Let It Burn: Life [Sasuke Uchiha]

Chapter 19

Yamato wasn't surprised by Kakashi, Naruto, or Shikamaru's reaction. At the fact none of them could speak. Shikamaru looked pale.

"We couldn't exactly figure out how Mai managed to get past the first two squads," Yamato said. "It wasn't until Belva told us during our reviews on the candidates what had happened. She used a jutsu to melt into the floor in a blind spot and crawled through the walls and floor past the other teams. Of course, it took her that long to get to the final destination because that kind of jutsu takes a lot of focus and strength. If you move too much on the inside it can warp the surface and give away your position. She was careful."

"That jutsu..." Kakashi found it difficult to form the right words. "That jutsu is commonly used in Iwagakure. Rock Ninja's specialize in the technique. But that's with an earth element. To adapt it to... to metal..."

"I know, we were surprised ourselves. Even Belva. You should've seen the look on her face. I don't even think she was aware of her pupil's growth."

"When did she learn rock techniques?" Shikamaru asked.

"There was a time a little over a year ago when Belva took a leave of absence," Yamato said. "Mai's skills during the Jounin Exam were just above average. For ANBU it was on a whole other level. I believe during her absence she took Mai to Iwa, found an acquaintance and had her trained in the art of a Rock Ninja. It all falls into place."

Yes, it did. But that still didn't explain what happened after the stunt of emerging from the floor.

"The Chakra Strings," Kakashi said. "I knew some from the Be Fong Clan when I was a Gennin and Chuunin. But I've never seen anyone from that clan do something like that... or heard of it for that matter."

"A strength like that would not go unnoticed by the Hokage, yes, I know," Yamato said. "Which was what surprised all of us."

"Why did they nearly kill her in the arena?" Naruto asked. Anger bubbled up inside of him at the fact that Anko had deliberately sliced his teammate open. "The other exams weren't as brutal."

"Because none of them were at her level. What you need to understand, Naruto, is that Mai isn't a normal ninja. Like yourself, there are certain expectations that must be met. The only way to protect the item was to attack."

"But to cut her open–!"

"She could've stopped herself," Yamato cut him off.

The three looked at him quizzically.

"What?" Shikamaru asked.

"Mai could've stopped Anko's attack. You weren't there to witness it yourself, but if you had seen her fight in the past, dodging Anko should not have been a problem. Not in the slightest. It wasn't a sneak attack like what happened against Sasuke Uchiha."

"Are you saying Mai did that on purpose?" Kakashi asked.

Yamato chuckled. "Maybe, but we can't really know, can we? I have a theory though, but I'm not sure how accurate it is."

"What is it?" Shikamaru asked.

"Have you ever wondered why someone with Mai's ability would want to strive to do more? Grow with power? She can easily go up against ninjas on many levels with accuracy and skills one could only hope to match. She doesn't need a rank to define that. I believe she is trying to reach a higher power."

"Like Naruto?"

Yamato shook his head. "Maybe even greater than that."

"Is she trying to surpass Kage?" Naruto wondered.