Chapter Text
XxX ~ xx ~ XxX ~ xx ~ XxX ~ xx ~ XxX
Kushina winced as the ANBU tightened the last row of bandages over her chest, "Ugh, careful!"
"Sorry captain"
The redhead sighed as she was finally let go, letting her put her cloak over her shirt once more. Well if there was one thing she missed about being a jinchuuriki, it was the fast healing rate that annoying furball could provide.
She surveyed the broken battlefield that was the great cavern. People loved to glorify the victories of great battles, but no one ever talked of what came after, dealing with the grim aftermath.
She saw the fallen buildings of Blood Leash's base; the multiple rows of mercenaries who had chosen to surrender, and were now marching in single lines with their hands bound by either rope or seals, escorted by ANBU and jonin out through the tunnels. Konoha-nin organized the prisoners as they were being released so they could later be returned to their proper homes, while others salvaged through every piece of paper they could find. They needed to know who Blood Leash made deals with, where more people had been sold as slaves.
Then she looked to the other side, where the bodies of their comrades were arrayed in rows, blankets drawn over their faces. She counted around fifty who died in battle.
Naruto was not far from there, looking over their fallen comrades with a forlorn expression. Her mother joined him, patting his shoulder a couple of times.
"I thought I'd get used to this after the Sound Invasion but..."
"Doesn't get any easier" Kushina muttered, "Trust me, not even living through a war does. But they knew the risks, and they gave it their all, we won thanks to them"
"I don't know what I was expecting, but I just... didn't want to think about how many we'd lose"
"We only lost these few because we had the element of surprise in our side; we decimated a chunk of their number and took down nearly all the Warlords. So the rest just surrendered. The raid was a major success"
'Success', maybe if he was more practical or pragmatic he could see it, but...
"Casualties in large battles are inevitable kiddo, in the end; you just work to minimize the damage"
"Just something I have to get used to," the way her son said that bothered her but remained quiet observing him turn his gaze towards their wounded. That sadly was in no small number either with combat medical ninja tending from minor to severe injuries. He saw Kiba with part of his face and chest were heavily bandaged, Hinata and Kurenai-sensei fussing over him. Not too far away was Shika who looked like he took an explosion to the chest at point blank being inspected over by a medic.
A bit further away was Kakashi-sensei, who had to be physically helped to stand and be walked over to the medical area. His team and other friends were either being looked over for exhaustion or helping in some capacity.
Feeling a warm hand run through his hair he looked to his mom who ruefully smiled; "But least we can say with pride we did do good today." She pointed over to the now all the freed slaves; human and demon, who were crying tears of joy or being examined by a medic. At that the blond could not help grin at the sight. Mother and son both watched the demon queen Kuroreimei tending to her people who all nearly hugged her in tearful gratefulness coming to save them.
"These moments make all the pain worth it," the redhead muttered.
After a moment, she patted him on the shoulder once more. "Come on, clean-up is a chore but someone's gotta do it"
Not far from them there were a couple of Jonin, Gai and Asuma, led by Jiraiya as they stood in front of a battered Blood Leash soldier forced to seat in a wooden box in front of them. The man's armor was cut and burnt in places, but overall he only had superficial wounds. His messy spiky hair was dirty and drenched against his face; he kept sneaking glances at the site where they kept the corpses their leaders, looking over Goro's in particular. Every so often he would shake his head and mutter 'fuck' under his breath, the despair and disbelief in his voice evident.
"We asked around, apparently you were an aide to Garan, who managed logistics and business transactions" The Sanin started, actually looking very authoritative and intimidating despite his own less than perfectly healthy state. "So that means you can tell us more about who you sold people to. It'd be in your benefits to do so"
The man clenched his jaw. "You're already sending me to rot in prison for the rest of my life. How would that benefit me?"
"We can spare you the trip to our interrogation experts" Asuma casually pointed out.
He drew in a sharp breath, a bead of sweat falling down his cheek, his lips twisting as he bit back a curse. His hands joined in front of his face as he leaned forward. "Okay... you drive a hard bargain"
Naruto ignored their dealings to look at the row of dead warlords. "Man, can't believe we took all these heavy hitters" Except for that creepy women Sarnai, but hey, they got nearly all of them. "And you mom! You fought this huge guy! Everyone's talking about how nothing harmed him before!"
"Well your mom is the biggest badass amongst badass!" She puffed her chest proudly, banging a fist to her chest and instantly regretted it. "Ugh, wasn't easy though, this was the toughest bastard I've ever fought"
"I'd say" Another ANBU who was looking over the bodies said, by his wolf mask he was 'Tenzō' or something, at least that's what Kakashi-sensei called him. Much to the secret operative's annoyance.
Speaking of his sensei, Kakashi was set down close to them with a huff. He took a deep breath as he let the painkillers and blood pills do their work. "Adamantine Skin... I can't believe someone could pull it off; that he didn't break his own body apart is outstanding. He was a beast even without that technique"
"Oh he was a beast alright, all brawn, no smarts" Kushina said, crossing her arms. "But he's dead now; the science teams will have a field day studying his body back home"
"Ohhhhh, I'm afraid that will not be possible~"
A chittering and fangled voice stopped all nearby movement, everyone stared as a stream of spider web shot up from the darkness of the cavern's roof and impacted Goro's body, pulling it up and slowly rolling it to better snare it.
A few frightened and startled screams came from the freed slaves at the visage of a giant spider came out from the darkness. Instantly Mitsuko, who was barely half bandaged, stood in defense with her sword at the ready alongside Kyoka and Maikako. Several of the few uninjured Shinobi pulled a kunai, Naruto grunted as two elderly toads hopped on his shoulders; "Yushkep," Fukasaku called with narrowed eyes. Jiraiya and Asuma both ran out from their makeshift interrogation room.
"Fukasaku, Shima! It has been ages my old friends," the large spider cooed.
"Spare us the false formalities," Shima snapped back; "Why are you here?"
The Spider queen's fangs chittered; "Oh, weren't you told? Ask your dear sage or that petrified red haired human hiding behind that child."
Sasuke deadpanned dryly looking behind him seeing Kushina knelt down, trying to make herself as small as possible while staring wide eyed. Fukasaku ignored that as he stared at Jiraiya who came beside Naruto; "The Spiders were the one who told us where the Leash was."
"You trusted these backstabbing good for nothings?!" Shima abolished.
Yushkep made a hurtful sound; "Now that just mean old friend."
Jiraiya ignored the exchanged, "It was a business transaction"
"Nothing the spiders ever do is as it appears. Nothing" Fukasaku said with outmost severity.
"Well, this has been a wonderful reunion, but if you don't mind" She spider queen went about wrapping Goro's body in more web, aided by her sharp edged legs. "I'll be taking this, what better gift to my young than to be born from the body of those who stole our lovely home"
A cold shiver ran collectively from the ninjas. Though his body would be very valuable for research, none of them were in any shape to stand up to a giant spider like her.
"What...?" The sound of confusion from the Blood Leash lieutenant went unheard.
"We'll be returning in time, after you wash away all the filth" Secured underneath her belly, the great spider, scuttled away through one of the entrance holes created by their assault, and vanished into the surface. "It was a pleasure doing business with you. Ta~Taaaa~"
It was nearly a minute until everyone felt they could breathe again.
"Fuck those things are creepy" Naruto swore, letting out an explosive breath. Kushina peaked over her Sasuke's shoulder to see if the big creepy crawly had truly left.
Shima looked at Jiraiya, "Dealing with the spiders always brings consequences Jiraiya"
"I told you it was a simple deal. I know their Intel was good because they risked little, they didn't even send any of them to fight for their stolen home, they were happy to let us do the fighting and dying. That's how I know we were in the clear, they involved themselves as little as possible."
"And you don't think their timing was convenient?" Fukasaku asked.
"Well of course they'd be keeping an eye on things"
"I meant on the time when they came to you with the information"
Before Jiraiya could retort, the Blood Leash lieutenant muttered, "What are you talking about? This place never belonged to the spiders."
Numerous head sharply whirled towards the restrained man. Shock etched in the eyes of many; "Say that again," Jiraiya voiced back.
"The spiders had never been here," the Lieutenant reproached; "WE were the only ones who ever held this place."
The toad elders steadily turned their gazes toward their sage whose eyes swayed in deep thought; "I think its best we get the hell out of here as quickly as we can."
A medical Nin who was tending to the wounded quickly stood; "We can't! Some of the injured are too weak be moved!"
"Then get them as stable as humanly possible, board those damn ships, and get to a more secure area where we can sort everything out!" Jiraiya ordered brokering no argument.
Soon the masses around Naruto begun to quicken their pace as they followed the Sannin's orders. "The spiders are that bad?" The blond looked to the old toads on his shoulders.
Fukasaku's expression was grim; "My boy, learn this lesson well. The spiders are the absolute most treacherous beings to walk this earth. And they used Konoha just to get this place."
"You better hurry up and give a hand yourself," Shima quipped leaping off the blond; "We'll help around as best we can."
XxX ~ xx ~ XxX
As per the orders of their Sannin, the Konoha forces swiftly begun moving the freed slaves, wounded, prisoners, and themselves onto Leash ships. Following Kushina's orders, the ANBU gathered up as many surviving documents from Goro's ruined palace as they could find. A good distance away Kuroreimei guided her people onto a ship to leave. They also found the few bodies of their lost kin who died from the Leash's torture, the queen would make sure they were brought home to rest.
Kuro sighed before noticing Kushina coming to her side with her son; "You find everyone?" the redhead questioned with genuine empathy.
The queen gave a small nod; "Both living and dead," he voice quiet while watching Kuroka and Koneko helping everyone on board with Akeno. "This was a daunting mission…"
"One of the hardest our village ever pulled" The Uzumaki agreed. "But we did it, we won. It's over"
"For you, perhaps" The red eyed demoness said, her gaze crestfallen. "Now we have to return to our home, and seek out new ways to extend our sustainability"
Kushina grimaced at her words, she couldn't imagine the situation they were living in. Slowly running out of space and food. It almost seemed ludicrous to her. Jutsu, magic, or whatever, could do so many amazing things and yet these people were still bound to such problems. She supposed that unless circumstances and opportunities lined up, one couldn't take full advantage of such gifts.
Naruto shared her sympathy for her people, Maikako's words echoing in the back of his mind. "Can't you come settle here?"
"These countries are sovereign territories, it'll be an act of invasion"
"Then ask permission" He retorted, like it was so simple.
Kuroreimei's mouth opened and closed a couple of times before sighing. "No human lord would accept that"
"I bet there's one that will. Princess Maiyuri is awesome!" In the brief time he knew her, she struck him as imposing and driven young woman, with a lot of compassion as well.
"She's not daimyo yet, but..." She smiled at him, it was small gesture filled with gratitude. "I thank you for worrying about us. It has been a long time since any human did"
The blond's eyes glowed with emotion; "Doesn't matter what you are. You're just people wanting to live good lives like us."
"Ara-Ara~," Akeno giggled strolling over to her queen's side. "Aren't you such a sweet boy?" Naruto felt his heart rate quicken with a blush adorning his cheeks. "Everyone is on board your highness."
Kuro gave a nod while keeping her eyes on the whiskered cheek blond. She knelt down in front of him resting her hands on his shoulders; "I am grateful people like you exist. That you can see us not as monsters, but people who share this world with you. And it might be you who can sway the ears of those in power to aid us. Till then, keep growing strong and become the man you are meant to be." Leaning forward she gently placed her lips on his forehead; "Walk tall Naruto Uzumaki."
"Y-yes Ma'am," The blond could only squeak out blushing wildly.
Raising to stand both her and Kushina exchanged a long look; "I am honored to have met you, granddaughter of the dragon."
"What will your people do?" The older Uzumaki asked the queen.
"What my kind do best, we shall endure, and eventually find a way to rise again" She bowed her head, and began to accompany her people with Akeno out of this horrible place, giving a short nod to her son and daughter, as they approached the others to say their own goodbyes.
Kyoka smiled, his headgear missing so his long wild locks flowed more freely. "Gotta say kid, you've got style. Next time we meet, we'll spar, I wanna see how strong you can get" There was gratitude in his voice.
"Hmph" Maikako however just pursed her lips, seemingly conflicted and trying not to sneer nor grumble at him. A slap in the back from her brother made her grunt in resignation. "...Thanks"
"You're welcome!" He smiled with all his teeth, and Maikako had to try really hard to not roll her eyes.
"Kuroka wanted us to thank you in her stead, she would have done so in person, but refuses to leave her sister's side" The demon prince explained, which was completely understandable.
"What about that adorable swordswoman of yours?" Kushina asked, voice low as she tried to be tactful "Jiraiya told the fight... that it was rough"
The siblings' gazes softened, "She's... being Mitsuko about it. Which means long stares into nothing, then closing her eyes in meditation... or maybe she's sleeping" Kyoka let out a soft laugh, but the melancholy and hurt in his eyes was evident. "Yeah... if someone had to take out Master Gōyoku, then I'm glad it was her"
Even Kyoka could admit not even he would have been strong enough to face the ancient Oni, nor be emotionally prepared for it. Only Mitsuko was could have prevailed, and she would likely surpass everyone in time.
A thought occurred to Naruto; "If we ever want to see you guys again how do we do that?" Maikako grabbed his hand and dropped what looked like a crystal pendant.
"Just concentrate you mind on that and it opens up a communication link. Mom said you and your mom earned it." Though by her tone the Oni girl was far from happy to give that. But she obeyed her mother's will. "Though being as absent minded as you are, you'd just lose it." She quipped cheekily.
Naruto dryly glared before snorting as his mom patted Maikako on the head. Much too said teen's annoyance; "Your just a sweetheart" The horned girl growled as he older brother chuckled at her expense.
"We got everyone on board!" Karin yelled running up to her family; "Jiraiya-san said we need to get going."
Kushina gave a nod to her adopted daughter before looking back at the siblings; "Be safe, all of you."
The oldest sibling gave a bow; "We will," with that the sibling jogged to the boat housing their people. In turned the three Uzumaki ran to their own boats as Jiraiya gave the order to depart.
While he had the feeling things were far from done with the demons of Lanka, Naruto at least took pride in knowing they had done a great thing today.
XxX ~ xx ~ XxX
A low lyrical chittering hum came from the spider queen as she made her way through the forest above their clan's new lair. Oh she felt nothing but sheer elation in how her sweet children will thrive in such a perfect cave. And even more her children and kin had not to lift a finger in taking it. Humans were such a gullible race, which only made it more fun in deceiving and pitting them against one another.
The piles of human bodies gifted to them to eat was also a very welcomed benefit.
Yushkep came to a stop in an open area dropping, Goro's corpse onto the grass. "Such a shame I cannot keep such a fine meal."
"I trust you did not partake a sample," A voice so raspy, ancient and guttural echoed around the queen.
Although it did not happen in a physical sense, the world seemed to grow dimmer. Quieter. Like the wind dare not blow, and the animals were too afraid to make themselves heard. That was the effect this... spectre had upon everything with a heartbeat.
Yushkep, who had devoured countless humans, whose kin made the hearts of those evolved simians shudder with a thought, could never hope to match the sheer dread this monster exuded just by existing.
It rose from the shadows, the absence of light clinging to him like stale water, slowly dripping as it emerged fully. To the eye, the being took the shape of a man, though he was anything but.
Clad in a substance so dark it seemed to be made from the night sky itself, it would not brighten even with light reflected upon its leathery surface. Resembling the attire of a ninja that had been heavily modified to look more... ritualistic, in nature, clinging to him like a robe. Whatever patch of visible skin could be seen in its hooded and masked visage was black like charcoal.
The only thing that was not dark about this creature was his milky white eyes, which seemed to pierce through anything, even through one's own spirit.
Killing intent rolled in waves as naturally as a living being would breath, fitting that for this creature, the intent to kill was something beyond instinctive. Such that plant life died around him.
Yushkep knew than to better mock such a monstrosity with a playful comeback, "Of course not, I do remember our bargain" And threw the webbed corpse of the warlord at the shade's feet.
Blank white eyes looked down at the body, his figure so still it looked like he didn't breathe. "Hmm, good. Now with Blood Leash removed, the underworld's players will bow to the biggest one left standing"
As someone with long experience in planning and trickery, she knew exactly what he was talking about. They had removed Akatsuki's biggest rival in the Land of Fire, one of the most fundamental pillars in the underworld was gone, and the territory they left was ripe for the taking.
She was also smart enough not to prod for questions, so she left it be. Whatever they planned it did not involve her kin, so she did not concern herself with it. But curiosity was a powerful thing…
"What next, Akuma?"
The wraith looked back at her, and for a moment the spider worried he might decide to cut any loose ends and kill her right there.
"That is not your concern" His echoing raspy voice felt like the winter winds of the south. Cold and unforgiving. "Our transaction is officially over"
The shadows grew around his feet and under Goro's corpse as both begun to sink into the darkness. His cold blank eyes stared at the Spider queen. All of Yushkep's legs trembled once the spectre was gone and the area brightened once more. The great queen shuddered; "But even the likes of the powerful Akatsuki a mere pawns to your cult's ancient game..."
XxX ~ xx ~ XxX
The secret bases of the Sound 'Village' were built in an almost ritualist or religious fashion, with many carvings of snakes upon the pillars that held roof above their heads, the murals filled with intricate circles and symbols whose meaning and purpose eluded most.
The Sannin's 'office' as it were, was composed of a single desk where he surveyed all the papers with the latest Intel, research notes, and other operations currently underway. The rest was handed to him by a large group of his servants.
Half of the underlings who worked for the infamous Snake Sannin followed him out of absolute loyalty, either out of admiration for the man's genius or his utter drive and charismatic persuasion, or because he had found them at their lowest points and gave them a place to belong, to be part of something greater.
The other half followed him out of absolute fear, which was also a very powerful motivator for everyone to follow their duty to the letter.
Orochimaru was not petty, but he was pragmatic in the extreme. If one didn't show too much when it came to working on the field for him, then they were instead moved to aid in his research cells... or become part of the research.
You did not want to give Orochimaru any incentive to think you'd be of better use strapped to a table as he performed experiments that could only be described as blasphemies against the gods.
Specially these days, when their leader was... a touch testy after recent failures in his plans involving Konoha.
Few dared to be in the same room as the man whenever he was informed of something that would displease him. But they seldom had a choice in the matter.
Kabuto, the man's own right hand, was one of the few who were always safe from their master's wrath. But even he treads lightly when he had to inform the Sannin of setbacks in their operations and research, just as he did now.
"Guren's blood test results came" The bespectacled young man said, giving his master a folder which he opened and began reading its contents, "Cross-referenced with Naruto-kun's blood samples stolen from the Konoha shinobi hospital"
His serpentine eye scanned the pages, growing narrower with every word he read.
"...No results?" He asked with a low scathing voice.
The air noticeably grew colder around him; his servants gave him a wide berth.
"None" Kabuto affirmed, "There is not a single shared link between them, even a trace that would indicate shared ancestry"
"Hmm" The hum that came from his closed lips was filled with confusion and frustration. "Then Naruto-kun's own Shoton remains a mystery in terms of origin"
Kabuto gave a nod; "Hard to believe we first wrote him off as nothing. Now he shows more promise than we could ever have expected." It was just so mind boggling that there was such a shift from the blond if the medical-nin was completely honest. A part of Kabuto could not help but admire Naruto's growing talent and determination. He could respect him, even if the boy was still naive to so much around him.
"Had Kushina-chan not returned I might have been able to win him over to us," Orochimaru uttered with disappointment rubbing his chin.
The brow of his most trusted furrowed; "Could we truly have? Given his nature is very much like his father's."
"There was always a way," the snake sannin glanced at Kabuto; "And as much as Naruto-kun had tried to hide it. He had only buried all of his anger, resentment, and rage towards the village and its people deep so not to let it consume him. It only needed the right hand to push it back out." However the Konoha traitor felt even that avenue was likely gone now with Kushina being alive. And then with Karin-chan's defecting and those other Uzumaki, Naruto was no longer isolated and alone. A grunt escaped his throat; "Such a waist of pure potential." He knew Naruto could easily surpass his parents, but could have gone even further if he had placed the curse mark upon him.
"At least Sasuke-kun remains an option" The medic said, trying to think of the positive.
"So long as Kushina's influence does not hamper his desire for vengeance" He interlocked his fingers before his face, tapping one over his hand in thought. "I need Sasuke-kun willing to do anything to achieve the power he desires. And knowing Kushina, she'll be there to make sure the boy gets stronger while keeping his loyalties to Konoha"
"I can see how drawing the boy close could be problematic" His master's reputation would not help any matters; Sasuke would have no reason to join someone like Orochimaru in his quest for power if his skills could be improved in his own village.
His own mental disposition also played a large role; he'd be nowhere near desperate enough to even consider the Snake Sannin a mentor.
Orochimaru knew this, and the lack of options only increased his frustrations. He couldn't just capture Sasuke, the Sharingan was not enough. Otherwise he'd have dug up graves and implanted a pair into himself a long time ago. No, he needed a new body trained and enhanced, held to the absolute standards he needed to perfect his quest for immortality.
Naruto-kun was not suitable, potential or jinchuuriki notwithstanding. His own mixed blood would be very interesting for research, particularly to discover how his Shoton manifested, but he would not be a matching host.
Sasuke-kun, however, a pureblooded Uchiha, young and still developing, it'd be very compatible to make a body transfer that would last for a very long time. A very powerful one with natural-born Sharingan was a very enticing benefit.
And yet, that option seemed far from his grasp...
He took in a deep breath, drawing his fingers close to his lips. Decisions, decisions...
"Manda has not answered any other summons my lord" Kabuto informed him, and winced when a serpentine eye glared sharply in his direction. It had been a mistake, he realized.
"Oh, that serpent has grown tired of you hasn't he?"
Within second Kabuto had drawn curved kunai and senbon standing at the front of his master's desk. Orochimaru however remained seated as his eyes narrowed dangerously upon hearing a deep smooth masculine voice having spoken out in the shadows at the open entrance of his office. "Apologies, but I let myself in. Your attempt of a hideout was amateur at best." Slowly, footsteps rang out through the hall as tall muscular man with long raven hair and almond eyes walked out of the shadows and became visible in the lighted room.
One arm rested behind him as the other held the severed head of one of the Sannin's minions; "Your men could do well with better training I might add." He addressed with mock concern.
A bead of sweat form on Kabuto's forehead. Something felt off about this stranger, or rather what he could not feel at all from him. It was like an abyss of nothingness standing before them. And that alone was impossible! Everyone radiated and aura about them, all living things did, but not this stranger who smiled with such cruelty.
And every instinct within Kabuto screamed at him to run from this... thing that resembled a man.
No doubt his master felt it as well, but was far more composed as he only kept an even glare at the intruder; "And you are?"
The intruder gave a partial formal bow releasing the head from his bloody hand; "My name is Zu Zhang. And I am here to offer you some assistance."
Orochimaru cocked his head; "Assistance you say."
"Indeed, you had desired the destruction of your former village which ended in failure. Moreover, that vessel housing your soul is starting to break down. I can smell the decay from here."
The Snake Sannin leaned back on his chair, measuring the man before him, seizing him up. "You must think I'm a fool to actually listen to a man who broke into my base and slaughtered some of my soldiers"
"I think you are a man who's open to a mutually beneficial business transaction"
Orochimaru paused for a moment, before snapping his fingers and pointing at one of his shinobi. "You," The soldier stood straight, his eyes wide with fear as Orochimaru issued his command. "Kill him"
The shinobi looked at the stranger, how his almond shaped eyes twinkled with amusement, his lips curling into a cruel smile. All his instincts screamed danger...
"Either die to him or die to me" The Snake Sannin gave his ultimatum.
Dying at Orochimaru's hands meant it'd be a very slow process, torturous experiments that'd make him wish for death.
The Sound Ninja contemplated his choice for a millisecond, and pulled out a kunai and charged at the intruder.
Zu Zhang disarmed him with one hand behind his back, and then quickly snatched his throat, lifting him from the neck, and snapped it in one quick motion. His arms falling limplessly to the side.
But that was not the end of it, a bale green light shined in the man's hand, chakra filled with so much spiritual energy flooded him. To most people, it would feel sickening, a technique that should not be, profane in all its forms.
To Orochimaru, it was fascinating.
Zu Zhang let the dead ninja's body fall from his grasp, and a sort of 'shadow' composed of light, pure spiritual energy, vaguely shaped in the man's body remained in place under the interloper's grasp.
Kabuto gulped, a bead of sweat running down his forehead.
Orochimaru stood up, leaning forward over his desk with an enthralled smile.
Zu Zhang smiled to himself, coalescing the spirit into a tiny ball no larger than marble, and seemingly stored it within his own person. Looking energized as he did so.
"What..." Kabuto muttered in disbelief, "What was that?"
"That, my dear Kabuto" Orochimaru said thrilled, "Was necromancy at its rawest"
Zu Zhang gave a nod; "Correct, though sadly nearly a lost art in the Elemental Nations. I am one of the few true masters who fully and completely embraced the craft several millenniums ago." And now he had the snake's full attention; "And you seek what I have harnessed, though through a much more different but not uncommon method of soul possession. Where I retained my original form, you seek out a body to match your intellect."
"You would know how?" The snake sannin spoke entranced
The ancient sorcerer lightly paced the room; "You seek the body of the young Uchiha. But you need a means to lure the boy in so he can molded into the perfect host to house yourself." He paused; "I just so happen have a means to perform such a feat. And all it requires is one of those poorly designed constructs that anchors one soul made by the Nidaime Hokage."
Confusion bloomed on Kabuto's frightened face; "What do you intend?"
"A full and complete resurrection of someone for whom the boy would forsake everything to have in his life once more."
The gears inside Orochimaru's head began spinning. To be able to achieve such a fit, to bring someone fully back from the dead... This was ancient power, magic at its highest. Lost knowledge he craved beyond anything else in the world.
But... "What do you want in return?"
"The people I... work with have plans, we have our own agenda. One I can promise will not harm you in the least so long as you provide a few... services from time to time"
Orochimaru arched an eyebrow. "Services" He repeated in a doubtful tone.
"A distraction here and there, pieces moved and placed in at the right moment, anything that can help us spread discord and unrest in the lands"
This was reminding him of Akatsuki; Orochimaru had to know what he was getting into before making a decision. "What is it that you truly want, what are your goals?"
"I'm afraid the why and how we do things is reserved for those who work directly with us" The man informed him with a haughty smile. "But if you are interested... you could always join us. In time. Once we know you can be trusted"
"And I am supposed to trust you on your word?"
Zu Zhang's smile grew larger. "I believe you are lacking in options and opportunities"
The silence that stretched in the room seemed to last for an eternity.
"...Tell me how we would go about this 'ritual'"
XxX ~ xx ~ XxX
Amegakure... The village hidden by the rain was an apt title given that there was a constant deluge over the small but heavily industrialized shinobi village that rested in the middle of a lake. Unlike the big five villages that had traditional structures dating back to their founding; Ame had towering buildings of steel and glass that rose high into the sky. At the center of the village was the tallest building that had four faces on each of its sides.
It was this building that housed Ame's rulers who were both deeply zealously respected and extremely feared within the village. Within the main office of the building were three figures, once sat at desk, another at that person side, and finally the last one gazed out at the window.
And all three wore the cloaks of the Akatsuki.
At the desk sat an olive skinned man with spiky orange hair man with multiple piercings on his nose, bottom lip, and ears. The Ame headband adorned his head with a cut through the Ame symbol. In his hand he went over a report sent to him by one of his spies. His unnerving purple eyes with six rings around his pupils took in every detail; "This information is accurate?" He questioned in a deep smooth tone.
Standing at his side was a gorgeous woman in her early thirties with flawless pale skin, short, straight blue hair with a bun, Amber eyes with lavender eye shadow, and a labret piercing under her bottom lip. Her curvaceous figure hidden under her cloak, she gave a curt nod; "It's accurate," She spoke in a soft lyrical no nonsense tone. "The Blood Leash was annihilated by Konoha forces several days ago." Her eyes went towards the man who stood next to the window staring out, an orange spiral mask covering his face save one eye-hole. "Lead by Jiraiya and Kushina Uzumaki..." She saw the man's gloved hand clinch into fist.
"I thought you had killed her along with husband the Yondaime," The man at the desk spoke up cocking his head.
The masked man sharply turned to glare with one single Sharingan; "Believe me; none was more surprised than I upon hearing she was alive." He quipped back in a deep masculine tone. "I watched her die with Minato being killed by the Kyuubi."
"Apparently not," the woman reproached with disdain. "On the other subject, have we discovered who killed Hidan and Kakuzu?" Both had been slain by an unknown enemy who outclassed both of them handily. That was a cause for concern, to say the least.
"Have you found anything regarding that, Tobi?" The orange haired man asked the masked individual. Using his covert name despite just being the three of them present.
"Not much, Pain. But there has been something going through the grapevine" He replied, "Oddly enough, most of those rumors are being spread through the animal clans instead of human elements. They hardly involve themselves in human matters..."
"Curious, but until proven otherwise, inconsequential" The leader of Akatsuki said, "What have you heard?"
"There seems to be a sage closely working with some of the animal clans. And has been covertly operating to dismantle several criminal elements, along with tyrannical lords in smaller territories, all throughout the nations. I believe it was this woman who took out Kakuzu and Hidan"
The blue haired woman shifted her gaze to Pain, "Sages are few these days, if our actions have garnered the attention of one…"
"We can handle the sages, Konan" He replied, unworried. "The tales about them paint them in a mythical light, but we are-"
"Overconfident" Tobi warned the visible eye behind his mask narrowing. "Don't be a fool, Pain. Your own power might be superior, but do not forget the reason we are discussing this potential sage is because she is almost certainly the one who killed two of our own operatives. Individuals so feared and powerful you sought out yourself for Akatsuki... and they were slaughtered"
Not many would talk to Pain that way, few would even live afterwards.
"If we have an enemy as powerful as this one, then our ranks are not safe." He took a few steps towards the man.
"We're still in the process of searching for new recruits to replace them" The man with unearthly eyes spoke, completely unconcerned with the loss of their comrades a personal level. "It is a slow, rogue individuals with that level of skill we are not easy to find"
"Zetsu's network may have identified a few potential prospects" Konan brought up, "With Blood Leash's defeat, a lot of elements of the underworld are already falling in line, we've received a surge of new recruits" Grunts who choose to be protected under the biggest player.
"Our influence will only grow from their loss" Pain replied, "We can expand our operations into..." His voice slowly trailed off as he fell silent.
Tobi let out a sound of confusion as Konan narrowed her eyes in concern. "Pain?"
"Someone just entered the village, an outsider"
His rain had detected an intruder then, "We'll send a detachment to intercept them before they can go any further"
"They are already here, in the middle of the city... atop this very building"
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"What an absolutely dreary place," Bai Shen quipped as he lazily sat on the peak of Pain's fortress. The hooded man paid no mine to the constant downpour as it washed away the blood soaked on his scythe. "Humans are such a strange race to think buildings like these are a good thing." When compared to the grandeur of the palaces and temples of his time, full of artistry and wonder. Here it was so dull with no style what so ever. It was an insult to the senses.
His shrouded visage turned slightly; "I wondered what kept you. I had expected your arrival to be timelier." The man rose and turned to the sight of Pain, Konan, Tobi, and a bi-colored man who was pale white and darkest black with yellow eyes and short shaggy green hair. Another oddity was the large Venus flytrap maw that seems to be apart of him sprouting upwards shielding his upper torso and head. Bai Shen cocked his shrouded head; "Now I have officially seen everything."
"You trespass in Amegakure," Pain ignoring the man's words calmly demanded; "Explain yourself or face execution."
The shrouded stranger seemed to take pause as he stared into those ringed eyes, his posture firm as he slowly smirked. "Eyes that transcend this world... yes, you're definitely the one, just like he said"
"I will not ask this again" The firmness in his tone did not seem to carry anger or ill intent behind them, but even just that little was enough to promise a swift yet painful demise. "Who are you?"
The stranger merely set down his scythe upon the building, and proceeded to remove the shroud on his head. The members of Akatsuki were all hardened warriors who had seen numerous atrocities, even those that would make stronger men's hearts tremble, so they did not even blink at the sight of that mangled face.
He looked like a man, with burn orange-red hair falling down his shoulders, but the most glaring trait of his person demanded all the attention. The left side of his face was horrible disfigured, with exposed muscle tissue and fibers, half the row of his teeth could be seen underneath the remains of cheek and jaw muscles, with no eyelid to close his exposed left eye, its spherical shape staring at them permanently. A horrifying leftover from a battle long ago.
His visage did not stop the hardened killers of Akatsuki from taking note of the rest of his appearance. He wore a black and red tunic with flame designs wrapped over his left shoulder, along with large intricately designed arm guards, along with leg armor in which the pants of his tunic were tacked into. Plated mail covered the area around his waist, the upper layer of clothing around his leg right over his needs, dark fabric with red lining and more of those stylishly embroider flames.
The next item on his person that caught their attention was the amulet hanging from his neck. A pointing down triangle inside a circle.
"Brother Hidan told me of you, he had his suspicions... so I had to come confirm them for myself" To the surprise of most of the robed shinobi, he bent on one knee before Pain. "I am Bai Shen, High Priest of the Jashin"
Tobi heard Zetsu suck in a sharp breath.
"And I am in a quest seeking the great coming of our lord" He lifted his mangled visage to look at Pain with thrill and manic devotion. "A quest I am most joyful to say has come to an end... You, o' wielder of the Godly Eyes... are the foretold incarnation of the Great Jashin"
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Akuma is designed off Noob Saibot from MK11