CHAPTER 5

Chapter Summary: Suzuki Hiroshi is sent on a C-rank mission outside the village with a makeshift team. The mission goes wrong. In the midst of trouble, he stumbles upon an heirloom that he didn't know of. He confirms an enemy lurking within the village. He uncovers a part of his true lineage.

The week after my 'Rest Week' was filled with new fields of interest.

Minato-sensei mentored me on the basics of fuinjutsu together with taijutsu and sensing. He had me working on calligraphy and some fuinjutsu theory. He was also helping me on perfecting my taijutsu and had me spar with the rest of the team to gain battle experience. My sensing capacity was also coming along well as I am now accurate enough to map a whole area within a 300-meter radius.

Rin-chan and I were working out the foundation of the new medical jutsu that we were trying to create. She helped with the theory and medical shenanigans behind the jutsu while I shaped the jutsu itself. It was slow-going but considering that the technique was basically something much advanced than the [Mystical Palm Jutsu], I'd say we're coming along fine. I also learned some medical techniques so it was time well spent.

The following week would have been the same if the Mission Assignment Desk didn't give me any headaches.

I was trying to pick up yet another D-rank mission while Team Minato did their own mission when the chunin manning the desk raised an issue that instantly grabbed my attention.

"Mission Quota? What's that?"

"It refers to the number of missions that a shinobi must accomplish within a month. It was put in place so that those relegated within the ranks of a corps wouldn't slack too much. And you're behind on yours."

"What?! Why wasn't I informed before?"

"The first month was the grace period to allow new additions to adjust to the work environment. For the second month, the Hokage saw it fit to just forgo the quota for that month because you were to focus on training and, well, you did a lot of D-ranks. However, on the third month, we need you to actually follow the rules now because even we can't cover for you when the Clan and Civilian Councils check later. Sorry.", at least the chunin sincerely felt sorry.

I just sighed and tried a way out. "Can't I do them at the end of the month?"

"I would have done just that but there's a relatively easy one here. And quite urgent at that so I offered it to you first. Delivering a missive to the outpost near our border with the Land of Water. During the past months, no casualties were reported and it's an easy three-day journey. Are you interested?"

For some reason, I had an ominous feeling with what he said.

See, I'm not the one to look for trouble and danger is something I'd like to be far away from but, I'm pretty sure I could defend myself already. And I'd need to see some action now and scope out how the war is going on. I was so sheltered these few months that everything I did was just train.

"I'll take it."

The chunin smiled at my confirmation. "Great then! You are to meet your team by the gates in 15 minutes."

Shit. 15 minutes?! I still need to get my gear.

I rushed back to my apartment and made sure I was fully equipped and ready. I didn't have enough time to properly say my goodbyes to Team Minato so I just wrote my goodbyes to a paper, folded it into a paper crane and infused it with chakra. Once it was alive, it flew to where Team Minato was currently at. Yes, I used my origami skills to create a proper jutsu that could send messages. I call it [Ninja Art: Origami Messenger Jutsu].

After that was done, I went to the gates where my teammates for the mission was waiting for me. I could sense their chakra levels and I could only say okay since I could feel them having mid-chunin to high-chunin chakra signatures. Why was I given this job, exactly? It seemed important.

We all gathered and the team leader, who was the strongest of the three at high-chunin and introduced himself as Mai Yashiro, told us the mission parameters.

The four members of the team were to travel to the outpost to deliver a missive. Contents of said missive are to be confidential and only for the eyes of the Outpost Leader. It was simple enough to follow. Though there is a nagging feeling that it wouldn't be.

Shit. I knew something was weird.

We were just travelling through the forest within the borders of the Land of Fire when I sensed ten mid-chunin chakra signatures slowly and stealthily encircle us. I immediately warned Yashiro-taichou.

"What? How far are they from us?", Yashiro-taichou asked calmly.

In contrast to his calm, I was slightly panicking already. "230 meters and closing in on us from all directions. Speed is about mid-chunin. Strengths also estimated at about mid-chunin."

Yashiro-taichou thought for a moment and decisively commanded us. "Proceed with a tight Arrow formation. Daichi and Yosuke, to our flanks. Hiroshi to our center."

We immediately moved from our then Diamond formation to the tight Arrow.

Even though I could feel my heart beating faster and faster, my mind refused to be overwhelmed by my fear. I retained my rational thinking and level-headedness. I thought up something and pitched the idea.

"I could give us some cover. My [Hidden Mist Jutsu] is powerful enough to deter enemies and blind them. It also wouldn't be hijacked because of my abnormally high affinity to water. I could then apply a genjutsu to the mist to throw them off."

Yashiro-taichou thought about it and nodded. "Have it on the ready and deploy it when I tell you to do so later."

We steadied our pace so that the enemies wouldn't realize we were on to them. When they neared at about 100 meters, Yashiro-taichou whispered the go for my [Hidden Mist Jutsu].

My mist immediately appeared from the surroundings as I willed the water all around an area of 150 meters. I then applied a genjutsu to the whole mist. Not only could they not rely on their chakra sensing, they should also be mindful of what they see because of my genjutsu. It was only a minor genjutsu but it should still provide shake them off our tails.

We made it through the mist and ran to gain as much distance as possible. Night came and we camped. Thankfully, the night was uneventful.

The next day proved to be the most dangerous as a mid-jonin level enemy came speeding to us.

"I sense an enemy. Mid-jonin and alone. Coming at us very fast.", my voice was filled with panic which told the others how urgent the situation is.

"Can you make your mist?", Daichi-san asked.

Yashiro-taichou immediately shaked his head. "No mist. We can't fight blind. Be ready to engage. We could take him."

After a few seconds, the enemy was in front of us. He was of average adult male height. Wearing a Kiri-nin uniform. His face couldn't be seen as he had a white mask on.

The masked enemy didn't waste any time and immediately went in for battle. I backed away to provide support with my ninjutsu while the others fight him on close quarters.

They were exchanging blows while I shot a [Water Bullet] from time to time when I could find an opening.

The masked enemy seemed done with the fruitless skirmish as he backed away and fired a huge [Fire Release: Great Fireball Jutsu] at us. A Kiri-nin breathing out a fireball? Weren't they supposed to be the type to shoot out water instead?

I easily shielded the team with a [Water Release: Water Formation Wall]. The fireball hit the wall, causing steam to cover our view for a moment.

The water wall disappeared and we were all blown away with a Wind Release Ninjutsu. The others hit the ground and fell unconscious while I was still fighting to stay awake and protect my team while they were down.

Color me surprised when he suddenly targeted me all of a sudden. Did he really think of me as a threat? He should've already seen my capabilities. I wasn't a threat without my team backing me up. Was I the target all along?

I stood up, albeit weakly and focused on my chakra and the water around me. I weaved through the hand seals for the [Water Realease: Water Dragon Bullet Jutsu]. He must've realized what I was trying to do and rushed to stop me. Unfortunately for him, I was already able to shorten the hand seals for the water dragon to just seven which was just enough time, in consideration of his speed, for him to receive the jutsu at point-blank range.

I felt my chakra surge and the water around us to shift. When I released the technique through my mouth, water from the air gathered where a dragon was forming. The dragon manifested and hit the masked enemy directly on his torso, sending him back to hit a large tree. He fell down and didn't move. I sensed whether he was dead or not. He seemed to just be unconscious. Shit. Even after that, he's still alive?!

I grabbed a kunai from my weapons holster and walked toward where the masked enemy was to finish the job. I lifted up my kunai over my head to stab the enemy in the heart when the base of the tree suddenly glowed. I was horrified when the glowing base of the tree started draining my chakra and the last thing I felt was being sucked into a vortex together with the masked enemy before I completely blacked out.

When I came to, I was in a hallway of sorts. The hallway had shelves full of scrolls and books. Despite my unknown yet mysterious circumstances, the first thing that I felt like doing was ridicule and judge the place.

"What the hell is this dump?!", I exclaimed rather loudly.

It was an abomination. Books were unkempt and clearly neglected. Scrolls were sprawled all around and not properly closed. Even the floor of the hallway was full of piled-up books and haphazardly laid-out scrolls. My eyes went large with rage. Who could do such a thing?!

I remembered the situation I was in and just stopped judging. I could do that later when I know where I am.

I walked towards the end of the hallway; caution evident in every step I took. I sensed that nothing bad was amiss but I still couldn't lower my guard down.

I reached the end of the hallway only to see a circular room. It looked like a lounge judging by the furniture that consisted of a long sofa, a pantry/kitchen, and a cabinet of some sort that displayed some picture frames. There were also some potted plants in various corners of the room that just completed the look of a lounge. It's quite stylish and homey. I like it.

At one corner of the lounge was a stairway to another floor. Which consisted of more shelves of books and shelves that were atrociously just- No. Think about that later.

At the middle of each of the cardinal direction of the room, a path could be seen which led to other rooms. I walked to the middle of the circular lounge just to see a giant bird walking out of a hallway.

"Ah! You're awake!", the giant bird greeted.

I must still be dreaming. A talking bird?

I laughed. "Hahaha! This is a freaky dream."

"What dream?"

"This! All this!", I gestured to the whole room and to the bird. "I mean seriously? I heard that dreams are windows to the inner desires of a person but I don't think I like an unorganized mess and a talking bird."

The bird walked to me and put a wing at my shoulder. I could feel him. Why-? This isn't a dream?

"Okay. Calm your mind. Let me explain to you what really is happening, yes? We'll need you at full thinking capacity at what I need to say. How about I make you some tea while you go familiarize yourself with the place?", the bird said and motioned me to the sofa, suggesting that I sit there.

This isn't a dream. What the hell is this?!

I was sipping on the tea that the bird gave me when he started explaining everything.

"I am called Tsurutatsu. No, I am not a talking bird but rather I am of the Crane Summoning Clan of the Summons Realm.", the bird, I mean crane – err, Tsurutatsu – introduced himself.

Seeing as he still didn't know my name, I went next. "I am Suzuki Hiroshi, genin of Konohagakure no Sato."

Tsurutatsu nodded with satisfaction and continued with his explanation. "The place you are in is called the Vault of Scrolls. Its history goes way back to the middle parts of the Warring States Period. The Uzumaki of the past travelled through the mysterious summoning realm and met with several animal summoning clans, offering their friendship and later signing on a peaceful, cooperative pact. In the said pact, it was stated that a separate summoning scroll will be created by the participating clans and give it to the Uzumaki clan for safekeeping. The summoning clans were hoping to have a steady stream of summoners that they could partner themselves with while the Uzumaki were happy to receive aid from the summoning realm."

It was quite a shocking start. Who knew something like this happened?

"The summoning scrolls were kept in a seal-based pocket dimension where they were deemed safe until they were of use. This was the Vault of Scrolls. The seal is to be tattooed to a capable, trustworthy, and loyal member of the Uzumaki clan. He who possesses the Vault shall become a close confidant of the Uzukage and a pillar of Uzushiogakure."

"Later on, the Uzumaki clan allied with the Senju clan. Some time passed and Konohagakure no Sato was formed. Seeing that the Senju clan created Konohagakure with much more diversity due to the different clans that joined it, the Uzumaki renegotiated with the animal summoning clans that signed the pact for the Vault to be passed on to the Senju. Everyone was satisfied with the arrangement since the summoning clans would have more chances at signing a contract with a summoner, the Uzumaki would have solidified their alliance with the Senju, and the Senju would possess resources that could bolster the village's strength."

"The Senju was about to pass on the summoning scrolls to the other clans when Senju Tobirama forbid the use of the Vault for the village as tensions between the newly formed villages rose. More power would have been useful but there was the off-chance that the four other villages would ally together to destroy Konoha and it just wasn't worth it."

"Throughout the years, various scrolls were stored within the Vault other than the Summoning Scrolls. Ninjutsu and Fuinjutsu from both Uzumaki and Senju piled up here for safekeeping. The last summoner of the cranes and keeper of the Vault, Senju Naomi, made the most use of it though."

"She had been the keeper of the Vault since she was a child. What was scary was that she loved to read and so she went on to read almost every book and scroll within the Vault. Because of her intelligence and depth of knowledge she got from here, she was helpful in Jutsu Creation. She even helped Tobirama-sama design the [Flying Thunder God Jutsu] and the [Impure World Reincarnation]."

I had to stop him there as the information was too much. "Wait what?! I was fine with history and all but now you're saying this place helped the with the creation of Kinjutsu?! Isn't this place dangerous then?! Why was it in the forest in the first place?! It should be back at the village!"

Tsurutatsu sighed, "Yes yes. I am getting there already."

I prompted him to continue and he sighed again.

"Have you ever wondered why the Senju have become quite scarce?", I thought for a while and shaked my head. "Everyone thought that it was because the Senju were the most dedicated and loyal shinobi of Konoha to the point that their blood was sacrificed. Naomi was very skeptical about it though. The Senju was a large clan yet it dwindled down too fast especially after Sarutobi Hiruzen took the seat of Hokage."

I gasped, "Are you implying that Hokage-sama slowly picked off the Senju?!"

Tsurutatsu shaked his head. "I didn't think so, no. Naomi was so convinced though that she went on to investigate. With the help of another summoning clan that was good at information gathering and stealth, she eventually found out that there were several secret hideouts within close proximity to the village. She infiltrated the largest and found plans for something called the 'Senju Extermination Plan'."

At those words, I froze. The Senju? Extermination? But- No. There's one person capable of doing so.

It also checked out. Several bases close to the village? It smelled like Root. It smelled like Shimura Danzo.

Oblivious to my thoughts, Tsurutatsu continued on with his recounting. "Unfortunately, Naomi got caught and she was chased down by their shinobi. She summoned me and entrusted me with the Vault of Scrolls while leaving the key to the seal on the base of a tree. It would've been bad if someone that could plan something so horrendous would have access to the Vault."

It's a conspiracy.

"Did Senju Naomi retrieve the plans?", I asked.

Tsurutatsu nodded. "Yes. I saw it fit to leave it with the Cranes. So that if the Vault of Scrolls would be compromised by enemies, the evidence will be safe."

"Good. We'll need those to as evidence to catch the rat within the village."

"Hmmm, true. I guess you can finally avenge your clan and make sure the faults and negligence of the village to the Senju clan would be brought to a halt."

Right- Wait what? Clan? Did he say 'my' clan? Shit, please don't.

"Uhhh… Tsurutatsu, what do you mean clan? I'm just an orphan descended from civilians.", I was hoping he wouldn't say the words I think he was implying.

The crane seemed confused at my claim. "What? No, you're not just a civilian.", at that I just froze. "You're a Senju, I'm sure of it! I could feel the Senju in you!"

Damn the Senju in me.

A/N: You know the drill.