Chapter 57

134 7 3
By Shogusha


"Looks like Deidara and Sasori succeeded, Yukari. Now it's going to get even more boring—we've been ordered to assemble," Kisame says with a wide grin, lazily resting Samehada on his shoulder.

I glance at him briefly, keeping my expression neutral. "Fine. Let's get this over with," I reply curtly, taking a seat on a nearby rock. My hands form a precise hand sign, and I focus my chakra. In an instant, I feel my projection flow across the distance, manifesting before the massive Gedo Mazō.

The towering, ominous statue looms like a nightmarish behemoth. Its gaping mouths and chains bound to its hands give it a grotesque and unsettling appearance. Deidara and Sasori are already there in their physical forms, while the other members begin to appear one by one as flickering projections.

"Now that everyone is present, let us begin," Pain's monotone yet commanding voice resonates. He stands atop the statue, an imposing figure that brooks no argument.

The members silently take their designated positions, each standing on a finger of the Gedo Mazō. Their projections flicker faintly, the light amplifying the ominous and surreal atmosphere. Kisame, ever at ease, casts a sideways glance at me. "So, Yukari, ever felt this much boredom all at once?"

I don't respond, keeping my gaze fixed on the statue and the powerful waves of chakra emanating from it. Before the ceremony can commence, Pain speaks again.

"Zetsu," he commands with sharp authority, "you will stand guard in your physical form. No one must interrupt this process. We cannot afford any disruptions."

Zetsu's split form nods in unison. "Understood. Leave it to me." His dark grin hints at ominous intentions before he sinks into the ground.

"Tsk, that guy still gives me the creeps," Deidara murmurs, crossing his arms as he turns to Sasori. "Hopefully this tedious procedure doesn't take forever. We've got better things to do, hmm."

"Better things?" Sasori retorts dryly. "You mean making bombs no one but you finds impressive?" His tone is as cold and mocking as ever.

"Tsk, art is never understood by philistines like you," Deidara huffs, throwing a sharp look at Sasori before turning to Pain. "How long will this take?"

"Three days," Pain replies concisely, unfazed by the question. His gaze remains fixed on the Gedo Mazō. "Focus. We begin now."

"Three days," Kisame repeats with a broad grin. "Well, this might actually turn out to be entertaining. Let's see if our sand handler in there can last that long." His laughter echoes through the chamber, but no one else shows even a hint of amusement.

As the other members begin to focus, I let my gaze sweep across the gathering. Hidan mutters something about "boring rituals" and "no proper sacrifices," but Kakuzu silences him with an exasperated glare.

I close my eyes and concentrate on the chakra flow. The energy of the Gedo Mazō pulses powerfully, demanding precision to support the sealing process. The air around us grows heavier with each passing moment, as though the statue itself is devouring the atmosphere.

"Focus," Pain commands, his voice cutting through any distractions. "We are sealing the Ichibi into the Gedo Mazō. Any mistakes will not be tolerated."

The ritual begins. The demonic seals on the Gedo Mazō glow ominously, and I feel my chakra become part of the vast network slowly encasing the Ichibi. The process is underway, and the oppressive aura in the room intensifies.

It's hard to tell how long we've been at it. Time seems to stretch endlessly within the oppressive presence of the Gedo Mazō. The monotonous focus is broken only by the pulsating chakra emanating from the statue, dulling our senses.

Suddenly, Zetsu's unmistakable voice cuts through the silence, unsettling and cold. "An enemy is approaching the hideout. He's not weak. His name is Maito Gai."

At the mention of that name, Kisame lets out a quiet, interested laugh. "Ah, that beast. How nice. I've been hoping to meet him again someday." He rises, almost enthusiastically, Samehada in hand.

Pain regards him calmly, speaking with icy precision. "Very well. I'll use the Shōten no Jutsu. But I'll only use 30 percent of your chakra. Our focus must remain on the sealing."

"Understood," Kisame replies, falling silent as his eyes glaze over while Pain activates the technique. His physical body remains motionless, still engrossed in the illusion of the sealing. Yet I can feel his chakra fragmenting, part of it transferring into another body.

The sealing continues—minutes, hours? I can't tell. The monotonous rhythm of the ritual numbs the senses, until Zetsu's voice once again breaks the silence. This time, it carries a note of unease.

"Another group. More Konoha shinobi are approaching. This time, they're stronger. Among them is Kakashi Hatake."

The mention of his name makes my eyes narrow slightly. Kakashi... A part of me feels a mix of nostalgia and concern, but I push those thoughts aside immediately. Now is not the time.

"Yukari," Pain says finally, his tone leaving no room for argument. "You will handle this. We must not be interrupted. I will use the Shōten no Jutsu on you as well, using only 30 percent of your chakra."

I nod and close my eyes as Pain begins to apply his technique. The body of a deceased Sunagakure ninja takes on my appearance, the pale features of the corpse morphing until it is an uncanny mirror of me. It's an eerie feeling, moving within a foreign body that looks like my own—a testament to Pain's unsettling power.

"A creepy art," I murmur softly, looking down at my "hands," which feel indistinguishable from my own. My real body remains motionless on the stone beside Kisame, still focused on the illusion of the sealing. Yet, within this foreign body, I feel disturbingly alive.

I sense the wind brushing across the fields. The sky is overcast, and the atmosphere feels heavy. A perfect setting to stall for time. I position myself in the middle of an open meadow, the wide space giving me a strategic advantage.

"The Kakashi team should be arriving soon," I think, my gaze sweeping calmly across the area.

Four shinobi appear in front of me, their stances tense and ready for combat. But my eyes fix on Naruto. "Long time no see, Naruto," I say, unable to hide the warmth in my voice. "You've grown so much."

The small, energetic boy from back then is nearly unrecognizable. He's taller than me now, with a confident posture and strength I can sense even before he speaks. It's a bittersweet moment—I'm incredibly happy to see him again after all these years, but I know he views me as an enemy now. My heart grows heavy.

Deep in the forest, I spot Yako, my loyal companion, moving cautiously within the shadows. It seems Zetsu hasn't noticed him. A brief wave of relief washes over me—at least one of my allies is nearby. But because of Pain's jutsu and the illusion of my body, I can't take the risk of communicating with Yako mentally.

Naruto stares at me, his eyes wide with shock. "Sister... Why... Why are you here?" he blurts out suddenly, his voice trembling with emotions that hit me hard.

I smile gently, but the gesture feels weighted. "You've grown into quite the man, little brother," I say quietly. My gaze sweeps over the group. Kakashi stands calm and vigilant as always, while Sakura looks confused—her eyes darting between Naruto and me. The older woman, whom I've never seen before, exudes a strange authority and determination, her eyes fixed on me.

"My task is to stop you," I explain evenly. "We're in the middle of sealing the Ichibi. And now might be a good time for you to come with us, Naruto." My tone is friendly, but inside, a storm rages. Zetsu is undoubtedly observing us, so I can't let anything slip.

"I won't let that happen, Yukari," Kakashi interjects, his voice firm and resolute. He moves into a combat stance, his posture signaling that he's ready to act without hesitation. "I will not let you take Naruto."

He addresses the others. "Stay sharp and avoid her eyes! Her Sharingan is far stronger than mine."

I remain still, my gaze resting on him, the three tomoe of my Sharingan spinning subtly. Even with only 30% of my chakra, I could activate the Mangekyou Sharingan, but I have no intention of seriously harming them—I just need to stall.

As the group huddles to strategize, my eyes return to Naruto. His determined expression, the energy in his stance—he reminds me so much of Minato that it's almost overwhelming. A bittersweet smile forms on my face. "You've really grown strong, Naruto," I think. I'm proud to see him ready to fight, even though I must stand in his way.

Kakashi strikes first, fast and precise. I effortlessly block his attack, but simultaneously send a shadow clone toward Naruto. When I see the Rasengan forming in his hand, I can't suppress a grin. So much like his father, I think.

Naruto's Rasengan hits my clone, which bursts into my Yuen – my signature purple flames that also serve as chakra anchors. Meanwhile, I pull Kakashi into a genjutsu.

In the surreal, distorted world of my genjutsu, I watch his eyes widen slightly before he regains his composure. "Is everything in the village alright, Commander?" I ask quietly, determined to make every second count. "I learned about the plans for the Ichibi too late. By the time Itachi could relay the information, it was already in motion. This isn't my real body. I'm operating with only 30% of my chakra. Don't hold back."

He gives me a brief nod, his gaze steady. I release the genjutsu, ensuring that no one else notices he was caught in it. Kakashi returns to reality, his posture unchanged. But in his eyes, I see that he understood my message.

Naruto continues to stare at me, a mix of anger, pain, and confusion on his face. "Sister... I'm going to bring you back!" he shouts, forming another Rasengan in his hand.

"Naruto! Stand down!" Kakashi's sharp voice cuts through the tense air like a command. His words cause Naruto to hesitate briefly, but his determined eyes remain fixed on me.

Kakashi steps back strategically, but I remain proactive. With a slight gesture of my fingers, I activate the Yuen, sending fine purple flames coursing across the ground. From the fire, I summon several shadow clones, which immediately rush toward Kakashi. "Let's see how you handle this," I murmur as the clones erupt in a sea of purple flames.

The smoke obscures my view, and when it clears, Kakashi is gone. A clever move, as expected. My eyes shift to Sakura and the older woman standing close together. Their stance radiates caution but also resolve. It's clear they're waiting for an opening, likely to support if anyone falls into a genjutsu. They intend to leave this fight to Naruto and Kakashi.

In an instant, I glide forward with fluid precision, appearing directly in front of Sakura and the older woman. "So, you're Naruto and Sasuke's teammate," I say, my Sharingan analyzing their movements. "What are your strengths?"

Both flinch, startled by my speed. I feel a faint tremor beneath my feet and recognize the danger just in time. Kakashi emerges from the ground, his fist aimed directly at my head. I effortlessly sidestep and spin away, only to see Naruto charging toward me with a massive Rasengan.

I could easily evade using my chakra anchors, but I choose to stay still. His progress, his determination – it fills me with pride. With a faint smile, I let his Rasengan hit me. The force sends the body I'm controlling through Pain's jutsu flying, and in an instant, my consciousness snaps back to my original body.

I open my eyes and find myself back on the stone beside Kisame.

"Is the jutsu already undone?" Pain's monotone voice reaches me.

"Yes," I reply curtly, focusing my attention back on the sealing of the Ichibi. "But we should have gained enough time."

Kisame's voice cuts in beside me, a low rumble of amusement in his tone. "You seem happy, Yukari."

A faint smile tugs at my lips. "Yes, it was fun playing with Kakashi and my little brother, the Jinchuriki of the Nine-Tails."

I sense Kisame's scrutinizing gaze, but I give nothing away. The information that Naruto is part of this team would inevitably reach Akatsuki sooner or later. By revealing it myself, I can continue to feign loyalty and conceal my true intentions.

As the sealing process concludes and the illusions of the Akatsuki members begin to fade, the atmosphere remains heavy. The Gedo Mazō now stands still, its ominous presence undiminished, and the Ichibi's chakra is securely sealed within.

Just as I allow myself a moment of relief, Sasori's monotone but piercing voice breaks the silence. "Yukari, how do we identify the Jinchuriki of the Nine-Tails?"

I remain silent, my expression calm, even as I sense Kisame's amused grin directed at me. He knows this question puts me under pressure, but I maintain my composure. The seconds stretch into what feels like minutes until Pain's cold, commanding voice interrupts. "Answer him."

I take a deep breath and respond with a steady, controlled tone. "He has the most energy, is the loudest in the group, and will charge directly at you."

My heart clenches briefly as I utter these words. It hurts to describe Naruto in such a way, but I know this answer will deflect suspicion.

I rise slowly, my limbs stiff from the hours spent in the jutsu. With one final, assessing glance at the Gedo Mazō, I dissolve my projection completely and return fully to reality.

Standing from the stone where I've been seated for the past few days, I look up at the gray sky. The rain has stopped, but the oppressive weight in the air remains.

"Another mission completed," I think, shoving my hands into my pockets as I begin walking. My thoughts are quiet and heavy, like the still, gray clouds overhead.

---------

English:
If you have ideas, suggestions, or other feedback for Yukari, I’ve created a dedicated Instagram profile for it. Feel free to reach out to me there: @shogusha.yukari.

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