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Yamato moved with an air of trained discipline, his movements precise and calculated. As the more experienced ninja, his responsibility was not only to ensure the successful completion of the mission but also to watch out for Koushin. He knew the younger shinobi was more than capable, but his instinctive role as a protector was ingrained in his very being.

They moved swiftly through the village, their synchronized steps creating a rhythm of their own. The usually bustling streets of Konoha seemed to still as the pair passed, a silent salute to their important mission.

As they reached the village gate, they saw the eternal gate guards Kotetsu and Izumo, who greeted Koushin with a smile. "Off on another mission already, Koushin?" Izumo asked, his gaze going to the stoic Yamato at Koushin's side.

Koushin just shrugged and gave them a quick nod, "It's the life we live, right?"

Kotetsu joined in, "Yeah, but still, you just got back from a rough one. You sure you're up for this?"

Koushin's grin turned slightly cheeky, "If you're that worried, you can always come along, Kotetsu."

Kotetsu laughed at the idea, "My cousin's out fighting Akatsuki, and what do I get? Guard duty." He said it like it was a punchline, despite the seriousness of the situation.

With a final grin, Koushin bid farewell to the gate guards. "Watch the village for us, guys," he called out, his voice laced with respect. The unspoken promise hung in the air, a pact between protectors. Then, in a whirl of dust, Koushin and Yamato were off, leaving the comfort and familiarity of Konoha behind.

As they sprinted through the trees, the wind whipping past them, Yamato found himself trying to initiate a conversation. It was no secret that he wasn't exactly a master of social interaction, but the silence between them was becoming stifling.

"I, uh," Yamato began, his usually steady voice slightly hesitant, "I heard about your recent encounter with Orochimaru." He paused, carefully picking his words, "How was that?"

Koushin shot Yamato a sidelong glance, the corner of his lips twitching into a smirk. "It was like a bad dinner date," he joked, the humor in his voice not quite reaching his eyes, "Good food, terrible company. That guy really knows how to ruin a party."

Yamato cracked a small smile, but his black eyes were somber. He could sense the undercurrent of tension beneath Koushin's humor.

They continued their journey, the only sound being the rustling of leaves and the occasional call of a distant bird. After a moment of silence, Koushin's voice broke through again, his tone more serious this time. "Do you have a past with Orochimaru?"

The question seemed to catch Yamato off guard, his stride faltering for a second. He quickly recovered, but not before a flicker of surprise and a trace of unease crossed his face. He turned to Koushin, the stoic mask he wore shifting slightly. "What makes you say that?" he asked, his voice was tight and strained, the question hanging heavy between them.

Koushin didn't respond immediately, his gaze fixed on the path ahead. "I can sense emotions," he finally answered, his tone neutral. "Part of my training in my Summon Realm. Your voice... it changes when you say Orochimaru's name. There's hatred there."

For a moment, Yamato was silent, as though weighing the decision to share or withhold his past. Finally, he gave a small nod, his gaze faraway. "Yes," he admitted quietly, the single word carrying a multitude of unspoken sentiments. The bitterness in his voice was clear, a testament to a past that was evidently painful.

Koushin knew about Yamato's past, about his connection with Orochimaru. But revealing such extensive knowledge would be suspicious, and his usual excuse of being an avid reader wouldn't pass in this case. Yamato's history was one shrouded in secrecy, known only to a select few. He had to tread carefully, prompting Yamato without alarming him.

"An Anbu operative of your caliber," Koushin started, his tone carefully casual, "Must have faced all kinds of villains. But your hatred for Orochimaru… it feels personal."

Yamato's face hardened, his almond-shaped eyes narrowed slightly. "That's because it is," he admitted, a tinge of bitterness creeping into his voice.

Despite his curiosity, Koushin was mindful of the fact that Yamato's past with Orochimaru was a sensitive topic. He chose his next words carefully. "Did you... encounter him during a mission?"

The question was intentionally broad, a safe inquiry that wouldn't press too hard on any specific details. Yamato hesitated for a moment, likely considering how much to share. Finally, he responded, his voice a low murmur. "You could say that."

A few silent moments passed between them, the tension palpable. Koushin, however, didn't push further. He respected the older shinobi's privacy and knew better than to probe too deeply into a wound that was clearly still tender.

Instead, he decided to lighten the atmosphere a bit, "Well, if it makes you feel any better, he's not exactly on my 'people I'd love to meet again' list either."

Yamato cracked a smile, despite the heavy conversation. "I'll bet. I heard he gave you quite a run during your last encounter."

Koushin shrugged nonchalantly, but his eyes betrayed his seriousness. "Let's just say it was a learning experience. We have to be ready for anything."

Yamato nodded, his smile fading. "You're right. Orochimaru's unpredictability is one of his most dangerous traits."

"You speak from experience?" Koushin probed gently, attempting to coax out a bit more information.

Yamato hesitated, his gaze unreadable. "Let's just say... Orochimaru and I crossed paths long before I joined the Anbu."

Their journey was swift and uneventful, both shinobi adept at traversing long distances in the blink of an eye. The landscape blurred as Koushin and Yamato moved at breakneck speeds, their respective chakra propelling them through dense forests and over towering mountains.

As they neared their destination, Koushin felt a shiver of anticipation run down his spine. The faint hum of lightning in the air, a distant echo of the power that resided within the Land of Lightning. It was a testament to the raw, untamed power that Yugito Nii, the Two Tails' Jinchuriki, possessed.

They arrived at an underground canal system, the labyrinthine tunnels stretching out beneath them. The stillness of the area was shattered when a ground-shaking explosion echoed through the cavernous space.

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