"There are no coincidences:
people are given to us either as
examples of the right life,
or as warnings."
© Eduard Arkadyevich Asadov
I only managed to move when the wolves were a meter away. So all I could do was close my eyes and instinctively shield my face with my hands.
I squeezed them shut. Thoughts swirled: it's over. End. Remember my name.
Won't kill in one hit—maybe survive. Stand. Fight on. Bite head off like Naruto's poor clone minutes ago? Done.
Sharp pain snaps me from thoughts. Something throws me. Like ejecting into vile reality. Where it hurts—unclear. Head spins; about to black out.
Someone scoops me up.
"Ariza... Can you hear me? Ariza?!" Voice pierces haze. Eyes open, focus on yellow blur. Naruto? No, Minato.
Any other time, surprise. Now? Indifferent. Couldn't even nod.
"I'll take you to Konoha Hospital, there..." he continued, but I didn't hear. Head heavier by second. Vision darkening. Sinking deep. "Ariza! Don't lose con..."
July 19, 1056
First seconds awake: hell. Dizzy. Nauseous. Thirsty... But despite, overjoyed alive.
Lying on soft something, weaker than ever. Body ached...
Didn't rush opening eyes. Not cuz they hurt inexplicably. Cuz not used to waking with cold scalpel at throat.
At first, joy at surviving delayed realization. When it hit, weirdly calm.
General anesthesia effect?
Scanned fifty meters for chakra, opened eyes, looked left. At the man with the cold blade. Orochimaru unsurprising. Who else?
Stared into his yellow snake-pupiled eyes; seconds later, calm turned irritation, rage at the traitor.
His presence in room pissed me? Or my weakness vs him?
"Why'd you come?" Eyes locked. Neck hurt less; could talk normally.
"Just," he eyed me like predator prey, "to check something..." Hand brushed hair from neck. Cold fingers where seal should be. Shuddered, didn't move. Couldn't anyway. "Interesting..." He grinned; smug smirk enraged instantly.
"If here to kill—do it. No? Fuck off," I spat uncharacteristically crude. Didn't care world-class criminal could slit throat anytime. Whence bravery? Maybe good.
"Wanna take back those bold words in Forest of Death?" he sneered, reminding of vow.
"No. Won't. Someday... I'll kill you," blunt, choppy. He licked lips greedily, leaned slow, rasped in ear:
"You'll make a fine test subject!"
Then Orochimaru vanished, leaving negativity.
Damn! Squeezed eyes, clenched teeth. Bastard! Fisted bed. If plans to experiment on me like lab rat, I'll grind him to dust! Need stronger!
Recall: past life, top five faves! If not seeing me weak girl for experiments, might stay fave.
Anyway, calm. Orochimaru problem... somehow.
Tried standing. Broken leg bandaged; iryonin likely fused bone. Quick here; my regen high vs others. Doesn't cancel post-op pain.
Touched left side: bandages. When injured?
"Right... okay... Come on, Ari, up!" Self-talked, trying rise.
Not random urge. Needed answers ASAP.
Inhale-exhale. Sticky pain healing wounds. Dizzy. Hard stand. No shock; bedrest prescribed. Wheelchair nearby hinted no walking soon.
Saw bathroom door, hobbled without weight on bad leg. Entered, mirror. Ugh... mess. Tousled hair, pale sharp-featured face, dark circles. Corpse-like. Not for vanity. Pulled hospital shirt, checked neck.
"What?! Meaning?!" Jaw nearly dropped. No "cool" mark, no Orochimaru bite scars/bruises/damage. Precisely: nothing! Thought wrong side. Other—nothing. Nonsense?! Dream?
Exited bathroom dazed. Asleep? No... weird. If seal gone pre-op, better. Medstaff unaware. But where'd it go...
"Ariza Saito!" Strict familiar voice snapped me; ass-kicking incoming. "No getting up! Bed now!"
"Yoshi-san, I feel fine," protested, but crawled under covers sans argument.
"And?! Here, strict bedrest—no getting up!" Old acquaintance retorted, fixing light hair. Wanted her in Konoha—didn't make. Naruto told Minato destination; Hokage brought straight.
Intro: Yoshi Kondo—head iryonin hospital, unpredictable woman! Shinobi by trade, post-Third War: academy iryonin. Met there. Frequent guest. Then hospital. This year: head. She taught medical ninjutsu, so "sensei" fine—but skip to live longer. Hates word.
"Of course, Yoshi-san, what time/day please?" Watched syringe fill. Sensei eyed sternly gray, silent. Expected; focused. Dumb question knowing her.
"Give me your hand," she said curtly, and I did what she ordered. She injected some solution into my vein and tossed the syringe. "Ninth hour. July 19th."
"There you go, that's how it is, thank you," she walked around my bed and, standing on the right, began healing my stomach with medical chakra.
"Mind-blowing," she expressed her opinion briefly.
"What's wrong, Yoshi-san?" I asked quietly with some apprehension.
"It feels like you're not human," the corners of her mouth lifted.
"Why?"
"Because your regeneration is astonishing. It was already high even compared to ordinary shinobi before, but now it's off the charts. It's increased fivefold since your last hospital stay. It's only higher in..." she trailed off at that note.
"Only in Naruto Uzumaki?" I asked, and she nodded. "That's not surprising," I smiled.
"I heard he's your teammate."
"Yes, he's my friend," at my response, she gave me a wary look. "What's wrong? You don't like him?" I was even scared at first. The last thing I wanted was for my sensei to be in the category of people who consider him a monster.
"Yes," she nodded, "when he was in the Medical Facility, he constantly broke the rules, even to the point of escaping," she frowned, and I realized that Yoshi disliked him because of his restlessness, not because he was a Jinchuriki.
The Medical Ninja proceeded to examine my arm.
"Do you know why I came myself when I could have sent one of my subordinates?"
"I have no idea, Yoshi-san."
"To tell you something," finishing the examination, she straightened up and looked at me.
"W-what?" It felt like I was about to get scolded.
"In all the years we've known each other, you've come to me with your arm seventeen times—this is the eighteenth. A normal person would already be dead. Maybe your regeneration is superhuman, but you're not made of iron. In the end, a few more times and your arm will need to be amputated. And do you know what's the most unpleasant part? All this time you've been making up excuses, even though you knew perfectly well that I've long since figured it out. Tell me, what are you trying to achieve with all this?" This time she was extremely serious. She had scolded me about my arm before, but it seemed like it had really gotten to her now.
Having read me the riot act, she fell silent and waited for my response.
"Yoshi-san... uh..." I searched for words. It was terribly awkward and embarrassing. She was displeased and clearly disappointed in me.
"Going to say again that it's too early to talk about it?" she interrupted sharply. "You talk too little, Ariza. You're a very secretive person. Not just with me, but with everyone around you. If you keep silent, one day I'll come to you not in the ward, but in the Pathology Department. Mark my words, Saito. Get well soon," having told me the bitter truth, sensei headed for the exit.
"Yoshi-san..." I spoke up when she was already at the door. She stopped. "You're completely right, I'll try to mend my ways. But know one thing," I smiled, "I won't die. I absolutely won't die..." I can't die.
"Unfortunately, Ariza, none of us knows the future," she sighed without turning to me, "but everyone hopes for the best. Ariza, you're a smart girl, so stop this. I'll check on you tomorrow morning."
"Alright, thank you."
She's right. She really is right. I need to tell sensei about Kabuto and Orochimaru and the seal while I'm at it. Oh yeah, and inform Minato about the attack on Konoha. And tell my friends about the techniques so they know. Plus, ask the Hokage about the scroll.
I just need to figure out the best moment for it.
For now, I'd better sleep.
8:34
July 20th, 1056
I woke up pretty late, considering I fell asleep at nine. I already felt much better, so I wasn't planning to lie in bed. Getting up, I quickly freshened up. Of course, I didn't go wash, since I had bandages and wounds, but I did splash my face.
That morning, I had long planned to dive into my subconscious. Of course, I thought it would happen in a more relaxed home setting, but as Yoshi-san said, none of us knows the future.
Without waiting long, I dove into my inner world.
The first thing I felt was icy water up to my ankles. I jumped in surprise. When did the water get so cold?! It was always practically imperceptible! Lowering my head and looking closely, I noticed the water was slightly purple. Hm...
After a while, I got used to the sensation and looked around. I was now near the room with the chakra. All that was left was to open the door. Which I did.
I entered the room and headed to the chakra pool.
As I suspected, the changes were obvious—now I didn't have one chakra pool, but two. One with purple—chakra from the Heavenly Cursed Seal—quite cold, and the second with mine—transparent blue. But while the pool with my chakra was open, the purple one was covered with an iron cage. Besides that, the pools were somehow connected—I couldn't see it, but I felt it.
I understood right away why the water in my subconscious had become cold. The pool with my chakra was only filled to one-third. I had spent a lot of chakra in the second stage and the prelims after all. It just hadn't recovered yet. But the purple chakra pool was practically overflowing—so the iron cage couldn't hold it back.
Well, I don't know how accurate my assumptions are. Anyway, it's not important right now. I just need to confirm something.
I approached the pool with the snake sannin's purple chakra. It splashed and shimmered in the light, as if wanting to escape and take me over. Possess my body. And alter my mind. I stepped onto the iron cage and walked across it. I needed to get to the center of the cage—in the middle of the pool.
By the way, they were the same size. That surprised me right away. Because Orochimaru simply couldn't have poured that much chakra into me. And that means one thing—the sannin's chakra pool was somehow drawing chakra from the main pool.
"Ouch!" I squeaked, nearly slipping. The bars weren't close together, and I got lost in thought here, damn it!
Sometimes I lifted my foot to shake it: the iron was terribly cold. And the closer I got to the center, the colder it became.
A bloodthirsty aura emanated from the chakra. I can't even imagine what would happen if I dipped into it. I could feel the malice, hatred, and thirst for murder with my skin. And there was the most of the last. Not just kill, but with all cruelty, all beastly inhumanity.
That scared me the most. I'll never use this chakra; no need to think about the consequences.
Reaching the middle, I saw what I expected—a seal of some kind. It was in the form of a circle on parchment, with kanji and symbols I didn't understand emanating from it. I don't know what this seal is, where it came from, or what it's doing here. I just feel with my body that this source has at least an A-rank seal, and that's enough for my theories.
"Sigh, too bad I'm not a fuinjutsu master..." I sighed sadly. What a lousy Uzumaki I am.
Well, fine, I'll figure out where the seal came from somehow, but I'll leave it here; after all, it's holding back the sannin's chakra, and that's to my benefit.
For now, I'd better head to the main subconscious room and see what's there.
To start with, the room hadn't changed at all. The same table, the same cabinet (actually a bookshelf) to the right of the entrance, the same desk lamp, and the same laptop.
I turned on the computer, and the main menu appeared instantly.
"BODY"
"SOUL"
"STATISTICS"
Well, since this mechanism is like a computer from my past life, I'll call all these words "folders" or "buttons."
I clicked "BODY," checked the health indicator, which didn't thrill me much (it showed 56). The units of measurement still hadn't appeared. I decided not to look in the "SOUL" folder.
The last and most interesting item remained: "STATISTICS."
Currently, they are:
Strength — 124 (+68)
Dexterity — 96 (+55)
Speed — 113 (+90)
Endurance — 173 (+40)
Oh, the stats have increased a bit since last time! Plus, new ones added:
Reaction — unknown
Chakra Amount — 80 (+440) — recovering
Hm... that's pretty interesting. As I understand, (+440) is chakra from the Cursed Seal, and when all my chakra recovers, it will also be "440," probably. Also, it's not hard to guess: everything in parentheses is bonuses from the Heavenly Cursed Seal. Honestly, it's astonishing. And it gives real power. But! Don't think, Orochimaru, that this will lure me to you! I won't use the seal, period!
By the way, my dexterity is lagging; I need to train. And reaction is unknown.
I clicked on "reaction," and the computer started loading something.
"Data analysis incomplete. 47 hours until full information collection."
So that's how it is. Fine, I'll wait.
"Cool, any other functions appeared?" I asked rhetorically, leaning back on the computer chair and looking at the ceiling.
"Yes. In the 'SOUL' folder."
"Aaaaaaaaa!" From fright, I fell off the chair and hit my head on the wall. It hurt. I jumped up quickly and started looking for the source of that gentle female voice. "Uh... you can talk?!" without thinking, I addressed the computer.
"The latest update added this function," the voice replied monotonically.
"Fuck yeah! Simply mind-blowing!" Saying I was shocked would be an understatement! Thank god it's an update, or I'd think I had schizophrenia. "When do updates happen?!" I asked curiously.
"Information restricted."
"Restricted? Fine, umm... then who's the computer manufacturer?" I tried from another angle. Is Rikudo Sennin helping me like this, or some otherworldly forces?
"Information restricted."
"Again?! Mmm... Fine. What do you know at all?"
"I know everything about this world."
"Em... bold claim," I drawled, "future and past too?" I quickly asked and sat in the chair to listen to this device's words.
"Yes."
"Great! Tell me, will I complete Rikudo-senin's mission?" I asked with some enthusiasm.
"Information restricted."
"Damn it! What's the point of this option then? It's completely useless?!" I mentally wailed.
"This option is for quick search of necessary information."
"You read minds too! Screw you!" I crossed my arms over my chest and stared at the ceiling.
"Your subconscious stay time ends in ten seconds."
"Wait!" it hit me suddenly. "How do I access this restricted information?"
"Information added with updates."
"Fuck!" Excellent! Now I have my own AI in my inner world that knows everything but won't say anything! Awesome! Just brilliant!
"Well, at least repeat where the last update was?" I sighed heavily.
"Check the 'SOUL' folder." Seconds remained. I quickly opened that folder and saw, besides the mental health indicator:
"Heavenly Cursed Seal Visibility: Off."
And with that, I was kicked out of the subconscious.
Great, now I don't have to report the seal at all; it's just not visible! I won't use the chakra, and probably can't anyway—not for decoration is that cage there. So now I can safely leave the subconscious.
My mental monologue was cut off as someone entered the ward. I turned and saw Yoshi-san.
"Hello, Ariza Saito," she smiled softly.
"Good morning!" I replied with the same smile.
"How are you feeling?" she approached my hospital bed.
"All good!"
"Fine, then sign here and here," she gave me a pen and what was probably consent for medical services. In Konoha, they're paid, but free for certain groups: shinobi, children, and the elderly.
I signed and handed it back.
"Let me check," she approached me and placed her hands on my stomach, then moved to my neck and arm, leaving pleasant sensations behind. "Incredible."
"What's wrong?"
"Another two-three days and we can discharge you..." she said seriously, blinking frequently.
"More precisely?"
"Mmm... I think July 22nd or 23rd," she replied thoughtfully. "But I won't confirm; I could keep you here another week," Yoshi-san smirked slyly.
"Maybe not... I don't want to stick around here that long."
"By the way, forgive me; I probably got too heated yesterday," she ruffled my hair and wrote something in her notebook.
"You said it as it is, Yoshi-san... You're completely right... sorry," I smiled sadly. Of course, it wasn't pleasant; not every day you get scolded, but sometimes you have to face the truth, even if it hurts.
"Good, then here are the pills; you know how to take them," she placed the packaged pills on the nightstand and, waiting for my nod, continued: "Dressing at eleven; someone will come for you, and procedures at twelve."
"Got it," I replied curtly.
"Then get well," smiling one last time, she left.
I sighed calmly, thinking I'd rest now, but they didn't let me.
As soon as my eyelids closed, someone knocked on the door again.
"Good morning, Ariza, it's me, Jiro; may I come in?" Uchiha's voice came from behind the door.
"Yes, of course!" I replied quickly and settled more comfortably in the hospital bed. He peeked cautiously, then entered.
"How are you? Feeling okay?" he smiled and approached the bed.
"Yeah, all good; discharge soon."
"I decided to visit everyone, bring some food. When are you getting out?" he showed a bag of fruits and placed it on the nightstand by the bed.
"Thank you so much!" I was delighted. "I think by July 22–23 I'll be fully recovered!" I smiled widely and sat up in bed.
"That's a great attitude! Then let's reschedule the meeting. Meet on the 23rd? If not, the 24th. What do you think?"
"Good, hope I can; let's say around 4:00 PM. If I don't show, means they kept me in the hospital, and I might come on the 24th same time."
"Deal. By the way, your fight was incredible!" he said thoughtfully and fixed his shaggy hair. It wasn't long like Neji's, but not short like Sasuke's.
"Thanks, and you? Passed?"
"Yeah, I got Ino. Beating her was no trouble," he smiled modestly. Probably put her in genjutsu before she realized the fight started. "You know, if I'd gotten Kabuto, I don't think I could've beaten him," Uchiha shrugged.
"Got it," we chatted cheerfully a bit more. Then he told me who else was in the hospital and went to visit the others, while I went for dressing.
By the way, I should visit mine too, but later, when I feel better.
***
Read the story months ahead of the public release — early chapters are available on my Patreon: Granulan