Strategist from the heavens (Tales of a gutsy ninja 3)

Chapter 4 : Changing the status quo

Aira P.O.V

"How about leaving your side, Uchiha Madara-sama?"

Both Madara and Nagato exchanged a glance and slowly turned towards me.

Madara: Oh? Weren't you afraid we might kill you for that bold declaration of yours?

Aira: Oh? Why would you want to kill me? Did it perhaps strike you that Pain-kun would benefit out of leaving your side?

Madara actually laughed...

It was such a creepy one at that - it made me freeze in fear.

Madara: It is interesting to watch you...since you make it so hard to predict what your next move is...

I gulped. He did laugh but the dark gleam in his eyes made it quite clear that he wouldn't think twice before erasing me off the face of the earth, if I didn't think before I act.

Madara: But as interesting as it might be, I still wouldn't hesitate to punish impudence.

I believe that I am a rational person who doesn't act without thinking...

But now that I have already acted irrationally, the only thing left to do is follow it up with a rational action.

That action being - sticking by my words.

* * * * *

I had my diary tucked safely under my arms. While Itachi was unable to decipher it, it's better not to given Madara a chance.

The information in it was...stuff he already knew and detailed plans for the future.

Currently, I was forcing Nagato to tag along to my latest whim...

Nagato: Aira-san, do you really want to do this?

Nagato may not have red hair currently (in Pain form) but in his true self he does!

And I chose to stand by my policy of loving red heads.

Aira: I intend to do it. It is very important I do it...is that a problem?

Nagato: But Madara-sama-

Aira: most likely already knows what I'm planning to do and is still ignoring it. I'm not spiriting you away...so just lead the way and leave the rest to me.

After a while, we reached the largest lake near Kirigakure.  Nagato has taken steps to disguise himself and since I didn't have the silver hair and scarlet eyes that people associated with 'Aira', I didn't need to disguise myself.Travelling outside actually made me understand how grave the situation was. 

 Anywhere we went...it felt dull and lifeless. For the most part, the streets were deserted with the exception of people who couldn't even afford shelter. The conditions on the outskirts of Kirigakure was worse than the interiors.

Aira: Is this...what the Akatsuki wants? What...you want?

From what I can gather, they have already isolated the five great shinobi nations and thus succeeded in repressing the world. Poverty, fear, injustice, powerlessness...even if Madara's intentions were unclear, surely this couldn't be what Nagato wants!

Nagato didn't speak a word. Well, he would obviously know what is going on...he doesn't need me to point it out to him. But I tried to talk to him once again.

Aira: It almost reminds one of the after-effects of the third great shinobi war...are you going to tell me that things are not over yet because the world don't know pain?

In the end, he didn't reply...and we just walked on. 

Walked on the water...which meant he carried me the entire time - I still couldn't use chakra. Uncomfortable, yes,but unavoidable.

Once we reached the middle of the lake, Nagato lowered me to the surface, while maintaining a strong hold on my arm. I removed my shoes and let my feet feel the cold water. In fact, it was so cold, I kept lifting my legs out of the water ever so frequently...it actually felt like I was trying to see if I could go skinny dipping in a glacier lake.

Nagato: Sigh, just what are you doing?

Aira: Ahahaha...haha...what can I do? I am not able to use chakra to stand on water, or prevent it from freezing my legs.

Nagato: And yet you want to keep trying? Just so you know, Madara-sama couldn't find it.

Aira: Hey! Don't call him it! He's my greatest partner...and this reunion has been long overdue already!

Where are you now?

Under the sea...

Aira: Come back to me...come back to me, Isobu!