Scarlet Justice - ep. 140
"Poison Pen"
[Cordially Yours, Part 3]

Tanzaku Quarter is about an hour away, and I make it in without incident. There's a plan in my head for what I should do in most situations, including the worst case. Even though the percentages say that it's unlikely...reality is never that simple.

Not much has changed here. Today I'm walking the streets as Captain Kobayashi and not the mysterious Carrie, so the movement of civilians is more pronounced as they notice my armband and attire. But this much shouldn't give unsavoury types enough space to breathe, so I can deal with it for now. My tongue reaches out into the air and I can taste the chakra flowing through it.

"That's absolutely terrifying."

I freeze in place and try to process what I'm sensing. An abnormally large chakra that is...presumably being suppressed, but the fact that I can feel it from all the way out here, at this distance...well, that's more than a little impressive, I have to admit. Itachi's partner in crime...

"..."

There's something else out of place. It's almost comparable in potency, though not in size. But there is a...sinister feeling to it. It's hard to explain, this sort of chakra. Is there more than one Akatsuki member here, or is this an unfortunate circumstance? Either way, it's making me feel uneasy. Like those times with Orochimaru, but even heavier. I might have to investigate that, too.

"At least I can say for certain that Akatsuki is here. Now all I need to do is..."

Now there's a shift. I can sense signals coming towards us, and I flick my tongue out again to try and get a lock on what's happening.

No, that can't be right.

Is this seriously happening?

"You have got to be kidding me," I mutter to myself. I start moving, tasting the air a few more times to make sure that I have this all right. But there's no mistaking it. I've got six recognizable chakra signatures, coming in scattershot, but coming in all the same.

There's Fio, with Kakashi beside her bringing up the rear. Erika just ahead of them. Sakura a bit ahead of that, trailing Sai who is predictably at the head of all this. One more unknown signature, probably a traitorous ANBU...and of course, last and certainly least.

Sasuke.

I will make a note to trust these rumblings in my head a little more from now on. The heavens do have their own sense of humour, as I have noted many times before. But I don't intend to be the punchline to this little joke.

My options. Nothing fancy needs to be done. If Erika hasn't made a move by now, she must be weighing a decision. More than a small mercy, to be sure...she could have easily cut down Sasuke for the sake of national security, and not a thing could be done about it. I'll get a report from her soon enough. Right now, I'll go ahead and meet up with those two.

I quickly take to the rooftops and cut across a few blocks, aiming for my new targets. The suspected Akatsuki members have not moved very far...that plays into my hands nicely.

"It would be a great thing if she ended up here before us..."

"I know it's just a feeling, but...my heart tells me that she's here. Lili's not the type of person to stop thinking about important things like this...it had to have been on her mind the whole day."

That's them, most definitely. I drop down to the street and stop a good distance away, so that they can recognize me.

"Lili! Thank goodness, I was right!" Fio yells as she runs to me. Kakashi follows, looking supremely relieved.

"I want you two to tell me as much as you can. I know that Sasuke and company are here in the area...I stopped to see you first in the hopes of gaining a good perspective," I say to them.

"Gotcha. Okay, first...Erika caught up with us for a bit, and handed off these." She hands me a small earpiece that I quickly slip on. "She had a good feeling that you would be around at some point and came prepared. It's tuned to a secure frequency."

"What we know at this moment is that there was supposed to be a certain member of ANBU on the mission in order to watch over Sasuke and Sakura. That ANBU was replaced with someone who we now know has connections with ROOT, and subsequently Danzo," Kakashi explains. "Imari caught the change at the last moment and called us to move as quickly as we could...we got there after they had taken off for their mission, but were able to close the gap somewhat. Erika caught up a bit after that."

"Sai was lying in wait the entire time," I conclude.

"Yes. I don't know what was said, but judging from the fact that Sasuke decided to follow him all the way here, there has to be something of interest, likely relating to his mission to kill Itachi."

"Erika could have easily taken an aggressive stance, but she didn't. It means this mission won't turn into a complete bloodbath, that much is certain. Sai did this on orders, and he had some sort of intelligence on what was going on...right, forgive me for keeping you in suspense. There is at least one member of Akatsuki here, possibly two. If I'm right, Sai and his ROOT toady are going to lead Sasuke towards Akatsuki for information relating to Itachi. It's reckless, foolish, and more than likely will bear no fruit."

"Dammit, really?" Fio groans. "What do we do? Can we do anything?"

"Easily. With both of you here and Erika providing support, this is well within our capabilities of solving. I already have a plan in place, so lend me your ears."

The ominous presence is still skulking around in place, not terribly far from here...Sasuke is heading towards the larger chakra source, Itachi's partner. Sai and the ROOT clown are there, and Sakura...her chakra is moving for something, but I can't tell what. If what Kakashi said days ago was true, then...yes, I can make use of her as well. Erika is taking a cool and tactical approach, following the main group from behind like the professional she is.

Okay. I have the chakra to match the larger threat, so I will head there first.

"Captain Kotowari," I say with a hand to my ear, "This is Lilith Kobayashi calling in."

"Captain Kobayashi, ma'am. This is Erika Kotowari, reporting."

"I read. Captain Kotowari, please give me a status report, starting with your own status," I reply.

"Ma'am. Currently in good health, with optimal status. I am currently tracking the movements of Sakura Haruno, Sasuke Uchiha, an unknown ROOT operative, and ROOT operative Sai. ROOT operative Sai is leading the group at this moment, towards an unknown location within Tanzaku Quarter. Awaiting your orders, ma'am."

"Thank you, Captain. Pause about 2.3 kilometres from your current coordinates on your current trajectory. I will be sending Captain Asagao and Captain Hatake to your location shortly."

"I read, ma'am. Location confirmed."

"Good. There is another presence in the area, one that you should be able to detect easily enough. Our team is going to split up. I would like for you to pursue the other presence along with our comrades. I am going to confront Sasuke and deal with the other target, as I feel that I match up better in this situation. I believe that Sai and the other operative will not make any moves to interrupt the meeting. If they do, I can easily handle them."

"Understood, ma'am. Fionne and Kakashi will be in my care."

"Yes. Please report if you have anything unusual happen. We will have a full debrief once our operations conclude. Erika, remember to be careful."

"I will be, Lili. Thank you...I wish you luck."

I turn to Fio and Kakashi, letting my hand fall from my ear. "That goes for both of you as well. Understood?"

"Understood," Kakashi replies.

"Got it, boss lady. You be safe too, okay?" Fio says.

"I will be. Now, you just follow the road we're next to all the way down, and you will see Erika in plain view. Let her guide you from there. Relay anything you think is of importance, no matter how small. I'm off, loves."

We split up, and I take off across the rooftops once more towards my destination. There might be a bit more noise than desired now, but it will be nothing compared to what might happen if I don't shut this nonsense down. That oppressively large chakra is growing in intensity as I near it...

There. Black robes with red clouds on them, and a conical straw hat with tassels hanging down from it. That seems to be to conceal their faces better, at least from a distance. I drop down onto the street again and start my run towards them as they have their back turned.

"You! Stop!"

A familiar and unpleasant voice calls to him. Sasuke breathes heavily as he comes to a stop in front of the Akatsuki member. Sakura is just as winded as she lands next to him. Sai and his friend think they're hidden well enough from me...which means that I can safely ignore them, for now.

"Sasuke...you have to stop this," Sakura pleads, gasping for air. "Nothing good will come out of this-"

"Shut up! You don't have any idea how important this is to me!"

"..."

"You, old man. You're part of that criminal group, Akatsuki, aren't you? Tell me...tell me what you know about Itachi! Now!"

"Rash, impulsive...and causing enough of a scene that the authorities will make life a hassle if they find me. Heh. You really are his little brother, aren't you? Very interesting that we get to meet like this..."

"So you do know! Where is he? Where is Itachi Uchiha?!" Sasuke yells.

There is...something wrapped up in thick bandage on the man's back. With the handle poking out, it seems to be a sword of some type. But I can feel a chakra signal coming from it. Whatever that thing is, it has its own chakra. That can't be right...can it?

"Sasuke...please. Please stop this," Sakura begs.

"I said to shut up! I didn't ask you to follow me here, Sakura! You could have left like I told you to!"

"I don't care if you asked me or not," she barks back. "If I didn't come along, you would have done something even worse than this...what is wrong with you? What do you think this is? Don't you even suspect that someone might have followed us-"

She takes note of me and her eyes widen.

"Something interesting is happening...my friend is acting strangely all of a sudden," the Akatsuki says.

"Lilith...?"

"What?!" Sasuke's head turns towards me. "Kobayashi?! What the hell are you doing here?"

"You fucking idiot-"

"Oh? A new visitor...so that's what was going on. You wouldn't happen to be that Kobayashi, would you? The Scarlet Viper that we've been hearing so much about? No wonder my friend has been so giddy the past few minutes," the mystery man says.

I grit my teeth. God fucking damn it. The trash outed me in a second...that's just lovely. I don't know if this man has an open line with the other person moving about in the area. This could be big trouble if I'm not careful now.

"Ah, my apologies to everyone here. I seem to have forgotten my manners."

The man removes his straw hat, revealing his face to us. Pale blue skin...a smile filled with sharp teeth. Blue hair styled upwards. Small eyes and strange markings that look like gills under his eyes. A genuine shark-man.

"My name is Kisame Hoshigaki, and this sword of mine is my good friend Samehada. And yes, I do happen to be an...associate of one Itachi Uchiha."

"Damn you!" Sasuke yells. I can feel his chakra building further as he activates the Sharingan. This idiot...he's going to use that jutsu, isn't he? "Tell me what you know, or else I'll drag it out of you!"

That sword...thing is getting agitated, and I have a really bad feeling about what it could possibly do. It shares just about the same signature as Kisame, and his chakra is starting to spike as well in response to Sasuke's challenge. Seeing as his chakra pool is so massive, he has to have some powerful techniques in his pocket. And since he's already an S-Rank criminal, he probably could care less about collateral damage.

There would be no pride in dying here. We have to get ourselves out of this, right now.

Kisame is just spoiling for a fight, seeing as he already has one hand on his sword, and Sasuke wouldn't get anything even he pulled off a miracle and beat someone more terrifying than Orochimaru. There's nothing for us...

"Seeing as you're Itachi's little brother, I might go a bit easier on you. But it's such a shame that I would have to slice up a pair of vibrant young women like this. Life is unfair like that," Kisame says with a sinister grin. Sakura flinches, starting to tremble despite herself.

"Sakura," I call to her.

"Lilith...I..."

"Do what I say, and everything will be alright. Hold that boy down for me. Got it?"

"Y-yes...yes, I understand."

"Heh. I suppose you weren't going to make it easy for me after all. Oh well...let's start with something simple, then." Kisame removes his hand from Samehada and starts to make handseals.

Which one, which one. Which one is it...Hidden Mist native, formerly one of the Seven Swordsmen. Likely Water Release...only moving his hands so far. Fast activation and high impact to potentially take us off of our feet. The range won't be that wide. Read the seals and make an assessment. First sign, tiger. Second, ox.

It's that one.

I activate my chakra mode and move my hands through the ten signs as fast as I can.

"Water Release!" Kisame yells.

"Water Shark...!" I yell back.

We finish at the same time.

"Bullet!"

The sharks collide between us, throwing up a spray of water in every direction.

"Sakura, let go! What are you-"

I barrel into Sasuke while he's distracted and disable him with a surge of electricity. Hoisting him over my shoulder, I take off as fast as I can while Sakura breaks in the other direction. Kisame has decided not to pursue, but Sai and his friend have, keeping their distance.

There's nothing I can do but hope that Kisame won't change his mind and rush me down. He's dangerous, way too dangerous. My heart is pounding.

"This is Kobayashi reporting in," I say with a hand to my ear. "I have Sasuke in my custody."

"Well done, ma'am," Erika replies. "I must report that, unfortunately, our target has...slipped away. Quite literally so. I will explain in full soon."

"I see, understood. Are you alright on your end?"

"We are all fine, ma'am."

"Good. Sai and his little friend are trying to be stealthy, so don't mind them...they will be taken care of, I promise. I'm coming towards you, so keep moving until we meet up again."

"Yes, ma'am."

I sprint ahead with Sasuke and eventually come upon the others, on top of a flat roof downtown. Seeing Erika for the first time today, she was no doubt in the middle of rest when called into action. A plain sweater and jogging pants, hair tied back and flattened under a hat, and faint lines beneath her eyes. If she says she's fine, though...I guess I can leave it alone for now. There are too many other things to deal with.

"I can keep him asleep until we make it back home," Sakura says. Erika looks to me and I nod.

"Please start your routines, Miss Haruno."

"Thank you."

"The enemy was difficult," Erika says to me. "It seems he had some sort of phasing ability...that is to say, no physical attacks we tried could make contact. He could also change positions rapidly, absorb our techniques and instruments, and read our movements before we could make them. I have no idea who this person could be..."

"No name?" I ask.

"None. Despite his disposition, he never gave himself away, not once. He was silly, clownish. It almost felt like..." I see her hands tense. "Like he was mocking us, the entire time," she finishes bitterly.

"I see. Then I shall investigate on my own, and if possible, extract recourse."

"You're sure?"

"Yes. Someone that dangerous...if he is still hanging around here, it's best to see what it is he wants."

"Understood. Lili...be safe."

"Of course, my love. Take Sasuke over for our debriefing as planned. Sai should be moving to follow you, and possibly the other one. If they do split up, it will make things easier for us. Move as a group at all times." I kiss her gently on the cheek. "Take things slowly. I know you're exhausted...thank you so much for your help."

"Anything for you," she says with a smile. "I'll be waiting."

"We'll look after her this time," Fio says with a thumbs up. "See you at home, Lili!"

"I got a strange feeling from that guy. He was doing his best to avoid me, likely because he already knew who I was. Seemed to know a lot more than he should, though if he's part of that Akatsuki outfit, it only makes sense. Even if he acted like a buffoon," Kakashi says. "He was definitely using some sort of space-time technique to evade us."

"Sounds ludicrous enough, but I just ran into a shark man with a living sword," I reply. "Reality loves to bend itself into all kinds of absurd shapes lately, and at my expense. Minor annoyances." I adjust my hat. "Alright. Let's away."

With Sasuke now out cold and being carried by Sakura, the group takes off. Sai follows, which means he should be set to fall into the trap we have planned for him in the Leaf. The other unfortunate soul has decided to try and tail me. I suppose his fate is sealed, then.

I decide to head back towards the part of Tanzaku that was I just in, noting the commotion and the people starting to gather around. I gather data by tasting the air around me, searching for any immediate abnormalities. Kisame has decided to move towards the opposite end of the quarter, presumably to take care of the mission he was sent here for. Perhaps following him might get me what I want. My steps take me through the crowd to shake off my pursuer, then towards a side road and down an alley as I make my move. The ROOT member trailing me is stuck sifting through the crowd. Looks like I have a bit of luck on my side today, despite all of this – that person needs to track me visually. All the better for what I have planned later.

"Well, hey there! Leaf officer lady!"

"..."

I recognize that sensation, as much as there's an attempt to suppress it. Slowly, I turn to face the person who has appeared out of thin air behind me. They wear the Akatsuki robe like Kisame, but...their face is obscured by a swirled, orange mask that has a single hole in it.

"Aren't ya gonna check out that crime scene? Looks pretty interesting, y'know?" the man chirps at me cheerfully.

My unease is growing again. There is something wrong...no, I know what this is. It shouldn't be so, but it is.

This person is...

"..."

But then, it's still a wild guess. Itachi said as much, but could it really be him, here and now? Was this fated, or just a strange coincidence? The feeling of a sinister presence makes sense now, but what do I do? I might be in over my head right now. Attack? Stall? Leave? The latter might be the safest option. If this is the man who did all of those things, even if he is supposedly old and past his prime, he easily evaded Erika, Fio, and Kakashi. And none of them are slouches when it comes to fighting.

The best option...or rather, the only real option at this point. This might be the only opportunity I get to deal with him in this manner. If it's me, I might be able to do something.

I take a deep breath in and out to try and settle my nerves. It's time to do this.

"Shall we skip the games?" I ask firmly.

"Hm? Games?" the man says, tilting his head. "Hey lady, what are ya saying all of a sudden? If ya don't want to do your job, just say so!"

"I mean that you should drop that stupid persona and speak with your real voice. You know who I am, and I know who you are. You would have never stuck around here otherwise. I know...that it was you who helped to guide Sasuke here, in order to cause chaos. Itachi has been a thorn in your side, hasn't he..."

"..."

"I know who it is behind that mask," I say.

"You really are a nuisance, aren't you...but then, it only makes sense. You did take out two of our finest. I should have expected something like this."

The childish voice from earlier is gone.

It's deeper now. More menacing. I can feel the atmosphere around me change, becoming cold and tense. The hairs on my skin are starting to stand on end, and now I'm on high alert. Any sense of danger will set me off, and my brain is going into overdrive.

"Madara...Uchiha."

As that name comes from my lips, I feel his aura change again. It's so heavy...so this really is him. The mastermind standing behind Akatsuki. The one who must be the true leader, controlling everything from the shadows. The one who helped Itachi carry out that grim task of erasing the Uchiha from existence, save for two tortured souls.

The same man who fought the Founder, at the place now known as the Valley of the End. The forefather of what remains of the Uchiha children. The one who could control the Nine-Tailed Fox with perfection.

Electricity rolls briefly across my body as I stare into the mask. A light starts to emerge from the single hole in it...turning and turning, becoming a familiar crimson wheel with commas of darkness.

Sharingan.

"It would be prudent to erase you right now," he rumbles. "You've really become a problem, and you're only going to get worse as you grow. But even then, as I am..."

He's wary of me. He has every right to be. But I feel the exact same way about him. Erika and the others said that he had a strange ability, and that would make it easy for him to escape my grasp. Perhaps he could even capture me, and take me away. There's no banter between us...he's taking me seriously. Thinking, concentrating.

Everything I guessed at has been confirmed. What do I do now? What should I do? It's so tense, more than anything in my entire life. There's a persistent fear in the back of my mind. Madara Uchiha, here in front of me. Can I compete with such a titan? Surely he would know how best to disable someone like me. Surely he would have an idea of how best to stifle any moves I make. These aren't just nerves, but the weight of that name...

Everything, at this moment...there's so much at stake somehow.

"I see. So you know your place after all," Madara says. "After killing someone with as much experience as Kakuzu, most would become arrogant, thinking greatly of themselves. He did trade blows with the First Hokage, after all...the only one worthy enough to be my rival."

"..."

I have to calm myself. I have to keep it together. Even if this is Madara Uchiha, I'm not helpless. I'm not some useless brat who just earned her wings as a shinobi. I'm an elite, and that means I can stand up to anyone in this world. I just have to make the right decision.

Although...something has been bothering me. If this really is Madara, and he can move to this degree...not to mention the appearance...what is my brain trying to tell me?

The first thing I should do is sense for his chakra. That way, I can find him easily if I need to...or in the future if he should decide to slip away. But right now, he seems intent on capturing me, taking me out of the picture. With enough time, even I would break and...no, calm down. I'm not done for yet. I need to focus.

"This..."

Why do these colours feel...so familiar?

"Is that...the Founder's chakra?"

"What are you saying now, girl..."

No, there's no mistaking it. I remember this feeling. I promised never to forget that day, and beyond the smell of fresh graves, I remember this chakra. There is absolutely no way that I have this wrong. So how did Madara get that chakra for himself? It's not over his entire body, it's mixed with something else...the Sharingan is somehow familiar, too, I think...I'm not entirely sure.

"You stole that eye, didn't you?" I ask, taking a shot in the dark.

"..."

These things aren't adding up properly. Was Itachi wrong? Is this person an imposter after all? He said that there was too much information to dismiss him as a fake, and I can believe that. He hasn't denied my call out. If this is the real Madara, and he's of advanced age, then...it's possible that he's been stealing parts of people to get himself back into fighting shape. But it's been so long, and these parts are so distinct. Not just the Founder, but...

What the hell is going on here?

"Big mistake, brat. Time for you to go..."

No delaying it, especially with the Sharingan in play. He wants me gone. Fine.

I was getting sick of standing around, anyways.

"Here I come, then." I take a breath in as he starts to move, then body flicker forward and reach out to grab his mask. I just might be able to expose him like this. My fingertips are just above it and then...

...my fingers slide right through his face.

There isn't any sensation, any feeling at all. He really has phased out of existence somehow, and I can't figure out how or why. I can still feel his chakra...but that isn't my issue right now, and I have to stop thinking about it so deeply. I have to keep moving.

My entire body slips through his, and I catch his movement. He's starting to turn around, and I know that he's going to try and grab me. His hand touches my shoulder.

I feel myself being pulled...towards something. Like I'm about to be dragged into some unforgiving void. It's a feeling that I can't quite describe, but there's no time to either way. As soon as my left foot touches the ground, I activate my chakra mode and twist around, pushing myself backwards as hard as I can. Now he's stuck where he is, and I'm free to move again.

"She's fast...just like he was..."

I plant my right foot and accelerate forward again, shifting past his still outstretched right hand and reaching out with my own towards his mask again. If he's anticipating my movements, then he'll try and use that technique to suck me in one more time. The space around his right eye starts to ripple, just as I expected...but he needs to be tangible in order to pull me in, right?

"Have to gamble with this!"

He won't let me get his mask. I can't do damage fast enough to get under his robes. Something...I need something. Ah! "I'll try that...!"

"You're mine..."

I shift targets, moving my right hand upwards and towards the top of his head. Something brushes ever so slightly against my fingertips, and my hand twitches to snatch it away, just before I feel nothing but air again as Madara's body becomes intangible. My momentum carries me through him, and I take one more bounding step before wheeling around and sliding to a stop.

That brief, intense exchange has left us back where we started.

"Not bad. You really are dangerous, Lilith Kobayashi."

"It seems so," I reply, trying to hide my nerves.

"I've seen what I needed to, then. That was interesting. But you will be taken care of soon enough. I wonder...should I check in on your loved ones first?"

"..." I don't twitch at that. It only makes sense to threaten my family, and panicking would solve nothing. Besides, Mama has Midori and Luna to assist her in an instant if needed. This Madara would get a rude response to any provocation...

"Hmph. Cool as ice, aren't we. Full of surprises..."

A swirling hole in space opens around his right eye again. It pulls him in and takes him away.

"..."

I keep myself on high alert until I'm sure that his chakra is gone, and not coming back. I can't sense him at all...I can finally relax.

"Oh my god...oh god..."

I let out heavy breaths and slide to my knees, a hand over my beating heart. That was...too close. That was frightening. Someone like that, with space-time arts and the ability to pull me away in an instant...god, that was too much, even for me.

But I managed to come away with something for my trouble.

In between my trembling fingers are three strands of hair, pulled from Madara's head. They had to be loosened enough that he didn't notice, which is a great blessing. Now I have genetic material, something to unravel the mystery of that man. If what he says is true, now we have the means to verify it properly. Otherwise...

"It...didn't feel like anyone else I knew. If Hina were here, she could see it for sure and tell me..."

A Sharingan and the Founder's chakra. His abilities are definitely enhanced...and it seems to be one of the Mangekyo Sharingan's gifts that he was using, too. It's definitely someone else's eye. Perhaps he took it on the night of the massacre...or he was trading resources with Orochimaru, who wanted an Uchiha body eventually. The eyes would be of no use to him, not as he was.

"Madara wasn't known for teleportation and such. He was far too much of a sadist, from what history has told me. Ah..."

It's going to take a while to settle down. I take a piece of paper from my front pocket and press the hair into it, then fold the paper neatly and place it in my back pocket. It should be secure...I slump down a little further and lower my head, taking some calming breaths in. I can't believe I pulled that off. I can't believe I faced him like that.

"I have to get up now. There's still some work to be done..."

I shake my head and slap at my cheeks a few times to clear my head some more. Kisame is still within range...okay. Time to confront him again. Maybe there's something else I can get from him, without Sasuke and the others in the way. Madara has yet to return.

After getting to my feet, I shake out my legs and then jump towards the rooftops, following Kisame's signal. He's moved uptown, where there is much less clutter and people to get in his way. I suppress my chakra and crawl to the edge of the nearest roof, looking down into the lane way where my target is standing in place.

"Waiting for someone..."

Sheets of paper blow about and move towards him. No, wait. The breeze shouldn't be kicking up anything to that degree. My thoughts are confirmed as the paper starts to swirl around with more vigour. More and more pages gather, pure white sheets that begin to take a certain shape. A person.

The paper sheets have turned into a woman. She has short blue hair, with a flower positioned on the right side of her head. The Akatsuki robe is over her body.

"There has been a change of plans," she says in monotone. "You must head to the other location outlined. Pain will be waiting."

"Rather far away, isn't it?" Kisame asks.

"Perhaps."

"You are a bit ruthless at times," he replies with a chuckle. "Alright. Tell the boss that I'm on my way. Will Itachi be joining us?"

"No. He has his own business to tend to. Be well, Kisame."

"Much appreciated, Konan."

The paper woman disperses herself, leaving in the same manner that she arrived. Kisame produces another straw hat, puts it on, and starts on his way, towards parts unknown.

"..."

There is a lot going on. I feel like my nerves are shot, and we've done enough for the day. Pursuing him, especially without someone to support me...that's too much. Especially since I can't tell where and when Madara will show up again. But there is something I can take care of, here and now. Kisame, Madara...that paper woman, Konan. And something about...Pain. It sounds like a name. Is that what the Akatsuki leader is called? It must be.

"I've done a very good job today, haven't I..."

I let my chakra rise back to its normal level, and then seek out my next target. They're searching for me diligently, still wearing their cloak and mask. I stand in plain view on the street and observe them quietly, licking my lips slowly. I watch as they spot me, body tensing once they realize the situation they're in.

"And good girls deserve to be treated every once in a while."