Konohagakure's Kakashi Hatake & Nina Sarutobi have only lived & prepared to die by the Shinobi rules.
Amid an intensive investigation into a spate of mysterious deaths, a birthday party for the elusive Copy-Nin sets off a chain reaction no one quite...
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<Nina 10 years old>
(En route to Konoha's Training Ground Six>Mid Morning)
~Shikaku~
Hungover—self-inflicted—Shikaku was in no mood to entertain his sole student's mood. Although Nina wasn't one to whine, their ten-minute journey to Training Ground Six had been stretched to a nearing twenty-minute ordeal. Shikaku took a resolute approach and didn't react the first two times a rock clunked him in the back of the head that was punted off Nina's boot. He set his limit at once more.
The kunoichi's devil-may-care attitude flared increasingly-so following a feud with her Father. Their most recent clash was yesterday afternoon. The Third had turned down Nina's application for promotion to Chūnin, citing her age and, by extension, her immaturity. With the Third Shinobi War being waged, it was considered too much risk in such unsettling times.
Of course, Nina challenged Hiruzen's justification. Calmly, she pointed out that Tsunade became a Genin at age six. The Third then ruthlessly accused his daughter of seeking promotion on someone else's talents. Shikaku had smelt the iron scent of blood; if not for the cover of Nina's gloves, he would've seen it dripping from her clenched fists.
However angry she was, his student bit down hard, bowed and left the Hokage office without another spoken word.
Stumbling home that evening, well-slushed, Shikaku expected to be greeted by Yoshino's wrath for staying out past her imposed work-night curfew. Instead, the most delectable smells wafted from the kitchen, luring him to the dining room, where his wife and student sat chatting and eating.
Later, at bedtime, Yoshina explained to Shikaku how Nina had arrived on their doorstep a few hours ago with two bags full of groceries in hand and a backpack.
A third rock sailed past Shikaku's left ear.
That's three.
"Nina—"
"Why am I doing this?" Nina asked bluntly, staring up at the sky.
The kid was asking the same question Shikaku had been asking himself for most of their trek. They hadn't arrived yet, and he was contemplating whether this idea was a foolish result of one too many drinks with Chōza last night.
While age didn't define the success of shinobi, time granted experience; something Nina lacked. Genma Shiranui from Team Chōza had four years on the young kunoichi. It was too easy to forget, especially based on first appearances, that she had been trained to fight, hurt, and kill ever since she could walk. Nina had the potential and ability to do severe damage, even if she was five feet of nothing and ten years old.
Stepping in behind Nina, "I want them to see how"—Shikaku gave her a light nudge with the ball of his foot onto her backside—"I see you," he finished answering, managing to inch her forward.
