Naruto : Saga of Tanya the Kunoichi

Beneath the canopy of stars, a group of 4 shinobi mercenaries and a middle-aged businessman settled in for the night. For the mercenary group Jinroku, the night seemed peaceful; the cracking sound from the fire camp, the cricketing insects and the rustling leaves blown by the night breeze made the night felt good for rest. They encountered no bandit nor beast during their journey, making the atmosphere more lax and lively as they chatted around the bonfire. 

The businessman even joked asking if they would like to try his 'stuffs' as he lit up his pipe, seemingly carefree and happy as he did. Though they all refuse to try, afraid they would get hooked.

'Mm~ Seriously these are fire! Boss is the best!', the older teen, Rensuke, bit into the grilled wild rabbit. He was a new genin shinobi that had just joined the group to work for money. He was just an honest person from a small village who learned to be a shinobi from an old retiree in the village.

Jiro smiled in smugness, calling himself the best at grilling… however, beneath the light tone hid a worry. Though no one noticed it except his best friend, Kao, the vice leader of the group. Kao was the only other Jonin in the mercenary group, and the one who had helped Jiro to start a life as a mercenary-nin after his defection.

As the other 3 people chatted, Kao pulled Jiro to the side. As the two left, Souta, a chunin of the group who had joined for a few years whispered jokingly about how boss and other boss always spent time alone together. Trying to hint at something scandalous for fun. 

"Jiro, what's the matter? I can see it on your face. Come on, tell me." Kao, the older Jonin, asked him with worry. His hand rested on Jiro's back, reassuring and lending him warmth.

Jiro opened his mouth but closed it back just as quickly, turning his eyes sideways while sighing. After seconds, Jiro decided he had to tell it directly.

'They are here… those guys from Konoha. I guess my cover was blown somehow'. Jiro whispered. He caught a glimpse of a small bug. And that was enough to know it was from the Aburame clan. He was a Jonin and a member of Konoha prior to defection; and his talent and insight even had Orochimaru taking him as a subordinate - he was more capable enough to catch such a thing.

Kao felt his heart palpitating instantly. His hand resting on Jiro pressed a little more, as if wanting to reassure Jiro or himself. He didn't know what to say to his best friend.

Jiro turned to face Kao, as if seeing the one who had given him home after his defection for the last time. He took off the ring from his finger. It was a simple steel ring with a simple carving of criss-cross pattern on them, with no significance to it, really. Just something he thought was nice and bought.

'Kao… I will meet them on my own. I am their target. You should leave this place quickly with others. Normally they wouldn't target others that weren't a part of their mission. You can have this ring… at least there would be something left of me'. 

"No… no you can't do this… this isn't right. You weren't a bad person. They wouldn't just…". Kao wanted to convince himself more.

'It doesn't matter. I worked under that person; even if I had my reasons, it was never their concern'.

"But… it was to save your sister. You don't deserve to die!".

'I still did cruel things. You know?', Jiro said, almost as a laugh to himself. He was, after all, that person's subordinate.

'And I never regretted it either. He helped her when Konoha couldn't'. Jiro looked at Kao with a look of sadness. He shoved the ring onto Kao's hand, a bitter expression twisting his lips, the gesture a forceful declaration of the emotions in him. His hand held onto Kao's with pressure, and Kao had the same unsaid words reflected in his eyes.

Kao closed his eyes for a second, before his grip on Jiro's hand firmed even more. His eyes were filled with resolve, already made a decision.

"I am going with you. No matter what."

'N-.'

"Shut it! I won't care what you say. I will send myself to death if I had to. You are… my family, Jiro."

'You…'. Jiro wanted to retort, but Kao's grip and his stern gaze made him unable to speak a word.

"Shut up. Don't say a word. We both will come out alive. We always had all this time." Kao did not want to give any chance to him.

…

'I guess I can't change your mind huh'.

"Yeah. You can't. And since you are dragging me to your death, you better fight for your life".

Jiro snorted at the choice of words.

'Fine… we both will live…'. Their fingers tangled together, as if seeking for each other's strength for the battle to come.

'Thank you…'.

"Don't thank me idiot. You made it sound like we both will die."

'Hahaha. Yeah, right'.

Kao leaned closer, his lips closing into Jiro's ear. "... I will wreck you after we come out of this...". He said in a low, husky tone. His hand on Jiro's back tracing small circles softly on them.

Jiro blushed and shivered slightly, pushing him away quickly. 'God, that's not funny. It's not the time for that. Let's be serious.'

"Cough. Yeah. I just felt a little pressure. My bad." He grinned, just wanting to lighten the atmosphere.

"But I will look forward to it..." Jiro's voice was a sigh, barely louder than the rustling leaves outside, heavy with unspoken mixture of hope and fear. Despite the circumstances, he found strength in the man's presence. He will live. Both of them will; he promised himself.

***

The heartwarming scene was not noticed by anyone. And even if Yosei saw it, she wouldn't care.

The squad was in hiding, waiting for the night to come to assassinate the target when most of them were sleeping.

As time passed, most of them entered their respective tents, leaving only Jiro tending to the campfire. It was as if he was just on duty to keep watch for the night. 

As discussed, if there was a chance, they would only fight Jiro. The genin and chunin wouldn't be a problem. But to fight another Jonin in addition to their target will add unnecessary risk.

Monkey gave a signal for everyone to go according to the plan. 

Yosei nodded, and with hand seals - Poof! A Shadow Clone with the same black cloak and fox mask appeared. 

Each of the squad members dispersed.

***

Whoosh!

A Kunai was thrown from on top of a tree towards Jiro. He noticed this immediately and quickly flickered to dodge, missing an inch from his face.

Yosei stepped down from the tree. Her cold mask did not hide the indifference in her eyes. Jiro tried to estimate the person's strength. The unusually short height meant this person was a talented person to join ANBU at such a young age. A Chunin at most.

"Don't cause a commotion… our target is only. Unless you want them to die alongside you", Yosei said in a cold voice.

Jiro raised his arms in a gesture of surrender. 

'I understand, don't bring them into this'.

Yosei scrutinised the man, feeling there was something suspicious. Nevermind that.

'We only wanted information. Orochimaru. Where is he?'

Jiro laughed a little, almost as if it was funny.

'I don't even work for him anymore. How would I know? You are wasting your time.'

"If you won't speak, then I will have to force you."

'If you won't believe me there's-.'

All of a sudden, Yosei felt a presence creeping behind her. Her keen senses triggered a swift sidestep.

Swish-

In the split second, a blade hidden in the distorted air almost cut Yosei's head in half. It barely grazed a part of her cloak, leaving a cut on the fabric.

Fast!

Yosei finally understood how a Jonin who was going to kill moved. She could see an apparition of sorts in front of her. A jutsu to reflect and distort light to create invisibility. If not for her almost-sensor-like ability up close, she wouldn't have noticed it at all. But if the apparition in front of her was Jiro, it meant -

The fake Jiro was revealed to be Kao who had transformed himself unnoticed. He too quickly dashed and closed in with his blade toward Yosei, planning to cut her down instantly knowing there are others in hiding and killing her now would increase their chance of survival.

In the split second, Yosei used body flicker backward to distance herself while throwing shurikens towards both of them.

The shurikens did nothing to them, as they were easily deflected by their own set of tools.

As Yosei landed, both of them dashed toward her and delivered cut after cut with their blades. Yosei realised they were actively pushing her away from the campsite. Their combined Kenjutsu caused multiple small wounds to appear on Yosei's body. But her objective was already accomplished.

As if in tacit understanding, the duo made hand seals at the same time. Yosei saw this and reacted just as quickly.

Fire Release: Great Firebreath! Water Release: Water Wave!

Earth Release: Mud Wall!

The roaring fire and water wave crashed onto the Mud Wall made by Yosei. It crumbled bit by bit. But the problem was the steam produced obscured the vision. And she can feel the threat of death all around her.

Hebi, who was watching with Monkey noticed her insects had died. Yosei should have managed to get the Kochu insects into their body during their confrontation. And Hebi also sent a little squadron of insects to cling to them unnoticed just as an extra. 

However, she received signals that all of them died in the mist that contained a mixture of gaseous poison.

'Captain, he should have noticed my insects. The initial plan failed'.

'Plan B.' Hebi nodded. Both of them disappeared from their hiding.

Yosei was fighting for her life on the line; and there was something amiss. She tried to use body flicker in one direction to get out of the mist quickly. But she couldn't.

Genjutsu...

She realised what was happening. But she cannot dispel it. It was a very minor genjutsu that disturbs the sense of direction. But due to the mist that also caused physical optical illusion, Yosei cannot ascertain where exactly she was heading combined with the assault of two enemies in the mist. 

As she felt the enemy approaching her back again, she tried to dodge. However, her body gave out as the poison dissolved in the vapours ate at her body.

The blade stabbed right into her throat…

Poof! Yosei turned into smoke.

WHAT! Both Jiro and Kao were bewildered in their minds. 

Substitution? Cloning? Shadow Clone? A lot of things come across the two's heads.

All this time, it was just a shadow clone! Who would expect a Shadow Clone charged with a lot of chakra to do all that and not poofing earlier?

Just then… a powerful gust of wind blew away all the mist. Monkey stepped in to use his Wind Release: Great Howling Wind. It also caused Jiro to be visible to the onlooker as the mist covering him was blown away.

At the same time, the ground beneath the two turned into a quicksand! Jiro quickly made hand seals - Water Release: Water Jet!

He blew the quicksand beneath their feet with pressurised water to give space for them to flicker away and escape.

After the two landed away from the quicksand, all of a sudden from beneath the ground - crack - crack - a hand almost caught Jiro's feet. Badger launched an assault out of the ground with a heavy uppercut to Jiro right after the dodge.

Jiro dodged the fist and taking the gap, he slashed his blade to Badger's neck instantly! Kao also took the chance to stab Badger in the chest.

Clang!

Both of their blades seemingly hit steel and were stopped, unable to pierce his body. A cut on Badger clothes revealed his skin was had almost a metallic luster made of chakra coating. The Earth Armament Jutsu managed to block the blades.

'Sh*t!'. Kao cursed. And just then another person came out of the ground to join the fray. It was Yosei! And another Yosei came out of the ground, launching another attack from a blind spot but the jonin dodged them barely. Another two of Yosei's clone also appeared from the tunnel below, launching surprise attacks and holding them there.

So much chakra! Jiro was bewildered at how someone could use shadow clones without any scruples.

While battling, he used Water Mist Jutsu along with his poison. Kao was already immune to it and was fine while Badger was gradually weakening. The insects didn't get to their thing to them either. But Monkey would always use Wind Release to blow them away at intervals to keep the mist at bay. While Badger and Yosei's clones were keeping them under constant pressure. His eyes darted to Monkey for a second while having a gap - wanting to know why this person was just standing there out of caution. His eyes widen seeing a bell in his hand.

He finally noticed around him there were bells hanging on wire threads around the trees - surrounding a perimeter of them.

Yosei and Hebi had set them up while Badger and the clones were distracting and keeping them there. Before Jiro could think of any countermeasure, it was already too late.

Genjutsu Kekkai: Senritsu no Haka. (Melody of the Graves). Monkey rang the bell in his hand, sending a chiming chakra wave…

The bells hung around the perimeter all rang in response and let out a mourning sound from all directions - overloading their senses with sounds. Jiro, Kao, the poor Badger and the clones were all caught in the genjutsu barrier. The ghostly wails came from all directions, causing their chakra network to be invaded by foreign chakra constantly, their head to spin and their body senses drowning with it. 

'Arrgh…!'. Jiro tried to close his ears, but it was naught. His knees weakened as he fell to the ground.

'Ji…ro', Kao also felt the same dizziness and loss of senses. Nothing but the screaming wails of ghosts in their ears. His hand tried to find Jiro, wanting to hold him.

Poor Badger was the same as the two.

The Genjutsu Barrier didn't stop until both Jiro and Kao were completely taken down from the sounds. Badger was also lying flat on the ground, perhaps already fainted. 

While the two jonins were still under the after effect, Hebi's Kochu already latched onto them, sending paralysing poison into their body from their bites.

'Please… let him go… your target is me…'. Jiro still looked up at Monkey. Pleading for the life of his friend.

Monkey just nodded without much thought. It was not within the scope of the mission anyways.

But Kao in his rage and anguish, sealed his own fate.

"No! If you touch even a skin of his, I will make sure to kill every single one of you! You heartless bastard! I wi-".

Spurttt!

The time in Jiro's view seemingly come to a standstill. The blade in Monkey's hand already swung down in slow motion, chopping Kao's head off in a single swift motion. The blood from his neck sprayed and splattered onto Monkey's mask. His eyes contained indifference. While this nobody was never a target, for him to threaten to kill a Konoha's shinobi meant it was within scope now.

'No…no no no… no… this… can't be…'. Tears start to fall from Jiro's eyes. It was a nightmare come to reality. Seeing the headless body of Kao who had just been living a second ago, he could see the memories of him flash by as he watched the warmth and heat fade from the body. 

'Why didn't you listen to me… why you have to…'. Jiro muttered to himself in self blame, his voice was choking in his grief.

Yosei looked with the same indifference as Monkey did. Though she was judging their drama inwardly. This fellow named Kao was stupid. To die such a meaningless death. But in a logical sense, they would meet in Pure Lands and be together happily ever after - she thought in sarcasm.

Monkey tasked Hebi with the information extraction procedure and had Yosei observing under her for a practical lesson. As for Badger, Monkey just picks the poor guy up to set him aside against a tree to let him rest and wake up on his own.

***

The result was, Jiro had nothing useful on Orochimaru. He really had stopped working for him after his defection. His sister had a rare chakra network sickness, and while she lived for years more than expected, but Orochimaru only reduced the disease progression and couldn't cure it. So, after her sister's death, Jiro did not have a reason to remain loyal to him after his defection.

Yosei wiped the bloodied tools and placed them back into the toolbox.

Too bad there's no result.

She looked at the mutilated corpse filled with cuts and holes, with insects crawling from inside and out with a little annoyance. It meant there was no bonus merit. But it was still an A class mission completed though. Hebi sent all of her insects to feed on the leftover flesh and body parts to fully erase any evidence of Jiro's existence.

As for the aftermath for the Jinroku mercenary group, who knows. The ANBU never cared about such matters.

***

Illustrations at my Ko-fi!

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