On the eastern watergate, Ryugo was sizing his subordinates, comparing their levels with his.
[Status: Ryugo Kagutsu | Lv. 24 (↑4) Genin (220 / 3 000)
Attributes (Scale 100):
Chakra Density: C (40) (↑30) | Chakra Control: C (80) (↑50)Mind: D (40) (↑20)
Agility: D (90) (↑25) | Strength: C (15) (↑30) | Stamina: D (80) (↑25)
Perk: Lightning Specialist (C), Poison Immunity (C), Team 11 Captain (+20% EXP to Team 11) (D)
Skill Proficiencies(Scale 100):
Bloodline Release: Raikōgan I (C) (45) (↑30)
Ninjutsu(Raiton): White Lion Storm Bite (B) (12) (↑40), Storm-Cage Blade (C) (85) (↑80), Lightning Clone (D) (90) (↑30), Lightning Arc (D) (77) (↑13), Lightning Snake Kunai (D) (60) (↑15), Thunder Clap (D) (48) (↑3)
Genjutsu: Genjutsu Reversal (D) (72) (↑22)
Kenjutsu: Amegakure Swordsmanship (C) (6) (↑36), Silent Rain Needle Thrust (D) (20) (New)
Taijutsu: Academy Rain Fist Style (E) (70) (↑5)
Miscellaneous: Stealth (C) (70) (↑15), Kunai Throwing (D) (72) (↑16), Strategy (D) (77) (↑22), Logistics (D) (10), Wilderness Survival (D) (10), Trading (D) (22) (↑12), Eloquence (D) (55) (↑18), History (D) (10) (↑60), Flute (E) (31) (↑16)
Items: Storm-Sever Katana (B)]
The past month had proved incredibly rewarding. His Amegakure Swordsmanship had risen in grade, to C-rank. His White Lion Storm Bite had even reached B-rank, which was usually reserved for chunins and jonins.
But he was not the only one who grew.
[Ameruyi Takeda - Lv. 24 (↑3) Genin]
[Tetsu Waraiko - Lv. 16 (↑3) Genin]
Ameruyi had reached the peak of the genin realm, just like he did. Her Silent Rain Kenjutsu Style, refined by the Takeda clan and superior to his Amegakure Kenjutsu Style, was of high proficiency. She knew at least four kenjutsu secret techniques, as opposed to him who knew only one.
Yet, Ryugo was now able to exchange blows with her in close combat. Partly because his physical attributes had improved a lot, partly because of his B-rank Storm-Sever Katana
Tetsu was also showing decent growth. In just two months, he had gained 8 levels. From deadlast to a reliable teammate, Tetsu had learned 4 different genjutsu and learned some throwing arts from Mumei. He no longer was just a support genjutsu user. He was a full-fledged shinobi who could put pressure on Mumei. His high perception allowed him to have high precision, a talent that was usually found in Haribako clansmen, rather than Waraiko weirdos like Tetsu.
His team had become an elite genin cell, its reputation born from military achievements, not mere lineage.
Team 11 stood together, Ameruyi sharpening her spare katana with a wheatstone, a basic maintenance routine that she had taught Ryugo. As for Tetsu, he was adjusting his mask with a newfound confidence.
Ryugo felt their eyes on him, this was his first official command without Mumei present. But they did not question his position. In fact, they were happy about it. Ryugo had been born for leadership, or so they believed.
Team 41 arrived first: three genin led by GotoHaribako, a lanky boy with sharp eyes and an umbrella-like weapon strapped to his back. His teammates were civilians, but they moved with the coordination of veterans. Sora had keen eyes and was a suiton ninjutsu specialist. As for Ren, his other teammate, he held twin short swords on his waist. His agile but strong build made Ameruyi and Ryugo nod.
They were from the Amegakure genin corps, but there was no doubt that they were no weaklings.
[Goto Haribako – Lv. 19 Genin]
[Specialization: Senbon Arts & Mid-Range Combat]
[Sora – Lv. 12 Genin (Civilian-born)]
[Ren – Lv. 13 Genin (Civilian-born)]
Team 42 came a minute later, their leader Yumi Hakkō already chewing on something that made her breath visible. She wore a gourd on her back, and her fingers were stained with chemical dyes.
[Yumi Hakkō – Lv. 15 Genin]
Her specialisation: poison. And it seemed like her two subordinates were using her poison mastery as their core skill. There was a slender boy called Kota to his right, young but slippery. According to the intel, he was a shurikenjutsu specialist. Dyeing his shurikens with Hakko poison made him dangerous, even if he had a lower level than the others.
To her left was another girl. A genin called Makura with a gas mask and a straw hat similar to the one worn by Ayerumi. She was a medical nin.
[Kota - Lv. 12 Genin (Civilian-born)]
[Makura - Lv. 11 Genin (Civilian-born)]
Just as he observed them, the two team leaders observed him. Goto Haribako and Yumi Hakko held no hostility in their gaze, but they were intense. They were respectively four and three years older than him. They had completed dozens of missions, but despite their experience, they did not dare to show insubordination.
The Dark Hall Tower name was enough.
In Amegakure, only a few out of hundreds could enter the Dark Hall Tower command. It was not a matter of strength, but rather, potential. It had been designed by Hitori as a counter-power measure against the Amakawa political power. A unit different from the JITE forces under Hanzo, handling the darkest of Amegakure's deeds.
Even though the Dark Hall Tower missions were classified, the public records spoke volume of a rising team of genins, Team 11. To stand out in this competitive faction meant to be geniuses. Rumors had it they were hunting missing nins like farmers collected chicken eggs.
Three shinobi with clan lineage, a strong record of missions. In Amegakure, where the bureaucracy and protocols were more important than honour, the genin cell captains naturally respected the chain of command.
"Goto, Yumi," Ryugo greeted, his voice even, "I'm Ryugo Kagutsu. This is Ameruyi Takeda and Tetsu Waraiko. We'll be overseeing this operation"
Goto gave a sharp, respectful nod, "Your reputation precedes you, Ryugo. We've read the bulletins. Your team's efficiency is… notable, far exceeding the Dark Hall Tower standards. It is a pleasure working with you"
There was a subtle curiosity in his eyes.
How did a Kagutsu managed to seize command when a Takeda genius is in the team?
Yumi Hakkō swallowed whatever she was chewing and grinned, a flash of stained teeth: "Greetings, captain! Likewise, a pleasure to be under your command"
The familiarity behind her words...She was a wild asset, but her chakra reserves looked decent. A true poison and ninjutsu specialist of the Hakko clan was not to be underestimated.
Ameruyi stopped sharpening her blade, the silence following the shink of metal on stone hanging in the damp air. Tetsu adjusted his mask again, a habit when he was uncomfortable with attention.
Ryugo's finger tapped the map at a bend in the River Sun Road, where the path narrowed between a steep, wooded hillside and the rushing water.
"The convoy will be here just before dusk", he spoke in a clear voice, his Strategy (C) skill flaring as he plannified the attack, "Our target is a merchant going by the name of Sato. He is an executive within the Lands of Rain's sixth merchant company called the Western Silver Drop Union. Our intel shows that he travels with four wagons, and recent movements suggest eight shinobi guards, all chakra-capable mercenaries, likely low Genin to high Genin level"
Goto whistled: "That's a big crowd, even for a merchant executive. How valuable is the convoy?"
Ryugo shrugged his shoulders: "Our task is the assassination of Sato. Nothing more, nothing less. We can divide the loot once we have eliminated all witnesses"
Goto nodded: "I like that. As for the shares?"
Ryugo met Goto's stare. He was a shark, like he was. Driven by money. Naturally, Ryugo did not want to give up a dime: "Let's say equal shares for now. Depending on the individual contributions of everyone, we will adjust once the mission is completed. I don't want to hear about this matter until the end, is that understood?"
Yumi nodded: "Fine by me. You wouldn't tarnish your reputation by being stingy, right?"
Tetsu shook his head.
You don't know him...
Ryugo continued the brief: "We have little information about the escorts, but recent logs from the Western Silver Drop Union suggest they are Tanigakure shinobi. Expect Earth and Water Release specialists. The valley fighters favor defensive, terrain-altering tactics. Once we engage combat, it will be chaotic. Priorise your survival and we will come back to Amegakure alive...and wealthy"
"Hai", everyone said in unison
[You have successfully given a strategic brief. Strategy Proficiency +2, Eloquence Proficiency 3]
The growth was just beginning.