The Gap Between Teammates

Konoha was highly efficient at coordinating its forces and quickly settled on a departure time.

Everyone sprang into action within two days.

After breakfast, Akashi checked the clock. It was almost time to gather, so he got ready to leave.

"Wait a moment."

Just as he was about to head out, his mother called from behind him.

He turned around. Hiromi was holding a beautifully wrapped box of sushi. "Take this to eat on the way. Make the most of your opportunity!"

She winked and waved cheerfully.

Come on, I'm going to a battlefield...

Akashi smiled helplessly and shook his head, but still tucked his mother's thoughtful gift into his backpack.

At nine in the morning, the unit heading to support the border gathered at Konoha Village's main gate.

Aside from their commander, Orochimaru, there were fifty-four ninja in total. Six of them were jonin, and the rest were at least chunin.

A new team had been formed for wartime, and Akashi's squad was led by the jonin Kudo Yukiyuki.

There were two other members: Hyuga Shingetsu and an unfamiliar boy.

It would take at least three days to reach the front lines. Taking into account the deployment of each squad, supply deliveries, and other factors, they would spend roughly a week on the road.

Kudo Yukiyuki dressed much like any ordinary jonin, and his appearance was equally unremarkable. He had no particular distinguishing features, but he was easy to approach, and his hearty laughter was infectious.

He put on none of the airs of a jonin and said with a smile,

"Let's get going. We can get to know each other on the way."

"Yes!"

The four of them set off at a run, beginning their long journey.

Given the special nature of their mission to the border front, they had a set distance to cover each day so they could maintain their condition. Supply stations would provide them with food and drinking water.

As they ran at full speed, Kudo Yukiyuki struck up a conversation.

"All right, let's talk as we run. My name is Kudo Yukiyuki, I'm twenty-seven, and I'll be your captain for this mission. I like origami, hate eating mushrooms, and dream of becoming the next Hokage's teacher!"

It was a very standard introduction, practically a Konoha Village tradition.

Only his dream was unusual.

Shingetsu found it strange and couldn't help asking, "Why the next Hokage's teacher?"

A hint of embarrassment appeared on his broad face. "Haha, because there's no way I'll become the next Hokage. I might have a chance at becoming his teacher. Then, when I retire, I'll have something to brag about over tea."

After speaking, he glanced over his shoulder. "What about you? Go ahead and introduce yourselves."

The three looked at one another, and in the end, Shingetsu spoke first.

"My name is Hyuga Shingetsu. There aren't many things I like, but there are plenty I dislike. My dream is to become one of the strongest people in my clan."

"My name is Uchiha Akashi. I specialize in fire style and throwing ninja tools."

"My name is Aobou."

The introductions grew shorter and shorter. Aobou, in particular, always wore a wooden expression, as if he didn't know how to smile.

But Akashi noticed how decisive and efficient he was.

Kudo Yukiyuki was very pleased with his team. Two members came from prominent clans, and one had plenty of experience. Most importantly, they were all quiet and obedient, making for a very harmonious team.

It was rare to see descendants of the Hyuga and Uchiha, the two most important bloodline clans, placed on the same team.

This is a lot of pressure for the team captain.

"Captain, what's our mission?" Akashi asked.

"The order is for us to handle reconnaissance. We need people skilled at concealment, tracking, and relaying information. Fortunately, we have a Byakugan user on the team, so it shouldn't be too difficult."

"Will we avoid direct combat?"

Shingetsu was puzzled.

"If anything unexpected happens, the mission could change at any time." Kudo Yukiyuki grew serious. "Don't let your guard down. You're heading to a battlefield!"

"Understood."

Akashi wasn't afraid. He calmly assessed the situation.

Thirteen squads had been sent out this time. Including the troops already stationed at the border, they had committed more than a hundred ninja—enough to fight a small-scale battle.

Orochimaru had said that an Anbu Ninja squad would also be providing support.

That showed just how seriously this was being taken.

This mission was simple, in a way.

But its complexity lay in the fact that everyone had different motives.

Orochimaru, who was consumed by his research, was willing to go to the battlefield only to collect research materials. The Third Hokage intended to eliminate the threat at the border once and for all, demonstrating Konoha's strength to the other villages and intimidating the nations.

And Danzo seemed to have sent people to infiltrate the unit as well.

If their interests aligned, that would be one thing. But if they came into conflict, how well could this battle go?

Konoha's threat didn't lie outside the village. It lay within.

After two hours on the road, the unit stopped to rest and resupply by the river.

Shingetsu warily activated her Byakugan, scanning the area in every direction within a one-kilometer radius. Any enemies lying in ambush would be caught in her reconnaissance range.

And the Byakugan's viewing distance could increase with training, making it practically a divine skill.

With this kind of vision on a foggy battlefield, how could the enemy even fight?

"The Byakugan really is useful," Akashi said with genuine admiration.

In a one-on-one fight, the Sharingan might be more impressive, but the Byakugan's strategic value was definitely greater.

No wonder people said the Hyuga Clan was the strongest in Konoha.

Perhaps "strongest" referred to their value in war.

Kudo Yukiyuki gave her an approving look too. "As expected of a Hyuga ninja. You're so strong, yet still so cautious."

Shingetsu nodded. "It's for the sake of safety."

"Don't worry. We're still within Konoha's sphere of control. No matter how reckless the Sand Ninja are, they won't charge right up to Konoha's doorstep. Have something to eat and get your strength back."

"Okay."

Shingetsu deactivated her Byakugan and casually went to sit beside Akashi.

Kudo Yukiyuki blinked. Were the two clans really on such good terms? Come on, they're practically sitting on top of each other!

Meanwhile, on the other side,

Aobou sat by himself at the river, apparently wanting to be alone.

There's more to this team than meets the eye!

With the instincts of an old hand, Kudo Yukiyuki sensed something was off. All three of them seemed to be hiding something.

The sun gradually climbed high in the sky.

Under the shade of a tree, Akashi opened his backpack. "Want some? It should taste pretty good."

He took a drink of water and asked out of politeness.

Shingetsu was just about to eat a rice ball when Akashi held out a box of exquisite food.

She was about to refuse, but then she noticed the tuna roll nestled inside.

It's heart-shaped?

She looked up at Akashi in surprise. He seemed completely unconcerned. A thin sheen of sweat slid down his cheek, and his Adam's apple bobbed as he drank.

Shingetsu's heart suddenly began to race.

Did he do that on purpose?

But why is he acting so casual?

Maybe he's embarrassed... If I eat it, will that mean something?

Shingetsu had never been in this kind of situation before. For a moment, she couldn't decide whether she should eat it.

When Akashi didn't hear a reply, he glanced over curiously. "What's wrong? My mother made it. It's pretty good..." He trailed off when he noticed the strange shape too.

Well, well. So that's what she meant!

He suddenly understood what his mother had meant by "Make the most of your opportunity" before he left. He glanced at Shingetsu out of the corner of his eye, but she didn't seem to be reacting too strongly.

"Ahem. If you don't want any, I'll put it away."

"W-wait! Who said I didn't want it, stingy jerk." Shingetsu quickly picked up a piece from the middle, turned away, and popped it into her mouth.

"How does it taste?"

"J-just okay." Shingetsu's lips parted slightly. Suddenly, the weather seemed to be getting hotter and hotter.

Akashi smiled. What a terrible liar.

Hiromi Uchiha was an excellent cook. He thoroughly enjoyed a few pieces, then offered some to Kudo Yukiyuki and Aobou.

The former happily accepted, but the latter shook his head and declined.

After resting for an hour,

Kudo Yukiyuki glanced at the sun and stood up. "Check your gear. We'll set out again in five minutes."