A Senju Tale: Change of Fate - 13 First Blood

The next morning, the group woke up and packed up their camp. While they were doing this, Jiraiya approached Nawaki and asked, “So what’s with the sword? I haven’t seen you with it before.” Nawaki turned to his sensei and replied, “Okaa san gave this to me before we left. It belonged to Oji san.” Hearing this, Jiraiya’s eyes widened. Then he said, “I guess I’ll have to find you a kenjutsu teacher then. If possible, you should put it away for now so that it does not get in the way.”

Nawaki nodded and put the sword into his inventory. Once the group was ready to head out again, they got back into formation and continued their journey. Three days then went by without anything happening.

On the fourth day, they traveled for a few hours before approaching the mission area. As they approached, Nawaki could sense that the energy in the area was disturbed and could feel residual chakra from various ninjutsu. Noticing this, he turned to Shukaku and said, “It seems as if some of the bandits are rogue ninja. I can sense a battle that recently took place.” Shukaku nodded and had his team stop to plan their course of action.

Once they stopped, Nawaki and Shukaku made eye contact and nodded. Without delay, Nawaki sat down into the lotus position and began to meditate. He stretched out his sensing capabilities to the max. He could cover a large portion of the forest due to all of the trees in the area. Shukaku waited a few moments and then asked, “You see anything?” Nawaki opened his eyes and nodded before saying, “I can sense a large group of around 40 people about 4 miles to the Southeast. Most of them are nothing to be worried about but a few of them seem like they might be at least chunin level. Maybe 5 or 6 of them fit into that category” Shukaku sighed and then said, “That is troublesome.” Shukaku then thought for about a minute and then said, “Listen up. I will tell you guys our plan now.”

While this was happening, the people in the bandit camps were lazing around. Suddenly, a voice called out, “Men, it’s time. Let’s pack up and get ready for today. We have to set up early so we can be ready for any caravans that come through today.” As he finished talking, the men cheered and got busy. After a few minutes, they all left camp barring a few that stayed back to keep watch.

They slowly moved through the forest and approached the road that they usually set up around. The group split in half and hid in the trees on each side of the road and waited. After about an hour, a group of merchants with large carts being pulled by pack mules approached their ambush. As they came closer, the bandits waited impatiently.

The moment finally arrived. As the caravan reached the target area, the bandits surrounded them. The merchants and their families screamed in fear as the bandits took out their weapons. Their leader then said, “Listen up. If you want to live, you’ll follow my instructions…”

While he continued his speech, six shadows approached the back side of the largest grouping of bandits. Suddenly a rumbling sound could be heard. As the sound got louder, a huge spinning object charged towards the bandits. As it approached, a wooden ramp rose from the ground and guided the object into a curved path that went right through the group of bandits. At the same time, a wooden wall also rose to surround the caravan. A few of the bandits turned around but did not have time to react. The rolling object barreled through the crowd and took around 20 people. As the object reached the side of the road, it stopped.

Uncurling, Choza stood up with a look of satisfaction on his face as he threw two kunai into the ground next to him. As they hit the ground, Nawaki holding Inoichi and Shikaku and Minato holding Fugaku appeared next to them. Immediately, Fugaku and Minato charged forward to engage the group.

Most of the bandits ran forward to meet the attacking Konoha ninja while 6 of them stepped back. The two genin made quick work of the initial group. All that remained were the 6 genins and 6 bandits. The last of the bandits were presumably the rogue ninja that Nawaki felt. One of the bandits spoke up saying, “You kids are gonna regret that. You should have just minded your own business.”

Shukaku analyzed the situation and turned to his team before saying, “Everyone pick an opponent. We number at 6 a piece. Nawaki, you take the strongest one.” Upon hearing this, Nawaki nodded and sensed the 6 bandits in front of them. The one standing farthest back appeared to be the strongest. He turned to his team and said, “I’ll take the one in the back. After that, you guys have some fun!”

Nawaki immediately charged at the bandits. In an effort to surround him, the bandits fanned out. As they did, the rest of the genin engaged one target each. Almost simultaneously, all the fights began. Aside from Nawaki, the fights were pretty even. Both the genin and the bandits landed some hits but with no major impact. For Nawaki’s fight, he was being utterly out classed. He was being pushed farther and farther back.

Once his back was up against the forest, Nawaki smiled. As he did this, the bandit hit him with his weapon. What happened next surprised the bandit. Instead of blood, wood chips flew off of Nawaki’s body. At the moment it was revealed that this Nawaki was a wood clone, Nawaki substituted with the clone. The bandits eyes widened as he scanned Nawaki’s body. He seemed wary of the markings on Nawaki’s face.

Before the bandit could even react, Nawaki flickered behind him and knocked him out with a blow to the neck. After tying him up, Nawaki went to support his teammates. As he ran over, he noticed that one of the bandits was about to stab Shikaku with his sword. In a split second, Nawaki flickered to the bandit and killed him with one punch to the side of the head. Shortly after, all of the bandits had been dealt with. Four of the six remaining bandits were dead.

Once the fight was over, Nawaki plopped down on the ground and just stared at his hands. He had never killed someone before. He did not know how to feel. Even though the kill was justified, he still felt grief. As someone who used to be an aspiring doctor, he took an oath to never take a life. However, the world he now lived in was a very different place. There are countless scenarios where it is either kill or be killed. Nawaki got back to his feet as he came to the realization that he would need to get used to killing if he wanted to survive and protect those that he loves.

As Nawaki looked at the rest of his team, he noticed that Fugaku, Minato, and Choza were also going through the same thought process since they also killed their opponent. Even before the final skirmish, Choza had killed most of the bandits he hit with his human boulder jutsu. Once the group regained their composure, Shikaku said, “For the dead ones, let’s take the bodies and put them into scrolls. For the 8 that are still alive, is it possible to teleport them back to the village?”

Nawaki and Minato nodded. Nawaki then said, “Fugaku can handle sealing the dead ones. Minato and I will teleport the detained bandits back to Konoha and then make one more trip to grab you guys.” Shikaku smiled hearing this. He then said, “Let’s get to it then.”

It took them about an hour to seal all of the dead bandits and teleport the group back to Konoha. While they tidied up, Nawaki lowered the wood wall that protected the caravan and informed them that the bandits had been dealt with. In addition, Jiraiya and Tsunade came out of hiding to praise their students on a job well done.

Once back in Konoha, the group turned the detained bandits over to the police and went to turn in their mission report. When they handed in their report, they were informed that the Hokage wanted to see them once they finished their mission. The eight of them got to the Hokage’s office and knocked. From the other side of the door, a voice called out saying, “Come in.”

The group entered and bowed before Hiruzen. Hiruzen then asked, “I have heard that there were some rogue ninja among the bandits. I have to say that I am impressed with you six. From what I have heard, you put on quite the show. You even fully protected the caravan that they were attacking. Well done. I am also under the impression that some of you killed for the first time. Death goes hand in hand with ninja work. Some missions are completely based around the elimination of a target. I am sure that you are wrestling with your emotions regarding that. I am here to talk if any of you need help.”

Nawaki then said, “Thank you Hokage sama.” The other five nodded in agreement. Hiruzen smiled and then said, “That is all. Aside from Nawaki, you are all dismissed.” Nawaki then stepped off to the side while the rest of the two teams shuffled out. When the door closed, Hiruzen turned to Nawaki and said, “As per your request, I have organized the meeting regarding the sharingan. It will take place tomorrow morning in the council room. I look forward to your presentation.”

Nawaki’s eyes lit up. He was waiting for this moment. His chance to prove himself and make a lasting impact on this world. Nawaki then said, “Thank you Hokage sama. If you don’t I must go home to prepare.” Hiruzen smiled and replied, “Of course, you are dismissed. See you in the morning.” Nawaki smiled and turned to leave as he said, “Thank you, see you in the morning.”