His heart was still racing with anxiety as he noted the uncontrollable trembling in his hands while lifting the contents of the mission scroll to facial view. The agitation of his nerves were the residual effect of his excitement. It was his first mission, and on top of that he had already been privileged with meeting and conversing with the Umikage directly. It truly seemed like too much of an honor for a mere Genin fresh from the academy, but due to the Umikage’s casual engagement it seemed that such a thing was the norm.

Narrowing his crimson eyes he read his missions briefing between the green and red trimmed scroll as he made his way back towards the main sectors of the village. It had appeared that his task was menial like most of the missions for his rank. “Fishing for an old man is a good starting point I suppose.” He thought with an optimistic expression. It most certainly wasn’t an opportunity to sharpen his bloodline abilities in action like he would prefer, but it was logical for him to first prove his competency before the village would trust him to bear arms without supervision.  

Although an un-thrilling mission to be sure, there was some pride to be taken in being allowed a chance to establish his worth. With a collected attitude the young Kogure had made his way to the village pier where various civilians lounged against the elevated railings that stood between them and the waves abound. It wasn’t hard to find Old Man Yukai as the small elderly gent stood seemingly impatient by an array of fishing essentials that he was clearly too physically eroded to operate.



The old man seemed to be a lively spirit to say the least. The irony of his initial dissatisfaction audibly apparent as he grumbled about his dislike of Tuesdays on the bright Thursday afternoon before plopping into his green fold out chair to directly oversee the Genin’s work flow. Whisking one of the three present fishing poles up from the ground he seamlessly attached a double anchor hook with thorough fluidity. Upon opening the designated container labeled, “Yukai’s Special Bait: Authorized Entry Only”, he saw a pile of live golden caterpillars being entertained by various stacks of leaves. He had never seen golden caterpillars before but deemed it best not to ask where he had acquired them. The warning label enough to deter anyone who had been granted authorized entry.

After casting his line over the railing of the pier the waiting game began. He was uncertain how these special fish would take to golden caterpillars. They were not creatures of the sea or otherwise a meal they would be acquainted with from their watery realm. Alas, such probably did not matter as the lure and hook were designed to appear as fish anyhow. Before long he had his first tug, and a strong one at that. Rising promptly from his sedentary position he began reeling back the line with vigorous intent. Flopping up through the surface of the water, a glimmering yellow tail with white skin and rainbow colored fins. A majestic beauty to say the least.



With a focused nod the young Genin un hooked the captured rainbow finned fish and placed it where instructed. He could hear the fish’s last moments as it thumped against its plastic confines desperately before simmering quiet in death. With a grin of satisfaction he quickly grabbed another golden caterpillar and recast his line. If he had attracted one, surely he had attracted others near the same spot. At least thats how most fish behaved as far as he knew. That was his hypothesis and he was sticking to it. In a half hours time four more majestic victims had been usurped, filling the designated cooler of storage to capacity.





Word Count: 804
Mission Finished