Naruto Rewrite 2: In the White Snake's Coil

by ArachCobra

The Chunin Exam, a grueling test for genin seeking to advance, looms ever closer. But Team Kakashi has much more to worry about. Someone is pulling the strings from behind the scene, manipulating event and setting people up against each other. Soon, all of Konoha feels the coil tighten around them, as everyone seeks to avert what might be an oncoming disaster.

3. Lady of the Lock

Chapter 3: Lady of the Lock

"And so, another day comes to an end," Kakashi remarked, as he and his squad entered the gates of Konohagakure. "Another day of saving the world."

"Sensei, we helped an old farmer garden," Naruto grumbled. "That wasn't saving the world."

"But without our care, his flowers would have gone unwatered. And that little part of the world would have faded," Kakashi argued with a hint of mirth.

"Don't try to dress these ridiculous outings up as some sort of service to the world," Sasuke interjected. "It's busywork that's only barely worthy of the attention of a ninja."

"Ah, yes, many would argue that," Kakashi replied, as they paused. "But Konohagakure has a nearly unrivalled bond with the people of the land and I do believe that is worth maintaining. Besides, seeing you and Naruto try and figure out what is up and down on gardening equipment sure did my soul some good."

"Hey, my dad's a cook, not a flower guy," the blond argued. "Though you seemed to have a handle on it, Sakura."

"Well, I do hang out with Ino a lot. So I've learned a fair bit about flowers," the pink-haired ninja replied.

"Which might just come in handy one day," their cyclopean sensei remarked. "Knowledge like that is essential for some disguises. So in that sense, see it as training."

"How about some actual training?" Sasuke inquired acerbically. "Like the training with weapons. Which you agreed to. A week ago."

"Well, that has been a bit of a work in progress," Kakashi replied with a shrug. "And I was actually going to surprise you with this later, but since you're so impatient, I guess I could tell you that I found a teacher."

"A teacher? Why not teach us yourself?" Naruto asked.

"Because I'm good with a few types of weapons that I've mastered," the silver-haired jonin explained. "A ninja's weapon is an extension of their body. You need someone who can find the weapons that are right for you. So I've asked Tenten of Team Guy to help. She's already becoming quite the prominent armsmaster in town and she has enough spare time to do me a favour and see if you knuckleheads should be trusted with anything more dangerous than chopsticks."

"Tenten," Naruto repeated, recognition in his eyes. "I remember her. We used be in the same class. She was so good with weapons, it was scary."

"Yes. So as you might guess, she's a natural fit for this job," the jonin noted.

"Finally," Sasuke remarked. "So when is it?"

"Three days from now. They're out south on their own mission with Guy," Kakashi elaborated. "I hope you'll have enough patience for that."

The raven-haired Uchiha mulled it over. "It would be unreasonable to demand they cancel a mission, even if it is one as pointless as ours," he stated. "So yes, I find that quite acceptable."

"I'm glad you find my plan acceptable," Kakashi replied. "Not that it would have changed much either way."

"Awesome. I'm so looking forward to this," Naruto said, rubbing his hands with glee. "I can't wait to storm into battle, swinging a nunchaku at the enemy. Or maybe a naginata. Or..."

"You? With a nunchaku?" Sasuke asked dismissively. "Please, you'd be more of a danger to yourself that way. If Tenten has any sense, she'll give you a rock and it'll be one without too many points."

"Oh, and what are you going to be wielding, Mr. Big Shot Uchiha?" Naruto fired back.

"A katana. The traditional weapon of my lineage," he replied without hesitation.

"Hah. Knew you couldn't be original," the blond scoffed.

Sasuke's eye twitched. "And what do you mean by that?"

Sakura pinched the bridge of her nose, sighing heavily.

"Maybe I should arrange for Tenten to train you all individually," Kakashi remarked, as he opened his book. "Might lower the risk of murder. Don't you three have something productive to do now that the mission is over?"

"Oh, right, we should go pick up our pay," Naruto said excitedly, forgetting his current feud with Sasuke. "And then, how about we all get some food at Ichiraku? My treat."

"I'll have to pass," Sasuke remarked, still sour about the blond's earlier comment.

"Why?" Naruto asked. "You enjoyed it last time."

The raven-haired ninja went quiet for a second. "True," he finally managed to admit. "But I have obligations and training to see to."

"Oh boy, training. Never heard that before," Naruto remarked, rolling his eyes. "Whatever. You do what you do. What about you, Sakura?"

"Actually, ramen sounds good," the pink-haired ninja replied. "There's a lot I haven't tried there yet."

"Well, if your offering, I suppose I wouldn't mind some either," Kakashi noted. "I have some business to attend to first, so... Hmm" He paused, looking towards the entrance. "Curious."

His three students followed his gaze.

Through the gate walked four ANBU ninjas, their forms obscured by their grey combat-vests and their face-concealing, featureless white masks. And between them was a captive. A fair-skinned and slender woman, with a cascade of long, dark hair. Her clothing was sparse, but colourful, a shamisen hanging from her side.

"She's pretty," Naruto quietly said. "But she looks like one of those wandering musicians. Why are the ANBU taking her in?"

"No harm in asking," Kakashi remarked and approached. "Good evening."

"Ah, Kakashi," one of the masked ninja remarked, bowing his head slightly. "All well I take it?"

"Quite so," he replied. "Who's the prisoner?"

"A spy. We don't know from where yet." He paused, before with a hint of cold menace adding: "But Ibiki will find out."

"I see. Very well, I won't take up your time then," Kakashi noted and backed away. The four ninjas nodded and continued.

"So what will happen to her?" Naruto asked.

"They're taking her to be interrogated," Kakashi remarked. "See what info she has already managed to acquire. But that is none of our business. You three had your pay to pick up and then there was ramen to be had."

...

The woman didn't say anything, as the ANBU ninjas escorted her down the concrete hallway, their footsteps echoing through the cold air. She didn't even look at them. She only observed her feet in quiet contemplation. The hallway ended at a metal door. One of the ninjas in front opened it, revealing a dark room. She only had a moment to look, before she was forced inside.

The light from the doorway fell upon a single chair. The two ninjas behind her tugged at the rope keeping her wrists together, freeing them. Then she was spun around and pushed into the chair.

The four ANBU left without a word, closing the door behind them, leaving the woman in complete darkness.

She rubbed her wrists. They were sore. The bindings had been tight, enough so to almost halt the circulation of blood. She could feel her fingers tingle as the numbness faded.

There was a sound to her left, as a match ignited. It fell into a bowl, spreading its flames to the paper therein and then the coals. As the flames intensified, they illuminated the other person in the room.

He was a massive man, his stern face marked by two long scars. Most of the top of his head was covered in a blue bandanna with the Konoha crest in front, his massive, muscular body wrapped in a black trench coat. He observed the flames, then placed an iron in the coals. "I am Ibiki Morino," he said without eyeing her, his voice deep and controlled. He began unpacking a small set of tools, a combination of scalpels, needles and small hammers. "From now one, things will work very simply." He kept unpacking, revealing pliers and hooks. "I will ask a question. You will answer it." He paused for a moment. "If not now, then later." He placed a small array of vials before him. He turned around and stepped forward, towering over the foreign woman. "What is your name?"

She just stared back defiantly.

Their eyes met. The interrogator could see the iron will behind them. Intimidation alone would not be enough. He turned and went over to his array of tools again. He paused intentionally, waiting to see if she'd take the opportunity to try and stab him in the back. Sometimes, defiance only lasted so long because they believed they still had a chance. He'd relieved his fair share of victims of those notions.

But she remained in the chair. Waiting.

He nodded, grabbing one of the smaller scalpels. He'd already decided. He'd start with the left arm.

...

Naruto walked into the glade, a giddy smile marking his face. Above him, a few clouds lazily drifted across the blue skies, which always cheered him up. And he was even more giddy to see whom was awaiting in the glade.

Kakashi was there already, talking to another ninja. Her brown hair was tied up in two buns, with a few bangs framing her face. She wore a pink and sleeveless blouse, which showed off the toned physique of her arms.

Behind the two of them, several racks had been wheeled out, holding a variety of weapons. Besides them, a pile of training dummies, weighted bags of sand and other equipment had been neatly arranged.

"Hey, Kakashi. Tenten," he greeted them, trying to restrain himself from jumping up and down. "Man, this stuff looks awesome."

"Heh, glad you approve," she said. "Got some help from the smithy getting this out here. We'll see how much we'll actually need though."

"Oh, can I try the naginata? Or maybe the kanabo? Or maybe a katana? I'd love to see Sasuke's face if I turn out to be better with one of those than him," the blond grinned.

Tenten paused a bit with a nonplussed expression.

"You see what I meant?" Kakashi asked.

"Yeah. Definitely," she agreed.

"Huh?" the blond uttered.

"Never mind that. Seems like your teammates just arrived," the sleeveless ninja remarked and pointed.

Sasuke and Sakura approached.

"Nice to see you're on time, Sensei. For once," Sasuke commented sourly.

"Well, it would be rather rude of me to invite Tenten out here and then not show up," Kakashi replied.

The Uchiha's eyes narrowed. "You do that all the time to us."

"So anyway, I'm leaving command to Tenten," the cyclopean ninja continued. "No reason for me to hang around. And I better hear from her that you all behaved." And with those words he walked off.

Sasuke tried to stare a hole through his sensei's back.

"Well, since there's no time like the present, so let's get started," Tenten said.

"What weapon are we going to use?" Naruto immediately asked.

"I don't know yet," she replied.

The blond blinked. "You don't know yet?"

"No. And can anyone of you three guess why?" she asked.

"Well, Kakashi did say a ninja's weapon is an extension of their body. So I suppose that would mean we have to figure out what weapons would work for us first," Sakura guessed.

"Exactly. This isn't the army. We don't just hand you a standard issue spear and send you to stab a sandbag," Tenten replied, as she picked up a combat fan. "A ninja must become one with their weapon." She did a few smooth moves, her body flowing like water as she fended off imaginary opponents. "It must fit your style and technique. It must never hinder you."

"Or as Kakashi would say, we'll die, right?" Naruto inquired.

She folded the fan. "Correct. Some ninja master a ton of weapons. Others few. Whatever the case, one size does not fit all. So if I am to train you in the weapon best suited for you, I need to figure out what that would be."

"Okay. Dips on the nunchaku then," Naruto immediately said.

"In that case, you can practise somewhere far away from me. On the other side of the glade preferably," Sasuke remarked. "Anyway, my family retainers have already trained me in the basics of the katana. So I think you'll find it suits me just fine."

"Or maybe try something that hasn't been done to death by ever single one of your grandparents," Naruto suggested.

The raven-haired ninja sharply inhaled. "Listen, I know you don't have much use for traditions in that soup kitchen you grew up in, but the Uchihas have practised and mastered the art of the katana for generations and I am not about to throw that away to satisfy your inane desire for novelty," he replied with restrained anger.

"Hey, we have traditions. For great ramen. Which you like," Naruto shot back. "But you know what we do now and then? Try new recipes."

"Oh, sure, give me a moment, I'll just come up with an entire new set of techniques and hone them for a few decades," Sasuke replied exasperated. "This isn't like adding a new type of radish, this takes training, effort and investment, you imbecile."

"Hey, adding new ingredients to ramen isn't just like that," Naruto replied indignantly. "You have to consider taste, consistency, texture, cooking time. And it also depends on the base. Making new ramen is an art."

"Maybe," Sakura sharply interrupted, looking ready to punch the two of them. "If we listened to what Tenten had to say, just maybe then we could figure out what to do next."

"So that's what Kakashi meant by murder," Tenten remarked and chuckled. "Boy, does this seem familiar. No, we're not even starting there. We're gonna start with a few exercises so I can get an idea of where you are physically. Not all weapons suit all people. In that sense, I suppose Naruto's remarks on ramen are rather appropriate. The level of mastery we're working with here requires consideration for the whole. I already have Kakashi's summary of your skills and usual way of operating, combined with reports from the Academy, but I'll need more than that. Let's start with something simple." She pointed to an array of bags filled with sand. "Find the heaviest one of those you can lift."

"Fine. If that is how it has to be," Sasuke grumbled. He went over, giving a few of the bags experimental tugs as he tried to figure out which one to lift.

"Okay... Okay... I got this..." Naruto wheezed, as he lifted one of the bags. "Okay... Hoh.. Uhp... I... I got it..."

"Hmm, fifty kilos," Tenten noted. "Not bad. How much do you weight?"

"Ehm... Ah... I think... I think... 'Bout forty... Can I... Can I.. .Gweh...?"

"Yes, yes, put it down," she said and Naruto breathed out in relief. "And I see you're going for a more modest thirty."

"Yes. Because unlike a certain someone, I know how not to overtax myself," he remarked. "I could hold this all day."

"True. And worth considering. But what do you think is the heaviest you could lift, even for a short moment?"

"About sixty I'd say," he replied.

"Oh, come on," Naruto gasped. "You're just saying that because that's more than I lifted."

The raven-haired ninja rolled his eyes as he put the sack down. He walked over to the heavier one, kneeled down and grabbed hold of it. Then he stood up. It was obvious from his silence that he was focusing, his muscles straining. But he managed to hold it for thirty seconds, before he put it down.

"Good job. And then... Oh my," Tenten commented and smirked. "Doing well there, Sakura."

"Yeah. I'm fine," she said,holding a big bag within her arms.

Tenten slinked over and started walking around her, studying her with an intrigued smile. "I can see your muscles are getting a workout. But no wavering. No trouble breathing. Do you even feel slightly exhausted?"

"Not at all," the pink-haired ninja replied.

"Interesting. Do you work out?" she continued asking.

"As part of my training, yes. I also help out in my parents' bakery," Sakura explained. "So I'm kinda used to lifting heavy bags. We'd usually order both flour and sugar home in ones this size. So that helps."

"I see. Fascinating," Tenten remarked, taking a moment to admire Sakura. "You're pretty strong I'd say. I don't think even Kakashi has quite realised that yet."

"And what do you mean by that?" Sakura asked confused.

"Hey, Sakura, can I try that one for a moment," Naruto asked.

"Oh, sure," Sakura said, holding it out. "Do you have it?"

"I've got it," the blond confirmed.

Sakura let go. Immediately, Naruto went down, the sack slamming his hands into the ground. "AGWAHAWAHHH!" he screamed.

"Oh, sorry, sorry," Sakura quickly said, pulling the weight of the blond's poor hands. "I thought you had it."

"I thought I had it," Naruto moaned, as he inspected his hands.

"Yeah, one hundred and fifty kilos will do that to you if you're unprepared," Tenten remarked.

Sasuke's eyes widened. "I'm sorry, how much did you say?"

"One hundred and fifty. Kilos," Tenten emphasized.

"Yeah, that sounds about right," Sakura confirmed. She paused, noticing the looks from her teammates. "What?"

"Man, Sakura, you're really strong," Naruto noted.

"I... Agree," Sasuke said, looking a bit stunned. "That's almost three times what I'm comfortable lifting and you didn't even break a sweat." He hesitated. "I must confess, that is actually quite amazing."

"Oh, ehm..." She blushed a bit. "Thanks. I guess I'm just used to it."

"You could be real deadly in battle if you learnt to take full advantage of that," Tenten remarked, rubbing her chin while contemplating.

At that comment, Sakura's expression fell a bit.

"Anyway, let's give some dummies a good punching," the sleeveless ninja continued. "Strength is only so good if you can't use it properly." She pulled some training dummies out of the pile of items and set them up. "Mixture of leather and wood. Should be a good starting point. Alright, you three, pick a dummy each."

The three genin lined up.

"So, do we just... What, punch it?" Naruto asked, causing Sasuke to sigh.

"Yep. Just sock it as hard as you feel comfortable," Tenten answered.

Sakura breathed out and looked to the dummy in front of her. It didn't much look like a person. Only vaguely. It was like the marionettes she had fought back in Akagahara, except with even less features. But still... It was a stand in. For a person. A person she'd someday have to hurt. Could she do that? She knew that wasn't really the question. She could, easily at that. But would she enjoy it? She might. And that troubled her. She didn't feel like punching it hard. The admiration she had gotten had been nice, but then Tenten's comment had soured it. Even if it had been well-meaning, it left a bad taste in her mouth. Maybe it would be okay to just hold back and move on from there.

She felt part of herself disagree. Hard. The part of her that wanted to show off. Wanted to feel that rush. She gritted her teeth, her muscles tensing. That part of her wanted to demonstrate just what she could do when she let loose. Should she? Yes? No? She felt completely split on the issue, the two sides of her mind warring about what to do.

"Alright, three, two, one, GO!" Tenten announced.

A loud thud and the sound of cracking wood echoed throughout the glade.

"Well, well," the pink-clad ninja noted. "Good job everyone. But if this was a competition, well..."

All four, Sakura included, stared at the dummy she had just punched, her hand halfway burrowed in its torso, large cracks forming around the impact crater.

"Wow," Naruto quietly noted.

"I... Uhm... Sorry," she tried sheepishly.

"Eh, it's just a dummy," Tenten noted. "I think now would be a good time for some flexibility exercises."

...

A puff of smoke left the Hokage's pipe, as he went over another report. Nothing special, just a pile of D-rank missions, but even so, he felt he was duty bound to go over each and every one. Even if helping out with local farm-work and repair jobs wasn't glorious, it was an important tool for two reasons. One was the close connections it forged with the citizens of the land. The second was that it allowed him to follow the development of their newest ninjas, both to spot potential opportunities and problems.

A knock on his door caught his attention. "Come in."

"You wanted to see me, Lord Third," Kakashi said, as he walked in.

"Yes. I've been reading your recent reports." The older man fished the relevant papers out of the pile. "I see you've arranged for Tenten to train the three in weaponry. And at their request at that."

"Yes. Sakura brought it up," Kakashi confirmed. "Though we were going to get around to that sooner or later either way."

"I see." Another little cloud of smoke left his pipe. "How are you finding the task of training them?"

The cyclopean ninja rubbed his chin. "Interesting question. I knew it would have its ups and downs. Guy certainly impressed that much upon me. But I find that my planned training is being jumbled a lot more than I had thought. Mostly because of the highly unusual missions we've ended up with."

"Like the mission to the Land of Waves," Hiruzen remarked.

"Yes. At first I wanted to focus on building up their teamwork, but I've had to reassess that. Might also have to move on to talk with them about their affinities soon." He folded his arms. "Wouldn't do to only get around to that in a few years."

"As for their teamwork, how would you say that is going?" the Hokage asked.

"Forward. Naruto and Sasuke are building up an interesting... Dynamic. They are capable of great teamwork, but they also get on each other's nerves." He sighed. "And boy does that feel familiar. As for Sakura, she works well with either of them. I think Sasuke is learning to take her a bit more seriously and Naruto always liked her. Even if both of them occasionally... Frustrate her."

"Ah, reminds me of my own team," Hiruzen noted fondly. "Me and Danzo would argue about everything."

"Yes. Speaking of training, Tenten has reported back on their first couple of exercises. And she had some..." Kakashi paused. "Surprising things to inform me."

The Hokage waited for him to continue.

"She started out with some physical tests. Now, I did notice that Sakura demonstrated competence in physical matters in her academy examination," the silver-haired Jonin explained. "Her fitness was described as excellent. But that was just to see if she could perform what was averagely expected. Tenten got her to push herself and... Well, she's capable of lifting one hundred and fifty kilos without difficulty, for one thing." He scratched his head. "And Tenten had no reason to suspect she was augmenting herself with chakra when that happened."

"I see. Most curious." Hiruzen turned his chair, allowing him to stare out the windows. "Surprises like those are not uncommon in our village."

"True. Which is why I'd like to put in a request to have her lineage investigated," Kakashi remarked. "There might be something we're unaware of."

"Your request is accepted." Hiruzen grabbed a sticky note and wrote a reminder on it. "I will make sure an investigation is started. Though with the current preparations for the chunin exam, it will take a while before I am willing to devote personnel to it. In the meantime, report any development. If she merely has above-average strength, then it is manageable, but if any unusual abilities emerge, I will have to re-evaluate my priorities."

"Understood, Lord Third," Kakashi replied.

There was another knock on the door.

"Hmm, wonder who that is?" the Hokage remarked. "Come in."

Ibiki opened the door and stepped in, the floor creaking under the massive man's weight. "I have come to report on my progress with the prisoner and put in a request for assistance."

"Prisoner? The spy ANBU picked up the other day?" Kakashi asked.

"The very same," the interrogator confirmed.

"If you're requesting assistance, I take it she has been unwilling to divulge anything," Hiruzen guessed.

"Correct. She has endured everything so far without much more than gritting her teeth," the interrogator explained. "She has been heavily trained in endurance and interrogation resistance, going through deprivation, chemicals and injury without uttering any information. Were it not from the ANBU's report on her disguise as a singer, one could take her for being mute. I could use more invasive techniques, but I can already tell that will not work. Therefore, I request Inoichi from the Intelligence Analysis Department to be assigned to Interrogation in order to assist me in extracting information."

"Hmm, if you believe it necessary, I shall grant that request," Hiruzen noted, pulling his pipe from his mouth. "I will notify the Yamanaka clan immediately that his presence is required."

"Understood. I will take my leave then, Lord Third," Ibiki replied and bowed, before heading out of the office again.

...

The woman had now been thoroughly secured to the chair in the interrogation room, restraints locking her wrists, ankles and neck, a single lamp above her turned on.

Before her were two people, barely visible in the sparse light. One was Ibiki, who had now spent days trying to wring information out of her. The other was a newcomer. Even with the poor illumination, his ashen-blond hair and green eyes stood out. Like Ibiki, he was clad in a black trench-coat, which made it hard to get a read on his build. But compared to the massive interrogator, he looked downright wiry.

Inoichi, for his part, observed the prisoner. Bags under her eyes and fine white lines barely visible on her skin were the only hints as to what she had already been through. He found that there was an admirable simplicity and efficiency to Ibiki's work. None of that breaking of bones and carving of limbs that was the mark of inexperienced thugs. The head of the Interrogation Department was capable of inflicting soul-rending amounts of pain in a way that barely left a mark, precisely activating every nerve and sensor in a person's body until they felt like they had been sent to burn in the deepest reaches of Naraka. And yet they healed so efficiently, barely even a hint of a scar left behind. This meant that Ibiki could revisit those torments again and again, a fact that often broke lesser ninjas. And yet, this one had resisted. It was in its own way admirable too.

He stepped forward. "I don't know what Ibiki has told you about me," he calmly said. "Or if he even has said anything at all. But let me make this clear. Any and all information you have. I will get it out. But it will not be pleasant. What Ibiki has done so far will seem a kindness in comparison. Those restraints? They are not there to prevent you from escaping. They are there to prevent you from accidentally hurting yourself. So do yourself a favour and tell us what we want to know. I'll know either way, but you might come to regret any silence on your part."

Her eyes met his. There was only a steely resolve and quiet defiance.

"I see. I can only respect your dedication to whomever you work for. Even if it is futile." He stepped forward and placed a hand on her forehead. He closed his eyes, focusing. He felt his chakra flare in his brain. And then it travelled down his arm, his thoughts extending with it. It continued into her, hammering into her skull, connecting their minds. Her eyes widened and her teeth pressed together. Charges of chakra began dancing through her neurons, causing them to flare up. Her body began shaking as Inoichi began prodding deeper, shards of chakra seeping into every crevice of her memory, every last piece of information ripped out and laid bare, her entire sense of self unravelled and strung out. She began wildly fighting the restraints, her body trying to contort itself out of shape.

Inoichi, for his part, began analysing the information, the connection allowing him to read the strings of thoughts as her mind was dissolved. He saw pictures, heard sounds and felt upon himself old feelings she still remembered. He saw green glades and blue skies. A cabin. Always a cabin. An eye. Four enclosing walls. And old man. Not always there. But often. "You will go to Konohagakure, Hanare" he says. A name. Her name. An eye. "Acquire any information you can find." Who was he? Sensei. Caretaker. No name. An image. A lock. A symbol. A name. Jomae. The Lock Village. Land of Keys. But only words. No images. No family. No friends. No memory. An eye. Always the cabin. Always the grass. Land of Grass. Her mission. The disguise. Travelling minstrel. The attack. ANBU. Caught and brought in. Alone. An eye. No backup. Tears. Sadness. Alone. Always alone. Left but lost. But there was somebody. An eye. A boy. A boy with silver hair. He reaches out and helps her. Gives her his hand. His name. "I'm Kakashi," the teenager says.

...

Kakashi stared at the woman through the one-way glass. She was lying on the floor, absent-mindedly looking into space with glazed eyes. Not an unusual reaction to having one's mind be ripped into easily digestible pieces of information. It usually took people a while to pull themselves together again after going through that. "So you say she saw me," he said, his singular eye shifting focus to Inoichi, who was standing next to him.

"Yes. Well, you as a teenager. You even gave her your name," he replied.

"Aha. Well, I for one have no idea who she is," he replied.

"So you've never met her?"

"I didn't say that. Just that I can't remember her. I've been to the Land of Grass a couple of times. Once escorted some prisoners to Hozuki Castle for internment. So I might have met her."

"I see." The blond paused. "I don't like any of this, Kakashi. And neither does Ibiki."

"Oh?"

"It just doesn't add up. She's clearly well trained. Physically, she'd be a match for your average chunin. Only thing the medics noted upon was that she's blind in her right eye. They suspect internal damage of some sort. And mentally, well, she held out for days against Ibiki. Took my clan's jutsu to get information out of her." He sighed. "Nothing. She had nothing. Didn't even manage to acquire so much as the names of a single patrol. ANBU had her pegged and taken out before she could even pick up rumours about our town, she was that obvious. But..."

"But if it was that obvious, it might be a trap," Kakashi finished the sentence.

"Exactly. Technically, she's from the Land of Keys. You know if it?" the green-eyed ninja inquired.

"An island country far to the north, if memory serves," the cyclopean shinobi replied. "Certainly not a place we regularly interact with."

"Exactly. And they do have a ninja village. Jomae, the Lock Village. They operate a continent-spanning network of spies and informants, which they use to manipulate events for their country," Inoichi explained. "Thing is, she's never been there. Or if she has, so long ago that those memories have completely faded. Likely when she was a baby, if I had to guess."

"Oh?"

"She's been trained by this one guy in a place they set up in the Land of Grass. She's been raised as a spy her entire life."

"And despite this, she blunders into ANBU the moment she shows up," Kakashi replied. "This smells of a setup."

"But for what? If it is a setup, she has no idea. Nothing about this makes any sense." He folded his arms. "And then there's the fact that she remembers you. You were one of two people she's met that there was any focus on. She has barely any human contacts. In a way, I feel sorry for her. But she did come here to steal our village's secrets."

"Except it seems like she failed," Kakashi said.

"Right. But then why was she so stubborn that I had to be called in. If she had just admitted from the start that she had messed up and got nothing, we would probably have bartered her back to her village for some of their information. Instead, she willingly endured days of torture and my jutsu. For nothing." He sighed. "I brought this up with the council. They agree that it seems like a set-up. That's why I called you in. Since she remembers you, we figured you should be assigned as her guard while she stays in the village."

"Is that so?" Kakashi asked. "Do you really think that will work?"

"I have no idea. At this point, there's too many unanswered questions. Nothing about this makes sense. She might even be here for you, for some reason." He shrugged. "But we need to find those answers. And right now, this is the best option we've got. Once she's had more time to recover, we'll allow her to walk around town with an escort. That is, you. And then... I guess we will see. Until we know more, we cannot allow her to leave the village or rejoin her people. It is just too risky."

"Understood. I will do my best," Kakashi replied. "Still trying to remember where she met me. You said I was helping her?"

"Yeah. She was sitting down. Crying. Feeling lost. And you offered to help her," he said, remembering the memory he had investigated. "I think she was trying to find her way to the Lock Village."

"From the Land of Grass. Quite a trip that would have been," Kakashi remarked. "I'll see what I can do. Maybe she'll help jog my memory."

"If you need help, I can always go looking in your head," Inoichi offered with a smirk.

"I'd rather not have my thoughts reduced to noodles if I can avoid it," the cyclopean ninja replied.

...

Kakashi walked down the bustling street of mid-town Konohagakure, his ward silently following his stride. He eyed her. Now that she had been released from interrogation, at least officially, she had been given some clothes other than the colourful ensemble she had been disguised in. This was as much for her sake as it was a security measure, in case that even a thorough inspection had managed to overlook tools or chakra infusions in her clothes. So now she instead wore a pale-yellow kimono top and purple skirt. "So," he began conversationally. "They told me your name was Hanare." He didn't expect an answer.

"Yes," she replied quietly.

He eyed her. "Okay. Good to know we got that right." They continued walking. He observed her as she looked around, taking in the sights around her. Around them, people manned stalls, showing off food, clothes and various other things to anyone showing interest. Entire families walked about, excitedly planning their dinners. Children played in the streets. And even a few ninjas were taking the time to calmly inspect the area while chatting with the civilians.

"It's a nice place," Hanare finally said.

"Well, I am glad to hear that," Kakashi noted. "What about where you're from?"

She went quiet for a moment, her head hanging slightly. "I don't have a home," she admitted. "Not really. I serve the Lock Village, but I've never visited it."

"I see." Kakashi nodded. So far, it all fit with the information Inoichi had given him. But it brought him no closer to the info they lacked. "The Land of Keys is far away. It'll probably take some time before our message reaches them," he noted. "So you will be a guest in our village for a couple of days. Anything you'd like to do?"

She looked thoughtful. "I guess..." she slowly began. "I'd just like to stay with you. For now. Maybe somewhere a bit less crowded."

"I wasn't planning on going anywhere." He looked around contemplatively. "But if you just want to relax for a bit, I know a spot nearby with a great view. Usually also pretty quiet. Would that work?"

"Yes. That sounds quite nice actually," she admitted.

The two of them walked on, passing by the Yamanaka flower shop.

Inside, Sakura carefully inspected the white flowers in the bouquet she was holding. "You sure Tenten likes these?"

"Absolutely," Ino replied. "Just remember to say that it is a thank you present for her hard work training you three."

"Well, obviously," the pink-haired ninja replied.

"I meant so she doesn't think you're asking her out on a date or something," the blonde continued with a smirk.

"Oh? Oh," she said. "Right. Yes. Good idea."

Ino chuckled, then looked out the store's window. "Huh. Speaking of date, who's the woman Kakashi's with? She's got some pretty hair."

"Huh? Who?" the other ninja asked, following her gaze. "Oh, I remember seeing her. She was brought in by ANBU the other day."

"ANBU you say? Now I'm curious." Ino sighed. "But Mom asked me to keep an eye on the shop for now." She eyed Sakura and grinned. "Hey, why don't you go check it out? It's your sensei after all."

"Why exactly would I care if Kakashi is getting to know somebody?" Sakura asked, raising an eyebrow. "You just want me to gather gossip for you."

"True," the blonde replied, smiling widely. "Buuuut, here's the thing. You're already complaining that he's showing up for training sessions late half the time. How much worse would it be if he's getting together with some random woman? I mean, I imagine you'd at least like to be in the know. Especially since the man doesn't volunteer any information about himself to begin with."

"You... You're manipulating me," Sakura replied accusingly.

"Yes. It's my speciality after all." Ino leaned in, arms folded. "And it's working, isn't it?"

"I... No... Maybe... A little bit," Sakura mumbled. "Look, let me just pay for these flowers, okay?"

"Sure thing. Make sure to report back."

"How about I buy a second bouquet and shove them down your throat? Is that enough of a report for you?"

Moments later, Sakura exited the store and looked around. In the distance, she could see Kakashi and the woman. She bit her lip, rocking back and forth on her feet. She didn't want to spy on her sensei. It wasn't right. And what he did was none of her business. She paused. But on the other hand, it wasn't like there was anything wrong with just asking him what was up. In fact, she'd have done that normally if she had seen him. That had nothing to do with Ino at all. That was just being friendly and maybe a little curious, but she'd accept it if she was told to butt out. Thus reassured by herself, she followed Kakashi and his companion. Only to pause as she spotted both Naruto and Sasuke hanging out by the corner of a building, the two of them obviously keeping an eye on Kakashi.

"What are you two doing?" she asked as she approached, causing Naruto to jump in surprise.

"Knucklehead here wanted to spy on Kakashi," Sasuke said, not even looking up.

"Hey, you're in on it too," the blond shot back.

"Because our training has been lacking enough as it is without him wasting time on some random woman he's picked up," he replied.

"Yeah, Ino mentioned something about that," Sakura sighed.

"So wasn't that lady taken in by ANBU?" Naruto asked. "Why's she just allowed to waltz around?"

"Guess they concluded she wasn't a threat," Sakura guessed. "She's probably just staying here while they ransom her back to her village. Kakashi might even just be escorting her."

"Which would be weird," Sasuke noted. "Wouldn't they have someone from ANBU do that? Or someone from Interrogation?"

"Ehm, I guess it does fall outside Kakashi's usual duties," the pink-haired ninja remarked. "Still, it could happen. Kakashi is certainly good enough to have been selected for ANBU if he wasn't training us."

"I think they're heading for the hillside lookout," Naruto reported, as he leaned out to eye the two again. "Are we sure they're not dating?"

"Ehm, I mean, hmm..." Sakura paused. "It could happen. I guess. If she's been cleared by ANBU, then... It would be rather unusual if she's actually a spy though."

"Who said she is a spy?" Sasuke asked. "ANBU took her in, but they're not flawless. She might just have been a minstrel who acted suspiciously and now she's been cleared, meaning she's just here as a guest. In that case, nothing's stopping a Konoha ninja from dating her."

"And why wouldn't they? That hair looks so smooth," Naruto remarked with admiration. "Just like yours, Sakura."

"Oh, thanks, I do try to keep it healthy," she replied, twirling a lock. "Anyway, we don't know that."

The blond smirked. "Then let's go find out."

...

The hill was a nice simple place, a large grassy knoll overlooking the town. A single tree cast shade over the bench, bringing some relief to the people often seeking rest there.

Hanare leaned against the railing, taking in the sight of the town. "The view is beautiful."

"Glad you like it," Kakashi said, thumbing through his book.

"You know, I've never been to a town like Konohagakure before," she continued. "Never met so many people."

"Never?" the cyclopean ninja asked, still reading. "Didn't you have to go buy food occasionally?"

"No. I was... Provided for." She sighed. "Do you have any family?"

"No close relations still alive, but I'm related to the Inosuka clan," he remarked.

"I'm sorry to hear that." She paused, then turned to look at him. "Did you know them?"

Kakashi didn't answer for a while. "I knew my father, yes."

"I never knew my parents. I don't know whether they still live or not. And I most likely never will." She held a hand to her chest, as if experiencing a sting of pain. "People like me... We bring information to Jomae. But we can never go there. Never meet the people we serve. Because if we did that... We'd bring that knowledge with us back out into the world. And that would make us dangerous."

"I see how this keeps you people nice and expendable," Kakashi remarked with distaste. He closed his book and looked up. "Why tell me this?"

"Huh?" she asked.

"Why tell me this? I've read the report. You kept your mouth shut for three days enduring Ibiki's tortures until he had to go get Inoichi to rip what little information you had straight out of your head. So why tell me this?"

She went quiet for a long while. "Because you were nice to me."

"Oh?"

"Yes. You helped me. Once upon a time. You were so young back then. We both were, but... I still recognise you."

Kakashi tried to get a read on her face. "Sorry, but I don't actually remember you."

She chuckled. "That's okay. I wouldn't expect you to. In fact, in a way, that makes me even happier."

The silver-haired jonin raised his eyebrow. "You might want to explain that one."

She turned around again and watched the village. "My sensei, he took care of me. Made sure I had food and clothes. Taught me to play the shamisen. But I always knew it was only so I could serve Jomae. Because I was useful. So one day, I decided to set out for the Land of Keys. I wanted to see the Lock Village, my parents, anyone. I guess I was... Looking for a reason to go through all this. To find something to fight for." She paused. "It was silly. I was just a dumb little kid. I'd never have gotten even close to the place."

"That was my thought too," Kakashi remarked.

"I got lost. I was scared. I'd never been out on my own like that before. And then you showed up. I guess you heard me crying." She smiled. "You helped me and lead me back, until my sensei found us. Then you took off, telling me to take care. I've never forgotten that."

Up in the tree, Kakashi's team watched the exchange, hidden in the foliage.

"I feel like we're kinda overstepping some sort of boundary," Sakura quietly remarked.

"Yeah, but listen to her. I think she's telling Kakashi about their first meeting or something," Naruto replied.

"It does appear to be the case," Sasuke added. "But I'm having slight trouble hearing her."

"That is very nice, but I'm still not sure I understand," Kakashi said.

"You helped me. Wanting nothing in return. It wasn't even a big deal. Just you being kind to another soul in need. And that was more than anyone else had ever done for me." She turned around stepping closer. "And... I've always remembered that. Wondered what became of the boy who helped me. I saw you the day I was brought in. And... I was sure it was you. And then when you were chosen to escort me, I... I knew I had to tell you." She paused, standing close to him. "That... Through all these years, whenever I felt sad, I'd remember you. That you've made me happy."

The two looked into each other's eyes.

"Oh boy, is she about to propose?" Naruto quietly but excitedly asked, crawling a bit further out on the branch.

There was an ominous creaking.

"Naruto!" Sakura quietly hissed, eyes widening as she felt her own branch sag. "Naruto!"

Kakashi sighed, as if worried he was about to hurt her. "Listen, it saddens me to hear that you've had to live like that. It's unworthy of a ninja to be treated like you have been. And I am glad I could help you. But I don't want you getting the wrong idea. Truth is, I'm..."

A cacophony of snapping branches and yells echoed out from up above him. His training kicked in immediately. He rushed forward, pushing Hanare out of the way, one of his hands already adjusting his headband to reveal his sharingan. As she fell to the ground, he twirled around on the spot, hand on his kunai.

He took a moment to observe his three students lying in a pile of limbs, branches and leaves.

"You... Colossal... Idiot," Sasuke hissed, trying to get Naruto off. "May I suggest you cut down on the tonkutsu and lose some kilos, you heavyweight buffoon."

"Oh, I am getting so tired of everyone telling me that, myself included," the blond grumbled. "Sakura, can I have my hand back?"

"Oh, sorry," the pink-haired girl said, trying to get her foot dislodged from under Sasuke.

"Well, well," Kakashi said, watching them. "You three sure have gotten better at stealth. I didn't even notice you until you all bungled it like this. That's actually impressive."

"You think so, Sensei?" Naruto asked relieved.

"Yes," Kakashi confirmed, before adding without an ounce of humour: "I am of course also furious at this disrespectful intrusion into my private life and there will be consequences later." He went back to sounding cheerful with a: "But other than that, I am impressed with you progress."

"O... Okay then," Naruto meekly replied.

"I'm also kinda surprised at seeing you here, Sakura?" the silver-haired jonin further remarked. "This seems to be a bit below you usual level of common sense."

"Ehm... It's a long story," she admitted.

"Looking forward to hearing it. Anyway, sorry about these three rascals. They are my students and..." He paused, having turned around to face Hanare again, their eyes meeting once more. He froze, looking completely lost for a second.

"Something wrong?" she asked, getting back on her feet.

"Huh? Wrong? No, not at all," he said, readjusting his headband. "Just got worried. You're not injured, are you?"

"No. Just a little sore," she admitted. She looked to the three genin. "So, you were listening in."

"Uhm... I.. Yes... See..." Naruto fumbled, looking around. He grabbed the bouquet of white flowers by his side, jumped back up on his feet and handed them over. "We just wanted to say welcome to Konoha to you. Have some flowers."

"Oh, how nice," she said and smiled, taking the bouquet. "You're all so friendly." She turned to face Kakashi. "Anyway, I was thinking..."

The moment her attention was off them, Naruto felt a flat hand slam against the back of his head, almost knocking him over. He looked to the source, only to find himself staring into the face of an angry Sakura. Her fingers wrapped themselves around the neck of his jacket and pulled him closer. "Those flowers," she began, grabbing one of his wrists with her free hand. "Were for Tenten."

"I had to think fast, you saw how angry Kakashi was and besides, we have so much money, you can just buy another oa, ah, ah, please stop squeezing, please stop squeezing!" he pleaded, as her vice-like grip intensified.

...

Tenten watched the three practice with bokken against training dummies. After getting a feel for their physical shape, she had handed them different practise weapons and let them improvise their approach to fighting simple dummies. This helped give her a feel for which weapons they'd have potential with. And she concluded that she had the data she needed. "Alright everyone. Stop swinging."

"How many more of these sessions are you going to run us through before we move on to actual training?" Sasuke grumpily inquired, as he put the wooden instrument down.

"I actually think I have what I need," she replied. "I think I can say with pretty good certainty which weapons you all would have the best chance of developing your skills in."

"Oh boy. Do I get a nunchaku?" Naruto asked. "Or a naginata?"

"Simmer down," Tenten replied with a smirk. "I get you're eager. But first, I'd like to handle the least surprising element. Sasuke, there can be no doubt that your form and style has already been heavily shaped to utilize a katana for maximum efficiency. Combined with your spectacular precision, which also benefits your skills with shuriken. Those two weapons are the ones you show aptitude with."

"I told you so," he remarked.

"Still I do wonder what you could have done had you not already been trained so heavily to favour this style," she remarked. "I guess we'll never know."

The raven-haired Uchiha looked offended at the idea that his family's ancestral style could somehow not be the best possible option to begin with.

"Let us move on. Naruto, you have good strength and good movement. You're adroit, ferocious and you have stamina," she explained, turning to the excited blond. "Your precision is, well, I'd say markedly better than back when I knew you at the Academy. You can pull off some real good shots now and then. But it's far too irregular. You'll be better off with a weapon that doesn't demand precision all the time. If I gave you something like a katana or naginata, there'd be a real risk you'd shatter the blade on a wild or misaimed swing."

"Oh. Okay then," he said. "Nunchaku then?"

"A little too demanding I'd say," she replied. "No, I have some different weapons in mind. For close range, I think with some training you could make good use of a jitte." She pulled forth a small weapon about the length of a dagger. It didn't have a blade, instead having a short and blunt metal rod with a similar blunt hook near the handle. "It looks a little... Harmless," he remarked, taking it.

"Don't underestimate it. It's a solid weapon and used by the Konoha Civil Police," Tenten noted. "And that's quite the pedigree. You're unlikely to break it with a wrong swing and it has many applications. Not only can you bash and bruise enemies with direct strikes, the hook can catch clothing and such things to throw enemies off balance."

"Or catch their swords?" he inquired.

"Well, yes and no. The hook is pretty close to the handle, so it does make it risky. Best way to do it is to use the main part to block a weapon, then slide it into the hook to assert control," Tenten explained.

"Alright. That's... Actually pretty cool," the blond admitted.

"It will serve you well as a side-arm," she said, reaching into her pile of weapons. "Now, I also noted both from your Academy report and the exercises that you're pretty skilled at climbing. Keep training at that. It's a useful skill. And therefore, I recommend these." She held out what resembled for all purpose four curved iron claws attached to two rings. "The tekko-kagi. Not only is this a useful tool for climbing, it is a dangerous weapon in its own right. I don't imagine I have to tell you why."

"Cool," Naruto said, slipping them on. "Hah, I'll look really scary slinking out of the shadows with a pair of these."

"And it's very practical," Sakura noted with approval.

"Finally, for what I imagine should be your primary weapon, the tekkan." She pulled out something that heavily resembled a katana in shape, but instead of a blade it had a thick length of metal. "Much like the jitte, I doubt you'll break this easily. And it will hurt when you hit, even if the enemy is wearing armour, meaning you don't have to rely on precise hits."

"It's a glorified iron pipe," Sasuke commented dismissively.

"And a favoured weapon among samurai when they can't bring their swords," Tenten remarked. "Don't dismiss its utility."

"Yeah, Sasuke. This is a real samurai weapon," Naruto said with a grin, holding the weapon up.

"Yes. As a second pick when they can't bring their actual weapons," he remarked. "But at least this way, you won't accidentally stab yourself. Or anyone else. I suppose I should be grateful."

"Can we move on before this devolves further? Again?" Sakura inquired exasperatedly.

"Of course. Sakura, you're skilled, strong, enduring and very situationally aware. I decided to find you weapons that could draw from that. Starting with, the tekko." She held out the weapon, a thick band of iron fastened together with a wooden grip, looking much like a stirrup. "It may look simple, but it will enhance the power of your punches. As you improve, you might want to customize it with more metal for added weight, but this should do for a start."

"Oh. Thanks," she said, taking the weapon.

"Secondly, the yoroi-doshi," she said, unveiling her second pick. It was a long knife, but its blade was thicker and more solid than one would usually expect from a knife. "Not only is this an excellent weapon for close quarters, it is designed to penetrate armour. Combined with your strength, most conventional forms of protection will be unable to stand up."

"That is useful," she agreed, taking it. She paused, eyeing her new gear. She felt split on the issue. On one hand, she couldn't help but feel a degree of warmth and happiness at having her talents appreciated. On the other hand, it was a talent for hurting others. She didn't feel like she should be proud of that.

"And that sums it up," Tenten said. "I'll start training you with the weapons as soon as possible. In the meantime, you can practise and get a feel for them."

"And when would that training be?" Sasuke asked, eyebrow raised.

"I have a mission upcoming. So who knows," she replied with a shrug.

"Ugh."

...

Kakashi hurried towards the council room. He had just barely managed to deliver Hanare back to her cell, when he had received a message that an emergency meeting was being held. He didn't even pause to knock on the door to the council chamber. Politeness was for whenever the emergency had passed.

He took a moment to let his single eye wander across the chamber and the three long tables where the Konoha Council would take their seats. The Hokage himself was there, as well as Danzo. There were also others, including some of the clan leaders. None from the civilian branches though, indicating this was a purely military issue. And as he stepped into line, he noted the presence of both Ibiki and Inoichi, leaving him with a sneaking suspicion what this was about.

"Seems we're all here," the Hokage remarked. "Very well. Less than an hour ago, we received a message from Jomae. They have captured one of our jonin, Riichi. They have demanded the exchange of Hanare for him, to be made at Kowareta Bridge."

"On a surface level, this appears most agreeable," Danzo added, as Hiruzen finished. "Hanare has given us nothing of value and the loss of a jonin seems a needless price to pay. However, as you have been working with her, we want your input. Ibiki Morino of the Intelligence Division's Interrogation Department. What say you?"

"Hanare is no doubt a skilled ninja in many ways. As my report stated, she appears to have been heavily trained in resisting interrogation and torture," the large man explained. "She maintained focus despite both deprivation of sleep and food, and while being under the influence of various chemicals. The medical report shows that she is well-trained and in good form. Besides her less than stellar disguise abilities, she is for all intents and purposes an excellent ninja. Of course, that means that we have been highly suspicious of said blunder. Even the ANBU members who took her in remarked on how transparent her infiltration was. And Jomae has been quick to take a hostage themselves. In fact, I doubt our own letter to them informing them about our capture of Hanare has even passed up through the Land of Mountains yet. They must have known we captured her almost immediately. It makes her seem too valuable in my estimation, with the efforts they are going through."

"An excellent point," Danzo agreed.

"Indeed. There may be more to Hanare than we know." Hiruzen sighed, tobacco smoke blowing from his lips. "Nevertheless, we cannot sacrifice Riichi on a gut feeling. Inoichi Yamanaka of the Intelligence Analysis Department. You used your clan's techniques to analyse Hanare's mind. According to your report, you found nothing of value besides an odd remembrance of Kakashi Hatake as a teenager, correct?"

"Indeed," the blond replied. "She has never been to the Lock Village herself and has no knowledge of their operations besides her own task. I would not be exaggerating if I said that we know more about them than she does. Yet I also feel there is something else here. It was why I asked to have Kakashi brought in to assist, since she remembered him, even if he had no recollection of her. I hoped that he would somehow be able to get more out of her."

"Very well, then. Kakashi," Danzo said, shifting his own eye to the man.

"I've been doing my own line of investigation ever since an incident the other day," Kakashi replied. "I accidentally looked into her eyes with my sharingan uncovered. The medics noted upon her blindness, but that is not the entire truth. Her eye is actually performing a jutsu."

"Intriguing," Inoichi noted. "And what does that jutsu do?"

"It was a bit... Out of the norm, which is why I decided to do some investigation on my own before reporting it. I wasn't even sure what it was at first." Kakashi turned to face the man. "When you looked into her mind, you said you saw a house, green fields and me. Did you see anything else?"

"Anything else? Hmm." The man paused, looking contemplative as he reviewed the memories. "Like what?"

"A repeated symbol or object. I suspect it's subtle," the silver-haired jonin remarked.

Inoichi's brow furrowed as he concentrated. "There's... An eye," he said. "Occasionally. Flashing by quickly."

"Right. That eye is the jutsu." He returned his attention to the council. "We've been had. Us catching her, interrogating her, even Inoichi getting brought in. It was all part of Jomae's plan. Truth is, Hanare has actually gotten a lot of info out of us."

Hiruzen leaned forward. "How so?"

"She's not blind. Her jutsu allows her eye to look into her own mind," Kakashi explained. "When Inoichi looked into her thoughts, he could only do so by tying them with his own. While he was extracting her memories, she was looking through his. Not to the same degree, that would have been obvious. But no doubt she's still collected several important pieces of information. Even if they are fragmented, combined with Jomae's information network, they could learn some very dangerous truths about our village."

"So that was the eye," the blond realised.

"Yes."

"And that's why Jomae in trying so hard to get her back," Ibiki rumbled. "They wanted her returned before we realised what is up."

"Indeed. Had Inoichi looked through her mind again, he would no doubt have noticed his own memories suddenly implanted in her mind," Kakashi explained.

"Clever," Danzo noted. "Then there can be no doubt about what we must do. We cannot allow her to go free. Our best option is to eliminate her so that Jomae doesn't benefit from her stolen knowledge."

"And Riichi?" Kakashi asked.

"A shame. But the integrity of our village is paramount," the bandaged man declared.

"Let us not be too hasty giving him up," Hiruzen commented. "We might still be able to save him. But you are right." He folded his hands. "Hanare cannot be allowed to return the stolen information to Jomae."

...

A lone wind howled through the river canyon, which Kowareta Bridge spanned. On one side, several Konoha ninjas stood ready, hands on their weapons just in case. In the front was Kakashi, Hanare at one side and Guy at the other.

On the other side, several foreign ninjas walked out of the wilderness, led by an older man. By his side was Riichi, a jonin ninja with brown hair.

"Ain't that the guy Inoichi described from her memories?" Guy pondered aloud.

"Yes. Her sensei," Kakashi confirmed.

"Ninjas of Konohagakure," the older man called. "We're here to make the exchange. You will send out the prisoner with a single escort and we shall do the same. The exchange will happen at the middle. At the first sign of trickery, we will kill our prisoner."

Riichi looked like he was really hoping that wouldn't happen.

Kakashi eyed Guy, who was looking over his shoulder. Receiving a signal, he turned back to the one-eyed ninja. "They've confirmed it's Riichi. No deception or illusions."

The cyclopean ninja nodded and returned his attention to the ninjas of Jomae. "Your terms are accepted," he called. "I shall escort the prisoner."

The older man nodded. "And I shall escort ours. Let us make the exchange."

The cyclopean ninja took a deep breath. He felt Guy's hand on his shoulder. "Let the fires of your heart guide you," he advised. "And be careful."

"I will."

The two of them began walking forward with measured steps, their respective prisoners following.

"Kakashi," Hanare quietly tried. "I'm... I'm sorry for this."

"Don't be," he quietly replied. "This is how it is among ninja."

She continued to look to him for a moment, before sighing and returning her attention forward.

The two duos paused at the middle.

Then, Hanare and Riichi slowly exchanged position.

"Very well. The exchange has been made," the old man said.

"Indeed," Kakashi remarked.

They all turned around and began walking back to their respective sides.

The cyclopean ninja grabbed Riichi's shoulder and gently pulled him a little closer. "Run," he quietly but insistently told him.

The ninja prisoner nodded and began sprinting towards the other side.

Kakashi gave him a moment, then spun around. "Oh, and Hanare?"

The woman and her teacher turned to look at him. Her with a look of confusion, the old man with a look of rising concern, as part of him realised that something had gone wrong.

"You didn't really think we'd let you leave with all that precious info, did you?" the silver-haired jonin asked, pulling his headband up to reveal his sharingan.

Their eyes widened in realisation.

At that moment, dozens upon dozens of explosive tags hidden on the underside of the bridge detonated in a singular, massive detonation, evaporating the bridge's entire support structure in a single mighty flash. The rest of the bridge splintered and fell, gravity immediately ceasing it.

The moment they were freefalling, Kakashi sprang into action. He bent his knees, chakra filling his legs, before he set off, shooting forward through the rain of metal and wood. As he did, he drew his weapon, a tanto, its blade glowing white with charged chakra, drawing a streak through the air.

The old man, unbalanced by the sudden demolition, looked up, his expression becoming one of utter befuddled surprise as Kakashi shot towards him.

With a single move, the blade slammed into his chest with fearsome precision, piercing his heart. He opened his mouth with a gargled cry, as Kakashi kicked himself off again, using the other ninja as a springboard to launch himself out of the debris cloud.

The old man clutched his chest, still caught in surprise, as he slammed into the water of the river below, followed by several tons of bridge material landing on top of him.

Kakashi landed safely on the water, his chakra keeping him from slipping through. He turned and looked over his shoulder at Hanare, who was rushing downriver across the water. Then he set off in pursuit.

Up above, the ninjas of Jomae barely had time to react to the revelation that the gig was up. The moment the bridge started falling into the canyon, Guy bellowed: "FIRE AT WILL!"

Snipers hidden in the trees let go of their bowstrings, precisely aimed arrows hammering into the other ninjas, piercing flesh and breaking bones. Other Konoha ninjas stepped forward and hurled kunai fastened with explosive tags, the chakra infused paper bursting into massive fireballs upon impact, sending the enemy shinobi scattering in full retreat back into the wilderness.

Down below, Kakashi continued his pursuit. Hanare jumped up from the river onto dry land, the silver-haired jonin not far behind.

And then she stopped.

In front of her was only a cliff's edge and a deep fall.

"End of the line," Kakashi said, his blade ready.

"Yeah. It is," she said, turning around.

"I must admit, I am impressed. That jutsu is unlike any I've experienced before," he said. "But I cannot allow you to leave with that information, whatever you managed to gather."

"I know," she replied. She almost looked relieved. "But I'm actually happy it ends this way. With you."

"Uhuh," Kakashi replied, raising his weapon, vary of any trick she might be trying to pull. "How so?"

"That you'll be the one to kill me. In a way, it is what I want." She smiled sadly. "Not that it would have changed much either way. Jomae would have had me killed anyway."

"Why?"

"For treason." She tapped her head. "That information I stole. I deleted it."

"And why should I believe you?" Kakashi asked.

"You don't have to. As I said, it doesn't matter."

"And why would you do that?"

She smiled sadly. "Because I couldn't betray you."

"Betray me? Look, that's very kind of you, but I'm some stranger you've met once and then hung around for a couple days as a prisoner," the silver-haired jonin replied. "So I find that statement doubtful."

"That's okay. You don't have to believe that either. I just wanted you to know how I feel, even if you think I'm lying." She sighed. "It's silly, I know. But... Despite everything... You were the one person who were ever kind to me, expecting nothing in return, demanding nothing in exchange. I was... Just a person to you. But that was more than I ever was to my village. And... You made me happy. So... I could not hurt you by handing out your village's secrets to my own. And for that, I'd die either way. But being killed by you... It's better this way." She looked up, tears in her eyes. "So thank you. For everything. It meant the world to me."

Kakashi stepped closer, still careful in case this was an elaborate ruse. He raised his weapon and placed its edge against her throat. Their eyes met once more. And for a moment, time seemed to freeze.

Might Guy leapt from rock to rock, following the river. It didn't take him long to find footprints in the dust, leading away from the river. Following them, he came upon Kakashi, standing alone at the edge of the cliffside, looking down at the wilderness below.

"There you are," he said relieved. "Splendid work at the bridge. Those Jomae ninjas were caught completely unprepared." He paused, observing the silver-haired shinobi. "Did you get her?"

Kakashi turned around. "It's over," he said. "With her and her sensei both being KIA, this threat to Konoha has been dealt with."

Guy studied his face with concern for a moment, then broke into a warm smile. "I see. That is good to hear. Come, let's go and celebrate this moment of victory. For it is through these moments that comrades and rivals alike forge bonds as strong as the heart of the mountains."

"I could actually go for a drink right about now," Kakashi admitted, as he began following Guy back towards the others. He paused briefly, looking back towards the cliff. Faintly, the sound of a shamisen being tuned was carried to him on the wind. Then he continued onwards.