- - Mission - - Graduation

[Checkmate]

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A massive crowd gathered just within the gates of the academy, each citizen wanting to see their child receive their headband. Some would think this an uninteresting and pointless activity, but those gathered there on that day knew it was much more. The practice of recognizing the graduating youth of the academy for their scholarship and excellence was a tradition that went back for centuries.

In front of the academy were twenty-five students, all standing at attention, despite the sporadic beat of their hearts in their chests. They had all worked diligently through the last five years to graduate from the academy and to be accepted and recognized as true shinobi.

Beside the children stood a single ninja, where he had been instructed to be. He had been asked to give an inspirational speech to the soon to be genin before they received their headbands, and was to give the speech right about now. Once the speech was over, another chuunin would read off the names of the students, and the ceremony would begin.

[Mortalvis]

This was something Tobi never thought he'd see himself doing. He was no speaker, nor was he of any charismatic alignment. He was, however, a graduate of the academy, and from where he stood, he would deem it no less than an unexpected honor to be presented with this task.

The speech was nigh. With a pounding heart, an uneasy stomach, and an expression that told of neither ailment, Tobi stepped forward. He held a set of note cards, his speech inscribed upon them, serving as his only safety net for the event.

Drawing his final, shaking breath before beginning, Tobi's eyes settled upon the audience that had gathered.

"We stand here today to honor the tireless studies and undying persistence of twenty-five students--twenty-five of Iwagakure's future protectors." Voice catching in his throat, he paused to regain his composure. His knees were weak beneath him, yet every pair of eyes that were upon him urged him onward, and he couldn't dare say no.

"Throughout their journey toward this moment, they have witnessed the things that make a shinobi noble at heart, humble in need, and strong in body and mind. The foundation of this honorable lifestyle has been bestowed upon these eager, young shinobi, and in there hands lies the future of our great nation." Pausing once more, Tobi turned toward the line of students for a moment. His eyes flitted between the cards in his hands and the children at his side, a hard lump forming in his mouth as he prepared to speak again. A moment was taken to gauge the response thus far, although Tobi was too nervous to make anything of what he would see.

[Checkmate]

All eyes were upon the ninja as he delivered his speech. He was not even finished yet, but already a change could be seen on the faces of the genin to be. His words seemed to lift their hopes, and instill new dreams in their futures. When they heard the words he spoke they did not hear them coming from a nervous boy, but a hardened shinobi. They saw this man as someone that they all wanted to be like.

Not only were the children affected, but the parents and spectators as well. Their attention was riveted to the man as he spoke words of inspiration to the crowd. No one spoke. No one even sneezed. All they could do was listen to the man.

[Mortalvis]

The change he saw in those that spectated the event lifted Tobi's spirits as well, giving him the encouragement he needed to deliver the last of his speech.

"T-Think not of this gift as a burden, but as an opportunity to instill your life into this village. Embrace it just as it embraces you now as shinobi. I have come from the same halls, and I left this place with not only the knowledge I was taught, but also the knowledge of what I had yet to learn. You are agents of Iwagakure; shinobi of this nation, upholders of our ways, and carriers of untapped power. You are genin. You are our future."

With his hard, assuring gaze lingering on the students, Tobi stepped back and took his place near the headbands. He nodded to the chuunin in charge of reading names, signaling to him that it was time to begin.

[Checkmate]

The ninja had certainly exceeded the expectations of all present with his speech. The faces of the soon to be genin were all but glowing with inspiration, and the parents and onlookers beamed with pride. Some of those present were ninja, and knew what it was like to graduate, and the excitement that was felt. Others were civilians, and could only dream of such adventure, but were inspired nonetheless. The speech given did all that was intended and more.

As the ninja stepped back toward the table on which the headbands were set, every hand met another in applause for the man’s speech. Never before had they heard something so great. The man who sat behind the desk stood up after a moment, and raised his hands in motion for the crowd to quiet. “Thank you Tobiki, for that incredible speech. And now the moment you have all gathered here to witness is upon us. I will read the names of each student as they come to receive their headband, and our guest, Tobiki, will dawn them upon the student’s head.”

He picked up a scroll from the desk and cleared his throat. “Maki Takamasa” He said, signaling for the boy to come forward. A small, chubby boy presented himself to Tobi with a smile upon his face, awaiting the honor that was about to be imparted upon him.

[Mortalvis]

Equally aglow, but instead with pride for his success, Tobi prepared himself to present the headbands to the approaching students. The chuunin had a warm smile on his face as he picked up the headband and handed it to the first boy. He wanted to say something small, such as congratulations or good job, but his soft gaze and proud posture said it all for him.

Twenty-four students remained, and Tobi was already eagerly handling the next headband, waiting to see which one would be the next to approach. He had already made note to heed their names. There would be nothing more feelgood than one day hearing that one of these genin accomplished something great.

[Checkmate]

The boy accepted the headband with a light bow before moving to the opposite side of the table where the group had been instructed to wait once they had received their honor. The next name was called, and another small boy came forward, shaking with anticipation. The last five years of his life had been devoted to reaching this day, and he had finally done it. He bowed when he reached Tobiki, holding his hand out to receive the headband.

After each student received their honor, the crowd went wild, cheering on the work and success of the students. It was truly a joyous occasion. Never before had a graduation ceremony been so well performed. The chuunin made a mental note to mention this success to the Kage. Who knew? This might become a new tradition.

[Mortalvis]

Excited that the ceremony was going so smoothly, Tobi's smile grew brighter with each passing child, and he had taken to bowing to each one in return. The most nerve-rattling part was over, and the headband distribution seemed to be coming to a close. Everything had been a success, and Tobi could hardly keep down the giddiness it had instilled in him.

Although he had missed out on such a ceremonious end to his time at the academy, he was more than glad that he had been apart of this one. This was history, and he was in it. Perhaps the new genin would remember him, or at least the words he had spoken on their behalf. It excited him to think so, and his mind remained on the topic as he continued to pass out the remaining headbands.

[Checkmate]

Name after name was called. Only a few remained, and the ceremony was drawing to a close. The applause never stopped, and the smiles from the students never lost their sincerity. They were all so happy to finally be ninja that they could not even speak.

After the final name was called, and the final face passed by the ninja, the festivities began. The entire crowd was invited inside into the cafeteria for a banquet in the new ninja’s honors. Tobiki was invited as well if he would join them, and was thanked numerous times for the speech, and for presenting the headbands as everyone went inside.

The mission was a success, and what better way to celebrate a successful mission than a party?

[Mortalvis]

Unable to deny such a hospitable offer, Tobi agreed to join the post-ceremony festivities. It'd seem rude if he slipped out directly following the end of the main event, especially after all the thanks he received for his speech. Besides, a little free food never hurt anyone.

Following the others into the building, Tobi scanned the area. Now that he wasn't center stage anymore, he began to feel a little outlandish. He didn't know anyone in attendance aside from the genin, and even then it was only by name. His stay wasn't likely to last long given the circumstances, and he hovered closely near the exit until he found somewhere better to be.

[Checkmate]

((You finished the mission, so I won't drag this on any longer.))

The festivities progressed. Everyone got their food, and the roar of laughter and talk filled the room. A few more people thanked the ninja for his excellent speech and for honoring them with his presence. Besides those few interactions, however, the new genin mostly stayed with their friends or family. Whether he stayed or not, the festivities would be virtually unaffected. All in all, his mission had been a smashing success.

[Mission: Passed]
[Additional Objective: Passed]