Reincarnated Gamer Rei

Chapter eleven: The Test Part 3

~POV change~

Sota jumps through the branches as he searches for his possible to-be Genin team. His heart pounding, cigar light going out, only half used as he clenches the end between his teeth. He tries not to let panic consume him, but the ever-increasing thumping of his heart can be felt throughout his entire chest.

When his clones dispelled he knew something was wrong. He could only retain a certain amount of their memories, right up to when they met his new students, then a haze of gold and then nothing. He tried to dispel the Jutsu he used for the labyrinth, but it was like something hijacked it- he couldn't control it anymore.

Worry that his possible students could be in danger, hurt, or worse grips at his chest like a cobra squeezing the life out of its victim. He doesn't know how long it had been before the Jutsu ended, just that the sun was now setting. For gosh sakes they're in Konoha territory, this shouldn't be happening.

He searches the area and he finds what looks to be a golden dragon the size of a large dog with a bright red collar on it with some kind of tag or something hanging from it, he didn't have any time to process the situation because it flies down, tucking its wings in and drops into a golden portal-like hole. As soon as the two spikes on the end of the dragon's tail disappeared into it, the portal closed in on itself.

He continues the search for his students so he can make sure they are alive and call off the test immediately. However, he can't find a single trace of them, as if something was preventing him from doing so.

~Rei's POV~

I helped wrap up Rin's burned side before she went to bed. Nothing of note happened on my watch, and I activated Short Rest before falling asleep curled beside Rin. I awoke exactly 2 hours later to the alarm I set ringing in my ears. When I open my eyes the alarm noise stops. I was now curled by Taro.

[+188 HP]

I glance up, 1645/2800. A little over half health, good. I noticed my max HP is considerably lower than Taro and Rin's, so I'll probably up my VIT stat to catch up.

I sit up and stretch, yawning I cover my mouth with the back of my right hand and stretch my left up to the sky. When I'm done, my back popping in satisfaction, I rub my eyes.

"Oh my god, so cute." I hear Rin whisper in awe, I tilt my head at her and she squeals, waking up Taro.

"What's wrong? Who's attacking?" He jumps up, pulling a Kunai into his grip, standing defensively.

"No one's attacking, Rei's just being adorable. Sorry, I couldn't help it." Rin blushes, rubbing her neck. Taro flops back onto his butt with a grunt, and yawns, rubbing his eyes as well.

"Alright, time to get moving. Let's clean up and head out," I say standing up. "Rin, water duty again. Taro, help me put out the fire and make sure everything is dowsed and won't relight." We all move, doing as I instructed and we're ready to leave within a few minutes. We leap up and through the trees. Sota-sensei's dot is still nowhere to be seen.

~POV change~

After a considerable debate, Sota decides to appear in a puff of smoke before the Hokage's office. He knocks on the door swiftly and loudly, hoping the Hokage is still here.

"Enter." An old man's voice calls from in the room.

"I'm sorry ta' come in so late, sir." Sota apologizes while entering, he doesn't have the cigar in his mouth anymore and his breathing is labored after searching so long and hard. His nonchalant attitude was gone and his whole body was tense in anticipation.

"Sota, shouldn't you be-?" The Hokage who sat behind his desk with paperwork towering tall over him starts, grabbing the smoking pipe from his mouth, his face scrunched in confusion.