Criticism taken seriously and the amendments are made accordingly.
Chap 2: The first B ranked mission
The first mission of team 5 was not exactly a kind of mission everyone was expecting at all. It was different and sounded more like helping with chores around with the village. But the first assignments are always considered to be the easy ones so the genin get the hang of it. That's what the team leader, Konohamaru made his students understand.
"To accomplish any mission as a team, you should learn to work as a team. There is a reason to why all genins are assigned to different teams according to their physical strength and mental ability. Team work symbolizes unity; working together to help the other team members overcome their weakness."
"But sensei, how are we supposed to help each other with this?" Rika sounded disappointed pointing towards the basket she was holding.
"Yeah, why on earth are we helping this lady sell her vegetables?" Kiri asked, expecting a wise answer from his sensei.
Before Konohamaru had a chance to speak, Menma explained "Well that's easy. She is paying us for this."
"Way to go smarty pants! Urghh... I hate this mission." Rika was losing her temper but it was their lucky day that they sold a good amount of fresh vegies that day. The lady thanked them and paid them the amount as promised to the Hokage. Now the team was happy to hold their first mission salary.
The whole week passed in the same way, all the teams including team 5 were assigned to the D rank missions. During this time, Rika was able to make two, no actually three new friends, her two team mates and Kiri's pet dog, Akihiro. They started having fun completing their various tasks. Some of their missions included Aburame clan's insect rescue, decoration of the main street for fireworks and celebration, repairing the Yamanaka flower shop, cleaning the Hokage tower, painting a house and many more. Now they were ready for a very serious shinobi assignment.
It was another new day, the team 5 was at Ichiraku's ramen shop selecting their orders, but one certain blond had not arrived yet. Ayame asked if they have decided, what they would like to eat when suddenly they saw smoke gathering to form a cloud over a stool. Rika and Kiri widened their eyes and stood up from their seats taking their kunais out. Akihiro also took his fighting stance and growled. Then with a poof a blond haired boy fell on to the floor. His appearance relieved everyone and they took their seats back.
"Hehe, sorry for scaring you guys I was practicing this new jutsu with dad and, ouch!" He was cut off with a punch in his stomach. He grabbed his stomach and sat on the stool growling in pain, "what was that for Rika?"
"We had been waiting for so so long! Where is your sense of responsibility?"
"He said he was sorry. Sheesh you are so rude sometimes" Kiri, the boy with small red triangles on his both cheeks exclaimed while Menma confirmed "yeah I did say sorry."
"Here you go with your special ramen of the day. Enjoy your meal" Ayame placed their bowls in front of them, interrupting the conversation. Watching the bowls, all three of them forgot about what happened earlier and grabbed their chopsticks.
"Mmmm.. This smells delicious Ayame." Rika was happy that the special ramen didn't smelled or tasted like the usually ramen that Menma would eat all day. She slurped few noodles and realized that this was the best among all the ramen that she had ever tasted at Ichiraku's.
Ayame smiled and thanked Rika for the comment and went back to the kitchen. While enjoying their meal a spooky smoke entered the shop, scattering around the three genin. They stopped eating at once and were terrified for what was to come this time. To their luck, this time their sensei had no trick up his sleeve to scare his three pupils, rather good news.
"Team 5 has been called for another day saving mission briefing at the Hokage tower" Konohamaru said, standing behind his students.
"Thank God! He didn't use his ash jutsu like the last time", Kiri murmured as he recalled the event of their sensei using the ash jutsu on them, making them look like dark evil spirits, covered in grey ash a few days ago.
"Hahaha... I was just checking your shinobi skills. It was your fault you three let your guard down", Konohamaru said teasing them. "Well I will be waiting for you at the Hokage tower. Finish up your lunch and get their fast. It's an important assignment" having said this he disappeared again.
"This is a B ranked mission, which might get converted into an A ranked mission, depending upon the circumstances you face during your journey", the blond Hokage had a serious look on his whiskered face as he explained further. "You need to take these scrolls to the Hidden Sand village", Naruto pointed to the 4 large scrolls resting on the side of his desk. "You are to protect these scrolls with your lives. I hope all of you understand the importance of your task. Do you have any questions?"
"What is written in these scrolls?" Menma asked with his hands behind his head, copying his father's style.
"It has a list of some secret and forbidden jutsus that could be very useful in some sort of crisis, for example a war." Naruto explained to his son. "I suggest you all to leave as soon as possible. But remember, you are forbidden to open any of these scrolls."
"Yes Lord Hokage!" Was the reply of the team except for one "but why can't we open them dad?"
"Menma! You are to abide by the given rules" his father was gave him a stare which made him apologize. "You are to leave at once. Grab your ninja gear and pick these scrolls from my office. You have half an hour. Dismiss!"
With this the team left the office to their respective homes, to grab their essential stuff for the journey. All of the team members said their goodbyes but Rika was the only one who just packed her stuff and left her home. She knew her parents won't be bothered by her absence. And her father will eventually know she is out on a mission. In case Emi missed her, she left a small note on her bed saying she will be gone for about a week and her sister has to do her things all by herself alone. Besides no one was at home because her mother and sister had gone for shopping whereas her father seldom stays at home, while her brother was the person she didn't wanted to meet in any case because of his negative comments for her.
Rika stepped outside her house with her backpack and was about to leave when she heard a voice called her name. "Rika", Naoha called her, "where are you going?"
"Don't pretend you care", Rika aid as she jumped on the wall. "I am going on a mission. You can get the rest of the details from the Hokage". She jumped on the other side of the wall and ran towards the Hokage tower as it was the rendezvous point, to pick up the scrolls.
It was a three-day trip to the Hidden Sand village. And as the Hokage mentioned about the importance of the task at hand, there might be some thieves after these forbidden jutsu formulas. They have to keep their eyes open at all times. A slightest mistake could prove fatal.
Another chapter is completed. I would like to thank hokie26 for liking the story even in its initial stages. I hope I improve the quality of writing and grab a few more readers. If there are any negative comments, do let me know. Thanks and love.
Fia xoxo
