CHAPTER 149
Early the next morning, the transfer orders arrived. Might Guy, Ebisu, and Shiranui Genma were officially transferred out of Uchiha Feiquan's unit and reassigned to the operational roster of the Intelligence Division directly under Captain Inoichi Yamanaka. When the news reached them, Guy, Ebisu, and Genma were all briefly stunned. Their gazes instinctively shifted toward Uchiha Feiquan, who was standing nearby.
Uchiha Feiquan's expression remained calm as he met their eyes directly without denying anything.
"I requested it."
"For the foreseeable future, both I and probably the entire Uchiha Clan will become Iwagakure's primary targets for retaliation."
"You'll be safer staying away from me."
His tone was indifferent, but the concern behind those words was unmistakable.
He was protecting them.
The three immediately understood his intentions and chose not to waste time on unnecessary words of gratitude. Instead, they silently accepted the arrangement, accepting Uchiha Feiquan's goodwill.
Before they departed, Uchiha Feiquan briefly explained the composition of Inoichi Yamanaka's unit.
It was an Intelligence Division consisting of roughly one hundred Shinobi, but its combat strength was exceptionally high. Even excluding Inoichi Yamanaka himself, it still possessed two Jonin and one Tokubetsu Jonin.
Hearing this, Ebisu and Genma exchanged surprised glances.
Back during the Battle of Kikyo Pass, a single Jonin was often responsible for commanding a force of around one hundred Shinobi. Yet this Intelligence Division had two Jonin, along with an additional Tokubetsu Jonin.
Guy immediately understood the reason.
First, the Intelligence Division itself was an extremely important and specialized unit, naturally requiring powerful Shinobi to protect it.
Second, it was undoubtedly connected to the presence of Asuma Sarutobi, the Third Hokage's son.
With three Jonin-class combatants guarding the unit alongside an elite force, the arrangement wasn't excessive, but it was more than enough to ensure Asuma's safety on the battlefield.
The three then headed to report to Inoichi Yamanaka.
Seeing them, Inoichi's expression softened slightly. He offered only a few simple instructions, indicating that he already understood their situation and hoped they would adapt to their new unit and duties as quickly as possible.
Afterward, he assigned the three directly under the command of the Tokubetsu Jonin.
"Tsume, I'm leaving these three to you."
Inoichi spoke toward the entrance of the tent.
The curtain was lifted, and two figures entered.
More accurately, one Shinobi and one Ninja Hound.
The female Shinobi wore Konoha's standard flak jacket and appeared to be in her early twenties. Her short dark brown hair was cut neatly, her sharp facial features giving off a fierce and wild impression. The distinctive crimson fang markings of the Inuzuka Clan adorned both cheeks.
Beside her stood an enormous Ninja Hound. It looked somewhere between a wolf and a dog. Its right eye was covered with an eyepatch, while its left ear was missing.
Inuzuka Tsume.
Kuromaru.
"This is your new captain, Inuzuka Tsume."
Inoichi introduced them.
"And this is her partner, Kuromaru."
Tsume gave the three a slight nod in greeting.
Inoichi then looked toward her.
"Tsume, they're yours now. Familiarize them with the camp as quickly as possible."
"Understood."
After replying, Tsume turned toward Guy and the others.
"Follow me."
Without another word, she turned around and gestured for them to come along.
The three quickly saluted before following her out of the tent.
Soon, the four of them arrived at an open area outside the camp.
"I am Inuzuka Tsume, a Tokubetsu Jonin specializing in tracking and close-range combat."
Her clear, confident voice echoed as she patted the massive Ninja Hound beside her.
"This is my partner, Kuromaru."
"Hello. I'm Kuromaru."
A deep, slightly hoarse male voice suddenly came from the giant Ninja Hound's mouth.
"Whoa!"
Ebisu jumped in surprise, instinctively taking half a step backward as even his sunglasses slipped crooked.
Genma was equally startled but quickly regained his composure.
Although Guy had long known that Kuromaru could speak, he still couldn't help giving the giant Ninja Hound another curious glance.
Seeing their reactions, Tsume's expression remained unchanged.
"Kuromaru is a special Ninja Hound."
"Being able to speak isn't unusual."
"We'll be teammates from now on. You'll get used to it."
She then looked at the three of them.
"Now introduce yourselves."
"What are you each good at?"
The three immediately straightened their backs.
"Might Guy, Chunin. I specialize in taijutsu and fight using nunchaku."
Guy's introduction was brief and straightforward.
"Ebisu, Genin. I specialize in coordinated combat and use a pair of replica Hiramekarei swords."
Ebisu adjusted his sunglasses as he spoke.
"Shiranui Genma, Genin. I also specialize in coordinated combat and use a pair of replica Hiramekarei swords."
Genma answered plainly with a senbon still held between his teeth.
After listening, Tsume first glanced at the nunchaku hanging from Guy's waist before shifting her gaze to the twin swords strapped across Ebisu's and Genma's backs.
She asked nothing further.
On the battlefield, Shinobi wielded all kinds of unusual weapons. While theirs were somewhat uncommon, they were still well within reason.
Tsume nodded calmly.
"I have a basic understanding now."
"The fact that Captain Yamanaka assigned you to me..."
"It seems he thinks highly of the three of you."
"Considering the current atmosphere on the battlefield, being transferred into the Intelligence Division at a time like this is also proof that your abilities have been recognized."
She paused before giving them a meaningful look.
"When we're deployed, stay close to me and Kuromaru."
"We'll do everything we can to keep you alive."
Her words were straightforward and completely without pretense.
Hearing that, Guy and the others couldn't help feeling slightly awkward.
After all, with war looming and Iwagakure preparing for retaliation, they had just been transferred out of the Uchiha unit that had become the enemy's primary target and reassigned to a directly supervised Intelligence Division that enjoyed comparatively stronger protection.
To outsiders, it naturally looked as though they had influential backing.
Of course, that safety was only relative.
Once full-scale war erupted, the Intelligence Division would also be deployed onto the battlefield.
There was no truly safe place anywhere during wartime.
Tsume's attitude also reflected this reality.
She neither looked down on them because they had recently transferred into her squad nor welcomed them with excessive enthusiasm.
She was merely stating the facts calmly.
Afterward, Tsume briefly explained the squad's regulations and the matters they needed to pay attention to before calling over another squad member to guide them around the camp and introduce them to their new teammates.
The three immediately followed without delay.
Compared with Outpost No. 8, this new encampment was far larger, and its personnel composition was much more diverse.
Besides members of the Inuzuka and Yamanaka Clans, there were also many Shinobi specializing in reconnaissance, tracking, and intelligence gathering.
Although the atmosphere remained tense because of the increasingly unstable front line, it was still noticeably livelier than the exclusively Uchiha-staffed Outpost No. 8.
The three spent the entire morning following their guide and gradually becoming familiar with the camp.
Before they realized it, noon had arrived.
Following their guide toward the mess hall, they spotted several familiar figures waving enthusiastically from the entrance.
Kurenai Yuhi.
Asuma Sarutobi.
And Shikuro Nara.
The eyes of Guy, Ebisu, and Genma lit up simultaneously.
Unconsciously, smiles spread across their faces as they quickened their pace and walked briskly toward their old companions.
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