[url=http://www.ninpocho.com/viewtopic.php?p=213600#p213600 said:
An elderly woman complained to him about the extortionists, but Jin's mind was elsewhere. It had only been a few weeks since he'd arrived in Sungakure, and he'd already been granted the rank of Genin. There was no examination, with the exception of a small display before Sousuke at the Takahashi domicile. He knew that his rank hadn't been granted due to any sort of grand impression, or exceptional talent on his part. At 26 years of age, he was a double the age limit for enrolling in the academy. Despite that, he'd made it across the Desert Expanse, and found his way to Project Rebirth alone. His only prior experience involved altercations around the city, no super-powered mutants or anything like that. In all honesty, if Sousuke didn't still view him as family, he might have simply been turned away. He understood his place among the Shinobi, and that he'd have to work his way up and learn quickly. While there was no time limit on the duration of his stay, Jin'ichi was the type of young man that wanted to excel in whatever took his interest.
Sunagakure was a small village, isolated by a storm for over 30 years. Their numbers were low, and their enemies were powerful. All the most capable Shinobi were busy dealing with the terrorist situation, or demonic forces always clawing away at reality. There was no way in Hell that Sousuke would send a rookie like him towards any of those problems, but the division of power needed to hold danger at bay left vulnerabilities. Most notably, the Grand Palais had always been known as a seedier haunt, but now suffered more. Criminals now unbound with the lack of Shinobi presence, began resurfacing and taking advantage where they could. For a Shinobi, it was the equivalent of traffic duty but exactly where he needed to be. In the crowded living room of Sousuke's apartment, he'd spent days reading scrolls and memorizing the basics. It was time to put what he knew to use, and see if his natural talent flourished any. By the time the woman finished with her complaints, he'd give her a prompt and calm soluton. "I'll wait until they show up."<i></i>
The surprised look on her face was met by a friendly grin of is own, and together they'd wait. Sitting in the shade of the woman's parasol by her stall, Jin's head was held down as he made circles in the dirt. The sound of footsteps grouped together and approaching quickly made him alert, but it wouldn't show on his exterior. Lazily leaning in the direction of it all, he'd squint and see a group of three thuggish looking men approaching. Another man wearing a suit was leading the way, and if his gut hadn't told him otherwise he wouldn't have placed the latter with the trio on any day. "Business as usually Grandma, nothin' personal." Were the words spoken by the well-dressed leader as he approached the wooden kiosk. The three behind him muttered among themselves, obviously talking about the silent Jin'ichi who say nearby. "Well? What are you going to do about this, young man? Isn't this what you people are supposed to be preventing?
"You mean this chump's hired muscle?" The head honcho for this little pick-up was obviously not impressed. Then again, there was no reason for him to be. Jin'ichi wasn't wearing a forehead protector, or sporting any emblem indicating his position as an official arm of the law. He didn't think of himself as such, no matter who sent him to do what. His loyalty was now firmly rooted with Sousuke, and the village that Sousuke served. It wasn't because of Sousuke why he joined though. Jin'ichi's father had become a Missing-Nin and abandoned Sunagakure years before. The enemy of my enemy is my friend, was the proverb of the hour. Takahashi Meshita, as his father was known, had abandoned even his family and children after enough time had passed. If Jin'ichi had to sign his life over to Wind Country in order to kill that man, then he would. He was a man of his word, and he had little intention of letting anything get in his way. Least of all some slick talking, suit wearing, goon hiring jerk. 
"You know this is some bullshit you're doing, shaking down old ladies? It's hard to hustle these days, but come the fuck on. Why not knock over some rivals instead of screwing with her? You don't want Shinobi getting in your business any way, am I right?"</B><i></i> His voice was calm, but every word spoken clearly and without hesitation. There was something authoritative about his voice, even though he'd have hated to hear that from anyone. <B>"This rusty bitch owes us the regular 25%, like everyone else on this strip, kiddo." Jin'ichi's black eyes would move passed the criminal quartet, and scan the little market. A lot of people were watching, and it became clear they'd all suffered from these men as well. It made him wonder just how long Sunagakure had been under fight, but then again he knew that there was no way Sousuke and the others could be in all places at all times. It was the way of the world, some places had it tougher than others, and Sunagakure was one of those places. It made sense to him why his father would leave, because he knew what kind of man his father was. There wasn't enough here to sate that man's materialism, not enough opportunity to thrive.
These men weren't a whole lot different, and chose to thrive by sucking the life from those around them. Jin stood up to his full, unimposing, height of five feet and nine inches. Inhaling through his nostrils and exhaling through his mouth, it seemed he was preparing himself for something stressful. "People like you think you're so smart, but you couldn't even take a hint that I'm a Shinobi." "Like I give a shit." "You should." "Fuck you." "I'm not into guys." "Get him!"<i></i> Shouted the infuriated would-be gentleman. The men that had stayed in the back until now rushed forward, knocking over the old woman's wares in the process. Jin would side step a punch, countering with a knee to the gut. Spinning quickly away from his first target, and moving to the second, Jin'ichi unsheathed his Ninjatō. The thugs and their leaders all pulled out weapons of their own from ice-picks, to switchblades and daggers.
In the end, Jin'ichi would be the last man standing. There were a few cuts here and there on his body, and blood surely dripped from his wounds. Yet, it was nothing serious. The same couldn't be said for the four men sprawled around him, with slashed limbs and pierced vitals. Blood was everywhere, and nothing in the woman's stall was any good anymore. The elderly woman was in shock, but a heavily breathing Jin'ichi could only sigh before grinning and breaking the silence. "At least they won't be back anytime soon."<i></i> His sense of humor surely left much to be desired. At least he had one.
WC: 1,193
[Marked for Training]
[Mission Complete]
[Mission Complete]