Chapter 1-10

I was currently on the roof of the academy during the second break of the day.

The Day.

During the first break, I was given the notice from Daikoku, that my examination was going to take place today after classes finished.

I had a myriad of emotions at the time. I was of half a mind to start cursing about the short notice until I remembered that this might be already part of the exam and I wasn't going to be any more prepared than I already was.
I did what I could during the duration of the time I was given and I was confident in my abilities.

When I was alone on the roof, waiting for Hana to join me, I was starting to get nervous, however. What was I doing here, did I want any of this shit and what if I actually fucked up?

Thankfully the doubts went away as quickly as they came.

Yes, I could do this and I would do this. I wanted to advance and if it meant attention, that was fine. If advances were linked with early graduation, which in turn was linked to Root then that was ultimately fine with me, too.

Anyway, I prepared myself for the better part of the last month with a strategy that was fully focused on genjutsu given that I had to satisfy Danzo of all people.

I had a concept in mind involving chakra threads, but that was still a work in progress and wasn't even anywhere near practical application yet.

Regardless, apart from a handful of genjutsu I managed to master all my skills and techniques to an impressive level. In some cases, I even managed to reach a level of mastery that affected the use of hand seals.

This and my progress regarding the Shunshin, which was starting to feel less like a jutsu and more like a skill were my proudest achievements so far.

Given my control and adaption over time the Shunshin was starting to cost less chakra with each use and the strain on my muscles was becoming less and less noticeable.

Still, I was glad I could resort to my medical ninjutsu to deal with the remaining detriments. Given enough time and chakra to recover, I could basically Shunshin all day.

Anyway, time for some last-minute shut-eye and enjoy the sun on my skin.

"Kiba! Get back here, you bastard!" An all too loud voice shouted from the trees beside the building.

"Come and get me, Dickhead!" And an equally loud voice shouted right back.

At least they seemed to have fun I thought with a grimace as I tried to reach my inner Nirvana.

"Kiba! Naruto! Language!" shouted an irritated voice.

Yeah, you tell 'em Iruka!

That has been one of my brighter moves after I pulled that Kakashi-Gai-combo-talk with Naruto.

After the third time he found me during break I just set him on Kiba.

I basically told him that I was usually just as busy as his old man, but that the kid over there was pretty alright in my eyes.

It definitely helped, that I let it slip, that I was friends with his sister who was super strong, super cool and super nice.

To be on the safe side I yelled after him to remember not to be an asshole, which got me the stink-eye from Iruka.

I took it unapologetically in stride. I did it, after all, to bring balance to the force.

Obviously I couldn't escape those two indefinitely so I did what every responsible adult would have done when they came to me.

I imparted my wisdom much to my amusement.

Chick friends are worth triple what dude friends are.

All or nothing is easy. But learning to drink a little bit, responsibly, that's a discipline. Discipline comes from within.

Weddings are basically funerals with cake.

Hana's response when she suddenly had two loud brats pestering her for training and tips, in stereo no less, was strangely less than enthusiastic. I couldn't help but smile remembering when she one evening knocked at my door and I was greeted by a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes.

Speaking of her, I watched her doze next to me, her head resting on my stomach. There wasn't much talking involved after I broke the news, we both knew what it probably meant for us.

I heard the bell ringing, this was it. This was the home stretch for my academy stint.

Suddenly Hana straddled my stomach and prevented me from getting up. What's going on?

She bent down, her arms around my neck.

'Don't you dare, not now!' I thought with genuine horror.

I breathed a massive sigh of relief, however, when she put her head on my shoulder and hugged me close.

"Remember that favor?" She asked quietly "I want you to visit me whenever you can."

"I will." I answered for a lack of better responses, this felt alright.

What the actual hell?

Did they really have to dump such a test on me right from the get-go?

Yes, the questions were meant for aspiring shinobis, but goddammit, the sheer number and the time limit really did a number on me. That wasn't a normal test.

I'm confident, that I passed, but mistakes, several even, were made, of that I had no doubt.

Currently, I was waiting at my desk with more anticipation than I expected for Daikoku to finish the examination of my test.

After what felt like forever he nodded once and an Anbu stepped into the room, which made me sit upright.

The masked figure turned to me. "Follow me." He said and turned on the spot, already making his way out of the building.

I scrambled out of my seat and dashed after him. Once in the hallway, I saw him about to exit the entrance door.

I decided to concentrate for a precious few seconds to get a read of this guy. I had no intention of losing track of him.

Bursting through the door rather ungracefully, it was as expected, he was already gone.

I concentrated once more, eyes closed. "There you are." I sensed him jumping over the rooftops at a decent pace.

After a shunshin to cover as much ground as quickly as possible I decided to follow him in a more appropriate manner. I wanted to preserve as much energy as possible.

I noted that we went past the sign that signaled the beginning of the official training grounds and came to a stop a short while later in a small clearing.

Already there were Danzo and another Anbu, this one just a head and a bit taller than me.

My guide, kneeling in front of Danzo, was unceremoniously dismissed by a sharp nod and vanished in a swirl of leaves.

I kept an eye on what would obviously be my opponent. If I wanted to have any chance to work with my game plan I needed to keep the initiative.

No words were spoken as Danzo tapped the ground once with his cane, which was apparently the sign for my foe to engage.

No hesitation, he rushed me with impressive speed, intent to get in close combat with his drawn tanto.

I immediately threw two handfuls of Shuriken in his path, forcing him to abort and jump back a few feet. Focused to use these precious few seconds to regain the initiative before my counterpart went on the offensive again, I initiated the first step of my tactic.

Using my raised hands I quickly formed a hopefully familiar hand seal.

"Shadow Clone Jutsu!" I intoned with conviction.

'Mist Servant Technique!'

I carefully eyed his reaction.

'Yes!' I saw him stiffen and raise his tanto in a defensive manner, which meant he saw my three copies.

This, however, meant that I had to hurry. Despite my best attempts to make this technique as lifelike as possible the visuals still wouldn't hold up to a closer inspection.

I sped through a series of hand seals I practiced for hours on end just to make it as fast as possible.

Some of the hand seals necessary, others pure misdirection.

'Demonic Illusion: False Surroundings Technique!' My favorite genjutsu just for the sheer versatility.

I held still and judged the reaction of my opponent again.

I did sense the genjutsu take hold, but I could never know if an opponent was just luring me in a sense of false security by playing along. Any second he could break it and attack.

He should see my clones and me sink into the ground, our eyes fixated on him.

I kept my breathing low, all my training with Hana, just to be as quiet as possible in this single moment.

He crouched low, his tanto in a reverse grip ready to block and his other hand extended to the ground to feel any minuscule tremors underground.

This was it, the make it or break it moment.

I needed full concentration. I guided my hands slowly in the ram seal, hyper-aware of every sound, all the while my eyes were on the Anbu crouching just a few feet in front of me.

'Clone Jutsu!' One clone, one perfect clone burst from between the trees to my right in a massive leap. Kunai in hand, poised for a heavy downward slash.

The Anbu reacted, he rose from his crouch and raised his tanto for the block.

Praying to whatever deity, I gave my Mist Servant Technique a little nudge and repressed a sigh of relief as the Anbu jerked back when a 'Shadow Clone' burst out of the ground less than a foot in front of him.

'Demonic Illusion: Hell Viewing Technique!'

His free hand flew instinctively towards the wound where his guts were currently threatening to spill out.

All or nothing, I gambled on the visuals to rattle him long enough before he registered the lack of pain and shunshin'd behind him, my kunai poised at his neck to subdue him.

As the edge of my blade was about to touch his skin I felt it.

I closed my eyes in defeat as I heard the log in front of me tumble to the ground and the tanto caress my throat.

"Acceptable."

The nameless Anbu instantly sheathed his tanto, took a step back and kneeled in Danzo's direction.
I refrained from following suit, I wasn't part of Root yet.

Suddenly my guide returned and kneeled next to my opponent.

"Kanoe, review his fight at the base." Danzo said emotionlessly.

"Understood!" The taller Anbu robotically answered, with that, both masked shinobis vanished in a swirl of leaves.

Danzo turned his gaze on me. "You were lucky." He said matter-of-factly.

"I know." I replied, actively trying to keep my posture from slouching.

"Explain!" He demanded in the same tone.

"After aborting his attack, instead of giving ground, he could have retreated to the nearest trees for cover or answered with his own kunai or shuriken to prevent me from gaining the initiative during the exchange."

"Indeed." He nodded once. "What would have been your plan in these cases?"

"I would have relied on my speed and taijutsu to get him into a position where I could fulfill my objective."

"Very well, follow me." He said and went his way in a sedate pace.

I followed wordlessly after him.

"Your belongings have been put into storage and the matter of handling your apartment will also be done by the village." He said and stopped, he turned to look me in the eye.

"An operative," he started which was also obviously a sign as an Anbu appeared next to him. "will bring you to the base and give you an introduction to Root guidelines, divergences from these guidelines will have dire consequences."

"Understood." I nodded curtly, the earlier I was in the right mindset the better.

Standing in a clearing I waited.

Suddenly I heard a clicking, the second click directly after the first and the third after a pause.

I clicked my tongue in a carefully measured response.

Silence.

My current handler answered with an attack from my blind-spot, tanto drawn and ready to give me my fourth cut of the day on my arms.

Quickly drawing my own tanto to defend myself I barely managed to divert the strike.

After the little exchange, my masked assailant stepped back, nodded once and disappeared.

I just shook my head, this and similar exercises run by various senior Anbu operatives were the norm for the last six months. While the various exercises felt somewhat weird and random they at least were effective in their respective area of expertise. Plus, in an amusing way, they showed, that the older members despite their years in Root still had their quirks.

For example, the asshole that just left me with a few poisoned cuts on my arms was tasked with teaching me the various forms of communications. From hand signs to sound-based communication methods all the way to encryption and decryption, my teacher would start depending on the situation and if I didn't give him the right answer he would attack me with his tanto. Some evenings I would find an encrypted scroll with a riddle or question in my little room and be tasked with answering in the same encrypted way.

The sadistic dick even attacked me when I had my regular taijutsu and kenjutsu sessions, and when I finally managed to reach a competent level he attacked anyway so I had to step up my medical ninjutsu or suffer the consequences, which was usually vomiting my guts out thanks to the various poisons.

Another, more chill, member was tasked with teaching me the ins and outs of infiltration and the various things connected to it, but he just couldn't be bothered. Oh, he taught me everything I needed but the second I mastered the Hiding with Camouflage Technique we just broke into someone's house, while the occupants were home of course, and stayed the night there.

He usually turned invisible, stuck himself in some corner on the ceiling and took a nap. I knew because I sensed his chakra settling. I could have followed suit, but I had the task of writing a detailed report on the people we were observing.

Whatever, I thought, as I took my water bottle and gently guided a small glob of the liquid out of it with my chakra. My emerging water release was so far the biggest benefit of the last six months since it was actively nurtured.

I was quite proud of myself, I thought, as I observed the bubble of water held over one cut on my arm as the poison slowly separated from the blood. With my little arsenal of water ninjutsu, predominantly the Water Clone and the Hiding in Mist Technique, I became an extremely well-rounded shinobi.

My masked eyes fixed on the ground, my posture in a picture-perfect kneeling position as I waited for Danzo to start whatever he was planning to do.

Two masked individuals roughly my size both to my left.

"Each of you has distinguished himself among your peers therefore you are selected to prepare for a project in the future." He droned emotionlessly.

"You are to form a coherent unit and acquire a certain skill set, that will be provided by a superior officer." He said and continued after a short pause. "Take note, that you are just the first and not the only choice."

With that said, he turned and walked away. Just like that.

To no one's surprise, however, an Anbu immediately appeared in front of us.

"Follow me." He instructed in a no-nonsense voice.

Doing just that for the next ten minutes he led us surprisingly enough to the tower of Training Ground 44.

The trip itself was in silence, followed by more silence sprinkled with a hefty dose of no talking.

All in all, despite obviously being a new chapter for me, the start felt like the most boring commute ever.

Finally arriving in one of the sitting areas of the tower, which had some chairs and few tables scattered around we were thankfully motioned to take a seat.

"My name is Kinoto and over the course of the next year I will prepare you for your eventual mission." He said and took off his mask.

"I will form you into a functioning team and provide you with the skills needed for your individual role." He continued and motioned for us to take off our masks.

"Fuu Yamanaka, communication. Torune Aburame, clean-up. Daiki Ito, assassination."