The morning air was crisp and cool, carrying the promise of a clear day. Satoru arrived near the Konoha main gate with Mariko, his steps steady despite the lingering fatigue from the Sensory Division internship. The two-week rotation had been gruelling, and his body still carried the strain of pushing his chakra to its limits. But he had committed to the mission, and he would see it through.
Mariko led him into a plain briefing room near the gate, its walls bare, its furnishings functional. The temporary squad was already assembled, their presence filling the space with the quiet energy of professionals preparing for an operation. Satoru immediately observed the four Sarutobi shinobi, his gaze assessing their appearance, posture, equipment, and apparent specialities.
Sarutobi Kōichi stood at the head of the table, the squad leader. He was calm, experienced, and weathered; his face marked by a faint scar across his jaw, his posture carrying the weight of command. He moved with the economy of someone who had seen battle and survived it, his eyes sharp, his attention absolute.
Sarutobi Shōta was the medic-nin, his wiry build contrasting with the round glasses that perched on his nose. He was constantly moving his hands, checking equipment or making small adjustments, his mind always working. He gave the impression of someone who found comfort in preparation, his movements precise, his attention meticulous.
Sarutobi Ayame was the tracker, her sharp eyes already fixed on the mission map spread across the table. Her black hair was tied into a tight braid, her posture alert, her focus absolute. Satoru briefly noticed that he found her attractive before immediately dismissing the thought as irrelevant. She was a professional, and so was he.
Sarutobi Tetsuya was the taijutsu and Wind Release specialist, his broad shoulders and quiet stillness carrying the contained quality of someone accustomed to physical combat. He spoke little, but his presence was substantial, his attention absolute.
The four already knew of Satoru; the half-Uchiha, his unexpected Chūnin Exam victory, his recent work with the Yamanaka, and his reputation as an unusual but highly capable shinobi. Their curiosity was noticeable, but none were openly hostile. Kōichi gave Satoru a simple acknowledgement, his voice flat. "We are glad to have a sensor."
Satoru introduced himself formally and confirmed his role as the squad's replacement sensor. Rather than dwelling on his reputation, he immediately asked for the actual mission details. The question established his practical mindset; he cared more about understanding the assignment than impressing the squad.
Kōichi unfolded the mission map, its surface marked with routes and locations. He explained the situation: a settlement near the Land of Fire and Land of Grass border had suddenly gone silent. Several caravans travelling through the area had disappeared. A Konoha informant embedded within the settlement had stopped communicating. The situation was suspicious enough to warrant a B-rank investigation.
The mission objectives were clear: locate the missing informant, investigate the settlement and disappearances, identify whoever was responsible, recover any stolen Konoha intelligence, and bring the informant back alive if possible. Kōichi emphasised the most important restriction: do not engage a superior force. If they encountered an enemy beyond their ability to handle, they would retreat and report.
Satoru mentally noted that the mission could involve anything from bandits to organised shinobi activity. The border region was known for its volatility, and the disappearance of a Konoha informant was a serious matter.
He studied the map rather than simply listening, considering possible routes, terrain, settlements, and areas where an ambush or concealment could occur. His newly acquired sensory abilities immediately made him think about how he would approach the investigation. He recognized that this would be his first mission where Shinkyō Myaku could potentially be used outside a controlled training environment. However, he also remembered Toshiko's warnings about stamina and prolonged use.
Once the operational details were established, Satoru asked a practical question: "What are the payment terms?"
The question caught the squad slightly off guard. Kōichi's eyes briefly shifted toward Mariko, the glance suggesting he was reconsidering Satoru's motives now that money had entered the conversation. Satoru noticed the glance immediately. He was not offended; he understood the implication but had no intention of apologising for wanting the terms clearly established.
His reasoning was simple: this was a professional assignment. He was being brought in as a temporary replacement. Knowing the compensation beforehand was simply responsible. With Mariko present, there was also a witness to the agreed terms.
Kōichi explained the proposed B-rank distribution. He would receive 25% as squad leader. The remaining 75% would be divided equally among Satoru, Shōta, Ayame, and Tetsuya. Satoru quickly calculated the division: 75 divided by 4 equalled 18.75% each. He considered whether the arrangement was reasonable and concluded that it was fair given that Kōichi was the squad leader and the other four were contributing as regular squad members. He accepted without unnecessary negotiation, his voice flat. "That is acceptable."
The moment reinforced his pragmatic personality; he was not greedy, but he disliked unclear agreements.
Kōichi confirmed that the squad would depart at noon. Everyone was given time to prepare equipment and supplies. Shōta checked his medical kit, his movements precise. Ayame folded the map and began mentally preparing the route. Tetsuya remained quiet, already appearing ready to leave.
Satoru mentally reviewed what he would need; standard shinobi equipment, enough food and water for the mission, his sensory tools, and awareness of his Shinkyō Myaku limitations. He reminded himself that this was a B-rank investigation, not a training exercise.
Before departure, Satoru and Mariko exchanged a short conversation. Mariko asked him to be careful without becoming overly dramatic. Her voice was soft, her words measured. "Watch your back. And do not push yourself too hard."
Satoru reassured her that he understood the mission parameters. "I know what I am doing. I will be careful." Their interaction reinforced the trust established in the previous chapter. Satoru also noticed the difference between how Mariko saw him; as a former teammate and friend, and how the Sarutobi squad saw him; as a temporary professional asset.
At noon, the five-man squad gathered at the Konoha gate. Kōichi took the lead, his stride purposeful, his attention absolute. Shōta, Ayame, Tetsuya, and Satoru followed, their formation loose but professional. Satoru took one final look toward Konoha, aware that this mission represented another step away from the controlled environment of his recent training. He was now an officially recognised A-rank sensor, but this would be his first opportunity to prove what that actually meant on a B-rank mission.
The five shinobi left Konoha through the main gate and disappeared down the road toward the border. Mariko remained behind, watching them go. Her expression was no longer casual; a small crease formed between her brows as worry replaced her earlier confidence.
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