Naruto Fanfic - Prisoner of Nightmare

Chapter Twenty-Nine[XXIX]: Red Cat

   Uzumaki Kenko stood to the right and behind of the Hokage, his mask firmly in place and his fingers linked together behind his back. On the other side of the Hokage stood Kakashi, albeit in a much laxer position, back hunched slightly and orange book in hand as he scanned the pages. Kenko had emptied out the container seals prior to this meeting, meaning the blook that had been on his clothes was now sucked inside of them.

   There were eight jōnin-sensei, sans Kakashi, present, each of them here to state the result of the various tests they put the genin-hopefuls through. He already knew who passed and who didn't by their various expressions, and he was pleased greatly that the six clan heirs had become official genin, it would have been quite troublesome if they hadn't.

   Some of the newer jōnin, such as Yūhi Kurenai, were giving Kenko looks of awe and nervousness, not yet having been in his presence before. "Well, now that we have all arrived," the Hokage spoke, his voice soft yet booming, "I think we should commence this meeting, I expect a report of the students' performances from each of you." At the eight jōnin nodding, the Hokage said, "Then, begin."

   "Team One has failed." The jōnin looked to the ground, a little ashamed as he sent a glance at Kenko. He remained stoic.

   "Team Two has failed."

   "Team Three has failed."

   "Team Four has also failed." The jōnin pursed their lips.

   "Team Five has failed."

   "Team Six has failed, as well."

   There was a slightly awkward pause, some of the jōnin glancing at each other and Kakashi, not really knowing what to do from here. Kakashi sighed as if the action of looking from his book pained his tremendously, looking at the Hokage, he said, "Passed." He tilted his body more towards the Hokage. "And I believe that I am exempt from the report, ne, Hokage-sama?" The Hokage chuckled, waving him off with a bob of his head before motioning for the reports to continue.

   "Team Eight has passed, Hokage-sama," said Yūhi, looking a little prideful and happy with her team. Good, their training didn't go to waste, Kenko thought to himself, it was one thing to pass, it was another thing to pass well. She wore a red mesh armour blouse with only the right sleeve visible, her torso, left arm, shoulders, and the sides of her upper thighs covered in a material that resembles bandages with a pattern on it similar to those of rose thorns.

   Her hands and upper thighs are also in bandages, she also had a Konoha forehead protecter and regular shinobi sandals. She had long, dark hair reaching her upper back and red eyes with an additional ring in them, on her face was red lipstick and purple eye shadow. She was a genjutsu specialist, quite a good one at that despite being jōnin for only a couple months.

   "My youthful Team Nine is still in commission!" Maito Gai near-shouted, giving the Hokage, Kenko, and Kakashi, a blinding smile and a thumbs up. Kenko glanced at Kakashi and saw how his body relaxed just a little, hits of a smile in his eyes from the familiar actions of Maito. He was glad that Kakashi had found someone to call a friend, it was quite refreshing since for as long as Kenko's known him, he's been quite the recluse ( not counting himself, Anko, or Itachi ).

   Maito's appearance was rather simple, a green jumpsuit, orange striped leg warmers, and the standard Konoha flak jacket, which he left unzipped. His red forehead protecter is worn around his waist like a belt. He has very bushy brows and his shiny, black hair is in a bowl-like style. He was quite tall as well, taller than Kenko by a few centimetres, and absolutely radiating intense yet positive energy. He swears he can see sparkles coming off the man.