A Test

In Tsunade's office, her soul clone stared impassively at the small crowd before her.

"So you came all the way here just to ask what Shiki s doing?" Tsunade asked.

"Even you Kurenai?" She added.

"No I just came to make sure they didn't get in trouble." Kurenai defended herself, earning looks of betrayal and suspicions from the others.

"Ha! Right. Maybe I'll believe that once you manage to convince yourself." Tsunade scoffed.

This statement only made the looks of suspicion increase with a few looks of jealousy also appearing.

"As for where Shiki is and what he does, that's his own business, not yours." Tsunade continued.

"But aren't you curious Tsunade-neesan?" Naruto asked.

"I'm not. And that's because, unlike you all, I actually know what he is doing, mostly." Tsunade replied with a bit of a bragging tone that thankfully went unnoticed to most.

"Then why can't we know!?" Sakura complained.

Not feeling like putting up with this whole charade, Tsunade did the wise thing and decided to dump this problem on one of Shiki's soul clones.

"That's something you have to ask him. Find one of his clones and just ask. As for me, I'm sworn to secrecy." Tsunade declared before booting everyone out of her office.

"Do you all think Shiki-san is going to answer our questions?" Tenten asked.

"We don't have much else to try tebayo." Naruto shrugged.

"The idiot is right." Sasuke said.

"Hey!" Naruto complained but was promptly ignored.

"The only way to get a straight answer is to ask Shiki ourselves." Sasuke declared.

"I guess you have a point." Naruto agreed and everyone nodded.

The group then set out in search of a soul clone and luckily, they didn't have to search for long before finding their target.

"Shiki-san wait a bit!" Hinata, the first to find a soul clone called out.

"What's up Hinata, this is only a clone by the way." Shiki's soul clone greeted.

"I know, I know. Or at least I imagined." Hinata replied.

"Can you come with me though? We have something to ask." She continued.

"We?" Shiki inquired.

"You'll see Shiki-san. Can you please just follow?" She cutely requested.

"Sure I guess. Lead the way." Shiki accepted her request.

A few moments later, Shiki's soul clone was speaking with the whole group.

"So you want to know about the original's activities eh?" He asked.

"Yes!" They all answered.

"Not telling you." The clone simply said.

"Why!?" Some outraged members questioned.

"Because it's not the type of stuff for you to know, much less join in on which is what I assume at least some of you were intending to do." The clone replied.

"We just want to help you dattebayo!" Naruto exclaimed.

"And I appreciate it but respectfully decline your help." The clone countered.

"Why, do you think were not strong enough!?" Sakura asked with anger.

"That's not the issue, you simply lack the necessary commitment and ruthless efficiency need for my . . . activities." Shiki attempted to explain without giving too much information away.

Even then, the more experienced Kurenai still managed to figure out it was something of a black ops, breaking the rules kind of thing.

The whole group started complaining about how they did have those things needed without really understanding what those things actually were so Shiki just quietted them down before making a proposal.

"Alright! Let's do it like this. I'll ask you a simple question which all of you must answer immediately. If I find your answer satisfactory, I can consider sharing more information and even, possibly letting you participate in my more . . . clandestine activities okay?"

Everyone accepted the challenge.

"Now you better give me an honest answer cause I can tell if you don't and that is an immediate disqualification." Shiki reminded.

"Ready?" He asked.

"Ready!" they answered.

"What would you do if I asked you to kill someone?" Shiki's clone inquired.

Knowing they had to answer immediately, most did so by reflex, all at the same time.

"I would do it." Hinata answered.

"I would deal with them." Hanabi answered.

"Why would you do that?" Ino answered.

"Why would you do that?" Sakura answered.

"Uh?" Naruto answered.

"I'd do it but ask for a reason afterwards." Sasuke answered.

"I don't know." Tenten answered.

"I would ask why, depending on the urgency and trust your judgement if there was not time." Kurenai answered.

"Hmm . . . I have to admit, some of you surprised me while others just give the kinds of answers I expected." Shiki commented.

"Needless to say, this conversation never happened." Shiki added a little imperceptible genjutsu compulsion into his voice.

By using it in such a subtle way, they wouldn't even notice or ressit allowing the genjutsu to undetectably settle in in their minds.

Even Kurenai, a genjutsu expert, didn't notice, just another testament to how great Shiki power and skill in genjutsu had become.

The group accepted the commitment to silence but they wanted to hear Shiki's opinion on their answers the most.

"Right, right, no need to be impatient." Shiki complained.

"First off, Ino, Sakura and Naruto, your answers were the most predictable and mean I won't really say anything else about what I do outside until you can grow up and get some experience under your belt, them we'll talk again." He declared.

The three people in question immediately felt down and frustrated.

"There's really no need to feel bad about it." Shiki comforted.

"It just means you're not quite ready yet, nothing more." He explained.

"Moving on, Tenten. Your response was not as stupid as it might seem since most people have no idea how they'd react in such a situation so I'd say you're getting close but you're still out." Shiki evaluated.

"Well, I guess I'm okay with that." Tenten was not too dissatisfied with the response form Shiki since she was still a new addition to his little group.

"Hinata and Hanabi, your trust in me is greatly appreciated but you shouldn't just listen unquestioningly. Although you have to listen to me you're far more than just subordinates so you can always ask for an explanation so long as we're not pressed for time." Shiki explained.

"I was actually quite surprised by your resolve Hinata. I'm really happy with how far you've come since we first met." He added in praise much to the older Hyuga's delight.

'All my effort was worth it!' She squealed in happiness inside her own mind.

Although it was not a perfect response, the two Hyuga sisters were quite happy with Shiki's evaluation but the most important part for them was still left unsaid.

"I'll tell you what I've been doing and I'll start training you to work with me in the future." SHiki said, much to their delight and the jealousy of those that failed the test.

"As for Kurenai-nee and Sasuke, your responses were pretty much perfect so I have zero problems. I'll share my activities with you both and might even let you work." Shiki gave his highest evaluation.

Kurenai was actually quite pleased with the praise but let none of it show while Sasuke was visibly pleased with himself for meeting Shiki's expectations of him.

"Okay then, Hinata, Hanabi, Kurenai and Sasuke stay. As for the rest of you, better luck next time." Shiki declared.

They all complained at Shiki's wording but still left with renewed purpose to better themselves until they met his expectations.

"Okay then, first things first." Shiki pulled out a Soul Contract Tag and explained its use.

"I'm not planning on having you swear any oath of fealty just yet but after showing you everything, I'll make you an offer and, should you chose not to take it, you will forget everything other than the fact you refused me." He explained.

"If you take it however, the tag will enforce the agreement and make sure both you and me stick to it." Shiki finished explained.

All four who remained behind accepted his explanation and dripped a drop of blood onto the Soul Contract Tag, marking their adherence to Shiki's parameters.

"Alright then, time to take you to where all the magic happens." Shiki said before teleporting the whole group.

Waiting for them, at their destination was Tsunade.

"Welcome to the Desert Fortress, Shiki's personal project and home of Mugetsu which I assume all of you have heard from." She greeted.

"Tsunade-sama!" Needless to say, they were surprised.

"Isn't Mugetsu a criminal organization?" Kurenai asked.

"In a sense but its much more than that." Tsunade replied.

As a figure of authority for the four people he brough, Shiki asked Tsunade to show her presence to lend more credence to his words just to make sure things went as well as they could possibly go.

"But as the founder and leader of Mugetsu, Shiki is much more qualified to explain that, I'll just get back to my station since I merely wanted to greet you all." Tsunade said before leaving.

The group could only stare at Shiki, mouths agape . . .

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