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 38: Mission Start!! Let's Get Cracking!!
Koji was sitting next to the gate, his legs crossed, and his headphones blaring. His black backpack was off to the side. He set his alarm for 7:00, and was ready at 8:00. Since he had another 30 minutes, he sat down, and began to listen to music.
8:25, Hanabi walked down, with her white backpack. At 8:30, Satoshi and Kenta arrived, with blue and red backpacks respectively. Koji nodded, and took his headphones off, and put them in his backpack.
"Everyone got what they need?" Koji asked. The three Genin nodded, and Koji put his backpack on. "Okay! It's about a day and a half walk to Kokiri Town. Let's roll!" Koji said, as he pushed the gates open. "Alright!! A kick ass mission!!" Satoshi said, thrusting his fist. "Don't get to excited, Satoshi. Need a calm head." Kenta said. "Hn." Hanabi said.
Not more than an hour after Koji and the Genin left, Naruto, Kakashi, Sai, and Yamato appeared at the gates. "Giving him a Genin team may have been a bad idea…" Kakashi mused to himself.
"I say we not worry about Koji and worry about the kick ass mission Baa-chan just gave us!!' Naruto said, and Kakashi sighed. "Have all your stuff with you? Who knows how long this will take." Yamato said, and Sai nodded. "Naruto-kun?" Team Kakashi turned and saw Sakura, Ino, Hinata, and Tenten there, looking like they were heading to Hokage Tower for a mission.
"You guys have a mission as well?" Sakura asked, and Naruto smirked. "Baa-chan gave us this kick ass mission that is going to take a long time!!" Naruto said, and Hinata looked quite distressed. "I have an idea. How about next time you are in town, you and your teammates go and get ramen?" Ino suggested, and smirked as Hinata looked confused.
"That reminds me! I never invited Koji for Ichiraku Ramen!! Oh man!! And I have these two free coupons too! What should I do!?" Naruto screamed, and Sakura smiled. "I say you invite Hinata." Kakashi said, and Hinata turned real red.
"You think so Kakashi-sensei? Well if you say I should then I will. Is that okay, Hinata?" Naruto asked, and Hinata turned real red, and nodded vigourously. "Then it is a date!!" Hinata passed out when he said that. "She should eat more healthily. Bad guy ninja might take advantage of her if she keeps fainting like that." Naruto said, and everyone sweat dropped. (Just like an idiot…)
"It seems the Kyuubi is actually leaving the village." From atop the village gates stood two men. One with an orange spiral mask, and his partner, the venus fly trap with two halves.
"Naruto will be much more easy to catch if he is only being guarded by the likes of Sharingan Kakashi and that guy with Harashima's Jutsus. Zetsu, we will follow them and see what we are going to do next." Madara said, and Zetsu's black half smirked.
"Do we get to beat them?" Zetsu asked. "Not now. If the chance arises, then we will take Naruto." Madara said, the tone indicating he had a dark smirk while his Sharingan began to flash.
(Land of Fire: Route To Kokiri Town.)
After a few hours of walking, the team was still on their way. Koji walked with his headphones on, Satoshi was chatting about the great samurai ninja he was going to be, and Kenta was merely half paying attention to him. They walked a few more steps, before Koji brought his hand up, and everyone stopped.
"From here on, we tread carefully." Koji announced. "Why, Koji-sensei? I don't sense anyone." Satoshi asked. "Look at the trees." Koji said, and everyone turned to them. "These bastards must be pretty damn sure of themselves, the way they sliced these trees up." Koji said, as he pointed out the trees that had slash marks all over them.
"Probably their way of showing their territory." Hanabi suggested. "Maybe. Either way, we stay careful." Koji said, and they continued their trek. "So, Hanabi-chan. What does those eyes of yours do?" Koji asked. "The Byakugan is none of your business." Hanabi replied, and Koji sighed.
"Look, I'm not out to find out your clan's skills. All I know is that they can see Chakra Points. Is there anything I need to know about them for advantageous planning should an emergency arise?" Koji asked. She held his look to see if he was trying to deceive her. His eyes showed he was dead serious, and Hanabi sighed. "I can see 355 degrees. I can also see about 50 meters in each direction." Hanabi said, and Koji smiled.
"Thanks, Hanabi-chan!" Koji replied, and Hanabi scowled at him. "You have no right to refer to me as though you know me!" Hanabi said, and Koji patted her head. "Of course, Hanabi-san." Koji said, smiling.
In the trees stood a girl, age 17, standing on a branch. She played with her sword, and sighed. "He knew that Konoha would send a squad, but a bunch of Genin and some Chuunin looking dude?" She muttered, as she drew her sword. "This will be painfully easy." She muttered, as she fell from the tree.
Koji, and his squad kept their pace, and was minding their surroundings. Koji's ears twitched, and he thought he heard something. He guessed it was a wild animal. Before anyone could call it, in a flash of black movement, someone flashed past all the Genin and Koji, and there was a flash of silver.
The Genin stood there, stunned, and their shock turned to horror as blood began to fly out of Koji like a fountain, and he fell to the ground, dead. "That was really not worth my skills." She said, and turned around.
She wore the garbs of a samurai, with the top in white, and the pants in dark blue. What really intimidated them was the dark blue star eyepatch she had across her left eye. The wind picked up, and her dark blue hair began to dance with it, showing a single braid between the rest, which flowed freely.
"I am sorry. I was hired to kill any nin that tried to help Kokiri Town. I am sorry." She said, and she charged them. Satoshi and Kenta glanced at Hanabi, who smirked, and nodded. The mysterious samurai swung her blade, only for it to clash into another Katana. Satoshi smirked at her, and she hopped back in time to avoid 5 kunai.
"Kenta, you ass!! You know I hate throwing weapons!!" Satoshi screamed, and Kenta smirked. "Just because you do doesn't mean I have to." Kenta replied, and Hanabi brought their attention back to the charging samurai. "Kaiten!!" Hanabi repelled her with her Heavenly Spin, and she noticed that Kenta was gone.
"Earth Style: Headhunter Jutsu!" The samurai only had to see him grab her foot, before she used sheer strength to drag him back up, and attempt to slash him. She got him, but he turned into a log, that was smashed by a mace being wielded by Satoshi. She ducked under it, and he pulled his wrist, causing it to fly back to him.
He began to masterfully handle the weapon, causing it to shoot back, and the samurai dodged it. He brought it back again, and this time he heel kicked it, causing it to bounce forcefully off the ground, before he ran his palm into it, blasting it back to her using chakra.
She back bended to dodge it, and it collided into a tree, getting stuck. She ran along the chain, and Hanabi landed on it as well, and began to use Gentle Fist attacks. Samurai was easily able to dodge Hanabi's attacks, and spin kicked her away. She then brought her katana out, and spun. "Hurricane Blade!!" She shot a Wind Blade at Kenta, and it hit him dead on, knocking him into a tree. She then brought her attention back to Satoshi, and ran along the chain.
(This is it. I'm done for.) Satoshi thought to himself, his eyes showing fear as Samurai approached. A second before she attacked, a black blur appeared on the chain, wielding what looked like a gold Bo Staff. Her sword clashed with the staff too fast for any of the Genin to see, and she jumped back and landed on the ground. The black blur slid back, and had Satoshi with him.
"Koji-sensei!!" Satoshi screamed, and Koji smiled. "Sorry I'm late." He said, as the dead Koji turned into a log with a slit on it. "You guys did really well for a bunch of Genin." Koji complimented, and the Samurai hopped away, as another Koji using the Piercing Spark Claw flashed by. "She sensed him." Koji muttered, as the clone stopped next to him.
"You're pretty good there, Musha Girl!!" Koji said, smirking. "Your demeanor belies your skill." She replied, and Koji shrugged. "If you think so. I just do what I do." Koji replied. She smirked, and turned around. "My name is Ryoko. None who have heard my name have lived to tell it." She said, and Koji shrugged.
"I'm Koji Hyosuke. And I'll be the first to tell of it." Koji said, and Ryoko disappeared into the shadows. "Man. I can't seem to not cause serious trouble." Koji muttered to himself. "Hey squirts. We should probably head back." Koji said, and Satoshi gave him a white eyed glare. "Why!? This mission is our chance to prove ourselves!!" Satoshi screamed.
"Against someone who is way past your skill level?" Koji shot back, and Satoshi averted his eyes. "I'm not going to lie. That girl, Ryoko, she is most likely a Special Jounin Level Warrior." Koji said, and the three Genin's eyes widened. "You're kidding right?" Kenta asked. "I really wish I was." Koji said. He then sighed, and pulled a scroll from his backpack. "Since this is WAY above that of a trio of Genin and a Jounin leader, I'm giving Tsunade a scroll explaining-" Koji was cut off as a sword impaled his scroll.
"Satoshi, why the hell did you do that?" Koji askd calmly. "I'm not backing out on this mission!" Satoshi said, and Koji shook his head. "I think you misheard me. This isn't something for Genin." Koji said, and Satoshi smirked. "Then this will only prove we aren't some punk Genin." Satoshi said, and Koji sighed in irritation.
"I won't let you-" "Hell should we care about anything you say! You aren't even a full Jounin!" Satoshi screamed. Though Koji didn't show it, that one was a personal. "But Satoshi. Koji-sensei is the only one who can stand to her." Kenta said.
"Since he is chickening out, I'll find a way to beat her." Satoshi said, continuing. Kenta looked between Koji and Satoshi, and groaned. "Sorry, Koji-sensei." Kenta said, following him. Hanabi followed both of them, and Koji sighed. (That kind of blind arrogance is a personality trait I hate with a passion. Makes people think they can do anything as long as they believe in themselves. It will kill him eventually.)
(Elsewhere)
Satoshi, Kenta, and Hanabi continued their trek through the forest, nearing Kokiri Town. "Satoshi. Shouldn't we head back for Koji-sensei?" Kenta asked. "Forget him! He's nothing but a coward!" Satoshi said. "He made some incredibly solid points though." Kenta said.
"He has chosen his path. We have chosen ours. Besides, we handled that girl well enough." Hanabi said. "Thanks for agreeing Hanabi-chan!! We don't need no Jounin wanabe's help!!" Satoshi screamed, smirking. "Well look it here. A bunch of children." The three Genin turned, and saw a bunch of bandits. They had them surrounded, and the leader smirked.
"You know the drill kiddies. Drop all things of value, and you will live." He said. "How many Hanabi?" Kenta asked. Hanbi activated her Byakugan, and grimaced. "I'd say about 40." Hanabi said. "Well, that's nice." Kenta said. "Hey boss, the girl! She has those white eyes and can see!" One of the cronies said.
"I see. She must be from that clan of ninjas. Hyuuga, that's what their called. Kill the boys. Make sure the girl lives!" He commanded, and the bandits began to move in. "Seems like Koji-sensei may have been right." Kenta said. "Bullshit!! These are merely bandits!" Satoshi screamed. "Bandits the may be, but they outnumber us vastly. Even the best warrior can be outnumbered." Hanabi said grimly.
(With Koji)
Koji sat where he had tried to use his scroll, in deep thought. He was sure the kids would come back eventually, and he had sighed. (Something in my gut tells me something is going to go wrong.) Koji mused to himself.
He then used his chakra to feel around, and he felt a large concentration of miniscule chakra signatures. (Shit! Those must be the bandits!) Koji hopped to his feet, and put his backpack on. (You arrogant bastards better live long enough for me to chew you all out!)
(The Genin)
It had been about an hour since the fight had started. Sadly, They had only defeated 5 of them, and they weren't dead. "Seems like the kiddies have some fight in them." The leader said, and the three Genin shuddered. They were wearing down, and the bandits were smart enough to draw their attention when they were close to defeating another one.
Hanabi deactivated her Byakugan, not having the chakra to maintain it. Kenta was out of weapons, and chakra, and Satoshi didn't have anymore weapons on him. "At least we die fighting." Kenta tried to joke. "No amount of joking is going to change our outcome." Hanabi said. "Seeing as how we got ourselves into this mess, we stand and live with it." Hanabi said.
"She's right." Kenta said, as he tried to siphon out the last bit of chakra he could muster. "Fine…" Satoshi said, picking up a kunai and wielding it like a short sword. Before the final hurrah could start, everyone there felt a powerful presence. Then, a black blur flashed by the three Genin, and lots of slash sounds were made.
In the course of 5 seconds, all the bandits, including their leader, dropped to the ground like flies. When the flash stopped, Koji stood there, wielding two kunai. "Koji-sensei!!" Kenta screamed, and Koji ignored him. He walked to the leader, and picked him up by his shirt.
"Who is your leader?" Koji asked coldly. "Why the hell should I answer you?" He replied, and Koji smirked. "Wrong answer." He said, and released a suffocating amount of killing intent. The bandit cringed in fear, but he wasn't the only one. The Genin all had looks of fear.
(Probably shouldn't have done that.) Koji mused to himself, but since it's happened, it couldn't be changed. "Now, want to try that again?" Koji asked. "It was some guy named Toshiro! He's taken over recently!!" He screamed in fear, and Koji smirked.
"Is there any particular features I should know about him?" Koji asked. "He has a weird headband on. Like those kids, but his has an hourglass." He said, and Koji narrowed his eyes. "That is all. You are free to leave now." Koji said, and the scared bandit took off. Koji sighed, and completely ignored the Genin.
"Well, that's that." Koji said, and he stood his ground. "I hope you learned a valuable lesson from this. You aren't invincible, and you have a limit." Koji repreimanded, and the three Genin averted their eyes from him.
"You see the cap of your strengths, correct? You don't stand a chance." Koji said, and all the Genin looked to the ground, as his words sank in.
(This is really the best I can do?) Satoshi thought to himself. (All that training, and this is the best I got!?) Satoshi screamed at himself mentally.
(My cap strength eh? Well, at least I know where I stand.) Kenta thought to himself.
(This can't be my limit. Neji-nii-san was way stronger than this at my age! Why is the difference between us so grand?) Hanabi thought to herself, her hair shadowing her eyes.
"Luckily for you obnoxious brats, that's where I come in." Koji said, and they all looked at him with wide eyes. "If you hot heads want a chance to live, you'll have to do everything I say." Koji said. The three Genin nodded vigorously, and Koji sighed. "Well then, I guess we finish this mission, and make you stronger nin in the process." Koji said, and the Genin smiled with determination.
(Unknown Location)
"I see. So the Leaf Village sent a Genin team, being lead by a Jounin." A man said, his Sand Village headband resting safely on the back of his mummified package he held on his back. His orange hair looked untamed and spikey.
"The little ones aren't all that tough. The boy though, is something else." Ryoko said. Piercing Aquamarine eyes stared into wise green eyes, before he sighed. "The boy is going to be a pest. I've heard of a nin during the Jounin Exams who climbed the ladders like an angel flying to heaven. And the person you described also seems like the one who defeated Gale Kazekiri of the Kazekiri Royal Family." Toshiro said, and Ryoko held her neutral look.
"Be ready to face this one at full power. I know of your skill and reputation, but his skills are said to be on par with those of the Sannin Proteges." Toshiro said, and Ryoko nodded. "Understood." She said, and disappeared with a poof. "Seems like a fight is going to be near, but the boy needs to prove he can take it." Toshiro mused to himself, smirking.
ShadowRonin: Koji has put himself into a pretty tight spot. Not only is he dealing with a tough foe, but three Genin under his care are looking to survive this ordeal. Time to see if Koji can protect his comrades.
Next Chapter: Koji begins to train the Genin so they can at least hold their own until he arrives should a fight break out. Will they handle his training, whatever it is? Find out on:
Chapter 39: Arrival to Kokiri Town!! Time to Strengthen the NOOBS!!