"Sorry to disappoint." Oto laughed to herself and blew out a slow tendril of smoke as she turned to look at the man. "As you can see, I am very much alive."
Natsumi froze in place as a chill prickled down her spine.
This feeling in the air... it's as thick as if I'm breathing in poisonous tar...
She gulped and felt herself begin to tremble.
This person is incredibly strong... and their Chakra alone... it's terrifying.
The man stepped out from the shadow of the trees and scowled slightly at the old woman.
"You haven't aged a day..." He narrowed his eyes at her.
"And you've become so old." Oto chuckled and smirked faintly. "What happened to that cute, smooth-faced child that I used to know, Oro-chan?"
"Tch. Devil woman. Don't use that name."
Oro-chan...? Natsumi's heart pounded as the intense, dark feeling clawed at her skin. This is the boy Oto was talking about? His presence alone is... nightmarish.
"Pity. You used to be so sweet, following me around like a little puppy, calling me 'Granny.'" Oto closed her eyes momentarily and leaned against her cane with both hands, her pipe resting between her lips. "My, how things have changed."
"Indeed they have..." He glanced at the girl beside the old woman. "What have we here, Oto?"
"Hm?" Oto looked at the girl from the corner of her eye. "Ah... Natsumi, dear, no need to make that face. You have nothing to fear from him. He's about as harmless as a little snakelet. Why don't you say hello?"
Harmless?
Natsumi gulped again, then nodded and slowly turned around.
Don't be afraid. Don't be afraid. I can trust Oto...
Her eyes rose to the man's face and the blood drained from her face in recognition.
T-That's...!
Her trembling returned and her eyes widened.
Konoha's traitor... the number one rogue Ninja... the one who conducted countless human experiments, even on newborn babies... the one we're told to run on sight from...
"An Uzumaki?" He chuckled and licked his lips, his tongue flicking out like a snake's before he looked back at his old master. "Quite the lucky find you've got there."
"Quite." Oto patted Natsumi shoulder. "Natsumi, dear, this is my old student. I'm certain you've heard of him before."
"Orochimaru..." Natsumi muttered under her breath, unable to move.
I'm in the presence of one of the most dangerous Shinobi in all the nations...
"A little young for the ANBU, isn't she?" Orochimaru fixed his eyes on her owl mask. "And... dripping with fear."
"I wouldn't make the mistake of underestimating her, Oro-chan. Natsumi isn't just some Uzumaki child."
"Oh?" He stepped closer, crossing his arms as he smirked slightly down at her. "Then, she's that Uzumaki girl."
"Correct." Oto kept a hand on Natsumi's shoulder, tightening her grip possessively. "She's quite the prodigy herself, you know. With a large appetite for knowledge and a thirst for strength and power."
"Is that so?" He bent slightly to meet the girl's eyes directly.
I feel like I'm drowning and burning alive all at the same time.
Natsumi swallowed, opening her mouth before shutting it again.
I'm in a nightmare. That's the only explanation as to how this is happening.
"So... you desire power?" He smirked. "Are you honestly the type to seek power at any cost?"
I want to move... I want to run away as ran as possible. I don't want to be in this presence anymore, with his expression like that.
"She's already successfully completed the beginner's trial."
Orochimaru chuckled and looked from Oto and back to the girl.
"How surprising... perhaps she does have potential." His lips curved in a smirk and he held out his hand to her. "If it's power that you seek, I can give it to you. You won't have to bother with the obstacles or whims of this crazy old bat. The path to power doesn't have to be complicated... What do you say?"
"Natsumi has the natural aptitude to become Hebihime, if her training is guided properly." Oto scoffed under her breath and her tone darkened. "She's not one of your pathetic puppets, Oro-chan. She has no need for synthetic power, given out by one who never attained true power for himself."
"Tch." Orochimaru glared at the woman. "Arrogant old woman."
"To attain true power, my dear, there can be no shortcuts." Oto looked at Natsumi and kept her hand firmly on her shoulder. "You may attain some power by taking the easiest route, but it will always come at a heavy price." Oto chuckled. "Just look at him."
It's as if they're... arguing over me?
Orochimaru continued to glare at the old woman, then turned his attention back to Natsumi. "Let the girl decide, then." His lips curved in a wide smirk. "What use has this hag been to you, anyway?" He paused and his slitted eyes stared into her own unblinkingly. "If you truly seek power, I can turn you into the finest weapon, and your name will be as feared as mine."
He wants... to train me? Natsumi gulped. But why?
"My, my, Oro-chan. Just a moment ago you were saying she was dripping in fear... and now suddenly you're trying to seduce her into being one of your little experiments." Oto held her pipe out of her mouth and blew a thick cloud of smoke around them. "If you're so keen on having her, perhaps you should find an Uzumaki girl of your own, then."
He chuckled, keeping his eyes focused on the girl. "We may clash in terms of methods, but your judgement is always reliable. If you think she has potential, then she does." He reached out to touch the girl's cheek, and she shuddered. "Her Chakra is so great, I can feel it emanating from her... remarkable."
Natsumi blinked at his cold touch and she bit her lip, stepping back from him as she regained control of her body to slap his hand away.
"D-Don't touch me!"
Oto laughed under her breath as Orochimaru looked at his hand with a slight smirk.
"I see she has the Uzumaki's fiery stubbornness... excellent." He extended his hand to her again. "You seem like an intelligent girl... come with me, and you'll have more power than your pretty little self could ever imagine. This hag has nothing left to teach you."
"You're wrong." Natsumi clenched her fists, shaking her head slowly. "I was able to kill the Araki brothers because of her. And that's just the beginning."
"The Araki brothers?" Orochimaru met the woman's eyes. "You failed to mention that."
"A wise woman never reveals the strength of her hand." Oto's mouth twitched in a smirk. "And, I did warn you to not underestimate her."
"I must admit, Granny, you never fail to find those who are completely loyal to you."
"I could say the same of you, if the rumors I've heard are true about your little village." Oto's eyes narrowed and darkened. "Now, if you'll excuse us—"
"Not so fast." Orochimaru locked eyes with the girl once more. "The fire in your eyes... there's plenty of hate, there... and darkness... and also curiosity."
Natsumi's eyes widened slightly and he leaned closer to her.
"It almost reminds me of myself."
Natsumi shook her head again and took another step back. "I-I'm... I'm nothing like you."
"So, you won't leave the old crone's side?" He lowered his hand to his side once more. "You think you can trust her? You think that she doesn't have ulterior motives for bringing you along?"
"I do trust her." Natsumi furrowed her brows. "She's helped me become this strong already... and she's never betrayed me."
Orochimaru laughed shortly and lowered his voice to a silky, dark whisper. "Let me tell you a secret... no Hebihime can be trusted— not even by her own sisters. You're a fool to put your complete faith in this woman. I'm giving you this warning for your own good."
"Better than even considering trusting someone like you." Natsumi muttered under her breath.
Oto may be crazy, and she may have nearly gotten me killed before in that trial, but she's not someone who would betray me.
"The girl's made up her mind, Oro-chan." Oto tightened her grip on Natsumi's shoulder, and her body took on a faint blue-green glow. "Now, leave her be."
Orochimaru scowled and stood straight. "You dare to challenge my strength? You're no match for me."
"I suppose we'll never know, since I won't waste my effort on a snakelet like you." The glow faded and Oto turned Natsumi toward the cave. "Now, leave. You should know already what happens when a male tries to enter a Hebihime sanctuary, so put the idea out of your mind."
"Tch." He glanced down at Natsumi and his lips curved slightly. "Should you change your mind... come find me, Natsumi Uzumaki of the Leaf."
He flickered out of their sight and Natsumi let out the long breath she'd been holding in.
He's finally gone.
"He's as obstinate as ever." Oto chuckled and released Natsumi's shoulder. "For a moment, I was worried that he might actually make an attack."
Natsumi swallowed the lump in her throat and looked at the woman sideways as she rubbed her sore shoulder.
Not that I would ever trust a word he says...
"Come, Natsumi. The shrine awaits." Oto turned and started down the long, slanting tunnel, vanishing into the darkness there.
But... I have to wonder... why exactly did she bring me along, if it was so easy for her appear here in an instant?
"Come, Natsumi. We're wasting time." The woman's voice called out from the darkness, echoing in the distance between them.
Still... Natsumi turned to look to the spot that Orochimaru had been standing in. Why give me a warning like that at all? What was he doing here in the first place?
Natsumi turned and followed Oto, blinking as her eyes adjusted to the nearly pitch-blackness, slowly her pace once she caught up. She followed in silence, watching the back of Oto's head as he moved deeper inside of the cave.
And... just what am I to her?
"Oto-sama, what kind of Jutsu was that?" Natsumi stopped beside the woman as they came across a pair or large stone doors, covered in mysterious writing.
"Jutsu?" Oto caressed the stone door with her fingertips, reading the inscription intently. "What Jutsu?"
"The one from before, when you were glowing." Natsumi watched her, then looked at the carvings in front of her.
"That wasn't a Jutsu." Oto chuckled. "It was a display of the gift bestowed upon me by the Great White Mother herself. Very powerful, very ancient. Only the most devoted and powerful Hebihime were granted such a gift." She chuckled. "It's a power that Oro-chan has been seeking since he was young, but he failed to impress the Great White Mother, and she rejected him."
If someone like him is seeking that power... it must be amazing.
"Um... Oto-sama..." Natsumi turned towards her. "That power... how could I get it?"
"You?" Oto smirked faintly. "There is only one way... and I am certain that the risks are greater than even you would be willing to take."
Natsumi swallowed and glanced down momentarily.
What's that supposed to mean?
"But—"
"Natsumi," Oto took out a strange dagger and placed it against her palm, then her eyes rose to the girl's. "To enter, you must provide your blood."
Oto sliced her palm, reopening the cut from before, and blood oozed out, then, rested her hand against the stone door.
"Copy this sigil exactly, my dear."
Oto lowered her hand and gestured to the sigil and Natsumi's eyes widened slightly.
T-That...!
"I-It looks just his eyes..." Natsumi clenched her fists. That creepy Orochimaru...
"Hm?" Oto chuckled. "Well, this sigil is designed after our sacred markings... so, of course they look the same."
Natsumi pressed her lips together, hesitating as Oto held out the dagger for her to take.
This is what I get for associating with a cultist.
She nodded after a moment, taking the dagger to cut open her own palm, and winced as the cut began to bleed. She copied the sigil on the door in front of her, and Oto nodded in approval.
"Good. Now watch."
The woman blew smoke over the sigils, and they glowed with a crimson light before the blood sizzled and evaporated, and the doors swung open.
Woah.
"Come along."
Oto led her down a spiral corridor, looping like the coils of an enormous snake, until they reached a large, round cavern. Oto stood in the center beside an alter, lighting the incense and bowing her head for a moment.
Natsumi looked around and carefully eyed the large metallic statues of serpents that formed a ring around the cavern; three were golden, three were silver, and three were bronzed.
"Oto, they're not going to come to life like in the trial... right?"
The woman chuckled and glanced at them. "No need to be worried. They're just going to keep you company as I pray and meditate."
"Here?" Natsumi looked around.
Not much of a shrine...
"No, not here." Oto gestured to a stone door across the cavern. "Only fully-fledged Hebihime may enter the shrine, so you will wait for me here."
Natsumi looked at the door, then nodded. After a moment, she glanced back the way they came.
"Uh... what should I do, if—"
Oto shook her head slightly and smirked.
"He can't get in. All Hebihime sanctuaries have protections against any man that tries to enter. Even as powerful as he is, he cannot enter. Attempting to do so would mean a fate worse than death... at least for him. He knows this." Oto patted her shoulder. "You don't need to fear him."
Easy for you to say.
"Now, wait here. The ritual only takes an hour."
"Alright." Natsumi stood beside the alter and nodded.
"Good girl. I'll be out in an hour." Oto smiled and went over to the new door, drawing the sigil again before it opened and she passed through.
I wonder what kind of prayers snake worshipers do.
Natsumi thought for a moment, then shook her head.
It's probably something creepy, so it's probably better I don't know.
She sighed and leaned against the alter, closing her eyes momentarily before she examined the inscriptions there.
I wonder what all of this stuff means...
Her eyes wandered down to the sides of the alter, where the sigil had been carved.
That's strange...
She leaned closer, realizing that the eyes of the sigil were hollow.
Holes?
Lifting her hands carefully, she placed them into the empty spaces and felt around.
Maybe there's some kind of tribute or offering in here... some kind of cool artifact, at least.
Her fingers caressed a raised inscription and she pursed her lips.
What's the point of having writing where no one can read it?
A mechanism clamped down on her hands and small, needlelike points stuck into the back of her hands. She cried out and tried to pull her hands free.
I'm stuck!
After a moment, the mechanism released her hands as she pulled again, and she fell back and stared at her hands.
What was that?!
A set of snakelike bite marks marked each hand, and, as she watched, a seal formed around the puncture wounds and her body shuddered.
What is this?!
Loud creaking echoing around her and she groaned as she rolled her eyes.
Oh, shit. Gritting her teeth, she shut her eyes and exhaled. Oto lied. Of course she did...
Natsumi glanced over her should and dodged as a bronze snake sprung to life and lunged at her, snapping its jaws.
Crazy old woman... I should have known she was hiding something.
A second snake snapped at Natsumi, who back-flipped and landed on the head of another statue.
At least it's not all of them, this time.
A third snake blinked its eyes from across the cavern, and the three lunged at her simultaneously. She formed a hand sign and let out a breath.
Looks like I've got to just fight my way through this, then. At least, I can distract a few of them while I focus my efforts on one at a time.
"Multi Shadow Clone Jutsu."
Nastsumi's eyes widened as nothing happened.
What's going on?! The serpents drew close and Natsumi dodged again, standing beside the alter again. She formed the hand seal once more, and again, nothing happened.
No! Not again! What's wrong with me?
Dodging again, two of the snakes froze as another set awoke and lunged at her.
They're switching up?!
Natsumi formed a series of signs, pressing her hands to the ground.
Earth Style Wall!
The serpents snapped down, and Natsumi rolled out of the way.
I can't infuse Chakra! She looked down at her hands again. It's these seals! They're preventing me from using Jutsu!
Rolling again, she hid behind another statue to catch her breath.
How am I supposed to fight them without using Chakra?!
She drew a Kunai and turned her head to look at the three snakes eyeing her.
I'm dead. I'm so dead.
They lunged again in turn and Natsumi blocked a fang with the Kunai with a metallic clang.
Well, stabbing or cutting them is out of the question. They're just metal!
Continuing to dodge, Natsumi let out a breath.
I've got to try to pace myself... Oto will be gone for an hour... So, I can assume that this will last just as long. If I want to make it until then, I have to be careful.
Natsumi dodged, leaping over the head of one serpent as it froze and she avoided a strike from another as it awoke.
There's got to be some kind of trick to this... maybe a pattern?
Natsumi bit her lip and ducked, smirking to herself as two snakes' heads crashed into one another.
So far, only the bronze and silver snakes have been active. She eyed the gold statues suspiciously. So... the question is... what triggers them?
As she blinked, one golden snake blinked at her and lunged, and she dodged quickly with her eyes wide.
It's faster than the others!
Snapping after her, Natsumi kept just out of range of its mouth.
Think. Don't get eaten. Think.
Ducking again, she flinched as a silver snake snapped and nearly grabbed her leg.
That was close!
The bronze snake swiped its tail at her, only to strike the silver as she moved out of the way. The gold serpent quickly evaded the collision and coiled its body around her, trapping her. Its jaw opened and froze in place before it could devour her.
Natsumi exhaled and quickly looked over the golden scales, pressing her lips together until her eyes fell on a small scale underneath the serpent's chin.
What's that?
Leaning closer, she traced the small number with her fingertips and blinked.
One? That doesn't make sense.
She leapt out of the coils to dodge the silver's strike, eyeing under its chin as she moved.
Four?
It froze as well, and the two were quickly replaced with the remaining bronze snakes.
Six... Five...
Her eyes widened slightly, and she counted quietly in her head, continuously evading them.
That's it!
She backflipped to avoid a bite.
The numbers indicate how many minutes they'll be active for...
Natsumi watched them continue to switch out, nodding herself after a while.
The bronze snakes are the slowest, but are active the longest. The silvers are average, and are only active for two to four minutes... and the gold snakes are the fastest, and each one has been alive for only one...
She leapt backward to rest on the head of a rigid snake to catch her breath.
As long as I'm careful, it won't be too hard as long as I keep this in mind. I can't beat them like this, but at least I won't die.
The statue she stood on activated and she quickly evaded its attack.
Probably.
She breathed carefully, minimizing her movements as she fell into a rhythm, counting down to herself when the next switch would take place.
This isn't so hard, until the gold ones activate.
She caught her breath again, resting atop a statue as the two silver and one bronze snake entwined themselves together trying to catch her.
As long as I conserve my energy to save it for the golds, I'll be fine. Especially since they only come out one at a time.
Natsumi exhaled again and laughed under her breath as the snakes tried to untangle themselves.
Well, that takes care of them for a while.
A slow mist filled the cavern and Natsumi blinked.
What's this?
Crystals embedded in the ceiling shifted from clear to an eerie green and Natsumi looked up at them.
What's happening now?
The golden snake blinked and met her eyes from across the cavern with a hiss, its eyes changing from dull gold to the same green glow as the crystals.
...Well... that doesn't seem good.
The snake beneath Natsumi blinked awake, its eyes the same green, and Natsumi quickly retreated to a safe distance.
Two at once, now?
A third hiss and a hot breath snorted behind her and Natsumi's eyes widened.
Nope. Not good at all.
She jumped directly up as the three golden serpents struck at the same time, turning to her to follow quickly.
I'm dead. I'm very dead.
Leaning sideways, she narrowly missed a bite and glanced at the number on the serpent's chin again.
It's changed! She dodged and glanced back at the glowing green number in its place. Twenty?!
Natsumi slipped inside of the small opening of the knot where the three frozen snakes were entangled, breathing heavily as she shrunk down.
I can't take on all three at once, and especially not for that long... not without Jutsu.
Natsumi bit her lip as the snakes hissed angrily and bashed their heads against their their frozen kin.
What kind of test is this, anyway? All the others had some kind of trick to them... but this is different. It's as if it's just meant to kill me...
Her eyes widened slightly and she stared down at the seals on her hands in silence.
No... that can't be right... Oto wouldn't do that to me. She's crazy and reckless, but she's not...
Natsumi narrowed her eyes, moving back until her back was pressed again the snakes and she exhaled slowly.
...Either way... she's got some questions she needs to answer.
She closed her eyes momentarily and let out a sigh. Her eyes burst open as the three snakes continued to strike the entangled snakes. Covering her ears, Natsumi winced as each strike rung out in a loud echo in the small space. The knot dented and cracked gradually, until the metal tore open and left her exposed.
Uh oh.
Natsumi leapt over the head of a gold snake as it snapped at her, running along its back, avoiding the jaws of the other two.
Don't slow down. Don't let them get you.
She huffed and was struck by a thick tail, crying out as she was thrown against the wall. She blinked and trembled as she stood, supporting herself with the wall as she coughed and spat out blood.
This is impossible... there's no way I can survive this.
The snakes hissed simultaneously, their green eyes glinting as they reared their heads up.
I can hardly move... Natsumi coughed again, dizzy, and touched her forehead. When her hand drew back, it was wet with blood. My head's bleeding, and I think at least two of my ribs are cracked.
She managed to avoid a bite and glared at the serpents as they watched her.
They're just playing with me now...
Natsumi held up her Kunai, spat out more blood, and then narrowed her eyes.
I'm not going to die without a fight.
The snake in the middle seemed to laugh at her, leaning closer until its breath blew in her face and its tongue flicked and touched her cheek.
"Do I taste good?" Natsumi gritted her teeth and parried the tongue away. "Do I?"
The snake hissed and narrowed its own eyes, then widened its jaw, swallowing her whole.
"Taste this!" She stabbed the Kunai into the metallic throat in an attempt to slow her descent as she slid down, the metal scraping and slicing until she landed in a pile of bones.
So, this is its stomach? She shuddered and tried to cut her way out, the Kunai's tip only breaking off. This is pointless...
Looking up, she scowled.
It's too smooth to even try to climb back up... and its just a hollow metal snake, brought to life with a Jutsu. There isn't an alternative exit.
The seals on her hands took on the same green glow as the crystals and spread over her arms, a burning sensation coursing through her body as it grew. She cried out in pain as it continued to spread and the smell of burning flesh filled her nose.
This must be how it digests.
She cried out again, beating on the sides until the pain dizzied her and she collapsed onto the bones.
...Can't... move...
Her eyes watered and slowly spilled over.
Oto... did you know this would happen?
She curled into a ball as screamed as the markings now covered her body.
Why? Why did you set me up to die?
Why? After all the hell you've put me through over the years for my training... After doting on me?
She clenched her jaw and balled her shaking hands into fists, the pain mingling with the heat of anger growing in her chest.
Why, Oto? I trusted you... I hung onto every word you said, because following you made me stronger.
You promised me time and time again that you would make me strong. You assured me that I would achieve my goal. All that time I spent by your side, running errands and even reading from forbidden scrolls... all because you told me to...
Was all of that time meaningless? Was my trust in you really a mistake? All those times you said you saw so much potential in me... all those times you complimented me and talked about how proud you were of me... was it all a lie?
Natsumi coughed blood and cried out silently as the seals burned into her.
It can't end like this... I can't leave Naruto alone.
Natsumi glared and clenched her fists, containing a scream as the pain surged again.
I'll make you pay for this...
She trembled and sat up with a glare.
Every bit of this pain I feel right now... I'll give it back to you tenfold.
The snake's stomach clenched tighter, pressing against her as the seals drained her Chakra.
Nobody betrays me like this... nobody.
Her skin took on a pale violet glow, bubbling over the surface of her skin. With a growl, her nails elongated to points and her eyes shifted to a glowing crimson.
I'll make you pay...
The stomach tightened and shrunk again and Natsumi let out a loud cry- half scream, and half growl. Chakra bubbled out of her skin as she was forced into a smaller and smaller ball, until it burst outward, burning away the seals and breaking apart the snake in an explosion.
The two remaining gold snakes blinked quickly and hissed angrily, snapping at her.
"You're really annoying me!" Natsumi ran at the first one, building up her Chakra in her first as she struck it. It was thrown back into the second, where they hit the wall and were stunned. She punched them again and again, growling as she did.
"I. Don't. Even. Like. Snakes!"
The serpents shattered and metal shards clattered on the floor.
Natsumi panted heavily and staggered backward. Each of her wounds healed and the power waned. Her breathing became heavier and legs gave out, and she fell onto her hands and knees and blinked as she caught her breath.
What kind of power was that?
Her body shook and she fell forward.
What is this? I'm healed, but I feel completely drained... I can't even move...
The stone door opened and Oto passed through, moving slowly as she entered the cavern. The glow of the ceiling crystals faded as she crossed the threshold and looked around.
"My, my... what a mess."
She walked over to the alter and set her hand on it, speaking a few hissing words under her breath. Each of the metallic serpents repaired themselves and returned their original spots, statues once again.
Oto walked over to where Natsumi had collapsed and exhaled a small cloud of smoke. "So, you've survived."
Natsumi's eyes opened slowly and she balled her fists, forcing herself up, her body still fatigued and trembling.
"They'll keep me company, huh?" Natsumi muttered bitterly and turned toward the old woman. "Well, they kept me company, all right... we had a great time."
"Very few have ever defeated even a bronze serpent before... let alone all three of the golden elites."
Natsumi tightened her jaw and glared at her. "You tried to kill me!"
"Yet, here you are." Oto chuckled.
Natsumi's eyes widened. "Y-You... you really did try to kill me, didn't you?!"
"Well, child... the pilgrimage requires a human sacrifice to be complete." Oto's eyes darkened. "And the requirements of the proper offering are complicated... you made a fine candidate."
Natsumi took a step back, clenching her fists until they were white. "You... you... you snake!"
"Thank you." Oto smirked faintly.
"Y-You're sick!" Natsumi pointed, her voice rising. "You've been lying to me this whole time, haven't you?! You never meant to keep your promise to make me strong... you were just grooming me so that I could become your sacrifice!"
"Natsumi, Natsumi, Natsumi..." Oto tapped her cane against the ground softly. "I haven't lied to you. I have made you strong."
"You brought me here as a human sacrifice!"
"Well, of course." Oto breathed out tendrils of smoke. "Not just anyone will do for the job... it had to be someone close to me... someone who trusted me deeply... and someone with a large amount of Chakra. You met each of the requirements."
"I almost died!"
"You're very focused on the almost, aren't you?" Oto walked slowly around her. "Very few have ever survived this before... I'm quite impressed. It only proves that I was right about you."
Natsumi crossed her arms and narrowed her eyes. "No offense, but I don't give a damn if you're impressed or not."
"Well then..." Oto turned away, closing her eyes as she smirked. "I suppose that means you don't want your reward, then."
Natsumi drummed her fingers on her forearms. "What reward?"
"Gifts from the Great White Mother, reserved only for those able to survive the sacrificial offering."
Natsumi pressed her lips together tightly and turned to face away.
I don't really want anything else to do with Oto after this... but after nearly being killed by her schemes... again... I'm also really entitled to some kind of compensation.
"...Fine."
"A wise decision." Oto chuckled and moved over to the alter, and pressed the tip of her cane in the center of the inscription to activate a hidden mechanism. A secret door on its side opened, and she retrieved a sword from the opening and brought it over to show the girl. "Isn't this lovely?"
Natsumi made a face and looked over the weapon.
That's it? I get a sword?
"Not much of a reward." Natsumi muttered with a short sigh.
"Oh?" Oto waved her hand over the sword, quietly speaking in hisses before she blew smoke onto the blade. An inscription appeared and the blade turned black. "This is a special sword, though. It will grant you a most useful power."
So... a magic sword?
Natsumi sighed again and turned her face away, mumbling to herself. "Still not very impressive."
"We'll see what you think of it in a moment, then."
Oto quickly gripped Natsumi's shoulder and thrust the sword through her chest before she could react.
Natsumi's eyes widened and she gasped, gripping Oto's arm as she stared in shock.
She stabbed me!
The darkness of the blade transferred to Natsumi, giving her skin a grey tone. The inscription disappeared, and Oto quickly pulled the sword out and flicked the blood off.
"What about now?"
Natsumi staggered back, clutching at the wound in her chest.
"Y-You... really want me dead that badly?"
"Has your faith in me completely gone?" Oto replaced the sword back to the alter and watched as Natsumi sunk to her knees, gasping. "What a shame."
Natsumi coughed and furrowed her brows as her blood darkened and change form, becoming smoke.
What's going on?
The smoke returned to her body, healing the wound. Her color returned and she took in several long breaths.
"I'm not dead..." Natsumi murmured and stood slowly.
"Of course you're not." Oto smiled and blew out a cloud of smoke. "How do you feel?"
"What did you do to me?"
"Why don't you see for yourself?" Oto reached out to pat her shoulder. "You'll thank me in a minute."
I really doubt that.
"Repeat exactly what I say." Oto held the pipe away from her lips and spoke in a hiss.
Natsumi blinked. "Uh... I'm pretty sure no human can make that sound."
The woman laughed quietly and repeated the sounds.
"Try."
"Fine..." Natsumi sighed, then copied obediently.
Now what?
Her heart stopped briefly and her skin turned greyish once more. She lifted her hands to look them over, and the Hebihime sigil appeared on her hands where the seals had been before.
"What's this?"
"Be still, and you'll see." Oto swung her cane at Natsumi, who flinched.
"Hey!" Natsumi glared. "You've already tried to kill me twice today! Isn't that enough?!"
Oto chuckled. "Watch closely, dear."
Natsumi's eyes lowered as Oto swung again, and her eyes went wide.
I-It passed right through me!
Her body retained its natural form, but was shadowed and gaseous now.
I'm... made of smoke?
She looked back up at the woman, who only nodded slightly.
"Now you possess an ability that was rare even amongst the most elite Hebihime."
Natsumi carefully waved a Kunai through her hand.
I'm... untouchable.
"In this state, no physical attacks can harm you." Oto explained. "It's both activated and deactivated by speaking the same words as before, and has no set time limit, as long as your Chakra is not depleted." Oto walked around her in a slow circle, looking her up and down. "Although, you cannot make an attack while in this state, and you are susceptible against Yang Release techniques."
"Amazing..." Natsumi lowered her arms and looked at Oto. "It's like I'm invincible."
Oto's eyes narrowed. "Do not begin to feel arrogant about it. Should a battle drag on too long while you are in this form, you risk having its weaknesses discovered. It's best used quickly, in close quarters, and right before you resolidify and deal the killing blow."
She paused, then continued. "There were others, when I was your age, who let this power go to their heads. They relied too heavily on it, and it ended in their deaths and dishonored the Great White Mother."
Natsumi repeated the serpentine words, and felt herself again.
I'm solid again.
"You're welcome." Oto returned the pipe to her mouth, her eyes glinting as she watched Natsumi.
Natsumi scoffed and recrossed her arms. "This was the least you could have done to make up for trying to have me killed, and I still don't think it makes up for it at all."
"I suppose that's fair."
"Fair?" Natsumi shook her head and met the woman's eyes. "...I appreciate what you've done for me up until now... but, once we return to the village... that's it. I'm not coming to you for anything again."
"Fine." Oto chuckled, then turned and began to walk toward the exit. "You can say that, but you'll be back. You'll always come back."
Natsumi narrowed her eyes. "No, I won't."
Oto glanced over her shoulder with a faint smirk.
"I know you too well, child. You'll get restless of only advancing at an average pace, and you'll seek out more power. Don't feel bad, dear. It's just your nature." She turned to look back at the spiraled path ahead of her. "In time, you'll either find yourself back at my doorstep, or you'll go to Oro-chan. You know more than I do that you can't resist the temptation of forbidden knowledge."
Natsumi bit her lip, balling her hands into fists.
You're wrong. I'd never trust someone like him... or someone like you, ever again.
"Don't try to deny it." Oto tapped her cane against the ground as she walked and her smoke took the form of a snake that rested on her shoulders and watched Natsumi intently. "Even now, you're too eager to use that power in a true fight to continue to be angry with me."
Natsumi's cheeks flushed and her brows furrowed. "You're wrong."
Oto chuckled. "...If you say so, Miss Uzumaki."