What lies beyond

Sitting behind hokage desk yen took a sip of water. As he had an hour wait as he relaxed. He deserved it the time to relax was a precious thing to do. The village was functioning. After his hour of breaks he allowed in the next visitor. The boy walked in after a bit speaking up apologizing.

"What is your request."

Yen listened and smiled slightly. Here the boy showed o fear walking up. But his thoughts were not fully organized. Yet another genin seeking more, but yet they did not know where that road leads to. They simply seek more. Experience it was costly. More than simply paying off an weapon being forged. It could be,the good, the bad,and the deadly.what determined it was the person.

placing it all out. Seems like many desire more, but that is what matters. More lime light. A chance to test their skills, and yet they are not exactly seeking it with hopes of their knowledge focusing on their home... i guess ill bite for a minute.

Yen thought as he sighed and pointed to the boy to sit down as he reached into his drawer and pulled out a box of cards placing them on the table in front of the boy.

"Akarui i want you to pick a card from that deck of cards. Dont look untill you picked it please"

Yen stated calmly as he folded his hands on the table observing the boy as he picked the card. What he was looking for? Was it to complete a simple task? Or was it to see the boys reactions? Yen knew what it was. How fast he would grab a card,or would he hesitate. Something even in a simple task he could glean a crumb of truth from the boys actions.

"Take your time if you wish."

Confusion was shown by the boy which made yen smile softly as he spoke up as the boy  was moving to pick a card.

"Now what if the card you picked would play a part with the way i will see you now?"

Yen joked as he was amused at this. The boy now had another thing to think about. But there was a reason.

"You never asked if there were additional conditions you see young akauri. But to blindly pick is to show blind obedience to something.with such blindness it is nice, but  a leader must have conviction and spine in their choice. If you belive this. You may pick a royal card, but if you desire to be led. Choose a number card."

But he left out the ace for a moment as he went silent and leaned forward.

"But if you deem yourself one of a kind. The top of the brass.best of best.why dont you pick an Ace."

The simple playing of the card game was simple as he was going to be having fun now with this boy. It was amusing as he now had an idea. To simply groom the boy to something of an tool. It would make the boy hesitate,and thst was the point.

"This is what it means to make choices,how you act,and are out there. Reflects what this village is capable of. So with this it is likely you are picking your future role too. That's why you take your time. Accumilate your dreams and desires. Balance what you wish to see in yourself. As others see in you. Then show me the card."

The boy hesitated again as yen now smiled looking fondly at the boy. He finally was getting it. Blind requests and blind obedience. Even his own insects had greater individualism. Which made him smile. The aburame watched curious of the boy's card as he reached for it a few seconds later. His face showed the greater of his reaction
The scrutiny in his draw. Bad luck even,and heck perhaps frustration.

Still the boy answered as with another question as yen did not reply but confidently reached towards the semi top of the deck of cards. And pulled out without looking at it a 3 of clubs.

"The king represents to me the willingness to guide and lead but no king is not without its servants,or confidence in themselves. A king is built by experience,or otherwise their over confidence is the down fall of not themselves, but what they hold as precious. The 3 means that while it may be low. I know that even an insect can be deadly. They also look up the hierarchy and it may not be the next day or week.but maybe thousands of years be a king."

Yen stated as he looks back at the boy and spoke again.

"A king is powerful,but what does the king look up to? What is the king driving besides their goal for many? If they are given leadership without the trials before. Then the king falls with their kingdom.a leader helps lther rise up. But a tyrant.despite loons,words,znd accomplishments good,or great. Still do not bring up others."

Yen stated as hesmiled and pointed to the boy again.

"Grab another card. What do you believe of your actions,and what they may do? Do you trust in the unknown chaos before you to draw your luck?"

the boy drew a 9 which lead to his speech. in fact the boy believed he fully was a 9 of hearts which amused yen greatly. yes akarrui had jumped up in value having shown the rescilence to play along. his hesitation turned more from an means of uncertaincy to now more unable to tell what to do. it only became clear to yen the boy explained that his father spoke a truth. which in itself spoke alot. the boy had direction to say the least. he was not a chicken running to eat, but proving more.

"you wish to be a jack. then yes your father is correct. by experience it means you gain wisdom. and know what to do, and not to do. but to be a village ace, a king, a jack, or any high number. the owner of the hand must trust you. you may beat an 8 , or below in value. in fact you havd earned your value by doing as i asked. obedience, and respect is gained through showing me your desire to improve."

yen stated pleased with the boy and drawing his final card. the Ace of spades as he glanced the boy over. speaking.

" I will not just magically give you experience. words are merelybwords. you must go out and experience these things. butbifbyour actions and results align with the desires of konoha. that is where you will reach your desired value. A kage cannot just tell a person they are fit for something. the person must prove it. so i will grant you your chance. to go from a 9 to a jack."

yen spoke softly as it was not somevtestvfor the boy to take. writen exams, ideals no. in yens experience action spoke louder than words. he learned that in his defeats, and misfallings. A loyal person did not need to say they were loyal, but prove it by their actions. like a dog did not need to say it loved it's master. it grew with trust. but trust of course rooted from direct confrontation. something which this boy met the critera to earn his first keep.

yen passed the Ace to the genin as it slid across the tabld and stopped in front of him.

"infomation keeps us safe, and infomation keeps us ahead. i will allow you to go gather what intel you can. choose a land, and depart. but you will wantbto be the jack yes. a jack is a face value card. in this case you will have to do it alone. any people or faces you meet. list them out."

yen stated as he stared the boy dead in the eye with his single eye. he was serious but still kind as he spoke the manifestation of his display of power shimmered behind him as a wall that seemed impassable. spanning higher and enclosing around the area. blotching the sun from existence. there was light, but not from the sun, only emitting from the wall. all that was there was the wall. it was yens embodiment of the will of fire. untempered,unbroken, and could not be broken. As the genin would understand yen meant business. (display of power used)

yens voice was clear and held still a kind beat. no killing intent but pure power and control. his words were no joke either. and he meant each word he spoke to the boy.

"you have 3 weeks and will depart tomarrow. Otherwise your value from a 9 will be discarded. understand?"

yen maintained the display of power so the boy understood the gravity of yens words.