𝐁𝐀𝐋𝐀𝐍𝐂𝐄 | 𝙉𝙖𝙧𝙪𝙩𝙤

⁰⁸; ᵇʳⁱᵉᶠⁱⁿᵍ

"We'll meet here then head to the Hokage's office to so you can recieve your first official mission tomorrow. Be back here early in the morning"

____

Kenjiro POV

"Ah we're all here already!"

Despite giving us specific times for when to show up, she still manages to be late. What a incompetent sensei.

Mai speaks up first, obvious discontent shown in her voice

"Lets just go already."

"Ok then! someones a little grumpy I guess"

Me and Ronin just side-eye eachother before deadpanning at Ki-Sensei for her enthusiasm this early in the morning.

Once we arrive at the Hokage's tower, we are met by the Elders of the Village, The Sandaime Hokage, and who I now know as Danzo Shimura, who is the head of ROOT, something I was told by Itachi.

Danzo is the first one to speak,

"We've been awaiting your arrival, Here you will recieve your first mission as Squad Zero,"

"Laid across the table are Masks you will wear with your Anbu uniforms. Each of you three choose one, whichever you choose will be associated with your code name."

I look at the selection of masks on the table, all of them looking bland and basic, aside from three on the corner on the table.

Immediately I walk out and choose an All black 'Oni' mask that covers my Entire face, before walking back to where I previously stood.

I see Mai walk out and choose a white and black Kitsune mask that was placed next to the Oni mask I picked up.

Ronin walks over last and chooses a Shinigami mask, the last of the three masks I was speaking about.

Each of us place the masks on the side of faces for the time being.

The Hokage speaks out for the first time, saying

"Very well, you three will go as Oni, Kitsune, and Shinigami, a squad lead by White Fox."

We each nod our heads in understanding before he begins speaking.

"Your first mission will be a test of your skills. If you succeed, the Leaf will acknowledge you as true assets. If not, you may not return with your lives."

In all honest, If I said I wasnt shocked, I'd be lying. I wouldn't expect them to give what sounds like a high caliber mission to nin fresh out of the academy.

Danzo then picks up where Hiruzen left off.

"This is a Infiltration and Assasination mission, There is a man by the name of Hideki that resides in the Land of Waves. He is ambushing Leaf Chunin and turning them rogue, then selling the little intel on the Leaf he gains."

"Your mission is simple, find him, and Execute him."

____

As we exit the Hokage tower, Ki-Sensei begins to speak up, giving us instructions.

"This is a serious mission and must be treated as such. From here on out there is no time for distractions. If you feel you aren't up for the task, turn around and turn your mask in."

I look around at my squad, both Ronin and Mai looking at Ki-Sensei with a straight face, no expression shown on their faces.

"Scared, Kenjiro?"

I turn my head back to Ki-Sensei, who is looking at me out of the corner of her eyes.

My gaze re-hardens, before I respond,