(Welcome back! This is the Third Chapter of a 10 Part Arc. Eager to prove his skills, the Hidden Smoke Ninja called Bosch tracks down Team 3 and prepares to strike. I love feedback and constructive criticism, so please leave a review so I can improve my writing and storytelling skills. Enjoy!)
"It has been a couple hours since we left the village and no one has attacked yet. This lakefront is still a ways from our village; did our pursuers give up already?" Kayo wonders as she eats a ration bar, "I find it hard to believe that they would launch a bold attack and then simply give up because we slipped away." She watches as a hawk dives down and skims the water with its talons before plucking a trout out from the lake. The sun is just starting its descent and the birds are out for their afternoon flight.
"Why do we have to eat these disgusting rations?" Jando complains, throwing his bar to the ground in disgust, "Can't Sakura make us some food?"
"No, stupid, if we start a fire then the smoke would give away our position," Sakura snaps.
"We are out in the open," Jando argues, "If they were going to find us then they would have already."
"Just because they haven't found us yet doesn't mean they aren't still looking," Kuroda interrupts, "We're not going to expose ourselves and make their job easier. You should think with your head and not with your stomach."
"Fine, fine, but as soon as we get back to the village I'm going to have my mom cook a nice big feast," Jando proclaims, as he picks his ration bar up from the dirt.
"But isn't it strange that they haven't found us yet?" Sakura asks thoughtfully, "I mean with a powerful Jutsu like that they had to have been experienced ninja."
"I also find it peculiar," Kuroda agrees, with a frown, "What do you think, Sensei?"
"Well, it is pretty obvious that we are not dealing with another team of Genin. So that would mean they have to be Chunin or higher," Kayo theorizes, "Unlike Genin squads a Chunin squad is usually composed of members that serve specific purposes. They can change for different types of missions but a basic configuration would be an attacker, a medic, and a sensor. So based on that assumption I would say either their sensor is not very good, or they have already found our location and are setting up a strategy. Of course there could be hundreds of different reasons for why they haven't come yet."
"Why aren't Genin teams made up of specific ninja?" Sakura asks.
"That should be obvious, Sakura," Kuroda says, "Genin squads serve the purpose of giving new ninja time and experience. They allow us to go on various types of missions and hone our skills. Then based on how we do in different situations the higher ups can decide what we are best suited for."
"Oh, yeah, I guess I already knew that," Sakura laughs, trying to hide her embarrassment.
Kuroda sits up straighter, turning his head towards the forest and warns, "Sensei, something is approaching from the North East."
"Can you tell how many?" she asks, her combat instincts activating as she reaches into her weapons pack.
"Only one of my traps was set off. I can only say for sure that there is one, but there could be more," he explains.
"It could just be a hunter or someone who got lost," Kayo says, "Everyone, be prepared nonetheless." A minute later the leaves of a large bush on the edge of the tree line shake and fall to the ground as a man forces his way through. He spots Team 3 and after examining the surrounding area he waves and casually walks over.
"Sensei, I don't recognize that headband," Sakura whispers, leaning closer to her master, "What village is he from?"
"He is from the Hidden Smoke Village," Kayo reveals, "You can also tell by his outfit. They are the only village I know of that wears a purple and grey color scheme. But it is pretty surprising that he is so far away from his village. They are a smaller village and from what I have heard they usually don't accept missions that bring them far away from home."
"Why, hello there, Leaf Ninja, I am Bosch from the Hidden Smoke," he says politely as he cautiously approaches, "I hope I'm not intruding."
"Actually, you are," Kayo responds warily, "What business do you have here?"
"My, how rude," Bosch snidely replies, "In my village the women are much more courteous."
"If you have no business with us then please move on from this area," Kayo requests, glancing dismissively away.
"Oh, I think you know why I am here," Bosch says, with an evil grin as he drifts closer, "I was just attempting to negotiate in a more civil manner so no one gets hurt."
"We have no intention of getting involved in any negotiations," Kayo says sharply, her eyes now focused on him.
"Why don't you just hand over that sculpture you have there and we can each go our separate ways without anyone getting hurt," Bosch offers.
"It is four against one," Kuroda states, "If you had any backup they would have set off the traps we set up. So why should we hand over the item when we have the advantage?"
"Don't get cocky, kid," Bosch warns, his eyes narrowing, "Three of you are still Genin, and I can tell that you have only become ninja recently. As for me, well I am currently ranked as a Chunin but our village has higher standards than yours. If I came from the Hidden Leaf then I would be one of the top Jonin there."
"I thought the rankings were the same in all villages," Sakura says, her eyes shifting back and forth between the man and her master, looking for an explanation.
"The titles are the same, but the actual power levels can be very different depending on the village," Kayo explains without taking her eyes off the enemy.
"Very interesting," Kuroda thinks, "I wasn't aware of that. I'll need to investigate that fact a bit more when I have time."
"However just because he claims to be strong is not an indication of anything," Kayo advises, "The only way to know his true strength is to have data on him or to see him in action."
"Well, then I guess we have to go with number two," Jando announces with fire burning in his eyes, "We're not just going to hand over the item that we have been assigned to bring back to the village. If you want it then you'll have to take it from us."
"You have no idea what you just asked for, kid," says Bosch as he begins a series of hand signals.
"Everyone be on alert," Kayo orders, "I haven't had many encounters with ninja from the Hidden Smoke so I'm not exactly sure what Jutsu he will use."
Sakura stares down the enemy, confident that she will be able to handle anything that comes her way. But gradually her vision becomes blurry, she rubs her eyes with one hand but it doesn't solve the problem. Colors flow into each other and mix to form new colors and those mix with other colors until everything becomes one giant collage.
"Hey, what's going on? Is anyone else seeing this?" she asks, but when she looks to the side everyone is gone, "Sensei? Kuroda? Where did everyone go?" Panic and fear rush to the forefront of her emotions along with hurt and abandonment. Then the Smoke Ninja reveals himself and charges straight at her.
Jando tries to activate his Kekkei Genkai abilities, but they provide no help to his vision problems. "Damn, what is going on? What kind of crazy Jutsu is this?" he thinks in frustration, "And where did everyone else go?" He tip-toes backwards until his heel is surrounded by something cold and wet. He looks down and abruptly the lake comes back into view.
"Maybe the Jutsu only affects a limited area," he mutters, "Well then, if I just stay by the lake then I'll be able to see properly. Wait, there he is!" He spots the enemy staring at him menacingly and waving around a sword. Forgetting about his revelation, Jando charges in to attack.
"A Jutsu that distorts the opponent's sense of sight; I haven't come across this kind of technique yet," Kuroda thinks, "But I am betting it has a limited range. So if I can just get outside of that range then I should be okay." He turns and heads along what he thinks is the shoreline until eventually his vision starts to return to normal.
"Good, I was right," he comments to himself, his mind always at work, "Now I just have to find the enemy and defeat him without attacking or getting attacked by the rest of the team." He looks back into the area where the others should be and finds it to be filled with a swirling mass of colors. It is impossible for him to see anything that is going on inside.
Then a figure shoots out of that area closely tailed by another. The enemy ninja chases Jando throwing punch after kick after punch. Kuroda rushes to aid his teammate, but something seems wrong, or more like a little bit off. He tries to figure it out as he runs when he senses a slight pricking along the back of his neck; and then it comes to him.
"Jando doesn't like to use a kunai and he won't run away from an enemy unless Sensei orders him to. This is a Genjutsu! Okay, I just need to stop the flow in my body," he thinks as he concentrates, "Then determine the correct amount…ah, there it is. This is a pretty strong Jutsu, but I have more than enough to match it. Now, Release!"
The world changes back to its true nature and Kuroda sees that it is Jando who is attacking Sakura. He moves to help her, but is too slow as Kayo grabs hold of both his comrades' arms. Recognition of their surroundings dawn in their eyes and they look around, confused.
"Since it was Genjutsu I should have expected Kayo would easily deal with it," he thinks as he moves to rejoin the team, "Although I expected a little better from Sakura. I thought she was improving with the private lessons."
"Huh? Sensei, what are you doing here?" Jando questions, "Where did the enemy go?"
"Wait, was that a Genjutsu?" Sakura realizes, "Damn, I should have been able to figure it out."
"It isn't your fault, that was a pretty potent one," Kayo reassures her.
"What? Impossible!" Bosch screams in anger, "How did you break free so fast?"
"You really should do your research before attacking an enemy," Kuroda mocks, "If you did you would have known that our Sensei is Kayo Yuhi, a master of Genjutsu."
"Damn, a Yuhi," Bosch thinks, "No wonder they escaped my Water Vapor Reflection Jutsu so easily."
"What an idiot," yells Jando as he rushes forward, "It was pretty stupid to come at us all on your own."
"Look who's talking," Sakura thinks as she rolls her eyes.
"Hah, stop talking like you've won already, you little punk," Bosch sneers, "I'm still more than a match for all of you."
"Oh yeah, bring it on then. Byakugan!" he shouts as he aggressively charges forward.
"Hey, wait a minute we need to think of…" Sakura starts to say, "Ugh, why do I even bother."
"You're coming at me without even drawing a weapon," Bosch mocks as he takes out a kunai, "You must be really confident in your Taijutsu then."
"Kuroda was right; you didn't do any sort of research about us. I'm Jando Hyuga from the Hyuga Clan!" he declares as he closes the distance.
"The Hyuga Clan? Never heard of them," Bosch replies surging forward, "It must be a pretty weak clan then."
"I'll back him up," Sakura announces. Kayo puts her arm in front to stop her from proceeding and instructs, "Just hold back for now."
"But, Sensei…" Sakura argues, eventually subsiding.
"She is right," Kuroda comments, "Just let Jando handle this one on his own."
"…All right, if you say so," she replies, still doubtful.
"So he doesn't know about the Hyuga Clan," Jando thinks as a smirk of confidence appears on his face, "Too bad for him."
"Have a small taste of the strength of the Hidden Smoke Ninja!" Bosch screams as he lunges into an attack. Jando ducks under the strike and bends his knees to the perfect position.
"Gentle Fist!" he bellows as his hand shoot forward targeting the chakra points in the enemy's chest. His fingers slam into Bosch's body in a furious flurry, landing blow after blow. The smoke ninja flies back but manages to roll backwards and land on his feet.
"What was that lame poking maneuver?" Bosch laughs, "I barely even…" His sentence is cut off as he grabs his chest in pain, struggling to breathe.
"My clan's technique isn't so weak after all, now is it?" Jando brags.
"What the heck did he do to me?" Bosch wonders, "His strikes did hit, but there was barely any power in them. Damn, my chakra is going haywire. I can't fight like this."
"Whoa, Jando actually hurt him," Sakura says in astonishment.
"That is what happens when you don't know anything about the abilities of your opponent," Kayo says.
"I underestimated you, but it won't happen again," Bosch warns as he back away, "You'll be sorry that you didn't just hand over the item."
"Yeah, yeah go ahead and keep boasting while you run away," Jando shouts after him, "Man, what a loser. I totally destroyed that guy."
While he is celebrating his victory Kayo warns her students, "More ninja will come to get the sculpture, he was just a scout. Be on guard all of you."
"Shouldn't take care of him now so he doesn't bring back others?" Sakura asks, looking worried.
"We could, but it might take us out of our way and he might lead us into an ambush," Kayo says, "If we stay on course then we will get closer and closer to the Leaf Village and can contact them for backup if we need it."
Meanwhile Bosch returns to his hide-out, a large network of caves hidden deep in the woods, and reports to his superior Kaneo.
"I'm sorry I failed. I underestimated their strength," Bosch apologizes with his head hanging low.
Kaneo laughs, "I knew you would be defeated, but it always better to learn from experience."
"Yeah, well, it won't happen again. So what is the plan?" asks Bosch, his face now a mix of anger and shame.
"I already started working on it. I'm going to lure them into this cave, and we will take them down one by one," Kaneo explains, handing him a map of the cave with various markings on it, "Here are the trap layouts, finish them up while I go and get our guests and get a look at this Yuhi you mentioned."
(Team 3 has repelled another attack but Kaneo, the leader of the Smoke Ninja force, has a sinister new plan in the works. Will the Leaf Ninja be able to defeat him? As always, if you want more information on my characters you can see their bios on my profile page. Be warned, there may be some spoilers. Also I'm in the process of getting pictures drawn for the characters, but I have no idea how long that will take. If you're interested in drawing and have a DA account then send me a Message. Enjoy the next chapter, and please review.)