Hyperdimension Neptunia

Third Sister; Darkness

Chapter 11.1 POV-Tenchu

A Ninja conspiracy.

Today is a most fortuitous day indeed. Finally, the Phantom Crusaders have arrived as we predicted. They will play a perfect part in this little scheme. The war will certainly happen in only a few days. Right now, my most prominent forces have gathered, most non the wiser of my plans. My two beautiful daughters kneel before me. Lately I don't feel like being so strict with them, but that may be because I am so close to finally achieve what I've been working on for so long. It is a fact that what I want is the opposite of what I taught them, however.

Maybe that is why I no longer care if they are proper ninja or not. As of right now, they are going to fight for me, and afterwards, they can do as they please. Not that they need to know that yet. With a stern voice, I call out to them, "My daughters. Is it true that you have combatted the leader of the vigilantes?"
Both of them say, "Yes, my lord!"

Good answer. Now, I must play the oblivious part. Not that the other Jonin make that hard.
"My Lord, if I may speak out of turn. These two have failed to subdue her! I say they must be punished!", one of them spoke a strong opinion. This sentiment had a few supporters, but with a wave of my hand, they all quieted down. I can sense your fear, and I know you know that. Speaking out of turn would get you hit, I used to call that mercy, saying that former masters would cut you at best, cut off a finger or limb from time-to-time, and just kill you at worst. But I am in a good mood tonight.

I speak calmly like a wise old man, "They, along with Yume, have granted us critical information. The Phantom Crusaders surely want revenge for our assault in the north. They are savages that murder hundreds as we found out. Only one being killed should be hailed as a miracle. Right now, we can't afford to weaken our forces.", I then call out Yume, "Yume! Come forward. You have fought their leader the most, what is your opinion of her?"

Yume, my closest assistant comes forward.
"My lord, I have managed to get her close to a defeat. In the event of human to human skill, she can beat any ninja in a mano-on-mano fight. If it weren't for the lovely poison I had happen to have heard she was inflicted by, I would've needed the blue flame to stand a chance.", she tells me. I already knew that, but what information I need more is…
"Can you give more details on her transformed state?", I asked her.

"Her ascension to goddess hood is nothing to trifle with. Even with four flames, her agility is beyond any goddess recorded, and her skills are too numerous to counter.", she says.
She goes on to tell me all techniques she has used, combined with the intel any other ninja that faced her had spoken off. Unfortunately, only a few described a different form to me. She was laughing like crazy and apparently killed Low Zero with no effort. That is concerning. I think from the data told by Yume, her normal form is something I can hold off, but if she turns into that red form, I might end up dying.

Well, I can't give them that impression. Fear and confidence coincide a lot more than people think. So with a threatening, yet quiet voice, I say, "Are you saying we can't win? Yume?"
Cold sweat comes from her face, but she strongly replies, "I believe we can overcome this challenge, my lord!"
She knows logically we don't have much chance, but also, she has the confidence in us as a group that we will find a way. That confidence only comes from knowing I would not tolerate cowardness. Her fear of me gives her the strength to face our enemies.

"Father.", Xúnqiú speaks to me, then asks me, "Can you let me fight her?"
Everyone looked at her, I can tell they are hostile towards my daughter, but my silence has them using their brains. Finally they remember how much my daughter has grown as an excellent shinobi who completes every mission excellently. And I would not allow disrespect.
"Provide reasoning, I am curious as to what makes you request this.", I ask her.

"I can just tell. That girl will be my rival. There is something between us. I think I can defeat her. No matter what.", it isn't really a good reason. Either I could think she is being selfish and can't see that she is no match for her, or I could be happy she is dedicated to our cause enough she is willing to pick the toughest battle. No matter, anyone willing to fight has my blessings. Now, to motivate her.

"Xúnqiú…I will grant you this wish. In the upcoming war, I know my forces will be spread thin. If you fight till your breath leaves your body, I shall grant you the blessings of the yellow flame.", after saying this, I can sense great tension in the air. Some of it is excitement.
Xúnqiú certainly smiles to the ground. Maone whispers, "Isn't that nice, sister. Finally, your standing will be high enough to become the ultimate shinobi."

The four flames have already had their successors chosen. Each time the flame is passed on. The blue flame was first passed onto Yume, who has been wielding it for ten years. Five years ago, Kagura obtained the green flame after the battle with Orochi. Last year, the red flame has been passed down to Marvelous. And the successors I have chosen for the yellow flame, are my daughters. I had hope that Xúnqiú would see reason and train to become a ninja worthy of the Yellow flame. I love Maone as well, but I can tell she isn't as skilled.

"Sir. Wolf has defected and protected the Phantom Crusaders. Shouldn't we search and eliminate him?", one of my trusted shinobi ask.
"Oh, I am already aware he is on the enemy's side. The upcoming war will surely have him search for helpers. This is fine, it is the evidence needed to call them traitors. I must warn, however, there is no point in searching him. His stealth is great, and he can't be killed. We will fight him in the war regardless.", I explain to them.

"My lord. What of the adventurer? Is she willing to participate for our cause.", I am being asked.
That insolent lass would instantly rebel if I told her my plans, and any lie would come back to bite me. I refuse to have her in the war. Her only purpose is to weaken the Phantom Crusader's leader
As such, I instruct them, "The adventurer prefers to stay neutral, not interfering with our business. Her only reason for being here is to hunt down the Phantom Crusaders as is requested by Lady White Heart.", I answer.

With a great silence, comes my word to break it. I give them the final speech, "My servants. The time for war has arrived. We can no longer tolerate the inner village's leader. She is certainly planning a rebellion. Not only against us, but against White Heart herself. I have gathered many shinobi across the world to prevent this insurrection. The Phantom Crusaders now have a corrupt Goddess in their midst, they are planning to have her sit on Gamindustri's throne, which we will never allow. This is your mission, stay in position, spread out to fight all their members. We can hold their army back, but the Phantom Crusaders' members must be worn down until Yume and myself can finish them off. I will not repeat myself."

With many bowing, most shinobi and my daughters leave. The only ones left in this room are Yume and my most trusted allies in this conspiracy. We wait in darkness for hours. Then, the doors open.
"I welcome you. Leader of Justit-info B.V.", I greet this woman with a false smirk on her face as she enters the shadows, only the candle flames illuminating her orange kimono with golden accessories. Her appearance and facial expression are almost like that of a fox, combined with long fluffy dark pink hair and yellow eyes covered by round glasses. For a woman, she is rather large…Hehe…In more ways than one.

She shits down in seiza, she talks directly to me, "Well, I thank you for your hospitality. How is the war going?"
"It is only a matter of days. No more than four I would suspect.", I tell her honestly.
"I see. So, the project is complete I presume?", she talks to me, every word she speaks sounds creepy or veiled in a threat. She is absolutely different from TV. Her eyes beam out insanity.
"I am happy to announce that this war will have me gain the power to help you reach Avenir's goals.", I tell her.

"Hm…", she gives a haughty smile, then she tells me a slightly deeper tone, "Avenir's goals…Are you sure? I can't help but feel your true goal is to take Lady White Heart's place."
She sees through everything. As I would expect from the leader of all information gathering within and even outside of Lowee. I might have to lay that ambition to rest.
"I assure you, as much as I had been thinking about it in recent months, I would prefer not to sully our relationship. If you wish me to not usurp Lady White Heart, I shall not.", I tell her.

It is true that I would prefer not to make an enemy of Avenir. If I succeed in my plan, I am duty bound to help them, and when their goals are reached, I doubt we'd be equals in terms of strength. Cooperation is key.
"He~", is the noise she makes before she talks, "That should go without saying. Perhaps a refreshments of your mind is necessary. We of Avenir do everything for Lowee. Every crime and act of villainy is for its benefit. Including for Lady White Heart.", she tells me.

She takes a sip from the sake cup with both hands before putting it down, then looks at me as if her eyes were glowing, and she continues, "Lady White Heart is our deity no matter what. Taking her throne is unforgivable. But as much as we believe in Lady White Heart, we know she is too soft to do what is necessary. And some people may stop believing in her if she hurt them. That is why we exist. We want to gain control over her, but never do we want to kill her or diminish her status. We simply wish to…", she chuckles, then finishes her sentence, "Enlighten her."

I must obey that at least then. Not that I mind. Once I reach my goal, I will have great influence over not only her, but all nations. All ninja under my control, and my power to match a goddess.
"I understand. With my goal reached, I shall be able to grant your desires. That includes of course, using my new powers and my ninja army to find the three crystals, and naturally, killing the Phantom Crusaders to take the one they took.", I tell her.

Finally, she gives me a more relaxed smile. She leans back slightly and says, "You do understand. In that case, there is no more to discuss. With your help comes our help. We can't provide too much during the war itself, we need to make it look like an authentic ninja war after all. But I shall get your victory on camera, and the world shall see, "Ninja leader purges heretic rebels from village, crushed the Phantom Crusaders helped by the family." The only other thing I can do is send ample mechas. But even better, we have monsters controlled by chip linked to these mechas. They will rampage and no one will be the wiser it was us doing it."

I can tell she is pleased now. I bow my head and tell her, "I thank you for your work this past decade. As is the status quo, you shall make sure no unwarranted info gets to White Heart."
"Of course. I have already instructed everyone to wait for the news. I am "Investigating" the ninja village.", she tells me, withholding laughter.
I can't help but smile at her, not that she can see my face in this darkness. I snap my finger over to Yume's direction, calling out her name.

"Yes.", she replies instantly, grabbing a scroll from between her breasts and throws it over to the leader.
She grabs it, and looks at it with a frown.
"I know you hate the unknown. I will tell you that this is a swapping scroll. We told you to assign a subordinate to switch out into in case this war ends in defeat.", I explain to her.
"You think you'll lose?", she asks me with a mean look.
"A ninja is prepared for any situation. See this as an act of kindness. The Phantom Crusaders are definitely out to kill any leader under Avenir, you must survive.", I tell her.

Her frown reverses to a smile. She stands up and says, "I thank you. I hope your attempt at gaining my trust is not done with malice. I shall take my leave. Can't have other ninjas know of my appearance here, right?", she asks me.
"Absolutely.", I reply with a harsh tone.
She gives me one giggle under her breath, then she takes her leave.
The upcoming war will have me as the great ninja leader. Once all ninja are under my control, world domination for Lowee under me is not far off. But I'll see if I stay partnered with Avenir. Hehe…Oh. I can't act as the grumpy old man for long, I get more and more excited thinking about it.

To Be Continued…