Author's note: Thank you so much for your support! However, I cannot answer your questions regarding Nina since doing that will completely spoil the whole plot of this fanfic. (No one would want that to happen, right?)

I promise everything will be explained thoroughly when you get further into the story, so please wait until then.

"..." Normal chat.

ABC. Thought.

Chapter 11

Hokage's office.

"Sandaime."

Kakashi greets him with a slight bow before approaching the Hokage's desk, which is, as always, full of document's stacks. Then, he offers Hiruzen the report of the previous mission and Nina's data which have been collected up till now.

"Great works. Kakashi. It's a right decision to leave her in your hands after all."

Once having read through everything, Hiruzen gives him an approval nod.

"After watching her matches and testing out her abilities, I find out that Nina is an average Genin. Just like anybody else in Konohagakure."

Kakashi then explains further details to him.

Firstly, he had separated Naruto from Nina that night on purpose so that Sasuke could seek out for her. By doing so, he'd be able to check whether Nina was willing to hurt her teammates to get out of trouble.

And Nina had figured out a peaceful way to end the conflict, by dragging him into their argument and asking for his aid.

Secondly, Kakashi left the main objective in her care when fully aware that there's a valuable piece of jewelry inside, in order to test her sense of responsibility.

And Nina proved to have done the job well by protecting with everything she'd got.

However that's also considered a huge drawback of her. When the package was stolen, she abandoned her teammates and acted alone to retrieve it, without paying mind to the situation she's in.

At result of that reckless act, not only her own life was at risk but also the one's of her teammate, Sasuke.

"Indeed, there's still a long way for her to learn."

After listening to Kakashi's analysis, Hiruzen comments.

The fastest way to measure her strength and weakness was through fighting real battles. Therefore Hiruzen had picked this D rank mission, which was originally a C rank mission as they were expected to eliminate a group of bandit that was after the valuable necklace.

Of course, this information was only shared between Kakashi and Hiruzen.

Too bad, the ex-anbu didn't have the chance to fully witness her abilities since everything had ended way before she could do anything notable. Or so he thought.

"And one more thing."

Kakashi requires additional time to look further into the girl's identity, as much as her real motives for coming to Konohagakure.

By doing so equivalent to have her staying inside the village longer than intended. And Hiruzen agrees, as long as it will help boosting Kakashi's research performance.

"Beside being a casual Ki user, there appears to be another kind of energy being locked deep within that small body. And it's something that I have never encountered before in my life."

Kakashi frowns after hearing Hiruzen's theories about her mysterious identity. Including her special condition of not carrying a single drop of chakra within her body.

"We need to find out what that energy is and how it works. Therefore, I'm leaving this job to you, Kakashi."

As expected, the Third Hokage had also suspected that Nina's no ordinary human being. Right from the beginning.

..

...

Around 9:00 P.M on a building's roof top, one day before Nina's being discharged from the hospital.

"I'll speak truthfully to you, but in three conditions."

Leaning against the fence to enjoy Konoha's night scenery, Nina said as she held up three fingers to him.

The first condition was, no violence or any method that forcing information out of her. Including Ibuki Morino's Honesty Room and Inoichi Yamanaka's brain reading. No prison or to be held in a particular type of custody.

Though she seemed fine with him continue stalking her, stating that there were things bounded to happen since he's only a shinobi who worked by orders. But in exchange, he had to convince the Hokage to lengthen her time staying in Konoha. As long as possible.

The second condition was, any forbidden info he gained through their conversations had to be carried into his grave. Revealed to no one about their personal meetings, even to the Hokage.

If she found out that Kakashi broke any of the rules above, considering the deal's off.

"And what's the third condition?"

When being asked about the last one, Nina stated to tell him when the right time came.

"What makes you think that I won't use Sharingan and simply bypass those rules?"

Kakashi couldn't let himself being led around by the noses that easily.

"Well, you can try but I doubt that it will work."

Acting as if having heard an empty threat, Nina calmly replied. While fixing the the butterfly pin that almost fell off her hair due to the strong wind.

"Let's find out, shall we?"

So Kakashi activated his Gekkei Genkai and gave it a try. And just as she said, Genjutsu: Sharingan wasn't working against her.

"Since you fully understands the use of Genjutsu. I'm sure you have the answer for this mystery already."

It required chakra to work and Nina happened to have none.

"Then why did you run away when Sasuke attempted using Sharingan on you?"

Covering his left eye, Kakashi asked her and she groaned in respond. Probably having enough of Uchiha bugging her around here and there.

"I had no idea how to fake being hypnotized by Genjutsu: Sharingan. And if Sasuke figured out that I was somehow immune to his clan's trademark technique. He wouldn't let me off that easily."

If Kakashi didn't help her with Sasuke's interrogation back then, who knew what kind of chaos that he was going to release.

"Reasonable enough, I guess."

Hearing so, Kakashi scratched the back of his head.

Still, something felt off about this agreement. Since it could turn out to be a trap in order to lure him into something much bigger.

"Do you have anything to prove that any of your info would actually worth my time and effort?"

Therefore he wanted Nina to prove that she's trustworthy enough for him to take a risk.

"Hmm... I don't think so. Sensei, you haven't agreed to work with me yet."

"You don't have to tell me everything. Just a little is more than enough."

Time went by for quite a while and Nina still stood there watching the night scenery without cracking a word. And Kakashi's starting to lose his patience.

"If you need more time to think, we can continue this matter on another day."

He couldn't afford having his time wasted when there's an unfinished report waiting for him at home. And tomorrow's already the deadline.

"Nohara Rin committed suicide because of the Three-Tails sealed inside her, didn't she?"

Suddenly, Nina spoke up.

"...!"

Kakashi's heart throbbed when his old teammate's name and the reason of her death were mentioned.

"I... don't know. Why are you asking me about that?"

He tried to stay calm to question her back. But to no avail, Nina had already noticed something's stirred within him due to the short hesitation in his speech.

"Well, I thought you would be the one to know best, sensei. Since you Chidori your teammate right through her-"

And Nina had never seen anyone who moved that fast to grab her neck.

"That's enough. Who are you working for?"

Kakashi demanded for an answer, his tone deepened so much that it sounded like a threat.

"You seem nervous, sensei. Are you okay?"

Despite fully aware that he would snap her neck into two in any moment, Nina didn't show any sign of fear. Even pointing out that Kakashi's right hand was shaking horribly.

"Don't worry. I am my own boss here."

And she claimed to act alone in this world. Utterly confident.

"If you still don't believe me, you're welcomed to search for whoever is hiding behind my shadow. Hell, I can even help you if you want."

Seeing the uncertainty in his eye, Nina chuckled.

"So, Kakashi-sensei. What's your answer?"

...

..

Ichiraku ramen restaurant

Since there's still many things for her to take care of at home, Nina excused herself first after finish eating the ramen.

Now there are Naruto, Sakura and Sasuke who are staying behind to enjoy their cup of teas and little chitchats.

"It's only been a week since Nina's hospitalized, right?"

Then, Sakura mentions about their other female teammate's condition, which quickly gains their attention.

"But this morning I saw the wound on her shoulder was completely gone. That's not possible for someone who going through natural healing. If I remembered correctly, it's quite a deep cut too."

Sasuke's eyes are still fixed onto the cup in front of him while listening to Sakura's words.

"Really? If she recovers from injuries quickly then that's good right? What is there to worry about?"

Naruto's happy for his friend after hearing the news. Yet once seeing Sakura's serious expression, his head tilts in confusion.

"What do you think, Sasuke-kun?"

When Sakura turns to ask him for his opinion. However, what they see are an empty cup of tea and and empty seat.

"Eh? He's gone."

On the way to Nina's apartment.

Nina's shopping for some red apple at the vendor by the street. Only to be interrupted by Sasuke who appears right before her and demands for answers of what happened back at Kibutsuji's lair.

It's a fair trade between them since he had helped her getting away with it last time.

Third Training Ground.

"That's it? Are you bullshitting me?"

Sasuke frowned after hearing her half-ass explanation.

"Sadly, no. That's pretty much everything I know."

Just like that, Nina refuses to provide anymore information to him. Plus, that annoying attitude of hers is telling him there's something more than simply *I was born with it* and *Things just happened on its own*

"You must be a special case of stupid to expect me to believe in any of that."

Without a single warning, Sasuke throws several Shuriken at her.

In return, Nina uses her Shuriken to deflect them and patiently waits for him to strike first. Then she counters his attack by kicking him in the stomach and sending him flying away.

"Hmph! You do know how fight after all."

Quickly getting back on his feet, Sasuke wipes the dirt off his clothes.

"If you're trying to make me use it again, then you're only wasting your-"

"Katon: Goukakyuu no Jutsu!"

Not letting Nina finish talking, Sasuke does the Ninjutsu's signature hand signs and shoots a giant fireball at her.

And the moment she jumps out of the way to dodge it, Sasuke sneaks behind her back to deliver multiple hits. Ending his combo with a kick to send her down to the ground.

"Just as I thought. Without that monstrous power, you are nothing."

With a Kunai in his hand, Sasuke watches her struggling to get up.

Perhaps his taunt has triggered something in her as Nina's expression sharpened. One second later she jolts up from the ground and charges at him in full speed.

Again, Sasuke throws several Shuriken at her. But Nina ignores them completely. Letting them slash through her skin while she's throwing the Kunai at him.

While he's occupied with avoiding the flying knife, she grabs his head and slams him hard against the ground. The force's so strong that it breaks the earth below them.

Taking the chance that Sasuke's stunned by that attack, Nina starts pummeling him with her fists.

"Tsk!"

After a couple of punches, Sasuke wakes up to defend his face. It takes him a while to get free from her and when he does, they both are out of breath.

"You're actually right-handed, huh? Must be fun making a fool out of us."

Sasuke compares her first matches against the team 7 when she lost to oblivion by faking to be inexperienced. To that deadly moment when she smashed his body onto the ground and almost knocked him out cold.

I don't understand her. What is she hiding her abilities for?

When seeing Nina ignores his mocking and walks off, he speaks up.

"If you continue acting so stubborn, I will expose your lies to Kakashi. And even to Sandaime himself."

Being a snitch isn't his kind of thing but if it helps solving the problem fast, then he will not hesitate to do so.

"...Do you realize how hard I've worked to keep myself from getting involved in the storyline? Do you have any idea how crazy it is to be grouped in the same team with overpowered main characters?!"

All of a sudden, Nina snaps at him and starts spouting nonsense.

"Storyline? Main character? Overpowered? What are you even saying?"

Sasuke's eyebrow raises in shock. Wondering whether he had hit Nina too hard that caused her to go out of her mind.

"I'm talking about you, jackass!"

Then she shouts and points her index finger at him.

"..."

There's a long dead awkward silence between them, until Nina returns to reality and gasps in shock. Acting nervous as if she has said something inappropriate.

"This conversation is over. I'm going home."

Not knowing how to deal with this situation, she runs away.

"I'm not letting you escape that easily."

Sasuke dashes forward to grab her arm, but she disappears before he can reach to her.

The heck? Was that Shunshin no Jutsu? (Body Flicker Technique)

The next day.

Once arriving to Nina's apartment early in the morning, Kakashi knocks onto her windows and she steps outside to greet him.

"What have you been up to yesterday?"

Therefore he asks, after being told by Naruto that she didn't come home after going out eating Ramen with the team 7 last night.

"There was a little problem. But I had already taken care of it."

While listening to her explanation, Kakashi notices Nina's outfit are dirty and messy. It seems that she has been involved in a fight with something, or someone.

"So? What did you call me out here for?"

When Kakashi mentions the reason for their little meeting. Nina looks at him then to the ground below. She takes a deep breath before speaking word by word clearly.

"If possible, I want to withdraw from team 7."