4 Chapter 4 - A new look..
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{Houzu pov}
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"-And then I launched the recent technique I developed at him. He even had to resort to a summon to block it!" Houzu proclaimed as the trio walked along the busy street as the night air breezed by.
"Wow... I can't believe you actually fought lord 3rd and survived! And you said it was a sparring session!? The way you described it sounds like you were trying to kill each other." Itachi spoke as nearby villagers perked their ears in order to hear their conversation.
Suddenly a tall burley man stood in their path. By his looks he was a chunin and very drunk judging by the smell.
"So.. Lord hokage actually tried to kill you off today eh? About time!" He yelled as he threw his almost empty bottle at Houzu's feet.
*Shatter!*
All Houzu did was look at the man dully as he thought of the perfect way to punish this baffoon. Both Hana and Itachi glared at the man who only smiled in sadistic glee knowing they couldn't harm him.
Before the two could stick up for their friend he spoke to the drunk in a very intimidating voice.
"You people truly are brave, but more importantly stupid. Do you think I'm incapable of attacking you? You do if your so boldly flapping your lips." He said as he raised his hand as he formed a hand sign by extending both his pointer and middle finger.
*Fwip*
With a swift short movement of his hand the drunk violently flinched away and prepared to be consumed in flames only for no such thing to happen. As he opened his eyes once more. All he saw houzu's amused expression.
"Y-you damb fox! How da-"
*Fwip*
*burst* *sizzle*
Before he could utter another word the man burst into flames as both itachi and Hana's eyes widened in fear. Never had they ever seen this side of Houzu before. As they looked towards houzu they saw him smiling sadisticly.
"It seems this unfortunate soul broke the thirds law. As a proud shinobi of this village it was my duty to carry out the appropriate penalty." He remarked as the other villagers backed away in fear as he walked passed.
Both of his comrades followed behind hesitantly as they couldn't believe he killed a ally.
As they neared an alley Hana grabbed houzu by his cloak and dragged him along inside.
"Why did you do that!? He was a fellow sh-" her words died in her throat as she saw the hateful fire in his eyes.
"Listen very carefully you two. You may consider that drunk as an ally but I do not. I can't afford such a luxury." Houzu spat out with a glare as the two backed away.
"Yes.. you may be friends..." houzu said as he looked to the ground. Both Hana and Itachi looked at him with concern.
"But that doesn't mean i trust you completely. Or qualify you as one of my so called 'precious people' the old man spouts about every day." Taking a few steps back from them he no longer had a look of rage. All they saw was a stressful.
"Im.. going home..." He spoke as he leaped onto one of the nearby roofs and stormed off.
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{Itachi pov}
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"He doesn't trust us..? Then what was the point of him wanting to hang out with us!" Hana sniffled as she felt tears prick her eyes.
As for itachi, although he felt somewhat hurt by houzu's words he also understood. Due to being the eldest son of the clans leader, he was well aware of houzu's jinchuriki status and treatment by the villagers.
"Because young inuzuka, he desires to, even if he has trouble showing it."
Both children looked to the owner of the voice to see the third hokage standing behind them.
"L-lord hokage! What are you doing here!?" Hana panicked as she wiped away her tears.
The old man sadly smiled as he looked towards the direction of where houzu left the area. "I've come to see the aftermath of an unfortunate death of a chunin who by all the civilians account was killed by Houzu Uzumaki."
Hana flinched as he brought up those details. Itachi however nodded to their leader.
"That is correct lord hokage. However the chunin in question revealed to the crowd houzu's jinchuriki status." Itachi reported as Hiruzen frowned.
"I see... was he aware of what such an act intails?" Hiruzen asked itachi.
"I believe so sir. No shinobi would disobey such a decree unless they were reckless or incompetent." He said with serious conviction causing the old man to smile once more.
"Indeed young man. Which is why this incident will be dealt with accordingly. Unfortunately young houzu will have to pay a fine for such an abrasive action. Regardless of the reason." As Hiruzen made his way out of the alleyway itachi couldn't help but ask one last question.
Sir, what did you mean by 'he has trouble showing his desire to be our friend'." The moment Hiruzen heard his question he turned back around.
"I think it is best if this discussion is resumed in my office away from prying eyes and ears. Report to the tower tomarrow morning. I'll be waiting for your arrival," Hiruzen ordered resulting in both children nodding in unison.
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{Houzu pov}
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Turning off the facet to the sink he grabbed a nearby towel to wipe his face. Once done, Houzu looked at himself in the mirror seeing a boy with a unamused pale face.
"Idiot villagers. Just had to ruin my day." He spoke to his reflection as he examined his new looks just moments after he arrived home.
Now that jogo's template was at 25%, he seemed to inherit a few of his unique features. The system designated them as 'side effects'.
Showing off his teeth in the mirror, he saw they were now completely black, almost like they were replaced with obsidian. His eyes, once a vibrant blue were now red as if mirroring his inner rage. Last but not least was his skin. Now a pale gray color with a tinge of blue.
[Achievement complete..]
[Template has reached over 25%. Host has received...]
[Jogo cloak and clothes]
Making his way to the full body mirror in his bedroom he equiped his new apparel. For his new top and bottom he wore black baggy long sleeved shirt and pants fit for combat. Both the sleeves and leggings stopped below the elbows and knees. Covering the whole thing was a cloak that went down to the waist.
The cloak however was yellow-ish green with black oddly shaped spots ridding the whole thing. Lastly a white scarf-like collar wrapped around the top in order to protect the user from the elements.
"Hm. Not bad. Not bad at all." Houzu said to himself as he posed in the mirror.
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{Hiruzen pov}
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"As you two must know from your family members. There exists vessels used for the purpose to contain tailed beasts known as jinchuriki." The two children in front of him nodded their heads.
"Some containers live as heroes. Most live as pariah. Sadly, Houzu lives with such a responsibility. Forced upon him by those considered his loved ones." He said with a tired expression.
"So.. that's why the chunin called him a dambed fox. Because he is its container." Hana spoke sadly but suddenly realized an important plothole.
"But.. if he's its jinchuriki, then why is everyone treating him so terribly!? He should be living a life fit for a hero!" She asked him only to recieve a sigh in return.
"Sadly young Hana, the villagers don't think so. They believe he should suffer and be deprived of any kind of rights imaginable."
Hana nearly choked on her own spit upon knowing the faces of the happy villagers she received greetings and free snacks from had such a capacity for cruelty.
Hana walked to the open window behind the hokage desk and looked out to the street of people. No longer being able to see their smiling faces the same way again.
"That so cruel..." she said bitterly.
"That is, unfortunately, how deep the hatred in their hearts runs." Hiruzen smoked from his pipe and looked out towards the bustling street of people as well at the citizens who were undeserving of their happiness.
Itachi and Hana's hands clenched at his words. They knew houzu was receiving unfair, if not inhuman treatment during their brief time at the academy. But they never realized how truly hellish his daily life was.
Hiruzen could see the conflict in their eyes as they grappled with the new information only known by the council. But for houzu's sake he'd make an exception.
"You can see now why Houzu is so on edge, even to the both of you. I truly believe he wants friends. Please.. forgive his actions tonight." He bowed his head to them both which surprised them immensely.
"T-theres no need for you to bow lord hokage! We'll do our best to help Houzu!" Hana shouted while garnering a flustered expression.
He smiled hearing her words and relaxed in his chair as the two bowed and left his office.
"You lied about the fine didn't you?" A young man asked from the shadows.
"Hm. You know me too well kakashi." Hiruzen smiled as the silver haired young man bearing an anbu uniform stepped out from his hiding place within the shadows of the still partially dark room.
"The council will want his head you know." Kakashi spoke while Hiruzen gave a grunt of dismissal.
The council... most of its members were made up of two distinct sides. On one side there were the useless group of both wealthy civilian store and department owners. On the other were a large group of clan heads who couldn't care less for the politics of the village unless it involved their clan members.
"Let me worry about those civilian buffoons. Is there any news of Houzu's state of mind?" Looking over to the young anbu he saw the ninjas hand twitch slightly.
"There is... but it's more to do with his appearance. That power he wields. It's changed him. It happened the moment he entered his front door." Kakashi hesitantly reported.
"How so?" Hiruzen asked as he straightened up and eyed kakashi with a serious gaze.
"His teeth were black as coal and his eyes..." kakashi seemed to get lost in his memory of that time as Hiruzen grew for the first time in years impatient.
"Yes? What about them kakashi!" He ordered as the boy shook his from side to side as if the memory refused to leave his sight.
"They... were red. Like the ninetails. Sir if the civilians see him they might become emboldened to cause him harm." Kakashi said with certainty.
Hiruzen knew why he was so worried. He wasn't concerned with houzu's well being, but the villagers. When it came to the rest of konoha houzu wouldn't hesitate to put them in a urn.
"I understand. Have some of your men keep an eye on him for the time being. If the worst should happen..." he gave a tired sigh as Kakashi awaited his order.
"Arrest him..." Hiruzen finished with a tone of regret and resolution. With a nod Kakashi body flickered away to carry out his kage's command.
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A/N: after he completes jogo's template, what should he choose next?
