The 6th Great Ninja War
Chapter XXIX: The Path to Enlightenment
Kiwii stood before Roku, pleading for his aid.
Kiwii: Roku-san…I need your help!
Roku: O_O What are you doing here?
Kiwii: ………please…
Yoshino, Bishamon, and Ragnaroc entered the scene, and to their surprised, they saw Kiwii. Yoshino immediately, enraged, leaped toward Kiwii and kicked him to the ground, standing over him with his right fist up, prepared to strike Kiwii.
Yoshino: Just what the hell are you doing here?
Bishamon put his hand on the ground and immediately, rock formations burst out of the ground and bound Kiwii’s arms and legs. Ragnaroc appeared next to Kiwii with a kunai to his throat almost instantaneously.
Ragnaroc: You’d better choose your words carefully, kid. I’m not so forgiving of traitors.
Bishamon: >=|
Roku: Yoshino, Rag, yield.
Ragnaroc and Yoshino gave Roku a confused look.
Roku: Trust me…
The two pulled back, giving Kiwii some space, but Bishamon did not release his earth technique. Roku walked over to Kiwii and looked into his eyes. The boy was crying, subtly. In him, Roku saw true sorrow, true shame. Kiwii sniffed and did not resist at all. He asked Roku…
Kiwii: Please, forgive me.
Roku looked calmly at the boy and asked him with perfect discretion.
Roku: Why are you deserving of our forgiveness?
Kiwii: …I’m not. *sniff* I’m…I’m so sorry. I should have never betrayed you. I wanted power…I wanted people…to stop looking down on me…but…they didn’t need me. Kirabi and Gats…they tossed me aside. I was just…I was just another pawn. They tried to kill me…now…I have nowhere left to go…
Roku: And now, you want me to accept you back into the team…
Kiwii nodded.
Roku: From what I can see…you truly regret your decision, but you have in mind a desire for revenge. Of course, you wouldn’t come begging to me if you had an alternative. Unfortunately, I make the judgment for my team. You are unworthy Kiwii…leave my settlement now.
Kiwii: o_o
Kiwii’s heart sunk, hearing this. He started to cry and beg more. When his emotions caused him to flail, Bishamon released his earth technique so as to not have his bones crushed by his resistance. Kiwii fell to his knees and begged Roku again.
Kiwii: Please!!!!!
Roku turned coldly away from Kiwii.
Roku: Get out of my sight…
Kiwii: But…Please, Roku-san! Please!!! I’m begging you!! I’m so sorry! If you just give me a chance, I promise…
Roku turned quickly and shouted!
Roku: GET OUT!!!
Roku’s Energy burst forth as he yelled and an outburst of pure white Energy sent Kiwii flying several meters back, causing him to crash into a rock violently. Yoshino, Ragnaroc, and Bishamon looked on solemnly before turning their heads down seriously. Kiwii got up from the rubble and patted himself off. He glanced at Roku once more before turning toward the main road. To his surprise, Caliburn, Goro, Akira, Hiruzen, and Ace stood before him, looking on with great dismay. Kiwii could see much anger in them. He then looked at Ace, who looked very disappointed in Kiwii and even refused to look him in the eye. Shame befell Kiwii like no other. Having witnessed what had just occurred, the team part, allowing Kiwii to pass. Kiwii walked somberly onto the main road and exited the settlement after a few minutes. Hiruzen and Caliburn ran into the house and found Roku sitting in the den, setting fire in the fireplace with small flames from his hand. He did not turn to face them, but he recognized their presence.
Roku: Just the two people I wanted to see.
Hiruzen: Roku-san, how could you let Kiwii go?!
Caliburn: Don’t you always say that due judgment is to be given to those who abandon the code of trust. That those who forsake others for power are unworthy of being called shinobi.
Roku: …And yet, let compassion be shown to those who may not deserve it. That old proverb is a teaching of self-shame to uncover humility. Besides that, nothing stopped you all from putting him down then and there. My words were but minor factors which had little to do with your ultimate decision. You allowed him to go on your own accord. Kiwii may have genuinely regretted his decision, but his place is no longer on this team. He lost that right when he betrayed us. Yet, at this point, he can cause no more harm. Let him walk his own path. We can no longer help him. If it will, let his own strife destroy him.
Caliburn: ……*looks down*
Roku: Anyway…I have a task for the two of you.
Hiruzen and Caliburn looked at Roku with surprise.
Hiruzen: Just us?
Roku: *nods*
Caliburn: What is it?
Roku: We need to know how to defeat Kirabi as soon as possible. Izuna told me “The truth lies within”. I need to know what he was trying to say. To my knowledge, there is one person who knows about Kirabi’s power.
Caliburn: Who?
Roku: Not who, but rather what. He is a spirit that resides in the valley of graves. His name is Zonder, and he is very dangerous.
Hiruzen: How so?
Roku: Zonder lies between the spirit world and the mortal world. He has very strong ties to the ancient shinobi world, as he is over a thousand years of age. As such, his knowledge is almost limitless. However, his initial appearance belies the sinister nature of his true form. Zonder possesses a creeping aura about him that he uses to put his prey in a trance so that they won’t notice when he has become his true form. You need to get the information out of him quickly and leave immediately. Do not let him slow you down.
Hiruzen: Wait a minute. If he’s as dangerous as you say, why don’t you just go? We may not be able to handle him like that. And, you have the most knowledge on him.
Roku: It’s no use. I’ve been to see Zonder in my past, and I have a feeling he wouldn’t be too thrilled about seeing me again.
Caliburn: What happened?
Roku: I tried to kill him. But, Zonder proved more difficult to kill in my early youth than I had imagined. If I go now, killing him would accomplish nothing, as he would never divulge the information to me. Don’t worry. I’ll keep watch over you two and direct you through an empathy link.
Caliburn: Okay. Which way is this valley of graves.
Roku: It’s east of here. Follow the River of Emptiness. It will lead you straight to it….
A FEW HOURS LATER
Hiruzen and Caliburn were set for departure. They stood by the eastern gate of the Kiyoshi clan settlement, saying their goodbyes before embarking on their journey. When all had said goodbye, Hiruzen and Caliburn left to settlement, heading east. Bishamon and Rag prepared to depart as well.
Bishamon: Time is short, Roku. In the meantime, we’ll mobilize for the battle.
Ragnaroc: I’ll rally the Sage Armies in the East while Bisha handles those in the West.
Roku: Alright. How soon will we strike?
Bishamon; The moment you’ve gained the information on Kirabi, we will be ready to move in. Just contact me and I’ll send out the universal call. And, Roku…
Roku: Yeah?
Bishamon: Don’t worry about Elias…we’ve arranged his burial appropriately after this war. When it’s all over, he will be given the highest honor, I promise you.
Roku: ………thank you, Bisha.
ELSEWHERE
Kiwii stood, overlooking a dense forest in front of him. What lay within the forest was clearly uncertain, but Kiwii was ready to proceed into the unknown. He looked down at a puddle of water, gazing upon himself with shame. Then, he continued to walk on into the forest, which held unknown mysteries.
Kiwii: Nowhere left to go but west. This time…I’ll do the right thing.
And so Kiwii sets off on an unsure journey to fulfill his heart’s new desire…
END OF CHAPTER
Chapter XXIX: The Path to Enlightenment
Kiwii stood before Roku, pleading for his aid.
Kiwii: Roku-san…I need your help!
Roku: O_O What are you doing here?
Kiwii: ………please…
Yoshino, Bishamon, and Ragnaroc entered the scene, and to their surprised, they saw Kiwii. Yoshino immediately, enraged, leaped toward Kiwii and kicked him to the ground, standing over him with his right fist up, prepared to strike Kiwii.
Yoshino: Just what the hell are you doing here?
Bishamon put his hand on the ground and immediately, rock formations burst out of the ground and bound Kiwii’s arms and legs. Ragnaroc appeared next to Kiwii with a kunai to his throat almost instantaneously.
Ragnaroc: You’d better choose your words carefully, kid. I’m not so forgiving of traitors.
Bishamon: >=|
Roku: Yoshino, Rag, yield.
Ragnaroc and Yoshino gave Roku a confused look.
Roku: Trust me…
The two pulled back, giving Kiwii some space, but Bishamon did not release his earth technique. Roku walked over to Kiwii and looked into his eyes. The boy was crying, subtly. In him, Roku saw true sorrow, true shame. Kiwii sniffed and did not resist at all. He asked Roku…
Kiwii: Please, forgive me.
Roku looked calmly at the boy and asked him with perfect discretion.
Roku: Why are you deserving of our forgiveness?
Kiwii: …I’m not. *sniff* I’m…I’m so sorry. I should have never betrayed you. I wanted power…I wanted people…to stop looking down on me…but…they didn’t need me. Kirabi and Gats…they tossed me aside. I was just…I was just another pawn. They tried to kill me…now…I have nowhere left to go…
Roku: And now, you want me to accept you back into the team…
Kiwii nodded.
Roku: From what I can see…you truly regret your decision, but you have in mind a desire for revenge. Of course, you wouldn’t come begging to me if you had an alternative. Unfortunately, I make the judgment for my team. You are unworthy Kiwii…leave my settlement now.
Kiwii: o_o
Kiwii’s heart sunk, hearing this. He started to cry and beg more. When his emotions caused him to flail, Bishamon released his earth technique so as to not have his bones crushed by his resistance. Kiwii fell to his knees and begged Roku again.
Kiwii: Please!!!!!
Roku turned coldly away from Kiwii.
Roku: Get out of my sight…
Kiwii: But…Please, Roku-san! Please!!! I’m begging you!! I’m so sorry! If you just give me a chance, I promise…
Roku turned quickly and shouted!
Roku: GET OUT!!!
Roku’s Energy burst forth as he yelled and an outburst of pure white Energy sent Kiwii flying several meters back, causing him to crash into a rock violently. Yoshino, Ragnaroc, and Bishamon looked on solemnly before turning their heads down seriously. Kiwii got up from the rubble and patted himself off. He glanced at Roku once more before turning toward the main road. To his surprise, Caliburn, Goro, Akira, Hiruzen, and Ace stood before him, looking on with great dismay. Kiwii could see much anger in them. He then looked at Ace, who looked very disappointed in Kiwii and even refused to look him in the eye. Shame befell Kiwii like no other. Having witnessed what had just occurred, the team part, allowing Kiwii to pass. Kiwii walked somberly onto the main road and exited the settlement after a few minutes. Hiruzen and Caliburn ran into the house and found Roku sitting in the den, setting fire in the fireplace with small flames from his hand. He did not turn to face them, but he recognized their presence.
Roku: Just the two people I wanted to see.
Hiruzen: Roku-san, how could you let Kiwii go?!
Caliburn: Don’t you always say that due judgment is to be given to those who abandon the code of trust. That those who forsake others for power are unworthy of being called shinobi.
Roku: …And yet, let compassion be shown to those who may not deserve it. That old proverb is a teaching of self-shame to uncover humility. Besides that, nothing stopped you all from putting him down then and there. My words were but minor factors which had little to do with your ultimate decision. You allowed him to go on your own accord. Kiwii may have genuinely regretted his decision, but his place is no longer on this team. He lost that right when he betrayed us. Yet, at this point, he can cause no more harm. Let him walk his own path. We can no longer help him. If it will, let his own strife destroy him.
Caliburn: ……*looks down*
Roku: Anyway…I have a task for the two of you.
Hiruzen and Caliburn looked at Roku with surprise.
Hiruzen: Just us?
Roku: *nods*
Caliburn: What is it?
Roku: We need to know how to defeat Kirabi as soon as possible. Izuna told me “The truth lies within”. I need to know what he was trying to say. To my knowledge, there is one person who knows about Kirabi’s power.
Caliburn: Who?
Roku: Not who, but rather what. He is a spirit that resides in the valley of graves. His name is Zonder, and he is very dangerous.
Hiruzen: How so?
Roku: Zonder lies between the spirit world and the mortal world. He has very strong ties to the ancient shinobi world, as he is over a thousand years of age. As such, his knowledge is almost limitless. However, his initial appearance belies the sinister nature of his true form. Zonder possesses a creeping aura about him that he uses to put his prey in a trance so that they won’t notice when he has become his true form. You need to get the information out of him quickly and leave immediately. Do not let him slow you down.
Hiruzen: Wait a minute. If he’s as dangerous as you say, why don’t you just go? We may not be able to handle him like that. And, you have the most knowledge on him.
Roku: It’s no use. I’ve been to see Zonder in my past, and I have a feeling he wouldn’t be too thrilled about seeing me again.
Caliburn: What happened?
Roku: I tried to kill him. But, Zonder proved more difficult to kill in my early youth than I had imagined. If I go now, killing him would accomplish nothing, as he would never divulge the information to me. Don’t worry. I’ll keep watch over you two and direct you through an empathy link.
Caliburn: Okay. Which way is this valley of graves.
Roku: It’s east of here. Follow the River of Emptiness. It will lead you straight to it….
A FEW HOURS LATER
Hiruzen and Caliburn were set for departure. They stood by the eastern gate of the Kiyoshi clan settlement, saying their goodbyes before embarking on their journey. When all had said goodbye, Hiruzen and Caliburn left to settlement, heading east. Bishamon and Rag prepared to depart as well.
Bishamon: Time is short, Roku. In the meantime, we’ll mobilize for the battle.
Ragnaroc: I’ll rally the Sage Armies in the East while Bisha handles those in the West.
Roku: Alright. How soon will we strike?
Bishamon; The moment you’ve gained the information on Kirabi, we will be ready to move in. Just contact me and I’ll send out the universal call. And, Roku…
Roku: Yeah?
Bishamon: Don’t worry about Elias…we’ve arranged his burial appropriately after this war. When it’s all over, he will be given the highest honor, I promise you.
Roku: ………thank you, Bisha.
ELSEWHERE
Kiwii stood, overlooking a dense forest in front of him. What lay within the forest was clearly uncertain, but Kiwii was ready to proceed into the unknown. He looked down at a puddle of water, gazing upon himself with shame. Then, he continued to walk on into the forest, which held unknown mysteries.
Kiwii: Nowhere left to go but west. This time…I’ll do the right thing.
And so Kiwii sets off on an unsure journey to fulfill his heart’s new desire…
END OF CHAPTER
