Michiko could hardly remember a time when her mother had been happy. That was before Michiko's twin brother, Masashi, had gone missing. Thirteen long years ago. Michiko had grown a lot since then. She was a fine young woman now. A chunin. Most would consider her a beauty. She had sleek blonde hair that fell neatly down half of her back, crystal blue eyes, and a full but slim figure. Jiraya once commented that she was like a permanent version of Naruto's "Sexy No Jutsu" (a remark which earned him a slap in the face from Tsunade and a very angry "Stop looking at my daughter you pervy sage!" from Naruto). She was a tough fighter too. She was a ninjutsu specialist primarily, but she also excelled at many types of genjutsu as well. As for thaijutsu, she was nearly unstop able. After training under Tsunade for a brief period, she was more than formidable. Some people believed that, somehow, she had inherited her father's nine-tail chakra. Most people would have expected all of the boys to throw themselves at her. And why not? She was beautiful, talented, funny, and, most of the time, quiet kindhearted. Unfortunately she was also stubborn, willful, pushy, and a bit of a control freak. Pretty much the only person who could put up with her was Hiruzen, Kurenai's son.

He had also done quite a bit of growing as well. He was a strapping young man who, surprisingly, looked very much like his grandfather. He had a slimmer frame and his hair was jet black but, other than that, he was practically a clone. In his ninja training, however, he very much took after his mother. He was a genjutsu genius, winning him a fearsome reputation as "The Ghost". He wasn't lacking in thai and ninjutsu, but nothing compared to his abilities in genjutsu. The only reason he was able to tolerate Michiko better than most boys his age, was because they grew up together. Their bond grew stronger when her brother had disappeared. During that time, the two were hardly ever apart.

And they pretty much stayed that way for the rest of their lives. Hiruzen's mom plunged herself back into her job as a ninja after he was old enough to take care of himself. Michiko's dad was always on tons of missions so Michiko hardly ever saw him. As for her mother...well, Michiko didn't blame her. Apparently she had been through a very difficult time before the twins were born. Her mother would never speak about it but her father had told her enough. All Michiko and Hiruzen had somedays was eachother. Neither of them minded. Except Hiruzen, whenever Michiko was particularly obnoxious.

"Michiko-chan, you're being obnoxiuous!" Hiruzen yelled as he tried pulling her off of Natsumi Nara

Michiko clawed at the other girl visciously.

"Take it back! Take it back, you bitch!" She screamed.

Natsumi struggled against Michiko's grip. She smirked.

"Why should I? It's true, isn't it?" she taunted.

Michiko growled.

"I'M GONNA FREAKING KILL YOU!" she yelled.

Hiruzen finally got a good hold on her and ripped her off. She struggled and flailed around to get away from him. Natsumi got up and brushed herself off. Hiruzen threw Michiko down and pinned her down. No matter how strong Michiko was, she could never beat him. She tried for a few seconds longer and then gave up. She looked away from him.

"Alright, I won't kill her. Now will you get off me?" she said defeated.

Hiruzen nodded. He climbed off and offered her his hand. She grabbed it and he hauled her to her feet. She glared at Natsumi before turning and walking away. Natsumi humphed and crossed her arms across her chest. Hiruzen sighed and shook his head.

"You should know better than to provoke her, Nara-san." he said scoldingly.

Natsumi scoffed.

"Hey, if she can't handle the truth..."

She stopped when she saw the look Hiruzen was giving her. Hiruzen never looked more like his grandfather than when he ws making that face. It said "Next move you make will get you killed." Even though none of the children had ever know the old man, they were all terrified of that look. Natsumi shut her mouth and gulped. She looked away.

"You're right. I'm sorry." she said through her teeth.

Hiruzen glared at her a while longer before turning and going after Michiko. After he left, Natsumi sighed and relaxed. She shook slightly and her eyes were wide.

"That guy...is scary." she said to herself.

"That guy is scary."

"What did Kanaka-san do to him?"

"How did she turn that little boy into that monster?"

Masashi crouchd in the middle of the arena, panting heavily. His opponent lay dead on the floor. Mutilated. From her spectator's box, Kanaka smiled. He was more than ready. It was the Koizumi clan Jonin exam finals. All of the chunin that had passed the first two rounds went head to head in one on one challenges. There were ten matches in all. That meant that only five chunin would go on to be jonin. Masashi was, by far, the one to beat. Each and every one of his opponents had fallen within fifteen seconds. Except this one. He had taken his time in this match. He had wanted to display the full range of his power. Give the spectators a show. Show them you're not just a mindless killing machine. That's what his mother had told him. And so, he had done just that. For a half hour or so he fooled around, using a vast array of genjutsus to tease and discombobulate his opponent. Then he beat the other ninja around for a bit. Finally, he used his ultimate weapon. He took a kunai in his hand, covered it in his own chakra and thrust it into the boy's body. He forced his chakra inside, wrapping it around all of the major organs as well as the chakra network, which Masashi could see with his Byakugan. Then, he stepped back. Before the audience's eyes, the other boy tore open from the inside.

Hidekai, who was presiding over the competition, smiled and raised his hands.

"Masashi-san is the winner!" he announced.

Everyone at the arena sat stunned for a bit. Then, slowly but surely, the stadium filled with applause. Masashi stood and looked up at his mother proudly. Kanaka stood, clapping for her boy. HIdekai lookd up at Kanaka as well.

"You did well with the boy, my pet. Your wish will soon come true." he said to himself.

After the tournament was over, Masashi went to his mother and kneeled before her.

"Have I improved, Mother?" he asked.

Kanaka stepped forward and put a hand on his shoulder.

"Yes, my dear boy. You have vastly improved." she complimented.

He lookd up at her, his grey eyes gleaming with pride. Kanaka smiled at him and playfully ruffled his shaggy black hair. He stood up, his face growing serious.

"Do you think I am ready yet? Ready to face him?" he asked.

Kanaka looked at him. Masashi was tall and sturdy. Slim, but muscled. His body was strong but his mind was stronger. And, on top of all that, he was considered very handsom. He looked much like a Hyuuga, though. A little too much. Almost like Hiashi himself, only more solid and muscled. Not doubt, he was a force to be reconed with. But would he be strong enough to beat the Uzumaki boy? Did he trust her enough to not listen to his sister? Did he love her enough to forget the three years with his real mother? Kanaka had put so much time and planning into this. Was now the time to act? She looked at him seriously.

"What is your name?" she snapped.

He straightened and looked straight ahead.

"Masashi Koizumi." he stated.

"Who is your mother?"

"Kanaka Koizumi."

"Who is you father?"

"Not Important."

"Who is your sister?"

"Michiko Koizumi."

"Where is she now?"

"With the enemy."

"Who is the enemy?"

"Uzumaki Naruto and Hyuuga Hinata."

"And why are they the enemy?"

"They kidnapped my sister and I."

"And. What. Must. You. Do?"

Masashi squinted his eyes.

"I. Must. Kill. Them."