Arc V Chapter 12
<strong><b>V</b></strong>
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<strong><b>Arc V Chapter </b></strong><strong><b>12</b></strong>
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Nara Satoshiwas a proud Konoha ninja, a ninjahistory didn’t care about, aninja whose fate mattered little, but history caredin a rare show of mercyand told is story.
Satoshi was one amongmany. He worked tirelessly behind the scenesto protect Konoha. His name remained unknown, forever shrouded in mystery.He wasn’t a Sannin. He wasn''ta White Fang. He wasn''t a Minato. He wasn''t a Kakashi. He wasn''t an Itachi. He wasn''t an Asami, the rising star among Konoha''s ANBU.He wasn''tlike them.He never would. He wasn''t born lucky.He was just anormalninja, such washis destiny.
He was a simple man withmodest goals, the very definition of Konoha’s abundant mediocrity.At least, he was an ANBU,which meant he wasn’pletelyworthless. He was onlyinsignificant in the grand scheme of things.
Satoshi strolledpast unusedtraining facilities, unused barrackson his way. They had fallen into disuse since the daythatthe Hokage had officially dissolved Root.He was a former member of Root, a highranking membertoo. He remained a leading figure to this day.On paper, Rootdidn’t exist anymore.The Hokage fullyintegrated them into the ANBUfollowing the Uchiha massacre and their involvement in the entire affair, but reality was different.Root escaped the entire disaster rather unscathed.
There were no arrests, no demotions, no investigations, no serious consequences. The vast majority of Rott ANBU retained their ranks and positions. Not the smartest choice from the Hokage. As usual, Hiruzenwas all bark, no bite.In truth, Root survived in the shadows and remained activebehind the scenes.
Root suffered admittedly from a dubious reputation, mainly due to Danzo, but not every Root member was inherently evil, or rotten to the core. Reality wasplex, full of shades of grey and beyond simplistic ck and white distinctions. There were also good people who served in Root, brave people who fought and died for Konoha just like everyone else.
Not allmon sensewas yet lost.There were still some critical voicesleft within the organisation. Most of them were senior members like him. They joined when Root was founded back then under Danzo''s leadership, and they often disagreed with his course of action, but Danzo overruled them.
Younger recruits, meanwhile, underwent a much stronger indoctrination, with mixed results. Danzo''s program produced excellent ninja, no doubt, but the failure rate was staggering, the casualty rates appalling, and the side effects plenty. His training regime had a negative impact on their psyche and mental stability. Danzo and his methods crippled the children emotionally. His inhuman training turned them into soulless husks. Many of them broke.
Satoshienteredthe conference room. Perhapsit was truly time to quit Root
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“Morning.” Satoshi yawned and joined his colleagues. No reply came. Hisrades were sitting around a round table. The general mood wasn’t the best, judging by their gloomy faces. A series of filesy before them.
Satoshi grabbed the documents and gave them a look. “Noriaki, what are these?”
Noriakirubbed his nose. “Our orders. Our deployment orders,to be exact. They arethe reason for our lovely meeting.”
Satoshistudied the documents. The n was to encircle the invasion force and annihte them. A riskyn,but a sound one.“So they are they from Lord Danzo?”
Noriakigave an uneasy smile. “Not directly ..., but Fu deliveredthem together with some special orders. Lord Danzo tells us to mobilise every single Root ninja avable.”
“...” Satoshi’sposurefaltered. He didn''t like the sound of ‘special orders’. He didn’t likethem, nor did the rest of his colleagues. After all, it was rarelyDanzo whopaid the pricefor his ‘special missions’. Not everyRoot ninja was a mindless drone,eager to die.The old man was quite good at running. He would sacrificethem without hesitation just to save hisown skin, just like back then in Amegakure.“And what do these ‘special orders’exactly entail to?”
Noriakicrossed his arms. “That is the problem, Satoshi. You know her, Konoha''s little princess, Konoha''s ck Princess, don''t you?”
“...”Satoshi stiffened. His limbs froze.He had a premonition.There was only one person who carried this moniker. The girl carried her title with pride.“I do ... The girl is quite ... capable.”
Noriaki took a deep breath. “Yes, unfortunately.”
“...”No.No, no, no, no. No. Satoshi had an uncanny feeling.This entire situation reminded him too muchof Ame.
Noriaki handed him another folder.“These are our real orders.Read and you will understand.”
“...”Satoshi took the files. He dreadedthe answer.His hands touched the soft paperwith a sense of detachment. The folderwas thin, light, but the paper weighed heavily on him.His mind refused to ept reality.His eyesstared at her picture for a small eternity. The girl looked quite harmless, but the picture didn''t betray her true nature. The girl was a natural cmity.
Satoshi murmured her name.“Asami... We have to kill her...”
“Yes.”Noriakinodded.
“We all know Asami, don''t we?” Satosh remained calm.
“Yes.”
“We know what she iscapable of?”
“Yes, we do.”Noriakiagreed.
Satoshi sighed. “I guess then you probably know that we are as good as dead. The little princess will ughter us!”Hismon sensewarnedhim. Itrarely failed him.
Noriaki remained unfazed. “Probbaly. I predict that ourchances are50-50, but such is our duty.”
Satoshi clicked his tongue. “50-50, how very encouraging.I will let my men know that we only havea fiftypercent chance to die.Seriously, Noriaki, why are wedoing this?This is going to be a suicide mission, and you know it, Noriaki. We all know it.
I have no problem with his Danzoness deciding to fuck around with her, but please without getting us involved. I certainly don''t want to bite the dust because of him and his little adventures.” The rest of the table remained silent. Nobody looked particrly excited about their special mission. Everyone knew what was at stake.
...
...
...
Subaru joinedhis side. “Noriaki, I think that Satoshi has a point.”
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