Chapter 31: Deal with the Devil

That night, I didn't even bother going to sleep. Ever since I left the Hokage's office, I headed off into my apartment, and started meditating. I needed a lot of chakra for this plan to work. I spent the entire night manifesting chakra. By the time morning came, my entire apartment was filled with green chakra. Thanks to my training, I've learned to hold all of in so that I won't be walking around like a green torch. Once I saw the sun's rays seeping into my room, I knew it was time.

I headed out of my apartment, making sure to transform and suppress my chakra, and headed for the Hokage's office. "Good morning!" I called cheerfully as I entered his office. He looked tired, like he was up all night. "you're as cheerful as ever…" I giggled slightly, feeling bad that I kept him up all night. "sorry if I worried you yesterday. I just knew that if I didn't tell you, you'd never let me go through with my plan." He went back to looking out the window. Maybe I over did it with the scaring yesterday. He's probably terrified. I walked over to him, placing my hand on his shoulder. "Don't worry. I promise that everything will be alright. I will protect my loved ones until my last breath." He looked over at me and smiled slightly, patting my head. "I don't doubt that."

We waited for a little bit in the office until it was finally time. we walked over to the arena together, both of us focused on our goals. We stopped in front of the door and he turned to look at me. I dropped the transformation and got ready to go in. "ready old man?" he nodded and we walked in.

The genin that were standing in the middle turned and looked at us. They all gasped and stared. I looked over at Naruto, who was looking at me with wide eyes. I smiled at him slightly and winked before going back into my serious face. The hokage stood in the middle with me next to him. There are so many people… I need to keep it together. My nerves were starting to kick in and I felt like my stomach was bubbling. The hokage apparently noticed this and placed his hand on my shoulder, giving me a reassuring smile. I promised him I would do it. Kakashi even vouched for me. I'm going to do this. I got this! I smiled back at him and looked at the silent staring crowd.

"welcome everyone to this year's final stage of the chunin exams! Genin from all ninja villages have competed and now only the best remain. Today they will fight to showcase their strengths and get the chance to be given the title chunin." He stopped for a second to let the crowd cheer and looked over at me. I nodded, preparing myself for what comes next. "these chunin exams are also special for another reason. Today, you are all going to witness history." He stopped again, making the crowd silence in suspense. Wow, the guy knows how to give a speech. I'll give him that. "Today is officially the last day for the leaf under the third Hokage's rule." Gasps could be heard from the crowd as people turned to each other and started whispering. "after today the village is no longer in my supervision, but in my successor's. People of Konoha, let me introduce you the youngest village leader and the fifth hokage, Elle Candel!" I stepped forward and bowed to the crowd. Everyone was so silent you could hear a pin drop. Anytime now…come on. "HOW IS THAT LITTLE BRAT SUPPOSED TO BE HOKAGE!?" and with that, the crowd erupted into angry screams. I smirked at the hokage slightly and began the show.

With one burst, I released my chakra suppression and let it all roam freely. Within seconds I was surrounded by green chakra, roaming around me and filling up the arena. "SILENCE!" I said with my chakra enhanced voice. It echoed around the arena making everyone silent instantly. Secret technique: chakra field! Using my jutsu, I pushed myself up off the ground till I was floating a good 20 feet into the air. I looked the most intimidating and serious I can look. "As Hokage, I will put my life on the line for all of you. All I ask for in return is respect." Taking a page from the old man's book, I paused slightly. "If you know me you know I am forgiving and understanding, but I will NOT tolerate any disrespect in this village. Whether to me, or anyone else…Understood?" I asked my voice ringing strongly in everyone's ears. Everyone seemed to be silent, looking at me in either awe or fear. I smiled softly at the crowd and in continued in a way softer tone. "good." I descended back to the ground slowly and released the jutsu, suppressing my chakra again. with that, me and the hokage left the arena to head for the hokage stand.

Once we were out of sight, I released a deep breath. The hokage was looking at me impressed. "You did great, child." I smiled at him slightly before I returned to serious mode. "thanks old man. For now, I need you to go into hiding. If anything goes wrong, I'll contact you." he nodded and poofed away, leaving me by myself. ok, now for the hard part. I transformed into the hokage and hid my chakra. Come on Elle! you got this girl, Go! I took a deep breath and walked into the hokage stand. Next to me stood the one and only, Orochimaru, in disguise of course. all eyes were on me as soon as I stepped out. One of the council men approached me quickly. "lord hokage, what is.." I raised my hand in his face, interrupting him. I then pointed to the arena; the first match was starting.

The crowd soon forgot I was there and directed all their focus on Naruto's match. Secret technique: mind invasion jutsu! This time the jutsu was way easier since my subject was standing right next to me. I needed to start the hard part before Garaa's fight even began. "Hello, Orochimaru." I put as much attitude into my voice as possible. If he noticed any inconsistencies with the way I was acting he would get suspicious. "well, if it isn't the fifth hokage…I must say, I am impressed little snake." I scoffed slightly, giving an air of arrogance. "you shouldn't have doubted my abilities for a second. After all, if you have the right knowledge, you can offer many things, for the right price of course." He smirked slightly next to me, still staring at the fight. "What does the little snake have to offer?" I stayed silent for a minute, thinking of the perfect way to phrase this. "well, my services of course. With my knowledge, what can't I offer?" I could hear his laugh echoing in my head. "Now why would the hokage want to offer her services to me?" I laughed mimicking him as close as I could. "oh this whole hokage façade will be over in a couple weeks. Then, I will be leaving this wretched place." He hissed slightly. "and I will take you in once you do so, but I assume there's still the price we have to settle." This whole conversation has led to exactly where I wanted it. "that will be your retreat. Stop the invasion before it even starts. No offense snake lord, but this is a dumb idea that will grab attention to you for no reason. The only thing you'll get out of it is losing all of your precious jutsu." he stopped talking for a couple of seconds. "have I been wrong yet?" I asked, pushing him to agree. "you do have a point little snake. We have a deal. Try to break it and it'll cost your life." I laughed in his head maniacally. "I know better than to break a deal with the devil." And with that I ended the jutsu.