The few hopes they held that Itachi might reply were dashed when they saw that his pigeon returned without a letter. The same thing happened for three weeks. They didn't tell Sasuke about their new plan, nor about the joint letter, as they didn't want to give him false hope. Their self-imposed deadline had been his birthday, so they would have time to talk after that.
"Chidori!" she heard, snapping back to reality.
Sasuke's chidori struck a log from a distance, splitting it in two, but it faded almost instantly. He was drenched in sweat—it was the sixth time he had practiced that ninjutsu today. His resistance to the jutsu had improved greatly, managing to isolate the lightning chakra nature away from his cells to avoid electrocuting himself as he used to. The issue was that he still had to be very aware of doing it right, or he'd end up hurting himself anyway.
"The more you practice, the easier it'll be to do it without thinking, and you'll be able to use that jutsu as many times as you want," Jiraiya had said when he taught him how to protect his arm. "As for you, Naruto… you have to do the exact same thing with your new wind rasengan or you'll wreck your arm."
"Seina can heal it easily."
"Idiot! You can't expect your sister to fix your arm every time you use a ninjutsu, you birdbrain."
"Then she should teach me medical jutsu and I'll heal it myself!" his brother said stubbornly.
"That's not the point either…" the pervert sighed. "What you have to do is isolate the wind chakra away from your arm. Only the rasengan needs that type of chakra—not the entire arm like Sasuke's chidori does."
Naruto grumbled under his breath. His chakra control, although much improved, was still his weakest point. She raised her head from the fuinjutsu barrier she was creating from scratch, using the knowledge she had gained from Jiraiya and her clan's scrolls.
"Don't get discouraged, Naru. It's just a matter of practice."
"That's what I'm always telling you and none of you bloody listen!" Jiraiya threw his hands up to the sky. "Bah. Let me see what you've got there, Seina."
He spent a while examining her barrier, which was modelled after some magical barriers she already knew. Jiraiya raised an eyebrow when he saw the barrier's… punitive component.
"A barrier to incinerate someone? That's a bit morbid."
"Hey. That'll make them think twice."
"Considering I don't think they'd survive, I doubt it… I'll test it and let you know if it works, but it looks good. Why don't you try unravelling this fuinjutsu I made? Ah, and I have another challenge for you. Maybe you'll be the one to figure it out."
"What is it?"
He tossed her a rather thick scroll. She opened it immediately. The first thing she saw was a circular compressed seal. It looked like three black commas arranged in a circle, drawn like some kind of strange sun.
"What's this?" Sasuke asked, sitting beside her and drinking water.
"Orochimaru's seal."
"This is what that bastard wanted to put on me?" Sasuke exclaimed, glaring at the seal as if it were Orochimaru himself.
"Yes. We discovered it first on Anko. We saw that if she didn't use its power, the seal remained passive, but according to her own account, just being near Orochimaru activated it, which implies that there's some of his chakra in the seal. We found some corpses bearing the seal and saw they died because of it, so we know some people are incompatible with this fuinjutsu."
"So Sasuke could've died," Naruto said aloud, stopping his chakra exercises to join the conversation.
"Possibly. We don't know why some die and others don't. Actually, thanks to the corpses you brought back when they tried to kidnap him and the documents you stole from various bases, we know that Orochimaru uses more than one kind of seal," Jiraiya explained. "Although they all look practically the same in their compressed state. For now, we know he uses at least four different seals, but we haven't been able to undo any of them. Only… deactivate them."
"Hmm…"
Seina examined the information given in the scroll. It was very detailed, but it was clear they didn't know how to undo it. A compressed seal was the compact form of a number of kanji—instead of seeing how the seal was written at a glance, all you saw was the 'container'. To give a more understandable analogy, according to Jiraiya, it was like seeing a bento box without knowing what's inside. The containers might look similar, but the contents could be very different. That's why no one could undo Orochimaru's seal or Danzo's just by looking at them. These seals were far more complex compared to the Hyuga's, and on top of that, they had countermeasures to prevent being broken. The Hyuga had been very arrogant in thinking no one could undo their seal, and she had been incredibly reckless in undoing it with her magic without knowing what might happen if a countermeasure had been triggered. Fortunately for Tetsu and Neji, nothing happened.
You had to study its internal structure, pulling at the seal in the right way to reveal its programming or coding—as if it were computer software. She did this constantly with runes, and now with fuinjutsu too, since she'd learned how. The funny thing about runes or fuinjutsu was that they could always be undone with more runes or fuinjutsu, even though they could remain active indefinitely if their internal structure was left untouched.
"Orochimaru's seal doesn't disappear when the person dies?" she suddenly asked, realizing something.
"No."
"Interesting," she murmured aloud.
"Why do you say that?"
"Because the Ne ninjas I killed… Danzo's seal disappeared when they died. Didn't you say fuinjutsu remains active as long as it's supplied with chakra?"
"Yes. It should work that way. In fact, I thought about it, but they didn't find anything in the corpses of Orochimaru's ninjas."
"But there must be some difference, otherwise the seal would behave the same as Danzo's."
Jiraiya and Seina had been thinking separately for a while. It was obvious that Orochimaru's seal was different from the others not because of the fuinjutsu, but because of the chakra. Danzo's seal received energy from the ninja who bore it, although it was initially created with Danzo's energy. That meant one thing...
"The seal of Orochimaru either receives chakra from Orochimaru even after the person is dead, or it receives sen chakra," she said finally. "If I had to bet on it, I'd say it's the second one. That's how I keep my runes active."
Natural chakra, sen chakra, was what Orochimaru used to create the cursed seal. No wonder it remained active even after death. It was because nature itself continued to provide chakra to the seal, even when it was on a corpse. Until the body decomposed or was destroyed, the seal wouldn't disappear.
"I've never seen anyone use senjutsu in fuinjutsu," Jiraiya said, frowning with a stern expression, "but it could be a possibility. Until recently I didn't even know you could use sen chakra to maintain a fuinjutsu, so I hadn't considered it."
"Does that mean you, using senjutsu, could undo the seal?" Sasuke asked him.
"Truth is, I've never tried to undo the seal using sen chakra, but I could give it a shot."
"I'll try to find a way to undo the seal using fuinjutsu or my runes. Maybe with that, plus your sen chakra, we can break it."
"Good thinking."
That's how she spent the following days, occasionally thinking about the seal. It wasn't like she was in a hurry, considering the seal wouldn't disappear — which was exactly what they wanted. What worried her more was Itachi, of whom she knew absolutely nothing. They kept sending coordinates relatively close to where they were based, in case he wanted to show up, but the summons waiting there never saw him.
"Could you conjure an opponent for me to train with Aoba?" Sasuke asked one afternoon.
"Hey! I want to train with Gamakichi too!"
"Why don't we all train with our respective summons?"
"You mean your creatures or Katsuyu?"
"Katsuyu, of course. I can't command her to do whatever I want. I need to practice."
"Sounds good to me."
That's how Jiraiya found them an hour later, each riding their summons while fighting two ground-based conjurations in the shape of wolves, and a flying one shaped like an eagle — all of them the size of a three-story building.
Katsuyu wasn't exactly a combat summon. She had always fought defensively alongside her summoners, but Seina had lightened her weight months ago, which gave her much more speed, and now she could summon her full form, much larger than any other summon. Additionally, she could spit acid and produce a sticky slime, which they used to set traps.
"To the right, Gamakichi!"
"I see it!"
"Aoba!"
The toad and the snake cornered one of the wolves, driving it into a trap, while Seina distracted the other with Katsuyu's acid. The eagle, flying overhead, tried to attack, but Seina repelled it with a five-chain shield. She leapt off Katsuyu midair, stabbing the eagle with a sixth hidden chain and using it to propel herself sideways until she landed on its back. She embedded two chains into its shoulders, ignoring its all-too-realistic cries of pain, and pushed it toward the ground at full speed.
Gamakichi, much smaller than the eagle, wielded a katana. He jumped and sliced its neck mid-air. One of the wolves got caught in Katsuyu's trap while Aoba finished it by wrapping around it and biting into its neck to tear off its head. The last wolf jumped over Katsuyu, trying to slash her with its sharp claws, but Katsuyu disintegrated into smaller slugs, avoiding being hit. She reassembled quickly just as Seina jumped from the eagle's body back onto her, right before she could crash into the ground.
Naruto's toad launched an oil jet that Sasuke immediately ignited. The wolf tried to escape, leaping and twisting as if it could outrun the flames. Katsuyu finished it off with her acid, melting its head and part of the ground beneath it.
"That's what I'm talking about!" Naruto cheered from atop Gamakichi. "High five!"
"I only have four, idiot," Gamakichi snapped.
Katsuyu, much larger than the teenage forms of Aoba and Gamakichi, bowed slightly.
"It's been a pleasure to train at your side, Seina-sama."
"Likewise. You may go, Katsuyu. Thank you."
"You too, Aoba. You did great."
"Thank you, Sasuke-sama."
"Why don't you treat me with that respect, Gamakichi?!" Naruto cried crocodile tears.
"Because you're an idiot, Naruto!"
Sasuke let out a chuckle, falling to the ground as Aoba vanished beneath him. Seina jumped beside him, letting her own summon disappear too, watching Naruto argue with a toad slightly bigger than him. Jiraiya clapped slowly, a slightly odd smile on his face.
"I'm impressed. I didn't know you were working with your summons too."
"It's actually the first time."
"Really? Interesting."
Seina had no idea what he found so interesting. She sat on the grass — what was left of it — and rested for a while.
"What are you doing here, by the way?" Naruto asked. "Weren't you with one of your informants?"
"I finished early. Actually, I'll need Seina's help for my next mission."
"What's it about?"
"There's a man in the city I visited. A merchant from Kumogakure who's hired ninjas for protection. I did a little digging and found out he likes a very specific type of woman. I need you to use your powers to change your appearance, get him to take you to his room, and copy some documents he's keeping there."
"From Kumo?" Naruto asked, frowning. "Why should Seina go? Don't you realize how dangerous it would be if she got caught?"
"She won't get caught."
"Why don't you transform yourself?" Sasuke said. "Didn't you always say you'd seduce men if necessary?"
"Because the ninjas protecting him examine every person he takes to bed. If I transformed using my chakra, they'd detect me. Plus, I'd have to steal the documents, and they'd notice they were missing. If Seina uses her powers to copy them, no one will notice a thing."
"What are these documents and how important are they?"
"We believe they're illegal contracts for the creation of more bases in the Land of Fire, and sabotage plans targeting our allies."
"Alright."
"Nee-chan!" Naruto exclaimed, though he wasn't even sure if he was trying to stop her or not.
"I'll do it in exchange for a weekend at an onsen," she bargained with Jiraiya.
"Deal."
Seina sighed but let Jiraiya explain what kind of woman she needed to become. As she suspected, it was an older woman, tall, slim, with large breasts. Predictable. She changed her hair to platinum blonde and her eyes to icy blue. She put on a black cocktail dress that made her pale skin stand out.
"Remember. You're completely a civilian now—don't let them detect you," he said finally as they separated before entering the hotel bar.
She said nothing. She simply hid her chakra behind her magic, as she always did when she wanted to go completely unnoticed. It wasn't very convenient when she had to use jutsus, but it was better than ninja stealth techniques. She carried a very small conjured purse so it could be easily checked. She hated leaving her pouch and weapons behind, but she could escape if needed. She sat at the bar and ordered a non-alcoholic drink, preparing to wait.
Her target was in a booth, surrounded by ninjas dressed as bodyguards keeping watch. He had a couple of girls with him, laughing loudly, touching his chest and thigh seductively. Judging by their appearance, they seemed like escorts or prostitutes. She noticed the entrance to a restroom a few meters away from where he sat. She sipped her cocktail slowly and then stood up.
She pretended not to see the man approaching her from the left as she slowly made her way toward the restroom, passing right in front of her target's table. She sent a spell to a nearby person, and they bumped into her.
"Oh, sorry! I'm so sorry," the man said, grabbing her arms as they stumbled. "Are you okay? I wasn't looking where I was going."
"Yes, it's fine. Just a small bump."
"Can I get you a drink?" he asked with a smile.
Seina blinked. She hadn't expected that, but seeing a booth a couple of meters from her target, in full view, she accepted. She sat in the comfy seat, making sure she was fully visible to the merchant, who had already noticed her from the commotion.
"What can I get you?" the man asked.
"How about some sake?"
"Be right back!"
She pretended to glance around while waiting for her newfound companion. Her eyes met the target's by chance. He was a tall, muscular man with dark hair, tanned skin, grey eyes, high cheekbones, and nice lips. Honestly, if she weren't in love with Kakashi and physically thirteen years old, she wouldn't have minded sleeping with him. Their eye contact lasted only a second, then she turned her head toward the man returning with drinks. She smiled in his direction, ignoring the merchant's lingering stare.
They talked for a while. Seina pretended not to be mortally bored as he rambled about his business trip to the village. After some time, she stood up, thanked him for his company, and went to dance. She didn't really feel like it, but it was the best way to shake him off without leaving the bar, which she couldn't do without her target. She danced for a bit, turned down a few men who approached her, and then returned to the bar alone.
She heard footsteps approaching.
"Why don't I get you the next one?" the target asked, sitting beside her.
"Are you sure?"
"Of course. You must be thirsty after all that dancing."
Seina turned toward him, giving him a once-over before locking her blue eyes onto his.
"You're right."
"Another sake?"
"Another?"
"I saw you earlier, with that guy. I thought you were going to fall asleep from all the talking."
"Some men are all talk," she chuckled.
"I'm not."
Seina accepted the sake, lifting the cup to her lips and drinking it while maintaining eye contact.
"I don't know you. Why should I believe you?"
Her target leaned in to whisper in her ear.
"We could get to know each other better… alone," then he pulled back just slightly, so they were face to face, just a few centimetres apart.
Seina raised a hand to cradle his face, brushing his lips gently with her thumb. She watched his eyelids flutter at the touch—literally magical.
"Mmm… I wouldn't mind getting to know you… deeply," she said seductively, with an obvious double meaning.
She finished the sake. He stood and offered his hand. She took it. They walked out of the bar, trailed discreetly by his hired ninjas. They arrived at a large, luxurious, modern-style room.
"And all these people?" she asked innocently as they entered the room together.
"My bodyguards. Lots of people want my head. You don't mind a little check, right?"
"It's not like I'm wearing much," she said, glancing down at herself.
She tossed her purse to a ninja, who caught it mid-air. It only held fake keys, some cash, and a forged ID conjured as a copy of one Jiraiya had stolen.
"She's clean."
A kunoichi approached, signalling for her to raise her arms. She did a thorough scan, but let her go after finding nothing. Not to mention, the target was almost two heads taller and much more muscular than Seina. They tried to sense chakra, but right now, she was literally just a civilian to them. She nodded to her client, giving the all-clear.
"Satisfied?" she asked with an amused smile. "That many people want you dead?"
"Oh, darling, you have no idea."
The ninjas left the room, leaving them alone. As soon as they were gone, he tried to kiss her, but she pressed a finger to his lips.
"I want you to undress me first…" she whispered, staring into his eyes.
His eyes sparkled with anticipation. He grabbed her straps to pull them down, and she placed her hand in his hair. In that instant, he was completely under her spell. She saw the dazed look of someone caught in the Imperius Curse. She raised a magical barrier mixed with a Confundus so no one would realize what was really happening. They would only hear sounds of sex and wouldn't try to come in.
She sent him to retrieve a briefcase hidden in the hotel room's safe, inside the built-in closet. She watched him punch in the code and open the door. She grabbed her purse and used magic to expand its interior.
"Open the briefcase. Disarm all traps, if there are any."
He obeyed without question. There were no traps, but it was filled with documents and neatly stacked cash. She left the money and copied all the documents with her powers. She stored them in the expanded bag and had him return everything to the safe. Once done, only twenty minutes later, she sat him on the bed and entered his mind. She spent another ten minutes erasing his memory of what had happened and implanting false memories of a night of wild sex. She left him asleep, naked, after faking traces of semen and a few other details on his body.
She sat on the bed and waited silently for a couple of hours. The barrier was still active, so she just stared at the wall, bored out of her mind. Around 3 a.m., she got up and dishevelled her appearance a bit. She cast a Confundus on the bag and another on herself to discourage scrutiny.
As soon as she opened the door, a few heads turned toward her.
"All done?" one of them asked neutrally.
"I better get back before my husband realizes I'm gone," she said with a wink. "He's asleep."
"One moment."
They entered the room to check that he was alive. It only took five minutes. She knew they were checking the client and the safe, because that's what she would've done. He returned silently and nodded at his companions to let her go. She left the hotel calmly but briskly, heading into a side alley where she vanished after turning invisible.
She reappeared in front of the shop, where Jiraiya was waiting, seated. He jumped when he saw her.
"You're back already? How'd it go?"
"It's all here," she replied, tossing him the purse. "I'm going to shower."
Jiraiya looked up from the bag, raising a brow.
"Of course I didn't sleep with him. Ew."
"Go bathe, shorty," the pervert chuckled.
Seina walked into the shop, returning to her usual appearance. Naruto and Sasuke were asleep on the couch, as if they'd been waiting for her. She tossed a cushion at each of them, waking them with a start.
"Hn. You're back," Sasuke said, eyeing her up and down. "I'm going to bed."
Naruto yawned and nodded as well.
"Good night."
She thought it was sweet they'd been worried about her, so she gave each of them a goodnight kiss, seeing Naruto grin and Sasuke blush.