Kukunochi-sama
With blue surrounding them in all directions, salt evident in the air, and the pressure on people's heads, Tazuna & his family sailed with team Taka on the ship 'The Mizuchi'. The sweat dripped from their bodies in the heat, making them want to jump into the ocean to cool off. A bandit ship intercepted them to rub salt in the wound, demanding they hand over their money. Tazuna and team Taka except for Sasuke and Suigetsu were tied to the wooden structures of the ship.
" Hand over all the gold you have or we'll feed you to the sharks. ", The bandits' head said with a confident smile.
" Boss! There is a little kid on the deck. ", One of his subordinates told him.
" Bring that kid here! ", The head called out.
" Get yourself there! ", The subordinate yelled as he pushed Inari toward the head.
" Now, what do we have here? ", The head said as he picked up Inari by the collar.
" Inari!! ", Tsunami cried out for her son.
" Inari! B***ards! Let him go! ", Tazuna yelled at them.
" Be silent, you old-geezer! ", A subordinate yelled at Tazuna as he hit Tazuna in the stomach.
" Please! Let us go! We'll hand over anything we have! ", Tsunami begged them.
" Anything? ", The head asked her.
" Anything!!! ", She answered.
" Then, would you mind giving yourself up? I'd love to have a taste of-", The head asked with the almost disgusting lust he could have but was interrupted by a gust of wind.
*thud*....*thud*
" What is that sound? ", The bandit turned toward the sound to find two of his subordinates on the ground with their heads cut off.
" Ahhhhh!!!! ", The other subordinates screamed in fear.
" You should not have touched that line. ", a voice came from behind him.
" What?!! ", The head turned around to find Sasuke with a sword.
No words were uttered as his head rolled onto the wood surface of the ship. The subordinates were now shaking. Sasuke proceeded to slit their throats, one by one, enjoying each slash. The others of team Taka broke out of the hold with Suigetsu's help and stood with their leader. The battle was over as it had started. As Tazuna and his family were released. Inari rejoiced in an embrace with his mother.
" Sorry I was late. ", Sasuke apologized to them.
" It wasn't your fault that. They attacked us when you were sent underwater to catch fish. ", Tsunami replied with a grateful smile.
" Is he okay? ", Karin asked her.
" He just needs time to get his mind off of this. ", Tsunami replied.
" I feel it is a good time for him to sleep this out. ", Juugo suggested to her.
" Yes. ", She told Juugo, "Come Inari. Let's get you to bed. ", Tsunami told Inari as she walked him to the quarters on the ship.
" How much longer is the sail? ", Sasuke asked Suigetsu.
" Three more days. ", Suigetsu replied to him.
" Good. ", Sasuke commented as he looked far into the naval plane.
The ship anchored itself near the shores of the land of fire. Mostly these areas would be under the supervision of the Daimyo. Ever since the civil uprising in Konoha emerged, these regions were left unsupervised as the personnel here were positioned in Konoha. Sasuke and his team got off first to check for any ambushes. Fortunately, there were none.
Taking the chariot, they traveled to a nearby small village known as Kigakure, the village hidden by the trees. This village is known for its neutral standing and woodwork. The people in this village were livelier than Juugo, who knew this area very much, had expected it to be. Juugo went around meeting and making acquaintances while the others found quarters to rest. It was decided that Karin would stay with Tsunami and Inari while the others have separate rooms. Juugo came back inside the hall after his meet and greet.
" Have you managed to find out something? ", Sasuke asked Juugo.
" The civil uprising in Konoha has destabilized the region so much that Daimyo can't seem to find time and manpower to manage the region. This village did not suffer famine and drought unlike other villages as it had its economy based on the forest. Also, The 'Kukunochi procession' is taking place three days from now. ", Juugo informed him.
" Well then. We replenish our resources and move tomorrow by sunrise. We can't hope to stay here and think that we aren't tracked. ", Sasuke told them.
" No! I want to stay and enjoy this festival!! ", Inari pleaded.
" Eh? ", Sasuke looked at Inari in surprise.
" C'mon Sasuke, there are attractive women here. ", Suigetsu stated, earning a subtle glare from Tsunami.
" I'd like to see what this festival is about. ", Karin added.
" Well, I want to get some rest. ", Tazuna added.
" Since we came all the way here, let us do this. ", Tsunami urged him.
" ....Fine. ", Sasuke said with a sigh.
" Hooray! Arigato, Sasuke-san.. ", Inari jumped at Sasuke and hugged him.
Three days later, on The festival night,
The group was walking through the roads, filled with various shops, offering food and jewelry. It was a peculiar sight, to see Sasuke attend a holy procession festival. Sasuke, even though was a believer of some sort, did not wish to attend these festivals. He would devote even this free time to his training and work. This had earned him both potent reflexes and a stressed mind. Even at that moment, Sasuke was thinking about Gato's elimination and not the festival.
" Sasuke-nii! Sasuke-nii! ", Inari called out to Sasuke.
" What is it? ", Sasuke asked Inari as he came back to reality.
" We have agreed on splitting up and meeting on the shrine. ", Tazuna explained.
" Alright... ", Sasuke replied.
" Well, let's go Juugo, Karin...", Suigetsu said as he dragged them off somewhere.
" Grandpa! Look at that! ", Inari said with excitement as he pointed towards the shops.
" What is it? Let's take a look! ", Tazuna replied with the same excitement as he took him with him.
" They seem to be enjoying themselves. ", Sasuke stated as he noticed that he and Tsunami are behind the duo.
" Yes, they are! ", Tsunami said with a content smile.
" So...How far do you like this? ", Sasuke asked her, trying to make conversation.
" It is very lively and warm and I love this place. Although, I would like to know more about the procession. ", Tsunami replied curiously.
" It is the yearly procession of the deity this village worships. On this night, the deity is said to possess the Oracle, who conveys new messages or rules to the people. It also takes their queries and offers the 'divine solution' as they term it as. ", Sasuke replied.
" Possessed?! ", Tsunami asked shocked.
" Yes...", Sasuke replied nonchalantly.
" You must be familiar with this culture to be talking about it nonchalantly. ", Tsunami commented.
" I've seen possessions up close. ", Sasuke replied.
" Really? That is nice. ", Tsunami commented as they walked forward.
" Dear customer, want to buy some flowers for your beloved? ", A flower shopkeeper asked Sasuke and Tsunami.
" We're not- ", Tsunami started to say with a blush but Sasuke stopped her.
" We'll take them...", Sasuke interjected as he bought some colorful, beautiful flowers and placed them on her hair.
" W-wha-? Thank you! ", Tsunami could only thank him considering the way her heartbeat increased.
" Let us proceed. ", Sasuke pulled her as he walked forward without a glance.
" That was... ", Tsunami started.
" It's better to have a ruse like that. We can't undo the impression we left on them but, we can shape it to our advantage. ", Sasuke explained.
" Oh!... ", Tsunami said a bit disappointed.
" Also....it looks good on you. ", Sasuke complimented.
" Thanks! ", Tsunami replied with a blush adoring her face, enhancing her beauty with the flowers on her head.
They reached the temple in which the deity Kukunochi resided. It was a carving made with legendary silver wood, a rare wooden material said to be indestructible once carved on. The spirit of the deity resides in that carving. A man, as tall as Juugo, stood in front of the deity. He had his face painted in forest colors, multiple shades of green and earth brown.
" Who is that? ", Tsunami asked Sasuke as they stood with the rest of the group.
" That is the Oracle. He is the one chosen by the deity to be possessed and act as a conduit. ", Sasuke explained.
" Hey, hey,....why has he painted himself like that? ", Inari asked Sasuke as he pulled on his sleeves.
" Green and Brown are the colors that are significant to the forest. Hence, the Oracle dawns these colors to signify and respect the deity's presence as they are holy. ", Sasuke replied.
" Heh...It's so amazing! ", Inari commented as he watched the man bow down to the deity.
The calm and serene atmosphere around them changed a sudden influx of energy was felt in the area. The body of the bowed-down Oracle started to move. The Oracle got up, with his eyes expanded and his arms stretched. He howled out a sound that created strong winds in the area.
" W-what is happening? ", Tsunami asked Sasuke with her eyes dilated in surprise.
" The possession is complete. The deity is announcing its arrival with this sound. The divine energy in the sound is causing strong winds. ", Sasuke replied.
" Behold, Kukunochi-sama!!! ", The High priest announced to the people.
" Glory to Kukunochi-sama!!! ", The people chanted as they witnessed the arrival of their revered deity.
" I bow down to your presence, Kukunochi-sama!! ", The high priest stated as he bowed down.
" Your gesture has been accepted, High Priest. Raise our head. ", The deity spoke through the Oracle in a divine voice.
" It is a great honor and pleasure to be blessed with your presence, Kukunochi-sama ", The High priest said as he stood up.
" What troubles my beloved children of the forests? ", The deity asked him.
" The forest-dwelling animals have made it their habit to steal the lives of many in the village. We are not able to find alternative methods of livelihood as the forest is the only one available. The law of not harming the animals laid by yourself, Kukunochi-sama, has started to work against us. Is there any solution to this madness? ", The High priest asked as he explained it to the deity.
" A very valid question. It seems that the law I bestowed upon you for betterment has turned detrimental, my children. ", The deity raised its head up and thought out loud in a trance-like state.
The whole village stood patiently to hear the judgment given by their kami. A few moments passed before the head came down and its expression was as clear as the most beautiful river stream.
" It is decided! You are hereby permitted to hunt the animals that attack the village. But, you must only do so when attacked and must not be involved in provocations. ", The deity laid out its response.
" It shall be done, Kukunochi-sama! ", The high priest stated with conviction and devotion.
" Hahahaha!!!! ", The deity laughed, meaning that it was pleased and happy with the villagers.
The deity looked around with a smile, taking in the faces of its children. Its head stopped moving as its gaze fell on one particular individual. The high priest and the other villagers turned in that direction. The deity was looking at the raven-haired warrior, Sasuke, who kept eye contact with the deity.
" Come!!! ", The deity called out to him.
"...", Sasuke said nothing as he walked over and stood in front of the deity.
" Finally we meet, Sasuke! ", The deity spoke.
" You know about me? ", Sasuke asked surprised.
" The land that you stand on is mine. I will know everything about anyone that stands on it. ", The deity replied with a laugh.
" May I ask for the reason you have called me? ", Sasuke asked the deity.
" The goals that will make you attain victory in your quest. ", The deity said as its eyes went up.
" Goals? ", Sasuke asked before he felt the deity hold him by the shoulders.
The Deity spoke with its deep voice of knowledge:
-> Feel the waves and the leatherback shall cleanse you.
-> Acknowledge your name and the skill shall be born.
-> Infiltrate the dunes and the raccoon shall connect you.
-> Respect your allies and the strength shall be born.
-> Fan the blue flames and the wild cat shall nuzzle you.
-> Embrace your bonds and the valor shall be born.
-> Quill the wind and the fox shall caress you.
-> Slay the Tassels and own the castles.
-> When pushed, go with one.
-> Manefist the land's divine.
" Do these and you shall succeed in your quest. ", The deity ended.
" Wai- ", Sasuke was interrupted by the howl of the deity which stunned him. As the howl does down, the deity was gone, leaving behind an exhausted oracle who had passed out.
' What was that all about? ', Sasuke thought to himself as he kept his eyes on the deity.