Chapter 3: Traitors and Friends

This in not my book BUT I have asked for permission from the author but he still hasn't replied if anyone can get in touch with him let him know if he wants me to I can remove it from here

go check out the book at https://www.fanfiction.net/s/13522981/1/Reincarnation-Ok-Pal-The-Story-of-Kenta-Yamanaka-Book-2

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A chapter that wrote itself. I'm super excited. Spelling/Grammer may be meh, as I want to get this chap out NOW. I'll go back through when my heart rate slows.

Two things!

Mancrush list! Vote! In Profile! 5 Votes a user! Send any suggestions! LUL AO.

That seal I mentioned? The clues is here! First to figure it out wins. (Seriously guys, as the chap goes it gets more obvious. The only person who hasn't figured it out (hopefully) is Kenta himself.

OK HUGE CHAPTER! HOPE YOU LIKE IT LOVE YOU GUYSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

We stood at attention in front of Lord Fifth. Cpt Kakashi had just given his report along with Cpt Genma for the parts that Kakashi wasn't there to witness. Naruto and Fú had been excused to go to the hospital and check on Gaara. According to Lady Korinna, they were all related, however distant. A clan on the verge of extinct tends to stick together.

"So you were able to kill Sasori of the Red Sand and critically wound Deidara the Mad Bomber?" Lord Itachi's quiet voice asked.

"Yes, sir. Kenta for sure was able to hit him both in the shoulder and groin with his storm release. I do not know if Naruto's 'Rasengan did much damage before he substituted with his clone." Kakashi replied.

"And how do you know that Kenta's attacks weren't also the clone?" Itachi asked curiously.

"His techniques were neutralized by my storm release. I believe his explosions use Earth Chakra, so the lightning chakra in my Storm technique would have neutralized the exploding clone." I added in.

Lord Itachi nodded. "A good deduction. How did you come by it?"

"My technique tore through one of the wings of his flying creature. It never exploded. I didn't have time to verify my theory though." I admitted bitterly.

Lord Fifth thought for a few more moments. "Regardless, well done. You all did much better than I originally thought. Both groups handled their opponents with ease. Though do not expect all of your battles to go as smoothly. There are some true monsters in the rank of Akatsuki."

I didn't doubt that for a second. Lord Fifth was one, and that was before his illness was cured! Now being healthy once again? Psh. I dared Akatsuki to try and come into Konoha.

"Everyone is dismissed aside from Kakashi and Genma. The three of us need to discuss Sasori's information. Lady Chiyo, I assume you want to go check on Lord Kazekage?"

Lady Chiyo nodded. "I would, Lord Hokage. I will also need to send a report to Suna."

Itachi waved her off. "My raven has been gone for hours now. Unless you want to send your own message, I have informed them that Lord Gaara is alive, received top notch on field medical attention, and was brought here to Konoha so Lady Tsunade herself could finish his treatment. If you wish to include anything else, I will have the guide I will send in a few hours show you to the Hawk Nest."

She bowed her respect. "Thank you, Lord Hokage. I admit, I never was fond of alliances, especially with Konoha. However, I am beginning to see the benefits. Continue to bring honor to your station and I see both our villages celebrating many years of peace and prosperity. Now, forgive this grouchy old woman."

Lord Itachi nodded and signaled for an ANBU to escort Lady Chiyo. The two exited immediately. The rest of us bowed to our leader and made our own exit. We walked in silence until we left the building.

"I'm going to grab food for black hole stomach one and two and take it to the hospital. Anyone else like to come?" I asked our small group.

Choji and Neji both declined, but Ami accepted. We bid our goodbyes to our comrades and made the trek to Ichiraku Ramen. There's literally never a wrong time for Ramen with those two. I rolled my eyes, even Fú seemed to love the stuff above all else!

************************************Boring Boring**************************************

"I'm home!" I called out. I had spent the last three hours at the hospital. Gaara was long out of surgery and was on the road to a fast recovery. Fú's fast thinking prevented nearly all scar tissue from forming. Lord Kazekage would be near 100% once he was all recovered. I chuckled to myself remembering Fú's bright red face as Tsunade herself praised her silken threads and the versatility of such a technique.

"Big Bro! You're back!" Kono said happily. She ran forward and threw her arms around my waist, squeezing me a mini bear hug.

I looked down at my baby sis and grinned. "Of course I am. You think I wanted to stay in a sand filled hell hole like Suna longer than necessary?"

"KENTA YAMANAKA! YOU WATCH YOUR LANGUAGE AROUND YOUR SIBLINGS!" Mom yelled from the kitchen. Kono and I snickered silently at mom's outburst. I pulled myself out of Kono's death grip and took her hand. We marched into the kitchen, a unified front. I'm so glad Kono was still young enough to not rip her hand from mine because it wasn't "cool."

"Mother, Kono will be a full-fledged Genin in two weeks. I don't think saying "hell" around her is going to be the worst she hears in the next year." I told mother primly. She pinned me with a glare that caused me to flinch. Shit. Forgot my tactics have never worked on mom.

"Give me that poo again and I'll string you up by your thumbs and let Ibiki break that nasty potty mouth you developed, hear me?" She said in a no-nonsense voice, waving her spatula in a threatening manner. I bowed my head.

"Yes, ma'am. Sorry, mom." I said apologetically. Kono giggled beside me. I stepped on her toe. I might be older, but I'm definitely not the mature one here.

Mom held her glare for a few more seconds before she smiled widely. "How did you mission go? I heard you were in time to save Lord Kazekage. A most marvelous feat, hon. You should be proud."

I frowned. "We saved Gaara, but my team wasn't able to kill one of the members. He got away from us."

"Well, you still killed one of them, right? Saving Lord Gaara was priority. Killing terrorists was the secondary objective. You completed your mission and one of two extra parameters. That is astounding, especially considering who your opponents were." Mom said thoughtfully. I felt a bit better already when mom put it that way.

"Who did you fight, Kenta? I memorized the book you gave me so I probably know!" Kono piped in.

"Naruto, Fú and I fought Deidara of Iwa. We injured him but he was able to escape. Ami, Neji Hyuga, and Choji Akimichi were able to kill Sasori of the Red Sand." I told her.

Kono had stars in here eyes. "Big Sis' team was able to kill Sasori?! Wow! She's so awesome! Why did you kill your enemy, bro?"

I shrugged. "He was able to create these constructs that exploded. He could also use them to maneuver and fly. By the time we realized he had substituted with a clone construct, he was too far away to chase."

Kono nodded in acceptance. "You'll get him next time though, won't you, Kenta?"

I smiled at her. "You bet, kiddo."

"Either way, well done, son. I'm proud, and your father would be too if he were here." Mom said.

"Where is Dad?" I asked.

"He's at work. With Akatsuki starting to make their moves, Lord Fifth wants the barrier team more alert than ever. He should be home soon." Mom explained, back to making dinner.

"Hm. I see. Well, Kono, wanna go practice? Show me all you've learned in the academy so far." I asked her.

She nodded enthusiastically. "I learned a new illusion today! Can I practice on you?"

I laughed at her excitement and made my way out to the back, Kono falling into place beside me yammering a mile a minute.

It was good to be home with family.

************************************Ruh Roh Raggy*************************************

It had been three days since our completed mission to Suna. Lord Kazekage had made a full recovery and a delegation had arrived the previous day to escort him back home. Kankuro and Temari were of course part of said delegation and both were moved to tears with relief seeing their baby brother whole and unharmed.

I had spent the last three days mainly just relaxing. I couldn't remember a time where I just willfully chose to not do much. The days weren't boring though. I spent them teaching Kono and her friends little tips and tricks. I spent every afternoon at the park, watching Iroko playing with the other toddlers. I went to lunch and caught up with my various friends. Overall, a MUCH needed break for me. One I didn't even realize I needed until Cpt Genma showed up on my doorstep, mission scroll in hand.

"Ugh. Do I HAVE to go on this mission? Can't someone else go?" I whined to my senior.

He gave me a flat stare. "When have you ever declined a mission? Are you feeling sick? Do we need to visit Anko?"

I shook my head. "These last few days of just hanging with my family have been heaven. I'm going to go hand in my resignation. Full-time big brother now."

Cpt Genma snorted. "By the end of the week, you'd be begging to be back on the mission payroll. Pay your gear and meet me at the gate in an hour. We're going to meet this spy of Orochimaru's."

I instantly went into mission mode. "So, we get that job? Full Akatsuki team or…?"

Captain shook his head. "Just team 11, like the good 'ole days."

I smiled widely. "Yes! Can I be the one to kill the snake?"

Genma laughed. "Just meet me in an hour. I have to stop at the hospital before we leave."

I smiled at Genma. "Oooooh. Gotta say bye to your woman? When's the wedding? Is she pregnant yet? How many kids do you all plan on having? Your first boy- OW! What the hell, Captain?" I pulled the senbon he spat at me out of my deltoid and rubbed it gingerly.

"Next time, I go for vitals. Get your crap together and move, Yamanaka." He growled, disappearing with a burst of wind.

I snickered to myself. Teasing Genma and Shizune was nearly as fun as making Hinata revert to her stammering academy days by mentioning Naruto. I shut the door and went to grab my gear, scribbling a note for the family not to wonder where I disappeared to.

***********************************Whats Gunna Happeeennnn?!*************************

"Let's move out. The spy is supposed to meet Sasori in a week. At a casual pace we can get there in 5 days, which gives us time to scout the area." Cpt Genma informed the three of us.

We set off, our pace just as light and casual as Genma said it would be. It was reminiscent of our Genin days. The Tenchi Bridge was located in Land of Mushrooms. Kusa was the hidden village of the country. They were a small hidden village, but their troops were well trained, which kept them from being absorbed into one of the larger countries it bordered. It sat to the north of Land of Storms. Ame was another small shinobi village that had been forged in the fires of war. All three shinobi world wars had spilled over into the two smaller countries at some point. It was in Ame that Tsunade, Jiraiya and Orochimaru were granted the title of Sannin.

One day, I hoped to hold a similar title. For now though, we had to focus on the mission. We continued our leisurely pace northwest to our eventually destination.

**************************Boring running, Boring running**********************************

Today was the day. Team 11 was camped around in various spots, all eyes on the meeting point. My gut knew who to expect, it wouldn't surprise me either. 'That' guy seemed to have his hands in every cookie jar, though he had not the skill or guile to keep stealing cookies from such dangerous men. One day it was going to bite him in the ass, I was hoping today would be that day.

A felt the presense approach from my right, but I didn't flinch. The Naruto clones were our means of communication. Captain Genma had one with him at all times. He would send messages with the clone, once delivered it would release itself, cueing Naruto into making two more clones. One to relay to Ami or Me the news, and one to send back to Cpt Genma's side.

"Cpt Genma says last message. Be ready. The second this person shows up, we move. No preamble or anything. Move in, subdue the target, get out." It informed me.

I nodded but kept silent.

"You ok, Kenta? You're being awfully quiet." Clone asked.

I shook my head. "Just a feeling this isn't going to be so cut and dry. What if Sasuke and Sakura show up? What if Orochimaru himself shows up? Too much is unknown. I don't like having such little information." I confessed.

Clone nodded. "Boss feels the same. I think everyone does. We're good enough though for whoever shows up. Have some faith in us, Loser."

My lips twitched slightly and I glanced at the clone. "Thanks. I know. I'm thinking too much. Alright go ahead and… dispel?" I noticed movement on the far end of the valley. A robed figure was making their approach towards The Tenchi Bridge. "Hurry and dispel so Naruto can inform Ami. Our target is here." I said quickly. Clone nodded and dispelled.

My eyes trained in on the target and I focused my sensing on the person. I snarled as my senses keyed right in on the man I thought it was going to be.

Kabuto Yakushi.

I wouldn't forget that sickly feeling of his chakra for the rest of my life. I continued to wait, ready to pounce the moment he stepped foot onto the bridge.

What felt like ages passed before his foot met the solid wood of the bridge. I began to count.

Twenty.

I surged forward, feeling three other presences moving simultaneously with my own. We surrounded the young man on each side of the bridge, leaving him no option to escape.

"Kabuto Yakushi. I somehow knew it would be you. First Danzo, then Orochimaru, now Sasori. Any other pieces of shit you can cower behind to add to the list?" I snarled.

He chuckled. "It is good to see you as well, Lord Kenta. Naruto Uzumaki and Genma Shiranui as well? Oh and Miss Ami Kogure! My, what a welcome I must say!" His falsely cheerful voice sounded through the gorge. My eyes narrowed. He was much too calm going against the strength before him. My gut feeling only intensified.

"Kabuto Yakushi, you are under arrest for treason against Konoha. You may either come quietly, or we will forcefully drag you back to Konoha." Genma said in a cold voice, his usual drawl abandoned.

"Kukukuku. My, my, Kabuto. You aren't winning the popularity contest today, are you?" A cold voice sounded behind me. The hair's on the back of my neck stood completely erect. I grabbed Ami and flashed behind Naruto and Genma, just as a sword sliced the air where we had been. "Quick sensing and quick reflexes as always, Young Kenta. You have grown. I still need to study that delicious bloodline." Orochimaru's leering face appearing right where Ami and I had been moments before.

"You can study it when I'm old and retired." I snarked back, throwing my own leer at the Snake.

"Kukukuku. Still as much spunk as ever I see." Orochimaru's crazed gaze turned to Kabuto. "I thought we were killing Sasori today, Kabuto? Why are four leaf shinobi here instead?"

Kabuto looked just as perplexed. "I am sorry, Master. That was what my message was when the sleeper agent seal broke."

"He's dead." Ami said simply. "I killed him myself. Me, another Special Jonin, and a Chunin. The fact that you simpered and obeyed such a weak man shows how pathetic you are, snakelet. I can't wait to dump you to Anko and Ibiki. I want to watch as they break you." Ami's crazed smile fixed in place as she stared deep into Kabuto's eyes. The man had the smarts to shiver. I know I would if Ami were looking at me like that.

"Kukuku. It looks as though Anko's little pet has grown fangs of her own. Maybe I abandoned little Anko too soon? Maybe I'll go collect her at some point." Orochimaru's own crazed gaze locked with Ami's. To her credit, Ami didn't falter. If anything, the smile on her face only grew.

"Where are Sasuke and Sakura, Orochi-Idiot?!" The dam holding Naruto back finally breaking. "They better be fine, or you'll wish you had simply died today."

Orochimaru snarled at the name but quickly composed himself. "Ah. Sasuke and Sakura. MOST promising specimens. Sakura was the most surprising. Her potential is near limitless. As for Sasuke, I wonder how you three match up to his strength now. I have pushed him to elite levels. I would confidently say that he is almost a match for his brother at this point."

I snorted. "Yeah, OK. Toot that horn some more, Orochi-Idiot. The last personally trained soldiers you sent after us are all dead, and that was when we hadn't even been shinobi a full year. You may have an eye for talent, clearly you suck at nurturing it." I popped off.

Orochimaru's anger broke through this time and he hissed. "Watch your mouth, little boy, before you become the snake's prey."

I showed teeth, not in a smile. "You act as if the snake is the top of the animal kingdom. They are prey to all but the smallest creatures. The snake is a predator, but they are far from apex. We may have been mice when you ambushed us four years ago. You will find this owl has taken flight and will devour any snake that comes into its domain."

"Enough of this useless banter. I came here to kill, and that's what I plan on doing." Orochimaru's Chakra spiked and the four of us tensed.

"Kenta, take Kabuto. Naruto, Ami and I will take Orochimaru." Genma ordered the three flashing away with Orochimaru in hot pursuit.

"With pleasure." I smiled vindictively at my newest target.

"I will warn you, Lord Kenta. I am not really a fighter, I am a trained medic. But in battle, I am Kakashi's equal." Kabuto bragged.

I snorted, loudly this time. "Whatever you have to tell yourself, kid. Kakashi would wipe the floor with you while never taking his eyes off that book of his. Maybe Kakashi four years ago. But if that's who you're comparing yourself to, you're dead already. You just don't know it."

Kabuto frowned. "You should not take your opponents lightly, Kenta. That is how you wind up dead."

I shook my head. "I never take my opponents lightly. I was simply stating facts. I have surpassed the Kakashi who rested on his laurels and never trained himself. Long ago, I might add. I was made ANBU Captain just before my 15th birthday. My team had a 100% mission success rate over my two years as Captain. Kakashi nowadays is a Kage level opponent. He spent his time traveling with Naruto and Lord Jiraiya not only training Naruto, who now faces your master, but himself. Tell me, Kabuto, do you still want to use that weak bluff?"

Kabuto's frown deepened. Clearly the spy was off his game. His chakra was mirroring his confusion.

"It does not matter. You may be stronger, but the opponent who has more experience in battle, as well as the better strategy, will be victorious." He stated finally.

"Whatever you say, traitor." I rolled my shoulders. "Taking on a nobody like you will be cake. Hopefully you don't bore me to death, as that is the only way you're winning this fight."

"You are a dead man, Kenta. I was personally trained in Root and then by Lord Orochimaru. They shaped me into the deadly fighter I am to this day. Prepare yourself!" He called and rushed me, discarding the bulky robe, his hands glowing an ominous blue.

I yawned. I waited until he was within 5ft, but then my eyes widened. He disappeared. I felt him approaching from my blind spot, hand extended. His chakra scalpel inches from making contact with the base of my skull, where the brain stem dwelled. Severing that would end my life instantly. His hand met its mark, and passed right through. My smirking after image fading from existence.

"Wow. Well done, Kabuto. You almost had me there." I laughed derisively. "As I said, Orochimaru's ability to nurture talent is a pale imitation of his teammates. No creature that selfish could ever allow someone else to grow as powerful as he is, with the hopes of one day surpassing him. You were a fool to think that The Snake would grant you any meaningful power. He trained you just enough to be useful to him. No more, no less. Fodder to toss to his enemies, just like the rest."

Kabuto gaped at me. His chakra rolled uneasily.

"What? Did you think because you had his favor that you were different? That you were special? Wasn't Kimimaro special? Did you know we did an autopsy of his body? Did you also know that his disease was completely manageable if it had been caught early? Did you know that there were signs of treatment in the beginning stages, but then treatment stopped? Did you know that Lady Tsunade developed a surgery that could have completely cured that boy, or at least put his disorder into remission for several years before another surgery would be needed? Orochimaru chose to let that poor boy suffer and die. All because he found a new play thing." I taunted, back in my element once again. I swear, these Orochimaru Fan Boys were so easy.

"Multiple Myeloma. A normal life was just a little bit of effort away. A pity, he seemed like an honorable man. Powerful. He fell to my poisons, the same way you will. The Snake's apprentice, undone by poison. The irony makes me shiver in anticipation." I finished, smiling dreamily at the boy.

"Lord Orochimaru would never do something similar to me." Kabuto's calm reply came. His chakra told a different story. "Kimimaro was doomed to die from the day Orochimaru discovered he was faulty. No way could His Greatness take the body of someone so defunct. He died because of his sin, the sin of falling to such a disease."

I snorted. "Is that what you tell yourself to make yourself feel better? Or is that just the lie you tell yourself as you thank the gods he lost favor, keeping your spot as his right hand man."

Kabuto licked his lips ever so slightly, his chakra rolled in jealously and fear. My eyes widened to almost comical proportions. I gave Kabuto my most appreciate smile.

"You dirty little snake! YOU were his primary physician. YOU were the one who discovered it was a treatable and potentially curable disease. YOU were the one who let him die!" I tsked and shook my head. "Poor, poor Kabuto. Such lack of faith in his own ability and usefulness to his master, he'll kill his number one soldier just to keep his spot."

"You shut your mouth, Kenta Yamanaka." Kabuto hissed, the first real emotion breaking through. Anger, it was always anger. Didn't these villains have any other emotion besides anger?

"Oh? Why so angry, snakelet? Afraid Orochi-Pedo will find out and air your dirty laundry? Afraid he will be angry you let such potential die? Even if not as his vessel, having someone of Kimimaro's strength would surely help his cause." I said mockingly.

"Shut up! You don't know me! You don't know what my life has been like, what I've had to do to survive!" Kabuto yelled, his face flushed in anger.

I sneered at the young man. "Oh boohoo, woe is you. Are you really trying to throw your sob story in my face? I read your file from Danzo's hideout. You killed the woman who rescued you unknowingly and she didn't recognize your face. Wah wah. My best friend was nearly beaten to death at 5 years old just for existing. He's spent his entire life hated and ostracized by the village he grew up in. My girlfriend suffered the same in her home village. There's always someone who has it worse. YOU chose your own destiny. YOU volunteered to go to Root rather than, I don't know, bringing Danzo's blackmail up to Lord Third, or anyone for that matter. You sealed your fate and now you live with it."

I spat in his direction. "You're pathetic. The world would have been better off had Nono killed you that day. At least she had people who loved her. You? You're a nobody. No memory of your past. No vision for your future. You go where your master's point. You're a dog, that's it. You don't even know who you are. You basically don't even exist. Do the world a favor, and disappear forever. I promise, no one will ever miss what they don't remember losing. This is why you were recruited as a spy. You are so forgettable, even the gods don't remember you."

Kabuto's face had gone from red to translucent white within seconds. He stared at me wide-eyed. His eyes had gone dim, they were the eyes of a dead man. I had won. He had realized every word I uttered was true. He was no one. It was time to seal his fate, permanently. I made the required hand sign. Not one of the common twelve. Not even one used by my clan. A hand seal I developed myself. A handseal used for my own original technique. I made small circles out of my thumb and forefinger. The other three fingers on each hand were erect and splayed out. I covered my eyes with the holes, staring at Kabuto's pathetic form through the holes. I gathered my yin chakra to my eyes, creating the link between souls. The eyes are the window of the soul, Kabuto's soul was mine.

'Yamanaka Clan Technique: Despairing Mind Trap' I thought to myself, and pushed the yin chakra in my eyes directly into Kabuto's. The link was made. Kabuto was no more.

His eyes glazed, and I held his gaze. Never breaking the link. The lightless eyes widened momentarily, and he began to mutter to himself. His muttering became a pathetic keening, which morphed into full blown hysteria.

"No! Nono! Why? How could you do this to me? Who am I? What am I?!" Kabuto's agonizing wails repeated throughout the clearing, over and over again. My concentration wavered. His screams of despair called to my soul. I took a deep, savory breath. Relishing in Kabuto's mental agony. As the desperation in Kabuto's voice reached new heights, my control broke. I closed my eyes, inhaling the emotions rolling off the boy in waves. The euphoric feelings coursed through my body. It had been so long since I fed off the emotions of another like this. I needed more. I had to have more! My eyes flew open, the flood of yin chakra I projected towards the boy would surely leave him in a vegetative state, but I didn't care. He was a traitor. He deserved everything that was happening and more.

The minutes passed by in agony for Kabuto, but for me they flew by. My body shivered with the euphoric ecstasy I was in. Soon, soon his fragile mind would snap, and the feast I was enjoying would end with the most delectable desert in existence. More. MORE!

This was a technique I developed right before I became ANBU Captain. I had started its development as soon as I arrived from the retrieve Sasuke and Sakura mission. It was an idea that my addiction riddled brain came up with one night. It was an idea to further the despair I could pull from a broken victim. Just over a year later, I had mastered it. I presented the idea to Father, Uncle and the Council. Everyone was completely floored by the viciousness and efficiency of the technique I created. Father was most proud of me, for he knew that I could handle such a dangerous technique. The council rated my new technique as a B-Rank technique, and then quickly labeled it a forbidden technique. For its absolutely corruptible euphoria was so high for practitioners of our mind wars, as well as how easy an opponent's mind could break under such a technique.

For it was a technique that trapped an opponent in their most despair inducing thoughts. Over, and over, and over. And unlike an illusion that had a similar effect, the user could not break out of my technique without overwhelming my feelings of ecstasy with a strong enough feeling of their own. The technique replayed their worst memories, it whispered their failures, shortcomings, and insecurities on a loop. It was maddening. It was despair.

At 14 years old, I had developed my first forbidden technique. It was the first, but certainly wasn't or wouldn't be the last. One day, people would tremble at the rumor that I had stepped onto the battle field. I would drown in the flood of fear despair my name induced. I would-

My eyes snapped to Kabuto's, eyes that were no longer wide and agonized, but clear and full of pure, primal hatred. I thought I was going to be sad. I thought I would be angry that the little snake had managed to weasel his way out of my technique. I was wrong. Excitement coursed through my veins. My hairs from head to toe stood erect, my skin was raised in goosepimples.

"Yamanaka." Kabuto's ragged voice forced out. He was panting and sweating from head to toe. His entire body, too, was shaking, but not for the same reasons mine were. "I'm going to enjoy dissecting you while you're still alive on my surgery table."

I smiled in unhinged madness, the euphoric rush still clouding my brain. "Ooooh. The little snakelet's teeth finally poked through the gums. Come, no name! For even the name Kabuto isn't yours! Show me your anger! Show me your hatred!" I called out. He complied.

He bellowed like a wounded animal and charged me head on. He was much faster than before, I will admit, but nothing worth writing home about. I flickered out of harm's way just as his chakra coated hand lashed out for my right lung.

My wide smile only grew. It was time to play. I moved. One dozen, two dozen, six dozen. 'Body-Flicker' after 'Body-Flicker,' Kabuto's eyes widened as dozens of after images began to appear surrounding him. His eyes widened in panic and he attempted to calm himself down. His eyes darted, searching out, trying to feel where the real me would come from. It was useless. Years of practice and even the next strongest sensor in my clan couldn't pinpoint my location. I moved to fast. Kabuto's eyes flashed every time he thought he found me, but then the after image would fade, only to be replaced by two more.

Kabuto's agonized scream of pain cut the air this time, my kunai driven so far into his kidney the hilt was barely visible. I frowned as he collapsed to a pile of mud. Another trick of his masters, none of his own. I flickered to safety long before the displaced air from Kabuto's swing caused the grass below to shudder.

"Fight me you coward!" He yelled at my momentarily still form.

I shrugged. "Not worth it. You're weak." And once again I was gone. One senbon came from a random direction. Kabuto's senses barely allowing him to dodge it. Another quickly followed it. Another, another. Soon, hundreds were raining down on the medic from seemingly every direction at once. Only the sharpest eyes would noticed the microsecond delay between each throw. I stopped and smirked at my target, he did admirably fending off my attack, but his overconfidence in his abilities was his downfall.

Dozens of needles littered his form. Each needle containing a toxin of some kind. From my non-fatal paralysis agents, to the most potent fatal toxins in my possession. At least a dozen of each stuck from every inch of the young man. From his feet to his head, I threw them indiscriminately.

"This fight is over. There are a dozen different toxins flowing through your blood now. Give up now, No One, and I'll end your life quickly before the more… creative of my toxins begins to affect your body." I smiled, though it never reached my eyes.

He stared at me still, eyes full of pure loathing. "You're an idiot. Orochimaru has made me immune to every single organic toxin on this planet. Plus I am a medic, I have already started flushing everything out of my-urk!" He heaved, the contents of his stomach emptying itself with force.

I sneered at the idiot. "Still too confident in your paltry abilities. Every single plant I use in my poisons has been crossbred half a dozen times. Every toxin in my poisons is specifically created by me, only in my private greenhouse. The only person immune to all their effects, is me. Idiot. Jeesh. Being Orochimaru's bitch sure has given you an unearned sense of superiority."

He attempted to reply, but my only answer was a series of dry heaves and coughing. Blood began to leak from the boys eyes, the hemotoxins quickly taking effect. I stalked up to the older man, he attempted to back away, swatting my reaching hands away, put it was fruitless. He would be dead in minutes. He had something I needed though, so he got to live today. I jammed my neutralizing needle into his neck. The point was also the pressure point that induced a temporary death-like state by slowing the heart so low, that most medics never even caught the single heart beat every 50 seconds. Kabuto's eyes froze wide in shock, and his ugly face quickly disappeared into the prisoner scroll I withdrew from my supplies.

I sighed, letting the adrenaline and endorphins in my system slowly dissipate. Counting to 50 I finally opened my eyes and sat down in the clearing, pulling out my worn down book and the small scrap of paper that I wrote down my father's words all those years ago. I began to read out loud the childish script. Pulling myself from the darkness I had slipped into and anchoring my morals back to how I was raised. I let Fú's beautiful face come to mind, and I smiled. I would never lose myself when I had her to keep me grounded. Kono and Iroko's laughing faces were next, the two that would always count on me to be a good role model. I could never let them down. My parents were next, smiles full of unconditional love and acceptance. Their wisdom always guided me. My friends, one by one, each a small piece of who Kenta really was. I took those pieces and put myself back together. I wouldn't ever lose myself to that darkness.

I turned my gaze towards the east where I still felt the four charkra signals battling. I stood up and stretched my muscles. I re-sealed the items that kept me sane back into their designated spots and quickly flickered away. It was time to rejoin my extended family by choice.

****************************Kabuto got shit stomppppeddddd*****************************

Rewind to beginning of Team 11 vs Orochimaru

"Kukukuku. You must truly have faith in Young Kenta to leave him alone with Kabuto. He is my right hand for a reason." Orochimaru taunted.

Genma rolled his eyes. "I'd bet money on Kenta 10/10 times. Your right hand will be a corpse by the end of the day."

Orochimaru sneered and lowered himself into a loose fighting stance. Team 11 tensed in preparation. "You will be the one with a subordinate cold and stiff by sundown, Shiranui. Kabuto has been ANBU trained since he was a child."

Ami laughed derisivly. "Kenta was an ANBU Captain. His team Zeta had a perfect mission record, including 44 S-Rank missions. Kabuto is as good as dead."

Orochimaru's eyes widened in surprise momentarily before he composed himself once more. "If Kabuto loses, then I will simply find another to replace him. His medical genius will be a loss, but not irreplaceable."

Naruto growled. "And that's why you'll never raise an army strong enough to even get through the gates of Konoha. You toss your men and women aside like trash the second they no longer seem valuable to you. If you polish a shard of glass long enough, it will create a rainbow when it's in the light."

Orochimaru shrugged. "I do not have time to polish hundreds of pieces of glass. Sound is a dog eat, dog world. Suvival of the fittest. All those cliché sayings. My subordinates rise or fall on their own merit alone. Now, I have already had my patience tested. We begin!" He cried out and charged forward. In an eye blink, he was in front of Naruto. Ami's eyes widened as the eerily familiar scene played out once more. This time was different though. This time, both she and Naruto were ready.

Naruto easily blocked the uppercut aimed for his torso, and using the momentum brought his heel zipping towards Orochimaru's face at unreal speeds. The Sannin disengaged and launched himself backwards, only to duck the whistling blade of Kubikiribōchō as it attempted to keep its name sake. Ami saw her opening and slid forward, hands lashing forward towards the exposed soft tissue of the neck as Orochimaru dodged Genma's blade. He expertly blocked the blow and countered back just as hard. Ami caught the knife hand that was aiming at her throat between her crossed arms. She locked Orochimaru's arms in a vice like grip, just as a dull whining noise was fast approaching.

"RASENGAN!" Naruto called out, driving his signature attack into Orochimaru's exposed abdomen. The man grit his teeth in pain before collapsing to a pile of mud.

The entire exchange took less than three seconds.

"My, my. It seems I cannot take you children lightly. You certainly have improved. I wonder how you would fair against my new students." Orochimaru purred in a silky voice. Shivers ran down the spines of the two younger shinobi. Genma just rolled his eyes.

"Cut the act, Kenta does it better. You're just creepy." Naruto called out, shaking the creepy feeling off his body.

Orochimaru's eyes hardened. "Very well." Orochimaru's mouth opened to an unnatural width and without warning a sword erupted from the depths, blade aimed straight for Naruto's heart. Cpt Genma stepped in front of the blade's path, Kubikiribōchō raised as a shield. Orochimaru's eyes flashed in triumph, knowing his Grass Cutting Blade would easily pierce the oversized cleaver and continue through to the wielder.

Eyes screaming triumph turned to eyes of pure shock. At the last moment, Genma side-stepped, held the blade perpendicular to the ground, and allowed the smaller sword to pass easily through the hole that was in the center of the blade. The second the hilt passed through the hole, Genma twisted his wrist quickly, Orochimaru's tongue now wrapped around the width of the sword. Genma smirked as the blade began to glow an ominous orange. Orochimaru quickly disarmed himself of the blade and retracted his freak tongue at the same second the blade ignited in flames. Genma bent down and picked the sword up, handing it to Naruto. Naruto stuck his tongue out as he quickly sealed the legendary sword into a random scroll.

"An unorthordox, yet highly effective move, Genma Shiranui. Now, return my blade to me, or I will make sure your soul suffers after I torture your physical body for years." Orochimaru hissed in irritation.

Genma just smirked. Blade extended towards the Sannin and made beckoning gesture. Orochimaru complied and rocketed forth. The eyes trained on the taunting Jonin spoke of murder. Too bad he didn't notice the purple haired girl who had slipped behind him right into his blind spot.

"Fire Release: Searing Mirgraine!" Ami's technique sounded out. Orochimaru turned sharply, eyes wide as an orange sized ball of flame impacted his face. Upon impact, the small orb of fire exploded violenty, engulfing the entire area within 5m of the Snake. When the smoke cleared, Orochimaru's corpse lay in a small smoking crater. The corpse twitched, and like a snake shedding its skin, Orochimaru pulled himself from the carnage, good as new.

"You three are really trying my patience. This fight is- Now Naruto, it isn't polite to interrupt people mid-murder threat by throwing tri-pronged kunai at their… faces?" Orochimaru's smug reply ended in stunned silent, as the smirking blonde had vanished in a flash of yellow. He screamed out in agony, the very sword he was attempting to get back now piercing him from lower back, up through his chest and out his throat.

Naruto yanked the blade out and flashed once more to his original location. The anchor mark invisible to all. Orochimaru collapsed in a heap to the ground, corpse quickly joining the still smoking skin he had just shed. The body twitched and a third Orochimaru pulled himself from the mouth of the second.

"I erred gravely today. I did not take you seriously, and now I am at the disadvantage. I will retreat for today, but know that one day, I will make all three of you beg for death." Orochimaru hissed in anger. "I will collect my pet who has no doubt been playing with your third teammate. Farewell, Konoha trash. Do not think that…?" His eyes widened Team 11 following his gaze.

Kenta appeared in the clearing looking no worse for wear.

He waved. "Yo."

Team 11 cackled loudly at Kenta's new, yet familiar entrance. Orochimaru, however, was not pleased. "Where is my subordinate, Yamanaka?"

"Dead" was Kenta's simple reply. "He was a good test subject for one of my original techniques. I haven't been able to see the effects on a subject with prolonged use. His screams of agony were music to my ears." He smirked viciously.

"Orochimaru's eyes narrowed dangerously. "You lie" the snake hissed.

Kenta shrugged. "Believe what you will, moron. Kabuto Yakushi is no longer among the living." To prove his point, he withdrew a black scroll with a red bow wrapping around it. He opened the seal and out fell a very dead looking Kabuto. Glassy eyes stared towards the sky, open and unblinking. His chest did not rise nor fall. Kabuto was truly dead. Kenta sealed the body back into the scroll and stored it away.

"Uterrly boring fight if you ask me. He kept bragging about his strength. Claimed to be equal with Cpt Kakashi. Said his medical techniques were on par with Lady Tsunade's. My poisons had him puking his guts out and eyes liquefying within three minutes. Better start the search for lackey number one!" Kenta cheerfully waved.

Orochimaru snarled in anger as his body quickly sank into the earth. Within a second, he was gone. His presence no longer anywhere in the vicinity.

Orochimaru, the legendary sannin, taken down by two teenagers and their apathetic captain. Orochimaru was still one of the most dangerous opponents in the elemental nations, but only if you allow him to dictate the pace of the battle. If he was not in control, and was not allowed to regain control, he was just another strong opponent on the field of battle. Team 11 learned a valuable lesson that day. Lure the snake out into the open where he was most vulnerable.

A snake, no matter how dangerous its venom may be, was not a creature that sought out a fight. They were cunning predators that preferred to lie in wait for their prey. If they were not at an advantage, they left themselves exposed to all those who were above them on the food chain. Today, Team 11 proved they were the more dangerous predator if they were able to spot the snake before he struck.

***************Orochi ain't shit in a straight up fite. Fite me if you don't agree*******************

It had been two days since we had returned home from the highly successful Tenchi Bridge mission. Lord Fifth had praised our team most highly. It felt good to be back on track of my perfect mission record. Though the Kazekage retrieval went down as a flying success on paper, letting Deidara escape still left a bitter taste in my mouth. Orochimaru escaping wasn't the same. The man was a slippery and cunning bastard. He had succeeded so long in life for knowing when to stay and fight and when to retreat. He wasn't stupid. I had to give respect when it was deserved.

From the rumor mill, it seems it didn't take Anko and Ibiki long to get Kabuto to crack. Uncle and Father had also been tirelessly working on breaking into his mind as well with overwhelmingly positive results. They both said it was in large part to my breaking of the man in our fight. His willpower and mental defenses had no chance to recover before he woke in a cell in T&I and was promptly worked over. Never letting him recover, always pushing. At least T&I were in my same mindset. Traitors deserved no sympathy and no comforts. You took them for all they were worth, then had them killed or left to rot for the rest of their miserable lives.

I shook off the sudden wave of anger that had taken hold. I had plenty of time to brood over traitors and enemies of Konoha. It was a beautiful day today. I had decided to just take a casual stroll around the village, no destination in mind. I caught up here and there with people I knew, shinobi and civilian alike. My subconscious though was on full throttle and ended up wandering the forests on the outskirts. Many of the training grounds were located in this area of the village. The distant clanging of metal weapons meeting in combat and minor explosions could be heard. I smiled brightly, happy that people were training to better themselves.

I felt a large spike of chakra and turned towards the source. I shrugged my shoulders and flickered to the source. I arrived at training ground 83. A remote training ground that was always open to the public. It was an area that many high level shinobi frequented to practice their more destructive techniques. It here that I spotted a very familiar green jumpsuit.

Rock Lee stood in the center of the clearing. His skin was bright red and his black hair was standing on end. His eyes were closed tight in extreme concentration and he seemed to be muttering to himself. I stood and watched for serveral minutes. I directed my sensing directly at Lee. His chakra spoke of extreme concentration, self-doubt, worry, and determination. Very conflicting emotions I noted.

Lee's eye snapped open as his determination quickly subdued his worry and self-doubt. His pupils were dilated and his eyes were slightly bloodshot.

"4th Gate. Gate of Pain: Open!" Lee called out. His chakra spiked even higher. The look of concentration on Lee's face was palpable. He was attempting to control his breathing as his Chakra lashed out wildly inside his body. He continued this for an additional five minutes before his chakra levels dropped dramatically and Lee collapsed to hands and knees, panting heavily.

I decided to make myself known. I stepped into the clearing, approaching Lee slowly. Lee was a very honorable and kind person, but he was still a shinobi. Startling a shinobi was a quick way to end up with a kunai sticking out from somewhere.

"Hey, Lee. What's up?" I called out, calmly with a smile on my face.

Lee's tired gazed turned towards me. Upon recognizing who had spoken, Lee's eyes lit up and he smiled brightly. "Kenta, my good friend. How are you this evening? What brings you way out to this remote training ground?"

I shrugged. "Was just taking a stroll with no destination when I felt your chakra. Decided to check it out, see if I could see any cool techniques being tested. Speaking of, what were you doing?"

Lee looked down at the ground, a very un-Lee like frown on his face. "I am attempting to control the power of the Gates. It is… difficult, I must say. I have been at this endeavor for two years now and I can only use up to the second gate with no downside. The third gate is mostly perfected, but I still injure myself from time to time. The fourth gate is still well out of my grasp"

I studied the downtrodden young man before me. I helped him once, maybe I can help again. I had no idea how the gates worked aside from basic knowledge. But I did know chakra.

I sat down cross-legged in front of the boy, motioning for him to follow my lead. He complied. "What exactly are you trying to do then. Explain to me like I've never heard of the gates or what they do."

Lee nodded. "The Eight Gates of the Chakra Pathways are essentially limiters. The human body, no matter their strength, will only ever use about 20% of their chakra. The Eight Gates prevent us from drawing on too much of our own internal power, reducing the chances of self-inflicted injury. By understand how the gates work, we can force those limiters to temporarily unseal themselves, allowing access to power that, while increasing our strength momentarily, it is self-destructive by nature."

I tapped my finger to my chin. "So, you open a gate, get a massive power boost, but it increases your risk of injury as you unlock more and more?" I asked.

Lee smiled and nodded. "Precisely. Now I have found the reason behind this. The gates One through Seven are blocks that increase our overall power by about 8%. Opening the 7th gate increases the amount of chakra we can access from 20% to 75%. The final gate, The Gate of Death, is responsible solely for holding back the remaining 25%."

Ok, that was actual new information. "Is that why opening it will always kill the user?"

Lee looked thoughtful for a moment. "Yes and no. It isn't the influx of power that kills the user, it is how the 8th gate is opened specifically. The final limiter is located directly on the heart, and is the only limiter that must physically be opened with an outside source. To open the gate of death, you must puncture your heart in the appropriate place. Once you do this, you have access to all 100% of your chakra. This is what is thought to kill the user."

"That is false. The way The Gate of Death works is it not only give you access to all that chakra, but it forcefully directs it all directly to the heart. The Heart Beats at maximum efficiency. This is what allows the user to become 100x stronger than they are with no gates open. Your body, for a very limited time, works at maximum efficiency. The strain though rapidly begins to heat the users internal core. Their heart begins to break down. The speed your blood pumps is so fast that it begins to tear the walls of your cardiovascular system. The veins and arteries begin to deteriorate, the blood, still being pumped so forcefully, begins to leave the body via the glands and pores all over the body. Eventually, it becomes too much, and the user dies when they are literally burned from the inside out by the heat generated. If that didn't kill them, well you heard. There are any number of reasons why the user would perish."

Lee finished with another frown. I sat and thought about everything Lee just told me. 100 times stronger than no gates activated? For a short period, a normal person could take down a Kage. Someone like Guy releasing the last gate? He could go toe-to-toe with a god.

"I see. That is definitely a final gambit move. So then, knowing all that, what are you trying to accomplish here?" I asked.

Lee finally gave me a smile. Not his usual smile, a much more genuine and subdued one.

"Thanks to you I finally figured out what was wrong with me. Over the years I have begun to meditate, as well as play Shoji from time to time. My chakra is still imbalanced, but it is at least at a level I can mold my neutral chakra and actually expel it from my body. I have you to thank for this, Kenta. About two years ago, I came up with this idea. The Gates are so dangerous because each limiter introduces a spike in chakra levels. They increase each level too. I know I had 8%, but that is average. It is more like gate one is 5%, and gate seven is 11%. I thought that by being able to enter a gate, and actually control and regulate the chakra, I could eliminate the downside."

"All the injuries stem from the surge in chakra and our bodies not being used to such power. If I can regulate that power, I can train my muscles using the gates exclusively so that they are strong enough to withstand the power spikes."

I smiled brightly. "Lee that is genius! That is actually very doable! I'm sure you'll get it one day."

He shook his head sadly. "As I said, I can only go up to the second gate. The Third still risks injury, and the fourth is impossible. The Chakra is too intense to handle. It runs out of control, no matter how tight a grip I try to keep it under. Even standing still, opening the fourth gate makes me sore from the small muscles tears."

One word in there made it all click. "I can help." I said simply.

Lee's wide-eyed gaze met mine, a look of hope on his face. "Really? How, Kenta? I do not wish to trouble you further. Your advice has already taken me to new heights in my training."

"If I thought you were troubling me, I wouldn't offer. As to how, the same way I discovered your chakra imbalance. I will feel your chakra while you attempt to master the gates at each level. I may be tooting my own horn here, but I'd confidently declare that I am not only the most powerful sensor in Konoha, but possibly in the elemental nations. My range is further than the strongest Byakugan, and if I concentrate all my efforts, I can even feel the emotions of someone. Chakra is a funny thing. It has a mind of its own. It reacts to your body and mind. Your feelings mirror your chakra. Lord Fifth, who never gives away anything with his facial expressions or body language, wouldn't be able to lie to me."

Lee nodded vigorously to my explanation. "So you should be able to feel if I am doing something wrong? Then I do not think that I will burden you too much. It should only take a single session to discover where I can improve, yes?"

"Yup. Now, I can give you some pointers to work on from my short observation just from today. First off, you need to get out of here." I flicked him, not too gently either, right between the eyes.

He gazed at me quizzically. You gotta love Lee. Anger never even crossed his mind. Naruto would be spouting off on a tangent if I had done similar to him.

"When I observed you open the fourth gate, your chakra spoke volumes of concentration and determination. It was also heavily saturated with doubt and self-worry. As I said, your chakra will react to your emotions. You must maintain calm as much as possible. The closer you are to homeostasis, the more receptive you chakra will be." I explained clinically. Lee had pulled out a tiny notebook from somewhere and was scribbling furiously, nodding along with my explanation.

"Something you said made it really click in my brain. You said something about keeping a tight grip and attempting to control your chakra. You do not control your chakra. You guide it. You let it flow through you and direct it. You never force it, you never try to strong arm or keep it contained. Just like your blood, it flows freely through your body. We shinobi have learned the art of harnessing that power to create what many consider miracles and magic."

"I want you to work on that. Next time you meditate, do so with the first and second gates open. Guide your chakra, feel it flow through you. Learn it, memorize it. But never try to force it where it doesn't want to go. When a shinobi casts the 'Great Fireball' technique, they do not yank their chakra into their core where they then convert and expel it. They find the flow of their chakra, direct it to the area they desire, then convert and direct it. Meditate and make this feeling second nature for you."

I finished with a friendly, warm smile for the enthusiastic hand to hand genius. He was still nodded and scribbling furiously, a small smile in place as my words seemed to resonate with him. It was time to really drive the point home.

"Lee, if you were having a bad day, would you force your youthfulness to the surface?" I asked innocently. I nearly died trying to contain my laughter. Lee looked absolutely scandalized.

"Of course not! You cannot force the springtime of youth! You simply celebrate it when you feel it burning deep within you." He said, almost offended.

I snickered. "Think of your chakra as your youth then. You cannot force it."

His eyes widened as my analogy finally made it click. "YOSH! I WILL TAKE ALL YOUR TIPS AND WORK MY HARDEST AND GUIDING MY CHAKRA! AND IF I TRY TO FORCE IT, I WILL RUN 500 LAPS AROUND KONOHA, AND IF I CANNOT DO THAT, I WILL DO 1000 PUSH-UPS!"

I stood up, laughing at Lee's outburst. "Good. Remember though, overworking yourself is even worse than missing a day of training. Let your body rest. It'll help in the long run. Now, Lee, it's time to discuss the important topics. One, are you coming to the party tomorrow. Two, are you interested in anyone?"

The boy immediately settled down, his face flushing darkly. "I will be there, yes. And there is a girl I am interested in…"

"Oh? And do I know this young woman?" I teased.

He nodded and mumbled something.

"What was that, Lee? You mumbled. That is not very youthful." Bingo.

"TENTEN IS THE ONLY WOMAN FOR ME!" He yelled at the top of his lungs, hands immiedately clamping tight over his mouth.

"Tenten? Your teammate? She is very pretty. Have you asked her out?" I said with a small smile, easing up my normal teasing. Lee was just too innocent and naïve to really tease without getting the kicked puppy look.

Lee nodded. "I asked her to be my girlfriend but she shot me down. I will not give up though! I will ask her every day until she either says yes, or kills me."

I looked at Lee like he had grown a second head. "Lee, that is not how you court a woman!"

He looked absolutely stunned by that simple statement. "It is not? But I thought you had to ask a woman to be your girlfriend or it would never be official?"

"Grab your book. Time for Kenta dating advice." I said in a lecturing tone. Lee complied immediately. "First, ask her to hang out. Go to lunch, spar, anything. Talk about mundane shit. Training, plans for the weekend, your favorite foods. Keep it light. After a few friends hangouts, if TenTen seems interested, then you will ask her on a proper date. If she accepts, then good for you! If she does not, it means that either she is not interesting in dating at this time, or, as much as it hurts, she is not interested in you that way. If she declines, do not continue to ask her. You will only push her further away. Wait a few months, keep it friendly, and then try again. If she denies, it is best to move on. If she accepts, then good for you! After a few dates and if things are really going well, THEN you ask her to be your girlfriend."

"I see, I see. This is not at all what I was taught, but it makes much more sense!" He tore his gaze from his notebook and gaze me the all too familiar 'Nice Guy Pose.' "Thank you for your advice and well wishes, Kenta! I will try the first tip at once!"

I rushed forward and grabbed Lee's mouth. Stretching his lips up and down, peering inside his mouth.

"How the hell are your teeth so white?!" I blurted out finally.

Lee looked confused. "I do not know. I simply practice excellent oral hygiene, but I do not do anything specific. Brushing twice daily and flossing are what the doctor recommended, so that is what I do!"

I nodded slowly. "I see. Must be good genes." I muttered. "Anyway, I'm going to head out. See you at the party tomorrow!"

Lee waved goodbye and turned back to the training field. He began to do a 'light' warmup as I walked off the field. Some things never change. Lee and Guy's insane workouts would always be one of those.

********************************Lee is a cinnamon roll***********************************

"I'm coming!" I grumbled, rubbing the sleep from my eye. It was 0730 and I was most definitely hungover. Last night's party had been so much fun. Lee had gotten drunk and shown off his prowess with The Drunken Fist. Ami and Shino announced their courtship, which we all already knew. Ino had gotten so drunk she attempted to fight a training dummy for "talking shit." Hinata and Naruto had been 'accidentally' bumping into each other all evening, which in turn caused a near perpetual red tint to both faces.

Oh, and I proposed to Fú. And she said yes!

I smiled warmly thinking of her tears of happiness and how she kept repeating how she never thought in her life she would love or be loved due to her burden. We then spent the rest of the night just enjoying being together, and having fun with our friends.

Mom was going to faint once I told her. I snickered to myself playing the entire scene already in my head. I reached for the door and opened it. Ami's thunderous fury crashed down on me like a hammer. I met her eyes which were ablaze in righteous fury. She spoke only two words. Those two words erased my good mood from the universe's existence and my own fury met Ami's head on.

"They're back."

****************************BIG EXPLOSION INCOMING***********************************

I ignored Susumi's protest and threw the door to Lord Fifth's office open with a thunderous crash. I was past rational thinking. I was a single minded beast at the moment. My thirst would only be sated with blood.

"Why the fuck wasn't I informed that those two god damn traitors were back in the village?!" I shouted, caution thrown to the wind, unheeding who exactly I was speaking to or who was in the room.

Lord Fifth's cold gaze met my own rage filled eyes. Dozens of voices were shouting now, all of them attempting to dress me down for my lack of respect. I was past caring. I should have been on the mission to drag them back in the first place! I should have at least been informed. Bloodlust and promises of murder filled the air, but it was a pathetic attempt. I had felt worse from Kono when she was being particularly brutal.

I had had enough.

A metaphysical manifestation of emotions projected into the air when chakra is being molded internally was a 'technique' of sorts. It mostly came with experience, but others could learn to harness their emotions in a similar fashion. It was the most basic technique when one is a practitioner of mind games and psychological warfare. These poor fools made the attempts, but I was a master at this.

Metaphysical manifestation of emotions was usually a mouthful to say every time. Most people simply referred to it as 'Killing Intent' or KI. That was a crude explanation of what it actually was, as any emotion could be projected. For now though, in the situation I found myself in, KI was the perfect word.

My intent filled the air. Normally, I like to project a sense of creeping dread. When you know you're being watched, but you cannot located who or what is stalking you. I wasn't in the mood.

Gasps and whimpers filled the air. I took a quick glance around and snorted. The entire civilian council was either passed out with soiled britches, or on all fours, attempting to take a shuddering gasp. The shinobi council fared much better. But widened eyes and beads of sweat told me they were not unaffected themselves. I didn't relent. I continued to press. Pressed lips and pale faces soon marred a few of the smaller clan heads. The Big Six glared at me the same as Lord Fifth.

"Is your temper tantrum over? Or do I need to call your mother in to give you a spanking, Jonin Yamanaka?" Itachi's quiet voice seemed to boom in the dead silence of the office.

I would one day regret this. The small logical part of my brain was SCREAMING in the dark recesses of my mind. However, the beast was in control. It shoved the logical figment down without remorse.

I sneered at Lord Fifth. Sneered! At a man that with a single motion could have me executed on the spot. I didn't care. "I have been a loyal, hardworking, well-mannered, perfect Shinobi under your command for nearly four years. Not a single blemish on my record, and this is how I am rewarded?!" I nearly shouted.

Someone snorted in the background. "Someone thinks they're more special than they actually are. A few accolades and he thinks he's somehow Lord Fifth's confidant and successfor." I pinpointed the voice as Tsume Inuzuka. Filthy mutt.

I snarled and directed my rage at the woman. "Be a good dog and quit your barking. Mutts than have a bark worse than their bite end up dead in an alleyway."

She bristled and bared her fangs. "You wanna go, kid? I have no qualms gutting you like the insubordinate little shit you are!"

I laughed derisively. "You? Beat me? You can't hold a candle to me, Lady Inuzuka. I'd have you hog-tied and drooling at "go." The pathetic beat down I gave your son all those years ago would look like a death match compared to the embarrassment you'd be in."

Her pupils constricted and her chakra spiked. "Why yo-"

"Enough!" Lord Fifth hissed. His rage was palpable and everyone in the room shook under the pressure he was exuding. Big Six, Myself, ANBU… Everyone.

"You forget your place, Kenta. You overstep your station and authority. Your lack of patience is not only unforgiveable, but absolutely childish. I am Hokage. You are a simple Jonin. Your records do not entitle you every sliver of information. I had just sent Bull to your place of residence to invite you to join us. But you took it upon yourself to make assumptions and jump to conclusions. I should have you sent to T&I and tortured for the simple act of insubordination. I will not do that. You do deserve to be here. You will receive punishment, which we will discuss after this meeting is over. Do I make myself clear?"

I nodded swiftly. Embarrassment and guilt quickly letting logic take its place as the dominant thinker in my consciousness. The beast of rage still was not quenched, however. It sat just below the surface, snapping and growling, waiting for its prey. However… I had to do damage control. First things first.

I turned to Lady Tsume and bowed deeply. "I am extremely sorry for my behavior, actions, and inexcusable words said in haste and anger. I will also accept any punishment you deem fit to make up for my lapse in judement. I let my emotions control me. It will not happen again."

She let out a bark of laughter. "Damn, kid. You go all alpha on me, get me all hot and bothered, thoughts of leaving my husband for a scandal in Konoha, only to throw it all away."

I straighted and blushed deeply at her… unusual words. She just did a full 180.

She waved it off. "It's good to see the younger generation has some fire in their belly. If I sat here and held a grudge, I'd be the biggest hypocrite in the village. I've lost my cool. Only once or twice though." She finished with a fanged grin and mischief in her eyes. "Though now you got me curious. I will accept your apology in full after a spar. Let's see you back those words up, pup."

I smiled at the Inuzuka matriarch and nodded. "I will be happy to do so. We can set a time and date later."

I glanced around the room. "I also must apologize to the council as a whole. You were all correct to admonish me for my childish actions. If I somehow personally offended you, please let me know and we can work out my repentance." The angry glares softened somewhat, but disapproval still hung in the air.

I made my last apology. "Lord Fifth. I do not know what to say except that I apologize. I will accept my punishment without complaint, even if you require my life. I have embarrassed and shamed you. That is unacceptable. Please, know that my words spoken in anger were out of line and I will not make excuses for them. I am yours to command, Lord Fifth."

He waved it off. "As I said, we will discuss after this meeting. For now, let's get to it. I do not want to be here all day."

"Nearly four years ago, Sakura Haruno fled Konoha to join Orochimaru. She had been given information that the curse seal she took in place for her teammate would eventually kill her if it was not evolved and mastered. Upon learning of her plan, my foolish brother assisted in her escape. Their fate was discovered early in the morning and I had a team sent out to retrieve them. The mission was a failure and Naruto Uzumaki was hospitalized and nearly killed when he attempted to confront Sakura and Sasuke."

Everyone nodded at Lord Fifth, this was common knowledge. To most at least.

"That was a lie." He stated bluntly.

Murmuring quickly broke out between councilmemebers. Lord Fifth held up a hand and it quieted down almost immediately.

"Sakura Haruno was indeed attacked by four of Orochimaru's subordinates. It is also true she was informed that her seal would in fact kill her. From our limited information on 'The Cursed Seals of Heaven and Hell' we had no way to confirm or deny these claims. Anko Mitarashi is the only known bearer of a curse mark. Hers was the very first that was successfully applied to a person and they survived. A prototype if you will."

"You were told she defected due to this information. That was not the case. The morning after her attack, while still in her hospital gown, Sakura Haruno personally requested to be sent to Orochimaru's ranks where she would spy on the traitor while discovering if the claims about her seal were true or false. Either way, she continued to train and grow her power, while also sending reports as she could."

"My brother, her teammate, was in the room when she made such a dangerous request. He immediately offered to join her and protect her if I agreed to send her. His reasoning being, as the original target for the curse seal, Orochimaru wouldn't stop until he got Sasuke. He worried not only for the safety of Sakura while infiltrating the snake's ranks, but also the safety of his friends and village. He did not want anyone else getting hurt in his place."

The murmuring broke out once more. I caught glimpses of 'noble,' 'brave,' and 'true konoha shinobi.' I gnashed my teeth. They were drinking it up just like the original story.

"For the last four years I have gotten reports from my brother and Miss Haruno have been sending reports when deemed safe. They have risked their very lives, and the risk was paid in full within a single year of their extended mission. Because of them we have found and destroyed over a dozen of Orochimaru's back up bases. We have notes and files that paint a picture of his plans. We recently were able to get updated information about the other traitor, Danzo. The two still seem to be in contact with one another."

Angry muttering was the response this time, but no one interrupted or spoke out of turn. Lord Fifth ran a tight ship it seemed.

"Two weeks ago I received an urgent request of extraction. The time for Orochimaru to switch bodies is approaching, so we sent a specialized team to get Sasuke and Sakura out of the snake den. They arrived just four days ago and have been kept out of the public eye, for obvious reasons. Now, we will bring the two in and they will be exonerated of all crimes. They will be reinstated as Konoha Shinobi and given the rank of Special Jonin. They both were tested in battle and both are deserving. They will be promoted to full Jonin after the required number of missions completed as a leader has been met. If anyone has questions, please ask now before we begin."

A few civilians asked for further clarification, but none seemed to have any unnecessary questions. All but one.

"I have a question, Lord Fifth." Hiashi Hyuga spoke up. All eyes turned to him. "I do not think I, or anyone in this room would need the 'Byakugan' to see the anger and hatred on Young Lord Kenta's face. Is there something else we should be aware of?"

I stared at the man and internally cursed him. EVERYONE noticed, but they kept their mouths shut. Time to blow this door wide open.

"Kenta? You have something to add?" Lord Fifth asked. I cursed him too. He knew damn well.

"Yes, Lord Fifth, I do. Sasuke Uchiha should receive a full exoneration and promotion. Sakura Haruno should be locked up and interrogated as a traitor." I spat out. No beating around the bush.

The muttering broke out and glares were thrown my way. My temper flared, the beast clawing for blood.

"Oh can it, you lackeys. You all used to whisper in the streets on the best way to "kill the demon" when Naruto walked down the streets, and now you want to kiss his ass because of who his father was, the same way you want to kiss the asses of "The New Heroes of Konoha." I snapped. Affronted and offended looks met my snapped reply. Tsume and Tsunade howled with laughter.

Lord Fifth cleared his throat. "Let's not get back into that. Why do you say this, Kenta?"

I straightened. "As many of you know, I am a sensor. I was a natural born sensor, my oldest memories being at 6 years old when I could sense chakra. My powers have grown over the years. I can read an individual and their chakra like a blind man reads braille. Chakra is tied directly to our emotions. Any shinobi can tell you that molding chakra with a calm mind is MUCH easier than a distracted or distressed mind."

Murmurs of agreement met that statement so I continued.

"One of the tricks I picked up, even back then, was reading how chakra reacted to a person's emotions. I could always tell when someone was lying or when they were being truthful. Or at least if they 'believed' what they said was true. Everyone saw my memories about the events that day, did they not?"

Everyone in the room nodded.

"Every single word out of Sakura's mouth was her speaking what she believed to be true. Every traitorous word that came out of her mouth was not meant to sell the act or convince Naruto, myself, or even herself about her decision. She believed everything she was saying. She spewed her disdain for Konoha, you all saw and heard it, and none of it was a lie. Then, to top it all off, she nearly kills Naruto using a power she had no idea how to control or even what it did. Lord Fourth's son was nearly killed, I hope you all realize how lucky Naruto was that his hours of training kicked in and his body simply reacted."

More muttering was met at that declaration. I smirked internally. Sakura was NOT getting off that easy. I didn't blame Sasuke. He was unsure the entire time I engaged him. My decision for him would be based on the man that walked through those doors.

"How strong is your sensing now?" Lord Hiashi cut through the murmurs.

"I can pin point specific emotions based on someone's chakra. It has become so sensitive, that when I focus on my opponent, I can feel even the tiniest shift in their emotional state. It is no longer vague impressions, it is printed in all caps and bold print." I stated calmly.

Lord Hiashi nodded, the gossip started up once again. Lord Fifth let it continue for a few minutes before signaling for silence.

"Kenta, before I make the announcement to the two, would you like to question them and see if there is something you missed with your enhanced sensing? I personally know how sensitive your readings are, and I will take into account your words. Just promise me, if I allow this, you will keep an open mind and not let you anger cloud your judgement." Itachi asked seriously.

I took a deep breath. "I may be angry, Lord Fifth, but I am a professional. If my questioning proves that my initial assessment of Sakura Haruno was inaccurate, I will humbly admit so and apologize personally in front of the entire council."

Lord Fifth nodded and I added in one more sentence. "However, I ask that everyone in this room allow me to do my work. I am highly trained in questioning and interrogation. Please do not interrupt with opinions, questions, comments, anything. Nothing until I say I am done. Can this be agreed upon?"

Lord Fifth decided for everyone. "No one will interrupt. I personally make that promise. If anyone decides to break my promise, punishment will be swift."

"Then I am ready." I said, voice full of confidence.

"Bring them in!" Itachi called out, loud and strong.

The doors opened and in walked the two traitors. I growled to myself, attempting to rein in my temper until I could unleash it with justification. I would snap the trap shut that I personally set up.

Sasuke had hardly changed. His face was a little older and he had grown taller. His hair had slightly grown out, it was now down to resting just above his shoulders. He wore a neutral expression and showed no outward reaction. His chakra was just as solid and calm as his face. Though it did spike slightly in pleasure at seeing his older brother.

Sakura was a different story. Her long pink hair was held back with a simple ribbon and came to a halt at the small of her back. She had filled out over the years, no longer stick thin. She was solid. That was the best way to describe it. Where Sasuke was his usual calm indifference, Sakura was all smiles and waves for people she recognized. The two stopped in the middle of the room and saluted Lord Fifth.

They exchanged quiet pleasantries, Sakura's obnoxious laugh echoing in the silent room. I must have been leaking bloodlust, for they both stiffened simultaneously and turned in my direction. I met their eyes, they met mine. Sasuke stiffened, Sakura frowned. I gave them sarcastic smile and shitty wave and they turned back around to Lord Fifth.

"I see you noticed Kenta. He has been in a rather dour mood all day. Before we officially announce your exoneration, he does have some questions for you two. Please just answer them so we can all move on with our lives." Lord Itachi sighed, his chakra though showed his curiosity and apprehension.

The two turned back to me. Sasuke's face never changing. His chakra was roiling in unease. Sakura gave me a nervous smile, her chakra was in full panic mode.

"I agree, Lord Fifth. I'm getting tense and I would like to stop at the hot springs before I go home." I started off in a nonchalant tone. "Sasuke, why did you join Sakura in her desertion of the village?"

"To keep an eye on her, protect her, make sure she didn't lose who she was, and to keep Orochimaru from continuing his pursuit of me, placing friends and the village in danger." He replied smoothly. His chakra was even, unchanging. He was curious though, and still a little apprehensive. But that wasn't because he was lying.

I nodded. "Sakura, why did you leave the village to willfully join Orochimaru?"

"Because my curse seal needed to be evolved and I wanted to do my duty to my village." She said simply. Fear, Unease, Doubt, Tension, Anger, Annoyance.

"Lies." I said. "Tell me the real reason."

"I just told you, Kenta, I had an opportunity to spy for the village. We didn't know if the seal would actually kill me! It was the best case scenario at the time!" Anger, Annoyance, Tension. The fear and doubt were no longer there. I frowned.

"Were you aware that I was 100% in the know about your mission?" I changed gears. Reading emotions was the art. The annoyance and anger of my doubts could easily erase the feelings of treachery. The fear of being caught.

Sakura looked shocked at that. "No, I had no idea. We were told only Lord Fifth would know."

I shook my head. "He didn't tell me, don't think he betrayed you. I figured it out when he gave me the briefing as the leader. He confirmed so I didn't voice my suspicions and risk compromising you two."

Sakura smiled slightly. "Thank you, Kenta. For believing us at the time even if you didn't agree."

I snorted. "I did believe you, until you opened your mouth when you came out of that urn. Tell me, were you just putting on a show for us, or did you actually believe all the slander you spewed against the village?"

Her chakra spiked, I noticed Lord Hiashi's 'Byakugan' was activated, watching the patterns. "Of course it was a show! We had to sell the story or Orochimaru would be onto us the moment we stepped into his base." Fear, Terror, Uncertainty, Self-Doubt, Apprehension.

"One more time, Sakura. And this time, do not lie to me. I am a Yamanaka." I let the threat hang there. No one outside our clan truly knew what we were capable of besides what we left the world show.

She sighed, her chakra and emotions shifted. Guilt. Pain. Self-Loathing. Acceptance.

"You are right. Everything I said to you was what I believe." Gasps from the audience, but no on broke Itachi's promise. Her emotions shifted. Desperation was the main one. "You have to believe me though, Kenta. I didn't actually mean any of it!" Confidence. Surety. This was the truth. "The entire time I was in that urn, every single negative thought I had in my entire life was replayed over and over. Yes, I felt that civilians were treated unfairly compared to the clan counterparts. Yes, I believed every single word I said at some point in my life. But I promise you, I had been fighting those thoughts for so long. I knew I was being biased. That my thoughts weren't warranted or logical. I knew that opportunities are out there for civilians, they're just not offered as openly as clan kids. And that isn't their fault! They were born into this world holding a kunai. I cannot blame them for how they were raised, the same as the majority of my comrades I left never looked down on me being a civilian! They only looked down on me when I was being a fan girl and an idiot."

"Once I began my training, I was looked at with respect. People saw the hard work I was doing. But you were right, Kenta. The one thing I never let go of was the damsel in distress mentality. I was waiting for my knight to come offer me his hand and take me under his wing. I didn't think it was my responsibility to seek out that extra help. I know that now. Everything you said was right. I accused you of being biased. You have never lied to me or any of your friends a day in your life. But that cursed urn just… amplified all that negativity until I was ready to burst. And then you and Naruto were there before I could even begin to get my bearings and orient myself. Things got heated, the seal was calling to me louder than ever before."

"I truly am sorry for all the horrible things I said to you, Kenta. I know who you are and I know it will take some time to earn back that trust and forgiveness. I will work to repair that bridge, as long as you extend the olive branch and let me try. If you hate me so, then just let me know and we can just move along as nothing more than mutual comrades."

Peace. Acceptance. Hope. Doubt. Apprehension. Confidence. Sincerity. Sakura was not lying, and I believed her. She may have mastered the art of deception, but that is not something many people can do. 1/1000 at the most. And only those sensitive to chakra even have the capability to become even adequate at hiding their emotions from a sensor of my skill.

I wanted to believe her. I had always gotten along well with Sakura. She was a dear friend before all this happened. I still had one more question though.

"Thank you, for that Sakura. I just have one more question before we can potentially begin to move past all this." I said.

She smiled hesitantly and nodded.

"Why did you do that to Naruto? Him of all people? He's the most forgiving, loyal and loving shinobi in the ranks. He didn't deserve that. You almost killed him. Even with his genetics and the Kyubi's healing factor, that hit to the chest would have been dead before he hit the ground." I asked with a frown.

Mind-numbing, world-crushing guilt hit me like a mountain. Self-loathing usually only found in those with sincere suicidal thoughts. There was also the tiniest spark of… something. I couldn't pinpoint it though.

"I couldn't sleep for weeks. I kept dreaming of his face and small, broken body. Every time I looked in the mirror I puked. I hated myself for months for what I did. I used an unknown power on a comrade, a friend, and he nearly died. The agony I put him in only made the thought that 'at least he's alive' make me hate myself even more. To this day I still wake up on a regular basis in a cold sweat. I no longer have the vivid dreams, but his screams still haunt me to this day. I will do whatever it takes to make my words and mistakes up to you. I know Naruto has already forgiven me. I will still spend the rest of my life atoning for that horrendous mistake." She said, eyes swimming with tears. A few spilled onto her cheeks and she began the fight of holding them back.

Guilt settled in my stomach. So, I was the asshole. Lord Fifth kept telling me to save judgement for this day. That my assumptions, just like how my entrance started, could be wrong. He was right.

The guilt intensified, and pain and sorry were at an all-time high. The pride in her power was beginning to take hold.

Wait.

PRIDE?!

I narrowed my eyes and focused every ounce of skill I had on the silently weeping girl.

Guilt, check. Self-loathing, check. Check. Check. Check. There! She WAS proud of nearly killing Naruto with a single punch and… was that VINDICTIVE PLEASURE?!

I snarled. "You almost, almost had me fooled, Sakura." I spat with pure unbridled malice.

Her watery eyes focused on mine, wide and full of faux innocence. "Wh-what do you mean?" she hiccoughed out.

"Tell me, Sakura. When you shattered Naruto's arms in hundreds of pieces, did you not experience a rush or a sense of pride at your new power?"

Surprise. Suspicion. Nervousness.

"Of course not! I would never!" She instead defended.

"No? You weren't proud, even the tiniest little bit at what you accomplished? No? Well then, how about that little nugget of vindictive pleasure?"

Her chakra spiked. Her fear intensified. Her suspicion was giving way to fearful acceptance. She knew that I knew. She was now scrambling.

"N-no! I would never! Not Naruto! He's too good!" She stammered out.

"Poor Sakura Haruno. Overlooked and looked down on for her pathetic behavior. But wait! Sakura is now taking her training seriously! Everyone should be praising her once again. She was kunoichi of the year! Wait! Why are people still glowing about Ami and Naruto? They were nobodies in the academy! Naruto was the class clown, and Ami was Queen Average! Sakura was kunoichi of the year. Her control is already legendary! Tsunade herself personally requested her as an apprentice!" I was spitting venomous accusations. The dread and fear spurring me on as with every word I was stripping away the flowery and fake remorse, showing the world who she truly was.

"Is that it, Sakura? Were you that jealous and petty that nearly ending the career of someone who would NEVER think a bad thought about you was an accomplishment on your part? Were you upset that people praised Naruto was her genius with seals while they forgot about you? Naruto, the kid who everyone thought would shout to the world who his father was if he found out, has never even used his title for a single personal gain. Naruto, who cares nothing for praise, accolades, titles. A boy who simply wants to work hard and have people accept him. You nearly killed him and you were proud of that! Because Naruto isn't as special as everyone says he is. Naruto isn't a genius like Sakura is. Naruto is beneath you and you just proved it!" I shouted.

Her chakra roiled with anger, embarrassment, jealously, HATRED.

"You have no idea what it's like, Kenta!" She screeched. "You, who's always been perfect and always had people stepping over each other to train you. None of you understand the feeling of being looked down on, or worse, forgotten!" Her tears were tears of anger now.

An animalistic roar erupted from my chest. "ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!" I shouted. "Naruto spent his ENTIRE LIFE being hated, looked down on, and SABOTAGED. He was nearly beaten to death at age FIVE because of something he didn't choose or have control over. He has always been alone, Sakura. He has always, been forgotten about. The number of people who genuinely cared for Naruto's wellbeing before he became a Genin could be counted on a single hand! Had you nearly killed me, I would 100% forgive you. I know I'm privileged and I KNOW I'm an asshole. But you're using this excuse to justify your actions against NARUTO! The ONE person in this ENTIRE village that should hate its very existence and would love to watch it burn to the ground. Instead, his love and loyalty for Konoha is second to none."

"I will announce my verdict to the council, because staying any longer and I might just kill this bitch." I called out suddenly, turning away from the pathetic woman. "In regards to her traitorous words she spoke, I find her not guilty. I do believe the urn she was placed in magnified those negative thoughts. Her emotions were conflicted, but the main ones were guilt and regret. She did not speak traitorous words and slander out of personal spite, but due to Orochimaru's influence."

Lord Fifth nodded his agreement. I turned back to the girl, utilizing all the self-restraint I could muster. "In regards to her actions against a fellow konoha shinobi. The attack was not made in hatred or malice. She did not mean to hurt Naruto as badly as she did."

Surprised murmuring met my verdict. Apparently they didn't think me capable of rational thought as I was. They were almost right.

"However, her thoughts and feelings after the attack prove to me that Sakura Haruno is a selfish and cruel person who has become infatuated with her own power. She seeks validation from outside sources and becomes vindictive towards her fellow comrades when she feels as though they are getting more attention than her; especially if she feels her recent accomplishments deserve more praise. Personally, I would not trust my life to her on a mission. I would never be sure if she would truly watch my back if I had somehow slighted her, even unknowingly. I personally feel that she needs to prove her loyalty to her village, AND her comrades all over. Starting from the very bottom." I turned to lord Fifth and bowed. "That is my conclusion, Lord Fifth."

Itachi nodded. "Thank you, Kenta. You've given me much to think about, and you conclusion will help in that decision. Now, befo-"

The door crashed open for the second time and a haggard looking Chunin stepped in. He saluted sharply.

"Forgive my intrusion, Lord Fifth, but I have an urgent message!" He said in a breathless voice. Apparently someone needed to get to training if a run from the aviary was enough to wind him.

"Report." Itachi commanded.

"Sir, Team 10 is requesting urgent backup. They have the trail of Akatsuki members Hidan and Kakuzu. They are tracking and set to engage once word of reinforcements arrives." He saluted once more and stood to wait for command.

Itachi nodded sharply. "Send a reply. Reinforcements are en route. They are NOT to engage until backup arrives. Make sure you highlight that. Go!"

The Chunnin took off.

A knot formed in my stomach. Team 10. Ino…

"I request to be part of the reinforcements for Team 10" A very familiar and gruff voice called out. My gaze slowly found its way to the owner of the voice.

Asuma Sarutobi.

I whipped back to Lord Fifth, interrupting him once more.

"Lord Fifth, who is leading Team 10?!" I asked near panicked. In my sweep I noticed that Kakashi, Kurenai, Guy, Anko. They were all here and accounted for. That left only one man. MY captain. Cpt Genma was strong, Team 10 was strong. Not strong enough to take on two S-Rank threats. Especially because Cpt Genma was the one who warned of us Kakuzu.

"Asuma, you may join. You must be worried for your students." Lord Fifth said.

"Please, Lord Fifth. Why is Cpt Asuma here, who is leading team 10?! They're in danger! Cpt Genma warned us about that Kakuzu guy, and Cpt Genma is S-Rank himself!" My voice was rising, but not in anger.

"Asuma and his team were assigned to investigate an attack on The Temple of Fire. One of their monks was killed and taken. While at the gate, an ANBU informed Asuma that Kurenai had fainted in the street and was rushed to Konoha hospital. She is pregnant, so I recalled Asuma knowing his mind would not be in the right state of mind for such a mission." Lord Fifth explained calmly.

I nodded, but the pit in my stomach was growing denser. "Who was sent in his place, sir?"

Silence was my answer. My dread was spiking at this point. An emotion that I savored in others, was chilling me to the bone. The unease in the room further enhanced my panick. It was Genma, I knew that it was. I caught sight of my Uncle and the dread turned to sheer, unrestrained panic.

"TELL ME WHO THE JONIN COMMANDER OF TEAM 10 IS!" I shouted in hysterics.

Lord Fifth looked me dead in the eye, sorrow swimming just below the surface.

"The substitute Jonin Commander for Team 10, is Inoko Yamanaka."

*Sweats nervously.

Y'all. My heart was pounding (still is) writing that last line. I'm scared for Inoko and Kenta, AND IM WRITING THE DAMN STORY! What will happen?! Find out next time ;)

Chronocidal – Why you gotta call em out like that, huh? I know that RBCs don't have DNA. But I was searching for nearly an hour for something I could add. We got this, and I stretch the truth jjjusstttt a teensy bit. I'm an IT guide, was the rest at least in line with facts/believable?

Also *rolls die. 19! Aello activates the spell Author Armor. "Gain +25 x number on dice with decimal moved one to the right. Any final value over 45 gives the bonus "Make shit up for your story and its true."

25 x 1.9 = 47!

"People who have an active chakra network have a mutation in their RBCs to allow the proper amount of oxygen get to their muscles that they use and abuse more than non-shinobi. These mutated RBCs have DNA.

Fixed it. It's factually correct for my story! :D

Properdecay – I tried to reply back privately, but you must send a lot of troll messages so you have PMs disabled, so I'll call you out for the public to view.

First off, if you truly feel that way about me and my story, then I am happy you have an opinion that you feel strongly enough to share for the world.

It does not bother me if someone dislikes my story. Am I sad? Of course. I want people to enjoy my story as much as I enjoy writing it. But I won't lose sleep over some bad reviews. Everyone is different and we all have our personal tastes.

If you were just trolling me, you gotta step that game up. I have been called every derogatory name for a gay man under the sun. I have had dog shit thrown at me protesting gay marriage back in the day ( I was also spit on :D). I have a scar behind my ear where some homophobes jumped me and my BF at the time leaving a gay club. They broke a beer bottle over the side of my head. (Go figure, it was a coors light, lul)

So being told "You're a smelly person" is basically a compliment.

Thanks for your review either way :D! If you need a hug or someone to talk to about all that negativity, let me know!

Ok, seeya all next time!