The soft flickering of sunlight filtered through the wide, open windows of the Hokage's office, casting a warm glow on the polished wood floor. But the room felt anything but warm. The atmosphere was tense, thick with unspoken concerns about the impending war.
Hashirama, seated behind his desk, quietly skimmed through a series of scrolls that detailed intelligence reports and movements of enemy forces.
Madara stood near the large window, his piercing gaze locked on the bustling village below, his expression unreadable, yet the weight of the approaching storm clearly reflected in his posture.
Leaning casually against the wall, Kūga observed the two legendary figures, his thoughts racing but his expression as calm as ever.
Though they had exchanged pleasantries moments ago, lightheartedness had quickly dissolved into a somber mood. It was time to stop dancing around the issue at hand.
The war was coming, and there was no running from it.
Without breaking his stance, Kūga exhaled softly, eyes scanning the room before they landed on the large map sprawled across Hashirama's desk.
"We can't afford to delay any longer," he said finally, his voice carrying the weight of reality. The others turned their attention toward him, their silence urging him to continue.
Taking a step forward, Kūga's gaze sharpened as he pointed to the map, where territories of Kumogakure and Iwagakure were marked. "The enemy isn't waiting. They're moving, preparing. We need to discuss our strategy."
The air shifted, and suddenly, the room was electrified with the sense of purpose. Hashirama straightened in his seat, his expression growing serious, while Madara turned from the window, crossing his arms, his intense eyes narrowing as he studied the map and Kūga's demeanor.
Pacing to the edge of the Hokage's desk, Kūga's fingers lightly traced the borderlines of the enemy territories. His brow furrowed in thought as he assessed the marked routes and strongholds.
"Iwagakure will fortify their positions. They'll dig in and make it impossible for us to get close without a long, drawn-out siege. Kumogakure, on the other hand, will be more aggressive—they'll be probing our defenses, testing us, looking for any weakness to exploit."
Madara, ever the tactician, stepped closer to the desk, his eyes following Kūga's hand. His voice was a low rumble, filled with both caution and calculation. "Iwagakure is stubborn, but they're not invincible. They rely on heavy resources to maintain their defenses. If we can disrupt their supply chains, they'll eventually run out of steam."
Nodding, Kūga pointed to the narrow mountain passes leading to Iwagakure. "We target these key points. Small, rapid strikes—enough to disrupt their flow of supplies, but not enough to draw them into a full-scale battle. We keep them guessing, off balance."
Hashirama, who had been silent up until now, leaned forward, placing his hands on the table as he studied the map. "Supply lines are vulnerable. If we can cut them off, it'll cripple Iwagakure's ability to hold the front. But we'll need precision, not brute force. This won't be a battle of numbers."
His eyes flickered over the routes Kūga had pointed out, and the weight of his words settled over the group like a heavy cloak. "The risk is high. We'll need our most skilled shinobi for this—those who can move fast and strike without being seen."
"Exactly," Kūga agreed, his voice steady as he folded his arms across his chest. His gaze flicked to Madara, who still watched him with a cool, calculating gaze. "We can't afford any mistakes. If we fail, they'll know we're targeting their supply lines, and they'll bolster their defenses. We need precision and speed."
Madara's lips curled slightly, a faint smirk appearing as he acknowledged Kūga's plan. "So, surgical strikes? Sabotage rather than direct conflict. Not my style, but I'll do what I can."
His voice held a note of approval, but there was still a hint of skepticism in his eyes. "But we'll need eyes on them—constant surveillance. If we're going to pull this off, we need to know every move they make."
Kūga nodded, the outline of the plan solidifying in his mind. "Scouts. I'll assign teams to both Iwagakure and Kumogakure borders. They'll be responsible for reporting enemy movements. No surprise attacks. No blind spots."
Hashirama, who had been quiet for a moment, suddenly spoke up, his voice thoughtful. "Kumogakure is our biggest immediate threat. They'll try to overwhelm us with fast, powerful strikes. They might not be as patient as Iwagakure, but that makes them more dangerous. We need to bolster our defenses, especially around the village."
There was a moment of heavy silence as they all considered the gravity of the situation. Kūga stepped back slightly, his eyes scanning the map once more. "We also need to hit Kumogakure hard. Disrupt their communications, their command structure. If we isolate them, their attacks will become erratic. They'll be prone to mistakes. But in any case, I'll lead a small unit of shinobis there."
Madara's eyes glinted, that sharp tactical mind of his working behind his cool demeanor. "Divide and conquer. If they can't communicate, they'll be forced to act on incomplete information. That's when they'll start making fatal errors."
Hashirama sighed, running a hand through his hair. "It's a sound plan. But Kumogakure is ruthless. If they sense weakness, they'll strike with everything they have. We can't afford to be caught off guard."
"Don't worry, I'm going to personally take care of that," Kūga's gaze darkened slightly as he considered the next part of the discussion. He paused, looking between the two leaders. "There's something else. I want Reifū and Kenta involved in this."
The statement hung in the air like a thick fog, and the silence that followed was palpable. Hashirama blinked, clearly surprised, while Madara turned to fully face Kūga, his expression unreadable but intense.
The gravity of what Kūga had just said was not lost on either of them.
Madara was the first to speak, his voice cool but laced with skepticism. "Reifū and Kenta? You think they're ready for something like this?"
Kūga didn't hesitate, meeting Madara's piercing gaze head-on. "I've trained them. I know their strengths and their weaknesses. They're not ready for the front lines, but they're more than capable of handling reconnaissance and skirmish roles."
Hashirama tilted his head slightly, considering the proposal. "You've put them through rigorous training, no doubt, I mean... it's you we're talking about. But war is... different. It's not just about skill, it's about resilience. Once they're involved, there's no turning back."
"They've earned this," Kūga responded, his voice firm, though his gaze softened just a fraction as he thought of his students. "They've proven themselves time and again. I won't shield them from the realities of the world. They've chosen this path, and I'll ensure they're prepared."
A heavy silence fell over the room once more. Madara's gaze remained fixed on Kūga, and for a moment, it seemed like he might push back further.
But then, after what felt like an eternity, he gave a small, almost imperceptible nod. "If you believe they're ready, I won't stand in your way. But they'll be monitored closely. One mistake, and they're out."
Hashirama's expression softened, though the concern in his eyes remained. "I trust your judgment, Kūga. We'll find roles for them that suit their abilities."
The tension in the room eased, but only slightly. Kūga could feel the weight of responsibility on his shoulders, but he didn't waver. "Thank you. They won't let us down."
.
Outside the Hokage's office, the air was thick with anticipation. Reifū paced, her eyes darting nervously to the door every few seconds, while Kenta leaned against the wall, his arms crossed, though the tension in his body betrayed his calm demeanor.
They straightened the moment they heard the door creak open, and when Kūga stepped out, the weight of his gaze immediately settled on them.
"You're in," Kūga said, his voice calm, though a small, approving smile tugged at his lips.
Reifū's face lit up, her eyes wide with excitement. "Really? We're part of the plan?"
Kenta exhaled slowly, relief mixing with nervous energy. "What's the mission?"
Kūga raised a hand, signaling for them to calm down before they got too carried away. His expression grew more serious as he stepped closer to them, his voice lowering. "Before you start celebrating, you need to understand what's at stake."
The weight in his words immediately sobered them, and both Reifū and Kenta's expressions turned serious as they listened.
"This is war," Kūga began, his gaze sharp as he looked between them. "You will be paid because of your deployment but it won't be necessarily a huge amount. The biggest opportunity for making money will be through bounties. But make no mistake: that won't be easy. People are out there, hunting each other down, risking everything for those payouts. If you want to get involved in that, you better be ready to put your life on the line."
Kenta's eyes widened at Kūga's words, the gravity of the situation finally sinking in.
His usual carefree demeanor faltered, and he uncrossed his arms, shifting uncomfortably as the weight of what Kūga had just said began to settle. "Bounties... so we'll be hunting down enemies?"
Kūga nodded slowly, his expression hardening. "Exactly. And you need to understand what that means. These aren't regular missions where you capture a rogue shinobi and bring them back to face judgment. This is war. The people you'll be going after won't hesitate to kill you the moment they see you."
Reifū, standing beside Kenta, straightened her posture, her expression set with determination. "We're not afraid. We've trained for this."
"I know you have," Kūga replied, his tone softening, though the seriousness never left his eyes. "But training in controlled environments isn't the same as facing an enemy who's desperate, ruthless, and willing to do anything to survive. You'll have to be smarter than them, faster than them, and more ruthless when it counts."
Kenta clenched his fists, a mixture of apprehension and resolve crossing his face. "So, what do we need to do?"
Kūga took a deep breath, stepping back to look at both of them with an appraising gaze. "Your roles will be different from those on the front lines. You'll be part of recon and skirmish teams, gathering intelligence, disrupting enemy movements, and if the opportunity arises, taking out key targets."
Reifū's eyes flickered with interest. "Skirmishes… like ambushes?"
"Yes, somehow," Kūga confirmed, his tone growing sharper. "Small, tactical engagements designed to destabilize the enemy. You'll be in and out quickly, no lingering for drawn-out battles. Your objective is to weaken their positions, cut off their supplies, and take out any high-value targets. This isn't about heroics. This is about precision."
Kenta, despite his earlier apprehension, seemed to straighten with a newfound sense of purpose. "We'll make them regret underestimating us."
Kūga's gaze hardened further, his voice lowering as he stepped closer, fixing them with a sharp look. "You don't need to prove anything to anyone. This isn't a contest, and it's not about making enemies regret anything. This is survival. Don't lose sight of that."
The sternness in his voice made both Reifū and Kenta nod firmly, the weight of the moment sinking in. Reifū's confident expression didn't waver, though there was a flicker of something deeper in her eyes—an understanding of the danger they were walking into.
As the gravity of their new responsibilities settled in, Kūga's expression softened just a little, though the intensity remained. "You'll get your orders soon, but before that, I want you both to rest. War drains you—not just physically, but mentally and emotionally. You'll need every ounce of strength you have to see this through."
Reifū, ever resilient, smirked a little, though there was a trace of exhaustion in her voice. "I've already been through hell training with you. How much worse could this be?"
Kūga chuckled softly, but the seriousness never fully left his eyes. "You'll find out soon enough."
.
After Kūga finished explaining the realities of war to Reifū and Kenta, his demeanor softened, and he leaned back, giving the two a moment to process everything.
There was a strange shift in the air, something subtle, but Kūga's keen senses picked up on it immediately. He could tell something was bothering Reifū.
Her gaze was distant, her lips pressed into a thin line. He knew her well enough by now to recognize when something was on her mind.
He tilted his head slightly, stepping closer to her, his eyes searching her face for an answer. "Reifū," he said quietly, his voice filled with concern. "What's wrong?"
Reifū quickly shook her head, her raven-black hair swaying with the motion as she tried to dismiss the question. "It's nothing," she said, forcing a smile. But Kūga could see through it; he always could. Her eyes gave her away every time.
His gaze softened, and it hit him. He suddenly remembered. His heart sank a little as the realization dawned on him. Of course. She was supposed to visit her mother after the alliance meeting in Land of Rivers.
He cursed himself internally for forgetting. With a deep breath, Kūga stepped closer and cupped her cheeks gently, his hands warm against her cool skin. "I'm sorry," he whispered, his eyes full of understanding.
Reifū's eyes widened slightly in surprise, and her tough exterior faltered for a moment as she looked up at him. Before she could say anything, Kūga glanced over at Kenta, signaling him.
"Kenta," Kūga called out, "we're going to be gone for a little while. Feel free to roam around the village in the meantime."
Kenta raised an eyebrow but quickly understood something personal was going on between the two. He nodded, stretching his arms behind his head nonchalantly.
"Yeah, sure. I'll take a look around. Don't mind me," he said with a smirk. "Enjoy your time, you two." With that, he turned and started walking away, his teasing remark echoing in their wake.
As Kenta left, Kūga turned back to Reifū, his hands still lightly resting on her cheeks. He couldn't help but tease her a little. "You know…" His lips curled into a playful grin. "Your cheeks are really soft."
Reifū's eyes went wide as she felt a blush creeping up her face. "S-Stop saying stuff like that!" she stammered, her hands instinctively covering her flushed face.
Kūga just chuckled warmly and withdrew one hand, gathering Aether with the other. The energy swirled around them like a gentle wind, distorting the air.
The world around them flickered and shifted, like a mirage being pulled away. Reifū gasped, her eyes darting around as she saw the familiar woods of her old home. "W-What just happened? How did we—" she began, bewildered.
Kūga smiled, his expression calm and confident. "Aether," he said simply, the word carrying a weight of mystery and power.
Reifū blinked, still in disbelief. "I really thought you couldn't teleport," she muttered, shaking her head as if trying to make sense of it all.
Kūga chuckled. "Guess I'm full of surprises."
Her breath hitched as she looked up at the familiar sight in front of her. There, under the large oak tree, was her mother's grave.
The wind softly rustled through the branches, and the leaves shimmered in the sunlight like a sea of green. The moment felt peaceful, but a certain sadness lingered in the air.
Reifū hesitated for a moment before stepping forward, her hand gently brushing the bark of the oak tree as she stood in front of her mother's resting place.
She knelt down and placed a hand on the grave, the warmth of the sunlight mixing with the cool touch of the earth. "Hi, Mom," she began softly, her voice trembling slightly. "It's been a while, hasn't it?"
Kūga stood back, silently watching, his heart aching for her. He knew that this was her moment, and he respected it by staying quiet, giving her the space she needed.
"I'm stronger now," Reifū continued, her voice steadying as she spoke. "I've learned so much... about the world, about myself. You'd be proud of me." She paused, her fingers trailing over the soil as she smiled. "And... I met someone. Someone strong, annoying, and... well, handsome." Her voice softened as she glanced back at Kūga with a shy smile before turning her gaze back to the grave. "His name is Kūga. He's... special, Mom. I like him."
The words hung in the air for a moment, and Kūga's heart skipped a beat. He hadn't expected her to be so open about her feelings, but hearing them like this made him feel something deeper... something unspoken that had always existed between them.
His eyes softened, a tender smile spreading across his face as he watched her.
After a few moments of silence, Reifū stood up and turned back toward him, wiping the tears from her eyes.
Her voice was steadier now, though a little nervous as she asked, "So?"
Kūga raised an eyebrow, his smile still lingering. "So what?" he asked playfully, knowing exactly what she meant but teasing her nonetheless.
"You heard what I said," Reifū insisted, her cheeks flushing once again. "What's your answer?"
Kūga remained quiet for a moment, the teasing smile still on his lips.
Reifū shifted slightly, growing more flustered. "You can just say anything... like, you don't see me as part of—"
Before she could finish, Kūga closed the distance between them and kissed her softly. The world seemed to still as their lips met, the warm sunlight bathing them in golden light.
Reifū's eyes widened in shock at first, but then she melted into the kiss, her heart racing as she felt the sincerity behind it.
When they finally pulled away, Kūga looked at her, his eyes soft and full of warmth. "There's my answer."
Reifū stood there, her heart pounding in her chest, her face red as she tried to process what had just happened.
After a moment, she let out a shaky breath and smiled cheekily, still blushing. "Well... I guess I'm your responsibility now. No turning back."
Kūga grinned, his hand reaching for hers. He intertwined their fingers, his grip firm yet gentle. "Obviously," he replied, his voice full of confidence.
He looked down at their joined hands before meeting her eyes again. "You're not getting rid of me that easily."
Reifū smiles softly, her heart swelling with a mixture of happiness and relief. It was a feeling she hadn't expected but one she welcomed wholeheartedly.
Without another word, Kūga gathered Aether once more, the energy enveloping them as the world around them shifted again.
In the blink of an eye, they were back in Konoha, standing in the very same spot where they had left. Reifū glanced around, still amazed by how effortlessly Kūga had transported them.
But this time, the village looked different. Not because anything had changed, but because now, she was seeing it with a new sense of clarity, with someone she could truly rely on.