Chapitre 176: CH_6.5 (176)

Want to read ahead of schedule? Head over to Patreón @

[ https://www.patreón.com/fictiononlyreader ]

[https://kó-fi.com/fictiononlyreader]

The link is also in the synopsis

———

Takuma no longer needed to gather energy; he was now wide awake.

Having Orochimaru's student as his team leader was not something Takuma had imagined or dreamt of happening. However, surprising as it was—he didn't find the situation to be something he needed to remedy or to be on guard. From what he remembered, Orochimaru had abandoned Anko, and they hadn't crossed paths until the Chunin Exams.

"You know I read your file, but you truly are young. The Uchiha really gave you a team to lead, huh. You must be one of those geniuses." Anko leaned against the door frame, standing on one foot while she used the other's heel to scratch the leg she stood up.

Takuma wanted to be humble in his reply, but she beat him to it.

"But then you started out in the Genin Corp, so maybe not." Anko stood up straight. "Or are you one of those late bloomers? Well, whatever. None of that matters now that you are here. You will be working under me, so do not expect special treatment. Get rewarded for good work, punished for mistakes—same as others, no exceptions."

"That is fine with me, ma'am."

"Good, but drop that ma'am crap. I don't like that shit at all. Call me by name."

Takuma opened his mouth to say that wouldn't be respectful, but he was once again beaten to it.

Jina, beside him, spoke up. "Chunin Mitarashi, that's not the proper etiquette. You must not—"

"Genin Jina, I don't require you to tell me how I deal with my subordinates and team," Anko cut her off in a stern, authoritative voice, in stark contrast to how laidback she was moments ago.

"M-My apologies," Jina bowed her head, her expression resentful.

"You have done your task of leading Genin Takuma to me. Return to the old geezer before he starts making a fuss about tardiness and slacking shinobi," Anko said, her voice returning to her initial tone.

Jina bowed before rushing away from the scene.

Takuma looked back at Anko and felt his impression and respect for Anko rise. He agreed with Jina about it not being proper etiquette; he was respectful to every shinobi who held a higher rank than him (bar Enomoto), and suddenly being asked to discard the practice he had followed from Day-1 was naturally uncomfortable.

Moreover, he believed that while there was nothing wrong with the leader being friendly with his subordinates, the subordinates needed to be aware that they couldn't disrespect the leader. A leader didn't need to be an asshole to his subordinates, but it should be clear that insubordination was not tolerated.

In one swoop, Anko had demonstrated that while she wanted to be called by her name, she was still his commanding officer and a shinobi of a higher rank.

"Now, where were we?" Anko turned to Takuma.

"You told me to call you by your name, Miss Anko," Takuma replied.

"Drop the miss as well, Takuma. Doesn't suit me, don't you think?" she grinned, her dull violet eyes held a streak of roguishness.

"I understand… Anko," Takuma conceded.

Anko turned back into her house and put on a pair of slippers. "Walk with me. Let's get your housing settled with the quartermaster, and then we will meet the rest of the team."

As the base was an abandoned village, the shinobi lived in the houses. And because of the village's size, they had plenty of rooms to go around. Anko told him that he could get a private room without needing a need to share. And when they reached the quartermaster's office, it turned out to be true. Takuma was given his own room in a shared-house.

"Oh, you will be sharing with Daiki," said Anko as she peeked at his residential assignment.

"I'm assuming he is one of the team members?" he asked.

Anko nodded. "Toridasu and Shirakumo have ten chunin each under their command, who further have five genin each under their command. That's our main combat force. There are others, like the quartermaster and his team, the medical house, and the communication cell, but they are all in non-combat positions unless required.

"You and I are part of Team-9," she said.

There were twenty teams from Team-1 to Team-20. All odd-numbered teams were under Jonin Toridasu, and the even-numbered teams were under Jonin Shirakumo.

"Ideally, every team would be balanced and follow the standard team structure, but this is reality. We don't have an iryo-nin on our team, but that's not anything unusual… Are you secretly an iryo-nin?" Anko asked, humorously.

"Unfortunately, not," Takuma replied with a small smile. "I was told that teams usually have an additional role other than combat. What is Team-9's role?" There were teams specializing in scouting, tracking, capturing, infiltration, assassinations, among various other specialties.

"We are responsible for intel extraction from." Anko turned her gaze to Takuma. "Torture and Interrogation. I hope you have got the stomach for it. If not, you will be forced to develop one."

"… It won't be a problem," he replied.

Anko smiled before slapping him on his back. "But don't put us in the torture box just yet. Our job is intel extraction, and people aren't the only source of intel. We are also responsible for breaking codes on any communication that is intercepted. Information is a potent weapon; usually, when you know what's coming, it becomes infinitely easier to plan a counter against it."

Takuma knew firsthand the importance of intel. He had built an entire sub-department from the ground up based on the inside information against drug networks.''

"So, I have been meaning to ask. What's with the cane." Anko pointed at the cane strapped to the side of his back.

"I had an injury. My leg sometimes gets sore. It has gotten to a point where it isn't a problem, but I still carry it just in case…"

"This injury is from the assassination?" she asked.

Takuma wondered what all was there in his file.

"Yes."

Anko hummed. "The topic of your late deployment will come up. I don't know how you wish to handle it, so I have simply told the team to ask you directly. You can handle it at your own discretion."

"Thank you. I don't intend to hide. The media back home made it so the matter couldn't remain private. It's better to tell the truth than invent a lie which can be undone in an instant," he said.

"I approve," Anko smiled.

They talked a bit more until they reached their destination.

"We have arrived. This will be your home until we move the base," said Anko.

Takuma looked at the single-story house with a large front yard. He could tell from the wooden fence stretching far beyond the building that the backyard was even bigger. The front yard itself could roughly fit three of Takuma's apartments.

"DAIKI!" Anko yelled.

"… Or we could have knocked," Takuma sighed.

The door soon opened, and a two-meter-tall man, built like a professional bodybuilder, stepped through the door. He had to crouch a little because of his height. He only wore pants, so all of his shredded muscles were displayed in all their glory. He had umber brown skin, a shaved bald head, and a square jaw.

"What is it, Anko?" asked Daiki. His voice was a deep, rich, and smooth voice, fitting the man's appearance.

Both Anko and Takuma had to look up as they talked to Daiki.

"This is Takuma. The new team member I talked about."

"Good to meet you. My name is Takuma."

As Daiki stood before Takuma, a shadow was cast on the latter. Takuma wondered if Daiki was one of those alpha men type dudes who wanted to assert dominance

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Takuma. My parents named me Daiki in their humble hopes that I would grow up big and strong. I must admit, I was looking forward to your arrival. Our teammates are all pleasant people, but I find myself desiring some male company. Now that you are here, I wish nothing more for us to get along."

Takuma was stunned. He wasn't expecting such an eloquent way of speaking from a giant.

"He is our scout and tracker," said Anko.

Takuma was surprised. "Scout? I thought surely he would…"

Anko laughed as she slapped Takuma on his back. "These muscles are all for looks. He is weak as hell," she said.

Daiki frowned. "That's a crude way to put it, Anko. This is my preferred physique; I like the aesthetic. And when I look good, I feel good. It's simply a form of personal improvement." Daiki flexed, and Takuma had to give it to him, Daiki looked like a prime specimen. "And Takuma, judging someone by their appearance is narrow minded, not suitable for a shinobi. I hope you will treat me based on my actions rather than my appearance."

"My bad." Takuma shook hands with Daiki. "I hope you'll treat me the same."

"Of course," Daiki flashed a bright smile.

"Dump your stuff in your room, and then we'll go meet the ladies," said Anko.

Because the rest of Team-9 were women, they all shared a separate house.

"Daiki might look intimidating, but he is not a combat-forward shinobi," Anko said as they walked. "He can pull his weight, but he lacks the instinct to be a main combatant for the team. Among the remaining team, we have two combatants, but I want one more to even things out. So, I want to ask: what can you do?"

Takuma knew this was going to happen, so after more than two years, he had dusted his resume and updated it for potential employers. He took out a scroll from his person and handed it to Anko.

"What is this?"

"My list of qualifications and skills. I'm confident in my combat ability, but I believe you would want to test them out."

Anko didn't reply as her eyes were glued to the scroll.

"You know how to operate a comms radio?" she asked.

"Yes, I can. I know five of Hidden Leaf's code transformations to encrypt information in sensitive situations. I'm also intimate with the standard radio's electronics and technologies, so I can repair it if needed."

He even had a certificate for it.

"… I think you will fit in well even if you suck at fighting."

"Thank you."

They reached another house, and once again, Anko yelled instead of knocking on the door.

"IORI!"

A moment later, a purple-haired woman older than Anko dragged her feet out of the building. The woman had stunning looks and a body, but it was ruined by the bird-nest-like hair, deep eye bags, and messy clothes stained with ink.

"What?" she asked sharply.

"Ah, sorry. Did I wake you up?" asked Anko.

Iori looked pissed.

"This is Takuma. The new team member," Anko quickly diverted Iori's attention to Takuma.

"Sorry to disturb you. My name is Takuma."

The sleep-deprived woman looked at Takuma, and her eyes narrowed. Iori sighed and bowed to her with an amount of grace that looked out of place because of her appearance.

"I am Iori. Sorry to show you this unsightly appearance. I have not slept for the last few nights," she said.

"Please, don't mind me. You can return to your rest; we can converse later," Takuma said, understanding her plight. She looked much worse than he was feeling.

"Thank you, and yes, let's talk later," saying that, Iori returned to her house.

"Send Kameko out, will you," Anko called out after her.

"I thought Jonin Taridasu didn't appreciate tardiness," Takuma said to Anko.

"The upright geezer might, but I don't give a fuck about those things as long as you do your job properly. One good part about him is that he doesn't micromanage as long we give him what he wants, which can be a problem sometimes—but nothing is perfect, so we take what we get."

Takuma hummed.

Two minutes later, another woman exited the house, and the moment she, her eyes narrowed in displeasure.

As for Takuma, he recognized her.

"Ah, it's you," he muttered.

Her academy classmate and the girl who almost cleaved him in half during the Genin Corp basic training.

Taketori Kameko.

———

Chat with me and the rest of the community on our DISCORD server.

The link is in the synopsis!

commentaire Commentaire 8

Voter

Chapitre 177: CH_6.6 (177)

Want to read ahead of schedule? Head over to Patreón @

[ https://www.patreón.com/fictiononlyreader ]

[https://kó-fi.com/fictiononlyreader]

The link is also in the synopsis

———

Taketori Kameko was his academy classmate, and the last time he had seen her was in the Genin Corp basic training when they were placed under the same chunin instructor but were assigned to different teams. They had gone separate ways, and Takuma didn't keep track of the classmates he barely interacted with during his year at Shinobi Academy.

Years had passed, but Kameko hadn't changed much. Her black hair was still styled in a straight-sharp A-line bob cut. Her cat-like eyes were sharp as ever, giving the impression that she was always glaring—or maybe she glared every time she saw him— and there was a prepared edge to her body posture as though prepared for any situation on a moment's notice.

"I must say I'm surprised," he started, "to think I would be on the same team as a classmate."

Takuma extended his hand for a handshake, but Kameko looked down at his hand before looking up at his face with a displeased expression.

Takuma sighed as he pulled his hand back. "Don't you think it's childish to hold a grudge for something so long ago?" he asked.

During the basic training, their chunin instructor had chosen Takuma's team for the Final Tournament. Kameko had raised her displeasure upon the announcement and had appealed for a change in decision, but Chunin Yoshio had shut it down then and there. It seems she was still hung up on that.

Kameko turned to Anko. "Is there any way to change his team assignment? I don't believe he is a good fit for our team."

Takuma frowned.

"Oh my, what's this? You two know each other? Kameko, why didn't you say anything before?" Anko looked at the two of them.

"The team needs a combatant, Anko. This man won't be able to fulfill that role. He could barely graduate. It's better for us to have nothing than him," Kameko spoke bluntly and pointedly.

"Who are you to decide if I can or cannot fight?" Takuma frowned. He didn't appreciate the straightforward hostility. "If I recall, I was the one in the tournament final. My impression of the esteemed Taketori clan dropped like a fat Akimichi the day you threw a tantrum because your spoiled ass didn't get what you wanted."

"How dare you speak ill of the clan," Kameko said with venom in her voice.

"If you don't want to listen to the truth, then shut the fuck up and don't spew shit from your mouth."

Takuma didn't know if it was from being sleep-deprived or if it was the agitation he had been feeling since leaving the camp—or perhaps both—but the moment Kameko opened her mouth, irritation and anger flared within him. He didn't want to fight with his teammates on the first day, but she started it.

"Now, now, let's not bite each other's throats," Anko raised her hand. She had a troubled look on her face. She hummed while tapping her cheek with a finger as she looked at her two subordinates.

"It's a big problem if teammates can't work together—"

"I will work with anyone; she's the one with the fucking problem," Takuma glared at Kameko.

"— but I can't just kick Takuma out just because you say so, Kameko."

Kameko looked massively displeased.

"But," Anko continued, "it's also true that if Takuma isn't able to fulfill our requirements, asking the old geezer to allow a trade makes the most sense."

This time, Takuma was shocked.

Anko shrugged. "We haven't been able to operate independently since our temporary fifth member went home. Joint missions with other teams are all we have been able to do. I'm tired of trying to persuade them when they can pair with someone else who does have a complete team, so despite what I said earlier about you fitting in even without combat ability… well, we need someone who can handle combat.

"So, given the situation, this is what we will do. Tomorrow, both of you are going to fight. If Takuma wins, the matter is over; he will stay, and you will have to work it," she said to Kameko. "But if Takuma loses, then I will trade you as soon as possible; you need to be at least as capable as her, so either win or hang in there until I declare a draw."

"The stakes aren't equal," Takuma said. "If I lose, I get shipped out like inferior goods, but if she loses, she has to work with me, but that would have happened if she didn't bitch about it."

"That's a good point. How about she takes half of your duty shifts for a month," Anko suggested.

"Three months," Takuma said boldly.

"Dream on," Kameko scoffed.

Takuma ignored her and directly dealt with Anko.

"Tomorrow's fight is going to set my first impression, and if I end up losing, it's going to make my time here more difficult than necessary. I think three months is enough."

"True, but three months of fifty percent more work is tough. How about two months," Anko countered.

"Anko!" Kameko gasped.

"Two-and-a-half," Takuma gave his offer.

"Don't be greedy. Two is the best I can do."

"… Done," Takuma shook on it.

"This discussion is now over. Prepare as much as you want for tomorrow. I look forward to seeing what both of you can show me," said Anko.

———

Kameko unsheathed her sword and checked the edge for one final time before the fight. She looked up at Takuma sitting in the distance, similarly checking his equipment.

The day they had finished basic training and had officially entered service, Kameko had put Takuma out of her mind because she didn't believe she would hear about him outside of perhaps academy reunions that happened every five years.

The dead last who barely graduated would spend years working farms and other odd jobs like most in the Genin Corp.

And for the first year, she didn't hear about Takuma. There was a gossip that he had joined a chunin team, but Kameko had dismissed it for what it was— gossip. Why would any chunin take someone like him on their team?

But then, a piece of shocking news broke in their class circle.

Takuma had joined the Leaf Military Police Force.

And this news was real, verified by Oichi Taro and Fuma Arisu.

Arisu actually worked with Takuma as his partner.

Kameko couldn't believe it. How had Takuma managed to get into the Police Force when a lot of people she knew who had applied had not even gotten a rejection letter

And when that wasn't enough, she was hit with another mind-boggling news. Fuma Arisu had shared the news that Takuma had been given his own team, and she was joining the team. From there on, every month, she would see an article or two about the Narcotics Taskforce in the newspaper.

'Why?' Kameko had asked Arisu.

'We are doing something new and exciting… and he's really good at what he does,' was Arisu's reply.

Seeing that… Kameko had to admit that Takuma must have done something right, that he must've had the necessary competence to reach such a position. If nothing else, then her parents talking about the news about the Narcotics Taskforce on the dinner table was proof that Takuma had accomplished something.

But… that didn't mean Kameko wanted Takuma on her team.

She still remembered the dead last who couldn't use the simple Transformation Jutsu, and had lost all of his fights in the academy. And even though he had won the basic training final tournament, she was completely confident in beating him into the ground.

They were stationed in a dangerous area in a war, and every mission had a component of danger that could very well lead to loss of life. She did not want someone in the much-needed combat-forward role to be a weakling like Takuma. She didn't want to put her and her teammates' lives in someone's hands with a dirt-poor combat history.

She was aware that Takuma would've improved since the basic training, but she didn't want to take the risk of him joining the team long enough that Anko would find it difficult to replace him.

Kameko couldn't risk that.

Which was why…

'I'll make sure he doesn't even have a chance to join the team.'

Not many people wanted to join Team-9 because of Anko as their leader and her tainted past—but Kameko was sure she could pull someone in with her clan's pull.

"I think I might have been a bit reckless with this," Anko awkwardly chuckled as she walked to Kameko.

Kameko looked at the crowd of shinobi gathered around. Based on the numbers, at least eighty percent of the Camp Banana had gathered to see her fight against Takuma as if it was an entertainment event. She had thought the fight would be a fairly private affair, but seeing so many of her peers gathered, who would judge her performance, made her feel nervous.

She gazed to the other side, and Takuma looked like the crowd didn't exist for him. He seemed completely relaxed, as if this was just another day for him.

"Can't you disperse the crowd?" she muttered to Anko.

"Not when those two are here," Anko pointed with her eyes.

Part of the crowd were the two Hidden Leaf jonin running the camp. Both Jonin Toridasu and Jonin Shirakumo had come to spectate the fight.

Kameko, who hadn't noticed them, felt another wave of nervousness.

On the other side, Takuma stood up. He wore a simple half-sleeved shirt and shorts over a chainmail with arm and foot guards with boots. There was no heavy armor; in fact, he was dressed in minimal armor.

'Light armor? Is he aiming to use speed as a weapon,' Kameko analyzed. 'If so, then I might be at an advantage here…'

"I'm ready whenever you are," said Takuma.

Kameko took a deep breath. The nervousness didn't abate, but she turned her focus to the fight. She needed to win if she wanted Takuma off the team. And win, she would.

"I'm ready," she said.

Anko clapped her hands. "Well then, let's not delay and start right away."

She put two fingers in her mouth and whistled loudly to gain everyone's attention. The crowd simmered down and focused on Anko.

"Today, to resolve a dispute; these two team members will fight. The loser will have to obey the winner's proposition. Place your bets, people."

"Anko!" Kameko protested. How could they turn this into a gambling event?

"Hey, there isn't anything fun to do here. People gotta take what they can. See, even they approve," Anko pointed at the two jonin participating in the betting.

Kameko looked at Takuma, hoping he would back her, but he was staring at her.

She held back a flinch. She could feel his gaze scanning her as though he was looking through her. His gaze went everywhere from her feet to her sword to the gear she wore. While she was worrying about other things, he was observing her.

"Do you know why I was deployed late?" asked Takuma.

Kameko knew about the incident. It was quite prominent in the newspapers.

"There were four of them, waiting for me at my home," he continued. "I was returning from dinner with a friend, so I was only lightly armed…" Kameko started to feel more and more uncomfortable as Takuma spoke. "The place I lived attracted the bad kind of people. Drug dealers who couldn't pay up their suppliers, people who had borrowed money from loan sharks, and most of the property in that area is owned by a really shady guy, and all of them employed shinobi for their collections— so people in the area know not to interfere or try to report it to authorities because no one wants a shinobi knocking on their door.

"So, even when people heard the fighting, no one dialed the phone to help me… I was all alone. And then it started to rain heavily. Anything that could've gained attention was drowned by the water and sound."

Takuma touched his arm, and Kameko noticed the high volume of scars on both his arms.

"That day, five people entered the fight alive… only one of them was alive the next day."

Kameko felt a shiver go down her spine.

He took out a kunai from his weapons pouch.

"Don't mistake me for the boy you studied with at the academy… He died a long time ago."

———

Chat with me and the rest of the community on our DISCORD server.

The link is in the synopsis!

commentaire Commentaire 17

Voter