IV

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Arc IV Chapter 6

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Lee was transported away by a team of medics. Considering the beating he took, he would need serious medical treatment and rest to get up again.

Kakashi sighed. “See, I told you, Guy. He never stood a chance ...“

“Guy?“

Guy cried, but not tears of sadness. He shed tears of joy. “Lee, I am so proud of you! You gave your best, and that is all that counts!“

Kakashi blinked. Guy had definitely some screws loose. “Guy, I don't think this is the right moment ...“

“Naruto, where are you going?“

Naruto stormed off. He showed no hesitation. He had a new goal.

Asami walked up the stairs and Naruto confronted her directly. He didn't bother to hide his anger.

Asami halted, scrutinising Naruto closely.

“Naruto, what do you want from me? Do we have a problem?“ Asami smirked in derision.

Naruto clenched his fist. “Don't give me this fucking smirk! I won't forget what you have done to Lee! I won't forgive you! He was my comrade, my friend!“

Asami tilted her head. “Interesting, and what despicable act have I committed to deserve your wrath? What have I done to anger you, Naruto?“

“You drove two kunai through his leg!“

Asami giggled. “Naruto, this was a fight and not some kind of sparring match. Lee knew the consequences of his actions. He chose to fight, and he paid the price. In fact, he should be grateful that I showed so much patience with him. Few people are as lucky as him.“

“Lucky? LUCKY!? LUCKY!? Do you even have a heart?“ Naruto exploded.

Asami shook her head in amusement. “Naruto, Naruto, don't talk about things you know nothing about. You have not seen what I have. You have not done what I have. So just shut up, Naruto. Stop wasting my time with your ignorance. I have walked through blood before. I have experienced true heartlessness.“

Naruto suddenly fell very very silent.

The next match was announced, Sasuke against some nobody. She couldn't care less.

Asami joined her team. Hatsu already waited together with a suspicious look and a series of uncomfortable questions.

Hisaaki's eyes marvelled. ”I suspected you are strong. But why the fuck didn’t you tell us how insanely strong you are, Asami? You are incredible! You are amazing!“

Asami smiled. “Thank you, Hisaaki. That's sweet of you.“

“And what about the jutsu with a giant fireball? And the lightning kunai? Can you teach me both? ” Hisaaki begged her.

Asami giggled. “No, sadly, both jutsu require advanced chakra control. I doubt you possess the necessary degree of skill to perform them. And you lack raiton. I can do very little for you at the moment, Hisaaki.”

Hisaaki fell silent. “I understand.“

Asami gave him a bit of encouragement. “Don't be disappointed, you still have your katon. With some training, you can put it to use.“

Hisaaki's face brightened up. “You are right ... Wait a moment, how do you know my chakra is katon?“

“Statistical probability. The majority of Konoha's shinobi possess katon, don't they?“ Asami smiled while Hatsu narrowed her eyes even more.

Hisaaki scratched his head, but he agreed. “Right.“ The discussion ended.

The next match started and Asami watched the fight. She was curious. How much did Sasuke improve since they graduated?

Hatsu positioned herself next to her, but she didn’t follow the fight below. Hatsu leaned closer, whispering three simple words,” Who are you?”

Asami smirked. ”Who I am? You ask a difficult question, sensei, a question I can't answer“

“Complete understanding of yourself can never be achieved. We barely understand each other. So how we are supposed to understand ourselves?“

Hatsu clenched her fists. Asami toyed with her.

Asami observed the match. Sasuke didn't do well. He lost ground and was put on the defensive.

Hatsu gritted her teeth. ”Don't play dumb, you know what I mean.“

“You are not a normal genin, Asami, if that's even your true name.”

Asami chuckled. “Sensei, I can assure you that Asami is indeed my true name, a name that I will always carry with pride.“

“But why do you think I am not a normal genin? Don’t you see my headband? Didn’t you read my file? I am the most genin kunoichi Konoha ever had.” Apparently, Hatsu had finally caught her.

“I didn’t say you weren’t a genin. I said you are not a normal genin.”

Asami laughed. “Sensei, what is even a normal Genin? Is that some sort of newly introduced classification, or what?”

“Asami, don't mess with me. I have read your files. I know your age, your height, your eye colour, your past. You were inactive for over a year. But among all the pages, there was not a single detail about your strength, your abilities.“

“On paper, you appear like a normal Kunoichi, but you can't fool me. I have seen you fight, Asami. You are definitely not a simple genin.”

“Your movements were too smooth, too precise, too perfect. The gap between you and Lee wasn't just a matter of raw strength, but a matter of skill.“

“You were years ahead, displaying a level of skill that most people can only dream to achieve. So I ask you once again, Asami, who are you?”

Asami smiled. “Sensei, think about it, who chose me for this team? The Hokage. Do you think that was a coincidence? No, it wasn't.“

“And now put one and one together, which shinobi are under direct order of the Hokage, operate in the dark, and are renowned for their immense skill?”

Hatsu clicked her tongue “To think that I had an ANBU right under my nose this entire time. You are an ANBU, aren't you? No wonder that you are so strong.”

Asami objected, ”Who said I am an ANBU? That is just a conclusion on your part, sensei. But I hope you can keep my little secret. After all, I am on a mission here.“

Hatsu sighed. “Yes, yes, I get it, I get it. The ANBU and their precious secrecy.”

The match ended and Sasuke was escorted away by Kakashi. He had won, but the price he paid was high.

And something else caught her attention, a seemingly unimportant detail. The jonin from Otogakure left the arena, and he directly followed Kakashi. A tad suspicious, wasn’t it? The man required active observation.

The next match started. Two names were selected, Hisaaki and Katsusane. They were chosen to fight each other. Sadly, she had better things to do.

Asami waved.”I wish you good luck, Hissaki, Katsusane. I take my leave. It seems my presence is needed somewhere else.”

Hisaaki blinked. “What, are you leaving us? Why?“

Asami sealed her lips. “That's a little secret of mine.“

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Asami hid in the shadows, behind one of the many stone columns. She wasn't exactly the stealthiest infiltrator the world had ever seen, but she tried her best.

Asami peeked around the corner, eavesdropping and watching the sealing ceremony from afar. Kakashi proceeded and the red letters on the ground started moving, enclosing the ominous mark on Sasuke's shoulder. It seemed to be some kind of curse mark.

Kakashi finished the mark was sealed. ”The next time, the curse mark becomes active, the seal should contain it.“

Asami nodded. She was right. Curse mark indeed.

“But never forget, the seal draws its strength from your will. If your will weakens, the seal will lose its power.”

Sasuke collapsed, falling asleep.

Kakashi smiles, ”Seems like he needs some time to rest ...”

“You can even use fuinjutsu. Impressive. You have grown, Kakashi, haven’t you?” Her target revealed himself.

Asami drew her sword. She had the feeling this wouldn’t end peacefully, and her feeling was usually right. Asami caressed her polished steel. How she had missed her beloved sword. It surely missed her as well.

“You!” frightened, nervous, Kakashi paled. His eyes grew wide.

The man smirked evilly. “Long time no see, Kakashi. How are you doing?”

“Orochimaru!” Kakashi's face hardened.

Asami titled her head, grinning. Orochimaru, the name sounded familiar. Wasn't he one of legendary Sannin? Well, she didn’t care. Before her blade everyone was equal. Whether you were a simple genin, or a legendary Kage, you died the same way.

Orochimaru grinned. ”Sorry, but I have no business with you, Kakashi. I am here because of the boy behind you. I have invested quite a bit in him.“

“Why are you after Sasuke?” Kakashi narrowed his eyes.

Orochimaru chuckled. “How is it to possess this amazing power, Kakashi? Tell me, how does it feel to wield the sharingan?”

Asami seconded his opinion. A pair of sharingan were a useful asset, even when their mangekyou form deteriorated her eyesight. Terribly annoying. After every use, she had to fix the damage.

Orochimaru stepped closer, but Kakashi stood his ground. He produced chirping lightning in his palm. ”Don’t come any closer! Even if you are one of the legendary Sannin, I will fight you! I will kill you, Orochimaru!”

“Hehehehe, hahahahahahaha.” Orochimaru broke out in laughter.

“What’s so funny?” Kakashi met his stare.

“You want to kill me? You want to kill me, Kakashi? Why don’t you try …” Orochimaru heard something.

Footsteps echoed through the empty hall, and they were coming closer.

Orochimaru clicked his tongue. “Apparently, a new guest has arrived, Kakashi.”

The footsteps ceased and girlish giggling filled the air. The giggling was sinister, ominous. ”A new guest? Perhaps, but I don't come with the best of intentions, Orochimaru.” Her sword shimmered in the dark.

Orochimaru smirked, amused by her open provocation. “Brave words coming from someone so young. Do you even realise whom you are talking to?”

Kakashi recognized the voice. It was her. What was she doing here?

Sparkling lightning enveloped her sword. Pure blinding white enlightened the surrounding darkness.

Asami gripped her blade. Her blood boiled. ”I do. It's you who fails to realise who stands before you, legendary Sannin.”

A lovely girl clad in a black kimono stepped forward. Asami smiled happily. ”Little advice, be careful what you wish for, Orochimaru. Sometimes wishes can come true.“

“I would gladly try my luck at killing you.”

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