บท 48: Chapter 17 - The Subjugation of Amegakure [1]
'I think about it all the time. If I was on the other side of the war, would we have a chance, Yahiko?'
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A year ago, the Sage of six paths asked a girl for a favour - to end the war.
Two men sat with grim expressions in the Chikagaruke meeting room. Their faces were stiff as if unwilling to give away too much to the enemy. They both had two Anbu standing quietly behind them.
"It has been a few years since I've seen you, Kazekage," Raiden said with a polite smile.
"The last time I saw you, you were quite young, and now you are the Mizukage. How did the previous Mizukage die again?" Akito asked with a scoff.
Raiden was unbothered by his taunt.
The doors to the room opened, and they looked up to see her.
"My apologies for the delay," Yomi said as she walked in.
Raiden was the first to notice something was off about her. She seemed different, more mature than the girl he trained with. Had it really been that long since he last saw her? He noticed the two men standing behind her. He recognized the first, Kakuzu- even behind the oni mask, he was obviously the fierce guard dog of the Sozo Head. But who was the other?
Black spikey hair hid behind a white oni mask, a stark contrast to Kakuzu's black mask.
Yomi sat down, not minding the curious glances from Raiden. How long had it been since he saw her? Kakuzu handed out a file to everyone.
"I guess we should get to business. How are your forces?" she asked as she flipped through the files. "What's going on with their tailed beast?"
"Hanzo is keeping the Jinchuriki under tight security. We don't know who the host is right now."
Yomi turned to the file on Hanzo of the Salamander, the current leader of Amegakure.
"What's the problem?" she asked. "This is child's play. You should know who the Jinchuriki is by now." She scoffed. "Are you guys fucking around?"
"The problem is the Jinchuriki changed recently. Furthermore, there has been a pesky group gathering to protect Amegakure."
Yomi turned to the next page.
The Akatsuki.
"You should know all about that; you used to have ties with them," Akito said with a mocking tone.
Yomi stared blankly at Yahiko's face. He hadn't changed.
"So your issue is a ragtag group of shinobi?" She scoffed again. "Fine, the attack day is still the same. We need to retrieve their Jinchuriki."
"And what's your plan after that? Surely you don't plan to keep it to yourself, do you?" Akito asked.
"That is exactly what I plan to do. I will become the Jinchuriki." Before they could object, she explained, "Chikagaruke has no Jinchuriki. We might as well take it. Do you need it or something?"
Akito choked. How could he take it? If he did, Konoha would be on his ass.
"Okay, that's settled. In that case, I will need a five-man Anbu team from both of you."
"You really think you can take down a kage with such meagre manpower?" Akito asked, perplexed.
"If I can't, I will die. It is fine either way."
Raiden couldn't help himself and chuckled. "That's fine; we will do as you've requested," he said. She hadn't changed a bit.
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Underneath the Kage building, the doors to the lab opened with a metallic clang. A red-haired man in a lab coat walked in, clipboard in hand. He stopped abruptly as he noticed Kakuzu, unmasked, standing by one of the work-benches.
"Why are you here?" Sasori asked, raising an eyebrow.
"She asked me to check up on it," Kakuzu replied evenly.
Sasori nodded, walking over to one of the desks where a spread of thin, hair-like needles was laid out. He picked one up with delicate precision.
"These-" he began.
"Cells," Sasori said proudly. "I've been given free reign with one goal: make Chikagaruke indestructible."
Kakuzu picked one up curiously. "So if someone gets pricked by this?"
"It's like a parasite," Sasori explained. "It burrows into the skin and can be used to track and trace. It also allows you to self-destruct."
Kakuzu nodded, understanding the implications. This invention would save Yomi time and energy and ensure loyalty from those in power, or at least make them easier to control.
"I came to tell you about the expedition to Amegakure. You're a general, so you should get ready."
Sasori sighed. "Fine. When are we going?"
"Next week. She plans on replacing the Kage with Yahiko."
Sasori looked intrigued. "I thought they broke up?"
"I don't get it either. I doubt he would be happy to see her kill the Kage, but it's not my place to question her."
Sasori nodded in understanding. Since she woke up from chakra overload, she had been... different. Kakuzu struggled to see through her and understand her. Her eyes always felt too deep, and if he wasn't careful, he would get sucked in.
Sasori glanced at Kakuzu, his curiosity piqued. "Yomi's change-do you think it has something to do with the Akatsuki?"
Kakuzu shrugged. "Perhaps. All I know is that she has a plan, and she's determined to see it through."
Sasori leaned back, considering the implications. "Replacing the Kage with Yahiko will stir up Konoha. They'll be forced to act."
Kakuzu did not say much; he felt like she really did not want to go to war against konoha, but for some reason every step she took felt like it was pushing them to act.. or is there someone she wants to draw out?
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Yomi gasped, panting as she emerged from the water. Of course the person in the bath she emerged from almost jumped out in shock but he stopped himself after seeing her face.
It's just yomi.
"Could you not do that again. You're going to give me a heart attack." He said with a groan. "You're lucky the others aren't here. What are you even doing here!?"
She looked up feeling a bit guilty. "I wanted to see you guys for a bit, you don't have to tell Yahiko I came."
Nagato looked at her as if annoyed. "Fine but you need to get up, you're sitting strangely."
"Oh sorry." She said getting up from his bath and stepping out. "Please enjoy your bath, young master."
He blushed fiercely. "Turn around!"
She did as told waiting for him to dress up. When he was more modest he cleared his throat letting her turn around again. His face was still dusted with light pink as he avoided her gaze.
"Go on, tell me."
She beamed sitting on the floor, he followed sitting across from her, his elbow on his thigh supporting his head.
She told him everything that had happened recently. About Sasori, about Chika and about her upcoming mission to Amegakure. He listened intently as usual, and then gave her an update on the Akatsuki.
Since the breakup with Yahiko she didn't really have anyone to talk to but Nagato never despised her for her decision so he was the one she talked to when she felt stifled.
"But enough about me, how is Jiraiya sensei doing? Is he back on missions?"
"I think he's ok, we haven't heard any news, he's probably peeking on some naked lady somewhere."
"Come on he's not that bad."
"You haven't seen him in a year, it's bad."
She chuckled at his words. "And Yahiko, is he..."
Nagato sighed, sensing her worry. "He's fine. He's been a bit more somber."
"That's good." Her face was a bit downcast.
Seeing her upset made him frown. "You know, you should move on, Yomi. You have the rest of your life ahead of you."
"Yeah, I know. I just really liked him, you know?"
"... I know this place is pretty gloomy, but I know an arcade nearby if you wanna play?"
Her eyes lit up at his suggestion. "Can we go?"
Nagato nodded. "Meet me outside and we can sneak off."
She smiled and rushed out through the window while he had to go through the front door past his teammates.
Outside, the streets of Amegakure were gloomy and wet. Yomi's heart raced with excitement as she waited for Nagato whi soon joined her, and they began their walk to the arcade.
The arcade was a hidden gem, nestled in a corner of the village where the bright neon lights and cheerful sounds stood in stark contrast to the otherwise serene atmosphere. As they stepped inside, Yomi's eyes widened with amazement. Rows of game machines, colorful screens, and the sounds of laughter and excitement filled the air.
"This place is amazing!" Yomi exclaimed, she had never been somewhere like this.
Nagato smiled, pleased to see her so happy. "I thought you'd like it. Let's go play some games."
They started with a racing game, their competitive spirits kicking in as they tried to outdo each other. Yomi's laughter echoed through the arcade as she narrowly beat Nagato in a close race.
"You're pretty good at this," Nagato admitted, grinning.
"Just lucky, I guess," she replied, beaming with joy.
Next, they moved on to a claw machine. Yomi's eyes sparkled as she tried to grab a stuffed animal. After a few failed attempts, she finally succeeded, pulling out a cute, plush fox.
"Look, Nagato! I got it!" she cheered, holding up her prize.
"Nice job," he said, genuinely happy for her ruffling her hair.
The more they played, the more relaxed and carefree Yomi got, at least she could forget her worries for a little while.
At one point, they found themselves at a photo booth.
"Should we take some pictures?" Nagato asked, she was more than willing.
He slipped them into his sleeves for safe keeping.
Soon enough they had to return. Yomi and Nagato made their way back through the rain-soaked streets of Amegakure in a significantly better mood than when they arrived.
"Thanks for bringing me here, Nagato," Yomi said, her voice soft and sincere.
Nagato looked at her, his eyes filled with warmth. "Baka. You could have gone when you wanted, I didn't do much."
"Still.. you're a really good friend, Nagato."
He heart ached the word 'friend' but he smiled regardless despite his unspoken feelings. "Damn right I am."
"Nagato, do you think things will ever go back to the way they were?" she asked.
He paused, considering his words carefully. "I don't think so, Yomi."
She smiled dryly. When she woke up from her coma, things were different, she couldn't deny it, she was different. She wasn't someone who could be with Yahiko anymore.
The soft patter of the rain filled the silence between them. Yomi turned to face him, the rain making her hair cling to her face. She looked up at Nagato, her eyes wide and sincere. "I really mean it, Nagato. You're a wonderful friend."
He took a step closer, his hand gently brushing a wet strand of hair away from her face. The world seemed to hold its breath as he leaned in, his heart pounding in his chest. Their faces were inches apart.
Yomi stepped back with a playful grin. "You know, we should do this more often. It's nice to just have fun."
Nagato's heart ached as he forced a smile, the moment slipping away. "Yeah, we should."
She gave him one last smile, and she disappeared from his grasp.
Nagato stood there for a moment, the rain washing over him, mingling with the bittersweet longing in his heart.
Was that her answer?
...
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Aalis
Aalis Thoughts so far? Thanks for reading.
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