*Sm!* *Wham* *Crackle!*

  I get hit twice on my side and hear fmes burst forth from behind me... lost this one too didn't I?

  *Fwooosh!*

  The fmes wrap me up and I succumb to them- instantly being thrown back into the shower I was having... hmmm, I am not very good without my tricks and normal ninja skill wise I am only learning defensive and counter based martial arts in order to progress what would suit my genjutsu affinity.

  In school I am learning the basics at least... should I build a taijutsu style off of that...? Or maybe I should keep brute forcing it and seeing what works- no one else but me can fight opponents to the death and learn from it no matter the outcome.

  I look around and check the time... I can fit one more fight in.

  I enter into the three genin challenge and open my eyes to the training ground that holds the three opponents- I tighten my blindfold so I do not frighten them and I listen intently for their moves.

  ...

  *step*

  Taijutsu genin takes a step towards me... and flickers inches away from me- *Sm!* I raise my arm to block it before retorting with a kick of my own- *VVZZZZ!* my breathing quickens and I speed bully the taijutsu genin who receives multiple of my kicks in a row.

  Three kicks in and I push him away with my superior strength- it didn't show that much as a younger child but as I grow my strength and the stat modifier grows with it, allowing me to overpower children of my age with ease.

  *Sm!* *Whack* *Woosh!* *Swish!*

  I receive another punch and deal one back, two kunai pass by my ear and I twist my body to dodge the earthen bullet shot at me.

  The taijutsu genin flickers away and I listen intently for anymore moves... I have a killing blow move I can use once only, or three small bursts the size of a blowtorch.

  I have to space them out and kill off the three genin one by one without messing it up- one miss and I have to rely on brute strength and breathing speed to kill one of them.

  *Crackle* *Woosh!*

  Fire crackles to my left and I feel the heat rush at me, dodging forward and jumping away I get hit from the taijutsu genin before nding- *Wham!* he hits me in the stomach and I roll on the ground- *Swish!* misses his next attack and I jump onto the Taijutsu genin and boil my blood.

  [Dragons Breath!]

  I release lightning into his face and burn a hole through his forehead- *Stab!* a kunai impacts my head and I sigh before tumbling back into the shower... the taijutsu genin takes up too much of my time so the other two can prepare to annoy or kill me.

  Genjutsu genin learns that they are better off firing kunai and prepares to stab me with them all the time... ninjutsu genin always has a jutsu to help or push me in the right direction- I should have ignored the taijutsu genin who hit me and bolted at the Ninjutsu genin, they where aiming to trap me with him so they could get a good shot... didn't expect me to dragon breathe probably... maybe if I funt it they wont put out a bait like that? But then I will be down a breath weapon...

  I turn the water off and dry myself as I leave our shower, putting my long-sleeved clothes on I exit the bathroom to see Naruto asleep on the small table we have... at least he completed that st question before sleeping.

  I pack up his stuff and put away his homework so he can grab it easily in the morning, I then pick him up and pce him into his own bed before tucking him in his bnkets.

  I then start to clean up the pce, stuff that I forgot to do or hadn't done when I got home from Danzo's training, like wiping the benches after dinner or washing a few dishes left over from today.

  After cleaning up the apartment I look towards Naruto once more before leaving into the streets of Konoha, it is cold and dark at this time... I walk through these streets and arrive at the familiar cliff that I climb whenever I am free.

  I listen to the cold breeze as it whistles by... before stepping up to the stone wall and climbing it- it takes me ten minutes to reach the top where I dangle my legs from...

  I have been training all the time recently, for some reason despite all my time spent focusing on my skills and techniques, building my body and training my instinct I remain on the same level as those around me in css- my burst breathing and stare are the only two skills that allow me to be more combative and win fights... I again regret my stupidity in earlier choices.

  For example- Danzo has taught me more in lockpicking than my current skill level in the system, I could have learned juggling without the system and I wasted my scroll due to torture and boredom.

  I hear shuffling behind me and turn my head slightly... that was a concealed shuffle- someone is trying to hide from me- probably does not know my hearing capabilities.

  *Swoosh!*

  A hear metal thrown through air, a kunai? I roll to the side and push myself from the edge of the cliff so my legs do not dangle anymore- *Woosh!* the kunai passes by where I was and I stand up to hear rapid foot steps approach.

  I stare and see a Root ninja... a test? Of course its a test, why did I even ask.

  ---

  Pov: Root Ninja.

  All I have to do is kill this target and I am accepted fully into Lord-Danzo's Root- I have been training for months to enter its ranks and have been tested for my loyalty time and time again.

  My sister who entered root with me was tested for loyalty... she failed and ys dead by my hands for the good of Konoha- I must succeed or her death would be for nothing.

  I slide my hand into my kunai pouch... I aim it at the target, blind- white hair and orange and bck puffy jacket, seems to be him.

  I release the kunai and he dodges it as his head turns to face me- *Woosh!* he immediately jumps up and away from the cliff edge.

  Damnit- I will go in for close quarters then, I unsheathe my small tanto and raise it to attack.

  Haa-

  My breath stops and my body instinctually jumps to the right as I feel a chill crawl down my spine... what... haaa... what was that?

  I continue forward but as soon as the target turns his face to mine I shrivel in fear... no... no... I have sacrificed too much for this.

  I regain my lost bance and arrive in front of the target- *Ssh!* I ssh at his neck but he catches my wrist and grips it hard.

  "Too slow, do I scare you that much?" He questions but I start breathing heavily and try to look away from him... it doesn't work- it doesn't matter if I look or not, he still stares into the depths of my skeleton and rattles every fibre of my being.

  I kick him in the shin and go for a punch with my free hand, he grips that wrist too and I raise both feet to kick him in the stomach- *Pat* he lets go and I nd on my ass, my legs outstretched to the gap between his legs.

  "You aren't trained very well... around the level of a standard genin I would say- or perhaps just above it? Danzo probably hasn't even sent you on any character building assignments..." The target mumbles to himself and stare me down, not even moving a muscle.

  I flicker backwards and rise to my feet in a burst of motion- my feet slide against dirt and I look up at my enemy, I raise my Tanto once more.

  This is sloppy work I am doing... but I cant control the shaking.

  I take in a deep breath and conquer my fears allowing my shakes to still and my body to harden into a set position- a combat pose trained well into all root ninja.

  "Huh... you must be quite traumatised to get over my initial stare that quickly... I suppose most root are..." The target mumbles to himself once more.

  *Snap!~*

  He snaps his fingers and my hand grips tighter onto my bde- *Woosh!* I rush towards him and ssh my Tanto down, he moves to the side and so I follow up my strike.

  *Snap!~*

  He snaps his fingers once more as he ducks under my bde and I draw another kunai with my other hand to throw it- *Woosh!* it flies past his left and I strike downwards, he cant dodge right as the cliff is close.

  *Snap!~*

  He stands still and the kunai flies past, my tanto reaches his head and- *Woosh!* hits nothing... what? I ssh again and again at the target but he doesnt move.

  I immediately check for genjutsu and preform two counter jutsu to get out of one... the target fades and pops into view on my right, five feet away- I lunge as soon as I see him and... feel weightless?

  *Snap!* Wait? Something is tugging on my shirt.

  "You done?" The targets voice emanates from behind me and I blink... I am dangling from the cliff edge only being supported by his grip.

  I could tree walk to safety if he let me go... I ssh behind me with my tanto and... nothing? How can I hit nothing? What is supporting me?

  I blink once more and realise I stopped feeling weightless after that st snap... not from the grip at all... I look around and I am at the bottom of the cliff- my legs broken and body hurting from multiple angles... how? When did he weave genjutsu...? Above me stands my target, he pces a foot on my chest and continues to stare at me.

  An itch forms somewhere in my brain... I want to scratch it.

  "Tell me the truth and nothing but the truth. Who sent you? What for? And is there any others?" He asks and my ears twitch twice.

  "I- I cant!" I struggle to move and he smiles at me... I don't like that smile.

  "You will" He undoes his blindfold and kneels down onto my chest to look deep into my eyes, holding my head still with his hand.

  "Wait..." I struggle to say and move my hands for my Tanto... but I cant feel it... my wrists hurt so much...

  I stare into his eyes.

  I stare and stare into his eyes and I stare and stare into his eyes, stare into his eyes and I stare and stare into his eyes, stare into his eyes and I stare and stare into his eyes stare into his eyes and I stare and stare into his eyes...

  ...

  ... Stare and stare and stare and...

  ...

  Itch ouch, itch ouch...

  ...

  Help, help...

  ...

  Sister I am so sorry...

  I blink.

  When did it become morning...? Wasn't it just before midnight? I look around and see a root ninja carrying me somewhere... through to an entrance into root, did I succeed?

  "Whmam" I try to speak but have no tongue... where is my tongue?

  I can feel it... a burnt, twisted and horrid sb of meat that rests in my mouth... the mark activated? Why? What did I do? Say?

  ...

  We enter the building and the st thing I see is Danzo's smile... he is happy? Can I be root now...?

  "Kenzo did well... annoyingly so... but he did well" Danzo mutters.

  ...

  ---

  -two days ter-

  Pov: Kenzo

  I should y back on the training shouldn't I? I train in the mornings with lee... then I go to school or have free time on the weekends... then afternoon training with lee and straight after that I train with Danzo, before coming home and helping to train Naruto.

  ...

  Nah, I like pushing my body and I am not experiencing any side affects of over training just yet, in fact I feel completely fine.

  Is it due to my strength modifier? Probably, I stretch as I enter the gates of the Academy.

  Lets take a look at my stats.

  ------Titles:

  Knowledge Taker: E-rank.

  Root Initiate: D-rank.

  ------

  Skills:

  Unyeilding Stare: E×D×C×B×A×S×K×

  Burst Breathing: E×D×C×B×A?S?K?

  Word- Truth: E×D×C×B?A?S?K?

  Eternal Walk: E×D×C×B×A?S?K?

  Genjutsu Snap: E×D×C×B×A?S?K?

  Lockpicking: E×D?C?B?A?S?K?

  Juggling: E×D?C?B?A?S?K?

  Hearing: E×D×C?B?A?S?K?

  Dragons breath: E×D×C×B×A×S?K?

  Statistics:

  Genjutsu Affinity +4

  Strength +2

  Hearing +1

  Lightning Mana +3

  ------

  Challenges:

  Three Standard Genin.

  ------

  (E) Knowledge Taker: Able to process any mental dilemmas within the orange box, infinite time to solve a simple mental quirk.

  (D) Occupied: No one is capable of taking over Kenzo's body or mind.

  (D) Root Initiate: Danzo has tested you and you have passed. People are less likely to notice you or your characteristics.

  ------

  So I did get a reward for beating that root ninja and it was a new title at D-rank, and I can switch my titles now as well as seeing what they do in the selection screen at the bottom of my status.

  Danzo considers me an initiate now at least and I finally understand what Occupied does for me.

  That's the test in my status screen and I am starting to understand how the effects of Root initiate work, there isn't any active sneers at me for being Naruto's brother on the street anymore and I am barely noticed during css, a question is asked and I am never picked to answer anymore.

  Its like a passive overlooking effect, sure when Oto-sensei is looking for me he can see me easily but apart from that I am technically invisible to passive eyes.

  I believe it to be a pretty great bonus if I don't say so myself, I did switch it with Occupied to be active as I haven't been possessed recently... that I am aware of...

  I enter into my cssroom and sit down at my desk right next to lee.

  "Greetings again O" Lee greets me and I nod back, we went for a morning run so we have seen each other already today.

  Five minutes pass and the cssroom fills as I chat with Lee about st weeks css, we all had to kill a rabbit we named to ease us into killing... it was depressing for the rest of css and a few people cried including Lee but it seems everyone has gotten over it.

  "Everyone settle down, we will be starting out with a written task before doing physical csses the rest of the day" Oto-sensei enters the cssroom and starts handing out pieces of paper for us as well as ying down some pencils.

  We pick up our pencils and look at the paper... nothing on it?

  "You will be writing a short story today, we have been exploring creativity recently and how it can make or break a ninja- this short story will be the background or past of someone you have chosen to disguise as, the more detailed the better... you have half an hour to complete these stories" Oto-sensei continues and we all start writing immediately.

  I have learnt to write while blindfolded recently so I trace the page with my fingers to make sure I am within the bounds of it before putting pencil to paper.

  Hmmm... lets go with a story about a farmer who lost his main set of tools, he is in the city where I need this disguise to buy more tools from a bcksmith, something quality.

  I write a short story quickly over the next thirty minutes and make sure to fill the page to as much as it can be filled- Oto-sensei starts grabbing pages from under us and pces them all at his desk.

  "We will be reviewing these stories another time to see how good of a cover you have made for yourself, for now I want you all to head into the training ground and start running ps" Oto-sensei decres and we all get up to head outside.

  As usual me and a few others start running while the zy ones wait until Oto-sensei gets here, most the girls make sure to wait too with a few exceptions... it is odd how many of them wish to maintain their figure and not exhaust themselves while training to be murderers.

  Oto-sensei arrives and we all start doing ps until we cant anymore, it ends up with me, Lee, Tenten, Neji and two other girls who I dont remember the names of struggling to continue our sprint... it dwindles down to me, Lee and Neji once more as usual and eventually Lee cant move anymore.

  Neji and me run side by side at full sprint, both of us clearly exhausted as we have been full sprint for over twenty minutes now and I can see Neji raging forward, he hates to lose and I don't feel like giving in anytime soon... eventually forty minutes have passed and Oto-sensei calls for us to stop... Neji and I slow down to a walk before ying on the grass.

  Haaa- Haaa- Haaa-

  I get up after two minutes and see Neji struggle upwards in order to match me... maybe I should have stayed down so he could catch his breath, not many could work like I do exhausted.

  "Taijutsu stances! Evasive!" Oto-sensei suddenly calls and everyone gets up and into stance on instinct... he checks and corrects a few kids before calling the next few basic stances over a long hour.

  "Lets end with spars until the Academy is over, but first- go eat lunch" Oto-sensei cps his hands and we all walk away to our food.

  I should of eaten a bigger breakfast today, I am so hungry... but then I wouldn't have an extra ramen cup for dinner... I cannot wait to start earning money, having to eat ramen at the ends of the months may be heaven to Naruto but I get sick of it quickly.

  I sit down with my lunch outside, its just some bread and butter... just something to get me through css and end the day, Danzo usually gives me a condensed edible block to eat if I am that hungry... not delicious but it does fill me.

  After lunch Oto-sensei has us doing spars and talking about them, for example if someone made a mistake in a spar we would have to point it out and suggest a better alternative.

  And finally... after all that I can go train with Lee and then Danzo! Before heading home and hanging around Naruto in the te evening... before training in my challenge scroll or at the cliff.

  I do a bit of training... just a tad.

  Thanks for reading :)