7 Three Years Later

-2634 words-

[Year 50, Matsuri Clan Compound]

"Nii-san!"

The voice of a five-year old greeted him as Souei entered the Matsuri clan compound. He immediately gained a smile as Sasori walked through the doors and raised his arms in the universal sign of wanting to be picked up.

Souei, now aged 12, did just that as he carried his little nephew on his back before making his way into the kitchen.

It's been three years since their first mission. Three years since he had become a Genin of the Hidden Sand. And for that long, he had been doing nothing else but a constant cycle of training, missions, and leisure.

Souei has grown quite a lot, now reaching 154 cm in height with his medium-length hair now grown to the point it covered his entire forehead. He wore a dark blue high collared (inspired by his sensei), loose fitting kimono with a white scarf covering his shoulders. The biggest difference he had from three years ago is the giant scroll that is located on his back.

Ishito Sensei has been pushing them hard ever since they had their first brush with death. Knowing the dangers and risks of being a Shinobi, not one of them ever complained. Having their spirits reignited from the experience, they began their spree of carrying out missions left and right.

Due to their constant diligence and training, team 11 is known throughout the village as the squad that has not yet failed a mission. Led by the famed ninja, Ishito the Centipede, his three monster students became known as Suna's brightest, having completed 16 B-rank and 9 A-rank missions in total, with over half of them unsupervised.

Despite their young ages, no one would question their strength and loyalty towards the village they serve.

Souei himself had just returned from another B-Rank mission with his team. He had just finished giving his report to the Kazekage before making it back to the compound.

"Hey nii-san, teach me how to be a ninja!"

Souei's thoughts were interrupted by the boy clinging to his back. 'Ah, that's right. Sasori's five now. It wouldn't be a bad idea to teach him the basics. After all, I started when I was his age.'

"Tell you what, why don't you go outside and wait for me. I gotta talk to grandma Chiyo for a while, then I'll see what I can do to help you start your training."

"Deal!"

Sasori immediately hopped from Souei's back before running towards the courtyard, intent on waiting for him to finish with his business.

Souei just chuckled at his nephew's budding enthusiasm. It's things like this that makes him even more determined to protect the peace in his village. 'Ishito Sensei's got the right idea.'

Souei quickly reached the living room where he knew his aunt would be in her spare time. Being one of the highest ranking ninja in the village, it's pretty rare for her to get breaks like this to spend in the clan mansion. If Souei understands his aunt's habits the way he does, she would either be in her lab experimenting with poisons, or in the living room reading a book.

"Hey Aunt Chiyo."

"Afternoon Souei. This is a surprise, I thought you said you would come back from your mission tomorrow?" She said, after getting over the slight shock in seeing him.

And would you look at that, there she is sitting in the living room with a book between her lap. Internally patting himself on the back for the well done prediction, he sat down across from her.

"Yeah, I just got back from the Kazekage's office. I looked for you there but Lord Third said you finished your duties early and went back to the compound."

"Well you know how I enjoy my leisure." She said with a small smile, before arching an eyebrow at his last point. "And what were you looking for me for?"

"The notes we have of my Bloodline, the Thread Release, they're largely incomplete right? With the last user being killed off in the Warring Clans era, there's still not much known about what it could do."

"Yes, that's true. Not to mention that the last user you spoke off died before reaching her full potential. She died around a decade before the village was founded after all. " She replied before asking him. "Where are you going with this?"

"Well, in one of my missions with Ishito sensei, I came across a book detailing Yin and Yang chakra. It said that Yin Release involves creating forms out of nothingness. Originally, we thought that the Thread Release just solidifies chakra strings, but what if it does more? Considering my own affinities, I have a theory that my Kekkei Genkai involves the innate ability to combine Earth Release and Yin Release." Souei explained his theory. "These strings of mine are created out of nothing, even though the records say Yin Release is capable of so much more. It's still a plausible theory.

Chiyo had her eyes wide by the end of the explanation. "Yin chakra? Well if it's true, it certainly explains some things. Why very few people of our clan could manage to unlock the Thread Release, and why you were the one gifted that ability." At Souei's confused expression, she elaborated. "Your mother was a renowned Genjutsu user. Considering the building blocks of Genjutsu require the mastery of Yin Release, it wouldn't be too surprising to see you inherit some of that talent. And with your father carrying the blood of the Matsuri clan Kekkei Genkai, with these two requirements met, the Thread Release was reborn through you."

Souei could only listen with shock, as he then lowered his head. With his aunt and uncle being there for him, Souei never really missed the role of a parent in his life, doesn't mean he wished he couldn't see them. He always did wonder what kind of people they were. Probably strong, courageous, and kind, if the stories he was told about them were to be believed.

She then sat back, leaning against the chair. "My word, I didn't think we had something like this in our history. I'll definitely update all the records. Knowing what we do know, it looks like reviving the Thread Release bloodline doesn't seem impossible."

Souei smirked when he heard that. He's heard the rumors of a girl recently born in the village that possessed the Scorch Release. With the potential revival of another Bloodline, the Hidden Sand is growing stronger than ever.

Speaking of growing stronger, Souei then stood up from his position while simultaneously cracking his back. "Well, that's all I really wanted to talk to you about. I haven't yet found any potential uses of the Yin Release on my strings but I'll figure it out eventually. I gotta go now, Aunt Chiyo. Sasori's waiting for me."

"Sasori? Are you planning on taking him sightseeing through the village or something?"

"Nah, I made him a promise to help him out with the basics of being a Shinobi before this. He just started the academy didn't he? Anything that could give him the edge."

Chiyo smiled good naturedly. "I see. Make sure not to go overboard."

Souei then continued on his way to the courtyard of the compound. Completely missing the downcasted look Chiyo sent in his direction.

'Indeed, it's good that Sasori starts his training early. After all, with the news of the other villages, I doubt it will be another couple of years before a new war starts.' She sighed in her seat before looking out a near window. Sasori is going to be the unlucky few to grow up in harsher times. She just dearly hopes he's ready for it.

— Marionette of Suna —

"And so do the three of you understand the importance of this?" Ryushi, the Third Kazekage, asked with his hands folded as sat behind his desk with Team 11 and Ishito standing in front of him.

"Yes, Lord Kazekage." Souei, Rasa, and Rukia replied back in a respectful tone.

It was another few weeks after his talk with his Aunt that he found himself back in the Kazekage Office. This time however, instead of mission reports, it was regarding the upcoming Chunin Exams.

Rasa had grown a little taller, now reaching a respectable height of 150 cm. His hair was still relatively similar to his old style, with the red-auburn hair slightly covering his forehead. He's now wearing a dark gray collared shirt over a net-undershirt and black pants.

Rukia however, looked the most different from the entire team. She opted for the monk-look that her clan is known for by wearing orange and yellow monk robes tied with a brown sash with baggy white leggings that were taped to her ankles. Her brown hair was slightly longer now reaching her chin.

"Very good, you three are the only team we'll be sending this time around in the Chunin Exams. Suffice to say, the entire Sand Village are putting high hopes on you."

"We understand." Rasa said. Souei himself just grinned in excitement. His mastery of his Kekkei Genkai has increased leaps and bounds through experiments and training with his Sensei and his aunt. He can't wait to finally test them out in the field. Not to mention his current trump card sitting on his back innocently inside the sealed scroll.

"With what your sensei has been telling me, the three of you are more than ready to take part in the exams. You three are the best crop of Genin we've had in quite a while. Give it your all and know that no matter what happens, Suna will always stand behind you."

Ishito just kept his face blank, but everyone in the room knew him enough to know he felt nothing else but pride towards the team he raised.

"We'll do our best!" Rukia said with a cheery smile and a thumbs up.

Ryushi just smirked as he gave them the forms. "Remember that these forms are important to get into the exams. If you lose them, you'll lose your chance to enter this year." He then continued. "The Chunin Exams will be held in Kumo, which is a week away. The exams begin in 9 days, so you need to get moving by tomorrow. As always, Ishito will be your escort for the entire trip."

The three genin nodded and bowed to their Kazekage as they turned to leave the room.

Ryushi watched them leave with a smile on his face. As soon as all three left, he turned towards the ninja in the room. "Make sure to stay vigilant, Ishito. Tensions are rising between Konoha and Iwa, and I doubt Kiri and Kumo are staying quiet either. Looking at it objectively, this may be the last time all the five great shinobi villages would meet each other under the guise of peace."

"Of course, I wouldn't even put it past the more nefarious characters from the other villages to pull something during those exams to reduce our manpower. That's mostly why I waited three years before recommending them for the exams, to make sure they were ready. Now, no matter what happens, I trust the three to be able to handle themselves." Ishito replied with confidence.

"And if they find themselves in a situation they couldn't walk away from?" Ryushi asked.

"Then I'll be there to break them out."

The Third Kazekage could only smirk at that declaration. "Just had to make sure. I knew you were the right man for the job, and to think you were so hesitant a few years ago." He chuckled, referencing their first conversation regarding the Elite Jounin taking students.

Ishito replied with a shrug. "Times have changed."

"Indeed it has." He replied with a smile. "Whether for the better or for worse, we shall see." He added, with Ishito nodding in agreement.

— Marionette of Suna —

"So you are going to be in the Chunin Exams. Are you excited?" Chiyo asked Souei as the two sat on top of the cliffs that surrounded the village. They both looked into the beautiful scenery as the sun began to disappear.

Beside her, Souei nodded and gave an excited smile. "I am. I really want to test myself against other Shinobi my age from the other villages. The stronger the better."

"Well, remember not to get in over your head. I've seen many shinobi in my time who were quickly led to their own downfall for being over confident and cocky." Chiyo lightly scolded her nephew.

"Yeah, I know. And don't worry, I'll be careful." Souei said, relieving his aunt.

"Well that's good. Make sure to say goodbye to Sasori before you leave. God knows how much he'll miss you while you're gone."

Souei just chuckled in remembering his nephew. "I still wonder why that kid sticks to me so much. Aren't my cousins giving him enough attention?"

"My son and his wife love Sasori with all their heart, you know that. He just looks up to you because you became the older brother he never had." Chiyo said before continuing. "Besides, I don't know why you're even complaining. You love that boy just as much as he loves you."

Souei only grinned which Chiyo took as silent agreement.

Shaking her head, Chiyo then put her hand on her nephew's shoulder. "Whatever happens from tomorrow, win or lose, know that your family will always be proud of you. I know your parents would be. You've come a long way from the kid who kept asking me for puppet training all those years ago." She gave a motherly smile towards the young man before her.

Souei smiled back softly at his Aunt before giving her a hug. "Thanks, Aunt Chiyo."

"Speaking of puppets, how is your little side project coming along?" She asked curiously.

Souei immediately grinned as with a puff of smoke, he unsealed the scroll on his back. Showing his aunt the progress he's made for the last three years.

"What do you think?"

Chiyo hmm'ed as she studied the contents of the scroll. She circled around it, analyzing its features before nodding in appreciation. "Indeed, you've made a lot of progress from the last time I've seen them. Are you planning on using them in the Chunin Exams?"

"Only if I'm forced to. Wouldn't wanna show my supposed trump card this early in my career if I could help it."

"A wise choice." She nodded. "Just make sure to not overdo it. They are still prototypes are they not?"

"Don't worry, Aunt Chiyo. I know what I'm doing." Souei assured as he resealed it inside the scroll. "Besides, it's not like I'm helpless without it. I've got a bunch of techniques I can't wait to test out."

She just chuckled at his assurance. "I sure hope so, dear."

Silence then took over as the two enjoyed the slight breeze. The older of the two brought her thoughts towards the future, while the other clenched his fist in excitement thinking of the exams ahead.

——————————————————————————————————————

Hey folks!

Massive time skip this chapter. It was pretty much overdue really, our trio needed the training to survive what's to come in the future.

Here are the ages of some of the characters post-timeskip:

Souei, Rukia, Rasa → 12

Sasori → 5

Ishito → 25

Chiyo → 43

Ryushi → 38

Chunin Exams are next, those are gonna be pretty fun to write.

For advanced chapters, Head on to my pat_reon page! Depending on the tier, you could get between 4 or 10 chapters ahead along with a few other benefits.

P_atr_eon.com/TeemVizzle

(Remove the spaces)

Anyways, that's all for today.

Cheers!

Trivia: What's the most unique powerset in a character you've seen in all anime?