Train Trials

Missions:

The big day was finally here! Tenizen was excited to go on his very first mission as a ninja hidden in the mist. It was a big deal for him to get this particular mission and it showed the village had a lot of trust in him. The consequences for failure would be extreme. He had gone on many assassination missions before but not as a shinobi. It was different now that he was living within the village. He wanted to prove his value and worth as more than a pure killer, he wanted to show that the village was right to trust him. He couldn’t afford to fail now! He needed to keep improving if he really had the intention of being the greatest swordsman alive!

Tenizen donned his black ronin robes and picked up his two twin katanas. He fastened one on his back and the other to his right hip. The way they were set up he could reach across his body and draw a blade with either hand. He didn't really have anything other than his blades to pack in preparation of his mission. He didn’t really own much equipment other than those. He would have to work on rectifying that in the future! He never needed a lot of supplies to be an assassin, a ninja on the other hand should always be well equipped for every possible situation.

The mission assignment was to help the Kekada clan maintain production of their famous senbons. Bandits have disrupted their supply chain during transport and the company was taking heavy losses. The pattern of the attacks suggests that information is being leaked from within. Now the leader of the Kekada clan wants to oversee transport personally to help lure out the mole. Tenizen was instructed to protect the leader of the company and guard a train with one of the largest shipments of senbon ever produced.

The job seemed relatively straight forward. The clan leader would be surrounded by his own personal protection unit. Tenizen was really just additional manpower. He doubted if they really even needed him or not. Most likely he would see a couple people get arrested and then they would arrive at their destination shortly after. The mission sounded kind of boring but Tenizen was still trying to make the best of it. Part of him hoped that something really bad would happen to make this mission more memorable!

The train was much grander than he was expecting it to be. It was over fifty carts long and was painted a brilliant gold and silver. The first couple cars were all luxury suites and common rooms designed for smooth traveling. The rest of the train were supply cars carrying dozens of senbon behind them. The train was so long it must have gone on for about a quarter mile. There was a lot of real estate that needed to be protected.

Tenizen found himself located at the very end of the luxury cars when he boarded. The car in front of him was the dining hall and every one behind him was the storage cars. He was stationed too far away to see the company owner. He had seen him in passing when he was checking in but other than that there was zero contact. About ten private security guards stood in between him and the vip. Most of them seemed grizzled and experienced. When they saw Tenizen the men howled with laughter at his childlike appearance. Jokes were bandied about left and right at his expense. A few of the men even started complaining about being sent a kid and threatening to file a complaint.

Ten ignored all these complaints and performed his duty with vigilance. He didn’t really care what any of them thought. Ten was able to tell that none of them were on his level. He was a hundred percent  confident he could beat every single one of them. Not a single one of them was even as strong as the weakest of genin. It would be easy to overtake the entire train if he wanted to.

The train labored out of the station and mere moments later everyone was zipping through the countryside. From where Tenizen was stationed he had a good vantage point of everybody in the dining hall and the back of the train. Now that the train was in motion he was starting to get a little nervous. Nothing out of the ordinary caught his attention but a bad feeling was gnawing at his stomach. He couldnt put his finger on what was bothering him but there was definitely a problem brewing. His left hand instinctively grasped the handle of one of his katanas. His instincts told him that it wouldn’t be long before trouble popped off.

Tenizen lept to the roof of the train. He gripped the cool metal with the chakra stored in his feet to keep himself from falling off. From here he had a great vantage point of everything happening around the train. He was surprised to see that all the windows on the train were replaced with metal coverings. All the doors had humongous locks on them. The locomotive looked nearly impenetrable. It would be almost impossible to force your way in with pure strength.

When Tenizen inspected his surroundings he noticed a small tunnel inside of a mountain a couple miles up the road. Tenizen was convinced that if somebody were going to hijack the train then that would be the best spot to board. His enemies were already much closer than he anticipated and he didn't have much time. He just knew that serious trouble was on the way.

The young genin started to race to the front of the train. When the train was about to enter the tunnel he dropped in between where two cars connected to avoid detection. He suppressed his chakra like he naturally always did to better conceal presence. The train entered the tunnel and everything immediately went dark. A few moments later small thunks could be heard echoing from the roofs of three different cars. Tenizen could tell by the sound that a handful of bandits had just landed on the back of the train. He couldn’t tell exactly how many but it was definitely no less than five.

Tenizen intensely debated on what he should do next. The mission was to protect the company owner, everybody else was technically expendable! He had to make sure he made it and that the goods got to where they needed to go. If he confronted the thieves head on and lost then the mission would be a failure. None of those security guards could save the boss. If he didn't fight and just protected the vip, then all of those security guards were surely going to die!

His enemy wasted no time in making their way to the front of the train. The Vip was in the second car right in front of him. If he could get over that car to the third cart then he could cut them off before there was any real casualties. Since the doors and windows are locked they would have to get passed him in order to reach the second car. Tenizen determined his best bet would be to head them off and settle this outside once and for all before anybody got hurt!
Maximum Effort!

Ten flipped over the railing and used his wall running technique to run down the side of the train at full speed. He picked up a tremendous amount of speed while staying well out of sight. He could hear his enemies approaching and used their sounds to time his next move. When he got to the end of the second car he flung himself over the side of a train and above the roof while drawing his swords. He let his momentum carry him in freefall as the train accelerated in the opposite direction. The boost in speed caused him to meet the first two bandits by surprise like a speeding bullet. The distance between the warriors was closed in an instant. Tenizen drew both swords while corkscrewing through the air and sliced each bandit in half one after the other. His blows hit hit more like a warhammer then a katana. Tenizen used the collision force of each killing impact to slow himself down. He came to a rolling halt across the roof and looked to take on the remaining forces.

To his dismay only one warrior lay in front of him. The other two could be spotted heading down to the door between the third and fourth car. This made no sense to Tenizen since the door should be locked. He tried to see if he could glimpse their identity but all three wore hoods so it was nigh impossible. Tenizen was clearly blocked off from preceding by the warrior in front of him. He needed to finish this quickly so he could stop the other two from hurting anybody.

Damn is someone going to let them in? If they do then everybody on the inside of the train is dead! This has to be an inside job! This is way more dangerous then i first thought.I can't afford to waste time here! I refuse to let Mr. Kekada die!

The two swordsmen crossed blades with the intention of killing. Tenizen’s small stature looked odd fighting the hooded adult. The man was able to defend against the high speed and unpredictable nature of Tenizen’s dual wielding style. The young genin was striking so fast the blades themselves could barely be seen by the naked eye but it didn't matter, his opponent skillfully blocked every attack! The sparks and echoing ring from metal clanging together merged with the roaring engine and whooshing wind from the traveling train.

His enemy blocking his way was no slouch. That was made clear after the first couple clashes the two had. Tenizen tried to take him down with a whirlwind of strikes but his opponent blocked every single one. His defense was phenomenal. It was clear he was very well trained. He left no real openings even if he was a little slower than the young Genin was. The man seemed to be at the extent of his capabilities though. Tenizen knew that if he could up the pace then he would walk away from this fight as the winner. He wasn’t even close to giving it his all yet!

Tehnizen heard a loud clicking sound mid fight that caught his attention and caused him to stop. It was the sound of the door to the inside of the third car opening. The only way that was possible was if somebody opened it up from the inside.

They have someone working for them on the inside! That makes at least four enemies I still have to take down. Security is bound to meet those two who went inside once they realize what is going on if nothing has happened to them. They should hopefully stall those guys just long enough for me to catch up. I have to finish this quickly before it's too late! I can’t afford to waste any more time with this trash!

It was just moments after the two bandits disappeared when a blood curdling scream echoed from inside the car beneath him. It was followed by the howl of hysteria and multiple voices screaming in a panicked unison. People were dying in the train below him at a rapid rate. His first real mission was turning into an absolute disaster! He had to fix this now!

Tenizen began to take in a lot of air while he looked his opponent down for a weak spot. He filled his lungs until they felt like they were going to explode. He let the oxygen permeate throughout his body and fill his blood. Each beat of his heart empowered his muscles and increased his physical capabilities. He activated his Total Concentration Breathing technique and a sudden rush of adrenaline and power coursed through him. Wind whipped around him like an ominous aura as he prepared his attack.

The next move happened in the blink of an eye. Ten dashed forward so quickly that to his opponent it looked like he disappeared. When he reappeared behind his opponent the thieves head was already detached from his body and falling towards the ground. Tenizen stood back to back with the man with his left handed sword extended fully out at his side. Drops of blood dripped off the black blade and fell harmlessly on the train’s roof. Just like that this fight was over!

Tenizen relaxed his breathing and the backlash of his stamina being drained from Total Concentration Breathing could be felt right away. His legs wobbled beneath him and he struggled to maintain his balance. It quickly passed and he was able to move normally. He knew that he would need that technique again if he wanted to win this. He would only be able to use it a couple more times so he needed to be real smart with his stamina usage.

When he dropped in between the third and fourth car to follow the bandits his suspicions were confirmed. The door into the third car was swinging wide open with no visible signs of forced entry. A horror scene lay in the train before him. Bodies were strewn all across the car and individual limbs were separated from their body. The interior was painted in blood from one side of the car to the other. At the back side of the car were the two hood individuals and one other.

That motherfucker!

Tenizen recognized the third guy immediately. It was the chief of Mr Kekada's security. Ten was forced to report to him when he checked in for this mission. It was this guy who assigned him to the back of the train with the supplies. The no good bastard was clearly the mole. The three were just about to make their way from the third car to the second where Mr. Kekada was.

I can still make it in time! I just need to hurry!

For the second time tonight Tenizen activated his Total Concentration Breathing. The familiar rush of power took hold of him as the oxygen filled his body. All the air in the car seemed to be drawn to him as he focused his breathing for one attack. Tenizen blitzed towards the three men with his blades drawn to chop them down in a flash like he did the previous man. Both of his weapons were amplified by a thin layer of chakra that enveloped each blade thanks to his Flying Swallow technique. They were as sharp as they possibly could be. Cutting through human flesh would be as easy as cutting through water especially at the insane speed it was moving at.

Tenizen met the chief of security first with his blade. He was the closest of the three devils to him. His sword impaled him in the center of the throat with zero resistance. Ten flicked his blade sideways, ignoring the resistance from the tissue around it, and pulled the blade out of the side of the man's head with a violent spurt of blood. The man hit the ground with his head only attached to his neck with a thin layer of flesh,

The second gentleman went to reach for his blade but Tenizen severed his arm before he even had the chance. The man let out a horrific scream but Ten slit his throat so quickly that it faded as quickly as it occurred. With only one man left, Tenizen continued his assault. He swung his blade to cut the enemy in half at the waist. To his surprise his blade was blocked by the enemy's own katana. The speed and strength that his enemy blocked his enhanced attack unnerved Tenizen. It was far too skilled to just be some random thug!

You have improved since I last saw you, Tenizen! I'm almost impressed! You could almost pass for being a swordsman now! If only the Master could see you now!

Tenizen recognized the voice immediately. It sent shivers down his spine as it had his entire life growing up. His knuckles turned white as fists clenched around his swords with pure indridaled hatred. Sweat started to pour down the young kid's face and his robotically trained breathing grew erratic and frantic. The man went to remove his hood and slowly revealed the fully expected horizontal scar that ran underneath his eyes. His identity couldn’t be mistaken. It was none other than one of his master’s four generals, Taka Inojin!

What the fuck is he doing here? This is really bad! I can’t beat him! He is going to kill us all! That's it, it's over! No, I can't think like that! I'm not the same little kid he used to pick on! I am a Genin of Kirigakure! I can do this. I can kill this guy! He will be the first step I take on my path towards revenge! I will kill them all!

Pure rage gripped the Genin! His mind raced through the countless times his master would make him and Taka duel. Out of the four generals Taka was the weakest, but definitely the cruelest. He used to take pleasure in beating on Tenizen from the time he could walk. Taka was only a couple years older than he was and he was always jealous that the master would Train privately and nobody else. It created additional animosity that the general would take out on the young boy during their training sessions.

What are you doing here Taka? What is Katon Kage playing at?

Tenizen tried to keep it short and sweet. He didnt care what the asshole's answer was, he already knew how things were destined to play out from here. A fight was unavoidable! He really only used the opportunity of striking up a dialogue to gain control over his breathing once more. His body was already itching for combat now that the shock of the situation wore off.

Don't worry about things that don't concern you anymore traitor! I'm going to bring you back kicking and screaming to the master. He is very much looking forward to seeing you again! You have a lot of things to answer for Tenizen. Master will be most pleased if bring you back in pieces so why don't you put your swords down and come quietly. You can’t beat me anyways, I know you know that! I also know you are too stubborn to just give up!

How bout this,  you fight me one on one on top of this train just like we used to in the good old days! If you win we will leave Mr. Kekada and his company alone forever. Master will hunt you to the ends of the earth so i cant promise you your freedom, but i can promise you at least that much. We are nothing if not honorable! Now if i win, you will stand there and watch me kill Mr Kekada right in front of you and then you will come along quietly back to the hideout. How does that sound little tiny Tenny?  

Ten seethed with rage at the mocking and belittling tone Taka was using. The thought of going back to his old master made his skin crawl. He would never allow that! They would have to kill him first! Tenizen had heard enough of this crap. That arrogant piece of shit needed to be put in his place. He nodded in agreement of the terms and made his way to the opening between the second and third cars where Taka was standing. They both stood shoulder to shoulder right before jumping to the roof of the train. Taka had to have at least a foot and a half on him in height. His body was that of a man while Tenizen was still only Ten years old. It looked about as unfair of a fight as anybody could ask for.

The two swordsman walked side by side to the center of the second car. They both walked a circle around each other before raising their weapons and making their way to different ends of the train car. The two had an intense staring contest as they sized each other up. Memories of the countless sparring matches they had in the past came rushing through Tenizens mind. Taka was such a savage fighter. He was incredibly strong and fast, his reflexes were sharp, and his brutality was infamous! His only weakness is that he tends to inflict pain instead of the killing blow to prolong his opponents suffering. He took great joy in torturing Tenizen while justifying it as a sparring match. This was Tenizen’s shot at revenge! He could prove just how strong he has gotten since joining Kirigakure!

When they eventually decided it was time to duel, Ten charged forward with both his swords trailing behind him on either side. He clung low to the ground as he approached, his nose and chest was just mere inches off the ground as he ran. His small stature looked even more tiny and compact at that moment. The chakra being infused into his blade caused a menacing aura to form around him. When he got within striking range he sprung into the air and spun around violently like a top. He began a flip on the way down and brought his two blades careening down on Taka one after another with the additional speed and momentum.
Taka blocked both the attacks effortlessly and a wide grin broke across his face. Frustrated, Ten followed up with a flurry of attacks. Taka slowly walked backward while carefully deflecting Tenizens' attacks with one hand. Ten's blades just couldn’t seem to reach no matter how hard or fast he swung. Taka’s technique was nearly flawless. His single katana had no trouble keeping up with both of Tenizen’s and he looked like he was just playing with the poor boy! After one particularly violent interaction, Tenizen noticed a small crack in Taka’s blade that wasn’t there previously. Tenizen realized his weapon infusion was causing small chips and knicks to unknowingly accumulate in Taka’s blade. They were small but potentially useful.

Is that all you have little Tenny? You will never win at that level. Know your place!

Tenizen tried not to let his enemy get to him mentally. He now had a strategy, he just needed to live long enough to see it to fruition. He was now having enough trouble physically as it was that he couldn’t afford to think about anything but the fight at hand! His opponent switched from a defensive to an offensive style of swordplay. He was raining down strike after strike at Tenizen while laughing maniacally. The young Genin struggled to block and evade them all. Multiple small gashes started accruing all throughout his body from failed attempts.If he was even a fraction of a second slower he would already have died multiple times.

The small statured swordsman couldn’t keep up with his enemies' ferocity. His muscles already ached and a long scratch across his forehead had started to drip blood into Ten’s eyes. With his vision blurred he could barely see the attacks that were coming at him anymore. He felt a hot burning sensation in his stomach and he realized he had been stabbed. Taka had missed all his vital organs but it was bleeding profusely. Taka could have killed him then if he truly wanted. Taka purposefully chose to miss the killing blow. He was playing with him now like he used to when Tenizen was younger.

TThe gight continued and Tenizen was driven back all the way to the end of the train car that they were standing on. He was running out of room to retreat and his body was slowing down. He was totally outclassed. When he ran out of steps backward a heinous laugh came out of Taka’s mouth. The crime general sent a vicious downward slice straight down at Tens head. It was at that moment when Tenizen spotted one of the miniture chips he had made into Taka’s blade expand across the middle of his blade. That small sight filled him with a newfound sense of determination to win this skirmish!

Tenizen took in a huge breath and activated his Total Concentration Breathing Technique for the final time. The boost it gave him in speed was just enough to be able to sidestep the attack by mere inches. Ten followed it up by using his small size to execute a combat roll right in between the enemies legs to pop up right behind him. He turned around and began pressing the attack with a fury of blows now that his opponent was the one backed into the corner.

His infused Katans beat on Taka’s blade repeatedly. Even with his speed boost, Ten couldn’t break through Taka’s guard right away. Tenizen refused to quit though. He let all his fury out on the general. Attack after attack bounced harmlessly off of Taka’s blade. Eventually the Genins ferocity and determination would reward him by putting a thin gash on the general's cheek. It was a small victory but satisfying nonetheless!

The wound pissed Taka off and he countered one of Ten's strikes immediately with a level of strength not seen yet. The force sent Tenizen flying backwards at high speed and stopped his offensive assault. Tenizen quickly regained his balance in the air and glided back to safety with his feet sliding smoothly across the metal train roof. The two warriors stood on opposite ends of the car and entered another mini stare down with each other. Tenizen was struggling to maintain his Total Concentration Breathing at this point. His lungs burned and the numerous nicks and slices he accrued were starting to take its toll. Just standing felt like a challenge!

You have improved a lot Tenizen, I will give you that! Let's face the facts though, you can't win. Let's get this over with Tenny! I have things to do and business nobles to kill!

The two warriors charged each other once more for a final clash. Tenizen inhaled an insane amount of air to fuel his Total Concentration Breathing. The air literally ignited as he applied his flame breathing to it. The smoldering hot air scorched his lungs and caused smoke to come billowing out of his nostrils. Ten infused all his chakra into his blades causing flames to burn and twist violently around his swords and up his arms. The air around him became super heated and the entire aura of his being became more intense and deadly.

He poured as much of his souland chakra into his last attack as he could muster. The intense heat caused both blades to shine cherry red in his tiny hands. This one last final clash would decide everything! He knew he would only get this one attack in before Taka would finish him off. If he couldn’t end it here then it was game over! That could not be allowed to happen!

Tenizen ran with his arms crossed and his blades trailing behind him ready to do a dual horizontal slash. Taka came down with a thunderous strike to cleave Tenizen in half. Tenizen let out a war cry as the two warriors met in the middle of the train with a violent clash. The force of the blades meeting produced a literal bang and an intense flash of light. Shockwaves of heated air rippled in the air away from where the two attacks met. The two warriors stood in a stalemate of immense power! Tenizen’s biceps and wrists felt like they were going to snap as he worked to overpower the attack!

Just a little more! Don't give up now! You can do it! You can win!

Tenizen kept trying to give his attack more and more. He pushed his two blades harder against Taka’s but no matter how much he gave, it just didn't seem like it was going to be enough. Right when it felt like he was going to be overpowered, Taka’s blade suddenly broke in two. Ten’s twin katana’s proceeded to carry forward and cleave Taka right in two. His top half slipped from his body and rolled right over the side of the train and skipped off the ground below until it was out of sight, the legs just fell harmlessly backwards with a thump.

All that attacking with his infused weapon finally paid off. There was no way to beat him in a battle of skill, but he could wear his weapon down enough to cause it to break. The chips in the blade he created earlier gave him the idea. He just needed to completely pound on that spot like he did previously to seriously wear it down just up until it was about to break. When it came time for the final clash he never stood a chance!

Tenizen took a moment to appreciate his victory. This man had tormented him relentlessly since he was a baby. He took countless beatings at this man's hands. He strangely almost felt a little disheartened by it. Taka had been a major character in his life. He was also one of the few people who really understood where Ten came from and just how hard his upbringing actually was. They had fought side by side and shared bread once upon a time. He didn't feel bad because he was dead, it was more like he felt bad because a piece of himself, a living record of his past, died with him!

Good riddance! We will fight it out again in hell!

Tenizen sheathed both of his blades and took a moment of silence for his former teacher. His legs trembled and he barely had the energy left to stand. The threat was gone but he still needed to check on Mr. Kekada and any survivors. He made his way back between the second and third car and dropped down off the roof onto the back of the second car. The door was still locked from the inside. Tenizen looked  behind him and through the open door of the third car. The countless bodies strewn across the car burned an image into his memory he would not forget. He couldn’t help but feel responsible for their deaths. If he would have been faster he could have prevented all of this!

Mr Kekada, my name is Tenizen! I am a shinobi from Kirigakure that was hired to protect you. I have defeated the thieves but sadly your security team has been wiped out. We should arrive at our destination in the next twenty minutes. Please stay there until we arrive for your protection. I will not let anything happen to you, I promise!

The train finished its journey and pulled into the station. A small army of law enforcement and private security was waiting for them. Tenizen was quickly surrounded and he raised his arms away from his blades to show that he meant no harm. He debriefed the security team and they proceeded to extract Mr. Kekada from his personal vault while continuing to surround him. The vip nodded towards Tenizen in appreciation as he exited the second train car. He proceeded to exit the train without a word, not even a thank you.

Tenizen got a bad feeling down his spine! He couldn’t put his finger on ,it but his instincts told him that Mr. Kekada was up to no good! Something just told him that this would not be the last encounter with the business noble. Whatever his master was after was directly coordinated to Mr. Kekada and his business. Time would eventually tell the truth!

[Exit]

WC 5340

Claims:

Ten wrote:

Missions:

[Exit]

WC 5340

Claims:

Approved