81WORDS STYLE:
Flashback
(Past words)
Thinking
[Narration]
SHOUTING
TwIsTeD
Chapter 9
-NEXT DAY AT THE SECOND DIVISIONS BARRACKS-
(Be at the second Division first thing in the morning, introductions will begin there for new members so don't be late.)
(Understood Captain.)
Naruto stood uncomfortably in a line, side-by-side with brand new recruits of the Second Division, Naruto being in the middle and appearing the most unnerved as he stood in the large room with others, some stood tall and confident, while others fidgeted just like him. His eyes darted to the tall figure of Kisuke Urahara, who sat with two Onmitsukidō guards standing at his side like the other Seated Officer yet the enigmatic man watched this scene with a hint of amusement playing at the corners of his mouth. Unlike the others, one thing was obvious to Naruto, the Seated Officers seemed especially focused on him, for obvious reasons of course yet still a surprise.
"I thought they would have forgotten about that. Hopefully, this doesn't mean they have something against me and this is only about me being late." It was after he thought that they all heard a sharp and authoritative voice ring through the room.
"ATTENTION!" It was Captain Yoruichi Shihōin entering, flanked by Lieutenant Marenoshin Ōmaeda, with Suì-Fēng following closely behind. The moment she entered, all eyes were on them as the recruits straightened, their instincts kicking in. Naruto's heart raced as he stood straight like the others while Yoruichi stood confidently at the front, her presence commanding immediate attention.
"Welcome to the Second Division," she began, her assertive tone resonating in the spacious barracks. "this isn't just any division; we're the specialized force of the Soul Society. Here, you will learn the essential skills needed for stealth, reconnaissance, and intelligence gathering. You must embody agility, precision, and strategic thinking in every mission." She paused, scanning the recruits with piercing eyes which caused a number of them to stand still, including Naruto upon meeting her gaze.
"Each of you has the potential to rise through the ranks, but it will take dedication and hard work. You'll undergo rigorous training, both physically and mentally. We expect nothing less than your best." With that stated, the largest man in the Division, Lieutenant Ōmaeda stepped forward, adding, "As members of the Second Division, you will also be integrated with the Onmitsukidō's five divisions. Each of the five seated officers oversees a unique aspect of these divisions." He gestured toward Kisuke Urahara, who watched with a slight smirk.
"For example, Officer Urahara is responsible for the Detention Unit. His role includes managing the detention of individuals who pose a threat to the Soul Society. The responsibilities can be demanding, and your performance will be evaluated constantly." Naruto listened intently, absorbing the weight of the information, making sure to take it to heart as the atmosphere was thick with expectation.
"Remember," Yoruichi concluded with a firm nod, "you are not just joining a division; you are stepping into a legacy of competence and valor. Prove yourselves worthy." The room held its breath, knowing their journey was just beginning as Yoruichi left the room with Suì-Fēng who glanced at Naruto one final time before following after. This left Lieutenant Marenoshin Ōmaeda in charge as he looked over the new recruits, his eyes then set on Naruto and narrow causing him to swallow as the atmosphere shifted with the Lieutenant stepping forward, his expression one of apparent disdain which Kisuke all but rolled his eyes.
"Listen up, recruits," he began, his tone dripping with sarcasm. "I see we have quite the group here—one of the worst scores I've seen in a while. It's almost impressive… in a sad sort of way." He scanned the young faces that looked unnerved before him, a smirk playing on his lips.
"You'll be expected to prove yourselves, but honestly, at this rate, I'm unsure how you'll manage." His voice had a noticeable edge, underscoring that he wasn't here to indulge them. Naruto's heart sank at the remark, and he clenched his fists, trying to keep his expression neutral. Ōmaeda continued,
"And you," he said, pointing directly at Naruto, "you missed the tour. That doesn't scream dedication, does it? Not to mention your background. Coming from Rukongai with those circumstances…" His voice trailed off, leaving the implication hanging heavy in the air. The other recruits shifted uncomfortably, some casting sympathetic glances toward Naruto. He felt the heat rise to his cheeks but forced himself to maintain focus and didn't react.
"I won't let this guy get to me," Naruto had told himself, steeling his resolve. "I got this far, I can take it." Ōmaeda crossed his arms, a smug grin plastered on his face.
"You think this is a game? If you're looking for a way to prove yourselves, then you better start now. We expect agility, strategy, and the will to adapt. You'll need every ounce of effort just to catch up, not because of luck because besides physical, your scores were the absolute worst." With each word, the pressure mounted, and Naruto felt a mix of embarrassment and determination. He knew he had to rise above the scrutiny, not just for himself but for the entire group. As the lieutenant laid out the details of their training, this was just the beginning, and he was determined to show them.
With this, the day ended as they were shown their sleeping quarters with Naruto entering his single room, his belongings having been delivered and set up for him, not much being in the room but a few paintings of himself with his friends. He prepares for bed, switching to his sleepwear which consists of orange Jinbei before preparing to get in his futon when he hears a knock on the door.
"Yes?" He asks as he slides his door open to find Suì-Fēng standing there looking embarrassed before she sees his clothing and looks more confused.
"You're in the Second Division and you wear orange of all colors?"
"Is something wrong with that, it's just sleepwear?"
This single interaction caused her to facepalm as her eye was now twitching as she grabbed him by the shirt and pulled him so their face to face.
"The Second Division is known for being the best at stealth and reconnaissance and you chose the color orange, what the hell is wrong with you, next thing you'll tell me your sheath is orange!"
"...about that..." His words caused her eye to visibly twitch before she finally breathes out and looks away.
"I...came here to apologize." She mutters, struggling with the words which causes him to tilt his head.
"For what?" This surprised her yet she looked more annoyed and didn't meet his gaze.
"For...letting my anger towards your test scores get the better of me which embarrassed Lady Yoruichi due to my foolish wishes." With that, she bows forward. "I am sorry if my actions have-"The palm of a hand was in front of her face, stopping her as she stood up abruptly, looking up at Naruto in confusion as he pulled his hand back, smiling cheerfully.
"You don't need to do that, you had your reasons it's not like I had a grudge or anything." He yawns and scratches the back of his head. "Anyways it's getting late."
This just confused Suì-Fēng at his words.
"It's only 8 o'clock."
"Yup!" He yawns again and smiles at her. "I get up early every day to work out, if you are also up at 5 o'clock, let's spar." The time had surprised her soon enough the door finally slid shut as Suì-Fēng stared at the door before her face turned slightly red.
(No butts Suì-Fēng, apologize and get it over with, it's obvious he's not the type to hold small grudges.)
"Lady Yoruichi..." She mutters to herself and starts to walk away, not noticing Yoruichi watching from a corner, smiling at the scene that took place between them before she looks bothered by something.
"Why orange?" Yoruichi mutters to herself, sighing as she starts walking away. "It's such a stupid color; he's got the same fashion sense as the Elder."
It was later that night that Naruto lay in his futon, staring at the ceiling, unlike what he said he couldn't exactly get to sleep, more so his mind preoccupied with several things from Lieutenant Ōmaeda most likely going to be a pain in the ass to deal with to seeing Yoruichi again.
(So what's your type, Whiskers?)
(Someone who can make my heart skip a beat…)
Naruto's face starts to heat up as he grabs his pillow and covers his face yet freezes, despite it being in the middle of the night not everyone is asleep the blondie sits up and looks at the clock ticking away before he slowly stands up on his futon quietly not trying to make a sound as he stares at his sliding door. To those of others, it would likely be someone silently outside his door, Naruto was straining to hear almost unnoticed stealthy footfalls.
Outside his door stood several cloaked in ninja garb moving in tight formation, they were signaling each other urgently as they stood outside Naruto's door, there was tension for them, unlike the peaceful night. Suddenly they jolted at the sound of something shattering, instinctively, the closest ninja flung open the door, but before he could fully enter, something collided with his head and he crumpled forward, unconscious before he hit the ground. The commotion startled the remaining masked men, but just as they were regaining their composure, a sharp knock reverberated against the thin wall beside one of them. He turned instinctively, confusion flickering across his face before he could react, a muscular ally yanked him away, narrowly avoiding a massive fist that punched through the wall with a thunderous crack. In that split second, the fist retracted, and Naruto stepped out, determination etched across his features as he stood upon the unconscious Ninja below his feet.
"What's going on?" He asked with a serious look on his face as the muscular ninja of the group stepped forward, about a foot taller than Naruto the two stared the other down before suddenly he moved faster than Naruto could react he was patted on the back.
"You did well, I'm Takahiro Kuroda. I'm the fourth Seat, " he said to Naruto, who stared at him questionably before he turned to see the other new recruits sitting down, depressed. "this is an initiation sort of test to gauge how you would handle an ambush. So far, you're the only one who passed the test."
"..." Naruto just looked at the Division member he knocked out and the hole in the wall he made.
"Whoops."
"He'll be fine."
As the sun began to rise over the Seireitei, the Second Division's dining hall buzzed with the sounds of early morning chatter, and the aroma of freshly cooked rice and grilled fish filled the air, Naruto entered the dining area to almost immediately gain attention as the Division members turned to him, the blonde just swallowed before he singled by none other his fellow blonde Kisuke Urahara at the back of the line which Naruto follows, after a few minutes he gets his food and sits down at a table with Kisuke and other members.
"Heard what you did last night, Uzumaki." Kisuke said to Naruto as he took a bite out of his cooked rice. "Caused quite the commotion."
This caused Naruto to laugh awkwardly as he could see members staring at Naruto before turning away to continue eating. Among them sat a few others from the Division, already animatedly discussing the night's ambush drill test for recruits which included one of the members grinning as he nudged the still groggy division member who had been on the receiving end of Naruto's attack the night before, having come to ten m minutes later. The man known as Takashi had hair, a deep shade of black, combed effortlessly over one of his eyes, contributing to his brooding, emo aesthetic. The strands framed his sharp features, casting a shadow over his gaze and giving him an air of mysterious intensity.
"Did you really think you'd get knocked out that easily?"
"Come on, Takashi. You face-planted like you were a training dummy," another member teasingly chimed in. The group burst into laughter, and the member, Takashi, rubbed the back of his head sheepishly as he cast an annoyed glare toward Naruto who started sweating and looking guilty.
"Hey, I didn't know he would be hiding behind the door!" Takashi protested, trying to defend his honor before the member laughed only to get a chop on the head and turn to look at the fourth seat, Takahiro Kuroda with a plate in hand.
"As I recall, if I hadn't pulled you away you would have been the next knocked out when he punched through the wall." This caused the Division member to leave as the others, including Takashi, laughed.
"Sorry about that. I didn't mean to cause so much damage." He said, trying to apologize the the one he attacked and tried to attack.
"Just don't make a habit of it during regular missions, Whiskers. We'll all be on clean-up duty then!" Takashi shouts, having a triumphant smile which more laughter erupted, and Naruto felt his face heat at the nickname.
"How does everyone know that nickname?!"
"Just think of it as a welcome. If you can handle a surprise ambush and a little bit of chaos, you'll fit right in here." Kisuke said, giving Naruto an encouraging nod.
"Speaking of chaos," someone piped up, pointing toward the entryway, "look who's just arrived." All heads turned to see a group of Shinigami entering, led by Lieutenant Marenoshin Ōmaeda.
"Why is it so noisy in here?!" He demanded with a mixed look of fatigue and irritation. "Do you idiots have any idea what time it is?" Ōmaeda barked, his voice booming over the chatter in the dining hall, this merely got a sigh from Takahiro and Kisuke just as his eyes narrowed as they landed on Naruto, who had barely managed to swallow a mouthful of rice before the lieutenant continued.
"And you! What were you thinking, knocking out a fellow member on your first day? You make it sound like our training is a joke." This took Naruto by surprise before Takashi spoke up.
"Sir! That's not fair! It was a surprise ambush and the test was how one would react, he did what he was supposed to do!"
"Oh, is that so?" Ōmaeda crossed his arms, a skeptical eyebrow raised.
"A surprise ambush, and yet you're the only one who got knocked out? Sounds more like you weren't paying attention, he's just a recruit from the Rukongai!" His words put Naruto down and his expression slightly falters as his words cut through the light-hearted atmosphere.
"I didn't mean to make it look easy," Takashi stammered, lifting his hands defensively. "It just sort of happened!"
"And what's with the wall?" Ōmaeda continued, gesturing toward a few rooms down behind him where Naruto's room was. "We don't have the budget to fix every wall you decide to punch through, you know!" The recruits tensed, and some of them glanced at Naruto, who felt like shrinking into his seat before standing up.
"I'll pay for it!" Naruto blurted, trying to regain some composure. "Or... help fix it? Whatever it takes!"
Ōmaeda waved his hand dismissively, a sarcastic smirk creeping onto his face.
"We both know you just started working here so you can't afford that-" He was cut off as the lieutenant was suddenly kicked from behind, causing him to fall forward and freeze seeing an annoyed Captain Yoruichi with Suì-Fēng standing behind her, sighing.
"Why are you being so loud, it's the morning?" Her question was followed by a hard hit to the head, causing everyone to flinch as the man immediately straightened up.
"Sorry, Captain!"
"Don't you have better things to do than bark at the Division Members like a disgruntled puppy, get to work you already had breakfast?" With that, he bows.
"I'm sorry Captain." He goes on his way in a hurry, followed by his helpers who hurry after him, this scene only causes her to sigh.
"It's like every week with him." She mutters and simply gives a single look over them before walking away, leaving them all to once again chatter amongst themselves but more in a hurry to eat and get to work yet as this was happening, Kisuke just smiles at seeing her walk away and glances at Naruto only for his eyes to widen in surprise at seeing Naruto face has a light tint of pink on his cheeks.
"Hmm..." Kisuke looks away and goes back to enjoying his food.
As the day went by, Naruto was training by himself at the training grounds for the second division, the area being placed within a small forested area, near the second division's Maggots nest.
"Hado 33, Shakkaho-" Instead of a light there was only an explosion that sent Naruto flying through the air and landing on his ass.
"Fuck, once again..." He mutters to himself and sits up before a chill runs up his spine and turns fast to come face to face with an old man.
"What the-" He was cut off as the man hit him on the head.
"No shouting, I'm not deaf." The old man said as he stood up straight, overlooking Naruto while Naruto did the same. The old wrinkly man had olive skin and golden eyes, reminding him of Yoruichi yet unlike her he had shaggy white hair, a tattered gold-trimmed orange scarf patterned with spirals and waves around his neck, a gold-trimmed orange waistband, and orange strips of fabric on the undersides of his sandals.
"I see, a fellow lover of the color orange." The old man said with a smirk at seeing Naruto orange-sheathed.
"You as well, nice scarf."
"Thanks." The old man looks over at Naruto. "You suicidal or something?"
This gets a sigh from Naruto, no I wasn't but who-" He stops midsentence as his eyes widen as the old man is already gone.
"Who-" He heard footsteps and turned seeing Kisuke walking up to him.
"I heard an explosion, did something happen?" He asked, looking around at the explosion sight which Naruto gave a weak laugh as he scratched the back of his head.
"Oh, I was training but um, do you know who that old man with the orange scarf was?" This surprised Kisuke when he heard Naruto say that.
"You met him?" He asked, confusing Naruto who tilted his head.
"Is he a big deal?"
"That was Chika Shihōin, he's the current elder of the Shihōin Clan and the first captain of the 2nd Division over 1,000 years ago."
"Eh?!"
As this was happening, the wrinkly old man was taking a walk down a woodsy path of stone followed by two guards, the old man glanced back at the training ground in interest.
"The reports weren't wrong, I couldn't even sense him till I saw him, an interesting one this Uzuma-" He stops a coughs into his sleeve as a little blood worries his guards.
"Eheh, guess I'm gonna be first before you Unohana and Yamamoto." As he thought that, he continued on his way.
xxxxxCHAPTER ENDxxxxx
Author Message: I was gonna update this sooner but a death in the family happened so I put off updating, hope to read what you all think of this chapter.