Scarlet Justice: Full Blossom - ep. 74
"Faithful Students"
[Calamitous Ascent, Part 6]
The following days are relatively quiet.
We did have the promised inspection from the Hidden Mist, which took place the morning after the incident. Borrowing some spare clothing for the crew members and keeping our chakra pushed down seemed to be enough, as they did a visual sweep before leaving after a few hours. Our identities remained hidden the entire time and there wasn't much in the way of harassment, probably owing to the fact that so much of the area was covered in mist.
Afterwards, we continued to keep to ourselves. I write my reports on the mission, and ask Shino and Hina to provide their own written accounts. It comes as a relief to them, as I hoped. They want to make sure that I don't end up alone when the time comes to explain what happened, and I can grant them this much at least. The larger parts of the report will be different from what usually gets sent in. When dealing with the village as a whole, efficiency and brevity are most appreciated in field reports. Speaking directly to the Hokage in this instance, those factors can be suspended in some places. We know each other well, to the point where I also know that he schedules parts of his day around reading what I have to send him. I can elaborate on a great deal of things that I would normally keep short when talking to others.
That aside, keeping busy is good for my mental health at this point. It feels...almost peaceful being able to work like this, quietly and alone for the most part. I wait at the appointed times for Hina to visit me and do whatever medical checks she needs to. I take the pills and drink the medicine she measures out, and eat the food she brings up. Shino comes by every so often to ask some inconsequential question, or deliver a status report of some kind. I make sure to oblige him, and send him on small errands through the ship. He does appreciate having a schedule himself.
"Colonel Kobayashi, ma'am. I hope I haven't disturbed your work."
I set down my tea on this morning and give the young sailor my attention. We're supposedly not more than two days from our designated port, with the hope that this good weather holds.
"Not at all, this is merely quality control at the end of things. What did you need, darling?"
"Oh, um...sorry, ma'am." He straightens up to compose himself. "The Captain would like to see you presently, to discuss matters regarding the passengers and crew of this vessel, ma'am. If it's not any trouble."
"Certainly not. Where shall I head for our meeting?"
"The bridge, ma'am."
"Understood. Send word ahead that I will be present within the next few minutes, if you would be so kind."
"Yes, ma'am."
"Thank you, darling." I give him a wink. "Be well, yes?"
"Y-yes, ma'am. Thank you." He bows and tries to hide his blush before heading out.
After finishing my tea, I shrug on one of the knit sailing sweaters that I've borrowed and make my way over to the ship's bridge. Hina and Shino are ahead of me with Captain Tarou.
"I see we've all been assembled on this fine day," I say as I approach. "Pleasant morning, Captain. I hope you've been able to rest well."
"Aye, slept well enough. Beasts of destruction aside, the journey has been smooth thus far. Which is why I called you all up here."
"If there is anything we need to do for you, please don't hesitate to ask," Hina says. "You've done well by us, to say the least of it."
"It won't be me that has need of anything, to be sure. You've done well by us in your own way, simply put. The masses wish to see their champions in person. We've had more than a few requests before and after our guests from the Hidden Mist made their rounds."
"I wouldn't have a problem with it," Shino says.
"I feel the same. Though it's Lili's opinion that matters most," Hina says. "Do you feel alright with this? I know that there's a lot to consider."
I shrug. "Not really. From a security standpoint, there's nothing we can do. Most of those people saw us a few days ago, and know that we're still here. For social considerations, it could add to our reputation if we come up with an excuse for why we can't reveal ourselves. But it would also be good to see exactly what they think of us, and understand why they didn't give us up. Even if the suggestion not to reveal our presence on the ship reached every person on board, having all of them keep that secret would be next to impossible without some kind of extra motivation." I give Tarou a nod. "Whenever the time suits you best. We'll go together and meet with the passengers."
"Alright. We'll let everyone know right away so they can jockey properly for their spots," Tarou says. A sailor goes down and we wait about a minute or so before heading down ourselves. There's a commotion as expected, and a few strong bodies make sure our way is clear.
Salty as it is, the sea air feels nice to breathe in again. Calming in its own way. It's cool out, but not too much so. The sun is rising in the clear sky, giving a lovely sparkle to the waters as I look to the starboard side of the ship, on my left. A few gulls ride the currents swiftly, as they're like to do, and let out their unique cries. Some perch on the edges of the ship, getting chased off as they hope for food scraps or to pluck the meal from an unlucky traveller's hands.
There's not much in the way of space for meetings on ships like this, but we should be able to make do. The dining area is the obvious place to be, and it's packed to the point that the cooks have no room to move. People are bunched up in corners, sitting on table edges and sharing chairs. Others take their spots on the floor, using blankets and bags for comfort. The colours and fragrances are a kaleidoscope in themselves, different people from the most varied walks of life. One might tend to think of passenger ship inhabitants as scruffy, with drab and worn clothing for their journeys across the sea. I would think that this scene is enough to dispense with that notion. Well over two hundred souls in here, as I think the normal seating capacity is about half as many. But there are obvious reasons why you don't have a room this full all the time.
Shino, Hina and I stand near the dining area entrance, next to Captain Tarou and two of his officers. The noise from earlier is dying down slowly, enough so that everyone snaps to attention as soon as the captain gives us three sharp claps.
"Alright, all. The three shinobi who saved this vessel from oblivion have come down to see you, as you've wanted. I'll let them introduce themselves at their own pace."
I nod to Shino and Hina.
"My name is Hinata Hyuuga of the Hidden Leaf Village."
"I am Shino Aburame, also of the Hidden Leaf Village."
"And I am Lilith Kobayashi, this team's leader and also of the Hidden Leaf Village. Our greetings to all of you here."
Everyone who can puts their hands together and bows their heads before us. Those who cannot simply keep their heads low. It's very quiet, enough to hear one's breathing. Even Tarou and the others are doing the same.
I've been thinking on what I wanted to say for a while now, anticipating something like this. An opportunity to speak to the masses like this doesn't come very often. Is two hundred such a large number? I suppose not in terms of population. I couldn't say how many are natives of Fire Country, either. They could be on short business ventures, or simply passing through. Still.
There are things that should be said. A small audience is an audience, comprised of people. Their ears are no less important than those that will hear my proclamations in the future.
"I ask you all to raise your heads, and to continue your reverence in heart if you wish to do so. Though I will not make pretense of why it is so," I begin. There is a small bit of shuffling as everyone returns to their previous positions, looking at me with anticipation. "Hina, Shino...did we have anything to say?"
"Nothing, Boss."
"There's nothing I have to add."
"Understood. Then I will continue on. My name again is Lilith Kobayashi, she who carries strength and name to shake the foundations of the world itself. I am the Scarlet Viper of Leaf, and the all-consuming Crimson Nightmare. The great terror spoken of by shinobi for years past, and years to come in perpetuity. As such, we do not stand as peers or equals. There is nothing to lie to you about. It is this strength, the same that sees me stand above all of you in my presence, that allowed me to preserve the souls of my loved ones next to me, and of you who are all gathered here."
I take a few steps closer to the front of the crowd. They seem even more eager to listen than before.
"The reason I say this to you is not to mock or scorn you for your lack of strength. Far from that. This power, and indeed the power that has been given to all shinobi, should be used to preserve and benefit those without. Even those shinobi who are lesser in strength, besides. The reason I saw fit to save you is...that you matter. Every one of you matters. My dream is to open the door towards possibility for all, and not just a chosen few. Perhaps aught will come of this venture, this sacrifice that was made. Perhaps one or more of you would disappear tomorrow, or a month from now, maybe a year. It could be that the world comes to a screeching halt, or its sudden end somewhere down the line. This event will still have meaning to me. You do not deserve to have your existences tossed about by the fates, while we stand and watch with hopeless hearts. My belief is that you deserve more than that. And so, I used my strength to bring you here, and all of us here."
I crouch and meet the gaze of a small girl in an orange dress, who smiles at me. I smile back and rub her head of brown hair gently.
"What would this goddess ask of you as tribute? A persistent thought that must be within your minds and hearts, as you saw death rebuked within the veil of darkness itself." I look at the girl's father and he nods with acceptance. I pick up the girl and let her rest in one of my arms. "Well, I have no need of material goods. No need of gold or silver, of food or other wares...such things would see better use by your family or neighbours. What I would ask as tribute is kindness. To those you love, and to those who live next to you in this world. And most importantly, to yourself. Make use of this blessed opportunity to continue on, and live life in the best way you can. And the most responsible, no doubt. Please do not leap from any high places on my behalf. I dare say that I cannot guarantee my presence among the many dozens of you, and it would scandalize me besides."
The room goes up in hearty laughter. I leave everyone to it for a while before signalling that I want to continue.
"I believe in the future. I have for a long time, now. The belief in my heart is what leads me to choices like this. I do have my work as an elite shinobi to look at, surely. I take the lives of others, those with their own families, their friends and comrades...so it goes. I am far from the local priestess or holy woman who treats every man with kindness and has never known the sting of a shark skin grip. A soldier, an assassin, a malefactor in the nations bordering ours and beyond. But I can be more than that. And so...I choose to be. Remember this kindness that was shown to you, and do not bury your gift out of shame or fear. Find your own ways to give that kindness back to the world itself. And maybe it might be in a time too slow for you, or for all of us...but the timing of heaven is ever perfect, and we will reach our goal of a changed world. I do suppose there is one more thing that you can do for me."
I close my eyes and put my free hand over my chest.
"This humble servant asks that you think of her, and petition heaven for her safety. For it is this strength that will change the future, and our love that will preserve its peace forever. Never forget that no matter how thin the rays of light in your heart, together they can help to move the mountains themselves."
I open my eyes again.
"If you would believe in a more perfect future, then I ask that you believe in me. I am one, but I am chosen. A favoured child of heaven. Thank you for welcoming me, and for listening." I let the girl down from my arms, and she bows before going back to her parents. "I will be more than happy to answer questions on your minds, within reason of course."
There's a nervous mumbling around the dining hall for a bit before someone stands up on one of the tables. A small woman, thin and with her hair wrapped beneath a bandana. Her clothes suggest she's at the least middle-class, perhaps in the upper levels of such.
"Madam Kobayashi, a moment of your time!" she yells.
"Of course, darling. What might you desire of me?"
"Ah...r-right. Apologies madam, for my enthusiasm. To speak to us like this...would you not worry about being led to the authorities and such? I dare not say that any of us could contain such heinous thoughts in our hearts, not after being rescued from certain death...but it must be something that you've kept in mind, madam. This is a cruel world at times, isn't it?"
"'Tis so. But those worries are by the wayside now. I know that enough of you gave me and my comrades the opportunity to remain on this vessel safely as the interrogators from the Hidden Mist came aboard. But you might be right in that the danger persists." I shrug. "So it is in this world. Shinobi are meant to endure a great deal of things. Pain and betrayal of all kinds. I could not hate anyone or be disappointed if that were the case, as we did prepare for the possibility. But it warms our hearts to know that it all came to nothing, and that we were truly safe among you all. The world is yet steeped in darkness, but with the power of love and faith, we will be able to make it through, to the other side were light shines perpetual. Such is our hope, and our reason to fight."
She bows towards me. "Thank you, Madam Kobayashi. Please be well on your journey, wherever it might end up taking you."
"Many thanks to you, darling. May you be safe in this life as well."
"Oi, 'scuse me. Gramps wants to get up there...just move a bit to the side, yeah."
"It's fine, it's fine. I'm almost there."
An old man with a lacquered wooden cane, his white hair tucked messily underneath his hat. He looks very well for his age, possibly limited mobility aside. A tailored suit, black with white pinstripes on it and the chain of a pocket watch going out from his suit breast. He puts both hands on his cane and looks up at me curiously after stopping at the front of the room. The boy directing traffic earlier stops beside him and gives me a brusque nod before tilting his hat downwards again.
"As you might have guessed, young miss...I've lived long enough to see the beginnings of this age we live in now. Yes, the age of Hashirama Senju and Madara Uchiha, and all those who lived as great gods among men."
"I see." The room is quieter than before, people inching closer to catch our conversation. "From you who has seen the transition of this world...what say you of this woman, who uses the great power at her disposal for her own ends?"
"At first, I would have assumed foolishness before watching with my own eyes as the sea split in two. Indeed, even after that some would be wary of someone claiming to be the arrow that pierces this world's darkness. Even the great Hashirama Senju came to a mortal end, the man who caused the world to rearrange itself around his will and desire for peace, and the same who carved trenches into the earth during battles with his greatest rival." He nods. "Yes, if even those with such power in the past came to an end, what sense would there be in assuming anything greater in this fragile age?"
He raises a brow at me.
"And from a woman, no less."
Cheeky old man, isn't he. More confidence than wrinkles, I'll bet. "Hmph."
The old man smiles and chuckles lightly. "But all was told from today's speech, and the dreams expressed within. Ignoring the boundaries between nations, between the classes that people exist in and their circumstances, so on. I wonder about the goals of such a woman, who descended from the thrones built for her and into the chaos that governs the world of shinobi and their ilk."
"I suppose it's not all altruism, ossan. The ego plays a large part as well. I could not claim that I lack in arrogance, either. In order to provoke the world into change, a bare necessity is that I become one of its lords in time. But as one called shinobi, the binding threads nearest my grasp are much closer to the truth than they would be, had I chosen to live as a woman in seclusion with her skin both fair and unblemished."
"Shinobi woman," the boy says, "we owe you a great deal of gratitude for saving our lives days ago. But it must be said that your speech is tiresome and grating to those who are not given to the void of time."
"Mm. It seems there's no accounting for taste sometimes. Your spirit is appreciated all the same. Very cute."
He stifles himself and puts his head down again, blushing. The old man lets out a hearty laugh.
"The boy has a point, though I do have an opposing opinion of my own. A woman of fine stature, yes, yes."
"No offence came of it, surely. I've been told more than once that I have a dramatic way of going about things. My lovely comrades would agree."
"You do go on too much, yes," Hina says.
"Sometimes you're a bit long winded. No offence, Boss," Shino says.
"There we are. But the complete package, as she is, comes with such whimsy included. Hmhm." I brush back some of my hair. "That said, a simple service is possible...let it be said that my goals lie beyond the understanding of man and beast both. But the justice I shall mete out is meant for the good and comfort of all. A dream beyond that of simple peace...well. That should suffice for now. As you live healthily, ossan, you will be able to enjoy its spoils."
"Ah..." He rubs his chin and nods. "An answer as good as I would have hoped for. I should devote more time to prayer in the coming days. Interesting things lie ahead. Then, Madam Shinobi...until the day you reach that ideal world of ours."
"Of course, ossan. I won't let you down."
He nods and signals his grandson to follow, who gives me a timid wave before going after the old man.
With the atmosphere relaxing a bit, there are more questions. Simple, much less interrogative. For some, it's the first time they've been so close to someone who uses chakra in the way that I do. Others haven't had the pleasure of seeing a shinobi who was too busy or too gruff for them to approach. A skeptic here, a doomsayer there...an unbeliever or two, though even that seems like a weak facade.
It's not an outpouring of deep secrets or esoteric knowledge on my end. Most know it wouldn't be reasonable to try and wander to those places. But between the young and old, they gain understanding from me, as I do from them. This event changed all of us here. My life, and theirs.
"Alright, alright. Now unless you're ready to eat something, I'll need the lot of you to clear the room. That's all for now," Tarou announces.
"Fair call," I say as the room starts to clear. "Any longer and we would need to mount an operation to get Hina out of here."
She blushes. "That's only because I'm not as much of a...that term that Shikamaru likes to use-"
"Ball breaker?"
"Yes, that. Thank you. It's only because I lack that kind of quality. I told them I was taken, several times."
"Men are determined creatures." I look at Shino. "Usually."
"Far be it from me to set any woman up for disappointment." He adjusts his glasses. "One significant other is enough for me."
"The next time someone tells me that public speaking isn't an art," Tarou says as he reaches us, "I'll tell them about the stories you spun today. I might believe that you'd be a more dangerous politician than a shinobi."
"Mm. I'll have those old pols licking out of my hands in time as well," I say to him. "Their gilded seats are of no concern to me."
"Hoh. Now that would have sent the room up in a blaze on its own."
"Trouble making is one of my specialties, indeed. But it is as you said, to speak in public takes talent and energy besides. We will rest properly until we reach port. It's from there that the real work will begin, unfortunately." I sigh. "Was nice to not think about it for a little while. Let's head up, then."
Whatever happens next, will happen. But today was good, for many different reasons. I think a new door to the future has been opened for us.
One day at a time. That is all we need.
Our Captain has a sister in Hot Water Country, who runs her own onsen and manages a series of others in a certain area. Her name is Asuka, called the Onsen Princess in her part of the world. While I've never met her, we're more connected than I realized. It turns out that she's well acquainted with Zen, and he is the de facto supplier for this crew when it comes to weapons due to Tatsuya's concern for quality.
Business seems to be going very well for him lately. Hopefully he'll have time for my next commission, when I finish the plans for it.
We reach port in two days as scheduled. Everyone disembarks, happy to be free of the ship's confines and on the doorstep of this port town. An opportunity for travellers to rest in more comfortable beds, and for the crew to rest and resupply.
"I'll be sure to tell my sister about you, the next time we get on the phone together. Quite a small world we live in, it seems."
"Indeed." The four of us stand next to the gangway after leaving the ship proper. As usual, the captain is the last to leave, after checking over everything and ensuring the security of his most important asset. Our group will be continuing on towards the closest military outpost, so as to send off the mission reports to the Leaf as soon as possible.
"The words cannot be repeated enough, madam. It was a pleasure and an honour to host you over these days, and your gift to us will not be forgotten in this life. Nor any other, I hope."
We shake hands firmly.
"And no leader is complete without her crew." He shakes hands with Hina and Shino next. "Do your best to keep up, you know how our types get once motivated."
"We'll do our best," Hina says with a smile.
"Mission accepted," Shino says.
"Aye, you'll all do fine. Before you go...there was something I wanted to ask," Tarou says.
"What was it?" I ask him.
"That corridor is regularly sailed, and so we have knowledge of the various dangers that we might encounter. The beast is also a man...aye, they are one in the same. Not some creature, but a person in their own right. Miss Kobayashi..."
"..."
"You struck them down as a last resort...was that not the truth?"
I nod. "It was. That choice went much deeper than anyone would realize. Of course, now you are among those that do."
"I see. So your report..."
"Yes."
"Hm." He lets out a breath and adjusts his hat. "Understood. Then I won't hold you any longer. I hope that things go well for you upon your return. Thank you again for your sacrifices."
"Of course. I'm thankful we could be of service to you, Captain. May the heavens guide you to safety, always."
We bow towards him before turning and heading off in formation. The first part of the eastern forest comes into sight, and we jump from the path into the trees. The first part of our journey home...towards the final result of our actions. No regrets, and nothing to turn back from.