Familiar Place

Of course, Ryomaru wasn't overly concerned about the two rogue shinobi causing real harm to Samui and Mabui. Having trained and lived in the Cloud, he was well-acquainted with the prowess of his mentors. Their ploy had taken him by surprise, but he was quick to deduce the strategy behind it.

Emerging from the shadows of the trees, Samui and Mabui approached the group, both unruffled, with the rogue shinobi bound securely. Samui's gaze was analytical, her eyes glinting with a hint of satisfaction. "Apologies for the ruse," she began, her voice tinged with a touch of amusement. "We wanted to ascertain the true targets of our assailants."

Mabui added, "Sometimes, seeing the enemy's hand can give us an advantage."

Tazuna, however, was still in a state of shock, his eyes darting between the immobilized rogue shinobi and his protectors. Samui's sharp gaze locked onto him, her tone chilly, "Mr. Client, these aren't just bandits. They're Chunin-level rogue shinobi. This mission is clearly not a D-rank. Why did you deceive us?"

Tazuna seemed to wilt under their scrutiny, his face glistening with sweat. He stammered, "I...I didn't think they'd be...I mean, I thought they were just bandits..."

Stumbling backwards, Tazuna's knees buckled, and he fell to the ground. Tears welled up in his eyes as he began to sob, "I had no choice."

As Tazuna began to recount his tale, Team 8 listened intently. He spoke of Gato, a mafia kingpin, who was terrorizing the Wave Country. Gato had monopolized all business, crippling the local economy. The bridge Tazuna and his team were building was meant to be the salvation for their people, a way to break Gato's stranglehold. The rogue shinobi were hired by Gato to halt the bridge's construction. Tazuna admitted he couldn't afford to hire ninja for a C-rank mission. His funds barely covered the cost of a D-rank mission, which was why he had lied.

Hinata's gentle eyes welled with empathy as she listened. The story pulled at her heartstrings, and she whispered, "We can't just leave them like this..."

Samui and Mabui had much more pragmatic approach They were well aware of the protocols surrounding mission classification and their responsibilities both as Jounin and guardians for Ryomaru. They couldn't simply transition into a higher-ranking mission based on an emotional plea. Their dedication to duty was unwavering, and they weren't ones to be swayed easily.

As Tazuna's harrowing tale came to an end, the weight of their situation bore down on Team 8. The ramifications of the mission, now that they knew the truth, were much more significant than initially perceived. However, the air was thick with a charged silence, none of the shinobi making a move to address it immediately.

It was then that Ryomaru stepped forward, his usually jovial eyes now stormy with resolution. "We're seeing this through," he declared with a level of seriousness that few had seen in him.

Both Samui and Mabui exchanged a knowing glance, recalling Ryomaru's intuition just a day prior when he had voiced his suspicions about the nature of the mission. How he knew, or why he felt so strongly about it, wasn't immediately clear to them. But that didn't matter. Their faith in him was unwavering.

Mabui nodded, her voice steady, "We trust your judgment, Ryomaru."

With a fluid motion, she drew forth a sealing scroll, inscribing a rapid series of characters upon it. As she completed the sequence, she activated her unique teleportation jutsu, sending the scroll hurtling towards the Hokage in Konoha. "We'll await a response from the Hokage. Given that we're working under his jurisdiction, it's only proper to inform him of our intentions and seek approval."

Samui, her eyes never leaving Ryomaru, added, "Despite being from the Cloud, we respect the protocols of Konoha. However," she said, her voice firmer, "whatever decision we make, it will be in the best interests of the mission and for your safety."

Temari, with her signature fiery spirit, chimed in, "Honestly, the Hokage won't have an issue. We're strong enough to handle this. Right, Ryomaru?"

Ryomaru smiled, his charming side shining through despite the gravity of the situation. "Absolutely. Besides, if they're targeting Tazuna, they'll have to get through us first."

While the team waited for a response from the Hokage, Tazuna seemed to visibly relax, the presence of these determined young shinobi offering him solace. It was clear to him now that he wasn't just protected by children; these were young warriors, and they would not back down.

After what felt like an eternity, a flash of light heralded the arrival of an ANBU member. The masked figure handed a sealed letter to Samui, who promptly opened and read it. She nodded, "The Hokage has given his consent for the continuation of the mission. We're to escort Tazuna and ensure the bridge's completion."

Ryomaru's gaze was unwavering as he looked at his team, "Let's get to it, then."

As the team continued their journey towards the Wave Country, the tension among them was palpable. The ambush, though swiftly handled, was a stark reminder of the dangers lurking at every corner. With the understanding that the mission was more perilous than initially thought, the group was on heightened alert.

Approaching a serene lake, the shimmering waters reflected the canopy above. Birds flitted across the scene, their melodic chirps almost masking the underlying eeriness of the quiet. Hanabi and Hinata subtly exchanged glances, signaling each other before delicately waving their hands. The subtle gestures were not lost on Samui and Mabui. Their eyes sharpened, bodies taut, ready for any sudden movements.

Ryomaru, however, felt a strange sensation tug at the edges of his mind. As they neared the water's edge, a sense of déjà vu washed over him. The serene lake, though beautiful, felt oddly familiar, as if he had been here before or perhaps dreamt of it. The feeling was not grounded in memory but in emotion, an emotional connection to the place. But why?

Temari, noticing Ryomaru's distant expression, nudged him lightly. "You okay there, dreamer?"

Snapped out of his reverie, Ryomaru nodded, though his eyes still held a hint of confusion. "Yeah, it's just... this place feels... familiar, somehow."

Hinata, her voice gentle, interjected, "We should keep moving. We're exposed here."

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