I Don't Own Naruto, Any Other Anime/Manga or Its Characters.
All Characters Appearing In This Work Are Fictitious. Any Resemblance To Real Persons, Living Or Dead Is Purely Coincidental.
Rewards and Recognition Part 2.
An: Wow, we finally reached the one hundred mark for Reviews and Follows. Thanks you my loyal fans and readers for helping me reach this far.
Once the applause had died down the Hokage once again took the stage and said "Thank you Daimyo-sama for your kind words and thoughts. I am sad that we were not able to complete the Chunin exams, however I am happy to say that the training our Genin were given has not gone to waste, for without their training and help we would not have won the war in Kumo. Looking at the Genin she said "I am pleased to congratulate my Genin as well, the Cloud Daimyo has already given you a cash reward, and I too will reward your efforts. I have instructed each of your sense to write a letter of recommendation that both the Daimyo and I will sign, these letters will be added to your files."
She smiled as the Genin exchanged smiles and high fives, a letter of recommendation went a long way for genin when mission assignments were being allocated as well as other aspects in their shinobi careers. When the cheering had died down Tsunade continued; "although the Chunin exams were cut short by the battle we did have time to see at least one battle between Genin. As such based on the feedback of the various shinobi, and lords it has been decided that both Genin Kenpachi Zaraki of Konohagakure and Inuyasha Yajirobe of Sunagakure have exhibited the Qualities needed in a Chunin, as such Kenpachi Zaraki please come up here and collect your Chunin Vest and Tanto."
Kenpachi had a look of disbelief on his face as his teammates around him cheered loudly, even the Matriarch of The Kuma clan showed her happiness by roaring loudly. Causing many shinobi to jump in surprise as Kunai, shuriken and various other shinobi tools appeared in their hands; even the Anbu had unsheathed their weapons and grouped closer around the Daimyo and Hokage.
It wasn't until Tatsuki pushed him towards the Podium that Kenpachi actually started walking towards the Podium where he was indicated to stand to the left of the Hokage. When Kenpachi stood next to her, Tsunade smiled and looking at the Daimyo for one last confirmation, and continued her speech when the Daimyo nodded his head.
Unfortunately since the rest of you Genin were not able to compete you did not pass the Chunin Exams so I am sorry to say the rest of you Genin have failed the Chunin Exams by default. The Genin all had morose expressions on their faces, they knew this fact already but to hear it said it out loud just reinforced their beliefs that all their hard work had been for nothing.
Tsunade however continued to say "although you did not get to showcase your skills in the tournament you did showcase them on the battle field and I have received many commendations and reports from your various Jonin senseis and after discussing it at length with them and the Daimyo. We decided that to carry out the missions we will receive we will need skilled shinobi who hold the rank of Chunin and are able to complete dangerous missions to keep a steady income.
Therefore it has been decided that By Executive Order of the Daimyo: All the Konoha Genin who participated in the war at Kumo will be given a Battlefield Promotions to the Rank of Chunin. Upon hearing this all the genin cheered loudly, "however..." Tsunade said but was ignored stressed by all the recent paperwork and all the pressure she had faced Tsunade lost her temper and banging her fist hard on the podium, thus breaking it said in a loud voice "Silence You Stupid Little Brats Before I Decide To Send All Of You Back To The Academy For The Next 10 Years!" Suddenly every one fell silent as they felt the Hokage's temper and killing intent flare for a few seconds. Tsunade continued and said "however since this is a battlefield promotion and not a promotion won via the Chunin Exams you will not be able to qualify for the Jonin exams for five years."
"However despite being Chunin I do not believe you have the leadership qualities necessary to lead a shinobi squad, and even if I did I don't have that luxury now, at this time I need my experienced and tenured shinobi to pick up the slack." Tsunade said "after speaking with your Jonin sensei I have decided to disband your Genin teams, this means you will be re-assigned to a different shinobi unit where your skills can be most efficiently used."
"After discussing the subject with your various Jonin sensei I have decided that you genin, sorry you new Chunin will be assigned to an Individual Jonin. Where you're each skill can flourish, while under command to your particular Jonin superior officer, this is being done for two reasons. The first and the most obvious is to help you better your skills as shinobi especially in the areas where you face the most difficulty in. the second is to help groom you new Chunin for the roles that you will eventually carry out and that is of Military leaders and captains for shinobi squads."
The Genin were silent as they absorbed the information. King Enma and Kumasari were also silent as they heard the Hokage speak. The Konoha 12 looked on in a curious expression, while the other Jonin had mixed expressions on their faces. The Hokage continued her speech by saying "It is very true that you are all Chunin at this time, however as I said before very few of you have the leadership qualities needed to lead a squad of Chunin on a mission."
"Up until now you have worked as a team to carry out your tasks but now you will have to learn how to work independently. It also means that from now on your growth as a shinobi and as a Chunin will be individual, it does not matter whether you are promoted by Executive Order, it matters whether you are ready for the next step. Do you believe you have what it takes to truly fill in the shoes and carry out the responsibilities of a Military Captain? Think about your answer before you speak young Genin. I will give you a few minutes to ponder your answers."
While the Newly minted Chunin thought about the words of the Hokage and Tsunade continued and said "The Genin are not the only one to receive accolades. I also wish to congratulate the Anbu of Konoha, in time of war they did what was best for the village and protected it with their very lives. I am disheartened to say that in this war we have lost many Anbu elite and we will have to quickly fill our ranks again, by bringing in new members and also promoting our older members."
She then looked at the Anbu agents who were before her and said "much like the Konoha 12 and the Genin of Konoha, the Anbu has also done its part and should also be rewarded for their part in this war. Although we have lost many comrades we have gained many more." Tsunade looked thoughtful for a moment and then smiled before continuing.
"This war has taught us many things: the first being that we can no longer train our shinobi the way we used to, this also means that we can no longer protect our village and country the way we used to. We must find new ways to fight along our allies. This also means we must allow new perspectives when doing so. I have already taken steps to help achieve this, however while the academy teachers will help teach our new ninja. I need the Anbu to help me with new ways to protect the Village. The question is are you up to this new challenge?" The Anbu answered as one and said "Hai Hokage-sama, we will lay down our very lives for our leader and countrymen!"
Tsunade smiled and said "good because it's going to be a difficult journey ahead, and to help plot the difficult path ahead I have picked two of my best agents from the Anbu. Their careers and skills leave no doubt that they will be the best candidates for this particular task. Shark, Phoenix front and centre."
The two Anbu Shinobi were quick to stand before the Hokage and bowed before her. She had them both stand at ease and said "I am proud of your accomplishments Shark and Phoenix, four years ago when the war with Akatsuki happened you both battled against the resurrected Jinin Akebino and Zabuza Momochi. After besting them in a battle of Kenjutsu you took their prized swords Kubikiribōchō and Kabutowari from their hands before sealing them. In the four years since your talents with these swords have earned you much fame in the Anbu, Your skills and talents have led me to a decision that I would like to share with you both. I have recently come into possession of two very powerful summoning contracts one was given to me by a defeated enemy, and the other was given to me by one of my now deceased Shinobi."
She then removed a large scroll from her green Haori and removed two large scrolls and had Shark kneel before her. "Shark the Summoning contract I gift you is a summoning contract previously held by Yagiro Hokumara, after defeating him in battle, the contract for the Bat clan was given to me by its King: Koumori the king of the Bat Clan presented to me this contract and asked me to present it to one of my top Anbu agents who was skilled in stealth and silent killing. After reviewing all the possible candidates I have decided that you will be the best shinobi within the Anbu to sign this contract. The only question is whether you wish to sign the contract or not?"
Shark was silent for a full minute after the Hokage finished her speech and said "I will gladly sign the contract for the Bat clan Hokage-sama." With that said he cut his finger with his huge sword and taking the summoning scroll from the Hokage and shifting his huge sword to the left wrote out his real name in blood, while Phoenix shifted his hammer to left and the axe to the right with his body directly perpendicular to Shark's dominant arm. The action although only took a few seconds had the added benefit of shielding Shark's dominant shoulder, and arm completely which would prevent anyone from deciphering Shark's movements as he wrote his real name in blood on the summoning contract.
When Shark had finished writing his name on the scroll Tsunade quickly healed his bleeding fingers and answered his unasked question by saying "Summon our newest ally Shark I am eager to greet my new ally and shinobi." Shark nodded his head and went through the required hand signs before saying "Kuchiyose no jutsu" ("Ninja Art: Summoning Jutsu") suddenly a large poof of smoke appeared around Shark and a large purple and black colored winged creature, measuring 25 feet in length and 15 feet in width carrying Shark upon its back rose from within the smoke.
The bat looked towards the air and let out a large ultra sonic screech that could not be heard by anyone except those of the Inuzuka clan. The bat then landed softly to the ground allowing Shark to get off and bow in front of his newly arrived summon. The Bat acknowledged him, however locked eyes with Tsunade and said "It seems you found a Shinobi who will be able to use my clan's abilities to it its full extent Tsunade Hokage." Tsunade smiled and said "Yes Koumori-dono, this is one my top Anbu executives: Shark, his abilities in stealth and intelligence gathering are par none, and his strength as a shinobi is not only limited to his mind, his skills in Genjutsu is also very high, his skill in Kenjutsu speaks for itself as he wields a blade famously known as Kubikiribōchō which he won after besting its previous owner Zabuza Momochi in battle."
Koumori absorbed all the information The Hokage had given him before turning towards Shark and said "I will not ask for your real name for I already know it, neither shall I ask you to remove your mask for I was able to discern your facial structure via my echolocation. As King of the Bat Clan I accept your ownership of my clan's contract and give you permission to summon us in your time of need."
Shark nodded his head and said "I would prefer to train with you before we descend upon the battlefield together Koumori-san." The Bat smiled and said "you are a wise man indeed Shark-san." He looked at Tsunade and said "as promised Tsunade Hokage, with the signing of this contract in blood, my clan and I shall stay allied to Konohagakure, as promised my clan and I shall wear Konoha's Hitai-ate until such time a shinobi of the leaf summons us." The Hokage smiled and said "As leader of my village I welcome you to Konoha King of Bats." The bat smiled and after shooting a stream of fire from his mouth towards the sky he disappeared in a poof of smoke. The Hokage smiled as she saw the stream of wire take on the form of the Leaf Insignia.
Tsunade then looked at Phoenix and said "This next contract once belonged to a young Konoha Chunin named Kenjiro Tsuba, he was a highly accomplished ninja, and had a great skill in Ninjutsu. Early on in his Career he came across the summoning Contract for the leopard clan that once belonged to a Kumo Nin he killed in battle while on a mission. After killing him he then gained ownership of said ninja's summoning contract. Unfortunately Kenjiro was fatally injured in the recent war and before succumbing to his injuries he asked that upon his death his summoning contract be offered to you, when asked the reason he said that you were the one that inspired him to be a ninja when he was a boy. Thus respecting his wishes I offer you his contract to sign."
Phoenix suddenly recalled an incident that had taken place many years ago when he had just started out in the Anbu. While he was training on of the training grounds he had come across a young boy who playing near a riverbed when he slipped and fell into the river, not knowing how to swim the boy had cried out for help while trying to keep himself afloat, Phoenix had heard the young boy's cry for help and quickly rescued him from the river. He now remembered that boy's name was also Kenjiro Tsuba. He smiled under his mask as he accepted the Scroll from the Hokage before unfurling it to sign his own name in blood.
After signing the contract Phoenix also went through the required hand signs before saying "Kuchiyose no jutsu" ("Ninja Art: Summoning Jutsu") suddenly a large poof of smoke appeared, when the smoke started to dissipate, a large cat with golden-yellow fur and small black spots. The leopard's shoulders, upper arms, back and haunches were marked with dark spots in a rosette pattern, while the head, chest and throat were marked with small black spots. Large black spots covered the leopard's white belly. Compared to other Summoned creatures such as the Toads of Myōbokuzan or even Koumori of the Bat clan this creature was short in stature in comparison to them, weighing at about 200 lbs and measuring approx. 8 feet from head to tail.
Tsunade stepped forward and addressing the Leopard by saying: "Greetings and welcome Hyou-sama I wish we were meeting under more favorable circumstances but it is a pleasure to meet you again." The leopard looked at the Hokage and had a feral smile on his face as he spoke in a growl; "Greetings to you as well Doctor Sanin-sama, for what purpose have I been summoned here, where is Kenjiro Chunin?" Tsunade had a sad look on her face and said "I am afraid he lost his life as a result of the wounds he endured on the battlefield." The leopard let out a loud and melancholy howl, as he mourned for his fallen comrade. He shed tears without shame for his summoner.
The Anbu shifted closer and formed a tight circle around The Daimyo and the Hokage because as the King of leopards cried for his fallen comrade his normal soft fur transformed and slanted into sharp electrically charged needles and shot out from the King of Leopards like a barrage of missiles flying in all directions. While the various shinobi were dodging or using weapons to deflect the oncoming barrage of needles, Shikamaru looked at the Genin and said "pop quiz kids, let's see how long it takes you kids to get rid of these electrified needles coming towards us using only Taijutsu. The Genin quickly fell into action and within 15 seconds using only their martial arts skills deflected the Barrage of needles flying towards them. The various other shinobi were shocked when they saw a group of 9 genin deflect all those deadly needles in midair without a scratch using only Taijutsu. The konoha 12 smiled at Shikamaru as they realized the reason for Shikamaru's pop quiz to the Genin.
The Anbu were about to attack the mighty summon before being stopped by Tsunade. The King of Leopards had suddenly realized what had happened and quickly sobered up and with an apologetic tone said "forgive me Doctor Sanin, It was not my intention to assault your shinobi, I lost control of my emotions. I am sad yes, but I am also proud Kenjiro Chunin was a true warrior; he used to always say that a warrior's arms were always open to embrace the beautiful maiden of death, for what is more beautiful than Death?"
Tsunade nodded her head and said in tone of understanding and sadness "indeed you are correct Hyou-sama, as his leader I am also proud of my shinobi for even as he died he only thought of expanding Konoha's military might. I am proud to have such a shinobi serve me, as such I am honour bound to carry out his last request. He requested that his summoning contract go to the man who inspired him to be a shinobi. This man holds the rank of a vice-captain in the Anbu and wields one of the famous seven swords known as: Kabutowari, which he acquired by defeating its previous owner in battle, his skills in stealth are unparalleled and is a master in Ninjutsu and Taijutsu. "He is the one who has signed your contract and has summoned you here Hyou-sama."
The King of leopards was silent as the Hokage spoke about her Shinobi's talents. When she was finished the Leopard spoke directly to Phoenix and said "Kenjiro always spoke highly of you, despite his many attempts even after becoming a Shinobi he was never able to track you down to thank you for saving his life. It seems that he intends to repay his debt to you even in death. If he wishes for you to inherit my clan's summoning contract I will respect his wishes. However before I allow you to summon my brethren on the battlefield, I will personally test your skills by training with you; let us see how best we can benefit each other."
Phoenix nodded his head and said "I look forward to our training session Hyou-sama." The King of leopards had a feral smile on his face with his razor-sharp teeth gleaming in the sunlight. He looked at Tsunade and said "I shall take my leave now Doctor Sanin." He then released a bolt of static electricity from his fur and aimed it at the sky where it then took on the shape of the Konoha symbol. The King of Leopards briefly looked up at his handiwork and smiled before disappearing in a poof of smoke.
A/N: well there you go another chapter finished. I know it was short, and to some I seemed to be prolonging the ending a bit. I Assure you guys it is not that. I just have a couple of plot holes I want to close and leave openings for future Naruto fanfics that I may or may not choose to write.
I also had a few ideas with the story that I wanted to add in before completing the story. Another reason is that I can no longer write long chapters due to time restraints so I am splitting many of my chapters into smaller pieces to avoid writers block and large time gaps during updates. Enough of this ranting now. Read and Review guys. Enjoy the story and thank you all for helping me reach 100 reviews, favourites and follows.