The visit with A, B, and the other cloud ninja came and went, they were in Kiri for about a week before they left. I got to know C and Darui better, I found out that C is actually trained in medical ninjutsu while also being an exceptional sensor ninja. I was right in assuming that he was the more serious one of his partnership with Darui, who likes to have fun whenever he can. While he was here, Darui asked to observe classes at the kenjutsu academy, he was curious about them considering they only have the one academy in Kumo. A month has passed since then.
Genma continued to stay in Kiri as per the orders of Tsunade. He joined the rotations of the Mizukage protection unit as something to do while he was here to assess and see if there was a change in the way the ninja of Kiri treated me as opposed to when we first arrived in Kiri from Suna when it seemed as if most of them wanted to kill me. Sometimes I feel as if Genma will always be stuck in Kiri, but then again the threat on my life could have gone away, most of the time I don't even pay attention if there is one, any threats concerning me are dealt with before they even get in range of me now.
Team Mizukage was coming along beautifully. The three of them are fast learners, which is to be expected from supposed prodigies. They've managed to balance their abilities more evenly. Hikari was used to focusing on chakra control and honing her family's kekkei genkai, but now she's gotten physically stronger with our weight lifting and her chakra stores have grown. In her own time she's been teaching herself some basic medical ninjutsu so that she could heal the other two while on a mission if she ever needed to. She's become more confident with every passing day. From what Mitsuru tells me, she has improved greatly on their one on one sparring sessions too. Hikari is more than happy to show her teammates the new ice jutsus she learns while she's with Mitsuru. While Hikari didn't want to learn how to use a blade after Futto offered to teach her, we managed to convince her to hone her kunai and shuriken skills just in case if she ever needed to face someone in close combat. I even showed her the advanced sensing technique where she conceals her chakra and she's been improving.
Futto was already exceptionally good with his katana as I've seen when I observed his class at the kenjutsu academy, but I was pleasantly surprised to learn that the second katana on his blade holster wasn't just for show. While I was watching him duel Zagura in class I never noticed that he could have been ambidextrous, I was amazed when I watched him dual wield for the first time. Through our time training, I've observed the strikes with his blades becoming more accurate and precise. If it wasn't for the way he utilized them to stab and twist once impaling his target I would say that he was a prime candidate for the Kiba blades, which uses the extra protrusions for capturing and maiming more than a swift kill.
I was also surprised to learn that Futto not only had a lightning release, but one of wind too. I've been teaching him Lightning Release: Zeus' Gauntlet and the Axe of Judgement. He's been slowly getting the hang of it, or at least he's got the motions for it down now he just has to incorporate taijutsu more effectively. Otherwise, he seems relatively strong in ninjutsu and kenjutsu.
With Zagura, I've been focusing more on his hand to hand combat skills than with the other two. I still wouldn't let him wield his katana because I still believe it was a missed match. I haven't suggested that he tried the Executioner's blade yet, I don't think he's ready. While he does have some bloodlust and anger over not being cared about while he was growing up, it's not enough to satisfy the blade. I feel like it's too soon to test it out. Instead, I've been focusing on ninjutsu with him and we've been developing that. He has a chakra nature of water and lightning, and I've suspected that he's also had a yang release when he accidentally created silvery-gray coral dust. I haven't called attention to it yet, because then I would have to explain to him how it was possible that he was able to do a unique jutsu that both myself and the Fourth Mizukage could do.
Along with our time training together as a team, I continued to train Zagura one on one like we arranged. At some point I started individual training with Futto and Hikari when they found out about my specialized training with Zagura. The three of them really want to get stronger and all of my free time is spent with them when I'm not busy with my Mizukage duties.
I taught all three of them some techniques that I thought would be beneficial for them to know, like Hiding in the Mist, and Silent Killing, not that they'll need to use that anytime soon. I've also taught them some of the taijutsu moves the Seven Ninja Swordsmen once taught me, the three of them actually caught on to it very quickly. I'm actually surprised with how well they have been working together. I expected them to be a bit more standoffish with each other considering they are Kiri nins, but it's one less thing for me to work with them on.
This morning I was sitting at my desk wondering if I should send them on their first official mission. I know they're ready, but from what I understand of the Leaf, they have the sensei accompany the team considering they're only genin. That means I'll have to plan their missions so that I can go with them. Chojuro will be shy about it but he could keep an eye on things for me while I leave the village for a couple of days.
Now to choose a mission for them. I shuffled through the papers on my desk to look for a mission that I could assign. There was one that would be an escort mission, the daughter of the water Daimyo of Raiu, Lord Raigaki wants to visit Kirigakure. There was one to observe suspicious activities occurring on one of the smaller islands off the coast of Jokiden, one of the larger unmapped islands. Or we could locate a rogue ninja if that's something they want to do.
Footsteps were heard beating on the floor as Chojuro's chakra became more prominent. Without considering his rapid movements, his pulsating chakra alerted me to a potential threat before he burst into my office breathless. I remained seated as he approached my desk and put down a scroll. "It's an emergency message from the Hokage addressed to you." Chojuro fell back into one of the chairs available and added, "What does it say? I didn't read it, I assumed it was an emergency because it was sent with their fastest falcon." He doesn't even know what it says and he's acting like it's something that has to be seen to right away, for all we know this might not even be as serious of an emergency as he thinks it is. I picked up the scroll and calmly opened it, I would rather make judgements with a clear head rather than let my emotions dictate my moves for me.
My eyes moved across the parchment, making sure not to miss any crucial details. It looks like Sasuke has more or less defected from the village to go to Orochimaru because he believes that is how he will become stronger. Sasuke left the village last night and it wasn't noticed until a few hours ago that he was missing. A jonin team was dispatched immediately while a separate team was sent out containing a chunin and four genin. Tsunade is requesting assistance from Kirigakure, all she is asking for is one team who can respond as soon as possible. She even warns that there may be an unspecified number of Sound ninja assisting Sasuke. I set the scroll down, giving myself only a second to think about it, but it seemed to be perfect for Team Mizukage's first mission.
"Chojuro, I need you to watch over the village for me while I'm gone. It seems that Konoha is in need of our assistance, I've been looking for a mission to send my students on and this will be perfect. Could you help me make arrangements? It's time sensitive." I passed the scroll over to him to read through while I stood up, before I left the room I said, "Make sure Genma sees that, I'm sure he would like to come. Also that kunoichi, Ishara, I think her name is. She's the one with the bird summoning? If you could have her meet me in front of the Mizukage's building then we'll leave right away."
"Uh, y- yes, I'll get on it." Chojuro rushed out of the room after me with just as much urgency as when he bursted into my office.
I wove the hand signs for the water clone having three clones appear in front of me. "I need you to summon Zagura, Futto, and Hikari. Tell them that they'll be deployed for their first mission and are to meet me in front of the Mizukage's building as soon as possible as this is a time sensitive mission. That's where I'll debrief them on the mission."
"Understood." was echoed from all three of them before they disappeared to complete their task.
I went to my room, which once was uncle Yagura's room, to retrieve my sword belt and my Kukoshibyo blade. It's been awhile since I've had to wear either of them because I'm constantly being protected by the protection unit and I didn't think it was right to use this sword against my students. Instead, it rests against the wall in a corner of my room almost as if it's forgotten, but holding it now feels as if I never put it down.
Before I left my room, my eye caught on the pictures that uncle Yagura had kept. They were the only thing that I didn't change about this room when I moved all of my things in. If only uncle Yagura could see me now, doing yet another mission where it doesn't require me to kill anyone. There will surely be death anyway, there are Sound ninja involved when given the chance should be killed, but we are requested to aid in recovery of a shinobi. This isn't something that I'm used to doing, but I'll make sure that me and my team execute it without difficulties. I gave the photo of me and uncle Yagura a salute that lasted all of two seconds and left to go meet my team.
I wasn't expecting Zagura to be the first one here and so soon. I thought it would take at least another ten minutes before anyone arrived for our mission. Zagura usually has a hard look adorning his face that makes him look older than he really is, especially with the scar on his left eye, today his glare could probably make someone wish they were dead. For such a look to come from his pink-purple eyes really was a shame.
"Zagura is something bothering you?" I asked.
His hands clenched into fists at his sides and his teeth ground together as he spoke. "The second she found out I had a mission and that I was leaving the village she pushed me out of the house telling me to do something useful with my life."
My face remained stoic as I took in his words. From what I hear, Razuchi's condition has only gotten worse over the last month. Eventually it would have come to this, but according to her doctor, her body is failing at a faster rate than anticipated. The thought of making Zagura sit out this mission to be with her did cross my mind though only for a brief moment before I tossed that thought aside. The last thing I needed was the old hag coming after me and harassing me.
I wonder how much of Razuchi's condition Zagura knows about. I mean he goes with her to her appointments, but does he really know what's going on? Does Razuchi make him step out of the room for the diagnosis? Did she tell her doctor to downplay her condition while in front of Zagura? Either way it's not my place to say anything about it.
"Don't let what she says bother you." I said. I ruffled his wheat colored hair a bit causing his face to soften and look at me in surprise. "You're only eight Zagura, I know her words hurt you and that you care for her alot, but maybe if you both had time away from each other it would be best." I took my hand off the top of his head when I saw Futto and Hikari approaching with Mitsuru following his sister. "What are you doing?"
"I'm coming with you." he said. He stared at me with a look that said, 'I dare you to say anything different.' I was unaffected by this look, he would have to try harder than that.
"No, you'll be staying here. Genma will be accompanying us, he can be the Mizukage's protection." I said.
"He's from a different village, I can't allow that."
"Big brother Mitsu, it's okay." Hikari smiled up at him. "Ketto-sensei is strong. Remember that she's been going on missions all on her own for years before she met you. She's capable of taking care of herself and us. Please go home, I'll see you when I get back."
The two siblings had a stare down, one that I thought Hikari would lose. She looked so dainty, especially with her black hair in a covered bun, I couldn't help but think of an innocent little girl. I thought I would have to step in, but Mitsuru was actually the one to look away. "You've made your point."
If possible, the smile Hikari had earlier was larger now. "As the acting Mizukage, you should protect Chojuro as if he were me." I said. "This mission shouldn't take too long, but in case it does, Chojuro is the one who will be handling Kiri's affairs."
Genma now joined us, and Chojuro came rushing down a side street with Ishara who was wearing her anbu mask that had jagged edges painted across the eyes in a forest green color. The only question the brown haired kunoichi asked was, "We're going to Konoha correct?"
"Yes, thank you for coming this soon, we should leave right away."
Ishara bit her thumb and did the summoning jutsu. A large white bird appeared underneath her. The bird was big enough to hold the six of us leaving for this mission and maybe an extra person or two. I didn't really question the size of the bird, it would be like me questioning the size of all summons. Take Kofuku for instance, he's a lizard but he's as big as a small island. Some things don't have to make sense, as long as this gargantuan bird can get us to the Leaf fast I don't care about its size.
The bird angled a wing down so that we could walk up and settle on its back. I gestured for Futto and Zagura to go first. Hikari ran back to Mitsuru to give him a hug before climbing on herself. Then I followed with Genma behind me. "I leave Kirigakure in your capable hands Chojuro!" I called down to him.
He looked flustered at those words, he had a blush on his face, but he still waved and said, "I'll see you when you get back!"
"You may want to hold on, take offs are always sudden." Ishara said.
I knelt down and grabbed a handful of feathers, with my students copying my actions. Genma chose not to hold on. Suddenly, the bird took off causing Genma to also end up on his knees. Once the movements of the bird evened out from the take off we were already over the ocean.
Being that it was stable enough I stood up. The hair in my ponytail whipped around in the wind viciously causing me to push my smaller flyaway pieces of hair away from my face. "Alright, this morning I was sent an emergency message from the Hokage saying that one of their ninja has defected. I know that this would be dealt with differently in Kiri, but she has requested that we help recover him and return him to the village. There are Sound ninja who are most likely involved, but it was unspecified how many of them there would be, so keep your guard up. Any Sound ninja encountered are to be killed, otherwise, we are going to be supporting the two teams Konoha has already sent out. Any questions?"
"What do we do if we come across a fallen Leaf shinobi?" Futto asked. "Is our main priority then taking them back to the village or to pursue the Sound ninja?"
"One of us will take the Leaf shinobi back to the village for medical treatment while the rest of the group continues." I said. I turned to Zagura, "You still don't have a blade, but I know you are strong without one. I want you to focus on ninjutsu and taijutsu while you are engaged in combat. There may be a need for us to separate, so I want you to expect it."
"Alright, I'm ready." Hikari declared. "We won't let you down Ketto-sensei!"
I gave her a small smile before I approached Ishara. "If it comes down to it you may have to help us complete this mission."
"I understand." she said. "We've just reached land and we'll be coming up on Konoha soon."
"That soon?" I asked.
"My summoning, Tairrie while having a wide wingspan can also use wind ninjutsu to alter the air currents and travel at faster speeds." While Ishara explained, I looked down at the passing scenery below us and found that I couldn't focus on any one thing. It was all just a rush of green and brown for the leaves and tree branches. "If you've noticed, it's as if we are in our own air tunnel." I wonder if anyone can see us flying by? We started to slow down significantly. "We've just passed the outskirts of the village gates. Which direction should I continue?"
"North west." I replied. "In the direction of the Sound village." as we continued to fly, I started sensing for any chakra signatures in the area. It was a couple of minutes before I could sense a faint chakra coming from someone, so we went closer to take a look at it. The chakra belonged to the fat kid who didn't make it past the preliminaries of the chunin exams. His chakra was very weak, he needed to be brought back to the village right away.
"I'll take him back to the village, you should continue." Genma said. Then he jumped off the bird and collected the boy.
We continued to fly in the direction that everyone seemed to have gone. Every kilometer there was a chakra signature. The next one was hardly noticeable, it was weaker than the other boy and I didn't know if we would make it in time if we brought him to the village now. Upon closer inspection it was the Hyuga, Neji. I turned to Hikari, "I want you to bring him back to the village. I don't want you to do any first aide, the damage done to his body is too much. I need you to get him to the hospital as fast as you can without causing further harm to the body. Can you do that?"
"Yes, I've got this Ketto-sensei." she gave me a look of determination before she jumped off the bird and rushed to Neji.
The next area where there was a chakra signature there were actually a few and they were a bit more familiar. One of them belonged to Shikamaru, I only really met him that one time while visiting Lee in the hospital but I remember his chakra. I was a bit confused when I sensed Temari's chakra too, so that means Tsunade must have also called for their assistance. The last chakra signature was unfamiliar, I assumed it belonged to the enemy as their chakra suddenly spiked.
"Zagura, you're next." I called him. "Two friendly and one enemy." I didn't have to tell him anymore when he jumped up into the air and landed on a tree branch after we had passed by.
Following that I could sense three unfamiliar chakras, only one of them seemed to be hostile. Kankuro was there too. I didn't think we would all be separated, but something tells me my team works best on their own despite the team work they show. "Futto, there are two friendly and two enemy. I can only tell you that one of our allies is more of a mid to long range fighter so you would pair well with him at close range. They're in that direction a bit, by the river."
Futto unsheathed both of his katana, he nodded in confirmation and then jumped. Which left me alone with Ishara. "Lady Mizukage, there's mass amounts of chakra up ahead."
As soon as I fully recognized the first chakra I realized that either way Ishara would have to continue without me. The chakra I was most tuned in to wasn't Gaara's or Lee's, it was Kimimaru's. Ever since I spared him that night long ago I would always wonder about what happened to him after I left him on the outskirts of Kirigakure. It was against my orders that I saved him, so I thought it was best that I disassociate myself from him. That way no one would ever find out what I did.
We flew out into a clearing with sand visible covering most of the lush grass. Gaara was surrounded by a cloud of sand, it looked as if something was attached to him, it was like a rope with bones lining it. There was a giant sand creature standing guard in front of him. Kimimaru had a hold of the rope while the bones encasing his left arm crumbled to the ground.
Kimimaru didn't look like himself, he didn't even look slightly similar to the boy I rescued who was the same age as me. He has skin in a shade of brown and his white hair is gray. Bones protruded from his flesh in various spots working as a barrier of sorts. He even had a tentacle-like tail.
As if I just remembered I also sensed Lee's chakra, I found him lying on the ground not too far away watching the scene play out. I watched as he raised his hand to block the sun from shining in his face and the curious look that passed it when he saw us approaching.
"Ishara this is where we part. You must continue and retrieve Sasuke Uchiha. Do you know their clan's characteristics?" I asked.
"Everyone knows about the Uchiha." she said.
"Then I'll see you back in the village." with that I dove off the head of the bird toward the trio down below. Falling headfirst, I tucked my arms into my sides to make me fall faster and then I kicked a leg to start a rotation. I built up a lot of speed so that when I crashed into Kimimaru's side and grabbed his waist it was enough to make a crater in the ground as the two of us made contact with the Earth. Kimimaru was groaning on his stomach while I was mostly cushioned by him. The parts of me that would have been impaled by his bones were protected by patches of black coral in those places just in case if my hardened skin wouldn't be enough. I was the first one to push myself up and to my feet. "Get up and fight, you're done playing with them. Now it's my turn."
I didn't move to grab my blade yet. I watched as Kimimaru pushed himself to his knees and looked at me. His muscles tensed and his unfamiliar black and yellow eyes widened. "Y-you're… You're her." his eyes softened, "I've been wanting to meet you again before I died." he coughed up some blood, I wasn't surprised, it was a hard fall for him.
"What happened to you Kimimaru? I gave you your freedom and you chose to blindly follow Orochimaru?" I questioned. As I asked it, I realized that he probably didn't know what to do with the freedom I gave him. He lived most, if not all of his life locked up in that cell until I found him. I'm sure that a part of his reason to live, he needed to have someone else to live for.
"It isn't blindly that I follow him, you left me. You cast me aside and left me alone after you murdered my clan." he said. "I didn't have you to help me live, Orochimaru was there for that. I hope you understand that my loyalties lie with him. As a Mist ninja loyalty means a lot to you does it not?"
I could feel Gaara and Lee's chakra rushing towards the edge of the crater. Lee's head popped over the edge of the hole first followed by Gaara's. They both looked surprised to see me. Lee was the one to call out to me. "Ketto? What are you doing here?"
"The Hokage sent an emergency message to Kiri earlier for the Sasuke recovery mission." I called up.
Gaara raised a hand, "Here, let me help you."
"No," I could feel my features harden, I didn't want anyone to get involved with this. I was the one who broke orders to spare Kimimaru's life, so I'm the one responsible for what he's done with it. I felt myself glaring up at them even though it was really just the thought of allowing Kimimaru to end up like this is what I was really mad at. "He's mine, I don't want either of you interfering. Do you understand?" Gaara seemed shocked and looked as if I betrayed his trust while Lee just looked confused.
I looked back to Kimimaru to see him smirking, "You know you actually look quite beautiful without your mask."
"Don't try to flatter me, I'll still be the one to kill you." there isn't a way to get around it. He's only loyal to Orochimaru, even if the two were separated I think Kimimaru would try to find a way back to him.
"My body will only last for a little bit longer and if I had to choose a way to die I'm satisfied that it will be at your hands." Kimimaru said. This form must be taking its toll on his body. I detached my Kukushibyo and held it in front of me only for it to disappear into black coral dust and attach itself to my body as full body armor. Every inch of my body was covered so that with each strike I would deliver to him or each time Kimimaru hit me with one of his bones more poison would spread throughout his body. "This is a new form, you have also gotten stronger."
I raised my fists and lowered my body into a defensive stance. Kimimaru did the same several feet away from me. I'm not sure when I decided to charge at him, but I did so with a burst of Isobu's speed and landed the first of a hundred punches of the Art of The Hundred Lightning Fists. I counted each one as my charged fists beat on Kimimaru's body as he attempted to block them. As we fought I remembered how we met and why I spared his life.
Ten, Kimimaru was able to block most of my punches with the bones protruding from his forearms. They were able to cushion the static of each forward thrust. I have already made it up in my mind that I won't feel bad about sparing Kimimaru's life all those years ago. Mangetsu once told me that even though we are Kiri ninja and it's expected of us to kill, that we still have the choice not to.
Under the cover of night and orders from my uncle I used the skills I learned from Kushimaru in stealth, but I also had Ameyuri's hunting techniques in mind as I quietly entered the Kaguya estate. Uncle says they are planning to overthrow the capital of Kirigakure at sunrise. My assigned mission is to kill all Kaguya clansmen before the sun reflects through the morning mist. There are to be no survivors, all men, women and children must be killed to prevent any future uprisings as their bloodlust is the most potent of all Kiri ninja. With each person that I killed with my Kukushibyo, I thought of how I was saving uncle Yagura from losing his own life.
Twenty, I decided that instead of using mostly strength behind each punch I should add just a little bit more lightning chakra. I also added a little bit more yin-yang chakra, now you could see a brighter light with each punch and a more physical effect they have on Kimimaru's body. This is one of the few jutsu' Ameyuri taught me before our time together was cut short.
I tried to regulate my breathing, my body was starting to feel the effects of constantly using my family's unique coral jutsu and having to shoulder the weight of my Kukushibyo. I wasn't used to getting so much use out of it in one training session and Kaguya men are strong, at least significantly stronger than me right now even with all of my extensive strength training. I thought I had gotten every Kaguya, but decided to use my developing sensing ability to feel around for anymore chakra. I couldn't feel anything so I had assumed that I got them all, uncle would be pleased that no one was alerted to what happened here tonight. I was about to return to the Mizukage's tower to report to uncle Yagura when I remembered that he mentioned the old tunnels under the Kaguya estate. I should check them out to make sure no one escaped, otherwise this looks like a successful first mission on my own.
Thirty, I started to use my feet to move swiftly around Kimimaru as I kept up the pace of my blows just as Kushimaru had taught me. My footsteps were light and silent, if I was using the silent killing technique I would be in awe of myself. My fists moved in sync with the rest of my body. Kimimaru is trying to deliver his own blows but none of them have any affect on my armored skin. He continues to scratch himself with each blow, now the poison is starting to present itself in the places that my armor connects with his flesh.
I wandered around the tunnels having caught my breath, yet with my tired muscles I wasn't able to carry my sword so I dragged it on the Earthen floor by its handle as I continued down the tunnels. In the hand that wasn't gripped loosely around my blade I carried a lantern so that I could see in the dark tunnels. So far I haven't found much, a few open rooms and an underground spring. There was a slight breeze coming from somewhere that was slowly drying the blood stained into my pale skin. I almost wanted to take off my anbu mask to see if I also managed to stain the white porcelain too, but I stopped myself when I remembered an anbu never takes off their mask unless it's an order from their Kage. My mask was left alone and suddenly I felt a faint chakra signature. Someone was down here? I hope I can find them in this labyrinth before they manage to escape, wherever that breeze is coming from is surely another exit.
Forty, I added even more strength to each blow to make them that much more defining. Jinin always said that brute strength was best, it was the only way to achieve your goal and it feels so right to feel someone break because of you. I could hear one of the bones in Kimimaru's left forearm crack, I even felt it as I delivered the blow. I'll admit it felt good that I was able to do that, but only because it shows how strong I've gotten on my own without using chakra to give me strength.
I started blindly running down several different tunnels as they split off from one another. The longer I went without finding who the chakra belonged to the more anxious I became. Would they escape? Would they try to target uncle Yagura on their own? No, I won't allow it! Like hell will I fail this mission, I need to show uncle Yagura that all of those years of training me to be a weapon were worth it. That he shouldn't regret taking me in after his sister died. I won't let him down, I refuse to be a burden! I'm not some weak little girl, I'm strong like all of the others of the Karatachi family! We were raised to be the perfect ninja and I will not let my family down!
Fifty, I stopped holding back. I've shown Kimimaru mercy once before, Jinpachi wouldn't have even done that. He believes in going all out and showing no mercy. My punches got even faster, I used more lightning chakra so that each punch appeared as if I was utilizing a small lightning bolt, I also put a little more strength into each blow. Sixty, seventy, now Kimimaru switched completely to defense as he tried to block all punches with difficulty. The poison was starting to set and was spreading slowly through his veins. More bones continued to crack while some of the smaller ones snapped completely. Yet he continued to fight.
The chakra was getting stronger, I was getting closer. The sound of my blade dragging through the Earth was heard along with the scuff of my shoes and my elevated breathing as it echoed through the tunnel. When I broke out into an open area I was surprised to see a cell embedded into a wall. What surprised me more was that the chakra I was sensing earlier was coming from the cell, maybe a prisoner? A missing ninja?
I approached the cell still clutching my sword in one hand, I raised my other so that the lantern could cast light better in the cell. Huddled in the corner was a boy with white hair that was tied back and luminous green eyes. The thing that shocked me most about him was that he seemed to be the same age as me. Why would someone lock a child in a cage down here? The two scarlet dots above his white eyebrows tell me that he is also a Kaguya, why would his own clan isolate him from everyone else.
The boy pushed himself into the back corner of the cell. He sat with his knees pulled up to his chest and his arms were wrapped around them. "Please, don't hurt me this time. I promise I won't do my kekkei genkai around you. I know that it disgusts all of you and that it's forbidden. Can I please go outside? I promise I'll be good, I just want to see the sun."
I didn't say anything to him. I couldn't believe his own clan has kept him caged down here far away from everyone else all because he has his clan's kekkei genkai. I've heard of some pretty despicable things because of the fear of kekkei genkai and the things their own family members do to them. People are disowned or killed as a way to cleanse their bloodline. Haku's father killed his mother because she had her clans kekkei genkai and kept it a secret from him. In turn Haku killed his father because he killed his mother. Families have fallen apart ever since kekkei genkai were outlawed.
My feet planted themselves in front of his prison as I looked him over once more. He seemed like a good kid, one who didn't deserve to have this happen to him. He even looked a bit malnourished. I set my lantern down on the ground and gripped my sword with both hands before I swung it at the lock on the cell door. The lock split into two and I opened the cell door. I held a hand out to him, "You want to go outside?"
He stared at my hand in disbelief as if he didn't think I would listen to his request, "I do, you'll take me there?"
"Yes." the least I could do before I killed him would be to fulfill his request.
Eighty, Kisame's words rang out to me, to kill a kiri ninja as a kiri ninja, does that define me as friend or foe. I guess it depends on how you look at it. I'm not necessarily Kimimaru's foe and the same could be said for being his friend. I cared enough about him to let him live in the past, to make a life for himself outside of the barbaric practices of the Kaguya clan. Kimimaru was starting to sweat and his movements had started to slow.
He didn't let go of my hand as we walked through the tunnels with only the slight breeze of the draft to guide us out and the growing light of the nearing sunset. His grip was delicate and his skin was soft. He seemed so frail. I started to wonder if killing him was really the right thing to do. My orders are to kill him but my heart was telling me not to. His life has been hell up until now, I already know. I almost asked him how long he was in that cell but decided not to. Kekkei genkai were outlawed five years ago, is it possible that they were willing to toss a toddler in a cell because of that?
The tunnel widened out and opened in between a large rock formation, I recognized this location. The sun wasn't out but the smile on his face made me want to smile at how happy he was. "I don't remember the last time I was outside. It's nice to get some fresh air." He took in a deep breath to prove his point.
"What's your name?" I asked.
He looked to me curiously as if he only just noticed me, "You're not from my clan, are you?"
"No, I'm not." I admitted. He continued to hold my hand even as I said, "My mission is to kill every man, woman, and child of the Kaguya clan."
He remained eerily calm for someone who has lived a life as he has who has just been granted the wish of going outside and was then told he was going to die. "I would rather die than be associated with those people. I'm ready to die, I've been waiting to die for a long time. My name is Kimimaru, can I know the name of my savior?" My heart felt heavy, why would he call me his savior if he knows I'm going to kill him? Does he really consider that being saved? He set the lantern down on some moss that coated the area. Then he wrapped his skinny arms around me in a hug, I wasn't used to the action and didn't know what to do. I've never been in a situation like this before. Kimimaru set his head on my shoulder as if he was tired, he was close enough that his lips brushed against my neck as he spoke, "That's okay, you don't have to tell me. Thank you for letting me die free of that cell."
I could feel tears pooling in the corners of my eyes but I refused to give away any hint that I was near tears. Kimimaru really is ready to die. He hasn't even had a chance to live outside of that cell, free as he should be.
Ninety, Utakata was right, every one of us are tools to be used by someone else. Orochimaru used Kimimaru as a weapon during the entire time they've known each other. Utakata was used as a weapon by his master and later by my uncle. I'll admit that even I was used as a weapon by my uncle. Everyone is a tool, shinobi are pawns in a war raged by their kage. They die for their kage and most of the time they aren't even recognized for their deeds. Kimimaru tried to distance himself from me as the poison spread even quicker through his body. While I refrained from punching him in the face the poison had already spread there revealing the black veins.
I hope I always remember Kimimaru's show of bravery. I've been trained to never give up without a fight, even if the odds are stacked against me. I'm supposed to keep fighting for the honor of the Momochi family. I've heard that my father was an exceptional shinobi and that he was able to fight his way out of nearly every situation. Even at the end he fought with all his might, he was severely outnumbered and only gave up when he ran out of chakra. It was listed as a suicide while protecting the villages secrets as part of the cypher corps, but uncle told me that my father really just killed himself because he fought that hard. According to him, my father was the kind of person to always pick himself up. He never gave up and that's probably when the loss of chakra and blood got to him.
Kimimaru showed me that there is honor in submitting to your fate. I took a breath before I said anything, "My name is Ketto Momochi. Kimimaru, I won't be killing you today. I can't, not that I know what your own clan has done to you. I think you deserve to live a life as free as you can be. You deserve to travel and meet people, create a life for yourself." I pulled out of his hug and he looked at me confused. "That is why I won't kill you."
"Won't you get in trouble if you don't follow orders?" he asked.
"Only if anyone finds out. You should go," I pointed to the left, "it's best if you go that way. No one will see you, now hurry before others come."
Kimimaru stared at me as another smile crossed his face. "I hope to meet you again someday Ketto Momochi, my savior." he leaned forward and kissed the part of my mask that covered my left cheek.
"You should go, Kimimaru." my face burned under my mask as I did the hand signs for the transportation jutsu. I didn't have much chakra left and I was only starting to learn how to go long distances, so I appeared at the top of the rock formation that the tunnel ended at and watched a confused Kimimaru walk off slowly in the direction I showed him.
Once he was out of sight I jumped down from the rock formation and started to walk in the other direction back to the village. A sudden chakra presence approached me and I braced myself by grabbing hold of my Kukushibyo with both hands. The chakra met me to reveal Utakata. "The mission was successful?"
I tried to read his golden eyes through his mask to try and gauge if he was watching for long, but I still couldn't read him well. I would need to spend more time with him to really understand him. He was too good at blocking off his emotions, a perfect shinobi. I briefly wondered if my chakra became as erratic as my heartbeat when I lied to him, "Yes, the whole of the Kaguya clan was slaughtered tonight. All two-hundred-eighty-three of them."
He didn't say anything more about it, however he did place his hand on my head and ruffled my hair a bit. It was a gesture he's never shown me before. It made me think that he did see what just happened and he approved, but maybe he didn't actually see anything and he is pleased with how I performed on my own. "Good job, the Mizukage will be pleased. He might even send you on more solo missions now. The two of us could get more done if we separated, don't you think?"
"Yes, but I like working with you Utakata." I said.
He took his hand away from my head and started walking back to the village. "Remember what I said about not wanting to be someone's master? I don't need you following me like a lost duckling."
I matched his pace and attached my Kukushibyo to my sword belt because I no longer had a need for it. "You may be older than me by nine years, but I don't see you as someone who could teach me anything. I see you more as an equal Utakata. Not someone who could use me to their own benefit through training, but as someone who watches my back while I watch their's."
One hundred, my fist slammed into the center of Kimimaru's chest forcefully. Zabuza taught me to always make the killing blow. You could hear a loud symphony of cracking bones as my charged fist sunk into Kimimaru's rib cage and passed through his chest cavity. He slumped forward against me, choking on his blood. He coughed to try and clear his throat and sluggishly moved his arms to wrap around me like when we first met. "I'll have died the way I should have all those years ago, by your hands." he coughed some more and added in a much quieter voice indicating that his life was coming to an end, "Ketto Momochi, I would be honored if you would take my body back to Kirigakure with you so that I can always be with you."
"Actually, it's best that you know before you die that I was adopted by the Fourth Mizukage and I am now Ketto Karatachi, I was named the Fifth Mizukage." I said it in the same tone of voice he used, I doubt Gaara or Lee could hear us right now. "If you weren't so loyal to Orochimaru, I would have asked you to come back to Kirigakure with me so that you can return home and be a shinobi of the nation."
"No, that place has never been home to me, you know that." Kimimaru's legs gave out on him and we both fell to our knees. He started coughing again, the blood came out black. I released my coral armor and had it form back into my Kukushibyo as it was before. Kimimaru deserved to see my true face as the last thing he saw. I knew the end of his life was here, but he still managed to pull himself closer to me. He kissed my left cheek like before, "Goodbye Ketto."
His body stilled against me as his last breath left his body. I wasn't sure if it was the poison that got him in the end, the gaping hole in his chest, or the fact that his body was already failing him. I'll never be able to find out and that's okay. I was the reason he was killed just as he wanted it.
My fist went through his chest stopping halfway up my forearm. The bandages that I had wrapped around my arms were stained black with his blood. Any of the blood that he coughed on me was hidden by my black top and only a little bit of the black blood was on the very top of my leggings. I already knew that there would be a black imprint of his lips on my cheek.
I pulled my fist out of Kimimaru's chest and made sure to have a good grip on him when his body continued to lay against me. I reattached my Kukushibyo to my sword belt before I slung Kimimaru's body over my right shoulder, the opposite side as the hilt of my blade. Then I started to crawl out of the crater we created to be met with the sight of Lee staring at me in awe and Gaara with an angry look on his face.
"We should go." Once I was on my feet I made sure I had a good grip on Kimimaru's body. Normally, I would continue on my own and go after Sasuke, but I had a team this time and other priorities. I was a bit surprised Lee was here because I thought he just had surgery done and he was in recovery. Or at least he still should have been in recovery for another couple of weeks and it doesn't even matter when he had his surgery.
"Ketto that was amazing!" Lee exclaimed. His eyes got big and there was a slight blush on his cheeks. "That was even more impressive taijutsu than what you displayed during the chunin exams. What do you call it?"
"That move was the Art of The Hundred Lightning Fists. It was taught to me by Ameyuri Ringo of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen before she died." I said.
"I didn't know that you also had a lightning release." Gaara said. The way he said it made me believe that he thought I was keeping it a secret.
"I don't use it very often, I usually use my coral and water but I occasionally use lightning." I said. "We should return to the village. You're nearly out of chakra and I wasn't aware that Lee would be able to move around on his own."
"My operation was a success!" Lee gave a smile and a thumbs up. "I am filled with youth!"
"You look like you're going to collapse." he was favoring his right side and tried to keep his left leg from touching the floor.
"He only just got out of surgery." Gaara said. He held a hand out to Lee which caused Lee to look at him curiously. "Allow me to help you back to the village."
Lee's smile got even wider if possible. "Thank you, I did not think to bring my crutch."
Gaara helped support Lee's left side and together the three of us started walking back to the village. "Ketto, how do you know that man?"
I was quiet for a couple of minutes before I decided to tell them. "It's confidential, but seeing as it doesn't really matter if it's a secret anymore I'll tell you. I don't remember how long ago, we were both seven or maybe eight when I was assigned a solo mission as an anbu. It was actually my first solo mission. My uncle and several generals were given some intel that the Kaguya clan planned on staging a coup d'etat against my uncle and all of Kirigakure. My mission was to assassinate all men, women, and children of the Kaguya clan before sunrise on the night they were to put their plans into motion to prevent the uprising and any future incidents. I met Kimimaru locked away in a cell under his clan's estate, he was the only one with their kekkei genkai and so they treated him like a caged animal because of it. I had every intention of killing him, but he requested to see the sky and so I showed him the sky. When he realized I was sent there to kill him he embraced me and accepted his imminent death. He actually thanked me for letting him die free of his cell. He was so accepting of it that I decided not to kill him. I set him free and told him how to avoid other shinobi. He saw me as his savior for all these years. That was the first and only time I ever disobeyed a direct order from my uncle."
"So he's from your village?" Lee asked. He observed Kimimaru as his body lay slumped on my shoulder. "Is that why you're bringing him with? So you can return him to your village?"
"His dying wish was that his body returned to Kirigakure with me." I didn't say anything else about how Kimimaru wanted to be wherever I was because that would be weird. I was under the impression that Kimimaru has had a blinding love for me all of these years because I saved him. Why else would he mention how beautiful I was or wanting to be with me even in death?
While we were walking, I finally had time to observe my companions. Lee looked the same as always in his green jumpsuit with his forehead protector around his waist and orange leg weights. While Gaara switched his previous black body suit to a reddish-brownish one with longer sleeves and an upright collar, he even had mesh armour on his wrists and ankles. The only thing that didn't change was the gourd on his back and he still had a white cloth over his right shoulder and the left side of his hips.
Something else was different about him. He no longer had that hardened look on his face or the look of hatred reflected in his eyes. I couldn't quite put my finger on it, but he was different than the last time I saw him. I wonder if it has something to do with him spending more time with Temari and Kankuro. I think I like this Gaara better than the one I met before. I can't feel his bloodlust anymore and if I'm being honest, it was kind of annoying for someone to project that much bloodlust purposefully.
He even expressed more emotion than anger and rage. When I told him I didn't want his help he looked as if he was hurt that I didn't trust him to help me battle Kimimaru, which isn't true. This means that he cares more about what other people think of him now, I hope he doesn't let this control his actions. It would be best if he continued to not care about what others thought of him. What someone thinks of you shouldn't help define who you become.
I should probably explain my actions because Lee also seemed confused by my demand to fight by myself. "Gaara, Lee, I apologize for earlier."
"What do you mean Ketto?" Lee asked.
"Earlier, I seemed kind of detached when I told you that I didn't want either of you interfering with mine and Kimimaru's fight. I'm sorry if it seemed as if I was angry at the two of you for offering to help. I was really angry at myself. I was the one who broke orders to spare Kimimaru's life, so I'm the one responsible for what he's done with it. I didn't want anyone to get involved with this because it was my chance to follow the orders given to me all those years ago. When I saved him from his wretched life I didn't think he would become loyal to an international criminal. It just felt wrong to kill someone whose own family despised them." again I remembered the conditions I found Kimimaru in while he was in his cell. He was obviously malnourished and didn't receive any love and care. Instead of his family keeping him locked away they could have utilized him as a weapon. To this day I wonder if those of the blood thirsty Kaguya clan were truly afraid of Kimimaru's abilities or if they kept him locked up because he was a reminder of what was lost to their clan.
"It's okay." Lee said. I looked over to him and Gaara to see that he had flung his arm around Gaara's shoulders while Gaara helped him walk. "I could tell that your anger wasn't directed at us and as you fought Kimimaru I noticed that your anger wasn't directed at him either."
"Either way, I thought you said that we were friends?" Gaara looked at me pointedly and continued, "I didn't think you were supposed to make your other friends sit back and watch while you battled someone they could have helped you defeat. What if Kimimaru was too powerful? Lee and I were barely able to hold him off."
Now I understand, he was worried. I felt the smile stretching across my face before I could stop it exposing my pointed teeth. The only ones who have ever gotten mad at me for potentially endangering myself were Jiro and Mitsuru when I went off to the Land of Waves by myself and that was only two months ago. "We are friends, you should trust in my abilities the way I trust you with yours. If I needed help you were right there for me to call out to. I just wanted to be the one to kill Kimimaru so he would have the chance at being able to die as the boy I met all those years ago. I didn't know all of what he did for Orochimaru but that doesn't matter, he was able to die as the real Kimimaru, the one who had already accepted his death at my hands when we first met."
A look crossed Gaara's face, one of understanding. He didn't press the status of our friendship or how it worked, instead he directed the conversation somewhere else. "Have you come here on your own or are there more Mist ninja here like that woman?"
"Ishara mostly came along to transport us, but yes there are more." I said. I didn't know if I should share with them that I had a genin team that I was training by myself or not. When is it even acceptable to take on a team like that? I've never experienced that like everyone else has. Maybe I'll tell them anyway, it's not like it will be too much of a surprise for them, Kirigakure is more advanced when it comes to fighting and war.
"Those other two that did the chunin exams?" Lee asked.
"No, I've started training a genin team." there was a sudden burst of power coming from behind us. I could tell that it was still some distance away, but it was unmistakable as the nine tails. Ishara was closing in on them, I wasn't sure what would happen. Would she make it in time to stop them? Would something else happen? I almost wanted to turn around and go help her, I didn't know if she would be able to handle the nine tails if Naruto got out of control, or Sasuke with his current power level. I nearly slowed down my pace as I was thinking about it before I decided that Ishara would be fine. There were several other chakra signatures closing in on them from Kohonagakure, many smaller ones, possibly a summoning of some sort and another at a jounin level. Ishara would be fine. "You can meet them when we get back to the village. I'm hoping they'll also be on their way back."
"You have a genin team?!" Lee stared at me with his eyes widened. "That means your village sees you as a strong shinobi, which is quite impressive for your age." he held up a thumbs up for me along with a large smile.
"Like I said, you can meet them back at the village." I said.
Lee started asking many questions about my students and their abilities, where they excelled and where they could improve. He also asked questions about how I do my training with them and what training methods worked best. I answered all of his questions as a way to pass the time while walking back to the village. I nearly forgot about the potential fight happening behind us or the corpse slung over my shoulder until we came upon the village gates.
