[center][h2][color=moccasin]Tsukiko Umene[/color][/h2][/center]

The introductions didn't yield anything worthy of note for Tsukiko. While she would remember what they said word for word, it simply wasn't information that would prompt curiosity or interest from the older woman. [i][color=moccasin]Nothing outstanding,[/color][/i] she thought to herself, only a brief distraction before Senhime began to explain the details as to why they have been gathered for this meeting. Indeed it was in relation to the upcoming Confederation holiday. To be precise: they were planning on striking at the heart of the Hamajo Confederation. Obviously this was less of a show of power and more of a show of intent. Tsukiko could already tell that the Jiyutai had nothing to gain militarily or economically from destroying a large statue of the Confederation's president, but she knew it would send a message and potentially lead to improved recruitment in the future. A respectable decision on Senhime's part. Obviously there are better targets but this opportunity would only come once a year, and if they failed now they would likely not get another opportunity.

Senhime had also delegated more of the teenagers to be under Tsukiko's command than her own sister's command, rightfully so. [color=moccasin]"No need to apologize,"[/color] Tsukiko spoke up, waving her hand in a gesture of dismissal after Senhime gave her a polite bow. [color=moccasin]"This is nothing I haven't done before."[/color] Hell, even since she joined the Jiyutai she had taken control over missions and taken it upon herself to make whatever squad she was in suit her tastes. Tsukiko never attempted to hide her experience from her comrades. The population of the Jiyuna no Guntai were mostly teenagers and young adults. They mostly lacked experience with these kinds of military operations. Their leadership is earnest but still green and they have yet to make any real progress towards their goals.

But Tsukiko planned on fixing that.

Before she had any time to go over the mission details in her own head, one of the kids she was going to be leading decided to ask Senhime further questions. Akumako had already taken her squad out of the room, which made Tsukiko expect most of the immaturity would've left with the girl but it seemed that wasn't quite so. The Commander handled Takashi's inquisition and his subtle attempt at insubordination rather decently, though Tsukiko personally would've been a bit harsher if the boy had taken that tone with her. Regardless it seemed like an apt time to explain to Takashi, and everyone else still present, exactly what Senhime was talking about. [color=moccasin]"Boys,"[/color] she spoke up, in reference to Takashi and Kazuki, [color=moccasin]"Leave the planning to me. We have some things to go over before we even think about setting foot in Amegakure. Don't get ahead of yourselves."[/color]

Now she specifically directed her attention to Takashi. [color=moccasin]"If we're going to be a cohesive unit then there will be no tolerance for stupidity or mistakes. We have two weeks and I intend to use every waking minute of it to my advantage. So right here and now I'm going to tell you a little [i]something[/i] about the man of the hour, Ryuunosuke Hamajo."[/color] Tsukiko paused and glanced around, making sure that everyone present was at attention. Even Senhime should've been listening, as this information may be new to her as well as far as Tsukiko could tell. She had no idea what kind of education these kids had but it seemed like they all needed a bit more. [color=moccasin]"In Konoha we paid close attention to rise to power. He was young then, still a teenager, which made it all the more important to pay attention to what he was doing. He came out of nowhere, no history on the kid, none of the hidden villages had any record of him, and he starts defeating a lot of people. Mainly bandits and rogue shinobi, but he fought some particularly powerful individuals and bested all of them. Every person in the Confederation cabinet is someone who fought him and lost but he spared their life for reasons unknown."

"From the reports we had at the time, we had to peg him as Kage-level, if any of you remember what the Kage were."[/color] With a sigh, Tsukiko closed her eyes and shook her head. [color=moccasin]"We couldn't get any specifics on his combat details, but it was very apparent that none of us were equipped to deal with him until it was already too late. I'm not a gambler so I would say that if Ryuunosuke himself shows up during our attack, [i]we will retreat immediately[/i]. S-class missing-nin were killed at his hands with ease, and I don't think it's a stretch to assume he's grown stronger over the past decade. He's probably in his prime right now, if not just past it. It's best to think of him as a non-factor, from a tactical standpoint. If he ever comes into play then there should be no confusion on the subject: we will probably die."[/color]

It was depressing and lacked specific details, as Tsukiko was drawing on memories of reports she read years ago, but it got the point across. They needed to know what they were dealing with. [color=moccasin]"Either way, what we should take into consideration is Aoi Fuegushi..."[/color] Tsukiko opened her eyes finally and looked to the floor. There was a brief moment of silence from her, but after a few seconds she finally looked back up to the rest of her squad. [color=moccasin]"She is skilled and intelligent. It is safe to assume she won't be actively participating in the security from the start, which makes our lives easier, but she will not hesitate to jump into action. She has a kekkei genkai that revolves around mucus and she is incredibly proficient with it. She will attempt to trap us or force us into a position to be trapped. I worked with her before, long ago, so it is also safe to assume that she will know my tricks once she realizes I am on the scene."[/color] Thinking about Aoi was like a trip down memory lane, thinking back to her old life. Only instead of nostalgia she only felt anger and loss.

The older woman clenched her fists as she stood upright and ceased leaning against the wall. [color=moccasin]"We have time to go over this in greater detail, no need to get ahead of ourselves right now. Naturally we will sneak into Amegakure to scout the area beforehand, so I can get a good bead on where their security will likely be and what the layout of the area is like. Then we'll spend the rest of the time practicing, getting our plan down solid. I already said I won't tolerate any stupidity or any mistakes. If we get compromised for any reason..."[/color] Tsukiko had moseyed over to the table and stood next to it. She made sure to stand very close to the seated Takashi, likely uncomfortably close. In a blur of motion she drew her concealed gut knife from the pouch on her left leg and stabbed it deep into the table, making a loud noise and possibly startling those who weren't fully paying attention or those who didn't expect such an aggressive act. [color=moccasin]"Now, details."[/color] Leaving the knife in the table, Tsukiko sat directly next to it on the table and then scooted backwards. She decided that sitting with her legs crossed on the table itself allowed her to face everyone at once without being distant from them, as she would have to be to sit on the other side of the table. [color=moccasin]"Give me the rundown. What can all of you do, specifically? We're going to take this time to learn what [i]we[/i] are, as a squad, before we even think about what we are going to do. Start talking."[/color]