Chapter 3 – A Life in Darkness II
In a military camp recently occupied by Konoha's ninjas.
Under a heavy downpour, the dirt ground of the camp gradually turned to mud, with pools of water and blood forming everywhere.
People ran back and forth without stopping. Some were carrying the wounded to the hastily set-up field hospital, others were checking provisions left by the enemies in a safe place or preparing a spot to rest.
The prisoners were kept in an isolated corner where they were interrogated. The bodies of their comrades were buried in a shallow grave, while Konoha held onto the bodies of their fallen ninjas to take back home for proper burial.
No one stood idle in such a place, and the sound of distant combat kept everyone alert and ready for any eventuality.
At the command center, a group of Jonin leaned over a stone table, reviewing the latest enemy information obtained at the location.
As Jonin, these ninjas held the highest rank below the leaders of their villages. Each Jonin was an elite warrior, strong and experienced, responsible for decision-making in camps and on the battlefield.
"These reports are outdated," one of the Jonin said, hitting the table in frustration.
"Calm down," another replied while looking at a paper. "Even if they're outdated, they might contain something we don't know. Check them carefully."
Clicking his tongue, the first Jonin picked up another sheet and continued reading the information.
While the Jonin reviewed the information, a team of three entered the room.
"Excuse me. I bring news from the main camp," the leader of the small team stepped forward while the young girl and her teammate stood silently by the door.
"Let me see," a Jonin approached and received the scroll.
After reading its contents, he couldn't help but frown, then passed it along to his colleagues.
"This…"
"It can't be."
"How is the village supposed to survive this?"
The girl saw the shock on the others' faces and wondered what was written on the scroll.
"You're making a lot of noise. What's going on?" Suddenly, a cold voice sounded behind her, stirring her instincts, and she quickly stepped away from the spot.
Drawing a kunai, she held her guard, looking at the figure at the door.
Long hair, pale skin, and snake-like golden eyes. She quickly recognized him, sheathed her kunai, and bowed slightly.
"My apologies, Lord Orochimaru," she said.
Orochimaru, disciple of the Third Hokage of the Leaf Village, was one of the chief commanders of the war. Normally, he wouldn't be in such a small camp, but he had just finished a mission and had come here to rest.
The girl knew Orochimaru, not only because of his position in the village as a disciple of the Hokage or as a battlefield commander. Instead, she knew of him because he was a companion of Tsunade and the master of Nawaki, both grandchildren of the First Hokage and God of Shinobi, Hashirama Senju.
Unfortunately, Nawaki had died a little over a year ago after being caught in an explosive trap, which only made the girl realize that in this war, her identity meant nothing. You were either alive, or you weren't.
Orochimaru glanced at the girl for a second and looked away before taking the information. As he read, she saw his pupils contract as he clenched the scroll.
"Has Kumo really mobilized its troops to the border? Are they joining the war too?" His low, raspy voice fell, leaving everyone in silence.
The girl felt fear at the news; if Kumo entered the war, it would literally be one against four—all the great villages against Konoha.
'If this happens… what will become of the village? And what about the clan? Will we truly cease to exist?'
Her heart grew heavy. Many Senju had perished in this war. Although she didn't know how many had died, the information she had wasn't encouraging.
Fighting on three different fronts—against Iwagakure, Sunagakure, and Amegakure—the entry of Kumogakure would undoubtedly be a heavy blow for the village.
Orochimaru dropped the information and quickly left. The girl watched his back for a moment before also leaving with her team. They needed to eat and rest before heading to their next mission.
<><><><><>
In a small village.
The young Senju walked lightly through the devastated village. In her hands, she held a blood-stained sword. At her feet lay a dead ninja from Amegakure.
Wiping the sword, the girl looked around for a moment, her cold eyes scanning the area for any enemies, until they fell upon a girl.
She was thin, dressed in rags, and her eyes were lifeless.
Looking at the poor girl, the young Senju did nothing. She had seen children in that situation many times, and although it hurt, she was powerless to change it.
Could she give the girl some of her food? Yes. But then what? The girl would still be hungry, still dressed in rags, still… living in that hell.
Instead of wasting food on her, it was better to save it for emergencies. After all, the faster she ended this war, the sooner children like that girl could live in peace.
At least, that's what she told herself in search of solace.
Suddenly, the sound of footsteps reached her, and when she turned, she found her Uchiha companion. His Sharingan, now with three tomoe, spun slightly as he looked around.
"And?" she asked.
"No sign of Kumo's ninjas," he replied, glancing around. "It's strange."
"Yes. It's been almost three months since the information about Kumo's intervention reached us, but aside from those few teams..." She furrowed her brow, doubt beginning to arise in her mind. 'Could it be false information? But it came directly from the village...'
"It doesn't matter. Let's return to camp and report that the information was incorrect."
"Right."
The two turned and left. The ragged girl looked after them in silence, her dull eyes staring at the ruins of her village.
<><><><><>
As the two returned to camp to report, a rain of kunai suddenly flew at them.
"Dodge!" the young Uchiha shouted, and they were separated.
From the trees, a group of ten masked men appeared and quickly began attacking them.
"Who are you?" the young Senju shouted, but no answer came.
The fight was grueling, and she managed to take down two of them before being finally defeated.
Fallen on the ground, she was bound and had her chakra sealed. Beside her, her teammate was also captured, but he was in far worse condition.
His eyes, the mark of his pride as an Uchiha, had been gouged out. She tried to say something, but suddenly her consciousness blurred, and she passed out.
<><><><><>
Opening her eyes, the young Senju found herself locked in a dark cell. Her chakra was sealed, and her weapons were gone.
In a nearby cell, she could see her Uchiha teammate, unconscious, with his eye sockets bandaged.
Suddenly, the sound of footsteps was heard, and a group of men came and took her teammate away.
The girl's fear was visible on her face, but she tried to stay strong. She believed that a rescue team would come for them soon. She believed in her comrades, she believed in Konoha.