The first thing Ryoko recognized was the smell. It was a familiar sterile environment. For a moment she wanted to call out for her daddy, but quickly the memories came back to her. Shinobi. Blood. Obito.

Right, she was far away from home. She was in her new home now, full of mysterious chakra and ninja fighting to survive. Carefully her eyes fluttered to adjust to the light. Surprisingly, it was dim in her room.

'Ryoko? ' her eyes darted to the noise. There was a man standing by the window, with his head illuminated by the moonlight.

'Father, ' she greeted Fugaku with a relieved sigh.

'How are you feeling? ' he asked, stepping closer to her bed.

Like I had a downer after ten cups of coffee.

'Fine. I found Obito, ' she recalled.

'Yes, you did, ' he hummed.

'Is he ' alright? ' she had to ask it. The last time the boy stood in front of her, he did not hesitate to attack her. The bandages also covered most of his body. He had to be injured. Or at least hit in the head severely.

'He is being watched right now, ' there was a tinge of distaste in Fugaku 's voice that made her wonder what did his words mean.

'Watched as in ' interrogated? ' the man let out a deep sigh before answering.

'You are too smart for your own good, Ryoko. '

She smirked. That she was, but her father didn 't look like he was sharing her amusement at the moment.

'Promise me, that you will never do that again. '

'Do ' what exactly? '

'Runoff without telling us. Engaging with enemies without a team. Running into danger, ' he sounded angry.

'Father, I am a shinobi now. It is my duty to protect Konoha and my comrades. '

She could swear that Fugaku winced at her words, but his expression said nothing.

'How did you know they were Leaf shinobi? They could have been pretending. '

'I would see through a henge. Besides, they were running

away

from Kiri nin. '

'Yet, you saw that the girl was dangerous? '

'Yes ' '

'How? '

'Her chakra ' it was wrong. There was something dark and awful inside of her. I could not let her near Konoha. '

Fugaku only gave a curt nod accepting her reasoning.

'Rest now, Ryoko. Hokage-sama will want to speak with you in the morning. '

He didn 't have to ask her twice. The girl closed her eyes resting on the fluffy pillows. Sleep sounded divine and she welcomed it like an old friend.

Just like promised, the next time Ryoko awoke was from a man entering her hospital room. She looked around. Morning sun shimmered with gentle rays on the walls and floors.

'Good morning, Ryoko-chan, ' Hokage said as he settled to stand at the foot of her bed.

'Hokage-sama, ' she gave a nod with her head.

'How are you feeling? '

'Fine. '

'That 's good to hear. We were all worried about you when your brother brought you to the hospital two days ago. '

Two days??

she hardly suppressed her surprise. Well fuck. This was no good. If she will get knocked out for that long after every fight ' Ryoko could only give a nod with her sullen feelings of self-deprecation circling her mind at the moment.

'So, tell me what exactly happened that night. '

'I wanted to train a bit when I sensed a strong chakra heading towards Konoha. '

'Strange? How so? '

'Mmm, well usually I feel the chakra of people around me. But compared to anyone else ' it could not compare. That chakra felt ' bad. And big. And dangerous. '

'Ah, so you are a sensor? '

'I guess so. '

'So if it felt dangerous, why didn 't you alert anyone? '

'It was moving too fast. I thought, that by the time I found someone, it would be too late. I could not allow anyone to endanger Konoha. '

'That is very admirable of you, ' the old man nodded with a gentle smile on his lips. 'What happened then? '

'Well, I am an Uchiha. I know what sharingan can do and it seemed like the best decision - to incapacitate the target and then call for backup. '

'Hmmm, it didn 't say in your file, that you have unlocked your dojutsu yet? '

Father will not be happy with her telling the secret so openly, but it was her Hokage. The old man would know, either way, so she had to come clean as vaguely as possible.

'Academy did not present a situation where I would have to activate it, ' she shrugged casually. When in doubt, say less as to not incriminate yourself, that was what Ryoko believed in.

'I see. So tell me what happened when you encountered Rin-chan? '

'I put her under a sleeping genjutsu. Only then I noticed that she was a Konoha nin. But ' there was something wrong with her. '

'Wrong how? '

'The chakra. Strange ink marks on her skin. I recognized it as some fuinjutsu. From what I read, seals could be dangerous. At the moment, I was pretty sure that she was a Trojan horse. '

'A what? '

Shit. Of course, they wouldn 't know Greek history.

'I once read about how civilians built this big horse, they named it Trojan and sent it as a gift to their enemy. As a sign of goodwill. But actually, inside the horse, an army was hidden and they attacked the village when the horse was inside its walls. As far as I knew at that moment, the seal could have made the girl into a bomb or something. '

'Very interesting, ' he hummed, but Ryoko wasn 't sure if he really believed in it. 'Why did fuinjutsu scare you that much? '

'Because ' I don 't know much about it and if I don 't know about it, it could be anything ' ' Ryoko felt a blush creep to her cheeks from admitting her weakness and lack of knowledge.

'Well, caution is a good trait for a shinobi, ' Hokage said kindly, probably swayed by her vulnerability. Ha! The naive fool! But as long as he was of her case, Ryoko would take it.

'So ' how is that girl? Rin? '

'She is fine. You made the right call by asking Kakashi-kun to bring a seal master. Konoha is thankful for your service, ' He added with an approving smile. Ryoko nodded. Good. She did not bring shame to her clan and in the end, that 's what mattered.

'So, Ryoko-chan, what happened next? '

'Well, I was looking around in case there were more enemies. That is when I noticed something ' '

'Obito. '

Ryoko nodded again, casting her eyes down to the white sheets covering her body.

'He looked hurt ' And he didn 't recognize me at first. So I placed him under a sleep genjutsu too... Where is he now? ' she felt a painful sting in her heart. Father didn't say much to calm her worry. Obito just had to be fine... after she just got him back, Ryoko was not ready to lose him again.

'We are monitoring him. You should not be worried ' '

'But I am! He is my cousin! ' Ryoko allowed for her feelings to show this one instance as she looked into the old eyes of Hokage.

'He will be fine. Trust me. '

She did not feel reassured but nodded either way. No point in arguing. She would have to persuade an easier target to get her answers. Surely, her own father will be more forthcoming next time they talk.

'Alright, Hokage-sama. When can I go home? ' she added calmly emotions securely sealed back under her mask of indifference.

'Later today, now rest until the doctor comes, ' he waved goodbye. Ryoko only nodded once in response. She had no time to waste in the hospital. If there was one thing she learned from the encounter, it was that she is miles away from Madara 's level of strength. She needed to be better. To get stronger, but she could not do it alone. She needed a sensei.

??????????

A few days later, the Uchiha household received a guest. Ryoko was reading a book in the living room when a knock disrupted the silence. Face scrunched with annoyance, she walked to open the door. From the feel of chakra behind it, the person had to be a shinobi.

'Yes? ' Ryoko said, looking up at a tall blond man with blue eyes. He had a cheerful smile, but she really didn 't have time for any disturbances.

'Ah, you must be Ryoko-chan? '

'Yes, the last time I checked, ' she answered dryly, the man snickered. Even though his stance was relaxed and laid back, she could tell that he was strong. Not a genin for sure.

'Is Fugaku-sama home? '

Ryoko 's eyes narrowed with suspicion. Not often some random people dared to step into the Uchiha compound. Usually, if they wanted her father's attention, they would go to the Police Station, so this was not official business.

'And you are...? '

'Ah! How rude of me! I am Minato Namikaze, ' he smiled even brighter. Too bad that public records did not have pictures next to the jonins. She would have recognized him sooner. But the question still remained, what did he want from her father. Ryoko gave a curt nod in greeting and waved her hand for him to enter.

She led the man to their reception room, that 's how she called it. It was a traditional-style tatami room, where they would invite guests.

'Please wait here, Minato-san, ' Ryoko said before leaving to get her father who was working in his study. She followed Fugaku back into the tatami room because her curiosity was stronger than manners. And well, her father did not dismiss her yet, so might as well use the opportunity.

'Fugaku-sama! ' Minato bowed deeply before the clan head. Father nodded in response taking a seat. Minato followed suit and settled in front of Fugaku, while Ryoko took a spot on the left side. The right side next to Fugaku was low key, always reserved for the heir of the clan - her brother.

'How can I help you, Minato-san? '

The blond straightened up and his carefree expression also faded, replaced by the seriousness of a seasoned shinobi.

'Fugaku-sama, I am here to express my utmost gratitude to your daughter, for saving my genin team, ' he announced and bowed so deep, that his forehead touched the floor.

Oh. That was nice, she thought. Seeing people bow before her, was something Ryoko could definitely get used to.

'Hn. She did what any shinobi would have done, ' Fugaku responded nonchalantly, but his chest was puffed with pride.

'Still, I will forever be grateful. And if there is ever a time you need a favor, Ryoko-chan, please ask. I am in your debt. '

'Well, that won 't ' ' Fugaku started the cordial response, but Ryoko interrupted.

'Yes. I have a favor to ask, Minato-san. '

'Ryoko! Mind your manners, ' Fugaku glanced her way, but she was determined. When the girl wanted something, nothing could stop her, manners be damned!

'That is alright, Fugaku-sama! ' Minato smiled, straightening up again. His deep blue eyes settled on the girl. 'How could I be of use to you, Ryoko-chan? '

'Minato-san, you are the student of one of the Legendary Sannin, is that right? ' she asked.

'Yes, that 's right, ' he nodded, probably still unaware of her intentions. 'Jiraiya-sama was my sensei. Are you looking for a sensei? ' he actually guessed it right!

From the moment Ryoko got back from the hospital, she delved straight back into her research for potential teachers. She needed someone smart and clever, and skillful, and legendary if she wanted to be a legend herself.

'Yes, actually I am. '

'Well, I could speak with Jiraiya-sama ' '

'No, not him. '

Now Minato and Fugaku looked confused for a second showing various degrees of emotion on their faces.

'Well, I already have a genin team, but I could think of something, ' the blond laughed rubbing the back of his neck sheepishly. Aww, the silly boy thought she wanted him? How adorable.

'Actually, I have someone else in mind, ' Ryoko smiled innocently. Only Fugaku knew that smile could not mean anything good.

'Who? ' her father asked, narrowing his eyes.

'Minato-san, ' Ryoko disregarded the question and looked straight into those blue eyes. 'I will not ask you to convince anyone to take me on as a student. I would like your help just in arranging the meeting itself. I am capable of doing the convincing part myself. '

'Emm, sure? A meeting with who? '

'The other Legendary Sannin. Orochimaru-sama. '

Birds chirped outside, yet you could probably hear a senbon drop on the floor in the deafening silence of this room. Minato blinked a couple of times processing the information. Fugaku was quicker to respond.

'Absolutely not! ' if it were anyone else, they would bow their head to Fugaku 's commanding tone. But Ryoko did not fear her father. She only smiled.

'Father, I need someone strong and competent in ninjutsu to be my sensei. He is the best candidate, believe me, I checked. '

'Are ' are you sure about this, Ryoko-chan? Orochimaru-sama is ' well, he is..

strickt

, ' Minato settled for that word, but every person in the room knew what he actually meant. The words that could describe the snake sannin would be cruel, vicious, determined. But for Ryoko only one thing mattered - he was a genius. Twisted? Yes. But still a man of incredible intellect and strength.

'I am sure. '

'Pft, ' Fugaku sighed, probably convincing himself, that Orochimaru would not even take her as a student.

'Well, alright, Ryoko-chan. I will arrange a meeting for you, ' Minato smiled with determination.

??????????