Arc XII Chapter 7

Arc XII Chapter 7

XII

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Arc XII Chapter 7

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“Pain-sama.” Zetsu spoke up, breaking the silence.

“Yes, Zetsu?” Pain listened.

“Pain-sama, the enemy ... They are approaching. And they are approaching fast. Two groups. They somehow managed to track us down. They will reach the hideout soon.”

“...” Pain looked annoyed. “How soon?”

“Soon enough. Half a day at most. It will be impossible to complete the ritual before they arrive. We must delay them.”

“...” Pain deliberated their options. “Who are they?”

Zetsu answered, “They appear to be Konoha-nin. Both of them. One group is led by a ninja named Maito Gai.”

“Maito Gai? Who is that?” Pain was less than intrigued.

Itachi cared to elaborate, “He is a jonin from Konoha. He is a taijutsu specialist. He is quite talented.”

“...” Kakashi scrutinised the enemy, his hand slowly reaching for his pouch.

Naruto didn't understand, “Kakashi-sensei, why are we stopping?”

“Naruto, ... look ahead.” Kakashi motioned towards the enemy, his gaze directing him. “We are not alone.” They weren't. Not at all. They had got a guest. One with an air for dramatics based on her appearance.

Standing in front of them, in the centre of the clearing, was a mysterious figure. A girl, judging by her petite stature, her heels, and her ostentatious choice of clothing. A purple umbrella concealed her figure, her back forever turned to them. Purple silk caressed her skin from her shoulders down to her waist beneath her heavy black coat. This sense of fashion ... An ill fated omen.

“Who are you? Are you friend, or foe?” Kakashi demanded in a firm voice, his question mostly rhetorical, a matter of foregone conclusions.

“...” The girl remained calm, shielded behind her umbrella. A smirk crossed her lips, the princess deigning them unworthy of her attention. Was it the product of foolish hubris? Of misplaced pride? Of supreme confidence? It was impossible to tell.

“...” Kakashi gripped his kunai, his instincts tickling. The way the girl carried herself ... The girl ... was dangerous.

The girl raised her arm, her silken sleeve covering her lips in a manner that befitted a lady of her birth. An amused giggle escaped her, one filled with delight and inexplicable glee. “Hehehe, salutations, my old friends. I hope that time has treated you well all these years. As fate would have it, our paths cross once more.”

The girl turned, two purple orbs staring at them, their colour accentuated by her pale tone. “It is a pleasure to meet you again.”

“...” Kakashi stiffened, his blood freezing. This voice ... This cadence ... This intonation were unmistakeable. Yet his grip hardened, his focus sharpened, his muscles tense. Because he knew. The Black Princess of Konoha was not known to forgive mistakes. “It's you ..., Asami.” Yes, it was.

His words pleased the girl. Asami offered a humble bow. A saccharine smile was his reward, suave and yet deceptive, warm and yet ice cold. “Ara ara~, it seems that the few good still remember my name, despite a certain man's best efforts to the contrary. How auspicious. I feel honoured, Hatake Kakashi, the Copy Ninja, the Hero of the Sharigan. Now Kakashi, ... Naruto, ... Sakura, ... Show me your strength, children of Konoha. Because I will not yield easily.” A dark, purple glimmer gripped her eyes, tantalised by unhinged blood lust, her voice veritably laced with sardonic hubris.

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