Chapter XL: Vengeance at Long Last

A nonchalant Zuko sighs lightly to himself, his expression calm and unbothered. With almost no effort, he raises his right hand, catching the large blade hurtling toward him with ease. Standing in front of him now is a blonde-haired Jonin from the Hidden Stone, his face a mix of determination and growing concern. The Jonin grits his teeth, applying more pressure to his sword, only to realize with horror that the force is causing his blade to crack and splinter under Zuko's grip.

Zuko and the others are battling Hidden Stone reinforcements in the southern part of the village, not far from where they left Gyatsō. The air is thick with the sounds of clashing weapons and shouted commands, the chaos of battle swirling around them. After effortlessly swinging his body upward and shoving a fragment of the shattered sword into the Jonin's chest, Zuko glances around, noticing that he's now surrounded by a growing number of Stone shinobi.

"Well, you Stone ninja move quite fast, I have to say," Zuko remarks, his tone almost casual as he compliments the group of assailants closing in on him. His voice carries a hint of amusement, as if he's merely observing a mildly interesting spectacle rather than facing a life-or-death situation.

As soon as Zuko begins to perform hand signs, the Stone shinobi roar in unison, charging at him with their weapons raised. Zuko lets out another bored sigh, his lips parting slightly as he bounds backward with fluid grace. In one swift motion, he delivers a powerful roundhouse kick to the shinobi closest to his back, sending them sprawling to the ground.

Landing on his hands, Zuko twists his body midair, his movements almost dance-like as he unleashes a series of brutal kicks on his assailants. The force of each strike is enough to send them flying, their bodies crashing into the dirt. Just as he lands, a masked Stone Anbu member appears in front of him. The Anbu sweeps their leg around, aiming for Zuko's arms.

The black-haired Taisega crashes onto the ground but reacts instantly, tilting his head to the left just as the Anbu's glistening sword plunges into the earth, narrowly missing his skull. Zuko's expression remains blank, his voice calm as he speaks. "You almost got me," he says, his tone almost conversational.

The masked Anbu scoffs, yanking his sword out of the ground with a sharp tug. "I won't miss this time!" he yells, raising the blade high above his head before bringing it down toward Zuko's skull.

Zuko's eyes widen slightly as he activates the second stage of his Shaolin, a faint smile tugging at his lips. He raises his hand, catching the tip of the blade in his palm. The sharp edge cuts deep, drawing blood, but Zuko doesn't flinch. Instead, he uses his free hand to complete the quick series of hand signs he had started earlier.

"Fire Style: Burning Ash," Zuko murmurs. A stream of chakra-infused gunpowder spews from his mouth, spreading rapidly to envelop the area. The gunpowder, composed entirely of ash, hangs in the air like a dense cloud, creating a thick smokescreen. Zuko uses the cover to slip away, while the confused Stone reinforcements remain trapped within the haze.

"Hide and Hikari are fighting a different group of shinobi, so these guys can all burn," Zuko whispers to himself, his voice barely audible. He ignites the gunpowder with a flint he had placed between his teeth earlier, creating a spark that sets off a violent explosion. The air fills with the deafening roar of the blast, followed by the agonised screams of the Stone shinobi as they are consumed by the flames.

Zuko doesn't look back as he flees the scene, his expression as calm and detached as ever. The screams echo behind him, a grim reminder of the destruction he leaves in his wake. For Zuko, it's just another day, another battle—nothing more, nothing less.

Further up north in the village, Hikari stands amidst the aftermath of his own battle with the Hidden Stone shinobi. The ground around him is littered with the unconscious bodies of his enemies, their weapons scattered and broken. He turns his head slightly, his sharp eyes narrowing as they fixate on the thick cloud of smoke hovering over the southern horizon. The distant roar of flames and the faint cries of pain echo through the air, a grim symphony of destruction.

Hide appears beside him, his serpentine features twisted into a smirk. He runs his tongue over a spot of blood on his cheek, savoring the metallic taste. The unconscious forms of Hidden Stone ninja sprawl across the ground around them, a testament to the Osore's overwhelming power. Hide's slitted eyes follow Hikari's gaze to the smoke cloud, and he lets out a low, mocking snicker.

"Say, Hikari," Hide begins, his voice dripping with amusement. "Does it pain you to see your village being destroyed from the inside out?" His tone is teasing, but there's a sharp edge to his words, a challenge hidden beneath the surface.

Hikari turns to face Hide, his expression unreadable for a moment before he scoffs, shaking his head. Hide knows full well where Hikari's loyalties lie—the Osore swore allegiance to the Hidden Dark Nation long ago, and Hikari is no exception. Yet, the question lingers, a subtle probe into the depths of Hikari's resolve.

"When I met Lord Gyatsō," Hikari replies, "he promised me that he'd help me exact revenge on the Hidden Stone. Seeing the village in this current state only makes me want to destroy it even further." A faint smile curls at the corners of his lips, his eyes gleaming with a dark satisfaction. There's no doubt in his mind—no shred of regret for the chaos unfolding around him.

Hide studies him for a moment, then nods in approval, his smirk widening. "Good answer," he says, his voice low and approving.

"Seeing your faces makes me want to destroy you even further!" Owabi's voice booms, his presence looming above them as he levitates in the air, his hands already moving through a series of rapid hand signs.

Hikari and Hide gasp as the ground beneath their feet begins to shake violently, the earth cracking and breaking apart. They stumble, struggling to maintain their balance as the terrain shifts and crumbles around them. Hikari leaps off a fragment of the breaking ground, his blonde hair whipping in the wind as he glares up at Owabi. Hide, meanwhile, smirks widely, his bloodlust palpable as he propels himself toward the Tsuchikage, his movements swift and predatory.

"I see Lord Gyatsō didn't finish you off himself," Hikari says. He rebounds off another piece of shattered earth, using the momentum to launch himself toward Owabi. Hide follows close behind, his eyes gleaming with anticipation.

Owabi grits his teeth, his frustration evident as he levitates higher into the air. His hands move with precision, completing the hand sign for his Particle Style. A white, glowing structure begins to form in his hands, its shape unmistakable—a technique Hikari knows all too well.

Hikari scoffs, his expression one of disappointment as he locks eyes with Owabi. The structure in the Tsuchikage's hands grows larger, its light intensifying as Owabi glares back at him, his voice filled with warning.

"Hikari Notori!" Owabi shouts, his voice echoing across the battlefield. "I don't know why you're serving Gyatsō, but this is your last chance to redeem yourself before I wipe you from the face of the earth!" His words are heavy with authority, but Hikari doesn't flinch.

"Bastard... you forget what your village did to me, and now you threaten me?" Hikari yells back, his voice rising with anger. Memories of his past flood his mind—betrayal, pain, and loss. The same memories that haunted him when he brought Konan and Itachi's bodies back to Gyatsō. His fists clench at his sides, his resolve hardening. "Your defeat will be in an instant!"

"You're the scum of the earth!"

"Die already!"

"You betrayed us for Orochimaru!"

"Traitor!"

"The Stone doesn't harbour bastards like you!"

"Leave this village, or I'll slit your throat!"

A noticeably younger Hikari had been surrounded by a mob of villagers from his home, the Hidden Stone. He had just returned to the village after escaping the clutches of Orochimaru, who had kidnapped him and subjected him to cruel experiments. The Sannin had succeeded in creating the Speed Style through Hikari's suffering, and though Hikari had managed to kill many of Orochimaru's subordinates using the very technique forced upon him, his return to the Stone was met with hostility, not relief.

"You don't understand," Hikari had started, his head still bowed low, his voice trembling with a mix of exhaustion and desperation. Before he could explain further, a taller villager with bulging muscles and a face twisted with anger grabbed him by the shirt, lifting him off the ground. Without warning, the man drove a heavy fist into Hikari's stomach, the force of the blow knocking the air out of him.

Hikari had doubled over, clutching his stomach as pain radiated through his body. The other villagers smirked, their laughter ringing in his ears as they cheered the man on, urging him to continue. "Traitors don't get the right to talk to us!" the villager barked, his voice dripping with venom. He planted his foot on top of Hikari's head, forcing him to the ground. For what felt like an eternity, the man relentlessly kicked Hikari's body, each blow landing with a sickening thud.

'Why am I being treated like this?' Hikari had thought, his mind swirling with confusion and pain as he endured the beating. Just as he was about to slip into unconsciousness, the man spat on his face, the glob of saliva landing with a wet slap. The villager turned and walked away, the crowd dispersing with him, their laughter echoing in Hikari's ears.

Left alone in the dirt, Hikari dug his fingernails into the ground, his hands trembling as he struggled to sit up. He wiped the spit from his face, his vision blurred by tears of anger and confusion. "Damn them all," he had sobbed quietly, his voice breaking as the weight of their betrayal crushed him.

"On your feet, boy," a calm, authoritative voice had said. Hikari looked up, his tear-streaked face meeting the gaze of the Tsuchikage, Owabi, who stood above him with a hand outstretched. The older man's expression was stern but not unkind.

"Lord Tsuchikage," Hikari had whispered, his voice hoarse as he took Owabi's hand. The Tsuchikage helped him to his feet, his grip firm but gentle. Owabi then turned his attention to the retreating villagers, his eyes narrowing slightly before he looked back at Hikari.

"Don't take what they said to heart, young one," Owabi had said, his voice steady and reassuring. "Your connections with Orochimaru weren't of your own volition. We both know that." He placed a hand on Hikari's head, patting it gently as a small, comforting smile spread across his face.

Before Hikari could respond, another voice interrupted. "Greetings, Lord Tsuchikage," a man said, his tone polite but carrying an air of confidence. Hikari turned to see a tall, white-haired man approaching, accompanied by a younger boy with jet-black hair who appeared to be around Hikari's age.

"May I ask who you are?" Owabi had inquired, his tone polite but cautious as he eyed the newcomer.

The white-haired man bowed respectfully, his movements smooth and deliberate. "Ah, my name is Gyatsō Mataba. I'm a visitor from the Hidden Grass Village," he introduced himself, his voice calm and measured. As he straightened, his gaze shifted to Hikari, his piercing eyes studying the young shinobi with a mix of curiosity and concern. "Tonight must have been rough for our young friend," Gyatsō remarked, his tone softening.

"Are you his parent?" Owabi asked, his brow furrowing slightly.

Gyatsō chuckled lightly, shaking his head. "No, but I am concerned about him. I'm trained in medical ninjutsu, so his wounds shouldn't be a cause for worry. But my, my," he added, his tone lightening as he gestured toward Hikari, "I can hear his stomach from over here! At the very least, Lord Tsuchikage, I can feed him if you'd like."

Owabi nodded, a faint chuckle escaping his lips as he turned to leave. He bid them farewell with a wave of his hand before walking toward the group of villagers, likely to reprimand them for their harsh behavior. Gyatsō watched him go, his eyes narrowing into a dark, malicious glare as he stared at Owabi from behind. He barely noticed Hikari tugging at his robe until the young boy spoke up.

"Yes, I'm hungry. Where can I eat?" Hikari asked, his voice quiet but tinged with a hint of desperation. Gyatsō looked down at him, his stern expression softening into a gentle smile. He placed a hand on Hikari's shoulder, his touch reassuring. The black-haired boy standing beside Gyatsō, however, scoffed, his sharp eyes scanning Hikari with a mix of curiosity and disdain.

"I know that your heart toward this village has grown cold," Gyatsō said, his voice low and measured. "For being affiliated with Orochimaru, you're seen as a traitor by the villagers, especially since Orochimaru attacked the village some time ago. But I can help you mold that cold heart into something greater."

Hikari glanced nervously at the group of villagers, who were still glaring in his direction, before turning his attention back to Gyatsō. "Uh...?" he murmured, his voice trailing off as he struggled to process the man's words.

Gyatsō leaned in closer, his voice dropping to a whisper. "Pledge loyalty to me and my Hidden Dark Nation, Hikari Notori. When the time comes, I will help you exact revenge on the Hidden Stone." His piercing eyes locked onto Hikari's, searching for any sign of hesitation.

Hikari didn't respond immediately, his mind racing as he weighed the offer. Gyatsō pressed further, his tone gentle but insistent. "Tell me, Hikari. What is it that you want to do in this world?"

Hikari hesitated, his fists clenching tightly at his sides. "...I don't know, Gyatsō," he replied timidly, his voice barely above a whisper. It was clear that the boy was bottling up a storm of emotions, and Gyatsō could sense the turmoil within him.

"Join me," Gyatsō urged, his voice firm but encouraging. "With your help, I shall create a new world suited for both of us. This village abandoned you. They betrayed you for something you could not control. Do you not wish to show them exactly what they foolishly abandoned and betrayed?"

The black-haired child, Zuko, stepped closer to Hikari, his expression one of thinly veiled impatience. He shook his head with disappointment, his hand resting on the hilt of a katana sheathed at his side. "Let's not waste any more time with this guy, Lord Gyatsō," Zuko said, his voice cold and dismissive. "If he chooses not to do anything, then I'll end his misery and kill him myself." With a swift motion, he unsheathed his katana.

"That's enough, Zuko," Gyatsō said sharply, his tone leaving no room for argument. "This decision is his and his alone."

Hikari's eyes widened as he looked between Gyatsō and Zuko, the weight of the moment pressing down on him. Finally, he spoke, his voice trembling but filled with resolve. "What I want to do is show them... to show the Stone what they created! I'll join you only if I can show the Stone how much of a traitor I can really be!"

Gyatsō's lips curved into a satisfied smile, and he nodded in approval. "You've made a great choice, Hikari. I welcome you to the Hidden Dark Nation." He turned to Zuko, his tone commanding. "Zuko, we are taking our leave."

Zuko sheathed his katana with a flick of his wrist, his expression neutral as he nodded. "Yes, Lord Gyatsō."

"Dwelling on the past won't fix your problems, Hikari! Your grudge will get you killed!" Owabi shouts, his voice cutting through the air like a whip and snapping Hikari out of his momentary thoughts. The Tsuchikage's eyes are sharp, his expression a mix of frustration and determination as he glares at the blonde shinobi.

Hikari grits his teeth, his hands moving in a blur as he performs a rapid series of hand signs. However, Owabi is faster. The Tsuchikage's eyes dart over Hikari's hands, analysing the seals, and before Hikari can complete the sequence, Owabi interrupts him with a decisive counter.

"It's over, Hikari. Particle Style: Atomic Dismantling Jutsu!" Owabi declares, his voice booming with authority. The glowing structure in his hands grows rapidly, its light intensifying as it expands to an enormous size. With a swift motion, Owabi hurls it toward Hikari, the structure zipping through the air with terrifying speed.

In an instant, Hikari is trapped inside the glowing confines of the Particle Style technique. Before he can react, the structure explodes with a deafening roar, the force of the blast contained within its exterior walls. The confined explosion crushes Hikari's body, reducing him to nothing but dust particles that scatter in the wind.

Owabi doesn't lower his guard. His eyes narrow as he shifts his focus to Hide, who is already rushing toward him, leaping off crumbling pieces of earth still suspended in the air. The serpentine shinobi's movements are swift, but Owabi is prepared. He performs a series of Earth Style hand signs, his chakra surging as he manipulates the earth beneath Hide.

"You're next. Earth Style: Earthen Stone Shoots!" Owabi shouts, his voice firm and commanding. The ground beneath Hide trembles as Owabi condenses the soil and rock with his chakra. Suddenly, four massive spikes erupt from the earth, their sharp tips aiming to skewer Hide from all directions. The attack is relentless, leaving little room for evasion.

Hide gasps, his eyes widening as he realises the danger. He tries to dodge, but the spikes are too quick. One by one, they pierce his body, stopping him in his tracks. Blood drips from the wounds as Hide struggles against the spikes, his movements growing sluggish.

Owabi flies toward Hide, his hands already moving through the hand seals for Particle Style once again. His expression is cold, his voice filled with resolve. "I'll vaporise you just as I did with Hikari, and then, I'll kill Gyatsō. You Osore folk will deeply regret setting foot in my village," he says, his tone icy and final.

But just as Owabi prepares to launch his attack, a bright yellow aura engulfs his body, startling him. His eyes widen in shock as he feels the energy surrounding him, its intensity overwhelming. What is this?!he thinks, his mind racing as he tries to comprehend what's happening.

Owabi quickly turns around, his gaze locking onto Hikari's piercing blue eyes. The blonde shinobi stands before him, unharmed and radiating power, his body surrounded by the same yellow aura. Owabi leaps forward, putting distance between himself and Hikari, but in doing so, he takes his eyes off Hide. Big mistake.

The serpentine shinobi seizes the opportunity immediately. His body stretches unnaturally, slipping free from the spikes that had impaled him. Like a snake coiling around its prey, Hide wraps his elongated body around Owabi, constricting him with crushing force. The Tsuchikage struggles, but Hide's grip is unrelenting.

"Keep him still, Hide. I'll deal the final blow now," Hikari says, his voice calm but filled with deadly intent. He pulls out a needle, its sharp tip glinting in the light—the same needle he used to defeat Itachi earlier.

Owabi grits his teeth, his body straining against Hide's constricting hold. But as Hikari approaches, the Tsuchikage's struggles grow weaker. Finally, he hangs his head, his breath labored, his expression one of grim acceptance. It seems, for now, he is defeated.

"How did you escape my jutsu?!" Owabi demands, his voice filled with disbelief. His eyes narrow as he glares at Hikari, searching for answers. The blonde shinobi laughs softly, as if the question is absurd, and then points to a small seal now located on the side of Owabi's neck.

"Speed Style: Seal," Hikari says, his tone calm and almost amused. In an instant, he appears in front of the immobilised Owabi, a finger resting lightly on the seal.

"A space-time Speed Style ninjutsu that allows me to place a seal on a target and teleport to it. You think your Particle Style can vaporise anything instantly, but I was able to seal you while being attacked by your jutsu at the same time. I'm faster than anything you throw at me," he explains, a slight smirk playing on his lips.

Owabi shakes his head, his expression one of defiance despite his current predicament. His refusal to concede surprises Hikari, who raises an eyebrow in response.

"Let's put that to the test," Owabi says, his voice steady and filled with an unexpected confidence. The Tsuchikage's tone leaves Hikari momentarily confused, especially given the man's immobilised state.

"Tsuchikage, what can you do in the sorry state you're in?" Hikari asks, his voice laced with skepticism.

"It'd be wise for you not to underestimate my will nor my abilities," Owabi retorts, his eyes gleaming with determination.

Suddenly, Owabi's body is encased in rock, the earth rising from the ground and solidifying around him in an instant. The same rock traps Hide, who was still wrapped around Owabi, leaving him immobilised as well. Hikari bounds backward, his teeth gritting in frustration.

He used Earth Style: Rock Shelter without hand signs. How did he manipulate his chakra in the ground? Wait... no way... his feet?! Hikari realizes, his mind racing as he pieces together Owabi's strategy.

"You're skilled with your jutsu, that much is true. But this futile attempt of yours will only delay your death!" Hikari shouts, his voice filled with anger. The rock surrounding Owabi's body falls away, but it retains its form, keeping Hide trapped within its confines.

He also used the Lightened Boulder Jutsu to free himself from Hide, huh? Damn you, Owabi, Hikari thinks, his frustration mounting.

Owabi scoffs and takes to the sky once more, his movements fluid and confident despite the battle's toll. He looks down at Hikari, his eyes filled with a mix of anger and curiosity. "On that day, what did Gyatsō tell you that made you so brainwashed?" he inquires.

Hikari frowns at the word "brainwashed," his hands moving to quickly unzip his cloak. Beneath it, several needles are strapped to his body, their sharp tips glinting in the light. He tries to ignore Owabi's question, but the words spill out before he can stop them.

"You're the one who's brainwashed," Hikari replies coldly, his eyes narrowing. "The Five Kage think they control balance in the ninja world, but they're the ones who spread misery and suffering." He closes his eyes, as if to block out the memories that threaten to surface.

"And you think Gyatsō Mataba would be any better of a choice for a leader, Hikari?!" Owabi yells, his voice rising as he tries to make sense of the younger shinobi's motives.

"This conversation is over," Hikari says, his tone final. "The Hidden Stone is no more, just like you." Speed Style: Seal Decimation.

With a single hand sign, Hikari opens one eye, revealing a lighter shade of blue in his pupil and a mark identical to Owabi's seal along his cornea. In an instant, Owabi crashes to the ground, his body convulsing in pain. Veins bulge from his neck and forehead, his bloodshot eyes locking onto Hikari with a mixture of rage and despair.

Hikari stares down at him with contempt. With a flick of his finger, he sends a needle flying through Owabi's forehead at impossible speed. The Tsuchikage's eyes grow dull, his body going limp as the life drains from him.

The chakra-infused earth encasing Hide crumbles away, freeing the serpentine shinobi. He shakes off the remaining debris and stands, his eyes darting to Hikari, who is already walking further north.

"Old bastard was better than I thought. At least he's dead now," Hide says with a sigh of relief. He watches Hikari for a moment before calling out, "Where are you going now?"

"To Lord Gyatsō," Hikari replies without looking back. "Wherever Sebbech may be, it's not our job to kill every single Hidden Stone ninja. That's why we have Orochimaru's men. But, given our lord's condition, it's likely that we're staying here for the night."

Hide shrugs his shoulders and falls into step behind Hikari, the two shinobi moving silently through the wreckage of the village.