Almost two years had passed, and Team 2 was back to its former glory. The missions they were given were becoming more and more complex, but were still within the Genin's remit, the Hokage and their Sensei not wanting to make another mistake.

Mitsuki and Itachi had entered their tenth year, and their growing strength allowed them to be nominated for promotion to Chûnin, accompanied of course by Shinko. As Yûki had told them this great news, they had both left the training grounds before lying down under a tree on a hill overlooking Konoha.

"I would do anything to get you this promotion, Itachi-kun, but... You know... I'm afraid the seals won't allow me to give you enough help to keep up with you..." Mitsuki admitted, disappointed.

"We're a team, Mitsuki. And if you lack the strength, which by the way I doubt, I'll be there to make up for it. We'll get through this together, just like we've always done before. And stop doubting yourself! You're still one of the strongest Genin in our class, without even having access to your true powers. I'm sure if it weren't for those damn seals, you'd surpass me in the blink of an eye, maybe I should thank the Hokage for letting me shine by your side..." Itachi assured her, chuckling at the end of her last sentence.

Mitsuki nudged him lightly with her elbow before gently scolding him:

"Idiot! No one can outshine the great Itachi Uchiha! That said, do you think we'll ever part ways? I mean... You are destined to take your father's place as the head of your clan and the Konoha Police Center... You will surely be asked to perform difficult missions, given your abilities, perhaps for a very long time... And I... I'd probably end up confined to Konoha, under heavy guard, nursing a couple of boo-boos in the hospital at best ..."

"Would you miss me?" teased Itachi, mischievously.

"Tsk... That's all you can think of to say!" nudged him again Mitsuki, blushing brightly.

Itachi burst out laughing at seeing his friend uncomfortable, before regaining his seriousness to reply:

"You're much better than languishing wisely in Konoha, and I think the Hokage knows that. And why would he let you take this test if he's going to lock you up in the village under guard? And your medical jutsu has improved a lot, too few ninja practice it at this level, it makes you a valuable resource on dangerous missions, you know. As for our routes... We are complementary, and have proven it enough. If despite this fate separates us, we will meet again as soon as possible, I promise you."

Mitsuki turned her head towards him, smiling sadly. Silence fell between them, leaving only the sound of birdsong and their disordered breathing. After long seconds, the girl finally broke it, looking up at the sky again:

"We've been through so much together, Itachi. I never really had a chance to tell you, and... maybe after this exam I won't have it much, but you're the person who means the most to me, along with Aruna of course. And I thank you for being by my side these past years, for being my friend when no one wanted me in the village. For encouraging me, training me, supporting me! And for making me who I am today. Life wouldn't have had the same flavor without you."

The wind blew through the leaves of the tree as she dared not turn to the young Uchiha. The latter pinked, troubled, before finally whispering in a breath filled with emotion:

"Thank you."

They stayed like that for a while, without another word, just enjoying each other's presence.

Several days passed, until one morning Mitsuki was training alone in the forest. She'd gone far away from the village to make sure she wasn't interrupted. She hadn't found any other way to keep up with Itachi than to follow these underground trainings.

She sat quietly at first, enjoying a meditation to increase her chakra flow.

As she confronted one of the limits imposed by the seals, she concentrated on manipulating the reserve she had been given to good effect. When she tried to emit a Fûton attack, against the advice of the Konoha talking heads, a cracking sound was heard behind the trees, and she sharply cut off the wind shuriken she had just produced, hoping she hadn't been seen.

"There you are at last, Mitsuki Hata." a voice growled.

Mitsuki froze, searching her eyes for the individual.

"Who are you?" she questioned as she armed herself with her katana.

"Put the weapon down, I am not your enemy. We've been waiting for you all these years young Hata, where have you been?" the voice growled again.

"Show yourself!" intimated Mitsuki, little reassured.

With another crack, a huge gray wolf finally appeared. Mitsuki's hand tightened on the katana. She was alone, and this beast was most impressive. Little by little, other smaller wolves appeared.

"Don't worry Mitsuki Hata. We're on your side," sighed the big wolf calmly.

"Who are you?" repeated Mitsuki, shivering.

"Don't you recognize us? That's right, you were just a baby last time... We are the Hata Pack. We belonged to your mother, and she left us to her daughter, you, so that you could summon us when the time came. We've been waiting for you for ten long years, and finally you're here" the wolf explained, leaving Mitsuki even more confused.

"My mother?" she breathed, loosening her grip on her sword slightly.

"That's right. So you didn't know about the legacy she left you?" the wolf asked.

Mitsuki nodded, making the beast growl.

"Your mother knew that they would do everything to make you completely harmless, so she had foreseen in the contract that bound us to her that you would find us, the day you would need it.

Mitsuki didn't understand anything anymore, the Hata were linked to a pack of wolves? And why did her mother plan this meeting? When she would need it... Was it related to the Chûnin exam? She could have used these unexpected allies years ago...

"We had the order to find you, and it's done. Now it's your turn to prove yourself, to show us that you're worthy of taking over the contract left by your mother" explained the wolf.

"I can't do that..." sighed Mitsuki, causing the pack to grumble again.

"And why is that?"

"Because if they find out that you ... belong to me, that you strengthen me, they'll do anything to eliminate you, just like they do with my powers..."

"Are you a Ninja?"

"Yes..."

"How do you plan to do it without a support like ours?"

Mitsuki abdicated, he was right, her career would be over before it even began if she didn't have a complementary force.

"And how should I prove myself?"

"You put the interests of the pack before your own. You are already acting like one of us. That's enough to convince us to join you as soon as you ask us to," the wolf said happily before bringing a parchment into his mouth and opening it on the ground with a snap of his muzzle."The contract which binds us passes by your blood. You must deposit it in the circle you see there. The mudras that you will have to compose to invoke us will be: Pig-Monkey-Tiger-Sheep-Dog. Don't be mistaken, we are not like these vulgar dogs, even though the incantation is very close."

"Pig-Monkey-Tiger-Sheep-Dog." repeated Mitsuki as she opened her hand before placing it on the circle of the parchment.

"Very well. We'll see each other again soon. I'm glad I finally met you, Mitsuki Hata." the wolf said before disappearing into the forest.

The Genin was stunned by this incredible, short encounter. She was afraid and at the same time it was very timely. Maybe she wouldn't be a burden during the Chûnin exam after all... But what if the Hokage doesn't accept this new advantage? What if he decides to eliminate her, or worse, to execute her pack? She chose to keep the secret, and to use the invocation only in case of absolute necessity. It was a bit painful for her, while it was so exciting to be able to fight on equal terms... But she had to be reasonable, for everyone's sake.

She returned to Konoha with a smile on her face.

For the next few weeks, the Genin trained relentlessly, dreading the highly selective exam. Itachi spent his time training with his father, developing his Sharingan and his Stick more and more. He was already surpassing most of the ninjas of the clan in the art of Genjutsu. Shisui had taken Mitsuki under his wing, at Fugaku's request, being one of the fastest shinobi, but also possessing the most formidable Genjutsu of the clan. He perfected Mitsuki's hand-to-hand attack, improved the perception of each of her senses, and trained her to spot and counter the most tenacious Genjutsu.

"You're amazing," Shisui congratulated her, his Mangekyo Sharingan activated, as she pushed him away for the umpteenth time, "You can make me sweat when you're not even at your best!

"And I'm already out of breath..." nuanced Mitsuki, disappointed.

"You're gaining stamina every day, I can feel it, keep trusting your strength. Come on, one last time!" encouraged Shisui, before launching a Kotoamatsukami.

Mitsuki felt the control of her body slipping away. The cunning one! He was using one of his most powerful techniques as she was running out of strength. He made her disarm herself easily as she tried to fight his Genjutsu. A smile played at the corner of the boy's lips, unmoving, as he mentally instructed her to move towards him. She struggled inwardly, step by step, until she was inches away from him, exhausted. As he himself ended his hold, Mitsuki's legs gave up on her, and he caught her with one arm, a bright smile lighting up his face.

Mitsuki turned red, before throwing him, sarcastically:

"It's ok, you won. End of training."

But Shisui didn't let her go, provoking her, while their proximity seemed to intimidate the young Hata:

"And what do I win?"

The girl's increasingly red face made him light up. She struck him a small blow in the chest before releasing herself from the arms of the boy, who was hilarious. She staggered slightly, sore from their efforts.

"You were hard today, Shisui," she grumbled gently.

"I'll be even harder tomorrow. I fully intend to team up with you one day when you're Chûnin!" teased Shisui again.

"Believe me, if that happens, I'll make you regret your words and all those horrible attacks!" challenged Mitsuki while rubbing her sore wrists.

"I can't wait!" laughed the boy.

They parted a few minutes later, after a short friendly verbal sparring match.

In the following days, Shisui kept his promise, and increased the difficulty of each new training session.

The last day before the exam, Yûki called his team around a meal to force them to relax a little.

"Don't forget that you are a team. It is your strength, but also your weakness. Use each other's advantages while filling in each other's gaps. Your current training allows you to be effective in any situation that comes your way. Stay confident, and stay together. With these good words, bon appétit! And take advantage of your evening to make a little the emptiness in your spirits! " Yûki motivated them, confident, before attacking his grills.

They enjoyed themselves, exchanging vividly on their new skills, unable in the end to speak about other things than their future Ninja.

The next day, they joined the other teams from all over the world in an administration building with a heavy heart. Mitsuki couldn't help but take a moment to think about her old team, and imagine how things would have been with them. No doubt Tomomi would draw attention to him, while Soga would try to keep him quiet... A tall Jônin from Konoha, his face streaked with large scars, interrupted his ramblings as he made his entrance, looking austere:

"I am Ibiki Morino. I am in charge of Konoha's interrogation and torture section, and I might as well tell you that outside of this day, you would rather not cross my path. You will advance in teams into this airlock, where you will follow the instructions that will be given to you. The outcome of this first test will determine your continuation, or not, in this examination. Good luck."

As Ibiki turned to enter the famous airlock, discussions rose in the ranks. Bets were being made as to the content of the exam. Some of the older Genin, having attempted the exam several times, were trying to intimidate the novices. There was a tension that could be felt as most saw this exam as a competition.

"Itachi, Shinko, what do you think they're going to ask us in there?" asked Mitsuki, worried.

The other two shrugged, silently examining the participants around them. The three of them remained quiet and unobtrusive, without consulting each other, feeling that it was better to keep their abilities a mystery for the time being.

"Hey, isn't that the cream of the Uchiha clan?!" exclaimed a Genin from Konoha.

Missed... Whispers were going around, even in the ranks of the other countries, Itachi Uchiha's reputation was well known. Sensing what was coming next, he positioned himself in front of Mitsuki, hiding her from the crowd, in order to prevent them from overreacting about the young Hata.

"But yes! Do we accept them in the cradle now?" laughed another ninja, in front of Itachi's still childish face.

"Laugh if you want, but I'd rather not face him in a test!" a Genin from Iwa village worried.

"I've heard that he has the power to make you eat dandelions by the roots with his eyes alone," gossiped a Suna ninja, stirring up trouble around her.

As the conversation grew more heated, they were called to enter the airlock. Itachi was always careful to hide his friend's identity, with the help of Shinko, who was now used to his young colleague's presence, and who had understood his concern without even glancing at him.When they were finally calm, an examiner with a deep and extremely cold voice announced to them:

"Meet each of you in one of the three rooms in front of you."

After a knowing and determined look, the three Genin complied.

Mitsuki entered a dark and scary room. There was only a table and a chair. She approached the table and saw a sealed scroll on it. Was it new instructions for the rest of the test? What if she shouldn't touch it? She chose to sit down and wait a few moments to see if someone would come and explain the procedure.

As the minutes ticked away, she finally chose to unravel the scroll. On it was written the word "Earth" and an instruction to keep this information secret. Mitsuki thought very quickly, not knowing what would happen next, and as a door opened, she put the scroll in her mouth and swallowed it in one go, making sure no one would get it back.

"Mitsuki Hata," a man pointed at her and walked over to her before closing the door.

He turned on a thin light, just allowing the girl to recognize the scars of Ibiki Morino. She just looked at him in silence. As he sat down in front of her, he started to talk about her, revealing her age, her history, her affinities. Mitsuki was uncomfortable, but kept her head down so Ibiki wouldn't notice.

"You are well surrounded, Mitsuki Hata," he said, waiting for an answer.

"That's right," Mitsuki answered summarily, not understanding what he was getting at.

"In order for you to get through this ordeal, I'll need to know what was on your scroll," Ibiki simply asked.

Mitsuki frowned for a moment, still not understanding.

"I don't know." she sighed, knowing she was a bad liar.

"Come on, Miss Hata, I'm the examiner of this test, we can't do anything without that information." the scarred man insisted calmly.

"Unfortunately, as I told you, I don't know anything about it," Mitsuki persisted calmly.

"Don't take me for a fool, why did you make it disappear if you didn't read it?" the examiner raised his voice slightly.

Mitsuki just shrugged her shoulders to support her ignorance.

"Miss Hata, I'm warning you that we're not leaving this room until you give us the information we need to pursue you," Ibiki grumbled, seeming to lose her temper.

"Okay." laughed Mitsuki, trusting her patience, and sensing that the order not to reveal the word of the scroll included this man.

"I'm not sure you'll find this amusing any time soon," Ibiki threw out, an evil smile on his lips.He stood up and composed some mudras, turning the room into what looked very much like a torture chamber. Mitsuki shuddered, but quickly pulled herself together as she thought of her companions for whom she had to care in order for them to have a chance to become Chûnin.

"Well, Miss Hata, since you seemed to be in a playful mood..." Ibiki said with a sneer before summoning chains that caught the girl's wrists in surprise.

"What was the word contained in the scroll?" asked the man again, arming himself with a telescopic handle.

Mitsuki didn't say anything, Ibiki then passed the handle over the girl's bare thigh, before sending a heavy shock, causing her to cry out in pain.

"What was the word contained in the scroll?

"I don't know." said Mitsuki, her breath taken away again by a shock.

"It's a pity to have to ruin that nice smooth skin," Ibiki laughed, sending another shock without waiting.

The minutes seemed like hours to Mitsuki, but she didn't let go, thinking only of her companions who surely had to do everything to pass the test.

"Well, since physical pain doesn't affect you, let's try something else..." sighed Ibiki.

The light intensified, revealing a window, behind which Mitsuki recognized her best friend, obviously badly injured, judging from the bruises on his face usually so soft.

She held her breath, feeling her heart racing in her chest.

"I'll ask you one last time, Mitsuki Hata. What was in that scroll?" the examiner whispered in her ear, making her shiver again.

"I...don't know." Mitsuki persisted, apprehensive about what to do next.

As she kept her eyes on her friend, a man appeared behind her and shot Itachi.

"NO!" Mitsuki screamed, unwillingly breaking the glass in her voice as her eyes suddenly turned red.

It was impossible! They wouldn't kill one of them in cold blood to pass a stupid exam! A tear rolled down Mitsuki's cheek as her eyes returned to normal. But of course! That was impossible! She pulled herself together and bit the inside of her cheek hard, before spitting out some blood, glaring at Ibiki Morino as the illusion around her faded away.

"Congratulations Miss Hata, you've passed this test" he congratulated her as the door from which he had arrived opened.

Mitsuki breathed a sigh of relief before rushing out of the room. Outside, his companions were waiting for him, obviously nervous. Itachi stood up suddenly when he saw her and grabbed her as she threw herself into his arms.

"You're okay!" she said happily.

"Of course I'm okay! It's not a simple Genjutsu that will defeat Itachi Uchiha!" laughed the boy.

"You were long. We thought you'd failed." Shinko pointed out, clearly annoyed.

"You thought you did." grumbled Itachi, "I knew she would! Are you okay?"

Mitsuki nodded, a little ashamed that she hadn't detected Ibiki's delusion sooner after all that time training with Shisui.

"He'll be proud of you," Itachi said, as if he could read her mind.