"May the Will of Fire bring you swift victory over the enemy," Genji exclaimed for the umpteenth time to another group of Konoha nin. It was almost laughable how his motivational speeches were turning into his most visible contributions in the battle. It was most definitely not his idea of fighting a war. The young ANBU would have liked nothing better than to be in the thick of battle. Alas, the Hokage had other plans. Deemed too valuable an asset, he was basically stuck in the command post.
Valuable my ass, Genji thought as he sulked. He was reduced to being an over-glorified cheerleader for other ninja. That, however, probably had more to do with the competence of Hiashi and his staff. The Hyuuga leader had turned out to be an extremely capable staff officer and executed the details of the grand strategy with such wisdom and foresight that he left the young ANBU with little to do.
Still, Genji couldn't deny the merit of the Hokage's order. Konoha's defensive stratagem called for the use of relatively small but nimble task groups to whittle down the strength, morale and cohesion of the invaders. That meant fighting dozens if not hundreds of small skirmishes over many square miles of rough, booby-trapped, jungle terrain. It also meant a slow and tedious affair where an individual's accomplishments were easily eclipsed by the performance of the collective. Sarutobi keenly understood that in this particular battle, Genji was far more important providing overall direction at the command post than as a frontline soldier. And indeed, it didn't take long for Sandaime's caution and wisdom to bear fruit.
"Come again? I didn't catch that the first time," Hiashi commanded imperiously. The subsequent series of rapid and heated exchanges piqued Genji's interest.
"We have a problem," the Hyuuga admitted. "Yokoshima's task group lost a tactical map during a skirmish and has been unable to recover it. It might or might not be in enemy hands. The task group tried to shadow the enemy, but… it lost track of them."
Genji quickly assumed control of the matter. "Have the unit return to its post. The task group is covering a vital sector in the center. Without it, a hundred enemy ninja could sneak behind our lines without our knowledge."
Hiashi immediately had the order passed down the line without offering resistance. Whatever anyone said about his attitude, the aristocratic clansman understood the details and intricacies of command. His immediate and unquestioning compliance was a profound statement about the confidence he had in the Hokage's appointee. The gesture was not missed by Genji, who smiled from behind his mask.
"I want the real time location and the plotted movements of Task Group Yokoshima. And can someone bring a copy of the map they lost?" the young ANBU asked.
"Go ahead and bring Map NW-3," Hiashi elaborated to an assistant after consulting some documents. The Hyuuga turned to the ANBU with a piercing gaze. "You think the map's in enemy hands?"
"Yes, I do," Genji answered grimly. The tactical maps given to the mobile task groups contained the major features for a given region including the locations of traps, mines, defensive works and even suitable ambush sites. The enemy could conceivably slide around the stationary traps if they had a copy of the map. But this wasn't what happened. As time went on, reports from friendly units downstream of Yokoshima's group suggested that the enemy traveled southeast via the trap-infested trails instead of circling southwest around them.
"They're not trying to outflank our traps. They're going right through them," Hiashi stated neutrally, but it was obvious that he was stumped. The enemy formation was, for some reason, taking the path of most resistance.
"Maybe they don't have the map?" a staffer offered hopefully.
Hiashi was quick to counter that suggestion. "Then how are they avoiding every single one of our ambush sites? No, they definitely have it."
"Maybe they are confused about the symbols," Genji offered half-jokingly, "Either that or they are trying to meet up with…" Suddenly, he shut up as if struck by some realization. Others watched with bewilderment as the excited young nin then went about doing something.
"Ok, got it," Genji cried triumphantly at last, producing a large map. "The large X marks the location of original enemy contact with Yokoshima's task group. The dots mark additional contacts with, we believe, the same enemy. The circles mark possible alternatives the enemy could have taken based on information from the NW-3 map. The slashed circles mark possible NW-3 alternatives that we know the enemy didn't take." The ANBU then used a marker to connect the large X to every marked dot or circle on the map. He crossed out those lines that crossed or nearly crossed a slashed dot and extended the rest until they hit the border of Konoha's wall.
Excited whispers erupted from several observers, but Hiashi quickly silenced them with a cold look.
"There's more," the ANBU added. "I'm going to use a different marker to note the locations my captain gave while pursuing the Suna ninja who fled the arena." The new line he drew extended from the combat arena and perfectly crossed one of the original lines a short distance from Konoha proper.
"In the last half an hour, has Captain Yamato checked in?" Hiashi asked a subordinate.
"No, sir."
At that moment, one could almost taste the tension in the room. Hiashi had been briefed on the possibility of an enemy jinchuuriki prior to battle and presumably he had informed his staff. Everyone knew the implications of a tailed beast raging through Konoha proper. The imagery sent shivers down the spines of those who had lived through the Kyuubi incident.
Genji only managed a sigh. He had the greatest faith in his teacher and captain, but this was too important a matter to leave to chance. "Contact the vice captain of ANBU Team Alpha and have her move her unit there."
Hiashi was quick to shake his head. "They're currently engaged on the far side of the battlefield." Genji blinked, wondering how the older man could have known that off the top of his head. Then he recalled seeing Team 8 with Yuugao.
Who knew Hyuuga Hiashi had a heart?' Even in the midst of an operation, Genji couldn't help but grin slightly at the thought.
"What about the other ANBU units?" Oblivious to the dissection of his psyche, Hiashi posed an alternate suggestion.
"All are committed, sir. As are all first line units and the reserves mobilized so far. Additional units are forming inside Konoha, but it'll be at least thirty minutes before they can be deployed," a staffer answered. The response made Genji's heart sink. This was exactly the scenario he had been worried about, caught off guard at a time when he didn't have the necessary reserves.
"I'll go," he offered suddenly after looking at the map again. "The enemy formation is still some distance from the rendezvous. I can intercept the Suna jinchuuriki before they meet."
I just hope the captain and the others are all right, thought the ANBU. Realizing that his fellow genin stood no chance against the larger enemy group, Genji was determined to do something about it.
"You're going alone?" blurted some shocked staffer. Even Hiashi looked at him with an expression that seemed to question his sanity and for good reason. After all, not even the mighty Yondaime had survived his encounter with the last demon that attacked Konoha. As far as everyone was concerned, Genji was offering to commit suicide.
"If you're wrong about the timing, you could end up being outnumbered fifty to one. At least take some of the guards with you," Hiashi suggested.
Genji vigorously opposed the idea. "No. I'll move faster alone. Besides, I've survived odds worse than this." The young ANBU's offhand comment surprised some in the room, but definitely not Hiashi, who bestowed him a measured look.
"Very well. I'll send Alpha Team to assist you as soon as possible. Good luck, Genji-san," the Hyuuga leader stated.
"Thank you," Genji acknowledged cheerfully. "By the way, some of the jounin sensei are probably with Alpha Team, so tell them that Yamato has their students with him. That should motivate them to move a bit quicker." The youngster didn't even wait for a response before disappearing into thin air. He had a deadline to keep.