4 CHAPTER 4

I was walking towards my apartment. Two packets of groceries were in my hand as I made my way through the bustling street. I still had to go shopping for my new gear. The shops around me sold their wares, clothes, weapons food, and various other knick-knacks.

One of the biggest benefits of being good at seals was money. I had been learning sealing for around 5 years now, and only during y final year, had I been able to make storage and explosive seals. This was a source of income for me, The village supplied me with a monthly order and equipment and I would complete it.

The money wasn't very good, but for an orphan, it was a godsend. It helped me buy my sword and have a good diet. I reached my apartment, it was a three-story building, and my apartment was on the lowest floor. I opened the door and went in. It was time to make dinner.

As I was making dinner, my thoughts went to my new team. My request for barrier corps had been denied and that was a rarity. From what I had observed, it meant one of two things:

Number one, the barrier corps had rejected it. This was highly improbable. My marks were top of the line and I passed all the requirements by a mile.

Number two, The Hokage intervened in my case and rejected my request. This was the more likely scenario. But the question here was why?

Well, there was no use in crying over it now. Team eight. I had not thought about what to do now. I was confident in my abilities but in a team, you had to look at the big picture. All three of us were somewhat skilled and quite hardworking so that would not be an issue. Well, what to do what to do.

There was a knock on the door and moved to open it, standing outside were two genins. One of them was wearing a green spandex suit and his thick eyebrows were quite distinctive. The kunoichi was holding a box, she was smiling from ear to ear.

"Congratulations, Shinso-un," Ten-Ten spoke, as she handed me the box. It probably had a small gift.

Lee gave me his signature thumbs up, " I did not expect anything less, Shinso Your time to shine has finally come. Now we can compete as comrades."

I smiled, Lee had been my friend since the academy's first year. Both of us would train late into the evening at the same training ground. We were both just two children whacking away at some wooden poles. After some time we started helping each other. He helped me in taijutsu and I helped him in his theoretical studies. Ten-Ten had been someone I had met during sealing, she was the only person other than me who took them seriously and consistently.

All three of us had no clan and no family in mine and lee's case to look out for us. So, we looked after each other.

"Thank you, I was just making dinner. You should join me." I invited them into the apartment.

"We wouldn't want to impose," Ten-Ten was about to refuse.

"I insist, I was planning on inviting you guys. So, it's no issue."

She smiled and entered the apartment, Lee right behind her.

All three of us were seated at the table, eating and talking.

"I am kinda happy that your request got denied," Ten-Ten said with a smile.

"Why?" I said pouting.

"Well, then all your training would have been wasted. You would have become a glorified desk shinobi."

"Ten Ten is right Shinso, You should aim higher and become the best shinobi you can," Lee said chivalrously.

"Well it has been rejected, so there is nothing I can do about it. I might ask Iruka sensei about it tomorrow." Tomorrow I could ask Iruka sensei at the mission desk.

We all talked a bit more. As both of them were leaving, Ten Ten said,

"Ah, I nearly forgot. Father said that the special sheath you mentioned will be ready by tomorrow. So you can pick it up in the evening."

That was good. I had spent nearly all of my savings on this. This was something I had worked on for some time. It was the culmination of a large amount of brainstorming. This was more important than the sword. I thanked her.

"Are we still meeting up on the weekend?" I asked.

"Of course. Gai sensei also wanted to congratulate."

"Ok, see you Sunday."

__________________________________________________________________________________

The third Hokage looked at the team standing in front of him and felt hope. This was probably the only good part of this job. He had made it a tradition for Hokage to be present during the initial mission of every team. It gave him hope to look at the next generation, waiting to take their first steps in taking over the mantle from the old guard.

He liked to see their hope, their determination, and their dreams.

"Team eight reporting for duty. "Kurenai Yuhi spoke. He was happy to see her. The Kurama clan debacle had held her back and tainted her reputation but he knew of her skill and determination. She was young and there was much for her to learn, but she was ready for the next step. She will teach them and they will help her grow past her limits.

"Congratulation on becoming genin. I can see the will of fire burning bright in the next generation."

"Thank you, Lord Hokage," they said in unison.

As the mission was issued and they were about to leave. He spoke once more.

"Genin Shinso Ken stay."

The genin in question perked up at the order. Both his teammates were looking at him. He nodded at Kurenai who ushered them out of the room.

Now, for the first time, he observed the genin himself. His appearance was nothing special. Though, his chakra was intriguing. He was not called The Professor for nothing. His senses expanded encompassing the boy in question who was rather nervous. He was surprised by the amount and sharpness of the chakra. The boy's reserves were way above average. But what was more shocking, was the sharpness. It meant that the boy had training in nature manipulation and was very advanced in such training.

"Genin Shinso, you had requested to join the Barrier corps," he said while reining in his senses. The boy was also a budding seal master. Few had the finesse to learn sealing, more so before becoming genin.

"Yes, Lord Hokage. But it was rejected." The boy's voice had a hint of wavering. Perhaps he had been too harsh on him.

He continued to stare at him and then smiled. "Yes, I rejected it myself." He was amused to see the boy's startled expression.

"May I ask why Lord Hokage?"

The Hokage was once again staring at me, his presence thick in the room. One look and I could understand why that man had been so feared. His chakra was thick like an ancient tree, solid, immovable, and imposing. He had lived through the changing of the eras, and survived all the world had thrown at him.

"The village considers you a valuable asset and wants you to achieve your full potential. Do you understand?"

"Of course Lord Hokage."

"While jounin sensei is well versed to teach their students, if a student has special needs, they can request for material through their senseis."

He had a small smile on his face as he said that, this was new to me. I had not heard of it, but it made sense. More so, in my case.

I nodded my head, "I understand, Thank you, Lord Hokage."

"You are dismissed."

I left the office going over the conversation in my head. I finally understood why my request was rejected. It seemed that Konoha needed a ringer. A statement piece. Konoha was famous for its specialized teams and various clans, but it was feared because of its prodigies.

Prodigies. Monsters. Legends. Those shinobi who break the system. They may vary in their methods, their ages, or their specialties but they were statement makers to the rest of the world. Attack us and we will unleash upon you their wrath. The Yellow Flash, White Fang, The Professor, The Sanin, The Teleporter, Hound, The Little Crow.

I sighed, could I become as strong as those legends? I was strong. I may not be a genius like Little Crow or Hound, but years of hard work and unrivaled imagination paid off. Perhaps, the bigger question was did I want to? More so, did I have a choice?

I exited the building to see my Team waiting.

"Thank you for waiting. So what is the mission?"

Sensei spoke first, "It's a D-rank mission, it's a request to repair a house,"

Well, here we go.

In another corner of the village, a man and a boy were playing shogi, The man wore a jounin west, but the most remarkable thing about him was the red sash around his waist with the kanji of fire on it. It represented service to the Fire daimyo, he was smoking as he looked at the board.

"Hey, Shikamaru. Do you know anyone named Shinso Ken from your class?"

The boy with pineapple hair opposite him perked up at the question,

"Why do you ask, Asuma sensei?"

"Nothing, it's just that my friend is his sensei and she was talking about him. I just wanted to know your thoughts. So do you know him?"

"I know him all right. And well your friend is in for a shock." The boy said while shaking his head.

"Why is that?" Asuma asked.

"Well, let's just say his metrics are quite skewed."

"Metrics? I don't get it." Asuma asked while frowning.

"It's how you measure yourself against the world. Measurement units. Well, let's just say his metrics were ….."

The older man frowned at his student's words, putting them in the back of his mind he returned his attention to the game. Kurenai would be fine. She was fine jounin and well his own students were quite a handful.