Phase 8: Conceit

Disclaimer: This is a work of fan fiction based on multiple existing anime/manga series. The characters and settings used in this story belong to their respective owners and creators, and no copyright infringement is intended. This story is purely for entertainment purposes and is not intended to infringe upon any existing intellectual property. I do not own any of the original works that inspired this fanfiction, and I fully support the original creators and their works.

I'm also occasionally chilling in JaxWolf4's (Author of Nah, I'd Adapt and Zenin Days) Discord Server. It's a chaotic lobotomy mess. Not for the faint of heart.

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Disc: HrPrTeam

(Credit to Thecentipide & quilltedbear for the Beta Reading Labor!)

-Story Start-

-Third Person POV-

The Hokage's looming question echoed repeatedly in Akira's mind.

His mind was racing, as sweat trickled down his worn-out expression laced with small lacerations.

The weight in the Hokage's tone was nothing short of threatening.

For an instant, Akira couldn't help but question what he had done to deserve this.

...

A futile question.

Collecting himself, Akira replied evenly, "Those are two questions." He pointed out, pausing to add carefully, "May I answer each individually?"

A stern nod from Hiruzen was his answer.

Nodding as well, Akira pressed on, "I did not heal Sasuke nor did I heal my allies and if you have taken notice by now, didn't heal myself because I wish to keep Rudolph as a trump card."

Before Hiruzen could intervene, Akira emphasized, "Should one of my allies or I have been at death's door, then I would have used him without hesitation. This, I swear upon my name as Nara Akira." He met the hawk-like gaze of Hiruzen head-on, stating with clear determination.

He then turned to Sasuke, specifically to narrow his eyes at the seal, "As for removing his Curse Mark... On what grounds do you believe I am capable of doing so? Pardon my rudeness."

Silence followed, as neither Hiruzen nor the trepid and uneasy Sasuke said a word.

Puffing out smoke after taking a deep inhale from his pipe, Hiruzen sighed.

"On the grounds that your Deer is capable of nullifying Ninjutsu. I have heard from Kakashi and read the report myself." He stated with a neutral expression, the tension in the room not lowering one bit.

Akira nodded, "I can't blame you. I would think it capable of such as well, however... For this next explanation, I believe Sasuke should leave the room." He gave Hiruzen a knowing look.

"Why?" Sasuke groaned in irritation.

Hiruzen's eyes widened momentarily, but he nodded in understanding, gleaming into Akira's intention.

Nodding, Hiruzen gestured to Sasuke, "For a moment. I will call you back, I still have something to discuss with you."

"Hn." He grunted in dismay but obeyed the Village's Grandfather without protest.

Turning around, Sasuke's footsteps echoed in the ears of the Hokage and Nara, the door creaking to a close.

With narrowed eyes, Hiruzen gestured with his pipe, "Proceed."

Akira nodded in affirmation, "Back in the Land Of Woods when Naruto and Sasuke were gravely injured, I summoned Rudolph to heal them. At that moment, out of a prior command I issued him, he had activated his Ninjutsu Nullification Aura."

Frowning at the memory as well as the circumstances themselves, he added, "It made contact with Naruto shortly after his healing."

...

Hiruzen closed his eyes, lowering his head, "Then that means..."

Akira nodded, confirming his suspicions, "If it truly were capable of that... The complex sealing matrix that keeps the Nine-Tailed Fox in Naruto would have been nullified... Unleashing that walking disaster then and there."

Akira continued, "Lord Third, even if I were capable of removing the Cursed Seal. Knowing Orochimaru it's likely he would have noticed its removal."

"And why would that be an issue?" Hiruzen's eyes sharpened, noting Akira's direction.

...

Akira's frown deepened as if he was agonizing over some kind of invisible issue.

"May I speak my mind?" He inquired.

Hiruzen nodded.

"I think Orochimaru's planning an attack on the Leaf Village." Akira accused, his voice reverberating loudly in the room.

...

"You suspect that to be the truth?" Hiruzen repeated.

A knowing glint crossed Akira's eyes, as he sharply retorted:

"Don't you?"

...

Akira was met with silence from the Veteran Kage Of Three Great Ninja Wars.

He continued, "I was enjoying myself only to encounter Orochimaru of all people... Claiming he wanted to make me a vessel. Confidently flaunting his desire to destroy the Leaf." Akira provided his evidence.

"Honestly, I had agonized over the thought of what to do... What evidence do I hold as to him possibly doing something like that except his words relayed from myself to you."

He smiled self-deprecatingly, "I thought and I thought... I agonized over it as I ran and hid from the vile snake."

"I asked myself, why? Why would he be here? How would he even accomplish his goal? He may be S-Rank, but we're THE Konohagakure." Akira emphasized.

He raised his head, looking squarely into Hiruzen's eyes, "And then... I figured it out."

The Nara paused, his eyes firmly fixated on the Kage's expression and body language.

With no reaction, he pressed on.

"Why are we still participating in the Exams? With a malicious S-Rank Rogue in our midst?" Akira asked rhetorically.

He tilted his head, giving Hiruzen a suspicious look, "It isn't just because you want to retain the image of strength... Well, partially, but that's not quite it."

Slowly, Akira's serious expression twisted into a smirk.

"You're well aware of Orochimaru's true intentions." A statement.

"In fact, you likely hold much more suspicions and evidence than I do as to a coming threat, or else I question the Intelligence Division's effectiveness or even purpose."

"You're ignoring Orochimaru's obvious taunt because you WANT him to strike."

Spreading his arms wide, Akira completed his rant:

"In other words... You're laying out a trap for him."

"And I want in." A cocky grin formed on his face as he directed a thumb at himself.

Hiruzen's eyes narrowed in a contemplative manner, as a suffocating silence reigned once more in the room.

A psychological tactic Akira was familiar with, as he kept his composure nonetheless.

...

His emerald eyes observe the aged Shinobi in search of any hint of confirmation, failing to find a hint.

A few moments later, Hiruzen sighed, "It is a fascinating angle of thought, Akira. But those are baseless theories. Speculation of the highest degree."

Taking an inhale of smoke from his pipe, he exhaled once more, "I now see the reason behind your reluctance to use the Deer."

He explained, "Konoha is in no position to set up traps on a whim. I know my former student well. Delaying the usage of your Deer is meaningless. Orochimaru may strike tomorrow, in a year, or even the moment following my death."

Akira frowned at the Hokage's words.

"I will ponder your thoughts. A Genin participating in the Chunin Exams should not be pondering Village Security." He reminded Akira of his position.

Frowning, Hiruzen's stern expression softened, "I do apologize for your narrow encounter with Orochimaru. It is my blunder that he had even appeared, however, do not let his appearance shake you so. It is my responsibility to handle it, I am still your Hokage." He emphasized with a nod.

Akira nodded in agreement, though his lips pressed into a tight, restrained line, revealing the frustration simmering in him.

"Your desire to keep the Deer a secret does hold some merit. But I will not delay its usage. For select individuals... I will be asking for your usage of it."

Keeping a poker face, Akira did his best to mask his annoyance and displeasure at the Hokage's orders.

Hiruzen noticed said reluctance, lecturing wisely and genuinely.

"Your thinking is oddly reminiscent of my old friend, albeit with a noticeable inexperience." He stated it, as a matter of fact, with no warmth in his tone.

Akira wasn't sure whether that was intended as a compliment or an insult.

After all, Hirzuen does not have many old friends.

Shimura Danzo was a peculiar individual.

He continued, "The Will Of Fire burns within you, Akira. But the flame is dark, lukewarm. Take care to not let it fizzle out."

As Akira pondered those words, that moment, the door creaked open to reveal the cheery Chunin Jan carrying an injured ANBU.

He did not appear to be in critical condition, however, his injuries were still dire.

Sasuke peeked through the door with an impatient look, to which Hiruzen gestured for him to get back inside as well.

The fresh air from outside had managed to clear out some of the smoke that had heavily enveloped the stuffy and tension-filled room.

Nevertheless, a grave expression formed on each present individual, "Do you have enough Chakra to heal him?"

Akira nodded immediately, "For a couple of seconds. But I prefer not to heal myself or Sasuke."

"You need to ponder my words once more." Hiruzen shook his head in disappointment.

He ordered, "You will be healing Sasuke."

...

"Respectfully, Lord Third... I refuse." Akira asserted his will firmly.

The temperature dropped significantly at Akira's refusal.

Wide, shocked eyes stared down at Akira.

The fresh air that entered with the opening door felt just as stifling as the tension in the room.

Jan shivered in fury, "Y-You insolent little-"

Before Hiruzen could voice his shock as well, Sasuke stated his will, "I don't need this bastard's Deer to heal me." He smirked haughtily.

His smirk and words slightly lowered the tension, but that is because Hiruzen allowed him to do so.

A warm smile formed on his face for a moment at Sasuke's act, but he immediately exchanged it for a stern glare on Akira.

The Nara replied with finality, "The Eight Shadows Kekkei Genkai is property of the Nara Clan and most importantly my property. I know my rights, Lord Third. I am willing to compromise the usage of my Kekkei Genkai by healing select individuals who will either keep secrecy or are inconspicuous. Sasuke who was a target for Orochimaru will reveal our hand too early-"

Sasuke's eyes widened at Akira's words.

"I recall telling you to perish those worries and leave them to me?" Hirzuen cut him off sharply.

Akira nodded, "Then simply take it as the senseless anxieties of a terrified Genin." He shrugged.

"I will agree to heal our most powerful retired or crippled Shinobi in the month period until the Tournament on the condition of secrecy," Akira lifted a finger, stating his terms.

Frowning, Hiruzen lifted an eyebrow, "You realize the Tournament is when our security is at the highest alert?" He gleamed as to Akira's suspicions.

Akira nodded, a note of concern in his voice, "I do... But you know so as well."

Hiruzen shook his head, "You overestimate this Old Man." Taking a deep inhale of smoke from his pipe.

"On the contrary... You don't seem very opposed to my terms."

...

"I will consider your terms... For now, heal him. He's ANBU." Hiruzen stated neutrally, pointing at the injured ANBU held by the still-shocked Chunin.

Suppressing a grin at the small victory, Akira nodded, making the shadowgraphic hand sign of a deer head.

Muttering loudly, "Round Deer."

At breakneck speed, Liquid shadows twisted and turned to form a large four-eyed deer, much to the marvel of those in the room with the exception of Sasuke and Akira.

"Heal him, Rudolph," Akira ordered loudly, pointing at the injured ANBU, his body filled with stitched lacerations, a thoroughly unconcious man.

...

"Sorry, he's a bit slow." Akira apologized.

A moment later, Rudolph approached the man, having been raised to his height, he touched the man with his nose, enveloping him in a glow.

The glow worked like magic, Hiruzen's eyes glowed with pleasure and scientific intrigue beyond the strategic benefits of such a miraculous Shadow Creature.

The man's stitches flew out of their place, as new tissue quickly replaced the laceration making it look as good as new.

As if the man had never been injured.

The ANBU that had been mostly silent grunted his gratitude, "Thank you. That's a relief." He quickly jumped out of the shocked Jan's arms to stand on his two feet.

Hiruzen moved quickly, approaching Rudolph himself as he simultaneously ordered, "I believe keeping what you have seen and heard here a secret is self-evident?"

"Yes, Lord Third." He bowed swiftly.

Touching the nose of Rudolph himself, Hiruzen continued relaying orders as a glow enveloped him, "You may head back to the ANBU Barracks to await further orders."

A moment later, Akira dismissed the deer, its body melting grotesquely into liquid shadows.

Nevertheless, the glow continued doing its job on Hiruzen.

The aged man voiced his curiosity to all present, "I feel refreshed, the back pain is gone." He admitted.

'The Professor' showed his face for all to see, "Scar tissue gone as well... But I do not feel any younger nor is my Chakra restored... But it has restored my physical energy. A Yang Release of the highest level, on the level of Lord First's and Tsunade's Medical Ninjutsu even in terms of regeneration speed." He noted.

Shaking his head, "No. It is beyond theirs. It is also capable of restoring physical energy without leveraging my body's resources... The question lay in whether it stimulates rapid cell division to heal or something else... If it's the latter, it might even be the theoretical Yin-Yang Release."

Turning to Akira, Hiruzen's gaze hardened, "For your own sake, we must confirm the inner workings of your Deer. Should the healing function as Tsunade's does, the cost is the individual's lifespan."

Akira was particularly invested in the breakdown of Rudolph's ability and nodded resolutely.

"I agree, thank you for the direction, Lord Third. It was insightful." He gave a short bow.

Turning to the unrelated party of Jan, Akira pointed out, "Is there a reason for him to have heard all this, though?"

Jan's eye twitched, only for Hiruzen to lift a palm, "He will be my secretary in the near future, Chisato is getting married." A small smile appeared on Hiruzen's face.

He appeared to be happy for the Chunin Secretary.

Akira deadpanned, "I see..."

Nodding firmly, Hiruzen dismissed them, "The two of you, dismissed. I have much to think about." He gestured at the Genin and perplexed Sasuke.

"Yes, Lord Third." Akira almost heaved a sigh of relief.

Pointing at himself, Sasuke expressed his confusion, "Did you not wish to speak with me, Lord Third?"

"I had wanted to remove your Curse Mark, but it seems that it is impossible. The Cursed Seal Of Heaven attaches to the User's Chakra, Akira's Deer does not work on such seals, evidently..." He nodded in acknowledgment at Akira.

Smiling proudly, Hiruzen elaborated, "I'll have Kakashi layer a seal of suppression on your Curse Mark at the coming of dawn. You've done well with enduring it thus far on your own... It's not fool-proof and should your chakra still be near depletion and your will weak, then it'll activate regardless, keep that in mind Sasuke."

"Fine." Sasuke saw no reason to argue with suppressing that vile thing forced upon him.

Without much argument, the two Genin bowed respectfully and strode out of the makeshift office.

Their eyes were met with the cold forest outside, the night still upon them while they stood beside the gigantic tower.

Sasuke broke the silence immediately, "You suspect Orochimaru will try something again. At the tournament specifically." A statement.

Raising an eyebrow, Akira replied, "Isn't it obvious he'll try something? But the tournament is just speculation." He added.

"That doesn't explain why you did all those things to the Genin." He pointed out the discrepancy.

...

Akira's eye twitched in annoyance, "How many times do I have to tell you this?" He was gradually losing his patience.

"That was all... For fun. Don't we give a stronger statement by crushing foreign Shinobi on the big stage?"

"Granted, I fucked up... But that was all for fun and would have been fine if not for Orochimaru."

...

Still unconvinced, Sasuke prodded further his fists tightening but he kept steady control of his composure.

Lashing out like he did prior is counterproductive, "Do you not care how this affects how others view you? How this will damage your status in the Village and the hostile Clans?"

Akira shrugged, "Frankly, you're all overplaying it. I hadn't killed anyone that wasn't a risk. The foreign Shinobi I had played with simply got crippled."

"Given the usual death toll for Chunin Exams, I say they got lucky..." He smirked.

Turning to Sasuke, a spine-chilling grin slowly formed on Akira's face.

"As for the political backlash?" He chuckled.

"Sure, the interesting part is the other Hidden Villages. They'd probably be pretty annoyed and enraged at my actions. They'd have much fewer complaints if their prized Genin simply up and died in the forest. But here I am providing them a target to blame..."

"As for troubles at home?" He paused.

...

"Frankly, the hostile Clans and cowards can go fuck themselves."

...

Sasuke's frown deepened, a hint of rage in his sharp glare, "You didn't answer my question."

Sasuke started, accusing, "You knew what you were doing, I know you enough that you're not that stupid."

He ranted, his voice growing louder and louder, "Do you not care what your friends think of you? The worry? What about your family? Your Clan?" He hissed, a hint of envy laced his tone at the mention of a family and clan.

"What is it you are trying to do, that you are willing to hurt all of us?"

...

Akira clenched his fists, his breath hitched for a moment.

He met Sasuke's coal eyes with his own emerald ones.

Sasuke couldn't help but think, that they appeared extremely weak at that moment.

But, only for a moment.

Regaining resolve in his gaze, Akira answered, "I am not trying to do anything. Again, you're mistaken and overthinking my whole act... It's all selfish. Accept the fact that I did this for my enjoyment and be done with it. I'll deal with the consequences just fine." He shook his head and turned around.

His steps echoed loudly amid the silence on the floor of the tower, as Sasuke could only watch Akira walk away, a burning and determined glint in his coal eyes.

...

Akira went up the stairs of the tower, eventually stopping in front of a long hallway of rooms.

There appeared to be over fifty of them; some with closed doors and a few open to reveal an empty, soulless room with only two bunk beds and a vacant desk under a single dusty window.

Settling his sights on a random one, Akira quickly entered locking the room with the key that had already been lodged into the keyhole of the room.

Dropping onto the rather uncomfortable and coarse bed, Akira promptly collapsed into sleep.

-------------------------------

-Akira POV-

The scorching sun on my skin, the feeling of sand grains beneath my bare feet.

Only soothed by the gentle coolness of the water waves periodically washing over me, reaching my knees.

Looking over my small hands, I appeared to be much smaller than I recall.

The odd, surreal, almost dreamlike sensation coursing through me was only reinforced by the sight beyond the shore of the beach I found myself at.

Numerous crocodiles lined up in a straight line reaching beyond the horizon.

Their numbers were beyond mere counting; there were that many.

And a single hare hopping over each of them individually.

...

I didn't question the scene, in fact, it felt oddly nostalgic.

Not out of place.

Familiar.

...

"I'm so tired," I mumbled out loudly, dropping to the sand beneath me, hoping the gentle waves would wash away my worries.

"Why? Had you not expected this?" The Hare spoke, his voice reverberating from afar, not ceasing in his hopping from one crocodile to another.

Clutching my small face with my hand in a tight, troubled grip, I nodded, "I did... But it's still so hard."

I chuckled, looking up at the sun above me, knowing well it was a fake, "Look at me, wallowing in self-pity. After everything I've done... Why is this all so troubling for me? Why is this bothering me? I can't let my emotions ruin the outcome of the plan I painstakingly crafted..." I bit my lip.

I had killed hundreds.

Is the disappointment and banal pain of my friends and family so troubling?

"No one requires permission to indulge in self-pity." The Hare spoke again from beyond the horizon, yet his voice was all too clear.

Grabbing the wet sand beneath myself, I tightened my grip on it, crushing the grains from frustration.

"Why... Why does it matter if I hurt those Rogue Shinobi? If I heal them in the end?"

"And why... Just why does it matter that I hadn't removed Sasuke's Curse Mark? If it'll be useless with Orochimaru's rotting corpse beneath my feet? If I remove it after this is all over?" He growled in irritation.

"What does it matter, if at the end of it all... Everyone Wins?"

...

"Will those dear to thee mirror thy thoughts if we do come out triumphant?" The Hare questioned.

"Of course not. But they'd understand, long term it'd workou-"

"That is conceit." The Hare asserted firmly, interrupting my explanation as he hopped over another crocodile.

...

My voice grew quiet, a furious whisper, "Then what do you suggest?"

"Why not share thy burden? Thy plan is effective. However, it shall result in unmitigated damage to both thee and thy dearest." The Hare suggested as well as lectured.

I immediately stopped him there, "Impossible. What I'm planning is dumbed down to high treason. I cannot divulge it to anyone."

"I want to... I've considered divulging some parts like I had tried to get Hiruzen's cooperation."

"And where did that get me? Only delaying the latter part with the foreign Shinobi, is all."

"This only proved further that I shouldn't." My voice grew further resolved.

"For the sake of getting the most out of the situation. For a complete victory... To elevate my position and set up for our freedom... I need to act out my part, no matter how much it hurts myself or others. It must go perfectly, with nary a change in detail... Adapt the plan when necessary." I slowly rose from my sitting position, to look determinedly at the Hare hopping over the horizon.

"With Naruto out of the equation, I had no choice..." I shivered at the crushing realization of the impact of my existence. 

Brightening up, "But, for the first time... I have the power to truly do something with my future knowledge." I clenched my fists, "I cursed my weakness for so long... I am aiming for a crushing victory. For the sake of all of us."

...

The Hare was greatly beyond the horizon, hopping towards the final crocodile, the 10,000th crocodile.

"You predicted, yet was still affected; that is conceit." He lectured.

"Thy arrogance and selfishness will be thy great regret." The Hare announced.

The last crocodile opened its monstrous maw widely, and in a brutal display skinned the Hare, showering blood onto the ocean beneath.

My body instinctually shot forward, my expression twisting in shock at the sudden death of the Hare in front of me.

I froze at his unbothered expression, his visage so vividly visible from such a great distance, just before he reached the shore of another land.

With naught a change in tone or an outcry of pain, the Hare asserted despite its grim and bloodied appearance:

"Like it had been for me."

To Be Continued!

-Author Note Start-

Hey guys.

As you may notice, the chapter's about half the length of a regular chapter.

For the sake of (Sorta) fulfilling my promise, I decided to end it off in a good spot imo.

And to be frank, there's a slight dissonance between what was supposed to follow, so I think starting off the next chappie from there would work better.

(Also forcing myself to write the next part when I'm this tired would probably be counterproductive lmao).

I'll admit, this has stretched far more than I'd have liked (MASTER OF PACING RAHHHHHH)

But it's vital for what will follow, and I thank you for your patience cause this is getting annoying to write for me as well...

Next chapter I'm hoping to tackle the actual preliminaries lmao to get a break from the... Is it 3 chapters of yapping and drama?

I myself am longing for some ooga booga fighting ngl...

Now, something important i'd like to note:

Akira is not a one-dimensional character or even a two-dimensional character that has fixed traits.

I try my best to write the characters (Naruto as well as Akira and everyone else) as multifaceted while keeping in mind their core values and so on and so on.

Humans are paradoxical, and I hope you can glean the paradoxical nature of Akira's issue here.

Not unrelated to his 'Detach' thingamajig.

I try to give a lesson (Mental or Physical) at the end of each Arc for Akira, and he has a big one to learn this one.

HE HE HE HA.

Anywho!

Love you guys!

Bu Bye!

Fun fact - Akira was in the Garden Of Wit at the end of the chapter, if ya'll need an explanation.

The next chapter's gonna be up in a week or less! (I promise!)

-Down here is the copy paste stuff-

If ya'll feeling frisky and rich you can donate to my P. A .T R 3 0 N to show some nice and kind support.

Here's the link:

patre0n.com/BurgerNoTomatoes

As always people! If you see any inconsistencies, wrong information, Illogical statements, etc... Notify me, please! I'll fix it ASAP! And or explain it later on in case I had planned to make it vague in the first place.

Also, all comments, reviews, constructive criticism and so on Are much appreciated! I especially love Constructive criticism because it allows me to improve the story in real time! I try my best to follow your advice!

I enjoy responding to you all! So do send them comments! Also, ideas are also welcome! I'm not that creative so assistance from you guys is always nice! Yup!

I hope you lovely people have a fantastic rest of the day/week. And I'll see you in a week's time or so :P

I love chicken. Here's this week's random fun fact.

-Author's Note End-