So i know this story shares a similar title and characters to one i have not finished. I do not believe i will finish that one though instead ive decided to restart it with this one. I had written myself into a corner there and was not certain where to continue on nor how to make each challenge greater than the one before without going over the top for that point in the story. Sorry to the readers of that story though if they'd like they can read on here since it should hopefully cover some of the characters that they came to know. If they'd prefer not to its completely understood, i failed as a writer to deliver on time so my bad there. Anyways without further ado or explanations here is chapter one of the Next Generation of Sannin:Redux.
Cold.
It wasn't the only sensation he currently felt, just the most prominent. There was also wet, from the rain coming down in a flood above him. Uncomfortable attempted to push through to the front of his mind but he attributed that to the cold, which wet played a part in. As he stared up at the sky, which had decided that this moment needed to be drenched, he couldn't help but wonder what had brought him to this point.
In his right hand, he tightly clutched a pitch-black Katana, forged almost a two decades ago now, which was missing two and a half inches of its blade. His left hand, which lay a few yards from his wrist, was holding onto a worn and dirty cloth with a piece of metal stamped onto it; a tribalistic drawing of a leaf engraved on the metal.
A series of cuts ran down his chest, which was exposed to the elements thanks to his flak jacket and shirt being torn open, with a small amount of blood rolling off him and into the ground. He had given up on getting off the ground, his legs no longer responding to input and instead deciding to wait out the storm, hoping someone would retrieve him before too long or that death would finally claim him.
It was with these thoughts that he allowed his mind to wander, taking itself back to much earlier and simpler time in his life…
"You're running late!" an older female voice called from downstairs.
Looking in the mirror the young teen couldn't help but smirk. He had spent the last three days choosing and rechoosing exactly what would become his combat uniform now that he was officially a member of the Leaf Village's Ninja Corps. After much debate, he ended up wearing a dark blue shirt over a set of mesh armor. Over the shirt he had put on a lightweight black jacket with a cyan stripe running down the arms. A set of mesh leg armor peaked out from under his black ripstop nylon pants, the only downside of which he had found being the inability to sit on some materials without sliding off them immediately. Around his head was tied a dark blue, near black, headband which pushed his pitch colored hair out of his dark brown eyes. To finish off the ensemble he had a tanto strapped to his back.
After giving himself on more once over he ran down the stairs barely stopping to say goodbye to his mother, whose only response was to remind him not to forget his lunch. Rushing out the door he quickly made his way to the academy.
Entering the main classroom, he found an empty seat at the top of the seats by himself, for the moment. That quiet peacefulness didn't last long as only a minute later a large crash was heard before the door opened and his closest friend entered.
"Koji! I made it!" She yelled out before plopping herself down next to him.
Turning to face her Koji noted that she too had changed her look for becoming a Genin. Dark Blue hair was pushed up by a red headband, which offset the deep green of her eyes, that was barely visible. She had also decided mesh armor was a necessity and wore a set that ran from her ankles to about her mid-thigh, perfectly bridging the gap between her ninja shoes and blue bike shorts. A green half shirt, underneath which another mesh armor piece cold be spotted, covered her chest and a blue thigh length jacket with inner white lining completed the clothing.
"I can see that Iyasu." Koji said a slight chuckle coloring his voice.
"So think we'll get to be on the same team?" the girl asked.
"Who knows?" Koji shrugged. "I mean we weren't exactly the greatest students in the world, wouldn't say terrible either though."
"So a hard maybe?" Iyasu pushed.
"Sure let's go with that." Koji laughed.
As the two-continued talking the final seat next to Koji was taken up by another boy. He wore a dark green jacket, which happened to be the shift in color that alerted Koji to his presence, with dual black stripes running down the arms. A grey shirt barely peaked through the buttoned-up jacket. Black pants adorned his legs. His brown hair was spiked and he was the only person other than Iyasu in the room with green eyes. Around his neck a dark green headband was tied.
"Koji, Iyasu." He acknowledged them after sitting.
"Hey Unido."Koji nodded with Iyasu cheerfully waving next to him.
"Ready for the day?" Unido asked the two.
Both nodded and Koji went to open his mouth when a voice at the front of the room told them all to sit down and be quiet. Turning forward the three began to listen to the speech of instructor before being given team assignments, something which they tuned out till they heard their names being called.
"Koji Mezuko, Iyasu Akane, and Unido Herat will form Team Four with Shikadai Nara as your sensie." The instructor said to some fanfare from the back row.
Once he finished giving out the assignments a small group of jounin entered. A few immediately took their Genin and left though a couple stared at the assembled students, evaluating them. One in particular, his black hair tied up into a wolfknot, looked straight at the three in the back. He wore the standard Jounin flak jacket over a black bodysuit, a pair of black pants adorning his legs and his headband stamped to his left bicep. Without a word he signaled the three to follow him….
They had quickly found their way to the rood of the academy without much fanfare, until Koji attempted to sit on the cushioned couch on the overlook. The boy immediately slipped off and to the floor without any grace. After the laughter died down he stood up and just choose to lean against the support beam while staring at his new sensie.
"You know most of the Jounin and Genin are going to be spending the next hour introducing themselves and getting to know each other." The older man said. "We could do that but, eh, it's kind of troublesome. I prefer to get to know you guys through time and let things develop naturally, less work for all of us that way."
The three Genin stared at the man for a moment, confused by just exactly what he was saying. Sighing he rubbed the back of his head before continuing.
"With that in mind I'm hungry, as I'm sure you are too, so let's go eat and then we can begin the test." Shikadai told the three before turning to lead them towards a restruant.
"Wait sensei!" Iyasu yelled out. "What do you mean real test?"
"Well see the academy test was to see if you had the basic skills a Genin require." He explained. "There is a secondary test administered by the Jounin to make sure you're up to their standards. Honestly I would give you the chances of passing but I've never had a team before, much less had to run the test."
"Then how do you have a standard for us?" Koji asked his nostrils flaring in anger at the fact that he had come so far just to be told he wasn't there yet.
"Well I mean I was a Genin once so I figure I will just use myself as a benchmark."Shikadai laughed out. "At that rate you should all pass quite easily really."
The three Genin stood dumbfounded as the man walked down the stairs. They continued to look at each other until he pointed out that he wasn't going to wait for them to eat. At that all three rushed down after him immediately engaging him in basic conversation…