[Kushimaru Kuriarare]

This was a bad idea Kushimaru had decided. He had originally just wanted to see the people who had the balls to blow up the academy with all the staff inside. Something even he'd dare not do. And to make Ito happy as she wanted to find the assumed four. So Kushimaru had decided it was a win-win.

Hindsight was 20-20 though and in retrospect. This was a horrible idea. Not only were they heading in the direction of Kirigakure with Yagura at his most paranoid. They were looking for people the Hunter-nin were looking for. Now Kushimaru wasn't exactly the most sane. All Kiri-nin weren't the best representations for stable minded people. Most Kiri-nin wanted blood. But one thing all good Kiri-nin knew was stay the fuck away from the Hunter-nin.

Now whilst he and Ameyuri weren't as afraid of the Hunter-nin as say, Zabuza(little bitch probably didn't even want to think about defecting just to not anger them) but he and his friend had a very healthy and reasonable fear of them. Knowing that at least five might be sent after the people he and Ito were looking for(God did he hope it was worth it and they weren't the snot nosed genin Ito had said they might be but in nicer terms. Maybe they at least had potential...) made him shudder. The moment Hunter-nin saw them they'd jump them in an instant.

Kushimaru considered himself strong enough to take them all down. On his own. But with Ito there(He didn't want Ito anywhere close to a Hunter-nin) he'd have to protect her. She was a strong girl but she wasn't nearly strong enough to take down Hunter-nin who make even the strongest Kiri Jonin look like Idiots.

So if things turned Dicey. She'd need to run like hell.

If that happened their little quest was ending immediately and they were leaving the brats to the wolves. If not then... Oh god was he gonna have to become a babysitter again? The last time that happened with the Yuki clan children it didn't end well for anyone. Mostly him.

At least they now had an idea of where the idiots could be. Idiots or Geniuses. All evidence pointed to the brats being in Suika. With four sets of footprints heading there with plenty of clone tracks branching out. Suika was a logical place to go to even with its close proximity to Kirigakure.

But that's what made it so dangerous. Hunter-nin would catch up in no time. He wondered why they chose there of all places to go too. Kushimaru had two ideas of their thought process. 1: We can't go that far because our stamina sucks so lets go here and rest and then go somewhere else. Or the much more likely 2: Lets make them think we're going somewhere else with our clones and then go to the most obvious place. They'll never suspect a thing.

Genin. Stupid and uncreative. Kushimaru would have used more clones and some wire traps. Maybe they didn't have access to that. Kushimaru didn't know, but he wasn't surprised at the lack of ingenuity from the Genin. He was going to scold them for making them go so close to Kirigakure either way. For putting Ito in harms way.

Kushimaru looked at Ito and noticed how she was smiling. He smiled under the mask as well. He'd need to protect that smile for as long as he could. Even after the horrible massacre of the Kaguya clan she still smiled. Kushimaru had to protect that smile from the world. He promised too. He promised himself that no matter what he'd protect her and her smile. Even if it cost him his life. That was the promise he made nearly four years ago. He's stuck to it so far. So if this made her smile. He'd have to stick to it.

"Hey Brat," Kushimaru got Ito's attention, "Tell me what do you intend to do with these other brats if we find them?" Either they were fighting dummies, training partners, or she had some scheme to take over Kirigakure with them somehow involved. That brat she mentioned earlier with the brown hair seemed like he'd be up for it anyways.

Ito grinned, "You'll see sensei. Its something real special. If they have the potential I think they do," Just from hearing about one attack was added silently in Kushimaru's mind, "Then I'll help them get up to snuff real quick and we can start going on missions together! And I can go again," Ah that was it. They had stopped going on missions together a few months ago when Ito nearly died.

That was not a good day for Kushimaru. Yes the Kiri-nin died a brutal, slow, painfully agonizing death which he was happy about but Ito nearly died. The only reason why he agreed to this was because he'd be there to protect her at all times unlike last time.

"So you wanna form your own hit squad? I'm sure Mei-sama would allow that," The sarcasm dripping off of Kushimaru's tongue suggested she wouldn't. Unless the children had specialized skills like stealth or poison or one had a magical Dojutsu Mei-sama would never send a child to fight directly.

Ito rolled her eyes, "Not a hit squad. Although that's a good idea, I wanna see what they can all do first! I wanna see if they'll force me to use my Shikotsumyaku and make me go all out. If they can do that then the idea of a hit squad could come up!" The idea of any of those brats together making Ito bring out her clans Kekkei Genkai made Kushimaru wanna laugh. Ito was close to invincible with her bone armor and combine that with her swordsmanship and skill with making her bones pertrude out her joints she could take out Jonin level opponents with ease. Although she couldn't dream of taking him on yet.

Kushimaru did indeed laugh, "If they manage to even make you sweat I'm sure someone will poach them before you can even dream of forming a hit squad," Kushimaru's pride in Ito wasn't misplaced. Like he had said earlier Ito could take out Jonin if she went all out. She had the most potential the rebellion had ever seen. No way anyone could top it.

Ito chuckled, "I did hear Urahara-sama and Mangetsu-sama were looking for apprentices. Think they're that desperate?," Kushimaru heard about that too. Mangetsu wanted someone to help Suigetsu get stronger after he was gone(the man didn't believe he'd live for much longer) and Urahara wanted to pass his skills along to someone before his possible death. Those two were bugging Ameyuri to take on an apprentice as well. But unless she found someone who had lightning release and she liked enough to train, she was probably gonna die before she passed the Kiba blades along.

Kushimaru nodded at Ito's question, "Yep,"

With that they continued their trek to Suika

[Yagura Karatachi]

'So Kokushibo made it to Suika. Good. Things are going according to plan.' Once the man brought back the heads of those who blew up his academy he could sink his claws deeper into the man. The man would be a fantastical pawn for him in the future if he could sink his influence deeper than it was.

Kokushibo wasn't like his other clan members. He knew what it was like to be at the bottom of the totem pole like he once was. He knew that once the man saw what he could achieve. Even with his broken version of the Hozuki's hydrofication jutsu. He'd be his best Hunter-nin in three years at most. With his only weakness being those with lightning release.

That was no problem to him though. Kokushibo would just take care of it with another Hunter-nin. When his plans for the man went into motion, he'd have two man hunter-nin cells that would cover each others weaknesses and be ultra efficient. Kokushibo and Raynare would make a fine duo indeed. With the latters wind release nullifying any lightning attacks and his water would nullify her fire. They were destined to be the perfect team.

And once that happened they could finally find Utakata. The tricky bastard had been evading him and his hunter-nin for years. The six tails was vital in his plans to squash the Kirigakure rebellion. once he had them out of the way he could start thinking bigger. Attacking Iwa to get their tailed beasts and army and then attacking Konoha. Then Suna. Then Kumo. Yagura's dream was a world in his image. One where no bloodline users existed and everyone would be equal starting off.

No cheats to get ahead, no bullshit power boosts from a kekkei genkai, no stupid final moves using a bloodline. Everyone would be judged off of skill and talent alone. That was Yagura's ideal world. One where people like him could shine. People who worked hard to get where they were(Yagura blissfully ignored the fact he had the help of the Sanbi to get to his position) would be the only people to exist.

Now he just needed to find Utakata. When the man had defected three years ago after his master nearly killed him he was hoping he could find him and sway him to his side. His response was a bloody soapy massacre of seventy percent of his Hunter-nin. Never again was he making that mistake.

Once Utakata was found the Rokubi would be extracted and sealed into a loyal shinobi of his. Or Yagura himself. Now Yagura didn't know what would happen should one seal two tailed beasts into themselves. But with the Sanbi already cooperating with him it shouldn't be too hard right?

Yagura assumed so.

"Kiba get me the latest report!" Yagura ordered his current Hunter-nin on guard. He still had a few hunter-nin of his looking for Utakata. He wanted to read the latest report on the matter and see if they found him yet. If they did then he himself would go to fight. This was the most important thing to him at the moment.

Anything else could happen but as long as he had the Rokubi, he'd consider it a success.

Kiba left and came back in an instant with a stack of papers. Yagura read through them in a minute and sighed. He expected as much but it still was infuriating to hear that the mission failed again. Utakata apparently has a ward now too. And he's really protective of her. Damnit the job was to locate not attack. He condemned whomever caused the mission to fail already. Luckily for them they were dead.

Yagura tore the papers in half and took a deep breath. He at least had an idea of where Utakata might be. Somewhere in the land of fire. That old fool wouldn't allow him in to his country and that old monkey would stop him. The Hokage even in his old age was a force to be reckoned with.

And not only that there was other beasts like Uchiha Itachi(up and coming prodigy who has mysteriously disappeared) Kakashi Hatake, Shunshin no Shisui, and the worst of them all and the only one that gave him nightmares, Might Guy. The man was a beast even as a teenager. They fought and he lost to the man. He was sure the man only has gotten stronger like he has.

That was one man he didn't want to fight. Especially since the power was all his own. He shuddered to think how powerful the man might be if he had a Byakugan or the Shikotsumyaku.

He had two options. Go get Utakata and probably face the green beast for trespassing in the mans home country or wait for the other Jinchurriki to leave the land of fire but having to track him over again.

Yagura looked at Kiba, "Could you get me a coffee? I have a feeling this is going to be a long month,"

Yagura hated his paranoia.

[Kokushibo Hozuki]

Today was the day. He was finally going to kill those bastards who killed his friends and invoked Yagura-sama's wrath. He was going to finally prove himself to be useful and he was going to avenge his friends. Kokushibo has been looking forward to this day ever since his friends had been killed. The day he had some of his precious people taken away from him.

He began following the chakra signature of the lightning user. He'd have to take them out first. A kunai to the skull should do the trick. Then everyone else should be childsplay! He was an elite chunin. Almost Jonin level. He was asked by Yagura-sama himself to do this. He would not fail him. He wouldn't fail Michikatsu.

Once these bastards were dead he could focus on looking out for Michikatsu's students. He hoped they all got the Jonin instructors they deserved. Kokushibo hoped to see them become proud Kirigakure shinobi someday after Michikatsu began bragging about them. But he wanted to see it at a ceremony. Not at a funeral which was being held next week.

The students had to feel horrible about this. Their beloved Sensei were killed mercilessly by some bloodline scum. People who sympathised with them too. Kokushibo was out for blood today. He wanted to see their blood be spilled. To see the terror on their faces as he ripped them apart, limb after limb.

It was the least they deserve for the atrocities they committed after all.

So he would have to make them pay in full and then some. Kokushibo knew that Kami would want this. Bloodline supporters and Bloodline users weren't people. They were defects. And it was the good people's job to stop them from existing. Especially when they harmed good people like Michikatsu.

Kokushibo clutched his blade as he continued to follow the chakra signature. He was heading in the direction of an abandoned part of town where the forest overtook it. A place perfect for hiding and training. Tricky bastards thought they had him fooled! He wouldn't allow them to fool him!

Soon enough he made it to the abandoned part of town and began looking for the bastards. He'd find them soon enough. 'Now is the time I get retribution for my friends!' Kokushibo thought determinedly. He hid in some bushes once he found the source of the chakra signature.

He found four kids he recognised as Michikatsu's star pupils. He wondered what they were doing in Suika. Parents dragged them out here? No three of them were orphans? Where was the lightning user? He had to protect them from him.

Maybe their conversation would enlighten him on where they might be. Kokushibo channeled lightning chakra to his ears.

"Guys I think I feel someone's chakra!" The brown haired one said, spooked, he began looking around, "Are the Hunter-nin here yet?"Why was he scared of the Hunter-nin? He was a kiri-nin now! He had nothing to fear. He put his hands on his swords, " What were their names again? Kokushibo tried to remember so he could call out to them, say it was okay but he couldn't remember.

The value haired one grabbed his sword and looked around wearily, "How many? Is your sensing good enough to sense multiple yet? You only just started working on it two days ago," So the brown haired boy was a sensor! He'd be great at silent killing then.

The grey-haired one covered his blades in wind chakra and then Kokushibo noticed their headbands were scuffed and slashed. Maybe they got into a fight? Headbands commonly here destroyed all the time. The greyette looked around as well, "Doesn't matter. One might be enough to kill us,"

The blond grabbed two knives but said nothing. Instead just looking around. The brown haired boy blinked and looked around, looking for Kokushibo probably, "There's only one. But they might be powerful and part of a group. We need to be careful. Himiko can you see their chakra? Can your eyes do that." The boy asked the blond.

It was then Kokushibo noticed it. The blonds eyes looked like blood... What did that mean? He heard a rumor of the Chinoike clan and them having these eyes but it couldn't be real right? it had to be a jutsu? There was no way these kids were traitors. Kokushibo then took a closer look at the blonds eyes. He noticed glowing bright red sclera, dark red irises, and white pupils shaped as horizontal rectangles.

No it couldn't be.

The blond looked around, "No they can't. The Ketseryugan isn't able to do that sadly,"

Kokushibo felt broken.

He then felt sadness.

He then felt... rage. A bubbling white hot rage. Michikatsu's own students killed him. One hada bloodline. They were all bloodline sympathisers... they were all, "TRAITORS!" Kokushibo jumped out of the bushes and attacked.

[Kukui Tanku]

I heard someone roar, "TRAITORS!" and then I blocked a slash that would have killed Himiko. I looked up and saw a man roughly twenty eight years of age with pale skin red hate filled eyes and silver hair. He looked pissed off, "YOU KILLED MICHIKATSU YOU BASTARDS I'LL KILL YOU, YOU BLOODLINE SYMPATHISING SCUM,"

I jumped back with Himiko, "You alright?" Something might have still hit her. We couldn't let her get knocked down, she was the key to our survival. Blood manipulation was no joke. If she was taken out of the fight then we had a next to zero chance of living

Himiko nodded, "Thanks to you. That would have taken my head off!" She glares at the man, "That was mean by the way!" I took a look at the man. He mentioned Sensei. Was he a friend? a lover? who knows. Either way he was pissed off and we had to survive.

The man seethed, "I'LL KILL YOU ALL. YOUR GONNA WISH THAT ATTACK KILLED YOU AND YOUR FRIEND LEFT YOU TO DIE YOU TRAITOROUS SCUM!" He charged at us. Only stopping when a slash of wind nearly hit him. It phased through him but he shivered. Like he was cold.

I looked at Sanemi who nodded, "This'll be a long battle! I'm all here for it!" He grinned

A water clone of Choujuro also appeared, "We won't let him kill us!"

I grinned, "We won't!" With that I raised my swords. It was time to attack! This guy would learn he shouldn't mess with us! And just for attacking Himiko I wanted to beat his face in.

A screen appeared in front of me then.

[Quest:Beat Kokushibo Hozuki

Rewards: +2 lvls lightning manipulation + 1 level in all stats]

Now I really wanted to beat his face in.

Yes I'm an asshole! Do I care? No! Kokushibo and the four finally met. He got pissed and now the big fight is happening! Originally I planned on this chapter being a lot longer with a full section for Kukui beforehand but I just decided it wasn't worth it and I had enough wordcount already. Now we're here! Hopefulyl you enjoyed the chapter because I had a lot of fun writing it. Especially Kushimaru's part. Its gonna be a hell of a lot of fun writing him in the future!

Anyways see y'all in another six days!

- Tobi