Ep.9 Flashback: The Mighty General Falls?!

Mission

Spoiler:

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Azuki's vision shifted and spun as his eyes scanned the crowd.The sunlight beaming in his face only added to his discomfort.  Labored shallow breaths that cut off every now and again. Like a gag strangling the life out of him. Again she was with someone else, another stealing her away again. What were his hands for, his arms meant to hold. Some concave void within the realm of his spirit and mind as there always .

Disoriented his body weaved through like a phantom, avoiding all eye contact. When he had worked up the courage and wanted to be seen. Finally be heard and get some sense of closure, his reality was shattered again. In all actuality for a second time. Dare he even say a third? How could he lie to even himself some bearer of truth.

It hurt.. It all fucking hurt. His heart was torn apart, it felt shattered and jagged.He questioned,but damn his feelings, damn love,damn everything. Every chance he thought he had was ripped out before he could decide for himself. Closure would bring nothing but demise.


With a flash of speed he was gone. The trip was a blur as he stumbled at the entrance of his shack. It was in a more a secluded part of the village hidden in a dense batch of trees.From forest floors to caves and beaches. It was home, whatever semblance of that he had. His right hand gripped and fumbled with the door trying to force it open. He didn't need to think his foot had already smashed the door. It felt like his flesh was poison with his heart pumping the toxin through his veins."ahh ahh ahh I-" His hands tremor the blurriness overtaking him. Again he lost it again something he had long forgotten.

He clutched his heart it hurt collapsing. "Sto-.. stop it stop stop stop." The shattering of facade, one of strength and solemn peace. He curled on the floor as flashes of jashin returned."Jashin.... please..." He sobbed ready to throw it all away. It was better when he didn't care... consumed by the vile lust of bloodshed to dull his mind.

Romance wasn't a thing, love wasn't a thing. Azuki  was simply  never meant to be loved. "Please take it away make it go away I can't do it anymore . I don't want to feel this I don't want to be a burden." He choked on his own tears. "Dammit!" In a blinding rage he clawed at the dirt floor.  His whining echoed into the woods around him. A sore sight if one were to stumble such a pathetic state.


His fingers attacked the dirt, blood seeping into the ground. Discount tin arms  even rubbed it in his face and paraded her in his arms. Sick gremlin foul tarnished wretch. A fiend beyond comprehension what had he done for her? What did he sacrifice ? Why was everyone else worthy. "Why, why am i why was I never good enough. Can I not make others feel this way.... the way I feel?!"

Azuki lunged and flipped his bed out the side of the house. An essence of him began to ponder the idea all along. It's not like anyone had been interested in him before. No one every had shown him affection.  What else could one do with such utter confusion. The person who he could ,was also the cause of the affliction.


Heavy steps kicking and clearing his path. He reached punched his hands through the ground reaching for the roots of the tree. With all his might he lifted enhancing his strength with pure unbridled rage. His muscles strained and bulged with his breath inhaling. He had learned to use total concentration breathing. The improved lung capacity granting him more power than his space time chakra ever could. He was the weapon, that's all he was. A tool to be used for others. A tool for Jashin, his own desires... what were they?

With a final heave Azuki lifted the entire tree before bashing what was left of his home. "Insolent! Spider armed mutant ass wipe !"
In a blind rage the strings holding together his consciousness faded.  Let it all be consumed his anger, his love, fear, his emotions were tool. If the world was destined on using him then so would he.

After some time Azuki laid collapsed on top what was left of his house. Dried tears and snot he was too tried to wipe away. A pathetic man left in shambles. His hands and nails caked in blood as he heaved blankly. Both broken surely at least his left hand. He'd have to fake the injury somehow or at least cover it up.An image of his master from his fractured mind looked down on him. He stared back without a word gazing into his eyes. His eyes glanced around him as various figured from his past appeared. The villagers who outcast him , the lives he reaped, even those he had saved.

His dilated and refocused  on his parents or what was left of their faces. His last memory was of the flames which burned down his home. The fire that took his parents and made him a wanderer. "He's probably told her too. There would be no avoiding it now. Maybe she would cast me aside too. Look at me those same eyes filled with horror and disgust."  


""I don't want her to hate me for loving her. I didn't even know I could feel that way. Why did she make me feel this way" He croaked his voice raspy and hoarse. "If I share my love it ruins your own life, our bond and friendship at the cost of my closure....but hiding from you is hell in my own right. You don't me anything I know that much. I do... but that doesn't mean I didn't want you any less. Of course i'm wounded. I cared of course I would be wounded shouldn't I? Would you not be mad if I just moved on even a little? At least be offended I want to be seen. You introduced me to the feeling I realize. But I do know that doesn't mean I have to associate it with you any longer. Your peace and joy mean that much to me, you are your own person and I am me. Yet my heart still longs for you regardless. " The sounds of the forest and cool breeze began to calm him.

The storm had passed and a new resolve spurred him. "I only love her because she is the only one I choose to care about. I need to open my heart more to others. Give rise and chances to forge bonds with others. Forcing the brunt of my emotions on her alone as friends is selfish. If she ask me i'll tell her the truth. I'll also tell her I moved on and there is no need to worry. I'll steel resolve and heart and face the unknown of connection and bonds."




In a fit of hysteria he burst into laughter.  "Such a silly boy"  A voice said making Azuki perk up as he darted around. Where was the source he wondered before he felt it. The chakra signature within himself once more free. He propped himself up the pain of his shattered hands was secondary.  He accepted the chakra, his body exploded with an expansive roar of aura. His blood red chakra and all the murderous aura sinking in.

"I hate this more than anything but it's for the best." He stood before receiving a message via communication seals. It seems he was once again called into battle. He trudged forward only turning to look at his destroyed home. His face softened as all of the dread dulled under the urge. The urge to kill and slaughter once more was on the fore front of his mind. Any other nonsense drowned under the weight of his sorrow and misery.

With what he could muster he burned it all. The pile of wood and other things set on fire, turned to ash. Another mental acknowledgement of throwing away what once was. With that he was off racing into the village. It was a known local gang that had traveled to the country. The issue with this gang and why they were able to slip in was a special jutsu. It was a fuinjutsu that forcibly changed the appearance of the user. But it also required the corpse of another to wear their skin.  It was a sick and twisted jutsu but it had one key marker. The seal was known to be placed on the back of the neck.

The issue is now that anyone wearing long clothing or heavy clothing is a subject. But luckily it had a particular signature to it. It was something akin to an altercation of the main signature. Or in other words some form of stain on the signature itself. He had apprehended a few of these members before hand. So luckily he would be able to distinguish their presence with ease. His first location was near the main shopping district. He entered into a near by alley and silently closed his eyes as he waited. He street was small enough for him to check every single chakra nature that flowed through.

A previous safe house was near this area. If unable to track them currently in this heavy flow he would go explore the area near the old safe house. Nothing passed through yet that could truly alarm him. But it was interesting feeling all the chakra natures. He was different now a separate state of being. Having experienced love and joy. Allowing himself to be with that mixed with this bloodlust and rage. He could become a new person , he could experience both. He didn't have to be dead inside. The taste of freedom was still fresh and lingering on his tongue.

His eyes snapped with a demonic ferocity as he sensed the sensation of the mark. It was like a sudden spark in pitch darkness. Azuki spotted the individual who wore the face of a woman. She had seemed to be carrying a picnic basket. Her direction was indeed headed towards the old hideout space. But they had to have realized it might still be potentially guarded?  He wondered if they thought it would be the last place they checked.

He jumped up to the roof tops and tailed them back towards the hideout. He had hoped it was a trap, he needed to let out the seething rage in his heart.He walked along the rooftop watching this so called woman check around her surroundings. He flashed his chakra on purpose to draw their eyes. He then appeared behind them sweeping their feet. His hands were broken but his legs stlll worked. "Talk" His foot shot upward before crashing down with explosive force. 4 people appeared all with the presence of the mark. These were some of the higher ups he was meant to find. "It seems you made it easy for me to find and kill you. I wonder do you have any last words?"

Azuki stepped on the corpse as his deadpan look bore through the 4 of them. "We know who you are Shinoda you bastard. We'll pay you back for killing our boss." They all chuckled as Azuki joined in on the laughter. He let go as he cackled doubled over with nothing but annoying ringing in his head. "You use me Jashin and i'll use you. I'll continue to kill those who hurt others. I swear it. I am Azuki Shinoda. I am loved and I have a home. I am General!" He shouted to the heavens his arms hung at his side. The criminals all stopped there laughter one by one feeling some form of dread.


"I know who I am now I have a purpose. It's clear to me I am not a cursed bastard. I am Kindred spirit. Because now I kill out of a sense of love. To protect everyone in this village. I'm not holding back anymore." Azuki's eyes were tained as if he became another person another man. He became one with the power of Jashin. The lingering black aura and disgusting look on his face. "Once I accept Jashin. I will become a righteous Paladin who purges evil. That is what I will use my powers for. I will be the last thing you see before being dragged down to hell. Try not to scream it'll set me off hahaha AHAH!" Oozing with malice he swallowed and intense amount of air with a final bellow and warcry. "If it bleeds then I can kill it!!"

Azuki swung his leg  creating a 10m shell destroying the ground below them and creating a blast wave. They fell or the bait and all of them escaped to the rooftop. Azuki tailed the slowest one body flickering behind him. With an overarching kick he whipped towards the neck of his target. He connected sending him flying through the air. However the familiar crunch was missing. Soaring through the air his comrades were able to catch him. Landing once more on the rooftop Azuki dodged with instinct. Two diagonal slashes as he ,leaned to his left and right.  He jumped backwards using his knee to attack the attacker's arms. Pushing them he threw a knee to their jaw.

But a whistling sound hurtled through the air. His attention was lapsed for a moment but the true technique was from behind. A powerful gust of wind but he was strong. He kicked the wind apart following through for a low sweep as they all kept up this rooftop assault. Azuki was unable to properly move from his position. The 4 gang members constantly encroached and circled around him. One weapon user but they might all still have kunai and senbon respectively.

"Scared of a man who can't use his hands.Pathetic." One idiot was stupid enough to try and tackle him. "Let's play chicken asshole!" Azuki with pure maniacal laughter jumped backwards of the rooftop. Letting the gang member get close enough he immediately flipped upside down mid air. They all screamed for their comrade but it was too late. Azuki hooked his legs into the man's armpits flipping them upside down. He escorted them into the ground.However he escaped letting them become a plant before rising to his feet.

Azuki was quick to return against the other three. But they tried to make a run for it. How adorable they thought they could run away from him. Azuki promptly chased after them with his superior speed. However his real focus was on defense of the citizens and ninja. They were still weak plus he shouted and demanded orders." The Hoyoku Gang is in active pursuit. Defend the civilians!" He screamed out into the streets below.

Slowly he witnessed as people ran and were escorted to shelter. Fire and wind kept making their way towards Azuki. And anything an everything before him became folly. More and more shinobi joined in pursuit helping to coral these lasting gang members. Azuki sucked in air again as he was using the method he learned. Become lightning become speed overcome your limitations. Azuki squatted low and burst forward with the power of lightning. The three of them turned mid-air to collectively attack him with full power. "Water Style Raging Torrent." A 5m cone of water was formed by three separate streams.

He spun rapidly midair like a torrential top from hell. He snapped and was able to strike all three rats. His eyes had already chosen the area they needed to land. All three landed in different locations but all within the central square. Due to the order he had given it had been cleared up by all of the shinobi around. This was the power of his village system. By making everyone work day on day off schedules and making everyone be required to stay in the village. The security of the Tsukigakure was at 100 percent at all times. Active and non active shinobi alike reared for the garrison.

One by one they were boxed in as Azuki stood in the center. The cheers of the village spurred him on. Junko wasn't the only one who cared about him. All the people he worked with. All of the lives he had saved he had done that. He had done good his whole life. He killed bandits, warlords, and criminals. He saved children, men and women whole towns. He was not and could not determine to have this power or curse. But he could control and determine how it was used. And that was the answer. It had seemed that damn Kurosawa was right.

"I have far too much to lose. This village is the personification of our love and friendship in a wholesome form. And for her. For her I will protect what is precious to both of us and the villagers who trust us. That is what I will do, that is what I defend."

"Cut the shit and get off your high horse!" They screamed at him. Their voices drowning in the cheers of the crowd. Azuki flowed deciding to end this and be quick. This was all so sudden such intense emotions made him feel dramatic. But dramatically he had made leaps and bounds all within the span of a few hours. Does the Mizukage inspire and rally his troops as such?  Azuki couldn't help the growing smirk.

Azuki took step by step as if on a sunday stroll through a park. Every ounce of worry and doubt slipped away. "I don't blame you for being scared." His elbow connected to the jaw of the tallest member. The man lumbered down like a tree to his knees. Azuki looked around as the crowd went wild. "Oi you damn rowdy bastards out there. We are a peaceful village." Azuki appeared behind the 2 other gang members left alive. "But when you poke a hornet's nest things tend to wild huh?!"  

The chant of General was thunderous as Azuki looked between the two victims with a sadistic grin. "Now my cute little criminals." He tapped their cheeks with his broken hands." Are we going to have a duel or an execution."  Azuki had let his guard down or rather someone had slipped his grasp. Looking down he saw the sword that gorged through his chest. The crowd went silent as blood spilled along the ground. "Halt!" He damned with a booming shout that froze even his enemies along with the residents. He forced open his broken and gripped the blade.

He had never been wounded before so majorly. His mind danced around to quantify. The searing flesh and burning throbbed like wildfire. He gripped the sword with all his might as the two under his arms originally froze. Now was not the time for a show of weakness. Azuki pulled the sword through using the momentum to turn and elbow the large man in the face. He walked him down as the man's desperate attempts to take down Azuki were nullified. He weaved and dodged his head as more and more blood seeped. To mitigate the damage  he clenched his abdomens to stile the bleeding. Every move thrown was countered flawlessly with execution.

This was important and necessary. To those who knew and adored him he proved drive and dedication. His overwhelming strength provided a sense of security and awe at his might.  Those who feared him it was a living reminder that he was an unstoppable force."Mercy Mercy!" The man cried as Azuki finished the man off with sharp kicks. "Mercy? For the innocents you killed? The face you stole and wore. The people here whom you terrorize. I here by execute you in the name of peace and for the sake of this village. Let this be a lesson that we may be peaceful village. A peaceful people one dedicated to helping others and the arts." Azuki raised his arms wide as if to encompass all around him. "But we do not idly stand by while others wish to harm us or those who are defenseless.The only Mercy-" He spat at the man cowering beneath him. "Will be a quick death." He forced his broken hands to shape the seals needed. They still had some movement and function. He roared to life with lightning as he raised his leg high.

Once again he activated his iron shell technique. A flash of lightning and an explosion. Billowing smoke rose up into the air as Azuki tore the blade from his stomach. His hands broken, too much blood was lost. He couldn't fall not when he finally resolved himself. He wouldn't burden Junko anymore. She didn't deserve that he was her friend. He would be a pillar and she the beam and together with everyone. They would maintain the village and have it prosper. To do right by all who they would call friend. " I am a Protector, I am blessed to be not cursed. For fate has given me a home. So moe it be."

He did the only thing he could by forcing his hands into a fist. He used the last of strength to raise it high as he slowly faded away. As the smoke finally cleared the aftermath left nothing but ash stains. Three in fact of the enemies who were once there now eviscerated. He sacrificed information this day to send a message. Look at his strength, look at what he could achieve. This was what the Leaders of our Nation could manage. Azuki held back his pained breaths blood leaking from his mouth. He used his storm release to starnch the wound the best he could leaving a nasty burn scar.

Soon after the on duty shinobi and everyone around rushed in to help him. But before that the thunderous cheers rained loud. He was gently brought to the ground as he kept his fist raised. It would be one of the last things he did. "You did it Sir!" "General you fought hard!"  "He took on 4 shinobi all on his own without his weapons!" "He normally fights with weapons?!"  It brought a smile on his face as the stretcher carried him through the crowd. It had seemed he would live for today.

His action had brought positivity despite the brutal nature. Such was the way of the shinobi world. Such was the norm was combat, death and destruction. "Peace...Junko I fo-.." He coughed up blood weakly as the medical ninja advised him to rest. " something to achieve besides your happiness. We share and protect each other's happiness but yours is your own and now I have found mind. You truly are my greatest friend.Please forgive me ... for..." Azuki fainted on the way to the hosptial. With the last reaches of his memory he would use his communication seals. A message to send up the pipe line to the chain of command. "I'm alive." Is all he would convey  now. The last of his strength he quite surely thought  of her.  

She of all people would be the main one concerned. Within the recesses of his mind he floated in darkness. As if lost to the void but he felt calm and at home. "You have done well boy. You rejected your heart all your life. Thus your emotions overwhelmed you all at once like a flooding damn. But yet you opened the gates you embraced it. And now you've even managed to tame your urges. Now are nothing more than a sensation akin to a growing hunger and nothing more." Azuki couldn't help but laugh at it all. How simple it was this entire time. No matter he thought to himself.  "You talk to damn much. Join me." The darkness consumed him yet he was in control.

WC:4000 [Exit]

Claiming Rewards 25% Discount.

Reward :  Ryo   13,000  = 8,000 + 3000(1) + 2000                AP to Ry:  950 x40= 2,000      3000 Bonus

Block S rank 3750 xPower1
Block S rank 1250/5000 Power x2

Azuki Shinoda wrote:WC:4000 [Exit]

Claiming Rewards 25% Discount.

Reward :  Ryo   13,000  = 8,000 + 3000(1) + 2000                AP to Ry:  950 x40= 2,000      3000 Bonus

Block S rank 3750 xPower1
Block S rank 1250/5000 Power x2

Approved!

Note: There exists an minor discrepancy regarding the "AP to Ry[o]" conversion syntax, however, the result is correct. The syntax should read 50 × 40 instead of 950 × 40.