Nyoko Namikaze Point of View
"We're stuck doing stupid missions like these! They won't make me any better, I won't be able to defeat my brother, like this!" Sasuke complained pacing back and forth in front of me, as I swallowed my bite of my tomato, the breakfast of choice this morning. "Casing cats, pulling weeds and baby sitting what do any of those have to do with being a ninja?"
I could relate to him. I haven't been able to do much, either. Whenever Team Guy left the village for a mission, I've been training and learning the Space - Time Ninjutsu. When they were here, we'd do the same D - Rank missions, that Sasuke and the other teams were doing. Babysitting, gardening and dealing with the pets of others... If they couldn't take care of their own children, pets or plants, why did they have them?
"I get it. D - Ranked missions suck, but I'm pretty sure there is a reason we do them." I retorted, trying to reason with both myself and the angry Uchiha.
He only rolled his onyx eyes. "Whatever reason, it isn't worth it. With Naruto and Sakura. Naruto tries to compete with me, messing everything up. Sakura is another story." He rolled his eyes, "And Kakashi, he's just busy reading his book."
I sighed, I didn't have it as bad as him. Tenten wasn't crazy like Sakura. Rock Lee was weird, but he was fun, he was an even match, when I don't use my chakra. I still haven't seen him use his own chakra. I'm pretty sure he didn't have much of it, or he just didn't feel the need to use it. Neji, he was interesting. He didn't give anything about him up. Everything I knew about him, he was from his teammates, whom I guess were mine too. As for Guy sensei... Well. He was basically like Rock Lee. Just older and more obnoxious. A total opposite of Kakashi.
"I want a real mission. I need to be ready up, to kill him." Sasuke hissed, pacing still. I finished my tomato, and got up walking up to the boy whom wasn't paying attention, as I stood in front of him, holding my fingers out, as Itachi once did. Causing my Uchiha friend to walk into my fingers with his forehead protector. "What are you doing?" He growled. I knew that this action, what Itachi used to do to him, would upset him.
Rolling my violet eyes, "Calm down, would you? I just wanted to get your attention. We're running late, so let's get going." I ordered, walking inside my apartment, grabbing my tool bag, and tossed his towards him, which he caught, strapping it to his leg, while I strapped mine around my waist. Closing my balcony door.
"Could've just told me that and not doing that." He retorted, with disgust, with my actions.
"I could've but I did it. Now let's go." I retorted, we then jumped down from my balcony, heading towards the Hokage's office, he was going to meet up with his team, while I gave a report to the Hokage, about the Space - Time Jutsu's. I had a basic idea of how each one worked, I just couldn't get a formula for them. Each formula I've tried failed.
Sasuke went off in another direction, likely to meet up with his team. While I paused just outside of the Hokage building. Could I admit that I haven't mastered the jutsu? I didn't need to report to him till after lunch. I still had time before he'd want to see me. Turning in one direction, I decided to go to a training field. Hopefully, I could perform one of these jutsus.
Sarutobi Hiruzen's Point of View
I stared at my crystal ball, checking on the Genin. The chūnin exams would be starting next month.
Asuma's team were aiding with the wheat farm, Shikamaru, this teams prospect, a genius from what Asuma has told. He was a prime candidate to become a chūnin. Ino and Choji would make it far in the exams, but when it would come to the third task, they may not make the rank. However, I could be wrong.
Kurenai's team, they were training, the team would do decent job throughout the exams. Hinata, if she were a bit like the other girls that were in her graduating class, if she were a bit bolder, she'd make it far. Shino was alike Shikamaru, Shino was smart. He'd make it far, he was good at having back up plans, with his bugs.
Kakashi's team, they were after a cat. This team, Sakura could make it through the first part of the exams, the rest of the exam, she was lacking. She would need a reality check, she needed to become a fighter. Naruto, was the opposite. He needed to use his head. Sasuke, he needed to gain some team work, if they were to make it through the first two parts of the exam.
From Guy's team, they were now out of the village, helping a smaller village with some bandits, I expected all three of his students to make it through the exams, they were remarkable students. They worked as a team, each had their skills refined and each had their heads screwed on right.
Then there was Nyoko, whom was training, obviously attempting the flying thunder-god technique. She seemed unable to create a formula. Each of her attempts lead her to trip, or fly in a direction, into the ground. Nyoko, if she were given a chance, would make it far, in the exams. However, she wouldn't be taking them, given if she could successfully use any of the jutsu's on the scrolls.
The fact she had mastered the shadow clone jutsu, a B - ranked jutsu when she was young, if it weren't for a promise made with Itachi, the girl would've graduated the academy sooner, then she had. Now she's twelve, attempting to master the S - ranked jutsu the flying thunder-god technique. If she could manage she'd be able to do that jutsu, she'd be promoted. This was her own exam, even if she didn't know it.
Seeing her getting up and try again with the ninjutsu. I got up, looking away from the ball, making it loose the image of the girl about to rail once more. Walking out of my office I made my way to the mission room, to prepare to dish out more missions to the genin teams.
Come time Kakashi's team walked in, giving the poor cat to the woman, who'll just loose him again in the future.
Once the woman left, I pulled up the list of D - ranked missions, "Now, then" I began to read the choices off, "The next mission for squad seven we have several available tasks. huh... " I sighed, knowing they'd argue - well Naruto was going to throw a fit - "among them, babysitting the chief counselor's three-year old, helping his wife to do the shopping, digging up potatoes, and -"
As suspected Naruto objected, "No!" Looking up I spot him crossing his arms, while his sensei and teammates looked at him, "I want to go on a real mission, something challenging and exciting, not this little kid stuff! Come on, old man!"
Iruka was the one to speak up and scold his former student. They both ended up barking at each other. Up until Kakashi wacked Naruto on the head, making him fall to the ground. Standing in the open door, I took notice of Nyoko, she looked sweaty, tired and at the same time energetic, seeming to be in a good mood. She must've made some progress - or enjoyed seeing her brother get beat up. She walked further in once I nodded at her, greeting her, silently. Walking in she ended up standing next to Sakura, looking down at Naruto with a concerned look, then rolled her eyes when he began whining.
"Naruto" I scolded Naruto finally, "It seems you do not understand the tasks you have been given." Naruto stopped whining and looked to me along with his team, and his sibling, "Listen, many different kinds of requests, come into our village everyday, from babysitting to assassinations." I took a breath of the tobacco in my pipe, then I went on, "These requests are carefully recorded, analyzed, and then ranked; A, B, C, or D, depending on their difficulty. We ninja are also ranked by ability. Hokage are at the top, then it's Jōnin, Chūnin and Genin at the bottom. At the highest level, we select missions and assign them to ninja who have the proper skill and experience. And if the mission is successful, we receive a fee that supports our village and our work." I took another breath of tobacco , then pointed at them - mainly Naruto - "since you are untrained Genin, just starting down the Shinobi path" I then unrolled the D - rank scroll of missions, "You are given D - level assignments, of course."
I then realized the only one paying any attention to me - aside from Iruka and others sitting at this table - was Nyoko. Naruto was talking about ramen, his team listening to him.
"Silence!" I ordered, my voice croaking.
Kakashi, rubbing the back of his head, "Oh, sorry." He apologized for the rudeness he and his team had shown.
Naruto then jumped turning towards me, he was still sitting on the floor, "Aah! You always lecture me like you're my grandfather or something. But I'm not the little brat who used to pull pranks all the time." He assured me, "I'm a ninja now, and I want a ninja mission." With a hmp, he dramatically, jumped turning his back towards me.
I couldn't help but to laugh at his dramatics, taking a puff from my pipe. "Naruto wants us to know that he's not a brat. He's a former brat, and he wants a mission. So be it." I let exhaled the smoke, as Naruto, his team and Nyoko's heads rose at the idea, not believing the words that have left my mouth. "Since you are so determined, I'm going to give you a C - ranked mission. You'll be bodyguards on a journey."
"Really?" Naruto questioned turning to face me once more, "Yes! Who? Who? Are we guarding a princess? Or some feudal lord?"
Nyoko rolled her eyes, "No, Naruto. If it were, it'd be a higher ranking mission. You're taking a C - ranked mission, you'll have little to no chance of combat against other ninja. You're probably going to be taking someone home and assuring they aren't bothered by any non - ninja, nobodies." She informed him.
"Yeah? How would you know tomato?" Sakura growled at Nyoko, Sakura was obviously wanting a mission alike guarding a princess.
Nyoko rolled her eyes once more crossing her arms, "Haven't you paied any attention in the academy Sakura? I'd expect you to know better than to assume it'd be some big, bad mission. It's just a C - ranked mission. Though, it's higher than a D -ranked one, there is little of no chance your lives will be in danger. Unless you do something stupid."
I then spoke up, once "Send in our visitor" I called loudly, shortly after the door slid open, and in walked Tazuna, a master bridge builder from the Land of Waves. He walked in with a bottle in his hand. His eyes were slightly pink, obviously on the verge of becoming drunk.
Walking in he looked at the Genin, "What the -? A bunch of little snot - nosed kids?" He said with such distaste, taking a couple of gulps from his bottle. Then leaned against the wall. "And you, the little one with the idiotic look on your face. You really expect me to believe you're a ninja?"
Naruto being himself didn't realize, it was him whom Tazuna was talking about, "Who's the little one with the idiotic look on his - ?" He seemed to realize it was him, Sasuke being the tallest of the Genin, then Sakura, Naruto was the shortest, Nyoko was just an inch or two taller than him. Once he realized it, he tried to bolt to attack Tazuna, only to be held back by Kakashi.
Tanzua wasn't the slightest bit concerned about Naruto, as he proceeded to drink, then introduce himself, "I am Tazuna, a master bridge builder, and I must return to my country. I'm building a bridge there that will change our world, and I expect you to get me there safely, even if it means giving up your life."
Kakashi sighed, not thrilled about this mission as he walked up to me, so I could hand him the mission in a scroll. Then they were gone. To get their mission started. Nyoko then took her chance to speak.
She was, smiling cheeky, looking like her mother once she had accomplished something, "I got it." She retorted, setting a scroll in front of me, "I figured out my formula" she stated. She then proceeded to prove what she could do, putting her hands into a seal of reconciliation, she then disappeared, she was just gone. Only to walk back in from the hallway, holding in her hand a sticky paper, with a familiar technique formula, I've seen it before.
I could notice the others at the table - aside from Iruka - were tense realizing the girl had accomplished - yet not yet mastered - an S - rank ninjutsu.
"Just in time" I retorted, pulling a scroll, I handed it over, "Soon, there will be exams for future Chūnin. We need to get the names and prep for the number of participants, as well as how many rooms we will be needing. You'll get the names, place their names on this scroll, and bring it back here."
She took the scroll nodding, placing it into her weapons pouch, I could see her face, she was questioning it, "Who'll be coming with?" She asked sounding confused about why she was getting the scroll, being only a Genin.
I breathed out some smoke as I responded, "No one. The other teams are either on missions, or preparing themselves for the exams." I then gave her a map, with the five villages that would be taking part in the exams, along with an address. "Now, you'll meet their leaders, you'll need to meet with this photographer, where you'll get the permit to enter these villages."
She looked at the list of villages, "Sir, isn't this a possible B - ranked mission? It should be a higher ranking ninja that does this, not a Genin." She retorted looking up at me, "with all do respect, but I'd be insulted if I were a village leader, and some runt of a nobody Genin were sent to my village to get the names of my future Chūnin. This is insulting." She then paused adding, "I'd rather train to become a Chūnin, then get names."
I arose, "Come with me Nyoko." I ordered, walking out from behind the table, "Iruka, take over, I will return momentarily." I commanded him. As I walked out, Nyoko following behind me, up the stairs to my office. She stood in the middle of the room, while I walked towards a closet, picking up a box from inside.
"Lord Third what is in that box?" She asked curiously, as I set the box on my desk, I took a seat in my chair, pushing the box towards the girl.
"Open it." I retorted, she was a bit hesitant, but proceeded to open the box, pulling out a white feline like mask, that had red paint, that made whiskers on either side of the nose, and red outlining the blacked out eyes, and red wrinkles, that surrounded the leaf symbol that was on the forehead. "You don't need to worry about being thought as some runt of a nobody Genin. Now you're one of my ANBU Black Ops ninja. You have been able to perform the S - ranked jutsu. Within a short while. You would've been promoted sooner, if it weren't for a promise."
Now this is the only way to protect this village, to hide your identity. With a mask, a robe and a code name. Hiding your face, will hide your heritage, the ninetails and hide you from the world.
"I'm ANBU?" she whispered, looking up at me with awe, I nodded at her, she then set the mask down into the box, that had in it the basic ANBU cloak and uniform. It would hide her identity and her appearance. "Hokage, I'll take it for the sake of this mission however, I can't promise anything afterwards."
I knew I couldn't press to hard with the rank, she'd likely start asking questions, dangerous ones. Rather I just nodded at her, "Of course. If you wish to keep the uniform and the rank, you're welcome to do so. Now get going. You may take what's left of the day to prepare for two weeks worth of rations." I ordered she nodded, turning to walk out of the office, the box with her uniform in her hands.
Nyoko Namikaze Point of View
Looking myself in the mirror, I had on the ANBU uniform, it was so, boring looking. I wasn't one for fashion, but I did enjoy my splash of orange and blue. This not only looked horrid, but it was terrible to move in, I felt constricted in it. Whereas with my skirt and fish net shorts gave me the freedom to move my legs. My usual black mess shirt, and my sleeveless top gave me the ability to use my arms. Not to mention my entire normal ninja outfit allowed me to keep cool... Also it had more personality then this black and grey armor.
I could understand the mask and the cloak. My face didn't need to move much, as long as I could see, I didn't mind covering it up. The hooded cloak, was a bit long and didn't stick to me, outside of the tie used to hold it together around my neck, the baggy black sleeves, and a few buttons on the inside, that wend down it. Quickly, I changed back into my normal ninja gear. Putting the cloak on, then the mask, and pulling the hood of the cloak up, covering up my tomato hair. The cloak was slightly opened, showing my little frame. I proceeded to button up the cloak till I couldn't see the bright blue and orange, or the skin of my legs. Only my shoes were showing, and my black gloves. There, no one would even notice anything of me, unless I removed the cloak.
Nodding at my reflection I proceeded to pack a bag, with food, various extra tools, weapons and my money. I placed the scroll, where the names would be written, into my tool pouch along with my ninja ID that would allow me to cross borders and enter villages, hopefully without to much of an issue, I wrote down my formula on to a sheet of sticky paper, placing the paper on the ground, in the middle of the ground. So, I could return quickly, once I have all the names. Walking out on to my balcony, the sun was starting to go down, to set. Once the door closed, I took off, going quickly, everything in my peripheral vision were wizing past me, the village scenery changing into trees.