Chapter 276: Firecrackers
Malik floated effortlessly above the ground, legs crossed, wings extended in their full radiant glory, the gold and pink luminescence of his Flamingold Incubus form casting an ethereal glow against the darkened forest. The edges of his wings shimmered like molten metal, catching the light and reflecting it in soft, mesmerizing hues. His horns curved elegantly, his long gold-and-pink hair cascading down his back like a celestial waterfall.
And below him stood Konan and Tobi, two formidable women, staring up at him with varying levels of irritation.
Malik tilted his head, studying the team-up with mild amusement.
"Konan and Tobi…" he mused out loud, his smile never wavering. "Now that is a very weird team-up."
His gold-and-pink eyes sparkled, scanning Konan's impassive expression. She was skilled at hiding emotion, at maintaining her calm and calculated demeanor, but Malik only needed a flicker in her gaze, a single shift in her energy, to confirm what he had suspected.
"Okay, good," he murmured under his breath, flexing his wings with casual grace. "This isn't the actual team. Thank the Twin Goddess, because I really don't need to mess up the timeline that bad."
He stretched slightly, rolling his shoulders as though shaking off tension.
"I'm glad this team-up isn't a normal thing," he added, his voice light, teasing.
Konan didn't react, but Malik caught the way her fingers twitched slightly—a subtle irritation.
"Well, since both of you are just going to stand there, all hearts a-flutter," Malik continued, leaning back midair with an effortless grace, "I might as well take a better look at you both."
His hot pink magic sparked, dancing around him as he conjured an illusion of firecrackers, shimmering and bursting in the air.
"And I must say, on looks alone, both of you are total firecrackers."
The illusion reflected in Konan's amber eyes as she narrowed them ever so slightly.
Tobi shifted her weight, her masked face unreadable, though Malik could feel the tension in her stance.
Oh, they were annoyed. That was fun.
But Flirting with Konan first is only right, Malik turned his attention first to Konan, and this time, his voice dipped into something smoother—something more deliberate.
"I've always liked the way you carry yourself," he admitted, his glowing gaze settling on hers. "Cold, composed, but your fire runs deep. You don't let anyone see it, but oh, it's there."
He watched as Konan stiffened just slightly. She did not like being read.
"And then there are those eyes—your amber eyes." Malik exhaled, as though admiring fine art. "Most people wouldn't think much of them at a glance. But you know what I see?"
Konan's lips pressed into a thin line.
"I see warmth, buried under layers and layers of precision. I see the girl who stood alongside Yahiko and Nagato before she became an angel in the eyes of her people."
Konan's body locked up briefly, just for half a second—an imperceptible reaction that only someone skilled at reading emotions would catch.
Malik's smirk grew.
"Of course," he continued smoothly, tilting his head just slightly, "maybe I'm wrong. Maybe I see things I shouldn't see. Either way—you look good, Konan."
He winked, and that irritated flicker in her energy grew just a touch stronger.
Now it was time for Flirting with Tobi, Malik turned to Tobi next, but this—this required a different approach.
Because Malik knew the truth.
Tobi was Obito Uchiha.
And saying that out loud? Yeah, that was definitely a fast way to get stabbed.
So instead, Malik simply looked at her.
Not in an obvious way—no. This was a different kind of look. A look that made Tobi freeze, her body tensing as though something inside her had just shifted.
She could feel his gaze on her.
It was knowing.
It was too knowing.
And for the briefest of moments—only a fraction of a second—the persona of Tobi cracked.
Malik saw it, saw how her shoulders stiffened, how her breath hitched ever so slightly, as if she had been exposed to something unspoken—something dangerous.
But just before Tobi could react, just before she could say something, do something, Malik simply smirked and changed tactics.
"You know," he said smoothly, his voice velvet-like, "I've got to admit—you've got a certain mystery about you that makes a man wonder."
Tobi stilled, recovering quickly, shifting back into her usual nonchalant energy.
"I mean, look at you," Malik continued, his hot pink magic sparking faintly in the air, gliding around Tobi's silhouette as if painting her outline. "Black long sleeves, mask covering everything—like a poem written in riddles. If I didn't know better, I'd say you were hiding something."
Tobi didn't speak.
She felt his words more than she heard them.
"But, you know what? That's fine." Malik let the silence stretch, making it heavier before he softened it suddenly.
"I like puzzles."
He grinned, his gold-and-pink wings flexing slightly, his hot pink eyes gleaming as he hovered effortlessly above them.
"And I must say, you're a particularly fun one."
Tobi finally spoke, her voice tight, controlled.
"You talk too much."
Malik laughed, the sound rich and entirely too amused.
"Oh, I talk just enough," he teased, his smirk widening in The Aftermath.
Konan exhaled slowly, reigning in whatever irritation had stirred inside her.
Tobi, still masked, shifted slightly, her shoulders less relaxed than before.
Malik, floating in the air, looked down at them, his golden skin glowing, his spade-shaped tail flicking idly in the breeze.
"Well, ladies," Malik finally said, his voice dripping with amusement, "it's been a pleasure. But I do have to say..."
He leaned forward slightly, his flaming wings spreading wider as his hot pink magic sparked in rhythmic pulses.
"But You really can't kidnap me."
He shook his gold-plated claw at them like a disappointed teacher.
"We made a deal," Malik winked, "Maybe not with you two, but I deal all the same."
Tobi groaned audibly.
"How do we take him back without bring back a corpse, this seems hard with his type," she muttered, crossing her arms.
Konan, didn't say anything to her for a second. But after awhile She nodded to herself in agreement, her expression unreadable, but the quiet sigh she let out spoke volumes.
===
Malik hovered lazily in midair, the glow of his Flamingold Incubus form bathing the entire clearing in gentle shades of gold and hot pink. He stretched casually, tilting his head playfully as he regarded Konan and Tobi below, who stood rooted to their positions, clearly calculating their next moves.
"Team Firecrackers," Malik teased affectionately, a mischievous smile dancing across his golden lips. "You two make a surprisingly harmonious pair—explosive, unpredictable, and delightfully entertaining."
Konan's amber eyes narrowed slightly, and although she maintained her calm exterior, Malik could detect the faint twitch at the corner of her mouth. She clearly wasn't amused by the nickname, which only made him like it more.
Tobi shifted slightly, the orange spiral mask obscuring her features but failing to hide the tension emanating from her body. Malik's keen eyes caught every subtle reaction—the slight tensing of her shoulders, the tightening of her fists—and he delighted in each tiny victory.
"Come on, Bluebird," Malik directed his gaze warmly at Konan, the new nickname earning him a brief, irritated glare. "And you, Mystery Muffin," he continued, now focusing on Tobi, whose shoulders rose and fell with a deep, exasperated sigh. "Surely you two can spare a few moments for conversation before you attempt kidnapping round two?"
"Your confidence borders on absurd," Konan finally spoke, her voice as cool and smooth as polished ice. "Are you not concerned at all that you're outnumbered?"
Malik chuckled heartily, leaning forward slightly to close the distance, his wings spreading gently, scattering ethereal sparks in their wake.
"Oh, sweet Bluebird," he purred teasingly, "if numbers alone were enough, I'd have been locked away ages ago."
He watched with amusement as Tobi audibly groaned again, shaking her head. "You're way too confident for your own good, Malik. Are you sure you're not worried? You know, just a little?"
"Worried?" Malik feigned contemplation, tapping a golden finger against his cheek. "No, no, I wouldn't say worried. Interested, yes. Intrigued? Absolutely. But worried? Not really. Especially not with Team Firecrackers here keeping me company."
Konan's eyes met Tobi's briefly, exchanging a wordless message. Malik noticed the subtle understanding pass between them and smiled knowingly.
"Oh no," Malik sighed melodramatically, placing a hand over his heart, his expression one of mock sadness. "Are you both plotting against poor little me again? At least buy me dinner first!"
Konan rolled her eyes, her voice dripping with dry amusement. "Your bravado is impressive, if tiresome."
Tobi snickered slightly, the sound muffled by her mask. "At least he's entertaining."
"See, Mystery Muffin appreciates my charm!" Malik said brightly, extending his arms theatrically. "Bluebird, you should learn to enjoy life a bit more."
Konan let out a controlled breath, subtly shifting into position as Tobi moved to flank Malik. "Your distraction tactics won't save you this time."
"Who said anything about distractions?" Malik grinned widely, reclining even further midair, completely at ease. "I genuinely enjoy our little chats. They make me feel special."
"Trust me, you're special enough already," Tobi responded wryly, moving closer as Konan began subtly drawing out delicate paper sheets from the folds of her cloak.
Malik's eyes glinted knowingly. He was perfectly aware of their movements, yet remained deliberately passive. Either it was a dangerous show of overconfidence, or he genuinely saw no threat from them.
"You know," Malik continued conversationally, completely ignoring their encroaching presence, "I've been thinking—your leader, the mysterious woman running the Akatsuki—does she tell you why she's so interested in me, or is this all a bit of fun speculation?"
Konan paused briefly, genuine curiosity flickering in her eyes. "Honestly, we don't know. She hasn't shared her intentions explicitly."
"I bet she has a crush," Tobi joked lightly, carefully closing in.
Malik laughed aloud, the sound clear and melodious. "Wouldn't that be a twist! The leader of the feared Akatsuki, secretly longing for Malik, the humble baker!"
Konan's paper sheets silently spiraled upwards, surrounding Malik almost imperceptibly. "Enough games," she stated calmly, her voice steady and unyielding. "You may not need to breathe, eat, or sleep, but your magic is still limited without anyone here to support."
"Ah, Orochimaru's notes, I see!" Malik nodded approvingly, as if genuinely impressed. "She's thorough, I'll give her that. Quite flattering to be studied, really."
Tobi carefully withdrew another snake charm, eyeing Malik cautiously. "This might sting a bit, baker-boy."
"Oh no, Mystery Muffin, I'm terribly sensitive," Malik teased, making no attempt to move. "At least let me look pretty as you do it."
Tobi hesitated, clearly taken aback by his unshakeable composure, before grumbling slightly, "You're impossible."
Konan, ignoring their banter, swiftly commanded her paper. The sheets surged forward, wrapping around Malik's limbs and torso with practiced efficiency, binding him firmly. Malik allowed it, observing her with quiet curiosity.
"Your paper magic truly is exquisite, Bluebird," he murmured admiringly, even as the second snake charm hissed softly, its emerald glow biting deeply into his neck, sapping his vibrant energy gradually.
"You're oddly cooperative," Konan remarked suspiciously, raising a delicate brow.
Malik merely offered a soft smile, his eyes glowing gently despite the suppressing charm. "I told you, I like puzzles. And what greater puzzle than figuring out the Akatsuki's true aim?"
Tobi huffed beneath her mask, clearly annoyed yet reluctantly intrigued. "Fine, puzzle-man. Let's see if you can charm your way out of captivity."
Malik chuckled softly, allowing his eyes to drift closed, seemingly relaxed. "I promise, Mystery Muffin, Bluebird—I'll make this interesting."
As Konan and Tobi secured him completely, they exchanged wary glances once more. Malik was bound, yet somehow, even now, it felt as though he remained in control—his enigmatic confidence unwavering.
Konan sighed internally, shaking her head slightly. "Let's move quickly. I doubt this tranquility will last."
Tobi agreed silently, hefting Malik's wrapped form gently. Despite everything, Malik continued smiling serenely, clearly undisturbed, leaving Konan and Tobi to wonder if capturing him had truly given them any advantage at all.
= away to another place and time =
Kakashi emerged from the underground tunnels with a sharp dash, landing in a clearing that spread wide in every direction. His feet hit the stone with a light but deliberate impact, and his gaze immediately shifted to his surroundings.
The clearing revealed itself to be a large, haunting graveyard, with rows upon rows of ancient gravestones carved from weathered stone. Many were tilted or broken, their surfaces adorned with faint engravings that had long since faded from time and erosion. The heavy silence here was broken only by the faint rustling of the wind passing between the stones.
Kakashi inhaled sharply, scanning his surroundings, his thoughts turning inward despite the urgency of his movements.
"Malik," Kakashi murmured quietly, his tone carrying more weight than he cared to admit. "You've gotten yourself into trouble again, haven't you? I don't know how you do it, but you're always at the center of some mess."
He exhaled heavily, brushing a hand through his hair in frustration. Malik wasn't just another ally of the Hidden Leaf—he was important.
Not just to Lady Fifth, whose workload would skyrocket if Malik wasn't accounted for. Not just to the Hidden Leaf Village, where Malik's magic had proved more helpful than chaotic on more occasions than one. But to Shisui and Sakura, among others—women who cared deeply for him and who Kakashi absolutely did not want to deal with if he was the one responsible for losing Malik.
"Shisui would kill me," Kakashi muttered under his breath, his tone wry. "Sakura, too—and honestly, she'd probably make it hurt more."
Even with all this frustration, Kakashi didn't hate Malik. Sure, he wasn't Kakashi's favorite person—not with his ridiculous confidence and wild unpredictability—but he wasn't a bad guy, either. Malik was… odd, yes, but there was no denying his loyalty or the warmth he carried for the people who mattered to him.
"A true ally," Kakashi admitted quietly to himself.
He adjusted his stance, preparing to dash into the surrounding forest—but then, out of the corner of his eye, he saw him.
Malik was sitting calmly on one of the old gravestones, his Flamingold Incubus form shimmering faintly in the soft light. His wings were tucked neatly behind him, their edges glinting gold and pink, while his long hair cascaded down his shoulders in effortless waves.
He was dabbing at his face with a handkerchief, wiping away the faint traces of tears as he smiled warmly down at Kakashi.
"Ah, Kakashi!" Malik greeted cheerfully, his voice rich with emotion. "Thank you for being such a good pal and looking for me—and for saying all those nice things about me while you were down in the tunnels."
Kakashi froze, staring at him with visible confusion.
"How… when…" Kakashi began, his tone faltering.
Malik shrugged casually, leaning back slightly on the gravestone. "You let me place my hunter's mark on you, which, by the way, I will take off now—it's a little invasive, honestly."
He waved his hand lazily, and Kakashi felt a faint pulse of magic disappear from him.
"It lets me know where you are," Malik explained with a grin.
Kakashi's head tilted slightly, his expression still caught between confusion and mild irritation. "I see."
Malik chuckled softly, patting the gravestone beneath him fondly before sighing.
"What happened?" Kakashi asked, moving closer to stand directly in front of Malik.
Malik sighed again, louder this time. "Oh, it's a long story."
He glanced at Kakashi, leaning forward slightly with a conspiratorial look. "I'm currently being kidnapped."
Kakashi blinked. "What?"
To confirm whether Malik was actually there—or simply another trick—Kakashi reached out and poked him.
Malik immediately giggled, his form jerking slightly as Kakashi's finger brushed against his side.
"See? I'm real!" Malik laughed, batting Kakashi's hand away playfully.
Kakashi tilted his head again. "Ticklish?" he asked, his voice flat but tinged with faint amusement.
"Extremely," Malik admitted cheerfully, his radiant smile never faltering.
Kakashi sighed deeply, shaking his head. "Alright. You're real. Now explain the kidnapping."
Malik waved a hand dismissively. "I got a new trick—it's called Split Soul. Cost me a lot of points, but it's worth it."
"Points?" Kakashi repeated, his tone incredulous.
Malik stood, patting Kakashi's shoulder lightly. "Let's head back to the Leaf Village, and I'll explain everything as we report back to Lady Tsunade."
The Walk Back
As the two walked through the forest toward the main village in the Land of Birds, Malik chatted away animatedly, his voice a constant stream of cheerful nonsense punctuated by occasional moments of genuine insight.
"You know," Malik began, gesturing at the trees around them, "this forest is underrated. The trees here are ancient—older than some of the Hidden Leaf's founding clans. Isn't that wild?"
Kakashi hummed thoughtfully. "You seem to know a lot about random things."
"It's part of my charm," Malik replied, grinning. "That, and my unparalleled baking skills."
Kakashi raised an eyebrow. "You keep mentioning baking like it's important to the situation."
Malik gasped dramatically, clutching his chest. "Baking is always important, Kakashi! It's an art, a science—it's my lifeblood!"
Kakashi sighed, his pace steady but unhurried. "You're exhausting."
"And yet, you like me anyway," Malik teased, his wings fluttering briefly as he walked beside Kakashi.
Kakashi didn't reply, but the faint twitch at the corner of his mouth betrayed a smile hidden beneath his mask.
=====
Spell: Split Soul Lv 13.
Type: High-Level Incubus Magic
Effect: Allows Malik to split himself into separate bodies, essentially creating duplicates of himself. However, he can only be conscious and active in one at a time—while the others remain completely immobile, like beautifully crafted statues waiting for life to return to them.
Limitations: The inactive bodies possess no awareness, no movement, and no ability to act—completely useless until he transfers his consciousness into them. If his current body is incapacitated, he can instantly shift to another, but doing so causes the abandoned body to fall lifeless.
Casting Method:
Malik simply wills the spell into existence—a shimmer of gold and pink magic spills from his fingertips, wrapping around him like silk. As he speaks the incantation, his form splits apart, scattering like fragments of light, only to reassemble into multiple versions of himself.
Unique Traits:
Infinite Style Changes: Each duplicate can be dressed differently, allowing Malik to experiment with which version of himself has the most drip.Emergency Escape: If trapped, Malik can shift to one of his clones elsewhere, leaving his captors furious and deeply confused.Chaos Mode: The spell technically lets Malik exist in multiple places at once, but because only one body is awake at any time, he can only react after swapping into a different version.
Divine Confusion: The Twin Goddess of Love and Lust—who usually adore everything Malik does—have long since given up trying to understand him. They find the spell ridiculous, questioning "Why would you want useless bodies scattered around?" But Malik has his reasons, and they stopped doubting his schemes a while ago.