Chapter 22: The Shinigami's Command
A/N: So, thought of having an early night for the first time in months, but then I decided to write a little instead. Whether this chapter is finished in one night or not, only the future can tell.
HP/KH/IU
Hadrian hadn't really found himself up close to the man before since he was still technically classed as a civilian so Danzo easily overlooked him.
The man's gaze did pause on Kakashi before him smile turned almost taunting for a moment before it disappeared, but Hadrian was too busy trying to not block his nose due to the foul stench of rotting souls that seemed to hover around the man.
When he estimated that the man was far-enough away, he let go of the breath he'd been holding and his eyes widened as he saw the numerous screaming spirits that seem to cling to the man.
The most disturbing part was that none of the spirits had their eyes anymore and when Hadrian focussed a bit of magic into his eyes he instantly paled and tried not to retch.
Kakashi immediately turned him toward him and his expression became worried when he saw the state Hadrian was in.
For a brief moment, he wondered if Danzo had done something, but he knew the man wouldn't have done something so out in the open and to someone classed as a civilian.
Still, he decided it was better to quickly inform the Hokage about what happened during the mission before he took him home so that he could get Sakura to check him over.
As they knocked and entered the office, it seemed as if the Hokage had aged ten years and Asuma stepped forward in worry, only for the Hokage to shake his head before looking at Kakashi and Hadrian, "It would seem that Danzo has made his move…"
Hadrian frowned, "What do you mean?"
The old man sighed, "He persuaded the elder council that the last Uchiha and the Vessel of the Nine-Tails should be under his protection and that it was too much of a risk to keep letting them go out and complete missions."
Hadrian clenched his fists as he tried to will himself to calm down, but he found it very hard to do so at this moment and he realized he was about to lose control as he saw how the shadows of the room started reaching towards him, but then the moment was broken as Hedwig flew in with a familiar bag clutched in her claws.
She dropped the bag, knowing that he would catch it and he stared at it in confusion for a while before it finally dawned on him, "Wait…they finally managed it?"
Hedwig's only answer was to nip him on the ear before flying out of the room once more, causing the Hokage to shake his head in wonder, "She always seems to know exactly when she is needed, doesn't she?"
Hadrian decided not to even attempt to answer that question as he opened the bag that held the mirrors and pulled out a specific one, only to be faced with…a pair of zombie-like twins.
He winced, "You two look like you tried to recreate old Voldie's resurrection ritual using zombie brains instead of my blood…"
He wasn't really concentrating on what he was saying at that point and he definitely didn't notice how the shinobi in the room were glancing at each other as they tried to make sense of the words.
The twins stupidly blinked at him for a moment before life suddenly bled into them and Hadrian found he had to liken them more to gargoyles as they suddenly seemed to come back to life, "Hadrian! How are you? How have you been? Has anyone been giving you trouble since the last time we spoke?"
Hadrian laughed as the two spoke in tandem instead of taking turns like they used to, "I'm good, I've been great, and as a matter of fact, I think you are just the two I need to consult about a problem that just popped up."
The two grinned, "What do you need us to do?"
Hadrian thought for a moment, "I'll need some of your diluted Peruvian Darkness powder, super itching powder, and something that would create any illusion I want others to see."
The two didn't hesitate to place the items in front of the mirror and Hadrian performed a silent Accio, making it seem as if the objects simply appeared before him as he glanced at the shinobi in the room and let out a silent breath of the relief as they only seemed curious.
He turned his attention back to the twins, "Get some sleep, I'll talk to you guys later…" His words were barely out before their heads hit the desk and they were snoring away again.
He would have worried, but he knew it was about time for either Hermione or Ginny to barge in and chase them off to bed as they had started doing ever since they realised that the twins tended to neglect their own health.
He placed the mirror back and reached for blank ones before connecting them to his own one.
He then gave one to the Hokage, Asuma, and Kakashi before keeping five of the mirrors to the side for Itachi, Sasuke, Naruto, Gaara, and Sakura.
"As you can see, these can be used to speak directly to a person a large distance away. They were mostly damaged when I was attacked, but my friends managed to finally fix them after I managed to use one of the less damaged ones to contact them. I only have these ones I brought with me though so keep it hidden and only use it when absolutely necessary."
The Hokage looked at him with slightly narrowed eyes, "It seems there is still a lot about you that we don't know…"
Hadrian shrugged, "Maybe, what I can tell you is that it is better to have me as a friend rather than an enemy…" he then growled, "…this is something Danzo is about to find out the hard way."
He looked at the Hokage, "Would you be able to call another council meeting under the pretence that you want to hear more of Danzo's ideas around Sasuke and Naruto? That should have him pushing for it as well since it seems like he likes to be seen as important."
The old man nodded, though he was clearly confused as to why Hadrian would want him to do such a thing, and he revealed some of his plans without much prompting, "I plan on making sure his true colours and deeds are revealed to the council…" he glanced at Kakashi with a pained expression, "I don't want Sasuke or Itachi to be there to see it though."
The occupants of the room suddenly felt a heavy feeling in their gut…whatever it was, there was a good chance that it had something to do with the way the Uchiha clan's bodies had vanished that night.
HP/KH/IU
The meeting was called barely a few hours later, and Hadrian made sure to sneak in under his cloak, something he hadn't revealed to anyone yet due to its obviously magical nature that drinking a simple potion wouldn't be able to hide.
Itachi and Kakashi had entered using Genjutsu to mask their presence, but Hadrian had been sure to place a notice-me-not charm on them to ensure they stayed hidden.
The usual pleasantries and small talk continued before the meeting was called to order, and the oldest person in the council called Danzo forward, "During the last meeting, you gained custody of the Uchiha clan heir and the Uzumaki clan heir. We are interested in hearing more about what you plan to do with them."
Danzo nodded, "As you know, I believe we are giving our enemies too many chances to obtain the carrier of the Nin-Tails and the last heir of the Uchiha when we send them out during missions, so I believe they will better be able to serve the village out of the public eye."
One of the elders' eyes narrowed, "You mean to make them a part of the secretive group under your command…"
Danzo quickly shook his head, but the Hokage stopped his denial in a bored tone, "Just the other day I found two agents in my office with marks similar to those from an old project of yours that was supposed to be shut down…imagine my surprise to find it still up and running when I dug deep enough."
Hadrian walked up behind Danzo and poured the featherlight and invisible itching powder over his bandages before moving away with a grin as the man immediately started fidgeting about, making him look particularly guilty.
He knew the itch would get worse the longer it was left and after about 10 minutes the man gave a tortured growl before he started scratching the areas covered in bandages with obvious seal marks on them, seal marks that had been meant to hide the eyes and the hatred and anguish they gave off.
One of the bandages came loose, revealing a familiar red eye and Hadrian realised it was time for him to go into full-acting mode.
He spread the diluted Peruvian Darkness Powder throughout the room and then paired it with a ghostly green glimmering powder that would be able to create any illusion he thought about, yet he settled on the sight he'd seen as Danzo had left the Hokage's office a few hours prior.
He then closed his eyes and fully embraced his role as the MoD as his own transformation washed over him.
His wings flapped lazily as they lifted him into the air while his cloak covered his form with a pitch-black hoody that hid his face. His pants transformed into familiar black skinny jeans that he'd decided upon when Death first told him to imagine his final form, and his shoes and socks disappeared as his wand transformed into a giant scythe.
At the time he hadn't been aware that he would never be able to change the appearance ever again and he'd just watched a story about a guardian that could control snow so sue him…
The appearance did leave him looking otherworldly as the Peruvian Darkness Powder started disappearing leaving only the illusion (even though it mirrored what he was seeing) of the eyeless Uchiha clan members that were angrily clutching at Danzo as he proceeded to scratch the bandages off despite clearly trying to stop himself.
The sight of the numerous eyes embedded into Danzo's arm immediately clued the council members in on what had happened, but they said nothing as they cast wary eyes on the Shinigami while others closed their eyes and started praying for the god to forgive their sins.
Hadrian cast a worried glance to where Itachi was hiding before he steeled himself.
Hadrian's attention was only on Danzo as he spoke in a voice that sounded as if it was shouting and whispering, many voices and a single voice all at once, "Shimura Danzo, you have stolen from a god, you have desecrated the souls that I should have received whole, and deprived them of their rest. You shall now suffer their torment a hundred-fold and never receive any respite."
Danzo's eyes widened in fear, "Y-you're not the real Shinigami! I've seen him and you're not him!"
Hadrian wondered for a moment whether he'd been too hasty, since he'd forgotten that this land had its own views on what a Shinigami was, but then a hulking figure appeared next to him and kneeled, causing obvious sounds of distress as the figure took the blade from its mouth, lowered its head, and presented the blade to Hadrian as a rumble went through the building, one that carried two words, "My King".
Hadrian only hesitated for a moment before he instinctively laid the scythe on the figure's shoulder, causing the long blade to curl around it.
One twitch and the figure would be beheaded, but it didn't move, only waited until Hadrian nodded and lifted his scythe, "He is yours to do with what you will after the souls depart to their resting place."
The figure dipped its head lower in thanks and Hadrian glanced back at Danzo who was frozen on the spot, numerous bandages dangled from his form and Hadrian was sure the itch hadn't stopped, but fear now kept him and many others from moving.
One thought was all it took as the eyes were yanked out and returned to their owners and each time a match was made, a brilliant glow was seen as another soul finally left their regrets behind.
The process continued until all that was left was Danzo's twitching form from where he'd collapsed on the ground in pain.
Hadrian nodded to the crouching figure, and a moment later the figure vanished with Danzo in tow, leaving only a puddle of blood.
Hadrian looked at each of the elders, causing them to whimper before he spoke, "You have all proven that you cannot guard those in your care without the element of greed or ignorance coming into play and so I personally relieve you of your posts. Any further actions, and I will personally pay you a visit."
He didn't wait for them to answer as he allowed the cloak to hide him once more, seemingly vanishing into nothing.