The squad assembles

When Satomi learned that Kazemori Masaki would be heading to the Land of Rice Fields on a mission, her eyes widened in surprise. She understood how dangerous it would be and immediately felt upset—not because Tobirama had assigned Masaki to the mission, but because he had not assigned her to go with him.

Satomi undoubtedly loved Kazemori Masaki. She did not want to simply watch him go off alone on such a dangerous mission. She would rather face it alongside him, and that was why she was upset.

"I'm going to ask Lord Tobirama to change the assignments," Satomi said after a moment of silence.

"Satomi, Lord Tobirama thought this through carefully. If he didn't include you, that means he doesn't think you're suited to this mission. Asking him won't do much good," Kazemori Masaki said hastily.

"But—" Before Satomi could finish, Kazemori Masaki pulled her into a tight embrace.

Kazemori Masaki whispered in her ear, "Satomi, I'm very well suited to this kind of mission. Out of everyone, I'm among those most likely to survive. There are risks, yes, but I promise you I'll complete this mission and come back safely. So please, wait here for me. I'm asking you."

Despite his words, Satomi still refused to accept it. She pulled out of Kazemori Zhenghui's arms and looked at him. "But I don't want to wait here knowing nothing, either. Rather than leaving me worrying about you, wondering whether you'll really keep your promise and come back, why won't you let me go with you? Even if we run into danger, I can share the burden. If we come back, we come back together. If we die, we die together!"

Kazemori Masaki felt a headache coming on. Satomi could be stubborn about things like this. Her pride would not