The Crystal Serpent [Naruto X Oc] |Book 1 {Completed}

Chapter 101: The Crystal Serpent's Choice

Kei sat on the large branch of the old oak tree in her backyard, Izumi curled up on her lap, purring softly as the evening breeze rustled the leaves around her. The kitten's warmth provided some comfort, but it did little to ease the storm of thoughts churning in Kei's mind.

Itsuki's words echoed in her head, still fresh and lingering, like an offer she couldn't quite dismiss. Her father, Orochimaru, had sent one of his followers to extend a hand to her, offering an opportunity to train in the Hidden Sound. It was tempting—too tempting. She could finally uncover the secrets of her mother's heritage, mastering the elusive Crystal Style that had eluded her for so long. But more than that, Kei knew this was a chance to get closer to her father, a chance to understand him better and perhaps, one day, bring him back from the darkness he had embraced.

'I want to learn more about Mina Senju's flower style justu, and I could use training to master my crystal style. If I joined my father I could learn more and get stronger, but not only that I could get closer to him and one day bring him back to the path of light at first I was confused about whether I should give up on him for what he has done, but I decided I won't give up on bringing my father back to the light, and maybe joining him is the only option to do that.' Kei thought as she stroked behind Izumi's left ear making the kitten purr happily.

"Oh, Izumi I don't know what to do," Kei muttered.

Izumi meowed as she tilted her head, looking at Kei curiously. Kei smiled softly, saying, "Why am I asking you like you would understand? You're just a kitten."

'You know, maybe a walk will help me figure out what to do.' Kei thought as she made her way down from the tree with Izumi in her arms.

****

Kei was strolling through the streets with Izumi in her arms when she heard a loud yet familiar voice coming from inside the BBQ restaurant.

"I can't believe you're a Chunin, but even for you who never motivated, you look respectable, "She heard Ino say from inside.

"Yeah, it doesn't suit you," Choji commented.

"Don't laugh, " Shikamaru said lazily.

'So Shikamaru got promoted to Chunin as well.' Kei thought as she heard them talking.

"Meow," Izumi said as she glanced up at Kei wondering what she was thinking.

"It's nothing, girl. Let's continue," Kei said gently stroking Izumi's head. They continue down the street, Kei's mind still drifting between her thoughts of Konoha, her, and the decision that loomed before her.

****

As Kei continued her stroll through the village, her steps slowed as she mulled over her options. The air grew cooler, and before she realized it, the sky had darkened into a deep shade of blue and purple. Her path had unconsciously taken her near Naruto's apartment building. As she neared, she noticed two figures standing outside.

It was Naruto and Sakura talking to each other. Kei stopped in her tracks noticing something seemed different about Sakura today.

"What's wrong Sakura?" Naruto asked.

"There is something I need to talk to you about, so if you still want that date you always wanted," Sakura said.

Naruto gasped as he looked at Sakura."A-a date? Really?"

'Ah, date? Is Naruto going to agree to it? I should have figured he hadn't moved on from Sakura. I guess last night was only dinner as friends even if he did dress up in the out Mizuko-sensei got him.' Kei thought as she started making her way back home.

"Meow?" Izumi questioned looking up at Kei feeling something was wrong with her new owner.

Kei felt her chest tighten at the thought of Naruto and Sakura on a date together, after everything that happened last night.

****

As Kei reached her home, she headed straight to her bedroom after eating dinner. She sat on the bed with Izumi curled up on her lap as she leaned back against the bedrest, letting out a deep sigh as she gazed out at the moon shining in the sky.

Her emotions were tangled in a storm of uncertainty. and doubt.

'Naruto...maybe I was wrong to think that dinner meant anything more than friendship. He's still holding on to his feelings for Sakura.' Kei thought bitterly.

Izumi nuzzled against Kei's arm in concern. Kei gave the kitten a faint smile, stroking her soft fur.

"Izumi, I don't know what to do," Kei whispered."I want to get stronger and achieve not only my goal, but also keep my promise to my deceased mother to save my father from the darkness, but can I truly leave the village even if I haven't forgiven the way I was treated after my father attacked the village, do I want to betray those who treated."

She then heard a faint tap against her bedroom and turned to see a shadowy figure in the tree outside and climbed out of bed to head outside and meet up with the figure who was pretty sure was Itsuki. As she stepped outside she looked to see Itsuki perched up in the tree.

"So have you decided?" Itsukiu asked. She leaped gracefully from the tree landing lightly on her feet in front of Kei.

"I've thought about it," Kei began her voice steady but tinged with hesitation."I want to get stronger, and I want to learn more about my mother's heritage and crystal style, but only if you answer this how can I truly know my father not using me?" She asked.

Itsuki titled her head, her red hair catching the moonlight like embers in the dark."Your father values you, Kei you're not a tool to him, you're his legacy, while he might have sent the sound four to retrieve Sasuke Uchiha tonight for his plans, if he truly wanted to use you he wouldn't have sent me."

'So he sent people for Sasuke as well. So Sasuke still his true goal, but is it he wants me for is it truly to just offer training.' Kei thought as she glanced at Izumi in her hands.

"Alright I will come," Kei finally said deciding this was the only way to truly understand how her father saw her.

"Alright, Kei. Pack what you need and then we leave for the Hidden Sound Village," Itsuki said.

Kei nodded as she headed inside to pack a few important things before she left the Hidden Leaf village to train in the Hidden Sound village.

Kei returned to her room and began packing a small bag. She placed her most essential items inside her kunai pouch, a few scrolls, and a framed photograph of her mother. Izumi mewed curiously as Kei prepared for the journey ahead.

"Don't worry, Izumi," Kei said softly, scooping the kitten into her arms. "You're coming with me. We'll face this together."

As Kei stepped out into the cool night air, her heart felt heavy with the weight of her decision. She glanced back at her home one last time, knowing she might not see it again for a long while.

'This is the right choice,' she told herself, though doubt lingered at the edges of her resolve. 'I'll grow stronger, for my mother, for my father... and for myself.'

Hey, lovely reader here we have chapter 101 of The Crystal Serpent. In this chapter, Kei wrestles with a monumental decision: should she leave Konoha to train under Orochimaru's guidance in the Hidden Sound? We see her conflicting emotions as she grapples with her feelings for Naruto and her loyalty to the village. Meanwhile, the shadow of her father's ambitions looms ever larger.​​​​​​​ I hope you enjoy this chapter.

Thanks for reading!

Question of the chapter: What do you think Itsuki's backstory is?

word count: 1,300