MrProper

Didn't want to delay this one any longer, might not have enough proof-reading (Sorry ><!). Just two more chapters until the end of the arc! Can't wait to for the next one! Enjoy!

The eastern coastline

The ninja of Kumogakure had rounded up the remaining insurgents hired to ransack the island. Everyone but Sabu and Killer B were present as they checked and accounted for every enemy captured, before planning their next course of action

Mabui held a records book as the other colleagues lined up and brought the criminals to her, one by one, for proper identification

"This guy is wanted for...petty theft, arson, not a heavy hitter. Got it marked, next!" (Mabui)

"A kid called Kajūra, AKA Raijinga¹Lightning God Self, he's a Jiton²Magnet Styleuser like me. Despite the flamboyant nickname, he was quite the handful" (Toroi)

"Hmmm...I don't see anyone under the name of Kajūra...oh! Found him, under said flamboyant nickname. He's got quite the bounty for his age, racked up a lot of trouble in Sunagakure³Hidden Sand Village" (Mabui)

"The Sand...I have a feeling that's his home country, given his name and Kekkei Genkai⁴Bloodline Limit. If he's got beef with the current government, maybe that's what caused him to become a terrorist" (Toroi)

"Wouldn't surprise me, considering how self-serving their current Daimyō is. Still, for someone so young to trouble you...best we leave him unconscious" (Mabui)

"Same could be said for those two" (Toroi)

They both turned their attention to a knocked out Etoro and Metoro respectively. Because Mabui immediately left to rescue Team Tango, naturally she'd mark down the ones they captured first

"Right. The infamous Konjiki Twins, the bingo book has them listed as demolition terrorists. Their responsible for a number bombings in the western side of the continent" (Mabui)

"Given what the Genin told us about their Kekkei Genkai, it's very likely they originated from Iwagakure⁵Hidden Stone Village, before migrating to Ishigakure⁶Hidden Rock Village" (Toroi)

"That's makes the most sense. But to catch them working together, all the way out here, it's just..." (Mabui)

"Off..." (Toroi)

"What's wrong?"

"!" (Toroi & Mabui)

The two were so focused on the mystery before them, they didn't even realize the Genin had approached. After having some time to rest, they starting helping their colleagues round up the insurgents

"Ah! Sorry guys, we're just talking about these guys. They're a bunch from all over the place, we can't figure out who put them together" (Mabui)

"Wouldn't that be Kajūra?" (Tai)

"You'd think, but he was hired just like the rest of them. The one who orchestrated this is still in the wind" (Toroi)

"What was that talk about the other nations? Something about Ishigakure?" (Rei)

"Oh, well..." (Mabui)

Since they worked so hard, she saw no reason to treat them like children and keep them in the dark. Mabui began to elaborate on her suspicions

The newest shinobi nation of Ishigakure was sandwiched between Sunagakure and Iwagakure. It wasn't impossible for these individual terrorists to meet and work together. However, the whole scenario itself is what bothered Mabui and Toroi the most

Being the closest neighbors to each other, as two of the Five Great Shinobi Nations, there was much bad blood between the Sand and the Stone. For people of these nations to not fight, but even work together on an operation of such scale, anyone would have laughed at the idea

Even more unsettling was the idea of Ishigakure not only gathering powerful, gifted shinobi like these into its nation, but getting them to work together. The one thing everyone else hoped wouldn't happen

If such a rowdy nation composed of rogues and mercs became organized and left to prosper, it'd become a massive threat to all others. Potentially threaten the power balance that's delicate enough as it is

They've cleary demonstrated not having any qualms about attacking other nations, and neither the Kazekage⁷Wind Shadownor Tsuchikage⁸Earth Shadowcan or will do anything about it

"The Kazekage is busy handling the affairs of his own poor, declining nation. While the Tsuchikage is taking advantage of being one of Ishigakure closest neighbors. Constantly hiring their services for his country's benefit" (Toroi)

"Sigh. Because of the demilitarization agreement, he using them as a substitute for their lack of power. It makes sense in hindsight, his land isn't very fertile...hell, it's almost as bad as the Sand's" (Mabui)

"He probably thinks it'll give the Stone a head start on economic, and military recovery" (Tai)

"The wounds of the last war still sting..." (Suzu)

{Tsuchikage...right now it should be Ōnoki. Doesn't A accuse him of hiring Akatsuki repeatedly in the upcoming Five Kage Summit Arc? Deidara was here as well...all these points are leading up to something...} (Rei)

Mabui pointed to the other Kumo-nin that came along with her, all of whom were in the process of interrogating each and every detainee

"We've had no success, everyone here was hired to do a job by an unknown individual. A rich individual as they were not only payed up front, but quite handsomely to boot" (Mabui)

"That was probably the whole point, someone with a grudge and means to attack you"

"Master Sabu, and Killer B-sama as well! Does your presence here mean-?" (Kintarō)

Sabu shook his head in disappointment, after coming back with Killer B. Oddly enough, there was a small raccoon rested on the former's shoulders

"Killer B managed to protect the bunker from those who managed to get in but-" (Sabu)

"WHEEEEE!!!!" (Killer B)

"..." (Everyone)

"Meh, 4 out of 10" (Rei)

"?!" (Killer B)

"...As I was saying, some of the insurgents managed to get away with several animals that escaped during the initial breach" (Sabu)

"I...I see" (Mabui)

{F**king Deidara again...that guy is annoying even when he's not here} (Rei)

"And that one in your arms is?" (Tai)

"Fortunately, I managed to rescue most of them, thanks to this little fellow here. While I was moving through the forest, he managed to escape and guide me to the others who were captured" (Sabu)

"We can send word at further checkpoints, maybe cut them off before-" (Musai)

"I doubt it'll do any good, they have quite the head start" (Sabu)

"Damn it...!" (Toroi)

Tai meekly raised his hand and asked if the mission was a failure. Though it didn't show on their faces, both Rei and Suzu were worried if this was the case

The adults easily guessed what was going on in their heads and told them this wasn't the case. They had performed admirably, especially given the circumstances. The supposed C-rank mission easily reached the level of an A-rank

FUM! FUM!

"?!" (Team Tango)

Near the coastline, another ship, far bigger than the others arrived. Hikaru, along with a full platoon of Kumo-nin were present as well

"Ah, looks like the other ship is here. Hikaru-san is indeed fast" (Mabui)

"So were not taking the insurgents with us..." (Rei)

"Perceptive as usual cousin" (Mabui)

"They'll be transferred to the Blood Prison in Kusagakure⁹Hidden Grass Village, that place has an official bounty office to pay us quite a some for them" (Funsui)

{Well, we could certainly use the cash. The village is still getting little job offers from the outside} (Rei)

"Alright, you three are with me. Toroi-sama, Funsui-san, and Musai-san will oversee the transfer. Kintarō-dono, has your mind changed after this incident?" (Mabui)

"No, my debt to the late 3rd Raikage-sama is for life. Now that the barrier has been restored, I will continue my duties" (Kintarō)

"Phew, that's a welcome relief. And what of you Master Sabu?" (Mabui)

"I'll return to my nomadic ways, though now I'll have a little partner to keep me company, if Kumogakure doesn't mind?" (Sabu)

"Heh, Raikage-sama doesn't micromanage, it's fine. What's his name anyway?" (Mabui)

"Ponta. I have feeling he's gonna be a good companion in the future" (Sabu)

The new platoon arrived on the beach and began escorting the captives onto their ship, prepping them for transport to Kusagakure. Kintarō spoke one last time to everyone

"Team Tango, Toroi-dono, Funsui-dono, Musai-dono, it's been a pleasure working with all of you. For all the assistance you've provided, I am forever in your debt" (Kintarō)

"We're the ones who owe you, considering you're taking care of this place for free" (Toroi)

"Nevertheless, if you ever require the aid of an old retiree, just call" (Kintarō) 

Mabui took Sabu, Killer B, and Team Tango as the others remained behind to finish the task at hand. It wasn't long before the ship departed and everyone said their goodbyes. While the adults conversed, the Genin kept to themselves, recalling the events of the mission

Though their battles ended in victory, there was still a lingering bittersweet, almost sour feeling leftover

"Well...that uh...could've gone WAY better" (Tai)

"They were practically our age and yet..." (Suzu)

"Tango warned we weren't the only gifted ones in the world...but I never imagined we'd encounter some this soon" (Rei)

"We were VERY lucky to have survived" (Tai)

"Yeah, if my Kekkei Genkai hadn't awakened, there'd be nothing left of me" (Rei)

Though Rei was feeling bad, Tai and Suzu felt worse. Being two years older than him, they were ashamed for struggling against an opponent when they had the advantage in numbers

"My poison would've have been worthless if not for Suzu. And let's not even talk about my confidence when it comes to facing Metoro in Taijutsu" (Tai)

"My wind only worked in addition to your poison Tai, barely. Alone, BOTH of my elements would've been worthless. I always thought have two nature transformations as a kid would give me edge...shows what I know" (Suzu)

"Sigh..." (All of them)

While the team had undergone quite a few missions over the years, the majority of them took place in their own country. They rarely ventured out past its borders, the only other significant mission they had together was during the rescue of Mabui and her team

The mission provided much clarity of what awaited them in the future, the bigger shinobi world. The trio felt as if their progress was too slow, wondering if their training methods weren't enough...or if they were just inadequate

"Don't think like that!" (Mabui)

"Like what?" (Rei)

"Come on, it's written over all of your faces. The fact is, there are a ton of Genin, many much older than you who'd be dead if they were in your situation. Not only did you survive, you came out victorious" (Mabui)

"But the Konjiki Twins-" (Tai)

"Are unconscious, hand-cuffed, and heading to prison defeated. You're riding free, alive, and victorious...those guys are irrelevant. Be proud of yourselves for fulfilling your duty as Kumo ninja" (Mabui)

"...That's" (Suzu)

"Sigh, good grief. If you're still feeling raw about it...do something about it. Hell, I'll even help!" (Mabui)

"!" (Suzu)

"You...have something in mind?" (Tai)

"Oh yeah, Tango's been keeping me informed of your progress. How bout we talk about the future?" (Mabui)

"Yeah!" (Team Tango)

♦♦♦

Several kilometers away from the island

A man in his early twenties had observed the whole situation from a distance with his binoculars

"That went even better than I'd hoped, Aniki¹⁰Big Brotherwas worried for nothing"

It was the man known only as "Arc", member of the mysterious organization called the "Company". He had been present the whole time, monitoring all events that took place

But his focus was now on a particular mercenary being loaded onto the ship, setting sail for Kusagakure's "Blood Prison"

"Now that the seed has been planted, it's safe to say Phase Two is over, though it won't be official until he arrives. Looks like my merry band will be having another meeting soon"

CLINK!

Arc put his binoculars away as he gathered his belongings, muttering to himself one last time before departing

"Guess it's time to meet Orochimaru" {Maybe I can find out why he, or whoever the hell he's working with wanted those animals...}

ZWIP!

Vanishing from the scene, the rest of the mercenaries were on the ship set to take them away. Kintarō was now the only human left on the island as Toroi and the others fulfilled their duties as escorts

But unbeknownst to them, out of everyone present on the ship, there was someone who was exactly where he desired to be

This individual, the very same one Arc had observed, was grinning...

"Alright! Let's get this show on the road!" (Funsui)

...as his eyes flashed red