Chapter 86: Turbulent Times...

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Ino's / Naruto's POV (Corridors of Iron Arena - Land of Iron)

Ino sighed as she watched Naruto walking away. She knew better than to attempt to free her grabbed wrist. Hundreds of stories of Tsunade bringing down entire buildings with her strength convinced her of the folly of such. Ino felt utterly miserable; her attempt to speak with Naruto had been to make up, but more than that, it had been to apologize even further. She had failed after so boldly declaring her intent to win for Naruto.

It had been so simple when she had decided to take on the mantle of shinobi. Ino had heard tales of Kunoichi's powerful, beautiful, beloved woman. Dainty, precise, and beautiful, it had formed the Kunoichi she had become. Ino had been proud of her social status and superficial beauty had even equated it with power. She had been convinced she was the definition of a kunoichi.

The formation of Team Seven had shattered such a thought. Ino had realized she was no kunoichi, merely some damsel to be saved by her teammates. This had not worked for Ino either, so she had been mentored by Anko. Undoubtedly, it had worked wonders, but it had also opened her eyes to the less glamorous part of being a kunoichi. Anko had told stories of seduction, assassination, and betrayal. Most of which featured all three; she had suggested this was merely a part of being a kunoichi. The conversation had left Ino shaken and cold. Ino had been determined to prove Anko wrong. To prove Kakashi, Naruto, and Neji right, who all seemed to believe in her for whatever reason. Ino had been confident that she could finally say she was a true kunoichi if she defeated Samui. But Ino had failed.

"Hurts, doesn't it?" Tsunade asked as she pulled a scroll from her bosom and unsealed a bottle of sake. "We're supposed to be all beautiful and graceful and deadly, all while not being too much. If we try to be more, they mock us once we fail."

"What are you-?" Ino asked. She was utterly perplexed. What in the world was Tsunade of the Sannin doing here speaking to Ino. What the hell was she speaking of?

"Come on, kid, I imagine I know your pain better than most." Tsunade chuckled humorlessly. "They tell you all your life to be well-behaved, controlled, and beautiful. Likes that all you are worth, you finally prove them wrong, and all they remember is the failure in the end. Look at you stressed out, exhausted, and now emotionally distraught." Tsunade laughed humorously at her silence.

"Don't look down kid; it gets better!" Tsunade said with mock excitement. "Or at least it can be. Mostly depends if you can make the right choice."

"The… right choice?" Ino asked. "What do you mean?"

"Do you know how I became the first S-ranked female shinobi? The only female member of the Sanin? Was it my genius healing? Perhaps my famed strength? Impressive wit? Bust size?" Tsunade ranted. Her voice was very slightly slurred. Ino noted she was somewhat drunk, though she wisely refrained from saying so.

"Um, Lady Tsunade, do you nee-" Ino was interrupted as Tsunade chuckled again, a dry, cold one that slightly unnerved Ino.

"Well, I suppose it was a little bit of all those things." Tsunade spoke to herself, seemingly only speaking to Ino due to an impulse. "But truthfully, it took a certain level of cold and logical thinking. I didn't master it until too late, but you could learn from it."

"Learn from what? What are you talking about?" Ino asked incredulously. "I'm tired and embarrassed, and now I have to hunt down Naruto."

"You shouldn't." Tsunade sounded somewhat sober suddenly. "You need to listen; I'm trying to help you." Ino frowned further at this but decided to stay put. Besides, she didn't like trying to force her way past a Sannin. "See, for women in the shinobi world, there is only one solution to the woes we always face. For instance, Jiraiya of the Sannin, my teammate and one of my closest friends, has loved me for years. I tell him, no, claiming I can't do much after my previous lover's sudden death. But truthfully, I'm almost certain he would provide some level of happiness in his life. I don't engage, though I keep my distance."

"But if you feel the same, why not pursue it?" Ino asked, confused.

"A Kunoichi will never truly find love, Ino." Tsunade replied evenly. "We are destined to serve tirelessly until we give up, be slain, or much worse. I've seen it happen countless times. We are trained to do insidious jobs due to our perceived "nature" and treated as though we are not equals. And should we be foolish enough to be hopeful or to fall in love. The world will remind us of how it works by removing them coldly. That is why a kunoichi like yourself must grow distant and cold. Not emotionless, never emotionless, but never showing her full emotions. You must shield yourself from the trauma to come; only then can you achieve your goal of becoming a true Kunoichi." Ino did not know when a tear started to fall down her cheek, but she felt utterly overwhelmed. Was there indeed no point in becoming a Kunoichi if that would be the future?

"SOUNDS LIKE A TOTAL BUNCH OF BULLSHIT!" A familiar voice roared. Naruto suddenly appeared again in the hall, looking furious and determined as he stomped over. "That is not what being a Kunoichi is about! No one can tell someone else what it means to be a ninja!" Naruto challenged.

"You may not be a kunoichi Naruto." Tsunade said with a smile. "But you know better than even her that my words are true. Did she not blame you for a problem you didn't cause, dedicate her match to you, then lose further shaming your already paltry reputation?"

"No one's perfect! No one can be! All that matters is you follow your own heart and ideals. Closing yourself off only hurts more." Naruto stubbornly answered. "Being distant is something a coward would do. You can only find happiness by grabbing it for yourself."

Tsunade laughed with some actual joy at this. She then crushed the glass bottle of sake in her hand. Notably, no sake dripped from the shattered glass, merely blood. Tsunade whipped her hand back and forth, removing glass and blood and revealing seemingly unharmed hands. "You," She pointed at Ino. "Are already seeing the future for a hopeful kunoichi. It's dark crushing and unrelenting. You," she said, now pointing at Naruto. "Will find out soon enough. But hey, convince her, Uzumaki, that I'm wrong."

Silence filled the room after her sudden encouragement.

Naruto and Ino eyed each other. Neither had faced each other since Ino's regretted words. Ino had never met someone who made her feel so much. She felt shame for disappointing him, excitement to finally see him, and anger she had been rescued by him from the conversation. Ino would not lie; Naruto's stubborn refusal had made her feel better. Yet she had disturbingly heard some truth in it.

'So much on my mind, and now you are here. What the hell do I say?' Ino thought.

Naruto's POV

'Great. I got involved impulsively when I heard Tsunade talking to you like that. Now you're here; what the hell should I say?' Naruto thought as he locked eyes with Ino.

"Listen," Naruto started but was stopped by Ino.

"I'm sorry, more than you know." Ino said sadly. "We have a lot to talk about; I have a lot to answer to. And I really do want to talk about it, but… I just… need time."

Naruto felt a slight pain but nodded his head. "I know what you mean; I kinda feel the same, you know? We are going to talk, though?" Ino nodded silently, hugging Naruto gently before walking away without a word. Naruto waited until she was out of earshot before he continued.

"The hell did you do that for!" Naruto declared angrily. "She already had a lot on her plate, and you went and tried to shake her worldview!"

"Watch your tone, brat. You're lucky you're related to Kushina and the student of Jiraiya, or I'd show you what happens to those who mouth off at me." Tsunade snapped back.

"Who gives a damn who I know?!" Naruto said, grabbing Tsunade's collar with a growl. "My name is Naruto Uzumaki, and I'll talk however I want to assholes fucking with my friends!"

Tsunade smiled sweetly at him. "First, good point. There is no need to judge you off of others. Secondly." With that, she flicked him in the ribs. Naruto spat out blood as he flew back and into the wall hard. 'She nearly broke my ribs!' Before he could race up to attack her in kind, she was standing over him with a hand on his ribs. Naruto froze as he prepared for another painful blow. Instead, the pain faded as he suddenly felt better. He looked over to see the hand touching his ribs glowing. "Alrighty, now that we have established a pecking order, let me speak. Listen, I'm just offering the girl the reality others won't tell her. I know from experience she needed to hear that I was doing you one. Love is something to cherish, but it will always be lost. Better to not love at all, wish I hadn't."

Naruto shoved her off and growled as he stood. "Hell no, I'm gonna live life embracing my loved ones, and before I let them go, I'll exhaust every single option." He countered fiercely.

"You really are like them…" Tsunade spoke quietly. As Tsunade continued, Naruto raised a brow but had no time to comment on it. "How about this brat? Prove me wrong by being promoted to Chunin. If you manage such, I'll offer you much better training than Jiraiya gave you; you'll have the aid of two Sannins. You want that accredited Kage position, don't you? Then, as a Kage-level shinobi, it'd be invaluable. If you don't, however, you must quit your Hokage dream."

Naruto was still determining if he even wanted training from the opposing woman. But he would prove her wrong all the same. Besides, surely a Sannin like her would not have some good jutsu.

"Deal."

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Sasuke's POV (Contestant Section of Iron Arena - Land of Iron)

The Chunin Exams had always been part of the plan. Progression of his shinobi career in the Leaf was a necessity for him. Sasuke needed to become a shinobi with influence, reputation, and connections. One to start the repair of the Uchiha clan and the other to aid his search for the truth of that night. Sasuke had never been one to dwindle. From a young age, he had trained relentlessly, at one time for the respect of his father and older brother, and now to redeem them. So much had he prepared, he had earnestly assumed the exams would've been a farce. Indeed, with his brethren Shisui's aid, no mere Genin could stand before him.

That notion had been disabused shockingly early on. Neji Hyuga had been a fight he had hoped for and even been excited for. While Sasuke had known his reputation, he had assumed he would effortlessly destroy him, poke holes in his style, and prove Uchiha's superiority with ease. Sasuke had won the battle, but Neji had nearly bested him. In the first round, he had a close fight. The Uchiha was confident if they fought again, he would win much easier, but it mattered little. Sasuke had left doubts in their minds. Now, the doubts might grow more prominent. Fuu, the goofy woman, had made Lee seem almost helpless, Sasuke would have undoubtedly struggled against him, yet she appeared unbothered. Kiba wasn't a mighty opponent, Sasuke had bested him before. Yet Gaara had made him look pathetic. Tenten had shown impressive skill and utility, yet Naruto had outpaced and overwhelmed her. Even Samui had seemed impressive to some degree.

It wouldn't stop Sasuke, he would merely have to be prepared for them. His next challenger seemed to be a significant challenge. 'She seems superhuman in every way… but I think I can manage it.' But Gaara would make it to the next rounds. Naruto likely would not be bested by some meager stone shinobi. 'All of my problems are jinchuriki…' He sighed mentally. 'For the Uchiha…'

"Disabling Inner Gaze: Demons Exposed!" Yuno cried with a powerful flex of chakra. The yell, amplified by the mics, broke him out of thinking. 'I'm glad Yuno will never know I wasn't fully paying attention. But why is she using that technique? While powerful, it drains her quickly and limits her from chakra techniques…' He focused on the fight intently as he watched. With an apparent flare of light, Shikamaru was trapped in the genjutsu, and Sasuke debated the odds. 'Shikamaru supposedly is some genius, even so, I've been ensnared by this Genjutsu. It is a difficult one to escape, especially without your own Sharingan. I suppose this is the end. The technique makes you face your biggest sources of stress and plays with all five senses. He's officially helpless.'

At least, that had been what Sasuke had assumed. Shockingly, it seemed Shikamaru had found a counter to Yuno's strongest Genjutsu, even under his effects. Shikamaru somehow seemed able to predict Yuno's movements and attacks. 'Through pure intuition? Yet another challenger to be bested…'

With this impressive feat in mind, Shikamaru managed to stall until he found quite the escape method. His screams were vivid and raw as he used a shadowy hand to crush his own left wrist. Yuno, seeing the desperate gambit, had tried to enforce the end. Yet even when suffering considerable injuries, it seemed Shikamaru kept his head. When Yuno attempted to place a kunai under his throat, she was grabbed by a giant hand of shadows. It crudely smashed the exhausted Yuno into the ground, knocking her out. Yuno needs to work on her stamina, just as Ino did earlier. 'Fear not, cousin, should I encounter the Nara later, he shall also fall.'

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 Kabuto's POV (Unknown Area Underground)

Kabuto was a strange, unpredictable man who had been from the start another orphan created by the never-ending machine called war. Soon, he was used by those of strength in the world. In many ways, Danzo Shimura could be attributed to creating him as he was. Crushing the little bit of stability his life had and ensuring he would never struggle with such a meager consideration like "morals."

"The only love a shinobi needs is the love of their homeland. We live in darkness to ensure the majority can be bathed in light. Rid yourself of your bias and illogical emotions. That is the job of a true shinobi." Danzo had often told him. Kabuto had served due to his interest in Danzo and the sense of purpose it had given him. After a few years, he had found himself a new master. One that was much different than before, and one Kabuto found to be a much better fit.

Orochimaru had proven to provide something Kabuto could not say anyone else ever had. Enjoyment in life, he had shown him such brilliant research. Others would call it inhumane, cruel, barbaric even. They were ignorant, refusing to learn based on subjective distaste. Orochimaru had introduced this ideology to him: nothing was sacred, morality was a political tool, and little else, and knowledge was above all else.

"People spend their whole lives restrained. They are told how to work, live, learn, grow, and even when to die. They bow to the machinations of others constantly. Betraying their very instincts to fit into the role society provides. They lead miserable lives only ended by their pitiful demise. But it doesn't have to be this way. No, for those who aren't foolish enough to be told how to live and when to die. They move for greater purposes, they live based on the most human aspect of man. Their hunger for knowledge is all that is permitted to learn. Join me in becoming wise Kabuto Kukukuku…" Orochimaru had ranted. Most of his men found these rants unnerving, but Kabuto found it exciting.

Sasori had attempted to get him under his thumb. Luckily, he had underestimated both Kabuto and Orochimaru. Soon, he would pay for his attempt… or… would he?

Kabuto inwardly swore as his entire being ached, like he was being crushed into a ball from every direction. The pain made him gasp for air, only to discover he couldn't breathe! He couldn't even see! He attempted to thrash, but this only increased the pain tenfold. As the pain intensified, Kabuto saw stars, and his mind remembered his defeat by Guren and company. They had managed to overwhelm them, and Guren had encased him in crystal, he hadn't panicked. He had prepared a counter to such once Guren had joined. Only for her to continue to cover him in thicker crystal as it sank into the earth. Oh, he had panicked then, curses and threats were promised internally. But none of it mattered. He had been defeated. She had left his head exposed for a moment before burying him. All the better to enjoy her revenge. He had known it would come, he had been the one to kill Yukimaru.

"Sorry, Kabuto, but I couldn't just run off and live happily. Not after you two killed him." Guren had said grimly, glaring hatefully at the imprisoned Kabuto.

"You mean you can't forgive me for killing him. Orochimaru had merely ordered it, I had the pleasure of butchering him myself!" Kabuto roared, vicious and spiteful even at the potential end.

"Touche, just die knowing you failed your master, he will join you soon." Guren said darkly.

"HAHAHAHA!" Kabuto taunted manically. "You could never bitch!"

"No, I could not. Fortunately, Orochimaru had a much bigger problem coming: an attack.~" Sang Guren happily. "~And such poor timing! Orochimaru is weaker for now due to needing a new body soon. Kimimaro and I are both dead, well, one of us anyway. And his most reliable psycho is going to die without his knowledge."

"Wait! An attack?! You bitch, what did you do?!" Kabuto roared, realizing this may be a more significant threat than he had first deemed. But his rage had gone ignored as he sank into the earth.

Kabuto felt the pain grow slightly numb, he knew that meant his brain was shutting down due to lack of oxygen. 'My technique heals me automatically on a cellular level. This will allow me to survive this longer than most. I merely need to create new cells at the same rate they die. But if I lose consciousness even for a moment, I'll likely die.' Kabuto had always wondered if suffocation would be a decent method of killing him. His healing allowed him to survive even the most viscous of injuries, but a constant unending ailment might stand a chance.

He wondered if his parents had ever loved him?

Kabuto flinched at the random thought. It seemed his brain had slowed down significantly even with the healing. It took a lot of work to maintain focus.

Why did everyone use him?

Kabuto had no time for such thoughts! He needed to figure out a way to escape! Orochimaru would need his aid!

Must his death be so pointless?

Kabuto couldn't afford to die, he had barely lived! The constant and intense pain had become muted. His nerves barely were working and were under continuous damage and repair.

How long has it been? Seconds? Hours? DAYS?!

Kabuto tried flexing his chakra, but it was for nothing, the crystal did not budge and even seemed to drain him of some of his chakra. A period of time passed that Kabuto could not identify. Likely, it had been minutes or hours. But it felt like years.

Kabuto missed the pain.