Naruto : Saga of Tanya the Kunoichi

The warden saw Tsuyu unable to for more than 3 seconds, the insect zankichu sent to bite on her neck.

"Nnh…!" Tsuyu bit her lips, her entire body trembled from pain coursing through his veins, blood dripped from her lips staining the dirt and grasses below.

The abyssal ground below her put pressure on her just as much as on Naruto at the moment as well.

"Tsu-chan…" Naruto's entire body was shaking from trying to push up. His face filled with worry, his heart almost in pain seeing her endure.

But contrary to everyone's expectation on seeing her face of suffering, instead a smile carved on her face.

"Haha… HAHAHAH! Keep going brother!"

Her laughter echoed in the entire forest, sending shivers to others' spine. She pushed her body to move under the heavy gravity, probably out of pure spite. Everyone in the camp realises she's insane and cruel even to herself.

"Ahh…!" Naruto got bitten this time, his body convulsing in pain. Tears shed from him.

"Oi what's the matter now nii-san? Aren't I still going now?"

"I… can't…" Naruto is unable to get back up this time. The pressure of gravity is multiplied by thrice, and he had been going for so long…

"Is… that so…? Hahaha… I thought… it's unfair I do nothing… now that I do it… you can't even beat me…!"

Seeing Naruto go silent for seconds, his body shaking and sticking to the abyssal ground, she releases the technique. The pitch black hard ground turned into normal dirt, giving both of them rest.

She figured out Naruto is quite competitive and tried to use herself to motivate him. She even added pressure on herself so Naruto would be forced to use more pressure alongside her.

"Ha… ha… hahaha…haha…" She's really laughing because the amount of stress her body is enduring causes release of endorphins.

She stood up, wiping the dust off her clothes. Her expression turned stern and cold as usual.

"15 minutes before the next activity!"

She went to her tent, taking a sip of water and snacking on a grilled snake.

***

"Don't you drag me to death you trash!"

Tsuyu screamed as she led 30 people, connected together by rope tied on their waist - including herself at the very front - to walk against strong river currents.

"We won't Director!" Few people replied with vigor. Her joining almost made the camp more spirited, even smiles are often seen each time she gives motivating screams. She has to admit her joining makes them more resilient and even having the spirit to go through it more.

She understands it's because they finally acknowledge and accept her as a leader completely as she's proven it. But not all leaders have the luxury to prove to those below them they are competent. This kind of habit is problematic in the real battlefield where you would shift in positions and squads due to death and many other reasons.

"Oi! Who just fell!? You want to drag me to death with you? Hahaha! There's only 100 meters left!"

***

"Inuzuka, is this all you have?!"

Tsuyu asked as she passed by him, carrying the heavy log in one shoulder while jogging. She slapped Kiba's back for being so slow.

"No Director!"

"Then move faster!"

"Yes Director!!!" "Woof!" Akamaru on Kiba's head also replied.

Whoosh.

Tsuyu's eyes flickered. With a swift motion, she swung the log, using it to block the Kunai tossed at her and even at Kiba's in one motion.

Thud. Thud. The Kunai embedded into the log. Her expression didn't change from beginning to end and was so casual.

Kiba's eyes were almost shining looking at her. The slap on her back almost felt warm and tingly…

"Tch. I shouldn't have blocked them for you. Move faster or those insects would bite!"

Tsuyu scolded him a little more before moving ahead to also motivate Hinata. As for the Aburame in front of Hinata he seems like a quiet guy so she just says "you are doing good" before leaving.

What's his name again…?

Kiba looks at her back, and tries to move faster to catch up. His heart was beating a little faster somehow, his eyes locking onto her back and causing a momentary distraction that caused some kunai to land on his thigh. If Tsuyu knew, the log would have already swung onto his head to stop whatever weird thoughts he's having.

***

Jiraiya somehow convinced Tsunade to come to watch exactly what's going on with the camp with her own eyes.

Despite Tsunade's busy schedule, she gave up and gave 5 minutes of her time and along with Jiraiya who wants to check on these people who were torture in cruel ways.

The two see long rows of people carrying logs of wood as they jog.

It seemed normal at first glance this time. But suddenly a scream is heard from the last rows.

Tsunade watched in shock as 3 people fell to the ground and convulsed in pain. Tears, snots, saliva all come out from the pain they endured. It's almost a level 10 pain in pain scale from Tsunade's observation.

Tsunade quickly flickered in worry and went to check on them.

Seeing the insect that flew away she caught it quickly with her quick fingers.

"Zankichu…!?" This insect is a special insect cultivated that has venom that only causes extreme pain!

So this is one of the punishments?!

Her face almost distorted into a lot of myriad emotions.

But those emotions turned to surprise seeing the three people, despite experiencing scale 10 pain for a few seconds just now - they stood up and picked up their logs.

"Tsunade-same…! We… we are doing fine… cough…"

"You guys…" Tsunade, even Jiraiya felt speechless.

"We have to finish this… because we are… a Shinobi…" One of them spoke up.

Jiraiya felt extremely complicated inside. Whatever Tsuyu has done, he could see how strong these people have become in a matter of days.

Tsunade who planned to just stop by for 5 minutes decided to stay longer, almost curious to see what exactly is motivating them to keep going. Even Jiraiya had to stay to re-evaluate his opinions.

Kunai and shuriken suddenly thrown by operatives around.

And most of them are actually able to react quickly, dropping their log to step aside, and just as quickly take it back to continue their run.

The sannin pair move around to see other groups, and to their surprise they see Tsuyu carrying one of her own, moving twice as fast as the rest. While passing by, she gives them motivating words to keep going.

As for the Kunai and shuriken tossed at her, it's not worth mentioning. She's far better than those people that it's almost casual.

Tsuyu noticed their presence, but since they didn't do anything she kept going. If they interfere this time she really would curse Jiraiya for sure.

Tsunade went to check those at camps that either received serious enough injury, in extreme exhaustion they couldn't stand up at all or were unconscious and taken out of activities. Tsuyu wasn't unreasonable.

"Their conditions are all stable… Danzo did keep his promise." In regard to safety, as a medic nin Tsunade could see none of these people has their life in risk. Even the thrown weapons always target the non vital areas.

"Tsunade, don't you think this is too much?"

"... Let's observe more."

The pair observed no one complaining. Seeing someone collapse in the middle of the run from exhaustion, two of her squadmates share the burden to carry her and even her log with them. Even if they are going at snail speed and if they have to crawl to rest their legs.

As the runs were done, extra calisthenics were done for those with visibly extra stamina as usual.

Tsuyu made hand seals, slapping the ground to create 100 meters square wide pitch black ground with increased gravity.

She, along with tens of people willingly move there to do it together. Most people do it outside, some are resting in camps.

Tsunade flickered silently. But despite the skill of a sannin, she noticed many people in the group actually turned to her direction.

To think their awareness reaches this level…

She felt solemn. Whatever methods she used, these people perhaps had become an elite at this point in terms of their mentality.

Tsuyu shakily stood up from the pitch black ground to greet her now that she appears.

"Tsunade-sama." She turned to look at Jiraiya standing meters away, cursing him and hoping this camp wouldn't just get cancelled.

Tsunade stepped onto the black ground with one foot, and in an instant, her body bent down.

This gravity…! So this is your Kekkei Genkai…

She stood up straight, as if nothing was happening to her and looked casual. Of course that's because she's using enhanced strength on her entire body.

While Tsuyu that's shaking and struggling didn't use any chakra at the moment. Tsunade looked at her in another surprise realising lack of chakra flow on her.

"I am only observing. You can proceed."

Hearing her words, she breathed a sigh of relief. Tsunade is more understanding, fortunately.

She continued her calisthenics along with others.

She heard screams at some point from Zankichu 'motivating' them.

In minutes even Tsuyu is bitten, but she lets out a laugh instead of a scream. No one is complaining about her methods. Even she herself endured it.

"... This camp can go on." Tsunade muttered to Jiraiya.

"... If that's what you think…" Jiraiya looked at Tsuyu's own figure that's suffering just as much as Naruto in front of her.

Jiraiya felt complicated inside. On one hand he couldn't see these people suffer. Their tears, their pain, especially Naruto. But, amidst all this, at times there's still smiles between squadmates. The look of conviction to not give up. And even, their reverence for Tsuyu as a leader as she joined to suffer along with them.

These people… are true Shinobi.

He stayed too short of a time and it's only the first day to see the true extent of this camp. It's not mindless torture. Perhaps he judged too quickly and rashly.

***

At night, Tsuyu would end the day with speeches.

"While we work hard today, the enemy villages are also working hard! Whenever we rest, they are still sharpening their blades to kill us, to kill the people of Konoha!"

***

"Let me give you a reality check. 2500 people, against 10,000. You think you could win? Even an idiot would think it's unreasonable. But that's no reason to just surrender at the first moment and let them slit our throats freely! Like those that had fallen before us, they use their body as fuel to light up the path for the future of Konoha. The peace we had is from their effort. And it will be our turn next!"

***

"Even when your body tells you to stop. Even when you mind whispers words of quitting, you still don't! Because you endured them! This is your will! A testament to Will of Fire, what a Konoha Shinobi represents! Until today, you all have proven yourselves!"

***

"Congratulations everyone. From this point onward, Hell's Camp is over! Now all of you can wear your Konoha symbol proudly on your forehead!"

At 8pm after their last activity, Tsuyu gave her final speech.

"YEAH! WE DID IT!"

"OH GOD… I… I can't believe it… I actually…"

Some people cried for some reason.

Tsuyu looked at everyone's faces. There's no more childishness in them. Bonds between them were closer than before. Though their eyes seemed a little weird when they looked at her.

She didn't know all of them already saw her as their most respected leader and would go through fire and water under her order.

Sakura shed tears, her body trembling in relief and happiness.

"I… I… you two… I don't let you two down…" Tears rolled down her cheeks.

"Sakura-chan…"

"You did great, Sakura" Even Sasuke genuinely said it. At this point, Sasuke had acknowledged Sakura completely. Seeing her struggle and going forward changed a lot between them.

"... You all can go back to your own homes if you want to. But we prepared a barbeque just for tonight~"

Everyone's eyes lit up hearing that. Even Naruto had his mouth watering.

"Director! Cheer for the Director!"

Everyone cheered. To finally eat to their content, grilling, chatting, some people goofing around. Naruto was doing some weird dance around the campfire along with Karin that he dragged with him.

Tsuyu went to Naruto, passing over a ramen cup towards him.

"I know you crave this."

"Tsu-chan…! Yeah you bet!" Naruto opened it and quickly poured hot water on them, almost giddy and impatient for it.

A slight imperceptible smile carved on her lips.

Naruto noticed her smile, almost surprised. It's one of those rare genuine smiles of hers. She's very happy with everyone. Or perhaps with her joining the torture herself, even she is affected by the invisible bonds around her.

"Tsu-chan, come sit here!" Naruto moves over to let her sit.

"Fine fine…"

"Tsuyu, you are really good at grilling!" Tenten praised.

"Even in the wild, you can eat good meat as long as you know how to process and carefully grill them. It's worth learning. You would get sick eating just food pills out there."

While she's chatting, there's a constant soft smile on her lips that even she's unaware of.

Though she notices someone staring at her.

"Hm…? What now Inuzuka? Anything to say? Or complaints?"

"A-ah? N-nothing…!" Kiba turned around and stuffed his mouth with a sausage, his other hand playing with Akamaru almost nervously.

She almost thought Kiba got infected by Hinata's shyness. Maybe it's just her imagination.

Everyone around seemed to look at each other, as if understanding something and snickered inwardly.

"Wow… a masochist huh." Ino commented.

"I can understand where he comes from." Lee crossed his arms as he said it.

"He really wants trouble…" Shikamaru commented on how much of a drag such a girl would be.

"What a taste…" Choji stuffed grilled meat to his mouth, commenting on him not the meat.

"H-hey!!! Shut up!" Kiba suddenly shouted. His face was almost beet red.

"...? What are you guys talking about." Tsuyu frowned, not understanding what's going on.

Everyone looked at Naruto, then at Hinata, then at Kiba, then at Tsuyu.

Sakura chuckled. "Tsuyu, you two are really siblings…".

Sasuke silently ate his food, but inwardly felt amused himself.

"Hm? We are…" She looked at Naruto as if questioning if he understands what they are talking about.

Naruto just shrugs his shoulders, not understanding either.

***

Danzo in his office read the latest report.

"To think she joined too. Cruel even to herself…"

But in Danzo's heart, he felt more appreciation for her character. Even he felt Tsuyu is better than he is in various aspects. Danzo is not one to be cruel to himself to gain others recognition for sure, but Tsuyu can do it even if she doesn't even need to.

If he had to re-evaluate her, she's not darkness like him. Her methods are cruel. Yet methodical.

My soldiers obeyed by being broken… while she burned them to temper…

He felt that… perhaps this is what Root is supposed to embody, that could have been.

Danzo almost re-evaluate his own methods, his own philosophy to justify his darkness.