(Chapter 54: Nonsensical Starfall: Part 1)
It would be nearing the end of September as the newly minted Lord 5th would soon gain a mission request from Hoshigakure requesting aid due to a rampant plague that had terrorized them for nearly a year. As such Dan decided that it would be a perfect opportunity to send the newly promoted shinobi in Sasuke, Sakura, Neji, Gaara, given that it was a chance to see what the newest of Konoha's next generation of elite were capable of.
(September 30th, 998 S.E, Hoshigakure, 2:12 Pm)
It would be a cloudy September afternoon as the Quintet in question were teleported into the Village Hidden in the Stars, although the dismal state of it was something that all but spoke of its need for help.
"Are we sure we're in the right place? For a place that is supposed to be Hidden in the Stars, it sure looks like a shit-show." Sakura asked as she took in the sight that looked almost post-apocalyptic from the aura of desolation and dread
"Considering, the fact that this place has been ransacked by 'monsters' as was stated by Lord 5th. It makes all the more reason that this place we be barren. Especially, with the time-period it has been left such a near-desolate wreck." Sasuke said before turning to Neji
"Neji, I want you and Gaara to go and do a bit of reconnaissance around this village. I want to know if any of these 'monsters' have infiltrated the village, or if any of the villagers here are at risk of turning. The very last thing I need to know; is that whatever is causing this, is infectious." Sasuke ordered of the two before him
"Good idea, Uchiha. As confident as I am in our respective combative abilities. Even I am not proud enough to risk potential danger under our noses." Neji said as he activated his Byakugan whilst Gaara conjured a large sandstone falcon for him to ride upon
"Sit and stay careful, I will not be held responsible for your reckless movements. Especially when they may cause you slip and take a nasty 'fall'." Gaara spoke in a near-joking manner as Neji climbed aboard
"You have nothing to worry about. I am many things, but an ungraceful oaf is not one of them." Neji countered before they took off into the skies above
"So what're we going to do, while they're doing recon duty?" Sakura asked the Uchiha in question
"We are going to talk with the village leader; and get to the bottom of what is going on here. I have a feeling that there is more than meets the eye." Sasuke answered back as he squinted in annoyance as though experiencing a small migraine
"Are your eyes still bothering you, Sasuke?" Sakura questioned
"They are nothing to be concerned about. Apparently, I have misjudged the fact that my enhanced version of the Mangekyou; would heighten my senses so intensely…It feels as though everything has been dialed from a 4 to a 9." Sasuke replied feeling his sight, smell, and hearing increased significantly since the surgery to awaken his Mangekyou
"Are you sure that you're going to be ok? The last thing anyone needs is you keeling over from sensory overload." Sakura questioned once more concerned for her teammate and friend
"I should be fine. I just need to be weary of my surroundings is all…Not that it was difficult to begin with." Sasuke answered back as the two made their way forward
Therein the duo made their way to the residence of the 4th Hoshikage, which like the rest of the village looked as though it had seen better days, but despite it looking as though it had been attacked by monsters out of a horror movie still held strong…Nonetheless, the duo soon entered the Hoshikage's mansion to see the Hoshikage himself, although the man known as Akatoshi looked almost ominous and fae given that his features seemed to be 'enhanced' to look more akin a yokais' it his obscenely large eyes, unnervingly smooth rose pink-hued skin, teeth full of sharpened incisors and canines, as well as his 7 foot 3 height.
"I apologize for the state of things. But given how things have been for my village as of late. There has been little if anything that can be done to keep things…contained." Akahoshi spoke with an omnipresent smile that seemed as though it were both perfect on his face but at the same time too inhumane as well
"You are fine Lord Hoshikage. We have been well informed in advance of the state of things. Given your problem in dealing with the…abberations as the correct term. However, we were not told how it came to be." Sasuke replied although his Sharingan were active from the moment he saw the looming Hoshikage
"Ah yes, unfortunately, what we have been plauged with is the result of our village's coveted source of chakra, being stolen from us." Akahoshi told the two special jonin
"What sort of special chakra, if you don't mind my asking?" Sasuke questioned
"The special chakra that our village was renowned for was known as the Star Chakra. Which allowed us to draw power and strength from a meteorite that our village; was founded around…With it allowing us to manipulate and control its power to create powerful constructs with its might!" Akahoshi answered back
"Unfortunately, when it was stolen from us some months ago by a wielder of the Lava Release kekkei genkai. Our village began to suffer the unfortunate withdrawls of it's presence being missed. Namely those who have taken in its power…which is the reason why we have had our problem, and as such had to quarantine the village." Akahoshi further spoke
"How well has the quarantine worked?" Sakura questioned
"So far we have managed to make sure that it has kept as airtight as possible. But with the monsters growing more ravenous, and the after-effects of the meteorite having as a positive stopped its spread through the village. It also means that the majority of those who have been affected were our shinobi. Making containment incredibly difficult with 4/5th of our total forces rendered monsters." Akahoshi answered back as to the staggering amount of trouble they faced
"That is as the Nara's would say troublesome. But nothing we cannot handle…is there anything else we should be aware of Lord Hoshikage?" Sasuke questioned
"Only that you should be cautious in dealing with them. They are still rather dangerous given what they have transformed into…Worst of all, some of them have been reported going through a secondary change. So I would advise an extreme amount of care to those that have." Akahoshi warned the two shinobi
"We will take this into account when terminating the threat at hand. Thank you for the warning, Lord Hoshikage, it is most appreciated for the duration of our stay in your village." Sasuke answered back
"Good. If nothing else feel free to stay at the lodgings assigned to you. I know that they are not much, but given the circumstances. It is the best that could be done." Akahoshi told the duo
"That is more than understandable, Lord Hoshikage. We will keep you up to date on the status of the threat dealt with." Sasuke replied as Akahoshi nodded and waved them away to be dismissed
"...So what did you think of the guy?" Sakura asked once they were out of ear and eyeshot
"I think that the Hoshikage is hiding something. I was looking at him with my Sharingan, and his chakra felt…inhuman." Sasuke answered back feeling that something was very much amiss with Akahoshi
"How inhuman are we talking here, Sasuke? Because there is a difference between just having massive reserves inhuman, and Naruto inhuman." Sakura asked on what the scale of inhuman was
"To put it simply, Sakura. I think that there is more than meets the eye here. I don't know what it is, but what I do know is that we will need to collaborate with Neji and Gaara. In order to have a better idea of what we may be dealing with." Sasuke responded in having a sinking feeling in the pit of his gut that something more otherworldly was going on than what was being entailed
"Hopefully, what we are dealing with is something that won't come to bite us in the ass." Sasuke further spoke as they went to rally with their other two companions
'Why does it feel like our mission just got even more fucked?' Sakura wondered to herself
(3 hours later, Hoshigakure, 5:40 Pm)
It would be later into the day that soon turned into evening as our quartet would later reconvene at a modest-looking motel, where they were both sharing what they had found whilst in the Village Hidden in the Stars.
"So not only are we dealing with shinobi turned into monsters. But we are dealing with a Kage that might be one of them from what you are telling us?" Neji questioned the swordsman
"Correct. When I looked at him with my Sharingan his chakra felt strange. As though it were someone or something else's chakra masquerading as a normal person." Sasuke informed his comrades of what he'd witnessed alongside Sakura
"Do you think that he's secretly one of these creatures?" Neji asked once more
"Potentially so, although it wouldn't make sense as to why he would have this mission for us." Sasuke answered back
"I believe I can answer that." Gaara spoke up
"Alright, I'll bite. What's the working theory you've got up your sleeve?" Sakura asked the jinchuuriki
"The answer is really easy when you think about it…The most logical point of reasoning, for why he would request this mission if he is one of these creatures. Is so that not only he can get rid of anyone that is opposing him. It also doubles as a convenient way to capture those who complete his dirty work, and potentially turn them into more of these creatures." Gaara answered back
"Honestly, it is the most sensible conclusion; when you have studied all of the missing shinobi reports." Gaara further spoke
"What missing shinobi reports?" Sakura asked once more
"You do know that we are not the 1st to have been sent here…I had done some research of my own, before we ventured here and found out that a total of 17 shinobi teams have gone missing in this village. Which if true and we do as commissioned, then we will no doubt become number 14." Gaara informed her fellow teammates
"This…This is very concerning if it is true." Was Sasuke's only response
"Indeed, which is all the more reason for the 4 of us to do further reconnaissance. The very last thing either of us want is to complete the mission at hand. Only to be made monsters of an abomination posing as a Kage." Neji said back in not liking the look of things
"That is a good idea, Neji. The more we know about this place the better…It's bad enough this place is a creep show, and now I feel like we're in the middle of a horror movie." Sakura spoke in not liking the horrid vibes given by the place overall since they had got here
"I do not like it either, Sakura, yet we must do as needed nonetheless." Sasuke replied
"And what about if this Akahoshi guy, is some big-boss mutant freak? Then what do we do?" Sakura asked her teammate
"If that is the case, and he is behind the missing shinobi as Gaara informed us of. Then we will do as our profession entails and slaughter him and those in league with the Hoshikage. We may be paid to do this mission to aid his village. But not when it will compromise only us, but others as well for whatever purposes he may have instore." Sasuke answered back
While Sasuke was someone who would always be a man of duty, and more than happy to follow a mission to the letter, his limitations on such duties ended when it would compromise the safety of not only his comrades but others like him. Hence why if it was true that Akahoshi was behind the missing shinobi, as well as having more to do with why his village was in the state of things that it was; then Sasuke was more than willing to make an exception and terminate said Hoshikage and all that stood in league with him.
"Then we have a lot of work to do if we are to make sure we are doing the right thing. The very last thing we need is to be helping a wolf or rather a monster in sheep's clothing." Gaara spoke
"Agreed, and as such I suggest that we stick together as a unit. While we can cover more ground in 2-man teams, as originally planned. This new information has my rethinking that as ineffective. Given the new information brought to our attention." Neji added knowing that with this new information that things needed to be reconfigured
"I will agree with that as well. We do not know the scope of what awaits us here…Neither do we know what these aberrations are capable of ability-wise, or what their weakness are if any. Which is why traveling as a unit will be our best option." Sasuke said knowing they needed to further assess the situation as a whole before doing anything furhter
"Gaara do you have any jutsu that will allow for long-range surveilance?" Sasuke asked as his attention turned towards the redhead
"I have been working toward seeing through my constructs. Granted it is not perfect for massively long ranges of surveillance. However, it should be more than enough to do as needed." Gaara informed Sasuke
"How far can you extend the radius too?" Sasuke further questioned
"As long as I can send out chakra to my constructs. I can maintain a signal of sufficient strength at a maximum of 3 miles. The maximum I can do this without tiring myself out, is with 6 constructs total for 3 hours…I apologize if it is lackluster to what is needed." Gaara answered
"That is actually more than enough, Gaara. Between you, Neji's Byakugan, my Sharingan, and Sakura's terrifying proficiency in stealth and breaking and entering. That we should be able to gather intel rather easily." Sasuke said finding that together the three of them would be more than capable
"Now all that needs to be done is figuring how to go about everything in question. Then if the Hoshikage truly is some abomination hiding in human skin. How we will be able to best turn the tides in our favor to eliminate him as quickly as possible." Sasuke further spoke knowing that in order to maximize chances for success that they needed to work quickly and efficiently
"If that fucker is some monster, then I want first dibs on pounding his face in…That guy gave me the creeps the moment I laid eyes on him." Sakura requested in still feeling bad vibes from Akahoshi's disturbing visage
"Don't worry, Sakura. You will have your chance in due time, but for now we need to get started on plans for how to do recon across the village…Gaara can you create a map of the village from what you and Neji have surveyed thus far?" Sasuke requested as Gaara began manipulating her sand into a 15 foot wide replicant of Hoshigakure
"Will this be adequate?" Gaara asked as she finished creating an immaculately detailed replica
"That will do perfectly…now then let us get to work on how we are going to do this. Time is of the essence and I want to have our information work perfectly." Sasuke replied as the quartet then began to discuss which areas would be best to do their reconnaissance in
(The next night, Amegakure, 10:40 Pm, October 1st, 998 S.E)
Meanwhile, it would be a dreary rainless night in the Village Hidden in the Rain; which in the aftermath of the 'Night of Phantoms' as some called it, that the Konan was beside herself in the Amekage Tower where Pein was busy working towards locating new bodies to replace the Paths he lost dring the event in question against an undead Hanzo.
"Let me guess, you can't sleep either?" Came the voice of none other than Kakuzu
"Hmph, what is that obvious?" Konan asked as she saw the eldest of the Akatsuki approach
"You have been pulling double duty between being a stand-in Kage for Pein and running the Akatsuki while he recovered. So with how much you have on your plate; on top of dealing with Tobi's antics. It is easy to see you are overworked so much that I'm surprised your hair hasn't turned gray by now." Kakuzu answered back looking at the utterly exhausted blue-haired woman who had deep bags under her eyes from many a sleepless night
"That would make two of us, Kakuzu. Honestly, after what had happened with the dead rising all those months ago and those evil spritis turning the village upside down. It feels moreso that I am the only one who cares about the Akatsuki's original purpose anymore." Konan said with a weariness that hadn't been felt since Yahiko's death decades ago
"If anything, I feel as though I am the only one who even remembers why we formed the Akatsuki to begin with. Meanwhile, 'Pein' has become so consumed with being 'God' and pursuing this doomsday plan of his, that he has made a mockery of our original mission statement…Leaving me to lead where has failed." Konan further spoke as she absentmindedly made yet another origami sculpture from sheer stress
"I may not be the best at this sort of thing. But, I know it is bad for business to have one of our best workers fall too pieces…So, do you want to vent to me about what's on your mind?" Kakuzu asked while making note of the pile of origami animals that numbered in the low hundreds
"Of all the people in the Akatsuki to be a shoulder to air my grievances to. I never imagined that I would be airing them out to you." Konan spoke as she momentarily stopped making origami animals that looked more and more warped with each one made
"Let's be honest with ourselves. Out of everyone in the Akatsuki, I am pretty sure that I am the closest person that has their head on straight…And they say that being the old man in this line of work; doesn't come with its fair share of benefits." Kakuzu replied as in Konan's weary eyes he did make a very good point overall
"You certainly are not wrong. Between Deidara and Sasori being consumed with their constant pissing contests over art. Tobi being…Tobi, Pein being emotionally constipated as ever. Then there is Kisame and the newest member who i do not care for very much. Not out of spite, but because our ideals clash to the point that there is hardly anything if ever to talk about. Which leaves you as the only reasonable one here." Konan said back after quickly realizing that the elderly miser was really the best option
"Exactly my point. This organization that you and Pein put together has gone to shit. Hell, even I know that unless Pein gets it together and stops this whole God act of his. That none of this is going to be profitable for too long." Kakuzu told Konan who had to raise a brow at the implications of what was said
"Does this mean that you are leaving the Akatsuki?" Konan questioned
"With everything that has happened so far. You tell me if it is profitable to stay here any longer than I should? We've lot Zetsu and Hidan, we're still rebuilding after a literal army of rotting corpses laid waste to your village. Our leader isn't even close to full power, your an overworked mess with barely any help in sight. Then to top it all off, all of our damages sustained have left us in the red to the point where we can't even afford to go after the jinchuuriki with how much more there is still left to do." Kakuzu listed off for the Angel of Ame
"Which is why if things do not change, and quickly, on a financial level. Then I will leave regardless of what decrees our great leader makes…I am not going to be forced into staying on a sinking ship, where we are bordering on the point of financial collapse for the Akatsuki." Kakuzu further spoke
"Is it really that bad?...I apologize if I have not kept up to date with the monetary limitations of the Akatsuki. However, with everything that has transpired and my taking the leadership role of temporary Kage. I have not been able to keep up with such things as of late." Konan questioned as the elderly miser sighed at being reminded of their dismal financial state
"To put it in the nicest way possible, Konan. The budget we do have to keep operations going; is being held together on a shoestring budget. In fact, I have had to cut so many corners to keep everything operational. That even with all of the missions we are doing to recuperate our losses, and even dipping into the village funds to help cushion the blow. We are looking at a full-blown financial collapse within the next 3 years if something does not change and drastically at that." Kakuzu answered back in exhaustion of his own from having to do levels of financial wizardry he hadn't needed since going rogue
"Perhaps you need someone to vent to as well…Even someone as long-lived as you cannot hide the signs of stress in abundance and being overworked." Konan suggested in seeing that like herself Kakzuzu was similarly overworked from doing near everything possible to keep the Akatsuki financially afloat
"...Sure why not. It has been a while since I've leveled with someone I actually like." Kakuzu said with a tiredness that came from decades of being a missing shinobi
From thereon both members of the Akatsuki began to not only ventu to each other on their respective struggles and tribulations within the organiztion, but also share their doubts in the future of the Akatsuki as an overall whole. From Kakuzu's declining interest in staying coming from a place of not seeing it as a financially stable or worthwhile venture anymore when it was bleeding out money faster than they could make from his p.o.v, while Konan felt frustration and ever-growing doubt that her place in the current iteration wasn't one that she even wanted anymore.
Given how nowadays they had strayed so far from the original mission statement of the Akatsuki, that Konan legitimately found herself unable to stomach being the 2nd in command of the organization she helped found years ago, that to continue to doing so felt like a dishonor to not only Yahiko's memory, but also the memory what they fought so hard against. As such the general consensus between the two as they aired out their respective grievances to another, was that both felt that there time in the Akatsuki was coming to a clear yet nonetheless concise end at no longer seeing it as worthwhile.
"At least we can both agree that this crapshow ain't worth it anymore. Better yet, I'm better off going back to my bounty-hunting days than staying here…The very least, I could make money and not worry about it disappearing faster than a drunk at a distillery." Kakuzu spoke in no longer seeing the Akatsuki as a sustainable source of income
"I will not blame you when you choose to leave from here. In fact, I would question your sanity if you did, all things considered." Konan said back in not faulting him for leaving
"What about you? If you do leave this hellhole, where are you going to go…or even do?" Kakuzu questioned the angel of Amegakure
"I do not know to be perfectly honest, Kakuzu. For so long, I had devoted myself towards what Pein, Yahiko, and I wanted. A vision of our home being free from tyranny, and making a peaceful place where hope could shine like Jiraiya-sensei once told us…But with our vision having been perverted into something I can't even recognize, and I having been around to see it unfold into what it has become. I-I don't even know where or what I would do; should I commit to leaving here. All that I have done is everything that I know…Unlike you, I never thought of a backup plan should things get this horrible." Konan spoke in not knowing where to go from here when the day would come that she would leave the Akatsuki
"Then if I were you, I would take some time to myself and figure that out…Take it from someone as old as myself, being a shinobi for so long ain't all its cracked up to be. Especially, when you're a rogue one who has been on the run since the 1st Hokage was up and runnin'." Kakuzu told the blue-haired woman
"And what would you have done, if you could finally have enough money? What would the immortal miser of the Akatsuki do then?" Konan questioned
"I would set up myself up in one of the minor Hidden Villages, where no one could really find me. Then from there I would open up a little clothing store. That way I can make money and do something I enjoy beyond doing mercenary work." Kakuzu answered back to the surprise of the Akatsuki's 2nd in command
"I didn't know you were a tailor…Better yet, I didn't know you had an eye for that sort of thing." Konan spoke actually surprised by that bit of information
"Bounty hunting is great and all, but it is a limited profession that pays well but not consistently. So in my younger years, and even still I have a side-business making clothes and custom orders for anyone across the Elemental Nations. From your bog-standard merchant to even some of the nobility that like their finer robes and uniforms." Kakuzu replied
"How do you do this and yet remain anonymous? I would imagine that you be caught by someone sooner or later." Konan questioned
"That's the easy part. When you live as long as I have, you build up connections and proxies to do these things in your stead. That way, I can still have what I make delivered on time, and remain anonymous all the same…It's as they say, work smarter not harder." Kakuzu answered back
"Which is why, you should do the same and have some clones take some of the load off…Give yourself some kind of breather, Konan. You are a smart woman, and you deserve to have some form of a fallback plan, so that you aren't floundering for something to do when you get out into the real world." Kakuzu advised to the Angel of Ame
"I will take your advice into consideration, Kakuzu…I will admit this conversation has been rather enlightening…Thank you for your time." Konan said to the elder between them
"You are the only person I actutally give a damn about. So my time is never wasted when it comes to you." Kakuzu replied as he stood up
"That being said, I have things I need to do. Our finances won't keep themselves afloat by themselves." Kakuzu further spoke knowing his work was never if rarely ever done as the de-facto accountant
"I understand, and I wish you well Kakuzu. You are a good man." Konan said back as Kakuzu shot out a swarm of his thread-like tendrils from his hands
"At least someone thinks that of me." Kakuzu said as he used the tendrils to swing from building to building with unnatural grace and agility
'...What would I even do, if I ever left the Akatsuki?...Better yet, who am I without it?' Konan wondered as she looked up at the rare cloudless starry night above in contemplation
(4 days later, Hoshigakure, 9:09 Pm, October 5th, 998 S.E)
All the while the team of Sasuke, Sakura, Neji and Gaara had continued their mission of reconnaissance and info gathering across Hoshigakure to rather surprising success, and as such with Neji having gained a lead that had the quartet following the Hyuga to the most northeastern edge of the village.
"Are you sure your lead is this way?" Sakura asked the Hyuga
"I am positive, and I know for certain that she is our best chance at finding out what exactly is going on." Neji answered back as they continued toward said leads' home
"How much further until we reach their home?" Sakura further questioned
"We should be there in a few minutes time, 6 perhaps 5 at the bare minimum." Neji told her as the quartet continued to move forward
From there the quartet would spend the following 5 and a half minutes making it toward their target in question which like most homes throughout their short time in Hoshigakure; had an air of creeping foreboding as though someone or something was ready to spring from the shadows and shred the flesh from their bones. This was something that made what should have been a relatively short trip, one that was such dread that it had the quartet on standby should anything attempt to strike out at them, evident by Sasuke's hand tightly gripped on his Jian, Gaara's sand buzzing about ready to strike, Neji's Byakugan active as he and Sakura were tensed for whatever may come.
Something that wasn't helped by the multitude of magenta and rose pink glowing orbs for eyes, that seemed to follow the as they headed closer and closer toward the target of their answer, which was a modestly sized house that was lit by candle-light. Wherein they were met by the haggard and almost sickly pale-faced form of Natsuhi, who wore a ragged, patchy, and bloodstained version of the Hoshigakure jonin attire, with he rputting away her kodachi before quickly ushering them inside, albeit Sasuke and Sakura deciding to stay outside in case the worst should happen.
This left Neji and Gaara to interview the haggard looking jonin who after taking time to settle her frayed nerves and set her kodachi aside, did she begin to tell both Chunin of how much Akahoshi had left out, and the true state of why things were the way they were in Hoshigakure. With it being the more that she informed them onto how things had been since 'the Meteor' had been stolen, how Akahoshi had used the remnants of his power to create his new 'legion' of shinobi, and the fate fo the missing shinobi.
"If this is all true, then why haven't more villages investigated the issue? I think both I and my comrades can agree that what Akahoshi is doing; is horrific." Gaara said finding Akahoshi's actions utterly disgusting and abhorrent
"That is easier said than done, young lady. When your former teammate is not only the leader of the village, but has become an abomination that outstrips any of us by a wide margin. In addition, to turning civilians and shinobi into his monsters…It is not exactly an easy task to alert to others that our village leader has gone mad." Natsuhi replied
"Any of us that have tried to escape, wind up being captured before we can make it so much as a quarter mile outside of the village. Then they're either executed or taken to be made hostages to reinforce his warped rule, or taken to be made into those horrible unlinking monsters." Natsuhi further spoke wanting to wretch at the times she saw her fellow shinobi and villagers become made into such horrors
"If that is the case, then we must know exactly the strength of what we are dealing with. Any information on his capabilities would be incredibly useful." Neji requested from Natsuhi
"Other than his chakra reserves skyrocketing to being well beyond a Kage, and his speed, strength, and stamina being outrageous as well. His control over the power of the meteors strength has skyrocketed. So much so that he can wield it in ways I never thought possible…It's almost like having a tailed beast in human form." Natsuhi informed them of the sheer strength they'd be up against
"A tailed beast…That is very concerning, is there anything else we should know about his abilities regarding his strange power?" Gaara inquired
"Yes, he can regenerate. My son and some of the other villagers tried to rebel against him earlier this year…It had nearly worked as well, yet it was futile in the end. In a matter of moments he regrew his arm and eye as though it had not been taken…Now my son is rotting away as one of his prisoners." Natsuhi lamented at how dreadful things seemed
"If this is all that we have to worry about, then we still have a rather decent chance of victory." Gaara said in realizing that all hope was not lost as it may seem
"How can you be so certain? Akahoshi is a monster…if the two of you and your comrades aren't careful. Then you could wind up captured or worse." Natsuhi wondered
"Simple, because we are more than capable of dealing with the threat in our own right. Trust us when I say that, even with his ability to regenerate. Alongside, his other abilities mean nothing against us." Gaara spoke with a level of certainty in her voice that could not be denied
"Gaara is right. Individually, we are no doubt lethal and more than capable with dealing with any threat that may come. But together, we are more than capable of dealing with the threat at hand. So trust in us, when we say that the threat of the Hoshikage will come to an end and quickly." Neji said in agreement
"We are shinobi of the Hidden Leaf, and regardless of the threat at hand. Defeat is not in our vocabulary." Neji further spoke
"I appreciate the confidence that you have against him, I truly do appreciate it. It is incredibly welcoming to hear during these times." Natsuhi spoke with a smile that felt incredibly rare to wear these days
"Rest assured that this threat will end, and that Konoha will help make sure that what has happened here. Will be rendered a thing of the past." Gaara swore
"I will believe that when I see it. However, I do ask for one small request." Natsuhi said to them
"What do you need?" Neji questioned
"If it is possible, can you rescue my son from where Akahoshi keeps him? That is all that I want…and if the worst has happened to him. Both in death or worse yet as one of those monsters. Then I ask that you do what is needed to avenge him." Natsuhi requested
"We will do what we can, when and if we find your son. You have our word." Neji promised
"Thank you, I appreciate it, and good luck to all of you…Now go, Akahoshi no doubt has his thralls watching or worse yet here to keep an eye on all of you, or finally get rid of me." Natsuhi warned them
"I do not think that will be a problem. Sasuke and Sakura have already taken care of the threats at hand that were approaching." Gaara said as she rose from her seat
"What?" Natsuhi questioned
With Natsuhi bearing witness too as Gaara opened the door, Sasuke with blood-covered blades standing as a sentry at her front porch whilst Sakura sat atop a small mountain of monstrous looking corpses that barely looked humanoid. All due to the fact that they were either sliced to ribbons by Sasuke's blades, or pummeled into such a blood mess that it could barely be recognized as anything formerly human, whilst she sat atop them like a makeshift throne as Sakura waved toward her teammates with an almost childlike yet disturbing amount of glee at the 'fun' she'd had.
'If this is what Konoha shinobi are like, then we do stand a chance after all…Perhaps to slay a monster, we just needed monsters of our own.' Natsuhi remarked to herself over the scene in question
And so as our quartet venture into and dive into what has happened to Hoshigakure in the aftermath of the Pixie Plate's pilfering and the effects it has caused on the Village Hidden in the Stars, we also see that Konan and Kakuzu contemplate departing from the Akatsuki in seeing it as a declining carcass of its former self. So with a Kage to slay and futures to think about, what does the days to come hold for all involved? Well, stay tuned and find out in the all new installments of, Naruto: The PokeSage!
Alright, everyone that takes care of that as I hope everyone enjoys the ride for my take on the Hoshigakure side of things, since I wanted to tie up this loose end for the longest, and never got a chance to do so until now. So with that said I hope you all like it, and again as always a many thanks to those that support the story and I hope that you will continue to stick around for more of what's to come in the future ahead.
So that being said this is Pravus666 signing off until next time, with the next chapter being a follow-up to things in Hoshigakure and more. So stay tuned for all of that good stuff to come!
Part 3 Theme Song: Themata by Karnivool
Random End Song: Pearl of the Stars by Coheed by Cambria
Now then onto some of the reviews from the previous chapter.
Skull Flame: You certainly aren't wrong about that regarding Sasuke's relationship with Azula, plus with teammates like his you've pretty much got the ultimate wingmen at your beck and call to help you out when things are going great or going really bad. Also, it makes sense with how Naruto treats her and what he does for her in regards to being a constant source of support that she would eventually fall for him. Plus, the only other filler besides this one that I plan on doing is the Nadeshiko shinobi as the last bit of fuckery that's left from Jiraiya's meddling, but other than that I'm not touching the hot mess that is Naruto filler. Plus, with Hinata being absolutely busted up to hell and back as mentioned its better that Hiashi accept Hanabi's inevitable rise to power as the future head of her clan willingly than unwillingly, especially since if he didn't then with Dan's support she was well within her right to force him to square up so she could take it by force.
Kourtney Uzu Yato: Glad you liked the bonding moment between Gaara and Sakura, because its always nice to see the moments where Sakura other than being an absolute menace to every living thing in sight can have some actually genuine humane moments with people; despite being a battle loving psycho. Also, I love doing Naruto and Sasuke's relationship; with Naruto being the Chaos to Sasuke's order and vice-versa is always fun to play around with. Also, when I said that Sakura was gonna fuck up Hinata beyond repair I meant it, you don't get raised in a clan of assassins and not learn how to break people in ways that shouldn't be possible, since now she's more than like a para if not quadrapelegic from what Sakura did to her. Glad you like the little title I gave to Kurenai, as its too fucking good not to use; in the wake of Hanabi getting her long awaited W against Hiashi being a dickhead. Lastly, we've got Orochimaru actuallly being able to let go a little bit from all that's happened to them over the decades.
starravenwolf: We'll be getting more Mizore being crazier than a bag of bats hopped up on bath salts in the future, its just that I still have a good chunk of stuff to balance out for what's to come. Also, the Kiri Wars should be coming in the next 5 or so chapters, so stay tuned for all the shenanigans that are to come as we lead up to it!
