The sky bled hues of orange and purple as dawn arrived, marking their departure from the ill-fated mission. Tsukirai adjusted his headband, eyes scanning the weary faces of his teammates. Kaito looked particularly worn out, but there was a newfound determination in his gaze. Aya remained silent, lost in thought. Their sensei, Ryoji, led the way without a word, his usual confident stride weighed down by the burden of defeat.
The merchants, now prisoners, followed behind, their hands bound. Denji, their leader, scowled but said nothing. He knew the consequences awaiting him.
The journey back to Konoha was eerily quiet. Unlike their first trek, there were no heavy cargo carts slowing them down. No unnecessary conversations filled the air. Only the rhythmic sound of their footsteps accompanied them. Tsukirai found himself lost in thought.
'This was our second mission… and it ended in complete failure. Worse, we were defeated so decisively. If Yahiko had been serious, we wouldn't have made it out.'
The Hidden Rain was already stirring, preparing for a future rebellion. Tsukirai knew war was inevitable, but seeing Yahiko's strength firsthand cemented how unprepared they were. He glanced at his teammates. Kaito, despite his efforts, had been little more than an obstacle. Aya was skilled but far from ready for a real battlefield. And himself? He had fought well… but 'well' wasn't good enough.
After several hours of silent travel, the gates of Konoha came into view. The guards eyed the bound merchants with raised brows but said nothing as Ryoji led them past.
"This is as far as you go," Ryoji said, stopping before the guards. "These men were smuggling weapons under false pretenses, endangering our mission. The Hokage will decide their punishment."
Denji sneered but didn't resist as the guards dragged him and his men away.
With that settled, Team Ryoji continued toward the Hokage's office.
---
The Hokage's Office
Hiruzen Sarutobi sat behind his desk, pipe in hand, his expression unreadable as Ryoji detailed their failed mission. The old man listened patiently, nodding occasionally, but his silence was unnerving.
Tsukirai stood at attention beside his teammates, observing. 'Hiruzen's not surprised. Did he suspect something like this might happen? Or did he already know about the weapons being smuggled?'
When Ryoji finished, a heavy silence fell over the room.
Hiruzen exhaled slowly. "So… not only was the mission a failure, but you encountered an unknown militant group from Amegakure, led by a man with considerable strength?"
"Yes, Lord Hokage," Ryoji admitted. "Their leader, Yahiko, was extremely capable. He overwhelmed me in combat, and while he held back, it was clear he had the strength of a high-level jonin."
Aya tensed. Kaito clenched his fists.
Hiruzen looked at the genin. "And what of your team?"
Ryoji sighed. "Aya and Kaito were taken down quickly. Tsukirai held out the longest but was ultimately forced to surrender."
Hiruzen's gaze lingered on Tsukirai. "Is that so?"
Tsukirai kept his expression neutral. 'He's testing me. Trying to see if I'll downplay it or exaggerate.'
"We lost because we were outmatched," Tsukirai said simply. "If they had been serious, we would've been killed."
Hiruzen took another slow puff of his pipe. "And yet, they spared you."
Tsukirai hesitated. He couldn't reveal too much.
"They weren't needlessly cruel," he said carefully. "They had a goal: the weapons. Fighting us was secondary."
Ryoji nodded. "Yahiko ordered his men not to harm us beyond what was necessary. It wasn't a massacre… but it was still a defeat."
Silence.
Finally, Hiruzen set down his pipe. "None of you will be punished for the failure of the mission."
Kaito exhaled in relief. Aya lowered her shoulders slightly.
"Except you, Ryoji," Hiruzen added.
Ryoji stiffened. "Understood."
"You're an experienced jonin," Hiruzen continued. "Losing against an unknown force is understandable. But allowing your genin to face such a situation in their second mission?" His voice was sharp. "That is failure."
Ryoji bowed his head. "I take full responsibility, Lord Hokage."
Hiruzen sighed. "Your punishment will be decided later." He then turned to the genin. "But now, I must ask you this—"
His gaze darkened. "Do you believe you are ready for war?"
The question hung heavy in the air.
Ryoji flinched. "Lord Hokage—"
"I'm not asking you, Ryoji," Hiruzen interrupted. "I want to hear it from them."
Aya stiffened. Kaito's face went pale.
Tsukirai, however, kept his eyes on the old man. 'He already knows the answer.'
But still, he had to say it aloud.
"No," Tsukirai said, voice steady. "We are not ready."
Aya hesitated before nodding. "…We aren't."
Kaito swallowed hard. "I… I want to be. But I know I'm not."
Hiruzen watched them carefully. Then, he turned back to Ryoji.
"Tell me," Hiruzen said, "What is your evaluation of your team?"
Ryoji inhaled deeply. "Aya Hyuga is talented and disciplined. Her Byakugan is valuable, and she has a strong foundation in taijutsu. However… she lacks experience. She panics under pressure. If she is to grow, she must face real combat."
Aya's hands tightened into fists.
"Kaito Sato." Ryoji turned to him. "You are behind your peers in skill and ability. That is undeniable."
Kaito's face darkened.
"But," Ryoji continued, "you have potential. You refuse to give up. You have the drive to improve. You need guidance, training, and experience. If you survive, you will become a formidable shinobi."
Kaito's eyes widened slightly.
Then, Ryoji's gaze fell on Tsukirai.
"Tsukirai Hatake." His voice was softer now. "You are an anomaly."
Tsukirai blinked. "Excuse me?"
"You are seven years old. The same age as Aya, yet your combat awareness, instincts, and adaptability are beyond that of any normal genin." Ryoji crossed his arms. "Your swordsmanship is polished. Your perception is razor-sharp. You are, without a doubt, the most capable in this team."
Aya looked at him, her expression unreadable. Kaito seemed unsurprised.
"But," Ryoji added, "You are also holding yourself back."
Tsukirai stiffened.
Hiruzen raised a brow. "Oh?"
"I've watched him," Ryoji said. "He never takes unnecessary risks. He never overcommits. He fights only with what he knows will work. That is good… but it is also limiting."
Tsukirai clenched his jaw. 'He's right. I'm too careful. Too reluctant to push beyond my current limits. Because I know how dangerous that can be.'
"But in war," Ryoji continued, "hesitation can kill you just as easily as recklessness."
Hiruzen hummed. "A fair assessment."
He then looked at all three genin. "The war is approaching. Whether you are ready or not, you will be part of it."
Aya looked away. Kaito paled. Tsukirai exhaled slowly.
"You have time," Hiruzen said. "Not much. But some. Use it well."
Ryoji bowed. "Yes, Lord Hokage."
"Dismissed."
Team Ryoji turned and left the office.
As they stepped into the sunlight, the weight of their failure and the looming war settled over them.
They had time to prepare.
But Tsukirai knew—
'Not enough.'