Squad 00: Assemble!

The time had finally come. Today would mark a ersatz milestone in the young genin’s life as the sun continued its elevation into the heavens. The clock which sat on Ryūza’s dresser resonated at 6am, giving the boy an hour to prepare and another fifteen to make it his way—at a gradual, comfortable pace—to the elected vantage point. It was now 7:20am, and within the next half-an-hour, the others should have been arriving for today marked their first official meeting with their appointed Jōnin squad leader.

Word had spread like wildfire around the Hidden Leaf, searing at its earthly construct; the rumors and folktale of Syndra’s immense power and influence. Some called her a demon; others called her a heroine and defender of the leaf. Today, the snow-haired genin would add a new title to her portfolio; Sensei.

Donning his usual attire, though devoid of the steel inserts Ryūza standardized, his skin-tight sleeveless, which aided in forming his facial mask was covered by a toss tee of identical colors. Shorts and stock shinobi sandals finishing off his attire, the boy waited. He stared aimlessly into the distance, collecting the faces of the Hokage who were etched into the mountain not too far off. While thoughts of one day being the next addition to the monument, that wishful thinking soon faded when the reality of a shinobi drained into his senses. You lived to die, and died for the village; there could only be one Fire shadow at a time, but hundreds, if not thousands of casualties would come at its inception and expense. That was a weight too heavy for the boy to hold at this time in his life.

For now, he’d continue to look upon the aimlessly from the hospital’s roof. Maybe with tutelage from his new mentor, he’d develop a counterbalance from the pressures he dreaded.

One had known that it took much effort to drive the stale-driven persona of Kotesu's own, which could hardly be aroused in the many years he'd lived. Since the boy had escaped the confinements of his mother's womb thirteen years ago, he was always illustrated as a serious being - never one to smile - never one to laugh. Depicted as a stoic, yet praised as a genius was quite the story behind Kotesu's upbringing within the Land of Fire. A country that was well respected for the production of fine shinobi, beings that were capable of completing the most complicated of tasks; the perfect army.

Within this numerous selection of gifted individuals, one had been granted the honor of mentoring Kotesu, along with two other Genin much like himself - her name supposedly being Syndra. A powerful shinobi that hailed from the fable Senju clan, a clan that was well-respected; their legacy mirroring that of the Uchiha's. So, when news of such a divine being had reached the ears of Kotesu's - the youth had ached with excitement. Since the sun had rose from its slumber beneath the horizon, the prominent Jigoku was awake - awaiting for the day to begin. Selective thoughts banking within his head, pondering on how powerful this shinobi truly could be.

Bouncing from the rooftop of his home onto another, he would begin his journey towards the location of Squad 00's gathering; which had been described to be the Konohagakure's Hospital. The choice of location would cause those with the curious of minds to question such a spot, but currently - at this very moment - Kotesu could careless. His once stale-driven persona had been replaced with a more energetic one; one that kept him leaping from building to building with the least bit of effort. A simple push of the muscles had done enough to place him upon the rooftop of the hospital; dull, calculating maroon eyes meeting the frame of Syndra's.


"Jigoku, Kotesu. That's my name Syndra Sensei."

He stated softly, his voice trembling with excitement at the sight of a legend - a beast within the leaf. Choice of clothing played little to no factor for the likes of Kotesu, whom was currently donning a white t-shirt, black slacks, and ninja sandals. Fashion, it was the last thing that could unravel his already complex mind that was already weighed down by the proclaimed strongest Senju within Konoha. Thoughts on if such a rumor was true had circled continuously, bouncing back and forth like a tennis match.

"Today's the day." Soratsu would say with neither excitement nor much enthusiasm. Squad 00 had been together for a good time now; hell, they had endured several easy, albeit long, missions together. But today was different in the sense that it was the first day that they would be greeted by the Jounin instructor assigned to mentor them.

The bond between sensei and pupil was something to be cherished, both for the rewards it reaped and for the sheer fact that the relationship would have the power to shape and mold the young genin into something better - bigger. Sora, however, was understandably unmoved by the honor. His respect for his superiors was nonexistent; to him, safe for the Hokage, he was on an equal level with anyone. The understanding of the hierachry of the shinobi regime wasn't something that had dawned on him, and noticeable tardiness was evident of such.

He wasn't extremely late - perhaps not as late as he usually was - but he did not bother increasing his pace even as the time for the meeting slowly and surely passed him. From what he was told there instructor was one of Konohagakure finest: Senju, Syndra. Her last name alone peaked his interests, even though he would never admit so, but it was rather her reputation within the village that really pulled at his curiosity. Was she as intimidating as the stories being told about her?

Having proceeded through the village by leaping from roof top to roof top, it did not take Sora long to reach the destination. He bore nothing but his regular garb— a black shirt with the Uchiha crest coupled with pants of equal color, and of course his hitai ate, which hung loosely around his forehead. Like his 'sensei' both of his hands remained casually within his pockets, the look of disinterest that covered his countenance unable to be masked. Having heard Kotesu utter his name, he followed suit. "Soratsu." He extended one hand out of his pocket in a half hearted wave.


"Uchiha, Soratsu."

While her emergence was instantaneous, it was strongly felt. Raven eyes, though calmly, pulsed around the area, seeking the targeted person of interest before Ryūza soon faced her countenance. From her stance—her demeanor—one could tell she demanded respect and attention when she arrived and though she didn’t say anything, the genin knew her form expressed thousands of words alone. He would soon turn to face her, giving the deference any subordinate should entrust their commanding officer with. A full spin bringing him towards the elevated body, the snow-haired vanilla also caught hold of two other presences.

Kotesu would be the first (though second) to arrive, his posture non-typical as he seemed more lively then before. Maybe the ennui had finally died and morphed into something more positive with the comprehension of knowing a true leader would take the mount. In truth, Ryūza couldn’t careless; there were things in this word, at his current age that he simply couldn’t supplement— being better and more stimulating missions. However, the boy assumed his comrade’s work ethic would still translate into this new setting and his level of comfort would augment within their unit.

Soon after, the Uchiha arrived, an unexpected occurrence as he seemed to normally be punctual. To say he wasn’t dissatisfied would have been a falsehood, though he wouldn’t voice my thoughts. New beginnings would occur on this day and when his fellow teammates gave life to their names, I’d follow suit. “Koizumi, Ryūza.” he didn’t have their surname’s reputation, but he had his own self-worth, which would do him enough justice for now.

Soratsu's unexpected arrival had caused a feint ripple in the sea of solitude that Kotesu comfortably plotted in, his unwelcoming presence easily altering the once joyful demeanor of the Jigoku's to a more serious one. And though this meeting was bound to occur, a fragment of Kotesu had wish it did not. It was clear to see - even for the blind, that the two were rivals; beings that felt their own path was interfered with by the other. Some labeled it rivals, others labeled it enemies; to the the likes of Kotesu - it was one and the same. Needless to say, when the Uchiha's statement had escaped the confinements of his lips - a soft, unpleasant groan was released into the atmosphere.

It mattered little to none if the groan was heard, but as the disinterested sound came about - Ryūza would find time to speak; he too announcing his name for all to hear. Kotesu wasn't surprised in the least when Syndra had voiced her own name too; the name of her clan causing maroon hues to shift to Soratsu's frame - curious to see if a slight shift within his facade had formed. Konohagakure's history had recognized the two respective clans that Soratsu and Syndra hailed from, deeming the two clans founders of the Leaf Village. The stepping stone of how the entire village came about in the first place - all so long ago within that dark timeframe.

Though before Kotesu could indulge deeper within his own captivating thoughts, Syndra had spoke once more; full of curiosity on why the juvenile's chose this road. A path of carnage and sin - where even the bravest of men had returned scarred. Taking the small window of time to think of a reasonable response, the Jigoku would stroke his chin continuously - formulating the most understanding, yet self-driven response.

“It's rather simple,” eyes would shift over to Syndra's frame as he spoke - his tone becoming more serious - more dangerous than before. “I chose this path to aid Konohagakure. To bring it back to its former glory where those would think twice of attacking us, or even attempting to betray us.” He paused, those eyes that were once fragile became hard now. “I want us to be feared.” An emphasis was placed upon that last word - every emotion within his small frame stating it with drive; passion that could not be matched by others.

Once again, his maroon orbs would shift - this time landing on the two genin; waiting to hear their reasoning for becoming shinobi. To be quite frank, Kotesu was actually interested to hear their reasoning; a slight trait of curiosity tickling his already perplex mind. Speculations alone were not enough to satisfy his mind, nor was the unwelcoming silence that lingered about in the atmosphere.

Though Soratsu head picked up and his attention, albeit briefly, shifted towards his sensei when she announced her name, in truth her full name neither surprised him nor particularly peaked his interest. Instead, he zoned in on everything else— her voice, tonality, demeanor and of course how she presented herself. It wasn't often that he focused on such minute details, but if she was going to be their teacher - a figure he would have to trust with his life - he needed to know everything about her; from her mannerisms, down to whether or not her reputation as a shinobi was accurate or just false truths.

Kotesu's groan in response to Sora's presence was ignored though, rightfully so, but noted. His inclination to battle through subliminals was something the Uchiha wanted no part of, and so not even an ounce of an effort was used in response. Sora simply stood there, his fingers fumbling around aimlessly within his pockets as he pondered the words of their sensei. Was she just merely curious, or was this a test? Before he could reply with an answer, however, Kotesu spoke up. In response Sora altered his gaze onto him slightly, watching him through his peripherals while his attention remained on Syndra.


"..."
His words were, suffice to say, intriguing. They weren't all that much different from the declaration he had made when we were all on a mission together, but hearing him voice it out loud again— with such determination that it did not sound so much as a goal but a concrete outcome that had simply not happened yet, brought Sora a new sense of perspective towards his teammate. It was only upon hearing him finish that the Uchiha took it upon himself to answer Syndra's question, and after deliberating which course to take, he chose the more realistic one.

And the one with the most brutal honesty.


"I guess you can say what led me to walk this path was my last name. It wasn't that I, as an Uchiha, was born to be a shinobi, nor was it the high expectations from people I don't know. Rather, it was those out there that judge my family not through their actions, but because of the color of our eyes. They killed my parents, so, well - I plan to take them out. One by one. That's why I am a shinobi."

While his two comrades remained stoical in this disdain for one another, he remained vigilant. While it became more evident with time and experience, first impressions soon took on other qualities that made recognizing one’s worth more in-depth. You looked to posture, manner of speech, demeanor—the knowns. At times, the answer wasn’t so perceptible, so open to the world like an exposed cut. These features shrouded in mystery, they became the unknowns. These traits which lurked in the shadows and only surfaced in times of necessity or willed inception were what Ryūza wanted to capture. Syndra, while renowned, most likely kept the most important information in regards to her existence to herself, and rightfully so. If this information became relevant in the hands of an enemy, the woman would truly be at a disadvantage. However, was it wrong for a student to seek true understanding of his teacher?

So as she spoke, he listened, picking up on what she wanted them to see thus far. In time, however, she would slip—or so he hoped—and when this moment of weakness emerged, the genin would be there to clasp it. Firstly, they would have to pass this initial examination. What led them down the path of a shinobi? She had asked with a prominent insouciance to her tone before returning to silence once more. The thought bit into his mind, draining his psyche of all hesitation and substituting anxiety with contemplation. Kotesu gave his answer—he wanted the Hidden Leaf to be feared. Soratsu soon followed suit—seeking certain revenge to enact. Both were morbid and could easily confuse strength with irrationality.

Ryūza, however, would once again walk the path least chosen. “I want to prove to everyone that being a shinobi isn’t a birthright.” He started, hinting towards his inability to ulitize an innate talent like his comrade’s Sharingan or the other’s ghastly incarnations. “But a decision made with the intention of preserving the future. And with dedication and patience, even those who weren’t born with an advantage can become just as powerful” The boy added, his eyes fixated on the Jōnin as his words left his tone in a calm, collected cadence.

Interesting how the trio of genin had found their own reasoning for choosing such a path - the pavement shaped by their parents, or personal defects creating the way for them. Whether it was the deaths of Soratsu's parents or Ryūza's will to prove others wrong within the shinobi nations; they had a will - one that burned brightly within the darkness. Maroon pools that once rested upon the facade of two when they had spoken, had now rested where they once were originally - upon Syndra's own. The indication of being moved by words apparently molding upon her face.

Even though the statements were quite - for lack of terms, interesting; the Jigoku had shown no facial signs of feeling. His way of upbringing had taught him to never be so - emotional, for showing emotion was a sign of weakness, a sign that one would not be capable of handling the way of the shinobi. From assassinations requested by the Hokage himself, to gathering intel in the most dangerous sections of a village; would dictate the type of shinobi one was.

And clearly - without a shred of doubt - Kotesu wanted to be the best of the best. He envisioned his reputation to be quite similar to his sensei, who was well-known and respected by others within the village. Shinobi that were veterans, whom had greater time on the field than herself - praised the Senju for her abilities on the field. Nonetheless, a question had molded within the mind of the boy; his thoughts on the said question only peaking his curiosity more. It was only after his sensei had finish speaking, that he would speak - his tone lingering with interest.


"What about you Syndra Sensei, what made you decide to choose this path?"