Meanwhile, Schnee moved through the dense woodland with an eerie grace, her every step as light as falling snow, barely rustling a single leaf. The way she navigated the untamed wilderness was almost unnatural, silent, fluid, efficient. To an untrained observer, she would have been nothing more than a whisper of motion, a ghost weaving through the trees, there one second and gone the next.
Unlike Guldrin, Ino, and Shiro, who remained preoccupied with their work at the shop, Schnee had chosen to take a more proactive approach in understanding this unfamiliar world, telling them to stay inside while she, well, gains an understanding of this new world...
There was no better way to gain knowledge, after all, than through direct experience. Books and theories were fine, but nothing compared to firsthand study, especially when that study involved taking things apart and seeing what made them tick. And she was quite good at that. She had to be, after all, Shin would have his named NPCs gather the loot… Not to mention the process of cooking involved butchering her own meats.
It just provided the best cuts, according to her.
Predators that had spent their lives ruling this land, beasts with sharp fangs and powerful muscles, had no idea that today was the day they would become nothing more than research subjects.
Rabbits, deer, wolves, none stood a chance. Her reflexes were beyond what they could comprehend, her speed a thing of nightmares. To the forest's creatures, she was an inescapable force, appearing and vanishing before they could even register their own deaths.
But animals alone would not satisfy her curiosity. The flora, too, fell under her scrutiny. She plucked leaves and stems, rolling them between her fingers, inhaling their scents, feeling their textures. She crushed some between her teeth, assessing their bitterness, their toxicity, their medicinal potential. Some plants with unusual colors piqued her interest, and she carefully stored samples for later analysis. Knowledge was power, and Schnee intended to know everything this world had to offer. Of course, she also gathered enough for dinner and future use.
After dissecting several animals, she reached a conclusion, most of them were entirely mundane. No traces of special energy, no unique mutations, nothing but simple beasts that had existed for the sake of existing. It was almost disappointing. She had hoped for something more… interesting. Something worth dissecting, worth savoring.
And then she found what she was looking for after being a little too curious of a cave hidden behind some brush.
Inside she found a brown bear, massive, hulking, its muscles taut beneath its thick fur. What immediately set it apart, however, were its glowing red eyes. They pulsed faintly, like embers in a dying fire. It was an ominous sight, one that might have unsettled someone less accustomed to the strange and unnatural. Schnee, however, was delighted.
She had finally found something worth her time.
The bear, sensing danger, reared onto its hind legs and let out a roar that sent birds fleeing from the treetops. It was a sound meant to intimidate, to establish dominance. Unfortunately for the bear, it had chosen the wrong opponent.
Schnee was already moving before the roar had even finished. She blurred through the space between them, faster than a blink, and the next moment, she stood behind the beast, her blade dripping with fresh crimson. The bear remained standing for a second longer before gravity took hold, and its body collapsed to the ground with a heavy thud.
Anticlimactic.
Now came the real work.
She crouched beside the fallen beast and wasted no time in cutting into its flesh. Schnee was a meticulous butcher, her blade moved with the precision of a master craftsman slash butcher, each incision clean and efficient.
As she peeled away layers of muscle and sinew, she noted something peculiar: the meat did not have the expected gamey scent of wild animals. Instead, it was soft, almost unnaturally so, as if the very structure of the meat had deteriorated upon death.
A fascinating anomaly and an A-rank slice of meat.
She ran her fingers over the muscle fibers, pressing down lightly. There was an unusual elasticity to them, as if something within the bear's body had changed upon dying. Could it be related to the strange energy in its eyes, or was it the energy radiating from its body? Was this an inherent property of whatever force had influenced the creature? More research would be required, but for now, she was content to take the meat with her. It was bound to make an exquisite dish.
But one type of meat alone would not do. What kind of maid would she be if she didn't bring back a variety? A proper meal required balance, after all. Rich, hearty meats complemented by delicate, tender ones. A symphony of flavors.
And so, she continued her hunt.
A few moments later, she dispatched a wild boar with a single precise strike to the neck. Its meat would provide a wonderful contrast to the bear, dense, flavorful, slightly sweet when prepared correctly. She added it to her growing collection.
Walking a little further, she was immersed in the beauty of this world.
Schnee's gaze swept across the dense forest, her sharp eyes scanning the undergrowth for her next target. The sleek, dark-furred deer she had just taken down lay at her feet, its body still warm, the air tinged with the faintest metallic scent of fresh blood. Its muscles were taut, lean, and perfectly structured for speed and agility, making it a prime choice for an exquisite meal. The thought of its meat, delicate yet rich in flavor, made her pause in satisfaction. Lightly seared, perhaps with just a touch of seasoning to enhance its natural taste, the dish would be nothing short of divine.
With swift, practiced movements, she cleaned and prepared the carcass, her hands working with the precision of a master chef rather than a hunter, because what was she? A maid, a very good maid, that is what she is. Unlike most, who would struggle with field dressing an animal, for Schnee, it was as easy as tidying a room, effortless and methodical. She wrapped the meat carefully, storing it in her inventory with an almost ceremonial grace, as though placing a prized treasure into a vault.
Wiping away the nonexistent grime from her pristine uniform, she straightened her attire, smoothing out any wrinkles before moving on. A proper maid, after all, was never anything less than immaculate. Even in the wild, surrounded by the untamed chaos of nature, she upheld her standards.
Anyone who made her appear otherwise?
Let's just say it didn't end well for them.
As she moved through the dense undergrowth of the forest, her footsteps were impossibly light, barely disturbing the fallen leaves beneath her. The silence of her movement was unnatural, almost eerie, as though the forest itself conspired to keep her presence a secret.
Had anyone been nearby to witness her passage, they might have mistaken her for a spirit of the woods, an illusion that flickered in and out of existence between the shifting rays of light filtering through the towering canopy above.
She is a High-Elf, so surprisingly, the description would have fit.
The air carried the crisp scent of damp earth and distant rain, mingling with the faintest traces of blooming flora. The trees loomed high, their gnarled branches intertwined like skeletal fingers grasping at the sky. The further she ventured, the more the sounds of the silent forest faded away, replaced by the rhythmic chorus of nature, the distant call of birds, the rustling of unseen creatures slinking through the undergrowth, the whispering of leaves stirred by the breeze.
Her foraging had proven fruitful, and her inventory now held an ample supply of food. She had gathered a variety of edible plants, roots, and fungi, carefully selecting only those she had identified as safe through rigorous testing and documentation.
A few more small game animals had also fallen to her blade, their meat expertly prepared and stored away with the same precision she applied to all things. Efficiency was paramount, waste was unacceptable.
Yet, despite her momentary satisfaction, her curiosity was not so easily sated. There was more to be discovered, more to be understood about this world that felt so utterly primitive compared to the one she had known before.
It was during her later continued exploration of the surrounding area that she came upon an intriguing sight. From a shaded vantage point, she observed a caravan traveling cautiously along a dirt road that cut through the forest. The heavy wagons, burdened with crates and barrels, creaked under their weight as they trundled forward. The merchants and guards surrounding them moved with an air of wary tension, eyes scanning the treeline for potential threats.
And with good reason.
Though, if you looked closer, you could see they had a certain assured aura. As if they knew no matter what they would be fine.
Curious.
Then an attack came swiftly, figures clad in ragged garments burst forth from the foliage, their weapons drawn, their faces twisted with greed and malice. Bandits. A predictable nuisance. They struck with brutish efficiency, overwhelming the caravan's defenders with sheer numbers.
For a brief moment, she considered intervening. It would take little to no effort on her part to dispose of such insignificant threats. A flick of her wrist, a well-placed strike, and the problem would be resolved before the bandits even realized they had been targeted.
But she hesitated after thinking back to their assurance.
Her sharp eyes caught movement beyond the immediate skirmish, others were lurking in the shadows, separate from the bandits, yet watching the scene unfold with intent. And then, just as quickly as the bandits had emerged, so too did these new arrivals make their move.
Fire erupted in the air, swirling masses of flames shaped into roaring spheres that streaked toward the attackers with deadly precision. Shuriken, sharpened to a lethal edge, followed in a deadly flurry. The bandits had no time to react. The fireballs engulfed them in an instant, reducing flesh to charred remains, while the shuriken struck true, cutting down any who survived the initial blast.
She raised a delicate brow, unimpressed yet intrigued.
Their techniques were effective, but it was their execution that puzzled her. The combatants had shouted their attack names as they launched them.
"Fire-Style: Fireball Jutsu!"
"Shuriken Jutsu!"
The words rang out through the forest, loud and clear, as if announcing their intentions to the entire world. And then there were the hand movements, complicated, deliberate gestures performed with meticulous precision before each attack. Dressed in what she could only assume was ninja attire, and acting sneaky…
She tilted her head slightly, considering the implications.
"They act like ninja," she murmured, observing the way they moved, the discipline in their stance. "But why do they announce their techniques? And those hand movements… are they required to use that energy? Hand seals? Chanting? How inefficient."
A true assassin, a true ninja, would strike from the shadows, unseen and unheard. Their presence would only be known once the deed was already done, their enemies falling before they even sensed danger. But these people, these so-called ninja, loudly proclaimed their attacks, telegraphing their movements in a manner that completely undermined the concept of stealth.
She shook her head, baffled by their methods. "How can an assassin, or a ninja, in this case, use the element of surprise this way?"
Her gaze lingered on them as they finished their work. There was no celebration, no words of thanks from the caravan. The fighters simply regrouped, their expressions impassive, as if they had merely completed a job they had been assigned.
Hired help, then. Mercenaries, perhaps.
She had encountered them before, people who wielded their powers for coin, bound to duties that paid them little more than acknowledgment. They did not fight for honor, nor for passion. They fought because it was expected of them.
A curious phenomenon.
But not one she was unfamiliar with, after all, her previous master was one such adventurer, at least, something close to these 'Ninjas' occupational choices.
She continued watching as the remnants of the caravan hastily reorganized, their fallen men retrieved, their path once again set forward. The hired fighters vanished back into the wilderness, their presence lingering only in the charred remains and bloodied corpses left in their wake.
Fascinating.
But ultimately strange, but it was a different world… What could she expect?
—
–
-
The sun had begun its descent, painting the sky in hues of gold and crimson, yet she remained undeterred in her silent vigil. The world around her, wild and untamed, stretched on. She had spent the last few hours observing, cataloging, and analyzing everything in her surroundings with meticulous precision. Every rustling leaf, every faint breeze, every distant echo of life, it all fed into the ever-growing knowledge she had been gathering since her arrival.
She eventually stepped back into the embrace of the forest, weaving through its shadows like a wraith. Here, among the twisted roots of an ancient oak, she found her place of solace. The tree stood defiant against the test of time, its bark weathered, its branches reaching skyward as if pleading for wisdom lost to the ages. The roots, gnarled and thick, provided ample cover for her to settle into, a temporary sanctuary away from the primitive chaos she had been witnessing.
With a practiced motion, she retrieved a small, well-worn journal from the depths of her sleeve. The parchment within bore the weight of countless observations, inked with precision and care. She flipped to a fresh page, the sound of rustling paper barely audible over the ambient hum of the forest. Her pen moved effortlessly, each stroke deliberate, each word a testament to the ever-growing discrepancy between her expectations and reality.
"This world is even less advanced than my previous one," she murmured as she wrote, her voice swallowed by the wind. "Even with the presence of energy manipulation, they squander its potential with inefficiency. Chanting, hand seals, unnecessary theatrics… Their methods lack refinement. It is as if they are waging war against the elements themselves, rather than wielding them as an extension of their own will."
She paused, tapping the tip of her pen against the parchment. Her thoughts spiraled through layers of analysis, comparing the crude energy manipulation she had witnessed to the structured, refined systems she had known before.
"After the players disappeared, we may have regressed," she continued, her elegant script flowing without hesitation, "but this world… this world has never even seen true advancement."
Flipping to a fresh page, she continued documenting her thoughts.
"It is full of wars and useless skirmishes," she wrote, her hand steady despite the rising wave of disdain in her mind. "I have been here less than a day and have already observed over two hundred deaths. The reasons remain unknown, some bandits, other ninja clashing, but the frequency is disturbingly high. Their combat methods rely on a foreign energy, inefficient and crude compared to mana. They shout their techniques as if announcing their intentions to the enemy, stripping themselves of the element of surprise. How could any civilization function under such an absurdly inefficient system? I have tried to access my status screen and have found this world has none, as if the divines have let this world completely untouched."
The ink dried quickly on the parchment, but the distaste in her mind lingered. She had hoped, perhaps foolishly, to find something here, something of value, of intrigue. Yet all she had seen was primitive warfare, wasteful bloodshed, and a laughable attempt at what her late-master would have called "ninjutsu."
Tucking the journal away, she rose to her feet in one fluid motion, her steps light and deliberate as she resumed her journey. Despite the dimming light, she navigated the forest with the ease of a nocturnal predator. Every shift in the wind, every faint rustle in the underbrush, was registered and categorized in her mind. She was always aware, always calculating.
Then, carried on the breeze, a new scent drifted toward her, civilization. The acrid tang of smoke, the distant murmur of voices, the unmistakable scent of human filth and industry. A settlement lay ahead. Adjusting her trajectory accordingly, she made her way toward it with measured ease.
What would take most travelers the better part of a day to reach, she arrived at in under thirty minutes. Her pace remained unhurried, her movements flowing like water through the landscape. As she approached the town's entrance, her sharp eyes flickered to the sign hanging from an old wooden post, its surface weathered by time and neglect.
'Tanzaku Quarters.'
She had remembered the name in passing through snippets of conversation overheard from the dying throes of unfortunate travelers, yet she had spared it little thought until now. Stepping closer, she took in the town's architecture, noting the crude construction and lack of uniformity.
It was a collection of buildings haphazardly thrown together, as if expansion had been an afterthought rather than a planned endeavor. The streets were alive with movement, merchants peddling their wares, weary travelers seeking respite, bandits hiding in the alleys, and shinobi, so-called warriors who carried themselves with an air of practiced arrogance.
She lingered at the town's entrance for a moment longer, taking in the scene before stepping forward. The moment she crossed into the town proper, she became nothing more than a ghost drifting through the crowd. She wove between bodies with effortless grace, her presence so unassuming that no one gave her a second glance.
Her gaze flickered from stall to stall, taking in the various goods on display. Fruits, dried meats, trinkets of little value, poorly forged weapons, it was all so terribly mundane. The people, too, were of little interest. They were tired, worn by the demands of survival, their conversations filled with trivial worries. It was a world that functioned on the barest semblance of order, held together not by innovation or discipline, but by sheer stubbornness and luck.
She moved toward a nearby tavern, its presence marked by the boisterous laughter spilling into the streets. It was the kind of establishment where information flowed as freely as alcohol, where tongues loosened with each passing drink. She stepped inside, the scent of cheap liquor and unwashed bodies assaulting her senses.
Slipping into a shadowed corner, she observed.
A group of shinobi sat at a nearby table, their voices carrying above the din of the room. They boasted of missions completed, of battles fought, of enemies slain. Their words were laced with bravado, yet their actions told a different story. The way they held their cups, the subtle tension in their shoulders, the flickering glances they exchanged, all spoke of warriors worn thin by constant strife.
One of them, a man with a scar running down his cheek, leaned forward with a grin. "Did you see how that bastard burned? Damn, my fireball jutsu turned him into charcoal before he even had a chance to react."
The others chuckled, raising their drinks in a mock toast.
"And that idiot with the sword?" another added. "Thought he could block a shuriken barrage with steel alone. Damn fool didn't last a second. Didn't he know we were ninjas? How could a civilian even hope to stand a chance?"
She tilted her head slightly, interest flickering in her eyes. So these were the so-called warriors of this land, men who relied on a crude, inefficient energy source, who announced their attacks like children playing at war.
Pathetic.
She had seen assassins before. True assassins. Men and women who moved like whispers in the wind, whose blades struck before their enemies even knew they were dead. These Shinobi, for all their supposed skill, were little more than glorified butchers. No self-respecting assassin would boast of their kill this close to where it happened…
With an almost imperceptible shake of her head, she rose to her feet. She had seen enough.
-
–
—
Walking outside, the town bustled with life, the murmur of merchants calling out their wares blending with the rhythmic clatter of footsteps on the dirt-packed streets. The scent of grilled meats and freshly baked bread wafted through the air, mingling with the less-pleasant odors of unwashed bodies and the occasional whiff of stale alcohol.
Despite the lively atmosphere, Schnee's focus honed in on a single presence moving through the crowd, a woman clad in green, her blonde hair tied back in long rear twin pigtails, her posture exuding a peculiar mix of grace and unshakable confidence.
Schnee could tell at a glance that this woman wasn't another traveler or common fighter. She radiated strength, not just the physical kind, but something deeper, an unrelenting force that sent subtle ripples through the air around her. There was a heaviness to her presence, a weight that made those around her unconsciously step aside, as if some primal instinct warned them not to block her path.
Even the town's more unsavory characters, the ones who lurked in the alleyways with greedy eyes, seemed to hesitate as she passed. Bandits and thugs were always sniffing around for easy targets, yet none dared approach. A few observed her, assessing, calculating, but ultimately they turned away, their survival instincts kicking in just in time to stop them from making a grave mistake.
Drunk as she might appear, there was no mistaking it, this woman was dangerous.
Trailing closely behind her was another woman dressed in a black rode and fishnet, moving with disciplined, calculated steps. Everything about her screamed precision, from the way she adjusted her posture to the way her eyes never lingered in one place for too long.
She carried a pig, a small, wearing a pink dress and a pearl necklace of all things, a round creature that most would dismiss as a mere pet, but Schnee's sharp gaze didn't miss the way its eyes flickered across the crowd, assessing its surroundings with an intelligence that no ordinary swine should possess. It was as if the creature was just as aware, just as perceptive as its handler.
Schnee came to a stop, tilting her head slightly as she observed them.
"That is interesting," she murmured, barely loud enough for herself to hear. "That woman is the strongest person I have seen since my arrival. Maybe I should speak to her."
Curiosity was reason enough. Information was a valuable resource, and someone like this was bound to be a treasure trove of it. If nothing else, she could confirm whether her assessment was correct.
With that decision made, Schnee moved forward, her steps smooth, precise, effortless. She maneuvered through the crowd without breaking stride, her movements flowing like water through the narrow gaps between townsfolk. Unlike the green-clad woman, Schnee drew no attention as she approached. She was a ghost in broad daylight, moving through the throng without disrupting the natural rhythm of the town.
Then, just as she came within proximity, the blonde woman slowed her stride.
For just a fraction of a second, her eyes flickered in Schnee's direction, her movements so subtle that most would have missed it. But Schnee saw.
Ah, so she noticed.
Schnee wasn't surprised. The truly strong always had good instincts. Even in a crowd as lively as this, even through the haze of alcohol that clung to her like a second skin, this woman could still detect something out of place.
The woman in black, however, was far less subtle in her response. The moment she became aware of Schnee's approach, her posture shifted just slightly, her shoulders tensing in the way of someone prepared to act at a moment's notice. The pig in her arms let out a soft, inquisitive grunt, as if it too had picked up on the unspoken shift in atmosphere.
Schnee stopped just short of entering their direct path, allowing herself to be seen without blocking their way.
The blonde's sharp eyes studied her now, though her expression remained relaxed, almost disinterested. But that was a façade. Schnee could see it, the flicker of calculation beneath the surface, the careful measuring of a potential threat and consideration of retreat.
For a long moment, neither spoke.
Then, as if losing interest, the blonde woman smirked lazily and tilted her head. "What? You lost, or something?"
Her voice was smooth, carrying the faintest trace of amusement, but there was an edge to it, the kind that warned against foolishness.
Schnee met her gaze, unshaken. "No. I was merely observing."
The woman in black narrowed her eyes slightly, shifting her stance just enough that Schnee could tell she was preparing for any sudden movements. Schnee had no intention of making any, of course, but it was interesting to note how naturally the woman fell into a protective role.
The blonde raised an eyebrow. "Observing, huh?"
"I find it curious," Schnee said, tilting her head ever so slightly, "how someone as strong as you moves so openly through a town like this. You make no attempt to conceal your presence, yet no one dares approach you, regardless of your drunken appearance. Even the ones who make a living preying on the weak give you a wide berth."
A brief chuckle escaped the blonde's lips. "Hah. Is that what you're so curious about?" She rolled her shoulders as if shrugging off the thought. "Well, it's simple. If you punch enough people through walls, word tends to spread."
Schnee didn't doubt it, but it did surprise her.
"But more importantly," the blonde continued, her smirk widening, "who exactly are you supposed to be?"
A fair question.
Schnee considered how to answer. She could offer her name, but that alone wouldn't satisfy someone like this. Strong people liked knowing what kind of person stood before them. Strength recognized strength, and she had already piqued this woman's curiosity by approaching in the first place.
So, instead of answering immediately, Schnee took a slow step forward, closing the distance just slightly.
The woman in black immediately shifted, angling herself between them, a clear message that she wasn't about to let anyone get too close. Schnee didn't move any further, respecting the silent warning.
"My name is Schnee," she said finally. "And I wanted to see for myself if my instincts were correct."
The blonde raised an eyebrow. "And?"
Schnee allowed a small smile to form as she nodded. "They were."
For a moment, there was silence. Then, the blonde let out a bark of laughter.
"Alright, I like you," she said, waving a hand dismissively. "You're weird, but you're not boring."
Schnee inclined her head slightly in acknowledgment.
The woman in black, however, didn't look as amused. "Lady Tsunade," she said, her tone holding a hint of disapproval.
Tsunade.
Schnee tucked that name away in her mind.
"Relax, Shizune," Tsunade said, waving her off. "If she wanted trouble, we'd know by now."
Another name, good.
Shizune pursed her lips, her expression wavering between skepticism and resignation as she adjusted the pig in her arms. The small, round creature wriggled slightly, but its beady black eyes remained locked onto Schnee with an almost unsettling intensity.
There was something disturbingly perceptive about the way it watched her, as if it were assessing her, making calculations far beyond what any ordinary animal should be capable of.
Schnee found herself returning the gaze, intrigued. It wasn't often she met a pig with more awareness than most humans, at least most humans of this world.
"Well, Schnee," Tsunade interrupted her thoughts, stretching lazily before cracking her knuckles, the motion as casual as it was ominous. "Since you're so interested, why don't you buy me a drink? I'm always more talkative after a few rounds."
Schnee quirked an eyebrow, her amusement barely hidden. She had met all kinds of people during her travels, warriors who hid behind false bravado, nobles who masked their ruthlessness with flowery words, merchants who could charm you out of your last coin before you even realized your pockets were empty, but this Tsunade was something else entirely.
She had the air of a woman who had seen it all, done it all, and now couldn't be bothered to care unless there was alcohol involved.
Schnee's lips curled into a smirk. "Is that so? A few drinks and I'll get all your secrets?"
Tsunade chuckled, rolling her shoulders as if shaking off an old weight. "No promises. But it's a start."
It was a good thing Schnee had, let's say, 'borrowed' some funds from a group of rather impolite individuals who had decided to harass her earlier. She had no intention of returning the money, of course. Consider it a fee for their poor manners.
With that settled, the three of them made their way to a nearby bar, a different one than the tavern before, stepping into the dimly lit establishment that reeked of alcohol, sweat, and questionable life choices.
The place wasn't particularly crowded, but there were enough patrons to create a steady hum of voices over the clinking of glasses. A few heads turned when they entered, most out of curiosity, some out of recognition.
Schnee noted that the bartender visibly stiffened when he saw Tsunade.
"Miss, don't break my bar again."
"Yeah, yeah."
Ah. So she was that kind of regular.
The three of them took a seat at a sturdy wooden table near the back. Tsunade wasted no time in ordering a bottle of sake, while Shizune sighed as if she had already resigned herself to the incoming chaos. The pig in her arms let out a tiny, disgruntled oink, as though it, too, had seen this play out before.
Once the drinks arrived, Tsunade poured herself a generous serving, downed it in one gulp, and sighed in satisfaction before leaning back. "Alright, Schnee. You've got me in a good mood. So, what do you wanna know?"
Schnee rested her chin on one hand, observing her with keen interest. "Let's start simple. What exactly do you do? Like, do you have an occupation?"
Tsunade snorted, pouring herself another drink. "Gamble. Drink. Run from debt collectors." She took another sip before narrowing her eyes at Schnee. "Wait… you're not a debt collector, are you?"
Schnee chuckled lightly, shaking her head. "No, I can assure you I'm not. I am merely an excellent maid getting the lay of the land."
Shizune, who had been quietly sipping her own drink, suddenly choked. "A maid?"
Schnee smiled. "Indeed."
Tsunade squinted at her for a moment, then laughed. "Right… And I'm the Empress of the Fire Nation. I will say, you fit the description, but the power radiating off of you?" She scoffed,
Schnee simply took a sip of her own drink, unbothered. "Believe what you will."
Tsunade smirked, tapping her fingers against the table. "Well, maid or not, you're not wrong to be suspicious. Drinking and gambling might be my hobbies, but they're not all I do."
Schnee's gaze flickered between the two women. "No, I didn't think so. My instincts tell me both of you are much more than just drunks running from creditors."
Tsunade let out a low chuckle, resting her elbow on the table as she swirled the sake in her cup. "You've got sharp instincts, I'll give you that."
Schnee leaned in slightly, lowering her voice just enough to keep the conversation private. "You carry yourself like someone who's used to winning… and used to losing. You've seen battles, real battles. The kind that don't end when the sun rises."
Tsunade's smile faded, just a little. It was subtle, barely noticeable, but Schnee caught it.
Shizune shifted uncomfortably in her seat, but before she could say anything, Tsunade sighed and downed another drink. "You've got good eyes, too. I was once, or am still? I am not sure at this point, but that is the past."
Schnee didn't press. She had already confirmed what she wanted to know.
Instead, she tilted her head slightly. "And you, Shizune?"
The woman in black blinked in surprise, as if she hadn't expected the attention to turn to her so suddenly. "Me?"
Schnee nodded. "You move like a bodyguard. You're always watching, always on alert. Even now, you're keeping an eye on the exits, making sure no one gets too close." She glanced down at the pig, who was still watching her just as intently. "And the fact that even your pet seems to be part of your security system is… impressive."
Tsunade let out a loud laugh, slapping the table. "Oh, now that is funny. You hear that, Tonton? You're officially a bodyguard."
The pig, Tonton, apparently, gave another disgruntled oink, turning its nose up slightly as if offended.
Shizune sighed. "I suppose I do act as Lady Tsunade's bodyguard among other jobs… when she lets me."
Schnee hummed in amusement. "And when she doesn't?"
Shizune glanced at Tsunade with an expression that perfectly conveyed, 'this woman is a headache.'
Schnee took another sip of her drink, letting the silence stretch just long enough to be comfortable before speaking again. "So, tell me. Why does someone with your level of strength spend her days drinking and gambling instead of doing… well, anything else?"
Tsunade stared at her drink for a long moment before letting out a slow exhale. "Because," she said, her voice quieter than before, "it's easier."
Schnee tilted her head. "Easier than what?"
Tsunade's golden eyes flicked up to meet hers, and for just a second, Schnee saw something deeper there. Something old and tired.
"Easier than remembering," Tsunade said simply.
The words hung between them, heavy with unspoken weight. Shizune looked down at her lap, her hands tightening slightly around her cup. Even Tonton let out a soft, almost mournful sound.
Schnee didn't push further. Some wounds weren't meant to be reopened by a stranger's curiosity.
Instead, she raised her cup. "Well then. Here's to easier days."
Tsunade blinked, then let out a snort before clinking her cup against Schnee's. "Yeah. I'll drink to that."
The moment of tension, if it could even be called that, melted away like ice in a warm drink. Tsunade's smirk widened into something more amused, and Shizune let out another one of her long-suffering sighs, the kind that suggested she had seen this scene play out far too many times before. It was as if the conversation had never veered into deeper waters at all.
The bar was dimly lit, filled with the low hum of chatter and the occasional outburst of laughter. The scent of old wood, spilled liquor, and the faint trace of tobacco smoke clung to the air, giving the place a worn-in, well-lived quality. It was the sort of place that people came to forget their troubles, or at the very least, to drown them for a few hours.
For Schnee, this was a new kind of experience. She had approached Tsunade out of pure curiosity, drawn to the blonde woman's presence like a moth to a flame. Yet here she was, several drinks in, her initial intrigue giving way to genuine enjoyment.
Tsunade was, without a doubt, a fascinating drinking partner.
Schnee had never been allowed to drink back home. Shin had made sure of that. He always kept a strict grip on what she could and couldn't do, especially when it came to alcohol. He called her a lightweight, how dare he? So now, in this new world, with no one to tell her otherwise, she was determined to make up for lost time.
And oh, was she making up for it.
"Shhhhooo, Tsunade," Schnee slurred, her usual composed demeanor beginning to crack under the weight of far too much alcohol consumed far too quickly. She swayed slightly in her seat, attempting to focus on her companion. "Is thish really the besht drink around? Don't get me wrong, it's good, *hiccup*, but back at my master's place… No, wait… he's gone now… I now sherve my young master."
She sighed, momentarily lost in thought, before she brightened again, as if suddenly recalling something of great importance.
"Back at my shop," she continued, gesturing vaguely with her drink, causing a few drops to slosh over the rim, "I have sooo many kinds of liquor! Have you ever tried a drink made from *hiccup* peaches? Or pears? My master used to collect all kinds. He never let me drink them. So unfair."
Tsunade chuckled, lifting her cup in acknowledgment. "Peach liquor, huh? Sounds sweet. I can't say I have ever heard of it… Might be worth a try."
Schnee nodded enthusiastically, perhaps a little too enthusiastically, nearly tipping over in the process. "Yesh! Yesh! You have to try it! We should, wait…"
She blinked.
Something was nagging at the back of her alcohol-addled mind, something important, something she had forgotten entirely in her haze of newfound freedom and liquid courage.
Dinner.
She was supposed to return home with ingredients for dinner.
Her eyes widened in slow realization, and she let out a small, almost comically horrified gasp. "Oh no… the young master… he's gonna be so upset… I was shupposed to bring back food… Ooooops. I will jush have to make up for it by goodifying it~"
Shizune, who had been nursing her own drink while keeping a close eye on Tsunade, and now, apparently, Schnee as well, shook her head in quiet exasperation. "You should probably pace yourself. You're not used to drinking, are you?"
Schnee ignored the comment, more concerned with the fact that she had, in her words, "maaay have forgotten" her responsibilities. But then, as quickly as the panic had appeared, it was gone, replaced by a bright smile and a drunken epiphany.
"But I made a friend!" she declared, looking at Tsunade with all the enthusiasm of someone who had just discovered a brand-new world. "Hey, new friend, I will make dinner at my shop, and then we can drink and eat. Do you wanna come?"
Tsunade raised an eyebrow, clearly amused by the invitation. "You're inviting me over for dinner and more drinks? After this?" She motioned vaguely to the state Schnee was in, her smirk deepening. "You really are a lightweight. Your late master was right…"
Through their drinking escapades, Shnee had basically spilled everything about her past, well, the things that mattered to her, but none of the things that someone who was fishing for information would want.
Schnee huffed, puffing out her cheeks indignantly. "Nuh-uh! I- I can hold my liquor perfectly fine!"
As if to prove her point, she went to take another sip, only to misjudge the angle entirely and nearly spill half of it down her front. Shizune reached out instinctively, steadying both the cup and Schnee herself before things could escalate into a full disaster.
"Uh-huh," Tsunade said dryly. "Sure you can."
Schnee pouted, muttering something about "silly blondes" and "unfair advantages" under her breath before perking up again. "Shooo, will you come?"
Tsunade considered it for a moment, then shrugged. "Why not? Free food, free drinks, and an entertaining host? Sounds like a good deal."
Shizune groaned. "Do you have to encourage her?"
Tsunade grinned. "Of course I do."
And with that, the decision was made.
Somehow, through a combination of sheer determination and Shizune's half-hearted attempts at damage control, Schnee managed to get to her feet without completely toppling over. She swayed a bit, clutching onto the nearest object, which happened to be Tsunade's chest, but she thought it was her shoulder, before standing as straight as she could manage.
"To the shop!" she declared, pointing dramatically toward the door.
Tsunade and Shizune exchanged a look before following along, the latter still carrying the ever-watchful and exasperated pig in her arms.
—
–
-
The night air was crisp, a welcome contrast to the warmth of the bar. The streets had quieted somewhat, the rowdier patrons either passed out in alleyways or still engaged in their revelries. Schnee led the way, or, at least, she tried to.
The journey started out on a questionable note when Schnee, in all her drunken glory, nearly steered them straight into a poor, unsuspecting fruit stand. The vendor barely had time to let out an alarmed yelp before Schnee swerved away at the last second, sending a few apples rolling into the street from the wind brought by her movement. That alone would have been enough to rattle her passengers, but things only got stranger from there.
Moments later, she gasped in shock and pointed at a stray cat lurking near an alleyway. "That is a very suspicious individual!" she declared with the utmost seriousness, squinting at the feline as though it were some criminal mastermind plotting world domination.
The cat, unbothered by the accusation, flicked its tail and sauntered off into the shadows, leaving Schnee muttering about "shifty-looking creatures." Tsunade and Shizune exchanged a glance but said nothing, at this point, questioning her logic would only lead to further confusion.
Then, just as they thought the madness was subsiding, Schnee brought the entire journey to a grinding halt. Quite literally. In the middle of the road. She simply stopped walking and tilted her head back, gazing up at the sky with wide, wonder-filled eyes.
"The stars…" she whispered, swaying slightly. "They're… so pwetty."
Tsunade pinched the bridge of her nose. "Are you okay?" she asked, bracing herself for whatever nonsense was about to come next.
Schnee sniffled dramatically, her lip wobbling. "I… forgot where the shop is." A long pause. Then, with a sudden burst of enthusiasm, she perked up. "Oh yeah! I can send him a tel-paaahtic message!" She scrunched up her face, closed her eyes tightly, and concentrated. "Masher, where is the shop?"
Silence.
She waited.
And waited.
And waited some more.
Nothing.
Her expression wavered as the realization hit her like a brick to the face. Her pointed ears drooped, her blue eyes shimmered with unshed tears, and her lips trembled. "I forgot… Master is… gone…" she murmured. Her voice cracked on the last word, and Tsunade's stomach twisted uncomfortably. "My connection… it's gone… and… I didn't estabesh… establush… establesh a connection with young masther…"
Then, as if a switch had been flipped, she broke down completely, throwing herself at Tsunade with a pitiful wail. "Waaaah! I miss master!" She clung to the older woman, sobbing into her chest with the force of a lost child.
Tsunade stiffened, completely caught off guard. "O-oi, don't- hey! You're getting snot on my-" She sighed, realizing there was no fighting it. Reluctantly, she patted Schnee's back in what she hoped was a comforting gesture. "There, there… or whatever." She had her own problems, and this rehashed things she didn't want to think about.
Shizune, standing off to the side, looked like she wasn't sure whether to intervene or just let it happen. Tonton, nestled in her arms, let out a soft squeal, equally perplexed by the scene before them.
The moment stretched on, Schnee's sobs gradually fading into sniffles, and then, just like that, her high-elf bloodline began kicking in. The alcohol in her system burning away much faster than it should, her mind cleared, and her usual composure returned. She lifted her head, blinked away the lingering tears, and straightened up as though nothing had happened.
"Thank you." She nodded slightly and bowed to Tsunade before exclaiming, "Oh! I remember now!" she chirped, wiping her face with her sleeve before spinning around to march forward. "This way! Follow me!"
Tsunade and Shizune, still processing the emotional rollercoaster they had just endured, exchanged another look before trailing after her.
"You're just going to act like that whole breakdown didn't happen, huh?" Tsunade muttered.
Schnee didn't even acknowledge the comment, too busy navigating through the increasingly dense foliage.
As the group ventured deeper into the forest, Shizune's skepticism grew. "Are you sure your… shop is out here?" she asked hesitantly, glancing around at the towering trees and the complete lack of civilization. "It's in the middle of a forest, hours away from any town or people?"
Schnee nodded as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. "Young master placed the shop here. I don't know why, but this is where it was when I woke up."
Tsunade frowned. "That's… not an answer."
But before they could press her further, the forest itself seemed to come alive. Rustling in the underbrush, the snapping of twigs, the low growls of unseen predators. It was clear that they had entered the territory of beasts that did not take kindly to intruders.
Schnee, however, barely paid them any mind.
A massive snake slithered down from a tree, fangs bared and ready to strike, only for Schnee to casually grab it mid-lunge and *yeet* it over her shoulder like an inconvenience.
A boar, nearly the size of a small horse, came charging from the bushes. Schnee sidestepped effortlessly, grabbed it by the tusks, and flipped it onto its back with a single motion, rendering it unconscious.
A low growl broke the relative silence, barely a whisper against the wind, but Schnee was already turning toward it, her hand tightening around the hilt of her sword. A sleek, panther-like creature lunged from the shadows, its powerful muscles rippling under the moonlight, claws extended toward its intended prey. It was fast, a predator honed by nature, but Schnee was faster. With almost lazy ease, she reached out and caught it mid-air by the scruff of its neck, halting its momentum completely.
The creature let out a strangled snarl, flailing its limbs in an attempt to escape, but Schnee simply held it aloft, peering into its wild eyes with an expression that was more exasperated than afraid. It struggled for a moment longer before going limp, letting out a defeated whimper. Schnee clicked her tongue in disappointment, as if she had expected more from it. Then, with a slight shake of her head, she tossed it aside. The panther-like beast tumbled once before scrambling back to its feet and darting away into the darkness, disappearing as quickly as it had appeared.
Tsunade and Shizune exchanged looks, their expressions a mix of awe and bewilderment.
"Did she just...?" Shizune started, struggling to find the right words.
"Yeah," Tsunade muttered, rubbing her temples. "She did."
"What… the hell?" Shizune breathed.
Tsunade, still watching as Schnee punted another aggressive creature into the bushes like a soccer ball, could only shrug. "I dunno, but I think I like her."
And that was the truth. There was something oddly endearing about this chaotic, reckless, but somehow ridiculously capable woman. It was like having a younger sister, if that sister was an absolute disaster half the time and a walking executioner the other half while claiming to be a maid the whole time.
Before they could fully process what had just happened, there was a sudden whistling sound, sharp and deadly. A dozen shuriken sliced through the air toward Schnee with precision that could only belong to highly trained assassins.
Most people wouldn't have even seen them coming. Schnee, however, barely reacted. With an annoyed sigh, she flicked her wrist, and her katana was suddenly in motion, a blur of steel that deflected each and every projectile as effortlessly as someone swatting away flies.
The clang of metal echoed in the night as the last shuriken fell uselessly to the ground. Schnee's icy blue eyes narrowed as she scanned the area, ears twitching in irritation. That attack hadn't come from the creatures of the forest. This was something else. Something far more troublesome.
Then she saw them.
Humans.
Emerging from the shadows, clad in dark uniforms, their faces concealed behind stark white masks. Their blank, emotionless eyes stared forward, devoid of humanity. A chill passed through the air, but it wasn't from fear. It was from the tension that suddenly settled over the clearing.
"Who?" Schnee asked, her voice carrying a sharp edge. She took a step forward, her presence suddenly seeming much larger than before. "Why are you attacking me?"
The masked figures remained silent. No warning. No demand. No attempt at negotiation. They simply drew their tantos in unison and charged.
Schnee sighed. "So you don't want to speak? Fine. Die."
In an instant, her katana flashed. The masked warriors barely had time to register the movement before they were sliced apart in a brutal display of efficiency. Limbs fell, torsos split, and blood sprayed in violent arcs against the moonlit trees. The entire ambush had been dismantled in the blink of an eye.
Shizune gasped, immediately turning to Tsunade and covering her eyes with both hands. "Don't look, Lady Tsunade!"
Tsunade, who had already caught a glimpse of the carnage, groaned in exasperation. "Shizune, I'm not a child." She may be putting on a strong front, but the blood had already shaken her.
"You are when it comes to blood!"
Schnee frowned at their reactions. The battle was over, yet they were acting as if something was wrong. She turned her gaze downward, inspecting the bloodied ground, then tilted her head in thought. Right. They probably didn't want to see this mess.
Without hesitation, she lifted her hand and snapped her fingers.
A sudden frost swept over the fallen bodies, creeping across their lifeless forms in an instant. Ice crackled and spread, encasing them in a shimmering blue sheen. Then, with another flick of her wrist, the frozen corpses shattered into a fine powder, carried away by the night breeze until nothing remained. Even the blood splattered on the ground was erased, leaving the clearing as pristine as if nothing had ever happened.
Tsunade and Shizune were left staring, their mouths slightly agape.
"What... the hell?" Shizune breathed, her voice barely above a whisper.
"She told us… She was a high-elf," Tsunade muttered, as if trying to reassure herself. "Elves, according to fantasy novels, are supposed to be elegant, refined… graceful."
Shizune gestured wildly to the empty space where the corpses had once been. "What part of that was graceful?! That was terrifying! She just, just erased people like they were some kind of inconvenience!"
Schnee turned to face them, her expression unreadable, as if she hadn't just dismembered a group of highly trained assassins and wiped their remains from existence like a minor inconvenience. Her silver-white hair barely swayed in the night breeze, and her blue eyes remained as calm as ever. "Why are you both acting so strange?" she asked, genuinely puzzled by their reactions.
Shizune's eye twitched violently. "Strange? Strange?! You-!"
Tsunade, still processing what had just happened, sighed and placed a firm hand on Shizune's shoulder, shaking her head. "Let it go, Shizune."
"But Lady Tsunade-!"
"Let it go," Tsunade repeated, her voice carrying the exhaustion of someone who had seen too much in one lifetime. "We're too deep into this madness already."
Schnee merely blinked at their outbursts, seemingly unbothered, then turned back toward the path ahead, her silver boots barely making a sound against the forest floor. "Come. The shop is close."
Shizune, still struggling to process everything she had just witnessed, muttered under her breath, "I need a drink… A strong one."
Little did they know, their night was far from over.
The three continued walking, the dense canopy of trees above letting through only slivers of moonlight, painting eerie silver streaks along the path. The air was thick with the scent of damp earth, crushed leaves, and a lingering metallic tinge, the only remnants of the brief, violent encounter.
Schnee walked ahead, her posture relaxed but alert. The way she moved was effortless, as if every step was calculated without thought, a natural grace that made it impossible to hear her movements despite the uneven terrain.
Breaking the silence, Schnee finally asked, "So, any idea who those men were and why they would target me? Or were they after you?" Her voice was smooth and indifferent, as if she were discussing the weather. "Those projectiles could have easily hit you as well, so it could go either way."
Tsunade exhaled, rolling her shoulders as if trying to shake off the tension. "That…" She hesitated for a moment before continuing, "That was Danzo's doing. Those men were his. They belong to a special branch of ANBU called Root."
Schnee tilted her head slightly, intrigued. "Root?"
Shizune, now calmer but still unnerved, nodded. "They're… not your average ANBU."
Schnee filed that name, 'ANBU', away for the future.
"They're more like puppets. Brainwashed, conditioned from childhood, and stripped of emotions. They don't hesitate. They don't fear. They don't question orders. They're trained to follow Danzo's will without fail."
"A fascinating level of control," Schnee mused, placing a finger on her chin. "But ultimately flawed."
Shizune's eyebrows twitched again. "How is that flawed?"
Schnee gestured behind her at the now non-existent corpses. "They still died. Easily, I might add. Emotions are a strong source of power, seems idiotic to suppress them."
Tsunade groaned, rubbing her temple. "You're missing the point."
Schnee shrugged. "Perhaps. But results speak for themselves."
Tsunade exhaled through her nose, resisting the urge to argue. She wasn't sure if Schnee was being intentionally difficult, or if this was simply how she thought. Either way, debating the morality of assassination squads with someone who had just cut them down without breaking a sweat seemed like a waste of energy.
"Anyway," Tsunade continued, "whether they were after me or you, I can't say for certain. Danzo's hated me for years. Could've been him just sending a message." She shrugged, unconcerned. "Or maybe he saw you as a threat. Maybe something happened at the village?"
Schnee pondered this for a moment. "If he thought I was a threat before, he's going to be very disappointed when he realizes his little squad failed. I don't know why he would be coming after me, I just got here…"
Shizune sighed, rubbing the bridge of her nose. "That's what worries me."
"Which part?"
"Both."
The wind picked up slightly, rustling the treetops as the three continued on. Schnee, as always, remained unbothered by the tension in the air, while Tsunade and Shizune stayed slightly behind her, exchanging wary glances.
It had only been a short time since they had met this so-called elf, but in that time, she had already proven to be far beyond anything they had expected. She was fast, impossibly strong, and completely unfazed by killing, not just killing, but annihilating people like they were insects.
And yet, despite all of that, she carried herself with an eerie calm and grace. Not the kind that came from arrogance, but the kind that came from absolute confidence in her abilities.
As they continued through the dense forest, Tsunade spoke again. "So, this shop of yours. You mentioned it before. What kind of place is it?"
Schnee didn't turn to answer, instead keeping her eyes ahead as she replied, "A place where I sell various goods. Some mundane, some… unique."
Shizune narrowed her eyes. "Define unique."
Schnee finally turned slightly, her lips curving into a small smile. "Items that wouldn't normally be found in this world." She still had the pride in the shop, even if she had a new young master.
Tsunade and Shizune stopped dead in their tracks.
Tsunade's sharp amber eyes narrowed. "What exactly does that mean?"
Schnee chuckled, a light and almost amused sound, as if their wariness was completely unfounded. "You'll see soon enough."
Neither of them liked that answer, but they were too interested to stop now.
The three women continued walking, but the deeper they went, the more unnatural their surroundings became. The air was heavier now, thick with something neither chakra nor magic, but something else entirely. The night noises that should have filled the forest, the distant chirp of crickets, the rustling of leaves, the occasional hoot of an owl, had all but vanished, swallowed up by an eerie silence that pressed against them like an unseen force.
Shizune shivered involuntarily. "Why does it feel like we're walking into something we shouldn't?"
Tsunade felt it too. It wasn't the oppressive weight of killing intent, the type that preceded an ambush or a battle, but something different. It was as if the very forest around them had ceased to be part of the world they knew. Like they had walked out of reality and into something… else.
Schnee, however, was unbothered. If anything, she seemed entertained by their growing unease.
"Ah," she mused, scanning the air with a look of faint amusement. "Seems I didn't notice these rudimentary mana seals earlier. They have the young master's signature all over them…"
Shizune blinked, glancing around. "Seals?" She has a base understanding of them, but this wasn't a normal seal by any means.
Tsunade's eyes flickered as she extended her senses. Now that Schnee had pointed it out, she could feel them. The faint traces of something not chakra, invisible, if she didn't know what she was looking for… Expertly woven into the very fabric of the space around them. They were layered, complex in a way that made even her, a master of chakra control, pause to fully comprehend them.
And they weren't meant to keep something out.
They were meant to hide something. Alert someone, and something she couldn't quite place.
After a few more minutes of walking, they finally stepped out of the thick forest and into a clearing. And there, standing before them, was something that shouldn't exist.
A shop.
Next to a pond.
In the forest.
At least, it looked like a shop.
Tsunade narrowed her eyes as she took in the strange building. Its architecture was… odd. It was a fusion of styles, as if different cultures had contributed to its design, yet somehow, they all fit together seamlessly. The wood was pristine, untouched by time or decay, its carvings intricate and impossibly detailed. Golden lanterns hung from the edges, casting a warm, inviting glow that pushed back the unnatural darkness surrounding them. The air itself seemed to shift around the building, as though reality itself had to adjust to accommodate its presence.
Shizune exhaled slowly. "What… is this place?"
Tsunade, for all her experience, found herself at a loss for words.
Schnee stepped forward, a knowing glint in her icy-blue eyes. "This," she said, turning back toward them with an expression that was almost smug, "is the Moon Sanctum, the shop created by my late master and the place I work at while serving my young master, as of today."
Tsunade's gaze snapped toward her at those words, scrutinizing every detail of Schnee's expression. She had been around long enough to recognize the subtle nuances in people's voices, the weight behind their words. And what she heard in Schnee's tone wasn't just respect for an employer.
It was loyalty.
Not duty.
Not obligation.
Loyalty.
Perhaps Schnee hadn't been lying about being a maid after all.
Shizune, still trying to process everything they had seen tonight, let out a shaky breath. "I have a feeling our lives are about to change forever…"
Tsunade sighed heavily. "I would have to agree with you, Shizune."
Tonton, cradled in Shizune's arms, let out a soft snort.
"Oink, oink."
Schnee's lips curved into a knowing smile. "Come," she said simply, turning toward the entrance of the shop without waiting for them to follow.
Tsunade and Shizune exchanged wary glances.
There were a lot of things Tsunade didn't trust about this situation.
But she was also a gambler.
And the stakes had just become far too interesting to walk away from.
Maybe she would finally win big this time.
So, with a deep breath, she squared her shoulders and took a step forward, Shizune hesitating only a moment before following.
As they approached the shop, the golden glow from the lanterns intensified, enveloping them in its warmth. The moment they stepped past the threshold, Tsunade felt it, a shift in the air.
A change.
Something foreign.
Like they had just crossed an invisible line separating the known from the unknown.
And the moment they did, the doors of the Moon Sanctum swung open with an almost welcoming creak.
(Give me your POWER, Please, and Thank You! Leave reviews and comments, they motivate me to continue.)