Kirigakure Gamer : Rise of the mist-Chapter 56: Dilemma

[Land of Fire, Fire Palace]

"WERE DID THEY GO", a samurai shouted

"NOTHING HERE, CAPT'N", another replied as he pierced a closet with his sword

A few meters below the surface, the four shinobi from Kirigakure had taken a break.

"What, now?", number two confronted Takeshi

They had successfully taken out two out of the twelve guardians, but number eleven was basically out of combat. Though she had reacted prompty, none of them were medical nins. Besides the basics, they could not treat her injuries to the point of putting her back on the battlefield. Her thigh was missing huge lumps of flesh.

"We only have one choice, sir", Takeshi answered, "We have to move forward. Taking number eleven with us is sheer madness. I would suggest killing her right away to spare her from the torture she would face if captured"

Number eleven nodded, as if hearing the death sentence from Takeshi's mouth was something she expected: "Leave me, I knew it was my time when I received that kunai-"

Number two clenched his sword: "What about engaging in a war of attrition. It might be more dangerous, but it is worth a shot, is it not?"

Takeshi nodded: "The mission is not complete yet, or else we would have gotten a signal from Seiryu's team. If not for our diversions, the main objective will fail"

Number three added, unable to give up on elven: "We managed to take down Chiruku. Without Eleven's ice jutsu, it would have been very difficult. The war of attrition is not possible either. The difference in numbers is just too great"

Takeshi frowned: "We are not here to debate Eleven's skills. She played her role. The mission takes priority"

Number two frowned, but could not find fault in Takeshi's speech. He embodied the true essence of the bloody mist. Eleven was resigned too.

"Forgive me, number ten. I let my emotions get the better of me. We will follow your suggestion"

*SPLASH*

Takeshi took out a kunai and painlessly slit Eleven's throat.

[You have successfully killed Lv. 61 Yuki ANBU - Eleven. You have earned 2600 EXP]

"We need to locate the next target", Takeshi ordered

Taken aback by the abruptness of the strike and the ruthlessness displayed, number three obeyed: "12 samurai above. Chunin-level. One shinobi, jonin-level. I assume he is one of the twelve guardians"

Number two nodded: "At my signal, we reveal ourselves. I will engage with the shinobi. Ten, you take care of the samurai"

The operation was progressing smoothly...

But at what cost?

===

[Konohagakure, Eastern Borders]

In the eastern forest of Konohagakure, the large-scale jutsu had been noticed by the border patrols of shinobi. Although the fire daimyo was protected by elite jonins, it was not the only security. Otherwise, a nation as prestigious as the fire country would have never survived for so long, with such highly-sought lands.

Samurais, mercenaries and shinobi in outpost guards were all part of the defense of the fire palace. Although the capture division had bypassed most of them with stealth, Seiryu's plan to create a diversion nullified that.

Naturally, the border patrols noticed the chaos, and immediately raised alert. Squads of chunins led by a handful of jonins rushed to the scene. However, distance was not so easily crossed.

Time.

Although it was short, the capture division was given a bit of respite. A window to deal a symbolic blow to Konohagakure.

Two guardians had already fallen, but Takeshi's sword was meant to get more.