"When captured birds grow wiser, they try to open the cage with their beaks. They don't give up, because they want to fly again." - Genma Shiranui

:-:

The Sannin only stared blankly as the room began threatening to collapse. He stared at the creature who stood on the opposite side. Its eyes blazed a bloody crimson, a color he'd only witnessed twice in his life prior. Angry wind tore about the room, destroying the delicate equipment almost instantly. The air itself stung.

His creation, Subject 519, the result of his countless labors, had finally shown its dormant power.

If only it were under better circumstances.

Even as it all began to fall apart around him, Orochimaru smiled and let out a maniacal laugh. His creation was becoming exactly what he intended it to be.

Subject 519 abruptly fell on all fours, convulsing and swaying side to side as a bright red glow expanded around its body. It clawed at the ground in obvious pain, growling and snarling loudly. Tails encased in the red chakra lashed out at the air. Its eyes raised slowly to Orochimaru, in a look that can only be described as rage in its purest form.

"Congratulations 519, you have become the spitting image of your father."

A deafening roar shook the room, the Sannin skidded backward from the force.

519 opened its maw, eyes rolled back into its skull.

Orochimaru didn't have time to react before the attack detonated.

:-:

I am an enigma.

An enigma that should have never existed.

Yet here I am, whether the world is prepared or not. Whether I like it or not.

Not that I ever had a choice in the first place.

:-:

"You're a pitiful thing aren't you..."

The man's hand clutched the boy's hair. He forcibly jerked his head back up. Hissing came from the wounds on his wrists, the chakra restrictive bonds stung madly.

He laughed seeing him cringe. "After all of this, you still insist on resisting? It's a wonder you are still alive, runt." Studying the bloody whip in his hands, he shook his head in disapproval.

It hurt to breathe, but he forced himself to speak, "Take off these restrictions and I'll show you who is pitiful, Gensui..." he spat.

Gensui chuckled, "All it takes is you telling me who your accomplice is. Then I might consider letting you live."

"Go fuck yourself."

He cracked the whip, tearing a new gash in his side. "Still got some fight left in you? Lovely..."

I'll kill you if you even think of touching her. Bastard.

:-:

She ran blindly through the forest, calling his name over and over. "Rin! Rin! Rin please come out! It's an emergency!"

There was no response. All was silent except for the pounding of her feet. Briars and branches scraped at her arms and legs as she tore through them. She kept calling his name, even though deep down she knew it was useless.

She only stopped seeing the glint of metal close to the ground in front of her. Upon closer inspection, she realized what it was. It was a kunai, stabbed halfway into a tree, with a bright orange cloth wrapped around the hilt. Dried blood still clung to the blade.

Her hands trembled as it was plucked from the bark. A million different thoughts raced through her mind. Smoke still rose from the broken remnants of her village in the distance. She let out a battle cry as tears welled up in her eyes, knuckles white around her friend's weapon. Dirt and grass flew as she turned and ran in an all-out sprint, eyes blazing.

Ryuka Tenro had her target, one person in mind. That person was Gensui Amagiri.