Chereads / Despite it All / Chapter 171 - Chapter 171: Things Go Bump in the Night! Pt 5

Chapter 171 - Chapter 171: Things Go Bump in the Night! Pt 5

Sasuke's POV (Northern Mountains of Irminsul - Terra)

Sasuke and Muri walked through the odd encampment, studying their surroundings as they walked to meet with the leader of the bears. The encampment was a massive and roughly assembled structure. The ice wall seemed to be the only complex construction; the rest of it was a mix of beds constructed from the skins of prey, dug pits of water, pits filled with various carcasses of slain prey, and much more profound and by smell less than clean pits. There were roughly a dozen bears in the clan, seventeen in total if Sasuke counted the children as well. While the two guard bears led them further into the encampment, the bears around them seemed to laze around. Some bathed, others feasted on meals, and some even fought. But almost none of them seemed concerned with their presence. They must be arrogant…

As they entered deep within their camp, Sasuke saw what the back half of their camp was used for. A giant, rough-looking table made of ice sat in front of several large campfires to the left, a set of icy cages to the right, and a large throne of ice in the center. Even the chairs seemed made of ice, but the bears seated at the table seemed unbothered. The throne was a massive icey one, the back reaching well above the encampment, and the large armrests were nearly the size of the rest of the bears. It was decorated with various bones of various creatures, seemingly frozen into the throne itself. The bear sat in it, barely fitting it, yet lounged in it so comfortably that there was no question he belonged. Unlike the other bears, his fur was brilliant white, and his moonmark was marked by black fur in an inverse to the rest. Its eyes seemed to shine with blue light, like his own Sharingan at times.

"Is that human and a member of the Okama Clan? My, it's a wonder you didn't slay and eat them yourselves. Are you attempting to court favor with me by bringing a tasty snack? I can sense these things; I am smarter than the average bear." The leader spoke with an almost amused smile.

Sasuke stomped forward before their escorts could speak.

"We are no meal for you. Attempt to eat us, and I can promise you'll pay dearly. I am Sasuke Uchiha, my companion is Muri Okama. We have been searching the land of Terra for our allies and would like to ensure they are not present. Though I will candidly admit, I intend to find out either way."

"The arrogant prey always tastes the best. Guard, would you slay them so we may begin the meal? I, Fullius Moone, shall enjoy the meal!" The bear arrogantly sang as he climbed from his throne.

Sasuke's Sharingan activated with a whirl; he prepared to summon Besmirched Flambe before Muri grew into a giant raccoon form and stood between the two.

"Surely you'd at least hear us out first! We came bearing a gift!" Muri quickly said, his panic evident to all.

"Sir, as much as I would personally enjoy seeing these lesser beings do have an interesting proposal for us." New Moone offered, stopping the tension for now.

"It is quite the surprise, sir, ~!" New Moona agreed. "Worthy of your time~!"

The room went silent as Fullius pondered over the news. "Hmm. Show me this surprise my underlings speak of. You may be spared if it is worthy of my time and attention."

Sasuke felt irritation at his blunt and open consideration of their death. But all the same, they watched as two more bears joined them carrying the still-tied-up Spleen Eater. Fullius gasped in excited shock as the weasel writhed in its restraints.

"You haven't heard word of it yet, but your sworn enemies, the Bloodthirster Clan, suffered an attack that cost them their leader. That was the work of Muri and I here; after clearing their home, we escaped with their leader. I figured a man in a war, like yourself, may appreciate such a thing. You also likely appreciate that nothing in this world is free. In exchange for Spleen Feaster here, the leader of your rivals, I'd like to ensure my allies are not being kept or slain here. As well as your word that you will not attempt to harm us."

"As well as lodging for the night!" Muri added, bowing, trying to force Sasuke to bow. However, Sasuke would not bow, and he and the leader were locked into a staring contest.

"I must admit that is quite the gift indeed… The Bloodthirster Clan has killed many of my men and troubled the Crescent Moon Bear Clan for years now. Without their savage contention, we would've already gained control of these mountains. So, a part of me feels that a favor would only be fair. However…" Fullius mused as he lazed back into his throne. "Doing business would suggest we're EQUALS! FROST BREATH!" The king roared before spitting out a jet beam of ice; Muri barely scurried away; however, Sasuke was caught off guard and hit directly. As soon as the blast touched the Uchiha, his entire body quickly became ice-cased. As well as the space behind him.

"SASUKE!" Muri cried in fear. The bears around them cheered at their master smiting the human. However, the mix of despair and joy was broken, as it sounded like the reality around them had shattered.

It must have seemed as if they had blinked to them, and suddenly, Sasuke was no longer frozen. Instead,. Instead, he was now standing in the lap of Fullius Besmirched Flambe, who pointed at his neck. Genjutsu wasn't his preferred method of combat, but here it would serve well.

"That would suggest that we are equals. And just as you were suggesting, such is not true. I am much more of a threat to you than you are to me. In the second it took you to use your ice technique, I managed to trap you all in an illusion and come close enough to assassinate you. So we can do this violently, or you can recognize that I'm cutting you a break." Sasuke recited with dark malice.

However, Fullius barely flinched; he laughed merrily even as Sasuke threatened his life. "We of the Moone Clan are a sort that prefer to live as we please. We eat both the fruits of the world and the meat of those around us. However, for those who have proven themselves, we treat them as dear friends. I agree to your terms. Moone and Moona will escort you around our encampment until you're confident your allies are not here. Once that has been completed, you will join us for dinner, and I will have a cot made for the two of you. Acceptable Human Sasuke Uchiha?"

He thought it over for a few seconds before Sasuke nodded, backflipped off the bear's lap and landed next to Muri. "However, first we must deal with our last and most important guest…"

"I curse your Clan of foolish giants!" Spleen Feaster spat as the two bears dragged him over to one of the ice cages Sasuke had noticed before. "I have feasted on the meat, organs, and bones of countless of your clanmates! I enjoyed watching them die in grim glory!" The much larger bears quickly forced him into the ice cage despite his writhing and struggling. As they did so, Fullius roared, an apparent signal that summoned the rest of the clan. They watched with joy as the icy cage was carried over to a large fire pit in front of the table and between the throne. An ice pole was erected in the center of the flames, and the cage was attached to the top of it, hanging the cursing and raving Spleen Feaster above the roar flames.