Chapter 53: Clues to the Mission
The saying goes, "One doesn't hit someone with a smiling face." And when the other party takes a step back, even those with anger in their hearts find it hard to maintain their temper.
From yesterday to today, the one most visibly upset was Genma. His anger was contagious, spreading to the rest of the team, leaving little room for goodwill toward Taito.
But what could they do now? Taito had taken the initiative to apologize, his sincerity evident in every word. He even looked like an honest man.
Still, the situation hadn't started with Genma. He glanced at Kurenai, stepping slightly to the side, signaling for her to respond.
Sensing his gaze and noticing everyone's attention shifting to her, Kurenai hesitated, slightly flustered. Gathering herself, she stepped forward, addressing Taito, "It wasn't entirely your fault that day. I also played a part in the misunderstanding."
Yuji, sensing the awkwardness, seized the opportunity to mediate. "Ah, it's all just a misunderstanding. As a warrior, Taito must have instinctively assessed whether you were fit to wield a blade. Perhaps he misjudged you as a fellow samurai."
Taito bowed lower, his muscles visibly tense as he spoke with determination. "The esteemed ninja is correct. At that time, I felt upset, believing that the young lady was straying from the path of a true samurai. I acted rashly. I did not know you were shinobi and for that, I sincerely apologize."
Yuji gently lifted Taito from his bow. "There's no need to call me 'esteemed.' Just Yuji is fine."
"Thank you, Yuji-dono."
Taito straightened up, his demeanor returning to its usual cold reserve, though his gaze had softened when looking at the group.
"Then, Taito, please guide us to our destination. War waits for no one," Yuji said firmly.
"Yes, of course."
With that, Taito led the group deeper into the forest.
---
After four long hours of travel, the team finally arrived at a vast military camp. Smoke from countless cooking fires billowed into the sky, and tents stretched as far as the eye could see. If each tent housed seven or eight soldiers, then this camp could easily accommodate tens of thousands of troops.
The sight made Genma's stomach drop. This was no small skirmish. This was a full-scale war.
From the mission details, they had assumed the task would fall between a C and B rank. But seeing this, it became evident the stakes were far higher. The Daimyō had also mentioned the enemy employing shinobi, raising the possibility of facing skilled adversaries.
Yuji and Nomaru, as seasoned jōnin, might find middle-ranked enemies manageable. But for fresh graduates like Genma and the others, the idea of facing such opponents was daunting.
The young shinobi couldn't help but feel their earlier excitement and anticipation replaced by a creeping sense of dread.
---
"Teacher, there are so many people here. We aren't going to be directly involved in the fighting, are we?" Iwashi asked nervously, his voice betraying his unease.
"Surely it's the soldiers' job to handle the bulk of the conflict," Ebisu chimed in, his usually composed demeanor giving way to visible concern. "We're meant for specialized tasks, right?"
Nomaru's face remained serious, but he placed a comforting hand on both their heads. "While the specifics are unclear, what you fear should not happen. Do you recall the traditional roles of shinobi?"
Ebisu frowned in thought before slowly replying, "Historically, shinobi have been tasked with sabotage, assassination, ambushes, and intelligence gathering—dangerous yet critical missions. While simpler, more common tasks have been added over time, high-level missions still revolve around those core responsibilities."
Nomaru nodded. "Precisely. This mission's rank is higher than it seems. Focus on keeping yourselves in top condition. Rest and eat well."
---
Ahead, Raido ran up beside Taito, his excitement palpable. "Hey, Taito-nii, who won the swordsmanship competition? Are there other masters like you in this camp?"
Before Taito could answer, Yuji's sharp voice cut through. "Raido! Stay in formation!"
Raido flinched, his excitement evaporating. His face turned pale, and he sheepishly fell back into line.
Raido had been itching to chat with Taito since their match. But given the urgency of the earlier travel, he hadn't found the chance. Now that they were nearing their destination, he figured it was time to relax—apparently not.
He wasn't upset by Yuji's strictness, though. After all, his interest in Taito was genuine.
Taito glanced over his shoulder, his voice calm but firm. "Your teacher is correct. While shinobi may not value loyalty and justice as samurai do, your mission should always take precedence."
Having received a reprimand from both his teacher and Taito, Raido felt thoroughly deflated. The excitement that had carried him so far now seemed like a distant memory.
---
Finally, the group arrived at the camp's main tent. Thanks to Taito's assistance, they were quickly ushered inside, where a black-armored, burly man awaited. He was an imposing figure, with a massive sword strapped to his back, and every step he took sent vibrations through the ground.
"So, you're the ninja hired by the Daimyō," the man began without preamble. "Let's get straight to the point. Our camp has been plagued by mysterious attacks. At first, it was isolated incidents involving individual soldiers. But now, they've shifted their focus to sabotaging our supplies. I won't waste time listing the damage; suffice it to say, it's significant. We suspect shinobi are behind this. After all, only shinobi could strike so quickly and vanish without a trace."
The man sighed heavily, his broad shoulders slumping under the weight of his frustration. His gaze swept across the group, lingering briefly on the younger members. His face darkened, clearly unimpressed by the presence of so many children, but he pressed on regardless.
"We believe Earth Release techniques are involved. The attackers could be from the Land of Earth, but we can't be certain. What I need to know is whether you have any way to protect us from these attacks."
The man's words hung heavy in the air. This wasn't merely about combat—it was about strategy and countermeasures against an unknown enemy. While individual shinobi might excel in small skirmishes, developing plans for large-scale warfare was a different matter altogether.
The group fell silent, the gravity of the situation sinking in.
Sensing their hesitation, the man's expression grew even more somber. "I understand this is a difficult question. Take some time to consider your response. We'll need a plan by nightfall."
Yuji stepped forward, his tone measured. "General, please allow us some time to deliberate. Additionally, could you assign a few personnel familiar with recent events to brief us further? We need a clearer picture."
The man blinked, then slapped a hand to his forehead. "Ah, of course! I've been so wrapped up in this mess, I've forgotten my manners. You're right; I haven't given you nearly enough information. Forgive me—I'll see to it immediately."
"It's understandable, General," Yuji replied diplomatically. "We appreciate your efforts despite the challenges."
The man's face softened, and he chuckled self-deprecatingly. "You're too kind. I'm better at smashing heads than thinking up plans. But watching my soldiers suffer... it's been eating away at me."
"It's our fault for arriving late. You've had to bear this burden alone," Yuji offered.
"Not at all! You're here now, and that's what matters," the general replied heartily, his mood lifting somewhat.
But even as the conversation lightened, the team couldn't shake their unease. The general had casually mentioned a "strategist" in passing—someone whose advice had clearly influenced his actions. Whoever this strategist was, their intelligence and tactical acumen had to be extraordinary.
While the general's earnestness seemed genuine, the strategist's role added a layer of mystery. What sort of person had been pulling strings behind the scenes? And, more importantly, how deep did their involvement run?
End of Chapter 53