KonohaGakure No Sato :
Forest Of Death :
The Central Tower: Day Two :
The early October breeze was surprisingly cool as it drifted through the top-floor windows of the Central Tower. In the main office, Senju Tsunade sat behind the heavy oak desk, her fingers tapping a restless, rhythmic beat against the wood. It was only the second day of the second test, and the exam wouldn't officially wrap up until 9:00 AM tomorrow.
Normally, someone of her stature—or even the Hokage—wouldn't show up until the final hour or maybe not at all after all it's just second test of chunin exams. They'd leave the messy details to the proctors . As a Normal functioning Boss
But the intelligence regarding Orochimaru, coupled with the reports of Naruto and Sasuke being targeted and injured , had brought Tsunade here a full day early.
(Just where is that brat?) she wondered, her tapping growing louder. (With his skill set, he should have cleared this forest on day one. If he's dragging his feet just to be dramatic, I'm going to clobber him.)
The mood in the room was thick with a heavy, restless energy. The guards and the Chunin staff stood perfectly still, beads of sweat forming on their brows under the weight of Tsunade's growing irritation. She glanced at the charts. The Sand Team, Team 10, and Team 8 had all arrived within the first twenty-four hours. They were safe.
( Hope that brat didn't get injured again ...like Karin and her Team )
Then there was Karin's team. They had arrived this late morning, but not as victors. They had pulled the emergency signal.
Remembering the state of that giant kid, Goda—his chest caved in, bones splintered into his lungs—made Tsunade's jaw tighten. Then there was the girl, Shizuka, with her dominant hand broke . If Karin and Naruto hadn't performed emergency field surgery on the spot, that Goda boy would be in a body bag right now.
But thanks To Karin , At least She also got some info on the Kid
(That kid..... making me worry like this. When I finally see him, he's getting a beating he won't forget.)
"Urgh..."
The sound of a pained groan snapped Tsunade back to the present. Across from her, Anko Mitarashi was hunched over, clutching the base of her neck. Anko had crossed paths with Orochimaru the night before—or rather, the snake had found her.
It was another massive headache for Tsunade. She was the greatest healer in the world, yet she still didn't fully grasp what this "Curse Mark" actually was or what her old teammate was planning.
"Is it flaring up again?" Tsunade asked, her voice softening slightly.
"No, Tsunade-sama.." Anko rasped, her face pale. "It's just.. a lingering ache. Ever since I saw him last night, it won't stop...Now thanks to you , it's better "
Tsunade went silent. Even after pouring her medical chakra into Anko, the mark remained an enigma—The only clue being that it works as parasitic leach burrowed deep into the girl's system.
Anko looked up, her eyes filled with genuine concern. "Tsunade-sama.. having a man that dangerous inside the village... wouldn't it be better to just suspend the exams? We should be hunting him, not playing games with Genins."
Tsunade nodded slowly, acknowledging the logic, but then she shook her head.
"That's not how the world works, Anko. ....You know about the exams ... The Chunin Exam is a mini-war. it's a stage where we show our superiority to every village and powers on the map, minor or major and the one participating the exams ....If we stop now, we look weak.... We look scared."
Tsunade's voice shifted, losing its casual edge and taking on a tone of absolute, unshakable authority.
"Konoha is the strongest village in the world. We are the victors of the First, Second, and Third Great Shinobi Wars."
That single phrase changed the atmosphere in the room instantly . The Anbu in the shadows, the proctors by the door, and the Jonin standing along the wall all straightened their backs. The mention of their history—of their pride—sent a wave of warmth through the room, cutting through the gloom.
"Orochimaru may be a dangerous man—an S-rank rogue with a twisted mind," Tsunade continued, her eyes flashing with a fierce light. "But he is not, and will never be, above our village."
It was a declaration of war and a promise of protection at once. And hearing this everyone's mood changed .
Kakashi, who had been leaning against the wall, quietly slid his book into his pocket and adjusted the grip on his vest.
Guy dropped to the floor and started one-handed pushups, his eyes burning with "youthful" intensity. Asuma took a long, deep drag of his cigarette, his expression hardening, while Kurenai and Hayate shifted into more alert stances.
"The exams continue," Tsunade stated firmly. "We are making a statement to Orochimaru and every other village watching.... We are telling them that Konoha is stable. We are telling them that a single rogue—no matter how powerful—cannot shake the foundation of our home."
The uncertainty that had been rotting the morale of the staff since the S rank Rogue's infiltration news broke seemed to evaporate. They weren't just following orders anymore.
They were representing their Home .....together against a single Hiding Snake
Tsunade watched them, nodding inwardly. The village elders and her old sensei, had wanted to keep everything quiet. They wanted to hide the truth about Orochimaru and the shady movements of the Sand Village to maintain a "fragile" peace.
(For 'stability' and 'morale,') Tsunade thought with a mental scoff. (Old fools. You don't build morale by lying.....you build it by giving people something to believe in.)
She had fought the council until late last night to reach a compromise. Now, while the Genins remained in the dark, the majority of Konoha's active forces were aware of the threat.
She had given clear, logical orders:
( Find the snake's whereabouts. Report back. No solo confrontations. If you can't run, hold out until I get there )
The fact that she was a Sannin—the same generation as the threat they faced—gave them hope. But more than that, it was the fact that she was here, in the tower, ready to jump into the fray herself rather than hiding in an office in the village.
( Well , The The Old Farts still didn't let Suna's jinchuriki's informartion leak though )
Anko looked at Tsunade, and for the first time since the night before, the shadow of fear in her heart started to recede. She felt the charisma radiating off the woman in front of her.
(Maybe the rumors are true,) Anko thought. (Tsunade-sama as the Fifth..)
The heavy silence was broken by a sharp knock at the door.
"Enter!" Tsunade barked.
A Genin guard scurried inside, looking breathless. "Tsunade-sama! Team 7 has arrived at the Tower ...!"
Tsunade was on her feet before the guard could even finish the sentence. The restlessness in her limbs turned into steady action.
"Let's go, Kakashi," she said, already heading for the door. She looked back at the rest of the room. "The rest of you, keep your eyes sharp. Don't let your guard down for a second."
"Yes, Tsunade-sama!" the room echoed in unison.
As she walked down the hall with Kakashi, her mind raced. She had already received another report this morning from the hidden guards watching around Naruto and also from naruto himself .
Orochimaru had assaulted Sasuke at midnight and left a strange mark on the boy's neck.
(If it really is the Curse Mark...) Tsunade stopped at the threshold of the stairs and looked back at the purple-haired kunoichi.
"Anko. You're with me. "
"...Yes, Tsunade-sama!"
----------------------------------------------------------
The Central Tower :
" And If you combine Both The Heaven and Earth ..... Any perilious mission is the right way "
Naruto tuned out Iruka's voice as he used MInd-Hub to consider his options while supperessing an ached shoulder , All 6 Genins already arrived at the cenral tower and soon entered different doors or rooms for the final push .
Now they were in The final act , which required to open scrolls together inside the room and summoning a proctor , which in Team 7 case was Iruka Umino .
Naruto's ears hurt at lecture , Will of fire and other 'important' things coming out of Iruka's mouth like a machine-gun .
( ....still talking , Iruka can compete with Third Hokage in these lectures )
with Hound senses , he can't even unhear it , Mindhub can only shift his focus, not plug his ears , Shifting his focus , Naruto remembered their Journey to the tower .
With Po things became easier , but also slower , With it's size and also to make sure of any threats , the GEnins moved slower , they got secure but also lost the fast mobility of Shinobi .
( Not that it matters .....but appearences are important )
There were still some squads who tried to probe Genins and the Bear , some harrased from afar , some use detonation tags or some other methods .
In the end , all those things only wasted time , and the team reached tower easily , Only to clash head-on with the S-Rank Mouth escape from Iruka .
" Chunin Is Of Leader Unit Class , They have the responsibility of LEading a TEam .....Be more deeply aware of Necessity of Physical strength and Knowledge required in missions '
" ..." X Team 7
" I want you take on next step , Never forgetting these instructions "
Iruka looked at TEam 7 in the eyes , and spoke again after taking a breath
" This is all the messanger Task , I was given "
" ...Understood " Sakura
" .....hn " Sasuke
" Got It " Naruto
-----------------------------------------------------
Central Tower :
The seven Genins were hanging out by the first-floor railing of the massive central tower, leaning against the terrace and keeping their eyes glued to the main entrance. Most of the shinobi passing through were heading straight inside for their debriefing after clearing the second stage.
Not that there are much though But
Ever since Shizuka and Karin arrived, the mood had taken a sharp turn amongst the Genins . Seeing the state of Karin's team had everyone on edge. Shizuka and Gian were both heavy hitters, but now they were stuck in the infirmary. You could call it bad luck or being sloppy, but it sent a loud, clear message:
(...The teams showing up now are going to be the real monsters,) Shikamaru thought, his eyes narrowing. (Nothing like the easy targets we snatched scrolls from.)
Both Team 8 and Team 10 had picked up on that vibe, not just from looking at the broken state of Gian and Shizuka, but from the news Karin had brought with her.
(...To think even Naruto actually got hurt.)
While Shikamaru, Choji, and Kiba were blindsided by that info, they were also hyper-aware of what it meant. Even if they didn't want to admit it out loud—and even Kiba wasn't going to argue this time—they all knew Naruto was probably the strongest one among the rookies.
And If someone managed to injure him, that "someone" was likely inside this tower right now, waiting to be their next opponent.
( Or maybe On the way )
While the guys were busy worrying about the competition, the girls were spiraling over Naruto himself. Karin had brought the message, but it was vague—just that he had an injury on his left shoulder. That was it. And honestly, if Karin hadn't practically tackled him in a hug after he rescued Shizuka , she probably wouldn't have noticed his reaction or questioned him at all.
(That idiot loves acting tough... stupid Dumbo,) Ino thought, her hands crossing over her chest , her heart hammering against her ribs.
(Naruto-kun! Please be okay,) Hinata whispered to herself.
Even though Naruto hadn't given Karin the full story, she had pieced enough together after watching the Blonde whole night .
One: Naruto was already hurt before he even found Karin's team.
Two: Fighting that massive bear definitely made it worse.
Three: He had spent the night burning through his chakra to heal Gian, Shizuka, and himself, and while Karin was helping him, she realized that shoulder wound was way worse than he was letting on.
Suddenly, Karin's senses spiked. Her posture went rigid. "He's here."
Everyone tensed up instantly, eyes darting to the gate, but the doorway remained empty. Ino tried to flare her own sensing, but her range wasn't quite on Karin's level yet. She could just barely feel him. "Wait, I think I have him... he might be in the debriefing room—"
Before Ino could finish, a soft, trembling voice cut through the air.
"BYAKUGAN!"
Everyone looked over to see Hinata standing with her veins bulging around her eyes. The guys' eyes twitched at the sudden intensity.
(Hinata is seriously love-struck.... lucky bastard,) Kiba thought, clicking his tongue in annoyance.
(I just hope she doesn't faint again after she sees him... thoroughly,) Shino mused, adjusting his glasses.
(...Naruto-kun is definitely going to be hungry. Hmm, maybe I should open the premium chips,) Choji thought, fumbling with a bag in his pocket.
(...Hope he's okay. I really don't want to deal with anything troublesome today,) Shikamaru sighed, resting his chin on the railing.
(Hmm, I can feel his chakra.. it's calm, kind of boring, and... wait, is that frustration?) Karin wondered, her Kagura's Mind Eye locked onto his signature.
(.....Hinata is totally cheating right now...and Can those eyes see through his clothes?) Ino wondered, nervously adjusting her hair.
But the playful thoughts died instantly when they saw the look on Hinata's face. Her expression went from relief to happiness, then plummeted into pure dread and shock.
"*Gasp*.. Naruto-kun!"
"Hinata? What is it? What happened?" Ino asked, her voice rising with worry.
Seeing Hinata frozen in place made Karin's stomach drop. "What's wrong, Hinata? Is something wrong with him?"
Hinata's voice was a ragged tremble as she stared through the walls at Naruto's left shoulder. "Na.. Naruto-kun.. his... his shoulder.. the collarbone... and the upper ribs on his left side... almost all the bones are broken "
"WHAT?!" Ino screamed.
"Huh?!" Karin gasped.
"...What?" Shikamaru's eyes widened.
Crunch... huh? Choji's chips slipped from his hand, scattering across the floor.
"No way!" Kiba barked.
"...Can you look again, Hinata? Just to be sure?" Shino asked, his usual calm cracking.
Hinata nodded, She focused harder, then let out a sob.her eyes already swimming with tears. Suddenly, she felt a hand grip her arm.
"Hinata, talk to me! Is that idiot okay or not? Say something!" Ino was right in her face, her own eyes turning red and her face pale. She was desperate for Hinata to tell her it was just a mistake—that she'd seen it wrong.
But looking at Hinata's tears, Ino knew.
Hinata wiped her eyes with her sleeve, trying to stay firm despite the worry and spoke after using her medical Shinobi Knwoledge
"The bones... they look like they were sliced by a sword. Naruto-kun seems to have used medical ninjutsu on himself , there are no outside wounds everything seems ok but..."
"And what?!"
"He's standing there like nothing is wrong," Hinata whispered. "From the outside, he looks totally fine. But inside... the bones are broken. I'm certain he can't even use his left hand, and just moving his neck or walking should be excruciatingly painful."
As the words left her mouth, Hinata's tears started flowing again. She turned and sprinted toward the stairs, following Ino, who had already bolted halfway down before Hinata had even finished the explanation. Karin followed, but her steps were slower, heavier.
(Did I really ask him to rescue me when he was in that condition?)
The guilt pressed down on Karin's chest. She imagined him fighting that behemoth of a bear while his ribs were held together by sheer willpower. (...Am I that weak?)
The guys watched the girls disappear down the stairs toward the gate. None of them moved to stop them or follow. They'd been friends for years; they knew exactly how those three felt about the blonde idiot.
"...Troublesome," Shikamaru muttered.
"That bastard.. he was acting so arrogant before the exams, and now he's practically half-dead," Kiba said, his voice a mix of frustration and worry for his friend.
"..Naruto-kun," Choji whispered sadly.
"...Just who could have put Naruto in a situation like that?" Shino asked, his voice low.
"Maybe they ganged up on him? Like, a bunch of teams at once?" Choji suggested.
"With Sasuke there? That'd be hard to pull off," Shikamaru reasoned.
"Don't forget Sakura. That deadweight Uchiha fangirl probably just got in the way," Kiba barked.
Shikamaru and Shino nodded, but the puzzle pieces still didn't fit. "...Maybe he was blackmailed? Like they took a hostage?" Shikamaru wondered.
"Speculating is useless. We'll just have to ask him later," Shino said, though he looked restless.
"Tch, like that bastard is going to tell us the truth," Kiba snapped.
"...So troublesome."
"Hmm. Naruto will definitely sugarcoat it or try to make it sound less dangerous than it was," Shino agreed.
"...I actually think he'll talk," Choji said suddenly.
The other three boys looked at him, puzzled. Kiba was the first to speak. "Haaaa? Are you serious, Choji? Why would he start being honest now?"
Choji munched a chip slowly, looking down at the ground where the girls had gone. "Actually.. if he doesn't talk... I think Ino might actually kill him."
The boys followed Choji's gaze down to the ground floor. They watched Ino and the others pacing like lions near the entrance.
".....TCH," Kiba grumbled.
"...Well, with Hinata and Karin there too, the chances of him actually speaking are much higher," Shino noted.
"...Girls. So troublesome."
-----------------------------------
The Grand Hall:
Team 7 finally finished up their debriefing with Iruka. Naruto watched as Sasuke walked back toward them, casually tossing a silver key in the air—likely for whatever room they'd been assigned to crash in.
They moved as a unit down the long, sterile corridor toward the main doors. Sasuke pushed them open, and the trio stepped out into the massive grand hall of the Central Tower.
( hmm ?? )
Naruto's senses flared. Something was moving fast—a blur of blonde hair. He relaxed as he recognized the chakra, but he wasn't ready for the impact.
"Uff!"
The air was violently driven from Naruto's lungs as Ino slammed into him. She wrapped her arms around him in a crushing hug, and the sudden pressure sent a white-hot spike of agony through his left side. He looked down at her, seeing her teary, frantic face.
Naruto pankeked and felt confusion
"Ino? What's going on? Is everyone okay?"
Before she could answer, he felt a light, hesitant pressure on his left shoulder.
"Ughhh!" Naruto hissed, his knees buckling slightly.
He glanced to his side. Hinata was standing there, her fingers hovering over the exact spot where his shoulder was broken and patched up.
Her Byakugan was active—veins bulging at her temples—and her face was a mask of heartbreak. Tears were streaming down her cheeks as she immediately began channeling a soft, green glow into the wound with her hand .
The strange, cooling comfort of the medical ninjutsu made him groan, but his mind was racing.
(Wait, how do they know? I played it so cool. There's no way they should know the extent of the—) Naruto Mindhub overworked as he glanced at Hinata's glowing eyes and Karin to the distance. (The Byakugan. And Karin. F—k. )
Ino's body was literally trembling against him. Naruto's brow creased with worry, and he looked past the two girls to find Karin. She was standing several paces away, refusing to come closer. When their eyes met, she immediately looked down at her feet, her shoulders hunched.
(Oh boy..... This is a mess. Thank god I have MindHub to keep my head on straight.)
But Before Naruto could say a word to comfort them, a sharp, authoritative voice cut through the emotional fog of the hall.
"You brat! Took you long enough, didn't it?!"
Naruto looked up. Tsunade was marching toward them, flanked by Kakashi and a very tired-looking Anko. Naruto blinked in surprise. (Wait, things are definitely shifting. Where's the Old Man?)
Tsunade stopped in front of him, her sharp medical eyes scanning him but seeing him standing and talking let her breathe a silent sigh of relief. (Well, the kid is a medic himself. He's fine... mostly.)
Then her eye's shifted as Tsunade took in the scene with a faint, amused whistle. The Yamanaka girl was clinging to the kid like he was made of gold, the Hyuga was sobbing while trying to heal him back together, and Karin was hovering on the outskirts like a kicked puppy.
(How nostalgic. It's like when the kid had that fever all over again.... But what's the deal with Karin?)
Despite her curiosity, Tsunade knew they were on a clock. Her expression hardened.
"Alright, enough drama. Act like shinobi, will you? Naruto, Uchiha—you're with me."
She turned on her heel, giving Kakashi a brief "deal with this" look before heading toward the tower's infirmary with Anko in tow.
Kakashi sighed, his lazy gait bringing him closer. "Alright. Sasuke, Naruto. Let's move."
"Kakashi-sensei, where are you taking him?" Sakura asked, her voice tight.
"To get him healed, obviously," Kakashi replied patiently.
"Then I'll—"
"No." Kakashi cut her off firmly. "Go to the room and rest. The last thing the injured need right now is rest ....not disturabance "
Sakura bit her lip, silenced by the unusually stern tone.
" hmm ?? Sasuke Kun ? "
" here "
Sasuke stepped toward Sakura and handed her the room keys without a word—or even a glance. He fell in line behind Kakashi, looking back at Naruto with a questioning eyebrow raised.
Kakashi didn't rush Naruto . He stood back, giving Naruto a few seconds to handle the situation.
Looking at the Boy and the girls , Kakashi felt strange
(...Rin,) Kakashi thought silently, his eyes drifting for a moment.
Naruto took a breath and looked at Hinata first. "It's okay, Hinata. Tsunade-nee is going to patch me up way faster than that. Really. Don't worry, you can stop the jutsu now."
Hinata bit her lip, her hands trembling as the green glow faded. (If only I were as good as Tsunade-sama..)
Naruto then turned his attention to Ino. He leaned down, whispering softly into her ear. "I really need to go get fixed up..... unless you're cool with me just standing here injured on you?...not that I mind "
Ino shivered, her grip tightening for a second before she finally exhaled and stepped back. She didn't say anything, but her eyes remained locked on him. (Always putting up that tough front..... is this what Mom meant about boys being Boys ...and idiots?)
Finally free, Naruto nodded to Kakashi in thanksfor patience , But then walked over to Karin. She was still staring at the floor, but he could feel her chakra buzzing with guilt. He took both of her hands in his.
"It's not your fault," he said softly. "Stop thinking stupid things..... I'm right here, okay? Don't make a face like I'm already dead."
"....Shut up," Karin muttered, finally looking at him especially hurt at the dead word .
Naruto grinned, gave her a reassuring squeeze, and joined Kakashi and Sasuke. As they started toward the infirmary, Naruto looked back at the rest of the boys and gave a small wave with his good hand.
The other boys watched them go, their reactions a mix of relief and typical genin nonsense.
Kiba: "Tch. Look at that arrogant bastard ....walking like nothing *scoff* "
Choji: (Sigh) "Naruto-kun seems ok ....but Now I have to eat these limited-edition chips all by myself."
Shikamaru: "You could just, you know, not eat them and give them to him later."
Choji: "But.. then they won't be fresh anymore."
Shikamaru: "...Choji, they're chips. "
Choji: (Crunch) "Mmm. Yum. Anyway, Naruto looks like he'll live."
Shikamaru: "Yeah Troublesome Blondes ..... Give me those."
Choji: "Huh?!"
Shikamaru: "I'll eat Naruto's share and then I'll tell him how good they were. It's the least I can do."
Choji: "Shika, you're cruel."
Shino: "...Perhaps I should ask Naruto for tips on dealing with girls"
Shikamaru: "Believe me, Shino... that guy is courting death..... Literally. It's a very troublesome way to die, I tell you."
Kiba: "WHY?! Why /! Why isn't it ME ??? WHY "
Akamaru: "Woof!" (You'd have to actually win a fight first.)
----------------------------------------------------
Main TOwer :
Infirmary :
The main infirmary was a chaotic with groans, scent of antiseptic, and medical shinobi rushing between beds crowded with the wounded. It was a Sorry sight, but it wasn't where Team 7 was heading. Pushing through the noise, Kakashi led the boys deeper into the facility, eventually reaching a guarded private room.
Inside, the atmosphere was thick just as much as Tsunade, who was already there, flanked by Shizune and a visibly pale Anko. The moment the trio entered, Tsunade's eyes locked onto them. She pointed a sharp finger at the nearest Hospital bed.
"Alright," she commanded. "Uchiha, you're first."
Sasuke, still clutching his shoulder let out a dismissive grunt. "No need. Naruto is much worse off—"
*SMACK!*
Click.
A "fist of love" connected squarely with the top of Sasuke's head. He saw stars instantly, his knees buckling as a voice roared right next to his ear.
"ARE YOU THE DOCTOR OR AM I?!... HUH?! JUST SHUT UP AND DO AS I SAY, BRAT!"
Tsunade didn't wait for a response. She grabbed Sasuke by the collar of hisBlue shirt and practically tossed him onto the bed. Shizune moved in with practiced speed, peeling back Sasuke's shirt to expose the jagged, bruised skin of his shoulder. The moment the three-tomoe mark was revealed, Anko's breath hitched.
"This is—"
"Yeah," Tsunade cut her off, her expression darkening. "That's why you're here. Now, I need absolute silence."
Tsunade's hands began to glow with a dense, emerald-green chakra. As she pressed them against Sasuke's shoulder, the boy's eyes fluttered. The agonizing, cold burn of the mark was suddenly replaced by a warmth so pleasant he nearly let out an embarrassing moan. But then—
Click. Click.
The sound of a camera shutter echoed through the sterile room. Shizune, Kakashi, and Anko all turned their heads in slow motion. There sat Naruto, his expensive camera held up to his eye, happily snapping high-definition photos of a dazed Sasuke being "manhandled" and healed.
Sasuke's eye twitched violently. Pure rage cut through the medicinal haze as he tried to bolt upright to tackle the blonde. "You.. you.. give me that—!"
SMACK!
This time, Tsunade didn't say a word. Her fist moved like a blur of lightning—fast, heavy, and final.
It was the Slug Sannin's legendary "Lullaby" punch, the kind that puts you to sleep before your brain even realizes you've been hit. Sasuke's head hit the pillow, and he was out cold for the day.
Kakashi's eye twitched in sympathy. He silently and mournfully pulled his book out of his pocket and retreated to the farthest corner of the room.
(...Hmm. Good..... A very peaceful place to read my book,) Kakashi thought, deciding that being invisible was the safest survival strategy.
Anko broke out into a cold sweat, and Shizune's eye wouldn't stop jumping. Naruto, sensing the sudden shift in the room , slowly and carefully tucked his camera back into his pouch.
(This thing was expensive, and I'd really like it to not get destroyed 'accidentally' ) Naruto reasoned.
Thirty minutes ticked by in heavy silence. Tsunade meticulously scanned every inch of Sasuke's internal systems.
After knitting together the minor tears and flushing out the lingering toxins from the Sound Genins' attacks, she finally pulled her hands away. Shizune was quick to offer a towel, wiping the sweat from her mentor's brow.
Tsunade sat back, her face etched with a rare look of contemplation.
"Kakashi," she called out.
"Yes, Tsunade-sama?" The copy-ninja didn't even look up from his page, though he was clearly listening.
"Prepare the Evil-Sealing Ritual , That mark needs to be suppressed by tonight."
"Understood."
"And Anko," Tsunade turned to the purple-haired kunoichi.
"Yes, Tsunade-sama?"
"You stay with the kid. If he needs anything, you help him. You're the only one here who truly understands the nature of what he's fighting."
Anko hesitated, her hand drifting toward her own neck. "But Tsunade-sama, I need to be out there. I need to find that man and hunt down—"
"Enough." Tsunade's voice was like iron. "The boy is Orochimaru's primary target. If you stay by his side, the snake will eventually show himself. Just follow my orders. Understood?"
Anko bowed her head, the weight of the command settling in. "Yes, Tsunade-sama."
"Now then," Tsunade muttered, turning her attention toward the blonde sitting on the stool.
Before she could even tell him to get ready, the room was stunned into silence. Naruto had already shrugged off his upper garments and was currently onto the second bed. flopped down face-first acting like he owned the place.
"Alright, come over here and get started already," Naruto's muffled voice came from the pillow.
"This Lord almost fell asleep while waiting "
"..."
"..."
"..."
Shizune and Anko stared at him, their mouths slightly agape. Kakashi finally lowered his book, his eye filled with a mix of awe and pity.
Shizune ( ....naruto kun must be sleepy )
Anko ( THis Brat Got Guts )
Kakashi ( ...Tales of Gutsy Shinobi )
Tsunade's knuckles cracked with a sound like a gunshot. She walked toward Naruto's bed with a "smile" that didn't reach her eyes.
"Oh, 'This Lord' is impatient, is he? Well then.... let's see if we can't make this an experience you'll never forget."
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Midnight: The Sealing Chamber :
The air in the stone chamber was damp and heavy with the scent of metallic ink and burnt chakra. The whole chamber was filled with Ink and Fuin runes .
Kakashi pressed his palm firmly against Sasuke's shoulder, his fingers trembling slightly as he channeled the final surge of energy into the complex script.
"Fūja Hōin ! (Evil Sealing Method)"
"ARGHHHH!"
The Sealing runes moved and concentrated on the curse Mark .
Sasuke's back arched, a final, ragged scream tearing from his throat before his body went limp. He slumped forward, unconscious as the black markings of the curse mark were forcibly reined in by the new seal. Kakashi caught him, letting out a long, shaky exhale.
(..I almost lost them,) Kakashi thought, his eye lingering on the boy's pale face and also remembering naruto's and Sakura's condition (And this isn't some rank-C mission gone wrong..... This is something else entirely.)
As he moved to lay Sasuke down, Kakashi's gaze drifted to the corner of the room. Anko was slumped against a stone pillar, her head lolling to the side. She was breathing, but she was out cold—taken down so silently and efficiently that Kakashi hadn't even heard a scuffle.
( what ?? who )
His instincts screamed. Every hair on his neck stood up.
In a single, fluid motion, Kakashi lunged in front of Sasuke, his hand dropping to the hilt of the blade strapped to his back. Out of the darkness of the corridor, a pale, slender figure emerged. The flickering torchlight caught the glint of slitted, reptilian eyes.
Orochimaru.
The S-rank rogue looked at Kakashi, his gaze then sliding over to Sasuke's prone form. A thin, unsettling smile stretched across his face.
"Hehe... to think you'd actually try to seal it. But you can't stop it ... Kakashi."
Kakashi didn't waste breath on banter. His hands blurred through a sequence of seals, Orochimaru's brow arched in amusement.
"Oh? Going for the Chidori? But without your little 'gift' from the Uchiha... can you eve----?" Orochimaru scoffed.
Kakashi finished his hand-seals but Instead of lightning, a low, hum filled the room. Kakashi drew the short sword from its sheath. the blade and Kakashi began to glow with a terrifying, jagged flaming white aura.
Orochimaru took a subconscious step back, his smile faltering for a fraction of a second. The air in the room grew sharp, as if the atmosphere itself was being shredded by the intensity of Kakashi's chakra. The pressure was suffocating, reminiscent of a predator's teeth hovering just inches from one's throat.
(That aura... and that sword,) Orochimaru thought, his slitted pupils contracting.
A distant memory from the Second World War flickered in the Sannin's mind. He remembered a man who moved like a ghost, bathed in that same lethal white light. A man who would have been Hokage if the Old farts of the village hadn't been so rotten.
( .....so after losing sharingan , he picked up white fang's sword Technique )
Orochimaru's tongue flicked across his lips. He wasn't exactly afraid, but he was cautious especially after remembering the last lesson , Kakashi was a different tonight—desperate and SUICIDAL .
( but he is still half-baked...must have picked the sword recently )
"Hehe... so, you finally picked up your father's tooth-pick after losing the Sharingan?" Orochimaru taunted, though his posture shifted into a defensive crouch. "You've still got a long way to go before you're half the threat Sakumo was."
"I'm not my father," Kakashi said, his voice dropping into a cold, dangerous register. "But I've learned from his mistakes. You're after Sasuke. But as long as I'm standing, you aren't touching him."
"Were you always this sentimental?" Orochimaru mused. "I remember a boy who put the mission above his comrades. Even after the Fourth died, you wouldn't touch that sword. What changed? Guilt?"
"I'm protecting my home , My comrades " Kakashi replied, the white light around his blade intensifying until the stone floor beneath him began to crack. "No matter what."
Orochimaru looked genuinely amused at the threat (Without the Sharingan, he can't use the Chidori... and this Hatake style is half-baked at best. Just where does he get the confidence to dea—)
Suddenly, Orochimaru's tongue snapped back into his mouth. His head jerked sideways. Without another word, his body blurred and he vanished into the shadows of the corridor, retreating with a speed that spoke of a different kind of urgency.
Kakashi blinked, confused by the sudden retreat. He didn't lower his guard, staying crouched over Sasuke.
One second passed.
Five seconds.
Ten seconds.
BOOM!
The reinforced stone wall of the sealing chamber blew Open open , A massive shockwave of pure physical force sent debris flying everywhere. Kakashi threw himself over Sasuke, shielding the boy with his own body as dust and smoke filled the room.
Through the ringing in his ears, a furious, feminine roar echoed through the rubble.
"YOU SLIMY, CREEPY BiTCH ..! GET BACK OVER HERE AND FACE ME LIKE A MAN ....!"
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Author's notes :
well after thinking , I have decided to shuffle most duels .
Hope that is ok , not everything will go accordingly or some super awesome fight but
BE prepared for this week
Another long chapter for build up and other things
somehow I just can't help myself
Maybe I need Tsunade too
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