5 Sludge

'Goodbye world!' 

I almost felt like crying as another bowl of oatmeal was put in front of me.

I was ready to throw hands with the hospital staff at this point, did they have no chefs on board? No sandwiches? No snacks? I knew this world was based on ancient Japan but they gotta have more food than this gruel, right?

I worked up the courage to ask the nurse.

"Erm, sir, would it be possible to have something other than this?" I asked as politely as I possibly could.

Again, I noticed the guy jump a little as I talked to him.

"S-sir, well you see with your health now it's probably best that you eat this" he said, meeting my gaze but still on guard for some reason.

I felt the urge to scream "BOO!" and jump on the bed just to see how scared he would be but I held back and just sighed. The man was calling a child "sir" for some reason, it's best I just assume he's doing all he can and stuff this crap into my mouth.

"Oho! Not a fan of it are you?" asked an old voice that I recognised.

"L-Lord third!" The hospital worker, quite literally, jumped up as the old man entered the room.

'Do workers at this hospital wear springs under their shoes or something?' it was getting ridiculous at this point, they have to be part rabbit.

"Oho, don't mind me! I was just visiting to see how you were feeling." said the third Hokage with a smile.

I was talking to the actual third Hokage, it took everything within me to be chill.

"I'm doing fine Lord Third" I said respectfully.

"Like I said, child, it's more than fine to call me grandpa!" the old man said again.

'Does he go around asking random kids to call him grandpa? It was wholesome when Naruto did it but I wouldn't lie, it's kinda weird.'

"Yeah sure… Grandpa" I gave in. 

Regardless, having a closer relationship with the strongest man in the village wasn't a bad thing! 

The old man chuckled, seemingly satisfied at winning me over. He turned to the nurse and asked him a few questions about my health as I calmed myself down from the shock of, who I thought was an anime character, walking into a room I was in.

'Relax man relax… relax and act like a kid.' I repeated to myself, I wouldn't put it beside the old man to shove me in front of a Yamanaka and have my mind read if I seemed suspicious.

Speaking of old men, considering that I was found in an Orochimaru testing site more likely, I wonder if Danzo is gonna appear soon. 

Fuck. 

I forgot about Danzo.

I'm a kid that from his perspective might have links to a missing ninja, not to mention that I was tested on by that ninja and to him, I might be a possible asset for Root.

"Are you feeling unwell?" Asked the third hokage watching my expression waver.

'Fuck!' I cursed internally, I need to get better at hiding my emotions, I never had the need to do it beforehand and it was biting back on me.

"Yes Grandpa I'm fine, it's just… did you find my parents?" I asked, letting my smile fall and looking down on the floor, I even gripped the sheets for maximum effect.

The Hokage's cheery mood fell as I asked him.

'Booyah! I activated the sympathy card *and* justified my change in mood, good play.' I congratulated myself.

"I'm sorry child, I searched all I could but without even a name, it wasn't possible."

The third Hokage asked me a few easy questions like my name and age during our first meeting, none of which I could answer. I didn't know anything about this body.

"Don't fret child, once you are healed I will ensure your safety" he said with a warm smile. 

"Thank you, Grandpa." I said genuinely, there was no need to act here, I was worried about a lot concerning the future but to know that at the very least tomorrow is secured made me feel safe.

After some more lighthearted conversation, he asked me a question where I had to once again display my acting chops.

"Child, I know that the circumstances of what happened is very uncomfortable to talk about for you but I must ask this as a member of the hidden leaf village, it is very important." the usual jovial expression on his face was replaced by one of a stoic leader.

"What is it Grandpa?" I asked, mind buzzing with guesses as to what he was going to ask.

"You are aware from our previous conversation that you were kept captive by a rogue ninja of this village, correct?" asked the Hokage.

"Yes," I said, I could guess where he was going with this.

"The man's name is Orochimaru, If you can remember something, any information about him, about anyone that may have visited or worked with him, details on his actions, anything at all. If you can recall anything you experienced back then it could help a lot of people dear child." asked the Hokage, his brows were knitted as he asked me, I didn't need to guess as I knew he felt guilt, not only for his students action but the fact that he was forced to question me while I was still healing.

Instead of answering right away, I fell silent.

I was in a dilemma here.

I could tell him I knew nothing, or divulge the little information that I knew. 

The first option means that he would probably end this line of questioning and continue helping me, I don't believe that he would "punish" me for not knowing anything about the situation, however, I worry if I even have the ability to lie to someone at his level and get away with it.

The second option however I fear is more dangerous, if I have *some* information, it could be deduced that I have *more* information in the recesses of my mind that I have either blocked out or forgotten, all it takes is a wave of the Hokage or Danzo's hand for a Yamanaka to flip through my mind like a book.

I don't know much anyway, I decided to go halfway between the two and give him little to no information.

"I honestly don't remember much at all Grandpa, I just remember the green water and how much my head hurt…"

'The hokage could still involve a Yamanaka, from the anime, I know he has some level of compassion and empathy, especially for children, I need to make use of it.' I thought in between of my phrases.

"Grandpa, why did he hurt me so much? Is he a really evil man?"

'I bashed Orochimaru for hurting me *and* called him evil, indirectly faulting the old man.'

Yeah, I felt slightly guilty for preying on his guilt but if this saved me from being mind-probed I was A-OK with this level of manipulation.

As expected, the hokage had a pained expression as he replied to me, "Child I do not know… he was always an unusual boy but I never expected…", the Hokage trailed off with a conflicted expression before looking back at me and continuing, "anyways, I'm sorry for bringing this up, I know it hurts you a great deal. Thank you for telling me anyways" said Hiruzen with a smile, patting me on the shoulder as he did so.

"You're welcome, Grandpa!" I did my best to give a cute smile.

The 17-year-old me on the inside died a little as I tried my best to sound cute, I am no better than an e-girl.

The hokage ruffled my hair and asked me, "Child, calling you in this way is getting difficult, would you like to choose a name since you cannot remember your own?" asked the Hokage.

I knew something like this would happen eventually, the hokage can only call you "child" so many times before even he gets annoyed.

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[A/N: Accidentally wrote a 3000-word long chapter so I split it into two, the next one will come out in 5 hours or so as I don't want you all to have to wait too long, conversely the next chapter after that might take a bit longer.

Please leave a review or comment if you can, it helps motivate me to write! A few power stones don't hurt either ;)

The story is still developing, if you have some development you would like to see (or avoid) let me know and I *may* be able to incorporate it into the story, although this won't be possible with everything. I would like to know how you all feel about the Fic so far, it can be taken in many directions and I want to take it somewhere that both you guys and I will enjoy.

Thanks for reading! Have happy belated New year!]