Illusionary Serpent Fox

Relax and Enjoy

Welcome back to the fourth chapter of "Illusionary Serpent Fox ".

"Talking"

'Thoughts'

"Flashback"

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"...screw this," muttered Anko under her breath as she turned away from the returning jinchūriki's apartment door. "I knew this was a bad fucking idea."

Back in the good old days, she was just like every other bubbly, naive girl who didn't know any better. Like a myriad of girls, she was also guilty of crushing on her sensei. It was only after Orochimaru betrayed the village that she transformed into this promiscuous woman who had no quarrels with stringing men around. Doing so ensured that she would never get heartbroken again.

Naruto was like her in the sense that they used to be social outcasts. But while she still had some friends, the blond had no one aside from a select few. However, unlike what's depicted in some retarded fics, neither of them got physically harmed by acrimonious villagers who would stereo-typically be chanting for their death whilst holding up tikki torches.

It was asinine of her to think this tryst would be different.

"Anko-san."

She instinctively stiffened as an ANBU member approached her from behind. "What the hell do you want, Owl?"

"Hokage-sama has requested your presence," answered the thirty-six year old masked war veteran, unfazed by the girl's impudence. After all, she was notorious for not adhering to ninja etiquette.

Schooling her features, the jōnin Shunshin'd out of the blond's neighborhood and appeared inside the Hokage's office. Normally, she would announce her presence with a frankness that only she (or that brat) could pull off. But right now the words had died down her throat because atop the desk was no ordinary decapitated head.

It was Orochimaru.

Dead.

"...this...how...what..." mumbled Anko, her world having come to a screeching halt. "Who was it?"

"Naruto," answered Tsunade, observing the shock spreading across her subordinate's face. At first she thought she would get tired of seeing the reactions of those who would step into her office, but she was wrong — it was still comical. Unfortunately, her amusement was soon going to end because tomorrow morning Orchimaru's head would get cashed in.

Ninja were taught to roll with the punches, but this was ridiculous. How on earth was that brat able to kill her former sensei? The greater part of her required no elaboration on this matter because her ultimate dream had come true. Although it was her desire to kill that bastard herself, just knowing he was dead was enough to regain a part of her that she assumed would never resurface.

Seeing that her subordinate was ready to hear more, Hashirama's granddaughter proceeded to unseal the scroll that she was holding in her hand. Smoke filled the office as a blade appeared in its place.

"K-Kusanagi."

"I told the brat to hang onto it because it may come in handy, but he wanted you to have it," explained the huge-breasted Hokage. "It's yours now, Anko."

She caught the blade with ease when it got chucked at her. However, there wasn't the slightest bit of emotion on her face while holding it. Not once had she bothered to befriend the kid during his darkest days, even though she would occasionally watch over him from afar. It wasn't that she was against the idea of becoming a role model. She just wasn't in the right place in her life to be anything more than a stranger to the hyperactive child. The only real interaction she had with him was during the Chūnin Exams and even that wasn't a cordial encounter.