[Amegakure, Dark Hall Tower]
In the highly industrialised city of Amegakure, pipes of huge size could be seen absorbing the water from the constant rain into the immense drainage system built a decade ago by the Tsuchigomo clan. Their hidden art, allowing them to refine iron faster with the usage of chakra, had allowed them to turn Amegakure into a fortress of iron.
The Dark Hall tower was no exception. As the second tallest building after the Amekage Office, it represented the authority of the Council of the Rain, a unique consortium of clan leaders of shinobi clans, the Amekage and one official representing the interests of the inhabitants, usually a war hero of civilian origins. Currently, that war hero was Hitori, a strategist genius who had a tactical mind of its own, and allowed Hanzo to return from the first Shinobi war with a title: Hanzo the Salamander.
Mumei led them through a checkpoint where two impassive chunins with Shizuku clan markings—their eyes closed in perpetual sensory focus—gave a minute nod. The air itself felt scanned.
They ascended via a silent lift to the 30th floor, emerging into a long corridor lined with metal doors. Again, technology far beyond the current era.
"This is your assigned briefing room", Mumei stated, opening one. Inside was a sparse chamber with a circular table, four chairs, and a large map of the Land of Rain and its borders etched into the wall, "Wait here. I will submit the report and your preliminary evaluation."
He left, the door clicking shut with a sound of finality.
The three genin stood awkwardly for a moment. The adrenaline of the marsh had faded, leaving behind a sterile silence.
Ameruyi was the first to move, taking a seat with her back straight, her sheathed katata placed precisely across her knees. Her veil and hat were still in place, a movable wall.
Tetsu fidgeted, his white mask tilting towards Ryugo. "I did not think the test would end up so fast. It is as if we went, collected, and returned" he mumbled
"Efficient", Ryugo corrected, sitting opposite Ameruyi. He leaned back. He put the wet hat on the ground and sat with a clear mind. His eyes showed no emotion either. He continued: "Bandits are not shinobi. The test was our composure, not our power."
"A test we passed", Ameruyi said, her voice as flat and cool as the tabletop, "Mumei-sensei's chakra never spiked. He observed, but saw no need to intervene. This is good. I admit that I am relieved"
"What do you mean?", Tetsu asked innocently
Ameruyi did not answer, but Ryugo understood the meaning.
She was originally unhappy about the team assignments. Memories flooded his mind. After the academy ended, they had been put together based on their affinity and specialization. Tetsu for genjutsu, Ryugo for ninjutsu, Ameruyi for kenjutsu. A balanced team, standard for the dark hall. However, Tetsu and Ryugo were lacking in grades, compared to Ameruyi, who was top of the class in both theory and shinobi arts.
Their calmness and swift reaction in real combat likely reassured her. They were not dead weights.
The door opened again, and Mumei entered, followed by a taller, wiry man in a standard Ame flak jacket, but with a Dark Hall insignia—a black droplet within a grey circle—pinned over his heart. His eyes were sharp, calculating, and lacked the weary patience of a teacher
"Genins", Mumei said, "This is Inspector Kosuke. He oversees initial placements for Dark Hall teams."
Inspector Kosuke looked them over, his gaze lingering on each forehead protector.
"Mumei's report is succinct. First field test: bandit elimination. Result: target neutralization in under a minute, no team injuries, minimal resource expenditure. Psychological assessment: stable. No debilitating trauma or excessive euphoria recorded", He set a scroll on the table, "By the authority of the Second Amekage Hanzo the Salamander and the Dark Hall Command, Team 11, under Provisional Chunin Mumei, is hereby confirmed for active duty within the Dark Hall roster"
A weight seemed to settle in the room, different from the anxiety of the academy. This was official. They were no longer students, but assets. More importantly, they were handed a Dark Hall insignia.
"The Dark Hall", Kosuke continued, pacing slowly, "is not the General Ame Corps. You will not guard warehouses, patrol meaninglessly around borders or escort merchants. Your missions will be assassination, sabotage, long-range reconnaissance, and targeted support for Corps operations where elite, small-unit tactics are required. You will operate as a cell of four. When all of you promote to Chunin, Mumei will be reassigned, and you will operate independently or be tasked with leading your own Genin cells. Do you understand the distinction?"
"Yes, sir!" they answered in unison.
The Dark Hall was one of the three factions in Amegakure's shinobi forces.
Most shinobi would fuel the General Amegakure Corps, a vast force meant for patrolling, miscellaneous missions and basically large operations.
The Dark Hall was different. First of all, only shinobi clan members could enter it, a testament to the system of caste within Amegakure. Second of all, all missions were meant for the elite. Assassinations, sabotage, key positions in large-scale operations. They were daggers of the Council of the Rain.
The third faction was even more specialised, called JITE. There was little known about them, except that they were personal forces of the Hanzo, the Second Amekage himself.
"Good. Your first month will be a consolidation period. Morning drills at Training Ground Beta-7. Afternoons are for individual specialization and team tactics with Mumei. Evenings are for theory. As members of the Dark Hall, you will be expected to always strive for progress. Dismissed"
With a final nod, Inspector Kosuke left.
Mumei looked at them, his stern expression softening by a fraction. It wasn't warmth, but a shade of respect.
"You heard him. Training begins at six tomorrow. Do not be late. You are dismissed for the day. Use it to prepare"
That was official. They were officially a team.
[Status: Ryugo Kagutsu | Lv. 11 (↑1) Genin (2 / 250)
Attributes (Scale 100):
Chakra Density: D (40) | Chakra Control: D (50) (↑10)Mind: D (10)
Agility: D (10) | Strength: D (10) | Stamina: D (10)
Perk: Lightning Specialist (+10% Proficiency in Raiton)
Skill Proficiencies(Scale 100):
Bloodline Release: Raikōgan I (C) (0) (Sealed)
Ninjutsu(Raiton): White Lion Storm Bite (C) (20), Lightning Clone (D) (40), Lightning Arc (D) (42) (↑2), Lightning Snake Kunai (D) (40), Thunder Clap (D) (40),
Genjutsu: Genjutsu Reversal (D) (40)
Kenjutsu: Rain Swordsmanship (D) (40)
Taijutsu: Academy Rain Fist Style (E) (60)
Miscellaneous: Stealth (C) (60), Kunai Throwing (D) (51) (↑1), Strategy (D) (40), Logistics (D) (10), Wilderness Survival (D) (10), Trading (D) (10), Eloquence (D) (10), History (E) (50), Flute (E) (15)]