Setting Out

Haku, is this really okay? Shouldn't we go meet them? Hyuga Riko asked in a lowered voice.

"There's nothing wrong with it. This way, we're giving the other squad an early look at our abilities." Uchiha Yu answered Hyuga Riko before Haku could reply.

"It's not that we have to show them what we can do. It's just that this is our first mission, after all. If we can't quickly demonstrate our abilities and value, we won't have any say in how the mission is handled, and we'll be more likely to end up in danger."

Haku continued explaining to Hyuga Riko, picking up where Uchiha Yu had left off.

"Besides, we need to know how capable our teammates are, too!"

A glint flashed in Haku's eyes.

At the Konoha Gate.

"They're ten minutes late." Morino No frowned.

"Rookies are rookies. They don't know the first thing about discipline. Captain, why don't we stop waiting and set off?"

Nobi O spoke bluntly to Morino No.

"Yeah, Captain. Nobi O is right. Let's get going. This time, we'll teach them a lesson. Hopefully, they'll understand that a ninja's first priority is the mission, and being on time is essential when carrying one out."

Another squad member chimed in, backing up Nobi O.

"All right! We'll set off without them. I'll tell the Chunin guarding the gate. That way, when we return from the mission, we'll have an explanation for the Hokage."

Morino No didn't object to his squadmates' suggestion. He agreed at once and led the way toward the Konoha Gate.

Seeing this, Haku didn't hesitate. He waved for Uchiha Yu and Hyuga Riko to get ready to follow.

What Haku and the others didn't know was that Orochimaru was watching them with a smile.

"Excellent. That's my student, all right. What a great idea. Heh!"

Morino No crossed another tree branch, then stopped in a clearing.

"Something's off!" Morino No said to his two teammates.

"Hm? What is it, Captain?"

The two squad members stopped in the clearing alongside Morino No and asked what was wrong. They hadn't noticed anything amiss.

Morino No couldn't identify what was wrong, either. But years of life as a ninja had honed his instincts, and they were telling him he'd overlooked something.

"Captain, when we left the village just now, did you notice anything strange about the expression of the Chunin guarding the gate?"

The gate guard's expression? Wasn't he just gloating because the other squad hadn't left for their mission on time? No!

"Careful! Stay alert!"

At Morino No's words, the three formed a back-to-back defensive formation.

"Come out, friends!"

Morino No called into the surrounding area.

"Thump!"

"Thump!"

"Thump!"

At the sound of three landings, Morino No saw three young ninjas appear before him. When he noticed the Konoha Ninja Forehead Protectors they wore, he relaxed. He also realized that these were the rookie squad assigned to the other mission.

"You've been following us this whole time?"

Hearing Morino No's question, Haku knew the moment had come to secure his squad's say in the mission.

"Captain Morino No, this is our first mission as ninjas. I don't want anything to happen to me or my teammates without knowing why. I hope you can understand."

"Hmph! Latecomers. And rude, too!" Nobi muttered in annoyance.

"Nobi, that's enough!"

Morino No cut off Nobi's complaint and looked at the three again—or, rather, at Hyuga Riko, standing behind Haku.

Riko had activated his Byakugan and was watching the Morino Squad from behind Haku.

Seeing this, Morino No understood: the rookie squad had been following them ever since they left the village. The gate guard's expression had been aimed at his squad.

As the captain of a Chunin squad, he had plenty of experience. He also understood that Haku's squad was giving him a show of force—or demanding a say in how the mission was handled.

The original plan had been to use this squad as cannon fodder. That wouldn't work now. They'd managed to tail his squad of three Chunin without being detected. Their skills were at Chunin level, and they might even be stronger than his squad.

"No, Captain, being late was their fault in the first place. Their teacher must be at fault, too, if his students are late for a mission!"

Morino No hadn't yet had time to think it through when he heard his other squadmate chime in.

As soon as the words were out, the embarrassed smile on Haku's face vanished, replaced by a cold expression. He put one hand behind his back. Uchiha Yu lowered her head, while Hyuga Riko stayed where he was, his fists clenched.

Morino No immediately sensed something was wrong. He stepped sideways in front of his teammate, cutting off the line of sight between him and Haku's squad.