Chapter 263: Kisame Hoshigaki
"That voice…" Kisame Hoshigaki turned his head towards Deidara and spoke with his distinctive voice, "It's really you, Deidara."
With his deep blue hair spiked high, and three gill-like slashes beneath his eyes, his gaze resembled that of a ferocious shark ready to devour.
"So, this is the afterlife?" Kisame placed the sword, Samehada, on his back. "I didn't expect to meet you here… Is Mr. Itachi here as well?"
"No," Deidara shrugged, "If he were here, I'd kill him."
Kisame mocked, "Is that so? By the way, I guess you really did die from your own explosion."
Deidara clenched his right fist in anger and said, "Damn it, my explosion truly did kill Uchiha Sasuke! Hmph."
"No, after your big explosion, Sasuke was still alive and kicking."
"…." Deidara didn't continue with any aggressive actions, instead glancing at Eric with his right eye, 'Sasuke didn't die, he wasn't lying about that, so it seems the other things he said are also true.'
"Oh? That's a little different from your usual self." Kisame scanned the others present, the muscles in his body slowly tensing, "If it were before, you'd have already shouted, 'My art is unrivaled!' right?"
"Ah, I already know Sasuke didn't die, so I asked again. Hmm."
"So, where is this place?" Kisame had taken note of his surroundings, "This doesn't seem like the underworld; at least, the scenery here doesn't match."
"Kisame Hoshigaki, I'm sure you're very aware—" Eric began, still observing Kisame's attributes:
[Name: Kisame Hoshigaki]
[Age: 33]
[Physique: 7.5 stars]
[Ninjutsu: 7 stars]
[Swordsmanship: 7.5 stars]
[Chakra: 8 stars]
[Armament Haki: 0]
[Observation Haki: 5 stars]
[Bond Level: 1 (Casual Friend)]
[Weapon: Great Sword · Samehada (Can absorb the enemy's stamina to replenish itself)]
[Skills: Ninjutsu · Water Style (Too many to list)]
[Overall Combat Power: 6.5 stars]
[Notes: Formerly of the Hidden Mist Village, one of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen, skilled in Water Style and the use of Samehada, with immense chakra. After being defeated by Might Guy, he committed suicide.]
"Oh… You can revive the dead, that's quite a powerful ability—did Deidara also come back to life thanks to your ability?"
"Yes, so, what do you plan to do now, Kisame?" Eric asked calmly, still looking at Kisame.
"What do I plan to do…" Kisame lowered his head, looking at his hands, "I'm not sure. This world might not even be real. What is my goal? Where should I stand, and where should I go?"
"...At least, I won't let you kill your own comrades."
"Huh? It seems like you know my past well?"
"Yes, to complete countless vile missions for the country and village, you've betrayed many times to finish your tasks, you truly are a real ninja…"
Upon hearing Eric 's words, both Akame and Kurome, who had also been part of assassination squads, could empathize.
Even Deidara, who knew nothing about Kisame's past within the Akame, pondered on it.
"Oh? Did those two little girls also do the same things?" Kisame saw through their expressions, "You actually had two young girls do such cruel things…"
"No, Eric would never make us do anything we didn't want to do," Akame interrupted Kisame.
"That's right, Brother-in-law is very gentle!" Kurome added from the side.
"Gentle, huh…" Kisame muttered, "Mr. Eric , since you revived me, you must need me for something, right?"
"Yes," Eric nodded, "I want you to become my comrade."
"Comrade? Heh… Hahaha…!" First, a low laugh echoed in his throat, then came loud laughter, and tears even started to form in Kisame's round eyes.
"You should know, I've killed many of my own comrades to complete missions. Do you still trust someone like me?!"
"I actually trust your character quite a bit… In the Akame, I think you're the only one who genuinely fought for a real world without lies, even sacrificing your own life to protect critical information."
"…What are you talking about?"
"Your partner, Uchiha Itachi, was a spy planted in the Akame by Konoha. Kakuzu was in it for money, and Hidan was just a killer…" Eric raised the most important question: "By the way, do you know the real identity of Tobi?"
"…" Kisame fell silent.
"Eric -senpai actually said Tobi is the mastermind behind the Akame—Uchiha Madara…" Deidara started the conversation and spilled the information Eric had shared with him.
"…You know something so secret, who exactly are you?" Kisame's expression finally changed as he scrutinized Eric .
"Really?" Deidara was surprised, then placed a hand on his forehead, "It seems everything Eric -senpai said is true. Hmph."
"Deidara, you actually don't believe me? Oh no, I'm heartbroken," Eric said, pretending to be distressed.
"…"
"However, Uchiha Madara is just the name he shows to the outside world. His real name is Uchiha Obito."
"What you're saying can't be verified."
"True, but I have no reason to lie to you… Relax, your muscles are all tense, aren't you tired?" Eric moved over to sit on a nearby rock, "I don't have ill intentions toward you, and I'm sure you can tell that."
"…"
"Obito, who controlled the Fourth Mizukage, was deceived and manipulated by the real Uchiha Madara. Madara was also deceived by Black Zetsu and was shown a distorted stone tablet of the Uchiha clan... They've been playing this game of deception, haven't they?"
"…" Kisame looked indifferent. "So, the final victor is Black Zetsu?"
"The true winner isn't him either… You seem unfazed by learning the truth."
"When I killed my comrades, I already realized that real comrades didn't exist. All that was left was mutual exploitation."
"—But, I'd still like to know, what exactly does this world of no lies look like." Kisame's heart was filled with regret at that moment.
"...Those who have faced death also have desires to fulfill," Eric smiled and asked, "So, Kisame, in your final moments, did you realize what kind of person you really were?"
"Heh, of course—"
"—You're not beyond saving. Starting today, you're part of the Dawn Pirates," Eric led the way, "However, on my ship, no harm to comrades will be allowed."
Kisame murmured, "Is it still the 'Akame'?"
"Brother Kisame, do you think the name is a problem too?! I don't know why Eric -senpai picked such a name. Hmph."
'Damn it, I was in my Chuunibyou phase!' Eric shouted inwardly.
"Let's go, you probably want to know what happens next, this story will take quite a long time…"
Kisame hesitated for a moment before following, keeping a few steps behind.
Akame whispered next to him: "It's nice not having to fight with a new comrade."
"Oh? So, Deidara, the reason you're so obedient is because you've been dealt with before…"
"Hey, don't say that!" Deidara shouted back, "Except for Eric -senpai controlling me, Esdeath, and… forget it, let's leave it at that."
"Exactly, just like when you guys pulled him into the Akame, still a thorn in the side. He won't listen unless you beat him."
…
"I see, this is really…" Kisame listened to the lengthy story filled with conspiracies, each one interwoven, and the characters all deceiving each other.
Of course, Eric only talked about the end of the Fourth Great Ninja War, as for the Boruto saga? Sorry, that's non-canon.
[Kisame Hoshigaki's affection increased slightly, bond level unchanged.]
'I've said everything, and I only got a tiny increase in affection?!'
But, since the affection increased, at least it means Kisame believes some of the things I said?
"Although the 'Eye of the Moon' plan wasn't completed, the world finally found peace. The Five Great Villages worked together to defeat Kaguya Ootsutsuki." (Though Naruto, Sasuke, Kakashi, and Obito were the main forces.)
After telling the long story, Deidara sat there, bored, playing with clay, his tiny clay bird flapping its wings. The room, now filled with only three men, felt somewhat dull.
Deidara shrugged indifferently: "Kisame, this world is completely different from our ninja world. After being here for so long, I realized only the government officials lie, while the majority of the common folk are just adorably naive." (The story of the Hidden Mist)
"So, an idiot like you can live quite well in this world."
"Hey?!" Deidara's eyes widened.
"It's obvious that Deidara is an idiot, no need to say it."
"Hey?! Eric -senpai, which side are you on?"
"Hahaha! I never thought I'd see a world without lies after death, but in another world."
"So, Mr. Eric , is there any task you need me to accomplish?" Kisame spoke first, seeking out a mission like an old toolman.
"No, Kisame, you're being too hasty."
"Brother Kisame, your strength in this world should be quite formidable."
"What do you mean?"
"This world is mostly ocean, and your water-style abilities are perfect here. There are many others like you in this world."
"Abilities? Others like me?"
"Fishmen, we've been to Fishman Island and found there are only fishmen and mermaids. Your appearance won't stand out there at all."
"Is that so? Then I definitely need to visit Fishman Island."
"You'll have your chance, but for now, we need to introduce you to our comrades." [Heart Network] sensed that most of the Dawn Pirates members had finished shopping and were heading back.
(END CHAPTER)
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