Chapter 2

When last of the sparkles disappeared, the floor under my feet started to glow. A complicated formation slowly crawled its way to the walls and lit up with blue light, blinding me with the amount of energy being released.

The moment I opened my eyes, I found myself by the entrance to the cave. I could finally see the outside world. However, it was clouded with the appearance of the most hated being there is. Zetsu. Just the thought was making me furious, imagen how enraged I've become after seeing this abomination?

"Zetsu... you are dead!" - I exclaimed; however, he seemed not to hear me. He was looking in my direction, so I was sure that he saw me and yet... Why does he look so lost? He is touching the air and walking around in circles...

My eyes. I forgot. I deactivated them and saw a solid rock before me.

"This explains why it didn't see me, yet, why did I see it?" - previously, even when I activated my power, I could still see obstacles on my way like walls and floor.

'Oh, that is right.' I activated Taimuai again, 'I still can see the walls, it just I didn't notice them when I saw that. I was fully concentrated on seeing the energy, chakra, it was made of. But, goodness, even its chakra is disgusting.' It was pitch black with not even a single speck of light and was giving off a sinister feeling. He felt like a plaque. A sickness, that I have to get rid of.

"Gladly!"

I teleported to the outside and saw the rest of the picture. Tobirama-nii, Madara-nii and Izuna were all tense. I could sense that more people were coming this way, but they were a little too slow.

Suddenly, I got the feeling that the trio was using telepathy and connected myself as well.

[What should we do?]

[Stall for time. -] - They were worried that if the attack, the mountain will cave in and smash me. Grateful tears filled my eyes. Even after so many years, you still care.

[It's ok! No need to worry!] - I teleported behind this... creature and cough its neck. This won't kill him, but it's ok... It will still die miserably.

The faces of my family changed from shock to a great relief in a matter of a few seconds. I don't think they've noticed, but their muscles betrayed them. They were smiling and their eyes became watery. I'm sorry, that I've made you worry.

"You! H-how?!"

"Heh, how what? The fact that you can't control my body, Black Zetsu?" - o-oh! Just look at it. It can't believe the harsh reality! Well, its power is a little bit hard to resist. It steadily sending its terrorising, black chakra and bit by bit, it was able to conquer tips of my fingers. My mana was giving a good fight, but my chakra was slowly giving in. Elder Gindu said that after I eat the Chakra Fruit, the quality of my chakra will increase. It will be a bit painful, but it worths it.

It continues to resist... We should end this right now.

"Well now, Zetsu, do not be in haste to leave. Your retribution has come, so accept it peacefully. I had enough time to see all of your schemes, crimes and manipulations. And you know what? I'm sick of them."

"How?! No one was supposed to notice! You weren't even here!"

"All of us have secrets." - I smiled gently with my Taimuai activated, - "And you will never learn of them."

When residences of my world use magic, they don't need a chant. We just direct our mana and order it; however, there is a section of magic that requires a short chant. Sinister or highest difficulty 'light' spells. Those are impossible without the power of the word.

"You will experience hell." - I sent mana into its body while getting rid of its control and said - "The sins that you have committed, the wrongdoings you have made, let the God be your judge. Burn in the flames of your actions!"

Blue-black flames enveloped its body and a piercing shrill of agony redounded in the forest. I let go of the neck. It will die soon.

"Wow, I thought you don't need to say anything when using magic." - Madara-nii appeared by my side.

"Usually I don't. But there are some of the spells that require more than just mana." - I shrugged my shoulders

"When will this thing burn?" - Izuna-nii came closer as well. - " The flame doesn't seem to work yet it is screaming so loudly."

"The flame works just fine. It will not burn its body right now. First, it will destroy its intelligence, then its mind, the next will be the body and only when the soul turns to ashes, will it be freed from pain." - I noticed that they moved away from me with a complicated expression. - "What's wrong?'

"You are as scary as I remember you to be. Didn't change at all." - Tobirama snickered, while I was trying to understand, what so scary about me. I thought I was beautiful.

"Yeah. The look on your face can be used as a weapon in the ongoing war. All of the Hidden villages will avoid the Land Of Fire with you present here." - The three of them broke into laughter; however, something else caught my attention.

"War?"

"Yes. War. It has been 3 years now and it had been 2 since I became the Hokage." - I think Izuna wanted to brag, but...

"Congratulations, Izuna-nii!" - I turned to Tobirama - " Where is Hashi-nii-san?"

A dark shadow covered their faces. A subtle nervousness crept into my heart.

"Hashirama.. he is..."

"He is alive. I can see it. What is happening to his life force? It had almost diminished!"

"He used up too much of it. If he were to fight ever again, he will most likely d-"

"Mother..." - a weak whisper escaped disappearing body of Black Zetsu. Even now, it thinks of its mother. I couldn't let it live, but I can comfort it a little. Even it has the right.

"Your mother will be freed. I will take care of it. Rest in peace." - its suffering came to an end and it disappeared. I removed flames before they destroyed its soul.

"You are too soft-hearted." - Madara commented.

"This was my first time killing someone. I couldn't stand it anymore. I hated it, yet, when it was almost dead, I decided to let it keep its soul. It has a chance to redeem itself in the next life."

"Hokage-sama!" - many shinobi appeared around them, blocking my few. Hm... They seem to be from ANBU, yet half of them wears a different set if uniform.

They scanned the lake and the forest with their eyes, but couldn't find anything. The flames of retribution had already finished their task and vanished. Not even ash was left.

"Izuna-nii, you did a good job in training them! They move quite fast!"

"Could be faster." - he granted while the rest of the people present were in quiet shock. Oh, one of the ANBU seems to recognise me. If I remember correctly, he was from Sarutobi.

"I know." - we can speak about it later. - "I'm going to see Hashirama-nii-san." - there is no time to waste.

***************

"Hashirama-nii-san..." - words weren't able to leave my mouth.

His hair turned white, eyes sunk in and hands became dry. No past vitality or playfulness could be seen in this shadow of his past glory. He laid in bed and seemed to be sleeping.

No, of course, he wasn't. He was meditating and restoring his power. Slowly, but steadily, he was trying his best to restore his prowess.

'If he were to rest and continue his restoration, he will almost be as well as he was before I disappeared in around four-five years. But war... He will probably rush into a fight the second he feels a little better. Huh...."

He noticed someone's presence and opened his dark eyes. Only to close them again.

"The joke wasn't funny, you know." - he voiced his complaint.

"Hehehe, no-one was joking, Hashirama-nii. I'm here." - I hugged his tense body. - "I'm sorry for my long absence. I've got no excuses. I'm sorry."

"Malika... is that really you?"

"Of course!" - I showed my bracelet that was made by him. Golden strings were glittering in the light. He infused some of his chakra into them, so the moment he saw it, he was sure.

"Welcome back..." - He grasped my hand and pulled in to his hug.

"I'm home."

We stayed like this for a bit and I could feel his aura was lighting up. That's more like it.

"Well, Nii-san. I came here to see how were you doing and I can see that you're doing horrible. Care to explain how you became like this?" - I heard a loud gulp and the next second a hearty laughter filled the room.

"Sure! I'll tell you everything!"

And so he did. And the story made me angry. Really angry... First Fukushū, then Biijus. They enslaved poor creatures into humans! And now there is war. Great. I'll need to return to my straight responsibilities - information gathering. My last clone disappeared ten years ago.

I was healing him with my mana and bit by bit, I was returning his youthfulness. Hashi was talking non-stop about resent news and at some point wanted to tell me about Tobirama's, Madara's and Izuna's families as well, but I had to stop him.

"About their matters, we can speak together during dinner! Get up, lazybones. You are as good as new!"

No more grey hair! No wrinkles! Shinobi in his age do not look so old! Especially those who have Uzumaki blood in them.

Hashirama stood up and started to mould some chakra.

"You don't believe when I said that you're healthy? I always thought that I was good."

"No! I would never ever think about it! There is a reason..."

"HASHIRAMA! I told you not to use your chakr-"

"She will come the second I do that." - Hashirama came closer to frozen Mito and hugged her tightly. - " Well, Mito, what do you think? I'm all healed up now and you won't have an old man as your husband!"

"Hashirama... Malika..." - she returned a hug and tears slowly appeared in the corners of her eyes.

Heh, it is good to be home.