A/N: Rejoice! For I have returned! A bit late but hey you're probably used to it. What's funny is that I'm STILL not done with this arc! (I'm halfway through the final chapter.) If I somehow don't finish this chp by the point I get to publishing it then it means I have somehow lost the ability to lose my arms. Which I guess is kinda possible since there was a tornado in my area last night LMFAO. Regardless, have fun and enjoy this arc of SWaB!
ϟ—Chapter Twenty-nine — Blood-Red Moonlight—ϟ
How long had it been since he invaded Konoha? A few days? Well, all Ka'rai knew was that he'd only been awake for a few minutes. That was what Hane told him. For however long he was out, Hane didn't even think to leave his side. Even in the depths of his mind, he felt her soul right by his.
Mama's came and went.
So did Kay's.
Fuu's as well.
Yowui's was gone.
Yowui was dead.
Hidan…
Hidan killed him.
It was that rage that pulled each foot off the ground and pushed it forward, step by step. In the same vein, his sadness dug his hands into his tattered pockets and pulled his head down to stare at his feet—to stare at the dirt and rock and grass. Hours passed, and they entered the Land of Lightning.
Nibi didn't say a word, but Ka'rai felt her disdain for him pulsating in his mind. There was something—someone else different in his head. All he got from that was an occasional laugh. Ka'rai didn't have the energy to see who it was.
Of all the souls he wasn't surprised to feel near him, Yugito's was one for sure. She… was mad. She was furious that he betrayed Kumo. The thought of what she might do sent a shiver down his spine. But, all of the good times they had… that had to have meant something.
Even though she was dead, she was still so… alive when they used to talk.
What he didn't expect was for Hane to be so quiet. It was almost like she hated looking at him, let alone speak to him. Each second of her deafening silence made his head hang lower and his hands dig deeper.
He couldn't take it.
"I'm sorry…" Ka'rai said with a breath. "I'm sorry for hurting you."
Hane's response was a sharp inhale, followed by a long, shaky exhale.
"It's… not your fault," she finally said. "Kumo made you do it. You were just… following orders." Her fists clenched, and she glared at the crescent moon above them both. "I just hated seeing the smile on your face while you did it."
Ka'rai opened his mouth, wanting to try to defend himself… he couldn't.
The truth was that up until Hidan entered the picture…
…he took true joy in every life he took, every act of destruction that followed him.
It was fun.
He wouldn't dare admit that to Hane.
When Ka'rai finally pulled his hand out of his pocket, he didn't know whether he was trying to make himself or Hane better by reaching for her hand. She took it either way. Having her fingers intertwined with his always brought peace to his mind, a type of peace and security only his Mama could bring.
"Ka'rai," she said, taking a breath to calm herself, not holding his hand tighter to calm herself. "Would you do it again? Would you laugh and smile while ending so many lives again?"
Ka'rai clenched his teeth—pain ripped into his body from his ears. "I don't want to. But if it means protecting you, I'd do it every single time."
"Ka'rai—" she winced, looking down and letting out a painful sigh. "I… I would rather die myself than have so many people die for me."
"That's why it's so important for you to live," Ka'rai stated, looking at her despite Hane keeping her eyes on nothing but what was ahead of her. "If you die… then your kindness will die with you. I can't let that happen."
"Won't you carry it on in my place?! Right?!" Hane finally looked at him and there was nothing but fear in her eyes.
With all of his will and all of the strength he had left, he kept his eyes level with hers. "I'll try… but I'm not strong enough to succeed. Strong people are the most important, they're the ones that need to live because they need to make the world go round.
"That means your life is more valuable than anyone else's… even mine. The worst possible thing that could happen in this world is for you to die."
Hane tried to pull away from him but Ka'rai didn't let her. Her grip on his hand became tighter and tighter—she even gripped onto him with both of her hands. "I hate that… so much."
"It doesn't make it any less true."
"It's not," Hane pushed. "Everyone's life is equally valuable."
Ka'rai glared at her. "You think that Hidan's life has fucking value?!"
"No—" Hane shook her head. "That's not—"
"Exactly. If being bad makes your life less valuable, then being good makes your life more valuable," Ka'rai stated. "That seems fair, right?"
"That's too black and white!" Hane said. "The world isn't that simple!"
"It is to me…" muttered Ka'rai.
Hane sighed.
Neither of them had the energy to say another word.
They just walked home in silence.
Even still, they never let go of the other's hand.
⁑ —ϟ— ⁑
Night was always so pretty. The way the stars twinkled and how the moon was hidden by the shadow of the night. Fuu really wanted to just go up and live there. The good thing was that Kumo was higher in the sky, hidden in the clouds. That was a part of Nanabi's domain!
Speaking of Nanabi… she tried to kill her. Yeah, it was good that Nanabi was free and was able to fly like she deserved to, but she could've just asked her. Fuu would've said yes. It wasn't like there was anybody worth caring about around her.
Why did you hurt me, Nanabi?
Don't forget that I despise you, fleshling.
…Because I cage you, right?
Nanabi's swarm-sounding hiss was Fuu's answer. The way this feeling crawled all up in and around Fuu made her hate herself.
I'm sorry… muttered Fuu. I didn't choose to cage you.
But you still do! Why does it matter?!
I would free you if it wouldn't kill me.
Look how selfish you are! Disgusting little fleshling.
Wouldn't you be selfish too?! Fuu argued. You're trying to kill me for your own benefit!
I deserve to be selfish!
Fuu let out an irritated breath. What gives you that fucking idea?!
I've been caged for longer than you've been alive!
I've been caged for as long as I've been alive! If you want to fly my body, then just ask! I want you to be free Nanabi! But I don't want to die either! I don't know everything about death, but… I won't be able to use my freedom.
Fuu clenched her fists. Y'know what! I'm gonna find a way for both of us to be free! A way to free you that won't kill me!
…You truly are a foolish being.
I'm obviously smarter than you since I thought about it first.
Nanabi roared and Fuu clenched at her head.
Don't you dare insult me.
Fuu let out an exasperated breath. Why are you so difficult?! I just wanna be friends with you…
I don't care! I want you dead. I want you dead for daring to cage me, whether you wanted to or not. The only freedom you should look forward to is your own demise. Your life is worthless. Everything you've ever done is meaningless.
You're just a pathetic, insignificant little fleshling.
Everything Nanabi said infuriated Fuu to a level she didn't think possible—but she was too hurt to do anything about it. All she could do was clench her fists and grit her teeth. With what she could muster, she kicked a rock across the dusty grass ahead.
What was even the point of trying to be friends with her? All of the training they did together, all of the times they bonded over the sky's beauty, everything… and it still ended up like this.
Nanabi was just like all of those bastard villagers from Taki.
Finally, that lit the fire in her chest. With venom, Fuu said, Y'know what. Fine Nanabi. Say what you fucking want! You can't do anything.
Because you are trapped.
Because I am your cage.
I'm free… so I'm gonna enjoy it as much as I can. I'm going to go to Kumo and everybody is going to love me there. All of them are going to cheer me on and love me! If you want to join in… then stop being so fucking mean for no reason!
Nanabi—wasn't mad?! Oh! You think that you're free?! Nanabi insectile cackles buzzed in Fuu's brain. You haven't… the slightest idea of what's coming for you.
Nibi's past Jinchuriki… the one that her current Jinchuriki revived.
Keep an eye on it if you know what's good for you.
With that, Nanabi finally went silent.
All Fuu was… was confused. "Yugito…" she muttered, shaking her head as she looked at her. Yowui's body walked forward but his mind wasn't his. Yowui's soul wasn't there. It was… Yugito's.
Whatever Ka'rai did… it was wrong.
Fuu couldn't quite comprehend it.
⁑ —ϟ— ⁑
It was all her fault.
It was all her fault.
It was all her fault.
It was all her fault.
It was all her fault.
Again she lost control.
Again she lost control.
Again she lost control.
What other choice did Sami have—? That thing. That fucking thing was rampaging and it wasn't going to be stopped unless she did something. Clowui was going to die—Cee-sensei was going to die—Cirru was going to die. Was it even worth it?! Cirru and Cee-sensei might be dead anyway!
For as long as they walked, Sami's cursed hand never left the deepest depths of her pocket.
She didn't know what went on in the void! All she knew was that it was just… somewhere else. Were they dead? Were they? Are they dead—did I kill them?! So many unknowns—it was like she was in her own void of despair and ignorance.
Nothing mattered nothing amounted to anything nothing—
There was a hand on her shoulder. Sami flinched—looking to her right. It was Clowui. She was visibly exhausted, but despite that… she was there. A small smile curled at her lips. It was sincere with not a hint of anything sadistic, not like the smile she had using her Curse Mark.
When Clowui spoke, it was her version of comforting. "When… I saw you absorb Cirru and Sensei… I saw their chakra with my eyes. It was pulsating in your palm. At least as of yesterday… They're still alive."
Sami's eyes went wide. "They're… alive…"
Clowui nodded, affirming the repeated statement. It seemed that she tried to widen her smile, but… failed. "I don't have any solid evidence for what I'm about to say," she admitted. "But, if you can control your power well enough… then I believe that you should be able to free them. Both Cirru and Cee-sensei.
"And if there's anybody who can achieve that, then I'm sure it'd be somebody like you."
It was only once the Sami noticed the movement of the Shinobi around them; she realized that she stopped walking. How long had it been since she ceased? How long had it been since Clowui said what she just did? It felt like forever ago and mere seconds at the same time.
Time contorted to freeze the very hope she had in her heart… to preserve it for as long as it kept beating.
In her pocket, Sami clenched her fists. Her fingers constrained the diamond on her palm.
There was no time to doubt her words, there was no time to cling to her own fear anymore.
It was that fear that trapped Cirru and Cee-sensei in the first place.
"I will," declared Sami. "I will free them."
Clowui gave a short nod. "I'll help you."
"Thanks—" Sami rushed over to Clowui, giving her a tight one-armed embrace. The void stayed concealed. "Thank you."
Stiffly, but earnestly, Clowui returned the act. "You're… welcome."
Sami pulled back, wiping the tears that she barely noticed or cared were falling.
The moment she stepped foot in Kumo, nothing was going to stop her from pulling her allies from out of the void.
Even if killed her.
At least that ensured she'd never be a threat again.
⁑ —ϟ— ⁑
The reaper grabbed his soul and Orochimaru saw it all flash before his eyes. It took all his strength and will to not succumb to death. To not fall to the same despicable fate he cursed upon so many others. No, he would not die.
Orochimaru screamed and pushed the reaper out of him.
Sarutobi groaned, gripping Orochimaru's shoulders so hard that he felt the bones break. The bastard old man sacrificed his own life like a fool. Ran away from his own strength like a coward.
He was stopping him from running, too.
Orochimaru needed to run. He couldn't stay here and die—he was immortal—! He was cut off by the cold numbing-ness in both of his arms. He couldn't feel them— he couldn't use them. The cold spread to his heart as ice poured through his veins.
Not even the Kyuubi eight years ago made him feel fear like this. He wasn't going to die there; he knew it from the start. No, it was the same fear when he saw the lifeless eyes of his parents' corpses. When he touched their hands, pale as his, and felt cold. When he checked for their pulses, and felt nothing but clammy, hard, cold skin.
Dead skin.
They were dead.
The same fear when he was but a child on the battlefield during the First Shinobi War. Saw so many deaths and wept with pitiful tears because he didn't want to be next. When he hid and cried because he was weak—because he was a coward. A stupid, weak, pitiful child.
The same fear that he lost during the Second Shinobi War, walking through Ame without a care in the world, stepping over corpses like stones in his path. That he lost fighting Hanzo the Salamander beside Jiraiya and Tsunade. When he mastered the corpse substitution that made any killing blow mean nothing.
The same fear he disregarded in the three orphans that Jiraiya chose to raise. The same fear he disregarded when he decided to take life and death in his own hands to conquer it. During the Third Shinobi War, when he began his experiments on others. The fear he saw so many times he became numb to it.
He became numb to it because he forgot how it felt to himself.
The numbness was replaced with everlasting agony.
Orochimaru looked into the soulless eyes of the Shinigami. Blade in its mouth, its ethereal form white and ghostly, just like the scales of his snakes. Skin purple like the markings on his face. Hair silky, black, and thin. Horns like a serpent's fangs protruding from the hair. In its grasp, it held Sarutobi's soul hostage.
The horror was frigid—it froze so much that it burned. In his fear, Orochimaru attempted to bluff. "You… you don't expect this to work you decrepit old fool?!"
"It… will…" Sarutobi promised between heavy breaths. He collected himself to speak clearly. "And you know that as well as I."
"And what will it mean?!" Orochimaru hissed. " What will it mean?! Konoha is already destroyed. Look around you! LOOK!"
Orochimaru didn't even notice that his beloved red sky of horror had dispersed. The shining sun made every ounce of death and destruction clear for all to see. Konoha was in a worse state than it was in after the Kyuubi's attack.
Half the village was utterly flattened. Smoldering rubble that was unrecognizable as once civilization. It looked like hell. The other half was riddled with dying Shinobi battles, a few stubborn souls fighting to their last breath. It may have not been razed but it was an equally horrendous sight.
Craters from explosive tags.
Fallen buildings from both the storm and the earthquake. The building they fought on was one of the few to remain standing.
Remnants of flooding from Water Style attackers.
Scorches of fire from Fire Style assaults.
It was still recognizable as Konoha, but utterly destroyed.
To anyone who cared, both were equally heartbreaking in entirely different ways. Orochimaru used it to mask his fear with his sadism, with his urge to see the sorrow on Sarutobi's face.
His former Sensei didn't give him the pleasure. Sarutobi's face remained stoic, looking Orochimaru in the eyes. "And what of it? Konoha still stands. Our Shinobi still fight. Our fallen comrades will live on in the Will of Fire.
"From the ashes of this village, a burning new inferno will rise. It will rise to defeat you. "
Orochimaru reeled from the utter stupidity of the statement—
"What you said earlier, you were correct. In my current state, I can't take you with me into the belly of the reaper."
I'll live?! Orochimaru questioned, hope soaring in his soul to banish the cold.
"But I'll take your Jutsu with me instead of your life. " Sarutobi cut the connection. The reaper took its blade and cut the soul of Orochimaru's arms off. It was the most agonizing experience he'd ever suffered through—his arms BURNED! It was as if they were skinned then dipped in acid.
Orochimaru's screams were guttural and he was finally free.
Sarutobi let go of him, the reaper claiming his soul. As he died, as he let his strength go to waste for this pathetic village… he smiled. Hiruzen Sarutobi's final look as he wasted away was a smile.
All the while torment contorted Orochimaru's face. " SOUND FOUR!" cried the snake. The barrier was taken down, his four loyal servants came to take him away—
—"Not so fast!" yelled a voice. The tone was undeniable. It was Might Gai.
Adamantine Chains wrapped around his neck. Miya Uzumaki?!
The flame of a whirl behind him. An otherworldly roar from a jutsu—" Bukimina… "
Orochimaru's horror returned as he stared Ryujin in the eyes. Sheer hatred poured from the Kyuubi-eyed glare. He didn't even have any tails; it was just him—and yet Adamantine poured out of him like a storm.
When Ryujin charged, it was more like a pathetic, limping jog. All the same, there was nothing he could do to stop it. The attack was small, barely the size of a baseball. Oily black flame collapsed like a black hole inches away from Orochimaru's chest.
" RASENOVA! "
Orochimaru wailed once again. The fire didn't just burn him—it ripped his very chakra to shreds. The flames summoned all of his worst fears. All he saw was death. The reaper's face overlapped with Ryujin's—NO I CAN'T DIE! I WON'T!
A high pitched cry of agony and desperation.
Four Curse Marks erupted around him—the Sound Four defended him. Good—it gave him an opening. He scanned his options—this body was falling apart. If he stayed, then he'd DIE!
Ryujin was out of the question despite being unconscious at his feet—A Jinchuriki would make for a horrid vessel—
Miya—she would've been perfect, but Orochimaru couldn't even see her—
—right beside him, right beside him was Might Gai—
—Orochimaru screamed, and white snakes erupted from his burning body. Might Gai made eye-contact with the horrid look of Orochimaru's true form. "TAYUYA!" screamed Orochimaru.
Without a second wasted, she blew her flute and Might Gai was stunned by the Genjutsu. The moment he was, the snake struck. Orochimaru constructed Might Gai then forced his mouth open. With that, he put his soul inside.
He heard Miya scream, but by then it was too late.
A black mindscape. Might Gai was still in a daze from the Genjutsu. His soul was ripe for the taking. Orochimaru blitzed forward and ate Might Gai's soul and took it into himself. The black flashed white and the white snake at Orochimaru's feet was dead. Above his feet was an outfit of green.
Orochimaru grinned with Might Gai's face. "IT WORKED!" The snake cackled, but the feeling was agonizing. Dammit! He must've been using his Eight Inner Gates before this—no matter!
A punch to the face dazed him—a furious Miya with gold coating her fist and blood covering her face was in front of him. Orochimaru snarled, summoning Kusanagi—it didn't work. Damned muscle memory—he decided to use the muscle memory of his current body.
A kick blasted Miya away. The weight of her own Adamantine made her durable but it made her slow. Orochimaru dodged her next hit then glared at the Sound Four. "WE NEED TO RETREAT NOW!"
"Yes sir!" responded Kidomaru.
Jirobo created a dust screen.
Sakkon grabbed Orochimaru as his body went limp.
And all of them blitzed right out of Konoha. Barely able to move, chakra and soul in tatters, Orochimaru looked back at the devastation. Not even that could bring him joy.
Not when he couldn't use his arms.
Not when he couldn't access his Jutsu.
Not when he was forced to take this bloodline-less, useless body without any notable techniques to speak of.
Not when he lost.
Orochimaru let out one final, guttural cry of agonizing defeat.
"DAMN YOU HIRUZEN SARUTOBI!"
⁑ —ϟ— ⁑
Bandages covered the entirety of Orochimaru's decrepit form. They were stained with blood and even breathing felt like a sword slash to the chest. Kabuto did his best to attend to him—it infuriated him. There was nothing he could do to express it. Even just groaning and growling brought him more pain than a severed arm.
The Reaper ripped the soul from his arms and the ever-present agony of a destroyed soul made his arms useless. His flesh was dying because that part of his body simply wasn't living. This damned body was rotting like it was a corpse.
Ryujin's… Jutsu—just thinking about it assaulted Orochimaru's mind with nightmares. The… Bukimina Rasenova. It utterly destroyed the chakra network in his torso. Slowly, that was killing him too. The fact that he managed to escape to Might Gai's body was a miracle.
But… he was alive. It was going to stay that way.
Karin… she should be bringing Shinrai to him by now. She'd heal him when she got back.
Even better… Kakuzu, Hidan. They had three Jinchuriki. What better could repair the damage done by the power of a Bijuu… than another Bijuu? All he needed to do was bide his time.
His loss wasn't permanent. What Sarutobi sacrificed his life for was nothing but a setback to him. He was going to live. He was going to thrive and fulfill his goal, no matter what.
That didn't stop him from failing to hold back his screams as Kabuto healed him.
⁑ —ϟ— ⁑
The journey across the Land of Fire was a waste of time. Time was a resource that couldn't be brought. It had to be taken and conserved. The five hearts beating inside of him proved that fact.
Kakuzu looked to his right, seeing Hidan with Roshi slung over his back. Time could be bargained for as well…
"Oi! Kakuzu!" Hidan yelled out— his voice was as annoying as a gargling beggar demanding spare change, and it sounded like a fork being scraped against a glass plate. "What do you think Orochimaru's gonna do with these Bijuu?!"
"None of my business," grumbled Kakuzu. "All that's my concern is that they get to him so I can get paid."
"Man, you don't have even a bit of curiosity?"
"I don't need to." Kakuzu shuffled the unconscious Killer Bee and Han on his back.
Hidan rolled his eyes. "Bah! You're no fucking fun! Me, on the other hand, can't wait to see what I can do with these Bijuu!"
Kakuzu halted his travel, landing on the ground in a clearing. Hidan did the same, looking incredulously at Kakuzu. "Eh?!"
"You said I… not we."
Hidan blinked. "Oh… fuck, I did."
A heartbeat of silence passed.
The Jigoku Scythe blurred through the air and collided with Kakuzu's diamond-morphed skin. A leap created distance between the two as Kakuzu detached his arm to reach for the Yonbi's Jinchuriki. Another scythe slash slammed Kakuzu's hand away and Hidan cackled.
"I'm going to need those other two Bijuu, by the way," Hidan said with a giggle.
Kakuzu snarled beneath his mask. Traitorous bastard… "You're not going to take my payday away from me, Hidan!"
"And I need them for a far more important purpose than you! Fuck you and your worthless capitalism! Jashin will enact a revolution that will finally unite the world in the most beautiful shared agony imaginable!" Hidan cackled as he threw Roshi to the ground and summoned the hand of the King of Hell to hold him.
"I really couldn't give more than a damn about your worshiping—fanatic, insufferable antics, Hidan!" Kakuzu yelled. "You're in the way of me and my money!"
"Is that all you're loyal to?!" Hidan scoffed. "You worship the dollar and I worship Hell! I worship the very place you're going to end up when I sacrifice you to Jashin!"
Talk, talk, talk, all of this worthless talk! Kakuzu used the Earth Grudge Fear to envelop Killer Bee and Han in tendrils, before separating his skin and pulling them into his body. The Diamond-morph expanded his skin to overtake the two Jinchuriki, enveloping them in his hardened skin. All the combined mass on his back made him look like a turtle.
They're going to slow me down… Kakuzu snarled. All it took was a blur and Hidan slashed at his chest. Sparks flew instead of blood and Kakuzu punched a hole through Hidan's shoulder. He can't pierce my skin. I don't need to worry about his ritual.
What is an issue…
Kakuzu's eardrums burst at the sound of roaring white fire. It whirled around Hidan's scythe as he cackled.
The elements from Hell… Izanyomi, Dojinyomi, Tokotatchi. They'll rip through me like butter.
Only ringing and faded roars rang through Kakuzu's ears—the Jigoku Scythe ripped through the air and Kakuzu barely dodged. Despite how close the flames got, no heat came off of them. Even still, getting touched by them was a death-wish.
Kakuzu weaved hand seals. "Earth Release: Shattered Drought." The ground beneath cringed, cracking and going dry and unstable. Hidan's next step was in a crack. A nearby tree collapsed onto him and Kakuzu pounced backward. "Wind Release: Homicidal Pressure Wave!"
Massively pressurized wind blasted over the shattered earth and collapsing forest. It erupted into flames and Kakuzu's eyes narrowed in on Roshi and Jashin's hand. I can't kill Hidan—I need to get the Yonbi and leave.
Black Tendrils extended Kakuzu's hand toward Roshi, it outstretched with the Earth Grudge Fear. A flying Scythe knocked it out of the air.
"GET AWAY FROM MY BIJUU YOU FUCKWAD!" Hidan, with countless wounds and tattered clothes, burst from the trees. He recalled his Scythe using the chain it was attached to. It whirled in his hand.
Kakuzu had already landed in splinters and fragile stone by the time Hidan slammed the blades into the ground. The temperature skyrocketed and the fragile ground turned solid. Black brimstone disabled Kakuzu's Earth Release. Hellflame erupted up from the ground—but to his Diamond Morph made it little more than hot air.
"Water—"
Hidan split the brimstone below and cackled. Lava plumed from the fissure that Kakuzu was falling into. A roar of frustration growled from Kakuzu—he inhaled the scorching air. "Water Release: Boiling Blast Wave!" Hyper condensed water exploded from Kakuzu's mouth, cooling the lava enough for Kakuzu to reach upward with his tendril stitched hand.
He pulled himself out, blocking a strike from Hidan. The two delved into a hand to scythe exchange—Kakuzu kicked Hidan's leg off. That bastard collapsed into a head and Kakuzu punched him, grabbed him by the collar just to punch him again. A diamond morphed blade grew from the top of Kakuzu's wrist and cut Hidan's scythe arm off.
Blood pooled over the brimstone and Hidan wouldn't stop laughing like the deranged fool he was. Kakuzu's same blade sliced Hidan's other leg off and finally, he was able to step on Hidan's throat.
He wasn't going to kill him.
But knocking him unconscious? Oh, that was perfectly within his ability.
Hidan's eyes closed before long and Kakuzu grunted. Finally, the bastard shut the hell up. Leisurely, Kakuzu walked across the burning, collapsed, shattered forest toward Roshi. The Yonbi was his, and would soon be Orochimaru's.
Then he'd get his damn money.
Kakuzu stood in front of Roshi. The King of Hell's Hand still gripped him tightly. Troublesome… he muttered, reaching out his hand so—
—Izanyomi roared from behind him. Kakuzu whipped his head back only to feel his entire back scream out in the most intense agony possible. His eyes went wide. He's already conscious—his battle with Hashirama allowed him to think through immense pain, but this was too much.
His head whipped back to see Hidan standing over him, laughing. Thankfully, he couldn't hear it. He was naked—he rebirthed?! How did he—? I didn't kill—? The fires were overtaking him and Hidan was yammering about something he was grateful not to hear.
Before long, Hidan reached into Kakuzu's flaming back.
He retrieved Han.
He retrieved Killer Bee.
Kakuzu tried to move, but his body was in too much pain to function—two of his hearts were already destroyed.
So, he had to abandon his body.
With his Earth Grudge Fear, he grabbed onto his three remaining hearts. Earth, water, wind. He ripped them out of his burning body, along with his brain, bones, lungs, blood vessels, and any parts of his body largely unaffected by the Izanyomi. Kakuzu heaved as the Diamond Morph constructed something of a body for him to use. His blood vessels spewed blood as he made a makeshift body for himself.
"HIDAN!" Kakuzu screamed, not being able to hear himself. Eventually, he could stand again… but the bastard was already gone. So were Orochimaru's Bijuu. Kakuzu slammed his forming fist into the brimstone until it shattered.
Dammit dammit DAMMIT! That bastard traitor! This was why money was the only thing worth being loyal to. To hell with nations, religion, whatever other bullshit. Money couldn't change. Money was money.
And now, Orochimaru wasn't going to pay him this time. Orochimaru was going to give him less strenuous tasks that paid less—that way, he would amass fewer funds to found his own country. What if Orochimaru abandoned him due to his own failure? Just like Taki?
Despicable.
Kakuzu eventually made enough of a false body for him to stand. It didn't take him much longer to walk.
To walk in fury around the area to find Hidan's non-existent tracks.
Finally, to walk in shame toward Orochimaru's hideout.
⁑ —ϟ— ⁑
Lightning struck the Raikage's desk as he slammed his fist into it. "WHAT?!" Splinters flew into the air, bombarding everybody in the room.
"It's true, Lord Raikage…" Arasei muttered, a disheartened expression crossing her face.
Ka'rai's fists clenched. "That fucking bastard…"
Yugito, beside them both, let out a blasted sigh. "Damn it all."
Mabui clutched her clipboard to her chest. "This is terrible."
Fuu, however, just shrugged next to Ka'rai.
"Tracking down Orochimaru and rescuing Killer Bee is Kumo's number one priority!" The Fourth Raikage yelled. "Nobody in this village will rest until he is returned right here in front of me."
All of the Kumo Shinobi, including Fuu, nodded.
Quietly, Fuu leaned over to Ka'rai's ear, whispering, "Your Raikage is scary…"
"Did I give you permission to speak?!"
"Sorry—!" she apologized, bowing.
The Raikage huffed. "Stand."
Fuu did as he said.
"You will pledge your loyalty to this village, you understand? In a dire time like this, I have no tolerance for anything that would even slightly inconvenience me. Follow every order. Don't do anything out of turn and you may earn my trust, Nanabi." The Raikage glared at her.
Stiffly, she nodded.
"Is there anything else relevant that I need to know?!" the Raikage asked to the Shinobi present.
Ka'rai shook his head, so did Arasei and Fuu. After a while, Yugito did as well.
The Raikage let out a frustrated huff. "You're dismissed."
Ka'rai, Arasei, and Fuu all left.
Yugito did not.
The Raikage narrowed his eyes. "I said you're dismissed, Yugito. You're no longer a Jinchuriki; I'd be hard pressed to even call you a Jonin in this state."
"I understand that, Lord Raikage," said Yugito before taking a breath. "But I have vital information that only you and Mabui should hear."
"Is that so?" asked the Raikage, still standing over his destroyed desk. "You know not to waste my time, especially right now."
Yugito gave a nod of respect and looked her Raikage directly in the eyes. "Then let me get straight to the point.
"Ka'rai Uzumaki is a traitor to Kumogakure."
ϟ—Chapter End—ϟ