Special Thanks to Novrier as Always, just a whole lot more so than usual

Ryu stood before his mirror, he was touching the cheek that Sakura had slapped, it was no longer sore, but the fact she had slapped him at all went a long way with him.

It stung, having to sacrifice his pride in order to pass, and that only actually stung because while Ryu had no qualms about getting his hands dirty, he did so with people he saw to be beneath him. And yet, those very same people he saw as beneath him, had very nearly cost him everything, that in itself was worth a measure of respect from him. For the efficiency of their attack if nothing else.

Looking at the reflection of himself, Ryu felt the mark of the Tokugawa Heir, a Chakra Tattoo that was ritualistically applied with a special ink and has the Tokugawa Clan Ring with a Single Triangle applied over the lower half of the ring, which itself has been tattooed around the heart.

The single triangle denotes the bearer as the Clan Heir, only upon becoming the Clan Head may the second triangle be applied. Each time a Tokugawa won a great victory a line was drawn and a branch of victory was inscribed through the ink. Disfiguring a Tokugawa through their tattoos was seen as a great dishonor that required a harsh death. Ryu naturally possesses The Ring and lower triangle, he'd acquire his first branching when he completed his first C-Rank...something he both looked forward to and dreaded.

Ryu began to dress, taking it slow, in order to reflect on his own situation. Kakashi disarmed him, something that Ryu as a swordsman saw as unacceptable. Talk it up however you like, the fact remains, Kakashi Disarmed HIM. Ryu could change things up, but for now, Ryu would focus on improving his Sword Technique, as well as improving his own style. This could not be allowed to happen again.

The Willow form had a sequence to it, it was very specific in how it could be used, if Ryu were to change even one part of the sequence it could give him an edge against opponents who knew how to fight against Willow users. Ryu decided to start with his grip. If Ryu held his Katana in a reverse grip it would cause a significant shift in his movements, due to the change in the way he held his Katana he'd have to redesign his Willow Form to make use of a Reverse Grip.

As Ryu stood, he put his clothes on, he began to approach his Weapons rack. Compared to his father's it was pretty spare. He took his Katana and placed it on his right hip. He eyed the spare short sword beneath it. Ryu was never fond of Dual-Wielding, so he shied away from carrying it. Now however, he felt it necessary to have it, if only as a back up. If that failed he would have to rely upon his Shuriken or Kunai. Konoha did have a type of Kunai that could be used as an impromptu sword, but that seemed to be a bit of an overload on equipment.

Deciding its better safe than sorry, Ryu added additional Kunai and Shuriken Pouches, even eschewing his undershirt, just to wear his open jacket, which had additional hidden pockets, where he could place additional Kunai and Shuriken. He didn't know the exact specifics of the Storage Seal, his specialty in Seals was immobilization Seals, these were the kinds of Seals which forced an opponent to become entrapped in an open area where he or she could be bombarded with attack after attack. It was troublesome, since the Seals were somewhat difficult to make, and it took a lot of time and patience to set up and activate, if he had an irregular flow in his Chakra for example, the Seals would blow up in his face and hands, which itself was painful enough, but the Chakra Burn that would remain was the real bitch of the problem.

As Ryu was about to leave his room he noticed something, a single letter on his nightstand. Picking it up, he opens it.

Ryu Tokugawa,

You show promise, it would be a travesty if that was wasted. Apply heat to the letter if you wish to find a new Foundation for your techniques.

DS

Ryu took a wild guess and assumed DS was an abbreviation for Danzo Shimura. Ryu knew little of the man, just a few details, along with a couple rumors and what little he heard Kuishia speak of the man. At this juncture, Ryu wasn't sure if he should be accepting help from such a man, and it did seem a bit presumptuous to do so when he hadn't even done a single mission yet, what was Danzo's angle here? Oh something to worry over later, he supposes.

As Ryu descends the stairs, he can't help but wonder what the first Rotation was going to be like. Ryu had three people he had a dislike but not distrust of. Of all his classmates, he distrusted Ino, Sakura, and Naruto, because he doubted their abilities, but Naruto was now not so much on that list. The people he disliked were Sakura, Ino, and Kiba.

In the academy, if there was one thing that Ryu, Sasuke, and Naruto could agree on, it was that Sakura and Ino were basically sycophants, basically kissing Sasuke's ass for affection or at least attention, and it was so annoying. But in terms of arrogance, sure Sasuke had it bad, and Ryu admittedly could be too, but the self-righteous and arrogance that was Kiba was even more annoying than Ino could ever be. The day Ino marries a guy, is the day that Ryu will front the mans funeral costs, because he doubts anyone could put up with her, and he pities the man who tries, unless it's Kiba, then he deserves everything he'll get.

(Team 8)

Kiba Inuzuka, Hinata Hyūga, and Shino Aburame were stood at Training Field Eight awaiting Kurenai-Sensei.

"Hey, sensei is coming." Kiba noted. With his sense of smell he generally knew in advance who was going to appear in the clearing, their team often used for team meetings. And he proved correct this time also, with Kurenai coming into view a few moments later.

"I see you all have already gathered. Good, I have an announcement to make." Kurenai looked over her students.

"An announcement?" Hinata folded her hands neatly in front of her, looking a bit worried.

"Yes, we will be having another Genin join us for a mission or two."

"That is somewhat unusual." Shino spoke up for the first time.

"Not really. Sometimes this is used when the number of Genin can't be evenly divided into even three man teams, or for other reasons. Enough to say, we have the order of our Kage to follow."

"So, who will be joining us?'' Asks Shino.

"Ryu Tokugawa." Kurenai answered and got very mixed reactions from her students. Shino seemed neutral. Hinata somewhat concerned. Kiba was ... pissed.

"That Prick?! We don't need him, we are awesome as it is." Argues Kiba.

"That is debatable." Ryu came into the clearing, stopping some distance away from the team he was going to work with.

"You. I ought to ..."

"You've tried that already." Ryu commented. "It didn't end well for you."

"You caught me by surprise back then!" Kiba defends.

"I challenged you openly and for a clear offence. Nobody catcalls my sister. I didn't even think Inuzuka's do catcalling, you are being more about dogs and not cats." Ryu counters.

At this point even Akamaru was giving Kiba a very mixed look.

"Whatever." Kiba decided to spare himself more humiliation. It was still a sore topic for him, after all after their short brawl back then, he ended up with one hell of a black eye, while Ryu got off easy, his bruises not really visible and a torn sleeve on a shirt being easily repaired. Kiba's ears still rung from the lecture his mother gave him.

"Kiba-kun Ryu-kun, please, try to get along." Hinata looked between the two young ninjas, who only nodded after a short while.

"Tsk, at least someone has some team spirit." Kurenai shook her head, but gave Hinata an approving nod. "Fine, lets go find out what is the mission Hokage wants to give us."

(Office of Hiruzen Sarutobi, Hokage's Building, Hidden Leaf Village, Land of Fire, Five Great Shinobi Nations)

Team 8 plus Ryu stood before Lord Hiruzen Sarutobi, they were awaiting their mission details. ''We've received a request to sweep a nearby village's outskirts, it should not be particularly difficult to do as there have been no reports of any factors that warrant this mission as higher than a D-rank.'' Says Hiruzen.

''That doesn't necessarily mean it's true, How important is the village?'' Asks Shino.

''Strategically speaking it holds no outwardly apparent value, but it does have something else, it's ore rich hills are an invaluable source of raw materials and minerals. Similarly the lumber they produce is of exceptional quality.'' Says Lady Koharu.

''And it's geographic and economic value?'' Asks Ryu.

''The hills are steep and mountainous, with many caverns and mining tunnels dug beneath, many of which have been long since abandoned. The Forests where the lumber is found is dense and thick, with its own natural deterrents. Overall it shouldn't be too difficult.'' Adds Lord Homura.

''That is not a place of no strategic value, the description you have given implies that the caverns and mines are an excellent hiding place, while the steep and mountainous hills make anybody trying to charge an entrenched enemy a dead man walking. The Caverns could also be used for storing an army or it's supplies. While someone familiar with the forests terrain could use it to lure and entrap an unprepared opponent.'' Says Ryu with a deep frown.

''While they are excellent points, it will likely be unnecessary to enter either area, since the most danger one of you is like to face will be a wild animal at best. Hence why this is considered a D-Rank mission, but bordering on a C-Rank." Explains Lord Hokage Hiruzen.

"We're on our way." Says Kurenai, and once out the office Kurenai turns to face them. "You've half an hour to prepare, we meet at the gate." Says Kurenai, and Ryu nods and leaves without a word.

Ryu didn't necessarily need to get prepared, but it didn't hurt to check and recheck his equipment and supplies before his first mission. This mission amounted to an area sweep, so stocking up on Kunai, Shuriken, and Ninja Wire were essential.

Ryu took a single whetstone and two bottles of Tokugawa Sword Oil, before making sure his Military Ration Pills were ready and fresh. Hinata's Gentle Fist and Byakugan, Shino's Kikaichū, and Kiba and Akamaru's noses made them ideal for an area sweep, but not threat removal, not completely anyway.

Hinata lacked a natural ruthlessness to increase her Gentle Fist's effectiveness, while Kiba was arrogant and easily annoyed, in all honesty Shino was the most versatile member of the the group, his Kikaichū could sap Chakra like the legendary appetite of the even more legendary Samehada, they were perfect infiltrators and Tracers. It's a shame that Shino didn't bother to increase his Taijutsu or Ninjutsu, or heck his Genjutsu. Like if it was Ryu he'd try to use the Kikaichū to extend the range of a Genjutsu, it'd be a useful trick to have available in his Shinobi arsenal.

Something to think about at the very least. Kikaichū were the most common of the Aburame insects, now one might argue that this makes the knowledge of how to combat them common, but then they'd be idiot's. Kikaichū were common because they were the most versatile of the Aburame's Insects, kinda of like Shino in a manner of speaking.

As trackers where sense of smell was pointless, only the rarer Shōkaichū have a greater capacity to not be detected. Hmm, it actually only just occurred to him that the fact that he was assigned to a tracking unit, when he would be considered an assault specialist was likely why the Team got the mission they had.

He'd be required to watch the groups back, protect them as they did their thing...but why omit and downplay crucial details? That was bugging him more than just about anything else right now. He trusted Lord Third's judgment, but could he trust the judgment of the elders?

(Konoha Village Gates)

Ryu and Team 8 were departing the village, Ryu kept his hand on his Sword Hilt the whole time. He continued to ignore Kiba the entire time, he was more than a little reflective right now...

(Flashback Part - 2)

''As I understand it, Ryu here doesn't want to be held back by an unskilled teammate.'' Says Danzo.

''Even so, he needs humility.'' Says Hiruzen causing Ryu to snort out in laughter.

''Is something amusing?'' Asks Lord Homura.

''Yea, your letting me waste away in exchange for a deadweight Shinobi. They call you a wise man, but I don't see a Wise man before me now, I see an old man who see's nonexistent value in a Genin who's worth is less than nothing and skills are nothing short of questionable. This is supposed to be the best Ninja Village, yet for all the talk and posturing, you would rather coddle weakness, encourage it even, rather than excise it before it festers.'' Says Ryu, his indignant frustration boiling over.

The tension in the air is thick as the grandfatherly persona he portrays is replaced with a stern gaze...Ryu is caught up in this that he fails to notice Danzo's look.

"Silence." Danzo struck the floor with cane, his only visible eye narrowing, as he looked at the young samurai.

"Your opinion on the matter is noted. I personally consider that you may even have a point. But a rookie Genin should know his place and address his Kage with due respect, even when he disagrees with him. I find the rotation solution to be unnecessary, but perhaps there is merit to it, in order to teach you proper discipline."

(End of Flashback -Part 2)

Ryu vividly recalled that meeting, but why was so insistent on The point of view?

He felt a tug on his sleeve and turned to find Hinata next to him. ''Ryu-kun, please don't cause trouble with Kiba-kun.'' Says Hinata.

''I make no promises Hinata, if he antagonizes me I'm going to retaliate, as is my right to do so.'' Says Ryu firmly.

Hinata looks down, clearly uncertain in how she is supposed to respond. Ryu remembers when he believed her to be able to help him secure his position if he supported her in securing hers, yet now seemed an inappropriate and inopportune moment to bring it up.

Instead Ryu focuses on his path forward.

(Takeda Village, Land of Fire Border, Land of Fire, Five Great Shinobi Nations)

Team 8 arrived at the Border Town of Takeda Village, the main point of call to get to the Village they needed to get to. There was a small road that led to the Village deeper in the Thick forests.

''We should stock up on medical supplies that the locals use to treat injuries and ailments born from local Flora and Fauna, and local maps.'' Suggests Kurenai.

''It's a sound suggestion, We should split into pairs to expedite our stocking up of supplies.'' Suggests Ryu.

''Agreed.'' Says Shino.

''Ryu-kun is right.'' Says Hinata.

''Agh, tch fine, but only because Shino and Hinata agreed.'' Grumbles Kiba, who bristles at the very idea of taking up a suggestion of Ryu's.

''It would be prudent to split ourselves amongst the trackers, make it easier to locate each other, thus I recommend that Akamaru, Myself or Kiba accompanies Kurenai-Sensei and Ryu.'' Suggests Shino.

''Agreed, I'll take you Shino, your Beatles should complement my Swordsmanship well. While I recommend that Kiba or Akamaru accompanies The Jōnin.'' Ryu Recommends.

''Agreed, I'll fetch the medicine, Come Kiba.'' Kurenai said, leaving no room for argument, which she did so in order to avoid the argument that had been brewing since the academy if the apparent past experiences was any indication.

''Akamaru and I can stand watch while you two fetch the maps.'' Hinata offers.

Ryu nods silently, and walks towards the marketplace. Shino silently trails beside him.

Once he was certain that they were out of Hinata's earshot, Ryu turns to Shino.

"So, what's the deal with Hinata?" Ryu asks, keeping his voice low.

"Specify." Says Shino.

"General personality, Clan relationship, personal preferences, and the whole file." says Ryu.

"I find you desire to learn about potential teammates to be understandable, Ryu-san. But given the nature of your questions, I also believe that your motive may not be directly connected to our cooperation as a team."

"Yes, that is true. Team dynamics do not really concern me."

"I see." Shino nodded. It was impossible to say what exactly he was thinking, as his face was mostly hidden by his shades and the high collar of his coat, while he spoke in a calm, neutral monotone.

"So, are you going to answer?" Ryu asks with his eyes narrowed.

"You inquiry about Hinata, as you said yourself, is not in any way connected to our mission objective or to our cooperation as a team. For that reason I find it unnecessary to disclose any information about Hinata. Furthermore, I personally find such an approach counterproductive at this point."

"A simple no, would've sufficed." Ryu shook his head.

The Two continued on for a few more minutes, and Ryu sighed.

''Shino.'' Ryu says in annoyance.

''I know.'' Says Shino simply.

''What you wanna do? I can distract, but I never bothered putting much stock in Clones or controlled Spread Attacks.'' Says Ryu.

''Luckily I can create Insect Clones. But how should we approach this? Your suggestion?'' Asks Shino.

(Meanwhile)

''Why are we following the Shinobi? We're grunts, not trackers or elite hunters?'' Complains one thug.

''Quiet Ryuuzo, you know why, Bosses heard that the Old Hokage was sending a team into our Territory, we need to find out why and report back.'' Snaps the other.

''Yes, but why are we doing it Mitsuo?'' Ryuuzo asks.

''Because the boss heard about your drunken exploits, do you have any idea how much worse we could have ended up than trailing low level Genin?'' Says Mitsuo.

It was no secret that Ryuuzo was a drunk and pervert, in fact the only reason he was still employed by The Organization was because he was a master of Infiltration, Assassination, and Sabotage, that and he was paid in the cheapest and most gut breaking Sake available, which was the only payment he ever accepted.

Mitsuo was far more useful than his partner, he had trained as a Shinobi and specialized in Genjutsu and Interrogation techniques, which he'd acquired as a member of the Hidden Mists Torture and Interrogation Corps. His career however had been stymied by his natural laziness and predisposition to thinking himself better than everybody else. He was of no true threat in Mid-to-Long Range, but was crazy skilled at Close-Range Precision Ninjutsu which was designed to disorient and stagger, which paved the way for a devastating Genjutsu that shutdown various brain functions. Thus opening up new avenues of attacks.

The two worked well together, and given the task and their respective skills, they were the optimal choice for trailing and learning what they needed from these Hidden Leaf Genin.

(Back To Ryu and Shino)

''Our best option is likely to have you Send an insect Clone to meet Hinata and have her tip off Kurenai while we play the bait. This way we can lure them somewhere secluded, take them down, and go from there.'' Says Ryu.

Shino nods thoughtfully.

''It's a sound move under the Circumstances, but how do you propose that we send the Clone away discreetly?'' Shino asks.

''We could use a bathroom break, but perhaps we should use something to disguise the Clones Movements? Do a Cantina Bait and Switch? The latter during a bathroom break would work. We have to time it just right though.'' Says Ryu.

''Or I could tag them with my Insects, follow them to their base.'' Says Shino.

''We should do both, we split off after the bathroom. You swap places with a Clone, use the Transformation Technique on yourself and tag our trackers while I lead them away, you should tag me as well. Double the odds of success.'' Says Ryu.

''What if they prove too much for you to handle?'' Asks Shino.

''I don't think they'll pose a serious threat if we detected them so easily, but then again, this could be a trap of their own. The thing is though, they've been on our ass for a while now, so why haven't they confronted us yet? Unless of course they are trying to determine our purpose here?'' Asks Ryu thoughtfully. ''Shino, look around, you see what I see?'' Ryu asks.

Shino looks, and the way his brows crease convey his narrowing of his eyes. ''The people are scared, they practically reek of misery, submission, and indifference to everyone and everything around them.'' Says Shino.

''Something bigger is going on Shino, Which makes the Cantina switch all the more important in it's use. It also begs the question however: How long has this been happening, just what is going on, and who is at it's source?'' Says Ryu.

''Then let us find out quickly.'' Shino says stoically, but with a slight hint of determination within his tone of voice.

(Ten Minutes Later)

It was almost too easy to do the Cantina Bait and Switch, but they did it, and Ryu had done his part in luring the Trackers somewhere else. Ryu reached a clearing and stood dead center, before unleashing a dozen smoke bombs and rushing off.

Ryuuzo and Mitsuo began to audibly curse when the Genin unleashed a Dozen Smoke bombs, which upon clearing showed he was gone.

Ryuuzo and Mitsuo kept down into the clearing to see if they could pick up a trail.

Almost Immediately however a barrage of Shuriken and Kunai struck at them, but the two quickly leapt away, avoiding the Ninja Tools.

Ryu slowly walked forward, pulling out his blade in a menacing manner, the sharp steel reflecting the light. "I saw that the town we walked through was a place of misery. You two will tell me why."

"Like hell we will." Ryuuzo scowled.

"I am not in the mood." Ryu dashed forward and Ryuuzo suddenly felt sharp pain in his legs, dropping down to his knees, not even seeing how Ryu sliced through his ligaments. His partner went flying back, into a tree after a sharp kick, while Ryu spun around, placing the edge of his blade against the neck of the kneeling man.

"I ... I'll talk." Ryuuzo, stuttered looking at the blade marred with his own blood with acute unbridled terror.

''Then start.'' Ryu Snarls scornfully.