Chapter 23: Calculated Discord
Ren's Observe scan confirming the conflicting orders sent an immediate red flag through his Gamer's Mind. This wasn't just a test of navigation or delivery; it was a deliberately engineered scenario designed to fracture their burgeoning teamwork and assess their handling of contradictory information, likely focusing specifically on how Ren reacted when faced with ambiguity and potential insubordination fueled by official-looking scrolls.
Akari looked flustered, comparing her scroll's directions for "Post Gamma Priority Route" with Kenji's map clearly showing a direct path from "Post Beta to Designated Rendezvous." Kenji looked confused, then stubborn. "My orders are clear, Akari. Beta, then RV point. There's no mention of Gamma on mine."
"But... but mine says Gamma is urgent! 'Immediate replenishment required - deviate if necessary'," Akari read aloud, her voice tight with anxiety. "It overrides the standard Beta route! Look!" She held out her scroll.
Kenji peered at it, scowling. "Mine doesn't say that. Just Beta, then RV."
Genma watched them impassively from a few meters away, offering no clarification, his expression perfectly neutral. Observe: Genma Shiranui. Intent: Observe Team conflict resolution, information hierarchy assessment, Ren's response to command ambiguity and teammate friction. Emotional State: Clinical Detachment, Analytical Focus. He wasn't going to help; he created this mess.
"Hold on," Ren said calmly, stepping between them, holding up a hand. "Let me see both scrolls."
They handed them over hesitantly. Ren laid them side-by-side on a flat rock. A quick Observe scan confirmed his initial assessment, adding crucial detail.
Observe: [Akari's Scroll - Supply Order Gamma]. Content: Valid Order, Valid Map to Post Gamma, **Priority Clause (Urgent - Artificially Added/Stamped post-creation? Seal slightly inconsistent)**. Authentication: Standard Chunin Logistics Seal (Appears Genuine).
Observe: [Kenji's Scroll - Supply Order Beta/RV]. Content: Valid Order, Valid Map Alpha->Beta->RV Point, **No Mention of Gamma Priority Clause**. Authentication: Standard Chunin Logistics Seal (Appears Genuine).
The priority clause on Akari's scroll was the manufactured element. Subtle, likely added by Genma using his skills to mimic an official update, but the faint inconsistency in the priority stamp's chakra residue was detectable by Observe Lv. 6's heightened analysis. This was a loyalty and logic test wrapped in plausible denial.
"Okay," Ren said, looking up at them. "We have conflicting directives. Akari's scroll indicates an urgent priority change for Gamma. Kenji's reflects the original plan." He met Akari's hopeful gaze, then Kenji's stubborn one. Direct contradiction wouldn't work; he needed to lead them to the logical conclusion without revealing his Observe findings directly.
"Think logically," Ren began, pointing to the maps. "Post Gamma is significantly off the Beta-RV route. A deviation would add at least two hours to our total time and leave Beta waiting. An 'urgent' deviation usually comes via direct communication – messenger bird, specific chakra signal flare – not just a stamped update on one scroll out of two given simultaneously. Does that make sense?"
Akari chewed her lip. "Well... yes, usually. But the stamp looks official..."
"And my orders don't have that stamp," Kenji insisted, crossing his arms. "Stick to the plan."
"Consider the source," Ren continued, glancing meaningfully towards where Genma stood 'observing'. "Sensei has consistently layered tests onto our D-Ranks. What seems more likely: a genuine, uncommunicated urgent supply crisis for Gamma that only Akari received notice of? Or a deliberately created conflict in orders designed to test how we handle contradictory information and maintain team cohesion under pressure?"
He saw the flicker of understanding, then suspicion, dawn in both their eyes as they looked towards Genma, who remained utterly impassive.
"He... he'd do that?" Akari whispered, sounding slightly betrayed.
"To test us? Absolutely," Ren confirmed flatly. "Remember the senbon? The illusions? The 'accidents' at the hospital? This fits his pattern."
Kenji slowly uncrossed his arms, his stubbornness giving way to grudging realization. "So... you think Akari's 'priority' is fake? Part of the test?"
"It's the most logical explanation given the inconsistencies and Sensei's methods," Ren affirmed. "If it were real, abandoning Beta and the RV would be dereliction based on your orders, Kenji. Following Akari's scroll directly contradicts yours. The safest, most logical course of action when faced with unclear, conflicting orders that can't be immediately verified..." He let the statement hang.
"...is to stick to the last consistent set of orders until clarification can be sought?" Akari finished slowly, her eyes wide as she grasped the implication.
"Exactly," Ren nodded. "Our established route is Alpha, Beta, RV Point. That's the consistent data across both scrolls, ignoring the suspicious priority stamp on only one. We proceed to Beta as planned. If Gamma truly has an emergency, higher command would issue overriding orders through proper channels, not rely on a single, questionable scroll stamp."
[Leadership (Basic) Lv. 2 Proficiency Increased: +2.2% (Successfully resolved command conflict via logic & analysis)]
[Akari Sumire: Trust in Ren's judgment increased (+)]
[Kenji Ito: Grudging Respect for Ren's reasoning increased (+)]
The internal conflict dissolved. Akari still looked slightly uncertain about ignoring a potential 'urgent' order, but she deferred to the logic. Kenji nodded sharply, accepting the revised plan. They gathered the supplies, Ren subtly rearranging the loads slightly so the Beta-specific items were more accessible.
As they set off towards Post Beta, following Kenji's map segment, Ren risked a glance back at Genma. The Jonin's expression was still neutral, but Observe picked up a faint undercurrent: Observe: Genma Shiranui. Emotional State: Neutral (Assessment Ongoing), Minor Approval? (Logical Deduction Noted). Thought Process: Handled ambiguity correctly. Identified planted inconsistency. Focused on verifiable data. Ren continues to display analytical capabilities beyond expectations. Team cohesion maintained despite induced friction.
The test wasn't over – Genma would likely continue to pressure them – but they had passed the crucial first phase: seeing through the deception and choosing the logical, unified path. Ren knew Genma had noted how he'd guided the decision, likely reinforcing the Jonin's suspicions about Ren's analytical abilities, but avoiding revealing the System directly was paramount.
The journey to Post Beta continued, the team moving with renewed focus, if still slightly wary. They encountered no further direct interference from Genma, though Ren occasionally detected faint chakra signatures suggesting their sensei was shadowing them closely, observing their formation discipline and environmental awareness.
They reached Post Beta – a small, reinforced wooden structure manned by two weary-looking Chunin – without incident, delivered their supplies, got the confirmation receipt signed, and immediately set off towards the final RV point designated on Kenji's map. Post Gamma remained unvisited, its 'urgent' need ignored based on Ren's calculated deduction.
Upon reaching the designated RV point – a conspicuous lightning-struck tree near the main road back to Konoha – Genma was already there, waiting.
"Report," he commanded curtly.
Ren stepped forward. "Supplies delivered to Post Alpha and Post Beta per consistent orders. Signatures obtained." He presented the receipts. "Encountered conflicting directive regarding urgent priority for Post Gamma on Sumire's scroll only. Assessed situation based on lack of corroborating orders, standard emergency communication protocols, and recent patterns of deliberate testing." He deliberately chose neutral, analytical language. "Determined most logical course was to adhere to consistent directive route Beta -> RV, pending further clarification on Gamma's status. Awaiting further orders."
Genma took the receipts, glanced at them, then looked at Akari and Kenji. "Your assessment?"
"Uh..." Akari stammered, "Ren... explained the inconsistencies. It made sense... to stick to the orders we both had."
"Yeah," Kenji grunted. "Seemed like another one of your tests, Sensei. Didn't fall for it."
Genma let the silence stretch for a beat, his gaze unreadable. Then, a tiny nod. "Correct assessment. The Gamma priority was indeed fabricated. A test of information processing, hierarchical logic, and resistance to manufactured urgency." He almost sounded bored, but Ren caught the undercurrent of critical evaluation. "You prioritized verifiable, consistent orders over a single, questionable anomaly. Acceptable decision-making process."
He didn't offer praise, merely clinical acceptance of their correct response. "Mission timeline maintained. Return to Konoha."
As they walked back towards the village gate, the sun beginning its descent, Ren felt a complex mix of relief and unease. They had passed Genma's manipulative test, strengthening their team bond through shared analysis rather than fracture. But the exercise felt pointedly aimed at understanding Ren's influence and thought process within the team. Genma wasn't just training Team 12; he was actively profiling its most anomalous member. And Ren knew, with growing certainty, that the results of that profile were being reported directly to the Third Hokage. The stakes were rising with every passing day, every successful test.