II

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Arc II Chapter 8

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"How was your first day as a sensei, Masasane?" Hiruzen greeted him with a smile. Masasane requested his help and Hiruzen the ever-helpful man he was didn't refuse.

The sun set, giving the office a solemn atmosphere. Darkness replaced the retreating light.

Masasane scratched his head. "To be honest, I have an issue with my team, or rather with a certain girl, Minami Asami. I don't know what to do about her, Hokage-sama."

Hiruzen listened. "Tell me more, Masasane. What's the problem?"

Masasane was at loss. "So far, her personality proved difficult to manage. Asami is a prideful girl, arrogant and conceited. She wasn't pleased with my choice of the team leader."

“You didn't pick her, and she threw a tantrum, didn't she?" Hiruzen laughed.

Masasane reacted surprised. "How …"

"How do I know? I know Asami, Masasane." Hiruzen exhaled a nebulous cloud of smoke.

"Sometimes, she reminds me of a former student of mine. Asami is similar to him, but also different."

Masasane looked dumbfounded. “I don't understand, Hokage-sama?"

Hiruzen laughed. "Tell me, Masasane, how much do you know about our little princess?"

"Not much. I only know the basics, her name, her birth-date, her losing her entire family three years ago."

“Her academy files told me her abilities are apparently average. Her ninjutsu is normal. Her taijutsu nothing special.“

Hiruzen laughed. "Average they say? Don't trust the academy reports. They are wrong. I guess she simulated to keep a low profile at the academy.“

“Don't be deceived, Asami is strong. She is an exceptionally gifted kunoichi and I advise you to not underestimate her. That is the reason I assigned her to your team.“

“I had to keep the overall strength of the new genin teams balanced, which is why I put her together with Aritame and Yukihiro. They are worst academy graduates of this year, and they might profit from her degree of skill under your guidance. That's my hope.“

Hiruzen leaned back in his chair. "What I am about to tell you is classified material, but I think you deserve to know as Asami is part of your team."

"Asami lost her family three years ago during an attack. The attackers were multiple jonin level shinobi we were unable to apprehend. They didn't escape, though."

“Asami eliminated them. She killed them on her own before we arrived at the scene.“

Masasane paled, stunned by what he heard. "Is that true? Did she really kill …"

Hiruzen merely nodded.

...

...

...

"I see." Masasane grew silent.

"I will take my leave then, Hokage-sama"

Day turned night and an old friend visited him. He eavesdropped.

Hiruzen looked up. "Danzo, don't you know that eavesdropping isn't a nice thing to do. How much did you hear, old friend?"

Emerging from the shadows, Danzo showed himself. "Enough to tell that I am interested in this girl. What was her name again? Asami?"

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Her daily morning shower ended and Asami left her bathroom.

In search for a fresh pair of clothes, Asami strode through her old home.

It cost her a little fortune, but it was worth it. Asami rebuilt her home, restoring the mansion to old glory.

Asami inspected her wardrobe. Her collection was still limited. The majority of her clothes were lost that night. Some lovely pieces survived the night, but many didn't.

The bell rang. Asami opened the door.

Aritame stood before her, visibly furious. But what could he do? Report her to their sensei? Scary stuff.

Aritame visited her on a daily basis to reprimand her for her irresponsible behaviour. Asami usually ignored him before telling him in no uncertain terms to fuck off.

But he didn't let discourage himself. He appeared every morning to complain about her frequent absences. She just missed a few team missions. 56 weren't that many, were they? She had more important things to do with her time.

Asami rolled her eyes. "What can I do for you, Aritame? Do you want some tea, or biscuits?"

Aritame glared. "I am here to tell you that you have skipped again one of our team missions, Asami."

Asami scoffed. "I know. So what, Aritame?"

Aritame clenched his fists. "That's not how things work, Asami. You can't just abandon us like this …"

Asami crossed her arms. "That's all you have to say?“

“Stop bothering me, Aritame. I have enough of these stupid missions. I have enough of deliveries. I have enough of catching unruly cats, Aritame. I am done with this shit! I am overqualified for this stuff!“

“Tell Masasane he can call me when we get a real mission and not this D-rank crap!“

“And now get lost. Disappear from my sight, or I will kick your useless ass so fucking hard that you will learn how to fly." Asami slammed the door shut.

"She is really, really scary when angry." A shiver ran down Aritame's spine. He quickly left. Better not to stay here.

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"Sensei, why are we here? Asami didn't react with much enthusiasm yesterday. So why should she change her mind today?" Aritame had doubts. He remembered yesterday.

"Aritame, Yukihiro, you two are still young. Every team knows moments of crisis. The challenge is to overcome them and grow stronger." Masasane hoped his plan would work. Asami was a terribly stubborn and prideful girl.

"I also doubt this isn't a good idea, sensei", Yukihiro seconded Aritame's opinion, but Masasane marched ahead without fear.

They reached Asami's little palace. The mansion was large, surrounded by extensive gardens and situated in one Konoha's wealthiest districts.

Masasane gulped. Her monetary resources were certainly considerable. Compared to their little princess, all three of them were just poor beggars.

"Don't worry, Aritame, Yukihiro, what can happen after all? Our little princess won't throw us into her dungeon, right? " Masasane rang the doorbell. They waited.

Aritame gave him a blank stare. "What can happen? A few days ago, she threatened me to plant my head on a pike."

Masasane scratched his head. "I think she meant it as a joke, probably.“

“Asami can be a bit grumpy from time to time, but she isn't a bad person ..."

"A bit grumpy? Is that what you think about me, sensei?" Masasane froze. Asami stood right behind him.

Masasane smiled uneasily. "Asami, what a surprise … Have I ever told you that you have a really beautiful home?"

Asami grinned. "Not that I remember, but don't think you can get away with cheap flattery alone.“

“What do you want, sensei?"

Masasane scratched his head. "Look, I am here to invite you to a team dinner this afternoon."

"You invite me to a meal?"

"Yes, a meal."

"What's the catch, sensei?"

"We will discuss there our next mission …"

His words displeased Asami. "Masasane, are you trying to buy my attention with food?“

He messed up, didn't he? Masasane paled. "Well, don't children normally like food?"

"Normally, but not in my case. The next time you try to bribe me, try harder." Asami slammed the door shut, but Masasane intercepted her.

He sweat. "I think you should reconsider my offer."

"And why that?"

"You see, I invite you because I want to celebrate. The Hokage informed me that we will soon undertake our first C-Rank mission."

Asami opened the door again. "You have my attention, Masasane."

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