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Chapter 15 - 13. She is no ordinary Genin

Omniscient Narrator

The hallway was empty, save for the distant whisper of wind through the trees in the courtyard. Kakashi walked with a calm stride, but his thoughts were anything but calm.

He had seen many things in his life as a ninja, but something about that newly promoted genin had left him with an odd, almost unsettling feeling.

Upon reaching the Hokage's office door, Kakashi knocked gently and waited.

"Come in," responded the familiar voice.

The inside was lit by sunlight filtering through scrolls and maps. Hiruzen Sarutobi greeted him with a tired smile, as if he'd been carrying the weight of the village for decades—because he had.

"What do you have for me, Kakashi?" he asked, motioning to the chair across from his desk.

Kakashi sat, and for a moment, said nothing.

"The genin… Sumiko," he began. "She's not like the others. Not just because of her talent, but because of the way she thinks. She doesn't just follow orders. She analyzes, questions, and most importantly, she doesn't trust anyone or anything without a solid reason."

Hiruzen frowned, his expression reflecting both curiosity and concern.

"That can be a blessing or a curse in this village," he said gravely. "Loyalty and obedience are the pillars that uphold Konoha."

"I know," Kakashi replied. "But I also know that without questioning, without challenge, we stagnate. She could be a great ally—if we learn how to understand her. Or a threat, if we let her walk alone."

The old Hokage leaned back in his chair, fingers interlocked.

"Do you think she's ready for this?" he asked.

Kakashi didn't answer right away.

"Not yet," he admitted. "But that doesn't mean she won't be. We'll just need to guide her… carefully."

A comfortable silence filled the room as both men considered the uncertain fate of the genin who, unknowingly, had already begun to change the rules of the game.

...

The Hokage's office was bathed in a warm, almost welcoming light. Scrolls adorned the walls like relics of a glorious age, and the scent of incense filled the air, creating an atmosphere of serenity that few would dare question.

Hiruzen Sarutobi sat behind his desk, fingers interlaced with a patience that bordered on indifference. Outwardly, he was the wise old man, the respected leader. But inside, every thought revolved around a single goal: to control the force that was Sumiko.

In a soft, almost paternal voice, he spoke into the empty room, as if addressing an old invisible friend.

"She doesn't yet know what she can become… but she'll find out soon enough."

Without waiting for an answer, he gestured, and a shadow appeared at the door.

"Dibuko," he said without standing. "Come in."

The ANBU commander crossed the threshold with the solemnity of someone who knew his orders were not up for debate.

"Sumiko is a tool," continued the Hokage. "Not a weapon, not an ally, but a piece on the board that could tip the balance in our war against Kirigakure and others."

His eyes gleamed with ambition and coldness.

"I want you to watch her closely. Protect her, yes—but more than that, prepare her. She must not leave Konoha unsupervised. And if she strays… you know what to do."

Dibuko nodded, unmoved.

"And Sasuke?"

"That boy is a minor risk. For now."

Hiruzen allowed himself a thin, almost ironic smile.

"But the real jewel… is Sumiko."

Sunlight fell directly on his face, casting shadows that revealed a man whose power rested in secrets and manipulation.

"Make her talent serve Konoha. Not herself."

Dibuko left without a word, leaving the door slightly ajar.

The Hokage remained alone, contemplating an ancient scroll, while in his mind he wove the invisible web that would trap the genin without her even realizing it.

...

Twilight painted the treetops bordering Konoha in shades of orange. Sumiko moved among the shadows with the silent grace of a cat. She had successfully evaded the ANBU surveillance, leaving a shadow clone to throw them off.

Her lungs contracted, breath under control; each step was measured, calculated. This was the ultimate test: could she cross the village borders undetected?

The breeze brushed her face, and a tingling at the nape of her neck warned her—she was being watched.

She didn't need to look back to know who it was.

Dibuko.

His presence—cold and oppressive—loomed like a tangible threat.

Sumiko clenched her fists. She remembered the shadow he had cast over her childhood, the death of her mother, the pain she refused to forget.

She had always suspected that the ANBU captain had something to do with Mushani's death. But she had never dared to confirm it. He wasn't just any shinobi; he was the captain. And so, obeying prudence, she opted to redirect her path and avoid Dibuko's presence.

Without hesitation, she began to retreat, trying to melt into the darkness, slipping once again between the trees. Her chakra was concealed well enough to go unnoticed.

However, things quickly spun out of control.

A wrong step, a breath too loud... and Dibuko's hand gripped her throat.

His breath was icy... and reeked. The stench of garlic overwhelmed her the second he spoke.

"Did you really think you could escape?" he whispered with contempt.

He knew Sumiko had sensed him. He also knew she was hiding. Unlike the Hokage's orders, Dibuko had no intention of "guiding" her or turning her into a tool for Konoha.

"You've proven to be more than just a simple genin. That's why I'll carry out my orders."

A lie. He had his own plans. Plans that had been shelved due to Mushani's firstborn's lack of talent. But now that things had changed—now that the Hokage and the elders were watching the purple-haired girl—he couldn't afford to keep waiting.

"Congratulations. Today, you'll finally reunite with the bitch you call mother."

He had to eliminate her before the village claimed her completely. So he began to strangle her on the spot, his large, rough hand tightening around her neck like a snake on its prey.

Sumiko felt the weight of his words like a dagger sinking into her chest. As the color drained from her face and her oxygen ran out in seconds, she couldn't help but think her life had been a total failure. Not even a full day as a genin… and she was already being strangled by a high-ranking officer of her own village.

If this was what awaited her in Konoha, she couldn't imagine what horrors lurked beyond, much less in the mist.

"Kirigakure wants you erased from existence."

A deadly gleam lit up in Dibuko's eyes. And thirteen-year-old Sumiko resigned herself to the premature death looming over her.

What else could she expect?

Rescue?

She had no one. She was alone. Her family was a lie. Her sister, a stranger. Sasuke? Naruto? Kakashi?

Nothing. No one would come to save her.

Because Sumiko was paranoid.Because Sumiko didn't trust anyone.Because Sumiko was alone.

Alone with her thoughts, with death breathing down her neck, with the constant doubt of why fate had chosen her, with the uncertainty of whether she would live one more day… or if she was simply destined to die at any moment.

And in that instant, Sumiko couldn't help but feel sorry for herself. And shame before her mother... because she hadn't fulfilled a single one of the promises she made at her grave.

Dibuko's fingers squeezed tighter, cutting off the last traces of air.

Seconds stretched into eternity.

Sumiko's eyelids grew heavy. And once again, she fell into the darkness of unconsciousness.

Thinking: "If I'm still breathing tomorrow, both the Leaf and the Mist will regret underestimating me."

She closed her eyes.

And a figure emerged from the shadows with the precision of lightning.

Itachi Uchiha.

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