Chapter 3 : Searching for answers
Kohana couldn't make sense of the memories and sensations that flooded her mind.
Who was Haruno Kohana?
And why did she have memories from a different time and place?
It was all too much to process.
As she walked towards the nurse's office, she tried to focus on her mission: to keep Rin alive and prevent Obito from turning into a monster.
But even that seemed overwhelming now.
How could she possibly change the future when she didn't even understand what was happening to her?
When she arrived at the nurse's office, Rinka greeted her with concern. "Is everything okay, Kohana-san?"
"No,", Kohana admitted. "I'm just...I don't know what's going on with me."
Rinka nodded sympathetically. "It can be difficult adjusting to life as a ninja. But remember, you're not alone. We're here to help you."
Kohana appreciated Rinka's kind words but couldn't shake off the feeling that something bigger was at play here.
She needed answers, and fast.
But where would she even begin?
As she lay down on one of the beds in the nurse's office, Kohana closed her eyes and took deep breaths, trying to calm herself down. She couldn't afford to panic or lose control now; too much was at stake. She needed to stay focused on her mission and figure out what was happening to her before it was too late.
But for now, all she could do was rest and hope that things would become clearer soon enough.
Kohana's mind was still a jumbled mess as she lay on the bed, trying to make sense of everything that had happened.
She couldn't shake off the feeling that there was something more to her memories and sensations than just being a ninja.
As she closed her eyes and focused on her breathing, she tried to recall any details that might give her a clue as to who Haruno Kohana really was.
But all she could remember were flashes of people and places that seemed familiar yet distant at the same time.
It was frustrating, but Kohana refused to give up. She knew that if she wanted answers, she would have to keep digging until she found them.
Suddenly, a thought occurred to her - what if she asked her friends and family about her past? What if they could help her piece together the puzzle?
With renewed determination, Kohana sat up and looked at Rinka with newfound hope in her eyes. "Rinka-San that mind sounds strange but...can you tell me something about me?"
"Of course, Kohana-san," Rinka replied with a smile. "What would you like to know?"
Kohana took a deep breath before asking the question that had been weighing on her mind. "In your opinion who is Haruno Kohana?"
Rinka's eyes widened in surprise at Kohana's question. She hesitated for a moment before answering. "Haruno Kohana? That's your name, Kohana-san."
"I know that, but what is my character?", Kohana frowned, feeling frustrated that she was not getting any closer to finding answers. "What are my good treats, what my bad treats, that kind of things."
The nurse looked thoughtful for a moment before responding. "Well, from what I've observed, you're very determined and focused when it comes to your studies. You're also very caring towards your friends and willing to do whatever it takes to protect them."
Kohana nodded, feeling somewhat satisfied with the answer. But she knew there had to be more to her than that.
She needed to keep searching for answers until she uncovered the truth about her past and the mysterious memories that plagued her mind.
With a newfound sense of purpose, Kohana got up from the bed and headed out of the nurse's office, ready to continue her quest for answers.
The school day was over and Kohana walked down the hallway, she felt a sense of determination wash over her.
She couldn't let these memories and sensations consume her any longer. She needed to take control of the situation and find out who she really was.
But where to start? She didn't even know where these memories were coming from or why they were haunting her now.
Then, an idea struck her - what if she consulted with the village elders? They had a wealth of knowledge and experience that could help shed light on her situation.
Suddenly new memories rushed her and they weren't at all pleasing.
All about one of the village elders Shimura Danzo.
How he had a secret army named ROOT doing the dirty work for him...how he tried to prolong the third Shinobi World War!...how he was responsible that in the future the whole Uchiha-Clan would get massacres by the clan head oldest son!
The green-haired girl just leaned forward and threw up in disgust. Luckily she was already out of the academy, so no one would care if she vomited on the ground.
So, no, Danzo and the village elders couldn't help her.
They were a problem that needed to be resolved.
It seemed like she had the whole world against her.
Kohana took a deep breath and tried to push the disturbing memories of Danzo and ROOT out of her mind. She couldn't let herself get sidetracked by their sinister agenda. She needed to focus on finding answers about her own past and the mysterious memories that plagued her.
But where else could she turn for help? Who else might have information about her past?
Suddenly, she remembered something - the library! The Konoha library was filled with books and scrolls that contained information about all kinds of subjects, including history and genealogy.
Perhaps there was something there that could shed light on her situation.
With renewed hope, Kohana headed towards the library, determined to find the answers she so desperately sought. As she walked through the aisles of books, she searched for anything that might give her a clue about Haruno Kohana or her mysterious memories. It was slow going at first, but eventually, she found a book titled "The Genealogy of Konoha's Shinobi."
As she flipped through the pages, Kohana felt a sense of excitement building within her. This book contained detailed records of every shinobi who had ever lived in Konoha, along with their family histories and other important details. Perhaps there would be something here that could help her uncover the truth about herself!
For hours, Kohana pored over the book's pages, taking notes and cross-referencing different names and dates. It was tedious work, but also incredibly rewarding - she was finally making progress in her quest for answers!
And then...she found it - a name that made everything click into place: Haruno Sakuya.
According to the book Haruno Sakuya was the clan head of the Haruno family during the Warring States area.
She wasn't a ninja, but a Miko who was rumoured...to see in the future?!
Kohana couldn't believe what she was reading.
Was it possible that her mysterious memories were actually visions of the future?
And if so, what did that mean for her and her mission to protect Rin and prevent Obito from turning into a monster?
The implications were staggering, but Kohana knew one thing for sure - she needed to learn more about Haruno Sakuya and her history.
She found it in a little booklet. Long forgotten and dusty.
The young girl couldn't believe what she was reading. Haruno Sakuya, the clan head of the Haruno family during the Warring States era, was rumoured to have high-spirited energy and could seek Nature Chakra without Sage Mode, which gave her the power to see into the future.
She had aided the First and Second Hokage with her visions and had even foreseen Uchiha Madara's betrayal and the battle between him and Senju Hashirama.
But despite her knowledge, she couldn't prevent these events from happening.
Kohana sat back in awe as she absorbed this new information.
It seemed that her mysterious memories were actually visions of the future, just like those of Haruno Sakuya!
But what did this mean for Kohana's mission to protect Rin and prevent Obito from turning into a monster?
Was it possible that she too could change the course of history with her visions?
She continued ready.
The booklet talked about how Sakuya herself said that some things happened and couldn't be changed, even if you tried hard enough.
That didn't sit well with Kohana. She felt like her ancestor told her she couldn't change faith.
"Oh we will see!", she grumbled to the book.
Kohana would be damned if this terrible future happened!
Then came a part of the booklet that was supposed to be written by Sakuya herself. A part of a diary was found, yet the scholars couldn't make sense of it.
With a beating heart, Kohana read the passage.
I tried my best, yet I failed. I thought our love was strong enough to not make Madara walk the same path he did in canon, but I was mistaken. Black Zetsu's influence is way stronger than shown in the manga. Why did I not connect earlier that the Ōtsutsuki are Isu's! One part of the Isu's managed not to get killed or banned into the Nexus, because they eat the God Fruits of the planets they come across. If I still was in my homeworld my assassin's brother and sisters needed to hear this. Juno in her spectral form is already dangerous enough, but Isu who are flesh and blood? I'm beyond feeling scared, I'm terrified. Blasted artefact who sent me to this world! This Piece of Eden is more trouble than it's worth it, but if I can't change history now, I will do it again and the Piece of Eden will help me!
Still, Kohana sat there staring at the booklet, till the words became foggy before her.
What?
What the hell did she just read?
Was it really possible that her ancestor, Haruno Sakuya, had come from a different world?
And what was this talk of Isu and Pieces of Eden?
It all sounded like something out of a fantasy novel.
But if what she had read was true, then it meant that there was more to the world than she had ever imagined.
She needed to investigate further and find out everything she could about the Isu and their connection to the Ōtsutsuki.
Perhaps there were clues hidden in the village archives or in ancient texts that had been forgotten over time.
With a renewed sense of purpose, Kohana closed the booklet and stood up from her seat in the library.
She knew that her quest for answers was far from over, but now she had a new direction to follow - one that could change everything she thought she knew about herself and her mission as a ninja.
"Konoha-Chan are you sure you are up for training?", asked Rin worried.
Luckily her little research in the library didn't have made her late for the training session with Obito and Rin.
While the Uchiha warmed himself up, Rin checked on her.
"I know today was weird.", Kohana admitted. "But I'm fine Rin-Chan, really. I promise I will stop if I feel sick."
"Okay, if you say so."
"Hey girls are you ready now?!", called Obito eager over.
The three of them began their training session, but Kohana couldn't focus on the task at hand.
Her mind was still reeling from everything she had learned in the library.
She couldn't shake off the feeling that there was something big and dangerous lurking in the shadows, waiting to strike.
As they practised their jutsu, Kohana kept an eye out for any signs of danger or unusual activity. She knew that she couldn't let her guard down now - not when so much was at stake.
Yet despite her vigilance, nothing seemed out of the ordinary.
The training session went smoothly, and before she knew it, it was over.
As they walked back towards the village, Rin turned to her with a smile. "You did great today, Kohana-chan! You're really improving."
Kohana smiled back weakly, still lost in thought about what she had learned in the library.
She needed to talk to someone about it - someone who might have more knowledge about the Isu and their connection to the Ōtsutsuki. But who could she turn to?
Maybe she should first learn more about Haruno Sakuya. It could be possible that her parents had some of her dairy or other things left behind by her ancestors.
Yes, this seemed to be the most logical step.
Haruno Sakuya was something real. Well, more real than whatever she had written in the snippet in the booklet.
Kohana made up her mind to talk to her parents about Haruno Sakuya and see if they had any information or belongings left behind by their ancestors.
She knew that it was a long shot, but she had to try.
As she entered her home, she was greeted warmly by her parents.
"Welcome home, Kohana-chan!", called her Kaa-Chan. "How was your day?"
"It was good," Kohana replied with a smile. "Where is Kizashi-Nii?"
"Your brother is with his team aka. Mooning over Mebuki-Chan.", chortle Oto-San.
The young girl couldn't help but roll her eyes. Of course, her Nii-Chan would try to court his longtime crush now that they were back in the village for break, till they got out to the war front again.
Kohana sat down with her parents and explained everything she had learned about Haruno Sakuya.
For the time being she left out Isu, Ōtsutsuki and whatever Piece of Eden was.
Her parents listened intently, sadly they didn't seem to know much more than what was already written in the booklet.
However, they did mention that there might be some family heirlooms stored away in their attic that belonged to Haruno Sakuya.
Excited by this new lead, Kohana rushed up to the attic with her parents' permission. As she rummaged through old trunks and boxes, she finally found a small wooden box tucked away in a corner. With trembling hands, she opened it up and found an old diary inside.
She recognized the elegant handwriting as belonging to Haruno Sakuya. She knew that this diary could hold the key to unlocking even more secrets about her ancestor's past and the Isu.
Nervous she looked down at the diary.
This was a lead, why did she hesitate so much?
What made her so scared?
Maybe she had a feeling whatever was written in the diary would flip her whole world upside down.
Taking a deep breath she began to read.