12 Chapter 12 : First Trial (1/2)
Kenji woke up early that morning. He and his teammates were given a free pass to skip the rest of the academy. It's not like they needed it. So, instead of having a normal day at the academy, playing with friends, learning ninja stuff, he was about to walk into the gate of death. At least he wasn't alone. Aya cooked breakfast and could only watch Kenji leave. Even he didn't know the location of the trial. Kenji attached his new sword against his lower back, leaning slightly to his right for quick use.
The team decided to travel to the compound together, so they all met around the center of town. Kenji was the last to arrive.
”Here Kenji.” Hansuke smiled and handed Kenji a necklace. Engraved into it was the symbol of the hidden mist village. Kenji looked up and saw all three of his teammates with matching chains.
”Might as well right?” Hansuke punched his friends arm, trying to relieve his nerves.
”Ok lets go guys.” Miki said.
The four kids got many looks while walking through town. Probably because they were armed to the teeth, and they weren't even ninja yet. Is what they thought. The four kids approached the metal trap door. This didn't feel right. Too quiet. Kenji looked around. His teammates noticed his sudden stop and halted as well.
”Kenji, Come on! Lets get this over with.” Asami snapped.
After her words, Anbu ambushed them and took them out with ease.
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Aya was restless around home. She also had a feeling that this wasn't any normal graduation. Something big was happening with the higher-ups and it involved Kenji. She didn't like it. After second guessing herself and hesitating. She resolved herself. She would abandon everything for Kenji, even if it meant sacrificing herself. She geared up and left a note on the counter next to a pot of fresh soup.
The note read, ”Kenji, if I'm not home when you return then please continue to complete your graduation. My gut told me to, so I'm checking up on something. Don't worry about me, please. I have faith in you. I'll be back in a couple of days. I love you.” -Mom
Aya opened the front door and took one last look at her home where she raised her boy. She felt sad, but she was doing this for Kenji's sake. She closed the door and flickered away.
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Kenji and his team woke up in a barely lit room. All four of them were strapped down to chair by ropes, restraining their hands behind them and feet to the chair. The team had their backs to each other with a light bulb dangling above them. Kenji noticed apiece of paper was taped to the wall backwards, hiding whatever it told. He secretly activated his sharingan and focused on the words.
”That paper says 'Trial One : Escape the Room and find your way to the compound.' I think.” Kenji explained. He quickly shut his eyes off.
”How can you see that?” Hansuke asked.
”I have good eyes I guess.”
When Kenji started assessing the situation, the walls made a clanging noise like gears moving inside them. Then, all four walls began to slowly move in. A terrible scraping sound rang out from the friction of stone walls and flooring.
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In the middle of the Hidden Mist Village, Aya flashed across rooftops one by one. She eventually stopped. She looked around and made sure she actually wanted to do this. There was no question. Of course she wanted to keep her child safe.
Aya spent around ten seconds weaving signs as fast as possible. She reached the last sign and held it. A deep breath and closed eyes brought her confidence.
”Cloak Jutsu.” Aya muttered.
Her body disappeared and any trace of her presence was gone. The only drawback of this jutsu, is it's easy to spot her when she moves, to the naked eye. As long as she stays still, not even a sensory ninja can detect her. Back in the day, she would accompany this jutsu with the Hidden Mist Jutsu, but no one knew about her cloak because everyone that saw it died.