17 Chapter 17

After meeting the Hokage I spend the last day of my week-long break with Gai in Youthful training.

What a weird world I live in, Youthful training is my way to destress…

…

Minato decided that we would eat at a restaurant to celebrate how well we have been doing as a team.

I didn't mind free food, but I wasn't interested in spending more time with Kakashi and Minato then necessary.

…

Minato, Kakashi, and I sat together at a small booth.

We were of course silent.

Minato seems to have given up on me and Kakashi ever being friends and had accepted this as normal.

So, the booth was silent, while we waited for a waitress to come to get our order.

…

We were about mid-meal when I decided that it was time to broach the topic of the Strength Of A Hundred Seal.

"I'm learning a new technique that will take around six months to learn."

Kakashi didn't show any sign of paying attention and was still sneaking bites, but Minato was looking at me.

"During those six months I will be unable to do missions."

Minato blinked, while Kakashi continued eating.

"So, I'm leaving the team."

Kakashi twitched but didn't react anymore than that, Minato looked lost in thought.

Eventually Minato broke the silence that had befallen the table.

"We'll miss you during these six months and we'll make sure to check in now and then."

Kakashi had nodded in agreement and went back to eating his food.

"Ahh… I won't be coming back after those six months. I'm leaving team Minato permanently."

Minato and Kakashi looked at me in shock.

Things had fallen silent again and I picked up my fork and started eating my yakisoba.

I didn't want to eat cold soba after all.

Minato interrupted my meal with a question.

"Why are you leaving?"

So, Kakashi doesn't sacrifice me to complete a mission...

So, Minato doesn't have more opportunities to make trouble for me…

So, I can get on a team with some less important meat shields.

So, cannon can somewhat be preserved.

There were many reasons.

…

Bullshit no Jutsu!

"I want to make friends."

Minato stared at me giving me his full attention.

"I want to be on a team with friends, and I don't think I will ever have that with team Minato."

I went back to eating, while Kakashi and Minato looked to be lost in thought.

"Will you do one last mission with us tomorrow?"

As tempting as it was to tell Minato to fuck off, I decided that it was best to end our time together on a high note.

"Yes."

I went back to eating, Minato and Kakashi soon returned to eating as well.

Kakashi and Minato both looked to be in a bad mood…

I wonder why…

…

Kakashi and I met at the base of the Hokage tower, Minato arrived about a minute after which was unusually early for him.

"Shiro, you pick the mission."

Ok.

Minato led me to the mission desk.

…

Hmmm…

Escort a merchant to the border of Rain and back…

Escort a merchant from the Land Of Claws…

Escort a merchant from Rice to Grass…

I hate merchants…

"Can I choose a B-ranked mission?"

Minato nodded.

"As long as it's within The Land Of Fire."

Hmm… Alright…

…

I had narrowed my mission choice down to a guard mission and a bandit elimination/rescue mission.

So… did I want the month-long guard mission…

Or did I want the short mission involving brutal murder…

…

Brutal murder it is…

…

We set off from the west gate.

I figured I'd catch Kakashi up on the mission while we ran.

…

"Today we're hunting bandits."

Kakashi nodded.

"The bandits are hiding somewhere north of Tanzaku Gai, they've taken a noble's wife hostage so we have to rescue her."

Kakashi nodded again before asking a question.

"Why was she taken hostage?"

For money?

"Probably for money."

I didn't know nor care.

…

We were following a river north of Tanzaku Gai, I was activating my Byakugan every few minutes trying to spot the bandits.

The plan was that Kakashi and I would take out some bandits then Henge into them and infiltrate the camp.

I thought it was unnecessarily complicated and made my thoughts known.

…

Minato responded with a good point.

He said we need infiltration experience and that this was an opportunity to get some hands-on experience.

Fair enough…

…

We continued traveling along the river until we eventually found the camp.

The camp wasn't much, just seven tents around a fire with the leader and hostage occupying the largest tent.

The leader's chakra was a little under Genin level…

I looked around the camp, their hostage was well kept and looked unmolested.

Though considering that she was of noble birth she might have thought of the conditions she was in as hellish.

…

There were only seven bandits, three were scouting the perimeter of the camp, and the other four were in the camp, one was at the fire, the rest were sleeping and the leader was watching their hostage.

I relayed this information to the team and waited for permission to start.

"Ok since there's no danger, watch the patrol's routes, and when it gets dark trade places with one of them when you have the opportunity."

…

It was finally dark.

I was following above my intended target, as soon as he got a little farther away, I'd jump down and trade places with him.

…

Eventually the time came.

I jumped down and killed him with a Gentle Fist strike to the head.

I carried his body a distance away so it wouldn't accidentally be seen.

I had spent my day staring at him so I was familiar with his visage.

A quick Henge later and I had assumed my disguise…

Now I just had to follow his route until I meet up with his fellow guard.

And then I'll see how it goes from there…

…

I was using the Byakugan's Predator vision to keep track of the bandits while I followed the route, I was enjoying my nice little walk and humming a tune as a bandit approached.

I gave him a nod and tried to continue past him but was stopped.

"Ogawa!"

That's probably my bandit's name…

I deactivated my Byakugan

"Hmmm?"

I watched him shuffle his feet nervously.

"Can you walk with me?"

No, I've got people to murder…

"What for?"

I watched on weirded out, as the bandit blushed.

"Don't m-make me say it!"

Were these two bandits' boyfriends or something?

I smiled.

"C'mon say it!"

He turned away from me and was silent.

"I-I'm afraid of the dark!"

Really?

What do I even do with this?

"Alright follow me…"

He stuttered a quick thanks and started following me…

…

My new bandit buddy was incredibly nervous.

Or a little bit autistic...

And thus, wouldn't stop talking.

Eventually we reached an area that was a good distance from the camp.

…

I led the bandit into the shadow of a large tree.

"I wish these trees didn't block the moon at least then we'd be able to see something."

My bandit buddy nodded.

"Ya, it got darker and I'm getting scared."

I can't believe you're a real person…

A bandit who rapes and pillages is scared of the dark…

"it's a good thing we're walking together."

The bandit got closer to me.

"Yea, It's super scary walking alone!"

The bandit was now invading my personal space.

My buddy's new closeness brought with it the smell of someone that hadn't showered in a week.

"It's a shame I have to go back alone."

The bandit uttered a "Wha…" before he died from a Gentle Fist strike to the head.

I had regained my personal space…

And my silence.

…

I resumed my route, this time with a clone disguised as my bandit buddy.

I decided that this was the way to go.

I'd make my way around and replace the bandits with my clones.

…

The bandit manning the fire left to take a piss.

He got replaced by a clone.

…

Eventually, it was time for a shift change, the two bandits plus one clone were gathered around the fire and ordered to go out and replace the scouts.

The bandit coming my way was killed and the fire watching clone was dispelled.

And I continued to the camp.

…

Kakashi and I were both Henged, and everything had gone according to plan so far.

We met at the fire.

Kakashi raised an eyebrow at my clone.

I mouthed 'Clone' to him and winked.

He winked back.

…

Kakashi was making hand signs at me, likely telling me the plan…

Sadly, I didn't remember any hand signs.

I had forgotten them the moment I left the academy.

So, I just nodded my head now and then, pretending I understood what he was signing.

…

Kakashi stopped signing and looked at me expectantly.

I had no idea what he wanted…

…

Kakashi was starting to look annoyed.

We had been staring at each other for a while now…

Honesty is the best policy, I guess?

"I forgot what all the hand signs mean…"

Kakashi stared at me in disbelief.

My clone joined him in staring.

I stared back unashamed.

Kakashi broke the silence.

"I killed the bandit that was sent to change with me, did you do the same?"

I nodded.

"Only the leader is left?"

I responded with a thumbs up.

"So, who gets to rescue the hostage?"

I pointed at him.

"You do."

…

Kakashi sighed and made his way over to the bandit leader's tent.

I was sitting by the fire and enjoying its warmth.

If Kakashi needed any help I'd toss a Shunshined kunai at the bandit.

But I doubted it'd come to that.

…

Kakashi was standing in front of the leader's tent.

"Hiroto-sama!"

How did he get the leader's name?

I guess he tortured it out of his bandit…

Wait… Should I have tortured my bandits as well?

…

A bald head poked out of the tent.

"Whaddya want!"

Kakashi grabbed him by the head and pulled him out of the tent.

"Huh! Wha...!"

His life was ended with a swift stab through the ribs.

He used the wall walking technique to grab the bandit...

Which was extremely impressive.

"Nicely done Kakashi!"

…

Minato arrived with a smile on his face, while Kakashi was untying the hostage.

"Good work."

His smile vanished.

"But can you tell me what you did wrong?"

I answered first hoping to get this over with.

"I didn't get any information from my target."

Minato nodded.

"Yes, you also didn't know Konoha's standard sign language."

Thanks captain obvious.

"Kakashi what about you?"

Kakashi just shrugged.

"You didn't hide your bodies very well."

Kakashi nodded.

Our hostage had a rag around her mouth so she couldn't contribute.

…

Our hostage was set free.

Minato and Kakashi were talking with her while I wandered around the camp Byakugan active.

I was looking for some sort of loot.

But was having no luck.

…

My quest for loot ended with no success.

One day I might find some hidden loot, but today wasn't that day…

…

I returned to see Minato and Kakashi still talking to the hostage.

"What's the hold-up?"

It was Kakashi who answered.

"She doesn't want to travel at night."

Knock her out, then she won't be traveling at night…

"Put our ex-hostage in a Genjutsu, make it seem like its day time."

Minato sent me a judgemental look.

And I raised an eyebrow at him.

The ex-hostage interrupted our silent communication.

"I'm not just a hostage! I have a name!"

…

"Are you ignoring me!?"

Kakashi and I locked eyes.

I mouthed "Genjutsu" to him and winked twice.

Kakashi sighed and started going through hand-signs.

"Sleep."

She fell unconscious and was caught by Minato who had a look of disapproval on his face.

I sent Kakashi a thumbs up.

…

We were traveling south to Tanzaku Gai.

I had earned the job of carrying the hostage because it was my idea to use Genjutsu on her.

"So where are we dropping this?"

I lifted the now limp woman for emphasis.

"Were bringing her to her house in Tanzaku's west district."

Ok…

...

I spent the rest of the trip amusing by myself waving at Kakashi with the woman's limp hand.

…

We finally arrived.

I was tired of carrying dead weight and wanted to get some food.

"Sensei if you take this I'll go get us some food."

I took her hand and waved it at Minato.

"Sigh… Meet us at the inn in the east district…"

No problem.

"Yes Sensei!"

A grin split my face as I left, I was happy to get some greasy street food.

…

I arrived at the inn food in hand, I took a moment to scan the inn with my Byakugan before proceeding to the window to our room.

…

We were all seated and enjoying our food when Minato threw an annoying question at me.

"I'm surprised you didn't want those bandits alive Shiro."

I raised an eyebrow and hummed at him.

"Did you not need to do any more experiments?"

Minato didn't want to let it go…

"No, I found something different to experiment on."

Minato sent a chilling stare my way.

I blinked at the look he was giving me.

"Cats have nine lives, it makes them ideal for experimentation."

Minato stopped staring at me and blew a loud breath out of his mouth.

"Was that a joke?"

No…

"Yes."

There was no more conversation that night.

…

I woke up with a smile on my face.

I was excited to get my day on with and depart from team Minato once and for all.

…

Minato and Kakashi didn't share my joy and had been looking at me weirdly.

"What's got you in a good mood, Shiro?"

Minato seemed suspicious about my good mood.

Bullshit no Jutsu!

"I've decided I want to adopt!"

Kakashi side-eyed me and Minato looked confused.

"What are you talking about?"

I don't know myself I'm making it up as I go…

"I've always heard the saying 'one man's trash is another man's treasure' so I've decided to adopt an orphan!"

Minato's jaw dropped and Kakashi was staring at me.

...

Minato composed himself first.

"I don't think that saying is meant for orphans…"

I just continued to smile and started humming a tune when it was clear that no one had anything else to say.

…