CHAPTER 4
PRE CANON 4(Genin test and d ranks)
Hyuga Neji POV
'The deadlast is on my team. That's fine.' Despite being unable to use ninjutsu, Rock lee is the only one who can give a challenge to Neji. And for that, he respects him. But no matter how hard he tries, Lee can never beat him. It's dentiny after all. But the third member is already a Genin. He can atleast for a competent one. When he saw the girl with twin buns and a large scroll behind her back, he was relieved. Atleast from looks that is. Neji remembered her. Just before the Uchiha massacre, the girl graduated. She was the adopted child of an old weapon smith. Hugarashi Tenten. Unfortunately, Neji was a little late. And after Uchiha Massacre, the minimum age of graduation was lifted to 10 years old. Something about mental health of young shinobi. A year ago, he heard about the new seal mistress in Village from the clan head. He was talking with his daughter Hinata trying to pressure her. But he didn't care. So he completed the entire course and graduated normally at 12. Finishing his thoughts he looked at their jonin sensei. Supposed the strongest taijutsu user in the leaf.
'wierdo'
That's the first thing came into his mind. He has heard about him from his clan members and Lee. But he didn't know how to feel about it. There sensei led them to training ground 9.
After the standard introduction Guy told them about the real test. It was surprising but not completely out of question. It even make sense to choose only competent Ninja from the academy. After informing about test, Guy sensei left. He too was about to leave but then suddenly stopped.
'It was a test !'
Even if his pride made him hesitate he stopped himself. But before he could ask anything, Tenten spoke.
"Alright ! Tomorrow's test will be a test of teamwork. So why don't you tell us your speciality Neji. We can know about each other's abilities. Lee and I spar often so that leaves you."
Neji stopped "I am proficient with my clan's taijutsu, gentle fist. I can use my byakugan to see through genjutsu and traps."
"I am Rock Lee and I am good with taijutsu ! But I am still not good as Neji !"
"I am Tenten. I am proficient with naginata and bow staff. And I am a seal mistress so good with trap making as well."
After the introduction between themselves, Neji left.
The test sounded simple, they had to restrain Guy sensei. But in reality it was hard. Neji and Lee fought in close combat. While Tenten fought from mid range and provided support. It was clear that she has the most experience among them. It was about 15 minutes left before the exam time limit when Tenten withdrew and told them to keep sensei busy. And after a minute later sensei vanished. He panted as he saw a kunai with thick handle and a symbol of four interlocking circles on it in place of Guy sensei. First he didn't understand what happened. But then he saw Guy sensei was between a pyramid shaped etheral barrier. It turned out it was a seal. Tenten fought with them till she marked Guy sensei. After that she retreated and prepared the barrier. Then it was just about to switch places between him and the tagged kunai. They passed. But Neji wasn't happy. He knows about seals. His fate Is bound by one. And that's the reason he disliked them. He isn't sure if he can beat Tenten. Only with a surprise attack maybe. But one thing is sure. He is satisfied with his team.
...
D-Rank missions. Or should she say glorified chores. That's the reason Tenten sent a shadow clone every time they went for a d rank mission. Ofcourse she joined the team training exercise. But apart from that Tenten focused on her new project in fuinjutsu and her blooming business. Due to the quality of her fuinjutsu items, her shop is the most popular among the ninja community. Although she didn't made normal weapons herself, but some chakra weapons that she made are also in high demand. She is now the richest self made Genin in the leaf Village.
But in her busy schedule, she has bought something that served as a relaxation material. She has to give it to Jiraya. Icha icha series is the mixture of high level porn and erotic literature. It didn't help that her hermons are acting high.
But that matter aside, Guy sensei has introduced her to another style of taijutsu that suits her. Especially with her breasts and wide hips, her previous style didn't fit her anymore. It was similar but with slight changes in stances and focused on footwork and kicks.
Tenten made another big move. She made her naginata semi autnomous so that it can return to her and named it Surume.
Time flew away. And three months later, Guy sensei finally decided to take them on a c-rank mission.
The first c-rank for team 9. It was an escort mission to land of hotsprings. They had to escort a merchant Caravan. So they went in civilian pace. The first day was uneventful. In the second day, there are some bandits. But Guy sensei let the genins deal with them. They finished their mission by evening of third day. All in all it was uneventful. Sensei decided to stay there at night. And team 9 returned the day after. But what Tenten didn't expect to get a b-rank mission just after reaching the village. It was to make a seal to seal Edo, a demon consince inside Yakumo Kurama that allows her to use her genjutsu. It was a long term mission. And Tenten accepted it. She can use the evil sealing method but it will also seal away Kurama's ability to use genjutsu. So she suggested four trigram interlocking seal. It worked miraculously. The hokage offered her to choose any jutsu as reward and she requested for eight trigram sealing notes and an earth nature transformation scroll. She has found about her elemental nature affinity. It was earth.
Time passed by quickly and team 9 went on another 3 c-rank missions. Before they knew Guy sensei recommended them to participate the chunin exams held in hidden sand.
...