Kaien could barely keep the excitement from showing on his face. A clan powerful enough that the Uchiha of the Warring States era had been hired to personally drive them out of the Land of Lightning was not something he could ignore. If the Chinoike still existed after exile and political betrayal, then they were just as resilient and dangerous.
"I want to meet them," Kaien said, voice steady but eyes bright. "I want to see them for myself."
Aya immediately reached out, instinctively pulling him toward her lap as she always did when she sensed danger anywhere near him expect when she left him to her mother. "Why bother yourself?" she said like, half caring mother, half-scolding older sister. "This can be issued as a mission. Let capable shinobi handle it."
Ay, seated in the Raikage's chair, nodded slowly. "The Chinoike are located near the Land of Hot Water border. Even now, two years after Konoha's final offensive, the borders haven't truly cooled. I won't agree to sending you there." He glanced at his sister Aya. "Your mother is right."
Kaien did not resist being pulled back this time, but he didn't relent either.
"This information is sensitive," he said calmly. "If we send ordinary shinobi, one mistake is all it takes for the Chinoike to slip from our grasp. Worse, they might decide Kumo is no different from the land that exiled them back then."
Ay frowned. He knew Kaien's words made sense, it can't be given to anyone. Sensitive missions were not about strength alone. They were about trust, judgment, and understanding when not to use force.
"True," Ay admitted. He scratched his chin, thinking. "But that still leaves the question. Who do I send with you?"
Aya smirked, sensing an opening. "I am not sending Kaien anywhere. And listen to you," she teased. "Acting like a Raikage already. Did you forget Mother is the acting Raikage? "
Ay's expression twisted awkwardly. He coughed and straightened. "That's beside the point."
Renga, standing quietly to Ay's right, watched the exchange with mild amusement. He had learned long ago that this family argued about everything. Every conversation carried both affection and authority.
Ay exhaled and made his decision. "Renga will lead the team."
All eyes shifted to Renga.
"What should I call the unit…" Ay muttered. His gaze flicked upward as though searching the ceiling for inspiration. "Team Crow."
Aya blinked, kaien tilted his head and Renga's eyebrow twitched.
"…Crow?" Aya repeated.
Kaien made a face. Renga cleared his throat but said nothing.
Ay ignored them all. "We'll also assign Darui. He trained under Father—an elite chūnin-level cadet specialised in storm release. Add Samui for combat balance. And Mabui who can already use that unique jutsu." He glanced at Renga. "Special jōnin cadre. Your daughter."
Renga's posture straightened instantly. The tone had shifted from casual discussion to formal command.
"Renga," Ay said, voice firm.
Renga stepped forward and knelt on one knee. "Yes, Ay-sama."
"Prepare your team and head to the Valley of Hell. Objective: secure the Chinoike clan as future allies of Kumo. There may be internal resistance or from konoha forces. Neutralize opposition if necessary. This is an A-rank mission."
Renga bowed deeply. "As you command."
Kaien slipped free from Aya's hold and stepped forward beside Renga. He bowed as well, posture precise. "I will do my utmost to ensure this mission succeeds."
Ay studied him for a long moment.
"Kaien," he said slowly, "you've proven yourself as a strategist. Your plans saved lives during the war and bought a victory. But this will be different." His voice hardened, not kindly. "You're entering the field. Any suggestion you make goes through Captain Renga. Only if he agrees does it happen."
Kaien met his gaze without flinching. "Understood."
Aya watched her son carefully pride warred with fear in her chest. He was growing too fast but this was the path he had chosen. Though she wanted to stop him seeing his determined face she could do nothing.
—
Preparations began immediately.
Renga assembled Team Crow within the hour. Darui arrived first, hands in his pockets, expression relaxed but eyes sharp. Samui followed, her presence calm and composed, already reviewing terrain reports. Mabui arrived last, professional and alert, giving her father a short nod that spoke of years of mutual respect. That short nod actually meant he didn't bath because he was too busy and he is finished when returns back home.
Kaien stood among them, noticeably shorter and younger, and yet no one dismissed him.
They all knew who he was. Before departure, Renga gathered them in a tight circle.
"This mission is not about intimidation," he said. "The Chinoike were wronged by this land once already. We don't repeat that mistake. Kaien's role is advisory. He observes and analyzes the situation."
Darui glanced at Kaien sideways. "Kid strategist, huh?"
Kaien smiled faintly. "Something like that. But I can fight too."
Renga denied, "No" maybe he grew close to him, he can't have harm come his way so he would do everything to put him away from the battlefield.
The journey to the Valley of Hell took three days. The journey was smooth.
The land changed as they approached it, minerals darkened the soil. Iron-rich cliffs rose like jagged teeth. The air itself felt heavy, metallic.
"This place feels wrong," Samui said quietly.
They were met before they could enter the valley properly. Figures emerged from the red liquid on the surface, eyes glowing a deep, unsettling crimson. Chakra pulsed in strange, fluid patterns... distinct from anything Kaien had sensed before.
Chinoike.
Renga raised a hand, signaling the team to halt. "We come to talk."
The figures did not attack. They watched as they did not expect advisories so fast.
A man stepped forward, older, scarred, his gaze sharp and calculating. "The Land of Lightning sends children now?"
Kaien stepped forward before Renga could stop him. Not past him... beside him. He is still not strong enough protect himself. So, he tactically stood just enough for Renga to cover if anything went wrong.
"I come as proof," Kaien said evenly, "that Kumo is not the same land that cast you out."
The man studied him for a long moment. Then he laughed softly, without humor. "Words are easy."
"Yes," Kaien agreed. "Which is why we're offering something tangible which you might resources and autonomy."
Negotiations stretched long into the night as they discussed about the fate of chinoike clan and their joining into kumo.
~~
A/N: Upto 20 Advance chapters available @ patreon.com/aizenDuchiha0
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