Naruto: Tales of Ashihara

Naruto: Tales of Ashihara

Shinden Saga – Arc 1: Kimera

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Chapter 115 – Rihetsuki

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In the middle of a peaceful village, on a small island in the north of the land of Water's archipelago, an unfortunate encounter is on the go. Takeshi is holding Naomi Yuki against the ground by the neck with his Shiden hanging over her. Boruto Hyuga is behind Takeshi, holding his lightning blade back and ready to pull out his sword.

Near them, Sakitsuki Otsutsuki is nailed to the ground by a blade stabbed through one of her hearts. Sasuke Uchiha holds the sword and stands with one foot on her hip, ready to finish her. The celestial woman instinctively closed her eyes to hide her Dojutsu, hoping she'll have time to talk this out.

Takeshi, alerted by the sound that these two made by landing there, looks aside and holds his breath, knowing how impractical the presence of this man is. To persuade him to calm down, Boruto lays the blade of his sword on the Minamoto's shoulder. The Kiri-nin looks at Naomi that he's still strangling, then to Boruto, and to Saki. In his mind, Tentoki instructs him on what's best to do.

"Takeshi, you better let go of Naomi." he advises. "I don't think Boruto would actually hurt you unless you try him first, but Sakitsuki is in real danger."

He listens to his tengu, takes his hand off Naomi's neck and undoes his Shiden. Sasuke, before finishing the enemy he found, slightly looks aside and sees his student, the woman he came to meet, and Tsubai's son worriedly staring at the celestial he captured.

"Takeshi. What are you doing here?" he asks.

"Stop! I mean don't hurt her!" the Minamoto yells, to everyone's surprise. "Please, Sasuke, let her go. I need her. She's not an enemy. She's a friend."

"A friend?" the wanderer confusingly repeats. "Takeshi, whoever she is, I can't afford to let her live. Their perception of life and chakra is toxic to humanity. I don't know what she did to you, but you're being manipulated."

"No! I beg you, please!" Takeshi panics. "I-uh… Listen, she and I have a common enemy. A lot of things have happened lately in this land, and she knows how to solve everything… I-I've read your reports! She isn't just anyone. Look at her eyes."

Sakitsuki raises her eyebrows, surprised by Takeshi's panic-fueled attempt to save her. She looks at everyone present, but keeps her eyes shut, mistrustfully.

"Saki. Please. You have to help me there. Open your eyes!" Takeshi begs her.

She sighs and accepts to ruin her cover, to save herself. She opens her eyelids and reveals her golden eyes to Sasuke who immediately understands who she is.

"The golden eyed brat, huh?" he says. "If I'm correct, you're important to your rulers. Killing you would significantly weaken your kind."

"I… wouldn't recommend it." she finally speaks for herself. "Killing me would only doom your world. My fellows' reaction would be fatal to you. You must know. I heard that you've met my master, Naobi-sama, before."

Sasuke frowns and thinks of what to do. This answer sounds like a threat and a provocation, but is he really ready to turn Naobi, the mysterious celestial who seemed far out of his reach, against him? One thing is sure, he can't let this golden-eyed woman get in his way. That she's here means she probably wants to meet the same person he does.

Yet, he still believes a confrontation with these people will come sooner or later. With more hatred than reason in his heart at the moment, he tightens his hold on his Kusanagi's handle and prepares to slit her chest open. Fortunately he's stopped in time by the only present person who can reason with him.

Hiraishin

Boruto instantly gets behind Sasuke before he moves and holds his shoulder to hold him back. Sasuke loosens his hold and looks aside to see his student, waiting to hear what he has to say.

"Sensei… I'd listen to Takeshi if I was you." Boruto says. "Remember, he's probably listening to what the white tengu is telling him. This woman is in no way hostile at the moment, and it could be that we all have a common interest here, if she's with him."

Sasuke gets at ease and pulls his sword out of Sakitsuki's chest. He held back from ending her, but he still injured one of her two hearts, which will take a moment to recover. He raises his foot off from her hip and lets her go. She slowly stands up and wipes off the dust on the lower part of her dress. About her chest injury, Sasuke stabbed above her strapless dress and fortunately left no bloodstain on her clothes.

"I'm… glad you helped me, Boruto Hyuga." she thanks him before talking to Sasuke. "Since Naomi Yuki is here as well, I suppose I already know why you're here." she guesses, too afraid to use her Dojutsu's first wisdom on him.

Takeshi sighs out of relief. Naomi, still lying on the ground with the ninja seated on her, tilts her head and alerts him.

"Hey, kid, mind standing up now?" she asks.

Takeshi looks at her and complies. They both stand up and get closer to the 3 others.

"A retired man, named Rihei Otsu, lives in this village." Sasuke says, knowing that she's already aware. "Records say that this man married more than 15 times in 15 different ages. Naomi told me that he was a celestial undercover, and that he's drawn the attention of other people before me."

"His real name is Rihetsuki Otsutsuki." Saki corrects him. "He isn't undercover. He left our clan to live as a human in this world nearly a millennium ago."

"And so you're also here to find him." Sasuke assumes. "I understand that Takeshi could be after the same people as Naomi, but you? Who sent you? Why are you on Earth?"

"Enough, mister Sasuke." Takeshi interrupts him. "This Rihetsuki guy's family is in danger, and he's from the same people as Saki. No matter who sent her, it's natural for her to take action."

"Sasuke Uchiha, I guess what you hope to gain out from this is mainly data about my clan from Rihetsuki." Sakitsuki tells the wanderer. "If he agrees to, I won't get in your way. I am only here to save Tojiki… And it seems we won't need to look for him."

After this last remark, she looks behind and everyone else follows her gaze. There, on a roof, stands an old man with a pale face and eyes. He looks around to make sure nobody else sees him, and jumps off the roof to land by their side. Judging from the presence of Sasuke Uchiha and a member of his clan, he understands that he needs not to introduce himself.

"I reckon this will be a long conversation." he says. "I might as well invite you home to get a cup of tea."

Sasuke looks at Naomi who looks at Boruto, who looks at Takeshi, who looks at Sakitsuki. They all shrug together and accept this uncharacteristic invitation.

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Later, at the Otsu family's house, Rihei and his guests sit on the ground in the living room, around a small table on which his wife is serving tea for everyone. None of them speak. They all wait for the host to start, while he's waiting to be served. His wife, disturbed by these visitors, tries to initiate conversation.

"It sure is unusual to get the visit of so many people at once." she says in a friendly voice. "I hope this isn't all about my husband. Mister Takeshi Minamoto, are you here to find my daughter?"

"She is Emi." Rihei says to everyone. "My wife."

"Mister Sasuke Uchiha…" she adds. "Understand that my husband has nothing to do with the people of his kind that attacked you before. He's a lovely and peaceful man, that's all. And… Miss Otsutsuki, please don't try to take him away."

"Don't worry, miss." Sakitsuki answers. "I'm here to save your daughter actually."

Emi looks at her, smiles, and serves her some more tea before going back to the kitchen. On the way, she notices her son peeking into the room from the staircase and gently gets him out of here.

"This was Juni. My son." Rihei adds, before his face slowly morphs back into his original form, revealing a horn that's as pale as his skin and goes all around his skull like a headband over his forehead. He still seems like an aged man, a bit like Kinshiki. Yet he doesn't have any hair on his face and his hair is longer, approximately as long as Boruto's.

"So… She's your how manyth wife?" Naomi asks, to start a conversation.

"My 15th." he replies. "My son Juni is my 37th. He's just 7 years old. My last born is my daughter, Tojiki. She recently had her 6th birthday. She's the one who was abducted."

"Why didn't you save her by yourself already?" Sasuke questions, knowing that this kind of task is child's play for a celestial.

"I wish to live as a human, sir Uchiha." he explains. "I don't want to make use of my powers. And I don't want anything to do with the Otsutsuki clan as it exists today." he adds, staring at Sakitsuki. "Besides, Tojiki is, from all the children I had, the one with the most expressive traits of my kind. She's almost purely celestial. I know that no harm can be made to her by humans. Yet, since someone from the clan is getting involved, I assume I misjudged the danger?"

"Mister Otsu." Takeshi steps in the discussion. "The people who abducted your daughter are working for a man who can absorb her powers. She's in real danger."

"What are you all here for?" he demands to know, only now, before making his guess about Sakitsuki. "I guess you, young girl, were sent by the clan to prevent a human from getting our power."

"Not exactly." Sakitsuki says. "I've come by myself. The sovereign actually lacks concern about our secrecy."

"I know your sovereign, miss." Riheitsuki exclaims. "At least I assume there is no way anyone would have taken the place of the new Ryu Shinsen without me knowing."

At this remark, Sasuke bends forward, suddenly finding interest in what's being told.

"Rihetsuki Otsutsuki." the Uchiha declares. "This is the reason I am here. Naomi and Takeshi are only after the man who kidnapped your daughter, but Boruto and I are here for you. I get that you're no ally to any of our enemies, but you certainly know much about their world. Judging from your age, you certainly know more than I could get from this woman."

"What I know? Oh, sure I know a lot of things that could interest you." he says. "I was born nearly a thousand years before those you know. I was actually in charge of midwifery at both Kaguya and Momoshiki's births. I've educated Yamitsuki himself in the arts of life and regeneration."

Sakitsuki clenches her teeth for a slight second before letting go. It is kind of disturbing that Sasuke gets his hands on such precious intel about her kind right under her eyes, but after all, he would have found Rihetsuki even if she didn't come.

Sasuke stands up and turns around to look at Boruto, the only one not in the room who didn't speak for now. Naruto's son is roaming around the room and looking at family pictures displayed on shelves instead. Sasuke gazes through the room and thinks of everyone's intentions and goals.

"You, Sakitsuki Otsutsuki, will not get in my way, will you?" he asks.

"Frankly, I am no good at battles." she says. "I would stand no chance against you. So even if I wanted to get in your way, I couldn't."

Rihetsuki stands up in turn and goes to Boruto who's curiosity feels a bit invasive. The Hyuga just grabbed a picture frame on which is Rihetsuki disguised as a human, a middle-aged woman and two young boys. One of them has a pair of Byakugan that he must have inherited from his father.

"This is my previous wife." Rihetsuki tells him as he takes the photo away. "She passed away 10 years ago from illness. These two are my sons. Shiruku and Fukuro. The elder, Shiruku, is a bit older than Emi, my wife. They're both still alive but left my home when I got remarried."

Boruto doesn't interrupt him and just stares at him in the eyes with his Tenseigan. Rihetsuki notices this rare Dojutsu and squints his eyes.

"I once witnessed this shining eye erase my friends and family, a thousand years ago when I lived on the moon." he comments about Boruto's Dojutsu, before looking at Sasuke. "I will tell you what you want to know, Uchiha. But do not ask too much of me."

After this declaration, he goes over to Sakitsuki and analyzes her. He never met her before, but judging from her looks, he easily guesses who her mother was. It's more difficult to figure out the father, since the one he thinks of was single at that time. The golden light in her eyes makes sense as well, knowing who her mother was by the time of the all-mother queen's dynasty.

He looks down above her chest and notices that her wound from earlier is already fully healed. If not, he could have taken care of it with his Hijutsu. Since it is not needed, he doesn't mention it, and just presents his request to the young lady.

"I am flattered that you'd come to save my daughter by yourself." he says. "So, I demand that you save her as you intend to and bring her back to me, safe. However, this shouldn't start a new connection between your masters and myself. I don't want to hear of the clan ever again."

"Understood, sir." Sakitsuki complies.

Sasuke looks aside to see Boruto coming closer to him. He then looks at Takeshi and Naomi who are still sitting on the couch. The former bounty huntress stares at the young Minamoto next to her and asks a question.

"So, Minamoto, you're after the Chimera?" she says. "And you know he's after the Otsutsuki's power?"

"I know he's Hideo Kotobuki." Takeshi makes things clear as soon as he can with her. "I know you used to work for him. I know he's become the Daimyo of the land."

"Takeshi." Sasuke interrupts. "I have a favor to ask you that may go in your way."

"Um… I'm listening."

"I'll be staying here to make progress on my mission." he starts. "This Chimera is of no interest to me. If this woman here can take care of Rihetsuki's daughter and prevent anyone from using her, then the Chimera is only your and Naomi's business. If he really has the abilities that Naomi described to me, then he is way too much for her to handle alone, but not for you. I have no doubt that you're strong."

After this little remark, he looks at Boruto next to him, and remembers that Takeshi's prodigal talent is, with Kawaki, the reason why he wanted to be trained by him so badly. Looking back at Takeshi, he spells out his request.

"Naomi is a retired mercenary." he says. "She deserves a way back into rehabilitation. This land might be the right place for her. All I ask of you is to cooperate with her to save your land, and get her a pardon from the Mizukage in exchange."

"Tsk… Can I even refuse, Tentoki?" Takeshi asks his tengu.

"Takeshi, you're mistaken about Sasuke." the white tengu says. "He's not a vile or dominant person. He's not trying to manipulate or persuade you. He's genuinely asking. And his demand might actually be relevant to us. Naomi knows Kotobuki, I mean the other side of him, personally. She must know his strategies, behavior and intentions better than anyone. She can be trusted."

"Okay then." Takeshi says to Sasuke and looks at Naomi. "I can't guarantee that the Mizukage will accept, but we can try. Also, it could get me at peace with my remorse about what I couldn't do for Karasu." he adds this last sentence for himself.

"Karasu, huh?" Naomi remarks, not saying more now and keeping the conversation for later.

Sasuke nods, glad that Takeshi agrees to blend in with his intentions. This makes him think that he's been so busy with training Boruto and his late investigations that he barely took time to visit anyone other than his family lately. He should pass by Kiri to check on Tsubai soon.

The Uchiha turns around and looks at Rihetsuki ready to hear his story, unaware of how long it might take to go around everything he needs to know. Naomi doesn't feel like messing around any longer and hits Sasuke's shoulder before leaving, to say goodbye.

Takeshi sees her going and understands that it's time for him to leave as well. His attention is on Sakitsuki. He feels like he needs to tell her a proper goodbye but she's still speaking with Rihetsuki. Next to him, Boruto gets his attention by holding his shoulder and lightly smiling.

"We didn't have much time to talk, but it's nice to see you again, Takeshi." the Hyuga says. "I see that you've gotten incredibly stronger since our last meeting as well. Next time, we should have a fight to settle this debate."

"Hm! What debate?" Takeshi laughs, ready to tease him. "Since when is there a debate? As far as I remember, you barely managed to lay a finger on me when we last had a fight."

"Haha! I'll make sure to change that next time." Boruto replies before letting him go.

Takeshi nods and is led toward the exit by Boruto who walks with him. As he stares at his former rival, he tries to figure out his level and finds it more difficult than he'd have thought. Boruto doesn't feel that much stronger than him actually. Yet, he's certain that he got absurdly strong with his new Dojutsu and must have gotten even better since then.

If he doesn't feel that much of a difference, does it mean that the Daitengu and Makura's power and energy actually made him grow much stronger as well? Maybe he's still on par with him. After all, he just heard Sasuke Uchiha himself tell him that he could handle an enemy who collects Kekkei Genkai abilities like candies.

Sakitsuki sees her original partner in quest leave and feels an odd regret as well. Before he leaves, she hurries to check a few things out to help him a bit more, and interrupts her conversation with Rihetsuki to leave him with Sasuke.

Outside, Takeshi shakes Boruto's hand to say goodbye and walks toward Naomi to join her. Regretful, he turns around and looks at the house where he couldn't even say a few last words to Saki that he isn't even sure to meet again.

Fortunately, he sees her fly out and pass by Boruto to join him, exclaiming his name to get his attention. She comes closer, floating above the ground, and stands still face to face with him. Takeshi, not knowing why, instinctively raises a hand toward her but doesn't know what to do with it.

Sakitsuki, knowing better, grabs it. She warmly holds both his hands with hers and silently stares into his eyes for a second. Feeling in comfort, Takeshi takes a little step forward, seeking to feel as much of her warmth as he can.

"Um… I'll be going to the land of Hot water." she says. "Those who kidnapped Tojiki are preparing to bring her to the south border of the land of Lightning."

"Why are they doing that?" Takeshi asks.

"Hideo Kotobuki is currently in the east, with the feudal family." she explains. "But he's planned an assembly with the only other Daimyo left, being the Daimyo of Lightning. He intends to meet with the mercenaries and retrieve Tojiki after this meeting."

"I see. So now we know where to look at least." Takeshi replies with a smile. "But we first have to get back to Kiri, for Frostbite to set up her plan… So I guess we're going separate ways now."

"Trust me, I will return to you before this ends." she reassures him.

"Um.. It's not that I think I need your protection…" Takeshi argues. "It's just that, before Sasuke stepped in, it was just the two of us on a mission trip. We had time to, you know… chat a bit and all."

"Oh, I see." she answers, lightly laughing. "Don't worry, I'll come back to you and we'll find time to talk more, if this is what you want… Now, take care and be careful. Kotobuki knows what he's doing. Even without Tojiki, he has solid plans."

"I'll be careful." he promises. "Until next time then!" he adds, without letting her hands go. He keeps holding her, feeling like he could stay like that forever. It is her who has to step away and hover towards the sky to end this moment. As she goes, she waves goodbye one more time and levitates away.

Takeshi stands there looking at where he was seeing her an instant ago. In his mind, Makura is in the exact same pose as him, and Tentoki confusingly looks at the two mesmerized dudes sharing this mind with him.

"Guys? This was definitely love at first sight." he remarks. "I'm just surprised that Fear itself caught it too."

Makura blankly looks down and pretends he didn't act odd before. Takeshi turns around frantically and looks at the white tengu's mocking eyes.

"No way I fell in love!" Takeshi says. "She's a 670 year old space alien creature! I wouldn't fall for this. It's only because of her mind control."

"There's no mind control, idiot." Tentoki replies. "Also, you said earlier that you'd see her as an 18 year old young goddess. Certainly because it makes you think better of your feelings. There's nothing bad about this, except the fact that she'd probably think of you more as a pet or a child than a possible lover."

"Hey! Don't shatter my dreams, dude!" he complains. "Don't forget what we've seen in Sasuke's reports. The great old devilish Kaguya Otsutsuki fell in love with a random human. If this demon could, I'm sure a sweet angel like Saki can consider it too."

Tentoki doesn't answer that. He just insistently stares at his yamabushi to let him realize what he just said. Deranged by his tengu's attitude and his own thoughts, Takeshi claps his own face and exclaims.

"Anyway! Let's get going!" he says as he joins Naomi's side.

"You know… It's kind of funny." the mercenary exclaims. "Back in the day, I was threatening to kill your dad for business. It's ironic that our first meeting had to be the opposite situation."

"Sorry about that." Takeshi apologizes. "I had business going on recently. I didn't even think about you being friends with my dad."

"Oh, we're not friends. We just met a few times because we both know Sasuke." she corrects him. "So tell me about that business going on. It's about Karasu Komori, huh?"

"… Yeah, kinda." he recognizes but turns the conversation around before going deeper. "So you really were working with Kotobuki, huh?"

"I've known him since a time when I would still have had a chance to beat him." she remarks. "But who knows, maybe I still can. It's all about killing someone, not beating."

Takeshi marks a little pause and recalls these words. It's similar to the point that Karasu made about Meinu. Mercenaries all believe that taking down someone isn't about strength as long as it isn't in a fight. But he doesn't think so. The most powerful people in this world are immune to this kind of trickery anyway.

"So… To Kiri, is it?" Naomi asks.

After this sentence, a little apparatus attached to her belt starts ringing. Takeshi looks at it, wondering what it is, but she ignores it. It looks like a seal phone but smaller. It's similar to Kumo's communication devices. After an awkward silence deranged by the tool that she lets ring, the device stops and she immediately changes the topic to not mention it.

"We gotta talk to the Mizukage first." she says. "I'll tell you a few things on the way, about Hideo's powers and business. Things that this goddess from earlier might have forgotten to mention."

Takeshi shrugs and accepts to follow her to Kiri and listen to her tale.

And so, everyone is set on their way. Takeshi and Naomi go to Kiri where they hope to find the Mizukage and negotiate a way out for Naomi. After that, they will certainly follow Saki's advice and go to catch Hideo on his way to the Daimyo of Lightning's residence.

In the meantime, Sakitsuki goes to free Tojiki Otsutsuki from the mercenaries who are preparing to deliver her to their employer. Sasuke Uchiha and Boruto Hyuga stay in this little village to discuss with Rihetsuki Otsutsuki, the retired god who has much to tell about the years of his past that he spent serving the queen goddess, mother of Kaguya.

Hideo Kotobuki, the Chimera, is well aware that Naomi Yuki is after him and is taking action against her in parallel to his main plan.

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End of Chapter 115 – Next Chapter: Chimera's goal

Author's note: I've been absent last week due to vacations, and will be traveling for work in two weeks, so I'll be absent again. Otherwise, we'll keep the 1 chapter per week rythm.