A Year

Renjiro noticed the Iwa S-ranked shinobi's body lying around. He wasn't dead. He lost his consciousness while fighting Riku, most likely due to chakra loss.

"Goya-sensei, what should we do with him?" He asked pointing at Kaya.

Noticing this, Goya slit Kaya's throat ending his life. He was more dangerous alive than dead. Besides, The Yamanaka clan could read his memories and get vital information.

Reading memories of a shinobi of such a calibre would give Konoha a lot of intel on the operations of Iwagakure. In a world where war could break at any moment, such information would be almost invaluable.

"I killed him to break the connection to his hive," Goya explained,

"Without Kaya, the bees will die off, and the threat will be neutralized. Make it easier for the rest."

Understanding the tactical necessity behind Goya's choice, Renjiro nodded in agreement.

She then asked Renjiro to seal Kaya Kamizuru's lifeless body into a scroll as per usual, a process that had become a routine part of his shinobi duties. The scroll was handed over to Goya with a firm yet sombre expression.

Renjiro didn't know why, but he sealed a few of Kaya's bees in his storage seals. He wanted to study them later.

After that, civilian casualties became the immediate priority. One thing that Kaya had forgotten to mention was that after cross-breeding his bees with the Bikachu, they not only got the exoskeleton ability, but they also started producing venom on their stings.

This was bad as now most of the civilians were in danger of poisoning. It could have gone unnoticed but thanks to Tsunade's keen eyes for such things, they were able to notice it early and attend to it.

Tsunade began triaging the patients, swiftly categorizing them based on the severity of their injuries. She spared no time in evaluating the genin's capabilities, observing their chakra control and assigning them tasks accordingly.

Renjiro found himself paired up with a Nakao. They were handed the responsibility of monitoring a group of patients. Tsunade's instructions were clear; observe their vitals, ensure their wounds were stable, and report any changes immediately.

The wounded varied in severity, from minor scrapes and bruises due to the stampede caused while they tried to escape to more critical injuries.

The genins, guided by Tsunade's expertise, checked bandages, assessed vital signs, and offered comfort to the injured. Tsunade offered occasional nods of approval, silently acknowledging their efforts.

The medical-nin's aura of competence and resilience seemed to infuse the atmosphere with a sense of order amid the chaos. Renjiro, while not a stranger to the aftermath of battles, couldn't help but marvel at Tsunade's ability to navigate the intricate dance between life and death with such poise.

In the aftermath of the confrontation, the village slowly began to regain a semblance of normalcy.

The only good thing to come out of this was that both the ruling powers of the Land of Wheat and the Land of Hot Water agreed on a treaty and would work with Konoha against Iwa.

'The way Lord Hokage schemes and actually succeeds is frightening. He is a capable shinobi and also a strategist. I wouldn't want to be on his bad side.'

Renjiro was surprised that Hiruzen's plan had worked nearly perfectly.

'But if he is such a schemer why the hell did he put the Uchiha in a compromised situation for them to plan a coup? Because I am sure he could have seen this happening from a mile away and actually solved it. Anyway, I just hope when the time reaches, I will be strong enough to change things or at the very least, protect myself.'

Renjiro shrugged as they prepared to go back to the village. They would have to go back to the land of Hot Water to take the delegation back.

The team moved in a loose formation. Sando, with a bandaged midriff, moved with a noticeable but determined limp. Riku still exhibited physical fatigue, a testament to the toll of the wounds on his body.

Renjiro and the genin contingent trailed behind their senseis. Even with them not moving fast, they were able to complete the mission and get back to the village. The minute they arrived, Riku informed them that they would be taking a break as he recovered from his injuries.

'I probably expected for him to get a stand-in Jounin Sensei while he recovers but a break would also help I need to work on a few things.'

During the break, Renjiro seized the opportunity to delve deeper into his own style of combat by creating a weapon technique that complemented his skills and temperament.

With a staff in hand, Renjiro meticulously practised his weapon art consisting of evasion and dodging strikes. His movements were fluid, an intricate dance that wove through the air with calculated grace.

The staff became an extension of his body, a tool not just for striking but also for deflecting and parrying.

The style Renjiro crafted was rooted in agility and adaptability. He focused on swift footwork, allowing him to seamlessly navigate the battlefield, avoiding attacks with minimal effort.

Each step, each twist of the staff, was a manifestation of his intent to master the finesse of evasion.

He explored the possibilities of redirection and counterattacks, turning the basic staff into an instrument of defence and offence.

The simplicity of evasion, the art of avoiding conflict as much as engaging in it, formed the backbone of his newly forged style.

He would have loved to explore more offence capabilities of his weapon but he didn't due to the lack of poison and a perfect Genjutsu to use along with the staff.

"This is frustrating! If I don't get a perfect genjutsu fit for this, then I will have to create one for myself. But that is a tall order because I don't even know how to create my own ninjutsu. At least not yet. Maybe I should try and alter some genjutsu?'

Luckily for him, Miwa was around and he consulted her for some advice. Under her guidance, he delved into the arsenal of Genjutsu techniques that the Uchiha bloodline offered.

The two fundamental techniques, Genjutsu: Sharingan and Magen: Kyoten Chiten(Demonic Illusion: Mirror Heaven and Earth Change), became the focal points of his study.

As Renjiro practised the basic Genjutsu of his Sharingan, Miwa's instructions echoed in his mind. By establishing eye contact with an opponent, the genjutsu would activate causing momentary lapses in consciousness or inducing temporary paralysis.

The Magen: Kyoten Chiten, a more advanced technique, required Renjiro to harness the copy and counter abilities of the Sharingan. It was a delicate interplay of perception and manipulation, where the user reversed an incoming Genjutsu, turning the tables on the original caster.

'Hmm, It's basically an Uno Reverse card for anyone trying to trap me in a genjutsu.'

The concept fascinated Renjiro, but the complexity of execution meant that it would be hard to master.

Renjiro's awareness of these techniques, coupled with his cautious approach, led him to refrain from self-guided practice. The potential risks associated with unsupervised attempts at such advanced techniques were evident.

Other than that, Immediately after Riku got better, they went on a marathon of missions. The first one was a herbal collection mission where the team had to Collect rare medicinal herbs from a remote forest to replenish the village's medical supplies.

They meticulously identified rare medicinal herbs and skillfully cleared foliage. The team's coordination and individual strengths culminated in a successful mission. Pouches filled, they emerged from the forest, a cohesive unit with a mission accomplished.

Things continued like this for the better part of the year and it became a whirlwind of challenges and growth for Team 15, as they navigated through various missions that tested their mettle against bandits and unruly elements.

Despite the weariness, due to the same types of missions that settled in after the fifth mission, Riku's mindset propelled them forward, choosing missions that would further hone their skills.

As the team's battle experiences grew with each encounter, the genins found themselves adapting to diverse combat scenarios. Riku, recognizing the importance of practical experience, kept the team on a rigorous schedule.

The trials against bandits became a crucible that forged them into a formidable unit, each member contributing their unique strengths to overcome the challenges thrown their way.

The bandit confrontations not only tested their combat prowess but also strengthened their camaraderie. The weariness that initially clung to them transformed into a resilient spirit, fueling their determination.

The passing year became a testament to their growth which was good considering it was now time for the Chunin Exams!

=====

Bless me with your powerful Power Stones.

Your Reviews and Comments about my work are welcomed

If you can, then please support me on Patreon. 

Link - www.patreon.com/SideCharacter

You Can read more chapters ahead on Patreon