared, leaving a massive crater in it's wake. The three quickly dashed forward, Riley's Byakugan blazing as they headed into the city.
Elsewhere, Mito sat. She was currently in the main army barracks for the Fire Army. She sat in a wide open area where large garrisons would often gather for formation or training. Surrounding her was a small army of undead kage-level shinobi. Including Raza no Sabaku, the Fourth Kazekage. Tobirama Senju, the Second Hokage. The Third Kazekage. Mu, the Second Tsuchikage. The Second Mizukage, Gengetsu Hozuki. The third Mizukage. A, The third Raikage, Jiraiya, Tsunade, Hashirama, Tobirama, Madara, Kaguya, Izuna, and several others, including two of the remaining members of the Akatsuki, Hidan, and Kakuzu.
'Soon.' Mito thought to herself.
Suddenly a shockwave shot through the city.
"RAGE! ENSNARE! RAPE! PILLAGE!" Words of wrath, flooded Mito's ears, but she ignored the chorus of voices.
Mito could see the explosion from the Rasenshuriken, even from hear, and she knew that her target had arrived. She was quick to rise to her feet, and smirk adorning her face. She quickly pressed a seal on he wrist, sending the signal to Obito to begin unsealing the Laylines.
"Your grandchild is here." Mito noted towards Madara, Hashirama, and Kaguya, earning a glare from the first two, and a curious look from Kaguya.
"You intend to use us to kill our own grandchild… you know she's your grandchild too! Despite everything that she's done… you'll never convince me that there is any justification for this!" Hashirama snarled at Mito earning a short bark of laughter from the woman.
"Wretched witch." Madara cursed her, earning a nod from his wife.
"I always knew there was something wrong about you, Mito. Always." Kaguya stated, earning another laugh from her devilish sister.
"It doesn't really matter what you think anymore. Soon she'll be here, and she's bringing a surprise with her. Don't worry though Hashirama… I'll let you ask her why she destroyed your precious village, when you see her. I'll let you ask, before I make you kill her." Mito informed him, earning a snarl from the man.
Nearby, many of the other individuals were all openly glaring at the woman. Each one despising her more then the next. Despite not knowing exactly what she was talking about, Tobirama Senju and Izuna Uchiha, both picked up on their respective brothers anger, and the fact that their existed a child that shared in their blood, meaning someone had gone and united the clans.
"You'll never get away with this Mito! Someone will stop you." Tobirama declared, earning another bark of laughter from the woman.
"The only one with a snowballs chance in hell of stopping me, is about to meet her end at your hands, Tobirama. Be happy, you get to avenge your fallen village before I send you on your marry way." Mito stated, receiving a dark glare from Tobirama in response.
"Someone's coming!" Kakuzu noted, as explosions tore through the surrounding buildings and three figures jumped into the area.
Mito's smile didn't falter as she saw Riley land before her. It didn't falter when she saw Madara there as well, as she'd already seen him, and knew of his presence. It did however, fall when she locked eyes with the enraged visage of Hashirama Senju, standing by Riley's side.
"So that's her." the Reanimated Madara noted as he gazed at Riley. He was momentarily confused to see himself standing by her side, but a part of him did recall what Minato had said about the Chakra piece he had left in him that she received. Perhaps she had done something to give that piece form? Regardless, he now locked eyes with his wayward grandchild, and much to his pride, he found her stance to be incredible domineering. More so then any man in his clan, more so then even himself.
Either something else was going on, or this child must be something truly amazing in order to take the lead with himself and Hashirama at her side.
"Why am I there?" Hashirama's reanimation muttered with a confused look as he locked eyes with himself, earning a sad look in reply.
"Hello, Narumi. Good to see you've made it." Mito greeted her.
Riley stared back for a moment, only a single moment, wanting desperately to reply. But even as words built in her mind they died in her throat. She remembered what was said, what was thought. Mito had a plan. She was buying time. She had to die, here and now. No banter, no posturing, no time for explanations, or monologues.
In an instant, Riley focused on the nearest undead, which happened to be Hashirama's reanimate. Amenotejikara, was instantly on her mind, and in a burst of impossible speed, she replaced herself with her great-grandfather, earning shock and confusion from the crowd, and surprise from Mito, whom turned as fast as she could to face Riley.
The two locked eyes as Riley dashed towards her. Riley herself was no more then ten feet away. Black Chains began to rush out of Mito's body and fly towards her.
Riley knew she couldn't let those chains encase Mito or block her. She knew from experience that those chains could negate Kamui. She needed to be faster, she needed to end this now! No room for error. No room for mistakes.
Kicking off the ground as hard as she could, Riley shot forward like a missile. The force of her thrust was so great that the ground exploded beneath her, and a massive shock-wave tore out, alongside an ear-splitting sonic-boom. Instantly, Riley had closed the distance, her hand around Mito's throat.
Sadistic glee filled her body, but Riley held herself in check. No room for errors. No mistakes.
Instantly the killing curse shot forward from Riley's free hand, directly into Mito's chest. In an instant, the woman's eyes went wide. Surprise adorning her features.
Riley reveled in it. She reveled in the look of confusion and shock on the woman's face. No great battle, no final hurrah. Just a single curse to end it all.
Riley wanted to gloat, to whisper a final word to the woman before her soul departed, but she couldn't. She couldn't bring herself to, not because she didn't want to, or because anything was stopping her. No… it was because, as the curse took affect and Mito's soul was ejected from her body, the ancient Uzumaki, Riley's Great-Grandmother, and the cause of so much suffering in the world, smiled.
Blackness eked out of Mito's body. Hollow curse filled the air as enraged screams and whispers of fear pealed through the air. Riley dropped the woman and stared down at her smiling form with complete confusion.
Not only was Mito smiling, but her soul was being evaporate by something. For a moment, Riley suspected a soul anchor, but that didn't seem right. From just what Riley could see with her own eyes, it looked like Mito's soul was being shredded by Darkness.
"What in the fuck…?" Kurama muttered in confusion.
"And so it passes. The wrath of humanity. From one to the next." The Darkness whispered.
"What are you talking about?" Kurama demanded.
"She is a vessel, to it, just as my mother is to me. Now that her time has come, the wrath must go elsewhere, but before it goes. It will do unto her, all that she has wrought upon the earth." The Darkness answered.
Riley watched with utter confusion as Mito essentially dissolved before her eyes.
"You knew you wouldn't survive. You wanted me to kill you. But why? God dammit! What the fuck were you planning! DAMMIT MITO!" Riley snarled down at the body, her grandmother's smile, earning nothing but rage from the Archdemon.
Even as Riley stood there, staring down at Mito's body, the undead around her rushed forward to try and kill her, still driven by the will of their summoner.
Elsewhere in the world, at that exact moment. A small child let out a wail of sorrow and pain. Before him sat a crystal ball, and reflected in it's surface was Riley and Mito. This child screamed and cried, now totally alone in the world.
"Slaughter…. Rape…. Rage…. Kill her!" Voice began to fill the child's ears. Pain soon flooded his body as darkness began to pour into him from seemingly nowhere.
"Burn this world to ash!" A hundred voice chorused at once, and that was the sound that accompanied the small boy, Riley's brother, into the quiet slumber of unconsciousness.
-To Be Continued-
Alright, there we go. Bet none of you saw that coming. No epic final fight against Mito because honestly, nothing could allow her to really stand up to Riley. But she's still got something in the works. Mito is truly dead, her soul shredded into nothingness, but her presence will still be felt for years to come. Not much left, hang in there and I hope you all enjoy this early christmas gift. Ja Ne!