Kapitel 29: Genin Test (2)

The smoke billowed and swirled, taking on a myriad of shapes before settling into a form. As the mist began to clear, silhouettes appeared.

As the misty training ground slowly unveiled the scene, a pack of wolves materialized from the dissipating smoke summoned by Riku's jutsu. The ethereal mist clung to the majestic creatures, emphasizing their otherworldly presence.

The wolves stood in a formation, their fur a mix of shades blending seamlessly with the mist. Their eyes, gleaming with intelligence and an instinctual ferocity, surveyed the surroundings as if they were attuned to the very essence of the misty wilderness.

The alpha wolf, slightly larger than the others, bore markings that seemed to shimmer in the diffused light. Its eyes locked onto Riku, a silent acknowledgement of their shared purpose. The rest of the pack, arranged in a disciplined manner, awaited the command from their summoner.

"Okami," Riku began, "I need your pack to help me out with something."

"What is it Riku?" Okami, the alpha wolf asked.

"I got new genins, so it is the usual test. Just test them a little bit."

"For how long?"

"Half a day. But give them breaks in between."

Okami, with a dignified nod, acknowledged Riku's command. He released a low, almost imperceptible, growl to his pack who were eager for the challenge.

Riku observed the wolves with a sense of satisfaction. He had summoned not just a challenge for Team 15 but an ally that would help him test their teamwork, strategy, and adaptability.

As the pack of wolves left, Riku wondered,

"What to do next? I'll leave Okama and his pack to have some fun."

Riku decided to leave the training ground temporarily. As he disappeared, he contemplated the unfolding scenario. It was going to be a long day for his genins.

=====

The first six hours in Training Ground 51 were a relentless gauntlet for the team. The forested landscape had transformed into a battleground where the summoned pack of wolves orchestrated a relentless series of assaults.

Each of the three genins found themselves constantly on the move, defending their stones against the cunning predators.

'What are they? As far as I know, they shouldn't be animals in Konoha's training grounds, let alone Wolves!' Renjiro thought as he had three wolves hot on his tail.

'The only possible explanation is there might be from the Inuzuka Clan that Riku commissioned for their torture, or they might be Riku's summons. Knowing the Inuzuka clan, the latter is probably the case.'

Renjiro stopped and turned to face the wolves chasing them, he made the Tiger hand sign and performed the great fireball jutsu. Immediately he released the flaming ball, Renjiro followed it up with the rat sign and the air around the fireball began to burst amplifying the exploding aftermath.

'I need to distract them again.'

Renjiro made five clones from the clone jutsu. The clones all scattered in different directions.

This was what Renjiro had been doing the last couple of hours. When they first decided to split up, Renjiro diminished his chakra signature, hoping that Riku would not find him.

Unfortunately for him, the wolves who had started attacking found him with the help of their keen sense of smell. They immediately began attacking Renjiro.

Renjiro utilised his Sharingan to its fullest extent in a bid to form some sort of resistance against the attacks. His every step was calculated, and his eyes darted between the shadows, anticipating the next attack. His kunai and shuriken flew with precision, keeping the wolves at bay.

After some time, Renjiro realised that what he was doing was pointless as the wolves were able to form clones. He could not identify what type of clones they were since he had only been exposed to the normal clone jutsu.

Since fighting was futile, he opted to escape the chase. He would run then when he sensed them approaching, he would use a jutsu and clones to distract them.

It was taking a toll on his chakra reserves because they always found him, so he was always using chakra either through the jutsus or by reinforcing his physical capabilities.

'I wonder how many teams passed this torturous test.'

Elsewhere, Hiro and Aiko were facing the same fate. However, Hiro had the short end of the stick as Aiko used her genjutsu skills to escape the wolves' pursuit.

"I should have listened to Renjiro's plan," Hiro rued.

As the wolves relentlessly pressed their attacks, Hiro began to regret the decision to split up. His movements became defensive, trying to fend off the agile predators without leaving himself vulnerable.

After around eight hours of relentless battles with the summoned pack of wolves, Riku Senju, with a cunning smile, decided it was time to return to the training ground. The forested training ground, now marked by signs of the intense skirmishes, awaited the next phase of the challenge.

As Riku reappeared, he casually unsummoned Okami and his pack, dissolving the presence of the formidable wolves. The absence of the relentless attackers gave the genins a momentary sense of relief.

Riku stretched and then, with a hint of determination in his eyes, he declared, "Time to get serious."

Riku initiated the next phase of his assessment, he wanted to engage each member of the team individually. He made three shadow clones. The shadow clones transformed and took the appearance of the three genins.

'Let's see how good they are.'

=====

'Haaaa!' Renjiro heaved as he finally had a moment of respite as the wolves chasing him disappeared.

'It seems that Riku cancelled the summons. Although it's great for me, he must be planning something.'

Renjiro sat in the lotus position and activated his chakra field before he began his meditation. He had to regain as much chakra as he could before Riku put his plans into place.

After a while, Renjiro's instincts screamed at him and he twisted his body. Right as he did, a kunai grazed his arm. Looking at the direction it came from, lo and behold he saw himself.

"Who are you?"

"You conscious."

'It's definitely Riku.' Renjiro thought as he dodged more kunais heading his way.

After the kunais, the clone to the initiative and attacked Renjiro by launching a kick towards his abdomen. Renjiro evaded it and returned one to the clone.

'Hmm.... It's probably a shadow clone. It probably has more chakra than I do.'

With that, Renjiro activated his Sharingan and the fight ensued with an exchange of attacks.

'What's the point of all this!'

Soon enough, the exchange started becoming annoying for Renjiro. When he activated his Sharingan, he had expected a tough fight since Riku was a jounin. Instead, he got the most annoying thing.

The clone matched all his attacks. It was funny how he was the one with the Sharingan, but it was his movements being read. Even when he resorted to ninjutsu, the clone he was fighting replicated the same jutsus towards him.

'I knew pushing off learning the Sharingan Genjutsu would come to bite me in the ass. Although he is a Senju, at least that would be something that the clone wouldn't copy.'

The only silver lining to this was that His teammates were experiencing the same misfortune. Hiro was also annoyed at how his clone was copying both his taijutsu and bukijutsu skills while Aiko had the worst of it since the genjutsu she was experiencing was more potent than the one she used.

Riku wanted to test the various fields that the genins had prospered in. He also wanted to know how they would react to pressure which was an important metric for their performance on the field.

What annoyed Renjiro and the rest of Team 15, besides the fact that Riku was perfectly fighting them using their preconceived strengths, was that he was doing all this looking like them.

He had used the transformation jutsu to turn to whoever he was fighting against. It was basically like fighting yourself. Which was really frustrating, to the genins that is, Riku was enjoying getting on their nerves.

After what seemed like an eternity, Riku concluded his little 'data collection exercise'. With a satisfied nod, he resummoned Okami and his pack back, releasing Team 15 from the relentless one-on-one engagements to a more constant one.

The wolves, appearing once again on the battlefield, added an additional layer of complexity to the test's final phase.

Renjiro decided it was time to change the tide of the battle. Activating his chakra field, he quickly tracked down his teammates, who were scattered throughout the forested training ground.

After locating them, Renjiro conveyed his plan,

"This is getting us nowhere. We need to work together to fend off these wolves. We've been through enough, and it is getting dark."

After what they had been through the last fifteen hours, plus the fact that it was getting dark, Aiko and Hiro didn't have any other option as their chakra reserves were dwindling.

Without any solder pills or time to meditate, the situation was only bound to get worse.

The trio, now working as a cohesive unit, faced the wolves with synchronized movements and coordinated attacks. It was amazing what being at the end of your ropes could do to someone.

As the team, now working seamlessly together, faced the wolves in a united front, Riku Senju appeared with a satisfied smile. With a wave of his hand, Riku called off the summoned wolves, dispelling them into the training ground.

"You've done well, Team 15," Riku commended, his eyes reflecting pride in the young shinobi. "You've passed the test."

=====

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Kapitel 30: Clan Meeting

"You've done well, Team 15," Riku commended, "You've passed the test."

As Riku announced the successful completion of the test, a wave of relief and joy washed over the three genins.

The expressions on Renjiro, Aiko, and Hiro's faces transformed from weariness to pure elation.

'This is where I should have my big 'I told you so moment' with these two, but I'm sure they are worn out from the test maybe next time. They are still kids, after all.' Renjiro thought while smiling wryly.

It had been a long couple of hours for the trio without enough food and rest. Although there was the option of using soldier pills, Riku prohibited them from doing so.

He stated that using them would create a dependency on them. Plus, if they could not last long in this test, then they still have a long way to go in their shinobi careers.

While the trio were still relishing their newfound rest, Riku's expression shifted, and he adopted a more serious demeanour.

He gestured for them to gather around as he began to provide feedback, highlighting areas where each genin could improve based on their performance.

"Renjiro," Riku started, looking at the young Uzumaki with a discerning gaze.

"While your Sharingan proved valuable, there were instances where you relied too heavily on it. Over-dependence can be a weakness. It's crucial to balance your innate abilities with strategic thinking to maximize your effectiveness."

Turning his attention to Aiko, Riku continued, "Aiko, your genjutsu skills are commendable, but there were moments when you hesitated to transition into taijutsu when needed. I know that you excel in Genjutsu but ignoring taijutsu and ninjutsu will not be beneficial for you. You should start working on them to bring them to a decent level."

Finally, addressing Hiro, Riku remarked, "Hiro, your taijutsu prowess is evident, but there were instances where you could have utilized ninjutsu. Your situation is similar to Aiko's. Mix up your techniques to keep your opponents off guard."

The genins listened attentively, absorbing Riku's constructive criticism. Each piece of feedback was delivered with the intention of helping them grow and refine their skills.

"In the heat of battle, it's easy to fall back on familiar strategies," Riku continued, his tone firm but encouraging. "But true growth comes from pushing beyond your comfort zone, adapting to unforeseen challenges, and learning from every experience."

"Remember, the goal was not just to succeed in the test but to continuously improve. Take these lessons to heart, and let them guide you in the future."

"Alright, go home, and get some rest. We will meet the day after tomorrow here same time." After concluding, Riku flickered away.

'Finally! Some time to rest. Wait, does same time mean 5 in the morning, or does it mean the same time he arrived?' Renjiro wondered if the ambiguity in Riku's words was intentional or not.

Following Riku's exit, the others were equally, if not more, tired and they all went back to their homes. The journey back home felt like a series of deliberate challenges as fatigue weighed on them.

Upon reaching his home, Renjiro entered with a sense of relief. The familiar surroundings offered solace, and without much ceremony, he headed straight to his room.

In his room, Renjiro, still in his ninja attire, collapsed onto his bed. The softness of the mattress felt like a luxury after the trials of the day. He closed his eyes, the exhaustion settling into his bones.

As the soft light of evening filtered through the curtains, Renjiro was stirred from his deep slumber by a gentle knock on his bedroom door. A clan messenger stood at the threshold, bearing news that jolted him awake.

"Renjiro," the messenger, who outwardly wore the Uchiha clan symbol, spoke respectfully, "there's a clan meeting scheduled for tomorrow. Your presence is required."

Renjiro, still groggy from the unexpected nap, blinked in surprise at the messenger. He had lost track of time in the embrace of sleep, and the realization that the day had slipped away caught him off guard.

"Clan meeting? I'm not even a part of the clan. Let me just go since I'm getting all these benefits, it's the least I could do."

Renjiro nodded in acknowledgement, expressing his understanding.

"Thank you for letting me know," Renjiro replied, his mind quickly adjusting to the upcoming responsibilities. "I'll be there."

'A clan meeting huh? The only ones I remember were those where the Uchiha plotted the coup. It should still be interesting.'

Shrugging off any lingering drowsiness, Renjiro decided to engage in some light workout for warmup. With determination in his eyes, Renjiro readied himself for a session of intense body workout.

The following day, as the first light of dawn painted the sky, Renjiro found himself in the quiet pre-dawn hours, having spent the night in deep meditation after his rigorous workout. The stillness of the night had offered him a chance to reflect on his actions and how he could improve them.

Soon, the familiar knock on his door echoed through his residence. Tekka, stood outside, ready to accompany Renjiro to the Uchiha Clan Headquarters.

"Good morning Renjiro,'" Tekka greeted.

"Good morning Tekka."

"Are you planning on going to the clan meeting?"

'Do I have a choice?' Renjiro thought.

"Yes, I was just finishing up on my morning routine. Weren't you going to go with Inabi and Yashiro?"

"I was, but then when we reached the hall, we thought it would be good if someone came to accompany you." Tekka smiled.

'Is this out of courtesy, or is it genuine?' Renjiro wondered.

After Renjiro finished his preparations, they set out towards the heart of the Uchiha district. On their way, they exchanged their experiences with their new genin teams.

'An obstacle race for a test?! Why did we get the short end of the stick with our sensei? The guy practically forced us through hell.' Renjiro lamented the moment he learnt of Tekka's experience.

As they approached the meeting place, the grandeur of the structure came into view. The meeting hall was an imposing building of polished stone. It stood tall against the backdrop of the morning sky.

Upon entering the hall, Renjiro was met by the clan symbol grandly displayed. The air, scented with a hint of incense, added to the solemn ambience of the space.

'Well, there is a reason they are regarded as one of the top clans not only in Konoha but in all elemental nations.' Renjiro noted after seeing the clan in all its glory.

As more Uchiha clan members gathered in the meeting room, Daichi, the venerable clan head, took his place at the head of the circular table, commanding attention.

Daichi's eyes, weathered by years of experience and responsibility, swept across the room. His gaze then settled on Renjiro and the other three boys who had recently undergone the genin promotion exams. A subtle nod of approval and pride accompanied his gaze.

"Renjiro, Inabi, Tekka, and Yashiro," Daichi began, addressing the genin with a measured tone.

"Your performance in the promotion exam has not gone unnoticed. You've finally become genins and are now qualified to bear the struggles and legacy of our clan."

A murmur of approval rippled through the clan members present, a collective recognition of the genin's achievements.

Daichi continued, "You should work hard to become chunins as early as possible. The village is in need, and the police force needs more numbers to help with the lawkeeping."

'Ah shit, I remember Miwa mentioning something like this.'

Daichi shed light on the pivotal role of the Police force during the clan meeting for the new additions. He emphasized that beyond the prowess displayed in battle, every Uchiha shinobi was mandated to serve in the police force upon becoming chunins.

Of course, this only applied to those who awakened the Sharingan since they needed more time to hone their dojutsu. For the rest, they were to join after a minimum amount of time as genins. They still needed fodder after all.

The Police force played a crucial role in maintaining order, investigating crimes, and safeguarding the village. This mandatory service represented the Uchiha commitment to the village's well-being, instilling in each shinobi the duty to contribute their skills for the greater good.

After Daichi finished, the other Uchiha clan members congratulated Renjiro and the rest for their achievements. The meeting seamlessly transitioned to other matters, such as the patrol schedule and clan resource distribution.

=====

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