Ousei's POV

It had been a day since Team 8 was made official after passing the test Kurenai-sensei gave us.  I was currently getting ready to head on out to meet on up with my team to receive our very first mission.

"Hello, Mom and Dad," I said, looking at the picture of my parents on the table as I put on my jacket over my usual mission wear."It's me, Ousei, your son. So last night, as I mentioned yesterday, my teammates and I passed Kurenai-sensei test,  and today, we were going on our first mission."

"Kid, you're talking to a picture of your dead parents again," Yukimaru said, slithering up my leg and up to my shoulder, wrapping around my neck.

"You know that I do this every day. You've been here long enough to know that," I replied.

"I know, kid, just letting you know that some might find it weird to be talking to a picture of dead people," Yukimaru stated.

"It doesn't matter. It helps me emotionally by talking to them," I said."This way, I don't have to feel alone not having parents. This way, I can pretend to have conversations with them like they're here."

"I get it, kid. Now come on, you're supposed to meet your team at the entrance of the  Academy to receive your first mission."

"Right, let's get going," I said, opening my bedroom door and walking out of the room to head on out to meet up with my teammates.

****

3rd POV

Ousei and Yukimaru had arrived at the academy entrance to see that he was the first one there and leaned against the wall while he waited for the rest of his team to show up.

"Seems you're the first one here, but your bug teammate. He is probably on his way. He seems to be the type who is usually on time. Besides, we actually had time before the meeting time. I just know how much you prefer to be on time," Yukimaru said.

"Yeah, you're right," Ousei replied, closing his eyes as he waited for his teammates and sensei to show up.

"You thinking about something, kid?" Yukimaru asked.

"No," He replied, shaking his head as his eyes remained closed.

"I know you're not telling the truth, but we can discuss it later."

Ousei nodded his head as he took a deep breath and continued to stay deep in his private thoughts. His eyes snapped open as he heard the familiar female voice of Hinata.

"H-Hi, Ousei-kun," Hinata said, blushing and playing with his fingers.

"Hello, Hinata," Ousei greeted, glancing st her briefly.

He then noticed that Shino was standing over near a tree silently.

"Ho-How a-are you?" She asked nervously.

"I'm good, Hinata," Ousei replied.

"Good morning, you three," Kurenai greeted as he arrived at the meeting place.", It seems that everyone is here except Kiba and Akamaru," She said.

"That boy expects to be a shinboi but not even on time," Ousei muttered to himself so only Yukimaru could hear him.

"Kid, you have to learn how to be less harsh. Your personality is the reason everyone seems to not like you, except for your three fangirls, the shy one on your team, the loud blonde, and the emo one who is full of anger and sadness."

"They don't fangirl over me, and that's just who I am. You're always telling me I take after my father, and he had friends, maybe," Ousei replied softly.

"Everything okay, Ousei," Kurenai said, noticing him deep in thought looking at Yukimaru talking to her.

"It's nothing, Kurenai-sensei."

"Alright then," Kurenai replied though she could tell something was on his mind.

"Sorry we're late; Akamaru and I got sidetracked during our walk after breakfast!" Kiba exclaimed as he and Akamru ran toward the team.

"It's alright, just try to be on time next time," Kurenai said.

"Will do Kurenai-sensei."

"Alright, come on, you four mean six," Kurenai said, including Yukimaru and Akamaru.

Team 8 then followed Kurenai-sensei inside of the Academy.

****

Ousei and the rest of Team 8 were now standing in a large room with a long table in front of six windows. At the table were the Third Hokage, Iruka-sensei, and a few other people as well.

Kurenai was standing right behind her four genin.

"Now, for Team 8 first mission," The Third Hokage said, holding up a piece of paper."Mio Sakamoto pulled planting the vegetables out of the garden."

"Ah, really, what kind of mission is that," Kiba complained.

"Mutt, act like a shinboi and not baby," Ousei said, glancing at Kiba.

"What you say!" Kiba snapped.

"Woof!" Akamaru barked in annoyance.

"Uh, Ki-Kiba, I- I don't think Ous-Ousei means it," Hinata said.

"Alright, Kiba, calm down, and Ousei's tone down strict attitude," Kurenai commanded."Team 8 will accept the mission," She said, returning her attention to the Third Hokage.

"Alright, Mio lives close to the park. Her house has a yellow roof," The Third Hokage said.

"Understand, come along, my Genins," Kurenai said, walking toward the door.

Ousei glanced at Hinata, who attempted to defend him, and saw her look away nervously. He shrugs his shoulders and decides not even to bother thinking about it and follows Kurenai out of the room.

****

Ousei's POV

I and Team 8 were now standing in front of the house as a lady in her early thirties was in a wheelchair was talking to us.

"Thank you for agreeing to pick my vegetables while im stuck in this wheelchair from my medical surgery," She said."Now just them the veggies in these baskets and bring them into the kitchen. The door will be unlocked," She said, handing each of us a basket.

"It's no problem. We will take care of it for you," Kurenai-sensei said."Come on, you four, go pick the veggies."

I nodded and walked over to the tomatoes as my other three teammates, with to get the other vegetables.

"Well, make sure you pick them carefully," Kurenai-sensei said, walking by and checking on all of us as we picked the vegetables.

After two hours of picking all of the vegetables from Mio's garden and taking them all inside to the kitchen, Kurenai-sensei dismissed us, saying she delivered the mission report and everyone would receive their payment. As well as fo meet her at 9 in the morning for training.

****

After our mission, I was currently in the training guard, practicing my sword skills against my shadow clone.

"You have got better at your swordsmanship. Maybe you should consider getting a more advanced sword," Yukimaru said.

"I have been thinking about getting a custom one like the one I saw my father have in a picture," Ousei said softly, remembering the picture he saw with his father holding a sword.

"You know a place that makes custom swords like the one you want?" Yukimaru asked.

"What about sparing with an actual opponent," A familiar voice said.

I turned around to see Suki Uchiha standing behind me, leaning against a tree.

"Hello, Suki. Do you even have a sword?" I asked.

"No, but I'm thinking about getting one," Suki said."Sure, you have other areas you need to train."

I stared at Suki, curious about the extra usage of words. She hadn't really talked much since the Uchiha Massacre.

"I could work on my Fire style more," I stated.

"How about I teach you the Fire Ball, justu, and you show me about swords," Suki said.

"Why, Suki, what is this for?" I asked."You want me just to help you for revenge, or do you want to train with me like we did as kids?"

"Hn."

"No answer, fine, we can train, but I still want an answer at some point."

Suki hummed in response and walked over to me, showing me the hand signs for the Fireball justu. After watching her, I began practicing the justu, but it started small.

"You need to focus your charka more, Ousei," Suki said.

I nodded and focused my chakra as I tried it again, but it was bigger. I kept at it until, finally, I could make a big ball of fire.

"Hn."

"So, what did you want to learn about swords?" I asked.

"What kind of sword is that one?"

"Oh, this is one of the most basic swords, but even though it is not as sharp if mastered, it could be as deadly as a sword made for assassination," I replied."Each sword is made differently. This one is more of basic Katana."

"I see. What sword would you recommend for me?" Suki asked, leaning closer to me.

"You, I could see with a longsword or maybe a Chokuto sword.

"Hn."

Suki and I continued talking about swords for a bit before I decided to head on home for the day.

"See how much she was talking to you? She was even getting closer to you. She is definitely crushing on you," Yukimaru said.

"Stop with that. Suki is not interested in dating anyone. Her only goal is to beat Naruko and get revenge. I don't see her changing her goal anytime soon," I muttered as I walked on towards my apartment to shower from my training.

"You know that I'm right though," Yukimaru stated.

"Whatever we talk about this more another time," Ousei mumbled as he walked towards his apartment.

Chapter End~

So in this chapter, Ousei and his team receive their first D-rank mission and later Ousei does some training when suddenly Suki decides to join him. I hope you all enjoy the ninth chapter of The Silent Serpent.

Question of the day: What kind of C-rank mission do you think Team 8 will get?

[Taisho-Era Secrets!]

• Ousei first started talking to his parents when he was four years old.

• Ousei enjoyed training with Suki when they first joined the academy but personally wasn't a massive fan of Itachi.

•Kiba and Akamaru actually like Ousei but tend to get jealous of how easily he can learn new justu and techniques.

Word Count: 1699