Ryu Family Kitchen, Early Morning…
Daichi had spent a lot of time thinking about things last night. The two Ryu's he'd meet didn't seem like bad people. In fact, they both seemed like good people. There was just one thing that was causing him to hesitate.
"If they are good people, then how come they never made an attempt to contact my father, my grandfather, or even me. Granted I never tried to contact them, but I guess I never saw a point since my family has never been able to get in touch with them." Daichi thought.
"Cousin Daichi, you can cook?" Momo asked as she entered the kitchen.
Daichi was surprised by the sudden appearance of his cousin, but he soon recovered. "Yeah, I can cook."
"It smells wonderful." Momo said while sniffing the air.
Daichi sighed while rubbing the back of his head. "Would you some pancakes?"
"Yes please!" The girl happily exclaimed.
Daichi made a hand sign. "Shadow Clone Jutsu."
The clone immediately started to mix more batter for pancakes.
Momo was in awe of her cousin's ability. "That's so cool. That must be Ninjutsu, right?"
Daichi flipped the pancakes before answering. "That's right. I usually use them for combat situations, but I also tend to use them to help me complete my household chores.."
Momo was about to speak again until another person entered the room walking with crutches. "Big brother Toshiro!"
Toshiro patted his sister's head and smiled at her. "Good morning Momo."
Daichi addressed his clone. "Better just make enough batter to feed them all."
Toshiro glared at the Chunin. "So, you're Daichi Ryu?"
"You know, I'm not that ninja that attacked you." Daichi calmly stated.
Toshiro said, "Yeah I know; however, you are still a ninja."
Daichi angrily asked. "What are you implying?"
"Nothing. Only that people like you can never be trusted. Personally, I'll never understand your grandfather's choice to leave the life of a Samurai. He disgraced our family the day he left." Toshiro remarked.
Daichi placed his hand on his clones shoulder. "Stop making the batter and get started with clean up."
Daichi put the pancakes, he'd made, onto a plate. He then sat the plate in front of Momo before walking over to Toshiro, and punching him. This caused the Samurai in training to fall out of his chair.
"Let's get one thing straight. I will not let you sit there and say those things about ninjas or my family. I'm proud of where I come from, and I'm not talking about this land you call home.
My grandfather gave his life to save Lady Tsunade, the Slug Yonnin, and my father gave his life to save me. They have more honor than you. If you ever say anything like that in presence again, I will not hesitate to beat you down."
Daichi then left the house and made his way to the training field. Toshiro was terrified while Momo was only slightly scared due to the fact that none of their cousin's anger being directed at her.
Arena: Waiting Room
Daichi had to wait for the first match to finish before he could fight his own match. With little else to actually do, he was sitting back and looking over his blade to make sure it was fit for combat.
His mind kept on thinking about what Toshiro said witch only made him furious. "I know the kid got attacked by a Shinobi, but that does not excuse what he said about my farther. I mean, you can't judge a person by what they choose to do."
Daichi was snapped out of his thoughts by the appearance of the winner of the 1st round. This person was a girl with dirty blond hair that she kept short. She was also wearing blood red armor. At her side she carried a standard sword with a blood red sheathe. She took one look at Daichi before her face showed disgust.
The girl was about to speak until Daichi said "Save it. I've already heard more than enough from another Samurai." Daichi stood up. "I don't feel like being insulted by another.
The Chunin made his way over to the door, but he stopped when the girl spoke. "You honestly think you're any different from the ninja I've met in the past. You're all weapons to be sold to the highest bidder. You'll do anything for money."
Daichi clenched his fist. "You seem to be under the impression that all Shinobi are terrible people, but that's not the case. Just as not all Samurai are the best of people. No where is this more evident then in history itself. Maybe you should actually take the time to get to know someone before you judge them so harshly."
At that moment a voice said, "We need Daichi Ryu and Inoue Jinta to the arena floor. You're match will soon begin."
Daichi walked away with the girl shouting after him. "You better win your match Shinobi because I want to kill you with my own blade1"
Arena:Stands
Kakashi, Byakuya, Toshiro, and Momo watched at Daichi walked to the middle of the arena floor. They then turned their attention to his opponent. She was a young girl with purple armor and a short sword at her side. She had medium length brown hair and looked fairly average.
"It seems Daichi's up now." Kakashi commented.
Momo turned to Kakashi and asked, "Mr. Shinobi, what do you think Cousin Daichi's chances are of winning?"
Toshiro grunted at his younger sisters question, but stayed quiet upon remembering Daichi's words.
"I'd say you have nothing to worry about when it comes to Daichi. His skills with the blade have saved his fellow teammates on several occasions. I'd say he's more than skilled enough to win. By the way, you can call me Kakashi." Kakashi stated.
Arena Floor
A Samurai in pure black robes stated. "You may begin when ready."
Inoue bowed to Daichi. "Please do not hold back against me, so that this battle may be something grand."
"Finally, someone who doesn't insult me for being a Shinobi." Daichi thought actually smiling.
He drew his blade. "I promise to give you my best."
The girl drew her own blade and the two of them squared off. Daichi made the first move and charged at Inoue. The girl was genuinely surprised with his speed and just barely managed block his first strike.
Daichi wasn't about to let up. He struck at the young Samurai as fast as he could keeping the girl on the defensive. the Chunin then did something surprising to everyone. He threw his blade into the air. He then seized his chance.
The Chunin spun and kicked the girl as hard as he could to make sure the armor didn't impeded what he was trying to do. The girl stumbled, and Daichi sept her leg at that moment causing her to fall backwards.
Daichi then caught his blade and pointed at the girls chest before she could back up. "Daichi Ryu wins. He will go on to face Akira Koga at the end of the week."
Daichi sheathed his blade and held his hand out. The young Samurai took it without hesitation.
She bowed to Daichi once more. "Thank you for that fight. I now see many areas I must work on to become a better Samurai. I hope that we may one day meet in combat again."
Daichi smiled. "I'll be looking forward to it."
The two warriors parted from one another. Each of them had respect for the other. This respect wasn't only from Inoue, but her whole family in the stands.
Arena: Stands
"Wow, Cousin Daichi was so cool. Did you see that father?" Momo asked.
"I did indeed." He addressed Kakashi. "It seems your were right in your assessment of your student. He does indeed know how to handle his blade."
"Whatever. It wasn't that good." Toshiro commented secretly a little jealous.
Byakuya's Office, Some Time Later…
Byakuya entered his office to find Daichi already sitting in a chair waiting for him. The Lord took his own seat across from the Chunin. He had a feeling as to what this talk would involve, but he decided to let the young Shinobi say what he wanted.
Daichi clenched his fist. "I only have one things to ask. Why did none of you ever answer my grandfather's or father's letter?"
Back when his father was still alive, he'd take Daichi with him into town on numerous occasions. Many of those occasion involved sending a letter to their family in the Land of Iron. Daichi never knew the truth about the letter until he turned 10.
He also learned that his grandfather would do the same thing. They both wanted to mend what had been broken, but neither of them ever got a response.
Byakuya calmly stated, "We never even opened the letters. It's been a long standing law and wish of my now dead grandfather that the two halves of the family remain separated. In truth, it would have stayed that way, had we not needed you to compete in this exam."
Daichi's arm glowed blue as he let his Chakra flow. A moment later he punched the desk causing it to crack in halve. This action didn't face Byakuya in the slightest.
"My father were torn and he told my Grandfather was they same way. They had family that refused to acknowledge them as such. I never even bothered to send a letter." Daichi took a moment to collect himself before standing up.
"You got your wish now. After I finish my mission, you'll never have to see me again. In fact, I'm going to get a room at a local inn. I refuse to stay in a house with people who don't want me in the first place."
Daichi walked to the door but stopped before he opened it. "Oh yeah, and do a better job of raising your son. Teach him that it's not right to judge people because of who they are." He opened the door. "Though, maybe that's a lesson you need to learn as well."
Daichi stormed out of the office.
Daichi's Room
Daichi had just finished packing his things and now walked out his door. He stopped when he noticed his Sensei leaning against the wall and reading his book.
Kakashi held up his hand to stop his student from speaking. "I get it. You go on ahead and get a room at the inn, but I have to stay to make sure they're safe."
Daichi fave his Sensei a genuine smile. "Thanks Sensei."
He then walked onward.
Front Door
Daichi was about to leave when he sighed and turned around to find Momo standing behind him. He wasn't mad with her. She was the only one of the three who hadn't caused him to feel that way.
"Cousin Daichi, where are you going?" Momo asked with a frown on her face.
Daichi walked over to the young Samurai and patted her head. "I decided that it would be good if I spent some time in the capital. I've never been to the Land of Iron before, so I figured this would be my chance to see the sights. You know?"
Momo looked down at her feet. "Will I still be able to see you?"
Daichi chuckled. "You can come and visit me at the training field, and don't forget that you'll be there to see me fight that Koga girl at the end of the week."
Momo brightened up. "Okay, I'll make sure to bring you lunch everyday."
Daichi smiled again. "If you want to, but don't think you have to bring me food."
The Chunin walked out of the house.
Alleyway: With Mizaku Koga
Mizaku Koga was an intimidating figure to most. He stood tall at 7 ft, wore black robes with blood red trim, had short red hair, and was muscularly defined. At his side he carried a red sheathe that contained a red blade.
Unfortunately, intimidation does not make you the top House in the Land of Iron. Every year his House has lost to Byakuya's. This year though he thought he'd finally won after getting a Shinobi to take Toshiro out.
How was he to know that there was another Ryu still alive out there. All he'd heard were rumors on the subject. Now that those rumors were true, he had no choice but to call on the services of said ninja again.
Mizaku walked into the alleyway and asked, "What is the best time to meet if it is not the day?"
"You meet when night has fallen." Aoi replied before appearing. "I wasn't expecting the high and mighty Lord Koga to contact a lowly ninja once more. What do you want?"
"You know full well what I want. I only need to know how much it's going to cost me?" Koga sternly stated.
Aoi smiled. "It's going to cost you 5,000,000."
Mizaku angrily said, "That's 5 times what you asked for the 1st job."
"Yes it is and for good reason. I may like to play with my opponents, but this time I'll have to be on my toes. This job you want me to do will most likely involve either me or my men battling Kakashi Hatake. I've met the man a few times, and he is someone you tend to avoid." Aoi explained.
"Very well. You'll get your money only if you finish the job. I want no mistakes on this one. You are to personally handle Daichi Ryu." Mizaku stated.
Aoi smiled because now he could have some fun. "You can consider it done."
Aoi vanished and Koga left the alleyway. Both were unaware of a certain silver haired Jonin who'd followed Koga to the meeting place. He to vanished.
Woods Near Ryu Training Ground, 2 Days Later…
The 3 rain Genin Team 7 faced during the Chunin Exams were waiting for their leader's signal to jump out and attack Daichi.
"Is it almost time?" One of the Genin asked.
"Not yet, we must wait for the…" The Genin began only to stop once he heard a grunt that came from the right.
The remaining two Genin turned, but they saw no trace of their comrade other than that Genin's own foot prints.
The last Genin heard his last comrades grunt and quickly turned to his left only to see nothing once more. The remaining Genin was spooked until he was knocked out by a chop to his neck.
"Sorry about this, but I can't have you interrupting my students battle when the time comes." Kakashi said as he sat the Rain Genin next to his also knocked out friends.
He then walked forward and peered out over the training ground.