I was walking around the village when I sensed a familiar chakra. I ran in the direction it was coming from and saw Kakashi-sensei, Asuma-sensei, and Kurenai-sensei.
As Sasuke arrived, the chakra disappeared. I climbed up a building to try and locate it again. It took me a while, but when I did, I started running in that direction.
While running, I heard someone call my name. I turned to see Naruto, with a big smile on his face.
I dropped down from the building, asking, "Oh hey Naruto, what's up?"
He chuckled and said, "I'm going on a training trip with Pervy Sage, who's going to teach me a jutsu even stronger than the Chidori! It'll make me even stronger than you and Sasuke!"
Grinning, I replied, "I'm not going to let you surpass me that easily!" We fist-bumped and said goodbye.
Continuing to run towards the chakra, I stopped when I noticed it disappeared.
It had been a week since Naruto left, and I was training alone in the forest when I turned around and pointed my kunai at someone's neck. Seeing who it was, I put my kunai back in my pouch and slightly bowed, saying, "Sorry, Lord Danzo, I didn't know it was you."
Danzo ignored my apology as he asked, "Were you able to learn the sealing jutsu from the scrolls I gave you?"
I smiled and replied, "Yeah! They were a lot of help, thank you." Danzo's expression turned even more serious as he said, "I would like you to join the ANBU."
My smile disappeared as I asked, "The ANBU? Why me? When I asked to join before, you said the ANBU wasn't a joke and walked away from me."
I sat down on a rock, pouting; he had taken my words like a joke last time, called me unqualified, and now he wants me to join, seriously? There's no way I'd join now.
Danzo sighed as he said, "You're a very talented ninja. You can become stronger if you join the ANBU rather than stay in your current position. And you can better protect the village with those skills if you join the ANBU."
"Flattery isn't going to do you any good."
I could tell he was getting annoyed but right now he was trying to gain my favor so he could only try and hide it.
"I heard what happened with the chunin exams. How everything went wrong. How much help were you... Hinoka?"
I froze my memories going back to that day, then to the forest of death; I wasn't any genius, sure, slightly smarter than most people, but when it came to fighting, when things got truly hard, I'd have to rely on Yukino.
"I-" I stopped.
"Hinoka, you know I only want the best for you; I always have and always will," Danzo said. "I've always taken care of you, haven't I?"
"Yes." I replied, standing up and walking towards him, "I want to become stronger, strong enough to protect the people I love."
I bowed, "Please help me, Lord Danzo."
Danzo smiled as he replied, "Of course. You shall begin in two days."
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