"By the way, Ari, where've you been all this time?" Jiro asked, strolling Konoha's streets with me.
"Well..." I stopped, pondering what to say. Couldn't tell him I'd spent about four months in Mzarth (dragon world) learning fire arts and Senjutsu! Sure, Senjutsu got me nowhere: Daichi did three sessions then told me to self-train since I was so hopeless.
At first I believed it wasn't for me, but digging deeper, I realized Orochimaru's Cursed Seal was seriously hindering. So now two options: confess to Kakashi so he seals it like Sasuke's, or handle it subconsciously myself. Anyway, I'd think.
Fire control sans seals wasn't simple either. First sense the energy—chakra—in fire from afar, then try controlling it, like stopping it. Pinnacle: create and control fire seal-free. Big "but"—I could only control my own fire at short range; never learned others' since no chance. It works differently: my fire uses Yin Release; others' Yang Release—Yoton. Range/volume still weak: six meters max.
But crucially, I massively improved all my fire techniques. Praise the gods, nothing explodes in my hands anymore. Finally leaving Iryoninjutsu sensei Yoshi-san in peace.
As for my dragonling Seichi, he'd grown noticeably in four months, but sadly I returned without him—Mzarth rules ban underage dragons leaving. Seichi hits adulthood in fifteen dragon years—three human. So enhanced clones babysit.
"So, where'd you vacation?" Jiro pressed, pulling from memories.
"Mostly home, reading scrolls, resting, occasional training," I lied. "Sorry, Jiro, couldn't make it then—unforeseen circumstances. Also, figured out the scroll and where it came from."
"And where?" Jiro asked, heading to the sweets shop.
"A friend gave it that day... hey, since you're going in, grab me some dango please." I handed him money.
"Sure! I'm a dango fan too, and this shop's got Konoha's best!" Jiro grinned, took the cash, and entered.
"One day till the exam—gotta see Minato today: he mentioned a mission. Hope it's fun," I thought, staring at the Hokage Rock faces.
"Here," Jiro smiled, handing me treats on return. "You've grown a ton since last time," he noted—we were same height now.
"Yeah, surprised me too, but they say it's normal at our age," I shrugged innocently, eating a dango ball. M-da. I'd sunk low—lying constantly, even grossed myself out.
"Wish I grew that fast—too short for my age," Jiro smiled shyly.
"You will, can't escape it," I smirked.
"Yeah. Hey, Ari, what's your dream?" Jiro asked suddenly, swallowing his last dango. When'd he finish?
"Mine... uh, welll, no wars or innocent deaths; live in a world where people don't die pointlessly... Oh, and buy a cool house with a killer view, hah. Also..." I eyed Jiro, weighing trust—but it wasn't super secret. "Mmm... basically, marry Sasuke—though not a dream, I know it'll happen." I scratched my neck bashfully, smirking. Couldn't wait till mission ends, enemies crushed, me chilling at home with kids. And a kitty or hamster!
"Ari..?" Jiro tilted his head.
"Oops, zoned out too hard," I smiled. "But don't tell anyone," I added quickly.
"Hah, cool—knew you were dating," Jiro winked. "But," he raised a finger, "invite me—and heaps of awesome dango!" He laughed.
"Definitely! Ocean of dango and treats," I beamed. "Your dream?"
"Em..." He pondered. "More goals, really. Top: find one person—tell you who/why later. Like you, want peace—so goal: create org regulating country relations. Weird dream..." He scratched his neck smiling. "Even dumb, but I like it. Fight rogues, criminals, etc."
"Cool idea, Jiro—you rock," I cheered, thinking: "Like UN from past life. But here... what power/influence needed!" Impressed by effort required. "Never give up—you'll make it!"
"Thanks, Ari. Oh, goal: find brother. Not to kill—just answers," he said seriously. "Your goals?"
"Actually, I wanna someon—" I cut off, stopping. Again. Exactly... like last time. Whenever spilling life goal, mission, or tangent, surveillance feeling hits. Total paranoia swallow. O... nooo, not fear... not guilt. Deeper. Iron conviction someone's watching. Someone so powerful, skin crawls. Forces mid-street freeze amid crowds, scanning. Same telling Sasuke my goal. Same with Yoshi-san or Naruto. Always identical...
"Maybe Rikudo watching so I don't blab goals—or someone? Whatever... benefits me," I gazed at blue sky.
"Ari, what?" Jiro blinked at my halt.
"Nah... nothing. Tell you that goal later," I said slowly, eating dango. "Anyway, wanna get stronger, pass next Chunin Exam."
"Same. Hey, joint training sometime?" he asked as we turned into empty alley.
"100% yes. Post-exam?"
"Deal—but no holding back," Jiro grinned, hurling four dango sticks into stone wall. They sank deep with cracks.
"Don't think I'll hold back!" I approached, yanked them out. "Hm, didn't know they were that sharp."
"Me neither till recently—turns out good for... killing... torturing," Jiro slyly enlightened on dango-stick versatility.
"Who tortures with dango sticks? Dumb," I smirked.
"Best to torture victim..."
"Hey, what're you forgetting here?!" a deep loud bass interrupted. I turned: bearded cook entered our empty alley. Probably cafe owner.
"Ehh..."
He eyed wall holes, me, holes again. "You... making holes in my wall! I'll rip your arms off!" He advanced menacingly. "Found a playground!"
"Leg it..." Jiro mouthed.
"Agreed! Bail!" Seconds later, we were on a rooftop.
"Even rooftops—get down! Damn kids!" he yelled after.
"Hah, best fun ever," Jiro laughed, roof-hopping. "Gramps ballsy—charging shinobi."
"Hah, if he chased roofs—that'd be fun! Bye, Jiro—home nearby. See post-exam."
"Yeah, bye, Ari." Fist-bump farewell; we split.
17.08.1056
14:46
I knocked and waited. Voice from inside permitted entry; I crossed the threshold.
"Good day, Hokage-sama," I greeted Minato, spotting extra ANBU by his desk, murmuring soft "Hello."
"Hi, Ariza. Come, wait," Hokage replied, eyes on papers. I approached: village map. Red Xs, figures, weird symbols. Clear: prepping attack. "Serou, got it?" he asked redhead in porcelain mask.
"Yes," he nodded.
"You?" To green-haired kunoichi with odd mask; she nodded.
"Ari, your mission. B-rank. With other shinobi, evacuate 'Adati' district: four key sites—hospital, shinobi academy, dorms, shelter passage. You evacuate hospital/academy to shelter. Few chunin with you. Squad south protects district—so best case, no fights," Minato paused; I nodded. Bad I won't fight? Good? Time tells. "District defense commander—Serou," Hokage nodded at redhead.
"Op details in this scroll," the indicated ANBU handed me one. "Hope you're stronger since last time."
'Last time?' I thought, unsaid.
"Tomorrow 10:00 at scroll's spot," Minato told me, then to ANBU: "Dismissed."
"Minato-sama, arena protected?" I asked Hokage.
"If worried for Naruto/Sasuke—no need; they'll manage. Arena—yes, guarded."
"Thanks." I smiled. "Hokage-sama, about scroll found home month ago—but don't remember how it got there."
"The crimson one?" Minato sat, tidying desk.
"Yes."
"Forgot how you got it?" Hokage smiled slightly.
"Yes, Minato-sama. Not funny," I huffed a bit.
"I see. Don't worry—it's fully yours," he grinned, hiding something.
"Minato-sama, one thing: say/ask. Danzo-sama invited to Root; should I join?" I asked; Minato's smile vanished. Deadly serious.
"Your choice, but I don't recommend—Root is..." Minato trailed as three ANBU appeared mid-room.
"Hokage-sama, here for meeting," center kneeler rapid-fired. I glanced Minato; he checked time.
"Tell you later, Ari," he said.
"Okay, goodbye, Hokage-sama." I hurried out. Expected mission: no enemy shinobi fights for me, not rushing anyway. But watch Naruto/Sasuke on exam. Minimum three clones for backup if needed. Home now, prep operation properly.
***
Read the story months ahead of the public release — early chapters are available on my Patreon: Granulan