Heartshrine Under Attack - Protect the Academy!

Graduation day, the single most anticipated day during the year for those attending the ninja academy. And what a beautiful day it is! The sun is shining, the birds are chirping, there's even a cool breeze. Man it feels good to be up on this stage. I just sat down, somewhere in the middle row between the other Kobirus, after walking across the stage and I guess right now Eimi-sama's giving her big speech. So professional she sounds. Oh boy here come the team assignments!

FWAABOOOM!!!!

Oh god what was that? There's a huge pillar of smoke rising from the direction of the village entrance. Now there are more explosions popping up from other places throughout the village.

"Alright everybody!" the mikokage changed tone and fell into a calm state, prepared to take control of the situation. "Now is the time to rise up! Team leaders know who to look for and they'll be coming around to give each of you your assignments!" (that part of course directed towards us). Everyone on the stage stood up and began getting collected by their respective team leaders.

"Is this a test?" Hikaru asked.

"I don't think so, look at the way the civilians are frieking out!" Ayumi replied.

Suddenly a woman jumped out in front of me. She was followed by that girl I met during the Kantsumiki festival, Lauren.
"You're Atsuo right? I was told simply to look for flowers and now I actually realize what that meant," The woman giggled, "I'm Koume, welcome to team 6! Where can we find Kuroku?"

"I'm right here," Kuroku's voice rose up from behind, "What's going on?"

"It seems as though our village is under attack," Koume started, at this point teams were starting to take off towards their assigned areas, "We're in charge of escorting the civilians into the academy and guarding them there. We'll be accompanied by team 13, Mai, Kaida, Yoake, and Fubi.Now come on let's go!" So we all took off towards the academy. Team 13 had already begun leading the crowd of civilians towards the academy building so we took up a perimeter to watch over everything. Koume-sensei went to take the doorway and get people inside alongside Mai. Lauren and Kuroku took up spots on the roof and I climed up a nearby tree.

I could see everything that was going on. The crowds were being led quickly and calmly into the academy by Koume and team 13, explosions were still popping up here and there around the village, Kuroku stood ready, he looked up at me and nodded. I nodded back. Then I heard something that seemed… Out of place. It wasn't an explosion, it was running water. Though it started feint, it grew louder and louder… No… Closer and closer. Then it caught my eye, a massive water dragon was hurdling towards the civilians at the academy entrance.

"Koume!" I shouted but she didn't hear me. The dragon was coming down from above so no one else could see it. Craaaap…

A few hand signs and I built a tornado around my legs, then I launched myself at the dragon. It was only a few meters away from the crowd and now they could see it… They all looked up and screamed… I flew through the air faster than I think I ever have before, carried by the gust I had created, and I focused my chakra into my right palm and thrust it forward at the water dragon. My physics were right, and just like we as ninjas can walk on water using chakra adhesion, I was able to grab the dragon with the chakra in my hand as if it were a solid object and push it away from the civilians. The dragon exploded upon collision with the ground only a few feet from the crowd. I landed and rolled, had too much momentum I guess. I picked myself up onto one knee.

"Everybody hurry inside!" I shouted at the crowd. They were frozen in place, shocked, knowing how narrowly they avoided what would have been an extremely painful attack… "Don't just stand there, GO!" And they did. I shakily stood up, struggling to gain my balance, and was greeted by two shady figures approaching from a distance. They walked with confidence and pride, showing that they're not enemies to be trifled with… Time for some trifling. As they grew closer and I fully regained my senses I could make out what they were saying…

"There he is. Must be a strong kid to have repelled your dragon Orouro." Said the shorter of the two characters. Short blond hair, red and brown outfit, and glasses. Honestly, he looks young and weak... But I bet that's not the case. The man he's talking to, Orouro, is visually the complete opposite. Tall, pale, black and red robes… And bald. He's obviously the powerhouse of the two, and the source of that massive water dragon jutsu.

"No kidding," Orouro said in a dark, smooth voice, "The last time I used that attack it opened a satisfying chasm through the middle of a populated complex back in that dragonscale village. Good times. Good times!" And then they laughed… and returned their gaze back to me and the civilians who were almost all inside the academy. A few members from team 13 were watching from inside the building (I guess their leader told them to take care of the civilians) and Kuroku was jumping off the roof of the academy to come back me up.

"Dragonscale…" I said in a low flat tone

"Did you catch that Uname?" Orouro said to his short friend, Uname I guess his name is.

"You guys destroyed my village?" I asked. I stood totally still.

"And we took great pleasure in doing so!" Uname shouted.

My right hand twitched.

"You bastards destroyed my village! GRRRAAAAAAGGHHHH!!!!!" I screamed… Releasing a wave of my chakra through the air.

~~~~

<<Elsewhere in the village>>

"Riki! Take out those minions!" his teammate shouted.

"On it..." Riki Katsu stopped mid-stride, "What is that sound? Is that a… Dragon's roar?"

~~~~


Kuroku was running towards me but he stopped dead in his tracks a few meters behind me. I don't think he expected this kind of anger, but the two dark guys just grinned. Uname raised his hand and with a wave, approximately twelve minions dressed all in black jumped out in front, readied with weapons and charged jutsu.

I was ready to kill them all. Even I didn't know I was capable of this level of rage, but my breathing was heavy and my muscles were rippling with chakra. Haha, Genin for not even a day and I'm already in over my head with a fight I know I cannot win. But just then I felt a hand on my shoulder… Soft. I broke out of my enfuriated stupor and looked at the person's face who came out of nowhere. It was Azami Fujihara.

"Don't worry Atsuo, I'll take the two in the back. You and Kuroku focus on the minions. Mai! You and your team get out here and provide cover fire! More minions are on their way as we speak…" Azami-sensei spoke so calmly and assertively, and it brought me completely back down to earth. "… It is our duty to keep these civilians safe. Is everyone ready?"

"Hai!" Everyone replied.

"Then Let's go!"

Kuroku and I exchanged a glance, nodded (acknowledging that we've got eachothers' backs), unsheathed our blades, and launched ourselves alongside Azami-sensei into battle.

-These guys are gonna pay-