Grit 2.1
[Konoha]
[May 30, 2bNb]
I wake up at 5 am to an empty house, my father's mission still active. My morning stretches are such a big part of my day now, that it would be harder for me to skip them than it is to take part.
I have time to make myself a hearty breakfast as I don't have to meet with the team at 7. After which, I begin preparing for my first full day with a team and my first shinobi mission.
My undershirt goes on first, made of the black chainmail most shinobi are used to. Dark grey shinobi pants are next, followed by a kimono-style shirt with the sleeves cut short. Bandages wrap my ankles before my light green shinobi boots are put on. My light green belt, headband, and kunai pouch are next, with the pouch strapped to my right leg.
I think about it for a second before I place another on my left leg. After all, there exists a saying that an unprepared shinobi is a dead one. My special earrings are the only piece of jewelry that adorn my body, a sign of my heritage and a way to remember my mother.
The sword is last, a basic wakizashi colored in red and black. It's nothing special, not even chakra conductive. That is not to say it doesn't conduct chakra, but I have a harder time doing so than with a premium blade. Sadly, we couldn't afford a chakra metal blade. Only the rich ones could do so, the most experienced of chunin and jonin mostly.
By the time I head out, the sun begins to peek through my windows. As I stroll through the village in my attire, a sense of confidence and pride fills me. Despite it only being 6:30 am, the village is still a buzz of activity, Konoha never sleeps. Because of this, I receive many looks of respect and smiles.
I arrive at the clearing at 6:45, seeing Shisui, Kenji, and Sensei all standing together. "Hey guys, good morning, Sensei."
They each greet me in turn before sensei begins. "I was initially going to just take a mission on my way here, but I'd rather walk you through the process. Walk with me."
He begins explaining as we walk through the village towards the Mission Assignment Station.
"Now, like I said before, our mission will be a C-Rank due to the war. So, while we will not be expecting combat, it is good to prepare. The Mission Assignment Station is overseen by a Chunin for lower-ranked missions, and a Jonin for B-Ranked and above. The staff rotates on a week-by-week basis to prevent data leaks. S-Ranked missions are issued directly by the Hokage."
"Interesting, one of the upper-level textbooks from the academy outlines the department's structure but such level of detail was not seen," Kenji says.
[Mission Assignment Station, Konohagakure]
[May 30, 2bNb]
As we walk into the department, I take note of just how many Shinobi there are. As a Jonin, Mukai-Sensei, and my team by extension, can bypass the lines of Chunin and Genin to reach the lower-ranked desk.
"Team 96 checking in for a C-Ranked mission", the man says, as the Chunin manning the desk looks up.
"Ah, a new team. Let's see, a new set of orders just came in from Lord Nara's desk. Your mission will be to rendezvous with the southernmost outpost on the border of the Land of Rivers and the Land of Wind. Their Jonin in command is Shinku Yuhi. It should be fairly safe as the southern front hasn't yet seen much action."
He pauses to sip from his canteen before once again continuing, "Deliver their new orders and retrieve their current report for HQ. You have 7 days to complete the mission, 3 days each way, and an extra for rest in between. Here are the coordinates, memorize the scroll then destroy it."
The Chunin, completing his mission brief, then hands over two scrolls to Mukai-Sensei, the first contains the coordinates and a picture of Jonin Yuhi, while the other is sealed, containing the new orders. Following this, we give our thanks and take our leave.
A fairly routine mission on the surface, but I knew better. This was the same type of mission that saw my mother being ambushed, and ultimately killed.
Outside, Sensei stands, facing us with a serious expression, "Pack for a week of travel then meet me at the village gates in an hour. We should remain vigilant at all times; Lady Tsunade might have that border under control, but that can change at any time."
Kenji decides to ask a question before we leave, "Sensei, why does the village require us to transport such things, shouldn't we have the Leaf Aviary do that?"
"Good question. You see, we have long since reached the stage in war where messenger birds become designated for emergency use only. Consequently, all communications among the forces have been moved to more manual means."
Kenji looks as though a lightbulb goes off in his head. "Ah, I see. So, I'm guessing this is because we either do not have enough birds or because of the risk of interception?"
"You're on the right track but it's both, the village doesn't want to expend the Aviary's resources and be left dry in a time of need in addition to the risk of interception," I reply, looking to Sensei to validate my response.
He gives me a nod before saying, "Alright, let's continue this conversation later. Go prepare yourselves."
At this, our team disperses. Leaving our previously occupied spots in front of the Mission Assignment Station empty.
[Konoha Village Gates]
[1 hour later]
We assembled in front of the gates, ready to proceed as planned. It is at this point where Sensei gives us each the scroll to look at, before torching it with an application of Fire-Natured chakra. I didn't expect sensei to know the fire style, but I guess it makes sense considering that it was the most common in our country.
"Listen up, we will be traveling for as long as we can and resting at the bare minimum. Be vigilant and keep your senses to the maximum. As our sensor, Ichiro will take point and set the pace, Shisui will take the left flank, and Kenji, the right. I will take the rear. Understood?"
"Yes, Sensei," we replied in unison.
"Oh, one more thing. Come closer," Sensei ordered, and we all obey.
"I didn't wish to reveal this to you all so early, but I believe you all should know. My great-grandfather was a Hyuga and as such, I possess the Byakugan. I will be using it periodically to ensure our safety but that doesn't mean you should fully rely on me. If any of you notice something out of the ordinary, speak up."
Shisui seemed to want to ask a question about Sensei's revelation but realized that it probably wasn't the time. So, with no further interruptions, we set off into the Land of Fire proper.
[Western edge of the Land of Fire]
[2 days later]
I have never been outside of Konoha, so all this was new to me. The great trees I was used to seeing within the village eventually subsided. After the first 12 hours, they began to give way to much smaller, but still tall and sturdy trees. The difference in quality was staggering though, and it made me wonder if the trees surrounding the village had something to do with Lord First.
Contrary to popular belief, the Land of Fire was not just a giant forest, though the vast majority of the land was just that. We passed through many grassy plains and a few rivers, hills, and valleys on our journey but were careful to avoid towns and settlements. It was a time-sensitive mission, after all, so we trudged on.
Eventually, this brought us to the border with the Land of Rivers. Unlike the world from which I originally came, the borders of the countries here were much more naturally defined, as in my previous life, it was really hard to geographically tell where certain countries stopped, and others began.
An hour ago, the trees of the Land of Fire gave way to an enormous rainforest, filled with plant and animal species you most certainly wouldn't see within my home country. Within an hour of running through this rainforest, I had already counted more rivers than we crossed in 2 days running through the Fire Country.
"It's beautiful," I say, admiring the landscape I found myself in. "It is," Shisui agrees. "I don't see what's beautiful about this, I keep having to dodge pesky bugs," complains Kenji, and we all share a laugh.
As we have our laugh, I feel something flash into my range for just a moment, before disappearing from my senses. "Sensei, 4 O'Clock," I say before I feel his chakra spike, signaling the activation of his Byakugan. Shisui and Kenji each draw a tanto and kunai respectively but take no further actions.
The range of his eye is greater than my Chakra senses, able to see up to 800 meters compared to my 150 meters. "I don't see anything, Ichiro. Are you sure you felt something?"
"I'm positive, if it disappeared it might have been a fluke."
"Okay, remain on guard, no stopping until we reach the outpost. I'll keep checking."
[Southwestern Edge of the Land of Rivers]
[A day later]
I hadn't felt anything since that incident yesterday, but we knew better than to let our guards down. Nevertheless, it had been three days, and we were all fatigued by this point. In the present, a plot begins to stew.
"We have incoming. Estimating a Chunin and four genin," I warn, as Sensei once again activates his dojutsu.
"They're ours, Konoha standard attire and no sign of chakra usage, be on guard nonetheless."
Sensei deactivates his Byakugan, and we grind to a halt as five seemingly Konoha shinobi approach us. Before we can say anything, the middle-aged Chunin barks an order, "Identify yourselves and state your business."
Sensei takes the lead on this one, "Team 96 comprising of Jonin, Mukai Kohinata and Genin, Kenji Akane, Ichiro Shishigami, and Shisui Uchiha. We come bearing orders from HQ for designated outpost LOR-SW-132 under Commander, Jonin Shinku Yuhi."
"How's the dry season in Konoha going," asks the Chunin, ignoring all else. To this, Mukai-Sensei responds, "I wouldn't know, it started 2 days ago, and travel here took 3."
The Chunin smiles before saying, "It's good to see new faces out here, follow me." He dashes off, with a total of seven Genin and a Jonin behind him.
[Hidden Leaf Outpost #132, Land of Rivers]
[Sometime later]
It takes another hour for us to arrive at the outpost, which is just a small camp.
It consists of a clearing filled with multiple-occupant tents serving as barracks, a medical station, a makeshift armory, a leveled-out dirt field for training, and the command center. As we walk through, one of the genin present before gives us some background.
"Commander Shinku is the overseer on site. He is responsible for delegating responsibility and managing operations. The main reason for this outpost's existence is to prevent the encroachment of Sunagakure shinobi into the Land of Rivers. The desert lies just a short distance west of here and as such, there are always patrol teams present. We are one such team."
"Interesting, do you guys get into many fights? It is a war after all," I ask.
"There are skirmishes here and there, we lost a few guys last week but were able to take out four squads trying to sneak across the border in the process. Theres no telling how much damage they could sow if they were to get behind our lines."
By the time his statement comes to a close, we have arrived at the command tent. Commander Yuhi comes out to greet us.
"Ah, right on schedule. I was wondering when the next team would come, we haven't had an update in three weeks," he says. "Commander Yuhi, I am Jonin Mukai Kohinata, this is Ichiro, Shisui, and Kenji, we are team 96."
Sensei offers the commander the scroll, which Yuhi takes. The commander then procures another to give to Mukai-Sensei in an exchange. "Do you plan to rest here or head back immediately?"
An introspective gaze is cast over the sweat-stained forms of myself and my fellow Genin before a response is uttered from the mouth of our Jonin leader, "My Genin are already tired after three days of travel, I'd prefer to stay a day."
The commander responds, saying, "Fine by me, arrangements will be made as soon as possible."
I could only smile in relief. Tomorrow, I could start my journey back home and in three days, mark the successful completion of my first mission. One thing still lingered in my mind though, 'Just what exactly did I feel yesterday?'