Gessen Instructor

There had been reports about a strange figure skulking around the grave where Kurokage had been laid to rest. He was a controversial figure so it had been suspected it was an evil or renegade ninja that wanted to send a message by defacing the infamous shinobi's grave site. What wasn't expected however was for the culprit to also spend their time thwarting muggers and returning lost pets. It certainly didn't seem like the actions of a vandal.

 

After weeks scouts believed they had a trail on the figure as well as their identity and Hanzou stepped in himself to face them. There were hushed voices that protested but the old man set them straight by stating that Kurokage had once been his friend and that it should be up to him to ensure his old friend rested peacefully.

 

In a odd move the target had come out into the open, during daylight, to visit Kurokage's grave. They sat on the cold earth and stared blankly. Hanzou approached from behind, the target wasn't oblivious to his presence, they turned to face him and Hanzou was face-to-face with a young man.

 

"So it was you." Hanzou greeted the young man with a smile. It was just as the scouts had predicted, it was a young man and a shinobi. "Do you have a name?"

 

"You can call me Hajime."

 

"In that case you can call me Hanzou." Hanzou's smile made his moustache curl. The mere mention of his name made Hajime's eyes widen. The scouts had also been correct about the identity of the target, Hajime was a fellow good shinobi who had graduated several years ago. He was successful in his tasks but a loner. What had brought him here? "Did you come to visit the late Kurokage?"

 

Hajime's head sank "I always thought I would face him while he was still alive."

 

"You couldn't even bear to face him when he was dead." Hanzou grinned. Hajime scowled in return taking Hanzou's words as an insult. Hanzou crossed his arms; he was not done. "Even though you've faced the path of the shinobi with courage you faltered here. It seems there's something deeper you need to resolve."

 

Hajime stood up to leave "It doesn't matter. He's gone."

 

"Where will you go now?" Hanzou already knew the answer. Hajime had no family, had forgotten his friends and had'humble' living conditions. His life wasn't fitting of a young shinobi in Hanzou's eyes.

 

"I don't know yet but I will find something." It was just as Hanzou thought.

 

"A shinobi without purpose." Hanzou's words made Hajime stop in his tracks. The young man glared with a mix of defiance in his eyes but shoulders slumped in defeat. He had seen that face before and he wasn't willing to let this young man walk down the same path. "I have an offer for you. Something to change your tune. I'd like you to hear me out."

 

Hajime eyed him suspiciously "What is it?"

 

"I'd like you to assist me with a favour to a friend of mine." Hanzou was a legendary shinobi he had to have countless numbers of friends and acquaintances. Hajime's curiosity got the better of him and he continued to listen. "They have five elite team students with no instructor. I'm too preoccupied to look after them full-time so I need your help."

 

"Teaching? Isn't that for retirees?" Hajime scoffed "I'm a little young don't you think?"

 

"This will be your next mission; one that will finally give you the answers you seek." Hanzou rested his hands on Hajime's shoulders and made the young shinobi look him in the eyes. He smiled at Hajime in an effort to boost his spirit. "Consider it an order if need be."

 

"Well I can't refuse an order." Hajime smirked.

 

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The Gessen ninja room was filled with commotion: Yozakura called for Minori to clean up her toys, Murakumo chased Shiki down the halls with a scheme to get her to model a new scene and at the centre of it all was Yumi. Hanzou and Hajime navigated a minefield of plastic toy bricks that were splashed across the floor. The girls felt Hanzou's presence and rushed to greet him.

 

Minori helped in her own way and swept the bricks aside to clear a long narrow path. Yozakura scowled disapprovingly and told her to actually pick them up. Shiki brushed off her uniform and straightened her hair while Murakumo fixed her mask firmly to her face. Yumi gracefully glided over and bowed "We weren't expecting visitors."

 

"I told the students guarding the gate to keep it secret." Hanzou laughed. The old man took Hajime by the shoulders and presented him before the group "I'd like you to meet a friend of mine one that I think would make a fine instructor for you girls."

 

Hajime greeted them with a laid back pose and a wave. The group whispered amongst themselves: Yumi and Yozakura remarked that he was too young to be watching over them, Shiki and Murakumo considered that even with his scruffy appearance he wasn't all that bad looking to which Yozakura corrected them that in fact he was bad looking and they shouldn't think about instructors that way. Minori wondered what was taking so long and that she wanted to play again.

 

Yumi was the first to speak "Hanzou we were assured that you would look after us. As you promised."

 

"Don't worry, I'll still be here when you need me but I can't be here all the time. That's why he's here." Hanzou grinned and patted Hajime on the back.

 

"I'm willing to teach, if you're willing to have me." Hajime added with a courteous bow.

 

Yumi mused to herself for a while. "Fine but only on a trial basis."