Arc IV Chapter 13
<strong><b>IV</b></strong>
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<strong><b>Arc IV Chapter </b></strong><strong><b>13</b></strong>
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“Are we there yet?”
“No.”
“Are we there yet?”
“No.”
“Are we there yet?”
“No!”
“Are we not there yet?”
“No ... Yes.”
“How about now? Are we there yet?”The girl tilted her head, tormenting herfurtherwithout relent. This was Asami''s revenge for before, wasn''t it?
“NO!” Anko retorted.
“Does that mean we are not there yet?” the girl asked.
“Yes.”
The girl continued to tugging on herclothes. “Anko, Anko, Anko, Anko ...”
“What?!” Anko fumed. Whywasthis assignment soplicated?Did the Hokage want to punish her for something, or what?
The girl named Asami greeted her with a smilefull of innocence. “Anko, do you even know where we need to go? Maybe that''swhy we are not there yet?”
“...”Anko ignored her, which was the right choice. The girl was yingwith her. That is why she wouldn''t give into her stupid questions...
“Anko, are we there yet ...”
“Shut the fuck up!”Anko exploded. Enough was enough. This had to stop. The girl was annoying as hell!The little demon in ck tormented her without mercy. Was she some kind of malevolent spirit in human form?
The girl tilted her head, feigning ignorance. “What''s the problem, Anko?”
“You are the problem!”Anko''s eyebrow twitched, facing her nemesis.Her endless questionswere driving her insane. Normally, it was her who teasedpeople,and not the other wayaround. Teasing washer favourite activity.
“...” Asami, however, didn''t backdown, reciprocating with her ownstare.
“...” Anko had to concede, the girl had steel.“Listen, brat, I don''t like you, and you don''t like me.So shut the fuck up!”
The girlprotested,“That''s not true, Anko.Contrary towhat you might believe, I actually quite enjoy your presence...”
“...” Anko turned her back on her and simply walked away. Screw this!
The girl panicked. “Hey, stop!Don''t run away!You can''t do that!Don''t you know anything about sportsmanship?I have invested much time and effort in teasing you. You can''t just run away now!That''s against the rules!”
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They eventually arrived at their destination. Anko guided her to a room that servedas an improvisedoffice.Theyentered.
Her eyes were quick to spot Hiruzen. The Hokage was sitting behind a heavy desk, upied with fighting a mountain of paper, just as usual. A poor chunin was standing next to him, carrying an equally impressive pile of paper that kept growing and growing. The poor soul had her sympathy.
“...” Hiruzen sighed,visibly frustrated. “I think that should be enough for now, Takahashi. Bring the rest into my office. I will go over themter.” The chunin left and Hiruzen turnedto them.
Anko straightened her back, reporting,“I brought you Asami, just as ordered,Hokage-sama.”
Hiruzenmerely nodded. “Thank you, Anko. I hope you two didn’t cause any further troubleon your way here, did you?”
Ankonced at her with mutual understanding.“Not that I know of.”
Hiruzenturned to her witha questioning look. “Is that true, Asami?”
Asami smiled. “It is.”
The Hokage took a pull onhis pipe. “Excellent, I am pleased to hear that.Anko,thank youonce againfor escorting Asami. You are dismissednow.”
“I understand, Hokage-sama.” Anko nodded and left.
Hiruzen smiled, all his attention now focused on her.“Please, Asami, take a seat. We have much to discuss.”
“...”Asami epted his offer with some hesitation and took a seat, crossingher legs leisurely. “And what exactly, Hokage-sama?”
Hiruzen exhaled a cloud of smoke. “I think you know precisely what I mean ... I have to congratte you on making it through the preliminaries, though. If you perform well in the tournament, you might even advance to the rank of chunin.”
“...” Asami raised an eyebrow. Was thissupposed to be a joke?“With all due respect, Hokage-sama, you are only half as funny as you think.”
“Really?”Hiruzen seemed genuinely hurt.
“...” Asami merely nodded, resisting theurge to roll her eyes.
“I see ...” The disappointment in his voice was tangible. “Anyway, unless I am mistaken and as far as I have heard, you appear to have met my former student today. At least, Kakashi told me so. You have met Orochimaru. Is that correct? ”
Asami tensed upslightly. So he knew. News truly travelled fast, much faster than expected. “It is. I faced him today.”
Hiruzenfolded his hands. “So, it is true. You also fought him, didn''t you?”
Asami nodded. “I did, but unfortunately, he was able to escape.”
Hiruzen took a pull on his beloved pipe. “I was told so. Unfortuante indeed, but on the other hand, you both must consider yourself lucky to have survived to tell the tale. My former student is a dangerous opponent that should never be taken lightly. The fact alone that you had the courage to face Orochimaru in battle, on your own, without fear, without doubt, without hesitation, is impressive to say the least, Asami. Despite your age, you were even able to hold your own. Kakashi didn''t lie when he said that he was quite impressed by your capabilities. And so, am I. You have far exceeded all my expectations, Asami. In fact, you have far exceeded everyone''s expectations. We all had underestimated you. Back Back then, when I offered you to join the ANBU, I never thought that you would grow into such a formidable kunoichi, but here you are now, in front of me, after facing my former student. How times change ...”
“...” Asami listened.
Hiruzen continued, “To be honest, I have my doubts whether I still stand a chance against him these days. When I was younger, sure, but now? Not anymore. I feel it every night and day, how my body has declined, how mystrength has diminished.I am not any more who I once was. So my question now, Asami, do you think you would beable to defeatOrochimaruinbatif necessary?” His eyes studied her, expecting her answer.
Asami hesitated. “Perhaps. Perhaps not. Why does it matter, Hokage-sama?”
Hiruzen leaned back in his seat. “You wouldn’t know, but Konoha is currently facing a major crisis. We are not sure yet, but we suspect that Orochimaru and Sunagakure are nning to attack the vige during the final round of the chunin exams. It would calm my mind if the vige would be able to call upon you if needed, a kunoichi powerful enough to stop Orochimaru should I fall.”
...
...
...
“I understand ...” Asami took her time. This question required a careful answer. This was not just a question. This was a test.“You ask mea difficult question, Hokage-sama. Strength and power arealways rtive,and victory is never assured.But should it be necessary, I will do all I can to defeat Orochimaru and defend the vige.”
“Hmm ...” Hiruzen folded his hands, studyingAsamicarefully.“Thank you for your insights, Asami. You may go now.”Hesmiled, but his smile wasweak. It was the smile of an old man on whose shoulders the fate of the vige rested.
“...” Asami nodded and left.The door closed and Hiruzen was alone now.
His eyes stared at the file on his desk. The document only neededthe approval ofthe vige council, but was this the right step?Could Asami truly be trusted with this kind of responsibility?Only time would tell.
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