Episode 1

**Throw a Rock, Hit a Ninja** is the 1st episode of Under Ninja anime series.

## Synopsis

Kuro Kumogakure is a modern day ninja, but that doesn't mean his life is exciting. Bereft of any missions for a long time, he's an underachiever whiling away his days in obscurity, until he receives a special delivery.

## Summary

On a special mission, U.S. soldiers enter a building looking for a terrorist, however they find him dead. As top of his head is missing, one of them explains that its done by a sword and points out that the terrorist's thumb for pressing a detonation button and head got sliced, and that only a ninja can do this. One of them expressed desire to see the ninja, however another one states that if he did, he would have been killed.

On September 9th, Kuro, Miracle, Shion and Suzuki gather on a rooftop. Kuro is last to come and Miracle warns him to not step on a gum. He notes that its been a long time since they have seen each other, but then corrects himself stating he saw him the other day at the run-down apartment. Kuro asks him if the burns from the lightning strike have healed, but Miracle explains that he is covering them with makeup, and that they won't heal until he takes him down. Kuro doesn't really listen and ends up stepping on a gum. He notices that the girl is staring at him and asks her about her name. She explains that she got a bunch of Ninja Handles, but her real name is Suzuki. Kuro gets a bit frustrated, stating that her name is second most used one, so she wins, however Miracle's name is 1500th one, so he can't even compete with them. Kuro asks them if they are stupid for calling him to come on a super visible rooftop. Miracle tries to defend himself stating its a normal procedure to call everyone and do a cool-looking pose. Kuro states that this isn't a manga and a sniper can take them down, so they should leave. Shion understands what Kuro is saying, but tells him to check out the next building rooftop, where the enemy has also gathered. Kuro notes that they are just as stupid and asks him with who they are dealing with. Shion explains its the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare's Rear Support Maneuvers Division 2, called the Rear-Enders. Miracle decides to make the first move, but Kuro stops him and explains that he is the strongest among them, since he took down the dick-slicing foreigner. Kuro asks Shion on who is the strongest among the enemy, and Shion guesses its the biggest girl, however Kuro disagrees stating that the biggest are usually number two and guesses the strongest one is the one with the painted face. Since there are ears everywhere, Kuro then speaks in code and tells Shion to wait for his signal and then use a laser pointer at the enemy's hand as the real enemy is the director. Kuro then heads down the building, wondering how he ended up in this situation.

Back on July 22nd, Kuro is lying bored in his apartment and shoots out toothpicks at his ceiling and rates each shot. A man then comes in and seeing the bored Kuro, he wonders if he is doing some assassination practice, which surprises Kuro as he didn't notice him and guesses that he is a career ninja. The man explains that recently many non-career ninjas has been failing to get a job and some have run away, so even though they are busy, they are going around to check on the non-career ninja. Kuro immediately states that he won't be running away and that he only needs a job and will work hard. The man still warns him that if he attempts to run away, the organization will erase him. He then gives a package to Kuro and tells him that he has a job for him. Looking at Kuro, he also remarks that the famous Kumogakure family has really fallen off. Kuro then notices that one of the toothpicks falls from the ceiling and attempts to grab it, but the man stops his hand, wondering if he is going for his eyes. Kuro explains that the toothpick fell from the ceiling, however the man is aware that in landed on his hat and notes its a ten out of ten points.

Once the man leaves, Kuro opens the package and finds a blazer, which is part of a school uniform, however he wonders why it has a hoodie. After he tries it out and zips it up, he realizes that it conceals his face and that he is likely supposed to infiltrate Kodan High School. He calls the school, but hangs up as he realizes that normally the parents handle the transfer process. He could pretend to be the father, but it would be strange for him to call at such hour, so he guesses a mother needs to do it. As Kawado is the only woman in his apartment building, he decides to go to her. She calls him from the bathroom asking him to bring her the toilet paper. She explains its in the bathroom, but its out of her reach. He can come in, but if he looks, she will kill him. Kuro realizes that she is drunk, but has no other choice. He zips up the blazer and goes in like a ninja, however after he takes the toilet paper, he looks at her. Kawado then throws a slipper a him.

Afterwards, Kawado calls the school, stating they know who she is and that she wants to speak with the one in charge to enrol her son. As its quite obvious that she is drunk, Kuro takes the phone and confirms it, and that he is also fine. After hanging up, he thanks her as he was able to create a convincing family background. Kawado then tells him to bring the drinks as he promised. Kuro goes into Oono's apartment and takes some beers from his fridge. Kawado is surprised that his apartment is connected to Oono's. Kuro has no idea why, but thanks to that, he doesn't need to own a refrigerator. Kawado wonders where is his mother and Kuro explains that according to his father she said that "trouble's here" after he was born and then left. His father misheard her, since trouble and kuro sound alike and ended up signing the papers naming him Kuro. As Kuro also means the 9th son, Kawado expected that his name was Kuro due to being the youngest of nine children, but Kuro states he is the only child. Kuro reveals that his best friend in middle school was a guy named Miracle with the kanji for Kiseki, however he died in a lighting strike. Kawado bursts into laughter and asks him how old is he. After Kuro states that he is 17, she laughs even more as she thought he was older. The two continue talking and having fun until the evening. Kawado then falls asleep and Kuro carries her to her apartment. While going back to his apartment, Kuro sees that Oono is coming back home and is excited to drink his beer. He quickly hides under the floor. Moments later Oono comes in his apartment blaming him that he drank his beer, but sees that Kuro is gone.

The next day, Oono finds his beer cans in Kawado's apartment and blames her for drinking it all. As the beer cans have "Oono" written on their bottom, Kawado tries to state that she went by the name Oono when she worked as a hostess. Oono doesn't believe her and states he can go to the police for this. Kawado is fine with that as she will also tell them that he stole her underwear. Oono denies it, but Kawado insists that her underwear is missing.

Back on September 9th, the girl sees that Kuro is coming and comes down to him. Kato realizes that the upper brass wanted them to deal with the Rear-Enders and wonders why he haven't been told that. Ozu guesses its partly because he doesn't take apprentices. Kato however wonders about Onikobe, but Ozu states that he is a serial killer and too dangerous to be let in the country. Ozu explains that three of the four genin they send to the school, were taught personally by Chunins like them, however Kuro had no record. He checked his personal file and found out that he spends his days lazing around in a run-down apartment. Sometimes he steals some beer from his neighbor and then hides, so Ozu wonders if he isn't just a NEET. Kato however states that it was Kuro who took down the foreigner.

Back on July 23rd, a Foreigner, who barely speaks Japanese, asks Ozu where he can find a ninja as he wishes to become one. Ozu states that a lot of foreigners asks for that and tells him that there is one behind him. The Foreigner quickly turns around and reaches out for his sword, wondering where is the ninja. Ozu tells him to put away his sword since its dangerous, but the Foreigner states its just an umbrella. Ozu then explains that there is a Japanese saying that if you throw a stone, you will hit a ninja. The Foreigner have heard it, but wonders what it means. Ozu explains that it means that there are so many ninja around, that if you throw a rock at random, you will hit one. Ozu proceeds to explains that the saying continues that you won't even know that you hit a ninja, as they are everywhere and nobody knows them. Ozu states he won't find any ninja in Japan that looks like a ninja.

After the war in the Pacific theater drew to a close, upon arriving in Japan, the allied General Headquarters issued Special Order 1, demanding the Imperial forces and Ministry of Home Affairs provide the roster of affiliated ninja, along with their surrender. Securing the Japanese ninja, who were the most consistent threat to the Allied powers, was considered crucial in the US. Majority of the ninja organization were dissolved by the GHQ. Seven decades later, the world entered in religious and ethnic wars, as well as terrorism. The ninja, who were thought to be extinct, demonstrated their abilities on the front lines, performing assassinations and sabotage missions in absolute secrecy. These numerous ninjas has infiltrated the majority of Japan's public and private institutions, where they monitor the people in secret. Their number is rumored to be 200,000.

## Characters

* Kuro Kumogakure
* Miracle Hibi
* Suzuki
* Shion Hachiya
* Kato
* Kawado
* Oono
* Ozu
* Foreigner
* Sasama