It's been a while and I do apologize, I've been keeping to myself as of late. I also hope all of you are keeping safe and keeping calm and not letting anxiety get the best of you. And if it does find someone to talk too it helps ease it a bit and also find something to distract you.
Chapter 19
A few weeks have passed since we caught the spy and promoted from chunin into a special jounin. Mei said that it was a step up and with our new ranks gives us a few more privileges as well as missions. I always imagined becoming one back in the leaf...unfortunately it seems that it can no longer happen. But I won't let that stop me and my friends. We'll climb to the top of the ladder. Also, I hope the old man Hokage and Mako are proud.
Journal entry 45 of Uzumaki Naruto.
"This is getting annoying!" Naruto said while gritting his teeth as he pushed a loyalist back. "Chusei, Amane quick while they're winded! He shouted back to his teammates as they rushed the enemy knocking them to the ground unconscious. "That was easy!" Amane said while tying the fallen ninja up. "True, but the attacks are getting more and more frequent" Chusei added carrying two nin to the cart nearby. "Wish they'd give us a break," Naruto mumbled before overseeing the rest of the squad. "We good to go?" He asked one of the caravan who noded before taking the reins of the cart. "Back to camp then!" He semi-shouted before taking a seat next to the driver.
Rebel HQ:
"I take it the mission was a success?" Mei asked the trio standing before her. "Yes, mam. We were able to get supplies from the nearby villages." The woman nodded as she read the report further. "Another ambush that makes twelfth this week. They're stepping up their game." She said and Aoi nodded in agreement. "Is that all mam?" Chusei asked breaking them from their thoughts. "Actually yes. I know it's last-minute but a contact of ours has sent a hawk. From the letter, he has found some info for us but doesn't wish to send it by letter in case they are intercepting it."
She took a moment to let that sink in before continuing, "I need you three to go meet him in a town 2 days away." Mei finished looking at each of them gauging their reactions. "We will do it," Chusei spoke up, earning a nod from her. "Thank you, now gather your supplies and hurry. The enemy has become bolder as of late, you don't want to be captured." With that, she waved them off in dismissal.
"Thoughts?" Chusei asked once they got a fair distance from the main tent. "Seems easy to me," Naruto replied with Amane in agreement. "True but we must be aware at all times." He said before walking away. After resupplying the trio set out but not before waving off the guards who wished them well.
2 days later:
It was an uneventful journey so far though that did little to lower their guards. They slowed as they neared the village and took a moment to use a henge. The village while small was still full of people trading and bartering. "So where's our contact?" Naruto whispered to Chusei who was at the front. "He is supposed to be at an inn called the barren falls." He replied while scanning the people around the. It took a few moments and asking people for directions but they found it. The inn which was also a bar was in a shady part of the town but they paid it no mind. When they enter smoke and alcohol filled their breaths everyone seemed to mind their own business. Walking over to the counter slowly they took a seat, "What can I get ya?" The bartend asked the group with a raised brow. "Yes, we have a meeting here," Chusei replied to which the man nodded before handing them a key and pointing towards a door off to the side.
Through the door were stairs that lead down into an office that looked to be a refurbished basement. At the desk near the back of the officer was a man with pink sunglasses and a cheesy mustache and afro. "Welcome!" The man said enthusiastically with his arms spread wide gesturing to his office. "Names Izawa, the lone king of the criminal empire here in Kiri. Men fear my name and women adore me!" He shouted to the heavens while striking an odd pose. The Chusei and Amane were deadpanning at the fool in front of them while Naruto was cursing his luck and dealing with weirdos.
"Shesh, no love I swear." Izawa mumbled before sitting down, "Now onto business how may I help you?" He asked with a gleam in his eye. Taking initiative from his still stunned teammates Naruto spoke first. "We're here for information about the loyalists." He said making the Izawa go quiet. "Hmm, I might have but it's hard to remember," Izawa replied with a grin. Chusei threw a bag on the table making the info broker raise an eye before opening it. Inside was a good amount of Ryo. "You know what I do remember. A top Kiri officer is going to be checking an outpost in the Curo valley." Izawa spoke before standing up and walking over to a map and pointing to the spot.
"And we can trust this information?" Amane spoke up eyes narrowed in suspicion. "Please, It's accurate. Wouldn't be good for business if I gave shoddy info." He replied with a snort. The three shared glances and nodded. "Thank you for this info," Chusei spoke in a polite tone and bowed. "Right. Now that your business here is finished, there's the door." Izawa replied pointing to the stairs. The three bowed once more before leaving the basement and the establishment.
"You think we can trust him?" Naruto spoke up once they were away. "Truly no but like he said it would be bad for him to lie," Chusei replied with a nod. "Well, if he does I'm gonna break his legs!" Amane said with a large grin. "Hehe, let's hope it doesn't come to that," Chusei replied with a small chuckle before the three took off into the woods.
Later:
"I see this is a good opportunity," Mei spoke lowly to her advisor. "Yes, we should take advantage." He replied while the trio stood in silence. "Ahem. I thank you three for this information but I will be asking for your assistance again." She said letting them process the info. "Now you three along with the fourth division you will ambush the officer on route to the outpost." She said eyeing all three of them making sure they understood the order. "You will gather the other and leave at once." Mei finished waving them off as they bowed and left the tent.
"Alright those are the orders are there any questions?" Chusei asked as the trio stood in front of the fourth division tents. "Yes, What should we prepare to face?" A man in the back asked, "The person in question is a top officer so he may have one or two anbu alongside some joinin as his official guards." Chusei replied allowing that to settle. "If there are no more questions use this time to resupply and meet at the gate in 5." He said before walking off.
"Hopefully nothing goes wrong," Amane spoke up breaking the silence. "As do I." Chusei agreed while Naruto was having a private conversation. 'Oiy fuzzball!' Naruto shouted into the darkness just as a hand stuck the cage. "Silence before I gut you brat!" A deep voice shouted back as red eyes now peered from the cage. "I've wanted to ask for your advice?" Naruto stood tall showing no fear or intimidation. "About your little mission. You've already made up your mind why ask me?" The fox quirked a brow while 9 tails swished behind it. "True but I wanted a second opinion. I don't want to do something stupid and get my friends killed because of me." He replied with the fox staring in silence. "Ha, it seems the loudmouth has grown some." Kurama laughed while Naruto glared at him but held his breath while counting to ten.
"As for my thoughts, this seems a little too good. A high ranking officer touring outposts his far is suspicious." Kurama said in a flat tone. "You think it's a trap?" The fox snorted "You're a ninja it should be obvious. I would inform your two friends and you might want to wake up. They're currently staring at you." He said before throwing the blonde from his mind space. "Hellooo!" was what he heard as he saw Amane waving a hand in his face. "Sorry, what did you say?" Both his teammates shared a glance. "Are you okay?" Chusei asked with concern. "I'm fine...was just lost in thought" Naruto chuckled nervously though neither bought it. "Right. Well, what do you think about the mission?" Amane asked the blonde. "I think we should be careful this might be a trap." He replied earning a raised brow from both of them. "what makes you think that?" Chusei inquired.
"It's just that this seems to easy is all." The blonde replied, "I'm sure you're overthinking it." Amane replied back with a little laugh. "I have to agree with her, while we should be careful I doubt they would go so far to risk a valuable officer," Chusei added with Naruto begrudgingly agreeing "Right must just be nerves." He responded with Amane punching his arm softly. "Come on we should get going or else the others just might leave us behind." She said walking away with Chusei behind here. 'I hope I'm wrong.' Naruto thought before sighing and catching up to the others.
After meeting back up with the others at the gate and checking they're supplies the fourth division set out. The overall trip was quiet and tense as this would be a very important mission. With the reward for capturing the officer being intel and battle plans that could help end the war sooner. Each of them went through their own mental preparations with Naruto consulting with Kurama. The fox informing the blonde he would only help if the circumstance was dire enough. The overall trip took a few days with them stopping to rest or waiting for patrols to pass. On the third day, they arrived at the valley and took up positions around the main road and began to wait.
Two hours passed before the officer and his escorts appeared walking at a calm pace. "They're here. Everyone get ready!" Chusei said through the mic as they all waited until they got closer. "Now!" He shouted as the group launched a hail of shurikens and kunaI and the enemy gasped in surprise before being impaled. When the dust cleared the fourth dropped down and walked over to examine the remains. "This was too easy!" One guy said as he kicked over the corpse and his grin quickly fell. As he noted the explosive tags tied to the body. "Quick I-" he never got to finish before he was caught in an explosion. The group shield their eyes from the debris and soon found themselves surrounded by a large number of nin.
"Fire!" One of the enemies said before a number of water jutsus were launched at the fourth. "We have no choice but to make our escape!" Chusei shouted before rushing them. Naruto took this time to summon a group of clones before he ran at the right flank. "Rasengan!" He shouted and drove the Rasengan into a foolish man who jumped in to stop him. The man let out a loud cry as he was flung back into his allies giving the blonde enough time to run up and deliver a swift knockout punch. Jumping into the forest he took a moment to look back at the field full of fire and ash. 'I hope the others got out.' He thought before taking off to the rally point.
Reaching the rally point was a hard task. It seems other than the ambush they brought more men to patrol the area. Naruto was almost caught a number of times it was only thanks to his earlier years of pranking and stealth that saved him. The point was a cave hidden in a small cliff nearby. Naruto took out a kunai and entered the cave cautiously, further in he ran into the rest of fourth. "How is everyone?" He quickly asked, earning a few groans. "A little battered but so far okay sir." One kunoichi spoke up leaning on the cave wall. Taking a moment to overlook the group he noticed they were missing some people. "And Chusei and Amane?" He said in a low tone, the other shared a glance before looking down. "They were captured, sir. They helped cover our escape as we got the wounded out." She stopped. Naruto closed his eyes and balled his hands into fists. This was bad. "Sir, what's our next move?" She asked with the other looking his way. Taking a large breath before realizing. "We report back to base and plan from there." He replied with the others nodding in agreement as they saddled up for the long trek home. Walking outside he looked off into the distance, 'Stay safe guys, I'll come and get you.' He thought before walking off to help carry the wounded.
Chapter end.
Hope you all liked and enjoyed the chapter remember to leave some comments and stuff, peace!