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 Posted: Sat May 23, 2026 1:55 am
Missions, Narratives, etc.
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Posted: Sat May 23, 2026 1:57 am
  M I Z U C H I - G E N J AEven after graduating from the Academy, it would come to be a surprise to absolutely no one that the dreaded Mamushi had taken residence in one of the study rooms. Several months into his career as a Genin, the academy walls were more of a common sight than a mission board or squad mates had been. Not for a lack of trying on his part. As circumstances would have it, either he wasn't permitted to perform anything other than the most redundant of missions or squads were nearly nonexistent when Mizuchi inquired about one. His genetics soured the situation even further, as any first impressions were immediately negative solely based on his appearance. Outside of his adoptive parents who loved him unconditionally, the only other place where he could find some semblance of peace was the Academy, up to his forehead in scrolls.
Various pieces of study material littered the tatami mats in the room Mizuchi took as his private study. Books, scrolls, documents, and schematics of various learning material yet meticulously placed throughout the room. Mizuchi sat in one corner reading a scroll while taking notes on another. Theories on Fuuinjutsu and its applications when it comes to summoning. A week ago Mizuchi was practicing fuuinjutsu, specifically Kuchiyose techniques out of curiosity, and ended up summoning a small snake. At first he considered it some kind of cruel joke by one of his old classmates. However, the longer he thought about it, the stranger the entire predicament had become. So now here he was, nose deep in several different pieces of information to try and find an answer.
Mizuchi discovered through his findings that summoning was a rather complex feat, especially for Genin. When it came to summoning animals, typically a contract was involved where the summoner signed their name in their own blood. I don't recall doing any of that recently... Mizuchi's brows twitched suddenly before relaxing. If his parent's had signed something for him, they likely would have told him by now. They had been honest with him about everything they knew about his life and their own the moment he was old enough to understand. Unfortunately they weren't able to offer much information about his origin, just that he was brought here as a child to be cared for. Mizuchi didn't let the rejection of most of the village's population get him down, but he'd be grateful for any shred of information that would help him understand why.
There was a sudden knock on the door to his study room, "Genja, Mizuchi." A deep voice boomed from the outside of the door. Mizuchi carefully placed his scrolls and notes back on the table before getting up, heading over to open the door. He was immediately met with one of the academy security, an all too familiar set of uniforms he had encountered during his time in the academy and even more so after becoming a Genin. "I have only been studying for the past couple of hours. Whoever complained about disorderly behavior, again, is making false acc-" Before he could finish, the guard raised a hand. Mizuchi didn't flinch, but out of instinct he prepared to be hit. "You are to clean up your mess in this study room and leave immediately. You have been requested at the gates." The guard spoke plainly, despite the look of disdain in his eyes as he stared a hole through Mizuchi's soul.
Brushing his long, brown hair from the side of his face, Mizuchi paused. He expected more, but when the guard remained there without saying a word, the awkward silence between them grew by the second. A sudden request to the gates sounded suspicious, though that may not have been the case for anybody else that wasn't him. "May I ask the reason?" He knew he'd regret asking that question. The guards were notoriously short with him on a variety of matters, and the only time he could ever get proper communication out of them is when they were expressing their hatred of him through their actions on the daily. The guard remained silent, standing resolute and unshaking. His entire muscular frame blocking the doorway. Mizuchi just took this as a sign to clean up and head out.
It took a few minutes for him to close the scrolls and books and put them exactly where they belonged. After the study room was put back together according to the guards standards, only then did he take a step to the side to allow the Genin through. Mizuchi was familiar with the layout of the village and could easily get to the gates on his own, but the guard trailed him all the way there. Only turning to leave after there was another high ranking ninja present to 'keep an eye on him'. Mizuchi approached the gates to see a large wagon with a Jounin stationed beside it. "You're late. The Jounin spoke plainly. Mizuchi nodded, but kept his mouth closed. There was no way he was going to be able to explain what had happened and sound reasonable. He approached the Jounin and bowed, looking to the cart and down the road past the opened gates of Konoha.
"You've been tasked with an escort mission..." The Jounin paused, giving Mizuchi a hard stare. The news sounded good to him. Finally, he was getting around to missions that were on his level of aptitude as a Genin. He didn't spend all of that time studying in the Academy for nothing. He even took on some of the more difficult lessons and passed spectacularly. Those lessons were the main contributor to the skills he specialized in today. Part of it was also natural aptitude, but more than full effort was required regardless. "You are to guard this caravan to their location safely, and then return here promptly. You'll be given five days. Should you not return within that time limit... there will be consequences. Am I understood?" Mizuchi nodded slowly, not really appreciating being treated like he was going to go rogue or something. He was still appreciative to have been given a mission in the first place. "Yes, sir."
It was strange and a relief all at once. Mizuchi realized he'd be undertaking this escort mission on his own. Was there some sort of catch? Did they know of his reputation with group projects? That wasn't his fault either! He could and would willingly work with anyone that would allow him to. Yet most were wary of him. If not just outright aggressive. Mizuchi didn't let the thought trouble him anymore. He had a mission to complete, so he'd make sure to see it through. He took his place beside the wagon after greeting the rider. Once everyone was all set, Mizuchi followed the wagon out beyond the gates. Mizuchi turned back once to look at the gates as he left, noticing the Jounin watching with his arms crossed. He stood there for a few moments before turning away. The gates of the village started to close behind him.
Mizuchi turned to look ahead once again, taking in the new view of the landscape before him. For the first time he was able to truly feel what it was like being outside of Konoha's walls. The roads a few miles from the village were carved by the landscape itself, with roots from trees and different flora trying to overtake the less traveled areas of the path. The horse navigated the terrain with relative ease, and Mizuchi took note of the rather sturdy wheel on the cart. Who or what was he escorting? The rider on the horse seemed young. Older than Mizuchi for sure, but no more than about five or so years. He wore a wide straw hat and the clothing of a common civilian worker. Other than the silent greeting they exchanged before heading out, the rider had been silent since then. His gaze never met with Mizuchi's, then or now as the travelled the path. In fact, he was doing everything in his ability to keep from looking at the Genin.
"We'll have to rest when it gets dark and continue the remainder of the trek tomorrow" The rider spoke finally, staring straight ahead. Mizuchi thought things would be a little bit different now that he was outside of the village... but apparently that wasn't the case. The Genin would allow him whatever space they needed to be remotely comfortable in his presence. "Alright... that's fine. So where are we headed?" Mizuchi asked curiously. The Jounin never gave any other details other than that he was going on an escorting mission. More than likely because he just wanted to see Mizuchi gone as soon as possible. It was still an error on the Jounin's part. "We're taking a monk back to the temple he traveled from to come visit. Some kind of pilgrimage, I suppose." The rider responded back. While somewhat formal, it was... different, to be having a conversation with someone without it quickly escalating to something violent. Mizuchi knew better than to get too comfortable, though.
The thick forests and abundant vegetation that surrounded the roads eventually levelled out to flat, grassy plains with the occasional mound for a hill. A breeze picked up, sweeping through Mizuchi and his charge(s), causing his hair to flutter in the wind. The area out here was quiet, save for the sounds of hooves tapping against the dirt and the wheels of the wagon rolling. It was getting closer to sunset by the time the plains started to transition into another heavily forested area. The temperature in this area was notably warmer... a little humid, even. Throughout the entirety of the trip thus far, the client, the monk being escorted, hadn't spoken a word. A silhouette of the monk's body could be seen through the screen on the wagon. Unchanged since the start of the journey. Mizuchi could only assume that they were in deep meditation.
A safe space was located deep in the forest for the night, where Mizuchi volunteered to take first watch so that the rider could get his rest. A small fire was prepared before everyone turned in for the night, in order to prepare a simple meal. A bowl of roasted vegetables, rice, and meat that Mizuchi wasn't sure of the animal it came from. He most certainly wasn't going to ask. The Genin did offer to bring a bowl to the monk in the wagon, to which the rider declined immediately. "We're not to disturb the monk until we arrive. Those were the orders I was given by the rider that brought him to the village. Mizuchi shrugged, letting the situation be. It had to be apart of his pilgrimage ritual, or something. Instead, he enjoyed the meal he ate in silence with the rider's company. Once they finished, the rider went to rest in one of the nap sacks along the backside of the wagon. Mizuchi began his watch for the night, remaining vigilant with the aid of some sensory techniques to keep watch over a broader range.
After his shift was over, Mizuchi switched places with the rider to rest until morning came. "Time to wake up, boy. We're nearly there." A much different voice stirred him from his slumber. The Genin's eyes fluttered open slowly to reveal an elderly man in long robes. He immediately sat up, but didn't appear alarmed. It was rather obvious that this was the monk after noticing the opened door to the wagon. But that wasn't the only thing that was different. The horse was gone too. "What happened to the rider?" Mizuchi asked as he got onto his feet, looking around. He returned his attention to the monk as he spoke, "He left not too long ago while you were sleeping. Got spooked by something, I suppose. Left in a hurry. No matter, the temple is just up this way." Mizuchi nodded, watching as the monk started to walk in the direction of the temple. Mizuchi quickly followed behind, "Then allow me to complete this escort by ensuring you get there safely." The monk nodded, leading the way with the Genin in tow.
It was a short walk before the two arrived at the mouth of a large cave within the dense forest that surrounded them. The monk stepped forward, expecting Mizuchi to follow, yet there was a brief pause in the Genin's forward momentum. The moment he stood in front of this cave there was a momentary feeling of recognition. Along with it came a palpable sense of dread that he felt in his core. A feeling that was ironically, familiar. The same reaction that most people had when within his presence. Mizuchi looked to the monk who was now much further in the cave, his body barely visible in the shadow that now consumed him. "What is this place...?" Mizuchi asked, curiosity and a sense of some force beckoning him closer causing him to take a couple steps forward. "Home." The monk stated simply before his body dispersed into a multitude of snakes that slithered further into the cave until they could no longer be seen.
A cacophony of hisses rang from the cave, like wild whispers calling out to Mizuchi as he stood with half of his body in the shadow of the cave, and the other in the light of the sun. With only a moment of hesitation, Mizuchi stepped forward and into the cave.
[ Completed: C-Rank Mission | Escort Duty ]
◆║ CHAKRAx 975/ 975 x ◆║ STAMINAx 350/ 350 x ◆║ Geninx ◆║ Konohagakure
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