“You’re getting better with disguises.” Shikamaru observed. Currently I’m decked in Anbu gear with short dark magenta hair, two thick dark blue lines across my cheecks reaching inwards to my face, dark gray eyes, a fake scar on my neck, and a cat-like mask on the side of my head.

The tanto blade Kaname gifted me is secured on my side and the ring on my necklace glinted in the light. 

I gave a light chuckle, adjusting my kunai pouch. “Kind of have to be. I’m wanted in many lands.” I shrugged.

I glanced at him as he practiced some more with Asuma’s kunai, doing his damndest to keep steady chakra in it, like Asuma did before.

I’ve been helping him since it’s not so different from my usual style of combat. He’s getting the hang of it, we’ve been practicing since morning. Kid hardly slept as he thought up over a hundred different scenarios to defeat them with his shogi board. 

“You better go gather your team. It won’t be long till the sun sets and we take off.”

I know more or less where those two will be. Despite such little interactions with them, I’ve spent a lot of time with the Akatsuki to get a feel on it’s members.

Well, all with the exception of the leader and this mystery Zetsu. I can’t quite get a read on them, and having not met them yet is also a problem. For now I’ll just avoid them.

After learning from Deidara I’m sure he’ll have another member teach me. That’s how deep his respect for Sasori was. 

Besides, what can I learn from a hot headed psycho and a money gruber sociopath?

Hidan probably is a shitty teacher and Kakuzu only works in his best interests. Besides, I’ve been doing finances since I was a child. So taking them out won’t be too hard on the plan.

“Yeah. What are you going to do?” He asked curiously. It’ll be a couple of hours until night falls and we leave under the cover of it.

And it’s not like I can go along to meet with Choji and Ino since they don’t know this character of mine. 

Instead of answering I bit my thumb and quickly weaved my hands before touching the floor. In a puff of smoke Masaru emerged. “Hello Mistress.” He spoke flying up to me. I held my arm out for him to perch before stroking his feathers.

“Hey Masaru. I need you to do me a favor.” He nodded once without an ounce of hesitation. “Of course, anything for you Mistress.”

I smiled before tying a piece of paper around his leg. “I need you to go to Kaname’s house and give this to Haru and Hawaki.” 

He nodded before glancing around, spotting Shikamaru. “You know, Mistress. With all the men you surround yourself with, it baffles me about your interest in the snake boy.”

My eye twitched. Seriously. What the hell is it with all my summoning Hawks and Sasuke?! Is it because he summons snakes?

Is that it? “Masaru.” I began but he took off, flying out the open door. “I shall deliver this at once.” My temple throbbed lightly. “He ran away.” Shikamaru chuckled at the scene before slinging a bag over his shoulder.

“I’m going to break into the Hokage Tower and look some things up. I’ll meet you at the gates tonight.”

Shikamaru looked at me weirdly. “The Hokage Tower?”

I shrugged before smirking. “Been doing it since I was a kid. Easy.”

He shook his head but a wry smile played on his lips and he turned. “Alright. See you tonight.” With that said I Flash Stepped away, into a familiar vent.

However . . .

“It was so much more comfy when I was nine.” I muttered, crawling towards the grate. This is aggravating. I can’t do much about it, I’m sure renovating the vents for easier access is something Granny won’t permit. 

I made it to the grate and peered in. No one’s in there, and I don’t sense anyone nearby. Should be good.

I easily removed the cover and fell through, landing silently on the ground. My face scrunched at the clutter on the Hokage desk.

“Damn it, what did I say?” I muttered under my breath and went to one of the file cabinets.

I’m pretty sure I saw it once in passing a long time ago. I continued to rifle through until I found it. 

I opened the file and sat down against the cabinet. Ketsuryugan. I never heard of Blood Release before, but Kaname said that it was a flawed branch of the Ketsuryugan.

I was positive I still hadn’t heard of it, and I was kind of right. This file doesn’t have any information on the dojutsu itself. But it has that word in it.

Because it’s a death report.

I’m not sure why Gramps has a death report of her, but it might come in handy.

The woman’s name is Shoko Koga. She was a well known Medical Ninja who did a lot of study on the Ketsuryugan to help with the backlashes of the Kekkei Genkei. She did a lot of field work and made cures to a disease that swept over the Land of Fire about seven years back.

I remember that time. Naruto got sick and he got all sorts of strange rashes. She, along with a few other Medical professionals found a cure and turned it into a vaccine.

However in the midst of her life’s research, she was killed by a patient. It isn’t a lot of information, but I only need a couple things.

In the family section it has; Older brother; Kaname Koga. Deceased husband, Goro - no last name. And next of kin. Saya and Ren Koga. 

Kaname Koga.

That’s him alright. So his niece and nephew are Saya and Ren. When he brought them up, he didn’t say anything at all. But there was a change in his eyes.

It was so brief I was sure I saw wrong because of the alcohol. But what I wasn’t? I’m not going to do anything, just keep this in hand. In case he ever wants to know.

He’s gotten better. Before he was just a man who had seemed to have given up. I’ll keep this in case he wants to find them. 

Alright, next thing. I walked over to her desk, tidying things up a bit before drawing a symbol on a small sticky note. It’s the Uzumaki Clan symbol.

No doubt she’s going to know that Team Ten will leave tonight to exact revenge. And she’ll try to stop them.

Instead of her wondering who I am, it’s good to give her a heads up so as not to blow my cover.

Only Shikamaru and a couple of higher up ninjas know about me. Not any of my friends, nor the Sensei’s. 

Okay. Let’s see what these reports on the desk are about. My eye twitched. Jesus Granny, these are simple things that should have been taken care of immediately. Otherwise it turns into this. More work and a hassle. Not to mention angry people.

And what is this? Ah! More of her damn gambling debt?! You’re the freaking Hokage! How are you this broke?! 

I rearranged the files in order of importance and similarities. Hm? Is that a bottle of sake under her desk!?

Scowling I immediately dumped it into an already dead plant and tossed the bottle. No drinking on the job. No adults have their shit together.

Irresponsible bastards. 

Okay, enough of tidying up the place. I’m gonna lay low by the gates until it’s time. Just in time too. Granny and Shizune just walked in the building. 

I Flash Stepped away, readying for the night.

~

“I see you’ve made it.” I noted, voice different from my own so it fit with the disguise. Night had fallen and the darkness offered coverage to the three who walked towards the gate.

I stood just outside, watching as Shikamaru, Choji, and Ino neared. The other two looked confused at my appearance, not recognizing me. I even had the mask covering my face.

Shikamaru offers a smile. “Yeah. Sorry, did you wait long?” I just shook my head. “Not really.” Choji pointed at me curiously. “Who is she?” He asked his friend.

Shikamaru walked over to my side, gesturing to me. “This is Seiren, an Anbu who I had worked with here and there. She was a friend of Asuma’s who wanted to help.” He explained.

It was the lie we had we made early this morning. It’s not a hard one to believe considering how Asuma was. 

Ino smiled lightly. “Thank you. It’s reassuring that an Anbu will be there to help.” Technically not an Anbu, but I can take on a freak with extra hearts.

So I didn’t respond, merely nodded. “Well, let’s go.” Choji began but I cut him off. “We need to take care of her first. Confusion was on all of their faces until a voice boomed.

“Hold it!” They turned quickly to see Granny Tsunade. “Milady!” Ino exclaimed.

I kneeled. “Greetings, Lady Hokage.” I almost gagged. I’ve never referred to her as such and it feels wrong. But Anbu are respective towards the Hokage so it’s a must. 

She didn’t look happy. No surprise there. “You going somewhere?” She asked, narrowing her eyes on us as I stood. “Your mission directive still stands, right? I’ve just assembled a new team. We’re going ahead with the mission.” Shikamaru was the first to respond.

She walked closer towards us. “Not without my approval you're not.”

She stopped not too far in front of us, eyes locked on Nara. “Shikamaru, you will be assigned to a troop of my choosing. And only when we have a solid plan of attack in place.” She’s sure confident for someone whose office was a complete mess.

Well Nara, how’re you gonna handle her?

“Listen, just send some reinforcements after us. The four of us have already worked out our own strategy. And we have an Anbu, it's a solid group.” Shikamaru explained. The vein on her head throbbed and she moved her arm fast to silence us.

“I’ve heard enough! Asuma is dead. There’s only three of you. One Anbu is not enough.”

Ha. She can’t refute the lie. And based on the nasty glare she’s sending me, she hates it. “That’s not true. Asuma’s still with us. And Seiren will be assisting us.” 

Granny almost sneered. “You’re after vengeance then, are you? This isn’t like you at all. Seiren, maybe, but not you, Shikamaru. Are you so eager to die?!”

What do you mean? I’m not solely on vengeance. I mean I do return favor ten fold, but I’ve never really died while doing so.

Just almost.

Okay, she might have a point but I’m still kicking. 

“We’re not stupid. We have no intention of running straight to our deaths. Believe me. It’s just . . .” He trailed off, struggling to find the right words. “Just what?” Granny demanded.

Shikamaru looked at the lighter in his hand. It was Asuma’s. “We don’t wanna run away and just go on living without fulfilling our duty.” He flicked it open and a small flame cast a glow on his face.

“We aren’t going to live without meaning. That’s why we’re going.” 

Interesting. A smirk stretched across my face but remained hidden behind the mask.

Well, well. You’re not gonna just turn them down after that, are you Granny? “Grow up you three. The shadow of death hands over us all. Some deaths may be harder to accept then others, but unless you can get past that, there can be no future!”

She must be remembering her brother and her lover. She’s still hung up over that, it’s what haunted her greatly when we first met. 

“That is true. But sometimes their deaths are what make the future grow. Asuma’s death might be the spark that carved their future to take down not one, but two Akatsuki members. Members that have terrorized many lands. Death is real. And it’s devastating. But it’s also what makes us stronger and strive for a better future. Isn’t that correct?” She flinched at my words, glaring heatedly at me. 

She grit her teeth. “There’s still only three Chunin, and an Anbu! An Anbu that has not worked this kind of squad mission for years. So a full squad-”

“A full squad should have at least four, with a Jonin familiar with the way.” A familiar voice chimed.

Tch. I didn’t even notice him. I wasn’t paying attention. That was my fault.

Kakashi peered at us, his back against the gate door. “Kakashi-Sensei?” Ino asked. He pushed off and strode over to us. “I’ll take over Team Ten’s leader and go with them. Fair enough?” He asked, hands shoved in his pockets, still as casual as ever.

“Kakashi. What are you-?”

He stopped by her. “It’s no use. They’re just gonna go anyway. I figure you might as well send me along to keep an eye on them. Make sure they don’t go overboard.” He leaned in to whisper that to her, but I still heard.

“Kakashi of the Sharingan and an Anbu familiar with the Akatsuki. Is this still not enough to ensure their survival?” I questioned with a head tilt.

She pursed her lips before staring at each of the Chunin. Sure enough, their determination is unwavering, borderline stubborn. 

But isn’t that the way of the Leaf anyway?

She sighed in defeat, making me smirk. “Alright. As you wish then.” Choji threw his hands in the air as he and Ino cheered.

“But Kakashi-Sensei. What about Naruto?”

It took everything in me not to still at the mention of my brother. He took one hand from his pocket and showed us. Oh, it’s all bandaged

Did Naruto do that? To Kakashi-Sensei?

“Your arm.” Ino muttered. He glanced at it. “Oh. It’s nothing. He doesn’t need me at the moment. Plus, he’s got another squad leader with him now, so . . .” He trailed off with a shrug.

Shikamaru chuckled at that. “Man that guy.”

Yeah. Naruto has always been full of surprises. He’s growing stronger and stronger.

That’s my big brother after all.

“Alright, Team Asuma let’s go.” He stepped in front of them. The three grinned. “Ok!” They all shouted.

Granny looked over at me. “Seiren. Kakashi is to take the lead. But you know what to do. Make sure that they all return.” Her eyes burned, conveying a message.

A message that begged me not to let them die, and not to perish myself. Because she still needs to punish me for making her allow me to take that mission all those years ago.

I nodded. “Of course, Lady Hokage. I swear on my name.”

The Uzumaki name. The one I share with my beloved brother who means the world to me.

It’s not a promise I’ll take lightly.

I might not have been able to save Asuma. But I sure as hell will save his students. Whether it be this mission or from their own sadness. 

That’s the mission after all.

Kakashi looked at me carefully. But I don’t believe he knows it's me. But I’m playing a character that doesn’t even exist in the Leaf. Then again, why question someone who wants to avenge a fallen comrade? 

Kakashi may be one of the most brilliant and strongest Shinobi, but he is someone who can’t stand a comrade dying and there being no action.

He’ll be suspicious. No one can really trick Kakashi, but if anyone can, it'll be his student. And that’s me.

But with all that’s happened, it’s the least of his concerns. 

It’s a good thing I’ve learned different jutsu’s and chakra natures that they haven’t seen yet. So it won’t be hard to hide my identity that way. “Let’s go. We have a lot of ground to cover and a lot to discuss. Tell me of this plan that you all thought of."

Shikamaru agreed and looked over to me. It took me off guard, but I understood.

It had been a while since anyone has looked to me for comfort and relied on me. No one really does, not even Sasuke.

Haru and Hawaki only look to me as the leader of this group. But no one’s needed me emotionally like this since I left the Leaf. 

Besides, I’m not really the one that someone should. But he is. I moved my mask a bit to expose my mouth and smiled, giving him a reassuring nod. He knows. I’m right with him. Every step of the way.

I glanced at the dark forest behind. 

Time to take out some immortals.