"Yes, I saved you from some missing-nin," said the white-faced fellow.
"Who are you?" asked Sakura, shifting around in the hospital bed and taking stock of all the sore areas.
"Orochimaru," said Orochimaru with a creepy smile. His tongue came out and scratched an eyebrow.
"Orochimaru - the missing-nin of the three legendary ninja of Konoha?" asked Sakura.
"Unless you know of another," said Orochimaru. Though it did give him an idea. What if he created another Orochimaru? Permanent clone sort of thing. Go out, bring attention to himself, die publically, add another level of security as stories of his death got around. Nah, he'd never be able to tolerate another himself. On the other hand, it'd make for some halfway decent intelligent conversation over afternoon tea.
Sakura was silent for a few moments. "Exactly how is this 'saved', if I may ask?"
"Oh. A sense of humor," said Orochimaru. "I can work with that."
"So, uhm, what exactly are you planning to do with me?" asked Sakura.
"You seem like a bright child," said Orochimaru. "I'm very interested in the Sekirei actually. An entire race where every individual has a different bloodline ability? Fascinating."
"But I'm not a Sekirei! I'm just an Academy student."
"Then I'd have no reason to keep you alive," said Orochimaru, patting her on the head.
"Oh. You saw through my bluff then. Yup. I'm a Sekirei," lied Sakura, sweating heavily.
"Glad we cleared that up," said Orochimaru. Of course, he knew that this Sekirei wasn't actually a Sekirei. There were a number of small variances that a detailed medical examination could find. However she was an excellent experimental subject, already having survived the cloned tissue implants. All he'd needed to do was give up an altered corpse to cover her lost to Konoha.
And if she died, well, that told him something too.
"Mizu Bunshin!" tried Naruto.
"Okay, not normal bunshin or water bunshin," said a disappointed Matsu.
"How many kinds of clones are there?" asked Benitsubasa, who also had trouble with that technique.
"Several," reported Matsu. "Mud Clone requires an affinity for Earth Release. Based on those two, I'd guess there are probably ones for each of the major elements. Plus something called 'kage bunshin' or shadow clones."
"Can I try that one?" asked Naruto. Shadows + ninja = natural combination. Or something like that.
"I'll look for it," Matsu promised.
Tsukiumi tried going through the handseals. "Mizu Bunshin!"
"Whoa," said Matsu. "A perfect copy the first time."
"But of course," indicated Tsukiumi, throwing her hair back and posing while her duplicate did the same. "Are you watching, Naruto? See how the strongest of the Sekirei can easily do such a thing!"
"Huh?" asked Naruto. "Did you say something?"
SPLASH! SPLASH!
Glancing from the dripping-wet Naruto to the two pouting Tsukiumi, Matsu shrugged. "Okay. Maybe he had that coming. A little."
Orochimaru frowned. "Six deaths. One survivor, and that one not one of my loyal followers."
"More experimentation might be useful," said the experimenter. Hachimaru, formerly of the Land of Rivers. "It may be her very lack of capability that allowed her to survive."
"How so?" asked Orochimaru, putting the paperwork down.
"We had six others from your ranks, three low genin with two of chunin level skills, one jonin level. Of course, we used those who had disappointed you on missions and therefore were anxious to get into your better graces."
"Of course," agreed Orochimaru. Standard Operating Procedure.
"Two had minor kekkei genkai. Yet all were accomplished and able to use their chakra," said Hachimaru. "The Konoha girl has some development of her chakra coils, and the use of a basic bunshin technique. She is much less developed than the other subjects."
"Interesting theory," admitted Orochimaru. "Find a few civilians and test them. Oh, and find someone you can disable the chakra of and then try it. Make sure you clone enough tissue to have a supply. It will be difficult to acquire more from fresh sources."
"This ain't gonna work," said Benitsubasa.
"I don't know. Maybe," said Haihane.
"See, there's a technique called 'Kage Bunshin' that's jonin level but I couldn't get that. But I checked around and this one is 'Multiple Shadow Clone' so I figured you could always try and backtrack from it," said Matsu. She adjusted her glasses and looked very proud.
"How did you get it?" asked Yosuga.
"That is a se-cr-et," said Matsu.
Kochou made a rude noise. "The Uchiha had a secret jutsu library. It took four of us to figure out where it was and how to get in. By that time the Hokage's ANBU had figured up we were up to something and we managed only to get a single jutsu scroll out. Each."
"You take all the mysteriousness out of things," complained Matsu. She pouted a bit at that, playing with one of her hair braids.
"So - you have other techniques?" asked Shikamaru.
"Ye-yes," answered a blushing Kochou. "Bargaining chips for when we choose our... ah."
"Troublesome," predicted Shikamaru accurately.
"Kage Bunshin No Jutsu!" tried Naruto.
B-domf!
Matsu looked at all the Naruto pressing up against her, filling the area, and promptly passed out with a nosebleed muttering something about a gang.
"She's twelve and already that way," muttered Uzume, squirming a bit at the crowded condition. "Naruto. Dismiss a few of these would ya? Or at least spread out some."
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(Posted Thu, 23 Oct 2014 17:11)
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