Chapter 162: On Your Mark
Malik hovered high above the trees, riding GrubGrub in its sleek, bird-like form. The wind rustled through the leaves below, but the ninja moving swiftly on the ground beneath him made no noise. Their steps were silent, their movements fluid. Malik's invisibility magic kept him hidden, but it was his connection to Tayuya that allowed him to keep up with their stealthy movements.
"Of course ninjas are good at stealth," Malik muttered under his breath, a small smile tugging at the corner of his lips.
As The Sound Four led Sasuke to the village's outskirts, Malik's heart skipped a beat. A sudden, overwhelming pull in his chest told him there were more connections ahead, bright and strong. Two more figures emerged from the shadows as they approached the village's edge, and Malik's pulse quickened. Even before his eyes could confirm it, he felt them — Kin Tsuchi and Kimimaro.
They stood in the clearing, accompanied by two other familiar faces — Dosu Kinuta and Zaku Abumi. Their presence was a stark reminder of the past, of the ties Malik had to Orochimaru's domain. Dosu's hunched form and bandaged face hid his calculating mind, while Zaku, always brimming with confidence, stood tall and ready for battle. But it was Kin and Kimimaro who truly held Malik's attention.
Kin Tsuchi stood poised, her dark hair tied back in twin pigtails, and her sharp brown eyes locked onto the trees. She looked stunning in a sleek purple outfit that accentuated her curves. Despite the combat-ready look, Malik could sense the warmth of their connection. Her senbon needles gleamed in the dim light, ready to act at a moment's notice, but her gaze softened slightly when she felt his presence.
Then there was Kimimaro, the most graceful of them all, with her pale skin and flowing white hair. Her striking green eyes scanned the surroundings, and even though Malik remained invisible, he could feel her focus narrowing in on him. Kimimaro's calm, disciplined demeanor never wavered, yet Malik knew the depth of her loyalty ran far deeper than her ties to Orochimaru.
This is going to be very interesting indeed, Malik thought to himself, his heart thrumming with anticipation.
As Sasuke and the Sound Four neared the newly arrived group, the tension in the air thickened. Malik's presence, though unseen, was unmistakably felt by Kin and Kimimaro. They exchanged glances, their eyes betraying a mixture of surprise and something warmer.
Before anything could be said, Malik made his entrance. He descended gracefully from the sky, still invisible, until his feet touched the ground with barely a whisper. Slowly, the magic shimmered away, revealing him to all those gathered. The quiet rustling of leaves and the distant chirping of night creatures was the only sound as everyone stared at the figure who had just appeared.
The Sound Four exchanged uncertain glances, Sakon and Ukon remaining still, their expressions unreadable. Jirōbō shifted slightly, his massive frame tensing, while Kidōmaru cocked an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. Tayuya, however, crossed her arms and huffed, her annoyance as clear as ever. Yet behind her sharp gaze, Malik caught a flicker of something softer.
"That's a little much, don't you think?" Malik said casually, breaking the silence with his usual nonchalance. He gestured toward the assembled ninjas before stepping toward Sasuke, who barely acknowledged his presence. "I mean, I get it. Orochimaru wants Sasuke for… well, God knows what. But sending nine of you?"
Kimimaro, her expression stoic and mission-focused, stepped forward. "If Lord Orochimaru wants something done, then it will be done," she said, her voice cool and unwavering, her green eyes locked onto Malik.
Malik chuckled softly, not particularly surprised by her response. His eyes drifted over each of them — Sasuke excluded because, well, he didn't care. Malik saw their resolve, their determination, but there was something else too. He knew them well enough to understand that their loyalty to Orochimaru came with its complexities.
"Orochimaru sending the Sound Four? Sure, that's expected. Kimimaro leading? Absolutely, you're the strongest of them. But sending Team Dosu too?" Malik smirked, folding his arms. "Especially considering how much stronger you all are compared to the last time we met. You've really been leveling up, huh?"
Malik's eyes gleamed as he made a joke, glancing around theatrically. "Wait, is Kabuto hiding somewhere too? Maybe waiting to give Sasuke a little pep talk?" He mockingly looked around, pretending to search for Orochimaru's silver-haired lieutenant, earning a few chuckles from the group.
As Malik walked over to Dosu Kinuta, he studied the bandaged figure, noticing how his aura had grown darker and more intense. "Dosu, you've really honed your skills since the last time, haven't you?" Malik nodded approvingly. "Still rocking that poncho too."
Dosu, though usually expressionless behind his bandages, offered a small grunt of acknowledgment.
Next was Zaku Abumi, whose cocky smirk hadn't changed, though his chakra felt sharper, more refined. "Zaku," Malik mused. "Still as confident as ever, I see. Gotten better with those sound waves of yours, huh?"
Zaku chuckled. "You bet I have."
Then, Malik's gaze turned to Kin Tsuchi. As he looked at her, she did her best to stay in mission mode, her face set in a determined frown. But the moment their eyes met, her resolve faltered, and she had to look away, her cheeks turning a light shade of pink. Malik smirked, noting the blush but choosing not to comment on it directly — yet.
Tayuya, who had been watching this exchange with increasing annoyance, finally snapped. "Why don't you just fly off already, Malik? You're getting in the way."
Malik laughed, raising his hands in mock surrender. "Ah, Tayuya. Ever the blunt, sharp-tongued beauty. Don't ever change, okay?" His tone softened with affection. "You know, I love that about you."
Jirōbō and Kidōmaru exchanged glances, clearly expecting Tayuya to smack him or hurl a string of profanities his way. But instead, to their surprise, her sharp gaze softened for just a moment. She crossed her arms tighter, muttering, "You're not coming with us, anyway. That's final."
Malik raised an eyebrow, grinning playfully. "Oh, really? Maybe I can change your mind."
Before Malik could lean in any closer, Kimimaro's cool voice cut through the air. "You are not permitted to follow us. Those are Lord Orochimaru's orders."
Malik sighed theatrically, stepping back. "I wasn't really planning on it," he admitted with a shrug. "But, since we're all here, how about a kiss from each of the lovely ladies before you go?"
He turned to Kin first. Despite her best efforts to remain composed, she blushed again as Malik gently took her hand and leaned in. Their lips met briefly, and when they parted, Kin had to look away, her face burning.
Next was Tayuya. She scoffed and tried to look annoyed, but when Malik leaned in for a kiss, she didn't push him away. In fact, she leaned in too, though she quickly turned her head afterward, pretending to be indifferent.
Finally, Malik approached Kimimaro. Her expression remained calm, but there was something tender in the way she returned his kiss, a brief but meaningful moment shared between them.
When it was over, Malik stepped back and addressed them all. "You know the Hidden Leaf won't just let you walk out of here with Sasuke, right?"
A dangerous flicker crossed their eyes, and Malik felt the sharp surge of bloodlust ripple through the group.
"Oh," Malik said softly, realization dawning on him. "You want them to come after you. You're inviting a fight."
The air grew thicker with tension. Malik glanced at Sasuke, who remained silent, his eyes fixed on the ground, his mind already made up. Malik sighed inwardly, knowing there was little more he could do. He made a mental note to prepare the incoming Leaf shinobi for what was to come.
And with that, Malik watched as the group began to fade into the night, their figures disappearing into the darkness, leaving him alone beneath the tree's branches, the weight of their choices heavy in the air.