Chapter 159: Torn Consequences (1)
"We were supposed to leave at 5!" Kurenai huffs and pouts while throwing her Sensei a look of sincere disappointment. Konan and Shizune, too, in their simple but effective outfits that gave them a better reach to their strapped weapons, keep silent but judgment and intrigue are clear in their gazes. After all, Kai is late by almost two hours.
It's well past dawn and Team 6 has seen a few teams already leaving for their mission, one of them being Team 2 led by Nawaki and a major source for Kurenai's annoyance as she drones on, "Sensei! Asuma and his team left an hour ago! His team has already completed four C-ranked missions!"
Kai replies with an audible yawn. He doesn't get sleepy so that should provide his thoughts on the matter. Instead, he continues to silently assess every one of his disciples while Kurenai's pout only flares out further.
"Well... I can tell you I got late because I'm a professional," Kai sighs and chuckles.
"Being late isn't being professional," Konan shrugs.
"Oh, I was being a professional fiance," Kai snickers and pats Shizune's forehead, "And good morning to you."
"Good morning," Shizune chirps happily.
Looking at Kurenai, Kai then questions, "And last I checked, Team 2 has yet to hunt beyond wilder groups of beasts terrorizing a village. Of course, our mission is to settle a matter with one particularly more savage... group of animals. I hope you all took appropriate rest."
The trio flinches at the well-understood 'intent' behind his work.
"Ara~ going on a mission, are we?"
Another voice attracts Team 6's attention.
Wearing a green flak jacket over 'his' black full-sleeved shirt and grey trousers as his jet-black hair cascades onto his shoulders and beyond, the chalk-skinned Orochimaru licks his lips slightly while viewing the group of... well, minors.
As if he simply did not see the ravenous intent behind the 'man's' gaze at this point that causes Kurenai, Konan, and Shizune to quiver in their open-toed sandals, Kai nods casually, "Yeah, it's been some time since I went out. Are... you going on a mission, too?"
Letting out a hum of approval in his usual raspy tone, Orochimaru adds, "Simple tasks. And these... must be your disciples. When am I getting a crack at them?"
His narrowed gaze made the trio feel their hearts almost leap out from their chests and escape as they wished for Kai to deny the notion entirely...
Yet, life is rarely so pleasant.
"They just passed Nagato's test. After that is Nono's test, yours and Sensei's test, and finally mine," Kai smiles, hinting at their knowledge of biology.
"My and Tsunade's 'level' is below yours?" Orochimaru barely sounded surprised but instead held pure curiosity.
"Sensei agrees to that," Kai grins, "If you ever need the actual reason why my level is beyond yours... all you have to do is knock on my door."
"Very good, then," Orochimaru remains quite pleased as he looks at the trio, "Learn well. You three have no idea just how a few shinobi of the village sorely wish to be... taught by your Sensei."
As Orochimaru walks out to the grand path connected to the village, Kurenai couldn't help but whisper, "Sensei... that man is creepy! Very different from Tsunade-sama."
"Oh, I wouldn't call... him creepy. But you know, he can still hear you," Kai chuckles with amusement and Kurenai frowns.
Yet, she pales quickly when she finds that Orochimaru, in the distance, suddenly stopped and is now looking back in her direction.
Even Shizune and Konan feel stifled and only let out sighs of relief when Orochimaru casually walked away at a stroll-like pace.
"You just made the third level of examination unnecessarily hard. Let me tell you, Orochimaru draws up the hardest theoretical questions. Passing his exam was the hardest thing I ever did."
With that, Kai pats Kurenai's back assuringly, "Let's go. I will explain the mission detail on the move and next time, remember to ask for details about the mission beforehand. I'm obligated to tell you ONLY if you ask me."
---
Land of Fire is home to many nobles. These nobles, although civilian in strength, hold a status even better than Elite Jonins, and a Daimyo, very much like a Hokage, oversees these noble houses, clans, and families. The highest concentration of noble clans, however, is not the capital of the Land of Fire but Konohagakure itself since every major clan within is considered a noble faction.
But unlike the many 'nobles' of Konoha brought under the strict discipline of shinobi teachings and a more militaristic approach that rarely left them any time for debauchery if they wished to succeed in life, civilian noble households are not that fortunate.
Instant gratification is known to only bring ruin to oneself and Noble scions that have it all certainly embrace the spirit of decline around their large, fat meaty bodies covered by lavish clothes.
Or so they like to project.
Anyone in their right mind who believes that power can be kept to themselves by being swept away by women and wine is deluding themselves within a world of deadly kunoichi who would aim at these portly, well-mannered nobles to attain a peaceful lifestyle. Sure, there are a few bad apples but that's it.
Nobles are shrewd. They are cunning and opportunistic for this is the only thing they can do to hope to ever compensate for the lack of wielding chakra.
"Ah, thank you so much for accepting the mission," the local village head bows to Kai deeply. The middle-aged man's hat almost slips down his head but the man quickly straightens his back and takes a stock of the three girls in front of him. Hiding an odd glint in his gaze as his movements cause the thick golden necklace around his neck to let out a slight sound, the village head introduces himself, "I'm Roku Kanoko. This village has attracted a group of wild thugs... slavers, honestly."
The man adopts a terrible expression over his fat, tanned face while he pulls out a handkerchief to wipe out the sweat slowly developing around his temples despite it not being that hot outside.
"T- They have caused too much damage to our settlement."
Still seeing the trio remaining silent the entire time, Roku leads Team 6 into the small village. Unlike Konoha which is dubbed as a Village but is larger than many towns and cities, this village shows respect for its given title. There are a few dozen cottages at best with large, fenced farmlands as a rock perimeter surrounds the village. There is only one entrance to the village's residential region but venturing in deep, Team 6 sees how a few cottages are empty and broken, too.
"It's all caused by those thugs. They don't have any name and the two times they have struck our village, they have taken the villagers both men and women. We lost a few hands for the farm when it was time for harvest and processing our fresh produce."
Exhaling a long and tired sigh, the man then looks at the trio with an uncomfortable look, "I believe that your team must have... a senior, right? We must deal with this situation at once! Could you please call the leader of your team?"
Roku observes the girl with distinct red irides that contrast with her fair skin reply, "Sensei is scouting the perimeter. He asked us to hand you this," fishing out the tiny token scroll from her hip pouch, Kurenai hands it to Roku and adds, "Our Sensei is better at scouting and healing while we are the main force that will deal with these slavers."
Touching his thin mustache and giving them a twirl, Roku nods in admiration and appreciation as he doesn't question them all that much, "I see. Very well, I can point you in the right direction then. But before that, I believe you require rest, right? My manor is not as large as the ones seen and towns and cities but it should accommodate the four of you."
Konan, Kurenai, and Shizune look at each other for a moment. They pretty much have all the instructions they need and don't hesitate for too long before agreeing to the proposition.
As they are led into three different rooms, Konan and Kurenai tacitly regather in Shizune's room and Konan finally sighs softly.
"I found nothing in my room."
"Same here," Kurenai frowns for a moment.
"Do... we really do all that as Sensei said?" Shizune suddenly questions but Konan reveals a colder expression, "We'll see. He did warn us that he would be watching everything and... we're the ones eager for a C-ranked mission, right?"
Kurenai lowers her head slightly and whispers, "I expected that we would be hunting a group of bears or something..."
"It's not your fault," Shizune mutters but the trio has rightly lost the mask of strength and confidence they kept on their expressions for a while.
"It kind of is..." Konan scoffs quietly.
"Then you should have stayed back," Kurenai looks at the bluenette, "You're the one who wanted to remain in the academy for three more years, right?"
"Yeah, I did. And that plan proves to be a better one than this— Constantly pestering Sensei for a higher-ranked mission just because your precious Asuma can't stop with his foolish braggings."
"He's at least more courageous than you. He didn't plan to hide in the academy for years in fear of fighting others during a mission," Kurenai retorts.
"Oh, well, when he dies in one of these courageous acts, you'll definitely find me speaking— I told you so," Konan narrow her eyes.
Snorting in return, Kurenai scowls, "I always felt that your motives should be respected. You, Nagato-san, and Yahiko-san come from the same situation but you cannot be any more different! You want to learn how to fight but don't want to actually fight?! Why didn't you just join the hospital?"
"Why do I need to enjoy fighting just because I want to learn how to defend myself? Are you stupid? But that's not right, you're intelligent... so, you are not stupid. You're simply a fool."
"You're calling me a fool? You're the idiot always watching Sensei creepily!"
"He's my boss who also saved me from a war. I'll watch him however I like it, fool."
"Stop calling me a fool!"
"Fine, I'll lie then. You're the smartest person I know, Kurenai. So smart that you actually can't talk about anything else but what others are doing," Staring at Kurenai mockingly, Konan mimics the girl, "Oh, look at me, I'm Kurenai. I always want to give correct answers because I'm vain and can't think of being anything but an attention-seeking fool!"
Kurenai seethes and raises her voice, "I hope you lose a limb in this mission!"
"I hope you lose an eye and get all the attention you want!" Konan curses in return.
"I hope Sensei just disbands our team after this mission," Shizune's quiet voice startles the duo awake as the brunette is already lying on her bed while staring at the ceiling.
After a few moments of silence, Kurenai hesitates and speaks up, "Shizune—"
"Save it," Shizune replies with a blank expression, "I always knew that you two are losers... but at least I felt jealous that you have a family. I feel much better now... I'll just join the hospital after this mission."
***
Alternate Title: Always Fear the Quiet and Gentler One!
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