The next morning came quickly, and the time had come for Haku and Kimimaro to deploy with the unit towards the hidden Leaf, where they would meet another unit and then head out towards the hidden Waterfall village together.
"Good luck on your mission boys, be safe," Suiren said, watching as they both prepared to leave the house.
"We will be," Haku said before he looked at Fuyōna.
"Do your best." Fuyōna simply said as he pulled them both in for a hug, knowing the danger that they could face.
"Don't put yourselves in any unnecessary danger," Fuyōna added as he let them go, keeping a hand on each of their shoulders.
"We won't," Kimimaro said, nodding to him with a confident smile.
"My, my both of you have grown so much." Mei then said, also giving both of them a hug.
"Remember to watch each other's backs." She also added.
"Big brother, big brother, don't go!" Little Shōto suddenly said, pulling on Haku's leg as he hugged it.
"I'm sorry, but I have to," Haku said, patting his head as he knelt down, so they were the same height.
"But don't worry, I will be back before you know it." Haku then said, flashing him a soft smile.
"You promise?" Shōto asked.
"I do," Haku said, reassuring the child.
Asami on the other hand wasn't as bothered and liked to act more grown up about these things, seeming more like Kimimaro in her personality.
"Time to get moving boys." Fuyōna then said, reminding them that Ganryu didn't like to be kept waiting.
"Yes sir." They both said as they took their bags and headed out of the door, leaving their family and home as everyone waved their goodbyes.
Both of them started walking through the village as they made their way towards the rendezvous point.
"Heyy!" A familiar voice said from the distance, revealing Koyuki who was walking the same way as them.
"Good morning you two." She said, seeming excited.
"Morning," Kimimaro said as he carried on walking, leaving Haku to greet her as normal.
"So today is the day... Our first mission in the war." Koyuki then said, stopping for a moment.
"What's wrong?" Haku asked.
"This is real, we are really going to be fighting in the war." She spoke.
"That's right, and this is our chance to prove ourselves." Kimimaro then said, getting a serious look from the others.
"That's right." They both said, agreeing with him before they all started walking again.
"This is what been training for."
"No matter what we face, we will face it together." They all said as they headed through the village towards the meeting point.
Soon enough they arrived at the location, meeting up with the large squad who were waiting for the remainder of the troops to arrive.
Haku took a good look around as he tried to scoop out everyone there and determine their strength, something he always did no matter where he was.
"Looks like you guys made the cut after all." Hattori suddenly said, appearing behind the group and getting their attention.
"Of course, we did, we have been training just as hard as you," Koyuki said, also looking at Yuri who was standing next to him.
"Isn't that right Yuri."
Yuri simply nodded as her face was half hidden behind her scarf as usual before she pulled it a little further up, being as anti-social as always.
"Is it just us or have any of the others made the cut?" Koyuki then asked, taking a look around to see if she could see them.
"Hey!" Another voice also shouted, making their way through the crowd of shinobi.
"Well, well, if it isn't Kujira..." Kimimaro said, giving him a nod of acceptance as the two of them locked eyes.
"Kimimaro." He said back, also nodding his head.
"I see your wounds have healed." Haku also said with a smile, knowing that he had been hurt badly in the battle against Jūzō and Zabuza.
"Aw man, I can't believe you guys also got an invite!" another voice then said, revealing Chika Hōzuki and Rokuro.
"Don't be like that Chika, if not for them we would all be dead," Rokuro said, nodding to Haku, who returned his greeting with a smile.
"Woopy looks like the gang is back together." Hattori suddenly said, sounding very sarcastic.
"Just remember that this isn't a picnic we are going on, this is war. So, stop playing so nicey nice, and start acting like shinobi." Hattori suddenly said.
"Some things never change." Rokuro then said, causing the others to all laugh and ignore him.
"Alright you lot, listen up." A tough voice then said, getting all of their attention as they turned to see Ganryu standing at the centre of the unit.
"Now that everyone is here, I want you all to make one final check on your equipment, making sure you are ready for the road ahead." He said, giving them a moment to do so.
"Now, if no one has any complaints, we will make our move." He then said as he tossed a scroll onto the ground, allowing it to roll open.
"What's that?" Chika asked, not being able to contain her curiosity.
Ganryu made a few hand signs and suddenly an ice mirror formed from the scroll, freezing the very air around it and creating one large ice mirror.
"This is a transport ice mirror, courteous of lord Mizukage himself," Ganryu replied, hearing Chikas question.
"Thanks to this, we can head to the leaf village in a matter of seconds, rather than having to cross the ocean like usual." He then said.
"Now, follow me, you runts." Ganryu finally said before he stepped through the ice mirror, disappearing from everyone's view.
Everyone did as they were told, having seen Fuyōna's jutsu at least once, and knowing what it could do.
"Man, this sure beats getting on a boat." Someone said.
"Can't complain about a transportation jutsu like this one, man what would we do without lord 5th." Another also said, praising Fuyōna.
"Let's move," Hattori said, taking the lead as he pressed forwards towards the ice mirror.
The others all agreed and followed, each of them walking through the ice mirror one at a time before they came through the other side.
Haku and the others could see that they had arrived just outside of the hidden Leaf village, spotting the large wall that surrounded it.
"This never gets old," Kimimaro said, knowing how useful and time-saving his jutsu was.
"Hey, can't you use this jutsu Haku?" Chika suddenly asked, standing behind him.
"Kind of, but it's not as simple as that. Father... I mean Lord Mizukage can use it must better than I can." He explained.
"Don't be so humble, Haku. We both know you can use the jutsu just as well." Kimimaro then said, not seeing why he would put himself down like that.
"Well... You know." He simply said, rubbing the back of his head with a smile.
Hattori listened to the conversation with his arms crossed, pretending to pay no attention but knowing that Haku was certainly downplaying his abilities, especially since he had experienced them first-hand.
"Alright everyone, wait here while I go and speak to the Leaf's units," Ganryu said, ordering everyone to stay put.
"Kōgetsu, you are in charge while I am gone." He then said, getting a nod from the Anbu commander.
With that Ganryu headed towards the Leaf village gates that had four chunin-level shinobi on as security.
"Hold." One of them said, seeing that he was a Mist shinobi.
"I am Ganryu of the Mist, here are my papers." He then said, announcing himself and showing the special ID that the Leaf and Mist had come up with to allow passage into one another's village.
The chunin ninja took the ID and applied his chakra to it, confirming that it was real after a moment.
"Yes, welcome to the Leaf." He then said, already expecting him.
"Wait here and we will send word that you have arrived." The chunin guard then said, getting a nod from Ganryu before he leaned back against one of the large open gates.
"Mind if I have a smoke?" Ganryu also asked, getting a confused look from the young shinobi before he nodded.
"Umm... Y-Yeah, sure."
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Going to end this one here! Hope you enjoyed it.