Capítulo 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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