Maki is again on some mission, at the frontier with Iwa this time. There are signs everywhere, blood donations are kindly enforced by Kazekage on the civilians.
The missions outside the borders were stopped, there are more and more hidden shinobi appearing in the light, while blacksmiths are banging constantly to produce weapons.
Then the caravans passing full of food, fabric and incenses. Each for their specific use, with ninja guarding their path through Suna. I glanced their way as they left for the office.
Soon, it will start soon, and I am not sure how ready I am to take part in a war. Eleven of age. To think that in the past world I was glued to a screen and playing games, while here I had more events than in my past twenty years.
Here I had a lot of Problems and unreachable goals. Glancing at the huge academy and entering inside the courtyard. The fresh years were practicing their accuracy. A pity they will soon be enrolled too.
When Iwa and Kumo attacks us, when the third will be assassinated and we will need to fight Kiri and Konoha. I am tired.
Walking on the empty corridor. A heavy silence was bearing upon the doors, upon the masonry. The lessons already started. First time I was late for the classes.
I put a hand on my class door. Whispers and the heavy voice of the teacher echoed, hearing only a word through the isolation, "War."
I see. So it finally arrived. A rush of blood went through my body, and felt my fingers went cold. The legs were numb and saliva was no more. War.
The Third Shinobi War. I opened the door and bowed to the teacher, who looked like ten years older.
"Toshi-kun, yes. Take your seat please. I will repeat a very important announcement so that you can hear it too," sitting on the chair herself.
I already heard it, though gone to my place as I spared only one glance at Komushi who went pale from his usual tanned skin, and Sasori was unfazed.
Trying to relax on the chair, letting my legs to sprawl and taking a deep, hidden, breath. Focusing on the teacher and her graying hair peeking from her turban, "Iwa broke through the mountain ridge. We are at war, again."
Hand forming into a claw that hit the table, waking up everyone, "From now on, everyone of you is a genin of Sunagakure!"
Her eyes removed of any age and kindness, only a black void present, "In an hour you will be selected in departments. We can no longer play ninja," her lip trembling for a quick second, "May everyone survive…"
Iwa. If to ignore the humanity and the transgressions we do against it with the war, with the killing. I can't in fully conscience say that one tiny part of my mind wouldn't cherish the moment I will get a few of them.
They killed my mother. Maybe in cahoot with the Kazekage, maybe not. Still, that animalistic part of the humanity, that one will be glad to—
Kill Iwa shinobi.
Now, in what sector I will be put?
Let's do a fast recount of my grades and feats in academy. They for sure know my kekkei genkai and talent in ninjutsu. I am not sure if they know I am also a sensor, but that can be kept a secret.
The political winds are for the leader. It's normal for humans to band with their tribe when an enemy attacks. So the political scene will be peaceful, for the moment.
We are speaking about ninja here. Subterfuge and betrayals are normal and accepted.
Waiting in silence, all of the class was quiet, as the representatives of puppet, infiltration and sensorial departments came and took my classmates.
Komushi, me and two more other students remained. It's clear, we will be on the frontlines.
The downcast expressions, the nailbiting as we waited in silence. I wonder how many of us will survive the incoming war.
So much focus on this war. How can you not at the same time?
A woman entered our classroom. Young and yet old at the same time, with those stress lines carved on her face and that sandy-brown hair, the kind indigo eyes and a scarf around her neck, a tanto at the waist and a tight lip.
She turned to the teacher and nodded, then to us, saying, "My name is Karura. From now on I will be your leader, your trainer and confidante during your stay in my division. The sixth division of defense."
Her back straight, and chest puffed outside. She adjusted her headband and beckoned for us.
We followed her through the hall. Outside there were a few crying parents. Civilians for sure, they lacked the aura, the nicked fingers or those eyes.
We walked outside the academy grounds, through the houses and paths, through the caravans and the throng of people. We were making haste to the meeting point, outside the village hidden in the sand.
Around it was the protective stone shell that made a great defensive bulwark against any attackers.
We were ten, with Karura eleven. We looked at her like some lost little ducks. She counted us mentally and then said, "Ten. Good enough. A moment of respite and we will go to our point."
"It's around the mountain ridges, we will be on the front. Sharpen your kunai, prepare the explosive seals."
So, this was it. Rummaging through my pockets for a stray paper or something to fiddle with.
Karura continued, "We are Suna shinobi. We lack numbers unlike Iwa," smiling thinly, "But we are hardened. The desert tried to conquer us, and we won. We will win against the rock."
Her gaze focused on all of us, "By the end of this war, I would love to meet with you all ten, here, in this spot. Alive."
The sun peering over us and she standing there with head held high. I will give it to her, she knew how to kindle some emotions. Though, alive all of us? A tall order, if not impossible.
Yet, we all called in unison, "Yes, taichou."
"Good. Let's move. We will reach the outpost in a few days of walking," moving after her in a march.
Komushi joined me. His eyes lost and hands trembling on his pouches. Too young. Like all of us.
"Are you okay?" raising an eyebrow to him.
"Yeah. All is fine, just, you know, worried?"
I don't fault him. We all are worried. Iwa are stronger than us. They have the manpower, the diverse clans and abilities, and even their ninjutsu is a counter to the wind.
We only had the desert, and our puppets.
"It's war. Who wouldn't be worried? Still, they will probably put us on the outskirts. I doubt they want to throw genin fresh from the academy on the front. Not yet, at least," turning my gaze back to Karura who was keeping a pace with us.
I stood silent while he was scanning with his eyes everywhere, then spoke, "I am not like you or Sasori being good at this shinobi thing, you know?"
Biting his lip as he breathed deeply, "I am just average. I will end up dead in this fight. Why now? Why should we fight again so soon?"
I didn't expect for Komushi to enter in this panic state. He was one of those kind who goes with the flow, never worries too much or put thought into his actions.
My warnings going on deaf ears about Sasori count there too. I wonder what affected him now?
"Then train and prepare, you will never be sure of surviving. But the more powerful and prepared you are, the chances of survival increases," tilting my head as that didn't seem to work.
Komushi shook his head, "You don't understand. It doesn't matter how much I train. How much time and effort I put. I can never reach Sasori's level for example."
To reach that level you need to be so broken to not understand human relations and the inherent value of a being. No one can be like him. Maybe Orochimaru, maybe some other traumatic prodigy.
Not you, that's right. Yet, why you downplay your skills? "Sasori was sent to the puppet division. He will see the real battles way more frequently than us. Your, as you call them, average skills, sent you to the reactive part of our war force."
I observed his slight relaxing of muscles, the raising of eyelids and that focus on me, "We will counterattack the breaches. Those enemies will be battered, out of supplies into our territory. For all of Suna's faults, we do know how to use the desert."
He hesitated, "That still doesn't answer the question on how I will survive this war. Toshi-kun."
True. I don't know that answer. I don't even know if I will survive, and I don't remember you being in the anime Komushi. I am sorry for that.
What can I say? How can I alleviate your fear? I do fear it too, "I don't know Komushi-kun. I fear death too. My way is to ignore that death may come," scratching my head, "I don't have any better solution."
His face darkened, looking down at the ground, "If even you fear death. We will all die."
That's not exactly true now. Slowing my pace to be the last on the group.
Komushi followed my way.
"My sister said that when you fight, the worst mistake you can do is let fear paralyze your reactions. Use that emotion to get pumped up."
"To use fear?" his eyes finally broke through the cloud covering them. I think that's enough. Emotional support is exhausting.
Giving him a smile and raising my pace back. We had a long way.
—
The sand gave way to rock spines jutting out to reach the skies, tents and caravans reaching the outpost made from rock.
Two shinobi appeared in our face. They gave a short nod to Karura and let us enter inside.
We were separated for the tents. Each tent had around six shinobi of varying ranks, and there were approximatively twenty five tents or more. For an outpost it was a good amount of manpower.
Karura announced to us that from tomorrow we will do some training and preparing. Today we are to relax and stretch our muscles.
Walking around the encampment with cloth covering me from head to toe, looking at the shinobi who were drinking or smoking, at the surroundings and at the lizards hiding in the shade.
I was hearing the sounds of training, of metal being molded and whimpers from the few medical tents set in the reality.
There was one man was sharpening his kunai and taking drags from his cigarette. He was young, maybe around twenty?
His pale complexion and gray eyes made him stand out from the other shinobi here.
Oh, he caught me glancing at him and then he laughed. Waved at me and pointed a place near him on the rocks.
Why not? Walking towards him and taking a sit, he asked me, "What's your name kiddo?"
"Toshi," looking at his big arms and the myriad of strewn kunai around him.
"Toshi. Toshi, weren't you Pakura's kid?"
Huh? Didn't expect to someone to know about my lineage, "You knew my mother?"
He shrugged, tapping the cigarette to throw off the ash, "You could say so. Was one of my heroes. Really strong woman and shinobi," giving him a knowing look.
Expectations? Not something I enjoy having it on me, "She was indeed. I can't compare to her strength."
He slapped me on the back, "Don't overthink it kid. Or do and then get a kunai in the head," chuckling.
"Stay in the head on the battle and the next thing you will see is your funeral," stopping for a second and laughing, "That if you get one."
True. Overthinking is bad. But if you were able to stop under a command I would have done that years ago.
"It's polite to introduce yourself when one gives you their name," looking with my eyebrows raised.
It was simply to change the subject. Mother was a subject I have no mood to talk with strangers.
"Ishiro. Sorry for my manners mister uptight," while collecting the kunai to put them in his pouch.
"Nice to meet you, Ishiro," wishing to stop the dialog here and continue my sight-seeing of the outpost.
"Ei, dropping me off so soon? And you complained about my manners," rolling his eyes and getting up," come with me."
Where does this person wants to take? "Where?"
Only a wink was the response, pushing me from behind to enter in a small tent of brown. There were around seven shinobi playing cards and ordering drinks.
Ishiro went to a slender man with a stubble and short blond hair, "Tachi! Man, look at this kid," pointing at me.
"Fresh little fox. Let's baptize him, eh?"
Was this some kind of initiation? I mean almost for sure. Though do I want to take part? It did sound interesting, if probably dangerous to myself.
The Tachi in question slammed the cards on the table and grumbled about some foul stuff, then turning to me while giving an inquisitive look, "Him? Kinda too young Ishiro. A few years later, maybe."
Wearing a shit-eating grin and the others laughing at his crass joke.
"Don't scare him, yet," laughing with them, Ishiro then continued, "Nah, let him try a cup of sake, we are brothers in arms now," turning to me, "No?"
Technically we are. It's just a cup of sake it can't be that strong, "Sure. Just only one, okay?"
They shared a glance. That's suspicious.
Tachi got up and poured from a clay jar for us all, while Ishiro talked, "These Iwa man and kid," shaking his head while gulping the first one down, "One time they cornered me three to one. The bastards."
I was sipping slowly while he continued, "No kunai. No shuriken, just my trusty sword with me. Heh, lured them to close the distance," getting on the feet, "Bam, and cut them down."
Tachi snickered, "You and your stories, don't know what is worse."
The hot rush towards my cheeks, and the warm sensation of sake going down to my stomach. It was pleasant. Tachi poured another one, "Enjoy runt. This was our last jar for," raising his hand to count, "the next week."
Ishiro added, "The supplies are getting wrecked," nudging Tachi, "I am on my last pack. I know you have more, a quickie for one?" having a grin as the guy gave him a side-eye.
"Seriously? Ishiro stop harassing my ass," as he took a bit of distance, "And no. Go smoke the tumbleweeds."
"You wouldn't leave a comrade in arms hanging," touching his heart in mock-hurt, "And you get pleasure too."
Sighing the blond took out a fresh packet of cigarettes and thrown into Ishiro's face, "Go die of chocking smoke, and not on something else."
Ishiro pushed into my hands a cigarette, "Do it, and you will no more be a kid,"as he was taking out a lighter.
I played around with the cigarette, smelling the stuffy smell of tobacco and baked paper, and put it back on the table.
No way I am going to smoke,, "No. Weren't you complaining about having no cigarettes?"
"Yes and no?" taking it back, "We are teaching you how to deal with stress, right boys?" as all of them sagely nodded.
I am not sure if this was an actual way to deal with the pressure. I heavily doubt smoking can do any good or drinking for that matter.
"Sure, and then do mistakes because of a hangover or actually being drunk," crossing my arms and glaring at Ishiro.
"Look at how cute this one is," I was not cute. I was glaring at you all fools. You are supposed to be the adults in this room.
Except Ishiro. For sure Ishiro isn't an adult.
Tachi shook his head, "A word of wisdom. Duty and no play leads to mistakes," pointing at me, "Do you know how many of our brothers ran from life or took the rope?"
Ran from life? What does he mean by that, waiting from Tachi to continue.
"Pressure built inside them led to pick the easy way. Leaving us and the village with less manpower. Think kid, don't let your mind locked with stress."
Ishiro spat, "Fear and stress are the ones who lead those to decisions made in clouded mind."
Oh. So this was an attempt to help me deal with the worries inside. I know it. Finished the second sake cup while thinking.
No. I will not smoke.
"What do you like to do? Except training as you seem the stuck-up kid," Tachi asked me while holding his head with one of his hands.
Really, what do I like? Talking with Maki will be one. Then… That's kinda it?
"Don't bother to talk, your reaction is telling," turning his eyes to ishiro, "You are into helping others. Grab the kid and make him a hobby," as he finished the last bit of sake with the others.
Ishiro pushed out of the tent, still having the smile on his face, "Well, hope you liked them. They will be, um, your mentor figures and brothers."
Mentor figures, brothers? What makes them think so? It's understandable that people bond in times of strife. Yet I doubt people will just drop human nature to think of themselves first. Not that it was wrong, just selfish.
"Hobby. Hobby. Dunno kid, for me I love women and men," glancing at me to see how I react to that.
I shrugged, that's something I don't have or need to have an opinion on.
Ishiro relaxed his shoulders and ruffled my hair, "Drinking, fooling with the boys and sharpening my weapons."
"I don't think at my age I can indulge into those kind of hobbies," it was curious though what this man can offer to take up. Sharpening makes sense from a practical point.
That I will probably do it too. Seems relaxing.
"I tried," Ishiro pouted, "Not gonna force you to take hobbies, just think of it, oke?" as he took another cigarette.
"A Suna shinobi decides on his own. So put that little brain of yours into power, your mother was a smart one, for sure the tail didn't fell too far from the lizard," taking a drag.
That metaphor doesn't make that much sense, "Lizards use that mechanism for protection, they will be far from the tail actually."
He messed my hair again while I rolled my eyes.
"Don't overthink it, again."
"I am not doing it," it was simply a correction.
Ishiro rolled his eyes, "Sure kid. Sure."
"Your mother was a star. Sad that these Iwa bastards took her out. She was put as a candidate for being the third kazekage," as his eyes took on a wistful tone.
I didn't know that. Though that would make sense why there are suspicions on how she exactly died on that diplomatic mission.
"Then things happen. The second was a harsh and unforgiving man. Hints of betrayal and talk of assassination were spread around," Ishiro then sighed, "He died suddenly. Pakura was put on the spotlight, the third came, and the next year."
He motioned a cut sign to his throat.
Oh. The third was at fault here? Or was this a conspiracy? Though if that's true—
Narrowing my eyes at the Suna soldiers here.
"Don't put too much thought into it. It was never proved and the third doesn't seem like the kind to do that. I would know," laughing bitterly, "he is my uncle."
Wait, what? What are you doing on the front then? Why is my mother one of your heroes? Ishiro you are barely making sense.
"Hah. Look at your face so grumpy and serious," as he slapped my back again, you clown.
"Keep in mind, even if it was not the third, and I will vouch for him, against my dislike for uncle. There were others who did deals with the enemy," as he took another one.
"You being on the front while that Sasori, the young prodigy, or Rasa the favourite to take the title of kazekage being in the backlines shows the political direction. It seems that they decided to remove the last threat," as he gripped my shoulder.
"Be careful for snakes and spiders in the dark, little Toshi. You have value put on the head already. Only one showing of your kekkei genkai, and then they will search for you."
This was it then. Pakura, my mother didn't die of failure. But of treason, that would explain how a hero of second shinobi war failed in a diplomatic mission.
Iwa was scared and made deals with someone from Suna, I wonder who is that person. For no peace will they have after I discover them.
I will not care if I became a traitor or a missing-nin. They will die. By my hands.
"Thanks for the heads-up," and I do really mean it. It was time to double the effort. I will not die in spite of those who want to kill me.
Revenge may be for the little man, but I was never the better one. A small child and a small man I will grow into.
"To strike in those who did you wrong, you will need to be part of the council. Only then you can smell the traitors," Ishiro's eyes were cold.
"But I am a drunk and a flirt, why take in account my words, eh? Take it easy, the world will continue on," his facial expressions turning soft and playing with a kunai.
To take it easy after you dropped bomb after bomb in my mind? No, you will take responsibility.
"Ishiro-san, I am sure you are strong shinobi, please guide my training," bowing down. I stared at the sand for a full on minute while only the wind was blowing.
"I will give you tips, I will teach you jutsu and combat. But I can't be your sensei Toshi-chan. I just can't," why not?
Why? The difference between what you offer and the title means nothing, both are the same if to break the term sensei down.
"Why?" as I raised my head up.
"I want a life free of responsibilities. Of chains that can bind me down, village is already a big enough one. Taking a cute apprentice may be fun, but not something I want to deal after something happens to him," flickering my head and walking back to the tent.
"See ya tomorrow, Toshi-chan. And like always, don't overthink it," laughing in that hollow way of his.
It's hollow, like everything in his being. Such a strange man. Leaving me alone in the camp as he went back to the vices that are calling to him.