CH_5.10 (153)

CH_5.10 (153)

Takuma gazed at everyone on the team, the nine people who had helped him bring down the chunin. He didn't know half of them well. Nenro and Masaaki were his best friends, while Arisu was his second-in-command, partner, and firmest supporter inside the Police Force. Minoru and Gouki were his co-workers— and he was their boss, which put a level of separation between them. Yamanaka, Yuhi, Akimichi, and Inuzuka, he had met them for the first time for this mission.

Despite that, he was glad none of them had died. It was a miracle. Even though he had planned and given appropriate roles to the people based on their capabilities to increase their chances of survival, he was operating under the assumption of the worst-case scenario.

"I... I would like to thank everyone here," Takuma addressed the group.

Their eyes shifted towards him.

"Today has been a tough day for all. The mission, even before this, was a stressful one because of the stakes involved, and I don't need to mention the unexpected we just went through." He looked everyone in the eyes. "We had some arguments here and there— which is to be expected— except for my team, I haven't worked with any of you." That went for Nenro and Masaaki as well; they were his friends, but he hadn't worked with them for two months of basic training, and that was two years ago. "But I have no complaints regarding this group. I'm thankful for how everyone conducted themselves today and their contribution toward the mission.

"I'll be writing stellar reviews for all of you in the mission reports... Due to budgetary reasons, I can't give you guys bonuses, but Arisu will be laying out a party when we return home." Everyone chuckled. Takuma glanced at the Uchiha. "And I'm sure Gouki will contribute to the celebrations."

"Count me in," Gouki smiled.

Takuma smiled before continuing. He first looked at Yamanaka. "It's because of you that we all made it out alive. With you controlling our bodies, the vulnerability of every individual was cut short by several levels. If you hadn't done that, looked after us, strained yourself, we wouldn't be sitting here together, whole and alive. And for that... I'm eternally grateful. Thank you."

Yamanaka soaked up the praise and attention.

"Akimichi," Takuma turned to the girl, "it was a pleasure sharing responsibility for you. Without you, we would've gone down when the chunin had that rock armor on him before he even turned on the offensive. You're one tough kunoichi. Thank you for keeping us all safe. You'll be the Akimichi I would be looking for when I need the toughest shinobi."

He didn't mind her switching to attack, leaving him alone to fend against the chunin. It was the right decision, and he commended her for it.

"I'm one call away; reach me any time," Akimichi weakly raised her bo-staff. Having been on the 'Tank' team, she had taken a nasty beating. It was a testament to the Akimichi Toughness that she was even conscious now.

"Yuhi," Takuma moved. She was sitting close to him, so he reached out and grasped her hand. "You're the reason we were able to take out the chunin. It had to be the Bell Clone Jutsu, but he was too much for me to handle. I couldn't cast the genjutsu while contesting his attacks. Without the genjutsu, without you, I don't know how to take him down. The fight would probably still be going on— and as you can see, our chunin are still not here."

"Please," Yuhi looked embarrassed, "anyone could've rang that bell."

"I disagree," said Takuma. "In the heat of the moment, when the stress was at its maximum, I could only relay a simple instruction to Arisu. At that moment, you were the only one I trusted to understand what I was trying to do because of your knowledge. Even if I asked someone else, they wouldn't have understood what I was trying to do, and even if they recognized the jutsu, there was a chance they would've abandoned the plan when they thought the situation down here become tough— but you had the patience because of your understanding to stick to the plan and follow the instruction.

"Don't cut yourself short. You played a crucial role in taking down the chunin. You earned the credit you deserved."

Takuma was just relieved that he had Yuhi nearby. The Hidden Mist Jutsu would've only stopped the chunin for a while before he would've been able to get out. Even if he was able to force him to flee due to injuries, if Takuma was able to get a read on the chunin in the short time he knew the man, the chunin would've tried to pull something in an act of final revenge. The genjutsu was the only way to get the chunin to stay and end the ordeal.

Plus, if the chunin escaped, he would spread the information regarding the busted farm to the drug network, which would be problematic for the overarching case the Narcotics Taskforce was working on. It was an overall positive outcome.

"Inuzuka and Minoru... and he went to sleep," Takuma looked at Minoru, who was sleeping on the ground. He turned to Inuzuka. "I'm sorry to send you out on your own. I'm a follower of the operational practice that a shinobi should have at least one partner with them during combat or any field function." He was taught that in the Field Tactics courses he took. "And sending you out to deal with those genin alone was a risky decision. But the genin were extra bodies that we couldn't have interfering. Especially you, Inuzuka; you had to deal with two guys alone."

"I wasn't alone. I had a partner with me all along," Inuzuka pointed at his nin-ken, who wagged his tail under the petting.

"That's true," Takuma smiled.

"Gouki, our star. The one to strike down the big bad," Takuma turned to the Uchiha. "I have told you this before; I will say it again. You have a lot of firepower, and you use it well. It's a little bit difficult to use it in the village with all the people and buildings around— but here, away from civilization, you can really see how much damage you can do." He looked around, and some flames and embers were still burning around them. If the forest had been any drier, they would have a forest fire. "And now you have gained another powerful weapon— not bad for a day's work— train it, and train it well; you'll be a force to reckon with in no time.

"And don't forget us, little people, when you're a big deal."

Takuma and Gouki laughed along with the rest of the group.

"Well guys, I think we have our party fund."

——

.

Later that day, in an unknown location.

There was a knock on the door. The room was a simple office with absolutely zero personalization, no personality reflecting the user's taste. There was only one decoration which hung from the wall behind the desk in the room.

"Come in."

The subordinate entered the room and greeted the person inside the room.

"I have a report, sir," said the subordinate plainly with no emotion.

"Speak."

"One of our farms was just raided. The one in-charge sent us a coded message. From the looks of it, the message was written hastily... It's safe to assume that he is either dead or has deserted."

"What was the message?"

"Requesting backup. The farm was found by Hidden Leaf shinobi."

The man in the office stayed silent for a moment. "Was the man-in-charge part of the foundation?" he asked.

"No, sir. He was an outside contractor."

"The message said Hidden Leaf shinobi, not the ANBU?"

"Hidden Leaf shinobi, sir."

"Then there must be a trail. Find who was involved in the raid."

"Yes, sir."

"You may leave now."

The subordinate left and the man in the office returned to his work as though nothing had happened.

Behind him was a square wall-hanging with a motif of a golden tree with deep roots sewn into it.

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