The winds at the north-western border of the land of fire were harsh, despite it being summer. For the past three days, a sole figure clad in crimson armour had been dashing across the terrain, hunting for it's quarry. But now, it seemed, the figure had a lead. Stopping for the first time in what had amounted to sixteen hours of constant pace, the crimson armoured figure had finally ceased it's hustle. A black mask in the image of an otter, typical of the ANBU of the Leaf village covered their face as they perched on their knees at the peak of a hillside. Which overlooked a small, desolate outpost, which consised of a grouping of nine seperate wooden buildings. Their long, ebony mane flowing in the summer winds. With a set of deep black irises set in the eyes beneath the mask. It was a menacing sight to behold. It became even more so, once their eyes shifted and turned a bloody red, with three equidistant tomoe surrounding the pupil in a triangular formation.

Hmm. Quite a few large chakra signatures down there, along with numerous others, though those are significantly more faint in nature. Probably two, maybe three Jounin. This could prove troublesome if I do not handle this correctly. The figure thought, before removing it's mask for a brief moment. Revealing the soft skin and refined, flawless features of Ichika Uchiha. Her black brow furrowed to become perpendicular with her sharp cheekbones as she utilised her Sharingan to assess the situation in the rogue camp below. Most of the signatures seemed to be idle, as though they were waiting for something. I shall give you all something to make your wait worthwhile. She thought to herself, before lowering her mask once more and beginning to slide on her back down the hillside.

As her speed quickened, a quaint smile came to Ichika's previously pursed heart-shaped lips beneath her mask before making the ram hand seal as the Uchiha woman descended rapidly towards the outpost. "Earth Style: Hidden in the Earth Jutsu." She proclaimed to herself quietly, as she allowed her chakra to flow gently towards her body's earth release tenketsu point. Allowing her sliding form to fade into the ground beneath her back, but the crimson armoured ANBU operative lost no momentum as a result of this technique's use. If anything, Ichika felt as though she had gained pace due to a complete lack of surface tension and friction.

Now moving at incredibly high speeds, it took only a moment for Ichika to reach the base of the hillside, which in all actuality amounted to a small mountain. As she did so, she corrected her position and rose from the ground. Revealing herself once more. "Release!" Once again she felt her body feel a little bit more 'real'. Ichika knew that she was perfectly tangible and still existed on a physical level when she utilised the Hidden in the Earth technique, but that didn't ease her feelings of bodily dissociation whenever she put it to use. It was a peculiar feeling, and one that she felt she would never get used to.

Instantly breaking into full sprint, Ichika readied her Kunai in her left hand with a reverse grip and quickly reached for her wakizashi, tearing it from it's sheath as she made herself ready for the coming engagement. Zig-zagging left and right, her tall figure became blurred as she moved with sickening pace, quickly closing the gap between the open ground and the outpost.

With little to no noise, the famed Uchiha slid on her knees into cover behind a short barricade to the outpost's southern quadrant. It was as she finished performing this action, that she heard the pitter-patter of a patrol group. That must be the three weak chakra signatures that I observed. Definitely Genin. Ichika thought to herself, suppressing her own chakra so as to avoid detection by any potential sensory types among the defenders. Steadying her breath into silence, the woman readied herself. Awaiting the opportune moment to strike.

"Man, I don't see why we always get put in patrol. We're vets! We should get to guard the main building while the big wigs plan our next move. Not those damn greenhorns!" Came the voice of one of the men, who sounded as though he were nearing his forties and was certainly approaching her direction. An embarrassment as far as Ichika was concerned, approaching that age and not being Jounin level demonstrated either his complete lack of latent potential or an inability to commit to greatness. She wasn't certain which she deemed to be worse. Moments later, she he heard the footsteps cease, directly on the other side of the barricade. Here we go.

Ichika believed she did not have a moment to waste, formulating her plan of attack instantly. With two, hard bangs from the pommel of her wakizashi against the wooden defensive structure, she managed to arouse their intrigue. "What the fuck was that?" Came the earlier voice, his husky tones growing closer as he peered over the edge of the barrier. Without the faintest idea what fate awaited him on the other side.

Blood instantly covered her shoulder as Ichika slammed her kunai into the underside of the man's jaw, quickly rising to her feet and using the force of her rising stature to twist her body and hip toss the man onto his back before vaulting over the structure which had been her victim's undoing. Leaving her kunai embedded in the gap between the enemy's throat and chin. In one fluid motion, Ichika ducked under an incoming coming blow from a kanabo as she vaulted the barricade, which to be honest was more akin to a fence than any sort of decent defensive structure. The menacing visage of her sharingan rising to meet the blue eyes of the man whose attack she had just evaded, pouring the chakra of her dojutsu into his mind; leaving him catatonic with her Sharingan genjutsu.

Without pause Ichika turned her head to face the last remaining genin, her earlier deductions based on their chakra signatures had obviously been correct. These men amounted to nothing when compared to her, and she intended to demonstrate that to them before they died. The final hurdle, if this lowly rogue shinobi could even be called as much; had his no-dachi raised high above his head as he began to let out a roar to accompany what would probably have been an impressive strike, if not for the fact that Ichika's response would be to jam the point of her wakazashi into the man's now open mouth and through the tip of his spine. Killing him instantly and preventing any sound escaping from his mouth as he slumped to the ground, his lifeless body still attached to the Uchiha's blade.

Ichika decided she was safe for the moment, and left both of her blades embedded in her victims. Turning to the one she had placed under genjutsu. He didn't seem to be directly under it's effects any longer, but still he stood frozen in place. Silently, the woman sauntered towards him, meeting his gaze the entire time, before standing directly in front of him in utter silence. Observing his tan uniform and Sunagakure headband, which had been scratched out. Though not very well. Amaeteurs, can't they do anything right? she thought to herself, before clasping her hands together in the snake seal.

Moulding her chakra into one of her most formidable genjutsu, the Demonic Illusion: Hell Viewing technique. Loose leaves and blades of grass began to surround the man, whirlwinding around the former Sand-nin as Ichika once again allowed her Chakra to flow into his head, placing her chakra flow between the synapses of his brain. This man was so weak willed that it was sad, in a way. The Uchiha pondered if she even needed to use Sharingan genjutsu on such a man. But as the leaves and grass fell to the ground around him. He did not flee in terror, or pass out as she had expected...instead he simply whispered under his breath. "There's... There's two of you, and that wasn't a seal for a clone...what. ARE you?!

Almost shocked, she had come to the realisation that this man must have known who she was. There was no other way. Otherwise he would not be witnessing an apparition of a second Ichika. She knew this, because the genjutsu she had just ensnared him within shows the user a vision of their greatest fears come true. Or, if that visage would not be realistic at that time, it would show them any generic horrific sight.

"The most terrifying thing that could happen to you was encountering me? How cute. Then you shall be the one I allow to live." Whispered the Uchiha, before continuing. "Do not move from this position for three days. If you do, I shall hunt you down. Do you understand?" She asked, being met with a horrified, silent nod as Ichika turned and removed her wakazashi from the mouth of her previous victim. Wiping the blood from the blade with her sleeve before returning it to its sheath.

No more words needed to be said, she knew that he would obey her command. It was rare to find one so weak willed, and so she had no doubts about his obedience. Deliberately leaving her kunai in it's temporary 'sheath', Ichika began a light stroll closer the main structure of the compound. Her footsteps absolute silent as she strode, before stopping roughly forty meters from entrance of the two tiered structure.

Horse, Dog, Bird, Ox, Snake.

Ichika, under no pressure at all casually wove the seals for her mighty Earth and Stone Dragon Jutsu, infusing more than the necessary amount of chakra in order to create the largest dragon that she could without draining herself of chakra. After all she would need it for what she had planned. As the beast composed of the ground below her, and the rocks above it came into being it let out a harrowing roar. Attracting the attention of those guards whom were on the inside of the building's main entrance. As they came out, arms at the ready, they locked up at the daunting sight of the large conjured dragon.

"Earth Style: Earth and Stone Dragon jutsu!" Ichika bellowed, before directing the dragon to slam itself into her enemies, crushing them beneath it's immense weight. "UUOOOOOAH!" She screamed, commanding her dragon to continue it's voracious onslaught, pouring even more chakra out from the earth tenketsu point within her body as the dragon set about demolishing the foundation of the building and causing it to collapse before rising to a vertiginous height in the air. Slamming back down into the ruins. There is no way any of them survived that. Ichika thought to herself, before releasing the jutsu, the immense quantities of earth and stone dispersing onto the annihilated remains of the outpost's main building.

Much to her surprise, two figures rose up from the debris, one female and the other male, huffing and panting. Wearing similar uniforms to that of the man she had placed under genjutsu prior to her vicious assault. Set upon the waist of the man, was a large steel container for a scroll, held in place by a series of ropes. It was clear that this was some kind of important information and not one for use in combat by the fact that it was apparently locked.

Raising her right hand level to the Jounin with an upwards facing open palm and placing her left hand just slightly below the faded golden tsuba of her wakizashi, gripping the sheath. Ichika flicked her fingers towards herself. Daring her two enemies to approach. "Come!" the Uchiha taunted, Sharingan still active beneath her mask. A hellish vision in the faces of the two rogue shinobi.

Instead of responding to her taunt by charging her, the two former Sand shinobi kicked away some debris from beneath them and planted their feet. Both making bird hand seals. "Wind Style: Air Bullet jutsu!" They bellowed in unison, which caught Ichika off guard, she was not expecting such a perfectly synchronised attack from a pair of despicable rogue shinobi. Pirouetting to her left at the last moment, Ichika was able to dodge the first two air projectiles, but almost instantly afterwards another pair came jetting towards her, one she managed to evade, but not the second. Which blasted a small hole clean through the armour upon her left shoulder and straight out the back. "This is going to be tougher than I thought..." She thought to herself aloud grunting in pain from the damage dealt by the powerful jutsu, before dropping into a crouch and rolling backwards in order to avoid the next three bullets that came her way.

Upon stabilising her position, Ichika instantly dispatched her chakra to the earth tenketsu and got to work weaving seals. Tiger, Hare, Boar, Dog. "Earth Style: Earth Wall!" Ichika declared, bracing herself to be hit with two more bullets. There was no way she would avoid the jutsu of these Jounin forever, she had to put up some kind of defense to force them to approach her. Then she could trap them with that jutsu.

Sure enough, one air bullet flew directly through into her stomach. Though fortunately Ichika's armour had caused it to ricochet off in another direction. Though she paid no attention to which, for her mind was soley focused on raising as wide and high a barrier as possible. Moments later, the second projectile howled towards her mask, directly inbetween her eyes, though thanks to the Sharingan, she was able to make a slight adjustment to the positioning of her head at the last moment, causing the bullet to slam into but a portion of the mask, shattering it instantly but otherwise leaving Ichika unscathed. In that instant, a great wall of earth erupted from the ground, soaring twenty meters into the air.

Now's my chance! Ichika thought to herself, clasping her hands together to form the snake seal as she heard the sound of eight more projectiles slamming into her earth wall. "Earth Style: Hidden in the Earth Jutsu." muttered the woman to herself before sinking into the ground beneath her feet and beginning to navigate the soil, finding her way into the wall that she had created. Slithering up through the structure, knowing full well that her adversaries would be attempting to flank her from opposite sides. Although they had no idea that she would no longer be waiting for them in that position.

Once she made it to the wall's apex, Ichika released her jutsu which had allowed her to effortlessly sneak her way there. She looked below, witnessing their visible confusion as to their attacker's whereabouts. It was time. Her plan for a counter attack had gone off almost entirely without a hitch. With a deep breath, Ichika crossed the index and ring fingers of both of her hands, conjuring two shadow clones and began flooding a large amount of chakra, possibly one third of what she felt she had remaining after the creation of her clones; into the tenketsu point which had been engaged since the beginning of this battle she wove two seals with flawless speed and precision. Her clones mimicking the action.

Boar, Tiger.

"WELCOME TO HELL! EARTH STYLE: SWAMP OF THE UNDERWORLD JUTSU!" Roared the ANBU agent as she unleashed one of her signature jutsu, her clones doing the same. The resulting swamp was gargantuan, with almost the enitre compound becoming enveloped within it's radius. Thick, black mud took the place of the once beautiful green grass, with snakes and other creatures from the local ecosystem scurrying to escape it's clutches, but quickly becoming snagged in the thick mud, unable to move.

The two jounin looked up at Ichika and attemped to leap from the clutches of the jutsu, towards her position. However due to the sheer density of the new terrain, they were completely unable to remove their feet from the swamp's clutches. They began to trudge through the mud towards the earth wall, hoping to begin an assault on the Uchiha, whose otherwise beautiful face had now been marked with numerous small cuts from the destruction of her mask, which leaked small streams of blood down her pale white face as she ceased holding the tiger seal. Beginning to apply the slightest amount of her water nature transformation to her earth style.

Ram, Horse, Dragon.

"Earth Style: Earth Dragon Bullet!" Ichika shouted, forcing some of the mud of her and the clones' swamp to rise up, and take the form of a dragon's head. It would not be long before Ichika had completely drained herself of chakra. She knew she had to finish them in this moment. At least, if her clones did not survive the encounter that was.

Instantly, the dragon's dripping muddy maw opened up, and spewed forth a barrage of projectiles which came crashing into the two Jounin. Breaking bones and forcing them deeper into the mud of the swamp. As this occured, Ichika released both of her clones, causing the swamp to begin to fade from existence. Shrinking from it's perimeter into the heart of the chakra-created swampland. In this moment, the Uchiha woman leapt from her wall, pulling her blade from its sheathe as she descended upon the male Jounin. A single fell stroke of her blade was all it took to finish off the now crippled bearer of the scroll.

His ally had fared no better in the aftermath of Ichika's relentless assault, and as the Uchiha claimed the scoll for her own; all of the strength that the other woman could muster only allowed her to mutter six words. "You're...Ichika...of the Black Swamp..." She had said through pained, gritted teeth.

"Damn right...And don't you forget it."

After a brief rest in order to restore her chakra reserves and a small investigation of the surrounding area, Ichika recovered her kunai from the corpse of the first man she killed. Along with removing his headband as evidence. With her Sharingan no longer active and her wounds wiped clean, her face had become the monochrome vision of elegance that she was known for amongst her clan. With a swivel of her heels, Ichika turned back to the Genin whom she had placed under genjutsu in the earlier engagement and walked towards him;which caused visible distress for the man. Without saying anything, she retrieved the length of rope which she kept at her hip on her right side and began to restrain the rogue Genin with it. I wonder what Takayuki is doing right now... Ichika thought to herself.

Placing a hand on his shoulder once she had finished, Ichika closed her eyes and and blocked off her external sense. This was something she hated doing, but it was a necessity when making use of the Flying Thunder God technique to transport herself long distances. It was especially required when the Uchiha intended to transport another person along with herself. Searching her tenketsu network for the formulae connected to the space-time ninjutsu's seals. It took a moment, but she eventually found the secret seal which she had hidden roughly one hundred meters from the front entrance of the Hokage's office building.

Got it. She thought to herself, prompting a confused response from her captive before the pair suddenly transported to an alley parralel to the central road of the hidden Leaf once the Uchiha had finished infusing her chakra. Once they appeared, the first immediate sight for them, was a seal with the words 'Duty' 'Power' and 'Kindness' worked into its design. The Hokage's office came into clear sight as she pushed her charge around the corner. He whimpered and panted in an anxious stupor as he realised where he was, but not understanding how.

Ichika's sudden arrival within the leaf with a prisoner sparked a few cheers from those that she passed, random citizens and a few faces that she recognised. Her face never once changing expression. The same was said for the Uchiha woman when her presence was met with sneers and looks of vehement disgust. Because of her brother's actions during the Nine-Tails' rampage years before, there were many within the villlage whom did not trust the Uchiha any more. Believing them to serve their own interests, and their interests alone.

But none of that mattered to Ichika, all that mattered to her was that she served her village and by extension, her Hokage. To the best of her ability. As far as she was concerned, that was all anybody who resided within the Land of Fire should worry about. Power earned through service to a just cause was absolute in her opinion. This was made evident by the fact that it was her, bringing home this man as a prisoner and not the othet eay around.

After a short while, Ichika made it to the gates that prevented crowds and queues from forming outside the Hokage's office. They also served as an additional layer of defense in the event of an invasion. Upon arrival, she was met by one of Seiji Hyuuga's aides. Ichika handed off her prisoner, requesting that they have the rogue shinobi taken to ANBU headquarters for interrogation, before ignoring anything else that they had to say; almost brushing off their entire existence thereafter.

It did not take Ichika long to navigate her way to the door of the Hokage's office itself. A few of the workers had attempted to stop her whilst she was walking in order to make casual conversation. But that was not what she was here for, and so the Uchiha had ignored all such attempts at small talk. With a trio of knocks at the door, Ichika was welcomed into the room with a stern, authoritative tone. "Come in."

Opening the door gently, Ichika strolled silently into the room and knelt before Seiji Hyuuga and nowed her head as she did so. Her respect for the man was absolute, and she always made that abundantly clear. "Lord Hokage, I bring you information from my investigation in the north. Additionally, I captured one of the belligerents; he is being taken to ANBU headquarters as we speak my Lord." She explained, never once raising her head to meet his gaze as she awaited his gaze. Instead, she pulled the steel container from her back and held it before her with upward facing open palms.

Seiji kept his gaze on Ichika from the moment she entered until several moments after she'd given her initial report. She'd arrived immediately, probably right from the site of her last mission. Ichika's face was neutral, but Seiji could see the signs of battle on her. She'd been swift, but not hasty. She was a very precise weapon, one that the world had tempered but one that she'd forged herself. He didn't take the scroll, but put out a hand and invited her closer, "Sit. You've traveled a long way."

They had met in the aftermath of the Nine-Tails' rampage, but Seiji had been aware of her and her brothers from before. There had been someone who had brought them to his attention, someone that had wanted to forge them himself. But it was war and they were needed. That man would have to wait... and keep waiting. Upon Seiji's ascension to hokage, he'd kept her out of that man's grasp. Not even he would defy the ANBU Commander. Like everyone in Konoha, Seiji felt the weight of her losses on his shoulders, but perhaps a little more keenly. If he had been stronger, a little quicker, if he'd reached the jinchuuriki faster... Sorrow and regret were a kind of chain and he was tethered to her. He was tethered to so many.

"The Cloud has sent an ambassador", he said once she'd sat down and made herself comfortable, "The Ambassador is the Raikage's adopted son. Kiyuusagi Kuroki has been assigned to escort him through the village. Tomorrow, Kiyuusagi-san will be reassigned. Will you be ready to travel again?"

It was much to ask. She was coming back from what had been a long and likely fraught mission and he was about to ask her to leave again. She was also someone for who she trusted almost completely. Almost. There was no one else he could spare and he could trust. He settled his hands on his lap and looked towards the scroll. The information contained within could dramatically affect the next mission, for ahead of the ambassador was sent another message, an offer for a joint mission. It was unusual, and even more unusual that the offer did not come from the ambassador himself. The peculiar behavior of the Cloud put Seiji on edge. It seemed that they were tipping their hand, but for what purpose?

Ichika bowed her head slightly as her Hokage spoke to her, debriefing the Uchiha woman and seemingly readying himself to rebrief her for another mission. This was unexpected to be sure, but not unwelcome. In a way, Ichika felt as though she lived to serve the village; and by extension Seiji Hyuuga. But she was okay with that and in fact, she was more than happy to. In serving her village, she was able to travel the world in her pursuit of power.

"I will do whatever is asked of me, Lord Fourth." Ichika replied softly to the Hokage's question. Although the response that she was met was stern, it carried slight undertones of care for the woman before him. "That's not what I asked."

With a deep sigh before locking eyes with the Hokage, Ichika nodded and continued their conversation. "Yes...Lord Fourth. I will be ready. What are the paramaters of this joint operation?" She enquired, ever the inquisitor when it came to the details of her next mission. Sat completely straight backed, with her eyes never breaking contact with Seiji. His scarred features commanded the respect of those who met him.

At least that was what Ichika believed were people's initial impressions when they met the Hokage. Though she knew all to well that in actuality, it was his personality and strength of convictions, along with his accolades that inspired the respect of others. Not his outward appearance. Though it certainly didn't hurt.

Ichika had always felt uneasy in that office, from an early age Uchiha children were taught not to trust people from outside the clan and its close circles. But life had taught her otherwise, the Hyuuga could be trusted. Seiji could be trusted. However, a childhood of indoctrination lived during wartime was a difficult thing to shake. Even with all this information, still the Uchiha felt out of place. As though she did not belong.

Ichika smirked as Kuree readied herself, seemingly poised to strike at any moment. Red scarf and blonde hair a stark contrast to the leaf green shirt and black pants and sleeves that she wore. "You may wish to slow your roll slightly my dearest Kuree. We have yet to agree upon terms of this training. Often we Shinobi favour ring out or the first to be upon our backs, though I fear that due to the specifics of both of our skill sets that this may lead to myself gaining an unfair advantage; and that just won't do, wouldn't you agree? the Uchiha stated bluntly, her demeanour almost instantly shifting from the relative warmth she had shown the Suna native beforehand to the cold harshness that most Konoha Shinobi knew her for.

"Oh! you're right, I was just so excited I forgot." Kuree Dropped her stance and scratched the back of her head "Hmmm... I know! it's a game we used to play in Suna, but it is very effective in its simplicity, its called Capture the Scroll; we each have a scroll and the goal is to take it from the other person, usually we would play this in teams on sand dunes, but I think Shinobi of our caliber will do just fine on our own." Kuree said and then checked her pockets only to remember she doesn't carry any with her, she would laugh and say "Say... you wouldn't happen to have any would you?! haha"

" I do not, however. This is predicament is most easily rectified." Ichika responded, before baring her teeth and biting hard onto the tip of her thumb, piercing both skin and flesh before shifting and moulding her chakra into her right hand, slamming it down to the ground, a seal instantly appearing upon its surface. "Summoning Jutsu!" Erupted her voice from her lungs, causing the heads of the few who were nearby to turn their direction. But an instant later, a small brown otter with a few black markings here and there upon its fur appeared. Sporting a leather satchel upon its back.

The Uchiha woman knleed and began petting and fussing over the small swampland creature, cooing it as though it were a child. Reaching into her pockets Ichika pulled forth a few crumbs of bread, feeding them to the otter as she reached into the satchel. Pulling out four scrolls one by one as her summoned critter gleefully snatched up the crumbs.

"Will these two do?" Ichika asked frankly, before affixing one of the four scrolls she now possessed to her waist and continuing. "I presume that this is how the game is played?" Kuree Was busy envying the chance to pet the cute otter until Ichika spoke to her a second time "Um, close. Sorry I should have elaborated further, I was going to do it when I found some, but I will explain now, we only need two, we both have one scroll on us, useually attached on our back, our belt or wherever, and the goal is to take the other persons scroll and return it to their 'base'. So I will draw a circle on my end of the field and you make a circle on your side. So the first person to take the scroll and return to their circle wins!" without a word, Ichika dropped one of the scrolls on the ground before allowing the remaining two to unfurl in her hands. Revealing an inscription of the word 'sword' briefly as they fell down before the seal lit up and the scroll turned to smoke. With two wooden wakizashi having appeared suddenly, with one in each of Ichika's hands.

"From what I have read and what I have been told, I gather that you shan't be requiring one of these. Though please forgive me if I am incorrect. I shall throw you one over if you so desire." Responded the Uchiha, never once breaking eye contact with Kuree as she spoke. Once she had finished speaking, Ichika awkwardly held both training swords with her off-hand in order to unsheath her weapon before twirling its handle around betwixt her slender fingers and shifting her grip so as to hold the wakizashi by its blade. Upon completing this motion, the otter which had been summond prior timidly grabbed the sword by its handle with its mouth before scurrying off to the sidelines. Seemingly anxious to watch its master fight.

"You are correct, only thing I need is my body, so long as I have that I'm ready for anything!" Kuree said after cracking her neck and popping her knuckles on both hands in an attempt to shake her body loose a little. While warming up, Ichika kicked the scroll across the center field and Kuree would bend over to pick it up and attach it to her belt infront of her. Now feeling warmed up again Kuree spotted the Signal gong used for signaling the start and end of the excersise period at the academy, she then picked up a rock and walked to the other end of the center field and with the back of her boot heel drew a circle on the ground with a fast sweeping kick "Alright once I ring that gong with this rock, we can begin, and it aught to be enough for any nearby students to come watch.. are you ready?" Kuree asked as she tossed the rock up and down.

Ichika's cold demeanour dropped for a one tenth of aa second as she watched the spingy Suna native ready herself for combat. The Anbu agent had to force the smile that had begun to form on her face away, it couldn't be helped. Ichika could see something within this woman, a great untapped potential just roaring to be allowed out. During the midst of a quaint stroll to her side of the field, Ichika sheathed the spare wakizashi before creating her own circle with the wooden blade of the stil drawn sword. With a huff and a wolven smile, Ichika drew forth her kunai and slammed it blade first into the ground within her circle.

"I am sufficiently prepared, if you are ready; go" Spoke Ichika and with confirmation Kuree grabbed hold of the rock tightly and threw it at the gong from her side, its speed causing the unrefined edges to whistle against the air and upon making connection to the gong it shattered and the gong rung out loudly and filled the feild and the near by area around them with sound "Lets do this" Kuree said with much determination and took her stance inside her ring.

"Let us indeed." Ichika responded, containing the urge to activate her Sharingan as she analysed Kuree's posture. The Uchiha wasn't certain if the Suto even knew what the Sharingan was, let alone if she understood the intricacies of the Dojutsu. For this reason alone, Ichika felt it pertinent to keep that information under wraps for the time being.

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Akira had been frozen in place the entire time as the other students went about their business following the classroom antics caused by the Akimchi. That piece of work doesn't even deserve to be in this classroom, let alone pass as a Shinobi. Such a disgrace brought shame to the Will of Fire, set in place by my forefathers. The Senju thought to himself as he adjusted the fitting of his regal blue cloak, it's silky fabrics embroided with slate grey flames in its corners that bordered a pair of Senju clan insignias.

The Senju child was far and out the youngest in the classroom, having blitzed his way through the written tests with such incredible passing grades that it was determined that he be moved ahead two years. His frame seemed frail compared to those of his peers, though despite this, Akira was among the class' tallest students. His white hair and eccentric attire coupled with this gap in age made him stand out among the others like a sore thumb.

As Hana-Sensei had tossed the binder containing the documents to assist Burai with his special requirements, Akira noticed her gaze divert to the young Senju, who was sat in the middle row on the right hand side of the classroom. He blushed as their eyes met for a brief moment. It was pretty common knowledge among the children in the class that Akira had something of a crush on their teacher, a fact he was constantly teased for. Hana-Sensei was the only thing in the world that was capable of distraction the boy from his work.

By the time that Akira had pulled his attention away from his teacher and onto the blackboard, the boy was stunned by what he saw, as his eyes were met with the sight of his team's composition. Natsuo Aburame and the singularly named Tomoyuki, one was too introverted for his own good and the other was like a machine. Singularly minded and lacking in initiative of his own whom in the eyes of Akira, could never hope to amount to anything. Why have they stuck me with these delinquents? There must be some kind of mistake! No...Hana-Sensei never makes mistakes. He began thinking to himself, before reading the name of the person who would become his new master. Ichika Uchiha. Just perfect. To top it all off, our new Sensei had to be a damned Uchiha.

Akira stormed out of the room the moment class was dismissed, he left alone as the other students all began to mingle briefly. Even on regular days the Senju boy didn't care for such things, but with the panic racing through his mind of being forced to associate with such people...Akira felt a serious sensation of anxiety rushing through his body, and because of that; he had to escape. Flee into the woods as fast as he could.

So that's just what he did, bursting out of the academy at full speed; Akira headed in the direction of the academy's training field. Alone. The moment he was free of the bustle of the main village, Akira slowed his pace, reaching into his sachel and pulling out his journal, which much like his cloak was branded with the Senju insignia. Faint etchings that read 'A Fuinjutsu Compendium, written by Akira Senju' branded on its cover. It was as he turned the book to a page covering the Spellbinding Chains sealing jutsu, that he heard the unmistakable sound of the academy's training grounds gong. Without a moment's pause he slapped the compendium shut, and darted off in the direction of the field.

During the time class was going on, in the far right side of the room sat Tomoyuki. he was always quiet and never really bothered anyone just wasn't in his nature. he kept his eyes focused on the window gazing outside as if he had other things on his mind. not unlike him up until then he had always paid attention to his sensei. Though today...today felt different, it was as if this day didn't mean anything to him. he listened to Sensei Bohi reprimand the Akimichi kid which left a slight thought as to why she did not do the same for him? perhaps she let him off the hook, didn't notice, or maybe she was afraid of him. Tomo never really cared what others had thought about him whether he was a monster or just a curiosity it never mattered. he sighed a little as the other students began to move about looking for their assigned teammates. he decided to keep his head down and wait it out he'd think to himself "....Why would you get excited over such a thing..." he looked back out the window and couldn't help but realize how much he missed the sand. He blinked coming back from his day dreaming to the sound of Sensei Bohi 'lightly' throwing another eraser at him, she gave a brief smile before moving on. Guess that answered his question. he'd look around noticing most of the students had moved on to other things. he yawned stretching out his arms before standing himself up making his way out of the classroom.

As he left the class he stopped in his track having forgotten to look at the board he'd step back in briefly giving it a glance reading the names of his team aloud "Natsuo Aburama...Akira Senju...Ichika Uchiha" he said with an almost deadpan expression. he scratched the back of his head "It Feels like I should know them" he muttered to himself before carrying on. he stepped out in front of the school entrance watching the other students come together getting to know their teams. he huffed before his stomach growled loudly, its been a bit since his last meal. he looked at some of the other students giving a light wave before walking off stuffing his hands in his pockets looking for a place to eat.

Not long after he found a lively Ramen hut, the food smelled rather tasty. he stumbled on in taking notice of some of his classmates had also arrived in the same place. he'd give them a light nod before sitting down looking at what he could order.

A crowd had seemed to gather instantly at the ring of the gong. Within fractions of a second, the two women launched towards each other, plowing forward at full force, arms splayed behind their backs with their speed. It was not long before they clashed, an overhead slash from Ichika was parried sidewards by a twisting roll of her opponent's palm to her ribs. Rolling her knees, Kuree continued her assault by attempting a left high kick, aimed directly for the Uchiha's temple. Ichika barely had time to reposition and bring her wooden wakizashi to bear, wrist tilted upwards in order to point her 'blade' backward. Blocking the strike.

Where a normal fighter would take a moment to pause and gather themselves, Kuree's assault did not relent. A flurry of kicks to the legs and ribs of the Uchiha before her were unleashed in rapid succession. Ichika was being pressed, hard. She's fast!She had thought to herself, unable to keep up with the Suna native's assault despite her best efforts to check the leg kicks by bending the corresponding knees. Quickly, flourishing her wakizashi in a sweeping circle, switching into a reverse grip Ichika slammed the pommel of her weapon into Kuree's solar plexus and leaped backward. Creating some space between the two fighters.

The black pupils of the Uchiha shifted and seemed to bleed as the circling wheel of her Sharingan whirled to life in her eyes. Ichika then crossed her pointer and index on both hands, while still holding her weapon Ichika performed the shadow clone jutsu. But unbeknownst to Kuree she had fallen into a genjutsu when Ichikas sharingan awakened. To spectators, Ichika created 3 clones. But for Kuree she saw 25 team’s worth of Ichikas. Kuree was impressed by Ichika’s deep well of chakra but be it 1 or 100 she remained confident and poised.

In preparation for the oncoming horde, Kuree placed one hand on the ground "Lightning Release! Cutting kicks!" Kuree spoke before unleashing volley of electric waves in every direction by throwing herself around her arm, spinning on her back, and back up to her arms to keep her rotation going, spinning at top like speeds. Clearing the clones Kuree spins back to one knee, feeling a little dizzy she can see three to six Ichika’s standing at a distance from her, shaking her head and slamming her fist on the ground she re-orients herself, the surrounding ichika’s had all vanished

Kuree rises quickly and just behind her is ichika, Kuree quickly performed the tiger seal to body flicker behind her and deliver a strong kick to her center back…it was a shadow clone. Before taking the time to think Kuree activated Earth release: Earth spear, planting her feet by widening her stance, Kuree opened her hands and connects her middle fingers and breaths in as her open palms rise up her body begins to darken as her earth chakra covers her body ending when her open palms are fully extended above her head. Ichika appeared next to Kuree and sent a kick into her abdominal region that would send most flying, the shockwave cracked across the field. But the mountain stood firm.

Ichika had begun to smile as the battle progressed, the blonde Suna native was displaying quite extensive Taijutsu prowess. Though it was quite fortunate for Ichika that Kuree had as of yet been unable to see through her Genjutsu; which the Uchiha had engineered to convince her opponent that more shadow clones had been created than the actual amount conjured by Ichika's jutsu.

Kuree grabbing Ichika’s leg in her stomach spun her around to expose her back, Kuree then hooked her arms underneath Ichika’s and sent them flying into the air in an arch and its apex left ichika’s shoulders, head, and back exposed to the earth speeding towards beneath them "Suto Suplex!" Kuree boomed as they were careening towards the ground. The impact of the suplex caused a brief cloud of dust and dirt and once it cleared it revealed…It was another clone.

As the numerous plumes of smoke from her clones dissipated, Ichika stood tall some twenty meters from Kuree's position. A murderous grin etched across her face. "You're fast Suto, and your use of the body flicker is commendable. I'll give you that; but my Sharingan is beginning to become accustomed to your movements. And that was naught but the beginning of my assault! Ichika cackled, before swiftly weaving the two signs she had become known for. Boar, Tiger.

Instantaneously, a swamp that measured roughly thirty feet in diameter began to emerge from the training field's ground. "Sooo, this is the black swamp. I'm glad to hear your just getting started...So am I!" Kuree exclaimed and let out a fierce punch charged with lightning nature chakra, on herself?! "Ow! You see ichika I read your file, I learned that the only way I could counter a genjutsu is if I cause myself harm before you do." Kuree said while still recovering from her own punch, she knew this would leave her exposed but at least she could move.

This rather ingenious method of breaking free from Genjutsu has to be commended. Ichika had thought to herself as she began to ruthlessly rush her opponent, ready to demonstrate what Ichika believed to be the true threat of the Sharingan. The copy wheel eye. In the brief opening the real Ichika had been provided whilst Kuree had been dispatching copies of the Uchiha whom in reality did not exist; Ichika was able to perfectly trace the Suto's movements and memorize them as the more tomboyish of the two women had made incredible use of her 'Suto Suplex'.

With a brief zig-zag moments before the Uchiha came within five feet of Kuree, Ichika was able to pass the stunned Shinobi's guard and take her from behind in a burst of such speed it almost made her appear to be naught but a crimson blur. Replaying the event she had just witnessed but with her body, rather than her imagination, Ichika wrapped her arms around Kuree's muscular frame in the exact same positioning her opponent had beforehand. With a mighty roar, the ebony-haired woman used all the natural strength she had, while simultaneously infusing enough chakra to bolster that strength in order to mimic the soaring suplex.

Whilst airborne, the two spiraled and twisted ninety degrees, before Kuree was brought crashing down onto her shoulders. The force of their impact on the ground was enough to leave behind a small crater as the two warriors came crashing to the ground. After a brief scurry, Ichika was able to place her left hand upon the scroll that Kuree had affixed to her waist, much as the Uchiha had herself. It's Over. Ichika thought to herself, as she fired off her chakra, activating the Flying Raijin seal formulae associated with her kunai.

Instantaneously, the space-time ninjutsu translocated Ichika into the circle she had previously marked out.

After impact Kuree was very thankful she activated earth spear when she did "Ha! it's not over till I!-" Kuree said confidently as she deactivated earth spear and tried to use her charged aura technique to enhance her body speed to catch Ichika but in a blink of an eye Ichika was in her ring's centre, panting slightly but smiling all the way. "Oh...well I guess it is over ha ha ha!" Kuree laughed as she realized she made her self look a little foolish, feeling a little embarrassed. "Well that was fun! I guess we should head back to the Hokage's office now."

---

Taka glared at the younger man as he spoke, his body coiled with tension, but he reigned in his temper so far as he could. After all, he thought, if the Cloud shit was at Ichiraku's in broad daylight, in the presence of one of his own colleagues, no less, there had to be a decent reason. Speaking of which...

"Not too old to kick your arse, kouhai. I take it he's with you?" The jab was made with as much humour as Taka could manage. He could only hope Kuroki was in as good a mood as he seemed. Belatedly, he grabbed his left arm, which had begun to vibrate nervously. He cast a cold eye back towards the grandstanding chuunin. "Not sure there's a button around that could silence a mouth that big." He laughed, coldly.

Had this kid shown up any other day, Taka would've let it go. Frankly, he'd probably taken the offer to spar in good humour (he'd always enjoyed showing off).

Today wasn't any other day. The man had threatened one of his kids! In his own village! The Mirage cast a fond eye towards his students, who'd been dragged over to a group of peers, an then looked back at the chuunin. His hands blurred, and a moment later he was shrouded in lightning chakra, his hair cast upwards in jagged spikes. His body hummed quietly, and if one were to look closely, they'd realise it was rapidly vibrating. He regarded the younger man viciously, and lowered his tone almost to a whisper.

"I'm willing to ignore the jab, kid, since you clearly don't know what you're getting into. As for your business in Konoha, if the Hokage's sanctioned it I couldn't give less of a damn." He stepped forward, almost seeming to blink between spaces. "Now, out of respect for Ichiraku-san, whom I've long considered a valued acquaintance, I'll refrain from tearing your stinking throat out. Instead, I'm going to give you a warning." His hands blurred again, and time slowed. Almost leisurely, he wandered behind the man, reaching into one of his pouches for a kunai and aiming it squarely at the back of his neck, dropping his free hand on the kid's shoulder. He broke the Jutsu. A second later, time resumed its natural course. "If I ever see you, or any other Cloud scum near my kids again, without my explicit permission, no one will find the bodies." He grinned, and it was far from a kind expression. His piece said, he stepped back and dropped the Shroud, in a crackle of discharged lightning. To his delight, old man Ichiraku had left his Ramen on the counter next to him, and he sat down to eat with a satisfied smile.

"I'm busy today, by the way, but if you still want that spar next time you're in Konoha, look me up." He laughed. "Hell, I've got a few friends who'd be interested in watching, we can make a game of it! I'll be sure to show you a good time..." He trailed off, a lecherous edge to his voice, and slurped some of the broth from his bowl.

Despite the massive chakra depletion, this had been more than worth it. Truly, it was for moments like this that he'd developed the Godspeed Flicker. Poor kid wouldn't know what hit him.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Surprise did not begin to cover the sensation that Akira had felt upon his arrival to the academy training field. The Senju had expected to be met with the sights of two Genin, perhaps even Chunin; duking it out. What he saw however, was two full fledged Jounin in a standoff at opposite ends of the field. With clear goals set upon each side. From as far away as he was sat, he was barely able to make out the one name that he had heard. Ichika.

At first he thought to himself that the woman had seemed unimpressive, although he had to admit her choice of attire was stellar as he observed it's similarities to his own. Without a moment's pause the two Jounin darted towards each other at such speeds that it became completely impossible Akira to track their movements, the pair seemingly becoming nothing but blurs of colour flowing from one spot to another. Akira became absolutely besotted by their ineffable skills. "They're amazing...Go Ichika-Sensei! You can do this!" He screeched at the top of his lungs, pumping his fist in the air from the sidelines. Hoping that the Uchiha, whom according to his classroom blackboard would soon become his teacher; would hear him.

The clunks of strikes hitting wood and vice versa came so rapidly and had such a short period of time between them that Akira was barely able to tell when either fighter was on the offensive, their movements displaying a level of skill so far beyond anything he and his classmates could even dream of achieving at their current levels. I'm gonna become that strong one day. I'll bet this is what it was like to watch great-grandfather! He thought to himself, his eyes glimmering as he watched an array of shadow clones appear. Akira's eyes were beginning to become adjusted to their speed, although he still couldn't make out exactly what was going on.

This childlike wonder briefly turned to confusion as he noticd the blonde haired Jounin was striking out at nothing occasionally, and it took Akira far longer than he would ever dare to admit to realise that she had been placed under Genjutsu. He had become fixated on the other one, whose name he had not caught. Watching her dispatch so many copies of such a clearly talented fighter was such a marvel to behold.

The battle was going incredibly evenly, up until the point where the Uchiha had formed what seemed to be an enormous swamp. Assuming this was some kind of sealing jutsu about to take place, the Senju child hastily bumbled and reached for his pencil and compendium, but by the time he had looked up; the battle appeared to be over as the one who would become his team leader slammed her foe into the mud of the swamp. Akira merely blinked when this occured, but somehow, once his eyes opened again Ichika was standing triumphantly in the middle of her circle once again. This isn't possible, there's just no way! How did she cover such a distance that fast?! I only blinked! Even the body flicker requires a hand seal!

Countless thoughts began to run through the ten year olds head as he struggled in vain to comprehend what occured. Of anyone had seen him in this state of confusion, they'd have probably seen steam spewing from his ears. This just isn't possible...

-It is the next Friday morning. The sun is bright and the sky has only wisps of clouds. There is a gentle summer breeze that whistles pleasantly through the forest. All of Konoha is waking up and in the streets, workers go here and there as store fronts are just beginning to open. But restaurants, bakeries, confectioneries have been preparing for hours; it's the time of day when that preparation carries on that summer breeze and with the smell of leaves there is also the smell scent of Konoha itself and all the meals the morning brings with it.

-Throughout the previous week, most new genin have been receiving notices of where they'll be meeting their team and jounin for their first day of training. Some have also received notices stating that due to unforeseen circumstances, their teams or jounin have had to change and just who their new team is going to be. Still fewer genin have received a far more cryptic message: That they've been removed from their team and to report to the gates of Konoha for further instruction.

-Team 1 is to meet in the middle of Konoha in the town square.

-Team 2 is to meet at their jounin's apartment.

-Team 3 is to meet at Training Ground 18, a small field with a small pond surrounded by trees.

-Team 4 is to meet at Training Ground 17, an open field with a couple of large rocks in it, bordered by forest.

-Those who were on Team 5 received the mysterious notice stating that they are to report at the village gates.

-Those who were on Team 7 received the mysterious notice stating that they are to report at the village gates.