Chương 62: Chapter 62
I literally fell off the face of the earth, huh
Sorry for disappearing again and I'm sorry to say that I might do it again with the way I am. I haven't been feeling myself lately so it was hard to write and really took some time to write just a mere 2000 words for this chapter. I don't like the idea of dropping my stories so I will continue though my updates will be rather pathetic. For now that's all I have to say for myself and I'll try to be more frequent.
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Sasuke stood looking up at the building that Athena had quite literally pulled out of the ground just by placing her hands on the earth. He had known that she was quite powerful and he had seen her in action, but seeing her sprout an entire building, and one of this size no less, was almost unbelievable to him. The academy building was almost three times bigger than what it had been and somehow there was more than enough space for training grounds and obstacle courses, all of which Athena proceeded to add onto later. She stood overlooking the building with him, her eyes evaluating and calculating, but also proud of her achievement. She glanced at him, lips slowly tilting up to a smile, one that was somewhat teasing as she observed him amazed expressing.
"Please do pick your jaw up off the ground before you swallow a fly, Sasuke," she said almost harmonious, her smile growing just slightly when the boy looked to her, almost blushing in embarrassment.
"Why are you so strong?" He had been asking this question for a while now and this is the only time he had voiced it to Athena herself.
"I wonder as well" Athena chuckled at the question. She too had wondered why she had been so gifted in this world, why she was suddenly so lucky, so fortunate. She often holds answers to many questions, but this is one she cannot answer, one she will most likely never find the answer to.
"This is huge" Naruto craned his neck to see the very top of the academy building, his eyes watering when his vision was blocked by the sun.
Hinata was silent, observing in wonder as everyone else and having no words to say, none to express what she was feeling. She shouldn't be surprised by this, she shouldn't be surprised by Athena's skill when it comes to things one would think unimaginable, yet she was. She was surprised and amazed and impressed and many other things. She was so strong, stronger than her, stronger than anyone she had met before and she wished to be on that level someday. Could she? Could she be as strong as her or Naruto? Could she be a skilled ninja, one to look up to and respect like Lady Tsunade, Jiraiya, and Kakashi?
Her first thoughts were no, of course not, she wasn't like them, she wasn't what people expect of a ninja, she wasn't what a ninja should be. This had always been her thought process, those thoughts only changing when Athena offered encouragement. She seemed to be the only one who truly believed in her, not her father, not her sister, but Athena. Even her father doubts her abilities due to her gentle nature and Neji openly belittled her lack of resolve.
"What are you thinking about?"
Hinata blinked in surprise, stumbling back with Athena's sudden appearance just in front of her. The young Senju peered at her in question and slight worry as she let her regain her composure and take the time to answer the question.
"Nothing"
"Now that's a lie, you can't be thinking of nothing because that is impossible," Athena said matter of factly. "And you're thinking of something that upsets you"
Nothing was said, for she didn't know what to say in reply to that. Though she did wonder how Athena knew what she was thinking about.
"You're quite adorable when your upset, almost pouting really, so it's hard for me not to notice and as much as I enjoy looking at you and how precious all your expressions are, I don't exactly like seeing you upset"
Athena is always so honest with everything she says to Hinata and it never fails to leave the Hyuga heiress speechless because it takes time to comprehend that Athena genuinely cares for her that deeply and that everything she says to her is truthful.
Meanwhile, all Jiraiya could think was how smooth his daughter was with her words. Even he would be wowed if someone spoke to him like that, with such honesty and open affection while also being concerned. He could understand how she had gotten a girlfriend in the time she had been back in the village, it all makes sense. And as much as he would like to think she got her way with women from him, he knows he could never be like her.
"I need to take notes" Naruto mumbled as he returned to the swing he had been occupying since they arrived at the school.
"Well, I would've just swooned," Tsunade said very bluntly, somewhat surprised by the words that left her daughter's mouth. Then again this is Athena and she is very honest with people, especially those she cares about.
"I-" Hinata lost her words for a moment and almost forgot how to use her voice with Athena looking at her as if she was the very thing keeping her alive. "I'm fine"
Athena frowned for a moment, saying nothing and simply taking a step away from Hinata. She wasn't okay and she knew that, but she was not going to push either. She would not like to upset her even more, but she will make time to talk to her later.
Though, she had a hunch as to what could be bothering her.
"I'll go see the old man" Athena announces, turning on her heel to head back the way she came. "The chunin exams are coming up and I need to have a chat about the upcoming events with the old man. Plus some training would do us some good to be prepared for what's to come"
There was clear foreshadowing with Athena's words, a clear warning that had them tensing. Sometimes they forget that Athena had knowledge of the future and that she can see the danger before it even arrives. It's a bit unnerving to think, a bit worrying as well when they consider the things she must know, the things she has seen, and the death she likely tries to prevent.
Before anyone could say anything or try to question her, she was gone, leaving them to themselves.
"We just got back and already there's a storm brewing" Jiraiya joked, leaning against a tree. "I wonder what Athena has planned"
"Probably something badass," Naruto said cheerfully, getting off the swing and addressing his teammates. "You heard Athena, it's time for training"
Sasuke sighed, remembering the things Naruto put him through, but still deciding that he was far better than Athena, who seems to take some sick pleasure in seeing him struggle. That's not to mention Kurama who laughs at his pain countless times again.
~~~~~~~
"Old man"
Athena makes it a habit to appear at his window and each time she does so Hiruzen is startled, which is concerning should Athena be anyone else. So adept at masking her presence the girl can sneak up on anyone she likes, Huruzen theorizes, her approach not even known to him until she has made herself known. Soon the blonde is sitting in front of him, in the same chair she would occupy all those years ago. He could remember the child from back then, broken and lost, quite the contrast from the confident Athena sitting in front of him, grinning as if she had done something great, and he's sure she had. He saw the new academy structure from his window, amazed at how fast she was able to construct it as it apparently came out of the ground.
"I see building was a success"
"Yes of course" Tapping his desk, Athena nods, pulling a sheet of paper from out her pocket to review the changes she wishes to be made. "Since the chunin exam is coming up, I'm assuming the school won't be reopened until after. And if you were planning otherwise I ask for you to consider that because the chunin exam is going to be something else"
"What"s going to happen?"
A lot of things, Athena thinks, his death being one of them, but she would not allow it. After his death, things were grim for the village and Tsunade had to step in and bear the weight of the aftermath. Not this time, she was going to keep Hiruzen alive, let him remain the Hokage for just a bit longer, her mother would be focused on the hospital if she planned on staying. As for her father, well she doesn't know what he'll be doing, but things are better with the both of them here for the events to come.
"Well, for one, Orochimaru" just the mention of his name has the old man tensing. "From my knowledge, he came after Sasuke as the only surviving Uchiha, now, however, there's an entire clan, even more for him to choose from but I do believe he'll be targeting either Itachi, Shisui, or even Sasuke still, I'm not certain because things have obviously changed"
Orochimaru was trying to get Itachi originally if his time with the Akatsuki is anything to go by. Since he could not take the brother he tried going for Sasuke, using his want for power to lure him towards him, and the mark as even more of an encouragement. If he still sees the need to come for Sasuke - which she's starting to think he will because she doubts he'll be able to handle Itachi or Shisui as easily as he could Sasuke - she'll be right there to intercept him. She never liked the snake man and she would not pass up the opportunity to fight him.
Then there's another possibility
"He could come after me, instead of the Uchihas" she reveals. Knowing Orochimaru, he knows of who she is and the powers he holds, she would not put it past him to approach her. Either way, no matter who he chooses, she will stop him.
Hiruzen nods, concerned, but Athena seemed almost casual as if what were to come would not bring great destruction.
"Then there's the matter of Gaara" she sighs. She doesn't know how that will go down or if things will change drastically with Gaara having met Naruto at a younger age. Their meeting was brief, yes, but when it comes to Naruto, he could easily convince someone to be his friend. And since it was a young Gaara and the two relate on a great scale she was hoping he doesn't spiral too hard.
"Do you have a plan of sorts?"
Athena shrugs, leaving back in her seat to stare at the ceiling.
"It all happens during the Chunin exams. Orochimaru shows up during the test in the forest of death, as well as some of his sound ninja and his little sidekick. Then everything goes further downhill from there, getting worse during the last part of the exam" as much as she knows she can't rely too much on her knowledge, because it can prove useless now. "Just be on high alert, I'll keep you further informed"
"I'll take your word for it"
~~~~~~~~
"That man disgusts me"
Yuki appears at Athena's side midstride, the usually quiet girl almost stomping next to the calm Athena who simply quirked a brow at her current state. Athena's right-hand woman had a hand on the katana on her hip, grip tight as if she contemplated attempting murder, and knowing Yuki, Athena is almost surprised she managed to restrain herself. As calm and stoic as the girl is she can also be quite the menace, impulsive even when she lets her emotion control her.
"Learned anything of interest?" There's a reason Yuki is her right hand because this child, just a year older than Athena had amazing skills when it came to subterfuge. Even Athena felt antsy at the thought of spying on the ANBU, Danzo no less, but it was a task she knew Yuki could complete without much issue.
"That man" Yuki begins, eyes glazed over for a moment. "He has killed simply for their eyes"
That gave Athena pause. Danzo still managed to gather the eyes of the Uchiha? She was willing to believe that with the clan still existing it would be near impossible for him to gather a collection of eyes, yet she's hearing that he has succeeded in this task. Thinking back, his arm had been hidden for all those years, but I can only assume it's because of Hashirama's cells.
"Shall I kill him Master?" Yuki requests eagerly "Shall I chop his arms off Master, gauge his eyes out, cut out his tongue, dig out his guts"
The list of horrifics goes on as Yuki lists the numeral things she plans on doing to Danzo, the ways she plans on killing him if Athena gave her permission. All she needed was a simple nod of affirmation, encouragement to release the pent-up need, just a simple command is all it would take to have her katana driven straight through his head.
Athena considers it for a moment, truly contemplating sending Yuki to fight that coward of a man simply because she knew he was prone to underestimating his opponents and that his use of the Sharingan he had acquired was pathetic. He stole their eyes and could not even use to properly, claiming he would beat Madara, but could not handle Sasuke. Perhaps he could have won had he gave it his all from the very beginning, perhaps he would have lost even then, perhaps he should've just used Shisui's mangekyo from the beginning, knowing how powerful it is. Either way, he was outsmarted by Sasuke and lost.
She could send Yuki, after all, he surely doesn't have nearly as many Sharingan as he did in that fight and most importantly, he does not have Shisui's. With the Uchiha's still alive and well I can only believe it was hard for him to acquire the eyes he has gotten already and I truly question how that had come to be.
"You're considering it, Master" Yuki stated, increasing her pace to walk at Athena's side. "I am more than capable, Master, what lacks in power I surely make up for in skill, no?"
"I am considering it" especially since he's obviously weaker now. "But that man is a coward and plays dirty, should you attack him he will have his foundation interfere, a distraction that could get you hurt or even killed"
He got to Shisui of all people, got close enough to take his eyes, pushed into a corner even, and that's Shisui. It's not too far-fetched for her to be concerned about sending Yuki to handle him.
"Do not go after him" Athena decided. "Stay close, I have a feeling he'll try to come for me, you'll get your chance then"
"As you wish master," Yuki said with a bow to which Athena had to sigh again.
"Please stop calling me Master, Yuki, you're not my slave" Athena insists as she had been for all the time she knew Yuki.
"I apologize Master"
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