Scarlet Justice - ep. 43
"After Burner III"
[Chuunin Exams: Crushing the Leaf 3]
We are currently high in the air, moving quickly towards the massive purple serpent ahead. It's carving through homes and buildings in the Leaf, causing chaos and destruction.
"We're taking this fight outside...let's drive him back!" Midori yells. "Chief!"
"Oi, got it! Gunshot!"
"Drilling Air Bullet!"
The giant red toad we're riding on fires a massive bullet of water from his mouth. Midori pushes it ahead with her own giant burst of wind, the two attacks combining and slamming into the colossal snake. It's lifted high into the air and lands well outside of the village walls before recovering.
Our ride lands in a clearing briefly.
"Shikamaru, this is where you leave us for now. Your chakra levels are on the low side, and I would rather not see you hurt. This next phase is going to be rough," Midori says.
"Couldn't agree more, ma'am."
"Thank you for your help. You've done more than you could realize at this moment."
"Probably...but it'd be nice if I never had to deal with this again. I'll round up some people to keep watch over the Hokage you've sealed."
"Much appreciated."
"Oi, Kobayashi...I know I complain about how vicious you are, and that you're a major pain..."
"..."
"Just...make sure you come back after this. Much as I hate to admit it, having you on my case all the time only feels right."
"I'll be back soon," I say to him. "You won't get rid of me that easily, slacker."
"Heh." He gives me a thumbs up before jumping off the giant toad and taking off back towards the stadium. I'm going to keep my promise to him, and to everyone else who is thinking of me.
"Let's get going. Manda won't be stunned for too long!" Midori says.
We're in the air again, leaping through the sky and over the village walls into the nearby forest. Orochimaru stands on top of his summon, with another masked figure beside him. They look like they're a member of ANBU...or, it has to be him.
"Kabuto," Jiraiya says. "Dangerous kid."
"I always thought it suspicious that he kept failing to advance in rank. It seems that it wasn't due to a lack of confidence after all," the Hokage says.
"What's going on here?" the giant toad we're riding on asks. "That bastard Manda's here all of a sudden...ah, I see. It's that Orochimaru brat up to his tricks again. Figures he'd go right after the Leaf eventually." Steam rises up from the pipe hanging out of his mouth. This must be the boss summon of the toads, and he does sound boss-like...like a yakuza leader, to be exact. He has a black jacket, a giant tanto at his side, and a scar over his left eye. Definitely a gangster of some sort. "What's more surprising is that I've got Little Midori ridin' on my head!"
"It's a long story, Chief. We're finally going to end him," Midori replies. "I know you don't like too many people riding on top of you."
"I'm assumin' it's all family here. I'm not totally unreasonable, ya know. Oi, Boss Enma! Been a while!"
"Glad to have you with us, Gamabunta! We're having roasted snake tonight!" Enma replies.
"Sounds good...but let's save a few pieces, yeah? I've been thinking about a new wallet, and this seems like the perfect opportunity..."
"You damned worms!" Manda roars from ahead of us. "Don't talk about me like I'm not here! Oi, Orochimaru! Make sure you get me at least two hundred sacrifices after this, you hear me? It's going to take a lot of effort to get rid of this fuckwit gangster toad and that bitch Midoriko at the same time!" He looks big enough to circle around the village, possibly. More than enough to wrap himself around this toad boss a few times over. I can see that he has piercing green eyes and black stripes running down his body in intervals. There are four horns on his head pointing backwards that give him the appearance of a dragon.
"I can make it three hundred...as long as she dies here," Orochimaru says. "Kabuto, I'll be relying on you."
"Understood. I'll get to work..."
"Empress, the time has come!" Aoko says.
"Empress! We are at your command!" Crim shouts.
"Both of you will be needed at Lili's side. Please follow her orders...I will bring victory to us soon. The evil will be defeated," Midori says.
"Ma'am!"
"Empress! At your will!"
They disappear in puffs of smoke to help me conserve energy. I need every bit I can get at this point.
"This is the perfect opportunity. Killing Manda here...I can change the kingdom, and the entire world like this." Midori looks more determined than I've ever seen her before. This means everything to her...so I'm going to give my all to make sure she succeeds, and that this is truly the last battle between her and that colossal serpent. But we can't lose focus.
"Midori-nee. We should forge ahead and delete our primary target," I say to her.
"Yes. You're right, thank you for that, Lili. Orochimaru needs to be defeated first...assume nothing and fight with all you have. Manda's presence will increase the difficulty of this battle greatly."
"Got it. We're here to back you up," Jiraiya says. "And now that we're outside the village, anything goes! Let's bring the pain down on these losers!"
"Time to go for broke!" Gamabunta says as he draws his blade.
"You're all dead meat," Manda growls. "But I'll do you last, Midoriko...I wanna enjoy your screams as I tear you apart."
"..." She doesn't respond, instead focusing on what she wants to do next. I'm personally wary of Kabuto...he was scared off from his original plan, but I have no idea of his abilities. That, and my own chakra is down quite a bit because of that sage technique from earlier. If I could use senjutsu chakra, it would have been less taxing and more powerful, according to what Midori told me when I was first learning it. But lightning chakra serves as a decent substitute, especially with the chakra mode boosting my movements.
"Old Man Hiruzen...you've given us quite a mess to clean up this time, eh."
"My apologies," the Hokage says to Gamabunta. "I know that my mistakes have created a perilous situation for too many..."
"Don't beat yourself up too much. When it comes to kids you love...it's hard to hurt 'em, even if they do the worst possible things. 'Sides, I know you taught him way better than this. Me an' the gang will set this right for you, so don't worry yourself."
"Thank you."
"Yep. If only 'coz Jiraiya asks, we'll stomp these guys flat and see that the Leaf gets to thrive for at least a hundred more years!"
"I'm heading for the trees," Midori announces. "Please carve out some time for me...I want to use the Sage Techniques. I said that we should hold nothing back, and I meant it."
"Alright, we can do that for you. I'm curious to see what that looks like anyways," Jiraiya says with a smile.
"Don't expect too much."
"Hey, if it's easy on the eyes-"
"Think you should get going, Princess," Gamabunta interrupts. "This guy's gonna be flattering you for hours at this rate, and we don't have that kinda time."
"I won't be long. Be safe..." Midori travels down Gamabunta's back before jumping into the trees nearby.
"Here we go! You kids on top, keep your balance! Jiraiya, Sarutobi! Give 'em some direction if you see an opening!" At that, we advance through the forest, jumping towards Manda. Gamabunta takes a swipe at Manda, who quickly dodges and slithers away.
This is a battle between giants, and I have a front row seat. Using chakra to keep my footing, I watch Manda's movements - for his size, he's incredibly fast and hard to lock onto. I do my best to observe, looking for any sort of information I can use to help out. Right now, I might be the biggest liability on this team. But I'm not going to let myself get frozen out by that fear. Manda moves to circle Gamabunta, tearing through the forest and flattening trees with his body like they're nothing.
"Bunta! Got your back!" Enma says as he jumps into the air. I watch as he becomes a giant staff, which the chief toad grabs from the air and uses to smack Manda away. Enma quickly transforms back and lands beside the Hokage again as Gamabunta takes off after Manda, blade drawn. We rumble over the trees as birds take flight from the disturbance. Wind is rushing by us, howling as we move at speed.
As the two giants clash again, Orochimaru seeks to take advantage by using a wind technique to attack us. The Hokage responds with a fireball, swallowing the other attack up and forcing Orochimaru to dodge. He's tiring, I can feel it...but for someone as old as he is, being able to keep up all of this time is impressive, even for shinobi. He really is a leader to be proud of in every aspect.
Gamabunta disengages and we reset, gaining some distance from Manda.
"I'm back." A voice calls to us from above, and I watch Midori practically float down towards us before landing.
"Sage Mode already? That was quick...looks like you're still the genius I remember," Jiraiya says. "Or is it that I'm just not that good at it myself...heh, who knows?"
She doesn't seem to have changed much...there's energy that I can feel flowing from her, and it's making her muscles a bit firmer as a result. And there's a violet colouring around her eyes. The most striking thing is the eyes themselves...they're crimson red, glowing in the light of day. This form of hers feels...formidable.
"Those eyes are pretty scary," Jiraiya comments.
"Yes...I think the red suits me, for many reasons," she replies quietly.
"No need to give yourself such a harsh assessment, eh?"
"We...should begin now. Orochimaru is definitely plotting on his side, so we need to get them down to a place where we can reach them."
"Got it," Jiraiya says with a nod, getting serious.
"Sarutobi, conserve your energy until we need you."
"Understood," he says.
"Lili, how much do you have left?" she asks me.
"I have enough, Midori-nee. Tell me what you need from me," I say eagerly.
"The fight is going to get more intense from here, and I want Chief as free to move as possible. You and Luna will need to get down to earth with Sarutobi. Jiraiya will keep a lookout for Orochimaru, and I know for a fact that he and Kabuto will be targeting the Hokage. He's not particularly interested in the fight between Manda and I. Keep your eyes open."
"Understood."
"Luna, I want you to be the first one to engage Kabuto. He's a tricky opponent, but your set of skills matches up with his nicely. Keep him busy, that's all I ask."
"Yes, milady."
Manda surges ahead for another strike as we finish talking. He moves his tail like a whip, tearing through the sound barrier with a loud crack as Gamabunta jumps and has us avoid it.
"Oraaaaa!"
"Chief, oil! Jiraiya, flames!" Midori calls out.
"Got it, Princess!"
"Yeah!"
Gamabunta spits out a high pressure stream of oil from his mouth, and Jiraiya breathes out a stream of flames to set it alight. Midori adds a stream of wind to enhance it even further, creating a wave of burning oil that covers the entire area in front of us.
"Sage Technique: Goemon!"
"Graaaah!" Manda roars as he's engulfed in the attack, the forest washed away in a sea of destruction. He falls to the ground with a loud thud, a sound like thunder pulsing through my ears. Midori sniffs at the air before clenching her fist as Gamabunta lands.
"There...he's mine." She jumps backwards and turns, just as the earth rumbles and Manda bursts upwards from it, directly behind us.
"Damn! Shed his skin!" Gamabunta yells.
"Time for you to go down!" Midori drives her fist into Manda's head, making it snap back from the vicious impact. Orochimaru and Kabuto are bucked off, falling towards the trees. Luna gives me a nod and we rush down Gamabunta's back, jumping off and to the ground safely. The Hokage follows us, carrying Enma in staff form, and Jiraiya eventually does too...I can only assume that he's located Orochimaru himself and is rushing to cut him off.
"It's been a long time since we've danced, Orochimaru. Hope you're still light on your feet," he quips.
"Jiraiya, be cautious," the Hokage warns.
"Hehe, better worry about yourself first, sensei. I'll be okay, I promise. You let those girls look after you, I'll take care of our serpent friend in the meantime. See you on the other side!"
The Toad Sannin takes off, leaving the three of us to move through the forest. We need to get away from the kaiju battle going on above us; it wouldn't be any good if we got boiled alive or stomped flat in the middle of the fight.
"There!" Luna moves ahead of us quickly and clashes with an unknown fighter, wrapped in a black cloak. They separate from each other, with her taking a stance in front of us while the other person removes their mask.
"I didn't expect this sort of resistance. Who might you be?" he asks before pushing his glasses up with two fingers.
"I assume you were expecting someone or something else," Luna replies calmly. "I have been sent here by Lady Midoriko on an important mission...to protect Lord Sarutobi with my life." She takes her stance again, standing with one foot slightly in front of the other, her two knives crossed above her head. "And I intend to complete that mission and return to her."
"I see. Well, allow me to introduce myself." Kabuto throws away his cloak, revealing the same outfit from the Chuunin Exams. He now wears a headband with a musical note etched into it, the symbol of the Hidden Sound. So this just confirms it, then. "My name is Kabuto Yakushi, and I'm Lord Orochimaru's right hand. I've spent quite a while in the Leaf, gathering information and making preparations for this historic day. I also have a mission that I intend to complete, so...I'm afraid that you'll have to be a sacrifice to that end. No hard feelings."
"None taken. My name is Lunamaria Daidouji. I serve my mistresses, Emi and Lilith Kobayashi. And I am the right hand of Lady Midoriko Ryuuchi, the rightful ruler of the serpent kingdom."
"Hoh...impressive. And of course we have the God of Shinobi himself, though he doesn't look terribly godlike at the moment," Kabuto says with a smile.
"It's very unfortunate that it's come to this, Kabuto."
"It is, isn't it? You really do have a kind heart, Lord Hokage. Explains why you couldn't kill off Lord Orochimaru so long ago. Of course, now it's come back to haunt you..."
"Hiruzen, you really gonna let this scrawny little brat talk to you like that?" Enma yells.
"He really doesn't want to say much. After all, I've lived a hard life myself. And of course, to round out our little band...an exhausted genin by the name of Lilith Kobayashi. The Leaf's Scarlet Viper, isn't that right? You really should have gone home, because you're nothing in this fight between S-Class shinobi."
I say nothing and keep my focus. I know my place and have no delusions about my current capabilities. I simply have to keep my nerve so that I can make a difference.
"I would appreciate if it you stopped antagonizing my mistress," Luna says firmly. "I am quite unpleasant when I get angry..."
"Oh? Well, let's see about that. I'll just get around you and slaughter the old man and your precious little princess. Then we can see how angry you'll really get."
"Miss Lilith, Lord Sarutobi. Please get to a safe place. I'll hold down this boy until Lady Midoriko returns."
"Lord Hokage, let's do as she says," I say to him.
"Yes. Miss Daidouji, please be careful."
"Of course, my lord. I will see you soon. Miss Lilith, until the next," she says without turning.
"Until the next, Luna." The Hokage and I take off through the trees. Luna really is strong...to perform a dance like this for Midori, for me, and for this village. I didn't need more reasons to love her, but this is something that I will forever be thankful for.
"I suspect if I ask her to become a kunoichi, she will decline," the Hokage says to me with a smile.
"Yes. She feels that it would be wrong to devote herself to anything else more than me. Aside from that...she doesn't have much energy after her adventures with Midori-nee."
"Adventures?" He blinks once before chuckling. "Ah, I see."
"Kid, that's something I really think you shouldn't be aware of," Enma comments.
"You can blame my father for that. It's thanks to him that I have such an unhealthy knowledge of the female body."
"What, did he leave the door unlocked?"
I snort at that. "Where we traveled, there were no such doors to lock while depravity took place...it's an unfortunately long story to talk about. Not good conversation in public."
"I'll bet...damn. Sorry that you had such a messed up life, kiddo," Enma says to me.
"Thank you for that. But I've come out a stronger person...perhaps a bit depraved as a result, but stronger all the same. My journey continues." I flick my tongue out and use my tracking technique to get a better picture of the battlefield. Midori's strength is incredible and pushes against my senses; I can feel that her chakra signature has changed considerably as a result of her transformation. She seems to be doing well against Manda, an enemy many times her size. Many times, she's mentioned the teachings of the White Snake Sage to me. Many times, she's talked about bringing me to the point where I could make that power my own. Could I really do something like that? I've grown a lot since coming to the village, but...Midori is one of a kind, supremely talented and more intelligent than I am. She's worked hard her whole life to get to this point. Someone like me...could I really do that? Become like her?
The more I think about it, the stranger it seems. When I reach out to sense her strength, I feel like I'm swallowed up in an endless space. So much distance between us. And yet...I don't feel afraid. I don't feel anger, or jealousy. I don't feel like I'm nothing next to her, even though I probably should. It feels...like looking up at a shining star in the sky, I think. Wanting to reach out and touch it, but knowing that you're so far away it might as well be impossible. Something beautiful, to be admired and cherished. If I never reach that height, I will still be happy. I will still be a person, someone with their own worth and dreams to chase. But even so...if my Midori says that I can reach that height, that I can join her as a star shining brightly in the sky, then I will give myself to making it there. More than anything, I want to stand beside her...and see the world that she sees.
"Something's coming."
The Hokage's voice brings me out of my thoughts. I check my surroundings and note that Jiraiya is still some distance away, occupied with a set of enemies that must be summoned serpents. Luna and Kabuto are still fighting, which means...
"Orochimaru," I mutter. "Not in much state to take him head on..." He's moving around, possibly underground. I can just barely sense him as it is.
"We'll head back towards Jiraiya. Remain focused," the old man says to me.
"Understood." We move in a wide circle, back the way we came. That presence is following us steadily and hasn't slowed a bit. Where is Jiraiya...?
"I don't like the feel of this!" Enma says. The Hokage is tiring ever so slightly from what I can see. We can't run around forever...I didn't pack extra equipment for the day, thinking I wouldn't have use for it...
"Is this what we've been reduced to? Such a shame."
I growl as we're forced to a stop. Orochimaru emerges from the inside of a tree just ahead, and immediately draws Kusanagi from his mouth.
"Lilith! Go and find Jiraiya, I'll hold him!"
"Like hell, old man...you don't have the energy to fight him alone, and Kabuto is looking for an excuse to distract Luna so he can jump in. His psychological warfare was just to throw us off. He doesn't want anything to do with me," I snap back. "I'm staying here like I promised."
"The kid's right, Hiruzen. You're not doing so hot after earlier, you took a few hits and your chakra's on the low side. We need to work together if we're gonna survive this," Enma argues.
"No! This isn't right...no matter how talented, I can't have a child of mine sacrifice herself in my place. You've done enough, Lilith. Orochimaru is a deadly opponent."
"I'm not leaving, sir."
"Please, there's no need to argue...I can kill both of you at once," Orochimaru says as he charges. He weaves seals and summons a large snake that charges us both.
"No good!" I make my own seals rapidly and gather chakra into my mouth. "False Darkness!"
The spear of lightning leaves my mouth just as the snake whips its tail at me. I feel myself flying as the summon is immediately dispersed, leaving the old man and Orochimaru alone. I hit the ground hard and force myself to roll back into position.
"Shit..." I'm weakening by the second. There's not much left I can do...
"I'm impressed you can still keep up, sensei! But it's only a matter of time!"
"Ugh...!"
"Hiruzen, hang in there!"
The earth is rumbling beneath my feet, over and over again. I summon a snake through my sleeve and mentally send him out to find Jiraiya. Hopefully he's not too tied up and can come right away. We're in a bind.
I take a deep breath in and steady myself before charging into the fray once more, and-
"!"
I'm suddenly assaulted by violent vibrations and a deafening sound, coming from the sky above my head. Everything is disoriented and I fall to one knee, struggling to keep everything together. So much pain...what's going on?
"That ruthless bitch...! She used it!" Orochimaru yells.
Is this one of Midori's techniques? It must be because of Manda. She was setting something up, but...I can't move right now and everything hurts. This isn't good. But even that trash Orochimaru is affected, which means that he's still human enough to be killed like the rest of us. There's a rumbling before silence takes over, and I feel my body starting to free itself.
"Hiruzen! Get it together!" Enma calls out.
"Ten years younger...and you might have been able to make me sweat a little," Orochimaru says as he regains control of his body. The sound ripping through the air is finally dying down. "But too bad for you. Enjoy your trip to the next world!"
I move my feet and stumble before taking off as fast as I can go. Orochimaru is charging the Hokage as he stands helplessly. Enma transforms back to his normal state and engages, only to be met with a mass of snakes. Orochimaru extends his head rapidly towards the old man.
"Die!"
Just one more! Push!
"Gah...!"
I throw myself into a body flicker tp knock the Hokage out of the way, and Orochimaru's fangs sink themselves into my shoulder before quickly releasing. My body tumbles to the ground, and I feel even weaker than before...
"Lilith!"
"Kid!"
"Ugh...can't..." My body is...reacting to something. Everything is hurting again. "I'm...I'm poisoned..."
"What?" the Hokage yells. He turns to Orochimaru wearing an expression of pure rage. I stifle my hurt as much as I can, and force myself to my feet.
"Look at that. And you said you wouldn't let that shitty brat of yours get hurt. So much for that," Orochimaru says with a laugh.
"I'll be okay...this poison is nothing," I say with a strained voice. "Should be able to neutralize it soon, maybe..."
"Good luck with that. I made it myself, so it's sure to be something nasty."
"You...were going to kill the old man...with that, then. Gross...fucking disgusting. Coward," I spit, forcing my eyes open.
"You really are something, little miss firebrand. I should take you home with me...although, you're going to die here. So tragic." He crosses his arms and pretends to think. "But...we could strike a deal."
"A...deal. Fuck off," I say through heavy breaths.
"The old man's life in exchange for an antidote. How about it? Once in a lifetime offer, hehehe."
"..."
"You really are damned soft, Hiruzen! You're actually giving this thought?!" Enma yells.
"I have lived a long, full life. And my duty as Hokage is to protect the village. Every life in the Leaf is precious, and irreplaceable," he replies.
"That includes yours...you old idiot...!" I cough and drop to one knee.
"Orochimaru...if you have the antidote, then produce it. Only then will I step forward, and give you what you desire."
"Hiruzen! Stop it!" Enma yells. "It's the two of us against him, we can-"
"No. I don't have the strength any longer to fight. I'll only be a liability, and I don't want you lost as well, Enma. Outside of your staff form, Kusanagi is as deadly as anything else."
"Damn it all...!"
"I can hold up my end of the deal for you just fine. Here," Orochimaru says as he produces a vial from one of his sleeves. "Just as you wanted to see. In fact, I'll do you one better, sensei. You can have it up front, because I'm such a nice fellow."
The haze over me is thickening, but I've been looking for a way out of this the entire time. It's hard to stay focused...Jiraiya is occupied with something, and Luna is still fighting...Midori is some distance away, and her chakra has shifted rapidly again...something is happening with Manda, also, though I really can't tell what. I can feel...the earth changing, shifting violently where Midori is because of the chakra saturating the atmosphere. Enma and Orochimaru can sense it too.
"What the hell?" Enma mutters. "Is that...Princess Ryuuchi?! Ye gods, where's she getting all of that power from?! I've never sensed that sort of output from a Sage before!"
"Manda...is..." Orochimaru frowns. "Good riddance. Those bodies will be better put to use as part of experiments from now on."
I don't know what he's talking about, but I can see something clearly. His hands, moreso his fingers...they keep moving. They would look like flamboyant gestures to most, but those movements...they don't make sense for some reason...
He tosses the vial to the Hokage, who catches it and inspects it.
"It seems like the real deal."
"Of course. I might not be your closest friend right now, but I do have my honour to consider," Orochimaru says smugly. "Now...you'll fulfill your end of the bargain."
"He's not going anywhere!" Enma roars.
"Oh, don't worry...you don't have to move a muscle. I'll take care of everything before you can blink! Sayonara, Sarutobi-sensei...I win!"
I remember where I saw that gesture before, with his right hand. That longsword...!
"To my aid...!" My body is on fire. I have to stay conscious...just a moment longer! Please! "Chaotic Movement!"
"FLOW!"
I force the chakra mode on and boost my movement, thrusting my arm forward as Crim wraps his tail around it. He extends forward and grabs Orochimaru by the front of his shirt, then pulls and sends him flying past the Hokage.
"!"
"Lord Enma! Guard!" I scream.
"Adamantine Wall!"
He forms himself into a lattice wall, cloned many times over. Orochimaru jams his feet into the dirt and contorts his body into an S shape to dodge the longsword that he called for, letting it slam into the wall ahead. I hear Enma roar out in pain before the wall disperses in a cloud of smoke, sending the monkey to his knees. The sword spins briefly in the air before being caught by a wrinkled hand.
"You foxy little wench...when I get my hands on you...!"
"Earth Release: Swamp of the Underworld!"
"What...?!"
Orochimaru suddenly is stuck in mud that appears beneath him, binding his movements. It smells heavily of chakra.
"Jiraiya, you bastard-"
"This is where...it all ends. For good, this time..."
My...vision is failing. I really am done. Nothing left to give...
But I can see it. I can see, very clearly, the ending to this strife. Hiruzen Sarutobi has taken the longsword Kusanagi into his hands. He uses his chakra to body flicker forward.
And with a roar that would shake the heavens themselves...
...he plunges the blade through his former student's heart.
I close my eyes, and everything fades away. Light...sound...feeling.
We really did make it after all...didn't we. Further than we could have ever imagined. Better than we could have ever hoped.
And this story...our story...is just beginning.