Seize Direction
AUTHOR: kasarin (
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kasarin/CHARACTER(S) / PAIRING(S): Zabuza, Obito. Zabuza/Obito
RATING: general audiences
WARNINGS: n/a
SUMMARY:
"Understand this, whoever-you-are," Zabuza says, staring down his nose at the man's swirling mask. "You're coming to me for help with your asinine moon plan. I don't need you; you need me. Unfortunately for you, I have other aspirations. So, if you want my help, we handle my business first."
Uchiha Madara is a fraud.
To Zabuza, that fact is as apparent as the gaudy mask behind which "Madara" hides. The fraud has the right voice, bearing, and powerful, fiery chakra; he probably fools plenty of people with his 'I am Uchiha Madara' schtick. But there is something off about him, something that screams of falsehood.
Uchiha Madara is nothing but an actor on a stage, putting on a performance for Zabuza's benefit. And this fraud thinks he can win Zabuza's support with such a flimsy charade?
"Don't insult me," Zabuza sneers, staring down his nose at the swirling mask.
The performance falters. The fraud cocks his head to the side, seeming to really look at Zabuza for the first time.
Not that Zabuza can see the man's eyes.
Not that he wants to see them. The impersonal nature of the mask suits him just fine.
"Understand this, whoever-you-are," Zabuza continues, his nose still aloft. "You're coming to me for help with your asinine moon plan. I don't need you; you need me. Unfortunately for you, I have other aspirations. So, if you want my help, you have to do something for me first."
The fraud's ever-gesturing hands drop to his sides. For a second, he is silent. Then: "I'm offering you a whole new world."
"And?" Zabuza scoffs. "I'm not leaving this one until I'm finished."
A quiet sigh slips past the mask. "Once my plan is in motion, this world will cease to matter."
"I'll only repeat myself once." Zabuza narrows his eyes. "I don't need you; you need me. If you want my help, we handle my business first."
For just a moment, the fraud's shoulders seem to sag. Then he waves a hand. "Fine. If it's so important to you, we'll conquer Kirigakure."
It takes all of one night to overthrow the village's leadership.
Zabuza handles the bulk of the slaughter, as suits his tastes. He attacks the power behind the throne, systematically murdering every member of the upper caste. Most of them never see it coming, too busy gawking at the battle raging near the Mizukage's residence, unaware of the threat lurking in the mist.
And to think they called themselves shinobi of the Hidden Mist. How pitiful.
The fraud—whoever he really is—turns out to be a damn talented shinobi. He takes on the upper echelons dedicated to the Mizukage's protection, felling them like grain before a scythe. The Mizukage is conspicuously absent, at least initially. Then Kisame appears from who-knows-where hauling the Mizukage's unconscious body, an engorged Samehada on his back.
So, that solves the mystery of where Kisame has been. How very like him, to chase the fraud's promises of a better world.
By the time the dust settles, both the fraud and Kisame have vanished, leaving Zabuza standing as king of the rubble. There is little dissent, as the previous Mizukage was hardly beloved; and, with the removal of the upper caste, those crushed underfoot can finally breathe. Within a week, Zabuza settles into the role of Kirigakure's new Mizukage.
Within a month, he is sick of it.
"You seem dissatisfied," the fraud says when he returns, leaning a hip against the Mizukage's desk like he owns the thing. "Is running a village less enjoyable than you imagined?"
Zabuza leans back in his chair and scowls, arms folded over his chest. He refuses to admit that the fraud is right; he refuses to confess how much the confines of leadership chafe.
"You don't belong behind a desk, Zabuza. You belong with me."
Zabuza snorts. "Is that the line you fed Kisame?"
"I didn't feed Kisame any lines. However, he is the one who told me about you." The fraud leans forward, seemingly unaffected by Zabuza's glower. "You were half right before. I do need you, but you need me, too. You need the world I can offer. You need something greater than one paltry village."
Bristling, Zabuza snaps, "I have no intention of being your tool."
"Then don't be a tool. Stand beside me, Zabuza. Help me create a new world from the ashes. Kirigakure is only the starting point; we have so much more to accomplish."
Zabuza is quiet for a long moment, studying the fraud. Finally, he says, "Show me your face."
The fraud hesitates. "We're both wearing masks."
With a quiet tch and one quick motion, Zabuza rips through his bandages, letting them flutter to the floor. Barefaced, he glares up at that swirling mask. "Well?"
Slowly, the fraud raises a hand and removes his mask. The face beneath is handsome, heavily scarred, and decades too young to be "Madara." Gleaming scarlet eyes meet Zabuza's, any air of intimidation ruined by the wariness in their depths.
"Hmph." Zabuza pushes himself to his feet, then leans toward the fraud, their faces hovering a handbreadth apart as he studies those eyes. "I'm not calling you 'Madara.' But I'll call you 'Uchiha' if you don't have another name."
Uchiha raises an eyebrow. "The Demon of the Hidden Mist isn't a fan of titles?"
"That title is mine. You're using someone else's."
A tiny smirk twists Uchiha's scarred lips. "All right. 'Uchiha' it is." He tips his head slightly to one side. "Now I have a question for you. Do you understand what a Sharingan can do?"
"Of course. Do you understand that I'm not afraid of you?"
"… You really aren't, are you?" Uchiha chuckles under his breath, seeming torn between impressed and bemused. "I may have underestimated you."
"I'll forgive you this once."
This time, Uchiha laughs aloud, his wide grin lighting his whole face, banishing any trace of wariness. He looks like an entirely different person—and for some reason, Zabuza catches himself smiling very slightly in turn.
That night, Zabuza hands over the Mizukage's hat and leaves Kirigakure behind.
He does not know if the world Uchiha promises will be any better than this one. But he is a man of ambition, a man who has never settled for what he is given. So, why not see where this new path takes him?
Uchiha meets Zabuza just outside the village, his mask back in place. However, Zabuza knows what lies beneath it now, and he has no doubt that he can uncover even more.
Uchiha extends a hand; Zabuza grunts, then takes it. The world swirls, and together, they vanish.
Author's Notes:
crossposted to ao3 here.