Scarlet Justice: Full Blossom - ep. 81
"Radical Treatment"
[Prescribed Burn, Part 2]
Morning arrives.
I get up and check my things before hiding them in the branches of a tree. A simple white cloak goes over my body, and I sense for anything out of place in my surroundings. Nothing yet, or at least nothing that I can sense.
A snack bar, or rather three, and some water will do for energy needs. I make that familiar cross with two fingers on each hand, just as I remember Naruto doing constantly.
"Shadow Clone Jutsu."
My clone appears from thin air next to me. We nod to each other and start into the forest, back towards the cave a few kilometres away. I stretch my sensing technique outwards and find Itachi out near the edge of my range. So far, so good.
"Let's not give them a chance to figure us out, love," I say to my clone.
"Aye. Settle in where we marked before."
"Understood. Be safe."
"Always." She pulls up her hood at the same time I do mine. We start on our separate ways; she settles into a casual walk towards the meeting point, while I sink to the ground and start to crawl along the forest floor. I activate my secondary sensing technique, pausing with each movement forward to detect any trouble.
Eventually my clone gets far enough ahead and goes into her routines. She pauses at the cave entrance and looks around. I continue crawling, sinking lower to the ground before I'm nearly on my stomach. Getting too close isn't ideal...this distance is good. Now to wait.
It takes a few minutes, but I can feel something. There.
A faint vibration. It grows in intensity, coming from the earth about a dozen meters from where my clone is waiting. And finally, I can feel it. A person, merged with the earth. In that state, they can't be picked up by normal sensing techniques. This confirms it.
"..."
This is an odd profile I'm getting. It's like there's only half a body there, for some reason. Am I missing something? I want visual confirmation, but being so low to the ground, and at this angle...bothersome, but nothing I can't deal with. My clone hasn't noticed anything yet, not that she would with her sensing techniques turned off to help sell our little act. Zetsu, or who I assume is such, waits patiently. I suppress my chakra as much as possible, relying solely on scent and vibration from here on. Now that he's above ground, I can memorize everything about him.
Hopefully Itachi gets here soon. I don't want this to simmer for too long.
"Hrm. He's late...I don't want anyone nosing around," my clone says. She checks her time piece and looks towards the cave. "I'll head inside now." She looks around a few more times before going inside.
Now there's a strange pulse going through the earth, that I can sense faintly. Something like...communication? To who? Is there someone else on site? Troublesome if so. And now something else is happening. A new series of vibrations, next to Zetsu...huh.
Two Zetsus?
This is unexpected. Alright...wait. The profile of the Zetsus are changing. Now they're...the same. The feedback feels like a complete person, as opposed to halves of a whole. So they can split apart, communicate over long distances. We need to make sure that we hit them while they're together, then. Itachi did make mention of their whole 'split personality' business and independent thinking, but I suppose even he didn't know that they could physically separate. They must have concealed that ability from everyone other than Obito and Pain. Konan as well, given her clearance. Hopefully Jiraiya's done something about her.
"Itachi is on his way," one Zetsu says. The tone of this one takes on a serious, focused nature. This must be the so called Black Zetsu half, and the most dangerous half according to Itachi. "So the woman is inside of the cave, then."
"Yep. She looked pretty nervous, like I told you," the other Zetsu says. This is the White Zetsu half, talkative and carefree. No less worthy of attention, but definitely less focused than his partner. "You really think she's got a baby in her? Already?"
"I can sense something faint, but I can't confirm what it is. We'll need to get closer...I want to record everything properly either way."
"Oh boy, sneaking, sneaking!"
"Oi, be serious for once in your life. Let's get in there and wait for Itachi...the boss has been looking for a big opening like this to destroy him, and this is an opportunity dropped into our laps."
"The scandal will be juicy, too!" White Zetsu says cheerfully. "The world famous Scarlet Viper, having a child out of wedlock! With an international super ultra mega criminal who performed a massacre in her home village! Oh, the drama! The betrayal! The shame!"
"And all of that will remain a thought in your head if you don't stop chattering away," Black Zetsu says. "Focus, stupid."
"Hey, you don't have to be so mean! I'm gonna tell Tobi!"
"Yeah, yeah." I feel them merge into the earth again before disappearing.
Looks like I managed to mask myself enough to avoid detection. Success.
I keep my chakra down and focus beyond the small animals making their rounds. Heavier, human footsteps are making their way towards me. They stop and then I feel the ground shake in a pattern. I tap my toes in the same pattern and see that Itachi is looking at me with his Sharingan. He nods and then heads into the cave.
I rise up a bit and crawl to the cave entrance, pressing myself against one of the sides and closing my eyes. The only thing to do now is wait until the party starts.
I glance at the crow perched in the branches nearby.
My original is just outside the cave now, and in position. It means that we're ready to go, and we just have to wait for one more. I lean against one of the walls and check my watch, before hearing footsteps.
Good. Right on schedule.
Itachi enters the cave, Sharingan active and sweeping it for abnormalities. We've properly hidden the tags from sight, and hopefully Zetsu doesn't have any means of detecting those on their own. Maybe the sticky trap down below might give them pause.
That means there's no time to lose.
I can sense them in the cave with Negative Vibration active. They're hidden away in the shadows, a little bit behind Itachi. My pretend lover turns off his doujutsu and sighs dramatically. Well, dramatically for him.
"You weren't followed?" he asks.
I smile, emerging from the shadows. "Of course not, silly. I'm always extra careful, especially for my big, strong daddy."
"Hm. It's an interesting nickname you've chosen for me."
I drop my hood, then saunter towards him. "One with extra meaning now, mhmhm." I take his hand and put it on my bare stomach. "Remember the last time we were together?"
"It's very difficult to forget. You're...an attentive lover."
"So sweet. Well...you aimed true that time, like all the others. And guess what...now I've got the next generation of the Uchiha, right in here."
His eyes widen.
"Congratulations, lover. You just won the grand prize in the Lili Kobayashi sweepstakes! Mm, how's it feel to be a daddy for real?" I ask as I rub his cheek, purring gently. "Are you as excited as I am?"
"I..."
I pause. "Itachi? Is there something wrong, sweetie?"
"Lili. I came to tell you something important."
"What is it? Speak to me."
"I...I think we should separate. Things are getting too dangerous, and if Zetsu finds us, if he finds out-"
"No." I step back, pushing his hand away.
"Lili."
"No. No, this isn't happening." I tear up. "Not now, this can't be happening now. Please, god..."
"Lili, calm-"
"Don't you fucking tell me to calm down!" I scream, drawing a kunai. "All I wanted was to be with you, and you...you fucking put a baby in me, and now you're saying that you want us to be apart?! Are you for fucking real right now?"
"Listen-"
"I just wanted a good fucking man. Someone who understood, someone who wanted to take care of me. I fell for you, despite everything," I say, clutching the kunai in my hands. "I didn't care that the whole world would hate me, but I was still risking so much. How...am I going to go on? What am I going to do with this child? Huh? She was supposed to be with you, until I could arrange everything-"
"How do you know it's a girl-"
"Fucking shut up!" I yell, waving the kunai around. "I know! I know because she's inside of me, and I'm connected to her! My daughter! Our daughter!" I sob dramatically before shifting into crazed laughter.
Itachi backs away, slowly.
"Hahahaha...fuck. Fuck no. I'm not letting you get away, daddy dearest. It's not going to happen," I growl.
He raises his hands. "Lili. Just wait. I don't mean to abandon you, I swear. I...I wanted a child as well, I just..."
"Be quiet. Come over here," I snarl.
"Put down the weapon."
"Come. Over. Here."
"Lili. I can't trust you like this," he says firmly. "Put down the weapon, or I'll make you."
"Will you? Fucking try it." I pull open my cloak, and Itachi reels back in horror. "Make me."
"Why do you have all of those tags...Lili, what is wrong with you?"
"I knew, in the back of my mind, that you'd pull some shit like this," I say while nodding. "You men are all the same. Stupid. Self serving. That's why I'm going to put your deadbeat ass back in line. You love me? You love your daughter? Then do as I fucking say, or else I turn us both into chunky red sauce in front of you. You won't be able to clean us off the walls, even if you spend a hundred thousand years trying."
"You're insane," he whispers.
"I'm pregnant," I whisper back. I put a psychotic smile on as I walk forward, slowly. "Mommy and her daughter want a big hug from Daddy."
"No...I'm sorry. Lili, I'm sorry..."
"Itachi." I stop. "Listen now, if you..."
"I'm sorry that it came to this. But...it will be better for us both. Better if you forget me entirely."
"Wait. What do you mean," I mumble. My body stiffens a moment later. "You can't. No, Itachi-!"
"Lili..." He smiles at me, tears in his eyes. "Goodbye."
"Itachi, wait!" I scream, reaching towards him. "I lo-!"
The Sharingan flashes in my mind's eye. Everything goes dark. And I...
"I know. I love you too."
I can hear the words as I fall to the floor.
"..."
Of course, that's merely the end of our performance. Itachi and I decided that at the climax, he would erase my memory, after I lost my marbles over his abandonment of me and my unborn child.
Tragic. Just a bit cheesy. Totally believable. From my position on the ground, I can tell that Zetsu has been captivated enough by our performance.
"You have to live on, Lili. For this world, and for...our daughter."
I feel him pick me up gently, and I make sure to go limp while in his arms.
"There's just...one more thing I have to do. That...we have to do."
My eyes snap open, and I grin right at Zetsu. Both halves freeze in shock.
"We have to end this," he starts.
"With a blast!" I finish gleefully.
Itachi's body swells and explodes. The tags inside of my cloak go off in a brilliant chain before I vanish in the fireball with him.
The feedback from my clone comes in as I move away from the cave entrance, watching the top explode outwards and dust shoot outwards. A shower of rock and dirt comes down from the sky, and I can hear the top floor collapse as both halves of Zetsu yell on their way to the bottom. They fall into the wide pool of sticky, chakra infused water.
It's the foundation of our most diabolical trap. Sage Art: Starch Syrup Gun.
An advanced Water Release technique that allows the user to create high viscosity water, which covers a wide area very quickly. Water chakra and natural energy are blended together before being shot from the mouth with great force. It's normally used for area denial and trapping enemies, as the water is not easily adjusted to in time. It can easily cover the enemy and slow them to a stop, leaving them helpless against whatever comes next.
"What is-! Gah!"
"This water's sticky! Water's not supposed to be like that!"
"This chakra!" Black Zetsu yells. "Where did Itachi find a Sage?!"
The crow perched nearby takes off and turns into Itachi, landing on the newly formed cave lip opposite me.
"You're sure?" I ask.
"If there's a time to burn myself away, it's now. I'm ready!" he shouts back.
I nod. "Executing now!"
The enemy's full capability is unknown, but they may have chakra manipulation or absorption at their fingertips. In which case, we start by layering attacks, one on top of the other. Our trap is a mix of water, chakra, and most importantly, oil. This is the first dimension.
I take a handful of traditional paper bombs from my pouch, light the fuses with a kiss, and whip them down towards the water and oil mix. They explode just above it, igniting the oil and turning the trap into a burning pool of syrup.
"Aaah! This isn't...chakra! I can't-"
Absorb it. All according to plan.
Chakra comes from nature, is fuelled by natural processes inside of the body, and mimics many natural events. But the things that chakra creates are not natural in their entirety. The destructive power of a runaway wildfire, that of a tsunami from the sea, or a tornado from the sky, a hurricane, a bolt of lightning...these things that come from nature itself have the potential to be more powerful than any shinobi technique. A true bolt of lightning shot from my mouth would be nearly impossible to dodge, but it would also be that much harder to control.
Plain explosives and commercial oil, coming together to create a natural process that cannot be absorbed or negated by specialized shinobi techniques. But these flames are just a distraction, a prelude to chaos; if shinobi could be downed by mere flames, ocean waves, and heavy winds, then the world would not look the way it does now. Ninjutsu imitate the forces of nature.
But copies can surpass their originals, given the opportunity.
I make the Horse seal with my hands and take a deep breath in. This is the next step.
"Fire Release: Great Fire Annihilation."
I breathe out a stream of flames, down into the pit below. It explodes outwards, covering the cave walls and causing the few unlit tags to ignite and set off more blasts. The flames hit the bottom and ignite the rest of the oil, mixing with the already present fires and whipping them up into a massive storm. The screams coming from Zetsu are nearly drowned out by the howling that comes from the flames. They swirl and surge upwards, scorching heat blown into my face and making me sweat as I pour more chakra into the jutsu.
"Stand back, Lili."
I cease the flames coming from my mouth and jump away from the lip of the cave, catching my breath. Itachi jumps over to another branch, one that allows him to overlook the cave opening from further away. His eyes are closed as he focuses, chakra building around them. I can sense the chakra of the Zetsus, or at least the remaining one. It's faint, but still there. He might be able to pull off a miracle and get away, but I really hope not.
From where I look up at Itachi, I can see liquid coming down from his right eye, like tears. Blood.
"Amaterasu."
His eye opens.
The flames shimmer before turning pitch black in an instant. Unnatural, reminding me of a painting more than anything. The tongues reach out into the atmosphere, waving everywhere in a manner that can only be described as strange. I can see textures in the flames, bizarre and frightening. And the heat is both focused and searing as I stand back from the ruined cave.
Black Zetsu's cries are faint against the howling of the black flames, but I can make some of them out. Something about regret...about how this wasn't supposed to happen, outwitted by stupid human brats...that it shouldn't have come to this.
"Forgive me...kaa-san," I mutter.
To say something like that. Black Zetsu had a mother, that he cared about to that degree. Who was she? Or maybe the question is, who is she now? A member of Akatsuki? Could it be that Konan woman? Someone on the outside?
"..."
Whatever the case, he's gone. I can't sense him. It's unlikely that he got away, but we'll need to confirm the kill. It's too important a thing to skip.
"Itachi," I call out.
"We can't leave until we're done. Amaterasu doesn't go out on its own," he says from his perch.
"It's strong against Water Release, then?"
"Yes. An advanced nature that exists beyond the normal progression of the wheel. Some in the past have taken to calling it Enton."
"Blaze Release, then. Hm..."
"This forbidden power begins to rival the forces of nature themselves. But only begins to." He hops down to meet me, and I stay his hand before he can wipe at the blood on his face. I do so for him with a cloth. "It will burn without end unless the caster turns it off."
"And that strains your eye as well."
"Yes."
I finish wiping his face. "So is this one of the techniques that Sasuke has?"
"We confirmed it during our journey together. Sasuke has his own set of talents. He can control the black flames to a much better degree than I can."
"I suppose that makes sense. He is quite good with ninjutsu."
"A compliment?"
"Even I know when to praise someone for their skill. I'm not as ornery a bitch as everyone thinks...though it would help to keep that under wraps for now. I do have a reputation to maintain."
"I'll remember that."
"Thank you kindly." I look at the column of black flames. "I can't sense either of them, but we can keep the flames burning for a while longer. Until you catch your breath, at least."
"Alright." He pauses. "What do you mean by either of them?"
"Zetsu was two people. The black half and the white half acted independently. I think the black half was in charge, and the white half carried out a lot of the leg work." My eyes narrow. "The white half...had the same chakra as the Founder. And that wavelength matched up exactly to what I remember of Obito. If that's the case..."
"Then Obito is cultivating the White Zetsu, using Hashirama's cells," Itachi concludes.
"Where the hell would something like that be hidden..."
"I wouldn't be able to tell you. But with this saga closed, I am now free to move as I like." He pats my head gently, and I lean into his touch. "You are truly a genius on every level, imouto. The plan was brilliant, and flawlessly executed. This could have been done with most anyone at your side, thinking about it."
"Maybe. But you were the first and best choice," I say. "How was my acting?"
"Dynamic and exciting."
"Tch. You're too cheeky sometimes." I look up at him. "Itachi."
"Yes."
"Would you really do something like that? To protect me?"
"I would. Your safety is worth more than my happiness. Even forgotten, I would still watch over you from the shadows."
"I see. That's reassuring to hear, if reckless as usual."
"Hm."
"Well, don't take this as permission to do anything dangerous. You need to rest, like I'll be doing once this is over and done with. Everyone's been pestering me lately, and I don't want to make them upset."
"It's good to know that you're being fussed over at home," he says.
"Yes." I sigh. "But we're finally on our way. Maybe we'll have to deal with more of those White Zetsu later on, but for now...we should be able to gain ground on those Akatsuki pricks. Make sure Anko-nee knows. This was bothersome to her movement earlier."
"I'll let her know right away."
"Do you want dinner out here, or at a proper establishment? There's a place with a small pub within jogging distance."
"I would enjoy a meal indoors tonight."
"Good. We can talk about other things later...I have some very interesting findings."
"Before I left the organization, there was much discussion on the level of danger you presented to us."
We sit together in a corner booth, at the pub outlined earlier. There's some traffic, but not enough to be a worry. Today's special is beef stew with toasted bread on the side. It's very good, as is the case with so many of these places we come upon.
I wonder if introducing the world to these styles of cuisine might help bring more people together. There's nothing like a hearty meal to soothe weary souls, after all.
"So this level of pursuit wasn't something done out of self-interest," I say to Itachi.
"Yes. The existing plans were advanced after the incident with Rothschild, but ever since Orochimaru was crushed by your union with Sarutobi, Akatsuki has been keeping an eye on your movements. Obito did not seem especially panicked after meeting you the first time in Tanzaku, or at least he didn't seem to be during that period of time."
"I suspect he's underestimated me for the last time," I say before sipping on my apple cider.
"Once word gets back that Zetsu has been liquidated...liquid being apt enough-"
"Heh."
"...he will start taking more drastic action. I have no idea of the true scope of his plans, but suffice it to say that anything that involves handling the power of tailed beasts is not good for the rest of us."
"Well put."
"Before anything else, would it be alright to reveal the findings you made mention of earlier?"
"Oh, of course. I'm sorry to have forgotten."
"It's alright. There is a lot on our minds at current."
"That's true." I finish the last of my stew and wash it down, then wipe my mouth with a napkin. "I heard some strange things coming from Black Zetsu as he expired. He was crying out for his mother, if I heard things right. He called us brats that pulled off an impossibility, stupid humans. Cursed us endlessly, as is fitting for someone being burned to death."
"Yes."
"Do you have any insights?" I ask.
After Itachi turned off Amaterasu, the flames disappeared. As is natural for higher order techniques, the previous flames were consumed and added to its power. Something to remember for later. We thoroughly inspected the cave as soon as it was cool enough to enter. Itachi used his basic Sharingan, I used Crimson Depths and Negative Vibration. White Zetsu was gone as expected. Black Zetsu seemed to be slightly more present, as an inky blackness against the cave floor. We use our abilities to distinguish between scorched rock and carbonized flesh, picking up the tiny samples of the latter. They could be something from the cave, but it never hurts to check. I scrape a few flakes of the ink that was presumably Black Zetsu, put them into a special container and then seal it with caution. Then I send it over to the snake kingdom with instructions for Midori.
I don't want it anywhere near the village if it will cause trouble, and she would be understanding of it. True to form, she sent a message right back saying that she would be happy to hold onto the sample and have our friend Kabuto study it for a while. I had forgotten about him, and his obsession with scientific endeavours. Studying Zetsu must have been at the front of his mind for many years.
"Nothing comes to mind. Zetsu did seem to be an inhuman existence, but no more so than some of our other colleagues," he says. "Mother...I don't have any idea who would fit that description in the organization, or elsewhere. As far as I know, his loyalties have always been to Obito, who posed as Madara, and Pain with Konan by extension. I also don't think she would be the mother mentioned, physically or spiritually."
"Hm. It's not a strange thing to say in the throes of despair, but the way he said it..."
"Maybe it was a simple cry, knowing that he was about to leave this world," Itachi says. "We have a habit of looking for deeper meaning as shinobi, and while we tend to be right, there are times where we aren't. This might be one of them." He pauses and sips at his drink.
"But you're not entirely sure of that, are you?" I ask.
"No. I think there may be more to it, simply because of the existence of Pain and the White Zetsu that made up his other half. If part of his power came from the cells of Hashirama Senju, we may be dealing with something that goes back into the depths of shinobi history. I have no idea of how old Black Zetsu could have been, but maybe he predated the organized shinobi system, and simply saw an opportunity once Akatsuki arrived on the scene."
"I suppose that might be the case. Maybe we'll find out when we confront Pain at last. He's probably getting impatient with his membership getting cut down so quickly, and with so little to show for it. Three tailed beasts is trouble, but not nearly as much trouble as was possible months ago. We've still got five on what could nominally be called the home team."
"You're going to Rain."
"After the summit, at some point. You need to keep Obito in check for a little longer, and you can pressure Akatsuki with impunity from here on." I think a moment. "What do you know about Deidara, aside from the obvious?"
"I personally recruited him into the organization."
"Hm. That's very interesting to know. He and Kurotsuchi were close, once upon a time."
"As far as I know, he carried resentment for me after the...ill advised wager he made, the first time we met. It's the primary reason he joined Akatsuki, and stayed around for the first few years. After that, he formed a bond with Sasori."
"You baited him into Akatsuki." I shake my head. "That means I would have had to kick the shit out of you if Gaara died a few months back."
"It would be fair."
"Yes, you'd say something like that. Well, whatever. Final decisions like that are out of your domain, anyways. Obito and Pain could have just not hired the mad bomber or others like him." I take a few sips from my glass. "If he's sitting around in Hidden Rain, I'll ask him about his hiring guidelines personally. I can beat him to death afterwards."
"Hm."
"It's a little arrogant on my part, but what isn't these days? Was there anything else we needed to go over?"
He shakes his head. "Nothing I can think of at the moment. There's still a lot to process."
"Fine enough. Let me know if anything comes up regarding Akatsuki surveillance. Otherwise, keep looking after Anko-nee as usual and rest up ahead of the summit. I've a feeling that these so called peace talks will end up like sugar cubes in water."
"You've overcome a great deal of things before," Itachi says. "What are four more wayward nations in comparison?"
"The way you flatter me, I almost wish you were my secret lover after all."
He looks at me and chuckles before sipping from his glass.
One more member of Akatsuki eliminated.
Hidan, who is being studied and monitored within the world of serpents while he dies slowly from lack of nutrition. Kakuzu, who I killed with my own hands, five separate times. Sasori, who lost his collection of puppets thanks to Aiko and I, and died when I used his own poisoned blade against him. Itachi, who was convinced to defect with my affections, and stands again as an ally of the Leaf. And now Zetsu, the surveillance expert and spy who we've burned to death a few hours ago.
The remaining members. Pain, a mystery to all, and almighty Akatsuki leader. Konan, his devoted partner and manager of the organization. Obito, who poses as Madara Uchiha and runs Akatsuki from the shadows. Kisame, a man with monstrous chakra and combat skills to match. Deidara, mad bomber and artist who rules the skies. And not least, Kaitaikojo along with his sister Ishako, psychopaths who desire wanton slaughter and blood.
Five down. Seven left.
Three tailed beasts to the six remaining in the world.
"It's close."
I look at the stars above as we leave the pub. Itachi stands next to me, smoky breaths rising into the night air.
"Yes."
"We just need to stay the course from here." I look over to him. "We did well today. Thank you for everything that you do for me. I just felt like I had to say it out loud. Thinking about...how far we've come since our first meeting."
"I remember it well."
"When you told me that you wanted me to save the world...I went back to that hotel room, and I cried."
"I see."
"No matter what the past was like, you were brave to ask me that. You deserve a future, even if you've done some truly stupid things."
"It's a blessing to hear that. No matter how many times you say it."
"I'm glad. Please take care of yourself."
"I promise. Until the next time we meet."
I reach up to put my arms around his neck, and he pulls me close so that I can put my head on his shoulder.
"I love you, aniki."
"And I love you, imouto."
I kiss him on the cheek before letting go. "Don't be too stubborn with Anko-nee."
"Of course. I promise to bring her back to you safely, and in good cheer."
He turns and heads down the street before
disappearing into the night.
"Good cheer, hm. Maybe she's managed to charm you more than we thought," I say with a smile. "Though I would be very surprised if you found someone like that suitable to settle down with. Anko is certainly a woman."
I look up at the stars one last time.
"Let's head back to Leaf by night. I'll surprise Fio with an early breakfast, hmhm."
The day is won, and the struggle continues. Now...on to the next stage.