Konoha's Waking Nightmare

by JollyHippopotamus

Reborn into the Naruto world with the third war looming ahead. What's a civilian born girl to do? Become an S-rank Genjutsu mistress of course! Now if only she can survive her own family, her sensei, and Orochimaru is in the village too isn't he? who needs enemies with these allies? OC/SI, AU world.

21. Survival Guaranteed!

Here's chapter 21: Survival Guaranteed!

Had some inspiration, so here we go, a chapter that didn't take 1-2 months since the last one! A 15 k one as well, I promise I only intended to write 10k!

Maybe I'm just excited to write out the Kiri Chuunin Exams, which are absolutely not going to be a clusterfuck.

As usual I do not own, or in any way have a right to the characters of Naruto or its world. I'm just a lowly fanfiction writer.

Hope you enjoy it!

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Hiruzen Sarutobi removed his Hokage hat and placed it gingerly on his desk, the weight of it feeling heavier than usual. He sighed wearily, the sound filling the otherwise quiet office. The door to his office had just closed with a soft click, signaling that Tsubuki Inohana had left after their discussion.

It had been a tense meeting, not openly confrontational, but the atmosphere between them had been anything but pleasant. He could still see the coldness in her eyes, hear the polite distance in her voice, as if a chasm had opened between them long before she had ever stepped foot into his office today.

It wasn't supposed to be this way, not within Konoha, yet he could acknowledge that he was the one who had erred.

He stood, hands clasped behind his back, and moved slowly toward the wide window that overlooked Konoha. The village bathed in the soft light of the late afternoon, a peaceful facade that belied the storm of war and uncertainty brewing on every border. The familiar sight of bustling streets, children playing, merchants shouting, and shinobi moving purposefully through the village brought no comfort today.

Hiruzen's gaze softened as he watched them, feeling the weight of his years pressing down on him, heavier than the Hokage's hat he'd left on his desk. Thousands of lives rested on his shoulders. The ones he'd sent to die. The ones he'd allowed to suffer in captivity in cold calculus over what was best for the village. Every sacrifice made, and the many more still to come, all part of the unspoken bargain that came with leadership. It had always been his burden to bear, but lately, that burden had begun to feel insurmountable.

He'd erred with Inohana. He could acknowledge that now, even if only to himself.

When the girl had entered the Academy, there had been no sign she was anything special except for her mind and great control over her minimal reserves. A child of below useful chakra reserves, from a civilian clan with no Shinobi heritage, no special abilities that would mark her as someone destined for greatness.

Even with Kushina's interest in the girl, Hiruzen hadn't seen any reason to give it much credit. Kushina's capacity to love was well-known to him, and he'd written the whole thing off as a minor success story on found family for a while.

For all that he barely had thought of her at all back then, she was hardly of consequence enough to even merit his attention, if not for the oddity of her clan allowing her into the Shinobi life.

Danzo had taken charge of handling that aspect of things anyway, leaving Hiruzen's hands free to deal with the more pressing matters. Like the three front war he was about to be fighting, while juggling nobles, missions and other logistical issues.

The truth was, there had been no reason to waste resources on someone like Inohana. As cold as it was, with Konoha back then at the precipice of war, and now fully engaged in a war on three fronts - they simply could not afford sentimentality.

She had been destined for mediocrity at best - a solid Chuunin perhaps at the most, nothing more, her low chakra reserves, intelligence and control had her slotted in for the Intel division as a lifer in the reports he'd received on the Academy, despite her record breaking graduation. A respectable position, but not someone worth upsetting her father and the Tsubuki clan over despite their… Reported abuses. Especially not in wartime. The village couldn't afford it.

As much as it upset Kushina, he knew she'd stay loyal, so there wasn't even a question for him on what decision made most sense for the village. She was an Uzumaki and a Jinchuuriki, Konoha literally was the only place safe for her, and she knew it. It was cold, it was harsh, but he knew she could swallow a lot more than the average nin - and unfortunately as things evolved, he'd been forced to lean on that to keep all sides somewhat equal.

Hiruzen turned away from the window, the familiar scent of his study filling the air - a mixture of old parchment, incense, and the faint, lingering smell of tobacco from his pipe. His eyes fell on the framed photograph on his desk, a relic of a happier time. It showed him standing with his students, their faces young, hopeful, filled with dreams of the future. Orochimaru, Tsunade, and Jiraiya, back when the world had seemed so much simpler.

War had still been there, it was always there it seemed. Forcing him to make decisions that ignored people's individual happiness. But he'd had a sliver of peace back then.

He sighed again, feeling the tug of nostalgia, but it quickly soured. War had stripped away the simplicity, left only hard choices and difficult realities. Even Tsunade, who had once been so full of fire, had withdrawn, her personal tragedies pushing her away. Then the girl he'd written off, had managed to return Kato Dan to them, and ignited his favored students interest while revitalizing Tsunade.

That, had grasped his attention momentarily. Orochimaru was so rarely interested in his fellow Shinobi. He also had to admit bringing back a S-class Shinobi to the war had granted his favor to the girl.

It hadn't been a question really, whether he should sign her over or not. If anyone could make someone with such pitiful reserves into a true Shinobi, it was Orochimaru. And he'd felt he was rewarding the girl, truly, with such an auspicious sensei, known to be able to craft diamonds out of nothing but mud.

He'd thought long and hard about Dan and Kushina's requests to take on the girl instead, but in the end, their emotional connection was deemed a bit too much for a sensei in war times. It would be a team of three after all, not one, and Hiruzen was loath to put a squad under a Jounin with such obvious preferences. Love was a great thing, but not in a squad setting, the imbalance would be too great.

Yet… Lately, more and more, he found himself questioning Orochimaru's motivations however. The reports from Danzo, Koharu, and even Orochimaru himself, had painted a picture of Inohana as something remarkable after she joined Orochimaru. The way they spoke of her potential, the way Orochimaru had championed her despite her initially modest beginnings, it had seemed as if she was growing into something formidable.

They'd painted a picture of a loyal, steadfast girl who never gave up, and adhered to Konoha's will of fire with a burning intensity. Hiruzen had been so pleased with the reports, proving he'd made the right decision in ignoring Kushina's emotional pleas.

Yet when Inohana had stood before him earlier, Hiruzen had seen something else. Something Orochimaru had failed to mention in his reports. A brittleness. A coldness in her eyes that had unsettled him. She was capable, yes, even more so than he had anticipated. But there was a fragility there, one that could break if pushed too far. He had not expected that. He had thought, or perhaps hoped, that she would be like Kushina - a bright, fiery force, passionate about the village. But this girl seemed more like the shadow of something darker, something colder.

She reminded him of both Orochimaru and Danzo, in some ways. Not something he'd ever thought he'd see in a girl just shy of eight years old.

Hiruzen's chakra reached out, picking up his pipe with a chakra string, an unconscious action borne of years of habit. He activated the small seal embedded in the pipe, and soon, the familiar curl of smoke rose from it, the smell filling the room as he took a long, thoughtful drag.

How had things gone so wrong with her?

When Kushina had first taken an interest in the girl, Hiruzen had been pleased for her, even as he could not interfere against a valuable clan for such a - and he winced at even thinking it - worthless piece on the board. He wholeheartedly supported the Will of Fire - the love and protection one generation bestowed upon the next. In his position, he was simply forced to work in more pragmatic terms.

It shouldn't be so, but he was not Hashirama, he could not afford to keep away from cold reality. He had to make decisions that was better for the whole, even if it sacrificed the weak.

He had to sacrifice his soul, to ensure the Will of Fire could live on in others. Where he could not sustain the flame, people like Minato, Dan, and Kushina, could fan it for him.

The will of fire was the belief that had sustained Konoha through war and peace alike. And Kushina, with her boundless energy and fierce loyalty, embodied that belief. She had wanted to take Inohana under her wing as an apprentice, and Hiruzen had seen no reason to object to that, even as he refused the entreaties to divorce her from her clan, the cost too great.

Even as he'd refused her as a potential Jounin-sensei, both for her emotional attachment being too great to what he suspected she saw as a daughter at that point, and for the fact he could not tie down Kushina to a team of Genin, when he might need to deploy he'd constantly against the other villages aggressive acts with their own Jinchuuriki.

The reports from Danzo, Koharu, and Orochimaru had all painted Inohana's tutelage under Orochimaru in a positive light. They spoke of her growth, her cunning, her ability to survive in situations that would have killed others her age. They made it seem as though her placement under Orochimaru had been a success, that she was thriving. And yet, the girl who had stood in his office today didn't seem like someone who was thriving. She had been perfectly polite, yes, but there had been a distance in her that Hiruzen couldn't ignore.

He'd ignored Kushina's and Dan's protests as they'd been light on proof and filled with emotional reasonings, he'd weighed them against Danzo's and Koharu's factual reports and… He'd apparently picked wrongly.

What had Orochimaru done to her?

More importantly, what had Orochimaru neglected to do?

Hiruzen frowned as he considered his student, and what he could possibly be playing at. The girl hadn't even known about the seals - seals that were meant to allow her and her team to be reverse-summoned in case of an emergency or risk of death during the Kiri mission. How could Orochimaru not have informed her of such a crucial safety net? Kushina hadn't known either, which meant that something was being kept from both of them.

What purpose did it serve?

If he asked Orochimaru, what excuse would he give?

Could he afford to get involved? Could he afford not to?

Hiruzen puffed on his pipe, his thoughts swirling like the smoke in the air. He had worked hard to try and repair his relationship with Kushina after he noticed everything didn't add up the first time… Even if he hadn't looked as closely into it as maybe he should have then.

When Minato, Mikoto, Dan, and Tsunade had all come to him on Kushina's behalf, pressing for the girl's safety, he had agreed. He had needed Orochimaru on another front anyway, so pulling Inohana's team back from the harshest missions had been an easy concession - he'd been concerned to find out they'd been actually taking frontline missions in the first place.

It had been an easy decision to give Kushina what she wanted then, which also had served to heal some of the rift between them at the time.

Koharu and Danzo had much to explain, and to some lesser extent Orochimaru as well, but it was Danzo's front, he had ultimate command, so Orochimaru might not have had much choice in the matter… Hiruzen wondered what game was being played by his old friend this time.

If only he wasn't so desperately needed, Hiruzen could take back some of the privileges he'd given the man. But he was overworked as it was, and he needed Danzo.

He had hoped - now that he'd been made aware of his errors - that it would placate Kushina's growing dissatisfaction to pull the kids back and put them under her aegis for a time, but apparently, it hadn't been enough for the girl, even if Kushina had seemed to accept it.

Now, it seemed that things were more complicated than he had realized. Orochimaru had always been difficult to read, but lately, his actions were becoming harder to justify. What game was his student playing? Was it a separate one then his teammate and old friend? Or were they all conspiring together to give him faulty information?

Hiruzen's brow furrowed as he stared down out the window, the smoke from his pipe curling lazily upward. Orochimaru had to know that he would find out about the seals eventually. The Snake Sannin was cunning, but he wasn't reckless. So why hadn't he told them? What was the angle? Was he testing the girl? Testing Kushina? Or was this another of Danzo's schemes?

And why wasn't he informed of any such scheme?

Why was he, as the Hokage, being kept in the dark and fed shit?

The more Hiruzen thought about it, the more the pieces didn't add up. And the more they didn't add up, the more he regretted his decision to leave Inohana in Orochimaru's hands. Perhaps it had been a mistake to trust Orochimaru with someone like her - someone who'd already had her trust abused.

Hiruzen knew the pain of such children. He had seen it in the eyes of the orphans from the last war, in every face that passed through Konoha's gates with no family left to welcome them home. But he couldn't save everyone. He couldn't interfere every time a child was hurt, or disillusioned, or abandoned. If he did, Konoha would fall apart. The sheer cost of it all - financial, emotional, logistical - was too great.

But Inohana... Inohana had slipped through because he had allowed it. Because he had deemed her unimportant. That was on him. Even if he had been operating on faulty information… No, I had Kushina's reports, Dan's… He had just chosen to disbelieve them due to their emotional attachment.

And due to his own attachments…

It was his failure above all. He would get nowhere by dissembling the blame.

Hiruzen's grip on his pipe tightened. He should have done more. He should have intervened when he saw Kushina take an interest in her. He should have helped, should have taken a closer look at her potential instead of writing her off based on her chakra reserves alone. She wasn't a child of a great clan, she wasn't blessed with a bloodline that promised greatness, and her chakra capacity had seemed limited, yet he'd seen it before, people rising from nothing.

In times of peace, he could have afforded more attention he acknowledged silently, but in times of war, he had hardened his heart. He had made choices based on cold logic - choices that, in retrospect, had consequences he hadn't foreseen.

He set his pipe down, letting the smoke curl and rise toward the ceiling, disappearing into the dim light of the office. The truth was, he had failed her. His initial decision to let Orochimaru take her under his wing had been pragmatic, a way to ensure that the village's resources weren't wasted on someone who, by all accounts, would never rise to prominence. Givng his student what he wanted could only help keep him focused. But the reports from the frontlines, and more importantly, the girl's own demeanor during their meeting, told him he had miscalculated.

Inohana had not only survived, but she had grown - far beyond what he had ever expected. Her chakra had seen amazing growth and had been refined to a deadly precision. Her skills in genjutsu, her strategic mind, her ability to adapt - these were things he had not anticipated. She wasn't the bright-eyed, hopeful kunoichi Kushina might have raised under her wing, but she had become something else entirely. Cold, yes, but effective.

So like Orochimaru…

And yet... Something inside her had withered. The fire that should have burned bright within her - the fire that should have drawn her closer to the village, to her comrades, to the ideals Konoha stood for - had instead turned inward, a dark ember smoldering in the shadows of her heart. He had seen it in her eyes when they spoke, the way she had listened to his reasoning about the Kiri mission, but with an indifference that chilled him.

She hadn't argued. She hadn't questioned him, even when he explained the dangers. She had simply accepted the mission, cold and calculating, as if she had already resigned herself to whatever fate awaited her and her team. It was not the reaction of someone who believed in the Will of Fire. It was the reaction of someone who had already been burned by it.

Hiruzen turned away from the desk, his gaze once again drawn to the window, to the village that stretched out below. The light was fading, casting long shadows across the streets, and in those shadows, he could see the faces of the many shinobi he had sent out to die. How many more would fall before this war was over? How many more sacrifices would be made in the name of the village's survival?

Would Inohana be one? Would he break Kushina finally, in his ignorance?

The thought weighed heavily on him as he leaned against the window frame, his hands gripping the sill. The Kiri mission was a gamble. He knew that. The likelihood of Inohana and her team winning was slim, but it was a calculated risk. One that could, in the long term, prevent an alliance between the three major villages as their soldiers perished in the cruel mists for sport. And yet, the more he thought about it, the more uncomfortable he became with the idea that he was sending children into such a dangerous situation - children who had already been pushed too far.

Orochimaru's plan to mark them with seals, allowing them to be reverse-summoned in case of a worst-case scenario, had been a small comfort. But why hadn't the girl known? Why hadn't Kushina been informed?

He kept coming back to that. What purpose did withholding the information serve? Orochimaru hadn't known he would be meeting with them all to discuss Kiri, hadn't known they'd receive the information from him… Was he trying to deepen the wedge between them?

He clenched his jaw, the smoke from his pipe still lingering in the air, swirling like his troubled thoughts. There had been too many secrets lately, too many moves made without his full knowledge. He trusted Orochimaru - he had to - but even he knew that his student had his own agenda.

Hiruzen had long since stopped trying to control all of Orochimaru's actions, knowing that it was a futile endeavor. But this... This was different. It wasn't just Orochimaru's usual scheming. There was something else at play here, something that Hiruzen hadn't yet grasped.

His gaze hardened as he looked out over Konoha. If there was one thing he had learned in all his years as Hokage, it was that power - true power - was never as simple as it seemed. And while Orochimaru was one of the most powerful shinobi in the village, his ambitions had always been dangerous. There was a reason the other villages feared him, a reason why Hiruzen kept a close eye on him, even now.

But for all of Orochimaru's brilliance, for all his cunning, he was still Hiruzen's student. And if there was something more going on - something that put Konoha at risk - Hiruzen would find out. He would get to the bottom of it, one way or another.

He exhaled slowly, letting the tension in his body ease just a fraction. There was no point in jumping to conclusions without more information. He needed to speak to Orochimaru directly, to understand why Inohana had been kept in the dark about the seals, why her team hadn't been fully informed of the risks they were taking.

But more than that, he needed to figure out how to repair the damage he had done to Inohana and through her, Kushina. He had underestimated her once, and that mistake had already cost him her loyalty. If he didn't act soon, it might cost him much more.

Hiruzen stepped back from the window, his mind already turning to the next steps. There was still time to salvage the situation, but he would need to act carefully. Orochimaru would need to be brought to heel, and Inohana... Inohana would need to be shown that Konoha hadn't abandoned her. He had allowed her to slip through the cracks once before, but he wouldn't make that mistake again.

He would find a way to show her that she was more than just a pawn in this war. He would find a way to reignite the fire within her, to make her believe in the village again. Because if he didn't... If she continued down the path she was on, there was no telling what she might become.

With a heavy heart, Hiruzen reached for his hat, placing it back on his head with the weight of the village pressing down on him once more. He had made mistakes. He had sent too many to their deaths, allowed too many to suffer in the name of Konoha's survival. But this... This was one mistake he could still correct.

He just hoped it wasn't too late.

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Orochimaru's serpentine eyes glint with a cruel intensity as he paces before us, the tension thick in the air of the training field. The sun is dipping low in the sky, the scent of earth and sweat hanging heavy. I sit between Gai and Genma, my muscles already aching from our earlier drills, but this - whatever he has planned - is only the beginning, I know.

"You are not ready for Kiri," Orochimaru's voice cuts through the stillness, his tone dripping with disdain. "None of you."

His words are like a lash, meant to sting, to remind us of our inadequacies. I glance at Genma from the corner of my eye; his posture is deceptively relaxed, but I can see the way his shoulders tense under the scrutiny. Gai, on the other hand, looks eager, his body vibrating with barely-contained energy. The fire in his eyes hasn't dimmed, even in the face of Orochimaru's coldness. Typical Gai.

As for myself, I'm still mulling over the revelations the Hokage has given me. Wondering at what Sensei is playing at, not telling Kushina-shishou or myself about the reverse summoning safeguarding our mission - making it less of a suicide mission and more a high risk one.

It can't have been cheap, I think, eyeing sensei. The snakes are not a kind species. Myself being reverse summoned I could see, but my teammates? I wonder what the cost was for that?

I really hate how nothing in this world is ever clearcut. There's always something going on underneath the underneath, and I have no idea what tune I'm being made to dance to this time.

Not the complication I need before going to Kiri of all places. But since when has my career, or my life, been easy?

Orochimaru stops pacing, his gaze sweeping over the three of us. His smile stretches wide, too wide, and it's the kind of smile that makes the hair on the back of my neck prickle. I know that look. He's planning something terrible.

"I have a month to make you ready," Orochimaru says, his voice smooth but laced with malice. "For the next three weeks, I will drive you to the brink of death. And when you think you cannot endure any longer, I will bring you back with medical ninjutsu... Just to push you to the edge again. Over and over." His smile sharpens. "I will beat competence into your dimwitted heads if I have to."

There's a flicker of discomfort in Genma's eyes, and I can tell he's barely holding back a retort. Orochimaru's gaze flicks to him, catching the hesitation.

"Sorry, Sensei," Genma drawls, not quite able to hide the sarcastic edge in his voice. "Is it Kiri that's supposed to kill us, or you?"

I wince inwardly, my fingers twitching at my side. Genma's good at keeping his cool normally, and this is not the time to piss off Orochimaru. I shoot him a sharp look, slapping him lightly on the shoulder. He just flashes me a wry smile, like he's already accepted his fate.

Foolish boy! I can't help but think, biting my lip, it is definitely not the time to push Sensei.

Gai, on the other hand, is a study in restraint. His hands are clenched into tight fists, his lips pressed together to hold back a burst of youthful exuberance that I know is just dying to come out. He's vibrating with energy, desperate to shout something about how he'll surpass expectations, but even he knows better than to annoy Orochimaru right now.

Thankfully.

Orochimaru fixes each of us with a hard look, his smile fading into something more dangerous. "You've all spent time away from me this past year. I'll admit, I'm curious to see how you've grown - or if you've grown at all. Each of you, tell me what skills you possess."

He turns his gaze first to Genma, finger pointing sharply at him like a dagger.

Genma scratches his chin, trying to look nonchalant, though the tension in his shoulders betrays him. "Well, I'm skilled in stealth, poisons, kunaijutsu, Kenjutsu, and Genjutsu," He says, rattling off his abilities like a shopping list. He glances at me with a grin. "The last one's not as good as Inohana's, but she's a freak anyway."

I roll my eyes at him, but there's a flicker of warmth in my chest. It's an odd form of praise from Genma, backhanded as it is. But we've been teammates long enough to understand the way he gives compliments.

"I know the basic three jutsu and a few C-rank techniques too," Genma finishes, his tone almost bored, like he's discussing the weather.

Orochimaru nods, though there's a flicker of irritation in his eyes. He creates a shadow clone with a snap of his fingers, the clone gesturing for Genma to follow. "We will expand your repertoire of Genjutsu and Ninjutsu. You will work on Taijutsu until your hands break, and your Kenjutsu until you're exhausted. You lack stamina and versatility - this will change. Go."

Genma gives a half-hearted shrug, getting up with the usual lazy grace he's mastered, but I can see the reluctance in his steps as he follows the clone. He's not thrilled, but he knows better than to argue too much.

Especially when we are being broken up. Together, even Sensei has to pay some attention, alone, we're vulnerable.

Orochimaru's gaze slides to Gai, who is practically bouncing on the balls of his feet. Gai doesn't wait to be called on; he stands tall, fists clenched at his sides, eyes alight with the fire of youth.

"I am youthful in the practices of Taijutsu, Sensei!" Gai's voice booms out, despite his best efforts to hold back. His eyes are wide, brimming with enthusiasm. "I have kept up my Kenjutsu and Bukijutsu as you ordered sensei, and my father has trained me in the eight gates technique! I can open the first four proficiently!"

I bite my tongue, to keep myself from snarking out that breaking one's body and becoming useless after a brief period of use - is not something I'd label proficient.

Orochimaru arches a brow, genuinely impressed for once. "The eight gates… Impressive, though foolish. You cannot afford the ill effects of using the gates in Kiri. Do not use them, unless absolutely necessary."

Gai blushes slightly, his enthusiasm dampened only a fraction. "I also know the basic three jutsu, and a few others of C-rank. And my father has hinted that I may become the main signatory of the turtle summons soon!" His face brightens as he says it, pride evident in every word.

Orochimaru, however, looks unimpressed. "Summons? Turtles?" He taps a finger against his chin, deep in thought. "We will work on your Ninjutsu and refine your weapons skills. The gates will remain a last resort." He snaps his fingers, summoning another clone. "Convince your father to finalize your position in the summon contract by tomorrow, Gai. I don't care how you do it."

Gai gives a fervent nod, already moving to follow the clone. But before he leaves, he turns to me with a grin, flashing a huge thumbs-up, as if to say - We've got this. Typical Gai, never one to doubt our abilities, no matter the situation.

Then it's just me and Orochimaru-Sensei.

His eyes narrow as they settle on me, and I can feel the weight of his killing intent in the air, pressing down like a suffocating blanket. He doesn't speak at first, just glares, the unspoken command hanging between us - don't disappoint me.

I meet his gaze head-on, suppressing the small thrill of fear that always comes when Orochimaru-Sensei gets like this. "I've mastered the snake jutsu you left for me," I begin, my voice calm but firm. "My Genjutsu is more than any Chuunin can handle. My chakra strings can now solidify to capture or trip up opponents. The Senbonzakura seal is combat-ready, and I've mastered the basic three jutsu to the point of using them seal-lessly, and you already know about my skill with poisons." I report briskly.

Orochimaru's gaze doesn't waver, but I can see the faint flicker of approval behind those cold eyes. Still, I'm not finished.

"I have several utility Ninjutsu under my belt," I continue, lifting my chin slightly. "And I'm considered a journeyman in Fuinjutsu by Kushina-shishou." I let the words hang in the air, knowing that mentioning Kushina will catch his attention. There's a rivalry there, and I know it. "I also have a strong grasp of the temporary paralysis technique."

For a moment, he says nothing, his gaze still cold and appraising. I feel the pressure building between us, and I know I have to push further. My lips curl into a faint smile as I let my own killing intent unfurl. It's not just a rush of violent chakra - no, this is something more. I pour my hatred, my desire to savage and destroy, into the air between us, weaving it with my Genjutsu until it becomes a tangible force.

The animals in the trees above us fall silent, and in the distance, I hear the faint thud of small creatures dropping to the ground, their hearts stilled by the overwhelming pressure. Orochimaru watches me, his expression unreadable, but I don't stop. I push harder, testing the limits of my control, until the world feels like it's about to crack under the weight of my malice.

Finally, Orochimaru waves a hand, smirking as if he's bored. "Passable."

I exhale slowly, pulling back my chakra and letting the killing intent dissipate into the air. He turns away, seemingly uninterested now, but I know I've passed the test. He's impressed, even if he won't admit it.

But I also know this is just the beginning. We have a month to prepare for Kiri, and if Orochimaru's training is anything like he's promised, I might actually envy the enemies waiting for us in the mists.

Orochimaru-Sensei begins to circle me like a predator soon after, his pale hands tucked behind his back, that unsettling smile never leaving his face. The way he moves, deliberate and calculating, sets my nerves on edge. There's an air of twisted amusement about him, like he's savoring the moment.

We've belonged to someone else for most of the past year, it seems he's displeased at that, who would have figured? I prepare myself for a very difficult time going forward, as no doubt I'll take the brunt of his irritation and malice with the excuse of training leading the way.

This time, I know, Kushina-shishou won't step in, she's too worried about us going to Kiri. She'll want all the training I can get crammed in, even if it's painful.

"You understand, don't you?" His voice is smooth but laced with malice. "For the next three weeks, I will push you into the ground until there's not a drop of chakra left in your body. You will learn to push beyond your limits, to expand your chakra reserves." He pauses, his tongue flicking out briefly, the tip of it lingering unnervingly close. "By the time we're done, you'll think exhaustion is a luxury."

I swallow hard, knowing full well he's serious. When Orochimaru-Sensei makes promises, they usually come with a big old heape of pain.

"I'll teach you the Mist Vision Jutsu. My clones will handle Gai and Genma." His attention focuses on me, eyes gleaming. "You, however, will stay with me the entire time…"

Mist Vision Jutsu. The name rings in my head. But if we have a way to counter Kiri's Hidden Mist Jutsu, why does Konoha still struggle with it? I can't help myself - the question tumbles out. "Sensei, if Konoha has this technique, why do we still lose to Kiri's mist users? Why is it so effective?"

He halts mid-step, turning to fix me with a withering stare. His lips curl into something between a sneer and a grin, and there's a moment of silence before he speaks. "You really don't understand?" The disdain in his voice is palpable. "Think about it, child. And if you can't figure it out…" His smile grows darker, "I'll begin today's lesson by breaking all of your limbs. You'll spend the rest of the day using chakra strings to move them. Is that Understood?"

The threat chills me to the bone. I have no doubt he'd follow through without hesitation. I nod quickly and force myself to think.

Why would Konoha restrict the use of a technique like this? It seems counterproductive. Why wouldn't they teach it to every shinobi? The answer must be obvious, but my mind feels clouded under the weight of his scrutiny. Only the elite shinobi get access to advanced techniques usually… That much I know. If everyone could counter the mist, Kiri would adapt, refine it. But if only a few… That's it isn't it, so obvious, I'm ashamed I didn't see it immediately.

"Only the elites get taught, right?" I venture, watching him for any sign of approval. "That way, Kiri can dismiss it as an elite sensor ability or a unique trick. If every Konoha shinobi could suddenly see through the mist, Kiri would work to improve or change their tactics leading to us having no way to counter it."

Orochimaru's expression doesn't change, but he gives a curt nod. "Precisely. It's better to maintain a limited advantage with the best and most trusted shinobi. If every fool could see through the mist, Kiri would innovate, and then everyone would lose."

Relief washes over me, but I know better than to expect praise. Orochimaru expects nothing less than competence, and the fact I worked it out seems to only meet his bare minimum expectations. He continues, his voice as clinical as ever, "You three would normally not be granted permission for such a technique, but as the only team sent deep into Kiri territory, we'll make an exception. We'll frame you as sensors specifically chosen for this mission to obfuscate your skill. Your own sensory abilities will sell the lie easily."

He moves his hands through a series of quick seals, and before I can react, the air around us thickens. A heavy fog begins to roll in, quickly enveloping us in a dense mist. The last thing I see is his sinister smile before the world turns into a blank void of swirling white. His chakra signature vanishes entirely, leaving me alone in the impenetrable mist.

"I will grind you into the dirt until you master this jutsu," His voice echoes through the mist, disembodied and distorted. "Only those worthy of survival can stand in Kiri's mists and not fall."

I let out a small sigh, feeling the weight of exhaustion already settling into my bones. "You haven't even shown me the jutsu yet, Sensei," I mutter, frustration bubbling up as I struggle to make sense of the world around me.

My chakra sense is one of my strongest trumps, but Orochimaru-Sensei is unfortunately one of the only people I can't entirely sense when he tries hard enough.

I strain my senses, searching for any hint of his presence. Hanako, my cute snake, coiled around my neck, flicks her tongue nervously, trying to detect movement, using her thermal vision as well, but even she seems lost in this sea of mist. No matter how hard I focus, I can't pick up on Orochimaru's chakra or his physical form.

Before I have time to react, a sharp sting cuts across my arm. I gasp, my hand flying to the fresh wound, blood already beginning to seep through my fingers. I hadn't even sensed the strike.

His dark laughter rings out again, echoing unnervingly in every direction. "I'll give you a tip on how to perform the jutsu for every strike you manage to dodge, Inohana. If you can dodge, that is… Otherwise this will be a long day for you…"

My pulse quickens, and my heart sinks. I can't even sense his movements, let alone dodge them. This training is going to be brutal. I grit my teeth and try to steel myself for the oncoming storm of pain.

A second cut appears across my cheek, faster than I can react, and I can feel the blood trickling down my face.

This is going to suck.

At least, I think grimly, the Kiri nin can't be worse than Orochimaru-sensei. Or so I hope.

They can't be, right?

＊＊＊

A few days later, Team 9's training ground.

Orochimaru-sensei stands across from me, his serpentine eyes gleaming with that familiar mix of disdain and expectation. The moment I step into the clearing, I know this will be no simple lesson. His aura, thick and oppressive, clings to the air like a second skin, suffocating any sense of calm I might have had.

I have gotten the Mist Vision Jutsu down, and even managed to force it down to one hand seal, obfuscating the jutsu further, so I know I don't have to face the mist today at least.

Before I can say anything, he tosses me a tanto. It sails through the air with a sleek, deadly precision. I catch it, feeling the weight settle into my hand. It's lighter than I expect but cold, the steel reflecting the dimming light.

I glance down at the blade, unimpressed. "You want me to go into Kiri and impress with a sword?" I ask, raising an eyebrow. "We only have a month. Not even you're that good, Sensei."

Gai and Genma are the Kenjutsu users on our team, not that either is a specialist in any manner, but they're decent with a blade. Gai more so than Genma, due to Orochimaru-Sensei's disparaging view on his only Taijutsu dream forcing him to branch out.

Orochimaru's sneer is instantaneous, his lips curling into something both cold and mocking. "Foolish girl," He snaps, his voice dripping with contempt. "You are tiny, and have no reach. Making Taijutsu a wasted effort." His golden eyes narrow, the disdain clear. "Kiri nin are naturally armed. They're taller, stronger, and their Kenjutsu skills are unparalleled, at least to someone like you. You'll be fighting opponents who carry swords larger than you. Do you truly believe you'll fare better blocking a blade with your forearm?"

I stiffen, the familiar prickle of annoyance rising in my chest, but I bite it back. He's not wrong. My small frame, while useful for speed and agility, leaves me at a significant disadvantage in Taijutsu. And while I've trained extensively under Kushina-shishou in chakra manipulation and Mikoto with Genjutsu, combat against a sword-wielding enemy isn't something I can afford to dismiss.

Still, I look at the tanto in my hand, skeptical. "So, you want to give me more reach?" I ask, weighing the blade in my palm. "I still won't match theirs."

Orochimaru lets out a long, exasperated sigh, as though I'm the most hopeless student he's ever had the misfortune of teaching. He steps closer, his presence looming like a dark cloud. "You'll have better luck blocking a Kenjutsu strike with that tanto than with your bare hands, child." His voice is sharper now, cutting through the air like the blade he wields. "Now, stop wasting my time... And block!"

Before I can even react, he's on me. I barely register the blur of movement before there's a sharp sting on my cheek. Blood trickles down the side of my face, warm and unexpected. I blink, confused, as a lock of my hair drifts slowly through the air in front of me, severed cleanly by the blade.

I touch my cheek, feeling the slick warmth of blood beneath my fingertips. Orochimaru stands in front of me, his blade still gleaming, pointed directly at my throat. His eyes are unblinking, cold as ever. "I will make you at least competent during this month, even if it kills you," He says darkly, the threat hanging in the air like a promise.

I swallow hard, my pulse quickening. Orochimaru-sensei is not one for idle threats. If he says he'll make me competent, I know he'll do whatever it takes - no matter how painful the process may be. The sting on my cheek is nothing compared to the growing realization of just how brutal this next month is going to be.

And I thought it would be bad with everything else he has laid on my plate… Adding Kenjutsu to the mix is going to be brutal…

With a shaky breath, I lift the tanto, trying to adjust my grip. I've had basic lessons in Kenjutsu - everyone does - but I've never had a reason to take it seriously. Gai was the one forced into learning swordplay seriously, not me. But now, looking into Orochimaru's steely gaze, I realize that I have no choice. I have to survive Kiri. We all do. And if a tanto will give me even a slight edge, then so be it.

"Maybe a lesson or two first?" I ask, trying to inject some humor into my voice. But it falls flat, the weight of the moment crushing any levity I might have mustered.

Orochimaru doesn't respond. He simply moves.

His tanto flashes through the air, aimed straight for my side. My heart leaps into my throat as I instinctively bring up my own blade to block. The force of his strike rattles my arm, the impact reverberating through my bones. I barely manage to hold my stance, gritting my teeth as I feel the pressure of his strength pushing me back. He doesn't let up, his strikes coming faster, each one more precise than the last.

I'm forced to move, twisting my body to evade his attacks. Each strike comes dangerously close, the sharp hiss of steel cutting through the air mere inches from my skin. Sweat beads on my forehead, my breath coming in shallow, quick bursts as I try to keep up with him. But Orochimaru is relentless. He presses forward, giving me no room to think, no time to strategize.

"You rely too much on your chakra!" Orochimaru barks, his strikes growing even more ferocious. "Your body is weak, unrefined. You'll never survive against a real Kenjutsu user like this!"

I parry another strike, the blade nearly slipping from my grip as his power crashes into mine. My arms are shaking, my muscles screaming in protest. I can barely catch my breath, and the sting of the cut on my cheek only heightens my awareness of how outmatched I am.

"I'm not a swordsman!" I snap, frustration boiling over. I leap back, creating some distance between us, but Orochimaru doesn't relent. He's on me again in a flash, his blade an extension of his will, cutting through the space between us with deadly precision.

"Then learn!" Orochimaru's voice is a whip crack, the force behind his words as sharp as the blade he wields. "Your enemies won't care about your excuses, Inohana. Kiri will slaughter you if you face them like this."

His blade sweeps low, aiming for my legs. I leap, twisting midair as I attempt to counter, but he anticipates my movement. His tanto meets mine in a clash of steel, the force of his strike sending a jarring shock up my arm. I fall, the blade slipping slightly from my grasp, but I tighten my hold, forcing myself to stay on my feet as I land.

I grit my teeth, anger bubbling beneath the surface. I know he's right. I know I'm at a disadvantage. But damn it, I hate feeling like this - helpless, weak, outmatched. I know he's making a point. That an actual lesson will be forthcoming… Yet I hate how weak I feel right now.

Orochimaru's gaze narrows as he steps forward, his movements deliberate, controlled. "Again," He commands, his voice low and dangerous. "Block me again."

I raise my tanto, bracing myself for the next strike. My arms are already aching, my grip slick with sweat, but I push the pain aside. If this is what it takes to survive, then so be it.

Orochimaru moves, his blade flashing toward me. I bring my tanto up just in time, the sound of steel against steel ringing in my ears. But this time, I don't falter. I stand my ground, digging my heels into the dirt as I meet his attack head-on.

"Better," Orochimaru says, his voice cold but approving. "But not good enough… At least you can figure out how to block a basic strike."

He strikes again, and again, each movement faster than the last. I block, parry, and dodge, my body moving on instinct now, each movement sharper, more precise. My muscles scream in protest, my mind racing to keep up with the onslaught, but something clicks. The rhythm of the fight shifts, and for the first time, I feel a sliver of control.

I'm not just surviving anymore. I'm fighting back, I have no idea what I'm doing, but I'm fighting back.

With a grunt, I push forward, my blade clashing with his in a shower of sparks. Orochimaru's eyes gleam with something like approval as I press the attack, forcing him to move back, just slightly.

But in the next instant, he's gone, slipping past my guard and bringing his tanto up to my throat. The cold steel rests against my skin, and I freeze, my breath catching in my throat.

Orochimaru leans in, his voice a low hiss. "You will become competent, Inohana. Because you don't have a choice."

I stare at him, my heart pounding in my chest. The weight of his words sinks in, heavy and undeniable. I nod, just slightly, and he pulls the blade away, stepping back.

The lesson isn't over, not by a long shot. But for now, I've not failed too badly.

I'm not looking forward to the lessons hereafter however…

Learning Kenjutsu forms and performing them thousands of times… It's not my idea of fun.

What I do for survival, and to reach my goal of S-Rank…

＊＊＊

Several days later,

I pant heavily, my chest heaving as I stumble back, barely keeping my stance as I grip the tanto Orochimaru-sensei had given me. The weight of the blade is light, but my arms feel like lead, shaking from the relentless training. Sweat drips down my face, stinging my eyes, but I refuse to let myself collapse. My legs are trembling, knees threatening to buckle with every breath. We've been at this for hours - striking, parrying, dodging, and blocking, again and again. My body screams for rest, but I know better than to ask.

Orochimaru stands across from me, as poised and calm as ever, his pale skin gleaming faintly in the dimming light of the training ground. Not a hair out of place, not a single drop of sweat marring his unnaturally perfect composure. He watches me with those cold, calculating eyes, the slightest hint of impatience curling his lips.

"Pathetic," He says, his voice sharp as the blade in my hand. "You expect to go into Kiri, facing shinobi with years of sword training, and you can barely hold your stance?"

I grit my teeth, holding back the sharp retort that comes to mind. He's right, and we both know it. My tiny frame, my limited reach - none of it is suited for kenjutsu. It's a joke, really, to think that in just one month, I can suddenly become competent enough to take on Kiri swordsmen and at the minimum, survive. But Orochimaru doesn't believe in limitations. He sees what he wants, and he expects me to rise to it.

I adjust my grip on the tanto, trying to steady my breathing. "I'm not a swordsman, sensei," I mutter for the hundredth time, wiping the sweat from my forehead with the back of my hand. "You're asking for something impossible."

"Impossible?" Orochimaru's sneer deepens, a glint of cruel amusement flickering in his golden eyes. "Nothing is impossible, girl. You simply lack the imagination - and the will - to make it happen."

Before I can respond, he's on me again, faster than I can track, his own sword - a blade longer and sharper than mine - cutting through the air toward my throat. I barely manage to raise my arm in time, blocking the strike, but the force behind it sends me stumbling back. My feet skid across the ground, and I nearly lose my balance again.

"Come now," He says mockingly, circling me like a predator. "Surely you can manage more than this. If you can't even block a simple strike, what good are you?"

I can feel the blood pounding in my ears, the exhaustion turning my limbs to jelly. Every part of me is screaming to stop, to fall to the ground and just let it end. But that voice, that mocking tone - it stirs something else in me. A familiar, cold anger. The same one that always rises when I think of how everyone underestimates me, how they write me off as nothing more than expendable.

I clench my jaw and force myself to stand straight, glaring at Orochimaru. "I'll manage just fine," I hiss, raising the tanto again, though my arm trembles from the effort. "I'm not done yet."

Orochimaru watches me with mild interest, his lips curving into a smile that doesn't reach his eyes. "Good," He murmurs, lowering his own blade. "You'll need that defiance if you intend to survive."

I narrow my eyes, unsure if he's complimenting me or mocking me further. Probably both. Before I can say anything, however, he suddenly sheathes his sword with a flick of his wrist and steps back, his gaze shifting to something beyond the immediate combat.

"Let's try something different," He says, his tone smooth, almost conversational. "Your form is sloppy, and your technique is abysmal. But that can be worked on in time. For now, you need something else - something that will instill fear in your enemies. Something that will give you an edge."

I blink, still trying to catch my breath. "Something else?" I repeat, confused.

Orochimaru's smile widens slightly, and without another word, he tilts his head back, his throat convulsing slightly. My eyes widen as I watch, not quite sure what's happening. Then, with a sickeningly wet sound, he opens his mouth and… A snake appears from his throat, from which he pulls a sword out of.

No, not just pulls - the blade emerges from his mouth, long and gleaming, held in the grip of his tongue, which slithers out like the snake he grabbed it from, coiling around the hilt of the sword. My stomach churns slightly at the sight, but I can't look away, fascinated and horrified in equal measure.

Orochimaru holds the sword out in front of him, his tongue extending unnaturally long as he twirls the blade with ease, the motion fluid and almost graceful despite the grotesque method of its emergence. "This," He says softly, his voice muffled slightly by the sword in his mouth, "Is a technique I've perfected over the years. Part ninjutsu, part fuinjutsu, part Snake jutsu."

I stare at him, completely disgusted. "You… Pulled a sword out of your throat." It's not a question - it's a statement of fact, as if saying it out loud will make it any less bizarre.

I knew he could do this, but honestly… It's not something I have spent a lot of time thinking about. It's just as creepy as I remember.

He withdraws the sword, his tongue curling back into his mouth as he swallows the blade with an audible gulp. "Indeed," He says, his voice smooth once more, as if this is the most natural thing in the world. "It's a useful trick. One that allows me to always be armed, no matter the situation. And it has the added benefit of... Unsettling my enemies."

I can't help it. I stare at him for a long moment, then blurt out, "Any woman you date, must walk away very happy..."

Orochimaru gives me a look - one that clearly says he's debating whether to kill me on the spot. "I neither have one, nor desire one," He replies icily. "Don't be ridiculous, child. If I wasn't absolutely sure I've kept Jiraiya away from you, I would curse his influence on your thoughts."

I shrug, trying to ignore the fatigue that's still weighing me down. "Just saying. That tongue technique has… Potential." My voice is dry, and I know I'm toeing the line, but I can't resist.

Using it for battle is just ridiculous. But other uses… I once again curse my age, jutsu surely added some interesting things to try one day.

He doesn't rise to the bait, merely giving me one of those cold, assessing looks that makes me feel like I'm an insect under a microscope. "You should be more focused on learning, Inohana," He says, his voice a warning. "This technique isn't just for show. It could save your life once a Kiri nin disarms you."

I suppress the urge to roll my eyes. "I wouldn't mind learning it, sensei," I say, though I don't see much use for pulling a sword out of my throat. Still, if Orochimaru thinks it's worth teaching, I'll at least hear him out.

"Good," He says, stepping forward. "The technique itself is a combination of chakra control and sealing. You store the blade within your body using a modified space-time fuinjutsu, combined with a snake clan summoning seal, and your tongue... Well, that's a different technique entirely."

He demonstrates again, his tongue extending in that disturbing, snake-like manner as he pulls the sword free once more. "With enough practice, you can draw it at a moment's notice, no matter where you are. It keeps your enemies off balance. And in battle, unpredictability is everything."

I watch closely, still trying to wrap my mind around the whole concept. "And the tongue thing?" I ask, more out of morbid curiosity than anything. I'll also have to ask Kushina-shishou, although I suspect Orochimaru-Sensei already has. Because another seal on me is exactly the kind of thing shishou has warned against before.

Now though… I have been a part of quite a lot of sealing, especially the process to enhance my body and chakra.

Orochimaru smirks, his golden eyes gleaming. "An enlargement technique based on the Akimichi," He explains. "It has... Various uses in combat, as no one is trained to deal with such."

I don't ask him to elaborate. I've seen enough already to know that Orochimaru's version of 'various uses' probably includes a lot of things I don't want to think about.

Still, as bizarre as it is, the idea of always having a weapon on hand is tempting. I can't afford to be caught unarmed, especially not in a place like Kiri. And if I can pull this off... Well, it would certainly put fear in anyone who thought they had me cornered.

"All right," I say, finally. "Teach me."

Orochimaru nods, a satisfied glint in his eyes. "Then let's begin."

As he starts to walk me through the mechanics of the technique, I can't help but wonder if I'll ever get used to the idea of swallowing a sword. Probably not. But if it gives me an edge... I'll do whatever it takes.

Even if it's weird as hell.

And it makes me way too similar to my sensei, but that ship sailed a long time ago, I fear.

＊＊＊

Two weeks to go before leaving,

The night is cool, the air crisp as I crouch in the shadows outside Konoha's Intelligence Division building. My heart pounds steadily in my chest, but my breaths remain controlled, shallow, the rhythm of my chakra a mere whisper inside me. Infiltration missions are always a gamble, but I've prepared for this. I've practiced for this.

Orochimaru-sensei has given me the task, and I will not fail. Genma has already tried the same thing and failed, earning Sensei's wrath, while Gai had somehow succeeded, through refuge in audacity, just walking in during the day and bullshiting his way through sheer enthusiasm.

Gai is also being punished, as Sensei rightfully believes he's learned nothing, as the tactic is unlikely to work again. I don't intend to fail.

I take one last glance at the darkened building, its exterior deceptively quiet. The Intelligence Division is never truly silent. Inside, I know there are guards, Chuunin and possibly higher-ranked shinobi, all watching and waiting for anything out of place. But they won't see me coming. I will make sure of that.

Slipping through the perimeter is the first challenge. The building is surrounded by a modest number of shinobi, rotating on carefully timed patrols. There's a rhythm to their movement, and after spending the past two hours observing from a distance, I know the gaps. There's always a gap. These are simply Genin, the kind who never even sees the war. Weak.

My chakra threads flick out, completely invisible, my chakra slithers into his system, a Genin no match for my skill as I make him see nothing at all unusual around him, everything is normal, absolutely no one is nearby. I enforce it even as I move.

Perfect.

I slip behind him, moving silently across the ground. My footfalls are ghostlight, practiced over years of training stretching back to before the Academy. The air barely stirs as I pass, my chakra completely suppressed to avoid detection. Chakra suppression is a skill I've mastered to a fine point, a necessity when working under Orochimaru-sensei's demanding standards. My signature is nearly non-existent, like a faint breeze, invisible and unnoticed.

It would require a skilled sensor to even catch wind of my chakra. Unfortunately, the Intel division has quite a few Yamanaka, who tend to be skilled at just that.

I'm hoping hitting them during the hours the most competent ones aren't at work will solve most risk factors regarding any A rank sensors being on site.

The entrance looms before me, guarded by a single Chuunin, who's currently yawning and stretching like he's been standing there for hours. I pause for a moment in the shadow of the building, watching him carefully. He's bored, distracted, and completely unaware of what's about to happen.

I weave a quick, subtle Genjutsu, letting my chakra threads drift toward him, featherlight. The illusion is a soft nudge to his senses, a gentle tug to make him think he's heard a noise coming from the opposite direction. I see his eyes flicker, confusion momentarily crossing his face, before he turns and takes a few steps away from the door to investigate. Just what I needed.

I'm in.

Konoha really doesn't spend enough time teaching its peons how to notice Genjutsu, or perhaps my soft touch is too dissimilar from that feeling for anyone to notice?

I slip through the doorway without a sound, closing it gently behind me, easily bypassing the security seal with a twist of chakra. The building's interior is dimly lit, long hallways stretching out in both directions. I press myself flat against the wall, listening intently even as I weave a temporary notice me not effect around myself to lessen the chance I'll be noticed. There are no immediate sounds of movement, but I know better than to let my guard down. The archives are deep within the building, and there's still a long way to go.

Only Sensei would make us infiltrate our own building to get intel on Kiri, as a form of training, rather than handing us the damn information.

I begin moving, my senses extended to pick up on any chakra signatures nearby. I can feel the faint flickers of shinobi on patrol, further down the hall and on different floors. None of them are close enough to be a threat yet, but I'll have to navigate carefully.

The first real obstacle comes in the form of two Chuunin stationed at a crossroads in the hallway. They're standing casually, talking to each other in low voices, but they're alert. I can't slip by them without being seen, and there's no alternate route. I'll have to deal with them directly.

I reach out with my chakra, careful not to disturb the flow of their chakra as one mistake would set one of the guards off, noticing an issue with the first. My threads extend toward them, subtle, invisible, wrapping around their senses like a spider weaving a web. I alter their perception, ever so slightly, making them think I'm a colleague, someone meant to be here, making their minds fill in the blanks.

I don't dare count on only my notice me not illusion to cover me in such a small hallway against two people.

"Daisuke." One of them mutters, giving me a tired nod as I calmly walk by, nervous sweat on the back of my neck.

The other Chuunin looks up, narrowing his eyes, but doesn't say anything as I pass.

I smirk to myself, slipping through the intersection and down the stairs toward the lower levels of the building. The archives are just below, in a secured area where the more sensitive information is kept. That's where I need to be.

Again, I get past the security seals to move down another floor, they're all Uzumaki based, and Kushina-shishou had me breaking these types of seals ages ago, I leave no sign of my passing as I temporarily bypass them.

I make it down to the third floor without incident, but as I approach the entrance to the archives, I stop dead in my tracks. There's a Chuunin standing right in front of the door, slouching slightly as he leans against the wall. His uniform is slightly rumpled, and his eyes look half-lidded with boredom. But he's still there, and I can't just sneak past him as he's leaning on the door.

I could make him move, perhaps, but he's a Yamanaka from the look of it, and I'm reluctant to slither into their system in case they can detect me easier than normal due to their clan jutsu.

A different approach, then.

I take a deep breath, centering myself. With a flicker of chakra, I weave a Henge, transforming my appearance into that of a tall, voluptuous blonde woman, the image of a kunoichi I've seen around the village before. I don't just change my appearance, though. My Genjutsu wraps around the transformation, adding layers of sensory details - a faint scent of jasmine perfume, the slight shimmer of freshly applied lip gloss.

I take care of all the details that normally would make a henge useless against any competent Shinobi. The minute movements of clothing as I move, the slight rustle of it, the sheen of sweat on my skin, I expertly weave my Genjutsu so that my henge seems more real, wrapping my chakra strings around myself to fasten the illusion, and making it capable of surviving touch.

I adjust my posture, letting my hips sway slightly as I step out of the shadows, approaching the Chuunin with a coy smile.

"Hey there," I say in a lilting, flirtatious voice, brushing a lock of blonde hair over my shoulder. "I need to get into the archives, but my mean supervisor forgot to sign the authorization sheet. Can you pretty please let me in? I don't want Yamanaka-sensei to spank me for coming back empty-handed." I pout slightly, leaning forward just enough to emphasize the curves of my henge.

Which is not Tsunade worthy, but certainly not that far away from it.

The Chuunin blinks, his eyes widening slightly as he takes in the sight of me. I can practically see the wheels turning in his head, his mind caught between protocol and the sight of the woman in front of him. He opens his mouth to protest, but I don't give him the chance.

"Pretty please?" I murmur, stepping closer. "I'll owe you one. And maybe..." I trail off, letting the implication hang in the air as I bat my eyelashes at him.

His hesitation is almost laughable. He's flustered, his mind too caught up in the illusion to think clearly. Finally, he swallows hard and nods. "Y-yeah, sure. I guess it's not a big deal. Just… Make it quick, okay?"

I step closer, giving him a warm, lingering smile. His breath hitches slightly, caught off guard by my sudden proximity. Without missing a beat, I reach up, my fingers brushing softly through his hair, guiding him down toward me.

I press my lips to his, firm but brief, feeling him freeze for a moment in shock. It's just long enough to leave him a little unsteady, his mind clearly reeling. As I pull back, I notice the dazed expression on his face, and I let out a soft laugh, slipping past him before he can even think to stop me.

"See you on the way out," I whisper, flashing him a wink as I glide through the door, leaving him in a haze of confusion and satisfaction.

While also giving him more of a reason not to wonder over what I'm doing and how long I'm taking, as he waits for my return, hoping for more. I almost want to reveal my real self to him, just to see him blanch.

As the door closes behind me, I drop the henge and roll my eyes. That was too easy. I make a mental note to report him later - sloppy security like that is dangerous, and Konoha can't afford to have guards who let anyone with a pretty face waltz through without authorization.

I can give an excuse to the guards taken by my Genjutsu, I am one of the best practitioners, if not the best, in Konoha at the moment.

But stopping that henge? It had only required that he take his duties seriously.

I shake off the thought and refocus. The archive room is dimly lit, rows of filing cabinets and scrolls stretching out in front of me. The air smells faintly of dust and parchment, a musty, forgotten scent. I move quickly, my eyes scanning the labels on the cabinets. It doesn't take long to find what I'm looking for - intel on Kiri.

I pull open the drawer and sift through the files, my fingers moving with practiced precision as I sort through the information. My heart pounds a little faster as I find the documents I need. Again, I have to waste some time bypassing all the security seals protecting the information, and the ones that would go off if anything was copied, but it's no difficult thing. Just time consuming.

Eventually, I am finished, and can pull out a scroll and begin copying the intel, my hands steady despite the adrenaline rushing through me. Every second I spend here is a risk, but I don't allow myself to rush. Accuracy is everything. I slowly go through the hand seals for a jutsu, thinning my chakra down to as miniscule as possible to not set off any detectors beyond the seals I've already bypassed.

Slowly, the ink I've set out, runs over the intel, before copying exactly the same information on my scroll, leaving the original unmolested. A jutsu taught for exactly this reason. Sensei really had the oddest jutsu to his name, but I appreciate the esoteric knowledge it gives me.

Even if I have no idea when I'll next be on an infiltration mission like this, if ever.

Once I've finished, I roll the scroll back up and tuck it into my pouch, making sure the drawer is exactly as I found it. No traces. No mistakes.

I move to leave, but as I approach the door, I hear footsteps. My heart skips a beat, and I press myself flat against the wall, holding my breath. The footsteps stop just outside the door, and I can hear the low murmur of voices.

"—didn't see anyone go in, but I swear I felt a chakra signature nearby," One voice says, sounding irritated.

"I'm telling you, it's probably just your imagination," the other voice, the door guard, responds, more casual. "This place is locked down tight. No one's getting in without clearance."

Heh, someone doesn't want his potential booty call discovered, I think smugly.

There's a pause, and then the footsteps begin to fade again, moving away down the hall. I exhale slowly, my pulse still racing. Still, that was too close, although you needed a degree of luck in any infiltration.

I wait a few more seconds, weaving my henge again, before making sure the coast is clear before I slip out of the archive room. The Chuunin at the door is still there, I flash him a wink as I pass, keeping up the illusion of the flirtatious blonde woman for just a moment longer.

"Thanks again," I say sweetly, letting my voice linger in his mind, before I 'surreptitiously' drop a piece of paper, giggling coquettishly as I disappear down the hallway.

The address on it is fake, of course. But for now, the thoughts of coming over after his shift and railing my henge, should keep him from saying anything about this, or show his disappointment in not getting an immediate reward…

My henge can handle some physicality, but that doesn't mean I'm interested in having to go through with some things. I'm not a seduction specialist.

Especially not for what in essence is a training mission with no real consequences for being caught.

Once I'm out of sight, I drop the Henge completely and blend into the darkness with my notice me not active, my body moving on instinct as I navigate the halls, avoiding patrols by feeling out their chakra and taking different routes, and slipping past guards with the same careful precision as before. Every step is calculated, every breath controlled. I can feel the weight of the intel in my pouch, the success of the mission driving me forward.

By the time I reach the exit, and get out clean, I feel very smug.

Suck it Genma, you too Gai, your way in was pure bullshit, can't be repeated, I think, as I make my way to the training ground

At least now we have the intel to pour over for the exams.

And more importantly, I can rub it in my boys face how awesome I am.

＊＊＊

One week to go.

It's been a week, and I feel like my bruises have bruises. My body aches constantly, bone-weary, my chakra coils throbbing from being pushed to the brink day after day. Even Hanako, my ever-faithful summon, had to return to the snake realm. I just don't have enough chakra to sustain her presence.

Right now, I'm running on what feels like a quarter tank of chakra, all because Orochimaru-sensei has another task for me. Another 'test', as he so loves to call them. His dark eyes gleam with that same unsettling curiosity as he leads me deep into one of his more clandestine labs, the air growing thicker and colder the further we go. This place... I doubt it's even fully accounted for in the village records.

Eventually, we stop in front of a heavy cell door. Inside, a plain-looking, dark-haired Konoha shinobi sits on the floor, head bowed in quiet resignation. His chakra feels muted - there's no fight left in him. My gaze lingers on him briefly. I used to care about things like this - captive Konoha shinobi, Orochimaru's questionable methods - but I've seen too much get swept under the rug to pretend like it matters anymore. If no one else cares, why should I?

Orochimaru-Sensei has gotten away with worse, what is even the point anymore in risking myself to bring it to attention? He has the Hokage's support, if blindly. And he has Danzo on his side… It's just not worth it for someone I don't know. Sorry random Shinobi-san…

Orochimaru-sensei gestures toward the man. "I picked him up on the frontlines," He says, voice clinical. "Part of a small Konoha clan with a particular chakra-draining ability. A curiosity I've been eager to examine, he's listed as KIA."

I glance at the prisoner, studying him. Chakra drain? Could he be related to that one subordinate of Orochimaru from canon? It doesn't really matter. "I suppose you've already learned what you wanted from him," I remark dryly.

Orochimaru flicks his gaze to me, the slightest hint of amusement curling his lips. "Do you really need to ask?" He drawls.

I shake my head. "Sorry. I don't know why I even bothered." As obsessed with Jutsu he is, of course he immediately set to learning this new trick.

Orochimaru's expression darkens slightly, losing its humor. He gestures to the man again. "Show me your solid chakra strings that you developed with Kushina. Restrain him."

I take a steadying breath and focus, reaching into my reserves. Chakra flares at my fingertips, then splits into dozens of fine, solidly visible threads - chakra strings, the attack moving not so dissimilarly from Kushina-shishou's chakra chains.

But where hers are raw power and esoteric effects, mine are no chains, just simple strings, threading through the air like a web. With a flick of my fingers, they explode out, wrapping around the man in the cell and tying him up in place. My strings are usually delicate, almost impossible to detect without a doujutsu as they're practically invisible, but this time they are solid, tangible as they snake around his limbs.

"Hmm. Useful," Orochimaru mutters, tapping his lip thoughtfully. "Higher chakra cost, of course, but impressive ability for captures."

It's useful, definitely, even if it unfortunately can be broken by someone with high enough chakra reserves, simply by expelling their chakra. It's why I tend to use them simply to trip up or inconvenience an enemy, in quick movements that can't be countered as easily.

I can see where this is heading though, and honestly? I'm ready. If it means honing my chakra strings to a new level, I'm all for it. Konoha shinobi or not, this is about me now. "Sensei, can we begin?" I ask, trying to hide my eagerness as I shift in place.

Because chakra draining chakra strings? Yes please. Who do I have to murder?

Orochimaru-sensei chuckles, pleased by my anticipation. His hand begins to glow with a pale blue light - chakra so refined it almost vibrates with energy. "Patience, child. The intricacies of the chakra drain jutsu are not something you'll master in a day."

He steps closer, his eyes narrowing as he studies my strings. "This ability, when combined with your chakra control, has the potential to not just bind, but absorb. Focus on your strings, feel their connection to your target's chakra flow. You must tune your chakra to interact with theirs, drawing it toward you. It's not brute force - it's control, your specialty."

I swallow, nodding. My hands tighten their grip, and I concentrate. I can feel my strings pulsing, vibrating with potential energy. But drawing out someone else's chakra... That's new, completely different to how I work my chakra normally. I close my eyes, trying to reach beyond the physical sensation of binding him and into something deeper, something more elusive.

Orochimaru watches me closely. "Do not simply try to drain his chakra blindly. You must feel the flow, learn to direct it as though it were your own."

Like how I make my best Genjutsu work in a way, I think… immersing myself in their chakra flow, except this time it's performing an opposite reaction, manipulating that flow directly. That's… Not going to be easy to do with how used I am in doing the opposite.

I take a deep breath, reaching out with my senses. I touch the man's chakra, buried deep within him, a current I can touch, flow with, but not quite grasp. I grit my teeth, willing my strings to connect with it, to draw from it - but it's like trying to catch smoke in one way - in another, it's like trying to move a river's flow with nothing but a spoon.

"Patience, Inohana," Orochimaru says smoothly, his voice cutting through my frustration. "You are not trying to overpower him entirely. You are coaxing the chakra out, as if drawing water from a well, you don't need the chakra's submission, you just need it to resonate and be fooled into your hand."

If I had been asked how a chakra drain jutsu should work, I would have definitely believed I needed it's submission, hence why I tried with force. Never would I have thought I didn't need to take, I needed to fool it, to make it accept it belonged to me. What a thought, no wonder a skill such as this was rare.

I exhale slowly, shifting my focus again. Instead of brute force, I ease into the flow of chakra, letting it guide me like I do for Genjutsu, before slowly trying to coax it. There - just a hint of connection. It's faint, but I feel the man's chakra beginning to stir, like ripples in a pond. I push a little more, trying to pull at it, but I can't sustain the hold. It slips away.

I frown, frustrated. "It's harder than it looks."

"Of course it is," Orochimaru replies, a hint of a smile on his lips. "But you will learn. Given time."

The man in the cell shifts slightly, glancing up at me with tired, wary eyes. I can tell he knows his situation, that he has no value once I learn this, but his exhaustion and pain keeps him docile still. I focus harder, trying to extend my reach into his chakra system again, but it's elusive, frustratingly so.

Orochimaru steps forward, his pale hand resting lightly on my shoulder. "You will fail many times before you succeed, but when you do... You will wield an ability most shinobi can only imagine, so caught up in their ridiculous notions of what a Shinobi is."

I nod, though my muscles feel like they're ready to give out. This is just another test. Another step on the path he's set for me. And I will master it, no matter how long it takes.

One day, I'll use it all…

And take you down if you become a threat to those I care about, sensei, I think firmly.

＊＊＊

A few days to go,

I lay in bed, my limbs heavy and my mind clouded with fatigue, my entire body covered in the cool, slick bodies of snakes. It's like a puppy pile - but with snakes instead of puppies. The weight of their sinuous forms moving across my skin is oddly comforting, a familiar presence that I trust implicitly. These are my snakes, not just random summons from the snake clan. I handpicked them, trained with them, fought alongside them. The snake clan itself might be treacherous, but these - my little group - are mine, and I love them.

Akoshi, the smallest and most mischievous of the bunch - also the most venomous - slithers dangerously close to the waistband of my panties, making me groan. "Akoshi, don't be a pervert," I mutter dryly without even opening my eyes.

He freezes mid-motion, looking up at me with what can only be described as the snake version of puppy dog eyes as I open my eyes to glance down at him. "But it's warm, Ino-sama!" He whines, his voice small and pleading.

I sigh, too tired to even scold him properly. "No," I say firmly, though I can barely see him through the larger snakes that have draped themselves across my torso. My head leans back against Ibiki, the thickest and most reliable of the group. Akoshi has this habit - always sneaking into places he shouldn't. Not that it's unusual for him, he even finds his way into my underwear drawer sometimes, and I swear it's not by accident.

Such a boy, really.

"Hanako," I call out, my voice muffled as I throw my arm over my eyes. "Please ride herd on Akoshi before I lose my patience."

Hanako, the sharpest and oldest of the group, doesn't hesitate. She scoops Akoshi up with her mouth, lifting him by the neck like a mother cat with a kitten, before placing him on top of my head. "Just wait until she's older, she'll like it then," She says cheerfully to the little snake, ignoring his sulk.

Lifting my arm just enough to uncover one eye, I glare at Hanako. "Hanako, no. Bad snake. Don't give him ideas. That's never happening."

Hanako's eyes glint with mischief. "It's a snake clan thing, Ino-sama," She protests, her voice sweet but her intent all too clear.

She must be joking…

I groan and drop my arm back over my eyes. I definitely didn't need to know that about Sensei. "I do not need to know that about Orochimaru-sensei!" I complain, my voice muffled through my exhaustion. The thought alone makes my stomach churn.

I don't care if it's a snake clan thing, or if Hanako is pulling my chain, it just isn't happening. Ever.

There's a sudden cough from the doorway, and I freeze. My head slowly turns toward the sound, and there, framed in the doorway, is Kushina-shishou. She stands with her arms crossed, her expression somewhere between perturbed and concerned.

"I'm not sure what I just walked in on, Ino-chan," Kushina says, her voice firm but edged with bewilderment. "But I think we need to have a talk."

I sigh, my head thumping lightly against Ibiki's bulk. Of all the times for Kushina-shishou to show up... Right now? Really? I glance down at the snakes draped over me, now looking more like incriminating evidence than comforting companions.

"You'll all pay for this," I hiss quietly to my snakes, glaring at them. They all remain blissfully unbothered.

Kushina-shishou gives me a look that brooks no argument, and I already know this is a losing battle. She steps into the room, her arms still crossed and her expression growing more stubborn by the second. "Now, Ino-chan, I need to make sure Orochimaru hasn't filled your head with... Weird stuff, dattebane!" She declares, her voice tinged with determination.

I roll my eyes, unable to stop the words before they leave my mouth. "Unlike your weird stuff, Shishou?" I ask dryly, raising an eyebrow.

Really, I know she doesn't only use those chains for battles…

Kushina-shishou narrows her eyes at me, clearly unimpressed with my sass. "Uzumaki ways are not weird," She retorts, though there's a hint of defensiveness in her voice. "We're just... Very open about our wants." Her hands settle on her hips, and I know I've hit a nerve. "Now, desummon those snakes and let's have a proper talk, just us girls."

I sigh again, this time louder and more dramatic, letting my head roll back as if the very thought of getting up drains what little energy I have left. I briefly entertain the thought of arguing, maybe even saying I need to go back to training, but I know there's no escape from this. Kushina-shishou is not someone you can easily dodge.

Reluctantly, I close my eyes and release my hold on the summoning jutsu. One by one, the snakes disappear in puffs of smoke, leaving me feeling oddly exposed without their familiar weight on me. Akoshi vanishes last, shooting me a betrayed look as if to say, How could you let her win?

I sit up slowly, my muscles protesting every movement. I'm still sore from training, and now I have to endure this.

I'd rather go back to training then deal with this… Embarrassment.

This is all Orochimaru-Sensei's fault somehow!

＊＊＊

D-Day, Konoha's gates.

The morning is crisp as we stand at the village gates, ready to leave Konoha behind. Orochimaru-sensei is already ahead of us, the long rain cloak addition to his uniform trailing as he moves toward the road that will eventually lead us to Kiri.

Team 9 is silent, each of us wrapped up in our thoughts, the weight of the mission ahead pressing down on our shoulders. The war is relentless, and while I know this is just one more step in a long chain of battles, it feels different. This time, we're heading into the heart of the enemy.

There's no question about it, this is the most dangerous thing we have done.

Kushina-shishou and Mikoto are here to see me off. They're the only ones left. Everyone else is already gone, either fighting on the front lines or on missions. I feel the absence of Dan and the others like a hole in my chest, but I don't show it. Not now. Not in front of them.

The most important one is here, that's who matters.

Kushina has tears brimming in her eyes, her lip quivering as she struggles to maintain her composure. She's never been one to hide her emotions well. She grabs my shoulders, her grip firm but shaky, her gaze intense as if she's trying to memorize every detail of my face. "Ino-chan," She says, her voice already wavering. "You have to be careful out there, alright? Kiri is dangerous. They're... They're ruthless, and the mist... It's -"

"I know, Shishou," I say softly, cutting her off gently before she can spiral. "I'll be fine. Orochimaru-sensei has trained us well, you've trained me well."

I can't even imagine what she's thinking… Kiri had been part of the sacking of Uzushio, and now she's sending me into shark infested waters…

Kushina shakes her head, gripping my shoulders even tighter. "No, it's more than that. You need to trust your instincts, don't hold back. Kiri's shinobi… They don't fight like anyone else. They're brutal, and they'll do anything to win, to kill." She pauses, her hands trembling slightly. "I just... I don't want you to get hurt, Ino-chan. You're strong, I know that, but... You're also my little girl."

My heart squeezes at her words. I've never seen her look so fragile, so scared. I want to tell her it's going to be okay, but the truth is, I'm not sure myself. The unknown is terrifying, and Kiri's reputation precedes them. But I can't let her see my fear. Not now.

Mikoto steps forward, her face more composed, but her worry is palpable in her dark eyes. She's always the calm one, the quiet strength behind Kushina's loud passion. "Inohana," She says, her voice steady, "You need to be cautious, especially when dealing with Kiri's bloodline users. The mist they use - it's not just for hiding. They'll use it as cover for their clan jutsu, so you never see the trick coming. Stick close to your teammates. Don't go off on your own, no matter what happens."

I nod, absorbing her advice, even though the anxiety that's been gnawing at me sharpens. I already know what's waiting for us out there, but hearing it from Mikoto makes it feel more real, more immediate. "I'll stay close," I promise.

Mikoto looks like she wants to say more, but she hesitates. Instead, she reaches out and pulls me into a hug, something she doesn't do often. I can feel her warmth, her steady heartbeat against mine, and for a moment, I let myself lean into it, letting her calm wash over me.

When she pulls back, her eyes meet mine, and she gives me a small, almost sad smile. "Come back safe, Inohana," She says quietly, her eyes flickering to Kushina.

I try to respond, but before I can, Kushina practically pulls me into her arms. She's squatting now, holding me tight, and I'm pressed against her chest, her warmth wrapping around me like a shield from everything outside this moment. Her grip is fierce, as if she's trying to anchor me to the village, to her, like she can keep me from leaving if she just holds on hard enough.

My face is buried in her chest, and I can feel the rapid rise and fall of her breaths, the way her body shakes ever so slightly. Her scent surrounds me, comforting and familiar, and for a moment, I'm not a shinobi on a mission. I'm just Ino, her little girl. I feel the tears building behind my eyes, but I bite them back, refusing to let them fall. I can't cry now. Not here.

I'm a kunoichi, I endure.

Kushina's hand strokes the back of my head, her fingers threading through my hair as if this is the last time she'll ever get the chance. "You'll come back, okay?" She whispers, her voice thick with emotion. "Promise me you'll come back, Dattebane!"

I swallow hard, trying to speak through the lump in my throat. "I'll come back, Shishou," I whisper, my voice barely audible. "I'll come back."

And then, without thinking, the words slip out, unplanned but so natural. "I promise, I'll see you later... Mom."

I feel her breath hitch, the sharp intake of air as the word hits her. For a moment, everything is still, and then I feel the wetness of her tears as they fall into my hair, her body trembling as she holds me tighter. I can hear her choked sobs, and it takes everything in me not to break down too.

I don't want to let go. I don't want to leave this warmth, this safety. But I have to. I pull back slightly, just enough to slip free from her grip, and before I can see her face, before I can let myself fall apart, I flicker away, my body moving in a blur as I use the body flicker technique to rejoin my team.

I don't look back. I can't. If I do, I might not be able to leave.

The wind whips past my face as I catch up to Orochimaru and the others. My heart is heavy, but I push it down, bury it deep inside where it won't distract me.

I'll be back. We all will be.

It's the promise of a lifetime.

＊＊＊

Author's Note:

The Professor would obviously notice some of what Inohana is thinking and feeling. He's not a complete idiot, despite his choices so far. He has his reasons, not very nice ones, but he has them.

Still not the best decisions, but he's sure of Kushina's loyalty, so he wasn't worried about the fate of some civilian girl who wouldn't amount to much. Now… He's a little bit worried.

But hey, Orochimaru is facing scrutiny way before canon? That's nice.

And hey, they're growing stronger, before being tossed in the blender! Strongest Konoha Chuunin candidates versus Kiri madness, who will win out? Obviously Inohana isn't going there to sword them to death, but becoming proficient in at least blocking a bit is worth the effort.

And we finally got the Mom word out. Surely I don't have another gut punch lined up!

Or do I? You can never really tell with me.

Also, Inohana is definitely not like Naruto, there's some similarities to other characters though…

Cheers

JollyHippopotamus