Baited Breaths

Without further any discussion, each of the four teams scattered into the night and moved to get in position before the first light of day came upon them.

For the duration of this mission, Hiruzen had promoted Akata to a level similar to an Anbu captain. However, despite this being the first time she commanded a group this large, her natural presence of authority and experience in combat left little room for anyone to question her judgement.

Travelling through the canopies of large trees and rock formations, Akata guided her team of twenty shinobi through the rough terrain. They'd drawn the short end of the stick and had been tasked to reposition furthest away. In order to make it there on time, they had to move fast.

As per usual now, Fuzen had chosen to position himself behind Akata. That way at least the view was good, and she didn't seem to mind his appreciation too much as no attempts to skewer his private jewels had yet been made.

To openly appreciate the female form was a hazardous venture on a rapid decline nowadays. Most men were deeming it too dangerous, especially when dealing with kunoichi's with sharp weaponry. However, Fuzen had no intention of being like most men and act according to society's rigid rulebook, and as the saying went; no guts, no glory!

Within an hour they'd wrapped around the entire guarding perimeter of Kagero Village unnoticed and was now in the intended position to launch their assault on the civilians native to the Land of Mountains hoping it would discourage any further dealings with Suna and the Land of Wind.

From their vantage point, Fuzen spectated the dark swirling mass of sand surrounding Kagero Village which prevented him from teleporting inside. With nothing better to do, he sat down and leaned against the cold surface of a rock. "Now we just have to wait for Hiruzen to signal the attack..." He sighed.

Followed by them entering Kagero Village each of the twenty members was going to split up into teams of two. Despite his best efforts to get matched together with Akata, she'd contrary to his wish matched him with one of the other guys.

Seeing him looking at her, Akata came over and sat beside him. "You should grab a bite before we get going, gather your strength. There's no telling what will happen after we go through the sandstorm down there," she pointed with a kunai in hand.

"It that advise from my team leader or are you hitting on me?"

"Perhaps a bit of both," she shrugged not appearing to know the exact answer herself. "However, for now, let's stick to the concerned team leader trying to teach her ignorant underling."

"So I'm your underling now, huh?"

"Oh, most definitely! And if you're lucky in the future, perhaps I'll show you the true meaning of being situated beneath me and the pleasure of allowing me to control the pace," she gave him a wink filled with sexual innuendo.

On his way over to sit beside them, Kado stumbled over his own feet hearing their conversation. Standing awkwardly in front of them it was hard not for Akata and Fuzen to notice.

"You need anything?" Akata asked like nothing out of place had occurred.

"Nothing! Don't mind me..." He looked around and pointed with a weak finger towards a place a bit further away, "I'm just going to go sit over there. That tree actually looks surprisingly soft, doesn't it?"

Behind his tiger-mask, Fuzen was fighting hard to contain his laughter.

__________________

Crouched in a tree, Hiruzen wore a sombre expression as he gazed towards the mountainous horizon searching for any hint of light. He'd just received intel that Akata's team was in position and ready to strike.

The direct orders from the Fire Daimyo had been to essentially raze the entirety of Kagero Village and have it burnt to the ground with nothing left standing. The Daimyo wanted it to be left as a vengeful symbol of what happens if you betray the Land of Fire.

Hiruzen's version was decidedly less extreme, hard as that was to believe, but it would still serve the same purpose if successful, that is, prevent any cooperation between the Land of Mountain and Land of Wind, which in effect would place Konoha at a severe strategic disadvantage against Suna.

Even though this strategy still meant killing a lot of civilians, Hiruzen was confident it was the right course of action to ensure the safety of his people. His commitment to Konoha and the Land of Fire would always come first. Any moral conflict he felt would always arrive second. It was a voluntary burden all of the Five Kages carried until the day they died or passed on the mantle to their successor.

Hiruzen received no pleasure knowing he would soon order a military assault strategically planned to target civilians, yet, as Hokage, he would still do it. It was hard to admit, however, in cases like these Danzo's perspectives on the world did have some merit. The shinobi world was a cruel place and sometimes in order to deal with it, you have to be a little cruel yourself. Otherwise, you'll just be trampled to death.

Still gazing towards the furthest mountains, he was finally able to see red streams of light devouring the darkness Hiruzen and his team had cloaked themselves in. As an ominous sign of things soon to come, the horizon turned a bright crimson.

He could feel his team waiting with bated breath for him to order the attack, and he did. "Signal the other teams to attack! Avoid confrontation with all enemy shinobi and focus on the civilians. Today, we must break their spirit!"

Connected through ninjutsu employing telepathy all four team launched a synchronized assault on Kagero Village.

___________________

Receiving the Hokages order, Akata rounded up the people in her team and led the charge. As they got closer the size of Sunagakure's ejected sandstorm seemed to grow significantly in size and the howling sound of wind kept growing louder.

Just before they dove into the waiting arms of shinobi from Suna and Kagero beyond this massive curtain of sand, Akata yelled out her final instructions.

"Fall in behind me! And remember, after we reach the surrounding wall of the Village, spread out, but stay in your designated teams of two's! We'll reconvene at the centre square of Kagero Village."

Trying to compete against the raging wind ahead, she took another deep breath and continued. "Move swiftly! Don't linger! And most importantly, don't be late cause I doubt we'll be staying too long... With that said, good luck!" She finished and entered the sandstorm with the rest of them following close behind.