The punishment.
---
Pov: Kenzo
*Wooosh!* *Fp!*
And just like that I am off once more to meet up with Kakazu... I am sure we are relocating again, maybe start working in stone- they actually endorse our work.
Or perhaps one of the smaller nds without a major vilge? The Akatsuki members current goal while we wait is to take money away from the greater vilges by completing missions and bounties at a cheaper price then them.
A good destabilization of their economy will be perfect to disguise our kidnapping pns.
------
So you lived.
I am now enacting the punishment.
Removing -
- Hearing +3.
- Word- Truth: E×D×C×B?A?S?K?
- Ancient Hearing: E×D×C×B?A?S?K?
- (D) Occupied: No one is capable of taking over Kenzo's body or mind.
...
Removing memories and statistic bonuses from you, please be aware that this will hurt and that I will protect you in this procedure.
Understand that this is your final chance- if you die again I will ensure that you do not revive under any circumstances.
... training wheels are being turned off...
------
So the system is only going to use the scrolls now? No extra help...? Damn.
I nd below in the sand dunes and look around- I need to find a safe pce before- ack!
*Thump!*
One big heartbeat assaults my entire torso.
Before my heart stops.... and my mind goes fuzzy.
...
"(Mumbled speech)" My ears ring and I look up to see a masked man floating in front of me.
"@@%#^&#&@%@^?" He keeps talking but I do not understand him.
"I..." I faint.
---
Pov: Ryū
"So Jiraiya-san will meet us at the border- does that mean that Naruto is coming with him?" I ask as I filter through pages.
"No, he will be hiding out and training at a secret base that only Jiraiya knows the location of" The Hokage lets me know and I nod.
"Okay... my battle sages are coming too to deal with any sudden smaller forces the enemy may have, me, Kakashi and both Asuma and Gai's teams are coming along on this mission... are we sure that's enough?" I ask her.
"If it is just the two we are hunting then hopefully... remember that the Tsuchikage is sending some teams alongside Shuzo as well- we cannot lend any more forces considering Konoha's financial situation... if the mission is unable to be completed then return home" Tsunade says and I nod.
Kakashi will be in charge until the border where Jiraiya will take over- all I need to do is meet with Shuzo and ensure our teams dont attack each other... and then using Shuzo we will track and hunt the snake.
We go today and spend one entire month hunting him... when the souls merge Shuzo will have a chance to weaken Oorochimaru significantly.
Hm.
Good pn- lets hope there are no setbacks.
---
Pov: Shuzo
"Okay, so just seven standard Jonin lead teams? Fair enough... don't want anyone too high up going on a mission so... disastrous to Iwa" I nod my head.
"We only want you and your technique from this event, the second you slip up is the second we abort the mission... our Jonin will prioritize this mission as the least important thing understood? They will flee on the smallest mistake" The Tsuchikage tells me and I nod.
"And to prove my loyalty I will ensure that I keep these remote explosive seals on my person... even though Oorochimaru could one hundred percent use them against me..." I sigh.
"Correct" The Tsuchikage smirks and I nod my head.
Nothing much I can do about that can I? Alright... lets just get these tracking methods down.
I need my shadowed selves to find my split soul like they found Kenzo... using his near death was excellent training to try out my soul sense.
Although after this mission soul sense will be useless considering that I will have my arms... maybe that sense will be useful against Kenzo- if he does wish to kill me that is.
Not like he can, both me and Ryū have skills that can completely bypass his battle style.
Ryū can simply speed blitz his slow style and I can puncture through his body and mend it incorrectly... making sure his body remains stuck.
I am completely confident that Kenzo will have no ability to face me when I am whole again.
---
Pov: Oorochimaru
*Twitch* *Flicker!* *Wooosh!*
Kabuto flickers forward as I twitch my arms and feel the chakra flow through them.
Yes...
They work- I perform some hand signs quickly and watch as fire dances upon my hands... chakra flowing nicely.
"It seems everything is fully operational once more- shall we stop moving now?" Kabuto asks and I look at my shadow.
It still feels off... someone is tracking me.
"No, keep moving- we need to keep training Sasuke, I have a few people to sharpen his skills with in the nd of Rivers" I tell Kabuto who nods and flickers back to the group carrying much of my equipment.
Such unfortunately timed attacks on my bases... I need to keep and eye out and create better defences... keep Sasuke from leaving my sight.
...
If only I wasn't forced to take this body... perhaps I could have skipped so many steps entirely.
---
-Seven hours ter-
Pov: Oonoki
"Is the brat gone yet?" I ask Kurotsuchi.
"Yes... are you still sure we can trust him?" She asks me.
...
Of course we cannot, I have no way of understanding that brats game- to actually verbally tell me that he knows Tsunade Senju... and that he works for some secret organization within Konoha... it displeases me to keep him in company.
But after the meeting I had with Tsunade my view has changed a little... it felt like she was barely able to answer any of my questions on the boy.
...
Which makes me wary, why wouldn't the new Hokage know anything about their own ninja?
Is it a ploy? Or is it something less...?
Shuzo has shown himself to be useful at least, the massages he gives are quite good... and yet supposedly they can be divine.
If I can heal my back and fight in my prime... it is just a risk I am willing to take.
I don't trust Shuzo; but I will use Shuzo.
"No of course not brat! Who do you think I am!? Just keep yourself busy with some training" I reply and grumpily walk to the window.
I gnce out of it as she leaves and I sigh...
...
---
Pov: Kenzo
Cold winds... dark night... forest... a lit campfire.
...
I blink myself awake... gncing around I see that I am with Kakazu again, I yawn as I get up and hold the back of my neck.
"So you are awake?" Kakazu asks... it feels weird not being able to hear his voice so clearly.
"Yeah... I thought I could keep flying... didn't expect the backsh to hit me so hard" I touch my ears and note the blood seeping out of them.
Oh gods...
"You bled a lot- do you feel weaker? Did you need more blood?" Kakazu asks and gestures behind him towards two unconscious men hanging by their feet on a tree.
*Gurgle*
"No... I should be fine thank you- but I do feel hungry... got anything to eat?" I ask.
...
He gestures to the men behind him again and I close my eyes slowly.
Wow... have I been acting like an animal or something around him that much? I understand we only meet up for the good bounties but damn... maybe that's all I am to him.
A monster.
...
Isn't so different from normal then is it? A shame that I believe this to be all that matters now... boy do I miss my routine of running with lee... buying flowers at Ino's... working till noon and then training with Naruto till I needed sleep.
"I will hunt something that runs at least" I say and get up.
"Sure" Kakazu nods his head and looks back to his fire.
...
*Crack* *Snap!* *Pop!*
I slither out of my clothes and slowly but surely enter into the form of the nightmare beast... before giving it eyes now that I cannot hear as well.
*Wooosh!* *Bash!*
A rush through the forest and sprint through the dark greenery around me before thrusting forward at a bouncing hare.
*CHOMP!*
I drink down its blood and chew on its bones.
*Woosh!*
And continue rushing around the forest... I am hungrier then ever now- *CHOMP!* An owl is taken from the sky.... and soon the beasts in this forest start running faster, now aware of my frightening presence.
*CHOMP!*
*CHOMP!*
*CHOMP!*
*CHOMP!*
...
After an hour of hunting I pick up my clothes and pce them on me, sitting back down near the fire.
...
I can't keep helping these people.
I need to start doing something... anything to harm them and there schemes.
I have been too compcent when dealing with them, running this course and doing nothing but bounties.
When I get those ten statistic scrolls... I will start my hunt.
Shuzo.
Ryū.
Oorochimaru.
Masked Madara.
Akatsuki.
Danzo.
I have a lot to do... and not a lot of time to do it, especially if I wish to be back with Naruto.
"Fed?" Kakazu asks as I stare into the fire... it reflects into my gaze.
"Fed" I answer.
"We will be going then, I will deliver these two to the nearest bounty house- go ahead of me and start hunting within the nd of stone... they offer many exclusive contracts to the Akatsuki" Kakazu states and I nod.
I shift the scroll out of my wrist and seal my clothes and equipment away before shifting into a bird...
... And soaring into the sky.
"Kenzo" A voice speaks next to me... I recognize the stare as Madara's.
"Tobi?" I shift a voice box into this bird.
"Madara Uchiha" He replies cooly.
...
"Apologies for bcking out on you, punishment for trying to restrain a tailed beast without a seal I suppose" I sigh.
"Yes. Not many can hold the beasts... which is why I am impressed with your work" Madara tells me.
"Thank you" I reply.
"And now I am going to need you to do some more work" Madara says dreadfully... making the cold night even colder.
"Of course..." I fp my wings solemnly.
"Kill Kakazu. Lay a trap for him... I will help cover up his death and sway the Akatsuki into thinking it was something else... Zetsu already has the evidence needed to bme it on Oorochimaru and his sound ninja- do it soon" Madara orders and if I had a human face I am sure my jaw would have dropped from instinct.
... can't ask why... lets just do.
"What then? Continue with my bounties?" I ask.
"Once the deed is done you will take Hidan on as your new partner and I will join Zetsu as his... happy hunting" Madara states before completely vanishing behind me.
Shit.
I didn't learn anything from that, and Kakazu is going to die for a goal that I do not understand... what is his pn here? Why kill Kakazu- who is bringing in so much money for the Akatsuki?
What is it..? Did Kakazu find something out? No, he would not fail his contract by so ungraciously peeking at something he shouldn't.
So then what else could it be?
...
Killing him will have to come first then- I was going to do something as drastic as hunting the Akatsuki anyway, if it gets me closer to my enemy then I will do so happily.
...
Damnit- I kind of liked learning from that old money expert.
*Wooosh!*
I fly faster- I need a game pn.
Can I kill him if I fight fairly?
------
Kenzo Statistics:
Natural Regeneration +5(-1 Regen for +5 Mana)
Strength +9
Tailed Beasts +0
------
Blessings:
[Kenzo] Shapeshifting: C×B×A×S?K?
[Kenzo] Genjutsu Resonance: E×D×C?
[Kenzo] Split Selves: K×
------
Kenzo Skills:
Unyielding Stare: E×D×C×B×A×S×K×
Kenzo Deflection Jutsu: E×D×C×B×A×S×K?
Yin-Picking: E×D×C×B×A?S?K?
Improv Taijutsu: E×D×C×B×A×S?K?
Effortless Jump: E×D×C×B×A?S?K?
Poisonous Touch: E×D×C×B×A?S?K?
------
Titles: [Applied to all Selves]
Knowledge Taker: E-rank.
Root Initiate: D-rank.
Genin: C-rank
Mana Specialist: B-rank
Special Jonin: A-rank
Beast King: S-rank
Danzo's Nightmare: K-rank
------
Natural regeneration would not help me against the myriad of wounds that he could unleash upon me... while I have better healing then most it is not at such a superhuman level.
Strength... I am most certainly stronger than Kakazu with all my abilities and training... if I had one statistic scroll I could get a lesser blessing and have a greater chance at fighting Kakazu. This time I would use it on improv Taijutsu.
Tailed beasts...? That's a new one, maybe my body is much better at holding a beast after what I put it through? Then again... if anyone could put a tailed beast inside of themselves without a seal it would be my shapeshifting that would do it. I suppose I will tread carefully on that one...
Shapeshifting has improved tremendously as my main weapon, improv taijutsu allowing me to be unpredictable even when you know my skillset- as well as some static forms that work well against more... troubling opponents. This would be perfect if not for Kakazu having his masks to keep me down with a combination of attacks.
Genjutsu Resonance? Beautiful, my original idea for my build centre's around this skill, I should use it wisely when fighting Kakazu head on- he should be aware of this skill and if I use it well I could force him to make himself deaf.
Split selves... more of a curse than anything. I will delete it from my biology the second I get those two rebellious idiots back.
Unyielding stare... my first skill and one of my best- Kakazu might have seen it in use but he will feel it's effects soon enough... unfortunately the main use of this skill is unused considering I only use it for its side effect of scaring the shit out of people... makes me wonder what a horrifying stare skill would be like?
Deflection jutsu is great- I need more jutsu as skills... the walking thing is good but not for this fight, I am going to be on my toes a lot during this battle.
Yin-picking is a massive deal for my genjutsu, I just need to level it up more to make more use of it... I am sure that if I get it high enough level I can use my resonance skill as if it were a greater blessing!
Improv Taijutsu is great, Gai has been a wonderful sparring partner... however Kakazu is quite proficient in taijutsu himself and might be better then me in it.
Effortless jump is great, the normal jumps are good but utilizing my body in such a way that I can jump without bending my knees is crazy, I really want to learn how to do these effortless jumps while in movement and on the spot... might be a better variant to the body flicker technique soon enough, Kakazu will have trouble keeping me down like this.
Poisonous touch? No idea what the system wanted me to get this for and Kakazu will not be affected by my poisons... they are not strong enough nor secret enough to get past his defences.
Of my titles? Danzo's Nightmare is the most useful as I can easily use it to enhance the scare factor of my stare... Beast king isn't useful as well as mana specialist and special-
Special Jonin?
Right... we cannot change our titles without the input of each other... when did we change that one again? Either way this and genin titles haven't been used at all really... even though I could farm statistic scrolls with them I was always busy with family and friends outside of work so I couldn't...
Maybe I should use it now... successful investigation into something and get a quick scroll... which would allow me to mix Improv taijutsu and Strength into a lesser blessing?
Sounds good. Or maybe... genin would be a better shot. I am sure that I was near to getting a new scroll st time I did this... and maybe the others have completed one or two D-ranks by coincidence...
D-rank bounties should count.
If I fly fast enough and don't sleep I could get some D-rank bounties in and have a day or two to gain a new lesser blessing.
D-rank bounties are unfortunately rare... because no one is that weak and good enough at hiding to get a bounty on them. That just wouldn't make sense.
But maybe I only need twenty? Ten? And in a rge country like stone?
...
Yeah. I could do this.
Get new surprising ability- don't pick the safe option as I want something to take Kakazu off guard with... and then I need to fight dirty even then.
I can use the scrolls I got recently to up my ante and get something to accommodate my new lesser blessing, whatever that may be.
Hire people with the money I got? No... I need to be silent so Zetsu can cover my tracks for me and pnt some evidence...
Maybe I should pce a bunch of traps... but surely Kakazu would see them right? He is much better and more experienced in trap making then me... he might even use them against me in the battle.
Then lets do something simple, pick a location to my advantage- which is... everywhere... and he can fight pretty well anywhere too...
Damn. This is hard actually.
Give him a case of money filled with explosives that will trigger when he opens it...?
Weirdly enough I feel like he would shake the case and ask why the 100,000 ryo feels like it weighs like 102,234 ryo and then get suspicous...
Am I underestimating my own abilities or overestimating his?
Or maybe we are just equal in power to the point where its a gamble whether I can win or not.
If I had lightning... maybe I could have overpowered him and destroyed his masks before I ran out of mana... and then fight him with my skills.
But unfortunately yet again I can not.
...
I can't wait for him to get wounded due to needing to kill him soon... probably because Oorochimaru is going to be hunted by Ryū soon.
...?
Wait- I knew that because of the helpers prompts... but how did Madara find out?
Nevermind- focus on my current objective.
...?
Wait- I know the perfect environment- and I feel like we are in the perfect pce for it too! A narrow cave where I can walk forward and he can't overwhelm me from multiple sides.
This will do Kenzo- this will do quite well!
Thanks for reading! :)
