The smaller details came back into focus as the blood pounding through Daisuke’s skull finally took some time to cool off. His Len Sosu-enhanced squall managed to suck up a lot of the surrounding debris and even put out the worst of the fires, but now the air was returning to a more placid state. The smoky smell of smoldering wood filled his nostrils and the hushed cackling of still burning but not quite raging fires surrounded him on all sides. Motonubu lay somewhere behind one of the few still standing trees not destroyed either by Len Sosu’s onslaught or Daisuke’s incinderay techniques. The options slowly scrolled through his head.

“Still catching your breath?” Motonubu’s diminutive form emerged from a smoky plume. The man still looked every part the standard Garion soldier and his tough cloak and carefully maintained facial hair made even his unsightly appearance look immaculate next to the dishevelled Daisuke. Motonubu never was one to dress casually, but compared to how their first meeting on the island went, now the Agent looked armed and ready for a war. “I understand. Take your time, General Hashimoto Daisuke.”

Composing just enough of himself to respond without wheezing, Daisuke responded. “Don’t think for a second I can’t kill you in my next breath, you dog.”

Motonubu’s weathered face didn’t seem to register Daisuke’s bitter tone at all. Instead he merely observed and took special care to step over any still hot embers littering the scorched earth at his feet. “I do not doubt it, General Daisuke. Even without the Sixeyes your Divine Wind alone is certainly more than enough to eliminate me, hm?” Stopping briefly Motonubu looked down at an oddly shaped fragment, then kicked it aside with care. “It will be difficult to kill me quite as quickly though, without Master Kurosawa’s- or I should say, the Sixeye's Hellfire. I think a ceasefire could be negotiated between us with generous terms, do you not agree?”

The strength returning to his muscles Daisuke finally released his death grip on the tree trunk that had anchored him from the worst of the tornado’s fury. Both he and Motonubu stood unarmed but as usual, nothing was quite that simple. Trails of smoke, some white and some black, danced around them in the air. Motonubu held up a hand as if to shake Daisuke’s despite the still sizable distance between them both.

“Your consternation is regrettable. Surely you recognize, General Daisuke, that the moment you try to use your jutsu it will be obvious? Even a child would be able to see the smoke moving if you tried to pull one of your air tricks. Rather than continue to antagonize, why not join me in a discussion?”

“You,” Daisuke’s voice rumbled, “framed me for an assault on another nation. If I’m caught by Annitou, I’ll executed. If I return to Garion, I’ll be executed even faster.”

Motonubu shook his head and frowned. “A regrettable part of the job, to be sure. But as you know I am tasked with-”

“Protecting Garion assets, I know.” Daisuke stood up to his full height again. Keeping Motonubu talking was letting his strength return bit by bit. Wasn’t Motonubu aware that he was playing with fire? “Who sold me out, huh? General Masahiro? The Caimen? Just your personal ambition?”

Tapping his chin Motonubu gave as thoughtful of an expression as a cold killer like himself could. “It certainly is difficult to guess. You have just made so many enemies. Sometimes it is good to have friends as well, would you not agree?”

“Like your buddy I just sent into the stratosphere?”

“Also regrettable.” Motonubu sighed. “I suppose you will be adding that to your pretend list of jutsu as well. But yes, just like Agent Len Sosu.” Motonubu gave a slight bow. Not one that took his eyes off Daisuke, but rather one of deference. “I am yielding my position, General Daisuke. My plan has failed and cannot be recovered. I will relinquish the hourglass to you on a small condition.”

A naive approach would have been to trust Motonubu, but Daisuke worked alongside this man long enough to know that every offer was just another trap. Still he couldn’t stop himself from focusing in harder once Motonubu mentioned the artifact. His stance eased up, just a little.

“Why should I believe a word you are saying?”

“You do not have to. Come.” Motonubu turned his back to Daisuke and presented an ideal opportunity to launch a surprise attack. “I will take you to the item which you seek and explain on the way. I am worried all this smoke will attract the wrong sort of people.”

A tremor of energy rumbled through Daisuke’s body. If he was going to kill Motonubu this exact moment would likely be best. Following the man into unfamiliar territory was an almost guaranteed way to get in even deeper trouble. Nothing Motonubu was capable of was anywhere near as threatening as the raw power that Len Sosu had represented, but the Agent’s weakness never made Daisuke feel any better. A scalpel might be weaker than a sword, but used properly it was no less deadly.

“Or,” Motonubu spoke up again before stepping away. “Stay there, and let this chance to revive your Master disappear for good.”

The energy in the air faded away into the breeze. Daisuke stretched his legs and gave the back of Motonubu’s head a firm stare. Carefully, with tender steps, Daisuke began to follow.

It wouldn’t be for a while longer until the conversation resumed. The jungle’s full overgrowth returned as they left ground zero of Daisuke and Len Sosu’s little scuffle. Motonubu navigated the pathless earth with the certainty of someone familiar with the area, which was extra unnerving. Finally the Agent’s gruff voice broke the uneasy silence. “In the future I would recommend a smaller burn area, General Daisuke. Even if you were wary of traps, with Annitou out hunting in force it wasn’t wise to send such a huge signal.”

Mostly recovered from his exhausting ordeal Daisuke could muster up enough breath to respond with his usual flippant attitude. “Your lapdog did such a great job clearing the area out, I felt like it would be a waste not to.”

“Hm. Well, it is good to know you are so easily baited. Nothing much has changed there I see.” As they walked Motonubu never turned back to look at Daisuke. Exposing his back was very uncharacteristic of the cautious Motonubu, but perhaps this was his way of luring Daisuke into a false sense of security. “I suppose I should tell you Len Sosu’s goal in this operation was to neutralize you. The boy was trained for it and still managed to let victory slip through his fingers. Hopefully a lesson he will learn from.”

“The dead can’t learn from their mistakes.”

“You think he is dead?” Motonubu’s voice expressed a genuine bit of surprise. “After what he already survived?”

“I don’t care what kind of wacky jutsu that kid had, to fall from that height and live...”

“Ah, well.” Motonubu shrugged his shoulders. “Len Sosu is certainly out of the picture for now, anyway. That means he cannot protect me, so I have no choice but to rely on you now. How is your arm?”

“What?”

Motonubu lifted one arm and pointed at the location where Daisuke had been injured in the fight with the swordswoman a few nights before. “The stitches, I mean. Are they still intact?”

“I’m not hurt-”

“Former Legionnaire Kiku-Ichimonji Junko is very formidable, Generla Daisuke. I have no hope of defending myself against her. In exchange for taking her out of the picture, I will give the hourglass to you. It is worthless to me now anyway.”

“Hang on-”

“Yes, yes, why was Garion collecting artifacts, and why did we kidnap the Annitou boy. Trifling matters of national pride, I assure you. Hardly worth discussing.” Motonubu took a sharp turn and began descending into a particularly thick section of the jungle. Daisuke felt more on edge than ever as the walls of trees grew tighter. “But without Len Sosu the plan has fallen completely apart. With the Annitou Navy closing in and Metsina Agents on our tail...”

“Let me ask a goddamn question-”

“I’m going to give you the hourglass, you will eliminate Legionnaire Junko, and we will call the rest water under the bridge, hm?” Motonubu stopped and Daisuke nearly drew too close to the man, stopping short just before coming within range. “Apart from her, nobody else on Jinchi knows what Garion was planning. We can let the bigwigs back home decide how to spin the story. I am sure we can place the blame on her for the attack on Annitou’s settlement somehow. Is that an agreeable exchange for you?”

“If you don’t shut up and let me talk-”

“Here is the hourglass.” Motonubu gestured to his side and Daisuke’s eyes instantly snapped in that direction. Towering above them, nestled deep like a fortress between the titanous trees, was a huge construct that looked to be made of mud. Again anticipating a response, Motonubu tapped the structure with his knuckles. “Not something we see much of in Garion, but I am told they call these things ‘termites’. Industrious little pests, it seems. They already repaired the damage I caused to their structure. You could never tell anything was hidden within, could you?”

A shift in the wind rustled the nearest vegetation. It also silenced Motonubu. Daisuke stood quite a distance from him now, despite the claustrophobic grouping of trees. Even so the worst of the General’s air manipulation tricks would have him getting caught in the blast as well. This specific location had not been picked at random. “Don’t talk to me like we’re friendly, dog.” Daisuke’s fires of hate hadn’t died down nearly as fast and he still wore a bitter expression as he spat at Motonubu. “If what I want is in there, give me a reason I shouldn’t squash you out right now and take what belongs to me.”

The outburst didn’t bother Motonubu in the slightest and indeed not even his cloak seemed ruffled by the hostility. “What would you stand to gain, ending me here?” Motonubu shrugged and intentionally diverted his eyes to avoid looking at Daisuke. “Annitou, Metsina, Fenshingiri...they are all looking for the Ghost of Garion, Hashimoto Daisuke. Even Legionnaire Junko is on the lookout for you. Nobody is on your side.” Motonubu made a grandiose gesture towards himself for emphasis. “Except yours truly, as always. Have we not worked so well before in the past?”

“I’d hardly count all those massacres as bonding experiences.”

“Oh let us not disagree over semantics. Without some of those jobs, how much longer would it have taken for you to become a General?”

“You’ve tried to kill me twice.”

Motonubu looked confused for a moment before it clicked. “You mean on the island? Yes, I suppose. Then again,” a very unbecoming smile spread across Motonubu’s thin lips. “I was facing a rogue Garion soldier looking to revive a sworn traitor of my home country. Perfectly justifiable by most accounts.”

The phrasing seemed to stun Daisuke briefly, but his focused expression recovered in an instant. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Motonubu paused himself as if to determine whether Daisuke was lying or not. “Was I wrong? Your parents and siblings are all still alive. You have no lost loved ones that Garion knows about. The only true loss you’ve ever dealt with is the death of your mentor, Master Kurosawa.” Motonubu tapped his elbow as if pondering something. “Granted it is strange to want to revive someone you killed yourself...do you have a secret, dying lover? A deceased childhood pet? Perhaps Garion's intelligence was wrong for once.”

“Every word you say is moronic, I wish you’d just stop talking. Let me see what we came here for before I flatten you alongside this stupid jungle.” Sensing that the conversation wasn’t getting any more pleasant Motonubu happily obliged. He turned and held one palm out, flexing each finger in turn. With careful deliberation he placed it atop the large termite nest’s wall. None of the insects swarmed on the outside of the structure but the inside was teeming with unseen life. With a bit of concentration Motonubu began to work his magic, and thin white strips of smoke began to flow off his fingertips, as the underside of the termite mound was smouldering. His jutsu, this Wispform, could do little but generate this lingering dust. In a world where even the lowest of Agents could kill with little more than a snap of their fingers, this technique often failed to impress.

Having worked alongside Motonubu enough Daisuke knew a bit better than most. As the smoke grew in thickness and began to filter through the holes of the mound Daisuke waited for some unseen ambusher or other Motonubu-type trap to spring. Wispform’s real danger came from how long it tended to stick around. By changing the color and texture of the smoke the man could make distinctive disguises, though not being a creative type he wasn’t terribly good at improvising with it. It was limited mostly to letting him hide as things people didn’t pay much attention to, and to people he had many hours of practice disguising as. Even Cadets in Garion’s Academy could boast greater ability.

After a bit more smoke escaped Motonubu made his move. With a grunt he thrust his arm forward and smashed through what had looked like the fairly sturdy wall of the termite mound. He sank in deep and bottomed out at his shoulder. From his angle Daisuke couldn’t see exactly what the man was doing but it was apparent Motonubu’s face was smashed up against the side of the mount given how close he was now. If there was going to be a time to talk without the man cutting in now would be it.

“I’m not going to fight that dumb woman again. You’re going to give me the hourglass and I’m going to leave. If I see you again on this island I won’t hesitate to kill you."

“Hmm.” Motonubu grunted, still fishing through the mound for his prize. By now a number of termite soldiers had emerged to defend their hive. They scattered around in a daze, however, due to the volume of smoke Motonubu was putting off.

“This is the only deal I’m giving you. Consider the hourglass an exchange for your life.”

“How uncommon.” Motonubu heaved his arm out, flinging bits of wood and numerous termites out as he did so. The ruptured side of the hive was now a living carpet of specks as the furious insects began repairing their damaged home. The bugs likewise coated Motonubu’s arm but most especially his hand. The form of the hourglass could still be made out beneath the curtain of insects now surrounding it. Daisuke’s eyes narrowed.

“I never knew the Ghost of Garion could negotiate.” Motonubu used his free hand to bat away some of the worst of the termite biters, but he left the hourglass itself uncleaned. “Did your encounter with Len Sosu leave you feeling merciful? I expected you to kill me on the spot once I told you where the hourglass was.”

“Prove it works.”

“Prove it-” Motonubu held it up like he was holding a pair of dirty underwear. “Are you daft? Do you know how rare relics like these are? Using it even once would consume the entire quantity left within, rendering this whole charade pointless. There hasn’t been a known source of Assate’s Tears for hundreds of years and you want me to piss it away because you are cranky.”

Now it was Daisuke’s turn to emote, and he jabbed a threatening finger at Motonubu in response. “Don’t act like you haven’t been using it yourself-”

“-to jump around, yes, but not directly!” He shook the hourglass a bit and dislodged some the hangers on. Beneath could be seen the crystal glass coils which made up its structure, and the strange opaque liquid that swirled within it. The color was very dark, almost black, which Daisuke hadn’t noticed that night on the dock when Motonubu had stolen it. That alone wasn’t enough to prove anything. “This is a Garion asset, General Daisuke. I would never waste such a precious resource so frivolously.”

“Alright, fine.” Daisuke balled his fingers into a fist. “Do the teleport thing. Show me it’s real.”

Motonubu drew the hourglass closer, examining it with a closer eye. “Do you want me to explain how it functions? The artifact is quite finicky and misusing it could result in great harm to yourself. Annitou injured three men trying to figure it out, and those Metsina smugglers managed to kill one of their own by mishandling it. Teleporting yourself into a door or into another person is quite fatal.”

“The more you talk the more I regret not popping your head off an hour ago when I had the chance.”

Tapping into deep reserves of patience Motonubu finally obliged. He hunched over the artifact and his free hand seemed to flick the hourglass at specific spots. He reached into his cloak and then-

With a jolt Motonubu’s body changed. His arm was once again now deep within the termite mound, re-agitating the still smoked insects within. The shift caught Daisuke by surprise and he himself jumped back, flinging his arms to his side in preparation of some surprise attack. Instead Motonubu merely pulled the hourglass back out just as he had moments before.

“How uncommon. I never knew the Ghost of Garion could negotiate.” His intonation and delivery was exactly the same and for a second Daisuke thought it must have been some elaborate joke. Given how humorless Motonubu was, that idea died pretty quick. Motonubu, on the other hand, seemed to pick up on the situation quite fast. “Ah, I see.” He looked down at the termites scampering beneath his feet, then at his surroundings. “I jumped, didn’t I?”

Expressing perhaps the first bit of non-anger related emotion he had felt in a while, Daisuke incredulously drew back. “You don’t remember?”

“Part of the exchange.” Motonubu began picking termites off himself again. “The hourglass sends the holder back, up to the moment when they first touched it but potentially anywhere in between. Of course your body and mind return to that same state as before as well. It can be quite finicky, Annitou injured three of their own men-”

“Yeah, yeah,” Daisuke grunted. “You told me all this already.”

“Oh, did I? I apologize. I have not used it mid-conversation before. Must be terribly awkward for you then.”

Daisuke jerked his thumb towards a nearby moss covered stump. “Put it there and walk away. Then go bugger off for good.”

Motonubu held the hourglass for a bit before once again yielding. Slowly he turned towards Daisuke’s indicated stump. He set the still termite covered artifact down, then pulled away from it after one last squeeze. There seemed to be a real regret lingering over him.

“Now beat it.”

“Yes, yes. As you wish, General Daisuke.” Motonubu sighed and turned his back to Daisuke. He walked just far enough away for Daisuke to feel comfortable moving towards the hourglass. It almost looked like he was anticipating something.

Never one to leave his audience waiting, Daisuke delivered as soon as his fingers gripped the cold glass of the artifact. “Hey, Motonubu.”

He didn’t turn around but instead simply stood still. His head tilted just enough, just a fraction of enough so that one eye could just barely see Daisuke. It wouldn’t be quite as satisfying if Daisuke couldn’t see his whole face, but this would just have to do.

“Burn in hell.”

In between his fingers of the hand not gripping the hourglass looked to be an oddly shaped, green rock. Ah, no, Motonubu recognized the pattern seconds too late. It was shard, a fragment of the Sixeyes! One of the eye-shaped patterns on the broken weapon could still be made out, at least in the few seconds Motonubu had to look at it before the entire air around him ignited and exploded. A searing heat blasted through his skin straight to the bone and every direction around him instantly became engulfed in a blinding green-tinted light. Even a fragment of the weapon could produce flames this potent!

What a shame this knowledge would disappear with him.

From his position Daisuke continued blasting enormous spouts of green flame, the wind rushing around his palm to carry the broken Sixeyes piece’s sparks outward and upward from his location. It took considerably more effort to generate this much fire without the full size of the Sixeyes to rely on, but the natural built up anger inside him more than made up the difference. Daisule immolated everything even more thoroughly than he had with Len Sosu- every possible trap and trick Motonubu could have possibly set up in a massive radius around them would melt and turn to ash. Even his own protective layer of air couldn’t keep the heat out from his cremation technique and sweat once again began pouring down Daisuke’s face. All the while he held a tight grip on the hourglass bequeathed to him by Motonubu. This would be it. One last cleansing inferno, and there would be no more obstacles between him and his goal. In a way it was even like he was burning down the last of his past. No more Motonubu and their dozens of shared sins to worry about- and the means to fix all his past mistakes now rested in the palm of his hands.

Despite Daisuke’s aching bones, tender muscles, and incredibly taxed system, he felt better than he had in years. Leave it to that rotten Motonubu to give the General reason to have a sincere smile for once.