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Arc V Chapter 9

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“Where do we begin?” Asami tried to gain time. Totally unprepared, she replaced Fumihiko, not her brightest idea.

Regretfully, Asami manoeuvred herself into an unfavourable position. A tactical retreat impossible.

Asami mustered a smile as painful seconds passed. ”So let's start. My most faithful assistant Fumihiko.”

Asami stared at the wall and the tactical map of Konoha full of unit counters and coloured arrows.

The map looked like a board game with the minor difference that she played with the lives of real people, and not of imaginary armies.

A single counter meant the death of hundreds of ninja. Vanquished, slaughtered, but such had to be expected. When Konoha called, they answered.

Fumihiko stood behind her and followed her stare.

Asami dedicated her attention to her audience. ”Unfortunately, the village council allocated less resources to this operation than requested.“ Her dissatisfaction was strong.

”Instead of my desired eight regular battalions, we got ten. A sizeable force on paper, but the problem is not the quantitative aspect, but the qualitative.”

“The council assigned us eight fresh reserve units mostly composed of rookie genin with minimal combat experience. They are beyond useless, canon fodder at best.”

Fumihiko rolled his eyes. Always so pessimistic. To their defence, not every genin could be a merciless killer machine at the delicate age of thirteen. Her standards were too high.

Fumihiko cleared his throat. ”Look at the bright side, the Hokage promised us additional support. He dispatched two full ANBU battalions in exchange. They are experienced and combat ready.”

Asami didn't share his enthusiasm. Her voice was strained, her glare icy. “The Hokage didn't dispatch anything. Danzo pledged his support and decided to mobilise his men. The two battalions are Danzo’s men.”

Asami didn't trust them even a second. They were former Root ninja and associates. Their loyalty was dubious at best.

Asami knew Root, and she knew Danzo. The senile old man planned something behind her back.

“Danzo’s men? Is that bad?”

“I heard about him ..., but isn’t he a fellow leaf ninja?”

Shibi and Tsune tensed up the moment Fumihiko mentioned Danzo's name. They obviously knew more due to thier involvement in clan politics. Every informed person in Konoha was familiar with Danzo, and the reputation that preceded him.

Asami clicked her tongue. This was a discussion for another day, for another time. “He is a fellow leaf ninja, but that doesn't matter. Danzo is undoubtedly a paragon of true virtue.” Her sarcasm was thick.

Asami sighed. Danzo, Root, useless genin. So much trouble.

Konoha provided her with inexperienced genin pressed into service. She didn't expect much from them. They were cannon fodder. They lacked the necessary cohesion to hold the line and would flee at the first opportunity unless she deployed blocking detachments.

In the meanwhile, two entire battalions of Root ANBU roamed the battlefield without her supervision.

Asami despaired and banged her head against the nearest wall. Her head echoed through the room.

Uncomfortable with the situation, Fumihiko lent his mistress a hand. “Asami?”

Asami ignored him. She needed a solution.

“Asami?”

Nobody would miss them. In fact, she did Konoha a favour by eliminating them.

“Asami?”

She only would have to report to the village afterwards how she lost two battalions without getting caught, not an easy task. Too many witnesses, too much evidence.

“Asami! Do you hear me?” Fumihiko waved his arms.

“A-s-a-m-i!”

Asami finally noticed all the noise in the background. Fumihiko called her.

“Ouch.” Asami rubbed her aching forehead. Her head slightly hurt.

”I listen, what's the matter??”

Fumhiko gathered his courage. “I don’t want to disturb you, but banging your head against the wall is not a solution. It's a rather unproductive activity.”

Asami agreed, Fumihiko was right.

Fumihiko smiled. “I also advise you to finish our briefing. It's already late.”

Asami grumbled, “You are right, it's already late. Everyone is tired, so let's accelerate the entire procedure.”

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