Impossible to Forgive

Chapter 33: A Name

I stood over Sasainako as her entire body quivered in pain.

"Tell me now, why did you need the Hokage under your genjutsu?"

"Wha-what do you mean?" Sasainako's powerful, smooth voice was now so shaky and quiet that I could barely understand a word that she said.

"Your story didn't add up. I knew that you needed more motivation for your little scheme than just getting revenge on the village, but then you said something about needing the Hokage under your jutsu. That's when it struck me: you needed the Hokage under your control for something very specific. Tell me now, what is it? You're going to die anyways so you might as well tell me."

"I... needed the might of your village. I ne-need to take her down. Tha-that bitch's still alive in the world somewhere." She coughed up blood again and when she continued her voice was even weaker than before. "She's been hunting me for years now. It was like an arms race, and acquiring the Leaf was simply my best chance of out-doing her."

I staggered closer, "Who is this 'her' that you keep mentioning? I want a name! WHO THE HELL IS SHE?"

Sasainako coughed again, "You-you already know her. Beware, she'll be coming for you next. She's still never forgiven you."

"A NAME! I WANT A NAME, GODDAMN IT!"

Sasainako coughed even more and the blood started to pour out of her mouth. Her vocal cords were so damaged that there was no way that she could answer me now. She made choking noises as the blood started to pool in her lungs. However, she was holding on a stubbornly long time for being a mortally wounded sixtyish-year-old.

That's when black spots filled my vision and I collapsed. My five inner gates could be held open by mere willpower alone for no longer. I was probably going to die before her.