CHAPTER 129
"Kurenai isn't here?"
Might Guy's heart suddenly tightened, and his breathing paused for a moment.
He immediately asked anxiously, "Kurenai isn't here? What happened?"
Shikuro Aburame quickly noticed the concern on Guy's face and hurriedly explained,
"Kurenai and Asuma... they were transferred about a month ago."
"They said it was a classified mission. As for where they went or what they're doing... I don't know either."
His voice gradually lowered, carrying a trace of helplessness.
Hearing that, the tension in Guy's heart finally eased.
Fortunately, it wasn't because of an accident.
It was simply a mission transfer, something completely normal during the Third Shinobi World War.
Suppressing the slight disappointment of not being able to meet them, Guy's face once again broke into his signature dazzling smile.
He stepped forward and gave Shikuro a heavy slap on the shoulder.
The force made Shikuro stagger slightly.
Yet that completely natural display of closeness made his nose sting once more.
"Hahaha! It's fine, brother!"
Guy laughed loudly, his bright voice instantly sweeping away the gloomy atmosphere.
"I'm already happy enough just seeing you!"
"It's been over a year, and you're still the same!"
He paused before pointing toward Shisui, who was still completing the prisoner handover.
"Wait for us a bit!"
"Once the handover is finished, let's properly catch up!"
Shikuro looked at Guy's smile.
There wasn't the slightest trace of blame or disappointment.
There was only the sincere joy of reuniting with an old friend.
The guilt weighing on his heart immediately disappeared, replaced by warmth.
He nodded vigorously, his voice still slightly hoarse after holding back his tears.
"Yeah!"
"I'll wait for you!"
"When you come out... I'll treat everyone to a meal!"
"The conditions at headquarters aren't amazing, but there are still some pretty good places!"
The moment they heard that, Ebisu and Shiranui Genma's eyes lit up simultaneously.
Ebisu adjusted his sunglasses as a mischievous sparkle flashed behind the lenses.
He exchanged a knowing glance with Genma before lowering his voice.
"Hehe... another meal tick... ahem!"
He quickly coughed before correcting himself.
"Another classmate treating us to a meal."
Guy shot Ebisu a helpless look, but the smile on his face only grew brighter.
Seeing that expression, Shikuro couldn't help laughing through his tears.
The four of them looked at one another before bursting into laughter.
The awkwardness caused by Kurenai's absence gradually faded beneath the joy of reunion.
"We'll finish the handover first, Shikuro. Wait for us."
Guy waved.
"Got it! Go ahead!"
Shikuro waved back enthusiastically.
After Guy and the others left, Shikuro suddenly remembered something.
He glanced around before jogging quickly toward another part of the headquarters.
On the other side, the four of them followed Shisui to a command tent that was noticeably larger than the surrounding ones, with the command insignia displayed prominently outside.
After announcing themselves, they entered while escorting the prisoners.
Inside the tent, Inoichi Yamanaka stood before a table covered with detailed battlefield maps.
Hearing their footsteps, he slowly turned around.
His gaze first rested on Shisui, and he gave a slight nod of acknowledgment.
Then his eyes shifted toward the three tightly bound Iwagakure prisoners.
His sharp gaze carefully examined them, quickly confirming their condition.
Stepping forward, Shisui briefly reported how the prisoners had been captured along with the preliminary information they had gathered.
Inoichi listened quietly before nodding.
"Good work, Shisui."
"I'll take over from here."
He gestured toward the nearby Intelligence Division personnel.
The handover proceeded quickly and efficiently.
Once the prisoners had been escorted away, Inoichi's attention shifted toward Might Guy, Ebisu, and Shiranui Genma, who had been quietly standing nearby.
The stern expression on his face gradually softened into a warm smile.
"You must be Might Guy, Ebisu, and Shiranui Genma."
His calm voice carried the composure of an experienced commander.
The three were briefly stunned.
They hadn't expected this famous Elite Jonin, who also served as one of the Intelligence Division's leading officers, to know their names.
Seeing their surprise, Inoichi chuckled.
"Don't be so surprised."
"I still exchange letters from time to time with your former captain, Akimichi Choza."
"In nearly every letter, he praised the three of you."
His eyes swept across them with the appreciation of an elder looking upon promising juniors.
Hearing those words, nostalgic smiles naturally appeared on the faces of Guy, Ebisu, and Genma.
They couldn't help recalling that mountain-like figure who had always protected them on the Mount Kikyo battlefield.
Warmth quietly filled their hearts.
Watching their genuine smiles, Inoichi nodded inwardly.
As expected of Akimichi Choza.
His eye for talent and ability to guide younger shinobi truly lived up to his reputation.
His smile deepened slightly before he let out a soft sigh.
"Speaking of which..."
"When I heard the three of you were being transferred to the Land of Rice Fields front..."
"I actually wanted to request that you be assigned under my command."
He paused before looking at them once again.
"I really wanted to personally lead the subordinates Akimichi Choza praised so highly."
"It's just..."
He hesitated briefly before continuing.
"Lord Orochimaru had already made other arrangements."
"He personally signed the transfer orders assigning you to Outpost No. 8."
"Since it was Lord Orochimaru's decision, it wouldn't have been appropriate for me to interfere."
So it really was Orochimaru's arrangement...
The corner of Guy's mouth twitched almost imperceptibly.
Inoichi noticed the subtle change in Guy's expression.
He stepped forward and gently patted Guy's shoulder before looking toward Ebisu and Genma.
His tone remained warm and reassuring.
"Don't dwell on it too much."
"I'm sure Lord Orochimaru has his own reasons for assigning you to Outpost No. 8."
"He is one of Konoha's highest-ranking commanders and one of the Legendary Sannin."
"His decisions are usually made from a much broader strategic perspective."
"I hope you can understand Lord Orochimaru's good intentions."
As he spoke, his gaze casually drifted toward Uchiha Shisui, who had quietly remained standing nearby with his usual gentle smile.
Guy immediately understood what Inoichi meant.
Inoichi had interpreted Orochimaru's deployment...
...as an attempt to improve cooperation between the Uchiha Clan and the rest of Konoha.
Under normal circumstances, such an interpretation would indeed make perfect sense.
Whether that had truly been Orochimaru's intention...
...only Orochimaru himself knew.
Shisui noticed Inoichi's glance.
The gentle smile on his face never changed.
Whether he understood the hidden implication or had simply chosen not to acknowledge it...
...no one could tell.
Inoichi withdrew his gaze and gave Shisui a slight nod.
There were some things that didn't need to be spoken openly.
"Oh, right."
As though remembering something, Inoichi looked back toward the three of them.
His expression once again became that of a kind elder.
"Kurenai, Asuma, and Shikuro are your Academy classmates, correct?"
"Yes, Captain Yamanaka!"
Guy answered immediately, while Ebisu and Genma also nodded.
"We've already met Shikuro."
"He's waiting outside."
Ebisu added with a grin.
"I see."
Inoichi nodded knowingly.
"Kurenai and Asuma are currently carrying out another mission, so they won't be returning anytime soon."
"But if another opportunity arises for you to come here..."
"You should be able to meet them."
Although a trace of disappointment appeared on the faces of the three, they nodded in understanding.
During wartime...
Missions always came first.
Personal wishes naturally had to come second.
"Very well."
"I won't keep you youngsters from your reunion."
Inoichi waved them away with a warm smile.
"Go on."
"Shikuro is probably already waiting outside."
"Yes! Thank you, Captain Yamanaka!"
The three bowed together.
Their first meeting with the deputy commander of the Rice Fields front had left them with an excellent impression.
Although it was a pity they hadn't been assigned under his command...
...his kindness and his obvious respect for Akimichi Choza made them feel an immediate sense of familiarity.
Without delaying any longer, the three bowed once more before turning and leaving the command tent.
Outside...
Just as expected...
Shikuro Aburame was already waiting.
He paced back and forth anxiously outside the entrance.
The moment he saw them emerge, his eyes lit up, and he hurried over.
"Brothers! Over here!"
"I'll take you to get something good to eat!"
"I've already spoken with the uncle from the Cooking Unit!"
"He's reserved us a table and even saved some of the best dishes!"
Shikuro's voice overflowed with excitement and anticipation.
It was as though he wanted to make up for the year they had spent apart...
...all during this single meal together.
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