Chapter 34: White Rose (Grass Daimyo Security Arc Part III)

The first thing she noticed was the cold water lapping gently against her feet.

Kimiko winced as a wave of aches surged through her body, each breath tugging painfully at her ribs.

Ouch. Okay. Worth it. I still got the target objects to Sasuke and Neji.

Her eyes cracked open, revealing the misty gray sky above. A light drizzle dotted her face, cool droplets cutting through the haze of pain. She coughed, the sharp sting in her abdomen reminding her of just how rough her fall had been.

"What… happened?" she murmured, her voice rasping weakly. Slowly, awareness crept back in, and she took in her surroundings.

She was sprawled on a rocky riverbank, her legs just brushing the edge of a slow-moving river. The water here was calm, shallow, a stark contrast to the roaring rapids deeper within the forest. Smooth stones lined the bank, glistening with rain and mist, their surfaces slick with moss that shimmered vividly in the muted sunlight filtering through the dense canopy above.

"Where… am I?" she whispered hoarsely, shifting slightly to glance to her side—and froze.

There, not far from her, was the lifeless body of the Iwa ANBU.

"Okay… still got the body," she muttered, her breath hitching slightly. "That's something."

Turning her gaze back to the misty sky, she squinted.

How long have I been out? she wondered, her mind sluggishly piecing together the events that had led her here. She winced again as a sharp throb shot through her left arm, prompting her to glance down. Tentatively, she flexed her fingers, letting out a sigh of relief when her arm responded.

"Not completely useless," she muttered. Despite the brutal fall from the collapsing bridge, her training and quick thinking had softened the landing. Her body, though battered and bruised, was still functioning.

Patting herself down, she murmured a quick self-assessment. "A few broken ribs… maybe a sprain… nothing too major." Her voice was steady, though her breath caught slightly at the pain in her chest.

Finally, she turned her attention back to the corpse of the ANBU. The mask was cracked and the body sprawled unnaturally on the rocky terrain.

"Alright," she sighed, more to herself than anyone else. "Now to figure out where the hell we are."

Thankfully, her injuries, while painful, didn't prevent her from carrying the ANBU's body over her shoulders. Every step was deliberate and slow as she made her way from the riverbank into the forest depths, but she refused to leave the corpse behind.

The forest she found herself in, however, was… unsettling.

She was no stranger to forests, having grown up surrounded by the lush greenery of the Land of Fire. Its woods were as familiar to her as the back of her hand, comforting in their vibrancy and life. But this riverside forest was something entirely different—a place that felt alive in ways she couldn't quite explain.

A faint, acrid-smelling mist clung to the underbrush, swirling low to the ground and giving the forest an otherworldly glow. The ancient trees stood tall and gnarled, their thick trunks scarred by time, while their sprawling roots resembled skeletal fingers clawing desperately at the earth. Vines hung in tangled curtains, some so heavy they dipped into the muddy ground below, their glossy leaves trembling with the faintest hint of a breeze.

Among the roots and rocks, mushrooms thrived in eerie abundance. Clusters of ghostly white fungi jostled for space with vibrant oranges and purples, their caps slick with moisture. Some seemed to emit a faint bioluminescent glow, a strange radiance barely visible in the muted daylight but enough to remind her that this forest wasn't like the ones she knew.

Her boots squelched against the soft, muddy earth, and it was then that she noticed something unusual—prints.

Faint, webbed impressions in the mud. They trailed erratically, weaving between the roots and disappearing into the thicker mist.

"Prints, huh?" Kimiko murmured grimly, crouching to study the strange tracks in the soft, damp earth. Her fingers traced the faint outlines. "Webbed ones, too... things are definitely living in this place."

She rose and shifted the weight of the ANBU corpse on her shoulder, feeling the dull throb of her injuries protesting the effort. "Right… first thing's first. Shelter."

Her instincts kicked in. One of the first lessons drilled into her during survival training was that animal tracks often led to water, food, or shelter. Of course, those same tracks could also lead to predators or other dangers, but given her current state, she didn't have the luxury of being picky. As she followed the faint prints deeper into the forest, she began noticing a subtle change in the environment.

The acrid mist hanging in the air grew thicker, its sour tang tickling her throat and nose. The once sparse forest floor turned into a labyrinth of twisted roots and dense undergrowth, forcing her to creep sideways at times to maneuver through the tangled vegetation. Each step sent her boots sinking slightly into the damp, muddy ground. She caught glimpses of faint water trails pooling among the roots, their gleam a promising sign.

Her senses heightened with every step, and she tuned in to the faint dripping sound echoing somewhere ahead. The acrid scent intensified, mingling with the earthy smell of moss and decay. Despite the growing unease settling in her chest, she pressed on, until the dense undergrowth suddenly gave way to a small clearing.

There it was.

Set into the base of a low hill, a wide cavern mouth yawned open, shadowed by the overhang of moss-laden rocks. Water trickled down the stone, pooling into a shallow stream that meandered back into the forest. She approached the entrance cautiously, her sharp eyes scanning for any signs of recent activity. No tracks led inside. In fact, the prints she'd been following veered sharply away, disappearing into the dense foliage.

"No scat," she murmured, crouching to run her fingers over the damp ground near the cavern entrance. "And the animals aren't nesting here, either…" Her brow furrowed. "Strange. Something's keeping them out."

Her grip tightened on the ANBU's body, her eyes narrowing as she assessed her surroundings. The cavern didn't carry the usual signs of being a predator's den—no bones, no lingering smell of decay, nothing to suggest an immediate threat.

"Well," she said, letting out a heavy sigh as she stepped toward the entrance, "finders keepers."

Carefully, she ducked under the moss-covered lip of the cavern and entered the shelter. The air inside was cooler and drier than the forest, the acrid mist from outside dissipating the deeper she ventured. The floor was uneven, strewn with jagged rocks and patches of moss, but it was spacious enough to accommodate her and the body she carried. Water dripped from stalactites above, forming small puddles that shimmered faintly in the dim light filtering in from the entrance. She crawled deeper

Kimiko gently lowered the ANBU's body to the ground, her own injuries reminding her of their presence with a sharp ache as she straightened. She leaned against the cool cavern wall, taking a moment to catch her breath.

"Well, it's not the coziest place," she muttered to herself, her voice echoing softly in the cavern. "But it'll do."

She crouched beside the corpse, her eyes lingering on the clay mask still secured over the ANBU's face. Her mind raced with questions as she stared into the hollow eyeholes. Why had Iwagakure sent an ANBU to meet with insurgents? What secrets might still lie within the scrolls she risked her life to retrieve? And most pressing of all, how would she find her way out of this place and back to safety?

As her thoughts swirled, the faint echo of dripping water provided a rhythmic backdrop, a constant reminder that she was alone in this strange, unwelcoming forest. But for now, she had shelter. That was a start.

"Alright," Kimiko muttered to the lifeless ANBU at her feet. "Let's see what else you had on you."

ANBU were notoriously well-equipped, and this one was no exception. Kimiko rifled through the pouches and seals on the body, finding the usual array of kunai and shuriken, as well as a stash of ninja rations. She grimaced at the dry, pellet-like food but ate them anyway, grateful for the sustenance. A small bamboo container yielded a medicinal ointment, which she applied carefully to her scrapes and bruises, wincing as the sting faded into a dull throb.

The most interesting find, however, was a small scroll tucked away in an inner pocket. Her sensory net picked up no traces of chakra, so she cautiously unrolled it. The contents were a chaotic mess of symbols and nonsensical characters.

"Ciphered," she muttered, rolling the scroll back up. Important documents were always encrypted, adding another layer of security for their carriers. Breaking it would be impossible here, but it could prove useful if she made it back to Konoha—or Kusagakure, at least.

"I should start figuring out how to—"

Her words died on her lips as a wave of pressure crashed into her sensory net. A colossal presence, overwhelming and suffocating, slammed into her like a hammer. Kimiko's entire body stiffened, and her eyes widened in alarm.

The cavern trembled, loose rocks tumbling from above as a deep, guttural voice filled the space, resonating like the fires found raging in the depths of the earth..

"It seems my meals deliver themselves this year!"

Kimiko's grip tightened on Byakko as she stumbled to her feet. The ground quaked beneath her, and before she could react, the rock formation ahead began to shift. No, it wasn't shifting—it was rising .

Stone crumbled away as something massive emerged from beneath the earth. A flat, triangular head came into view first, its sheer size taking up much of the cavern. Its broad frame loomed larger with every second, standing five meters tall even as it remained partially hunched. A gargantuan tail uncoiled behind it, scraping the cavern floor with an ominous rumble. Its mottled brown and gray skin gleamed faintly, spotted with craters and pockmarks that gave it an ancient, weathered appearance.

Kimiko's breath hitched as the creature stepped forward, thick, trunk-like limbs carrying its immense girth effortlessly. Its pale underbelly gleamed in stark contrast to the rough, textured hide above. The creature had no visible eyes, but that only made its presence more terrifying. She knew exactly what it was.

Or rather, who it was.

"Ibuse," she whispered, her voice barely audible. Hanzo the Salamander's personal summon.

The massive salamander exhaled, releasing a faint cloud of acrid, purple mist that filled the cavern. Its head tilted slightly, as though sensing her. When it spoke, its guttural tone sent chills down her spine.

"So you know my name," Ibuse rumbled. "I do not know how you survived the poison mists of my forest, little shinobi. But you will not leave this place alive."

Kimiko barely had time to brace herself as Ibuse's massive tail swung toward her like a wrecking ball. Acting on instinct, she ducked low, the tail whistling just over her head and slamming into the wall behind her. The impact sent cracks splintering through the rock, shaking the entire cavern.

As the rubble settled, Ibuse turned again, its movements unnervingly swift for a creature of its size. It reared up, one massive claw poised to crush her where she stood. Kimiko gripped Byakko tightly, her mind racing.

Now!

With a burst of chakra, she sidestepped and slashed, Byakko trailing a brilliant arc of white chakra as it bit into Ibuse's flesh. Purple blood spurted from the wound, hissing as it hit the cavern floor. Kimiko jumped back, narrowly avoiding the corrosive spray as it burned through stone, leaving smoking craters in its wake.

But when she looked back, her stomach dropped.

Ibuse seemed unbothered by the injury. The stump of its severed limb bled for only a moment before the flow ceased. Smoke rose from the wound, and before her disbelieving eyes, new flesh began to grow. Within seconds, an identical limb had taken its place.

Kimiko tightened her grip on Byakko, her jaw clenching as Ibuse turned toward her once more, unrelenting and utterly terrifying.

"You are fast, for a child," Ibuse rumbled, his deep, gravelly voice vibrating through the cavern. "Die."

Without warning, his massive jaws parted, unleashing a thick cloud of purple poison that quickly enveloped Kimiko. She barely had time to react before the noxious fumes invaded her lungs, making her muscles seize and her body twitch uncontrollably. A violent coughing fit wracked her frame as her legs gave out, leaving her kneeling on the cavern floor.

What the hell? she thought desperately. I'm immune to poison—why can't I move?

Focusing, she closed her eyes and began to knead her chakra, forcing it to flow through her body. The poison within her system resisted, a potent venom unlike any she had encountered before. Slowly, painstakingly, her chakra pushed back, absorbing and neutralizing the toxin. The tension in her muscles ebbed, and she forced her eyes open just in time to see Ibuse barreling toward her, his massive body poised to crush her where she knelt.

With a burst of chakra, Kimiko flickered, disappearing in a swirl of red and black lotus petals. She reappeared above the salamander, perched atop his broad back. Without hesitation, she channeled her toxic chakra into Byakko, the white blade glowing faintly crimson as she drove it down, piercing Ibuse's thick hide.

A sharp, acrid smell assaulted her nose as the blade dug deeper, releasing a spray of purple, toxic blood that sizzled on contact with the cavern floor. Kimiko gritted her teeth, twisting the blade as her chakra surged into the wound, mingling with the venomous fluid. Ibuse roared in anger, his massive tail whipping upward with terrifying speed.

The blow struck her midair, sending her sliding off his head and crashing to the ground in a heap. She gasped as pain lanced through her back, but forced herself to look up.

A deep gash ran along Ibuse's head, his blood dripping onto the ground in thick, sizzling droplets. For a moment, the massive salamander stood still, and Kimiko dared to hope—but then the wound began to close, sealing itself with unnatural speed. Within seconds, his head was unmarred, as though she hadn't struck him at all.

The cavern fell into an eerie silence, save for Kimiko's labored breaths.

"...Hm," rumbled Ibuse after a moment. "Child, no shinobi alive has resisted my venom—not even those who pride themselves on their immunity to poisons. My venom has sent thousands of shinobi to their deaths."

Ibuse leaned down, his massive, eyeless snout inches from her chest. The vibrations of his voice rattled her ribs as he spoke.

"But you resisted. Not only that, you infused my own venom into your blade and used it against me. Tell me, who are you, that I might satisfy my curiosity before I eat you?"

Kimiko's chest rose and fell as she met his words with calm defiance. "...Yuhi Kimiko. My name is Yuhi Kimiko. I am a Konoha kunoichi. I fell into a river and got swept here."

Ibuse let out a low, rumbling chuckle. "Bah. Of course, it would be Konoha who would produce such a troublesome child." The salamander turned, his massive tail swishing lazily through the air. "You have shown me something I have not seen in decades. I shall permit you to live."

The ground beneath her rumbled as Ibuse prepared to burrow back into the earth. Panic surged in Kimiko's chest, and she called out before she could stop herself.

"Wait!"

Ibuse paused, turning his massive, triangular head back toward her.

"It… it's customary for a host to welcome their guests, right?" she said, her voice steady despite the adrenaline coursing through her veins. "You haven't welcomed us into your home yet."

The cavern seemed to tremble with Ibuse's amusement. "Leave it to a Konoha shinobi to trespass into my domain and demand proper hospitality," he said, his voice shaking the very air. "Never mind that this is not truly my home."

For a moment, silence stretched between them, the tension thick and stifling. Finally, Ibuse rumbled, "...But let it not be said that Ibuse of Amegakure is an ungracious host. Descend into the deeper caverns and follow the glowing mushrooms. They will guide you to my nest. Stray from the path, and you will fall prey to the other denizens of this place. I will not protect you."

With that, Ibuse burrowed into the ground, the massive sound of stone and dirt shifting marking his departure. Kimiko stood still, staring at the hole left behind, her heart pounding. Slowly, she turned her gaze to the ANBU's lifeless body at her feet.

"Well," she muttered, as she picked the corpse up, adjusting the weight of the corpse on her shoulder. "Looks like we're going deeper."

The descent wasn't particularly treacherous, but it was dark, lit only by the faint, ethereal blue glow of the mushrooms lining the rocky path. Kimiko moved cautiously, carefully watching her steps to avoid a misstep, the weight of the corpse on her shoulder slowing her progress. The cave's narrow, twisting tunnels gradually gave way to a wider, more expansive path. It was a subtle but unmistakable shift, and with it, the signs of life—or death—grew more apparent.

The rocky ground, unusually clean near the upper reaches, began to bear signs of inhabitation. Bones of varying sizes littered the path, scattered remnants of countless creatures that had found their ends here. Deeper still, the bones were joined by partially decayed remains of oversized bats, their leathery wings torn and glistening in the dim light. The acrid mist thickened, and the oppressive air seemed to press down on her, heavy with an almost tangible danger. The faint sound of dripping water echoed through the cavern, punctuated by the occasional eerie rustle.

Finally, the tunnel widened into a massive chamber, so vast it defied belief that it could have formed naturally. Kimiko stopped in her tracks, her breath caught as she took it in.

The lair was an enormous underground grotto, dominated by a central pool of viscous, violet liquid. The strange liquid shimmered faintly, reflecting the bioluminescent fungi that adorned the jagged walls. The surface of the pool rippled intermittently, disturbed by unseen movements—or perhaps something lurking beneath. A faint, toxic smell wafted from the liquid, an unmistakable warning to all who entered.

The ceiling loomed high above, shrouded in shadow, with thick, root-like stalactites dripping moisture that plinked into the pool below. Long strands of glistening moss hung like curtains from the ceiling, their faint movement lending an almost spectral air to the cavern. The walls, rugged and uneven, were streaked with veins of green and deep brown minerals, as though the earth itself had bled to create this domain. Clusters of vibrant fungi grew along the walls, their glowing caps casting hues of ghostly blue, toxic green, and ominous purple, illuminating the grotesque beauty of the space.

Scattered across the chamber were skeletal remains of creatures, both small and massive, their bones partially dissolved and gleaming faintly. They served as grim reminders of the countless lives claimed by this place, their stories etched in the silence. Kimiko's eyes lingered on the bones of a creature she couldn't even identify, its ribs splayed wide like the open maw of some monstrous predator.

In one corner of the lair, a raised stone platform stood out, its surface smooth and polished as though carved deliberately. The platform bore strange grooves and scratches, lines etched by time or perhaps the creature that called it home. Around it grew a dense cluster of glowing mushrooms, their radiant light casting a faint halo over the platform, marking it unmistakably as a place of rest.

The ground beneath her shook, pulling Kimiko from her reverie, as the massive form of Ibuse rose from the shadows. He lumbered onto the stone platform with ease, his colossal frame dominating the cavern. His broad, flat head gave him a permanent scowl, his dark, mottled skin gleaming with a sheen that spoke of the toxins running through his veins. His long, sinuous tail coiled behind him as his thick, muscular limbs supported his immense weight. His massive tongue flicked out, swirling across his mouth as he surveyed her.

Ibuse's voice rumbled like distant thunder. "So," he said, his tone mocking, "it is also customary for a guest to offer their host a gift in exchange for their hospitality. Where is your offering, child? Or does Konoha still raise its children to take advantage of their hosts without giving something in return?"

Kimiko blinked, her mind racing. Crap. That's a part of it, isn't it?

"...I apologize," she began, bowing her head slightly. "As I said, I did not come here of my own accord. I was swept here by the river and have naught to offer you." She paused, lifting her gaze to meet his massive form. "If it pleases you, I can offer my story instead, fit to entertain. This humble kunoichi has nothing else to give."

The salamander's deep voice filled the cavern, vibrating the very ground beneath her feet. "Truly, Konoha raises the most audacious of shinobi," Ibuse said, his voice dripping with derision. "To enter someone's home uninvited, take refuge, and then offer nothing but flowered words in exchange." His tail flicked, causing a gust of air to sweep through the chamber.

"But," he continued after a moment, "you are fortunate. I have not left this cave in many years. Go on, little flower. Tell me your stories."

Kimiko exhaled a quiet sigh of relief, nodding as she gathered her thoughts. "Then I shall do my best not to bore you, Ibuse-sama."

And so, she told him her story—of how her team had been sent to protect the Grass Daimyo, of their battle against insurgents intent on his assassination, and of how they uncovered Iwagakure's complicity in funding the rebels. She recounted the skirmish on the bridge, the desperate fight that culminated in its destruction, and her plummet into the raging river that swept her to this place.

Ibuse listened attentively, his massive head tilted slightly as his eyeless face remained eerily still. Occasionally, he rumbled a low question for clarification, his deep voice vibrating the cavern walls. When Kimiko finished, silence hung in the air, broken only by the faint drip of water from the stalactites above.

"Hng," Ibuse finally spoke, his voice thoughtful and heavy. "The Five Great Ninja Villages still claw at each other's throats, dragging smaller lands into their feuds to suffer the fallout. Truly, nothing changes." His tail swished, sending loose rocks skittering across the cavern floor. "That explains the Iwa corpse, then. But tell me, why do you bother lugging it with you? You said your team already secured the scroll she carried."

Kimiko adjusted her seated position, brushing a strand of damp hair from her face. "An intact ANBU corpse is a treasure trove of information," she replied, her voice steady. "When I get to Konoha, I'll turn it over to the intelligence division. They'll be able to glean critical insights—jutsu, coded messages, or even enemy operations."

Ibuse tilted his broad head slightly, a gesture that might have been curiosity or disdain. "You—a mere child of thirteen—have been sent into a foreign country by your Hokage to guard a bloated noble swaddled in silks. A man who, along with his sons, saw fit to leer at you shamelessly." His voice echoed with barely contained dislike. "You risked your life defending him from assassins and brigands despite these insults. Then, of your own volition, you embarked on a perilous mission, violating the wishes of the country that hosted you. This mission led you to battle a formidable opponent and nearly cost you your life. Now, despite it all, you still carry a corpse on your back to aid a village that has already driven you to such lengths. Why?"

Kimiko hesitated for a moment, her voice soft but firm when she spoke. "I am a shinobi of Konoha. It's my duty to give my all for my village, even when it's hard. What kind of shinobi gives up because they're uncomfortable?"

"Naive," Ibuse scoffed, his voice echoing through the cavern. "Such beliefs will see you dead, child. Sacrifice is the road to ruin; there is no virtue in suffering, no reward in a pointless death."

"Maybe," Kimiko admitted quietly, meeting his towering form with a steady gaze. "But everyone dies. I'd rather die fighting for the people I love, for something I believe in, than live a life where I stood for nothing. People like that die forgotten, full of regret."

The salamander's deep rumble was filled with both derision and something bordering on admiration. "Foolish," he said at last. "The cruelty of the Five Great Nations knows no bounds. To forge a child into a weapon so loyal it clings to such convictions through pain and despair... I do not know whether to be enraged or impressed." He paused, his presence heavy and suffocating in the silence that followed. "Still, I will not fault you for your conviction and resolve. Though I doubt such fervor will remain unbroken as you age, may you carve your name into the world before time rusts your blade and turns you into a coward."

Kimiko nodded, biting her lip to steady herself under the crushing weight of his words. "Thank you, Ibuse-sama," she murmured, her voice steady but subdued.

The salamander's towering figure seemed even more imposing as he loomed over her, a living remnant of a bygone era. This was the companion of Hanzo of the Salamander, a man who once stood as one of the greatest shinobi in history, whose name alone struck fear into the hearts of entire nations.

And in that moment, something stirred within Kimiko—a sense of curiosity, reverence, and a flickering spark of ambition. She wanted to learn. To grow. To rise. And maybe, just maybe, to leave a name that even the likes of Ibuse would remember.

But for now…

"...If I may ask, Ibuse-sama," Kimiko began carefully, "I didn't expect you to be here, in this… place. Is this your natural habitat? You mentioned this isn't your home."

Ibuse let out a low hum, his voice reverberating through the cavern. "Perceptive, child. No, this forest is not my original domain. It is a canopy I claimed when I left my homeland. Quiet and forgotten by most humans. You, likely, are the first human to set foot here in years. Not that they would have lasted long."

"The poison mists outside?" Kimiko ventured, her brow furrowing slightly. Now that she thought about it, the only reason she wasn't already succumbing to the toxic air must have been her immunity due to her unique abilities.

"Indeed," Ibuse replied, his tone even. "I clouded this place with poison to ward off intruders. And this cavern," he gestured around with his massive head, "I have claimed as my lair."

"I see." Kimiko hesitated briefly, her tone softening further. "But… if I may be so bold, Ibuse-sama—"

"You overstepped when you trespassed into my domain uninvited, child," Ibuse interjected sharply, though his tone carried an air of tolerance rather than anger. "Ask your question."

Kimiko dipped her head slightly in acknowledgment, her words carefully measured. "Why did you leave your homeland, if I may ask?"

Ibuse's massive body shifted slightly, his tail sweeping behind him with a deliberate grace. "I have no reason to remain there," he said flatly, his tone signaling the end of the topic.

Kimiko pressed her lips together thoughtfully. She recalled the events of the anime, where Hanzo the Salamander had been killed by Pain, though the Akatsuki had concealed this fact to further their agenda.

"I understand, Ibuse-sama," Kimiko said finally, her voice calm and deferential. "I was simply surprised. I had not expected you to be so far removed from Hanzo the Salamander."

Ibuse let out a low, almost disdainful grunt. "Hanzo can summon me if he requires my aid," he said. After a pause, his tone grew quieter, almost contemplative. "Though I doubt that will happen anytime soon."

Kimiko's curiosity flickered in her eyes, but she knew better than to push. "May I ask why?" she ventured, though her tone made it clear she was prepared for a refusal.

"You may not," Ibuse replied curtly. "I permit you to rest here within my domain. But the moment you leave this cave, I will not extend my hospitality again. Nor will I guide you out of this forest."

"Of course, Ibuse-sama. I would never presume to impose further," Kimiko said, bowing her head respectfully. A brief silence settled between them before she hesitated, then spoke again. "If I may… I am not unskilled in cooking." She glanced around the cavern, taking note of the supplies and potential ingredients. "With your permission, I could prepare something using your hunts or the mushrooms in this cavern as a token of my gratitude."

Ibuse let out a low chuckle that sent vibrations through the ground. "Do as you wish. But heed my words: If you stray beyond the safety of my lair and are accosted by the creatures outside, do not expect my intervention."

Kimiko straightened and offered a slight smile, despite the unease curling in her chest. "Of course, Ibuse-sama. I am deeply grateful for your generosity."

With that, Ibuse turned his great head away, his presence heavy and inscrutable, leaving Kimiko alone in the quiet expanse of the cavern.


To her surprise, staying with Ibuse had been unexpectedly pleasant, ignoring the fact that she was living in a poisonous cavern with a giant, venomous salamander that could end her life at any moment.

Each day, Kimiko ventured outside Ibuse's chambers to gather mushrooms, both poisonous and edible, while Ibuse returned with game—usually giant bats. The meat was coarse and gamey, but it was sustenance. Kimiko took it upon herself to prepare their meals, boiling the mushrooms and meat together in the least poisonous pool she could find and cooking over a fire she carefully tended with what limited tools she had.

To her satisfaction, the meals proved satisfactory to Ibuse. Despite his earlier dismissiveness, the great salamander ate with gusto, clearly appreciating the effort. It didn't escape her notice how much he seemed to savor the rare luxury of cooked food. Kimiko suspected it had been years since anyone had bothered to make something for him.

In return, Ibuse shared stories of his glory days, recounting battles fought alongside Hanzo of the Salamander. The tales were soaked in bloodshed and carnage, yet the reverence with which Ibuse spoke of his master was undeniable. To Ibuse, Hanzo was more than a summoner—he was a comrade, perhaps the only one the salamander had ever truly respected.

"I truly believe he was once the most powerful shinobi in the world," said Ibuse one evening.

"Once?" Kimiko pressed, catching the slight melancholy in his tone.

Ibuse stilled for a moment, his tail swishing behind him. "There are those mightier now," he said after a long pause. "Time weakens all, even the strongest."

Kimiko could see how Hanzo's absence weighed on him, though he refused to linger on the subject. When the conversation shifted, she hesitated before asking a question that had been plaguing her.

"...How do you think I should leave this place? You said we're near the border of the Land of Rain and the Land of Grass, but the forests outside seem endless."

Ibuse regarded her, his large frame shifting. "While your presence has become tolerable, I will not let it be said that I, Ibuse, allowed a shinobi to grow idle in my hospitality. You must find your way out on your own, soon."

She bit her lip, the reality of her situation pressing down on her. Days had passed since her fall. For all she knew, her comrades had assumed she was dead. Her thoughts lingered on Sasuke. The image of him blaming himself for her presumed death made her chest tighten.

He must be beating himself up over this…

Pushing the thought aside, she changed the subject. "Ibuse-sama, I've noticed you've been bringing back less and less meat lately. Is something wrong?"

The salamander snorted dismissively. "Do not concern yourself. I will ensure you are fed."

"...The creatures have grown bolder, creeping further into my territory," Ibuse spoke after some moments of silence.

Kimiko frowned, concern flickering across her face. "I see," she said slowly. "Your poison mists don't keep them out anymore?"

"Bah! Of course they do!" Ibuse snapped, the cavern seeming to quake with his indignation. "I am not so old and frail that my poison has lost its potency!" He paused, his tone shifting to one of begrudging acknowledgment. "...But I have been here for many years, child. You understand how these things work. Prolonged exposure breeds resistance."

Kimiko nodded thoughtfully, the explanation making sense. Repeated exposure to poison, even the most potent kind, could lead to gradual adaptation. The fact that Ibuse's mists had remained effective for so long was a testament to their strength.

"Still," Ibuse continued, his tone gruff, "this is my problem to solve, not yours. You should concern yourself with finding your way out of this forest, not the pests that plague my domain." His massive tail swished behind him, stirring up dust and loose stones.

Still, Kimiko pressed. "But if something's bothering you, maybe I can help?"

Ibuse's massive head tilted, his pale underside shifting as his tail flicked in irritation. "Help? What can a child like you offer that I cannot accomplish on my own? Do you think yourself my equal, girl?"

"No," Kimiko replied calmly. The pride Ibuse had was astounding to her. "But even the strongest shinobi need support at times."

The salamander scoffed. "Support is for the weak. I have lived alone for years. I defeated countless shinobi with Hanzo by my side, including three of the most powerful in your village. You know nothing of power."

"And Hanzo isn't here to help you now, is he?" The words left her mouth before she could think better of it.

Ibuse froze. His eyeless face swung toward her, and a deep growl reverberated through the cavern. Without warning, he opened his mouth, releasing a thick cloud of purple poison that rolled toward her. Kimiko instinctively inhaled, feeling her muscles tighten and her lungs seize, but her body adjusted almost immediately.

Kneading her chakra, she countered the poison with her own toxic chakra, exhaling a blood-red mist to meet his purple fog. The two toxic clouds collided, swirling in the air before dissipating.

When the mist cleared, Ibuse loomed over her, his deep voice trembling with both anger and something more profound. "I should kill you for your impudence, child."

Kimiko steadied herself, ready to face the consequences of her brashness. But then, Ibuse sighed, his massive frame seeming to deflate as weariness overcame his anger.

"Your earnestness… it is cruel," Ibuse murmured, his deep voice rumbling through the cavern like distant thunder. "To remind me of how it feels to taste another being's poison… To evoke memories of Hanzo in his youth—unwavering and stubborn."

The cavern grew silent, save for the rhythmic dripping of water echoing faintly in the distance. Kimiko remained still, uncertain whether to apologize for overstepping or to press her point further. In the end, she simply bowed her head in acknowledgment, her thoughts swirling as she sought to gauge whether her words had awakened something unintended within him.

Ibuse broke the silence. "Those bats... They were here long before I claimed this cavern as my nest," he explained. "When I arrived from my homeland, I deemed this place suitable for my purposes. I offered them half—half the space, for their kind and myself to coexist. But they refused."

Kimiko raised an eyebrow. "And?"

Ibuse's massive head tilted slightly, a faint glimmer of indifference evident in his eyeless face. "So I killed half their number and ate them. I claimed the half I desired. Mercy, girl, is a rare commodity. They should consider themselves fortunate."

Kimiko kept her expression neutral, though the weight of his words settled heavily in her mind. It wasn't just the act—it was how matter-of-factly he described it. To him, this was not cruelty, but balance.

She spoke slowly, her voice even. "So let me understand this. You asked for half of an inhabited cave. When those who lived here refused to give you what they had occupied for who knows how long, you slaughtered half of them to take what you wanted?"

"Yes," Ibuse said plainly, his voice devoid of malice. "I could have wiped them out completely, but I am no savage. Mercy is the virtue of the strong, and I know mercy. I allowed half to live, including their leader. She should not have spat on my generosity if she wished for her kind to remain unharmed."

Kimiko's expression remained stoic, though the revelation painted a vivid picture of Ibuse's worldview. Mercy, in his eyes, was not kindness—it was restraint. And that restraint was given only to those who understood the terms of survival. The logic was brutal, but unflinchingly consistent. Kimiko wondered briefly if offering her help had been the right decision.

"I see it in your eyes, girl," Ibuse continued, "You judge me. But tell me, is it any different from what your kind does? The so-called great shinobi nations... You cannibalize one another just the same. You shroud your greed in silky words and perfumed scrolls, but is that not what you do? A small village dares resist the power of the great nations, and they are crushed. The world of shinobi is not a dinner party—it is war."

Kimiko's lips pressed into a thin line. She knew he wasn't wrong. "One where strength is the only immutable law," she said quietly, cutting through his words. "I am familiar, Ibuse-sama. Power is what allows for safety. To lack it is to lead yourself and those who follow you to ruin. The only true cruelty for a shinobi is to allow their weakness to bring suffering to their followers."

Her voice steadied as she spoke. "I've read those words before. An unknown writer from an unknown village. But now, I think I know who penned them."

Ibuse stilled, the massive salamander considering her words in silence.

"I still wish to help," Kimiko said, her voice softer now. "If only to repay your kindness—and to witness you in battle myself."

A burst of low laughter escaped Ibuse. "Kindness? Bah. You twist words as only a shinobi from Konoha could. I care not if you join me. Should you fall, I will not shed a single tear."

Kimiko inclined her head. "Understood."

"Tomorrow," Ibuse rumbled, his deep, resonant voice reverberating through the cavern. "We will confront them in their territory. That woman who leads them... she has overreached. We will demand twenty more of their kind as penance. And if they so much as try to bargain, we will slaughter them all. Let it not be said that I, Ibuse, have relied on the charity of a young girl from Konoha. Once we emerge victorious, I will teach you the path in the forest that will get you to Kusagakure... if you yet live."

Kimiko nodded, forcing herself to suppress the pang of guilt swelling in her chest. Everything for the mission, Kimiko, she reminded herself. People are relying on you. Your entire village is. Shinobi have no place for those who falter when hard decisions must be made.

"You are generous, Ibuse-sama," Kimiko said, lowering her head respectfully. "I humbly accept."


True to her word, just hours after her rest, Kimiko found herself with Byakko in hand, marching beside Ibuse. The colossal salamander stomped across the dark cavern with a deliberate, thunderous gait, making no effort to conceal himself. Kimiko might have chalked it up to overconfidence if she didn't know better, but given what she'd learned and observed about Ibuse, she understood that subtlety wasn't a necessity for him. He was power incarnate here.

It didn't take long before her sensory net picked up on chakra signatures—dozens of them. They loomed in the dark like a silent, ominous chorus, and one stood out: a signature weaker than Ibuse's, yet potent in its own right. Kimiko tensed as they entered what could only be the heart of the bats' territory.

Ibuse abruptly halted, his voice rumbling. "Foolish woman," he growled, his tone filled with hate. "Do you think I, blind as I am, cannot sense you and your kin skulking in the shadows?"

Yellow eyes began to materialize all around them, glinting like gemstones in the gloom. Then came the piercing screeches, a cacophony that echoed through the cavern. Kimiko saw the faint outline of massive wings cutting through the darkness. Suddenly, two glowing red eyes emerged from the center, larger and fiercer than the rest. The creature with the red eyes swooped toward her, its massive form blotting out her view. Kimiko barely managed to duck as it circled back, landing with a resounding thud a few feet ahead of her.

The air was alive with movement as more bats, closer in size to eagles than ordinary creatures, darted erratically through the shadows. They settled into a menacing formation, surrounding them. In contrast, the bat with red eyes loomed large, its white skin gleaming faintly even in the dim light. This bat was enormous—easily five times the size of the others and large enough to carry Kimiko on its back.

"Foolish invader," spat the white bat, its voice sharp and distinctly feminine. "Not content with devouring my young, you march boldly into the heart of my home? Do you finally seek death, Ibuse? And you've brought a human, too. Another intruder to perish at my kin's fangs."

Ibuse stood his ground, unyielding. "I am the one speaking to you, woman," he growled, his voice carrying an air of command. "For too long, you have disrespected me. You've encroached on my territory time and again."

The bat sneered, her crimson eyes blazing. "Disrespected you? You came here first, demanding half our home, then slaughtered my mate and my young when we refused! For years, you've grown fat on the flesh of my children, and now you dare speak of offense? You are the shameless one, Ibuse!"

"Fool," Ibuse replied, his tone filled with contempt. "There is nothing more pathetic than one who blames others for their suffering. Your pain is born from your weakness, and rather than face it, you choose to resent the world. You have overstepped your bounds and dishonored me. For this affront, you will offer twenty of your kin as tribute for my guest and me to feast upon. Then, I shall allow you to remain in this corner of the cavern."

The white bat screeched in fury, her wings spreading wide. "For years, we were helpless. Yes, you consumed us like prey while we could do nothing. But no longer! We have grown many while you have grown old and weak. Your poison no longer scares us, Ibuse. Your time has passed."

Her gaze flicked to Kimiko. "And you, human. My young will savor devouring you, just as you have devoured them."

Kimiko flinched. Her mind raced back to the bat meat she had eaten earlier. She prayed silently that it hadn't been one of the intelligent ones. It was a thought best not dwelled on.

Ibuse's tail lashed behind him, slamming into the cavern floor and causing it to tremble. "You will regret your arrogance, woman," he growled, his body coiling slightly as though preparing for a fight.

And then, chaos erupted as the battle began.

The giant bat-woman swooped down toward Kimiko with a bloodcurdling screech, her massive wings beating fiercely and stirring the air into a violent storm. But before the creature could reach her, Ibuse launched himself forward with astonishing speed. His immense body collided with the bat-woman, his powerful paws slamming into her, halting her mid-air assault.

"Child," Said Ibuse as he held the bat-woman back with his monstrous strength. "Handle her brood. Leave this one to me."

Kimiko gave a quick nod, her grip tightening on Byakko as she spun on her heels to face the swarm. Around her, the cavern filled with the sound of chittering and flapping. The bats descended in droves, their glowing red eyes gleaming in the dim light of the bioluminescent fungi.

Their piercing screeches hit her all at once, a cacophony that seemed to echo inside her head. Her vision wavered, the world around her twisting and tilting. A wave of nausea slammed into her, and she staggered.

Genjutsu.

"Damn it," Kimiko hissed, quickly forming a hand seal. She concentrated, gathering her chakra and forcing it outward in a controlled surge.

"Kai!"

The oppressive haze lifted instantly, her vision snapping back to clarity just as the first wave of bats swooped toward her. Their sharp fangs gleamed, ready to tear into her.

Kimiko didn't wait. She crouched low, coiling her legs before launching herself forward in a blur of motion.

"Konoha Style Kenjutsu: Moonlight!"

In an instant, she became a streak of black and white. Byakko flashed through the swarm, its pristine white blade leaving trails of glowing chakra in its path. Kimiko landed on the far side of the cavern, crouched low. Behind her, the bats fell mid-flight, their bodies severed cleanly in two.

She flicked Byakko with a sharp motion, scattering blood from its blade onto the damp ground.

More screeches erupted from all sides. A second wave of bats surrounded her, their formation tightening as they prepared to attack. Kimiko's sharp eyes took in their numbers, and she knew she couldn't afford to wait. Her free hand flew through a series of seals.

"Water Style: Thousand Needles of Death!"

The air around her grew heavy with moisture as the water from the cavern floor and walls coalesced into sharp, shimmering needles. Hundreds of them spun around her in a protective circle before firing upward in a relentless barrage.

Each needle struck true, piercing through the bats with deadly precision. Their bodies burst mid-air, the water pressure detonating inside them and leaving nothing but mangled remains to rain down onto the cavern floor.

In the distance, she could hear Ibuse roaring as he battled the massive bat-woman. The cavern shook with each blow exchanged between the two titanic creatures. But Kimiko's focus remained on the immediate threats around her.

From beside her, another group of bats swooped down, and Kimiko lashed out again with her blade, cutting through them, but it left her open. A bat from behind sank its fangs into her shoulder before flying off, tearing a shallow gash. Another struck her cheek with a swipe, and for every bat she killed, another took its place, darting in to slice at her before retreating back into the shadows just beyond her reach.

"Enough!" she snarled, her voice echoing in the cavern. Ignoring the growing number of cuts across her body, she flashed through hand seals, even as the bats swirled around her like a living blade.

"Water Style: Black Water Wall!"

The moisture from her previous water jutsu surged toward her, coalescing rapidly into a spiraling barrier. The water turned pitch black as her toxic chakra infused it, forming a deadly vortex around her. Bats screeched as they slammed into the barrier, only to be burned to ash as the caustic water consumed them.

As the wall collapsed, it splashed outward, sizzling across the ground and taking more bats with it. But even then, Kimiko's heart sank—more bats filled the void left by their fallen brethren, spinning around her in an unrelenting storm.

Crap. Is there no end to these things?

Her gaze flickered toward Ibuse, whose massive form was marred with gashes that sizzled and bled, healing slower than the colossal bat could wound him. His tail slammed into the cavern wall in an attempt to knock the bat back, but the creature darted upward, catching his tail in its massive fangs. With a monstrous display of strength, it hurled Ibuse across the cavern, his bulk slamming into the wall with a thunderous crash.

Kimiko's eyes widened in alarm as the giant bat soared into the air, its silhouette ominous against the cavern's glowing fungi. It folded its wings, diving toward Ibuse's prone form, its fangs bared.

"Shit!" Kimiko hissed. Her gaze snapped back to the swarm of bats separating her from Ibuse. Crap, I won't make it in time. I need to stop it somehow.

Without hesitation, she pulled three senbon from her pouch. Running her water chakra through them, she infused them with her toxic chakra until the metal glowed faintly black. With a sharp flick of her wrist, she launched them into the air. The senbon spiraled like missiles, trailing streams of black, caustic water that sizzled and hissed as it cut through the bats. At the last possible second, one of the senbon struck the bat's wing, detonating into a pressurized burst of toxic water.

The bat screeched in fury, its flight destabilized as holes burned through its wings, dripping with sizzling fluid. It turned its hateful gaze toward Kimiko, its crimson eyes narrowing.

"Foolish shinobi. Resonating Screech!"

The bat opened its massive maw, releasing a deafening cry that tore through the air like a physical force, shattering stalactites and blasting the ground into craters as it surged toward her.

Kimiko braced herself, ready to face the attack, when a massive wall of brown, mottled flesh erupted from the ground in front of her, absorbing the full force of the screech. The ground trembled from the impact, but Kimiko realized with a start—it was Ibuse's massive body shielding her.

"Foolish child," said Ibuse, his voice like rolling thunder. "I told you not to interfere."

Kimiko staggered to her feet, panting, her blade still clutched tightly in her hand. "Forgive me, Ibuse-sama," she said, her tone sincere. She glanced up at the swirling mass of bats that still filled the cavern. "But it seems we can't beat them fighting separately."

Ibuse turned his broad head slightly, his eyeless face inscrutable. "Fool," he said, voice dry. "Do you think I don't already know that?"

There was a heavy pause before the salamander spoke again. "...It has been years since I fought with a partner."

Kimiko offered a weak, determined smile. "Better late than never."

"Gah," Ibuse grumbled, irritation palpable. "If only because we must survive." He lowered his head slightly, his body coiling like a spring. "Fine. Jump on my head, little flower. Let us show these pests why the wise fear Ibuse of Amegakure."

Kimiko didn't hesitate. With a surge of chakra, she leapt onto his massive head, bracing herself against his slick, mottled skin.

"I grow weary of this. Do you truly believe fighting together will change your fate?" the massive bat hissed,. "Do you think that will save you? My children, end them!"

The air came alive with movement as the entire swarm of bats descended upon Kimiko and Ibuse, their leathery wings blotting out the dim light of the cavern and leaving no room for escape.

Kimiko's hands blurred through hand seals, her senses locking onto the enormous salamander beneath her. She felt Ibuse's presence stir as their movements synchronized.

"Water Style: Noxious Cloud!"

Kimiko opened her mouth, releasing a thick, blood-red mist that immediately mingled with the purple toxin expelled by Ibuse. The two toxic clouds merged in midair, forming a creeping sea of virulent smog that rolled upward to meet the descending swarm.

Screeches of agony echoed through the cavern as the bats dropped from the air in droves, their bodies thudding lifelessly to the ground. The air reeked of poison, and the swarm was in chaos.

"What?!" the Bat Matriarch screeched, hovering above the deadly mist, her leathery wings beating furiously. "Impossible! We've grown resistant to your poison, you filthy lizard!"

"Foolish fly," said Ibuse, "You failed to account for my companion's venom. Together, your end is certain!"

Ibuse clapped his massive forelimbs together, forming a seal.

"Water Style: Sludge Stream!"

A torrent of viscous, dirty brown liquid erupted from Ibuse's mouth, hurtling toward the Bat Matriarch. She dodged to the side with an angry hiss, and the sludge struck the cavern wall, sizzling as it ate through the rock. More bursts of sludge followed in quick succession, forcing the matriarch to twist and evade, her movements growing increasingly frantic.

Kimiko seized the opportunity. While the Matriarch's focus was on Ibuse, she threw three senbon wreathed in her noxious water chakra. The needles streaked through the air and struck the bat cleanly across her torso, detonating with a corrosive burst that ate through flesh.

The Bat Matriarch shrieked in pain, her voice raw and primal. "Resonating Screech!"

A blast of concentrated soundwaves erupted from her, surging toward them with devastating force. But Kimiko was ready. Ibuse had been anticipating the move as well, his experience evident in his reaction.

The two vanished in a swirl of black and red lotus petals just as the sonic wave struck, leaving a crater where they once stood. They reappeared an instant later, materializing beside the hovering Bat Matriarch with a loud thud.

Kimiko leapt off Ibuse's head with speed and grace, her blade flashing in the dim light.

"Kimiko Style Kenjutsu: White Tiger's Bite!"

Byakko arced through the air in a deadly flourish, slashing diagonally downward before returning in an upward strike. Kimiko passed the Matriarch in midair as Ibuse's massive tail whipped around, slamming into the bat's midsection and sending her tumbling. The Matriarch's leathery wings flailed desperately as she struggled to stay airborne.

Kimiko landed gracefully, crouched low with her blade at the ready. Behind her, the bat screamed in agony. Twin, deep wounds marred her body—one starting at the tip of her wing and exiting near her hip, the other carving a mirrored path back. Blood sprayed from the wounds, sizzling where Kimiko's toxic chakra had tainted the cuts. The Bat Matriarch's remaining wing fluttered uselessly, unable to keep her aloft.

"No!" the Matriarch howled, her voice ragged with fury and pain. "I will end you! I will—"

Her words were cut short as the ground erupted beneath her. Ibuse burst from the earth with terrifying speed, his cavernous mouth wide open. In a single, fluid motion, the colossal salamander engulfed the Matriarch entirely, his jaws snapping shut with a resounding finality.

"Bah," Ibuse grumbled, "For a harridan, that bat tasted terribly." His tail swished lazily, pendulum-like, as his massive form loomed closer to Kimiko. "You fought acceptably, child. I've not had such a challenge in years."

"High praise, coming from Ibuse of Amegakure," Kimiko replied quietly, suppressing a wince as she slid Byakko behind her, its blade sheathed in shimmering threads. She stretched her arms, but a sharp pang at her hip made her falter.

Damn it. I overdid it... I wasn't even fully healed before that fight.

"I..." Kimiko hesitated, choosing her words carefully. "I would like to impose on your hospitality for another day, Ibuse-sama. It seems I've strained my body."

Ibuse snorted, his eyeless face tilting toward her as though scrutinizing her. "You have, foolish child. Even I, who see nothing, can perceive your fragility. But you have lingered here too long already. I cannot permit it."

"Please, Ibuse-sama," Kimiko said quickly, a note of desperation in her voice. "I invoke—"

"Interrupting before I've finished speaking," Ibuse growled, his tone edged with exasperation. "Truly, the children of Konoha have the most malapert of tongues among alll. But…" His rumbling voice softened, almost imperceptibly, as he let out a long, grumbling sigh. "To think that I, Ibuse, would extend this offer to a child barely a woman…"

Kimiko blinked, confusion flickering across her face. "Offer?"

Ibuse's patience thinned, his voice rising with irritation. "Do not test me, girl! This is for your benefit as much as it is mine." He shifted his weight, his massive bulk creating vibrations that made the cavern walls tremble. "Child, do you wish to form a contract with me?"

Kimiko froze, her breath catching in her throat. "A... contract?" she whispered.

"Do not make me repeat myself," Ibuse snapped. "This is no small matter. I would not extend this lightly." His tail slammed against the ground with a dull thud, sending dust scattering. "Hanzo would laugh at me from the grave for offering this to a shinobi of the Five Great Nations, of all places."

He shifted closer, the pungent smell of his venom faintly wafting from his body. "But you have proven your worth. My summoner has been dead for years, slain by a force that reduced him, his clan, and his village to dust. Hanzo's last act was to send me away, a futile attempt to save me from a god."

"A god?" Kimiko echoed, her voice barely audible.

Ibuse's tone grew dark, his words tinged with bitterness. "Yes. A god who destroyed everything he built. Hanzo perished, and I was left adrift, squandering his final gift. I rotted away in caves, growing content with shadows and echoes of the past. But your resolve has stirred something long buried within me."

Kimiko's heart pounded as Ibuse's massive head loomed closer, his eyeless gaze fixed on her as though piercing through her very being. "You remind me of the conviction he once held. It would dishonor his memory to waste my remaining strength. So I offer you this, child: a pact between us. A summoning contract."

Her mind raced. A contract? With Ibuse? The summon of Hanzo the Salamander, a shinobi of legend whose power eclipsed the Sannin themselves, was offering himself to her. The implications were enormous. A wiser person might have paused to consider the consequences and implication—tying herself to a being of such destructive capability, one who had massacred entire colonies for his own comfort, one who has felled hundreds and thousands of shinobi

But Kimiko was not that person.

"Yes," she said, her voice steady despite the whirlwind in her mind. "I accept."

A deep, guttural chuckle escaped Ibuse as he pulled back, towering over her. "Then it shall be done. Give me your forearm."

Kimiko did not hesitate, extending her forearm toward Ibuse. The massive salamander opened its maw, and with an ominous hiss, expelled a stream of black sludge directly onto her exposed skin.

She winced as the sludge sizzled on contact, the acrid smell of burning flesh filling the air. Yet, instead of devouring her arm entirely, the substance began to shift, crawling along her forearm like a living entity. As it moved, it carved intricate patterns into her skin, forming a latticework of seals. The designs were unlike anything she had ever seen, with fluid lines that spiraled into complex formula arrays. At the center of it all were three concentric rings of symbols, the innermost ring framing a small, empty cross-shaped mark.

"Your blood," Ibuse rumbled, his voice echoing through the cavern. "Seal it with your blood."

Kimiko raised her thumb, swiping it across the open wound on her cheek. Fresh crimson stained her thumb, and she pressed it into the vacant circle at the center of the array. The blood seeped into the pattern, spreading outward as though drawn by an unseen force. The lines glowed faintly, the dark ink of the seals shifting to a deep red as the blood completed the array.

The transformation was mesmerizing, the final design resembling a flower mandala intricately etched into her forearm. The black ink and red blood intertwined, creating a seal that seemed alive, pulsing faintly in rhythm with her heartbeat.

"It is done," Ibuse declared with finality. "Yuhi Kimiko of Konoha, you are now my summoner. We are bound in blood and battle."

Kimiko lowered her arm, staring at the seal with a mixture of awe and trepidation. The weight of what had just occurred began to settle over her, but Ibuse quickly snapped her out of that.

"Now, for the other half of my promise…."


Kimiko couldn't remember the last time she'd had this much fun on a mission.

Sure, being inside Ibuse's stomach meant total darkness, with the ANBU corpse bumping against her occasionally, but the sheer novelty of riding what was essentially a living flesh train made her giggle uncontrollably.

"Child, cease your giggling!" came Ibuse's booming voice, reverberating from all directions. "Ibuse of Amegakure is no amusement! I am a creature to be feared, and my summoner should not laugh as if they were a little girl!"

"But I am a little girl," Kimiko replied, her giggles breaking into outright laughter.

"Bah!" grumbled Ibuse, his frustration palpable even through the vibrations of his massive body burrowing through the earth. "To be reduced to a courier service…!"

The irony wasn't lost on her. Ibuse himself had suggested this method of travel, despite his complaints. It was, as he had explained, one of Hanzo's strategies—using Ibuse's immense speed and underground movement to ferry him swiftly to battlefields while remaining undetected. Since Kimiko was immune to his poison, it had only been logical for him to carry her this way. She'd left out the part about how much she'd enjoy it, though.

The ANBU's corpse, on the other hand, was a different story. Ibuse had protested, but she had insisted.

"I still do not understand," Ibuse spoke again, breaking her thoughts, "why we are heading to Kusagakure instead of returning directly to Konoha. Did you not say they would assume you were dead if you failed to return?"

"I know my teammates," Kimiko said, her tone softening. "They'll still be there, searching for me. Especially Sasuke… he wouldn't leave without proof." She smiled faintly, though Ibuse couldn't see it. "He'd never give up on me."

"Sentimental fools, all of you," Ibuse muttered, though his pace never faltered. "We're approaching now. Are you certain this is where you wish to surface? There are surely less conspicuous locations."

"I'm sure," Kimiko replied firmly.

"Very well," Ibuse said with a resigned huff. "Prepare yourself. I'm about to ascend."

Kimiko braced herself as Ibuse's movements shifted. The vibrations intensified, the pressure building until she felt the massive creature breach the surface. The world exploded into light and sound as Kimiko was expelled from his maw, tumbling onto the ground in an undignified heap.

Blinking against the glare, she slowly pushed herself to her feet. Her senses adjusted, and the scene before her came into focus.

Dozens of people stared at her, frozen in shock. Shinobi and civilians alike stood still, weapons held but not raised, their expressions torn between disbelief and fear. To her left, the Grass Daimyo stood flanked by his retainers, his expression unreadable. Further ahead, her eyes locked on familiar faces.

Karin stood nearby, her hands clasped over her mouth in astonishment. Captain Hayama had one hand on the hilt of his sword, his stance tense but unmoving. Neji's activated Byakugan betrayed his confusion, though his face remained calm. And finally, Sasuke—his expression shifting from caution to confusion, and then to unmistakable relief as his gaze met hers.

Kimiko turned back toward Ibuse, who loomed behind her for one final moment, grumbling as his massive frame began to dissolve in a puff of white smoke.

Clearing her throat, she turned back to the stunned crowd and took a step forward.

"I wish to speak to the Head Ninja," she said, her voice steady but carrying an edge of exhaustion. "And I'd appreciate it if we could do that soon."