Chapter 9: Potentials Test

Kuzo was in the backyard of his house. Currently, he was sparring with his biological brother, Doju, who was already a chunin, in a pure taijutsu match. 

"You, little shit, are getting better," commented Doju as they both held each other's hands, pushing. Kuzo wasn't overwhelmed. 

"What's the matter? Not happy you can't push me around anymore," Kuzo pressed on his older brother's hands, trying to break them.

They had been sparring for a few hours now, and Kuzo had almost mastered all of the taijutsu he'd learned.

"Huh? I'm just going easy on you so Mom doesn't say anything to me," Doju left his arms, bent down, and kicked in blinding speed toward Kuzo's chin.

In reply, Kuzo put his hand on his chin, receiving the kick that sent him up in the air. He then flipped forward and kicked. Doju crossed his arms and received the attack, which sank his feet on the ground.

"Tell yourself whatever helps you sleep at night," Kuzo replied, trying to get under Doju's skin.

"Tsk. You're going to fix the backyard," Doju jumped backward, leaving what seemed like a hole.

"I'll tell Mom it was you," Kuzo then put his hand on his shoulder, pretending to fall on his knee. He then raised his head and screamed, "Big brother! Why didn't you hold back?"

"Hush, little shit… Shut up. I'll fix the backyard, fine!"

"What's happening?" his mom's voice echoed.

"Nothing. We're just playing," Doju replied.

Kuzo smiled. After weaving a few hand signs, the hole in the ground got fixed on its own.

"You know earth style too?" Doju asked.

"Seen some of the rogue nins doing it. I tried to repeat the hand signs, and it worked."

"What dumb nin weave his hand slowly. Still. Low earth jutsu, not bad as your second affinity. It would suit you very well."

"Suit me?"

"You'll need to eventually learn how to use the ground to escape," Doju said. "If the mission was deemed to fail, you can hide. You'd be lucky if your opponent can't use lightning. But that won't matter if you can hide deep."

That was a good point. 

"Don't get me wrong. But it's those who face me who would have to learn how to hide," Kuzo replied.

"Even father?"

"I know he's behind him, so stop baiting me," Kuzo replied. He slowly turned; no one was behind.

At that moment, Doju appeared behind him and said, "A ninja shouldn't let his guard down," before giving him a smack on his head.

Kuzo held the back of his head. "That's called playing dirty."

"Life of a shinobi isn't fair."

"You don't say," Kuzo sighed.

"Doju, if you are done playing, go and help your mom. As for Kuzo, you have been summoned to the Hokage's office."

Both turned to see their dad on a tree. He threw Kuzo a scroll. He opened it. It had an invitation to the Hokage's office.

"Can I skip?" Kuzo asked since it was just an invitation.

"It doesn't need to be said that an invitation from the Hokage is obligatory."

"I see," Kuzo replied. "Wonder what he wants with me?"

It was a true wonder. Could it be his performance in the last mission? Or could it be that his unexplained rapid growth caught someone's attention.

"Maybe your performance in your last mission caught attention," his father replied.

"I was just lucky. Nothing more or less," Kuzo said, laughing, "Or could it be my genius decided to shine. Hahaha."

His father crossed his arms and shook his head. "That would be left for them to say."

"I'll be heading there now," Kuzo stretched his arms up. "After I eat."

-x-X-x-

Kuzo went to the Hokage's mansion, handing the invitation scroll to the secretary of the Hokage. He was then asked to sit and wait. He did as he was told and took a chair, putting one leg above the other. He looked at people coming in and out. Most were shinobis and commissions. That was how Konoha made money. People came here and hired ninjas. The village with the most capabilities would be very rich.

"Kuzo, you can go to the Hokage's office and meet the third," said the secretary.

Kuzo took a moment to realize it. He suspected that someone wanted to interrogate him or integrate him into a team. But it's the 3rd that took interest in him.

'Lemme guess, planting the Will of Fire in a potential good shinobi.' Kuzo didn't show any expression on his face as he stood up and walked to the Hokage's office. He didn't need to knock since he heard an elderly voice.

"Come in."

Kuzo entered. A man in the Hokage's attire with the Hokage's hat was smiling at him.

"Lord third. You wanted to see me?" Kuzo asked.

"Please, take a seat." The Hokage pointed with his hand at a seat opposite to him.

"Okay…?" As much as he felt it was awkward, Kuzo sat down.

None said a word, and the old geezer kept staring at him with a smile.

'Does he think I'm really a 14-year-old child who could be fooled by a smile.'

"So, Kuzo. Did your parents teach you about the Will of Fire?" The Hokage said.

'I fucking knew it!'

Kuzo nodded.

"What do you know about it?"

"It's something that has to do with our village. Like a leaf burning until it runs out."

"True. Do you like the village?"

"Who doesn't?"

"You've been raised well, it seems."

"Thank you, Lord third," Kuzo replied. "But I don't think that a friendly chit-chat is what I was invited for."

"You're quite sharp, aren't you?" The 3rd commented. "Well. I have been noticing your performance lately." Then he took a moment of silence. A moment that felt to Kuzo longer than it was. His heart started beating wider.

"And?" Kuzo said, wanting to break the silence.

"And?" the Hokage replied. "What do you think about it."

"I have potentials that could be only unlocked in a battlefield."

"I see." The Hokage nodded. "So, tell me Kuzo. Which department do you think would suit you best?"

"Department?"

"We have the black ops, although you need to be at least a jonin. You could have a guard post. You could try being a missing nin hunter or simply be a squad leader."

"But I'm just a genin."

"I know. But what do you think about your future career path?"

"I think missing nins would suit me, or any place near the battlefield."

"You have courage for your age. A heart of a true shinobi."

"Thanks for your praise."

"As you noticed for now, the chunin exam won't be open until 6 months later."

"And?"

The 3rd Hokage reached his office and grabbed a scroll. He handed it to Kuzo, who opened it.

"This is your mission. B rank, on your own. Consider it a special test for you," said the Hokage. "But before you accept or refuse, do you know what's the pros and cons?"

Kuzo paused for some time. Was the Hokage offering him a chance to promote into a chunin with a special mission? He looked at the scroll. The mission was simple. Spy on a group of rogue ninjas. They all had estimated values in the bingo book. A group of 3 genins with a chunin in their lead has a scroll with them, and he needed to retrieve it. The mission didn't involve killing them or anything. Just the scroll.

'A good chance to hunt them down.'

Even if Kuzo didn't kill them, the success in this mission would make him a chunin. You know what that meant. He would be able to lead squads on his own and take higher risk-to-reward missions. He could even take missions alone.

'A smooth sailing to the top.'

"It's obvious. I risk my life. I have to be patient, observe them, and not make any move that may end up leading to the scroll's destruction. If I make it, it would prove that I'm capable of being a chunin."

"That's right." The Hokage smiled. "So what do you say?"

"I'll be on my way to gather my gear." Kuzo stood up and bowed slightly, "thank you for giving me this chance."

"Show me the potentials you talked about."

"I will." Kuzo said, before excusing himself. When he left the Hokage's office, he ran. His heart pounded faster and faster, barely able to contain the excited smile that was drawn on his face.