Yo!! Here is the new arc of the Tales of a Boy and His Dog saga. The boys are all getting together and they are going to cause some all new trouble! So welcome to Tales of a Boy and His Dog: Arc 3: The Grand Adventure: Land of Fire!
Chapter 37: Koji-Sensei!? C-Rank Assignment!!
It had been 3 days since the giant fiasco in the Sand Village. Koji had been resting, since Association 15 wasn't trying to kill him.
Sanosuke seemed to be brooding, so he guessed that means he was wondering where Kin was. He sighed. (Man, I need some action! God, give a brother some fun!) Koji said, and as thought his prayers were answered, Genma appeared.
"Hey, your name is Koji Hyosuke, right?" Genma asked. Koji nodded. "Hokage-sama has called you for a mission." Genma said, and Koji narrowed his eyes. "Sorry, but I'm not a Leaf nin. I can't-" Seeing where this was going, Genma pulled out a scroll that was sent a yesterday, and smirked.
"As stated by Koji's leader, Shiro Masamune, if you wish to become a member of the Shadow Blades, there is one mission that Tsunade wants you to do. All Jounin must be able to take care of their comrades." Genma read, and Koji slowly began to scowl.
"He didn't mention that I had to do this." Koji said. "Well, you've been informed now." Genma said, and Koji ran his head into his palm. "Tell her to give me 10 minutes." Koji growled annoyingly.
(Hokage Tower)
Tsunade sighed in irritation. Naruto, Sai, and Kakashi had been given a mission, and the funny thing was that Koji was supposed to be here before those three were.
"You call me, Tsunade-san?" Koji asked, walking in. "You said to wait 10 minutes. It's been 2 HOURS!!" Tsunade screamed. "Oh cool it, Double D. I'm here." Koji said.
Of course no one got his nickname, until Tsunade looked down at the mission, and chanced a glance at her rack, which caused her to put the pieces together, and glare quite fiercely at Koji, who looked on not affected by the glare.
"Since you are here, I'll give you your mission." Tsunade said this with a chilling tone, before she cooled herself down, and adopted a commanding tone. "There is a small village 20 miles south of here that has been having issues with bandits. I'm sending out a Genin squad, since the bandits seem to be civilians. But since the squad's leader is out due to a mission, you will improvising as a Jounin Sensei." Tsunade said.
"So, you are trusting three little kids in my care?" Koji asked, and grimaced when she nodded, smirking. He was about to say something, but Sakura had opened the door, since it was her turn to watch her 'sensei'.
"Koji? Kakashi-Sensei? What are your guys doing here?" Sakura asked, and Koji smirked in Tsunade's direction. "Hokage-chan has asked me to drop my shorts and let her have her way with me for 10,000 ryo." Koji said, as Sakura's eyes widened and she blushed, as did Naruto's and Kakashi's. Sai looked on warily, knowing the Hokage's short fuse.
The vein of anger appeared on Tsunade's head, as she stood up, and stopped next to her desk, killing intent flying off of her. She then began to count to ten, and Koji shrugged.
(I guess she's counting to prevent herself from-) Koji stopped his musing when he saw that Kakashi had poofed away in his usual form, Naruto poofed away showing he was a Shadow Clone, and Sakura had just shut the door.
He turned to Tsunade, and sweat dropped. He last counted her on three. She had skipped to nine. "10!!" She screamed, and using one hand, she tossed her desk at Koji, and it hit its mark, blasting into the door.
Kakashi reappeared, Naruto climbed through the window, and Sakura opened the door, surprised to see her desk smashed into it. "What did you do, Shishou?" (sp?) Sakura asked, looking at the pile worriedly.
"Damage control, I would guess." Kakashi said, and then turned to the corner, as he donned his one eye n.n look. "Seems like he's a fighter." Kakashi said, and everyone turned to see Koji leaning on the side of the wall, smirking. "How did you get there?" Naruto asked.
"Replacement Jutsu. There was a vase in the corner, and I thought it would take the blow better than I would." Koji said, and shuddered when Tsunade sent him an icy glare, and more killing intent was released.
"That vase belonged to my father! It was a family keepsake!" Tsunade cracked her fists, and Koji began to sweat profusely. He knew what was coming. He sighed, pulled out a white blindfold, put it on, and took a drag from a cigarette. He would die with dignity.
(Konoha Hospital)
"So that's why you are here." Shizune said, as Koji smiled. "Yep. She's got some kind of temper." Koji said, and Shizune chuckled. "Yep. That's our Hokage." Shizune said.
"So, am I free to leave? There's a trio of Genin I need to meet." Koji said. "Okay." Shizune said, and Koji pulled his shirt on, and sighed. "Tell Kiba to watch Yami while I'm on my mission." Koji said, and Shizune nodded. Koji walked out of the hospital, and saw Naruto.
"You alive?" Naruto asked. "I won't die in something like that!" Koji said. "That's good. Sakura invited Team 7 to eat at her dinner at her house, and I invite you to come as well!" Naruto said. Before Koji could reply, Naruto popped out of existence. (Using Shadow Clone to relay messages. I should rethink the way I use Shadow Clone.) Koji mused to himself, walking towards Training Ground 14.
(Training Ground 14)
"So, Hanabi-chan. Who do you think our stand in sensei is going to be?" A boy asked. Hanabi shrugged, and turned to the boy. "Probably some powerful elite ninja, like Kakashi-san or maybe even Neji-nii-san!" Hanabi said, with sparkling eyes.
"Hey, someone's coming." Her other partner said, and they turned to look in the distance. The looks of sheer excitement died from their eyes when they saw it as some boy. He looked tall, but he didn't look like a ninja. "That's our stand in sensei?" One of the boys asked. "Looks like it." The other said. Hanabi didn't look impressed.
Koji looked upon the three Genin he was in charge of, and could already tell this would be a drag. Two of them looked like they didn't believe he was their sensei, and the kunoichi looked like she was indifferent.
"Okay. I guess because I accused Tsunade of trying to have her way with me, I was assigned to be baby sat by you three." Koji joked, and inwardly cheered when the boys began to snicker a little. The girl's eyes narrowed, and Koji took a look at her.
"Hey, your eyes remind me of Hinata and Neji." Koji said, and her glare turned into a neutral look. "You know them?" Hanabi asked. "Yep! But that's besides the point! I am Koji Hyosuke, your stand in sensei for tommorow's mission!" Koji said, and pointed to one of the boys.
"Since I don't know any of you, introduce yourselves!" Koji said, and the boys looked at him confused. "What do you want to know?" One of them asked, and Koji shrugged.
"Guess I'll start. My name is Koji Hyosuke. I have many things I like and dislike. Dreams? Well, I've been having dreamless nights recently, and goals are what Soccer players score." Koji said, and the boys began to chuckle, while Hanabi smirked.
"We didn't learn anything about you." Hanabi said. "I have no reason to have you know anything about me." Koji replied smirking, and pointed to one of the boys. "You start."
Name: Satoshi (Parents died during a mission when he was 3. Tenten's adopted little brother.) Age: 12. Hair: Dark Red. To his shoulders. Eyes: Black. Likes: Sharp Weapons! Especially Swords and Katanas!! Dislikes: Throwing weapons. Cheap pieces of crap! Dreams: Best Swordsman Alive!! No one will be able to stop me!! Koji's Analysis: (Seems like he's the Anti-Tenten. Probably proficient in all types of weapons. Weird that he finds throwing weapons cheap, while Tenten's whole fight pattern is based on them.)
Name: Kenta Niwa. (Lives in the Orphanarium. Parents died during the Sound Invasion.) Age: 12. Hair: Dark Green. Down to the top of his back. Covers his left eye. Eyes: Light Blue. Likes: Hanging out with my friends. Dislikes: Boredom. Or those who try to act all high and mighty. (glances at Hanabi.) Dreams: Be the strongest nin I can be, I guess. Don't want to half-ass. Koji's Analysis: (This kid is interesting. Seems like a team player. Probably waits for something to be assigned to him, and gets it done.)
Name: Hanabi Hyuuga. Little sister to the heir of the Hyuuga Clan. Age: 11 going on 12. Hair: Black. Down to her back. Eyes: White. (AH DUH) Likes: Training, and Hinata-nee-chan and Neji-nii-san. Dislikes: Nothing. Plenty of things annoy me though. Dream: Nothing in particular. Koji's Analysis: (I pray to all the gods she isn't anything like Neji.)
Koji nodded at all them, and turned to Hanabi. "I know your sister and Neji. They are pretty cool people." Koji said. "I doubt it. Why would they associate themselves with a weak moron like you?" Hanabi said, causing an anger vein to appear on Koji's head.
"You saying I'm weak?" Koji muttered. "Of course. A true elite Ninja looks like an elite Ninja. You just look like an idiot." Hanabi said. Koji closed his eyes, and counted to ten in his mind. "Would you say Hinata is an elite?" Koji asked.
"Yes. Nee-chan is capable of giving Neji a run for his money." Hanabi said, and Koji smirked. "Good. Because I am the one responsible for defeating her during the Jounin Exams." Koji said, and Hanabi gave him a surprised look. "I'll see all three of you tommorow at 8:30am for the mission." Koji said, disappearing in a poof of electricity.
(Later That Day)
It was about 5:00, and Koji was at a state of not knowing what to do. Naruto's Team was having dinner at Sakura's house, and Naruto invited him. He normally had no problem with invites, but he was pretty damn sure that an invitation from Sakura would make him feel a hell of a lot better.
Before he could contemplate anymore, he felt someone grab his arm, and begin to drag him. "Here you are! Come on!!" Naruto screamed, and Koji had anime tears falling from his eyes. This wasn't going to end well at all for him.
Naruto ran his hand into the door, loudly and repeatedly. "Why not ring the doorbell?" Koji asked, pointing to it. "What's a doorbell?" Naruto asked, and Koji sweat dropped.
Before Koji could explain, and tell Naruto about his lack of a brain, the door opened, and a woman with crimson red hair stood there. Koji guessed Sakura got her eyes from her, seeing as her eyes were the same bright green as Sakura's were.
"Oh! Naruto-kun! You are here!" She said. "Hi Misato-chan!" Naruto said, and Koji shook his head. "Hi, Haruno-san." Koji said, waving a little. "Oh! You brought a friend, Naruto-kun!" Misato said, and Naruto nodded. "Don't worry! Sakura-chan would be glad to see him as well!" Naruto said, and both of them smiled, while Koji masked a smile. They both walked in, and once Misato was away, Koji popped Naruto in the head.
"Like hell she will! She will kick me out on the spot!" Koji muttered. "I bet she won't!" Naruto shot back.
They both entered the Dining Hall, surprised to see Kakashi and Sai already there. Misato was seated across her husband, who had snow white hair, and dark blue eyes. Naruto sat next to Sai, and Koji took the seat across from Kakashi. Sakura walked into the room, and nearly face vaulted when she saw Koji.
"You!? What the hell are you doing here!?" she screamed, causing Koji to smirk. "Good to see you to, Sakura-chan." Koji replied. "Who are you, boy?" Koji turned to Sakura's father, and held his glance. "My name is Koji Hyosuke. I am new to Konoha, and I am acquainted with Team 7." Koji said, and Misato gave her husband a disapproving look.
"Be nice, Takashi." Misato said, and Takashi shrugged indifferently. "Acquaintence!? Yeah right! You and Sakura are always flirting with each other!!" Naruto said, not thinking, and receiving a harsh glare from Sakura.
Koji didn't glare, since he was preoccupied trying not to let the amount of killing intent that Takashi was emitting get to him. "I assure you, dad. Nothing like that is going on between us!" Sakura said, as Takashi glared at Koji.
"Is that true lad?" He asked. Koji, getting a little ticked at being called kid and lad, decided to answer his opinion. "Anything between me and Sakura is between us." Koji said, his eyes closed. Of course that was the wrong answer.
"Food smells nice, Misato-san. Did you cook it?" Koji asked. She beamed, and Koji didn't notice the scared look Naruto and Kakashi donned. "Why yes I did!!" Misato said, and Takashi sort of grimaced. (Oh no, not again.) Sakura and Takashi thought mortified.
"Would you like to try some, Koji-kun?" Misato asked. Koji nodded before Sakura or Naruto could save him from certain pain. Koji looked to the rice balls, and smiled. "Thanks!" Koji said, popping one in his mouth.
Instantly, he paled as much as his dark skin would let him, and held back tears. He knew what rice balls tasted like, and he was damn sure they didn't taste like lemons. He forcefully swallowed, and visibly shuttered. "How were they?" Misato asked, as Koji tried his best to feign indifference.
"The best damn Rice Balls I ever had!!" Koji said/choked out, and everyone nearly applauded him for making it look like he meant it. "Great!! Would you want some more?" Misato asked, and Koji smiled. "Sorry, had a big lunch." Koji said convincingly, and had a glass of water.
Misato smiled quite prettily, and even Takashi had to give him a nod of respect, as he began to drink his tea. "You are so sweet!! You should court our Sakura!" Misato said, and Takashi spit his tea out, and coughed. Naruto began to snicker, while Kakashi slowly nudged his seat away from the choking Haruno Head. Sai looked on with indifference.
"Hey Kakashi. What does it mean to court someone?" Koji asked, as everyone sweat dropped. Kakashi stood, and walked to Koji. He bent down to Koji's level, and whispered it to Koji.
Koji's normal apathetic face turned to surprise, as he nearly choked on his water. Sakura's head was already on the table, hiding the crimson blush she had. Koji at least held back the will to blush, and smiled gratefully to Misato.
"Um…I don't think that will happen…not now a least…" Koji said, and patted himself mentally for disarming that situation. "That is good." Takashi said. "I wouldn't want my daughter to be associated romantically with someone like you." Takashi said, and Koji felt an anger vein appear on his head.
"What do you mean by someone like me, Haruno-san?" Koji said, but Kakashi could hear the mild anger in his tone. "You don't look like someone who would be good enough for my Sakura." Takashi said bluntly.
Now, Koji could have simply ignored that. This guy had some kind of presence, and his aura was one who knew what they were doing. Not to mention that the amount of killing intent he released earlier meant he was at least a Jounin.
"That's a damn shame then. I guess I must be, since I am her Boyfriend!" Koji said, smirking. Sakura looked shocked, but she blushed nonetheless. Kakashi merely sighed. (He's picking a fight he can't win…) Kakashi thought to himself, sighing. Naruto actually began to laugh, but that died the moment Takashi glared at him. Sai continued to look indifferent.
"You are!?" Misato said, as she looked like she was beaming. "Mom! Dad! I assure you! He is-" "Telling nothing but the truth!!" Koji ended her sentence, as he wrapped his arm around her shoulder. "Play along. Your dad has pushed me." Koji told her silently.
Takashi retained his calm, and gave Koji a piercing look. "I must say. An outsider being associated with my daughter is not okay." Takashi said. Sakura and Misato both glared, and were about to tell him off, before Koji sighed.
"As not okay as graying at age 20?" Koji asked, referring to his white hair. Takashi chuckled, as Koji smiled with his eyes closed, but everyone could feel the electricity passing between them.
Sakura knew this couldn't end well. Her father is the main source of where she got her personality. He is stubborn, proud, and had an unshakable will. Koji is too damn headstrong for his good, and his will was even more daring than his headstrongness.
Kakashi sighed. The smile Koji had was one that promised mischief. Naruto smirked. It was about time Koji caused some fun. Sai sighed. Someone was going to leave this place in pain.
They continued the meal, and the battle between Takashi and Koji was on. "I must ask, what are your credentials as a Shinobi?" Takashi asked. "I was in the semi-finals during the Jounin Exams in the Sand Village." Koji replied.
"Really? Well, how come you didn't win?" Takashi asked, as Koji tried his best not to launch jutsu at him. "My opponent was stronger. It couldn't be helped." Koji replied. "I'm sure." Takashi said, and Koji took a deep breathe.
"Misato-san, this food is excellent." Koji said, knowing well that since it doesn't taste weird, someone else cooked it. "Sakura made it." Misato said, and Koji smiled. "I see. She'll make someone a great housewife someday." Koji said, smiling.
"Koji!!" Sakura said, blushing. "Yeah yeah. I know. Too willful for something like that. Also you are quite tomboyish." Koji commented. "Are you saying she is ill-mannered?" Takashi said. "Of course not. Just saying she is quite spirited. I like women like that." Koji said, causing Sakura to blush, Misato to smile even wider, and Naruto to smirk.
"Then why not delve into that tension you and Sakura always have?" Naruto asked, knowing he was starting to cause trouble. Koji glanced to Naruto, and smirked. "I don't like to force people. She will come to ask me for it." Koji said, and Sakura turned dark red, while Misato shook her head.
"Your boyfriend is an interesting character. He's one of a kind." Misato said. "You have no idea." Kakashi said. "I say he's full of himself." Takashi said. "And I say you are a prick, but I'm merely voicing my opinion, like you did." Koji said, and smirked when Takashi's eye began to twitch, as his right hand looked like it was heading for his side.
"I don't know, Haruno-san, but I get the distinct impression that you are going to threaten me." Koji said, and he had somehow pulled out a kunai, and was spinning it using the hole.
"If that's the case, then I will have no choice but to defend myself, and I have no intent of hurting anyone here." Koji said, as he gave Takashi a mischievous smirk. "But that's not the case, right, Haruno-san?" Koji asked. "You are incredibly rude, young man. You should respect those older than you." Takashi said, glaring at him.
"The day you earn my respect, we'll talk. Till then…" Koji let the sentence hang, but Takashi could feel nothing but the highest amount of annoyance. Misato could feel that there would be a fight if the situation wasn't dissolved, and gave Kakashi a desperate look. He understood, and was ready in case something happened.
"Hey Misato-san. Is there any dessert?" Koji asked, completely ignoring the tense atmosphere. Misato nodded, and went to get some ice cream. Koji closed his eyes, and rested his head lightly on Sakura's shoulder, causing her to blush, and causing Takashi to glare at him.
Koji smirked at him. "Something irritates you, Haruno-san?" Koji asked. Takashi merely closed his eyes, and smirked. "No. I don't see the need to deal with you. She'll eventually realize her mistake, and you will be gone." Takashi said, and Koji's hair covered his eyes.
"Dad!!" Sakura screamed. That was cold. Koji could feel his hand forming a gun, and hoped he could hold himself back from using his favorite jutsu. "Okay, but let's see the other side." Koji said, and his eyes reappeared, to show confidence.
"Let's say that your prediction fails, and we both get married. Could you handle that? Knowing that the one person you dislike gets the chance to do things to your daughter that you do to your wife? Knowing that I make her scream my name in sheer ecstacy?" Koji asked, with each question his smirk widened, and Takashi's glare got fiercer, and Sakura's face got redder.
In an instant, Takashi pulled a kunai and tossed it. Koji pulled his finger up, and launched his Lightning Gun. The kickback caused his chair to fly back, dodging the kunai, and hitting Takashi at the same time. Takashi hit the wall, and stood to his feet in time to have Kakashi resting his hand on his chest, his other hand resting on his headband, ready to raise it up.
Sakura was holding Koji against the wall. "Why did you do that!?" Sakura screamed. "Don't start on me!! The bastard threw the kunai first! He knew damn well I was going to defend myself!!" Koji said, as Sakura embraced him to prevent him from doing anything.
(That boy. I can't tell if he's extremely confident, or extremely stupid.) Takashi mused to himself, before he smirked. "Boy, your mouth will get you killed one day." Takashi said. "You are not only overconfident, you are also disrespectful, and incredibly ill-mannered." Takashi said, and he smirked.
"Sort of reminds me of myself at your age." Takashi said, and Koji smirked back. "I guess that means asking your blessing is not going to happen?" Koji joked. "If you were to truly begin to court her, you would have my blessing. She needs someone to balance her out." Takashi said, and Sakura blushed. "DAD!!" Sakura screamed, and Koji began to rub her head.
Koji walked towards his temporary house, with Naruto dragging behind him. "You know, dinner at the Haruno House is incredibly fun! We have to do that again sometime!!" Koji said, and Naruto smirked. "You know, you always seem to cause a fun time wherever you go." Naruto said. "That's just my natural charm!" Koji said.
ShadowRonin: And so we begin the new arc in a very unexpected fashion. Koji has gotten the Haruno consent to court Sakura, though he has been doing that in his own way since the beginning. But for now, Genin need his assistance, and he will deliver.
Next Chapter: Koji and the Genin take leave for the mission, but on their way to where they need to be, they are attacked by a girl. Who is this girl, and for what reason does she attack Koji and company? Find out on:
Chapter 38: Mission Start!! Let's Get Cracking!!