Author's Note: Yeah, yeah. I'm supposed to be finishing the last chapter of Pain of Emotion. Well, I'm going to put this up instead. Hope everyone enjoys it.

Disclaimer: The only Naruto-related thing I own is a Neji plushie. I also do not own the Ranger's Code, which my ninja code is based on.

Blood, Sweat, Tears, and Regrets
by Katako-Chan

"The first thing you come to understand after receiving your forehead protector is that you are no longer playing ninja in the marketplace. This is life or death, and not just for you (ninja serve their village, remember?), but for an entire population. Generations could turn to ash with one mistake.

"So many minor ninja villages have been wiped out, and who's saying it isn't possible for the same to befall Konoha? A single man took down one side of the village with a single summon; imagine what a platoon, garrison, unit, or team could do.

"A ninja must serve his village. Why do you become ninja? You cannot possibly say, 'because I felt like it.' You made a decision to sacrifice yourself for the good of others on a single impulse? That isn't possible.

"At the back of the ninja handbook there is an oath or sorts. Rather like a contract that obligates us as our village's servants.

"Understanding that I am an Ninja, fully knowing the hazards of my chosen profession, I will always endeavor to uphold the prestige, honor, and high esprit de corps of a Ninja.

"You will know by my age that, of course, there is little honor in this career.

"Acknowledging the fact that a Ninja is a more elite soldier who arrives at the cutting edge of a battle by land, sea, or air, I accept that as a Ninja my village expects me to fight harder than any other solder.

"And by doing so, putting much more effort than an ordinary soldier into his career and dying earlier than the rest.

"Never shall I fail my comrades. I will always keep myself mentally alert, physically fit, and morally straight. And I will shoulder more than my share of the task, whatever it may be, one hundred percent and then some.

"There is no way to never fail a comrade. If that were possible, this village would not have a memorial stone.

"Viciously I shall meet with the enemy. I shall defeat them on the field of battle for I am better trained and will fight with all my might. Surrender is not a Ninja word. I will never leave a fallen comrade to fall into the hands of the enemy, and under no circumstance will I ever embarrass my village.

"We do not surrender because this profession is a mindless sort. There is no seasoned ninja who hasn't seen comrades fall to the enemy, children; that is why they look haunted. And, of course, no circumstance applies to all situations except intoxication.

"Readily will I display the intestinal fortitude required to fight to the Ninja objective and complete the mission though I be the lone survivor.

"I've never met a ninja who was not shocked and horrified and did not throw up after his first kill. You will come to understand that almost all failed missions have a single survivor.

"Honor your village, shinobi and kunoichi, and make your family proud.

"Look, Genin. I am not here to frighten you. I am here by bidding of your Iruka-sensei, so that you may understand what you've gotten yourself into. By the pride I see on your faces, there's no backing out now for any of you. Congratulations, then, graduating class. You're one step closer to a career of blood, sweat, tears, and regrets."

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"Ha! I'll beat all the odds and become Hokage anyways! Dattebayo!"

Ending Note: I hope everyone liked it. Please review, it makes me happy. A beautiful Konoha cookie to everyone who reviews!