Chapter 41
A Meeting
Atari and the rest of the squad met Tashi Sensei the next morning in the square. Tashi announced to them that he had a meeting to get to and assigned them each a new jutsu to master by the time he returned. As the students practiced Tashi disappeared.
Tashi reappeared in a lit cave not to far from Honamochi. It was lit with torches and many Jonin were assembled there. The Hokage stood at the front of the room. The Hokage began the meeting:
"All you Jonin here before me have trained your Chunin for what has been about 3 months. They have gone on many missions and have proven themselves accomplished ninja. Now today, I am announcing to you that the Jonin exams, in witch the passing students will be promoted to Jonin level, will begin two weeks form now after the Moon Dumpling Festival. Once your name is called, please step forward and state the names of those you recommend for the exams. Keep in mind however, they may loose their lives during these exams and once they enter the exams there is no turning back or quitting, and they are out of your reach and on their own. However, if they are promoted to Jonin, they will remain in the same squad for missions and training. Now, I will begin the recommendations with Sensei Gushi Hataka." A sensei stepped forward and placed his first two fingers to his lips:
"I am Sensei Quin and I lead squad number 4 containing Numa, Nejeka, and Tamari. I recommend all three for the Jonin exams."
"I am Sensei Kaze, and I lead squad number 2 containing Kriet, Hikaru, and Saka. I recommend Saka and Kriet for the Jonin exams."
"I am Sensei Dye, and I lead squad number 5 containing Zeak, Raouni, and Waya. I recommend all three of these ninja for the Jonin exams."
"I am Sensei Fogu, and I lead squad number 1 containing Yoh, Orchi, and Eruka. I recommend Yoh and Eruka for the Jonin exams."
"I am Tashi Sensei, and I lead squad number 3 containing Atari, Ren, and Kie. I recommend all three of these ninja for the Jonin exams."
They all bowed to the Hokage and he assembled another group of Jonin to crowd around him whispering. After a moment of silence, the crowd parted and the Hokage handed cards to every one of those Jonin. Tashi Sensei found that his cards as were everyone else's cards had the same message inscribed on it:
I, Tashi Sensei hereby recommend Atari Lachapta for the Jonin exams. This student is to report to the gym where the first round of the Chunin exams was held for the first stage of the exam. It will be held in two weeks after the Moon Dumpling Festival.
It said that on all three cards only of course instead of Atari's name, Ren's was in place and then Kie's. Tashi bowed and departed as the other Jonin received their cards to deliver to the students.
When Tashi appeared he saw defiant improvement in their skills. He handed the cards to each one of them and instructed them on another babysitting mission he had received on the way over. They all bowed and the Chunin departed for the old woman's house in witch they were to baby sit her twins.
After the mission Ren stayed over at Atari's house for a dinner of cooked salmon and millet. During this time Atari and Ren both discussed what they thought the Jonin exams would be like.
"I hope they aren't like the Chunin exams, one on one battles," wished Atari.
"I hope not, but then that would make no sense if it was the same thing as the Chunin exams. I hope it's not a written exam though, because I stink at them," wished Ren.
"Yeah, written exams are boring. But what else could it be?"
"I don't know, but no matter what happens, we'll be on the same team, no need to worry about going up against each other ever again," smiled Ren giving Atari a thumb up. Haro appeared in his room with a tray of onion soup, grilled salmon, and a salad with millet in it. Atari commented:
"Isn't it strange that we get along with China so well now? I mean, according to our history books and what Tashi Sensei had told me, there was a huge war with China a long time ago…that my father fought in."
"Yeah, and to think, we used to fight them, and now we trade our crops and special wood for silk and millet from them," laughed Ren. Atari muffled laughter and sipped his soup. It had a blank taste, but nonetheless it was delicious. Haro soon appeared in the room again, wishing to speak to Ren for a moment. Ren disappeared and Atari heard muffled whispering behind the paper door. Ren soon came back in smiling. "Haro asked if I could sleepover. My mother already said yes." Atari smiled and they clanked knuckles as a hand shake between them.
"The Moon Dumpling Festival starts tomorrow, and I'm excited," commented Atari randomly.
"I can't wait, because Wednesday I get to have a humungous party with all my friends," replied Ren smiling.
"I get to have my party on Friday," answered Atari.
"Who are you inviting," asked Ren smiling.
"Practically everyone in our classes; Raouni, Kriet, you, Saka, yeah, Haro forced me to invite Kie, Hikaru, Tamari, Waya, Yoh, Numa, and Eruka," replied Atari.
"Yeah, I'm inviting all those same people. Honestly, I don't think Orchi or Nejeka would want to come," said Ren laughing.
"Yeah, probably not, and I've heard Orchi isn't even in this village anymore. I heard from Ghost Face and Two Face, some guys I caught while on patrol, that he is residing in Corasant, way north of here," replied Atari.
"Really? I heard he has an apprentice too," said Ren.
"Yes, I heard of that, but I want to know if it is true. If it is, my days as an avenger might end much, much earlier than that of my father's," said Atari.
"Continue," prodded Ren.
"Well, my plan of attack is to pass the Jonin exams. Once a Jonin, I will be permitted to leave this village as I please, I don't have to be on a mission or anything. I plan to leave Honamochi behind and travel up to Corasant to search for his apprentice. One of the men told me he is Yuchi! I will find him and clear this up, ending my days as an avenger and going back to Honamochi a complete ninja. I will leave alone, unless you wish to accompany me, but I have some guidelines; you must pass the Jonin exam, no exceptions," instructed Atari waiting for Ren's reply.
"Wait, so Orchi's apprentice is Yuchi? Is it your brother? I'd love to accompany you if that is the case. I will pass the Jonin exams and join you in your travel to Corasant. I'd love to meet Yuchi face to face," exclaimed Ren excited by the thought.
"All right then, just make sure you pass and we'll be fine," sighed Atari as they began talking about the festival soon to arrive in their village.
Chapter 42
From Celebration to Sorrow
The Moon Dumpling Festival soon arrived on Honamochi in a blaze of flashing colors. Across building were strings with flags with the colors of red and white, the colors of the Japanese flag. Banners hung from windows having the black symbols of celebration, honor, and peace painted on them with perfect marksmanship. The market stands that would normally be selling goods were packed with baked goods being given out for no price to the consumers at all. Atari and Ren trotted the crowded and bustling streets of Honamochi, eating freshly baked raisin bread, and wheat bread, and Haro had given them each enough yen to buy something called a beaver fur hood from a foreign country called England. The hoods fit perfectly and would help keep them warm when winter arrived.
"I say, these English citizens do know how to make warm hoods," complimented Ren as the Englishman blabbed something in English in witch he could not understand. When Ren cocked his head the Englishman gave up and exited the village, grumbling in English as he strutted out of the village with his bag of money and unsold hoods.
"I think you upset him," whispered Atari nudging him.
"My bad, pardon me that I thought the whole world spoke Japanese," shrugged Ren.
"Oh no Ren, if you ever paid any attention in history, there are many other countries in the world besides our beloved Japan," said Atari.
"Really? Are those all the weird looking traders that come to our International Festival in November," asked Ren.
"Yes, during that festival, traders and merchants from all over the world are invited to Honamochi to celebrate the gift of difference, in both our languages and our cultures," stated Atari matter of factly.
"Oh, what countries are they from," asked Ren as he retrieved two freshly baked cinnamon buns for him and Atari.
"Don't you remember? Last year there were people from countries like Spain, England, Portugal, India, Russia, Madagascar, Kenya, Mexico, Brazil, Ghana, China, Canada, France, Germany, and a interesting country called America," listed Atari.
"I wonder what America is like," said Ren smiling.
"I heard they are very different from us. They speak English; they wear something called a T-shirt and shorts. They have a sport called football that is very different from our own; they have a President, not an emperor, and they're food and writing is just plain strange and hard to understand. Like last year, I actually tried a favorite food of that country called a hotdog. And have you ever tried to read some of their books? They have letters, and they read from left to right!"
"Man, I've always wanted to go to America, but now I think I'm afraid to. I mean a hotdog? Who ever heard of that? And football? They don't even use their feet! Have you ever heard they're accent? It makes it so hard to understand them. And I can't read English; it's to confusing and strange. Who ever heard of letters like a, b, c, d," listed Ren as they wiped the powder from their lips.
"I don't know, but I bet we seem very strange to them as well," said Atari.
"I guess that is what makes the world an interesting place," said Ren smiling.
As they rounded a corner trying to comprehend some of the English the trader had said when they met up with Saka. Saka blushed at Atari and handed him a red rose, witch was a way of asking him out on a date without speaking. Spinning it in his fingers, Atari thought of whether to accept or not. After explaining a few guidelines, he did accept her gift as a token to their first date; witch was to be him asking her out to the Moon Dumpling Dance, held that Friday night, the last night of the celebration. Saka blushed and bowed before skipping off happily. Atari dropped the rose on the floor and him and Ren departed down another road.
"Kie is going to be very jealous of Saka now," muttered Atari.
"You bet Atari, but at least it is just one date," Ren sighed depressingly.
Soon after he finished his statement, Tamari rounded the corner and passed them, a smell of flowery perfume wafting from her kimono. She winked and he cheeks turned red as she let her eyes fall onto Ren's image.
"Hello Atari, hello…Ren," she sang fluttering her eyes at Ren before prancing off daintily. Ren seemed left in a trance by her appearance.
"Um…Ren…do you by chance, have any special feelings toward Tamari," asked Atari in a friendly teasing tone.
"Well, I do find her enchantingly cute, I'll admit that," said Ren as Atari broke his stare. Atari shook his head laughing softly. I guess we're both going through changes, both emotional and physical.
The week passed with enjoyment, Saka had a fist fight with Kie over Atari, and Ren attempted to impress Tamari by eating some cakes with one hand, but ended up just with a cake covered face. Atari found Kie extremely annoying over this period of time, always trailing them closely, trying to listen in on their conversations. At one point, Ren gave her a good knuckle sandwich and she had left them alone blushing and waving daintily saying she would see him at the dance. Atari laughed at this, but soon got over it as the celebration went on. However, as though it came too soon, Friday night sprang up upon them with a shake of reality.
Atari and Ren dashed through the crowds as the sun set behind the Igna mountain range. Atari bolted past Haro whom was cutting vegetables on the cutting board and paused to stare at him passing her. Atari and Ren both changed into their dress kimonos faster than a cheetah and made their way to the dance floor, witch was set up exactly where the Night of Ninja show had been performed. Atari and Ren ducked behind tables and grabbed a drink of Paper Tiger, hoping that neither Kie nor Saka would see them. Ren however kept an eye out for Tamari, hoping that she did not have her date yet. They crept around the crowd of dressed up people, but they were soon discovered. Tamari caught gaze of Ren and when they made eye contact, Ren was paralyzed. Atari grabbed Ren and they dove under a table, trying to create little disturbance. Atari smelled Tamari's perfume and kept a tight grip on Ren's arm, in case he tried to bolt. Tamari sighed and turned around, leaving them in peace. Ren and Atari both brushed the dirt off their kimonos and waited. As they slowly crept up again, Ren banged his head on the table, and everything on the table shook. As Ren subbed his head and looked around for Tamari, Atari spotted a glimpse of Saka, whom was peering around looking for him.
Atari gripped Ren's arm tightly and bolted to the nearest tree in witch to climb up. Ren stumbled behind but with a little heaving from Atari, made his way successfully into the tree. Atari followed him up soon afterward. They took deep breaths and watched below. Atari felt a tickle in his nose and sneezed. Ren gave him a napkin and Atari tried to muffle the sound of the second sneeze. Atari heard footsteps and peered below them. They soon saw Saka, looking around below them for Atari occasionally calling his name. Atari held his breath, but because of his uncomfortable position, he soon heard a small crackling behind them. Atari peered behind Ren to see that indeed, the branch was breaking! Atari gulped, causing Saka to whip her head around at the familiar sound. The branch continued to crackle, and at one point, they heard a snap, and a rush of wind passed them, wrinkling a strange sensation throughout their bodies. Atari thought fast and grabbed a hold of another thick branch and in his free time clasped Ren's chest with his crossed legs. Their human chain just missed Saka's head. Atari held his breath as he slowly pulled himself up onto the branch. Ren and he continued to stare below at Saka, hoping that she would get the point and leave. Saka continued to stare around, looking fro him. At one point she lifted her head, but thinking quickly, Atari lunged and jumped over to another branch like a leaping bullfrog. However, the branch he landed on snapped, and the strange sensation began whisking by him once again. Ren only watched, stunned by the sudden event.
Saka heard a loud thud on the ground and turned to see Atari, sitting on the ground rubbing his head, with his hair covered in leaves. She helped him up and led him over to the dance floor, Atari still to mess up to resist. Ren dropped out of the tree and stalked them closely, paying close attention to their surroundings, hoping to spot Tamari again. The dance was announced, and Saka and Atari began to dance, swaying from side to side. Atari peered around, hoping that Kie was not watching this. However, behind the nearby bushes, Kie's eyes stared in despair and pure hatred at the couple. Atari decided not to avoid Saka now, because he had said that he would dance with her, so he finally joined in and they swayed with more enthusiasm.
Ren peered around the crowd before he finally spotted who he was looking for…Tamari. He raced over only to stop dead. His eyes began to water as he stared in horror at the terrible sight before him. Tamari stood, one delegate hand on the table, a glass of Paper Tiger in her hand, sipping it ever so slightly. He then looked to whom she was speaking with…Nejeka. Ren was fused with both furry and desire. This emotion overwhelmed him and drove him to lunge in front of Tamari, at her feet. The conversation stopped and Tamari helped him to his feet.
"Oh, you again. Weren't you hanging out with that loser Atari just a second ago," asked Nejeka staring coldly at Ren.
"Um…yeah, and what is it to you Nejeka? Atari won the competition and in doing so kicked your sorry behind. How can you still call him a loser?"
"Ren, Ren, Ren, you are more dim witted then I thought. Just in case you don't know, Atari is a Menjin, and an Amachi clan member."
"So what? It's not like I'm being prejudice or anything," snapped Ren trying to add a little spice to the flame in order to impress Tamari.
"If you knew anything Ren, you would know that anyone of Amachi blood is someone to stay clear of and fear," snarled Nejeka prodding off with his drink, leaving Ren and Tamari alone.
"That was really brave how you stood up for Atari like that, it was really kind," remarked Tamari.
"R-r-r-Really? You really think so? I mean, I was only doing my part but, um…yeah, I guess I'm some kind of hero," replied Ren smiling.
"Hero…not so much, but you are a true friend. I like that about you, it's very becoming and very cute," Tamari smiled brightly, allowing red bushes of red to bloom on Ren's cheeks.
"Oh, um…while we're on the subject…would you…like to…d-d-d-" Caught in mid sentence, Ren observed in despair as Nejeka prodding up again and grabbed Tamari by the arm, and they prodded off together onto the dance floor, Tamari making one final wave at Ren before she left him in the dust of heartbreak. Ren just stared, heartbroken, as Nejeka and Tamari began swaying like Atari and Saka. Ren slumped over to the tree and slid down. He tucked his head into his knees and sulked without making tears. He was so close, so close, but Nejeka had to come back and take away his opportunity. After what seemed like ten hours of sadness, a finger tapped Ren on the shoulder. He lifted his head up slowly to behold that not all was left behind. Tamari stood over him smiling.
"You were asking me to dance weren't you? That is so cute how you trip over your words," Tamari said smiling. Ren stood up and smiled as he took Tamari's warm hand and they strode onto the dance floor. As Atari and Ren's swaying couples passed each other, Ren gave Atari a thumb up, but he saw that Atari was not enjoying himself. Atari needs to learn to let loose, or he'll never have any fun. Thought Ren as the night proceeded unto the full moon.
After the dance conceded and Saka and Tamari had departed, Ren and Atari meet up again, but their joining was cut short by an angry Kie trudging up in between them and glaring at Atari.
"That Saka! How could you dance with her! A sexy little angel like you should not have danced with the likes of her!" She breathed deeply, trying to calm down. Atari helped in this, and after she was ready to listen, he explained that Saka had asked him to dance, he had said yes without thinking, tried to avoid her, and was caught and forced to dance. Kie's angry expression lightened up as she exclaimed: "I knew you would never dump me Atari, you're so cute that way." Atari smiled and Kie skipped away. Ren gave Atari a questioning look and Atari shook his head, reading his every thought on that subject. Seeing as it was getting late, and Haro expected him home soon, Ren and Atari decided to head home.
On the way down, Atari smelled the noxious smell of burning wood and paper. He made eye contact with Ren, sending a mental instruction, before bolting off towards his house. With Ren close behind he soon was swept into a mob of running people. These people had faces picturing fear, pain, suffering, and disaster. Atari and Ren went with the flow as the mob came to a stop. As they were running, the smell got worse. Atari assumed they were getting closer to the source of all the fumes. Atari pushed through the crowd as he saw both Haro and Garu on their knees and staring wide eyed with terror at the sight. A large bonfire had been lit inside their house. The flames hungrily ate away at all their priceless possessions. Tears rippled down Garu's cheeks as the embers quickly spread to his rice fields that he had been farming for years now. Atari witnessed the last of his bed being swallowed by the ruthless flames. Atari froze as Ren caught up and placed his hand on his troubled friend's shoulder.
"It's ok Atari, you can stay with me until they rebuild your house," Ren whispered over all the commotion. Atari did not answer. The flames scorched everything, leaving nothing untouched by their deadly fingers. Through the mob then pressed the Hokage, followed by three squads of Jonin and a few genin armed with water. Their combined efforts finally laid the ruthless fire to rest. As the smoke cleared, all that was left was a large rectangle of ashes and pieces of charred woods and scraps of burnt paper. Haro knelt at what used to be the kitchen, and Garu fell flat into his destroyed rice fields. Atari mindlessly stumbled into his room. His mind suddenly switched from sheer forlornness to anxiousness as he thought: What about the Sakabato! Scared to the break of insanity by the thought of this priceless artifact being lost forever, Atari knelt down and began shuffling through the endless mounds of ash. He no longer cared whether his dress kimono got dirty or not, all he cared about was finding his Sakabato. After he shuffled around for hours, it seemed hopeless, that the Sakabato was lost forever. But a glimmer caught Atari's eye and he soon discovered that is was none other than the Sakabato's sheath, in perfect condition and unharmed in all ways by the fire. Atari swiftly swiped it into his hands as he slowly slid out the reversed blade and inspected its blade, hilt, sheath, and handle. It was in perfect condition. Atari withdrew it and stood up, trying with no success to get the ash stains off his dress kimono. As he exited the site of his burned house, he noticed a slightly scorched note. He bent down and picked it up and read it to Ren:
Dear Atari Lachapta,
Take this as a warning. The assassins are marketing your every move and sending it to me. I know where you are, I know who your friends are, I know where you came from, and I know your true background. Even as you are reading this note, my genin scouts are forming alliances with nearby villages, including you're once acquainted Andrez. But instead of revealing myself to you, I'll let you come find me. Our plan is almost complete, and once it is, not even your Hokage will be able to withstand our superior strength, that is, if you even have a Hokage when we are finished. I also hear that Tai told you of our stronghold. Do as he said, after all, an avenger always pursues his goals, no matter how long he's waited, or how long it takes him. I hope to get reacquainted with you in a more formal matter.
Goodbye
Your Future
Atari read this letter several times before he almost memorized it. He nodded to Ren and they repeated in unison:
"AFTER THE JONIN EXAMS, WE'RE OFF TO CORASANT!"
Chapter 43
The Opening Ceremonies
The next day was normal, except for the fact that Atari had woken up on the straw mat next to Ren's bed. Ren remained asleep and Atari sat up and stretched. Millions of questions filled the confines of his consciousness. Did Yuchi send this letter? Are they still in Corasant? What has kept him away all these years? And why did he destroy our house? After all, Haro and Garu are his parents. What is this plan? How did they hear of my avenging business? I will journey to Corasant, find out the details of this plan, kill Orchi, and find Yuchi. This is my plan, and I expect to leave after the exams. Yuchi, here I come.
Atari crept into the kitchen as Mrs. Washinta was cooking some hot salmon from the previous night.
"Good morning Atari, is Ren up and going yet?"
"No, he's still asleep," replied Atari munching slightly on the bitter tasting salmon. Mrs. Washinta smiled and trotted into the room. Atari shut his eyes as a shrieking scream came from Ren's room. Atari assumed that Mrs. Washinta had abruptly awoken Ren, and in ding so, scared him, causing him to scream like Saka. Ren soon moped out of the room, taking a seat beside Atari. Ren tasted the salmon, and decided to pack a quick snack for their walk down to the gym. After Mrs. Washinta vanished from view, Ren and Atari swiftly snatched their supplies and departed. As they left they saw Haro sitting on the porch weaving a kimono as thanks to Mrs. Washinta for taking them in. Haro smiled and waved as the boys took off down the path. Garu was out with Mr. Washinta sparring for fun in the back.
The school came into view quickly, but the boys never broke their pace. They ran towards the school and past the front gates, passing Nejeka and Hikaru on the way. They were stopped at the doors to the gym by the bullies whom had attacked them the day of the Chunin exams.
"You guys stop here. It is not time yet," snarled one.
"Yeah, and if you ever hope of passing the exam, I expect to see some patience," smirked the second one. Atari suddenly laid his eyes on the Jonin patches on their pass books. These pass books, so Atari understood, were books only Jonin were certified to carry around freely. They contained the personal information such as your birth date, name, mother and father, photo ID, clan, home village, and current ninja ranking. The bullies pulled their books out and flipped through a few pages as to show a glittering Jonin stamp compressed into their books.
"How are you guys already Jonin? We kicked your sorry behinds back at the Chunin exams," exclaimed Ren angrily.
"Our sensei made a special proposal to the Hokage and he admitted us to be the Jonin exam security guards," snapped the one bully.
Ren fell silent as Hikaru, Nejeka, Raouni, Saka, Tamari, Eruka, Waya (with a new mask), Yoh, Numa, and Kie filed in. They all stood in a crowd until the bell tolled three times. The bullies unlocked the door and directed the young ninja to where they were to be seated. After being seated comfortably, the other Jonin filed down the aisles, Atari recognized Tashi Sensei. The Jonin lined up in the center of the gym and the Hokage appeared in a heap of dust. After the dust cleared, the Hokage cleared his throat and raised his hand, signaling for silence. After all was quiet, he began his opening speech.
"Young ninja today will be the opening ceremony of the Jonin Exams! These exams are divided into two stages, both of witch the ninja must complete in order to pass. Both stages test different strengths of the Jonin branch, so do not expect anything easy. When we call your name, please stand. We will give you a number, either a number 1 or number 2. After receiving your number, both you and the other two members of your squad walk and stand in front of your sensei. Now to begin: Nejeka Henara! Atari Lachapta! Yoh Katta! Waya Tao! Hikaru Yamahu!" The ninja did as they were told and sat in front of their sensei waiting for further instruction on the procedures. Atari had received the number 1. The Hokage continued instructing: "Those of you with the number 1 please follow Master Visa to your testing room. Those of you with number 2; you have until tomorrow to start your exam. Dismissed!"
After gulping down the existing anxiety, Atari, Ren, and Kie followed the instructions exactly and swiftly found Master Visa, whom was wearing an orange, sleeveless kimono with black baggy pants. A black belt encircled his waste. A patch resembling strength was stitched in both on the back of the kimono and next to his left shoulder. He had a stern look on his face and wore a bandana and a zukin. Blood stained bandages wrapped around his legs and arms. The only article of his skin that could be seen was his eyes. The squads of themselves, Hikaru's squad, Nejeka's squad, and Yoh's squad joined them, along with a bunch of strange squads from other villages that were permitted to participate.
They entered the school and went into a room labeled Jonin Testing. He collected the numbers given out and gave them each another number. On the board was a seating chart, in witch they were to find their numbers and sit in their corresponding seats. The air in the room was cold, still, and deathly silent. No ninja made any sound, and that pleased Master Visa. He waited patiently in the front of the room with his hands behind his back while they managed to find their correct seats.
Atari breathed a sigh of relief as he noticed that although Ren was not next to him, Ren was two rows in front of him, and he regretted finding out that Kie sat one row in front of him and three seats to the right. Next to him on his right was Hikaru, and on his left was Eruka. Yoh was in the front row in the corner, Tamari on the farthest side away from them, and Numa directly in front of Kie. Nejeka sat farther down the row from Atari, precisely three seats down. Atari sat three seats in from the outside, and out of 9 rows was in the 8th. Scattered amongst them were strangers. Lined along the sides of the classroom were about a dozen Jonin seated in chairs, each holding a pencil and clipboard. After they all were seated appropriately, Master Visa cleared his throat and signaled that he was ready to begin the first stage of the exam. Atari gulped again and nervous sweat popped on his forehead. Here we go.
Chapter 43
Tashi Sensei is informed about Master Visa
After the door shut and the Testing sign was placed on the door handle, the Hokage signaled for Tashi Sensei and all the other masters to follow him. They went into the Jonin lounge, an area strictly barred off for teaching masters only. They all sat down and a servant rushed in and poured them some hot tea. A man sat propped up next to the Hokage with an American cigarette in his mouth. He wore a headband on an angle covering his right eye, a green vest, dark navy blue slick pants, and thick muddy brown boots. He fumbled the cigarette around in his mouth for a while until the Hokage sat down and introduced him as Xavier Denaro.
"Howdy," Xavier greeted calm and relaxed, removing the cigarette from his mouth and sending a puff of fouls smelling smoke billowing up above them.
"He has been working with Master Visa for a long time now, and has agreed to tell you what your students are in for on one condition. You may not reveal the contents of witch he speaks to your students under any condition. Please swear on it before we begin." All the masters swore and the Hokage signaled for Xavier to begin.
"First of all, many of the students will fail the first stage. And as you all know, once you fail one stage, you cannot try again until next year. Anyway, our discussion is not on hat factor, it is on Master Visa. Master Visa is the general for The Honamochi Interrogation Core. He is to sniff out details and steal priceless information from enemies. He is exceptional at it too. However, he also teaches in his spare time, running the Jonin Exam First Stage every year. It is a written exam. However, it is not the exam that causes students to fail, it is his words, style in witch he speaks them, and how they are used. He is cold, collected, calm, and stern, sometimes frightening some students into quitting on the spot. However, for braver ninja, he prefers to torture them."
All the masters gasped in fear for their students at that comment. Tashi exclaimed:
"How is he permitted to run the exam if he tortures candidates?" The Hokage quickly calmed Tashi down and prodded Xavier to continue.
"Of course, he does not use physical torture, no, he doesn't need to. He is as talented at his original job as general, that because of all his studying, he understands how the human mind works, and knows just where to prod to uncover your weaknesses. He just messes up your head so bad, you torture yourself. It does not bring him sheer joy in seeing this, but it does bring him a little entertainment, as he thinks all ninja should be able to comeback his attempts to mess with them. Now, all we can do is waiting, and see how many students really do pass Master Visa's test."
Tashi gulped and thought swiftly: I hope they are alright. If Visa is as good as they say, than we might have to wait until next year. I just hope they pass.
Chapter 44
Visa's Rules for the Exam
"First of all, welcome young ninja. I am Master Visa and I will be your proctor for the first stage of the Jonin Exams. I congratulate you on being recommended for these exams. That is an accomplishment all on its own. Now, I will have to wait until the tests are finished being passed out before I explain the rules for this exam." His voice was cold, scary, and stern. He was expecting complete silence was the Jonin from each end passed out the tests. Atari stared down at the paper before him. A written exam! I always mess up on these things. Not because I didn't study, but because the nervousness always gets the better of me! And what if I fail! Ren and Kie will never forgive me. Hikaru leaned over and whispered:
"You know Atari; you won the Chunin competition, so this will be a breeze for you." Atari gulped as Master Visa began:
"I will explain the test. There are 10 questions, nine being on your paper. The tenth question will be given out at the end of the session. Each question is worth 2 points. If you lose more than 8 points total, you fail. Oh, as for all the rules given regarding failing, if you fail, the other members of your squad fail as well. I hope none of you want to let your friends down now do you? Anyway, the Jonin lining the room have clipboards. They will be scanning the room looking for cheaters. If you are caught cheating, they record your number. If you are caught cheating 5 times, you fail. Each time you are caught cheating, you lose 2 points. Good luck to all of you. On my mark…begin!"
Chapter 45
To Cheat or Not To Cheat
Atari stared down at his paper and examined the first problem.
In order to walk on water, what must be done in terms of chakra?
Atari thought for what seemed like hours, unable to identify an answer. Sweat popped on his forehead as nervousness began to consume him. He skipped it and looked beyond.
Name the generals in alphabetical order that fought in the War on Trade in 1100?
He had never studied that war in history, so he skipped it; again, unable to identify an answer. Looking in front of him, he saw that Ren was also stumped on this test. These rules are so strange, thought Atari reading the rules Master Visa had written on the board. Why couldn't they just give us a normal test? He looked at the third question:
Shino style fights with how many swords?
Frustration bubbled inside Atari. How was he supposed to answer questions he never studied? And for the first time, he actually considered cheating. He could use the Copycat Jutsu to mimic the movements of someone's pen, but who could he cheat form? Hikaru nudged him and he looked over.
"If you want, you can take a peek at my test," he offered moving thetest closer. Atari politely refused and turned his attention back to his own matters. Then it hit him: No body had studied the answers or topics on this test! Therefore, he had to cheat in order to pass. After realizing this, he peered around the room looking for someone to cheat from. He saw a boy wearing a bandana sitting in front of him was working very diligently, so he thought that he would be the perfect one to cheat from. However, his back was to Atari, so summoning his chakra and making hand signs under the table, Atari whispered the Copycat Jutsu and quickly let the jutsu take control of his hand and mimic the boy's pen movements. The answers quickly appeared on his paper. Atari read to himself the answers to the first three questions:
In order to walk on water, one must summon his chakra and plummet it to the souls of his feet. Unlike the similar tree climbing exercise however, one must shift the amount of chakra used with the uneven surface of the water, unlike the tree where the ninja must maintain the same amount of chakra as he climbed the tree.
General Azak, General Mini, General Nimic, General Raffia, and General Xavier.
3- two in each hand and one in the mouth.
Atari quickly filled out the rest of the questions on the test. Catching his drift, Hikaru smiled and summoned his own chakra, and after making hand signs as Atari had done, performed a Soul Possession Jutsu in order to take control of the boy he thought was confident in his own test. He took control of the body and peered over the paper. After memorizing all nine answers, he exited and returned to his own body. Hikaru ten filled out his test. Nejeka smirked at Atari and Hikaru and summoned chakra as well. He swiftly saw into the boy's mind and memorized the answers before placing them on his own test. Having an urge to help Ren, who appeared stuck for good, Atari copied the answers and used a Teleport Jutsu to move the wad of paper invisibly in front of Ren. Ren unwrapped the paper carefully and copied the answers. A thunderous voice shattered the silence as Master Visa shouted:
"Number 15 failed! Numbers 37 and 142, that means you guys also." Three ninja stood up honorably and left. Atari was shaken by the, noise, but continued to watch as Raouni caught Ren's drift and Ren slipped him the paper. A Jonin went to his clipboard and in desperation Raouni destroyed the paper. Atari witnessed Saka perform the same jutsu as Hikaru and take control of Kie, whom had a clear view at a boy's test. Yoh summoned his third eye to per around the room in search of answers. Another thunderous shout echoed throughout the room. "Number 3 failed! Numbers 79 and 20 please depart also. Number 69 failed! Numbers 31 and 12 please depart also." In anger, one of the boys leapt at Master Visa shouting:
"I was not cheating! That was a bunch of bull crap!" Master Visa jutted to the side and twisted the boy into a half nelson. Two Jonin then got up and escorted him out of the room, his partners following, both disappointed.
Eruka took this opportunity to summon an Optical Iris, an eye that is mysteriously connected to the optic nerve. This eye disappeared from Eruka's hand and reappeared next to a boy's shoulder, overlooking his test. The eye then returned and Eruka copied the answers. Everyone except Kie was catching on. Kie just sat there, sweating uncontrollably from nervousness, unable to write at least a guess. Instead her paper remained blank. Master Visa glared to the side and thundered:
"Numbers 56, 43, 101, 84, 65 and 22 all fail!" Atari observed, ever so slowly, the room was depleting of numbers as more and more ninja failed. At last, the timer buzzed off. Master Visa strode over and clicked it off and stared over the class. Over the past 2 hours about 65 people had failed, Atari only hearing some of the numbers called. After waiting a moment, Numa stood up proudly exclaiming:
"All right Master Visa, we're ready for the tenth question!" Master Visa chuckled and said to them coldly:
"Are you sure you want to answer this question?"
"Well, yeah, I mean, it is just another question right," asked Numa feeling suddenly embarrassed and unsure of himself. Tamari shook her head sadly at Numa's stupid act.
"Before I give you the tenth question I want to explain some rules." Ugh, more rules? How much longer is this going to take? Though Atari laying his head own on his test for a moment, but picked it up at the sound of Master Visa's voice.
"Ok then, bring it on," smirked Ren, trying to show off for Tamari.
"First of all, this question is not mandatory. You may choose to skip it, at the expense that your squad fails-"Master Visa was interrupted by tiny voices whispering to their neighbors:
"Then in that case, of course we'll take it." Master Visa put up his hand for silence.
"However if you choose to take the question, and answer it incorrectly, not only do you fail, BUT YOU WILL BE BARRED FROM TAKING THE JONIN EXAM EVER AGAIN!" Questions filled Atari's mind: Should I take it? What if the question is easy? What if it's not? Then again, I can't just skip it, and then will be letting down Ren and Kie! But if I take it, I only get one shot. What should I do? Meanwhile Kie shook with fear:
I should do it for Atari, I can't skip it, then he'll think I'm chicken and never go out with me again. But if I answer it wrong, I'll be stuck as a Chunin for the rest of my life! Ren thought confidently: I don't care if I only have one shot, I'm not skipping it. There is no way he is scaring me off. After a long murmur of silence Master Visa said stern and strictly: "Anyone who wishes to skip the question…please raise your hand now. It is ok, there is always next year." A long pause followed…then a trembling hand was raised. The Jonin recorded his number and sadly remarked:
"Number 137, 678, and 902 are free to go." After the first squad disappeared a few others raised their hands saying:
"I'm out, no way am I risking that, I'm done, goodbye." The numbers were recorded and those ninja left the classroom. Master Visa looked around and announced:
"If anyone else wishes to skip the question, now is your last chance." A long pause followed until Atari beheld Kie slowly raising her trembling hand. His eyes got wide with disappointment. He kept thinking: No Kie! Put your hand down fast! As the Jonin began to record her number, Kie slammed her fist down on the table and stood up shouting angrily:
"My name is Kie Nappa, I don't quit and I don't run! You might try to scare me away but don't count on it succeeding! I don't care if I get stuck as a Chunin for the rest of my life…I'LL STILL MARRY ATARI SOMEDAY!"
Atari was stunned and embarrassed as she sat down and many eyes fell on Atari for a moment or two each. Atari put his head down. I knew she had affection for me, but I never thought she had that much! I guess she eavesdropped and found out about me and Ren's plan to leave Honamochi if we passed the exam. Hmph…she's completely clueless but she is still going for it. Kie has got guts I'll give her that.
Master Visa then peered around the room again; looking at the ninja more detailed this time thinking: It looks like that little outburst ahs given the others some backbone. I think she convinced them all into staying…but I don't see any of them wavering. I think we're done here.
Master Visa nodded to the Jonin on the corner and received a symmetrical response, concluding that the exam was finished.
"In that case I would like to tell you…that you have all passed the first exam!" The young ninja were stunned.
Chapter 46
The Purpose of the Exam
Ren stood up exclaiming:
"Wait, so you mean we all pass? What about the tenth question?" Master Visa smiled kind-heartedly saying:
"There never was a tenth question, not a written one at least. In fact, your deciding to stay was the answer to the tenth question. Do you understand?" Sarcastically Ren replied:
"Yeah, sure, but explain it anyway."
"This test was designed to test you not only as individuals but as a team, as part of a larger squad. That is why if one failed, his or her whole squad failed. However, there is a whole goal to this exam as well. To gather accurate intelligence under the most advert circumstances, or in other words, cheat." The whole room gasped. Ren exclaimed:
"So you were supposed to cheat on this test?"
"As many of you quickly discovered, this test involved hard questions, to hard for any average Chunin to be able to answer. So you had to gather intelligence from someone else, or cheat, in order to survive. Those not to good at this were quickly picked and ejected out, leaving the rest of you. However, you had to make sure the intelligence you were gathering was accurate, so I disguised three Jonin, who already knew the answers, to sit in with you." After this was said, the three Jonin raised their hands, including the boy in front of Atari. Kie became frustrated as a boy in front of her raised his hand.
"Are you kidding me? The answers were in front of me the whole time," she whispered to herself, but trying to show off for Atari she exclaimed out of place:
"Ha-ha…you had to be a complete idiot not to see it, isn't that right Raouni?" Raouni ignored her. Atari shook his head muttering:
"Amazing…so all this time she never knew."
Master Visa shook his head sadly and continued his story:
"Disinformation can be worse than no information at all. It can lead to the death of comrades, or the lose of a village."
"Yeah, yeah, we know this stuff now, but what was the tenth question all about?"
"The tenth question was the point of the whole exam. This test was designed to test your teamwork, so if one faltered, many soon followed, causing many weaker ninja to skip the tenth question. Let me give you a hypothetical mission; to steal an important document from an enemy stronghold. You have no idea how many guards are on duty, nor how powerful they are. And you have reason to believe, from reports from liable scouts, that the enemy expects you, like you might just be walking blindly into a trap. You are in a no win situation. But those are just the sort of situations Jonin must face everyday. Many missions may seem suicidal if you think about it, but you don't think about it. You focus on the goal and lay your life on the line to achieve that goal. These are the qualities needed of a true Honamochi Jonin." Raouni raised his hand shyly and stood to speak after being acknowledged by Master Visa:
"I don't quite understand the qualities of a Jonin," Raouni stated and sat down again next to Kie. Master Visa shook his head and started speaking again.
"In that mission, did you have the option to avoid danger? Could you just quit and say my comrades and I would rather live to fight another day? The answer is…NO! Those ninja that would rather quit than fight, disgrace the honor of Honamochi for the sake of their own lives, and those who would rather put their comrades in danger for the sake of their own skin, will never call themselves Jonin, at least as long as I'm here." The room was silent. The whole room understood. The information sunk deep inside their hearts, taking root as hopes to stay forever. Atari muttered under his breath:
"I'm one step closer to finding you, Yuchi. Then we will reunite, and I can finally leave my avenger days to rest."
"I hereby declare this stage of the Jonin Exam closed!" A second later, not giving the students time to move, a large bundle of maroon cloth tumbled through the air, shattering the window. The cloth unraveled, revealing kunine holding up the sign painted on the cloth saying:
Your Next Proctor:
Yumi Yoncho
This proctor had a stern and somewhat mysteriously scary voice. It sent a trembling chill up Atari's spine when she spoke. She announced her name and flipped through the air, whipping a kunine that just barely pierced Kie's cheek, causing a thin layer of blood to trickle down. She stared wide eyed and scared half to death.
"Visa, you let all these guys pass? Your test was too easy, I think your getting soft," snapped Yumi placing her hands firmly on her hips.
"Or, it could be a stronger crop of candidates this year," stated Master Visa managing a thin smile.
"They don't look very tough. Trust me, after I'm done with 'hem, over half will be eliminated," Yumi snarled coldly. Master Visa whispered into her ear:
"See the boy in row 8? You'd be surprised what he can do. Keep a close watch on him. I don't know what jeans he inherited from his father, so I don't know what he might do during your test. After all, his father wasn't just anybody; therefore, he should be feared likewise." Yumi nodded and snapped sternly at them glaring:
"All right you maggots, you've had it easy so far, but first thing tomorrow afternoon, things are going to get bloody. Your sensei will tell you where you are to meet me…dismissed."
Chapter 47
The Final Stage Explanation
The next morning, Atari packed his bag with more care including two packs of freeze dried food. This was previously preserved, and was a small, portable feast on the go. He packed a lot of kunine and shurikan, and after putting on his shinobi shozoku and strapping on the Sakabato, exited the house after saying goodbye to Haro and Garu, explaining what was going on. Atari soon met up with Ren and they dashed away, going to the location in witch they were to find Master Yumi.
The many squads were gathered around a caged off wooded area. After a stand was set up, Master Yumi appeared out of thin air and commanded everyone's attention. She glared at them, and paid a careful eye on Atari. A Menjin, he better not cause any trouble in my forest. After the crowd was silence, Master Yumi raised two scrolls, either having a water or star symbol engraved on them. She began explaining sternly:
"All right maggots, listen up! Each squad will receive either a water or star scroll. After being locked inside the woods behind me, they are to fight other squads for their scroll. One group will then have both scrolls…while the other…will be dead. In the center is a temple, all members of the squad must be present, and then they will present both scrolls to the monks. Using their secret majestic arts, they will determine your animal power. This animal is your symbol, and they will give you a patch with the symbol engraved on it along with you're name. After all members of the squad have received this, you must find the top of the temple, where I will be waiting. You have five days to do all this. Those who do not complete it in this time will fail. Any questions? Good, because I'm going to give you one of the scrolls, and admit you into the woods."
Atari sighed when Ren returned with the Star scroll. Clutching it tightly, they strutted into the woods. Darkness engulfed them, as they left the light and fence behind. They found a nice quiet place beside a rippling stream, and Atari began sharpening sticks to a point, forming a spear. Using his supreme precision, he stabbed three fish and brought them back as Kie struggled to start a crackling fire. Summoning his chakra, Ren fixed her problem by using a Fireball Jutsu, sending a barrel of flames into the dead logs, creating a burst of erupting flames. Atari quickly cooked the fish and handed one wrapped in a leaf to Ren and Kie. They munched quietly, listening for possible intruders. Just then, Atari felt a familiar throb from his curse mark begin. He clutched it, cringing with extreme pain. He turned around to see a girl with dark, deathly eyes and a straw hat look down at them wit a dark brown kimono. Her long, greasy black hair hung down by her shoulders as she jumped down from the higher tree branch. She stared at them coldly and hissed viciously:
"I am here for a quick visit. If you surrender now and give me he scroll, one of us will have both scrolls, while the other…will be dead!" She lunged forward and the eating squad members dropped their food and dived in separate directions. She laughed a familiar evil laugh. She whipped around and stared them. Atari finally realized the truth…she was death.
Chapter 48
A Seed of Darkness
Atari became still and paralyzed with fear. She laughed again and drew a shurikan. Kie collapsed on the ground next to him, scared stiff. Ren on the other hand, had mysteriously disappeared. The throbbing continued as Atari drew a shaking kunine and pointed it down at his knee. As she fired her shurikan, he stabbed his knee and that pain relinquished him from her dark grasp. He clutched the collar of Kie's kimono and leaped into the trees, trying to avoid the mysterious girl. The throbbing grew in pain, finally slowing Atari to a stop. He fell back against the tree trunk and Kie knelt down to examine his wound.
"Atari…you're bleeding," she examined. Atari continued to massage the curse mark, hoping that the throbbing would slow to a stop as he had, but muttered:
"Yeah…I know that."
"And you look like you are in pain, I think you should rest," said Kie concerned.
"Not now…later," answered Atari cringing as he witnessed an evil shadow leaping onto the branch behind her.
"We should wash that deep cut in the stream."
"Run Kie, Run!"
Atari pointed to the approaching shadow and Kie leapt into the air. Atari could not stand and therefore the shadow successfully lifted him up and tossed him into the opposite tree trunk. Atari struggled to get up as the shadow approached again. He leapt into the air and found that the shadow was indeed the girl he dreaded. He leapt away again as the chase went on with Kie just staring at Atari's amazing agility. At one point she stopped and lunged backward…toward Kie! Atari shot downward and landed a second before she did. He gripped Kie's collar again and jumped down onto the ground. They attempted to make a run for it, but the mysterious girl blocked them off, hissing loudly. The throbbing continued on Atari's neck so much that he finally collapsed. The girl leapt forward and he dived weakly out of the way. This boy has impressive techniques. She thought as she continued to lung and he continued to dodge. Atari witnessed the dreaded black marks appear on his skin and he felt the curse mark taking over. The girl waited, hissing under her breath at his agony. He screamed before his eyes went red and the curse mark had completely taken its toll. Kie backed away, staring at his new figure. He growled angrily and became insane.
"Atari!" Shouted a concerned and scared Kie as she trembled with anxiety.
Atari growled louder and bright red blood glistened from his bottom lip. His red eyes had black pupils that decreased in size and he lunged forward. The girl was frozen in fear and he successfully slammed her into the tree trunk behind her. He clawed at her viciously, growling and roaring with every hit. He finally bounced back as she lashed out with a kunine that pierced his arm, causing severe bleeding. He breathed deeply and lunged again, only this time, a thin layer of chakra surrounded his body. It must be the curse mark. The girl thought backing up. He dove forward and gripped the Water scroll on her sash. He then planted his foot into her stomach and bounced off. Atari finally felt the severe pain of the curse mark weakening as he came back to his normal self again.
"Who are you," he growled angrily, glaring with pure hatred at her. She laughed evilly as her face melted away like hot wax from a figure. It fell in piles onto the ground and steamed. Below that waxy mask was indeed…Orchi Sahuna. Atari stared at amazement as he laughed uncontrollably.
"You are so young Atari, yet the seeds of darkness have already taken root in your heart. At first, I thought you were a mere boy. But now, you have apposed a threat to the success of my plan. If you wish to meet your brother, find me at Corasant. I'll make sure you are appropriately taken care of." Orchi laughed again and with a puff of smoke from a smoke bomb disappeared, his voice echoing throughout the woods.
Atari felt an after effect of pain warp his legs and his knees buckled. He trembled as the pain throbbed ruthlessly throughout his body, shaking every organ, and paining every living cell there was. Atari began to sweat uncontrollably. Kie raced to his side and eased him under a canopy made by overhanging bushes. She quickly made him a small amt of branches and a rock for a pillow and laid him down. She wet a cloth by the rippling stream and placed it gently on his forehead as he seemed to calm down. He soon began to sleep peacefully.
Kie stood watch over him, going over the events that had just taken place before her. Never had she ever seen Atari so determined, so angry, so straight forward. This frightened her that if he had not snapped out of his mood early enough, would he have taken her out as well as Orchi? She trembled with curiosity before finally easing herself down next to him and fell asleep, dreaming of the next day's walk to the temple. She wondered about her animal power, and what it would be.
As they slept peacefully, Tai glared at them, perched gracefully on a tree branch. He recognized Atari, and at that moment his hawk Avatar chirped a cry of hunger. He fed him a bread crumb from his dinner and drew a cold kunine blade. This is so wrong. How can a grown man, like me, murder such a young boy? He hopped down and maneuvered up until he was hovering over Atari. If I had a choice Lachapta, I would not kill you, but I have none. For a few moments he listened to Atari's soft breathing, and felt the same pang of sympathy that Atari had felt for him. I can't kill him; he spared me my life back in Honamochi because he understood my position. I can't just destroy the one who gave me the chance to save Celia. His clenched fist trembled as he held the kunine over Atari's head. But I have my orders. Just as he was about to jab the kunine into his skull, Tai was thrown backwards and a sheer shock of pain in his bicep erupted, sending tears to his eyes. Hikaru stood in front of him, holding the kunine he once clutched.
"I can't have you kill him," Hikaru smirked.
"Why you little brat," growled Tai as the two Chunin next to him brought him down to his knees with pain.
"I have my own purpose and reason for doing this, witch I do not want to explain to the likes of you."
"Listen kid, I do not wish to kill him either, but my boss ordered me to-"
"Who's your boss?"
"Orchi Sahuna, he merely said the seeds of darkness have already taken root in the heart of the last Menjin, and he appears to be a threat to his plan," Tai explained.
A sleepy yawn was heard behind them as Kie stretched and stood up, not noticing the action before her. However, when she did notice, she screamed and charged forward at Tai. Tai backed away and broke free from his captors. As Kie assaulted him, he blocked and struck her until she was tired out. He then clutched her hair and wrenched her backward. Hikaru's courage shrunk away and he decided to sprint away back to his own squad, leaving it all up to Kie.
"Hands off her Tai," whispered a weak voice. Kie shivered as she witnessed Atari limping toward them, hoping that the curse mark would not act up again and that he would feel the pity enough to save her. She looked up as her captor's eyes got wide with fear. He began to treble more with every inch Atari moved.
"We meet again Lachapta," Tai sighed.
"I am standing by my words from last time, and this time, I will show no mercy, and I will kill you. So let Kie go," Atari growled as his weak hand reached back into his pocket to grad a shurikan.
"I can explain…but I won't," sneered Tai as he threw Kie backward and darted forward, heading right for Atari. Without thinking, Atari tossed the shurikan weakly toward him, in turn witch he easily dodged. He smirked and continued his drive forward. Atari limped to the side, but his dodge was imperfect, allowing Tai to land a cut on his side. Blood trickled down his leg as Atari fired back with a kunine. Tai moved identically and threw the same weapon. The weapons clashed and cancelled each other out. Atari growled and summoned the chakra hidden inside his body. As a blue aura surrounded him, he leapt into the air allowing Tai to maneuver blindly under him. Flipping backward, Atari plummeted down, sending Tai flat into the ground. He skidded to a stop eventually and stared back as Tai emerged out of the dust. Tai laughed evilly and lunged forward, seeing as he had drawn his sword. However, his drive was cut short as Atari was no longer in front of him. He looked around hysterically but was surprised to feel the touch of a cold kunine blade against his neck.
"It's over Tai…you lose," Atari sneered, appearing behind him.
"Think again Lachapta, I've got a few new tricks," Tai smirked rolling away and grabbing Kie again. Atari stared, dumbfounded at his enemy's intention.
"You wouldn't dare," Atari hoped as he witnessed Tai holding Kie's hair and pressing a kunine of his own against her neck.
"Surrender now, and she lives. Don't surrender and she dies," Tai explained with an evil look in his eyes.
"I surrender then," Atari admitted weakly dropping his kunine and waiting as Tai created two clones to tie him up. Kie stared in amazement and horror at how much he really cared. Just then, Ren came bulging out of the woods screaming. A humongous bear was trailing him closely, his eyes red with anger. Ren ran around in a circle, causing the bear to trample over the clones and shatter them, and in the process, break Tai's grip on Kie. In desperation, Kie crawled to the nearest tree and hid. Atari remained tied up and captured. As the dust cleared and Ren finally managing to kill the bear, Tai noticed another cunning move by Atari. Instead of his body tied up, there was water. A Water Clone Jutsu, I should have known, thought Tai looking around as Ren hid behind his now dead bear. After a soft breeze from the wind another gust of dust blinded them all. After it cleared, mysteriously, a dozen clones surrounded Tai, including four witch held him captive. After being sure of his capture, 6 clones shattered into droplets of water. Atari walked among the water and pointed his kunine at Tai.
"Clever move Atari," complimented Tai, having no thought of Atari ever sparing him his life again, and admitting that indeed this was the end.
"I congratulate you on your efforts Tai, but I stand by my words…prepare to die."
Tai nodded and reached inside his now bloody long coat, assuring Atari that this was not another effort to escape. He wiped a spot of blood from his headband and placed it gently on the kunine he drew from his coat. He perched himself from his knees to his muddy boots and also drew out the picture of Celia. I guess…we were never meant to be. Tears filled Tai's eyes as he realized this, realizing that he had failed her, failed Orchi, and failed himself. He kept the locket open as he lifted the kunine. Smiling a depressed smile and taking a deep breath, Tai swiped the kunine cleanly across his throat. Atari was taken aback at this, and immediately had the rest of his clones shatter. The cut had not detached his head, but did successfully cut open his airway. He collapsed on the ground, the locket picture facing him. His last breaths were wheezing, as they began to get softer. Atari felt as if he was seeing both Kendra and Hydra's deaths all over again, but felt less sympathetic. Tears began flowing down his face as Tai cried. He cried for Celia, for the kids they would never have, and the life together they would never live. Atari knelt down beside him. Tai reached up and touched his shoulder sulking:
"Atari…I never wanted…to work for Orchi. He forced me. And he still has Celia captive. She is in the stronghold that has the map to Corasant. My last wish…please rescue her…for me. And tell her…that I love her." With those words, Tai's hand dropped, feeling cold and lifeless and his eyes slowly closed, with his other hand around the now bloodstained locket of Celia.
Atari breathed silently for a few seconds, taking in the entire past event. He finally got up and retrieved logs and some natural perfumes he made from flowers. He helped Ren cut a little bit of the meat from the bear. He was going to prepare an old ninja burial, that was only done for those who had made honorable sacrifices for someone they loved dearly. Atari made a bonfire and as the flames touched the sky and the stars peered down to join in the ceremony, all three of them lifted Tai's body onto the fire. He seemed peaceful now, no longer in pain or agony, and seemingly happier. He will wait now...for Celia to join him. Then they can be married and live a cheerful live in nirvana, Atari thought watching the smoke billow from the fire. The body was scorched and in that valley the burial took place. Even Hikaru was present. Assuming he had a Christian faith, Hikaru made a wooden cross to place as the tombstone to his grave. They waited in silence for a while and like an obedient servant, Avatar, whom had also fled from the battle like Hikaru, perched himself on the top of the cross, as if to proclaim that he would guard his master's grave for all eternity. He stared boldly at them, as to state to stay away from his master, or he would kill you. The ninja respected the hawk's proposal and Atari bowed with respect before proceeding. The hawk nodded and allowed Atari to approach. Before Tai's body had been burned, Atari had retrieved the locket, paying hard attention not to have the other ninja notice its disappearance. He then placed the necklace on the cross; it still bloodstained and opened to Celia's picture. Atari then backed up, and Avatar seemed to thank them. The group then went back to their respective camps, leaving Tai and Avatar behind.
Chapter 49
A Snake's Idea
The next morning, the fire was still smoking from the squad's early breakfast. Avatar was still perched obediently on the top of the cross as he had the night before. The squad bowed to the grave before departing for good. Atari and Ren seemed to notice a silent depression wandering about their squad. However, as they found the temple coming into view, the depression seized and the task was set out.
They overlooked a beautiful view, with lush green mountains in the background, in harmony with the rising golden sun. The temple arose from the ground, a maroon tower with the sound of chanting surrounding it. A rickety bridge connected the two cliffs, in witch the quad now stood at the foot of. Below the bridge was a deadly raging river, brining back memories of Andrez and flashbacks of Grief's horrible death.
Ren gulped and made the first move. He held onto the rope handrails for dear life and reluctantly stepped his foot onto the bridge. He winced, but found more confidence as the plank did not shatter. He proceeded; jerking with every movement. Kie followed him closely, making identical movements. Atari then followed her. They were midway across the bridge before Ren stepped on a loose plank and it shattered, having him fall down halfway before Kie finally grabbed his hand. He kicked wildly and screamed in terror. Atari calmed him down while Kie began lifting him through the gaping hole he now left. And to Atari's horror, on the other side was Nejeka, staring evilly.
"Your exam ends here," he sneered and drew a shurikan. He whipped it just past Atari's cheek and it swiftly cut through the rope, causing the whole bridge to tilt. Ren began to panic as Nejeka continued and swiftly cut the second rope behind them. The bridge swung against the cliff, giving them an earth shattering pounding. Atari did here a loud crack of his ribs and sheering pains engulfed him. He held on tightly with one hand and the other clasp his broken rib, trying to reduce the pain temporarily. Nejeka hovered over them, sneering.
"You little brat," growled Kie as she kicked to maintain her secure foothold.
"This is payback for the Chunin exams Atari…die!" And another shurikan sliced through the last two holds and wind abruptly whisked up both of them. Without screaming, Atari summoned the chakra in his feet and used the same technique Garu had taught him and securely stuck to the cliff's side. He quickly drew a coiled rope and tied one end onto a dangling tree branch nearby. He then sent it down descending towards Ren and Kie who remained falling uncontrollably and screaming. Ren thought first and clutched the rope and allowed Kie to grab onto his leg before swinging to the cliff's side and sticking to it as Atari's had done. Kie grabbed the rope and remained dangling below as all three of them slowly made their way up the cliff. Anger bulged inside Atari as he climbed. I pray that Nejeka never ever becomes leader of the Gengaru clan; he is too heartless and unworthy to have a whole clan's destiny in his hands. Atari lifted Ren and Kie up onto the cliff and after catching their breath proceeded to the temple. The depression sank in again.
As the temple came into view again, the sun began to set. The group decided to finally settle next to another rippling stream for the night, and as Atari prepared a fire for the squad, he noticed a funny shaped rock sticking out barely from the surface of the running water. Being conscious of an ambush at all times, he flipped and sprang across the river, clutching the rock and whipping it out from its crevice. To his surprise, it was the exact tool he had needed. It was the Water scroll! He tucked the wet paper into his shinobi shozoku and reported back to camp with the news.
Meanwhile, a blue ninja had reported back to his own camp just outside the large city walls of Corasant. He bowed to the guards and whispered the password, and the guards allowed him to enter. He bowed to the darkness within and a fire was lit, illuminating Orchi's dark, evil face.
"The boy has the scroll master," the ninja declared lowering his head.
"Excellent, and what of Tai, I have not heard back from him in a long time," sneered Orchi in a low, cold tone, sending chilling messages down the ninja's spine.
"It seems that Tai is…dead," choked the ninja sweating for fear of punishment for such a comment.
"Hmph…what other news do you bring upon this matter," asked Orchi leaning in closer over the flames.
"It seems that the boy was going to kill him, as he had clearly won their battle, and at the last moment Tai…committed…suicide," replied the ninja shaking with intense fear. Orchi's eyes grew cold. He thought for a moment before continuing.
"Ah well, he was of no use to me anyway. I guess you could say he was…expendable," Orchi hissed evilly, turning his gaze to the woman that was curled up in the corner of the tent.
"Tai will come for me, no mater what you say," snapped the woman sternly. Orchi yanked the chain next to his leg hard and the woman stumbled closer to him. He pulled her close and struck her clean on the head, sending her rolling back to where she came from.
"Silence Celia, unless you want to die early," hissed Orchi coldly. The woman sat up again and brushed her long dark brown hair out of her eyes.
"Should we allow him to retrieve the map to Corasant?"
"Yes, he is a Menjin after all, and all Menjin are driven by anger, hatred, fear, and the thirst for…revenge. Atari will retrieve the map and journey here. Once here, I will send my apprentice to meet him. I will then journey to Yazac and we will begin phase two of our plan," ordered Orchi.
"About this plan of yours, I mean, it is wonderful, but according to all your documents and orders, phase two will cause massive chaos and mayhem to all villages and clans except our own and our allies, because they know what to expect. And it seems you wish to be the trigger for all this mayhem?"
"Precisely, with Atari coming after me and my apprentice once he has escaped Atari at Corasant, that will have taken the very best ninja out of Honamochi, leaving it unguarded," replied Orchi sneering with an evil grin.
"Only a snake like yourself would come up with an idea so sly master," smirked the ninja.
"Precisely my ninja, precisely."
Chapter 50
Animal Powers
The temple had finally come into view. Torches and candles were lit bordering the pathway in witch they entered. They could here the chanting of prayers to the Buddha coming from inside. Slowly they entered, following Zeak and his squad. Guards stopped their squad as Zeak vanished inside. After a series of chants was heard and many unfamiliar noises passed, the guards finally allowed them in.
The temple had a tile picture of a ninja in a Vito fighting stance pasted across the floor in witch stood 6 monks in orange robes with their hoods down and heads bowed, with their hands folded at their chest. One of them looked up and made his way to them. He first bowed to Kie and put out his hand. Atari handed him the scrolls and he stuck them into his robe. He bowed and invited the squad forward. The monks retrieved lit candles out of thin air and began encircling them. As they walked they chanted an ancient Buddhists ritual prayer. An altar was set up with a table covered with white cloth, two candles, one on each side lit, a plate of fire in the middle with a statue of the Buddha behind it, an offering tray in the front, and a series of different colored sticks lay neatly on both sides of the plate. The monks raised their candles and a monk in a black robe stepped forward, inviting them to the altar.
"As participants of the Jonin Exams…you are the third squad to retrieve both scrolls and report here with all three of your members. You have passed and have become Jonin of Honamochi. Now we will bestow upon you your animal powers." The priest retrieved three slips of paper from his long sleeve and wrote their names on it and first tossed Kie's paper into the plate. It burned silently, and the candles glowed emerald. The fire shot abruptly into the air and amongst the smoke and flame came the image of a…eagle. Kie bowed as two monks from the circle came and whisked their candles over her and magically appeared there was a patch that had the symbol for eagle engraved on her uniform.
"Kie Nappa, you are the eagle. You have vision that will lead your village in peace and harmony with nature and its allies. You are full of the Buddha's grace. May he guide and protect you."
Ren stepped forward next. The monks performed the same ceremony and an image of a bull appeared. The monk recited, outstretching his arms with his palms facing upwards. "Ren Washinta, you are the bull. You have the strength and courage to lead your village to victory in battle. You are filled with the Buddha's strength. May he guide and protect you."
Lastly, Atari stepped forward. As the monk's eyes laid on the Sakabato, he quivered with a shrill of bad memories. He performed the ceremony with shaking hands and the image of a wolf appeared. The monk quivered. "You are…a Menjin. And Menjin are similar to wolves in many ways. For one, they protect those they care about. At the cost of danger, they charge in powerfully and destroy everything in their paths, and avenge double those they have lost. This killing aspect makes them feared, as they are dangerous. You are filled with the Buddha's vengeance. May he guide and protect you."
The squad bowed gratefully before departing from the temple with the animal patches engraved on their uniforms. Atari stared at the ground, both depressed at the monks sayings and somewhat excited for his next objective…to find the stronghold in which Orchi concealed the map to Corasant. I'm almost their Yuchi, almost there.