My heart is cold

The city square was filled to the brim with people wishing to watch a spectacle. They moved in unison making way like a parade float was coming toward them. The tall one the aforementioned float, was a monster of a man eclipsing even the Terumi a man that usually towered over others. While the Nova didn't know the man's name he could tell by the white cloak he was a member of the same order. 

Second among them a familiar face, Shina a loyal ninja to the village since its founding. It seemed she had gotten herself dolled up for the public prison transport. Since, a crowd had formed she was on full display. A smile on her face wide enough that you could see her teeth. 

Standing there the Terumi had to wonder if this was planned and if so, why? The man with each gaze met seemed to be begging for release. A beg that would likely go unanswered as the crowd continued to move away from the path. Among the crowd some people would talk among each other calling the man a traitor along with less societal terms. When the group moved near the Terumi he would begin to walk alongside them.

His Nova cloak over his lab coat, the plague doctor mask strapped securely to his side, and the red hair of his clan on full display. He would then whisper to the giant. "So, what's happening?"


WC: 240

Making their way into the center of the city square another individual fell in with them. The recognization came a second too late for Shina. The Uzumaki’s voice filled the air in excitement.  “Akabayashi you old fox, you made it out alive after all. Good thing we didn’t bury an empty casket.”

She threw a kick down at the calf of the prisoner that brought a cry of pain. He lost balance and was forced down to his knees. “We have a rogue shinobi here wanting to die for his cause. Going to oblige him.” 

The moves of the Knight that walked with them would come to a sudden halt, the naked blade being unsheathed from his back to pierce the ground with the pointy end.  The sound made the prisoner flinch heavily, obviously, he had seen it coming, and despite that, could not stop himself. The behemoth was now easily recognizable to any who lived in Hoshi.  Despite the fact that at all times his face was covered by a closed visored helm.

The Hopeful Knight was the only name he was known by. Ayato, the Hogokage knew his true name, who he was in his past life. Yet that information had not been made public knowledge into the village. There were many speculations of his identity, few men matched his size. The more popular of these theories, or rather rumors, that he was the reanimated corpse of Kyousuke Snow, the third Kage of the Star. Brought to life by Kenshin Uzumaki with dark shinobi sorcery. 

But regardless, he had appeared to carry out the hunt for the missing-nin that had left this village, most of those who claimed for Valen Akari’s as of the now-disbanded cause. And or the remnants of Jaws Grimma still roaming around parts of the country.  A never-ending task, one that he had turned into an entertaining event of sorts. The manhunt being shut down by their new Hogokage who had left the village for the summit down in the south. 

"We usually pass judgment on these degenerates outside of the Village. But we were summoned back, thus it will have to take place inside those walls. Less authorized, yet just as prevailing if you asked me." Shina proclaimed with fire in her voice.

WC: 380

Shina's response was why Akabayashi preferred time away from the village. These two had turned missing ninja hunting into a game, a sport, a spectacle. If they were going to judge this man, why parade him through the village, like a show dog? Make, the judgement as simple and clean as possible. To strut about the would be judged before a crowd was gratuitous at best. The man's poker face would remain calm and stoic as usual, throughout his thought process.

When Shina finished talking the Nova would address her surprise at his having lived. "Yes, I tend to rise from the grave even if a bit worse for wear." The man would say addressing his now boney appearance which was once filled with muscle. He would take off his sunglasses and squat down at the chained individual making sure their eyes met. His one emerald eye boring into the man's, his other milky looking yet still functional eye unmoving as if it were actually blind. 

"So, what did you do to get captured by Pretty Smile Saphire Eyes and Tiny of the Massive Blade?" He would ask before looking at the giant. "Doctor T of the Nova corps, sorry for the late introduction." The man would say standing up and inspecting his comrade with a quick shift of his eyes, there was only one person he had ever seen that large and he was dead. However, stranger things have happened.

"How will the judgement happen?" Akabayashi would ask in a casual tone ignoring the growing crowd. The people had moved closer in to see and hear what was happening. Heavens these people were nosey, as if he had room to talk the man who just inserted himself into the procession.
WC: 290
TWC: 530

“Yes, you look like shit. But better to look like a corpse than actually be one in Jack’s collection.” There was all sort of crazy stories about the criminal that had taken Akabayashi prisoner. That S-rank missing-nin literally came out of nowhere and placed the entire Shadow Country under his grip. Skellinger was immortal,  had a synthetic jaw saw his mother stabbed to death in front of him when he was a toddler. A few even claimed he was Valen Akari in disguise. Fucked up rumors like that. 

The Knight bent his neck so he could look down to Akabayashi, who he dwarfed. The plates of the helmet clang and a rasping sound came from within the helmet as he nodded in acknowledgment of his comrade's greeting. Strong and silent type in every way to match that size of his.

Shina, the Outcast of the Uzumaki Clan and Head Jounin of Hoshigakure, found herself in surprise. It was no secret that the Terumi member had melted the skulls of Tenshin the Unfaithful and Kid Blue, two Hoshi nin who he and Ayato fought and eventually defeated. The mission that made their careers. Yet now he seemed to be appalled.

“Akabayashi do I sense a question on your lips?” Asked the half-wild woman. Even though the comment, her body language, and gaze carried little in the way of judgment.  Usually, at this hour, people would be dissipating like shadows hit by the yellow-red light of a torch. A boring night it was supposed to be, yet today it brimmed with life. The Nova Medic would not need the Byakugan to see it had something to do with the man in chains. His gaze mirrored her own in some ways, perhaps reflection was able to be spread.  “The crimes of this fellow.”  She’d say not unkindly her eyes meeting his own.  
         
“Defecting his village a year ago, falling in with a missing-nin group, and a fortnight ago killing the people he had sworn to protect. A miller and his wife. And the children them as well.” His jade green eyes looked up and found the new figure.  Locking on the Nova member's mismatched ones. And for the first time today, they began to water. His lips opened, trying to mouth a word from his broken teeth. “Please…” He uttered. “I only watched. I never thought they’d hurt them.”

The words seemed to agitate the colossal crusader who gripped his sword.  Fit for true combat as well as a ceremonial execution.  His knuckles would have to whiten as he lifted the massive blade, the size of the steel clearly beyond that which should be lifted with one arm.  Clasping the grip he held it perpendicular to the ground. He knelt down and whispered, his helmet close enough at the prisoner’s face as if they were to kiss. He whispered something, something that made the prisoner jump back. This was not the first time the Knight had spoken to him, but it would be the last.  All those around perhaps would be able to hear the stony pound in his voice, yet the words would be unintelligible for all those except the barefooted prisoner.

“This was only the watcher of the crime. So after we found out where they were holed up in the Tachibana Woods. We had him watch as Ser Knight over there butchered his friends. ” Shina paused for a moment as if to consider what to say “Turns out it was he who betrayed their location. Remorse perhaps but it seems like treachery runs in this guy’s blood. We are going to hear him confess before he dies.”

WC:600

For the first time in a while a smile crossed the man's lips and it was because someone told him the truth, that he looked like shit. A small laugh would escape him, something the man wasn't used to as he attempted to cover it up with his hand like a cough. For most people they wouldn't escape with their trash talk, but Shina was a long time ninja and friend. Shina wasn't always so wild before, her attitude shifted when Denkiteki disappeared from the world. It was clear the two had been in a relationship and his loss effected her deeply. 

It seemed the giant wasn't one for talking as he nodded a 'sup' to the introduction. Some people just weren't talkers though, so it was fine. He would learn the names of his comrades in time, they all had to have yearly exams done by him so it wouldn't be long before he knew. Then he could figure out the guys diet and exercise plan. 

Even though he never said anything Shina could tell there was something on Akabayashi's mind. She then answered the question he had asked their prisoner. He was scum, so what was likely coming the Doctor didn't feel bad for. A traitor and murderer of people who offered their home, utter trash. It became worse when he began to plead to save his hide. Someone who watches is as bad as those swinging the sword, his plea falling on deaf ears.

Interestingly, the man's whimpers were enough to stir the giant to bend and whisper in the face of the prisoner. The tone harsh enough to cause the chained man to jump. The people in the crowd were speaking in a dull roar making the words incomprehensible. Everyone present wished they could hear the words, but based on previous detail you only got to hear the voice if its owner could kill you after. They should write poems about this guy, the fear he invoked in his captive superb. 

Shina would then explain that he had turned on his allies likely out of guilt, that however didn't excuse his past faults of leaving the village to join a rogue group. "No, questions from me." He would say with the giants blade still hovering in the air the one armed grip still a wonder to those present, who seemed to be inching closer by the second. Shifting his attention to the crowd and placing his sunglasses back on he would push the air between him and the people. "Back up everyone!" He would say loud enough for those getting too close to hear. 

"These groups are pushing awfully far into our lands again." He would say with a tone implicating himself as the cause. If they were hiding in the reserve they were close and the armored ninja took the group out on his own. "Good work, you two." He would say in praise for the two's accomplishment. Even if he didn't fully agree with what was happening making a public stink wouldn't change a thing and they had done an excellent job. 
WC: 518
TWC: 1048

Who the hell is this jerk? Was the immediate thought that went through Akabayashi's head as the orange clad tub of lard pushed himself through the crowd and into its center where he and the two other ninja stood. "Wha..." What business do you have here, was what he was about to ask before being cut off by the priest who wished to hear the confession. The voice so shrill the Terumi's ears were ringing. By the time he wanted to interrupt the prisoner was starting his confession and the priest was acting... oddly. Why was he chanting during a confession? 

Then the gauntlet of the giant gently touched the back of the prisoner's head. Still on the ground he knew what was coming, as he mouthed the word 'please' to try one last time for the Terumi to spare him. The fist pulled back and with a crack like thunder and a splatter of red rain the man was given a dent so large it looked like a crater. The man was still alive, but could no longer feel pain. The last of the man's working synapses still mouthed his final words as the fist rained down again and again until nothing was left but a mess. 

There was a reason Akabayashi didn't like priest this one was shouting for joy about the gods justice. This was no justice delivered by god, it was human. Some baser instinct that enjoyed the gore and aggression thats all this was, justice was merely the excuse. That same bloody hand that had beat the prisoner to death then scooped up the fatso by the neck. The priest cried out his confusion and admittedly even the Terumi was taken aback by the action. The guy was weird not something to be killed for. 

Before Akabayashi chose to speak Shina would take the stage, detailing the events that had led to what was happening. That was when the realization dawned on him that this man's public walk of shame was a plan to draw out the priest from hiding. The loud crunch rebounded through each person present a clear sign the man was now dead like his friend. The giant released him to fall to the ground in the bloody heap of his accomplice. Shina would then address the crowd to tell of the man of the cloths deceit. As usual with anyone the crowd took the explanation with a grain of salt, they would form their own conspiracy theories about it later. For now the show was over and they would soon disperse to occupy their time otherwise.

Due to the proximity the Terumi's clothes were now splattered in tissue, nothing he was unaccustomed to yet something he didn't prefer to be in the city. Removing his shades he would use his lab coat to wipe off a bit of brain that had made its home on the lens. It annoyed him throughout the execution, but with the conclusion of events it was time to remove it. "Time of death." The Terumi would say looking at a nearby clock. "12:37PM." He would pull a napkin out of his coat and offer it to Shina who also had blood splatter on her. 

"Would you mind helping me drag these two to the hospital? I need to prepare their death certificates." He would take the smaller more bloody one, unless Tiny decided to carry both. The fat one was likely too heavy for Akabayashi to carry on his own. If they agreed the Terumi would walk them to the hospital to begin the paperwork on the way he would ask some questions.


"So, Shina how have you been?" He would ask just to catch up with the jounin. 
WC: 622
TWC: 1670

Using scrolls to transport the dead had never even occurred to Akabayashi, he usually didn't carry any on his person even though he should. She would then designate that he would be accompanying her to the dungeons, as Tiny couldn't fit. With Tiny trotting off each step a pounding of earth like a sledgehammer against the ground, the two were alone. 

Shina would break the awkward silence by answering the Terumi's question sealing the corpses as she did so. All that remained of the bodies was some blood that had already begun to soak into the ground. While knowing there was something in the dungeon that required his attention he didn't know it was another prisoner requiring 'finesse'. "Well, good to see you are enjoying... work." He would say stepping out of the blood that had puddled around his shoes. "To the dungeon I suppose." He would say heading in that direction.

Unless, Shina wanted to speak he would remain quiet until they reached their destination. "So, who is it we need to finesse and what did they do?" He would ask showing his ID to the guard to let him through. The guard was already worried since the two showed up covered in blood, before he even asked for ID he tightened the grip on his sword at his side. His words came out clear despite his fear of blood, with luck he wouldn't have to see more today.
WC: 239
TWC: 1909