Shadows Beside the Fire
Without giving the remaining Kirigakure shinobi a chance to react, the team moved as one.
Kunai flashed, wind hissed, and in a matter of seconds the last enemy fell, the forest returning to silence.
"Next location," Shisui said quietly.
They stripped the field of weapons and intelligence scrolls before disappearing into the trees once again.
---
Three Days Later
Time crawled forward in a haze of blood and exhaustion.
With every skirmish their coordination improved; signals became instinct, movement flowed without a word.
In just three days, the squad had erased fifty enemy outposts.
Shisui alone had cut down nine Jōnin, while countless Chūnin and Genin fell to the others' blades.
---
Late that night, deep within an unmarked forest ridge, the four found shelter in a small cave carved into a hillside.
A weak campfire flickered, throwing shifting light across the rough stone walls.
They ate in silence — field rations, cold tea, a moment of stillness after endless motion.
When the last ember cracked, Shisui finally spoke.
"I think that's the end of our adaptation phase," he said, a faint smile on his face.
"In just three days, we've gotten used to each other's rhythm. Once we report back, we'll start taking harder missions."
To him, these days had almost felt like a break.
Though only a Chūnin by rank, Shisui's true ability already exceeded that of most Jōnin.
He was used to assassinations, infiltration, and missions that required the best Konoha could offer.
Compared to that, this small-scale sweep was almost leisurely.
But the others didn't share his mood.
Uchiha Jin stared into the flames, silent.
Nara Kazama leaned against the wall, half asleep.
Even Hinata Aya — usually calm and composed — wore a faint frown.
Shisui blinked. "…What's with you all? Not excited?"
Jin rolled his eyes.
"What's there to be excited about? I just want this war over — or at least for someone to tell me when I can sleep for a week straight."
Kazama yawned. "Make that two weeks."
Shisui's expression faltered.
He had never met a team like this before.
His usual partners — Uchiha kin and elite squads — were driven by pride and fire.
These three, though capable, seemed determined to avoid glory.
Aya finally spoke, her voice soft but steady.
"I'd rather this war never end."
Shisui turned toward her.
She continued quietly, eyes reflecting the firelight.
"If it never ends… we don't have to go back to the village."
Her words carried a bitterness that silenced the cave.
Shisui frowned. He had guessed something weighed on her, but hearing it aloud struck deeper than he expected.
For someone from the Hyūga branch family, "returning to the village" meant returning to the cage — the cursed seal that bound her to servitude.
After a long pause, he said gently, "Aya, is something wrong? If there's a problem, tell us. We're comrades now. We'll help if we can."
He tried to lighten the mood, forcing a grin. "Especially Kazama. The Nara are supposed to have the sharpest brains in Konoha — he'll find a way."
Kazama sighed through his nose. "Don't volunteer me for work," he muttered, though there was no real annoyance behind it.
Shisui chuckled softly, but his eyes remained on Aya.
He understood enough of the Hyūga's internal politics — the main house's arrogance, the branch house's obedience enforced through the Caged Bird Seal.
It was an ancient cruelty even the Hokage avoided confronting directly.
Still, he thought, maybe there's a loophole somewhere. A way to give her some freedom, even if it's temporary.
Kazama rubbed his neck, thinking lazily. Normally he wouldn't bother getting involved, but Aya had proven dependable and steady under fire — and that earned his respect.
Finally, he smiled faintly.
"Alright," he said. "If you trust me, tell me what's going on. I can't promise miracles, but if there's a way to help, I'll figure something out."
The cave went still again.
Aya looked up, pale eyes glinting faintly in the dim light.
"…Then, I'll tell you," she whispered.