Naruto: Scourge of the Ninja World

Gekko Chizan fell silent.

He had clearly sided with the Hokage, which inevitably meant he would cross the wrong people.

Sigh, even though Konoha appeared peaceful and harmonious on the surface, there were still schemers lurking in the shadows.

"When are you submitting the report?"

"Depends on your timing—the sooner the better. If the other side really makes a move, her situation won't be good."

Pakura lowered her head, while the still-young Kakashi looked up at Pakura beside him in surprise.

He hadn't expected her to be a Sunagakure ninja.

So Chizan was really that capable? Just casually bringing back such a ninja?

"What? Surprised? Chizan is full of tricks."

"Kakashi, you've still got a long way to go. I heard you signed up for this year's Chūnin Exams?"

Kakashi nodded. He had originally wanted to surprise his father, but now it seemed there was no hiding anything from him.

"Good. It's great that you're striving to improve, but don't let your guard down."

"You need to understand that there's always someone stronger out there."

Listening to his father's lecture, Kakashi looked a bit helpless.

Since when did his old man become so naggy?

"Hey now, you do realize Kakashi is only six, right? A six-year-old Chūnin—what more do you want?"

"Youth should come with a bit of arrogance, shouldn't it?"

Gekko Chizan suddenly jumped in to defend Kakashi. After all, the kid was genuinely talented.

If he became an elite jōnin in the future, wouldn't he remember who stood up for him?

"Heh heh heh, look at you, playing protector."

"Actually, if you weren't in ANBU, there's another path you could've taken—being a team leader jōnin."

"But in your case, I think ANBU suits you better."

Team leader jōnin?

A few faces popped into Gekko Chizan's mind.

Like Guy, or Genma Shiranui... yeah, maybe not. Each one of them was a handful.

ANBU it is then, as long as it's not Root.

"Alright then. I'll report to the Hokage-sama tomorrow."

"By the way, Sakumo-sama, any tips on that 'One Thousand Years of Death' move? Why does mine have so much less impact than yours?"

Kakashi's eyes lit up instantly—it was obvious he was very interested in the topic too.

Pakura rubbed her forehead helplessly. Just what was it with Konoha's ninjas... Sigh... How did a village like this become the number one ninja village?

...

That evening, back at the Gekko residence.

Gekko Chizan looked at his baby brother crawling around on the floor and smiled.

"Hayate, you'd better grow up fast. Your big brother's counting on you to make a name for yourself, so I can kick back and enjoy the good life."

Sayo and Pakura both rolled their eyes at the same time.

"Chizan, are you seriously going to join the ANBU?"

Even though she came from a different village, Sunagakure had ANBU too.

She knew very well what ANBU did, and she didn't feel like Chizan was cut out for it.

"What else can I do? Turn you in?"

"Yeah, right."

"It's just ANBU. I'm not into war, but if someone wants me dead, it won't be that easy."

Chizan spoke while playing with his little brother, not even lifting his head.

Just then, Chomei appeared again.

"Chizan, that girl just had an emotional fluctuation. I sensed a bit of... concern."

Gekko Chizan was momentarily stunned.

Concern? For him? Or...

While he was lost in thought, Sayo went ahead and said it out loud.

"Hey, Pakura, your expression's off. You're not still worried about that guy, are you?"

"Hahahahaha!"

Sayo's blunt personality led her to expose Pakura's thoughts without a second thought.

Chizan turned to look, and sure enough, there was a visible trace of worry on Pakura's face.

"Relax. Even if it wasn't you, I would've reached this point eventually. After all, our Kage is a real schemer."

"He'd never let me off the hook."

Far away, in the Hokage Tower, Hiruzen Sarutobi suddenly sneezed while burning the midnight oil.

He thought to himself: Must be Chizan or Jiraiya bad-mouthing me again.

Pakura spat in annoyance.

"Who's worried about you? Hmph, don't flatter yourself."

Chizan and Sayo exchanged a glance, then burst out laughing.

The whole Gekko household was filled with laughter.

...

The next day, Gekko Chizan woke up and headed straight for the Hokage Tower.

Because Sakumo was right—Pakura was, after all, a foreign ninja.

Even though she had been captured and shared information...

Her status was still a big deal.

An elite jōnin, a kekkei genkai user, and a surprise attack unit captain.

If Danzo found out, he'd definitely try to recruit her into Root.

Chizan didn't go through all the trouble of bringing her back just to let that guy ruin things.

"Hokage-sama, I'm applying to join the ANBU."

Sarutobi Hiruzen looked at the kid in front of him, calmly taking a puff of his pipe.

"You're sure?"

"Yes. I'm sure."

"Alright. Same time tomorrow. I'll take you to ANBU to report in."

Chizan nodded. Since he'd decided to join ANBU, he wasn't going to hesitate.

His motto was: fighting? Never! Running? He'd be first out the door!

Leaving the Hokage Tower, he didn't go home or to the academy.

He headed straight for Orochimaru's place.

"Sensei, I'm here."

"Oh? Chizan-kun still remembers he has a teacher? You've been back from your mission for a few days now, and you just remembered me?"

Orochimaru's eerie voice came from inside the house. A moment later, he walked out slowly, staring at his prized student.

"Eh eh, Sensei, you know how it is. I had to keep an eye on that Sunagakure kunoichi."

"I finally found some free time to come see you."

Orochimaru sneered.

Yeah right. You little weasel, you're sly as ever.

You think I don't know what that kunoichi is about?

"Since you're going into ANBU, behave yourself."

Hmm? How did Orochimaru know?

"You really think joining ANBU was Sakumo's idea?"

"Hmph, if you don't join ANBU, you can't protect that woman."

"Seriously, you go on one mission and come back with a woman. If it weren't for the fact that she's got a kekkei genkai, I'd have smacked some sense into you."

Chizan was slightly taken aback. He hadn't expected the ANBU suggestion to come from Orochimaru?

For a moment, his impression of Orochimaru shifted slightly.

But in the very next second, he took it all back.

"Make sure you deliver three samples of her blood to me. Scorch Release, right? A very interesting subject of research."

"A kekkei genkai like that is safest kept under your own control."

Yep, Orochimaru was still the same old Orochimaru—single-mindedly obsessed with research...

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