10 The Way of Shinobi

The next two weeks continued in the vain of the first fortnight. Torturous training, after torturous training. Followed by an edifying lesson about missions and life outside Konoha's walls. Then another day of torturous training. With each session managing to pound the young genin to mush. Only leaving them enough energy to endure their next beating.

Kobaru wasn't one to openly complain. His pride wouldn't allow it, but there was no shame in whining about his muscle pains. His limbs were in autopilot following the countless running and climbing exercises. Having lost feeling in his legs about three days into it.

The insane jonin and the equally twisted chunin assistants. Seemed to know exactly what to do to keep the class on their toes. Whenever everyone was nearing comprehension of the tactical drills they were to learn. They'd pull the rug right from under the beginners introducing a new method of torture and a heavier workload.

After everyone got a substantial grasp on water-walking. The genin were left in a stage plagued by repeated tactics and physical conditioning. Apparently they ran out of educational material and was buying time until they came up with new ways to buy time. Except for learning different formations and reinforcing his practical skills. He didn't even feel like his technique was improving. His growth occupied limbo during the last fourteen days straight. The first time since he was six. So naturally. He began entertaining the idea that the more experienced shinobi were running these drills for kicks. Keeping their skills limited on purpose. Chusei openly entertained the conspiracy.

Because why not?

The group showed up at nine in the morning. Did stretches, with light workouts and battle drills. Took a D-rank to maintain there income. Had lunch then went back and forth between drills and aerobics until closing time. The most monotonous cycle he'd ever been put through in all his solar rotations.

He expected it to be routine. But shinobi life turned out to be even more boring and repetitive than undertaking. When he decided to continue his career. He never thought that his parent's clients would be having a better time than he did. And they were dead.

The only "new" things about the last two weeks. Were the trips to the library and where the makeshift cell decided to have lunch. Compared to the grueling sessions these were only relatively interesting.

On a day of consistent sunshine and cool, rhythmic winds. Days when trees cast shades several degrees cooler than it's surroundings. And water's environmental importance was recognized by anyone in the heat.

Nohara-sensei would take it upon himself to evolve his technique of abuse.

Morphing what should be a calm post lunch workout. Into a painful hell scape filled with strife and cries for early retirement. Kobaru could agree that if there was an afterlife for the damned and unforgivable souls of the world. The demon in charge lived in complete fear that one day he'd have to deal with the jonin's twisted tendencies.

"A hundred and seventy two!" all twenty six genin yelled the number of press ups they'd completed so far, "A hundred and seventy three!"

They were already used to powering through the lengthy exercises. Thanks to the many, many sets they had to complete in the last month. Two hundred would be nothing for them. Even with the sun right on their backs they'd make it their comfortably.

To add to the task. The higher ranked low lives made the young shinobi count out loud. By themselves. Their intent was to increase their exhaustion. And boy was it working. Kobaru was ready to slump over in submission before they hit ninety.

What kept him going was that they'd give him more to do. That and he needed to stay focused enough to face whatever was going to follow the task. The genin were usually forced to do something else while they were still reeling from the last. Just for the sake of seeing children suffer.

"012086! I can't hear you!" Nohara yelled pinning the offending genin with a glare.

In response the poor soul strained to increase his volume, with a desperate gasp for air.

"A hundred and seventy four!"

"You're all still weak and pathetic!" Nohara-sensei continued. Pacing around his downed students. Both arms held behind his back and a scowl that reeked of displeasure, "how do you expect to fight for this village if you can barely do two hundred push-ups."

"A hundred and seventy five!"

"Konoha put all these years into training you. Yet you don't see it fit to provide her with proper reparations. Your pain is worthless at this point," he stopped over a student who was lagging behind the others. His overbearing presence was enough to convince a final push of energy.

"012097!" she winced at the numbers of her ID, "Fifty extra reps!"

"A hundred and seventy six!"

When he called you by you're ID it usually preceded bad news. Praise was often coupled with a relatively playful nickname. Which were just a known characteristic with maggot at end. Still what appeared to get to everyone. Was that they knew, that he knew what their names were. So he had to be making the conscious effort to not refer to them correctly.

"A hundred and seventy seven!"

"Once you step outside that gate. You enter a world with only one rule," He continued his inspection of the group.

"A hundred and seventy eight!"

"A simple rule true to nature and everything in it. When you're anywhere outside of the main gate only the strong survive!" he paused to give them another look over, "You aren't expected to be the strongest! Hell I know for a fact that the average Kiri-genin would skin and flay you alive!" He bestowed his words of encouragement. Thankfully they were all too tired to give him any reaction.

"A hundred and seventy nine!"

"The goal for Konoha-nin is just that you are strong enough... 012090 what's your ass doing so high up. Fifty more for you too."

"A hundred and eighty!"

"Everyone but shinobi 012097 and 012090 can stop," one of the Chunin said triggering a collective sigh as the genin flopped to the ground mid press up.

"Reserve Troop!" Another yelled, "Attention!"

The genin rushed to their feet and quickly formed a row in front of their three higher ranked guides. Since they started serious conditioning and tactics. The line up was one of the drills that they had to practice every session. Having to arrange themselves by ID at random points through the day. They all fell into place. Leaving space for the other two to take their positions. Once they finished their reps. The extra slot wasn't necessary as they could simply shift when it was time to do so. Sadly just because they could line up on command. Didn't mean they were disciplined enough to move over twenty inches when asked. Leaving the space was just to save time and each other's sanity.

"During our first week!" Nohara-sensei began pacing behind the line of genin, "I provided you with the protocol for handling confrontation with enemy shinobi."

"Iwa-nin blow up," Chusei repeated then chuckled loud enough for everyone to hear.

"I used the word explode Carrot maggot," he corrected coming to a stop. In order to better scrutinize his loudmouth charge, "blow up is what you do to balloons!" He continued pacing, "I hope you all remember what these protocols are BECAUSE!" he shifted his footing. Sandals dragging against the dry soil. "When you take your first C-rank tomorrow. It will be great way to show how strong you've become."

For something as anticipated as their first out of village mission. One would assume there would be a loud pop. A frenzy of screaming and jumping. Breaking the line as they forgot about their formalities. As a surprise to everyone in the clearing. Even as a surprise to themselves. There was nothing. No one reacted.

The chunin visibly recoiled at the lack of movement. Everyone just stood there with the same neutral stare. The two that were still on the ground went on as though nothing was said. There class managed to give a bigger reaction to their first D-rank.

He wasn't sure if it was the complete flatline of their skills. Or the lackluster education they received in terms of individual performance. Or maybe it was the constant horrors described by the higher ranks. Kobaru couldn't pin point exactly what deterred the groups celebration.

But what he did know. Was that most of the reserve genin had the same thing on their mind at that point.

Are we strong enough?

XxX

If you asked any one of the three what was the most interesting thing to happen in the last two weeks. Prior to their surprise C-rank announcement. They would tell you that it was the times they spent sitting at the ramen stall. Eating rounds of meals for damn-near-nothing dollars.

Well Nagisa would probably talk about all the hand to hand victories over Kobaru. But the other two would definitely say the ramen stall.

Not that the place had much competition when it came to places they could commune.

The books they read at the library were mostly to gain better understanding of what they already knew. Even with the oldest providing basic instructions on how to use nature transformation. Their knowledge was almost non-existent.

The guy barely understood how he performed the technique himself. It turns out he learned it by linking chakra with one of their chunin mentors. By sheer luck. He chose to piggy back of the higher ranked shinobi's subconscious. While the man was practicing his only elemental technique. The mental walk through of the C-rank technique granted secondhand knowledge. Allowing the sole Nakamura to effectively acquire the move by mistake.

At this point. The universe was just handing him things.

Jokes aside. Chusei was a genius and Kobaru needed to learn how to link chakra. This would immediately boost his abilities by ten.

For their choice of midday and afternoon meals. They basically imposed their presence on Ichiraku until it became a norm. Luckily the owner of the ramen shack seemed to employ a straightforward sense of customer service. The man allowed them to come in regardless of how sweat soaked their clothes were. Heck! He even joked about setting up a bowl for The Nine Tail Fox if he had enough money.

Which, to Kobaru, was downright ridiculous approach to capitalism.

This low standard of service allowed the trio to do and say as they pleased as long as they were paying for their seats. Not a bad tactic, but with a certain orange haired menace around. A lot was done and to a greater extent a lot was said. Even though it costed damn-near-nothing dollars. Chusei only ever contributed half payment per round, but they were unable to stop him from speaking twice as much as everyone else.

Strange enough no one brought attention to the loudmouth genin. As the calm air seemed to dissolve negative thoughts. Even Nagisa saw the place a safe haven to voice her opinions. It placed everyone in a state of temporary bliss. A force so powerful that the ire of their looming C-ranked mission was rendered ineffective.

The calm was contributed mostly by the food that was being served. Sure it was only thin, unhealthy, precooked flour. But the little chef in him. Was always trying to figure out the ingredients through taste alone. So far, the only reason he could come up with for the forced tranquility. Was the addition of illegal substances.

Anyone could tell that there was no real progress in his discoveries. Just pure speculation from his inexperienced palate. But he needed to keep his attention on something. Long enough that Nohara-sensei realized that they were not ready for an out of village mission.

Inarguably, the best part was that a round of ramen for the group cost damn-near-nothing dollars. So even with Chusei lowballing them on several visits. They never faced any financial setback. So the group did the smart thing and made the ramen stall their permanent meeting place.

From a consumer standpoint, it was the best of deals. But from the eyes of a business man. Which Kobaru would have been if the third war didn't last a decade. The shop shouldn't have been opened to begin with.

Honestly it was a miracle that the man hadn't gone broke yet. With his poorly thought out sales metrics and lack luster understanding of accounting. As a nine year old. Even he could tell that Ichiraku wouldn't stay afloat for long. A sure way to secure it's demise. Would be the continuation of the three for the price of one deals that attracted Chusei in the first place. He gave the place another year of operation, before the man would be forced to try his hands in something else.

For one the Hokage was always hiring.

The stall sat on the east end of the market district. Close enough to the barracks to gain the added sense of security. But far enough away that it was easily accessible to the civilian public. Leading to reasonable rental fees. Their current problem was that they weren't pulling as many customers as the other restaurants in Konoha. With the suspiciously low rates the ones that did come by weren't of a dependable income anyway.

Everyone was too busy trying foods influenced by the different nations. Or from the other continents. Which was weird because according to Nagisa. The eateries in the village with those foods. Could all be traced back to one of the Royal Shinobi Clans. A clan of people so obsessed with food they couldn't stand to see a small food business self sustain.

She went as far as citing the acquisition of a restaurant opened by a migrant from Kirigakure. Who introduced new seafood recipes with special sauces. They rebranded the shop and had the guy working on their pay check within a month. Kobaru had never heard of that restaurant but did his best to not draw attention to his lack of community awareness.

Apparently, the only way to avoid them swooping in, purchasing your shop and adding their own take on your recipe. Was by gaining the bare minimum to live another day. Anyone who had a fortune big enough to feed a family of four. Or a regular customer base of more than thirty. Were quickly integrated into the ever growing conglomerate.

Kobaru shook his head at his choice of distracting thoughts. He wanted to keep his mind off his situation, but business analysis shouldn't be the best method that came to mind.

Chusei sighed with his mouth hanging open. Flecks of his meal flying from his mouth and luckily into his own bowl. Reminding everyone in the shop that he had the table manners of a wild dog, "this ramen is why I decided to become a shinobi."

Kobaru rolled his eyes in exasperation, "your will of fire burns brightly Nakamura-san."

"Ich merrer ran wah chu 'av," he replied while attempting to fill his mouth at the same time. The most upsetting part was that the younger boy understood what he was trying to say, and took silent offense to his own comprehension. Chusei forced himself to swallow the poorly chewed food. Then twisted his face into a questioning glare, "what kinda goal is livin' long enough to retire anyway?"

"Considering that we almost die four times a week. It's a damn good one," Kobaru defended then sucked in a mouthful of soup and noodles.

"Point taken," Chusei nodded once again trying to slurp and speak at the same time. Nagisa appeared to have enough of the constant attempts and fixed him with a hard glare. He didn't stop, but he did slow down.

The owner of the stall smiled while preparing a new batch of noodles, "Take your time kid. We're not gonna run out of it anytime soon."

"Sadly we can't say the same about our money," Nagisa sighed then eyed Chusei. Who did his best not to make eye contact with the girl.

He hadn't given them a valid reason for his continuous lack of funds. Part of this maybe because Kobaru downright refused to ask. Chusei was more than likely aware of their concerns. He did have the ability to link chakra with them. If he didn't tell them anything. It was because he was yet to see it as valuable information.

"I take it he hasn't paid you back yet?" the middle-aged entrepreneur asked. Both Kobaru and Nagisa whipped their heads around to grace him with narrowed eyes, "So... He never plans on paying you."

"Of course, I plan on givin' 'em money," the esteemed lowballer defended himself, "I actually know the exact amount that I owe."

"Excuse me? No you don't."

"No but I trust you guys to keep track of that," Chusei shot back then returned to his bowl.

Kobaru was not aware that he needed to keep track of that.

"Wait! How much for a bowl again," a voice went off behind Kobaru's back.

"One hundred thirteen ryo kid."

He turned around to see the nameless genin from the water walking exercise. The boy was staring down at him from his stool.

Kobaru had definitely forgotten that the boy was with them. The higher ranks had grouped him with the three for the upcoming mission. They were already comfortable with just them making the trip. But twenty-six could not be equally divided to accommodate genin cells. So, this guy would be tagging along for no good reason.

From what they got to see so far, he was an okay human being. He appeared calm and kind. An overall friendly person. Who, as Kobaru knew, was the only person in the reserves that could read a room.

Chusei said and did as he pleased regardless of the situation. And Nagisa wouldn't recognize anyone else in the room until they spoke directly to her. Both on the opposite side of the scale with him right in the middle.

"Well couldn't you guys just split it three ways?" the boy asked his confusion visible.

"We are," Kobaru nodded then whirled on his orange haired friend, "it's just not an even split."

"I swear I'll pay you guys back," Chusei adopted a dumb grin, "as a matter of fact I'll pay for anything you guys want on our trip. New guy included."

"If that's the case your accounting skills are worse than I thought," Nagisa said then continued to silently eat her ramen.

"I don't know why," Chusei narrowed his eyes at the sole girl, "but your insults hurt way more."

"So, wait..." Kobaru smirked at the opportunity, "just to clarify you said... Anything you guys want."

"Well obviously I can't afford a house or land, but-"

"Deal!" Kobaru almost fell over in triumph, "you will quite literally pay for that statement."

They had a few wordless mouthfuls of broth, but as all moments of silence with Chusei. It suffered a swift death.

"About our C-rank," he paused to finish his loud chewing, "you guys excited?"

"Hell yeah!" nameless genin cheered with his arms spread out in glee, "I was preparing for this since my second year at the academy. It took sensei long enough to approve it."

Kobaru stared at the boy with narrowed eyes. Up to this point he had nothing against the guy. He seemed to be a good soul. But there was no way he could respect such a view.

Outside of Konoha. The continent was basically a mine field for anyone who had a leaf insignia. There was a chance that you could go the distance without suffering a gruesome death. However, there was also an obscenely greater chance that you were going to evolve into a spray of guts and blood. An activity that Kobaru would rather avoid.

Especially with his current skill level.

That was all there was to his indifference for the mission. He wasn't scared of leaving the village. Deep down he too was excited about visiting other places. It was just hard to focus on his interest when it was painfully obvious that it could all go wrong.

"Wow! Their sending you out of the village already," the ramen chef asked with a calm smile, "what's your mission about?"

"Well, we're acting as an escort unit for some aristocrat. He's here on business from the capital," the boy replied to the same overexcited tone in his voice, "we have to take him to main village in The Land of Frost, but before we get there. We have to cross over into The Land of Dreams, then cross into The Land of Hot Water, because of the mountain ran-"

"Excuse me. The information is supposed to be confidential but... you may continue with your lengthy description," Nagisa had to interject. Drawing attention to their newest member's unprofessional behavior. After that she just moved on like nothing happened.

"Don't worry about that kid. What's said at my stall. Stays at my stall."

Nagisa nodded, "I assure you it's just protocol."

"Sorry," the boy bowed then slumped down on the counter, "I'm just so excited about this. You understand what I mean. Right Chusei?"

The named spectator whipped his head around. His eyebrows arched in confusion. A look amplified with noodles still hanging from his lips. He gave Kobaru a glance to request his support. The younger boy stopped listening to the topic a while ago and no idea what was going on. He shrugged at the request. Then went back to staring at his bowl. At that brief moment they were equally lost.

The older of the two finally looked to the nameless boy. And with several quick nods provided a response, "Yeah whatever."

"In my eyes the only way this mission could go wrong is if those Kumo idiots found a way to intervene," he finished his statement with furrowed eyebrows and a long sigh.

"I agree! The way sensei spoke of them. It would be unfortunate to run into anyone from the land of lightning," Nagisa replied glaring into his broth.

Chusei nudged the younger boy's shoulder the asked, "Would you rather Iwa-nin over some quiet guys from the clouds?"

"I'd rather get a free firework display over cloud people any day," Kobaru spat before the words escaped his older friend.

"Me too," the boy agreed with Kobaru, "those black bastards ruin everything."

Everyone stopped what they were doing to stare at the originator of the statement. No tranquil forces or drug laced ramen could prevent them from reacting any other way. Kobaru didn't have to look behind to know Nagisa was showing her anger. He could feel her red-hot vision burning through the back of his head.

"Excuse me. For the sake of our understanding. What did you just say?" She asked with the most life she'd ever put into any statement she ever said.

"You guys know that most people from Kumo are bla-"

"Of course we know that. We went to the same school."

"Then why are you asking," he said not realizing the sudden shift in energy. He even turned to the ramen guy and ordering a bowl as though nothing even happened.

The other boys decided to use that opportunity to go back to their bowls. It wasn't a familiar topic and had no idea what the appropriate reaction should be. Physically they were both obscenely different to other people in Konoha. Chusei had a loud shade of orange for hair. And Kobaru had no iris and a thin elongated pupil.

Two things that went against nature. Especially considering that these did not provide any immediate biological advantage or disadvantage. Their families just evolved like that for no reason.

Yet they weren't seen as a threat to this kid. So, his tangent was a lot more confusing than it should've been.

During the five second silence Nagisa was able to align her thoughts and made her next statement, "So you do mean everyone who is registered with Kumo? Not just the um... darker ones?"

"Yeah, I hate everyone there," he stated gaining a sigh of relief from the boys. That kind of outlook was not one they'd be able to carry around, "They think there so much better than everyone else. Too much clouds not enough brain am I right?"

He chuckled at his own joke.

"Phew dude we judged you so hard just now," Chusei joined in the chuckling.

Nagisa decided to add a series of scoffs to the round of cheers. To most people's knowledge that was the closest she ever came to actually laughing, "Yes my apologies for my foul assumptions.

Even Kobaru joined in providing a dumb grin to mask his reservation, "for a second there we thought you hated them because their... you know."

"Well, I do. Don't you guys hate that too."

The chuckling stopped.

Chusei and Kobaru engaged in a silent argument through eye contact.

"So, I guess he's a..." the nine-year-old asked.

"Yup," Chusei nodded.

"Is this bad?"

"Yup."