eighteen crows (朱) voice/action

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eighteen crows (朱) voice/action

[Early this morning Itachi can be found in the battledome in between sessions spent fighting various creatures from other worlds. If he's going to be here, he might as well make use of this facility.

Later, having gotten an acceptable amount of exercise, the ninja will be hitting up the grocers before heading back home. It's a typical day, basically.

He'll comment on the journals once all that is settled.]

It's been some time since I properly spoke up over this. I suppose you can consider this checking in, for what it's worth.

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I did, yes.

[And he considered the reasons to be none of his business.]

[... in this case, it might become it.]

Heard of a guy here called Blackbeard?

I hear of a lot of people, so it's a possibility. Yes.

Enemy of mine. Enemy of practically every pirate here. Extremely powerful. [And here he frowns... yeah, that really doesn't convey the threat of him. Let's try this.] I'm only mid tier for power in my world, and I think you have an rough idea of how strong I am. He's top tier... and that's roughly a hundred times my level, or more. I don't have an exact gauge on it.

Anyway, with the arrival of certain parties from my world, the situation with him is threatening to possibly become unstable. He's laid low so far - most of Luceti regards him as a joke. That could change very quickly. And he might start going looking for them or those in alliance with them. And he is indiscriminate. Anyone in his way... or anyone around if he's in a particularly foul mood can quickly become a target.

So if he comes... leave. Grab your brother, don't let him argue, and get out.

[Itachi's expression remains deadpan, but he looks at Law for a good long moment.]

Everyone is restricted in their abilities here. Even him.

I'm sorry, but I can promise you nothing. This place is full of those from various tiers in their own world, and most will not run if the village or their friends are put in danger.

Neither will I.

[...

Do you really consider me your friend, Itachi?]

Well...

As long as you're forewarned.

[He is faintly smiling as usual, but it is utterly bittersweet.]

[Or just part of the village, but more likely the other. The list of those he could consider the same is next to nonexistent.]

Grabbing my brother and running has also never been an option.

But I appreciate the warning all the same.

Mm. [He closes his eyes. Might want to watch by your feet - there's a surfbird running by with a tee tee tee.]

We come from two completely different worlds, don't we?

I believe that most of the inhabitants of Luceti all come from very different places.

...But you would be correct in regards to our two worlds in particular.

[Itachi easily sidesteps the creature. Hearing it coming was enough.]

Mnhm. [Yes, but did you avoid the tiny rock crab also running around?]

Aren't even shinobi where I come from, actually. [That we know about.] Even the concept of ninjas is pretty foreign, believe it or not. So... sometimes things can be hard to grasp. Doesn't mean I don't try, but, pirate.

[Different worldview.]

[This is Itachi we're talking about. The wildlife is safe.]

Likewise, I have never actually met a pirate before now, though I would not be surprised to find that they actually existed in my world aside from stories.

[If anyone knew the answer to that it would be a mist ninja.]

Mm? It's usually pretty obvious when a pirate's around. Most of us aren't known for our abilities at stealth. [Save some of the Strawhat crew and himself, the pirating community is pretty damn loud and obvious.] But, if you have them, I imagine that they'll be different from what I'm used to. Probably taking more than a few cues from shinobi. [As you folk seem to be the dominant military power there.]

No doubt.

If they exist, they haven't caused much trouble among the main nations I'm familiar with. But then if they really wanted to run a smooth operation, then avoiding the main branches of ninja would be wise anyway.

If they wanted to just survive they'd have to. [Unless they were strong enough to take those ninja on, which in that case they wouldn't be stories anymore, would they?] The seas are unforgiving enough.

But it wouldn't be something Fire Country would have to worry much about anyway, given it's nearly landlocked, right? Much less Konoha. I hear it's as inland as it gets.

It would not be, no. The Land of Water would be the most at risk, and attacking the shores without a powerful crew would be highly inadvisable given the reputation of many ninja in that region.

[This is sailing away from where he wanted it to go. Time to correct course.]

And those that are powerful tend to be ninja already. Though I wonder if the notion would cross anyone's mind to begin with.

Perhaps.

[Though the nations had enough problems on their own without having to add outside issues.

He glances toward the pirate somewhat curiously. Certainly this isn't what they'd come out here for.]

[No it isn't. But even he isn't blunt enough to address the massacre out of the blue without some sort of lead in.

Not in these circumstances.]

As I said, we're from two different worlds. So there's major differences in beliefs, in mindsets in some areas. And that makes some things hard to grasp.

[And an exhausted sigh.]

Some actions hard to understand...

[You know where this is going now...]

[Itachi does know. He says nothing, stoic expression remaining as he continues to walk.

This isn't something he wished to discuss with outsiders, even those he's become closer with in this new world.]

[We all have to do what is painful and uncomfortable sometimes.

And it's not only uncomfortable for you.]

I've known for a long time, Itachi. Not only about what happened, but why it did.

[Itachi closes his eyes. The revelation doesn't upset him, really. With this place as it was, it had only been a matter of time before that news got around. Even as much as he didn't want it to.]

I'm not surprised. It's hard to keep a secret here.

[Sighing again.]

That's a small village for you. The mad experimentation doesn't help.

[Fixing his gaze upon the ocean. He's quiet.]

It's not alright, you know? What happened - what your leaders decided. All of it - it is what it is. It's not alright. I don't know what threat your clan's existence posed to motivate such an extreme order, and I don't know the consequences refusal would have brought. There's a lot of things I don't know. And a lot I probably wouldn't understand. ... I am not of your world. Not a shinobi.

Just a pirate.

[There were good reasons for why things had been done that way. If Itachi wanted, he could explain further.

Not yet, though. Not ever, if he could help it, though he knew that might just be wishful thinking at this point.

He shakes his head.]

No. It's not.

[It was never alright regardless.]

I neither expect nor ask forgiveness for it.

[And what is a good enough reason to justify genocide? Don't tell him war. Don't. War's not enough, not civil or inter-village, or international.]

Then explain it to me. Why was this ordered?

[Don't tell him it was blood. Blood is not inherently evil. A people are not inherently evil.

...

...

Help him understand.]

I know you don't, Itachi.

But.

Do you want it?

[It is wishful thinking. The time for secrets is over.]

[Itachi is once again silent for a time, weighing his options.

Then he stops walking, turning his head to the other man.]

You must realize, none of this should be known. I took measures to insure the information remained only with those who'd ordered it. It's very difficult for me to just openly speak of it now.

[The second question is ignored.]

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