Genin

Today was the day of my graduation from the Hidden Leaf Ninja Academy. It had been a 'pleasant' time these past nine years I had spent with Kakashi. These beautiful days consisted of routine beatings and hardcore training. If I couldn't complete my training regime for that day, well then I got no food. Basically these past years have sucked an unbelievable amount of ass.

Currently I was sitting in my classroom as the various kids walked up to the front one at a time to preform a clone jutsu. If they can do it, then they pass. If not, well you know. Finally my name was called and I silently stood up before walking down the steps toward the front of the classroom where my teacher was patiently standing.

I turned to face the class with a lazy expression on my face as I turned into a perfect copy of Lord Fourth without even weaving handsigns. Mutters of surprise sprouted up everywhere, and even the teach was surprised by my sign-less jutsu.

I sat back down in my seat with my arms crossed as I entered a meditative state while keeping full awareness of my surroundings. I'll have to admit, though Kakashi was a complete sadist while training me, it did come with its perks.

The evaluations ended almost an hour later and the teacher set his clipboard down before saying "Alright, now that the exam is done, I can confidently say that you all pass! Now, before you get too excited, I have more news. I'll be assigning your teams later today and available jonin will pass by and see if they want to become your team captains. I wish you all good luck!"

I was fairly curious on who my partners would be, but I was interrupted from my thoughts when someone shoved me from behind. Although I didn't even move, A kid with short, spiky black hair and dark black eyes glared at me and said "Move outta my way! I've got places to be!" as a black haired and dark eyed girl peeked out from behind him.

This duo was none other than the two I had run into nine years prior on my way to Kakashi's apartment for the first time. Their names were Hayake and, quite ironically, Ayame. I sighed and continued to look at the foolish kid until a visible sweat drop began to form on his forehead. Hayake clicked his tongue and moved past me while his sister, Ayame, followed closely behind.

I looked toward Hayake's group of goons and unleashed a quick burst of killing intent to make them go pale and quickly run off. I vanished from the room and appeared next to a big cherry blossom tree that was the only one of its kind here in Konoha.

I sat down on a large root and enjoyed a gentle breeze flowing around me as I stared up at the blue sky. I felt truly calm when I was around nature, with the same applying for my past life as well. I had always loved nature and enjoyed long stays outside just listening to the birds chirping. I reclined against the tree and relaxed my tense body.

Sadly, this didn't last for long, as Kakashi quickly appeared next to me before grabbing me by my collar and teleporting away with me in tow. We appeared in front of the academy where Hayake and Ayame were standing, looking like they were waiting for something, or someone. Kakashi released me and clapped his hands together, saying "All right team, we begin our training tomorrow at five o'clock. Don't be late or there will be consequences. Oh, and be nice you two!" He finished while pointing at me and Hayake.

Hayake clenched his fists and started to shout something, but Kakashi gave him a stare that would even make the Devil himself give a thumbs-up. Hayake swallowed his words and just glared at me with a venomous expression. I was scrolling through my inventory at the moment, so I wasn't able to see his reaction, but I was able to sense someone walking over toward me.

I lifted my gaze for a second to find Ayame standing in front of me with her hands folded behind her back, a nervous expression on her face as she muttered "I hope we can become friends...I promise Hayake is a good guy, he's just overprotective..." my expression turned wry as Hayake's face reddened before he said "Ayame! He doesn't need to know these things, so get away from him! He's obviously dangerous considering he's from the Blood Mist Village!"

Yeah, I get this a lot. Most people don't trust me because I originate from the Mist Village, but I don't care. I'm only here to get stronger, nothing else. I put my hands in my pockets and looked toward Kakashi, prompting him to say "Alright then, you're dismissed for the day you three. Just remember to be at the training grounds at five." before disappearing.

I sighed and followed after him, leaving Hayake and Ayame stunned. I appeared next to Kakashi as he was reading and I said "What the hell Kakashi!? Why would you put me in a team with that dumbass? He'll get us killed!" Kakashi looked at me with a lazy expression and said "It's because I thought you could use a rival, and a friend." in a plain voice.

My eye twitched as I yelled "I don't need any damn friends! All I need is power, so I can make sure justice is brought upon those who murdered my family!" I was clenching my hands so hard that my fingernails bit into my hands, causing blood to spill onto the roof of the building we were standing on.

Kakashi shook his head and said "A ninja who only goes for revenge or power in order to kill, is no better than those that they try to kill. Remember that the next time you meet a new person." Kakashi disappeared yet again, but I wasn't able to follow his lightning fast movements this time. I sat down and began to meditate, something that always calmed me down.

However, I had this tiny, persistent piece of anxiety welling up inside of me. I quickly grew frustrated and stood back up before looking down upon the village. I let out a tired sigh as I leaned over the railings and enjoyed a cool spring breeze.

"It isn't like you to have such a sad aura."

I sighed through my nose and turned my head to see a man with long, white hair, two milky white eyes, and a kind smile plastered across his youthful and handsome features. "What do you want Itsuki. For the next head of the Hyuga clan to visit me, it must be something important." Itsuki laughed lightly and waved his hand in a placating manner.

"No, its nothing really. I just came to say hello and congratulate you on your graduation." Itsuki walked over and leaned over the rail next to me, watching the village life down below with a smile. Itsuki Hyuga, the heir to the Hyuga clan and one of my only close friends, although I'd never say that out loud.

I pulled out [Reaper's Caress] from my inventory and began to wipe down its now, roughly, 60cm long blade. The weapons ability to change shape according to its users body is actually very convenient, and its also impossible to take the weapon away from me, because it would quite literally burn whatever tried to grab it. Also pretty convenient.

"I do have some news, however..." Itsuki said with a frown. It was pretty rare to see this man not smiling, so I listened closely. "There have been sightings of Sand and Stone shinobi moving across our borders in small, intermingled squads. I fear a war might break out, especially if the Feudal Lords learn of villages cooperating together and scouting our borders..."

I clicked my tongue and, as I was about to say something, Kakashi appeared with Hayake and Ayame in his hands. "Yo! We got our first mission!" Kakashi let the two siblings down and dipped his head toward Itsuki before moving toward me and saying "As you probably already know, there was a squad of Sand and Stone shinobi who attacked one of our scout units. Since most of our ninja are out on missions, we were tasked with taking them out."

Of course we were. This was probably a mission assigned to us by the Feudal Lord, someone who doesn't like me for various reasons...

"Alright, where are we going then?" I asked Kakashi, but he just shrugged his shoulders and responded "Uh, I don't know? All I do know is we gotta capture them dead or alive..." I rubbed my temples in an attempt to keep me from decking the lazy ninja.

"Ah, don't worry though! I have one of their headbands, which Lord Fourth has so graciously given me, and I can let my Chakra Beast sniff it in order to find our bad guys!" I gestured for him to get on with it, causing him to bite his finger to draw blood before quickly flipping through a few hand signs. Kakashi slammed his hand against the roof and a large cloud of smoke burst forth and, after it had cleared, revealed a small, almost pug-like, dog wearing a blue vest and a Konoha headband.

Kakashi pulled out a Sand Village headband and let the dog sniff it. Kakashi nodded his head and said "Were after some Sand and Stone shinobi who have attacked one of our scout units, Pakkun. Make sure you find them so we can make them pay..." The dog, Pakkun, gave a short salute with its stubby leg with an affirmative "Aye-Aye" before darting off.

Kakashi looked back to the unusually silent Hayake to see him slightly pale and fidgeting around. "Hey, don't be getting cold feet kid. This is what you signed up for, so be ready to kill." Kakashi looked to me and I nodded my head before sprouting two raven like wings and picking the two siblings up as I began to fly after Kakashi.

The ride was silent with neither myself nor the siblings speaking a single word, the only sounds were the rustling of leaves below. I saw a flash of light out of the corner of my eyes and I immediately stopped midair, allowing me to catch sight of Kakashi, who was signaling for me to come down.

I quickly dove in his direction, being careful not to make a single sound. I landed next to Kakashi and let the siblings down as I leaned in and asked "What's up? Did you find them...?" in a quiet voice. Kakashi nodded his head slowly as he pointed ahead. I slowly crouched over to a nearby bush and slowly lifted a few leaves. I saw eight men all garbed in different clothes with various weapons on their bodies.

The most notable person was a giant of a man with two massive swords strapped across his back while he wore no shirt, allowing his rippling muscles to be out on display, and a pair of black pants. I silently cursed as my gaze passed over a piece of cloth hanging from his waist with the word 'Jonin' splayed across it.

I looked over my shoulder to see Kakashi explaining the situation to Hayake while Ayame stood behind the latter and fidgeted nervously as her eyes darted around. I had a bad feeling about this mission, but we're already here, so we gotta do it.

I went to walk back over to Kakashi, but a loud crack caught my attention as I spun around and pulled [Reaper's Caress] from its sheath at my side, blocking a heavy chop from the burly man's massive sword.

The man grinned sadistically as he asked "Hooh, just a kid eh? I'll have some fun listening to you scream in agony boy!" The weight of his blade increased significantly, causing me to almost fall to my knees from the pressure.

"Kenshi...give me your power...!"