Yasuke : Rise of the Black Dahlia

Yasuke, Chapter 20 : Cost of Success

After Botaro and Kaji made it back to the Kingdom of Namunda, they were met with King Nobunaga. He was cheerful that they managed to take Yasuke from Neserus despite what happened to King Nebuchadnezzar. Despite King Nebuchadnezzar's condition, Nobunaga's onto focus was throwing a celebration.

"My King, I know it may be hard for you to hear. But, King Nebuchadnezzar fell in his battle against the Spartan Captain Perseus." Botaro explained. "He managed to capture Yasuke, which is indeed a win. But losing King Nebuchadnezzar in battle is still a loss. I'm having my own herbalist treating him with medicine currently. But, I think we should have the Order's head herbalist working on healing him."

"No, that won't be necessary." King Nobunaga stated as he poured himself a drink. "You have your guy doing all he can, which is fine for me. Don't stress Botaro. You should have a drink, try to enjoy yourself."

"I'm glad your in good spirits but I can't celebrate knowing King Nebuchadnezzar won't pull through." Botaro replied.

After finishing a quality sip from his drink, King Nobunaga set the cup down and walked closer to Botaro.

"All that matters is that we have Yasuke." He explained. "Dying to secure him is one fine way to go out. Don't you think?"

"Well, yes." Botaro stuttered. "But, won't it help to ensure that he survives? We have the people and the resources, I know we can-"

"Botaro, you're beginning to ruin my fun." King Nobunaga replied as he gave a menacing glare. "All of this saving King Nebuchadnezzar shit is going to lead to you losing your life."

"I'm sorry, my king." Botaro replied as he looked down. "I didn't mean to ruin your fun."

"Then come join me for a drink. It's time to celebrate!" Nobunaga concluded. "Whatever happens to Nebuchadnezzar isn't a concern right now."

Botaro realized very quickly that he should keep his concerns to himself. He knew King Nobunaga really wanted King Nebuchadnezzar to die, so that he wouldn't become a potential threat to his plans. But, to publicly disagree or even speak out against Nobunaga's thought process would be like committing suicide. Little did he know, he wasn't the only one conscious of this fact. From above, in the corner of King Nobunaga's bedroom, one of the many Mushkhushshus made it's way just in time to hear the conversation Botaro and King Nobunaga had. It silently slithered it way back to where King Nebuchadnezzar's body was. A few herbalist were around. They boiled herbs for Nebuchadnezzar to breathe in and used different medicinal rubs to treat the wounds on his body. The Mushkhushshu patiently waited, not for anything in particular, just a slight opportunity. Soon, it came.

"Thanks, you two." One of the herbalists stated. "You guys were a big help. But, he's stable enough for now."

"You're welcome, Doctor." One of them replied.

"Yeah, feel free to ask for anything you need." the other added.

The two younger herbalists left the room while the older one stayed and continue to monitor King Nebuchadnezzar. This gave the Mushkhushshu the one chance it needed. It began to descend from the corner of one of the walls to the ground. Then, it made it's way towards the herbalist the two younger herbalists referred to as the Doctor. Before it got close enough, it was interrupted by the sound of someone else entering the room. Once the door opened, it was no other than King Nobunaga himself.

"My King, I didn't know you were going to stop by." The doctor stated.

"I didn't either." Nobunaga replied as he took a few steps in. "But, here I am."

"Yeah, you are." The doctor agreed. "I know it's not to see me, so did you come to check up on King Nebuchadnezzar?"

"This is the time you're actually wrong." Nobunaga corrected. "Our mission to take Yasuke was a major success, so we're celebrating now. You should join us."

"King Nebuchadnezzar is stable but that can change at any moment." The Doctor explained. "I should stay at his side until he becomes conscious again."

"I'm not asking. You're coming with me and you're going to have a drink like everybody else." Nobunaga declared.

"If you insist, I have no choice. Let me gather a few things it will only take a second." The Doctor replied.

"Get the hell out of this room. Now!" Nobunaga demanded.

The Doctor hurriedly walked out of the room. He didn't want to leave King Nebuchadnezzar's side, but he also didn't want to defy King Nobunaga's orders.

"Whatever he's up to won't be good." The Doctor thought on his way out. "After I have a few drinks, I'll come back as quick as I can."

After seeing The Doctor leave the room, King Nobunaga approached King Nebuchadnezzar's body.

"You're a phenomenal man." He stated as he took a few more sips from his drink. "You defeated one of the Spartan Captains after defeating the majority of King Musa's Order. You took Yasuke away from Neserus single-handily. Lastly, you saw to it that my vision would become reality even at the cost of your life. For that, I want to thank you."

King Nobunaga built his aura of chi.

"However, you are also a man without any morals. You killed the previous King of Babylon just to rise to power. You always put your own well-being before others. You also are just too strong to be completely obedient. You're just like me in those ways, but there's only room for one. I'll have to make sure you never regain consciousness. It's just a precaution I have to take to ensure success, nothing personal."

King Nobunaga's chi formed a small and narrow blade that extended around his right arm.

"Leading up to the moment I became the new King, I was creating a technique that would allow me to kill without leaving a single trace. It's undergone alot of revision in that time but I figured you'd be the best person to test it on. If they found out I killed you, I could quickly make a reason why. But if I killed my father, nothing I say would explain that action. If the doctor isn't about to pinpoint your cause of death, I'll be in the clear to do the same to him."

King Nobunaga pointed the tip of his blade at Nebuchadnezzar's chest. And then began to slowly thrust his weapon into his chest. Instead of cutting and entering through his skin, it completely phased through him. There were no stab wounds or blood visible.

"I should probably go for the brain as well, just to be sure." Nobunaga thought as he pointed the tip of the sword at Nebuchadnezzar's head. "No, he's done. There's nothing else needed."

King Nobunaga took the last few sips of his drink before his cup was completely empty.

"I need a new drink." He thought. "Time to get back to the celebration."

A few moments after King Nobunaga left the room, The Doctor peeked his head in.

"King Nebuchadnezzar is still here?" The doctor wondered. "I thought for sure Nobunaga planned to do something to him. "

The Doctor took a few steps closer to Nebuchadnezzar's body and gave it a quick glance.

"He's really in the same condition I left him in." The Doctor realized. "I suppose my mind really did get the best of me this time. Well, I have no reason to miss the celebration. I should join the others before King Nobunaga realizes I'm gone."

Seeing no visible ailments to King Nebuchadnezzar was enough to convince The Doctor that he had nothing to worry about. So, he left the room and joined the others for the celebration. He wasn't aware of the fact that the little life King Nebuchadnezzar had left was leaving. The Mushkhushshu that hid in the shadows of the room began fading. Soon it and King Nebuchadnezzar was no longer, both moments away from being revived.