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Chapter Four: A Trip To The Earth Country
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I stood in front of the small cupboard, its wooden surface worn and chipped. The girl whose body I now inhabited had a limited wardrobe—long-sleeved tops and thigh-length, tight shorts dominated the space. Dark colours prevailed, as if she preferred to blend into the shadows. But I needed something different, something that felt more like me.
And there it was: an orange short shirt adorned with playful toad prints. The vibrant colour stood out against the sea of neutrals. I pulled it out, feeling the fabric between my fingers. It was soft, a comforting touch in this unfamiliar world.
Rummaging further, I discovered a pair of loose navy-blue pants. They hung just above my ankles, casual and practical. As I changed, I couldn't shake the guilt that gnawed at me. I had done this before—slipped into someone else's skin, borrowed their life. But this time felt different. The girl known as Rin was gone, replaced by an intruder—an entity with no true identity.
Who was I?
In my memory, Minato, the Fourth Hokage, had called me "son." A boy, then. But that label didn't ease the ache of displacement. I was a puzzle piece forced into the wrong picture, edges fraying against the boundaries of reality.
As I began to peel off my clothes, a familiar presence brushed against my senses. Outside the window, a pale figure stood, eyes fixed on me. Obito. His gaze held a hunger, a twisted desire that made my skin crawl. This guy was an absolute creep, and I had no patience for him.
Without thinking, I propelled myself out of the apartment. The world blurred as I executed a roundhouse kick, catching Obito square in the chest. He flew backward, crashing through walls like a ragdoll. The impact reverberated through my bones, and for a moment, I revelled in the satisfaction of justice served.
But then reason returned. I couldn't just finish him—not without consequences. Not unless he provoked me further. So I stood there, adrenaline fading, and wondered how much longer I could maintain this fragile balance between borrowed life and righteous fury.
Good lord, what a mess. But maybe, just maybe, I could find answers amid the chaos. And perhaps, in this borrowed body, I'd discover who I truly was—beyond labels and 'borrowed' memories.
~~
The sun hung low in the sky, casting long shadows across the training grounds. I arrived at the gate just before Kakashi, who stood there in his usual attire—silver hair and an air of perpetual aloofness. His gaze lingered on me, curiosity barely concealed. A girl who had bested them all in training? Yep, his scepticism was justified.
Obito, on the other hand, stumbled in a few moments later. "Sorry, I am late!" he gasped, between pants. His high-collared dark clothes clung to him, and he looked like he'd sprinted all the way from the other end of the village. "The antibiotics were…" His voice trailed off as he caught sight of me. His eyes widened, and he inched away. Kakashi, ever observant, noticed Obito's discomfort.
"Did you spar with Gai or something?" Kakashi asked, a hint of amusement in his tone.
"Maybe he was caught peeping?" I suggested flatly. Obito's face turned even paler.
Kakashi snorted. "Classic Obito."
Right at that moment, Minato appeared via shunshin—a blur of movement. He carried a leather bag on his back and a wooden box tied with white ribbons and a seal in his hands. His smile widened as he saw us. I waved, and Kakashi greeted him with a lazy "Yo."
Minato's eyes shifted from Obito to me. "Rin," he said, his tone gentle but reproachful. "That is not how a shinobi should dress. We are not going to a picnic."
I shrugged. "Trust me, it's not a problem." My orange shirt and loose navy-blue pants were hardly standard shinobi attire. But I had my reasons.
Minato rubbed his temple with a sigh. "Fine," he conceded. He glanced at everyone. "Team Seven," he addressed. "Let's begin our journey."
~~
Our journey as Team Seven began. The forest around us was alive with the whispers of leaves, each tree a symbol to nature's grandeur, though none as formidable as those in the infamous Forest of Death.
As we travelled, Minato-sensei, with the grace of a seasoned shinobi, demonstrated the Rasengan, a swirling orb of chakra that danced on his palm. Obito, ever the eager one, boasted he'd master it swiftly, while Kakashi, with his usual cool demeanour, doubted even he could grasp such a technique. I kept my silence, harbouring a secret ambition to unveil a Rasengan of unprecedented scale.
I longed for an attack, not with malice, but with a desire to test our mettle. To face enemy ninjas and show them the consequences of underestimating us. I really want to use a Massive Rasengan.
Upon reaching Konoha's boundary, we were greeted by the masked visages of ANBU operatives. With due diligence, we presented our passes and mission documents, earning their silent nod of approval. We then resumed our journey, leaping with agile precision from branch to branch, the hours passing like fleeting shadows until Minato-sensei signalled the end of our day's trek.
Settling by a babbling stream, my clones sprang into action, setting up camp in a mere five minutes. We agreed to take turns standing guard—sensei first, followed by Kakashi, then myself, and lastly, Obito.
Obito, desperate to impress, attempted to fish but returned empty-handed. Kakashi, on the other hand, proved his prowess by providing seven fish for our meal.
"Seven, eh? That's more than enough." Sensei remarked as he instructed me to cook them.
"Why me?" I asked, catching him off guard. He sheepishly scratched the back of his head and grinned like a total duncass.
"Fine..." I sighed as I began to cook, not burn them in the campfire.
The night was calm, the fire crackling softly in front of us as we gathered around it. Sensei leaned forward, his face illuminated by the flickering flames. "So, guys," he began, his voice gentle yet commanding. "Since we are a team, how about we talk about our ninjutsu arsenal?"
Obito, sitting next to me, looked worried. "Is it wise to discuss such sensitive matters here?" he asked, his eyes darting around the shadows cast by the trees.
Minato-sensei gave a reassuring nod. "Yes, Obito. I've already checked the perimeter. We're safe."
Relaxing a bit, Obito straightened up. "I'll go first then," he said, with a hint of eagerness in his voice. "I know the academy three, the Great Fireball Jutsu, you taught us the Body Flicker Technique, and... uh..." His voice trailed off, and he scratched the back of his head, a sheepish smile spreading across his face.
Kakashi, ever the prodigy, couldn't resist. "I know everything you know, Obito," he began, his tone casual but confident. "Plus at least two C-rank jutsus from every chakra nature. I can use two B-rank lightning jutsus and one A-rank lightning jutsu. I can also use Shadow Clones and I have the Hound Summoning Contract." He finished his list, leaving Obito looking even more dejected. Sensei's gentle smile never wavered, but I could see the pride in his eyes. Even at such a young age, Kakashi was a genius.
All eyes turned to me next. Taking a deep breath, I stood up and struck a dramatic pose. "Get ready to be amazed by my sheer awesomeness!" I declared, my voice brimming with confidence. "I know the academy three, Shadow Clone Jutsu, Orioke-no-Jutsu, Medical Ninjutsu, Harem-no-Jutsu, and Rasengan..." I paused, savoring the suspense. "Hehe...?" I held out my hand and formed a Rasengan, the swirling blue chakra ball glowing brightly in the night.
The reaction was immediate. Obito's jaw dropped, and he started shouting, "Kai!" as if trying to dispel an illusion. Kakashi's eyes widened in shock, and he tensed, ready to spring into action.
Minato-sensei looked at me, utterly stunned. "H-how..." he managed to stutter.
"What can I say, I am that cool. Believe it!" I grinned widely, enjoying the disbelief on their faces.
Sensei approached me cautiously, his eyes never leaving the Rasengan in my hand. He leaned in close, inspecting it with intense focus. To my surprise, he even sniffed it, as if confirming its authenticity.
"It's real," he finally said, stepping back and sitting down on a nearby rock.
"Rin," Minato said, his voice low and cautious, "how did you manage to conjure the Rasengan so perfectly? I only showed it to you once."
I hesitated, my mind racing. "I've been practicing," I replied, trying to sound nonchalant. "I guess I just picked it up quickly."
"Picked it up quickly?" Minato's eyebrows knitted together. "Rin, that technique is incredibly advanced. It took me a long time to master it."
I forced a smile. "Maybe I just got lucky, Sensei."
Kakashi, walking a few paces ahead, glanced back at us. "Luck? I don't believe in luck," he said, his tone skeptical. "Skills like that aren't just picked up by accident."
Obito, who had been unusually quiet, chimed in. "Yeah, Rin. You are amazing."
I shrugged, trying to brush off their suspicions. "I guess the pressure of the mission pushed me to do my best."
Minato didn't look convinced, but he let it go for now. "Just be careful. Rapid advancements in power can come with risks."
~~
Three days of relentless sprinting brought us to the Land of Earth. The landscape was a stark contrast to our lush home in Konoha. Here, the greenery was scarce, overshadowed by an abundance of rugged rocks. The very ground seemed to echo the Earth-style chakra that permeated the air. For Earth-style users, it was a haven—a place where their jutsu could flourish. But for those of us attuned to other techniques, it was a treacherous landscape. Versatility was our only defense; otherwise, we risked becoming prey.
Our team was formidable. Sensei, a seasoned ninja, could hold his own against any adversary. Kakashi, too, possessed skills that demanded respect. Obito, though not the strongest, had enough power to contribute meaningfully. Together, we navigated this harsh terrain, our mission clear: gather intelligence and maintain our cover.
It was March, yet winter's chill clung stubbornly. Spring should have been in full bloom, but the Land of Earth defied the seasons. Instead, it felt like an eternal summer—a relentless heat that parched our throats and weighed down our steps.
One night, as Obito and Kakashi slept in a rocky cave, I stood guard, my eyelids heavy with fatigue. Sensei was gone, having left to deliver a crucial box to our spy. The silence of the night was oppressive, broken only by the occasional rustle of the wind against the rocks.
The quiet was shattered by hushed voices outside. My heart raced as I strained to listen.
"Did you see closely?" The first man whispered, urgency coloring his tone.
"I TOLD YOU, IT WAS THE YELLOW FLASH!" The second man's frustration was palpable.
"Where's he now?" The first man asked, his voice trembling.
"Who knows? But his genin team is here. We can abduct them to lure him out and…"
"Shouldn't we inform the Tsuchikage?" The first man hesitated.
"But the bounty on his head…" The second man's voice wavered. "It could… save my daughter's life. Her tumor is too… developed."
The dilemma was clear. Minato Namikaze—the Yellow Flash—was a Kage-level ninja, and his reputation preceded him.
"What would happen to her if you… die? If we die?" The first man's voice was barely a whisper now, filled with fear and uncertainty.
"We have to take—"
Footsteps approached, and fear radiated from the men as Minato materialized in a yellow flash.
"You people are not very—" Minato said as he closed in, "—stealthy."
Just then, he disappeared from his spot...
Before he could reappear before them...
I materialized in front of him, spreading my hands, signalling him to stop...
His eyes widened when he saw me—his student, faster than him.
Oh, shit. I had surpassed the Yellow Flash, and he knew it.
Despite seeing me, Minato didn't hesitate. His blade struck true, ending the men's lives swiftly. I sank to my knees, the brutality of the scene searing my soul. These men had valid reasons to pursue Minato, yet witnessing their deaths twisted something inside me.
"Why…?" My voice trembled.
Minato's response was unyielding. "We're at war, and everyone is our enemy. Knocking them out would invite more problems—hiding them, keeping them alive, feeding them. Our mission would suffer. What if they escaped and revealed our presence to Iwa-nin?"
His logic was sound, but it hurt. A lot.
This world, with its cruelty and conflicting loyalties, weighed heavily on my shoulders.
"Now that we are done with this topic..." Minato's voice took on a chilling edge, his eyes boring into mine. "Would you mind explaining how the hell you are this fast? Nobody can outspeed me when I use the Flying Raijin."
Oh boy, what should I say? 'Oh, I am a time-traveler here to fix the past and I have powers you can't possibly think of... Yet.' Yeah, that's a surefire way to end up in a padded cell. Think, Rin, think!
"It's... complicated," I replied, my voice barely above a whisper, trying to buy time.
"Complicated?" Minato echoed, his frustration evident. "That's not good enough. Explain."
Alright, Rin, time to get creative. "Well, you see, Sensei, I've been training... a lot. Like, really pushing my limits. Trying new techniques, experimenting with chakra control..."
Minato raised an eyebrow. "Training? Experimenting? That still doesn't explain how you could outspeed me. No one has ever done that."
Okay, Rin, don't panic. Just keep it vague but believable. "It's this new training method I developed. It involves intense meditation, precise chakra control exercises, and... a special diet. Lots of... uh, vegetables. It's all about honing my speed and reflexes."
Minato's eyes narrowed. "You're telling me a diet and meditation made you faster than the Flying Raijin?"
Great, he's not buying it. Quick, more details! "Yes, Sensei! And... and there's also the breathing exercises! They enhance oxygen flow, which boosts chakra circulation, increasing speed exponentially. It's revolutionary, really."
Minato sighed deeply, clearly unconvinced. "You don't want to tell me the truth, that's fine. But let me be clear," his voice dropped, radiating venom, "if you dare to raise a finger against Konoha, my student or not," he paused, letting the threat sink in, "I shall personally make sure you regret it."
Holy crap, he's serious. Note to self: never, ever, get on Minato-sensei's bad side. "I understand," I said, standing up shakily. "I would never betray Konoha."
His gaze lingered on me, searching for any hint of deception. Finally, he nodded slightly, the tension easing just a fraction. "Good."
As I headed back inside the cave, my heart was pounding. Note to self: invent a plausible-sounding super training program. Maybe call it... Ninja Speed Bootcamp. Yeah, that sounds impressive.
I glanced at the sleeping forms of Obito and Kakashi. Maybe I can still have a little fun with Kakashi's mask. After all, a girl's gotta have some revenge to balance out all this seriousness, right?
Kakashi, I hope you have extra masks because your current one is about to get really wet...
~~
We began to head back to our village after the mission was accomplished, using the rocky canyons of the Earth Country to avoid getting noticed. The landscape here was harsh and barren, a stark contrast to the lush forests of Konoha. Jagged rocks jutted out from the ground, and the air was thick with the scent of earth and stone. The silence was oppressive, broken only by the occasional sound of loose gravel shifting under our feet.
Kakashi, I hope you have extra masks because your current one is about to get really wet...
~~
As we continued walking, Kakashi suggested that Minato should use his Flying Thunder God technique to teleport us back to the village. "Sensei, we could be back in Konoha in an instant. Why not use the Flying Thunder God and avoid any potential ambushes?"
Minato shook his head. "If I do that, you won't be able to cope with the surrounding environment. It's important for you all to experience and adapt to different terrains. Furthermore, one should not rely solely on the strongest person in the team. You must always be prepared for anything."
Obito sighed. "But Sensei, it would be so much faster..."
Minato smiled gently. "I know it would, Obito. But part of being a ninja is learning to endure and adapt. You never know when you'll be in a situation where you can't rely on me or anyone else."
Kakashi nodded in agreement. "He's right, Obito. We need to be able to handle ourselves, no matter what."
Obito reluctantly nodded, though he still looked unhappy about it. "Fine, Sensei. I get it."
I, however, was too busy pondering the men Minato had killed. It was frustrating. How am I supposed to save the world if people die in front of me and I can't do anything? I felt sad for them—especially the one with the sick daughter. What would happen to her now?
Obito noticed my distress and fell back to walk beside me. "Rin, is everything okay? You look tired and sad."
I opened my mouth to respond, but before I could say anything, a sound of shuffling came from the cliff of the canyon. My heart skipped a beat. "Ambush!" I tried to yell, but my warning was drowned by the sudden chaos.
"Now!" an Iwa-nin shouted, his voice echoing through the canyon. In an instant, Minato-sensei was down, his body immobilized by intricate ink patterns that covered him from head to toe. Seals. Ironic, considering Sensei was a seal master.
Kakashi and Obito barely had time to react before they too were ensnared by the seal array that erupted from the ground. Their bodies crumpled to the ground, unconscious. I was the only one left standing.
I looked up to see dozens upon dozens of Iwa-nin descending from the cliffs, their eyes gleaming with excitement. The Yellow Flash was in their grasp, a prize they had long sought.
As they approached, one of them sneered at me. "We didn't bother trapping you because we believe you're a weak girl who can't do anything."
Weak? They think I'm weak? Oh, they are so going to regret this.
I took a deep breath, channeling my chakra. Time to show these Iwa-nin just how wrong they are.
"Big mistake," I muttered under my breath, forming hand signs quickly.
With a puff of smoke, several shadow clones appeared around me. The Iwa-nin blinked in confusion and then in fear as the clones spread out, ready for battle.
One of the Iwa-nin shouted, "This can't be! Our intel said she's only a medical ninja!"
"No kidding, Sherlock," I said, launching myself at the first attacker. My clones moved in perfect synchronisation, each engaging a different enemy.
I focused my chakra into my hand, forming a swirling sphere of energy. "Rasengan!" I slammed it into an Iwa-nin's chest, sending him flying into the rock wall. He collapsed, unconscious.
One Iwa-nin, clearly shocked, tried to regroup. "Fall back! She's not just a healer!"
I smirked. "You think?"
Summoning more chakra, I created another Rasengan, this time infusing it with fire chakra. "Katon: Rasengan!" The sphere glowed with a fiery intensity. I drove it into another enemy, the flames erupting on impact and knocking him out cold.
Two more enemies charged at me, but I was already preparing my next move. Forming another Rasengan, I infused it with water chakra. "Suiton: Rasengan!" The sphere became a swirling mass of water, crashing into one of the Iwa-nin and sending him sprawling.
"She can use multiple chakra natures!" one of the Iwa-nin yelled, backing away in fear.
I didn't give them a chance to regroup. Channeling wind chakra, I created another Rasengan. "Fūton: Rasengan!" The wind-enhanced sphere cut through the air with a high-pitched whine, slamming into another enemy and knocking him out instantly.
"Impossible," another Iwa-nin stammered. "How can she be this strong?"
"Don't forget," I said, forming yet another Rasengan, this time with lightning chakra. "Raiton: Rasengan!" The sphere crackled with electric energy. I thrust it into an approaching enemy, the electricity coursing through his body and rendering him unconscious.
The remaining Iwa-nin were visibly trembling now. They had expected an easy victory, but instead, they were facing a force they couldn't comprehend.
"This can't be happening," one of them whispered.
"Oh, it's happening," I said, my voice low and menacing. "And it's only going to get worse for you."
With my clones keeping the remaining enemies occupied, I moved swiftly through the battlefield, using a combination of taijutsu and Rasengan variants to knock out each Iwa-nin one by one. The air was filled with the sounds of combat—shouts, the crackle of chakra, and the impact of Rasengan against flesh.
In a matter of minutes, the battlefield was littered with unconscious Iwa-nin. My clones dispelled themselves, their job done. I stood in the midst of the fallen enemies, panting slightly but feeling a rush of satisfaction.
"Never underestimate a medical ninja," I said softly, looking at the downed enemies. "We might surprise you."
I turned back to my team, still trapped in the seals. My heart ached with the knowledge that I couldn't reveal my full capabilities to them yet. But this? This was a taste of what I could do.
I approached Minato, Kakashi, and Obito, ensuring they were safe. "Rest for now," I whispered, knowing they couldn't hear me. "I'll keep you safe. I promise."
With the immediate threat dealt with, I set about the task of breaking the seals, careful not to reveal too much of my strength. The mission wasn't over yet, but we were one step closer to returning home. And I was one step closer to proving that I could protect them all.
~~
The Iwa-nin, battered and bruised, were carried back to their village, their pride as shattered as their bodies. In the healer's tent, they lay on makeshift beds, wincing as the medics tended to their wounds. The atmosphere was thick with the scent of antiseptics and the low hum of anxious murmurs.
Suddenly, the tent flaps burst open, and the Tsuchikage stormed in, his presence commanding immediate attention. His eyes blazed with fury, and his voice boomed through the tent.
"Why was the mission a failure?" he demanded, his tone brooking no argument.
The injured Iwa-nin exchanged nervous glances, their fear palpable. One of the senior shinobi, his face pale and sweat-drenched, mustered the courage to speak.
"W-We underestimated her, Tsuchikage-sama," he stammered, his voice shaking. "The intel... the intel was wrong."
"Wrong?" the Tsuchikage barked, his eyes narrowing dangerously. "Explain."
The senior shinobi took a deep breath, his hands trembling. "The girl... we thought she was just a medical ninja. But she was... she was something else. She fought with Rasengans infused with different chakra natures—fire, water, wind, lightning. She took us down one by one, effortlessly."
The Tsuchikage's eyes widened slightly in surprise, but he remained silent, urging the shinobi to continue.
"And her eyes," another Iwa-nin interjected, his voice barely above a whisper. "Her eyes were both horizontally and vertically slitted, and her pupils were golden. It was... it was terrifying."
The Tsuchikage's expression darkened as realization dawned upon him. "A Sage," he murmured, more to himself than to the others. His mind raced, piecing together the implications of this new information.
Another shinobi, his voice low and hesitant, added, "She had marks on her face, Tsuchikage-sama. Like those of the Toad Sage Jiraiya. Could she be... his child?"
The Tsuchikage's eyes narrowed further. "That would explain her abilities. If she is trained by both Jiraiya and Minato, that would make her exceptionally dangerous. But we assumed she would have learned the Rasengan from Minato."
The senior shinobi nodded. "Yes, but there's something else. She didn't kill us. She only knocked us unconscious."
The Tsuchikage's expression turned thoughtful. "That is unusual. If she were merely following orders, she would have eliminated you. Why spare your lives?"
"Perhaps she has her own code," one of the injured Iwa-nin suggested. "Or maybe she's trying to send a message."
The Tsuchikage took a deep breath, his eyes narrowing as he considered the implications of this new threat. "We can't afford to underestimate her again," he said quietly. "She is to be considered an S-rank threat. Put her in the Bingo Book with a bounty of five million ryo—alive."
The room fell silent, the gravity of the Tsuchikage's words sinking in. S-rank threats were reserved for only the most dangerous and powerful enemies, and a bounty of five million ryo was unheard of.
One of the injured Iwa-nin, his voice barely above a whisper, asked, "Tsuchikage-sama, what are we dealing with?"
The Tsuchikage's eyes were cold and calculating. "She is a Sage," he said simply. "And she poses a threat to everything we have worked for. We must find her and bring her to me. No matter what it takes."
The injured shinobi nodded, their fear replaced with a grim determination. They had faced a powerful enemy, but they would not be defeated. They would find her, and they would bring her to the Tsuchikage.
As the Tsuchikage left the tent, his mind was already racing with plans and strategies. A Sage was a rare and dangerous foe, but he would not be deterred. He would find her, and he would bring her to justice.
Outside, the night was dark and quiet, the stars shining coldly overhead. The Tsuchikage stood for a moment, his eyes fixed on the horizon. He knew that this was only the beginning. The real battle was yet to come.
"Five million ryo," he murmured to himself, his voice low and determined. "Alive. We will find her, no matter what it takes."
As he turned and walked back to his quarters, the Tsuchikage's mind was already racing with plans and strategies. He knew that this would be a difficult and dangerous mission, but he was ready for the challenge.
The Iwa-nin would find the girl, and they would bring her to him. And when they did, he would ensure that she would never pose a threat to the village again.
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TBC
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