Chapter 36: Hasumi Maki
Something out there, perhaps the will of the world itself, couldn't bear to let a soul as vibrant as Renji's fade so easily. It had granted him a second chance, pulling him back from the brink of death. Renji pressed a hand to his chest, his heterochromatic eyes wide with feigned confusion. "How… how am I even alive?" he asked, his voice trembling just enough to sell the act of a bewildered survivor.
Elder Shima and Elder Fukasaku exchanged puzzled looks, their weathered faces creased with uncertainty. "We don't have an answer for that, child," Shima said softly, her tone tinged with wonder.
"It's the first time we've seen anything like this," Fukasaku added, his voice equally mystified. "Your heart was pierced through, yet it healed on its own."
Jiraiya, his face etched with exhaustion from the day's brutal battle, rubbed his temple wearily. "It's probably tied to your Kekkei Genkai (Bloodline Limit)," he ventured, his voice rough but thoughtful. "Something unique about your soul's resilience, maybe."
Renji nodded slowly, his expression a perfect mask of shock and gratitude, though inwardly he was grinning. Keep them guessing. The mystery's half the performance.
The sage toads, drained from their summoning and the fight, shared a brief word with Jiraiya before vanishing in a puff of smoke, their reverse summoning leaving the air still. Renji hoisted the unconscious Naruto and Sasuke over his shoulders, carrying them back to the inn with careful, deliberate steps, playing the role of a grief-stricken comrade.
"What's wrong with Naruto?" Renji asked, his voice low and steady as he gently laid the boys on their beds, his eyes flicking to Jiraiya for answers.
Jiraiya's expression darkened as he explained Naruto's critical condition—his bones shattered, his body torn to shreds, the Nine-Tails' chakra having ravaged his body to the edge of ruin. "Our only hope now is finding Tsunade," he said, his tone resolute despite the weight of his own injuries. "She's the only one who can save him."
That night, Renji lay on his narrow bed in the inn's dim room, the faint creak of the wooden floor mingling with the soft breathing of Naruto and Sasuke. His gaze lingered on their still forms, his face a convincing portrait of worry, though his mind buzzed with plans. The day's performance had been a triumph, but the stage was still set for more.
Jiraiya, noticing Renji's restless demeanor, broke the silence. "That ninja today—the one who looked just like you. Why did he keep calling you 'brother'?" His voice was gentle but probing, his eyes searching Renji's face for the truth. After everything he'd witnessed, Jiraiya trusted Renji's heart, but questions demanded answers.
Renji's lips curved into a faint, practiced smile as he spun his lie with seamless ease. "He's my brother, Hasumi Maki," he said, his voice steady despite the bold fabrication.
Jiraiya didn't flinch, accepting the explanation without doubt. The resemblance was too striking to be anything but familial, and Renji's actions that day had proven his loyalty. "Go on," he urged, his tone soft but attentive.
Renji sighed, weaving his tale with a mix of sorrow and resignation. "I thought he was dead. In our village, identical brothers were seen as a bad omen—a curse. Maki always believed I was the extra one, the one who shouldn't exist. He thought he was the only one meant to live."
He paused for effect, letting the weight of his words sink in. "After our parents died, he stopped pretending. He came after me, no holds barred. I escaped and ran into Lord Danzo, who took me into ROOT. I hadn't seen Maki in years—thought he'd died somewhere quiet, out of my life for good."
Renji's voice softened, as if the memories were painful. "I thought my Kekkei Genkai awakened by chance, since our parents weren't shinobi. But today… I found out he has it too. And he's still after me, just like before."
Jiraiya nodded, his expression softening with understanding. It all made sense—Renji's skill, his ties to ROOT, his unshakable goodness despite Danzo's shadow. But one question gnawed at him. "How did he learn the Flying Thunder God Technique?" Jiraiya asked, his voice sharpening. "It's a forbidden jutsu, guarded by Konoha. Could Orochimaru be involved? He studied the forbidden scrolls years ago."
Renji shrugged, his face a perfect mask of innocence. "I don't know. But if he finds out I'm alive, he'll come for me again." His voice cracked just enough to sell the emotion, and after a heavy pause, he added, "It's all my fault. Maki only wanted me dead. If I hadn't been here, Naruto wouldn't be hurt, and you wouldn't be injured, Lord Jiraiya."
In the dim light, Jiraiya caught the glint of tears in Renji's eyes—or so he believed. The boy's voice trembled with guilt, and Jiraiya's heart softened. 'I'm more used to you and Naruto calling me Ero-sennin,' he thought wistfully. Aloud, he said, "It's not your fault, Renji."
Renji sniffled, wiping his eyes with a dramatic flourish. "Ero-sennin, I swear I'll find Lady Tsunade. I'll make her heal Naruto, no matter what it takes!"
Jiraiya grunted, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "Yeah, I believe you." For the first time in years, he felt the same trust he'd once placed in Minato—a belief that this boy could carry Konoha's future, despite the shadows of his past.
---
Meanwhile, as the sun dipped below the horizon on the outskirts of Konoha, painting the sky in hues of orange and purple, a figure stepped out from a small shop, a skewer of mitarashi dango in hand. Hasumi Maki, the so-called "older brother," chewed leisurely, his braid swaying as he flashed a cheeky grin at the two Akatsuki members before him.
"What a coincidence! You're here too!" he chirped, his voice brimming with mock surprise.
[Ding!]
[Human Malice Value detected: +2,000!]
[Cursed Energy converted to Chakra: +2,000!]
[Chakra (10,319,140 / 100,000,000)]
Maki's eyes sparkled with amusement. 'What did I do this time?' he wondered, savoring the sweet dango. The system didn't reveal whether the malice came from Itachi's icy stoicism or Kisame's predatory grin, but the extra chakra was a welcome bonus.
Kisame gripped Samehada tightly, its scales rasping as he bared his shark-like teeth. "Not a coincidence," he growled. "You followed us. Why?"
Maki tilted his head, popping another dango into his mouth as he stroked his braid casually. "You guys with Akatsuki, right?" he asked, his tone light but probing.
Kisame's grin widened, but he didn't answer. Itachi's expression remained a cold, unreadable mask, his Sharingan glinting faintly in the twilight.
"Don't be so uptight!" Maki laughed, stepping forward to clap both men on the shoulders. His fingers moved with subtle precision, planting Flying Thunder God Marks on their cloaks as he continued, "I'm job-hunting, you know. How's the pay at Akatsuki? Decent benefits? If it's good, I'm in!"
[Ding!]
[Human Malice Value detected: +2,000!]
[Cursed Energy converted to Chakra: +2,000!]
[Chakra (10,321,140 / 100,000,000)]
'These two are like chakra vending machines,' Maki thought, grinning inwardly. The system's lack of source identification was a minor inconvenience, but the steady trickle of points kept him entertained.
Kisame's grin turned dangerous, his grip on Samehada tightening. "That depends on whether you survive long enough to join," he said, his voice dripping with menace beneath its playful edge.
Maki nodded, unfazed, as if mulling over a job offer. "If guys like you can get in, I'm probably overqualified, right?" He paused, then flashed an apologetic smile. "No offense, I just call it like I see it!"
[Ding!]
[Human Malice Value detected: +2,000!]
[Cursed Energy converted to Chakra: +2,000!]
[Chakra (10,323,140 / 100,000,000)]
Maki's grin widened. That one was likely Kisame—his ego seemed the easier target. Time to poke the quiet one. He leaned closer to Itachi, his tone conspiratorial. "Hey, buddy, you got little brother problems too?"
[Ding!]
[Human Malice Value detected: +500!]
[Cursed Energy converted to Chakra: +500!]
[Chakra (10,323,640 / 100,000,000)]
Maki's eyes gleamed. Itachi's stingy with the malice, huh? Figures. The jab had landed, but the Uchiha's output was weaker than Kisame's. Undeterred, Maki pressed on, his voice dripping with mock camaraderie. "Your approach to your brother? Total amateur hour. Learn from me—first, you crush their spirit, then let them destroy themselves. That's the pro move!"
Itachi's gaze remained unreadable, but Maki wasn't finished. "Once I'm in Akatsuki, we'll be pals. That brother you want gone? Same as mine. I'll take care of it—complete mental and physical breakdown, guaranteed. I'm not some frail guy like you; I've got strength and style!" He winked at Itachi, his expression practically shouting, Trust me, I'm your guy.
[Ding!]
[Human Malice Value detected: +10,000!]
[Cursed Energy converted to Chakra: +10,000!]
[Chakra (10,333,640 / 100,000,000)]
Maki nearly laughed aloud. That big hit had to be Itachi—his calm facade had cracked just enough to unleash a flood of malice. Turning to Kisame, Maki raised an eyebrow, his tone brimming with confidence. "Got anyone you want dead? I'm your man. Top-notch efficiency, zero bad reviews. Usually, I take out the target and the client, then pocket all the cash. Best deal, right?"
Kisame's sharp grin widened, a glint of intrigue in his eyes. This kid was a walking catastrophe—maybe bringing him to Akatsuki would make up for failing to capture the Nine-Tails. But trust was a rare currency. "Joining us is fine," Kisame said, his voice low and dangerous, "but you'll need to explain why you're here and what you want. If your answers don't cut it, you're dead. Still want in?"
Maki's grin was all teeth, his eyes sparkling with mischief. "Deal!"
----
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