A/N: I have to offer my humble apologies to my loyal followers first and foremost. While I won't say the reason for my long absence, I hope you guys will understand when I say that sometimes life often throws a curveball at you. As for the speculation that I have dropped this fic, it is not true. I just had some complicating matters in life to deal with. I am currently over that hurdle and I have written over 30K words into the war. I will be updating them soon here in the upcoming weeks. Hope you guys enjoy.

Also, I am immensely glad that we have reached over 1K followers for this fic. Thank you for all the love.


Chapter 23 – First Foray Into The Third World War

I ducked under the bandit's swing and decked him in the face with my bow and sent him reeling. I turned around nocking an arrow and let it fly at another bandit who was about to attack Roku from behind. It passed just inches from his face making him reel back in shock. Even though it missed, it accomplished the job as Roku finished the bandit she was fighting with a hard right to his chin.

Roku turned around and sent me a grateful smile before sending him flying with a swift uppercut. I ducked under another bandit's attack and kicked his shin cutting him down to my size, before kneeing him in the face. This time I let the arrow fly at the guy coming at Fujita from the side. It was a true shot.

When Fujita finished the guy he was battling against and turned towards him, he found a body with an arrow protruding from the back of the head. He sent a scowl at me and went to finish the remaining two bandits. I didn't bother paying attention to the fight anymore knowing full well that both Roku and Fujita were perfectly capable of handling it.

I scanned the surroundings for any other presence. I could feel Tsuki sensei watching over us from the tree above where he was hiding. There were no other chakra signatures in the vicinity. Still, I didn't relax. We weren't fighting shinobi after all.

As I had expected, we saw action in our very first C rank mission. A bandit attack. Normally, the bandits would have been cleared out ages ago. Owing to the fact that the route was less traveled and way off the war zone, no effort has been spared to clear them up.

We were guarding a merchant caravan heading halfway towards the border between Rock and Leaf. Even though the town we were supposed to escort the caravan was not near the border, we were all on high alert. At least, initially. As the first day and night passed without any incident, both Fujita and Roku began to loosen their vigilance. I, however, did not.

The bandits attacked us just outside of the town we were traveling to. Seeing how we haven't faced any attack until almost the journey was over, both Roku and Fujita have been a little complacent at the time of the attack. However, me and Tsuki sensei were on high alert. The moment I felt bandits in the vicinity, Tsuki sensei had taken off.

Initially, I wasn't very sure. As they didn't use chakra much, all I got from my sensing ability was a kind of buzz. As if something was there, but not really there. Luckily, Tsuki sensei taking off had tipped me, and I was able to deduce that it was merely ordinary bandits. From the hushed whispers that they were trying to keep low (and abysmally failing due to chakra enhanced hearing), I was able to pinpoint the one who was giving the orders and took him out of action just as the action began.

As the attack began, my first arrow went right into the eye of the one giving orders causing the other bandits to pause momentarily and fall into panic. That provided enough window for Fujita and Roku to leap into action.

Sensei dropped to the ground taking out the last bandit who was left. I looked around to find that both and Fujita had gone in for the kill, while Roku had been satisfied with disabling her enemies. That left us with a couple of bandits to take care of.

Tsuki sensei frowned as he noticed it. He looked at Roku who was oblivious to what she had done and a grimace formed on his face. I looked away knowing what he was going to make her do.

"Roku," Tsuki sensei called her.

"Yes sensei,"

"Here, take this and finish off your opponents," a sound of kunai embedding the ground reached me.

And silence.

I didn't pause, not wanting to see what was going on, as I made my way to the caravan to assure the merchant that the bandits were dealt with.

"Haname san, we have cleared the bandits," I said standing outside the caravan in which the merchant and his companions were taking refuge in.

"Oh, can we come out?" Haname san asked from inside.

"Ah! Just wait for a few more minutes. We… ah, we are clearing the remains. I think you would prefer not to look at the aftermath."

"Yeah, yeah. Let us know when you are done," Haname san said hastily.

I let out an affirmative grunt and turned around to look at the bodies littering the floor. I walked to the nearby body and retrieved the arrow from it, before scouring the area for my other arrows.

"Roku, do it," Tsuki sensei's voice echoed out commandingly.

I heard a shriek, followed by a wet crunching sound. I closed my eyes knowing full well that Roku might be feeling terrible at the moment. It had not been the first time I had killed. A memory from Before intruded my mind.

Blood all over my hands, as I stared at the dead body in front of me with rage.

I hastily pushed that image and the corresponding rage that came with it away. I blinked a couple of times before retrieving another arrow from another dead body. As I counted the arrows in my hand, I knew I had just one more left to collect. The one embedded in the eye of the one who had been in charge.

For that, I have to walk past Roku and others.

Still not feeling like watching what was happening, I started cleaning the arrows of the blood. Still, some of the taints stuck with the wood.

"Tch," I muttered irritably knowing that it was one of the downsides of using arrow instead of kunai.

Another wet crunching sound echoed behind me.

"Roku, Roku," Tsuki sensei's panicked voice snapped me out of my thoughts.

Unable to be still anymore and with nothing else to do, I turned to see what had made Tsuki sensei panic. Roku was standing rooted to the spot before the second body looking at the kunai in her hands. Tsuki sensei looked concerned. Fujita, on the other hand, was watching the last two bandits intently. Something about his gaze troubled me. But, I pushed it away.

Roku was trembling all over. I sighed knowing Roku would not be able to finish the last two. It seemed like Tsuki sensei also felt the same. He gently pried the kunai from her hands and embraced her as he patted her back. Roku's body shook in his embrace. I tore my eyes away from them.

It felt like something had caught up in my throat seeing Roku in that state. I gulped trying hard not to let tears envelop my eyes. I shook my head clearing myself of the guilt for letting it happen to her.

Thud! Thud!

Two bodies fell simultaneously to the ground shaking us all awake. I turned in the direction of the sound to find two bodies with two kunai embedded in them. Confused, I looked around to see who had done it. Maybe, it was sensei.

Or maybe not.

If the look in his face was anything to go by. Then, it left….

"I took care of the remaining ones, sensei," Fujita said beaming with pride.

I shook my head at him. Tsuki sensei nodded in return as he stood up. Roku embraced his leg.

"Good job, Fujita kun" he nodded at the boy absently patting Roku's head.

I snorted to myself. Leave it to Fujita to try to brown-nose sensei. Still, I was glad that he had the presence of mind to take the attention away from Roku. And looking from how he was acting, I was sure that he knew that it was either kill or be killed in a war. The Uchihas would have drilled it into them.

There were rumors in the village about Uchihas using death row prisoners to prepare their young ones for the ninja life. And coupled with how we were taught in the academy to dispose of enemies with no mercy or second thought, I was sure the boy was accustomed to killing.

It was so wrong that a kid like Fujita was so accustomed to killing. But, that is how the world worked here. This was not Before, where children are sheltered from bloodshed and many people pass their lives without even coming across one. This was the world of Naruto, where we kids are taught to kill from a very young age.

I let out a resigned sigh.

"Sensei, we will take care of the bodies. You…" I gestured towards Roku hoping he would understand.

He nodded in return and graced me with a smile. It took me by surprise. But, I shook out of it in a moment as I dragged the other bodies to make a pile. I retrieved the last arrow and secured it in a different place, not bothering to clean the blood.

I decided that this arrow would never ever be used again. It was the one that brought me my first kill. I needed it as a reminder, to remind me that in this world it is either kill or be killed.

Once all the bodies were piled up, Fujita stepped up self-importantly.

"Step back, Senju. Watch what an Uchiha is capable of," he announced as he hastily made a couple of hand signs and blew a ball of fire.

I watched the ball engulf the bodies dispassionately. I watched the bodies burn far faster than it was normal. Yet, another thing reminding me how this world was different than what I was used to. I left Fujita to the burning pile of bodies and made my way to the caravan.

"Haname san, you can come out."

"Oh, is it finished?" Haname san asked excitedly as he got out of the wagon.

He looked at the distant flame and grunted before looking around. He noted that neither my sensei nor Roku was in sight, but didn't comment. He nodded to me before scampering off to check his wares.

(*****)

We escorted the caravan with no further incidents.

Once we reached the town and finished our mission, Tsuki sensei allowed us to roam around the town for the next few hours. Unfortunately, neither me nor Roku was in a mood to go sightseeing.

Fujita tried to convince Roku to tag along with him, however Roku steadfastly refused. Grumbling, Fujita took off on his own. Minutes later, after getting assurance from me that I won't leave Roku alone, Tsuki sensei took off to keep watch on Fujita from the shadows. It was clear that even Tsuki sensei wasn't feeling comfortable enough to let Fujita roam around the village on his own.

"Hey," I said sliding next to Roku.

She gave me a weak smile and quickly turned away not meeting my eyes. I sighed leaning backward, letting the silence remain. From the corner of my eyes, I saw Roku eye me with trepidation. It was as if she was debating whether or not to speak to me.

We sat there in silence for some time. I figured it would be best not to push her. After all, regardless of being a genin Roku was still a kid who had undergone a life-changing experience.

After half an hour or so, Roku broke the silence unable to bear it any longer.

"How do you do it?" she mumbled.

"What?" I asked unable to understand what she meant by it.

"I mean, the ki…." Roku stopped unable to say the word.

I let out a huge sigh, "If you think it is easy for us, you are wrong."

"But… But, neither you or Fujita…"

"We were brought up differently Roku. We knew what it means to go out on a mission and put your life out there. I don't mean to say you don't know. But, this kind of knowing is different."

"How?"

I contemplated for a few moments on how to put it across so that she understood what I meant.

"In the academy, you were taught that you had to kill your enemies. But until the moment arrived, you didn't know what it takes to do it, did you?"

Roku shook her head.

"It's like that. From a young age, we were trained to take lives. All of us. But due to how we were brought up, me and Fujita knew it better than all others. In some ways, both Senju and Uchiha clans are the same. Funny that no one realizes it," I chuckled mirthlessly.

"How do you deal with it?"

"It is different for everyone Roku. I don't know how Fujita deals with it. For me, I think of what those men would do if I left them alive. Next week, they might attack another merchant who has no shinobi protection. If I take them out now, I save that merchant from his fate. I concentrate on who I save instead of who I kill."

Roku didn't respond. She looked thoughtful.

"Then again, it is a flimsy excuse for taking a life. But, that is what we are. We shinobi are trained to kill. Whether it is for the village or your family or your team, it all boils down to one thing for me. In this world, if I don't kill my enemies they will cause pain to things I protect. So, I kill them. You have to find your own reason, Roku. This is something we all must do."

Silence ensued my statement as Roku mulled over my words. I let her be. We remained seated next to each other in silence for the next few minutes.

"I felt horrible," Roku said after a while, "I have always known I have to kill someone someday. But, when I looked at them, bound and helpless, I just couldn't do it. I felt like a coward."

I didn't reply.

"I don't know what to do. And when Sensei ordered, I panicked and killed one. I didn't want sensei to be mad at me. But, when the second one died, I couldn't take it anymore,"

"Roku, breathe," I ordered her seeing that she was working herself into hyperventilation.

Roku took in deep breaths as I rubbed her back soothingly. She sniffled a few times in the next few minutes as she tried to calm down. I sat there soothing her with words and pleasantries.

"You must think I am coward," she said in-between her sniffles.

"No, Roku. You were very brave," I assured her patting her back.

"Does it get easier?" she asked in a small voice after a while.

"I don't know Roku. I don't know," I mumbled back.

And I really didn't know.

(*****)

I ducked under Tsuki sensei's kick and fell into a roll-on seeing Roku coming at him from behind. I passed under her kick and came up with an arrow notched in my bow. I took aim and waited until Roku was kicked away, and let it fly. Tsuki sensei swayed out of the path nimbly and blocked Fujita's kick. The force of sensei's block unbalanced him and he was sent flying with a kick.

I initiated my hand seals as Roku engaged sensei furiously. I timed it perfectly and sent my compressed water bullet right at sensei's face just as Roku dropped down from her kick. The bullet passed Roku just shy of her head, and it took Tsuki sensei by surprise. Only for him to shunshin away at the last moment.

I cursed inwardly and ducked low without hesitation, knowing full well that sensei would appear behind me. As expected his kick passed above me. I completed the duck with a roundhouse heel kick, which he jumped above and retaliated with a knee to my face. I pulled away with a backward roll as his knee passed inches away from my face.

Before I could right myself, I felt a searing heat on my back as Fujita let lose a big ass fireball at sensei. Only, sensei wasn't there. Instead, I had to frantically pull out a substitution just to stay alive. I reappeared a few paces back panting heavy breaths, a shiver running down my spine. I sent a scowl at him only to find him shooting another big ass fireball at sensei. This time it was Roku who scrambled out of the way.

Luckily, Roku was in a far better position to escape than me. My rhythm completely thrown, I took deep breaths and looked at Roku who was scowling at Fujita. I shook my head as I saw him shooting another fireball at sensei. I plopped down on my butt dispiritedly.

Roku wasn't in the mood to engage sensei either. She tiredly made her way near me and sat beside me with a scowl. We both watched Tsuki sensei thrash Fujita ruthlessly for the next 30 seconds or so until Fujita was groaning on the ground.

"I hate it when he does that," Roku grumbled beside me.

I could only nod in agreement.

"What do you think you two are doing?" Tsuki sensei asked as he appeared before us, "I haven't called an end to the practice."

"We thought Fujita kun wanted to fight you by himself sensei, so we are taking a break," Roku replied cheekily as I nodded along seriously.

Tsuki sensei gave us a hard look.

"Oh, come on sensei. How can we fight alongside that idiot when he keeps throwing fireballs without even considering us?" Roku asked indignantly.

"That doesn't mean you can sit out of a fight, Roku chan," sensei said with a disapproving click.

"Then tell him not to roast us alive," Roku said heatedly.

Tsuki sensei massaged his head. I merely stared ahead without speaking anything. Recently, I have adopted the policy of non-interference. I didn't speak much, and only spoke when it was needed to. To my surprise, this strategy seemed to work well. Tsuki sensei was not after me much these days. And since I wasn't speaking much, even Fujita found it hard to pick a fight with me.

All in all, I was content with the current team dynamic.

The only downfall is that Roku was being more outspoken these days. This has created certain friction between Roku and Fujita. And it was becoming more and more hard for sensei to mediate.

"Fujita," Tsuki sensei said in a stern tone causing a panting Fujita to look up at us.

"Do you realize your mistake?" Tsuki sensei asked him.

"Mistake? What did I do?" Fujita asked in confusion.

"What did you do? What did you do? You almost roasted both of us alive," Roku spat at him in anger.

"What?" Fujita still didn't understand.

"Fujita," Tsuki sensei cut in before Roku could reply. "Sending fireball jutsu when your teammates are engaged in Taijutsu with the enemy will also implicate your teammates and their ability to combat. What if they hadn't gotten out of the way in time?"

"But, but he shot a water bullet," Fujita replied, "I thought it was fine."

I let out a huge sigh.

"Fujita, my water bullet was concentrated and it was timed perfectly not to hinder Roku," I replied patiently.

"So, what are you telling? That when you do it is fine and when I do it isn't fine huh?" Fujita bristled.

I simply looked at Tsuki sensei in defeat and shrugged my shoulders indicating he should handle it.

"Fujita," Tsuki sensei spoke before Fujita could come at me again, "it doesn't necessarily mean that you can perform a B-rank jutsu just because Hatorama sent a water bullet. It isn't a competition here. Your main aim is to beat your enemy. Firing fireballs that hinder your teammates instead of helping them will only lead to all of your deaths."

Fujita looked as if he was going to argue but instead looked away under Tsuki sensei's hard stare.

"Do you understand?" Tsuki sensei didn't relent.

"Yes sensei," Fujita said half-heartedly.

Tsuki sensei looked as if he was going to pressure Fujita more, but shook his head with a disappointed face.

"And Hatorama," Tsuki sensri continued before anyone else could say something. "While your water bullet was perfectly timed, I am going to ask you not to do that again. As you can see, your team's teamwork hasn't reached that level yet."

"Yes sensei," I said robotically and it seemed to pacify Fujita.

"Roku, you need to put your differences with your teammates aside during a battle. If this had happened in a mission, you and Hatorama would have left Fujita to fend for himself. That would result in all of your deaths," Tsuki sensei said sternly causing Roku to flush.

"And you too," Tsuki sensei said nodding to me, "I understand you had a close call and was affected by it. But, in battle, you will experience a lot of close calls like that. You can't be affected by it."

"I understand sensei," I said seriously as I mulled over sensei's words.

It was true. In a real battle, I would be experiencing many such close calls. That couldn't be an excuse for me to panic. Provided, I didn't expect those close calls to be coming from my own team, what Tsuki sensei said was right.

"I'm sorry sensei," I said earnestly, "I will make sure it won't happen again."

Tsuki sensei looked surprised at my words. Considering how I had reacted to his previous criticisms, it was only natural. He merely nodded at me with a complicated look on his face. But, I threw it to the back of my head and started thinking about what else I could have done after that near miss. It was clear that we could have fought sensei for longer. if I hadn't panicked.

Yet, one more thing to get rid of before being deployed to front lines.

(*****)

Kushina came home after what felt like an eternity and I was promptly invited to dinner at her house. Only, I wasn't the only one invited. Team Minato was there too. I was very uncomfortable to sit opposite to Rin and Obito. On my right, Kakashi was his usual stoic self while occasionally glancing me with disdain.

To my left, Minato and Kushina were very immersed in their conversation. From the occasional giggles from Kushina and the blush on Minato's face I could imagine what the conversation was all about. Luckily, Obito was regaling Rin with the latest help he provided to an old lady. Rin, on the other hand, was sneaking glances at an oblivious Kakashi.

'Argh' I groaned inwardly.

Looking at the happy atmosphere in front of me, I felt as if I was the worst possible human in the whole Narutoverse. Knowing what was going to befall this happy family - yes, they were a family - I felt as if it was entirely my fault that such a thing was going to be happening in the future.

And it angered me.

"Well, Hato kun, I heard that you have been going on C-ranks these days," Kushina turned from Minato to ask me.

I choked on the soup I was having, causing Kakashi to snort disdainfully.

"Yeah," I managed to say once I finished stabilizing myself.

"How are things with your team? All fine?" Kushina asked as she served a portion to Minato.

"Hmmm, it's been going good," I nodded in return.

"That is not what I heard. My cousin said you were showing off too much," Obito piped in with a scowl.

"I can't help if your cousin feels that way. You Uchihas think you are the only ones allowed to show off. And when someone performs better than you, you Uchihas seem to not like it," I replied with a sidelong glance at Kakashi.

Obito bristled at the insinuation. But, before he could reply Kakashi snorted causing Obito to shift his attention away from me.

"What are you laughing at bakashi?" Obito sneered at him. With his ever-present goggles, it looked ridiculous.

I snorted seeing him act as if Obito was thin air. As expected, Obito bristled seeing Kakashi ignore him. With me adding flame from the sidelines, it looked as if Obito was going to punch Kakashi.

Only, Kushina cleared her throat and Obito shrank down like a deflated balloon.

"Hato kun, I have been fighting for a long time. I just came home, I don't want you to start a fight in my home, do you understand?"

Kushina's cherry smile sent shivers down my spine. Damn! Kushina is one scary woman. I meekly nodded my head in reply.

"And that goes for you all too," Kushina directed her scary smile at Minato's trio causing them to nod fervently.

"Well, Minato, when are you going to move in with me?" Kushina asked casually turning to Minato.

Then and there, I knew we were all appetizers. Minato was the main dish. For his sake, I hoped that he didn't trip up.

But, who was I kidding?

"Hmmm, what's the rush? I am fine with how things are. Besides, I'm busy a lot these days. Let things settle down a bit," Minato spoke absentmindedly as he ate.

"What's the rush?" Kushina muttered to herself in a strange tone making my hair stand on edge.

Oblivious Minato was still going on about how the Hokage was running him haggard. I bitterly thought if he doesn't take care, he might not even be alive to see next sunrise.

"He is fine with how things are? Eh?" Kushina continued on in that strange tone causing me to gulp.

And damn Minato was still ranting about Hokage.

I saw Rin desperately trying to get Minato to stop as Kushina began a strange cackle, but Obito was oblivious too as he was listening to Minato with rapt attention, making all the appropriate sounds. Kakashi, on the other hand, started eating fast as if he was on a deadline.

"Tell me Hato kun, am I rushing things?" Kushina turned to look at me with an eerie smile.

Deciding that it was every man for himself, I suddenly rose and interrupted Minato.

"Minato san, how can you do this to Kushina-nee?"

Minato looked up at me in confusion.

"Oi senju baka, what are you talking about?" Obito shouted at me.

"Hato kun, what happened?" Minato asked me in confusion.

Kakashi took that moment to escape from the table. I saw Rin beginning to retreat as well. Oblivious to their actions, Obito was glowering at me. As the atmosphere shifted, Minato began to realize something was going on as he noted Kakashi and Rin escaping.

On the other hand, Kushina was still cackling.

"Tell me Hato kun, am I rushing things?" Kushina's sweet voice once again echoed through the room causing my innards to jolt.

"Ah, Kushina-nee, I think you are absolutely right," I started to nervously back off from the table. "But, as you know, I am your brother so Minato san might think I am siding with you. It would be better if you ask Obito there."

I shamelessly threw the Uchiha under the wagon and began to start a hasty retreat.

"Hato kun, Hato kun," Minato's voice echoed from the room as I closed the door behind me.

"Sit down, Minato. And you too, Obito. I am not letting either one of you leave until I get an answer." Kushina's thundering voice chased after me as I ran like mad. Inwardly, I noted that the first thing I am going to learn after this was a shunshin.

(*****)

I ducked under the bandit's punch and decked him right in his groins and followed with an uppercut. I shifted away as another bandit kicked me. Before I could launch myself at him Roku's fist smashed into him causing him to fall down. I swept past her with a roundhouse kick connecting with another bandit who was coming after Roku from behind and had to hastily block an errant punch from Fujita. It looked like he was also coming to the aid of Roku, so I didn't mind it as I stabilized myself and moved away to engage two more bandits.

It was short work. It would have been even shorter if we were allowed to use weapons. However, Tsuki sensei had ordered us to engage bandits in Taijutsu alone to hone our teamwork in case of melee battles. And I have to say it was working wonders. There was less and less number of occurrences where we were hindering each other.

We were on yet another C-rank mission, leading yet another merchant convoy. Due to the war, the way to our destination was infested with bandits. It was a blessing that they had no ninja training. Otherwise, we would have been bogged down with skirmishes.

"Report," Tsuki sensei's voice brought me back from my musings.

"We have neutralized the bandits, sensei. 21 dead, and another 18 incapacitated. No injuries on our side." Fujita reported.

"You left 18 alive?" Tsuki sensei said in surprise.

"It's not my fault sensei," Fujita replied sullenly.

As Tsuki sensei looked at me and Roku, "No weapons sensei, kinda hard to finish them all off without weapons," I replied knowing full well that over thirteen of the remaining were left alive by Roku.

"Hatorama, I expect your Taijutsu to be lethal. If they are shinobi, just beating them up would not be enough. Sometimes you will not time to retrieve your weapons on the battlefield. So, each and every strike you inflict must do maximum damage."

"I understand sensei, I will dispose of them now," I nodded mulling over his comment.

"Take Roku with you," Tsuki sensei nodded in return as he went to inform our client.

Fujita looked at me smugly and walked off. I looked around to see Roku was looking down at her shoes not intending to meet my eye.

"You didn't use chakra," I stated as I walked towards the bodies.

"No," Roku said softly. "They… they are not shinobi."

"It doesn't matter Roku, you need to stop holding back. We are at war Roku. I will tell you this frankly, this is our last C-rank mission," I said massaging my head not knowing what to do with Roku's kindness.

As endearing as it is, this was the world of Narutoverse. Here being softhearted can kill you in a blink. Especially in the battlefield.

"What do you mean?" Roku asked curiously.

"Its done Roku. Its over," I said gruffly not willing to talk about it.

"Hato kun, can you be more clear," I could hear the nervousness in her voice. It looked like she had already guessed.

"Your guess is correct," I said as I began to kill off the remaining bandits. "We are done doing C-rank missions Roku. Our next deployment will be to the front lines. We will be delivering couriers to outposts and stuff. But, the next enemy we meet will be a shinobi who is looking to kill you. If you continue holding back like this, you won't be prepared when the time comes. It will cause a lot of problems. Hell, Roku, one of us might even die. So, stop holding back."

"I will try," Roku said meekly.

"No, Roku. Stop trying and start doing. I don't want you to suffer." I said in exasperation.

"I…. I…"

"There is no more time, Roku." I said as I slit the last bandit's throat.

Roku merely gulped to that statement.

"Well, Fujita will be thrilled, so that's a plus there," I smiled at Roku causing her to chuckle.

"Yeah, he has been moaning for months that we haven't fought with a single shinobi," Roku said shaking her head.

"More like there were no shinobi in his kill counts," I grumbled in reply.

"He does seem a little bloodthirsty," Roku nodded along as we made our way to sensei.

"Which Uchiha isn't?" I snorted in reply.

"Oh, shush. He is not that bad. He is just eager."

(*****)

Tsuki sensei held up a hand making us stop. I could feel three chakra signatures hiding in the trees above us. From the way they were patiently waiting for us to proceed, I was sure that they were hostile.

Unlike the previous two Shinobi Wars, the third one was a total clusterfuck. All five elemental nations were participating in this. However, there were no clear alliances. Iwa was fighting with Kumo and Konoha. Suna was also fighting but not too openly. And I know that we were going to face Kiri at one point or another. The same went for Kumo. But, the main battle was between Iwa and Konoha. At least, as of now, there were no reports of Konoha shinobi fighting with Kumo. In short, it was a total clusterfuck.

"Don't hold back," I whispered in Roku's ear.

She nodded nervously as we waited for the other side to make a move. I felt too exposed to stay in a single place knowing it was already compromised. I could see sweat beads forming on Fujita's brows as he nervously clutched the kunai in his hands. Tsuki sensei's tense posture increased the nervousness a little further.

Team of three. Probably two Chunin and a Jonin.

Tsuki sensei signaled behind his back causing Fujita and Roku to pale a little. My lips twitched as I cursed our luck for running into a Chunin this early in our deployment.

I will take one Chunin and stall for time. You and Roku engage the other Chunin. Come to my aid once you deal with him.

Fujita's brows furrowed and he seemed on the verge of exploding.

My Taijutsu is better and I can hold on for some time against a Chunin.

I signed again. This time Fujita bristled outright. Tsuki sensei glared at us as he sensed the hostility Fujita was exuding. I signed to Tsuki sensei what I told Fujita. He looked thoughtful for a second.

I can handle a mere Chunin on my own, my ninjutsu is better than him.

Fujita signed hastily. Tsuki sensei's eyebrows rose and we both exchanged a look. Knowing full well how Fujita would react, Tsuki sensei's eyebrows furrowed further. Before we could decide on the deployment a kunai shot through the air causing us to scatter. And a trio of Iwa ninja was on us immediately.

As Tsuki sensei took on the Jonin, Fujita rushed ahead to take on a Chunin on his own. The other Chunin was heading towards Roku. I hastily intercepted him and was blown back from the impact. The bastard was a power user. Likely earth affinity. However, he wasn't agile. That would work to my advantage and stalling him from aiding his companions would be easy.

As I fell back, I changed my trajectory to land beside Roku.

Power-user. Probably earth affinity. Weakness - agility.

I signed to Roku as I looked ahead at Fujita. He was going toe to toe with a Chunin in Ninjutsu. I groaned at his idiocy. No matter how vast his aresenal is, his chakra reserves would not be a match for a Chunin.

Engage in Taijutsu. I will provide support.

I signed to Roku and she took off like a rolling rock towards the Iwa shinobi. I took my bow and knocked an arrow, took aim and held it. Just as Roku was pushed back, I let the arrow fly. The Chunin was going for a jutsu and hastily cut off as the arrow arrived. He shifted back with a curse, giving Roku time to once again engage in Taijutsu. Roku was true to her Akimichi heritage as she soon began to gain upper hand. With me providing occasional support, the Iwa ninja was unable to concentrate fully on Roku. Any gap he showed was treated with a deadly arrow to his vitals. Soon, he became flustered and started cursing me like hell.

And Roku took perfect advantage of his distraction and landed a few strong punches that I was sure would jar his innards. Soon, the Chunin was leaking blood along his lips. But, Roku's inexperience soon became clear. Instead of going for the kill, Roku was content to keep him occupied. While the Chunin was pressured to deal with both Roku's power and my arrows, Roku's inexperience allowed him to prolong his battle.

I cursed inwardly as I spied Fujita beginning to fumble in his fight. Maybe in a minute or two, he would be defeated. Even though Roku was pressuring our target, she seemed hesitant to go for the kill. As I feared, Fujita's chakra began to run low in the next minute or so. He hastily ducked away from an earth spike short towards and it was the turning point of that fight.

Hastily I did the seals for a water bullet and shot at Fujita's opponent causing him to backtrack a little. I didn't waste the opportunity and shot three more arrows at him keeping him away from Fujita. However, without my assistance, Roku was beginning to fall back in her fight. I knew clearly that I had to do something or else we might not win this fight. Hell, at least one of my teammates will lose their lives if I don't act soon.

While I could assist Roku to an extent, considering how she was engaged in Taijutsu, I know for sure the amount of support I could provide can only extend to a bit. I can even engage in Taijutsu alongside Roku, but I knew the one who needs my help most at this moment was not Roku. She could hang in there for a few more minutes even if I don't assist. It would be hard, but Roku could manage. So, the best option is to assist Fujita. But, knowing Fujita, that he would likely take it as an insult.

Just then, Fujita's opponent recovered and Fujita was left to scramble across the area like a headless chicken. Throwing all thoughts away, I leaped towards Fujita's opponent, shooting arrows at him, giving him no chance of reprieve. I forced him back and closed in on him. Considering that he was a Ninjutsu specialist, I figured engaging him with Taijutsu would be an ideal approach.

"What are you doing Senju?" Fujita's angry shout echoed behind me as I closed in on the Chunin.

"Go, help Roku. I will stall him," I shouted back and delivered a roundhouse kick making the Chunin stagger from his block.

"Argh" Fujita's angry shout was the reply I got as the Chunin repaid me with a kick to the sternum that I had to block hastily.

Luckily, the man's taijutsu was only average. He tried to create distance to cast some Ninjutsu. However, I saw through his plan and kept hounding him. Soon, he became flustered and a few openings were seen. However, I held back wary of feints and kept up the pressure. No matter the number of openings he showed, I maintained my form and never once leaped in eagerly for the kill.

From the frustrated grunts I received as I kept up the pressure, the wariness paid off. Unable to get rid of me, his Taijutsu became even more brutal. I merely deflected most and only attacked him to keep up the pressure. In the end, he opted to use a substitution to create some distance when he realized that baiting me in wasn't going to work.

But, I was one step ahead. Ever since I engaged him, I have been on the lookout for that particular jutsu. The moment he started to make signs, I retrieved my bow and arrow, locked on to his chakra signal and simply let loose at the area he had substituted to. A strangled yelp was heard as the evaded at the last moment. The arrow missed his neck, but his shoulder wasn't lucky.

By that time I was already closing in on him. I started to attack his injured side making his movements become restricted. Pretty soon, I was beginning to have an advantage. Targeting his injured shoulders I restricted his movements further and further. A few of my hits landed on his vitals and he was beginning to cough up blood. Unlike Roku, I pressed further making him panic.

Just as I closed in for the kill –

Katon –Hosenka no Jutsu

A few stray fire bullets from the jutsu came right towards us. I aborted the kill and managed to shift myself away barely escaping from the jutsu. The Chunin ducked under it and started to hastily form hand seals. As I regained my stability, I had to immediately start evading earth spikes. One particular spike grazed very close to my chest making me feel goosebumps. As I evaded the spikes, it was followed with mudballs. I hastily ducked under them and formed my own hand seals.

Suiton – Mizurappa

The violent water wave sent the Iwa ninja flying. As he regained his bearings, I was already upon him. My knee connected with his throat. A sick crunch was heard and I sent another roundhouse kick for good measure nearly decapitating his head with its connection. He spun like a corkscrew and landed with a heavy thud. As he laid there choking, I moved in to finish the kill.

And a fireball hit him roasting him alive making me stop in my tracks.

I whipped my head in anger to see Fujita looking at me smugly. Roku was behind him gasping for air. Their opponent, already a pile of ashes. As much as I wanted to throttle the Uchiha, I reined it in and looked at our sensei, who was finishing up his own battle. He ended it with a kunai to his opponent's eye in a brutal but effective fashion.

As Tsuki sensei turned around to look at us, he noted the two pile of ashes and a smug Fujita. His eyes lingered on the huge amount of arrows littered across the ground and rested a few more seconds on Roku's injuries. His lips formed into a thin line, but he didn't say anything.

I paid no attention to Tsuki sensei and walked towards Roku.

"Are you ok?" I asked softly.

She nodded at me and shot a glare at Fujita for some reason. I didn't bother to inquire after it and went about collecting the arrows littered on the battlefield.

"Take ten minutes break. We will set off immediately after that," Tsuki sensei said as he went to take a look at Roku's injuries.

(*****)

OMAKE

Mokurimo Tsuki was beginning to get a headache. He never thought that the most troublesome of his genin would be his old teammate's son. As much as he loved the boy as his own, he had to admit that Fujita was becoming a liability to the whole team.

The Senju, on the other hand, had been too well-behaved for him to find a fault with him. As a shinobi himself, he could see why the higher-ups were so invested in the boy. His potential looked like it would never end. Regardless of which position he was put in, the boy did his job perfectly. The boy was a well-rounded shinobi, he had to admit that.

Whether he was in long-range support or close quarters or even in the unenviable position of mid-range, the boy made sure that he couldn't find any fault with his work at all. He had to admit that Hatorama Senju was well worth grooming. But, he was still wary of the brat.

There was something about the brat that felt wrong to him. He was too perfect, and it raised his alarm bells more than once. He still remembered how manipulative the brat was in their first meeting. Such nature couldn't be overcome that easily. And looking at how easily the brat had Roku under his wing, he felt that the brat was still up to his tricks right under his eyes.

Treat him like an adult

The Sannin's voice echoed in his mind, startling him of his contemplation. It was true that he had never treated the brat like an adult. He had been confident that he could make the brat see his errors with some strong-arming and pressure. He had been foolish to underestimate the brat. And now, it seemed that the brat has already gained a foothold with his manipulative ways

As he looked over at the trio, he could see that there was a gap forming between Fujita and his teammates. He could see that Roku would trust the Senju brat more than Fujita. And Fujita's overenthusiastic attempts to perform well had isolated him from the other teammates, especially Roku.

As he ruminated over how to deal with it, he could see the Senju brat and Roku laughing at each other. Fujita seemed to be awfully left alone. It wouldn't be long before the brat had Roku completely enthralled with him. And that was how the manipulators worked.

Now that he thought about it, the brat could easily outperform Fujita. Yet, the brat had toned down his performance to gain Roku's confidence. Just like he did in the academy, the brat was still underperforming and fooling everyone else. Even he had been hoodwinked into believing that the problem was with Fujita.

No, the problem had always been with the Senju brat. Only, he was too good a manipulator to make others think otherwise. And it chilled him to the bones to see how a child could be so manipulative.

But, how to defuse this? It wouldn't do to tip his hand too early and have the brat think of other ways to manipulate Roku. He had made that mistake once and, in the end, even he had been hoodwinked by the brat. The brat was more cunning than he realized. So, the only way was for him to be patient and find the right moment.

First and foremost, he had to repair the rift between Roku and Fujita. Both Roku and Fujita were children, they might not know what is best for them. If he could have a firmer hand on both and curb Fujita's overenthusiastic display, he might even succeed. Let the Senju brat think that he wasn't on to him. Lull him into complacency and once the rift between Roku and Fujita was repaired, he would take care of the brat next.

As Mokurimo Tsuki sat thinking on his plans further, a new day dawned over the horizon.