Arc VIII Chapter 12

    VIII

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    Arc VIII Chapter 12

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    Rain haunted Amegakure once again, a common sight. The sun was a rare guest above the dark skies of Amegakure. The light never arrived, no matter how much the people of Ame craved warmth. The clouds above Ame darkened, and rain poured down on the earth without mercy. Water, water, never ending masses of water. The weather was ghastly, as usual.

    Pain summoned her, and Asami found herself at the receiving end of his angry stare. Mighty Pain-sama was angry with her, and he demanded an explanation.

    “...” Asami tilted her head. Pain and the soulless stare of his Rinnegan didn''t affect her. She wouldn''t budge easily. She wasn''t his lapdog. Because even the alleged omnipotence of a god had its limits. His power were not unlimited.

    His eyes didn''t betray any trace of emotion. Cold, hard, unforgiving, unfeeling, they bored into her. Pain ruled the village through fear rather than through genuine authority. He was acknowledged as the undisputed leader of the village. He was feared. He was in a certain sense respected. He was even revered, but he wasn''t loved. Despite all his power, Pain''s grip on Amegakure was weak.

    Pain ruled the village from the shadows, but his influence was modest, at best. He failed to assert control over Amegakure, to establish a proper administration, to access its resources.

    “...” Pain''s narrowed his eyes. He lectured her. “Asami, do you realise what you have done?”

    ...

    ...

    ...

    Asami shook her head. “Not really.”

    “...” Pain glared, his divine patience tested. “I was informed that you not only burned down the castle, but also killed our client.”

    “...” Tobi shrugged his shoulders.

    Asami poked the petrified girl, but Yuki avoided her gaze, intimated by Pain''s aura. “Pain is ... scary.”

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    “What are your thoughts about our most recent addition?” Pain faced Tobi, but it wasn''t Tobi he needed. He desired to speak with someone else.

    Tobi was thinking. “Tobi thinks ...”

    Pain suppressed his annoyance. “You misunderstand, Tobi. I want to speak with Madara.”

    “I see.” Tobi grinned behind his mask, his voice turning cold. He chuckled. “Asami ... is a peculiar girl, an interesting piece on our board I never thought possible. A capable kunoichi, far exceeding my expectations. Perhaps even stronger than you? I didn''t miss your little show of force. You were trying to intimidate her, weren''t you?”

    “...” Pain responded with silence and schooled glare. He disapproved of his choice of words. Not that Tobi would care.

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    Tsunade stood on the balcony, far above the ground, overlooking the vast and prospering village of Konoha. The village was now hers to lead. It was her duty to guide Konoha through good and bad times. Tsunade clenched her fist. “Starting from today, the village is my responsibility. I am the Fifth Hokage.”

    Homura, councillor and one of Konoha''s elders, mused from behind, “I am honestly amazed that you were able to persuade her, Jiraiya. I didn''t think such was possible.”

    Jiraiya broke out in loud laughter. “Gyahahaha, obviously, such a handsome devil as myself can persuade any woman with his charms.”

    “...” Koharu, fellow councillor, joined the discussion. “Matters of charm aside, we must inform the daimyo and lords abut the inauguration of a new Hokage. Genma, Aoba, you in the meanwhile announce the news to the village. A new era has begun for Konoha.”

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