Chapter 9: Chapter 9: Run!!!
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto. The only thing I own is a bunch of ideas and a bit of inspiration.
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"Report Assessment, Jonin Indo Abe" asked a Minato Namikaze as he looked up from the paperwork he had been doing.
"Team 9 has failed" Said Indo in a calm voice with practised ease.
"Oh? Did they?" asked Minato his voice gaining a hint of disappointment as he looked over the report which had the candidate's information.
"Yes Hokage-sama, While their individual strength is good, they lack the mentality of a shinobi." Said Indo as he shook his head.
'Mentality... I suppose that is your priority, but Ren lacks mentality? ' thought Minato a bit surprised as he looked at Ren's photo remembering the confident boy who had accepted his challenge.
"The only remarkable one out of them is Kiyoshi Ren, he is talented enough to take care of a chakra centipede and he subconsciously took the role of a leader and even tried to diffuse an argument between his teammates." Told Indo to Minato his voice shoving a bit of approval.
"Then he is unlucky," said Minato as he knew while it was unfortunate, they couldn't do anything, only Ren would have to work harder to become a Chunin
After all the village doesn't have unlimited resources to assign him a Jonin, especially since he wasn't a monstrous genius or something.
With that Indo Abe completed his report and went out of the Hokage chamber, leaving Minato to start his work again as he looked loathingly at the mountain of paperwork that had just increased its height during their talk.
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'Two more...Just one more...AHH' thought a half-nude Ren as he pumped up himself by doing one last push-up.
*huff*
Ren moaned in exhaustion as he finally stood up completing his exercise. His muscles bulging due to the strain on them.
The refreshing breeze from the lush, tree-covered surroundings provided a welcome relief to his sweat-drenched skin.
While failing the test may have been disappointing. Ren did not let it get to him.
'I still got this after all' thought Ren consoling himself as he thought of the notification he had gotten after the test.
[Congratulations on becoming a genin, your records have increased. Greater help is now providable and you can select one skill to learn for now from Aksha.]
'I have decided.' thought Ren resolutely, prompting Eris to return.
[Skill list
*Sturdy Golem: Increase in lifespan, and endurance.
*Arrow of Artemis: Increase in accuracy of projectile weapons.
*Premonition: Look a little into the future based on your senses.]
'While all of the skills are good. Nothing beats seeing into the future.' Thought Ren with a creepy smile on his face. 'I can scam the scammers.'
So he quickly selected the third option in his mind.
[Integrating skill Premonition..., Duration till completion of integration: 2 days.]
Seeing the time duration Ren just shrugged as he wasn't in a hurry anyway, So he thought of taking another mission from the shinobi corps.
'Cause in terms of money, I have no money ' thought Ren a bit gloomily as his allowance was almost gone, reduced to ashes.
'Now, Should go have a shower first' Thought Ren as he was still drenched in sweat.
He wiped his sweat using a towel, just as he was about to put on his shirt, he felt a massive killing intent directed at him.
He jumped from the spot and tried to run but suddenly felt unable to move, it felt like something slimy was slithering up from the ground anchoring him in place.
"Hey, I have been searching for you..." came a small but sweet voice behind him which made him more afraid than safe.
"For your crimes against humanity, how do you plead, Bluey eyes?" whispered a devil's voice in his ear.
Ren felt something soft press against his back, it felt as though someone held two balloons filled with liquid against his back.
But all thoughts of that ballon left his mind as he saw a sharp shiny object positioned in front of his crotch almost ready to slash it apart.
Ren glanced sideways and saw a kunai buried deep in the tree where he had stood before.
Its location confirmed to him that the current position of the kunai held in her hand was predetermined and not a coincidence.
The surrounding was eerie quiet only the rustling of leaves and the beating of his heart was audible.
" I didn't do anything.," said Ren a bit nervously as he squirmed trying to break free, his heart racing out of fear for his little brother.
"Of course, after I am done you won't be able to do anything." said the woman the kunai in her hand was slowly inching its way dangerously close to its target.
"You bluey, have wasted my Dangos by crashing into me, an unforgivable crime, which you will atone for now." with that her stationary hands resumed action again, the kunai ready to cut down future generations.
Seeing that Ren's mind slowed down in horror, he did the only thing he could think of, He threw the sweat-drenched towel in his hands to her face.
The strategy seemed to have worked as his purple-haired attacker recoiled back, her brown eyes squinted as she felt a musky odour, causing her to momentarily release her jutsu.
Ren took the god-given chance, used kawarimi and started running for his life.
Fortunately, His attacker was momentarily stunned and failed to follow him, thus Ren escaped a fate that he considers worse than death.
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Ren trudged forward as he kept himself on high alert still not recovered from what he considers the 'Crazy bitch event'.
He had reached the administrative office responsible for handing out missions to Genins like him.
The administrative office located in the Hokage Tower building looked like a typical office with desks filled with neatly arranged bundles of papers and scrolls.
Further enhancing its normalcy was a woman with brownish hair sitting on the chair with a professional aura around her
"Good afternoon Hanako-san, Can I get a D rank mission" asked Ren in a polite tone as he addressed the woman in front of him.
"Hai Kiyoshi-kun, what would you like, painting fences, transporting houses or maybe getting rid of invasive plants in gardens? "Asked Hanako with a professional expression, but Ren could bet he saw a slight upturn of her lips.
'This woman... Why do I have to spend my time mowing grass alone if I am a ninja.' thought Ren in resignation as he had been doing the same stuff for three weeks.
As if hearing his inner pleas, A man came in with a scroll in an urgent manner and handed it to Hanako.
Hanako skimmed through the content and seemed to think intensely for a moment as she furrowed her lips before relaxing it and then looked at Ren.
"How would you like to go out of the village for a mission?" asked Hanako in a serious tone.
"YES!.. I-I mean I agree" said Ren as he controlled his excitement, leaving behind his anxious mood due to the previous event.
"Usually more experienced genins are given this mission, but due to... unfortunate situation two of the already assigned members are out on leave. So you will be joining a team of 6 this time for your mission," said Hanako but an unknown expression passed her face as she said 'Unfortunate'.
Ren didn't question further and just nodded making Hanako smile.
"Then head to the Hokage chamber right now, to receive your mission." with that said Ren bowed slightly to Hanako and left with the man who had come to give the scroll.
Ren waited outside the Hokage chamber for a tense minute as the man went inside.
He paced around a little as it was his first time coming to the Hokage chamber.
"Come in" came a voice from inside notably the man who had just gone in.
Ren walked forward and was greeted by a well-lit room with windows and pictures on the wall
The windows gave access to a scenic view of the village and allowed fresh air to pass, which strangely smelt like cut grass.
The walls of the room had pictures of previous Hokages' and other photos, but what caught Ren's attention was the blonde-haired man who sat with his back facing the windows.
The man looked at Ren and gave a slight smile, his presence calming but also powerful.
Ren quickly went up and stood together with a group of Ninjas who stood a little to the side of the room.
Minato was talking with a fat man who wore colourful and expensive-looking clothes which screamed wealth.
Soon Minato was done talking with the fat man and then addressed the group of ninjas.
"You have been called here for the Quaterly carriage escort. This will be a 4-day mission within the land of fire. Since there are new members here for this mission, you will be filled in on the details by your chunin leader." Said Minato as he glanced at Ren and another person behind him.
"This is Tomi Buta-san, you will be guarding him for the duration of your mission, which you will be leaving for today." With that said Minato ended his commands.
One of the ninjas in the group of five came forward, He looked a bit mature maybe in his late thirties or so.
"I will be your Chunin leader for this mission. Pack your bags and come to the village gate in two hours." with that all the people bowed to Minato and left the Hokage chamber.
Minato waited till all of them went out and then called out "Weasel." as he rested his chin on his hand.
From the ceiling, one of the shadows seemed to move and vanish, and then suddenly a person now stood with one leg crouched in front of Minato.
"Guard Buta-san from a safe distance when he travels," said Minato as he thought of something.
" Recently there has been a movement of bandits near the outskirts of the land of fire, get to the cause of it and eliminate all threats," said Minato to Weasel.
Weasel understood the underlying meaning of the mission 'Use Buta as bait to lure out the bandits and eliminate them.' Weasel nodded and disappeared from the spot.
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Author's note :
I have changed the writing style a little and have tried to add more life to the characters, is this better? By the way, I won't be uploading for a few days as I have an exam. If you like the chapter be sure to comment, constructive criticism is also appreciated.
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