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Horyu looked at them both, his voice firm. "We have to be ready for any challenge. But remember, we do this not because we want to, but because we must. As shinobi, our path is not always clear or kind."
Hinata nodded slowly, trying to steel herself for what was to come. Shino remained silent, his thoughts hidden behind his stoic demeanor.
Horyu looked at Hinata, his gaze softening slightly. "I selected these bunnies because they're already sick. They're not going to last long, and if we leave them, their end will be far from peaceful. Sometimes, ending a life can be an act of mercy."
Hinata, holding the frail bunny in her arms, looked up at Horyu with a mix of amazement and confusion, remembering their conversation. "You anticipated something like this would happen?"
He nodded, his expression serious. "Not exactly this, but I knew the test would challenge us morally. It's why I tried to prepare you both yesterday."
Hinata felt a sense of relief wash over her. She might not have been physically prepared, but at least she was mentally prepared now. Facing the possibility of having to harm an innocent creature was daunting, but it was better than going into the situation blind. She turned to Shino, who stood beside her, and could sense a similar sentiment in his demeanor.
Shino, from the Aburame Clan, was known for his ability to form strong bonds with insects, a specialty that came naturally to him. In a way, animals were closer to insects than to humans, and for the Aburame Clan, one of the biggest hurdles had always been forming connections with people. This unique trait made it easier for Shino to bond with animals and insects, and he couldn't help but feel a sense of gratitude to Horyu for letting them know. He couldn't bear the thought of forming a bond with a bunny only to be forced to kill it.
Horyu sighed and sat on the ground, observing the other Genin interact with their bunnies. They seemed blissfully unaware of the looming challenge. His eyes then shifted to Ino, who was struggling to manage the aggressive bunny he had suggested she pick. He could see the frustration and a hint of hatred in her eyes as she glanced his way. In her mind, Horyu's advice was a deliberate sabotage, a ploy to hinder her in the upcoming hunt.
Ino gritted her teeth, glaring at Horyu. "Why did you make me pick this one?" she hissed under her breath.
Horyu, unfazed, responded coolly, "Because it's less likely you'll get attached to an aggressive one. It's for your own good."
Ino scoffed, not convinced. "Or maybe you just want to make things harder for me."
Horyu simply shrugged, not bothering to argue. He knew the truth and that was enough. His attention then turned to Sasuke, who was boasting about his prowess to Sakura and Kiba. Sasuke's arrogance was palpable, and Horyu couldn't help but roll his eyes. 'Typical,' he thought.
Sakura, hanging onto Sasuke's every word, seemed completely oblivious to the test's true nature. Kiba, on the other hand, was less enthralled by Sasuke's bravado, more focused on the bunny he had chosen.
Horyu's gaze then shifted to Shikamaru, who appeared bored yet contemplative, a stark contrast to Choji's visible discomfort with the situation. Horyu was amused to think if whether Choji was thinking of eating the bunny instead of bonding.
As the afternoon progressed, the Genin were instructed to spend time with their bunnies, to feed and care for them. Horyu took this time to quietly observe his classmates, analyzing their interactions and gauging their mental states.
As the sun began to set, Ibiki returned, his expression as stern as ever. "It's time," he announced, his voice carrying a hint of something ominous.
The Genin gathered around, each holding their bunny. Ibiki's eyes swept over the group. "You have all spent the day bonding with these creatures. Now, you must prove your resolve."
The air grew heavy with tension as Ibiki's next words hung in the air. "You will now kill the bunny you have bonded with. This is to test your willingness to do what must be done, regardless of personal feelings."
A collective gasp echoed through the group, except for Horyu, who remained stoically silent. Hinata's hands trembled, her eyes wide with shock and horror. Despite knowing the truth, hearing it made it more real.
Ibiki continued, "This is the life of a shinobi. Hard decisions, painful choices. Begin."
Kiba, one of the most vocal among the gathered genin, couldn't contain his anger any longer. With determined steps, he moved forward, his frustration and indignation palpable. His connection to animals was unparalleled, even among his peers. His clan had a unique bond with dogs and formed pacts for life, making their ability to connect with animals the best in the entire village. Kiba had always been proud of his achievements in this regard.
He had spent the whole day with his chosen bunny, forming a genuine connection with the creature. Now, faced with the prospect of harming it, he felt an overwhelming sense of conflict. Kiba's voice rose above the murmurs of protest and questioning from the other genin.
"This is ridiculous!" he exclaimed, his voice dripping with anger. "We've spent the entire day bonding with these bunnies, and now you want us to kill them? What kind of test is this?" Kiba's frustration was evident as he challenged the very core of the mission, his canine companion, Akamaru, growling softly in agreement. "You can't be serious," he protested, his voice rising. "Just like that?"
Kiba stood, his hands clenched into fists, the bunny cradled against his chest. "This is insane," he seethed, his voice a mix of anger and disbelief. "We're supposed to be shinobi, not cold-blooded killers of innocent creatures. What does killing this bunny prove?"
Sakura, her face pale, looked equally disturbed. "Kiba is right," she said, her voice shaking. "This... this isn't what I thought being a shinobi was about."
Choji, usually the gentle giant of the group, held his bunny protectively. "I don't like this," he murmured. "It feels wrong."
Shikamaru, ever the thinker, voiced his concern with a resigned tone. "This is troublesome. It's a cruel test, but it's not just about killing the bunny. It's about our ability to follow orders, no matter how distasteful."
Ino, holding the bunny she had struggled with, her expression torn, added, "I can't believe they're making us do this. It's just... it's too much."
Sasuke, his features set in a hard line, remained silent. He held his bunny aloof, his inner conflict hidden behind a façade of indifference.
Horyu, observing the reactions of his peers, stood quietly to the side. His expression was impassive, but his mind was racing. 'Too naive... it's more than just about killing. It's a psychological game. It is to see if you are ready to cast away your morals for the village or not,' he thought, his cynical nature analyzing the situation.
Ibiki, watching the reactions unfold, spoke up, his voice stern. "Your hesitation is understandable, but remember, a shinobi must be able to carry out any mission, no matter how difficult. This is your first real test."
The Genin, after a moment of collective hesitation, began to follow the order, each struggling with their own emotions. Kiba, with a heavy heart, was the last to act, his hand trembling as he held the bunny.
Horyu, watching silently, knew this was only the beginning. 'The shinobi world is not for the faint of heart,' he mused internally. 'But there's a line between duty and cruelty. Where does this test fall?'
As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows across the field, the Genin completed the task, each feeling the weight of their actions. It was a sobering moment, one that would stay with them for a long time.
Ibiki, satisfied with the completion of the task, announced, "The first stage of the Blood Test is complete. Return tomorrow for the second stage."
The Genin dispersed, each lost in their thoughts. Horyu, Hinata, and Shino walked back in silence, the events of the day weighing heavily on their minds.
As they parted ways, Horyu turned to his teammates. "Rest well. Tomorrow will bring new challenges."
Hinata nodded, her eyes still haunted. "Thank you, Horyu. For everything."
Shino, in his usual stoic manner, simply said, "Until tomorrow."
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