Naruto: Tango with Death

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I could sense a great hatred in her gaze, she would a great candidate to become mine apprentice! Rise, Darth Servant!

Okay, maybe a little insensitive, considering I had her loose her job.

But what can I say, collateral victims are to be expected in my field of work, especially for an Anbu.

As the servant walked away, the guard led me deeper into the palace too, and asked in concern, "Is your face alright?"

I nodded slowly, replying, "Better. Thank you for your help."

The guard nodded back, but then warned me, "Although I said a place freed itself, we can't just hire anyone. Still, I can bring you to be tested, and if you get approved by the Head Butler, then you will be hired."

I smiled slightly, faking a wince of pain as I said, "Thank you Sir. I won't disappoint."

He nodded, and proceeded to remain silent as he led me through the huge temple. I used the opportunity to memorize the palace itself, until we reached a room just adjacent to the main room, where I could hear some laughter, music and people talking. The festivities had already started it seemed.

There, an old man dressed in a rather fancy looking long robe ordered the passing servants. We stopped at the room's entrance, watching him as he gave the orders, and to be honest I was impressed with the man.

He did not lose track of the people entering the room even once, and gave everyone specific orders. It was only after a full minute that he finally came over to us and asked, "Why did you bring a girl here?"

The guard bowed and replied, "Jiro-san, she is here to become a maid."

The old butler, Jiro, nodded and said, "Alright, you can leave us."

Without even waiting for the guard to leave, he turned to look at me and asked, "What can you do, and why would I hire you? Be quick, every second you speak, is one second wasted."

Not wasting a moment, I immediately replied, "I can cook, I can sing, I can play the shamisen, I know the tea ceremonies, do poetry, and you should hire me because I can do all of that in a day without getting tired."

Those were mostly skills I had picked up in both of my lives by simply living, except for the shamisen, which was the Japanese equivalent of the guitar. Well, not really, but for a neophyte that's the best comparison.

Back in my past life, I had dreamed, like many girls, of becoming a singer, and I had trained rather hard on that, but unfortunately my voice was a little too rough and I never really managed to perfect it.

Here however, I had the best voice in the world, and I had managed to perfect my singing. Kunoichi classes were, as my teacher had told me, not just about picking flowers. I had learned and perfected all the arts of a Geisha and a maid. I was first in my class for a reason.

Jiro remained silent for a moment, squinting his eyes at me, before turning around and ordering someone to bring a shamisen over.

While we waited, he told me, "The geishas are pathetic at best, the dignitaries from the Land of Water are getting bored by the minute. If you can impress me with your musical skills, I'll believe you."

Hmm, smells like an opportunity. Shame, I'm sure someone smart enough would have caught it…

Bitch, bring that shamisen to me and I'll let you discover anime music. And yeah, I know, normal people don't know by heart anime openings, or only a few, but I had my reasons. For my singing, I needed material to work on, and for my Japanese with my mom, I would rather do it with anime openings than boring stuff like 'I am a Cat'… Well, that one wasn't bad, but it's the only one I can remember so…

The shamisen was quickly brought over, and I sat on my knees, making myself comfortable with the instrument as I asked, "Any particular style?"

Jiro, a bit more serious, replied, "No, as long as it entertains."

I nodded, I had the perfect one for that.

Unravel.

My fingers held the bachi firmly and lightly stroked the stringers as I started singing in a light but sharp voice the first opening of Tokyo Ghoul.

Like most anime openings, this needed to be sung with energy, and I put my soul into those words as I sung them.

I felt some stress, because this moment was very important to my mission, but I still managed to keep a part of my attention on my surroundings, and very quickly, I noticed that the ongoing servants started stopping, and the surroundings got quiet.

As I arrived mid song, I heard the curtain separating us from the main room open in a haste, and although I couldn't turn around to see who was there, it didn't matter, because even there I didn't hear a noise.

I had everyone's full attention at the right moment as I entered the climax of the song, I picked up the speed and power with my voice as I delivered a probably never before seen performance in this world.

This anime was amazing, it was short but powerful, and today, as I let go of the string and ended the song, I believe it did the job.

Finally looking up at the silent room, I saw the servants gasping, and even the stoic Jiro was looking at me with a happy expression.

He didn't say anything though as clapping rung out behind me, and turning around I saw the crowd that had gathered from the main room. There was the Daimyo, whom I immediately recognized. He was pudgy, relatively short, and dressed in expensive clothes. He didn't really stand apart from any of the other Daimyo.

His wife, the Mistress, was older than him, which was unusual, and wasn't looking very good. I don't know whether it's my singing or my looks, but I could see she didn't like me.

The clapping, obviously, came from the Daimyo, who grinned and asked, "Jiro, how come this one wasn't sent to the main room?"

Jiro bowed to the Daimyo and answered, "Great Leader, this was her job interview."

The Daimyo clapped his hands and laughed, "Then we are blessed by the Sages! Girl, what's your name?"

I bowed at him before replying, "My name is Takayama Kakume, Great Leader. I apologize if I have bothered you."

The Daimyo laughed if off, "Not at all, your performance was a delight!"

He then said to Jiro, "Have her bathed, clothed and brought to us as quick as possible!"

Jackpot.

I purposefully chose a song that would bring attention to me, and thankfully my cover of the legendary Unravel was up to the task.

Before I knew it, I was led away the servants, getting prepared for the main room, while I was inwardly rejoicing. I got lucky the interview was next to the main room, it allowed me to get the Daimyo's attention,

The maids wanted to help me with make up and beautifying me, but I dismissed them because I knew my body better than them, and I'm probably more skilled anymore. Scratch that, not probably, definitely.