Chương 13: Choza's Report (1)

Choza Akimichi walked through the streets of Konoha with a full stomach and a satisfied smile. The barbecue had been perfect as always. The rich smell of grilled meat still clung to his clothes. His new genin team had eaten like they had never seen food before. Guy had cheered between every bite, declaring the meal a victory celebration of youth. Genma had stayed quiet but devoured his share without complaint. Shunsui had eaten slowly, savoring each piece of tender pork, his eyes half-closed in contentment.

Choza was sure that their expression brightened up a lot more when he revealed that they could eat with a fifty percent discount for every visit to the restaurant. Choza himself had polished off enough ribs and skewers to make even his clan proud. He was even more happy about his genin team. They went all quite well with each other which could not be said about the other genin teams. Team 10 was going to work out just fine, he was sure of that.

After dropping the boys off at their homes with instructions to rest and meet again in two days, Choza headed straight for the Hokage Tower. He climbed the stairs to the Hokage's office. The guards at the door nodded and let him pass without question. Inside, the room was quiet except for the scratch of pens on paper. Hiruzen Sarutobi sat behind his large desk, pipe in one hand and a stack of mission reports in front of him.

Shikaku Nara lounged in a chair nearby, feet up on a low table, flipping through a thick scroll with a bored expression. Hiruzen looked up first. His sharp eyes caught the barbecue sauce still smeared at the corner of Choza's mouth and the ripped fabric of his vest. A small, knowing smile spread across his face.

"Ah, Choza. How did your new genin team do in their test? Did they pass? Looking at the barbecue sauce on your lips and your torn vest, it looks like they did and they performed exceptionally well." The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement. Choza wiped his mouth quickly with the back of his hand. A bit of sauce came away on his fingers. He chuckled and rubbed it off on his pants.

"They were a surprise. Yes, I passed them. All three showed real potential. But I have something very important to report." The last words made the mood shift instantly. Hiruzen's smile faded. His expression turned serious. He set his pipe down carefully on the desk. Shikaku let out a long sigh and muttered under his breath, "Another troublesome report." He dropped his feet to the floor and sat up straighter, though he still looked half-asleep. Choza took a seat across from the Hokage.

"One of my students, Shunsui Kyoraku, has a kekkei genkai. A very unusual one." Hiruzen raised one eyebrow. It was not bad news, so some tension left his shoulders. His voice stayed calm.

"A Kekkei Genkai huh? That's fabulous news. Our village has been lacking in that department. We have dojutsus and clan secret techniques but rarely had an elemental Kekkei Genkai." Hiruzen always wanted to have shinobi with elemental Kekkei Genkais that are formed by the combination of two chakra releases. Like lava release that is formed of Fire and Earth release chakra or ice release.

They would have given Konoha something that they did not have currently and would have made them more stronger than other villages. Hiruzen asked "Which one? We have records of most bloodlines that have been observed in the village and also in other villages. If it is something new, that could be significant." Choza shook his head slowly.

"A very strange one. But a very powerful one from what I have seen and heard. He can somehow summon two swords out of nowhere. And using these swords, he can make a children's game become real. The game affects the area around him. Everyone in range gets pulled into it." Hiruzen leaned forward slightly.

"Explain more. Tell us how the test went. Start from the beginning." Choza took a deep breath and began. He described the ten-minute strategy session where Genma took charge and showed good leadership. He talked about Guy's explosive taijutsu and the flying kick that actually made Choza's palm ache. Then he moved to Shunsui. He explained how the boy fought with twin swords and was well versed in Kenjutsu. How Shunsui had gone straight for the throat in the first exchange.

How Choza had summoned his bo staff to defend himself properly. Then came the moment Shunsui crossed his blades and recited the strange poem. The swords changed into huge black scimitars. The area turned into a game resembling what Shota called a pinball machine. Shunsui bounced off trees and rocks like a ball, taking no damage and coming back with deadly force. After that, the giant snake erupted from the earth. Choza had smashed it with an enlarged fist.

Shunsui teleported beside him and cut a chunk from his vest. Finally, Choza had ended the test and declared them passed. He finished with what Shunsui had explained afterward. The summoning of the blades. The release state triggered by the poem. The ability to bring any children's game into reality. How Shunsui set the rules himself and could bend them to his advantage. How the games affected everyone equally, enemies and allies alike. Shikaku listened without interrupting.

When Choza finished, the Nara genius leaned back in his chair. He rubbed his temple and spoke in a tired voice.

"You understand the implications of this, Choza? Hokage-sama?" Choza gave a confused look to his teammate. He had not fully grasped what Shunsui's ability meant. Hiruzen gave a grim nod. His face looked older in that moment. Shikaku explained slowly for his clueless friend.

"It is too hard to believe. No matter how absurd it sounds, the boy can somehow change the reality around him. He turns imagination into something solid. He forces the world to follow rules he makes up. Just thing of it as a genjutsu which is being made real. He is changing the reality itself."