Chapter 40 - Mission from Tsuchikage (1/2)
Two weeks have passed after Suna decided to pull out from the second Great Ninja war. Now it is just between Konoha and Iwa.
As I predicted, Onoki shifted all of the remaining Iwa forces to Konoha except the Iwa invasion force in Suna land. They are now defending our newly-obtained land from Suna force.
While every Iwa shinobi is marching to Iwa-Konoha battlefield, for some reason, my squad and I were called back to Iwagakure under the order of Onoki.
At first, I thought it was Uncle Masashi's work to pull us out from this bloody hell war. But Shuji's name was not mentioned in the order, which proves Uncle Masashi has nothing to do with it.
Although it was puzzling as to why Onoki called us, we still packed our stuff and said goodbye to everyone, including Shuji and Uncle Masashi, and left right away.
We didn't rush or slow our speed and steadily went to Iwagakure. In one week, we have arrived at Iwagakure.
It has been almost two years since we left Iwagakure to fierce war battlefields, but it was like decade years for us. We all got a bit emotional seeing Iwagakure. Who wouldn't after coming back home from life & death battles.
Iwagakure didn't change much instead, there were lots of patrols and shinobi guarding Iwagakure gate.
I knew the defense of Iwagakure has to be strengthened since we are in the war, but still, it was too much.
We encounter patrols in every 5 minutes and have to verify that we are the real Iwa shinobi.
We finally arrived at the Tsuchikage building after being checked eight times by patrols. We waited a few minutes to have an audience with Onoki.
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”Greetings, Tsuchikage-sama” we all kneeled one leg to greet Onoki.
”Oh, Genji. It's been a long time since I saw you. You brats finally arrived.”
Onoki smiled and told us to stand up. He was awfully kind that I got goosebump all over my body.
”It seems like you brats performed very well during battles. I am very proud of you guys, as expected of Iwagakure's Geniuses!! Anyway since you brats just arrived Iwagakure, you must be tired.
Go rest for now and come back to me in the evening.”
'Onoki is praising us and even giving rest time to us? Something must be wrong with his head.'
We accepted Onoki's words and started to leave the office. But just as I was about to leave, I heard Onoki's voice.
”Genji, you stay and have a chat with me for a bit.”
I quickly nodded my head to others to go first and re-entered to Onoki's office. It seems like Onoki wants to speak with me privately. Though I could hardly imagine what would Tsuchikage speak to 14-years old boy privately.
”So, what do you want to say to me, Tsuchikage-sama?” I asked Onoki.
Onoki stared at me for a few seconds and started talking while sighing.
”Genji, you have experienced the war for almost two years now. I am sure you know full well how dangerous war is.
Until now, I have kept Kitsuchi my side to keep him safe from on-going war. but ever since Suna's retreat from war, my boy Kitsuchi has been restless, asking me to send him to the war.”
I frowned while listening to Onoki.
'God, another spoiled kid that wants to go to the bloody battlefield!'
”And now even his girlfriend Kimiko is asking me to send them to the war together. Although I want to keep them safe from war, som part of me also want them to experience war and become stronger.” Onoki continued.
'Oh, I got it now. Onoki decided to send Kitsuchi and Kimiko to the battlefield but too worried. So he called me and my squad to babysit them. No wonder he was being very kind to us. But why us? What a pain in the ȧss.'
”Why not send them to Ishika-san's place? Since Suna retreated, that place is the safest battlefield.” I suggested to Onoki.
”I tried that, but Kitsuchi refused, saying he wants to go to the real battlefield. By now you must have realized why I called you and your squad.” Onoki replied.
”I get that Tsuchikage-sama wants us to accompany and protect him. But why did you pick us, Tsuchikage-sama? I am sure there are many shinobi better or stronger than us for this job.” I questioned Onoki.
”Well, it's because you are close to Kitsuchi. Others wouldn't dare to order around Kitsuchi due to his position as my son, but I know you won't care about that kind of stuff.
Most importantly I chose you because Kitsuchi considers you as a rival. Seeing his rival became stronger, Kitsuchi will definitely train hard to catch up to you.”
I sighed deeply while listening to Onoki's reason. I couldn't argue Onoki as what he said were all true.
”Alright, I will accept your order. But I have a condition, sir.” I spoke to Onoki,
”Ohh, you even dare to ask for the condition to me? Genji, you have grown too overconfident.”
”I am not asking the impossible one. I just want a sensor and medical shinobi in my squad.”
”Well, Kimiko is a sensor, so don't worry about it. As for medical shinobi, I am afraid I have to decline it. Don't ask why. It's secret.” Onoki said.
'What? we are protecting your damn son and future daughter-in-law and you don't even want to give medical shinobi to us!! You damn stingy old man.'
”Alright, then. You can go now, Genji. Come back to me in the evening to receive the mission.”
”Yes sir” I went out of the office, saying the words.
(At night)
I arrived at the Onoki office again with my 3 squad members, Gari, Gin, and Kan. Kitsuchi and Kimiko were already in Onoki's office and surprised to see us.
”Hey, Genji and Gari. I heard you guys were on the battlefield. When did you guys come back?” Kitsuchi asked us.
”We just came back this morning,” Gari replied.
”Say, how is the battlefield? Did you guys kill a lot of shinobi?” Kitsuchi asked us again.
Just as we were about to answer, Onoki coughed, telling us to pay attention.
”Ahem, I called Genji and his squad to ȧssign a mission to them. And Kitsuchi and Kimiko will join their squad to finish the mission.”
Kitsuchi suddenly got excited and asked Onoki.