Chapter 5 -- Mission 1 "Dictatorial Rule"

"So, what's our mission?"

This was the umpteenth (or thereabouts) time Jie had asked. Sesu didn't mind. He'd like to know what it was too. But Hagane didn't seem to want to tell them. He was quiet. Still.

"You idiot! Stop talking!" Ami brought her foot around faster then Jie could react.

Jie stopped, nursing the welt forming on the back of his head. "What the hell was that for?"

"He's not gonna tell you any more than he's told you the past million times!"

Jie smiled, which apparently pissed Ami off even more. Sesu looked away.

He turned to Hagane, who had stopped to watch the spectacle. His face, which had been grim, seemed to cheer up at the sight of two teenagers pummeling at each other. Sesu figured he'd at least try.

"Why won't you tell us?"

The sounds of the fight stopped. Ami had stopped, realizing that the ever quiet Sesu had spoken. Jie's eyes were wide, not like he was scared, like he was surprised.

Hagane looked at Jie; his face was grim again, like he carried the weight of the world on his shoulders. "Not one word."

"What are you talking about, Sensei?" Jie asked innocently, dusting himself off. Ami looked down to where she had previously had him pinned, surprised. Jie flashed her a grin, and ducked the incoming kick. He smiled widely. "Ready to go everyone?"

---

"The Rain Country." Hagane looked out over the cliff. Dark clouds hung over the land as far as they could see. There weren't many villages. Most of them were probably hidden anyway. A lot were these days, even if they weren't ninja villages. "We're headed to that City," he said, pointing at one of the few visible. "Our employer is a trader."

"What does he trade?" Jie asked.

Hagane didn't answer for a moment. "Rice," he answered finally.

The walk to the village wasn't long. They arrived in just under an hour, or so Sesu estimated. It was gloomy, to say the least. The rain poured heavily on them, and the people were mostly inside, trying to stay out of the rain. A few wandered through the streets, hurrying to finish their errands and return to the warmth of their house. Hagane led the way down the streets quickly.

People looked at the new arrivals. Some seemed scared, others angry. Not many seemed to want them there. It came as no surprise. Their country had their own ninja. Why would there be outsiders here? Let alone from a village they probably had never heard of.

Their destination was obvious. It was at the very center of town. It was either a small mansion or a large house. Whichever it was, their trader was well off. It makes sense if he hires ninjas.

Hagane slowed down. His Genin followed his lead until they came to a stop. They stood in a clearing, a park in the city. The mansion was not far away.

"Why did we stop, Sensei?" Sesu asked.

"I'm going to explain what the mission is," he answered decidedly.

"Finally!" Ami sighed.

Hagane looked over their faces, stopping on Jie as he began to explain. "Our employer is, unofficially, the town's leader. The town's going through some hard times right now. The rain hasn't lifted in years, and it's drowning the crops. He's countered by growing rice, which needs to be very damp, but even most of those fail.

"There is a man who wants to take advantage of that. He goes by the name of Masakodo Taira. He has already taken several villages nearby, and has set his sights here. He and his followers have bled each town dry before moving on to the next one."

"So… the mission is…" Ami looked almost afraid of the answer.

"We are going to execute Masakodo."