8. The Unexpected part 2

Third POV

A perfect Sharingan is capable of doing much more than when it has only two or less tomoe. Guren was limited with moves unless he had a perfect Sharingan. The three tomoe Sharingan would unlock his ability for genjutsu and also sublimely improving his insight to an incredible perception. In short, he can read the enemy's movement much better and reacts faster.

Sharingan is a capable dojutsu, probably far superior in terms of power than Hyuuga clan's dojutsu, Byakugan. Although unlike Sharingan, Byakugan has greater insight with wide line of view and is one of the great dojutsu in the history as it came from the Otsutsuki's lineage itself. Guren believed that Sharingan is much better suited to him however.

When he's in difficult situations, having a kekkei genkai- a powerful, most feared dojutsu at that- is very helpful. Seeing the enemy right now and how he was frozen, Guren briefly reminisced his brothers' intimidating glare towards the enemies and he was sure that it was the least pleasant sight.

When his opponent staggered upon the glowing scarlet, Guren took the opportunity to observe the man and recollect his thoughts. Unlike earlier, he felt a tad bit calm. The lingering fear of death was still there but he kept the displeasing emotions at bay. It would be better for him to start focusing on defense and prepare an offense strategy. But when he thought of doing so, the assassin thrusted himself forward instead, seemingly daunted by the sudden change in Guren's eyes. Guren was left with no time to think and the only thing he could do was either dodge or parry the attack.

He was lucky the Sharingan was able to keep up with his enemy's quick movements, better than it did before. If he didn't perfect it, he would probably be on the ground by now.

As Guren flipped a few steps backwards landing his feet steadily on the ground, the man in his black ninja outfit weaved another signs. Guren grunted when a barely visible chakra was emitted from his kunai.

"That is the famous Uchiha clan's Sharingan isn't it? I don't know what happened but it suddenly seemed more dangerous than it did before."

Guren didn't even bother to respond as he stared into the man's eyes, causing his enemy to flinch slightly. Guren couldn't help but panted heavily along with his rapid heartbeat. He had used much bigger motions than what he had trained his body.

From what it looked like, the enemy is at least a chunin level ninja. If he was a jounin level, Guren could've sworn he can't keep up with his current level. Unless of course, if his enemy was underestimating him then yes he could be a jounin who was going easy on a child. But Guren wanted to believe otherwise. Even with a perfected Sharingan, it was not a short cut to survive. He was slowly losing stamina.

Guren had no choice but to unleash a few jutsus in mind. He quickly weaved his own signs as the man snickered, running towards the boy. "Let's get serious."

"Fire Style," Guren inhaled the air and focus his chakra inside, "-Great Fireball Jutsu."

The intense heat from his radiant fire crept to his skin, reminding him that this jutsu could burn the forest and endangered anyone close. Guren wanted to avoid damaging the environments but he wasn't sure if he could manage that. The only element he can use is fire after all.

He was pulled out of his thoughts when his fire suddenly vapored into the air as it produced hissing steam. He realised too late that his enemy had countered him with a water style jutsu. He grunted again because nothing was going his way. He didn't expect any of these. The worst thing that could happen was meeting someone who could counter his fire element and it exactly happened.

Guren sprinted his way through the mist with his sharingan activated as he swung his Wakizashi, slashing the man's unguarded legs. This time, he was sure it was deep. The man screamed in pain as he reached out his hand to grab Guren. However, Guren was faster. He had already predicted his enemy's movement with his Sharingan so he rolled to the side and jumped on the nearest branch. His hands weaved another signs, "Fire Style: Fire Phoenix."

Guren hoped that Genji sensei would make it in time or else he feared of his own upshot. Unless he keep himself cool and remember the last time he fought seriously, maybe then would he be able to survive although the last time he went to battle was when he was ill.

"Where are you aiming brat."

Guren's eyes widened as he spun around towards the voice. The man didn't waste any time to stab the boy but when he did, he was met with a wooden block. "A replacement?" He narrowed his eyes. The child was better than before. He was more diligent in dodging and attacking him sneakily. He was more precise that what he seemed a few minutes ago. The man grumbled, "He's tough alright."

*

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*

"Hamada-san, good morning!" The boy in his familiar blue ninja outfit waved his hand towards an older figure who had just came out of the door. Hamada had his Jounin jacket on, weapon pouch on his hand as he was equipping himself to perform his duty. When he noticed the closing figure, a smile was deliberately put on his face and he tied the pouch back to its place.

"Good morning Obito. Have you come to see Guren?"

Obito scratched his head, embarrased, "Yeah, is he here?"

Obito noticed the slight change in Hamada's expressions as his smile faltered. A sigh escaped Hamada's mouth before he shook his head, "He left a note." The man paused briefly, eyes on the ground. "Unfortunately, he left for a mission early in the morning. That child said he went outside of the village."

"O-oh i see. But that's quite impressive. He must've gotten a C rank mission to be able to leave the village."

Hamada didn't give the boy a response but only stared into the distance, eyes filled with concern. He who was a father to a peculiar child felt helpless, for every words he had poured to his child rendered almost useless. The child whom very likely to succeed as a great ninja, a great lad was stubborn and went to a great length to become stronger. He knew Guren was capable of doing things he would least expect him to do. When compared to the heir of the Uchiha clan, his child didn't have to go so far to exceed his breaking point. Although Hamada wishes him to be one, at the same time he doesn't want Guren to suffer the burden.

He reminisced the past. When a life was born, another life was lost. He couldn't save his wife nor could he do anything to stop his wife from dying. It was simply fate. He was sad, he mourned but he wasn't discouraged. A beautiful child baby was born, a new life for him to protect.

But unfortunately, he couldn't raise the child as he had begun to take missions occasionally to feed his family. He hired a nanny eventhough she was just his close cousin who willingly volunteered to take care of Guren.

Hanako often reports the boy's wellbeing. At first it was normal. Guren never particularly show any strange symptoms. However, the more he grow the more clearly it seems like he was no ordinary child. A boy with no interest of anything but shinobi's knowledge. No communications with the outside world, quiet and barely speak. He was different. But there was at one point where he would act normal. He would come to close to Hamada, listening to his stories and leaning close for warmth. It was probably the only normal thing he would done as a child.

"Hamada-san?"

Hamada's train of thoughts was interrupted and his eyes finally met the boy's dark orbs. "Is there anything you want me to relay to him?" The man smiled despite the worries he had.

Obito was there to actually greet Guren as a routine, he was a bit startled when asked if there was a message to relay. Obito looked to the left and right, contemplating the words he wanted to at least convey to the younger boy, and nothing came to mind. Obito sighed at his failed attempt, "Say hello to him please." Said the boy with an awkward smile plastered on his face.

"Alright."

"Are you going somewhere sir?"

"It seems like Guren's not the only one with missions." Chuckled Hamada as he walked towards the compound's entrance. His smile slowly faded from his face as it was replaced with a one grim determination. "I'll be back, Guren." He muttered under his breath before he flickered away.

Hamada reappeared in front of the hokage's building. He went to the office to present himself and to get the detailed orders- so that he can plan exactly what to do. Also being a leader himself, he has to command his team efficiently. If possible, without casualties. So there he was, standing in front of Hiruzen and attentively listening to the respected man's words. 

"That's all. You can proceed."

Hamada nodded in affirmation but he didn't move from his spot eventhough he was already excused. He took a deep breath, mustering his courage to ask the third hokage for a favor. "Lord hokage.. about my son, Guren."

Hiruzen raised his eyebrows, "Is there something wrong?"

"Yes.." Hamada paused, "It might take me months this time. I didn't get to tell him but if possible, would you.. leave this note to Guren?" The man lifted a piece of folded paper in his hand.

Hiruzen studied his trusted, former Anbu's expression. He knew how Hamada can be a worrywart sometimes. It was a good trait of him, proving that he has the gentlest heart. He was reminded of his own subordinate, Uchiha Kagami. But when it comes to Guren, Hamada is a little bit more sensitive than usual. Perhaps it was because of Uchiha Hana, his wife's absence as a mother, that made Hamada's sense of responsibility as it was now. 

Hiruzen couldn't help but agreed, "Alright. Make it back alive."

"I apologise for bothering you."

*

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Guren grimaced, he barely escaped the attack. His chakra was draining and he can use another two fire style left before he's completely empty. He was starting to get tired as the fight continued for half an hour. There was also one thing he never tried and didn't dare to since it also consumes his chakra more than he could ever wish for. Genjutsu isn't his strong suit but it should be passable.

"You can't run now."

Guren was ready to use Genjutsu after a long time. Now that his opponent was in front of him, it was almost like a cue for an opportunity to test his Genjutsu. 

It's now or never.

Just as he was about to activate it, his sight suddenly went blurry. Guren's body staggered as his legs trembled unconsciously. The next thing he knew, his throat was burning as he coughed out blood. An intense pain shot up his stomach like fire causing him to gasp for air. He was slowly losing balance on his feet and he couldn't muster the strength to stand so he fell to his knees with a thud. Guren was shaking from the immense throbbing. It was as if something was spreading, crawling inside his body as he felt his limbs slowly going numb.

"W-what did you do?" 

"You made a grave mistake when you received even a scratch from my attack."

'It's poison.' Guren assumed as he casted a glare towards the man. He was too late. "S-since.. when.." It was getting harder to breathe, so did speaking. 

"Since the very beginning. But don't worry, it's not potent enough to kill you. Unlike those sand ninjas, i'm just an amateur." Laughed the man, closing the gap between them. His smile faded as he reached out his hand to land around Guren's neck. Then he gripped it tightly, choking the boy. Guren clawed the hand instinctively, struggling to escape. Even when he was slowly losing strength, Guren didn't give up. His nails dug deeper into the man's hand. He can't die. Not yet. 

A picture of a smiling Madara and Izuna suddenly flashed through his mind. 

The man stared nonchalantly at Guren's futile attempt. He didn't even flinch a bit. "You were about to use a strong jutsu right? Eventhough i applied the poison early, it only works when a big amount of chakra is molded by the victim." He paused, "Can you see that cliff behind you? It's a long way down. How would it feel like falling from there?"

Although Guren's senses were gradually getting worser and he could barely even see, he can still feel himself lifted up in the air as he was brought towards the edge of the cliff. "Sorry kid, i don't have any grudge against you. But this is reality."

No.. No.. I can't die.. I can't..

"F*ck you!" Guren kept his attempt to escape. He flailed, he clawed the man's tightening grip. He tried to use Genjutsu but it won't come out. "D-damn it."

"It's useless kid." Was the man's last words before the darkness slowly enveloped Guren. His eyes rolled upwards and his strength finally gave out. His arms fell limp to his side as his legs dangled. A moment of contemplating the child and the man was sure that Guren was no longer conscious. His grip was finally loosened as his sigh followed, "What an extraordinary kid." He muttered before completely freed the boy out of his grip, making him fall from the high. He felt no guilt, he felt no remorse but he did sympathized Guren a bit. "Oh well, onto the mission."

*

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*

"You're late!" Kakashi irked, "Mission or not you can't keep messing up." The sight of Obito panting proved that he ran all the way here. Why did he have to be so late everytime? Kakashi just couldn't guess. He was disappointed with such act coming from a shinobi because he still believed that a good shinobi is the one to follow the rules.

Obito panted, slowly breathing the air he lacked. "Sorry, i went to Guren's but he wasn't there."

"Why not?" Rin interrupted, handing a popsicle to Obito. "On mission?"

Obito straightened his back and immediately took the snack from Rin, blushing. "Thanks.. and yeah, unfortunately he can't be with us today."

"That's too bad. I thought Guren was going to be with you so i bought him a popsickle too." 

"Obito can finish that." Kakashi cut in. "Since i can't take anymore right now." 

"Really?"

Obito glanced at Kakashi in disbelief, then he noticed Rin's hopeful eyes before a sigh came out of his mouth. "Fine, i'll take his portion." 

"Sorry, it would be a waste to throw it out." Rin smiled, feeling relieved as she handed the snack to Obito. "I really did hope Guren would spend his time with us again today."

"He's a Genin, a full fledged shinobi now. He gets missions too."

Obito ripped the popsicle's plastic cover, revealing a half melting ice. He narrowed his eyes, "It's melting." 

"Sorry Obito, I bought it a while ago, before you arrived."

"It's your fault you're late." Added Kakashi. "Just eat it."

Obito scoffed at Kakashi but didn't dare to complain further when Rin was being nice enough to buy the popsicles herself. Just as he crumpled the cover, the ice completely melted into liquid as his hand and the tip of his sleeve got wet. "It melted.." He deadpanned, earning a giggle from Rin.

"So?" She started, "What is written on the stick?"

Obito's eyes went from Rin to the popsicle's stick. His eyes narrowed to read the small writing. "B-bad luck? What does it mean?" 

Rin's lips curved downwards as a sigh escaped her mouth, "That's too bad. We could've won the prize."

"What? So there was a prize?"

"That was Guren's, you have another one on your hand." Kakashi added, pointing at Obito's right hand.

"R-right.. That was Guren's.." His eyes were still glued on the stick, re-reading the small words. "Bad luck, huh?" What was it? The bad, uncomfortable feeling he was experiencing. Guren's face suddenly came to his mind. Obito didn't even want to think about it but he prayed for the boy's safety. He hoped this bad feeling was nothing but a mere imagination.