Marissa and Her Cousins

Takigakure, hidden behind a giant waterfall, has historically never been invaded due to its unique geographical location despite being surrounded by major nations. Takigakure always maintains a reclusive attitude, living its own life behind closed doors and seldom involving itself in the affairs of the ninja world.

This small, inconspicuous village sent over fifty Genin to Konoha to participate in the Chunin Exams.

What no one knows is that Takigakure has long been under the control of the Akatsuki organization.

Akatsuki members Kakuzu and the Seven-Tails Jinchuriki, Fu, both hail from Takigakure. Given its hidden location, unnoticed by major villages, it naturally became a target for Akatsuki.

Several years ago, Naruto used his Rinnegan to control the Takigakure leader, turning the village into an Akatsuki base.

At this moment, Gaara was among the Genin from Takigakure. More accurately, it was a clone created by Gaara using Naruto's Rinnegan.

In response to Uchiha Dan's ambition to collect the nine Tailed Beasts and become the Ten-Tails Jinchuriki, Naruto, as the leader of Akatsuki, chose to avoid direct confrontation and shifted to a defensive stance.

However, defense doesn't mean hiding entirely; it would result in losing the initiative and any chance of turning the tables.

Thus, Gaara infiltrated Konoha with the Takigakure team to gather intelligence and understand Konoha's movements, avoiding being completely in the dark.

Of course, winning the Chunin Exams and embarrassing Konoha at their doorstep was also a desirable outcome.

At this time, a silver-haired, scholarly-looking man with glasses appeared before the Takigakure group.

"Hello everyone, I'm Kabuto, a Jonin from Konoha. I'll be responsible for your itinerary in Konoha. Please let me know if there are any shortcomings, and I'll address them immediately."

Kabuto wore a gentle smile, welcoming the Takigakure group.

As a seasoned spy in Konoha, Kabuto had recently applied to join the Chunin Exam organizing committee and volunteered for the role of host, responsible for accommodating various village teams and managing their stay and participation in the exams.

He could freely access various places and gather the latest information through this position.

"Hello, Kabuto-san, pleased to meet you. We'll be in your care," the Takigakure leader responded warmly, shaking Kabuto's hand.

"Please follow me," Kabuto gestured, leading the group to their hotel and smoothly arranging their stay.

"So many participants this time..." Kabuto thought, checking the guest list.

Even a low-profile village like Takigakure sent over fifty participants, not to mention the four major villages.

With more people, more stories or... incidents will happen. Konoha won't be peaceful.

For people like Kabuto and his organization, chaos is a great opportunity to fish in troubled waters.

Kabuto adjusted his glasses, a glint of cold light flashing in his eyes.

He transmitted the high-value intelligence he gathered to Orochimaru outside Konoha, ensuring his master was always informed of Konoha's latest situation.

Kabuto knew that Orochimaru had been biding his time for eight years, amassing power and planning an unprecedented action that would shake the entire ninja world.

The code name for that action was — Destroy Konoha.

An exciting prospect indeed.

In the Hokage's office at the Hokage Residence, Dan stood by the large floor-to-ceiling window, overlooking rainy Konoha. His purple Rinnegan slowly emerged in his eyes.

The villagers and tourists playing in the rain or catching raindrops would never imagine that their Hokage created this rain using his Rinnegan.

Dan's ocular power could change the weather, creating a rain that would last over half a month.

Using the "Rain Tiger at Will Technique," every drop of rain falling within Konoha contained Dan's chakra and was linked to his senses.

In his mind, a special map formed by countless raindrops appeared.

If any unfamiliar ninja entered Konoha, their chakra would block the rain, creating a vacuum bubble on the map, which Dan would detect.

The stronger the individual, the more rain they would block, creating a larger vacuum bubble.

Using this ultimate sensory technique, Dan monitored many people's movements.

All the conspiracies unfolding in Konoha were laid bare before his Rinnegan.

It seemed this Chunin Exam had attracted many strong participants.

Marissa's chances of winning were uncertain.

Thinking of this, a gleeful smile appeared on Dan's face as a father.

In the Uchiha training ground, Marissa suddenly sneezed. Rubbing her nose, she frowned and muttered, "It must be Dad. He's waiting for me to fail the Chunin Exam to laugh at me. How annoying."

No one knows a father like his daughter. Perhaps through a father-daughter connection, Marissa sensed Dan's malicious thoughts.

"Marissa, what's wrong?" Sasuke stopped and asked in confusion.

Thanks to Karin's healing, his rib injury had healed. As his cousin, he naturally helped Marissa train, knowing she was preparing for the Chunin Exam.

"Nothing. Let's continue, Cousin Sasuke," Marissa clenched her fists, full of fighting spirit.

She propelled herself like an angry bull with a stomp, charging at Sasuke.

"Ora ora ora!" Marissa's fists rained down like a storm.

Sasuke's red Sharingan spun, predicting Marissa's every move.

He effortlessly dodged her attacks while calmly advising her: "Your strength is sufficient, but your taijutsu is too crude and slow. You won't hit anyone, only wasting energy..."

"Annoying!" Marissa interrupted, throwing a heavy punch at the ground beneath them.

Boom!

The ground shattered around her fist, creating spider-web cracks that spread across the training ground.

Sasuke lost his footing, losing balance.

An opportunity.

Marissa's eyes gleamed as she leaped, pouncing on Sasuke.

With a thud, Sasuke vanished in a puff of smoke.

A shadow clone.

"Damn, when did he..." Marissa muttered.

Behind her, a wave of heat approached rapidly.

Turning, she saw a giant fireball over five meters in diameter rushing towards her.

With a determined look, she tightened her muscles, ready to take the hit.

Boom!

The Fireball Jutsu collided with Marissa, transforming into countless sparks.

"To withstand my Fireball Jutsu with your body, Marissa, your talent is extraordinary. But, you've lost this spar," Sasuke's calm voice came from behind, a lightning-imbued blade at Marissa's neck.

The Fireball Jutsu was a distraction, allowing Sasuke to sneak up on her.

No matter how tough Marissa's body was, her neck remained vulnerable against a Chidori-enhanced blade.

"Hmph."

Marissa snorted, reluctantly lowering her fists.

Seeing her displeasure, Sasuke sighed, lowering his blade, and advised earnestly:

"Marissa, as a ninja, focusing only on taijutsu without learning ninjutsu or genjutsu makes you too predictable and easy to counter."

Before Marissa could retort, another familiar voice came from the edge of the training ground.

"Not necessarily."

It was Itachi, who had been watching.

Smiling, Itachi approached and said:

"Lord Sixth Hokage also specializes in taijutsu and disregards ninjutsu and genjutsu, yet he remains invincible in the ninja world. Marissa inherited her uncle's talent. Focusing on body training and taijutsu is her fastest path to improvement. Don't forget, Marissa is only eight years old."

Sasuke was taken aback.

Indeed, he almost forgot his cousin was only eight. Marissa's appearance often misled people into thinking she was an adult.

Though Marissa had hit a bottleneck, who knew what heights her body and strength would reach in a few years?

Maybe then, she wouldn't need ninjutsu or genjutsu, relying solely on taijutsu to dominate the ninja world.

"Itachi knows me best," Marissa laughed, more determined in her training path.

However, she hadn't used her full strength in the recent spar. Even with Sasuke's blade at her neck, she could still counterattack using her Stand, Star Platinum, and Time Stop.

But using her Stand in sparring felt like cheating, which Marissa disdained.

"Here, take this," Itachi handed her a file.

"What's this?" Marissa asked, opening it to find information on Chunin Exam participants.

"I did some research. There are a few notable opponents to be cautious of," Itachi advised, naming a few.

Sasuke joined Marissa, quickly scanning the information, and frowned:

"Iwagakure's Deidara, Kumogakure's Hidan, all in their twenties with Jonin-level strength, yet participating as Genin?

And this guy, looks over forty, also a Genin.

It's ridiculous. This Chunin Exam should be for Genin, yet it's filled with adults, likely tougher than the Jonin Exam.

This is blatantly unfair to Marissa."

Feeling outraged, Sasuke added:

"I'll go to the Hokage Residence and protest to Uncle. We need fair rules, removing these loophole exploiters."

Marissa shook her head, stopping Sasuke:

"Don't bother, Cousin Sasuke. Dad anticipated this. He wants me to lose so I can't graduate early and join you in exploring the ninja world. But with these strong

 opponents, the Chunin Exam has become interesting, hasn't it?"

Her eyes gleamed with excitement, clenching her fists.

Marissa never backed down; the stronger the enemy, the more thrilled she felt.

Truly Uchiha Dan's daughter.

Itachi mused, that Marissa, at eight, already had a true warrior's spirit, an unyielding aura even Sasuke lacked.

But sheer willpower alone wouldn't defeat strong foes.

"Sasuke, you just recovered, rest now. I'll be Marissa's sparring partner next," Itachi instructed, moving to the training ground.

"I'm ready, Cousin Itachi," Marissa charged at him, brimming with energy.

With her cousins rotating as sparring partners and advisors, Marissa poured all her enthusiasm and effort into training, vowing to win the Chunin Exam and prove her father wrong.

On a high hill, two figures stood outside Konoha, silently watching the distant village.

No, calling it a village was inaccurate—it was a large city.

Despite the rain, skyscrapers, floating airships, electric trains, and bustling streets full of people were visible.

A breeze rustled, dropping a few leaves at their feet, which would nourish new growth, embodying the "Will of Fire."

And Konoha seemed to have realized this vision.

The two figures were the First and Second Hokage, Hashirama and Tobirama Senju.

"When I was alive, Konoha was just a small village. In just a few decades, it's become this. Unbelievable," Hashirama remarked sincerely.

"Big brother, you're mistaken. It's not decades, but eight years," Tobirama corrected.

"According to Sarutobi, Konoha was largely destroyed in the Fourth Shinobi War, briefly becoming a colony of other villages. The Uchiha took over and transformed Konoha in eight years, making it the largest city in the ninja world."

Tobirama's expression grew complex...