Disclaimer: I don't own the rights to Naruto. You know this. I know this. This whole disclaimer thing is just a formality: a 'dance' that you and I (yes you, the person reading this sentence at this exact moment) have danced now for one hundred and twenty times at this point.

... Goddamn, this story is a hundred and twenty chapters. Eighteen year old me, who started this story as a boredom project waiting for college to start, would be stunned that I got to this point. Probably would get yelled at by him; eighteen-year old me was an annoying shit XD

Seven Days Until the Exam

With only one week left until the exams, Team Nine's training regiment would be held differently. Namely, Uzumaki Naruto would be working with them every day once again.

"Are you sure you have time for this, Naruto-sensei?" Katsumi asked after they finished their warm-up exercises: "You sure you shouldn't be focusing on your own training with the other jinchūriki?"

"Hey, I still am, but I need to get back to helping train you all! I trust Ma and Pa and all the toads, but I gotta get back to make sure I'm doing my part for you guys!" Naruto replied with a shrug: "Besides, I got some clones working on things right now. I'll be back in time to work on my bijūdama."

"Bijūdama?" Hanabi repeated the word with wide eyes: "You're learning how to use those?"

"Yeah, yeah, but that's not important right now! You guys are what's important!" Naruto stated sharply as he shook his head: "Anyway, individual training session are back on!" He then made a hand sign, creating two shadow clones: "Katsumi and Hanabi, you both will be training with my clones today! Kanji, you'll be training with the original me today!"

Kanji raised an eyebrow in response, but nodded his head. The two Naruto shadow clones walked away with both Katsumi and Hanabi while Kanji and the original Naruto stayed behind. The moment they by themselves, Naruto reached into his pocket and pulled out a series of sealing papers.

"You've been practicing your fūinjutsu, right?" Naruto asked.

"Mhmm." Kanji nodded his head as he pocketed his hands: "Can produce 'Protective Winds' rather quickly. Have a ton of sealing papers already made with it, too."

"Good!" Naruto grinned in response as he held out the sealing papers: "I'd like you to work on these seals from now on instead, for now. I think all of them are useful fūinjutsu, and I think you have time to master at least one of them before the final exam and the invasion."

Kanji nodded his head as he reached for the sealing papers in Naruto's hands. The sealing papers all displayed a seal, along with annotations in regards to the necessary stroke order, as well as the name of the jutsu. Kanji moved through two separate sealing papers before his eyes narrowed on the third.

"Fūinjutsu: Paralysis Trap?" Kanji read.

"Heh." Naruto smirked in response: "I honestly would like you to learn all the seals in that list, but I was kinda hoping you'd pick that one first. It's a fūinjutsu that my cousin Karin knows that I thought suited you." He then brought his hands behind his head as he closed his eyes: "It's pretty self-explanatory what it does. Trigger the seal and anyone that is standing in its range will receive an electric shock that will paralyze them in place for a few moments. As a Lighting Affinity user, it should be easy to seal the necessary chakra into the seal, and it would work pretty well to land a Mind Transfer Jutsu on someone."

"Hmmmm…" Kanji rubbed his chin for a moment before he started to grin: "I think this jutsu could seal victory for us. I'll definitely practice with it."

"… I'll give that one a four out of ten." Naruto frowned in response: "Come on, Kanji. It's been a while since I've heard a good, solid pun from you and that's the best you got?"

"Meh." Kanji shrugged his shoulders in response before he turned his attention back to the sealing paper and started to trace the stroke order on the sealing paper with his finger: "So, I take it this what I will work on today with you?"

"Not really. This is what I want you to work on in your free time." Naruto admitted. Kanji looked up from the sealing paper back at Naruto: "This seal will mostly be useful for you if you actually have a way to spread out the seals throughout a battlefield. So, let's start working on a jutsu that'll help you do just that: the Headhunter Jutsu."

"Ah." The Yamanaka's eyes widened in response: "You taught Katsumi that, right?"

"Mhmm." Naruto said: "Her earth affinity gives her an easier time using the jutsu, but you can still learn it. And if you were able to trick out a battlefield with multiple copies of this seal, then it'll give you a good chance to really trap your opponents with it."

"Gotcha." Kanji nodded his head in understanding as his grin returned: "Now, let's not get too ahead of ourselves. Let's start practice right away!"

"Heh." Naruto snorted in response: "That one was better."

With those words, the two blonds went to work on their practice.

"Alright, that'll do for today." Anko stated.

Immediately after the words escaped her lips, the three genin of Team Eight collapsed onto the ground.

"God, how has training with her not gotten any bit easier…" Yūna groaned.

"My kikaichū are screaming at me…" Tsunemasa added.

Anko chuckled at the genins' reactions. She then turned her head towards Kazuo, who was pulling himself back up to his feet. She crossed her arms as she smirked at the boy.

"Need to bitch too, or are you okay?" She asked.

"I'm… fine." Kazuo replied, his eyes narrowing: "I'm more than fine; I'm great! I'm ready for tomorrow's session!"

"Oh, are you now? Is one of you brats finally used to my training sessions?" Anko asked, her smirk widening: "Guess I better up the difficulty of it in order to provide you a better challenge."

Yūna's and Tsunemasa's faces paled. Kazuo, in contrast, grinned in response as he clapped his hands together.

"I'll take whatever you got it and throw it right back in your face!" He declared: "Let's go-"

He was silenced as both his teammates pulled themselves off the ground in a rush of adrenaline. Yūna quickly placed her hand over his mouth while Tsunemasa crept up behind him, holding a kunai while his kikaichū buzzed angrily.

"Kazuo, shut up before you get us killed!" Yūna hissed.

"If I leave training tomorrow feeling more exhausted than I do right now, you will wake up to your bed swarming with kikaichū." Tsunemasa whispered his threat.

Kazuo shivered in response for a moment as he kept his mouth shut. Anko laughed loudly in response as she brought her hands to the pockets of her jacket as the three genin turned their attention back to her.

"Alright, enough fucking around. You're all dismissed." She stated. Her eyebrow then raised slightly: "Although, you three want to go out to eat somewhere? My treat."

"Thanks, Anko-sensei, but we already made plans to have lunch with the Kirigakure genin team." Kazuo replied.

"Huh?" She blinked in response: "You mean Misora's brats?'

"Yes." The purple-haired boy nodded his head as his eyes lit-up. "Did you know that one of her students is a cousin to the Mizukage?"

"Technically, they aren't first cousins. They're just share the same clan." Yūna noted: "They're probably something like sixth cousins, if I were to guess."

"… Huh." Anko hummed in response before she shrugged her shoulders. "Well, go off and fun."

The three genin of Team Eight nodded their heads as they waved goodbye to their temporary jōnin-sensei. Anko watched the group leave for a moment as she rubbed her chin in thought.

'Hmm… maybe I should ask Misora if she wants to spar. I haven't spoken much with her. Dosu might appreciate me getting a life update from her.' Anko noted to herserlf.

Before she could start walking off herself, Yūgao appeared in the training ground, using the shunshin to arrive. Anko's eyes narrowed on her fellow jōnin for a moment as she crossed her arms. She took in the sight of bruises on Yūgao's body that had not been there the previous time they had spoke. She also noticed the reddish-tint to her eyes, as well as the black circles that surrounded them.

"They're definitely improving." Yūgao spoke-up, her face neutral as she turned to watch the genin in the distance walk-off. "I'm certain Yūhi-san will be pleasantly surprised when she sees them again."

"Kurenai will definitely be happy, though I bet she's going to be bitter for awhile that she's not present for this." Anko noted.

"Hmm…" Yūgao was quiet for a moment as she crossed her arms as well: "Do you think they'll be alright?"

"… They should be." Anko answered. "They'll need to be careful, but I'm doing my best to train them up. They'll be fine."

The two were quiet for a moment as Anko's hands went to her side. Her right hand brushed across the scroll in her pocket that she sealed Shibuki inside. Her eyes immediately widened as an idea entered her head.

"Yūgao, have you ever considered teaching your brother kenjutsu?" She asked.

Yūgao frowned in response: "… The thought's crossed my mind, but I don't think I'd be a good teacher."

"I mean, you were taught by one of the best swordsmen our village has ever had." Anko stated, which caused Yūgao to tense-up, which caused Anko to frown back: "Just saying. You can definitely teach him."

"… I'm not like Hayate. I'm not much of a teacher." She frowned in response before shaking her head: "And it's not like it'd be productive to teach him right now. He doesn't have time to learn kenjutsu adequately to use it in the invasion."

"No, but it's something you can do after the fact." Anko suggested. "Think of it like… I don't know, passing on Hayate's legacy."

The ANBU agent was quiet for a moment, reflecting on Anko's words. A few seconds passed by before Anko sighed, shaking her head.

"Forget I said anything. Not trying to be insensitive or anything." Anko shrugged her shoulders before she started to walk off: "Anyway, since Kurenai's brats already got plans, I'll see if my former students want to eat lunch. Might bribe one of them to train with me. Catch you later, Yūgao."

"… Might I come?" She asked.

Anko paused mid-step, turning back to face her fellow jōnin: "You… want to come?"

"I… I haven't eaten yet." Yūgao admitted: "So food sounds nice."

Immediately, a grin developed on Anko's face as she nodded her head: "Come on; let's get some good shit, alright?"

Yūgao nodded her head as she followed Anko. She was hoping to see a smile on her friend's face, but she still remained with a neutral expression on her face the whole way as they walked through the streets.

Despite not seeing a smile, though, it did not change any of Anko's excitement. It had been ages since she got Yūgao to do anything other than train – and even then, that only started up again around the time of the Kumogakure Mission's announcement – and she was not going to waste this opportunity to hang out with one of her oldest friends.

After returning to Shimagame Island and going through another training session with his fellow jinchūriki, Naruto joined the other jinchūriki, Hotaru, and Motoi at a large round table.

"So before we eat tonight, let's have a friendly fight. But don't drop your guard, or you'll lose this game of cards." Bee stated as he pulled out a deck of playing cards and tossed them Motoi, who caught them. He then reached into his pocket and pulled out a sealing tag. Upon unsealing, he revealed a set of 500 poker chips. "Motoi will deal while we wait for our meal. Let's see which one of us is really tough and find out who's got the best bluff!"

"… So, poker. You brought us all together for a game of poker." Utakata noted with a sigh: "I'd rather just get to cooking-"

"No dice! That ain't nice!" Bee crossed his arms: "Come on, let's have a friendly game. Jinchūriki bonding is its real name!"

"Don't know if 'poker' is the best way to bond, Bee." Yugito noted. A grin developed on her face as she crossed her arms: "Especially after I kick everyone's ass!"

"Think you're a good bluff, huh?" Rōshi asked with a smirk. "Yugito-san, I've been best friends with Ōnoki for years, and I've looked the man in the eye and convinced him I believed he wasn't 'too short'. There's not a chance in hell you'll get a lie past me!"

"Hey, poker's more than bluffing, you know? It's also luck." Fū offered as a grin of her own developed on her face: "And lucky for me, I got the luckiest bijū sealed inside me. I'm sure his luck will rub off on me!"

"Are we playing for money?" Hotaru asked, rubbing the back of her head sheepishly: "I'm a little low on spending cash, so I don't feel like I'd be able to play."

"I already said this was a friendly game, ya fool! Taking your cash would be lame, ya fool!" Bee stated.

"Suppose bragging rights is the only thing up for grabs." Han noted, rubbing his chin: "Either way, it is fine with me. Although I am familiar with the rules, I've never actually played poker, so I'll feel no shame if I lose."

"Heh." Rōshi snorted in response: "With that mindset, you've already lost, Han."

"What are the values again?" Gaara asked.

"It's a standard 500 set, right?" Yagura asked. Bee nodded his head: "Then, values can be considered standard. White chips are the lowest value, then red chips, then green chips, then black chips, and finally grey chips, which are the highest value."

"I appreciate that." Gaara nodded his head: "Like Han stated, this will be my first time playing, so I hopefully I will not perform poorly and embarrass myself."

Bee shook his head in response: "No shame being a rookie! Just do your best, and you'll be a tough cookie!"

"… So this is really happening." Utakata sighed again in response as he watched Bee begin distributing poker chips.

"You're not getting out of this, Utakata!" Naruto said with a grin: "We all probably need the chance to relax, y'know?"

"He's right!" Hotaru nodded her head, grinning: "We'll have fun!"

The only response he received was another sigh from the Rokubi jinchūriki.

A few more seconds passed by before the chips were evenly passed out. After putting in the initial ante, Motoi proceeded to deal out the cards to the nine jinchūriki.

"Number one should go first. Come on Kazekage-sama, show us your worst!" Bee prodded.

Gaara pursed his lips for a moment before silently putting in four red chips into the pot. Yugito put in an identical amount into the pot. Yagura then dropped in three black chips.

Yugito's eyes narrowed on the Sanbi jinchūriki: "Trying to make a big play already?"

"Why not?" Yagura shrugged his shoulders in response. "This game will get boring if no one does anything."

Yugito's eyes narrowed suspiciously before she adjusted her ante, which Gaara reciprocated. Rōshi quickly followed suit, throwing in his three black chips as well.

When it was Han's turn to bid, the Gobi jinchūriki immediately threw in seven grey chips.

"The fuck?" Yugito immediately choked in response.

'Oh god!' Naruto started to bite his lip in panic.

"I fold." Utakata, not even bothering for the other jinchūriki to readjust their antes, immediately placed his cards on the table.

"S-Same." Hotaru mumbled, shaking her head.

"Ditto." Fū shivered before joining the two.

"H-Han, you are aware that the grey chips are highest value, right?" Rōshi asked, his eyes darting from the pot back to his friend.

"… I'm not stupid, Rōshi. I know." Han said, crossing his arms.

"You were only given ten of them! You really want to use that many already?" Rōshi continued, rubbing the back of his head: "As your opening bid in the opening round?"

"I am positive." Han nodded his head.

"… Well, I'm not going to bother." Yagura mumbled as he folded his hand.

Rōshi was still for a moment, staring his friend in the eye, before he sighed and folded: "I've never played a game like this with you, so I can't tell if you're fucking with me or not. So I'm not going to risk it."

"Smart." Han smirked in response.

"Hmph." Yugito's eyes narrowed in response: "Personally, I feel like he's full of shit." Yugito noted as she adjusted her ante. "Let's keep going then, Han!"

Gaara nodded his head, throwing in his newly adjusted ante into the pot. Eyes then moved towards the next person in rotation, which after the back-to-back folds of Utakata, Hotaru, and Fū, it landed on Bee's turn.

Bee, immediately, threw in all the grey chips he possessed.

"Bee-san?" Han's eyebrow raised slightly.

"Alright, fuck you!" Yugito hissed.

"D-Do you all really play this game so recklessly?" Rōshi's eyes widened.

"I like the pace Number Five set. After all, what's a game of poker without a little sweat?" Bee noted with a grin: "Care to try and keep up, or is time for y'all to back up?"

Gaara promptly folded: "I'll 'back up'."

Bee's grin widened: "Wise choice. Your remaining chips rejoice."

"… I can tell when you're bullshitting, Bee. You do this all the time." Yugito grit her teeth in response before she threw in her remaining grey chips: "Fine, I'll call. I know you're bluffing, Bee!"

Bee adjusted his sunglasses slightly: "Am I now? Then let's throw down!"

"I'm still here as well." Han reminded as he threw in his last set of grey chips.

All attention then went to the final player, Naruto. The blond was sweating heavily as his eyes focused on his hand intently.

'F-F-Fuck. I got a good hand, I think.' Naruto mumbled, looking at the three sevens in his hand and the two nines. 'F-Full house… that's good… right?'

"… You aren't asking me that question, are you?" Kurama asked in his mind, rolling his eyes: "I don't give a fuck. Just play for god's sake. It's boring just watching you simply stare and shake."

Naruto was quiet for a moment as he gripped his cards tightly. After a few seconds, he finally nodded his head and hesitantly threw in all of his grey chips.

With the pot now fully set, Yugito, Han, Killer Bee, and Naruto revealed their hands to one another.

Naruto's Full House.

Yugito's four-of-a-kind, with four twos and a King.

Killer Bee's throwaway hand with a single pair: two Aces.

And Han's straight flush, with the eight of diamonds, nine of diamonds, ten of diamonds, jack of diamonds, and queen of diamonds.

"What?" Yugito's eyes widened.

"Noooooooo, my chips…" Naruto slammed his head down on the table, his eyes starting to redden slightly.

"Daaaamn." Fū whistled in approval.

"Hmm. Looks like a victory for me." Han said with a chuckle as he dragged the pot to his side.

"A straight flush…" Rōshi shook his head, a smirk developing on his face: "Talk about beginner's luck. Only hand that could have beat that would have been a royal flush."

Han snorted in response: "Yes, but of course, I'm only a beginner. I 'forgot the grey chips were the highest value', after all."

"Heh… Hehehe." Rōshi chuckled lightly to himself as he rubbed the back of his head: "Yeah, my bad. My bad."

"It's fine. I was hoping you all would follow through with that line of thought." Han admitted with a chuckle: "Was hoping someone would think I was making a minor mistake as a newcomer. Or at the very least that I was bluffing and using my rookie status as a veil."

"When in fact the real 'veil' was that you had about as strong of a hand as you could have…" Yagura rubbed his chin in thought as he smiled back at the Gobi jinchūriki: "Well played, Han."

"… Indeed. Well played." Yugito smiled in response. Her smile then faded as she turned to Bee: "As for you, what the fuck was that? Why'd you raise the pot with that weak as hell hand?"

"Was hoping you'd all buy the bait. Guess it cost me great." Bee replied sheepishly.

"… I fell for that bullshit. And lost all of my grey chips…" Yugito grit his teeth: "I'll remember this, Bee."

Bee shook his head: "Don't hate cause of your mistakes. You should have known to hit the brakes."

"My chips…" Naruto continued to whine to himself, seemingly ignoring the others around him.

The game returned to normal as the jinchūriki and Hotaru proceeded to play a few more rounds.

After weeks of intensive training, it was truly necessary for one another to relax in this environment. Their 'poker night' would go down as one of their most enjoyable nights together throughout their training.

Six Days Until the Exam

After finishing another group training session, Naruto created two clones, who walked off with Hanabi and Kanji to begin solo-training. The original Naruto stayed with Katsumi, who tilted her head slightly at him.

"So, let's get back to work. And this time, I got something special." Naruto noted: "You remember that conversation we had before we went to the exams, right? Where I said you were going to be the 'muscle' of the team, right?" Katsumi nodded her head as Naruto reached into his flak jacket and pulled out a scroll: "So, I got a jutsu that's really gonna help with that."

He tossed the scroll over to her. Katsumi caught it and proceeded to unravel it, looking at its specifics.

"Earth Style: Stone Golem…" She mumbled.

"So, this is an A-Rank Earth Style jutsu that apparently Iwa tries to really keep hidden. Per what I was told, no one outside of Iwagakure knows this jutsu." Naruto admitted as he rubbed the back of his head sheepishly: "Let's, uh… not let anyone who doesn't need to know find out that I'm going to teach this to you. I kinda convinced Old Man Rōshi to give me the scroll, so he's doing me a big favor here, y'know?"

"Seriously?" Katsumi's eyes widened as she stared at the scroll in her with a new light. A sense of awe developed on her face as he grip tightened, and she started to grin: "It's that big of a deal, huh?"

"Yeah, kinda." Naruto chuckled in response: "Old Man Ōnoki was apparently fond of it. The jutsu lets you create a stone golem, either from the ground around you or from your mouth, molding the earth affinity chakra in your body. It's an incredibly strong and defensive technique, and it also opens the door to even more jutsu that you can use with the golem's body."

'A jutsu that no one outside of Iwa shinobi have ever learned…' Katsumi's grin widened as she was already starting to fantasize about creating an army of stone golem that she led into battle. She shook her head, pulling herself out of her daydreams before nodding her head: "Let's begin right away!"

"Just a reminder, this jutsu is an A-Rank technique. So this might take a long time." Naruto said. His eyes then narrowed slightly: "Also, I was being serious about keeping this jutsu a secret. But that's less for political reasons and more to hide your secrets. If you do manage to learn it before the exam starts – and I have faith you will – I don't want, you using it in the exams. This is something I only want you using in the invasion, if you need it. Understood?"

"Understood." Katsumi nodded, her face growing serious: "I'm not concerned about the exam, if I were to be fully honest, Naruto-sensei. My priority is the invasion."

"That's good to hear." Naruto nodded his head.

A few seconds passed before the grin returned to Katsumi's face as she opened-up the scroll and started to read it fully. Naruto stood by her side as he began to follow her example, helping guide her in the direction to mastering this new jutsu.

"Absolutely ruthless… I can see why Zabuza-san speaks so fondly of you." Misora noted.

Anko chuckled in response as she walked down the streets of Kumogakure alongside Misora. The two had just finished a sparring session with one another and were now walking together back to the apartments assigned to the genin teams. Both were moving slower than usual, however, as their bodies were covered with bruises. Anko had a few visible, deep cuts on her skin while Misora had burn marks that she was going to need to get treated.

"Just let me know whenever you want to do that again. That was definitely needed." Anko replied, her hands going to the back of her head: "You use the Hidden Mist Jutsu differently than most shinobi I've seen, by the way. Is that a bloodline for you? Some type of Mist Manipulation?"

"I wouldn't call it a bloodline; it's more of a 'Hiden' technique, like the techniques of the Yamanaka Clan or Akimichi Clan in your village." Misora replied, shrugging her shoulders. "The Kawada Clan traces our roots to Kawada Muichirō, who was a confidant of the Shodai Mizukage, Byakuren. They forged Kirigakure together, and Muichirō's contribution to that was the creation of the 'mist' that surrounds and hides Kirigakure from outsiders. He taught the jutsu to the Kiri shinobi, and it has been taught throughout the village's history, but there are certain attributes that were only passed down to his blood descendants, such as myself."

"… Huh. Interesting." Anko rubbed her chin in thought: "Kinda weird I've never heard about him before."

"Not necessarily." Misora shook her head: "Considering how closed off Kirigakure used to be in regards to the other major villages, it's only natural." She then eyed the Konoha jōnin curiously: "Although, since you are also technically a Kiri shinobi and a member of our Seven Swordsman, you probably should be better familiarized on our village's history in more detail."

"Yeah, I know." Anko sighed: "I got to study more." She then tilted her head slightly: "Kinda weird, though, that this guy is credited for the mist that surrounds your village, but he never became Mizukage. That sounds like he helped set up the village, but never got the full credit."

"All he did was assist with keeping the village secret. He didn't unite the village. That was all Byakuren-sama." Misora replied with a snort. "And if Muichirō sounds impressive to you, you should look into the history of the Shodai Mizukage."

"Oh I already know plenty about him." Anko replied, bringing her hand to her chest: "A blacksmith turned shinobi, who forged all seven swords used by the Seven Swordsmen, renowned for having the best kenjutsu in recorded history – even greater than Iwa's Kurogane Clan and Tetsu no Kuni's samurai – and the strongest fire affinity seen in anyone outside of Hi no Kuni, Byakuren united Kirigakure under the iron grip of an absolute juggernaut of a human being."

Misora smirked in response as she crossed her arms: "So you are familiar with some Kirigakure history."

"Hey, I said I got to study more, but that doesn't mean I knew nothing." Anko said, smirking back: "I also know-"

"Um… K-Kirigakure jōnin-san?"

Anko's and Misora's conversation came to a halt as they were approached by a teenaged girl with long black hair, styled in a ponytail, and brown eyes. The girl wore a Shimogakure forehead protector around her neck and had a standard Shimo uniform on, with a white, stylish jacket over it.

"S-Sorry to bother you two…" She mumbled. "I, um, just wanted to ask you a question."

Misora tilted her head slightly: "A question that took you so long that you had been following us ever since Anko-san and I left our training ground spar?"

The Shimo genin paused for a second, her cheeks blushing red in embarrassment. Anko, meanwhile, turned to face Misora with a curious stare.

"She'd been there at the training ground?" She asked. "I noticed that she was following us when we got back to Kumo, but I never noticed her back there."

"Y-You noticed me? I d-didn't even go to the training ground, though… I'm s-so sorry." She mumbled.

"I merely sensed your presence. I have particularly-enhanced chakra sensory abilities, especially if I previously had been exposed to someone's chakra signature before." Misora elaborated. Her eyebrow then raised slightly: "We met during the Second Exam, yes? You were one of the genin attacked by that false Kiri shinobi?"

"Y-Yes." She nodded her head: "F-Fujiwara Yukihana. N-Nice to meet you again."

"Yukihana. Like the name." Anko said, before her eyes narrowed: "So, what do you need?"

"Well, um… y-you see…" The Shimo kunoichi's words started to trail on slightly before she bowed, facing Misora: "Please! Take me on as a student!"

Both Anko's and Misora's eyes widened in response.

"… I beg your pardon?" Misora asked.

"I… I thought it was absolutely incredible how fast you defeated that guy back in the Raiun Fields. It… was so cool!" Yukihana stated, bringing her hands together as her eyes started to almost light-up in a way that startled Anko. "I want to be a better kunoichi, so will you train me?"

"… Why?" Misora asked, tilting her head: "I'm not from your village."

"That's no matter!" Yukihana shook her head, grinning in response: "My parents are very wealthy back home, so I'm sure they'd pay you enough money to move to Shimo! It's really pretty and we can-"

"I'll cut you off there; no." Misora shook her head, causing Yukihana's eyes to widen: "No offense, but I am rather loyal to Kirigakure. No amount of money will sway me from my village."

"Th-Then what if I move to Kiri?" She mumbled in response, poking her fingers together: "I'm s-sure my father w-would be willing to let me move, b-b-but I'd have to get my mother's permission, and-"

"You'd turn your back on your home village like that?" Misora frowned in response. "I'm not quite certain why you wish to be taught by me, but you do not appear to be an idea student if you have no sense of pride for the village you took an oath to serve."

"N-N-No, I'd remain a Shimo shinobi… it would only be for a little bit. It's just…" Yukihana shook her head, looking down in response: "… N-No one really puts much effort into being a shi-shinobi in Shimogakure… m-my jōnin-sensei is supposedly one of the top of our village, but I was informed th-that he's more akin t-to a chūnin from another major village…"

"Yeah, that's true. You Shimo shinobi are notoriously shitty fighters." Anko noted, nodding her head. Yukihana flinched in response, which caused Anko to raise an eyebrow: "What? You just said that yourself?"

"Th-That's true… but…" Yukihana bit down on her lip: "I d-don't want that t-to be the case… I want to actually be a shinobi th-that makes my village proud… th-that puts Shimogakure on the radar of other villages…"

Misora was quiet for a moment before she sighed. She took a step forward towards Yukihana, which caused the Shimo genin to flinch in response.

"Fujiwara-san, my duty is to my own genin students. I need to ensure they are trained properly." Misora stated sharpy. Yukihana's lip biting grew harder, and it appeared like the girl was about to start crying. Misora sighed once more as she brought a hand forward: "However… if you wish, for as long as I'm here in the village, I'll offer to train you for an hour-and-a-half each day. No more. No less. And only you. Is that satisfactory?"

The Shimo genin's eyes widened as she immediately rubbed at her eyes, getting rid of the wetness that had started to form. A grin developed on her face as she ignored Misora's handshake and rushed towards her with a hug.

"Thankyou,thankyou,thankyou,thankyou,thankyou!" She exclaimed over-and-over again.

Misora remained quiet for a moment as the Shimo kunoichi continued to exclaim her gratitude multiple times before rushing off in order to prepare for a training session tomorrow. When she finally left, Anko turned to Misora with a curious expression on her face.

"Any particular reason you agreed to take her on?" Anko asked. "I mean, it's not like Shimo and Kiri are allies."

"… I'm not quite certain." Misora admitted, rubbing the back of her head. "But I suppose I will find out tomorrow if I made a mistake or not."

Anko snorted in response as the two jōnin continued on their walk.

Five Days Until the Exam

Upon finishing another group session with his students, Naruto's shadow clones escorted both Kanji and Katsumi to keep working on their other individual practices. Naruto and Hanabi remained alone. Hanabi brought her hands together as he looked at her sensei intently.

"Naruto-sensei, are you wanting to work on my gentle fist more? Or should I focus on more medical ninjutsu?" She asked. "I feel I'm getting stronger with both, in addition to-"

"I do have something special I want to work with you, Hanabi, but I got a question I wanted to ask you real quick." Naruto asked. The Hyūga's words died on her lips as she tilted her head in curiosity: "Did you ever get an answer to the question you asked me a while ago?"

"Huh?" Hanabi blinked in response before her eyes widened: "You mean… about what kind of shinobi you think I should be?"

"Yes, but rephrase it." Naruto said, crossing his arms: "What kind of shinobi do you think you should be?"

Hanabi was silent for a moment as she closed her eyes in thought for a moment. A few seconds passed by before she opened her eyes again, staring intently at her jōnin-sensei.

"The best I can be." She said sharply.

"And what does that mean?" Naruto asked.

"I… I'm a collection of everything that has made me who I am." Hanabi admitted, her eyes narrowing. "I'm a Hyūga Clan shinobi, gifted in the Gentle Fist. I'm studying medical ninjutsu, using my Byakugan to better recognize injuries and provide optimal healing." She then gestured towards the snake around her neck, who looked up to her: "And I have an ally in Hebihiro, who both serves as a friend and is willing to help me out in combat!"

Hebihiro smiled in response but did not say anything and laid his head against her neck once more.

"But that's not answering the question; what does that all mean?" Naruto continued to press: "You're all of these identities, and you are striving to be your 'best'. What is that to you?"

"I…" Hanabi tightened her fists for a moment: "I intend on being the strongest shinobi I possibly can be, to keep my village and my family and friends safe! I… still need to figure out my niche, but I know I'll find it and excel there!"

"… Good to hear." Naruto smirked in response as he brought his arms to his side: "You definitely have time to find your own niche; you're still a genin right now and really early into your career. I just wanted to make sure that you found an answer that you were satisfied with."

"Why?" Hanabi's gaze softened slightly as she stared at her jōnin-sensei in confusion.

"I mean, it makes sense if you think about it." Naruto shrugged his shoulders in response: "If you still got questions about your self and your own worth, how can you actually expect to grow stronger? Subconsciously, you'll hold yourself back. Or, that's how I see it at least."

"Hmm…" Hanabi hummed in thought for a moment before she nodded her head in response: "That makes sense."

"Now, I actually got another technique for you to learn. And for Hebihiro, as well." Naruto offered, causing the snake to perk up slightly in response.

The Uzumaki reached into his flak jacket and pulled out a scroll that he tossed over to Hanabi. She quickly unraveled it, with both her and the snake started to read the jutsu.

"Ninja Art: Poison Fog." She read.

"It's a little something I picked up from Utakata, one of the other jinchūriki I'm training with." Naruto said, his smirk widening into a grin: "I'd like to teach it to both you and Hebihiro. I have an idea on how to incorporate it into your Gentle Fist."

"Really?" Hanabi's eyes widened before a grin of her own developed on her face: "Then tell me!"

'Where… am I…'

When Isaribi opened her eyes, the world around her was blurry. She could not fully process what was happening around her as she started to pull herself off the ground.

She could not process how long she had been out. The last thing she remembered was that Kabuto said he wanted to do another round of experiments on her. She consented and that was where her memory ceased.

'… I feel so sore… I'm going to have to ask for a break from these experiments for a little bit.' She internally grumbled as her hands traced her body: 'Everything feels sore. I'm going to have to train-'

Her eyes widened as her mind caught up to her feeling. Her hands – actual hands – were tracing over her body and feeling skin. Human skin. She continued to rub on everything inch of skin, checking for any scales.

She felt nothing but skin.

"Did… it work…" She mumbled to herself, feeling hope rise throughout her body.

She jumped up from her position and she was now fully standing. Registering that she was still in the cave that Kabuto and Hidan were camping out in, she rushed over a small lake and looked down at her reflection.

Immediately, she stared to cry tears of joy. 'He did. He actually did it.'

"Ah, you're awake."

Her eyes widened in response as she turned around, seeing Kabuto approach her. The silver-haired man adjusted his glasses as a chuckle escaped his lips.

"My apologies for putting you out for two days. I wasn't expecting you'd stay unconscious for this long, but I guess your body needed time to adjust-"

The man's words died on his throat as Isaribi, once again, closed the distance between them and pulled him into a tight embrace. Kabuto's eyes widened as Isaribi clutched onto him tightly, sobbing into his shoulder.

"Thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you so much!" She repeated over-and-over.

Like the last time she embraced him, Kabuto froze. He tried to return her hug, but his body was not responding to that thought. He remained stiff, unable to move, as Isaribi continued to hug him tightly.

After nearly a minute like this, Isaribi finally calmed herself down and ended her embrace. She rubbed at her eyes, which were still wet with tears, as she looked at the Akatsuki member.

"I'm s-sorry." She mumbled. "I n-need to remind myself y-you don't like contact like that."

"… It's fine." Kabuto finally mumbled, adjusting his glasses: "I'm… simply not used to it."

In truth, Isaribi's hugs reminded him of Nonō's. 'Perhaps that's why…'

A second passed before he adjusted his glasses once more: "As I mentioned when I first brought this up, I was able to alter your physical appearance back to normal, but I can't do anything to the actual changes done to your DNA. To demonstrate what I mean, please channel chakra."

Isaribi nodded her head and began to channel her chakra. Immediately, her appearance reverted back to its Kaima Form. She then stopped channeling chakra, causing her appearance to return to that of a normal human once again.

"I… I see." She mumbled in response as she brought a hand to her chin in thought: "I won't be able to get rid of it… But it's not showing anymore…"

"It's, as I said, the best-case scenario would be." Kabuto reminded. "That's acceptable, yes?"

"Of course." Isaribi nodded her head as she tightened her hands into fists: "It's better this way. I… I'm not the weak little girl that Amachi experimented on anymore. I'm strong, now." She then channeled chakra once more, returning back to her Kaima Form: "I will never be weak again!"

The two were silent once more before Isaribi turned her focus solely to Kabuto. A grin developed on her face as she brought a hand to her chest.

"I owe you a debt that I'm never going to be able to properly pay off." She admitted, her grip tightening: "But I will definitely try. You say the word, and I'll do anything. You know your organization's plans, right?" Kabuto nodded in response, causing her grin to widen: "I'll kill whoever you need me to. Just give me the heads-up."

"Heh." Kabuto grinned in response back: "Thank you, Isaribi."

Four Days Until the Exam

"Alright, let's eat!" Chōji nearly shouted.

Hinata, Shikamaru, Ino, and Shino chuckled in response as they watched the Akimichi dig into his plate of barbeque. The three eventually turned to their own plates and started to eat their own food.

"It's so good…" Hinata sighed as she savored the taste of her steak for a second before turning to Chōji: "Thanks for the invite, Chōji-kun."

"Duh worry 'bout id." Chōji mumbled between bites before he swallowed the food in his mouth. He grinned as he eyed his plate, trying to figure out which piece of meat to eat next: "It's been a long time since our teams went out anywhere together."

"It's a shame Naruto couldn't be here, though." Ino admitted with a sigh: "I was kinda hoping to ask him about how Kanji-kun's training was going good."

"I got to talk to Hanabi a little bit ago, and she said their training is going good." Hinata offered.

"I would imagine it's going well." Shino said before he turned his attention to Hinata and Shikamaru: "How is your training going? Chōji, Ino, and I have really taken advantage of our time and having dedicated weeks to training, so I can only imagine how you two have been spending it."

"Oh, same." Shikamaru said, sighing slightly: "Training with Homura-sensei, training with Katsuyu-sama, individual training sessions, shogi matches with my Dad, sparring with Hinata, Anko-sensei, and Kurotsuchi…" A snort escaped his lips as he crossed his arms: "I've actually been training too much. I'm trying to not overdo it anymore than I already have so I don't injure myself."

"Same." Hinata nodded her head in agreement: "I've been training in Ryūchi Cave everyday and-"

"Urk!" Chōji nearly choked.

"Chōji?" Ino's eyes widened as she turned her attention towards her teammate: "Are you okay-"

The blonde noticed that Chōji had not choked on his meal and was, instead, staring forward towards the door to the restaurant. She noticed a waitress leading four Kumogakure shinobi towards a table. Two of them – a man and woman with similar blonde-hair that appeared to be related – she did not recognize, but the other two were a pair of shinobi that she remembered.

"Ahhh, it's her!" Ino said with a grin as she turned to Chōji, who was already starting to blush her: "What was her name again, Chōji? Karui, right?"

"Wh-Why do you remember that?" He mumbled, shaking his head.

"Hmm?" Hinata tilted her head slightly: "Do you know them?"

"No. Two of those Kumo shinobi are ones we crossed paths with in the street one day. We had no conversation with them." Shino shook his head before a chuckle escaped his lips: "However, Chōji appears to be interested in the girl with-"

"Shino?" Chōji turned to face the Aburame with a scowl on his face: "Not you too! Don't tease me about this too!"

"Alright Chōji, this time is your time!" Ino declared as she stood up from her seat: "We're going to introduce you and you're going to impress her and her friends, okay?"

"I-Ino!" Chōji stood-up, shaking his head: "D-Don't you dare! What if she-" His words died on his lips as Ino left the table and started to walk over towards the Kumo shinobi's table: "Ino!"

Chōji hurried behind, trying to stop Ino from moving further. The blonde continued to rush past him, heading directly towards the table. The four Kumo shinobi all turned their attention towards her as Ino looked at them with a grin before introducing herself.

Hinata, Shikamaru, and Shino all stared at the scene for a few seconds before they shook their heads and turning back to one another.

"Poor Chōji-kun…" Hinata mumbled to herself: "Should we help him?"

"Unless you wish to have Ino claw your eye out, I'd recommend not." Shino suggested with a chuckle: "She is rather cavalier about this. How do I know this? She is the same way in regards back in Konoha whenever I am around Fū-san."

"Fū?" Shikamaru blinked in response: "Do you have a thing for her, Shino?"

"… I am not quite certain." Shino admitted, adjusting his sunglasses: "I will confess that I enjoy spending time with her. She has a passion for insects that I don't believe I have witnessed in anyone other than other Aburame Clan shinobi. And conversations with her are rather intellectually stimulating."

"True." Shikamaru nodded his head, chuckling: "Yeah, she's a lot smarter than she carries herself. She makes conversations interesting."

"And she is really pretty, isn't she?" Hinata asked. Shino did not reply slightly, but a slight pinkish-tone developed on his face, which caused Hinata to grin in response: "You do think so, don't you!"

"… I won't deny that." Shino admitted.

"Why don't you ask her out when this is all over?" Shikamaru offered, shrugging his shoulders.

"… Maybe-"

"You think you can outeat me just because you're big, don't you fatso?"

"I'm not fat, dammit! That's fighting words!"

Shikamaru, Hinata, and Shino turned their heads towards the Kumogakure shinobi table in time to see Chōji take a seat at the opposite side of the table to the blond male Kumo shinobi. The other three Kumo shinobi were staring back-and-forth between him and Chōji while Ino stood in front of the table, looking on in horror.

"Atsui, please don't make a scene." Omoi grumbled, shaking his head.

"Stay out of this Omoi!" The man hissed in response before looking Chōji in the eye: "Name's Atsui. I'm the hotshot whose gonna outeat you once the meal comes out, you fat bastard!"

"I'm Akimichi Chōji, and I'm not going to let those insults slide!" Chōji shouted back, his hands tightening: "You don't have a shot at beating me; I will crush you!"

"Well… looks like that meeting didn't go the way Ino wanted it to." Hinata noted with a giggle.

"Indeed." Shino nodded his head as he studied his teammate: "Beyond the abstract horror on her face, she looks angry. I feel the only thing keeping her calm is the fact that we are in public. I presume Chōji is going to hear about this later."

"Well, she did sorta force this. She's gotta live with the consequence." Shikamaru said with a snort. His eyes then moved over to Karui, who was chuckling as her eyes seemed to focus slightly on Chōji. A smirk developed on his face as he shook his head: 'But who knows, maybe that will end up working. Certainly seems like that girl will remember Chōji now.'

Conversation between Shikamaru, Hinata, and Shino came to a halt as the three started to focus all of their attention on the Kumogakure table.

"You summoned us, Oyashiro-sama?"

En Oyashiro took a sip of his coffee before turning his attention to Chino, Nowaki, and Yakumo. The three took a few steps forward before they bowed their heads towards him. A smirk developed on his face as he set his coffee cup down and brought his hands together.

"Earlier today, Akatsuki sent over all the money." Oyashiro stated: "The Kumogakure assignment if officially a-go."

"Do we have to do this?" Chino asked, tilting her head slightly: "Can't we just run with the money?"

"Hmm…" Oyashiro brought his hand to his chin, as if in thought. He then quickly shook his head: "Nah, that won't be necessary. I don't want to make enemies of them. Especially since that organization is about to get really profitable soon." His smirk widened into a grin: "I'm confident they're going to pull this off, you know? I think this invasion on Kumo might be enough to wipe the village. And just imagine the power vacuum losing one of the Five Major Shinobi Villages will create!"

His hand went over to the desk and pulled out a small fan. He then proceeded to fan himself slightly, starting to chuckle.

"I think we're not too far off from a Fourth Shinobi World War, if all the dominoes fall the way I'm expecting it to. That's where we come in, offering both sides our services through different contacts. The amount of money that's about to come in…" He sighed contently, as he shook his head: "If we play our cards right, the amount of money we'll make is limitless!"

Chino, Nowaki, and Yakumo said nothing in response, simply staring at their 'boss'. After a few seconds, Oyashiro finally stopped fanning himself and his eyes focused on the three. He pointed his fan directly at Chino.

"Now, the request for our assets in general is to just cause chaos and kill indiscriminately. All of you, feel free to do just that alongside the others. I'll pass that order onto all the others." Oyashiro stated. "I was told the information about our assistance to Akatsuki was leaked out, but luckily none of the exact information about 'specific kekkei genkai' I control was leaked. That still gives all three of you the element of surprise in a fight." His eyes then focused on Chino: "Especially you. The Ketsuryūgan will definitely starter whatever poor bastard that has to fight you."

"I'd hope so." She replied with an obnoxious-sounding giggle.

'She's so fake…' Yakumo noted, taking in a deep breath, trying not to show her own dissatisfaction.

"So we know our assignments; what is yours, Oyashiro-sama?" Nowaki asked.

"I don't have one. I don't need to have one." Oyashiro clarified, scowling in response. "Akatsuki hired my assets, and that is you. I technically don't have to do anything." He shrugged his shoulders, his grin quickly returning: "If you do need me, though, I'll be looking around for more tools to collect. There's a Terumi on the Kirigakure genin team and I'd like to acquire him to replace Futsu. And if there's any other interesting assets, I'd like to obtain them."

Chino, Nowaki, and Yakumo were silent for a moment. Oyashiro continued to chat with them, giving them orders from that point, but the three had mentally checked out of listening to them. After a few more minutes, the man had finally dismissed them and they walked out together.

A few seconds passed by as they continued to walk through Oyashiro's mansion. After they had made it sufficient enough distance away from Oyashiro's office, the three finally dropped their neutral expressions.

"One of us should kill that Terumi kid." Nowaki suggested, bringing his hand to his chin: "Better to save him the trouble of being forced into Oyashiro's servitude."

"We can't do that. This is when we finally get away from this asshole." Chino said, shaking her head. "Once the invasion starts, I'm going to free Amuda from his cell and have him join up with us. Then the four of us need to leave."

"… Agreed." Yakumo spoke softly. "… I don't wish for any good fortune for Oyashiro, but I do hope he is right about Akatsuki's victory." A small smirk developed on her face: "Imagine the Fourth Shinobi World War happening soon… imagine all five Great Nations falling…"

"Sounds almost too good to be true, but maybe it can happen." Chino noted, smirking as well: "I'd love to be involved in that."

"Likewise." Nowaki nodded his head in agreement.

The three 'bodyguards' fell into silence as they finally separated from one another.

Three Days Until the Exam

Anko breathed heavily, struggling to stay on her feet as she stood in Ryūchi Cave, directly in front of the 'White Snake Sage'. Their training session had been going on for three hours now and the jōnin was starting to feel slightly winded.

The 'White Snake Sage' focused intently on the shinobi for a moment before her eyes moved over to a puddle of poison that was directly in front of her. She focused intently on it for a moment before she turned her head and started to chuckle.

"I will confess, Anko-chan, that your development as a Sage compared to Hinata's is rather interesting to me." 'The White Snake Sage' said as she breathed out a poof of smoke.

Anko titled her head slightly in response: "What do you mean by that?"

"I mean in regards to where your strengths last." The 'White Snake Sage' clarified, chuckling once more: "I was told that you actually used our clan's ninjutsu techniques, such as the Hidden Snake Hand and its variants, much more frequently compared to Hinata-chan. From what I understood, she only used the Summoning Jutsu and none of the related techniques that you, Orochimaru-kun, and Kabuto-kun knew." She breathed out another poof of smoke from her cigar: "And yet, her skill with generating our clan's poison is exponentially superior to yours."

"Exponentially?" Anko frowned at the word.

While she considered herself rather proud, Anko was not against the idea of Hinata growing stronger than her. That was the whole point of training someone; in a perfect world, the next generation would grow stronger than the previous and fix their weaknesses. The thought that any of her students being better than her was actually something she was looking forward to.

Being told that Hinata was 'exponentially superior', however? Anko bit on her lip hard, trying to stomach the thought.

"Did I injure your pride, Anko-chan?" The 'White Snake Sage' chuckled in response. "How amusing. I didn't expect to offend you."

"I'm… not offended." Anko replied, bringing her hands together slightly: "I'm just… curious, I guess."

"To be honest, I'm not quite certain why Hinata-chan picks up on our poisons so fast. I think perhaps it has to do with her Byakugan, maybe?" The snake offered. "Whereas you have to make changes to your poisons' potency based on 'feelings' alone, Hinata-chan is able to see the make-up of our poison compared to hers and has been able to adjust accordingly whenever differences have been spotted."

"That makes sense." Anko noted, closing her eyes in thought. "So since I'm going by just 'on a feeling', it's taking me longer to make my poison just right."

"That would be correct." The 'White Snake Sage' nodded her head: "With that in mind, I think it might be more fruitful for you to focus on where you excel over her. After all, you have a time limit before your mission is ready, hmm?"

Anko's eyes opened in response: "And what's that?"

"Hinata's skill with our poison is one thing, but I believe you take in much more natural energy than her. As a result, in regards to senjutsu, you definitely are able to use more of it for stronger techniques." She elaborated. "With that and this 'invasion' coming soon, we should focus on using all of that nature energy."

"I… I see." Anko said, bowing her head.

'… I'll take that. Much easier pill to swallow.' A smirk developed on her face. 'Alright, Hinata, you found your niche in this field, but I have my own. And I'm not going to let myself fall behind you like that.'

"Your fire affinity is your strongest, yes?" 'The White Snake Sage' asked. Anko nodded her head in response, which caused the snake to smirk as well: "You are aware that our sages could also colloquially be referred to as 'Dragon Sages', correct?"

"I was not." Anko shook her head in response.

"Dragons share a lot of superficial similarities to snakes. Our heads, our elongated bodies, our scales… I could go on. Some say that the first 'dragon' you humans imagined was actually a snake." The snake replied as she breathed out even more smoke. "It is curious, though, where the 'fire-breathing' myth came from." As she chuckled, she breathed out even more smoke from her cigar. The smoke started to spread throughout the top of the cave entirely as she turned her head upwards: "Although, I do believe I understand where the origin of that legend came from. Sage Art: Fire Style: Sea of Flames!"

The 'White Snake Sage' opened her mouth and breathed out a massive firestorm from her mouth. The individual 'waves' of the firestorm almost appeared to look like snakes as they crashed into ceiling of the cave. Upon making contact with the smoke in the air, an explosion was ignited, covering the entire cave's top half in fire.

Anko winced slightly as she began to drip sweat from her body. Her eyes widened in response, as her eyes focused intently on the flames, watching them melt through the ceiling and extending the cave even higher.

Both Anko and the snake were quiet as they simply stared at the flames. Anko watched the fire move throughout the ceiling, continuing to burn without any abandon or signs of stopping. After a few minutes, the 'White Snake Sage' opened her mouth, causing the flames to rush back from the ceiling, moving again like waves of 'fire snakes' before returning to her mouth. Upon swallowing the flames whole, the sage breathed out another large of smoke, causing Anko's eyes to widen.

"I am almost certain that even the ocean does not have enough water to douse those flames." The 'White Snake Sage' noted: "Well, Anko-chan? Are you interested?"

"Yes. Very much so!" Anko bowed her head.

The snake chuckled as she and the snake summoner went back to training once again.

'Another day she isn't waking up, huh?' Karin noted with a sigh.

The Kusagakure jōnin received the notice from Masakado and Susumu about Tayuya's injuries. She was not certain of the specifics – all she knew was that she was meeting with a spy within Akatsuki and was attacked by one of Akatsuki's top members – but she rushed over to the hospital upon hearing about her condition and made sure to visit her every day, waiting to greet her once she woke up.

She never did.

From what the medics had explained to her, Tayuya was placed under a genjutsu just before she succumbed to her injuries. Being hit by a genjutsu just before unconsciousness was one of the most malicious things a person could do to someone; the body would be too focused on trying to heal itself to afford the chance to handle the mental strain from the genjutsu. Even for someone as proficient in genjutsu as Tayuya would not be able to dispel it so easily in her current physical state.

With each passing day, it was becoming more-and-more like Tayuya was going to be unconscious for a month.

'Such bullshit. I didn't even know she was in Kumogakure. I haven't even seen her since the Uzushiogakure mission.' Karin mumbled to herself, bringing her hands together: 'Haven't spoken with her since and the first time I see her, she's in a coma.'

Karin was not certain how much time had passed since she arrived, but after what felt like an eternity, the door to Tayuya's room opened and another visitor walked in: Uzumaki Masakado. A small smile developed on Karin's face as she nodded her head at her fellow Uzumaki.

"No improvement, huh?" Masakado asked.

"Nope." Karin said, shaking her head: "I was just keeping her company until one of the medics comes back to check on her."

"I see." Masakado sighed: "Well, thank you for that, Karin. I'm sure Tayuya will appreciate it."

"… She is going to wake up, right?" Karin asked, looking down slightly.

Masakado was silent for a moment as his eyes focused on Tayuya's unconscious body for a few seconds before he turned back to Karin. A small smile developed on his lips as he walked over towards her position and put his hand on her right shoulder.

"I'm positive. Beyond just the medics predicting her to be alright, beyond Tsunade saying she will be okay… I just have a feeling, I guess." Masakado said with a chuckle: "I got to trust the Uzumaki Clan instincts, I guess."

A frown developed on Karin's face: "You mean the same instincts that led to you attacking us in the Uzushiogakure Temple?"

"That…" Masakado's smile immediately dropped into a frown of his own as he bit his lip for a second in thought. A sigh escaped his lips: "I was out-of-touch with reality back then and still grieving. I acted without logic back then. That was not following my instincts; that was my anger acting out irrationally… and it's something I will always regret."

Karin did not say anything in response. Masakado's grip on her shoulder loosened as the man took in a deep breath, his eyes moving back to Tayuya's body. He stayed quiet for a few more seconds before he started to speak again.

"When I say my 'Uzumaki Clan instincts'… I meant that I've buried a lot of people, some of whom I was hoping were simply in a coma, because I made up some excuses to think that they were still alive." Karin turned her head to face the former Uzukage, who continued to speak: "At this point… I think I can tell when one our clansman is actually close to death or not." His smile returned slightly: "And I have a feeling that Tayuya's okay. Just have to make sure someone's here for her when she wakes up."

Karin was quiet for a moment, simply staring back at the elder Uzumaki. After a few seconds of silence, a small smile developed on her face as she nodded her head.

"I'll trust your instincts, then." She said.

The two Uzumaki remained still for a moment in the room before Karin turned towards the door.

"Well, if you're here Masakado, would you mind keeping her company until the next medic comes around?" She asked. "If I can get out a little earlier, I'd like to see if my team is willing to start training again an hour earlier."

"Fine with me." Masakado nodded his head: "How are they doing, by the way? I don't think I've met your students yet."

"… That's intentional on their part." Karin sighed in response. Masakado's eyes narrowed in response, but before he could say anything, Karin continued: "Their training is going very well. If this were a standard Chūnin Exams, they'd all become chūnin with flying colors, I think."

"That's good to hear." Masakado noted: "They're prepared in case something happens after the exam, right?"

"Yeah, but they're probably going to keep their distance from the action." Karin answered as she walked towards the door: "That's what we planned for them."

"'For them'?" Masakado's eyebrow raised slightly. "Are you planning on helping in the invasion?"

"… Well, duh." Karin snorted in response as she turned back to look at her cousin's bedridden body: "I know I'm not going to be able to fight against the guy who did this to Tayuya, but you can bet I'm going to help fight against them! Akatsuki's been hunting Naruto and they did to Tayuya…" Her hands tightened into fists: "It's personal."

Two Days Until the Exam

"You all arrived." Ē noted as he opened the door to the Raikage's Office, coming face-to-face with Jiraiya, Mei, and Kurotsuchi. "Have a seat."

The other three Kage nodded in response as they entered the office and followed the Raikage. Unlike the room's standard layout, Ē had set up a square table on the left-side of the room, by the windows. Directly next to one of the chairs was a fridge.

The four Kage each took a seat at the table, with Ē taking the seat next to the fridge. He opened it before pulling out four bottles of sake. He slid three of them to his three guests before he opened the fourth bottle.

"Surprised you're having a meeting with us and you didn't invite Gaara." Kurotsuchi noted as she stared at a bottle.

"I thought I made it clear when I sent Darui and Mabui out with the invitation; this isn't a formal meeting, so there's no need to drag him away from Shimagame Island right before he leaves." Ē noted. "Besides, I was informed that the Kazekage does not drink, so I doubt he would enjoy this much."

"I am more surprised that you even invited us over to begin with." Jiraiya admitted, chuckling: "You never struck me as much of a drinker yourself."

"I'm not. But god knows I need a couple of these." Ē grumbled as he immediately chugged his bottle of sake. He drank about half-way through the bottle before setting back down on the table: "I haven't been able to relax in months, so I figured it would be nice to unwind. And I figured you all have been as preoccupied about this too, so it would be to your benefit to drink as well."

"Trust me, I never turn down a gentleman's offer for a drink." Mei said, winking as she took a sip of her own bottle.

"This is Kaminari Sake, hmm?" Jiraiya noted, looking at his bottle. He chuckled as he opened up his bottle: "This is one of Tsunade's favorites."

"She's got good taste." Ē nodded his head as he took another sip of his own bottle: "Brewed here in this country. One of the strongest alcohol drinks you can legally get."

"So, it'll fuck you up, huh?" Kurotsuchi asked as she took a sip of her own drink. Upon finishing, she whistled in approval as she lovingly gripped onto her bottle: "Ooh, I like that!"

"Drink as much as you like." Ē said, gesturing towards the fridge: "I got plenty." His eyes then narrowed: "Just don't puke here. I will kill anyone who vomits in my office!"

The four Kage grew quiet as they focused on their own drinks. Ē replaced people's bottles as they finished, and Dodai came into the office to drop off some karaage at the Raikage's request. The group simply indulged on the food and drink for a moment, enjoying a quiet moment to relax.

After about fifteen minutes of silence, Ē turned his head towards the window. He looked out at the streets of Kumogakure for a moment before he sighed.

"Kumo's never been invaded before." He mumbled, drawing attention to the man: "I am not looking forward to seeing the effects of this."

"No one should like the idea of seeing their home get invaded." Mei noted, frowning in response: "I still remember leading the invasion on Kirigakure during the Civil War. I knew it had to happen and will never regret it… but there was a certain melancholy feeling of seeing streets I walked down as a little girl completely destroyed, even if the destruction was necessary."

"'Necessary.'" Jiraiya repeated the word with a grunt: "Says something about our world that violence like that is necessary, huh?"

"Suppose it does." The Mizukage hummed slightly: "But there's really nothing we can do about that, can we?"

"… Guess not." Jiraiya's eyes moved towards his own bottle of sake, gripping it tightly: "There's just so much hate in this world. It's something I always wanted to do something about, but never knew what exactly to do."

"You can't try and do anything about it." Ē shook his head: "Hate will always exist. That's the way the world works."

"… It's an endless cycle." Jiraiya sighed in response. "An endless cycle that hurts everyone."

"Hmm…" Kurotsuchi finished her bottle of sake. As she set down her bottle, a frown developed on her face: "I've seen it take over someone. It turned Kamizuru Suzumebachi into a monster, whose hatred for Konoha turned into a hatred for loyal Iwa shinobi who did not agree with her plans to go to war."

Mei nodded her head in agreement: "It turned a lot of Kirigakure shinobi into monsters. Tomoe, Karitoriki, Unmo, Jinpachi, Kushimaru… I could go on forever recounting all the promising Kirigakure shinobi that turned on everything Kirigakure stood for just because of their hate alone."

"… I don't really care about hate. We aren't gods. No one can do anything about something as arbitrary as hate, so it's pointless to even try." Ē said as he chugged another bottle of sake. Within seconds, he finished the whole bottle and slammed it into the table, causing it to shake slightly: "All that matters is keeping our villages safe."

"True." Mei said, taking another sip of her bottle. "That's why we're here, though. Hopefully, in two days time, the biggest threat to our villages' safety and security will be gone."

"It will be." Kurotsuchi stated sharply, her hands tightening. "Akatsuki will fall!"

"Yes it will." Jiraiya nodded his head in response.

The four Kage were quiet for a moment as they all held out their bottles. Doing a 'cheers' together, all four downed the bottle entirely before continuing.

It would be a surreal sight to see for many past shinobi, to see four of the five Kage united under one conviction. Despite their differences in personalities, beliefs, and experiences, all four were genuinely united and were going to do everything in their power to make sure that Akatsuki failed and fell.

"You made ramen?" Naruto nearly shouted as he walked into Bee's kitchen.

The Uzumaki took a sniff of the aroma of the room before a grin developed on his face as he rushed over to the table. The remaining jinchūriki and Hotaru followed suit as Bee and Yugito started to pass out individual bowls.

"It was my idea to work with the noodles, so you best enjoy, cause I wasn't frugal." Bee noted: "Plenty of all the toppings you could crave. Anything to make my fellow jinchūriki rave!"

"Bee did do most of the cooking. Make of that what you will." Yugito noted, chuckling as she took her own seat.

Yagura tilted his head slightly in response: "Are you a particularly good cook, Bee-san?"

"All jokes aside, he's actually really good when he actually bothers." Yugito noted, gesturing towards the bowls. "I think you all will love it."

"It smells so fucking good…" Naruto sighed in contentment, almost drooling. He quickly shook his head as he broke apart his chopsticks: "Let's eat!"

The remaining jinchūriki followed suit, and within seconds the group started to eat together. As Yugito had said, Bee's ramen ended up being delicious. The ten remained quiet as they simply focused on devouring their meal.

"That was so good…" Naruto sighed in contentment as he set his bowl down upon finishing: "It almost reminded me of Ichiraku's."

"That's that ramen stand in Konoha you took Han and I too, right?" Rōshi asked. Naruto nodded his head, earning a smirk from the elder: "Would love to go and try that place again. That was probably the best ramen I've ever had."

Bee shook his head, frowning: "Praising someone else's meal instead of your dinner? Damn, do I feel like a real winner."

"He means no offense, Bee-san." Han spoke-up with a chuckle: "Although I must confess that I really enjoyed that curry chicken ramen Ichiraku-san made for us. I would really enjoy going back someday."

"I'd love that! It's been way too long since you two visited Konoha." Naruto exclaimed as he focused on the other jinchūriki: "Actually, I'd love to take all of you to Ichiraku someday! My treat!"

"Your treat, huh?" Utakata smirked in response as he finished his bowl: "Fine with me. I'm sure Kiri would permit Hotaru and I to travel to Konoha sometime."

"Kiri permit?" Yagura asked as he turned to face Utakata: "I don't recall you ever asking for permission to travel anywhere. I believed that was part of your conditions for siding with the rebels."

"Ah." Utakata rubbed his head in response, his smirk softening into a smile: "I'm actually intending on going back to Kirigakure and reclaiming my shinobi status."

Yagura's eyes widened in response: "Are you serious?" Utakata nodded his head, which caused Yagura to smile back: "I'm very happy to hear that. It will be great having you in the village."

"Good on you, kid." Rōshi nodded his head, looking over at Utakata: "Your village needs you. More than you probably realize." He then turned downward, staring into his empty ramen bowl: "… I know that's how it was for me."

"Rōshi." Han frowned as he placed his right hand on Rōshi's shoulder.

The Yonbi jinchūriki turned to his friend, smiling at him, before turning his head back to his bowl. His hands tightened.

"I always told myself I'd like to do what you actually were doing, Utakata." Rōshi admitted, rubbing the back of his neck: "I always wanted to leave Iwa and just get away. Roam the earth, see everything it had to offer, and write some good books along the way. Always thought the village wouldn't really need me." A sigh escaped his lips as an image of Ōnoki entered his mind: "I was wrong. Iwa needs me, now more than ever." He then turned back to Utakata, nodding his head once again in approval: "And Kiri needs you too."

"… I'm aware." Utakata replied, bringing his hands together. He turned to face Yugito and Killer Bee before bowing his head: "Thank you."

"For what?" Yugito asked. "The training here was for our benefit as much as yours."

"No, beyond just that." He said, shaking his head: "I… I got closure here I was never expecting to get. For the first time in my life, I feel prepared for the next stage, and I am excited for it. I owe that to this experience." He then bowed once again: "So, thank you both."

"Utakata-sensei…" Hotaru smiled in response as she leaned slightly against the Rokubi jinchūriki.

"I second that!" Fū added, bringing her hands together. Yugito and Bee turned to face her: "I… This has always been something I was doing wrong. I always thought there was something wrong with me, being unable to control the Nanabi's powers properly. But I can finally do it, and I feel like that's helped me in more ways than just fighting." She bowed as well, causing Yugito's eyes to widen: "From the bottom of my heart, thank you both."

"D-Don't be so cheesy all of a sudden." Yugito mumbled in response, avoiding making eye-contact with either Utakata or Fū. "It d-doesn't suit either of you."

"Are you certain of that?" Han asked, drawing her attention. "I would agree with their assertions, as this experience had me confront the demons of my heart that I always was too cowardly to face."

"Y-You all keep this up, and you're gonna make me upchuck. This is way too sweet, I can't handle this treat." Bee grumbled out a rap, shaking his head slightly.

"Take the compliments. This experience really has had a positive impact on all of us." Yagura added, smiling: "I am no exception to that. While I still have a ways to go with my own mental health, my time here has genuinely helped me experience joy again and gave me the tools to stop hating myself. That is a gift that I know I'll never be able to payback."

"We all owe you, Bee-san. Yugito-san." Gaara spoke, bowing his head as well.

"S-Stop that, dammit!" Yugito nearly growled in response, her cheeks tinting pink.

Naruto's eyes moved from each jinchūriki to the next, the group he had been living with for the past month. All eight of them were people he had known prior to this training session, each with differing levels of relationships. Now, though, he saw all of them in the same light.

"You know…" Naruto started to speak, drawing attention towards him: "I grew up an orphan and didn't have a family. I know that's something a lot of you can relate to… it was something that always really bothered me. I wanted that family bond. It's why I was so happy to hear about other living Uzumaki." A chuckle escaped his lips as his smile widened: "Family, though, goes beyond just blood and genetics. I… consider you all my family now, y'know?"

The room grew quiet in response, as if the others were processing his words. A few seconds passed by before Killer Bee broke the silence, laughing as he brought his arm around Naruto's shoulder.

"You peaked inside my head, cause that's what I've always said!" The Hachibi jinchūriki declared sharply: "I always thought of y'all as my sisters and brothers! Us jinchūriki gotta stick together, cause their ain't no others!"

"Family, huh…" Gaara brought a hand to his chin in thought before nodding his head. "

"That really is fitting, isn't it?" Fū said, giggling slightly as her eyes moved over to Yugito: "I guess that really does make you our m-"

"Finish that sentence and I'll cut your tongue out!" Yugito hissed in response.

Before Fū could respond, Han chuckled as he looked over to the group around him.

"I always considered Rōshi to be my best friend, and Naruto my younger brother respectively. This only feels like a natural extension of those thoughts." He stated. "I could get use to having more family in my life."

"Temari and Kankurō are all I had." Gaara stated, his eyes focusing on Naruto: "My mansion has always felt somewhat quiet. Consider all of you welcome whenever you step foot in my village, no questions asked."

"I may take you on that, Kazekage-sama!" Fū spoke. "I always wanted to-"

"Gaara." The Godaime Kazekage shook his head: "If we are all committing to this family notion, then I would like to not hear any of you call me by title. Please, just use my name."

"… Understood, Gaara." Fū nodded her head, smiling at the redhead.

"To be honest, I don't really like the word 'family'. I usually associate that with my parents, who did not have a particularly positive relationship with." Yagura admitted, shaking his head: "… However, I strangely don't mind the thought." A smile developed on his face as he crossed his arms: "I suppose it feels more natura with you all."

"Makes sense." Rōshi nodded his head: "My own family – the Kinryū Clan – are people I never considered family. But you guys…" He smirked as he brought his hands behind his back: "Eh, what the hell. I'm old enough to all of yours' grandfather anyway."

"I don't think we need to actually slot into specific family roles." Utakata noted, chuckling. "We're not blood related, so those would literally just be words."

"Hey, roles are important! We need a mother-figure, after all!" Fū declared before turning to Yugito: "And luckily, we have-"

"Don't make me repeat myself; I will cut you!" Yugito nearly hissed. She then shook her head, turning to Naruto: "Look at this mess you caused. It's all so cheesy!"

"I guess." Naruto shrugged his shoulders, chuckling: "But you approve of it, don't you?"

"…" Yugito did not immediately reply as she simply stared at her fellow blond. A few seconds past before a smile developed on her cheeks and she nodded her head: "I do. A lot." Her whole demeanor relaxed slightly as her eyes moved from each jinchūriki to the next: "You all were thanking Bee and me earlier, but I should be thanking you all. This was probably one of the most enjoyable times I can recall having in a long time. Thank you all."

"No, thank you!" Naruto replied, shaking his head. A grin developed on his face as his hands tightened into fists: "Now, we still have something to do! Two days from now is the invasion, and we have to make sure Akatsuki falls!"

"Obviously." Yugito nodded her head once again, her own hands tightening: "We'll crush them."

The room grew quiet for a moment as everyone fell into comfortable silence. After a minute passed before Hotaru cleared her throat, bringing attention to herself.

"Um… s-sorry to ask like this, but I'm just curious." She mumbled: "Can… I also be considered part of this family?"

"Huh?" Fū blinked in response before grinning: "Of course! In-laws count as family, so once you and Utakata finally get married, you'll be one of us!"

"H-H-Huh?" Hotaru blinked in response, her cheeks darkening.

"Fū, what the hell is that supposed to mean?" Utakata nearly shouted, his own cheeks growing red.

The room erupted in laughter as the jinchūriki started to tease both Utakata and Hotaru, much to their chagrin. While they all enjoyed their time together, Naruto's eyes continued to move his newly-identified brothers and sisters before her closed his eyes, smiling to himself in contentment.

One conversation helped cement it; his family had now grown exponentially. Now, all he had to do was do his best to make sure his family stayed safe.

One Day Until the Exam

"I can tell training was rewarding for all of you." Ē noted.

All nine jinchūriki nodded their heads in response as their eyes met the Raikage's. Upon their arrival in Kumogakure that morning, the nine were immediately summoned to a meeting in Ē's conference room, alongside Jiraiya, Kurotsuchi, and Mei.

"More than rewarding, it was a blast! This group here is stronger than the last! Just you wait and see, bro, what they can do. Ain't nothing going to be left of Akatsuki but guts and goo." Bee declared proudly.

"Good. Because I stand by what I told you and Yugito; if a single one of you dies, then you two are both getting executed." Ē's eyes narrowed sharply as he crossed his arms: "That goes especially if either of you die! I'll force Jiraiya to teach me Edo Tensei and revive you both myself just so I can kill you two again and again if you have the audacity to die tomorrow!"

'Uh, no.' Jiraiya shook his head, frowning. 'If I haven't learned that horrible jutsu myself, why the hell would you think I'd teach it to you?'

"Relax, Ē-san. We got this." Yugito said, bringing her hand to her chest: "We're ready. I feel even more confident than when I first suggested this."

"… Good." The Raikage nodded his head.

"I believe you were already informed, but we did receive information about Akatsuki's plans." Mei spoke-up, bringing her hands together: "Of course, we can assume things have changed. You all must be planning accordingly for whoever you all end up fighting, but we can assure that you all will be engaging their leader."

"That 'Pain' guy, huh?" Naruto mumbled, scowling: "He's an Uzumaki, right? One with the Rinnegan?"

"… Yes." Jiraiya nodded his head. "Uzumaki Nagato."

'… A good reminder that blood-relation doesn't mean anything. Just because this guy's an Uzumaki doesn't make him my family.' Naruto noted, his scowl deepening: 'Uzumaki Nagato, huh… I'll kill you. For everything you've been trying to do, I'll make sure you die.' His mind then flashed to the image of the masked man he encountered in Yagura's mindscape: 'That goes double for you, Madara!'

"We do have some more plans we need to work out specifically. We'd like your input and discussion when drafting them." Ē stated. "We're just waiting on one more-"

A knock to the conference room's door sounded throughout the area. A moment passed before the door opened, revealing Hatake Kakashi.

"Kakashi?" Naruto tilted his head slightly in response.

"Hello." Kakashi waved his hand at Naruto. His attention then focused on the Kage: "My apologies for running late."

"To be honest, Kakashi, you're only late by a few minutes." Jiraiya explained with a chuckle: "I was honestly not expecting to see you for another two hours. This is a pleasant surprise, so please join us."

Kakashi nodded his head as he walked around the conference round table, taking a seat next to Naruto.

"Is Hatake Kakashi assisting us?" Han asked, tilting his head slightly in confusion: "While I do agree that he is capable shinobi that can keep up with us, why specifically him?"

"He'll be assisting, in a manner of speaking." Jiraiya noted. "We have news about their 'Uchiha Madara' that Kakashi will be able to fight back against."

The jinchūriki all grew quiet as the kage began to share the information they had, as the group began to finalize their strategy to take down the Akatsuki.

'God, this is going to be crazy…' Naruto sighed.

The strategy meeting lasted a lot longer than the blond was expecting. Upon finishing it, he left feeling rather tired as he walked down the streets of Kumogakure.

As he walked down the streets of the village, he noticed that the villagers were not glaring at him the way they had when he had first arrived in Kumo. The Kumo residents appeared mostly indifferent to his presence, and there was even a civilian couple that waved at him. After he waved back to them, he brought his hand to his chin in thought.

'I guess… maybe they've gotten used to us being here.' Naruto said, a small smile developing on his face. 'At least that's one thing nice to see.' A yawn escaped his lips as he focused back on his walk: 'I gotta stay rested for the big day tomorrow… probably should take a nap or something.'

After a few minutes of travel, the Uzumaki finally arrived at his apartment complex. He went up the stairs towards his apartment before unlocking the door.

'I know Ma and Pa dropped off my students earlier… wonder if they're home or if they're doing something-' Naruto's words died on his lips as he opened the door and came face-to-face with someone: "Hinata-chan?"

Hinata smiled in response as she reached out to him and pulled her boyfriend into a tight hug: "Welcome back, Naruto-kun!"

"H-Hey! Hinata-chan!" A grin developed on Naruto's face as he tightened the hug.

Hinata was about to say something, but Naruto cut her off with a kiss. She immediately closed her eyes and kissed him back, relaxing into his embrace. Nearly a minute passed by before they finally separated.

"God, I've been wanting to do that for so long." Naruto said with a sigh as he walked further into his apartment, with Hinata following behind.

"Same." Hinata sighed in content. The two walked over to the kitchen table and sat down: "How have you been, though? How was training?"

"Very good. I don't think I've ever felt stronger." Naruto replied: "You?"

"Same. I've taken to training in Ryūchi Cave every day." Hinata added. A grin of her own developed on her face as she pointed towards herself: "I'd say I'm probably a better Sage than you are!"

"Oh really?" Naruto's eyebrow raised in response: "Care to prove it?"

"Sure!" Hinata nodded her head: "Although, we should probably save sparring until after the invasion. Just in case."

"Yeah, makes sense." Naruto noted: "Well, so what do you want to do, then?"

"Well…" Hinata's words started to trail off for a moment as her cheeks started to redden slightly: "Your students are out. They'll be gone for another three hours…"

"Oh?" Naruto tilted his head slightly in response.

"I, um… your students arrived early today... I asked Hanabi if she could take her teammates out for a bit…" Hinata noted.

"Ah!" Naruto's eyes lit-up in realization. His grin widened: "So, you wanted some alone time, huh?"

"… Yes." Hinata admitted. Both of their cheeks started to redden slightly: "I really wanted to spend the day with you. I know there's also Shikamaru-kun and Anko-sensei and others, but I've been missing you… and it's just been way too long." She mumbled in response: "So, please forgive my selfishness. I just wanted to see you today…"

"Hinata…" Naruto's words started to drag on for a little bit before his grin lightened into a smile.

He walked over towards her and held out his hand to her. Hinata grabbed it, locking hands together, before he pulled her up from her chair. She yelped slightly.

"It's not being selfish. I've been feeling the same way. I really missed you too, y'know?" He said.

"Naruto…" Hinata smiled back.

"I got a lot of things I can tell you about Shimagame Island and the training and the other jinchūriki. And there's a lot of things I want to hear about your time this past month and a half!" Naruto stated. "But… right now, let's just enjoy being back together for a little bit, hmm?"

"… Yes." Hinata nodded her head in response.

In an instant, Naruto's and Hinata's lips met once again. Their embrace tightened as they continued to kiss one another passionately. Their hands grabbed onto each other's bodies as their kiss deepened.

A few seconds passed by as Naruto's hands went to Hinata's jacket and unzipped it. Hinata responded by taking off his flak jacket. Within seconds, the two hurried off to Naruto's bed together, where they shed the rest of their clothes and their embrace only grew tighter and tighter.

Tomorrow was going to be a day from hell. Even in a best case scenario, the day was going to be absolutely exhausting. But for a moment, the two forgot about everything except themselves. And in that moment, everything was perfect.

Quick Note:

1: I try and take advantage of the fact that my story has been being written for so long. The original 'patriarch' of the Kawada Clan that Misora talks about with Anko was actually intended to be 'Kawada Akuma'. Akuma, being another word for devil/demon, I thought was kinda fitting considering the 'Blood Mist's' eventual reputation. ... Well, it's 2021 now, and I've seen Demon Slayer at this point. So I decided to change the name, instead, to reference the Mist Hashira, Muichirō.

Not like Kawada Muichirō is particularly important; just a background character for an OC clan. Still, felt like just mentioning it, more so as an excuse to just gush about Demon Slayer for a minute. EVERYONE GO WATCH IT IF YOU HAVEN'T SEEN IT, IT'S LOVELY AND I AM SO FUCKING HYPED FOR SEASON TWO (and the movie, whenever I can fucking see it in the US XD).

Author's Note: Hey everyone! Chapter 120 finished! ... AKA, the second half to the last chapter :P Yeah, total, the wordcount ended up being just a tad over 30,000. I have absolutely zero regrets splitting it up.

Something else I don't haver zero regrets; I actually got cool news to share! I GOT ANOTHER JOB! :) I work in pharmacy now as a technician, and I've been helping out with getting the COVID vaccine out to nursing homes and now in store in general. Feeling really cool and shit; feeling like I'm actually doing something important, which is something I've been kinda lacking for awhile in life. I'm hoping this career path is a good start down to a better, rewarding career for me... as well as better pay. Cause that's something I really need! D:

This has actually been something I've been doing now for a couple of weeks now, so I think I'm starting to adjust my schedule in order to write more. Fingers crossed I continue to improve on it, cause I feel like I'm in a much better state to be writing more frequently! Here's hoping that perception is correct! :P

Anyway... the Kumogakure Exam, after so much goddamn time, is upon us. Hypehypehype. I'll be working on Chapter 121 ASAP and I'll have it to you all as quick as you can! I hope you all enjoyed this chapter and I'll see you when it's finished. Until then :)