Ayame Choko, “the Sewstress”
Keeping up the pace, she didn't bat an eye as someone questioned her plan. It was the redhead, the Naito boy. “Let's establish some ground rules. First. You are free to suggest, but not free to question. I am the Jonin, so do as I say. You are chunin now. You know that you must follow orders even if you don't like them.” She didn't even bat an eye as she spoke to the Naito boy, and the whole group in the same breath. She understood what Daiki was getting it - he didn't like the plan. It was natural for a chunin to feel this way, as she herself had experienced it too. A critical mind was good, as long as you don't question other people's skills. She jumped to the next treebranch easily while continueing what she was saying. “Second. You will not doubt me, or any other member of the team. I have been the Hokage's assistant for some time now and, unknown to you, I have read all the reports of your missions. I have seen you all in action from the shadows. I know what you can - and can't do.”
Another jump followed as she jumped further and further to pick up the speed. They'd have to reach the Kannabi bridge in time or the mission would be lost - unlike Tsukiko, Ayame only had a basic chakra sensing technique, and no tracking skills. She'd have to work hard to catch up to the target if he'd escape their first point of contact. “To answer your question, Daiki. I don't miss. As such, we also don't need a plan B if you guys do your jobs.. as for the samurai..” She let a silence fall over the forest as the only sound to be heard was the rapid jumping from branch to branch of the team. It was obvious that Ayame was contemplating whether to tell them the whole story. It was a bit of a touchy subject, so naturally they'd need to understand it well, or not at all.
“The Samurai are upset that local Yakuza clans have taken in ronin, who the samurai consider to be the epitome of trash. Konoha has some large Yakuza presences, and the samurai criticise us for not putting a stop to them. Besides, they are the only 'large' nation that is not part of the Shinobi Allied Forces. We need their acceptance if we wish to remain on friendly terms with them. This is a chance for us.” she concluded. There was more to it that she wouldn't be allowed to say, and these were really the basics of the entire conflict. Sentou spoke up, with the characteristical way of speaking. It was slightly offputting how non serious Sentou could be on sensitive missions like these. Sentou went on about backup and Ayame simply listened, but didn't reply. There would be no backup today, as the ronin wasn't a particularily strong ronin. The fact that they had assembled a team for this mission was more because of the political nature of it. They would not tolerate any screw ups and interventions in this mission if Iwagakure or Kumogakure decided they wanted the honours of taking the ronin captive.
“We won't be needing backup. The rendezvous points for the other teams are all at Kannabi bridge where we will meet up with the other teams and then head for the village hidden in Swords. The Granite Guard are of no concern to us. We don't have jurisdiction but we are allowed to trail targets into Iwagakure territory if the mission demands it. I expect no interference. Aside, you will not use the coins. It would require setting up a trap, and I just explained we will simply wear him down while my poison does it's work. After that we simply trail him, block his path and incapacitate them. We need to herd him towards Kannabi bridge, not assume he will be going there anyway. Understood?” She spoke with an assertive tone. It was clear that there would be no alterifications to her plan unless they were needed badly. She knew that she was smart, and capable of making proper plans, but Haruka seemed like a boy who had some tactical insight. She would rely on him to pick out flaws in the plan, if he noticed them. Ayame might be sure of herself, but she wasn't a fool who wouldn't tolerate invoice. Daiki was a fiery type that would ensure the mission was completed no matter what. That was something they could use in case something went awry. And Sentou was needed for her capability of taking down the man with a single bow - something neither of the other chunin could do, and something that Ayame couldn't do due to the nature of her techniques. Something that would take Ayame an hour, Sentou could do with a single technique. It was simply easier that way.
“We are approaching the position where the Ronin was last spotted. He won't be far. Be quiet.”
Yamato Minamoru, “Young Master”
Yamato gritted his teeth as Aoi spoke before he moved closer to her, shoving Nobunaga to the side with remarkable strength in his arms. After approaching Aoi he'd give the girl a short and firm push to the shoulder, that would be far too strong to be conceived as a friendly push, but not strong enough to topple her completely unless she was weak. “Nandayo, baka?! The only reason you can live in that shitty caravan of yours is because my mother took pity on you and your failed clown acts, so don't speak ill of me or my family, idiot. Besides, I don't know what you're talking about, me killing innocents? Those Jashinists captured my sister and attacked us, what are you on about? Did you sniff your damn goo instead of using it to kill that old man by accident?” Yamato would step closer to her with angry steps and grab her by her vest, shaking her backwards and then pulling her forwards a bit. Yamato couldn't care less what others said about him, he knew that he was greater than any of these 'would-be shinobi' like Aoi. But speaking like this about Rei really made him snap. His teeth were exposed in clear anger, and his eyes were fired up. This was likely the first time he had gotten so angry at Aoi, who normally left Yamato alone or tried to catch his attention with her tricks while she was working. Now? Now she was getting on his nerves for no reason, and more importantly, was discrediting Rei in the process. “What were you doing back then, besides slinging accusations of killing Shogo and those two lovebirds my way?” he barked at her, before he would speak in a more hushed way as he pushed her back by her vest and released her. “Stay the hell out of my way and keep pretending that you're a good leader. Time will come when your team dies at your hand. Psh. Even Daiki knows more than you.” The words were breezed through his teeth in anger and his eyes spelled hatred, but he didn't go towards action or physical violence. He'd save that for later times.
He turned around again to face towards Nobunaga. He was still angry, both visibly and noticeable in the aura he gave off. He stayed in his spot and pointed his finger at Nobunaga. “Shut the hell up. You are asking me to respect someone who doesn't even want to tell us her entire plan. She thinks we are so dumb, we wouldn't understand her masterplan. What kind of person demands respect that way. She doesn't even respect you enough to tell you her plan, and you're telling me to shut up? 'You're a chunin for a reason?' Shut up, idiot. You're not above me, you're below me. Who the hell are you anyway to speak to me like this?” His fist that was still at his side was trembling at this point, itching to lash out and break this kids' jaw. And while his last words seemed insulting, Yamato was honest in that he had no fucking clue who this guy was. And this made Yamato's offensive even more understandable - someone who doesn't know you speaking to you, telling you to have faith and respect someone, who doesn't understand your thoughts, and who acts without knowing a thing of you, those people are the most annoying of all people.
He turned to Tsukiko again, who he was standing very close to at this point. But it wasn't enough for him, he was still angry at Aoi and Nobunaga and that transferred into his conversation with Tsukiko unintentionally. He took a few more steps towards Tsukiko until there was barely a meter between them. “And maybe if you assumed less and listened more, you would know I wasn't proposing that I find them, nor was I proposing that I pinpoint the oasis. I'm not the tracker, that's you. I'm saying that it's fucking useless to set up traps in a desert that spreads across kilometres on end, where anyone can take any path, and that we should pinpoint a location where we are sure they will pass by, and finding that location would be perfectly applicable to your skillset, Tsukiko. I'm not an idiot jonin, who thinks that just because the Hokage prefers busty women over people who actually know a thing or two they get to do everything in a mission themselves, so I know that you should spread the tasks according to skills, and not do everything on your own. You may be the alpha, but remember alpha's get overtaken by beta's. But you're right, you're the jonin, so you better start fucking acting like it. Stop bickering with me and the others and let's leave already. If you hadn't noticed, all the other teams have dispersed already, and we're the last ones out. So let's fucking leave already and get this shit over with.”
Tsk. She had ordered them to gather their stuff - as if they hadn't done that already. She really assumed that they were idiots and not chunnin. What idiot shows up to a mission with no gear. Attached to his flak vest were numerous bottles of water, 6 to be precise. Furthermore he had two lunchpacks in his bag. It should be enough. He grumbled the entire way to the East Gate, where he was headed straight away. He jumped down from a nearby roof, landing in front of East Gate and looking out to see if any others were there already. It seems there wasn't so he simply stood around waiting for the rest. Nice. More waiting. As if they hadn't lost enough time already.
Saburo Uchiha, “Kimyōna”
Saburo was quite surprised when Takeshi fistbumped him, and even more so when Akio joined in. This was visible in his face which had turned into a very surprised expression. “D-doushita.. this is.. amazing. Wh-what a discovery..” he said calmly before pulling away his fist and pulling out a notebook and pencil. He started scribbling furiously and even drawing at one point. “Fist.. extends.. outwards.. BUMP. .. yes..” He put away the notebook quickly, but it was possible Takeshi and Akio would see what he had drawn. It was an image of three fists that touched eachother mid air, quite skillfully drawn but not an artists work. Above it would read 'Signature of friendship.'
Before anyone could say anything, Saburo would speak up. The words flowed rapidly from his mouth and it would be hard to keep up, but Saburo maintained a friendly face the entire time, smiling slightly when he paused and keeping his eyes closed in pleasure. “Yesterday, I had to pay the bill for my electricity. It was quite a hassle, but it was a new experience. Is electricity useful? I don't know. I never see a shinobi running around powering my devices! It's so strange. So I called their headquarters and asked about it. They said they don't use shinobi to power my devices, and when I asked why, they said they aren't allowed. Strange, right? I can cook my food without gas, though, cause I've got fire jutsu. I learned that in the eleventh co-” Before he could continue his talk he suddenly opened his eyes and had a shocked expression on his face - something was wrong. “I can't tell you about that. I'm sorry, please accept my sincere apologies for the sudden break off of my sentence, I hope you can accept and forgive me, denoting that I am very sorry and hope we can still be friends!” he said as he dropped to the floor and sat at their feet, begging for forgiveness. How.. curious.
