Chapter 8 Team 11
My new teammates and I found ourselves in the academy training yard sitting under a tree near the back. Ko had taken us all here for our team introduction and now sat under the tree while the rest of us sat around him in the shade.
"Alright then," Ko smiled, "why don't we go around and introduce ourselves?"
"Why don't you start sensei," Zumo requested in an eager tone, guess he was really excited. Hm, didn't Sakura say the same thing? Odd, history is a strange thing indeed.
Ko nodded, "right. My name is Ko Hyuga, I'm part of the Hyuga clan and as such I possess the Byakugan dojutsu. I like reading and tea drinking ceremonies and my dream is to help raise my clan's children to become good people. I don't like people who are cruel and would like to be a good father one day."
I used my chakra sensory perk to scan him. From his chakra I could tell he was...soft, like a bird. Not a bad guy, but he had his claws as well. I smiled, I have to say, this chakra sensory thing really is useful.
I cleared my throat, "I'll go next then," I turned to my teams and gained no sign of disapproval. "My name is Yami, I'm an orphan. I like reading and writing and learn new things and my dream is to become a strong kick ass ninja in the future. I don't like people who act like morons and hurt other people for no reason and I suppose….yeah, that's it."
"Alright, me next," China raised her hand excitedly. Ko nodded allowing her to begin, "my name is China Mozen, I'm a civilian and my dream is to become Konoha's top female swordswoman! I liked melee weapons and other cool ninjutsu and ah," she blushed a little before stammering out, "I-I dislike people who are mean to others because of things they can't help."
Her chakra felt like...like soft iron, if treated properly it could be strong, if not it could rumble into dust. Ko smiled, "that's very nice of you. And lastly," he turned to Zumo.
The by grinned, "about time! My name is Zumo Sarutobi! I'm from the Sarutobi clan and am going to be the best ninja to ever come out of that clan! My dream is to be more famous that the third Hokage, my granduncle! I like cake and training and I hate snobby brats who think they're better than everyone else!"
He turned to me and sent me a glare that had me surprised, didn't realise he had a problem with me. His chakra felt hot and uncontrolled, like a cracker ready to blast off.
Ko nodded, "well...that was interesting," he clapped his hands, "now, let's begin."
China blinked, "begin what sensei? Our missions? I was told that won't happen for some time now."
"Oh no no no China, you see, technically, the three off you haven't actually become ninjas yet," Ko smiled.
"What?!" Zumo and China cried out in shock.
Ko nodded, "yes, you see, the academy test is simply to see if you even have the slightest chance of making it in the ninja world. We jonin instructor administer a second test and only by passing that do you actually qualify to become a ninja."
Ping!
Quest Alert!
Pass the secret test!
Rewards:
500 EXP
Allowed to perform mission for Konoha
Failure:
Permanent genin status.
Do you accept?
Y/N?
"W-what?! No way! I worked my butt off for the Academy tests! And now I have to take another one?!" Zumo grumbled as he hung his head.
As I pressed yes I had to suppress a snort, it's amusing how that simple thing they call a test was difficult for other people. I pushed my pride to the corner and got on my feet and patted the dust away, "alright, when do we begin sensei?"
Ko smiled, "I'm glad you are taking this in such stride Yami, tell me, where you not surprised to learn about the second test?"
I shook my head, "no, I knew about it."
"What? How?!" Zumo asked jumping on his feet.
I looked at him and shrugged, "I'm a ninja, intelligence gathering is literally in my job description. I also know the chunin qualifications exams and the jonin qualifications test."
"Woah! That's so cool Yami!" China said in surprise. Really? That was cool? Seriously? This is basic shit girl!
Ko blinked, "how did you find out about all that?"
I shrugged, "the chunin exams take place every two and half years in Konoha, so I know about that. And I learnt from an ex-ninja that a chunin can only become a jonin through an election from the council, the Hokage and the jonin commander. Or is they gain that position during combat."
Zumo huffed, "oh please, there's no way all that is real."
"Actually it is," Ko replied looking impressed, "that is very true Yami, you have done your homework I see."
China nodded, "Yami spends a lot of time reading, so he's bound to be smart!"
I blinked and turned to China….she was blushing a little, pupils dilated...her 35 REP rate...she has a fucking crush on me?! Damn it! I don't like fangirls! I see how Sasuke deals with them and, argh!
I reign in my emotions, I really hope I can work with her without her gushing all over me like a noob. I turned to Ko, "where are we going sensei?"
"Right, follow me," and with that Ko took off into the tree, running at a reasonably slow pace, allowing us to keep us. We ended up training field eleven, similar to seven, except this one had a small pond near the back with the dense signature leaves of Konoha surrounding it.
Ko landed in the center of the training field and we stood before him awaiting instructions. He pulled out two bells and displayed it to us, "the rules are simple. Fight me and get a bell. You have three hours, by the end, if you have a bell, you can stay."
China blinked, "but sensei, there are only two bells."
Ko smiled, "yes. Begin!"
I grabbed my teammates shoulders and dragged them back into the dense trees. "Hey! Let go off me!" Zumo tried to break free, but I refused to let him go, pulling him by his collar. I saw Ko smirk as he activated his Byakugan, damn, need to think of a way to fight that.
We ended up in a small clearing in the forest when I finally let them both go. Immediately Zumo turned to on, "what the hell do you think you're doing?!"
"He said begin, we need to make a plan," I told him as I frowned, how can I defeat an all seeing eye?
"And?! It's every man for himself!" Zumo cried out.
"Zumo-" China said in a weak voice.
"You plan on taking on a jonin? A man with more fighting experience in his pinky than the three of us put together...alone?" I asked in a very slow and mocking voice.
Zumo growled as he walked up to me, towering over me by a few inches, "do you think you're in charge? Do you pipsqueak?"
"Hey! Back off Zumo! He's just trying to help!" China pushed him back.
"Whatever, I don't need this," Zumo scoffed as he turned to walk away.
I sighed, "if you leave...you'll be nothing more than a loser...like the people in your clan think you are."
Zumo stopped, he slowly turned around, "what did you say?"
"I said, if you leave, you're a loser, just like everyone in your clan thinks you are," I walked up to him losing the distance until were were neck and neck, "but don't take it the wrong way, we're all losers here."
China blinked, "excuse me?"
I turned to her, I remembered everything I read in their bio's, about how Zuko felt ostriches inside his own clan, how China was dismissed for being a girl, and I put it to use. I pointed at myself, "clanless orphan," at Zumo, "black sheep of the clan," and then China, "a woman."
Zumo blinked, "that's not really the same."
I scoffed, "trust me, it is. Women have it tough, especially in the ninja world."
China slowly nodded, "he's right."
I turned to Zumo, "here's the thing Zumo, I hate losing, and more importantly, I hate being looked down on. I know you do as well, and China hates being seen as nothing more than a chick. We all are looked down on our entire lives, all of us, and being ninjas...it gives us the chance to be more, to be greater, to be our own legend. I don't have a last name, by being a ninja I'll earn one. You're clan looks at you like you aren't worth their time, prove them wrong, instead of saying, 'oh, he's from the Sarutobi clan' let people say, 'hey, isn't that Zumo's clan'? And if the only thing they see China as is a woman, then they will never see her blade. But we can't do that if we don't pass this test, right here and right now. And the only way we have a chance….is if we work together."
Zumo and China looked at me, blinking. Zumo gulped, "r-right...do you have a plan?"
Ping!
You have successfully motivated your teammates!
Ping!
A skill has leveled up!
Speaking skills, Lv- 15 (1%)
Your verbal ability to convince people to follow your lead or agree to your demands.
Chances of being successful- 40%
+10% for every positive REP score you have with target
-10 % for every negative REP score you have with target
+250% bonus into teamwork for Zumo
+550% bonus into teamwork for China
I grinned, "I think I have just the thing. We're dealing with a Hyuga, meaning we can expect him to rely heavily on his eyes and taijutsu. So, we focus on attacking mid range of long range. Do any of you know any jutsu like that?"
China shook her head, "no, sorry. I'm mainly into weapons."
"I know the great fireball jutsu and the flame bullet jutsu," Zumo said with a proud grin.
I groaned, "I see...oh! I got it!" I took out an empty scroll and took out my fuinjutsu set laying on the ground and drawing a seal on it that I quickly came up.
"You can make seals?" Zumo asked looking over my shoulder in interest.
"Yes," I replied.
"You any good?" he asked.
Ping!
You created a C rank seal!
Flash!
I grinned, "very," I rolled the finished scroll and got up, "this seal will create a bright flash of light so strong it should temporarily blind Ko-sensei. All you have to do is open it up, place the seal facing him and make a ram seal."
"Amazing," China said in wonder.
"Right, China, give me your hand," I said picking up the seal brush once more. I began drawing a seal on her palm, it quickly took the form of a tiger. I had worked on the tattoo I had gotten a long time ago from my first dungeon run. I had analysed it and figured the seal pattern out a long time ago and could now replicate it whenever I wanted.
When I was done China looked at it and blinked, "what is it?"
I grinned, "that is how we are going to pass this test. Now listen up, here's the plan."
With Ko:
'Hm, it's been half an hour, should I be worried?' Ko asked himself as he kept his byakugan active, looking around like a sentry, keeping watch. Just as he was about to go looking for his genin he stopped and smiled as Zumo appeared in the edge of his sight, walking towards him with a giant shuriken on his back and a kunai in each hand.
Ko was actually impressed by the genin's skills, sneaking around with something that big on one's back was quite a feet. Zumo stopped by the edge of the tree line and waited. It was ten minutes later when Ko finally had enough.
"You know I can see you yes? I am a Hyuga after all," Ko called out.
Zip!
Zumo threw two kunais at Ko, which the Hyuga easily dodged. Zumo then leaped out, throwing the giant shuriken on his back at the Hyuga, which sailed inches over his head, landing softly behind him.
"You're going to have to do better than that Zumo," Ko sighed, as the Sarutobi kid came right at him slipping into the jungle style, his clan's signature taijutsu style.
Ko easily blocked his strikes, sweeping away his kicks and hits, "so where are the others?"
"I don't need them," Zumo growled as he jumped back and threw three shurikens at Ko. The jonin was impressed at the speed, but nothing else. He easily slipped into the gentle fist style and caught each shuriken by looping a finger through the center hole before throwing it back at Zumo, twice as fast.
"Shit!" Zumo took a kunai out and knocked the kunai away.
"Too slow," Ko whispered into his ear as he suddenly appeared next to Zumo, hitting him in the gut, sending the Sarutobi kid flying back.
Zumo coughed as he got on his knees, holding his gut, Ko walking towards him lazily, "you know...I honestly expected more...I'm disappointed in you."
"Well, you shouldn't be," Zumo smirked as he twisted his body revealing a scroll on his tummy. He swirled it open, displaying a seal on it's surface. Ko blinked in confusion, he didn't recognize that seal. "Flash!" Zumo called out, shutting his eyes as he made the ram sign.
ZM!
"ARGH!" Ko called out as he closed his eyes, blinded by the sheer light that came out of the scroll. He held his head in pain, grumbling at the tactic, "clever."
"Then you'll love this! Fire release: Great Fireball jutsu!"
Ko smirked as he lept into the air, dodging the attack, "I may be blind, but my other sense are-"
"Wind release: Great Breakthrough!" Yami cried out.
Ko was shocked, he felt a rush of wind coming right at him, passing through the Great Fireball, the sheer power of the wind swept the fireball away from its intended path, deflecting it and heading straight for him.
"Shit!" Ko cried out as he performed a sealless substitution landing a few feet away. His eyes slowly began to recover as he noticed two blurs rushing at him, he got ready to fight when suddenly something pulled at his belt, pulled at the bells.
Ko turned downwards and found China there, one hand around the bells with the other's palm facing him, and on it was a seal in the shape of a tiger.
"Fire!" she cried out, causing a fireball to come point black at Ko. The Hyuuga was so busy escaping again he could do nothing to stop China from cutting the bells ropes with a kunai.
Ko landed near the lake, his eyesight slowly returning. His three genin students walked up to him, all smiling.
China held up the bells, smiling, "we did it!"
Yami smiled, "yup. We did."
With Yami:
I turned to Ko who blinked his blindness away, "you alright there sensei?"
Ko smiled as he straightened himself, "oh I'm fine...and I must say, I'm very impressed. You used Zumo to blind me and then came out of hiding...I suspect you moved into position the moment my focus was on him?"
Actually I just ran here really really fast, Chuunin level speed, but meh, not the time. I nodded, "yup."
"And then when Zumo blinded me with that...seal," Ko groaned, "you came out, luring me into your trap using the combination jutsu, brilliant move by the way-"
"Thank you," Zumo and I replied.
"-And then China here grabbed the bells," Ko said turning to a grinning China, "who then fired another fireball at me, forcing me to dodge or else risk getting burnt. I must say, every well thought out...and perfectly executed."
I grinned, "and we couldn't have done it without the other," I turned to Zumo and smiled. The Sarutobi kid blushed and looked away, I saw his REP go up to 10. Huh, cool.
"Although, I am curious, how did China get near me so quickly?" Ko asked, "I have read reports on Yami's speed, but China's is average, she couldn't have run all that way."
"I didn't have too," she grinned, "I was right under your nose the whole time."
"Oh? How-the giant shuriken," Ko realised as he looked around, finding no shuriken. He slowly smiled, "very clever. Using a henge, the oldest trick in the book."
I shrugged, "oh please, you knew the whole time. You were just pretending."
"Wait, what?!" Zumo asked with his jaw dropped.
"What are you saying Yami?" China asked in equal shock.
I sighed, "the Byakugan can see all, including a henge. Sensei knew it was you...he just didn't do anything about it."
"Is this true Ko sensei!" China asked turning to the Hyuga.
Ko smiled and chuckled, "observant as always Yami. Yes, that's true. I did know China was the shuriken, but I didn't know why. I wanted to see what you were planning...and that cost me the match."
"But wait, if you knew he would recognize China, why did you go through with the plan?!" Zumo asked me.
"Because getting the bells was never really the test," I stated, "the test...was to see if we could work together, as a team."
The two genins blinked as they turned to their jounin teacher. The Hyuga's smile was radiant at this point, "it seems I lucked out. Not only did I get a small genius but also a Sarutobi who's willing to bleed for his friends and a kouichi that actually knows how to fight. I truly am the luckiest jonin in the village."
"W-wait, does that mean we passed?!" China asked with a gasp.
Ko nodded, "yes, you all passed. As of this moment, we four are team eleven. Congratulations."
Ping!
Quest completed!
Pass the secret test!
Rewards:
500 EXP
Allowed to perform mission for Konoha
I smiled and swiped the box away as China cheered loudly "alright! This is cool! When can we begin doing missions?" she asked bouncing on her feet in excitement.
Ko chuckled, "why don't you all go home for tonight. Tomorrow met up here at 8 o'clock and we can begin doing our mission."
"Yes!" Zumo cried out, "I'm so excited!"
I sighed, "don't be, it's not worth it."
China and Zumo blinked turning to me. "Why do you say that Yami?" China asked.
I sighed, "because every genin team for the first six months perform nothing by D rank mission."
Zumo blinked, "isn't that a good thing?"
I sighed, "trust me...it's not."
Three months later:
"I HATE THIS!" Zumo threw his hands in the air as we walked to the Hokage tower, finishing out tenth mission of the month.
"I agree," I replied grumbling as I wiped the red paint off my leather armour, "I made this armour so that I wouldn't die from a kunai to the chest, not as a canvas."
"Why couldn't they just ask other people to do these damn chores!" China yelled rubbing her fingers, covered with red paint, "I hate this! We have done nothing but chores for the last three months!"
"Now now, don't think of them like that, think of them as team building exercises," Ko replied with a smile as he hurried us along into the tower.
For the past three months my life had been hell. I would start the day by six, going to training field eleven to train by myself. Then the rest would arrive by eight where Ko would begin training us. Nothing too advanced, just basic ninja tactics, signals and even battle formations.
And after than we would go out and perform chores, chores that sometimes lasted until 7 in the night. By then I would be so mentally exhausted I barely had any time for myself. I had to cook and the finally I had some time to write and continued to do so through the night.
Because of these I wasn't motivated at all to train in the dungeons in any way or form. Honestly, it was getting stale. I gained an average of 200 EXp for every mission. I did level up once, but that was it;
Yami, Little Professor
Level- 30 (400/15,800)
HP- 4,250/4,250 (+20)
SP- 2,050/2,050
CP- 2,400/2,400
CONTROL- 100%
FIRE- 100% WIND- 52%
Allegiance- Konoha Civilian
STR- 32
VIT- 46
DEX- 46
INT- 35 (+2)
CHA- 51
CC- 131
LUC- 26 (+5)
Points- 0
Meh, at least I had a 52% control rate going for wind. Two more times and I'm golden!
Anyway, I was running on a very short fuse, I was really trying to hold it together but...it felt like I was going to explode!
I sighed as we entered the hokage tower and entered the mission office where he and Mizuki sat with a huge bundle of scrolls next to them.
"Team eleven returning from mission," Ko said with his signature smile, pulling out a mission scroll and handing it to Mizuki who recorded the finished assignment.
Ping!
Quest completed!
Paint the house!
Rewards:
200 EXP
Oh fuck off!
"Excellent work," Sarutobi said with a smile as he looked at me then Zuko, "how have they been Ko?"
"Eagerly lord Hokage," Ko smiled, "I must say I lucked out with this team."
"Yes, I'm aware," he puffed his smoker looking at me, "now, what to give you next. Oh, we have a very nice mission here, grocery shopping for Mrs. Kimo, poor thing has a broken back and-"
"-I can't take this anymore!" I cried out startling everyone in the room. I slammed my hand on the table and growled, "if I have to waste my days painting fences and shopping for groceries I'm gonna fucking die! Please! Please for the love of God and everything that is good, give me a mission that doesn't make me want to kill myself! Please!"
Hokage blinked in surprise. Ko as well while Mizuki just chuckled. Ko cleared his throat, "Yami, that is no way to speak to the leader of your village."
"With all due respect Ko-sensei, our team's talent are being wasted on D ranks!"
The Hokage nodded, "that may be Yami, but these mission are necessary," he flashed a look at me, "can you tell me why?"
I sighed as I reeled in my anger and thought about it for a moment before sighing, "because it makes ninjas look like humans, not cold blooded murders and thieves."
The man smiled, "exactly. And we also wish to make sure that the young don't die that way, as you said when we first met, this is a profession when men die young. As such, until we know you're ready, we can't let you take anything higher than a D rank."
"Well how can we show we're ready if you don't give us a chance?" Zumo scoffed. The Hokage raised an eyebrow causing the boy to stammer out, "I-I apologize for speaking out of turn lord Hokage."
Sarutobi sighed, "it's fine Zumo, don't apologize for speaking your mind."
"Y-yes!"
"But he does raise a good point," the Hokage said chewing his pipe's wooden stick, "alright then, how about this. A test, if you can perform ten mission within a week I'll consider letting you go on a C rank mission."
I turned to Mizuki, "give us five."
The man blinked, he turned to the Hokage who shrugged. "Alright, but be careful little professor," Mizuki smiled as he gave us five scrolls. Shopping, gardening, catching Tora the cat, painting over graffiti and dog walking.
I turned to the team, Zumo and China looking just as determined as I was while Ko just sighed and shook his head.
"Alright team, let's do this!" I cried out, causing them to cheer along with me. We practically ran out of the tower leaving a sighing Ko and a chuckling Hokage behind.
"Do you really think they can do ten mission in a week?" Mizuki asked in surprise.
Sarutobi shrugged, "I see no reason or them not too. I'm sure they'll surprise us."
The next day:
It was seven in the morning and Mizuki was already in the mission assignment room going through some paperwork. Just then the doors slammed open, he looked up from and spotted us walking towards him. He blinked, "this is...unusual."
I was covered in paint, Zumo in scratches as he held a struggling Tora who had run away, again. China's fingers were covered in dirt and Ko looked like he didn't get any sleep.
I slammed the mission scrolls in front of Mizuki, "done! One C rank. Please!"
Mizuki, "didn't you leave with five mission yesterday?"
"They came back last night and demanded five more," said a very tired Ko.
"You really don't like waking up early do you sensei?" China smiled.
"It was three in the morning!"
"Grass doesn't cut itself," Zumo said as he put Tora inside a cage and slammed the door shut, "and stay in there this time!"
I stepped back and crossed my arms, "we finished the missions like you asked. C. Rank. Please."
Mizuki sighed, "give me a moment, I'll get the Hokage."
Five minutes later:
The old man looked through the mission scrolls and blinked. He looked at us and smiled, "well...I'm surprised. I didn't think you would form such a close bond so soon."
"We tend to agree when it comes to things we hate," China smiled.
"And apparently that include waking their teacher up at three in the morning," Ko grumbled. Yesh, he really wasn't a morning person huh?
"Well, either way, a promise is a promise," the man smiled as he pulled out a blue scroll, "a C rank, as promised."
"Yes!" we all cheered as one.
"Right, now, this is a simple escort mission to the land of tea. The customer is a long time friend of Konoha and has been using our services for years. He makes monthly trips from Konoha to the land of tea, trading. Are there any questions?"
Ping!
Quest Alert!
Ensure the cargo is delivered to the land of tea!
Reward:
+5000 EXP
Failure:
Banned from C rank missions for over a year.
Do you accept?
Y/N?
I raised my hand. The Hokage nodded and I spoke, "what kind of resistance can we expect? Bandits? Raiders?"
The old man smiled, "is there a difference between a bandit and a raider?"
"Yes. A raider will just take everything and run as fast as they could. A bandit will take everything, kill you, burn your caravan and then run as fast as they could."
Sarutobi chuckled, "no Yami, you won't face any raiders or bandits. This is a very safe route. But common thieves are still an issue. And the money is still very good. Now, are there any other questions?" there were none as I accepted the quest, "good. Ko, meet with the customer and set up your departure time. Dismissed."
"Yes lord Hokage," we replied as we quickly ran out.
"Alright, all of you pack enough for two weeks," Ko said as he opened the scroll and looked over the mission details before putting it away, "I know this trader, I'll talk to him and find out more. Met me at the training ground in two hours and I'll tell you when we will leave. Dismissed!"
"Yes sir!" we said as he leaped away, moving like a blur across rooftops.
"So what are we going to do for two hours?" Zumo asked.
"You heard Ko sensei," China spoke up, "we need to go pack up."
Zumo rolled his eyes, "we can do that whenever we want China! Besides, we don't even know when we're leaving so what's the point?"
I nodded, "agreed. We should celebrate, reward ourselves for a job well done. You two up for some ramen?"
China smiled, "yes Yami! Of course!"
Zumo shrugged, "you buying?"
I nodded, "yup. Come on, I know this great place just down the road." I guided them to Ichiraku's where we entered, "hey Ayame! I'm back honey!"
"Hey Yami!" Ayame called out from behind the counter.
"Yami!" Naruto, who was sitting eating what looked like his fifth bowl of ramen, turned to us and smiled, "fancy seeing you here! Don't you have a mission or something?"
"We got a break, decided to get lunch," I smiled as I sat down next to him. I turned to see my teammates looking cautiously at Naruto, China in particular looking very worried. I rolled my eyes, "relax, he's not going to prank you or something. Come, sit," I tapped the stool next to me.
China gulped as she nodded, sitting down next to me while Zumo sat down next to her. "Hello," Ayame said as she came up, "and who are these cute little genin?"
"I-I'm China Menzo, it's pleasure to meet you," China bowed a little.
"I'm Zumo Sarutobi," Zumo smiled at Ayame.
"They're my teammates," I explained, "we're on a break, figured they could use a nice meal. Plus seeing you always brightens up my day sweetie," I said with a wink.
China's eyes went wide while Ayame just rolled hers, "never going to happen Yami."
"But why? I am technically an adult you know," I winked pointing at my headband.
"Maybe in a decade or so hon," Ayame chuckled, "now, what will you have."
I sighed, "well, since I obviously can't have you, I guess I'll just settle for some chicken ramen," I turned to my teammates, "and you guys?"
Zumo shrugged, "miso is fine."
"And you China?" Ayame asked looking at the girl was a shocked stiff. Ayame blinked, "China? Are you okay?"
"Y-yes, I'm fine," China blinked out of her shock as she looked at me and Ayame, "I'll have pork please."
"Coming right up!" Ayame smiled getting to work.
"Yami," China called out.
I looked at her, "yeah? What's wrong?"
"Do you...do you like Ayame?" China asked, her words struggling to come out. I sighed, fan girls, what a pain.
I shook my head, "not in a romantic way no. She's just nice to be around, plus I've been flirting with her since the day I met her it's kind of hard to stop now."
"Awe, Yami, and here I was thinking you loved me!" Ayame chuckled.
I smiled, "you'll always have a place in my heart Ayame."
"Bah! Would you stop already, you're making me want to throw up!" Naruto scoffed.
I rolled my eyes, "you're just jealous because I have the guts to flirt with girls while you still can't even talk to Sakura without her punching you across the room."
"Hey! Just you watch! One day she'll say yes!"
Zumo snorted, "sure, that'll be the day. I bet even frogs will talk by then."
"Technically frogs can talk," I shrugged.
"What?" China asked in surprise.
"Yeah, toad summons can talk, didn't you know that?" I blinked. All three shocked their heads, "huh...just me then. Okay."
Lunch was spent quietly, though Naruto kept asking questions loudly that set my teammates on edge. But eventually they gave in and spoke to the boy like a normal human being.
An hour later we met up with Ko and he informed us to be ready to leave tomorrow morning at dawn. I got back home that night and told Naruto I won't be coming home for a few days, the kid just went on and on about how t wasn't fair I got to go cool mission while he was stuck here. Hehe, sucker.
I stayed up all night working on storage seals and managing my tools, just to ensure against any possible outcome. Then morning came and I ran to the gates, eager to leave the village for the first time ever.
I arrived their first and stood waiting for my teams mates to show up. At the ten minute mark Zumo showed up with a heavy looking backpack and an excited smile on his face, "morning Yami! You excited?"
I smiled and nodded, "you bet I am."
Zumo looked over my shoulder and frowned, "where is you bag? Didn't you pack anything?"
I pointed at a scroll on my thigh pouch, "storage seal," I put all my needed stuff inside the seal, since I obviously couldn't just use my inventory in front of people.
"Smart," Zumo sighed, "I wish I thought of that."
"I can make it for you is you want," I offered, taking out a spare scroll.
Zumo blinked, "really? You don't mind?"
"Not at all, besides, if you are held down by so much weight that might be a problem for us," I opened the scroll up revealing several kanji streams along the side, "put in on."
"Right," Zumo placed the heavy bag in the middle of the seal and after a small puff of smoke the bag was gone. I rolled the scroll up and gave it to him, "thanks, this is so much better."
I nodded, just then China arrived, running towards us with a smile, "good morning!"
"Hey China," Zumo smiled and waved, "packed all your stuff?"
China nodded pointing at the scroll on her back, "all in here. You two?"
"Same," I pointed at my scroll ad Zumo's.
"Ah, I see you're all here, good, we don't have to wait then," the three of us looked over and saw Ko walking towards us with an elderly man wearing a green kimono with a bald head and pencil mustache riding a horse.
Gemu Soru, Merchant of Tea
Lv- 12
REP- 0
"This is Gembu, he's our client," Ko introduced the man.
The bald man looked at us and raised an eyebrow, "this is your team? Aren't they...a bit young?"
Ko smiled, "I assure you, they are more than qualified for this mission."
"Hello, my name is China, it's a pleasure to met you," the g
