Here you go, a new chapter. I hope you all enjoy it.
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Moments later, Anbu headquarters training grounds;
Neko and Inu are locked in a Kenjutsu spar while Tenzo stands as a referee on the side. Farther away from the group stood a masked woman who watched silently as if waiting for something.
The mask on the woman's face is of a bird with red and yellow paint that imitates fire. The woman herself is fairly tall, wearing a standard Anbu outfit with deep brown long hair that is made into a bun at the back of her head.
Suddenly, Ryuu appeared near Tenzo in a body flicker. Seeing him, the masked woman walked slowly towards him.
"What did Hokage-sama call you for?" Tenzo asked with eyes still locked on the sparring duo.
"Let's wait until the others finish," Ryuu replied simply, to which Tenzo gave a small nod.
The sparring duo fought for a couple of more minutes, with the other three looking at them.
"Yield," Inu said with a blank tone as he had his sword tip near Neko's neck
"I yield," Neko replied with a bit of bitterness in her tone.
"You have improved, but there is always room for improvement," Inu said as he sheathed his sword before walking towards Ryuu and the others with Neko following him.
"So I assume you got the news from Hokage-sama," Inu said while looking at Ryuu
"Yes, I did. It came as quite the shock." Ryuu replied
"Can I ask what is going on and why is Phoenix standing behind Ryuu?" Neko asked as she was quite confused.
"As of now, Ryuu is no longer a part of Team Ro. He is going to lead his own team with Phoenix as his only subordinate for now." Inu said with a blank tone, shocking Tenzo and Neko
"What, Why?" Neko asked with confusion in her tone.
"It is an arrangement that Hokage-sama made, which is expected to be honest. You have already become a certified Anbu operative, and Ryuu has been promoted." Inu replied to Neko, making her quiet.
"I just came here to take Phoenix, as we have a mission right now, and I also wanted to thank you all for our time together. It was good to work with you guys." Ryuu said
"No need for that, it's not like we wouldn't see each other again. You will always be a part of Team Ro." Tenzo said, with Neko nodding, while Inu stayed quiet.
After a moment of silence, Ryuu looked at the team before saying, "See you around, Team Ro. Take care of yourselves."
He then disappeared in a body flicker along with Phoenix.
"There he goes," Neko said with a sigh. She would miss him. Her time with him was quite nice before and after entering the Anbu.
"What is their team called, Inu?" Tenzo asked with curiosity.
"Team Shi," Inu replied simply.
"Shi as in the number 'four' or as in 'death'?" Neko asked
"The name definitely refers to death. Looking at the two of them, I am sure they would bring death and destruction to their opponents." Tenzo said
A couple of minutes later, outside Konoha;
Ryuu and Phoenix have left Konoha behind and are now hopping from one tree to another.
"So, what is the mission, Ryuu-Buntaicho?" Phoenix asked, making Ryuu give her a side look.
"We are going to deliver a message to Kusagakure along with scouting the situation there, as Iwa Shinobi were sighted there," Ryuu replied, making Phoenix go silent.
"So, how is your first time outside Konoha since joining?" Ryuu asked
"It took longer than I anticipated to go out of Konoha, but it was still expected. It is nice to finally be out and not under surveillance." Phoenix replied.
"That is good. But you know, you don't need to call me 'Buntaicho'. In terms of experience, you are way ahead of me." Ryuu said
"Well, that may be, but I will still call you that, as it is a formality," Phoenix said with a slight tease in her tone.
"Whatever you say, Sensei," Ryuu said with the same tone, making a small smile appear on Phoenix's face behind her mask.
Under the Phoenix mask, Pakura had a soft smile on her face as she continued to jump from one tree to another. The past year has been eventful for her. Ever since she joined Konoha, she hasn't regretted her decision, even though the surveillance on her just stopped today.
Starting with simple things, her life in Konoha had been better than it had ever been in Suna. The weather has been much better, with better access to a lot of foods and other things. Her quality of life has increased on multiple levels.
During her first six months, while she was under house arrest, she knew that she was being watched, but she didn't mind, as it was expected. Ryuu had been visiting her whenever he was free while bringing her meals, groceries, and books. Those visits and books helped her through those six months; otherwise, the boredom would have been brutal.
After the six months were up, she was given a fake name, Reiko, so that it would be easier for her to introduce herself. She had also dyed her hair deep brown while also discarding her usual attire for something else.
Then she was integrated into the Anbu and was given the Codename Phoenix, along with the mask. Ryuu had said it was kind of symbolic as it indicated that she had been betrayed and fallen as a Suna Kunoichi before escaping death and becoming one of Konoha's own. And let's not forget that it is the name of the mythical firebird.
The next six months were different from the first six but also similar. While she was free to roam the village, she wasn't allowed to leave it. Even her Anbu missions were assigned to be in the village. This is her first time outside Konoha since she joined more than a year ago.
These six months also brought her some surprises. She got to know who was behind the dragon mask, the person who helped her. Let's just say she was absolutely shocked to find out that it was an almost 11-year-old red-haired boy. His body, way of thinking, and manners indicate someone who is at least five years older if not more.
Also, the reason he approached her unmasked was very surprising to her. He asked her to teach him the Scorch release, even showing her a small sphere of scorch release fire when she was sceptical of his ability to wield it. When she saw this, she was more than happy to teach him.
She didn't ask him anything in return for teaching him. While she did it as a sort of thank you for saving her, that wasn't the main reason. She always wanted to teach someone the Scorch release. Even back at Suna, she looked for someone who shared her ability to wield it, but didn't find any. That didn't mean she didn't have any students back at Suna. She hoped they were doing fine, and her supposed death didn't affect them too much.
Pakura would have felt bad to teach someone who isn't from Suna her techniques. But after she was betrayed and discarded by her home village. Her subconscious had no problem with her new identity as a Konoha Kunoichi.
Looking at the back of her student, who turned out to be her new Anbu Captain, she couldn't help but have a small, proud smile. He was by far the most prodigious student she ever taught. Learning everything from her with ease. She had no problem following his lead, even though he is about half her age.
For her to acquire any higher positions in Konoha, she will have to prove herself to be a Konoha Kunoichi through and through.
To be continued.
Guys and Gals, show me those powerstones.
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I hope you all enjoyed the chapter.
'200 power stones if you want an additional chapter with next week's release.'
I would appreciate feedback, comments, and power stones from you guys. I would like to read all of your comments. I would like to know if I am doing well and if you enjoy what I write.
Thank you all for your support.
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