Chapter 29: Red Spider Lily (Konoha Crush Part I)
Kimiko's thoughts were interrupted by Kabuto's voice.
"Hold them back. I need to assist Orochimaru-sam—"
Kabuto's words were cut off as two ink birds dove toward him and the Otogakure ninja flanking him. The sudden assault forced them to scatter, one of the birds relentlessly pursuing Kabuto, preventing him from breaking away.
Kimiko's sharp gaze followed the source of the jutsu and landed on the man who looked eerily like Sasuke, calmly painting on his sketchpad.
Oh, right. That's Sai. But… what is ROOT doing here?
"Kakashi, Gai," came Danzo's gravelly voice, commanding attention.
He stepped toward the railing, his single exposed eye fixed on the violet barrier separating Orochimaru and Hiruzen from the rest of the world. "You two, along with the rest of the Jonin, will focus on repelling these Oto and Suna-nin."
Danzo's tone sharpened as he continued, "I will assist the Lord Hokage."
Without hesitation, he turned to his ROOT operatives. "Fū, Torune, Sai. Assist the ANBU and the Third Hokage's bodyguard."
"But, Danzo-sama—" Kakashi began, his voice tinged with skepticism.
Danzo turned to him, his gaze as impassive as ever. "Yes?"
Kakashi continued speaking. "The Hokage is separated from us by that barrier ninjutsu. It would take time to break through. How would you—"
Kakashi's question was interrupted as a surge of chakra filled the arena.
Kimiko froze, recognizing the familiar presence. It was unyielding, weathered, like a scarred oak tree standing tall amidst scorching flames.
"Father?!" she whispered, her eyes widening in shock.
On cue, she saw him. Her father, Shinku, emerged from the far end of the arena in full gear, his sword gleaming as he led no fewer than a dozen shinobi behind him.
"Come! Retake this arena! Fight for Konoha!" he bellowed, his voice ringing with unshakable authority as he unsheathed his blade.
Danzo's expression didn't waver. His voice was calm, yet firm as he addressed Kakashi. "As you can see, I will not be assisting alone. Shinku-san has insisted on lending his aid."
Kimiko's eyes widened. "What?!"
For once, Danzo's piercing gaze turned directly to her.
"Danzo-sama," Kimiko began, her voice faltering slightly. "My father—how would he assist in—"
She froze as a powerful surge of chakra rippled across the arena. Her head snapped to the other end, where her father stood, surrounded by a dozen Otogakure nin.
Kimiko's muscles tensed, instinctively preparing to lunge toward him, but something about her father's expression made her pause. He was completely calm, his impassive demeanor unshaken by the enemies surrounding him.
Suddenly, flames erupted around her father's blade, spiraling upward in a vortex of scorching fire. With a single, deliberate spin of his sword, a blinding light filled the arena. The flames expanded outward, fanning into an arc of blazing heat.
The next moment, the dozen Oto-nin were reduced to ash. The fiery remnants of their forms scattered into the wind, leaving nothing but scorched earth where they had stood.
"Whoa," Naruto muttered, his voice filled with awe. "Old man Shinkku is awesome."
Kimiko's grip on Byakko tightened as she stared, her mind racing. Father… was that powerful all along?
"I've lingered here for too long," Danzo said abruptly, his tone curt as his eyes flickered briefly to Kimiko and Naruto. "Ensure the safety of the civilians. I must assist now and break that barrier so we can enter."
And with that, Danzo vanished, his form blurring as he flickered away. In an instant, Kimiko's father appeared beside him, now standing in front of the violet barrier on the roof. From her vantage point, she could see Danzo weaving through a flurry of hand seals with practiced precision.
In the arena below, Kimiko's eyes widened. Sasuke stood tense, his gaze locked onto the violet barrier surrounding Hiruzen and Orochimaru. Nearby, a now-conscious Gaara was clutching his head, screaming in agony. Kankuro and Baki flanked him, with Kankuro's face etched in worry.
Baki barked an order that Kimiko couldn't quite catch, his tone sharp and commanding. Kankuro hesitated briefly before nodding, sliding Gaara's arm over his shoulder. Together, the two began retreating, leaping toward the outskirts of Konoha.
Suddenly, Genma flickered into view in front of Sasuke. The ever-present senbon between his teeth twitched slightly as he paced forward, his eyes not leaving Baki for a second.
Fuck. Genma's about to tell Sasuke to go after Gaara.
As if on cue, Genma's lips moved and said something that Kimiko couldn't make out. Sasuke frowned, his expression briefly confused, but he nodded in understanding.
Then, Sasuke turned to the crowd, his sharp eyes scanning the stands until they landed on Kimiko.
"Kimiko. Naruto," he called out, his voice steady yet firm. "I'm going after Gaara. I'll need your help. We need to bring him back here."
Kimiko blinked in surprise, her thoughts racing. Wow. That's a change I didn't expect from you. In canon, you went after Gaara on your own. But this time… you're asking for comrades?
Sasuke's voice cut through her thoughts again. "I'll wait for you at the outskirts of Konoha, but I'm leaving in ten minutes if you two don't show."
Before she could respond, Sasuke moved, running towards the arena wall, ready to vault on top and make his exit.
"Not so fast!" snarled Baki
He hurled a flurry of kunai toward Sasuke, the deadly projectiles closing in fast. Sasuke tensed, his body poised to deflect them—but then, someone flickered in front of him.
Kimiko's breath caught. Senpai?
Hayate Gekko appeared in front of Sasuke, his sickly frame moving with surprising precision as he deflected the kunai with a fluid twirl of his blade.
"Tch," Baki spat, his lip curling into a sneer. "So, you're alive, huh?"
"Yes," Hayate replied coldly, his pale face stark but his eyes burning with fury. He pointed his blade at Baki, the steel glinting under the light. "And you won't be once I'm done with you."
"Good," Baki said, a smirk spreading across his face. "That saves me the trouble. I get to finish the job."
Hayate's grip on his sword tightened, but he didn't look back as he spoke. "Genma, I'll handle this. Your fellow bodyguards need you more."
Kimiko's senses suddenly flared, snapping her focus back to her surroundings. She turned sharply, just in time to catch movement from the corner of her eye.
Two Otogakure nin lunged at her simultaneously from her left and right.
Her hand instinctively flew to the hilt of Byakko. The threads of her weapon unfurled in an instant as she drew the blade, slashing in four swift arcs. The sword's path left streaks of glowing white in the air, and the next thing she heard were the pained screams of her attackers.
The two Oto-nin crumpled to the ground, deep, fatal wounds carved across their torsos. Blood sprayed, some splattering across Kimiko's face, but she didn't flinch.
Before she could react further, two more Oto-nin came at her from the front and back. Kimiko braced herself to strike, but before she could move, Naruto flashed into the fray.
"Got it!" he shouted.
He soared above her in a blur of orange, his foot slamming into the first attacker's face with a powerful front kick. Using the man's head as a springboard, Naruto spun midair and delivered a flying hook kick to the second.
Both enemies hit the ground with loud thuds as Naruto landed beside her.
Kimiko adjusted her stance, gripping Byakko with both hands as Naruto coiled his fists, and the two instinctively closed ranks. Standing back-to-back, they formed a tight defensive circle.
Kakashi and Gai mirrored their movements, standing back-to-back nearby as the remaining Oto-nin began to encircle them.
"Yes, but leave this to us," Kakashi said firmly. "You heard Sasuke. He needs you."
Above them, Kimiko caught sight of Aoba engaging two Otogakure ninja. He lunged forward, kicking them away before flipping back onto the railing. Without missing a beat, he exhaled a wave of fire, consuming two more Sound-nin who had been closing in.
"We've got this," Kakashi continued. "The two of you have your own mission to focus on. This is your first A-rank mission since the Land of Waves."
"Hm," Kimiko murmured, her hand dipping into her pouch. She retrieved three senbon and threw them with precision. One struck a Sound-nin in the side of the neck, paralyzing him just long enough for Aoba to dive in and land a solid punch, sending the enemy crashing to the ground.
"Find Sasuke and pursue the Sand-nin?" Kimiko asked.
"That's right," Kakashi confirmed. "Now, Kimiko, release the genjutsu on either Shino or Shikamaru and rendezvous with Sasuke."
"But, sensei," Naruto interjected, his voice tinged with concern, "wouldn't it be better if we woke Choji and Ino too? We could go after them as a group!"
Kakashi shook his head. "No. You saw that giant snake earlier. I suspect that Sound and Sand-nin are infiltrating the village through the breach it made. Besides, moving as a four-person unit would—"
"Destroy any advantage of swiftness and make it harder to conceal our presence," Kimiko finished, nodding in understanding. Beside, she honestly didn't think Choji or Ino would be able to keep up with either her or Naruto.
"Exactly," Kakashi said, his tone calm but firm. "Now, I'll send one of my ninken to help you track the Sand-nin."
He knelt by one of the fallen Sound-nin, placing his hand on the corpse. In a small puff of white smoke, a tiny brown puppy materialized, wearing a Konoha forehead protector.
"This is Pakkun," Kakashi said. "He'll help you track Sasuke's scent. I assume your sensory abilities will be sufficient for backup?"
"Yes," Kimiko replied with a curt nod.
"I heard goot things about the two of you," barked Pakkun. "I just hope I got to see it in less of a dire situation,"
"Good." Kakashi straightened and gave them a brief glance. "Now, go. I'll hold things here."
Kimiko exhaled, mentally preparing herself. "Alright," she said, turning her gaze to Shino and Shikamaru. "I'll release their genjutsu. Good luck, sensei."
Kimiko and Naruto ascended the steps quickly, Pakkun trotting ahead toward Shikamaru's prone form. Oddly enough, Shino was nowhere to be seen.
Hm. In canon, he went after the Sound-nin on his own. Did he do the same here?
Kimiko didn't waste time bending down to check on Shikamaru. Instead, she prodded him with her foot.
"Wake up. I know you broke out of the genjutsu. Stop pretending to be asleep."
He remained stubbornly motionless.
Kimiko sighed in irritation. "Pakkun," she said, gesturing to the ninken.
Pakkun obediently trotted forward and bit Shikamaru's leg.
At first, there was silence. Then, Shikamaru yelped in pain, jolting upright and shaking his leg furiously.
"Uh-huh," Kimiko said dryly, her expression flat as she crossed her arms.
Shikamaru picked up Pakkun, holding the small dog at eye level. "I didn't want to get involved," he muttered, his voice laced with resignation. "Besides, Sasuke only asked for the two of you."
"Tough luck," Kimiko replied, unfazed. She narrowed her eyes. "By the way, where's Shino?"
"He heard Sasuke's little announcement and took off," Shikamaru said, scratching the back of his head. "He's probably already at the outskirts waiting for you." Shikamaru extended his finger to Shikamaru, who bit it.
"Good," Kimiko said with a nod. Kakashi had made a solid point about the drawbacks of a four-person squad, but she reckoned Shino's abilities would be worth the slight trade-off in speed. "Okay, here's what we need to do—"
Her words were cut short as an Otogakure-nin flickered into view behind Shikamaru.
Kimiko barely had time to react before Naruto lunged forward in a blur of orange, intercepting the attacker with a powerful punch to the stomach.
At the same time, a green blur streaked past Kimiko, and Gai appeared beside Naruto, his fist slamming into the Oto-nin's abdomen simultaneously. The combined force sent the ninja flying backward into the wall, which cracked and crumbled from the impact. Gai remained in front of the Oto-nin, his fist buried in his stomach.
The Oto-nin's eyes bulged as he wheezed, struggling to process the sheer speed of the attacks. "F-Fast," he stammered weakly.
"Not just fast," Gai said, his voice calm and assured. "Powerful, too."
Without hesitation, Gai pressed forward, the pressure exerted from the punch obliterated the cratered wall entirely. The Oto-nin stumbled backward, disappearing into the new hole created by the force of Gai's attack.
"Alright, listen close," Kakashi said, reappearing beside the wall with a flicker of movement. His voice was calm but firm, his lone visible eye scanning the group. "I'm going to explain the mission. As soon as I do, head through that opening." He nodded toward the breach.
"First, track down Sasuke, and—"
"And stop him?" Kimiko interrupted, crossing her arms. "Unlikely, sensei. With all due respect, you've heard it from Asuma-sensei and nee-chan. Naruto and I are already far beyond Genin level—maybe even Chuunin level. Sasuke's the same. And Shikamaru? He's practically Chuunin already in skill and mastery of his clan's jutsu."
She paused, her gaze steady. "We're not just kids playing ninja anymore. We need to do our part to help Konoha."
"Stop that," Shikamaru muttered, rubbing the back of his head with a sigh. "So troublesome…"
Kakashi hesitated, his expression unreadable beneath his mask. After a moment, he let out a soft sigh, nodding in resignation. "Fine. Alright, Kimiko, I'll leave the decision to you. Once you reach Sasuke, assess the situation. Depending on what's happening, make the most optimal choice: either get to a safe place or continue pursuing Gaara. But don't go too far."
Kimiko straightened, her tone resolute. "Got it." She turned to Shikamaru and Naruto, her hand resting on the hilt of Byakko. "We have our orders. Let's mo—-"
A thunderous crack split the air, reverberating across the arena. Kimiko's head snapped toward the violet barrier surrounding the Hokage and Orochimaru, just in time to see it shatter into fragments of dissipating chakra.
The oppressive energy of the barrier gave way to a rush of movement. Standing at the center of the collapsed field were Danzo and her father, their imposing figures flanking Hiruzen, who was now in full battle gear.
Danzo's bandaged hand rested on his staff, his eyes burning with cold fury. "Your games end here, Orochimaru," he declared, his voice carrying across the arena.
Orochimaru's smirk widened, "Danzo… Shinku… how quaint. So the old war dogs have decided to bare their fangs at me."
Shinku didn't reply. Instead, his sword erupted in spiraling flames, the heat so intense that Kimiko could feel it even from her distance. He took a step forward, standing protectively by Hiruzen's side, his expression stoic but his intent clear.
The tension broke as Genma, Raido, and three other shinobi—Sai, Torune, and Fu—moved into action, intercepting the Sound Four who had been scattered by the collapse.
"You won't get another chance to form that barrier," Genma said, his senbon clenched tightly between his teeth as he lunged at Kidomaru, who jumped back and lunged away, creating distance, only for Genma to spit the senbon towards him.
Raido followed, his poisoned, black blade glinting as he clashed with Sakon and Ukon. "You're not going anywhere!" he growled, struggling with Sakon and Ukon who pushed against his blade with their arms.
Sai's ink beasts surged forward, one tackling Jirobo while the other lunged at Tayuya, forcing her to leap away as Torune and Fu closed in.
Orochimaru's mocking laugh echoed again, his tongue flicking out as he clapped his hands slowly.
"How delightful," he hissed. "Danzo, Sarutobi-sensei… and your entourage. Do you really think you can stop me?"
Danzo stepped forward, "We don't need to stop you, Orochimaru. We only need to remind you why you should never have come here."
Shinkku's sword flared brighter, its heat warping the air around him as he leveled it at Orochimaru. "You will face the consequences of your betrayal, and of your foul attack on my daughter, Orochimaru."
Orochimaru's smirk widened. "So be it." And with that, his hand flashed through handseals.
"Summoning Jutsu: Impure World Reincarnation!"
Three distinct wooden coffins started to rise from the roof, blocking the air bullets Danzo spat towards Orochimaru. She saw Hiruzen and her father's eyes widen…
"Kimiko," Kakashi said, catching her attention. "You got your mission. Don't let the fight distract you. They'll handle this."
Kimiko hesitated for only a moment, her gaze lingering on her father's burning sword and Danzo's stormy presence before she exhaled sharply.
"Right," she said, rallying herself. Turning to Naruto and Shikamaru, she barked, "Let's go!"
Shikamaru groaned, slouching slightly as he followed. "I swear, I should've just stayed 'asleep.'"
And with that, the four darted through the opening, leaving behind the unfolding chaos as the fight raged behind them.
Running through Konoha was brutal. Chaos filled the streets as shinobi released from Kabuto's genjutsu joined the fray, pouring out of the arena to counter the Otogakure and Suna-nin forces. The sharp clang of steel against steel rang through the air, accompanied by the shouts of combatants and the cries of civilians fleeing the battle.
Thankfully, the path they chose offered a relatively direct route out of Konoha.
Pakkun led the way, his small frame darting ahead while Kimiko, Naruto, Shikamaru, and Shino followed closely behind. The village began to shrink behind them, its silhouette growing smaller with every step.
"Your friend's close," Pakkun called back. "I smell another person with him."
"I know," Kimiko replied, her tone steady but focused. "I can feel his chakra. That other person's a friend of ours—Shino."
As they rounded a bend, they came upon the figures of Shino and Sasuke waiting by the roadside. Shino stood calm and composed, while Sasuke's head snapped up as he noticed them approaching.
"Tch," Sasuke muttered, crossing his arms. "I was about to leave the two of you behind. But then Shino found me here."
"Hey!" Naruto shot back. "Stop being such an impatient idiot. You don't get to be cool all by yourself!"
"What a drag," Shikamaru grumbled, stuffing his hands in his pockets. Then, with a half-smirk, he glanced at Shino. "Still, I'm glad to see you're here. Guess I was right about you joining in."
"It would not do well for a soldier to refuse to pick up his sword and fight while his homeland burns," Shino replied cryptically.
"Right, everyone," Kimiko said, drawing their attention. All four boys and Pakkun turned to face her. "Here's the situation. Kakashi-sensei's original mission was simple: track Sasuke down and bring him back. But he left me in command." She took a breath, steadying herself. "That means it's our call. We can either find a safe place to lay low or continue pursuing Gaara and his brother."
She paused, her tone growing somber. "I need to warn you, though. Gaara's a Jinchūriki, and the tailed beast inside him is likely about to break free. If that happens…" Her mind flashed to the Nine-Tails' attack—the screams, the devastation, the chaos. She clenched her fists. "...Let's just say no one here wants a repeat of that. That's why I told Kakashi-sensei we're going to make sure it doesn't happen."
Sasuke gave her a grim nod, his expression serious. Shikamaru let out an exaggerated sigh, scratching the back of his head.
"...Seriously, what a drag. Jinchūriki and Tailed Beasts? It's way too troublesome. Then again, I'm already here, so…"
Shino remained silent, his unreadable gaze fixed ahead.
Naruto, however, clenched his fists, his voice rising with determination. "Then what are we waiting for?! We need to take Gaara down!"
"Good," Kimiko said, scanning their faces. "Looks like no one wants to turn back. Now, here's the plan. I'll track Gaara. His chakra's erratic—I doubt he'll be able to hide it from me for long. Pakkun," she turned to the ninken, "stay on alert for any Sound-nin who might try to ambush us."
"Got it," Pakkun replied with a curt nod, padding off slightly ahead.
Kimiko closed her eyes, pressing her hands together as she began kneading her chakra. Her sensory field expanded, stretching outward like ripples in a pond.
And then she found it.
Two distinct chakra signatures. Gaara's chakra flared wildly, chaotic and unstable, as if threatening to erupt at any moment. Kankuro's presence was more subdued, his attempts to minimize his chakra failing to escape her detection. However, she recognized something in Kabuto, a faint chakra signature that seemed similar to Shino's.
"Got them, they're not too far ahead." Kimiko said, opening her eyes. "Their signatures are locked. They won't escape us now. But…" She turned to Shino. "I sensed a piece of your chakra in Kankuro,"
"Yes," Said Shino. "I placed it on him while he was distracted by the sight of you poisoning his sister," He paused. "It was a way to track him down, should you and Naruto not make Sasuke's deadline and they attempt to lose our pursuit.."
"Smart," Said Kimiko. She glanced at the group, "But keep this in mind. There are six of us, and they'll likely be faster than we are. Not to mention the hostile ninjas scattered around."
Naruto grinned, cracking his knuckles. "So? We've got this. Let's show them what we're made of!"
Kimiko nodded, gripping the hilt of Byakko. "Then let's move. Stay sharp, everyone. "
The six of them blurred into motion, reappearing atop the tree branches as they leaped through the dense treeline. Kimiko led at the front, Sasuke and Naruto close behind, while Shikamaru, Shino, and Pakkun held the rear, their movements synchronized as they pushed forward.
"Left," Kimiko commanded sharply. Without hesitation, the group veered left, lunging through the branches as they adjusted course.
Kimiko could feel Kankuro and Gaara's chakra signatures ahead, erratic and desperate as they tried to escape. Between Pakkun's keen tracking abilities and her own sensory skills, their team was well-suited for a pursuit mission. Yet, moving as a six-person unit made stealth and speed slightly more challenging.
"How much longer till we catch up?!" Naruto called out from behind her.
"If they keep this pace, a while," Kimiko replied with a sigh. "They're faster than I expected."
They continued pressing forward, their movements precise as they tried to close the gap. The trees whipped past them in a blur of green and brown, the air thick with the tension of the chase.
Suddenly, Pakkun's voice broke through the silence. "We need to pick up the pace!" he barked.
"Picked up anything out of the ordinary?" Kimiko asked, not even glancing back as she leaped to the next branch.
"Yeah," Pakkun growled. "There are two squads behind us—no, wait." He paused mid-sentence, sniffing the air. "Four squads. But I smell two more scents. That makes eighteen ninja on our tail."
Kimiko's eyes widened in alarm.
Shikamaru groaned audibly. "Oh man, already?"
"Wait," Kimiko said, her voice edged with disbelief. "How could they spare nearly an entire platoon just to hunt us down?!"
"Hng," Shikamaru muttered, his tone thoughtful. "The counterattack in the village center probably pushed some of them back. Or…" He hesitated before continuing, "that Kabuto guy you mentioned might've ordered more to trail us."
"Fuck," Kimiko cursed under her breath, her jaw tightening. Fucking Kabuto.
"They don't know our exact position yet," Pakkun said, his tone calm but serious. "But they're steadily catching up, and they're guarding against ambush."
"Oh man," Shikamaru muttered, rubbing the back of his neck. "They're probably at least all Chuunin. If they catch up to us, we'll be wiped out. Dead."
"We could divide into two three-man teams," Sasuke suggested.
"That would be ideal," Shikamaru said with a nod. "If this were any other situation. But with the number of pursuers they have, they could split their forces and hunt us down separately."
"He's right," Kimiko agreed, glancing behind them as they continued moving.
"Listen, guys," Naruto spoke up, his voice firm. "We don't have much choice. We're going to have to ambush them!"
"An ambush… that could work," Sasuke said thoughtfully.
"No, it's no good," Pakkun cut in. "Three of you might be a match for a couple of them, but there are too many. These are Orochimaru's henchmen. Like that one said, most of them are likely Chuunin, but some could even be Jonin-level."
"Man, I really thought that would work," Shikamaru said with a glare. "I guess it won't."
"Shikamaru's right," Kimiko said, her voice tinged with frustration.
"Wait, hold on, why not?" Sasuke asked, his eyes narrowing. "The level of the opponent doesn't matter as much in an ambush, does it?"
"Yeah, what's the deal?" Naruto added, glancing back at Shikamaru.
Shikamaru sighed heavily, his exasperation evident. "You guys just don't get it. Let me explain. Yes, an ambush can be a key battle tactic and give us an edge, but only if two conditions are met."
"Alright," Naruto said, his voice impatient. "Tell us, and we'll make it happen!"
"Number one," Shikamaru began, holding up his index finger. "The ninja on the run must stay completely quiet and find the enemy first." He raised a second finger. "Number two: they have to catch the pursuers off guard in a location where they can do a lot of damage quickly, and then conceal themselves again just as fast."
Shikamaru sighed, glancing ahead as they continued leaping through the treetops. "And it's only under those two conditions that an ambush is truly effective."
Naruto frowned, his brows furrowing in thought. "Hm…"
"Now, the first condition is already difficult to pull off," Shikamaru continued. "We're a six-man team, which makes stealth harder. But it's doable. Pakkun's nose can track their exact location, and Kimiko's hypersensory ability can confirm it." He paused. "The second condition also seems to work in our favor—at least on paper—since we know the geography of this area like the back of our hands."
"But…?" Kimiko prompted, sensing his hesitation.
Shikamaru turned his gaze back to the road. "But Orochimaru is a former Konoha shinobi. That means the second condition might not work in our favor."
"We're out of luck there?" Naruto asked, his confusion evident. "Wait, explain why again!"
"Our pursuers have likely studied the layout of this area," Shikamaru explained. "It's reasonable to assume Orochimaru had them go through simulated practices for this mission. And on top of that, they're probably experts at pursuit tactics."
"So they know all our cards," Sasuke muttered, his tone grim.
"Exactly," Shikamaru said, his voice heavy with resignation. "I suppose an ambush could give us some advantage, but there are too many uncertainties. Our enemy is a special platoon specifically assembled for this mission. And while three of you"—he gestured vaguely at Kimiko, Sasuke, and Naruto—"are no doubt stronger than the rest of us, it still leaves half our team vulnerable. Shino, who I honestly don't know much about. A puppy. And me. A slacker who doesn't even want to be here."
"Look," Shikamaru began. "Tactics are about clearly grasping a tough situation and formulating the best plan. Right now, only one plan makes sense." He sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "Just one."
Kimiko's breath hitched. She was already piecing it together, and her stomach churned. "…I think I know what you're about to say," she said quietly, her voice barely above a whisper.
Shikamaru nodded. "A diversion that only looks like an ambush," he said. His tone was so matter-of-fact that it sent a chill down Kimiko's spine. "Normally, one of us would be enough, but with that many pursuers… two people will have to stay back to slow them down. One person alone wouldn't last long enough to buy us time."
Kimiko's hands clenched into fists. "Two of us would have to act as decoys," she said, her voice steady despite the knot tightening in her chest. "We'd need to hold them back as long as possible."
"That's right," Shikamaru confirmed, his voice low and even. "If two of us can delay them, the rest of the group should be able to escape undetected." He paused, his next words weighing heavily in the air. "Of course, the pair who stay behind will probably…"
"Die," Kimiko finished, her voice overlapping with Shikamaru's.
They halted their movement, landing silently on a thick tree branch. The group stood frozen, the gravity of the situation sinking in. No one said a word, the tension palpable as they avoided each other's gazes. Only the chirping of birds filled the silence between the six teens, and Kimiko felt her heart seize up.
She'd like to say she felt fear, but… she didn't. How could she? She had already died thirteen years ago.
Naruto, Sasuke, Shikamaru, and Shino—they had futures to look forward to. They were essential, vital pieces in the unfolding story of this world. But her? Her future wasn't supposed to exist. She was a dead woman inhabiting someone else's body.
Kimiko had come into this world a stranger, hijacking a life that might have gone a completely different path. Perhaps the Kimiko of the original timeline had never become a ninja. Maybe she had stayed in the capital, living a quiet, peaceful life. Perhaps she'd married a handsome nobleman, raised a family full of beautiful children, and brought pride to her mother.
But this Kimiko had chosen differently. She had chosen the life of a kunoichi—a warrior's life, where death was an ever-present companion.
And this would be my penance, she thought, her fists tightening. To let this Kimiko die a death worthy of the life I took—and the life I chose to lead.
"So," Shikamaru's voice cut through the heavy silence, "who's going to do it?" His tone was calm but edged with weariness. "We need at least one tracker to follow the Sand-nin, so that means…"
"...Alright," Naruto began, his voice filled with determination. "I guess I'm going to have t—"
"I'm the only one who can do it," Shikamaru interrupted.
"I'm going to stay behind and delay them," Kimiko said at the exact same moment.
"What?!" Naruto shouted, his voice echoing through the treetops as he whirled to face her.
Sasuke turned sharply as well, his eyes wide with alarm. "No, Kimiko!"
"Why does it have to be you two?!" Naruto demanded, his tone teetering between frustration and desperation. His fists clenched tightly, his knuckles whitening.
"It's better than all of us being wiped out, right?" Shikamaru said evenly, though the slight edge in his voice betrayed his unease. He ran a hand through his hair, glancing at Kimiko. "Besides, I'm the only one who can pin them in place long enough to buy time. I have the highest chance of surviving this. Shadow Possession Jutsu was invented as a delay tactic, after all." He paused, turning to Kimiko. "But… you're sure about this?"
Kimiko nodded, her face calm, but inside, her emotions churned like a storm. She glanced briefly at the others—Naruto's fiery anger, Sasuke's stunned disbelief, and Shino's impassive gaze, which seemed to glimmer faintly with concern.
"I'm sure," she said firmly, though her chest felt heavy. "You and I have the best chance of holding them back for the longest time. Shino can track them using the bug he planted on Kankuro."
She took a breath. "And poison is a tool perfectly suited for a delaying maneuver. Especially mine. I can spread it to make sure as many of them as possible are affected. Even if they get past us…"
"They'll be poisoned," Shikamaru said, finishing her thought. "And they'll be slowed down even more—if they don't die outright."
"No!" Naruto bellowed, stepping forward, his face twisted in anguish. "What the hell?! You don't get to do this, Kimiko! You're going to die! It's a suicide mission!"
Kimiko's gaze stayed steady, though her heart clenched painfully at the raw desperation in Naruto's voice. She wanted to reassure him, to tell him it would be okay, but she couldn't bring herself to lie.
"No," Sasuke said, his voice quieter but trembling with intensity. His fists clenched tightly at his sides. "You already almost died once, Kimiko. Don't leave us!" His voice cracked, and for a moment, her normally stoic teammate looked as though he was holding himself together by a thread. "Not again."
Kimiko felt her resolve falter for a fleeting second. The weight of their concern, their fear—it pressed on her like a physical force. But then her gaze flickered to Shino, who stepped forward.
"Kimiko and Shikamaru's logic is sound," Shino said. "This plan ensures the highest probability of success." His voice softened slightly as he turned to Naruto. "Kimiko is not acting recklessly. She is acting as a shinobi."
Naruto's jaw tightened, his teeth grinding audibly. "That doesn't mean she has to die!" he shot back, his voice cracking.
Pakkun padded forward, his small form dwarfed by the tension in the group. "Listen," he said, his gruff voice cutting through the air. "None of us want this, but Kimiko and Shikamaru are right. They've got the best chance of holding the enemy off. The rest of you need to focus on the mission."
Kimiko closed her eyes for a brief moment, centering herself. I didn't come into this world to live a quiet, happy life. I came here to fight for something greater. This is what I chose.
She opened her eyes, meeting Naruto's gaze. "Naruto, Sasuke… I'm not doing this because I want to die. I'm doing this so the rest of you can live—and win."
"But—" Naruto began, but his words faltered as Kimiko stepped forward, placing a hand on his shoulder.
"You said it yourself, Naruto. You want to protect everyone, right? Then let me do this. Let me protect you and Sasuke. Let me help you achieve your dream of becoming Hokage by saving your life. After all," She turned to the skies, "I'll protect those I love, even if it comes at the expense of my own life." She smiled. "That's my nindo. My ninja way."
Naruto's lips trembled as he looked down, his fists shaking. "Damn it… damn it, Kimiko…"
Sasuke took a shaky breath, his expression hardening as he forced himself to look away. "If you do this, you'd better come back alive," he muttered.
Kimiko offered a faint smile, though it didn't reach her eyes. "I'll do my best."
The group stood in heavy silence for a moment before Shikamaru spoke up, his tone uncharacteristically solemn. "Let's not waste any more time. If we're going to do this, we need to act now. Now go, the rest of you."
Kimiko nodded, stepping back to stand beside Shikamaru. The two of them turned to face the path behind them as the rest of the group prepared to move forward.
"Good luck," Shino said quietly, his voice barely audible over the rustling leaves.
Pakkun padded forward, giving Kimiko a brief nod. "Don't make me regret this, kid."
Kimiko chuckled softly, gripping Byakko's hilt. "I won't."
With that, the remaining four shinobi lunged away, disappearing into the treetops and leaving only Kimiko and Shikamaru behind.
For a moment, there was silence, broken only by the distant rustle of leaves.
"You know," Shikamaru said, his tone light but tinged with resignation. "I never expected I'd be dying beside you."
Kimiko snorted, a small smile tugging at her lips despite the tension. "Me neither. Honestly, I always liked Choji better." She glanced at him, her expression softening. "But no one's dying yet, Shikamaru. Not if I can help it."
Shikamaru gave her a side-eye glance, a faint smirk forming. "Guess I'll have to hold you to that."
"First, we actually need to delay them," Kimiko said, reaching into her pocket and pulling out a small brown pill.
"Soldier pills?" Shikamaru asked, his brow lifting.
"Yup," she replied. "I've got enough chakra to last a while, but if we're going to face sixteen enemies, I need to be at full strength." She popped the pill into her mouth, biting down. The bitter taste made her wince, but within moments, a surge of energy coursed through her veins, sharpening her senses and stimulating her chakra reserves.
Kimiko clenched her fists, feeling the power settle in her body. "Alright," she said, turning to Shikamaru. "We need a plan."
"Way ahead of you," Shikamaru replied idly, leaning against a branch with his usual nonchalant demeanor. Without looking, he snapped a branch off, eyeing it.
It was one thing to know Shikamaru was a genius and another thing entirely to experience it firsthand.
Kimiko couldn't help but marvel—and feel a faint tinge of fear—at how quickly he formulated a strategy to deal with an entire platoon of Chuunin, and possibly Jonin, on the fly. It wasn't just impressive; it was terrifying.
In that moment, she fully understood one of Konoha's most famous sayings: Few things are more frightening than a motivated Nara.
Shikamaru's plan was deceptively simple. He would lure the platoon away from the others' path and lead them to a denser section of the forest. Once there, he would use his Shadow Possession Jutsu to immobilize as many as possible. That was when she'd strike, emerging from her concealed position to take them down. The entire plan hinged on her staying hidden until the exact moment she was needed.
When she pointed out the obvious flaw—Shikamaru would only be able to hold his jutsu for a few seconds when dealing with eighteen people—he'd shrugged and agreed.
"I can only hold them for ten seconds," he said plainly, stamping the ground with a crude stick he'd jerry-rigged to mimic a dog's footprints. "Maybe less. So, you need to kill them in that amount of time."
No pressure, then.
And so here she was, perched silently on a tree branch, her chakra muted and her movements impossibly still. She'd positioned herself at the edge of the clearing, not too far from Shikamaru, her senses flaring as she tracked the approaching chakra signatures.
One, two, three…
She counted under her breath, her brows furrowing as she noticed something off.
…Wait. Crap. Half of them were hanging back.
Of course. They're holding back to counter any ambush.
Her eyes flicked toward Shikamaru, who was leaning against a tree, arms crossed, waiting for the Oto-nin to come into range. His casual demeanor betrayed none of the tension in the air.
"Shikamaru," she whispered sharply.
"What?" he replied without turning, his voice low and steady.
"Half of their numbers are hanging back," she muttered, keeping her gaze locked on the distant movements of the enemy.
Shikamaru cursed under his breath, his fingers twitching slightly. "Smart. They're using their numbers to counter us. The first wave checks for traps and triggers an ambush, and the rear group counter-ambushes our ambush."
"Exactly," Kimiko said grimly. "That means we have to deal with two squads each."
"What?!" Shikamaru hissed, his head snapping toward her. "Are you insane?"
"We don't have a choice," she said firmly, her tone leaving no room for argument. "Since you're only holding half of them, you can focus on the first wave. Keep your hold as long as you can, and I'll deal with them quickly. Then, I'll move to the second group before they realize what's happening."
"And if they figure it out?" Shikamaru asked, his tone sharp.
"They won't," she said simply, pulling a small pill from her pouch and tossing it to him. "Use this if you have to. You'll need the extra chakra."
Shikamaru caught the pill and stared at it for a moment before tucking it into his vest. "This is crazy, you know," he muttered.
"Maybe," Kimiko replied, a small smirk forming despite the weight of the situation. "But you're the one who said the smartest move wins. So let's be smarter than them."
Shikamaru sighed heavily, rubbing the back of his neck. "Troublesome…" he muttered. Then, more seriously, "Fine. But don't die on me, Kimiko. We've got a lot riding on this."
"Don't worry," she said, gripping Byakko tightly as she prepared to leap into action. "I've got this."
Kimiko flickered through the trees, her movements swift and silent. It didn't take long to sense the front half of the platoon entering Shikamaru's range. Threads of his chakra snaked out, locking them in place. Her mental countdown began.
The timer starts. Now I need to handle eight Chuunin, possibly two or more Jonin. Alone.No big deal.
She pressed forward, her senses flaring to pinpoint the second half of the platoon. They hadn't stopped far from Shikamaru's position. It made sense; they needed to be close enough to launch their counter-ambush within seconds. Too far, and the ambushed shinobi might escape.
Landing on a sturdy branch, she paused, closing her eyes briefly to focus her sensory skills. Their chakra signatures clustered tightly together. Perfect. It would be easier to deal with them in one group. Slowly, she crept closer, keeping low and silent, close enough to hear the rustle of fabric and strained whispers.
Her eyes caught the sudden movement of an Oto-nin leaping toward them from the direction of Shikamaru's trap. A runner. The front squad must've sent someone back to call reinforcements. That makes…
She counted again. Ten.
Fuck. Alright. I need to maximize everything. No mistakes. Strike from stealth.
She took a steadying breath, gripping two smoke bombs from her pouch. Lunging forward, she closed the distance just enough for them to see her shadow darting between branches. Heads snapped toward her as she hurled the bombs, her timing precise.
The smoke bombs detonated in the middle of the group, a sudden burst of thick, choking gray that engulfed their formation.
"Ah, little bitch," one of them sneered, his voice cutting through the haze. "Kabuto told us you'd be tricky. Guess he overestimated you. This genin-level crap won't work. You're dead the moment this clears!"
Kimiko smirked, ignoring the taunt as she ran through a sequence of hand seals. Her chakra flared, mingling with the moisture in the air.
"Water Release: Noxious Cloud."
From her position, the moisture thickened, swirling into a dense mist that spread rapidly outward. The opaque white turned into a sickly black, an unnatural smog that blanketed the area and mixed seamlessly with the smoke.
"Wait…" one of the ninjas coughed, his voice faltering. "Ah, crap. What the hell is—"
Kimiko didn't give him a chance to finish. She flickered behind him, Byakko already poised. Her blade struck true, piercing his chest. His death throes were muffled in the mist as he collapsed, leaving only the faint echo of his last breath.
The polluted mist hung thick in the air. Kimiko's heightened sensory abilities painted a mental map of the battlefield as the Sound-nin began coughing uncontrollably. Their desperate, ragged hacking filled the space like an unholy orchestra.
Aconite.
It was one of the first poisons she had consumed, back during the Forest of Death. Now her chakra mimicked its properties perfectly. Paralysis would set in soon, muscles locking up as the toxin spread. Their hearts would falter next. Left exposed long enough, they'd all die.
But she wasn't about to give them the luxury of waiting.
Kimiko flickered toward the nearest target, her senses guiding her like a second set of eyes. Byakko arced upward, striking cleanly. The sharp gurgle of blood confirmed her kill.
Without hesitation, she drew her senbon, channeling her toxic chakra into the steel. She spun and hurled the needle toward another chakra signature. The scream that tore through the mist told her she'd hit her mark.
Kimiko dashed toward the pair she sensed ahead. They had backed into each other, tense and frantic, their heads jerking as if trying to track her movements through the mist. They wouldn't see her coming. With a flicker of movement, she lunged forward, Byakko slashing twice in clean arcs. Their bodies crumpled like paper, and blood sprayed across her face. She ignored the warmth as their gurgling breaths faded into silence.
Around her, the coughing chorus from the rest of the squad was dying out, replaced by groans, then stillness. She lifted her hand, dispelling the mist. What was left of the platoon came into view: five shinobi sprawled on the ground, paralyzed, their chests heaving and eyes wide with terror.
She wasted no time. Moving swiftly, Kimiko crouched over the nearest one, grabbed his head, and dragged Byakko across his throat. His blood splattered onto her hands, but she was already moving to the next. She killed each of them in turn, their struggles futile against the paralysis locking their bodies in place.
As the last one stilled, Kimiko turned and bolted toward Shikamaru's position, her steps urgent and purposeful. She pushed through the tree line, chakra pulsing in her senses—and froze.
Shikamaru stood in a clearing, calm but visibly strained. His hand was raised, fingers loosely miming the grip of a kunai. Around him, eight Sound-nin stood motionless, their own kunai pressed tightly against their throats. The glow of his Shadow Possession Jutsu danced faintly in the air, the tendrils connecting him to each of his enemies like dark chains.
Kimiko's eyes widened as she watched him make a deliberate motion. Shikamaru mimed slitting his throat with the "ghost kunai" in his hand.
And, as though following his lead, the eight shinobi mirrored his motion in eerie synchronization. Blades dragged across their own throats, blood spurting in unison. They crumpled like marionettes whose strings had been cut, collapsing into lifeless heaps around him.
Shikamaru lowered his hand, his shoulders sagging. His face was pale, his breathing labored. "Took you long enough," he muttered, his usual exasperation tinged with exhaustion.
Kimiko stared at the carnage, stunned. She couldn't help but let out a dry laugh. "You didn't even need me, did you?"
Shikamaru gave her a sidelong glance. "Trust me, I'd rather not have needed to pull that off. I'm completely drained." He stepped carefully over one of the bodies. "Let's get moving before anyone else shows up. I can't hold off another group."
Kimiko smirked, a flicker of pride in her comrade's brilliance. "Fine by me. Let's go."
Kimiko felt it before she saw it—a subtle shift in the air, like a warning bell in her senses.
"Get down!" she snarled, shoving Shikamaru to the ground just as a dozen kunai whistled past their heads, clattering against the trees. She barely had time to rise before more than a dozen figures materialized from the shadows, encircling them.
These weren't Sound-nin.
Suna-nin.
Her mind raced. How? Very few people could hide from her sensory abilities, especially at this range. How had they done it?
"Heh," one of the Suna-nin chuckled, stepping forward. A scarf concealed the top of his head, leaving his sly grin visible. "Guess we have Kabuto to thank for this. Sending that platoon your way gave us all the time we needed to get into position. That little trick he taught us made sneaking past you a breeze."
Kimiko's eyes widened. Kabuto. He'd figured out a counter to her sensory abilities—and in less than an hour?
"Damn it," Shikamaru muttered beside her. He rubbed the back of his neck, his expression grim. "Crap. Even if I had enough chakra left to possess all of them, they'd turn us into pincushions before I finished forming the seal. Turns out the platoon wasn't the real problem. They were just the distraction."
He sighed, glancing at the sky. "What a drag. I was really hoping we'd walk away from this with a cool story: two genin taking down an entire platoon of enemy ninjas made up of chuunins and a couple of jonins. Instead, I'm dying here. With you."
"Well said," sneered one of the Suna-nin. "Kill the pretty one last—the one who couldn't shut up about our village."
Kimiko closed her eyes, exhaling slowly. She wanted to make peace with it, but... there was still so much she had left to do.
And then, two familiar chakra signatures flared in her senses, closing in fast. Her eyes snapped open, a flicker of determination sparking in them.
"No," she said quietly. Then louder, "We're not dying yet."
Dust kicked up behind her as two figures landed.
The first thing she smelled was nicotine.
"Well," came a deep voice, casual and gruff. "Looks like I finally caught up with you guys."
"Asuma!" Shikamaru exclaimed, his head whipping around.
"And me," came a softer voice—one Kimiko knew as well as her own heartbeat.
Kimiko turned her head slightly, catching sight of her sister. "Nee-chan."
"You alright?" Kurenai asked, her crimson eyes flicking to Kimiko, soft with concern.
Kimiko nodded, a small smile playing on her lips. "Yeah. Just in time, though. Is dad okay?"
"Good, and yes, he is. " Kurenai said, her expression hardening as she turned her glare toward the Suna-nin. "We'll talk later. Asuma—let's go."
Asuma grinned, a trench blade in each hand. "Gladly."
He charged forward in a blur of speed, closing the distance in an instant. His first strike was a devastating punch with his trench blade, smashing into the face of a Suna-nin and sending him flying. Pivoting smoothly, he slashed another across the chest, his blade biting deep.
Two kunai shot toward his back, but in a flash, his body transformed into a log—substitution jutsu.
From above, his real form descended, driving a flying kick into the chests of the two kunai-throwers. They crumpled under the force, gasping for air.
Two more lunged at him from behind, aiming for his blind spots, but Asuma simply raised his elbows, catching both attackers in their stomachs. They doubled over in agony as they landed.
"Too slow," Asuma growled, leaping skyward. He spun mid-air, delivering a brutal kick to another Suna-nin, sending him crashing to the ground. Grabbing the fallen ninja by the arm, Asuma hurled his limp body into another, toppling them both like dominoes.
In moments, half of their enemies lay incapacitated.
"Don't just stand there!" barked one of the remaining Suna-nin. "Get him—"
His words cut off abruptly, his body seizing up.
Kimiko turned to see Kurenai, her hands forming a seal, her gaze sharp and unyielding. The remaining nine Suna-nin froze in place, their bodies trembling as her genjutsu took hold.
They began to scream, clutching their heads in agony as the illusion gripped them. Some collapsed to their knees, unable to withstand the mental assault.
Kurenai's expression didn't waver. She flickered into the air, her movements fluid and precise. Eight kunai left her hands, and each found its mark with lethal accuracy. The screaming stopped as blood sprayed in a series of synchronized arcs, and the remaining Suna-nin fell.
Asuma landed beside her, brushing some dust off his coat. "That's all of them," he said, his voice casual, as if they hadn't just wiped out an entire ambush team. "Great job, by the way," said Asuma, his tone relaxed but sincere. "The two of you, not even genin for a full year, managed to take out an entire platoon. That's no small feat."
Shikamaru collapsed backward onto the ground, landing with a sigh. "Yeah, but it was way too much work." He threw his head back, staring up at the sky before letting out a loud, frustrated yell, as if lamenting the sheer effort of it all.
"Well, the two of you can rest here," Asuma continued, glancing between them. "You've earned i—"
"No," Kimiko interrupted, her voice firm as she pushed herself to her feet. Byakko remained steady in her hand. "Thank you, nee-chan, Asuma-sensei, but I need to go back to my teammates. Shikamaru can stay here if he wants."
Asuma gave her a long look but stayed silent. It was Kurenai who broke the quiet, stepping closer with a frown. "I shouldn't even bother arguing at this point, but you don't need to push yourself further. You just finished your Chūnin Exams match, and judging by what we saw on the way here, you killed half a platoon. You've done your job—no, you've gone above and beyond."
Kimiko shook her head, brushing her hair back and tucking it behind her ear. Her expression was resolute. "A shinobi doesn't quantify their contribution. The mission isn't complete until it's accomplished. Kakashi-sensei put me in charge of the team."
She paused, looking directly at Kurenai. "What kind of shinobi—what kind of leader—would I be if I stayed here, knowing I can still fight, while Naruto, Sasuke, Pakkun, and Shino pursue a destabilizing Jinchuuriki like Gaara?"
"A living one," Shikamaru muttered dryly from the ground.
"What?!" snapped Kurenai, her sharp tone cutting through the air. Even Asuma turned to her with wide eyes. "How the hell do you know about a Jinchuu—"
"Nee-chan," Kimiko cut her off gently but firmly. "I'll tell you later. For now, my point stands. We made the decision as a team to pursue Gaara. Shikamaru's running on fumes, but I'm not. I took a soldier pill. I can still fight. It's my responsibility to lead and protect them."
Kurenai sighed heavily, pinching the bridge of her nose. "You sound so mature when you put it like that… Mother's going to kill me." She glanced at Asuma, who offered a shrug and a faint grin, then turned back to Kimiko. "Fine. I know better than to try to stop you by now. Go. Find your team."
Kimiko nodded, determination flashing in her eyes. "Thank you, nee-chan."
As she turned to leave, Kurenai called after her, her voice softening. "Just… be careful, Kimiko."
Kimiko gave a small, reassuring smile over her shoulder. "Always."
Kimiko sensed their chakras the moment they entered her range, the signatures flaring against her senses like sparks in the dark. What surprised her, though, was their separation. Three—Naruto, Gaara, and Sasuke—were still in pursuit, their chakras surging further into the forest. But two others were closer, stationary.
Shino and Kankuro.
Her brow furrowed. Huh? Are they fighting?
She bit her lip. If Temari and Gaara had grown this much stronger, then Kankuro might have as well. And while she had absolute faith in Shino's skills…
I don't like his chances.
"Crap," she muttered, her grip tightening on Byakko. "I need to help hi—"
Before she could finish, a massive surge of chakra ripped through the air, and the world shifted. Her vision blurred, darkened, and suddenly, she wasn't in the forest anymore.
She stood amidst a titanic clash of forces.
An eight-headed serpent, pale and gargantuan, slithered forward, its heads darting with terrible precision. Its sheer bulk made the very earth tremble as it moved. Before it loomed a weathered mountain of gray stone, chiseled and resolute. Beneath the mountain's shadow, a colossal ape stirred from its slumber, the ground splitting beneath its rising form.
The ape let out a bellowing cry of righteous rage that echoed through the heavens. The serpent answered with a cacophony of eight terrible hisses, its voices weaving a sinister symphony. It lunged, coiling its monstrous bodies around the ape, its fangs snapping, venom hissing as it burned through flesh.
From the west came a river, torrential and furious, crashing against the mountain with relentless force. Whitecapped currents tore boulders from the mountain's surface, carving deep gouges in its face. Yet the mountain stood unyielding, enduring the river's rage.
From the east rose a forest—a fortress of ten thousand trees, their branches intertwining like steel chains. Towering above even the tallest castles, they bound the mountain in an unbreakable grip. Leaves cascaded down in waves as the mountain shook beneath their grasp.
But a whirlwind descended upon the forest, scouring and tearing through its vast expanse. A hundred trees were uprooted in its path, only for a thousand more to rise and replace them. The gale howled, ripping branches apart and freeing the mountain from its leafy shackles.
The river's relentless flow halted as it met an ancient, flame-scarred oak tree, its roots buried deep. Though battered and bare of leaves, the tree stood unmoved—a veteran of ten thousand storms. Perched on its branches, a magnificent bird of flame and sunlight sang a resplendent melody. Its great wings cast shadows over entire towns, bringing both comfort and ruin.
The bird took flight, each beat of its wings igniting infernos that consumed all in their path. Its purifying flames struck the river, boiling the water into clouds of obscuring steam.
At the mountain's peak, a maelstrom of elements swirled—a tempest of fire, water, lightning, wind, and stone. Freed from its shackles, the storm lashed out with a hundred thousand bolts and rays, raining destruction upon the serpent. Flesh seared, and scales burned under the onslaught.
The ape, bloodied but unyielding, let out another roar. Grabbing two of the serpent's heads, it tore them from the beast's body, ichor pouring from the wounds. A searing ray from the storm cleaved through five more of the serpent's necks, splitting its massive body in two. Poison flowed from its wounds, forming lakes of venom vast enough to drown entire cities.
But for every head severed, another rose—larger, more terrible than before.
Kimiko gasped, snapping back to reality. Her heart pounded as she blinked away the vision. Sweat dripped down her face, and her breath came in quick, shallow bursts.
Kimiko turned her gaze toward the horizon, where a thick column of smoke rose in the distance. Her jaw tightened.
It happened again.
The vision. It always came when high-level shinobi were fighting—when their chakra clashed so intensely it rippled through her senses.
Is Dad alright? Fighting like that, at his age…
She shook her head sharply, forcing the thoughts away. No use wondering about that now.
Focusing back on the task at hand, Kimiko lunged further into the tree line.
It didn't take long for her to arrive at Shino's location—and to see the aftermath of a battle.
Shino was on one knee, a mantle of bugs draped over his shoulder. He was panting hard, his usual composed demeanor cracked with exhaustion. Pieces of Kankurō's puppet lay scattered across the branches, shattered and separated like the remnants of a desperate struggle.
But Kimiko could still sense Kankuro's presence. He was concealed behind a tree, his chakra signature faint but unmistakable. He was likely stalemated by Shino—too injured to press his attack, but Shino seemed equally spent, unable to find him.
Kimiko's grip on Byakko tightened. This is my chance.
She lunged toward Kankuro's position, descending swiftly from her vantage point, both hands on her blade, ready to end him in one clean strike.
But Kankurō's head snapped toward her mid-flight, and he grinned.
"Gotcha," he muttered, his free hand making a sharp motion.
From below, a second puppet burst forth, its segmented body snapping open. Its hollow stomach expanded, surrounding her like a predator's jaws. Kimiko barely had time to react before the puppet closed around her, encasing her in darkness.
The puppet thudded heavily onto the ground, trapping her.
Moments later, she heard Kankuro's voice, muffled but clear enough.
"Heh, you were too careless," he sneered. "What, you thought I wouldn't be ready after all your team's impressive little displays, huh?"
There was a pause. Kimiko could only see blackness, her surroundings tight and suffocating.
"Alright, stay put. The poison I hit your friend with should finish him off soon. After that…" His voice grew sharp with malice. "I'll come back here and get my payback for—AAAAAH!"
Kankuro's voice cut off, replaced by silence.
Then, another voice: "Kimiko? Are you okay?" Shino's tone was labored but steady.
She exhaled, relief flooding her chest. "Yeah, I'm okay. Just give me a second."
Kimiko shifted her focus, ignoring the tight space around her. Constricted as she was, she formed a one-handed seal, kneading her saliva into chakra-infused water. The jutsu shaped the moisture into a dense, pressurized senbon.
She spat it toward the puppet's wooden frame. The senbon, red-hued and laced with her toxic chakra, struck the surface with force, exploding into the wood and burning through it. A jagged hole appeared in the puppet's side, the edges sizzling and smoking.
Kimiko crawled through the hole, her movements quick and efficient, until she was free.
Outside, Shino stood a few feet away, though his breathing was still heavy. Around him, a swarm of insects retreated from Kankuro's limp, unconscious form.
"Thanks," Kimiko said, brushing herself off and gripping Byakko tightly. She turned to Shino, her eyes narrowing. "What happened? Why did you separate from the others?"
"I didn't," Shino replied, his voice calm despite his exhaustion. "We caught up with them shortly after Pakkun informed us of your successful delay of the platoon—and the second one." He paused, his gaze shifting to Kankuro's unconscious form. "But Gaara insisted he was fine to move on his own. He dismissed Kankuro and leapt ahead. I told Naruto, Pakkun, and Sasuke to follow him."
"Why didn't you go with them?" Kimiko asked, frowning.
Shino adjusted his posture, his tone matter-of-fact. "Because Kankuro was meant to be my opponent in the exams. It only made sense that I stay behind and deal with him."
"Right," Kimiko said, nodding. She glanced toward the distant path. "Well, I've picked up their trail. We should—Shino!"
She flickered forward just in time to catch him as he stumbled, wrapping her arm around his body to steady him. His weight pressed heavily against her, and she felt his labored breathing.
"He…" Shino panted, his voice faltering. "His puppet's weapon… it was poisoned. I think… I inhaled some…"
Kimiko winced. She didn't have time to craft an antidote, nor could she use her toxic chakra to extract the poison from his system. But she had another option.
Her gaze snapped to Kankuro. Every poisoner keeps an antidote for their own poison. Always.
Kimiko moved swiftly, patting down Kankurō's limp form. Her hands found a pouch strapped to his body suit, and she pulled it free, spilling its contents onto the ground. Among empty vials, one stood out—a small glass container of clear liquid, labeled with the kanji for antidote.
Convenient. Maybe too convenient.
She didn't hesitate. "Crap," she muttered, moving back to Shino, who was now pale and unconscious. Popping the vial open, she tipped its contents into his mouth, letting the liquid trickle past his lips.
Kimiko held her breath, watching intently. Almost immediately, she sensed his chakra stabilize, its flow returning to normal. She exhaled in relief, brushing her hair back with a trembling hand.
"Alright, rest for now, Shino. You did well," she said softly. Her gaze turned to the distance, where she could sense Naruto and Sasuke's chakra signatures. They're not far. I should be able to catch up.
With care, Kimiko hoisted Shino onto her shoulder and carried him to a nearby tree. Propping him against the trunk, she paused, noticing something unusual above her.
One of Kankurō's puppet heads was embedded in the tree, its jagged blade protruding from the mouth. A faint purple liquid dripped from the blade, staining the bark where it had pierced.
Kimiko reached up, pulling the head free from the trunk. Without hesitation, she pricked her finger on the poisoned blade. She didn't flinch, her body unaffected by the substance. Closing her eyes, she focused, kneading her chakra.
The familiar sensation flowed through her—her chakra taking on the poison's properties, memorizing its effects.
"Hm," Kimiko muttered, inspecting the puppet's head before tossing it back toward Kankuro's unconscious body. "A mineral-based poison, huh? Well…" She turned, a faint smirk on her lips. "Thanks for the sample."
With one last glance at Shino, she adjusted Byakko in her grip and lunged toward the distant chakra signatures of her teammates.
It was a horrifying scene.
Kimiko landed on a branch beside Naruto and Sasuke, her presence unnoticed as both were too engrossed in what lay before them. She had already felt it through her chakra—a sickening, suffocating wave of malice—but seeing it with her own eyes was something else entirely.
Gaara stood below them, his body grotesquely altered. Half of him—the side burned by Sasuke—had crumbled away entirely, replaced by a thick, sinewy arm of sand marked with jagged blue curse marks. The grotesque appendage pulsated as if alive, the sand shifting unnaturally, like it was waiting to lash out.
Kimiko's gaze flicked to his face, and a chill ran down her spine.
Half of it still resembled the Gaara she knew, but the other half was monstrous—reminiscent of Shukaku, with jagged, coarse features and a yellow eye that gleamed with inhuman malice. That eye locked onto her, unblinking.
"Ah," Gaara murmured, his voice low and guttural, twisted with the beast's influence. "My third prey is here." A grin spread across his disfigured face, wide and unnatural. "Shall we get started, then?"