Palpable fear enveloped everything nearby. The man was tall, had long black hair and wore a ninja vest and a Konoha headband. Marble white skin and snake eyes, just looked at the boy with very little interest and a bit of annoyance. The boy noted the snake-like man was a lot more menacing in real life. Not only was he tall, he was also built like a fighter contrary to his image in the show. He was only strapped before but now he was paralysed with fear. His throat was dry and heart beating out of his chest. He did not need his byakugan to notice something was affecting him. So he did his best to resist, to move, to say something, to move his lips, to scream. He kept looking at Orochimaru, unable to take his eyes away, less get devoured by a predator. Snake eyes looked back at him and the boy knew, like him, this man had seen death. Had seen her face and walked shoulder to shoulder with her. But he would not be overwhelmed by the presence of someone at least a decade his junior, so he looked inward instead of focusing on those predatory eyes. His chakra flared and slowly the paralysis receded, his heartbeat slowing to a normal rate.

“Ibiki, this has gone a bit out of hand.” Spoke Orochimaru with his voice that sounded like sand flowing through rusty pipes, so grating yet smooth at the same time.

“I am certain he is hiding something, Orochimaru-sama!” Spoke Ibiki his voice less than calm now.

“Everyone has secrets, it’ll just make him a better shinobi.” Countered Orochimaru. Then Anko walked towards the strapped boy and started untying him.

“Unbelievable. How can you be late to a lesson with the wonderful me? Ungrateful brat!” Anko spoke in her usual jovial tone.

“Sorry, sensei. Had my hands tied this time.” Smiled Ryoshi.

“I even told Morino-san that I was thinking about you.” He stood at this point and stretched freely. Some bones cracked and muscles finally free, flexed and relaxed, giving the sweet relief that he so lacked when he was bound to the damnable chair. The sannin’s curiosity got the better off him and he asked.

“So what happened, child?” He asked with his even tone and unimpressed expression.

“Thank you for the intervention, Orochimaru-sama. Well you see, last night-” Then he was interrupted.

“No, I meant here.” He then turned to Ibiki, apparently not too keen on listening to a teens perspective.

“Well, I needed help from Yamanaka, and when they tried, they were hurt somehow.” Responded Ibiki Morino.

“That’s rather vague for the head of T&I, Morino and they? Are you saying this one isn’t the only incapacitated Yamanaka?” Orochimaru asked, gesturing towards the unconscious redhead on the floor bound by his snakes. Ibiki hastily started explaining himself.

“I thought this might be a good opportunity for the Yamanaka heir to get some real experience, but she just fell unconscious after the attempt, I didn’t think much of it, just her skill was lacking since she was young. So I got someone more qualified but that didn’t work either and the response was much worse as well.” Explained Ibiki.

“So why the heavy arm for such a kid?” Asked Orochimaru, turning towards the boy once again. “He doesn’t look like much and how did this even happen to Fuu?”

“I don’t know what, but he is hiding something. He has some kind of shielding on his mind, it responds violently to intrusion.” He said.

“Who are you?” Asked the Sannin, furrowing his brows at the boy next to Anko.

“Genin number 012666, Kobayashi Ryoshi, under Special Jounin Mitarashi Anko.” He responded mechanically, raising an arm to point Anko. He was a bit tired strangely, perhaps resisting Orochimaru’s aura took a lot out of him. As the snake man smirked at his response and asked.

“And what did you do to this Yamanaka?” He asked calmly as he gestured once again to the man lying on the floor. The boy took a moment to think through his response, he wanted to be concise with his response, lest his head fly off his body before he could properly explain himself.

“Unlike Ino-chan he was too quick for me to intervene. I think my heritage gives me an ability to protect my mind, by having explosive traps and he simply rushed in and triggered them. For Ino-chan I managed to push her out of the blast but not him, he was simply too brutal and quick. I simply couldn’t respond. At least that is the best way I can explain it, even I am not sure how it works to be honest, it was just luck with Ino-chan. Most importantly though, I told Morino-san about the dangers. I wanted none of the responsibility of hurting people, I have no enmity with anyone here, especially with Ino-chan.” The boy explained moving his arms in small gestures as he talked.

“That’s a convenient and vague explanation. Why doesn’t the village know about this kekkei-genkai?” Asked Orochimaru, his smile turning dangerous as he stepped closer to Ryoshi. All the boy could do was gulp. He knew he was outmatched in almost every way, except perhaps field experience, but that was irrelevant given the difference in warfare. His only way out of this alive was to explain enough to satisfy the legendary Sannin.

“I only learned of it last night and I'm an orphan.” The teen with the eyepatch spit out quickly. In response the snake man leaned closer, observing him.

“Isn’t that interesting.” He suddenly straightened. “It seems, this is it for now. Do study that ability of yours, I am… curious.” He rasped out almost a whisper. Everyone in the room was confused at the sudden change of attitude until footsteps sounded in the hallway beyond the door. The click clack of women’s shoes. Then she stood at the doorway and glanced around the room, her eyes landing on the only teen.

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“Is this the one?” She asked. The female Sannin was a walking contradiction just like in the show. Incredibly well endowed, incredibly beautiful and a stern demeanour, yet at the same time incredibly cute, with her blonde fluffy hair done in her signature pigtails. A glare that demanded obedience, hair maintained with great care and an outfit showing elegance, yet there was no mistaking her powerful and confident warrior’s stance.

“Ah, wife. If you are asking after the troublemaker, yes that is the one. Hope you bring good news about the little Yamanaka?” Orochimaru asked, in a sweet tone that seemed almost mocking coming from someone like the snake Sannin.

“Wife. What wife? WIFE!? What the fuck!? Oro and Tsunade!? WHAT!?” The boy’s thoughts whirled.

“Yeah, she is up and asked for the boy. I assumed I would have to break him out, what are you doing here, and with Anko as well? Responded Tsunade without missing a beat, just a casual conversation between a couple.

“Well I came to break him out as well. Isn’t he exceptional? Been a ninja for a day and already not one but two Sannin are coming to his rescue. It almost makes me jealous.” Intoned the pale man in a sarcastic tone.

“Oh please. Everyone knows you are sensei’s favourite.” Responded Tsunade as she walked towards Ryoshi. Standing in front of two of the three legendary ninja, suddenly the old veteran felt very small. The snake Sannin just scoffed in response, as the slug princess continued.

“What happened to that one?” She asked, gesturing to the snake bound man on the floor.

“Same thing as the little Yamanaka, but a direct hit or so the boy claims.” Answered Orochimaru. Tsunade raised an eyebrow, before saying.

“I see, I need to examine him too then. Bring him with us. Let’s go back to the hospital.

She walked closer to the boy and picked him by the scruff of his neck like a puppy, effortlessly moving him out of the facility and towards the hospital.

While walking Tsunade questioned Ryoshi.

“So what can you tell me about this bloodline of yours?”

“Well… So far it is beyond my control and I think it will remain so. It is an always active shielding versus mental attacks, from what I can tell. It just is.”

“I am more interested in the extent of the damage it can cause and such, kid. Not what it is.”

“What I can tell you for sure, is the difference between the two. Going back to my explosion analogy. I managed to push Ino away, but the man took the full brunt of the explosion. Anything else I say would be just assumptions based on gut feeling.”

“I see.” The princess responded, sighing. “Pray do tell these assumptions, oh and you can walk right?” She finally let him go, not carrying him like a puppy anymore, not that it mattered at this point half the village had seen his loss of dignity.

“Right.” He said as he hit the ground and stumbled getting his bearings. “I think this is a purely mental issue, so I don’t know if medical expertise can fix it, Tsunade-sama. Also I believe the damage to the jounin Yamanaka is… irreparable.” The boy said as he glanced around trying to gauge everyone’s reactions. A few slight scowls were all he noticed even with his byakugan. “I do not know much about the Yamanaka techniques, but I would advise caution if they try to fix him by going into his mind. Perhaps the damage was caused via memory so if they saw his memories even at second hand could be dangerous. But maybe that is a key to fixing him as well. To be honest I am just guessing.” The boy explained, surprised at the adults around him listening attentively.

“That’s what I assumed as well, but Ino is different, wholly so. I noticed imperceptibly thin strands of chakra around her brain and further investigation showed that the strands were weaved into an impossibly complicated pattern around her brain and many going deeper into it and formed a smaller pattern in the middle of her brain. Somehow the whole thing looped perfectly and the extent of its damage is a slight change. She showed symptoms of paranoia, hallucinations and strange attachment to you. Tried dispelling the chakra, it was not affected at all, otherwise interacting with it is too dangerous for the patient. Inoichi attempted to go inside to try to determine if he could help in any way, but he was similarly barred from entry and forcing his way seemed discomforting to the patient and he abandoned the idea, deemed too dangerous without more information. Even if we assume the chakra itself does nothing but act as a string, I wouldn’t know how to even begin to unravel it without causing brain death. Your ability is too strange, kid. All we can do is hope the symptoms don’t get worse, so she can have a semblance of a normal life.”

She sighed with a crestfallen expression and the atmosphere turned solemn as the rest of the walk to the hospital was done in silence. Once the group reached the hospital they beelined towards Ino’s room. When they finally made it, surprisingly Ino was the first to speak.

“Ryoshi-san, I am so glad you came, please come closer.” Contrary to what Tsunade was saying, she seemed happy, excited and only a little worried. Apprehension hidden behind her chipper voice.The boy suddenly remembered why he was here. He had forgotten that Ino asked to see him. So he walked forward towards the girl’s bedside. His footsteps heavy under the gaze of the crowded room, which included Inoichi Yamanaka. He felt incredibly guilty for not being able to dissuade the girl from hurting herself by attempting to intrude on his mind.

“I did my best, it is not my fault. No regrets, this life.” The boy reminded himself as he renewed his confidence and reached the bedside, where Ino grabbed his hand in her own small hands.

“I wanted to apologise for not listening to you. Also please stay like this for a few moments. It’s medically relevant.” She quickly finished shying away at the end. The boy could feel her father’s murderous gaze.

“Eh. Sure I guess. I am glad I can help.” He responded awkwardly. The situation wouldn’t be so bad if it was just two of them but a whole room was scrutinising the interaction. Soon Tsunade came to examine Ino.

“Yeah, it seems to be true. I see signs of stress and anxiety receding. It seems these two will have to spend time together more often and that is my medical prescription.” Ordered Tsunade.

“But! How can this be? Tsunade-sama. Isn’t he the source!? Ho-” Inoichi was interrupted mid sentence by Tsunade.

“Are you questioning my medical expertise, Inoichi? She glared at the blonde man. “If so, you are free to take a second opinion.”

“No, Tsunade-Sama. I wouldn’t dare.” Quickly, responded Inoichi.

“Good, now leave. That’s enough family visitation, you too Oro and take Ibiki as well. You have no business here.” Commanded Tsunade and everyone shuffled out of the crowded room leaving the patient, the doctor, the boy and Anko in the room.

“This might cause some team changes, Anko. We will have to do some deliberations on the details, but keep your lesson plans flexible.

“Of course. Tsunade-sama. I was planning to have the talk today, would it be fine to include Ino in them as well?” Asked Anko.

“Guess, that’s fine. I see nothing wrong with her. She will be ready to go in an hour.” She answered Anok and then turned to her patient.

“Congratulations kiddo, you graduated early. All you need to do is keep a record of the effects of your condition. You understand what I mean?” Explained Tsunade to the wide eyed Ino. She nodded in confirmation

“I need to track the escalation of my symptoms as best as I can in relation to the amount of contact with Ryoshi-san.” Answered Ino.

“Good, you should know you have gotten better, because of this incident, but I can’t tell to what extent. So you will have to train to find out, as well as study much harder to catch up with actual graduates.” Ino nodded in response. Then Tsunade turned to Ryoshi and smacked his head with the medical clipboard she was holding.

“And you, control yourself and help her as much as you can. For better or for worse you two will be together a lot so get along.”

“Understood! Ma’am.” Responded Ryoshi.

“Good. Now I have paperwork to fill, then and only then you are all out of here.” Tsunade said as she walked out and slammed the door behind her.