Amaya Uzumaki POV
I entered one of the rooms at the Surveillance Center in the northwest region of Konoha, where mission reports were handed over to the organization's captains.
At that moment, only two of them were in the room: my brother and my supervising captain, Kei Sora.
Both had their masks off in that space, and as usual, I did the same with mine. I quickly greeted them with a brief nod and headed over to Kei, handing him some of the mission reports I had filed over the past week.
Normally, Anbu members would then wait for their supervisor or the captain present to analyze their reports and confirm if anything else needed to be added to the documents.
In my case, after the first ten reports I did months ago when I joined the Anbu, Kei told me I didn't need to wait for his review since my reports were "impeccable," in his own words.
So I turned my body away from Kei and my brother, ready to leave that room. However, I ended up not doing so as I expected.
– Amaya, could you stay here a bit longer? – Kei asked, but in a tone that sounded more like an order than a suggestion.
– Yes, sir – I answered and turned back to face him, as the man rose from the chair he had been sitting in.
– Before you start burning your neurons trying to figure out what's going on, relax – Shisui said right after, and I turned my eyes to him, seeing him with a carefree smile.
– We need you for a specific mission – Kei announced seconds later, and I shifted my gaze back to him, watching him take some files from the cabinets in the room – You must go meet some of the village's chunin and summon them to the Hokage building to speak with him as soon as possible – Kei took the last sheet and approached me – There are only a few, so I believe you'll be able to memorize them all.
I gave a weak nod and took the sheets in my hands, quickly scanning them. They're going to be promoted to jonin..., I thought upon seeing the notes on the first files. Most were chunin around my parents' age, some older and some younger, but always within the same age range.
However, when I got to the last file, I had to contain a surprised, yet happy, expression. So it's finally your turn, Kakashi..., I thought, looking at the picture of the platinum-haired figure.
– This mission is definitely for you – Shisui commented, and I turned my eyes to him, understanding his teasing then – It's usually assigned to captains, since we act and generally answer for everyone in the organization directly to the Sandaime.
For all the time I had been in the Anbu, I had managed to act and maintain an impassive demeanor. It was a "gift" to be able to hide my emotions, and that was positive when involved with the complex organization that was the Anbu.
However, at that moment I couldn't help but raise an eyebrow, confused. If this mission is the responsibility of captains, there's no reason for me to carry it out..., I pondered.
– Your recent accomplishments have drawn attention in the village and within the Anbu itself – Kei spoke, and I stared at him – Your strategic suggestion on the mission to the Land of Earth was a feat that changed and will continue to change everything for Konoha in this war, and it saved many lives.
My suggestion, is it? I reflected on that for a moment. Our mission was a success, from a general view, but not everyone knows what really happened there, or rather, what would have happened if I hadn't interfered...
* Flashback On *
It must have been past midnight as we ran through that forest near the border of the Land of Fire. At any moment we would cross the border and enter the Grass Village, which at that time was the center of most battles between Konoha and Iwa.
Our captain stopped abruptly and we followed suit, using the night's gloom as a way to stay out of sight of any enemy that might be around.
– We'll stay here today. Rest as much as possible and don't let your guard down – We nodded promptly.
It was the third day we had been just running. We hadn't stopped and went straight on to avoid any unnecessary conflict at the moment or draw attention.
The Anbu captain who was acting as our leader on that mission gathered us again shortly after to discuss how we would proceed from there once we entered enemy territory.
– We'll split into two teams. The first will engage the enemy and create a distraction for as long as possible while the second will advance stealthily – The others agreed, but I did not.
What? I thought quickly. If we do that, it means all those who stay on the first team will possibly... Die!
I glanced sideways at the expressions of the others around me. Although everyone was impassive, I couldn't help but notice the slight discomfort in their eyes. They know they'll be used as sacrifices so the others can complete the mission...
– Any notes or questions? – The captain asked, though it sounded rhetorical.
– Is it necessary to follow this plan exactly? – I questioned him before I could hold back my words.
The gazes of the Anbu fell on me at that same moment, as did the captain's. Damn it, Amaya..., I mentally scolded myself for opening my mouth.
– Do you have something against the mission planning, Uzumaki? – The captain asked in a milder tone, with his brown eyes fixed intimidatingly on me.
Now it's over..., I thought. But at the same time that I regretted speaking impulsively, it made me think of something. In that case, maybe I should seize the moment. I have nothing to lose by taking a risk...
– To be honest, yes, sir, I do – I answered next, with my tone also firm and keeping my gaze fixed on the captain's, not letting myself be cowed by him – As I understand it, with this planning, the members of our squad who are left in the first team to distract the enemy will certainly end up dead, for the most part. They will be obeying an order to march to their deaths.
– Perhaps you are forgetting some points of our Ninja Code, Uzumaki – The captain said next, in an even more intimidating tone – Like the ninth, the fourth, and the fifth rule.
– "A ninja must follow the instructions of their leader," "a ninja must put the mission first," and "a ninja must sacrifice a comrade to complete the mission" – I recited the respective rules of our code that the captain had pointed out – I remember them perfectly, like the others, and I understand them – I explained quickly – And I'm not saying I don't intend to fulfill any of them, I'm just questioning whether there isn't a different way to proceed than one where the margin for failure is greater.
Silence hung in the air for a few brief seconds, with everyone's attention shifting succinctly between me and the captain.
– Then tell me, Uzumaki... – Our captain spoke again – What different way of proceeding would give us a smaller margin of failure than this one? What kind of complete plan have you formulated?
I knew that this space to impose my voice and suggestions didn't come exclusively from the "sympathy" that captain had for me. Much less from his respect or admiration for me as a kunoichi – possibly the furthest from the latter, after all, he had much more experience as a ninja, both in the field and in years, than a teenager like me, who hadn't even been in the Anbu for a year.
But this captain in question was close to my brother, as well as to Kei, my supervisor. And besides, we were only on that mission to the Land of Earth because the Sandaime had considered my request to do it in Minato's place.
A gamble for me and a decisive circumstance for this captain to assess..., I thought. The moment I present my plan to the others, it will probably decide our future and well-being throughout the mission. There won't be another chance.
(At the moment when Uzumaki pondered this internally, she never considered the consequences that questioning a plan outlined by a captain, her superior at the time, could bring upon her. All she could think about was the condition of her comrades...)
My eyes fell on the territorial map spread out before us, and I hurried closer to it, indicating our current position.
– Instead of crossing the border that will take us to the Grass Village, where the conflicts are intensified – I moved my index finger to the stretch of land just above the Grass – We can go this way – And without giving time for any note or objection that might come, I continued – Although infiltration into the Land of Waterfalls is considered impossible, there is a way to enter and leave its territory without the inhabitants themselves noticing – I moved my finger across the map again, to the demarcation of Iwa's territory – This way we can infiltrate the Land of Earth through an area where, possibly, security isn't as reinforced given the belief that no enemy can pass through Taki – I removed my hand from the map – Although I believe in the potential of all my comrades, I doubt that just our group, even acting fully, could go against an enemy whose numerical proportion we don't even know. Furthermore, the Grass may be an ally and we have some knowledge of its territory, however, it is now under almost total control of Iwa and we cannot predict exactly what awaits us there.
A low sigh escaped my lips, given the speed with which I explained all that. And when I finally allowed myself to look at my comrades, I found some with surprised expressions, others even seemed... Admiring.
But my real concern was with the captain. The word of approval or rejection will come from him..., I thought and turned my eyes to the man. His face was completely impassive and his gaze completely fixed on the map, running from one point to another of those I had indicated. Then, the severe brown eyes rose and stopped on me.
– Uzumaki... – His tone still sounded mild – I told you to explain your entire plan that would lead us to a higher success rate. Go ahead and explain to everyone which way we'll go through the Land of Waterfalls.
And although I was surprised that my suggestion had been accepted – without any joy for now –, internally I smiled because I felt a bit more secure about our operation.
– Yes, sir! – I answered promptly – We'll need the specialists in olfactory tracking in Taki... – I began to explain.
* Flashback Off *
– I have all respect for the captain who acted on that team and his tactical choice – I said a few moments later – But I didn't want to have to waste the lives of organization and village comrades when we could avoid it.
Shisui's laughter came right after, and both Kei and I stared at him.
– You never change, do you? – My brother asked rhetorically – Miss "always save everyone you can."
This time I had to give a weak laugh at Shisui's comment. A smile was also present on Kei's expression with my brother's relaxed demeanor.
– It's a rather uncommon trait in these times of war, where people usually don't mind using others to survive – Kei commented and I stared at him – And that's why some captains, knowing this and all you've done in these months you've been here, asked for your promotion to captain as well.
Surprised.
That was the only way I felt at that moment and likely expressed on my face – since Shisui held back another laugh as he looked at me.
– Besides not having anyone in the Anbu who represents women in the high ranks, we also didn't have many brilliant minds until now to assist the village and its residents so positively.
Although I was surprised and my mind still seemed to be processing that information, I let myself act first. I lowered my head in thanks, containing a faint smile.
– I'll do my best – I said and looked back at the two captains and now my peers in rank.
– I'm sure you will – Kei spoke in a gentle tone.
– Now go on your mission, captain – Shisui said casually and I gave a weak nod, finally leaving the room.