Mission: Diplomacy?
The mission called for tact. It called for diplomacy. The job required a team who could be stealthy, subtle, and most definitely not in-your-face.
So why, Neji asked himself yet again, had Might Guy's team been chosen for it? The job was much better suited for Master Kakashi, Kurenai, or even Asuma, unmotivated though he was. Those three jonin were going to receive three students each, starting next week. The only reason Neji could think of for the Hokage to jump the gun and assign Guy's team to this mission, was that it was urgent. But as he watched Guy laugh his exultant over-the-top laugh, Neji had to wonder. Was this mission really so pressing that the higher-ups couldn't have waited a week and assigned a jonin who fit the bill a bit better?
Lee, too, was excited for the mission. He and Guy-sensei pumped their fists into the air in unison; then Lee crossed his left forearm over Guy's right. They were like two halves of the same person on either side of a mirror.
"Woo-hoo!" they howled together. "Team Guy..." Tenten caught Neji's eye and they shared a rueful look. They both knew what was coming next. All four members of the team were supposed to shout together—words were optional, but not necessary. It was a group exercise designed to foster feelings of courage and team spirit. And it was also something childish and humiliating, in Neji's opinion.
Lee and Guy let out gusty shouts worthy of gutsy shinobi. Tenten, who didn't like to make waves, shouted, too. However, hers held much less enthusiasm. Neji opened his mouth as usual. It had been a year since they started performing this little pre-mission maneuver. And Lee and Guy had yet to notice that it was always a sigh that was escaping their Hyuga team member's mouth, rather than a shout.
"Ha-ha!" Master Guy let out a loud laugh. He flashed a thumbs-up at the sun. "We're off on a mission once again!" He grinned dazzlingly. "Ready to show 'em who's boss, team?!"
"Yes!" Lee declared. His large eyes shone as he squeezed his hands into fists. "They will be sorry they ever messed with us!" Guy continued to laugh loudly at the sun. Tenten tittered, as well.
"Lee, do you even know who it is that's going to 'be sorry'?" she asked, fondly rather than unkindly. Taken aback, Lee rubbed the back of his head uncertainly.
"U-um, I'm not..."
Neji sighed again and turned to their teacher. "Sensei, where are we going?" he asked briskly. When Guy didn't answer right away, Neji went on, "What are our mission perimeters? Our guidelines?" Guy still didn't answer, and an awkward silence stretched out. Finally, Guy whirled to face them. His smile was sheepish this time. But his tone was as heroic as ever.
"Well...that's what we're about to go find out!" he yelled. Neji's and Tenten's shoulders slumped with embarrassment at their sensei's cluelessness. "C'mon team!" Guy urged them, leading the way in a high-stepping march. "Lord Hokage awaits to debrief us!"