III

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Arc III Chapter 14

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Poisonous creatures lurked among the ancient trees, hidden by shadows. Despite its ominous name, the Forest of Death was a calm place, a peaceful place.

Asami enjoyed the scenery and made herself comfortable before the tower entry. She waited for competitors stupid enough to challenge her.

Asami rested on the grass protected by the leaves. The trees shielded her fair skin from the sunlight.

” Damned sunburns. Damned sun.” Asami grumbled.

Her low resistance to sunlight was a source of constant annoyance ever since her childhood. Her pale skin disliked the sun and punished her with frequent sunburns, the reason why she preferred long sleeves and high collars.

Okaa-san even joked she got moon burns.

Asami mustered a weak smile. Sweet memories of happier times. She missed those days. She missed okaa-san.

Asami took a sip from her drink. She forgot to bring ice cubes. What a shame.

Asami turned her attention to her two exhausted teammates. They were in a sorry state.

Asami felt kind of guilty, but only kind of.

Hisaaki and Katsusane lay sprawled across the ground. They panted and gasped for air. Her little march nearly killed them. A little bit of running already exhausted them, what a disappointment. Their stamina was poor, their speed average at best.

“What did you ... say again? I am Asami ... I am a weak and helpless girl ... I am shy and innocent ...“

“Why didn’t you tell us that you are faster than the fucking Yellow Flash?” Hisaaki collapsed again. He was out of breath. His lungs burned and he felt like dying.

Asami giggled with a hint of schadenfreude. Her heart took pleasure in their misery. ”Excellent, you haven’t lost your humour. That means you are still alive.“

“Shut up!“ Hisaaki exploded.

“You are not funny at all, you …, you …, you merciless slave driver! While we run for our lives, you leisurely stroll around. Seriously, how are you so fast?”

Asami was fast, insanely fast. He doubted that even Hatsu stood a chance against her. Asami danced through the trees with natural ease, with grace. Their speed didn't bother her.

He finally understood why the Hokage vouched for her, there was more to Asami than met the eye. He might not be the smartest genin, but Asami was certainly not a normal genin. Her behaviour, her bearing, her mannerism. Nothing added up.

Asami tilted her head.”I am just naturally fast.”

“Naturally fast? What kind of explanation is that?“ Hisaaki protested.

“A good explanation“, Asami countered.

Hisaaki gave up. ”How long did we take?”

”Don’t know, but I guess our time is good. Ten minutes at most.“

“Congratulations, I didn’t expect us to break the ten-minute mark. Respect.” Asami applauded. Hisaaki and Katsusane deserved some recognition.

Hisaaki blinked. She couldn't be serious?

Katsusane groaned.“I don’t need your congratulations.“ He dusted off his clothes and forced himself up. He didn't like what he saw.

Katsusane gaped. ”What are you doing?” Asami sat on the grass and enjoyed a drink.

“What does it look like?” Asami sipped her drink with a miniature parasol and a lemon slice.

“We aren't on beach. These are the chunin exams. Can’t you take them even for a single moment seriously?“ Katsusane turned red, visibly angry.

“I take the exams seriously, Katsusane, promised. The problem is just for you, the exams are important, for me they are a trivial affair.” Asami stared at her glass. Her glass was empty.

Asami refilled her drink and enjoyed her day. Compared to her ANBU work, the exams felt like a vacation.

No bloodshed, no destruction, no morally questionable decisions, no death, no tears, no cries. This world was so calm and peaceful, a world of light not tainted by shadows.

Konoha was a beautiful village, a perfect village, maintained by people like her, by people shrouded in darkness. They were Konoha’s shield, Konoha’s sword, Konoha’s dagger.

Konoha didn’t become a major power by virtue of kindness and benevolence. Konoha was a village founded on a mountain of corpses, a mountain taller than many realised.

Katsusane resigned. ”So what is our plan to get the Earth Scroll?”

“Our plan is to wait. We just need to wait as the Earth Scroll will come to us eventually. Every team needs to get past us to enter the tower and advance to the next round. Suitable prey will show up soon or later. That's why we are here.” Asami's senses sharpened. Her instincts warned her. Three unknown signatures approached their position. They were getting visitors.

“Couldn’t you have at least warned us about your brilliant plan?” Katsusane complained.

”Easier said than done considering that the entire plan was a spontaneous idea.”

Katsusane buried all his hopes. “Your irresponsible behaviour is driving me insane. Do you even care about our well-being?”

Asami cheered him up.”I do care, dummy. Don't be such a ... ”

An ominous chakra signature joined the fray. The signature moved in their direction.

The boy meant trouble as she suspected him to be the jinchuuriki of the One-Tail. His chakra possessed a aura similar to Naruto's, and it was common knowledge that the fourth Kazekage sealed the One-Tail inside his youngest son.

Asami cursed her luck. Fate never went easy on her. Of course, she had to face him, the most troublesome opponent out of all of them, the only opponent she wanted to avoid if possible.

The Suna trio annoyed her. She could defeat them easily, but not without deploying massive firepower, and not without turning the forest into an apocalyptic wasteland.

Asami clicked her tongue and readied herself. ”Hisaaki, Katsusane, prepare yourselves, we are getting company.”

Asami scanned her surroundings and assessed their tactical situation. ”Be prepared, they are coming.”

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