Izumi dressed carefully in the clothes her mother had sewn for her — a purple cheongsam paired with black shorts and matching purple armguards. These were the same garments she had worn in the original timeline, but this time, she had added her own modifications. With a steady hand, she inscribed intricate talismans inside the fabric of the clothes, the armguards, and even her shoes. Each talisman served a purpose: some for storage, others to enhance agility, a few to bolster her defense, and a select few even for explosive effects. The careful preparation gave Izumi confidence — these enhancements would give her an edge in the challenges ahead.
Izumi then stepped into the dense Uchiha forest to continue her training in ninjutsu, determined to master the techniques she had painstakingly learned. The quiet rustling of leaves was punctuated by the crackling of lightning chakra gathering around her hands.
She gazed at her palm, where a fierce surge of lightning danced and flickered. This was her attempt at the Chidori — a lightning-based ninjutsu she had developed by studying Kakashi Hatake's own principles behind the technique. Although she was proud of her progress, Izumi knew this version was still inferior to her previous signature move, the Lightning Storm Rasengan.
The Chidori required incredible speed and precision to wield effectively, something Kakashi had perfected through years of training, even using it to assassinate the dangerous ninja Kakuzu. But Izumi was determined to evolve beyond mere imitation.
With a sharp inhale, she withdrew the Chidori and focused her chakra once again, gathering a concentrated amount of Lightning Release on her fingertips. "This is Hell Stab — Four-Finger Nukite," she explained quietly to herself. "A lightning-enhanced piercing technique designed to cut through anything in its path. It's a close-range nin-taijutsu that suits my fighting style."
Still, Izumi pondered, "But I don't want to just follow someone else's path. I need a ninjutsu that complements my speed, that doesn't weigh me down or slow me."
With that thought, lightning coalesced and began spinning rapidly on her palm, transforming into her signature Lightning Storm Rasengan. She thrust the swirling ball of energy at a nearby tree, which immediately snapped and exploded in a violent burst of light and splinters.
"This is what defeated my last opponent," Izumi reflected, "but it's just a piercing explosion — powerful, yes, but it slows me down too much. Plus, last time, the strain injured my hand."
Determined to find a better solution, Izumi dedicated herself to countless trials and experiments. Hours passed as she pushed the limits of her chakra control.
Finally, a breakthrough: a disc of lightning, spinning rapidly with a fierce, ear-piercing hum, formed in her hand. In an instant, she vanished, reappearing behind four large trees, each split cleanly in half.
With precise control, Izumi threw the disc forward.
"Lightning Release: Flashing Lightning Circular Saw!" she declared. The circular saw of lightning sliced through the trees in its path, then curved expertly back toward her. At her command, it plunged into the earth, detonating with a deafening boom and leaving a deep crater.
Izumi smiled with a hint of regret, "I'm really terrible at naming techniques," she muttered, "but this is a solid ninjutsu. It transforms the Lightning Storm Rasengan into a controlled, disc-shaped saw — sharp, deadly, and maneuverable."
Still, she acknowledged a flaw. "It's a bit too large and inconvenient in tight situations. Maybe I should try using my own hand as a base, like the Third Raikage's Four-Finger and One-Finger Nukite techniques. Those focus on defense and strength, though, and I prioritize speed — so strengthening my arms might hold me back."
As she frowned in thought, a sudden idea struck her.
"Wait — if it's too big, why not integrate it into the edge of my palm instead?" she exclaimed.
Lightning chakra surged and enveloped her entire palm, spinning rapidly like a circular saw blade. Izumi pressed the edge of her hand against a nearby rock, easily slicing it clean through.
"Much better," she said, nodding. "This will be far more practical when facing hard targets."
She focused again and flicked her fingers sharply three times. Three small, razor-sharp lightning discs shot from her fingertips, piercing through a target before returning to her control.
"Developing ninjutsu like this is incredible," Izumi thought, excitement bubbling in her chest. "Combined with my precise chakra control, it's nearly unstoppable."
She spread her five fingers wide, each surrounded by spinning lightning chakra.
"This should be enough," she said confidently.
The Chidori technique appeared once more in her hand. Izumi pointed at a cluster of trees and released a long, spear-like bolt of lightning.
"Chidori Sharp Spear!" she shouted as the lightning pierced through the trees, leaving a trail of destruction.
"I have to admit, Sasuke's techniques are impressive," Izumi mused. "Lightning Release is incredibly powerful. I wonder what Wind, Water, Fire, and Earth Release techniques would be like. I should try learning them next."
"Wind Release first — I want to master the Rasenshuriken," she decided. "And what if I made the Wind Release spin and pierce like the Hardened Whirlpool Water Blade? That could be deadly too. I'll try both."
Suddenly, Izumi sensed someone approaching.
"Who's there?" she demanded, instantly alert.
A man stepped forward, a sly grin on his face.
"Don't worry," he said smoothly. "This place is well hidden. Konoha's sensors can't detect us here."
Izumi narrowed her eyes, her guard up. "Who are you?"
"Heh, I thought you'd ask," the man chuckled. "My name is Masuda Hiroya. I serve Lord Orochimaru."
Izumi glanced around to confirm the secrecy talisman was still active — no one else was near.
"So Orochimaru?" she said cautiously. "But didn't he betray Konoha? Why would I associate with a rogue ninja?"
Masuda Hiroya smiled knowingly. "Lord Orochimaru thinks highly of you. That's why I'm here. Are you interested in joining him?"
Izumi shook her head firmly. "I'm a Konoha ninja. I won't risk my loyalty for a rogue."
Masuda nodded. "Orochimaru said you're different — pragmatic and capable. Since you already know his Summoning Technique, he considers you one of his own. He asked me to deliver this as a token of sincerity."
He tossed a scroll toward Izumi. She caught it carefully, eyes scanning the intricate seals on the parchment.
As the man hesitated, unsure how she'd respond, Izumi surprised him with a smile.
"You're good at judging people," she said softly.
Masuda Hiroya grinned triumphantly. "We're colleagues now. If anything happens, I'll find you. This is our secret meeting signal — I'll carve a mark on a stone along your path, and we'll meet here again. Until then, goodbye."
With that, Masuda disappeared without a trace.
Izumi snorted coldly, "Threats and all, but this token feels genuine. If I'm caught, I'll just become a double agent."
She carefully unrolled the scroll and began reading. Inside were detailed diagrams of advanced ninjutsu and sealing techniques Orochimaru had gifted her — high-level and intricate.
There were powerful seals like the Four Symbols Seal and the Five Elements Seal, as well as elemental ninjutsu she had never seen before.
A section mentioned Orochimaru's abandoned laboratory, left entirely to her control.
Izumi hesitated. "Is this a trap? Or is this really for me?"
But there was only one way to find out.
She folded the scroll and headed toward the laboratory.
"Shadow Clone Jutsu!" she murmured, creating several clones that vanished underground to scout ahead.
As Izumi's clones moved stealthily through the earth, the young Uchiha prepared herself for whatever secrets Orochimaru had left behind — determined to seize the power that could shape her future.
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