Chapter Seven: Enemies and Allies

The rest of the trip to the Rain village passed relatively uneventfully, all told. At least, we weren't ambushed again. Since I personally don't enjoy being put under most Genjutsu, this was a good thing.

Our first stop was the Village Hidden in the Rains. As the name suggests, it's not exactly the most cheerful of places. Considering that it gets about 50-odd days of actual sunshine each year, I agree with this assessment. However, the local weather hopefully wouldn't matter, too much, since I actually planned on staying indoors for the week we were investigating this town.

I stopped the group early, about five minutes before we hit the gates of the village. Throwing a Kunai into the ground, I gave my first real directions of the mission. "Okay, guys. One aspect of this mission is to get to know the areas around the target villages. This is where we will be meeting back up in two hours. Hiromi, you get the Northwest. Kentaro, the Northeast. I'm taking the South. Anyone who gets caught can say that we're the Leaf's investigation team, but I'll make you take a training session with Maito Gai and Rock Lee when we get back."

"That's harsh, man…"

"Well, then don't get caught! Move out, we have work to do"

We blurred off into our respective quadrants, seeking out any differences, no matter how slight, from what was supposed to be there. However, the only difference I could see was a haunted, haggard look about the independent locals. The land was still showing signs of battles which took place before I was ever born, field that used to grow hardy strains of rice were still good for nothing but fungus. So far as MY eyes could tell, the local government still hadn't recovered fully from the Fourth War. Further confirming this was the fact that I never saw a single Rain shinobi patrolling the local area, despite my proximity to their home village.

An hour later, I'd seen more than enough. If it hadn't been for Morino Ibiki's degree of expertise in gathering information from those unfortunate enough to be caught by the Leaf, I would have ordered the team to the next village immediately, without stopping. However, if the information he had extracted was true, this would be our most important stop.

I decided to head back to the meeting point and open up my second set of directives. This is not an unusual concept, as infiltration is always possible. Thus, the second, sealed tube would contain the more critical information, probably written straight by the interrogator and sealed then and there. Early as I was, I found that I was not the first there. Kentaro had beaten me back, and by the way he was sitting, he'd been there for at least five or ten minutes.

"Shien, we've got a problem."

"Hello to you, too. What gives?"

"The local Shinobi seem to be migrating, man. At least fifty are headed East by Northeast from the city. Looks like it was composed mostly of Jounin, with a few Chuunin thrown into the mix. They were carrying enough supplies among them that they'll probably not be back for a week or more."

So THAT's where all of the local ninja are. Fifty is more than just a training mission, though. With that kind of mix and supplies…"That sounds like a military strike force. Going that direction, though, they're going after either the Rock or the Sound."

"That's what I figured. I don't know what you want to do about this, but Konoha has to know."

"Yes. Go get Hiromi-chan. I have something I need to do, here." With a nod, he took off to the Northwest. Once he was out of sight, I opened up the hidden directives.

To whoever is taking this mission:
You will most likely not find any shinobi in the Rain. They are probably heading out, to the Sound Village. Do not pursue! Form what I could gather from the captured Jounin, this is a major military undertaking, though he could not give any real details. Stay in the town for a day at least, no matter what you see, for appearance. Feel free to drop hints for an excuse to leave, but only after that. We need to know what you see there, as soon as possible.

Although I was relieved to see that there was a reason for the seeming lack of active shinobi, and that Kentaro's recon was as reliable as always, this was not a good portent. A large force of Rain-nins heading to the Sound could mean any one of twenty or so things. These ranged from an innocent training mission in concert, to the downright scary idea of a forming invasion. Either way, this timing was quite suspicious, coming as it did less than a week after the Chuunin Exams.

"Shien-kun, something's odd, here."

"Yeah, Hiromi. Kentaro and I both already agree. What did you see?"

"Absolutely nothing, and that's the problem. There is no such thing as a hidden village that takes its security this lightly, since all of the ones that did were overrun a long time ago. Also, there's no way this little agriculture can be going on, and still support the area. If they were importing all of their food, it would be at a ruinous cost. We'd also know about it. No, this isn't right."

"Kentaro, Hiromi, here's the plan. We will stay in this village for exactly 30 hours, then make our way out and stop by the Grass country. The detour is slight, and their hidden village is expecting us, as well. Depending on conditions there, we spend either a few hours or a couple of days making ourselves known, then we head out towards the Hidden Rock. Once we're two miles out, we turn around and head for Fire country at top speed. Konoha needs to know what we have found, and what we find while here."

"Hai."

"One last thing. Remember what I said about diplomacy? Well, forget it. We are under Rules of Engagement Beta. Use reasonable force, but do not hesitate if provoked. If anyone comes at you with a weapon, or with lethal intent, they become an object lesson. These conditions will persist until we make it to Grass country. Let's move, then. We don't have much time."

Interlude Seven: The Nature of the Jounin, and the Trials

The highest standard rank a ninja can receive is that of Jounin. Of all ninja that ever graduate the Academy and make it to Gennin, less than 10 make it to this rank. With it, they receive a number of special honors and responsibilities.

First of all, only a Jounin ninja may ever be brought into many of the most elite squadrons available. The mighty ANBU of Konoha are one example of this. Only a Jounin may be nominated for the Kage rank, as well. They are trusted with nearly all of their village's highest secrets and techniques, should they request access. Finally, they are given the best and most prestigious missions, since only they can be trusted to carry them out. This carries the fringe benefit of a greatly enhanced paycheck, as well. Though few choose to, all could live quite comfortably.

However, this rank has its drawbacks. To start, it is quite difficult to obtain. Besides requiring Chuunin rank for six months or more to even attempt, each hidden village sets its own standards. In Konoha, this takes the form of proven merit in an emergency situation, plus an original contribution to the scrolls of Jutsus. Finally, the aspiring Jounin is given a mission of exceeding estimated difficulty, which must be completed successfully. If the candidate shows enough initiative, intelligence, and raw ability on this mission, they are promoted.

Finally, the very reason the rank is so honored is one reason many Chuunin never accept promotion to it, even when offered. Those of this rank are, by definition, given the most difficult and dangerous missions available, as well as the most critical ones. The danger and pressure is often too much for a Jounin to truly take, but they are never allowed to rescind their rank. This is due to the nature of the access they are permitted. In addition, any Jounin who becomes a missing-nin is, for this same reason, immediately hunted down with overwhelming force, even if all they wanted was peace and independence. Add in the inevitably high casualty rate, and the rank of Jounin is not for those weak of heart.