Once again he was awaken by the familiar biting on his hand. It was Repede's way of indicating that it was breakfast time. The sun had just arisen and it was quite cold outside still. Zetsume left the window open last night and it left in a terrible draft. Zetsume made a fire arrow and lit the fireplace to bring warmth back into the area. Zetsume had a smile on his face on this morning. He was going to test out a new genjutsu that he was working on. It had the ability to negate people's hearing. For an archer that is as valuable as gold. Once the place got warm enough, and after he fed Repede, he decided it was time to venture off into the town. His goal was to try it on just normal people to see how it goes. It did not seem like any harm and he would defuse it before it could cause any kind of serious damage. Zetsume gathered his tools and left while saying goodbye to his only family, Repede. He would always reply with a friendly bark which is what Zetsume would think as "Hurry back soon".

The streets were clustered on this day. It could have been because of the warm day which the village was not really used to. It made people want to go outside more and socialize. Zetsume however did not even like many people and would often keep his distance for both of their sakes. Zetsume found himself at a local bar and decided that this would be and interesting place to test it out. People who were drunk seemed easier to fool with genjutsus. There was a middle ages man talking some serious noise, mostly about how he was a great ninja of his era. The man had many scars to prove it, but was it from heroic battles or cowardice runs. Zetsume did not know and would not even bother asking him. He was a perfect candidate for his new genjutsu. Zetsume was off in the shadows of the bar, calmly sipping his tea in the corner. No one even seemed to notice him, which would only make this that much easier. Zetsume formed the proper hand signs and focused his chakra. He tried to use Silence but could not focus that well with so much chatter among others. After a few attempts he finally got it. He managed to force the man's mental ability to hear sounds useless. It was confirmed when the man would often say that he can not understand what people were saying. Within seconds it did cause him to go into a panic which had some screams. Zetsume quickly dispersed it and kept drinking his tea. The man quickly calmed down when he could hear again. His friends were telling him that he had drank too much and should go him. He only nodded and left with an uneasy feeling. Zetsume quickly paid for his drink and left shortly after. He knew he would need harder subject to test it on.

It was still early in the day when he left the bar. He did not even drink any type of alcohol. Drinking on a training day could end badly, and he did need to train oh so badly. Many people just walked past him without knowing that he was analyzing to find one good person to use the jutsu on. He did not just want to use it on anyone but rather someone who looked like they needed it. There were nice people and he did not want to hurt anyone. Zetsume quickly got to the rooftop to see if he could find people better that way. It was not odd for him to be up there as many ninja would jump on roofs to see the sight down below. The sun made a glistening glow on the snow down below. Zetsume looked down below to find the perfect person to try this jutsu again. It took sometime before he finally decided on the person. It was a young man with a young woman. The woman was complaining to the man it seemed about something that he was not interested in hearing. He showed no emotion to her words and would just simply reply with "Yea".

Maybe I can help this poor fellow out, he thought while he formed up his chakra. This time it was much easier to use this jutsu on him. The man seemed to look up to the sky when it happened as if he was thanking the gods. Zetsume let it last a little while before dispelling it. Which the man would let out a long sigh and have to be forced to listen to her complain more. The jutsu was getting easier and easier with each cast. He was going to perfect it before he would leave on this day. Zetsume set out to find another worthy test subject.

The sun started to set when he found his last subject. It was a music performer on the streets. Zetsume thought it would be funny to make it so he could not hear his own music. Once again from the shadows he used Silence. The man quickly noticed it and stopped playing. He went to clean out his ears but when he still could not hear, he began to worry. Zetsume let out a small snicker. The music performer started to panic, so Zetsume dispelled it and left the poor man alone. He would not torture him anymore.

Zetsume was walking back to his house when he notice some shouting coming from the east. He quickly got on top of a roof to see what was going on down below. It seemed that there were two muggers trying to rob a poor defenseless woman. Zetsume smiled as a true subject for his jutsu would be used. This time more for the good. One man was on the look out with his back turned to his partner who looked like he was trying to rape the poor woman. Zetsume used Silence on the one trying to rape her. In an instant the man noticed it because her screams had stopped but her mouth was still moving.

Zetsume took this opportunity to shoot down the one he did not cast the Genjutsu on. He fell quick to his arrow as did the next. They both were just animals to him, that were long due for being put down. He helped the woman up and called the proper people to dispose of the bodies. It was not long before people were cleaning their blood off of the streets. He had used the Genjutsu on quite a few people tonight. Very few people did not realize the howling noise until it was to late. If they had noticed that it was a genjutsu that was cast, they could have ruined his whole time looking for a suitable test dummy. Though what he really needed was a real challenge. Zetsume set off back to his home to rest for the night. When he arrived he was greeted by Repede who came running up to him demanding attention. Zetsume would reach down and pick up the little puppy to give it a pet. The puppy would reply with a warm lick on the face. This was why he needed strength and this is why he needed a purpose. To protect those he holds dear to him. Zetsume went off to bed, hoping that the next day would be quite eventful for he would go out and look for a mission.

The sound of a grumbling stomach woke him up on this day. It was still early as the sun was not up, but his hunger was. So he set off into the fridge to see what there was to eat. To his surprise, nothing at all. It was rather disappointing that all of his work seemed futile to the amount of bills he has to pay, let alone on restocking. After a long sigh he decided to have ham and eggs for breakfast. It was always a good way to start the day, plus Repede seemed to like the ham. After eating his food he quickly took a shower and left towards the mission board. He had to find something to do for being bored was worst than being dead to him.

While walking through he could hear rumors of a monstrous beast lurking just outside of the walls. It sounded familiar as he once took down a big beast just as they were describing before. It was a weird feeling. He did not like the sounds of how people were talking about its power. impossible it is the same being. I killed him with my own hands. Hell i even cut off his head, he thought while stomping through the snow. It was quite thick on this morning, apparently people think it is okay to slack off. When he arrived at the mission board, it was just like last time. A mission where a large beast is running rampage, and the kage would like him to hunt it down. Zetsume let out a wide grin as he would be able to test a lot of things on this beast. Maybe even learn on how it is coming about. Then again, killing it would just be easier if it tried to kill him. Well easier than trying to catch it. Zetsume remembers a large beast with immense strength. He could throw a tree at him. It was not a way he wanted to die and knew he would have to take care of the beast quickly and effectively. Zetsume left to seek out this so called beast and bring him to his knees for what he has done to his home and his people. His crimes will not go without consequences. Zetsume left the gates with no word to anyone of his absence.

The snow was thick on the outside of Kumogakure. It was a little dark as the sun was just about to set. This could be prime time to find this beast. It will be harder for it to hide in the darkness than it would be for Zetsume. He would show the beast no mercy just as he did to all of his victims. He imagined their screaming faces as a giant monsters crushed their skulls. These visions seemed so real but he knew that they were not for the woman that was getting killed was the same waitress he met not that long ago. There would be no way for her to get killed by that fashion. Though he was worried on what he would walk into. The first strike from either side was detrimental to the victim. He had to be sure to find it before it found him. Walking through the snow was hard in Kumogakure. It damn near comes up to your knees. Most people would run along the trees as the chances of slipping were relatively low. Most ninjas had great balance, or at least he did. He began to look at the ground and try to find prints. If it was a large beast then it would have had to have made some sort of tracks. Something that big could not possibly not. Unless the mission's information was wrong. For all he knew it could have been a small man using a genjutsu to make the illusion of a monster.

It was not until late in the night until he found the prints that he was looking for. It obviously belonged to a large beast of some sort. The feeling of dread filled his mind as he saw the blood tracks on both sides of the footprint probably means he found two more victims. Zetsume picked up his pace to try and find the monster. With any luck he could save a Kumogakure life.

It took almost half an hour before he could see in the distance a ten foot monstrous beat looming in the dark. He was around a large campfire with a few prizes already dead. It seems that this one has already ate some of his villagers. He could see the head bands on the ground near a lot of blood. Fury built up inside of him as he wanted no more than to put this beast down. He drew back and arrow and let it zing towards the back of the head of the monster. It however went to stand up during the shot and was hit in the back rather than a vital spot. It let out a loud roar and turned around to find the assailant. Of course Zetsume was hidden in the trees well. The monster could not smell him or sense him. It did have intelligence by his ability to make fire and cook food. It was rather quite impressive. The hulking beast went to pick up his Kanobo. He started to hit the ground madly as if he was trying to scare off whatever just tried to hurt him. Zetsume however would not be scared just by a simple giant.  Zetsume knew that now would be the best time to cast his Lighting arrows. The monster reacted immediately when he saw the light from the chakra and started to charge through at him. He would knock trees down madly, Zetsume shot a good shot into the monster's right eye. It let out a howl in pain and hit the tree Zetsume was in causing him to fall out. The monster then proceeded to step on him in which Zetsume rolled around letting two more shots into its stomach. Another roar let out as he swung madly trying to grab him. Zetsume would not make it easy. Zetsume had to draw his attention elsewhere as he could not keep up the dodging game forever. Zetsume casted false image to run off in the south side direction. The monster stupidly followed it thinking it was Zetsume.

Zetsume had already managed to hurt the beast a good bit. One of his eyes was gone and he has taken two arrows to the chest while one in the back. The being did not look like it wanted to go down easily. The brute followed the image swinging madly trying to hit it. Of course as an illusion it is easy to dodge a brute of that size. Zetsume got up and dusted himself off. He had to look for survivors while the beast was gone. Even if it was one life, it would be worth saving.  Zetsume would also have to check quick the beast will soon be out of range for the genjutsu and probably turn back. He looked around but only could see bones and blood. It looked like he has been here for awhile and would have made a nice little home if Zetsume did not disturb him. Then again how can a beast be set free like this. A small cry was heard from behind him. It sounded of that of a little girl. Zetsume's heart started to pound as he went to look for her.

"Please speak up. I AM HERE TO HELP YOU!", he shouted out in which a tiny voice called out to him. "Please, save me". She looked to be in a bad mess, she had blood all over her and one of her legs looked broken. It seems that the beast kept her here waiting for when he got hungry later. Zetsume did not even dare to ask if her parents were dead. She had a lot of stuff on top of her, anything from tree branches to leaves. It was the beasts way of making a cage. Zetsume quickly got her up and asked if she could walk. She only looked at the ground and shook her head no. Zetsume could not simply leave this girl where she was, she would die in the fight. He also could not leave the beast for if it ran off the Raikage would have his balls on a silver platter. A cold fear shook over him from the wrath of Reika. He had never had the opportunity to meet her but people say she is one of the strongest Kages, and he would be sure to bring back the beast and save the girl. Zetsume gave the little girl a smile and then spoke to her like a father would, "I am going to hide you. I want you to remain hidden until the fight is over. If i can not take it down, please do not hesitate to run away. I will be here for you, trust me.

Zetsume picked up the little girl and brought her a good distance away from the beasts lair. He set her down gently and told her that if anything went wrong to scream on the top of her lungs. She still did not speak but only nodded in approval. Zetsume turned back towards the camp and left to take down the beast. When he got back to the beast's lair he was already back and was looking for the little girl. Zetsume would get the element of surprise on him twice now. Though using another jutsu could help in killing it. Zetsume gathered the chakra and used Silence on it in hopes that it worked. It seemed like it did as it would look around aimlessly as if it lost something. Zetsume was still in the shadows of the dark night, waiting for his chance to strike. The beast did not like the genjutsu and would slam his mighty fists. Zetsume waited for his chance. He would move from tree limb to tree limb getting closer and closer. If he could take out the other eyes then this beast will not be a threat. Then it would be unable to see nor hear. Zetsume waited for his chance to strike. It came sooner than expected when the beast let out a roar and charged into the direction of Zetsume. It seems to have a great sense of smell. Zetsume let an arrow fly from his bow directly into his last good eye. The monster however did not stop and knocked into his tree.  Zetsume fell out of the tree and landed smoothly on the ground. It seems when he hit it, it did more damage to it than Zetsume. Zetsume now had the monster right where he needed it. Blinded and lost without the inability to hear. He could still smell Zetsume but he would not get downwind of him again. He now knows the smell of Zetsume, which is probably covered in Repede smell. The beast was probably using that to track him down. He would constantly stop and sniff the air hoping the find him. Yet, Zetsume was not going to let him find him, not while he is so close to killing him and protecting many lives. Zetsume was careful on moving around making sure that the beast would not get a smell of him. Zetsume charged a raiton arrow and shot five at him while running. The beast could not hear him so attacking from all sides could make him confused on where to go. Each arrow hit its mark in the legs of the beast. He had to make sure now that it would not run away. three of the arrows hit the right knee while two went into the left knee. The beast had no hope for survival now as it dropped to its knees banging the ground as if it were cursing at the gods for allowing this to happen. It did have some intelligence as most rabid animals would still try to fight, yet this one just gave up so simply. Did it want to die? he thought while looking at the beast on its knees. It was bleeding from many spots and would not make it past an hour. Zetsume dispelled the genjutsu so the beast could hear him, maybe even understand him. Zetsume kept his distance and spoke in a calm voice, "I am not to sure why I am even doing this, but you should know why you are dying. We could not allow you to kill innocent people left and right with no consequences. Many people lost their families due to your violence. So they sent me to take care of you. Please rest easy in the next life."

The monster seemed to hear him and actually nodded. Zetsume gathered his chakra and shot the beast down with four arrows to the head. Most people would think that it was an over kill but to him, he could have hurt  the beast more. Yet, making it suffer was not his way of doing things properly. Zetsume proceeded to cut off a finger of the beast. It weighed surprisingly light. Zetsume stuck it in his pocket and went to find the little girl that he left. Hopefully nothing has happened to her. Zetsume only got a small bruise on his body, other than that he was perfectly fine. He looked back at the beast and thought about burring it, yet it was far to large. Then again it would make a nice meal for the animals that find it.

Zetsume found the little girl in the same spot he left her in. She seemed to have fallen asleep, and was sleeping soundly. He wondered how little she has slept or how long she has been there. Zetsume leaned down to pick her up. Her body was cold and limp. She really needed to get some food in her and to get warm. Zetsume took off his jacket and covered the small child while he carried her back to the village. She hugged him which brought warmth to his heart. He needed to save at least one person on this mission. Time after time again he would show up too late and only find blood in the path. This time however he managed to find a small child, and helped her along his way. He did not know her name nor if she was even from Kumogakure, but he would make sure that she would find a good home.

It was a long journey back, it took almost three hours. The girl would wake up from the noises of outside which Zetsume would only cast Silence on her. It was a magnificent genjutsu that did not have any harming effects. It made the trip much easier for her, because it was hard enough to make her not cry from the pain in her leg. It seems that it was getting worst. When he showed up at the village he brought her immediatly to the doctor. They took her in and told him that they would find a suitable home for her. He did not have to worry about her anymore. Even if he wanted to adopt her he knew that he could not, not while people out there needed him more. She was safe but what about the people out there dying everyday for idiotic reasons. Zetsume gave the doctor enough money for her stay for awhile, and left without saying goodbye to her. It seemed much easier this way. He still had to go to the Raikage and turn in the finger he got from the beast.

When he showed up at the office she was not there and he had to make an official report. He had to tell about how he killed it and of the little girl. When he showed up with only a finger, they asked why not for more in which he replied with, "Get it yourself". They would give him a mean glare of disdain but he ignored it and left to go home. He did not want to keep the rest of his day stuck in an office talking about things that have already happened. Zetsume signed his report and left.

The way home he reflected on what he has done in such a short amount of time. He managed to learn a new jutsu, complete a mission, and save a child. All in all it seemed like it was a great couple of days. He needed this feeling to keep up his days that seemed to drag on endlessly. When he made it back he ended up the puppy was already waiting on him with a hearty smile. Zetsume leaned down to pet it and give it some pets. The puppy was feisty and tried to play with him, but Zetsume was a bit to tired to comply. Zetsume would only shake his head no, and went to head for his bed. It seemed to be insanely comfortable at this moment, which is all it took for him to rest soundly this night.