Chapter Three

Some of the names I use are from other series... bonus points if you know them!

"Are you Ōkami?" a strange voice asked from somewhere behind her.

"Depends on who's asking," she said as she turned, "Be you friend or foe?"

Leaning against a tree by the mouth of the tunnel she had emerged from, stood a tall, masked man clad in the standard uniform of the Anbu Black Opps.

"Don't worry, I'm not your enemy, Ōkami."

"You seem to know me, but I don't know you," she said carefully.

The Anbu laughed. "I was informed that a few months ago, you put in a request to be considered to be the next Anbu White Opps member."

"What about my application?" she asked, her excitement growing.

The Anbu White Opps were one rank lower from the Anbu Black Opps. They delivered messages, spied and escorted feudal lords and village leaders. Each of the Hidden Villages had only one White Opps member, so it was an honor to be selected.

The Anbu sighed. "You can call me Alec, by the way. Our previous White Opp, Hige, was seriously injured on his last mission, and the injury was so severe that he lost a leg."

Ōkami murmured, "That's terrible. But aren't I a little young?"

"You're the only one who's applied. Are you up to the challenge? It's a very dangerous position to be in." He studied her through his mask.

Ōkami drew herself up to her full height. "When do I start?"

Alec nodded. "Tomorrow morning, meet me at the training hall." He clapped her on the back, making her eyes water. "There are some things you need to sign, and I need to assess your skills and strength!"

Then, he disappeared as the first people began to emerge from the tunnel that went from the tower to the village

Ōkami staggered over to a tree and slumped against it. The pain in her ribs was almost unbearable. She gazed at the setting sun and began to trudge back home, using medical ninjutsu to heal her ribs as she walked.

Once home, she washed her face, bound her chest tightly in bandages, and changed into a black midriff top to combat the summer evening heat.

The night was humid, and Ōkami's wandering path through the village ended at the Ichiraku Ramen Shop. Sitting at the far right of the counter was a kid with yellow hair from the exams, and an instructor from the academy, Iruka. She sat at the far left against the wall and ordered.

While she waited, she half listened to the conversation at the other end of the counter.

"You should have seen it! I was all BAM WHAM! I had no trouble at all!"

Ōkami rolled her eyes as Iruka replied, "I wish I could have seen you fight. It sounds like you've gotten much stronger since I gave you your forehead protector!"

As she walked away from the shop, someone called her name.

"Thanks for treating my injuries at the exams!"

Ōkami turned and waved at the Jinchuriki. "You're welcome!"