Chapter 193: The Bikochū Forest
As GrubGrub gracefully descended into the sinkhole, the lush, dense forest known as the Bikochū Forest unfolded beneath Malik and his group. The natural walls surrounding the sinkhole formed a secluded paradise where the scent of moss, fresh water, and blooming wildflowers filled the air. A river, cutting the forest in half, flowed calmly under the canopy of towering trees, its waters shimmering in the dappled sunlight. The forest was alive with the hum of insects—rare beetles, butterflies, and other exotic species flitting between the branches and leaves. Malik, Mara, and Shino landed softly as GrubGrub came to a stop.
Malik stretched his arms out, inhaling the earthy scent of the forest, and nodded at his surroundings. "This place is incredible. But finding those Stone siblings shouldn't be too hard with all this damage."
He pointed at the torn path cutting through the trees—the aftermath of Naruto and Team 8's fight with the Kamizuru Clan. The forest's natural tranquility was disturbed by this scar of broken branches and upturned earth, a testament to the chaos that had taken place here not long ago.
"That's the path Naruto's team carved out when they fought the Kamizuru," Malik said, his voice thoughtful. Shino stayed atop GrubGrub, her eyes scanning the area but clearly indifferent to the fate of the Stone ninja. She seemed to care little whether they lived or died.
Mara, on the other hand, stepped forward silently, always alert, her eyes catching every shift in the forest's shadows. "I'll search the perimeter," she said, her voice low and controlled.
Malik gave a nod of approval, watching her as she vanished into the trees, moving as silently as a shadow, her black hair blending into the darkness of the woods. He began his own search, carefully moving through the underbrush and broken branches.
It wasn't long before Malik found what he was looking for.
Under a massive pile of fallen trees and debris lay Suzumebachi, the middle child and leader of the Kamizuru Clan. Her shoulder-length brown hair was matted with dirt and blood, her steel-grey eyes half-lidded, barely able to register Malik's presence. Her body was twisted unnaturally, most of her bones likely broken under the weight of the collapsed trees.
"Hello, beautiful," Malik said softly, kneeling beside her. He placed a gentle hand on her cheek, feeling the coldness of her skin. She was on the verge of death, her breathing shallow and ragged.
With a practiced motion, Malik activated one of his skills: White Knight Lv.12. A soft glow of golden light appeared around Suzumebachi as he placed a magical mark on her. In an instant, her body vanished from beneath the trees and reappeared in his arms, where Malik began to heal her.
Suzumebachi's body glowed faintly as Malik poured his healing energy into her. Her breathing grew steadier, though she was still unconscious, her body in critical condition. Before he continued, Malik used another skill, Mr. Clean Lv.12, wiping away all the dirt, blood, and grime from her body. Her purple kimono dress, now clean and pristine, shimmered in the fading sunlight.
Mara returned shortly after, dragging the bodies of Suzumebachi's brothers behind her. The eldest, Kurobachi, was unmistakably dead, his body crushed beyond saving. The younger brother, Jibachi, was in critical condition, his body bent at unnatural angles but still alive, barely. His long blond hair was caked with mud, and his small glasses were cracked.
"We found them close by," Mara said in a low voice, her green eyes watching Malik closely. "The older one's gone, but this one's still holding on."
Malik sighed, looking down at the battered body of Jibachi. He placed his hand on the younger brother's chest and channeled his healing magic into him. Jibachi's breathing began to smooth out, and the tension in his broken body seemed to lessen.
Malik glanced over at Kurobachi's lifeless body, feeling a deep sense of regret. No matter how powerful his healing magic was, nothing he did could bring back the dead. He tried using Mr. Clean on Kurobachi's body, but as expected, it had no effect.
A familiar voice whispered in Malik's mind, the voice of Erosa, the Goddess of Lust and Love: "You know better than to try and heal the dead. No magic of yours will work on them."
Mara looked down at the siblings' bodies, her tone dry. "Don't fall in love again, Malik."
Malik chuckled, touching his chest dramatically. "My heart has already skipped a beat. Plus, I'm cursed to fall in love a hundred times. But let's not talk about that now."
He looked at Suzumebachi, then turned to Jibachi, who was now breathing normally. "How's the older one doing?"
Mara shook her head. "He's dead. No bringing him back."
With a deep sigh, Malik reluctantly began the grim task of dragging Kurobachi's body toward the fast-flowing river nearby. Mara helped him as much as she could, but Malik wanted to do this on his own. As he stepped into the river, he felt the water around him slow to a crawl as his magic flared up. The river, which had been rushing before, now flowed gently, almost unnaturally calm.
"I've never brought someone back to life outside my house," Malik muttered, his voice barely above a whisper. "I hope this isn't painful… for him or for me."
Mara stepped back, watching closely from the riverbank. Shino, still on GrubGrub's back, had moved a bit closer but kept her distance, curious yet indifferent to the events unfolding.
Malik carefully lowered Kurobachi's body into the river, letting the cool water rush over it. The river's current began to change color, turning a soft pink and gold as Malik started to chant. His voice was low, the words unintelligible even to Mara and Shino, but the magic in the air was palpable.
For over two hours, Malik worked tirelessly, the pink and gold light intensifying around him as he continued to channel his magic into Kurobachi's lifeless form. Slowly, almost imperceptibly, the eldest Kamizuru's body began to stir. His eyes fluttered open for a brief moment before Malik whispered to him, "Go back to sleep." Kurobachi's eyes closed again, his body going still once more.
Exhausted, Malik dragged Kurobachi's body back to where Suzumebachi and Jibachi were lying. He gently placed the elder brother down beside his siblings, looking over the three of them with a sense of accomplishment, though he was drained from the effort.
Mara and Shino, still sitting on GrubGrub, watched from a distance. The air had grown cooler, and the faint light of dusk was beginning to filter through the forest canopy. GrubGrub transformed into a large, furry creature—something soft and comfortable—providing Mara and Shino with a place to rest.
"Get some sleep," Malik called back to them, though he knew they wouldn't. He turned back to the three siblings, now all alive, though battered and bruised.
Malik sat down beside the Kamizuru siblings, his body weary but his heart at ease. He had given them a second chance, but what they chose to do with it would be up to them. The night was peaceful, the river flowing gently beside him as the stars began to twinkle above.
In the heart of the Bikochū Forest, Malik waited for dawn.
As the sun's first rays broke through the thick canopy of the Bikochū Forest, the light gently caressed Suzumebachi's face. Slowly regaining consciousness, she groggily blinked herself awake. For a few moments, her surroundings blurred in her vision. Her body still ached, and the last thing she remembered was the crushing weight of trees and the sting of defeat.
When her eyes finally focused, the first thing she saw made her question if she was still dreaming. A young boy—no, a short, chubby man with dark brown skin—was cooking in what appeared to be a kitchen set up right in the middle of the forest. A real kitchen, with food sizzling, aromas wafting through the air, and the boy stirring something in a pan.
Her stomach growled loudly, and it startled her. The emptiness of days without food hit her like a wave, and despite herself, Suzumebachi couldn't stop the flush of red that crept across her cheeks. The boy, noticing the sound, looked her way and flashed her a warm, disarming smile.
"Well, hi there," Malik said in a friendly tone. "You hungry? I've got plenty of hot food here, just for you and your brothers."
Suzumebachi, still groggy and wary, hesitated. But her hunger gnawed at her, clouding her thoughts. She wanted to speak, to demand answers, but before she could gather her strength, her younger brother, Jibachi, who had just awakened, wandered over and plopped down in one of the three chairs without hesitation.
"Jibachi!" Suzumebachi hissed in annoyance. But Jibachi, true to form, waved her off as he grabbed a handful of food.
"This... this is the best food I've ever eaten!" Jibachi exclaimed, his voice thick with emotion as he stuffed his face, tears of joy streaming down his cheeks.
Suzumebachi's face flushed deeper with embarrassment. She was always the leader, the one to keep her siblings in line, but Jibachi, as usual, ignored her authority when food was involved.
Her older brother, Kurobachi, stirred next to her, his low voice breaking the awkward moment. "Suzumebachi," he murmured quietly, "if this boy meant to harm us, he would have done so already. Besides..." Kurobachi glanced down at his body, noting the absence of pain. "After that fight, I don't think I survived. I had... dreams. Dreams that felt more real than life."
Suzumebachi's brow furrowed, her mind racing. She had felt the cold grip of death herself. The pain, the darkness—it was all gone now, replaced by... nothing. She looked at Kurobachi and saw the same understanding in his eyes.
Before she could voice her thoughts, her gaze shifted to the boy again. Her younger brother was still inhaling food as though it might disappear at any moment. She wanted to argue, to order them to stop eating and get some answers, but her body betrayed her, and her stomach growled louder. Kurobachi offered her a hand, his expression softening.
"There's no point in staying suspicious," he said gently. "Let's at least eat. Suzumebachi take a look at him, this boy isn't just anyone."
Suzumebachi hesitated, casting a wary glance at the boy once more, but eventually, she accepted her brother's hand and stood. Together, they made their way to the table, taking the remaining two seats.
Malik's smile broadened as they sat down. "There they are!" he said, almost as if he'd been expecting them all along. He placed three plates of hot food in front of them—bread, cooked meat, and a variety of fruits and vegetables. The smell alone made Suzumebachi's resolve waver.
Kurobachi dug in first, making a sound of appreciation that was enough to convince her. As she prepared to take a bite, she glanced up at Malik, her eyes narrowing slightly. "How old are you?" she asked, trying to regain some semblance of control over the situation.
Malik chuckled warmly, his eyes sparkling. "Old enough to fall in love."
Suzumebachi's face turned red again, a mixture of frustration and embarrassment heating her cheeks. Malik's tone was playful, yet there was something about it that unnerved her. His next words didn't help. "Your name, Suzumebachi," he said, with a flirtatious smile, "it means 'sparrow bee,' right? Fitting, for someone with a sting as dangerous as yours."
Before she could react, Malik added, "But I think the name hornet suits you better—dangerous, determined, and with a beauty that demands attention."
Suzumebachi's embarrassment spiked, but her stomach growled again, pulling her back to the immediate matter. She grabbed a piece of bread and took a small bite, and instantly, the flavors exploded in her mouth. It was the best thing she had eaten in... well, she couldn't even remember when. It didn't take long before she was eating heartily, much like her brothers.
Malik stood back, watching them with satisfaction as they devoured the food. Every time their plates emptied, he would refill them without a word. When they needed napkins, he provided them. If their drinks were low, he refilled them with juice and water.
After what felt like an eternity of eating, the Kamizuru siblings finally stopped, leaning back in their chairs, their stomachs full. Suzumebachi wiped her mouth with a napkin, her mind clearer now that her hunger had been sated. She shot Malik a sharp look.
"Why?" she asked, her voice low and dangerous. "Why help us?"
Malik smiled gently and floated a few inches off the ground, his demeanor relaxed. He spun around in the air, stretching his limbs as if preparing for a conversation he had anticipated. "I'll tell you, but first, let's catch up a little." Malik's pink eyes twinkled. "You three aren't wearing your Iwagakure forehead protectors because you're after recognition. You want to restore your clan's honor, don't you?"
Suzumebachi's eyes widened slightly at his knowledge, but she kept her face calm. Kurobachi and Jibachi both remained quiet, watching Malik with suspicion, though their bellies were full.
Malik floated down again and stepped closer. "I know about the fall of your clan after your defeat at the hands of the Aburame clan. I also know that, while members of your clan became Tsuchikage, your bloodline abilities—using bees—were forgotten. The current Tsuchikage, Ōnoki, grew strong without relying on them."
Suzumebachi's face hardened as Malik continued. "He's old. Strong, but stuck in his ways. Maybe he would've let your deaths slide, chalked it up to a failed mission or he might start a war, but I'm here to stop that from happening. I'm here to see if I can... help."
Suzumebachi locked eyes with Malik, her grey eyes narrowing. She was angered by how this boy—this stranger—so casually recounted her clan's shame. "And why should we trust you?" she demanded, her voice low but venomous. "You've told us what we already know, but you still haven't explained what you want from us."
Malik raised his hands defensively, smiling. "I'm just here to make sure things between the Land of Fire and the Land of Stone stay... peaceful. And, maybe, to make a few friends along the way." He winked at her. "Believe me, Suzumebachi, I'm not your enemy. In fact, I'd love to help you restore your clan's honor."
Her brothers exchanged a look, uncertain. Suzumebachi leaned forward, glaring at Malik. "And what makes you think we need your help?"
Malik smiled, his confidence unshakable. "Trust me, you'll want my help."
Jibachi, finishing the last of his juice, wiped his mouth and chimed in, his tone mocking as usual. "What, you think a baker like you can fix what the Tsuchikage couldn't?"
Kurobachi, always the quiet one, finally spoke, his voice measured. "What do you gain from this, Malik?"
Malik shrugged playfully. "Peace of mind, for one. Plus, I've got this terrible curse that makes me fall in love with every beautiful woman I meet." He winked at Suzumebachi, who blushed despite herself. "But more than that, I want to see things... grow."
Jibachi snorted, but Kurobachi remained thoughtful. Malik continued, "Let me help you. Your fight isn't over, and with me on your side, maybe you can bring the honor back to the Kamizuru name."
The siblings exchanged another look. Malik's offer was tempting, and despite the strangeness of the situation, there was something about him—something trustworthy.
Finally, Suzumebachi leaned back in her chair, her arms crossed. "Alright, Malik," she said. "We'll listen. But if you're lying..."
Malik cut her off with a grin. "You can sting me all you like."
The Kamizuru siblings took a moment to rummage through their camp, checking what little they had left. It seemed the Konoha ninja who had bested them either didn't find their camp, didn't care about its contents, or didn't have the time to take anything. Not that there was much worth taking—just the bare essentials they had brought for their mission. The silence was punctuated only by the occasional rustle of leaves and the distant chirping of insects that filled the Bikochū Forest.
Once satisfied, the three siblings regrouped. However, something struck them as odd when they returned to where Malik had been. The makeshift kitchen, which had seemed so out of place in the forest, was now gone. The air where it had been felt almost too clean, as though the kitchen had never existed in the first place. Malik stood alone, his hands behind his back, waiting for them as if nothing unusual had happened.
Jibachi, being the bluntest of the group, crossed his arms and asked, "Did you come here alone, or are there more of you hiding in the shadows?"
Malik simply shrugged, his expression still as calm and unbothered as ever. "Oh, I didn't come alone, no," he replied. "But the people I brought along have already left. Trust me, they didn't really want to go, but they did."
Suzumebachi, her eyes narrowing slightly, studied Malik. His laid-back attitude puzzled her, especially considering that they were in what she considered enemy territory. She couldn't tell if he was reckless, confident, or just incredibly foolish. "You feel safe being alone?" she asked, her voice betraying a hint of suspicion.
Again, Malik shrugged. "Safe enough. Someone will probably come looking for me later, though." He gave a small smile. "But in the meantime, are you going to lead me to the Land of Stone or not?"
Suzumebachi exchanged glances with her brothers. She hesitated for a moment before stepping forward, her arms crossed over her chest. "Bringing you to our village is... dangerous. The Tsuchikage doesn't take kindly to outsiders, especially ones from the Land of Fire."
Malik grinned, his eyes twinkling mischievously. "Oh, I know. But I'm not just some random stranger from the Leaf, you know? I've got shops in the Land of Stone, and I'm no enemy. They know me. Besides..." He paused, flashing a playful smile. "It's cute that you're worried about me."
Suzumebachi's cheeks flushed, though she quickly masked it with a scowl. "I'm not—" She stopped herself and sighed, shaking her head. "You're impossible."
Kurobachi, ever the quiet one, stepped forward. "Let's assume you're telling the truth, and that you won't be killed the moment we step foot in Iwa." His eyes narrowed slightly. "Why are you so eager to go there?"
Malik's expression grew more serious for the first time. "Because if I'm going to help your clan—help you restore your honor—I need to see everything for myself. I need to understand the full picture. And that means going to the source."
Suzumebachi studied him for a moment longer, weighing his words. There was something about Malik that still unnerved her. Maybe it was his unshakable confidence, or maybe it was the fact that he seemed to know far more about them than anyone should. But he had saved their lives. And despite her reservations, her instincts told her that this boy—this man—was someone they could trust, at least for now.
"Fine," she said finally. "But I'm warning you, Malik... if you step out of line in Iwa, it's not just your life that'll be in danger. Ours will be too."
Malik chuckled, giving her a mock salute. "Understood, Captain Hornet."
Suzumebachi's face reddened again at the nickname, but she turned away, refusing to give him the satisfaction of seeing her flustered. "Let's get moving," she muttered. "The sooner we get to Iwa, the better."
Kurobachi and Jibachi both followed after their sister, with Jibachi still finishing off a piece of bread he had stashed in his pocket. Malik walked behind them, his pace leisurely, though his mind was already buzzing with thoughts of what lay ahead. He had always been curious about the Village Hidden in the Stones—its history, its secrets, and now, the possibility of mending the frayed ties between two clans long at odds.
As they trekked through the dense forest, Malik couldn't help but feel a sense of excitement. He was heading toward the unknown, and that was where he thrived. The Kamizuru Clan had potential, and with the right push, they could be great again. But first, they had to get through the next part—facing the Land of Stone and convincing the powers that be that the Kamizuru's legacy wasn't something to be cast aside.
The Village Hidden in the Stones awaited, and with it, a new chapter in Malik's ever-growing list of adventures.