Pov: Kenzo
*pitter* *patter*
"So this is rain? This may be an odd question but does it always... rain in the nd of rain?" I ask Kakazu.
"Yes, as much as it can- a great pce to hide... a great pce to find low lives with bounties on their heads" He tells me.
Alright then.
"The cave we are supposed to meet at is only a few minutes away now- after that we leave the border and head towards our next bounties" He tells me and I nod.
We have sort of gotten a rhythm when it comes to this bounty thing- I have fully adapted to his teachings and he doesn't seem as grouchy when you get him more money.
Plus... I feel great testing my strength and infiltrating anywhere I can- being stuck in Konoha really limited my infiltration missions.
...
*Sp* *Sp!*
Our feet sp against the mud and both me and Kakuzu turn to see two others approach at the same time... Itachi and Kisame.
Makes sense considering we where in the same area- hopefully we will not be waiting on any of the others.
"Kakazu, Kenzo" Kisame greets and Itachi nods at us.
"Itachi, Kisame" Kakazu grunts back and nod my head back.
"Looks like you grew a bit- can't insult you for your height anymore huh?" Kisame chuckles to himself and I sigh as we reach the cave entrance.
"I can shrink if it satisfies you" I reply as everyone uses a Jutsu to dry themselves off... I never learned a jutsu like that.
"Less fun when you help me out brat- *SWOOSH!*" His sword cleaves past me quickly and in one swish the water drenching me is thrown outside.
Whoa- that is some water chakra control...
"Fair enough" I pull my Akatsuki cloaks colr up and straighten my uniform as I follow them in.
We enter into this dark cavern and inside I see a small group gathered... I count only one missing duo from what I was told.
"You are Kenzo the Monster. Live up to that title child" A purple eyed and orange haired man who stands at the end of the cave eyes me up and down as I enter, his cold and careless voice tells me all I need to know.
He isn't impressed with me at all.
For my quest I need to change that... but how? I have no clue on what I could do during this mission...
Better to leave that quest and let it go than make any bold move here, this isn't a safe pce to take risks- and an organization like this isn't a fshy vilge where standing out in the crowd would be a good thing.
Not that it was a good thing for me anyway.
"Who are we waiting on?" Kisame asks as he leans on one wall.
"The two artists" a blue haired dy swoops into the cave as white wings follow her.
...
"How long?" Pein asks.
"Should be here in another half an hour if they don't start another art fight" She replies.
"Hm, Zetsu- are these all the members? Any others?" She looks at the pnt like creature who watches from the corner.
"We have started an investigation on someone named Hidan... he may be in need of a group like ours soon" Zetsu replies calmly.
"Good, after he joins or dies you can start searching for our targets" She nods her head before walking over to Pein and standing next to him.
I have to sit here for another thirty minutes? This room already feels tense...
"So Kenzo- never got to see your special skillset in greater extent, care to share?" Kisame says and I look around the room.
"Sure..." I state and slowly shift my physical form to look exactly like Kisame.
"That's pretty neat- though easy to see through don't you think?" He chuckles and challenges me.
I sigh and scan him up and down... I take in every detail and slowly adapt my body to look one to one.
"If you give me your blood I can see the details underneath too- even a Hyuga wouldn't be able to see the difference... you would need extreme chakra sensing or a unique technique to know the difference between you and me" I smile and stand exactly as he does, a lot more taller and tougher.
"Woah- now that is something special" We both say at the same time.
"Now those eyes of yours... they can be terrible right? I felt them even when I wasn't being watched by them... made me on edge" Kisame asks and lowers his gaze to meet mine- or his own in this case.
"Since I am in a room of people who have many ways to kill me quickly I will refrain from jolting their flight or fight responses..." I shrug my shoulders and ignore his request.
"His Dojutsu is very helpful indeed, sees through any genjutsu we have so far encountered and makes people talk... makes bounty hunting easier when our targets freeze on the spot" Kakazu speaks up for my worth.
It seems my money first policy has gone good, always making money with every move I make has elevated myself in his eyes.
"What was the st thing? Genjutsu right?" Kisame asks.
"I am acquainted with its use" I nod my head and Kakazu gives me a knowing look.
Under py and over deliver.
"Hn. Infiltrating the vilges for our targets will be hard when the targets are naturally loners..." Itachi speaks up.
I eye the man who Hokage-Sama told me about, he has certainly merged with this group well after his incident in the vilge.
"We have time. Lonely people yearn for affection and I am happy to give it to them" I counter.
"But they have always been treated like weapons... our targets would be on guard for those who want to use them. Like you" He states.
"True... but I have more worth than the eye can see, I will prove myself to my standards" I shift back into myself and look around the room once more.
"This is the brat you used to babysit right? Must be odd seeing him here" Kisame eggs Itachi on.
"I was once ordered to keep an eye on Kenzo yes..." Itachi says.
"Come on spill- why?" Kisame pushes more.
Makes sense since we have to wait another twenty minutes or more...
"The third Hokage ordered me to, Kenzo was being attacked by a drunk ninja and had grown close to the nine tails Jinchurikii... his reputation as a monster was lit by his closeness to the demon of Konoha" Itachi reveals and Kisame rolls his eyes.
"Well that is boring- got any interesting stories that involve the newbie?" Kisame asks again with a yawn.
Everyone watches Itachi as the only other option is waiting in silence.
"He walks in a particur way" Itachi nods his head and Kisame sps his own forehead.
"I cannot copy it with just my sharingan, it took seven weeks to understand his walk" Itachi states and Kisame looks up and smiles wider..
"Really? Just a walk? Like one step, two step done?" Kisame smirks.
"Exactly" Itachi's eyes fall onto my own eyes and squint... we don't break eye contact until Kakazu speaks up.
"Hm. You do always walk towards your targets... but I assumed that was more for intimidation" Kakazu asks with curiosity.
"My walk is perfect, I developed it and improved it into a defensive jutsu- I can deflect attacks with my jutsu but when walking it becomes easy... like second nature" I say and reveal another one of my skills.
My walk and deflection skill merged and I only realised what that meant when training in those challenge scrolls against Gai.
I can activate the chakra point spirals that divert attacks away from the body, so kunai with a sp just bounce off... but if I were to walk while doing it my chakra sort of gets pulled along and becomes oblong.
Imagine the aerodynamics of a human... that image of red lines flowing off the front of my body would be exactly what my chakra looks like- I become a ssher film antagonist who just tanks hit after hit while walking onwards.
My chakra could take an empowered kunai to the chest and force it to bounce right past me- I would still take damage but only a scratch compared to taking a kunai into my chest.
Its... better when I walk to put it simply.
Just walking alone puts might Gai into the first gate.
I haven't gotten him past the fourth gate yet... technically I have seen him use the fifth a few times but I fail right after.
He knows how to end a fight quick which is not my forte- hopefully more training can help me stand longer.
I have only been training for a month or so anyway.
I also need to upgrade my word skill, lockpicking and ancient hearing- some simple support skills that would boost my powers and give me trump cards.
I was also thinking of adding another defensive technique as well.
Probably [Block] to put it simply.
But if a better idea comes along then I will bite, as always I will probably go along with whatever skill interests me at the time, block may be redundant with the use of my deflection technique.
"Such an odd combination of skills... it makes me curious to your decision to train them" Zetsu speaks up and I turn to the pnt man.
"They have there uses" I state vaguely and the room goes silent once more as Zetsu nods to himself.
...
They where going to find out my skillset soon enough anyway, it is best that I do reveal them and never show the new skills I will acquire.
Trust... I need them to trust me before all else.
Especially the masked man who is most certainly the one who trusts me the least- I need to get him to believe me most before executing any pns.
...
A few minutes pass by as we all listen to the rain, and soon enough a new duo enters into the cave.
"Yo!" The long haired one waves as he enters and the hunched person next to him grunts as well.
"Good, we are all here" Pein gnces at us all and the room turns to look at his purple eyes that shine in such a dark pce.
"Now lets discuss the next move of the Akatsuki" He states and we all focus into this meeting.
---
-One week ter-
Pov: Rock Lee
"Feeling better?" I turn my head to see Tenten enter my hospital room.
"Tenten- of course, as youthful as ever!" I smile and give a thumbs up.
"How's the injuries... I heard that Lady Tsunade herself came down to heal you?" She asks with a smile as she talks about the new Hokage.
"Yes, a miracle worker indeed! My spine is back in shape and soon I will be able to train and surpass my previous self!" I fist bump with small tears in my eyes.
I indeed did push myself too far against Gaara of the sand- but at least I did all I could!
...
... I almost lost my taijutsu for a moment there as well, if not for Lady Tsunade coming back to the vilge...
That and Kenzo becoming rogue, I wouldn't know what to do...
I have heard from sensei that the reason he left was because he hated Konoha... I asked around and that's what everyone else is saying as well.
That Kenzo was a monster who hated his own home, being a nuisance and threat all his life to Konoha most people where happy to hear this news.
...
But I am with Naruto, one of the few people who got Kenzo and understood that he is more than just some beast.
Some uncontrolble creature that hunted ninja for sport... I don't believe it- I cannot believe that he is that! It's completely wrong on every level!
"Hey- are you even listening?" Tenten groans in annoyance as I turn back to her...
... woops...
I make sure to listen to her small talk for the rest of her visit.
---
Pov: Ino
I sit and 'eat' barbeque alongside my team, a very visibly sad atmosphere surrounds me as I barely touch my portion and Choji eats my meal for me.
"... What a drag..." Shikamaru yawns once more.
This is supposed to be a celebration for Shikamaru getting the chunin rank- unfortunately I can't help but to brood.
My best friends crush and teammate got kidnapped and my... 'I don't even know' went rogue and ate a bunch of people apparently.
Why would he? When he disappears all the time is that him going about eating people too? If only my dad would confirm or deny any of my questions, at least then I would feel anything other than apathetic.
Oh no...!
...
I am acting just like Shikamaru...
Bleh.
"Does the food smell bad?" Asuma-sensei asks and I stop scrunching my nose.
"No... never mind" I y back on the chair and look around the table.
"No refunds" Choji makes an 'X' with his chopsticks and defends his stolen food.
"Come on Ino, eat something" Asuma hands over some of his cooked meat onto my pte and I sigh as I pick up my chopsticks.
Why did I ever fall in love with that monster...
---
Pov: Naruto
"Come on Sensei! We can't just let him be taken so easily! Isn't there some way to track him?" I ask as I pace around the memorial stone.
"Aren't you supposed to be in bed this early?" Kakashi-sensei yawns as he slouches and looks at the clouds.
"Oh stop that, I see your foot twitching! You want to leave and search just as much as me!" I retort and sensei sighs.
"Why did that brother of yours ever teach you to be so perceptive..." He rubs his temples with one hand.
"Naruto is right- we cannot just stay here and do nothing! Isn't there anything we can do?" Sakura-chan asks.
*ZZZIP* *WOOSH!*
"Hello- Hi, greetings- needed at Hokage office, have a good day!" Ryū bursts through greets us and then bsts away within seconds.
*ZZZZTTTT* *Bang!*
...
They really need to give that guy a break- I see him running around all the time during the day and I swear I saw him doing paperwork in the Hokage's office st night...
"Well at least the Hokage has someone capable to handle some of her workload... come on guys, maybe this assignment could be reted to this talk" Kakashi-sensei stands up straight, flickering away as both me and Sakura-chan smile at each other before following.
*Wooosh!*
Soon we enter into the Hokage's office and gnce around to see tons of paperwork with Shizune-san and Granny writing frantically.
*ZZZT* *SLIDE*
"I got Elder Danzo to handle the border management mess- oh! Hyuga elders want to speak to you regarding some cn taxations? And some Jonin have been compining about workloads tely" Ryū slides in behind us reads out a sticky note and sps it on my head before sliding out.
*Woosh!*
"Oi!" I grab the note and shake my fist as he leaves with a sudden burst of speed.
"Really putting him to work..." Kakashi-sensei comments and Granny looks up with obvious fatigue.
"Good- it took me the entirety of yesterday just to deal with his 'Thorn' mess. Hatake I have an S-rank mission for you and a few other Jonin to go on, they will be waiting at the gate in the afternoon and you will be in charge- here is the scroll" Granny throws him a scroll and he slides it into his jacket seamlessly.
"Naruto Jiraiya is waiting for you at Ichiraku's- say goodbye to your friends and pack your gear, he is taking you on a trip. You two go see him as well if you have any other questions" Granny states and I furrow my brows.
I wonder where Pervy sage is taking me?
"Lady Tsunade- you wanted to see me?" A hyuga Jonin walks in with a small team and we are forced to leave the room.
"Wow... so busy recently" Sakura says.
"I have to see what's happening with this mission, you two say your goodbyes... I have a feeling you will be gone a while Naruto- so stay safe and write some letters alright?" Kakashi-sensei ruffles my hair as he leaves and I turn to Sakura as we stand just outside the office.
...
*ZZZZT!* *Woosh!*
Our hair blows past our faces as the lightning guy stops in front of the office again.
"Oh- thanks Naruto" The guy grabs the sticky note out of my hand and writes some more stuff on it before opening the door and sticking it to the inside.
"If Shikaku asks what happened with the information on the Kenzo case let him know I have most the file's at my pce and he is alright to break in" The man waves his hand and tells granny before shutting the door.
"Wait- Orange cape dude!" I stop him before he slides away again.
"Hm? Yeah what's up man" He crouches down to my level and asks.
"Why do you know my name? And Kenzo file? What case?" I ask quickly.
"Kenzo's brother, course' I know you- his files and all that- what really happened and the current status he has" He says.
"What status..?" I ask already knowing.
"Rogue ninja, working for danger people I am afraid, sorry kid... really- if you need me for anything don't be afraid to ask alright? My name is Ryū and you can always find me around here..." He pats my shoulder and says warmly before standing up.
"Stay safe both of you- and don't tell the Lady that I took a thirty second break, she is still angry about the pile of paperwork I gave her" He tilts his head as if winking... before leaving in a dash.
...
"He seems friendly" Sakura coughs awkwardly as we start to walk out of the building.
"Oh man..." I ruffle my own hair as we walk and I push the Kenzo thoughts to the back of my mind.
"Lets go see what Pervy Sage wants to do with me..." I tell Sakura and we walk out to Ichiraku's.
Sasuke... Kenzo... why did they have to both leave?
---
Pov: Sasuke Uchiha
...
*Chirp!* *Chirp!* *Chirp!*
...
*SHUFFLE* *SLAM!*
*BOOOOM!*
...
I take my arm out of the wall and look at it... the grey skin and significant power boost... the wings on my back.
This curse mark has improved me dramatically- not even Gaara could hold me down like he did before.
Maybe this kidnapping isn't the worst thing to happen to me- I can gain power... under his teachings and then eventually use them against him when the time is right.
I still have a score to settle with Naruto and...
And I have to avenge my family.
Power.
This is my ticket to power that can help me in all my goals, as long as that snake is weak I can gain power and overcome him.
And then I can face Itachi.
...
From what I hear it will take Oorochimaru only a year to recover from his detrimental injuries, so I have to either bide my time if I am not strong enough or perhaps end him before the year is up.
His group of cursed ninja do stand in the way unfortunately... supposedly I am in charge of them but they will take me down with ease if I attack Oorochimaru so quickly.
Am I stuck?
No- I will find a way out of here.
I can always go back to Konoha if I need a safe haven, I haven't left of my own will after all... not like I wasn't thinking of leaving since the chunin exams and after meeting that man once more...
...
"Good- again" Kabuto orders and I look up to the railings where I see a small group of people watching me.
"You said that I have a month to grow stronger... why?" I ask.
"That is the longest I can keep your challenger alive on his death bed, if you are strong enough to beat him than Oorochimaru will reward you" Kabuto smiles.
Challenger? Deathbed?
He expects me to fight someone about to die? How weak does he think I am?
I scrunch my face and look back at the wall, my chakra flows into lightning as my eyes gre a whole into the wall and I lower my arm.
Fine.
I'll beat his stupid test.
I think this is a good time to take a small break from writing this- so no chapters next week sorry!
If there is any other characters you would like to check up on before a series of small time skips then let me know so I can update this chapter a bit with some new perspectives.
Thanks for reading! :)
