Chapter 12 : Field Training

A week later, in the lands of the Hyuga clan, Izaya had been summoned, like all the young clan members of fighting age, for real combat training.

The Hyuga clan enjoyed relative serenity in these times of war. Located on a mountain, their location was highly defensible. Moreover, unlike other clans like the Uchiha, the Hyuga clan had prioritized peace over constant conflicts with their neighbors.

Thus, the clan could strengthen their ranks in peace and properly train future generations before sending them to the front lines or on missions.

In the courtyard of the Hyuga clan, Izaya headed to the area reserved for members of the branch family and patiently waited for instructions for the day's session.

When the members of the main branch arrived last, a Hyuga stepped out from the crowd and addressed them: "Listen carefully, everyone! As explained this week, you will be divided into different teams, each led by an experienced clan member, who will assess your skills during the mission from the shadows.

You've all received a plan indicating various bandit camps. Over the next six days, your objective will be to eliminate as many of them as possible. Remember that thanks to your predecessors, our clan has enjoyed a period of respite. However, war could resume at any moment. Be prepared, and I count on you to give your best in this mission!"

The teams formed as prearranged. Izaya found himself with five other Hyuga, including a member of the main branch who wore an air of arrogance.

The clan was one of the world's most powerful, numbering in the thousands. The day's exams had gathered over a hundred young clan members. Children from the main branch were paired with those from the branch family to train teamwork and efficiency.

Among the main branch members, many considered themselves superior to those of the branch family. This attitude was instilled from a young age. So, it was a test for branch family members to fight alongside their main branch counterparts and for the latter to not be too arrogant and understand the significance of the branch family.

One of the main branch members spoke as the team leader: "Alright, now that we're all here, even if it wasn't stated, I'll be the team leader. Furthermore, although it wasn't specified, the more numerous and powerful the enemy camps, the more points we will gain. That's why, after reviewing the map and the information provided, I think we should head to the camp in the west, near the Sunflower Village."

While the other Hyuga silently acquiesced in acceptance, Izaya, who didn't automatically view the main branch member as the leader, contested this proposal: "No, that would be a foolish decision. We should aim for weaker and safer targets to start. We've never fought together, and we don't know each other's capabilities yet. Starting with easier targets would allow us to learn to work as a team before tackling potentially more dangerous camps."

However, instead of considering Izaya's arguments, the other team members seemed shocked by his openly challenging the main branch. "Hey, Izaya, quit overthinking. I said we're going where it gets us the most points. I'm leading, not you."

"If I may, Sota, your plan is quite flawed. This isn't like your training simulations with your parents. This is real life this time. If we fail, we risk death."

Sota didn't appreciate being contradicted by Izaya. "Oh, but stop talking! You're just a branch family member. Quit trying to put yourself forward as the team leader! I said we're heading to the camp in the west, near the Sunflower Village, so that's what we're doing. As if mere bandits could harm our clan!"

In these trainings, there wasn't a strict rule that the main branch member had to be the team leader. It was more a tradition to let them lead. This made Sota particularly furious that Izaya wasn't respecting this.

"But we should-"

"Shut up, I said!" Sota interrupted.

But as their shouts began to echo on the field, a Hyuga organizer approached the group, curious about the dispute: "May I know the reason for this commotion!?"

Faced with an elder, Sota, who was angry, quickly calmed down. Though he was in the presence of a branch family adult, it was common for clan organizers to have more authority during missions than main branch children.

"Sorry for the disturbance. It's just that we had agreed on a destination, but Izaya keeps trying to contradict us," explained Sota, sounding both annoyed and intimidated.

The Hyuga organizer then cast a look at Izaya, awaiting his side of the story to verify if Sota was telling the truth.

"He just wants to charge into the most dangerous camp! I'm just trying to explain to this moron that we should start with easier targets," replied Izaya.

The Hyuga organizer was perplexed by the dispute. On one hand, Izaya seemed to have a more reasonable perspective, but on the other hand, he couldn't intervene to influence the team's choices.

"Listen, you should find common ground. You're a team and need to be on the same page... I'm sorry, Izaya, but if the rest of the team opposes you, you need to respect their decision, even if you find it unfair."

"Even if it leads us to certain death?" asked Izaya.

"... There are some missions where death is almost certain," replied the organizer.

Faced with this bleak response, Izaya couldn't contain his anger: "But that's absurd! Just because he's from the main branch, he can de-"

"IZAYA!" the organizer called out. "Be careful with your words. Remember your destiny. Don't let your emotions overwhelm you!" he said with a mix of compassion and warning.

Sota used this situation to regain control and turned to Izaya: "Fine, then it's settled. We're going to the camp that gets us the most points. I hope you won't cause more trouble, Izaya."

The rest of the team kept their gaze lowered, and Izaya, finally resigned, reluctantly accepted the "team's" decision.

"Let's go, we have a long way to go!" said Sota.

The group of six Hyuga set off for their first destination, running at top speed. Jumping from tree to tree, crossing ravines, and traversing muddy paths, they reached the Sunflower Village in record time, after just four hours of travel.

Villagers immediately recognized the young clan members by their distinctive eyes. The Hyuga clan was known. The villagers pretended not to see them, changed direction, or went indoors, overwhelmed by fear in the presence of these children.

In times of conflict, civilians suffered the most. While the law applied to all, ninjas and large clans enjoyed more freedom than most. A few innocent casualties among the population didn't matter as long as the mission was accomplished.

The group headed to the village leader to gather information about their mission. "Hey, old man, we're looking for the bandit camp in the vicinity. Show us where it is so we can finish them off," Sota ordered in a threatening tone.

The old man, taken aback by a group of ten-year-olds, was scared by six pairs of entirely white eyes. "I don't know, please, don't harm us," he pleaded.

"Then, what are you good for?!" Sota yelled.

While Sota vented his anger on the old man, panic slowly gripped the village inhabitants. After all, if they decided to destroy the village, the Hyuga clan could easily do so.

"Stop, Sota!"

Izaya positioned himself between Sota and the old man to protect him.

"What are you doing, Izaya? Since the beginning, you've been trying to sabotage us! You know what I think? You're just a loser seeking attention because you weren't born in the main branch."

Izaya retorted, unyielding: "And you, you know what I think?" He moved close enough for their foreheads to touch. "I think you're a coward who preys on the weak to mask his own weakness. An incompetent trying to show a facade of power."

"You!"

But as tension escalated, Izaya shifted his attention to the old man and focused on the mission. With a calming voice, he explained, "We're here to eradicate the bandit camp in the area. If you have any information to share, it would be greatly appreciated."

While Sota seethed with anger, he grabbed a kunai from his belt and dangerously pointed it at Izaya.

Step by step, he silently approached, ready to deliver the lethal blow. The kunai was mere centimeters from piercing Izaya's throat.

However, the old man's words continued: "Well, we have little information. Sometimes, the bandits appear near the western path to steal goods and belongings from passersby. Sometimes, they demand ransom in our village..."

The old man's words interrupted Sota, who instantly forgot his anger. "How often do they appear?" he urgently asked.

As Sota absorbed this new information, he slowly lowered the kunai, forgetting his previous rage.

Retrieving the kunai that had nearly pierced Izaya, Sota pushed him away and approached the old man. Nothing was more important to him than the mission's success. But as he stepped forward, Izaya, out of the corner of his eye, watched the weapon in Sota's hand...