Naruto: Tales of Ashihara

Naruto: Tales of Ashihara

The Shinden Saga – Arc 2: Pain Divine

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Chapter 127 – Confession of Time

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Three nights remain until Hyakki Otsutsuki's return to Earth. For the Mizukage and Tsubai Minamoto, the plan is such that the escort convoy will leave for Konoha tomorrow, to arrive in 2 days. All days and nights until now, Takeshi spent them with his father, Kaori, Yukiko and Kokoro. They've shared all their strategies and abilities to figure out as many possible paths as they could for this ultimate assassination mission.

This afternoon, Takeshi was training alone with Tsubai who wanted to exploit his son's sudden new ability to move in frozen time. There, Daikoku elaborated on a specific aspect of Jikanteido, the power to pause time. It is actually just slowing time down until it is perceived as stopped.

For Sojobo, who can use Koton and perceive through chakra alone, a perfect pause that really multiplies the flow of time by zero is possible. But Tsubai, unable to resist a break in the mechanical reality of space, slows time down until the absolute flash speed is reduced to that of sound. It is also less consuming in chakra than a total pause. Yet, slowing time that much is still demanding and he can only do it with the same frequency at which Sojobo completely pauses everything.

However, in the meantime between two pauses, Tsubai can still use Jikanteido again to slightly divide the time flow by at least 3. Which means, if they execute it properly, he should be able at any time to let Takeshi go 3 times faster than usual compared to the world, since he wouldn't be affected by the jutsu.

This lesson was followed by an intense training session where he left his son to experience this effect, which blew his mind. Tentoki's speculations about how efficient it would be for someone to have both Daikoku's and his power made Takeshi fantasize about it, but also wonder just how fast the Daitengu, who actually has both, really is. And as a consequence, how fast the Hokage who can keep up to it is as well.

Near the end of this training session, the two Minamoto just sat down to reflect on this, and Tsubai, with the flow of discussion, listed a few uses he gave to this ability. Among them, he admitted to using this jutsu whenever he had an argument with Tokiwa, just to see her be mad in slow motion.

On a more positive note, he used to slow time down when seeing her on stage for a model exhibition to witness it longer. Or whenever he'd wake up before her, he'd make the moment before she wakes up as well last longer, just to see her sleeping next to him. Before he could notice, he had made this conversation solely about Tokiwa.

When Daikoku made him remark that, he thought and realized that maybe, he never really fathomed the fact that she was his wife, and that she was all his. He never felt like he deserved her, and yet she chose him. This confession, he did aloud. Takeshi heard it and Tsubai easily guessed it by the sick sorry face his son was making. After that, he stood up and said he had to leave.

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After that, Takeshi went home as well, with his mind haunted by the happy and intimate memories shared by his father. Just when he felt like he found a way out of grief toward acceptance, he's pushed down again by compassion. Will he ever feel better? Will his father ever heal? He hopes so. He especially hopes that, by killing Hyakki, he'll find some sort of liberation.

Back at his home, Takeshi feels oddly empty. Instead of opening the door to get in, he sits down next to it and abandons himself to his thoughts again. Tentoki has seen him going through this for 2 weeks now. No lesson could change something in his situation, therefore he stays quiet. Amabie would like to share out with her host, but knows she'd be ignored again. Makura, to make Takeshi drain his emotions for adversity, brings focus to their goal as always.

"We need to kill the god of destruction." Fear itself says.

Takeshi doesn't mind this remark. He just stays silent and lets his tengu go on with his ideas.

"Hyakki is not fearless." Makura adds. "He fears… himself. And someone else more than anything. There is someone he hates even more than he dreads. Someone who is the reason for all his conflicts and urges."

"And who would that be?" Tentoki asks to turn these speculations into a conversation, but to no answer for Fear itself doesn't know yet. "What does he fear about himself?" Tentoki adds.

"… His emotions." Makura replies. "He feels bound. Trapped in the prison that life is. There is a love imprisoned in the past that he fears not to ever catch up to again."

"A love?" Amabie repeats. "Can't you be any clearer? You sound like you don't even know what you're talking about."

"He doesn't." Tentoki answers to the mermaid. "He only dictates what his senses and instinct let him guess. Am I right?" he asks Makura who slowly nods as an answer.

"… Well based on what you said at least we can theorize a bit." Tentoki says. "It sounds like what he fears is all one same person. A person who made him who he is, and who forbids the love he feels."

"A forbidden love?" Takeshi comments aloud. "Who does he love?"

After this interrogation, Takeshi is startled by a familiar voice who answers him. "You'd have to ask Kawahime for this." it says. Troubled, he looks around to see how his tengu react to it. Surprisingly, it seems neither Tentoki or Amabie heard it. Only Makura has a reaction, just like when they saw the silhouette walk by the 7th Hokage after the funeral.

But what's even more disturbing is that Tentoki doesn't notice their reactions either. It's as if he's just unconscious of what they're living at the moment. To not remain a mystery any longer, whom the voice belongs to lets his silhouette appear again to reveal himself, being just who Takeshi expected.

Sojobo, the Daitengu, the curse of time, the spirit of the mountain. He appears to Takeshi and Makura both physically and in mind. At first, They don't dare to acknowledge him. But the surprising guest reassures them.

"It's kind of you not to disturb Tentoki and Amabie, but they are unable to notice anything anyway." the Daitengu says.

"How is that possible?" Takeshi tests this information and finds it valid, making his question genuine.

"The tengu live in your body and express themselves within your mind." Sojobo explains. "I exist in my present state only in the domain of souls. A place that only a being such as I can communicate through. And you, Takeshi, are responding in the same layer of your being. Just like people of the physical world can't hear your conversations with Tentoki, he can't hear you speak with me."

"… How is Makura conscious then?" Takeshi asks, perfectly calm.

"Makura is special to you. Just as much as Daikoku is to Tsubai." he answers. "He was born with you. He is a piece of you. You are him and he is you."

Makura and Takeshi just look at each other with confidence, accepting this explanation. Sojobo's presence however is still a mystery.

"You're dead." Takeshi tells Sojobo. "You were defeated by the Hokage and died. How can you be here?"

"The Hokage." Sojobo solemnly repeats. "Quite a person, isn't he? To teach a lesson to a being that transcends space time and comprehension is something that only he could achieve… To answer your question, you should have seen it coming. What you inherited from me is a gift. A gift that will eventually find its purpose. About my presence here, I leave it to you to find out."

As he gives this enigmatic answer, the Daitengu walks toward the last born tengu and raises his hand to affectionately caress the long dark hair of the wooden statue.

"It is our very first meeting I believe, Makura." he tells him. "It truly is a joy to meet you… Just as your yamabushi, you alone of all tengu never turned against me. I'm grateful for your consciousness."

After this greeting, he goes to stand before Tentoki, his smartest, but most independent and stubborn child. He just stares at the clueless white tengu for a moment and walks away, toward Amabie. He gets down to sit next to her on the ground and looks at her unaware face with compassionate eyes. This layered perception of interaction is confusing to say the least for Takeshi.

"I can't believe they're really not seeing or feeling you." he comments.

Sojobo ignores this remark, focusing on the mermaid before him. With his hand risen, he hesitates to rub his palm against her sweet cheeks, but holds back. He closes his hand, backs off, and takes a deep breath in.

"I am very sorry, and ashamed, for Tokiwa." he says to Takeshi. "As much as Amabie, I loved her as a daughter. She's always been about others' love. Never her own. Her selflessness is what made her so compatible with you Minamoto."

Takeshi doesn't answer. He just looks down, unsure how to feel about this additional condolences. But the Daitengu is unlike anyone else. He has more to tell.

"So is your fate, Takeshi." he says. "Sadly, I have seen the future. You are deemed to lose everything, until there is only one thing left. A thing that you will cling to for dear existence, and your ability to save this person will determine the end."

Takeshi squints and analyzes this prophetic statement. A person that will be his only thing left? Does it mean he'll have to lose everyone else, with no exception? Does it consider only family or friends, or everything? And what about the end it will determine? The end of what? His end or the world's end? So many questions that he doesn't dare ask.

"You know what this fate means, right?" Sojobo continues. "The curse of time. It is me. I rob all the heirs of this cursed lineage of their time. Tsukasa Minamoto, your great grandfather, thought he could escape but he just merely delayed it. Yet for you, it is different. By giving you part of my nature, I made you able to heal your youth and therefore surpass the fatality of time. As I promised, I wanted you to be the only one to escape this curse. But I didn't expect it to take a new form. It seems that as it fails to take your life, it decides to take everything else there is to take instead."

"Losing everything?" Makura repeats, immediately letting Takeshi think of what his father said the day of the funeral. One of them is cursed to lose everything, and who it is depends on who will have to suffer the loss of the other.

"Sojobo, you've seen the future, you said." he asks. "Do I lose everything in the future you've seen? If you call it a curse, does it mean there is no way around it? Is my father next on the list?"

"You know, Takeshi, I am not physically alive at the moment." Sojobo interrupts to clarify. "I exist only as the incarnation of what I gifted you. I am, with my current power, unable to use my third eye's sight. I only know the futures I've already seen. And Naruto has proved to me that they weren't exhaustive. But as the curse itself, I adapt to ages and always find my way. I did not see an escape for you. You will endure. But you will never be alone. I hope so."

Takeshi looks at Makura, first thinking he means there will always be the two of them at least. Is this tengu who Sojobo meant by the person he won't lose and will cling to? It can't be. For Sojobo, he and Makura are the same. It is another person that Takeshi first thought of when he heard this statement. The Daitengu, sensing the confusion of his heir, gives him a few clues.

"You seem rather unfazed by my presence, Takeshi." he says. "As I am here, I will constantly be. Spectator of your life. When your father or other yamabushi learned about my inherited sight, they felt violated. But you seem different. After all, you're used to it. I am not the only one that has always focused on you."

This clue, Takeshi immediately understands it. The person he meant is all obvious now. The one who always sees him is Sakitsuki. But before he can ask for confirmation, the Daitengu stands up and finishes this meeting.

"It will forever feel like I can't say it enough, but I am sorry for what is to happen." he declares. "It is all my fault after all. I am the curse of time. Yet I cannot control it. Not yet, at least… You and I both serve a purpose to each other. We are key to our own fulfillment. You will free me from fate and let me reach my epitome. And so will I for you. My promise still holds. I will free you. But until then, you will have to endure."

After this declaration, the spirit of the mountain vanishes. Not completely as his gaze upon Takeshi's path still remains and his voice can return at any time. But for now, he leaves his heir alone with his conflicted thoughts. He hopes at least that his intervention made him see what he has to do.

Sitting there, Takeshi wonders about what is to happen. Sojobo didn't mention Hyakki even once. There isn't much time left before they meet again. If Takeshi is deemed to lose everything before his own life, he will have to survive the upcoming battle. However, it is clear to him that Sakitsuki is who he will hold on to. He cannot lose her either.

If his guess is right, does it mean that Hyakki is far from being the only incarnation of loss he will know? He recalls Fuyuko's wish again. From his prison cell, the Yamanaka is probably laughing at Takeshi now. Hyakki is exactly what he wanted him to meet. A superior strength that teaches him defeat. But if he's deemed to lose again and forever, does it mean he will have to live this again and again?

Makura, on his side, also thinks of all that Sojobo said. One question comes to his mind. An explanation that they almost missed.

"Takeshi, are you immortal?" he asks, aloud. But since the Daitengu left, this sentence is spelled out loud and heard by Tentoki and Amabie.

"What do you mean, Fear itself?" Tentoki reacts, to the host and Makura's surprise. "If you need an answer, we still can't tell if Kotobuki's hypothesis of Takeshi being able to restore his youth with the Daitengu's molding is true. But it is certainly what you think of. The only one who could answer that question is Sojobo I guess."

"Um… What are you talking about all of a sudden?" Amabie asks. "We were wondering who that god of destruction had to consider as a loved one, and who he hated or feared. Why did we change topics so suddenly?"

Takeshi, thinking about just the reason why the Daitengu appeared, can't find an answer. If it is as he said, an incarnation of the power he has, why didn't he appear sooner? Why only now? Is it his mother's passing and his interior pain that made Sojobo feel like he had to give his word? If so, did he really not understand anything about this being's intention or feelings?

Sitting at his front door, he knows that he won't get to sleep in his current state of mind. So he stands up and goes away, getting all his tengu's attention and stopping their conversation.

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On once another night walk, his steps lead him to his mother's grave where he expects to find answers. On the way, his thoughts lead him to Sakitsuki. If his guess is right and she's his everything, it also means he will have to save her to determine "the end" as Sojobo called it. Too busy with questions, Takeshi thinks of one thing he wants and needs at the moment, and it's to see her.

Luckily, it seems that his steps inadvertently led him to her. On the grave of his mother, which he was headed to, he finds her, Sakitsuki, standing there as if she came to mourn alone. Slowly and silently, but certainly not unseen, Takeshi comes closer. On her face facing the sky, he sees tears flow down her cheeks and neck.

"Seeing everything mostly lets me see the sadness and cruelty of all worlds." she tells him with a dramatic voice. "And soon enough did I realize that there was much more of this than kindness and happiness. As a witness who stays inactive, I am not allowed to ever be happy."

Takeshi stays silent, understanding that she took this moment to get serious thoughts off her mind. He guesses that this is impossible for her in her home world. No one is willing to listen, and no one would take sympathy for the inferiors seriously.

"This is why I can't accept the Ryu Shinsen's carelessness." she continues with a saddened voice, looking down. "Species and worlds are dragged by their masses into conflicts for futile reasons that only bring more pain and suffering. These wars reward cruelty and pride while punishing the gentle minds and their innocence. A majority of these sins are even committed in the name of our kind, unknowingly. We, as the elders of the universe, have the power to stop wars and save worlds, but we do nothing. Whether they're worthy or deserving of our help doesn't matter. Most of those suffering are only victims. Nobody should suffer consequences of causes and crimes they never could relate to… As I say this yet, I know that I am not any better. I have seen benedictions be used as nothing but new ways to cause suffering. I never took action, and just as the others, even if I don't enjoy it, I've brought nothing but pools of blood and mindless chaos to the worlds I've visited."

Takeshi, hearing her complaints and remorse, hesitatingly raises his hands in her back, not sure what to do. The place she's standing at and what happened these last few days were most obviously the source of these dark thoughts. He is far from able to fathom just what she witnesses every minute, but he can help in the simplest and most heartfelt way he knows of.

Without a word, he returns her favor and does just as she did to comfort him in his loss. With his arms risen, he hugs her in the back. Feeling him tightly hold her from behind, she's surprised for a second that he actually went on with this movement, and lets do, knowing that he needs this warmth as well.

After a little while, she closes her eyelids and takes a deep breath in. She catches Takeshi's hands and lifts them up above her naked shoulders. She then turns around, leaving them both face to face, holding hands with arms crossed. In this intimate position, Takeshi tries to contain his blushing and keeps a serious face.

"When your father asked me why I didn't just return to Ashihara on my own as I first said I would…" Sakitsuki confesses. "I didn't answer because… I wasn't ready. I want to and could save this world from myself in my way. But I just don't have the courage to leave you. It feels too soon to give up but the longer it goes, the harder it becomes."

Takeshi raises his eyebrows. The two of them have been kind to each other for 5 months, and he said such heartfelt words to her many times. He can't recall any moment where she said anything that personal to him before, but it's certainly the first time in a while she does so.

"So, since I won't bring myself to act, and can't stop your father, I have to make my decision." she continues. "I have to give up and comply with your approach. From the very first day I realized that a ninja of Earth had caught my heart, I knew I couldn't find satisfaction from it, for it is forbidden love. But this last year, odds have been aligning all too well. I've found out that the short lifespan of humans was no obstacle here anymore. I've fought a common battle with this ninja and our trust has become too solid. He enlightened me, my mind and my life."

After this short tirade that Takeshi carefully listened to while staring deep into her golden eyes, Sakitsuki lightly levitates off the ground to bring her head just a few centimeters higher. There, she gently, not much unexpectedly but still surprisingly to him, lies her lips on Takeshi's. With her eyes peacefully closed, she gently kisses him for the first time, and frees herself from the doubts she's had for long.

After a few seconds, she lays her feet back on the ground and looks into Takeshi's blue eyes again, to conclude her confession.

"Whatever happens next, I want you and everyone to know that… That I've fallen in love with a ninja and that I want to stay with him for as long as I live. I'll fight this battle by your side, even if it means to unintentionally turn against my kind."

In Takeshi's eyes, the golden shine of the young goddess' Dojutsu reflects. For as long as he knew her, he cherished every instant he spent by her side and tried to build up the courage and find the right moment to confess. That she takes this initiative is uplifting and, mostly, freeing.

Standing at his mother's grave, he knows that he just had what she wished for him come true, and hopes she's happy wherever she is. This feeling, this freedom of mind. It is the happiest he's felt in weeks. From this he considers his hypothesis confirmed.

Saki is his everything. The one who'll bring light in a life of darkness. However, most importantly, it also means she is who he has to fight for, to save the world from the end Sojobo foresees.

"I will never let anything separate us." he declares in his mind, as a promise to himself, his tengu and the Daitengu. Still holding her hands with their arms crossed, he bends over slightly and kisses her again, passionately. His coming fight with Hyakki, to him, has suddenly found a new meaning and purpose.

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Hours later, far away in space, on the red planet of Ashihara. Tokubei Otsutsuki, the masked Rinnegan user, floats above the planet and looks down at the asteroids in orbit. On one of them, he sees his student, Hyakki, once again pointlessly walking around, doing nothing of his time.

Feeling bad for his student, he at least understands that this man has nothing left to do of his time other than fulfill his mission on Earth. Yet, one thing is sure, he won't approach the council about it on his own. Tokubei will have to do so for him. Without warning the confused god of youth, the god of winter gets on his way to the domain of their supreme leader.

Yomotsu Hirasaka

He creates a black gate that immediately transports him to the home of Yamitsuki, in the middle of a large deep blue ocean on the surface of this red planet. In there, to his surprise, he does not find the god of knowledge and animals, but the goddess of creation and purity, Naobi Otsutsuki. She sits in the air in the middle of the temple's main hall and plays a few floating chakra strings like a harp.

"Naobi-sama?" he asks. "What are you doing here?"

"You're not genuinely asking, are you?" she interrupts her play and answers. "May I remind you that this domain isn't that of Yamitsuki, but mine. He has no domain, and just shares this one with me."

"… Of course. He has the Ryugu-Jo's realm as his domain anyway." Tokubei observes. "Sorry for the confusion. If I'm not mistaken, you're playing music… It's quite unusual to see you of all gods proceed to visual or auditory creation via another method than Kamimusubi."

"Regardless of what Genjutsu allows, it is essential to let one's artistic mind express itself through their body and hands. With cultivation of the spirit should come training of the physical form… Were you looking for Yamitsuki, or is there something you can tell me about?"

"Actually, it is better to have you." he says. "Hyakki is purposeless again. He can certainly proceed with his task on Earth. Besides, I believe Sakitsuki's absence has been too long."

"I wouldn't doubt that." Naobi answers. "You're right. I'm glad you found me and not Yamitsuki."

"… Are you fine?" Tokubei asks, suddenly out of compassion, feeling like it's worth asking.

"What is this question?" the goddess replies. "Never have I had worries, you know that. Only the pains of others can keep me awake."

"Too wise to feel for yourself, aren't you?" he praises her. "I assume it is Sakitsuki's issues that keep you awake lately. Anyone else? Yamitsuki-sama, maybe?"

"He's always kept me awake." she blandly answers, giving up on her musical play and lying her feet on the ground next to him. "And you? Hyakki, I assume."

"Indeed."

"I will proceed with him, Go back to your family and domain." she kindly answers.

Tokubei gently nods before eclipsing in another gate of Yomotsu Hirasaka. Now alone, Naobi first wonders about Sakitsuki and what has kept her busy on Earth. She really expected her to return on her own before a second intervention would be needed, but she didn't. Before going on with Hyakki, a little confirmation would be of use.

Gentoshin

With a spiritual projection, she proceeds to check on her pupil, hoping to find her awake this time.

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In Kirigakure, early in the morning at Takeshi's apartment, Sakitsuki lies quietly by the side of the sleeping ninja. Both in the same bed, they spent their first night together, but only lying and comforting themselves with their presence, enjoying their new found freedom.

Sakitsuki hasn't slept a single second, as she doesn't need to. She just appreciated the sight of Takeshi being at peace for once and stood aware of the village's activities. At the moment, she sees Kaori and Yukiko already exit their homes ready early for the big day they'll have. It is today that their convoy is supposed to depart, and she agreed to follow.

"Greetings." she hears a voice say behind her just as a figure appears to her eyes. There, she's troubled by who she sees. It is an astral projection of Naobi Otsutsuki, her mistress, who's chakra and presence can be perceived only by her.

"What are you doing, lying in a divan with a human?" Naobi asks, in disgust. "Is it the Minamoto?"

"Naobi-sama!" Saki exclaims, too confused to act properly but still feeling the need to say something. "I apologize…"

"Save your words for less futile speeches, Sakitsuki." Naobi shuts her up, and analyzes the surroundings. "I see… The time you were given by Hyakki was not wisely exploited. Does this mean the ninjas plan to interfere?"

Before Saki can think of an answer, Naobi gets it on her own by seeking it in the mind of her student.

Saiko Denshin

With this jutsu, she extracts the information she needs from Saki's subconscious. So she learns all there is to know about the situation.

"This is a quite devilish plan." she comments about the one elaborated by Tsubai, shocking Saki. "My dear Sakitsuki… I know, and would refuse to accuse you anyway, that you had no say in that plan, but I'm upset that you let these humans carry out such intentions until now… If the yellow fox is to be involved, it seems that my presence will be of use after all."

Sakitsuki, upon learning this simple information that completely ruins both her intentions and Kiri's plan, stays agape, unable to speak. Receiving no answer, Naobi just sadly stares at her and vanishes, expecting to meet her again in person very soon.

Takeshi still sleeps peacefully next to Saki, still as determined as he was yesterday. But she just lost all the confidence she declared to him. With Naobi Otsutsuki on her way with Hyakki, even the 7th Hokage won't have a chance to make any difference.

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End of Chapter 127 – Next Chapter: Cut short plan