…Huh? Just one? That's impossible.
Even for a captain who had seen his fair share of infiltration missions and all manner of unexpected variables, the answer left him frozen in disbelief. He almost blurted out a protest, assuming No. 3 was joking—but he knew better. No. 3 was too cold and calculated to crack jokes during an operation.
Resigned, the captain slowly nudged his dropped jaw back into place and followed No. 3's gaze through the thick underbrush. There, a lanky figure strolled casually toward them, utterly relaxed.
'The entire defensive unit was wiped out by Akatsuki just yesterday… and this guy dares to wander out here alone? Is he brain-dead?'
Typically, someone walking around like that could only fall into two categories—either they were absurdly strong, or an utter fool. Judging by the chakra signature, it was clearly the latter.
With his enhanced sensory perception, No. 3 had no trouble overhearing the captain's quiet muttering. He gave a silent nod of agreement and, while reaching toward his kunai pouch, asked in a low voice:
"What are your orders, Captain? Do we bypass him or eliminate him?"
"…Neither. Stay hidden. Don't move until he gets closer… We need him alive. At least for now."
His brief irritation fading, the captain calmed himself and began suppressing his vital signs—breath, heartbeat, chakra flow—reducing his presence to near zero. His narrowed eyes remained fixed on the clueless target approaching through the brush.
'That must be one of the reservists the Akatsuki mentioned in their intel. Judging by his breathing rhythm and gait, he just recently left Konoha's temporary defense line. Meaning… that line can't be far from here.'
"What? That's impossible!"
No. 3 frowned, interpreting the captain's observation as a criticism of his sensory jutsu. His tone sharpened.
"I checked and double-checked! I can guarantee—there's no enemy presence anywhere ahead of us on this path!"
"…Ah, no, No. 3. That's not what I meant."
The captain exhaled and rubbed his face in mild exasperation.
"I'm not doubting your intel. I'm saying the Leaf may have placed hidden outposts shielded from standard detection."
He glanced over with a meaningful look.
"This is Konoha's home turf, remember? They had close ties with the Uzumaki Clan—the seal masters. It's not crazy to think they're using sensory-blocking barriers."
"In other words," the nearby scion piped up smugly, "we're gonna extract the hidden outpost locations from this poor guy's mouth. Then we can eliminate the sentries one by one and stay undetected. What, couldn't figure that out on your own, No. 3?"
"…Apologies, Captain. I overstepped."
Realizing the captain's point, No. 3 shot a withering glare at the grinning scion, then shut his mouth and returned to silent observation, awaiting the next order.
"Ahem. Well, crude delivery aside, that's the idea."
The captain gave a small sigh of relief when he saw No. 3 resume his calm, controlled demeanor. His teammate's ability to let go of petty arguments was a blessing in operations like this.
"Alright, No. 3—remain here and expand your range. Monitor for any reinforcements and prepare to signal for retreat. No. 2, flank left and cut off any escape routes. As for the capture, I'll handle it myself."
"Yes, Captain!"
"Wait, wait! What about me?"
The scion, finally on his first mission outside his father's reach, waved frantically, annoyed he hadn't been assigned anything.
"What am I supposed to do? Just stand here and watch? That's useless!"
'Oh thank god. The idiot's just as dumb as our target.' The captain internally winced as the scion raised his voice, drawing attention like a toddler. But when the target didn't notice and continued humming along, completely unaware, the captain felt some of the tension in his chest ease.
Still, he grit his teeth and forced a smile.
"Of course not. You're my ace in the hole."
He gestured grandly.
"When No. 3 expands his senses, he becomes temporarily immobile. That's where you come in. You'll protect him. And if that guy somehow slips past me and No. 2, you're the last line of defense."
"W-Wow… really? My task is that critical?"
The scion's eyes sparkled with pride. The captain's words—carefully tailored flattery wrapped in a tactical lie—hit him like a drug. He stood a little taller, nodded a little sharper.
"Yes, Captain! I won't let you down!"
Unbeknownst to him, No. 3 would've likely burst out laughing if he wasn't actively maintaining sensory jutsu.
Yes, No. 3 had to remain still for optimal accuracy. But if needed, he could instantly drop the jutsu and spring into combat-ready stance. Unless the opponent was as fast as Minato Namikaze himself, No. 3 could react in time—and even lay a trap or two.
He didn't need protection. And he especially didn't need this guy.
'Still… if he's that easy to manipulate, at least he won't cause trouble.' The captain exhaled. 'Now to take care of our idiot Leaf ninja.'
With No. 2 signaling he was in position and the scion finally quiet, the captain crouched low and slid out a gleaming kunai. Suppressing even the slightest rustle of brush or breath, he crept forward like a wraith.
Meanwhile, the unaware Leaf reservist was mid-hum, doing… well, his business against a tree.
"Hmhmhm… Finally, some relief. Ugh, what a dump of an assignment. I should've been stationed inside the village, like Nohara's squad. At least there I could sneak off early to pick up my daughter…"
He shook himself off, still rambling.
"Damn. I promised her I'd take her to the academy entrance ceremony. Guess I'll have to make it up to her. Maybe a plushie? Or candy…"
"Or how about a detailed map of your outpost locations? That'd make a great gift."
"Huh? Who the hell would give a kid something that bor—wait, who's talking?!"
He froze mid-zip and kicked off the ground instinctively, leaping away from the voice.
Unfortunately, he leapt straight into the trap.
The captain had timed it perfectly. His words, laced with a subtle genjutsu, made the Leaf ninja think the sound came from the opposite direction. The result? He flung himself into midair, vulnerable and off-balance—with no way to change course or defend.
'Heh. That was too easy. Guess I won't need my backup plan after all.'
As the ninja turned midair and saw the captain's smirk, his eyes widened in horror. The last thing he saw before pain consumed him was the flash of a kunai.
"Don't worry. It'll hurt a little… but I won't kill you. Not yet."
Thud. Crunch.
The Leaf ninja slammed to the ground with a sickening crack, only for the captain to immediately follow, pinning him in place and driving the kunai straight through his clavicle—nailing him to the earth like a writhing bug.
"Mmgh—!"
The young man had never known this kind of pain. Born in peacetime, untested by war, he gasped and tried to scream.
"S-someone—!"
But he'd hesitated. That split second of silence had sealed his fate.
No one was coming to save him now.