Ways to become a Hokage

~CHAPTER 19: Who?~

They arrived at the big house of Rivinsi the next day, after a day of searching for it. This woman must be some big-time criminal... Sarada still marvelled at the structure of the mansion.

"This is the biggest house I've ever seen," Kenta said, eyes shining in awe. "My village doesn't have buildings like this, I mean, it's just ruined now..."

Sarada made a sorry face, "in Konoha, there are many buildings like this. You should see the Hokage tower, it's an amazing piece. And the Kamininarimon company is another sight... but the best is the Hokage rocks, that's something you have to see"

"I can't wait to get there," Kenta said, smiling. He then gestured ahead of them. "Do you think your friend will be here?"

"Yeah, hundred per cent" Sarada sucked in a breath and activated her Sharingan, hesitantly. She didn't like the prospect of possessing these eyes anymore, she couldn't put it to good use as her father, she could only try. "There are many security systems here... we'll have to be really sneaky"

"I love this stuff," Kenta said, beaming. "It's so exciting, isn't it?"

"Yeah, I remember once with Cho-Cho—" Sarada gulped as her dead best friend's image formed in her head. "Forget it, let's make a plan"

"Right..." Kenta glanced sideways at her in concern before pulling out the map of the house. "Point out where you can sense security stuff in the house"

"At the gate—" Sarada began and once Kenta had marked all the possible restricted spots, they walked toward the house again. The house sat in a field of grass, in the middle of a huge forest. "I didn't even know places like this exist..." she muttered, "aren't they supposed to be on the world map?"

Kenta shrugged, "isn't the reason why they located the house here, to avoid detection?"

"Yeah, probably" Sarada replied. 

Before they could enter the borders of the house, Kenta placed a hand on her shoulder.

"Yeah... and Sarada, try not to go too hard." He gazed at her as if offending her was the last thing he wanted to do. She understood what he meant; don't go hard meant don't murder.

But she was offended. "Why would I harm anyone? That was just one time," Sarada protested. "I'm not sure why but— don't worry, it won't happen again."

"Ok, I'm sorry"

Sarada's clone summoned next to her, "distract them when I signal you to" Sarada said, gesturing at the guards. Her clone walked away.

Kenta stared at her, "you just used the shadow clone Jutsu without even weaving hand signs... that's some skill"

"Oh, really?" Sarada feigned amazement at her talent and shrugged, "I must be cool"

Kenta chuckled, "yeah, you must be"

"Let's go" Sarada activated her Sharingan once again and they both pulled their hood up. "Should we part ways and search or...?"

Kenta took a while to consider, "I mean... it would be faster but—" he looked at her with a hint of uncertainty. "I want to stay by your side to make sure you're okay"

"I get it, you want to stay with me to make sure my Mangekyo doesn't pop up again and I go berserk to kill everyone around me" Sarada sighed, "trust me this time, it won't happen"

The grey head smiled, "Sarada, I trust you more than I trust myself, but I don't trust your power. Your power has no bounds, and that's what scares me."

She took his hand, looking directly into his eyes, "trust me this time, please" she hadn't even wanted to separate to this extent, but now she wanted to prove to Kenta that she could contain her power, that she was strong enough.

"Alright" Kenta sighed, giving in, "tell me about your friend"

"He's tall, around your height. He has black hair, which is tied in a ponytail, and green eyes" Sarada said, "he'll notice you before you notice him, don't worry. Just tell him you're a friend of mine if you get across him"

"What about this operation?" Kenta asked, "is it a silent raid or...?"

"Depends, if we get caught... we change strategy, these are just ordinary shinobi with technology, they won't be hard to handle," Sarada said.

"Okay" Kenta sucked in a deep breath, "good luck... and let's go"

-<>-

Sarada sneaked through the grass, slowly moving to avoid making any noise. It being daytime put them at a disadvantage, since the guards could sense them quicker. So, they had to be extra, extra cautious. She peeked behind and saw that Kenta had already reached the window, that was quick... She couldn't lose to him. Sarada steadily picked up her pace and moved silently near the window she was supposed to enter, Kenta peeked back and gave her a thumbs-up before disappearing inside the house. Sarada willed her clone to cause a commotion at the same time she entered, making the guard turn his view away from the house giving her time to break the window and enter. Sarada made sure the breaking of the clean glass barely made a sound, she closed her eyes in concentration. "Fire style: heat palm" she focused her chakra on her palms and placed them on the window panels. They melted slowly under her watch and she slipped into the house, covering the window behind her with her water style.

"Alright" She examined her surrounding, there was no one— "miss... who—who—who are you?" a small girl asked, standing under her. The girl was dressed in luxury; a kimono lined with gold and gems. She was probably the daughter of the maiden. The girl was scared, she had dropped her teddy bear and was staring at Sarada with a pencil gripped in her hand.

Sarada kneeled down to match the girl's height and smiled. "You're pretty—" she said, and watched as the girl blushed. "—and I like your hair" she genuinely liked it, blonde and straight.

"Yes—you pretty too" the girl muttered gazing down. Sarada shook her head out of the distraction and stood back up. She put a hand out toward the girl, "you want to see some action?" she could use the little girl to threaten the woman holding Shikadai hostage.

"I—should I ask mama?" the girl inquired, taking Sarada's hand without hesitation.

"We're going to your mama, what should I call you, pretty little lady?" Sarada winked at the red-faced cutie holding her hand. She swooped the kid in her arms in one go and began walking to the door.

The little girl answered, "I'm Rita"

"That's a beautiful name, I'm Sarada" she didn't know why she was saying all this to the little girl, but she didn't care. "So have you seen a boy about my size?"

"Uh?" The girl raised an eyebrow, leaning her head on Sarada's shoulder and sucking her thumb.

"Handsome boy, he has green eyes, ponytail—"

"Ponytail like big sis Sarada" Rita chuckled. Sarada was quite amazed at the kid having grasped her name that quick, nevertheless understanding everything she said. This kid barely looked around four...

"Yeah...ponytail like big sis..." Sarada gulped, feeling her heart melt at the beautiful girl calling her big sis. "Did you see him?"

"YAPPY!" Rita squealed, her multicoloured eyes brightening in excitement. "Ponytail boy in the room!"

Sarada ignored whatever room she'd meant. She slowly put the girl down. These eyes... they weren't ordinary... "Who are you?"

"Big Sarada...?" The girl's smile faded, "what wrong?"

The little girl's eyes were bright, and outstanding like a million diverse colours were in them. She was dead certain it was a Kekkai Genkai, but... Sarada had never seen any kind of Doujutsu like that, not even in the classified ANBU data books. Something was going on...

Sarada forced the girl to look into her eyes in the blink of an eye, putting the child under a Genjutsu before disappearing beneath one of the sofas.

"—thank you very much for having us over, Madame Rivinsi," a voice said. Sarada froze underneath, chills travelling down her spine. What the hell was he doing here!? "Let us begin negotiating"

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