I do not own Naruto or Boruto; those manga's rights belong to Masashi Kishimoto and Ukyo Kodachi. Nor do I own or claim ownership of the world map created by Michael-Madlock. This story is just for fun and isn't part of the original properties. Please, enjoy.

Chapter 1: Enter! Anko Mitarashi

"Anko, you could do so many other things," Lord Third said slowly. "You could become the leader of a squad of Genin. You could find work in one of the many divisions in the Hidden Leaf. With the training you've put yourself through, I'd even allow you to join the ANBU."

"Nah, I've made up my mind."

Lord Third sighed, "You know you cannot blame yourself for anything Orochimaru has done… You've suffered enough already."

She shook her head, "I don't blame myself, Lord Third. I want to do my part. He's slipped through our fingers too many times now, and I wanna track his slippery ass down."

"I understand that. I wish I had dared to bring him down all those years ago," Hiruzen hung his head.

Grinning, Anko regurgitated his words, "Sir, you can't blame yourself for anything he's done."

Lord Third groaned, "You have my permission to go on this special mission of yours."

"Thank you very much, Lord Third. I really do appreciate it," Anko grinned.

Anko spun around and exited Lord Third's office. She strolled down the hallway and descended the steps before leaving the Kage Building. The sun shone down on her as she walked down the main street.

As Anko walked down the main street, the sun's warm rays enveloped her. She felt a sense of freedom and determination, knowing that she was embarking on a mission of her own choosing. The weight of responsibility sat on her shoulders, but she welcomed it with open arms.

People passed by, going about their daily lives in the bustling Hidden Leaf Village. Anko's presence didn't go unnoticed, as some villagers recognized her as a skilled and determined ninja. She felt a sense of pride in her abilities, honed through years of training and hardship.

Her attire, a combination of her signature style and practicality, reflected her readiness for the challenges that lay ahead. The tan overcoat provided protection, while the custom-made mesh mail suit underneath offered flexibility and defense. Her dark orange mini-skirt and dark blue belt added a touch of personal flair, while the pale grey shin guards completed her ensemble.

As she walked, Anko couldn't help but think about the alternatives Lord Third had presented. Becoming a leader of a squad of Genin or joining one of the Hidden Leaf's divisions were enticing opportunities, but her heart yearned for something more. She wanted to confront Orochimaru directly, to bring him down and put an end to his evil deeds.

She turned left and ascended the steps of an apartment complex just outside the Nara District. After climbing three flights of stairs, she turned off onto a walkway and approached her apartment door.

Grabbing her keys from her coat pocket, Anko unlocked the door and entered her apartment. Her eyes immediately fell on the bottle of sake she had placed beside the front door. It was a small indulgence, a way for her to relax and momentarily forget about the weight of her mission. She picked up the bottle and took a sip, savoring the taste as it washed away her worries, if only for a moment.

As Anko entered her apartment, a sense of familiarity and comfort washed over her. It was her sanctuary, a place where she could gather her thoughts and prepare for the challenging journey ahead. She closed the door behind her and took a moment to appreciate the solitude.

Anko moved with purpose around her apartment, gathering the necessary supplies for her journey. Each item she packed into her backpack was carefully chosen—a symbol of her readiness. Two extra tool pouches for versatility, spare clothes for practicality, medical supplies for emergencies, sake for solace, and food rations for sustenance. She wanted to be prepared for whatever awaited her on her path.

As she packed, Anko's thoughts raced with anticipation. The time had finally come for her to confront Orochimaru, the one responsible for her pain and the deaths of her comrades. Her heart swelled with a mixture of happiness and resolve. This was her chance to make him pay for his crimes, to find justice for herself and the others who had suffered at his hands.

Moving into her bedroom, Anko's eyes were drawn to a framed photograph on her nightstand. It captured a moment from her past, a time when Orochimaru had still been a member of her team. In the photo, he stood behind Anko, Anashi, and Kuzora. A frown formed on her face as she stared at Orochimaru's image, a stark reminder of the betrayal and pain she had endured.

Anko reached for another bottle of sake from her nightstand and took a long drink. The bitter liquid provided a temporary escape from her troubling thoughts. The throbbing of her Curse Mark served as a harsh reminder of the past. She closed her eyes, and memories flooded her mind—screams of agony, the underground chamber, the faces of her fellow children who had suffered alongside her.

She was haunted by the expressions of agony and terror etched on their faces. The weight of their deaths, of her survival, gnawed at her conscience. Despite knowing that she couldn't have saved them all, guilt lingered within her. The Curse Mark she bore, once a symbol of her torment, now carried the weight of her past and the burden of her mission.

Tears streamed down her face as Anko sat on her bed, mixing with the pain that resonated from her Curse Mark. The room felt suffocating, filled with the weight of her grief and the burden of her survivor's guilt. She couldn't understand why Orochimaru had allowed the others to die, why he had taken pleasure in their suffering.

The memory of that moment replayed in her mind, etching itself deep into her heart. She had been confused and angry with her sensei, desperate for him to help the other children who were enduring the same torment she had faced. She pleaded with him; her cries filled with a mix of desperation and hope. But Orochimaru's response had shattered any illusions of his compassion.

His laughter echoed in her ears, a cruel and haunting sound. Instead of offering assistance or solace, he reveled in her pain and congratulated her on surviving. Anko felt a sickening combination of betrayal and disgust; her trust in Orochimaru shattered forever.

At that moment, Anko's perspective shifted. The man she had once admired as her sensei had revealed his true nature—an individual consumed by darkness and a thirst for power. Orochimaru's actions had severed any lingering connection Anko had felt towards him, leaving only a burning desire for justice.

Taking a deep breath, Anko composed herself. The throbbing Curse Mark reminded her of the pain she had endured, but it also fueled her determination to bring Orochimaru to justice. She wouldn't let their sacrifices be in vain. With a renewed sense of purpose, Anko stood up from her bed, ready to face the challenges that lay ahead.

Leaving her apartment, Anko carried within her the memories of her fallen comrades, the weight of her guilt, and an unwavering resolve to find Orochimaru and make him answer for his crimes. It was time to confront her past, seek closure, and ensure a safer future for the village she held dear.

But first. She walked down the stairwell, a grin on her face.

Walking down the street, she smiled as she approached Shushuya. Patrons were drinking and chatting loudly as she entered the bar, and cigarette smoke hung in the air. Anko made her way to the bar and smiled at the bartender.

She spent the next few hours drinking and talking over everybody else to nobody in particular. She managed to muddy her thoughts and turn her grief into drunken laughter with the other patrons of the bar.

As Anko stumbled out of the bar, the effects of her alcohol consumption evident in her unsteady gait and slurred speech, she made her way down the street toward her apartment building. Then, she heard someone calling her name and turned to see Kuzora Onikuma, a former member of Team Orochimaru.

"Hey there," Anko greeted him, her words slightly muddled by the alcohol.

Kuzora, standing tall with his fair skin, sandy-brown hair, and dark eyes, expressed concern. He wore the standard Konoha uniform, with his flak jacket over dark blue clothes and glasses on his face.

"Are you alright?" Kuzora asked, observing Anko's intoxicated state.

"Mhmm, I'm fine," Anko slurred, a lopsided grin on her face. "I'm just drunk."

Kuzora couldn't help but notice the look in her eyes. Anko explained that she had been permitted to leave the village and search for Orochimaru, the person they had once called their sensei.

"Oh... Are you sure that's a good idea?" Kuzora questioned, his concern evident.

Anko chuckled, her laughter tinged with the effects of alcohol. "I know it's a bad idea," she admitted, "but I need to go. There's a good chance I won't find anything, but I'm going to search for him anyway."

Kuzora nodded, understanding the fire that burned within Anko. "Good luck, Anko," he said sincerely. "Come ask me for help if you ever need it."

"Will do," Anko replied with a wave as she continued her journey, ascending the stairs of her apartment building.

Upon entering her apartment, Anko locked the door behind her and sighed in relief. She discarded her coat onto the couch, her mind still buzzing. Making her way to the bedroom, she stood beside her bed and began removing her gear.

Her belt came undone, and she slid off her skirt, followed by her shin guards, which she carelessly tossed aside. Anko then removed her shinobi sandals, feeling the relief of the weight being lifted from her feet.

Unzipping the back of her custom-made mesh mail bodysuit, she peeled it off, exposing her tired and marked skin. The room spun around her, the alcohol taking its toll. Collapsing onto her bed, Anko succumbed to exhaustion, quickly drifting into a deep sleep.

After being awoken by the persistent banging on her door, Anko groggily stumbled out of bed, feeling dehydrated and disoriented. Yawning and squinting in the morning light, she went to the front door and unlocked it.

To her surprise, Kakashi Hatake stood on the other side, casually greeting her. "Oh, hi, Anko."

Anko yawned once more and replied, "What's up, Kakashi?"

"I heard you were leaving the village for a while, and I wanted to share whatever I could about Orochimaru. Though it's likely outdated by now," He explained.

Anko nodded. "Oh, I suppose any information is good information. Come on in."

Kakashi hesitated and mumbled, "Uh, Anko, do you mind putting some clothes on?"

Anko smirked, realizing her disheveled state, and shut the door. She quickly got dressed and welcomed Kakashi into her apartment. After hydrating herself with four glasses of water, she took a seat while Kakashi settled on the couch.

Yawning again, Anko expressed her attentiveness. "I'm all ears."

Kakashi proceeded to share a story from his time in the ANBU. He recounted how the Third Hokage confronted Orochimaru, who fled to an underground cave system in the north. While exploring the caves, Kakashi stumbled upon a small village inhabited by the Iburi Clan, a group loyal to Orochimaru.

The Iburi Clan possessed a unique Kekkei Genkai, allowing them to transform their bodies into smoke. Orochimaru coveted their ability and sought to take it for himself. Kakashi engaged in skirmishes with the Iburi Clan members and Orochimaru before the Sannin escaped the Land of Fire.

The Iburi Clan members explained that they had endured Orochimaru's experiments, hoping he could find a cure for the side effects of their Kekkei Genkai. They had been living in the cave systems for generations, avoiding the wind at all costs.

Interrupting the story, Anko questioned, "Why are you telling me this?"

Kakashi sighed and responded, "I never reported the village." He placed a map on the coffee table. "If the Iburi Clan still exists in those caves, they might be able to point you in the right direction."

Amused, Anko laughed, "What? How unprofessional of you."

Kakashi admitted, "If they're all dead or gone, you'll have to look for clues."

Anko nodded, "I appreciate the lead."

"I'm happy to help," Kakashi said as he stood up. "When are you leaving?"

Taking a moment to think, Anko replied, "I'll probably grab some breakfast at Ichiraku and head out right after."

"Well, I'm glad I caught you before you left," Kakashi remarked as he approached the front door.

Anko laughed, responding, "Me too. I had no idea where to start. Well, that's not technically true..."

"Anyway, stay safe out there," Kakashi advised.

"I won't promise anything," Anko chuckled.

With Kakashi's departure, Anko let out a sigh and stood up, hydrating herself with another glass of water. Gathering her belongings, she mentally and physically prepared for the journey ahead. The map provided by Kakashi would serve as her guide, and she felt that things were going her way.

Anko left her apartment behind and made her way to Ichiraku Ramen, a familiar spot where she had shared many meals with her former teammates. As she entered the bustling ramen shop. Anko took a seat and placed her backpack on the stool beside her.

"Good morning, Anko," Teuchi greeted warmly.

Anko grinned, "Mornin, Teuchi. Give me a bowl of Miso Chashu Pork." She set a handful of coins on the counter.

"Coming right up," Teuchi scooped up the money and began preparing her order.

"I won't be able to enjoy your ramen for a while," Anko stated.

"Oh, you goin' on a mission?"

"Of sorts, yeah," Anko looked longingly at the empty stools.

"Well, I wish you good luck and safe travels," Teuchi chirped.

"Much appreciated," She responded.

Looking at the stools, she pictured her and her teammates sitting there. She, Anashi, and Kuzora would always celebrate a successful mission with a bowl of ramen. Smiling sadly, she looked away from the stools and shook her thoughts from her head.

Where are you, Anashi? Did you desert the village to live as Orochimaru's pet..?

As her Curse Mark began throbbing, Anko massaged the area with her left hand to ease the discomfort.

"Here you go," Teuchi placed a bowl of ramen on the counter, "enjoy."

"Thank you!" Anko grabbed chopsticks and split them apart before digging into her breakfast.

She quickly ate her ramen, enjoying every bite. She looked to her right as someone entered the ramen shop, and she frowned at the sight of Mizuki. Not this creep…

"Oh, good, I found you," Mizuki smiled.

"What do you want?" She asked annoyedly.

"I just wanted to wish you safe travels," He said awkwardly.

"Yeah, you and everyone else," Anko said, standing up.

"See you around," Mizuki nodded and exited the ramen shop.

Sighing, Anko grabbed her backpack and slung it over her shoulder, "See ya later, Teuchi. Say hello to Ayame for me."

"Will do!"

Anko exited the shop and turned right onto the main street. She strolled down the road as townsfolk and merchants bustled around her. The sun shone down onto the village, and Anko smiled at the thick white clouds in the sky.

Kotetsu and Izumo stood at the Main Gate as she approached it. They looked at her and smiled, "Goin' on a mission?"

"Yep," She nodded and continued walking.

"Let's grab a drink when you get back," Izumo said.

Anko looked over her shoulder, "It's a date." She passed through the village's entrance and continued down the road.

Alright, let's go!

She leaped into the branches of the trees and dashed across them, heading west and north along the village's wall. Once the Hidden Leaf was behind her, Anko raced north toward the Iburi Clan's cave system. Thoughts of her former teammates flooded through her mind as she went.

As she ventured forth, Anko couldn't help but feel a mix of emotions—resolve, anger, and a lingering sense of guilt. She had suffered enough and wouldn't let Orochimaru's actions define her anymore. It was time to confront her past and create a better future for herself and all those who had fallen victim to Orochimaru's sinister experiments.

With each step she took, Anko's determination grew more vigorous. She was prepared to face challenges and endure hardships in her quest for justice. The journey ahead would test her physical and emotional strength, but she was determined to succeed.

As she dashed away from the familiar surroundings of the Hidden Leaf Village, Anko carried with her the memories of her fallen comrades and the weight of her guilt. But she also had hope—a hope that one day she would find closure, bring Orochimaru to justice, and finally lay her painful past to rest.

Team Kuzora stood at the training grounds neighboring the Forest of Death on the village's east side. Kuzora finished explaining the situation to his students and sighed.

"What do we do, Kuzora-sensei?" Yoroi Akado asked.

"She won't find anything," Misumi Tsurugi said matter-of-factly.

"We must send word to Lord Orochimaru," Kabuto Yakushi said.

Kuzora nodded, "It's already being handled. We must wait for a response."

"Good," Kabuto said, "he'll want to hear about this."

"I'm telling you, she won't find anything," Misumi insisted.

"Even so, who knows what she could stumble upon out there…." Kuzora shook his head. He reflected on his time as Orochimaru's student and looked at the sky. A long shape of cloud was twisted across the sky, resembling a white snake slithering through the Heavens. "You're dismissed for the rest of the day."

Yoroi and Misumi walked away, leaving Kuzora and Kabuto behind.

"What is it?" Kuzora asked.

"Would you be able to kill that woman if that's what it came down to?" Kabuto smirked.

Kill Anko? Memories of their time on Team Orochimaru flooded his mind, and he nodded, "Yes."

Satisfied with the answer, Kabuto turned and left, leaving Kuzora to reflect on his current position. He couldn't escape the reality that he had been a spy for Orochimaru even before the Sannin's desertion from the Leaf Village. Now, he found himself in a position of authority, responsible for three other spies, two of whom were not much younger than him. Contemplating the weight of his choices, he whispered to the sky, hoping for Anko's safety.

With a heavy heart and a mix of conflicting emotions, Kuzora resolved to navigate the delicate balance between his loyalty to Orochimaru and his concerns for his former teammate, Anko. The path ahead was treacherous and uncertain, but he was determined to fulfill his responsibilities, even if it meant making difficult choices.

To Be Continued