The first step to create a change for Zento (private for Zento and Kirito)

It was a beautiful day out. Hardly any clouds in the sky. Wind giving a nice breeze to the very great day the village was having. Everyone was laughing and playing around. Zento would walk around the village. Keeping his eyes forward. Passing everyone in town and watching the children play with their toys and run around playing tag. It was nice. He saw a family walking out and a little girl skipping down the side walk with ice cream in her hand. Tripping over her own feet, the girl fell forward but Zento was able to catch her in time. Sadly the same couldnt be said about the ice cream. He watched it splatter on his boot and the girl saying how sorry she was. Zento reaching into his pocket and pulling out a cloth. Wiping the liquid off of his boot and then buying a new cone and handing the girl it. He watched the big smile on her face reappear as she took the first taste. Patting her on the head and standing back to his feet, Zento would continue on with his day.

The tall man reached into his back pocket and pulled out a small black notebook and his black pencil laying on his ear slipped into his fingers as he started writing down his thoughts. Most of it being about the girl and how happy she seemed to be for the treat. It was nice to help give her something and prevent her day from being a bad one. Not on such a beautiful day as this. No one would want to waste it. He walked around seeing fellow shinobi and tipping his hat to them as they waved back at him. Zento didnt stop to chat even when they asked if he wanted to go out and eat with them. He wanted to enjoy this day more than anything. There was no time to sit down inside.

Zento would continue walking around and found a man sweeping up in front of the store and stopping as he put his hand on his back. Zento walking up holding his hand out and placing his hand on the broom. The man looked up at the six foot seven man and let go of the broom and Zento swept for him. Making the entrance to the store look nice and clean. Setting the broom back inside, Zento continued his way around the village without so much as saying goodbye to the man. He was just a man of few words. He didn't take much time to do so.

Finally, Zento would make his way to the Training grounds. He enjoyed this place. It was very quiet in the middle of the day and the weather was so peaceful here. He sat on the big stone near the lake. Pulling his black notebook out and writing in it more. Thinking about all that he's done and where he would be going with his life. He wasn't sure where this life would lead. But he wanted to shape a new future for himself. To become better and stronger. The man would look deeply into his notebook. Disconnected from the world. Enjoying his time alone and the perfect weather today.

It was one of those rare days that Kirito had an opportunity to leave the Hokage's office and stretch his legs. Kirito sometimes got days like this, whether it was because work was slow or Kirito simply snuck away to give himself a break. Kirito did have some sort of reason for walking amongst the villagers today. Kirito had been going over paperwork and reading through the files of the Konoha ninja. Kirito was looking for talented ninja that could benefit from working with the ANBU Black Ops. While going through the files, one in particular had caught Kirito's eye. A ninja who was a brilliant puppet engineer and user. Zento was the ninja's name. According to his file, Zento had entered the ninja academy at a late age but his progression was astounding. In almost no time at all Zento had become a Special-Jounin in the village.

Zento's file said that Zento did not have any remaining family members. Kirito was concerned about Zento even though Zento's skills were indeed first class. This had prompted Kirito to walk amongst the villagers, listening to what the people had to say about the man. Many of the villagers seemed to not know Zento's name, but his appearance was not one to easily be mistaken. Even though Zento's name was not well known, the villagers seemed to speak highly of a tall man fitting Zento's description who always stopped to help wherever he could, asking for nothing in return. It puzzled Kirito as to why such a kind and talented ninja would not have his name all over the village.

As Kirito continued to walk the streets of Konoha, he was pointed in the direction of the training grounds by a shopkeeper who had just been helped by Zento. Kirito decided that he would head to the training grounds and observe Zento, possibly even speak to the man. Kirito still had to determine whether Zento was a good choice for Konoha's ANBU. Upon arriving at the training grounds, Kirito spotted Zento sitting on a large rock near the lake. It was a beautiful day so Kirito could understand why Zento would choose such a place. Kirito would watch for a few minutes as Zento flipped through a notebook that Zento had with him. After about five minutes, Kirito would make his way over to the man. Kirito would stop roughly 3 meters from Zento, giving the man some personal space, before speaking. "Zento Anichi." was all Kirito would say to announce his presence. Kirito would wait for Zento's response with a friendly smile on Kirito's face.

Zento would continue already writing in his notebook. Peeking up and noticing that he was being watched. He would choose to ignore it. Not feeling as though it was for any harm or any sort of danger. Continuing to write in his notebook and closing his eyes. He was listening to the world. Hearing all that was going on. The wind lightly moving. The water lightly making its way down course. The trees moving in the wind. After about five more minutes, Foot steps could be heard coming closer to the man. Listening, it seemed to be the hokages foot steps. He would continue writing in his book. Not looking up. He had assumed he came to enjoy the peaceful weather. Zento would continue writing in his book as the man spoke his name. Zento would finish up the last sentence before slapping the book shut in his hand and putting it back into his pocket. His eye eyes peering up and sliding the pencil behind his right ear and standing up from the rock.

Zento would take a couple of steps off the rock standing two meters from the man. Looking down and raising his right hand up to grab the tip of his hat. Moving it down at tad and back in place as his casual greeting to people. His hand returning back to his side and keeping his eyes focused on the man. He wasn't sure as to why the man would want to appear before Zento. He didn't believe he would have done anything wrong. Well, aside from the missions he went on but those were by the ANBU themselves. Something he himself did for the village. Either way, Zento was a man who still was on guard. His hand resting over his kunai pouch ready for a moments notice. He had his mind going a mile a minute. Ready to fight if this man came to wipe Zento off the map. But at the same time he didn't have any reason to do so. Zento was simply just doing his job half the time. But, the kage never left his work without good reason.

Thinking with good logic, he clearly needed to talk. About a 98% chance he was here to simply talk. But Zento would always keep that 2% at the ready. A man who never took his time to be casual. Always ready for in case the life or death moment should occur. You never know when that will happen. Zento's eyes would narrow as he studied the man in front of him. If he felt the need to, Zento face hidden in the shadow. All that could be seen was small lines of his white snow like hair and one of his red eyes examining the Hokage. Ready for any situation and the best actions to take for any of them if they are to arrive.

Kirito would patiently wait and watch as Zento closed his notebook, tucked his pencil behind his right ear, stood up and tipped his hat to Kirito. Kirito was still observing Zento closely, trying to gauge the man's inner workings. It seemed to Kirito that Zento truly was a man of very few words. Kirito was ok with that. Sometimes speaking too loosely could be bad. Kirito also observed Zento's hand over the kunai pouch that Zento was wearing. Even when speaking with the Hokage this man was on guard.

Kirito would continue smiling at Zento while these actions were performed. Kirito would then begin to speak to Zento in a friendly yet semi-formal tone. "I'm sorry to disturb you on this beautiful day. It looked like you were enjoying yourself. I'm sure you know who I am, but I'll introduce myself anyway. My name is Kirito." Kirito would say to Zento. Kirito would give a brief pause in order for Zento to respond if he saw fit before Kirito continued.

"I was looking at the files of the Konoha ninja for possible ANBU candidates. Out of all of them, yours was one of the few files that caught my attention. I usually don't get a chance to leave the Hokage chambers, but I thought this was worth sneaking away for." Kirito would let a smile creep across his face as he finished speaking. It may have been a bit long winded but Kirito thought it was a good way to start the conversation. Kirito would wait for some sort of response from Zento at this point. It was true Zento had completed missions for the ANBU several times already, but he was not yet one of them. Kirito was curious to see how Zento would respond to what had just been said.

Zento would look over at the man. His eyes narrowing a bit as he spoke and introduced himself. He clearly knew exactly who he was. HE found it pretty respectful of him to introduce himself like that. A way of formality. Zento didn't find the need to introduce himself do to the fact that he knew exactly who Zento was and already stated his name. Speaking in a deep calm voice. "Hello Lord Hokage." Was all that left the man. He would watch the man have a friendly smile on his face. Zento would watch and study the man. He seemed to be having just a friendly chat and escaping work. He wouldn't judge that because he also would skip out on work at times if he ever felt like he had the time to do so. Especially on a beautiful day like this. The chances of an attack, 1%. Zento looked over at the sky.

His eyes shot back at the man and narrowed to be completely serious. The man discussed the ANBU black ops. The work he did for them flooded back into his mind and all the lives he ended for them. The chances of an attack now 2% again. They might want to silence him. But joining the ANBU was something the man discussed as well. Which was of course the most logical thing to come out of this chat. Zento standing straight and his arms behind his back in a formal stance. The man nodded as he spoke about how Zento's file caught his eye. Zento speaking in what would be the most he would probably end up saying today. "Thank you for noticing my work. The Work I have done for the ANBU Black Ops have come to me every now and then to do some work. All of which you are well aware of I'm sure sir." Zento would study the kage to see if he was going to give him his chance to follow in his fathers foot steps to become a ANBU assassin.

"Thank you for noticing my work. The Work I have done for the ANBU Black Ops have come to me every now and then to do some work. All of which you are well aware of I'm sure sir."


Zento sure was a man of few words. Kirito's childish side was jumping to the front of his personality. Kirito was now thinking about making it a game for himself to get Zento to say more than a sentence or two. Kirito had to suppress a laugh at the thought before he continued. Overall Kirito, now having met Zento in person, was thinking that the man would certainly benefit from becoming one of the ANBU. Kirito was still observing Zento however, and did not want to make a hasty decision on a quick conversation. "I will tell you this much, I am strongly considering you for a position with the ANBU assassination squad. I understand your father was one as well. I've read about your skills and on paper you look like the right person for the job. However, I was hoping you could give me a demonstration. If you're feeling up to it that is." Kirito would say to Zento, keeping his semi-formal tone.

Kirito was watching Zento carefully the entire time. Kirito could tell Zento was continuously analyzing the situation. The way he said only what he needed to, the notebook and pencil, they way his body had reacted to the mention of the ANBU and the way Zento still had his hand over the kunai pouch he was carrying. A thought had occurred to Kirito at this point. It was an out of the box thought and Kirito wondered how his friend and student Taika would react to it. Zento seemed to be indeed skilled. He was loyal to the village. And most importantly of all, Zento had a kind heart. These were important qualities. Especially for that of a leader. But Kirito may be jumping the gun. Zento seemed to be more antisocial than Kirito had anticipated. For now Kirito would simply continue to observe Zento and hopefully judge the man on his skills.

Zento seemed to know that a battle would shine through. He had to use some of the skills he had. Zento would pull out the kunai in his pouch. spinning it around in his finger and then holding it and standing in a a formal fighting stance. He would watch the man and then look up at the sky. looking at the bright sun. moving his other hand over his face and moving his kunai to shine the bright colorful sun in his kage's eyes. Knowing it would most likely make him squint and blur his vision. Even so, Zento was invisible for at the very most two seconds. At that time, Zento would be gone. Using the body flicker technique and was no where to be found. Knowing his Kage is a speed type, he just had to make sure he caught him before he could make his sudden moves. He had the teleporting move and had to place most likely a kunai somewhere. He didnt hear him throwing any or placing any before hand. So the man didnt have anywhere to go.

A kunai could be seen at his Kage's neck. Zento standing on Kirito's left with the kunai coming from the right side of his neck. Keeping him caged in. Zento It was something that Zento did often. Not many people would hear him showing up at his opponents side and then move the Kunai a bit closer to his neck. His kage shouldn't have any trouble moving out of such a trap. It was simply him warming up to the kage and finding out what his opponent can do. Learning was something important. He enjoyed learning his opponents and seeing what they are able to do. Zento didn't care if he won the fight or not. It was all about intelligence for the both of them. Learning more about the other.

In response to Kirito's request to see Zento's skills, Zento would take up a formal fighting stance holding a kunai in front of his face. Kirito had been watching Zento carefully the entire time so he was ready for this. Kirito would draw a raijin kunai and hold it at his side using his right hand the instant he saw Zento reaching for a kunai. Kirito would wait and continue watching Zento for signs of movement as Kirito waited for Zento to make the first move. Kirito didn't have to wait long.

Kirito saw Zento moving the kunai ever so slightly as Zento moved his other hand over his face. Kirito could assume what Zento was planning, and Kirito's assumption was correct a second later. The reflection of the sun off of Zento's kunai was reflected in Kirito's eyes, making Kirito squint. Zento would then appear at Kirito's side a mere second later with the kunai pressed against Kirito's throat. Zento was indeed quick, but Kirito was indeed quicker. Kirito had followed the sound of Zento's footsteps and the chakra signature Zento was giving off. By the time Zento had appeared at Kirito's left, Kirito had swapped the raijin kunai he was holding from his right hand to his left. The raijin kunai was now aimed at Zento's chest, being held in a reverse grip in Kirito's left hand.

Kirito would smile at the position he and Zento were in. Kirito would not move, waiting to see what Zento would do next.

Just as expected from the man. He was fast for Zento. his back turned as he shook his sleeve a bit with his free hand crushing a small flash bomb in his hand and quickly letting it go for the light to shine bright. His back being to it of course as to prevent him from being blinded by it. As for his kage, he most likely have a bit of trouble of it. Zento was big on hiding a few things up his sleeve. Always making himself planned and ready for anything. Afterword he would move his hand with the kunai down at the mans leg to slice it and pass down to the ground behind him. Even if it missed, the man might take a step back and fall over it being behind his foot. Zento then had to react. Using a simple movement of his hands, he would go for a disarm move to take the kunai out of his hand. His hand that had the bomb stung a bit from the explosion but he had to endure something like that.

Zento would, if he had the blade in his hand, throw it with full force into the lake. Even if not, Zento would still move the mans hand out of the way. Repressing his Chakra down to almost nothing so the man who was most likely still blinded by the light, After that, Zento would reach in his pouch and pull out a smoke bomb. Throwing it at his kage's feet and go to into a huge crowd of smoke. Then making a few hand seals, Zento would preform phoenix flower jutsu. Six small balls of fire flying at his kage. However, as most know there are kunai hidden in each one. However, in the middle kunai there was a small thread attached to it. Staying out of the flame was a paper bomb. Ready to explode once it reached Kirito. One of the big things that Zento did was keep short fuses on paper bombs. He stayed out of the explosion and standing straight up. Ready to see where his opponent would come from. The only location he could go to was where ever any other kunai would go. In any case like that, Zento would throw a paper kunai there with a paper bomb to explode on contact with any of the kunai his opponent would send flying out

Kirito was watching Zento out of the corner of his eye now, since Zento was standing at Kirito's side and Kirito hadn't moved. Suddenly a blinding light came from behind Zento, once again blinding the Kage. How many times was Kirito going to fall for the same trick? Kirito made a mental note not to get blinded again. Zento's chakra hadn't spiked at all so Kirito could tell that it had to have been a flash bomb of some sort. As Zento moved to slice Kirito's leg, the kunai would pass completely through the leg leaving Kirito unharmed. The only thing that would happen would be sparks of lightning coming from the place that had been sliced. Zento was unaware of this, but Kirito had eaten the Goro Goro no mi fruit giving him certain abilities. One of the abilities Kirito had gained was being made out of pure lightning, which meant any type of physical attack would simply phase through Kirito's body even if Kirito was unaware of the attack.

Kirito couldn't see, being he was still blinded by the flash bomb, but he could feel Zento's hands disarming the raijin kunai from Kirito. Kirito smirked as he felt Zento's hand brush his own during this maneuver. That was all Kirito needed. Kirito heard a splash and the Zento's chakra would vanish, making it impossible to continue to track Zento that way. When Kirito's sight had returned, his eyes would be a crimson with three tomoe like pupils creating a triangle formation. It was a habit of Kirito's to always have his sharingan eyes active. Kirito had not activated them until this point purely because he hadn't felt he needed them. Now that his sharingan eyes could see, Kirito saw six small balls of fire emerging from a cloud of smoke, but Zento was out of Kirito's line of sight. Kirito drew another raijin kunai as he waited for the fire balls to get closer. When they were about 5 meters away from Kirito, Kirito's sharingan had noticed a thread attached to the center fireball as well as a paper bomb.

Upon noticing the thread and the paper bomb, Kirito would perform a few hand seals and a large wall of earth would emerge from the ground in front of Kirito, who was now facing the oncoming attack, at a fast enough speed to block the fire balls and defend against the paper bomb being the earth wall was one meter thick. Being behind the earth wall, Kirito would begin performing a few seals in preparation for his next attack.

Zento would look into the cloud of smoke. Hearing the explosion and the sound of earth moving. It was a simple thing to do. But, the sound was something odd. When the kunai left the person, he heard something. Almost like electricity. He must have a lightning type with his chakra nature. Zento couldn't very well see what was going on. He would stand there like a statue. Watching the smoke start to clear. A wall of earth was appearing between Zento and Kirito. He would have to remember to write that down on his notebook about this man. He Would look around And then pull out some more kunai. One between each finger in each hand. Holding a total of four kunai in each hand Tossing them down on the floor around him. His on personal reasons to do so. Waiting to see the man come for him and make his next move. Zento would put his hand together to make a few hand seals at the ready. Thinking calmly in his head.

The Hokage of the village appears to be using earth style jutsus. Very well for defensive powers. They also have powerful attacks. However, most earth style jutsus are slow I can easily doge those. However it sounded like he has lighting. That's where the speed comes in. I have to plan for that as well. Lightning is dangerous and powerful. However, I can go for some simple redirection and counter movements. They don't do too well for someone who can follow it. Hmmmm. I will have to keep in mind for an earth and lightning combo from him. However, I need to still be sure that I don't stand in any traps he could place underground. Better prepare for the worst. However, at the same time, this is all just a test. Gathering info. The ANBU aren't for killing blindly. Gather Intel. Strike once you're ready. Our big battle isn't for this fight. This is nothing to go all out in. Once the next fight we have, Thats when I use other moves that can do the damage I need.

Zento would see the smoke faded and preforming some hand seals. Being ready for anything to come at him. This little test was most likely almost over for the both of them. Afterall, Zento needed to grab a bite to eat. He has yet to eat anything all day. After this, he'll treat the hokage to a meal before he has to be dragged back to his office. Zento had a lot to write down in his notebook.

Kirito still could not sense Zento's chakra which meant Zento was still suppressing it. Kirito's earth wall was good for defense, but it left him unable to see past it which was a disadvantage. Luckily Kirito had placed a seal on Zento earlier when he had disarmed Kirito. That brief contact between the two was enough to place a small 1/2 inch FTG seal on Zento, so it was probable that Zento hadn't noticed it yet. Zento was indeed skilled, skilled enough to at least be made into ANBU. Kirito had decided on making Zento one of Konoha's ANBU. Now he just needed to finish up this little spar and he had a plan to do so.

Dashing around the earth wall, Kirito would stop 15 meters away from Zento. The smoke had finally cleared so Kirito had a clear view, however that meant Zento could see Kirito as well. Immediately upon stopping, Kirito would spray a cone of water at the kunai on the ground near Zento's feet, attempting to wash them away, as well as the area surrounding Zento. When Kirito had at least wet the ground surrounding Zento, he would release the water trumpet technique. Kirito would then perform a series of hand seals in less than a second. What happened next would depend on Zento's response to Kirito's water trumpet technique, but either way the spar would be decided soon.

Zento smiled at the water around him. He knew the man would focus on the kunai as planned. He just needed him to focus on an unimportant item. Then charging at the water, Zento would dive right into it. And boom! The substitution was shown. Zento out of the place he once was and now in a tree behind the Kage. Sitting there with one leg dangling off of the branch. Tossing the glove on his hand that made contact with the man's hands off and onto the floor. Being out of his line of sight and hidden, the man would most likely use his teleportation. Zento now knew he had water elements as well inside his body. Another note that Zento would have to take into consideration. By taking his gloves off, there was most likely a 80% chance there was a mark on it from the man. He was familiar with that jutsu and needed to make sure he didn't have any marks on him. However, the best bet was the gloves he took off. slipping in a couple of paper bombs with a string on them.

If the mark was on the gloves, the man most likely would appear there. In which case, Zento would pull the string and cause the explosion right at the moment of his appearance. Zento familiar with the class fighter the man was He just had to keep all of the bases needed covered. He kept his chakra hidden for a little bit more after that jutsu was used. But the man probably had an idea of the location Zento was in. But he was hidden in the branches of the tree. The gloves behind the tree he was in. A thin wire almost invisible to the naked eye attached to them. Zento was having a bit of fun with this fight. But then the next consideration had to take affect. That the mark was still on him. If that was the case, Kirito's plan was going to be something of sneaking up behind him and get him in a check mate. Zento would have his coat unbuttoned all the way and his arms out of the sleeves. Appearing from the back, the coat would still be in perfect contact and unchanged. He would have himself ready for the next attack to come. His kage was an interesting one indeed.

Kirito watched as Zento smiled and then charged forward and dove into the water that Kirito had just created. Having already performed the hand seals, wood tendrils would fly from Kirito's body turning into lightning and aimed at the water that Zento was about to dive into. It wasn't quick enough to catch Zento before Zento disappeared. The lightning would reform into a clone of Kirito now standing on top of the water that Kirito had created earlier. Luckily, Kirito and the wood clone were both wearing Kirito's Blackwyrm Coat that kept their presence hidden even when using techniques. This meant that Zento would hopefully not know Kirito had created a wood clone and assume it was some sort of attack. Kirito, however, would feel Zento's chakra spike for an instant in the woods behind Kirito before disappearing again.

Kirito had not caught Zento in the water and lightning combination but the second part of Kirito's pla had been achieved regardless. Kirito could tell from all of Zento's actions until now that Zento was highly intelligent and had an analytical mind. Judging from the way Zento had attacked Kirito already, Kirito could assume Zento liked to use tricks and traps and was cunning and skilled enough to set them up without leaving much evidence of them. This meant that Kirito could not simply charge in blindly after Zento. Both Kirito and the wood clone had their sharingan eyes active. Kirito would smile at the turn of events. He was quite enjoying this spar and would like to fight with Zento again. For now though, Kirito would focus on finishing this fight.

Kirito and the wood clone would nod to each other as they continued with the plan. Kirito and the wood clone could communicate telepathically, making any information either one gains immediately available to the other. This was perfect for situations like this when battling an opponent that has probably booby trapped an area. Kirito would send the wood clone in to check out the area before Kirito took offensive actions. Kirito would descend into the ground using the hiding like a mole technique while the wood clone headed into the woods after Zento. Kirito, being underground, would follow after the clone, each keeping pace with the other. The wood clone would enter the woods above ground on foot while Kirito would enter below ground. If all went according to plan, Zento would only be expecting one Kirito and be completely unaware of the wood clone. Kirito was using the telepathy between them to use the wood clone's eyes and ears.

The wood clone had his sharingan eyes scanning every inch for even the smallest trace of Zento. The wood clone's senses were on overdrive as well. If Zento made any noise or flexed his chakra the wood clone and Kirito would know immediately. Five meters into the woods, the wood clone would spot Zento's gloves on the ground near the base of a tree. The wood clone would immediately scan the area in search of traps or Zento himself. Zento, being in a branch in the tree above, was out of the wood clone's line of sight and so was not seen. The wire attached to the gloves was also too thin to be noticed by the wood clone. The gloves were exactly 6 meters in front of the wood clone. Knowing that there was sure to be some sort of trap, the wood clone would reach into it's kunai pouches and pull out several raijin kunai with each hand. The clone would then throw the kunai in various spots in a 10 meter radius around Zento's gloves. Some of the raijin kunai stuck in the ground, others were lodged in tree trunks and even higher up in some branches. This was Kirito's domain.

Kirito would still be underground at this point. Six meters below ground to be exact, still directly beneath the wood clone and using the wood clone as Kirito's eyes and ears. The wood clone would perform a series of seals and then cautiously walk toward the gloves. Reaching exactly one meter away from the gloves, if the exploding tags had not yet been set off, the wood clone would finally see the thin wire attached to the gloves and follow the wire upwards with it's eyes to see Zento in the branch above. If the tags still had not exploded, the wood clone would try to look directly into Zento's eyes. If the tags had exploded, the wood clone would react differently.

Zento would think about the situation and all that was going on. Thinking about all the ways this fight could go and see how many ways this could go. However, Zento needed to go to the choice that was the most logical. It was more important about the Intel he has gathered about the hokage. Learning about him more than he knew. He would watch the kunai fly everywhere. Zento closed his eyes and jumped off the tree branch. Landing on the ground and holding his hands up. He would stand in an up right position with his hands still up with the sign of surrendering. He would put pop his neck and then move his hands back down to his side. Knowing the man would most likely understand that Zento had given up. Then, reaching into his pocket and pulling out a wallet. He put his other hand over his stomach and look over at the man. Noticing the sharingan eyes he had. Hopefully he wasn't going to throw him in a genjutsu. Zento was simply just hungry.

He tossed his wallet up in the air and caught it over and over again. He popped his neck and looked over at the village. He was thinking of good places in the village to eat. He knew a good ramen shop in town. Perhaps he would go there. He would wave his hand for the kage to want to come with him. Waiting to see his reaction. Wondering if he confused him with this sudden change of things. Zento was somewhat weird like that. But, he had to go with the best choice. And that was saving any real fighting for a later time. He couldn't afford to do anything drastic now.

The clone would watch Zento as Zento jumped down from the tree holding up the sign of surrender. That was too bad. Kirito was having fun with this little spar. Kirito would make a mental note to fight Zento again some day. Perhaps when it came time to test the ninja's skills for a possible successor.....The wood clone would smile and deactivate it's sharingan eyes. Then the clone would disappear in a cloud of smoke. The spar was over so there was no need for a clone anymore.

The real Kirito would then emerge from underground and stand on the ground near Zento. Zento would then, still without speaking, pull out his wallet and hold his stomach. Zento would gesture with his wallet a few times before nodding toward the village. If Kirito was picking this up the right way, Zento was offering to buy lunch. Kirito couldn't say no to free food. Kirito's stomach would growl in agreement and Kirito would laugh a bit before speaking. "Ok sure. We can go get some lunch. But first, you definitely have some skills Zento. I think you're going to do well as one of Konoha'a ANBU. Zento Anichi, I am hereby promoting you to Master rank, the highest rank in the village, and am placing you on the ANBU Assassination squad. After lunch you can report to my secretary. She will have everything you need." Kirito would say to Zento in his usual semi-formal tone. Then, speaking with a large grin on his face and excited for food, Kirito would speak again. "OK! Let's go get some food!" And with that, Kirito would head towards the village, hopefully with Zento, to get some food before he was found and dragged back to the office.

[exit]
[promoting Zento to ANBU and Master(S-Rank)]