---
The screen flickered to life, displaying the chapter title. The viewing room settled with anticipation - after 22 chapters, everyone had become deeply invested in Kyo's journey.
"Finally!" Naruto exclaimed, bouncing in his seat. "The Chunin Exams! This is where things get really exciting!"
"I wonder how different it'll be with Kyo's power level," Sasuke mused, his analytical mind already working.
"And with his injuries from fighting Asura," Tsunade added with medical concern. "He's not at full strength."
Yuri squeezed Ryo's hand tighter. "Our boy is pushing himself too hard, as always."
"That's what makes him strong," Ryo replied softly, though his eyes showed the same worry.
---
At the entrance of the Stadium where Chunin tests are. The girls of Team Seven arrive there, and Kyo is the last one to arrive.
"Still showing up fashionably late," Anko laughed. "Some things never change."
"At least he made it," Kurenai said with relief.
Kyo saw Maito Gai's clone thrown out of the building, and he knew who it was. "Lee!" He runs toward the boy with the others.
"LEE!" Guy shouted excitedly, his eyes literally sparkling with tears. "MY ETERNAL RIVAL'S STUDENT!"
"Here we go," Kakashi muttered, already preparing for Guy's enthusiasm.
"Hey, are you okay?" Sakura asks the thick-browed boy, as the boy named Lee looks at Sakura with shining eyes.
"Are you an angel?" The boy named Lee asks while a bit dizzy.
The room erupted in laughter.
"Smooth, Lee," Kiba chuckled. "Real smooth."
"That boy has good taste," Jiraiya noted approvingly before getting smacked by Tsunade.
"What?" Sakura sweatdrops with the other as he looks at his surroundings. He sees more beautiful girls.
"Oh, my Kami-Sama group of angels is here for me." Lee was still dizzy, and then suddenly, he jumped from where he was lying.
"He's got Gai's recovery speed too," Tenten observed with fond exasperation.
Lee gives Gai a big smile as he introduces himself. "YOSH! I'M ROCK LEE, NICE TO MEET YOU, MISS ANGELS!"
"THAT'S MY BOY!" Guy screamed, literally crying rivers of pride. "THE POWER OF YOUTH FLOWS THROUGH HIM!"
"My ears," Shikamaru winced, covering them protectively.
The boy's head down shows some respect. He wore green spandex, the same as Gai did, and even his hair was the same as Gai's.
"Like looking in a mirror," Neji observed dryly.
"A very enthusiastic mirror," Hinata added with a gentle smile.
Sakura was speechless for a second as she replied. "Hi? I'm Sakura Haruno?"
"Satsuki Uchiha..." Satsuki said in a cold tone cause she didn't like other weirdos.
"Even the female version of me has attitude," Sasuke noted with amusement.
"Some things transcend gender," Fugaku said with paternal pride.
Naruko grinned, "Naruko Uzumaki! Nice to meet you, Lee-San!"
"Look at my girl being so polite!" Kushina beamed with motherly pride.
"She's so much better at social situations than I was," Naruto said with admiration.
Lee bowed down as he said, "NICE TO MEET YOU, HARUNO-SAN! UCHIHA-SAN! UZUMAKI-SAN!"
"Why have you been throwing out the building?" Naruko asks.
Lee looks at Naruko as he says. "Oh, they said I'm too loud!"
Satsuki mutters, "I can see that..."
The room dissolved into laughter again.
"Even she can see it," Ino giggled.
"Self-awareness is not Lee's strong suit," Tenten sighed fondly.
Kyo sighed, "Can't blame you, Lee. You look so much like Gai-Sensei or even act like him too."
"THE STUDENT RECOGNIZES THE MASTER'S TEACHINGS!" Guy wept with joy.
"Please make it stop," Kakashi pleaded to no one in particular.
"Huh?" Lee still didn't notice Kyo behind the girl, but when he saw Kyo, his eyes were wide open, and he quickly rushed toward Kyo and gently pushed the girl away.
"SENPAI! (SENIOR!) AM GLAD YOU ARE AWAKE!" Lee yells while he is in tears of happiness.
The room fell into a more emotional silence. Everyone remembered Kyo's near-death experience with Asura.
"He was really worried about Kyo," Sakura said softly.
"Three months in a coma," Tsunade said grimly. "Lee probably visited him."
"That's so sweet," Ino cooed, though her eyes were misty.
"Sempai?" Naruko asks.
"Lee, you are older than me. Why do you call me that?" Kyo asks the green spandex kid.
Lee rubbed his tears away as he answered. "You train with Gai-Sensei longer than I do! So that makes you have more experience than I! So it's my right to call you Senpai!"
"BEAUTIFUL RESPECT FOR SENIORITY!" Guy sobbed louder. "YOUTH!"
"That's actually really respectful," Hinata noted approvingly.
"Gai raised him right," Minato observed with a smile.
Kyo sighed and rubbed his temple, "Just... call me Kyo, okay?"
Lee nodded, "OKAY, KYO-SEMPAI!" He makes a thumbs-up, and Gai's signature smile with shining teeth.
The girls shield their eyes while they yell at the same time. 'MY EYES!!'
"THE BLINDING POWER OF YOUTH!" Guy exclaimed, doing the exact same pose and creating another flash.
"MAKE IT STOP!" Multiple voices screamed as everyone covered their eyes.
Before one can say a word, they are interrupted by someone's voice.
"Enough with chit-chat. Lee, you can come in. I already reasoned with them."
They all turned to voice as they saw a boy with long black hair and the same eyes as Hinata.
"Neji," Hiashi said with recognition. "Still as serious as ever in any timeline."
"Some personalities are consistent," Neji noted with approval of his alternate self.
Beside him is Tenten.
"There I am!" Tenten waved excitedly. "Wonder how different I'll be."
Naruko knows who that guy is; she saw him when she visited Hinata, but she didn't know the girl standing beside him.
"Makes sense," Hinata said softly. "Naruko-chan visits me, so she'd know Neji-niisan."
Satsuki didn't even know those two, just like Sakura. Because she rarely visits Hinata with her residents. While Kyo knows them well.
"Kyo gets around," Kiba noted with amusement. "Kid knows everyone."
"Training with Gai probably introduced him to Team Gai," Kakashi reasoned.
"Still alive, I see." The boy said sarcastically to Kyo.
The room's mood shifted instantly to tension.
"Neji!" Hiashi said sharply, disapproval clear in his voice.
"That's harsh," Naruto said with a frown. "Kyo almost died!"
"Typical Neji attitude," Lee said, though he looked hurt for his friend.
Tenten got angry as she said, "Neji-San, that's wrong to say!"
"At least Tenten has sense," Ino said approvingly.
"Good for her, standing up to him," Sakura added.
The boy named Neji walks back inside.
"Walking away like that is just rude," Kushina said with maternal disapproval.
"Some people don't know how to express concern," Yuri observed sadly, watching the screen.
"See you later then, Kyo-Sempai! Everyone! Neji, wait!" The spandex boy runs toward his teammate, leaving Tenten.
"Lee's trying to keep the team together," Guy noted proudly. "That's good teamwork!"
Tenten sighs as she apologises to her Team, "I'm sorry for my teammate's behaviour. My name is Tenten, by the way, and that guy's name is Neji." She points to Neji.
"I like this version of me," Tenten said approvingly. "Much more diplomatic."
"You're cleaning up after Neji's attitude," Shikamaru observed. "Troublesome teammate."
Then the Kyo team also introduced themself.
"I'm glad you are awake, Kyo-Kun. Are you sure you are okay?" Tenten notices a bandage under Kyo's Shirt and on his right arm.
The room's attention focused on Kyo's condition, reminding him again of his serious injuries.
"She can see the bandages," Tsunade noted with medical interest. "Good observational skills."
"Three months of recovery and he's still injured," Yuri said with worry.
Kyo smiled, "No, I'm good. I'm glad... I've got to join."
"He's pushing through the pain," Ryo observed with mixed pride and concern. "Just like his father would."
"Stupid brave boy," Yuri muttered, though her tone was fond.
Tenten smiled back as she said, "May the best team win, then."
"Sportsmanship," Minato noted approvingly. "Good attitude for the exams."
---
After meeting with Tenten.
Kakane shows up to wish her student good luck. She is a bit worried about Kyo's condition, but she remembers that Kyo is the one who fights a person who can destroy the world. So she just told them always to be alert to their surroundings. After that, she hugs them, four, then she leaves the blinking eye.
"Kakane's being a good sensei," Kushina observed warmly. "Worried but supportive."
"She knows Kyo's strength, but she's still concerned," Kurenai noted approvingly.
"Group hug from sensei," Anko said with a grin. "How sweet."
The Genin of Team 7 enters the building while Kakane watches her student from afar. In her mind, she is thinking about what happened two months ago.
"Flashback time," Shikamaru noted. "We're going to see what happened after he woke up."
"Finally," Tsunade said with interest. "I want to see his recovery process.
---
•Flashback•
Three months before, Kyo had woken from a long coma.
The room settled in for what they knew would be an emotional flashback. Everyone remembered the devastating ending of the Asura fight.
Kakane just came back from a mission with her Genin team. Naruko, Satsuki, and Sakura want to visit Kyo as soon as they step into the village, but Kakane stops them before they go.
"The girls just want to see him," Kushina said softly, understanding their desperation.
"Month of waiting," Mikoto added sympathetically. "They must have been so worried."
"Girls!
They stop and turn, their heads turning to Kakane.
"What?" Satsuki asks as she gets annoyed.
"Even in worry, Satsuki has attitude," Sasuke chuckled despite the serious moment.
"I know you three want to see Kyo so bad, and so do I, but we have to report to Hokage-Sama first," Kakane reminded them.
"Duty first," Hiruzen noted approvingly, though his eyes showed understanding.
"But it must have been torture for them," Yuri said with maternal sympathy.
"Can you just go alone?" Naruko asks cause she really wants to see Kyo right now.
"Poor Naruko-chan," Kushina said softly. "She's been waiting so long."
"Three months of not knowing if he'd wake up," Naruto said with deep understanding.
Kakane knows what they feel, but they still have a final task to do: "I wish I could, but we work as a team."
"Good leadership," Minato noted. "Maintaining team unity even in difficult times."
Naruko and Sakura head down while Satsuki looks away.
"They're all heartbroken," Sakura observed sadly.
Naruko sighed in defeat as she said, "Fine, but it better be quick!"
"At least she's agreeing," Ino said with sympathy.
---
Team 7 arrived at the Hokage's office, and they saw the Hokage doing some paperwork with his pipe.
"Back to the office," Hiruzen sighed. "Some things never change."
"Ah, welcome back, Team 7." The old Hokage saw the Team's faces with sadness in their eyes, especially Naruko.
"He can read their emotions immediately," Hiruzen noted with professional interest.
"Mission accomplished, Hokage-sama," Kakane said in a serious tone.
Hiruzen smiled as he said, "Congratulations to all of you. You manage to send and save Tazuna-San Village."
"They completed the Wave mission," Minato said with pride. "Even with Kyo unconscious."
"That shows real strength," Ryo added, proud of his son's teammates.
No one says a word for a couple of seconds until Naruko is the one who decides to speak, but her head is down toward the floor.
The room tensed, knowing what was coming.
"Hokage-Jiji... are Kyo okay?" Naruko suddenly asks the old Hokage.
"Naruko-chan," Kushina whispered, her heart breaking for the girl who had already lost so much.
Hiruzen looks at his surrogate granddaughter, stands from his seat, walks close to the nearby window, and smokes his pipe.
"This is hard news to deliver," Hiruzen said with understanding of his alternate self's position.
Hiruzen were downcast, "He is still in critical condition... His body receives so much damage that normal people or even Jonin should die because of it... I'm sorry, Naruko-Chan, I can't say anything for now."
The room fell into heavy silence. Even knowing Kyo eventually recovered, hearing about his critical condition was still devastating.
"Even Jonin should have died," Tsunade repeated grimly. "His Saiyan physiology saved him."
"Our poor boy," Yuri whispered, tears in her eyes.
Naruko, Satsuki, and Sakura tear their eyes while Kakane feels guilty because she drank the potion and not Kyo.
"It's not her fault," Kurenai said firmly. "Kyo chose to protect her."
"Kakane's carrying guilt she shouldn't," Minato observed with sympathy.
"N-No, Kyo can't die. I will not let him be like Kaa-San, Daddy, and Haku did." Naruko was crying with her head down.
The raw pain in that statement hit everyone like a physical blow.
"She's lost so many people already," Kushina sobbed, reaching for Ryo and Yuri. "She can't lose Kyo, too."
"Her parents, and now potentially Kyo," Gaara said quietly, understanding that kind of loss. "Too much for someone so young."
Satsuki holds Naruko's arm as she holds tight. "Kyo will be fine... He is the strongest person in the world, remember?"
"Satsuki being supportive," Mikoto said with maternal pride. "She's grown so much."
Sakura also held Naruko's other hand while saying, "Kyo will be fine."
"The girls supporting each other," Ino noted approvingly. "That's beautiful."
Hiruzen saw sadness in their eyes as he said, "You three dismiss, Kakane stay; I have something to discuss."
"Time for the serious conversation," Shikamaru noted.
Naruko, Satsuki, and Sakura didn't say a word as they walked out the door and the old Hokage back to his seat.
"They're too heartbroken even to speak," Hinata observed sadly.
Hiruzen looks at the white hair Jonin, "Kakane Hatake detailed to me what enemy your team encounters, which makes Kyo Uchiha almost die."
"Here comes the full debrief," Jiraiya said seriously. "Hiruzen needs to understand the threat."
"I'm not the best to tell you that," Kakane said with a serious tone.
"Why not?" Hiruzen asks back.
Kakane cleared her throat as she answered, "Because Kyo is the one who gets to talk to him so much. But I will tell you what I can."
"Smart approach," Tobirama noted. "Acknowledging the limits of her knowledge."
Hiruzen nodded, "Then go ahead."
"The Enemy, named Asura, has black hair, black eyes, and tan skin," Kakane said.
Everyone tensed at the mention of Asura's name. The trauma of watching Kyo nearly die was still fresh.
Hiruzen frowns as he asks. "Is he from Kumogakure?"
"Natural first assumption," A noted. "Those physical features could match my village."
Kakane shook her head, "I believe not, Hokage-sama... I don't think he's part of any Village... He declared himself as part of the Saiyan race."
Hiruzen frowns while asking, "Saiyan race?"
"The alien connection," Orochimaru said with scientific interest. "This changes everything."
Kakane nodded, "Yes, Hokage-sama... He also has a transformation that can turn his hair blonde and give him 50 times stronger than before."
"Super Saiyan," multiple voices said in recognition.
"50 times stronger," Madara repeated with interest. "Incredible power multiplication."
Hiruzen fell silent as he asked, "Is he strong without his transformation?"
Kakane was silent for a second as she remembered Asura receiving her stronger attack and not even a scratch on him.
The room remembered Kakane's complete helplessness against Asura.
"Yes... He is already 100 times stronger than I without his transformation." Kakane said that she was ashamed that she couldn't help her student.
"100 times stronger than a Jonin," Hiruzen said grimly. "That puts him at least at Kage level."
"And that's WITHOUT his transformation," Tsunade added with medical precision.
"Don't blame yourself, Kakane," Kurenai said supportively. "No one could have fought that."
The old Hokage's eyes were wide open as he asked, "Do you know what his mission is, why he attacks your team?"
Kakane went into silence once again as she said, "... His mission is to kill Kyo Uchiha..."
"Personal vendetta," Sasuke noted grimly. "He came specifically for Kyo."
"Which means he'll be back," Ryo said with quiet dread.
Hiruzen were shocked at the news. "Why?"
"... I want to speak to you and me, Hokage-Sama," Kakane said while looking at her surroundings.
"Classified information," Tobirama noted approvingly. "Good security protocols."
Hiruzen nods, "Anbu, leave us!"
Anbu, in invisibility, leaves Hokage and Kakane alone.
"Speak"
Kakane looked at the Hokage as she said, "I believe Kyo Uchiha are the same race as the enemy Hokage-Sama, but I don't understand... Aren't Kyo Uchiha a Human?"
The viewers who already knew Kyo's origin watched as the truth was finally revealed to AU Hiruzen.
Hiruzen asks, "Why did you say that?"
"Kyo Uchiha just transforms, same as Asura did..." Kakane exposes the truth.
"The secret's out," Naruto said softly. "Now the Hokage knows what Kyo really is."
The old Hokage didn't say a word for a couple of seconds.
Hiruzen sighed, and the puzzle of Kyo clicked into place as he said, "Kakane, let me tell you the origin of how Ryo Uchiha found his son."
"Found?" Kakane asks.
The viewers prepared themselves to hear the adoption story again, but from this perspective.
Hiruzen tells Kakane about Ryo's wife, Yuri, that she can't have a child, and Ryo finds Kyo when Meteor kills Kyo's original parents when he makes his way back to the village. Ryo takes care of Kyo after that.
"The meteor story," Yuri said softly. "Our cover story to protect him."
"We never told anyone the full truth," Ryo added, watching his maintain the secret even in death.
"So Kyo is adopted, which means Kyo isn't a real Uchiha. But how does he have Sharingan?" Kakane asks.
Hiruzen sighed, "I believe he has the same case as you."
Kakane is wide, her single eye open.
"The transplant revelation," Kakashi said with understanding, touching his own covered eye.
Hiruzen explains, "At first, I also believed Kyo was a real Uchiha because he has Sharingan, but when we recovered Ryo Uchiha's body, we noticed he lost his right eye, and I believe Ryo implanted his eye into his son before he died. I want to ask, and if you can't fight Asura, then I believe Kyo is the one head-to-head with Asura?"
"The final gift," Fugaku said with deep respect for Ryo. "A father's last sacrifice."
"His Blue Sharingan comes from his Ki energy mixing with the transplanted eye," Ryo explained to the room. "My dying gift to him."
Kakane nodded, "Yes, Hokage-Sama... Kyo is stronger than we know; he is fast and strong. When he transforms, his strength surpasses the combined strength of 5 Kage or even Kyuubi itself. He was on par with Asura at first, but he lost right away when Asura transformed into the same state as Kyo."
"Stronger than 5 Kage combined," multiple Kage repeated in amazement.
"Stronger than me?" Kurama's voice echoed through Naruto. "This Saiyan power is incredible."
Hiruzen hums as he asks, "I see... so that explains where the big energy came from... You know what transformation they use?"
"I believe only the Saiyan race can use that transformation, sort of Kekkai Genkai (Bloodline limit). I remember Asura calling it Legendary Super Saiyan form." Kakane explains.
"Legendary Super Saiyan," Guy repeated in awe. "THE ULTIMATE YOUTH!"
"Please don't," everyone said in unison.
"Saiyan... Any more else?"
Kakane nodded, "Yes... Asura sees Kyo's potential and decides that Kyo join him to conquer the world or die with the world, and he delivers a deadly blow to Kyo. I guess Kyo said no, but I did know why he didn't attack any village yet."
"Join him or die," Gaara said grimly. "A familiar ultimatum."
"But why hasn't Asura attacked?" Temari wondered aloud. "What's he waiting for?"
Kakane didn't hear when Asura gave Kyo a year to think about it. "Hokage-Sama... I want to ask what kinda treat we deal with?"
Hiruzen frowned as he said with a serious tone, "I believe this is far from Kage's level. I believe... Asura represents God's threat level, and I believe the Upcoming Chunin exam will draw other nations to our Kyo, given the global impact of his fight against Asura. I bet this Cunin exam will have 5 Kage to participate with their Genin, including me."
"God-level threat," Onoki repeated grimly. "Above even our capabilities."
"All five Kage will be there," Mei noted with concern. "They're all watching Kyo."
"The energy was felt worldwide," A said with amazement. "That's incredible power output."
"I see..." Kakane replies.
The Hokage continues. "Kyo-Kun is in critical condition right now, and we can't let people know about his strength for now, or he will be the main target of other nations."
"Smart political thinking," Shikamaru noted. "Keep his power secret to protect him."
"But the other Kage already suspects something," Hiruzen added grimly.
"I understand Hokage-Sama," Kakane said,
Hiruzen looks at Kakane while asking, "Anything else you know, Kakane-San?"
Kakane shook her head, "No, Hokage-Sama, that's all I know..."
"Then you dismiss," Hiruzen said.
Kakane bows down, "Yes, Hokage-Sama." She disappears in the blinking eye, leaving a leaf on the floor---the old Hokage in the room with deep thought.
"Classic substitution exit," Kakashi noted with professional approval.
"Anbu!" Hiruzen yelled as suddenly four Anbu Ninjas appeared right in front of the Hokage's desk.
The first Anbu responded, "Yes, Hokage-sama!"
Hiruzen looked at them as he said, "Go fine, Jirayu, and bring her here!"
"Jirayu!" Jiraiya exclaimed with interest. "My gender-bent counterpart!"
"Time to call in the legendary Sannin," Tsunade noted with anticipation.
The second Anbu responded, "Right away, Hokage-Sama."
The Anbu team disappears as the old Hokage stands up at a nearby window and says, "Jirayu is the only one who can bring our best doctor back."
"He needs Tsunade," Tsunade realized. "For Kyo's medical treatment."
The Hokage said to himself while looking at his desk, as he saw an old picture of his younger former student.
The room fell silent, sensing something important was about to happen.
Jirayu holds Kenshi's right arm while glaring at Tsunade because she hugs his left arm. Orochi is holding the end of Kenshi's shirt. Kenshi has a sweet smile while Hiruzen is on their back, holding Orochi and Tunade's shoulders with a smile.
"Kenshi!" Multiple voices called out in recognition.
"The Yonin," Yuri said softly, tears in her eyes. "All four of them together."
"He looks exactly like Kyo," Kushina observed with amazement.
"That's the legendary team," Ryo added with nostalgia. "Before everything went wrong."
Hiruzen sighed, "It's been 25 years, Kenshi... Your death causes them to change... and I'm sorry 'cause I can't prevent that from happening," He said to the picture with a sad expression.
The weight of old grief settled over the room.
"25 years," Hiruzen said softly. "The pain never really goes away."
"His death broke up the greatest team in ninja history," Jiraiya said with deep sadness.
"And now his spirit guides Kyo," Yuri added softly. "Even in death, he protects those he loves."
---
At night, Kakane arrives on a tree branch and sits down on it, facing Kyo's hospital room, where she sees Naruko sneaking in through the window.
"Naruko's sneaking in," Kushina said with understanding. "She can't stay away."
"Window entry," Anko chuckled. "Classic ninja approach."
Naruko immediately tears down her face as she gets closer to the unconscious Kyo Uchiha. He has a bandage all over his body, an oxygen mask on his face, and a beeping heart rate monitor.
The sight of Kyo in such critical condition brought tears to many eyes in the viewing room.
"He looks so fragile," Sakura said softly.
"All those bandages," Yuri whispered, her maternal heart breaking.
"Kyo-Nii..... can you hear me?...." Naruko knows Kyo gets annoyed when she calls him that, but she gets no response from the young Saiyan as she gently holds Kyo's arm with a tear streaming down her face.
"She's calling him Nii-chan," Kushina noted with a sad smile. "Even though he always protests."
"When someone's dying, formalities don't matter," Gaara said quietly.
Naruko sobbed while saying, "D-Don't leave me, Kyo... don't go join Kaa-San and Daddy..." She wipes her tears away, but it still comes out.
The raw desperation in those words shattered hearts across the room.
"She's lost everyone," Kushina sobbed. "She can't lose Kyo, too."
"Don't join Kaa-San and Daddy," Minato repeated with tears in his eyes.
Kakane, from outside, felt sorry for Naruko. She also has some tears in her eyes. Then Naruko is in shock when Kyo suddenly growls in pain.
"He's having nightmares," Tsunade diagnosed immediately. "Trauma responses."
"Kyo!" Naruko was worried.
From growling to yelling, his heart rate monitor spikes up.
"Medical emergency," Tsunade said with professional concern.
The nurse and doctor rushed into the room. "Hey, I told you you couldn't come here! He is in critical condition right now! Now follow me!"
"Poor Naruko gets kicked out," Hinata said sympathetically.
The nurse leads Naruko out of the room as the blond protests, "But!"
The nurse cut her off with a warm smile, "Naruko-San, I know he means a lot to you and trusts us. We're gonna save him, okay?"
"At least the nurse is kind," Kurenai noted approvingly.
Naruko's tears don't stop, and she nods, and Nurse goes back to her work. Naruko was down to her butt, crying on the floor right in front of the room. Then she felt a warm hug from someone.
The one who hugs Naruko is Kakane, as she says, "He's gonna be okay, Naruko... trust me..."
"Sensei comfort," Kushina said through her tears. "Kakane's being a good teacher."
Naruko turns to Kakane as she cries to her sensei and hugs her tightly, while Kakane does the same.
"They both needed that hug," Yuri observed with maternal understanding.
"Sensei and student supporting each other," Minato added approvingly.
---
•Flashback End•
Kakane remembers all the pain she went through with her Team. Then she felt a hand touch her shoulder. She turns her head toward the person.
"Back to the present," Shikamaru noted. "But who's approaching her?"
This person has long, wild white hair and black eyes, and she also has red marks across the side of her face, with Double D-cup breasts.
"JIRAYU!" Jiraiya screamed excitedly. "MY FEMALE COUNTERPART!"
"She looks exactly like you," Tsunade noted with amusement. "Just... more feminine."
"Is that your team?" She asks the single-eye ninja.
Kakane nodded, "Yes, Jirayu-Sama..."
"Respectful address," Minato noted. "Jirayu has the same status as Jiraiya."
"Well, Sensei didn't do wrong. That brat looks like him..."
Another voice comes from behind them. She has long blonde hair, yellow eyes, and a diamond-shaped mark on her forehead, F-cup breasts.
"TSUNADE!" Tsunade exclaimed. "Wait, F-cup? That's bigger than mine!"
"Focus, Baa-chan," Naruto said with a sweatdrop.
A milf named Jirayu said, "Yes, he indeed has the same face, Tsunade."
"They're talking about how Kyo looks like Kenshi," Hiruzen realized.
"Even they can see the resemblance," Yuri said softly.
"Wait, is he the one Sensei said needs healing from me?" an other milf named Tsunade asks Kakane.
"Medical consultation," Tsunade said with professional interest. "I want to see how my counterpart handles Kyo's case."
Kakane nodded, "Yes."
"Then why did you let him enter the exam when he is not fully healed?" Tsunade asks again.
"Good question," Tsunade said approvingly. "Medical safety should come first."
Kakane sighed as she explained, "Well..... Kyo-Kun is the hardest one to say no to."
The room erupted in laughter despite the serious situation.
"That's so true!" Multiple voices said in unison.
"He's got those puppy dog eyes," Ino giggled.
"Saiyan charm is too powerful," Anko said with a grin.
Jirayu giggled as she said, "Hehe... That boy even acts like him too... Well, let's go, Tsunade. I bet Shizune has already arrived at Sensei's office."
"Meeting time," Hiruzen noted. "The legendary Sannin are gathering."
"Hey, this is your idea to see the brats first." Tsunade response.
"Yeah-yeah, let's go. See you later, Kakane!" Jirayu replies, leaving Kakane alone.
Both legendary Sanin went to the Hokage office.
"Just like Jiraiya to want to see the students first," Tsunade said with fond exasperation.
---
Later, Kyo and the others meet another teammate, who includes every Shinobi in the whole nation.
"Time for the main event," Naruto said with excitement. "Meeting all the other Genin!"
Ino greets Kyo by hugging him seductively, which makes the girl who likes Kyo hate it.
"INO!" Multiple female voices screamed in outrage.
"She's making her move!" Ino said with a mischievous grin.
"That's not fair!" Sakura protested.
Hinata greeted him with a gentle hug and cheek kisses, which only made the other girl angrier.
"HINATA TOO!" The protests got louder.
"Everyone's claiming their territory," Temari observed with amusement.
"Poor Kyo doesn't know what hit him," Shikamaru said with sympathy.
Kyo also met Kabuto, whom he called the guy with information, cause he had almost all the information about every Shinobi but not the Saiyan boy.
"Kabuto," Orochimaru said with interest. "Interesting that he lacks information on Kyo."
"His Saiyan origins aren't in any ninja database," Sasuke noted logically.
Soon, the first test began, and Kyo met another guy named Ibiki, who had scars all over his head, and the Proctor of the first test.
"Ibiki-san," Anko said with professional respect. "The master of interrogation."
"Those scars tell stories," Ibiki said grimly. "Each one earned."
The Saiyan boy knew the first test was about cheating if you didn't know how to answer and not be quiet, but this test is more to test your will.
"Smart boy," Shikamaru noted approvingly. "He understands the real purpose."
"Information gathering and psychological pressure," Ibiki added with approval.
Kyo looked at the paper test as he smiled slightly and thought, 'This is easy.' Kyo is not dumb. He also studies with books and training to keep it balanced.
"Balanced education," Hiruzen noted approvingly. "Brain and brawn both matter."
"Unlike a certain someone," Sakura said, glancing pointedly at Naruto.
"Hey!" Naruto protested.
Sakura, Naruko, Ino, Hinata, and Satsuki were doing well on the test because they had been learning and studying together for the past months.
"Study group!" The girls said with approval.
"They've been preparing together," Kurenai noted warmly. "Good teamwork."
"ALRIGHT, TIMES UP, DROP YOUR PEN!" Ibiki suddenly yells as he smiles when he they are many Genin who have passed the test. "Congratulations, you all passed the test!"
"Classic Ibiki approach," Anko said with a grin. "Skip the final question this time."
The Genin who struggled with the test were shocked but still in joy when they passed the test.
"Now, I will introduce your second Proctor for the second tes-" Ibiki was cut off when the glass windows in the room broke.
"DRAMATIC ENTRANCE!" Guy yelled with excitement.
"Here it comes," Anko said with anticipation.
A Kunai was stuck on the wall attached to a banner that read, "Second Proctor, Single but not available," Anko Mitarashi.
"SINGLE BUT NOT AVAILABLE!" Multiple voices read with laughter.
"That's my entrance!" Anko said proudly. "Style points!"
Naruko and Satsuki suddenly smash his head hard into the desk while muttering, 'Why, it must be her."
"They know what's coming," Ino said with amusement.
"Past experience," Sakura noted with a grin.
They both recall their encounter with Anko four years ago, and this girl can't keep her eyes off Kyo for a second when she has the chance.
"Anko's got a reputation," Kurenai said with fond exasperation.
"Kyo magnet," Temari observed with amusement.
But thankfully, when Anko became Tokubetsu Jonin, her free time became her sleeping time, so she couldn't spend time with her favourite Kyo-Chan.
"Work keeping her away from romance," Anko said with a pout.
"KYO-CHAN!!!" Anko yelled as she ran toward Kyo and hugged him tightly.
"AND THERE SHE GOES!" Multiple voices screamed.
The other sweatdrop was a source of jealousy for the girls.
"A-Anko-Nee-Chan..." Kyo was blushing madly when Anko's breasts were mashed against his face.
"ANKO!" Every female in the room screamed in outrage.
"That's assault!" Tsunade said with mock horror.
"Lucky boy," Jiraiya muttered before getting punched.
The woman's name is Anko, and she pouted as she said, "Nah ah, I told you to drop it and call me, An-ko-Chan."
"She wants him to drop the honorifics," Hinata noted with a blush.
"A-Anko-Chan, it's been a long time." Kyo stutters cause this woman is the first one to make him feel and learn about women, and basically, she is his first crush.
The room went dead silent.
"FIRST CRUSH!" Multiple voices screamed.
"ANKO WAS HIS FIRST CRUSH!" Ino yelled in outrage.
"No wonder he's blushing so much," Sakura said with realization.
"She taught him about women," Kurenai said with mixed horror and amusement.
Before they can say any further words, Ibiki cuts them off and says, "Anko-San, you still have work to do here.
"Thank Kami for Ibiki," Yuri said with maternal relief.
Anko sighed as she said, "Alright, listen up! Meet me at the Forest of Death. In 10 mins, or you fail, should we go to Kyo-Chan?"
"Oh no, you don't!" Naruko and Satsuki said at the same time, and before the girls could do that, Anko took Kyo with her and disappeared into Shunhin.
"SHE KIDNAPPED HIM!" Kushina screamed.
"ANKO!" Multiple girls yelled in unison.
"Body flicker kidnapping," Kakashi noted with amusement. "Efficient."
---
Later, Kyo and everyone on the field saw the Saiyan boy madly blushing while Anko was oddly smiling happily as she turned toward the Genin.
The room was dead silent, staring at the screen with suspicion.
"What did she DO to him?" Yuri asked with maternal concern.
"That smile," Kurenai said with growing horror. "I know that smile."
"ANKO!" Multiple voices demanded an explanation.
"So listen up! All you had to do was follow the damn train!" Anko described herself as a woman with purple hair, brown eyes, and wearing a trench coat over ninja chainmail, with Double D-cup breasts.
"Follow the damn train?" Naruto asked with confusion. "What kind of instruction is that?"
"What?" The Genin asks back.
"Oh, sorry, I said. All you have to do is survive in the Forest of Dead for three days while getting a Heaven scroll or an Earth scroll. One Team will get one scroll, either Heaven or Earth, so your mission is simple." Anko smirks and crosses her arms under her breast.
"Classic Forest of Death rules," Anko said with professional approval.
"Survival test," Gaara noted with understanding.
Anko continues, "Fight each other to get the scroll, then when you have both scrolls, come back to us in the middle of the forest. Is that simple?"
"Simple in theory," Shikamaru said dryly. "Deadly in practice."
"Why is it called Forest of Death?" Naruko asks Anko.
"Good question, Naruko-chan," Kushina said approvingly.
Anko smiled, "Soon or later, you will find out why, and there you go, your test starts... NOW!"
Most Shinobi run into the forest.
"And they're off!" Lee said with excitement.
Hinata, Ino, and Tenten said good luck to Team 7 while Kyo was still blushing, but didn't say anything.
"He's still processing whatever Anko did," Temari observed with amusement.
"Poor traumatized boy," Yuri said with motherly concern.
"Let's go, Team! We're gonna show them Team 7 is the strongest Shinobi from Konoha!" Naruko said excitedly.
"That's the spirit!" Naruto cheered for his female counterpart.
Sakura shook her head, "I-I don't know. It looks kinda scary..."
"Natural fear response," Kurenai noted understandingly.
Satsuki scoffed as she asked, "Are you Kunoichi or Villager? If you are a villager, then stay here. If Kunoichi shakes off your fear."
"Harsh but effective motivation," Sasuke noted approvingly.
"I'm Kunoichi!" Sakura replies.
"Standing up for herself," Ino said with approval.
Satsuki felt Kyo touch her shoulder.
Kyo finally broke from his blushing as he gave a warm smile and said, "Hey, no fighting, okay?"
"Kyo the peacemaker," Minato noted warmly.
Satsuki sighed as she replied, "Alright..."
Kyo suddenly pet Satsuki's head with a Warm smile, "That's better."
"HEAD PATS!" Multiple girls screamed in envy.
"Stop! Don't do that!" Satsuki waves Kyo's hand off her head.
"She's embarrassed," Mikoto observed with motherly amusement.
Naruko, without waiting, runs toward the forest, and her Team follows her after.
"Naruko leading the charge," Kushina said proudly.
Anko watches Kyo leave as she giggles when she remembers what she did with Kyo.
"WHAT DID SHE DO?" Multiple voices demanded.
"What are you laughing about, Anko?"
Anko heard the voice as she turned and saw her best friend, Kurenai.
"Finally, someone to get answers," Kurenai said with determination.
"Nothing," Anko replies while smiling as she continues. "I'm just happy. Kyo-Chan was awake and fighting again."
"Deflection," Kurenai noted suspiciously.
"Well, I agree with you about that, but what did you do to make the kid blush like that?" Kurenai asked because she saw how red Kyo's face was.
"ASK THE HARD QUESTIONS!" Multiple voices cheered for Kurenai.
"Well, it's a secret~," Anko replied with a slur.
"ANKO!" Everyone screamed.
Kurenai sighed, "You know he's still underage, right?"
The room went deadly silent.
"Oh no," Yuri said with growing horror.
Anko shrugged, "I don't care. He is a Shinobi. He is already old enough to kill, old enough to drink and-"
"Old enough to fuck?" Kurenai continued as she sighed heavily.
"KURENAI!" Multiple voices screamed in shock at the explicit language.
"Did she just-" Hinata couldn't even finish the sentence.
"Yeah, exactly," Anko said with a grin.
"ANKO, WHAT DID YOU DO?" Yuri screamed with maternal horror.
"THAT'S A CHILD!" Kushina added with equal outrage.
Kurenai sweetdrop, as she said, "Please... Just make sure... he's old enough and ready."
"AT LEAST KURENAI HAS SENSE!" Tsunade screamed.
---
A few hours later, in the Forest of Death, Team 7 decides to stop running.
"Thank Kami, we're back to the actual exam," Hiruzen said with relief.
"Hey, what are we after again?" Naruko asks her Team.
"Classic Naruko question," Naruto said with a grin.
Sakura sighed, "We are searching for a Heaven scroll, Naruko."
"Ohh, hehe sorry," Naruko replies.
"At least she asks when she forgets," Kushina said fondly.
Satsuki looks at them both while shaking her head.
"Satsuki's patience is being tested," Sasuke observed with amusement.
Meanwhile, Kyo felt something as he warned them and said, "Girls! On guard! We got company."
"Saiyan senses," Goku—wait, wrong universe. "His Ki sensing is incredible," Ay corrected.
That word puts the girls on guard.
Suddenly, one guy drops from the sky with a Kunai in his hands, aiming at Kyo. The young Saiyan saw the guy as a swing kick. That Guy flew away when he received that kick.
"One-shot takedown," Lee said with admiration. "YOUTH!"
Kyo didn't notice two more Ninjas suddenly appearing behind him. His condition prevented him from moving fast enough.
"His injuries are still affecting him," Tsunade noted with medical concern.
"He's not at full speed," Yuri observed with worry.
Both of the enemies also have Kunai in their hands; Kyo slow-mo turns his head as suddenly, Naruko and Satsuki jump right in front of him as they yell, "GET AWAY FROM HIM!"
"TEAMWORK!" Multiple voices cheered.
"They're protecting him!" Kushina said with pride.
They both swing kick at the enemies, which sends them flying off toward the first one, who is kicked by Kyo.
"Synchronized attack," Minato noted approvingly. "Excellent coordination."
"Thank you, Naruko-Chan, Satsuki-Chan!" Kyo said with a smile.
Satsuki smiled, "Don't be worried. We got you covered!"
Naruko also smiled as she said, "She's right. We got you this time."
"Role reversal," Ryo noted with paternal pride. "They're protecting him now."
"That's what teammates do," Yuri added warmly.
Kyo looked at the enemies, and he saw Sakura already tightening them up as he said, "Well, let's go ask them what scroll they have."
"Sakura with the rope work," Ino said approvingly.
Both girls nod, and they walk closer to Sakura.
"Nice job, Sakura-Chan!" Kyo praises his pink-haired teammate.
Sakura blushed as she replied, "T-Thank you,u Kyo-Kun."
"Praise making Sakura happy," Kurenai noted with approval.
Kyo walks closer to the enemy's Team and slaps one of the enemy's faces as a reason to wake up.
"Wake-up slap," Anko said with professional approval.
Kyo notices these guys are from Otogakure (Village Hidden by Sound) as he slaps the ninja while saying, "Wake up."
"Sound Village," Orochimaru said with interest. "My territory."
The enemies didn't wake up.
Kyo slapped the ninja again, "Wake up!" The ninja still didn't wake. "Are these guys seriously knocked out with one hit?"
"They're playing dead," Shikamaru observed. "Classic possum strategy."
Naruko shrugged, "Seems like it."
Satsuki scoffs, "These guys are weak."
The young Saiyan notices a half-open eye looking at them, but he quickly closes his eyes when he looks. "Well then, I will give the most powerful slap that makes their head blow up into pieces to wake them up," Kyo said with an evil smile.
"EVIL KYO!" Multiple voices said with nervous laughter.
"That's terrifying," Karin said with a shudder.
Kyo noticed sweatdrops coming from the enemy's faces as Kyo let his aura out, which made the wind blow their surroundings.
"Fear-induced sweating," Gaara noted with dark amusement.
Naruko, Satsuki, and Sakura want to stop Kyo from overusing his power, but they also notice sweatdrops on the enemies' faces, making them also have an evil smirk.
"They're all going along with it," Temari observed with amusement.
Sakura also had an evil smile as she said, "Killing one of them will wake them up."
"EVIL SAKURA!" Ino screamed with laughter.
Satsuki gave an evil grin as she said, "Or kill two of them if they still didn't take up."
"EVIL SATSUKI!" Sasuke said with amusement.
Naruko has an evil smirk. "Maybe kill them all and take everything they've got! Hehehe." She finishes with an evil laugh.
"EVIL TEAM 7!" Multiple voices screamed with laughter.
"They're all psychopaths!" Kiba said with nervous laughter.
Kyo, with an evil smile, said, "Alright then, let's start with you... 1... 2..." Before he said three.
The group of enemies shouted at them, "WE AWAKE!" They all had heavy breaths in panic.
"PSYCHOLOGICAL WARFARE WORKS!" Guy exclaimed with approval.
"They cracked immediately," Anko said with professional admiration.
Kyo powers down as he crouches down to them.
"So let's get this fast and quick... what scroll do you guys have?" Kyo asks.
"W-We have Heaven scroll..." The enemies reply.
"Perfect," Shikamaru noted. "Exactly what they needed."
"Give it to us," Satsuki demands.
"What?" The enemies ask.
"You guys attacked us first, and you lost; you should be grateful to us that we didn't kill you, so give us the scroll," Satsuki said again.
"Sound logic," Tobirama noted approvingly. "Victors' rights."
Kyo continues, "Or we will take it from your corpse."
"Still threatening," Gaara observed with dark amusement.
The girls know Kyo acts to make enemies, right? The enemies looked down for a second as one of them looked at Kyo and said.
"Take the scroll... and let us live, please."
"Mercy through intimidation," Minato noted. "Effective and merciful."
---
"That was easy..." Naruko said that when her team, 7, had both of the scrolls.
"Mission accomplished already," Naruto said with satisfaction.
"Now we have both scrolls. Should we go to the middle forest?" Sakura asks.
Kyo shook his head, "No, not yet... I don't want them to suspect us of cheating in the exam."
"Smart strategic thinking," Shikamaru noted approvingly.
"Why? We won fair and square." Sakura said, "They did win fair and square."
"I know, but they won't believe us... so here's the plan: we're gonna stay here for a day, then we'll go to the building for the next round," Kyo said while looking at his Team.
"Avoiding suspicion," Hiruzen noted with approval. "Political awareness."
Naruko shrugged, "I have no problem with that."
"Same here." Satsuki agreed.
Kyo looks at Sakura.
Well, the Team better stick together, right? So I'm in." Sakura replied with a smile.
"Team unity," Kurenai noted warmly.
Kyo smiled as he said, "Alright!"
Girls of Team 7 make a small camp for a safe hiding place as Kyo searches for a meal to eat tonight.
"Division of labor," Minato noted approvingly.
While searching for food, Kyo stumbled upon a Group of ninjas, consisting of two males and one female. Kyo noticed she had long red hair and glasses.
"Karin," Orochimaru said with recognition. "My subordinate."
"That's me... I also here..." Karin said while closing her mouth as she knew this was where she had fallen for Sasuke before.
Kyo quickly hid behind a big tree and peeked at the ninjas; The Saiyan saw the male ninja was angry at the girl, as Kyo heard.
"You brat! You should heal us! But you being a bitch and got scared, now look! We lost our Earth scroll because of you!"
"Team abuse," Kurenai said with anger. "That's not acceptable."
"Poor girl," Yuri said with maternal sympathy.
"But I'm trying my best!" The red-haired girl defended herself.
Kyo, standing behind the trees, heard what they were saying. 'These guys get attacked by another Ninja team, but why are they all blaming that girl?'
"Kyo's sense of justice kicking in," Ryo noted with paternal pride.
Kyo stops with his thought as Kyo sees one of them slap the girl, which makes her fall to the ground with her glasses flying off her.
"ABUSE!" Multiple female voices screamed in outrage.
"That's assault!" Tsunade said with medical anger.
"We leave you! You are a burden to us!" The girl team said.
"Abandoning a teammate," Gaara said with cold anger. "Unforgivable."
The girl was searching for her glasses when they heard a roar. As they turned, they saw a bear, a starving bear, running toward them as the male Ninja smirked.
"Goodbye, brat." Both Ninja leaves the girl behind.
"THEY'RE LEAVING HER TO DIE!" Kushina screamed in outrage.
"No, please don't leave me here!" The girls begged only to hear the bear getting closer to them. "P-please somebody helps!"
"She's calling for help," Hinata said with tears in her eyes.
The bear is second to her when, suddenly, an explosion erupts right in front of her, forcing her to cover her face.
"KYO TO THE RESCUE!" Multiple voices cheered.
After a few seconds, she slowly opened her eyes and saw a person standing right in front of her.
"Hey, are you okay?" Kyo hands the glasses to the girls as they take them.
"Heroic entrance," Lee said with admiration. "YOUTHFUL RESCUE!"
The red-haired girl finally sees it clearly now, and she sees a boy with medium black hair and black clothes. His village symbol is on his left bicep, and this person is very handsome.
"Love at first sight," Ino said with a knowing smirk.
The girl blushed while saying, "Thank you..."
As Kyo mentioned, this girl has long red hair and glasses, and is wearing ninja chainmail underneath. Her outfit was almost like Anko's, with A-cup breasts.
"Another girl interested in Kyo," Temari observed with amusement.
"No worry, I'm sorry that your Team did this to you. Oh, by the way, my name is Kyo." Kyo ends with a smile.
"Formal introduction," Minato noted approvingly. "Even during rescue missions."
The girl blushes again, "My name is Karin. Thank you for saving me."
"Karin," Orochimaru noted with interest. "She's forming an attachment to Kyo."
"What you gonna do now?" Kyo asks.
"I'm gonna retire. There is no need for me to continue. I already lost a team." She stands as she walks closer to Kyo and holds his hand. "Thanks, Kyo-Kun. I hope we meet again."
"Hand holding," multiple girls noted with varying degrees of envy.
Kyo smiled as he said, "Me to Karin-Chan. You sure you're good to be out here alone?"
"He's genuinely concerned for her safety," Yuri noted with maternal pride.
Karin's blush returns when Kyo calls her Chan at the end of her name as she says, "No worry, Kyo-Kun, I'm already lost, so another ninja can't harm me."
"Logical but sad," Shikamaru noted.
"Alright, see you again and be careful."
Karin lets go of his hand as she nods with a smile and leaves Kyo alone.
"Another girl added to the list," Anko said with a grin.
The Saiyan saw the bear he had killed and said. "Well, this bear's gonna be our diner tonight."
"Bear meat," Choji said with interest. "Protein-rich."
---
Kyo goes back to his Team with a bit of meat on his back, which surprises his Team.
"Kyo, what is that on your back?" Naruko asks while the three girls look at Kyo back.
Sakura points out, "Is that a bear?"
Kyo laid down the meat as he said, "Yup."
"What are we gonna do with that?" Satsuki asks.
Kyo smiled as he said, "That's Girls is our meal for tonight."
"BEAR DINNER!" Choji said with excitement.
The girls exchange a glance, and then they look at Kyo.
Naruko sweatdrop, "You kidding, right?"
Satsuki and Sakura nod at Naruko's words.
Kyo shook his head with a smile, "Nope!"
The girls start to regret staying on today.
The room erupted in laughter at the girls' expressions.
"Poor girls," Kurenai said with sympathy. "They weren't expecting wilderness survival."
---
The next morning, Kyo and his Team jump from tree to tree, and Kyo notices the girls' faces are unhappy.
"Why, you three with that face?" Kyo turns his head toward the girl as he jumps over the trees.
"You asking us?" Sakura asks.
"Y-Yeah." Kyo nodded.
Naruko comes closer to Kyo and grabs his shirt, shaking him from side to side, which makes them stop jumping trees.
"YOU MAKE US EAT A BEAR!" Naruko is still shaking Kyo.
"ANGRY NARUKO!" Kushina said with a mixture of laughter and sympathy.
"AhhHhH... I'm SoRRy NaRuko-cHan, But IT's StIll EDieBle." Kyo tried to say a proper word, but it seemed Naruko shook him, making him unable to say a word properly.
"He can't even speak properly," Sasuke noted with amusement.
Naruko growled, "YOU AT LEAST, YOU STILL CAN FIND A DEAR! AND I JUST FOUND IT WHEN WE WERE JUST ABOUT TO LEAVE OUR CAMP!"
"There was deer available," Ino said, understanding the girls' frustration.
"I'm SOrrry!!!"
Satsuki holds Naruko's shoulder as she wants Naruko to stop. She says, "Naruko, let Kyo free and his right Bear last night still edible."
"Satsuki being the voice of reason," Mikoto noted with approval.
Naruko stops her shaking and lets her go. "Fine... You owe us a proper meal this time!"
Kyo coughed and smiled, "Sure."
"He's making promises he might not be able to keep," Shikamaru observed.
Suddenly, Kyo felt someone standing near them, which made him alert everyone. "On your guard, everyone! We got someone nearby." Kyo reaches his Kunai on his back porch. He felt the energy was stronger than that of a normal Genin. "Careful, this person's energy is stronger than average, Genin."
The room tensed. They all knew what was coming.
"Strong enemy," Ay noted grimly.
"How do you know that?" Sakura asks.
"I just felt it." Kyo is still in his serious tone. Then his instinct kicks in as he throws kunai toward a random place. The Team turns their head toward where Kyo throws his Kunai as they see a white snake die from two kunai striking its head.
"Snake," Orochimaru said with growing interest. "My signature."
"A snake?" Sakura questioning.
"UP THERE!" Satsuki, with Sharingan active, yells at her Team.
They turned as they saw a Thousand snakes fall from the sky.
"SNAKE RAIN!" Multiple voices screamed.
"GET DOWN!" Kyo aims his hand toward the Sky as he shoots a dozen Ki blasts toward the falling snake.
"Ki blasts," Madara noted with admiration. "Efficient area attack."
The big explosion can be heard 2km away. Kyo turned his head toward his Team as they listened to a giggle from someone.
"That giggle," Orochimaru said with anticipation. "My female counterpart."
"Kuhkuhkuh, that is impressive. But what about a bigger snake?"
Kyo and the others turned their head as they saw a Woman with pale skin, long black hair, yellow snake eyes, and a purple mark around her eyes, with dark purple pants and a light cream shirt with an O shape that exposed her cleavage, E-cup breasts.
"OROCHI!" Orochimaru exclaimed with scientific interest. "My female version!"
"Those proportions," Jiraiya noted before getting smacked.
Kyo has Kenshi memorise him, which makes him grow in pain as he holds his head. The girls notice Kyo in pain.
The room went dead silent.
"Kenshi's memories are triggering," Yuri said with worry.
"He recognizes her," Ryo noted with concern.
"Kyo-Kun, you okay?!" Sakura asks with concern.
Kyo looked at the woman as he said, while in pain, "O-Orochi-chan?"
"HE KNOWS HER NAME!" Multiple voices screamed.
"Kenshi's memories," Hiruzen said with understanding. "He's seeing his past."
The woman named Orochi narrowed her eyes as a big snake surprised Kyo and tackled him off the tree while he was in pain in his mind.
"SURPRISE ATTACK!" Everyone screamed.
"She took advantage of his confusion," Kurenai noted with anger.
Satsuki, Naruko, and Sakura yell his name at the same time, "KYO!/KUN!"
---
•To Be Continue•
---
The room erupted as the chapter ended on that cliffhanger.
"NO!" Multiple voices screamed. "Not another cliffhanger!"
"OROCHI HAS KYO!" Yuri screamed with maternal terror.
"The memories made him vulnerable," Tsunade noted with medical concern.
"What does she want with him?" Ryo demanded.
"Kenshi's connection to the original Sannin," Hiruzen said grimly. "She recognizes something in Kyo."
"This is bad," Sasuke said with serious concern. "Orochimaru's female version with Kyo vulnerable."
"Guardian-sama," Kushina pleaded, "please tell us he'll be okay!"
The Guardian's light pulsed with anticipation. "The bonds of past and present converge. Kenshi's memories may be Kyo's salvation... or his downfall. The next chapter will test not just his strength, but his very identity."
"Identity crisis," Shikamaru noted with concern.
"Fighting memories while fighting enemies," Gaara observed grimly.
"Our boy," Yuri whispered, "he's facing his past and present at once."
"The girls will save him," Kushina said with determination. "They won't let Orochi take him."
"But can they fight someone of her level?" Minato asked with concern.
The room settled into anxious anticipation, desperate to see what would happen to Kyo in his vulnerable state.
---
(That is a wrap for Chapter 23, and it is over 5600+ words long. It's supposed to be two chapters, but I combined them into one, and this is the longest chapter I've ever made.)
(The emotional flashback showing Kyo's recovery and the girls' worry added incredible depth to their relationships!)
(Anko's... interaction with Kyo has everyone concerned and intrigued!)
(Meeting Karin creates another potential romantic connection!)
(And now Orochi appears with Kenshi's memories triggering - the perfect storm!)
(Vote if you Like it! Follow if you Love it! And a Share will be Epic! And if you do all that, you will be LEGEND! See you guys next time!)
(See ya and stay safe😁)