[Uchiha Miroru]

Uchiha Miroru

Konohagakure No Sato

Genin

Yamamoto Shosuke | 234  | notes

SPOILER: Click to show

Mission Link

Miroru hurried across the village square towards the gates where she'd been assigned to meet up with Shosuke before they started their trip back to the exams. She was excited to have another mission in the field, but this one was a bit more... stark, she supposed? It was a rescue mission- reclaim some captured citizens and wipe out their abductors.

She wasn't sure how much of the mission briefing Shosuke had read. Probably all- she assumed all of it- but she didn't know, so she'd been sure to memorize as much of it as she could in case he needed a refresher.

It was a much different feeling to have lives on the line- even compared to their little sea adventure. Here, it wasn't sailors who knew they were risking their lives for profit- it was innocent civilians captured and marked for sale in the slave markets. Or... however slaves got sold. Miroru really wasn't sure she wanted to think about that all too much.

In any case, she was arriving a bit early, though not so early Shosuke couldn't have beat her there- so she looked around a bit as she trotted up to the gate.

"Just don't give up on me! We can figure this out!"

Template by: Monkey

MISSIONS
D - 0 | C - 9c/3i | B - 0 | A - 0 | S - 0

[Yamamoto Shosuke]

So this was what Konohagakure was like, huh? He had thought it would be cleaner.

Despite the fact that Kumo and Konoha had been allies for as long as Shosuke could remember, this was the first time that he had actually seen another village properly outside of Kumogakure. The closest he had come before this was Kuwana, and that was more like an adjacent town to the Land of Earth's actual village.

His life of medical study and giving aid to the sick and needy hadn't given him much reason to travel around a lot, though he supposed he should get used to it. After all, he was a shinobi now, this type of mission work would happen a lot throughout his life from this point on, so the sooner he got used to it the better.

Even still, he couldn't help but wonder about whether this was the smartest decision. Yes, there was a month's gap between the second and third round, but they had travelled internationally during that time. They had about three weeks before they had to get back to the Chuunin Exams. Or, he supposed, she had to be back there. He wouldn't be going any further in the tournament so if they needed him in the village for longer he supposed he could stagger his return as needed.

Still, those concerns and questions were for later. Right now, he had to knuckle down and focus on what was immediately in front of him, the reason why he had come - The mission that he had actually been placed on.

Like the job they had performed with the pirate gang, it seemed that there was more work that he was supposed to get done. More than that, he had been once again paired with that Miroru girl. Though, at least he was aware of it this time. Plus, despite how much he had resented her and found her irritating on the first mission, he could feel a burgeoning sense of respect and admiration for more than just her existence as Azarea's younger sister that had bloomed since they had fought together.

That said, it wasn't like he would call her a friend, at least not yet. Not in the same way Azarea and Atagi were.

... Poor Atagi. A part of Sho's mind wished that he could have stayed in Kuwana to comfort his friend after his mutilation at the hands of that damned Taki-nin, but the job came first.

Regardless, Sho arrived at the meeting spot, admittedly a moment or two late, raising his hand to signal to the young fox-girl that he was here. Unlike the last time that she had seen him, it was clear he was taking better care of himself. He was wearing new clothes, and had seemed to manage to get an actual wash in, rather than the rather filthy state she had seen him in last.

"Hey 'Roru - Sorry I'm late. I'm still not finding it the easiest to get around. But I suppose that's only natural, I am new here after all. Now, did they give you a briefing on what we're actually doing today?"

525 words | Uchiha Miroru

SPOILER: Click to show

C-Rank Mission 2/15
Jutsus Used: None

[Uchiha Miroru]

Uchiha Miroru

Konohagakure No Sato

Genin

Yamamoto Shosuke | 236 | notes

"Hey, Shosuke-san. Not a problem, really! It takes a while to get used to things in a new place. I wouldn't be doing any better in Kumogakure than you have been here, I'm 100% positive," the redhead reassured, flashing her best smile his way. "As for a briefing... yeah, but it's not the greatest."

Miroru fished out the assignment scroll and unfurled it, showing him the map laid out on it. "This here? This is a slaver base of operations just outside the borders of Hi no Kuni. That normally wouldn't be our- the general our, meaning Konoha- problem, but they've started kidnapping Land of Fire citizens, so we have an excuse to intervene."

She rolled the scroll back up and tucked it away. "Our task is to wipe out the slavers there and free all the kidnapped citizens we can. And I use the phrase "wipe out" specifically. This is human trafficking. These aren't the sort of people that get a second chance. It's... heavy. But..." Miroru takes a deep breath. "I wouldn't want to have it on my conscience if someone else's life got destroyed because we took a chance on someone and they just went back to kidnapping and slavery, either."

"Just don't give up on me! We can figure this out!"

Template by: Monkey

MISSIONS
D - 0 | C - 9c/3i | B - 0 | A - 0 | S - 0

[Yamamoto Shosuke]

She was right, of course. Shosuke could confirm that from personal experience - Naught but a month or so beforehand, he had been stuck working with a kid from Konoha, one Hiesin Masuru. They were about as lost as he was now. 

It occurred that, being in the area, it might have been polite for him to go pay the boy a visit, but they were scarcely what one would call friends. They weren't enemies either, but it was not common for people to bond very much over performing a single, simple mission together.

Still, as she unveiled the map, Shosuke's eyes parsed along it. She could actively see his lip curling, his face curdling like off milk, as he stared at it. His eyes flit back to her, and where he might have stayed schtum just a few days before, it seemed their take down of the pirate operation had given enough reason for him to bare a bit of his vulnerability towards her. After all, she was a good person, or so it seemed.

"I'm glad they're giving us clearance to take care of this, but... it feels wrong somehow, that slavery normally wouldn't be a village's business.

We're Shinobi, we're the martial arm of the village system. If anyone should be out there protecting innocents and stopping this sort of operation, it would be us.

For all we know, the daimyos profit off of this stuff. I mean, isn't it a little bit convenient that they haven't gone after it until one of your people was taken?"

Criticizing the daimyo was a dangerous thing to do in the wrong company - they were the supreme authority, if they called for anyone's head then the village was obligated to take them out for them. They also controlled the flow of funds and power to the villages, meaning that should they turn their back then said village might starve or start having other problems.

Still, the only way one changed the world was by speaking truth to power. Just accepting it as a normal thing was complacency, and leave it to a doctor to know that being complacent about underlying issues can lead to them growing massively out of hand or even killing the patient.

Miroru, for her part, seemed to be speaking as if she thought Shosuke would have to be talked up into killing someone. It seemed that she hadn't heard how the last slaver-busting mission went from her sister. Maybe that was for the best...

" 'Roru, relax. This isn't my first time handling kill-on-sight missions. Leave enough alive for the specialists to extract useful information from and bury the others in a shallow grave. Easier done than said."

For a doctor, he seemed shockingly calm about the idea of killing people. Whatever happened to the Hippocratic Oath?

460 words | Uchiha Miroru

SPOILER: Click to show

C-Rank Mission: 4/15
Jutsus Used: None

[Uchiha Miroru]

Uchiha Miroru

Konohagakure No Sato

Genin

Yamamoto Shosuke | 222 | notes

"Nono, I explained that badly. It's not that it wouldn't normally be our business, but this base isn't in Hi no Kuni. They weren't operating or acting inside our borders, so we didn't have an excuse to engage. But now that they've taken Fire citizens, we're clear to engage and resolve the situation." Miroru did her best to clarify what she'd tried to communicate.

The redhead nodded, but sighed. "Your points aren't wrong, but believe me, we're not in the habit of ignoring slavers anyplace we can handle them. But we can't march over international borders to fix someone else's problem uninvited. So if you want to take up an issue with someone, you're free to criticize their leadership, but the moment we got an excuse to intervene, we're doing it."

She hesitated at his easy response to hearing they were going in with lethal force, but nodded faintly. "... yeah. Good. One less thing to worry about. I imagine things are gonna get even easier for you operating inside a tunnel system, right? Or- is it kinda irrelevant what terrain you're in when it comes to plants no jutsu?"

"Just don't give up on me! We can figure this out!"

Template by: Monkey

MISSIONS
D - 0 | C - 9c/3i | B - 0 | A - 0 | S - 0

[Yamamoto Shosuke]

"No, you explained it pretty well, I get that its not within your territory. It's just..." Shosuke paused for a moment, wondering how to phrase this for the best.

He had never been the most socially gifted person in the world, and considering the difficulty of this topic it was more than understandable that he would have a bit of a problem with understanding how to phrase it for the best.

"It's weird, to me at least, that taking out these third party groups can be a territorial issue.

In the first place, the daimyo of whatever country's territory they ARE in should have already taken care of it. The fact that they haven't is bad enough, but then you raise the specter of political damage caused by stepping into their territory to take it out? We shouldn't have to have a personal stake in these sorts of things to be able to help.

I mean, it's not like we're conquering territory or remaining in the borders after the mission is completed. We're just there to ensure the dissolution of a slave network. That should be a universal boon."

There was something shocking about the way that Shosuke spoke - This was the same guy who, not five seconds before, had spoken so casually and so easily about the idea of taking a life.

He was clearly desensitized, whether that be from his time spent in the medical suites of Kumogakure presiding over the dying forms of hi comrades or whether it be through actions on the front line, but there was no hesitation there. No pause.

Even so, he spoke with such clear naivete, this belief of some sort of utopian world where things like this could be done without undue political consideration. Every action one took was inherently political in one way or another, yet here he was thinking that such things clouded one's ability to act justly and with compassion.

Just what was life like inside the head of this Shinobi?

"It's, uh, Mokuton, 'Roru. Not plant no jutsu. But you're right - the terrain doesn't matter when it comes to my techniques. I mean, I saw you wielding lightning back on the ships, but you don't need a cloudy sky to be able to wield such things, right? it's like that with my stuff.

Though, I think having this take place in tunnels will be good for us regardless. That way they can't wield their numerical advantage against us. If we can set up a choke point, we should be able to make this fight go our way without too much issue."

Still, Sho paused a second, before adding "So, do we leave now or do we have to wait until sundown?"

454 words | Uchiha Miroru

SPOILER: Click to show

C-Rank Mission: 6/15

Jutsus Used: None

[Uchiha Miroru]

Uchiha Miroru

Konohagakure No Sato

Genin

Yamamoto Shosuke | 315 | notes

"I see what you mean. It's not that it's a matter of "I wanna beat em up, get off my turf", just a problem with sending active members of a military branch into someone else's territory. Like I'm right there with you, to be clear, I agree, but there's more to consider. Gotta remember that we're not just warriors, we're spies by nature, and as such, we're well aware of the sort of suspicious nonsense people could get up to when they're where they shouldn't be. I'm not saying that's how it should be, cuz you're right, this shoulda been squashed by the home nation, but- you get what I mean."

Miroru snickered as he corrected her on "plant no jutsu", clearly taking it in stride. She had pride, but she didn't take herself very seriously, and never minded coming across as silly. Incompetent was another thing- everyone would soon see how she reacted to being repeatedly, insistently treated as incompetent in her second match at the exams. But that was still looming in the future.

Miroru furled the map back up at his final question. "We can leave now. I wanna get the captives out ASAP. As for choke points, that's an excellent strategy we can manage. And they're only gonna have a numerical advantage as long as we allow them to. I'm pretty good at conjuring up extra manpower- or foxpower as it were- on demand, so if we get crowded, I can tip the scales pretty fast." She thought about it a moment, then fished a box with some earplugs out of her kit. "Here, take a couple sets. If I tell you to put them in... you really should."

"Just don't give up on me! We can figure this out!"

Template by: Monkey

MISSIONS
D - 0 | C - 9c/3i | B - 0 | A - 0 | S - 0

[Yamamoto Shosuke]

As weird as it was, it was kinda hard to remember at times that they weren't just soldiers but spies, assassins, subterfuge operatives for a far larger operation.

Despite being trained for years in such arts at the Academy, Sho couldn't remember any mission where he'd had to employ such tactics. Their mission against the pirates, for example, was bold and brash and just about as open as they could be. It sent a message, a reminder to other people with similar intentions that they would not succeed for long.

But, he supposed, he had never really had to put his life on the line against someone else of his level before. Even when fighting Miroru in the Exams, there was a certain level of safety net there. Sure, Atagi had lost his arms in his fight against Hotarubi, but there could be no denying that had something like that happened in the field Atagi would be dead. Instead, he was recovering and had the time and energy to get better before going onto his next mission.

"I suppose I can see your argument; they don't know us, we could be planning to leave landmines or seed operatives in through the border whilst we're covering them with a big show. Of course, you and I both know that's not the case, but it's better to be safe than sorry.

Either way, the fact that this wasn't a high priority for their Daimyo... Disgusting. Just more proof that those on top aren't thinking of their people. But I guess that's why we're lucky enough to have our kages.

At risk of sounding blindly naive, our bosses are good eggs."

Taking the earplugs willingly, he nodded, before silently gesturing for her to take the lead. Although she was far younger than him, he knew how stupid it would be for him to take her lightly. Though her nature as a Jinchuuriki was still unknown, what he had seen from her so far had been nothing but competent. If she said this was important, it was important.

"Fine - I'll let you handle the reinforcements. In return, in the unlikely event you get injured, let me treat you. I don't want you putting on a brave face or anything stupid like that. Azarea would kick my ass if I let her baby sister get injured on my watch."

With that, the pair would move from the village, beginning their trek towards the border.

408 words | Uchiha Miroru

SPOILER: Click to show

C-Rank Mission: 8/15
Jutsus Used: None

[Uchiha Miroru]

Uchiha Miroru

Konohagakure No Sato

Genin

Yamamoto Shosuke | 236 | notes

"Yeah. That's all there is to it. And... I'm with you. It should never have been left to get this bad. It's just... awful." She spoke quietly, clearly as upset as he was that this wasn't a higher priority for the people that could have prevented it all before it happened.

The redhead did get to smile gently as he praised the Kages, allowing her to nod pleasantly. "Mmhm. I really think they are. I don't think it's naive to appreciate the brightness some people can bring to a cold job like that."

She nodded gratefully as he left their reinforcements to her, and nodded. "Don't worry. I'm not about battle scars and stuff. I can protect people better if I'm healthy, and you can heal more people if you're not in a wheelchair from Big Sister Revenge Rage," she agreed!

The difficulty wasn't in travelling to the hillside cave into which their assignment would take them. The travel was simple, uninterrupted, though she did take them off the main roads to avoid being noticed ahead of time. In time, it was just the two of them, eyeing the entrance to the abandoned mine from a distance, Miroru glancing over at Shosuke. "You got any preparations?"

"Just don't give up on me! We can figure this out!"

Template by: Monkey

MISSIONS
D - 0 | C - 9c/3i | B - 0 | A - 0 | S - 0

[Yamamoto Shosuke]

As Sho and Miroru left the village, the pair walked in silence as they crossed the countryside towards the border. Yet, despite there being a sense of quietude, bordering on silence were it not for the sound of their footsteps on the grass and stone, there was a comfort in it.

Despite the fact that they were still mostly strangers, not knowing the other person's situation or even their surname, Sho still believing that Miroru was an Aburame, there was a sense of implicit trust there that seemed to make it comfortable.

Perhaps it came from already having fought together, or perhaps it was just a natural collision of their personalities, but it was nice. It made one wonder just how they would have gotten along if they hadn't met in such an uncomfortable way, if they had been allowed to naturalize without having to try and fight one another.

Plus, Shosuke could feel that this girl was familiar with the path they were walking, with her even being comfortable to go off-road and not just follow the pre-designed paths. Perhaps it came from simply being a native to this land , or perhaps the girl was more talented at this than one would think for her age.

Either way, the proof of her talent was there before them, the empty mine that would be their entrance stretching out in front of them.

---

Staring in the mineshaft, Shosuke felt a sudden bout of self-awareness. A time like this would have been perfect had he the blindsight of his fellow Yamamoto, and yet here he was with just Mokuton. When he got back, he was going to have to do something about that...

He had heard that there was an ancient ritual that he could attempt that would allow him to unlock their abilities. Sadly, that had never been something he was exposed to as a kid, leaving him blind as a bat within the darkness of the tunnels.

"Any preparations?" he said, shooting Miroru a sideways, quizzical look. What did she expect him to have exactly? Well, either way, he shook his head, confirming that he should be fine as it is.

"I think you should go ahead though - Normally I'd be the gentleman and go first, but if its as abandoned as it looks any light within the tunnel is probably currently switched off.

We might need your lightning techniques to light the way until we can get something more concrete. Keep your eyes open for any sort of electrical gear though, they've got to have SOME sort of lighting."

430 words | Uchiha Miroru

SPOILER: Click to show

C-Rank Mission: 10/15
Jutsus Used: None

[Uchiha Miroru]

Uchiha Miroru

Konohagakure No Sato

Genin

Yamamoto Shosuke | 260 | notes

As Sho stared into the abyss and theorized on the best ways to move forward, Miroru set down her backpack and fished around inside it, listening to his thoughts as he went on about how the mine looked like it wouldn't have any lighting. "Well, that's likely, but only until we get to the levels where we're gonna start finding enemies and captives. Most people can't see in the dark. But it'll be fine. Just get your flashlight out." If he looked back, he'd see her sticking a clip-on flashlight into a pocket of her flack jacket and flicking it on, shoving a few spare batteries into that pocket as well. She turned and peered at him and his lack of flashlight or recognition.

"... oh. Well, it's okay. We're in the woods. You know how to make a torch, right? You did bring, like. A fire starting kit, didn't you? Or at least a lighter? Matches? ..." There was, in all likelihood... an uncomfortable silence. "... nevermind. Just hang on." She went digging again, and pulled out a plastic case, which she opened to reveal a battery-powered lantern, which she shoved full of batteries before offering the lantern and some spares to Shosuke. "Next, you're gonna tell me you don't travel with a tarp and cordage for setting up shelter for overnights," she joked, clearly considering that possibility entirely absurd.

"Just don't give up on me! We can figure this out!"

Template by: Monkey

MISSIONS
D - 0 | C - 9c/3i | B - 0 | A - 0 | S - 0

[Yamamoto Shosuke]

Whilst she was right that there was almost certainly light where the slavers were, he wouldn't have put money on them having provided the same courtesy to their captives. Slavery only worked so long as they could guarantee that the people they captured would be unable to overthrow them, or scared of trying, and so basic psychological warfare tactics like leaving them in the cold and dark would make complete sense.

Still, Shosuke shot her a deadpan look as she began talking about the equipment she expected him to have. If they had been in Kumogakure, he might have been able to get that stuff from a local area before setting out into a place like this. But he was in foreign territory and he had only been given enough space to carry his usual backpack on his back, meaning she should know well-enough that he didn't have any of that stuff.

"You realize, of course, that I'm a medic, right? Between the tinctures and salves and sedatives and other equipment, I don't have room for that stuff.

When I work, I'm always always forced into a pre-made field hospital, or sent to rescue someone who already has said equipment. I'm a first responder, not a doomsday prepper."

Still, as much as he teased back, she did have a point. She was clearly far, far more prepared for this sort of stuff than he was, likely due to the sheer difference in their expertise. Nonetheless, he obligingly took the lantern from her, before moving to walk down the sloping path, down through the mine entrance and into the pitch-black below.

Granted only the illumination that came from the lantern, the walls were painted with a macabre off-yellow hue that seemed sickly and spluttering, the entire vibe of this place seeming menacing and disquieting even before they got into the areas that actually posed a threat.

"If you're so prepared, 'Roru, tell me this - Why was this place abandoned in the first place?" he asked, a sense of wariness and caution in his voice.

"Did the slavers steal it from people whilst it was in active use? It doesn't seem so, the sort of cobwebs I'm seeing around here seem like they only get formed to this degree over several years.

We're not liable to walk into, like, collapsing tunnel shafts or a gas leak, are we?"

He was certain that, primed as she was, she would have been able to get this sort of information from their supervisor. Or, at least, he would assume so - It was the sort of thing that he would have looked into.

437 words | Uchiha Miroru

SPOILER: Click to show

C-Rank Mission: 12/15
Jutsus Used: None

[Uchiha Miroru]

Uchiha Miroru

Konohagakure No Sato

Genin

Yamamoto Shosuke | 237 | notes

The comeback gave Miroru pause, but she did counter with what she felt was a rather legit question. "Okay, okay, differing roles is a solid point- buuuuuuuut what are you gonna do if you have a patient that can't be moved and needs shelter?"

She didn't push past that, though, nor did she seem to maintain the incredulous tone at how unprepared he SEEMED to be. She did take his correction in stride and nodded in acceptance.

"Fell out of use due to depletion. I don't think we have to worry about anything like gas leaks or collapses, the mine was in good shape- it just stopped producing valuable ores. Which makes sense, really- for it to be useful as a slaver base of operations, it needs to be safe for the slavers and their... merchandise, after all. So the appearance of disuse and abandonment on the upper levels is likely deliberate, to further hide any indication of use deeper in."

She started to slow her roll and lifted a hand to indicate Shosuke should do the same as they finally started to catch hints of conversation from deeper in. She glanced back at Shosuke, gauging his readiness to pick a fight sooner rather than later.

"Just don't give up on me! We can figure this out!"

Template by: Monkey

MISSIONS
D - 0 | C - 9c/3i | B - 0 | A - 0 | S - 0

[Yamamoto Shosuke]

It seemed Miroru was an inquisitive sort, to which Sho just shot her a sideways glance.

"If the patient is out in the field, they will have brought equipment needed to survive in the field, including things needed to make shelter. Failing that... I have Mokuton, 'Roru.

Save for the actual Senju, I'm perhaps one of the few people in the world who would never need to bring an actual tent."

With that, the pair continued through the mines. Thankfully, it did seem that she actually knew what she was talking about, that she had taken the time to research this place. However, he had to disagree with her other point.

Though he had admittedly little hands-on experience dealing with groups like this, he was more than informed about such things. When they raided a village or a group, they took more slaves than they necessarily had to, because the sheer attrition rate of their mistreatment was exceedingly high.

He severely doubted whether or not they would actually care about the safety of their prisoners.

"Well, if its in good shape, that should be fine. Shame, I'm sure we could--" Before he could continue, his ears pricked to the sound of echoing voices down the tunnel, immediately clamming up. If he could hear them, he was certain that they would be able to hear him if he didn't shut up.

More than that, the fact that one of them was talking made it clear that there were at least two parties here - One who was talking and the other who was being spoken to. Fortunately, with the pair of them here, it might be equal numbers. Still, even so, the further they went into this place, the more he was concerned about structural insecurities.

Kumogakure, being based on a mountain as it was, was no stranger to old mines. Many of these old mine tunnels were prone to collapsing if they were disturbed too much. As such, when Miroru looked back at him, he pulled out a series of kunai, whilst shaking his head. It might be a little hard to read, but he hoped she would be able to read his intention - No jutsu, just weapons. Keep things as minimal as possible.

Assuming she followed, once the voices got closer, Shosuke shot out from cover, tossing his kunai at the offending parties, aiming for vital spots to minimize risk of them being able to shout out a warning to their allies further down the tunnels.

416 words | Uchiha Miroru

SPOILER: Click to show

C-Rank Mission: 14/15
Jutsus Used: None

[Uchiha Miroru]

Uchiha Miroru

Konohagakure No Sato

Genin

Yamamoto Shosuke | 230 | notes

Miroru was about to reply, but that last point- Mokuton- left her slapping her forehead with a groan. "Okay, okay, point taken, I totally forgot. That's an excellent point. Man. That'd be WAY more convenient than a tent. 'Okay, troops, enough marching, time to sleep in a gosh darn tree!'" She giggled, clearly liking the mental image, but there was real respect for the ability.

Miroru went silent about the same time he did, ekeing forward and peeking at the shadows and such cast by the chatting members, nodding to Sho as he gave his take on how to proceed, pulling a pair of kunai out herself. As he threw his, she darted in behind their flight path, leaping onto whichever seemed the most likely to still be able to howl for help, leaping up to crash into him feet first, knees bent to curl forwards with crossed arms and blades- and bringing her arms apart in scything arcs as she kicked them backwards in the same movement that sent her flipping back off their chest and onto her feet to pivot towards whichever- if either- was still on their feet to ensure their intrusion stayed silent for now!

"Just don't give up on me! We can figure this out!"

Template by: Monkey

MISSIONS
D - 0 | C - 9c/3i | B - 0 | A - 0 | S - 0