#leucistics

Clicking her tongue in further disgust. Dear. Gross. Every little bit about her made Anko sick and she was taking every little thing as some kind of offense. Including their very existence.

@leucistics

A frustrated sigh escaped from the former Hokage. It was a challenging thing for her to face her former teammate. Things had been strained between them to say the least. There were still some things that she held against Orochimaru that she knew really weren't reasonable. Still, that didn't make it any easier to let that hurt go. Not when Jiraiya wasn't here to see Orochimaru's growth and that pissed her off that he couldn't see parent Orochimaru.

"I respect the honesty." Tsunade did her best to calm a bit, knowing that the current Hokage, Naruto, wouldn't be against Orochimaru's actions. Damn brat making her have to deal with this. "I don't have any children, so I can't place myself in your shoes." The closest she had was Shizune, who she did care about, but Shizune was already a kunoichi when she got to know her.

Kin fell silent. She wanted to believe them. She wanted to know Orochimaru was right, but then why did she still have doubts? She escaped death thanks to them, she owed her life to them from when she was a little girl. She had every reason to trust them, but then where was this doubt coming from?

She was dreading this, it was an inevitability, Tayuya had been gone a long time, and that was putting it mildly. Lost since the mission to abduct the Uchiha, a captive of the Anbu, subjected to procedure after procedure to repair her spine and legs, all that ended in failure and could only be classified as butchery. Narrowly escaping the destruction of Konoha. Eventually finding 'home', and having the pieces of her broken body put back together by Karin.

But something Tayuya had avoided since her recovery? Reporting to her Master.

She'd heard so many conflicting reports about the old Snake, that Orochimaru was dead but also wasn't? That they had somehow cheated death by using another who bore the curse mark? That Orochimaru had apparently mellowed out? These all had to be exaggerations right?

Entering the room, Tayuya takes several hesitant steps toward Orochimaru, there's a lump rising in her throat, she can feel her body growing cold, hairs standing on end. Eventually she drops to her knees and bows before the Sannin. What is visible of her legs showing several pale lines that don't match her natural skin color.

Hana opened her mouth to rebut, but then immediately shut it. There was no point in arguing with Orochimaru; they were correct, as usual. Hana was just being as stubborn as she had always been.

She sighed, defeated.

ㅤWhilst waiting for permission to enter the Hokage's office, Itachi had been patiently standing by the door, simply entertaining himself with noticing the details of the walls, the ceiling, the floor tiles. Not anxious, not really, even though this was a meeting that would likely change his entire life... but more so eager with anticipation. A feeling that wasn't too different than standing on top of a very tall cliff, right by the edge, looking down below and unable to see the bottom. Wondering if you'd survive if you were to take the plunge, wondering what could be waiting for you at the other side of the proverbial looking glass. And, wouldn't you know it, it was an act he'd committed himself, a few years into the past. Seems like history was fond of repeating itself.

ㅤEither way, there wasn't need to wait for too long; Orochimaru ever considerate. Which she showed yet again, inviting him to sit beside her on the couch rather than the customary stiff standing; soldiers at the ready from the moment they put on that forehead protector, no matter the age. But even so... even knowing of the Sage's benevolence from self-experience [how many times had he chased her down the road asking questions? and she never once shoo'd him away], it wouldn't have prepared Itachi for the question he was asked.

Why do you want to join the ANBU?

ㅤThat was... odd. Didn't she just say she'd talked to Danzo and to his father? Then why was she asking this? What could he possibly say that she hadn't already heard? Was it a trap? Or at the very least a test? Was she trying to assess if he was prepared for the job? It was the only explanation that made sense to him, and so Itachi decided to cling to it. Making sure to keep his posture up straight and elegant, every bit his father's son, he began listing his arguments; the voice that of a child though the content of the words clearly belied the years.

ㅤ"Danzo-sama said I have what is required of an operative — and, forgive the brag, I do agree with him. My academic record is top notch and second to none, comparable to names such as Kakashi-san and Minato-sama. I carry my clan's kekkei genkai, as you know, which confers me even more advantage in battle. I am also an excellent strategist and I am skilled in negotiation, gathering intel, and stealth, should a mission require it. And I remain stable under pressure and have the capacity to make difficult decisions that take into consideration all factors and aim for the greater good."