~ Location - The leaf village gates ~
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- A few weeks later -
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(Morning)
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{Houzu pov}
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"Go to the gate houzu~ we'll be there in a few minutes houzu~." He said mockingly as the Uzumaki tapped his foot on the ground while having to wait two hours for itachi and his team to arrive for their mission to the fire capital.
"Houzu!" Looking to the bustling street housing many merchants coming and going to and from the village he saw itachi along with his team who he could already see were looking at him with disdain.
Upon seeing him so early itachi grew confused. "Um, what happened to you? And um... Why are you so early?" Itachi asked looking at his red eyes. He could have have sworn they were blue.
"Hm.. Your benevolent sensei told me to meet you all here at 6:00." Houzu said through a fake smile and gritted teeth to which all the children's eyes widen at seeing his black teeth.
"Q-quiet! Our sensei wouldn't do such a thing, demon!" They older boy in itachi's team spat out as the eldest girl grew worried.
She clearly didnt want to piss him off considering if what happened last night was to be believed.
"Actually, I may have given our new temporary teammate old information as a test." An amused voice spoke out.
In a wisp of leaves their sensei appeared and smiled to his three students. As they wandered to Houzu the light in his eyes dulled.
"A true shinobi should always look beneath the underneath. Judging how you stood here all throughout the early morning instead of trying to find us, you clearly failed." The chunin spoke smugly.
Before he could retort the teacher turned his attention back to his team. "Alright everyone, introduce yourselves."
The older girl stepped forward first.
"M-my name is shinko. I hope we can work together." Quickly she stepped back as if he was desease ridden.
Soon the older boy stepped forward only this time with a pitiful display of intimidation.
"My name is Tenma. Don't bother asking for my last name! You won't last long enough out there for it to matter." He spat out with no effort to disguise his obvious disdain.
'You got that right, fodder. Your name doesn't matter.' Houzu thought darkly as the air began to grow more hot an humid unbeknownst to the trio.
"As for me..." the chunin trailed off. "You have no right to know." He smiled with a air of superiority.
'I already know who you all are. I was going to prevent your deaths. But now I'll take pleasure in watching obito kill you.' Houzu sneered inside as 'Yuki minazuka' told them it was time to head out.
'Such an insignificant name..for an insignificant human.'
[Hosts is embracing their curse lineage...]
[Adaption activated...]
[Negative energy intake increased...]
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~ Location - Land of fire ~ ( 24 hours until arrival to the fire capital.)
(Afternoon)
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{Houzu pov}
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'This is ridiculous..' Houzu thought as they all walked along the empty road talking to one another. None but itachi spoke to him of course.
Only constant looks of negativity from both Yuki and Tenma came his way. The sensei and student seemed to have formed a sort of group together as itachi and shinko stayed near me.
The young girl exchanged a few words with him from time to time. Although she always seemed to chicken out during their brief conversations.
He had no idea if it was itachi's doing, but It seemed the poor girl was starting to grow a back bone, little by little. Either way he could care less.
After another few hours of travel Yuki ordered his team to set up camp as the sun began to set for the upcoming nightfall. Even Houzu knew it wasn't wise to travel during the night unless you are confident enough to defend your allies from unsuspecting enemy shinobi. Especially those who specialize in stealth and assassination.
Considering most of the group could barely take on a jonin he was doubtful their sensei had that level of skill. As the group set up their tents and campfire they all noticed he didn't have one strapped to his back.
"Aaw~ what's wrong freak? Forget to bring a tent?" Tenma mocked as he laughed.
Tenma.. you shouldn't be so harsh. It's obvious he's never been outside the village." Shinko spoke hesitantly as she still kept her distance despite her recent attempts to connect.
'Am I really that frightening?' He thought as the two genin argued with one another.
"Houzu.." Looking behind him he saw their sensei looking down at him with his lazy attempt at appearing friendly.
"Assist me at gathering wood for the fire won't you?" He asked as houzu sighed knowing there was an ulterior motive.
As the two wandered further from the camp he could see the cloud of negative energy around the man growing denser and denser.
Once they were a suitable distance the man pinned him against a tree and bore a look of utter loathing.
"Listen very carefully brat. I don't like you. I don't even want you anywhere near my students. Especially itachi, understand?" Yuki seethed as Houzu looked at him dully.
"And what happens if I say no? Kill me? We both know your to weak to accomplish that." Houzu retorted as the chunin gritted his teeth in anger.
With a swift motion Houzu grabbed the man's wrist that was pinning him down and upon making contact it was as if a branding iron was put to the chunin's skin.
"Aaa- mmf!" Before Yuki could fully scream a hand forcefully covered his mouth as he fell on his knees from the pain.
"Shuuu~ keep it down will ya. I'm just branding you." Houzu smiled as Yuki saw his black canines glistening in the moonlight.
"Now... listen very carefully to me, human. You may think your in charge, but your not.
I am." He spoke as he looked into yuki's pained eyes.
"Hell, you should thanking me for not burning that worthless.. what was his name? Oh well, doesn't matter. Just know I have yours and your genin's life's in my hands." Houzu said menacingly as yuki's eyes in fear.
[Name: Yuki Minazuka]
Age - 27
Gender - male
Race - Human
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[Tier: 8-B]
Strength: Class 25
Speed: Subsonic+
Chakra: D
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'Is this the capabilities of a chunin or is this guy just a weakling?' He thought as he saw Yuki cease his futile resistance and nod his head desperately.
Letting go, the chunin quickly backed away in fear as houzu smiled. Suddenly an idea manifested into his mind. A beneficial idea.
"Tell you what.. let's make a deal. I'll stay away from your genin and you stay out of my way and business. What do you say worm?" He peered into the man's gaze as Yuki backed away further as houzu held out his hand while cursed energy began to surround it.
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{Yuki pov}
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For a moment he thought through the pros and cons of the negotiation. On one hand his students would be safe but on the other hand the demon would be on the loose. He'll just have to improvise if he gets out of control. Perhaps the daimyo could listen to his concerns.
Relaxing a bit he reached out his hand to the beasts own and shook it reluctantly in agreement.
"Fine beast... I agree to your terms."
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{Houzu pov}
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[Both recipients have willingly agreed to the contract..]
[Binding vow established.]
Requirements: Niether individuals will take action against the other or their comrades by any means.
[Penalty]: either contractor's power will be permanently reduced by 50%.
'Excellent...it worked.' he thought as a feeling of chains wrapping around their insides could be felt by them both.
"W-what did you just do?" Yuki asked in worry. All houzu could do was laugh as he walked closer to the chunin only to move on passed to the camp.
"We formed a contract. Although.. I refer to calling it a binding vow. The terms are as we discussed and the penalty of breaking that vow is either of our powers being reduced permanently by a 50% margin." He responded as without warning both of them could feel the vows hold and penalty increasing.
"Scratch that, tremendously reduced. By about 75% I believe. It will be bound to us both until we return to the village." Houzu finished as he continued off, leaving the scared and shell shocked shinobi alone in the dark.
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{Yuki pov}
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"I shouldn't have taken that monsters hand. I should have slapped it away and walked off. There's no way I can talk to the daimyo now." He said to himself through trembling lips as he looked off towards the demons retreating back.
Falling to his knees he gripped the grass between his fingers and berated himself further. He was in a damb stalemate. No, not a stalemate, that monster was holding his genin hostage and he didn't know what to do.
He couldn't fight him, he couldn't even touch him. Not if he wanted to lose the strength he gained through two decades of hard work.
He was...powerless.
Like that day the demon destroyed his home, killed so many of his friends and family.
Tears welled up in his eyes as he tried not to sob.
As he was wallowing in his own despair, Itachi could be seen above kneeling on a tree branch shrouded by darkness and branches.
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{Itachi pov}
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The boy would be lying if he said he felt bad for his chunin instructor. But he didn't. The man had been let off easily in his own opinion.
Yuki-sensei had threatened, even attempted to physically harm a genin in his care. In the end he would have to live with the consequences by being bound by this 'vow' his comrade made.
Itachi thought he knew his teacher. He thought he knew tenma. But he was wrong, were people truly filled with so much hate deep inside?
Leaping from his hiding spot he walked to Yuki and looked at him in disappointment. Upon noticing him his sensei's eyes gleamed with hope.
"Itachi? Were you watching us the whole time? Quickly, we need to pack up. If we hurry we ca-"
"No.." hearing itachi's words the man's hopeful demeanor vanished.
"W-what do y-" only to be cut off by itachi once more.
"I can't follow you sensei. I can't even afford to trust you. Not anymore. You always said a shinobi who abandons their comrades are worst than scum. Yet you tried to threaten, beat, and now attempt to leave a comrade to fend for themselves." Itachi spoke, disappointment clear in his voice.
"He's not our comrade! That thing wasn't even suppose to come along! It was suppose to stay inside the village! Where it belongs!" Yuki screamed as itachi's opinion of him decreased even further.
"That 'thing' has a name sensei. It's Houzu...and he is indeed 'my' comrade." he said with a look of utter neutrality as he turned around and left the man to his own devices.
"Once we return home.. I will have to inform the hokage of your actions. If possible, I will be assigned to another team. You are clearly unqualified." Itachi spoke without looking back.
"Unqualified..? Unqualified..! You don't know anything about me you little shit!" Yuki yelled as he charged at itachi with intent to harm. He wasn't foolish enough to kill the clan heads child. Perhaps giving him a few bruised ribs will teach that demon sympathizer.
With a burst of speed he kicked the boy in the back and caused him to slam into a nearby tree. Itachi's eyes widened from the pain and surprise. He hadn't expected Yuki to attack so suddenly.
"Aah!" Itachi grunted in pain as he held his right side.
[Binding vow broken.]
As itachi got to his feet he prepared to defend against another attack from his former sensei, now an enemy. Instead he saw the man screaming in pain and clutching his chest as if he was having a difficult time breathing.
"Well, well, I didn't expect you to break the vow so soon." Houzu said as he came out from his hiding place.
Looking at Yuki's distressed form Itachi grimaced as steam erupted from the grown mans body, eventually he turned his attention to his friend.
"W-whats happening to him?" He asked only to recieve a vague answer from the pale boy.
"Suffering the consequences."
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A/N: it seems team 2 is begging to splinter. Should itachi stay or should he leave?