Shinobi Awakening : Rebirth

I skidded to a halt in front of the shop, the bell chiming a greeting as I burst through the door. The warm, comforting smell of broth and noodles hit me like a wave, Yumi looked up from her book, her eyes widening when she saw me. "Ryo, what the-?"

Her words trailed off as she took in my disheveled state. But it was Yumi's own appearance that truly threw me. She had her hair down for the first time, the ends brushing against the collar of her shirt. The neat ponytail was nowhere to be seen. And she wasn't wearing her usual medical pouches; instead, she had on a sleek, form-fitting outfit that made her look less like a healer and more like a fighter. Her shirt was a deep blue, almost black, with the Uzushio clan symbol emblazoned on the back in a shimmering silver. It was a stark change from her usual attire, and I couldn't help but feel a bit of pride that maybe, just maybe, I was rubbing off on her.

Tetsu arrived not long after, looking more composed than ever in his typical black and navy Uchiha garb, his eyes a calm, unassuming brown. "Morning, Ryo," he greeted me, his voice a gentle rumble. "You look... well-rested?"

I rolled my eyes, slumping into the chair across from Yumi. "Yeah, right," I groused, rubbing my forehead. "My mom's got the subtlety of a bull in a china shop."

Tetsu chuckled, the corners of his eyes crinkling slightly. It was the first real smile I'd seen from him since we'd met. "I take it she's not the morning type?"

"No," I said, shaking my head. "But she means well. She's just... intense. Like, super intense."

Tetsu's smile faded, his eyes dropping to the table. "I know the feeling," he murmured. "My parents... they're gone. I've been on my own since I was young."

Yumi's expression softened, and she reached out to pat his hand. "You're not alone, Tetsu," she said gently. "We're all here for each other."

Tetsu's gaze remained on the table, his thumb tracing the wood grain. "It's just... I see how much your mom cares, Ryo. And I can't help but think how different my life would be if I had that." He paused, looking up at me with a hint of sadness. "You should cherish her, because in our line of work, tomorrow isn't always guaranteed."

The words hung in the air like a dark cloud, sobering the mood. I knew what he meant; ninjas were always at risk. "Yeah, I get it," I said, trying to keep my tone light. "But she's like a tornado with a megaphone. How do you even begin to deal with that?"

Just then, a blur of motion caught my eye, and before I knew it, I was out of my chair, ducking to the side. The sound of air rushing past my ear told me that something had just narrowly missed connecting with my skull. I whipped around to find Anko standing behind me, her fist drawn back and a wry smile on her face. "Looks like you're not entirely out of it, Ryo," she said, her dark eyes gleaming with a mix of amusement and approval.

Yumi's hand shot out, catching the shuriken that had been flying towards me with surprising speed. "What was that for?" I demanded, rubbing the spot on my forehead that had been mere inches from becoming a very real target.

Anko's laugh echoed through the small ramen shop, a sound that was both infectious and a little unnerving. "Just a little wake-up call, Ryo," she said, her eyes dancing with mischief. "But it seems my students are getting better at keeping their guard up."

She turned to the both of them, her expression growing serious. "Speaking of which, Team Ten, it's time for your first mission. You're going to be escorting a merchant to the neighboring village of Kusagakure. It's a simple C-rank mission, but it's an important one. You'll be protecting him from any potential bandits or trouble that might come your way."

My heart skipped a beat. A real mission? This was it. Our first taste of what it was like to be a real ninja. I couldn't help the grin that spread across my face. Yumi set her book aside, her eyes lighting up with excitement. Even Tetsu looked up from his introspection, a hint of eagerness in his gaze. "What's the merchant's name?" I asked, eager for details.

Anko's expression grew serious. "His name is Hiroshi. He's a skilled blacksmith with a valuable cargo of weapons and armor. The trip should be straightforward, but we can't be too careful. Bandits have been spotted in the area, so your job is to keep him safe and deliver him and his goods to Kusagakure unscathed." She handed us a scroll with all the necessary intel and instructions. "we'll be leaving immediately."

Yumi couldn't contain her excitement any longer. "But it's so early!" she exclaimed, her eyes wide. "Can't we at least grab some breakfast?"

Anko's response was swift and firm. "A shinobi never complains, Yumi. We adjust." Her words echoed through the quiet ramen shop, a stark reminder of the reality we faced. Tetsu nodded solemnly, his eyes never leaving the scroll in front of him.

We arrived at the blacksmith's forge, the sound of hammer against anvil resonating through the cool morning air. The man in question, Hiroshi, was a stout, unassuming fellow with a gentle smile that didn't quite reach his eyes. His forearms were like tree trunks, each movement speaking to a lifetime of crafting weapons and armor. His eyes, a calm brown, took us in with a single glance before he nodded, satisfied with our appearance.

"You must be Team Ten," he said, his voice as solid as the metal he worked with. "I've heard good things. I'm Hiroshi. I just need to get these goods to Kusagakure for the upcoming festival. Nothing flashy, just a simple delivery."