SWNOVELXO Chapter 31: Chapter 31: A New Mission! Rescue The Missing Hawks!
Chapter 31: A New Mission! Rescue The Missing Hawks!
The morning sun cast long shadows across the village hidden in the leaves as Kōzaru made his way toward the designated meeting point, both puppies flanking as they walked beside him with confidence and energy after a good nights rest. The weight of his forehead protector against his brow no longer felt strange—after completing two successful C-rank missions, the sensation at first exciting had become as natural as breathing.
He was settling into his role as a genin of Konohagakure, and into his new life as Kōzaru Inuzuka. Though each new assignment still carried its own unique challenges and worries of danger.
The familiar system interface materialized in his peripheral vision as he walked, displaying his current status with quiet satisfaction:
Kōzaru:
Inuzuka Clan: Level 6: EXP (520/1200) Skill points available: 1
Health: 130 + (12×2) = 154,
Chakra: 130 + (8×2) = 146,
Taijutsu: 12,
Ninjutsu: 8,
Genjutsu: 2,
Kenjutsu: 2,
Abilities: Wind Style (Gale Palm): Cost 20 chakra.
Body Flicker: Cost 10 chakra.
Beast Mimicry: All-Fours Jutsu: Cost 30 chakra.
Man Beast Clone: Cost 30 chakra per clone.
Special: Heightened senses Yuki & Riku: Ninja hounds Basic Pack Coordination.
Their first two missions had been C-rank assignments—escorting supplies to the front lines and then escorting injured Leaf shinobi back to the village. Both missions had escalated into their first life-or-death battle, testing their abilities under extreme pressure and against stronger opponents. Still, they had proven themselves capable of handling genuine threats and lethal combat situations, either by skill or luck.
Tatsuma was already waiting at the meeting point outside the mission assignment building, his demeanour carrying the confident ease that had developed since their first real combat experience. The dangerous mission had tested them all, but the tough training they had gone through in the last two days had given them genuine confidence in their abilities.
"Ready for whatever they throw at us today?" Tatsuma asked as Kōzaru approached, his grin carrying the satisfaction of a team that had proven itself under fire.
"More than ready," Kōzaru replied with a grin.
"Aotaka's already inside with sensei getting the mission briefing," Tatsuma explained, gesturing toward the mission building. "No idea what we're doing today, but I know we can handle whatever comes up."
The prospect of another mission felt natural after their previous C-rank assignments. While they didn't know what today would bring, their experience with the supply escort and wounded shinobi extraction had prepared them for various scenarios and challenges, making Kōzaru wonder what it could be this time.
Aotaka emerged from the building alongside Shibi Aburame, their sensei's presence carrying the same analytical calm that had guided them through their previous dangerous missions. Over the past week, they had learned to read the subtle indicators of his mood and focus level—today, he seemed focused but not overly concerned.
"Good morning," Shibi said, his voice maintaining its characteristic measured tone. "I trust you're prepared for today's assignment."
"Yes, sensei," all three replied, their practiced synchronization reflecting the team coordination.
Shibi studied each of them with the intensity they had grown accustomed to. "Your performance on the previous missions has demonstrated solid competence under pressure. Today's assignment will require different skills, but I'm confident in your abilities."
He gestured for them to follow him toward the mission assignment desk, where a chunin clerk waited with official paperwork that looked more complex than their previous mission briefs.
"Your assignment is a D-rank animal recovery mission," Shibi explained as they walked. "While D-rank missions typically don't involve more complex objectives than your previous assignments, this particular mission carries additional significance due to current wartime conditions."
The mention of wartime sent a familiar chill through all three teammates. Their previous C-rank missions had already exposed them to the harsh realities of the ongoing Third Great Ninja War—the dangerous supply run to the front lines and the life-or-death battle during the wounded shinobi extraction had shown them what real conflict looked like, almost resulting in their deaths.
As they approached the mission desk, a familiar chime echoed in each of their minds, accompanied by the appearance of system interfaces that only they could see:
[NEW QUEST RECEIVED] Mission: Animal Recovery Description: Track and return carrier hawks that have not returned from the front lines. Rank: D. Reward: 250 EXP Status: Active.
The system notification brought measured interest. 250 experience points was decent for a D-rank mission, though less than what they had earned from their previous C-rank assignments. The relatively lower reward suggested this might indeed be a more straightforward mission than their recent combat-heavy work. Besides, D rank missions weren't supposed to have combat in them in the first place.
"The mission briefing," Shibi continued, accepting a detailed scroll from the chunin clerk, "involves the recovery of carrier hawks that were dispatched to forward positions but have failed to return as scheduled."
He unrolled the scroll, revealing comprehensive information about the missing birds, their flight patterns, and last known positions. The hawks had been part of the village's critical wartime communication network, carrying messages between Konoha and the forward operating bases established during the ongoing conflict.
"Six carrier hawks were dispatched four days ago," Shibi read from the mission details. "Three returned as expected, but the remaining three have not been seen since crossing into the disputed territory northwest of the village."
The implications were immediately clear to all three teammates. Missing carrier hawks in wartime could represent anything from environmental hazards to enemy action. If the birds had been captured or killed, it could mean significant intelligence loss for the village.
"Our mission is to track their established flight path, locate the missing hawks, and return them safely to the village, if possible." Shibi explained. "We're also tasked with determining the cause of their failure to return—whether due to natural factors, injury, or..." He paused meaningfully. "Other circumstances."
The euphemism for potential enemy involvement hung in the air like a blade.
"This mission could take us beyond the village borders into disputed territory," Shibi continued, his tone becoming more serious. "While we don't anticipate combat, you should be prepared for the possibility of encountering hostile forces. The Third Great Ninja War has made even routine missions more dangerous than they would be during peacetime."
Kōzaru felt his heartbeat accelerate, though not from fear—from the familiar anticipation of field work. Their previous C-rank missions had taken them into dangerous territory before, but this D-rank assignment carried the promise of genuine challenge in other ways, despite its lower classification.
"Questions?" Shibi asked, studying each of them with those dark glasses that revealed nothing.
"What kind of equipment should we bring?" Aotaka asked, his hand unconsciously moving to touch his sword hilt.
"Standard field gear plus extended supplies," Shibi replied. "This mission could extend to multiple days if the tracking proves complex. Bring weapons and be prepared for overnight camping."
"Do we have any intelligence about enemy activity in the area?" Tatsuma asked.
"Intelligence suggests minimal enemy presence along our planned route," Shibi answered. "However, the nature of war means that situation can change rapidly. We'll maintain enhanced patrol protocols and communication procedures."
"This mission will rely heavily on Kōzaru's tracking abilities," Shibi explained, his attention turning to the young Inuzuka. "As an Inuzuka, your enhanced senses and those of your companions will be crucial for locating the missing hawks. We'll be depending on your nose and tracking skills."
"Got it." Kōzaru said knowing his clan abilities would come in handy for this mission.
"Nice! Looks like being an Inuzuka comes in handy for these sorts of things." Tatsuma said, with a wink.
"Indeed." Aotaka said, realizing that each clan had their own strengths and weaknesses.
Through his bond with Yuki and Riku, Kōzaru could sense their heightened readyness. The ninja hounds understood that they would be taking point on this mission, their enhanced senses crucial for tracking the missing hawks and detecting any threats they might encounter.
"The mission begins immediately," Shibi announced. "We'll proceed to the north gate and begin tracking from the last confirmed sighting position of the missing hawks."
"Rodger." The three of them said, making the preparations to gather their gear and proceed to the south gate of the village.
The team moved directly toward the south gate, each member now equipped with their standard field gear from their morning preparations.
As they passed through the gate and began their journey toward the last known position of the missing hawks, Shibi set a steady pace that would allow them to cover significant ground while maintaining alertness for potential threats.
"The hawks were carrying routine supply requisitions and status reports," Shibi explained as they travelled. "Not highly classified information, but valuable enough that their loss would be concerning. Our primary goal is recovery, but we're also gathering intelligence about why they failed to return."
The countryside beyond the village showed the same signs of war's impact they had observed during their other missions, though this area seemed slightly less affected. Fields that should have been filled with farmers showed signs of abandonment, and the normal traffic of civilians and merchants was noticeably reduced, though not as severely as in the more contested areas they had previously operated in.
This was what war looked like—not just battles and explosions, but the subtle erosion of normal life, the way conflict changed everything even in areas that remained technically safe.
As they approached the border region where the hawks had last been seen, Shibi gave Kōzaru the go ahead to start his search. Kōzaru nodded and started using his nose, telling his ninja hounds to do the same thing as they started scouting the area for any clues.
Soon, Yuki and Riku's behaviour began to change. Their casual alertness transformed into focused attention, noses testing the air for scents that might provide clues about the missing birds.
"They're detecting something," Kōzaru reported to Shibi. "Multiple scent trails, but some of them seem... foreign."
"Foreign how?" Shibi asked, his own senses now engaged.
"Different chakra signatures," Kōzaru replied, his bond with his dogs allowing him to interpret what his partners were sensing. "And there's something else... like the scent of the ocean. Salt and sea air, but we're nowhere near the coast."
Shibi's posture immediately shifted to high alert. "Ocean scents this far inland, combined with foreign chakra signatures moving away from the village..." He paused, his mind processing the implications. "That suggests possible Hidden Mist shinobi."
The words hung in the air like a threat. Hidden Mist ninja operating in Fire Country territory could only mean trouble.
"This changes the nature of our mission," Shibi continued, his voice carrying a tension they had rarely heard before. "If Mist ninja are in this area, the missing hawks may not be lost—they may have been captured."
Through their bond, Kōzaru could sense Yuki and Riku's increasing agitation. The scents they were detecting had become more complex, layered with foreign elements that definitely did not belong in this region.
"What does that mean for us?" Tatsuma asked, his hand moving instinctively toward his weapon pouch.
"It means this isn't looking good," Shibi replied, his tone carrying the weight of someone who understood the implications. "A D-rank animal recovery mission has potentially become something much more serious."
He gestured for them to move to a more concealed position while he considered their options. The mission parameters had just shifted dramatically, and they were no longer simply looking for lost birds—they were potentially dealing with enemy intelligence operations.
"The hawks were carrying communication about supply lines and troop movements," Shibi explained as they took cover behind a cluster of large trees. "If Mist ninja have captured them, they may be attempting to intercept our communications network."
The reality of the situation settled over the three genin like a cold weight. This D-rank mission had just become a potential encounter with enemy forces since their life-or-death battle during the wounded shinobi extraction, and the stakes were potentially even higher.
Suddenly Riku barked, alerting Kōzaru and the others.
"What is it boy, you got something?" Kōzaru asked, taking a sniff of the air.
"Looks like he's found some sort of camp." Kōzaru said reporting the information to the others.
"I can't smell anyone there, no chakra signatures in the area either." Kōzaru said, letting them know it was abandoned.
With that Shibi and the others went to investigate, moving with caution incase of traps or enemies hiding their presence.
In the distance, barely visible through the trees, they could make out what appeared to be have been a small camp or temporary shelter, although it had been made to look like nothing had ever been there, the scent carried on the wind confirmed the presence of people who definitely did not belong in this region, and the ocean smell was stronger now.
"We need to assess the situation," Shibi said, his voice dropping to barely above a whisper. "If the hawks are being held by Mist ninja, we need to determine how many enemies we're facing and what their capabilities are. We do not engage unless I say so. Is that clear." Shibi said, getting a grim nod from the others, knowing things could get ugly.
Meanwhile, in a concealed cave approximately two kilometres from Team 15's position...
Four Hidden Mist shinobi sat around a small fire, the captured carrier hawks secured in improvised cages nearby. The cave entrance was well-hidden by natural rock formations and carefully placed foliage, making it nearly invisible from the outside.
"These hawks are proving quite valuable," said the apparent leader, a tall man with the distinctive forehead protector of the Hidden Mist. "The information they were carrying about supply routes and troop movements will be invaluable to our intelligence division."
"The Leaf grows careless," replied another, a woman with intricate tattoos covering her arms. "Using such predictable flight patterns for their communications network. It was simple to intercept them."
"We should be able to gather much more information by studying their message system," added a third ninja, examining one of the hawks with professional interest. "If we can decode their communication protocols, we'll know about Leaf operations before they even begin."
The fourth member of the group, younger than the others but with the cold eyes of an experienced killer, looked up from sharpening his kunai. "How long do we maintain this position? The longer we stay in Fire Country territory, the greater the risk of discovery."
"Another day or two," the leader responded. "We need time to properly examine these birds and extract all possible intelligence. The information we gather here could contribute significantly to the Leaf's eventual downfall."
"Soon, the Hidden Leaf will fall," the woman said with satisfaction, her voice carrying the conviction of someone who had seen too much war. "And operations like this will have paved the way for our victory."
The captured hawks shifted restlessly in their cages, their natural instincts telling them they were far from home and in the presence of enemies. They had been trained to return to Konoha with their messages, but now they had become unwilling sources of intelligence for the very forces their village was fighting against.
None of the Mist ninja realized that a team of Leaf genin was approaching their position, guided by the enhanced senses of an Inuzuka and his companions. The simple D-rank mission was about to become a confrontation that would test everything Team 15 had learned about combat, teamwork, and the harsh realities of war.