Her body felt heavy, every muscle felt strained and even the idea of moving caused her pain. Her sheets were soaked through but she was freezing and the splitting headache caused a ringing in her ears. None of that compared to what she saw in her sleep. For years, Anko hated no one more than she hated her sensei. She detested everything about the woman, the embodiment of everything evil about their world.

Now, she simply wanted to kill herself as the two years of missing memory returned. She was there, by her side. Taking part in the experiments, the torture and the needless bloodletting. If Orochimaru told her to burn down a village, Anko would do it because her sensei told her to. It was just that simply, her obedience was just that unthinking, reflexive even. Even when she had misgivings, even when the things she did made her sick she tried to hide it from Orochimaru. Anko never wanted her to think her apprentice couldn't keep up, didn't have the stomach for what was asked of her.

But she did eventually reach her limit, when asked to prepare a small child for an experiment, Anko broke down. She became a quivering mass and struggle to get out apologies in between her sobs. Orochimaru smiled and patted the girl on her head, telling her she didn't have to do it. The next day, Anko received the cursed mark and remembered nothing else until she was found by a Konoha strike team some time later.

She hated herself. Hated what she did. Hated why she did it. A small part of her even hated that her devotion wasn't appreciated but considered a detrimental feature. All she did to please that woman and she didn't even care.. Anko became a monster for a monster and was abandoned because of it. It was distressing how much that realization hurt, that it was all for nothing. That Orochimaru valued someone so unlike her in the red haired Uzumaki but disdained Anko.

It was a sad joke, she was a sad joke; a perfect intersection of tragedy and farce. Not good enough to be her student. Not debased enough to be her disciple. Not even worthy of killing. Just some toy Orochimaru tired of playing with and then abandoned.

Throughout her emotional turmoil she wasn't unaware that someone was in, she assumed, her apartment. She simply was in too much pain to care. Besides, she knew who it was and wanted to prolong the hateful bitch's gloating.

"Are you going to pretend to be asleep for much longer, Anko-chan?"

"I'd hoped you'd leave if I did." Anko said, Forcing herself to sit upright against her headboard. Her bedroom was pretty basic, containing her bed draped in dark purple sheets, a metal and glass top nightstand to her left and a chest of drawers on the right wall. Orochimaru was sitting at the end of her bed, keeping a keen eye on her former apprentice.

"So, is this your final joke? Let me hate you for years and then reveal I'm just like you?" Anko spat, tired of the woman watching her so intently.

"If you've gotten your memories back you know you aren't just like me. You were a little girl trying to please her sensei."

"I still did those things. Doesn't matter why, I did them. I'm no better than you and these people had reason to hate and reject me. They knew what I was."

"If that is who you were you'd still do those things but you don't. You didn't become like me and in that area you bested me." Orochimaru said and meant it. She realized she had taken advantage of Anko's admiration the same way Hiruzen had done to her. It was one of the few things she genuinely felt bad about.

"What do you mean?" Anko asked, not understand what the Sannin meant.

"Let's just say there is more to Hiruzen Sarutobi than you know and not all of it is good." Anko wanted to argue but reconsidered and let the matter drop, she was in too much pain for a unnecessary argument.

"Why did you remove the seal?"

"Because I want to make amends, Anko." The violet haired woman looked unconvinced. "I've been told to make amends but I agree. You've gone as far as you can with hating me as motivation. You may never forgive me but seeing as how I'm not going anywhere, I'm hoping you can move on."

Anko snorted and then grimaced in pain. She may hate the She demon but she was rational enough to admit said demon was right. She hadn't been advancing and on a purely skill level she was no more closer to killing her former sensei as she was to sprouting wings and granting wishes. It's not like she's never contemplated it before, just moving on with her life but there was an ache of injustice, scores unsettled that wouldn't allow her to.

"I can't make any promises. I've hated everything about you for so long but it seems what you did allowed me to not hate myself."

"Be thankful for small mercies."

"I'd be thankful for this pain to end. Did it really have to hurt this much?"

"Yes. Besides you're strong, you'll manage."

"Your bedside manner sucks."

"Kukuku."

Orochimaru left soon after. Whatever Anko and her relationship was to be, it'd take time though she highly doubt it'd ever be more than a resigned acceptance. She could live with that and Koharu couldn't claim she hadn't an effort. The woman got really, really unpleasant when she believed that.

The snake sannin decided to walk through the village. It was still quite early, the sun just peaking about the horizon. Not many people were out but those that were seemed conflicted on how to treat her. She could see the fear they had but there was also a layer of security, the villagers stood a little straighter because the legendary three had returned. If only they understood, she'd never make some grand effort to save a single one of them. Konoha had what she wanted, it remaining standing was the best path to her goals. If that should ever change, this place would burn and she'd not spare one thought to their suffering.

She shook her head when she noticed someone following her, poorly. As she made her way toward the last street before her residence said tag along finally appeared. A chunin, going by the vest with stringy, silvery chin length hair. The main looked familiar but she really was drawing a blank.

"Orochimaru-sama, if we could have a word," the man requested.

"And what can I do for you today, Chunin-kun?" she replied and saw the man bristle at the question and form a slight sneer. He recovered quickly to most but to her experience eyes, he might as well shout his emotions.

"Mizuki, Orochimaru-sama."

'Oh," she thought. It was the Chunin fuckup that couldn't even manage to do what she ordered Hinata to at a fraction of the age. It was a simple observe and report as she wanted multiple sources on the Uzumaki heir. She knew he'd be easy to manipulate, he wore his insecurities for all to see. Jealous, frustrated, self-entitled. It was nothing to give him a prototype curse seal but withhold the means to activate it. "Oh, of course. How could I forget, Mizuki-kun. How many I help you today?"

"Well, your agent said if I helped you I'd one day be granted access to incredible power."

Orochimaru had to suppress a sigh. This deeply uninteresting man was wasting her time, time she could be with Naruto-kun. He wasn't uninteresting, even just sitting and reading she could feel the ideas racing through his head and the palpable excitement at doing something new or finding a way to do an existing skill better. She idly wondered if she just killed this Chunin how many people would truly miss him. It would certainly be faster than this conversation.

She formed a smile, a great show at how to project emotions you decidedly weren't feeling as she was simply bored by this thing in front of her, "Kukuku, I recall ordering you to keep an eye on a certain student. From my other operatives, I was told you were negligent. Withholding instruction and other means to subtly sabotage his education."

"I just thought-"

"Kukuku. I did not order you to think, only obey. How can I reward you when you potentially derail my plans? You failed and it was due to factors outside of that pathetic academy you didn't cause any real damage."

"But he's the kyuubi!" he nearly shouted. She actually had to blink at that. Did this fool actually believe he was the kyuubi? Not even civilians believed he was the actual kyuubi. This conversation just got too stupid for her to devote any further attention to.

"That's idiocy and even if he were, I ordered you to chart his progress and report to me. You did not so you get nothing." she replied simply and Mizuki didn't bother to hide the sneer this time.

"I know things. I can tell Sandaime-sama how you gave me a cursed seal and told me to spy on the Kyuubi brat."

"Kukuku, and I'll tell him I gave it to you after you suffocated a comrade. Nothing will happen to me and you'll be executed. Which would save me the trouble of doing it myself so please, Mizuki-kun go run and tattle." She simply walked away after that, nothing more needed to be said. The Chunin instructor just stood there in silent fury at being dismissed and denied what he was owed. He promised he'd get her back one of these days.

Orochimaru continued back to her residence fully aware the idiot Chunin was likely making plans of revenge. She'd let him try, if for no other reason than the potential entertainment value. One must fend off boredom whenever they can. When she returned she was not at all surprised to see her student out back. He was in a red shirt with a white spiral on the back, black pants and sandals to match. Him being surrounded by ten shadow clones, each writing or sketching ideas was also not unique. However, the, she assumed, original squinting in frustration or extreme concentration was. She surmised it had to do with the sphere of water above his head.

She could see the beads of sweat on his forehead as he held his hands in the ram sign, breathing slowly. His concentration was broken when one clone shouted, "BOSS!" to get his attention, causing the condensed water to fall on his head, drenching him. The offending clone dispelled instantly, likely preferring it to more forceful alternative.

"Stupid clone. Stupid Nidaime. Stupid water manipulation! It couldn't have just been a high water affinity! Outside of primary and secondary, strength of affinities might not even be a thing, 'ttebayo!" Naruto had, for some time, attempted to recreate the Nidaime's method of water manipulation. He'd progressed to where he could feel the water in the air and even draw some of it to him to shape. It was minimal and taxing. The amount of water obtained for chakra used was highly unfavorable.

"The science isn't settled on if primary affinities are stronger or weaker in cross comparisons, Boss. If they aren't, it may be reflective on other aspects of chakra being measured, not strength of the affinity." One clone spoke. "Chakra paper may just be a significance test, telling the elements one's chakra is inclined toward but the strength of the reaction may mean very little."

"Especially if the chakra is untrained anyway. If someone can use fuuton jutsu then what may prevent them from using a level of said jutsu isn't due to the strength of the affinity. If you demonstrate a strong wind affinity but have the reserves of a genin you can't do S-rank jutsu. Reserves and capacity overrule it."

"Some people have inclinations toward various aspects of chakra, Boss, not just elemental affinities. We just don't test for them in any rationalized way. We see people struggle with ninjutsu and say they are a genjutsu type."

"Exactly, 'ttebayo! The Nidaime didn't have a stronger affinity for water, the idea makes no sense. How would you judge it? If we say it's because of how he wielded it in battle that's improper methodology. The reason is circular, we know the Nidaime had a 'strong' water affinity because he had a strong water affinity. Outside of his method of taking water from the atmosphere why else is he said to have such a strong affinity?"

"He could do the Water Dragon Jutsu with one hand seal" another clone spoke.

"Yea, but much of the difficulty of that jutsu is about shape manipulation. We've managed to half the required hand seals after we learned the rasengan." Another clone added.

"That's true, it's one of the reason doton jutsu tend to have fewer hand seals. The element is inherently more stable, creating a shape out of it is just more straightforward." said an additional clone.

"Let's not get ahead of ourselves, fellas. Let's go back to first principles. What are the elements to jutsu?" the original asked.

"Nature and shape." the clones chorused.

"But not just that." One clone said after a moment.

"What do you mean?"

"Yes, it's nature and shape. That holds true for ninjutsu and genjutsu but they aren't the same. And it wasn't only the water dragon that got easier after we learned the rasengan. Our genjutsu got a little more manageable as well."

"That could just be due to an increase in chakra control." said one of the shadow clones.

"Yea, except we weren't only learning the rasengan around that time."

"How would the Edo Tensai have-"

"It wouldn't have. It's what we did before then."

"Yin and yang." Original Naruto responded with a glint of understanding. "We were able to feel, at least a little better the balance of yin and yang in our jutsu. Ninjutsu tends to favor yang, genjutsu jutsu tends to favor yin; iryo ninjutsu is likely the most balanced of the two. Maybe… maybe that's how. He somehow could use higher concentrations of yang chakra in his suiton ninjutsu and it improved the conversion rate, making it possible to do high level jutsu with the water molecules around him." Naruto finished only to hear clapping coming from behind him. The clones turned as well, none realizing they had an audience, too focused on their discussion. They collectively rubbed the back of their heads, sheepishly.

"Hi, shishou" they said and she laughed.

"Good morning, Naruto-kuns. I see we're making some breakthroughs this morning." she spoke, earning a series of smiles. "You know, some say the reason the Shodai was able to wield the mokuton was not simply because of his affinities for doton and suiton but also the high concentration of yang chakra. Some call it the life element." She thought the look of utter amazement in the face of her student to be adorable. Naruto quickly formed a Yang Style: Shadow Clone and it began trying to draw water out of the atmosphere. It got splashed immediately and broke into a similar tirade.

"I hope I'm not interrupting."

"No, you aren't. They were actually working on a different project before I distracted them."

"And what are they working on, maybe I can be of service."

"Oh, we got to know Hyuuga Hinata-san yesterday and apparently she's an archer. How cool is that?"

"Yes, quite cool." Orochimaru said with no enthusiasm at all. Naruto didn't seem to notice.

"But she only uses plain arrows. When I asked what they could do she seemed confused. So, we went to dinner last night and exchanged some ideas. I'm just having my clones go over some sealing arrays."

"Leave it to an Uzumaki to turn to fuinjutsu, I suppose. What are some of your ideas?"

"Well, one was a knockout arrow but instead of a poison or electric shock I was trying to translate my Ninja Art: Chirp into an array."

"I didn't know you'd gotten it down enough to attempt that." Orochimaru asked as she quirked her brow. She'd heard Naruto complain several times about his super sonic chakra technique being near impossible to form into an actual jutsu. The only one he'd managed was a high pitched sound that caused the target to go unconscious. The jutsu had two issues. One, it was used in conjunction with his sword so it couldn't require hand seals. Secondly, he had difficulty limiting the range with any precision. Since he'd seemingly stalled she hadn't asked about it but it appeared that the Hyuuga heiress provided some inspiration. The White Snake didn't like that; not even a little and made note to visit Hinata.

"I had some clones perfecting it last night so I've finally got the control I need."

"Well done." she said while gentle stroking his cheek, causing him to admit a very low purr.

"That never happened, 'ttebayo." the rookie Chunin exclaimed in embarrassment.

"We'll see but I make no promises."

"Moving on, there were talks of exploding arrows. Lightning and wind coated arrows. Arrows that had sound dampening seals on them so they wouldn't alert the intended target and even arrows that released a poison fog but I ran into a complication with that."

"What complication?"

"Well, I don't actually know what kind of poison the Poison Mist jutsu releases. And that got me thinking, can it be changed to different kind of poisons? It's really more a gas anyway so can we create a jutsu to mimic other gases? Imagine, your target is in a locked and poorly ventilated room so you fill it with a concentration of carbon monoxide. One that dissipates soon after?"

"Hmm, that is a very good idea. I think I might have to run some experiments myself, I can't let my rival eclipse me so easily," Orochimaru said.

"Huh?" Naruto asked, squinting and leaning his head to the right.

"You didn't think I'd simply allow you to be known as Konoha's greatest jutsu creator without some competition did you? But, I like this idea. I'll see if I can isolate the properties in that jutsu and we can go from there. I'd suggest you focus on your water manipulation."

"Any particular reason, Shishou?"

"To stick it to Hiruzen, of course. My student, mimicking one of the crowning achievements of his beloved Sensei. Something even the Professor hasn't managed. Oh, turning that knife will be mmmh, words can't describe."

Naruto, having no words of response went back to work.


Shizune was surprised when she entered the Hokage's office to see Genma Shiranui and Raido Namiashi there as well. She bowed to the Hokage and awaited the mission details, as the summons hadn't been terribly specific. She still went home and changed into her Jounin uniform instead of the kimono she normally wears outside of missions.

"Thank you for your prompt arrival Shizune-chan. As one of the two people familiar with, as well as inoculated from the effects of the Ishvali Iris I thought it time I sent you to begin producing an immunization as well as an weaponized version. Genma and Raido will be there on a separate issue so once a sample cure and poison are created you may return, of course making sure to give Genma and Raido their shots. If you have no questions and you remember my orders you are dismissed."

The three Jounin departed and made their way to the gate. Shizune could see how tense her two temporary squadmates were and thought it best to ask, to clear up any concerns. "Genma, Raido, what's wrong?"

"A lot," said the senbon chewing Special Jounin. Realizing that answered nothing he continued after activating a sound distorting genjutsu. "Not everyone in this village is blind, Shizune. Those of us who weren't were ordered to stay away from the kid."

Shizune didn't visibly react, having suspected Jiraiya was told something similar. She just waited for them to continue speaking.

"Sandaime-sama was quite strict in his enforcement of that. We disliked it greatly, Kakashi detested it with his entire being. There were days we were concerned he was going to do something stupid and get himself killed in the process." Raido said.

"Especially when he wasn't allowed to take the gaki as an apprentice. A lot of trees had a lot of chidori shaped holes through them." Genma added.

"There wasn't a lot we could do for him, not directly but we did watch out for him. Made sure no one ever attacked him or tried to cheat him. The few times he had to go to the hospital we'd check to make sure he was being treated fairly." spoke Raido and seeing Shizune's dark look, reassured her, "They were always professional and some were even more than that."

Genma continued, "Anyway, we couldn't have him as a student, couldn't even run missions with him as Sandaime-sama wouldn't allow it. But we did keep an eye out on his mission reports. To see how he was progressing and to make sure none of the Chunin were risking his life or trying to jam him up.

When he returned from Ishval, Kakashi got to the report first and immediately went to Sandaime-sama and requested an A rank assassination mission he'd finance himself. We were proud of the gaki for making it but knew being the only one to survive would mess with him. And it did, he didn't really return to normal until he was on Kurenai's team and that took a couple of months.

Sorry, I digressed. We'd have gone with Kakashi no problem but the Sandaime refused. Said the leader of Ishval, Ichiro Kurosawa, was now indebted to Konoha. That the man had more value alive than dead."

"We don't share that opinion. Not only did he lie to get that team there, he got three ninja killed because the greedy little bastard thought he could control two Kiri Swordsmen. Before you got there he was warning us against any rash decisions and stated if anything were to happen to the bastard he'd hold us responsible." stated Raido.

"So, what is your mission?" asked Shizune frowning that the man that nearly got her surrogate brother killed. She remembered how broken Naruto looked after he was cured. Initially, only Tonton could get a positive reaction out of him but he did open up eventually. However, it was nowhere near as bubbly as he'd act now in their company. She understood why they wanted to hurt that man.

"We're to escort Ichiro back here, that's all we know." Genma said as the three reached the gate. They checked out and then took off toward Ishval at impressive speeds.


Kakashi made his way to the manor, signature book in hand. He was not expecting the warmest greetings but even that lack of expectation didn't prepare him for what he received.

"Who are you, dickhead?"

"Mah, mah, Uzumaki-chan. That's not very nice. I am Hatake Kakashi and I'm here to see Naruto about a mission."

"Oh, well come in, he's out back talking to him." she said as she led him to the back. Kakashi had to admit that the house lacked much of what one would expect in the home of an evil scientist bent on world domination, or whatever her aims are. He really couldn't be assed to care, honestly. The large complex did seem comfortable, almost homey. It was weird. Like finding out the Kyuubi really liked the snuggle.

"Tayuya, who is this?" asked a second Uzumaki, so Karin Kakashi reasoned as she carried some medical texts, if the titles were to be believed.

"This is Dickhead, he's here for Stump."

Karin just rolled her eyes, Tayuya had to have respect beaten into her. It wasn't one of her better qualities. Karin turned toward the jounin and introduced herself and he did so in kind as the trio made it to the back to see Naruto and several clones having a furious discussion.

"Oi, Stump!" Tayuya shouted and did well to get out of the way of the kunai aimed at her head. "Overreact much, asshole?" she responded, only to get flipped off as Naruto walked over to the group.

Karin sighed, her cousins were weird. "Sorry, Hatake-san, Tayuya isn't house broken yet." Karin said, only to receive her own one finger salute.

"Hey, guys." Naruto greeted, ignoring Tayuya's continued complaints.

"Hello, Naru-chan. You free for a quick, in village C rank mission?"

"Sure, Kurenai-sensei gave us the day to train ourselves. What do you need me to do?"

"Come with me, I'll explain on the way." he said and the two departed.

"Tayuya, why are you so mean to Naruto? He's sensitive about his height."

"Because it's funny. Besides, Tsunade-sama said to gently razz him when she's not around."

"Why do you call her Tsunade-sama?" Karin asked in confusion. Tayuya is only that respectful to Orochimaru-sama.

"I-I don't want to talk about it." Tayuya said, color drained from her face.


The two arrived to training ground three and Naruto saw the familiar smoke of a dispelled shadow clone. Why Kakashi didn't send a clone to get him, he could not imagine and apparently it was a questioned shared by his team.

"WHY DID YOU LEAVE A CLONE WITH US, SENSEI!?" Sakura shouted. Naruto didn't remember her being that loud. He wondered when it happened.

"Mah, mah, I just like him more is all. No big deal." Kakashi responded while his students and an Inuzuka puppy face faulted into the ground.

"Too honest, Sensei, much too honest." Kiba said.

"Don't ask questions you don't want the answers to. Think of this as a life lesson. Now, today, Sakur, Kiba and Akamaru you'll be with me. The team was entirely too straightforward in your approach to yesterday's drill. That kind of behavior is dangerous so we'll be doing some exercises to expand your creativity in tactics."

"What about Sasuke-kun?"

"He will get some tutoring in ninjutsu from Naruto here." Sasuke looked both interested and confused.

"You're the Copy Ninja, why can't you teach me ninjutsu?"

"That's a really good question, Sasuke. See, as your Jounin Sensei, I teach you what I think you need to know to survive, not what you want to know. If you want additional lessons then we have other resources. Naruto here has paid for multiple C-rank missions to receive private lessons from one of the village's experts. Didn't much help with his raiton, though." Kakashi answered eye smiling at Naruto near the end of his statement.

"Oi, when you get some free time I want a spar. I'll show you a raiton jutsu, 'ttebayo."

"I look forward to it. Now, Kiba, Sakura with me. You two, have fun."

Naruto waited for the other members of team 7 to depart before he spoke to Sasuke. "Is there a body of water near here? We'll be focusing on katon." Sasuke nodded and started to walk in the direction of a pond.

"Why katon? My primary is raiton and word has it you can use every element."

"Word has it? Tapped into the rumor mill, Sasuke-san?"

"My kunoichi teammate is. It's ninety-nine percent annoying but this once was approaching useful. You also didn't answer my question."

"Oh, that's simple, Kakashi paid for the lesson and requested I focus on your fire jutsu. Also, given what I'll be teaching you, it works better if you have a few jutsu known already."

"Aren't you teaching me jutsu?" Sasuke asked in confusion.

"No. Well, maybe. Kakashi left that up to my discretion."

"Then what is the point of this?" Naruto could hear the annoyance in his voice and sighed a little. A solo C-rank isn't bad money but he wished Sasuke could just be a little patient.

"It's the difference between teaching you a recipe and teaching you how to cook." Sasuke didn't hide the confusion. "If I give you a recipe you know how to do that recipe. If I teach you the individual skills that go into cooking then you can do a lot more." Naruto's metaphor wasn't helping. "Ok, let's try a different track. I can draw my sword from the side or overhead from my back, perfectly. It never catches, it is always smooth. Does that make me a master swordsman?"

"No, of course not."

"Then why is it if someone can execute a single jutsu in a similar fashion repeatedly are they a master of that jutsu?"

"I never really thought about it."

"Almost no one does. I'm not going to just teach you a jutsu, I'm going to teach you an approach to jutsu so you get more out of them. One jutsu that can do three things is better than three jutsu that do one thing." Naruto said as the pair reached the pond. "Now, I understand you favor the Great Fireball Jutsu, right?" Sasuke nodded so he continued, "How many people have you managed to actually hit with it?"

"Not many." Sasuke admitted, reluctantly.

"Understandable, it's powerful for a C-rank jutsu but unless the enemy is immobile it can be avoided. It's also pretty centralized. But what if it weren't?"

"What do you mean?"

"Activate your sharingan and watch." Sasuke did just that and watched as Naruto went through the familiar hand seals. Naruto inhaled deeply but when he started to exhale the shape of his mouth was different. His lips were slightly closed at the middle and the fire jutsu split, sending two medium sized fireballs, one to the left and one to the right.

"That is just one simple alteration." Naruto said, only for Sasuke to smirk in satisfaction. Naruto didn't know why but he had the urge to call the last Uchiha a bastard but just ignored it. What neither boy realized was the presence of a third party, watching the pair with the smallest of smiles hid behind his ANBU mask.


How does one forgive themselves? Is it a feeling? A place you'll only know you've reached once you've managed it? Or is it a choice? One you make once or multiple times? Kurenai didn't know this, didn't have the clearest explanation for it so she felt like a fraud when she advised Anko to do just that, to forgive herself.

Ninja live with guilt, almost all have done something that could and potentially should feel guilty about. Many hide the guilt behind quirky behavior or patriotic zeal. Some a nindo. Others just simply numb themselves but the guilt is there, even with the skewed morals they adopt. No one process is truly superior to another and what triggers that since is as wide ranging as the personalities of the ninja in Konoha's forces.

But guilt is a singularly limiting emotion. Where other emotions can be put to good use, even anger and rage can be beneficial. Guilt is limiting. It isn't a sign you've learned a lesson, it's a process of continuing to obsess, harp on a wrong you've done. It can make you slower, depressed or sloppy. No one had to look further than Kakashi to see what guilt could do, someone that should clearly be Kage level is only really getting back to seriously training himself.

Kurenai didn't want that for Anko, for her to languish. While not always productive, her hatred for Orochimaru did push her to try to improve. This could cause her to backslide and given she may be in the frontlines in a few short months, there simply was no time for that. Hence, Anko needed to give herself permission to move on.

Kurenai was thankful her friend could acknowledge the logic of her words but it was clear this would be a struggle. No one wants to admit they are similar to the person they hate most in the world as you don't want to empathize with him. It's easier if they are simple, monstrous individuals. Complexity gets in the way and thanks to her student, she'd been getting a more and more complicated view of the once traitor and the current Hokage.

She still thought Orochimaru was a monster, but in the way humans can be. The distance between her and anyone else a matter of degrees, not type. And the Sandaime wasn't the kind, wisened leader she once thought. He was still those things but also someone that loved his own lore and the glory that came with the title; someone who could have potentially preyed upon her if circumstances had been different only to throw her away when she became inconvenient, no longer needed for his ego.

As the pictures of these people became more and more complicated, she only wished people she cared about weren't caught in the middle; Anko and Naruto most specifically but Asuma as well. He knew Orochimaru was manipulating him, she simply wagered the reveal of the affair would outweigh that concern. Now, Asuma's relationship with the Sandaime was in tatters, all the progress they made completely undone. Anko was slipping into an emotional black hole and Naruto? She didn't even know except he hated the Sandaime and respected the Sannin, relying on her to get him through the upcoming trials.

Nothing about this was right, nothing about it set well but the Genjutsu Mistress felt powerless to influence, let alone control any of it. She was out of her depths, getting stronger but not strong enough to insure Naruto could face down multiple S-rank opponents. Smart but not informed enough to navigate the plots and plans Orochimaru seemed to craft with great efficacy. But what she could do is be there.

Offer comfort to Anko. A sounding board to Asuma. And a way to keep Naruto connected to his teammates and possibly the village at large. She wouldn't let him be isolated just in case Orochimaru was manipulating him. It wasn't much but she'd make the best of it. So wrapped up in her thoughts she didn't notice Anko drift off on her shoulder as the two sat in the Special Jounin's bed, exhaustion finally taking her. Kurenai felt her resolve harden, she'd be here for those she cared about and she didn't need to be a legend to do it.


"That's enough for today, Sasuke-san. Don't want you slipping into chakra exhaustion." Naruto said. The Uchiha had done well with finding different ways to perform his jutsu but he could only get so far until he's done the manipulation exercises. Still, there was progress and Naruto had performed his assign duties. Honest day's work for honest day's pay.

"You have much experience with chakra exhaustion?"

"I've never experienced it."

"I think I hate you a little." Sasuke admitted. Near endless chakra would be a dream come true.

"Yea, it's sunshine and roses. You'd cry if you had to invest as much time into chakra control as I have and still do."

"I don't cry."

"Big, sloppy, bitchboy tears. Everyday."

"I don't know, I think he'd do the single tear to be extra dramatic and 'deep'," Kakashi supplied as he walked toward the pair. Sasuke scowled but there was no real heat to it.

"I think I should cry that a Chunin is better at instructing me than my Jounin Sensei."

"Just because Naruto works for cheap doesn't mean I don't understand my own value, Sasuke-chan."

"I think he just insulted us both." Naruto said with sweatdrop.

"I did!"

"I must have done something wrong in a past life to deserve you, Kakashi." If only Sasuke knew.

"Mah, mah. I'm one of the strongest Jounin in the village. You're lucky to have me. Who else would pay a prodigy to teach you in his area of expertise."

"I'm not a prodigy, 'ttebayo." Naruto responded only to see two faces giving him the 'Really?' face. "What? I'm not. And the last person to call me that got his ass kicked, so beware."

"Anyway, it appears you're done for the day so you are dismissed Sasuke. Naruto you can pick up your pay at the Mission Office anytime but if you're free I'll give you that spar you asked for."

"My schedule is open." Naruto answered, not hiding his excitement. A chance to test himself against an acclaimed Jounin and his dad's student was quite the opportunity. It'd also be a good test.

"Can I stay and watch?"

"Sure but no Sharingan. Lifting jutsu off me is one thing but Naruto's fall under Clan techniques." Sasuke nodded not even bothered by the stipulation, spending a few hours with the redhead he saw how much thought went into common jutsu. He wouldn't steal his work, it just wouldn't sit right.

Each combatant got into their stance and Sasuke noticed Kakashi actually put his book away, a signal he'd be taking Naruto somewhat seriously. Both looked relaxed, content to wait for some unseen signal. Whatever it was, Naruto blurred toward Kakashi, having aimed low with a sweep kick to Kakashi's left. The Copy Ninja simply lifted his leg. Naruto completed his rotation and quickly sprung up to hit Kakashi in the stomach. Kakashi slapped the strike away while backing up, not allowing Naruto to negate his superior reach.

While still on his back foot, Kakashi sent out a swift jab. Naruto narrowly dodged it and grabbed the offending arm. Kakashi had no interest in whatever the Uzumaki was planning and pushed him back with a front kick. Naruto sent several shuriken toward him in response, halting Kakashi's plan to press his advantage.

Naruto dashed forward again. This time he sent a high kick towards Kakashi's right side but it was easily blocked. A second kick from the same foot followed the block and Kakashi guarded against the kick strike. Naruto tried for a third attempt, having never planted his foot after the first kick but this time he pulled the leg back slight to perform a standing side kick. The maneuver caught Kakashi off guard enough to clip him on his hip. But he was a veteran for a reason.

Kakashi rolled with the strike and sent a left cross toward Naruto. The speed and distance was such that Naruto had no time to dodge and instead he took the strike. Kakashi watch as his head snapped back and the redhead fell on the ground, out cold. Knowing this wasn't right the Jounin flared his chakra, performing a ram hand seal and saying "Kai." to see he'd hit a log and Naruto was in the air coming out of a summersault. Taking a page from the Uzumaki's book he performed a quick substitution and Naruto's feet met a log.

Kakashi looked down at the rookie Chunin from atop a tree branch, smiling. He reasoned Naruto placed a very subtle genjutsu on him when he grabbed Kakashi's arm. Kakashi sent a brace of shuriken, knowing they weren't going to hit; he simply needed to distract Naruto from tracking his shunshin. The redhead didn't dodge, instead he created a two meter wall to intercept the projectiles. Kakashi was undeterred appearing behind Naruto. The Uzumaki was just fast enough to get up his guard to absorb the snap kick of Kakashi, sending Naruto into his mud wall but instead of the thud he, and Sasuke, were expecting Naruto merged with the wall, coming out the other side.

Naruto formed the ram seal and caused the wall to drop then resumed his attack on Kakashi. He jumped and kicked Kakashi, who lifted his right arm to block. Naruto brought up his other foot but Kakashi ducked the follow up, raising when the leg passed his head and kicking Naruto away. Naruto rolled into a skid but had to hastily defend Kakashi's offensive, ducking and dodging when he could. Having had enough, Naruto formed a Rasengan which surprised Kakashi just enough for Naruto to kick him away. The power behind the blow impressed the cyclopic Jounin.

"And here I thought I was going to have to warn you about using that against a comrade. To have the chakra to waste on using the Rasengan as a feint, it must be nice."

"It has its advantages. For instance," Naruto didn't finish, instead speedily performed a series of hand seals and thought Wind Style: Gale Bullets. The technique, similar to wind bullets in that compressed air is formed into a shell. However, the shell isn't as stable and this jutsu doesn't have the piercing power. In exchange, when the constructs meet resistance they unleash the stored wind chakra and a high amount of concussive force.

Kakashi simply assumed it was the Wind Bullet and dodged them, only to be jettisoned toward the water by the gale force winds. He wasted no time performing the Water Style: Water Dragon jutsu once he landed, causing Naruto to put up another mud wall. From behind the mud wall emerged three Naruto clones, each moving at top speed to attack Kakashi. The Jounin the charge, fending off the clones but paying attention to the real Naruto's location. He watched his Sensei's son join them on the water but kept his distance, instead forming a long chain of of hand seals, twenty two by his estimate. Kakashi had no intention of waiting to see what was about to happen and quickly dispelled the clones with retrieved kunai and rushed toward the original.

He almost made it but Naruto finished the seal chain in time and Kakashi's charge was halted by a tentacle grabbing his left ankle. It was soon joined by three more, each grabbing a limb and before Kakashi knew it he was pulled under the water. That was Naruto's strongest suiton jutsu, Water Style: Release the Kraken Jutsu. Once Naruto learned that some Kiri Shinobi were able to form semi-autonomous water constructs and the Nidaime was able to form an exploding water dragon he dedicated a far amount of clones to accomplishing the task. While he couldn't do it out of a body of water, he found forming something in water was a manageable task. It still took him four months to get a even quasi workable version down but he's improved a lot since then. He was only ten at the time.

Kakashi was both impressed and amused at the large, mythical, yellowed eyed squid that was dragging him toward the bottom of the lake. It was really quite fearsome and was putting on the squeeze as it attempted to for Kakashi to take in water. Naruto was giving him a decent workout but if he let this drag on too much longer the Uzumaki might get the wrong message. Kakashi channeled a fair bit of raiton chakra through his body, destabilizing the jutsu and propelled himself back to the surface. Naruto saw the Jounin returned and noticed his eye was uncovered.

"Really, using the Sharingan against a Chunin?" Naruto asked and Kakashi just shrugged, completely shameless in his overreaction. Naruto braced himself, knowing things were about to get a lot more difficult.


"This is so embarrassing." Naruto grumbled from the back of Kakashi. He'd been correct, things did become more difficult in that almost everything he tried was neutralized or countered and he got his ass handed to him. Admittedly, not that surprising as Orochimaru does it constantly as well but at least she leaves him his dignity. And he was too tired to even fight him on it.

"I couldn't just leave you in the field."

"I might have preferred it. Besides, didn't you go a little hard on me?"

"You could handle it. Clearly, I didn't push you hard enough if you didn't use any fuin or kenjutsu. Besides you needed to learn that the little brother can't beat the big brother. Law of nature."

"Well, thanks for that Nii-sama." Naruto said with an eyeroll.

"Listen, Naruto-"

"I know the Old Man ordered you to stay away from me. Jiraiya said as much. I don't blame you or anything."

"I appreciate that but I should have done more."

"No sense dwelling on it now, besides I'm still here though if you're just going to beat me down and force piggyback rides on me I might have to defect, 'ttebayo."

"Well, it's lucky for me I'm quite the gifted tracker." Kakashi said before knocking on the door. They didn't have to wait long for the exact last person Naruto wanted to see him like this.

"Kukuku, long day?" Naruto had never felt so lame.

"We had a spar and I pushed him a little hard is all. He might need some help."

"No, I don't, just put me down." He'd crawl, roll or do the freaking worm but he was not letting Orochimaru carry him. Unfortunately, his body couldn't obey his command to protest vehemently and he found himself in the Sannin's grasp. He had a new appreciation for how sacks of potatoes felt.

"I thank you, Kakashi."

"No problem. Naruto, I'll be in touch." Kakashi couldn't hear his response but it sounded a lot like ducking traitor. He departed and left Naruto with his humiliation, as a good older brother should.

Orochimaru walked through the door, ignoring Naruto's assurances that he could walk. If he could move he'd have done so but Kakashi had managed to push him near physical exhaustion. Impressive given his stamina but Kakashi's years of experience would aid in negating that advantage. As she made her way to Naruto's temporary room, he finally said something that made her pay attention.

"Are you alright, Shishou?"

"I'm fine, why do you ask?"

"Something seemed to be bothering you this morning but I didn't want to pry." That surprised her as he hadn't let on he suspected anything. Seeing no reason to lie she responded.

"I removed Anko's cursed seal last night and stay with her. It was at the behest of Koharu, an attempt to make amends. I don't know what will come of it."

"Oh, maybe it'll work out and you two can reconcile."

"I can appreciate your optimism but I doubt it. Could you forgive Sensei?"

"I don't know. When I think about all he's done, I can understand a lot of it but what hurt the most was his refusal to trust me. If he'd explained everything we could have worked something out but he chose not to and when things started changing between us, when the things that should have earned his acknowledgement were essentially ignored I had no way to understand it. I wondered if it was my fault or if he never really cared and that's when I started to hate him. The hiding my lineage, the taking from my inheritance were betrayals but it only added to what I was already feeling."

"Could he make it up to you?"

"I can't say. If he'd admitted to everything before he was forced to, if he didn't do things to still try to save face like telling the ninja forces the removal of the Uzumaki swirl was because the clan was becoming official within the village then maybe. But he still values his own power and reputation too much. I believe he's sorry but it wasn't enough to make him change and now that he's been forced to anything he does after that is tainted. On the other hand, I know what's like for people to hold something against me with no way to make it up, even if I didn't know what I had done so I wouldn't rule out ever forgiving him in the future but I'm not there yet."

"Interesting. I wouldn't hold out much hope for Anko then, I don't think she's as forgiving as you and I did something similar."

"Maybe, maybe not but sometimes it only takes a really small gesture." Naruto said and was grateful Orochimaru didn't try anything weird like tucking him in, though she did seem lost in her thoughts. He did mean what he said, as angry as he was with the old man, those early years of his; the craving for absolution, he knows how heavy that weight can be. It took Bagheera a long time to convince him he truly didn't deserve it but counseled his summoner to always remember the feeling. Holding people responsible is one thing but holding grudges is something else and those lines can blur in an instant.

Orochimaru had thought about Naruto's words. She very rarely cared about who she'd wronged in her life but Anko was an exception, especially when she realized how she was mimicking her own Sensei. The curse seal was supposed to help her, make her stronger while taking away her memories so she couldn't be held responsible for anything she was ordered to do. That didn't pan out but maybe there was something she could do for her former student once the Ame Invasion was over and the Akatsuki were gone. One small gesture? What could it hurt?