(Thanks for coming back to read the next chapter of the series! Now that Kuroda has been promoted to Chunin what will happen to Team 3? I love feedback and constructive criticism, so please leave a review so I can improve my writing and storytelling skills. Enjoy!)
After all the exam participants arrive safely back in the Village Hidden in the Leaves everyone is given a few days of rest. Kuroda uses this time off to study the scroll given to him by Hoshi, and practice the new Jutsu. Eventually, Kuroda is summoned to the Hokage's chambers for his first official mission as a Chunin. He is a bit surprised when he arrives at her office and finds that the rest of Team 3 is not present.
"Now that you are of the Chunin rank you will have more responsibilities, and take on harder missions than before. Also, you will be expected to lead other ninja on missions. But before all of that I would like you to work with other Chunin so that I can determine where you will fit in," states the Hokage.
"You can come in now," she beckons to some people outside her door. The door opens and two figures enter the room. One is a girl with long black hair and the other is a guy with brown hair and a mask covering his mouth. The Hokage introduces them, "This is Murogi Mu," motioning to the male, "and this is Hitomi Uchiha."
When Kuroda hears the name of the girl he starts to laugh uncontrollably. Everyone looks at him like he is crazy. "I'm sorry I must have misheard you. Would you mind repeating that?" he asks. The Hokage repeats the introductions, but again Kuroda begins to laugh uncontrollably.
The Hokage demands, "What, Kuroda, is so funny?" He looks around and sees that no one else is laughing. He notes the serious look on her face, realizing that she is not joking about anything she just said.
His demeanor changes to an intensely serious nature, "I apologize for my rudeness, please continue and explain our mission."
The Hokage says, "Both of them are also Chunin rank. Hitomi is only two years older than you, but Murogi is four years your senior. Since Murogi is the most experienced of the group he will be acting as the leader of the mission. This mission is classified as a C rank mission. The goal of the mission is to retrieve a valuable emerald belonging to the Wisoni clan. It was stolen by a band of thieves a few days ago. According to our intelligence the enemy force consists of thieves and warriors. An encounter with ninja is not expected so that is why it is only a C rank mission." She hands a map over to Murogi. "The suspected locations of their hideout are marked on this map. Find the thieves' hideout, and then retrieve the stone and bring it back here. You will need to leave immediately."
"Yes, Lady Hokage," they all say and salute.
They quickly make their way through the halls so that they can discuss the mission outside. When they get to a comfortable place Hitomi grabs Kuroda and throws him up against a wall. "All right, hot shot, what was so funny?" she yells. Murogi stands to the side, not siding with either of them for the moment.
Kuroda inquires, "What makes you think I am a hot shot?"
"I heard about your big victory, becoming champion of the Chunin exam, but you're not the only one here to win it, so don't go thinking you're superior to us in any way," she says.
Kuroda replies, "I couldn't care less whether I won the tournament or even became a Chunin at all."
"Then what the hell was so funny back there?" she asks.
"I would think it was obvious," he answers smirking, "I was laughing at your name."
Hitomi is a little taken aback and asks "Why is my name so funny?"
"Well, it's not very often when you get to meet someone who is pretending to be an Uchiha," Kuroda replies.
"What are you talking about? I am not impersonating anyone! I am a true heir to the Uchiha name," she says.
"Oh please, it is widely known that the Uchiha clan was wiped out by Itachi Uchiha and the only one he left alive was his younger brother Sasuke Uchiha," says Kuroda, "And everyone knows what happened to him. So I find it very difficult to believe that there is any way you could be a real Uchiha."
"Yes, well, you seem to be very knowledgeable about the Uchiha clan, but if you must know Itachi was my grandfather," reveals Hitomi.
"I was not aware he had any children," says Kuroda.
"Of course you aren't. Not many people know," she says releasing him from her grasp, "He impregnated a young girl in a secluded village, but was killed before my father was born. The woman made her way to the Village Hidden in the Leaves. My father was raised here, but he chose to abandon the Uchiha name that his father had disgraced. I, however, seek to restore my clan to the great, powerful, and respected thing it used to be."
"That's enough chit chat," interrupts Murogi, "Get your gear together and meet at the east gate in half an hour." Neither of them argues against the order.
Kuroda gets to his apartment to gather up his gear for the mission. "If she really is an Uchiha then she must have that ability. I need to be careful because I don't know how developed she is. That means I should take a few extra of these…" he thinks as he grabs some of his special kunai from their storage place.
He arrives at the eastern gate early and eagerly waits for the others to arrive. Murogi is the first to get there, and he is surprised to see Kuroda. "I didn't think you would be here this early, considering that my information suggests you usually arrive late for most of your missions."
"You should trust only what you see for yourself," states Kuroda.
Hitomi arrives exactly on time, and seeing her puts Kuroda in an extremely good mood. Hitomi is a little disturbed and thinks, "What is with that smile? It is creeping me out. I wish he would stop staring at me."
Murogi calls them together and points to the map, explaining, "Out of the possible locations for their base I have chosen to start out at this one. We will scout it out first before taking any action against them. Hitomi, you will be in the front, followed by me, then you, Kuroda, and every few miles we will switch positions. We will go over infiltration tactics when we get closer to the target."
"Understood," says Hitomi.
"We should get going then," adds Kuroda. The new squad departs from the gate and heads off to accomplish their assigned task.
Hitomi and Murogi notice that Kuroda seems to be going at a slower pace than them, but really he is carefully watching to see if the Hokage sent anyone to follow them. "Looks like she didn't send anyone else to keep watch on me," thinks Kuroda, "But she might have told Murogi to keep an eye on me. Looks like I've been lagging behind, time to speed up my pace."
Hitomi watches as Kuroda passes her up, then she moves closer to Murogi and speaks so that she won't be overheard, "What is with him?"
"Not sure. All I know is what was in the file the Hokage gave me, and that wasn't much. I'm sure he's just anxious though, it's his first mission as a Chunin," replies Murogi.
"Yeah, I suppose. But still…" mutters Hitomi.
"I am sure he will be fine," assures Murogi, "Especially considering the rumors I have been hearing about the Chunin exams."
"You're right," she says, "Besides we can more than cover for him if he is just all hype and doesn't measure up."
Murogi makes his way up past his two squad members so that he can take the forward position. As the ninjas move from tree branch to tree branch Kuroda inquires, "So do either of you find this mission strange?"
"What do you mean?" Murogi asks.
"This mission may be only a C rank, but don't you think it is odd that a brand new team would be assigned to it?" Kuroda responds, "Personally, I thought there was a fifty percent chance that I would remain with my Genin team, but I never suspected that if I was put on a new team we would go straight out on a mission without even so much as a training session together."
"What, are you scared?" mocks Hitomi.
"No, more like intrigued," Kuroda replies.
"As Chunin we are expected to be able to analyze the situation and adapt," Murogi comments.
"Even so, we have never worked together," Kuroda counters, "I have no idea what your abilities are and how you will react when we encounter an enemy."
"Hitomi and I have worked together before," Murogi explains, "Plus, I read your file so I have decent idea of what you can do. We are all professionals here, so we shouldn't have any problem. If you want a quick breakdown I am a sensory ninja, and I have some minor abilities with healing. With the Sharingan Hitomi excels in Taijutsu, but she also has some long-range Ninjutsu. Based on your file and reports from the Chunin Exams you are proficient with mid-range Ninjutsu. Overall, I'd say the Hokage set up a pretty balanced team."
"I guess she does know what she is doing," Kuroda mutters.
"Why wouldn't she? She is the Hokage," Hitomi states. Kuroda gives no reply as he moves to the back of the formation.
When they are about halfway to the first destination they stop to rest for the night. Kuroda continuously stares at Hitomi when they finish making camp and sit down to rest. She notices and keeps her distance from him. He watches her carefully and quietly; examining her long shiny black hair, getting drawn into her stunning red eyes, admiring her feminine form but marveling at the perfect balance it has with her fit and toned muscles. "I wish he would stop staring at me like that," she says quietly to Murogi, poking at the fire.
"Relax, he is probably just curious," he responds.
"Curious?" she questions.
"He did seem very interested when he heard your explanation about your name. I know I was interested when I first met you," he answers.
"Yeah, but at least you didn't stare at me like that," she retorts.
He chuckles, "Just go over and tell him to stop then."
"Whatever, that guy kind of creeps me out in general. There is something off about him," she says.
"He seems fine to me," he says.
"I'm going to keep my eye on him," she states.
"If it suits you," replies Murogi.
"So, Murogi, how come you are still a Chunin?" inquires Kuroda still keeping his eyes fixed on the female member of the group.
Murogi brings his hand to his head and messes with his brown hair replying, "Well, you know some people spend their entire ninja career as Genin. I was lucky that I even passed the Chunin exams. It was a relatively weak group of candidates the year I took it in the Hidden Sand. To be honest, I probably won't ever become a Jonin. I'm not really suited for it and I don't have the talent either. I just want to do my part to keep the village safe and secure."
"I see, I know where you are coming from," replies Kuroda.
"So if you don't mind me asking, just what happened over in the Hidden Rock?" inquires Murogi, "I have heard a lot of intriguing rumors about the exams."
"Nothing special, just causing a little trouble for our newest allies," says Kuroda.
"Oh, really?" questions Hitomi, "Because I heard you forced one of your squad members to forfeit her semi-final match."
"She probably could have beaten her opponent," he shrugs, "But she isn't ready to handle being a Chunin yet."
"And what makes you think you can determine that?" she questions.
"Because I don't want to see the people that I care about die unnecessarily," he replies with conviction.
"I understand how you feel," says Murogi, "That's enough chat for now, we should get some sleep."
"I'll take the watch," offers Kuroda.
"Fine by me," says Hitomi retreating to get her sleeping bag.
(That is the end of the chapter, what did you think? Kuroda is on a new mission with a new team? Will they complete the mission? As usual, 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.)