"What do you mean you were under investigation!?" An elderly figure in a suit was yelling at Kachi.

"It's nothing! I was just in the wrong place at the wrong time." Kachi retorts.

"Doesn't matter! Do you know how bad this will make us look?" Kachi lowers his head in shame.

"…I'm sorry uncle…" Kachi's uncle was always difficult to deal with.

The Konkurīto clan are prominent members of Iwa. Once they were proud warriors of the Land of Earth but now they become one of the most notable companies in all the lands. Turning their secret cement technique into an actual usable substance for construction made them an immediate profit. A controversy this early into the company's life would be crippling.

Kachi's uncle wanted him to be a businessman just like him. Instead, Kachi decided to follow in his parent's footsteps and became a Shinobi. But so far all Kachi did was proved him right.

Several men came into the office interrupting their conversation. Chūdoku steps forward confronting the two.

"Lord Borudā I have a search warrant for this building, so please step aside and let my men do their work."

"What!? You can't do this!" Borudā yells as he tries to stop the men. Kachi looks at Chūdoku panicking over the situation.

"Why are you doing this? I already said everything I know."

"Checking all the details for my investigation."

After minutes of searching the men step back and exited the room. Frustrated, Chūdoku confronts Kachi.

"I know you're hiding something, and I will figure it out." After the warning, Chūdoku storms out the room.

Kachi was confused on what he was referring to. He told them everything that happened, well except the reason why he was there.

He shook his head and walks towards his uncle. Borudā was flustered, almost to the point of throwing a tantrum. Kachi tries his best to calm him down, all while trying not to break down in front of his uncle.

Torikku was counting all the money she earns during her trip to the bar. Men are so naive. Just give them a view they'll enjoy, and they will lower their defenses. Torikku was so delighted on her success she couldn't help but laugh out loud.

"What's so funny?"

Scared with the sudden appearance of Uchū, Torikku drops to the floor screaming.

"How did you get here!? Why are you here?"

"You owe me information, remember?"

"Can't you knock the front door like a normal person?"

"I tried but security wouldn't let me. Keep saying something about identification." Torikku gets up and composes herself. She was still furious at Uchū.

"Let's get this over with. What do you want?"

"Like I said, my information." Torikku scoffs. This idiot wants to look for the Ronin. It was suicide.

"Well, I was right. She was spotted in Konoha."

"Good. Two birds one stone. But I'll deal with them later. I've got another task in hand."

"And that is?"

"I found the device that's been following me. It's a place called the Yakkaina Library."

"Then go, I'm not holding you back." Uchū chuckles.

"Thing is, the place is a fortress. Can't investigate without raising suspension. Now, the question I'll ask. Why is there such high security for a library?"

"Beats me, I never went to a library."

"Well it's your lucky day cause were heading over there!"

"W- what? No! The deal was information, not to break into Government property."

"But I need to confirm a theory. I can't do that without you."

"Don't care, I'm not getting into your mess. Now go!" Uchū sighs in disappointment.

"Guess I can't change your mind… Well, we're here."

Torikku found herself in front of Yakkaina Library. While she was distressed, trying to find the words on what happened Uchū calmly climbs up the stairs.

"Wait, stop! How the hell did we get here!?"

"Oh, that was me." Torriku stood there puzzled.

"How!?"

"Science" Uchū continues up the stairs but Torikku was still perplexed.

"Why did you bring me along?"

"… Curiosity."

Torikku stands there confused. Then Torikku realized that now she's involved in whatever this creep was up too. What if's scenarios ran through her mind. The worst scenario was that he was an Academy member and that now she endangered the Village.

She could just turn around and run. Torikku remembers the last time she tried to run away and how she failed. But this felt different, she felt afraid, like she had to follow him. She felt that she had no other option.

Eventually, she climbs up the stairs and follows Uchū. On the way up she remembers one missing detail.

"… I left my money in the hotel…"

After a long relaxing shower, Kurotsuchi comes out and immediately goes to bed. While it was dream come true for Kurotsuchi the Tsuchikage roll was very taxing on her. Any moment on her bed was bliss.

She wishes Chūdoku was here with her. He always rejects her advances no matter what, but one-day Chūdoku will be hers. For now, she'll enjoy her slumber.

"Tsuchikage! Tsuchikage!"

Kurotsuchi's eyes were wide open. There was only one person who could bypass all of her house security. Kenkyū, a scientist from the Research Division of Iwa, bursts into the room carrying a large box with her.

"Kenkyū? What are you doing?"

"Tsuchikage, I-" Kenkyū notices Kurotsuchi using her blanket to cover her bare body. Blushing, Kenkyū drops the box and turns away from Kurotsuchi while covering her eyes.

"I- 'm so sorry my Lady! I didn't mean to violate your privacy! P- please forgive me!"

"Kenkyū, explain yourself!"

Kenkyū didn't want to face the Tsuchikage like this, but she had dire news for her. She has to suck it up and face the embarrassment.

"Tsuchikage, there's a security breach. Someone has been manipulating our, well, everything."

"What? How?"

"I was doing paperwork in my office when I notice changes to them. And, I know I shouldn't but I check documents from other department but they were all also tampered with."

Kenkyū opens the box and gives Kurotsuchi some files to observe. Kurotsuchi read multiple documents and all of them were changed. However, she notices something, certain characters were various in sizes.

"Kenkyū have you notice the-"

"The characters? Yes. I was able to translate it. It leads to a location. Yakkaina Library."

Kurotsuchi thinks for a moment. This is clearly the Academy's doing. And if they're in Iwa then it means she couldn't trust anyone.

"I'm heading towards the library."

"A-alone?"

"Can't risk this information getting out. If I don't return the next morning then contact the alliance."

"N-no, don't leave me. If this is the Academy then they already have a trace of me. I'll be dead by morning if I'm left alone."

Kenkyū was in tears. She heard rumors of what the Academy do people who discover they're secrets. They experimented on their captures, turning them into monsters. Just like they did to those kids that attacked Konoha.

"Fine, but try not to rise suspension."

Kurotsuchi goes to the side and puts on her attire while Kenkyū was still in the room. Kenkyū turns around and tries to give her boss some privacy, but she had an overpowering urge to a peak. She turns her gaze towards Kurotsuchi and gets a view no other has seen.

Kenkyū was disappointed in herself. Right, when a possible tragedy is at hand she couldn't help but get detracted. What good could she be for the Tsuchikage?

"All right, let's go."

Kenkyū compose herself and joins Kurotsuchi in her journey towards the Library.

Torikku was sitting in the library while Uchū was looking at some books. She looks at her surroundings, she felt out of place like she didn't belong. Everyone looked normal while she was looked like the odd one out. It made her reflect on what she was doing, and she didn't like. She used her orange hair cover her face trying not to make eye contact with anyone.

"What's wrong with you?" Uchū asks who was now next to her.

"Nothing, what are you doing?" Torikku said in a stern tone as she quickly fixes her hair then crosses her arms.

Uchū stood with a book in his hand, after a while, he answered.

"What do you know of the Empires of the past?"

"The ones before age of the Six Paths? Hmm, a little. Why?"

"What about the ones after the Age of the Six Paths?"

"All Empires disappeared once Ninjutsu became a thing. Only the Clans remained. A least that's what I remember from history class."

"I see"

Uchū stared at the book. He was thinking like he always does. One came question came to his mind.

"Who erased your history?" Uchū whispers to himself.

"I missed that, what did you say?" Torikku asks Uchū.

But he ignores her and focuses back on his search. He spots a familiar face to his side and immediately became amused.

Kachi was in a corner reading books all by himself. He needed some time to himself after what happened today. Reading always calmed his mind. It reminded him of how his mother uses to read to him. With his happy memories and the stories that he loves he felt like nothing can go wrong.

"Well, hello there buddy!"

Kachi look to see who was talking to him and was shocked. It was him. The man that fell from the sky. He froze in place unable to move due to his fear.

"What's wrong, kid? Need someone to talk to?" Uchū wraps his arm around Kachi. He was clearly uncomfortable but Uchū didn't care, he enjoyed reactions like these.

"W- what do you want with me?" Kachi fearfully asks.

"Can't I say hello to the first friend I made when I returned to Earth."

Torikku walks over the two. She was perplexed on how this creep could find himself a friend. Although with a closer look, she could tell the young man was uncomfortable.

"Who's this?"

"I have no idea." Uchū cheerfully said.

He suddenly rose up and stared at a random direction. His gleeful reaction turns to disappointment.

"No, no, give me at least two more pings…" He turns to Torikku and gives her instructions.

"Do not let him leave. He stays here."

"W- why?" Kachi asks.

"Yeah, why?" Torikku retorts.

"Can't let him run his mouth to higher-ups. I don't want to start problems… yet." Uchū begins heading towards the signal proximity. "Keep an eye on him!"

Kachi and Torikku were left alone with no idea on where Uchū was going.

"Why are you with him!? He's dangerous."

Torikku didn't know how to answer, hell she didn't know the answer herself. She doesn't answer and sat down keeping an eye on him. Torikku didn't care, she just wanted this to be over.

Kurotsuchi and Kenkyū enter the empty library ready to search for answers. The first person they saw was Kachi with a strange girl next to him. Both were immediately curious as in the reports Kachi was known to be a loner.

Kachi spots the both then frantically stood up his chair.

"Tsuchikage!"

Torikku was shocked seeing THE Tsuchikage in front of her. She began to panic, she did not want to be caught by any authority figure especially the Kage, so she got up and tries to run away.

Kachi grabs Torikku's arm stopping her from running.

"You're not going anywhere."

Torikku slips a card into her other hand and swings it at Kachi's arm cutting him. He was forced to let go and watch as she runs away. Kurotsuchi and Kenkyū rush towards his side.

"She's with him, the man that fell from the sky!"

Comprehending what Kachi said Kurotsuchi dashes towards Torikku with the attempt to capture her while Kenkyū stayed back to nurse Kachi's arm.

The Tsuchikage was fast, she quickly gained distance between her and the suspect. Seeing this Torikku throws cards at her in at an attempt to slow her down while she thought of something. Knowing that her cards do damage Kurotsuchi dodges them while maintaining her momentum.

Kurotsuchi continues forward slowly reaching Torikku. More cards were thrown at but she keeps dodging. Kurotsuchi could hear the cards clash against each other, but she didn't pay much attention to it.

Torikku makes a sharp turn disappearing from Kurotsuchi sight. She also makes a turn but was baffled when she found a dead end instead. Kurotsuchi went back to retrace her steps but encounters even more dead ends in places where there weren't any.

"Genjutsu," She thought to herself. Waving a few hand seals Kurotsuchi was able to break free of the illusion. Torikku was gone and nowhere to be found.

Kachi and Kenkyū catch up with her. Kachi wound was bandaged up and was able to move it without a problem.

"Where did she go?" Kenkyū questions.

"I don't know, she just disappeared," Kurotsuchi responds.

The group went on to search for Torikku together leaving the area. Torikku herself watched from the shadows as the group left. She relaxed as she was able to escape the Tsuchikage's clutches.

As soon as she was about to leave from her hiding spot a hand appears from behind and covers her mouth. The attacker puts her into a choke hold and drags Torikku further into the shadows.

The group reached the second level of the library continuing searching for Torikku.

"How did she escaped?"

"Genjutsu, but how?" Kenkyū ponders.

"Those cards… it has something to do with those cards." The Tsuchikage said. Kurotsuchi faces Kachi having questions herself.

"How did you got yourself in this situation?"

"I… had a bad day. So I came here to relax. Then I ran into him."

"Did he hurt you?"

"No, he talks to me for a while then went off searching for something."

"In search of what?"

"I don't know?"

"The Academy and the Stranger in the same place. Can't be a coincidence."

Kachi was horrified at what he heard. The Academy here at his home. He slowly begins to panic.

"Anything else you want to blur out, Kenkyū?" Kurotsuchi exclaims to Kenkyū. Kenkyū cover her face as it turns red. She already screwed up, she thought to herself.

"Guess you're stuck with us now. I don't want you there with this information. Knowing them The Academy could find you and get rid of you. You'll be safe with me."

Kurotsuchi was upset. Now she had to take care of scientist and rookie while she potentially faces an army of spies.

"What do we do now?"

"You could explain why you're here!" Everyone looks down and find Chūdoku observing them.

"Chūdoku!? What are you doing here?" Kurotsuchi asks him.

"The Investigating led me here. What are you doing here?" Kurotsuchi floats towards Chūdoku.

"We have been infiltrated. The Academy is here and their trail led us here."

"What!? Why didn't you informed the Council?"

"The Academy is everywhere. They'll act while we plan."

"Then what are we gonna do? Face them by ourselves?"

"If we have to. I will not let this village fall!"

The group wasn't surprised at the Tsuchikage's resolve. Looking at her the others felt determined as well.

"I- I'll try to see if anything in the library matches with the documents." Kenkyū informs.

"I'll join you," Kachi adds. Both remained on the second floor to search for clues.

"Why is that guy here?" Chūdoku inquires.

"That's another thing. The Space Man is here in the Library." Chūdoku froze in shock. She proceeds to inform him of the events that happened when she arrived in the Library.

"Hmph, the evidence continues to pile up."

"Explain?"

"The Konkurīto clan has made concealed transactions to an unknown source. That led me here."

"And how did you found that out?" Chūdoku was dumbfounded.

"Uh… investigating?"

"Chūdoku you didn't. You can't be that paranoid."

"Kurotsuchi, I'm telling that is not right with that kid's story. Why was he in the forest when that Man fell from the sky. He's not telling us anything."

"That doesn't mean you can break in and steal other people's information."

"Well, I didn't break in…" Kurotsuchi gave Chūdoku a stern look. "Look, I know this was a wrong thing to do but in the end I was right. Don't you trust me?"

"I do" The Tsuchikage sighs.

There was a loud clank sound along with rumble, interrupting their conversation. Both dashed up to the second floor wherein one of the corridors a large door has opened. Kachi and Kenkyū were in front of the door completely in shocked by their actions.

"I got it. I got it!" Kenkyū said enthusiastically.

"How!?" Chūdoku asks in complete astonishment.

"It was a pigpen cipher. Just put the books in correct order and bang, secret passageway."

"Well done! Let head inside, stay close to me." The group goes inside the corridor traveling further into the building. They made it into the bottom floor where it appeared to be abandoned.

It's a large area filled with scrolls and electronics. In the center was a table surrounded by monitors. On the table was a puppet with wire exposed from its chest. The group approached the puppet with caution.

"What is this? Were they studying this thing?" Kenkyū observes the puppet.

A loud cling was heard from the shadows and out came Torikku with her hands tied up and mouth covered. Kachi went over to untie her while the rest stayed with the puppet.

Kurotsuchi was watching Kachi free Torikku when a sharp pain erupted from her abdomen along with an excruciating burning sensation. Kenkyū watched in horror as the Tsuchikage fell to the ground profusely bleeding from her wound.

Chūdoku held the bloody poisoned kunai as he glares at the Tsuchikage. He shifts his gaze towards Kenkyū making her retreat to the others. Men in a gas mask came out of the shadows surrounding the group.

"How did she escape?" Chūdoku yelled at the Academy members. One spy steps forward.

"There was a breach in the upper levels. She must've run away we were distracted."

Kurotsuchi bleeding from her mouth grabs Chūdoku ankle and stares at him. With her fading strength, she utters a single word.

"... Why…" Chūdoku kicks away her arm.

"I… don't like how this world is turning out. All this kindness and peace, it feels wrong. I found the Academy and saw firsthand what they were creating. It was beautiful. I've been with them since they formed which was years ago. But I guess that ends today."

Chūdoku literally walks over Kurotsuchi and marches towards the other.

"Proceed with the evacuation." He orders.

"B- but sir, what about you?"

"Forget about me just get out of the Village. That's an order."

The spy nods and gestures the others to move. They wave hand seals and breathe fire to shelves where the scrolls burn to a crisp. The fire quickly spread heating up the underground and generating smoke. There were explosions caused by TEC that made debris fly everywhere.

The group watch helplessly as the Academy escape and block the exit. Now it was just them and Chūdoku.

"You shouldn't be concerned about the fire, you should be worried about me." Chūdoku pulls out another poisoned kunai. "This is a mercy to you like it a blessing to me."

Kachi steps in front of Torikku and Kenkyū.

"You're not doing anything. I'll find us a way out, even if it means going through you."

Chūdoku chuckles.

"Haha, you're a failure. What makes you think you can beat me."

"I just have to try."

Kachi expels cement from his mouth coating his arms. The coating was potent making it viable to strike his opponent and flexible enough to move his arms.

He launched at Chūdoku trying to strike him down. Chūdoku dodges easily and swings back. Kachi dodges his strikes, less gracefully than Chūdoku, knowing well that he utilizes poison in his kunai's. Chūdoku hits Kachi arms but wasn't able to pierce the coating. He went for a stab at the head but only got his bandanna causing Kachi's black hair to flow down his face. The young Shinobi blocks the traitor's attacks looking for an opening.

Chūdoku switched up attacks catching Kachi off guard, with spinning kicks he landed multiple hits. Kachi remained standing and put up his guard again.

During the fighting, Kenkyū runs towards Kurotsuchi and checks on her wound. The Tsuchikage tries getting up but falls back down.

"Stop! You're poisoned!"

"I don't care. I need to stop them."

"It's too late, they're gone. It's over."

"No… I refuse to give up." Lying in the ground and coughing up blood Kurotsuchi slowly begins to wave hand seals.

Wanting to end this quickly Chūdoku raises one of his kunai, the poison leaves the kunai turning into gas in the air. He moves the gas in front of him and shapes it into a horizontal line. Using his other kunai he swings the at the gas causing it to fire green poisonous icicle-like shards at him.

Kachi expels cement from his mouth covering the area in front of him. It quickly solidifies stopping the needles. He expected a follow-up but instead, he received an overwhelming smell.

"What is that sme-"

A flurry of shurikens with wires flew over the cement wall heading towards Kachi. He was able to dodge most of them but one shuriken wraps around his right arm and begins to squeeze. Kachi knew the wires were coated with poison and begin to worry. The cement slowly crumbles away as Kachi was helpless to do anything.

A card was thrown cutting the wires that held Kachi. The fighters turn their gaze towards the dealer.

"Wait your turn stranger," Chūdoku warns.

"I don't play by anyone's rule especially an Academy scum like you."

Torikku shows a pack of cards to Chūdoku then throws the deck of cards in the air, disappearing in the curtain of cards. Cards in flames fall gently around Chūdoku confusing him. Upon a closer look, one of the card's side was covered with an explosive tag. Horrified, Chūdoku expels wind from his mouth blowing the cards away.

Kachi watch as Chūdoku was blowing at nothing only fanning the flames. Torikku must have got him with her Genjutsu he thought.

"Go! Strike him down!" Kachi could hear Torikku but couldn't see her.

The Shinobi charges forward as fast as he musters his strength in his left arm. His mouth was gushing cement leaving large amounts in the ground. Once Chūdoku realized Kachi it was too late, Kachi coated fist connected to Chūdoku face knocking him back and landed hard on the ground.

Chūdoku got back up with a broken nose and glares at his opponent. Kachi dashes forward to continue the attack. Using his coated left arm Kachi punches Chūdoku sides with such force that the coating breaks and fall apart. Chūdoku reels backward coughing up blood. Kachi grabs the cement pouring from his mouth then wildly swing his arm backward.

The cement hardens forming into a makeshift ax. The fires of base attach to the ax amplifying its destructibility. Kachi swings it forwards with a single hand but it only collided with the ground as Chūdoku dodges it. The fires that were on the ax suddenly exploded catching Chūdoku in the blast.

Kachi was exhausted, he never believes he can perform such feats. From the smoke and fire laughter could be heard. Out of the smoke comes Chūdoku with minor burns and bruises.

"Guess this is what happens when you corner an animal. See, this is what we want. To see your excellence surface. The things we do is for your benefit."

"Shut up, just, shut up…"

"Do you at least want to know why targeted you? It's because you were at the right place at the right time. We knew you wouldn't tell the truth, so we turn the situation to our advantage, turning you the victim into the culprit. Hehe, its kind of funny, you even failed killing yourself."

Kachi was overwhelmed with emotions. Chūdoku knew of his suicide attempt.

Kenkyū was astonished at Chūdoku intelligence and resiliency. It looks like he wasn't going to kneel.

She notices the wires from the puppet moving at the table next to her. Uchū was there now holding the puppet. He eyes her as she eyes him. Kenkyū yelled grabbing everyone's attention.

"Who are you!?" Kenkyū yells.

"Oh, don't worry about me. I'm just taking this puppet and then I'm leaving." Torikku appears beside him and grabs his coat.

"Look at the mess you got me into!" Uchū blankly stares at her. "Where were you anyway!?"

"Looking for the signal which turns out to be this puppet. But it looks like you beat me to the punch. To be honest I'm kind of peeved on that."

"I don't care, fix this mess!" Torikku pushes Uchū at the direction of Chūdoku hoping he'll do something.

"Sorry trickster but this isn't my fight."

"What!? Why?" Uchū doesn't answer. "Can you at least get us out of this place?"

"Sure I can do that."

Uchū snaps his fingers teleporting everyone to roof. The fresh air felt like bliss, the howling wind brushing against their skin, the moonlight shining upon them.

Chūdoku gazes at Uchū now realizing who he was.

"It's you… the Angel, Reality-Bender, Decider of fates."

"Any other names you what to call me." Uchū annoyingly said.

"If you're here then that means… we're close." Chūdoku pulls out another kunai. "Now we're at the most critical moment!"

Uchū chuckles.

"I met some wonderful people in my return and had cracking time so far. DoN't bE ThE oNe tO RuiN It." Uchū voice changed into a powerful tone and echoes throughout the air sending chills through everyone's spine.

Kurotsuchi stands up with her hands close together. She glares at Chūdoku. He chuckles at her attempts.

"Gods abide by their nature." Chūdoku solemnly told Uchū.

Chūdoku blows a gusting wind at Kachi slamming him against the edge. He then turns and throws his poisoned kunai towards Kurotsuchi.

"No!" Kenkyū jumps in front of Kurotsuchi using her body as a shield. She waited for the impact but nothing happened. When she looks back, she saw that Uchū had caught the Kunai mere inches from her.

"A God that breaks his own rules. Poetic." Chūdoku happily said.

His smile disappeared once he notices a faint light coming Kurotsuchi's hands. Everyone glace to see what she created. A cube structure with a sphere located at its center, between the palms of her hands.

"Particle Style: Atomic Dismantling Jutsu!" Kurotsuchi fires the structure towards Chūdoku, it rapidly expands in size and traps him inside before he can react.

"What!? N-" The spheres explode with tremendous force, the exterior walls restrict the blast radius, resulting in Chūdoku to be pulverized into particles of dust.

The structure fades away and the particles float away in wind. Kurotsuchi drops to the ground while the Kenkyū rush to her side.

"Kurotsuchi, Kurotsuchi!" She received no response from the Tsuchikage. Her body was numb and her eyes remained open yet immobile.

"She's catatonic… no, no, no." Kenkyū cries as she was useless to help her.

Kachi wobbles towards them, horror-sticking at the Tsuchikage's fall. Torikku watch from afar shedding a few tears herself.

Uchū gazes the kunai, losing himself in his thoughts. He glimpses at the stars and takes a deep breath. He drops the kunai and walks near Kurotsuchi, the strange symbols on his metal hands glows green emitting a faint mist, he pokes her on the forehead spreading the energy through her body. Kurotsuchi gasps and begins to move again much to the others joy.

"You're okay!" Kenkyū said as she pulls Kurotsuchi in for a hug. The Tsuchikage moans in response.

"My healing hand is effective but the poison is too potent. So I recommend seeing a healer or a hospital as it known today."

"Thank you." Kenkyū utters.

Uchū recovers the puppet and disappears from everyone's sight.

"Wait, what about me?!" Torikku yells out.

"That came from the roof!"

Iwa shinobi jumped to the roof surrounding everyone.

"No" Torikku runs where Uchū was but then notices that he was truly gone. "No, no, no." An Iwa Shinobi approached her.

"Who are you?"

"Dang it!"

Kachi was in the hospital treating his wounds. His uncle arrived at the hospital as soon as he heard what happened. The first thing he did when he arrived was to scold his nephew. Kachi fell into a depressed state until his uncle pulled him into a hug. This was the few times his uncle showed him, love. Soon both began to cry tears of joy. A nurse came into the room interrupting their moment.

"Pardon for interrupting, but the Tsuchikage has requested Kachi's presence." Borudā nods and allows his nephew to leave.

Kachi arrives where the Tsuchikage was resting. Kenkyū was there trying to comfort her.

"Kenkyū, please…"

"What is it? Hungry? Uncomfortable? Want me to give you a message?"

"I'm fine," Kurotsuchi notices Kachi and greets him.

"Good evening. How are your wounds?"

"I'm okay my Lady." Kachi's smile turns into a frown. "Tsuchikage, I'm sorry. I should have done more to protect you."

"If anyone is going to apologize it should be me. I gave my affection more attention and let the Academy into our home. But you were there when the Village needed you and possibly saved hundreds of lives."

"Thank you! But… what happened wasn't your fault."

"Maybe… Be honest with me, what Chūdoku said, was it true?"

Kachi lowers his head. Looks like everyone now knew why he went into the forest.

"Kachi I have a mission for you." Kachi raises his head. She wants him to go on a mission just after what happened? "I want you to clean the Village Stone Monument."

"… Really?"

"Yes, really." Kachi was reluctant at first but then bows in respect and leaves for his mission.

"Why did you send him over there?" Kenkyū asks.

"I'm going to teach him something. Just need to get out of here."

"You need rest, my Lady." Kenkyū adjust Kurotsuchi pillow. "Please, for my sanity."

"Fine" Kurotsuchi relaxed her body and closes her eyes. Satisfied, Kenkyū grabs her stuff leaving the Tsuchikage to rest.

"He's right you know." Kurotsuchi opens her eyes and sees Uchū laid back against the wall.

"You… Who's right?"

"That Young Lion, he said it's not your fault, and he's right. You were just fooled by a clever, clever trick."

"Why are you here?"

"Two things, I got a favor to ask, and to give you a reward."

"Favor? Reward?" The Tsuchikage sits up. "What makes you think you're in charge."

"Easy, easy. Look, I'll listen to you if you listen to me." Kurotsuchi thinks about it then replies.

"Who are you?"

"I'm just a traveler looking for a purpose. Just like everyone else." Kurotsuchi wasn't satisfying so she asks another.

"Why did Chūdoku called you an Angel?"

"Well I could tell you, but that title lost meaning long ago so it's not worth explaining. Now my favor." Kurotsuchi groans and laid back on the bed.

"I'm listening."

"I want you to forgive Torikku."

"Who?"

"The girl with the cards."

"Why? She's a scammer."

"Not really. She's a good person, which is why I dragged her along. To change her way of life."

"Hmm, she hasn't done any serious crimes. And you did save my life. Fine, she's forgiving."

"Can you make her a Shinobi. It'll keep her on track."

"…maybe…"

"Thank you, now for the reward. Well, more like a tip."

"Tip?" Uchū leans in close.

"It has come to my attention that history has been forgotten but it's still there, I can see it. I'm…" Uchū pulls out a scroll with coordinates on it. "-just giving you an option."

"Where does it lead?" The Tsuchikage takes the scroll.

"Your past. The Land of Earth has existed for a long time and holds many secrets. I want you to explore beyond uncharted lands and claim your birthright."

"Our birthright?" Kurotsuchi analyzes the coordinates. "This is far away, further than any of my people have traveled."

"But trust me, it will be worth it. Now then, you almost died today, so you need some rest." Uchū pokes Kurotsuchi's forehead. "Sleep, you have a long journey ahead of you."

Kurotsuchi tries to stay awake but eventually fell in a deep slumber. Uchū was surprised at the Tsuchikage's resilience, she seemed like a good leader earning his respect. He turns and looks out the window, staring at the Moon.

"I would join you but I have to visit some old friends of mine." Uchū eyes glow and his power seeps from his body, he teleports away, leaving Iwa for now.

A/N: Hello everybody! It's been a while. Yeah, kind of been busy with stuff. Started college, looking for a job, Holidays, Meeting new people, stuff like this can be overwhelming. At first, it didn't seem like much but it all adds up. Obviously, fanfiction had to take the backseat, and soon I sort of forgot about writing. After everything calmed down, I revisited Fics and caught up with all my following stories. Soon my urge to write came back and now, here we are, with my longest chapter I've ever written.

The Iwa storyline is done, for now. Next will return to Sarada and Co. There will be even more fighting in that one. I'm excited about this one.

If you enjoy the story go ahead and follow and/or favorite. Feel free to share(recommend) the story with others. And please leave a review, it's the best way to know your thoughts on the story. Don't be afraid of giving me criticism too, there's no way I'll improve my writing if nobody says anything. If you don't want to talk about it in the review, then just PM me. With that out the way, have a fantastic day and hope to see you next time!