Ino won.

In the Images, she and Sakura had knocked each other out— a stalemate in their long-time battle of wills. That dynamic didn't exist in this "telling" and both girls fought as hard as they could with good hearts and respect for each other, rather than out of rivalry. When, after a grueling taijutsu brawl, Ino held Sakura's kunai to her own throat, Hayate-sensei called the match. Ino drew Sakura into a hug, already talking about where improvements could be made and future spars they would have.

Sakura complimented Ino's strategy, falling easily into step with the Yamanaka as they returned to the platform.

Ino had sworn, years and years ago, when they were just little girls, that the double knock-out would never happen. Mostly because she refused to stagnate her own training for the sake of some rivalry. Or to even have a rivalry in the first place. "We're both girls! Kunoichi! Why wouldn't I want her to succeed?" Ino had scoffed at the very notion.

Miho beamed, turning to Koji.

He waved her off with a patient smile. "Yeah, yeah. Yamanaka's 'the best' or whatever. Save it." She watched as his expression changed and his raised his voice a bit. She imagined it was supposed to be some sort of imitation of her voice, but it was more screechy and high pitched. "But, why, Koji? She's my best friend! Why do I gotta stop fangirling over here? No reason, just you're ol' friend Koji can't stand any more hyping the harpy." Miho rolled her eyes and shook her head. "What?"

"I'm not fangirling. I'm being supportive."

"Sure, alright. You also don't like cookies."

"Speakin' of."

Miho jerked around, coming face-to-face with Kankurō. Kankurō, who was actually her height. Up close, she could see how the paint was applied, around his eyes and over his lips. It was a little disconcerting, but no more than his overbearing presence. He pushed his right hand into his pant pocket and held out his left. His eyes were (mockingly) expectant, brows raised.

"Well, are all Konoha shinobi lia—?"

He didn't even finish his sentence before there were two cookies in his hand. Miho met his eyes, not wavering. "They're high protein. Infused with my clan's protein powder. It should give you some energy back after that honorable win."

There was something entertaining about the dumbstruck expression on his face and the way he tried to hide it. And Miho half-expected for him to throw the cookies back at her. If only because she'd caught him off-guard. Out of principle.

"Also, they're not poisoned. The Akimichi don't believe in food-based poisons. Ask anybody. It'd ruin our business. Can't have clients thinkin' we've poisoned the food supply or something."

His fingers closed around the cookies and he stared at them before raising his eyes back to her. She wondered vaguely if he put the paint under his eyes because he couldn't rest well with Gaara in his current state. Probably. After a moment, he shrugged.

"Hah. Thanks."

"You're welcome."

As if on strings himself, he mechanically moved back to his brother and teacher. Temari was already down in the arena, preparing to face Tenten. Carefully, Miho avoided Gaara's stare, again, and turned back to the match.

She wouldn't give Gaara a cookie for his win against Lee unless bones were unbroken. Miho had to remain consistent. She wondered if that reckless thought was just her mind actively trying to avoid remembering that the teachers hadn't yet returned. Returned from whatever was happening with Orochimaru. Whatever new change was occurring elsewhere. So far outside of her control.

What was control anyway in this madness?

Her heart stuttered and she focused on whatever could give her a stable thought.

"Can't believe you gave Puppet Dude a cookie. Two cookies! You're not a concession stand."

"We already said to stop giving away cookies." Tetsuya whined, shaking his head in disappointment. "And now you're givin' 'em to foreign guys."

"Foreign guys!" Koji nodded, crossing his arms.

"With creepy make-up!" Tetsuya tacked on, with a fierce glare toward the Suna team.

"War paint." She and Koji corrected with shrugs.

"What the— What the actual hell? War paint?"

Koji took a few chips from Miho's proffered bag, while she glanced around the space. The remaining teachers were tense. Kurenai was glancing around the arena, red eyes lingering in strange places. Like atop the folded hands of the statue or the top left back corner. Gai was coiled, ready to spring into action if needed. Something was off. Something was wrong. She just couldn't sense it.

She had to work on her sensing abilities.

Another item to add to the improvements list.

"Spirit Mountain uses war paint for big jobs."

"They put on make-up to raid people?"

Letting out a long-suffering sigh, Koji deflated onto the railing. Below, Tenten circled around Temari. Miho lost focus, turning to see Genma-sensei materializing by the wall. As if he'd never left. As if he didn't have a new cut on his cheek and no senbon in his mouth. Miho felt her stomach turn and worriedly glanced toward where Shikamaru was watching, eyes narrowed and alert. Ino's eyes were shut. Chōji had stopped eating, looking up to a heavily-breathing Asuma. He was sporting a developing bruise on his left eye.

Eeking out an excuse, Miho moved to her teacher's side. He was resting his weight on his right leg, casually hooking the left to rest against the wall. A leg injury? In the arena, Miho could hear Temari baiting Tenten. The rest of the bout would only last a few minutes. Sensing a change to her left, she noticed that both Kakashi had returned as well.

"The Center Guardian is currently handling it."

Miho translated The Sky Temple terminology to their context. The Center Guardian was the leader, the emperor. The Hokage. The Hokage was fighting Orochimaru.

The Hokage was fighting Orochimaru.

Miho's stomach ached. Her eyes tracked toward where 'the Hokage' stood observing Tenten and Temari's match. A clone, she figured. "Handling it?"

A hand fell on the top of her head. "Later, Miho."

"Why're you back here?"

"Giving the Short Ones better viewing at the rails."

She glared and he ruffled her hair, pushing none-too-gently at the back of her head. She followed the silent instructions and moved back to the railing, casting worried glances toward the ceilings and walls. As if they would crumble inward. As if, at any point, the future would crash in upon them. It was in his room that the story changed. Or maybe it changed forever ago? She wasn't sure anymore.

Shape without form, shade without colour,

Paralysed force, gesture without motion.

Miho ignored the voice in her head. The gravelly, rough, old voice. The voice that sounded like crumpled newspapers and tobacco and smoke. And she could see an old man sitting at a large conference table with his feet kicked up and his loafers shining. A brixton on his balding head. The air smelled like old paper and mold.

There, is a tree swinging
And voices are
In the wind's singing

And Tenten lost.

She was folded over the end of the fan. Miho winced when she landed, hearing a faint 'pop.' The air was still and it smelled like sweat.

"Damn." Koji hummed. "Windswept's a badass." Tetsuya scoffed.

"It's Suna's win." Chōji summarized to her left. She glanced over to see his eyes opened and narrowed while Shikamaru leaned against the railing. His eyes cut to her and he said a lot with that look. Something is going to change. Something had already changed.

The house of cards was falling. Miho felt like she was watching it in slow motion.

Tenten was tossed and Lee jumped down to catch her, obviously losing his temper with Temari's attitude. Miho clenched her teeth, gripping the railing so hard that she felt it crumple a bit, like tin beneath her fingers. Sucking in a deep breath, Miho held it. Tenten was gently set upon the ground. Then, she lost her patience, nervous energy thrumming in her chest.

"Lee! Knock it off and bring Tenten up here."

Lee wasn't even trying when he attacked and Temari had to realize that. He was hardly putting in a quarter of his usual effort. Miho looked down to see Tenten laying on the floor below, still unconscious and alone. While her teammates were—Neji didn't look like he was bothered. Lee was focusing more on his own emotions than his teammate. Rolling her eyes, she coiled her muscles and glanced back to Genma-sensei for permission. This was probably breaking rules. She wasn't even supposed to be there, after all.

He shrugged, rolling his senbon to the left. Miho dropped into the arena just as Lee's kick landed.

"Lee, stop!"

"What?"

She couldn't hear what Temari was saying, but Miho hardly cared. Tenten was laid on her side, which was stupid for someone with a possible back injury. Lee wasn't thinking. He was reacting. She knew back injuries were dangerous and she knew the treatment well enough from her own spars with Lee when he'd land terribly hard hits against her spine. Carefully, Miho arranged Tenten onto her back and looked up to Koji. He dropped some bandages into her waiting, outstretched hands.

"Just the worst ones. The medics are comin'."

"Temari. Come up quick. You've been declared the winner. Don't keep company with that awful-looking guy and his chaperone forever."

That was petty. Miho didn't remember Gaara being that kind of...bully.

"What…?"

Miho saw an opportunity. A stupid opportunity, but one that might change the narrative. The story was already changing, from what Shikamaru observed, by her presence alone. Now, even the Hokage had been caught up in the waves of change. Before, in the Images, Lee was established as someone to kill because of his rumored strength. From the way Gaara stared down at him, he didn't yet have that impression. If she let Gai-sensei—

"That's enough, Lee." Gai-sensei started. "Gentlemen of Suna, I will—"

"Lee! Stop razzing the Suna team and call the medics." Miho focused on bandaging Tenten's arm, fully aware that all attention in the arena was on her. Fully-aware, too, that she'd interrupted Gai-sensei.

She'd have to apologize for that later.

The Hokage was off battling his wayward student somewhere and Miho was convinced that the Kakashi standing behind Team Seven was a clone. Ino won her match and now Lee wasn't persona non grata for Gaara, at the moment at least. Who knew what other changes were coming? After all, there was the remaining members of the Kusa team to deal with. How they got through, she wasn't sure, but none of the team members had fought yet.

There was every chance they could affect the line-up.

Her eyes tracked to Neji, who was watching from above.

"Hey, Gluten-Free, come down here and help me with your teammate."

Lee stared up at Gaara for a moment longer before turning on his heel and marching over. His form was stiff and she could see the anger curling his lip. When she met his eyes, she could see that the anger was a shade less than righteous rage. And some of it, really, was meant for her. He arrived and Neji landed two steps away. They both stared down at Tenten before kneeling. Miho was all-too-aware of Neji's scowl, but she really couldn't care less.

"Miho, it's wrong. She fought honorably."

"Honor's not always rewarded, Lee. By all rights, Temari's fight was honorable. Her post-fight actions weren't." Her eyes flicked to Neji. "Post-fight actions say a lot about a person. What you do once you've won shows who you are, just as much as when you lose." The medics arrived with a backboard and Miho stepped back with Team Gai's members, watching as Tenten was gently placed on the board and carried away. "Lee, stop glaring at them."

"You're not a member of this team, loser."

Miho rolled her eyes toward the ceiling, letting out a breath. Because really. She could remember, from the Images, that Neji was often associated with a bird. At the moment, she wondered if that bird was really a cockatoo. After all, he seemed to repeat the same phrases a lot and in a really annoying voice to boot.

If things went according to the Images, Neji would soon learn better.

Naruto would knock some sense into him.

"You guys wanna get off the floor? Seriously. Troublesome." Shikamaru gestured toward the screen with a nod. Miho huffed, watching as Neji returned to the platform and Lee stared after Tenten as she disappeared with the medics.

Miho pressed a hand to his shoulder and jerked her head upward. Turning back to Shikamaru, Miho couldn't help but to grin at his casual stance. "Good luck, Shikamaru. You can do it."

"That's right, Shikamaru! You can do it!" Ino called down. There was a threatening edge to her tone. As if she'd destroy him herself if he somehow screwed it up. "Kick her ass!"

"Right, right. You two are so loud. I can't hear anymore. Geez." He raised a hand and scratched his ear, clicking his tongue. Miho saw the implication in his eyes and her grin became a bit more…real. He'd stuck something in his ears. "Hurry up already."

Shikamaru turned away, yawning.

"And I want one of the cranberry cookies."

Genma was pretty sure that everything he saw in Miho's mental comic book was just screwed to hell. Pretty sure. Like, 95.7% sure. Well, the stuff that was contemporary. The future stuff he wasn't so certain about. That'd take time to figure.

Honestly, Genma had never been a gambler. Hated the risk. Hated anything less than a sure bet. He knew he was no match for a Sannin, no matter how much conviction he had. And he had conviction alright. That damn traitor made a friend's life a living hell and then went on to massacre innocents. Still, Genma wasn't a match for him.

Hell, Kakashi wasn't even a match for that Snake Bastard and Kakashi, though Genma loathed to admit it, was a Tier 1 Badass.

But, yeah, Miho's mental comic book just got a serious rewrite.

Somewhere, off in the Forest of Death, the Hokage and a platoon of ANBU were battling the Snake Sannin. Those four guards that Orochimaru had in the Visions? Not there. There was no Suna and Oto invasion drawing the Hokage's attention away. And the Hokage had a whole slew of powerful shinobi on his side.

And, after alerting the Hokage to the situation and chasing the Sannin out to safer, more destroyable territory, Genma fell back to guard the kids.

His attention flickered over to the Hokage's clone as it serenely watched as the Nara kid summarily beat the Oto girl. In a shorter time than the mental comic book, too. The kids cheered. Miho passed him a cookie. Team Ten looked damn near smug.

And Asuma, who was sporting all of the grandeur of being clotheslined by a legendary ninja, looked proud – if a bit dumbfounded. After all, his very weird team was doing very good in this tournament.

Kakashi's clone was doing a half-assed job at seeming real. Anyone with half a sense could tell he was fake, standing behind his kids smiling like the bland lark he was. Maintaining a sense of normalcy was absolutely imperative. Especially with foreign forces present. Orochimaru was an in-house issue, so to speak, even if he was cavorting with Suna's illusions of grandeur.

It was Baki that Genma was tailing, really. Guarding the kids was an excuse. A good excuse, but an excuse. In Miho's Mental Comic Book, which was now the nickname he decided, Genma saw Baki cut Hayate down. It'd been a flash, but it was there.

And that just wasn't gonna happen.

"Chubs, is what he said true?"

Naruto was in the middle of a heated battle with Kiba and was forcing himself to stand, one hand holding his wounded shoulder. Miho was stock still. Her shoulders were tensed and she jumped when Tetsuya's hand fell on her shoulder.

"It's true."

"— you don't know what that's like. But I have friends who believe in me! I have friends that I'm not gonna let down or disappoint. Friends that are there! And I'm not letting you win because I never give up! That's my Ninja Way! I'm gonna be Hokage! Believe it!"

Genma knew the result of the match, now, but it was entertaining nonetheless. That Inuzuka kid was getting the beatdown he deserved. That was enough to get Genma to take a couple steps from the wall to watch the little brat get pummeled.

"Try not to look like you're enjoying this, Shiranui."

"I'm enjoying every second, Sarutobi."

Asuma rolled his eyes and Genma resisted clapping when the Inuzuka took a final kick. Miho didn't have the same sort of control. And she never would, he suspected. She applauded, loudly whooping for the grinning blond below, who beamed up at the platform as if he'd just won the whole exam.

Which, now, wasn't outside of the realm of possibility.

"I'm so proud of you, Naruto!"

Miho embraced him like he was the most precious person in the world. To her, outside of her brother, that very well may have been the case. Ignorant though he was of Miho's knowledge, Naruto was her center. For her, the entire world revolved around him. The center of all the constellations she'd drawn in her mind. And Genma had seen those constellations. Millions of tiny stars- memories, bits of knowledge, people, places, histories, stories- connected in a wildly complex map.

Miho thought in connections.

In relations.

It was a dangerous way for a ninja to think.

It was either going to get her killed or save her life, Genma was sure of it.

He just had to make sure she was prepared for whenever the former was a possibility. She needed to be prepared.

"You'll do even better in your next match! I'm sure of it."

Genma barely contained a laugh. Of course, she was sure of it. She'd seen it.

An ANBU—Cat, who was probably miffed at being given messenger duty— appeared in the southeastern most corner of the arena space and Genma glanced up, reading the hand signals. Asuma and Kakashi did the same.

Enemy. Retreat. No pursuit.

Sighing, Genma reached up and pressed a hand to his forehead. So the Hokage chose not to pursue Orochimaru. Again. Once was a fluke. Twice was a coincidence. Three times was a pattern. Lord Third was a sentimental man, despite his incredible experience and knowledge. He would never take the steps needed to end Orochimaru until the world was ending around him. And even then, it would be a last resort that would cost his life.

Genma did not look at Team Ten.

He wasn't blind or foolish. They were right not to trust Sarutobi Hiruzen with the information they possessed.

Hokage?

Safe. Normal. Situation stable.

The ANBU disappeared as the next match was announced. He dropped his eyes to the screen.

Genma felt his breath catch as he stared at the names. His attention flew to Miho, who staggered back as if she'd been struck. Tetsuya caught her arm while Koji moved to stand behind her, hiding her moment of weakness from view. Genma moved forward, settling himself directly behind his team, fortifying them as they cared for her. Miho was not someone who showed weakness easily or carelessly.

So many changes…Their impact had to be felt somewhere.

It seemed this was the price.

The was the beginning of the cascade.

Akimichi Chōji gathered himself up, putting away his bag of chips as he jumped down into the arena. He landed easily for a boy his size, squaring his feet below his shoulders in the traditional Akimichi way. He tugged at the red scarf that sat around his shoulders. Though he couldn't see the kid's face, he could imagine the same determined look that often overtook Miho's— jaw set, eyes narrowed. The famous Akimichi glare. The glare that was well-known by Iwa and Kumo shinobi alike. Kid wasn't messing around.

In the opponent's spot, a swirl of sand materialized the red-headed kid from Suna.

Gaara.

Genma grabbed the back of Miho's yukata. Keeping her from jumping into the fray was Priority #1 among about five or six new priorities. His student would absolutely throw herself in front of a "currently-homicidal" maniac if it meant saving her brother. No matter how much his student's past life respected the future Gaara. (And she did, quite obviously.) This one would have no issue with killing her brother or her.

Genma was really starting to feel older than his age.

Did any of the other teachers feel old like this?

Her brother's teammates were quiet. They knew this was as good as a death sentence. Even without knowing what the kid did to Rock Lee in the Mental Comic Book. They stared down at their teammate with wide eyes. Hell, Chōji knew this was as good as a death sentence. So, what in the hell was he doing down there squaring up to a jinchūriki? Some sort of performative master class in masochism? Genma shot Asuma a look.

You gonna stop your wayward student?

Asuma shrugged as if to say 'It's not my call.' Asuma didn't know.

He had no idea.

It sure as hell was his call though. If one of Genma's students was facing a threat like that, and he had the knowledge to save them, they'd be out of that arena. Genma gritted his teeth and stayed silent, reaffirming his grip on Miho.

She didn't move.

She didn't seem to breathe.

The silence in the air felt physical, given material form. It laid over the skin like a film, film of cool stale air. Like death. Genma could've sworn he felt sand brush over his face.

"Chōji—" Miho started forward and Genma jerked her back. The boys grabbed each of her arms. Though, if she were determined, she could throw both of the boys off. Her brother turned to look at her, conflict appearing briefly on his face. Part of that conflict took the form of shame.

So, he did realize what a stupid idea this was. Good.

His eyes cut over to the Nara, who glanced to Miho before minutely shaking his head.

Again, conflict on the Akimichi heir's face. His sister's grip on the railing was so forceful that the metal whined and snapped in her palm. Genma— feeling older than ever before— had only ever seen one other person snap metal like that.

Seeming to deflate, Chōji's shoulders rounded and he turned to Hayate, raising a hand.

"I withdraw."

"You what?"

Gaara's tone was harsh, unforgiving. Angry. Chōji met his eyes, not backing down while backing down. It was honestly impressive. To face that kind of danger, to read the circumstances, to know the possible consequences, and to still take the loss, it was a wise move. Genma knew it would never result in a promotion, but it would certainly get the kid noticed. The Akimichi might get some grief over it, but—

"I forfeit." Chōji leaned forward in a formal bow. A formal clan bow. His arm crossed over his chest as he moved. "I, Akimichi Chōji, withdraw from the Chūnin Exams." He lifted his head, looked to Hayate, and turned to make his way back up to the platform.

Naruto was loudly complaining, waving his hands in the air about how the Akimichi was making a stupid call and how "Bushy Brows" could've taken him. "C'mon! Why the heck are you withdrawin', Chōji? You can take that guy! He's half your size!" Genma could feel Miho tensing, the muscles in her shoulders coiling.

The Suna kid didn't move.

But Genma could sense it coming. He could feel it in the air, like a rain of kunai. It might've been his nerves, knowing that Orochimaru had escaped and that the Hokage still had not returned to the arena. Or the onslaught of world-ending chaos that Aoba unleashed on him just after dawn. Or the fact that his student was living with memories of a past life. Or that the arena was teetering on the edge of a massacre.

Under his hand, Miho shifted, no doubt reading the red-head's expressions.

Someone yelled out.

The sand moved.

Chōji's back was turned.

Miho moved, too. Fast. Genma thought his grip would be enough, but it wasn't. The fabric tore. The rough fabric pulled around his fingers as she threw her teammates' hands off and launched herself over the railing— landing between the sand and her brother. Her speed was impressive, given how the quick the sand was moving.

He watched as her body expanded, enlarged arms forming a shield for her brother. The sand sharpened as it moved.

Genma knew he couldn't get there in time.

His student braced against it, arms crossed over her face and head. He could see small lacerations on her enlarged arms and cheeks. Blood just under the swirls. The sand withdrew as if in shock, coiling and spinning and hissing around the arena. It lashed and twisted.

The Suna kid's eyes widened.

"What're you—"

"Not my brother."

Hayate, Baki, Gai, and Lee were all between the Suna kid and the Akimichis in the blink of an eye. Genma grabbed Tetsuya's arm, jerking him back. Koji grabbed the other arm so that Genma could release and move forward. Lee was positioned the closest to Miho— very much primed for combat. The green homage was itching for a fight and, it seemed, he was determined for that opponent to be Gaara. He was glaring down the kid as if he'd committed the worst crime.

Considering honor codes, he had.

Hayate raised an open palm, gesturing toward Gaara as Miho deflated to her arms to their normal size. She let out a breath.

That move would've consumed her reserves.

She was probably running on fumes. Expansion jutsus like that were calorie-eating monsters for Akimichi. Miho was already restricted from full expansions.

Genma launched over the rail and landed next to her.

"If another infraction occurs, you will be disqualified. This is a warning." Hayate levelly chastised the Suna representatives. "Akimichi Miho, another entry into the arena will result in removal from the premises." Naruto was yelling, restrained by Kakashi's clone. "The withdrawal stands. Gaara of Suna will fight in a pigtail before the conclusion of today's qualifying rounds. The next round is a bye."

"Pigtail?"

"A bye?"

"He will fight the winner of the next match. Kusa's team has now withdrawn."

Genma stared at Hayate, brow drawing together. Kusa withdrew? Why?

"How dare you attack someone when their back is turned?" Lee challenged, angrily stepping forward. Miho, quick as lightning, grabbed his arm. "How dare you?"

Gaara seemed to ignore Lee's barely-bridled rage, instead focusing on Miho's stare. She had that same look— the same Akimichi glare that Chōji wore just minutes before, the same that she used to face the Hokage. Her shoulders were still squared and, despite it being absolutely stupid, she wasn't about to back down.

Genma wanted to curse.

Easing her stance, she grabbed Lee's hand and turned to her brother. Something silent passed between them before they started toward the stairs, Miho dragging a reluctant Lee to her side as she moved. As they made their escape, Lee's focus shifted to fussing at her injuries.

"My dearest friend, my heart of hearts- I am appalled that you were injured in the defense of your brother! I swear that I will avenge your injury. I will!"

Miho smiled at him, patting his arm. "Lee, it's okay. Honestly."

"It's not. You always downplay when you are hurt."

"Might as well stay down here, Lee." Gai called, gesturing toward the screen with a grin. A grin because he didn't know what was coming. If he did, Genma knew, Gai would never smile so brightly. He'd bundle up his student and protect him from the hurt that was coming for him. "You're up."

Miho tripped, barely catching herself on the stairs.

The winner of this fight would face Gaara.

Lee would face Gaara.

Nothing was avoided.

Gaara remained on the floor, glaring up at where Miho and Chōji appeared up on the platform. They paid him no attention, weathering Naruto's yelling and Ino's chastising and Shikamaru's deadpan stare. Genma sighed, feeling way, way older than his age as he body-flickered back up to the platform, catching Miho's attention.

He'd seen that look before. On battlefields. When the defenses fell and the enemy was approaching.

She looked back down at the arena, shaking off Koji's hand from her bleeding arm. Naruto came to her other side.

"You're bleeding, Miho."

"It doesn't matter. I'm okay." Miho kept staring down into the arena, never once taking her eyes off Lee. "It's okay. Let's-Let's cheer on Lee."

Genma looked down just in time to see the Suna kid look away from his student, toward Lee and his fighting stance. Lee and his determined smirk. Lee and all of his determination. Lee and his unbroken body. Lee, who winked up at Miho and Naruto with a confident smile.

Genma was pretty sure that everything he saw in Miho's Mental Comic Book was just screwed to hell.

Pretty damn sure. Like, 94.7% sure.

A/N: HERE WE GO! We've arrived at major plot points. And I was able to get this out before tomorrow's move! I'm exhausted and running on fumes, but I wanted to write as much as I could! Thank you all so much for reading, leaving reviews, favoriting, and following this story! I'd love to hear your thoughts! Honestly, thank you again!