The bow staff hits hard:
"Enough of this, the test is over, release me at once!" Yuu squirmed in the ropes that held him in place, the Hokage growl at him and he stopped resisting.
"Not before my Chunin are back safely, your test was deliberately to rough on my Shinobi" Tsunada took another sip from the wine provided for her by Shizune, who kept her own expression stern.
"Disabling our ninja with medical jutsu in a form of trial is an excessive violation!" Shizune reprimanded the man, bending at her waist to wag a finger at him. "It's going to take a few hours before the poison leaves their system" she frowned in her concern.
"Poison, but it wasn't poison!" Yuu protested from his seat on the opposite side of the Hokage's desk. The Hokage stare out the window as he spoke. "The mixture was a careful measured dosage, it was better than knocking them over the head or strangling them. You should speak to your Chunin about that, they are the ones who need to be disciplined not my Shinobi"
"Still" Tsunada spoke out to the view of Konohagakure "You disabled my ninja with a drug that takes time to leave the body, harming our numbers, which directly affects the health of my Village" The Hokage turned around and Yuu straightened, now understanding the full depth of his actions.
The lesson he learnt? Don't make the Hokage mad.
…
A few hours passed.
The Chunin lined up in formation on top of the Hokage's office, the roof top that surrounded its self with the Village from all angles. The platoon squared off and saluted the Hokage who waited for their reformation. Each man and women lined in perfect harmony with their neighbouring companions. They were all present and accounted for, to address the Hokage and a representative of the Daimyo. It was mid-afternoon by this time and many of the Chunin were still suffering the effects of the trial.
The genin had already be dismissed, there was very little need for mission reports but a mass mission report had to be written regardless. Tsunada and Shizune were unfortunately the bares of this duty. The strain showing on their faces now but they kept composed and formal. The genins' mission was not a farce; there was a child to be found even if only a henge (disguise jutsu) to offer the appearance of the child they were in search of. This test was thorough and well planned; it challenged the new generation of ninja and excluded the Jounin. Those that had already passed the test in the older generation, would have expected all the traps in place and the trial would have failed as a proper test of a Ninja Village. It was the future the Daimyo worried for after all.
"The mission sent to your village by the Daimyo was a test" Yuu the representative of the Daimyo sounded, addressing the Chunin and the Hokage. "Our Daimyo wished to demonstrate how many of the leaf shinobi he could capture in a run of a test invasion" He extended his voice so that all could hear him speak. "Your Hokage will new tell you how many Chunin were captured in comparison to how many of my Shinobi were brought in" He ushered the attention of the audience to the Hokage with a gesture of his hands.
"Chunin of the Leaf" Tsunada addressed her ninja, her voice formal and proud. "The Daimyo's test had been well planned; he had send and exactly equal number of Shinobi to challenge the number of Chunin here within the Leaf" The formal gown of Hokage that she usually never wore, now waved in the wind. "… and I am proud to say that you off duty Chunin have out matching their Shinobi by 15 ninja for every single comrade that they overcome in battle." They cheered and applauded to the smile Tsunada placed on her lips, she let them revel in it before putting a hand up to end their cheers. "I will now hand the floor back to the representative of the Daimyo"
Yuu took center again, a grimace bit in at his jaw. "Although the trial has been won in your favour, the battle played out in victory. Your village has been infiltrated. Not knowing how many enemies have entered your borders means death for your ninja and people" He paused and let the accomplishment and joy drain from their faces. "The number of Shinobi I was able to sneak into this village is unacceptable; it is a disgusting affront to your name as a Ninja Village and a grievous stain on the Honour of our Nation" The emotion in Yuu's face showed his displeasure in this discovery and what he had to say now. "You have nothing to celebrate. Your Village, the Ninja Village of Konohagakure, has failed my trial and at an extent, has failed the Daimyo in its calling to defend the Fire Nation." The Chunin before Yuu looked ready to commit Seppuku (Suicide through cutting open of the abdomen) "The Duty of the Daimyo is to all the People of this Nation, he cannot forsake you. He will not forsake you, no trial could make him do that." Yuu looked back to the Hokage, who looked shocked by the ugly turn in events. He confronted her with a challenge. "The fact that my Shinobi could hid in the forests without detection for so long means that the Leafs security is not good enough at present. What do you intend to do about this Honourable Hokage?"
Tsunada stepped closer, addressing her people and Yuu she cleared her throat. "I propose that a new department be formed. The intelligence department helped us established a great advantage on this mission, we were able to use its infrastructure to discover who we were really in search of. Using their reports we uncovered this mission to be a trial from our Daimyo." At this point Tsunada's voice faulted slightly and she paused, although Yuu had been the cause of this distress he did not chastise the Hokage. Instead he waited, offering support through his respect for the Lady Hokage, his silence a message of trust in her ability.
"The tracking units of this Village have always been a well-known part of the Leaf. I believe if we allow them to develop their own Tacking department for which will be partly responsible for the sanctuary of this Village, that they will surprise us with what they can accomplish" There could be no reaction to this other than applause, it was a step forward.
After the applause died down Yuu spoke again, standing beside the Hokage in union together towards the new developments. "May I propose Lady Hokage that an additional Department be made to better our ninja." Yuu looked for permission from the Hokage who nodded in acceptance of his request. "I noticed in our battle today that many of you have weapons, still, some Chunin do not. A weapon is always an advantage in battle, every one of my Shinobi carries a weapon. This is because a weapon is an extension to the ability of a ninja. My Ninja may have lost but it is not because of their weapons but instead because we were on enemy grounds and our source of diet was limited to what could be found in the forests. A weapon should be made a standard addition to a ninja's gear. A weapon is used to defend and attack, it blocks the hit for you so you do not need to sustain the blow, it makes the cut for you so that you do not need to risk the retaliation. I propose that weapons be made a standard while within the borders of the Leaf, and if need be, that a department be formed to train and guild ninja along this path." Yuu stepped back to allow the Hokage to speak in favour or against this proposition.
"I agree with these two developments towards our future. The tracking department must be formed to prevent a trial of this nature ever escalating to these proportions, and most importantly, safe guard our Village from the attack of infiltration. Likewise I believe that it is paramount that Chunin learn to wield their weapon of choice. A weapon is an advantage and we need every advantage against the enemies of the Leaf. Weapons must become part of our standard guild to being Ninja, especially on home ground where carrying a weapon will not exhaust our ninja. In the field a weapon can be always be sealed and used when deemed necessary." Tsunada looked out over her Chunin, she looked to Shizune her adviser, and nodded to her own determination. "I must ask you for what you can add, for I will not judge and demand of this Village without hearing what you can offer to our development" Tsunada folded her fingers, pressed her index fingers against her lips in wait of any response.
"May I make a suggestion Lady Hokage?" The audience of shinobi including the representative of the Daimyo himself, all shifted their focus on Argies. The Hokage tilted her head in allowance "We have a department for tracking and a department for weapons, but might I suggest that we also develop a department that deals with traps" Argies gazed at the confusion across the room and decided it best to clarify. "I have witnessed Fuuinjutsu used as an instrument of trap making" Argies had only seen it used today and in theory as he hadn't seen its actual use in practice, but it was his only source and opportunity to add to Konohagakure "With Fuuinjutsu the user is able to set a trap that only fires under certain conditions. As an example; a trap can be created that sets off only when an enemy steps into it bounds, but an ally could walk right over without the springing mechanism firing" Argies waited patiently for any response, bowing slightly in reference of who he addressed.
Yuu took the role of speaker and declared simply "Fuuinjutsu is outlawed and cannot be taught, as speaker for the Daimyo I urge you Hokage not to take this path" He did not step back allowing the topic up for debate.
"Traps have been used in the past, ultimately useless as a tool against the enemy and for the preparations against an attack. They are unreliable in three aspects" The Hokage now voiced her experience as a Shinobi, a Kage as well as Hokage. "Over time traps degrade, in the usage of a seals that would not be a problem. Multiple traps make an area deadly for the enemy and friendly alike, resulting in unintended death, but Fuuinjutsu again would prevent this. Traps lain out in any Village would have a map detailing their location, if stolen they make the point purposeless, yet again Fuuinjutsu would means that no such map would ever need to be made. Fuuinjutsu does not fade over time, when formulated correctly it does not detonate unintentionally. The fact that they are safe to place and need no further tending, protects against any mark of their location being discovered." Tsunada looked into Argie's eyes and she did not move, her cloak did not flutter. "However Fuuinjutsu is a danger in its self. If we do develop safe Fuuinjutsu traps, then other Villages would war with us in order to gain our advantage. Until the point of this innovation, we would have lost many ninja lives if not the whole Village to the research in order to discover how such a seal could be made. Most perturbing, Argies, is how would you know of such a trap when the Leaf does not teach its Shinobi Fuuinjutsu, further then the extent of medical ninjutsu Fuuinjutsu healing arts, which is very basic and limited" Tsunada raised her voice after calling Argies name, and her tone escalated with menace and displeasure as she continued on.
Yuu stepped forward and haltered the Hokages gale. "Three of my Shinobi have mention such Fuuinjutsu traps, but they have no recollection of who brought them in, I however do not suspect Argies, yet there are other breaks of conduct tied to his name that I still wish to discuss with you in private" The Hokage waved him off and turned back to her ninja.
"What else can be proposed? Do none of you have anything to add?" The Chunin were unwilling to speak, this may have been in sight of the suspicion thrown at Argies for his offer or it may have simply been that they knew nothing else to add. "Very well, you are dismissed" In a spurt of chakra flickers, they all disappeared except for one.
He stood against the setting sun, feeling the weight of its light compellingly him to press on. "If it is a discussion about me, I belief I should attend" Argies looked up at the Hokage, who looked to Yuu in response.
"Well Argies I think that is very brave of you" Yuu turned to the Hokage. "I believe it is best that we have this discussion in private, young Argies has much to explain, where can we further this discussion?" The Hokage took to step and Yuu, Shizune and Argies followed.
On reaching the Hokage's office, Tsunade activated a silencing seal on the door and Shizune closed the blinds over the windows. The room was silenced from the outside world, those outside the room and those inside would no longer be able to hear or see the other, in perfect secrecy a peculiar calm settled on those in the room.
Tsunada made her way to her desk. "Representative Yuu, What is it that you wish to discuss about my Chunin" She turned to sit down and caught a glimpse of Argies looking at her in bewilderment. To him this had been the very first encounter of her showing any love for him, with her accusations on first meeting him, he had always thought of her as a cruel and unfair ruler.
"Please Lady Hokage, let us cast aside formal address" Yuu said this even while he added the title of Hokage. "It is tiresome enough talking at this late an hour, we have already had a whole day of Ninja trials and speeches, let us simple discuss this matter and be done with it." Shizune understood his hidden message and offered the Hokage and Representative wine, which was partook of generously.
"Very well Yuu, what is it that you wish to discuss, or would you have me ask Argies" The bitterness towards her Chunin returned. This was something that Argies was beginning to grow used to, but now he considered it just to be her nature that perhaps she treated all her Chunin in this manner.
"As you know through the mission debriefing; Argies was the ninja to capture me. I'm not too sure if you know the full length of this capture, but I will fill you in now" Tsunada sipped her second fill of wine while Yuu related the events. "In the very first attack Argies was somehow able to disable one of my guards with a single touch, temporarily removing him from the field. My guard suffered violent convulsions and due to the attack he entered a catatonic state. I could not figure out how this was accomplished until later when Argie's behaviour began showing signs of a break in surface, he seemed unsettled by it somehow" Yuu looked back at Argies who sat at a chair a shallow distance away, it appeared he did not wish to interrupt the mission detail. "*Sigh* Later on grabbing Argies, intending to paralyze him with an electric shock, I felt the power drain from my hand and watched his face twist with an indescribably evil" The Hokage faltered on raising her cup to her lip but said nothing, urging Yuu to continue.
"This nightmare carried on until my downed guard was able to hit Argies on the back of the head, but not before young Argie's here revealed a further detail to match my suspicion. He spoke in tongues!" Shizune gasped but Tsunada showed no reaction to the intensifying of his tone and the ominous significant. "Argies 'behaviour' reflects what I have seen in the past, this 'speaking in tongues' can only mean one thing, he is possessed by an Oni" The room seared with silence and The Hokage and Shizune's eyes bulged.
"Ha ha ha, augh you guys." Argies could not contain his amusement "Tss so funny, so so funny" He shook his head and continued to smile even as they stared at him. "I don't quite understand what happened, but I can give you detail to prove that it is not an oni" He waited for permission to continue speaking, which the tilt of the Hokage's head granted. "Tsunada you know of my abilities? As Hokage some detail of my capabilities and ninjutsu must be known to you by now." She did not wait for conformation and instead continued.
"I use my blood to store up extra chakra. That is my ninja ability. When I come into contact with other ninja and even civilians, I am able to suck the chakra out of their bodies. It isn't an unheard of ability; there are a few other ninjutsu's that produce the same effect. I remember a shinobi in the pre-empt elimination rounds of the chunin exams who had a similar ability. Now this is where I cannot account for my actions. One of my Ninjutsu techniques is a Life Blood Siphon, it is much the same like my lowest of absorption abilities 'Blood mist' only it creates a direct contact and drains more chakra. This is what I did to your first guard, I can only guess that draining that much chakra so fast must have consequences which are not very healthy for the body. I've been considering this for most of the day, that absorbing more chakra then I am able to hold likewise has negative effects. That is what Yuu experienced as the characteristics of an oni, control over that much chakra was near impossible for my small body. This could have affected my mind and my character, because as you can see right now I am very sane" Not a word was said, instead they proceeded to stare at Argies a moment longer before a realisation dawned on Yuu.
"Blood mist jutsu? That was what you said before any of the real fighting started, what was that?" Yuu still did not seem convinced and Argies did not look forward to the accusations Tsunada could possibly be forming in her presently creased forehead.
"My Blood mist technique is a counter attack. When impacted my body release a fine mist of blood, I can also cast that mist out from my hands. This was how I eventual overcame your team, the contact you made to my throat and the hit against the back of my head released a blood mist. When I activated my jutsu by calling to me the blood mist, 'Blood burn', it absorbs the chakra from your bodies continuously until the thin veil of blood on your skin burnt off as steam. This act blistered your skin and since you were rolling on the floor in pain, I would guess that it likely hurt you a lot more due to how long you were in contact with me, compared to your guards." Argies grinned with an air or arrogance about him that was hard not to love.
Shizune looked at Yuu's arms and blinked, "Blistered? I don't see any blisters?" Yuu brought up both his arms and looked at them, "See, there are no blisters" Tsunada observed and agreed.
"Ya that's the part that's weak about my ability, it heals." Argies hung his head low from the high point he came from. "Tensue, a medical ninja here in the Leaf, ran tests and showed me that my blood sacrifices any nutrition it carries in order to absorb more chakra." He hummed and wagged a finger in thought. "Augh yes I forgot, another of my blood abilities is that my blood is able to hold more nutrition than the normal ninja. It actually has some serious side effects like I almost never feel hungry or thirsty. In fact" He gritted his teeth. "I don't use the toilet as much either… uhm back to my point, because I have a higher level of nutrition in my blood it means that I heal faster. In donating that nutrition for chakra, I boost my victim's rate of healing. There is one more thing I forgot to mention, the reason I was able to bring my level of chakra under control." Yuu looked interested at this, now no longer suspecting Argies was possessed but rather that he was a 12 year old boy with some strange jutsu.
"After Yuu's team was dealt with, I and the genin that assisted me had to revive a squad of Chunin Yuu captured. I again tried something that, now that I think about it, was pretty dangerous and untested, but I tried healing them. I was still filled with excess chakra and I was finding it difficult to control my actions, but I do practise meditation and was able to concentrate the excess inward away from my chakra networks. When I placed my hands on the Chunin in order to heal them, I felt the power leave me and it began to feel easier to control the buzz of overwhelming energy. I could revive two of the Chunin, but as soon as my chakra levels stabilised my ability to heal dropped and I could not wake the last ninja."
The Hokage looked at Argies with a strange curiosity on her face, on realising Argies was looking at her in return she opened her mouth to speak. "I will have to have a talk with Tensue when next I visit the Medic Labs, you are dismissed Argies, I do not believe we have anything to fear from you. Granted we will be watching" Tsunada smiled at Argies and he felt that it was a genuinely pleased expression.
"Thank you Lady Hokage, thank you Yuu and Shizune, good night" Argies bowed and on finding it difficult to open the door, Shizune opened it for him. "Good Night" he reiterated with a happy smile.
After Argie's departure Yuu took a long drag on his cup of wine, before his voice vibrated in satisfaction ready to speak "A very interesting Chunin that Argies is, and at such a young age, it is not unusual I suppose but it is also not very common for a ninja to develop their own jutsus." Tsunada arched an eyebrow but said nothing, allowing Yuu to continue. "I have heard of ninja modifying their fighting styles to make them their own, using techniques of one fighting style and mashing them with another, but in Argies you have a Shinobi willing to bring new life into ninjutu's cast of abilities." Yuu grinned to his sly remark, hinting at something else Shizune couldn't quite understand but a comment Tsunada caught with a scowl.
"How long do you intend to stay" Tsunada rested her elbows on her desk, eyeing Yuu in a serious tone of expression, as she brought her hands together into a pyramid of thoughtful resolve.
"Our Daimyo has decided it best that I stay for at least a year, and I would not feel comfortable leaving until I see the Departments mentioned developed" Yuu slipped forward a letter baring the Daimyo's seal, likely holding exactly that command.
Tsunada looked down on the letter, breaking the seal to read it. "Will your personal guard be staying as well?" Her eyes shifted up and a flash of authority stretched across them. "If they are I hope you understand that they will no longer be under your command as I am Hokage, Leader of all Shinobi here within the Leaf" Yuu straightened himself to her command, and solemnly bowed his head in agreement. Yuu's guards could fill the number of shinobi lost to the invasion; Tsunada knew this and took advantage of this opportunity to strengthen her forces.
"And I never agreed to develop a department for weapons training." Yuu's mouth parted to object but Tsunada's tone reaffirmed her rule over the matter. "Departments and sectors set aside for a single undertaking, reduce the number of ninja I have available for missions. They take away that number, instead of being able to assign my own ninja I would have to request ninja from a Department of weapons training and a Department of Tracking. This reduces efficiency because I would have to wait for my request to be processed and I would also lose funding to the development and assignment of those ninja" Yuu's disgruntled face was about to strike his hand up in protest but the Hokage cut him off "Yes I will develop a Department of Tracking but I will limit it to only the Chunin's participation. Chunin are not as valuable to me as Genin and Jounin. Despite their rank, Chunin because of their role as leaders are not as versatile. A team can be comprised of Genin, and Jounin are on a level of excellent that do not require a large group for a mission to succeed. Chunin however are not genin or Jounin, they are the Middle ninja. They are not yet as developed as Jounin so are not often assigned on lone missions, and in a team you only need one Chunin for every squad of three…"
"This makes them less costly to you." Yuu interrupted "If they were to suddenly become unavailable you could simple assign Jounin or Genin, but you cannot afford to lose your hold over your other ninja." He grimaced bitterly "I agree and I can see now why the intelligence department includes so many Chunin. Agh… Hmm… since I am here within the leaf, and you have no time for absurd departments, may I assist in weapons training your Chunin?" Yuu watched in wait of an answer, Shizune poured another cup of wine for Tsunada and the Hokage sipped her cup before glancing at Yuu with consideration.
"I'll give you three days to train my Chunin and any willing genin…"
…
"My symmetry must be perfect" The voice hollowed out any disturbance from those currently residing within the well lit room. The focus of this attention for perfection, breathed shallow in her comatose sleep. "Ink the lines with chakra, down the contours of the body, smooth my hand in my precision"
"Why is he talking to himself" One of the attendants in the white washed room whispered with scrutiny to his cupped hand beside the head of a fellow onlooker.
"I've been here many times, some say it helps him concentrate, others say it's like theatre, I personally think his a little nuts" The onlooker turned his head to the attendant before looking back. "But you have to marvel at his excellence"
"Silence!" The two who spoke jumped in their seats. "The voice of perfection" they breathed out in relief as the voice continued to speak oblivious of their slanderous views. "The art of steel" the voice pieced a hole in the ladies flesh, before stabbing the needle in its meticulous refined new placement.
"This will be the second time I've seen him make a mistake in 4 years, if he admits it's a mistake… is it a mistake?" The onlooker looked to the attendant who put his shoulders up and shook his head unsure.
Tensue was in the middle of an experimental surgery. A large group of medical ninja, attendants, interns and practitioners had gathered to observe in admiration of his medical arts. The Lady he worked on had her cloths stripped and her back bare so that Tensue could draw out Fuuinjutu on her exposed skin. Her body was spiked with several acupuncture needles and the artwork on her back pulsated with Tensue's chakra.
"I will now add the herbal infusion of; Machinga, Peyote, Curare, and Agrimony" The room whispered with scepticism and argument as Tensue's began to mix the ingredients.
"…How can you use that!"
"…That isn't safe or reasonable; most of those ingredients are poisonous!"
"…His trying to kill her!"
"…That is a myth, Machinga doesn't even exist!"
"…Peyote, don't be absurd, that is an illegal drug"
"I ask for those attending this operation to be quite, I did not ask for you to be here" Tensue's calmer alter-ego demanded in a civil tone of indignation. "Now watches with mute lips as I apply my infusion"
In a startled rush the patient awoke, pushing herself off the table before realising she was bare from the waist up "Where are my cloths" she babbled dazed.
Tensue handed her a blanket and two attendants came forward to comfort her from her sudden reawakening, removing various needles and surgical monitors. They held her hands and eased her back down to prevent any shock that may result in a relapse. "As you can see my patient is awake and not only that" Tensue paused in view of all those attended. "but on further examination you will find that the cancer putting pressure on her brain steam, which caused this coma, will be gone" The room erupted with applause but despite this victory Tensue remained stiff, his forehead beaded with sweat and a nervousness overcame him that was not present when he was within surgery.
When finally the applause ended Tensue addressed the source of his discomfort. "Lady Hokage, I did not expect you to be attending my presentation"
"And I did not expect to be presented with such a display" Tsunada's words were left unsaid whether she found Tensue's operation to be pleasing to her or not.
"I…I see, then why have you chosen to visit me my Lady, or are you here to tour our humble Shinobi medical labs?" Tensue shifted uneasily within his lab coat. 'The Hokage', he thought with reverence, 'The medical sannin!' he professed in glory.
"My medical labs" Tsunada declared while walking down the stairs to meet Tensue face to face.
"My lady?" Tensue voiced uncertain of her remark.
"You said 'our' but they are my labs, which is why I am here." Tsunada adjusted her weight, pulling straight her cloths now free of her formal Hokage robes. "How recently did you examine a Chunin by the name of Argies Ages?" Tensue's eyes shot open to the name Tsunada mentioned, she noted this with a peculiar interest.
"Argies Ages has opened a new study in my medical notes, what I mean to say is..." Tensue hummed to find a better grasp of words. "He is the subject of a new endeavour of medical ninjutsu, one that I find most fascinating" He grinned, forgetting that the Hokage was opposite to him and instead slipped away to a plane of euphoric fantasy.
"Medical ninjutsu…?" The Hokage inquired bringing a hand to her temple to press against the growing tension.
"Yes, his blood techniques are one I have yet to be able to replicate." The medical ninja took to step and the Hokage followed. "From what I have gathered from the subject he claims to have no understanding of advanced medical arts, yet with all my equipment and knowledge, I cannot replicate what he has created. Blood cells which manipulate chakra"
"Yes, I understand that to be his ability but… hmm you say you cannot replicate it?" Tsunada asked again, finally reaching Tensue's personal lab. She did not much like the look of the place, the dried herbs and instruments all neatly scatted about the room. The jars of specimens both organic and alien alike, things that boggled even the medical mind of Tsunada. She wondered if the claims that he was more mad than genius began to resurface in her mind all the rumours about his nefarious medical exploits.
"I have been unable to replicate his ninjutsu, yes that is what I am saying, but it is more than this." Tensue pulled a volume of slides out from his desk, placing them under a nearby projector. "He has somehow made his blood alive" He clicked the slide, each showing a follow on picture of Argies blood cells attacking another tissue compound.
"This is remarkable, and this was done on the day when you tested his blood?" Tsunada once again questioned.
"That my lady, is the most shocking of my discoveries. You see his blood doesn't appear to be able to die" Tensue continued with a smirk to the worry in the Lady Hokage's eyes. "This is from a sample of Argies blood that is over a month old, it has had no nourishment and no oxygen, yet it is still alive"
"Are you sure, that doesn't sound very possible, it must be feeding off something to survive. A normal blood cell can only survive for 120 days, but that is under the condition that they are in the body, outside that number would be a few hours…" Tsunada's responds seemed to taper off to somewhere in her thoughts as she observed a further entry from Tensue.
"These cells are the ones I extracted from Argies" The Hokage looked at the content of the vial Tensue held up, the crimson mass moved around in the vial but the medical ninja was not shaking the glass vessel; it was Alive. "In my studies I found them content when saturated in chakra, but when deprived or over saturated they become volatile and aggressive in nature"
"They?" The Hokage paced herself "This adds to my suspicions. This Argies Ages is no normal ninja. Developing his own ninjutus without the guild of a master ninja would be difficult for a normal genin, but not for a fuuinjutsu user or ah Oni…"
"What would you have me do my Lady?" Tensue offered with a treacherous grin
"Monitor this Chunin until I can afford to investigate further, at present he isn't a threat to the Leaf, but if he develops anything additionally concerning we will have to devise a way of ridding ourselves of him. Oni are not creatures that can be taken likely and fuuinjutsu users should never be underestimated. I cannot simple order an execution unless I know the extent of the damage that might be caused."
"I must speak to Representative Yuu more on this matter, he may have additional details. After all it was his faint suggestion that Argie's talents are uncanny for a Genin without a master, and I will not have word of this problem leaked to the Daimyo"
…
The light brushing of fermented bean paste still clinging to the inside of my sticky bowl, the crust of my salted bread crisp to the meat in my broth. The aroma of the soaked chunks of beef and mashed potatoes mixed together with the saucy juices and spiced butters that made up my chowder soup.
The sour and the savoury, the sticky joy and the soft delights, "Ahhhhh Nasantot! You really know how to start the day" I bit down and dinged in satisfaction, my mind turning white as my eyes closed to the shine of the morning light.
"It is always good to see, my customers in, perfect satisfaction" Nasantot bowed his arms out to the clients in his shop, happy for the free advertisement on my face. "The mornings are the stew time of the day. The freshest spices, the best meats, and the choice butters. All! For my customers" The smile on his face told me he was enjoying it as well as I as enjoying his food.
It must be nice to love what you do, like being a ninja in training. It's always better when you're in the kitchen cooking, then on the plate of battle learning what tastes best; a funny kind of philosophy but one not too difficult to comprehend when biting into a particularly hard plate. Knowing that you either have to spit it out and anger your Hokage, or chew and swallow it as best as you can despite risking choking to death on the bone you have to pick.
"Sigh…"
"Is something the matter?"
"Kiba! Good to see you hear in the mornings" I usually came to Nasantot's early every day, Kiba on the interview retake said he came by only for take-ways, but it was great to see him around.
"Hey it's been a while since me and Akumaru have picked up your scent, hasn't it boy" His jacked hood was up but a whine from the top of his head told me it wasn't just to keep out the morning air.
"What did I tell you, Akumaru!" Nasantot pointed at Kiba's head, addressing the dog directly. "Dogs must walk, on the ground, not on the head, were they can jump into soup pots!"
Akumaru whimper under Kiba's hoody, retreating back further. "Sorry again about that Nasantot, Akumaru just gets really excited about your soup" Kiba apologised, a guilty grin on his face, to which Nasantot responded with a doggy back take way.
"Another satisfied customer is always welcome to my shop, but please no head dogs, head dogs are bad." He shook a wooden spoon at Akumaru to emphasise the 'head dogs are bad' principle.
"Ha… it was only to keep Akumaru out of the cold" Kiba leaned closer to me and Nasantot, whispering. "Akumaru has a sensitive nose"
"Arf Arf"
"Whops oh, looks like he heard that" He chuckled and sat down next to me. "Come boy, sit on my lap, let's have some meat with Argies here" Kiba was so much fun I could see the joy on his face, teasing Akumaru knowing that the ninja dog could hear him. Agh so much fun. Akumaru skilfully jumped from Kiba's head to his shoulder to his lap, doing its best not to rowel the anger of Nasantot and his wooden spoon.
"Hnn bones again, I mean chicken limbs… what were they called again?" I started from a position of power, or at least observation, to hesitation to request… what was I doing, augh! Ok, wait, cool guy cool guy, come on Argies you can do it.
"Wing pops." Kiba emptied half of the packet on the counter and half in his lap. "Akumaru loves them, and I've got to say Nasantot has the best pops in the Village *Chomp." He bit down on a drum stick and pulled out the sheared bone from his mouth "Actually I don't think I've ever eaten a better wing pop anywhere else" He waved around the drum stick casually splattering me with saliva.
"Uhm…"I wiped my face "That's interesting" I folded my arms and became very wary of the menacing floating drum stick spit he was flinging left and right. As a ninja getting hit in the face was slightly embarrassing, we were trained to be vigilant at all times of all threats. Trying to bond with Kiba had broken me from that resolve and the spit in my face was just the splash I needed to wake me from my fault.
"…And then there was this giant ant and… Hey Argies are you still listening?"
"uhm, ya, uhm yes Giant ant and?" I urged him on, but I seriously had no idea what he was talking about now. I had been so distracted by not paying attention to spit hazards, and then paying attention took attention away from his attention…. Boy was I lost.
"Oh ya I forgot, there were some posters up in the middle of town, something about sword fighting. Akumaru and I were thinking of signing up, do you want to come?" Kiba handed me a poster pulled out from the inside of his Jacket.
"Hmm interesting. It says a master Swordsmen by the name of Bow Staff will be training any Genin and Chunin ninja willing to attend his sessions" I Scratched the back of my head. "It says here that once attended we will be barred from leaving under order of the Hokage!?" I arced an eyebrow at Kiba "That's kinda strange and suspicious don't you think"
"Ya but it's only three days" Kiba stretched the tired out of his shoulders "So what do you say, are you coming? Hinata and Shino are coming along too" Akumaru looked up from his meal whimping questionably at me, sitting down on Kiba's lap with his snout pointed up, I didn't know if it was because he was out of bones or if he wanted me to come too?
"It looks like I don't have much of a choice…Hey what is Akumaru going to do, I mean he doesn't need to learn sword fighting does he?" I stretched too, its weird how sleeping on stones makes your body sore… hmm I wonder what Kiba's excuse is.
"Any training is ninja training for an Inuzuka ninja dog, Akumaru can learn what the different weapons smell like and warn me before I senses the enemy" Kiba tapped his nose "Ninja hounds have a better sense of smell and can pick up the smelt of different metals"
"Really? Wow that's quite amazing, and I hear that Shino's clan's bugs can sense people by their chakra but I wonder how that works?" I stared up at Kiba who suddenly looked very annoyed with me. "What?"
"Stupid shino…* grumble grumble grumbled" He frowned and muttered to himself when suddenly.
"Hey!" they carried on walking, perfectly ignoring me, "Hey wait a minute, stop for a while. I want to introduce you to someone." I jumped in front of them, happy to get away from Kiba's disgruntled mood.
"You guys seem new to the genin group and I want to get everyone familiar with everyone else." The two didn't say a word. "We are all going to be placed randomly together on missions and I'm going to be the leader, if we don't know each other's names…" they remained totally silent to my rattling on about ninja missions and chunin business.
"Shadow-less thrust, the invisible sword. Argies, it is good to see you again" It was that silver ninja, coming to meet his two team mates.
"Ha, ya good to see you too. Listen, I don't think we had a proper chance to introduce ourselves" I extended my hand. "I'm Argies Ages, and that guy over there is Kiba Inuzuka"I tilted my head over my shoulder back where I thought Kiba was.
"Hey no need to be like that Argies" He dusted the crumbs and oil off his hands. "I'm right over here, so who are these guys?" He extended his hand rather cautiously, Akumaru sniffing up at the silver ninja.
"I Fuma Takadatsu" The silver ninja shook both our hands. "It is good to meet you Argies when not concerned with the state of the battle field, and it is a pleasure to meet you Kiba before our futures find ourselves in blood for the battles to come" He beamed a playful smile, showing a character vastly altered to the Fuma I meet in the gravity of combat. It seems this ninja has many layers to his personality, but I guessed that everyone's a different person when your life's at threat or when focusing a battle meditation. Still he seemed eager with his philosophy, which was fun considering I liked philosophy as well.
"Ha, nice one, maybe I should use that line on those hot spring chicks" Kiba blushed slightly, realising he was in public, but I wasn't sure if he was talking about food or girls. Spring chicks might just be another food item I don't know about.
"Genjuu, what are you and your comrade doing all the way over there, get over here and introduce yourself" Genjuu and his fellow ninja had quietly snuck away from our group, I didn't want to be rude and point that out and I also didn't want them running off before this was done.
Genjuu walked over to Fuma and lifted his mouth up to Fuma's ear "Hello Arjies" Fuma said, a smile still lingering on his silver lips but now a slightly red tint had been added to his silver skin. Genjuu continued to speak into Fuma's ear as Kiba and I looked to each other and back again to them, perplexed. "I am Genjuu Ashigaka and it is also well to meet you" Genjuu smoothed back Fuma's hood, where he had ruffled it with his whispers, before extending a hand to greet us.
"Hi…" Kiba voiced, squinting at Genjuu while shaking the ninja's hand.
Fuma's last team mate stared at us awkwardly holding one arm straightened in a guarded and frail sort of practice before also walking besides Fuma, pulling aside his hood and whispering into his ear. "I am Taka of the Tomoe clans, it is nice to greet a strong ninja and their friends" She settled the souls of her shoes back to the ground and stepped forward to greet us with a handshake as well.
"It is nice to meet you as well Taka, you are the first flying ninja I have ever met and I agree. It is good to greet strong ninja and their friends, but it is also well to meet fellow ninja no matter their ability" I offered my own wisdom as I would be team leader of these ninja in future and they would be placed with different teams all the time, weak or strong, but she seemed affronted by the statement. Perhaps she felt I was being biased of her remark or maybe she felt I was addressing her as a weaker ninja directly after she called me strong. I couldn't let that bother me forever; I would simple have to show my appreciation for her indirectly in some other statement or act.
Hmm, perhaps I could do that now. "I feel I should make it up to all of you, Silver Grey and White, for helping me in the forest. How about we all go to this Bow staff's demonstration and learn how to use weapons together?" I showed them the poster Kiba handed me, they looked to each other unsure "I'll pay for any expenses" I added to sweeten the deal, but they still remained mute to a decision. "It will be a great way you to meet some of the other genin and chunin"
Fuma grinned, a sly chuckled followed the stares his teammates shot him. "I'll most defiantly be attending, and if Genjuu and Taka want to be able to talk for the next" He stared at the number of days. "Three days, they will have to come too"
"This is going to be great!" Kiba jumped with excitement "I'll go tell Hinata and Shino right away, you guys better get backed… race you there!" Kiba and Akumaru ran off and I almost felt my competitive urge set me bolting to my house too, but I had to be sure Fuma and his team were coming too.
"Ok so we are set? Meet you back here in 20 minutes?" I already had a bag packed for ninja missions, but I didn't know how prepared the Arrow eye and steel were for a three day get away. "We will meet with Kiba and his team together"
"Does the demonstration require anything of us besides ninja provisions?" Fuma asked after a lean in from Genjuu.
"Well the poster says all we need is sleeping gear. I believe it's going to be held in the forest so maybe they will be using bamboo as practice weapons" I was bouncing on the spot, Kiba was getting ahead of us and even though I didn't intend on beating him there I didn't want to be so behind.
Fuma noticed my agitation and so eased my worry, "We will make ready"
Bam! I was gone!
….
We eventually made it to the seminar, I was right about it being in the forest, and there were many Chunin there. In fact there were so many Chunin I was beginning to wonder how popular was this 'Bow staff' character. The Chunin favoured weapons so I leaned over to a familiar Chunin to ask him more about the demonstrator.
"Hey Ikiyothro" Ikiyothro turned to me, his war hammer in hand swivelling around and nearly knocking two chunin down. The butt of the hammer's handle touching down on the ground and the bulk of it over Ikiyothro's shoulder, it was a dusty white colour which brought more questions to my open mouth. "What is your hammer made out of?" I let my lips remain parted to the absurdity of his weapon, it looked so abnormally crude but I guessed slamming someone's head in is the most effective way to tell if they are dead.
"It's a bone weapon Argies, it's good to see you are here with some genin" He lifted the hammer and placed it on his other shoulder, freeing his right hand to greet Fuma and his lot.
"A bone weapon?" I questioned but it was Fuma not Ikiyothro who replied.
"Bone weapons are lighter than steel and do not break as easily, these advantages make up for their dull edge and splintering over time" Fuma stretched past me to shake Ikiyothro's hand, it was pretty packed in the clearing of forest we were in.
"I didn't know this place would be so full, do you know who this bow staff character is Ikiyothro" I could see Kiba in the distance, laughing and showing his fanged teeth, he seemed to be having fun. It might even have be to my expense, that he beat us here, but he was talking to some of the Fellow Chunin so I doubted that.
"Funny you should mention that Argies. Bow staff is the same guy you and these Genin with you brought in. Do you remember Yuu" He grinned placing a hand on his shoulder, eyeing me in a strange manner that I got the hint of. I wasn't totally sure of it but Yuu was part of a mission that the Genin weren't part of, It could be that Ikiyothro was saying something to the lines of 'help me'
"Ok I can see that now, he is a weapons expert after all, maybe this is like his repentance for hiding in the forests. Like his jail duty or whatever" I arched an eye brow in question to Ikiyothro, 'help?'
"Yes a penitence act, after all he is a ninja of the Land of Fire and it's not really a crime to hid in our forests." I stood next to Ikiyothro after his further addition to our little make belief reasoning
"Do you think they are buying it" I grinned and whispered through my teeth to him.
"I don't know, what do you think?" He did the same.
Taka and Genjuu talked among each other throwing off hidden speculation before Fuma came forward to speak for them, a team conclusion. "Should we not meet with Kiba and his team"
I paused momentarily, still expecting Fuma to assault us with our poorly constructed lies, but he didn't. "Yes I guess you are right, after all Kiba invited me and at an extension he also invited you" I looked back at Ikiyothro, he's mood still dropped at the mention of Yuu, the shame of our failure as a ninja village didn't leave our minds but we still had our honour. "See you in the demonstration Ikiyothro, may we do the Leaf Village proud" I saluted a good bye to him with a gesture of my hand and the tilt of my head.
On our way to Kiba I noticed some familiar faces, there weren't many genin from the rookie 9 but there were a few; Sasuke, Shikimaru, Lee child, Tenten and all of team 8. I noticed Lee was still in crutches, I don't belief he had the surgery yet, and his Sensei and team mate were with him for support. I didn't know what he was still doing walking around but maybe a little demonstration like sword fighting would get his mind off his ninja life being over. I couldn't see why Shikimaru was here, he wasn't the type of guy who would run after his head if it was rolling down a hill, yet he was here despite my sickening figure of speech. Sasuke Uchiha, I bet he had all sorts of sickening ideas for what he had planned for his brother; a sword might fit perfectly into that scheme.
"Hey Argies, you made it after all!" Kiba barked, slinging an arm over my shoulder, chuckling as he brought me closer to his team mates.
"Ha-ha very funny, now let's see this team of yours" I didn't let show that Kiba beating me here did actually ticked me off, I wanted to be here first but I also wanted the silver white and grey. I jabbed him playfully on the side breaking away from his hold to address his team. With that jab I kinda wanted to hurt him but didn't want it to show.
"Ow" Kiba huffed "I didn't know you could hit so hard" He teased before offering an allowance of greeting with a point of a finger at Hinata.
"Hello Argies, sorry about leaving you in the field alone, hnn" She blushed looking away from me, tapping her fingers together, and I had the feeling I knew exactly what she was thinking about.
"Not a problem Hinata. I found all the naked ladies ok." I grinned broadly knowing exactly what it sounded like "and It was because of your lovely goodbye" I paused to let her know I knew tap tap meant love "believe me you were a big help"
"Naked Ladies?" the voice spoke with inquisitive eyebrows and an analytical tone.
"Oh hello Shino, I don't believe we have properly meet. My name is Argies Ages" I offered my hand to which he looked at critically, as a ninja I could appreciate his level of caution.
"Hello Argies. My name is Shino Aburame, how do I know this, because I am of the Aburame clan" I clasped his hand and could feel the eerie crawling of hundreds of bugs under his coat.
"Well it's good to meet you Shino of the Aburame clan." I smiled warmly despite the phantom itch of insects I could still feel on my hand. "The way I always can tell I am who I am is by looking at the name on my underw-"
"Hey wait a minute!" Kiba interrupted and Akumaru barked in unison at the warning in his master's voice. "What's this about Naked Ladies and Hinata" The look of seriousness on his face soaked with a vicious scowl.
"Kiba don't" Hinata grabbed Kiba, by the arm, who looked ready to strike Argies out.
"It's not what I made it sound like" Argies pleaded hesitantly now realising exactly how it sounded when adding his plea.
"Why you…"Kiba growled looking to Shino who was free of Hinata's grip. He placed a hand on Argies shoulder while another hand was placed on Shino as well.
"Let go of him" It was Fuma, his team had remained silent throughout the greeting but now as a brawled looked to begin they intruded.
"Woe all of you just stop for a moment!" Argies seemed to blaze with chakra and all stunned by this show of might, stopped in place.
Hinata still gripping Kiba, Shino gripping Argies and Fuma and his team at the ready. Argies shook his head and began to chuckled softly to himself.
"The Naked lady is a type of flower, Hinata was helping me look for them and that was all we did" He let the kiss remain faded to memory and not imprinted to the present conflict, what could be said of it in mind was that it was not an unpleasant experience. He shook his head once again.
"I guess I learnt the effectiveness in each of you as a team. Your willingness to take offence for the other's injury" He looked to Kiba and Shino.
"The resilience in keeping peace even when the attack was made shamefully blunt" He looked at Hinata and inwardly at his arrogance of tongue.
"The fortitude in coming to assist an unknown ally who committed some unknown wrong, commendable of assault" He looked to Fuma, Genjuu and Taka.
"I am sorry for any offences" He bowed to everyone and remained bowed extendedly so before righting himself, for he was truly sorry, truly penitent of his loose words and any honour he may have stripped from Hinata.
"No I'm sorry uhm.." Kiba offered not sure what to do with the situation as it was now. "I shouldn't have lost my cool so easily" Akumaru mumbled an apology too.
"Might we all be sorry so that we can continue to enjoy each other's company?" Fuma smiled warmly, his wisdom lightening the atmosphere.
"I can accept your sentiment of remorse for improperly placed misinformation, however, if you ever harm Hinata in the future you will regret it" Shino's glasses seemed to gleam with his intent and serious tone of voice.
"I am also sorry Argies, I should have told my team mates about where I was that day" Hinata looked up at Argies who looked kindly down on her in return.
"Nonsense Hinata, you have nothing to be sorry about. How were you to know that I would do something so thoughtless of the consequences" At this he turned to Fuma and his companions. "May I introduce you to my kind companions" Fuma smiled to the complement of heart, in their courage to act in Argies defence. "This is Fuma Takadatsu"
…
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