III

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Arc III Chapter 10

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Danzo made a smart move and brought Asami into the ANBU. Hiruzen never expected his old friend to be so bold, which was unusual for him.

Danzo wanted Asami, but why? Why the interest? Danzo knew more about Asami than him. He was a man of many secrets who possessed a vast information network.

Hiruzen leaned back in his chair and sighed. In hindsight, it was a stupid decision to allow Asami to join the ANBU. He miscalculated.

Offering her to join was the perfect way to deny Danzo's request. Without her consent, Danzo's options were limited, his hands bound, but Asami accepted his offer and thus his problems started.

Asami was twelve, but her behaviour didn't correspond with her age. Asami overflowed with enthusiasm. He had never seen a kunoichi so eager to join the ANBU before.

Hiruzen massaged his temples, fighting a mild depression.

The damage was done and now he had to remove Asami from Danzo's influence.

Hiurzen noticed what his old friend was up to. Danzo tried to recruit her to add another strong piece to his board.

Asami was a valuable asset. Not only was she powerful, but she was also non-aligned. A kunoichi without connections, without family, without annoying clan loyalties. Asami was the perfect target for Danzo, just like Kakashi. Thankfully, his attempts failed. Asami resisted his offers and Danzo didn't succeed in drawing her over to his side.

Based on her mission reports, Asami was frequently paired up with former Root members. Hiruzen doubted such was just mere coincidence. Danzo had his eyes on her. He needed to act before it was too late.

He had underestimated Danzo before and how far he was prepared to go. He thought Itachi safe, but that was sadly not the case. Danzo pushed Itachi to the edge.

Hiruzen gazed upon his peaceful village. Under no circumstances, could he allow Asami to fall into Danzo's hands. He already wielded far too much power.

Asami was high A-class by this point. Her sheer talent, her raw skill disturbed Hiruzen. Asami was just a little girl, but her hands held so much power.

He had to get Asami out of the ANBU to deny Danzo any access.

Their little princess, however, wasn't particularly keen to leave and he didn't have the authority to force her to resign against her will. The village council would reject any such proposal. Asami was too valuable to be discharged.

Hiruzen drummed his fingers on his desk.

Her case was similar to Kakashi's, but without the option of making her a sensei. Even with her talent, Asami was still too young for such an assignment, and he pitied the poor genin forced to serve under her.

The door opened and Asami entered.

"You called for me, Hokage-sama." Asami stood straight, awaiting her orders.

Hiruzen studied her. "I have decided to assign you a special mission."

"As you might know, Konoha will host the chunin exams this year."

Asami listened.

"Reliable sources report foreign powers plan to use the chunin exams as cover for a major operation, but we have no idea yet who or for what. Our sources also reported that one of the exam participants plays a crucial role in their plans."

"I want you to infiltrate the chunin exams and observe the participants. Especially our friends from Otogakure. I allowed them to participate for the first time this year as a gesture of goodwill, but I don't trust their motives."

His distrust was understandable. Otogakure was a village of dubious background, founded by Orochimaru, an infamous traitor and former student of Hiruzen.

"That's my special mission? Infiltrating the chunin exams and spying on a bunch of genin? I don't want to question your decision, Hokage-sama, but my abilities might be required more somewhere else." Asami narrowed her eyes, her discontent visible.

"Don't be disappointed, Asami. Your mission is of utmost importance to the village. Furthermore, you fit the mission requirements perfectly. You are the only ANBU we have in your age group." Hiruzen offered a benevolent smile, but his smile showed little effect.

Asami didn't blink, her face adamant, unyielding like Granite.

"Of utmost importance, you say? I sincerely doubt that, Hokage-sama, I sincerely doubt that." Asami clicked her tongue.

Hiruzen ignored her complaints. “You will take on your former genin identity and enter the exams. I will assign you to a new team after recuperating from your official emotional trauma."

"So I have to operate alone, without support?" Asami looked dismayed.

Hiruzen merely nodded. "Correct, you will operate without support.“

“That was everything. You are dismissed now."

Asami grumbled and left the office. Stupid Hokage, stupid mission, stupid chunin exams, such a nuisance.

"Wait a moment. I forgot, should your identity get exposed, we will have to remove you from your ANBU post as standard protocol dictates."

Hiruzen grinned. "I recommend you not using your notorious signature techniques to not get compromised. Otherwise, you might be found out." Which was guaranteed to happen.

Hiruzen smirked. He knew Asami, he knew her volatile temper and her theatrical antics. Only a single cocky genin was needed to set her off.

Asami was the very definition of bad loser. Her pride would never allow her to consider defeat. Especially against fledgling genin.

"After all, who doesn't know the infamous Black Princess, Konoha's sword-loving grim reaper", Hiruzen teased Asami.

Asami looked displeased.

"And please avoid killing. We don't want the exams to turn into a massacre“, Hiruzen reminded her.

Placing Asami among genin wasn't a small security risk. He didn't need senseless slaughter. Such actions produced a lot of annoying paperwork and diplomatic repercussions.

Asami looked displeased, her dissatisfaction visible. "Hokage-sama, I don't know why, but if you want to get rid off me, you could have opted for a less complicated way."

Asami grumbled and left. These exams would be an absolute pain in the ass with her abilities limited to their bare minimum.

Asami slammed the door shut behind her. A crack appeared across the wall, stretching from one side of the room to the other.

Hiruzen chuckled. Their little princess. So predictable.

Thus Asami's beloved ANBU time came to an end. They were quite fun. Her salary was fabulous, her privileges plenty. Asami enjoyed the copious amounts of free time.

The missions were hard, intensive, bloody. Chances were high that you will bite the dust sooner or later, but such was life. Nobody said it's easy to be an ANBU.

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