Saga of Tanya the Kunoichi

Orphanage of Konoha

It's been 4 years since the night of the Kyuubi attack. These past 4 years can only be said as; dull, repeating the same thing as usual, and pretending to act like a normal child at the very least. I had come to understand the world I live in now, with soldiers called Shinobi that can utilize a source of power called 'chakra' to create various jutsus. I equate them to how I had use mana and magic in previous life. Also, for now the 'monster' sealed inside of me and my brother seems to be inactive and there's no sign of them even being there as far as I felt. At the very least I can almost forget that the 9 tailed fox-zilla is in fact inside of my body.

'Tsu-chan! Come on! Stop reading and join me!', Naruto screamed into my face in his giddy posture and pouty face.

My brother, as usual, somehow always tries to bother me despite my effort to not indulge in his antiques all these years.

"Nii-san, you can always play with Nawako and Tenji. I prefer reading", I don't even bother to look at Naruto, continuing my read on 'Socioeconomic of the Land of Fire' in my hands.

Thankfully from my request, they at least are decent enough to always bring new books to the orphanage from the village library. So my stay wasn't so bad at all except that I want better food and have my own personal space away from these noisy annoying brats - especially from my own blood sibling that seemingly has infinite energy to jump around here all day and try to bother me continuously. 

'Tsu-chan is so boring!', Naruto heads off with the other kids to play. 

Author note: Older siblings at times would call their younger ones with short form adding -chan at the end.

I look out the window and see Naruto throwing colorful shuriken and kunai toys to practice targets along with his friends, competing with each other.

'Yosshaaa!! Bullseye!', Naruto jumped in excitement.

Yes, throwing imitation of what's supposed to be weapons that could kill as a game for children. This world, or at least this military-centered village is trying to raise soldiers from these systematic approaches. Glorifying war and soldiers as fighting for the village or nation and serving as 'heroes'.

Tanya returned her gaze from Naruto to the book. Shinobi is basically the main fighting force and soldier of the land. And all of the soldiers are mainly centered around one single center - a hidden village with its own independent management from the rest of the land of Fire. Hokage - or what I would equate to highest 'General of the Armies' is the one managing the village along with Konoha Council or advisors of the Hokage.

The main income of the village comes from commissions - doing mercenary works coming from clients all over the Land of Fire and funds received directly from the Daimyo. As for how one becomes Hokage, its merits and reputation as far as I understand. From the 1st Hokage to the late 4th, all of them had achievements to their name in wars and so called peace that's achieved eventually. Although I do not know the details, it's mentioned about how much they contribute from the books I read. In short, meritocracy. 

Nonou, the director of the orphanage read the letter from the 3rd Hokage Hiruzen, stating that from now Tsuyu and Naruto would end their stay and live on their own. Nonou, as an ex member of ANBU knows their status is 'special' and ANBU is constantly watching them. Even if she does know the specifics; but she knew the importance of the two when Hiruzen personally handed the siblings to her 4 years ago.

In the evening the children gathered around the table. Even though the food lack variety, the stale bread and soup with pieces of meal still filled my belly.

Nonou spoke,

"Naruto, Tsuyu, tomorrow you two…".

She hesitated for a moment, looking at Naruto who's only a 4 years old child. She somehow wasn't worried about Tsuyu, feeling reassured over her independence from her observation.

'What is it Mother'. Naruto raised his head to speak despite his full mouth.

"You two will live on your own from tomorrow onwards… You two have grown up and can be independent". 

'Huh… but why?'.

"Don't worry Naruto, you two will be given everything to live on your own. Besides, you can always visit. And you two can get a room on your own". Nonou tries to reassure Naruto with a smile.

Naruto nods, thinking that he still can visit so it wasn't that different at all! He still can come and play!

Tanya is thinking over the information. She does prefer having her own space, and she had long wanted to get away from the brats. But letting a 4 year old living on their own without any guardian is definitely not normal even for a military village.

But she's sure it is connected to their status as the ones who contained the 9 tailed fox. She also knows that the details are kept a secret from everyone and probably only the higher ups of Konoha knew of the matter.

'I understand, mother'. Tanya spoke short words.

"Take care of your brother Tsuyu".

Tsuyu nods.

Naruto however seems a little annoyed.

'I don't need my little sister to take care of me! I can take care of myself! And… I am the brother!'.

Nonou chuckled.

"Naruto, Tsuyu has always been more mature compared to you. At times I wonder if they were mistaken about who's the older sibling… but then you two are twins".

Naruto grumbled, not liking to be seen as immature compared to his little sister. For him, his sister is just boring and bland! No fun at all!

The next morning comes. Naruto said goodbye shortly to his friends, promising to always visit to play. It's not a goodbye per se since they could always just visit as they are still within the same village.

The siblings were led to a seemingly old apartment complex in the village with 4 floors. Taking a look inside, it is well furnished with basic appliances and furniture. There's 2 separate bedrooms for herself and his brother. The toilet is shared by the connecting room between our bedrooms.

'Haha! We get our own house and room! I love this!'. Naruto said in excitement as he jumped into the bed, rolling around it.

"Ha. It does feel better. Finally I can breathe", Tanya commented agreeing with Naruto for once.

 After settling down, Tanya took the package containing their monthly stipend.

"400 Ryo…". Tanya muttered. She hasn't walked around the village nor asked about the price for the daily necessities. She planned to walk around and budget properly.

Naruto's eyes shines in excitement seeing the notes of money. 

'Waa! So much money! Tsu-chan let's get some sweets! No… I want to eat meat!', Naruto comes close to snatching the money away.

"No. I will hold the money. As for sweets or meat, we have to properly budget ourselves".

'You just want to take the money yourselves! And why do you get to keep it!'. Naruto pouted. 

"You can't even do basic multiplication and division. You will get cheated out there", Tsuyu said coldly.

'J-just because you are smarter doesn't mean I would be cheated! I am not that stupid!'.

Tanya had to argue back and forth with Naruto. She almost wanted to just slap the shit out of his brother but contained her annoyance. Tanya, unable to defeat Naruto's persistence, had to agree they would get a treat right now and managed to shut him up.

'Yay! Sweets!', Naruto walks happily alongside Tanya to the shopping district. Naruto's eyes widened, seeing so many stalls selling various things - toys, food, those Kunai, that weird shop selling weird things! He wants this, he wants that, and Tanya with her ruthless 'No' denies Naruto at every single instance. Naruto felt like he's about to throw a tantrum.

Tanya on the other hand felt a headache. Is this what parenting looks like? It's as if this is a part of Being X plan trying to torture her mentally and spiritually.

Tanya looks around to get groceries first and lists down the prices, setting aside for use in emergencies, budgeting the rent and utilities, and comes down to being able to have an extra 50 Ryo or so per month for entertainment, comfort or their pleasure.

She understands Maslow's hierarchy of needs, and entertainment and luxury is a part of the needs of human beings.

"Alright, let's get something sweet. Go ahead, pick what you want".

'Yay! Tsu-chan let's go!'

2 weeks passed by as we both got used to living on our own. There's also a news from Naruto saying Mother suddenly went out of Konoha to visit her relatives outside, and there's a new director but Naruto still missed Mother.

Tanya doesn't think much of it.

'So good! Tsu-chan the best-ttebayo!', Naruto happily eats his omurice topped with karaage at the sides.

Tanya had a slight smile hearing his compliment.

"Maybe if you helped Mother cook you would have learned to cook for yourself and stop forcing the work on me". 

'Huh? Both of you always tell me to go out whenever I want to help!', his saliva almost spilled.

"That's because you aren't helping…". 

'Wh-what-'.

After some sibling banter, Naruto heads out to play…

Tanya went to the living room, taking a book on 'Countries In the Land of Fire And Its People' she borrowed from the library, ready to continue where she last stopped.

After half an hour, suddenly Naruto comes back.

'I am home…'. Naruto sounds a little sad.

I frowned, hearing this unusual tone.

"What is it nii-san? Why are you back".

'The orphanage… it's closed… the notice says they moved to a new orphanage'.

Tanya stops reading her book.

"What does the notice say?".

'It just says from today onward the orphanage is under renovation and they moved to a new one'.

Tanya squinted her eyes. Either that's what happened, or there's something else going on.

Over the next few days, Naruto confirmed something. The people he knew are nowhere to be found. Naruto had walked around the village, searching across the different orphanages there and they had just gone.

Naruto, feeling sad and lonely, starts to pester Tanya again. Tanya reluctantly plays along with him half of the time, for the sake of his well-being or sense of responsibility she had.

Something doesn't feel right.

Tanya felt something bad was going to happen. Or it had happened. There's something off about the whole situation.

***

Base of Root Organization

"Danzo-sama, here's the report. We had taken all of them into our ground. Unsuitable candidate had been taken care of".

Danzo nodded, hoping the new seedlings would give him good tools for his use. He had sent Nonou, an ex-root member, to spy on the movements of Kumogakure… as well as to assassinate a 'traitor' of the village - cleaning up those who had too much information. For the sake of the village, he will do whatever it takes to ensure peace and safety and consolidate his own power.

"I will go and see the seedlings". Danzo stood up and walked out of his office… into the darkness of the Root.

As Danzo walks around the base, seeing the new seedlings being trained, he decides it's time to proceed with the plan to unite the village. And for that the village needs a source to bind them together - and what's easiest is hate.

"Suzume". Danzo muttered.

A person with a sparrow mask appeared beside Danzo kneeling.

"Proceed with the plan to spread rumors on the jinchuriki. The boy, Naruto…". 

'Understood, Danzo-sama'.

For the sake of Konoha, it's what needs to be done.

Danzo walks into the darkness... brewing shadows behind the scenes.

***