Tsukisa was not very excited about the academy. For one, she didn't know what to expect. The story had enough information on Konoha's shinobi academy, but this was Kiri. And if she remembered correctly, it was also known as Chigiri because of a certain graduation exam. She wasn't worried about that―she knew she could hold her own against a genin or two. But rather, she was worried about walking in blind, and not knowing was making her anxious. And she had yet to determine her time in Naruto's plot.

For another, she spent most of her last life in school. She'd say 25 years of schooling would be enough for 2 lifetimes, but alas, in this one it can't be helped. At least this time it won't be as long. And Kushimaru-sensei specifically asked that she graduate early. She was even placed in the advanced class based on her entrance exam scores. So who was she to deny his request?

She continued walking through the gloomy streets of Kiri until she reached the courtyard of the sad-looking academy building. Vines were climbing up the side (much like all the other buildings) and in through the cracked windows. The fence around it was broken in multiple places and the grass around the path was beyond overgrown. If not for the sparse parents and children, Tsukisa would think the place was abandoned.

She walked through the darkened building looking for the class she was assigned to. The hallway floors were made of dull cobblestone and the walls of brick. Seriously, who was the architect for this place? It's horrible. It looked gloomy overall and uninviting.

She stopped in front of a door labelled 3A. She slipped in through the back and looked around her at her class. The set-up was similar to Konoha's academy but not nearly as well kept. It had benches as well, but they weren't descending. It was a flat room with 3 columns of it and every visible surface was cracked. From the walls to the desks to the blackboard and even the ceiling.

The room was filled with all sorts of children. Already she could tell the clan kids apart from the civilians and orphans. They had this pretentious air about them like somehow they were more entitled than the others.

Great, she thought. More Sasukes.

Most of the students already had friend groups, probably from previous years, and took up the front of the room. The loners seemed to like the back, which worked out for her.

So, like any good anime protagonist, she chose the empty window seat (even if it had vines). She held her chin in her upturned palm and dramatically looked out at the yard. The only things that would complete the scene were uniforms and a good-looking transfer student that she somehow has a history with.

What am I saying, shinobi don't wear school uniforms, she chided herself. Her own outfit wasn't all that different from Kiri's standards. Just grey pants, a black sleeveless turtleneck top and blue sandals. She found that she liked the haircut her sensei gave her before and decided to keep it (she does it herself now and with a few modifications).

"Is this seat taken?" she flinched at the sudden voice behind her.

"No―" Tsukisa started but stopped when she saw who it was that managed to sneak up on her.

Hoshigaki Kisame.

The Hoshigaki Kisame. The S-rank missing-nin that would join the most powerful criminal organization in shinobi history and wield the legendary Samehada as one of the Seven Shinobi Swordsmen of the Mist; AKA The Monster of the Mist and The Tailless Tailed-Beast, (if this wasn't impressive, then she doesn't know what is).

But here he was. Before he becomes all of that. In the academy. With her, as a child.

"What?" he asked with a sneer. It was then she realized that she'd been staring. He probably thought she was judging him for the way he looks. Shark-like features were rare after all, even in Kiri.

"How old are you?" she asked quite genuinely.

Kisame didn't reply, he just looked at her with annoyance.

Tsukisa wasn't fazed though. She'd received plenty of those looks from her Sensei and his colleagues.

Kisame looked around to find another seat. Immediately all the other kids scrambled to theirs. Almost all of the seats were full except for one on the other side of the room. When he moved toward it, the student next to it quickly put her bag up. She didn't turn around again and continued talking with her friends.

The instructor decided to walk in then. "Quiet down," he ordered from the front of the class. He took a moment to scan the room and its various occupants. "Is there a problem?" he asked, noticing Kisame still standing.

"No, sir," he murmured before going back to sit next to Tsukisa.

Great, she thought sarcastically. It hasn't even been 5 minutes since she came to the academy and already she's made a bad impression on Kisame.

The instructor, whose name she didn't catch, started class with an introduction speech. But all Tsukisa could think about was her deskmate.

Hoshigaki Kisame was sitting next to her! If he's in the academy, then he's probably 10 or 12 now. How old was he in the story? 20's? 30? When does he defect? Wasn't it during a war? No, it was after. She knew that the Third Shinobi War hasn't happened yet, none of the history books she's read mentions it. That means it's going to happen soon. What the fuck. She hasn't even graduated yet! She's gonna die!

She was flabbergasted. With Kisame's age and presence here, it means there are more than 15, maybe 20 years before the plot even starts! What the fuck. What the actual fuck.

Tsukisa curled her fingers so tight her knuckles were turning white. She didn't know how to feel. Should she be angry that things were not as she expected? Happy that at least she knows now? Frustrated, because really, who wouldn't be after such a realization. Was being this early a good thing or a bad thing?

She wasn't sure.

She'd already decided not to get involved with the main story, but that was easier done before when she didn't see any familiar characters. She could've just focused on the hospital like in her last life, something worthwhile even if she didn't love it. She could've continued training with Sensei, even if it left her mentally and physically exhausted. She can handle that (she's been through medical school for 7 years! Training the body is far easier than training the mind after all).

But this, Kisame and the fictional world that he represents, she didn't know what to do about it. Did she even want to do anything? Should she get involved with the plot? She had a nice little life here, as odd as that sounds in a village full of trained killers and training to be one herself. Did she want to give that up? Did she want to use her second chance at life just to save some characters or change events she didn't like? Did she have the right to do that? The right to play god with her knowledge?

After debating with herself some more, weighing the pros and cons of every option she had, all the anxiety and stress that she would undoubtedly have to endure, Tsukisa ultimately decided no, again. Someone like her shouldn't have that kind of power. She can't be god (it was literally in her doctor's oath too). She shouldn't get involved. It would require a tremendous amount of work, especially when she was in a different country.

She knew her small world here won't last forever. Sensei was going to die, probably in the coming war, and she would miss him. His friends will all die too. Everyone she's met so far has been inconsequential. But she'll enjoy this simple life while it lasts, she can deal with things as they come.

As long as she can be in her own little world, she can even forget about knowing the future.

Finding out the plot starts later than she expected shouldn't make a difference. And so, she wouldn't make a difference. She won't get too close to any of the known characters. Maintain indifference if she does meet them but she wouldn't be rude (she doesn't need any enemies). Do the bare necessity for these characters, but live her life how she wants otherwise.

"Kuriarare Tsukisa," the instructor called out.

Suddenly, she was pulled out of her thoughts. The man started looking over the room with a clipboard. She then realized he was probably taking attendance. "Here," she replied, lifting her hand a little. As soon as she did, everyone turned to her, with various looks on their faces. Even Kisame, she noted, looked something akin to shocked.

She set her hand down as the instructor continued calling names. But she could hear the students whispering though, so that's her? ...got the highest score... next to Hoshigaki... with a bokken... and so on. Seems she already has a reputation. She barely made a plan and already it's falling apart. Just her luck. But no matter, she would follow through with it regardless.

She spent the rest of the day with her head down. Since it was only the first, the instructor mostly reviewed information from the previous years. To say it was boring was an understatement. She wanted nothing more than to doze off, but she couldn't afford to miss anything, just in case. She figured the best way to control her grades was to know everything being taught and adjust her answers accordingly. To that end, she observed and absorbed everything and never volunteered. She even memorized her classmates' names and behaviours.

At 5, the school was dismissed. Tsukisa put away her things and was about to leave her seat when her deskmate spoke up.

"Are you Kuriarare-san's daughter?"

She was under the impression that they had this mutual ignoring of each other, seeing as how he hadn't spoken to her during their breaks.

"No," she replied after a moment of thinking. "There was a...um, a misunderstanding at the registrar's office," she settled. She can't have people thinking it was due to her asshole of a sensei's audacity to the Shinobi Commanding Officer. At the quizzical look on Kisame's face, she clarified, "I'm an orphan." Wow, was that kinda weird to admit.

Understanding passed over him. Then it occurred to her that he could be one as well. His family was never mentioned in the show.

"...I see," he spoke up again when the silence stretched for too long.

Not wanting to make this anymore awkward, she decided to introduce herself. "I'm Kuriarare Tsukisa," she said holding her hand out. (Bare minimum she reasoned).

Kisame looked at it before shaking it, "Hoshigaki Kisame."

"Nice to meet you Hoshigaki-san." She dropped their hands.

"Likewise, Kuriarare-san."

"Please call me Tsukisa," she asked with a small smile. It felt weird being called the same thing as her sensei, and it wasn't really hers. If sharing the same last name with one person was already this confusing, she didn't know how clans functioned at all. "And sorry if I offended you earlier. I really was wondering how old you were."

Kisame narrowed his eyes. "Why?"

"Thought you'd be older. In one of the graduating classes."

"Next year. I'm 9 now."

"I see." She was 6. (20 years indeed until the plot starts). Having nothing else to say, Tsukisa moved to leave. "Then, I'll see you tomorrow," she said before getting up and walking out of the classroom.

That was probably the most she should talk to him at a time. Keep the conversations limited to school work and deny any extramural activities. Be on good terms with Kisame but not friendly.

-:-

Kushimaru hated doing grunt work. Ever since he picked up Tsukisa, he's been forced to do C and B ranked missions to stay closer and more often in the village. He knew he was a horrible guardian, and if he was being honest, he didn't know how to do better. But seeing as how his ward seemed responsible enough to take care of herself (and him sometimes), he didn't bother trying.

But fucking Suikami wouldn't see that and give him more serious missions.

He was hoping to fight him about it now that Tsukisa was in the academy and interning at the hospital. But she just had to go and get a weak outlook of the shinobi life. He can't have her going soft before she's even graduated. So instead of arguing with Suikami, he had asked to take her along on his missions. And now he was stuck doing more pansy-ass errands.

Kushimaru looked up when he felt Tsukisa's chakra nearing the house. From his seat on the couch, he saw the door opening and she walked in.

"We're going on a mission today," he said standing up. "Just a C-rank surveillance. Shouldn't be longer than 9 hours." He started walking towards the door.

"What? Now? I still have school tomorrow," she replied dubiously.

He rolled his eyes (not that she could see it). "So?"

She narrowed her eyes at him before clicking her tongue and looking away. He squarely slapped her on the head. "Don't give me attitude. Pack up and meet me at the west gate in 10," he said, stepping out behind her and leaving the house.

-:-

She had the overwhelming urge to stick her tongue out at him. But she didn't. She was actually kind of pleased that he was doing this. For whatever reason, her sensei thought she was ready to go on missions already. He trusts her and her skills enough to take her with him. Even though she's going to be dead tired by the end of it, it's valuable experience.

Well, what doesn't kill her right? No no, don't start singing.

She spent the next 11 minutes sealing things she thought were needed into a scroll. An extra set of clothes, spare kunai, senbon and other tools used for traps (one can never have too many of those) and lots of food. She even packed coffee just to be safe. Once done, she spent 2 minutes changing and leaving the house and another 3 minutes getting to the gate.

Once she got there, she saw Kushimaru standing next to another shinobi, looking less than impressed when he saw her.

"You're late."

"Ugh, you would not believe the traffic," she replied dramatically.

He crossed his hands and looked down at her. "Tsukisa," he said warningly. He didn't release any killer intent, but he didn't need to. She got better at gauging his moods. She straightened slightly but plastered a cheeky smile on.

"So, this is how you train your student, Kuriarare?" said the other shinobi, walking up to them.

"... Fuck off, Ao."

Ao barked out a humourless laugh. "Well, whatever. Let's just get on with the mission." He said turning around.

"Who's that?" she asked when she thought Ao was out of earshot. She knew who he was, of course, but she had an appearance to keep up. She vaguely remembered him from the Fourth War, but the Ao now is without the Byakugan or an eyepatch.

Kushimaru didn't reply to her and just walked away, following their teammate to the gate guards. "Aw come on! 10 minutes to pack for my first mission isn't nearly enough," she tried to reason. But he didn't acknowledge it and she was left catching up to them.

Shortly after showing their documents and mission scroll to the guards, they left the village. Her sensei took point leading them in a sprint southwest of Kirigakure. He ran at a speed that was just a little bit faster than what she could comfortably travel at. She had no doubt he was punishing her for her earlier stunt. He can be so sensitive sometimes.

The scenery slowly changed around them as they ran. From the thick woods to tall shrubs to thickets of grass, all covered in a light layer of mist. Tsukisa hadn't been out of the village in over 2 years and she was grateful for the opportunity. From what she remembered, the town she was born in had been directly east of the mainland. It was the biggest island in Water Country, Land of Lakes. So exploring the west was a welcome change.

The group ran for about an hour before Kushimaru signalled for them to stop. Tsukisa was slightly bent over panting from the exercise, while the other two didn't even break a sweat. When she looked up, she saw the coastline and the vast ocean in front of them. With the sun starting to sink below the horizon, the view was absolutely breathtaking to her.

She hadn't been able to travel much in her last life, especially not to tropical areas like these. So she made a mental note to see more of the world this time.

"Here," her sensei's voice brought her attention back to him. As she turned around he threw her a small pouch. She caught it and found tapioca-looking pearls inside. "We're going to the island across the water. Keep up," was all he said before taking off again. She heard Ao scoff as he followed after him.

She knew her chakra reserves were small, but to be half-empty only after running was kind of embarrassing. Tsukisa cringed trying to think about what would happen in a battle, a real battle with gods and monsters that she knew would happen in the future. She realized just how disadvantaged she was at that moment. She had to find another way to grow stronger. Physical strength can only get her so far in a world with chakra.

Popping a soldier pill in her mouth, she made another mental note to look into chakra gates. She let the bitter acrid taste overwhelm her taste buds and felt her reserves fill up faster. With another glance at the sunset, she ran after the two men.

Once they reached the island, Kushimaru ordered them to set up camp. He chose a clearing close to the treeline where the harbour was still visible. Tsukisa wasn't told the details of the mission but they were supposed to be "on the lookout" for any suspicious vessels docking at the island. Even though it was vague, she was pretty sure her sensei (and probably Ao) knew exactly who they're waiting for.

"We can eat, but no fire," Kushimaru said once he came back from securing the perimeter. And for some reason, Tsukisa felt rather nervous. She's never been on a mission before and wasn't exactly sure what to do. It felt like her sensei trained her for the Fight, but not for the Wait before it starts. She hoped they would teach this stuff at the academy.

Tsukisa jumped down to her sensei from her perch on a nearby tree. "I can set up some traps around the area," she offered unsurely.

"No need," he replied. "This is a covert mission. No one is to know we were here."

She nodded and sat against a tree. Unsealing a scroll, she took out a slice of beef jerky and started eating. Kushimaru and Ao did the same with their food.

"We'll take turns watching. Two will stand guard while the other rests," spoke up her sensei when they were finishing up. "Me and Tsukisa will start."

"Fine by me," grunted Ao. he took out his bedroll and immediately went to sleep. Though whether he was actually sleeping or not, Tsukisa didn't know.

"...so we just watch the harbour?" she asked hesitantly, climbing up to her branch again. Kushimaru just hummed in reply. He too jumped up to a branch just above and in front of hers. "So?" she asked after a few minutes of just sitting in silence.

"What?"

"You usually have something to say about my performance."

"You haven't actually performed anything," he reasoned.

"Right," she said, a little defeated.

-:-

Ao was a proud jounin of Kirigakure. He's been fighting on the Battlefield since he was an orphaned little boy. He was the youngest genin from his graduating class and youngest member when he joined his ANBU squad. His track record was spotless, all of his mission assignments were completed within parameters and always to the client's satisfaction.

So having to go on a mere C-rank surveillance in the middle of his shinobi career because of a still-healing arm was insulting. And having to do said surveillance with Kuriarare of all people was irritating. Trying to talk to him was like speaking at a wall, the bastard never responds to anything other than orders and blood. And only when he's fighting. Ao had the displeasure of seeing him actually fight rather than assassinate, and all he could remember afterwards was his maniacal laughter from within the mist. The guy had a few loose screws.

And if working with someone like him wasn't bad enough, having to put up with his little urchin was infuriating. How the hell was she even allowed to come on missions when she wasn't even a genin yet? Kushimaru had found her in a dump town, she could've been a spy for all they knew. But here she was, a literal infant tagging along with veteran shinobi.

While Ao was seething at how unfair the situation was, a small explosion was heard from the town. Instantly he got up and climbed to the branch his (mission) leader was at. He spread out his senses and identified multiple hostile chakra signatures attacking the civilians. However, their target wasn't there.

"What's going on?" the girl whispered to Kushimaru.

"Bandits," he answered in a low tone. "No need to get involved."

"What? Why not?" she asked, confusion clear in her voice. "Those people need help."

Ao scoffed. "We're on a mission brat, not charity. So stick to it."

"How could―" she started to argue but stopped herself. Finally, he thought. If only she shut up more often.

Looking ahead at the village, he could see the townspeople running about every which way. Some were trying to put out the fires, others screaming as their neighbours were slaughtered and children separated from their families. While village plunders weren't exactly common, they happened often enough in Water. And all three of them were the result of one or another.

"We're trying to capture, or at least surveil, this 'suspicious' vessel right?" the girl started, looking up at her sensei. "They're not going to dock if they see that something is wrong at the harbour. Our best chance of seeing them now is to put down the bandits quickly so business can resume as usual."

Ao took in her words with slight shock. He hadn't expected much, if anything, from the 10-year-old. While she made a good point, he suspected she just wanted to help the weaklings.

He looked to Kushimaru when he spoke. "Very well. Ao, you stay here and continue the mission. Tsukisa and I will eliminate the complication."

Oh will they now? A child got to fight on a C-rank but he had to stay behind and stand guard? He was about to argue but when he thought about the alternative, he kept quiet. Two people, no matter how inexperienced one was, are faster than one person. Time is what matters now as they don't know when the target was going to show. And leaving the girl alone to watch was just stupid.

"...Understood," Ao said instead.

Kushimaru acknowledged with a nod. "Come," he said to Tsukisa and lept toward the town. The girl gave a nod of her own and followed after him.

"Tch," he grumbled.

-:-

Thanks again for reading! I would love to know what you think, so please leave a review! And I forgot to mention last week, but a huge thank you to my beta boringfirelion for helping me with the story. They're writing a story as well so please check it out! See you next chapter :)