Team 26 had made it to the village hidden in the leaves. Upon entering the village the first thing they noticed was the five large stone faces carved into the mountain side of the passed hokages. The village was large; almost three times the size of the sand village. The village was located in almost the very middle of the land of fire. The land was ruled over by the fire DaimyĆ, the land came to know peace after the last war they had fought with the lands of lighting and wind. With rolling landscapes of green trees, blue rivers, and warm summers made the land of fire a paradise to the three men. Growing up in the sand village was one thing but for them the village hidden in the leaves was like a whole new world. Welcome a voice said. There was a small booth to the left with two men sitting at the table. Genji and the overs walked over still marveling at the village in all its wonder. Welcome to the villages hidden in the leaves one man said. What can we do for you?
We are looking for the hokage. We are form the village hidden in the sand and we were told to repot to her soon as we got in Genji finished.
Of course we have been expecting you. Here let me walk you there the other man said. Thank you very much Genji said to the other man and they were off.
It was a straight walk form the main gate to the hokage mansion. Their guide told them of different places around the village to eat and visit. As well as gave them directions to some of the local shops they might be interested in. It took about 20 minutes to reach to hokage's mansion. Here we are the man said. They are waiting for you inside.
Team 26 entered the building. It was large with rounded walls and a flat top roof with the symbol for fire in a red circle over the door. They left their thing with Shizune, the hokage's steward, at the door and proceeded up to the meeting room on the third floor where they met lady Tsunade. She looked to be in her mid-thirties, Genji knew that was not true for her and lady Chyio had fought in one of the great ninja wars. So she had to be at least close to Chyio's age. Lady Tsunade was a medical ninja skilled in the art of healing. This meant that she could control he chakra so well that she could smash through things as easily as Hayato could. Tsunade was sitting at the long desk with two others she was wearing a green jacket, gray pants, and black shoes and had long blond hair.
Lady Hokage Genji said when the team was standing in front of the table. We are here to report for duty. She looked up form one of the many scrolls on the desk. Ah, you must be the sand ninja Gaara sent to help us, Welcome. Her voice was lively and made them feel welcome. I have heard good things about all of you. Thank you lady Hokage replied the men. Tsunade started to speak again, your mission here is to help bring our two villages closer together by working with the members of the village. You all will be assigned tasks that we think will help foster good tidings between our two nations. Some of the tasks might not be what you are used to and are in no way meant to make you feel unwelcome or unwanted. They have also been approved by the Kazekage. Hayato you will be working at our ninja academy your skills as an instructor can help not only educate the kids on what the world looks like but you can also teach them what life is like in a different village. Yes mam Hayato replied. Shinn started to snicker behind his shut mouth, trying to stifle a laugh. Tsunada flashed him a look of annoyance. Genji you will be filling in for one of our squad leaders, she is currently on maternity leave so you will be taking over team 8. Thank you lady hokage Genji said. And Genji, I am sorry about Lady Chyio. Tsunade noticed Shinn was still sniggering wall she was handing out the assignments. Shinn isn't it, is something funny to you. Shinn straightened up wiping the grin off his face saying, no mam. Good Tsunade said looking back to her scrolls for his orders. Shinn started to giggle again. Tsunade looked and Genji could see she was not pleased. Tsunade looked through some scrolls moving away from the one with what Genji assumed had their orders on it till she spoke again. She had a sly look on her face, Here we are. Shinn you will be teaming up with one of our more well-known teams they have a very important mission but it seems that their squad leader is on holiday so you will be filling in.
But Lady hokage that's, and before the other man at the table next to her could finish she threw up her fist hitting him with the back of her hand knocking him out.
As I was saying she continued you will report to your new assignments tomorrow. Shizune will show you to where you will be staying for the duration of your time here. Good luck to you all, and with a short glance at Shinn she muttered under her breath you're going to need it.
Genji and the rest of the team were all given their own small three room apartment with a bedroom, bathroom and living area which consisted of the kitchen, a sitting are, and a small dining area. They met at a restaurant called Ichiraku a small sit-in ramen dinner that the man at the entrance recommended they try. They ate their meal and thanked the owner, they than stared walking the village to familiarize themselves as to where they were and how to get places. They left each other's company and turned in early for the night.
The next morning Genji woke early to work on his puppet. They have to be perfect if I am going to make a good first impression. The sun had risen well into the sky before he had finished when he heard a knock at the door. He opened the door to find three leaf ninja standing there. They can't be much older than sixteen he thought to himself. Are you Genji Monogatari, Asked a boy with a black jacket? I am, Genji replied. We're team 8 nice to meet you the boy replied. Oh, please come in have a seat Genji offered.
The members of Team 8 consisted ofKiba Inuzuka a member of the Inuzuka clan known for fight alongside their dog companions as well as speaking to them. He wore black leather pants with a black leather jacket and chain shit underneath he had two red tattoos one under each eye looking like fangs. Akamaru, Kiba's dog, had white fur and was so large that Kiba could ride him. There wasShino Aburame, of the Aburame clan, he and his clan were known for being able to control bug to fight for them. He wore a hooded jacket and a tall shit that covered his face along with a pair of sunglasses that he seemed never to take of even indoors. Lastly there was Hinata Hyuga of the Hyuga clan. She was a shy, quiet girl who did not say much she wore a grey jacket with puffy cuffs and had dark hair and large solid grey eyes. So that is the byakugan Genji said looking at Hinata. She looked away nervously. Sorry I did not mean to frighten you Genji said. After they had made their introductions and Genji had told them about himself they left his apartment for some lunch. So you're a puppet master stated Shino. No no no I am not a master I have not reached that point yet. How many puppets can you use asked Kiba who was on Akamaru's back. I can use three at one time right now but I am trying to learn to use more. It can be rather difficult to use one puppet let alone three depending on the complexity of the puppet. It continued like that for some time when Genji asked do you have a training yard. Yeah, why Asked Kiba? Well it would be easier for me to see what your skill level is and see how well you work as a team, like wise you could see me and my puppets in action. Why not, it will be fun, barked Kiba. I agree we should see what each other is capable of if we are going to fight together remarked Shino. I agree Hinata said meekly.
Hinata, Kiba, and Shino led the way to the training field. It was a large open field with a stream off to one side. All right I think it is about time you met my team Genji said. Genji grabbed the Brown scroll from behind his back and unravelled it arcing over his head. Three puffs of thick white smoke appeared from the face of the scroll. Plummeting down from overhead mars landed with a loud thud. Standing up Genji made mars bang the hilt of his sword against his shield. He then had Deimos and Phobois summer sault through the air landing at Mars's feet having Deimos flex his fat little arms wall Phobos flexed one arm and had the other pointing up into the air away from the others. Everyone but Shino laughed. All right let's get started. With both sides all set. They were ready to go.
With a flick of his wrist Genji launched Deimos and Phobos at the others. He launched Deimos straight at Hinata hoping he would be able to ram here with the full force of the fat little puppet. But before the puppet could make contacted Kiba came from the side kicking, knocking the puppet away telling hinata to pay attention. While Genji had Deimos doing that he had Phobos lunge at Shino. When he was close he extended Phobos's arms using the cables hidden within. All shino could do was dodge trying not to get hit by the sharp finger like claws. This was his chance Genji thought. He then launched Mars right at kiba and hinata. Mars flew through the air with its red cape billowing. Genji had mars raise its sword above its head ready to slash at both of the two young ninja when Hinata pushed passed Kiba and used her eight trigrams 64 palms guard to create a barrier that caused Mars's sword to bounce off forcing Genji to pull him back and ready him for another attack. He had not wasted time however he had redirected Deimos to turn around and attack Kiba form the side. Genji had them all right where he wanted. If I can keep them separated I can tire them out forcing them to give up the thought. They are not use to fighting puppets.
A little help Shino Kiba barked. Hinata won't last long against that big one. And this little one is really starting to piss me off.
I am a little busy myself at the moment Shino called back in a muffled ton. Well then think of something Kiba barked again.
Shino had been doing precisely that scene the beginning of the battle. He is trying to keep us apart so we can't work together he thought. Dodging another strike by Phobos, we have to find a way to disrupt the lines of communication form him to the puppets. To the side of him he could see Hinata knockback a shield Bash form Mars using he eight trigrams dashing double palm. That is when he saw it as Kiba was swatting at Deimos flying around him like a fly and Akamaru was biting at the air. Not the air the puppet was being controlled with what looked like threads made of chakra. Shino looked at the puppets and then to Genji. The threads where so thin that he had almost missed them. All right, here goes nothing he said aloud parasitic insect: swarm. From the folds of his jacket tiny bugs filled the air around him. Shino then commanded the bugs to move toward Phobos. In a matter of seconds Phobos fell to the ground unable to move. It worked now, for the other two.
When Genji realized that he was no longer controlling Phobos he looked to see what the problem was, he discovered his puppet lying on the ground. He attempted to reconnect his chakra threads to his puppet but soon as he did tiny swarms of insects started eating through the threads severing the connection. It seems that his bugs devour chakra, I have to be careful. Genji shifted his hand to launch a new attack at Kiba with Deimos when the puppet fell to the ground landing hard on its head. This is not good! Genji shifted his hands again to recall mars back to him when he fell with a loud thud hitting the ground tumbling backwards to land on its stomach. Well it seems you beat my puppets but I can still fight. Genji made several hand signs when he yelled water style: water gun. Genji spat a large jet of water toward the three leaf ninja. They jumped out of the way. Kiba and Akamaru launched themselves at Genji spinning using wolf fang over fang. Akamaru missed Genji but Kiba connected only to run into a Kunai that the Genji pulled from the pouch at his back. The two pushed away from each other when Genji again made several hand signs then creating a wall of water 10ft high and 20ft across the three leaf ninja lost sight of Genji.
The wall of water lasted only for a minute when Hinata, Kiba, and Shino where faced with a new problem a dense layer of mist had settled behind the wall and was moving toward them. How are we going to find him in that Kiba said frustrated. Hinata can you uses your byakugan to find him Shino asked. I'll try she replied. The mist had overtaken them all at this point; they were all still close enough to see each other when they heard a rapid succession of clunks, one right after another then Hinata saw him. He was stooped over in front of them as if he was getting up after falling. There she said pointing just in front of them. The mist was so thick now; all Hinata could see was the chakra running through his body. All right lets go Akamaru, Kiba and Akamaru ran at Genji using their wolf fang over fang jutsu. They hit pushing against something hard when their acute hearing picked up the sound of a latch opening and they smelled gas. They stopped spinning and pushed off the object to get away when a jet of fire launched form where they had been. The heat of the flame started to clear the mist revealing Mars standing with his shield blocking him.
I thought you stopped his puppets Kiba barked landing on his feet next to Shino. I did he should not be able to use them Shino answered. Hinata you need to find him Shino continued. Nodding her head Hinata used her byakugan to scan the area then focused back on the puppet. Chakra was coursing through the puppet like if it was a real person then she realized it pointing he is in the puppet.
Genji lowered the shield to show his face. He had designed mars not only to be a puppet but also a set of armor for himself. When he did that the puppets arms and legs shrunk, closing the gaps that would leave Genji vulnerable to small knives that could slip through the separations in the armor. Not wasting anytime Genji switched form the fire to the many needles hidden within. A cascade of hundreds of needles flew through the air right at the others. Hinata jumped into the path blocking all of them with her eight trigrams 64 palms guard. Shino then said something to Kiba that Genji could not hear but within moments Kiba and Akamaru split up running at him from either side. Genji stopped using the needles to concentrate on his two new attackers he swung his sword over his head slashing at the Kiba only to miss every time then attempting the same at Akamaru to only result in the same. Genji had failed to see the swarm of insects that Shino had unleashed at him for when he realized what was happening it was too late. The insects had swarmed over his arms and legs. They then started working their way up to his chest and head. Genji yelled in pain as the small insects drained his chakra. He then collapsed to the ground saying, stop! You win. Shino then commanded the bugs to retreat. Then a minute later there was a series of four clicks on the back of the puppet. Genji emerged from the body of his puppet straining to do so. Shino and Kiba helped him out standing Genji to his feet only to have him land on the ground panting. The battle had been a good test just not what Genji had anticipated. Well it looks like you won Genji said how about we go sit somewhere and I will buy you guys something to eat.
The team left the training field Genji on Akamaru's back it was difficult for him to stand let alone walk. They ate at Yakiniku Q a sit down style restaurant that was famous for its barbecue. They were seated in a booth off to one side when Shino started to talk. Why did you not use your full strength on us? Genji smiled then tried to sit up. He was still weak form the battle. What makes you think I did not? he replied to Shino as the others looked on in puzzlement.
When I had my insects drain your chakra at the end I could tell that you had a lot left. Then compering that to what you used in the battle it seemed as if you only used twenty percent of your total chakra when fighting us.
Genji continued to smile leaning back against the bench with his eyes closed speaking. Your right I did not use my full power against you, but I wanted to see your team work. I could have easily killed all of you but what good would that have done me. When Genji finished Shino spoke again. Well if that is the case how did we do? Genji smiled saying, you did good enough to beat me didn't you. Everyone at the table smiled. They ate a big meal wall reminiscing about the battle they just fought. When they had finished eating and were about to leave Genji said. Before I forget we are to meet at the Hokage's mansion tomorrow to receive our first mission as a new team. So don't be late get some rest and I will see you there. With that they all departed.
The next morning all four members of the new Team 8 met outside the mansion. Genji was the first to arrive. Shino came next then Kiba then Hinata. I have something for all of you Genji said reaching into his pockets. He pulled out three small carrying cases of three different colored liquids. Each of you are to take one of these. What are they? Kiba asked. They are the antidotes to the three different poisons used by my puppets. The green on is for Phobos's panic inducing poison, the light purple one is for Deimos's fear inducing toxin and the yellow one is for the Mars's Heavy metal poison be careful not to lose or damage that one. All three are deadly so if you come into contact with any of them use the antidote right away. Especially when it comes to Mars's, you will only have 30 seconds to inject yourself before you will feel its effects after that it will no longer be able to move without sever pain it will then be only a matter of minutes before collapse then shortly die. Taking great care of the vials Hinata, Kiba, and Shino stored them in the pouch on their back. So shall we go in? The team turned and entered the mansion.
Tsunade was again at the long table with another mountain of scrolls. She had just finished giving a task to Shinn and his team when Shinn and Genji exchanged some words.
How is your assignment going Shinn asked Genji. You mean my punishment he replied these are the most annoying kids ever they don't listen; they can't work together and are the biggest pain in my ass. Plus all we get are these stupid D rank missions. The last one we had to find some ladies cat and when we did it clawed my face, stupid fur ball. Now we have to go pick weeds around the training field. Speaking of which I heard you got your ass kicked. Come on old man one of Shinn students called. God I hate these kids Shinn said gritting his teeth. Anyway go to go I'll meet up with you later. Shinn left descending down the stairs after his team. Genji and his team went in.
This time there were five people on the other side of the room. There were Lady Tsunade, Shizune, the two councilmen, and the head of the Hyuga clan, Hiashi Hyuga. When everyone was in the camber Tsunade began to speak. I hope you have had enough time to get to know each other. Yes Lord Hokage Genji replied. Tsunade smiled at being addressed so formally and continued to talk. As you know both villages are working together pooling all the information we have, it has come to our attention that the sand village may have come into contact with a fugitive from the leaf village. Genji looked puzzled and Tsunade could see it so she addressed him directly. Genji the report I am speaking of is that of the death of Naoki, a friend of yours I believe. Genji new the name well it was Rosy's son. I do, he was a dear friend Genji replied. Tsunade continued, The Fugitives name is Takeru Hyuga, Hiashi here will fill you in on what he can. Thank you lord Hokage Hiashi said turning to address the team. Takeru Hyuga is the last member of the Guardian line of the Hyuga clan. He also has some items in his position that were stolen by his father. We would like to get them back. From the sands report we can tell that he can use the lion spirit seal. Tsunade started to speak again, with this new information we know have a description of what he might look like, combined that with our information we have a general idea of where he might be operating. Your mission requested by the Hyuga clan is to capture Takeru and bring him back alive if possible. You are also tasked with returning any stolen items he may have. Are their any questions? No mam Genji said. Then you are free to go said Tsunade. As they turned to leave, Hiashi called to Hinata. Hinata, this is important to the clan do not disappoint me. When they left the room and started to descend the stair case. Kiba and Shino were talking about the mission, Genji turned his head to look at Hinata who was looking at the ground. No Pressure Genji said to her. She tensed clutching he hands to chest as she walked down the stairs. Don't let what your father said get to you. You are a strong fighter trust me I know you kicked my butt. Hinata still said nothing. Genji stopped walking and called to Hinata she turned and look at him with shy almost scared eyes still looking at the ground. Hinata you are a strong shinobi I can see that because my friend, Naoki, the one in the report was the same way. He was quiet to but when it came to his friends he defended them with his life. I saw that in you yesterday when we had our little match. Hinata started to look up at him as Genji kept speaking. You have a kind heart and you don't want to see anyone you know let alone the people you care about get hurt. Do not let what your father said get you down because he truly loves you he just has a lot to deal with looking after the clan and all. So if you can remember anything that I say remember this. A kind heart is worth more than anything in the world for the smallest act of kindness can overcome the greatest army and bring it to its knees. A small smile crossed her face. Come on Genji said we all need to get some rest we have a big day tomorrow.
