(New 10/14/20) Warnings added on chapter one introduction. Please review if you haven't seen them.

A.N: First review. I can see where you're coming from. This chapter was a bit of a toss up with how I would get the series going again, and it shows how the startup was so choppy. I'll see what I can do about fleshing that out, but if you're reading this, my guess is I've already given it a shot.

Thanks for the input. (Oh lord… that first paragraph was actually throttled with crap! *Proceeds to uncover several critical flaws* Saving our backside their bud.)

Also, to answer your question: Yes, I lead with the SI. First person narrative normally will be, although there may be exceptions. For reference, The SI is an original character outside of the Canon cast. A bit of an AU demo that doubles as canon support. A satellite cast if you will. (I know, I don't like arbitrary crossover much either, but it's componential to how I write. In the long run, I kinda hoped they would merge with the background and canon cast, but that could run both ways. Sorry if it's coming off as a left field approach.)

===Chapter 2: Snake===

Following the biju attack, I had two targets set in stone. Both of them are several years off, but I dare not rush unto those incidents again. With that in mind, I found myself very nearly on the doorstep of another issue. Far from the cataclysmic scale from before, It's a good chance to get my feet wet.

You've probably heard a version of this story before. A promising individual seeks something from the greater world, turns to an excruciating path of introspection, taking things too far. Now, seeking to get away from it all, he is confronted by his most avid follower. Hope wars with guilt, and in the end it's not a decision they can prevent.

This one was different from the one you knew at first. He allows her to follow him. Cursed fanatics. Is there never enough prowlers picking people off the streets?

The exchange was almost smooth enough to escape my notice. If I hadn't been gauging the verve center for shifts in the patrol, I never would have known it had gone down.

Even then, Sarutobi is a bit sentimental. By the time I gave chase, The sannin had the better part of an hour on me. If it weren't for the girl, and the man indulging her, I may very well have lost their trail. As It stood, I erred on the side of caution. Once I was sure I could match their movements on a colder trail, I moved my focus toward preparing for the encounter ahead.

For all his crimes, and shrewd efficacy, I could appreciate the sannin's ambition. I have standards, and much as I can forgive, he is pushing the line for what deviancies can be tolerated.

That said, If I failed to bring my own to bear, I would either lose out, or fail to save anyone. I was counting heartbeats until I came upon the hidden compound, and by then, I had taken longer than I might have liked. I proceeded with caution, and it pains me to admit, had I not heard and cited the scream of agony, I may have never made it through that labyrinthe in time.

Hours later, I came upon a series of labs. As I came upon the second in series I invoked, "Wind release: Firewall." And "Water release: Stronghold." The structure of the hall and every microexpression that composed the space to my body movements weighed in on me. I could feel the gurgle and flex of fuel pipes in one of the rooms, agitating me to no end.

I came upon the eighth room and felt every ounce of excess energy fall shed loose from my body. His ki stood there like an eight foot panther. It held only as much amusement as it had vexation, and that was only the fraction that pertained to me. The rest of its strength was reserved, yet powerful. If it moved at a moment's notice, the initiative was gone.

Drawing my hand up toward the wall beside the door, I leveled two fingers and invoked, "Lyre Bullet."

A flash of yellow as I dared resolve my chakra to the task. In that same instant the wall seized with a crack, and the tile behind the solid stone scattered to the floor.

Within the beast, A silhouette moved, and I caught the glint of a predator's eye. Still, the dark beast barely gave a sliver inch to elicit his evasion.

"My my, someone is astute. I highly doubt the leaf would find me so soon, but you're certainly no town hero. Tell me, what lead you to my abode?"

"I had my sights on you, see. It took me awhile, but one I had your scent, I could follow you through hell and back. All the easier for the bushel of produce you were toting." I snarl, "This jaunt into human trafficking? It ends now."

The sannin raised and narrowed his gaze, "And who are you to stop me?"

My chakra spiked, and that was all he took for a challenge. A blow that could have rinsed my composure onto the wall thumbed across the hallway, but by then, I was a half dozen doors down.

Two blades sprang from my wrists, "Yin blade: Tartarus ash." "Yang blade: Eden ash." Arrest my soul if this fails, they pincer on either side of the cursed seal and a nettle of three hues netted across their torso. The seal split apart, and as I vanished again, the web of markings began to burn up from the source.

Orochimaru rounded the corner a second later, but his eyes widened, "Impossible!"

He chased down four more flashes, and almost managed to get a hand on me at one point. With one last ditch effort, A kunai split the distance with the crack of thunder.

The two halves of the blade shattered the tanks behind me, and the rumble of thunder jostled their fragments to either side. The paper thin blade glowed blue in the chamber.

Orochimaru vaguely noted the genin behind me, dipping one hand into his pouch as the other drew yet another weapon, "You've got some nerve. I never thought for an instant that someone would replicate the flying thunder jinn before me."

"I've not come here to destroy lives, Orochimaru. If I find that a charge ever wastes away under your care, I will route your soul so vindictively, The slug princess herself would doubt the remains."

"And what do these few lives matter? Hundreds more will waste away from skirmishes, and that's before any national crisis. Feel free to prance around validating the refuse, but I will not hesitate to realize my ambition." Reading his blade, "Nor end one that stands in my way."

I didn't bat an eyelid as the concrete behind me exploded. Granted, I adjusted my neck to address the resulting spasm. Firewall or none, this guy is throwing gunshots.

"You won't let yourself die before that happens either." Dang, this is getting harder, "You are welcome to go through as many lives as it takes. But those you take upon yourself, if they do not align themselves and you ravage their potential, I will see they destroy you in likeness to your cursed seal."

I sensed movement over my shoulder and tilted my head in difference, "This one. Whether she returns to the village under their watch or yours, I will offer her the same of her shackles as I have done the others here."

I fixed my gaze, "Her choice remains to be seen. Unlike the others, she will survive. Whether it is to vilify you, or turn a new leaf, I cannot say. You are not an evil person, however If you let fixation blind you, your ambition will be turned against you." Turning to face the door.

I will see to that. Zeroing In on the door I blasted through the hallways and out the main entrance. My body reforming around me even as my last perceived the sannin attempting to slash the current. As the two became one, I sighed. It would be a trivial task to track him down again. I do sincerely hope I never have to.

===Chapter notes===

A.N: I actually ended up rewriting the entire chapter. I did a lot of paraphrasing, but I'm also relieved to say I managed to keep from altering the original scene too much. Again, huge thanks to the guest reviewer who pointed this issue out. I really hope this helps people get through, because this is about the best I can do for now. (Shy of overhauling that is.) Hard pass.

===Bonus: Techniques===

Wind style: Firewall. Forms a barrier of structured winds that counteract any force attempting to breach them with turbulence and powerful currents. While it is extremely difficult to do so, overwhelming force will cause the barrier to diverge to either side, however this also diverts the incoming force as well.

Water style: Stronghold. Reduces sensory intake to regard a particular type of structure. Any changes in the environment would be running through that structure, allowing the body to map changes passively. To a similar effect, objects in direct contact with the user are gradually configured to the senses, allowing energy to be manipulated through the structure and routed to pivotal points.

Fire style: Lyre bullet. Instigates a surge of resonance that can converge on sympathetic structures at a distance, provoking physical reactions or destabilizing materials. Alternatively, it produces a doppler affect that allows the user to determine how far the nearest resonance is, or the association between multiples. At point blank range, it inflicts resonance onto a structure which reacts to terminate at the nearest viable transmission points (Like an electric shotgun).

Yang blade: Eden ash. Banishes detriment or reservations from anything in direct contact with it, as well as maximizing energy flow passing through. Does not kill, but causes an irreversible purge.

Yin blade: Tartarus ash. Binds focus and machinations with anything in direct contact, as well as compounding pressure flow passing through. Does not kill, however inflicts an incurable curse.