"Follow me." The receptionist led Ayato into a side room, under the baffled stare of a coworker. He signed the scroll—hiring himself—in awkward silence.
Scroll in hand, Ayato headed out.
At the door: chunin + two genin (boy, girl). The chunin's eyes lit up—then dulled.
Ayato brushed past. Block.
"Got a team?"
Head shake.
"Ours is short a body. Free now? Join us—we just grabbed a mission needing a full squad. Client insists."
Off from the jump. Worse: the girl. Young, but stacked. Practical gear. Uncanny Tenten vibes—without the face or build.
Her expression screamed internal war—life-altering choice, undecided. Boy genin nudged her. She straightened—serious, eager—nodding at Ayato like she hoped he'd bite.
Ayato smirked. Training fail. Brainwashing incomplete. No "for the mission" zeal. Wartime? Dead on day one. Peacetime saved her.
But the kids playing mature ninja? Kinda cute.
"Not a ninja. Here to post." Tap forehead—no protector.
Chunin pointed at the pouch. Gotcha.
"Rats." Ayato gasped theatrically, flashing the scroll. "Got my own gig. Can't join."
"Shame. Next time?" Fake smile.
Ayato clocked the girl sag—tension gone, Tenten aura vanished.
"Yeah. Later." Squeeze past, homeward.
No training field today. Or soon. Hokage wanted something. Watched. Even his Tenten hangs? Noted. Exploited. One wrong move, she gets dragged in.
Ninja life. Knew it intellectually. Seeing 13-year-olds as pawns? Hits different.
Root Hideout
"Failure."
Danzo's chunin stood rigid.
"What happened?" Calm. Unbreakable.
"We arrived—he'd already taken a mission."
"Hiruzen. If he'd tipped me sooner—"
Chunin silent. Bosses bicker; peons die.
"Get close. Encounters. Let Ayaka bond fast. Team up post-mission."
"Two months max. I'm running out."
Chunin hesitated. Tap. Cane.
"Spit it out."
"Long-term: yard work. His yard. He posted it."
"Damn it."
"And Ayaka's Tenten act? Rough. Why not use the real one?" Heavy on Ayaka.
Danzo cut him. "Guy's jonin—young jonin. Hand-picked student. He'd balk. Never suggest it again."
Chunin sighed. Weak = expendable.
Young jonin = connections. Guy? Pure taijutsu grind. Village asset. Post-war: no one risked assets. Danzo knew—veteran. Guy in battle = game-changer. No backing, no ambition = easy press. Village duty? He'd fold. Perfect tool.
"Fine—no mimicry. Be herself. Team up ASAP. Escort missions—out of village."
"Yes, sir."
Danzo nodded. Chunin out.
Outside: genin duo waited. Chunin smiled at Ayaka. "Change: no Tenten. Be you. No fake romance."
"Next: fastest team-up. Then escorts."
"Phew. Being fake's exhausting. How do seniors do it?" Ayaka patted her chest—relief.
"Bosses' logic? He's nothing special. B-rank waste."
"Ninja = missions. Finish this, chunin exam. Home—plan 'accidental' meets tomorrow. Build rapport."
"Yes, Sensei!" Teens bounced—easier path to promotion.
Inside: Danzo sneered at the door. "Hmph. Disposable civilian trash. Not worth a name."
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