Tsuchikage's Office
The Tsuchikage sat at his desk, deep in thought, as he faced Onoki, his trusted advisor. Though the Chunin Exam wasn't a major concern for the village, there were still matters to discuss before the Tsuchikage's departure.
Onoki:"Have you decided on the second group of Genin for the Chunin exam?"
Tsuchikage:"Yes. I've been selecting for days, and I believe I've found the best candidates."
Onoki:"What's their composition?"
Tsuchikage:"There are two boys and one girl."
Onoki:"And their chances?"
Tsuchikage:"They're not as skilled as the first group, but I'm confident they can pass the exam."
Onoki:"Good news. You know I'll be accompanying them tomorrow. So, let's discuss other matters before I leave."
Tsuchikage:"Yes, we need to go over a few things. The first is the mission Han is carrying out with the Five-Tails."
Onoki:"What about his mission?"
Tsuchikage:"Do you think it's wise to send one of our strongest Jinchuriki on a mission to kill a rogue ninja? If he's captured, losing Han would be disastrous for the village."
Onoki:"Don't worry. Han is more than capable. He'll have backup, and his team will support him. I believe he'll be fine."
Tsuchikage:"Alright, but the second issue is the protection of the village during your absence."
Onoki:"It's not a concern. We've already planned for any emergencies. In the worst case, half of the Anbu will be stationed in the village and will be at your disposal."
Tsuchikage:"And what if the plan fails?"
Onoki:"That's unlikely. Even though we're still recovering from the second great ninja war, our forces are stronger than any other village."
Tsuchikage:"Good to hear. Now, the final priority is your safety during your journey to the Land of Fire."
Onoki:"Yes, I'll have two Anbu teams accompanying me. One will return to the village, while the other will stay to protect me during my stay in the Land of Fire. That's fine with you, right?"
Tsuchikage:"You may want to add even more teams for protection."
Onoki:"That's unnecessary. You know I'm strong enough to defend myself."
Tsuchikage:"True, but extra precautions never hurt anyone."
Onoki:"Perhaps, but if we're done, I think we should wrap up."
Onoki:"I have one more personal question for you, if you don't mind."
Tsuchikage:"Ask away."
Tsuchikage:"You're one of the strongest men alive. Have you considered taking a wife? You could strengthen your bloodline, and you might even gain political power by marrying into a strong clan. Or, if you prefer, you could marry a powerful kunoichi. It's entirely up to you."
Tsuchikage:"Maybe I'll do it... Maybe I won't. We'll see."
The Morning of Departure
At the entrance of the village, Tsuchikage arrived, flanked by two Anbu teams. The Genin teams were already waiting, eager to begin the journey to the Land of Fire for the upcoming Chunin Exam.
Though there were two weeks until the exam, the journey was long. The Genin lacked the stamina to travel quickly, so they needed extra time. Without their presence, the trip would have taken around a week or less.
After a quick discussion, Group 13 set off. They ran through the rocky terrain, knowing they'd have to camp outside most nights. The only stop planned was a city near the border between the Land of Waterfalls and the Land of Earth. From there, they would sleep under the stars, traveling through forests and mountains.
Meanwhile, Han and His Team
In a quiet Iwa restaurant, Han sat with his team—one ninja and one kunoichi—discussing their next difficult mission. Their target was a rogue ninja, Sesaki, who had fled from the village during the night.
Han:"Sesaki is a sensor ninja. He has exceptional fighting abilities. He was a Tokubetsu Jonin before betraying the village. The mission is clear: We need to eliminate him and make an example of his betrayal."
Ninja:"It won't be easy to find him, but with our strength, we can handle it."
Kunoichi:"Even if it takes time, we should be able to locate him. As a Tokubetsu Jonin, he shouldn't stand a chance against three powerful Jonin."
Han:"True. The hardest part will be tracking him down. Killing him will be the easy part."