Arc 2 Chapter 7 Final Part- Age: 10.02, Year: 14.02

I know the previous update was originally called the final part of that section of the story but I realised this one couldn't really be considered the start of the next section and fit more as the final part of the previous instead. The previous update has been renamed from the final part to part 6 of the chapter.

...

The sun hung low over the village gates as the hustle and bustle of the day continued on with a strangely peaceful breeze filling the air, underscoring the fading warmth of the afternoon- all of it was laughingly oblivious to the clusterfuck we were about to send the world's way.

I stood far outside the gates within the forests, atop the highest tree I could find, my presence shadowed and unassuming.

Up ahead, I watched one Koharu and Hiruzen walk through the gates as instructed. While they'd been somewhat concerned and peeved, in that order, that I'd asked them to go on without me, they'd at least understood why- to an extent.

I allowed myself a moment of indulgence, observing the tide of life washing around them.

The moment I watched them finish walking through the gates, safe and sound, I immediately disappeared from the area and made my way back to the spot our team had settled on masquerading the death of a noble.

And frankly, the moment I landed, was a moment all too fucking late as I felt a colossal build-up of Tobirama’s chakra, coiling and sharp as it echoed out across the section of the forest.

My heart raced with something as I sped up on my feet and followed the source of it while my mind wondered what the fuck the man was trying to do that needed that much bloody chakra! Not wanting to risk it in case the man was under attack, I promptly flash-stepped directly towards the centre of the chakra itself and-

I blinked, my head tilting slightly as I watched the fucker, standing before a very much awake, and very much terrified noble, use a forbidden fucking technique.

This was not what I had in mind when I'd suggested faking the fuckers death, but goddamn if it ain't the best way to bloody do it!

“Impure World Resurrection…” The words wafted through the air like a ghostly incantation, stopping me dead in my tracks.

An electric thrill coursed through me, both worry and intrigue, as I neared where he stood. I'd burst into the scene just in time to see the dark spirals of chakra twisting and turning around the dumbass noble- I hadn't actually known one could use the life of the fucker you wanted to resurrect as a sacrifice to resurrect said fucker!

Tobirama stood with an air of calm authority, his expression unreadable as he faced the reanimated noble. “So it does work that way,” he stated simply, devoid of any explanation for the bewildered soul standing before him.

The noble blinked rapidly, confusion etched across his features as he tried to piece together "... What... What did you do to me!?”

“Welcome back to the world of the living, or perhaps just an extension of your exit,” I interjected, stepping into the clearing with a knowing smirk. "Remind me, did you sign up for the sequel?"

Both Tobirama and the noble turned to me, caught off guard by my sudden appearance. I could see the moment when the noble's panic shifted to a fragile understanding of the circumstance.

“Was this your plan all along?” I continued, amusement lighting my eyes. "Bringing him back?"

Tobirama’s gaze turned sharp at that. “Well, we have to make it believable." A beat passed. "And what better way to do it than to actually have him run around proving he survived?"

“Right, and it has nothing to do with you finding the perfect corpse to push your research a little further,” I replied, letting the sarcasm drip from my words. Taking in the look of annoyance and, well, narrowed eyes, I let out a cough and pointed out that I happened to agree with the idea. “So, what's the aim then? Did he escape his protectors? Revealed his colours? Was a double agent, etc, etc?"

The noble, still visibly shaken, took a step back, realizing he was no longer the centre of control but a mere pawn in a game he didn’t understand. “What has happened to me...?” he asked, his voice shaky.

“You're dead. But not really,” Tobirama replied, his tone serious yet measured. "You put Konoha in a very, very, dangerous position.” His eyes narrowed towards the idiot. "I am doing what needs to be done, to push that problem onto someone else."

I leaned closer, relishing the humour in the situation. “You see, shitstain-san, you unknowingly joined a rather absurd plot the moment you took credit for the Earth Daimyo's loss."

Tobirama shot me another warning glance, but I brushed it off, my curiosity buzzing like a mischievous insect.

“Earth Daimyo..?” the noble questioned, confusion transforming into concern. “I was-” He shook his reanimated head. "Why would you even care-"

I watched as the realisation swept through his eyes at that. As his eyes darted between me and Tobirama for a split second before focusing back on me. "...It was you..." He whispered. "It was you, wasn't it?" He questioned hoarsely.

“Technically yes. But no,” I cut in smoothly. “Not anymore thanks to you!”

With a deep breath, Tobirama placed a steady hand on the noble’s shoulder. “Look on the bright side, at least now you'll be remembered throughout history.”

I chuckled softly, relishing the layer of absurdity that enveloped the scene. “Let’s create a masterpiece, shitstain-san!”

As the air crackled with the energy of our decisions, I couldn't help but feel the excitement coursing through my veins. Chaos loomed ahead, and our stage was set. It was a new play in a world filled with unfathomable stories, and I, for one, was ready to savour every single moment.

"Wait- Wait a mo-" The man made to say, only to abruptly find his voice gone as Tobirama assumed full control of the reanimation jutsu.

...

"Right, so now we have a zombie noble in our hands." I deadpanned as I leaned against a rock, all the while Tobirama was carefully going through one hand seal after another as he carefully placed them onto the mute former and current, corpse.

"In a drunken stupor, he revealed damning information." I blinked at the words that echoed out of the white-haired mad scientist. "In response to it, unexpectedly to him, I decided that he be held to a trial within the Fire Daimyo's court for his actions."

"But it's only a rumour," I pointed out. "His claiming it has to be considered a rumour, otherwise no samurai would've let him out of their sights."

Tobirama nodded at that as he slowly turned towards me while clearing his hands of something. "He revealed information regarding the mission your former classmates failed-"

"He was getting rid of evidence?" I quarried. "Maybe one of the missing-nin involved had a hand in the Earth Daimyo's loss, and Shitstain wanted to make sure they stayed silent?"

Tobirama slowly nodded at that.  "Could work, it's not like anyone involved could disagree, no thanks to you."

I gave him a thumbs up.

Tobirama snorted at that. "Naturally, in response to my demand, the noble decided to escape."

I gave the man a deadpan look for that. "He got away from the Hokage's own brother, and me?" At least make it believab-

"During the attack on the tavern, he took his chance in the chaos to make his escape."

Well, that was almost believable I guess-

"My brother will of course be informed in full of everything that truly went down."

Okay, yeah ain't no one's going to pick at it with Hashirama backing the fucking story.

"You know the clans will know its a load of shit right?" I deadpanned to the man.

"I would be concerned otherwise." The man rolled his eyes at me. "It's not their place, however, to question it and I hope they understand that as well."

Tell that to Inuzuka- Fifty bucks on that fucker unravelling this shit show with another round of twenty questions. "...Keep an eye on Inuzuka in that case."

Tobirama raised an eyebrow at that.

I calmly regaled him with that fucker's actions during the Kaguya steal. Needless to say, the suffering look that took over his face made it a tad more worthwhile to have gone through the ordeal.

"I'll be sure to warn him not to put his nose into it." The man remarked with a slightly absent look to his face.

"Good." I grinned. "Now what do we actually do with the zombie himself?"

Tobirama's face took on a much more thoughtful look at that as he slowly came up to my side and leaned against what I was now realising was a fucking boulder. "...How soon can you have your little underworld project functional?"

The grin on my face turned more authentic at that question. "How many rumours do you want?"

I wasn't entirely sure, but I think I just watched a hint of appreciation and a tad more wariness fill the man's eyes at that.

"Three." Tobirama answered quickly. "The target hadn't been the Earth Daimyo's heir, but rather himself." I nodded at that, just as Tobirama raised a second finger. "The Earth Daimyo is a womaniser- known to most of each court- and he just so happened to take the wrong girl home."

Oof, we're really gonna start a possible war over a girl huh?

"There are few things known about shitstain's proclivities, but women have always been a problem in every rumour involving him." Tobirama pointed out. "It would track that he woul-"

"Marriage." Tobirama blinked at my word. "The girl in question was the Earth Daimyo's daughter-in-law." I tilted my head ever so slightly as my gaze swarmed over towards the zombified noble. "His target was the Earth Daimyo himself, not because he'd stolen one of his women, but because he'd married an important one to his son."

Tobirama frowned at that. "Why would that make any difference?"

"It'd explain why he'd killed the son and wife, if his target had been the Daimyo himself." I paused for a moment. "Passion and heat of the moment makes you do crazy things."

Tobirama's frown deepened at that, clear confusion filling his face. "I don't quite follow-"

"Just trust me on this," I remarked quickly. "It fits better. Just take my word on it."

I watched the man mull the words over as the sound of the wind momentarily took up the clearing. As the rush of water moved ever so slowly across the rocks around us. The trees ahead sifted with an eerie, yet calming sway-

"Very well." Tobirama broke through the sudden haze I'd momentarily fallen into. "We'll do it your way." He sighed before he raised a third finger. "The third one can wait until our dearly departed noble's made his retu-"

"Pin it on Kumo. Not Suna." I cut the man off.

I watched as the wariness on his face turned ever so slightly more visible, and no doubt added some wrinkles to go with it. "...Meaning?"

I snorted at the man's attempt at confusion, at least in regards to what he planned. "Once shitstain's made his 'second' and fabulously failing attempt at the Earth Daimyo's life, have him run off in Kumo's direction instead of Suna before disappearing entirely."

A kaleidoscope of different emotions for a moment swept through Tobirama's eyes as I watched him gain an entirely new different opinion of me, to add to his growing list of concerns. "...Why Kumo?"

"Because I already set the kindle between Iwa and them a while back-" I snorted. "They'll have a lot more reason to believe Kumo was backing him," I put both my hands up behind my head and leaned into them. "Besides if worst comes to shove and we gotta kill a Kage or two, I sure as shit would rather invade Kumo and Iwa before taking a stroll through a fuckin' desert."

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Will be released for free hopefully on the 21/12/2024