'I knew that the minute I talked about having enough time to practice my genjutsu, I was jinxing it.'
Renjiro grumbled as his footsteps echoed through the quiet corridors of the Hokage's office building. He couldn't shake off the feeling of frustration that gnawed at him.
Yes, missions were all great and all, but he had been making leaps and bounds in his genjutsu training, and he just wanted to practice it and do nothing else.
Next to him, Aiko and Hiro were not sharing the same sentiments as they were happy to go on another mission. The stark contrast between the trio's varying emotional responses to the situation was obvious.
Aiko, noticing Renjiro's discontent, nudged him playfully. "Cheer up, Renjiro. Missions keep us sharp, right?" she remarked with an optimistic smile.
Hiro, ever the enthusiast, added, "Yeah! Who knows what kind of exciting challenges we'll face this time?"
Renjiro shot them a half-hearted smile but couldn't shake off the nagging disappointment.
'But isn't it quite odd that we are going to the Hokage's office to get a brief about our mission? We usually just go to the mission centre and select a mission. It seems things will be different.' Renjiro thought as the trio entered the Hokage's office, where Riku was already in.
To their surprise, they found Riku, their sensei, already present, along with two other genin teams, Team 13 and Team 10.
'What are they doing here?' Renjiro wondered when he saw Team 13 and Team 10.
"Ah, Team 15, welcome," greeted Hiruzen, "I've gathered you all here for a joint mission. Teams 10, 13, and 15 will be working together on this particular mission."
'A joint mission? This is new.' Renjiro surmised.
Riku nodded in acknowledgement, casting a brief glance towards his own team. The genins from Team 10 and Team 13 exchanged polite nods and greetings with Team 15.
Renjiro sized the other two teams up. He had heard of some of them since they all took the same Genin promotion exam.
However, since they were not even in the same class back at the academy, they did not interact much after the exam.
Team 10 was one specializing in tracking. Kurama Sando, a jounin with a specialization in Genjutsu, was the Jouni sensei.
The jounin's presence exuded an air of confidence, and Renjiro couldn't help but wonder about the extent of his Genjutsu expertise.
"Maybe I should ask him about Genjutsu, I am sure his insights will help. But the fact that their clan fell by the time the story began showed how their genjutsu wasn't that powerful."
Team 10 was stacked with skilled genins with diverse abilities. One of them was Ono Inuzuka who caught Renjiro's attention immediately.
His Inuzuka heritage was evident from the massive ninken, Shuji, who stood proudly by his side. The size of Shuji suggested that this duo was not to be underestimated.
Next in line was Fukui Hyuga, hailing from the branch family of the prestigious Hyuga clan. Despite being part of the branch family, Fukui's Byakugan was a potent asset that would undoubtedly contribute to the success of the mission.
The unique abilities of the Hyuga clan, especially the kekkei genkai, made Fukui a valuable asset in reconnaissance and tracking.
Completing Team 10 was Anzai Aburame, a kunoichi from the Aburame clan known for their connection with insects. The symbiotic relationship between Aburame shinobi and their insect companions provided a distinct advantage in information gathering and tracking.
'An Aburame female? I haven't seen many of them around. She isn't carrying any gourd with her, so it's safe to say that the insects are in her body.'
Moving on to team 13, the team was led by Goya Sarutobi, a jounin renowned for her specialization in infiltration. As the leader of Team 13, Goya was adept at covert operations and had successfully employed her skills in various missions.
Team 13's composition adhered to the traditional Ino-Shika-Cho formation, a time-honoured trio that had proven its effectiveness over generations.
The collaboration between the Yamanaka, Akimichi and Nara clans was proven to be top-notch.
Chou Akimichi, the robust and formidable member of the Akimichi clan, held the position of the "Cho" in the formation. His massive physique hinted at the immense strength and combat prowess that accompanied the members of his clan.
Joining Chou was Iwai Yamanaka, representing the "Ino" in the formation. Hailing from the Yamanaka clan, Iwai possessed his clan's ability to utilize mind-based techniques, making him a valuable asset in reconnaissance and intelligence gathering.
Completing the trio was Nakao Nara, the embodiment of the "Nara" in the Ino-Shika-Cho trio. As a member of the Nara clan, Nakao brought strategic brilliance and shadow manipulation to the team.
The Nara clan's proficiency in shadow-based techniques contributed to their reputation as tactical geniuses, and Nakao was expected to uphold this legacy.
'A genin team made up of two Kunoichis! I've never seen that before. I always thought that every genin cell had two males and a female shinobi. But then when I think about it, in Shikaku's generation, his genin team comprised of all males. Maybe the different clan cooperation bypasses this norm.'
"Listen closely," Hiruzen continued, his voice carrying a weight that demanded attention. "Your mission is of utmost importance and requires your collective skills. We've received credible information that there's a potential threat to the Land of Hot Water's Daimyo's son and his delegation to the land of Wheat."
He paused, allowing the gravity of the situation to settle among the Jounins and Genins.
"The delegation is currently in the Land of Hot Water and is scheduled to travel to the Land of Wheat. Your task is to ensure their safety during this journey as well as their stay in the Land of Wheat.
We suspect an assassination attempt, and it's imperative that you remain vigilant and prepared for any unforeseen circumstances."
The Hokage's gaze shifted from one team to another, emphasizing the joint responsibility they bore.
"The Land of Hot Water is your rendezvous point. Once you meet with the delegation, you will accompany them to the Land of Wheat, providing protection and thwarting any threats that may arise. The Daimyo's son is under our protection, and we cannot afford any lapses in security."
As Hiruzen concluded his briefing, he expressed his confidence in the teams' abilities to carry out this mission.
The genin teams, aware of the gravity of their assignment, exchanged determined glances, ready to face the challenges that lay ahead.
Before heading out, the teams began discussing strategies, strengths, and specialities. Riku engaged in a brief conversation with Sando and Goya, ensuring a clear understanding of each team's capabilities.
With the mission parameters established, Teams 10, 13, and 15 left the Hokage's office. After final preparations, they headed out to the land of Hot water, which was neighbouring the land of Fire.
They swiftly traversed the familiar terrain of their home country. Upon reaching the Land of Hot Water, the teams were directed to the location of the delegation they were tasked with protecting.
The delegation, led by the Daimyo's son, was engaged in diplomatic affairs that held crucial importance.
The Daimyo's son and his delegation were easily recognizable, dressed in ornate attire that distinguished them from the ordinary citizens in the bustling city.
Goya Sarutobi of Team 15 took the lead, her experience in infiltration making her adept at such diplomatic encounters. With a bow, she greeted the Daimyo's son and introduced the teams assigned to ensure their safety. The delegation, appreciative of Konoha's commitment to their protection, reciprocated the gesture.
The genin were instructed on the delegation's itinerary, outlining key locations they would visit within the Land of Hot Water before heading to the Land of Wheat. After a day's rest, they finally departed for the Land of Wheat.
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