Yo!! Koji and his team are readying themselves for their war against the bandits. The final training regiment is an all out brawl against Koji. Can the Genin pull together their collective skills and win, or will they fall by the wayside?

Chapter 40: Battle To Prove Themselves!! Masamune Survivor Reunion!!

"So, here are the rules. You are allowed any weapons you want, (whoop from Satoshi) any jutsus you want, and you have till dusk, which is in about 7 hours. So, if there are any last preparations you need, make them now." Koji said, and the three nodded.

After 15 minutes, they all showed they were ready, and Koji nodded, putting his Chakra Staff into his pocket since he was twirling it. "I will use any move I got to subdue or stall you. The only thing you don't have to worry about is Genjutsu, since I suck badly at those." Koji said, chuckling.

"So, ready?" Everyone nodded. "Then, GO!!" Koji said, and he poofed away. "Body Flicker?" Satoshi asked. "No. That was a Shadow Clone. He didn't have to leave for his Chakra Staff since the original had it in his pocket since we've been out here." Hanabi said.

"What if he left with it?" Satoshi asked. "Couldn't have. My eyes would have seen him leave with it. When I was meditating, I was watching Koji leave the inn. He never took one step towards his bag, only put his clothes on." Hanabi said.

"Then that means he's had the advantage since he's arrived." Kenta said. "Split and find him. Throw an Exploding Tag into the air when you find him." Kenta said, and they all took off.

(Somewhere near the Cloud Village)

About 10 miles from The Village Hidden in the Clouds, Itachi and Kanzaki walked, their cloaks hidden in packs they took off some travelers in a caravan. They didn't need to kill them, so they left them unconscious, and Itachi's Sharingan put them in a Genjutsu they wouldn't escape for another few hours.

"How long until we arrive?" Itachi asked. "We are about 3 hours away at this pace." Kanzaki said, and Itachi nodded. "What is the reason we are risking our lives in Cloud?" Itachi asked. "I told you. I want to see if everyone is really dead." Kanzaki said.

"No other particular reason?" Itachi asked. She nodded, and Itachi shrugged. She looked like she was telling the truth, but something bad seemed like it was going to happen.

(Kokiri Forest)

Koji sat in a tree, and sighed. "Seems like this is going to test them to the extreme. Hope they can keep up." Koji mused to himself. He then looked down, and saw Satoshi there, a determined look on his face.

"You found me." Koji stated. "And I'll take that necklace around your neck!!" Satoshi summoned a Katana and a Wakizashi from his weapon scroll, and shot into the tree.

Koji jumped up, and blocked the katana with a kunai, and ducked when he swung the Wakizashi. He hopped back a few trees, and Satoshi followed, hopping from branch to branch. Koji tossed some shuriken at him, and Satoshi blocked them, and slipped.

The moment he slipped, Koji charged at him, and kicked him to the ground. Satoshi flipped, and landed on his feet, and tossed a kunai. Koji, without thinking about it, knocked the weapon high into the air, which caused it to explode.

"An Exploding Tag. That came at me with the intent to kill. At least you listen when you need to." Koji taunted, and Satoshi charged again, this time with a Halberd.

Koji stood his ground, as Satoshi ran at him. Thus began the battle of Satoshi swinging his weapon masterfully, and Koji ducking and weaving in an attempt to find an opening.

After a minute, Koji was getting a little frustrated. The boy handled the weapon like a pro, and trying a counterattack carelessly would result in severe pain. So he merely waited for him to falter, and he would have him. After a few more seconds, Satoshi left a small opening, and Koji took it.

He ducked, and was about to shove his foot into Satoshi's abdomen, but a kunai that would have impaled him forced him to hop back. He then spun, and used an electric fist to block a Jyuuken Strike from Hanabi. He then hopped back, and was surrounded on all sides.

"Hn. When did they get here?" Koji asked. He then flashbacked to the kunai with an Exploding Tag attached to it, and then it hit him. (Shit! I should have realized that something was up when Satoshi of all people tossed a kunai. That was meant to signal them to my location.) Koji thought to himself.

"That was some strategy." Koji said outloud, and the Genin all smirked. "But don't think it means that you can get me." Koji said, as he slid into his Tiger Fist. Hanabi took that as the start.

She shot from where she was standing, and took Koji head-on. Koji slid around, and an electric charged hand blocked her Jyuuken Strike. Koji tossed her aside, as Satoshi charged this time, with a Pike. Koji spun, and blocked the Pike when Satoshi swung it vertically. He caught it by moving a step forward, and grabbed the handle when it hit his shoulder. Since he stepped in, he avoided getting stabbed by the spike.

He pulled it, and dragged Satoshi forward. At the same time, Kenta was charging with a kunai. Before he could get near Koji though, a Shadow Clone smashed from underground, nearly hitting him in the head. He slid back, and Satoshi flew next to him. "Try harder, little men!!" Koji screamed, spinning the Pike over his head, before he held it in an offensive stance.

(Cloud Village)

Itachi and Kanzaki made it to the Cloud Village. It was nearing 5:00, and Itachi stated he would rather they camp outside the village once they found out whatever it was she needed to find out. Kanzaki nodded.

"Follow me." She said, and they both landed on top of the Village Gates. The Cloud Village held to its name alright. There was a fog that enshrouded the village, and it looked the most technologically advanced of the 5 Great Villages.

The Raikage, age 35, is said to be an incredibly powerful user of Lightning and Water based Jutsus. He isn't limited to them though, just preferred them. In short, he's like Sarutobi was in his prime.

"I hope Kyo-sama has been okay, since everything Kumo has had happened to it." Kanzaki muttered. "Your Raikage, what is he like?" Itachi asked, deciding to file this information away in the back of his mind.

"He's really silly! Though he is the leader of an entire village, he acts like he is a little kid." Kanzaki said. "Hn." Itachi replied. "But he is way powerful! Stronger than grandfather was!" Kanzaki said. "You mean Shiro Masamune?" Itachi asked. She nodded, and Itachi shook his head.

"That makes it all the more difficult to sneak in." Itachi muttered. "I guess." Kanzaki said, and Itachi sighed.

(Kokiri Forest)

6:30. They had half an hour before time was called. Koji had slipped through each attempt to steal his necklace they tried, and he even went as far as to lay his necklace on the ground, just so Satoshi could fall into a rope trap. (At this particular one, Koji fell to the ground, laughing hard about the sheer stupidity Satoshi had.)

Koji sat in a tree, listening to his music. (The Genin may not win, but I hope they see the true reason of this test.) Koji thought to himself. He then felt around using his chakra, and could sense Satoshi and Hanabi nearby, most likely preparing a last stand.

He hopped from his tree, and pulled out a kunai. He began to twirl it, and opened his ears. He heard a whizzing sound, and hopped away when 15 shuriken flew into the surrounding trees.

He then began to run, and saw Satoshi on one side, and Hanabi on another side, running alongside him a few feet away. What he never felt was the tripwire he broke while running, and he looked up in time to see a giant log attached to a vine. His eyes widened, and it crashed dead into him, launching him off the ground. He flew through the trees, and landed on a branch very awkwardly.

(Underestimating my enemy. Damn kids capitalize on it!) Koji screamed in his mind. He slid down the tree, and popped another tripwire. This time, a whole bunch of kunai shot from all directions, and Koji had only a few seconds to make the hand signs for the Lightning Dome Jutsu.

The kunai hit the dome harmlessly, and fell to the ground. He then thought he could smell smoke, and chanced a look to the kunai, which all held Exploding Tags. Before he could utter the usual foul mouth he used when in a bad situation, there was a giant explosion.

Hanabi and her team looked towards the giant black mushroom-like cloud that floated over the forest, and Satoshi smirked big. "Dude!! If we killed him, we proved we are stronger!!" Satoshi screamed, and Hanabi gave him a weird look.

"You shouldn't take pleasure in someone's death." Hanabi said. "That makes you inhuman." Kenta said. "I can't help it! That bastard has been acting all high and mighty towards us!" Satoshi said. "He's older than us. He has more experience than we do." Kenta said.

"So? Kakashi-sensei graduated to Chuunin when he was like 9! And became a Jounin at like 13!!" Satoshi screamed. "Well, none of us, including me, is Kakashi-sensei, are we?" The three Genin's eyes widened in fear, as Koji stood behind them, his Body Flicker creating a small wind.

They turned to look at him, and was disheartened at the smirk he held. "Guess what kiddies. Game Over." Koji said, and the glare from the setting sun made them all sigh. "Well, you all lost, but I can't help but think that you all passed." Koji said, and they looked at him surprised.

"You all showed quite the ability to pull together to give even a Jounin a run for his money. If I took you squirts lightly, you may have killed me on some occasions." Koji said.

"I guess that means we are ready. You three can hold your own, and I can take out the top two pain in the assess!" Koji said, thrusting his hand into the air, and the Genin all thrust their fists as well.

(Cloud Village)

"It's true. I didn't want to believe, but it's true." Kanzaki said. She and Itachi were standing at the Masamune Clan Compound. Though there were no bodies, they could still smell the scent of death and blood that wafted throughout the compound.

"I wonder. Did any of them live?" Kanzaki asked. "I would doubt it. The one who killed them all was very thorough." Both nin turned to see Shiro behind them, his arms crossed, and a smirk on his face.

(Raikage's Tower)

"Ryo-sama. Someone is here to see you." One of the Raikage's aides said. Ryo, 35, Yondaime Raikage, nodded. His dark purple eyes looked to the door, and was surprised to see Xin there. An ominous wind blew throughout the Raikage Tower (how, I will never know) and both their black full length hair danced in the wind. Xin's Jet Black and Ryo's Midnight Black.

"Xin Hiwatari. You've been M.I.A for a few years now." Ryo said, smirking. Xin didn't return the smirk like he usually would. "Some things beyond my control have popped up. I won't be returning to Kumo. In fact, I won't be in this world anymore." Xin said, and Ryo's eyes widened.

"What do you mean!?" Ryo asked. "Shiro is in town, last I checked. Find him. He knows. There is something I need to take care of." Xin said, and Ryo smiled sadly. "You always did go out of your way to cause trouble, didn't you Uncle X?" Ryo asked. Xin smiled.

"Che. You still refer to me as that, even after all these years. At least I know you're consistent." Xin said. "I'll see you later, 'nephew.' Xin said, as he walked out of the room. Ryo's smile didn't falter, as he turned to his advisor, Hikari.

"Hikari-chan. Watch the village. I got a call to make." Ryo said, and Hikari's eyes turned white. "NOT AGAIN, YOU BASTARD!!" He got away before she could stop him.

(With Itachi)

Kanzaki's eyes widened as Shiro stood across from her, smirking. Itachi retained his aloofness, but Kanzaki could tell he was ready in case something happened.

"So, my granddaughter has been with Akatsuki?" Shiro asked. "Jii-san! It isn't what you think!! I haven't turned my back on Kumo!!" Kanzaki said, worry filling her eyes.

"I know. You made a decision and are following through with it. There is nothing I can scold you about." Shiro said, walking. Kanzaki smiled, and nodded. Shiro walked past them, and in an instant it felt like time stopped.

Shiro had muttered something, and Itachi picked it up clearly. Shiro walked away, and Itachi managed a very small smile. (I see.) Itachi thought to himself.

"She is precious to me. As long as she is happy, I could care less. If you do so much as make her cry, I will hunt you down myself. But you seem to be a bright lad, who can get himself out of trouble. You know what to do."

Itachi sighed. (Easier said then done. She's too naïve for Akatsuki. That and she won't leave until Rei is dead.) Itachi then looked to the sky. (Shiro just charged me with a mission I don't think even the Mangekyo Sharingan can see to the end.)

Shiro took a few more steps, and felt that he was outside Itachi and Kanzaki's range. He turned to a tree, and saw Ryo sitting there, smirking. The wind picked up, and his Midnight Black hair danced along with Shiro's long orange hair.

"What brings Shiro-jii-san back to Kumo? Not for a mere visit." Ryo said. "I had to check to see if the family was truly all gone. Sad." Shiro said. "I met Xin earlier." Ryo said, and Shiro had a sad smile on his face.

"I know. Destiny took a rather nasty squat on his head, didn't it?" Shiro asked. "I should say. What's happened?" Shiro sighed, and regarded Ryo seriously. "It goes like this, from what he told me."

(Kokiri Town)

"Tommorow morning, we begin the infiltration. I got some info from the locals, and they told me the location of the base." Koji said. The Genin all nodded. "I'm going to warn you. This will be incredibly dangerous, and I won't be there to protect you guys for most of the time." Koji said.

"Then let us use that time to show we are not some green Genin! You'll see our true power!!" Satoshi said, and Hanabi smirked, while Kenta sighed. "You two are out there." Kenta said.

"Seeing as how we may be dead tomorrow, I guess there is something we should talk about." Koji said, looking serious. "And that is?" Kenta asked. "The facts of life!!" Koji said, and Hanabi sweat dropped. Kenta sighed, and Satoshi looked confused.

"What about life?" Satoshi asked. "As a final gift, I will teach you all about the birds and bees!!" Koji said. All three regarded him with white anime eyes, and looks of fear. "You're kidding, right?" Satoshi asked.

"You kids are at a young age. I learned about this stuff when I was your age." Koji said. (How or what I saw to learn it, they don't need to know about.) Koji thought, chuckling to himself. "Now, when a man loves a woman…"

(Cloud Village)

Shiro looked on impassively at Ryo's amazed look. "Xin is carrying that kind of burden against his will?" Ryo asked. "Yeah. He's always been the strongest will of the three. My eyes were the best, and Asuka was the best with Chakra Control." Shiro muttered.

"Killing him won't be easy if he's forced to use his full power." Ryo said. "That's best. He would rather die in a fight like that." Shiro said. "True. Uncle X is just like that." Ryo said.

"You know where Asuka is?" Shiro asked. "Last I checked, she had been somewhere in Water Country." Ryo said. "Hn. Who knows why she is there." Shiro said. "You should watch out for her. You know how she is." Ryo said.

"She's got a whole gang with her. Amazon Kunoichi. She won't be in trouble for a while." Shiro said.

(Kokiri Town)

Koji smirked at the scarred looks the Genin had. In some sick way, he took pleasure in seeing their looks of pure disgust. And then, both Kenta and Satoshi smirked quite evilly, and glanced to Hanabi, who began to blush from their looks.

"I wonder if Hanabi will be the first to engage in these interesting things." Satoshi said, and Hanabi turned crimson. "Eh!?" Koji said, surprised where this was going. "The way she blushes around Kiba would say enough." Kenta said, and Hanabi scowled at him, but her blush stayed put.

"Sh-shut up!!" Hanabi screamed, and Koji smirked as well. "I see young Hyuuga here has a crush." Koji said, laughing. Hanabi growled, and then it turned into an evil smirk.

"What about you?" Hanabi asked, as Kenta and Satoshi looked to him. "What about me?" Koji asked. "Both Neji-nii-san and Hinata-nee-chan both talk about how you are always picking on Sakura. That's a very juvenile way to show you like someone." Hanabi said, smirking.

"If you think you can-" Koji didn't finish, because Kenta used a Transformation Jutsu, turning into a nude Sakura, which caused Koji to shoot a geysher of blood from his nose. When he recovered, Satoshi and Kenta were on the ground, laughing outright. Hanabi was chuckling.

"Okay. You got me. I keep silent if you do, Hanabi-chan." Koji said. Hanabi nodded. "And if you two decide to spill, then I guarantee that what I will put you through will make you wish I learned Genjutsu." Koji said, and the boys nodded. "Well, sleep time! We got a mission to complete tomorrow!!" Koji said.

ShadowRonin: The time to take on the bandits and their leader is approaching. Their leader is still unknown to Koji, but he has a hired Jounin Sword to fight for him. Is he cowardly, or just cautious? Find out!

Next Chapter: It is time. The assault on the bandit lair is in motion, and the team prepares for combat. Ryoko is sure to be there again, and what are the skills that the one called Toshiro have? Find out on:

Chapter 41: It's Time!! The Brawl Begins!!