ACADEMY DAYS XIX - TANGLED STRINGS

Hidden Leaf hospital

Tsunade runs her hand over Shizune's belly. The chakra coated hand stings and tickles at the same time but it's a feeling that Shizune is so familiar with that she barely notices, although the baby kicking inside is definitely not a familiar feeling, but is certainly a pleasant one.

Iruka stands besides her, holding her hand. Another pleasant feeling.

"Lady Tsunade, how are the preparations going?" She asks, trying to distract herself.

"I told you they're going fine, Shizune, stop worrying."

"I just worry that our resources will be run too thin. Maybe if we have Yokaze and Io each head a small team for the Hidden-"

Tsunade places a hand over her mouth. "I'm trying to work. Hush."

Iruka chuckles and lightly squeezes her hand. "It'll be fine. Sakura and Lady Tsunade know what they're doing, and you've personally trained many of the medics on staff. Put your faith in them."

Shizune lets out a muffled grumble.

From the next bed over, Anko laughs. "Oh, thank you! She's done nothing but worry about this for weeks."

Kakashi chuckles. "At least you have company."

"Oyeah, 'cause the workaholic is great company." Anko turns to Shizune, who's resorted to glaring at her. "After these babies get out, I'm taking you out to have some fun. You desperately need it."

"Yeah, well, she's never had to sit still for this long." Tsunade pulls back the hand that was on Shizune's belly, releasing her chakra. "That's largely my fault, so consider this a late life lesson." She uncovers her pupil's mouth, as well.

"I know very well how to have fun, thank you very much." Shizune grumbles. "How's Shohei, Lady Tsunade?"

"Shohei is as healthy as can be. I don't foresee any issues. In a couple of weeks, we'll have a healthy, bouncing baby boy." Tsunade smiles warmly and leans down to kiss Shizune on the forehead.

"L-Lady Tsunade!" Shizune stammers in protest from embarrassment, her cheeks flushed red. "Not in front of everyone." She grumbles, turning away from the rest in the room.

Tsunade then turns around to check up on Anko. Just as before, she envelops her hand in chakra and runs it over her belly.

"How's it looking, doc?" Anko peers over to look at Tsunade's hand. "Is Azuki gonna be the most beautiful girl ever?"

Shizune chuckles. "Not with you as her mother." As soon she says that, she stiffens. She quickly covers her face and turns to the her side. "Oh no. I'm so sorry, I don't know why I said that."

"Oh, wow." Anko laughs. "Shizune, I am absolutely loving this snarky side of you. Maybe pregnancy is doing you some good, after all."

"I'm so sorry." Shizune apologizes in a muffled voice, her hands now firmly glued to her face.

"You know everyone's gonna hear about this. She likes this at home, too, Iruka?" Anko grins.

Kakashi shakes his head, chuckling despite himself. "Come on, play nice."

"Okay, fine." She shifts in her bed to get more comfortable. "I'll only tell 30 people instead."

Tsunade pulls away her hand and stands up. "Both Shohei and Azuki sound perfectly healthy. Anko, you can head home. If you feel anything, contact the hospital right away."

"What about Shizune?" Iruka asks.

"She'll stay here for a bit longer. Due date isn't that far and I want to monitor her more closely. Don't worry, Iruka, you'll get her back." Tsunade winks.

Anko grins and points to her forehead. "Don't I get a kiss, too?"

Shizune once again hides from embarrassment. It seems to be everyone's favourite hobby lately.

Tsunade shakes her head and actually leans down to kiss Anko on the forehead.

Anko stares at her blankly. "I was only kidding, you know…"

"I know you were." Tsunade pats her on the shoulder.

The Hokage jots down some notes on a clipboard, detailing their condition and the progress of their respective pregnancies. When she finishes, she attaches them to the end of the bed and heads for the door.

"You take care of yourselves. And remember, the only thing you need to worry about right now are the babies. Am I clear?" She makes a general statement but is very cleary and very pointedly look at Shizune as she says that.

Shizune sighs. "Yes, ma'am."

"Maybe these kids are the ones who'll grow up in a peaceful world." Tsunade laments as she exits the room.

Training Ground 5

Hanabi lunges forward delivering a series of strikes that Konohamaru dodges, pulling further back as she goes further forward.

"This is why you lost; you kept going on the offense." Konohamaru notes. "You're usually more cautious."

Hanabi jabs him in the chest. "And this is why you lost; you kept going back. Where was that gung-ho attitude of yours?"

Konohamaru blocks Hanabi's strike and shoves her by the shoulder. "Unlike a certain someone I've learned to adapt to my enemy."

Hanabi regains her balance after a brief stumble and activates her [Byakugan]. "But you're yet to learn to shut your mouth, it seems. I'll take on that duty, then."

"Bring it!" Konohamaru smears blood on his palm. "I wasn't thinking of getting a rematch this soon but I'll take it."

Hanabi smirks. "I've never seen someone this eager to lose."

"Okay, stop!" Moegi jumps between the two of them "Can you two cut the sexual tension already? Geez."

Both their faces turn beet red.

"Wh-What?!" Hanabi exclaims in outrage. "Tension? With this baboon? I'd rather get punched by lightning again!"

"Hah!" Konohamaru laughs. "As if she even knows what that is, stuck on her high horse."

Hanabi stomps her foot. "Gah! You're so…" She deactivates her Byakugan and storms off to a nearby tree where her belongings have been place while they train. "I've had it with you!"

"Yeah, well, I've had it with you!" Konohamaru storms off to a different tree, where Udon is sitting, reading a book.

Moegi looks between the two of them and facepalms. "Oh, brother…" She follows Hanabi.

-x-

Konohamaru grabs his bag that was draped on one of the lower branches and begins rummaging through it. "Can you believe her?!"

"I usually do, she's very well informed." Udon sniffs and turns a page.

Konohamaru grumbles. "You think she's annoying, too, right?"

"Not really." Udon shrugs. "Then again, I'm not the one she has sexual tension with."

"Oh, come on!" The Sarutobi throws his bag to the ground in frustration.

A bottle of water falls out and rolls toward Udon. Udon picks up the water and hands it to Konohamaru who grabs it out of his hand.

"Wanna talk about it?" Udon looks up from his book.

"No." Konohamaru sits down.

"As Chunin, part of my responsibilities involve making sure my subordinates are in good shape, both physically and mentally."

"I'll punch you." Konohamaru says in a monotone voice.

"Assaulting a superior officer is a violati-"

Konohamaru pinches his nose and tugs hard.

"Ow, ow, ow, ow."

-x-

Moegi approaches Hanabi who's sat down in seiza position with her eyes closed. She sits down next to her. "So… wanna talk about it?"

"That's unnecessary. There's nothing to talk about. It was merely a training session turned sour."

"Uh-huh. Sure. Then, why did it turn sour?"

Hanabi sighs. "I was so close to victory and yet I couldn't achieve it. I was to show the entire Union what we're capable of..."

"And you did!" Moegi reassures her. "You got to the final, and Konohamaru got to the semi-finals. You both were amazing and everyone saw it. You're also a shoe-in for that promotion. Me, on the other hand…"

Hanabi bows her head. "You're right, I apologize. You've every right to be frustrated, as well, and yet I make myself into the sole victim."

"It's fine." Moegi shrugs. "I don't really have the weight of a clan on my shoulders. You two have it rough and I get that. Would've been nice to get farther in the tournament but there's always next time. Probably gonna be less competition, too, since it'll be just Leaf Genin."

"You make it sound as if you won't be promoted this time." Hanabi looks to her.

"I know I won't. You're definitely making Chunin, but me? Doubt it."

Hanabi stands up, brushing her robe from any grass that may have stuck to her. "That outlook simply won't do. I won't stand for you bringing yourself down like that. So, I propose a tour of the finest sweets shops of the Leaf."

"You… really don't have to."

"Nonsense. Besides, I insist. It would be a good change of pace to get away from… them." She motions to the boys by the other tree.

"Don't you mean 'him'?" Moegi looks to Konohamaru.

"Don't make me rescind my offer." Hanabi picks up her possessions.

Moegi giggles. "Sorry."

Nara household

Temari paces back and forth, wondering if she's gone mad given what she plans on doing. She had a drink or two to calm her nerves and help her think about this better.

"Okay, Temari, you've done this before." She psyches herself up. "You've gone out with boys, so how did those go?" She tries to recount her past relationship. "There was that one kid, who… I threatened. Uh, OH! There was also… No, I threatened him, too…" She goes over through every instance where she's gone out with boys and has to sit down, staring at the bottle as a realization dawns on her. "... Have all my dates been the result of threats?"

She stands up, feeling too fidgety to be sitting down.

Then she sits down, feeling too anxious to be standing.

Before she can clearly play out a scenario in her head, she hears the front door open. He's early! She frantically looks around, trying to find a proper place for herself.

As soon as Shikamaru enters the room, Temari slams her fist against the wall right besides his head. Okay, so sticking to the old tried and true.

Shikamaru looks at the slight dent in the wall. "Hello, Temari. How was your day?"

Temari breathes heavily through her nose, revving herself up. She gets closer, despite the redness in her cheeks; an intimidation tactic against shorter foes. "You're gonna listen and you're gonna listen well, got it? You're gonna invite me to dinner, at about 8pm. Ask me if I'm free."

"... Are… are you free?" Shikamaru tentatively does as instructed, still confused as to what's happening.

"I am. Kind of you to ask. Now, you're gonna pick a nice place, dress in something less drab, and it's gonna be a fine evening. Am I clear?"

"... Yes?"

Temari nods. "Good." She removes her fist from the wall and heads out the door.

She doesn't really get far before she freezes in place, her body refusing to listen to her. She looks down to see a shadow merged with her own.

Shikamaru rubs his temple. "Yeah, no, you're not just walking away after whatever that was supposed to be."

"W-what're you doing?!" Temari demands. "This is grounds for treason, you know! Assaulting a foreign ambassador like this…"

"I'm the one who wants to know what you're doing." Shikamaru walks up to her and releases the [Shadow Possession] while he's at it. "So?"

"So what? I was clear, wasn't I?" She tries not to meet his gaze.

"You were, I'm just not clear on the why…" Shikamaru sighs.

Temari balls her hand into a fist. He didn't even get it… "I… figured we could spend an evening, what of it?" She gets defensive. "Just… us."

It's at this moment that Shikamaru pieces together all of her odd behaviours, her words, her overall demeanor. "Oh… I, um… Yeah. I mean, we can do that, yeah."

"Alright. Good. Now let go of my shadow!"

"I... already did?"

She looks down, only now realizing she could move her body the whole time, she was just too absorbed in everything to notice. With her embarrassment only increasing, she rushes past him. "8pm. Don't forget!"

"I won't…" Shikamaru stares off into the distance. After a moment, he looks back, where Temari had walked to, unsure if he just imagined the whole thing.

Above the Hokage monument

If Sai wanted to, he could be at the top in just a couple of seconds. Such a distance is a trivial thing for a ninja but walking up the stairs is oddly therapeutic. He occasionally glances over the railing, to the village that keeps getting lower and as he climbs.

Seeing the village in its entirety puts his mission into perspective. He realizes just how much is at stake and how what his job truly entails. It's not to hunt down one or two criminals, it's not to protect one or two people. It's all of this.

It's why he likes coming up here to paint. It's peaceful and allows him to mull things over. With his gear in a pack slung over his shoulder, he walks to the spot he always takes.

As he does, he sees it's already taken. A young woman, brown hair braided on only one side, has a canvas and paints out and is capturing the scenery in her own style. He tentatively walks over to her.

"Greetings." He calls from afar to get her attention, without spooking her. He knows very well that an artist shouldn't be disturbed when they're working.

The woman looks back. "Oh, hello." She notices the pack Sai is carrying, not too dissimilar to the one on the ground by her side. "Are you the ghost painter, then?"

Sai cocks his head. "I'm uncertain if I'm a ghost but I do paint, yes. How did you know?"

The woman points to a spot next to her, where the ground has the distinct imprints of an easel being placed. It's clear that it wasn't a rare occurrence but that someone must have come here often to this exact spot.

"I keep noticing the imprints every time I come here. I've wanted to meet whoever left them but it seems we never crossed paths." She smiles.

"I'm pleased that we could." Sai begins unpacking his equipment, taking out his easel, his canvas, his paints, and brushes. All of them treated with care and placed a fair distance from each other so as to not damage them.

The woman takes pause from her painting, observing Sai's actions.

"Ah…" Sai suddenly remembers something important. "I've forgotten an important aspect in meeting someone new." He turns to the woman and extends a hand. "My name is Sai."

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Sai." The woman brushes her hair over her ear. "I'm Yakumo Kurama."

"Ah, of the Kurama clan?" He recognizes the name and its somewhat odd history.

"I… don't know if we can call ourselves a clan anymore." She looks back to her painting. "We're more a simple family by this point."

"Ah, yes, I suppose that debacle severely weakened your status."

Yakumo shrinks in her seat. "Yes. Yes, it did."

Sai notices the shift in her behaviour. "My apologies. I read past trauma should not be brought up in casual conversation."

Yakumo raises a brow. "You're… an odd one. I wasn't quite expecting my mystery companion to be someone like you."

"Oh. I can leave if that would help?" Sai prepares to pack his things.

"No, no." She holds her hand up to stop him. "You don't have to on my account. Besides, I'm not one to judge on 'odd', and… I'm curious about your painting."

"My style is a bit more traditional than yours." He motions to her more realistic painting of the landscape. "I fear it won't be as impressive."

Yakumo shrugs. "I don't see why that matters. As long as you're putting your passion into it, every art style can be just as beautiful."

"Passion, huh? I suppose I am?"

"Good." Yakumo smiles.

Hokage's office

Tsunade looks over the three portraits on her desk. The young Genin who valiantly fought for the Hidden Leaf during this very unique Chunin Exam. Konohamaru Sarutobi, Hanabi Hyuga, Moegi Kazamatsuri. Shikamaru and Kakashi are by her side, and Ebisu and Hiashi Hyuga are sat in front of the desk, listening to their judgement.

"Hiashi, what's your opinion on the matter?" Tsunade turns to the Hyuga leader.

Hiashi raises a brow. "You wish to know whether I think Hanabi is ready for Chunin?"

"Not Hanabi." She pushes the other two portraits forward. "Konohamaru and Moegi."

"Interesting." Hiashi rubs his chin.

"But Lord Hiashi has not worked closely with either of them." Ebisu pushes his glasses. "Would a judgement based on limited information aid in your decision?"

"Maybe, maybe not." Tsunade shrugs. "However, Hiashi has a keen eye for talent. I trust him to have properly gauged them even from what little he saw."

"Konohamaru Sarutobi certainly has talent. He proved to be able to think clearly and rationally, despite what some rumors may have said of him. His strategies were well planned and executed, even if they may have been a bit rough. I can't speak for his analytical skills or his mission performance but from what I saw on the arena, I believe he has the makings of a Chunin."

"Master Konohamaru has definitely grown exponentially over the years." Ebisu nods. "He's displayed a tactical mind that has led his team to victory."

"And Moegi?" Tsunade asks.

"Moegi Kazamatsuri…" Hiashi stares at her photo. "From the battles she was in, she fought well. However, I'm not certain if it was well enough for a Chunin."

Ebisu chimes in. "Moegi performs well in stressful situations and is always the one to get Konohamaru and Udon to work coherently. I fear a tournament is not the best way for her to show her true capabilities."

Shikamaru nods. "And we agree with you on that."

"That's why," Kakashi speaks, "We've plans to build a new testing system. It would still have the familiar element of a tournament, but there would be chances for less combat-inclined Genin to shine in their area of expertise."

"Still, that's not going to happen soon." Tsunade leans back. "Ebisu, what're your observations on Hanabi? You had the chance to witness her abilities throughout the entirety of the Chunin Exams."

"Hanabi Hyuga is, well, remarkable, I would say. Both her intelligence and battle prowess are well within the requirements for a Chunin. I dare say it wouldn't be long before she makes Jonin, as well. The only thing I would perhaps note is a certain short temperedness she displayed, a sort of rivalry that she developed with Master Konohamaru."

Hiashi furrows a brow. "A short temper? My Hanabi? You must be mistaken, Ebisu-sensei. She's always had a steady mind."

"Would you say this... short temper is a hindrance, Ebisu?" Tsunade asks.

"Well, no, I don't believe so? I believe it was a desire on both Hanabi and Master Konohamaru's part to lead and be on the forefront of decision-making. I believe when a clear hierarchy is present, there will be no such issue."

"I still say you're mistaken." Hiashi crosses his arms. "Hanabi knows better than to let her emotions get the better of her and lead into an argument with a teammate."

Shikamaru flips through performance reports on the 3 Genin. "Well, you never know. Sometimes the stress of a situation doesn't kick in until the very end."

"So, how do we judge them?" Kakashi asks.

Tsunade taps her desk with a finger. "Based on what we saw from their written and practical exams, and the tournament, I'm willing to give both Konohamaru Sarutobi and Hanabi Hyuga the promotion."

"And… what of Moegi, Lady Hokage?" Ebisu asks.

"As for Moegi… I'm going to save my judgement on her. Ebisu, I'm going to give you missions in the coming months. Handpicked specifically to allow Moegi to shine and truly show what she's capable of. If she performs well, she will be promoted, as well."

Kakashi nods. "I'm inclined to agree."

Shikamaru also nods. "Does that sound fair, Ebisu?"

Ebisu bows his head. "If that is your judgement, I accept."

"Hiashi?"

The man bows his head.

"Then, I officially announce Konohamaru Sarutobi and Hanabi Hyuga's promotions to Chunin, and Moegi Kazamatsuri trial for promotion." She takes two papers from a stack next to her and places her stamp before handing them to Ebisu and Hiashi.

As she does, a woman enters the room. "Lady Hokage, your next appointment is here."

"Lead them in."

With that, Ebisu and Hiashi take their leave.

-x-

The next appointment is a bit busier than the last. Naruto Uzumaki, Hinata Hyuga, and Awaji Uzuamki sit in front of Tsunade's desk, while Sasuke Uchiha leans on the wall to the side.

"Elder Awaji, you requested this meeting, I believe. What can I help you all with?"

"I did, Lady Hokage." Awaji bows his head. "I've been speaking at length with Lord Naruto and Sasuke, of the final message left to us by Lady Mito. The warning of the Great Beasts, of Tamamo Otsutsuki… I've tried to use what resources I still have in the capital but I am unable to find how or where Lady Mito ever found out about all of this, to continue the investigation."

"I tried my own investigation after I met with Naruto in the Land of WInd." Sasuke adds. "Of the Uchiha's past, which according to Mito Uzumaki is somehow connected to all of this. However…" Sasuke holds his palms upward.

"You couldn't find anything?" Shikamaru finishes the sentence.

"Nothing of substance. They revered some kinds of spirits, they were shamanistic… Much of it rumours and folk tales. Some stories of Uchiha who could cause a pestilence. That's either an ability of the Mangekyo Sharingan or just a tall tale to scare kids. I don't know one way or another."

Naruto leans forward. "So we figured if we knew what Mito did after we met, where she went, who she talked to… We go look into it. 'Cause right now, she's the only solid lead we got into the Great Beasts."

Tsunade sighs. "I really wish I could help you but there's not actually much official record of grandmother's later life. I don't know how much help she'd have been."

"Is there a reason for that?" Hinata cocks a brow. "She was an influential woman, after all. Surely her life was worth documenting."

"That's actually something granduncle set into place to protect her."

Kakashi turns to Tsunade. "Lord Second did? This is my first time hearing it."

Tsunade laughs. "I would hope so. It's one of the most closely guarded secrets but that's in the past and I believe at least the group here can be trusted with this." She reaches into her desk to take out a bottle, pouring herself a cup to prepare for what she's about to reveal. "Gradmother's mind… suffered as she got older. We don't know if it was grandfather's death or something else that triggered it but she was not herself. Part of why I became a medical ninja was to heal her but I failed in that as I did in so much else."

"We're not here for a pity party." Sasuke rudely interjects.

"Oi!" Naruto turns in his seat to glare at him.

"It's fine, Naruto, he's right." Tsunade waves him off.

Awaji stares into the ground. "Lady Mito was… ill? Of what?"

Tsunade shrugs. "No idea. No one did. Granduncle tried to find out, Sarutobi-sensei tried, Lady Biwako tried… No one could heal her. So when you say you want to know where she went, she never went anywhere. When you say you want to know who she spoke to, she spoke to only a very select group of individuals who are all dead, save for me."

"But… what was wrong with her?" Hinata asks. "To the point where even you could do nothing..."

"Severe memory loss, dementia, multiple personality disorder… Inota Yamanaka tried to peer into her mind but he found fragments of who she was and fragments of other people. She... completely believed she was other people and would sometimes slip into these other personalities. She had names for them, names for other people in their lives… It was terrible to see her like that."

Sasuke sighs. "So she was crazy... Can we even trust anything of what she said in that case?"

Hinata covers her mouth in shock. "But she looked so healthy when we saw her."

Kakashi sits down. "To think something like that had happened to Lady Mito."

Throughout all of this, Awaji remains quiet. He has his hands clasped in front of him; his index fingers pressed against his lips. His eyes wide and his breathing shallow, a tear drops from his eye.

Everyone lowers their head, sympathetic to the older man's feelings. He'd spent most of childhood admiring her, as a woman, as a person, as a kunoichi. She was among the best of the Uzumaki clan when the Uzumaki clan was at its best. They can't even imagine how he must be feeling to find out that his hero had gone crazy at the end of her life.

Naruto, however, sees something that they do not. Awaji's eyes are not ones mourning the loss of a loved one. No, they're eyes that laments that could have been.

"Gramps." Naruto leans down in his chair. "What do you know?"

"Lady Mito…" Awaji runs his hands over his face, wiping away the tears in the process. "To think you went to such lengths..."

Everyone furrows a brow at his words.

Shikamaru steps forward a single step. "Elder? What do you mean?"

"I wondered… I wondered how she could have learned such ancient knowledge." Awaji stands up and walks over to the window, keeping himself steady by holding a hand against the wall. "I was mistaken, Lord Naruto. Lady Mito did not travel anywhere besides her own mind."

Tsunade stands up and walks over to him. "Awaji, if you actually know something, now's not the time to be cryptic."

He turns around to face the room and takes a moment to compose himself. "There exists an ancient, forbidden jutsu among the Uzumaki clan. [Bloodline Regression] is its name. It is… a jutsu that allows one to peer back through time. Or more specifically, it allows one to live through the lives of their ancestors. Gain their knowledge, their skills… Anything one would desire."

Tsunade stares at him in disbelief. "That… sounds impossible."

Kakashi shakes his head. "I've studied many jutsu in my time but I've never even heard whispers of anything like that being possible."

Sasuke uncovers the left side of his face, revealing the Rinnegan underneath. "Naruto and I were imbued with special powers and did things beyond a normal shinobi and yet… Nothing that would come close to that."

Awaji nods. "It was one of our most heavily guarded secrets. A jutsu that we would not use even as a last resort for fear of what happened to Lady Mito." He looks up to Tsunade. "Lady Hokage, what you saw in your grandmother was not illness, but the side effect of the [Bloodline Regression] and the reason it is a forbidden jutsu."

Shikamaru puts the pieces together. "What Lady Tsunade said, about those multiple personalities in her head… She didn't create those, did she?"

Awaji nods. "No. They were her ancestors' memories, mixed in with her own."

"But why?" Kakashi wonders. "What drives a person to insanity for viewing their ancestors' memories?"

"You misunderstood, Kakashi. She did not view those memories as we would view a theatrical play. She lived them. She experienced every moment as if it had happened to her; every pleasant memory, every bad memory, every hope, every dream… It's as if they were her own. And for her to have learned of the time of the Otsutsuki, she must have lived through the lives of dozens, if not hundreds of generations. And when you return, sometimes you cannot distinguish which memories were your original ones and so… you lose your identity. You begin believing that you're a different person entirely. Different people."

"Is it not possible to return in tact?" Kakashi asks.

"It is. If you view your parents' or your grandparents' memories then you would be safe from its effects, but delving deeper into your bloodline carries the risk of overload."

Tsunade rubs her forehead. "But… That…" She goes back to her chair, needing a seat and a moment to regain her senses. "When that happened, the Uzumaki clan was still around. Why wouldn't she say anything? Why would granduncle not ask the Uzumaki for aid?"

Naruto straightens himself, having been taking in every word of what Awaji said. "The message she left us. She said she didn't wanna mess with what was gonna happen."

Awaji nods. "I believe so, too."

"The reason the Second Hokage didn't do anything is 'cause she asked him not to." Naruto surmises.

"He never could say 'no' to her…" Tsunade gives a grim smile, despite these revelations.

"Elder," Hinata turns to him, "If you know of this jutsu. Does that mean you know it, as well?"

"Yeah, that's right!" Naruto jumps from his seat. "Granny's an Uzumaki and you said you'd be safe if you saw your grandparents' memories, so she could learn what Granny Mito learned!"

Awaji purses his lips and looks down. "I fear I only know of it. The knowledge was lost with the Hidden Whirlpool Village and I haven't a clue as to where it currently is."

Tsunade taps her desk. "If grandmother needed this forbidden jutsu to learn about the Great Beasts, and we know that members of the Uzumaki clan are responsible for unleashing the Great Beasts..."

Kakashi turns his head to her. "You're thinking they possess the knowledge of this [Bloodline Regression]."

"I suspect the same thing." Awaji sighs. "I pray that you are wrong, Lady Hokage, for if they do possess it and were able to extract more memories than even Lady Mito… We are dealing with an individual of great strength."

-x-

Kaidomaru sits on the floor of his office. Cross legged with jutsu formulae laid out underneath him. He goes through a long series of hand signs, the justu formulae glowing and seemingly being sucked onto his skin.

[Uzumaki clan Forbidden Jutsu: Bloodline Regression]

Just as before, he remains entirely motionless as the jutsu runs its course. And just as before, Mizushi remains by his side to remind him of who he is, should he forget.

After several minutes, Kaidomaru returns to consciousness and quickly stands up, or tries to but stumbles, needing Mizushi to help him back to his seat.

"Do you know who I am?" Mizushi asks.

"I do, yes." Kaidomaru pats him on the forearm. "I'm fine this time. I'm Kaidomaru Uzumaki, 29 years old. Leader of the Hidden Mountain Village."

"Good. How far did you go?"

Kaidomaru shakes his head. "Not far enough. It's becoming more difficult. Feel like my head's gonna explode."

"Then you get some rest." Mizushi begins making his way to the door.

Kaidomaru looks out the window. Not at anything in particular that's out there but more in the general direction he sensed someone special arrive. "I don't think that'll be an option."

Before Mizushi could ask why that is, the door opens as a young shinobi bursts in, taking a knee before the leader. "Sir, Lady Yaegiri has arrived in the village."

Mizushi raises a brow. "Were we expecting the Daimyo?"

"No, we were not." Kaidomaru waves both of them off. "You're dismissed."

The two do as instructed, leaving him alone for a few moments until the room becomes busy again. The Daimyo, Yaegiri, walks in, donning her robes and traditional headdress decorated with the symbol of the Land of Woods.

The woman's cold eyes scan the office before focusing on Kaidomaru. "You've performed that jutsu again, haven't you?"

"It's a powerful tool in our arsenal." Kaidomaru states. "That knowledge is why we're ahead of our enemies."

Yaegiri sighs. "Simply promise me that you will not jeopardize your own safety."

"Of course not, Mother."

On being called that, Yaegiri lunges forward in anger. Her cold and elegant demeanor turns to fury. She grabs Kaidomaru by the collar of his flak jacket and pulls him off his seat.

"Don't you call me that! Don't you dare call me that!" She cries out in her anger. "You're Kaidomaru! Remember! You're the love of my life, Kaidomaru!"

Kaidomaru blinks, shaking his thoughts away. His eyes gloss over. "Right. Of course. I'm Kaidomaru. How could I forget?" He brushes her cheek. "I'm sorry, Yae."

"That's alright. As long as you stay with me." Yae runs her fingers through Kaidomaru's hair and leans down to kiss him.

Trivia

Yakumo Kurama is from the 'Yakumo Kurama Rescue Mission' (Naruto episodes 203 to 207).