19

Halfway between the Islands, a small transport ship struggled in the open sea. Gray water hammered into its rounded hull, pushing foam onto the exposed deck at the front of the ship.

Beaten and bloody Ghost braced himself against the biting wind by gripping the chains binding him, his knuckles white on the glistening steel. Despite the darkening clouds, the distant outline of a walled castle could be seen clearly— looming on the edge of a precipice.

Once they crossed the barrier, Ghost's senses were overwhelmed by the lives he sensed so suddenly.

The Prison of Kirigakure. Not only it was hidden in the most secured location of Kiri. There was also a barrier that prevents sensors to sense anything beyond it. Of course, Bykugan might be the only thing in this world that can see this majestic palace past the barrier.

Ghost opened his bruised eye to see the majestic castle.

The ship dipped on the other edge of a swell, and his stomach twisted—but not from sea-sickness. The blood from his torso keeps flowing, with some saltwater touching it, making it even more painful than it already was.

As they approached the island, the jagged rock formations that protruded from the water like filed teeth became more densely packed. They were forced to skirt along the rapid currents that wound in tight whorls around the rocks.

Alongside them, another transport ship threaded through the maze. Officially, it had been designated for protection, while the ship Ghost was carried was especially emptied and was filled with Kiri elites just because of him. The lurking ship remained ambiguous, its pale shape resembling the movements of a massive sea creature bobbing in the water.

Ghost took a single look at the ship, with one glance at the creeping shoreline, he lowered his head.

"How's the fresh air?" one of the other Kiri-nin asked. Ghost didn't reply. He couldn't reply.

"Make sure it's comfortable. It might be the very last time after all", The Kiri nin chuckled and went in.

"Sure is unlucky that we drew guard duty on him, huh," another said after seeing the Kiri nin coming in, shaking his head.

"What's the problem. As long as he is in those chains. He is weaker than a wet dog. Not to mention that he leaking blood for over two hours now. He is weak as hell. We only gave him a basic treatment so that he does not die"

"And what if those chains are taken off?", The Youngest of them asked

"Then all of us will die", Another Anbu said as he came in, "We won't even be able to see his face when he will kill us. Why? You afraid now?!"

"Why not just kill him? He is a veteran anyway. How much do you think he will speak during the torture", Another said, "Not to mention, there is a possibility of him... you know... escaping?"

"Who said there is a possibility to escape? There is no escape from this prison", The Anbu responded icily, "And anyway, no one gave you permission to talk"

The guard next to the Kiri nin smacked the back of his head. "He's right. Shut your trap!" The Kiri-nin shrugged, apparently unaffected by the reprimand. Nonetheless, he remained silent.

"Go and whip him. He must not be in moving condition when we reach the prison"

"Hai"

...

At last, Ghost's misery and his screams were alleviated when the ship came into port at the island's only harbor—a narrow notch between two cliffs.

There was a delay as the other transport ship docked first and an iron box was removed from the hull. A few escort guards carried the cage up the steep path that zigzagged along the cliff's face.

Only when they disappeared over the rim of the precipice were the prisoner and the guards from Kirigakure, allowed to disembark.

They marched along a narrow dirt road that led directly from the cliffs to reach the base of the castle. Emaciated black pines lined the path on either side, bisecting a spreading plain of thick foliage. Beneath the dark vines, the unripened, pale green husks of heart-shaped seed pods peered out like dull eyes. Demon's Lanterns—the namesake of the castle itself.

Large wooden gates carved with the symbol of the Great village hidden in the mist, swung open once they reached the top of the stepped ramp. Three white circles had been painted into the dust inside the gate, and the prisoner was made to stand inside them.

While the Kiri-nin waited close by in, the two alleged Anbu-nin waited side by side.

The temperature inside the castle was noticeably cooler than outside. Their breaths formed clouds of steam, and flecks of snow swept down from the dark clouds that perpetually swirled above the prison. Six guards in green uniforms stood at attention behind two figures. One was an old man with a gaunt face and sunken eyes. His pale skin was blotchy, and his white beard grew in patches.

Next to him was a young teenage girl, less than 18 years old, with bright emerald eyes and dark, curly brown hair. Her name was Mei Terumi.

"Halt!" one of the guards called out, even though they had already halted.

The young woman stepped forward, holding two fingers in front of her chest to gather her chakra. "Katon: Heavenly Prison!" she slammed her palm into the center of Raizel's torso. Lines of fire spread from her fingers and looped over his chest and shoulders, leaving indelible dark squares imprinted on his skin. Once the technique was in place, the guards removed the shackles.

Ghost faltered, and fell, only to be caught by her.

The old man stirred, folding his hands over the cane he used to prop himself up. He couldn't have been past his late fifties but seemed much older due to the clearly poor condition of his health.

"I heard that seals do not work on him" he began, "Given his prowess. It's best suited to put him in prison shackles immediately"

"No need", She said

"Terumi sama that is not how it..."

"I said there is no need", she said sternly looking at the old man

"I... understand Terumi sama", The old man bowed down.

She pushes the half-dead man towards the guards, "Do your routine"

"Wait. I want to tell him something", The old man said as he looked at Mei. She nodded.

"Ghost of Konoha. I know your deeds, your legends out there. But know that any thought of escape is futile," the old man continued, "The prison chains will be embedded into you to bind your chakra. There is also a formation surrounding the prison. If you try to mold ninjutsu, you will be unable to do so. If you try to leave the castle premises, you will be incinerated", His piercing gaze was stern, "Even with your infamous immunity to everything, you will still get burned"

"Do not even try to attempt it. We have a medical ward, but third-degree burns are difficult to treat, and recovery is painful. Not to mention, but as you can probably tell, the castle is under an ice barrier. Without chakra, you will die within an hour"

He glanced at the guards, "This applies to you guys too", He turned back to the Ghost, "If we don't willingly warm you up, you shall die. Remember that before attempting to escape. Take him"

Raizel didn't care about the protection they placed in here, his half-dead bruised eyes glanced at her before he was dragged away.

Mei watched the squad of Anbu-nin leave with Ghost. She felt a wave of emotions for the man who used her for his liking.