Juugo Uzumaki - Chapter 41

AN.

Welcome canon. We've missed you.

Or have we?

…

Strange how time seemed to fly, the months rolling by as life ambled on. Juugo hadn't really noticed it himself, as he appeared from the earth behind the fleeing man.

"Wha-!"

Juugo drove his arm through his back, satisfied as it burst from the other side. "W-ha-at arr-e you-"

He dropped to the floor, his body jolting on the grassy field as Juugo crouched on his back, absently removing his arm.

They were in grass country, east by the sea where waves could be faintly heard. It was the weekend, past midnight.

Juugo was 8 years old. "Idiot," said Juugo, stepping away as he flicked the blood from his hand. "Why do they always say that."

Demon this, monster that. And this was coming from wanted criminals, and a rogue Jonin at that.

"Now, where is your entry…"

Juugo rummaged in his rear pouch, the very same he'd acquired all those years ago. It had a few things in it, little scrolls and a copy of the 94th Bingo Book. He'd marked the page of his latest target, making notes and crossing pictures of the one's he'd found.

"Boki Rikumata."

That was his name, as Juugo used his foot to turn him over, checking the face. "It's him."

It had been a good chase, something to be glad for as Juugo tucked his book away, searching within his pouch for the scroll he needed.

He rummaged still.

"Hmm," he muttered, stuffing his hand further in. "Where is it."

Juugo couldn't find it, assuming with huff that he'd left it behind in his cave, which was a constant mess these days. It was filled with stuff, books, boxes, weapons. Mostly things he'd picked up from the shinobi he'd killed, and the occasional shopping spree in the Land of Hot Water.

He'd have to make a seal later, deciding to carry him for now.

Poof.

"Grab his legs. You, help him."

The Shadow Clones nodded, the three of them hoisting the limp Boki between them. "Follow me."

Juugo was still far from the Bounty Station, hours of travel as he disappeared in a swirl of grass, the clothes following too.

Bump.

Knock.

Juugo slowed from his Shunshin, looking behind as they half-carried, half-dragged Boki through the grass. "Watch the face," he snapped, feeling as one of their knees bashed Boki's head. "You know how this works. He needs to be recognisable."

They adjusted, keeping pace. "Sorry boss," said one of them. "He's heavy."

No he wasn't, as Juugo shook his head, leading them on while he wondered why his Shadow Clones were so dim-witted. "I need better transport."

It was becoming difficult to venture further afield on the nights he left, then again on the weekends.

Hana was on at him. Suzi too. He'd missed days at the Academy. "Hmph."

Even Naruto bugged him, who had developed the annoying habit of challenging him to spars.

He'd say.

'Juugo! If I win, you have to buy me Ramen! But you win, I'll buy you Ramen. Haha.'

Naruto never won, as Juugo entered the familiar grass. Some of it was jungle, thick and difficult to move through. While some were simply tall, nipping at his skin as they reached the beach he'd arrived at before.

It was nostalgic for Juugo, it had hardly changed. "This'll do."

He was far enough away now, he had time as they settled on the sandy grass dune. Juugo glimpsed the horizon, which reached far across the sea, its end just beginning to glimmer with light.

"Lay him there. No," he sighed. "Turn him over, on his back."

The clones followed, doing their best before Juugo dispelled them with a thought. "I need to fix that."

He had already tried all the Shadow Clone variations, and they'd all worked without issue. So why were they so dim-witted?

Juugo didn't know, as he rummaged again. "Paper paper…" Juugo needed a different kind of paper to make the best storage seals, one's where stasis could be applied too.

It was called chakra paper, as he pulled a small scroll from behind him, unrolling a section on the dry grass.

What came next was even better, as he tore a section off, using his finger to draw the seal as chakra flowed from his finger tip.

A line here. A line there.

Sweep.

Dot.

And a swirl in the middle.

"Perfect."

Boki would fit right in, as Juugo put the scroll away. He placed the seal on Boki's chest.

"Seal."

Boki was sucked inside, blurring up and into the paper as Juugo snatched it from the air. He stowed it quickly with the rest, getting to his feet as he stared at the sea.

3 days it had taken him. And 3 days it would take to return. The Mizukage had long been on Juugo's mind, as he stepped down the sandy bank, heading to the sea across the beach. "Soon."

But not yet, as Juugo's hands snapped together, forming signs as the air began to thicken around him.

Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu.

Juugo closed his eyes, directing the ball of growing flame out and across the sea. The water sizzled, turning to steam as fire pushed it out, then down at the beaches' sand.

It cracked, turning to glass as Juugo slid backwards, carving paths through the sand with his feat.

A little more, he was almost there. More.

Juugo wanted to see how big he could get it, his previous record about the size of the Hokage Tower.

!

Boom.

The fireball exploded, rocketing Juugo away while sea shook, forming a crater that was soon filled with a mighty clap of water.

Juugo tumbled through the grass, shouting angrily as he whipped across sharp edges. He was bleeding, winded and coming to a stop on a patch of soggy mud.

Splat.

…

He blinked, looking with his eyes while his head pooled in the mud. "Yes."

Juugo had done it, reaching a new max as his wounds closed, sitting up in triumph as he regained his bearings. "Hmm?"

The sea was coming, a small wave that was rising through the dunes. It was heading straight for him, as he hopped to his feet, jumping in a powerful leap back to the watery beach.

Splash.

Juugo looked around, then down at the water below. It was a few feet at least, which only proved his success as he smiled lightly, dusting himself off. "Next time, I'll-"

His head snapped around, straight to the trees he'd once been warned about. He'd avoided it since, not needing to go there as something came.

It swept.

Wrapped.

Tugged on trees that swayed around it.

"No," whispered Juugo incredulously. "It couldn't be."

But it was.

Hissssss

Juugo dropped, slipping through the water with a quiet splash as the snake darted from the trees, long and brown with intelligent eyes. It wasn't alone, there stood a man atop its head as he surveyed the beach.

The snake lowered its head, letting him off as Juugo hid with all his will.

By the power of moon dust, it was the Demon Snake. It had to be, who else would feel no different than the snake it rode.

Juugo had to get out of here, feeling foolish as he drifted slowly beneath the surface. He'd be safe at sea, deep and below while the snake stayed here, looking as he was at the remains Juugo had left.

Glass. The sand had turned to glass as the Demon Snake probed at it, perhaps picturing what Juugo had done.

He looked up, scanning the sea with his eyes.

"Kukuku. How interesting."

It appeared that he'd just missed him, as Orochimaru turned away, heading back to his snake that waited by the trees. "Such powerful chakra. But where are you…"

Such a treat to return to after months away, after failing perfect his Cursed Seal.

But now it was the opposite, as Orochimaru glanced at small footprints, the earth unusually sunken for one his size.

"Strong."

Orochimaru would be patient, knowing the boy would return if his speculation was correct. "Konoha is doing well it seems, eh Toshimaru?"

The snake hissed, preening under his master's soft caress. "Yessss masterrrr."

Orochimaru hopped back up, flicking his hair to the side.

He took one last look. "Off we go."

Toshimaru hissed, doing as commanded as they headed back through the trees.

Break.

Juugo gasped, breathing hard as he climbed to the surface. He'd not made it far, 50 feet at best while he'd twiddled along.

He'd hadn't dared use any chakra, as he glanced back to the beach. "Stupid," he muttered, standing as he wiped the water from his face. "To think he'd be here."

Juugo had been lucky, just like Hana always said. Funny how life turned out, as he disappeared in a twirl of water.

The bounty station was still hours away, down the coast and then in, just by the border with Steam. Juugo knew the route by heart, losing count of the times he'd been.

For just over a year now, ever since he'd killed Mizuki, Juugo had been coming here. Just like all the other rogue's that had fled their nations.

It was fortunate then, as he glanced at the rising sun, that he was here to kill them. They were a menace, a plague on society.

Juugo enjoyed those from Kiri the most, especially when they called him demon, as if they'd seen one before.

Only one of them truly had, calling him 'Kibo' before Juugo had cut him open, using a blade made of water.

Juugo used all but one of the elements: Lightening. It just didn't feel right, too tingly and discomforting.

But by order of ease, it went: Water, Fire, Earth and then Wind. "Wind," scoffed Juugo, finding the element annoyingly hard to come by. "I'll have to visit Suna soon."

Konoha hardly trained in wind, with the teams he so often watched preferring Fire and Earth. They were only Chunin, while the Jonin were even harder to find.

They trained in-private, and sporadically too. Most actually seemed to be Sensei's, except for those in Anbu which was another matter entirely.

Juugo had given up after a few months, deciding to focus his time and effort on things outside of Konoha. "Oh."

How could he forget. "I didn't search him."

Juugo had learned from the start never to stay where the enemy had fallen. The blood, the smell: it was a fly trap.

Better to leave and find another spot, which Juugo always did as he appeared from his Shunshin. There were beaches all along the coast, most full of sand as he landed on the smooth pebbles.

He blinked, looking down at the trickling stones… it would do, as he unsealed Boki's body.

Plop.

Juugo grimaced, not enjoying the process as he divested Boki of his pouch, weapons and also… "…a scroll?"

Odd.

It wasn't a storage scroll, not even a shinobi scroll as Juugo felt the paper. It lacked any chakra, just like Boki had when he'd died. Juugo liked to run them down, witness their jutsu before finally killing them.

'Missive 21'

Juugo unrolled it, intrigued as he skimmed the contents.

…

"Hm."

He set it aside, deciding to think on it later as he reached for the pouch, opening it. Boki had been a Jonin, well versed in his nation's Water Jutsu, even throwing a few Earth Jutsu in too as Juugo emptied the bag.

He looked upon the contents, spotting the usual first. "They're not as good," he said aloud, discarding the softer Kunai. Konoha's were the best. "A Bingo Book?"

Juugo turned it over. "95th"

He was months behind with his 94th edition, which had been released some time ago as Juugo flicked through the pages, smiling at all the new faces. There were even a few from Konoha, like this man who'd stolen a Lightening Sword.

"Too low," muttered Juugo, skipping the measly Chunin as he flicked further in. "Jonin… Jonin…"

Most of the book was comprised of Chunin, around 60-70% by Juugo's calculations, which still left hundreds of Jonin to choose from.

"Hydo Kimu."

Earth. Last seen in the Land of Flowers. "Miles away."

Juugo read the next. "Souma Idayo."

No.

He was likely dead already, the killer only waiting so the price would increase. "Mud Release. 50,000."

Even a Chunin could fetch that much, if they had a Kekkei Genkai.

"Yadate Imaru."

Too far.

"Kouma Hodeki."

Wanted Alive.

Juugo couldn't do that, not worth the hassle after the first time he'd tried. The woman had removed his mask, the one he'd thought to adopt when he didn't plan on killing them.

He'd thought about wearing it all the time, as he recalled letting her go, but it got in the way of his transformation.

That wouldn't do, as Juugo came to the end of the A-ranks.

He wasn't ready.

"I'll just browse."

They were always the most interesting shinobi, the S-ranks. With skills and talents that rivalled his own. "Hidan."

Juugo scrutinised the picture, which appeared old and outdated. The man was grinning, his eyes touched with insanity. "Immortal," he read, finding that hard to believe. "Wields a three headed scythe. Advanced Taijutsu."

The bounty was rather high, yet still a little low compared to the next page as Juugo read it, dismissing the shinobi from Kumo: Magnet Release, and too far.

Turn.

"Juzo Biwa."

He was a Swordsmen, one of Seven. Juugo saw the picture of his sword, wondering what it could do as he turned the page again.

All seven had abilities, like this one. "Kisame Hoshigaki."

He looked young in the picture, his expression one of pride as he wore Kiri's uniform. Something must have changed then, as Juugo read what he'd done. Perhaps he finally saw how rotten their country was, as Juugo skimmed the rest of his page.

Everyone knew about the Bloodline Purge, which the Hoshigaki were included in. "Oh, he can transform into a shark."

That was amazing, and all from a sword that was over 100 years old. Juugo would like to see it someday, but not yet as he skimmed the rest, glimpsing their pictures.

…

Juugo hunched forwards, reading intently at the page he'd not seen before.

"Yagura Karatachi."

The Fourth MIzukage.

Juugo knew that face, had seen it for moment before as he frowned, stopping on a word that was vaguely familiar. "Jinchuriki?"

Had he read that before?

…

"…the Demon Snake."

He remembered now, as he read the notes on Yagura's skills, chakra and status. He was the only Kage in here. "…the Fourth Mizukage is host to the Sanbi, the three-tailed turtle."

One of nine.

"So that's why."

It was a cheat, it wasn't his power but the Bijuu's, just like the Demon Snake had said.

Juugo tried to remember the pages he'd come across, stacked in the cave with the rest… that was it.

"The seal."

The seal that kept the Bijuu at bay. The Demon Snake had been trying to make his own, to store something similar in a human vessel. "I'll read them again," he decided, closing the book as he tucked it away.

The rest of the items were useless, personal to Boki as Juugo buried them on the pebbled beach. He re-sealed Boki after, before re-joining the bobbing sea.

He ran.

Break.

"A good haul."

"Not enough."

It was never enough for Kakuzu, as he waited for the body to be stowed. Zangei was swift in his work, finishing with a sweep as the draw slid back into the wall.

This place was a morg, the smell that of chemical as money was exchanged. Kakuzu counted them, using the small medical table to arrange the notes.

Zangei watched. "Any news?" he asked, glancing at the clouds Kakuzu wore. "My boss is still waiting to setup in Rain."

The bounty business was booming, the war in Kiri doing wonders for their profits.

"No," muttered Kakuzu. "A decision has yet to be made."

Kakuzu was almost done, dismissing Zangei as he neared 70,000. It was a good price for an A-rank from Iwa, even without his heart.

"I see," said Zangei, knowing better than to chivvy as Kakuzu headed for the door, carrying the small case in his hand.

He was a bold one, or perhaps he was just that strong. "Till next time."

Kakuzu arrived at the door, stepping out with a grunt into the early morning. The sun was still hidden below the trees, yet the light flickered through…

A brunch rustled from across the road, the plants parting to reveal a hurrying boy as he stepped onto the road.

They looked at each other.

"Hello."

Juugo was always polite, even if this man seemed just the opposite.

"Boy," he greeted back, watching in bafflement as Juugo walked towards the building behind.

Kakuzu blinked, thinking as the boy passed him, his face clear to see.

Bold.

Or perhaps. "Wait."

Kakuzu turned to face him, seeing as the boy arrived at the door. "What bounty do you have?" he asked, his voice old and broken. "Speak."

He couldn't be older than 10, yet he was built like the boy's he'd grown up with, like he himself had been.

"You first," rebuffed Juugo, glancing back as he eyed the case. "Kiri?"

…

"Iwa."

Juugo appeared unbothered.

"A-rank," added Kakuzu, hiding his intrigue. "70,000."

It was a high number, as Juugo answered clearly. "Boki Rikumata," he said, opening the door with his hand while Kakuzu demanded proof. "No."

They weren't inside yet, neutral ground as Zangei appeared in the doorway. "Ah, welcome."

He stepped aside, bidding Juugo to enter. "Thanks."

They'd met before, as Juugo headed in, sensing as the man with many hearts hastened to enter.

He argued with Zangei, winning easily as he barged back in, his eyes narrowing on the boy.

"Kakuzu, I must protes-"

Kakuzu walked back to the table where Juugo had stopped, who was currently fiddling with a soggy scrap of paper. He watched the boy hold it between his palms, ignoring Kakuzu who'd arrived at his side.

There was something off about the boy, something hidden as Kakuzu followed the rising water with his eyes, then again as Juugo flicked it away.

"60,000," confirmed Juugo, before placing the seal down on the table. "Release."

Poof.

…

Kakuzu had questions, but willing to wait as Zangei came bustling round. "Excellent work," he praised, checking the body with practiced fingers. "Well preserved too."

Zangei looked at the body's eyes, using his thumb to gently lift the eyelids. "The eyes are good. I'll preserve them."

He hurried away to a cabinet, pulling jars from the shelves as he muttered softly.

Juugo watched him, waiting as the man named Kakuzu did the same. They were both regulars then, content to watch Zangei work. "I've not seen those clouds before," offered Juugo, finding the colour quite striking. "They stand out."

Not the best idea in their line of work.

"Hmph," answered Kakuzu, not appreciating the boy's point. "And what would you know, boy."

Kakuzu had lived a long life, perhaps the longest in the elemental nations. He'd seen it before, what this boy was doing. "Where do you hail? And don't lie, I'll know."

They still did of course, as he heard Juugo hum, far more interested in what Zangei was doing. The eyes were being removed, the first already in its jar while the second followed.

Pluck.

Plop.

Zangei sealed them, smiling as he stowed them once again. He continued still, checking the wound as he opened the jacket with his fingers, carefully cutting down the mesh underneath.

"Same as last time," he chuckled. "You sure get them. Wonderful."

A wound like this was good, with no other damage to the body. "A broken neck would be best, but that's a rare treat."

Zangei wasn't that lucky, as he retrieved a wooden rod, using it to open the wound. "The heart's gone. To be expected."

He leaned over, getting close as his other hand reached for the pliers, before he lowered them down to the cavity.

What he was doing, Juugo didn't know. "Kiri. I was born in Kiri."

It was a strange feeling for Juugo, as Zangei continued to rummage. It was peaceful, as Kakuzu watched him carefully. "I see," he said. "So that's why."

"Mm."

Juugo had never been so relaxed, so calm and at peace around people that truly saw him. They were of no consequence, they didn't know him.

But it was freeing. Juugo could be himself. "May I ask you something," he said, turning to Kakuzu. "Have you ever fought a Jinchuriki?"

This man was strong, not a doubt in Juugo's mind.

He had five hearts, and a body that defied reason. It was a rare opportunity, since there was no other he could ask.

Kakuzu laughed, the sound truly like no other. "You shouldn't," he warned, guessing the boy's motive. "Out of all my opponents, they were always the most difficult."

Except for the First Hokage, and his brother: they were far above him. "I wouldn't advise it. The Fourth is well protected."

Kakuzu could see what the boy had planned, as Juugo looked away. "I'll keep that in mind."

"Good."

Zangei was almost done now, currently feeling Boki's toes with powdered hands. "Apologies. Just a moment."

He seemed to be enjoying himself, as Kakuzu spoke. "When fighting a Jinchuriki," he said, feeling generous with the boy. "You must pressure them immediately. Intimidate them, and force the release of their Biju."

That way, it was only the one you were fighting. "Once they do, they'll usually lose any rational thought. Far easier to deal with."

Powerful they may be, but undirected was far less effective.

"I see," said Juugo quietly, taking note. "I hadn't known that. Thank you."

Kakuzu lazily inclined his head. "A given."

Juugo was a child, if a very clever one as Kakuzu looked to the corpse. "That seal," he said, assuming the boy had made it. "How does it work."

It appeared to be unique, both in size and its combined abilities.

Storage.

Preservation.

Convenience.

It was no cumbersome scroll, but a scrap of paper as he watched Juugo reach behind, rummaging in his pack. "It's a seal I designed for transporting corpses," he explained, fishing the scroll out.

He tore a section.

"It was necessary."

Juugo gestured to himself, a small boy as he stowed the scroll again. "It stores them like any other storage scroll. But also preserves them, and more. Watch."

Kakuzu did, following with his eye as the boy's finger drew the intricate pattern. "You can use a brush too," advised Juugo. "But since it's chakra paper, we can don't need to."

Though, this was another skill in and of itself, which Juugo had learned. "Take a look."

Juugo handed it over, unfazed as he explained the next part. "I also added the explosive array, which allows for remote detonation. Like a Paper Bomb."

There was a tracker too, which only Juugo could use as Kakuzu inspected it, looking at the dark patterns with interest. "Fuinjutsu is a difficult art," he admitted, rubbing his thumb against it. He didn't recognise most of it. "And valuable."

He handed it back, before appearing perplexed when Juugo shook his head. "You can keep it," he said, hearing from behind as Zangei counted the money. "It's reusable too. And works the when activating the Paper Bomb."

Juugo wasn't sure why he was doing this, as Kakuzu withdrew his hand, still grasping the paper.

He should just throw it away, who knew what the boy had really given him.

"60,000."

Zangei proffered the money, holding the small suitcase as Juugo took it. "Thank you."

Juugo actually liked the man, despite his strange interests as he headed for the door, not sparing a glance as he opened it, leaving without issue.

…

Kakuzu turned to Zangei. "Who is he," he demanded. "You've met him before."

"I don't know his name."

Zangei really didn't, as a thread slid from Kakuzu's sleeve. "Then what do you know," rasped Kakuzu. "Start from the beginning."

"He arrived about 6 months ago," hurried Zangei, stepping away. "Early in the morning. The same time he always comes."

"What was his bounty?"

How quickly was he progressing.

"C-Rank," hedged Zangei. "He brought in two more that very day."

"How many," stepped Kakuzu. "How many since then?"

Zangei counted, edging further away as Kakuzu moved with him. "Over 40. Maybe more." He bumped something behind, feeling the pillar as Kakuzu stopped.

He muttered thoughtfully.

"You are to notify me the moment he brings an S-rank bounty."

"Yes," agreed Zangei. "Yes of course."

Kakuzu nodded, grunting as he turned away. He stopped at the door. "If anyone else comes looking for him. Tell them nothing."

Kakuzu stepped out, glimpsing Zangei's nod before the door closed with a quiet click.

…

Something else occurred to him, as Kakuzu walked slowly down the road.

He knew that hair, that skill will seals.

"Uzumaki."

It had been so long.

They were fewer and fewer these days, scattered all across the Elemental Nations. But if there was one place where they'd always be welcome. "He's in Konoha."

Kakuzu smiled, quickening his step as he headed home.

The Akatsuki would be waiting.

AN

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