Change

After Mikoto had finished explaining everything, Rize was told to perform a jutsu that she knew of. Though there was a problem, she had no idea what a jutsu was.

"Show me one of your jutsus so I can evaluate how proficient you are in Ninjutsu." Mikoto said.

"Ninjutsu? What's that?" Rize asked with confusion. Such an ability was never heard of in her past life.

"Are you serious?" Mikoto asked in which Rize nodded in reply. "Minato…he really pushed all the work onto me."

Rize stood there in confusion.

"*Sigh* Okay, Ninjutsu refers to any technique that utilizes chakra and allows the user to perform different types of abilities." Mikoto explained. "Here's one for example."

Rize activated her Sharingan and watched as Mikoto performed several hand symbols before blowing out a huge fireball.

"Fire Release: Great Fireball!"

Rize watched as the chakra built up from Mikoto's core to her lungs and blew out a fireball from her mouth. Though, she wondered if there really was a point in performing the different hand symbols.

"That is one of the Ninjutsu that we use. As an Uchiha, we are known for being proficient in fire techniques since fire is our chakra nature. Though, some are different." Mikoto explained. "Ah, do you know your chakra nature?"

"I have no idea what you're talking about. I've only used kenjutsu and hand to hand combat all my life. I have never learned Ninjutsu and chakra natures." Rize said.

"So you took down three anbu members without any form of Ninjutsu…" Mikoto said in shock. She had realized the girl in front of her might not be just a genius, she could be a monster that could change the power balance of the clans.

"That is correct."

"Basically, there are five elements. Water, Fire, Earth, Lightning, and Wind. Chakra Nature or Nature transformation represents which element you're most proficient in and Nature Transformation is an advanced form of chakra control and a technique that is pivotal for the manipulation of chakra and the creation of new jutsu."

Mikoto explained.

"Although most of our clan members are proficient the most in fire, there have been instances where one's chakra nature is something else. Like my son who is more proficient in Lightning Release."

"It seems you trust me enough to tell me about your son's chakra nature." Rize said. "It seems very important."

"Hmm, I guess it's important. But you're one of us now, there is nothing to hide. I'll trust you conditionally." Mikoto said with a smile.

It felt as if the wind strongly blew a breeze at her. Rize's eyes widened after she heard the words that came out of Mikoto's mouth.

You're one of us now.

I'll trust you conditionally.

'What is this feeling…?' she thought to herself.

"Anyway, let's go find out your chakra nature, and things about you. Once we're done with that, you're all set to attend the Ninja Academy." Mikoto said.

Rize stared at the hand that was holding onto hers. She wanted to let go but the warmth she got from it wasn't that bad. So she decided to hold on.

They were now in Mikoto's office with Mikoto holding up a piece of paper while sitting down on her chair. Rize looked around and noticed the shelves full of books as well as the stacks of paperwork on the desk.

"Rize, when you hold this piece of paper. Extract chakra from your hand and imagine yourself burning the paper with your chakra. The paper will be engulfed in one of the elements and that one will be what you're proficient in." Mikoto said.

"Okay." Rize said as she took the paper.

Rize imagined the chakra that was flowing through her veins and into her hand. She focused on the image of the chakra covering the piece of paper.

The paper in Rize's hand was now covered in an ice layer.

"What the…" Mikoto muttered with her eyes wide in shock. "To have a Kekkei Genkai as a chakra nature. You truly are special."

Rize grinned.

'Grell, you really outdid yourself. Is this one of your gifts as well?'

The ability to manipulate ice at will was an ability she had just like in her past life. Out of all the elements she could've gotten, this was the best one. Rize didn't have to learn ice jutsus, she was already the best at wielding ice.

"Your chakra nature is ice, none of our members are that proficient enough in ice jutsus to truly teach you. Perhaps we can find someone to teach you." Mikoto suggested.

"No, there's no need for that. I can learn everything myself." Rize stated.

Mikoto looked at Rize with a confused expression, but seeing Rize's confident eyes, she didn't question it.

"Is there anything else-" before Rize could finish her sentence, she suddenly felt a pair of arms wrap around her. Her first instinct was to push Mikoto away, but she was still a fourteen year old girl. Her physical strength was nowhere close to her past life's strength.

"I don't know what you've gone through to be able to kill people without any remorse, but it must've been horrible." Mikoto said. "I just wanted to let you know that it's okay to let your guard down sometimes, there's no need for you to be tense all the time. Relax Rize, you're with me now. This is your safe place."

Rize widened her eyes. A mother's embrace was something she's never experienced before. She could feel her heart beat faster and the warmth that started to engulf her. She wanted to hug Mikoto back, but she couldn't.

She didn't deserve to.

After they parted, Rize looked up to see Mikoto's kind smile, and pure eyes. Something she's never seen in her past life.

"Now then, I'm going to do a physical examination on you to get you signed up for the Ninja academy. But first, how old are you?"

"Fourteen."

"Oh, a year older than my son, and Minato's son." Mikoto said as she measured Rize. "Speaking of which, you'll be in the same class as them. You're lucky to join before the semester started."

"I see."

"My son's name is Sasuke Uchiha and Minato's son is Naruto Uzumaki. His mother is a good friend of mine and the Uzumaki Clan is pretty strong. Though I'm sure you'll be able to keep up with them."

"I know, I will."

"Also-"

"Why?" Rize asked, which caused Mikoto to be confused.

"What do you mean?"

"Why do you treat me this kindly despite knowing that I'm a murderer. I've killed three of your village's citizens." Rize said. She truly did not understand.

Mikoto looked at Rize with a helpless smile. For such a young girl, she truly went through a lot.

"Because I do."

"Huh?"

"Everyone has a bad past, I had one too, and my eldest son. Even Minato had a bad past too, you know? But at the end of the day, we all have to look past it, and move on."

"Look past it…huh."

"Yep."

Perhaps Rize wanted to change herself. But that was impossible for her. After all, she was still Esdeath, and the one who buried four hundred thousand people alive. But it was okay since she was fine with it.

Being a ruthless and merciless killer.