Night fell.
Scattered fires burned, and the occasional breeze swept over them, making the dry wood crackle.
Inside the tent,
Gua, Kabuto, and Itachi stood opposite Fugaku, solemnly waiting for him to explain their next mission.
"..."
After a long moment of deliberation,
Fugaku slowly spoke.
"I'm planning to send you to blow up Kannabi Bridge. It's a vital supply route for Iwagakure to reach the front lines in the Land of Grass!"
Boom!
Gua felt as though someone had dropped a nuclear bomb inside his head.
What the hell?
He wanted him to blow up the bridge?
Hadn't Obito already blown that thing up?
He remembered that Obito had gotten pinned under rubble while blowing it up.
He had nearly bought the farm right then and there.
Clan Leader Fugaku wanted them to blow up the bridge?
Was he kidding?
Kabuto and Itachi clearly hadn't realized how serious this was. Both nodded.
"No problem!"
"But is it really all right to leave such a difficult mission to us?"
Itachi was still a little confused.
Shouldn't they send those Jonin on a mission this big?
At least they ought to have someone seriously badass lead the team to blow up the bridge.
They were just sending three kids?
"Everyone else is tied up right now. Of the people we can spare, you three are the best suited."
Fugaku sounded very serious.
At that, neither Itachi nor Kabuto objected anymore. Both nodded and accepted the mission.
Only Gua stood there, dumbfounded.
"Gua?"
Finally, Fugaku turned his gaze toward Gua.
Gua stayed silent for a full five seconds.
"Do we absolutely have to blow up the bridge? And even if we do, can't they just repair it with Earth Release?"
His question silenced the tent for two seconds.
Itachi and Kabuto also