To say that things were tense was an understatement.
Not just within the team. Itachi had been given no less than 18 different lectures from various prominent Uchiha clan members on why his actions were disgraceful and dishonourable and what actions he should take from now on.
As if Itachi hadn't already figured it out himself. The Uchiha hailed him as a prodigy and dumped obligation upon obligation onto him, dressing it all up in pretty words while reminding him of his inferiority to the elders and council. Yet despite giving him more work and duty than an adult Uchiha, they didn't trust him with anything. The moment he slipped up, everyone turned their backs on him and scolded him as if he were a child.
Hypocrites. They were only upset because they couldn't openly boast about the clan prodigy gaining a sharingan at 7 without aggravating and disrespecting the Nara clan.
As for his genin team, things had gone from bad to worse. Akio's hostility was through the roof after the stabbing incident, leaving Michiko stuck in the middle with attempts to mediate. It was three months before Akio finally broke under all the pressure. To be honest, Itachi was surprised he had held out for so long.
"No! No more chasing cats, no more babysitting, no more garbage cleanup, no more stupid D-rank missions! I'm a real ninja now and I want to go on real missions!"
Everyone stared at Akio. Itachi personally felt that Akio was acting in a terribly inappropriate manner. Itachi himself wasn't too pleased, but he didn't feel the need to voice that in front of the Hokage and the mission desk chuunin.
Seishiro smacked Akio on the back of his head.
"A ninja mission typically consists of 95% reconnaissance, waiting and other mundane tasks. If you can't tolerate such basic missions, then there's no way you'll become chuunin, much less jounin."
"But these missions are meaningless! I have to get strong and this is just wasting time!"
This time, Seishiro smacked hard enough for Akio topple over and fall on the floor.
"It isn't meaningless, you're just not smart enough to see its meaning. With that sort of narrow world view, you'll never get anywhere."
Itachi could feel Akio's temper flare as he drew his kunai.
"You-" Michiko's shadow snaked out from under her and wrapped around Akio's arm.
"Akio-san. We are in front of the Hokage." At that, Akio immediately froze. Michiko withdrew her shadow and Akio put his kunai away.
The Hokage took his pipe out of his mouth and cleared his throat. "If you are finished, these are your missions for today. You are Konoha ninja. Your actions reflect on the village. Please be on your best behaviour at all times." It was a warning directed at Akio, reminding him that the Hokage had eyes everywhere and that he had to clean up his act. But despite the Hokage's efforts, the warning flew right over Akio's head.
"Of course, Hokage-sama." Team 11 chorused. Seishiro took the mission scrolls from the Hokage and the four of them left the building.
"So what is it this time? Picking weeds? Cleaning up manure? Helping old ladies cross the road?" Seishiro gave Akio a disapproving frown.
"Clearly, you aren't fit for a mission like this. Run laps on the sides of the outer walls until Michiko-chan and Itachi-kun are finished. 5 laps is the minimum."
Akio gaped. "Why do I always get special treatment? You never do it to them!"
"That's because you lack discipline. A ninja without discipline, common sense and wits is a dead ninja."
Akio glared. "You're just going easy on them because he's the clan heir and she's a girl. Just because I don't follow you around like an obedient dog doesn't mean I'm not strong!"
"Insubordination is punishable by law. At this rate, you'll be shunted off to the genin corps."
Akio snarled. "When I become jounin, I'll be stronger than you and then you'll see who's boss!" Still, Akio was sufficiently cowed by the threat and started running towards the wall.
Seishiro turned towards the two of them and passed Michiko the scroll. "This is your mission." Being a very hands-off teacher, he disappeared immediately.
"So what's the mission?"
Michiko sighed again. "It's a troublesome one. We're going to the Mori residence to do lawn work." Ah. Clan politics again. No wonder Seishiro sent Akio away. Most of the times, the easy jobs were from rich civilian clans for customary peacocking. Hiring a gardener would be cheaper and they could probably do a better job, but the lawn was the perfect place to show that the Mori were wealthy enough to hire genin for everything. Both of them leaped onto the rooftops without another word and made their way towards to Mori residence.
Michiko sighed. "Arakida-sensei isn't cut out for this."
Itachi blinked. "What do you mean? Didn't you say he was a dedicated teacher?"
"Yes, I did and my opinion hasn't changed. But he's obviously used to leading veteran ninja who already have a good dose of patience, discipline, maturity and other traits necessary for the job, not 12-year-old brats. He does well enough with mini adults like us, but when it comes to Akio-san who's the closest to a 'normal' ninja kid, he's at a complete loss. He treats Akio like a trained ninja rather than a child, that's why he's not getting through." Itachi's eyes narrowed. There was no way their sensei wasn't watching and Michiko knew that.
Nothing about Michiko was on accident. Itachi had learned that the hard way.
"I see, what would you suggest he do?"
Michiko smirked. "I'm not one to tell a ninja of Arakida-sensei's caliber what to do. You'll surpass him before your voice can break, but I'll never be the ninja that he is."
Itachi gave a small smile, something that seemed to happen often around Michiko. "Then what would you do?"
Michiko hummed. "Let kids deal with kids." The message resounded loud and clear. Michiko had requested Seishiro let her deal with Akio.
"I see. You've had more success than the both of us." Though he would've liked to know, Itachi didn't ask for the plan. Michiko rarely told them unless they were involved. But everything usually worked out in the end, so Ninja Itachi didn't cause much fuss.
The two of them landed neatly in front of the grand Mori mansion. In ninja villages, buildings were kept low to prevent massive collapses during combat and disasters and blocking off the ninja's field vision. Extravagant amounts of money were needed to get permits for extra floors and the permit prices increased exponentially. Most businesses could only afford two stories, three if you were a rich multi-national company. The Mori mansion stood five stories high, a testament to the Mori wealth. Michiko walked up to the door and rang the doorbell. They waited for half a minute before an old lady answered the door.
She posed a regal and intimidating figure. Her thin white hair was pinned up neatly in a bun with a platinum and emerald hair pin. She wore a traditional Mori kimono of the highest quality and her posture and body language was perfect for a lady of her standing. Her snow white skin was clearly well cared for and her hands and feet were precisely manicured. Though Mori Asuka should be in her 70s, she looked no older than 55.
"Ah, you must be the genin team."
"That is correct. Team 11 has been assigned to this mission. May I confirm as to the particulars of the mission?" Michiko asked.
"Just a little lawn work. The gardens are huge and very delicate."
"Worry not. The both of us have enough skill to do some topiary work."
The old lady smiled. "Wonderful! You do seem more skilled than the previous genin teams. Come now. I'll show you to the gardens."
Michiko and Itachi entered the house, Itachi moving to stand beside her. "You seem familiar, young ninja. Would you happen to be related to the Uchiha?"
Itachi nodded. "I am Uchiha Itachi. It is a pleasure to meet you." Inwardly, Inner Itachi frowned. He had hoped to keep this visit free of clan politics. But it couldn't be helped, so Ninja Itachi took over.
"Ah, forgive an old woman's memory, I remember now. I've heard many things about the talents of the Uchiha heir. All good, of course, and I believe you are acquainted with my granddaughter, Kiyomi." Itachi had come expecting at least one or two awkward interacted with Kiyomi, but she was nowhere to be found. Ninja Itachi's suspicions spiked. Could Kiyomi have followed Michiko's advice?
"Yes, I am. I met her briefly a few months back. How is she?"
"I'm sure she's doing just fine. She seems to have developed an interest in travel to rather… unsavory places suddenly. Would you happen to know how it started?" Although she was of common birth, Mori Asuka had managed to get herself married to a Mori main house member. Shortly after the marriage, Mori Eiji's two older brothers died in an accident, leaving him as clan head. Itachi wasn't surprised she was onto him.
"My teammate is very capable."
Asuka gave a very impressive smile, but it was incomparable to Michiko's masterful art. "I see. What is your name?" Asuka asked Michiko.
"Nara Michiko."
Asuka examined Michiko, clearly sizing her up. Michiko was a common name and not customary of the Nara. Asuka would be correct in assuming that one of Michiko's parents was a civilian and her bloodline was diluted.
"That is a beautiful name. What do you think of my granddaughter? I do recall you visiting us a couple of times."
They arrived at the huge expanse of gardens. Ninja Itachi's senses tingled wildly at the sheer amount of exceptional infiltration, trapping and spying spots. It was clearly a civilian's home and- wait. Michiko visited Kiyomi multiple times? What for?
"I've only known her briefly, but I know potential when I see it."
The two ladies examined each other intensely, a showdown in the art of body language. One was tall and regal, decked in white and colour while the other short and scruffy, dressed in monotone and black. They stood on either side of the gardening tools with vibrant flowers and lush greenery in the background. It was as if time had stopped just for them as even the sun granted perfect lighting and depth to the picture. Inner Itachi would've found this scene amusing, but Ninja Itachi felt frustratingly out of loop. What was going on?
"The Nara name lives up to its reputation. Have you taken on any students before?" Itachi blinked. What kind of question was that? No 10-year-old, however skilled they may be, took on a apprentice.
"A couple. I was forced to leave them though." Wait, what? Ninja Itachi went into a frenzy at the new information, even going as far as to briefly activate his sharingan. But, no. There was not a single trace of a lie. The sharp, amused flicker of Michiko's eyes towards him told him she knew what he was doing. Itachi might've missed the flicker had it not been for his activated sharingan.
"I see." Despite the blatantly false information, Asuka didn't seem fazed. "You are indeed a capable young woman."
"Thank you. Such a compliment from a woman as proficient as yourself is to be greatly honoured. Shall we get down to business? I believe we will be seeing each other again regardless."
Asuka smiled pleasantly. "Yes, we shall."
When they had picked up the tools and were far enough from Asuka, Itachi spoke up.
"What was that about?"
"Hmm… Nothing much for now. If you let me into the Uchiha compound, it may become something."
"What do you mean?"
Michiko's returning grin was, on the surface, no different from normal. But Ninja Itachi flinched and retreated as a hint of something dark and bestial shadowed her visage.
"Your father's hiding some nasty little secrets. I'll let you in on them eventually if I meet him."
The rest of the mission was completed in silence.
"Michiko-san, I have the scroll you requested." Michiko looked up from her scroll work. Every time he saw her, she was either reading, training or making fuuinjutsu. Her only hobbies were shogi, drawing or doing calligraphy, the latter two would improve her brush skills for fuuinjutsu and shogi would improve strategic skills. Needless to say, Ninja Itachi approved of her downtime activities though Inner Itachi found them a little weird.
Akio scrowled. "That's part of the main house library! It's against the rules to take it out of the compound."
"The clan head has made an exception this time. He has censored all sensitive information and feels it is best to make amends to the Nara."
Akio scoffed. "Like hell. It's just blatant favouritism. Daddy's little boy gets all the benefits."
Itachi shrugged. "If you say so." There was no point in this confrontation.
"Are you mocking me?"
Itachi chose not to answer. It was a waste of breath and Akio would twist it into an insult either way.
"You bastard! Without the clan, you are nothing! I don't care how good you are at throwing shuriken, nothing can ever make up for your attitude!"
By this point, Michiko had finished or at least stabilized whatever she was making. She'd swiftly sealed all the reference books she'd been using into a storage scroll before strolling over to the two of them.
"Itachi-san. May I inspect the scroll?"
"Of course." Itachi held out the scroll. Michiko reached over to take it, but Akio yanked her back.
"Don't go near the bastard, Michiko-chan. He'll probably backstab you again." Itachi could see Michiko's lips twitch in amusement as Akio pushed her behind him as if to protect her. Nevermind that she was stronger than him. Akio was very much an Uchiha in his attitude and views.
"Don't worry, I can take care of myself."
Akio looked at her doubtfully. "I know you're smart and all, but you need to be more careful, Michiko-chan. Just cuz' he's a kid doesn't mean you should trust him." Itachi felt a little incredulous. Itachi knew Akio wasn't the sharpest knife in the drawer and that he shared the traditional Uchiha views on female intelligence (that they had none and were fragile, stupid damsels in distress reliant on male leadership), but it was still incorrigibly foolish to dismiss her intelligence just as it was to dismiss him because of his age.
Michiko smiled at Akio sweetly. "Regardless of his personality or any undesirable traits, we are going to be on the same team for the next few years. How about you agree to disagree?"
Akio frowned. "Yeah, but I still hate him. Bastards like him should not exist."
Michiko patted his shoulder comfortingly and spoke softly. "There are always going to be people and things you don't like. I, for one, don't like the heat of Konoha's summer. But I can't do anything about that, can I? Sometimes, you just have to endure. In the words of the Kage, a ninja is one who endures. When you rise through the ranks, you'll meet many unpleasant things, Itachi-san will just be a stepping stone. If you can handle him, surely you can handle the rest."
To Itachi's surprise, Akio seemed to consider her words. He activated his sharingan, but could detect no genjutsu or fuuinjutsu. Itachi was sure Michiko didn't have the skill to get past his sharingan and he had been equally sure Akio would blow up at being told what to do by a girl. How did she do it?
"Fine." Akio spat out grudgingly. "I'll tolerate him, but don't expect me to make nice."
Michiko's small smile widened into a grin as she hugged Akio tightly.
"Thank you, Akio-san." After a few seconds, she pulled back.
Akio stared at her, shocked. "I-It's no big deal! I'm going to be an elite jounin! I can handle this much!"
Michiko nodded. "I'll be supporting you."
Akio stared at her face, looking a little stunned. He then looked away, blushing bashfully.
"I… thank you."
Michiko's smile was soft and sweet.
