IV

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Arc IV Chapter 8

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Armed with a proud smile of victory, Asami strolled toward her audience. She killed Orochimaru. Not a small feat.

Applause, applause. She deserved some recognition, didn't she?

Asami approached Kakashi. His bored blank look and his mask made reading him difficult. Kakashi was hard nut to crack.

Kakashi maintained his guard. He remained suspicious of her.

Asami engaged Kakashi in a merciless staring contest. Who blinked first lost. Neither side gave in.

Neither Kakashi nor Asami backed down. The awkward silence continued while Sasuke regained consciousness. A stubborn boy, wasn't he?

Asami cleared her throat. "I think some introductions are in order. It's a pleasure to meet you again after all these years, Kakashi, albeit the circumstances could be better."

They were both Konoha shinobi. No need to treat each other like enemies.

Kakashi's expression softened. "I remember you, Asami. In fact, I remember you well."

"You have grown quite strong since the last time we met, but you seem to have retained your destructive tendencies." Kakashi glimpsed at a number of destroyed pillars. Very Asami.

"I am not that destructive, Kakashi. My methods just tend to be overly effective." Asami took his compliment with humour.

Kakashi ignored her. "Overly effective ... “

“Whatever, I am more interested in what you are doing here? Did you follow me, Asami?" Kakashi narrowed his eye, scrutinising Asami with renewed attention. He wanted an explanation.

Asami tilted her head. "What I am doing here? I don't understand what you mean, Kakashi?“

“I stumbled across a suspicious looking person sneaking around while exploring the tower. I decided to follow and investigate him further A good kunoichi wouldn't allow him to roam around without supervision."

Kakashi seemed displeased. So Asami was one of these people.

Asami prepared to leave, but Kakashi stopped her. He laughed.

"Tell me, what's so funny?" Asami raised her eyebrow.

Kakashi smiled beneath his mask. "You confirmed my suspicions, Asami.“

“So let me rephrase my question, what is the Black Princess herself doing here? I didn't know ANBU were allowed to join the Chunin exams? "

Asami froze. He knew.

For the faction of a moment, Asami was taken by surprise. “Where did you get that name from, Kakashi? How do you know?“

Kakashi had her full attention.Knowing she was an ANBU was one thing, knowing who she was another."

Kakashi remained calm. "Just my personal hunch. A few old ANBU friends told me about a scary pyromaniac black haired girl with an obsession for swords and a little princess complex. I suspected it was you, and I was right."

Asami giggled amused. “True, that sounds like me.“

“Considering you are aware of my identity, you can thank me for saving your ass, Kakashi. I roasted Orochimaru for you."

Kakashi disagreed," Saving my ass? He would have left if you hadn't interfered. It was you who picked a fight with him."

"I understand. So I should have allowed Orochimaru, an arch enemy of Konoha and internationally searched S-rank criminal, to escape? An excellent idea, Kakashi." Asami rolled her eyes. Ungrateful bastard.

"Explain", Kakashi countered.

Asami clicked her tongue. "Please, don't play stupid. Do you think me blind? I saw you. I saw the naked fear in your eyes when you faced Orochimaru. You were scared, Kakashi, weren't you?"

Kakashi chose silence and a cold stare.

"But you don't have to justify yourself, Kakashi. Being scared is a completely natural reaction."

Asami approached Orochimaru's corpse. "I have finished today what you couldn't. I succeeded where you failed."

Asami snapped her fingers. A brilliant purple flame devoured Orochimaru. He wasn't needed anymore.

Asami marvelled at her beautiful fire. "Consider what I am about to tell you a special honour, a sign of trust between you and me.“

“I ask you for your cooperation, Kakashi."

"My cooperation?" Kakashi remained puzzled. What was the little princess planning?

Asami grinned. "We all know that the Hokage is the physical manifestation of the Will of Fire. But even the brightest flame dims with the years passing. The day will come someone else has to bear his burden."

Her fire grew stronger. Her purple flames enlightened the room with their dark radiance. "The question is, who will succeed Hiruzen? He is old. His constitution not the best anymore.“

"Hiruzen intends to designate his successor soon after the Chunin exams.“

“And as you might know, the next Hokage is traditionally chosen among Konoha's strongest, most talented, and most experienced shinobi."

"The most likely candidates are Tsunade who is unfortunately unavailable. Jiraiya, a subpar choice considering his terrible reputation. Danzo who has more skeletons in the closet than I can count. You, Kakashi. a shinobi renowned across the lands for his skill and experience. And …" Asami made a dramatic pause.

"You", Kakashi guessed. He guessed right.

Asami chuckled. "Yes, me.“

“I have the intention to become the next Hokage and shoulder the future of the village. My chances are actually not that bad if you should decide to forego your nomination, Kakashi."

"I might be young, but my strength is beyond doubt. My reputation well-earned. Everyone within the village council knows that.“

“They can no longer ignore me." Asami's fire expanded, nourished by her chakra. The very air burned in an inferno of blazing heat.

Kakashi remembered the colour. It was the same purple he saw years ago. An otherworldly, destructive purple of unimaginable power.

"Do me a favour, Kakashi. Do Konoha a favour …" Asami narrowed her furious eyes at Orochimaru's corpse.

"Apparently, our snake had a few aces up his sleeve. Next time he won't survive." Asami clenched her fists as Orochimaru's hollow carcass crumbled to ash. The snake had shed his skin. Orochimaru escaped his fate because of her negligence.

Asami extinguished her flames. " I hope you think about my proposal. So, see you another time, Kakashi, Sasuke."

Asami left with a smile.

Sasuke remained shocked by what he witnessed. This power, this aura, this fire.

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