บท 125: 124-Promises
"Would you like to be a squad leader?"
Renjiro did not even know where to begin. Between this and the news about Tobe and Toda's Death, he wasn't sure whether he was actually in the right state of mind.
'A squad leader? I guess the news about Tobe and Toda's death really hit me badly. I am even starting to hear my own things.' Renjiro surmised.
"Fujioka-sama, I don't think I am in the right state of mind. I am even imagining my own things. I just heard you asking me if I would like to be a squad, but that is impossible because I am still just a second-rank officer." Renjiro said with a nervous chuckle.
Renjiro released a chuckle not because there was something to laugh about, although the possibility of him becoming a squad leader in under seven months of serving in the force was one, but because he was trying to cope with the sombre mood of the room as well as the tragic news he had just received.
Fujioka gave Renjiro an expressionless look as his tone became serious, yet there was a hint of hope in it.
"Renjiro, that is exactly what I said. I want to offer you the position of squad leader. You've shown exceptional skill and leadership qualities. We need someone like you to step up and guide the team."
'Wait what? He was actually serious?'
Renjiro's face was washed blank in confusion. Here he was thinking that he was imagining things when Fujioka actually asked him that question.
'But why is he asking me this? I have actually never paid any thought to taking any ranks in the force. The plan was to serve here for a year and then choose if I want to continue or depart.'
'But becoming a squad leader is a lot of work. While I am not lazy since I find more efficient ways to complete tasks, am I sure I am ready for that kind of commitment?'
"But why?" Renjiro remarked after taking a moment to ponder on it.
"Usually, in situations where a squad loses some of its high-ranking officers in wars or missions, the lower-ranked officers are promoted by default. However, our situation is different."
Fujioka began before he took a momentary pause when there was an involuntary change in his voice. It subtly started to break, which Renjiro picked up on. It was clear that Fujioka was trying his best to maintain the composure that Renjiro had come to rely on for the past few months.
"If only one of them had died, then the other would have been promoted to the post, but since they both died now you will be promoted to the first rank and officially become the assistant Squad leader."
"However, we are currently only two people in this squad. So I thought that instead of that, why don't I just recommend you as a squad leader since I want to retire." Fujioka dropped another huge news on Renjiro.
'He is retiring??! Is it because of Toda and Tobe?'
Renjiro wondered. At this point, he was just numb. the number of important news he had received in the last couple of minutes was too much for him to bear.
Seeing his squad member still speechless, Fujioka decided to continue,
"I am sure you are wondering if it is because of your squad members dying, but no that is the reason."
"Ever since Kagami left, we have been understaffed, but that was intentional. After Kagami became a squad leader, I just felt like my time in the force and as a shinobi was coming to an end."
'What is he talking about? He is not that old at all.' Renjiro wondered.
"I had actually given myself until when one of you will become strong and mature enough to become a squad to finally make a decision. But now, I think it is time. So I am sure you will make a good squad leader Renjiro."
"I have only been in the force for a few months, I don't even know whether I will still be here after a few months. And on top of that, I am still a chuunin." Renjiro countered.
Briefly shaking his head, Fujioka said, "You being here for a short while does not change things and besides, I was only an Elite Jounin when I became a squad leader. But that is not even a fair comparison since you are much more powerful than I was when I was your age."
'He already set his mind, didn't he? But this still feels like a decision that will come back and hunt me if choose the wrong path. But let's first see whether there are some benefits coming with the position.'
"Are there any benefits of becoming a Squad leader?" Renjiro inquired.
'I thought he would argue about the power part. It seems I was right thinking that there was more to what he was showing us.' Fujioka thought.
"Nothing much, the clan just provides you with a better house and better pay. You also get access to the clan's information network as well as picking any missions that are available to the police force."
'Well, that's only if your squad captain is as lax as Sinoda is. While it is not much of a benefit, Renjiro does not need to know that.'
Meanwhile, Renjiro was keenly listed to Fujioka. 'The benefits are not really enticing. My seals earn me more money than I know how to spend. I can also get myself a new home if the need arises. The only somewhat enticing benefit is being able to choose missions which will enable me to go out of the village at my choosing. But I will also be with my squad, so I won't get the privacy I need to enact some of my plans.'
"You will also gain access to the full Uchiha clan repository where we keep all the advanced techniques we copied from other clans both in and out of the village. It will also include access to some of the clans Forbidden techniques."
At the mention of forbidden techniques, Renjiro's face lit up, which Fujioka noticed.
'So I can get a chance to learn the Izanagi and Izanami? With my regeneration, this could even make me immortal so sign me up!'
"Will I have a major say on who joins my squad?" Renjiro asked. While he was already sold on the idea, he still had to ask a few things for clarification.
"Yes and no. As you saw with Kagami, you will get to choose who becomes a member of your squad, but if your superior such as Sinoda wants someone to fill an empty spot on your squad, you will have to agree." Fujioka nodded.
'Fair enough. I just hope that I won't regret this.' Renjiro thought.
"Okay then Fujioka-sama how does one become a squad leader?"
Fujioka's face beamed up when Renjiro agreed to take him up on his offer.
"I will have to first talk to Sinoda and then give you more details about that as the test varies from time to time."
Renjiro nodded to that before adding, "I will wait for that. But Fujioka-sama are you sure you can't stay as a squad leader for a little while?"
Caught unaware by the question, Fujioka answered, "I have already made up my mind and talked to Sinoda. I fear that if I change my mind, he will kill me for all the paperwork he has to sort out as he has already started the process. Besides, my family is also continuing to grow."
Renjiro nodded as he remembered hearing about having an infant that he was taking care of back at home. His wife had given birth a couple of years back.
"That reminds me of something, my eldest son is already in the academy and will graduate by the time you become a jounin. So when he starts serving in the force, please promise me that you will guide and protect him. He is a handful in time just like me in my younger days."
Renjiro raised a brow at this and asked, "I will do so, but can you tell me his name so that I remember him when I met him?"
"Yes, he was named after my father. He is Uchiha Obito."
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