Before I start this chapter, I just want to give a quick shout out to MazniBanichki for saying "Thanks for the Chapter" on every chapter. I think it's funny, but you're an absolute unit dude. lol. And for your ideas, I do read them and consider implementing them to the story but I might not. We'll just see what happens. Nevertheless, I appreciate them and keep them coming.
Kenji's heart fluttered as a bead of sweat inched down the edge of his face. The streets were uninhabited. Like everyone disappeared. Kenji ran as fast as he could. Not looking back, Kenji made it to home. He completely disobeyed Aya's instructions, but he didn't have time to think. Whatever was about to happen Kenji didn't want to be part of it.
Along the four way intersection of Kenji's fear, Four Anbu officers emerged.
The catfish masked shinobi turned to his comrades and stated, "When can we proceed?!?!?" Catfish jumped up and down like a child despite the gray streaks in his brown hair.
"Patience." said the collected Alligator mask.
1 year later....
Six year old Kenji stormed from home struggling with a half piece of toast in his mouth. He arched his back in attempt to locate the other arm hole for his jacket.
"Be careful!!!" an enraged Aya stood in the doorway with a steaming cup in hand. The grey streaks in her red hair became thicker. Kenji waved his arm in the air, finally getting his jacket in position. As soon as he waved, he flickered away.
The year was very eventful for Kenji and Hansuke both. Both learned a few harder jutsu for their respective affinities and Kenji even achieved the second tomoe in his sharingan on his own time, much to his suprise. What really marveled Aya this year, was his advancement in taijutsu. He grew to love fighting too much. Kenji had even asked Aya to teach him Kenjutsu six months ago.
Kenji didn't even need to try during history. The only historical event he 'learned' this year was the massacre of a clan from Konoha called the Uchiha. For some reason, Kenji rather enjoyed the lesson on this massacre. Even though it was quick and undetailed. The mist really doesn't like the Leaf I guess.
Kenji and Hansuke became even closer due to their fight from day one. It was impossible for something not to revolve through the crowd of civilians. People learned of the class of greats, the two prodigies, and the depressing teacher. But the point that raised flags was Kenji's Great Fireball Jutsu. It only made everyone hate him more. Hansuke walked with Kenji one day to spend the night at Kenji's, and both were even attacked by an older man with a pitchfork. They obviously remained unscathed, but things were beginning to get out of hand.
After Kenji flickered away, he later appeared next to the academy. A few minutes later, Hansuke appeared with a kunai to Kenji's neck. Kenji looked down to see a pink glossy scar on his best friend's forearm. Kenji smiled. Kenji quickly retreated and slung his wrist in a hidden fashion. A kunai pierced the bushes about thirty feet away and sailed straight for Hansuke. While a little startled, Hansuke managed to snag the handle right before impact. The sharpened tip almost in his eye was a little unsettling but he remained cool.
"You're still playing around with that wire?" Hansuke wore a smug face.
"I have to make you stay on your toes so you don't fall too far behind me." Kenji said.
Hansuke widened his eyes with a hurt face. "Ah... You...." Hansuke looked down in shame with a smile as he was interrupted every time he tried to cover himself.
Both laughed about Hansuke's misfortune until the decision was made to make it to class early today. Both of the kids were conversing as they walked through the door until their eyes met the center of the room. They froze. The Anbu Commander was exchanging papers with Mr. Yuto. This man hasn't appeared to them since the first day of school.
Kenji and Hansuke were the first in the classroom and heard the Commander assure Mr. Yuto that "They will be in good hands."
As he said that, a feeling Kenji hadn't felt in a while arose. Fear. The Commander began to walk towards them with the tap of his sandals being the only noise around. He stopped. "You two, follow me." He said with little emotion.
"What are you doing with us?" was asked as Kenji's genuine curiosity came out.
"Just a few exercises. You'll be done in no time. No need to worry."
As they followed the commander, Hansuke eyed Kenji silently. Kenji knew the thoughts of his best friend better than anything. This wasn't natural, and they both knew it.
Kenji was thinking of all the possibilities when his vision turned black.
Kenji woke up with a blazing headache. As soon as his eyes unblurred, he couldn't help but fight the urge to cry when looking at his surroundings. He was binded with chains in a dark stone room dripping with water leaks from the ceiling. The wet stone froze Kenji's feet. He didn't have shoes or a shirt on, just his pants. He looked to his right and came face to face with a wall, but upon the glance to his left, Kenji's temper erupted.
Next to him, chained up, was Hansuke followed by two girls from his class named Miki and Asami. Eventually, all four kids were awake. That's when the commander burst through the door. This time, he didn't have a mask. The sinister grin told the kids all they needed to know.
"So...none of you know why you're here? I'm about to tell you." Each child listened with eagerness. "Lord Mizukage ordered me to assemble an Anbu team that cannot be rivaled. A team that triumphs in everything. A team with undying loyalty to serve the Hidden Mist in her time of need and NEVER LOSE!" His voice raised with every sentence. The faces of his so called 'team' were scared and he could see that. That's why the Commander decided long ago that fear would be his advantage.
"I WILL TURN YOU FOUR INTO DEMONS!"
"WE!! ARE GONNA LEARN!!! DAMMIT!!!" "YOU HEAR ME!!!"
Three other masked Anbu came in the room carrying four buckets of water. Kenji wondered how they could even see where they were going.
Each bucket was placed in front of each child. The commander slowly approached Kenji and messed with the back of his restraints. Kenji suddenly dropped. He went down into an all fours position, but his arms were stretched thin and to his side.
The commander leaned down to Kenji's ear and whispered, "Will you serve your village?"
Before he could answer, Kenji's head was smashed into the water bucket. Hearing nothing but bubbles, shaking limbs and chains, and the evil chuckle of their superior, the other Anbu soldiers began questioning the other kids. Kenji's head remained underwater in intervals of 45 to 50 seconds a piece. He couldn't get over the coughing long enough to answer the question and the commander knew it.
Kenji assumed he would go hard on him, but twice as hard as his friends was plain overkill. As the coughs increased after the eighth dunk, blood started gurgling from Kenji's mouth. Well, Kenji thought, I guess this will be a long day.
Note : Just to add to what I said up top, I want this story to mean something. You read it and think wow, that was great. I want it to leave an impact. So keep the ideas and (thank you for the chapter)s coming. P.S. The shit has begun its descent into the fan.
"Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole live believing that it is stupid." - Albert Einstein