Okay, here is the revised and expanded Chapter 9:
(Revised) Chapter 9: Needles, Tests, and Unexpected Steps
The wait stretched into the early afternoon. Sunlight warmed the classroom floor, creating lazy patterns of light and shadow. Ren sat meditating quietly, using the time to practice minute chakra control exercises internally and inch Basic Chakra Control closer to the coveted Level 10. Akari nervously reviewed basic kunai stances from an Academy handbook, her fingers tracing diagrams. Kenji, seemingly impatient, practiced basic punching katas in the corner, his movements earnest but lacking true refinement (Academy Taijutsu Lv. 2 proficiency visible). The contrast with Team 7's chaotic wait for Kakashi, unfolding elsewhere in the building according to distant shouts Ren occasionally picked up, was stark. Team 12 was quiet, tense, overshadowed by the reputation of their assigned Jonin.
Finally, just as genuine restlessness began to set in, a figure materialized in the doorway, leaning against the frame with an air of utter nonchalance that somehow commanded attention more effectively than a shout. Genma Shiranui. He wore the standard Konoha Jonin flak jacket over dark attire, but the defining features were the ever-present senbon held loosely between his teeth like a common toothpick and his calm, almost sleepy, eyes that seemed to miss nothing. Observe sprang into action, fueled by Ren's anticipation.
Observe: Genma Shiranui. Level: Jonin (High - Likely Elite Tier). HP: Very High (Est. 500+). CP: High (Est. 400+). Affinities: Water (Primary?), Wind (Secondary?). Skills: Kenjutsu (Senbon Specialization - Master+), Taijutsu (Expert), Ninjutsu (Water Style Adept?, Wind Style Novice?), Stealth (Master), Detection/Anti-Detection (Expert), ??? (Multiple skills obscured). Traits: Calm Under Pressure, Highly Perceptive, Laconic Wit, Extreme Loyalty (Hokage). Current Intent: Assess assigned Genin team thoroughly. Execute Hokage's secondary directive: Evaluate Orphan 'Ren' - Assess unique potential/control noted in exams. Emotional State: Neutral, Mild Curiosity, Professional Detachment.
The confirmation of the 'secondary directive' sent a jolt through Ren, quickly smoothed over by Gamer's Mind. The Hokage was watching him specifically, using Genma as his eyes. This Jonin wasn't just a teacher; he was an evaluator on a mission. The pressure instantly ramped up. Ren also noted the obscured skills and the Detection/Anti-Detection – trying to hide his System's use around Genma would be difficult, potentially impossible.
"Team 12?" Genma's voice was quiet, relaxed, yet carried effortlessly across the room. He shifted the senbon slightly in his mouth. "Meet me on the Academy rooftop. You have five minutes." And then he was gone, dissolving into a swirl of leaves that felt significantly faster and smoother than a standard Substitution – likely the Body Flicker Technique.
Ren exchanged brief glances with Akari and Kenji. No words were needed. They scrambled out of the classroom and up the stairs, emerging onto the flat, sun-baked rooftop. The wind here was stronger, carrying the sounds of the village below. Genma was already there, perched effortlessly on the narrow safety railing overlooking the street, seemingly balanced by sheer will.
"Took you three minutes," he commented mildly, not looking at them directly. "Could be worse." He hopped down lightly, landing silently. "Right, standard procedure. Introductions. Tell me your name, things you like, things you hate, any hobbies worth mentioning, and your lofty dream for the future. Helps me figure out what kind of annoying brats I'm stuck with." His tone was light, almost bored, but his eyes were sharp, analytical. Observe: Genma - Analyzing micro-expressions and body language. He pointed the senbon he'd taken from his mouth towards Akari. "You first, ponytail."
Akari visibly swallowed, intimidated but determined. "S-Sumire Akari! I like... reading informative scrolls, training with kunai, and helping at the library. I dislike... loud arguments and people who pick on others. My hobby is practicing throwing accuracy... and maybe botany," she added quickly. "My dream... is to become a strong, reliable Chunin that the village can depend on!" It was earnest, slightly flustered, utterly transparent. Genma just grunted noncommittally.
He gestured to Kenji. "Blockhead."
Kenji scowled at the nickname but stepped forward. "Ito Kenji. Likes: Training hard, meat buns from the corner stall, proving people wrong. Dislikes: Giving up, laziness, fancy talk. Hobby: Physical conditioning," he stated firmly. "Dream: To be strong enough to protect Konoha and everyone in it!" Simple, direct, fueled by effort. Again, Genma offered only a slight nod.
Finally, Genma's gaze settled on Ren. "And you. Quiet one."
Ren met his gaze evenly, keeping his breathing steady. "My name is Ren. Likes: Efficiency, learning new techniques, quiet places. Dislikes: Wasted potential, unnecessary noise, ignorance. Hobby..." he paused, carefully choosing his words, "...studying patterns and theories. Especially things like... flow dynamics and containment." (A vague hint towards Fuinjutsu without naming it). "My dream... is to understand the fundamental principles that govern the world. The truth beneath the surface."
Genma's eyebrow twitched almost imperceptibly. The senbon in his hand stilled. Observe: Genma. Emotional State: Increased Curiosity, Skepticism. Thought Process: 'Flow dynamics and containment?' Oddly specific for an orphan. 'Understand the truth?' Ambitious and philosophical. Echoes Hokage's briefing notes about 'unusual maturity/focus'. This one bears watching closely.
Genma let the silence hang for a moment, his sharp gaze sweeping over the three of them. "Right. Predictable bunch, mostly. Except maybe you," he added, nodding slightly towards Ren. He tossed the senbon back towards his mouth, catching it expertly. "Now, normally, this is where I'd schedule some grueling survival exercise for tomorrow. Bell test rip-off, pitting you against each other to 'teach teamwork' while I read smutty novels. Standard Jonin playbook. Honestly?" He yawned theatrically. "Sounds incredibly tedious."
Akari and Kenji exchanged confused looks. Ren remained impassive, waiting for the twist.
"So, we're accelerating things," Genma continued, a flicker of something sharp entering his lazy eyes. He withdrew three fresh, gleaming senbon needles, holding them fanned out between his fingers like deadly metallic feathers. "Your test is simple. It starts now. You have one hour. Your objective: land one clean, undeniable hit on me. Anywhere. Doesn't have to injure, just has to connect. Work together, attack separately, use ambushes, Genjutsu if you miraculously know any – I don't care how you do it. Show me you have some spark, some potential beyond reciting Academy lessons. If you three combined can't even manage to touch me under these conditions..." He shrugged dismissively. "...then you're wasting my time and probably won't survive your first C-Rank mission outside the village walls. Any questions?" He didn't wait for an answer. "Good. Begin."
Before Akari or Kenji could fully process the abrupt shift from introductions to a high-stakes test against an elite Jonin, Ren moved. Hesitation was death, or at least failure. Standard opening gambit: Feint to create opening. He whipped out three kunai from his hip pouch, throwing them in a standard spread towards Genma's torso (Throwing Accuracy Lv. 3 ensuring decent aim). Predictable, easily dealt with, but meant purely as visual clutter. As the kunai left his hands, he poured 5 CP into the Substitution Jutsu Lv. 4, targeting a loose metal ventilation cover lying near Genma's position on the rooftop gravel, aiming to appear directly behind him for a swift Academy Taijutsu Lv. 4 palm strike to the back.
The world dissolved in a dizzying rush of speed and smoke... and reformed to emptiness. Genma wasn't there. Ren's palm strike hit empty air. A flicker of movement caught his eye – Genma was now perched on the railing on the opposite side of the roof, the thrown kunai embedded harmlessly in the spot he'd occupied mere moments before. The senbon in his hand seemed to mock Ren's failed attempt.
System Alert: [Substitution Jutsu] successfully executed. Target [Genma Shiranui] Evaded via [High-Speed Movement/Body Flicker?]. Observe: Genma - Active Buff: [Heightened Reflexes (Self-Applied)]. Combat Readiness: High. Emotional State: Mild Amusement. Thought Process: Decent speed on the Substitution for a fresh Genin. Obvious tactic, though. Expected better.
Just as Ren reassessed, Kenji let out a determined roar. "Don't just stand there! Attack!" He charged forward, eschewing finesse for a direct, bull-like Taijutsu rush, fist cocked back. Genma waited until the last second, then sidestepped with fluid grace that made Kenji's lunge look laughably clumsy. As Kenji stumbled past, off-balance, Genma casually reached out and tapped his shoulder lightly with the tip of a senbon. A faint spark of chakra seemed to discharge on contact.
Kenji cried out, clutching his shoulder, his arm going limp. He staggered back, his face contorted in confusion and pain.
Observe: Kenji Ito. Status Effect Applied: [Minor Nerve Strike]. Effect: Temporary Motor Function Impairment (Right Arm - Numbness, Weakness). Duration: ~45 seconds. Caused by: Chakra-Infused Senbon Strike (Precise). Source: Genma Shiranui. Observe: Genma. Thought Process: Crude charge. Needs significant Taijutsu refinement. Assessing pain tolerance/recovery.
Seeing Kenji disabled, Akari reacted quickly, showing her strength. She drew five kunai, fanning them out, and launched them in a rapid, calculated spread aimed at Genma's upper body and legs. Her aim was good (Throwing Accuracy: Adept- confirmed by the tight grouping), forcing Genma to move more deliberately this time. He didn't dodge; instead, he used a single senbon in his hand to deflect each incoming kunai with astonishing speed and precision, sending them clattering away across the rooftop with sharp metallic pings. The sheer skill difference was demoralizing.
This isn't working, Ren analyzed instantly. Standard Academy tactics were useless against someone of Genma's caliber. He wasn't just fast; he was impossibly precise and clearly leagues above them. Trying to overwhelm him physically was futile. Need a different angle. Something unexpected. He tried a Transformation Jutsu, becoming a generic Chunin instructor, then attempted to circle around using Stealth Basics Lv. 4.
"Sloppy transformation," Genma's voice called out calmly before Ren had moved three steps. "Chakra signature's all wrong. Try again when you can mask that." A single senbon flicked through the air, not aimed to harm, but impacting Ren's disguised form precisely where the chakra was focused. The illusion dissolved instantly with a pop. Observe: Genma. Skill Used: [Chakra Disruption (Minor - Ranged via Senbon)]. Efficiency: High.
Okay. Brute force failed. Stealth failed. Deception failed. Genma wasn't just testing their combat skills; he was testing their adaptability, their intelligence. Ren glanced at his teammates – Kenji was shaking feeling back into his arm, Akari was looking hesitant, low on kunai. Teamwork needed a different approach. And Ren needed to show his unique card, the one earned through relentless, hidden grinding. His Basic Chakra Control was at Lv. 9 (91.5%). Water Walking needed Lv. 10. Could he force it? Under pressure?
While Akari hesitantly threw her last few shuriken (easily deflected), and Kenji started a more cautious, circling approach, Ren retreated slightly, finding a brief lull. He closed his eyes for a fraction of a second, ignoring the ongoing skirmish. Focus. Feel the flow. Soles of the feet. Constant, steady stream. Not adhesion like Tree Walking. Propulsion. Pushing against the surface. He poured chakra downwards, visualizing the energy erupting from his feet like controlled jets. The feeling was intense, more demanding than leaf sticking or basic channeling. The Proficiency bar in his mind surged.
[Forced High-Stress Application Detected: Attempting Advanced Chakra Control Technique - Water/Surface Walking!]
[[Basic Chakra Control] Proficiency Surge! 91.5% -> 94.2% -> 97.8% -> 99.9%...]
[[Basic Chakra Control] Leveled Up! Lv. 9 -> 10!]
[Skill Level Requirement Met!]
[New Skill Seed Activation: [Water Walking Preparation]!]
[New Skill Acquired: [Surface Walking (Vertical/Liquid)] Lv. 1 (0.0%)]
- Effect: Enables locomotion on vertical surfaces or liquids by emitting a continuous, precisely controlled stream of chakra from the soles of the feet.
- Requires significant concentration and constant chakra expenditure.
- Cost: 3 CP per second (at Lv. 1).
YES! The confirmation flooded his senses with adrenaline. No time to celebrate. Execute!
Without warning, Ren broke from his defensive posture and sprinted directly towards the nearest rooftop edge – the one overlooking the busy street several stories below. Akari gasped. Kenji shouted, "Ren, what are you doing?!" Genma watched, a flicker of genuine surprise finally cracking his composed facade. Ren leaped over the safety railing, seemingly plummeting towards the ground.
But then, he pushed. Pouring chakra through his feet via the newly acquired Surface Walking Lv. 1, he felt a strange, resisting pressure as his sandals made contact with the vertical brick wall of the Academy building. He wasn't falling; he was running down the side of the building, kicking up dust and loose mortar, gravity momentarily defied by sheer chakra control.
Observe: Genma. Emotional State: Surprise (High!), Intense Focus Shifted (Target: Ren), Reassessing Threat Level. Thought Process: Impossible! Surface Walking?! At this age?! Civilian Orphan?! How?! Hokage was severely understating this kid's potential! What else is he hiding?
The shock value was his weapon. Using the wall run for momentum, Ren launched himself back upwards towards the roof, twisting in mid-air, kunai already in hand, aimed at Genma from a completely unexpected low angle. Genma reacted instantly, abandoning his passive stance, moving to intercept the kunai while tracking Ren's unorthodox trajectory.
In that critical moment of divided attention, Akari, seeing her chance – perhaps inspired by Ren's madness, perhaps out of sheer desperation – made a clever move. She didn't throw her last, precious kunai at Genma directly. Instead, she hurled it with all her might (Throwing Accuracy: Adept-) at the metal base of the railing Genma had been near moments before. CLANG! The sharp, percussive sound wasn't damaging, but it was another sensory distraction, perfectly timed.
It worked. As Genma deflected Ren's upward-flying kunai and simultaneously adjusted to the unexpected noise from Akari, Ren landed back on the rooftop gravel in a controlled skid. He used the momentum, lunging forward, low to the ground, while Genma's focus was still split. His hand shot out, palm open, slapping firmly against the side of Genma's boot just as the Jonin fully regained his balance and turned towards him.
Contact. Undeniable. A clean hit.
The rooftop fell utterly silent, save for the whistling wind and the distant sounds of Konoha.
Ren straightened up slowly, his breathing coming slightly faster now, the 3 CP per second cost of Surface Walking Lv. 1 noticeable even for the short duration. He met the wide, stunned eyes of Akari and Kenji, who looked at him as if seeing him for the first time.
Genma Shiranui stood perfectly still, looking down at his boot where Ren's hand had made contact. Then, slowly, he looked up, his gaze locking onto Ren's. The usual laziness in his eyes was replaced by sharp, penetrating scrutiny. The senbon toothpick between his lips shifted thoughtfully. A tiny, almost imperceptible smirk touched the corner of his mouth.
"Huh," Genma drawled, the sound incongruously casual after the preceding intensity. "Fifteen minutes, twenty-three seconds. Not bad." He looked from Ren to Akari, then to Kenji. "That last bit... coordinated distraction, exploiting an opening created by unexpected action." He paused. "Passable." He gave a single, sharp nod. "All three of you pass. Barely."
He casually tossed the three senbon he'd been holding into the air, catching them between his fingers with blurring speed. "Training Ground 3. Tomorrow morning. 0600 hours." His eyes lingered on Ren for an extra fraction of a second. "Don't. Be. Late."
And with a final, near-silent flicker of movement, Genma Shiranui vanished from the rooftop.
Ren stood amidst the stunned silence of his new teammates. Team 12 was officially formed. But Ren knew, with cold certainty, that his display of unexpected skill had just painted a massive target on his back for his scrutinizing Jonin sensei. The real test was just beginning.