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[h2][b][color=moccasin]Tsukiko Umene, Honeybadger[/color][/b][/h2][/center]

The jounin woman looked surprisingly well kept today. It was evident that she skipped her morning workout, otherwise she would appear much more disheveled, as per her usual. But in order to be prepared for this meeting on time, Tsukiko had to forgo the exercise. Not having her daily dose of wilderness had another effect on her, aside from her appearance: she seemed grumpier than usual. Tsukiko constantly shifted her weight from one leg to the other, occasionally fidgeting and adjusting the weapons on her back. Near-constant movement as she not-so-patiently waited for everyone to arrive and the mission to get going.

Then one of the chuunin assigned to her team decided to speak up. [i][color=moccasin]Minamoru, I've heard that name before,[/color][/i] Tsukiko thought after Yamato introduced himself. Despite hearing him talk to her she appeared as if she was ignoring him. [i][color=moccasin]Isn't that the place I stole that shirt from when I was twelve? What happened to that shirt? Huh. Kinda regret shoplifting it now. Younger me wasn't very smart.[/color][/i] Her train of thought, which was intentionally silly to at least keep herself entertained, was broken when Yamato spoke up again to suggest he co-lead the team.

She finally turned to look at him, having to look down slightly from the minor height disparity. Aoi's provocation toward Yamato seemed to have gone unnoticed, but while Tsukiko heard her she was now focused entirely on Yamato. Her eyes squinted as she read his body language and began to understand the way he carried himself. Yamato may not know it, but Tsukiko was excellent at reading other humans. And she already came to a conclusion about him. [b][color=moccasin]"You can co-lead?"[/color][/b] Tsukiko began, her voice already painfully sarcastic. [b][color=moccasin]"That's good. You can carry [i]your ego[/i] for me."[/color][/b] After sparing Aoi a glance, almost serving as a warning as if what she said applied to the girl as well, she crossed her arms over her chest and sized him up again. Mainly to see how he would react to her aggression. After a few seconds of silence, possibly awkward seconds as it consisted of Tsukiko simply watching Yamato, she turned away to face Ayame and listen to the official briefing.

While this would be new information to the chuunin she was leading, Tsukiko had already gotten a gist of the information from meetings prior. This big organization was mainly to coordinate the teams more so than inform them, as all the jounin had been prepared ahead of time. This was particularly evident when one observed Tsukiko's complete lack of interest in Ayame's words. She had already heard them before, and didn't need to hear it twice to remember her objective. After the Hokage's Assistant was finished, Tsukiko turned to face her chuunin.

Tsukiko stared down at Nobunaga intensely for a moment, sizing him up much like how she evaluated Yamato. But in this case she seemed more skeptical of his presence as compared to being offended by it. After a few seconds of silence, Tsukiko finally relented her intimidating gaze from Nobunaga only to put it on Aoi. The clown girl stood out, visually. This may be a problem, but it likely wouldn't be. Tsukiko had read the files on these three, and they didn't seem to be buffoons or prone to insubordination. Yamato was the first to break the silence, questioning if Tsukiko had laid a plan out.

Leaning forward slightly, so as to put herself eye level with Yamato, she stared him directly in the eyes. [b][color=moccasin]"The plan is simple,"[/color][/b] she began, speaking at a moderate pace to sound more intimidating. [b][color=moccasin]"Do as I say the moment I say it."[/color][/b] With the overview completed, Tsukiko stood back to full height and addressed all three kids. [b][color=moccasin]"First thing we're gonna do is track down the clan's movements and position ourselves ahead of them. We'll create traps ahead of their path to ambush them and annihilate their forces."[/color][/b] Simple, straightforward. That's how Tsukiko kept it. [b][color=moccasin]"I'll figure out the traps we need once we get recon on their numbers and strength. The biggest condition we have to worry about..."[/color][/b]

Her gaze became notably angry, as if the chuunin had already failed the mission. [b][color=moccasin]"Not to destroy the scroll in the skirmish. No explosives, no big jutsu. [i]Got it?[/i]"[/color][/b] Tsukiko made sure to look each one of them in the eyes before relenting again. [b][color=moccasin]"Real simple. I don't tolerate any fuck-ups or weakness. Any of you brats make this harder than it has to be and I'll personally ensure you'll be sitting out the next mission you're given."[/color][/b] These three were likely unfamiliar with Tsukiko and her reputation, but by now they might realize her threats are anything but idle.

She finally turned away from the teenagers, motioning for them to follow as she left the meeting room. [b][color=moccasin]"Let's get going. We have work to do."[/color][/b] Their objective was in the deserts outside Sunagakure, deep in the Land of Wind. This trip would certainly take several hours, at the least. But it would also take time, or luck, to properly locate the Fushido clan. Time Tsukiko didn't want to waste. [i][color=moccasin]If everything goes well, I can be home in time to thaw out and cook some of that venison I made the other day...[/color][/i]

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[h2][b][color=orange]Shin Maru, Topaz[/color][/b][/h2][/center]

[i][color=orange]Why...[/color][/i] Shin thought, standing casually by Fujitora and his team. [i][color=orange]Why am I put on an all-guys team? Am I being punished? Have I been too inappropriate or mean?[/color][/i] With a sigh, Shin stuck his hands in his jacket pockets and looked to his feet. [i][color=orange]Could be worse, I suppose...[/color][/i] His attention snapped up to Ayame surprisingly fast when she began speaking, the large teenager taking in every word as he stood at attention for his superior. So the reason they were gathered was to capture some sacred scrolls and the man that originally stole them. And Shin's team was going after one of the scrolls, but one the village was unfamiliar with.

[b][color=orange]"No information on it?"[/color][/b] Shin pondered aloud, bringing a hand up to his chin. [b][color=orange]"Why couldn't we get details on that scroll but on the others? ... Fujitora, sir?"[/color][/b] The team leader simply started walking away, without hardly a gesture or acknowledgement of the team that had gathered to be led by him. This left Shin looking confused, unsure if he should follow the Jounin Commander or not. [b][color=orange]"Uh..."[/color][/b] He looked to Jaakuna and Paneru for suggestions, but his phone vibrated in his pocket. A quick examination proved it was a text from Fujitora himself, with a meeting place and a time...

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Once Shin finally arrived at the park, he sat down before Fujitora and listened intently. [i][color=orange]I've heard about the fighting ring,[/color][/i] Shin thought to himself, his expression doing nothing to reveal his thoughts. [i][color=orange]My uncle raided it once. I remember he said it was stupid because it wouldn't solve anything. I guess I understand why a little better. Into the lion's den we go...[/color][/i] He first sighed, but then the grin came back. [b][color=orange]"Gahaha!"[/color][/b] Shin began his unmistakable laugh after Fujitora asked if there were any questions. Once he calmed down after a second or two, he pointed at his chest with his right thumb.

[b][color=orange]"Don't worry, sir,"[/color][/b] he said confidently. [b][color=orange]"I'm not afraid of a little fighting. I'm more worried about catching the flu than getting hurt."[/color][/b] Big words, considering the situation. Shin wasn't completely ignorant of the weight of what they were about to do. His goofy grin toned down a bit and his tone became slightly more serious, but still notably confident. [b][color=orange]"We'll get that scroll. Bashing a few skulls isn't too bad, we just gotta blend in effectively. Fighting opponents one at a time in a ring is easier than being jumped by an entire mob."[/color][/b]