"Good morning, Senpai, we're on duty with you," I greeted everyone who had just turned their attention to us.
"And good morning to you," nodded the eldest shinobi among them, a jōnin who looked about twenty-five.
The others were much younger than him and graduated about four years ahead of me, only reaching the rank of chūnin, judging by their jackets. But practically all of them had a decent chakra reserve, as expected from clan members.
"Are we waiting for someone?" Tsume asked those present.
"A jōnin should come over who will guide us to our further place of service," replied a Yamanaka unfamiliar to me.
Hmm, quite a thought-provoking mix here—Uchiha, Hyūga (lucky with a sensor!), Yamanaka, Inuzuka, Nara (or Uzumaki, considering my status as a half-blood), Meido (one of the smaller clans), and Aburame. Why no Senju—it's clear, but while wandering around the camp and observing people who have been traveling with us for a few days, I didn't notice the Sarutobi clan and their allies in the same numbers as all the other Konohagakure clans but Sato.
They'll probably flash by once or twice—suspicious... Could Hiruzen have quietly started undermining opponents in the political arena? If so, could that be why they sent me and my team here—not just randomly? According to all the rules, they could have left me in the village or at least assigned me to the main camp's field hospital, but that didn't happen. Damn, this isn't good! Did my friendship with the new jinchūriki attract Hiruzen's attention and company?
Did they decide to send me far away just in case? I can only hope they don't know my true capabilities, beyond what was demonstrated during missions and training with "friends" like Kanade. Only a fool wouldn't recognize them as ANBU. It's no secret that Mito taught me kenjutsu, but I rarely removed training seals in front of strangers, demonstrating the speed and strength of a new jōnin, but not exceeding it.
So now I just need to figure out what role they got rid of me in—like "he'll die on his own, just don't get in our way" or should I expect a stab in the back? Hm... Suppressing a flare-up of paranoia with considerable effort, I shook my head—maybe it's all in my head, and there's no conspiracy to weaken clans, and they just sent our team to the front because we've gained enough experience? Alright, I'll keep my ears pricked, but for now, I should focus on other things rather than spinning unnecessary suspicions.
Noticing Uchiha grimacing once again, shifting from foot to foot, I decided not to waste any time. Quickly approaching the girl, I kneeled down to her level to inspect the wound.
"I apologize," I cautiously lifted the vest of the frozen kunoichi and the shirt underneath, reaching the injured area.
And couldn't help but curse.
"Damn, who treated you like this!"
The swollen scar, still oozing blood, made a disgusting impression. Of course, the body will take its course in a couple of weeks, but during all this time, the girl should be lying in bed, not wandering around the battlefield! And it feels like someone not the weakest and most talentless iryō-nin worked on the wound, but rather a self-taught one! The last thought, coupled with a realization of the pride of the red-eyed ones, filled me with suspicions. Self-taught?!
"Did you happen to engage in self-treatment?!" I asked in the most serious tone, frowning sternly and even pushing up my glasses for a greater effect.
Blushing and already opening her mouth to protest, the kunoichi choked on her words and began to pale rapidly.
"I don't hear an answer?!"
I didn't take my eyes off the girl's gaze, ignoring the surrounding ones who had started to discreetly move away.
"I... I did," the Uchiha whispered softly, looking at me like a rabbit caught by a snake.
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