Welcome to Gaia! ::

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Shikaku shifted uncomfortably under the kage's returned gaze, but thankfully it was cut short, though that didn't help much when her words continued. It really was a test then. If he failed, he would be out of the forces for good. He had the tact to show a bit of shame as she listed his shortcomings, pickpocketing, association with the village's criminals, learning from Timmy? That one made him pause and blink in surprise. Ignoring the fact that the man had never successfully taught him anything, at least as far as ninjutsu was concerned, learning from him was considered on the same level as a crime?

"My chakra control is fine." the boy corrected once he was given clearance to speak. He'd even been told before that it was excellent. There was just one problem... "I just have a hard time with some forms of manipulation." he shrugged his shoulders. He didn't know why he couldn't do simple jutsu like the bunshin, but whatever it was didn't seem to bother his ability with henge, or the cloak of invisibility.

But corrections on his chakra control weren't what she had asked for. And being secretive, unlike with the jounin, Nagisa, was pointless here. There was no question if he was in the Raikage's office, that he was talking to the real Raikage, and seeing as she already seemed to know a good portion of his past, keeping secrets could only hurt him more. So... Well, it was time to bite the bullet. "This may not be the best thing to admit..." Shikaku spoke, still a bit hesitant. "But, for every time I've been caught, at least that I know of, I've gotten away five more." He didn't know if the ANBU might have spotted him all those other times, but it was true, at least at a quick estimate, that for every time he'd been caught and punished for his thefts, he'd gotten away without pursuers about five more times. "And that was before I learned henge." he added, realizing that it said a whole lot more about what he could do with the jutsu if the woman knew what he could do without it.

"I can accurately mimic anyone in my academy class, including the instructors. Give me an hour to observe someone, and I'll be able to mimic them too. That's how I passed the academy. I can easily move unseen and unheard, or unnoticed if need be. Give me time to improve my skills, and learn new ones, and I can be one of the best infiltration specialists in the village. A commodity I hear we're short on." As he continued to speak, Shikaku grew more and more confident, and adjusted his stance accordingly and more so, holding himself in a pose denoting respect, but also skill and power, similar to that of ANBU he'd observed over the years. Perhaps, if he impressed her with what he could do, and made strong reference to what he could become, he could get through this with his career intact. He didn't want to be out in the open and showy, like most modern ninja did, like most of the other academy students or ninja he'd met in the streets did. He knew that if he took that path he would likely die on his first real mission. No, he wanted to stay where he belonged. Where real ninja belong. In the shadows.

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Shikaku listened, watching intently as the raikage spoke. Her words had changed tone, no longer sounding like a death sentence, but instead leading into something. Did that mean he'd passed? He gulped, but nodded in understanding at the statement about being killed. The implication was simple. If the choice was death or captivity, death was to be taken. He sincerely hoped he'd never have to make that choice, but it was understandable. An infiltration specialist was privy to information and secrets most other shinobi would never see. Information they would kill for. And information he would be expected to die to protect.

And then, after a pause, she continued, ordering him... To continue performing missions, and keep up with the other genin? Then he had passed, and that was confirmation of it! And then she mentioned a special mission as well, a mission of discretion, so one attuned to his chosen path. He didn't even care about her next sentence. Refuse or fail and he was out? He wouldn't refuse. Not when it was his path into being a true shinobi. And he wouldn't fail. Not when it was so important that he succeed. All the times he'd been caught, were because he'd made mistakes. Not mistakes because he lacked the skill, but because he got lazy, tried to cut corners. He wouldn't be doing that anymore. Not as a ninja.

The moment she finished speaking, Shikaku dropped to one knee, bowing his head as low as it could go without bending him in half. "Understood! And thank you." This day had been insane. A series of ups and downs, twists and turns, achievements of lifelong goals only to have them snatched away, then dangled before his nose. But now, not it had been given to him for real. By the word of the Raikage, he really was going to be a ninja now. There was one more test, yes, but he had no doubt he could pass it. And should the worst happen and he failed, maybe he would be fortunate enough to have done well on his other missions, and retain his place through those. Yes, his future was looking good. Far better than it had five minutes ago.

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Raising his head after a few moments of silence, Shikaku saw the kage immediately gesture towards the door, clearly dismissing him. Nodding silently, he stood and briskly made his way to, and through, the door, closing it quietly behind him. Outside of the room, the boy paused, breathing heavier than he felt quite normal for not having done anything strenuous. He was a ninja now, for real. A smile tried to crawl onto his face, but he fought it down. This wasn't the time to be grinning like an idiot. Not yet. But still, the grin fought it's way onto his features as he began to slowly make his way back down the tower. Not only was he officially a ninja now, but soon enough the Raikage herself was going to give him special missions! Wait until he told Timmy about...

Timmy. The grin left his face instantly as he stopped in his tracks. Timmy's stunt had nearly lost him his place as a ninja. had lost him his pay for the foreseeable future! The boy's once grin twisted into a scowl as he reached the exit and made his way out onto the street. Timmy was the cause of everything that had gone wrong today. The reason his day of victory had been tainted with so much regret. The man would have to pay for this. Hell, he'd make the man pay for every copper he lost in mission pay paying off that stupid meal. Meal that Timmy was supposed to pay for in the first place.

Scowling deeply, Shikaku made his way back towards the training grounds. That was where Timmy practically lived. If he was going to find him, it'd be there. Dealing with the man would take precedence now even over visiting his new home. He had all night to explore a house.

[Exit to Training Grounds]

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