He watched the leaves dance in front of his face as he approached his brother. He was on top of the Hokage's office, looking down at the village.
"I'm a little surprised to find you here. Normally you watch the village from the mountainside." He told his brother from behind.
His brother turned around, long dark hair moving slightly with the wind, and with a sincere smile, he said, "Tobirama! I'm just taking a break is all…"
Tobirama crossed his arms and narrowed his eyes, "Hashirama. This is no time for breaks. We are just finishing up treaties with the newly formed nations, not to mention the work that must be done to finalize the village's structure. I firmly believed in a learning facility for the young to build their skills and form unity among the clans, but I can't remain as its only instructor."
Hashirama gave his broody brother a sheepish look, scratching the back of his head, "Haha! But you're so good at it! Everyone says so!"
Tobirama gave him a pointed look, "Certainly, but that doesn't mean I enjoy it." Tobirama's voice got darker, "One of them wiped his nose on me. Allow me to repeat that: hewiped his NOSE on ME."
Hashirama held his stomach as he laughed at his little brother's face. He stood up straighter as he heard approaching footsteps.
"TOBIRAMA-SENSEI!"
Tobirama turned around to see three of his students run up to him with large smiles on their face.
The boy with glasses spoke first, excited, "Sensei! It was amazing! Hiruzen-san hit the bullseye!" Tobirama raised an eyebrow with a slight smile before turning to the spikey haired boy, "Is that so, Hiruzen?"
Hiruzen shook his head with a large grin while rubbing the bottom of his nose. Tobirama's face softened as he reached out to ruffle Hiruzen's hair. With his hand still on his head, Tobirama said, "Good job. I'm proud of you."
"Thank you sensei!" Hiruzen exclaimed, overjoyed, before all three ran away to train.
Tobirama watched them leave with a peaceful expression and a small smile on his face.
"I think you like being a sensei more than you would admit." His brother told him, coming up from behind.
Tobirama closed his eyes, "Perhaps."
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.
.
Kanoko's eyes opened slowly. As her vision starting clearing, she stared at the ceiling. She continued to think about her dream – her memory. Her brother… She missed him more than she would be willing to admit. He was the light of the village and to her clan.
She wondered, not for the first time, if that made her the dark…
And then remembering Hiruzen, Koharu, and Homura as children – before they were even genin…
Shaking shook her head lightly, pushing the memory away. She didn't want to think of those times.
Those times were gone.
Sitting up and groaning slightly, she looked around the room. She was in a basic hospital bed, but it didn't look like a hospital room. She held her abdomen as she slide her legs off of the bed and put on her shoes.
"It's odd. I thought I would at least see Naruto or Sakura around." Kanoko thought, closing her eyes and trying to remember. She remembered winning the match with Lee – just barely, before her teammates ran over to her.
After that, she couldn't recall anything. Kanoko concluded that she must have expended more chakra than she was capable and her body faulted after the adrenaline ceased to coarse through her body.
Kanoko gradually stood, keeping her hand on the bed for support. She winced at the pain running through her body as she stretched.
"That Lee kid certainly can hit. I'm going to be feeling this for some time." Kanoko looked around the room, one more time, to make sure she didn't miss something or leave anything behind. Determining that not to be the case, she opened the door to hear faint cheering.
Kanoko made her way up the stairs to the stands and looked down past the crowd. She could see Sasuke's team and the team from the Sound fighting. Walking carefully down the steps, she made it to the railing to get a better view.
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"It's no use. You can evade our hits all you like, but you can't avoid the sound!" The largest one of the team, Dosu, told Sasuke with a wicked crackle.
Sasuke jumped back to Hinata's position, panting slightly while holding one of his ears. It was bleeding slightly. He looked over to Hinata. She was hunched over, holding her stomach. She had taken a frontal impact from the other male: Zaku, but not before getting a few hits in herself and limiting his chakra.
Sasuke's eyes wandered the battle field. On the other side were Kiba and Akamaru fighting the female: Kin.
"Fang over fang!" Kiba yelled, aiming another attack at the sound nin – one she barely escaped from.
Sasuke quickly turned his attention back to his opponent, jumping out of the way with Hinata and barely avoiding another attack. He winced as the sound of the attack boomed in his ear, causing further pain.
Both of them hit the ground before running back to create some distance.
Sasuke growled, "I'm tired of running away…" Hinata nodded to her teammate, in agreement, before moving her gaze to Kiba. Sasuke followed her gaze before muttering lowly, "He's taking too long. If he doesn't end it soon, I'm going to motivate him with a fire jutsu."
Hinata giggled quietly at her teammate's impatience.
"WHAT ARE YOU GUYS DOING?! KICK THEIR ASSES!"
Hinata's head jerked up to see a yelling Naruto, leaning far over the railing. Sasuke gave him an annoyed look before muttering, "I hope he falls and breaks his head." Hinata quickly gave Sasuke a dirty look, "Sasuke!"
Sasuke just huffed before loudly telling his dog-like teammate, "Even the dobe thinks you're taking too long. And I don't like wasting my time."
"Oh! And you think I do?!" Kiba growled at him annoyed as he jumped over to them. Sasuke looked over and saw the kunoichi on the ground – out for the count.
Sasuke raised an eyebrow before smirking at Kiba, "Took you long enough."
Kiba grumbled, "Well sorry that not all of us are prodigy ninjas from freaky eyed clans…"
Even though it was meant as insult, Sasuke still took it as a compliment as he stepped forward, Sharingan activating, "Let's go Hinata."
Hinata just nodded, activating her Byakugan and taking a Hyuuga stance not too far behind.
"Let's go find a nice spot over here boy." Kiba told his dog as they made themselves a little recliner in the sand.
Dosu and Zaku jumped in front of Sasuke and Hinata, "So you think just because your teammate took out ours that you're automatically going to win? I think we've more than proven too much for the two of you." Dosu said slowly with a smirk.
Sasuke smirked in return, "Oh that? We were just playing around, waiting for our teammate to showcase his skills." Sasuke heard a small, "…his fucking amazing skills…" from behind before continuing, "You haven't seen even the fraction of our power yet."
And with that Sasuke starting running forward and forming hand signs, "Fire Style: Phoenix Flower Jutsu!" Fire flew from Sasuke's mouth in the form of a flower before revealing to be shuriken. Zaku and Dosu dodge out of the way.
"That the best you got?! Try this!" Zaku roared before sticking his hands out, "Super Sonic Sp-" He didn't get to finish when he felt pain coursing through his back.
"Gentle Fist!" Hinata spoke loudly, snapping Zaku in the back several times – blocking his chakra points.
"How?! When did she?!" Dosu exclaimed before being kicked hard in the stomach and smashing into the wall behind with a crack.
Dosu groaned as he fell, looking up at the shadow above.
"Your skills are interesting, but worthless if you opponent's too fast for you." Sasuke said before knocking him out with a quick jab to the neck.
"TEAM DOSU IS NO LONGER ABLE TO FIGHT! THE MATCH GOES TO TEAM KURENAI!" The proctor yelled to the crowd.
Naruto jumped over the wall before running up to Team Kurenai with a large grin on his face, "THAT WAS AWESOME! What was that earlier?! Huh?! You guys were so fast too! I didn't know you were that fast Hinata!" Naruto shouted the last part while getting close to Hinata's face.
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She went beat red.
.
.
Before fainting.
"Hinata?!"
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Kanoko watched with a bored look. She thought the Sound team would be fairly challenging, due to their association with Orochimaru, but was unimpressed by their efforts.
"If this is the standard for all of Orochimaru's subordinates, perhaps I have worried about this threat unnecessarily… Or such a performance could be intentional…" Kanoko stared ahead, not watching anything particularly.
Kanoko's focus dissipated as she felt a familiar presence moved to her side slowly. She kept her gaze ahead as she heard him speak, "…This is going to be such a drag… Naruto alone is going to give me a headache." Shikamaru yawned loudly before continuing, "And I have fight you…"
Kanoko didn't respond to his whining – choosing instead to stare ahead while his head focused on the sky above.
Her brother sighed and dropped his shoulders, "I wish I was a cloud…"
Kanoko smirked, closing her eyes and shaking her head, "You would."
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The jounin sensei watched as Shikamaru and Kanoko finally made their way to the center of the arena to join their teams. Shikamaru walked with Kanoko, hand on her shoulder, to her team before moving over to his own.
Asuma assessed the group carefully, "Ino was a stand out among the rookie shinobi." He looked over to Sakura, "More impressive than Sakura." His gazed moved to Kanoko, "But not even in the same league as Kanoko."
He sat forward, elbows on his knees and hands clasped in front of his face, "I have no doubt that Shikamaru already has 100 moves running through his mind." His eyes finally rested on Choji, "And Choji will follow Shikamaru's lead to the tee."
Asuma leaned back and sighed.
"Worried they'll lose, Asuma?" He heard Kakashi mock him. He closed his eyes in irritation before opening them with a smirk, "Your kids are good Kakashi, but they're tired." He blew out some smoke from his cigarette, "And your team isn't as solid in their teamwork as mine is. Ino, Shikamaru and Choji were practically trained from birth to fight alongside each other."
Kurenai cut in, "That may be so, but Kanoko is a Nara too. There's no doubt that she knows not only their clan abilities, but how they use them as a team."
Jiraiya leaned back in his seat, "Hmm. They're the next generation of Ino-Shika-Cho?"
Asuma nodded, "Yes, and your right. Kanoko's presence does prevent them from using their usual tactics, but…" Asuma's gaze moved to Shikamaru's relaxed and bored form, "The kid… The way in which he thinks…"
Kakashi raised an eyebrow at his fellow jounin before moving them back to the event before him. Kakashi's eye narrowed before he pulled up his headband and activated his Sharingan. His eyes widening in shock, he thought, "But…How…?"
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Kanoko looked up at the opening in the dome. It was small, barely showing any sky, and not a single cloud was seen. She thought of the clouds back home and wondered, not for the first time, what her brother's fascination in it was.
Kanoko sighed, stretching an arm to massage her back before grumbling lowly at the pain.
"I guess he did a number on you, huh?" Her brother said lazily, walking up to her slowly while referring to her earlier fight.
Kanoko shrugged, not interested in answering the obvious question. Shikamaru sighed loudly at his sister before dropping down into a sitting position. Kanoko raised an eyebrow at him. He responded by indicating she join him with a wave of his hand.
Kanoko stared expressionless at him until conceding and sitting in front of her brother, with her back to him. She winced slightly as he started working out the nerves in her back.
Kanoko was known for training past her limits and damaging her body. Their mother was normally the one to alleviate some of the pain, but Yoshino taught Shikamaru when he asked – a question that he posed over dinner, causing her father to choke on some rice and Kanoko to quickly form a seal and yell "kai".
Kanoko relaxed finally, eyes wandering to the sky again as her brother continue to work out the kinks in her back. She slowly closed them and asked her brother, "What's so great about being a cloud?"
Her brother stopped his movements. Kanoko turned slowly around with an eyebrow raised. Shikamaru fell backwards onto his back to stare at the large blue sky above them.
Shikamaru sighed lightly before explaining, "They have no obligations, no expectations. They simply float along – going only where the wind takes them."
Kanoko looked up at the sky, the clouds were large and white, moving slowly with the light breeze in the air.
Feeling tired, Kanoko laid down next to her brother, "Seems like a horrible way to live."
Her brother turned his head to her, "Why's that?" He asked bored, as if he wasn't actually interested in her opinion. Kanoko knew that wasn't the case. If Shikamaru didn't want to know, then he wouldn't have asked – too much effort.
Kanoko answered plainly, keeping her eyes focused on the clouds approve, "What's the point of living if you don't get some choice in how you live it? Even if that choice is to flow with the wind… At least you were able to choose it."
Her brother was silent at her response. Instead, he chose to stare up at the sky with his sister – watching the clouds above.
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"KANOKO! KANOKOOOO!" Naruto yelled from the other side of the arena – his arms flailing in the air. Next to him was Sakura, who had her kunai out in front of her and a worried look on her face.
"It's no use. She's not going to wake up to your yelling." Ino told him confidently with a hand on her hip and a smirk on her face. Next to her was Choji, eating a few chips while he waited for Shikamaru's orders.
And Shikamaru…
He was crouch on one knee, hands out and shadow moving around him – ready to capture anyone who came close to his position. Right behind him in a sitting position was his sister.
Kanoko was sitting in the sand with her legs bent underneath her and her arms at her side. Her face was tilted down slightly, but the real shock was the look in her eyes: Blank and pupiless.
Shikamaru yawned slightly before turning to his opponents, "Kanoko is stuck in a genjutsu of her own creation." The Nara paused for effect, "And you know Kanoko and her seals – she's not getting out of this one." He finished, indicating to the paper seal attached to her back.
Naruto growled as Ino's smirk grew, "THAT'S IT!" Naruto made a hand sign before calling out, "Shadow Clone Jutsu!" About fifty Narutos appeared before rushing Team Asuma.
"Choji." Shikamaru said plainly as Ino took out several kunai with explosives. Choji quickly responded to his friend, "Expansion Jutsu!" Choji inflated into a large round ball before yelling again, "Human Bolder!"
Choji quickly spun towards the multiple Narutos, like a bolder falling down a hill, and making many of them pop.
"HYA!" Ino bellowed, throwing the explosive kunai at the remaining Narutos.
"HA! You can't get me!" Naruto cheered, getting past both Ino and Choji to Kanoko's position.
"Ack! Wha… What the hell?!" Naruto exclaimed, confused about his inability to move his body.
"Naruto! You idiot! Shikamaru can use the same jutsu as Kanoko! The Shadow Possession Jutsu!" Sakura roared from a safe distance.
Shikamaru smirked, "That's two down." His eyes shifted to Sakura, "It's just you now. I suggest giving up."
Sakura stepped back in apprehension – unsure what to do.
"DON'T COUNT ME OUT YET!" Naruto shouted, squirming in place. He then closed his eyes to focus in, like in his match with Neji, "Come on you stupid fox!" Naruto continued to push at his inner chakra to break Shikamaru's hold.
Shikamaru's eyes narrowed. He wasn't about to make the same mistakes as Neji and he was running out of chakra anyways. He shot Ino and look before lining up her fingers into an oval and aiming her at Naruto.
"NARUTO!" Sakura screamed, jumping forward to him.
Naruto's eye snapped open from his concentrated state to widen in fear at Ino.
"Mind Transfer Jutsu!"
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In the Stands
Shikaku raised an eyebrow before turning to his lifelong friend and teammate, "Inoichi. Do you think your daughter will have a problem with it?"
Inoichi quickly shook his head, "If she was using a more advance jutsu – yes. But I haven't taught her that one yet. The jutsu she currently using allows her to take over a person's body, not delve into their mind." Inoichi paused, placing a hand on his chin, "The body belongs exclusively to Naruto. Naruto could, if his spiritual power was great enough, seek out Ino and push her from his body. In the same manner, Naruto can seek it out and communicate with it because it is also invading his body – not willingly, but the same applies to both. Since neither Ino nor it are owners of Naruto's body, they can't seek each other out."
Shikaku nodded while relaxing further in his seat.
Choza leaned over in his seat to speak at Shikaku, "Honestly, I'm more curious about your children. Just what are you teaching them? Using fuinjutsu like that… You better up your game or your own kids are going to surpass you before they hit their teens!" Choza finished his sentence with a loud bark of a laugh.
Inoichi smirked at his friend as Shikaku slid further down in his seat, eyes shifted away and mumbling something about "troublesome children".
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Back in the Arena
Naruto's body went slack for a moment, while Ino's dropped next to Shikamaru.
Shikamaru released his jutsu when "Naruto" started giggling.
Sakura skidded to a halt, a few feet away from Naruto with dread in her eyes, "Not only do they have Kanoko out of the battle, but Naruto too now?! Damnit Naruto!"
"Just give up Sakura. It's three against one now and you never had any particular talent. Just give up before you get hurt." Naruto said, walking slowly towards Sakura.
Sakura jumped back several feet with her kunai out in front for defense. Her eyes focused and ready for Ino's first move.
.
Shikamaru turned his head to Ino, in Naruto's body and quietly asked her, "Are you sure you want to do this?" Ino didn't respond to her teammate, her gaze instead focused on Sakura, "No. I'm not sure. Sakura is my friend and I don't want to fight her – not in this way." Naruto closed his eyes, "But I can't let my teammates down just because of my feelings."
Coming to that conclusion, Naruto dashed forward, aiming a kick at Sakura. Sakura deflected, jumping farther back, but not before activating the explosive tags she left in her place. Naruto jumped back, receiving some of the blow back when his eyes shifted to the incoming kunai.
Catching them, he tossed them back to Sakura, who dodged and advanced quickly on him, catching him in the shoulder with a punch.
Choji groaned next to Shikamaru, "I knew it…" Shikamaru sighed as well, "Ino's going easy on her." Shikamaru watched blandly, thinking about a plan C, before Ino loses this fight. His eyes went wide when he saw Naruto's fist turn into an open palm – slapping Sakura, causing them both to stare at each other in shock.
Shikamaru's eye went back to normal as her turned his head to look at his sister. He asked her one day why Sakura and Ino were – well, what they were: Best friends who hated each other's guts. Kanoko had raised an eyebrow, as she normally does, at him before looking up in thought. She told him that she would summarize it as girl stuff, but told him if he was truly interested, she would have to start from the beginning…
Kanoko's Story of Ino and Sakura
"Kunoichi have a special role to play. They must not only learn ninjutsu, but a wide array of knowledge in refinement as women." The academy instructor told the class, as they sat outside in a circle around her. Kanoko was focusing on the instructor's curly and afro-like hair, hoping her gaze would ignite it into flames – preventing the class from continuing.
"I don't want to learn the finer points of being a woman. I was just fine, stomping around as a man." Kanoko thought, dark energy flowing off of her.
"Now, today's lesson is flower arrangement! Now go gather some flowers." The instructor called to her class.
"There is no way that Senju Tobirama is going to pick a flower. I will fail this fucking class before that happens." Kanoko thought, quickly making her escape to the trees. She stopped on one tree and sat down on the branch, thinking, "Well, I can't go home. Yoshino knows I'm in class. She'll just yell at me for skipping." Kanoko decided to lazy around in the tree instead.
Kanoko watched as the pink haired girl who she had scared away earlier ran over to the Yamanaka.
"Ino! Wait up!" She yelled before falling face first.
Ino raised an eyebrow before smiling and teasing her friend, "You're such a klutz Sakura."
Both of them giggled before running off to find flowers to pick.
Kanoko loosely watched the kunoichi below her pick flowers before her gaze caught onto Sakura and Ino again. Both of them were sitting down and giggling quietly.
Kanoko raised an eyebrow, leaning forward a bit to watch as a group of girls approached the two. It looked they were insulting Sakura before Ino threw flowers at them. Kanoko's eyebrows raised considerably, "Flowers… As a weapon? Hmmm. Now I want to try…" Kanoko thought.
The main instigator fell back after being hit with flowers (Kanoko was still very confused by this), before getting up and yelling at Ino. Ino must have freaked them out, because they suddenly ran away screaming.
Kanoko leaped over a few trees to get closer – now interested in the drama.
"I forgot to mention that only the root is poisonous!" Ino laughed.
Sakura stared at Ino, happy, until she turned her gaze to the flower – her face darkening.
Ino noticed her friend's expression and asked what was wrong.
Kanoko started tuning them out when they started talking about flowers again. As she left, she heard Ino tell Sakura that she didn't see her as a flower, but as a bud – almost ready to bloom.
Shikamaru's attention was ripped from his thoughts as he heard Sakura growl and yell to Ino, "Listen up Ino. I'm not going to fight you over Sasuke!"
Naruto's face contorted into anger, "What did you say?!"
Sakura was firm in her decision, "I'm not the weak needy girl I used to be. You're not even on my radar! You're not even Sasuke's type, INO-PIG!"
Naruto's fists clenched tightly, "SAKURA! You better watch your step! Do you have any idea who you're mouthing off to?!" Ino paused before roaring out, "Don't press your luck with me you little billboard brow!"
Sakura's gaze just remained on Ino in Naruto's body, "Ino. I tried to live my life on what you said to me. That if I worked hard enough, I would become that flower – no longer a bud, always waiting, but never blooming. So I set my sights on you, because I wanted to be like you from the start."
Sakura's eyes shifted down slight, smiling softly, "You set an example for me – a goal for me to strive towards. It because of that, that I made it this far and why I'm here today."
Her eyes focused ahead with a stern expression, "But now, I don't want you to hold back… And it's time I surpassed you."
Sakura took her headband off of her head and tied it around her forehead.
Naruto stood in silence for a moment, head slightly down before chuckling without joy and replying coldly, "I understand. Sakura."
Both of them quickly took off towards each other – meeting fists with a loud, "BAM". Jumping back, Sakura quickly went through hand signs, "Fire Style: Fire Ball Jutsu!"
Naruto jumped back, barely dodging the fire. Sakura skidded back yelling, "I'm not some little weakling anymore! If you play with fire, you're going to get burned!"
Sakura dashed toward Naruto, and met him with another punch. Naruto winced at Sakura's punch, as it sent him back. Before hitting the ground, he shot out shuriken at Sakura, who quickly deflected it with some of her own.
"When did she get this strong?!" Ino thought in shock, going in for another hit. Both of them flew back as their punches landed.
Shikamaru tsk'ed went her saw a bruise form on Ino's face, "She's not going to be happy about that…"
Sakura fell back on her feet after another exchange of blows with Naruto. She panted heavily as her eyes shifted past Naruto to Ino's uninjured teammates, "I'm losing chakra." Her gaze moved back to an equally panting Naruto, "But so is she. She may have Naruto's body, but he took a beating from Neji earlier and this fight has only put more strain on his body."
Sakura took a defensive position, planning, "I can win against Ino, but I'll be taking Naruto out in the process. After that, there is no way I'll have enough energy left to face Shikamaru and Choji."
"HYA!" Naruto yelled, pushing out chakra and punching Sakura. Sakura was able to push out her own chakra, and moved out of the way in time. She swiveled her body around, extending her leg out for a roundhouse kick to Naruto – sending him back.
Sakura's eyes flickered to the body behind Shikamaru, "I need Kanoko…" Sakura's eyes quickly jerked back to Naruto as he threw explosive tags her way. Sakura evade, and both of them took defensive positions across from each other.
"You're getting slower, Ino." Sakura taunted with a cold voice.
Naruto panted hard, "It's… this body… Your teammate is weaker than I thought…"
Sakura's teeth gritted, before she opened her mouth to defend him, when a light came on in her head. Instead, she scoffed, "You're the idiot that took over Naruto's body, when Kanoko's was just as easy to grab."
Shikamaru's eyes narrowed, concerned about where this conversation was going.
Naruto stood up straighter, before falling to a knee from the pain. Sakura continue to egg on Ino, "Face it! You were too scared to take over Kanoko's body, so you took Naruto's! And now you can't even beat me with Naruto's bruised and beaten body! Maybe you should have spent your time training, instead of perfecting your looks!"
Naruto's fists tightened so much that they drew blood, "Scared…? I'll SHOW YOU! RELEASE!"
Naruto's body fell roughly to the ground – completely wiped – as Ino's moved again. Ino quickly formed her hand sign, panting, and pointed at Kanoko.
"NO! INO!" Shikamaru bellowed at his teammate, moving to stop her.
"Mind Transfer Jutsu!" Ino shouted, mind going into Kanoko's.
.
.
.
Kanoko slowly took to her feet, the paper seal on her back slowly floating to the ground. Kanoko smirked widely as Sakura's eyes went wide. Kanoko chuckled before saying, "What about you Sa-ku-ra? Scared now- ACK!"
Kanoko quickly dropped to the ground, holding her head in pain.
In her head, Ino heard a man with a low voice loudly bark out, "Insolent child! Remove your spirit from my body immediately before I break it in half!"
Ino looked behind her, in Kanoko's head, and saw a tall man in an impressive suit of armor. He stood straight with an overwhelming presence. His face was stern and in a frown, with a red line on each cheek and on his chin. Last was his blinding white hair that stuck up in all directions.
.
His presence was deafening.
.
He approached her, and looked down at her in disgust, "I will not repeat myself, child."
With uncontainable fear, she released her jutsu with a scream, "RELEASE!"
Ino's soul traveled back to her body, but she collapsed soon after the experience.
Kanoko's eyes focused as Shikamaru quickly ran through hand signs to trap his sister. Kanoko adjusted quickly and jumped away from her brother.
Choji took a defensive position next to Shikamaru, keeping an eye on Sakura as well.
Kanoko watched Sakura make her way to Naruto, who was on the ground – passed out, before turning them coldly to her brother and his teammate.
"I thought we had an agreement…" Kanoko said slowly, with uncontrollable anger.
Shikamaru shook slightly, with fearful eyes. He's only seen his sister this angry twice, and both times he has promised himself never again.
Shikamaru stumbled out, "I… Ino… She…"
Kanoko closed her eyes, calming herself, "A shinobi must suppress their emotion. Suppress." Kanoko opened her eyes again, and with a long exhale, felt her body relax. Her eyes shifted to Ino's passed out form, "I will have to deal with that later."
Kanoko hand through a series of hand signs and flickered to Sakura's and Naruto's position.
"You fought hard." Kanoko told Sakura plainly, while looking at her injuries. Sakura nodded, smiling slightly, "I wasn't going to let you guys down or lose to Ino!"
Kanoko nodded, before shift her eyes to Naruto, "He's out cold."
Moving her gaze back to her opponents, she told Sakura, "You did well. Leave this to me and protect Naruto."
Sakura nodded, thankful for the break.
Kanoko slowly approached the two members left of Team Asuma, "Forfeit now. I'm tired and have bigger concerns then an overweight weakling and a slothful coward who's less clever than he believes he is."
Choji's face turned angry at being called overweight, while Shikamaru became irrigated, "This clever-less coward was able to keep you in a genjutsu for half the battle, so I wouldn't act so high and mighty."
Kanoko's eyes narrowed, "That's right. I still have yet to address the fact that you stole something that belonged to me." She pulled out her sword roughly, "Allow me to correct such behavior."
In a blink of an eye, she was above Shikamaru's and Choji's position and was bringing her sword down on her brother's head. "Expansion Jutsu!" Choji yelled, grabbing the sword and preventing it from hitting Shikamaru.
Shikamaru jumped back to get a better spot for an attack before Kanoko brought her chakra powered foot down on Choji's arm – causing him to release his hold. She blinked out of sight again and appeared behind Shikamaru, kicking him in the back and sending him forward and into Choji.
"GYAHH!" The duo shouted in pain upon impact.
Kanoko extended a foot out, to continue the brutal attack when excruciating pain shot through her body. One of her eyes snapped shut at the pain and she hissed out loud, "My body is still recovering and isn't ready for this kind of battle."
Her eyes shifted to Ino's prone body.
Shikamaru caught his sister's look and ran to Ino.
Kanoko got there first, her sword pointing down towards Ino's defenseless figure, "Forfeit." She told him plainly.
Shikamaru panted, before shrugging with a smirk, "Fine. You got us…"
*POOF* Shikamaru turned into a smiling Choji.
"Shit!" Kanoko quickly turned her head around to the chakra signature behind her, but froze in mid motion, "When did you…?!"
Shikamaru smirked, "I knew the moment that Ino aimed for your body that I was going to need a plan F. So I quickly had Choji pose as me while you were distracted getting Ino out of your body."
Kanoko growled, stuck with half her body twisted towards her brother, "What now?"
Shikamaru smirked before shrugging. With zero energy, he slowly raised his hand.
.
.
.
"Team Asuma forfeits."
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"WHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHATT?!" The crowd roared in equal parts disbelief and anger.
Even Sakura was confused, "But why? You had Kanoko trapped and I'm still tired from fighting Ino…"
Shikamaru just shrugged, releasing the jutsu and rubbing his shoulder, "I was running out of chakra, Ino is down for the count, and it would have been unfair to Choji to expect him to face my sister. The Nara women are deadly when angry."
The cracking of knuckles was heard, "Instead, you decide to embarrass me by admitting defeat right after I fell for your trap – giving me no opportunity to reclaim my pride…" Kanoko chuckled darkly, "Yes. The Nara women are quite deadly when mad – and I am livid."
Shikamaru sweat-dropped with no small amount of fear as he held up his hands in peace to his sister.
"HEY RUNT!" The proctor shouted, "Commit murder on your own time! NOW GET OFF THE FIELD!"
Kanoko shrugged before sending Shikamaru a dark and promising look. She then jumped over to Sakura and helped her pick up Naruto. Choji and Shikamaru did the same with Ino.
They slowly climbed the stairs and dropped off their teammates onto the make-shift medical beds.
"Gyah. Naruto is heavy. He needs to lighten up on the ramen." Sakura sighed out, glaring lightly at Naruto's form.
Shikamaru and Choji quickly made their way out to find their sensei – Shikamaru moving quicker than normal to evade his sister.
Sakura looked back at Kanoko, "Are you really going to get back at him?"
Kanoko shrugged, "No… But it's fun to watch him sweat." Kanoko finished with a smirk.
Sakura laughed before walking towards the door, she looked back when Kanoko didn't follow, "You coming?"
Kanoko shook her head, "I'll be there in a moment. I just want to grab something. My injuries from Lee need a little attention. You go on ahead and tell Kakashi-sensei that Naruto and I will be up there soon."
Sakura nodded before closing the door behind her.
Now alone in the room, Kanoko approached Ino's body.
"I haven't attempted this in a long time… But I don't have a choice… I need those memories sealed for good." Kanoko thought, before her hand to the back of Ino's head. With her other hand in a hand sign, she closed her eyes and focused.
She heard Ino cry out in pain as the seal formed, pulling in the memory and sealing it tight from her grasp. The light blue light from the seal's pattern fade from her upper neck before disappearing completely.
"Only a seal master is going to be able to remove that now…" Kanoko thought, moving away from Ino and over to Naruto. She looked down at him, "He really should sleep and gather his strength." Kanoko paused, "But I fear the final act will occur soon. And if I have learned anything, it's that Naruto pulls danger to him like a magnet."
Kanoko placed her hand over his stomach, "He needs to wake up to defend himself." And with that, she pushed out chakra into his stomach, disrupting the flow and waking him up roughly.
"*Cough* *Cough* Uggg. Kanoko?" Naruto asked, his eyes focusing on her above him.
Kanoko stared expressionless at him, "We won our fight against Team Asuma. Well, Sakura did."
Naruto sat up quickly, "What?! Sakura?! But how?! And how did you get out of that genjutsu?!"
Kanoko shook her head at Naruto, "Ask Sakura. I was out for most of the fight. She should have found Kakashi-sensei by now."
Naruto quickly jumped out of bed to the door, screaming something along the lines of, "Sakura-chan".
Kanoko just stared ahead, with no real care before walking slowly out the door as well.
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Naruto looked out at the crowd below, looking for a familiar patch of silver or pink hair.
"There!" Naruto thought, catching his friends in the crowd and running to them.
"Naruto!" Choji said, causing everyone to turn their heads. Naruto looked at his white haired teacher, "Ero-sanin? What are you doing here?" Naruto took a thinking pose before a grin spread across his face, "You came here to watch my amazing ninja skills! I was awesome! Wasn't I?!"
Naruto got close to Jiraiya's face, as the sage just sweat-dropped, "I wouldn't know. I got here when your teammate was fighting the kid with the bowl haircut."
Naruto thought for a second, "Oh! Kanoko's fight with Lee… WAIT?! You missed my match!"
Jiraiya barked out a laugh, "Yep! And then you were completely useless in your next match."
Naruto's mouth dropped open as tears started to form, "….I hate all of you…."
Everyone chuckled at Naruto's misfortune before turning to the match that was just beginning.
"THE MATCH BETWEEN TEAM KURENAI OF THE LEAF AND TEAM BAKI OF THE SAND BEGINS… NOW!" The proctor yelled jumping back.
Sasuke and Kiba ran forward, both with attacks aimed. The kunoichi, Temari, and the puppet user, Kankuro, met them at the center with a large boom, causing sand to fly back.
Hinata stayed behind to observe the fight with her Byakugan and the red head, Gaara, didn't move an inch.
"This should be interesting… After the last match that team partook in…" Kakashi said pensively, with a hand on his chin and Sharingan open.
Naruto looked up at his sensei, "What do you mean?" Sakura looked confused as well.
Kakashi sighed, "That's right. You guys were busy taking Kanoko to the medical wing after Naruto knocked her out." Sakura shot a quick glare at Naruto, who just looked sheepish. Kakashi continued, "The match was quick, but the Sand team… The red haired boy in the center there… He killed the team from the Rain in seconds with his sand." Kakashi paused, "He incased them in sand and squeezed until the pressure killed them."
Sakura's eyes went wide in horror, before she moving them to Shikamaru and Choji, who nodded – having seen it themselves.
Naruto's eyes widened as well, before yelling, "THEN YOU HAVE TO STOP THE MATCH!" His face turned to Kurenai, "You're just going to let them die?!"
Asuma sighed as Kurenai answered, "It's up to them, to decide to fight. They saw the match and they know the risks." Kurenai turned to Naruto, "Are you telling me, that if it was you and your team, that you would just quit? Forfeit before you began?"
Naruto looked to the ground, not having a good response. He knew he would fight – maybe find a way to prevent Sakura from getting hurt – but he would never back down. It wasn't who he was.
"Wow." Naruto heard Shikamaru mutter. Curious, Naruto moved his gaze to the arena. Lightening was sparking around Sasuke – specifically his hand.
"What kind of jutsu is that?!" Naruto exclaimed, looking to Kakashi-sensei.
Kakashi kept his gaze ahead, but answered, "Chidori."
Naruto narrowed his eyes at his sensei before muttering, "It feels like you cheated on me…"
Kakashi jerk his face to Naruto with shock, "What…?! No! Don't say things like that…"
Asuma laughed loudly at Kakashi's embarrassment and even Kurenai was giggling.
"Such youthful spirit! Naruto! I would be more than happy to teach you awesome and amazing jutsus that your sensei couldn't even dream of learning!" Gai bellowed, walking down the steps to join the other sensei and students.
"Oh! Gai-sensei!" Sakura exclaimed, looking up, "How's your team?" She asked, genuinely concerned.
Gai put his hands on his hips and grinned, "Oh, they're a little sore, but they have the fire of youth coursing through them! They will be up and training until the sun sets in no time! Hahaha!"
Everyone sweat-dropped at him, before turning back to the match when they heard a scream.
"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! I'M BLEEDING!"
In the arena, was Sasuke, jumping back after making a direct hit to Gaara, who previously believed he was protected by the sand incased around him. Temari and Kankuro both stared with wide and fearful eyes – never having heard Gaara cry in such a way before.
Kiba was on the ground, having been injured by one of Kankuro's puppets and Hinata was next to him, in a defensive position.
Gaara stumbled out of the sand encasement. Half of his face looked deformed – like it was transforming into something else. On the back of his neck were black marks extending out and glowing slightly.
Kakashi's eyes widened, before turning to Jiraiya, who had a solemn look on his face, "Jiraiya-sannin. On the back of that boy's neck… Do you see it?"
Jiraiya nodded, standing up, "A curse seal, most likely. Knowing him." And with that, he teleported away.
Sakura had her hands close to her face, worried for Sasuke when she saw a feather float in front of her face, "A feather." Just as she thought it, her eyes started drifting close. Before they closed, her eyes snapped open, "A genjutsu!" Sakura formed a hand seal and yelled, "Kai!"
She looked around her to find everyone around her asleep in their chairs. Sakura then turned her gaze to the jounin sensei, only to find them gone.
"Ack!" Sakura squealed when a kunai aimed her way. Thankfully her sensei, Kakashi, deflected it in time.
"Sensei!" Sakura exclaimed, "What's going on?!" Kakashi deflected a few more attacks, before running after another enemy. Gai ran over to Sakura, "The Chunin Exams are under attack and it looks like the Leaf are one of the main targets." Gai gruffed as he knocked another ninja out.
Sakura looked at the headband of the fallen ninja, "The Sand?! But why would they start an attack in their own village?!"
Kakashi appeared in front of Sakura, "I don't recognize any of these shinobi. It's possible they are impersonating as Sand nin, or the Sand could truly be involved. Don't trust them, either way."
Sakura looked back at her sensei, "If they are impersonating as Sand nin, who are they?"
Gai answered this time, "The Sound. Orochimaru's men."
Sakura's eyes went wide, before running to the railing, to find Sasuke. He was chasing after the Sand team, who was fleeing with Gaara. Gaara was thrashing around in pain as the markings on his back continued to grow. Hinata stayed behind with Kiba – as he was too injured to defend himself.
"We have to go after Sasuke!" Sakura yelled, turning back to her fighting sensei.
Kakashi nodded, "Sakura. Wake up Naruto and Shikamaru. I have a mission for you."
Sakura ran over to them, as instructed, before turning around, "What about Kanoko?! She was injured…" Sakura looked down in worry. "This is real… It's not an exam or training…"
Kakashi answered simply, "She's not here, and we can't afford to waste time. Sakura, wake Naruto and Shikamaru up now!"
Sakura nodded, a little shaken by her sensei's tone. She shook Naruto awake after forming the proper hand signs, "…ah.. ramen… come back…!" Sakura sweat-dropped before shoving him rougher and whispering, "Naruto! Get up! We have a mission!"
"What?! Mission?!" Naruto shot up quickly.
Sakura just sighed before moving to Shikamaru.
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Sakura glared when she saw his eye twitched, "Are you serious… You could die, just laying here…"
Still no response by Shikamaru.
"Here, let me try." A voice told Sakura. She looked back surprised to see… nothing.
"Down here." Sakura looked down…
To see a talking pug…
"Well… I've officially gone insane…" Sakura thought, staring at the pug as he walked over to Shikamaru.
And bit his leg.
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.
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"GYAHHHH!" Shikamaru yelled, trying to shake the dog off of his leg.
"What the hell's your problem?! We have a real situation here!" Sakura chastised him.
Shikamaru sighed, "Give me a break… I didn't want to get involved…"
"Sakura, Naruto, Shikamaru." Kakashi spoke firmly. All three turned to him, "Your mission is to follow Sasuke and help him track down the Sand team. The red head one, Gaara, may have the same curse seal as Sasuke was once afflicted with. You will undoubtable have to fight Sound and possibly Sand ninjas as well." Kakashi paused to get in a few hits to various ninjas, "You have no choice, but to accept this mission, with these terms. Shikamaru, you're the unit leader."
Shikamaru sat up straight, "If this Gaara has the same curse seal as Sasuke… We'll need my sister."
Kakashi nodded, "I agree, but you don't have time to find her. Sasuke needs back up."
Naruto stood, "We need to go help Sasuke, but how are we supposed to find him?!" Sakura looked at Naruto in shock – he actually asked a really good question.
"That's what I'm here for." The pug answered. Kakashi nodded, "Pakkun here will track Sasuke." Gai ran in front of him to grab a ninja running in for an attack, "Thanks Gai."
Gai gave him a thumbs up, "No problem!"
Kakashi turned to them once more, "Now GO!"
Shikamaru slowly stood up, "It's a drag… But it's our mission, so let's get going… Dog… Pakkun… Have you caught Sasuke's scent?"
Pakkun gruffed, "Hai." He then took off, with Naruto, Shikamaru, and Sakura following after him.
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Elsewhere
Kanoko was running through the hallways and stands, fighting ninja that crossed her. Her hair was starting to escape her bun, and her sword and clothes were bloody.
"Shit! I can't even tell who the enemy is and whose not!" Kanoko thought, cursing as she saw Sand ninja fighting both Sound ninja and Sand ninja. The Leaf ninjas were definitely the targets. Kanoko was pushing out her chakra, searching for those she knew nearby. She wasn't sure who she wanted to move towards. Her family, her friends, and her former student were all at opposite ends of the building.
"I'll find Kakashi… He should have orders for me at the very least." Kanoko skidded to a halt, when she felt a familiar presence coming for a Sand ANBU Black Ops.
She stopped in front of him, sword ready, "You. You're a Leaf nin. You'll die by my sword for your betrayal." Kanoko's eyes narrowed aggressively. There wasn't anything more she hated then traitors to the Leaf.
"Wow. You are as good as they say. To pick up on my chakra signature like that, even as I try to conceal it." The ninja taunted her, speaking whimsy. "Unfortunately, I don't have time. I'm on a rather strict schedule, you see."
Kanoko rushed forward, regardless. The ninja blocked her attack with an oddly shaped kunai. She raced through hand signs, "Water Style: Heavenly Weeping!" Senbon shot out at him. He winced as he took a hit to the stomach, but evaded the rest. He jumped, trying to flicker away, but Kanoko was quick to wrap a ninja wire around his wrist, pulling him back.
With a poof, he did a body switch with a civilian. Kanoko moved quickly to catch the civilian and jumped out to grab him again, as he tried to escape. A ninja flew towards her and she had to deviate from her plan, and instead, ran her sword through the random ninja's chest.
Pulling her sword out, she pushed out her chakra to chase the traitor down, "There!" Kanoko thought, and moved to follow him.
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"Would you really start a war with the Leaf… In your own backyard, Kazekage-sama?" The Third Hokage drawled out.
The Hokage and the Kazekage were standing on top of the arena, facing each other. Earlier, the Kazekage made a move to grab the Hokage, but Jiraiya, who was moving to tell the Hokage about the curse seal on the Sand's Jinchuriki, saw the Kazekage move aggressively towards his sensei. He was able to prevent the attack, and the powerful men decided to move their match to the outside of the arena.
The Kazekage chuckled, "Perhaps the fear of death makes one more cowardly with age… Sarutobi-sensei."
Jiraiya quickly took a more aggressive stance, "YOU!" He bellowed, making a move to run forward, but being stopped by his sensei, "Jiraiya. Wait."
Jiraiya looked at him, confused, "But sensei…"
"I know." He responded simply, not removing his eyes from his former student.
The ANBU brought for the Hokage's protection, finally made their way passed the Sound and Sand ninja, and leaped over to help.
Dashing in front of them were four teenaged ninjas from the sound. All four spread out around the three powerful ninjas, to create four corners.
"Finally… My time." One of them said with a smirk, multiple hands resting on his hip.
"We were all waiting for this." Another one responded.
"Do it!" The Kazekage ordered.
All four ninjas took a stance and formed a hand sign, "Ninja Art: Four Flames Formation!" They chorused as a purple barrier formed around them – incasing the three ninja inside.
The Kazekage chuckled while he gazed at the barrier with joy and continued with his earlier conversation, "We had intended to capture Sasuke, while Gaara was causing trouble, but that didn't work out…"
The Hokage stared back, "Then that was your plan…"
The Kazekage chuckled again, looking around at the barrier, "You may have your favorite student with you, but… You've lost."
Jiraiya growled, getting ready to leap when he heard his sensei say, "Nothing is decided yet. I taught you that years ago, Orochimaru."
The Kazekage laughed as he pulled down his "face" and ripping off his robe, revealing his true identity.
"You haven't changed at all, Orochimaru." Jiraiya stated solemnly, eyes trained on his former teammate, "You and Tsunade… Always obsessed with youth… Though I can't say your looks have improved any... Old friend."
Orochimaru chuckled, "Ah yes. Where is the slug princess?"
Neither Jiraiya nor the Hokage answered him, instead Jiraiya watched as the Sound ninja put up additional barriers around them, "This barrier won't be easy to bring down."
"I figure we would want our… reunion… to be uninterrupted." Orochimaru told them, smirking widely.
The Hokage nodded to Jiraiya, giving him permission. Jiraiya shot ahead, "Ninja Art: Needle Jizo!" Jiraiya's hair extended out and hardened to into needles, "Ninja Art: Needle Hell!" The needles from his hair shot out at Orochimaru as Jiraiya sprain towards him with a kick.
Orochimaru evaded both, but was unable to evade the Hokage's attack because of it.
"Earth Style: Earth Dragon Bomb!" A large mud dragon appear and spit bullets of hardened mud at Orochimaru. "Fire Style: Fire Dragon Bomb!" A large jet of fire also shot Orochimaru's way at the same time.
"AHHH!" Orochimaru screamed in pain.
Jiraiya jumped over to his sensei, "Enough Orochimaru. We don't believe it."
Orochimaru chuckled in response before jumping back to his original position, across from them, "It's time we stop playing around."
The Hokage chuckled, "I agree."
"I wondered if you foresaw this… Dying this way." Orochimaru told his sensei with a smirk on his face.
The pressure in the air suddenly got heavy from the chakra expending from the three kage-level ninjas.
Orochimaru smirked, "Reanimation Jutsu!" The ground below turned purple as if a portal just opened.
Jiraiya's and Hiruzen's eyes widened, "That jutsu!" The Hokage exclaimed.
Orochimaru continued, "First!" Out from the ground, a coffin appeared with the words "First" on it.
Jiraiya turned to the Hokage, "You don't think?! It couldn't… He couldn't!"
"Second!" Another coffin appeared from the ground, this one saying "Second".
The Hokage's eyes hardened, "We need to stop him!"
"On it!" Jiraiya yelled, forming a jutsu to seal the third portal, stopping the third coffin, labeled "Fourth" from appearing.
"Oh… Too bad… The third on failed." Orochimaru responded with little care.
Jiraiya and Hiruzen waited with narrow eyes, as the tops on the coffins fell forward.
Orochimaru laughed, "Whatever are you both going to do now?" Orochimaru's tongue extended out of his mouth to whip around in anticipation.
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Kanoko turned the corner, catching up to the traitorous ninja. She was outside the dome now and she could see a large barrier on the top of the dome. She vaguely wondered what it was.
As she shot out to attack his back, she fell forward.
*BUM BUMP*
"GYAH!" Kanoko wailed, grabbing her chest. Her whole body pounded and shook violently with each pound of her heart. "ARG!" She called out again, feeling another sensation of pain. If felt like she was being ripped in two.
She slowly stood up, her legs shaking and a hand on the side of the dome for support, "I need to move!" Kanoko thought, but as she took another step forward, she felt the pain again.
*BUM BUMP*
"AHH!" She screamed, falling to the ground. Her eyes were wide and her pupils were pinpoints. "Where is this pain coming from?!" She thought, looking ahead, trying to stay aware of her surroundings.
*BUM BUMP*
"KYAHHHH!" Kanoko wailed. She felt something wet flow down her nose; she struggled to lift her hand to her nose, only to discover the wet substance to be blood.
*BUM BUMP*
Kanoko fell flat onto the ground, unable to move as her eyes closed.
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Stepping out from the coffin was a man in red armor and long dark hair. He looked ahead, in a zombie like state and spoke to the Hokage, "It's been a very long time, Saru."
The Hokage responded coldly to Orochimaru, "I never thought I would have to face my brethren in this manner. What a vile trick."
Jiraiya growled, "The First Hokage: Senju Hashirama… This isn't going to be easy…"
The first coffin fell away, but the second coffin still held its prisoner. Orochimaru's eyes narrowed, "What is taking so long?! He should be out already!"
Jiraiya spoke quietly to his sensei, "Why do you think the other one, the Second Hokage, hasn't awaken yet."
The Third Hokage paused, "…He may not." Jiraiya looked at him confused, "What do you mean? He awoke the First just fine…"
Hiruzen's eyes just focused on the coffin.
Orochimaru jumped from behind the coffin, to take a look, also confused why the jutsu wasn't working. He got close before his eyes widened and jumping back.
A hand shot out quickly, with dark chakra pouring out.
"HOW DARE YOU SUMMON ME IN THIS MANNER?!" Boomed a loud and deep voice.
Jiraiya's eyes widened as he watched the impressively tall and powerful man step out.
"HOW DARE YOU USE MY OWN JUTSU AGAINST MY COMRADES – AGAINST MY OWN STUDENT"
The dark blue armor reflected off of the sun, as his white hair appeared from the shadows of the coffin.
"AND HOW DARE YOU BELIEVE YOURSELF POWERFUL ENOUGH TO CONTROL ME IN SUCH A MANNER!"
Tobirama stepped out from the coffin completely, with a hard face and his red eyes narrowed. The red marks on his face making him seem even more imposing. Chakra flooded the area at an extreme rate, causing the ground under to crack and the air to thicken to syrup. The ANBU trapped outside the barrier stepped back, cowering from the intense negative energy.
"Such insolence." Tobirama spoke darkly, with his eyes fixed on the snake sannin.
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Authors Note: This. Chapter. Took. So. Long. To. Write.
I literally came home every day from work and deleted and rewrote this chapter! I'm still not 100% happy with it, but I need to move on so the story can progress. So long story short: Sorry for the wait! Hope you like it! :D