Chapter 44 (Fairy Tail Campaign): For Victory

Short Summary[]

Long Summary[]

After Kisuke voices his concerns, Chitsujo sighs that he is going into the unknown, but Edolas may need help. In a reassuring manner, Chitsujo adds that Makarov will go with him. When Shikaku states he thought Chitsujo would already know the Edolas situation, the Being of Order admits Edolas’s complicated condition. After explaining the incident where the parallel dimension lost its use of magic, Chitsujo explains that was why he thought Konton would leave it alone. When reports came in of the high-ranking Edolas army members at Lake Willow, the situation changed. When Beckman asks if Mystogan could betray them, Chitsujo states that the King would never willingly betray them, since he was loyal Fairy Tail member. When Mavis asks to join, Chitsujo stops her and says she’s needed in Intelligence, and Makarov will tell him all about it later. When Makarov promises to do this for Mavis, she gives her own smile. Grimly, Chitsujo thinks that it won’t be a pleasant visit, and Makarov won’t have anything nice to tell Mavis. Chitsujo then uses Heavenly Art of Creation: Opening to make a portal to Edolas. When Chitsujo gives the word, Makarov replies he’ll be right behind him. Shikaku tells them to be safe, and Makarov assures him they’ll just go in, assess the situation, and come back.

426px-Edolas Royal City — The Royal City the Capital of Edolas

In Edolas, Chitsujo and Makarov step out of their portal,

and the Wizard asks how far it is from the Royal City. Chitsujo states it isn’t far, and he didn’t teleport right in the city to avoid a panic. Makarov smiles at the prospect of seeing Mystogan after nine years, fondly remembering him as a loyal recluse and hoping to reconnect. Chitsujo sees the city and mutters in terror. When Makarov hopes to remind Mystogan to employ Fairy Tail’s teachings, Chitsujo tells him to look. In horror, they see that the Edolas’s Royal City is on fire. When Makarov asks why the flames are blue, Chitsujo wonders if a certain Dark Circle is responsible. Makarov thinks that the attack must have been recent if the fire is still there, but wonders why no one is trying to put it out. When Makarov brings Chitsujo out of his thoughts, the Being of Order expresses worry for the people. After Makarov finds no lie in Chitsujo’s words, the King suggests looking for a refugee camp. Makarov asks why the residents would be in a refugee camp instead of fighting the fire, and Chitsujo reveals that the flames aren’t ordinary. When Makarov asks if he’s seen them before, Chitsujo changes the subject, deciding to focus on the people’s safety. While Makarov senses deception, he senses no malice from Chitsujo, guessing the lie is for necessity, wondering if Chitsujo is still trying figure things out. Makarov sighs, knowing Chitsujo is just as on edge, and gives the Being of Order his trust.

The two find the refugee camp close by, and the mood is bereft, no surprise there. While everyone is on edge from the newcomers, one realizes that the two are wearing blue uniforms, distinguishing them from the attackers. This confirms Konton’s forces had been there. Chitsujo wonders why, since it isn’t Konton’s style to do all of this just to get a few high-ranking soldiers. Konton always has multiple reasons for every action, so getting Knightwalker, Sugarboy, Byro, and Hughes can’t be the only reason. Chitsujo announces himself to the victims, saying he has come to help in any way, and asks who’s in charge. When nobody responds, Makarov wonders where Mystogan is, starting to fear the worst. At this point, Natsu Dragion and Lucy Ashley step forward, with Chitsujo introducing them to Makarov. When Ashley asks, Chitsujo explains that Makarov is Earthland Fairy Tail’s Guild Master. Dragion asks how their counterparts are doing, and Makarov states they’re just fine. When Ashley asks who Chitsujo is, he requests a place to talk in private.

Once inside the tent, Chitsujo states that while he wants to answer their questions, he wants to ask a few to understand the situation. At this, Ashley snaps, calling Chitsujo an ass for not understanding after seeing the city, surprising Makarov. When Dragion suggests not yelling, she proceeds to yell at the timid Natsu. Chitsujo sternly stops the arguing, and decides to reword the request. He states he does understand that his brother attacked Edolas. At this, Ashley asks what kind of psycho Chitsujo has for a brother, with Chitsujo calling his brother foolish in his answer. The Being of Order then asks Ashley and Dragion to walk him through the events of the attack, so he can figure out how to aid in the recovery. Shaking in fear, Ashley and Dragion begin, with the former saying they’ll never forget the day. One week ago, on a normal day, everyone was waiting for King Jellal’s speech. When Makarov expresses confusion, Chitsujo reminds him that Mystogan’s real name is Jellal. When the King stepped out, everything went wrong. As Dragion begins to break down, Chitsujo soothes him into remaining calm, reminding him that it’s over. Ashley reveals explosions erupted all over, creating mass panic. The King then immediately sent the Royal Army to face the threat. The Edolas Fairy Tail was directing civilian evacuation. When the Royal Army tried to fight, they were completely massacred, destroyed before the civilians were even halfway through evacuation.

Ashley and Dragion then reveal that only two men attacked Edolas, with Makarov shouting that’s impossible. After Ashley shouts for him not to call her a liar, Chitsujo defuses the situation. Ashley continues the story, saying the King and Fairy Tail tried to fight the two and buy time for the civilians. Ashley calls themselves idiots, thinking they should have ran and hoped for the best. When Makarov asks, Ashley reveals that every single other member was killed. It wasn’t a fight, it was a curb-stomp. One just cut everyone in half with an arm-wave, while the other created the blue flames. Ashley and Dragion only survived because they were buried under the corpses, and the two were focused on torturing the King. Makarov asks why the fires aren’t out, with Dragion saying they were impossible to put out, no matter what they did. As the two left, one was laughing like a maniac, with Ashley angry that the whole slaughter was like a joke to him. She breaks down and cries, wondering why they’d massacre everyone. Chitsujo says anyone who does that is no longer a person, but a monster. He states that no one should go through events like that, promising they will get through this, adding that the two will not return. When Dragion asks how he knows, Chitsujo explains that his brother already got what he wanted from the attack, and will see no need to finish the job. Makarov looks at Chitsujo surprised, realizing that the Being of Order is telling the truth, certain that Konton will not bother Edolas again. Chitsujo then vows to return to Earthland and bring back men for aid, and someone who can seal the flames. When Makarov realizes he’s talking about Jiraiya, Chitsujo expresses confidence in the Sannin’s seals. As Chitsujo prepares to leave, giving Makarov the chance to come or stay to help, Ashley requests his help for the King. When Makarov expresses surprise at him being alive, Ashley reveals they don’t know, deciding they should see for themselves.

The four move to the castle, and Ashley gives binoculars to Chitsujo to look at the top of the highest tower. With his eyes widening in horror, he sees Mystogan with his hands nailed to the tower. In shock, he tells Makarov that he was put on display like a trophy, angering the Guild Master. When Chitsujo asks how long he was up, Ashley admits he’s been there since the attack ended. When Makarov wonders why, knowing they could indoctrinate Mystogan and use his considerable power, Chitsujo states it was to send a message. After Chitsujo asks why no one has saved him, Ashley admits no one can get past the flames surrounding the castle, and anyone who touched the fire either died or had to amputate the affected area. When Makarov asks if he’s dead, Chitsujo decides to check, much to Dragion’s confusion. After getting everyone to stand back, Chitsujo uses Heavenly Art of Creation to rise the ground around him to the height of the tower, and then bringing other pieces of earth to create a bridge, amazing all the other onlookers. When Chitsujo reaches Mystogan, he detects faint breathing, surprised that the man lived for a week with sheer willpower. Assessing the situation, Chitsujo weighs the risk of removing the stakes from Mystogan’s hands, knowing it could lead to fatal blood loss, or leaving him there for certain death. Acting quickly, Chitsujo tears off the stakes and wraps two ripped-off pieces of his cloak to stop the bleeding. The Being of Order brings Mystogan back to the raised pillar and cancels the technique. Chitsujo reveals Mystogan’s condition, vowing to bring in one of his best medics to tend to him. Makarov asks to stay by Mystogan’s side in Edolas, and Chitsujo tells Makarov to do what he must. Chitsujo tells Dragion and Ashley to take Mystogan to the medical tents until he returns with aid, and then Dragion expresses gratitude. After pondering Konton sending him a message, Chitsujo returns to the Alliance.

Once Chitsujo returns, Beckman asks what’s wrong, while Mavis asks where Makarov is. Chitsujo tells of Makarov’s whereabouts, and reveals the situation in Edolas. He then gives orders for Defense and Medical to send aid to Edolas, while also sending word for Jiraiya to return immediately. Shikaku states that the Sannin is already back, surprising Chitsujo. When he asks why, it is revealed that Naruto asked to be brought to HQ to talk to Chitsujo and Dragon in a private conversation, raising the Being of Order’s curiosity.

It cuts back to earlier, as Naruto remained by Yugito’s side. Kurama tries to get Naruto to stop moping, telling him not to let what happened to Yugito get to him. All they can do is trust the doctors, with the Fox confident Yamanakas will be assigned to the case. When Naruto still doesn’t buck up, Kurama states there was nothing they could’ve done, since they had no idea what Konton would do. Naruto disputes that, saying he could’ve saved her if he was stronger. When Kurama states there opponent was no pushover, Naruto begins to retort. Jiraiya then pops up, asking if Naruto’s talking with his Tailed Beast, surprising his student. Jiraiya reveals he is impressed, thinking about how far Naruto has come. Naruto nods, and tells Jiraiya Kurama’s name, and that all the Tailed Beasts have names and feelings, like people. Jiraiya asks if Naruto and Kurama are friends, to which his student nods. The elder man then takes a seat by Naruto, and asks what happened in the Mental World. He is stunned when his student says he fought Konton, or the fragment that was controlling Yugito. Jiraiya asks if he won, since Yugito wouldn’t be there otherwise. Naruto replies that he may as well have lost, since he couldn’t land a single hit, and Konton chose to set Yugito free to take her back one day. Naruto derides himself for not being strong enough to destroy the fragment and save Yugito’s mind.

At that, Jiraiya asks if Naruto is sure about that, revealing that Komamura and Erza told him that Yugito’s mind was already broken from resisting the transformation. Jiraiya sits Naruto down and tells him it isn’t his fault, and that he should be proud he saved Yugito’s life. Naruto asks if that’s any better, wondering how he could have prevented this. Jiraiya smiles at this, being reminded of how the Fourth Hokage tried to shoulder everything as well, and how while the Third claims he should’ve done the sealing, the Fourth still took that burden. He continues by telling his student that he focuses too much on what could have been, and should look at the present and future. While Yugito’s mind is broken, she’s still alive and has a chance for recovery, and those assigned to her will do whatever they can for her. After Jiraiya tells Naruto to trust his comrades and look to the future, his student thanks him for the words. The two take their leave when a medic requests space for tests. Before Jiraiya returns to Chitsujo for a report and a request for a Yamanaka for Yugito, he wants to talk to Naruto about something else.

First, Jiraiya asks if Naruto knows who his parents are, to which he answers with Minato and Kushina. Jiraiya sighs in relief, guessing Tsunade told him. When Naruto reveals how he really found out during the fight with Pain, and during his Tailed Beast training, Jiraiya smiles at Minato thinking of everything. He asks how Naruto feels, and the young man states that he is proud to be their son; happy that they had faith he would master the Nine Tail’s power. Jiraiya expresses pride at Naruto’s maturity, and then asks if his parents told Naruto about him. When Naruto looks confused, Jiraiya reveals that he is his Godfather. After Naruto stutters in shock, Jiraiya admits he named him, with Minato and Kushina taking inspiration from the main character in his first book, The Tales of a Gutsy Shinobi. He chuckles about Kushina not approving of any of his other characters. Jiraiya explains that he should have raised Naruto after his parents died, but he couldn’t bear to return to the village, lost in grief from losing someone else. Calling it the worst decision of his life, Jiraiya buried himself in work, neglecting Naruto. He kept telling himself it was the right thing, assured that the Third would take good care of the boy, while he ran the spy network that would keep the village safe. When Jiraiya returned before the Chūnin Exams, he saw how far behind Naruto was, and realized his mistake. Jiraiya sadly sighs that he should have been there for Naruto, regretting not giving him a father’s love, or training him to be a greater prodigy than Minato, berating himself for not fighting through his pain for Naruto’s sake. He repeatedly apologizes, even though he states he doesn’t deserve forgiveness.

Naruto stops him, and pulls Jiraiya into a hug, asking if his godfather really thought he’d be mad at him. Naruto says he understands the sacrifices Shinobi have to make, and that Jiraiya did everything he could. He did everything possible to make up for not being there from the start. In his eyes, Jiraiya has nothing to apologize for, and Naruto calls him a great man who sacrificed everything for the village, saying he could never hate him. Crying, Naruto says he’s proud that “Pervy Sage” is his godfather. Holding back tears, Jiraiya calls him a brat for using that nickname, while thinking how happy he is that he’s been accepted as a godfather.

The bonding is hijacked when Erza starts sniffling at the touching moment, shocking both of the Ninja. Naruto wonders what Erza’s doing, and if she should really be moving so soon after fighting a Tailed Beast. After she smirks that it’ll take a lot more to bring her down, Erza asks how Naruto’s feeling. When Naruto smiles that he’s doing just fine thanks to Jiraiya, Erza bows her head in thanks to the Sannin for bringing him out of his funk. At this, Jiraiya gives a lecherous grin, saying it was no problem. Naruto then whispers that the man shouldn’t perv on Erza, calling her a young Tsunade. Shivering in fear, Jiraiya composes himself. While she’s glad Naruto is back to normal, Erza wonders if he’s exhausted, suggesting he rest. Naruto laughs at that, calling himself a massive bundle of energy. Naruto then changes the subject, asking Jiraiya to take him to Chitsujo and Dragon for a private discussion. While Jiraiya pauses, Erza tells Naruto to address Chitsujo with more respect. When Jiraiya asks why, Naruto says he wants to talk with them to clear up a few things from the battle. While Erza is worried, Jiraiya relents and decides they won’t mind, and the Ninjas move to find transport to Crocus. When Erza asks what he’ll discuss, Naruto smiles and says she doesn’t need to concern herself with something between him and those in question. Naruto and Jiraiya take their leave.

Naruto and Jiraiya teleport into the meeting room of Mercurius, the royal castle, in Crocus, but Chitsujo and Dragon aren’t there. Jiraiya wonders if they’re in Intelligence, and Naruto asks if something’s wrong. Jiraiya reassures him that the two are very busy, and probably have to constantly be in different places in HQ. The two make their way to Intelligence, surprising the commanders. While Kisuke grins at Jiraiya, Shikaka notices Naruto and is surprised. The young man recognizes him as Shikamaru’s dad, asking if he should be dead, making Shikaku and Beckman sweat-drop. When Shikaku tells of his circumstances, Jiraiya asks if Naruto can speak with Chitsujo and Dragon about something important. This surprises Beckman, who wonders what’s important enough to leave the battlefield for. When Naruto answers that the battle is over, Kisuke nods while Mavis smiles. She then orders a soldier to contact Dragon and that he and Chitsujo will come to the meeting room. As Beckman expresses shock at them actually doing this, Mavis states there’s no reason not to, with Kisuke laughing that Naruto probably isn’t planning anything malicious. Shikaku chuckles that there’s no way for Naruto to even try to beat Chitsujo and Dragon. When Beckman reminds his colleagues that Chitsujo isn’t even there, Mavis absentmindedly remembers, and Naruto asks why. Kisuke reveals he went to a parallel dimension called Edolas. After Naruto mutters about nothing shocking him anymore, Kisuke reassures Naruto that Chitsujo will be back soon, and he can talk to Dragon in the meantime. When Naruto says the conversation is for both of them, Beckman calls him a brat for his disrespect to Dragon, to which Naruto adamantly repeats his need for answers from them both. Shikaku tells them to calm them, and Naruto will just keep bugging them if they don’t arrange the meeting. Mavis then tells Naruto to head to the meeting room, and Dragon will join shortly.

Before Dragon arrives, Naruto decides to apologize for taking time out of his day, seeing as he is the Supreme Commander. Dragon comes in after finishing a discussion with Jura, and is surprised to find Naruto waiting for him. Naruto apologizes for taking his time, but states he wants to discuss a few things with him and Chitsujo. While Dragon notes Naruto didn’t use his full title, he is impressed that he actually apologizes. Noting Chitsujo was mentioned, he asks if Naruto knows anything about strategy, saying someone could hear about the meeting and let the enemy attack them. In response, Naruto states it’s a good thing Dragon’s too strong to be assassinated by a simple spy. While impressed with Naruto’s lack of fear, Dragon states that even the strongest can fall to assassins, thinking a ninja would know this. Naruto chuckles about that not being his thing, preferring the direct approach. Dragon grins at this, commenting that that is sometimes the best solution. When Dragon asks for Naruto’s questions, the ninja adamantly insists on not repeating himself, and wait for Chitsujo. Dragon calls him gutsy, and that some leaders kill for answers like that. When Naruto asks if he’s one such leader, Dragon says he wouldn’t kill Naruto even if he was, since the Acts of Order are important after all. Dragon asks what Naruto thinks of Luffy, asking that he not lie to him. Naruto calls him a big idiot, more so than himself, but he could tell Luffy was the kind of person to rely on, like with Ichigo and Natsu. Naruto muses that he feels the four will fight side by side as friends.

Chitsujo then walks in, asking why Naruto isn’t with the 5^th, and why he wants to meet with them. Naruto states that things were brought to his attention during the battle, and he wants them cleared up. Not wanting to dance around the subject, Naruto asks if they can trust Dragon. When Chitsujo frowns at Dragon’s loyalty being questioned, Naruto clarifies that he’s questioning whether Dragon is the right person to involve in their cause. After Dragon asks what brought this on, Naruto explains that he faced Smoker, and was surprised to see someone honorable from the World Government, considering what he had heard about it. Internally, Chitsujo thinks that it is a shame Smoker wastes that honor on the World Government. During the battle, Naruto was enraged that Smoker did nothing to change the World Government, despite not agreeing with everything they did. Smoker didn’t defend the World Government’s actions, but stressed the need for it to exist. When Dragon asks what that has to do with questioning his loyalty, Naruto states Smoker denounced Dragon as someone who would disrupt order to serve his own ends. Naruto explains that he believes peace can’t be achieved with conflict, and those trying for peace through war are no better than the people they fight against, since they both continue the cycle of hatred. Why should Naruto trust Dragon if he and the Revolutionary Army add to the conflict in Luffy’s world? Will Dragon turn on the Alliance if he decides they are not fit to rule? Naruto then asks Chitsujo about the other pirates, even though Luffy’s a good person, he hasn’t heard the most flattering things about other pirates, like Law. Are they legitimately aiming for peace, or just doing what it takes to come out on top?

Chitsujo calls these fair questions, figuring someone apprenticed to Jiraiya would ask these sorts of questions. Dragon decides to answer Naruto, since his integrity was questioned, while explaining why the other pirates joined the Alliance. Dragon admits that Naruto is right about conflict not creating true peace, and that he is no saint, calling himself as evil as Sakazuki. Dragon becomes downcast as he states he sent men to their deaths for a cause that might not work out, saying he has killed hundreds of thousands of people with friends and family, directly and indirectly. Dragon concedes that not every marine is corrupt, with some dying fighting in the name of justice, and he must live with killing men not as evil as the regime they follow orders from. Naruto then asks why start a revolution, and that he surely could have found some way to change the world, like working his way to the top. Dragon sighs, and reveals that his father is Monkey D. Garp, the man who repeatedly cornered Gol D. Roger and became known as the Hero of the Marines. This shocks Naruto, who muses about Luffy’s crazy family history. With a hint of bitterness, Dragon notes that despite Garp’s life of service, preaching a doctrine against Absolute Justice, the World Government did not change. The corruption runs too deep to be solved with diplomacy, due to the centuries of history behind the World Government. When Dragon realized this, he was devastated after a childhood of idolizing his father and his ideals. Dragon then made a vow to end the World Government’s tyranny and shoulder the burden of being the World’s Most Wanted Criminal, becoming a villain for the sake of his world’s peace. At this, Naruto compares Dragon to Itachi.

While Dragon respects Naruto’s ideals, he thinks the ninja got used to being able to change the hearts of his enemies, and that he was never faced with an unredeemable foe. When Naruto admits that Kaguya and Zetsu were, Dragon asks if the Ninja understands him. Dragon did not start the Revolutionary Army for power, only to fight an evil greater than himself, and he’ll only take a leadership role after the war if the people desire it. Naruto then asks about the other pirates, and Chitsujo states that every pirate knows that they will have to register with Dragon’s government after the war as privateers, or they will be criminals to be brought to justice. After Naruto asks why they’d join under those conditions, Chitsujo sighs that Naruto would understand the necessity of removing the World Government if he spent enough time in the Pirate World. While he’s heard of the atrocities, Naruto has not experienced them first hand, and so, cannot truly understand the necessity of Dragon’s revolution. Once Naruto says he understands, he promises Dragon that he will stop him if his actions don’t improve the world and descend into corruption. While Chitsujo sits in shock, Dragon chuckles, reassuring Naruto it won’t come to that, and that it is his dream for his actions to leave the world in peace. If he fails, Dragon will await Naruto. At that, Naruto asks Dragon to leave so he can speak to Chitsujo. Seeing that it’s a personal matter, Dragon excuses himself.

Chitsujo scolds Naruto for threatening Dragon, asking if it was necessary. Naruto states that if the Pirate World is as bad as claimed, he had every right to ask Dragon if he intends to improve it, or remake it into his own image. When Chitsujo asks, Naruto decides that Dragon is sincere, being reminded of Itachi. Chitsujo nods in agreement, reminding Naruto that revolutionaries take a great risk, being hated for disrupting order. Dragon will hold that burden himself, with his revolutionaries working in the shadows, and only the higher-ups being known. If the Revolution fails, Dragon wants the men to return to normal lives like nothing happened, earning Naruto’s admiration. Chitsujo then asks what Naruto wanted to say, and the Ninja says he fought Konton. Shocked, the Being of Order asks how that’s possible, since Intelligence hadn’t mentioned him appearing once. Naruto explains he just fought a fragment in the Mental World, which was also controlling Yugito. Calming down, Chitsujo marvels about Konton breaching the Mental World. When Naruto asks how he knows, Chitsujo states that his people’s responsibility is to watch the worlds, and they know everything about the other four worlds in the war. Chitsujo then asks what happened, and Naruto admits not landing a single hit, and he may as well have lost. Chitsujo sighs that Konton is his equal in power, and that fighting him alone was reckless. He then concedes that Naruto was still very brave, doing the best thing that could be done in the circumstances.

When Chitsujo points out Dragon could have stayed for that news, Naruto admits that’s not the heart of the matter. After Chitsujo’s inquiry, Naruto remembers feeling nothing but pure evil from Konton, like when he faced Kaguya, and didn’t want to believe it. He asked why Konton started the war, piquing Chitsujo’s curiosity. After Naruto states that Konton said it was because he hated his brother, Chitsujo’s face falls. Naruto says he didn’t want to believe it, but saw that Konton was serious, and snapped at that. Chitsujo thinks of how he had known for a long time, but did not want to accept it. Naruto asks if Chitsujo also hates his brother. Chitsujo states that no matter how far Konton falls, he will never hate him. When Naruto asks what Chitsujo will do, the Being of Order resolves to harden his heart and kill him. While Konton is his brother, he has fallen too far and will be held responsible for his actions. While Chitsujo admits that Naruto has had great success redeeming his enemies, Dragon was right about there being enemies too far gone for that to work. Chitsujo is prepared to kill Konton so he will not keep falling into depravity, for the sake of the brother he loves. While feeling sympathy for Chitsujo, Naruto thanks his lucky stars that he wasn’t forced to do that to Sasuke. Back on topic, Naruto points out that Konton had a complete disregard for the lives of others, and asks if he was always like that. Chitsujo explains that while Konton was always very ambitious, he used to not completely disregard the lives of others, but his ambition just kept growing with his power. After Chitsujo points out ambition being good in moderation, Naruto recalls Konton going on about chaos being the one true path to peace, while order encourages conflict. Chitsujo then asks if Naruto knows why both he and his brother exist. Chitsujo answers his own question with “Balance”, and that Konton was right about chaos being freedom, in a way. Absolute order is tyranny, and some ‘chaos’ is needed to keep the rulers in check. Absolute Chaos is tyranny, and only the elites rule in a world of disorder, being untouchable while others are at their own throats. That is why balance is needed, and that means cooperation, with Chitsujo guessing that the Six Paths Sage and Jiraiya would agree. At this, Naruto smiles and thanks Chitsujo, getting up to leave.

Before Naruto leaves, Chitsujo asks where Jiraiya is. The young man states that Jiraiya ran off, probably for “research”. Chitsujo sweat-drops, hoping Jiraiya didn’t run into a certain someone. At this, a high-pitched scream is heard, and Jiraiya barges in, panting about seeing “the devil”, begging Chitsujo to save him. Captain Retsu Unohana walks on in, saying she sees no devil. At this, Jiraiya shrieks and hides behind Chitsujo. While Chitsujo is glad she received his orders, Unohana smiles that she trusts Hanatarō to see to her patients. When Naruto asks who she is, Chitsujo introduces her as Soul Society’s greatest healer, making the Ninja wonder how good she is compared to Tsunade. Hearing his sensei’s whimpering, Naruto tells him to stop, and he probably deserves the fright. Chitsujo asks what he did, and Unohana answers that Jiraiya was peeping at her nurses, and felt it her duty to “stop him”. Naruto then feels a sense of terror, and proceeds to hide with Jiraiya, calling Unohana the devil. While Unohana wonders what could possibly frighten them, Chitsujo decides to explain why she is there, since time is of the essence. Chitsujo suggests Naruto get back to Intelligence to hitch a ride back to the 5^th, with the Ninja timidly nodding. Unohana freezes him with a smile, saying it was nice to meet him. At that, Naruto runs and screams in fear, with Unohana asking what is so frightening. Chitsujo sighs at her acting so innocent, and then orders Jiraiya to pull himself together. Chitsujo then informs them of the situation in Edolas, while thinking about Konton reminding him about his best subordinates.

Within Konton’s kingdom, several soldiers cheer and drink while two men sit off to the side, Itan and Yoku. Itan sits like a certain Warlord, while Yoku counts his money. A young soldier walks up to the two, loudly asking how their assignment was. All partying and cheer stops dead, while the fool goes on about how it must have been so fun, taking out weaklings begging for mercy. Yoku keeps counting his money, but the young man gets his attention, asking how many he killed. Yoku stops counting and gets up, making Itan sigh in annoyance. Another soldier runs up, asking Yoku to forgive the young man, and he won’t do it again. With a whip of his arm, Yoku instantly decapitates both of them. While Itan mutters about them being idiots, Yoku yells for no one to bother him when counting money. Itan leaps from his seat, and orders the other soldiers to take the bodies and bury them. Once they’re gone, Yoku admits he’s surprised that Itan didn’t handle the bodies himself, since that would’ve saved time. Before Yoku finishes, Itan interrupts him by guessing he would say “time is money” again. While Yoku frowns, Itan stretches while explaining that destroying the dead is boring, preferring living targets. Yoku nods at that, saying he laughed like a “damn fool” in Edolas. Itan reminds Yoku that he had a sadistic smile while he cut down everything in his path, soldier or civilian. Yoku states he only did that because Konton ordered it. Itan nods, remembering they were told to destroy the Royal City and anyone in it, but leave anyone who escapes alive, to serve as a message for Chitsujo. Yoku wonders if the Alliance has found out, with Itan shrugging they will soon, if they haven’t already, since they took some high-rankers in the Edolas Army. Itan chuckles about Konton’s psychological warfare, and him knowing just where to hit Chitsujo. He then complains about doing nothing but killing weaklings and ruling their assigned districts while a war is going on. Yoku derides him for being childish, and that they can’t leave their districts just yet. Everything they do is for Konton’s ambition, and they will fight when assigned, since Konton’s decisions are never wrong. Everything they do is for victory. Unable to argue with that, Itan agrees, saying “For Victory”.