Akaya looked at the entrance to the sewers meticulously. She hadn't seen the outer entrance since the week after she destroyed most of the system and had to report updates on the reconstruction to Hokage Danter. That felt like an entire lifetime ago. Especially since no one even guarded the passageway now. She smirked confidentially. Luckily, Himeka was away so often that she felt no need to see village protocols; they were lucky in that regard. Akaya didn't feel like reworking her plan yet some guards would surely be posted within, Akaya wanted their descent to be as swift and quiet as the addition to the troops ready to strike in Konoha, taking out guards underneath would go virtually undetected.

Fate never ceased to amaze her. The only reason she had suggested the sewers was because of the first mission she was assigned to, and Tajek may not have survived if it weren't for their combined effort that day. And because she repeatedly returned for construction updates, she knew of all the details that had been changed from the original layout. Akaya also knew that Hokage Danter was a smart man, He listened to her debriefing on the subject, mentally took note of the changes, and burned all of the new blueprints in front of her.

()

Danter heartily laughed, "Now I trust you with this information, Akaya. You are not only a brilliant young Shinobi but also an intelligent scholar. We may need this info in the future, so I trust that you can keep it confidential."

He paused before finishing his thought and made sure to change his tone to a more fatherly one, "On a side note, I wanted to personally thank you for saving Tajek's life at the possible expense of your own. Although that arm of yours was our only causality, I wanted you to know that I will personally take care of your medical bills. Not as a Hokage, but as a grateful father."

Akaya smiled was not used to such praise, "I appreciate it, but I would have done it for anybody. I should be thanking your family. If Tajek hadn't caught me, I am sure that my neck would have hit the side of the concrete and snapped. Please thank him for me. I tried to, but I can never seem to run into him."

Hokage Danter nodded, "I won't have to. Don't worry about the academy's final exam because after the extensive development you showed in the sewers and followup afterwards, I want you promoted to genin immediately. How long until your arm will be healed?"

Akaya stood in shock. The exam wasn't for another few months, so she was not prepared to be promoted instantly. It had been an honor to work on a genin mission alongside Tajek, but to be hand-selected for immediately position increase by the Hokage himself was nearly impossible for an academy student. She regained her composure long enough to look at her Hokage with gratitude and appreciation.

She replied, "Thank you so much. It is a honor to serve under you, Hokage," she lapsed, remembering suddenly that he had asked a question, "Oh and my arm should be healed within two weeks."

"Excellent," he blurted out, "that's when I need an extra genin to assist with a mission in the Hidden Waterfall Village. Ever since the sewer incident, very few teams and even genin looked at a mission with Tajek. I guess the old Montair charm skipped a generation."

Akaya blushed and suddenly got nervous about being near Tajek again. He was avoiding her, and therefore, her feelings for him would have to stay hidden within her. But after the promotion, she couldn't deny his request. "I'll take the position."

Hokage Danter noted the pretty girl's blush. She was the perfect blend of her parents except that she would actually display her emotions. From the rumors around Konoha, Tajek carried into the hospital, and for the first time, he seemed to care about someone he worked alongside. He cared about her health and care. He sat in the hospital room until she showed signs of life again and visited the nurses to make sure she was getting the proper care. Although it was the first time one of Tajek's teammates was injured into a coma, the level of concern was out of character for his son.

Her speedy recovery, though, showcased the demon blood working within her. It was a marvelous thing to observe how half-demons developed traits from both sides. Most of them died during the first year of life due to the stress on its feeble body, but Danter knew any offspring of Shin would be strong and stubborn. As he looked at Akaya, there was a part of him that felt for his friend. Observing from a distance wasn't the same as being involved in the child's life.

"Great," he handed her a mission brief packet as he proceeded, "read over the details, and be prepared to leave on that date listed."

Akaya grabbed the packet, "Thank you again, Hokage. For everything."

Hokage Danter smiled vibrantly. "You deserve it, kiddo. Now, rest that arm up for me, alright?"

Akaya nodded and headed for the door. Before she reached the tall wooden doors, Danter spoke up, "Oh and don't let Tajek get all of the glory all the time. I've seen the damage caused, and I know none of his techniques are that destructive. I know that in your files you can perform a heavy blaster. You were the one who saved us."

Akaya swiftly swiveled her head, astonished at his calm reaction. "It was my only choice in the moment."

"I know," Danter responded, "I just want him getting all the praise around here. It'll go to his head, so keep him in line."

Akaya nodded and left the office. Her heart was beating out of her chest, and her nerves were replaced with excitement. Maybe there was a chance for them after all.

()

Looking back now, Akaya thought that Danter may have known his fate all along. He seemed to have planned out everything in case Konoha was overtaken. Why else would he enclose that information with only her?

As she refocused her attention to the abandoned entrance, Akaya noted the disrepair of them too. The vines had wrapped around the outside of the tunnel, and the green growth surrounding it was knee-high. It was obvious that Himeka wasn't letting many villagers outside the city limits to do tasks that ninja were too busy to attend to. Again, yet another advantage they would have.

All to do now was wait for the commotion led by Sesoni and Aicirret. There would be a sudden crash attack in the middle of town to signal their perfect opportunity to strike. It all was seamless and smooth, and that worried Akaya. Nothing was ever supposed to be so easy.

()

Sesoni kept a watchful eye on the few guards patrolling Konoha's borders. He had been in charge of correctly positioning his squadron to take out as many men as possible before the full-on assault to the middle of the village. Stealth was critical in the success on the other end of this battle. Lurking in the shadows, Sesoni motioned everyone forward. Sesoni and Aicirret moved in perfect harmony: one to the post to the left and the other one to the right, slitting the throats with a kunai instantaneously. In unison, all units darted in the four entryways.

Aicirret felt the rush of energy pulsing in her feet and quickly pounded the ground with her heel. It created a booming sound that echoed against the pavement below her. She hoped it was loud enough for Akaya and the others to hear. Aicirret focused her actions to the task ahead: kill or be killed. On top of that, Akaya had specifically told her to advance as close as possible to the Hokage's building, just in case assistance was needed on the surface level. Her ability to create sound waves with her feet was a great form of communication between the two forces. They had to be as discrete as possible to avoid detection. And as she glanced at the looming distance she had to travel, Aicirret saw the immense army she had to destroy in her path. They charged towards her team, and Sesoni stood in front of her to camouflage her presence.

Sesoni chained his visible chakra into loops around him, It hardened and became an extension of himself. Without taking his eyes off of the rebels racing at him, he sternly spoke to his niece, "Don't use that ability unless you have to. Head along the wall of the town to get to its center without conflict. We will distract them towards the outskirts here. We need you to be ready if things go sour." Sesoni whispered, and his voice broke slightly, "And please be careful."

With that sentiment, Aicirret slipped into an alleyway unseen. All of her lessons from her uncle led to this moment, and she refused to let him and everyone else down. She created small air pockets of chakra around her body in order to mask her movements and shifted effortlessly to the Hokage's building.

()

In Shin's acute hearing, the boom vibrated detrimentally. It was time to infiltrate. He saw Tajek and Akaya dart forward, unfazed by what they were supposed to do. At this point, they were already seasoned veterans at deadly missions. They knew no other way of life. Without words, Akaya and Tajek spoke in actions. They covered each other's flanks well and advanced closer to the place that brought their journey of discovery full circle. The smell that filled her nostrils was even more putrid than she remembered, and Akaya took a deep breath of fresh air before plummeting into the sewer system.

She had expected it to be close to pitch black, but the fire torches that lined the walls were lit. Akaya's hopeful aspirations for their mission shattered. Either Himeka was expecting them, or she had been into the sewer system and didn't leave it unguarded like Akaya had hoped. And regardless of which it was, their mission just got more complicated. Deep down, though, Akaya wanted to believe it was not a trap, and that she had the upper hand still. There were still parts of the system that only she knew, and they were hidden in a way that wasn't easily detected.

Akaya, Tajek, and Shin traveled along the side of the walls in anticipation for rebels to litter the walkways, but none came in their direction. It was oddly quiet. Even for Shinobi standards, it was unsettling. Unlike it normally should have been, the sewer water was still and the movements, no matter how soft, reflected off the concrete surface. Akaya saw an opening to the left and took it. There was something wrong about this outcome, and because of that, Akaya was forced to survey her options. Every part of her believed it was a trap, but there was no chance that they could turn back now. Whatever Himeka had planned for them, they'd have to face it head-on. But that was more her style, and she didn't hesitate in moving forward. For the first time since entering the area, they spoke among each other.

Tajek took a deep breath and watched his girlfriend sped forward unafraid of what was ahead. It was endearing and frightening. "Are we not going to talk about this obvious trap we're walking into?"

"I am well aware of that," Akaya stated without slowing down her pace, "But that diverts rebels from the action above us. Even without a true sneak attack, we can still make a difference by staying the course."

Shin watched in amazement as his daughter stubbornly pushed forward. Her logic wasn't wrong; the majority of this mission relied on Sesoni's Shinobi accomplished. The three of them were only a recon team anyways, and it wasn't like they had an option to stop and debate. Their objective was clear: they had to make it to the Hokage's building. They had built corridors that led into one of the building's side room's walls. The only safe place for Himeka to stay was the Hokage's office, which Tajek knew the pass codes for.

Tajek interjected, "As long as you know this is crazy. And really who's to say that Himeka won't make an appearance?"

"No one." Shin stated bluntly, "In fact, I hope she does. Because if that's the outcome, one of us can make it to the Hokage's building with ease."

Tajek had always been taught by his father that sacrifices were a part of Shinobi life. It was surreal to be in any situation where logic could not be utilized and where he was forced to put his protective nature towards Akaya to the side to focus on the larger goal. And although he knew there was no turning back, Tajek desperately wished he had the option, "If that's the case here, I am the one who will go to the building." Tajek sighed, "That corridor was built close to where we had to hide, right?"

Akaya stayed silent, acknowledging how this place was still familiar to Tajek, "Yeah. About two paces in. The hallway is long so it'll take awhile to get to the ladder that goes up into the building."

Shin questioned Tajek, "Do you remember where he hid it there?"

Tajek rolled his eyes, "Yes, I do."

Akaya kept walking, hoping they would make it to the clearing soon. If there was to be an ambush, it would be there. As the area opened up in front of her, Akaya saw how lighted it was, and her heart sank. There were all of the villagers, aged like animals on display. They were all malnourished to the point where Akaya's eyes watered at the sight. In her entire time as a ninja, Akaya had never witnessed something so horrifying. Anger was her only response. How could someone do this to anyone, let alone their own people?

A shadowy figure emerged from the passageway across from them. With no other figures beside it, Akaya prepared herself for who she knew it was. The reality was about to set in. "I see you've grown up a bit since I last saw you," Himeka smirked evilly, "And you brought my favorite person along too."

The sight of Himeka immediately depressed Shin. She had not aged well. Although her body was still physically fit, there were bags under her eyes and her hair was greasy at the tips. Her sinister smile at them also reiterated to him how much she had fallen into disarray. Her whole demeanor exuded impatience and an unwillingness to compromise. At least that didn't change in her.

Shin was the first to speak, "You know exactly why we are here. You've been expecting us for some time now and judging by the way you've treated these poor people, you want a fight."

"These poor people!" Himeka's voice went shrill, and outrage poured over her words, "You have no idea what I had to do in order to avoid their criticism."

Akaya noted the cynical attitude Himeka displayed. Even without her eye ability, she could tell that Himeka was angry and bitter. The situation here involved innocent which created a hostile environment for Akaya.

Tajek stood back in the hallway crouched, hoping he could back up and go undetected. He now had a separate mission, but as he saw the shock in Akaya's body movements, he second-guessed his decision. As if Akaya knew his feelings, she spoke up suddenly.

"All of these people knew you and trusted you," Akaya said, "We will stop you. What exactly are you planning to accomplish by holding them in prisons?"

"I never could kick your self-confidence down, could I?" A sinister laugh echoes off the walls,"I intend to starve them to death, little girl."

Akaya barked back instinctively, "You're a coward. You always have been."

Shin stood by Akaya's side. The two women before were exact opposites. For as much anger that Akaya's harbored, Himeka's coldness canceled it out. Akaya's compassion was met with Himeka's apathy. The passion Akaya felt was equal to Himeka's indifference. Their disharmony was creating a ying-yang effect. They were two sides of the same coin, but only one could end up on top.

Himeka's movements were stagnant and lethargic. It was as if all of her natural swiftness disappeared., and her awkward walk was immediately noticeable. However her voice sounded brazen and harsh. "You act as if the only part of my plan was to lure you here to see your precious villagers in shambles," Himeka snickered, "That would be too simple. No, no. I want your death to be as painful as possible."

()

Tajek tried remembering the sewers while still staying hidden among the shadows. He couldn't help but feel nervous. For the first time in a long time, the mission's success rode on his shoulders. He felt his way along the concrete to the first opening and darted as soon as he turned the corner. The way he turned was the same corridor that brought him to like Akaya in the first place. He would find the secret tunnel based on Akaya's mapping. She had a talent for nagging him to memorize the sewer map so he could visualize it as he kept going onward. He was glad that she had made such a big deal about it; otherwise, he would be walking aimlessly now.

He kept running until he felt the jagged brick under his left foot. He quickly stopped, turning towards the wall to his left and walked exactly two paces up, just like Akaya had told him. And as if fate planned it, he pushed the section of the wall in like a door. The hallway that followed was the way to Konoha's future. Either his efforts would be in vain, or this would led to greatness. But as Tajek focused on the narrow dark passage ahead, the booming sound from above made him pause. For all their efforts to stick together, they were all going to be forced to go separate, dangerous ways. No amount of preparations could have changed this outcome. He immediately hurried his pace. At this rate, his father's chakra-infused sword was their only chance of survival, and luckily for his team, the only way to activate it was to be Danter Montair or his offspring. His father made it useless without a sacrifice of blood. And now, Tajek's blood was key to victory.