As the team leader, Shino was responsible for creating mini-teams and thus had to assess every member of the group and take many things into consideration to ensure the success of their mission.
There were two places within the enemy base that they needed to secure. One was the laboratory where children with bloodline limits were kept and experimented on. The other was what looked like a large hall with cages housing children with secret clan techniques.
They had three trackers in the group. He, Hinata and Kiba—with Akamaru his loyal partner of course. He's a long range fighter and Hinata and Kiba were short to mid-range. Sai was mid to long range. Uchiha Sasuke, he was sure, could handle himself leagues better than any one of them.
He and Hinata should not be on the same group because of the nature of their tracking abilities. Kiba should not be partnered with Sai as both have mouths without filters and would surely annoy or fight each other and possibly jeopardize their mission. Uchiha Sasuke will no doubt do what he thought was best without a care for anyone else's opinion.
Finally done with making a decision, with a finished map of the enemy base showing vital details such as possible enemy headcount, traps and danger and dead zones in their middle, Shino cleared his throat to address the group.
"Alright, our top priority is securing the children. They must be protected at all cost which means we have to get to the lab and the large hall where they are being kept. Based on our skills and past work experiences, I would have Kiba and myself as partners. We will take the lab. Kiba, Akamaru and my kikaichu will help in tracking and making sure to destroy whatever vile experiments are there. Hinata and Sai will take the large hall. Sai's ink creations would be more effective in that setting and Hinata's byakugan and taijutsu would act as good support and help calm the children, even provide medical attention to those who've gone through harsh torture. Sasuke-san, if you would join them? You are without doubt the strongest of us all and they need more help securing their assigned location."
Though he didn't like him that much, Uchiha Sasuke was a prodigy and has far more battle experience than any of them. He would no doubt play a bigger role and thus the need for him to recognize the last Uchiha's usefulness.
"Hn. No. I'll take Hyuuga with me. You, Sai and Inuzuka and his dog make the lab team," the Uchiha responded, voice and expression nonchalant.
The man's casual disregard of his plan and his mention of Hinata made Shino twitch a bit in irritation. He was also quite offended that the Uchiha seemed to underestimate his and Kiba's capacity to handle the lab situation. But he held his tongue—the mission was about saving children after all, not about his pride.
Kiba, predictably, reacted negatively. "What the hell? Oi Uchiha, you can't go around making decisions like that. What makes you think you can simply order us around, especially Hinata?"
Akamaru, with far more sense than his master, remained silent while looking at the Uchiha warily.
The Uchiha simply ignored Kiba and turned to Hinata whose eyes had gone wide in surprise. Then, she tilted her head a little and a look of introspection showed on her face.
"Hinata? Is Uchiha-san's suggestion alright with you?" Shino asked his team mate.
Hinata blinked then turned to him and nodded. "Yes, it's fine Shino-kun."
Considering the fact that Hinata had already spent time in the Uchiha's company the night before and returned to them safely and, taking note that she truly did not seem to have anything against the man, Shino accepted her choice. "Alright then. We'll go with that."
To his exasperation, Kiba loudly protested once more, "Oi Shino! Why the hell should Hinata be partnered with him? If anything, she should be grouped with us."
Deciding to be the mature one, Shino adjusted his shades and spoke to his brash teammate. "Kiba, we trackers all cannot stay together in one group. Another tracker must be with the second group. Hinata and I especially cannot be in the same group. Despite the map and our intel giving us a little advantage, anything can happen inside the twists and turns of the hideout, especially if the enemies use exploding tags or smoke bombs to suit their needs."
"Then I'll have Hinata and Sai. You partner with Sasuke, Shino," his friend quickly suggested, causing Shino to become annoyed once more at the disregard being shown to his words as the leader.
"No," the Uchiha interrupted their exchange. His tone was cool and firm and brooked no argument. "I am not familiar with the Aburame nor any of your techniques. Hyuuga, at least, I have already watched in combat three times now, making her techniques more familiar."
When Kiba looked about to protest further, Sai leaned forward and gave him disturbing smile. With a bit of threat in his voice, he asked, "Ne, Puppy, do you have something against me that you don't want to have me as part of your group?"
The Inuzuka twitched and looked at the former ANBU agent, a bit uncomfortable, "It's not like that Sai. I'm just watching out for Hinata."
The artist only chuckled, "Weirdo has better eyes than you, or have you forgotten? She can literally see 360 degrees around her. She can also kick ass, maybe even better than you. She doesn't need you to watch out for her."
"Now see here—"
"Kiba-kun," Hinata intervened, voice calm but firm, "Thank you for your concern but I'll be fine. I'm truly alright working with Uchiha-san. Let's not waste time arguing anymore please? There are children who need saving."
Though Kiba still scowled darkly and grumbled angrily under his breath, Hinata's words thankfully ended the pointless argument.
They went on to discuss more details such as how they're going to approach the base, hand signals for warning against attackers on the way and procedure they needed to follow in case of a medical emergency.
"Take a rest everyone and get ready to head out in three hours," were Shino's instructions after their long discussion ended.
…..
The enemy base they're targeting may be close to the border separating Ame and Kusa but it was still considered a high risk zone, even for those in the shinobi profession. Not only were they dealing with rogue ninjas from several nations, they're also dealing with ninjas from Rain who specialized in assassinations and were considered highly dangerous for having short tempers.
As such, Sasuke made sure to stay alert, constantly surveying the surrounding area with his sharingan while keeping pace with his slightly slower partner who was tasked with keeping watch of the happenings inside the enemy base.
With her veins bulging unnaturally at the sides of her face and her temples, Hyuuga Hinata was most effective at intel gathering and letting them know real-time of the changes of their enemies' positions as they increasing got closer.
Picking up a slight movement in the periphery of his right eye, he turned his head fully and focused on the Hyuuga's hand movements, her fingers making signs for approaching foes and their numbers before pointing to their direction.
Acknowledging he got her sign, he gained speed to take care of the pests while the rest of the team continued with their normal pace.
There were only four, and without the advantage of byakugan eyes to let them know it was him they were meeting, the poor fools had been quickly taken care of. It was quick. All execution style kills. No mercy should be spared for bloodline thieves, child abductors and torturers.
After flicking the blood from his sword and returning it to its sheath, he went back to rejoin the group.
…..
Biting her bottom lip a bit nervously, Hinata hurriedly signaled the rest of the team of the increase of enemy numbers near the entrance of the base. Clearly there was a sensor or perhaps even several sensors among them who picked up their presence.
Increasing her range of sight, she stilled and paled when she saw many of the rogue ninjas have gone to the lab and large hall and was now in the process of corralling the poor children like livestock for an impending slaughter.
"What is it Hyuuga?" she heard the last Uchiha ask, his voice so near she didn't even notice him get close.
"There must be sensory ninjas among them. Their movements have changed. Some are now with the children in the lab and the large hall."
"They're preparing to either use them as hostages or dispose of them," the man murmured.
"Shit. Fucking sensors," Kiba cursed angrily while Akamaru whined.
"Now, now, don't forget you're a sensor too," Sai remarked.
Hinata turned to their team leader, "What now Shino-kun?"
"No change in plans. Let's go as we've discussed," the bug user answered, though his voice made it clear he was upset with the situation.
"I'll go ahead and clear the entrance," the Uchiha declared suddenly, turning to face the rest of them, "Better that the rest of you don't get tied up getting rid of the unwelcoming party. You three," he pointed to Shino, Kiba and Sai, "head straight for the lab." He turned to her next, "Hyuuga, increase your pace. Try to keep up with me so you can tell me the changes inside."
With that, he moved, leaving them in the dust, the smell of lightning filling their noses.
"What a fucking show-off," Kiba growled. With no scary Uchiha to fear this time, Akamaru loudly barked his agreement.
"Please Kiba-kun, not now. Remember the children," Hinata said before pumping chakra to her legs to increase her speed. She had a demanding Uchiha to follow.