Minato told us to meet him at the southern gate in one hour and that I would get a debriefing on the way there.
…
We were headed to Otafuku Gai, our mission was to deliver proof of one Inouye Takeo's infidelity.
Not a mission I wanted to do but whatever…
Otafuku Gai was 12 Kilometres from Konoha, so it would be a short hour-long trip before we arrived.
…
After a short trip we arrived at Otafuku Gai.
The city was filled with hotels, gambling dens, and brothels.
But at least the city was somewhat clean looking…
…
I was seated on top a hotel where I had been told not to move from, I was waiting for Minato and Kakashi to return, it was decided that they would do most of the leg work as I would be staring at our target most of the time.
Minato and Kakashi had to meet with the client, get another picture of the target, and then find their location.
Then it would be my turn to stare at Inouye until something happens were Kakashi would then swoop in and take a picture.
Sounds easy.
…
Minato came back bringing with him additional news.
Our target who was the third wife of our client whom he had just married six months ago, she had been traveling to Otafuku Gai and staying at a hotel overnight once a month for a few months.
Our client got suspicious and wanted to know what was up.
So, we were supposed to take photos of whatever happened tonight and give them to the client.
Not a problem.
…
Minato took me to the building the target was staying in where we met up with an already waiting Kakashi.
It was pretty fancy, but it wasn't a love hotel so I guess that was a point in her favor.
We decided to take residence on the roof and prepare for a long day of watching our target.
…
Said target left to get lunch at a fancy restaurant, I told Kakashi and Minato that this was theirs and they could watch her for a while.
I wasn't very inconspicuous after all, though neither were Kakashi or Minato for that matter.
...
Sigh…
Our target came back to the hotel, Minato and Kakashi trailing after her.
I watched her with my Byakugan, she started to change her clothes so I deactivated my Byakugan to give her some privacy…
…
Our target was headed out again…
Kakashi and I were staring at each other.
Kakashi made a shooing motion with his hand telling me to follow her.
I looked to Minato hoping he would volunteer to follow her.
He also made a shooing motion.
Cmon.
"What happened to me and you not separating Minato?"
He winked at me, with his index finger over his mouth.
"Shhhh"
Alright that works…
…
Inouye wandered around the shopping district, she didn't buy anything she just browsed the merchants' wares.
…
Finally, something happened.
Inouye met up with a young man probably a few years younger than her, they chatted and laughed and strolled around the market a little more before they went to have some dinner at a restaurant.
I watched them dine at the restaurant through the walls, nothing romantic they just seemed to be catching up.
…
I followed both of them towards the hotel.
Finally.
They made their way inside and I made my way to the roof.
I explained her activities with Minato and Kakashi, only getting a 'hmmm' from Minato with no response from Kakashi.
…
I was seated watching as the duo made their way towards Inouye's room…
The young man gave Inouye a firm hug and set off leaving her at the door…
What seriously?
...
I explained what I saw to the team.
"Kakashi take a picture of him before he leaves"
Kakashi disappeared with a nod.
Sigh…
We still had to keep watch to see if something happened overnight.
Nothing did…
...
We met up with the client the next day.
A tall, skinny black-haired, brown-eyed man.
We explained our findings and showed him the picture we took of the man…
When he saw the picture, he laughed.
"Oh, ha-ha, that's her brother Yamashiro."
Ugh.
What a waste of time.
…
The client signed the mission as complete and we were off.
I asked Minato about the mission ranking as we were on our way back.
I figured we would be fighting bandits and Missing-nin but so far, we were still doing easy non-combat jobs…
"I'll go over the mission ranks that we will likely do together."
Minato took a deep breath and started speaking not slowing his pace.
"D-rank missions are assigned to Genin fresh from the Academy. They pose almost no risk to the Genin's life and usually consist of odd jobs like farming and babysitting work."
Kakashi closed the distance and got closer likely wanting to hear what Minato had to say.
C-rank missions are assigned to more experienced Genin and new Chunin. They are missions with little to no chance of combat against other ninjas such as guarding people against bandits or highwaymen, background investigations, eliminating or capturing bandits or thieves."
If we continue in that order, we might be doing some bandit extermination…
"B-rank missions are assigned to experienced Chunin and sometimes Genin with a Jonin-Sensei. They are missions that are likely to involve combat with another ninja such as guarding important people, espionage, or hunting an enemy ninja."
I ran my fingers through my hair at the mention of combat, I had wanted some experience before the war where I would have to learn from my mistakes on a battlefield.
...
We were back in Konoha, the team split-up at the gate and headed our separate ways.
We had the rest of the week off.
I had to go see if I got a position in the hospital.
…
I sadly didn't…
I don't know why they didn't accept my application.
I clearly showed I was adept in medical jutsu during graduation, so it should be in whatever file they had on me.
I wondered if some of the Hyuga Elders were running interference.
If so, that would be annoying.
I don't have a way to figure out why I'm not being accepted.
Sigh…
The only thing I could do now was, send another application.
…
I made another application to work in the hospital and went on my way.
I figured id go see my mother, as I hadn't seen her in a while.
…
My relationship with my mother had gotten better.
Though there wasn't any love between us, we could now hold conversations.
We sometimes recommended books to each other and caught up over tea.
…
We were sitting at our chabudai and drinking tea.
My mother was fond of Genmaicha and I didn't have a preference so I just had what she was having.
I told her about my team.
I told her about my first week of D-ranks and how I cheated with shadow clones.
I saw a slight smile on her lips.
I told her about my first mission and that I got to spend some time bonding with my sensei.
She nodded and motioned me to continue.
I told her that I got in a small fight with Kakashi and then went on another mission and that this one was as boring as the other one.
She made eye contact from the table
"Enjoy the boring missions while you can, you and Kakashi are extremely skilled for your age's, it won't be long before your team gets sent on harder missions."
I nodded and continued telling her about my trouble getting a position at the hospital, I asked her if she could figure out why my applications were denied.
She nodded.
"Yes, I have a former teammate who works in the hospital, ill ask her to look into it."
I thanked her nodded and bid her farewell.
…
I had gone to visit Gai, now that I didn't see him every day at school, I found myself missing his Youthful enthusiasm.
Said Youthful enthusiasm led to us climbing up the Clift that holds the Hokage monument with only one hand.
Gai was making his way up the cliff with speed and enthusiasm, I was following behind him in case he fell.
Gai seemed to be enjoying himself as he was shouting Youthfully proclaiming that he would do 1000 push-ups when he reached the top.
I was not enjoying myself, my palm was getting sweaty and causing me to almost lose my grip a couple of times while climbing.
I decided that this would be the last time I climbed the monument without chakra.
…
We eventually reached the top we both were sweaty messes though Gai was still brimming with youth.
Gai stood in his nice guy pose.
"Shiro! We must not rest, we must continue to fan our flames of youth!"
I got into my nice guy pose.
"How Youthful, we shall fan our flames of youth brighter so the whole village may witness our youth!"
"That's the spirit Shiro!"
Gai then dropped to the ground and started doing push-ups, I cracked my knuckles and joined him.
...
I spent the rest of the week practicing All For One and sending clones out to the Hyuga library to look for anything useful.
The clones had little luck, though I had a lot of fun smashing trees and shattering earth.
Soon the week was over, and I felt that I hadn't accomplished anything of note and was feeling disappointed.
…
I made my way to training ground seven grabbing some yakisoba on my way.
I arrived 30 minutes early as per usual.
Kakashi was sitting in a tree, legs dangling and looking bored.
I walked over and offered him some yakisoba.
Kakashi ignored me as per-usual.
Social niceties over with I proceeded to the other side of the training ground where I would finish my breakfast and start some early morning training.
…
I was done my stretches and was doing my third set of pull-ups when Minato arrived.
"How was the hospital, Shiro?"
There was no hospital.
"My application was denied Sensei."
I decided to finish my last set of pull-ups while we talked
"What? Did they say why."
"No? Should they have said something?"
"Yes, they test you on your knowledge and jutsu use and send you out with a list of what you should work on if you're not suitable for a position."
I wasn't even tested.
"I was never tested, I was just told that my application was denied by one the secretaries."
I finished my set and dropped to the ground.
"Hmm, that's not how they are supposed to do it, the fact that there was no test is suspicious."
I agree, and I have the perfect group to blame…
"Sigh… I'm going to look into it Shiro."
"That's alright Sensei, if they won't have me that's fine, I can find other ways to practice my jutsu."
Minato just hummed but didn't agree or disagree.
…
I surprised Minato using a kunai thrown with the Shunshin, it did not affect him but It earned some praise.
We finished our spar and Minato told us to meet at the same time tomorrow, we went our separate ways and that was that.
…
We met up again at the same time, Kakashi and I arriving first and Minato coming a bit later.
It was decided we would do another short mission today and see how things go from there.
Minato would get the mission scroll while I and Kakashi got packed and we would meet at the base of the tower when we were ready.
…
Minato came back scroll in hand.
I had arrived first as I had a bunch of pre-packed bags ready to go, I just had to swing by and grab them.
Minato tossed me the scroll and Shunshined away.
Umm ok then…
Did he want me to read it?
If he didn't want me reading it he would have said something…
I unfurled the scroll and got to reading.
…
Sigh…
I tossed the scroll to Kakashi who had just arrived.
Our mission seemed to be bandit elimination.
Not something I wanted to do.
…
Minato arrived minutes later and brought lunch with him…
I thought he was angry about getting the mission or something and tossed it to me so he could leave and cool down…
Turns out thinking about killing bandits makes him hungry…
Sigh… what a world…
We sat on the roof of a building near the west gate and had lunch.
My teriyaki was soured by the knowledge that I would probably have to kill some people soon.
We then went on our way, Minato waved at the guards as we passed.
…
The bandits were a team of six men at academy graduate level, the scroll said that they had been hopping the border between the land of grass and the land of fire, raping and pillaging, doing what immoral people with a little power do.
Currently, they were in our territory so it was our problem.
Our trip was slated to take a full day, so we would arrive at night set up camp, and start our hunt for the bandits.
I was plagued with thought's, I wasn't upset that I would have to take life's, I've known that since I first decided to be a ninja.
It was no surprise.
I was unsure of what I would feel when I took a life.
Would I like it?
Would I hate it?
Would it even phase me?
I didn't know and that bothered me.
…
We arrived near the three-way border between the lands of Rain Grass and Fire.
We set up camp, sadly this camp had no fire, nor were we allowed to set up tents.
…
I had a crappy sleep.
I got up and started doing my stretches, Minato and Kakashi got up earlier than me.
Minato was off doing something and Kakashi was eating an unappetizing looking ration bar.
…
I finished my stretches and also ate a ration bar.
Minato conveniently arrived when I was chewing on my last bit of ration bar.
"Ok, I found our bandits."
I hmmed and made a get on with it gesture.
"They set up a temporary camp and look like there going to move it soon."
"So, should get them now?"
Kakashi chimed in.
Minato nodded and gestured for us to follow as he walked away.
Alrighty, time to pop my murder cherry.
…
I sat in a tree staring at the bandit camp with my Byakugan.
There were six bandits.
Three were sitting around a fire cooking some meat on sticks, two were keeping watch, and the last with the most chakra was sleeping off some wounds in his tent.
Wounded enemies are the best enemies.
In a low voice I relayed what I saw to the rest of the team who were also sitting in the same tree.
I watched one of the bandits around the fire drop the meat he was cooking but pick it up and eat it anyway…
I made a disgusted face.
What a filthy animal.
"What did you see Shiro?"
"Nothing Sensei."
Minato had a grim face.
I think there's a misunderstanding here…
…
I was made to scout some more while Minato and Kakashi came up with a plan, it was decided that Minato and I would run at them from the front and Kakashi would sneak up and throw a kunai with an explosive tag on it at the leader's tent.
And then we would go from there.
Any plans with explosions are bound to be good plans.
I gave Kakashi who came up with the idea a thumbs up.
…
Minato and I were sitting in a tree above one of the scouts.
Kakashi was on the other side of the camp doing the same.
We were waiting for the Signal.
…
BOOM!
That was hopefully the sound of their strongest perishing in an explosion.
The scout below us looked towards the camp.
I activated Chikaku no kyōka and slowed my perception as much as possible, and I jumped off the tree and directed my fall towards the distracted scout.
I pulled my right leg back and activated All For One.
I continued to fall.
And fall…
…
And fall…
…
I slowed my perception way too much…
…
Eventually I was within kicking distance and I brought my foot down onto the back of his head…
And his head exploded though thankfully mostly away from me.
I landed then lessened Chikaku no kyōka, closed my eyes, and took a deep breath in...
And out…
…
When I opened my eyes, the world was still in slow motion, Minato was among the group sitting at the fire, and Kakashi was still out of sight.
I didn't feel any different after killing the scout.
Though that might change when the battle dies down…
…
I closed my eyes a second time, and I opened them again with my Byakugan active.
Kakashi was up in a tree staring at his dead scout, Minato was surrounded by dead body's and the leader's burnt corpse was covered in the wreckage of the tent.
A very successful ambush.
I completely stopped Chikaku no kyōka and deactivated my Byakugan.
…
I still wasn't sure how I felt…
We were seated at our camp, away from the smell of blood and burnt flesh.
I felt dirty and wanted a shower.
We sat in silence for another couple of minutes until Minato gave the order to pack it up so we could leave.
…
We all packed quickly and set off, I wanted a shower, Kakashi might have wanted to seek comfort in his father, and I couldn't guess Minato's thoughts.
Though he probably wanted to get back to Konoha as well.
…
We made it back a while after the sun had set.
Kakashi tried to break from the team but Minato stopped him, he told him that we had a two-week break and told him that he could talk to him if he ever needed anything.
Kakashi nodded and left
…
Minato and I were watching Kakashi go, I turned to him and told him I was going home and tried to make a break for it as well, hoping to get to my shower as fast as possible and wash whatever dirtiness I was feeling away.
…
Minato caught me and threw me over his shoulder.
"Sensei…"
He Hummed at me.
"Can you let me go?"
…
"I'm taking you to my place Shiro."
"..." I stared at him silently.
"Umm, why is that?"
…
"Kushina wants to see you."
I don't think I have a choice in the matter…
"I have to shower."
I thought about kneeing him in the chest but realized that it wouldn't help me escape.
"That all right ill let you use mine."
…
We arrived at Minato's apartment.
Kushina met us at the door and pushed me into the bathroom telling me I need to wash.
I agree I do need to wash.
And so, wash I did.
…
I felt less dirty now that I had a shower.
But still dirty.
I got dressed, left the bathroom, and was immediately accosted.
Kushina grabbed me and brought me to the living room and sat on the couch.
Kushina sat me in Infront of her and proceeded to play with my hair.
I enjoyed the feeling of fingers running through my hair and fell asleep.
…
I woke around midday feeling very hungry and with my hair in one big braid.
No one was home so I gathered my things and Shunshined home.
Now home I took a second shower and got into a new jumpsuit.
I went into my room and prepared to hibernate for a couple of days and not leave.
…
I used my time in hibernation to think about my feelings.
And still wasn't much closer to putting it into words.
…
I didn't feel happy or upset at the bandit's deaths…
I felt nothing.
Indifferent maybe?
Apathy is what they call it.
I felt apathetic towards the bandits and their deaths.
I don't know what I should have felt, but surely it shouldn't be apathy.
….
Two days had passed and I came out of my room.
I was upset by my lack of care for the bandits but that showed that I at least felt something.
I figured that hiding in my house wouldn't solve anything and prepared to get back into the swing of things.
...
I was in the third training ground fighting two of my clones.
And when I say fighting, I mean avoiding All For One punches.
…
After being beaten by my clones I dispelled them and created one more to take their place.
I sent this one to Gail's house and that's where he would stay, well I train with the second level of the gravity seal.
I realized that I didn't like having the seal active all the time.
It made me feel vulnerable.
So, I decided that the seal would only be used for training.
...
I was halfway home when my clone dispersed.
Gai and my clone had done some of Gai's academy work before the clone left to bother Kakashi.
And by bother, I mean the clone went to check ok Kakashi.
Kakashi didn't like being checked on…
So, he sucker-punched my clone.
Will he be more insulted that I didn't come my self?
…
I was finally home.
I had just entered my home and was met with my mother.
"Hello, mother."
I sent her a nod with my greeting
"Hello and Happy Birthday Shiro"
What?
"Thanks mother."
I forgot about my birthday…
"Here is your present from me."
I was handed a box.
"Thanks!"
I tried to add some enthusiasm to my voice.
I opened the box and was met with an old and thin book.
"So, what's this?"
I flipped through the pages to get a vague idea of what it was.
"The book contains details on Byakugan techniques used by your great-great-grandfather."
I got the gist of it the same moment she said it.
"Hmm, what's in it?"
I raised an eyebrow at her.
She raised hers back.
"You can read it and find out."
Sigh...
"Thanks, I'm going to bed, I'll see you tomorrow."
I heard a sigh behind me.
"Happy Birthday Shiro, and goodnight."
Six eh?
Time flies…
…
After a shower, I was sitting in my room reading the book I just got.
The book again went over the common uses and weaknesses of the Byakugan.
Nothing new.
The book went over the Byakugan telescopic vision and ability to see through solid objects.
…
The book went on about the ability to magnify and zoom.
Finally, some gold.
Though it only mentioned seeing tiny insects…
So, I'm not going to be able to see cells…
The Byakugan also has the ability to detect things through their body heat.
So, infrared vision?
The book finally goes on about the Byakugan's usefulness in speed reading and being used to read books from a distance.
Copying books with the Byakugan sounds good.
Too bad I didn't know about this when I was in Yugakure…
There were probably some useful books I could have nabbed…
…
So, some new stuff that I should have known but didn't…
So now I have to train my Byakugan more so I can nab books and scrolls in the future…
Am I ever going to have the time to learn any Lightning jutsu?
…
I was in the public library under a Henge testing out my Byakugan's speed/distance reading.
I was seated in the Genin section of the library and trying to read stuff in the Chunin section.
And I was met with great success.
It was extremely easy.
if I combined this with Kokoro no kyōka I'd be a book stealing machine...
…
I was distracted by an errant thought…
In Konoha, they have barriers to keep the Byakugan from seeing inside some buildings…
But once I'm inside can I use my Byakugan to read from whatever books and scrolls that are in the building…
That would be a dumb flaw.
But it would also be understandable if that was the case.
Why would one go through extra measures to blind a friendly clan inside a building that is already protected against casual snooping…
Perhaps I can get a look at the scroll of seals, something to try out in any case.