Kapitel 216: 215-I have An Announcement
With this new role as squad leader, Renjiro received a full quota of missions that he was expected to complete within a certain timeframe.
But with his impending exit from the force, Renjiro wanted to finish his squad's quota before then, ensuring that they got enough field experience that his exit wouldn't affect them.
But something about today's mission felt different, and he couldn't shake the feeling that this wasn't going to be just another routine assignment.
As they approached Fugaku's office, Renjiro's thoughts drifted to the conversation he'd had earlier with his immediate superior, Iwata.
Usually, when a mission came up, it was Iwata who briefed Renjiro and his squad. They would receive a selection of missions that had been carefully chosen by Iwata himself, and Renjiro, as the squad leader, would pick the one that suited their skills and availability. However, today had deviated from that norm.
So, when Renjiro had voiced his intentions to Iwata earlier that day, he had expected the usual routine—a quick briefing and a mission selected from Iwata's list.
But instead, Iwata had given him a different set of instructions.
"You'll need to go to Fugaku's office for your next mission," Iwata had told him, his tone unusually formal.
"He'll brief you directly."
Renjiro had been surprised, to say the least. Fugaku was a senior figure within the force, someone who rarely dealt directly with squad leaders like Renjiro when it came to issues regarding the force.
The fact that Fugaku was personally involved in this mission briefing suggested that this was something more significant than the usual assignments they undertook.
As Renjiro led his team down the final corridor toward Fugaku's office, he couldn't help but wonder why things were different this time.
What made this mission special? Why had Fugaku decided to take a direct hand in it?
Finally, they reached Fugaku's office. Renjiro paused for a moment, taking a deep breath to steady himself before he knocked on the door.
There was a brief silence, and then a deep voice called out from within, "Enter."
Renjiro pushed the door open and stepped inside, followed closely by his squad.
The room was spacious but sparsely decorated, with a large wooden desk dominating the center where Fugaku was currently sitting behind.
"Thank you for coming, Renjiro," Fugaku said, his voice even and controlled. "I understand Iwata sent you for a mission brief."
Renjiro straightened and met Fugaku's gaze. "Yes, Fugaku-sama. We're here to receive our next mission."
Fugaku nodded, his expression unreadable as he reached into his desk drawer and pulled out a scroll.
Without hesitation, he handed it to Renjiro, who accepted it with both hands. Fugaku then turned his attention to the rest of the squad, his eyes sweeping over them as he began to explain the mission.
"You are to travel to Shimogakure, a village in the Land of Frost," Fugaku began,
"The village has received intel that there might be attacks on various village leaders by shinobi from Kirigakure."
Renjiro's eyebrows furrowed slightly as he listened.
'But why are we getting involved? Isn't the village closer to Kirigakure than it is to us?'
The question buzzed in his mind, but he kept his expression neutral, not wanting to interrupt Fugaku's briefing.
As if sensing Renjiro's unspoken question, Fugaku continued,
"Kirigakure has been making a few suspicious moves recently. Konoha plans to fortify its standing and to do so, we must ensure that Shimogakure allies with us. If Kirigakure makes a move on them, we can limit the paths they could use to attack Konoha."
Renjiro's eyes narrowed slightly as he processed this information.
'I'm not sure if that's a smart move since the Land of Frost does not border the Land of Fire, but I'm sure Hiruzen and the rest have already thought this through,' he surmised, trusting that the village's leadership had considered all possible outcomes.
Fugaku continued, "Shimogakure has been playing neutral for the last couple of years. However, if Kirigakure is indeed planning an attack, it is only fair that Konoha takes advantage of this situation. We need to secure their alliance before Kirigakure does."
The senior Uchiha's gaze turned more intense as he explained the strategic importance of the mission.
"The scroll I handed you contains the names of clans within Shimogakure that favor Konoha. If you get the opportunity, reach out to them. Outwardly, this will be Konoha sharing information and shinobi as a gesture of goodwill to gain Shimogakure's favor. However, your primary objective is to thwart any attacks from Kirigakure and, if possible, bring the attackers back to Konoha, whether alive or dead."
Renjiro nodded, absorbing the weight of their task. It was clear that this mission was not just a simple information-sharing exercise; it was a crucial strategic move in the delicate balance of power between the villages.
"Do we have any intel on how strong the attackers might be?" Renjiro asked, his tone serious as he sought to prepare his squad for what they might face.
Fugaku shook his head slightly, a small frown creasing his forehead.
"Unfortunately, the intel we have doesn't provide specifics on their strength. However, since this would be the first round of attacks, it's likely that they will be probing attacks—tests to gauge Shimogakure's defenses and reactions."
Renjiro acknowledged the response with a thoughtful nod.
"Understood. When are we to leave for Shimogakure?"
"As soon as possible," Fugaku replied, his tone final.
"Time is of the essence. You are dismissed."
Renjiro and his squad bowed once more before turning to leave the office. As they walked out into the corridor, Renjiro's mind was already racing, planning the logistics of their journey.
Once they were back in the main part of the base, Renjiro turned to his team.
"You have one hour to prepare," he instructed, his voice firm but calm.
"Meet me at the village gate. We'll depart from there."
The squad members nodded in unison before dispersing to gather their gear and make any final preparations.
Renjiro then made his way to the village gate, arriving there ahead of his team since he had already prepared ahead of time. He stood there, waiting patiently, his thoughts focused on the mission ahead.
One by one, his squad members arrived, each of them fully equipped and ready for the journey. They gathered around Renjiro, their expressions serious and determined.
However, before they could start, Renjiro cleared his throat, drawing their attention. "I have an announcement to make," he began, his tone measured.
"I will not be the one leading this mission."
The statement hung in the air for a moment, the squad members exchanging surprised glances.
This was not something they had expected, and it was clear from their expressions that they were struggling to process the news.
Before they could voice their confusion, Renjiro continued, "Kudo will be leading the mission."
Kudo looked up in surprise. The other members of the squad turned to him, their eyes wide with shock.
'What?' The chunin wondered.
"But, Renjiro-sama," Shoda, one of the squad members began, his voice tinged with confusion,
"Why wouldn't you be leading us?"
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Kapitel 217: 216-Cold Reception
Renjiro could sense the confusion and curiosity lingering among his team members after his unexpected announcement that he wouldn't be leading the mission.
He knew that this was the right decision, both for the squad's growth and his own future plans, but it was still hard to break the news.
"I'm going to leave the force in a few months. Three to be specific," he said, his voice calm and steady. "So I thought it would be better that you are able to complete missions on your own by the time I leave."
The revelation hung in the air like a heavy mist. The squad members exchanged surprised glances, clearly taken aback by the news.
Akira, one of the more vocal members of the team, was the first to speak up.
"Why are you leaving, Renjiro-sama?" Akira asked, her tone a mix of curiosity and concern.
Renjiro had been a capable leader, by her standards, and the thought of losing him so soon after he had taken command was unsettling.
Renjiro met Akira's gaze, understanding the worry in her eyes.
"I only planned to serve in the force for a full year," he explained simply, the corners of his lips turning up in a small smile.
'He's only been in the force for a year, and he's already a squad leader?'
Akira marvelled internally.
The fact that Renjiro had risen to such a position in such a short time was a testament to his skills and capabilities, but it also made Akira wonder just what kind of person Renjiro truly was.
Tora also couldn't help but voice his own question.
"Why, Captain? Why only a year?"
There was genuine confusion in his voice as if the idea of leaving such a prestigious position was unfathomable.
Renjiro turned to Tora, his expression softening slightly.
"You know my surname, Tora. Uzumaki and not Uchiha," he said, hoping that would be enough of an explanation.
He couldn't exactly tell them that their clan head was giving him preferential treatment, so he decided to euphemise the situation.
Tora nodded slowly, understanding the implications, but still, there was a tinge of sadness in his eyes.
Miki, who had been quiet up until this point, finally spoke up, her voice tinged with curiosity.
"But why Kudo, Captain? Why will he be in charge?"
'Is she mad?'
Renjiro wondered as he glanced at Kudo, who had remained silent throughout the discussion, his expression still unreadable.
"The responsibility will have to change hands over our next missions," Renjiro explained, his eyes meeting Kudo's as he spoke.
"Since Kudo is the current assistant squad leader, he'll start taking the lead from now on."
Kudo nodded solemnly, accepting the responsibility that was being placed on his shoulders. He wasn't surprised by Renjiro's decision—if anything, he had expected it since they had had a talk before with Renjiro.
However, the reality of it was still daunting. Kudo knew that the squad looked up to Renjiro, and stepping into his shoes would not be easy.
However, he was determined to prove himself worthy of the task.
Renjiro, sensing the need to refocus the team, cleared his throat. "That's enough for now, have a mission to complete," he reminded them,
"Let's stay focused and get the job done."
The squad members nodded in unison and with that, they turned their attention to the task at hand and left the village, setting out for Shimogakure.
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The journey to the Land of Frost was long and arduous, the terrain growing more unforgiving with each passing mile. As they travelled further north of the Land of Fire, the landscape began to change dramatically.
The once lush forests of the Land of Fire gradually gave way to barren, icy plains, and the temperature plummeted, the air growing colder and harsher with each step. Especially after they passed through Yugakure.
Snow began to fall as they crossed the border into the Land of Frost, the flakes swirling around them in a soft, silent dance.
The ground beneath their feet was covered in a thick layer of snow, making it difficult to move quickly. Their pace slowed as they trudged through the frozen landscape, their breaths visible in the frigid air.
Despite the cold, the squad maintained their focus, their training and discipline guiding them through the harsh conditions. The silence of the snowy wilderness was broken only by the sound of their footsteps crunching through the snow and the occasional gust of wind that swept across the plains.
The journey took two days, the snow and ice making it a gruelling trek, but finally, Shimogakure came into view.
The village was nestled in a valley between two towering mountains, its buildings constructed from dark stone that blended seamlessly with the snow-covered landscape. A wall of ice and rock surrounded the village, offering both protection and seclusion from the outside world.
As Renjiro and his squad neared the entrance of Shimogakure, they noticed a group of shinobi gathered near the gate.
The shinobi were dressed in the distinctive dark cloaks of the Land of Frost, their faces partially obscured by hoods and masks.
They appeared to be on high alert, their eyes scanning the surrounding area as if they were expecting something.
Renjiro raised an eyebrow at the sight, his mind immediately going into high gear.
'Well, that's not strange at all,' he thought sarcastically.
'Are they preparing to move out?'
Among the gathered shinobi, a middle-aged man with graying hair and a weathered face noticed Renjiro's squad approaching.
His sharp eyes narrowed as he studied them, and after a moment, he began to walk towards them with measured steps.
There was an air of authority about him, the kind that came with years of experience and leadership.
Renjiro straightened slightly as the man approached, his senses on high alert. The man's movements were deliberate, and there was a certain intensity in his gaze that suggested he was not someone to be taken lightly.
When the man reached them, he stopped a few paces away and offered a small, respectful nod.
"Welcome to Shimogakure," he said, his voice deep and steady. "I am Hirai Yutaka, leader of the Hirai clan."
The name immediately triggered a memory in Renjiro's mind.
'Hirai… that's one of the clans mentioned in the scroll Fugaku gave me,' he recalled, a sense of recognition dawning on him.
The Hirai family was known to favour Konoha, which meant that this man could potentially be an important ally in their mission.
Renjiro glanced at Kudo who was beside him and gave him a nod. He was clearly prompting him to take the lead and converse with Yutaka. After all, it was decided that he was going to take a step back on this mission.
Before Yutaka could continue, however, something strange happened. His voice caught in his throat, his eyes widening in shock.
Renjiro's gaze snapped to Yutaka's throat just as a thin, dark line appeared across it—a line that was quickly followed by a gush of blood.
Yutaka staggered, his hands flying to his throat as he tried to stem the bleeding, but it was too late. The blood poured out between his fingers, staining the snow beneath him a deep crimson. His knees buckled, and he collapsed to the ground, his eyes filled with confusion and pain.
Renjiro's heart raced as he watched the man fall, his mind struggling to process what had just happened. 'An attack? But from where?' he thought frantically, his eyes darting around the area, searching for any sign of the assailant or assailants.
=====
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