Izumi returned to the moon, the silver ring clasped loosely in her hand. She tossed it up, caught it, and slipped it onto her finger before glaring at it with disdain. Then, as if annoyed by its presence, she removed it and let it fall. Picking it up again, she scrutinized the ring carefully.
"When I used to read manga," she mused aloud, "I thought every member of the Akatsuki Organization was incredible—each one so stylish, so cool. But now that I've grown too strong myself, that excitement has faded. Maybe it's just because I was younger back then... It seems like as you grow up, you gain some things but lose others."
She shook her head and dismissed the thought. "Forget it. It's come to this point, and there's no use dwelling on such trivial things anymore."
Her gaze hardened. "This Ninja World… I will destroy it."
Raising her palm, a gray bone suddenly emerged, as if conjured from nothing.
"All-Killing Ash Bones!" Izumi commanded.
With a sharp whistle, the bone shot forth from the entrance of her palace, speeding into the vastness of space. It struck a nearby meteorite, disintegrating the rock at the point of impact. The gray bone crumbled into ash as the meteorite itself began to turn to dust, the decay spreading until the entire celestial body scattered into cosmic fragments.
Izumi stepped out of the palace, spreading her arms wide as laughter echoed across the lunar surface. "Hahaha! This is true power! The might of Ōtsutsuki Hamura flows through me—I've obtained both the Reincarnation Eye and the Dead Bone Pulse. With these abilities, there's almost nothing left to fear in this world."
Her expression turned cold as she contemplated the future. "Those two brats will threaten me eventually. Since that's the case, I'll eliminate them first. That way, I'll have even fewer worries to deal with."
Without hesitation, Izumi activated her Kamui to cloak herself, vanishing from sight. Using the Flying Thunder God Technique, she instantly teleported to the Hidden Leaf Village.
Izumi appeared at the doorstep of Uchiha Sasuke's residence. She slipped inside quietly and looked down at the sleeping boy. Like herself, Sasuke had lost his family and lived in solitude. Yet, he was one of the protagonists in this world, one of the heroes who had sealed Ōtsutsuki Kaguya.
However, even after all that, the Ninja World had not changed for the better. The cruelty persisted. Other ninja villages, cowed by Naruto's military might, dared not resist Konoha's dominance. Instead, they turned their hostility towards smaller villages, oppressing the weak.
The Land of Rain, for instance, had only become poorer and more miserable. Naruto had failed to improve the Hidden Rain Village's circumstances after becoming Hokage, breaking the promise he once made to Pain.
Still cloaked by Kamui, undetectable by anyone, Izumi raised her hand, slowly reaching toward Sasuke's peaceful face.
Suddenly, a terrifying, oppressive gaze bore into her.
"What?!" Izumi startled, immediately withdrawing her hand. Her face turned grim as she realized the source of the gaze.
"This… this isn't from any strong person of the human world. This gaze is from the Pure Land."
"Tch!" Izumi gritted her teeth. "Ōtsutsuki Hagoromo… you old man. Even after death, you still interfere with the human world."
Her eyes morphed into the Reincarnation Eye, locking onto the gaze as she engaged Ōtsutsuki Hagoromo in a spiritual clash at the boundary between the present world and the Pure Land.
The two forces collided, causing Izumi's body to sway under the immense pressure. For a moment, the power between them remained balanced.
But then, slowly, Izumi began to lose ground. Hagoromo's power overwhelmed her, pressing her down.
"Damn it! I'm not afraid of you!" Izumi shouted fiercely, pouring all her spiritual energy and chakra into resisting his strength.
Suddenly, something changed on her face.
Slender bone spikes burst through her skin, growing rapidly. Ink lines spread across her cheeks and forehead, forming tiny, distorted faces—faces of those she had devoured.
"What?!" Izumi gasped, panic flashing in her eyes. She immediately retracted her power, vanishing from the spiritual battlefield and reappearing in a deep canyon.
Gripping her face, she saw that her body was no longer fully under her control. The bone spikes and ink lines continued to emerge uncontrollably, the tiny faces etched by the ink distinctly those of her victims.
"This… I didn't expect this to happen!" she murmured, horror creeping into her voice.
A sudden cough forced her to spit out a mouthful of blood. Wiping it away, she kicked a nearby rock in frustration.
"Can the Rinnegan actually detect my Kamui?" she growled. "Damn it! And is that old man really stronger than me? Is the Reincarnation Eye's power inferior to his? That's right… Ōtsutsuki Toneri couldn't even defeat Naruto, who only possessed Yang Release and the Nine-Tailed Fox."
She clenched her fists tightly. "Damn it! I've overestimated my own strength. Without the full power of Divine Ink, I'm no match for Ōtsutsuki Hagoromo. It looks like I have no choice but to cultivate faster."
Looking down at the barren ground, she chuckled darkly.
"However, you've lived for so long, and so will I. Sooner or later, I will surpass you."
"Very soon. Once I reach a certain realm and grow stronger, that will be the day I defeat you. But when I faced him just now, I realized a serious problem within myself. I need to handle the hidden dangers in my body first."
"I almost suffered a cultivation deviation, but luckily I detected the problem early! Ōtsutsuki Hagoromo, I have you to thank for that."
Returning to her palace on the moon, Izumi clutched her head, troubled.
"I've devoured many people recently, and they carry a lot of negative energy and grievances inside them. If I don't properly refine and resolve those, they'll become hidden dangers."
"Plus, because my power is already great, my cultivation speed has accelerated rapidly. I must stabilize my realm and consolidate my strength."
She set up a complex formation around the palace for protection and sat cross-legged at its center, closing her eyes to cultivate deeply.
Meanwhile, in the Pure Land, Ōtsutsuki Hagoromo's eyes remained fixed on the distant moon.
"This little girl is more formidable than I expected," he murmured. "I didn't think she could become this strong so quickly."
"Although she is my descendant, her rapid growth could create unforeseen variables. Unfortunately, I cannot descend to the mortal world at will—doing so could disrupt the natural order."
"After my younger brother returned to the Pure Land, he refused to interfere with the world below. If he had acted, this girl's troubles could have been resolved easily."
"But it's not yet my time to intervene either. If the worst happens, this girl could serve as a backup candidate for Mother's descent."
"Regardless, she is no match for me. I did not even unleash my full strength earlier."
"Though she knows Sage Mode, a few years of cultivation cannot surpass my many decades."
He smiled faintly.
"Still, she cultivates something beyond Sage Mode—immortal cultivation techniques."
With that thought, Hagoromo ceased focusing on Izumi and turned his attention back to Black Zetsu and his two descendants, his expression calm but watchful
Years later, the much-anticipated Chunin Exams were underway. Ninja from various nations had gathered in the Land of Fire to take part in this prestigious tournament. But this was no ordinary test of skill. The Chunin Exams had become a grand event—a stage for the different countries to showcase their national power and the strength of their shinobi.
The first stage—the written exam—had just concluded. Many teams had passed, demonstrating their intelligence and tactical awareness. Now, the second stage was about to begin in the infamous Forest of Death, a treacherous expanse known for its deadly terrain and lurking threats. Despite the peril, a growing number of ninja teams successfully passed this stage, proving their resilience and combat prowess.
Among the successful were the infamous trio from Otogakure—the Hidden Sound Village. Though they had passed the test, their hearts burned with resentment. During the forest stage, they had been defeated by Uchiha Sasuke, a loss they had not forgotten. Their anger was compounded by the fact that their leader, Orochimaru, had explicitly ordered them to capture Sasuke alive. Now, thirsting for revenge and eager to deliver their prize to their master, the Sound ninja prepared themselves for their next encounter with Sasuke's team.
As they waited for Sasuke, Naruto, and Sakura to approach, Kin Tsuchi, the long-haired girl of the Sound trio, stood restlessly. "I'm going to the restroom," she announced, her voice laced with annoyance. "I wonder if there will be any strange exams coming up."
Dosu Kinuta, the burly male member of the trio, scowled, his voice dripping with disdain. "Tch. This is such a hassle!"
Kin Tsuchi snapped back sharply, "Women can't just go anywhere to relieve themselves like you men! And I haven't even settled the score with you for attacking me in the forest!"
Dosu smirked, mocking her. "Hehe, that's because you're weak and fell for the enemy's genjutsu!"
"You!" Kin Tsuchi was about to retort, but Sakon, the third member, quickly intervened. "You two bickering over petty things? Don't embarrass the Sound Ninja Village!"
The two grudgingly fell silent. Dosu resumed his watchful gaze toward the arena entrance while Kin Tsuchi stormed off toward the restroom.
But alone, Kin Tsuchi's tough façade crumbled. Beneath the bravado and biting words lay a vulnerable girl—one desperate to prove her worth to Lord Orochimaru.
She was painfully aware of her own weaknesses. Compared to Dosu and Sakon, she was the weakest member of the trio. Unlike many elite ninja, she possessed no bloodline limits or special kekkei genkai. She was a civilian ninja by birth, and her strength paled in comparison to the powerful Sound Four.
Being selected for this Chunin Exam was her chance—her only chance—to prove she could serve Orochimaru with honor. But as she saw stronger opponents emerging one after another, doubt gnawed at her. Could she really stand among these fierce competitors?
With a heavy sigh, Kin Tsuchi was about to leave the restroom when suddenly, a woman dressed entirely in black collided with her, knocking her off balance.
"Oh my, I'm so sorry! Are you alright?" The woman's voice was soft and pleasant. Kin Tsuchi's gaze snapped upward, immediately noting the other woman's striking beauty.
Her skin was pale and luminous, unlike Kin Tsuchi's own wheat-colored complexion, stirring a pang of envy within her. The woman had a tall, elegant figure—slim where it counted, yet curvaceous in all the right places—a true beauty. Long, glossy black hair cascaded almost to her feet, resembling Kin Tsuchi's own, yet exuding a captivating allure that even Kin Tsuchi, as a woman, admired.
But there was something about this woman's smile that unsettled Kin Tsuchi. Despite the warmth in her expression, a strange feeling prickled at her senses—something was off.
Just by looking at her, Kin Tsuchi knew this woman was no ordinary ninja. She felt an undeniable aura of power radiating from her, one that sparked awe and jealousy all at once.
"I'm fine," Kin Tsuchi replied, trying to shake off the uneasy feeling.
Suddenly, her pupils dilated sharply, alarm flashing in her eyes.
"No! There was no sound! How did she move without a sound?" Kin Tsuchi turned swiftly to face the woman, now on full alert—but before she could react, her legs gave out beneath her, and she collapsed to the floor.
As darkness closed in, Kin Tsuchi faintly heard the woman's words.
"Oh my, you're really lucky to have bumped into me."
"Damn it!" Kin Tsuchi cursed through fading consciousness. She saw the woman's feet moving closer and closer before the world went black.
Moments later, Kin Tsuchi's body stirred as she slowly stretched and regained consciousness. The woman's words echoed faintly in her mind.
"This little girl's body is really weak."
Kin Tsuchi gathered herself and made her way back to the team.
Dosu scoffed as she returned. "You're so slow!"
Kin Tsuchi ignored him and replied confidently, "There's still plenty of time. Sasuke won't get away from us."
Dosu's eyes darkened as he thought back to the humiliations Sasuke had inflicted on him. The ache in his arms from their last fight still lingered.
Kin Tsuchi silently smiled to herself, licking her lips with anticipation.
Soon, Sasuke, Sakura, and Naruto arrived at the exam's finish line. A crowd of spectators, including instructors, Anbu ninja, and even the Third Hokage, had gathered to watch.
"Hehehe, they're here!" some whispered excitedly.
Kin Tsuchi paid no attention to the murmurs around her. Instead, she analyzed the opponents quietly, speaking to herself.
"Genjutsu and taijutsu are her strengths," she mused, eyes narrowing. "Her chakra nature is Earth and Wind. She's skilled with senbon—long needles..."
The atmosphere grew tense. The head examiner, Gekkō Hayate, observed the large number of examinees and decided to cut the participants in half to keep the competition fierce and manageable.
However, Yakushi Kabuto's sudden withdrawal from the exams caused a furrowed brow on the Third Hokage's face. Kabuto's history of multiple abrupt exits raised concerns about his true intentions.
With the crowd hushed, the combat matches were announced one by one on the large screen.
Kin Tsuchi's heart pounded as she scanned the names.
"Who am I facing?" she wondered anxiously. "Sasuke's opponent can absorb chakra, right? Who will be my opponent?"
She considered her options. "Rock Lee with his Eight Gates… Gaara… or should I 'take care' of Sasuke myself?"
"All tempting," she murmured.
"But fighting Gaara would cause too much of a stir… Lee and Sasuke remain…" Her eyes gleamed with cunning.
"I've got it."
Kin Tsuchi smirked and then suddenly stopped, focusing intently.
She stared up at the screen as two names appeared in bold:
Uchiha Sasuke VS Kin Tsuchi
The first match would pit her directly against Sasuke.
A hush fell over the audience as all eyes turned to the unexpected pair.
Orochimaru watched from the shadows, eyes gleaming with interest. "This one is the weakest pawn I've sent out this time—not nearly as strong as the others. I wonder if she can force Sasuke to use the Cursed Seal."
"If she fails… no matter. They're all disposable, whether they win or lose."
Sakon muttered enviously, "You're so lucky."
Dosu sneered. "Hmph! Luck always favors the weakest."
He saw Kin Tsuchi ignoring him and growled, "Hey! You—"
All he received was a cold glare from Kin Tsuchi, which stopped him dead in his tracks. The aura she radiated was terrifying—so intense it made him tremble involuntarily.
Sakon eyed Dosu's strange reaction and whispered, "Who exactly is she?"
Kin Tsuchi ignored them both, striding confidently toward the arena.
Sakura exhaled in relief. "Good. It's her. We've met before. Sasuke should handle this easily, right?"
"Hmph, of course," Sasuke said coolly, touching the Cursed Seal on his neck. It was a slight nuisance, but a fight with a woman was nothing to fear.
He leapt down into the arena and faced his opponent.
The Chunin Exam had officially begun
Gekkō Hayate stood at the edge of the arena, his gaze sharp and unwavering as he watched the competitors prepare. The atmosphere was thick with anticipation. The crowd hushed as he raised his voice to announce the next match.
"The first match will be Uchiha Sasuke versus Kin Tsuchi! Any objections?"
Neither fighter nor spectators raised any dissenting voices. The two opponents nodded in agreement, signaling their readiness.
Uchiha Sasuke's face was stoic and focused, betraying none of the turmoil inside him. Opposite him, Kin Tsuchi's lips curved into a faint, confident smile — a smile that hinted at her hidden strategies.
"Then, let the match begin!"
Without hesitation, Kin Tsuchi swiftly threw a volley of senbon needles adorned with tiny bells, their delicate chimes echoing as they spun through the air. In response, Sasuke reacted with equal speed, hurling a set of kunai blades. He dodged and weaved carefully to avoid the incoming senbon.
Suddenly, a flash of pain erupted from Sasuke's neck — the cursed seal flared uncontrollably, forcing him to collapse onto the ground. His face twisted in agony.
"Ah! Sasuke!" Naruto and the other Konoha shinobi gasped in alarm.
Sasuke struggled to rise, pushing past the excruciating pain. He quickly glanced up to see Kin Tsuchi making no move to attack during his moment of weakness. With a sigh of relief, he gripped his kunai tightly and struggled to push forward.
Kin Tsuchi's smile widened, almost mocking. Unbeknownst to Sasuke, the bells she had embedded on him with the senbon now jingled faintly, emitting sound waves that reached his ears.
With a subtle pull of the string attached to the bells, a chilling ding-dong sound resonated sharply through Sasuke's senses.
"Ugh!" Sasuke staggered again, his vision swimming as dizziness swept over him, sapping his strength.
"You're feeling powerless now, aren't you? That spinning in your head, the disorientation?" Kin Tsuchi taunted, eyes glinting dangerously.
Sasuke blinked, trying to clear his mind. But then he saw them — multiple afterimages of Kin Tsuchi surrounding him, laughing maniacally.
"Hahahaha, you can't touch me, hahahaha!" echoed countless mocking voices, all seeming to come from Kin Tsuchi.
Sasuke clutched his head, pain wracking his body. He collapsed once more onto the ground, helpless.
"Sasuke! Get up!" Naruto shouted, desperation coloring his voice.
Seizing the opportunity, Kin Tsuchi casually tossed a few senbon toward Sasuke's prone form.
In his dazed state, Sasuke's eyes perceived a barrage of senbon needles flying at him. He raised his arm in defense, but two sharp needles pierced through his skin with a soft puff puff sound.
Glancing in the direction from which the needles came, Sasuke quickly activated his ninjutsu.
"Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique!"
A blazing inferno erupted from his mouth, a massive fireball hurtling toward Kin Tsuchi.
She reacted with calm precision, forming hand seals and slamming her palm down hard onto the ground.
"Earth Release: Earth Wall!"
A towering wall of earth erupted in front of her, absorbing the fiery assault and quelling the flames.
Kin Tsuchi's eyes flicked sideways.
Unseen, Sasuke had taken advantage of the momentary distraction to close the distance rapidly.
She turned to meet him, a cold chuckle escaping her lips as she caught the kunai in his hand with one of hers. Before Sasuke could react, she grasped his other fist, their hands locking together.
Trapped, Sasuke twisted and tried to use his knee in a desperate counterattack.
But Kin Tsuchi was quick to step on his foot, causing him to stumble.
"Ah! Damn it!" Sasuke grunted, wrenching his fist free with raw force.
A rapid exchange of blows followed — fists striking, parried, blocked — each meeting Kin Tsuchi's unyielding defense.
Nearby, Zaku and Dosu observed the fight with curiosity.
"Is that really Kin Tsuchi?" Zaku asked, frowning.
Dosu nodded slowly, eyes narrowing. "Who is this woman? Her aura... it's terrifying."
Suddenly, Kin Tsuchi did something unexpected.
She spread her arms wide, relaxed completely, and looked at Sasuke with an inviting smile.
"What... what is she doing?" the crowd murmured in confusion.
Sasuke hesitated, suspicious but intrigued.
Since Kin Tsuchi appeared to be lowering her guard, he saw a chance to end the fight quickly.
As he readied to strike, a sudden wave of dizziness hit him hard again. He collapsed, clutching his head, groaning in agony.
"No! Sasuke!" Sakura and Naruto cried out, concern flooding their voices.
Kin Tsuchi's eyes narrowed slightly, her smile never fading as she extended her unnaturally long tongue, licking a senbon needle.
"How dare you take my senbon so lightly? You really weren't afraid of poison? What a coincidence — my senbon are poisoned," she taunted.
"Wait, did I lick it too?" Kin Tsuchi suddenly stopped and looked fearful.
"Of course, I'm fine," she laughed loudly to cover her doubt.
Nearby, the Hokage's guards whispered nervously.
"Is this person the Hokage-sama?" one asked hesitantly.
The Third Hokage shook his head slowly.
"No, this is not Orochimaru," he said gravely.
The guards stepped back, confused but obedient.
Orochimaru narrowed his eyes, studying Kin Tsuchi closely.
"This woman... who is she? She's not the Kin Tsuchi I know. And she's far stronger and stranger than that woman," he murmured.
Sakura frowned, whispering to Naruto, "She's so strange."
Naruto nodded, "Yeah... but why doesn't she attack when she has the advantage?"
Sakura added, "And she wasn't like this before..."
Izumi suddenly appeared beside Sasuke, quietly speaking into his ear.
"This is a hallucinogenic poison. It distorts your senses and can manipulate your memories. What are you thinking about right now? No, it doesn't matter. What matters is that I'm here to help you recall the truth."
Kin Tsuchi smiled maliciously, leaning closer.
"Remember your family? The way your clan was slaughtered in one night? The mighty Uchiha, wiped out, and you're all alone now," she whispered mockingly.
Sasuke's bloodshot eyes blazed with fury.
"You shut up! I won't let you speak like that!" he shouted, his voice thick with anger.
Through blurred vision, he saw multiple afterimages of Kin Tsuchi but forced himself to focus.
"I insist on speaking!" she retorted, voice cold. "Do you really think Orochimaru values you? No. He prized your brother more. But your brother was too powerful, too dangerous to keep around. So now, he's using you. Your brother was the prodigy—graduated ninja academy in one year, became Hokage's bodyguard, even an Anbu captain..."
Izumi's voice cut through Sasuke's mind softly, "He killed your parents and clan members. Every last one."
"No... no! Get out of here!" Sasuke roared, eyes wild with anguish.
Suddenly, the cursed seals flared all over his body, their dark markings glowing ominously.
With renewed strength and ferocity, Sasuke lunged at Kin Tsuchi, grabbing her roughly by the arm.
Without hesitation, he delivered a brutal kick to her neck.
A sickening crack echoed as Kin Tsuchi's neck bent unnaturally, and she was thrown several meters away.
"Sasuke!" Sakura gasped, covering her mouth in shock.
The cursed seal's power radiated off Sasuke, an aura so intense it made everyone in the arena uneasy.
Naruto and Sakura exchanged worried glances.
Orochimaru licked his lips excitedly.
"Well done! Though I don't know who you are exactly, you've done very well," he praised.
Kakashi sighed heavily, concern clouding his face.
Gekkō Hayate approached the prone Kin Tsuchi, who lay with her neck grotesquely bent.
He sighed deeply, then announced, "The winner... Uchiha..."
Suddenly, a sharp voice interrupted him.
"Wait a moment!"
The crowd turned sharply to see who had spoken.
"What? How is that possible?" Sakura, Ino, and others whispered, their eyes wide as they stared at Kin Tsuchi.
Orochimaru and the others exchanged tense glances.
Slowly, Kin Tsuchi sat up, touching her neck as if adjusting a joint.
With two quick clicks, she reattached her neck.
"Oh, you scared me to death!" she chuckled lightly, standing up as if nothing had happened.
She turned to Sasuke, her smile unnerving.
"I was only playing a trick on you," she teased. "Why are you so angry
Naruto's eyes widened in shock as Kin Tsuchi did the unthinkable — her head twisted unnaturally before snapping back into place with a sickening click. The sight was horrifying and utterly bizarre. "How... how did she do that?" Naruto asked, his voice barely above a whisper, filled with disbelief.
Sakura, watching the scene unfold, felt a chill run down her spine. It reminded her of her previous encounter with Orochimaru in the Forest of Death. Although Kin Tsuchi didn't radiate the same terrifying aura as Orochimaru, there was an undeniable strangeness to her that unsettled Sakura deeply.
Nearby, Kakashi and the Third Hokage observed Kin Tsuchi silently, their expressions unreadable but tense.
Orochimaru frowned, eyes narrowing as he studied the scene before him. "Sasuke, you truly are exceptional, but..." he muttered, his voice tinged with confusion and something else — concern.
Kin Tsuchi tapped her neck lightly with a mocking smile. "Ouch, that hurts. You really don't know how to be gentle, do you? So ruthless. Is it in your blood?" Her tone was teasing, almost sardonic. "I heard your brother was just as ruthless — wiping out his own clan, sparing only one useless younger brother. Kept like a pet in Konoha, hehe..."
"Sasuke!" The word was spat with venom. Suddenly, Uchiha Sasuke vanished in an instant, his speed so overwhelming that those watching barely caught the movement.
"Too fast! Almost invisible!" someone gasped.
Naruto's shock deepened, his mind unable to keep up. "Sasuke's already this strong, but me..." He trailed off, a mix of awe and frustration brewing inside him.
Yet, what astonished everyone even more was Kin Tsuchi's calm demeanor as she effortlessly dodged Sasuke's furious attacks. Each strike was neutralized with ease, as if she barely exerted herself. She even joked casually with him amidst the battle.
"Bang!"
"Boom!"
Sasuke's figure blurred in a flurry of motion, his speed almost impossible to track. Yet Kin Tsuchi moved with a relaxed grace, sidestepping his onslaught as if toying with him.
"This can't be Kin Tsuchi," Dosu whispered to Sakon, disbelief heavy in his voice. "Is this part of some trick? Has someone replaced her? Or was she always this powerful?"
"No!" Sakon shook his head, equally baffled. "We trained together. It can't be. Someone must have taken her place."
In the center of the arena, Kin Tsuchi yawned, stretching her arms lazily. "You can be faster. I can still take it!" she taunted, clearly unfazed.
Fueled by anger, Sasuke let out a roar and pulled his arm back with fierce determination. Suddenly, countless thin threads materialized, snaking through the air and wrapping tightly around Kin Tsuchi's body.
Temari's eyes widened in realization. "So that's his strategy! While attacking, he set up a trap with those threads. His speed, plus a backup plan. Smart. He's still calm and collected."
Sasuke formed the hand signs swiftly and shouted, "Fire Release: Dragon Fire Technique!"
A torrent of scorching flames surged along the threads toward Kin Tsuchi.
"Ahhhhh!" Kin Tsuchi screamed in agony as the fire scorched her.
But as the flames died down, she was still there, eyes closed, wailing loudly.
"Ahhh! Is it over already? Oh, sorry, I was thinking. Since you used Fire Release, wouldn't it be strange if I didn't scream a bit? I guess I screamed too much, haha."
Inuzuka Kiba and the others stared in disbelief. "How is that possible? She's unharmed after being burned by Fire Release!"
"Who exactly is she?" they murmured amongst themselves, confusion mounting.
Sasuke's glare was deadly as he prepared for another attack.
Kin Tsuchi sighed, glancing at Sasuke with a mixture of pity and disdain. "You're nowhere near your brother. Never mind. I had too high expectations."
"Bastard! Don't you dare speak of him!" Sasuke exploded, chakra surging wildly as he charged full force.
Kin Tsuchi watched his punch coming and sneered. The threads binding her suddenly snapped.
With a swift twist of her waist, she delivered a brutal kick to Sasuke's face.
"Ah!" Sasuke was sent flying backward.
"Boom!" He crashed to the ground, blood trickling from his mouth as he groaned in pain, clutching his head.
"Sasuke!" Concerned voices rose from the crowd.
Orochimaru watched carefully. "Is he broken?" he asked quietly.
Kin Tsuchi calmly approached Sasuke's fallen form and squatted beside him. The crowd held their breath, fearing she might strike again.
Instead, she chuckled softly. "So this is the source of your power? You need to rely on yourself more, Sasuke. Relying on tricks like this only weakens you."
She extended a finger and touched the wound on his neck. To everyone's shock, the ominous Cursed Mark rapidly shrank and retracted into his skin, the dark energy stabilizing instantly.
"What?!" Orochimaru exclaimed, unable to contain his disbelief. "How is this possible? No one can soothe or seal my Cursed Mark!"
Kakashi and the Third Hokage exchanged shocked glances. The Cursed Mark's power was infamous and nearly impossible to suppress, yet Kin Tsuchi had done it with ease.
Kin Tsuchi stood and clapped her hands lightly, shaking her head at Sasuke's weakened form. "You're far behind your brother. I really don't understand why he left you behind. Maybe to leave a descendant for the Uchiha? Haha…"
Turning away, she addressed the referee. "I forfeit."
The crowd gasped, stunned by her sudden surrender.
"Sasuke! Come back! I..." Sasuke coughed violently, struggling to speak.
"You need more practice. Here in Konoha, you're just not enough," Kin Tsuchi said dismissively.
Izumi sneered quietly and left.
Kin Tsuchi returned to the sidelines, ignoring the wary stares of Sakon and Dosu. Orochimaru had disappeared, so she wasn't in a rush and walked slowly down the corridor.
Eventually, Orochimaru reappeared. Kin Tsuchi smiled, greeting him politely.
"Lord Orochimaru, it's been a long time."
Orochimaru looked at her with interest. "Who are you? You seem familiar."
Before she could answer, Kin Tsuchi collapsed suddenly. A torrent of black ink poured from her facial orifices, swirling and rushing toward Orochimaru.
He immediately blocked it, the attack harmless.
When Orochimaru looked again, Kin Tsuchi had vanished without a trace.
"Damn it!"
Several Ninja arrived, alerted by the commotion, and helped Kin Tsuchi to her feet. She was taken to the hospital for care.
Meanwhile, atop the Uchiha Clan compound at Nanga Shrine, a mass of ink descended from the sky. It landed on the rooftop, slowly forming the shape of a human figure.
The black ink dissipated, revealing a woman of exquisite beauty.
Uchiha Izumi.
Compared to a few years ago, Izumi had matured significantly — taller, more feminine, her figure more defined. She wore a sleek black cheongsam that complemented her slender waist, long legs, and fair skin.
Stretching, she muttered, "I thought this would be interesting, but it really isn't."
She sat on the rooftop, gazing at the distant Hokage Rock.
With a mischievous grin, she stuck out her tongue and laughed softly. "Akatsuki and Uchiha Itachi made a promise not to attack Konoha while he was part of the organization. But now that I'm a woman, why should I keep that promise? Besides, as long as no one knows, it's fine."
Her eyes sparkled with determination — a hint that she was planning something far greater than anyone expected
Uchiha Sasuke slowly awoke, his hand immediately moving to cover the Cursed Mark etched deeply on his neck. His brow furrowed as he looked toward Kakashi, who was sitting nearby with his usual calm demeanor. "Kakashi, what exactly happened after that?" Sasuke asked, still feeling the sting of the battle fresh in his mind.
Kakashi closed the novel he had been reading and gave Sasuke a steady look. "Your opponent forfeited," he explained plainly. "That means you passed this stage of the exam. Now, only one trial remains — the final special training. Win that, and you'll officially become a Chunin."
Sasuke's frustration boiled over. "Damn it! That woman... she actually looked down on me! And what about my Cursed Mark? What happened to it?" His fingers instinctively traced the mark on his neck, where the dark, ominous seal was faintly visible.
Kakashi's voice grew serious. "That woman stopped the Cursed Mark's influence earlier, and then I sealed it to prevent any further complications."
Sasuke slammed his fist down on the bed, irritation flashing in his eyes. "That bastard!"
"You don't have to worry about it," Kakashi said, meeting Sasuke's glare with a calm but firm expression. "Truthfully, Kin Tsuchi's real strength wasn't all that impressive."
Sasuke's eyes narrowed. "What do you mean?"
Kakashi leaned forward. "We found Kin Tsuchi collapsed in the corridor, unconscious. According to her, she was attacked by a woman — someone strong — and then she lost consciousness. She must have been replaced by a more powerful ninja during the exam. So you didn't lose unfairly."
Sasuke's hand clenched tightly on the bedsheets as he touched his Cursed Mark again. "A powerful ninja... huh?" he muttered.
Kakashi nodded reassuringly. "For now, you should focus on resting. Once you're fully recovered, I'll teach you some new ninjutsu techniques that will help you win the final exam and become a Chunin."
With that, Kakashi stood up and quietly left the room.
After the door closed behind him, Sasuke remained sitting on the bed, his fingers tracing the wound on his face before returning to the cursed mark. His voice was low, almost a whisper. "A Chunin... Even if I become a Chunin, will I be able to kill him? Can I defeat him if I become Hokage? That woman was right. Staying here, in this place, is useless."
---
Meanwhile, far from the exam grounds, Uchiha Izumi appeared before a grand mansion. Her sharp eyes scanned the sign above the gate — two characters clearly read 'Kurama.' Without hesitation, she walked straight inside.
In one of the rooms, Kurama Yakumo, a ninja who had been resting, suddenly opened her eyes wide. Her gaze darted toward the corridor. "Who's there? Show yourself!" she demanded, voice laced with suspicion.
Without warning, Kurama suddenly stumbled and fell to the floor, clutching her chest. "Th-this feeling..." she groaned, pain rippling across her face.
The sliding door slid open with a soft whoosh.
Izumi stepped inside, a cold smile playing on her lips as she looked down at Kurama. "Hi, little Yakumo. Long time no see."
Kurama's eyes widened in shock. Though Izumi's appearance had changed significantly since they last met, there was no mistaking her identity. "Y-you... you are..." she stammered, struggling to find words.
"Oh, have you forgotten me already?" Izumi stepped closer, reaching out to cup Kurama's chin gently. "I saved you back then — though it was a whim. Afterward, I didn't seek you out because there was nothing to gain. But forgetting me? That's truly heartbreaking."
Kurama tried to speak again, voice trembling. "H-how are you still..."
Before she could finish, Izumi smirked, finishing the sentence for her. "Alive, right? Hehehe. Quite the shock, isn't it?"
Izumi stuck out her tongue teasingly. "If I die, you die too."
Kurama's entire body trembled as she looked up at Izumi in horror. "Then why did you fake your death? What are you planning?"
Izumi's expression shifted to a sinister smile. "Suddenly scared? I thought you'd be thrilled. I want you to attack Konoha with me."
Kurama's face drained of color. "No! Please, I can't do that!" she pleaded desperately.
Izumi raised an eyebrow. "Why not? I heard you became a Chunin. How does it feel to be a ninja? Are you proud? Respected?"
Kurama's hands trembled as she reached out, grasping Izumi's leg in a desperate plea. "My lady, please... I can't do this!"
Izumi's gaze hardened. "Why not? Have you forgotten how you begged me back then? Is being a ninja worse than being nothing at all?"
Kurama froze, gasping for breath.
Suddenly, the ends of her hair stretched out and wove themselves into a vivid painting — a genjutsu trap designed to imprison Izumi.
She stood and reached for a pouch of ninja tools to restrain Izumi with rope.
But just as she turned, a voice whispered into her ear.
"What are you doing?"
Startled, Kurama jerked back and glanced fearfully at Izumi.
"You fell for my genjutsu, didn't you?" she taunted.
Izumi laughed softly. "When did you think I fell for it? Your genjutsu may be strong, but I'm stronger."
Kurama's face flushed with frustration. "Impossible! This technique has never failed when I've ambushed someone!"
Izumi stretched luxuriously. "Ah, but your opponent this time is me. Now, choose: either become an ordinary person again or join me in attacking Konoha. You'll be my informant inside the village — that will make things much easier."
Kurama stumbled back, pressed against the wall, trapped with nowhere to run.
She thought of the kindness her teachers and comrades had shown, the honor of becoming a ninja, the thrill of being respected.
But then she remembered the despair she felt before Izumi saved her, the crippling weakness she'd overcome. She did not want to return to that powerless state.
Covering her face, she knelt down and sobbed. "Please, don't make me ordinary again. Don't make me betray Konoha. I'll do anything you ask, just please don't!"
Izumi tilted her head thoughtfully. "Then what did you promise me back then?"
Kurama's memories flooded back — the bargain she made to become a ninja under Izumi's conditions.
Izumi beckoned with a crooked finger.
Suddenly, a dark, ink-like chakra burst from Kurama's body. Drained of this power, she collapsed into an emaciated, trembling shadow of her former self.
On the floor, Kurama groaned and reached out weakly, clutching Izumi's foot.
Izumi sneered. "Now you know how powerful I am. Your life is mine to command."
She pushed the chakra back into Kurama's body.
Instantly, Kurama's strength returned.
Panting heavily, she propped herself up on trembling arms, eyes staring blankly.
Izumi narrowed her eyes. "Pathetic. Since you agreed, don't break your promise. You're just my dog now."
"Here's the plan: I won't make you show your face. You just need to unleash a large-scale genjutsu. You can do that, right?"
Kurama looked up, confused. "Why me? You can do that yourself. After you healed me, Idu's power never returned — you absorbed it."
Izumi grinned. "If you can do it, why do I need you? Besides, you're from the Uchiha clan; your genjutsu is more powerful. So why not?"
She leaned back, feigning thoughtfulness. "Honestly, I just want to see you struggle to obey me despite your hatred. It's entertaining."
Kurama's eyes widened in disbelief. "You... you demon!"
Izumi flicked her tongue, licking her lips. "If you were truly strong, you could make me obey you. But you're just not worth the effort."
Kurama seethed in rage, but Izumi simply smiled and said, "I'll tell you what you need to do when the time comes. I have nowhere better to be right now, so I'll stay here with you."
Kurama's glare burned as she stormed toward the door.
"Where are you going? Stay with me," Izumi called after her.
"Th-this..." Kurama stammered.
Izumi gave a sly smile. "Hmm?"
"…Yes," Kurama replied reluctantly and climbed into her own bed.
"I can't sleep! You hateful woman!" Kurama grumbled.
Suddenly, she felt a smooth thigh drape over her body.
Turning her head, she found Izumi had already fallen asleep beside her.
"Damn it!" Kurama muttered nervously. "What if at this moment..." She reached out hesitantly, then withdrew her hand and snorted coldly. "She's definitely doing this on purpose."
She inhaled Izumi's scent, glanced at her fair skin and graceful figure, and found herself unable to deny, "She really is beautiful."
"Ah! What am I thinking? Damn it! Get your leg off me!" she snapped, eyes wide with embarrassment