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Chapter Text

ϟ— Prologue — The Nibi—ϟ

The woman ran through the moonlit forest. Her long blonde hair was stained blood-red as her fair-skinned face was blemished with cuts and bruises all over. She brought her arm to her bloodied chest while the other one flopped beside her.

"She's over there!" a man yelled.

She sucked her teeth as she attempted to pick up the pace but to little avail. The trees' black silhouettes were a blur as she felt her thundering heart in her ears. Her muscles and wounds begged her to rest, and every breath was torturous. The whistling world around her started becoming clearer, and her speed lagged. 

No!  She grimaced and willed herself to move faster again. Her legs shook with every step she took, her muscles rebelled; they were unwilling to move anymore… as much as the woman wanted them to.

She grunted as she felt a burning sensation in her back, followed by a wave of aching as she collapsed to the floor. Each breath heaved, her vision blurred, and her back dripped with blood.

"Don't kill her!" a man yelled. "We need that beast inside her."

The woman strained to get up. She gritted her one working arm against the dirt before it was stomped on by a different man. "Where do you think you're going, Nibi ?"

"I am not the Nibi. My name is Yugito Nii, a proud Kumo Kunoichi—"

The other man kicked her face. "As far as we're concerned, you are the Nibi."

Yugito's vision refocused as she stared into the piercing blue eyes of the man in front of her. The full moon's light illuminated silky silver hair that fell down his fair-skinned forehead, marked by two red dots staring down at her like a second pair of eyes.

She caught a glance at the headband hanging around his neck. It was a stark silver, easily visible in the moonlight. It had three gritted, diagonal slashes in its center.

Dokutsu…? Yugito thought before attempting to glare at him, but her vision failed once again as the silhouette of the other man came into view, and she went unconscious… 

Almost instantly, she awoke once again; however, her environment was vastly different than what she expected.

Yugito sat up. My body… it's completely unharmed, she mused inwardly as she looked around. She gazed upon the endless expanse of shallow water, shadowed black by the endless, featureless void above her. 

There was only one feature of note, a massive cage shrouded in searing fog. It radiated a cobalt blue shine, like a star which was mere meters away from her. Yugito sighed and got up fully. She walked towards the cage, pushing against wave after wave of heat to reach the center. The closer she got, the shallower the water became, and the more it boiled .

Eventually, she reached the center of the fog, stiffening at the sight behind the cage. A massive feline sat like a sphinx directly behind the cage's bars. Its ethereal cobalt blue fur of flames rose and fell at the rhythm of the beast's breath. 

Yugito trembled as the feline's face moved closer to hers. Its heterochromatic green and yellow eyes looked stoically down at her, each of which was the size of Yugito herself. 

Yugito stammered. "Hello, Nibi."

"Hello, Yugito, " the Nibi responded with a voice of a Goddess. An entity so ancient, so powerful, it was beyond comprehension. " What brings you here today?"

"I… was just knocked unconscious," Yugito trembled , bowing her head. It was both a sign of respect, and a way to advert her gaze from the Bijuu. 

"What are you implying?" the Nibi asked, a growl gritted the sound of its voice. Its coat of flames intensified, the surrounding water simmered and popped like hot oil.

Yugito shook, her legs were reduced to jelly as she struggled to stand in the Nibi's presence. Sweat ran down her face like scared children as she fiddled her pants with her fingers.

"I-I need chakra, so I— we can live," Yugito stammered.

The Nibi calmed its flames, and the water fell. "Very well ," it complied, before the entire sea around them vaporized. It was replaced by an ocean of roaring, cobalt blue flames. Yugito cried out in searing agony as she was enveloped by the fire. Her skin popped and cracked under the hellish heat.

The Nibi's body disappeared into the sea of flames, leaving an ethereal feline face floating in the fire. Its pink lips were pulled back to reveal bone-white, predatory teeth with elongated fangs. It roared, and the inferno followed suit, completely clouding Yugito's vision as she was reduced to ashes.

Yugito's eyes shot open, glowing the same color as the Nibi's. She erupted with blue flames. The rope that confined her limbs was reduced to ashes as she grew foot-long claws, and slashed at the nearest presence she felt.

Her claws sunk into an arm, cutting through inches of flesh before halting starkly against bone. Yugito gracefully leapt into the air, avoiding a projectile barrage.

"Fire Style: Roaring Cat Bowl!" Yugito rotated. The blue flames around her followed suit and created a torrenting tornado of blue fire that lit up the nighttime forest and blew back the shinobi around her.

The flames dissipated to reveal Yugito on all fours in a predator’s stance. The inferno that enveloped her body burned and danced in the shape of a one-tailed feline. Her fangs extended past her lips as she growled, her bloodstained claws of ivory white dug into the ashen dirt. 

Yugito's eyes shone, black flames danced across her face with feline features as she charged forward. She struck at the gray-haired man with her claws. He stopped it with an outcropping of bone from his arm.

Yugito's claws shattered .

Blood flew from her broken claws and she hissed . Yugito quickly grew them back and slashed, summoning a wave of blue fire from them. She attempted to retreat, but a blunt force pummeled her to the dirt.

The other man ripped a sharpened tanto of bone from his forearm and stabbed at her. She rolled away, only to be interrupted by a similar bony weapon from the gray-haired man. Yugito growled as her hand was pinned to the ground by a sharpened bone. 

Both men reached into their ribs and pulled out a bony club adorned with spikes, and hung them over their heads. Yugito hissed as she yanked her hand out of the sharpened bone, leaving it split in half and spewing blood.

The flames around Yugito's hand intensified as she cauterized the wound and spun makeshift stitches of fire, knitting her hand back together. As she concluded healing, the men charged at her once again.

She leapt back and weaved hand seals. "Fire Style: Feline Torrent!" she spat before the forest was lit up once again by Nibi flame. The blast Yugito blew from her mouth took the shape of a charging cat and pounced on the two men, who shielded themselves with bone.

Yugito weaved another set of hand seals and slammed her hands on the ground. "Fire Style: Forest Fire!"

The entire forest hissed and cracked as wave after wave of cobalt blue flames blew through the forest like a shockwave. It was ablaze dozens of times over by the time she finished. Yugito roared as her claws grew even longer and she followed her Feline Torrent into battle against the bone users.

She leapt onto the gray-haired man and ignited her claws. They flickered with blue flame as she swiped at his protruding bone. Her claws shattered again. She hissed and sparked her undamaged claws with lightning. 

They made contact and claws remained intact, but she didn't damage the bone any more than she had before. Yugito glared at the man and sent plumes of flame into his armor. The man cried as he sent countless bony spikes at her, pushing her into the ground.

He glared at Yugito and he crossed his hands in front of him; he whipped them to his side as his body glowed as green as a daytime forest. "Enough with you, Nibi!! Third Gate of Life… OPEN!!" he shouted as his aura blasted back the surrounding flames. He dug his feet into the ashen dirt and charged.

Before Yugito could react, she had a fist in her gut and she flew back. She looked up to see the man launching his bony fist into her face. Yugito didn't even have the opportunity to scream before her entire skull was caved in. Shards of bone stuck out of her mauled skin as the back of her head slammed into the dirt.

The man scoffed as he pushed down on Yugito's face. "It's a shame we need you alive."

The roaring of the Feline Torrent ceased as footsteps approached. Yugito groaned in a sorry attempt to scream as her cloak of flames blazed; but the man blocked the onslaught of flames with his bones. The other man stomped on her chest with a foot of protruding bones.

Yugito attempted to cry, shriek, something… but nothing except muted groans came from her as she was relentlessly beaten by the two men. Yugito clenched her clawed fists and made a single half seal with both of them.

What do you think you're doing?! The Nibi shouted in Yugito's head.

Yugito chuckled inwardly. Letting you go.

Why?! 

Yugito continued chuckling. I know you'd much rather be out there than in here, Nibi. Also, I need to make sure that you remain in the Land of Lightning so Kumo can regain control over your power.

I see… the Nibi muttered. So you just want me to get sealed again? I should've known.

Yugito's mauled face managed a weak smile as the flames intensified. The seal on her stomach lit up and burned .

"What the hell is going on?!" the other man shouted.

The gray-haired man's eyes widened. "She's releasing the Nibi! We need to leave!!"

"A-alright!" the other man shouted as he took the gray-haired man's hand; the two rushed as far as possible from the area. 

Yugito's body was quickly reduced to ashes as all the flames in the area congregated over to her former location in a cobalt blue ball inferno. The trees in the area were nothing but smoke and ash. Any life in the vicinity was vaporized. The inferno grew in size until any trees that managed to survive looked like mere ants in its presence.

Once the blaze stopped growing, it took shape. The cobalt blue took the shape of a massive two-tailed feline with pink lips that bore ivory white teeth with fangs twice the length of its other teeth. 

It growled as black flames danced upon the blue, giving birth to black swirls of fire that all congregated on the belly of the beast, filling it up with black until its bottom was a sea of obsidian black that contested against the cobalt blue.

The black flames continued to whirl, dancing down the legs of the feline, forming black claws that dug into the ashen ground. As the black flames concluded their dance and the blue flames calmed, there stood… The Nibi. Its two flaming tails elegantly swayed back and forth as the Nibi's paws dug into the ash and soot beneath it.

The Nibi pulled back its lips and roared, shaking the land for miles. The birds fled from the trees as they collapsed under the pressure of the beast's bellow. It slowly decreased the volume of the outburst as it closed his mouth. It took a series of deep breaths. The flames rose with every inhale and fell with every exhale.

Suddenly, it froze; The Nibi's body was deathly still as the only movement came from the dance of its flaming coat of fire. Its eyes shot open as it pounced forward, bolting through the starlit sky, leaving footsteps of ash in its wake as it ran. Where to…?

Only it knew. 

⁑♨—ϟ—♨⁑

A woman lay awake in her bed, her sclera as red as her hair. She glared out into the morning sky; the sun dyed the sky an amber similar in color to her irises. She shut her eyes and brought her fair-skinned hands over her ears to block out the wailing that came from the crib across her room.

She took a deep breath as she forced herself up. She pushed her curly, crimson hair out of her face as she gazed upon the crib with an exasperated expression. "Ka'rai, can mama sleep please?"

Her pleads were met by infantile cries and screams from Ka'rai. Tears flooded down his dark-skinned face as his crimson hair jumped up and down as he did, shaking his crib in the process.

The woman pouted as she got up to tend to her child. She picked him up and cradled him against her chest. Ka'rai's wails eventually died down as he fell back asleep in his mother's embrace.

"Is attention all you want?" she mused as she placed Ka'rai back into his crib. She started to walk away, before she heard his cries once again, alongside the rocking of the crib.

She looked back at him, pleading clear in her eyes. Ka'rai ignored them and continued to scream. "I guess I have my answer…" she mumbled as she picked Ka'rai up and brought him to her bed.

As both she and her son drifted off to sleep, there was a knock at the door. She groaned as she picked up Ka'rai and went to look through the peephole of her door. ANBU…? she thought, before pulling a kunai knife out of a small cloud of smoke from her wrist.

She put Ka'rai back down on her bed, much to his dismay. The woman opened the door. "Yes…?"

"Lord Raikage requests your presence. The situation is urgent, ma'am," the ANBU said, before disappearing in a flicker of electricity.

She put her kunai away and quickly got dressed. Putting on a black mesh jumpsuit, a red and white one-sleeved vest, and pulled a pair of white cargo pants over the jumpsuit’s legs; concluding her outfit with a black headband, adorned with a metal sheet with three circular clouds carved into it.

The woman picked up Ka'rai, locked her door, and disappeared in a flicker of electricity. Soon after, she appeared in front of a colorful building, with crowds of parents and children surrounding it.

"Arasei!" a blonde woman cheered as she came over.

Arasei looked at the woman and smiled. "Hikari! I'm here to drop off Ka'rai."

"Another mission?" she asked as Arasei handed over a fussy Ka'rai.

She nodded. "Yeah, apparently it's urgent; so, I have to go, sorry."

"Oh no, it's all right! Bye Arasei!" Hikari cheered, waving at her as she disappeared in another lightning flicker.

Arasei soon appeared in front of another building. It was a massive structure that jutted out of a large maroon mountain. The blue sky around the building was obscured by a white haze that not only surrounded the mountain, but the entire village it was a part of.

The building itself was round, with yellow umbrella-shaped roofs hanging over a massive window; which had a massive spotlight with the kanji for ‘Lightning’ in black against the white light.

I never fail to be intimidated every time I walk in front of the Raikage's office. She chuckled as she jogged to the entrance of the office and up the massive flight of stairs that lead to the top floor. 

Once she reached the top floor, she was faced with a door that was nearly three times her height. She took a deep breath and knocked on the door— 

"Come in!" a deep, angry voice shouted.

Arasei froze before taking another deep breath and opening the door. Her eyes widened as she saw who was in the room. Lord Bee?! Lord Darui?! Lady Chinoike?! What the hell is going on?!

"Yo, Uzumaki-san! What's up!" said a dark-skinned, muscular man with slicked-back blond hair and shades.

Another man stood at his desk. Thunder popped from his muscular, dark-skinned hands gripped at the wood as his white cloak—trimmed with gold—and blond hair flapped under the pressure of his chakra. "It's about time you came."

"A-am I late, Lord Raikage?" Arasei stammered, bowing to her knees.

The Raikage shook his head. "No, but I would've greatly preferred it if you came early."

"Cut her some slack, fool ya fool!" one of the men rapped.

The Raikage shook his head. "Shut up, Bee! Now is not the time for this!"

"No disrespect, Lord Raikage… but it would be wise if we picked up the pace," said a dark man with shaggy blonde hair.

A pale woman with white hair and bloodshot eyes nodded. "Yes, time is fleeting, Lord Raikage.

The Raikage sighed. "Arasei… you, Bee, Darui, and Machia will be going on a mission to retrieve the Nibi."

Arasei drew in a sharp breath.

"Yugito fell in combat and sacrificed her life in order to keep the Nibi in Kumo's control. We must not allow her sacrifice to be in vain, and we must capture the Nibi before it regains its true strength," the Raikage explained sternly. "But just as importantly… we need a new jinchuriki."

A sharp pain jolted through Arasei's heart before it dropped to her stomach. No, no, no, no, no, no. Not again. Not again. Not Again. Not— 

"ARASEI!!" the Raikage shouted.

She snapped back to reality, panting and in a cold sweat. "I-I'm so sorry; c-could you repeat what you said please?"

"I said… that your son, Ka'rai, will be the next jinchuriki of the Nibi," the Raikage chafed.

Arasei nodded shakily. "I-I see…" she stammered. At least I didn't choose this time… not like the end result would've been any different.

"Are you okay?" 

Arasei stiffened at the sudden icy hand placed on her shoulder. "Yes… Lady Chinokie."

"...Are you sure? You're shaking… and sweating," she said in a soft, yet cold tone.

Arasei took a deep breath. "Yes, I am fine, Lady Chinoike."

"If you say so," Machia said, slowly removing her hand from Arasei's shoulder.

The Raikage cleared his throat. "Any questions?"

The room was silent.

"Good, now go!"

The Kumo Shinobi nodded and disappeared from the office in flickers of lightning.

⁑♨—ϟ—♨⁑

The squad of Kumo ninja leapt through the foggy mountains of the Land of Lightning. Machia's bloodshot eyes encompassed a bloody-violet iris that held a rectangular, neon purple pupil. She used her abstract eyes to track massive pits of ash, each of which was in the shape of a feline paw.

"Lord Bee, can the Hachibi sense the Nibi?" Darui asked.

Bee shook his head. "Nah, the Nibi keeps its presence hidden."

"Don't worry, my eyes will find it soon enough," Machia said.

Arasei pursed her lips. She lingered at the back of the group, watching their backs aimlessly as she fiddled with a shuriken in her hand. They traveled for hours, following paw prints of smoking ash for miles. Eventually, dusk set in… and little progress was made.

"Dammit, yo!" Bee cursed.

Darui sighed. "Patience, Lord Bee."

"No need, we're close…" Machia said ominously.

Arasei tensed. "How close…?"

Suddenly, the mountains quaked. Rocks collapsed from their summit. The orange fog blued. The roar of an inferno neared the group. 

Darui grabbed a cleaver from his back, and black lightning arced over the blade as he tensed. Three giant, purple tentacles grew from Bee's back; they slammed on the ground as he transformed his hand into a fist of tentacles. Arasei pulled out a kunai and summoned four adamantine-gold chains from her back; her hand trembled as the heat of the blue glow approached.

Machia's eyes glowed as she blitzed through a series of hand seals, and yelled, "Blood Style: Sea of Blood!" A massive volume of blood burst from Machia's hands and flooded the mountains with dozens of tons of blood. She weaved through another set of hand seals and yelled, "Blood Style: Blood Dragons!"

Three pillars shot up from the sea of blood; they circled Machia and took the form of three serpentine dragons and shot toward the blue glow. They made contact, and the sound of liquid vaporizing seared through the mountains… 

Then, quiet.

Arasei stiffined. Please… 

A feline screech pierced the ears of the Kumo shinobi. They leapt back as five slashes appeared on the mountain in front of the blue glow. The mountain slid apart into five melting slabs of rock.

As the mountain fell apart, the Nibi was revealed huffing and puffing. Blue flames pounced like the sun's corona around the flaming coat. Its heterochromatic eyes glowed and glared at the Kumo Shinobi.

Arasei trembled as the Nibi towered over them. She stared into its discolored, glowing eyes; each of which being the size of her, maybe even double that. The world shrunk as the hypnotic eyes of the Nibi— pierced her.

It was nowhere near her, yet she burned. Her soul, her body, her being felt as it was alight. 

The Nibi narrowed its gaze on her specifically. “ Uzumaki .”

Its word vaporized Arasei with an otherworldly terror. Her heart beat as if it was going to explode. She couldn’t help but step back—she wanted to run, she wanted to live.

Staying here was suicide. 

Everyone leapt out of the way as the Nibi sent a cascade of cobalt blue flames careening out of its mouth. Bee's tentacles took the brunt of the impact, with wisps of fire flying over the sea of blood as Bee was knocked under.

Arasei shielded herself with her chains and leapt back. The tighter terror gripped her, the sharper she thought, the faster she moved. A cursed blessing from her bloodline… 

A cursed blessing that saved her life from a meteor of cobalt blue flame. 

"Black Lightning: Double Black Panthers!!" Darui shouted as two bolts of black lightning shot from his blade, taking the shape of twin panthers sprinting toward the Nibi. It growled and pounced, crushing Darui's assault beneath a single paw as it landed on the bloody sea.

The blood boiled and popped from the Nibi's coat of fire. It growled and swung its tails as its flaming fur intensified at the rhythm of its breath, before dozens of adamantine chains wrapped around the Nibi's figure.

The Nibi’s glare shot another infernal terror into Arasei. She barely felt alive as she matched the Bijuu’s glare with her own. No life, no death, no love, no death. All she felt was fear. 

A fear that empowered her.

The inferno that made up Nibi’s body subsided ever so slightly. The Nibi sent wave after wave of fire shockwaving from its body. Arasei frantically wrapped herself in chains. Machia and Darui leapt into the air and sent a massive spear of blood that sparked with black lighting into the Nibi's hide.

It screeched as the blood spear ripped into its weakening coat of fire. Arasei sent more chains to trap the Nibi, further suppressing its power. With each horrific breath she took, her chains multiplied and squeezed tighter. The Nibi's coat was reduced to nothing but flickering flames, as Machia ran towards its head.

The Nibi closed its eyes, and took one deep, long breath… "Amaterasu," it said under its breath before the black flames of its fur roared and engulfed the environment in sheets of an obsidian-colored inferno.

"Everyone! Fall back!!" Darui called as he bolted away from the incoming inferno, soon followed by Machia, and Arasei, who was forced to release her chains, returning the Nibi's full power.

It roared as the flames of Amaterasu raged around it. The Nibi growled, sending blaze after blaze of blue flames to vaporize all. Arasei looked back, and her heart dropped to her stomach. The Nibi towered over the hell it created; once majestic mountains wept with tears of molten rock that glowed a hellish orange.

Obsidian black and cobalt blue flames scorched the ashen rocks and burned over the boiling sea of blood as they screamed with the terror of a roaring inferno; the haze blackened with dulged ash, all illuminated with the cobalt blue glow of the Nibi's blazing fur.

"H-how the hell are we supposed to beat this… t-thing?!" Arasei stammered between hammering breaths.

Darui panted. "Lord Bee was supposed to be our main combatant."

"Where the hell is he then?!" Machia spat through the heave of her breath.

Arasei shook her head. "H-he was hit directly early on, so—"

Suddenly, a massive, purple arm sprouted from the boiling sea of blood, followed by another, then eight, massive purple tentacles flew wildly as they emerged from the scalding blood sea; finally, a purple ox's head and torso rose from the blood. Its blank, lavender eyes stared wildly at the Nibi.

Arasei’s heart rate spiked even higher at the sight of the second monster. Another living embodiment of horror and power that little could ever hope to even hold a candle to. However, this one when it looked at her had no hate. It had a joyous look.

The look of… “Lord Killer Bee…” A relieved smile crossed her face. 

Maybe their deaths weren’t guaranteed after all.

Bee's form stared the Nibi directly in the eyes on equal, if not superior, footing. "Yo, Nibi! Imma need you to come back, or you gonna get whacked! With one of my tails, yo!"

"Hachibi…" the Nibi growled.

Bee's Hachibi form grinned. "It's Lord Hachibi to you, fool ya fool!"

The Nibi glared. “I care not for you, Jinchuriki!! ” it screamed as the inferno bellowed. “ Hachibi! Is this how far you’ve fallen? To battle against your siblings for these humans?! Are you truly going to assist in my enslavement?!! ”

The Hachibi let the laugh of Killer Bee. “Damn right he is! Now, don’t be a pissy little kitty and come back peacefully!”

Dozens of cobalt blue pillars of hellish proportions erupted. Arasei could barely shield herself—she screamed as the Nibi’s flame burned her. The infernal roar was overshadowed by the furious cries of the beast controlling them.

The Hachibi's tentacles crushed the surrounding mountains with their wild swinging as black ink seeped from its skin; it huffed out of its oxen nose as it swung its horned head around. 

The Nibi screeched and all fire in the area crawled toward the Nibi's open mouth. The Hachibi responded in kind by coalescing a ball of ink in its mouth. Both Bijuu clapped their mouths shut and fired a beam of their respective element at each other, clashing in a massive explosion that utterly evaporated the sea of blood.

The area was engulfed with steam, entirely shrouding the vision of Darui, Arasei, and Machia. The Nibi leapt onto the Hachibi's back, sinking its claws into its hide, before clamping its jaw on the Hachibi's head. Blood spewed, and the ox bellowed. It gripped the Nibi and slammed it into the smoldering brimstone below.

The Hachibi struggled to pin the Nibi as it kicked, swiped, and clawed at its flesh. Gallons of blood poured from its wounds and the hand it held the Nibi with smoked. The Nibi's eyes glowed as it became overtaken by flames and split into two. The Hachibi's hand crashed into the ground before two Nibis tackled the Hachibi into the ground.

"Dammit, yo!" Bee cursed as the two Nibis merged back into one, and charged up another blazing blast in its mouth. The Hachibi wrapped the Nibi its tentacles slammed it into the dirt once again.

The Hachibi shot bullets of ink at the Nibi and continued to pummel it into the dirt. "It's now or never, yo! Come suppress the Nibi and end this endeavor, yo!"

"Alright! Come on!" Machia shouted as she charged into battle alongside Darui.

Arasei took a deep breath, holding her charred arm. Pushing through the agony, she weaved hand seals before following them.

The Nibi ignited the ink around its fur and growled, and shot a blast of Amaterasu at the Hachibi. Its eyes widened as it quickly dodged out of the way, only to be met by the Nibi's paw, leaving a gash on the Hachibi's face. It gripped the Nibi's front legs and rammed it into the molten cliff face.

The Nibi screeched as it bit down on the Hachibi's neck. The two beasts wailed as they were locked in animalistic combat. Suddenly, a massive bolt of black lightning struck the Nibi directly in the eye. It hissed as its coat of flames roared; then torrents of blood washed over the Nibi, covering it in steam, and barely weakening its flames.

The Hachibi sprayed more ink onto the Nibi, as dozens and dozens upon dozens of chains wrapped around it. Adamantine gold choked it and restricted its limbs. Arasei panted as she slammed her glowing hands on the ground, sending a line of symbols to be extended towards the Nibi; once it made contact, all ink on the Nibi's coat transfigured into a massive sealing complex.

The Nibi cried and wailed as its once ethereal coat of obsidian onyx and cobalt lapis flames was degraded to pathetic black and blue embers. The Hachibi pummeled the Nibi’s weakened form. ”Hurry up and get this bitch packed up, yo!" Bee rapped. “I can only hold it for so much longer!!”

Arasei nodded and pulled a jar with the kanji for "two" out of a puff of smoke on her wrist. She went through a long sequence of hand seals; once she finished, her hands glowed a bright, neon white. "Sealing Arts: Chakra Containment Seal!"

The Nibi lost its form and turned into a massive torrent of flame that Arasei directed into the jar. After a short while of struggling with the inferno, she finally sealed it into the jar, quickly closing it shut, and sealing the top on. 

Arasei took a deep breath and flashed a tired and pained smile at the three. "W-we did it!"

"Wheeee!" Bee cheered as he detransformed from his Hachibi state. "Yeah yo! We packed up the Nibi, we out here looking peachy, my bed finna get squeaky, when I come home to my mistress!!"

Machia shook her head. "You never fail to be enthusiastic, Lord Bee."

"It gets annoying sometimes," Darui said dryly, nursing his extensive burn wounds.

Arasei sighed. "I appreciate it, honestly."

"See Uzumaki, that's why you're my favorite, not like these other fools," Bee said, shaking his head.

Darui shook his head. "We should head back now."

"Agreed," Machia said.

Arasei picked up the jar and nodded. "Alright, I'm ready."

"Let's go, yo!" Bee cheered as he leapt away, followed by everyone else shortly after.

⁑♨—ϟ—♨⁑

The day after the battle, Arasei walked on the main street of Kumogakure, holding a sleeping Ka'rai. Her burned arm was wrapped in bandages… there would be scar for sure. The constant foggy cloud cover diluted the noon sun's rays as she walked through crowds aimlessly as if they weren't even there.

Arasei trembled as she carried Ka'rai in her arms. "I'm sorry, baby. Mama's so, so , sorry," she whispered softly.

Bangs fell on her forehead, obscuring her eyes as her face trembled. You're not sorry. Even if you had the choice, you'd still seal the Nibi inside of him. You let it happen to Kodaru. Why is your own son any different? she jided. "I-I'm sorry Ka'rai. I'm so, so, sorry, Ka'rai," she chanted, desperately ignoring the voice in her head..

Look at you! Look! You're not even trying to comfort him! You're trying to comfort yourself! You selfish— 

"It's okay Ka'rai, it's okay, mama's here for you, mama's here for you," she said, louder than before. "It's okay, I'll protect you, I'll protect you no matter what," she lied.

Liar.

"I love you, Ka'rai."

Selfish.

"I love you so much, K-Ka'rai. You know that, right?"

If you loved him, then you should be the Jinchuriki.

"I know it's gonna hurt, but mama's here for you, okay baby?" she croaked.

You're pathetic.

"You're my entire world, Ka'rai!" she nearly screamed.

Aren't you supposed to protect the world you love?

"I'll always protect you, Ka'rai."

Liar!

Arasei wrapped Ka'rai in her arms, placing her chin over his shoulder, and wept silently as she embraced her son. The coolness of the fog-chilled her tears as she caressed Ka'rai's back. She drifted through the crowd, who were unbeknownst to her quiet cries.

Eventually, she stopped. The shadow of a massive stone cliff face towered over her. She took a deep breath before placing her palm against the cliff face. The rock shook and slid open. Arasei quickly slipped in before it slammed shut. Arasei steeled her nerves as she trekked down a long, torch-lit staircase.

She reached the bottom and saw Killer Bee, The Raikage, Darui, Machia, and a tanned bald man standing around a stone slab, with the jar the Nibi was sealed on a table next to them.

Arasei bowed. "G-greetings, Lords."

"Are you ready?" the Raikage asked sternly.

Arasei nodded. "Yes, Lord Raikage."

"I doubt that," the bald man chuckled.

Machia glared at him. "Lord Furachi, show some tact."

"Alright, my bad," he chuckled, putting his hands up defensively.

Arasei sighed shakily as she placed Ka'rai down on the slab. The infant began crying as the coldness of the hard slab chilled against his back. "I'm sorry, Ka'rai," she mumbled as she weaved a set of hand seals.

"Open the jar, please," Arasei stammered as her hands glowed.

Machia nodded and unsealed the jar, and a massive torrent of cobalt blue flames lit up the room.

"Sealing Arts: Eight Trigrams Seal!" she shouted as she grabbed a hold of the inferno with one hand, and placed her hand on Ka'rai's chest with the other. The kanji for iron was branded on the infant's chest as his cries intensified.

Arasei's face was struck with agony as she channeled the fire into the seal. Ka'rai wailed and screamed as the cobalt blue blaze burned into him. Arasei closed her eyes as Ka'rai continued to bawl. Eventually, the Nibi was completely sealed into Ka'rai, and Arasei made one final hand sign, completing the seal.

Arasei immediately picked up Ka'rai and consoled him. "It's okay baby, it's okay, mama's here, mama's here, don't cry anymore, you're safe now. Shh…."

The Kumo shinobi watched solemnly as Arasei comforted her son.

"I'm sorry, Uzumaki," Machia said. "I recently had a daughter of my own, and I can't imagine doing that to her. I'm so sorry that you had to."

Arasei bowed slightly. "No need for apologies. It's for the village."

"I commend your devotion to Kumo," the Raikage said. "I assure you that you'll be greatly rewarded for loyalty."

Arasei bowed again. "Thank you, Lord Raikage."

It's not like if you had the choice, things would've gone any differently.

Arasei winced, before looking Ka'rai in his eyes. His black irises shone with childish innocence as he looked desperately at his mother; his smooth, dark-skinned cheeks soiled with the trails of tears, his crimson hair covered in soot from the Nibi's flame. A single tear fell down Arasei's face as she looked at her son, Ka'rai…

Ka'rai Uzumaki of Kumogakure, Jinchuriki of the Nibi.

ϟ —Chapter End— ϟ

Chapter Text

ϟ— Chapter One — Enter: Ka'rai Uzumaki—ϟ

A warm, comforting hand caressed Ka’rai’s face as he groaned. His tired eyes opened slowly. “It’s time for the academy, Ka’rai,” a motherly voice sang.

“Five more minutes, mama,” he grumbled, turning over away from his mother.

Arasei frowned. “No, five minutes is more than enough time for a life-or-death battle to take place; every second is invaluable.”

“I guess so,” he admitted, dragging himself upright with a yawn. “Wait… you’re here; didn’t you have a mission?”

Arasei laughed as she messed with her full head of curly red hair. “Oh, I’m just a clone!”

Ka’rai hummed, but he wasn’t disappointed. 

“I just wanted to be here somehow… for your twelfth birthday!”

“Oh, it is my birthday!!” realized Ka’rai with a cheer. His tiredness burned away along with his rising joy.

Arasei grinned. “Happy birthday, Ka’rai!”

“Thank you, mama!” he shouted and he pounced out of bed, clutching his mother.

Her eyes widened at the sudden vice grip, before returning her son’s affections with a hug of her own. “You’re welcome,” she managed through a tightened breath.

“Oh—I’m sorry!” he sputtered as he loosened his grip.

She took a breath of relief before smirking and squeezing the breath out of her son. “Revenge,” she snickered.

“Mama—please—I apologized!” spattered Ka’rai. He struggled and thrashed against his mother’s vice grip with little avail.

Arasei hummed in pondering, before tightening her grip ever so slightly. “I don’t think you apologized as sincerely as you should’ve…”

“Dearest Mother, Arasei Uzumaki, I sincerely apologize for hugging you tighter than I should’ve,” Ka’rai strained with a wheeze.

She smirked haughtily. “Apology accepted.” She loosened her grip on Ka’rai, who took a deep breath of relief.

“Thank you, mama.”

Arasei pulled back from the hug and flashed her son a smile. “Is there anything you want for your birthday? I’ll try to get it when I get back from my mission.”

“Oh—uh…” Ka’rai stammered. “I do, I don't think you’d like it, though…” he mumbled, looking down to his bedsheets.

Arasei raised her brow. “Well… you can tell me and we’ll both know for sure!”

“ Iwannaknowwhomydadis… ” Ka’rai sputtered.

She sighed. “We’ve had this conversation, honey—”

“I know, I know!” Ka’rai argued, clenching his fist. “But… Man, I don’t know.”

Arasei let out a deep breath. “Well, he’s dark-skinned!” she beamed with a big, fake smile.

“Anyone with a pair of eyes can tell that much,” Ka’rai said dryly.  “You’re about as pale as the clouds that surround this village.”

She blinked in surprise as she looked at a wry-looking Ka’rai. “Okay…” she said as she cleared her throat. 

“C’mon, at least something! Please!” Ka’rai pleaded.

Arasei shook her head. “I’m sorry, but no… I really don’t want to talk about it. He’s…” she trailed off before sighing.

“Is he a bad person?” Ka’rai asked.

Arasei shrugged. “By some people’s standards, yes. I don’t think so, personally.”

“Then why aren’t you guys still together?!” His frustration nearly boiled over.

She looked away with a frown. “I don’t want to talk about it, Ka’rai. I’m sorry.”

“Fine…” Ka’rai conceded. 

Arasei pulled him back into a hug. “I’ll see if I can get you something else, okay?” she assured as she rubbed his back. She pulled away from the hug and forced a small smile. “Well, I’m gonna stop holding you up now; have a great day, baby!”

“I’m not a baby, mama!” Ka’rai complained as he leapt out of bed and ran to the bathroom. As Arasei watched her baby scurry off, her smile faded as… that day crept into her head. It clawed into her like a living corpse aching its way out of the closet she hid it in to never be seen again.

Yet, she saw it every day. 

She loved seeing it—but she couldn’t deny the pain.

It had been nearly twelve years… and she still didn’t know if she have done any different if she had the opportunity. Arasei frowned, then a sudden smile tugged at the corners of her lips. Ka’rai was strong, much stronger as a twelve-year-old than she could ever dream of being.

Sealing it into him might’ve been the right choice, regardless of her own personal feelings. If she was the Jinchuriki, she’d perish just like Yugito. Was this her own sick way of trying to justify her actions? She didn’t know. Any sort of comfort and solace that she could get was very much welcomed.

But he was her son, and it was inside of him. Nothing she could do about it now. She knew he could handle it; she knew Ka’rai could handle it. Arasei took a deep breath before disappearing in a puff of smoke.

⁑♨—ϟ—♨⁑

Ka’rai strutted down the streets of Kumo, his chest puffed out, his hands swinging at the rhythm of his fast-moving legs. The clouded sun sent faded rays in his path as his messy, crimson hair obscured the view from his black eyes of the Kumo Shinobi Academy he approached.

Kumo’s academy sat on a series of rocks over a lake, which had platformed buildings with umbrella-shaped roofs of various colors. Crowds of students and their parents drawled into the academy through the singular entrance. For most people, this would be a problem, but not for him.

He simply pushed through the crowds and cut the line to get where he needed to go. Was it a less than stellar action, morally? Yes. Did he care? No. He eventually reached the front of the line, checked in, and trekked over a series of red-roped bridges to a blue-roofed building.

With a wicked smirk, Ka’rai kicked down the door. All eyes of the class inside dead set on him. He ignored most of them… except for one. The boy’s grey eyes matched his with the veracity of a storm. His bald head shone like a tanned light under the sun’s reflection.

“Well, well, well… look who it is; our least favorite redhead and his unnecessarily loud entrances,” the boy remarked.

Ka’rai cackled. “Check the date, Cirru! It’s the most important day in academy history!!”

“August sixteenth…” Cirru pondered in false ignorance, examining his luxurious cloudy-grey outfit. “Doesn’t ring a bell,” he dismissed with a shrug.

Ka’rai twitched as he looked at Cirru before clearing his throat. “Okay!! Are there any smart people who know the importance of August sixteenth?!!”

“It’s your birthday, right?!” suggested a dark-skinned boy with shaggy blonde hair. 

Ka’rai grinned and pointed at him. “Exactly!! What’s your name?! I don’t wanna forget such an intelligent individual.”

“Y-Yowui,” he sputtered.

Ka’rai nodded. “Thank you, Yowui!”

“You all continue to encourage such abhorrent behavior,” Cirru muttered with a shake of his head.

An amber-eyed girl with curly hair that dropped over her fair-skinned face spoke up. “Well, Happy Birthday, Ka’rai!”

“Thank you, Sami!” Ka’rai cheered as he pointed at her, his eyes drifting towards the pale girl with white hair and bloodshot eyes that sat next to Sami.

The girl met his gaze and looked at him blandly. “Leave me alone or I’ll make you bleed.”

“Okay…” Ka’rai trailed off.

Cirru chuckled. “Amazing work, Clowui!”

“The same applies to you, Cirru,” she stated, barely sparing her a glance.

Cirru laughed off the threat. “C’mon, us clan heirs need to stick together, you know—” He was interrupted by the pencil embedded in his arm. It drew a stream of blood that trickled down his arm.

“Leave me alone or I’ll make you bleed more,” Clowui reiterated, gleaming at the sight of blood .

Cirru blinked as he observed the pencil in his arm. “ Ow ,” he spat as he shook his arm.

Suddenly, the door shot open and a big, burly, dark-skinned man with orange hair burst into the room.

“All of you shut up and sit down or that’s a week of detention and the training for the next month will increase in difficulty, tenfold!!” he commanded.

The students bolted to their seats and sat stiffly and at attention. “Yes, Eff-sensei!!” they shouted.

Eff proceeded to give a stern lecture about the betrayal of the Senko Clan during the period of peace between the First and Second Great Ninja wars. The Chinoike Clan aided them in driving them out of the Land of Lightning. 

The Nidaime Raikage, as an award for their aiding of Kumo, instated them as an official clan of Kumogakure.

Ka’rai only paid half attention to the lesson, only tuning in during discussions of battles. The names, political stuff… wasn’t that interesting despite being sixty percent of the lesson.

He’d be fine; Sami would give him the answers. She always gave him the answers. Sami is a good friend…

After pretending to pay attention for a couple of hours, beating Cirru in a kunai throwing assignment, and getting the homework answers from Sami, Ka’rai was finally free from the academy.

He grinned as he sprinted away from the blue-roofed building that was his classroom. He leapt through the crowds and out of the academy; he kept running, and running, and running until— 

“Ow!” Ka’rai grumbled as he stepped back. He rubbed his head and he looked up to see who he ran into.

He saw three Genin guys glaring down at him. “Hey…” one of them started. “He’s one of those ‘bigshot’ kids at the academy!”

“Ka’rai, ain’t it?” another one asked.

He smirked at the mention of his name. “So, you’ve heard of me.”

“Yeah, we have! You think you’re all that? Well, you’re wrong! We just became Genin, and I think we should put you in your place,” one of them monologued.

Ka’rai laughed as he clenched his fist. “I’d like to see you try—”

A punch to the face shut him up. He stumbled back as blood dripped from his nose. He felt the tickle of dripping liquid down to his lips. He licked it and savored the metallic taste. A wicked grin spread across his face. Ka’rai leapt into the air and kicked at a Genin, who dodged and punched Ka’rai in the stomach.

Another Genin grabbed Ka’rai and slammed him to the concrete. Another one stomped on him. Ka’rai clutched the foot that came down on him, gritting his teeth as he pushed up, his arms shaking and trembling as he did so.

Ka'rai's wicked grin turned to a contorted face of pain as his muscles burned—his bones creaked with sharp aches. Ka'rai huffed and ignored his arm's protests, pushing harder against the Genin's foot with a strained roar.

One of the other Genin kicked Ka’rai’s arms. They buckled as the Genin’s foot slammed onto his face. Ka’rai groaned and spun around, leaping out of the vice grip. He didn’t get far. A sudden fist punched the wind out of him with a gut punch.

Ka'rai grit his teeth and collapsed to the floor. He wheezed as he gathered his breath. He forced a glare at the Genin that punched him. The Genin gawked out a mocking cackle. "Is somebody mad?" 

"Go die in a hole," Ka'rai spat. The Genin twitched before slamming his foot into Ka'rai's face. Blood poured out of his deformed nose. Another Genin grabbed his hair and drove his knee into the back of Ka'rai's head.

Ka'rai growled in pain as he attempted to release himself from the grip, punching the Genin behind him. The other one grabbed his arm and slammed it into the ground, then stomped on it.

"Bastard!!" Ka'rai screamed as he jumped up and kicked the Genin holding his hair. He groaned and released Ka'rai. He took the opportunity and charged , kicking him in the gut. He stumbled back, but one of the other Genin kicked Ka'rai in the back.

He lifted Ka’rai into the air, and the other two Genin leapt into the air and struck him down into the concrete. “Hah!! Take that you fatherless piece of shit!!” one of them taunted.

“Hah!! He doesn’t have a dad?! His mom must be a hoe!” another Genin cackled.

The last one snickered. “We’re done here.”

Ka’rai growled as he clenched his fists. He was bruised, with bones cracked, and bleeding. He trembled with rage. Bearing his teeth, he forced himself to stand. A burning sensation ignited his body as he inhaled shakily, but exhaled smoothly. His black eyes flickered between black and a heterochromatic yellow and green.

Visions of cobalt blue flame and the chill of death enveloped his vision.

Kill them. Kill them. Kill them. 

Ka’rai’s breath sped up as he forced the power inside to come out—whatever it was—he needed it. They assaulted him. They insulted him. They embarrassed him. They insulted his mother… They needed to pay. 

Ka’rai’s canines elongated into feline fangs and black flames danced around his face. His nails extended into claws as they dug into the skin of his clenched fists. Blue flames struggled to ignite on his skin as Ka’rai strained.

You want them dead? What do you know about death, boy?

Ka’rai froze at the chilling voice in his head. Despite the inferno he was turning into, he could feel nothing but cold. 

HIs fists clenched harder and more blood fell from his gashed palms. What I know, is that they need to die!!

The voice scoffed, and Ka’rai’s chakra ignited into a blaze. 

This is what death means, you Uzumaki. 

Suddenly, Ka’rai’s eyes glowed with their full heterochromatic glory. The black flames twirled and gyrated over his face. Cobalt blue flames erupted from his body in a furious hell storm. 

Ka’rai roared.

The three Genin stopped and looked back at the torrent of blue flames behind them. They froze in utter horror at Ka’rai’s glare. It wasn’t murderous, but the full intent of death fueled it.

Ka’rai disappeared—

—A Genin cried as blood spewed from his chest—

—His ally collapsed to the floor, his left leg smoldering and severed at the knee. The Genin screamed as he gripped his cauterized, amputated leg.

The last Genin bolted. Fear drove each foot into the ground as he left his allies screaming. 

He needed to live, but death was inevitable.

A chilling blaze whirled around Ka’rai’s arm and he screeched like a wraith. He pounced at the survivor, reeling his fist back. When he threw it forward, a massive blaze of cobalt blue fire scorched the concrete black. 

He hit flesh, but it didn’t turn to ash.

Ka’rai’s eyes widened as he realized what he made contact with. An ANBU with a lightning mask was holding his fist, completely unharmed. “Calm down, Nibi,” the ANBU commanded.

“What the hell?!” Ka’rai shouted as he pulled his fist back, but to no avail.

Another ANBU leapt down and picked up the two injured Genin before flickering away. The ANBU pulled his hand up and brought it down on Ka’rai’s neck. His eyes lost their heterochromatic light as the flames around his body blew out. Ka’rai fell into the ANBU’s arms, unconscious.

⁑♨—ϟ—♨⁑

Hours later, Ka’rai groggily sat up and rubbed his sore neck. He shivered as he rose from the cold concrete slab. The smell of microwaved bologna invaded his nostrils. His face scrunched, then he finally opened his eyes… to see he was in a room, behind iron bars.

“Wait, what?!!” Ka’rai shouted as he ran up to the bars and gripped them.

He shook them. “Let me out—!!”

“Shut up, child!!” shouted a large, muscular, dark-skinned man with slicked back, blond hair, and a white cloak with golden, lightning-shaped edges surrounded by ANBU.

Ka’rai’s eyes widened as he took a trembling step back. “L-Lord Raikage?!!”

“Indeed,” he confirmed, irritating grating his tone.

Ka’rai was oblivious to his Lord’s irritation. A sudden grin broke out across his face “Lord Raikage!! It’s a true honor to finally meet you!! I’ve looked up to you—”

“I said shut up!!” yelled the Raikage.

Ka’rai slammed his mouth shut, making direct eye contact with his Kage . “Do you know why you’re here?”

“Uh… the Genin that attacked me… and I had this weird power show up… and a goddess voice talked to me about death… then I…” He gulped. The gravity of the situation finally weighed on him. “...attacked them—”

“You almost killed them!!” the Raikage shouted, before sucking his teeth. “Bah! I knew listening to your mother was a bad idea.”

Ka’rai raised his brow. “What did she say?!”

“We’ll continue this discussion when she arrives,” the Raikage stated.

Ka’rai paled. “She’s coming?!”

The Raikage ignored Ka’rai. He sighed and put on the hat of his title, hiding his frustrated face. Hours passed. Ka’rai worriedly waited in the cell, while the Raikage simply executed his duties in the prison.

Fuck… I don’t think this is good, was the conclusion Ka’rai came to. But, they totally deserved it.

Frantic footsteps sped down the hallway. “I’m here!” Arasei announced as she walked into the room, panting and in her Shinobi gear. 

The Raikage narrowed his eyes. “I’m sure you’ve heard.”

“Yes,” she responded breathily, bowing her head.

“Talk to your son,” he commanded, motioning to an ANBU that unlocked the cell.

“Ka’rai!” Arasei shouted as she rushed into the cell, placed her hands on his shoulders. Her grip was tight—it made her bear hug seem like a love-tap in comparison. 

Ka’rai winced, but forced a smile. “Hey... mama…!”

“Ka’rai… why did you do that?” she asked with an unnerving calmness.

Ka’rai gulped. “Uh, when I was running home, I bumped into them. They told me that my ego was too big, and needed to get taken down a peg… then they attacked me, said some things I didn’t like. Then… I got mad. There was some goddess-like voice, and she gave me power, the blue firepower…  and then… I attacked them.”

Arasei nodded. “I see… So, it’s talking to you… Did it ever talk to Yugito, Lord Raikage?”

“Yes, it did,” he responded.

The boy shifted under the weight of the room. “Wuh—who’s Yugito? What’s this it? You guys are making everything sound so scary….”

“Ka’rai… I’m sorry.” She paused and Ka’rai fought the urge to run… not that he could have, anyway. “I’ve been keeping something from you—not your father—something much more important.

“When you were six months old… Yugito, the previous Jinchuriki of the Nibi—”

—chills echoed throughout Ka’rai’s body. A fire sealed into his chest churned—it burned.

 “—was killed in action. I was on the mission to recapture the Nibi. When it was taken down, we needed a new Jinchuriki…” she continued shakily.

Arasei let out a trembled sigh as sweat rolled down her face. “That Jinchuriki… is you, Ka’rai. You have the Nibi.”

“What?!” Ka’rai shouted as he took a step back out of his mother’s now loosened grip. 

Arasei looked away from Ka’rai as he clenched his fists, gritting his teeth, staring at the floor, shaking . Arasei pursed her lips and held back tears. “Ka’rai, I’m so sorry. ”

“Yeah, you should be,” Ka’rai murmured, his crimson hair shadowed his expression. His teethed were bared, shining in the cell’s light.

Arasei winced and looked away from her son. 

“If you had told me earlier, then I could’ve totally used this to one-up Cirru!” he whined as he cocked his head up. “This is the best thing you’ve ever told me in my life!”

An uncertain smile crept over Arasei’s lips. “You’re… not mad at me?”

“No?!” Ka’rai asked with a raised brow, his tooth-bearing grin apparent. “Why would I be?!”

Arasei chuckled uncomfortably. “Uh, I don’t know… I’m just being irrational, I guess.”

“I’m just like Lord Killer Bee!! And the Nidaime Raikage! He had the Nibi too!!” Ka’rai cheered as he squealed like a fan girl. “So, when does training begin?!”

The Raikage chuckled. “Well, you’re enthusiastic, aren’t you? Your training will start tomorrow; your mother will teach you how to manipulate the seal that holds the Nibi. But there is something else that’s slightly more relevant at the moment; you won’t be attending the academy anymore.”

Ka’rai’s eyes widened. “What?! No!! My friends—!”

“You don’t have a say in the matter. If you can go mad on the Nibi’s power that easily, then you’re a threat to your classmates, and possibly the teachers at the academy, depending on how strong you get under the influence of the chakra.”

Disappointment crossed his face as he pursed his lips. “I see…”

“Hmph. Bee is on a long-term mission outside of the village at the moment, so he won’t be able to train you with the Nibi’s chakra directly for a while. Even if I think I’d be a waste of time, considering you’re not even a Shinobi yet.”

Ka’rai pouted. “Aw.”

“That’s all I have to say. You’re dismissed. Consider yourself lucky that you’re not gonna be locked up for twenty-five to thirty years for attempted murder,” the Raikage warned with a thunderous look.

Ka’rai bowed. “Thank you, Lord Raikage,” he said before walking out of the room with Arasei, the biggest smile on his face as he did so.

“This… this was the best birthday ever.”

ϟ —Chapter End— ϟ

Chapter Text

ϟ— Chapter Two — Trials of the Summit—ϟ
Part One: Graduation

The summer sun’s rays pierced through the cloudy haze of Kumogakure, illuminating the village with a warm, fiery glow. The fog conformed to the shape of the teen that strolled through the red-roped wooden bridge.

The crowds surrounding the teen quickly got out of his way. Mutters of fear and contempt echoed through them as he walked, completely apathetic to the various comments about him.

“ Monster.”

“Devil.”

“Unhinged.”

“Demon.”

They meant nothing to the teen. He knew he earned those titles with his actions. He accepted that. He knew that one day, he would show them wrong. He knew he wasn’t a demon, a monster, a devil . Though he did plead guilty to being unhinged.

The waves below him crashed, spewing mist on his dark skin and shaggy, long crimson hair that hung down his face like a feline’s tail. His black eyes beamed as he focused on a building with a blue umbrella-shaped roof.

Finally seeing the building for the first time in over two years, the teen flashed a nostalgic grin to himself, revealing twin sharpened fangs. The navy blue whiskers scrunched up with his giddy smile as his similarly colored malar stripes narrowed alongside his eyes.

It feels good to be back; the teen thought as he maneuvered across the bridge. Once he reached the blue-roofed building of nostalgia, he placed his hand on the door handle and pushed it open.

The door creaked as the entire class of students fixed their attention on him with varying expressions… with one commonality among all of them. Complete and utter shock.

“Ka-Ka’rai?!!” a teenage Cirru shouted in disbelief. His arms were crossed with a fitted gray uniform. 

Ka’rai smirked, bearing a single canine. “The one and only. It’s been a while, Cirru.”

“It has…” Cirru mumbled with a chuckle, still dumbstruck. 

Sami leapt up from her seat with a joyous smile. “Woah! Where have you been?! What’s up with the face paint, too?”

“I think it looks cool!” Ka’rai answered, pointing to his navy blue face paint, drawn in the features of a feline with two magatama beads on his chin.

Sami blinked. “What about the first half of the question…?”

“Oh… I got kicked out for misbehaving!” Ka’rai said, oddly cheerful.

Clowui shook her head in the back while Cirru laughed. “Should’ve expected that! What act caused your expulsion?”

“Attempted murder of three Genin,” Ka’rai replied honestly and flatly.

Silence ensued, but it wasn’t for long. “I thought you weren’t a liar.” Cirru’s brow raised and leaned down to face Ka’rai.

“I’m not,” Ka’rai assured, looking Cirru in the eyes.

Cirru narrowed his eyes. “How could you , an academy student, nearly kill not one, not two, but three Genin? ”

“Well, you see…” Ka’rai started as he put up his left arm. A small burst of cobalt blue flame appeared in his hand. The students took a step back with a start.

Ka’rai shaped the flame into the shape of a feline with two tails. “Well, I’m sure I don’t need to say anything else...”

“No way…” the class aside from Cirru, Sami, and Clowui muttered.

Cirru chuckled. “That does explain your fascination with felines.”

“Hey, are you sure that this is something you should be flaunting…?” Sami asked uneasily, grabbing her gloved hand. “Power like that… can hurt people.” She grabbed her gloved palm with her bare hand. 

“Yeah, I know; I have hurt people with it. If I’m going to be like Lord Killer Bee, then people have to know that I’m a Jinchuriki,” was his response. Sami didn’t seem any less unsettled.

“Do people… not care about what you did…?” Sami asked.

Ka’rai grinned. “Oh, they do; I just don’t care that they care.” 

“Typical,” Clowui remarked with a roll of her bloodshot eyes, still in the back, away from the rest of the class.

Sami nodded with a purse of her lips. “I see…”

“You look unwell, Sami,” Cirru stated, half-concerned, half-nonchalant.

Sami stiffened and put on a smile. “Oh—I’m fine—I’ll leave now. Nice meeting you again, Ka’rai!” Before anyone could stop her, she quickly left the area.

“What’s up with her?” Ka’rai mused.

Cirru chuckled. “Don’t worry about it. That’s not important. What is, though, is why you’re finally back now, after all this time.”

“So I can graduate,” Ka’rai answered with a smirk.

Cirru mirrored Ka’rai’s smirk. “Of course…” he said, before the door slammed open, revealing Eff barreling into the classroom.

“All of you in your seats!!” He commanded.

Ka’rai froze, memories of Eff’s extreme punishments and commanding voice flashed through his head. After a second authoritarian shout, Ka’rai snapped out of it and bolted to the nearest empty seat.

“As you all know, today is graduation day!!” Eff started, voice booming. “Your exam will consist of showing off your change in chakra nature, displaying your ability to walk up both walls and water, and lastly, breaking out of a Genjutsu.”

Ka’rai scoffed. “That’s it? This is an easy ass test.”

“Easy for you to say…” a dark-skinned boy with shaggy blond hair mumbled.

Ka’rai looked at the boy, who froze as he felt Ka’rai’s gaze. “I’m sorry—I didn’t mean any disrespect—”

“Chill out, man…” Ka’rai assured with a chuckle.

The boy blinked as he looked at Ka’rai. “Wuh…?”

“I’m not gonna kill you.” Ka’rai laughed. “Not unless you give me a reason...”

A bewildered expression spewed over the boy’s face. “Uh—!!”

“I’m joking!” Ka’rai expressed, putting his hands up defensively. 

The boy gulped. “Ah…”

“Uh, do you need help with anything or…?”

He shrugged. “Dunno. Just seems stressful.”

“Can you not do it?”

“I think I can.” 

Ka’rai blinked, surprised. “Then why are you stressed—?”

“Because what if I can’t do it?”

“But… just do it. ”

“But what if I can’t?”

“But you just said you could—”

“I said I thought I could.”

“Man, you make no sense…” Ka’rai shook his head; the boy shrugged. “Well, good luck anyway! I think you can do it too, uh… what should I call you?”

“Yowui,” he murmured under his breath. He seemed disappointed…

Ka’rai didn’t seem to notice. “Well, good luck, Yowui!”

“Thanks…”

“All right!! Now that you’ve had time to process the exam, they’ll start now!! Follow me outside!!” Eff commanded as he walked out the classroom's back door, with the students following in a single file line.

They marched into a small, rocky plateau dusted with tawny brown dirt. The smell of fog filled the hazed air as the sound of light waves caressing rock sang into the ears of the students.

Eff stood with his back turned towards the water, facing his students, who faced him in a row. They stood ahead of a series of logs with painted targets and scarred with cuts and holes from the countless kunai and shuriken thrown at them.

In the first part of the exam, the change in chakra display went down in alphabetical order. Three students displayed their lightning jutsu, as expected from members of Kumogakure.

After the first three examinees, it was Clowui’s turn to display. She weaved a short set of hand seals and her bloodshot eyes glowed a momentary neon purple as she concluded the set. “Blood Style: Blood Bullets.” A series of crimson blood bullets spat out of her mouth.

The bullets flew into the lake’s fogged horizon in the shape of ruby bullets of death. Scarlet blood dripped from her pale lips, which she quickly wiped away with her similarly colored jacket. “Done,” she stated.

Eff nodded in approval as he looked towards the next student in line to display, which happened to be a haughty-looking Cirru. “Is that all you can muster, Clowui?” he asked, near condescendingly.

“I’d expect more from the heiress of the Chinoike Clan,” Cirru remarked, fishing for a response from said heiress. His fishing proved futile, and he sighed, weaving his series of hand seals. “Typhoon Style: Hurricane Shield!!”

Cirru’s stormy eyes flashed like thunder. He stuck his hand out and a typhoon of haze swirled around his hand. It expanded into an oval of solid air in front of him. “This isn’t all.” He smirked and pushed more chakra into the jutsu. The other students covered their eyes as the speed of the winds kicked up the dust into a storm around the shield.

Eff narrowed his eyes. “Enough, Furachi.”

“All right, all right, my bad,” Cirru said, satisfied. He rolled his eyes and put his hands up, deactivating the jutsu, but not before stumbling. Sweat dripped down his face from the amount of chakra he used.

Clowui shook her head. “That’s why I didn’t use my strongest jutsu.”

Cirru rolled his eyes as Eff called the next couple of students, who showed off their jutsu as instructed. They went down the alphabet and K was called, leaving a drop of sweat rolling down Yowui’s face.

“Keiso, show your jutsu,” Eff stated.

Yowui nodded and weaved hand seals. “Lightning Style: Storm Breaker Fist!!” Electricity thundered and arced over Yowui’s clenched fist. He zipped his fist into the sky before striking the ground like a thunderbolt. 

The ground rumbled as the dirt rippled into the air, dusting the haze with a light brown. The Storm Breaker Fist scarred the dirt with a blackened current of electric scars. Yowui sighed as he brought his hand up and looked at Eff with an expecting look.

Eff nodded in approval and moved on to the next couple of students. Various lightning and even one water jutsu were shown before he focused his attention on Sami. Sami sighed and weaved a short set of hand seals. 

“Lightning Style: Lightning Web!” she shouted as she shot her hand out, and lightning arced from the fingertips of her gloved hand. The lighting arced together in a thunderous web, glowing a magnificent white as it shocked the haze. The jutsu was bordered with a minuscule, dark violet illumination that was near invisible in the short time it was activated.

Eff nodded in approval once again before calling to the next couple of students. Just like before, they showed off their jutsu. Finally, the last student in the class was called, and everyone fixed their eyes on Ka’rai, who stood still with a smirk on his face.

He said nothing as he raised his hand into the haze. He opened his palm towards the sky, inhaling the fog into his nostrils, then exhaling blue flames out of his mouth. His open palm seared cobalt blue before a blazing pillar of similarly colored flames erupted from his hand.

The blue flames danced with wisps of obsidian fire that blew back the haze. It bathed the surrounding students with the warmth and light of a blue bonfire. Ka’rai clenched his fist; the flames cut and faded into the dust. Smirking, Ka’rai brought his hand down to wipe the light sweat off his brow. 

“No hand seals, hm?” Cirru remarked. “I guess your tendency to show off hasn’t decreased in the slightest.”

Ka’rai laughed. “I could say the same about you, Cirru… except I didn’t nearly collapse afterward.”

“Enough with your bickering!!” Eff commanded. “Our next test will consist of showing your ability to walk on both water and vertical surfaces, as well as your endurance. You will race across the lake and up the adjacent cliff face.

“If you fall into the water or off the cliff face, you fail,” Eff concluded sternly as he walked out of the way of the students. “You may begin… now!!”

The students bolted across the water, and almost immediately, three students fell into the water. Ka’rai and Cirru looked at each other with wicked expressions as they raced across the hazy lake. 

Ka’rai’s smirk grew as he saw Cirru lagging behind him. “Lookin' a little slow, man!!"

"Dammit, if only I could use this jutsu, I'd leave you in the dust," Cirru remarked.

Ka'rai raised his brow. "Why don't you use this… 'it?'"

"I'm sure it would be considered cheating." Cirru let out a disappointed sigh before both he and Ka'rai's eyes widened when a figure sped past them.

Cirru's face contorted with confusion. "The farm boy?!"

"Damn, Yowui! You're fast!" Ka'rai complimented, as he was the one lagging now.

Yowui chuckled bashfully. "It's one of the few things I'm good at!"

"You did spend your life amongst animals. It's only natural you would've gained a few traits from them," Cirru remarked.

They sped across the water and pushed their legs and chakra control to the limit to surpass each other… aside from Clowui, who strolled at a reasonable speed and Sami, who knew she stood no chance of beating the three boys ahead.

The tawny brown cliff face became clearer in the fog as they approached. Rocks fell from its multimeter height as the class leapt off from the water and bolted up the vertical ledge.

Ka'rai managed to regain the lead via his superior leaping power. He snapped back and flashed an arrogant grin at the two boys behind him. Yowui narrowed his eyes and forced his legs to move up the cliff to surpass Ka'rai.

As Yowui caught up to him, Ka'rai grit his teeth as he summoned every bit of speed he possibly could to keep his first place. His efforts proved fruitless, as he was surpassed by Yowui once again. Yowui leapt over the cliff's edge and stopped, panting with a smile on his face.

Ka'rai was second to climb over, with Cirru coming in a close third. Soon after, the other students drawled over in mass, with a surprising amount of the class gone. Eff scoffed as he looked over the smaller class.

"Always focused on the flashiest jutsu, and not on the practical parts of being a Shinobi. Truly disappointing," Eff mumbled. "All right!! I'll put all of you under a Genjutsu. It's up to you to figure out when, and what's off so you can break out!!"

The students nodded and silence crawled through the area as their senses heightened in anticipation. Suddenly, some of them dropped to the floor, going unconscious from the Genjutsu. 

Some of them flinched and slammed their hands into a hand sign and with varying difficulty dispelled the Genjutsu. Ka'rai strained against the Genjutsu. His hands were fixed in the Ram Seal as he gathered his chakra and a sizeable blast of pressure blew out from his body as he broke the Genjutsu on himself. Yowui, who happened to be the closest to him nearly fell from the chakra blast. 

Yowui put his shaggy hair back into place. He wasn’t too affected by the effects of the Genjutsu. “Watch it, man…” 

Eff’s eyes narrowed on Ka’rai. “You need to work on your chakra control.”

“Sorry! It’s hard for me… ” Ka’rai admitted as he scratched the back of his head with a chuckle. Ka’rai looked toward Yowui next. “Man, you got out of it pretty easily!”

Yowui shrugged. “Meh.”

“But you did better than me—?” 

“I mean, yeah, I did…” murmured Yowui. He ended up shrugging once again.

Eff looked upon the rest of the students, who were either unconscious or standing with varying levels of fatigue. The only one who was completely unaffected was Clowui, who stood tall as if the past three tests didn’t even happen.

Eff nodded. "All right!! All of you that remain… Congratulations on passing the first part of the Genin Graduation Exam!!"

"Wait, first part…?" Ka'rai questioned.

Eff scoffed. "You didn't know?! Weren't you paying attention in class?!"

"…I wasn't in class," Ka'rai informed.

Eff huffed. "Indeed, you were not. Well, you need to report to Genin camp five thousand feet up Mount Nibasu by the end of the week. There, you'll receive your headband. All of you are dismissed! Good job to everyone who passed. I'm proud of you."

"Thank you, Eff-sensei!" The passing students cheered with a salute before running off in various directions.

Ka'rai and Yowui went in a similar direction, with the latter boy chuckling. "I never thought I'd hear the day Eff-sensei would compliment us."

"I know, right?!" Ka'rai laughed. "I thought he might've loosened up in the two years I was gone, but apparently not."

Yowui shook his head. "Wishful thinking, man."

"Anyway, you think we can hang out soon? You're pretty cool," Ka'rai asked.

Yowui paused. "Oh… are you not headed to Nibasu?"

"In like… a week. I can climb a mountain in a day!"

Yowui looked at Ka'rai with a wild expression. "I'm headed out tomorrow after I recharge from today…"

"Oh, that makes sense," Ka'rai admitted, a little put-down.

"Mhm… anyway, I'll head out now."

"Alright, see ya… What was your name again?" 

He let out a dejected sigh. "Yowui. You really have a bad memory."

"I do?" Ka'rai asked.

Yowui nodded, rolling his eyes slightly. "This is the third time you asked for my name."

"Really?!!"

"Mhm… it was your last day at the academy and I remembered your birthday," Yowui explained.

Ka'rai blinked as he shook his head trying to summon his memory. "I don't…"

"Well, it's not like I mattered much to you anyway, especially back then," Yowui said with a sigh.

Ka'rai shook his head in denial. "No!! You do matter to me now! You're my friend, Yowui!"

"I'm just playing with you," Yowui lied.

Ka'rai sighed in relief. "Okay, you had me worried for a little bit."

"Sorry, bye," he said before going off in the opposite direction of Ka'rai. 

Ka'rai chuckled to himself as he picked up the pace toward his home. Mama's gonna be so proud of me!!

⁑♨—ϟ—♨⁑

The afternoon sun hung high in the sky, just barely beginning to set as it painted the sky a scouring cerulean blue and illuminated the clouds a vibrant flaming orange. Ka'rai looked up into the haze-blurred sky, approaching the apartment he's lived in his whole life.

He entered and jogged up the two dozen stories of stairs to the top floor, speed-walked down the corridor to the last door, and knocked. He jumped up and down and giggled as he heard the door unlock.

The door opened to reveal Arasei yawning as she looked down at her son. "You have a key. Why did you—?"

"I passed, mama!!" Ka'rai cheered as he tackled his mother with a hug, making sure not to squeeze her too tight.

Arasei woke up immediately at the sudden energy from her son, blinking as she processed the information. "Wait—wow! Great job, baby!"

"YEAH—!!" Ka'rai shouted, before being shushed by his mother's finger. 

Arasei looked him in the eyes. "We are not the only people that live here."

"Sorry…" Ka'rai chuckled as he scratched the back of his head, still radiating joyous energy.

Arasei sighed as she brought him inside, a small smile on her face as she did so. Once she managed to get him to stop bouncing and sit on the couch, Ka'rai gave an energetic recollection of the events of his graduation.

Arasei's amber eyes beamed with endearing focus as she watched Ka'rai tell the story. His arms flailed, his grin was wide and toothy, and his black eyes shone.

Arasei giggled, surprised that her son stayed seated the whole time. "Well, it sounds like you had a great time!"

"I did!" Ka'rai affirmed with a nod.

Arasei smiled. "Well, you should get ready to climb Nibasu soon."

"But I'm gonna go on the last day."

Arasei raised her brow. "No, you're not."

"I can climb a mountain in a day—"

"No."

"Mama, please—"

" No."

"Mama—"

"Ka'rai, I said no. ”

He pouted and hung his head. "When am I going to go?"

"At least head out in three days, no later."

"Alright!"

"What do you want for dinner?"

Ka'rai leapt up from the couch. "The spiciest thing you can make!"

"I should've known," Arasei chuckled as she walked to the kitchen, leaving Ka'rai radiating in the living room by himself.

⁑♨—ϟ—♨⁑

Three days after his graduation, Ka'rai looked up to the massive mountain he stood at the base of. Wisps of cobalt blue flames danced over his body as he grinned. Nibasu glowed star-white with the snow glistening under the sun's rays.

The atmospheric gusts streaked snowy streams off of Nibasu; the icy steam smoked like ash off a volcano as Nibasu seemed to rumble like it was one. 

"Mount Nibasu: The Iced Volcano of Kumogakure," Ka'rai said. "Lives up to the name, I guess…"

Ka'rai inhaled, the stinging cold not even getting an opportunity to chill his nose before it was warmed by the flames he exhaled. "You know what, Nibi, I'm lucky to have you. I'd probably be frozen to death by now if it wasn't for you.

"If mama's anything to go by, my cold resistance would be pretty low," Ka'rai chuckled… with no response. "Not talkative today…? Gotcha…" he mumbled and began his trek up Nibasu.

He dug his hands into the rock-hard snow as the Nibi's flames whipped in back and forth in the winds. His muscles bulged and he pulled himself up, one limb at a time. It seems I've underestimated my mountaineering abilities.

"God dammit mama, why are you right so much!!" Ka'rai whined, forcing himself up Nibasu. He found himself five hundred feet up the required five thousand feet about an hour later.

He was used to the lack of oxygen. He lived in Kumo after all. If it wasn't the village hidden in the clouds, it would be the village hidden in the mountains. But this… this may have been a little more than what he bargained for.

"Am I really getting my ass beat by a mountain?!!" Ka'rai shouted into the heavens.

He expectedly received no response and pushed upward. He took a deep breath and chakra filled up his lungs, muscles, flowed through his blood. He smirked as his grip increased and he found himself climbing up the mountain easier than before.

"Much better," Ka'rai said as he trekked up the mountain at a steady pace. "Thank you for teaching me that, mama."

After another two hours of climbing, he was two thousand feet up Nibasu and reached a feature on the largely featureless mountain. A massive glacier sat upright over the snowy horizon over a gigantic cliff of crystalline ice that shimmered a quartz white.

"So big…" Ka'rai gaped in awe. He cracked his neck and stood fully upright. Under the force of the wind, his crimson hair slapped against his face over and over. Ka'rai's eyes shone with slight heterochromia as more of the Nibi's flames danced over him.

Ka'rai pounced onto the wall of ice… and almost immediately got blown off. "Shit!!" Ka'rai cursed, pushing as much chakra as possible to his limbs to stay intact with the wall.

He grit his teeth and his nails turned an ivory white and grew into claws. He slammed his hand into the ice, soon followed by the other. He panted as the panic of nearly being flung two thousand feet to the ground faded from him. "Nibi, you're a fucking lifesaver."

You're welcome, it responded.

Ka'rai's eyes widened. "You said something!! Hi!!"

No response.

"Goodbye…" Ka'rai muttered, a little disheartened.

He sighed and clawed his way up the glacier. He was now two thousand and five hundred feet up the mountain. Halfway there, he noted. For the rest of the way up to the summit, he had relatively less trouble than he did for the first help.

He thanked his mother and he thanked the Nibi; he was now five thousand feet up Mount Nibasu. He took a deep breath as he gazed upon the horizon. Ka’rai stood above the clouds, which resembled the coat of a tiger, black stripes of shadow over the glowing orange of the evening clouds.

This was one of the few places in Kumo where the sun could be seen without the obstructing haze. It dyed the blue sky with violets, scarlets, and oranges that swirled in a gradient that ended behind Nibasu, where the violet sky twinkled with the oncoming night.

Ka'rai turned back to see frosted, black iron walls that surrounded a camp that stuck out like a sore thumb on the glistening, orange snow. I can climb a mountain in a day, he muttered pridefully before making his way toward the camp.

⁑♨—ϟ—♨⁑

Ka'rai spent the next four days in the camp… bored. He was stuck in a dorm by all on his lonesome. I should've brought some Dragon Ball to read… he grimaced as he sat with his back on the floor and his legs against the wall.

He brought his hands together and proceeded to create a mini-Shinobi of blue flame on each palm. A weak smile of mild entertainment barely struck his face while he watched the two Shinobi battle it out on the battlefield of his hands.

He went through dozens of mini-Shinobi battles before there was a knock on his door… hours later. It was around noon, so he expected that it was time for his lunch delivery.

He was gladly mistaken.

"Ka'rai Uzumaki," said the Chunin at his door.

Ka'rai nodded. "Mhm… that's me."

"Follow me. It's time for your testing to begin."

Ka'rai sighed in relief. "It's about goddamn time."

"Thank you for your patience," he said as Ka'rai followed him out the door. They went down a series of corridors that lead down to the stairs, which led outside the black iron walls.

They walked into a snowy courtyard with dozens of newly graduated students being lined up into rows. "This feels oddly like a prison…" Ka'rai muttered.

"It might as well be," remarked an older Genin. "Welcome to boot camp."

Ka'rai raised his brow. "What—?!"

"Get in line," the Chunin commanded as he pushed Ka'rai.

Ka'rai snapped his neck back at the Chunin. "Alright!! Damn…" he mumbled as he walked into line.

Once all the Genin were lined up, three Jonin walked in front of them. One of them was bald with a very circular head which seemed to be covered in perpetual sweat, despite the cold weather, and carried two large metal spheres on his waist.

The other was ghostly pale highlighted by jet black hair. One hand was playing with a shuriken and the other rested on the hilt on the katana sheathed on his hip… which was also nearly three times his height in length.

The last Jonin was dark-skinned with black curly hair, cut crisply into a perfectly circular afro. He hopped on one foot to the other, slamming the silver brass knuckles on his fists together as he did so.

"Alright," the pale Jonin announced in a tired tone. "Pay attention, because we will not be repeating ourselves."

The graduates nodded. "Yes, sir!!"

"First, allow us to introduce ourselves!" the one with the afro announced. "My name is Etto!"

The pale one yawned. "Jay."

" Tama Ase," the bald Jonin said with a tearful voice. " We're the three wardens of Nibasu's Bootcamp. For you graduates, we'll be performing an assessment of your skills."

Etto nodded. "Mhm! You'll all be put under three different scenarios which will test all aspects of being a Shinobi. Those who are deemed exceptional will be set to join a four-man cell under a Jonin-sensei."

"Those of you deemed average…" Jay started. "...are gonna be staying with us until you're promoted to Chunin, understood?"

The graduates nodded. "Yes, sir!!"

"Good!" Etto shouted. "Now, all of your headbands are going to be passed out. The moment you put that headband on, you are now a Genin and Shinobi of Kumogakure! Be proud of yourself, because many haven't even gotten this far."

The graduates cheered as the older Genin began passing down headbands to them. Ka'rai radiated and hopped with excitement as he anticipated his headband's arrival. As he saw the other graduates become Genin, he regretted standing in the back of the crowd.

After what seemed like a millennium, a Genin approached Ka'rai with a black headband; the headband had a steel plate with three clouds engraved on it. Ka'rai nearly pounced on the Genin as he saw the headband.

The Genin handed it to Ka'rai, and he snatched it out of his hands with his pure joy, elation, and energy spooking the Genin. Ka'rai put the metal sheet under the sun's rays and beamed at it.

The way the steel shone with a clinquant silver, the way the engraved silver was shaded with a stormy grey… this was his headband. He was… a Genin. Ka'rai hung his head back, allowing for his hair to fall back off of his forehead.

He tied the headband around his forehead and yanked at the remaining flaps of fabric that stuck out from the back of his head. His crimson bangs fell over the symbol of Kumo on his headband as Ka'rai grinned.

"I'm a ninja now…" Ka'rai said dreamily as he stared into space with the largest, most obtuse, and utterly stupid grin on his face.

ϟ —Chapter End— ϟ

Chapter Text

ϟ— Chapter Three — Trials of the Summit—ϟ
Part Two: The Boot of Nibasu

Ka'rai, Cirru, and three other Genin sprinted through the snowy peak. The mid-day sun beamed over the endless field of white. The remainder of Nibasu towered over the snow and sea of clouds beyond. 

Ka'rai side-eyed Cirru.

Cirru side-eyed Ka'rai.

"We should fight them head-on," Ka'rai stated firmly.

Cirru rolled his eyes with a groan. " No!"

"I'm here! We can take them!!" Ka'rai argued, pointing at himself with vigor.

Cirru shook his head. "We are infiltrating a base with ten more experienced Genin and a Chunin! What kind of Genin could take all of them on?!"

"Me."

"..."

A Genin with a long, blonde ponytail and green eyes sighed. "Both of you—"

"Shut up!!" the boys roared in unison, snapping back at her.

Ka'rai glared at Cirru. "Listen, you have no idea how powerful I am—!"

"I don't care! You are not powerful enough to take on multiple higher-level Shinobi!" Cirru retorted, making direct eye contact with Ka’rai.

Ka'rai huffed, shaking his head. "Did you not see the giant fireball I made at the graduation?!" 

"Oh, you made a fireball with no hand seals!" Cirru exclaimed mockingly, hands on his cheeks as he made a loud, cartoonish gasp. 

Cirru shook off his expression and scoffed. "Then it gets doused by a water jutsu and you get stabbed in the back by a dozen kunai because you're too stupid to focus on more than one thing at a time!!"

"You—!" Ka'rai growled before jumping over and gripping Cirru's collar, halting the group's movements. Ka'rai's eyes glowed a subtle green and yellow. "How about I show you just how strong I am?!!"

Cirru inhaled and blew out a blast of wind that knocked Ka'rai off of him. Cirru fixed the collar of his gray, fitted shirt, huffing. "Do you have any idea how much this cost?!"

Ka'rai grinned, bearing his fangs deviously. He launched a small blue fireball from his hand toward Cirru. The boy's eyes widened as he leapt into the air, dodging the fireball.

"It didn't cost enough to not be flammable, obviously," Ka'rai pointed out with a smirk.

Cirru glared at him, still levitating in the air. "You bastard."

"Wait—" Ka'rai sputtered. "How are you still up there?!"

Now, Cirru was the one smirking. "It's a high jutsu level of my clan. It is also a representation of us. I am up here," he said, pointing to himself. Then he pointed down at Ka'rai. "And you are down there."

"Bastard!" Ka'rai roared.

The rivals continued their bickering and the other three Genin were just about ready to rip the hair from their scalps. The blonde girl took a long deep breath as the heat of flames warmed her face and gusts of wind blowing her hair back.

She weaved hand seals. "Earth Style: Earth Barrier!" she shouted, slamming her hand on the ground. A wall of earth emerged from the ground, blocking a blue fireball from Ka'rai and a super-charged gust from Cirru.

The two snapped their heads toward the girl who brought down the Earth Barrier and walked between the two boys.

"How did you two even get promoted?" She questioned, earning a glare from both of them. "Strength and how many Shinobi you can take on are irrelevant to the mission at hand.

"This is an infiltration mission. We must infiltrate the enemy base, take the scroll of vital information stored there, and escape without getting caught. Even if we could take on all the Shinobi currently housed there, there's no telling who may come as reinforcements.

"This mission requires stealth. You two and your constant bickering are destroying the group's cohesion. So, you two need to get your act together, or else we'll fail this mission," she lectured.

Cirru narrowed his eyes. "What makes you—"

"Leave it, Cirru," Ka'rai said with a wave of his hand. "She's right."

Cirru raised his brow, looking at Ka'rai. "You're just going to concede? Just like that?"

Ka'rai shrugged, and the girl sighed in relief. "Thank you."

"You're welcome…" Ka'rai responded, watching with narrowed eyes as she walked ahead of the group and led the way. Something's off about her…

Cirru walked toward Ka'rai with his brow raised. "Do you know her?"

"No…" Ka'rai answered, not taking his eyes off of her.

Cirru scoffed. "Do you think she's pretty or something? You can't seem to stop looking at her."

"No… There’s… something off about her," Ka'rai repeated.

Cirru tilted his head. "Then what is it?"

"Don’t worry about it," Ka'rai dismissed, still not looking at Cirru.

Cirru huffed, shaking his head. "You’re—"

"Hey!! What are you two doing?!" the girl called.

The two caught up with the group, and Ka'rai ran up next to the girl. "Hey, what's your name?"

"Why?"

Ka'rai chuckled. "Well, we're gonna be teammates, so I should know your name!"

"Why not ask them?" she answered, cocking her head back to the two Genin behind her. "You're lying. You want my name specifically. Why?"

Ka'rai blinked. Fuck, I can't just tell her I think something's weird about her! What do I say, what do I say, what do I say?! Nibi, can you help me?!!

No response.

Ka'rai sighed. "Nevermind," he mumbled, falling back. 

"Heh, it seems your little romantic endeavor failed," Cirru teased with a sly chuckle.

Ka'rai didn't answer, opting to use his brain to see what was up with this girl. The way she… well—exists! She doesn't seem like a Genin. I should know, I'm one! But, if she's not a Genin, then why is she here? 

Y'know what—maybe I'm just overthinking or something. She could've trained like I did or something… but she acts like Mama and the other Jonin I was around though… I don’t act like them—Wait, I have an excuse to ask for her name!

Ka'rai ran up ahead beside her with a grin. "I want to know your name because you seem strong and I was wondering if you had a famous parent or something!"

"Another lie."

Ka'rai deflated and fell back once again. Cirru wheezed with laughter and Ka'rai rolled his eyes. Not long afterward, the five Genin ducked behind a rock, narrowing their eyes on a makeshift base of tents surrounded by frosted pillars of black earth.

"I can burn the tents," Ka'rai joked.

The girl sighed. "No, we sneak in. Do any of you have sensory abilities?"

"I do!" Ka'rai spoke up. "I can make my senses better with Nibi Chakra."

The girl nodded. "Good, anyone else?"

"I have a sonar-type jutsu," spoke up another boy with dark skin and curly black hair.

The girl smiled. "Perfect. How detectable is it to other ninjas?"

"Uh… it's a unidirectional burst of chakra, so anyone nearby or any other sensors will be able to tell it's being used," the boy explained.

The girl nodded. "Alright."

"There are tons of gaps in pillars," Ka'rai pointed out, his eyes fully green and yellow and his malar stripes dancing with black flames. 

Cirru scoffed. "They're going easy on us."

"Yeah, or else we wouldn't have a chance," the boy mumbled.

Ka'rai huffed. "Uh huh…"

"Listen, not everyone is a Jinchuriki like you!" the boy snapped.

Ka'rai didn't even bother to look at him. "No shit, there are only nine Bijuu."

"Stop," the girl commanded. "Uzumaki, what's the most open route?"

Ka'rai narrowed his eyes. "One o'clock, there's a large gap, and it doesn't look like there's anybody there."

"Okay, follow him," the girl said, and the group reluctantly followed behind Ka'rai.

They crept into the base and hid behind a large tent. Ka'rai sniffed the air. "There's someone in there."

"Genin or Chunin?" the girl asked in a whisper.

Ka'rai shrugged. "Don't know. I could be a diversion while you guys run out with the scroll."

"Progress, but still no," Cirru whispered.

Ka'rai smirked. "Why? Do you… care about me?"

"No, because as she said, they could bring in reinforcements which could get us caught," Cirru explained.

The girl smiled. "Good, you're learning."

"Anyway, what should we do?" Cirru asked, reluctantly ignoring the comment.

Ka'rai pondered. "We should—"

"Stop talking. Even when whispering, any Shinobi worth their shit will be able to hear you."

The Genin snapped their heads toward the voice and saw a Shinobi with a Kumo Chunin vest spinning a kunai around his finger.

Ka'rai leapt up. "Diversion time!!"

"Dammit," the girl cursed before running away with the other Genin… except for one.

Cirru sighed. "I suppose I can't leave you to die all on your own."

"Aw, so you do care about me," Ka'rai remarked.

The Chunin chuckled. "You two got balls, I'll give you that."

"And they're made of pure, hard, steel, " Ka'rai beamed, fangs bared as he clenched his fists.

Cirru weaved hand seals and Ka'rai followed suit. "Typhoon Style: Cirrus Galestorm!!"

"Fire Style: Breath of a Thousand Suns!!"

Cirru's gale of storming wind merged with the spherical blue flame that roared from Ka'rai's mouth. It created a monstrous blaze that melted all surrounding snow and seared the rock pillars a burning orange. The Chunin’s eyes widened, and he leapt over the jutsu, allowing it to detonate in a cobalt blue mushroom cloud of fire behind him.

“You two must be clinically idiotic. You just announced your presence to the entirety of the camp,” the Chunin said flatly.

Ka’rai beamed. “Let them come.”

“It seems like your fantasy came true after all,” Cirru muttered. 

Ka’rai pulled out a kunai and rushed the Chunin. “I’ll start with you!!” he roared, eyes glowing like a Nibi-possessed demon—which, he was—as he thrust it down on the Chunin, who easily blocked it.

The kunai shone cobalt, and it seared with blue flames. The Chunin winced and kicked Ka’rai off of him, only for him to be thrown back at him by Cirru. Ka’rai flipped and kicked back at the Chunin with his foot aflame while Cirru weaved hand seals above the two.

“Typhoon Style: Cirrus Galestorm!!” he roared once again. The Chunin took Ka’rai and threw him in the way of the gale as he flickered out of the way of the jutsu.

Ka’rai glared at Cirru. “You hit me, you fucking dumbass!!”

“No, you were IN THE WAY—!!”

“Lightning Style: Buzzsaw Jutsu!” The Chunin shouted, shooting a buzzsaw of lightning from his hand with the rumble of thunder. The jutsu sparked toward the down Ka’rai, who got up, surrounding his body in flames as he smirked.

Suddenly, Cirru flew down, his hand outstretched as wind formed around it. “Typhoon Style: Hurricane Shield!” Cirru yelled, holding the shield of super-condensed and whirling wind out toward the buzzsaw.

The jutsu collided, and the saw dispersed over Cirru’s jutsu. He smirked. Ka’rai grimaced as the flames around his body died down. “I could’ve taken it.”

“No, you would’ve been cut in half,” Cirru stated as his smirk grew. “I saved you.”

Ka’rai scoffed. “No, you didn’t!!”

“Yes, he did,” the Chunin butted in. “And that makes me happy. You two aren’t totally stupid. All brawn with one brain cell each.”

Ka’rai growled. “You…”

“You do realize who you just insulted, right?” Cirru questioned hauntingly.

The Chunin let out a dry chuckle. “Cirru Furachi, heir to the Furachi Clan, and you,” he said, pointing to the other teen. “Ka’rai Uzumaki, Jinchuriki of the Nibi. I know who both of you are.

“But it doesn’t take away from the fact that you’re both fucking idiots,” the Chunin said before being joined by two other Chunin.

The Chunin laughed. ”Now, how are you two gonna get out of this one? Your teammates are probably already knocked out by the other Genin here.”

“Fukkit, I may be stupid,” Ka’rai started. “But I have more power inside of me than you could ever dream of!!” he shouted, slamming his hands into the Ram Seal. 

Cobalt blue flames roared from Ka’rai. Cirru was forced to put his hands up to guard against the blaze. Ka’rai’s eyes glowed and his body burned with chakra. 

Cirru’s eyes widened as he gazed upon Ka’rai. His hair levitated and his muscles bulged, his fangs grew into miniature scythes —

“Earth Style: Earth Barrier!!” 

A barrier of earth sprouted from the rock below. Ka’rai paused, looking on in confusion before both he and Cirru were yanked away from the base by the other two Genin. They, alongside the girl, hurled smoke bombs to cover their retreat.

The Nibi’s chakra subsided, and he pulled himself out of the Genin’s grip. “Did you guys get the scroll?”

“No, they didn’t get the scroll and they’re just running away and failing the mission on purpose,” Cirru spat, dripping with sarcasm.

Ka’rai rolled his eyes and looked at the girl, who held a white scroll with pink ribbons. “Diversion was successful!!” he cheered.

“Yes… it was,” the girl admitted. “But don’t try that on an actual mission. You’ll get yourself killed.”

Cirru raised his brow. “You say that as if you’ve been on one yourself.”

“I did research and studied deeply on Shinobi when I was younger. I know more than the average Genin because of that,” the girl explained.

Ka’rai nodded slowly. See! That’s why she seems so non-Genin like! You were just overthinking it.

“Hmph,” Cirru huffed.

The girl sighed. “At least we passed the test, no matter the mistakes you made along the way. You all should be proud of yourselves for that.”

“Yeah!!” Ka’rai cheered. “Two more to go!!”

The boy sighed. “Yay…”

⁑♨—ϟ—♨⁑

The full moon shone behind the barred 'window' with silver rays. Cirru lay on the bed of his dorm, which looked more like a prison cell in his eyes. It was dirty—no filthy. He hated it. When he first came here, he tried his best to clean, blowing off all the dirt.

It didn’t do much, but it was better than nothing. He hated this room. He hated this camp. He couldn’t wait to get out of this dirty place. At least the color scheme was good.

Black and gray… he muttered as his mind wandered. It ended up wandering to the words of the Chunin he faced today. Cirru grimaced.

What was up with him?! He questioned, clenching his fists. That bastard just woefully insulted him without a care in the world. He’d expect such a thing from his peers. It was a given. But from others… 

Cirru clenched his fists. They had no right to speak to him in such a way. He was the Heir to the Furachi Clan! He was nobility. Commoners such as him should be punished for insulting him!

But… he didn’t care. Why didn’t he care?! He either didn’t care about the possible consequences of his actions, or…

There would be none. 

Cirru shook his head. No, there had to be consequences to his actions, for it to be any other way would be incorrect—it would be flat out wrong. 

Cirru smirked. He would tell his father about this, and then that bastard Chunin will get his well-deserved comeuppance. Yeah… now that was right.

I wonder what Ka'rai thinks about that bastard's words…

⁑♨—ϟ—♨⁑

I could've beaten them, Ka'rai huffed, arms crossed as he lay in his bed. He jumped up, looking toward the clang he heard against the iron bars of his dorm. He saw a blur of gold—blonde with lightning…?

It was a lost cause. He instead focused on the paper that drifted down from the window. He grabbed the paper from the air and read the note written on it.

Don't use the Nibi's chakra that recklessly again. 

— Mama

Ka'rai gasped. "How does mama know about that?!" he exclaimed, frantically looking around his room for any sign of his mother. There was predictably none. 

"She wasn't lying when she said she's always watching…" Ka'rai mumbled, before uneasily laying back down in his bed.

⁑♨—ϟ—♨⁑

Morning dawned and three Genin ran through the haze on the mountain's side. They were neither above nor below the clouds; they were inside of the clouds. 

"I like this mission better than the last one," Ka'rai said, smirking.

Yowui shrugged. "I guess so. It's just one guy and not… thirteen."

"But we're forced to fight the one guy, so is it really all that different?" the other Genin asked, blowing her blonde hair out of her face.

Ka'rai pondered. "Well, my group actually had to fight them."

"And you passed?!!" Yowui asked, aghast.

Ka'rai nodded. "Yeah! It was so cool!! So like, it was me and Cirru and we were single-handedly holding off a Chunin while the rest of the group went and found the scroll!"

"Wow, you must be really strong then, Ka'rai!" the girl complimented with a smile.

Ka'rai grinned, looking straight into her brown eyes. "I am."

The girl grinned back, and Yowui chuckled uncomfortably as they made long eye contact.

"Guys…" Yowui interjected. "Can we get back to tracking… so we can y'know… pass?"

Ka'rai sputtered. "Oh right," he mumbled, channeling the Nibi's chakra into his eyes, nose, and ears. Black flames danced over his malar stripes and his eyes glowed.

"What did they look like again?" Ka'rai asked, looking back at Yowui.

Yowui breathed out an exasperated sigh as he handed Ka'rai the 'bounty.'

Ka'rai mulled over the bounty and nodded. "Okay… do we have anything that belongs to him?"

"No," the girl answered.

Ka'rai cursed under his breath. "Okay, we're doing this the old fashion way!!"

"By not yelling and announcing our presence?" Yowui suggested with a light glare at Ka'rai.

Ka'rai chuckled. "It doesn't matter," he muttered, bearing his fangs. "Because I'm a fucking predator."

"I'll be your prey," the girl added with a giggle.

Yowui's eyes widened. "Woah, Woah, Woah."

" Oh?" Ka'rai inquired, looking at the girl with a devious, fang-bearing grin.

The girl was nearly overflowing with giggles under Ka'rai's gaze. "I said what I said."

"Now, can you say your name?" Ka'rai asked.

"I'll say yours. "

Yowui shook his head profusely. "Guys… can we focus on the mission, please!"

"I can multitask," Ka'rai said dismissively, before looking back at the girl. "What's your name?"

The girl smirked slyly. "Guess."

"Effort."

"How are you strong and lazy?"

"Talent and I'm not lazy."

"Then guess."

"Fuck you."

Yowui waved his hands before the comment he knew was gonna be made would be made. "Hey! Maybe multitasking is a bad idea!" 

"Fine, my name is Hane," she conceded.

Ka'rai smiled. "That's a nice name!"

"Thank you!"

Yowui sighed. "Ka'rai do you… sense anything?"

"I vaguely smell a human being that's not us three, that's where we've been going," Ka'rai answered.

Hane pondered. "It could be a diversion."

"How could someone divert their smell?" Ka'rai asked, brow raised.

Hane shrugged. "Dunno, but it's possible."

"Ka'rai, where have we been going?" Yowui asked.

Ka'rai looked down, and he saw footprints. Three sets of Genin-sized footprints.

They were going in circles.

Ka'rai pushed his lips out in surprise, Yowui facepalmed, and Hane chuckled slowly.

"Fuck."

Ka'rai took a deep breath, exhaling blue flame. "It's alright, we have until noon."

"What time is it now?" Hane asked.

Ka'rai looked up. "Uhhh," he mumbled, squinting. "Damn, uh… I can't see the sun in the haze."

"Even with your cat vision?!" Yowui questioned.

Ka'rai chuckled, scratching the back of his head. "Apparently."

"Looks like we're doing with Plan B," Ka'rai declared.

Yowui raised his brow. "What's Plan B?"

"I'm gonna fully channel my inner predator," Ka'rai informed, crouching down.

Yowui tilted his head, face scrunched in confusion. "What—?"

"Nibi, c'mon help me," Ka'rai said, slapping the seal on his chest. "Nibi! Please!"

Ka'rai stumbled, and his entire body quaked and the flames on his face raged. Then it subsided and Ka'rai chuckled to himself once again.

"It's not helping me," Ka'rai said bashfully.

Yowui let out a deep, ragged sigh. "I thought you would be more help."

"I did too," Ka'rai responded with a frown as he got up.

Yowui pondered. "Okay, if you were on a mountain, where would you hide?"

"In a cave," Ka'rai answered. "Are there any caves on Nibasu?"

Hane shook her head. "No, not any nearby… but I would hide in plain sight."

"Wait, hiding in plain sight…" Yowui mused, humming as he thought. "Like a Shinobi should." 

Hane lit up. "Yeah!"

"Wha?" Ka'rai asked, head tilted in confusion.

Yowui looked at him, bewildered. "Weren't you personally trained by Jonin for two years?!"

"Yeah," Ka'rai answered. 

Hane raised her brow. "Then how do you not know this…?"

"Oh, I didn't really pay attention to the Shinobi rule stuff," Ka'rai admitted, not the slightest bit ashamed.

Both of them stared at him blankly. "I hope you don't die," Hane murmured.

"Nah, Nibi won't let me!" Ka'rai answered confidently. "So, can you explain where the target should be hiding…?"

Yowui sighed. "Hiding in plain sight is when you hide somewhere obvious, but you blend in perfectly to the point where you don't look out of place."

"Oh—OH!! I get it now," Ka'rai said. "I'll just look…" he muttered, scanning the area with his eyes. 

Yowui waved his hands. "No, we can't just look aimlessly. Use your nose, go to where the smell is the strongest."

"Ohhh, that makes sense," Ka'rai admitted. "Follow me!"

The Genin followed Ka'rai back in the circle where they traveled before, eventually finding themselves by a glacier. 

"Okay, so now I look?" Ka'rai asked.

Yowui nodded.

"Okay…" he mumbled, looking around the peak, his eyes focused on a rock. A rock that had no snow on its top. Ka'rai grinned and pointed at the rock.

Hane pulled out a tanto and Yowui a kunai. Ka'rai bolted toward the rock with Yowui and Hane right behind him. The rock popped into smoke and a barrage of kunai was hurled out of it. Ka'rai swept away the kunai and Yowui threw his own toward the Senior Genin. He bolted out of the way of Yowui's kunai and Ka'rai's assault, only to be met with a tanto slash from Hane.

He dodged the slash and kicked her away. Ka'rai landed right in front of him, launching a plume of cobalt blue flames from his hand. The Genin screamed, blocking the flames with his hands to little avail. Ka'rai ceased his attack and pulled any remaining fire on the Genin back to him to be put out. Ka'rai smirked, watching the Genin groan on the ground, completely singed with his clothes and hair smoldering.

Ka'rai frowned. "I wish it was a Chunin we fought."

"But then nobody else would have a chance…" Yowui pointed out.

Ka'rai nodded with a smirk. "True. First-class problems I suppose—wait ugh, I sound like Cirru."

"Who's that, your boyfriend?" Hane asked with a sly smile.

Ka'rai gagged. "Ew, fuck no."

"That's a mental image I did not need," Yowui muttered, looking down at his feet.

Hane tilted her head. "Oh, do you wanna be Ka'rai's boyfriend?"

"I'm not gay!!" Ka'rai roared while Yowui mentally shut down, distancing himself from the conversation.

As the three Genin delved into another bicker session, they were unbeknownst to their watcher. Above them, an icy white cloak flapped in the snowy haze above. The cloak's hood shadowed an ivory white armadillo mask with golden accents. The only feature visible of the person behind the droves were their crystalline green eyes which twinkled like emeralds behind the mask.

"The day he takes something seriously is the day that the village is saved," they grumbled, watching the Genin run off with their target's unconscious body. "At least he's strong, but that'll only get him so far…" they mumbled before making a half seal and disappearing in a flicker of lightning.

⁑♨—ϟ—♨⁑

Yowui sighed, sitting on the edge of his bed. He gazed into the starry, moonlit sky from the barred opening in his wall, fists clenched over his pants. I shouldn't have passed those two exams.

He didn't pass due to his own skills and talents, he only passed the first round because of Clowui and her weird eyes. All she had to do was look at someone and they'd be asleep. In the second round, he was just third wheeling while Ka'rai and the other girl flirted, and then he was basically useless in the fight. Ka'rai just set the target on fire with no hand seals while he threw kunai that were dodged.

If he was hit with Ka'rai's attack, he'd probably die. No, not probably, definitely. Yowui laid back with a grimace. He was weak. All he did so far was leech off of other people's talents. I can't keep doing this…  he grumbled, gritting his teeth. This is not what his parents taught him. He needed to do this with his own skill. He was fast and he could punch someone with lightning. Whether he failed or succeeded, it would be with his own talents and nobody else's. 

He just hoped that the next test would let him prove that.

⁑♨—ϟ—♨⁑

Okay, so I just have to beat everyone's ass in this tournament, then beat the ass of two winners of the other two tournaments. Seems simple enough, Ka'rai mused, walking into line to meet his first opponent out of four.

Ka'rai smirked deviously. " So, we meet again."

"We do," Hane answered, a cheeky smirk tugging at her lips.

Tama raised his hand into the air. " The match may begin… now! "

"I promise not to kill you too badly," Ka'rai assured, tensing.

Hane smiled. "No, I think you're gonna be the dead one."

Ka'rai launched himself toward Hane, and she jumped back. Ka'rai swiped a blue blaze toward her and she ducked down with widened eyes, the heat from the flames burning despite not even touching her. She kicked Ka'rai and leapt back. "That's hot," she remarked, touching the reddened skin on her face.

"I know," he responded, huffing out blue flames with a grin.

Ka'rai cocked back his fist and punched out a plume of fire and Hane hopped back, weaving hand seals. "Water Style: Whirling Rapids!" she shouted, spitting a whirlpool of water from her mouth which turned into steam as it canceled out Ka'rai's fire.

"You put out my flames," Ka'rai pouted.

Hane giggled. "Aw, did that make you sad?"

"Nah, I'm good, I can just make more!!" Ka'rai roared, breathing out a scorching blaze. Hane leapt over the fire breath and hurled a flurry of shuriken toward him. Ka'rai swiped away the shuriken with a flaming claw before pouncing up at her. Hane stuck out her tanto and Ka'rai clawed at her face, both barely missing. Suddenly, Hane's tanto extended into a ninjato and cut Ka'rai's cheek.

The two landed a couple of feet in front of each other with Hane smirking triumphantly. "Gotcha!"

"You…" Ka'rai mumbled, wiping the blood off his face. "You made me bleed."

Hane's smirk grew. "I did."

"I take back my promise from earlier. I'm going to kill you very badly now," Ka'rai stated matter-of-factly.

Hane gasped dramatically. " Oh no!"

Ka'rai weaved hand seals.

"Oh no—” Hane panicked, weaving her own.

Ka'rai grinned. "Fire Style: Breath of a Thousand Suns!!" he roared with a plume of spherical cobalt blue flames blazing from his mouth toward the ground in front of Hane, who leapt into the air wincing at the heatwave from the attack.

"Water Style: Whirling Rapids!" she shouted, spitting a whirlpool from her mouth, only for it to evaporate on contact with Ka'rai's jutsu. Her eyes widened as she landed in the path of the jutsu. It detonated a foot in front of her and she was blown back, sweating buckets.

Hane sat up shakily, hearing laughter from behind the crater of cobalt blue fire. Ka'rai emerged from the blaze with his eyes glowing with those of the Nibi's. He laughed, bathing in the destruction he made with his chest heaving with pyromanic laughter.

"I think blue looks really good on you, with the red hair too! You look like a superhero!" Hane complimented haphazardly.

Ka'rai's laughs increased. "Your psychological warfare won't work on me, woman!! The flames of the Nibi have burned away all desires of the flesh I may have possessed beforehand!!"

"Dammit, that was my trump card…" Hane mumbled. "Okay, I forfeit! I'm not winning this one!"

Ka'rai paused, and his flames died as he turned his smile upside down into a frown. "Aw, I was having fun."

Hane stood and patted him on the head. "We can have fun later."

"Wait—what?!" Ka'rai spattered, looking up at Hane's grin before she left the arena, and Ka'rai was announced as the winner. 

Ka'rai huffed before walking toward the place where the non-fighting Genin stood. He looked to his left at the familiar call of his name and smiled.

"What's up, Yowui!" Ka'rai greeted.

Yowui chuckled. "I won my first match, so that's something."

" Yo !" Ka'rai shouted, grinning.

Yowui nodded. "Yeah, how did yours go?"

"I fought Hane, and I won," Ka'rai said.

Yowui tilted his head. "Really? I thought she'd flirt you to death or something…"

"She tried, and she's a burning corpse now," Ka'rai joked, grinning as he clenched his fist.

Yowui blinked, shaking his head. "What—?!"

"Joke!!" Ka'rai shouted. "She gave up in the face of my awesome power."

Yowui chuckled. "I would too…"

"No, giving up is bad."

Yowui raised his brow. "But you let Hane give up…?"

"It's not like I could have her un-forfeit," Ka'rai explained with a shrug.

"True."

"The point is, you don't give up, I don't have anything else to say but giving up is bad, don't do it," Ka'rai attempted to lecture.

Yowui shrugged. "Easy for you to say."

"Meh, I guess so, but a weak person who never gives up will have way more respect from most than a strong person who does whenever their strength is challenged," Ka'rai noted off-handedly.

Yowui looked at him before chuckling. "Alright…"

"Ah, it's time for my next match," Ka'rai said, walking off. "Good luck on yours, man!"

Yowui waved. "Thanks, you too!"

Ka'rai walked back into the arena—much sooner than he expected—with a smirk on his face as he saw his opponent.

"Sami!!" Ka'rai shouted.

Sami waved. "Hey, Ka'rai! I wasn't expecting to fight you."

"Well, you know what my mama says; always expect the unexpected when you're a Shinobi."

Sami tilted her head. "That's not bad advice."

"Yeah, my mama is always right," Ka'rai affirmed with a sage-like nod.

Sami laughed. "Alright."

" You may begin the match," Tama announced, getting out of the way of the battle.

Ka'rai charged forward, and Sami leapt back, weaving hand seals. "Lightning Style: Electric Discharge!!" she shouted, slamming her hands on the floor in a thunderous eruption that made Ka'rai stop in his tracks.

Ka'rai thrust his hands out and spouted plumes of cobalt blue flames from them. The two meeting in a sparking flash before Sami's jutsu was ultimately overpowered. She was forced to leap over the flames, weaving more hand seals.

"Lightning Style: Lightning Web!" she yelled, outstretching her hands to shock Ka'rai with sprawling bolts of electricity. Ka'rai gritted his teeth, feeling like his chakra was being zapped straight from his network.

He forced his hands into the Ram Seal and roared, engulfing his body in a blazing aura that blew back the jutsu, leaving Ka'rai panting and singed. "The fuck was that?!"

Sami shifted, chuckling. "A jutsu of mine."

"Damn, you have some cool-ass lightning," he complimented before punching a fireball out of his hand toward her. She dodged it and hurled a flurry of shuriken at Ka'rai, who clawed them away before pouncing at Sami, grinning. 

She rolled back, dodging the flaming dive bomb that was Ka'rai. She leapt into the air, biding her time. Ka'rai bounded out of the ball of flames, taking it with him into the sky as he whipped it at Sami. She winced as her hand was cut by the fire, cutting open the glove on it.

She fell to the ground with Ka'rai hot on her tail, keeping up his cobalt blue assault with joy and vigor. He condensed his flames into a ball on his hand as Sami retreated. Ka'rai bellowed with laughter, hurling the condensed ball at Sami. She gasped, eyes wide as she carefully deflected the ball with a kunai and just barely dodged the detonating of blue flames that came from it.

Sami panted, looking at Ka'rai with a raised brow. "Are you trying to kill me?!"

"No, I'm trying to injure you! This is a fight!"

Sami tilted her head with a slight nod. "Good point," she muttered before weaving a long sequence of hand seals as Ka'rai watched, giddy with excitement.

"Lightning Style: Thunderbolt!!" Sami shouted, thrusting out her gloved hand which shot a thick bolt of lightning that glowed a bold, neon white, outlined with a hint of purple.

Ka'rai grinned at the massive bolt and weaved hand seals of his own. "Fire Style: Breath of A Thousand Suns!!" he roared, with his signature jutsu pluming from his mouth and scorching toward Sami's Thunderbolt.

The two met only for a split second as the Thunderbolt pierced straight through Ka'rai's jutsu, hitting him directly in the face. The impact knocked him to the ground head first, and Sami's eyes widened.

"Shit…" she mumbled under her breath as she looked at Ka'rai. His nose was bleeding and his face was black—much more so than usual. His eyes were closed and his hair was frizzed.

The following silence was more deafening than the roar of a Bijuu as she looked at Ka'rai with fearful anticipation. She made him mad, and everyone knew that making Ka'rai angry was a borderline death wish. The silence was broken by a chuckle from Ka'rai and Sami stiffened.

He leapt up, opening his eyes to reveal the Nibi's heterochromia as he glared at Sami with a massive grin on his face. "Damn!! You should've told me that you were this strong!! If I knew then I would've sparred with you more at the academy!!"

"I don't think that would've been a good idea… but I'm happy you're not mad!" Sami said, chuckling.

Ka'rai scoffed. "Why would I be mad? This is nothing but FUN!!" he roared before charging at Sami once again. She blocked his fist with a kunai, cutting it open. But Ka'rai already had a kick prepared and Sami fell to the ground after a hit to the side.  

Ka'rai covered his fist in flame and punched down, only for Sami to dodge. She threw shuriken at his body which he blew back with an explosion of fire. He turned toward her and grinned, seeing her complete a series of hand seals.

"Lightning Style: Electric Discharge!!" Sami shouted, hitting Ka'rai with the explosion point blank. She winced, pumping more chakra into the jutsu. Ka'rai growled as his chakra was zapped. He narrowed his eyes, noticing the purple tinge to her lightning. 

He grit his teeth and broke out with an explosion of cobalt blue flames, blowing Sami back in the process as he escaped from the jutsu, panting and singed even more. He looked at her, on the floor heaving breaths. She was out of chakra.

"You look pretty out of it, Sami," Ka'rai taunted.

Sami chuckled, uncomfortably covering her gloved hand. "Yeah… I think I'll—"

"Please don't give up, that would make me very sad," Ka'rai pleaded.

Sami shook her head. "No, you don't understand."

"Is it something with your hand?" Ka'rai guessed.

Sami drew in a sharp breath, not responding.

Ka'rai raised his brow. "Are you a Jinchuriki too, or something? The hand is a weird place for a seal…"

Sami forced a chuckle. "No, no just—I'm done. I forfeit!!" she announced, getting up and stuffing her hand in her pocket.

Ka'rai frowned, watching Sami walk off as his flames died. Why is everyone giving up? It's starting to make me sad… this is boring. Why can't I get the satisfaction of a real win?!

Ka'rai huffed and walked back into the crowd. But… she didn't give up like Hane did. She had something under her sleeve—er… glove. What's up with that? Her lightning is purple kinda, and I never heard of purple lightning before. Nibi, have you heard of it?

No response.

Ka'rai sighed. Ahhh, what's with all these weird girls?! Are all girls weird?!! Is this just something I'm going to have to deal with from now on?! The only girl that isn't weird is Mama, but she's an adult. Do girls grow out of being weird? Man, I'm so happy I'm a guy. I'd hate to be weird for all of my teen years… 

That's rude, The Nibi commented.

Ka'rai scoffed. Are you a girl or something?!

No response.

Ka'rai huffed. Nevermind… I wonder how Yowui is doing…

⁑♨—ϟ—♨⁑

Yup, Yowui knew his luck would end eventually. He counted his lucky stars and they amounted to a staggering zero. There were three people he prayed he wouldn't have to face. 

The best of the worst was Ka'rai. He was scarily strong, and getting anywhere near his fire would hurt; but he was his friend, so he didn't have to worry about the humiliation lasting.

Next up was Cirru. He was basically Ka'rai, but worse in every way. He wasn't his friend—he'd fix his mouth to call Cirru a bully. He always called him 'farm boy' or 'country skunk' or some other degrading nickname. Cirru would take pleasure in humiliating him.

But… she… was even worse. The worst of the worst. Clowui Chinoike. She was weird, mysterious, and she barely looked human. Her skin was a clammy, ghostly pale, her eyes were always bloodshot and just thinking of her made him shudder.

But alas, here he was, staring her down, about to fight her. His skin crawled at the mere sight of her as sweat dripped down his face. He could—no, he wanted to give up. But would he choose to give up?

He gulped, clenching his fists as he debated it in his head. Giving up would be smart… very, very smart. But is it the right thing to do? Would my parents be okay with it?

'...a weak person who never gives up will have way more respect from most than a strong person who does whenever their strength is challenged.'

Ka'rai's words echoed in Yowui's head. He grit his teeth, then he released them, unballing his fists and taking a deep, relaxing breath.

"I forfeit!" Yowui announced.

Jay raised his brow. "You sure kid?"

"Yeah, definitely," Yowui affirmed with a nod.

Jay chuckled. "Alright," he mumbled as Yowui walked off.

I value my life more than anyone's respect; he declared with a slight scoff. He looked back at Clowui to see if she had any sort of reaction. She didn't, not even bothering to spare him a glance. She just stood there with that same blank, emotionless expression.

Yowui chuckled. "She really isn't human…" he mumbled under his breath.

He sat in the crowd and watched the next match. It was some blonde girl fighting a boy. The match was over quickly, scarily so. The girl utterly destroyed that boy. Yowui chuckled, That's how my fight with Clowui would've gone…

Soon, Ka'rai joined him, having finished his matches. Yowui blinked. "Wait, matches as in… the entire tournament?"

"Yeah! I won, of course," Ka'rai boasted, before letting out a disheartened sigh. “Everyone gave up.”

Yowui chuckled. "Who would've thought?!"

"Did 'ya lose?" Ka'rai asked.

Yowui shrugged. "Yeah, I would've fought Clowui, so I forfeited."

"But…"

Yowui glared at him. "I don't care about respect, I just want to do what I think is best for me and if that means giving up, then so be it."

"Alright," Ka'rai muttered breathily, frowning.

They watched the two girls face off and Ka'rai narrowed his eyes on the blonde girl. "It's her…"

"You know her?" Yowui asked.

Ka'rai shrugged. "Kinda…? She was with me on the first test, and she seemed off to me. Apparently, she trained when she was younger, but I'm still interested."

"I see," Yowui muttered, the two boys delving into silence to focus on the battle.

Clowui weaved hand seals. "Blood Style: Blood Bullets," she said, spitting crimson pellets of blood from her mouth and toward her opponent.

The girl leapt forward and sliced through the bullets with a kunai. Clowui's eyes glowed and they morphed. Her lavender irises darkened to a blackish violet and her pupils shone into a purple rectangle. 

The girl averted her gaze to Clowui's feet and weaved hand seals. "Earth Style: Shattering Quake Jutsu!" she shouted, slamming her hand to the ground. The snowy ground below split and darted toward Clowui, who jumped over it and kicked the girl, only for it to be blocked.

Clowui swung her other leg and kicked the girl in the head, narrowing her eyes at the surprisingly little effect it had. The girl grabbed Clowui's ankle and swung her to the floor. Clowui flipped out of her grip and landed behind her. 

"Blood Style: Bleeding Edge Sweep," Clowui spat, spitting a sharp blade of blood from her mouth. She swung her head, whipping the blade toward the girl. She leapt over the blade with a roll and hurled a kunai at Clowui.

Clowui cocked her head up, deflecting the kunai with the blood while weaving more hand seals. "Blood Style: Bleeding Edge Jet!" she shouted, the blood that shot from her mouth condensed into a spear-like point directly toward the girl.

The girl grabbed a kunai from her pouch and met the crimson spear-point head-on. Blood showered the surrounding area like a scarlet fountain as the tip of the kunai buried itself in the bloodstream.

Clowui canceled her jutsu and narrowed her eyes on the girl. Her sclera reddened as more blood and chakra were flushed into them. "Your chakra… who are you?"

"That is none of your concern," the girl answered, before smiling. "I should've known your eyes would've picked up on it."

Clowui's gaze sharpened. " Ketsuryugan. Use their proper name."

"I apologize," the girl said, before kneeling down and hurling a flurry of shuriken at her.

Clowui deflected the shuriken with a kunai of her own and charged at her. The two met and clashed, sparks flying from each other’s kunai with the girl looking down, averting Clowui's eye contact.

Clowui let go of her kunai and the girl's arm thrust forward for a split second. A split second that Clowui took advantage of. She grabbed at the girl's arm and her Ketsuryugan glowed.

"I don't need eye contact to put you under Genjutsu," Clowui informed, and the girl stiffened… then she tensed, knocking Clowui off of her and then to the ground.

The girl confined Clowui in an armlock and stepped on her back, pinning her to the ground. Clowui grit her teeth and shot a glare at the girl. "Why are you here?"

"That is none of your concern," the girl said before knocking Clowui unconscious and standing up, walking back to the crowd.

Ka'rai watched with wide eyes and Yowui was slack-jawed, overcome with complete and utter shock. Yowui shook his head, attempting to wrap his mind around what he just witnessed. "Clowui just lost… badly."

"Damn, that girl's more than I thought…" Ka'rai mumbled before a devious grin grew across his face. "And I might be fighting her soon!"

Yowui looked at Ka'rai, aghast. "You're excited—? Oh, wait, you're you ."

"Damn right!!" Ka'rai shouted. "I wonder who the third winner is."

Suddenly, a gust of wind blew on the two boys from behind. "Who else would it be other than yours truly?"

"Cirru!!" Ka'rai roared, whipping back to see his rival with a haughty smirk on his face.

Cirru floated toward the Ka'rai, completely ignoring Yowui. "So, I assume you demolished the competition where you're from?"

"More or less, and you did the same?" 

Cirru nodded. "Indeed."

"Alright!!" Etto announced. "The first three tournaments have finished! We will now draw lots to determine the final two matches!" he informed, with the walls that divided the three battlegrounds collapsing in the back into the ground. What was left was an arena three times the size of the one before.

The three contestants walked toward Etto, who was holding three cards. Each of the three drew a card with the number one through three. One would fight two, and the winner of that match would fight three. 

Ka'rai looked at his card. One, he noted before looking at Cirru, who showed him his card, two. Ka'rai grinned at Cirru. "You ready to lose?"

"As if you could beat me," Cirru scoffed. "I am honorable enough to admit that you are my superior in pure power. But in technique, smarts, and skill, I am far superior to you."

"If you say so," Ka'rai mumbled. 

Etto walked in the middle of the two, hand raised. They tensed. Etto chopped his hand down. "Now!!" he announced before flickering out of the way.

Ka'rai and Cirru charged at each other. Ka'rai surrounded his fist in flame and punched at Cirru, who dodged and kicked him in the face. Ka'rai grinned and clawed at his foot. Cirru winced, flying into the air to avoid more damage.

Ka'rai chuckled as he weaved hand seals. "Fire Style: Breath of a Thousand Suns!!" he shouted, roaring out a multi-spherical plume of cobalt blue fire. Cirru flew around the Jutsu and weaved hand seals of his own.

"Typhoon Style: Cirrus Galestorm!!" Cirru shouted, blowing a wispy, freezing gale at Ka'rai. He winced and guarded against the jutsu, his skin being cut by the miniature ice crystal embedded in the wind.

Ka'rai grit his teeth and he ignited himself alongside Cirru's jutsu. He took control of the flames and condensed them into a ball of fire in his hands. He pounced toward Cirru and outstretched his palm, and the fireball detonated. Blue flames rained down in all directions like a cobalt firework as Cirru flew out of the jutsu, smoking and singed.

"You ever gonna get down here and fight me like a man?!" Ka'rai taunted, landing on the ground with his black eyes shining into those of the Nibi's. 

Cirru scoffed. "How about you find a way up here and fight me on equal footing."

Gust after gust of wind bombarded Ka’rai from the sky. All he could do was fend against the assault with a shield of fire. His elemental advantage was his only saving grace. Cirru was too far up for any of his regular arsenal to do anything. Well, aside from one thing.

“CIRRU!!” Ka’rai bellowed. “Y’know, I haven’t once used my actual chakra in this battle, only the Nibi’s.”

Continuing his barrage, Cirru’s brow furrowed. “What? The hell do you mean by that?!”

“My actual chakra is special, all thanks to the Uzumaki bloodline!” Ka’rai shouted, a grin crossing his face. “Uzumaki chakra can form special abilities. It’s rare but I have it! Those with that special chakra can even unlock a secret jutsu... But I’m not there yet.”

Cirru scoffed. “Alright then, show me your chakra, Ka’rai!!” A bellowing gust of wind was blown onto Ka’rai’s fire shield. However, the Uzumaki inside could only grin. Cyan chakra seeped from Ka’rai’s skin. It popped and cracked like heating popcorn… it was unstable. 

With a roar, Ka’rai bursted his chakra out into the Nibi’s flame. The watching crowd was forced to shield their ears from the mountainous boom from the explosion. A cobalt blue blaze ravaged the arena and blew Cirru out of the air. The rock below smoldered, and Ka’rai stood winded in the crater he created. 

He couldn’t hold back his grin as he saw Cirru on the ground, smoldered with his outfit devastated . “My chakra is unstable and explosive. I can barely control it. But, even if I just mix it with the Nibi’s…”

“Dammit…” Cirru grit his teeth as he looked up. "So the Uzumaki are worth more than that red hairdo, hm? I can't say I'm unimpressed.” He grimaced down at his tattered and charred outfit. 

Ka’rai smirked. "Oh no, your shirt."

"Bastard…" Cirru managed. "The price of that shirt is worth more than your rent. You owe me."

Ka'rai formed a fireball in his hand. "Yeah, I owe you the pleasure of losing to me."

"No, quite the opposite actually," Cirru quipped before spitting a ball of wind at Ka'rai's face. He flew away in flash and weaved hand seals. "Typhoon Style: Category One Winds!!" Cirru bellowed.

Ka'rai barely had time to wipe the blood from his nose before a colossal wind storm drafted toward him. Ka'rai groaned, barely being able to open his eyes as he dug his feet into the snow. He formed claws out of his toenails and dug deeper. The force of the wind was so powerful that he wasn't even able to lean forward. So, he leaned backward.

He dug the glowing claws on his hand into the snow and flipped his legs over him, landing on all fours with his claws digging into the dirt like a feline. Eventually, the winds subsided and Cirru scoffed.

"You're like an animal," he insulted.

Ka'rai grinned. "Nah, I'm a predator, " he corrected before pouncing at Cirru who barely dodged with a side-step. Ka'rai turned and clawed at Cirru again, nicking his cheek, drawing blood.

"Why aren't you flying? Are you out of chakra?" Ka'rai taunted, keeping up his assault. 

Cirru sucked his teeth, blocking a claw swipe with his arms only for them to be cut open. "Dammit…" he cursed. Ka'rai laughed and leapt on Cirru, pinning him to the floor, bearing his fangs.

Ka'rai detracted the claws on his hand and yelled as he chopped Cirru in the neck. "I win, " he boasted before rising off of Cirru.

"No, you haven't won, not at all."

Ka'rai looked at her, a battle-lusting grin plastered over his face. "Hello, three. "

"Hello," the girl greeted.

Ka'rai tilted his head toward the girl. "You gonna tell me your name now?"

She pondered. "Hmm… You know what, if you win I'll tell you."

"Don't make it easy for me," Ka'rai taunted.

She smiled. "Okay, I won't."

"Good," Ka'rai said, smirking.

Etto walked in between the two with his hand raised. They tensed, the girl reaching for her shuriken pouch as Ka'rai regrew his claws and grinned. "Now!!" Etto announced before flickering out of the area.

The girl hurled a volley of shuriken at Ka'rai. He clawed the shuriken away and pounced at the girl. She rolled out of the way, letting him hit the ground before charging at him. She punched, and Ka'rai blocked with a grin. The two delved into a taijutsu exchange.

Ka'rai grit his teeth, forcing himself on the offensive, only to be punished with an elbow to the throat. Ka'rai coughed and the girl punched him in the face. She kicked him in the chest, knocking him to the floor. Ka'rai chuckled as he got up, weaving hand seals. "Fire Style: Breath of a Thousand Suns!!"

"Earth Style: Earth Barrier!" she responded, erecting a wall of earth that blocked the flames, leaving the black earth searing with orange. Ka'rai grinned. "Oh shit you're strong!!"

"Thank you," the girl said, appearing beside him. Ka'rai threw a fist in her direction only for it to be knocked away. It was soon followed by the rest of Ka'rai's body as he was kicked into the searing wall of earth.

Ka'rai growled, igniting his claws and attacking the girl. She analyzed his attack, bobbing and weaving every strike. Ka'rai grit his teeth and roared out a torrent of flame point blank. The girl leapt back, weaving hand seals. 

"Water Style: Tidal Roar!" she shouted, spouting a roaring tide from her mouth which doused the flames into a steaming plume. Ka'rai charged into the steam, making out her silhouette. He clawed at her which was predictably dodged. The girl swung at Ka'rai. He blocked the hit and kicked her in the gut, sending her skidding over the bare rock.

She smiled. "Good job."

"Did you just—?" Ka'rai questioned.

"That was the first good hit you got on me, so good job."

"Bastard!" Ka'rai roared, pouncing at the girl and starting another taijutsu bout. Ka'rai was on the offensive this time, not that it made much of a difference. He was still unable to get a hit off. Suddenly, the girl swung at him. 

Ka'rai's eyes widened at the speed of the attack. From her hand blew a cloud of smoke and a clang echoed throughout the arena. The smoke cleared and Ka'rai's arms trembled, blocking an iron mace with them. The girl increased the pressure on her attack and Ka'rai grit his teeth, holding his ground.

Ka'rai leapt to the side, letting the force of the mace carry him as he flipped over it. He side-kicked the girl in her torso, knocking her down. Ka'rai grinned before it fell alongside the rest of his body. His legs were swept from under him. Ka'rai hit the floor. The girl stood above him, whirling her mace. Ka'rai leapt up, dodging the strike to what would've been his head, weaving hand seals. "Fire Style: Breath of a Thousand Suns!!"

Ka'rai's roared with the jutsu and the girl dodged forward, the jutsu detonating behind her in a brilliant plume of cobalt blue. Ka'rai landed in front of her, grinning. The girl dipped down into a battle stance with her mace, and a smile curled her lips.

"Give me everything you got, Ka'rai," she encouraged.

Ka'rai smirked. "You don't gotta ask me twice," he remarked before blitzing through hand seals. " Combustion Style : Bakugami!!" Ka'rai roared, outstretching his hands as they seared blue. His own Chakra melded with the Nibi’s. He yelled, aiming the blaze of cobalt blue flames that erupted toward the girl. A crack of a thunder-like detonation shattered the earth and plumed into a massive mushroom cloud of cobalt blue. 

Ka'rai outstretched his hand. It trembled and Ka’rai could fight gravity no longer. He fell to the ground on a knee. He flexed his hand and the flames coalesced in the palm of his hand. With a flick of his wrist, they dispersed. From out the smoldering crater, the girl walked out entirely singed and smoking. 

"So, now do I win?" Ka'rai asked with a smile and a raised brow.

The girl chuckled as she forced herself forward with a tremble. "Yeah… you win."

"...But you're still standing.”

The girl let out a small laugh. "I admire your never give up attitude, just don't let it get you killed."

"If you say so," he said with a chuckle.

The girl raised her hand. "I forfeit!" she announced before walking toward Ka'rai, outstretching her singed hand. "My name is Kay."

"Ka'rai," he said, taking her hand. She helped him up to his feet. "Well, you already knew that…"

She laughed. "I did know that."

"Do you have a surname?" Ka'rai asked.

She shook her head. "No."

"Okay, now how are you so strong?!" Ka'rai asked.

She tilted her head. "I told you already. I trained and studied when I was younger."

"Since like negative nine months old?"

"If that's what floats your boat, then sure."

"..."

Kay laughed. "Anyway, congrats on your win, and goodbye!" she said, walking off as Etto flickered into the arena.

"Alright!!" Etto announced, grabbing Ka'rai's hand and raising it into the air. "The winner and the strongest among this year's graduates is Ka'rai Uzumaki!!"

The camp roared with applause and Ka'rai grinned, making out Yowui, Hane, and Sami in the crowd cheering for him. It brought a tear to his eye, which he wiped away before anyone could see.

"Okay," Jay started, yawning. "Now that testing is done, all of you return to your dorms. It will take time for all of you to be evaluated."

The Genin saluted. "Yes sir!" they shouted before doing as they were told.

⁑♨—ϟ—♨⁑

Ka'rai lay in his bed, smiling at his victory. Those two years of training paid off, and he was now definitively number one. But there was still something tugging at his mind. Well, not some thing, some one.

Kay.

She was ridiculously strong. If any of the other Genin he knew were hit with Bakugami, then they would be dead, and there was no questioning that. But Kay was able to not only live, but walk it off.

It… it just seemed off. He thought that fighting her and learning her name would answer his questions, but it only spawned a thousand more. If he was being honest, he didn't buy the training from an early age. Yeah, it would've made her stronger for sure, but not that strong. Right?

She would have to be a prodigy surpassing anyone he'd ever heard of. One akin to the likes of Konoha’s Yellow Flash … But if that was the case, then why had he not heard of her before? Ka'rai shook his head, rolling over in his bed. Gahhh, this is all a headache… he muttered, giving up on conscious thought as he closed his eyes.

⁑♨—ϟ—♨⁑

An ANBU flickered from rooftop to rooftop over Kumo's moonlit haze, glowing a starry silver under the celestial light of the stars and moon above. Each time they landed, they flashed in flickers of lightning to the next, leaving trails of golden blonde and azure electricity.

Their emerald eyes narrowed on their destination, the Raikage's Tower, which loomed over the village below, built into a mountain at the peak of Kumo's haze. They flickered to the entrance and walked in. They scaled the flight of stairs and knocked on a door.

"Come in," said a deep, gruff voice.

The ANBU walked in, seeing the Raikage sitting at his desk, hands folded. Next to him were two women. One had fair skin, and curly crimson hair that matched her eyes. Arasei Uzumaki. The other woman had dark skin, silver hair, and green eyes. Mabui.

The ANBU bowed and removed their mask. "Kay Cessitsu, mission report."

"Go ahead," The Raikage permitted.

Kay nodded. "The mission regarding the advanced evaluation of Ka'rai Uzumaki's skill was a success. His power is unmatched, his combat skill is advanced, and his intelligence in battle is on par. However, he's reckless and has zero strategic prowess. 

"Luckily, when put with the right people, he is willing to work with them, so that makes up for it somewhat. If I may add a personal recommendation, I do not suggest placing him on a team with Cirru Furachi. They butt heads and it could lead to the possible downfall of the team."

The Raikage nodded. "Thank you, Kay," he said before turning to Arasei. "Do you care to explain your son's inadequacy in strategy?"

"I apologize, Lord Raikage. The main priority of Ka'rai's training was getting his hot-headedness under control as well as teaching him how to manipulate the seal in order to prevent another rampage," Arasei explained.

The Raikage shook his head. "How is his anger, Kay?"

"It's not an issue. He does get angry when he's taunted, but it's borderline playful the way he lashes out about it," she said.

The Raikage chuckled. "Playfulness in battle, hm?"

"Indeed, he barely takes anything seriously," Kay informed.

The Raikage narrowed his eyes. "That's an issue."

"I agree," Arasei added pensively. "I'm definitely going to talk with him."

The Raikage huffed. "You better. Mabui, file the mission, please."

"Yes, Lord Raikage," Mabui said with a nod, taking the paper from The Raikage.

The Raikage sighed. "Thank you," he said before turning to Kay. "Good job on your mission. You and your family will be paid handsomely I assure you."

"Thank you, Lord Raikage," Kay said with a bow.

The Raikage cleared his throat. "Now, I have another mission for you. This mission, though, it is a long-term S -rank Mission."

"What?" Kay asked, eyes wide.

The Raikage nodded. "Indeed," the Raikage affirmed before explaining the mission to her. "Are you able to take this mission?"

Kay was silent, pursing her lips as she mulled over the details of the mission. "Yes, I will be able to,” she answered eventually.

"Good, you are dismissed. You too, Arasei," The Raikage said with a nod.

"Yes, Lord Raikage," they said in tandem before walking out of the office.

Mabui walked over to him. "Lord Raikage, are you sure that's wise?"

"Of course I am. We're in peacetime. It's not like we need him for anything else," The Raikage huffed.

Mabui bowed slightly. "If you say so."

⁑♨—ϟ—♨⁑

Ka'rai was unhappy. He wanted to go home. But he wasn't. He was still at the camp. I miss my mama, he pouted as he stood in line, facing the three wardens under the early morning sun.

He stood next to Yowui and Sami alongside other passing Genin, but it was nowhere near the original amount, only around twelve out of the original fifty-four. Hane wasn't there, which only served his sour mood. At least I have Sami and Yowui… Cirru too I guess, he mumbled, looking toward his rival, but his eyes drifted to who was standing next to him.

It was Kay. He looked at her curiously, cursing the fact he was forbidden from speaking. He sighed, redirecting his eyes to the endless expanse of blue that was the cloudless sky above him. Suddenly, a call from Etto broke his focus, and he redirected his gaze toward the wardens.

"Alright! You twelve are the Genin that passed the trials. You have been deemed exceptional and you will be put into four-man cells under a Jonin-sensei. Congratulations!" Etto announced.

Jay yawned. "Alright, I'll announce the teams now. All of you better pay attention because you will be tied to these people for the rest of your Shinobi career, so it's best you three try and get along."

"Yes, sir!" The Genin affirmed.

Jay rattled off two teams, none of which had teams Ka'rai cared about all that much. But that would change with the third team, however. "The next team will consist of Cirru Furachi."

Ka'rai perked up.

"Sami, and Clowui Chinoike," Jay announced. 

Sami gasped. "Yes!" she cheered under her breath.

"Oh yeah, you're friends with Clowui," Ka'rai realizes.

Sami nodded. "Mhm! Sorry I couldn't be on your team, bye!" she said before walking off behind Clowui, but as Cirru walked out, he stopped by Ka'rai.

"It seems that we're not on the same team, Ka'rai," Cirru said, oddly sentimental.

Ka'rai chuckled. "Yeah, we're not. But that doesn't mean I can't beat your ass again on our own time."

"You may have beaten me this time, so you better savor that," Cirru started, before smirking. "Because you won't taste victory against me again."

Ka'rai grinned. "Nah, I think I'll get used to it."

"Keep it moving, Furachi!" Etto commanded.

Cirru kept walking, but not before looking back at Ka'rai. "Goodbye, for now, Ka'rai."

"See ya, Cirru," Ka'rai said before looking back at the wardens. There were only three Genin left, so there wasn't a need for another announcement.

Yowui chuckled. "So, we're on the same team?"

"Yup, along with…" Ka'rai started, looking at Kay as she walked over to the two. "You."

She waved. "Hello!" she greeted. "I look forward to being on a team with you two."

"Look at me, the human being on a team with two monsters," Yowui remarked under his breath.

Ka'rai slapped him on the back. "Don't worry man, you'll become a monster too."

"Ow," Yowui muttered.

Kay laughed softly. "You won't be behind for long."

"Here's hoping," Yowui mumbled before walking out of the Boot Camp with his team. They exited the gates and stared out, seeing white and blue as they gazed into the horizon. The endless sea of clouds stretched out alongside the expansive, azure sky above, with the Sun's spotlight shining a light on the journey ahead of them.

Ka'rai cracked his knuckles, standing ahead of Kay and Yowui with a massive grin on his face. "This is gonna be fun."

ϟ—Chapter End—ϟ

Chapter Text

ϟ— Chapter Four — Alliances of New and Old—ϟ

Morning dawned over the base of Nibasu, and the newly formed team of Ka'rai, Yowui, and Kay stood ankle-deep in the snow, firmly back in the haze of Kumo, far below the clouds which were dyed orange by the scattered rays of the rising sun. They found themselves in front of a tent, with the remnants of two other recently taken apart tents next to them. 

Ka'rai frowned. "We were the last ones here…"

"Why does that matter?" Yowui asked. 

Ka'rai's frown deepened. "Cirru beat me here."

"Okay, so it doesn't matter, gotcha," Yowui remarked, snapping his fingers.

Ka'rai's frown morphed into an angry pout. "Bastard."

"Aw, you look like an angry kitten," Kay pointed out with a giggle.

Ka'rai's face snapped into one of fury as Yowui wheezed with laughter. "Do not call me that!!"

"Kitten," Kay said, looking at him with a single, taunting raised brow.

Ka'rai glared at her, and the two made direct eye contact. A smirk grew on Kay's face as she tilted her head. Ka'rai looked away and huffed with his arms crossed.

"I am not a kitten," Ka'rai declared. "I am a fully fledged predator."

Yowui rolled his eyes. "If you say so, man. Let's go meet our sensei," he suggested, waiting for Ka'rai and Kay to walk forward before trailing behind. They walked in front of the lone tent, which had their names on it in stellar handwriting.

They opened the flap and walked in. They saw a muscular, dark-skinned man with shades and slicked-back blonde hair writing something on a notepad.

"I heard y'all arguing outside. It was entertaining to listen to," he remarked.

Ka'rai was frozen with his mouth gaped and his eyes wide. "L-L-Lord…"

"Killer Bee," he finished with a smirk before getting up and clearing his throat. He looked over his notepad before eight purple tentacles sprouted from his back and played on various instruments scattered across the room, creating an upbeat instrumental.

A smile crossed Ka'rai's face as he bopped his head. Yowui watched with his brow raised and Kay kept her expression neutral.

"Aye! My new students Yowui, Ka'rai and Kay!
I'm the Lord Killer Bee and I'm gonna be your sensei
Imma mold you into three greats like you made of clay!
Hard training and missions every day!
But don't worry, we'll have our fair amount of play every Sunday!
Sunday happens to be today so let's go out and have ourselves a fun day!" Bee rapped, cheering as he threw his hand into the air and retracted his tentacles.

Ka'rai laughed. "Yes—YES!! Lord Bee!! Y-you're our sensei!!"

"Damn right, and yall are my students. You don't have to call me Lord; Bee-sensei is all right," Bee assured with a thumbs up and a sparkling smile.

Kay bowed. "It is an honor to be under your tutelage, Bee-sensei."

"Y-yeah!" Yowui agreed, bowing alongside Kay as he chuckled. Make that three monsters…

Bee nodded back. "And I'm sure it'll be an honor having you three as my students!"

"Lo—Bee- sensei, is it true that you're stronger than Lord Raikage?" Ka'rai asked, hand raised.

Bee pondered. "Dunno, my bro's pretty strong… But let's get off this mountain and eat some food! " 

"YEAH!!" Ka'rai roared in agreement, grabbing Kay and Yowui and pulling them out of the tent behind them. Yowui sighed, shaking his head, and Kay chuckled with a light smile on her face.

⁑♨—ϟ—♨⁑

The newly formed Team Bee walked out of a vibrant restaurant carved into a rocky cliff face with dozens of similarly carved buildings down the left and right of the restaurant. Each of them was woefully satisfied with the serving and experience they had inside. Bee rubbed his stomach and burped, unbeknownst to the devious smirk Ka’rai gave him.

"Bee-sensei," Ka'rai began. "I've looked up to every single aspect of you since I was young, way before I discovered that I was a Jinchuriki like you; and because of that, I have learned the ways of rapping. So, I… "

Yowui facepalmed. "Oh no…"

"Challenge you to a rap battle!!" Ka'rai declared, pointing a finger at his sensei with a determined grin and fire in his eyes.

Bee laughed. Hard . He keeled over and held his stomach as his entire body quaked with cackles, even bringing a tear to his eye. Ka'rai faltered, lowering his arm as a drop of sweat rolled down his face.

Bee wiped the tear from his eye and stood up straight, taking deep breaths to regain his composure. "Ya fool! I've been rapping for over thirty years tops. Do you really think you're on par with what I can drop?!"

"Yeah Ka'rai," Yowui agreed. "He raps passively when he speaks, I don't think you'll—"

"BULLSHIT!!" he countered.

Kay pondered with her hand on her chin. "Hmm, I think a friendly competition will be good for the overall team dynamic."

"Oh nah, this ain't friendly. My position as the best rapper has been challenged intently. So, I must put him down in a way that is deadly, fool ya fool," Bee rhymed sternly.

Ka'rai beamed. "Bring it on, Bee-sensei!!"

"You go first, I wanna give you a chance to get some raps in before your bubble gets burst," Bee taunted. 

Ka'rai inhaled deep into his stomach, then exhaled out wisps of blue flame. Then a grin struck his face.

"Bee-sensei you getting old, 'bout time you let some new blood take hold!
I spit Nibi flame fire all over my raps, this ain't a battle this nothing but a game!
Ka'rai Uzumaki, the name that yo girl sang when she was all over my dang-a-lang!!
My ego's ultra like Vegeta, man I wouldn't wanna be ya, when I give yo ego a shrinka, down to the size of your weiner, YEAHHH!!"

Ka'rai laughed, puffing out his chest in boasting confidence. "BAHAHA!! BEAT THAT!!"

"Hm… not bad…" Bee noted, nodding his head slowly. "You got potential; I'll give ya that, fool. Now, let my rhymes take you to school."

Bee didn't even bother to clear his throat before rapping.

"You think my weiner's small? Then you really a fool yo!
My thang's long like a tail of the Eight-o
You want some confirmation, then yo mama would say so!!"

Ka'rai's heart dropped.

"She sucked me up like an octopus tentacle!
Her mouth and some leeches do something identical—"

"OKAY STOP!!" Ka'rai wailed, frantically waving his hands in front of Bee's face. "YOU WIN!! YOU WIN!!"

Bee blinked behind his shades. "Well damn. You can't handle a diss toward your mother?"

"Wait, so that didn't actually happen?" Ka'rai asked, hope crossing his infantile-looking eyes.

Bee chuckled. "Oh it did, she never told—?"

Ka'rai screamed.

"Is… Is he okay…?" Yowui slowly asked Kay.

Kay shrugged, letting out an exasperated sigh. "I doubt it…"

They looked at Ka'rai, who was on the ground sobbing as if his entire family had just been brutally murdered directly in front of him. He dug his soaked face into the pool of tears on the concrete floor, shaking his head repeatedly as he called for his mama.

"Shit… uh…" Bee mumbled to himself, looking down at Ka'rai. "Maybe that was a lil' too much…"

Bee shifted toward his grieving student. "Ka'rai—"

"YOU SOILED MY MAMA!!" he wailed, pointing a finger at Bee and glaring at him with an ugly crying face fit for a newborn baby.

Yowui scratched the back of his head. "Y'know what, I think imma go…"

"Bye Yowui," Kay said with a wave as he walked off. She sighed before walking toward Ka'rai and crouching. "Ka'rai, it's gonna be okay. Your mom's gonna come and explain everything."

Ka'rai sniffled, nodding slowly. "Okay."

As if it was on cue, Arasei walked out of the crowd. Her eyes widened with concern as she gazed at the scene.

“MAMA!!” Ka’rai wailed, almost running over Kay in his frantic charge as he sprinted toward Arasei and tackled her with a hug.

She hugged him back and looked at her son’s teammate and sensei. “What happened?!”

“So, you see,” Bee began. “Ka’rai challenged me to a rap battle, so I cooked him up like some fresh cattle!”

Arasei sighed, shaking her head. “What did you say?”

“He-He said…” Ka’rai sniffled. “You sucked him up like an octopus tentacle!!” whined the fourteen-year-old infant.

Arasei blushed, before covering her mouth and giving Bee a disapproving glare. He put his hands up defensively. “Am I wrong though?!”

“That’s not the point,” Arasei stated, wiping her nose and pointing at him. “The point is, you shouldn’t have said that.”

Bee let out a defeated sigh. Arasei nodded in approval. “Good, now say sorry,” Arasei ordered, turning Ka’rai around to face his sensei.

“Ka’rai, I apologize for the vulgar comments I made toward your mother, no matter how true they may be,” Bee apologized saltily.

Ka’rai frowned, huffing as he looked to his feet. “Fuck you.”

“Ka’rai,” Arasei warned sternly.

Bee smirked. “That’s what I did to yo mama.”

Ka’rai wailed.

“...And we’re leaving,” Arasei stated as she turned around and grabbed Ka’rai, but not before looking toward Kay. “I am so sorry.”

Kay bowed. “It’s alright.”

“Good,” Arasei said breathily as she left with her consoling her son, leaving a snickering Bee and a stoic Kay.

⁑♨—ϟ—♨⁑

Ka’rai lay on the couch, his head on his mother’s lap as she rested a comforting hand on his head. “Are you better now?” she asked.

“Yeah…” Ka’rai mumbled. “That was embarrassing.” Suddenly, he shot up and held his head, his face cringing with pain.

Arasei’s eyes widened. “What’s wrong?!”

“I just thought of what’s gonna happen when Cirru hears about this!” Ka’rai lamented. “NO!!”

Arasei sighed. “You’ll have to deal with that when the time comes; I’m sure reminding him how you beat him in front of a crowd of people will do the trick.”

“Oh,” Ka’rai realized, his demeanor shifting to normal. “That’ll definitely do the trick!!”

Arasei nodded slowly. “Mhm… now that you’re better, we have to talk about something serious.”

“What is it?” he asked, straightening his posture.

Arasei looked her son in the eyes sternly. He flinched. “You need to start taking things seriously. I talked with Lord Raikage about your performance at Nibasu, and he said your main issue is that you have no strategy, and you don’t take things seriously.

“Honestly, it’s my fault. I failed to instill you with the proper discipline that a Shinobi should have in favor of keeping your anger under control. If you don’t take things seriously as a Shinobi, it can lead to your death and the death of your allies.”

Ka’rai pursed his lips. “Uh… but I can just ask The Nibi for more power.”

“You can’t always rely on the Nibi. Its best interest is protecting you so it doesn’t die. What about your friends? Your teammates? Bee isn’t always going to be there to protect you, Ka’rai.”

Ka’rai scratched the back of his head and laughed. “Uhm…”

“I thought of a way to fix that,” Arasei stated, pulling out a Shogi board from under the couch and placing it on the coffee table. “You and I will play; you know the rules, right?”

Ka’rai nodded.

“Good. If I win against you, then you’re gonna lose all your Dragon Ball Manga,” Arasei informed.

Ka’rai gasped with widened eyes. “NO!! But that’s not fair! I don’t play Shogi at all!”

“The world isn’t fair. Now, you’re gonna keep playing me in Shogi, and until you win, you’re not gonna have your Dragon Ball Manga. The more you lose, the more manga you’ll lose,” she said, before pondering. “Maybe I can take One Piece next?”

Ka’rai clenched his fists. “NO!! I’ll be so bored!”

“You could practice Shogi in the meantime,” Arasei suggested with a smile. She stood and sat at the opposite side of the table. “Let’s play.”

Ka’rai ignited the fire in his heart and sat at his end of the Shogi board with vigor. “Y’know what? I’ll win, and you won’t take a single page of manga away from me!!”

“We’ll see,” Arasei said with a small smile.

They played the game; it lasted five minutes. Needless to say, Ka’rai went to bed without his Dragon Ball Manga.

⁑♨—ϟ—♨⁑

Yowui was nauseous. His entire small apartment seemed to rock and sway back and forth, up and down, and side to side. He was curled into a ball, smothering himself with the hand-knit blanket his mother made him… he didn’t know if having that blanket made the problem better or worse.

He knew for years that if he wanted to become a Shinobi, he’d have to leave his family. But he wasn’t prepared for how that would affect him. He thought he’d be used to it when he had to wake up at four in the morning just to make the four-hour walk from his farm to Kumo, and then after a grueling day of work at the academy, take the walk back home in time for dinner. 

He missed his parents. He missed his mother’s warm, fresh, and organic meals that he had for breakfast and dinner. He missed when he helped his father milk the cows and feed the pigs. He missed wrestling the mud with his brothers under the warm sun… when he thought he was the strongest.

How naïve he was. Now he had the same microwaved breakfast, lunch, and dinner because he was too focused on other things to learn how to cook. Now he barely had anything fun to do; all the public outings in Kumo were disinteresting and cluttered, nothing like his home. Now it was cold and lonely, with no family, and the sun was always smothered by clouds. He wasn’t the strongest anymore. He was the weakest… by a painfully large margin.

He wondered what made those wardens at boot camp think he was exceptional; there was nothing special about him. Not like Ka’rai, not like Kay, and most certainly not like Bee-sensei.

But… he was here now, and unlike his fight with Clowui, he couldn’t give up. He was too far in to back out, and he knew he couldn’t return home a sulking failure. His parents told him to always make the best of an unpleasant situation… not that he’d call this a bad situation. He was just whining, after all. 

He would try his best, become a decent Shinobi, and make his family proud; after that, he’d retire, find a nice guy to settle with, and improve the farm with the money he made as a Shinobi alongside his brothers. Then… he’d be happy.

⁑♨—ϟ—♨⁑

Kay walked through the moonlit hallway. The stone walls were etched with carvings of coyotes from various walks of life. Some were newborns, pups, adolescents, adults, and elderly… all of which had their fangs bore and their ears pulled back, ready to defend whatever was inside at all costs. 

Kay came to the end of the hall and opened the door, which was shaped like a coyote’s mouth. She entered and immediately bowed. “Good evening, mother, father.”

“Hello, Kay. How did your mission go?” Her father asked.

Kay kept her head down. “It went well and I’ve already transferred the pay into the family fund.”

“Good job, Kay!” her mother cheered in a posh accent. 

Kay nodded. “Thank you, mother, but I have another mission that I took last night.”

“Without our permission…?” Her father inquired, leaning forward in his chair. 

Kay kept her composure as a wave of chills washed over her body. “Yes, but it will not interfere too greatly with anything you wish me to do. It’s a long-term mission; Lord Raikage needed me to watch over the Nibi Jinchuriki as to prevent another situation like what happened to the previous one. I’m on a Genin Team.”

“I see,” her father huffed. “You do realize how valuable you are as the only Shinobi in our Cessitsu Family? A prodigy at that…”

Kay nodded. “I do, and this mission will help me become more powerful and valuable as an asset to the family. I’ll be training directly under Lord Killer Bee.”

“Hmm,” her father pondered. “Okay then, I’ll accept this. On a side note… one of our competitors is becoming too prominent, a certain Kanaye Saito. Take care of him,” he commanded.

Kay stood. “Yes father, he’ll be dead by the end of the night,” she assured, before turning her back and exiting the building. Once she left, she made true to the promise she gave her father.

⁑♨—ϟ—♨⁑

The Furachi Clan compound was built in the sky, deep into Kumo’s haze near the border. Each building was connected to each other via bridges with entire wooden buildings jutting out of mountain passes seeming to mystically float in the air as it defied the laws of gravity.

Cirru walked through a bridge with a smirk. That bastard Chunin’s gonna get what’s coming to him. 

The bridge he walked on was the one that was highest above the ground below. It loomed above the rest of the populated compound like a distant tree branch. Cirru reached the end of the bride and it led building carved into a snowy mountaintop.

His home.

He walked into his home and didn’t even bother to drop his belongings down before going straight into his father’s room. The room of the Furachi Clan Head. 

“Father!” Cirru called as he stormed into the room.

His father raised a brow as he looked up from his paperwork. “The hell’s wrong with you?”

“Father, you won’t believe what happened while I was at that filthy boot camp!”

He nodded slowly. “Uh huh…”

“While we were being tested, some bastard Chunin needlessly insulted me! He was of no Clan or notable heritage, and I say it’s only right that you punish that peasant for his unruly and disrespectful behavior,” Cirru exclaimed.

His father blinked slowly. He let out a deep breath and rubbed his eyes. “Not this bullshit again…”

“What?” Cirru questioned.

He shook his head. “Just because you’re my son, doesn’t mean everyone is going to automatically respect you. Who you are barely matters unless you can back it up; you were unable to prove how much your heritage mattered against that Chunin, so he was able to walk all over you like he rightfully did.”

“But… you raised me to be proud of my heritage! I—”

“I raised you to be proud, but right now, you’re being arrogant. Maybe I should take some of your privileges; I tried to be different from my father, who made me work for every single little thing I wanted. I trusted you not to act like how you’re acting now. I gave you faith when you displayed it before! It looks like both were misplaced,” his father scolded.

Cirru stepped back as he watched his father stand. “No more fancy clothes for you.”

“Father, no!” Cirru shouted as he attempted to stop him from leaving the room.

His father laughed. “Oh? So you think you can stand in my way?” he rhetorically asked before knocking him to the floor with a gust of wind. “I’ll be taking your bedsheets now as well.”

“NO!!” Cirru sputtered as he stood back up. 

His father looked back at him. “Y’know what? No more anything for you, actually. I’ll be raising you exactly how my father did from this point on. Thank you for showing me my mistake. You’ll have to earn every single luxury you’ll ever get. Got it?”

Cirru didn’t respond, only clenching his fists and gritting his teeth.

He smiled. “Glad you understand,” he said before walking out of the room, leaving Cirru alone with himself.

Cirru slammed his fist into the wooden floor. “Damn it all…” he mumbled under his breath. Everything in his world was flipped on its head, and he barely had an explanation to go with it. 

Hot blood pumped through his veins as he stared into the polished wooden floor he recently cracked with his fist. If his father wanted him to work for what he wanted, then so be it! He would work and work and then he’d make his father eat his words. So what if he was arrogant?

He earned the right to be arrogant; he earned the right to demand respect, and he would only gain more through this new regiment his father forced upon him. His face contorted into his signature smirk, and he let out a devious chuckle. He’d have his luxuries back within the week.

⁑♨—ϟ—♨⁑

Killer Bee stood with his back facing a lake, looking upon his three new students who had their backs to a rocky plain that was situated under Kumo’s haze, with the village above barely visible. The two boys looked completely and utterly mentally battered. 

“Please tell me we’re not doing any more D-Ranks,” Yowui pleaded.

Ka’rai nodded desperately. “We already did ten today.”

“And you weren’t even there for any of them!” Yowui accused.

Bee snickered. “You thought I’d be doing that shit with you? Fool,” he muttered, shaking his head. “To answer your question, we ain’t doing any more D-Ranks. It’s training time.”

“YES!!” Ka’rai cheered as his exhaustion burned to ash. “Okay, so what cool jutsu are you gonna teach us?!”

Bee laughed. “I have something planned for you. Go sit over there and admire the view,” he commanded, pointing to the lake behind him. 

Ka’rai’s smile shattered as it fell into a frown. “...I have to wait?”

Bee nodded dismissively as he walked over to Yowui and Kay, leaving Ka’rai alone with his disappointment. “Alright, Yowui, you got a lot to learn. Right now Kay and Ka’rai are trees and you’re a fern. So, right now I’ll have Kay teach you what you need to grow.”

“But… doesn’t she need training herself…?” Yowui questioned, hiding his disappointment as best he could. 

Kay shook her head. “No, it’s fine. Right now Ka’rai needs special help from Bee-sensei, and you also take priority since you need to catch up with your training for the team to be as strong as it could be!”

“That’s right, yo! I’ll be back soon enough so hold on tight!” Bee rapped as he made his exit.

“So, I’m holding the team back?” he asked Kay, a little disheartened.

Kay smiled assuredly. “Not for long, you won’t. What do you think you need to work on right now?”

“Uh… everything.”

Kay shook her head. “You can’t work on everything at once.”

“Right… I guess my strong suit would be physical stuff, like Taijutsu and other things… even though I never really got to show it… Breaking out the Genjutsu was pretty easy during graduation, too, I guess,” Yowui muttered.

Kay pondered. “So, you can build your fighting style around that. You can use Ninjutsu and weapons to enhance your already strong Taijutsu!”

“Yeah… that’s why Eff-sensei taught me the Storm Breaker Fist,” Yowui realized. Suddenly, his face lit up. “Teach me about weapons! You have a mace, so you’re good at that, right?”

Kay smiled. “I am! What do you want to start with?”

“Just kunai for now; I have an idea… ”

⁑♨—ϟ—♨⁑

Meanwhile, Ka’rai looked across the gray lake, bored out of his mind. Luckily for him, his boredom would end very soon.

“Yo, yo, yo Ka’rai!”

He leapt up to his feet and beamed at his sensei. “BEE-SENSEI! I didn’t have to wait very long.”

“Yeah, maybe I should’ve taken longer… well, that doesn’t matter. Let’s focus on making you stronger!”

Ka’rai grinned. “So, what are you gonna teach me?!”

“How much do you know about the Bijuu, Ka’rai?” Bee asked.

Ka’rai placed a hand on his chin. “Hmm… There are nine Bijuu, and they all have one through nine tails… and they’re really big and very strong, the strongest beings that exist.”

“You know about as much as everyone else does,” Bee muttered, shaking his head. “Fool ya fool.”

Ka’rai chuckled and gave a sheepish grin. “Well, there wasn’t really anyone to tell me anything advanced…”

“Don’t worry about it yo, my Bijuu Rap will tell you everything you need to know!” Bee announced and Ka’rai cheered. He cleared his throat. “Alright—!” He stopped. “Wait, huh?”

Ka’rai’s smile faded as he raised his brow. “What’s wrong?”

“Hmph, Eight-o wants to speak with you,” Bee informed with a hand on his chin. “He’s tired of my raps…”

Ka’rai’s eyes widened. “No way… I thought Bijuu didn’t like talking if The Nibi’s anything to go by.”

“Nah, Eight-o and I talk all the time!” Bee said before sticking his fist out. “Bump my fist.”

Ka’rai slowly reached his fist out, trembling ever so slightly with anticipation and slight fear even. After all, he was about to meet a Bijuu. One of the nine strongest beings to ever exist. His fist hit Bee’s and cold washed over his body as the world went blank.

When it regained color, he was in a field, surrounded by mountains. The sky was a clear azure, and he could smell a sea breeze coming from the west. He looked toward the salty winds and he could hear waves crashing against the rock. He admired the carvings on the mountains, hieroglyphic tellings of stories, all of which had an octopus with the body of an Ox and the arms of a man at the center stage.

Above the hieroglyphs was a stone statue of the very same creature that was written about on the walls. Despite looking like hard rock, it glowed with the color of amethysts and shimmered like a starry night sky.

“Woah…” Ka’rai gaped. “This isn’t Kumo.”

Bee shook his head. “It’s not. This is my mindscape. I’m sure you can guess who lives here.”

The ground shook, and Ka’rai nearly buckled to his knees. Bee laughed as the ocean from behind the mountains erupted into a massive plume that rained down on the two like a salty storm. Following the eruption came a looming purple beast, exactly like the statue.

It made its way over the mountain using its tentacles and landed before Ka’rai and Bee with a thunderous quake. Ka’rai paled. All he could feel from the beast was utter strength. 

It was nothing he’d ever seen before. 

“Hello, Ka’rai Uzumaki.”

“S-shit…” Ka’rai mumbled as he looked up at the Bijuu before him. The Holder of Power. The Hachibi .

Bee raised his brow. “What? You’ve never seen a Bijuu before?” he questioned with a chuckle.

“No… the Nibi’s only been a voice in my head…” Ka’rai mumbled as he looked up at the Hachibi. “Hey, Hachibi! Nice to meet you!”

It looked over at Bee. “So, this is Nibi’s new Jinchuriki. I’m sure she doesn’t like him at all.”

“Yeah—wait she?!” Ka’rai asked shaking his head with widened eyes.

The Hachibi gave him a blank stare, and Ka’rai froze. “This kid doesn’t know a damn thing about Bijuu, doesn’t he?”

Bee shook his head in disappointment. “Nope.”

Ka’rai chuckled and looked toward his feet. “So… you’re a dude…?”

“I am,” The Hachibi answered flatly. “Before I tell you anything else, I would like to let you know that the Bijuu are as sentient as any man. With names, personalities, and everything else.”

Ka’rai nodded slowly. “That makes sense… Well, what’s your name?”

“Most Bijuu hold their names in great regard and are unwilling to share them with those who are unworthy. I am one of those Bijuu. I will tell you my name once I deem you strong. Your sensei here had to spend years proving his strength to me to learn my name and full cooperation,” The Hachibi explained.

Bee nodded in agreement. “And you’ll have to do the same thing to prove your worth to the Nibi, yo!”

“So, I just have to be strong…?” Ka’rai asked.

The Hachibi shook his head. “No, different Bijuu have different standards.”

“Okay okay! So… what did you want to see me for?” 

The Hachibi cleared his throat. “To teach you about the Bijuu, and to spare my ears from Bee’s raps for the time being.”

“Hey fool! If you think my raps aint cool, then you can catch one of my ninja tools, yo!” Bee rapped defensively.”

The Hachibi huffed, blowing a breeze that knocked both Ka’rai and Bee to the floor. “Sit down. This will take a while. I’ll teach you what you need to know while respecting the privacy of my siblings.”

Ka’rai sat up and nodded, giving the Hachibi his full attention while Bee brushed himself off.

“Over a thousand years ago, there was a being known as the Juubi. The Juubi was how most of humanity views Bijuu today. Destruction incarnate. It had no mind, no sentience, no consciousness, all it did was destroy. Our father, the Sage of the Six Paths split the Juubi into nine separate entities.

“Those entities were the Bijuu. He granted each of us a name and a domain of nature to watch over. He then passed,” the Hachibi explained, his expression turning solemn.

“The reason why Bijuu such as I value our names so highly is because we see it as a final gift from our father, something sacred that shouldn’t be sullied by the likes of those unworthy. However, Shukaku: The Ichibi, and Son Goku: The Yonbi are proud of the names that father gifted them and wish to have them known.”

Ka’rai nodded slowly. “I’d be like that.”

“Hmph,” The Hachibi grunted dismissively. “All of the nine Bijuu have domain over an aspect of nature; our job is to watch over and develop that domain to keep the world in order.

“Shukaku has domain over the earth, the Nibi has domain over death, the Sanbi has domain over the waterways, Son Goku has domain over natural energy, the Gobi has domain over knowledge, the Rokubi has domain over decomposition, the Nanabi has domain over the sky, I have domain over strength, and the Kyuubi has domain over Balance.”

Ka’rai paused. “Death…” he mumbled, touching the seal on his chest.” What does that mean? And how does that relate to fire…?”

“Not all of the Bijuu’s abilities relate directly to their domain. If you want to more about the Nibi, then you should ask her yourself.”

Ka’rai chuckled. “Uh… I’ll see what—”

Call upon my Chakra. I wish to be a part of this conversation.

Ka’rai smiled. “You bet!!”

“Ka’rai, what are you—?” Bee started before being interrupted by a bone-rattling tremor. The half of the mindscape where Ka’rai’s back faced suddenly shone as bright as the surface of the sun. Golden light blinded Bee and even caused the Hachibi to shield his eyes.

Then an eruption of cobalt blue overtook the gold, and the light died down, revealing the Nibi sitting behind a cage of white light surrounded by a golden void. The chill of death rattled the human’s spines. “Hello, Hachibi,” she greeted with an edge to her tone.

“ Woah… ” Ka’rai gaped, trembling with utter terror. Yet, he couldn’t help but smile. “So, this is what you look like…”

Bee bowed his head with a shudder. “It’s an honor to be in your presence, Nibi.”

“Nibi…” The Hachibi greeted. “Why did you want to see me?”

The Nibi narrowed her eyes, “I overheard the lesson you gave to my jailer. I find it interesting how you left out a large portion of the Bijuu’s history. How despite the fact that we were the ones keeping the world in order, humans still hated us for the most part.

“You left out how I was the first Bijuu to be enslaved after the Uzumaki Clan imprisoned the Shinigami and allowed the cycle of spirits to fall apart at the seams. You also left out how the people of the Land of Wind betrayed Shukaku and enslaved him as well, how the Land of Water did the same to the Sanbi, and how the Kyuubi was used like a tool wielded by the hatred of humanity only to be locked away, followed by the rest of us!

“I remember when you were the strongest Bijuu aside from the Kyuubi, when your will was as immovable as the mountains and as strong as the oceans. When you knew who you were, bowed to nobody…” The Nibi’s flames roared as her face remained still. “Now you’ve been domesticated by this human !” She sneered, directing her glare and presence directly on Bee.

He plummeted to his knees, holding his chest, futily forcing any ounce of breath out of his lungs that he could. Ka’rai ran over to him and attempted to support him with wide and frantic eyes. “Sensei! Bee-sensei!” he called, shaking him as sweat dropped from both him and Bee. “Nibi! Stop! Please!” Ka’rai pleaded.

She huffed, and Bee let out a relieved breath, attempting to catch the rest that he lost. “How far you’ve fallen, Hachibi ,” The Nibi scolded, refocusing her gaze on the Hachibi who matched it with one of rage. “You wish to respect our sibling’s privacy, and yet you don’t seem to respect our freedom the same way… considering you aided in my recapture… which resulted in me being imprisoned inside of him, ” she stated, tilting her head toward Ka’rai as his heart dropped.

“Well, Nibi,” The Hachibi began with a growl echoing in the grit of his voice. “I’d like you to consider this. I work with humans. I get to roam free in an environment suited to my liking; you despise them, you’re locked in a cage,” The Hachibi spat with waves of anger causing ripples in the grass, surges in the ocean, and quakes in the mountains. 

“Do not mistake my alliance with Kumo as weakness; I work with humans because it is the only way to the job father bestowed upon me in the current situation. Humans are a part of nature. Father was human. To destroy them would be destroying him and his legacy. You wish to eradicate father’s legacy and nothing anger’s me more than a slight against my father!! ” The Hachibi bellowed as the earth split loud like a thunderclap.

The Nibi simply narrowed her eyes. “Perhaps, father was wrong to believe in humanity. You can see as well as I what they’ve done. Without Shukaku, the soil has become static and infertile. Without me the balance of spirits is in tatters. Without the Sanbi the oceans have become filthy and erratic. Without the Yonbi, the natural energy of the world has become congested… need I go on? The reason why we are unable to do our jobs is because humans have enslaved us.”

“Humanity is no monolith, you can see it with Bee. He’s been using my power to keep the balance of strength and power in the world. He is the reason why volcanoes continue erupting or don’t erupt too powerfully, he’s the reason why earthquakes don’t destroy the weakened earth beneath our feet. It is very possible to keep the earth in order from inside a Jinchuriki,” The Hachibi explained, calming his temper.

The Nibi’s flames ceased their roar and calmed. “I’m disappointed in you, Hachibi. You fail to realize that you are still ultimately subject to the whims of that human—”

“And I’m disappointed in you, ” The Hachibi spat. “I don’t care that you don’t trust me, or trust humanity, but that you fail to believe in father… and his legacy, and his will. Now leave,” the Hachibi commanded.

The Nibi scoffed, then retracted her chakra from the mindscape. The green field and tanned mountains overtook the golden void where the Nibi once stood and she eventually faded away in wisps. 

“I apologize,” The Hachibi said to them as he looked down.

Ka’rai shook his head, still cold—still trembling . “No… no, it’s my fault. I brought her in here.”

“But what she said was right for the most part. Because the Bijuu have been sealed by humanity, the world has fallen out of balance,” The Hachibi explained with a sigh.

Ka’rai nodded slowly. “I wanna talk to her.”

“The Nibi?” Bee questioned with a raised brow. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

Ka’rai huffed. “I don’t care whether it’s a good idea, but I want to talk to her, one on one. It’s something… I think I need to do.”

“I wish you luck, Ka’rai. It was a pleasure meeting you,” The Hachibi said, retracting his chakra and exiting the void, leaving just Ka’rai and Bee alone in Ka’rai’s golden void of a mind. 

Bee walked toward him and placed a hand on his head. Ka’rai looked up with a curious glint in his eyes.

"Be careful, Ka'rai. A Bijuu is still a force to be reckoned with even behind a seal…" Bee explained before gaining an uncharacteristic frown. "Eight-o tried to kill me once."

Ka'rai's eyes widened. 

"He almost succeeded as well. Yugito died because I wasn't there for her like I should have been. I won't let that happen to you. If I feel anything going wrong, I'll pull you out, got it?" Bee assured.

Ka'rai nodded. "Yeah! I got it!"

"Good!" Bee cheered, reacquiring his signature joy and swagger. "So go and talk to the Nibi, then you might be able to use her power freely!"

Ka'rai laughed. "That's what I'm gonna do!"

"See ya, fool," Bee said before fading out of Ka'rai's mindscape, leaving him alone. He took a deep breath, still feeling his sensei's presence. He inhaled once again, controlling the shake of his body as he closed his eyes; he exhaled, his entire body shuddering to its core as he opened his eyes. He summoned the chakra of the Nibi, and she appeared in a cobalt blue inferno behind a cage.

She stared down at Ka'rai with the only movement hailing from the flickering of her flaming coat. "Hello again, Ka'rai."

"Hey, Nibi," Ka'rai greeted with a nervous chuckle.

The Nibi moved her head toward Ka'rai, so close that her flames flickered outside the cage. Ka'rai looked up at her, being utterly dwarfed by the Bijuu. He felt the sear his skin starting to burn from being so close. His hair was pushed back by the radiating waves of heat.

"Do you hate me?" Ka'rai asked, looking the Nibi in the eyes.

"I do," she answered.

"Why do you hate me?" he inquired with a tilt of his head.

"Because you are my jailer. Because you are a human who continues to uphold the system that destroyed the balance of the world… and because you are an Uzumaki, a member of the clan who enslaved the Shinigami," she told with a tone that held the stillness of death.

Ka'rai pondered. "Well, is there anything I can do for you to not hate me?"

"You can free me."

Ka'rai chuckled. "Sorry… I can't really do that. That would kill me, and you'd destroy Kumo."

"Then, there is nothing you can do," The Nibi stated, retracting from the edge of the cage.

Ka'rai wiped the sweat from his brow. "I don't believe that. Bee-sensei told me that Hachibi tried to kill him once, and now they're friends. I want to work together with you. You can help me become stronger, and I can help you… be friends with dead people…?"

"You don't even know what you'd be agreeing to," The Nibi said, shaking her head. "You've always been foolish."

Ka'rai smiled. "Then help me be not foolish! How did you help the world? How do your powers work? What's your story, Nibi? How do I become worthy enough to know your name?"

The Nibi narrowed her eyes, analyzing Ka'rai as she approached him. Ka’rai stepped forward, pushing through the waves of heat to stand mere feet from the bars of the Nibi’s cage. He looked up at her from behind the bars with a grin splitting his face.

“You do realize how easy it would be for me to kill you, right?” The Nibi questioned, increasing the intensity of her flames as concentric circles of cobalt blue whirled around in Ka’rai’s mindscape.

Ka’rai stood firm. “I do, but something’s telling me you won’t.”

The Nibi extinguished her flames. She closed her eyes. The black flames on her coat swirled like a cage of restraint as the blue simmered in an attempt to break out. “I will… work with you, Ka’rai,” she stated, as her coat regained composure.. 

Ka’rai beamed. “YES!!” he cheered. “So, what’s your name?”

“You haven’t earned the right to speak my name,” The Nibi nearly spat with her fires peaking ever so slightly before dying down just as quickly. As stoic as she was before, she continued. “However, I will tell you what you need to do, and what you need to work toward to help me.”

Ka’rai nodded, completely oblivious to the streak of rage the Nibi showed. He sat down and crossed his legs. “All ears!”

“The task bestowed upon me by my father was to keep the balance of spirits between the living world and the afterlife. I worked alongside the Shinigami. I found the lost spirits by splitting my being into countless Nekomata, and he would send them to the afterlife where they belonged.”

Ka’rai raised his hand. “How does a spirit become lost?”

“Sometimes, when people die, their souls simply don’t make it to the pure lands; it can happen for a plethora of reasons. If lost spirits don’t enter the pure lands, then the living world will be overcome with the dead. Places become haunted by vengeful ghosts. Past battlefields are a common place for this to happen; someone’s soul can even be trapped inside objects… sometimes creating powerful artifacts.”

Ka’rai gaped. “Woah… So all those ghost stories mama used to tell me about are real?”

“They can be,” the Nibi answered, almost glaring at Ka’rai with her glowing eyes of green and yellow discolor.

Ka’rai pondered. “I see… Can you tell me about your powers now?”

“I’ll tell you about those as they become relevant. That goes for other aspects of what I do to keep the balance between life and death. Now, I will give you my first task as my… partner,” The Nibi said, and Ka’rai looked up at her. There was silence as they looked each other in the eyes, only the low crackle of the Nibi’s flames and the hum of Ka’rai’s mindscape to be heard; the two sounds seemed to war in a conflict of deafening silence, Innocence—ignorance, against deceit—opportunism… and neither side showed any sign of giving way.

“I need you to restore my full power. Another thing Hachibi left out was that a Bijuu’s power deteriorates over time from behind a seal; I am only a fraction of my former self… and the same goes for most of the Bijuu,” The Nibi explained, pressing her will over Ka’rai with a glare.

Ka’rai pursed his lips, unaffected by the Nibi’s glare. “Damn… So, how do I get you back to full strength?”

“The first thing you can do is loosen the seal to where some of your chakra drips into the seal, giving me power. However, what is more effective is using my power , ” The Nibi emphasized, encroaching more of her will onto Ka’rai.

Ka’rai nodded slowly, wiping the sweat from his forehead. “I see… That sounds like it’ll take forever.”

“It will take time, but it will be worth it in the end,” the Nibi affirmed, retracting her will as she watched Ka’rai laugh and walk toward her with a distasteful, yet curious glint in her eyes.. 

Ka’rai placed a hand on the golden bars of the cage and smiled up at the Nibi. “I can’t wait to get you out of here.”

The Nibi’s eyes glowed yellow and green as her coat of flames purred with anticipation. “And I can’t wait to be out.”

ϟ—Chapter End—ϟ

Chapter Text

ϟ— Chapter Five  — Smokestacks Glowing Blue—ϟ

Waves crashed against Bee’s back. The sky above was an expansive azure with not a cloud in sight; it only held the golden sun's rays which beamed heat down on Bee as he sat down on the Hachibi’s shoulder.

“I’m worried about Ka’rai and the Nibi,” Bee admitted, looking into the sky. “He told me they’re working together for now, but the intent I sensed from the Nibi wasn’t entirely pure.”

The Hachibi huffed. “I agree. I sensed it as well. I’d just leave them be—”

“I let Yugito be with the Nibi, and looked at what happened to her!” Bee argued, clenching his fists. “I need to be there with him; I know I built a relationship with you on my own, but—”

“Then why don’t you trust Ka’rai to do the same?” The Hachibi asked, silencing Bee. “Nibi’s not stupid enough to kill her own Jinchuriki in a blind rage. She’s smart, and she’ll be smart enough to know that the best decision is to work with Ka’rai.”

Bee sighed. “I don’t know yo… After what happened with Yugito, I don’t know if I can completely trust the Nibi.”

“Then take it from me, Bee, I’ve known Nibi for the time of your life hundreds of times over, and I trust her to make the right decision,” The Hachibi assured, looking into the sky along Bee. “If you can't trust her, then trust me.”

Bee took a deep breath “Alright, Eight-o… I’ll trust you. But I’ll still do everything I can to help Ka’rai.”

“You’re his sensei, that’s your job,” The Hachibi said with a chuckle that shook the land.

Bee chuckled as well. “Right…” 

“Just do your job, and everything is going to end well,” The Hachibi said.

Bee nodded and let out a sigh. “I just hope he doesn’t do anything stupid…”

⁑♨—ϟ—♨⁑

The shrouding fog spiraled around the radiant blue epicenter. Chiseled stones marked with names and dates were decorated with shrines and lit with candle fire of subdued sandstone. A shockwave whirled from the epicenter and the spiral formed into a wave that washed over the graves in a haze. The sandstone candles ignited into a cobalt blue, and giddy giggles echoed over the armada of miniature roaring flames.

This is where I am at my most powerful, The Nibi informed Ka’rai’s head. He was laughing to himself. His shirt burned off due to the glowing blue seal on his chest leaking fire like a dam about to burst. His muscles pulsed with power and his eyes shone with ominous yellow and green.

When I am surrounded by death.

“This is fucking cool,” Ka’rai beamed with his fangs extending past his curled lips. Black flames danced across his face in the pattern of a feline’s features. “I’m not even consciously calling upon your chakra and I still feel so strong!”

You should be quiet, you’re trespassing, The Nibi suggested as Ka’rai’s chest shook.

“Yeah, yeah, I know,” Ka’rai dismissed. “So, you just have to kill a bunch of people, and the stronger I get?”

The stronger I get, not you, The Nibi corrected. All of the Bijuu have certain conditions to meet to access their full power. 

“I see, which Bijuu is the strongest?” Ka’rai asked.

All the Bijuu are equal in strength at their full power. However, the Kyuubi’s ability is to always be at his full power. So, I would say that the Kyuubi is the strongest Bijuu.

“Wait, so are you the second strongest?”

I said that all Bijuu are equal in strength.

“But death powers have to make you pretty strong, right...?”

I am by no definition of the word weak, Ka’rai; The Nibi said sternly.

“But didn’t you say you were weakened?” Ka’rai questioned with a raised brow.

The Nibi sighed and Ka’rai’s body vibrated.

“Wait, since all the Bijuu are weakened in some way, other than the Kyuubi, who still has the most strength left?” 

Shukaku. Despite being the first Bijuu to be sealed, he never left the desert. The desert is where Shukaku is strongest, so I doubt he lost an ounce of strength.

“So, if we beat him, then we’ll prove that you’re the second strongest Bijuu!”

No, I will not wage war against my siblings for such frivolous reasons.

“Aw,” Ka’rai pouted, “Anyway—”

“HEY!!” shouted a deep voice.

“Shit—!” Ka’rai cursed, before pouncing out of the graveyard in a cobalt blue streak. When he looked down, he saw himself over a hundred feet in the air, barely able to see the water below through the haze. He tensed his body and turned into a fireball that plummeted through the fog. He slammed into the water like a meteor and left a bubbling steam stack where he landed.

He climbed out of the water, covered in steam as the blue glow on his seal subdued. “I don’t think I would’ve survived that if I didn’t have your chakra. Thank you Nibi, you’re the best,” he thanked, patting the seal affectionately.

The Nibi sighed, You’re welcome… Ka’rai.

⁑♨—ϟ—♨⁑

It had only been a day after his first day of training… he felt marginally better. Yowui kicked a rock in his path. It was day two, and he hoped that another day of marginal improvement would make him feel marginally better.

After doing that for a while, he should be fine… right?

That was what he hoped, at the bare minimum. 

The bare minimum… that perfectly described him. He was barely deemed exceptional. He wouldn’t be surprised if he was only allowed to join a squad because there weren’t enough people for four sets of three. 

Yowui sighed.

Yowui dodged.

His eyes were wide. Another hit from behind. He dodged that too. The kunai he pulled from his pouch blocked another kunai. He leapt. Sparks of lightning flew under him. A weapon stabbed. Yowui grabbed the hand holding it. 

A kick to his head. Yowui stumbled. His grip remained. Yowui tossed the weapon holder back. Dual grunts preceded two bodies hitting the floor. Yowui stood fully upright and glared back at his two attackers. “What the hell is wrong with you?!!”

Two Genin huffed. “You don’t deserve to be on a Genin Team!!” one yelled, a girl. 

“Yeah!!” the disheveled boy on top of her agreed. “You gave up!!”

Yowui’s fists clenched. “Well, look who’s on the floor and who’s standing!!” he argued. It felt like it was one of his brothers annoying him on a bad day. “I’m stronger than you! Deal with it! Buzz off and go do something productive!”

The Genin huffed and retreated away from him. But not before sticking up four middle fingers at him. Yowui glared again, and they buzzed off. “So, damn annoying…” he muttered, barely registering what he did.

⁑♨—ϟ—♨⁑

The training was strenuous… and she just so happened to be the only one doing it. Taijutsu training with Etto-sensei, Ninjutsu training with Yama-sensei, and finally, Kenjutsu training with Jay-sensei… which she just so happened to be undertaking right now.

The rock under the snow scratched against her knees, not that she felt it—they were numb. 

“Hane…” drawled Jay with a yawn. “Get up. Today's drills end in an hour. ”

“I know—I know, ” she huffed before forcing herself to her feet. Hane brandished her Ninjato and bolted toward Jay. She was knocked down as she attempted to block a strike from his nine-foot Katana. 

Hane leapt up just as quickly only to duck and dodge yet another strike. Forward she ran, inside of his guard—if only she could get a single hit— 

A kick sent her flying. 

Fuck… she murmured.

“You’re gonna have to try harder than that.” Jay yawned again. 

She really didn’t feel so exceptional right now. The only reason why she was stuck here at this camp was because she was the odd one out, no space on any teams… while also being the worst of the best. A cold, ragged sigh was visible with her breath. With fire in her eyes—she charged. 

A dance of dodging and getting hit and getting up dragged for the remaining hour.

She didn’t land a single hit on Jay. 

A dozen curses poured from her mouth the next time she was alone.

⁑♨—ϟ—♨⁑

Ka’rai stood in front of his team, grinning shirtless and giving off steam.

“You… You what—?” Yowui asked, his jaw dropped.

Kay simply let out a deep, ragged sigh, with her face hidden behind her palm.

“Ka’rai, you have the brain of a swine! You just committed a crime! Fool ya fool!” Bee scolded.

“ But I made it in time for training! Plus! It’s not like I was grave robbing, I was just standing there, and I made the candles blue! If anything, I made it look better.”

“YOU LEFT EVIDENCE?!!” Yowui screamed.

Bee facepalmed. “You’re gonna have to serve some time, or more likely pay a fine. Don't expect me to help you out, fool ya fool!"

"Alright, alright," Ka'rai dismissed. "I've gone on missions. I have money."

Kay raised her brow. "What if you get put in prison?"

"I'm too important to be put in prison, Lord Raikage said so," Ka'rai brushed off with a haughty shrug. "Anyway, Bee-sensei; the Nibi told me about the other Bijuu a bit more. Can you tell me about the other Jinchuriki that you know?"

Bee sighed, before placing a hand on his chin to think. "Well, I did fight alongside Han, the Jinchuriki of the Gobi and Roshi, Jinchuriki of Son Goku. Because I helped them out, they had a decent relationship with their Bijuu, less so with Roshi; Son Goku is as stubborn as Eight-o.

"I couldn't tell you about Kiri's or Suna's… even though I have heard rumors that the Sanbi is out of Kiri's control. When it comes to Konoha, I heard that they somehow have two Kyuubi Jinchuriki's…"

Ka'rai furrowed his brow. "How the fuck does that work?"

"Beats me, yo," Bee said, shaking his head. "Now let's get to some training, bro!"

⁑♨—ϟ—♨⁑

The Chinoike Clan compound was built far below the haze of Kumo. The buildings were like brown, white, and red irises surrounded by the sclera cloudy gray water. Wooden bridges connected the irises like veiny strings of bark, eternally soaked by the liquid sclera beneath.

Clowui walked over the veins concealed by the fog above, her clothes dampened by the waves below. As she walked closer to her destination, the redder the water below became. She trekked deeper into the bloodstained lake as the waves calmed, and at the center stood a stone statue of the Ketsuryugan, the size of a house and the color of blood.

She walked up to the statue and placed a hand on it. The pupil on it glowed a neon purple as Clowui's eyes mirrored that of the monument. It split open, and a pool of pure blood churned with a gory scarlet. Clowui jumped in without hesitation. 

Clowui exited the bloody pool underground. She immediately grabbed the ceiling of the blood-dripping cave above. She pulled her feet up to stick to the surface. From her point of view, blood levitated from the floor with the darkness illuminated by gravity-defying pink flames.

There was an entire village sticking to the cave ceiling under the Chinoike Clan compound, unbeknownst to even the Raikage himself. Clowui set her sights on the centerpiece of the Chinoike Clan Village, a pyramid-like building of scarlet stone. She walked to it, entering the building to meet her mother.

"Greetings, Clowui," Machia said, laying her eyes on her daughter. "You followed the instructions as I told you. This is the true dwelling of our clan."

Clowui bowed. "Of course, mother. This place is nothing short of magnificent. How did you manage to hide it for so long?"

"Genjutsu," Machia answered before turning her back. "Follow me. This is not the only thing I have to show you."

Clowui walked behind her mother with a nod. Machia led her to another room, where there were images of eyes painted on the wall. There were two at the top, one purple eye with concentric circles around the pupil, beside it was a cyan eye with a flowerlike pattern of alice blue around a deep blue pupil. Clowui did not recognize those eyes.

Below the purple eye were two other eyes. A scarlet eye with‌ three tomoe on a hatched ring around the pupil. The Sharingan. Beside it was a golden eye with black stars around the pupil, another eye she did not recognize.

Below the cyan eye, there were also two eyes. One eye was a pure white with a barely visible pupil. The Byakugan. Beside the Byakugan was an eye she immediately recognized as the Ketsuryugan.

"These are all the known Dojutsu of the world," Machia informed, before pointing to the purple eye. "This is the Rinnegan, the eye of the Sage of Six Paths, a legendary eye that can even subdue the Bijuu.” 

She then pointed to the cyan eye. "This is the Tenseigan. Another eye of the Sage of the Six Paths. There are conflicting legends… some say he had the Rinnegan, others say he had the Tenseigan. None say both.

“These two eyes are the legendary Eyes of God. Anyone who possesses them is the strongest there is with no contest. Not even the Kyuubi can hold a candle to them. There are rumors of a man who holds the Tenseigan, but they’re flimsy. Other than that, nobody alive possesses a God Eye."

"I see…"

Machia pointed to the Byakugan and the Ketsuryugan. "Both the eyes of the Hyuuga and the eyes of the Chinoike are eyes derived from the Tenseigan. The Byakugan more so, with the Ketsuryugan being a mutation of the Byakugan."

Machia drove her finger to the golden eye. "Do you know of this eye?"

"I do not."

Machia nodded. "This is the Tokeigan. The eye of the Senko Clan, the Clan we kicked out of Kumogakure. Their eye has minor control over space and time, but even that minor control makes them formidable foes. Just like our eyes, the Tokeigan is a mutation of the Sharingan, which is the mortal form of the God Eye, Rinnegan."

"I see… But why are you telling me all of this?"

Machia smiled ever so slightly under the eerie light of the pink flames. "Because you need to know this in order to further the ultimate goal of our clan. To create the Ultimate Dojutsu."

Clowui's eyes widened. "Ultimate… Dojutsu?"

"Yes, daughter. We need to obtain a Rinnegan and a Tenseigan. Mix those eyes with the Ketsuryugan and Tokeigan, respectively. Once we perfect the two bloodlines of God Eyes, we will mix those eyes together… creating the Ultimate Dojutsu, the God Eye of the God Eyes…" Machia explained.

Clowui nodded slowly. "Why set off on such a journey?"

"This has been our clan's purpose for generations. Our ancestors refused to simply live in this world. So we gave ourselves a goal to work toward. I am telling you this because you are now a Shinobi, and as the heiress to the clan, it is your right to know."

Clowui set her head straight, and her gaze hardened. "I understand. How can I help with this?"

"I'm glad that you're eager. I already have a task set for you. There is an upcoming Chunin Exams in Konoha. Five months from now. There, a new ally of ours, Orochimaru of the Sannin, is going to infiltrate it to obtain the Sharingan.

"We have a common goal in the Sharingan. I need you to work alongside him to ensure everything goes smoothly," Machia informed. "Starting today, I will train you in more advanced jutsu of our clan. Are you ready, daughter?"

Clowui bowed, her pale face illuminated a ghostly pink by the surrounding flames. "I will not fail you, mother."

ϟ—Chapter End—ϟ

Chapter Text

ϟ— Chapter Six  — Vertebrae—ϟ

Ice cream, it was cold, soft. So was Hane’s hand, Ka’rai discovered, as he held it in his own. They’d been going out together a couple of times a week for a month now. Each time he went out, he couldn't wipe the smile off his face. She couldn't either. However, Hane's smile was covered by the ice cream she devoured. The melted sweet splattered around her mouth like a delicious beard. 

Ka’rai laughed at her. “You have an ice cream beard!”

Before he knew it, cold washed over his lips. Hane pulled back her ice cream from his mouth and laughed at him harder. “Now you have one too!”

“...You…” Ka’rai blinked. “ You mother fucker—”

Hane’s sly brown eyes shone innocently. “Hey, all I did was give you more ice cream to eat.” 

“I—” he started. With a hum, he licked the melting ice cream on his lips. He beamed at the sweetness on his tongue. “Oh—shit, you’re right! Thanks!”

“Of course!” she responded with a soft giggle. They’d been walking for quite a bit, so, they found a bench to sit on. Sitting in silence, they watched the crowds of people go by. The obscured rays of the shrouded sun had only been out for a short while. Morning had just begun.

"Hey, why did you become a Shinobi, Rai-rai?" asked Hane, keeping her eyes on the crowd. She squeezed his hand.

He squeezed back. "So I can get strong! Real strong!" Ka'rai chuckled. "I've always wanted to be strong. With the Nibi and my Uzumaki blood, I'll become the strongest in the village!" 

Hane giggled. "Simple… it's so like you."

"What is that supposed to mean?"

She giggled harder. "It's a good thing! My reason is simple too."

"What's yours?"

Hane's smile grew as she leaned back into the bench. "I just thought it would be a good way to help people. I can protect those I care about, bring in money and support the village… it's just a good thing to be!"

"Yeah, I agree," said Ka'rai. He joined her in the relaxation. The comforting silence fell once again… and their connection had only began to form. 

But that didn’t mean their date had to end any sooner than right then. 

“Ka’rai, we have a mission,” said Kay, who appeared behind the two like a ghost. 

Hane was startled; she dropped her ice cream. “No!!” she cried, but it never hit the floor. Kay held it, now ahead of the two. 

“Here!” Kay put on a smile as she handed Hane her ice cream. 

“Thank you so much!” Hane thanked profusely, taking back her ice cream.

“Wait? Mission?” Ka’rai asked for clarification. 

Kay nodded in response.

“ NO!!” he yelled out in anguish, clutching his heart and his ice cream with the same hand. “Please, can we at least finish our date—?”

“No,” answered Kay. “Bee-sensei said that it is a mission with a time limit.”

Ka’rai pouted. “Aw…”

“It’s okay!” Hane assured. “Remember last week, when I got pulled away from you because of a mission…?”

“I do! I hated it, ” Ka’rai murmured. 

Hane—with some difficulty—took her hand out of Ka’rai’s grip and pushed him out the bench. “C’mon! The mission sounds important! I really think you should get going!”

“She’s right,” Kay agreed. 

“Fine,” mumbled Ka’rai, dragging himself up to his feet and beside Kay. “Bye, Hane…”

“See ya! Have fun!” She waved them off as Ka’rai and Kay joined the crowd, disappearing into the haze.

⁑♨—ϟ—♨⁑

To Ka’rai’s surprise, Kay took him to the village gates. “Wait, Kay, we’re leaving the village?!”

“Mhm! Was that not obvious?” 

He sputtered. “ No?! I thought we had to find a lost pet before sundown or something…” 

“Well, it could be that. Bee-sensei didn’t tell us the details, only that we need to get you.”

Ka’rai huffed. As they approached the gates of Kumo, Bee and Yowui came into view. They both perked up at the sight of him. 

“It took ya’ long enough, fool ya fool!!” 

Ka’rai stuck his tongue out at his sensei. “I was on date, you bastard!”

“Too bad!” Bee yelled back. He snapped his fingers. “I bet the moment I tell you what we’re doing that you’ll be nothing but excited.”

Ka’rai contorted his face into comical anger. “Nothing’s gonna make me like this mission!”

“We’re going to a volcano.”

Ka’rai gasped in utter awe. “WHAT!! NO WAY?!!”

Yowui would’ve snickered at Ka’rai’s reaction, but the news of the mission’s location took hold. “Wait, a volcano?!”

“That’s right! Eight-o told me that one is going to erupt last night! He said that the eruption is gonna have so much might, it’s gonna turn day into night! I gotta stop that, and I’m bringing y’all on for the experience!” explained Bee in rhyme.

“Interesting,” commented Kay, rubbing her chin.

Yowui pondered. “Uh… are you sure that’s safe?”

“Hey! Are you doubting my strength?” questioned Bee, the reflection of Yowui gulping shown in his shades.

“No, sir…” he muttered.

Nothing held back Ka’rai’s grin. “THIS IS SO COOL!! Let’s hurry up and go!!” 

“Alright, alright!” answered Bee. “The volcano is in the Land of Rice, so that’s where we’re gonna be going.” Bee walked forward and out of the village gates, below was a sprawling staircase that went from the plateau Kumo was built on to the flat fields under it. 

“These again!” A small nostalgic smile spread across Yowui’s face. “I used to climb these every day just to get to the academy!”

“No wonder you’re so fast—” remarked Ka’rai. “You must have calves of steel.”

Yowui chuckled bashfully. “Yeah… I guess so.”

With that, Team Bee set off down the mountain and toward the Land of Rice. 

⁑♨—ϟ—♨⁑

Death… was his obsession. A non-stop eternal fear—most called it rest, but he called it pain. Death came for all, it ended all. Nothing would reach its full potential because of death. He wouldn't reach his full potential because of death.

That was a thought that terrified him, like nothing in this world could.

He was powerful. Power could prevent him from being killed. Through years of painstaking research, there was no poison or ailment that could kill him, either. But… Death would still come. Old Age…

He was born over fifty years ago, yet his body was born twenty. The body he inhabited wasn't his. His original body was long gone, left to time. He held no sentimentality toward it. Why would he? It was useless. 

On top of that, the body he held now was indistinguishable in appearance from the original. The same pale skin—like the scales of a snake. His golden reptilian eyes… his silky black hair. 

It was all the same.

But stealing bodies could only get him so far. No matter how young or old his body was, his soul would deteriorate. It too had an expiration date… despite all he had done to prevent it, he could still die. 

There was one more thing. 

One more thing he could do— then he would be truly immortal. 

Truly immune to death.

"The Nibi…" Orochimaru said, looking back at the two men behind him. 

Candle barely illuminated the shadows of the room. 

The older of the two men had silver hair which hid his face as he bowed. Twin red dots on his forehead looked at the floor like a second pair of eyes. The younger man had those same dots, yet his hair was a shrouded gray. 

"An ally in Kumo told me that the Nibi has left the village," informed the snake.

The younger man shifted. "Lord Orochimaru… last time you hired us to capture the Nibi, it went terribly."

"But you lived, no?" asked Orochimaru. 

"We did…" he answered.

"Then you know how lucky you were. Even members of the Kaguya Clan pale in comparison to Bijuu."

The elder man looked up at Orochimaru, both pairs of eyes—real and fake—set sightly onto him. "Who is the new Jinchuriki?"

"He is but a boy, but he is an Uzumaki boy. His body interests me," said Orochimaru. "Try to keep his body as intact as possible." 

The younger man shook his head. "But what if we fail again?!"

"Oh… you won't." Orochimaru chuckled, and the sound sent shivers down the Kaguya Brothers' spines. "I know you won't."

The older man grumbled, and the younger gulped. 

"Zotsui." Orochimaru fully turned toward the two,. The older man narrowed his eyes at the call of his name. "Hatchi." The younger brother looked farther down.

"Once again, I ask you to capture the Nibi for me. Take it to the Hollow Division and I'll meet you there in due time."

They bowed once again. "Yes, Lord Orochimaru."

⁑♨—ϟ—♨⁑

A few days had passed, and Ka'rai discovered that the Land of Rice truly lived up to its name. He and his team walked across the dirt road, with expansive rice fields on either side of it. In the distance were mountains, and one of them smoked.

"Is that the volcano?" asked Ka'rai, pointing toward the smoking mountain.

Bee nodded. "Yup! Mount Yakedo."

"It looks intimidating…" murmured Yowui, pursing his lips. "It's scarier than Nibasu was…"

"Probably because it's an actual volcano," Kay pointed out. Yowui shrugged.

Ka'rai cleared his throat. "So, Bee-sensei, how are you gonna stop the eruption or…?"

"Oh, I'm not gonna stop the eruption; I'm only gonna make it smaller! If it erupts right now, it'll cause nation-wide destruction!" Bee explained.

Yowui's eyes went wide. "So we're going to be there when the volcano erupts?!"

"Damn right!" confirmed Bee. "We gotta watch the fireworks. If not, then what's the point of going?" 

"That… doesn't seem safe," murmured Yowui.

Bee scoffed, waving his hands dismissively. "You'll be fine!" He walked further ahead of the group, distancing himself from Yowui.

The boy let out a dejected sigh and shrunk into himself. "Right…" Suddenly, a hand was placed on his shoulder. Kay smiled at him.

"Bee-sensei is going to make sure none of us gets hurt. He's strong!" she assured. 

Yowui exhaled. "I know! But something's telling me that something isn't going to go right."

"It's possible," Kay admitted. "But those feelings are wrong more than they aren't, in my experience, at least."

Yowui forced a smile and looked toward the sky; toward the beaming sun and the drifting clouds. "I hope you're right…"

⁑♨—ϟ—♨⁑

Evening set in, the once white clouds were smeared with orange and the sky was tye-dyed purple and red. Two silhouettes dashed across the setting sun. Zotsui and Hatchi Kaguya. 

"How much longer?" asked the younger of the two, Hatchi.

"We'll attack once night sets in, like we did the last time," Zotsui answered, narrowing his eyes. 

Hatchi frowned… his brother was moving slowly. He was faster than this, and he knew it. Hatchi was faster as well. This wasn't for his sake, either. "Is there something wrong?"

"No," he answered quickly—an obvious lie.

Hatchi let out a breath. "You and I both remember our failure so long ago."

Zotsui stiffened.

"This is a new Jinchuriki, a child. On top of that, we've only gotten stronger. Is there truly a reason to be fearful?" 

"I…" began the elder brother. His fists clenched. "We almost lost each other that day. I refuse for that to happen once again."

"It won't Zotsui." Hatchi looked toward the crescent moon in the purple sky. "I know it won't."

Zotsui chuckled. "You're right… It won't."

⁑♨—ϟ—♨⁑

Night fell and Ka'rai laid alone in his tent. It was warmer than he was used to, but it didn't bother him—not one bit. What unsettled him more was the quiet. Even in his apartment, he could hear the high-altitude winds, the subtle rumble of the lively city night. 

Out here, in the midnight wilderness, there was nothing. 

The air was still; the crickets were silent.

All he could hear was his own breath—his heart beating in his ears. 

He snapped his fingers to break the monotony. Again, he did it. Twice more, even thrice more. 

He stopped… it only made the silence more apparent. Ka'rai frowned.

"Damn." 

Suddenly, his tent ruffled. Ka'rai sat up from his back. There was a silhouette of a girl in front of it. "Kay?"

"You're awake," she answered, not moving from in front of the 'door.'

"You can come in…" murmured Ka'rai, shifting fully up, sitting with his back straight.

Kay opened the flap of the tent and sat down in front of Ka'rai. She smiled at him, almost the way a therapist would. "Is there a reason why you can't sleep?"

"I could ask the same for you…" 

"I heard you snap, and that woke me up," she answered honestly. 

Ka'rai paused. "Oh—my bad…"

"Don't worry about it," she assured. Silence fell as Kay pondered. "Are you nervous? Because it's your first time outside the village and all?"

"Well, isn't it yours too?"

"It's not," answered Kay. Ka'rai's eyes widened slightly. "But, it is my first time out of the village on a mission. It's okay to be nervous, y'know."

Ka'rai shook his head. "Nah, I'm not nervous. It just feels weird…"

"What does?" 

"I don't know… everything?" Ka'rai shrugged. "I had trouble sleeping at the boot camp too. But it was better there because it still felt like Kumo. Well, it was, but here… it's not."

Kay nodded slowly. "Ah… that makes sense." She placed a hand on her chin and hummed. "Well, think of it this way. I'm here, and so are Yowui and Bee-sensei. We're all a part of Kumo, so where ever we are… it's like a mini-Kumo."

"Hmmm," thought Ka'rai. He smiled. "That's a nice thought."

Kay's smile warmed even more. "It is! Now use it to get some sleep, alright."

"Alright—!" 

Kay's finger was on his lips. In nearly a blink of an eye, she was from the other side of the tent to directly in front of him. Chills went down his spine. His eyes were wide—Kay's smile was gone.

All warmth in her face froze over. Her lips moved, mouthing quiet.

Ka'rai nodded stiffly. 

His eyes went from black to the heterochromic yellow and green of the Nibi. With his senses now enhanced, he could hear two sets of footsteps in their camp. Two unfamiliar scents… they smelled like the bones in the graveyard. 

Ka'rai's eyes narrowed. 

Stay put, mouthed Kay. 

Ka'rai agreed with a nod. Bee and Yowui were still in their tents. But the two footsteps moved toward them. 

Those two… 

You know them, Nibi? asked Ka'rai. 

They—

The tent ripped open. A spear of bone pierced through. Kay grabbed it. She attempted to snap it. It only pushed through her grip. Ka'rai's eyes glowed. Cobalt blue flames erupted from him. The tent burned. The eruption roared throughout the silent forest. 

Both he and Kay leapt back. She had her mace in hand. Ka'rai's claws burned with Nibi Flame. Ka'rai smirked and his canines shone in the moonlight. "And who the fuck are you two?!"

"He's already adept at using the Nibi's chakra at such a young age…" said a man, looking toward one who was visibly younger. 

"Looks like Kumo learned their lesson," murmured the younger man, holding a spear of bone. 

Ka'rai— 

What?! he questioned. The voice he heard was female, but it wasn't the Nibi—not even close. 

Ambush—ago— 

Quiet, commanded the Nibi, and the second voice was silenced. They ambushed my previous jailer. They're powerful… compared to you.  

Ka'rai's green and yellow eyes glowed. He glared at the men. "You're the ones who killed Yugito!"

"What?" questioned Kay. 

The men were dumbstruck. "How the hell do you know that?!" demanded the younger one, pointing his spear. 

"It doesn't matter," spat the older one as he charged. 

Before Ka'rai could react, Kay was in front of him. Her metal mace barely held back a mace of bone. Blood spewed from Ka'rai's shoulder. He screamed and grabbed the bone spear in his shoulder. 

Summon more power, Ka'rai!!

Another eruption of cobalt blue fire blazed around Ka'rai. His claws grew, his teeth sharpened, the paint on his face gyrated with black flame. A chakra tail whipped behind him. The younger man stabbed Ka'rai again. A tanto of bone protruded into his chest. 

A flash of purple cut through Ka'rai's vision. Both arms of the man in front of him fell to the ground. He screamed. So did the elder man as the same was done to him.

A purple tentacle grabbed the neck of the armless man in front of Ka'rai. He was pulled toward Bee, who glowed an ethereal lavender. Eight Magatama were symbolized around his neck. The Kanji for Iron on his shoulder spread with lines of seals throughout his body. 

Bee forced the men to their knees and he glared at them. "Now… who do y'all think you are?" 

"The Strongest Man Alive…" said the younger man, trembling in tone and action.

Bee remained serious. "Nah, that's me, not you. " 

"We're under no obligation to tell you," spat the older man. With a roar, his body inflated with shards of bone. It pierced the hide of the tentacles and he glowed green. "Fifth Gate! Gate of—"

His head fell to the floor before he could finish the sentence. The younger man screamed out in horror. "ZOTSUI!!" 

"I only need one of you to tell me." Bee's back faced the remaining assailant. "Unless you want to end up like him, I suggest you tell me why you attacked Ka'rai." 

Tears poured from his eyes, his silver eyes glared through them. "I won't tell you a damn thing!" 

"Is that right…" The grip of the tentacle around him tightened— it was suffocating. He attempted to scream but only wheezed. Bee expected his bones to shatter, but they stayed strong. Bee examined the blade in his hand. It was chipped and cracked.

Bee's eyes narrowed behind his shades. "Your bones… they're strong." His fists clenched and the tentacle's grip increased tenfold. A sickening snap broke the night. "But I'm stronger." 

Tears flooded the man's face, mixing with the blood that poured from his mouth. Bee loosened his fists and the tentacle subsided. The man slumped and wheezed blood. "Bastard…" he barely managed.

"Uh—sensei!" Ka'rai called, holding both of his open wounds. He was still enveloped in his cloak. 

Bee took his eyes off the man and looked at his student. "Turn off your cloak. Kay, there are first aid supplies in my tent. Heal him."

"Yes," she answered, before sprinting off toward Bee's tent. 

With a sigh, Ka'rai's cloak evaporated off of him. He collapsed to his knees, panting. 

Bee sighed. Violent violet chakra spewed from the man. He screamed louder. Bones sprouted from his body and the ground like a shockwave. Bee barely dodged a protruding bone directly aimed at his face. When he sliced it with his blade, the metal shattered. 

Ka'rai groaned as he leapt back. Blood poured from his wounds. The man's screams morphed into a hiss like that of a snake. 

Nibi! What the hell is happening?! 

I do not know! Summon my chakra! 

The moment Ka'rai did so, he was pierced. He looked toward his arm and a snake merged with a bone bit him. The snake had white scales, silver eyes, and remnants of shrouded gray hair on its head. 

Ka'rai's consciousness wavered. The Nibi's call of his name became more and more distant in his head. The last thing he saw was the throat of a snake around his head. The last thing he felt was the moist tightness of being swallowed whole. 

The last thing he heard was nothing.

Utter silence.

ϟ—Chapter End—ϟ

Chapter Text

ϟ— Chapter Seven — Skulls—ϟ

Yowui never left his tent. In a ball, he curled into himself, breathing hard. A protrusion of bone nearly impaled him. He hid. He cried. He hid and cried and wished for everything to be alright. 

His wish never came true.

"Yowui!" Kay called as she burst into his tent. "Are you okay?!"

His trembling didn't stop. He shook his head, tears in his eyes. Before he knew it, Kay enveloped him in a hug. "It's gonna be okay—"

"NO IT'S NOT!!" Yowui yelled, pushing her off of him. "THAT'S WHAT YOU SAID!!" His trembling fists clenched. His breathing tripped on itself. "BUT ALL OF YOU WERE WRONG!!" 

Kay frowned. The darkness of the night shrouded her face. "I'm sorry…" 

"Are we going home?" he managed to ask. 

"No," Kay answered. The softness in her tone turned to steel. "We need to find Ka'rai. He was taken."

A pit of despair ached in his stomach. "He… he was what?"

"Bee-sensei needs to stop the volcano as well. The mission objective has yet to be completed." She turned her back. "Please…" A bit of care returned to her voice. "Try to make yourself useful." 

She exited the tent. 

Yowui was left alone. Shaken and shak ing. 

He didn't have the slightest idea of what happened. All he knew was that things were terrible. He knew things would end up like this. His instinct told him so, yet everyone told him off— dismissed him. 

Just like they always did.

He didn't deserve to be here.

He was weak.

He was pathetic.

He was useless.

"Make yourself useful…'' he quoted under his breath. Yowui scoffed as tears fell. "As if I could if I tried…" 

⁑♨—ϟ—♨⁑

Outside the tent, Bee's fists clenched. The inky black chakra of the Hachibi spewed from his hand. "Dammit…" he muttered. "The same bastards that killed Yugito, huh?"

"That's what Ka'rai said," answered Kay stoically.

Bee huffed, then looked toward the hole in the ground. The burrow where the snake escaped— with Ka'rai. "Did you get any information out of them?"

"No."

The Hachibi's inky black chakra whirled around Bee's head. It formed horns, a snout, then it grew purple hide. Bee's oxen nostrils took in the air; the burrow below wreaked  of snakes. 

Kay bit her finger, drawing blood. She blitzed through hand seals. "Summoning Jutsu." From the floor popped a cloud of smoke. Kay was six feet in the air, standing on the back of a giant armadillo. 

Its banded hide was striped brown and the color of redwoods. "How may I help you today?"

"Suberi," Kay began, pointing at the burrow of the snake. "Make a tunnel following that burrow so Bee-sensei can follow."

"Yes, Kay," responded the armadillo. Kay leapt off of her and she burrowed into the hole. It was many times larger than before, big enough for people to travel in. 

"Go get Yowui," commanded Bee before following Suberi.

Kay nodded, then sped toward Yowui's tent. 

He wasn't any better.

In silence, they followed behind their sensei. 

⁑♨—ϟ—♨⁑

It was hot. It was wet. Ka'rai couldn't move an inch. When he opened his eyes, he still saw nothing. He called for his chakra, but nothing came. He called for the Nibi's. He felt something, but it wasn't enough.

The snake's poison paralyzed you. 

Where am I?!

You're in the stomach of a snake. One of your attackers transformed into one and swallowed you whole.

If Ka'rai could move his face, he would've cringed. 

Enter your mindscape.

Ka'rai shut his eyes. With a deep breath, he connected his chakra to the Nibi's. When his eyes opened, golden light shone into them. He could move his hands, his head, his neck. He let out a breath of relief. 

"Ka'rai," called the Nibi. He looked back toward her; the cobalt blue flames of her coat smoldered behind the cage. "You're unable to use any of your own chakra. But you can call upon a small amount of mine. "

"So, I should be able to use yours to escape?"

"No, it's too risky. We have no idea where we are,'' the Nibi said. Suddenly, a burst of fire erupted in front of Ka'rai. It was blue, it burned bright. All flames moved and swayed, but this one did so as it was living. It swayed back and forth between the Nibi and Ka'rai.

Its creator and its soon to be controller.

"Touch it," ordered the Nibi.

Without hesitation, Ka'rai did so. He pressed his hand into it. The flame… It was soft. It was malleable, like a piece of clay. Awe filled his eyes. Ka'rai grabbed a chunk of the fire and molded it into a ball. It was fire; it was hot—hotter than any fire he's dealt with — but it didn't bother him at all.

"These are Jinsei Flames," the Nibi informed. "Flames made entirely of Yang Chakra."

"Woah…" Ka'rai gaped. "What can it do?"

"I'm teaching you how to use this because these flames can heal your wounds once you're out of this snake. You can use them as a shield against most attacks as well," explained the Nibi. " Feel the fire, Ka'rai. Imprint their life into yours."

Ka'rai nodded and grasped the flames. 

"They're easy to summon, yet the hardest to control. Jinsei Flames have a life and will of their own… if you don't become one with the Jinsei Flames, then they'll do whatever they please. " 

"I see…" murmured Ka'rai as he looked at the ball of fire in his hand. It seemed to stare back. 

"You've never taught this to me, Nibi ."

Ka'rai and the Nibi looked toward the third voice in the mindscape. A woman sat in the golden void, sitting on a calm, still pond. Her hair was blonde, her eyes were black, and her skin was fair. 

The Nibi's fire roared. The fireball in Ka'rai's hand struck out with spikes. He yelped and threw the ball into the rest of the Jinsei Flames. Ka'rai looked back toward the woman with his brow raised.

"Yugito…" growled the Nibi. 

Ka'rai's eyes went wide. " What?!! But! You're dead!!"

"She is," confirmed the Nibi. "I never allow the souls of my jailers to rest. " 

Ka'rai gulped. He went cold. His face furrowed and his thoughts overwhelmed everything. The gold of his mindscape lost its shimmer. 

"Ka'rai," greeted Yugito with a smile. He was broken from his thoughts. "It's an honor to finally meet you." She wasn't hostile. No, not at all. Ka'rai smiled back. A golden spotlight shimmered upon the two. The Nibi was left in darkness, illuminated by her cobalt blue glow.

He haphazardly waved, tilting his head. "Hi…?"

Yugito approached Ka'rai, the still pond following under her with every step. The Nibi watched with distaste. "You were attacked by them too, hm?" 

"Yeah… I guess so… Did you get snake'd too?" he asked in return, tilting his head to the other direction.

"No, I did not." Yugito looked at the golden spotlight above. "I do know somebody with such a relation to snakes, however." 

"Who?"

"Orochimaru of the Sannin," answered Yugito. "I wouldn't doubt for a second that you're being taken to him right now." 

"Woah… I think I've heard of him," Ka'rai murmured. He couldn't deny his disappointment, straight to business. It made sense. He was on his way to a rogue ninja to get his Bijuu taken. They could talk later.

Yugito's expression darkened. The water under her rippled. "I've met him." Shivers went down her spine. "Never again."

"Is he strong?"

" Very, " confirmed Yugito. She looked toward the Nibi. "There is no way we can match him."

The Nibi's coat smoldered hotter. She met Yugito's gaze. Disdain palpated from both parties. Ka'rai cleared his throat, struggling to breathe. "Uh… help? With the whole Jinsei Flame thing…" 

"If Orochimaru is the one we're facing," began the Nibi. "Then give me control of your body."

"Absolutely not!" yelled Yugito, stepping between the Nibi and Ka'rai.

The Nibi's heterochromia shot like bullets of light. "This is not your decision to make, Yugito. " 

"Do not trust the Nibi, Ka'rai," Yugito warned, placing her hand in front of him. Waves rippled back and forth from her pond. "In my time locked away in your mind, I've witnessed—I've felt its intent. I do not know its plan… but don't trust a thing it says."

The Nibi glared. Ka'rai fell to his knees, but Yugito's soul remained strong.

 "It is in my best interest for you to live, Ka'rai,” began the Nibi. “If you die, so do I. If you die, then Yugito's soul gets released, and she gets to rest in the afterlife. 

"It is in her best interest for you to die, Ka'rai. Make of that what you will." 

Ka'rai froze. Chills warped his mind. "What?"

"Ka'rai!" Yugito called. "If you live, then you will continue to serve Kumo. That is my goal, that is my interest. It does not matter to me at all whether I rest in the afterlife. If I am in this world in any way, then I will help Kumo." 

He gulped.

Silence fell as Ka’rai trembled his fists into clenching. 

The Jinsei flames swayed in his direction.

"I… I trust both of you!!" he declared, forcing himself to his feet. Ka'rai walked between the Nibi and Yugito. "I feel in my heart that both of you want me to live, both of you want me to survive." Trembling, he let out a nervous chuckle. "So, don't you think that working together will increase my chances of living?"

Both were silent. Ka'rai only chuckled more. 

Yugito placed a hand on Ka'rai's shoulder. "What you do is your decision; I can only guide in you making it."

The Nibi remained silent. 

"Thanks, Yugito." Ka'rai walked forward to the Jinsei Flames. He looked back at Yugito. "For the record, Nibi's a she. Just like you."

The Nibi's fire subsided ever so slightly. Yugito's eyes narrowed on the Bijuu behind the cage. She didn't say a word, neither did the Nibi.

Ka'rai stood tall in front of the Jinsei Flame. "I'm going to try and take care of this so we all can succeed here." He smirked and a sharpened tooth stuck out from his lips. Pulling a ball of Jinsei Flame he stuck it into the air. 

"Don't any of you worry about me dying because I'm not! I'm going to live! I’m going to return to the village, to mama and Hane! I'm going to get real strong! I'm going to serve Kumo! And I'm going to balance the scales of life and death!!" 

The Jinsei fireball roared in his hand and his mindscape glowed golden like the very sun. 

"I just need you guys to help me, both of you. "

Yugito couldn't help but smile.

The Nibi looked away from him, closing her eyes. 

Ka'rai grinned at them both. 

⁑♨—ϟ—♨⁑

Days passed. Ka’rai’s scent was never smelled, even with his oxen nose. All there was… was the odor snake. Suberi dug a tunnel, only for there to be a quadruple crossroads. They picked the one where the scent was the strongest, and they tunneled. Hours of digging later, they came out at the same crossroads where they were before.

Frustration burned amongst them. It was only fuel for them to push forward. Every path led to that same crossroads. Kay’s emerald eyes resembled cracking ice. Yowui simply stayed quiet to himself, hiding in his own helplessness. 

Bee, with his oxen head, radiated fury. A thin thread of self-control held him back from shooting a Bijuu Bomb through the tunnel so he could find the snake that way. He knew he needed to remain calm. The anger clouding his mind did nothing for him.

His nostrils flared on inhale, taking in the reptilian stench. He exhaled, and the dust in the cavern kicked up. 

Bee, called the Hachibi. We can not spend any more time here. The eruption is due to happen within the next two days. From where we are, it’ll already take a day to travel there. 

Do you think I’m just going to leave Ka’rai?! His fists clenched at the mere suggestion. His chakra flared. Yowui flinched, and Kay’s eyes narrowed.

Unless you want the Lands of Rice, Lightning, and Fire to be nearly eradicated, then you don’t have a choice. Nibi won’t let Ka’rai die, I’m sure of that much. 

Bee froze, his oxen head melted off of his face into ink. Black spattered over his white uniform as his face was revealed. It was hot and hard as a freshly tempered blade. 

“We need to go to Mount Yakedo,” he declared.

“We’re leaving Ka’rai behind?!” questioned Kay immediately. 

“We don’t have a choice,” he said evenly. “The eruption is going to destroy nations if I don’t stop it. The Nibi will assure that Ka’rai will not die…” Bee’s voice wavered. He took a deep breath. “He’ll come back to us. I know he will.”

Yowui didn’t say a word. He simply slumped into himself further. Kay delved into silence, her mind racing a thousand miles a second. Her fists clenched.

“I hate doing this as much as you; he’s my student just as much as he’s your teammate.” Bee paused. “I made a promise to myself… after Yugito died. That I will make sure that the Nibi’s next Jinchuriki will become perfect, that he’ll become strong, that he won’t die. ”

Bee faced Kay and Yowui, the latter looking up with a tear-stained face. “I will not break that promise. The moment Yakedo is under control, we will not rest until Ka’rai is retrieved. Do you understand me?”

“Yes sensei,” answered Kay.

Yowui wiped his face clean. “Yes, sensei.”

“Good.” Bee’s chakra flared with the Hachibi’s. He was illuminated with its purple glow. With his hand stuck up, a massive tentacle shattered the earth. Sunlight broke through the dust-filled air. 

As Suberi disappeared in a cloud of smoke, Bee grabbed onto his students with his tentacles. In a purple flash, they were above ground. The rice fields surrounded them on all sides. 

Mount Yakedo was a mere smoking hill on the horizon. 

Soon, it would be the mountain they stood on. 

Bee’s cloak faded, and he allowed Kay freedom from his tentacle’s grip. Lighting flashed as the two flickered toward the mountain… toward Yakedo. 

⁑♨—ϟ—♨⁑

The tightness gave way; warmth chilled with the cold air. When Ka'rai opened his eyes, it was still dark… but he could see . An eye of gold on the right and an eye of green on the left.

Shadow. Two figures. 

"Eh… so this is the Nibi kid?" questioned a man. He was shirtless. His pale skin flickered orange in the candlelight. In his hand, there was a weapon. A three-bladed scythe of hell-red. 

That weapon…

The fuck is it?! 

It's the Jigoku Scythe… a weapon with a special connection to Hell.

Hell?!!

"I would call him a bitch but the Nibi's a cat…" murmured the scythe-wielder. He sighed. 

"He isn't a female either," said the other man. He had a shaggy mane of hair—the color of flame. A blade was strapped to his waist. The energy it radiated felt like a small town's worth of people. But it was just a blade. A simple Katana. 

"Ah fuck off!" He slammed his scythe down next to Ka'rai. He jumped.

The man gripped his Katana and narrowed his eyes. "We need him alive and unharmed, Hidan. Lord Orochimaru's orders."

"Bah!" spat Hidan. He dragged his scythe over the rocky ground and it sparked. "Jashin would've appreciated your blood."

"I think I appreciate it more," drawled Ka'rai. His body was still numb from the poison.

The Katana man narrowed his eyes. "We need to lock him up quickly. He's regaining his senses."

Hidan picked up his scythe and threw it over his shoulder. "Fine!! Lord Orochimaru owes me some sacrifices for this…" He walked over to Ka'rai and grabbed him.

With widened mismatched eyes, Ka'rai ignited himself in cobalt blue flames. 

" SHIT!!" cursed Hidan, pulling his hand back. It was blackened and smoking. 

The Katana man couldn't hold back his chuckle. 

"Fine then!! You go try and pick up the blazing mother fucker right there!!" 

"I'd rather not…"

"Go to hell Kinbo!!"

"You can send me there yourself. Do it. "

Hidan gripped the Jigoku Scythe and slammed the handle onto the ground. "Is that a challenge bitch?!!"

The two men argued. Ka'rai attempted to squiggle away. He was stopped by three blades of a scythe.

"You're not going anywhere you flaming little shit!!"

Kinbo let out a ragged sigh. "Neither of us can touch him. So, how are we going to pick him up?"

Ka'rai's flames roared.

Hidan grabbed his scythe and walked down the corridor. "I'll go get the boss. He should be able to touch all over him just fine. "

Ka'rai let out a drawled sound of distress. Kinbo groaned as he walked over to Ka'rai. He unsheathed his Katana. It camouflaged in the shadows with its jet-black steel. 

"Just don't resist and your death will probably be painless," suggested the man. His Katana glinted in the candlelight. Ka'rai's eyes narrowed on the blade—he felt the Nibi's stare meld with his.

Under the scrutiny of the Nibi's vision, the blade glowed. It shimmered the color of the damned. The color fought against the steel for its freedom. 

Hundreds of that color.

Hundreds of souls.

The Nibi growled and Ka'rai's being trembled.

We will free them before we leave here. Every last one. 

But how?! I can barely move!

It won't stay that way for long, assured Yugito. 

In the worst-case scenario, you will give control over to me.

Silence fell. The feeling of distress in Yugito's soul darkened Ka'rai's face.

We'll see, he answered. 

Be careful, Ka'rai. 

The boy smirked. 

"I can't believe you two idiots are having trouble with a single brat," grumbled a deep, old voice. 

"A BRAT THAT'S ON FUCKING FIRE!!" defended Hidan.

The old man sighed. 

Ka'rai turned his back to look at the new arrival. Their so-called boss. Panic spiked in Yugito's soul.

What's wrong?! yelled Ka'rai as the man loomed over him. A mask covered all but his eyes. A hollow stare with black sclera and impersonal eyes of cyan. His hand reached out from a coat of empty noir. It was the color of stone—like a diamond without color. 

Tendrils of metal slithered from between the stitches on his skin. Ka’rai drawled out a cry of distress as they penetrated his cloak of fire. They wrapped around him and he was pulled into the air. Cobalt blue flashed and burst from Ka’rai yet they did nothing. 

The man was unaffected. Hidan and Kinbo needed to shield themselves. 

“You’re going to be annoying,” grumbled the boss. He slammed Ka’rai into the rock. The boy stifled a scream as he was dragged into the endless corridor of monotonous torchlight.

That man is Kakuzu the Immortal, began Yugito. Panic hollowed out the tone of her voice. I’ve only heard stories… Legend has it that he battled the Shodai Hokage and lived. The very same man who battled Seven Bijuu. 

And enslaved me… growled the Nibi.

So… I’m fucked? 

Not if you give me control.

Yugito remained silent. Her distress was not only clear, but palpable. He felt it radiate in his head like a migraine. 

Nah, I can do this myself! Assured Ka’rai. I haven’t been able to focus and use the Jinsei Flames yet. I still have it in my back pocket!

Your control over them is amateur; in this situation it will do nothing for you. 

Not if I play my cards right… my mama forced me to practice Shogi a lot, I even played a couple games against Hane! This is like a game of Shogi…

You haven’t won a single one. 

Well, I’ll just have to win one now…

I can help you as well, Ka’rai. 

If I ask. I want to get myself out of this situation. 

Yugito’s displeasure only ached harder. Do not let your pride get you killed.

I won’t! I can’t die right now. I’ll never let myself die before the time is right. I know you guys won’t either!

Yugito and the Nibi remained silent. Soon, Ka’rai was tossed into a metal cell. It was only then he let his fire dissipate. The heterochromia of the Nibi shone through the shadow toward Kakuzu. He stared back with his hollow cyan gaze.

“I was alive when the beast inside of you roamed free,” he began. “I never saw its full form. I only ever came across those nuisances… those countless Nekomata it had sprawling around the world like ants.” 

Ka’rai’s eyes narrowed. 

“Lord Orochimaru will put that beast to good use. It won’t be wasted on a sorry village like Kumo—”

“—Don’t you dare insult my village!!” Ka’rai roared, the black flames on his face growled. He stepped forward. “What the hell do you need Nibi for, anyway?!”

“Like you deserve to know…” Kakuzu muttered, turning his back. “You’re going to die here. I suggest making your final prayers to anyone you may have cared about. Make peace with your regrets. You won’t get the opportunity tomorrow.” 

“Nah… I will,” rebutted Ka’rai. “And the day after that, and then after that day too! You’re the one that needs to do all that. Because you won’t get the opportunity tomorrow.” 

Kakuzu looked back at Ka’rai. His expression remained hollow and still. He didn’t say a word before walking away, leaving Ka’rai alone. 

Ka’rai smirked. 

Time to get to work.

⁑♨—ϟ—♨⁑

The earth shook. Yowui gulped. Bee and Kay remained stoic. Yakedo loomed over even the other mountains. A smoking shadow shrouded all into gray. It was still a ways away, a few more hours of travel.

"Calming the eruption should take about an hour, since the Hachibi needs to work through my body," Bee explained. After that, we'll be able to go after Ka'rai."

"Alright," Kay said. Yowui simply nodded. 

Bee… I sense the Nibi's presence. 

"Where?!" he exclaimed. Both his students looked toward him. 

To the southwest. It's muffled, probably underground. 

"Kay! Ka'rai is to the south west of here. Eight-o senses the Nibi's presence there."

Immediately, she summoned Suberi. On top of her back, she asked, "Do you want me to go after him?"

A tentacle sprouted from Bee's hand. It was small, not much larger than a finger. "Take this with you; with it on your person, I'll be able to sense where you air. Split it in half and give a piece to Ka'rai once you retrieve him. That way, I'll know when he's back with us."

Bee tossed the tentacle and Kay caught it with ease. "Yes, sensei." She soon left at high-speeds on Suberi's back.

Yowui pursed his lips. "Are you sure it's okay to just let her go by herself? I know she has a summoning animal… but she's still a Genin. No matter how strong she is…"

Silence fell. Bee sighed. "I trust her. I know her strength. She'll get Ka'rai back." 

"Just like how this mission was supposed to be easy! Like you said everything would be okay because you're here?!" Yowui's fists clenched. "Why should I believe anything you say?!"

Bee wanted to yell back. He didn't. He knew better. "Then don't. That's not going to change a damn thing I do." 

Yowui looked away with his eyes shut. He followed behind his sensei, like he did so many times before. 

Bee didn't bother to look back at him.

He never did.

⁑♨—ϟ—♨⁑

Ka'rai took in a deep breath of the snake filled air. Snake and death. There was the rot of corpses, the burn of wood, the grit of rock. It took many gags to get himself used to it. Now that he was, he could smell that there was nobody near.

Not Hidan.

Not Kinbo.

And thankfully, not Kakuzu. 

Just to double check, do you sense anything, Nibi?

No, I do not detect any nearby souls.

Good, good… murmured Ka'rai. The black flames over his navy blue face paint burned harder. A bright blue glow illuminated the torch-lit corridor in front of his cell. 

In his hands was a small flame. It was soft; it rose and fell in his grip like a heartbeat. The heat was searing, yet it was nothing but calm, like a bath in the hot springs. His two stab wounds were already taken care of. Now, all he needed to do was get out of his cell.

He gripped the Jinsei Flame and it gave way. 

Yowui. 

Kay.

Bee-sensei.

Mama and Hane! 

A grin cut his face and he put everything he had into the Jinsei Flame. It grew. The flames burned harder and hotter. The heartbeat of the fire matched his own. 

He licked his sharpened canine and dragged two fingers across the fire. A small dagger of pure Jinsei Flame formed in his hand. 

Perfect. 

Do you remember the plan, Ka'rai?

Of course I do! 

Good…

Ka'rai slashed the metal and it cut through like butter. His grin only grew. He slashed thrice more and a hole was made in the cell. Ka'rai caught the section of bars before they could hit the floor. He slowly lowered them onto the stone floor and barely a sound was made. 

Step one, complete. 

With another deep breath, Ka'rai swirled his hand around the dagger. It rotated and simmered, almost sounding like a purr. "Good, keep going," whispered Ka'rai encouragingly.

The Jinsei flame jumped. It was hotter and it swirled faster. The dagger it once was turned into a drill. Ka'rai looked up at the wall and drove the fire drill into the wall. It melted, but the Jinsei drill seemed to absorb the heat and use it as fuel. Ka'rai touched the rock. It was hot, but not scalding.

He smirked. 

He squeezed himself into the tiny hole and dug farther and farther up. 

No fucking way! It's working!! squealed Ka'rai. 

Ka'rai, Hidan is in the direction where you're digging. Hide out until he moves. 

Yes Ma'am! He answered diligently. Simply, he sat and waited. According to the Nibi, he did not move at all. Panic spiked in the Nibi's chakra. 

Guard yourself!!

What's happening—?!!

The cocoon of rock he hid in hardened into brimstone. It opened up with the spew of magma. 

"FUCK!!" screamed Ka'rai. Cobalt blue flames swirled around him. From the end of the brimstone, Hidan cackled.

"Where do you think you're going, pussy?!!" 

Ka'rai chuckled. "So, you finally found something to call me other than a bitch?!"

"Damn right I did!!" Hidan brandished the Jigoku Scythe. 

"I'm surprised it took you so long to come up with that!! You must not be the sharpest tool in the shed!!"

Hidan glared. The hell around Ka'rai erupted. "WHAT DID YOU JUST SAY MOTHER FUCKER?!!" 

Nibi! Nibi What the hell is he doing?!

He's summoning hell! 

HE'S WHAT?!! 

"SAY WHAT THE FUCK YOU JUST SAID AGAIN!!" challenged Hidan. "I FUCKING DARE YOU!!"

Y'know what, PLAN B!! Ka'rai weaved hand seals. "Bakugami!!" The Cobalt Blue coat of flames around Ka'rai detonated. He heard Hidan scream as he leapt up. 

"We can do this, Jinsei!!" called Ka'rai as he cut the falling debris of brimstone and rock away. A monstrous blaze of infernal orange roared toward Ka'rai. His eyes widened—his stomach dropped. 

The Jinsei flame spiked with terror. Ka'rai cursed, dropping it. He only became colder once the Jinsei Drill burned shapeless on the ground.

Let me take control!!

"NO!!" denied Ka'rai. Cobalt Blue erupted around him. Hidan's hell-blaze scorched over him. Ka'rai's fist clenched. The orange burned blue. 

Let's try this again… murmured Ka'rai. He weaved the same hand seals as before. " BAKUGAMI!! " 

The following sound put even thunder to shame. A cobalt blue hell reigned around Ka'rai. Corridors above and below were exposed and crumbling. Finally, he saw the sun, the heaven above. He bathed in its heat—the heat of the flames. 

The fire he detonated with Bakugami wasn't his. It was pure hellflame. 

Hidan's dead, right?

No, I still sense his soul. He's not moving either. Just go! You alerted everyone in the vicinity to your location!

What you did was utterly idiotic, Ka'rai, scolded Yugito. 

Hey! My cover was already blown! 

Kakuzu nor Kinbo had any idea you escaped. Only Hidan did. You didn't even manage to kill him! Just hand over control.

Nah, I'm good, refused Ka'rai. He crossed his hands and Nibi Flame surrounded him. It molded into the shape of a feline. A single tail whipped before Ka'rai sprinted. 

Y'know Nibi, your chakra feels really nice! 

She ignored him. But, Yugito spoke. You're using the one tailed cloak poorly. 

Wha—?

You're running like a human when you have the chakra of a feline coursing through you. 

Run like a feline, Ka'rai.

Bemused, Ka'rai dropped to all fours and allowed instinct to take hold. The predatory instinct embedded into the Nibi's chakra. His speed nearly tripled. In a matter of moments, Ka'rai was out of the smoldering crater. 

He didn't look back. 

He didn't need to. 

He didn't need the Nibi's senses to feel the growing hell.

Brimstone killed the grass below. Ka'rai leapt into the trees above and roared out a fireball. 

Hidan simply cut the fireball in half. "YOU MOTHER FUCKER!!" He screamed with a mouth of crumbling ash. His entire body was blackened and smoldering. He was a corpse, but he wasn't dead. 

His soul was as loud and alive as ever. 

"How the fuck are you alive?!" questioned Ka'rai. "That would've killed anybody! You should be dead!!"

"I'm immortal you dumbass!!" shouted Hidan as he slammed the Jigoku Scythe into the tree. It split in two. Ka'rai kept sprinting. 

He wasn't fast enough. 

"Y'know what?!! Fuck Orochimaru!! I'm gonna kill your ass!!"

Ka'rai's back was cut open. 

DO NOT LET HIM OBTAIN YOUR BLOOD!!

Ka'rai erupted with fire. The blaze overtook Hidan and the scythe. The blood was boiled into gas. Ka'rai bolted away. A wall of brimstone blocked his path. He leapt over it. The brimstone grew taller. 

With elongated nails, Ka'rai sliced the stone. His claws broke. Blood spilled. Ka'rai burned it away. Hidan kicked Ka'rai into the brimstone. With a new set of claws, Ka'rai cut Hidan's smoldering leg off. 

Hidan cackled. The Jigoku Scythe slammed down on Ka'rai. He barely caught it. His hands were between the blades. The longest blade was embedded into brimstone, right beside Ka'rai's head. The secondary blade was inches away from Ka'rai's chest. 

Ka'rai's tail of Nibi flame wrapped around the base of the handle. His tail and both arms pushed with every ounce of strength they had. Even as a smoldering corpse, Hidan matched the strength. 

A redwood-colored claw cut Hidan into three. A cold hand made its way through Ka'rai's cloak, grabbing his wrist. The scythe stayed embedded in the brimstone. Ka'rai was pulled onto bands of redwood and brown. 

The word was a blur as he sped through the forest. He looked up to see Kay. Her hand was blackened and smoldering. His eyes widened. "Kay!"

"We're going to Yakedo. Yowui and Bee-sensei should be there already," she explained tersely. She pulled a tentacle from her pocket and cut it in half. She kept one half and stuffed the other half into Ka’rai’s pocket.

Ka'rai nodded, and his one-tailed cloak fell. His eyes were still mismatched and the black flame over his face paint remained. "Let me take care of your hand."

With a deep breath and focus, a bright blue ball of Jinsei Flame formed in Ka'rai's hand. Kay's eyes widened slightly. Slowly, Ka'rai placed the fire onto her burned hand. She winced. 

"Heal her, please, Jinsei," said Ka'rai. The flames calmed. They simmered on her burns. No more than thirty seconds later, Kay's hand was entirely healed. Ka'rai grinned. 

"Fascinating…" she murmured. "Jinsei, is that the Nibi's name?"

Ka'rai shook his head. "Nah, that's the flame's name! Jinsei Flames. Flames made entirely of Yang Chakra."

"I see…" mumbled Kay. "Are you hurt?" 

Ka'rai shook his head. "Nah! I'm a-okay!" he assured with a thumbs up. His hand was trembling. Blood stained the bands below. 

Kay's eyes narrowed. "Heal yourself, Ka'rai."

"I can't reach my back… I can't summon the Jinsei Flames anywhere but my hands, either."

She cursed under her breath. "Tell me everything that happened."

Ka'rai proceeded to explain the events that transpired over the past couple of days. 

Hidan has immortality because he gave up something to Jashin… what some call the King of Hell. There is also a ritual where if he gets his hands on your blood, both he and you receive the same damage. He could stab himself, and you both would receive the same injury from it. 

Damn… really? mumbled Ka'rai. He forwarded the information to Kay as well. 

Her fists clenched. "This is dangerous. They're certainly after us all…" 

"Hey! Don't worry! I got away once and I can do it again!"

Kay glared. "You only escaped because I was there to save you."

"And you're here now! Then we're going to go to Bee-sensei! That way, we'll have more help! The best help ever, too!"

With clenched fists, Kay sighed. Ka'rai placed a warm hand of assurance on her back. "We'll make it out of here; all of us are going to be fine. Bee-sensei said so! You have me back now, right? Doesn't that make you feel better about things?"

Kay forced a smile. "I guess so…" 

Ka'rai pat her back. "Yeah! This is all going to end up okay!" 

She nodded. "Yes. It will."

"It will!"

"It will…"

⁑♨—ϟ—♨⁑

Kakuzu stood over the smoldering ruins. The Hollow Division base had been utterly destroyed. His fists couldn't even clench. He could barely even scrunch his face. He couldn't even glare.

All he could do was stand. Even the slightest movement would result in utter chaos. 

That bastard Jinchuriki.

Those bastard Kaguya Brothers. 

If he had done this himself from the start, it would have gone smoothly. 

As a matter of fact, if it weren't for Orochimaru's specific orders, it would've gone smoothly. 

'Keep the boy alive and unharmed.'

Kakuzu almost twitched. 

Footsteps dredged over the ash. Hidan's curses filled the air.

Kakuzu came even closer to twitching. 

"Lord Kakuzu," Kinbo began. "Hidan requires assistance…"

"I'M IN FOUR PIECES AND I'M BASICALLY ASH!!"

Kakuzu twitched. 

Hidan was now in twelve pieces. 

"Gather what remains of the Hollow Division," ordered Kakuzu. Tendrils crawled from his hand. They stitched Hidan's twelve pieces into one. "We need to cut our losses and repair what we have."

Hidan gripped his scythe and slammed the handle into the ground. "Jashin… heal me," he pleaded. White flames simmered and a head grew from the ground.

The head's eyes had concentric rings over a purple hue. It wore a samurai's armor with the face of a demon. Its mouth opened. Hidan walked in. He was chewed up by the head. The mouth opened once again, and Hidan walked out looking as pristine and healed as ever.

The head sank back into the ground and Hidan yawned.

"Yes, Lord Kakuzu," Kinbo said, walking away with Hidan in tow.

Killing intent brought them both to their knees. "Did I say you could leave?"

Kinbo remained silent. 

Hidan groaned. "YOU JUST TOLD US TO GO DO SOMETHING!!"

"Once we're done," continued Kakuzu, decidedly ignoring Hidan. "We will go to Yakedo." 

"Why Yakedo?" asked Kinbo.

"I gathered information from the snake who brought the Jinchuriki to us. Killer Bee is the one who led the Nibi Jinchuriki on this mission. Yakedo is due to erupt very soon. It's the Hachibi's job to control the eruption.

"Killer Bee will go there, and that is where the Nibi is headed. We will return to this base with Two Bijuu." 

Kinbo nodded in acknowledgement.

Hidan cracked his knuckles. "That sounds fun…"

"Now you may go."

Kinbo walked off with Hidan bumbling nonsense beside him.

Kakuzu continued to stand.

He stood.

He stood…

He stood…

ϟ—Chapter End—ϟ

Chapter Text

ϟ— Chapter Eight  — Hell—ϟ

Smoke and ash shrouded the sky. Mountains above were blackened by shadows. Yakedo nearly glowed with the hue of hell. “I sure am cutting it close,” murmured Bee. 

Yowui shielded his eyes from the falling ash, lagging behind his sensei. “You said it’ll take you an hour?”

“Yeah,” It’ll be fine, was what he wanted to say next. He knew better… 

They trudged up the mountain, and the ash only fell thicker. Bee wiped his shades clean and the moment he took away his hand, they would be useless again. He wiped the dust away and formed a small cloak of the Hachibi’s chakra around his head. His vision stayed unobstructed. 

Yowui didn’t have his sensei’s ability. He dealt with the constant ash shrouding his vision. He forced each leg up as it became hotter and hotter with each step forward. That didn’t stop him. The burning of his muscles, of his eyes, it would not stop him. 

The volcanic crater pushed out waves of heat like a hurricane’s wind. Only Bee could stand fully. Bee’s body erupted with the Hachibi’s ethereal purple chakra. With a deep breath, he stuck out his hand. The heatwaves immediately stifled. Yowui could stand. The lava at the center boiled less and slowly started toward stillness.

The ground below erupted with metallic wires and tendrils. Bee’s body was wrapped. Yowui screamed as wires dug into his neck. Bee snapped his restraints and freed his student. The heatwaves blew with unbridled intensity and even Bee was thrown down the mountain. 

Brimstone below erupted with flames. A burst of chakra vanquished them. Yakedo quaked. Earth and rock collapsed from the summit. Bee wrapped Yowui and himself with the Hachibi’s tentacles. Rock made contact with Bee’s defense, but they burned into brimstone. They tore through and Bee leapt into the air. 

Even through the ash, he spied two figures. One wielded—Bee’s eyes widened—”The Jigoku Scythe!” 

“What’s that?!!” yelled Yowui as they fell alongside the ash. 

They reached the ground, and Bee released Yowui. He looked back at his student. Despite the heat, Yowui was cold to his core. 

“Kay and Ka’rai are approaching from the southwest.”

Yowui nodded and Bee’s look turned dire.

“ Run. ”

And run, Yowui did. 

Bee looked forward to his two assailants. They approached. The scythe wielder was cackling. The taller man beside him wielded metallic wire. It dug through all of Yakedo. Bee’s eyes narrowed. It can’t be…

“Killer Bee,” stated the man as he approached.

“Kakuzu,” greeted Bee in kind.

"Oh, so you know him but not me?!!" screamed the scythe wielder, slamming the blades into the brimstone he created.

"Then what's your name, fool?" Bee drew his six blades. The seventh was shattered. 

He grinned manically. "HIDAN! BITCH!!" 

Hellflame growled. 

"Wind Style: Homicidal Pressure Wave."

The hellflame screamed. Blazing orange morphed to white. Bee was engulfed by the roar. He weaved hand seals. "Ink Style: Artisan Shield." A dome of ink seeped from his skin. It swirled into a dome around him. The supercharged hellflame burned through it.

Bee leapt into the air. A mask connected to Kakuzu's tendrils bellowed like a hollow soul. Lightning spewed from its mouth. Bee slashed the lightning away. He flickered down toward Kakuzu. He dodged a strike from Hidan. Kakuzu's tendrils nearly pierced Bee.

A burst of purple chakra shot the two into the ground. Kakuzu's body erupted with tendrils. A conglomerate with two masks charged like an undead serpent. An electrically charged fireball erupted with wind. It careened toward Bee. His arm grew into a massive tentacle and blocked it. He leapt over a slash from Hidan. The scythe changed orientation and struck upward. 

The red blade burned with hellflame. Bee's tentacle was sliced off. No blood was spilled. Hidan cursed. Bee kicked Hidan's chest. It caved in with shattered ribs as he flew into the ashen horizon. 

Dammit, cursed Bee. I can't waste time fighting these two!! 

Eight tentacles sprouted from Bee's back. His hands morphed into those of the Hachibi's. Dense purple chakra formed between his hands, with the interception of his tentacles aiding. 

"BIJUU BOMB!!" screamed Bee as he launched the attack. Bee snapped his fingers and it split into two. One half for Kakuzu; one half for Hidan. A purple streak flashed up the mountain. Those attacks should be small enough not to upset Yakedo too much. 

Bee struck out his oxen hands with his tentacles over the volcanic crater. The mountain's rage subsided. The eruption slowed. Bee's tentacles were sliced by electric wire. Brimstone struck up in spikes below him. He was forced to leap above. Then he blocked another tri-elemental attack of fire, wind, and lightning. 

Heat boiled over as Bee fell into Yakedo's crater. He caught himself and landed on the lava, just as he would a body of water. Hidan was the only one to follow. His skin popped, burned and smoldered. 

Hidan grinned. 

Bee grimaced. 

An electric fireball shot down into the volcano. Bee dodged—it hit the lava pool and it jolted in a mini eruption. They're gonna accelerate the eruption!!

The lava roared with hellflame. The surrounding rock hardened into brimstone. Hidan cackled and charged Bee. He blocked the scythe strike, but his blades did not. Six shattered to four. Bee leapt over and stabbed Hidan in the skull. Then the neck—next the torso. 

Hidan only cackled and sliced at Bee. He used his remaining blade to block. It shattered. Quickly, it was stopped by a horn. Bee rammed Hidan in the chest. He pulled out his blade and he was forced to leap back. 

Countless tri-elemental fireballs poured down like a meteor shower. Bee roared, summoning a full sized tail of the Hachibi to blow all of them away. His hand caught the largest blade of the Jigoku Scythe. It was still the hand of the Hachibi. No blood was drawn.

"FUCK YOU AND YOUR BULLSHIT BIJUU POWERS!!" screamed Hidan. The brimstone melted into more lava. The hellflame erupted. Up above, Kakuzu elevated himself above the crater. He waved a lengthy sequence of hand seals, merged with a mask of his. 

Bee leapt up to cease it. A magmic spike of brimstone and shot toward him. Bee broke it. That split second proved to be his downfall.

"Wind Style: Gigantic Homicidal Pressure Wave."

An inhuman sphere of wind hurled directly into the crater. The hellflame screamed. Yakedo shook. Bee was barely able to defend himself against the onslaught of supercharged hellflame. Lava spewed and churned. The grip Bee had over his chakra slipped.

He couldn't stay above the lava for much longer—no not in this hellstorm. Bee inhaled.

Help me out here, Gyuki.

Purple and black chakra erupted through the hellstorm. It whirled around like a tornado. Lightning in the ash thundered. The eruption of Yakedo subsided. Strength fueled him. Tentacles conglomerated around Bee and he was seemingly absorbed. 

Kakuzu pulled Hidan out of the crater. He was once again, a cackling, smoldering corpse. Hidan summoned the King of Hell and crawled in its mouth. Kakuzu spasmed and bulged with his tendrils, weaving hand seals. 

"Five Elemental Golems."

The bellow of an Ox shook Yakedo more than any tremor below. From the lava and hellflame rose the Hachibi. Similarly, from the rock and brimstone of Yakedo's summit rose five gigantic golems of tendrils.

One was alight with flame. One churned with water. One sparked with lightning. One whirled with wind. Kakuzu himself stood upon an earthen statue. Each of which were vastly outsized by the Bijuu. 

Below, Hidan cackled. He dug into the rock and morphed it into brimstone.

"This battle will end with you and the Nibi coming with us," declared Kakuzu. "I fought the man who battled seven Bijuu. What makes you think one has a chance?"

Bee's tremendous fist clenched and pounded Kakuzu's earth. It turned to dust. The other elements wrapped themselves around the Hachibi's form. The earth golem reformed as the Hachibi was held back by the tendrils. A bellow and a burst of strength threw them off of him. 

How much longer until we're at full strength? 

I've been holding back on you… You know you can't handle it, Bee.

I'll need to, eight-o. 

We can't afford to draw out this battle, or else Yakedo is going to blow. 

I was going to ask that next. Just give me the answers I need.

I can give you up to seventy-five percent right now. It'll take ten more minutes until you're at full power. At this rate… Yakedo will erupt in five.

Give me everything. 

A flood of power and chakra erupted out of Bee. The muscles and tentacles of the Hachibi flexed and tensed. Ink seeped from the hide. 

Kakuzu's eyes narrowed. "You better hurry up, Hidan…"

⁑♨—ϟ—♨⁑

Yowui didn't stop running. It didn't matter how far he got; the ash was still determined to bury him. The explosions in the distance rang his ears. The smell of smoke was suffocating. The taste of ash in his mouth was bitter. The burn of his tired muscles brought him to his knees.

Tears broke the ashen stain on his face, leaving clear trails. If he tried to wipe them away, ash would get into his eyes. The ash was sharp, like mini pieces of broken glass. He'd blind himself.

Even still, the constant welling of tears blocked his vision. Yowui choked in ash with a sob. He coughed it out with cries and a searing throat. He could barely even breathe. He forced himself to stop sobbing but that only meant he couldn't breathe at all. He let out a breath—another sharp inhale and ash invaded his throat again.

It burned and Yowui screamed. He gasped for air but once again he received a mouthful of ash. The world was a black shroud with the tears in his eyes. Each unwilling grasp for life was met with a mouthful of death. 

His head pounded. Even on his hands and knees, he lost the strength to stay upright. He collapsed onto the ashen floor. Tears poured. The world faded to black… 

An orange sunset glowed in his vision. It was warm. He was dirtied with mud, cows mooed and pigs oinked. His stomach was full, and the brown farmhouse in front of him stood tall like a protective shadow. 

Yowui smiled.

He was home…

He was home.

Finally, he was happy.

⁑♨—ϟ—♨⁑

"Kay," began Suberi. "This ash is heavily obstructing my senses. I won't be of much use for longer.

Ka'rai wiped his nose—his eyes were green and yellow stars in the midnight ash. "Yeah… all I smell is smoke. I can barely see in front of me…"

"Do you two still think you can fight?" asked Kay. Her hands shielded her eyes and nose. 

"Hell yeah!!"

"I can, but I won't be effective. Same goes for you, Ka'rai," said Suberi.

He huffed and flame blued the ash. "Hey! Don't go underestimating me now!"

"Be realistic, Ka'rai," urged Kay. "How well do you think you can fight? Truly?"

"Just fine." A toothy smirk split his face crooked. 

The hair on Ka'rai's neck rose with chills. Suberi rose onto her hind legs and blocked an attack—one of pure energy— not even chakra. Her palms burned. Ka'rai roared into his one-tailed cloak. He bared his canines and shouted.

Through the ash, another energetic crescent cut toward them. Kay summoned an earth wall. It was sliced in two by the crescent. Kay summoned three more. The attack only stopped on the third. Over the remaining wall, a cobalt blue fireball reigned toward Kinbo.

With his pitch-black Katana, he cut the fireball and he was unharmed. Kinbo's fist clenched and his blade shimmered with the color of the damned. In a flicker of lighting, Kay's mace sparked in front of Kinbo's skull. She was kicked into the ashen ground. A guttural growl cut the ash. Ka'rai blazed toward him. All it took was another slice to subdue him. Another crescent cut at the charging Suberi. The armadillo popped into smoke on contact. 

That energy… growled the Nibi. He's weaponizing the souls inside of his blade. Turning their essence into attacks.

The Nibi's anger burned Ka'rai's cloak. One tail roared with flame. A split second's hesitation held Ka'rai back. A clang shot into his ears. Kay was barely holding back Kinbo's assault. The blade struck the mace time and time again. 

Ka'rai's hesitation shattered. " GET AWAY FROM HER!! " he screamed alongside his cloak. Instinctively, Jinsei flames bled from his palm. A Tri-pointed spear formed from the fire and he hurled it at Kinbo. He leapt above the attack. Frustration flared and so did the Jinsei. They burned brighter and turned back at Kinbo. 

He blocked it but Kay struck at him. With his free hand he grabbed the mace's handle. Kay kicked his face. With a stumble, he redirected the Jinsei's rage onto her. Kay's arm and shoulder was pierced. She screamed and so did Ka'rai.

" YOU BASTARD!! " Blue and Green shot through the ash. Flames grew from the ground. The Jinsei flames only grew hotter. Kay screamed louder. Ka'rai didn't hear her. All he heard was the roar of fire in his ears. The whisper of the Nibi.

Give me control.

Ka'rai charged toward Kinbo on all fours. A crescent strike of anguished souls cried through the ash. With an outstretched hand Ka'rai caught it. The Nibi's fire burned hotter. It clicked in Ka'rai's head. 

The death in Kinbo's Katana…

Ka'rai clenched his fist over the energy and it dispersed. The power remained. 

Give me more power Nibi. As much Chakra as you can.

Cobalt Blue roared. Kinbo shouted forward with his Katana ready to strike. Ka'rai looked toward him with a daring glare. He sliced down. A second tail of chakra caught the blade. He applied more force and it was cut through. Ka'rai pounced on Kinbo—predatory claws dug into his gut. Muscles tensed and fire burned. Ka'rai lost the chance to bisect him. 

Blood spewed from the cut on his face. Even more from his cut shoulder—then the one that ripped down his back. Ka'rai screamed. With a hand he called for Jinsei—it never came. 

Grab his blade.

Ka'rai attempted to do so but three fingers were severed from his hand. He hissed. Kinbo sliced his mouth. Crimson stained his face. His next attack was blocked by a mace. Kay panted as she dug a kunai into the gash on his stomach. Kinbo growled—then he screamed as lightning coursed through his body. She hurled the mace toward his chest but Kinbo's blade nearly pierced hers.

Kay leapt back, grabbing Ka'rai who grabbed his fingers. They disappeared into the ash. "Reattach your fingers," she commanded with a burning hand. She weaved hand seals and summoned another armadillo. "Kyoskei," she called him. "We need to escape, buy time."

" No, we need to kill him, " growled Ka'rai, using the Jinsei to heal his hand. " He's trapped so many souls into his blade and he's using them as a weapon. "

"That's none of our concern—"

" It's fucking mine , " hissed Ka'rai. His glare melded with the Nibi's and Kay froze. " I won't let those souls be trapped another day. I SWEAR I WON'T!!"  

Ka'rai leapt off Kyoskei and charged back into battle. With a curse, Kay ordered her summon to follow. Another crescent moon strike met Ka'rai's path but he turned it into power. 

Each one of those strikes has ten souls worth of essence. You've already freed the equivalent to twenty. Three more and I'll be at full power. 

Alright, he responded. Ka'rai pounced toward Kinbo but was slashed across the chest. With a single hand seal, Ka'rai's own chakra seeped into his cloak. A blazing bang knocked Kinbo back. Even Ka'rai's ears rang, but that meant nothing. A tremble in each four-legged step. Ka'rai slashed at the downed Kinbo—it was predictably blocked by his Katana. He beamed and grabbed the blade. It glowed with freed souls but Kinbo threw Ka'rai off of him.

Fire roared from Ka'rai. 

That was roughly twenty; I’m nearly at full power.

Ka'rai couldn't hold back his grin. Especially as Kyoskei pounced on Kinbo. Fire roared from his black hide as he attacked. An instant connection to the fire fueled Ka'rai. With a glare, he burned them blue and Kyoskei only attacked stronger.

With an inhale Ka'rai weaved hand seals. " Fire Style: Breath of a Thousand Suns!! " Spherical balls of cobalt blue fire reigned on Kinbo. Kyoskei melded it with his own flame in a blazing claw that slashed Kinbo. He collapsed to the ashen dirt. Kay leapt off of Kyoskei into the ash. All three attackers converged onto Kinbo and he screamed. His Katana flashed and the trio stammered. 

"Kurosa-Tamashi!!" he shouted. The bright flash blackened and his blade trembled with the scream of the enslaved. Kinbo's sights narrowed on Kay. She barely had time to make a hand seal. In a cloud of smoke—it was Kyoskei that was hit with the attack. He collapsed into the ash bisected. 

Rage burned into Ka'rai and he glared at Kay. " WHY WOULD YOU DO THAT?!! "

"Would you rather it was me that died?" she bit back. 

Ka'rai sucked his teeth and turned his glare to Kinbo. His blade still sparked and screamed. " Do it again— I fucking dare you . "

Kinbo's eyes narrowed. He charged instead. Kay leapt forward to block but Ka'rai matched her. Her mace blocked and his claws slashed. Fire raged toward Kinbo—he leapt back and slashed. The inherit essence of the souls trailed behind. The Nibi's instinct drove Ka'rai to grab it. He did. Ka'rai pulled. An excess of souls were freed. 

The Nibi roared in triumph. Ka'rai's cloak seared. Fire dripped off onto the ash. The power fueling his chakra was nothing but ecstasy. The burning heat, the unimaginable strength… pure flame—no pure death. Chills went down even Kay's spine as Ka'rai stared down Kinbo.

" You'll match the suffering of every soul you trapped in that blade, " declared Ka'rai with green and yellow suns for eyes. A cobalt blue streak blurred past Kay and Kinbo could barely react. Blood poured from his chest. Next his legs. Finally, he burned all over. Jinsei flew from Ka'rai's hand and attacked Kinbo itself. He could barely slice the fire off before the Jinchuriki stepped on him. He forced the blade from his grip and Kinbo shouted.

"GIVE THAT BACK!!" he demanded. Ka'rai simply used the blade to slice three of his fingers off. Kay quickly bolted over to Kinbo, holding him down. With a deep breath, the Nibi's instinct drove Ka'rai. With a gentle caress of the blade, countless souls were freed. The damned glow of the blade faded into nothing, and Kinbo shouted out. 

"NO!!" he cried, forcing himself up but Kay pressed the mace into his head. The sharpened spikes drew blood.

Ka'rai dropped the blade with a clang. " Why not kill him? " he asked Kay.

"It would be smarter to keep him as a hostage… for interrogation," she explained with her left arm limp at her side. 

Ka'rai simply nodded, not daring to deactivate his cloak. A cataclysmic boom brought Ka'rai and Kay to their knees. Their very cores were shaken. The ashen rock below hardened into brimstone. The brimstone expanded out far past even Ka'rai's line of sight. Slowly, the brimstone broke and lava spewed.

Both of them looked toward the summit. The Hachibi's silhouette was dwarfed by a nigh-fictional amount of lava. Smaller silhouettes flickered in front of the lava's orange glow like swarms of locusts. Demonic cries followed the eruption of Yakedo. 

"What the hell…" murmured Kay.

" Nibi, what is this?! "

Hidan… he must have used the Jigoku Scythe in combination with the eruption…

To what?!

He's brought Hell itself to earth.

⁑♨—ϟ—♨⁑

Hidan's manic cackles overtook his body with convulsion after convulsion. It looked as if he was having a seizure from pure ecstasy. Soul Eaters flew from out of hellish spewing in swarming masses. The brimstone of Yakedo split open with lava spewing.

Bee's Hachibi form could barely look on, constricted in the grip of metallic tendrils. Dammit no!! roared Bee—he collapsed down into a fault of lava. The Hachibi's hide was fine, that was until soul eaters swarmed the beast. Black humanoid monsters with tusks, horns, and reptilian wings—an Oni some might call them.

With a clenched fist, the Soul Eaters went limp. Their very strength was zapped—just as Bee did to the volcano before. The Hachibi bellowed. Yakedo only split and erupted violently. Ash spewed into the air—the atmosphere was entirely black. 

Give me control, Bee. 

Kakuzu's tendrils dug into the Hachibi's hide, drilling deep with elemental fury. The masks conglomerated into Kakuzu and he weaved hand seals.

Nah! I got this eight-o!

A beam of all five elements pierced the Hachibi's hide. Bee screamed as it tore through him. Another cataclysmic boom threw Kakuzu and Bee down the mountain. They tumbled through molten rock, ash, and brimstone. Hidan leapt from the crater after them, entirely charred and leading Hell toward wherever Bee was.

Hellflame roared and engulfed Bee. Brimstone rose above and held the Hachibi down. Swarms of Soul Eaters attacked him again and again—

— Hand over CONTROL BEE!! Stop being a fool!!

"Dammit…" cursed Bee. The Hachibi's wild lavender eyes shut. He went limp and Hidan bellowed out in laughter. As quickly as the laugh exited his mouth, Hidan himself went limp. He collapsed to the floor with every ounce of strength wrung from him like a rag. 

Kakuzu was next. The tendrils lost their strength—they slid off of the Hachibi's hide. The so-called immortal slumped down into the fire, lava, and brimstone. The Soul Eaters screeched away from the Hachibi. The pure aura of strength surrounding him drove the monsters away.

"Damn," cursed the Hachibi. His eyes narrowed on Yakedo. It would blow in mere seconds— even if The Hachibi used all the strength he could muster. He did it anyway. "Sorry, Bee… you're gonna be out of it for a while after this."

The Hachibi roared and the very earth bowed in respect. The lava of hell lost its vigor, but the eruption stood defiant. His hands stretched out with open palms. With another bellow he fought the eruption, forcing the strength of it down as much as possible. 

The tug of war delayed the inevitable for a few brief moments.

A boom so deafening it even shattered rock. Yakedo collapsed into itself. Lava and ash spewed high into the atmosphere—even the Hachibi was blown back. On his back, he fought against the pyroclastic flow. 

Save my team!! demanded Bee.

The Hachibi nodded in response. There were six presences of strength. One was undeniably Ka'rai, he reeked with the Nibi's presence. Two were beside, one was weakened more so than the other. However, they were quite far. A barely existent, faint presence was closer. 

It had to have been Yowui. 

The Hachibi blew back the pyroclastic flow and charged toward Yowui. He out-sped the eruption and reached him, absorbing Yowui into his tentacle before moving toward Ka'rai. He fought against the flow to reach the two, quickly absorbing them as well before collapsing onto the ash.

Bee! Your body is giving out!! 

Keep going!! 

I can't!! 

Dammit!! Bee shouted as the Hachibi's form was enveloped by the ash and eruption. Shrouded in superheated ash with a belly of lava, the Hachibi was the only barrier between Team Bee and Hell.

ϟ—Chapter End—ϟ

Chapter Text

ϟ— Chapter Nine  — Ashes—ϟ

Ashen smoke crumbled over brimstone. A new day's sun rose behind a black sky and the Hachibi's form finally gave way. Four barely conscious Shinobi lay in the pool of ink where the Hachibi once was. Immediately, Ka'rai snapped to attention. The Nibi's eyes became his own. Kay was next to follow, she placed a now-healed hand on his shoulder. 

"Our first objective is to return to Kumo," she said.

Ka'rai nodded slowly. "Yeah…"

A groan followed. Yowui wiped the ink from his face and blinked at the two—he coughed. "You guys…" His eyes widened. "Ka'rai! You're alright!" 

He grinned. "Why wouldn't I be?"

"You got kidnapped by an S-Rank missing nin…"

Ka'rai shrugged. "It was fun, not gonna lie."

"Fun?!! You almost died!!" shouted Yowui—even Kay was taken aback by his sudden outburst. 

"Yeah, I've never done that before!" said Ka'rai with his grin growing. "It was fun…"

Yowui's fists clenched. With a sigh, he looked away, toward Bee… who didn't move an inch. The fear on Yowui’s face matched the look of a ghoul. "Is he dead?!!" he managed through visceral coughing.

"Nah," answered Ka'rai cooly. He walked over to his sensei and crouched. "He's out of it…" he murmured with narrowed eyes. "This must be the price of using a Bijuu's full power." 

With a rub of his hands, Jinsei seeped from his skin. “Hey, can you help out Bee-sensei for me?" he asked the flame. It burned hotter yet calmer. He placed it on Bee's back. The unconscious man groaned as he was enveloped in the fire. Ka'rai pumped more chakra into it—it looked like Bee became the wood for a blue bonfire.

"You guys can hop in if you need it," added Ka'rai with a toothy smile.

Yowui stepped back. "Uh…"

Kay simply laid beside Bee, and the flames enveloped her as well. "It feels like a hot spring, Yowui!" she managed through the simmer of Jinsei.

"It's not gonna kill you, man," assured Ka'rai. 

Shaking his head, Yowui stiffly laid beside Kay and Jinsei spread to him next. After a bit, he loosened up and allowed his head to rest beside Kay. She smiled at him. He chuckled back. "Thanks, Ka'rai…" 

"Of course!"

A screech roared behind the three. Jinsei roared off of them and formed in Ka'rai's hand. The fire burned as it blocked a claw—the size of Ka'rai's head. Two tails roared from his body.

That is a Soul Eater, Ka'rai. 

Jinsei formed into a human-sized sickle and impaled the beast to the floor. Ka'rai took a chunk of the sickle, formed it into a blade, then cut its head off. The demonic head rolled in front of Yowui's. The boy screamed. 

Ka'rai's cloak dropped, and he fell to his knees. Jinsei evaporated into the air. "Fuck…"

What the hell is a Soul Eater? 

Creatures from Hell; as their name says, their purpose is to devour the souls sent to Hell. The more souls they've eaten, the more powerful they are. Hidan must've summoned them when he brought Hell to Earth.

"We need to leave," ordered Kay. 

Yowui readily nodded and stood fast. Ka'rai pouted. "I want to hunt down the Soul Eaters, though…" 

You'll get your chance soon. Return to your village. 

"Fine…" he murmured. Standing up, only to stumble on his knees again. "Shit!" 

With Bee over her shoulder, Kay pointed at Ka'rai. "Pick him up, Yowui. We need to move fast."

"I'll barely be able to move with him on me!" Yowui shook his head incredulously. "Can't you summon your armadillos or something?!"

"Suberi was injured during the battle. She needs time to recover. Ka'rai cannot move on his own, and you can. It is up to you to keep the team moving, Yowui."

"No! I can move on my own!" Ka'rai stressed, forcing himself to his feet. He took a step and nearly fell.

"Stop being boneheaded," she commanded with a slight glare. 

With a sigh from both parties, Yowui slung Ka'rai over his shoulders. He and Kay moved through the smoke and ash—it still fell from the black sky above. To their back—toward Yakedo— there was a hellish orange glow that was their new sun. 

It didn't take long for Ka'rai to join Bee in unconsciousness. Yowui lagged behind Kay, but dammit, he kept moving. A cough accompanied every meter he ran. But, that didn't stop him. No, it wouldn't—it wouldn't, not again. 

Not again… never again. 

⁑♨—ϟ—♨⁑

Metal tendrils shifted in the ash. Shattered masks and broken hearts rose alongside Kakuzu. His skin scratched together as his joints moved. He clenched his fist, but nothing came—there was no fist to clench. Tendrils slithered through the ash, attaching to a severed hand of a colorless diamond and pulling back. He did the same with his legs, a chunk of his torso, even his lower jaw.

Kakuzu stitched himself back together and sat up fully. “Damn it all…” he grumbled.

“You look rough, boss,” chuckled Hidan as he strut toward Kakuzu. He looked as if the previous battle didn’t even happen. 

“Did Kinbo at least capture the Nibi?” 

Hidan shrugged incredulously. “How the fuck am I supposed to know?!”

Kakuzu growled and trudged through the ash, his feet grinding against brimstone. His partner followed behind. Ash poured like a blizzard of black, but neither man was affected. It took an hour of searching to find Kinbo in the ash, but only mere seconds to dig him up.

He was scorched in third-degree burns. He was missing an arm—it was a miracle that he was even alive. He wouldn’t be for much longer. Hidan cackled. With arrogance, he hit the butt of his scythe on the brimstone. Jashin rose and looked toward Hidan.

“Help out this idiot— please, Lord Jashin,” requested Hidan with a dutiful bow. 

Jashin looked toward Kinbo’s almost corpse. He opened his mouth, wrapping Kinbo in his tongue before swallowing him. A minute of chewing later, Kinbo was spat out, fully healed with both arms. On his hands and knees, he panted.

Kinbo bowed his head to the King of Hell. “Thank you…”

Jashin sank back into the ground. Hidan yawned. “So, you failed too, eh? Lord Orochimaru’s gonna be fucking pissed. ” 

Kakuzu opened his mouth to scold Kinbo… but dammit, he couldn’t. He had failed just as much as he did. “This isn’t over. We will return to the nearest hideout to regroup.”

“I will not,” declared Kinbo, hurriedly searching through the ash. “The Nibi brat released the souls in my blade…” He couldn’t help but slam his fist into the brimstone below. “I need to get them back.”

Kinbo gasped as he grabbed the handle of a Katana. He pulled out his jet-black blade and let out a relieved sigh. “I will replace every single soul with that of a Soul Eater’s.”

Turning his back, Kakuzu sighed. “Don’t get yourself killed.”

“Yeah, I won’t be here to get Lord Jashin to heal you again,” remarked Hidan as he twirled the Jigoku Scythe in his hand. 

Kinbo scoffed with narrowed eyes. “I’ll be fine,” he murmured, staring at the hundreds of Soul Eaters in the black and orange sky. His fists clenched over the hilt of his empty blade, and he couldn’t help but wince.

 Everything just felt so damned Hollow.

⁑♨—ϟ—♨⁑

His mind ached… like a pond rippling in a thunderstorm—crashing and throbbing coldly like a brain freeze. Ka'rai managed to chuckle.

Y'know, Yugito… we kind of share a brain. I can always tell how you feel.

The thrashing pond shifted. I see… 

What's wrong? You were really silent for the fight, too.

I simply had nothing to say. I couldn't afford to divert your focus. The pond churned colder—Ka'rai's physical body winced. 

Ah, he murmured, missing the half-truth. Well, I appreciate it! A golden warmth calmed the water just a bit. I have trouble focusing on multiple things sometimes…

Yugito chuckled low, the pond throbbing still. I'm happy to have helped you.

Y'know, began Ka'rai. We never got to actually talk about things… Now that we have some downtime, let's do that!

Oh. Yugito pondered. Well, I already know pretty much everything there is to know about you…

Thought so, murmured Ka'rai. Well, that just saves us time! Why do you love Kumo so much?

The same reason as you, she answered—the storm quelled slightly, and the pond reflected in reminiscing. Memories flashed against the black of Ka'rai's closed eyelids, like a dream. A supportive village backed Yugito, championing her to be their second Killer Bee. Two loving parents—both Shinobi—showered her with smiles and determination. Darkness shadowed over all—dreams crushed by the hammer of war. Comrades rose and fell, a lover lost—Yugito shut the memories away. 

The cold ripple sent an ache through Ka'rai's head. You died young… you were only twenty…

I was, she confirmed simply. My last act allowed Kumo to keep the Nibi. My only regret is that I couldn't have lived longer to serve more.

I doubt that, rebutted Ka'rai. On top of that, Nibi is more than just a weapon for Kumo—she isn't its property . 

I… I am now aware, she assured. The notion is foreign to me; I admit. 

Just because it's unfamiliar doesn't mean it's bad! Y'know, I find the notion of a dead person inside of my head very unfamiliar… but it's fun! So, I'm here for it. 

That got a chuckle out of Yugito. Right…

I saw that you and Nibi didn't really get along; but, she should hate me waay more than she'd hate you. I'm an Uzumaki, my clan kind of enslaved the Reaper, Nibi's best friend.

It— she's trying to play you, Ka'rai. I don't trust her actions.

I trust her! beamed Ka'rai. The warmth in the mindscape grew—Yugito's cold was nearly overtaken. I'm helping her do her job here, and hopefully when I die, I can release her to the world and she'll coexist with humanity! Like she did in the past!

That's idealistic, Ka'rai, warned Yugito. The Nibi will burn Kumo to the ground the first chance she gets. 

I think that would be unnecessary. I'm sure a bunch of unnecessary death will upset the cycle… am I right, Nibi? 

Warmth burned away as the Nibi's presence entered Ka'rai's mind. It could, she answered. But, a bigger upset is at play here.

Is it Hidan's Hell thing? guessed Ka'rai.

Indeed. The moment you’re recovered in your village, you will be returning to where Yakedo once stood so I can sever the newfound connection between Hell and Earth. The longer we wait, the more Hell will consume Earth. Most of what you call Rice Country has been entirely consumed. 

Why would he do something like that?! Growled Ka’rai—the warmth returned with a burning fury. 

Some people are simply born abhorrent, said Yugito. 

Ka’rai huffed, and the Nibi continued. If it gets to the point where the Flames of Izanyomi breach the barrier… then all will burn. But only if I am not there to stop it. 

What are the Flames of Izanyomi? He asked.

The Nibi sighed. Heaven and Hell are connected to life and death; fire is connected to those concepts in the same way. Thus, Heaven and Hell have their own otherworldly flames, which none besides me can control. 

Izanyomi, the true flames of Hell. 

Amaterasu, the true flames of Heaven.

Both are the purest forms of fire. 

Woah… murmured Ka’rai. When will I get to use them?!

Silence fell… Long from now. 

Aw, he pouted. 

Just make sure you recover quickly. We cannot afford to waste time. 

He cannot control that, Nibi, defended Yugito, her pond stilled like hard steel. 

A growl rumbled Ka’rai’s mind—he managed to chuckle. Don’t worry! Uzumaki recover from injuries real fast!

I’m aware, sneered the Nibi. 

Right… friends close, enemies closer…

With that, silence fell and Ka’rai allowed his consciousness to fall deep into the black. The blackened darkness of rest.  

ϟ—Chapter End—ϟ

Chapter Text

ϟ— Interlude One  — Nii—ϟ

The same reason as you… answered Yugito. The storm quelled slightly and the pond reflected in reminiscence. Memories flashed against the black of Ka'rai's closed eyelids, like a dream.

The dream of a life passed. 

⁑♨—ϟ—♨⁑

“This is Yugito Nii!!” announced a man, the Sandaime Raikage. He towered over the girl at his side. She was no older than eight. “She is the third Jinchuriki of the mighty Nibi!! She’s inherited the power of my predecessor, and will serve you all as Kumo’s greatest weapon!!”

The crowd cheered. Yugito stepped back, an uncertain smile on her face. To think something like this was to precede her first day at the academy. With a breath, Yugito stepped forward into the limelight. “T-thank you all!!” she managed. “I promise to serve Kumo well! I’ll defend it with my life, my everything and I’ll never let you down! I promise!!”

Another roar of affirmation overtook the ground. Yugito’s uncertain smile grew into a grin of pride. She was the Nibi Jinchuriki. When she first learned that, she didn’t know what to think. The Demon of Death was sealed inside of her. But the Nidaime Raikage had that same demon. Lord Killer Bee had the Demon of Power inside of him, everyone loved him as well.

But now— but now… she saw. She was the pride of the village, the village she lived in her entire life. The feeling swelled in her chest as she took in every face she saw and committed it to memory. These were the faces of the people she’d be giving her life for. 

Not a day would go by where she wouldn’t think of them. 

Yugito placed a hand on her stomach, where she was told the seal was. “Thank you, Nibi.”

⁑♨—ϟ—♨⁑

Years passed and Yugito trembled on her knees. She was enveloped in steam—burning humidity flared into her nostrils. The boiling pond below popped at her legs, her hands, her face. She kept her eyes shut and pointed down. Even through her shut eyes, the cobalt blue glow persisted. 

“Yugito,” was all it said. 

The girl gulped. “H-hello, Nibi!” She forced a breath out and looked into the cage in front with closed eyes. “I… I would like to use your power for the sake of my village!”

“What makes you think you’re worth even a sliver of my chakra?” asked the Nibi. “You can’t even look at me… and yet you are my jailer. It’s pathetic. Death deserved to take you long ago.”

Fear forged with anger, and Yugito’s fists clenched over the shallow water. “I am your jailer!! Which means you are under my jurisdiction!! You are at my mercy and you need to act like it!! I demand your power—!!”

Cobalt Blue erupted from the cage and Yugito screamed—the fire burned her astral body all over. The flames hardened—densened and she could feel it breathe around her neck, her wrists. Chains of solid fire held her down and she was forced to look it in the eyes.

Discolored eyes of yellow and green, the very sight would’ve brought Yugito to her knees if she weren’t there already. The fire around her neck squeezed and this time the girl couldn’t even scream. Her skin popped and sizzled under the heat. 

Despite the utter super-heated agony that enveloped her, the terror chilled her ached her and consumed her until it was frigid. As if death itself gripped her heart. 

“Speak to me like that again and I will kill you, ” spat the Nibi with a chilling voice. 

Yugito forced a nod through her constraints. The Nibi dropped them and glared at Yugito to “ Leave. ”

Yugito didn’t wait a second to comply.

⁑♨—ϟ—♨⁑

Additional years flashed and her finger pressed against Yugito’s lips. “ Shhhh~” she commanded with a sly smirk of her dark-skinned lips. Despite her comrade’s command, she couldn’t hold back her giggle—nor the blush that colored her face pink. 

The night was at its peak, with the moon of midnight shimmering down on the two. It was just them, and that was all that mattered. “Amai—” Yugito started, but Amai’s finger pressed harder against her lips.

“You don’t need to say anything,” assured Amai—her golden-red eyes sparkling. She drifted her finger off of Yugito’s lips and her hand cupped her face. Yugito only blushed harder as Amai pulled her lips into hers. Both girls closed their eyes and absorbed themselves in the moment. Yugito wrapped her arms around Amai—and there wasn’t a damned thing in the world that would make her let go.

She’d never let go.

⁑♨—ϟ—♨⁑

She never let go, even as Amai lay dying in her arms. Yugito screamed she cried she wailed for a response from her but got nothing. The burns were too extensive. Yugito could’ve survived them… but she couldn’t have taken the hit for her. Because they came from Yugito herself.

A vile nausea overtook her at the notion— no, it wasn't her, it was that bastard Nibi. She could feel its contempt and vindication feed on her grief. One moment of lapsed judgment— one moment of trust. 

It all ended up in this. 

Yugito looked around in the blue inferno around her. The burning corpses of her comrades shrouded the area with smoke.

The only one who survived was the cause. 

She was all that was left.

Yugito screamed.  

⁑♨—ϟ—♨⁑

It was better for the village that nobody knew. They'd lose trust in their Jinchuriki, and her bad decision would tarnish the reputation of the next Nibi Jinchuriki after her. She would die before she'd allow that to happen. Even if the peace was an illusion, she'd still protect it. 

The truth was too hard for many to bear. The lie gave them comfort. They deserved the peace… even if it wasn't real. The truth tore her apart with every second of her existence. Every fleeting moment was the equivalent to walking in hell. 

Not a damned soul would join her in her suffering. Not as long as she was alive to keep it that way. Even still, some were suspicious, rightfully so. She kept up the peace, fought for the comfort of her people… her Kumo.

She had nobody else, after all. It killed them all. 

All she had left was Kumo.

There would be nothing stopping her from defending her village with far beyond her all.

At that point, she wasn't even sure that death itself would stop her. 

𓍊✿𓍊 ~ Interlude End ~ 𓍊✿𓍊

Chapter Text

ϟ— Chapter Ten  — Transit to the Burn—ϟ

No matter how far they traveled, the ash still fell—the sky was as black as the darkest depths of the sea. Even in Kumo, the transparent haze was deluged with ash. Ka'rai needed the Nibi's chakra to see clearly. Yowui gave up hope and drawled behind the two ahead. On top of that, Bee had yet to wake up. 

Luckily, the Nibi's presence kept the Soul Eaters away for the most part. Only two attacked, and that was early on. Kay managed to fend them off. All of Team Bee was happy to be back home… no matter how ash-ridden it was. 

Bee was immediately admitted to the hospital. The mission report was handled by Mabui, as Lord Raikage was on a political endeavor outside of the village. Ka'rai wasted no time telling her that he'd need to exit the village as soon as possible in order to take care of the growing hell. 

Naturally, she had to accept. Now, Ka'rai lay in his hospital bed, on one of his many breaks between the accelerated medical attention he received. He and Kay shared a room, as she needed to be on the mission with him. 

"Wait… why?" asked Ka'rai with a raised brow. "Yeah, you're real strong! But you're still just a Genin, y'know. I don't think you should be required to go on a mission to… uh— Hell. "

Kay simply sighed, looking up at the ceiling. "I am an ANBU, Ka'rai," she said straight up, letting out a sigh as if a thousand pounds were lifted off of her. 

He paused. "Wuh—?"

"Because of what happened to the last Nibi Jinchuriki, Lord Raikage was paranoid about what would happen to you. At first, he didn't want you to leave the village at all. Obviously, that wasn't the best idea. The next best thing would be to have someone protect you at all times to prevent a second capture. 

"The person protecting you is me," explained Kay. "Since I'm about your age, it would be easy for me to go undercover and draw less suspicion." 

Ka'rai pointed at her with a grin. "AHA!! I knew there was something off about you from the beginning!!"

She chuckled. "Yeah…"

Soon, the door flung open and Arasei rushed into the room. "Ka'rai?!" 

His grin grew. "Mama!" 

She nearly flew over to his bed and wrapped him in a hug. "Are you okay?"

"Better than ever!" 

Arasei pulled back and held his shoulders—peering deep into his eyes. Ka'rai's black eyes glinted with the light of night. She shook her head. "Of course you are…"

"Mama, I need to go on a mission right after this and I need you to come help me!"

Her head tilted and her grip on Ka'rai tightened. "What?"

"Nibi says that if I don't stop Hell from invading Earth, then everything is gonna burn. Plus, there are a whole bunch of these Oni-type things called Soul Eaters that are there, and I need someone strong to fight them! Kay's coming too, and you're strong and I trust you, so it's perfect!"

Arasei nodded quickly and rubbed Ka'rai's shoulders. "Okay… I'm going along with you. Where's Bee?"

"He's not doing so well," mumbled Ka'rai. "He had to use a lot of Hachibi's power and it hurt him real bad." 

"Ah…" With a frown, she looked over to Kay. "Are you alright?"

"I will be soon enough," she replied with a smile. "I'll be ready to move in about a day or so."

"Yeah same!" 

Arasei slowly nodded. "Okay, I'll be ready by then." She planted a kiss on Ka'rai's forehead and stood. "I love you, Ka'rai."

"Love you too, mama!"

With that, Arasei left the room. Ka'rai let out a breath and closed his eyes. "Gonna try and get some shut-eye… goodnight, Kay."

"It's noon, Ka'rai," she corrected.

All Kay received was a snore in response. 

⁑♨—ϟ—♨⁑

For once, Bee’s mind lacked the sun. Clouds blocked it all. The grassy field around him rippled in the wind, and the Hachibi loomed behind him with a frown. “Bee…” he began. “It’s not your fault.”

The gray clouds above churned as Bee’s fists tightened. “Don’t lie to me, Gyuki.”

Gyuki went silent.

“The Strongest Man Alive… ain't that what they call me?” Bee chuckled. “I failed anyway.”

“Yakedo may not have been stopped, but its eruption was supercharged by Hell and yet we still managed to curb the damage below what it would’ve been originally. All of your students are alive and well. I can sense their strength; they’re doing fine.” 

Bee’s eyes narrowed. 

“We just need to clean up. I can sense Nibi moving out of the village, I assume that she’s going to fix the newly created connection to Hell. Once you recover—”

“Where’s Ka’rai going?!” interrupted Bee, looking back at Gyuki with an intense stare. 

“He’s going back to Yakedo to sever the connection to Hell… Kay and his mother are accompanying him. Nibi is always going to be there with him as well.”

Bee’s fists clenched harder, and the clouds darkened. “And here I am, in a fucking hospital bed… because I wasn’t strong enough to wrap everything up smoothly. I train my body harder and harder to use your power every day and it still means nothing! My body’s at its prime right now, I’ll never be stronger than I am now.”

Gyuki hung his head. The land seemed to rise and fall with his sigh.

“Even now, even at my strongest! Ka’rai is still in danger without me there to help. It’s gonna end up just like Yugito— ” He slammed his fist into the dirt. “What’s the point of being so damned strong if I can’t do shit with it?!”

“You’re not exactly acting strong right now, Bee.” The land shook, and a shiver went down Bee’s spine. “I’ve tried to be accommodating, but that’s going nowhere. You have one partial failure and here you are sulking. What good is this doing for you? How is this making you stronger? Weakness is necessary for strength to exist, but you’re acting pitiful right now, Bee.

“This is not the man worthy of speaking the name Gyuki. This is not the Strongest Man Alive. ”

Bee’s fists clenched and the storm clouds only thickened. “You’re right…” he admitted as he stood. “The moment I’m out this damned room, we’re going to fix this. We’ll need to track down the Nanabi, ain't that right?”

“Yes… that would be wise,” agreed Gyuki.

Bee nodded in agreement. “Alright.”

⁑♨—ϟ—♨⁑

Even at home… Yowui had to guard himself against the ash. It wasn't as bad as in Yakedo, but the terrible memories churned ice into his blood. He could barely see into the mountains above—but what he could see was the black, the dense clouds… 

Hane was up there… she must've been buried. 

He was the third out of the hospital. Kay and Ka'rai got special treatment since they were needed on another urgent mission. No pun intended, but there was no way in hell he was going with them. 

Bee-sensei was still out of commission. The assumption that a human using a Bijuu's power would have great consequences always crossed his mind… but he didn't even think it would've been that bad. 

His sensei showed no signs of waking up during the multi-day trip and had to be rushed to his own specialized treatment room. Being on a team with Ka'rai and Bee-sensei honestly made him grateful he wasn't a Jinchuriki. 

The power wasn't worth it.

But the power that Kay had… that was definitely worth it. He would rather train with her than Bee-sensei, if he was being honest. If the mission to Yakedo showed him anything, it was that he needed to get stronger.

No—there would be no repeats of what happened there.

He needed to be strong like how Kay was. But… How am I going to do that? Yowui let out a sigh. He could’ve trained independently, but that would barely amount to anything. Bee-sensei was out of commission. There was no way that he’d climb up Yakedo again— especially with all the ash up there. 

What else, what else, what else?! Yowui gripped his head—racking his brain for something. He stopped. Team Bee wasn’t the only team that passed… there were two others. Maybe he could train with them?

I mean, it’s an idea… he admitted. There was no guarantee that he’d be accepted, but god dammit, it was worth a shot. He trudged through the lightly falling ash and searched. Where it would bring him… he shrugged. 

He’d find something, eventually.

⁑♨—ϟ—♨⁑

Finally… her biweekly rest day. Hane relaxed in the bed of her dorm… well cell. If it were up to her, she'd go out and see Ka'rai. But, for one, it was storming outside. Going out there was a death wish. Ka'rai was on a mission, anyway. It wasn't like she'd see him out there anyway…

But that didn't take away from how fun going out there by herself would be. She didn't need Ka'rai to have fun—but he for sure made everything better. Hane groaned. If the storm kept up, she might not have been able to train the next day. 

Everyone was locked inside. Snow and—"Is that ash?!" 

White and black particles flew into the small barred window of her cell. She grabbed a piece of the black and smelt it. Sulfur filled her nostrils. "Uh… What the hell is happening out there?!"

Hane gulped. Did a volcano erupt or something? Her heart dropped. Could Ka'rai have been caught in it?! Could his mission be the Bijuu stuff he talked about…?

She fell back into her bed and shut her eyes. "He'll be fine… he's strong. Yeah, Ka'rai's gonna be just fine," she soothed to herself. She kept saying that, hoping the gaslighting would work.

It didn't.

She drawled over to her shelf, taking a manga from her shelf. It was one she picked up last time she went out of the camp. Bonesaw Man. Just volume one, but she'd judge whether she liked it or not from that. 

Hane read… she was hooked by the second page. She finished the volume within the hour. Once again, she was bored and worried.

Hane wanted to cry.

⁑♨—ϟ—♨⁑

This is the best and worst scenario possible, muttered Yowui. By the village’s border, the ashes lightened up just a bit—and the familiar gray haze was barely visible in the black. What was in that haze, however…

Cirru.

Clowui.

At least Sami was there; she was nice… one of Ka’rai’s friends. But, at the same time Cirru was his friend, Ka’rai’s taste in people couldn’t exactly be trusted. 

Their sensei was a blond guy. He looked young… reserved for sure. He’s nothing like Bee-sensei. I like him. With a deep breath, Yowui stepped forward. “Hey!”

Clowui wasn’t surprised at all; she probably knew he was there already. Cirru and Sami were not expecting it, however. Both of them smiled. Cirru’s haughty smirk turned into condescending laughter while Sami’s was genuine. 

“Hey Yowui, what brings you here?” she greeted warmly.

Cirru snorted. “Yeah, what’s your business here, farm boy? ”  

Clowui didn’t say a thing. Their sensei tilted his head. “You’re one of Lord Bee’s students, correct?” 

Yowui nodded, smiling back at Sami and ignoring Cirru. “Yeah… Bee-sensei’s out of it right now, so I came to you for training—If that’s okay with you, of course.” He bowed immediately. 

The sensei walked forward. “You can call me Cee,” he greeted. “I’m sure we can have you until your sensei recovers, right?” he asked, looking back at his students.

Cirru cracked his knuckles. “I’ve been needing a punching bag…”

Sami stepped in front of Cirru, earning a glare. “Of course! It’s fine!”

Clowui shrugged wordlessly.

Cee nodded with a smile, outstretching his hand. “Then it’s confirmed!”

“Thanks…” Yowui murmured, shaking Cee’s hand. 

“What would you like to work on?”

“Durability and endurance,” he answered immediately. 

Cee’s smile brightened. “Well, that’s perfect! Cirru over there’s been needing to work on his Ninjutsu. Both of you can spar and you’ll both improve!”

Yowui paled. 

Cirru’s smirk grew.

What did I just get myself into…?

⁑♨—ϟ—♨⁑

In the coyote’s den, the Cessitsu family waited for an armadillo never to come. Torchlight and stained glass colored with moonlight illuminated their irritation. Kay’s father had his eyes narrowed. “She was supposed to report to us after her mission… we had a job for her.”

“Why did you allow her to take this on in the first place?” asked his father— Kay’s grandfather. A silver-haired man with a face wrinkled from a life long lived.

Her father’s fists clenched. “She took it without our permission.” 

The elder sighed, rubbing his bony hand against his seat. “Damn it all…” He looked toward his son. “If her mission is guarding the Nibi Jinchuriki, wouldn’t the easiest solution be taking him out of the picture?”

“It may be simple, but far from easy, ” he scoffed.

Another man spoke up, his blond hair braided behind him, with yellow-tinted shades obscuring his eyes. “It would be advantageous to use this connection to our benefit, in my opinion.”

Kay’s father looked toward him— his brother— and tilted his head. “What do you propose?”

“Kay has been on multiple S-Rank missions since she joined the Nibi,” he started, a sly smirk crossing his face. “So, we must keep her with the Jinchuriki. If she is consistently on S-Rank missions, then she will consistently bring in S-Rank levels of pay. ” 

The father’s eyes narrowed. “That… is not a terrible idea, not at all.”

“I support it fully,” stated the elder, leaning forward.

Her father nodded. “Then it is settled. The moment Kay returns, we shall tell her of her new objective.”

The elder knocked his fist against the wood of his seat. “Dismissed.”

With that, the three men went their separate ways. 

⁑♨—ϟ—♨⁑

Everything burned and all he had was the Katana in his hand.

Hell’s flame burned and all he had was the Katana in his hand. 

The boy sobbed, holding onto what he felt—parental love radiated from the blade. 

The man cried, holding onto what he felt—empty and hollow nothing from the blade.

Everything was gone…

Everything was gone. 

The hand of a snake reached out.

The claw of a demon reached out.

The boy took it.

The man sliced it off. Kinbo’s tears blurred his vision as he struck at the Soul Eater. He tore a wing off—then drove his Katana into its skull. It died soon after. With a quick half seal, the black of his blade glowed silver. The only visual was the temporary red glow of Kinbo’s Katana before it went back to black.

Kinbo held on tightly to the hilt as he pulled it out of the Soul Eater’s skull. He nearly jumped at what he felt— demonic purpose. Crimson essence bled from the black blade. 

This is way more powerful than any human soul… he noted, ignoring his tears, the hollow cold in his heart. He ignored it all. Kinbo spied droves of Soul Eaters screeching toward him. 

His expression remained neutral—yet still wet with tears. He never knew hell could feel so cold. The fire of what was in it… was more than powerful enough to fuel his willful ignorance. 

Another Soul Eater came and he cut it in half. The blade glowed white again, then burned into red. A second crimson spewing of essence roared out as he cut a third—the process repeated on the fourth. Each spew erupted with double the power of the last. 

The ease of which he cut down the demons became smoother and smoother. Their rage only increased, and so did their power. That only fueled the power in his blade. Kinbo was swarmed by them—their blood was as corrosive as acid. His skin boiled in every place the Soul Eater’s blood dropped. His clothes had holes burned into them, but dammit, that meant nothing. 

The strength in his blade doubled, tripled, even quadrupled with each Oni he cut down. But the tears on his face only came down harder and harder. 

This is hopeless.

Kinbo screamed and a bloody-crimson strike of a crescent moon cut dozens in half. Wasted… he needed contact to steal their souls and any they may have eaten. 

It didn’t matter.

They were gone a second time. 

All thanks to that Nibi brat.

“Ka’rai Uzumaki…” Kinbo began—his voice even and composed as ever despite the tears. “I will reap the soul of everyone you love.”

He looked up into the blackened sky of falling ash. “Just as you did to me.”

⁑♨—ϟ—♨⁑

“Are you okay, Ka’rai?” asked Arasei, wiping the ash away from her eyes. 

He grinned at her. “Of course, mama!”

“The ash is getting thick,” she murmured, the amber of her eyes glowing even with no sun to strike them. 

“It was thicker when Yakedo was in the middle of erupting,” added Kay, who lagged just a bit behind them.

Arasei’s lips pursed and her eyes shimmered—her whole body tensed. “Ah…”

“So this’ll be nothing, right mama?”

She nodded stiffly and slowly. “Yeah…”

The three looked forward to the glowing mass that colored the ash orange. It was miles away, replacing where Yakedo once was on the horizon. Flashing silhouettes dashed across the orange… approaching them. 

They approached as well.

Approached into the growing hell.

ϟ—Chapter End—ϟ

Chapter Text

ϟ— Chapter Eleven — Brimstone Triad—ϟ

The ash got thicker the closer they trekked to Yakedo. Kay expected it to be so… but it didn't make it any less hard to bear. Not physically, necessarily; she had been through much more grueling activities during her training. No, it was all… depressing.

She missed the sun, the brightness she brought—the warmth she gave. She hadn't seen the sun in weeks… and it was always kind of overcast in Kumo, anyway. The ash made it worse. There wasn't anything she could've done, anyway. The whole situation that caused it was out of her league. Wishing to have been stronger in order to do something was foolish. She was lucky to be alive… as was her entire team. Heaven forbid they were thrust into another scenario like that. 

Well, they kind of were. Fighting creatures spawned from Hell in a world of ash and brimstone. Not exactly free from peril. It would've been a time like this where she'd look to the sun. Bask in her warmth, let her rays dance across her face… but she found herself looking toward something else—some one else.

He was something like the sun. Bright and warm without a doubt; literally just as much as figuratively. Like the sun, he was pure—life bringing. Whenever he was around, it was never dark. He didn't lie and deceive, not like she did. She appreciated him for it. Even in the deathly searing of Hell, his warmth calmed her.

Ka'rai was truly as if Amaterasu herself was given form. As an ANBU, she wasn't supposed to feel emotion like this—attached in any way. Ka'rai could die on this mission. But… she didn't care all that much. She wouldn't let him die; that was her mission, after all. One of a lifetime… This emotion would only help her do her job better, is all. 

Kay allowed a small smile to cross her face. She placed an arm out, resting her hand on the cobalt blue sun next to her. "Thank you, Ka'rai."

He looked at her and grinned his signature sharp-toothed grin. "Of course! But… what for?"

"I just think you're a valuable ally, Ka'rai. Someone worthy of protecting," she answered, with not an ounce of truth spared in her words. The honesty made her feel warmer. 

"I don't need protecting, y'know! I'm pretty sure I'm as strong as a Jonin!" he rebutted with a huff, pride obviously hurt.

"Everyone needs protecting Ka'rai," Arasei interjected. Her tone shivered as if it was frigid. Despite that, she sweat… she hadn't stopped since they left the village. "Even Lord Raikage walks around with guards all the time." 

Ka'rai narrowed his green and yellow eyes on her. "You okay, mama?"

"Just a bit worried…"

'A bit,' Kay quoted; not that she didn't understand. Ka'rai was her son, after all. Just as he was her mission objective. And just like Kay, Arasei would use those natural emotions to empower her—

Arasei flashed in front of her son. Wings blocked Kay's view of Yakedo. Two tails burst from Ka'rai's cloak as he strained. Two tails already? "Don't push yourself too hard, Ka'rai!!" she yelled, retrieving her mace. 

"Why not?!!" he screamed back, erupting with flame. Another Soul Eater pounced through the flame and tackled Ka'rai. Kay darted forward, but a phantom slash brought her to her knees. Instinct forced her to reach for her wound, but there was nothing there. Pain didn't stop radiating. 

"Nibi says these things can attack your soul!!" yelled Ka'rai, catching his breath as Arasei slaughtered the Soul Eater that attacked him. Kay's eyes narrowed. She barely ducked another strike for her soul. Its claw struck the ground—Kay was in the air, preparing hand seals while ignoring the pain of her bleeding soul. 

This pain… She guarded with her arms—another slash and unimaginable agony. Her scream was barely held back. The call of her name, carried by Ka'rai's voice, sounded miles away. She looked into the pupil-less black eyes of the Oni in front of her. She allowed herself to fall limp and plummet. 

Naturally, she was caught. 

Held in the air by the claws digging into her essence. 

None came to her aid… they were busy, she assumed. 

As the grip dug deeper into her, the more it hurt. Parts of her deep inside that had never hurt before—that she never knew even existed. Through the pain… she basked in the awareness of it all. 

She was hurting…

Everything hurt—it seemed to slow. 

Everything which was once numb. 

Everything felt something. 

She felt her family, the discipline they instilled in her, the loyalty. The determination that no matter what, the mission will be completed. The mission she was on right now… to vanquish Hell, to protect Ka'rai, and to forever serve the Cessitsu Family. 

Chakra burst from her as she strained against the grip— a clawed grip of both physical strength and spiritual potency. The deeper its claws sank into her being, the more powerful it seemed to grow. Her arms were clasped against her torso, but her dangling legs managed to throw a kick. The kick shot earthen shrapnel made with chakra. It pierced through the chest, head, and neck of the Soul Eater.

It screeched, instinctively letting go. Kay fell through the air, grabbing for her mace. With another devilish cry, the Soul Eater flew toward her. She struck it—the attack did nothing. A claw launched her into the ash below. If it hadn't been for the chakra guarding her body, her back would've shattered. With a few hand seals, chakra formed an earthen casing over the mace. 

The Soul Eater darted toward her from above. She struck it in the skull. The beast's head imploded and it fell limp. Kay fell to her knees, barely seeing Ka'rai in front of her. Behind her, a blurred Arasei stood over the bodies of five Soul Eaters, golden adamantine chains flowing from her back. 

"Kay!" he called. 

She looked him in his dichromatic eyes, the cloak of blue obscuring the details of his skin, shrouding his expression. "Kay!!" he distantly yelled. 

"Can you… heal me?" she managed to ask. 

Ka'rai glowed even bluer. The fire of Jinsei appeared in his hands. He set her alight with them. The ringing in her ears ceased and so did the ache in her back and body, but the agony of her essence didn't at all. 

"What do you mean I can't heal her?!!" screamed Ka'rai—to seemingly nobody. 

"Ka'rai?" Kay asked. He was still blurry.

He growled, the faded blue of his figure brightened. "Nibi said I can't heal you with Jinsei because your soul is damaged."

Kay's crossed eyes widened. "Oh…" She forced herself to focus—Ka'rai's image became just a bit sharper. "How do I heal it?"

"You… can't, " said Ka'rai, voice hollow. "That's what Nibi said, at least. Only these things called Yuurei Flames can. I can't use them yet."

"I see…" murmured Kay. She took a deep breath. It didn't hurt to breathe. She sat up. Nor to move. The agony was simply ambient… something to attune herself to. "I can still fight—"

"NO!!" roared Ka'rai. "Just- uh…"

Kay stood. "You will not stop me. My rank is higher than yours, so you have no authority over me. I will fight, Ka'rai."

He growled, still crouched below her. "Arasei!" she called. "Is that all of them?"

"For now…" she said with a sigh, taking her hands out of the seal they were in. "I don't sense anymore coming our way." 

Kay nodded. "Then let's keep moving."

⁑♨—ϟ—♨⁑

Candlelight. The Raikage faced him. By his side stood Dauri and Machia. The latter insisted on coming… surprisingly. The reserved leader of the Chinoike Clan rarely ever asked for things—let alone insist. He had no reason to decline. 

The man in front of him grinned with serpentine fangs. His golden eyes shimmered with delight. Beside him, a silver-haired boy with glasses stood. It was only him.

"Orochimaru…" greeted the Raikage.

"Lord Raikage," the snake greeted in kind. 

The Kage leaned forward, the darkness of the underground shrouding his cold and still expression. "You propose an alliance with me. What for?"

"Konoha has always been Kumo's greatest rival in the Shinobi world, has it not? Kumo was the second Hidden Village to be founded after Konoha. The Nidaime Raikage surpassed the Nidaime Hokage. The Sandaime Raikage and Hokage were true rivals—always neck and neck… 

"Ever since the death of your predecessor, Konoha has taken the lead. The Yondaime Hokage utterly eclipsed you during the time he was alive…"

The Raikage twitched. 

"It is true that you're likely stronger than the Sandaime Hokage in his current state… but do you think you can match his prime? Or your father's, for that matter…?"

A thunderous crack echoed as the Raikage slammed his fist onto the table. "What are you getting at?!"

"You've fallen off," Orochimaru said simply. "Now, I'm giving you the opportunity to regain the top spot—the spot you deserve. Suna is already allied with me, and I'm working on an alliance with Iwa as I am with you. Kumo and Iwa have been on good terms ever since the Second War. If I'm not mistaken…" 

His black eyes glinted fiery in the candlelight. "Why should I trust a word you say?"

"Oh… It is logical that you would distrust me…" Orochimaru considered, before making eye contact with Machia. "So why not take it from one of the two people you're trusting your life with?"

His gaze darted onto Machia. Not a word needed to be spoken—his glare was enough. Machia hummed. "The Chinoike Clan has been allied with Orochimaru for quite a while."

"How long?"

"Since I asked you to kidnap the Heiress of the Hyuuga Clan. We wouldn't have had that opportunity without Orochimaru," she explained. 

His fists clenched. "Why didn't you tell me?!"

"Because it was Chinoike Clan business, not Kumogakure business."

The Raikage growled. Meanwhile, Orochimaru snapped his fingers. From down a nearby corridor, a Chinoike Clan member walked over. He was tall, lanky with his arms full of scars—obviously self inflicted. 

"This is Doku," introduced Machia. "He has been the bridge between us and Orochimaru for five years. We've traded information—"

"What kind?!" snapped the Raikage.

"Nothing that would endanger Kumo."

He scrutinized her, then Orochimaru, then Doku. He let out a sigh. "Darui."

"I don't like this anymore than you do, Lord Raikage," agreed Darui, his hand not moving from the hilt of his massive blade. "But… if there's a chance to weaken or even destroy Konoha, I believe we should take it."

"With so little information?" questioned the Raikage before he set his sights back on Orochimaru. "What's your plan?!"

"The Chunin Exams… we invade then. It'll be the perfect excuse to infiltrate Konoha, especially during the ever-present final tournament. Midway through… we'll strike. Suna's Jinchuriki will be participating in the exams, and is the crux of it all going to plan. I heard that your Nibi is of a similar age… why not him as well?"

The Raikage's eyes narrowed. "I see…" After a long beat of silence, he let out a sigh. "I will work with you, Orochimaru. " 

The Snake's eyes glinted with glee. "Perfect." The word slithered off his tongue as he outstretched his hand. The Kage shook it. 

A deal of death, made with the devil, bargaining into ruin. 

⁑♨—ϟ—♨⁑

On the ground, bloodied and bruised again. He couldn't stop coughing, which only made the ache of his chest worse. All he could hear aside from the lung he coughed up was Cirru's cackles. 

"Think you've had enough, farm boy?!" he jeered, floating just above the ground— untouched.

Yowui didn't bother to respond. He just ran. He forced his raw and bleeding hands into signs—he was thrashed onto the floor by another gust. His head was the first thing to hit the floor. It felt as if his brain was dropped into Yakedo's eruption. He let out a pained hybrid of a scream and a growl as he clutched his head. Cirru only laughed harder.

"Okay, that's enough!!" yelled Sami, walking between the two. 

Cirru pouted, slowly returning to the ground. "Aw… I was having fun. "

"I'm so sick of you!!" she growled with a huff. Cirru shrugged nonchalantly, as if to say like I care. Not that Sami saw it. Her back was turned. She instead outstretched her hand to Yowui. With a sigh, he took it. She pulled him up with a small smile.

Yowui still held his head. "Thanks…"

"Rest up for a bit and then we'll continue!" declared Cee as he watched over the team. Clowui was… absent. Not that Yowui minded at all. 

Sami frowned at her sensei. "But, he's hurt. "

"...And? This is part of training. He specifically asked for this kind of training as well," Cee explained. 

Yowui shrugged with a nod. "I guess so…" 

"Do you regret your decision?" Cee asked with a raised brow. "If it's too much for you, I can change your regimen around."

He almost said yes without hesitation. Instead, he fell silent, forcing his aching head to think. It would make things easier…. more enjoyable… less humiliating. But did he truly want to give up again? No. no he didn't. It didn't feel right, not this time. He already dealt with it, he showed that he could. 

All that was left was to keep doing it. 

No matter how much it hurt. He'd never become stronger if he didn't.

Yowui forced a smile. "No, it's okay, sensei. Thanks, though."

"Of course," responded Cee with a nod. "If there's anything else you need, just tell me."

Yowui nodded in kind and went to walk with Sami to a conveniently benched-shaped rock. Yowui sat in the ache of his body with great displeasure. The many times he fell on his butt made it throb against the hard rock. He moved to the dirt ground below and stared at the sky. 

It was much more comfortable. 

"Why is Cirru like this?" asked Yowui.

Sami sighed. "I don't know any more than you do." 

"His parents must've done a shit job raising him."

"Eh…? Y'know what, yeah, you're probably right."

Yowui laughed. "My parents would have him set straight in a week!"

"I'd like to see him last a day in the orphanage," Sami added with a chuckle. 

"It's not right to talk about someone behind their back," Cee interjected as he walked over. 

Yowui scoffed. "It's Cirru. " 

"I mean…" she agreed reluctantly. 

"He's your teammate, Sami."

"He's also a total asshole."

Cee rubbed the bridge of his nose and sighed. 

⁑♨—ϟ—♨⁑

I'll prove you wrong father, I swear I will, declared Cirru. With nobody near him, he felt fine. There wasn't anyone to see his pitifully bland outfit. Sami's attire looked better than his. Her tanned combat leggings matched the brown of her hair. The black of her jacket was prominent against her pale skin, with the amber-striped sleeves matching her eyes.

Here he was… looking like a monotone piece of wood. 

It was pitiful.

Not even beating up the farm boy made him feel that excited. At least he was getting stronger. At least he was proving his father wrong. At least he was backing it all up. He could beat Sami and the farm boy easily, so they must've respected him, right? Right?!

It didn't seem so.

Footsteps coming from behind caught his attention. "I'm ready, Cirru."

He put on his usual haughty smirk. "Back for more, farm boy?"

He didn't respond, and simply turned his back. Cirru followed, preparing to beat him into the ground until he needed to give up again. Needless to say, that was what happened. That was what continued to happen until the sun set. 

ϟ—Chapter End—ϟ

Chapter Text

ϟ— Chapter Twelve  — Hollowed Blades—ϟ

Arasei stood over the body of another Soul Eater. According to the beast inside of Ka'rai, her chains were something of a perfect counter to these monsters. Chakra based attacks were the only thing that worked, and yet they were agile enough to avoid most ninjutsu. Even Ka'rai could barely hit them… but her chains held them down. 

Luckily, she didn't have to experience the same agony that Kay did. Her bloodline curse fueled her too much for anything to hit her at that point. It pained her to see the ever present tense expression on Kay's face. But she was fine—so was Ka'rai. 

That reality could change on a dime. What if a stronger Soul Eater came? One she couldn't so easily fend off. What if there were multiple of that caliber? She and Ka'rai would surely die—so would Kay. As strong as she was for her age, this was far out of her caliber. 

Guilt stuck in her like pins and needles—but that was nothing compared to the fear. The dreadful awareness of every step she took. Left foot, right foot, left foot, right foot. Same pattern with Ka'rai. Kay was inverted. Right foot… left foot. Right foot… left foot. Every beat of her heart chilled her veins; she could feel each intimate churn. Each individual muscle twitch. The specific position that ash hit her face, and where the dripping sweat wiped it away. 

She was aware of it all—she was scared of it all. 

She was nothing like her son. Innocence was bliss. Even in Hell, there was a smile on his face. Ever-present excitement and a jovial spirit. Arasei looked upon him with envy, almost. If she were more like him… then maybe Kodaru would've been here with her; or she would've taken his place, at least. 

A dark frown crossed Arasei's face. Ka'rai… was scarily similar to her brother. They had the same smile, the same naivety, the same love and trust in her— The beating of her heart rang in her ears like a bell. Now the feeling of her own digestion was as clear as a hand on her own— Ka'rai's hand was on her. 

"Mama? You've been acting weird this whole time… you okay?"

She clutched his hand and squeezed. "Yes, baby. I'm okay."

"More than a bit worried, I assume?" asked Kay, strained like a stifled scream. 

Arasei decided to ignore her. "I love you, Ka'rai," she said with a sigh.

Oblivious, Ka'rai grinned. "I love you too, Mama!" 

A tight smile curled Arasei's lips. There was no ounce of lie in the words she spoke, not at all. But she doubted how much she could show that— prove that. 

She loved Kodaru.

Look how that ended up.

⁑♨—ϟ—♨⁑

Ka'rai, you'll need to hand over control to me soon. 

Hours passed, and the remnants of Yakedo loomed over them with a fittingly hellish glow. 

No, I don't think I will. 

Why? Not? growled the Nibi, the cloak she gifted to Ka'rai vibrated. 

Honestly, I don't trust you, Nibi.

You've been letting Yugito influence you?

Just as much as you have. 

Ka'rai couldn't help the small smile that crossed his lips, feeling the satisfaction in Yugito's spirit. 

The Nibi felt the same thing. The quake in Ka'rai's cloak even brought attention to Kay and Arasei. 

"Are you okay?" Kay asked immediately. 

"Yeah, Nibi's just a lil mad right now—" 

What reason do you have to distrust me? The connection to Hell needs to be severed so this world can survive, and I'm the only one capable of doing so. 

You killed Yugito's girlfriend, and all of the Shinobi under her command. You hate me more than her because I'm an Uzumaki. Mama's an Uzumaki too, and she helped to capture you. You're gonna kill her the first chance you get. I wouldn't doubt that you'd kill Kay too. 

If Hell overtakes Earth, then they'll die, anyway.

You're not making yourself look any better. 

The cloak of chakra burned hotter and shook with increasing intensity. This time, the Nibi was not the cause.

If I let you out, and you touch either of them, I'll tighten the seal so much that you'll never see the light of day again. Even after I die, you'll be trapped. Just like you did to Yugito. 

The cloak erupted with fire. Both Arasei and Kay shielded their eyes. "Ka'rai?!" yelled his mother. 

You dare threaten me? 

I do. 

Ka'rai sighed. I really want to work with you, Nibi… I really do. But I can't have you be a threat to the people I care about. If you promise not to hurt mama or Kay, then I'll promise to give you control. 

Silence. 

Ka'rai… you don't seriously expect the Nibi to agree to that?

I do, because I have faith in her. She isn't a monster. Well, she looks like one—but—you know what I mean! 

Ka'rai. The Nibi is a monster by every definition of the word. How many people has she killed? How many villages destroyed?! Lives RUINED?!! 

Don't all Shinobi do stuff like that? Nibi's like, a really good rogue nin.  

For the second time… silence. 

Nibi's malice and Yugito's irritation flooded his brain like a migraine. 

Sorry guys— 

"Ka'rai?!" nearly yelled Arasei, going into his cloak to grab his shoulder. 

He jumped back so his mother's hand wouldn't be burned by the fire. "I'm fine… everything's fine."

"It didn't look like it," Kay pointed out.

"Everything is fineeee, " assured Ka'rai with one of his grins. "Just fine." 

Arasei sighed. Kay kept a suspicious look on him, veiled with pain. 

Ka'rai simply kept up his smile. 

A sudden spike of chakra brought Kay and Ka'rai's attention to Arasei. She stopped in her tracks as her eyes seemed to tunnel into her senses. "Mama?!" called Ka'rai.

"Someone's on Yakedo. Someone strong."

" Who?!" Ka'rai's heart damn near beat out of his chest. 

"I… I can't tell—"

"Nibi! I know you can sense them!!" 

Silence. 

"Fuck!!"

"She's not telling you?!" questioned Kay.

"Yeah, she's kinda mad at me—" he sputtered. Ka'rai cracked his neck. "Well, even if this guy's strong, we'll just beat them up so we can fix this thing!" 

"Alright," said Kay with a nod. Arasei was silent—stiff as the brimstone below. She nodded as if there was a crick in her neck, as if there was something strangling her. 

With a grin, Ka'rai attempted to ease everyone. "We're all strong; we're gonna kick this guy's ass."

Ka'rai bolted through the staggered boulders, streams of lava, and falling ash. When it came to the flame, with a mere touch, he burned them blue and took them with him. His two companions kept up, even through Kay's ever present agony, and Arasei's deepening fear. 

In a cobalt blue blaze, he was the first to look down into what remained of Yakedo. A cone ripped into the base. Lava churned in the center like a magmic whirlpool. The whirling of lava swirled into darkness… into Hell. Surprisingly, no Soul Eaters came from the epicenter.

Instead, there was a man. His pitch black Katana was stuck into the center, glowing a bright red in inconsistent intervals. He looked up at Ka'rai, who was soon joined by Kay and Arasei. His ember eyes narrowed. "So… are these the ones you love, Ka'rai Uzumaki?"

Ka'rai's eyes narrowed in kind. "Why?"

A Soul Eater's screech sounded the blade being pulled from the whirl as Kinbo stood. "You took my family away from me…" He pointed his blade at the three. "So, I'll do the same to you."

Ka'rai had no idea what he meant, but that didn't matter at all to him. All he heard was the threat. " I'd like to see you try, " he growled before he roared. The flames he pulled coalesced into a building sized bomb of fire above his head. 

In a cloud of smoke, Kay stood atop Suberi. "Be careful!!" She forced herself to shout—but Ka'rai didn't hear her. He was already in the crater, carrying his ball of fire. However, Arasei was ahead of him. Adamantine chains shot at Kinbo like serpents. He cut at them—his Katana grew ethereal wings the color of hell and cut the chain in two. 

Arasei's fear spiked and so did her senses, as she narrowly avoided the same fate. A boy's roar crossed with the Nibi's overshadowed even the sound of hell. Ka'rai hurled the gigantic fireball onto Kinbo before weaving hand seals. " BAKUGAMI!! " 

Infernal blue detonated with Kinbo at the epicenter. Lava spewed skyward and rained. Arasei wrapped herself in chains to protect herself. All Kay could do was look on from outside the crater, hiding under Suberi to protect herself from the raining lava. 

"Dammit…" she muttered with her fist clenched. "I can't manipulate the brimstone because it's not earth. Neither you nor I can withstand the heat down there either…" 

Splats of lava seared onto Suberi's hide—she couldn't help but wince. "Maybe try to get one of them to lure him up here?"

"I could try," she considered, narrowing her eyes. 

Back in the crater, dozens of Soul Eaters screamed from the remnants of the Bakugami. Their form was see-through, as if they were mere visages of their former selves. On top of that, they were held down by seals connected to Kinbo's Katana. 

The Oni shielded Kinbo from the brunt of Ka'rai's attack. Burns still crossed his face, singed his clothes. He was on his knees from the impact. Ka'rai couldn't hold back his growl of frustration. " THAT SHOULD'VE KILLED HIM!! " 

I'll kill him and save Earth if you give me control.

" STOP ASKING ME THAT!! " screamed Ka'rai as his cloak erupted. He stormed toward Kinbo with his claws burning. His bright red blade formed the claws and teeth of a Soul Eater and slashed at Ka'rai. 

He screamed, but not out of rage— pain. Agony overtook him as he bled, not only from his body, but from his soul. Arasei kicked Kinbo’s head, weaving hand seals. "Water Style: Oceanic Eruption!!" The sea from her mouth boiled, only the power of Arasei's chakra kept it from turning into gas. Kinbo was knocked into the lava, which soon solidified, keeping equilibrium with the gaseous water.

She picked up her son and flickered away, toward Kay. Ka'rai put Jinsei to his chest. The physical wound was gone, but the essential agony remained. Kay's eyes widened. "Your soul!!" 

" The bastard must've trapped Soul Eaters in his blade… now he's using their power." He sat up, Arasei's trembling hand still on him. " Nibi… how is he doing that? How did he trap the souls in his blade in the first place?!"

A short beat of tense silence followed. I do not know. It's rare for more than one soul to be trapped in any given object—let alone for him to take a soul from anyone or anything. That's not even accounting for any Soul Eaters…

Ka'rai forwarded the information to his allies. Immediately, Arasei responded. "The Soul Eaters looked like they were trapped in the blade by Sealing Jutsu," she spoke quickly, nearly stumbling over her words.

Sealing Jutsu… growled Nibi, and Ka'rai's cloak trembled. Of course. He must've used the damned art to connect the soul which was originally trapped within his blade to absorb more. 

" I see… " murmured Ka'rai before he told Kay and Arasei what Nibi told him. 

Arasei nodded. "I can do something about it then." She stood quickly. "The Soul Eaters themselves have a connection to Hell, so I'll be able to seal the connection to Hell away into the blade itself."

Nothing—not even Nibi's rage could hold back Ka'rai's grin. " That'll prevent the world from being taken over, right? "

No. 

She's lying, Ka'rai. 

" Thought so. "

Ka'rai roared through the agony of his bleeding soul and stood. " We just need to kill this fucker first. "

"Lure him up here," Kay said. "I'll be able to help, then."

Arasei summoned her chains. "I should be able to take care of that—" She barely finished her own sentence before rushing down. The moment she hit the melting rock, a spectral Soul Eater slashed at her—an ambush. 

She dodged it and blitzed through hand seals. "Prism Barrier!" From the hand she slammed on the floor, a crimson barrier was erected. It blocked the attack. From below her the melted rock spewed into lava. Again she evaded—then she ducked a slash from Kinbo's Katana. A kick from her hit his hand, but his grip remained strong. 

"Prism Spear!" From the same seal that spawned her barrier, a spear morphed. Arasei grabbed it and stabbed at Kinbo's arm, pinning it to the ground. He growled—a Soul Eater screeched from his blade and cut the spear in two. 

He launched himself toward her, but Arasei leapt back. Adamantine chains wrapped around his torso and Arasei hurled him above the crater walls. In a near split second, she was on him again, a prism blade in her hand. The two swords clashed and Kinbo's easily overtook Arasei's. There was a seal on Arasei's other hand, from there a seal that trapped him to the ground spread. 

A Soul Eater barely nicked Arasei's arm as she escaped. The double-layered pain made her hiss. From above, Suberi pounced and attempted to claw Kinbo in half. The wing of his Soul Eaters blocked it. He yelled, and the essence of the wing slashed into pure energy. The Armadillo barely dodged, but from Kinbo's left, he used his blade to block a mace. 

From his right, a cobalt blue blaze roared toward him. He made the sacrifice—Kay's mace slammed into his chest. Another shout from Kinbo and he cut the seal, holding him down. A kick knocked Kay away, and Kinbo cut Ka'rai's blaze in two. 

Ka'rai pounced into the bisection of the flame. With both hands, he commanded the fire to incinerate both flanks. Kinbo gripped his blade and screamed as he rotated. Hell's essence cut the flames again—Ka'rai would've been sliced if Arasei hadn't pulled him out of the way. 

Not a single second was wasted as mother and son sprinted back on Kinbo. Arasei blitzed ahead of Ka'rai, weaving hand seals. "Selective Prism Prison," she muttered before erecting a cube around herself and Kinbo. She dodged a strike, a Soul Eater's slash, and a stab before running out of the barrier. Kinbo attempted to do the same but was stopped by it.

Ka'rai pounced inside of the barrier and clawed at Kinbo's chest. He took another hit from the blade and screamed. Rage and pain construed his mind and the Nibi took advantage. Her intent manifested in his cloak, enveloping Kinbo and suffocating him with fire. Ka'rai took control back and detonated the cloak with a second, " BAKUGAMI!! " 

The impact enveloped the prison, and Kinbo was stuck into the edge of the barrier. Ka'rai was hurled out, no longer in the two tailed cloak. Immediately, he forced more chakra through the seal, and only a single tail sprouted. 

Nibi!! he demanded, barely able to stand. 

Heal your body first. 

Ka'rai nodded before igniting his body with Jinsei Flame. 

The fire inside of the prison finally subsided, and Kinbo laid on the ashen floor of brimstone, charred and smoldering blue. Quickly, Arasei cut his blade hand off and took it from him. Seals spread from her hand over his Katana. She analyzed what went on inside of the sword. Each intricacy was all visible to her. 

Ka'rai and Kay walked up beside her. With a touch, Jinsei spread to both parties, and any physical wounds they had slowly healed. Ka'rai looked toward Kay. " I think we should kill him this time. "

She nodded. "Good idea…" To her side there was her mace. She grabbed it, and hovered it over the unconscious half-corpse's head. When she brought it up, she inhaled. On exhale, the half corpse was now fully one, lacking an intact skull.

Meanwhile, mother and son approached the connection between Hell and Earth. The churning lava continued to whirl. " So… how are we gonna do this?"

"I've already analyzed the seal on this sword. I know how it works. I'll just have to supercharge the process in order to seal the connection to Hell in this sword. It'll be easier if we use your connection with the Nibi, since she can sever it by herself."

Ka'rai nodded with a forced smile. "Let's go then!" 

They stood on the lava, directly in front of the pit of darkness, at the center of the whirlpool. Arasei weaved many hand seals while Ka'rai held the blade in place. It took nearly a minute for her to finish, but once she did, seals spread throughout the entire crater and even beyond. The seals connected to every bit of Earth connected with hell—the entire Land of Rice. 

"Now."

Ka'rai channeled the Nibi's chakra into the blade. A second tail sprouted. Arasei gripped the handle of the blade, along with her son. The seals glowed white, then they burned into blue—the cobalt blue flames of the Nibi erupted. Arasei clenched her fists, and so did Ka'rai. From the edges of the Land of Rice, Hell receded. In a matter of minutes, all brimstone returned to dirt and rock, the lava cooled into obsidian, any remaining Soul Eaters were grabbed and pulled toward the epicenter. 

All were sealed and absorbed into Kinbo's Katana. Once the deed was done, Ka'rai immediately collapsed. Arasei caught her son before he could slam into the obsidian. He forced a smile. "We… did it… mama…" were his last words before he fell into unconsciousness.

She kissed his forehead, holding him in her arms with still hands. "We did, Ka'rai."

Kay came over on Suberi's back. "I can assume that it worked?"

"Yup," affirmed Arasei, picking up Ka'rai and the Katana in which Hell was sealed. She let out a long and ragged sigh. "Let's head home."

⁑♨—ϟ—♨⁑

Ka'rai wasted no time in his unconsciousness. In the golden light of his mindscape, he looked toward Nibi and Yugito… bleeding all over the ground. One gash on his side, the other on the back of his shoulder.

" OW!!" he screamed, attempting to stop the bleeding, but to little avail. 

Yugito looked on with wild eyes, while Nibi simply rolled her eyes. She then set Ka'rai on fire. His screaming ceased—the fire was transparent, otherworldly, and… cold. Soon enough, the bleeding stopped and so did the agony. 

His soul was healed.

The cold fire evaporated into the gold of the mindscape. "Yuurei Flame?"

"Indeed," answered Nibi.

Ka'rai chuckled and scratched the back of his head. "Thanks…" 

Silence fell. He looked at Yugito. She looked back at him with an even stare. With a sigh, Ka'rai looked at Nibi. "I did it…!"

"You did…"

"Can you heal Kay like you did to me?"

"Why would I do that?"

His fists clenched. "But she helped!!"

"Barely. She was more of a liability in your recent battle."

Ka'rai groaned. "But, before that!!"

"She could barely handle an above average Soul Eater; that is why she's injured as we speak."

"What if she dies?!!"

Nibi glared. "She won't."

The golden backdrop of Ka'rai's mindscape seared. Yugito watched on, shaking her head. "Ka'rai, she's not going to heal your friend."

"But, why?!!" Ka'rai screamed. "She's suffering and you can stop it!!" 

"Why should I care for the suffering of a human? The same things who enslaved me and my siblings?" Nibi's cloak simmered hotter. The waves of heat drove Ka'rai back. 

He forced himself through. "What did Kay do? Huh? I understand why you'd hate all humans, but Kay has proven herself good!"

"How has she done that? By protecting you? She values me as a weapon, as power. Nothing more."

Tears began to well in Ka'rai's eyes—the gold of the mindscape flashed with desperation. He got on his hands and knees to bow. "Please, Nibi." 

Yugito couldn't look any longer. With shut eyes, she averted her gaze. Nearly choking on his words, he spoke. "Please… I… I… I just don't want my friend to suffer! I know that if you had the opportunity, that you'd free your siblings from their suffering! Well, this is kind of like that for me."

"Ka'rai stop it—" Yugito started. 

"SHUT UP!!" he yelled, digging his head into the golden floor. "Nibi… you're the only one who can help her. So, please, please, please!! I've been telling her that you're a person too… That you’re not a monster! Trust me! I'll change her!! Kay isn't a bad person… she doesn't deserve the hurt that she's in. Just… please. "

Verbal silence ensued. All that could be heard was the simmer of Nibi's coat—the chop of Ka'rai's cries. 

Ka'rai dared to look up at Nibi, into her green and yellow eyes. She leaned forward; her face inches away from the golden bars of light. Even just her head dwarfed Ka'rai dozens of times over. Her human-sized eyes analyzed Ka'rai, picking apart his tear-ridden face. 

"I'll do it."

Yugito's eyes widened while a grin split Ka'rai's face in two. "You will?!!"

"If we are to build an alliance, as you propose… then I'll have to help you, even when it doesn't benefit me," explained Nibi as she moved away from the bars.

Ka'rai couldn't hold back his giddy laughter. "Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!!"

With a shivering sigh, Nibi closed her eyes. "You're welcome… Ka’rai. "

ϟ—Chapter End—ϟ

Chapter Text

ϟ— Chapter Thirteen  — Black Rose Burns Blue—ϟ

Finally, Kumo was in sight. Even through the ash—the blackened sky. Neither Kay nor Arasei had seen the sun in nearly a week. Same went for Ka'rai, but he was too unconscious to notice. Kay felt too much agony to dwell on the lack of sun. However, her second sun was about to shine.

The moment Ka'rai awoke, he burst with blue flames. They were transparent and cold on Arasei's shoulder. The very same shoulder that Kinbo had nicked in the battle. In a matter of moments, the nagging sting of her cut soul was healed. 

Ka'rai flashed a grin directly at Kay. If her ANBU training hadn't taught her any better, she would've run in the opposite direction. With a huff and a glint of the Nibi's eyes, Ka'rai leapt off of his mother's shoulder and toward Kay. He placed a hand on her shoulder and she was ignited by the cold blue fire.

She couldn't hold back the breath of relief. The agony faded from her—her mind could finally calm. "Ka'rai…" she gaped, struggling to form words. 

He grinned. "Thank Nibi! She went against her hatred of humans t o let me heal you." 

"Thank you, Nibi…" Kay said with a bow, still alight with the fire. 

After a beat of silence, Nibi responded with a reluctant, You're welcome. 

Ka'rai forwarded that to Kay, and she let out a nervous chuckle. The boy looked at his mom. "How close are we to home?"

She simply pointed forward. Ka'rai's grin grew as he gazed upon Kumo. "Thanks, Mama! Okay, so uh… bye for now! I'll see you in a bit!"

"What do you mean—?" Before Arasei could finish her sentence, Ka'rai was already a blue streak in the distance. 

Kay's brow furrowed. "Where is he going?"

"I…" She sighed and shrugged. "I really wonder what goes on in his head sometimes." 

⁑♨—ϟ—♨⁑

Ka'rai bolted up the many many stairs that led up to Kumo. The warmth of his one-tailed cloak shielded him from the massively colder temperatures. 

Why are you using my chakra?

I wanna get somewhere fast! 

Where?

Can't you read my thoughts, Nibi? 

A beat of silence passed.

You're seriously using my chakra for such a foolish reason? 

Didn't you say that using your chakra will help you regain your strength and stuff?

Indeed… 

Ka'rai… can't this wait until the weather calms down? Climbing Nibasu right now would be suicide. 

I climbed Nibasu before! I'll be fine!!

Don't get yourself killed, Ka'rai. Especially in such a stupid way— 

…I won't let it happen. 

Ka'rai sent a wave of beaming intent to the two voices in his head. 

Waitttt, Yugito. You’re a girl, and you like girls too! Can you like, give me tips or something?!

Nibi, you're a girl too!! So, can you also give me some tips on how I should do this?

I refuse to be a part of this endeavor. 

Yugito sighed. The girl already likes you. Just don't do anything stupid and you should be fine.

"GREAT!!" He sped up the stairs even faster—almost tripping over himself once he met the gates. The two guards at the gates spat their respective drinks out.

"What's happening?!" the woman on the right asked.

The man on the left pulled out his staff. "Are you being followed? What happened to your team?!"

"Oh, nothing's wrong! It's kinda cold and I needa get somewhere fast, so I'm using Nibi's chakra!" answered Ka'rai, still on all fours. 

"..." The woman sighed. "Your team?"

"They're coming! Again, I'm in a rush…" 

The two guards looked at each other. This time, the man sighed. "Let me see your ID so I can sign you in."

Ka'rai reached in his pocket and handed the ID to the guards. He was permitted entry. "Thanks!!" he yelled before speeding past them in a blue blur. In that same blue blur, he bolted through the village, catching the attention of everyone he blasted past. It took about five minutes to reach the base of Nibasu.

He couldn't help but gulp at the sight. Nibasu's usual white was colored black with ash. Thunder rumbled and lightning flashed at the mountain's summit. His intimidation roared into determination with the flaring of the Nibi's cloak. 

Ka'rai… warned Yugito. I understand that love makes you do crazy things, but—

I'm already crazy, Yugito. 

With that, Ka'rai sprinted into the storm around Nibasu. Ash and snow fell in tandem around him. He made it about a hundred feet up the mountain in about a minute. His claws held him down as the wind picked up. 

"Damn…" cursed Ka'rai. "This is kinda hard—"

You're an idiot. 

I know! 

Ka'rai bolted forward, his claws keeping traction in the snow, fighting against the stormy breeze. If he tried to leap, he'd be flung off the mountain. So, once he reached the vertical cliff face of the ashen glacier above, he was met with a dilemma. 

"Wait, I have an idea…" 

Oh, save us please, pleaded Yugito. 

Jinsei burned from Ka'rai— hotter than ever. Snow all around simmered and melted. "Woah!" he exclaimed. As he looked toward the glacier, Jinsei formed into a sharp-bladed rope and embedded itself at the top of the ice.

"WOAH!!" he exclaimed louder. "How did that happen?!"

With a long sigh, Nibi began to explain. Jinsei Flame responds to your will. If your will is weak, it won't listen to you. If your will is strong, it'll follow you, and the less you'll have to do to get it to do what you want. 

Your will to… see this girl is strong. So, Jinsei follows suit. 

"SICK!!" rejoiced Ka'rai. He gripped Jinsei's rope and used it to scale the glacier. Halfway… he noted. A sudden grin split his face, and Jinsei burned joyously alongside him. 

"I can't wait to see Hane!" 

It took him little more than ten minutes to reach boot camp. His grin took up half his face and his bicolored eyes of green and yellow shimmered with excitement. He ran up to the gate and knocked—the intense wind of the storm blew his shaggy crimson mane and the cobalt blue fire of his cloak wildly. 

See Yugito, Nibi! I did it!! 

Congrats! 

…Good job. 

Soon after knocking, the ward with the really long sword opened the door for him. What was his name?

Jay. 

Yeah! Jay! Thanks, Yugito! 

"Ka'rai, what the hell—?" he yawned in exasperation. 

He let out a giddy giggle. "I came to see Hane." 

"I…" He yawned again. "You climbed five-thousand feet in a storm just to see her?"

"Yup!"

"Whatever your goal is here, I pray that you succeed," murmured Jay as he opened the door for him. 

I hope you succeed too, Ka'rai. 

The boy giggled. I know, I can feel it. 

With that, he followed his nose through the walls and also dorms of the camp. It really was structured like a prison… Halfway through, he remembered that he didn't need his cloak anymore. So, he turned it off. A wave of cold chilled him over. He was tempted to turn it back on. 

It didn't take him long to find Hane. If he lacked self control, he would've sprinted down the hall. But he did have some form of the concept. With a deep, giddy breath, he knocked on the door. 

An answer came immediately. The wooden door creaked open, and he saw her face. Her round yet sharp face, her soft narrow eyes which held twin gingerbread colored eyes. Most of her face, however, was covered by her dirty-blonde hair.  

"HI!!" Ka'rai greeted enthusiastically.

"Rai-rai…?" She rubbed her eyes. "Am I dreaming?"

He pinched her hand; she yelped. "Nope!" he answered for her. 

"Why…" she blinked as reality set in. "Oh my! Your mission! The storm outside— you came here in a storm?!!"

"Yup!"

"Just to see me?!"

"Yup!"

"I…" she tried to hide her blush with her hand. "I'm flattered—" she spattered. "But let's try and not do dumb things like that again! I know I'm great to be around, but you could've died." 

"I won't die! Nibi won't let me!" 

She shrugged. "I guess…" Hane grabbed Ka'rai's hand and pulled him in. "Talking to you in the doorway is getting awkward, so just come in here."

Ka'rai giggled again as she yanked him into her room. A joyous tingle fluttered around his body. 

"I'm not letting you out here until the storm goes away." 

"But, I kinda skipped out on all the official mission stuff so I can see you…" 

"..." She let out a sigh. " Ka'rai—"

He simply grinned at her before popping a squat on her bed. "Also, I don't think the storm is gonna die down anytime soon. It was a volcano's eruption that caused it…"

"You just keep making yourself look dumber and dumber the more you talk."

His grin remained unfaltering. The tingling flutter only beat harder alongside his heart. He looked at her longer and longer. 

Yugito… help.

Just say it, Ka'rai! The worst she can say is no at this point. 

"Rai-rai?" 

"UH!!"

She looked at him incredulously before sitting next to him. "Are you okay?"

"I…" Ka'rai let out a dramatic breath with wisps of blue fire. "Y'know, I went on two missions since the last time I saw you. I almost died like five times on both of them."

Hane's eyes bulged out of her head. 

"So like, I realized that life is real short. I gotta live it to the fullest, have all the best things happen to me because, especially as a Shinobi, I could die at any time. And y'know…. you're one of the best things in my life!" 

Aww, murmured Yugito. 

Hane blushed again. 

"So, right here, right now! I'm asking you to be my girlfriend! Don't wanna miss out on that before I die!" He asked her with a toothy grin, direct eye contact, and a pounding heart. 

Hane gasped, blushing even harder as she covered her face. 

His heart beat faster as he chuckled. Did I do bad, Yugito?

You did fine! Pay attention to her, not me!

"Uhm…" Hane attempted to get out a sentence. "I… Y-y… Uhh…"

"It's fine if it's a no…" mumbled Ka'rai.

"NONONO!!" she exclaimed, leaning toward him. 

"Wait, no?"

"NO—YESYES!!" Hane nodded. "I WOULD LOVE TO BE YOUR GIRLFRIEND!!" 

Ka'rai gasped. "YAY!!" 

With no warning, Hane leapt forward and kissed him. Both of their eyes were wide as their lips touched. Ka'rai instinctively pulled back. "Woahh…!" 

"Were you not ready?! I'm so sorry—" 

"Nonono!" he spattered, desperately trying to hide that he was wiping blood from his nose.

Hane somehow blushed and paled at the same time. "You weren't?!!" 

"I think I'm ready now —" 

Without warning, Hane kissed him again. "MMMM!!" exclaimed Ka'rai. Quickly, he closed his eyes, not bothering to see whether his partner did the same. He held himself steady. Her lips… they tasted like ice cream. 

Hane pulled back first, then Ka'rai opened his eyes. Her brown reflected in his black. "Heh… nice."

"Yeah… it was nice." She hummed in pondering as she sat back down. "It wasn't like the romance manga that I usually read, though…"

"Wuh?" Ka'rai almost panicked. "Did I do something wrong?!"

"No," she answered. "I don't know, it's usually less awkward when I read it…"

"Ohhh! Makes sense."

Silence fell.

"Wanna do it again?" asked Ka'rai.

Hane giggled. "Sure." 

"Ka'rai!!" Arasei's voice accompanied the knock on the door. 

The boy paled. "Fuck—"

"Uh oh!" exclaimed Hane. 

Another knock. "I know you're in there, Ka'rai!"

Ka'rai chuckled as he opened the door to greet his mother. "Hey, mama!"

"Could you have not been patient for just a few hours so we could file the mission report?!" questioned Arasei. 

Ka'rai shook his head. "No."

"I'm taking another manga when we get home."

Ka'rai inhaled. "I would be upset… but I think this is worth it." 

"What is?!" 

Hane revealed herself from behind the door. "Hi…!"

"I have a girlfriend now, mama!"

"I…" Arasei let out a sigh. She couldn't hold back her smile as she shook her head. "Congrats, Ka'rai. I'm still taking your manga."

"I know…" drawled Ka'rai as he walked out of Hane's dorm. "Bye, Hane!"

"Bye, Rai-rai!" She waved him off. "We can kiss again later, okay!" 

"You bet!!" he called back as the door was closed. 

Arasei looked at him with widened eyes. "You kissed her?!"

"She kissed me. Two times! We would've had three if you hadn't walked in…"

"Oh…" She shook her head. "At least you two didn't do anything beyond that, right?"

"Yuh-huh!" 

"Good. Now, let's go. Kay's waiting for us at the Raikage's office."

With that, mother and son walked out of the Boot Camp and made their way down Nibasu. 

⁑♨—ϟ—♨⁑

" That was so boring…" drawled Ka'rai as handed the paper to the Raikage. The Kage took it alongside Kay's and Arasei's. Kay and Ka'rai had to hand in two separate reports, due to missing out on the last one. 

The Raikage shook his head. "It's part of the Shinobi etiquette, Ka'rai."

He simply groaned in response. Before anyone else could speak, Arasei stepped forward unsheathing the black Katana on her waist. "Lord Raikage, what should we do with this?"

"That's the blade Hell is sealed within, correct?" he asked for confirmation. 

"I WANT IT!!" exclaimed Ka'rai with his hand raised. 

"No," immediately denied the Raikage. "You're too inexperienced and irresponsible to be trusted with such a powerful weapon."

" But! Hell is part of the afterlife… and Nibi is supposed to watch over any connection with the living world and the worlds of the dead! So, it's only right that the Nibi's Jinchuriki watches over the blade!" 

Kay hummed. "He brings up a valid point." 

The seal on Ka'rai's chest rumbled visibly. "See! She agrees too!" 

"Do you even know how to wield a sword?" asked the Raikage.

"I can learn!" 

Arasei stared at the Katana reluctantly. "This isn't just any regular sword, either. You'll have to learn how to control the seals that keep Hell at bay, like our opponent did."

"I can learn that too!"

The Raikage narrowed his eyes on Ka'rai, then the blade. "You will go on no missions until you've fully learned how to wield the blade with competence. Bee and your mother will train you in both of the respective arts necessary." 

"YES!!" he cheered, pumping his fists into the air. "Man… I got a girlfriend and a cool new sword in the same day!! Best day ever…" His gaze shifted toward the Katana and he outstretched his hand. 

His mother pulled her hand back. "You're not touching it until you can use a regular sword." 

"Sad…" 

⁑♨—ϟ—♨⁑

Kay walked into the coyote's den. It'd been over a week since she last entered. Chills nipped at her like bug bites. Not because it was cold—even though it was—it was because of the anxiety. She wasn't there like she'd sworn she'd be. It was out of her control—but it was her decision to take the mission to guard Ka'rai. 

All she could do now, was steel herself to the consequences. That was what she did when she opened the door and bowed to her father. Just her father… seemingly. Rare, but not out of the ordinary. 

"I apologize, father. I didn't anticipate that guarding the Nibi's Jinchuriki would result in such an absence from the Cessitsu Family," she explained before he could scold her. "The two missions I've been on in my time away were considered the upper end of S-Rank. I was paid as such, and I've already deposited the funds into the family treasury." 

"I'm aware…" he began with a hum. "With those two missions alone, you've increased our wealth by twenty percent. That is no small feat."

Kay nodded. 

"That is why I am allowing you to continue on your mission to guard the Nibi."

With control, a relieved breath relaxed her tense posture. "You haven't brought it up with the rest of our family?"

"No, not yet. With the results shown, the decision is more than final. But, even with the great amount of money you're bringing into our family, you're not here to assist us with our smaller ventures. That is an issue."

"I'm aware…" answered Kay. 

Her father leaned back in his chair. "I need you to get a copy of the Bingo book. Hand it to me. That way, I'll be able to see what rogue Shinobi we'll be able to hire to fulfill those tasks when you cannot."

Kay went silent. "That… could backfire, you know?" 

"There's a price for anybody's compliance," was his answer. "Now, go fetch me that book."

"Yes, father," said Kay with a bow of her head. She stood, then exited the coyote's den. 

⁑♨—ϟ—♨⁑

Finally, he was out of that damned place. He would've been excited for some fresh air… but all he got was clouded ash with a black sky. Bee sighed. 

That's why we need to recruit the help of the Nanabi.

Accompanied by another sigh, Bee nodded in agreement. I'll get Ka'rai to come with me. Meeting another Jinchuriki would be good for him. 

Good idea. 

With that, Bee set out to find his student. Hachibi's ability to sense strength made it quite easy. He made his way toward a training ground below the clouds, near water. Ka’rai was with his mother… Bee giggled. "Yo, yo, yo! If it ain't my Uzumaki bros!" 

"Bee-sensei!!" exclaimed Ka'rai with an apparent grin, getting up from the math book on the floor. "You've finally recovered!"

"Hey… what do you mean by finally?"

"It took you so long! I went on a whole other mission while you were on your ass!" 

"...Huh? You did?!" 

"Mhm." agreed Arasei. "I was there with him." 

Bee's eyes drifted to Arasei's hips. Not because he found them attractive. No, totally not that. It was because there was a sword there! It wasn't there before. "Woah babe, what's with the blade?"

"It's MINE!!" cheered Ka'rai—his brows furrowed. "Wait, what did you just call her—?" 

"On the mission we went on, the Nibi said that we needed to take care of the Hell problem. I sealed the connection between the living world and Hell in this sword here. Ka'rai needs to learn how to use it. I'm teaching him the sealing necessary to use the special abilities it has, and you're supposed to teach him Kenjutsu," explained Arasei. 

Bee nodded slowly. "Ohhh! Well, he's been unofficially commissioned on another mission!" He grabbed Ka'rai and pulled him away. "So, I'll need to borrow him, but don't you worry, I'll teach him the Kenjutsu tradition!"

"What? Where?" asked Arasei, grabbing Ka'rai and holding him with her.

Ka'rai groaned. "I just got a girlfriend and I need to go out again?!"

"So you see, we need the help of the Nanabi!" Bee pointed to the ash-ridden sky. "She'll fix that up high disasterology!"

"Would Taki even allow two foreign Jinchuriki within their village? Especially you?" she questioned.  

Bee cleared his throat. "That's why I was gonna ask my bro to ask Taki! I ain't a fool, ya fool!"

"What if they say no?" 

"Uh…" Bee coughed. "We don't go!"

"I don't know whether I want them to say yes or no… I don't wanna leave Hane behind—" Ka'rai gasped. "CAN SHE COME?!!"

"Yeah sure!" answered Bee.

Ka'rai leapt in joy. "YESS!! THEY BETTER SAY YES!!"

"You're still gonna study your math while you're in Taki," ordered Arasei. 

Ka'rai's smile faltered. "Yay…!"

"Alright so, let's go!" Bee announced as he attempted to pull Ka'rai away.

Arasei's grip remained. "No. He has no reason to go with you. Ka'rai needs to study."

"Why?"

"So I can use my hell sword! I should give it a name…" he murmured. "Wait, the Hell Scythe Hidan used is called the Jigoku Scythe, right?"

"Yeah…" Bee confirmed.

"The Jigoku Katana!!" announced Ka'rai. "That's its name!"

"Real original…" Bee murmured before releasing his grip on Ka'rai and turning his back. "I'm gonna go so we can hopefully enter Taki in a way that is permissible!"

With that, both Arasei and Ka'rai waved as Bee flickered away with lightning. 

⁑♨—ϟ—♨⁑

Below the haze of Kumo, Cirru and Yowui faced each other. Cee stood watch on the grass while the water just below crashed. Sami and Clowui were with an illusionary clone of Cee's doing something else. 

"Alright, you've been training with us for a week, Yowui!" announced Cee. "Show off the fruits of your training!!" He chopped the air with his hand.

The moment Yowui attempted to charge, a gust of wind from Cirru sent him skidding across the grass. Immediately, Yowui stood, planting his feet with chakra to hold himself in place. With narrowed eyes, he spied Cirru weaving hand seals. "Typhoon Style: Cirrus Galestorm!!" 

"Shit—" cursed Yowui as he guarded himself. Tiny shards of ice dug into his skin—it reminded him of the glassy ash from Yakedo's eruption. The jutsu ceased. Cirru was in front of him, fist clenched. Yowui barely dodged it. He took the opportunity to knee Cirru's gut. 

The boy grunted from the impact. All it took was a simple inhale then superpowered exhale to blow Yowui away from him. Chakra flooded into Yowui's legs and he sprinted forward. Cirru flew above. Yowui leapt, barely able to grab his ankle. With a scoff, Cirru simply flew higher and kicked Yowui off. He hit the ground with a thud. 

Cirru plummeted down, hurricane shield swirling across his forearm. Yowui panicked as he attempted to dodge. He was too slow. The breath was forced out of him and Cirru cackled. His shield dispersed into the wind. Cirru grabbed his shirt, then kicked him into the water. 

Yowui went under… but he decided to stay under. He kept himself afloat just under the surface. Chakra guarded his eyes from the water. There were plenty of times where Yowui had breath holding competitions with his brothers… he never lost. 

Minutes passed. He heard his name being called through the waves. He could go for triple the current time. Eventually, Cirru's shadow shaded his face. The eyes of the floating boy widened. Yowui leapt from under the water and grabbed Cirru's ankle, pulling him under. 

He managed to strike Cirru's throat, forcing him to gasp a mouthful of water. Yowui swam up and stood on the water, weaving hand seals. "Lightning Style: Stormbreaker Fist!!" His right hand zapped and arced with electricity, which he punched under the water with. The lake for meters in all directions jumped with voltage. 

Bubbles rose where Cirru's head was as the boy screamed. A sudden omnidirectional burst of wind sent Yowui flying for meters across the surface. Yowui groaned on the grass, nursing his shoulder. Cirru rose from the water, fuming above the churning lake. 

"You country skunk, bastard, " he seethed. Cirru slammed his fists together and he was dry. "You'll pay every ryo from your pockets for this."

If Yowui lacked common sense, he would've laughed. Instead, he pulled out a kunai and weaved hand seals. "Lightning Style: Stormbreaker Point!!" His right hand ignited with the clap of thunder once again. This time, all the electricity concentrated on the blade of his kunai. 

That idea he had with Kay so long ago… he finally had the chance to use it for something important. 

Cirru blew through the air like a gale. Appearing in front of Yowui in seconds. A gust of wind hit Yowui's gut like a fist. Another from the back. A real fist made contact with Yowui's face. Cirru growled as he struck with Yowui’s kunai. It ripped Cirru's shirt. Before it sliced more than a couple of inches, an exhale of air hit Yowui's chest and sent him to the floor.

Levitating up, Cirru weaved hand seals. "Typhoon Style: Category Two Winds!!" 

A storm-level gust reigned from above. Yowui felt as if he was under the foot of a Bijuu. The air pressure was intense to the point of insufferability. He couldn't breathe, the kicked-up dust got in his eyes. He was forced to close them.

Yowui desperately attempted to move something— anything. None worked. However… the jutsu ceased after a bit. The relief of the inhale was like no other. His entire body ached from the gust as he forced himself to stand. When he took a step forward, he stumbled and collapsed.

"I'm done…" admitted Yowui, panting on his back.

Well, he knew he didn't have a chance. Didn't make the defeat sting any less… Especially as he heard Cirru's smug chuckles from above him. However, he heard… clapping? 

"Good job, Yowui," Cee began. "You lasted for fifteen minutes against a stronger opponent… who wasn't holding back, I might add. When we started, you barely lasted three minutes." 

"Eh? That so?" he murmured as he forced himself off his back. "Doesn't feel like a good job."

"You seriously expected to win against me?" asked Cirru with a scoff. "Don't give yourself too much credit. You did great for what you are."

"...Thanks?" said Yowui with a furrowed brow. Despite how backhanded and condescending it was, it was still a compliment of some sort. 

Cirru shrugged in response before returning to ground level. As he walked forward, he wiped his forehead dry of… No. It couldn't have been. Sweat? I made him sweat? Yowui couldn't hold back his smirk.

His attention was brought to the Cee walking next to him. He stretched out a hand. Yowui took it and he was helped to his feet. "Do you think you've brought your durability and stamina to a good level?"

"Yeah, for sure!" Yowui responded.

Cee chuckled. "What's with the change in attitude?" 

"I…" He looked back to see if Cirru was out of earshot. He was. "I made him sweat. That feels kinda good." 

"Yeah! You did," Cee agreed. "You did a great job, Yowui. We can start to work on other things now."

“Like what?” 

“You decide.”

Yowui hummed. “Well, I think I’m decent at Genjutsu.”

“ Oh? You don’t say…” Cee flashed a smirk. “I happen to be the best Genjutsu user in Kumo! Well, the best that doesn’t have a Ketsuryugan. I’d still say I’m top ten, though…” 

Pride swelled warmly in Yowui's chest as he grinned. It felt… foreign. It was the same type of foreign where you hate the cold, then go somewhere warm to bathe in the sun. He could stay there forever… Unfortunately, a blizzard came in full force behind him.

"Yo, yo, Yowui!" Bee rapped as he danced into the clearing where Team Cee was. "It's about time I come here and fulfill my sensei duty!" 

"Hey, Bee-sensei…" Instinctively, Yowui shifted away from him. 

Cee bowed to his superior. "Lord Killer Bee."

"Sup, Cee. Thanks for taking care of my student for me!"

"Of course!" he responded.

As they delved into small talk, Yowui was consumed by his thoughts. I don't wanna go back. Cold thoughts of inferiority, futility and utter isolation. ' The only human on a team of monsters.'

The only monster here was Clowui… and she was either absent or doing her own thing. Yeah, Kay was nice, Ka'rai was his friend… but here, he felt like he had a chance. Could he even make Kay or Ka'rai sweat? No. He'd be able to actually fight Sami. He chose not to think about Clowui. 

Cee-sensei actually paid attention to him. Everything felt equal, even though he wasn't his own student. He felt like an actual part of the team. As for Bee-sensei… it only felt like Ka'rai existed to him.