Chapter 52
Kenji gasped for breath as he hid in the trench. His Jounin Captain had finally had them retreat so another platoon could take the field.
"When are those reinforcements coming?" Ryouta huffed beside him.
"Taichou said the Kumo ones are delayed because there are too many injured." Kenji repeated.
The Hyuuga groaned. "We're gonna die out here then."
"Taichou said Orochimaru-sensei sent out an urgent message, but I don't know more." The Uchiha Chuunin let out a long sigh as he brought up his canteen to wash the taste of blood from his mouth. A lucky Iwa nin had gotten a hit on his cheek, he could feel the blood from the loose tooth. "Plus, I can't die here. I'm up for promotion soon." He beamed at his most recent teammate. "We both are. We can't die here and not get to shove it in both Kakashi-baka and Mina-chan's face that we made ANBU before they even made Jounin."
"Shush!" another Jounin hissed out from down the line.
Both chuunin just stared before the Jounin turned back around.
"Touchy." Kenji muttered.
"Well….It looks like he is trying to sleep." Ryouta whispered.
"On the front lines?" Kenji asked incredulously.
The Hyuuga shrugged. "Best copy him. I saw how much you were using your Sharingan out there."
"Like you were any better." The Uchiha muttered but settled into his fellow Chuunin's back, trust and paranoia keeping their backs to each other with ease.
Neither let themselves delve deep into sleep. No doubt in a few hours they would have to switch back out with another squad or platoon so the others could rest.
Kenji was swearing up a storm as he defended Ryouta's back. Iwa had gotten reinforcements overnight. Konoha and their few Suna numbers were outnumbered.
Red Sharingan eyes flew around as he took in all the opponents that were boxing him in. A familiar back pressed up against his own, and he knew him and Ryouta were surrounded. No doubt, their fellow comrades in similar states across the battlefield.
"Those reinforcements would be welcome right about now." Kenji hissed, hating at how low his chakra supply was.
Ryouta let out a small chuckle. "You and me bot-..." Byakugan eyes widened as he saw it. Reinforcements, if only the unexpected kind. The Hyuuga couldn't help but chuckle as he saw who was leading them. "Kenji, Kami answered your prayers." Ryouta informed his friend/comrade.
"What?" The Uchiha asked before suddenly a massive Brown and tan fox landed crouched above them. All five Tails swinging in agitation yet, soon the two Chuunin realized that they were moving with intent and the wind outside of their immediate circle had picked up enough to throw the Iwa shinobi away.
Sharingan and Byakugan eyes were able to watch as more and more foxes with tail count ranging from three to five, joined the battle. Fire, water, Earth, and just teeth and claws reigned terror down upon the Iwa forces.
But to those two dojutsu, it was the preteen girl with golden hair, dressed in all black, that caught their attention. With only a blood red sword, she cut through the iwa forces with grace, fluidity, and the calm of the eye of a storm. Suddenly, she jumped into the air and with both hands flying through signs, two different sets of hand signs.
With a clap, she caught the eyes of all the shinobi on the field as she slammed her hands upon the ground with her landing.
Arashi: Rankiryuu no jutsu
With a surge of kage level chakra, water suddenly rose up and filled the battlefield. Yet, as Ryouta and Kenji realized, wherever the foxes had corralled the Konoha shinobi, the water did not touch. All the Iwa shinobi were waist deep in water.
As the name of the technique called it, the calm of the storm was there for just a moment. The wind suddenly picked up across the field before the once calm water, turned to raging waters with whirling eddies scattered randomly across the field.
The Hyuuga and Uchiha Chuunin didn't dare move as they watched the back of the blond preteen and she went through another string of hand signs and with a burst of chakra, the water launched for the iwa side of the field. Screams filled the air as the army of shinobi flew for the trenches, trees, and deeper back- camps.
With the technique all the blood had been washed away. Yet, to all the Konoha shinobi's surprise, their injured or dead had been gently set with one of the protective circles of the foxes.
The blonde slowly released her hold on the technique before checking on her comrades. Sharp blue eyes snapped across the field taking in everything and everyone. With a sharp mold of chakra, copies of the original took over the field and started helping move the injured.
Captains shook themselves from the shock and barked orders to get the wounded and dead gathered up while they had the time. Teams were put on patrol and many eyes watched when Orochimaru arrived via shunshin, the bags under his eyes telling how exhausted he'd been helping them hold the front.
"Brat." Orochimaru hummed in relief.
"Sensei." Minashi smirked beneath her mask.
Golden eyes looked across the field to see not only his people making their way back, but the Iwa forces had been successfully sent back to at least their side of the field.
"I see you've been working on that Ninjutsu combination style we talked about."
"Yes, Storm style is perfect for me." She beamed before letting her shoulders drop just the tiniest amount. "Still takes a fuck load of chakra though."
Orochimaru just patted her shoulder. "Which is the only reason I even thought up of it. I knew you could one day master it."
"It's no where close to mastered, even that B-rank technique took a lot of focus and chakra control." She admitted as they walked back towards the Konoha side. She nodded at Ume who'd just helped a few shinobi back to camp.
"Minashi-sama." The violet fox bowed. "Orders?"
Minashi looked to Orochimaru. "Keep them here for as long as you can. While you are strong, there are still more forces on the way. The intimidation factor of your summons will have to do until they get here." The Snake Sannin replied to her questioning look.
Minashi nodded and looked at her the head vixen of the battle foxes. "Keep vigilant. Ward Iwa away with your genjutsu as first defense. Have the triplets take first watch for any scouts to test Konoha's readiness. Pair Isamu and Tadao for patrol, same for Tsune and Sho. Alert me when someone is about to return to Azamuki so I can summon someone else if reinforcements haven't arrived by then."
"Hai, Minashi-sama." Ume bowed and turned to bark orders at the Brown, Grey, Red, Forest Green, and three burnt orange foxes waiting orders.
"They will give our comrades time to rest." Minashi said softly, turning back to her sensei.
Orochimaru's eyes softened as they looked at her. "Thank you."
"No thanks needed. Now, where do you need me?"
Orochimaru just chuckled as they headed further past the Konoha line and towards their base camp. He led her straight for his Commander's tent.
"First thing, where are your orders?"
Minashi easily handed the small scroll over with her assignment. Orochimaru let out a huff after reading it.
"Took them long enough." He muttered at her Jounin status. "Alright brat, thankfully that display of power of yours will help reinforce the fact that you are your rank. With this, I want to assign you in charge of one of the Squads that is short a captain."
"Won't the shinobi have issues with a fresh Jounin giving them orders? Powerful or not, if there are any that have been fighting this war as a jounin longer than i, there will be tension-"
Orochimaru held up a hand as he sat behind his desk, she went silent and waited.
"I wouldn't do that. Plus, you are lucky. I have a squad who's captain lost his arm and is being shipped home as soon as reinforcements arrive. Until then, you will lead them. There are two High Chuunin, a Tokubetsu Jounin, a mid-level Jounin and a Tokubetsu Chuunin. With you as a High Jounin, it is a well rounded team. You will meet with them tonight while we have the lull in battle."
"What will our mission be?"
Orochimaru snorted. "For now? Rest and recover. Squads will be taking turns with patrol to see how Iwa reacts to your little stunt out there. As much as I hate to admit it, but we need the reprieve, even if it gives Iwa more time to recover as well."
Minashi nodded. "Alright. What sort of squad am i working with?"
"Squad 57, All front line fighters. Two of the Chuunin are strictly Taijutsu, The other Chuunin is a Midrange Ninjutsu user, but still has strong taijutsu, the low jounin is a kenjutsu user, and the Jounin is a mix between Ninjutsu and taijutsu."
The blonde nodded as her mind began to put together how to work best with her temporary team.
"Now, get out of here brat. Set up your tent near your new squad, get to know the camp, and make sure your teammates supplies are stocked before you are to take morning shift."
"Hai!" She sent him a lazy salute and strode out of his own tent.
She felt the eyes automatically, the moment she stepped out of the tent. The interior was lined with privacy seals, so she knows their conversation was private, but it was obvious that her small size hid a powerful kunoichi.
With sharp eyes and a curious outlook, the blonde strode through the camp, memorizing it as she went until she found the grouping of tents where a small flag for '57' was stationed. Minashi couldn't help smile behind her face mask as she recognized most of the chakra. It wasn't hard to sneak up on the camp and hide in the shadows so she could eavesdrop.
"Come on Ryouta! It's Mina-chan! We haven't seen her in years! Bakashi has been lucky because she lives with them! She's also assigned His Team whenever she did missions!"
"No." The Hyuuga said firmly. "Sarutobi-san has already said that we would be getting a new captain. There was a small batch of reinforcements that came shortly after Minashi. She is probably being assigned her own squad while we speak. So no, you cannot go harass her since we have our own new Captain to meet."
"Uchiha," Sarutobi Ayamu addressed firmly, smoke coming from his cigarette he was stressfully pulling on. "Park it." He ordered sternly. "I may not be Captain, but Taichou still left me in charge until our new Captain arrived. So sit your ass down. I know you haven't recovered from the battle since even i haven't."
A figure dressed thankfully not in spandex due to strict war policies, opened his mouth to comment, but Ayumu just pointed a hand, holding his almost empty box of smokes, at the Tokubetsu Chuunin. "Hush you. This is no time for your youthful speeches. Save that for Konoha."
"Yes sir." Gai mumbled. The final brunette just rolled his eyes and continued the maintenance on his black sword.
"But it's Mina." Kenji pouted quietly.
"And when she is settled in, maybe she'll find us. There are still Meals that we can run into her at." Ryouta tried to cheer up his comrade and reluctant friend. It was hard not to become friends with the cheerful Uchiha when you are placed on the same team as him enough times.
"Or~" Said blonde started revealing herself, startling the five shinobi "You can just give me a hug." She smirked at her two friends.
Kenji's smile was blinding and before she could really react, she was in his arms as he swung her around. She yelped a little startled at his strength before he set her down and held her at arms length.
"Kami Mina! When we saw you leap into the battlefield astride your Fox, it was like Kami sent a hero to us! You don't know how close we were…" The Uchiha trailed off before shaking it off semi easily. "Then you just jumped in and ENDED it. Where in the hell did you learn that jutsu?"
"Sensei." She shrugged. "I'm the only one with the chakra capacity for some of his more reckless ninjutsu combination Jutsus. The Arashi style just being the easiest one I can do."
"Minashi." Ryouta greeted with a tired smile.
"Ryouta." She smiled back. "Good to see you." She easily went to him and made him accept her hug, even if she barely reached his chin. It had been the same for Kenji. Damn them both for hitting their growth spurts. Even Kakashi had started hitting his the last time she saw him.
"I'm glad i could get here on time." She said and looked to see the other three men eyeing her with surprise and curiosity.
"You are looking very Youthful today Namikaze-san." Gai greeted.
"Minashi, please," She corrected "And thank you. It has been a while since seeing you as well Gai. I'm happy to hear you've made Tokubetsu Chuunin."
"Thank you!" he gave her a thumbs up with shining teeth and all. Thankfully, the sunset didn't manifest behind him. "Once i can return back home, i will be training to become Chuunin and then Jounin so i can be Konoha's Taijutsu master!"
"Taijutsu eh?" She mused thoughtfully. "Remind me to seek you out when we get home. There is a taijutsu style I am trying to create within the three style's i've mixed together. But I can't get something right, I would be honored to have a Specialist in the Taijutsu field take a second look at it."
Black eyes widened in shock. "Really? Isn't my rival more suited-"
Minashi snorted. "Genius Kakashi may be, but he's already firmly set into his own taijutsu style which he's merged with his Kenjutsu style. Plus, he and I have sparred enough times that we have a hard time pointing out each others' flaws. We get too caught up in the spar for analyzing those tiny things. That's why I've asked you. You haven't seen my style, so it would be a fresh set of eyes."
Gai nodded sharply. "Then i look forward to it."
"Not to interrupt, but why are you here?" Gekko Hayate asked from his spot by the low fire, his sword glinting the flames.
Minashi just stared at him before looking at Kenji and Ryouta with a Cheshire Grin easily seen through her mask.
"Oh, boys~" She singsonged. "Guess who made Jounin before you~". Minashi would forever remember the slack jawed faces of the two Fifteen year olds.
When Kenji had settled down from his outbursts of complaints and jealous whining, the squad sat around the fire while a few of Minashi's clones set up her tent where the old Captain's was.
"So, you are our new captain?" Sarutobi Ayumu hummed, blowing out smoke, reminding Minashi strongly of the man's father.
"Hai." She gave a sharp nod. "Will that be a problem?"
The brunette just raised a brow. "You are the apprentice of Kitsune-sama. At twelve, and already throwing around those high chakra consuming jutsu with that much control not to mention your summons that are doing our jobs until we recover? Yeah, I have no problem with you. You have your rank because you earned it. I have no doubt that Kitsune-sama trained you to take a high ranking position if not her own."
Minashi nodded. "That would be correct. Kitsune-sama will eventually have to retire, so her duties will be passed to me." She looked over the group. "Until then, we are a team, you are my team. I protect those that are mine with everything that I am. That is a promise, and I will never go back on my word." She said with so much conviction that each man jolted as their own wills of fire flared in strength at her words.
"My Summons are taking care of the first two patrol and defense shifts tonight. This will give Konoha a chance to regroup and give the reinforcements I passed time to get here."
"You...Passed the reinforcements?" Hayate's brows rose.
Minashi chuckled. "Kitsune-sama wasn't the only one to train me. Nii-san made sure that I would keep the Namikaze name proud with my speed."
"Back on topic, Sensei wasn't able to fill me in much other than which squad I'd be in command of. What have I missed?"
"Iwa are dicks." Kenji stated dryly. Ryouta's hand slapped against his arm. "Ow! What? They are!"
"What he means to say is that Iwa got reinforcements from their village before us. With that, they were able to use their numbers against us and push forward. We've been steadily losing ground over the past few days. We were about to move base camp again if you hadn't arrived to hold the line." The Hyuuga gave her a grateful look.
Minashi hummed and looked to the rest of her squad. "Anyone specific from their side that i should keep an eye out for?"
"They haven't brought out their jinchurikis yet, if that is what you're asking." Ayumu blew out a cloud of smoke in the design of the leaf insignia, a mild form of chakra control for the fire and ash jutsu of their clan.
"They don't need to." Hayate grumbled. "They've been overwhelming us with quantity over quality."
"Clarify." Minashi ordered with sharp eyes. The brunette met her gaze evenly.
"Children. Genin. I've had to defend against so many fucking Genin going for my knees and spine, more than i feel comfortable with."
"Hayate's right." Ayumu grunted. "They are using their more seasoned Genin mixed in with their Jounin and Chuunin fighters, to fight dirty."
"How unyouthful." Gai frowned.
"Gai," Minashi looked at him firmly, black eyes met ice cold blue. "This is war. I'm not surprised Iwa is using their younger numbers like this. If not for Hokage-sama being who he is, the Sandaime might have played this war the same way. Oonoki lived the first war, fought and then led the second war. Both him and the Sandaime grew up with child soldiers. It would not surprise me if all the other nations would do the same. Suna and Konoha now being the exceptions. As soon as we get these Hitai-ate, we are shinobi, soldiers, killers. We will fight this war because we started the second one. Our actions in that war, caused this war."
"We may have already pushed the smaller nations back at the beginning of this war until the main nations could once more find a way to end it, but we still pushed those smaller nations into a state that they felt the need to get justice for their people."
Minashi took a deep slow breath, closing her eyes to keep her mind focused on this war, and not on the images of the slaughter that was her past.
"War is nothing but loss, pain, and bloodshed. Even I, someone who seeks peace, can do nothing but lessen the bloodshed by only trying to take the young ones out of it without taking their lives, or risking my comrades by sparing them. That is why I separated both forces earlier. Both sides need time to breathe and recoup. Hopefully, when the reinforcements get here in the morning, Konoha will be able to take back lost land, and push Iwa back out of Kusa. This is no place to act your age. You are a CHuunin, Tokubetsu Chuunin or not, you are a Chuunin, a rank that is expected to know how to take orders, and make decisions to continue to follow those orders if things go astray. You also are expected to have leadership skills as a Chuunin. Not as much as a Jounin, but it's still there. So buck up. We are in war. We are here to kick Iwa out of Konoha territory, and then free Kusa of Iwa's hold."
"So, get your rest, get plenty of food, and if you are injured, see the medics. Squad 57 is expected on the first morning shift."
Minashi stood and went to her own tent after watching her teammates disburse for food or rest.
Laying down, she let the exhaustion that had been nipping at her, take her under. What felt like only minutes later, there was a cold nose against her cheek.
Cerulean eyes opened to find Ume's golden eyes on her. "Ume?"
"Tadao and Sho are low on chakra. After aiding in keeping the konoha Shinobi safe from your jutsu, and then using chakra for patrol, they need to return to the Mountain and recover."
Minashi hummed as she sat up and followed the large fox out of her tent. Not that Ume had been able to fix more than her head and front paws in anyways.
Looking up into the night sky, the blonde hummed at the position of the moon. "Midnight?" She asked softly.
"Hai." The violet vixen responded just as soft. The blonde Uzumaki yawned as she stretched out her senses, while most of their base camp was in different states of rest or awake, squad 57 was out cold.
"Let's go." The blonde jumped onto Ume's back and soon, the duo were in the woods between the once battlefield and Konoha's camp.
There Tadao and Sho waited. "Minashi-sama." They bowed respectfully. MInashi gave the Grey and Brown Raynards a thankful smile.
"You two have done great today. Thank you. Return and rest. I will call upon you later."
"Hai!" They chorused before disappearing in puffs of smoke.
Kuchiyose no jutsu
In two puffs of smoke, two foxes as large as the two previous ones - still standing a few heads above her- appeared.
Dark grey with deep blue tips waved and the smoke disappeared. Beside the Raynard waved another set of tails, so very pale yellow they were almost white, with an ash grey for their tips.
"Fumu, Eito." Minashi greeted the two Five Tailed foxes.
"Minashi-sama." They bowed in chorus.
"You need us?" Eito asked first.
"Yes. Sho and Tadao had to return early as they assisted in one of my jutsu earlier and couldn't stay to finish their shifts. Eito, you will be paired with Tsune."
"Hai." The pale yellow fox sparked with lightning before dashing off in a streak of white lightning.
"Show off." Fumu mumbled.
Minashi smirked. "Fumu."
"Hai!" The young Five tail fox straightened.
"I see that you've finally earned your fifth tail. Tadao will be proud of his Otouto." Fumu's tails swung in elation at her praise.
"Thank you Minashi-sama."
"You will be taking your brother's place paired with Isamu."
All five tails stilled before the Grey raynard deadpanned her. "You...want me to keep that hothead from setting the forest on fire."
"And keep him on task. Ume will fill you in."
Fumu let out a long groan before standing and giving her a bow of his head. "Alright. Show the way Ume-san."
"Hm." The Violet Vixen gave a toothy smirk. "Yes young one, let's make sure that Fire Fox doesn't mess things up for our Summoner's comrades." In a blur of color they raced off to find the Blood red fox.
Letting out another yawn, Minashi turned and made her way back to camp. Arriving, she made sure to grab something to eat and drink since she'd fallen asleep before doing so earlier. Once filled, it wasn't long before she was back in her camp and falling asleep to the feel of her new squad's restful chakra.
The Blonde Uzumaki woke to the feeling of her squad's own chakra shifting from sleep to wakefulness. Getting up herself, she quickly used a water jutsu to wash up, followed by a wind jutsu to dry. While it didn't fully clean her, it got the worst of the dirt and blood off her skin that she hadn't done the day prior. Dressed in a similar outfit from the day prior, Minashi kept her face mask down around her neck around camp. She would pull it back up before going out onto the front.
She wasn't surprised to find three dark orange vixens around her tent. She'd felt them return most likely at Ume's orders. While skilled, her triplet battle vixens were still young.
"Minashi-sama." Ami, the eldest spoke softly without even lifting her head. Two other matching sets of red eyes peaked open from the pile of fur the triplets made up.
"Mornin' Ami, Ako, Aya." The blonde greeted softly. "Update?"
"Reinforcements arrived two hours ago. Senju-sama relieved us of our duty so that the shinobi could take over. The others are still working in groups with the Shinobi, but have taken a few hour breaks every so often."
Minashi nodded and reached over to scratch behind each of their ears, making sure to give each sister equal attention.
"Well done. Do you have enough chakra to stay longer or do you need to return home?"
"We can stay." Ako hummed as she got up and stretched.
"We don't waste chakra like others." Aya smirked as she nudged Minashi's hand for more scratches. Ako and Ami gave warning snarles, but the youngest sister just snickered and moved back to wind between them.
"Good. Come with me then in a moment." the blonde then looked to the shinobi of her squad that were coming out of their own tents. Kenji was rubbing his tired eyes, Ryouta looking just as wiped. Hayate was stretching and Ayumu was already lighting up.
"I'm going to report to the commander and see where our squad will be posted. Clean up, stock up, and eat. Don't forget to refill your canteens either. When I return, we will also do an overview of what everyone's skills are so we can work out a strategy."
"Hai, Taichou." Ayumu drawled even as his eyes were taking in the three vixens that were almost as tall as him.
"You got it Mina-chan." Kenji grinned, if a little forced, for being awake way too early.
Nodding the Blonde turned and with three Vixens trailing her, they headed for Orochimaru's tent. The closer she got, the more shinobi and Kunoichi were standing around or in groups. Some were counting supplies, some were discussing strategy, some were gossiping. Most chatter simmered down as she walked past. The three foxes stayed outside the tent while she went in.
Heads turned and Minashi could feel from Chakra alone that they were all Jounin or high Jounin. From the hardness in their eyes, she could see they were the captains.
"Good, you are just on time brat." Orochimaru called out. "We still have a few captains from the first Platoons that are to report in. These are the few that have already rested up, and a few of the captains from the Company that you passed on the way in."
Minashi nodded but remained at attention as the minutes passed and more Adults walked in. She wasn't shocked when even Kushina walked in with Mikoto towards the end.
Violet eyes met Cerulean blue.
"Imouto!" the Uzumaki cried out and tackled Minashi. With a grunt, the preteen caught her elder sister and only stumbled a little.
"I thought those were Kitsune's foxes outside!" Kushina said even as she hugged the air out of the Blonde uzumaki.
"No..No, they are mine. K-kitsune has their elder brothers- Nee-san i can't breath!" Minashi finally exclaimed.
Kushina blinked before releasing the blonde who dropped to her feet and gasped in deep breaths, all while shooting her elder an annoyed look. Kushina just smiled innocently.
"Wait, why are you here brat?" Mikoto asked even while giving the Blonde a hug.
"Orders." Minashi shrugged easily while the two elder Kunoichi just shared a look.
"Really?" Kushina asked worriedly.
"Nee-san." The blonde sighed, "I was promoted early. That's why I'm back from the mountain so soon. Kitsune retrieved me. She had her own urgent mission and I had my urgent orders."
"Ease up." Orochimaru ordered stepping between them. "Sensei sent her because I needed her. The brat has more chakra than I. I needed that and the skills I know she possesses. Speaking of which, how much longer can you keep your summons active?" Golden eyes looked at her.
"As long as you need them. Anything larger than five tails and it will put a dent in my reserves. So far I have four Three tails, two Five tails, and a Four Tails. I can keep them active for another six hours before I'll start to feel the drain."
Orochimaru hummed even as a few of the older shinobi gave her respectful looks. Especially those with smaller summons of their clans, or personal summons.
"Good. That will give our troops time to finish recovering and regroup. We need a solid plan of attack before facing off with Iwa's no doubt recovered troops." The pale man said as he turned to head back for the map on the war table.
Minashi noticed then that he'd pulled his hair back into a high tail. She was able to notice then that he'd shaved his head again. The last she'd seen him like that was for the wedding, but with the three kids, she thought he'd been growing it out from laziness. It seemed back at the war front, he reshaved it to be short on both sides this time. It left only the top middle section long.
Grabbing a pole to lean against, Minashi stood near Kushina and Mikoto as silencing seals were activated only minutes later with the last Captains. They were all then given the plan of attack.
Dismissed, she left the tent and moved to the three vixens that sat up at her return.
"Minashi-sama?" Ami asked.
"Return to patrol. We'll be moving out soon." She ordered.
The triplets bowed then raced off.
"You sure you'll be okay with this?" Kushina asked as they headed for the sleeping quarters section of camp. Kushina and Mikoto had their own squads to lead.
"I was trained for this." Minashi looked up to her elder sister. Her long red hair pulled up and braided back out of the way. "First by the Sannin, and then by Kitsune."
"I'm just worried. I know you are skilled...but you are still my Imouto." The elder Uzumaki put a hand on the younger's shoulder. Violet met Cerulean. "Just promise me to do your best to make sure you and your team are safe."
Minashi smirked. "I'm the Youngest Sage in history. Very little can stand up against me Nee-san."
"Don't get arrogant brat." Mikoto warned.
"It's not arrogance; It's truth." The blonde gave them hugs. "I'll see you soon. Be safe out there."
"You too." They whispered before watching the blonde jog off towards her squad section.