Chapter 32: The Assembled Team
"Aburame Shiigo, special jonin. Proficient in the Aburame clan's secret insect manipulation techniques. Hyuga Kaoru, special jonin, from the Hyuga branch family. Skilled in the Gentle Fist style. Yamanaka Shigeyoshi, special jonin. Master of the Yamanaka clan's Mind Body Transmission Technique, with exceptional sensory abilities."
After Sarutobi Hiruzen finished introducing Uchiha Akira's three assigned teammates, he looked directly at him. "These three are all excellent ninja, fully qualified for a mission of this level."
Uchiha Akira nodded. On paper, their credentials were impressive. All three held the rank of special jonin, which meant their combat abilities were certainly not weak. Standard Anbu operatives were typically chunin-level, with only the elite among them reaching jonin status. When Akira had first returned to Konoha, his official rank was still chunin, though he had since been promoted to jonin.
Just then, the sound of footsteps echoed in the hallway. Three figures entered the Hokage's office in succession.
The first was a man dressed in a black trench coat with a high collar, his face obscured by a hood and dark sunglasses. He radiated a cold, unapproachable aura. The second wore a traditional white kimono, had sleek black hair, and the distinctive pale eyes of the Hyuga. His features were sharp, his expression detached, and he appeared to be around sixteen or seventeen. The last was a man in a standard jonin vest, with bright orange hair, a serious face, and an air of steady competence. He looked to be in his mid-twenties.
"Hokage-sama," the three said in near unison, offering respectful bows.
"I've summoned you because there is a difficult mission at hand," Hiruzen began, his expression grave. "An organization known as 'Akatsuki' has emerged in the Land of Rain. This organization..." He gave them a concise briefing identical to the one he'd given Akira, then concluded, "This is Uchiha Akira. He will be your squad captain for this mission. He will provide you with further operational details once you are en route."
At the Hokage's words, all three turned to look at Akira. Their reactions varied. Aburame Shiigo and Hyuga Kaoru remained impassive, their faces revealing nothing. Yamanaka Shigeyoshi's eyes, however, held a flicker of keen interest. Uchiha Akira was no unknown quantity; his name carried weight across the Five Great Nations and was particularly resonant within Konoha itself. His appointment as squad leader signaled the mission's high-risk nature.
"Yes, Lord Hokage!" the three replied.
"Good," Hiruzen said with a nod. "Return and make your preparations. The mission commences at dawn tomorrow."
After acknowledging the order, the group filed out of the office.
Upon returning to the Uchiha district, Akira immediately summoned one of the clan's ninja cats. He instructed it to relay a message to the Cat Lady, requesting a fresh supply of standard ninja tools and explosive tags. Next, he went directly to Uchiha Fugaku's residence to formally report the mission.
A mission of this significance required the clan head's awareness.
Uchiha Fugaku listened intently, his expression turning solemn. "Your investigation target is someone capable of defeating Hanzo. You must exercise extreme caution."
"I understand," Akira replied with a firm nod.
While confident in his own power, even to the point of facing a tailed beast, he harbored no illusions about easily handling the current Nagato. If Nagato had already defeated Hanzo, it meant he had likely created the Deva Path and mastered the Six Paths of Pain technique, along with the fundamentals of Yin-Yang Release. His current strength, while perhaps not yet at the level of his assault on Konoha, was still formidable. Akira had no absolute confidence in defeating him.
Still, if an opportunity presented itself, Akira would not let it slip by. The Land of Rain's perpetual downpour offered a significant environmental advantage for a master of Lightning Release.
"Regardless, be on your guard," Fugaku stressed again. "Danzo spent months in that country. We have no idea what traps or schemes he may have left buried there."
"I will be vigilant, Clan Head. You have my word," Akira assured him.
He then shifted topics. "While I am on this mission, I would ask you to personally oversee and follow up on the Shentian Biologics project. We should be approaching some initial results."
Akira had been closely monitoring the company's progress, while Fugaku handled broader clan affairs.
Fugaku's eyes lit up with interest. "Results are imminent?"
"Yakushi Nono is even more capable than we anticipated," Akira confirmed. "Under her leadership, the cloning team has overcome several key technical hurdles. Human trials could begin within a few months."
A genuine smile touched Fugaku's lips. "It seems we truly found a treasure. Yakushi Nono is a remarkable talent."
"Indeed," Akira agreed. "But we must also be wary of Danzo. We need to increase security around Nono's orphanage. She cares for it deeply. I would not put it past Danzo to use some underhanded method to force her back into Root."
"I will see to it," Fugaku stated decisively. "I will station clan members there to ensure its safety."
Now that Nono was delivering tangible results, her value to the Uchiha had skyrocketed. Even aside from the Hashirama cell research, success in cloning and directed tissue cultivation held immense significance for the clan—especially the latter, which could theoretically provide a permanent solution to Mangekyo blindness.
"And the Hashirama cell transplantation research?" Fugaku inquired, his tone turning serious. This, too, was a subject of great personal interest. The potential fusion of Wood Release and the Sharingan was a profoundly tempting prospect.
"No significant progress yet," Akira reported, shaking his head. "We are still feeling our way in the dark. Every animal test subject has died without exception."
"A testament to the First Hokage, the God of Shinobi," Fugaku mused, a note of awe in his voice. "Even the power lingering in his cells after death is this potent, rejecting all others... It is remarkable."
He had a point. In the shinobi world, chakra-capable individuals could typically receive organ or tissue transplants from others with relative safety—Kakashi with his Sharingan and the former Mist ninja Ao with his Byakugan were prime examples. But transplanting Hashirama Senju's cells carried a near-certain, instantaneous death rate. It suggested the cells were uniquely potent, with Wood Release being merely one manifestation of their nature.
Changing the subject, Akira asked, "Has the Third Hokage set a date for his retirement? The succession seems clear now. Orochimaru cannot match the Yellow Flash's popularity, and the majority of the village's jonin support Minato."
Fugaku thought for a moment. "The Third has not announced a formal date, but it is likely within the next month or two. The final step is a ceremonial visit to the Fire Daimyo."
He then fixed Akira with a probing look. "Do you intend to move against Danzo once Minato assumes the Hokage's seat?"
"I have considered it," Akira admitted frankly.
(End of Chapter)
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