Naruto rebirth! Born again with a system.

Chapter 22: Departures and Preparations!

The late afternoon sun cast long shadows across the village as Team 15 made their way back from Training Ground 7, each member walking with the satisfied exhaustion that came from pushing their limits. The sparring session had been educational and intense, leaving them with a better understanding of their individual capabilities and how they functioned as a coordinated unit.

"Same time tomorrow morning," Aotaka said as they reached the point where their paths diverged toward their respective homes. "0500 hours sharp."

"Don't be late," Tatsuma added with a tired grin. "Something tells me Aburame-sensei isn't the type to tolerate tardiness, especially not on our first mission."

"Wouldn't dream of it," Kōzaru replied, though his voice carried the weariness of someone who had endured a night of brutal training, and who knows what tonight would bring. Yuki and Riku pressed closer to his legs, their own fatigue evident in the way they moved with careful precision rather than their usual boundless energy.

As his teammates headed toward their homes, Kōzaru made his way through the familiar streets of the Inuzuka compound, his mind still processing the day's revelations about their collective capabilities. The sparring match had shown him that all three members of Team 15 possessed skills that exceeded typical new genin standards, but it had also highlighted areas where each of them could improve.

The compound seemed quieter than usual as he approached his family's house, though he could detect the subtle signs of increased activity that spoke of wartime preparation. Additional patrols moved through the area, and the various ninja hounds that called the compound home seemed more alert than normal, their heightened senses picking up on the tension that permeated the village.

As he climbed the steps to his front door, Kōzaru was surprised to see his mother waiting on the porch, her gear already packed and secured for travel. Mika Inuzuka stood beside a massive grey wolf whose size and bearing immediately commanded respect—Kiba, her long-time partner and one of the most formidable ninja hounds in the clan.

"Perfect timing," Mika said as she noticed his approach, her voice carrying the brisk efficiency that meant she was preparing for immediate departure. "I was hoping to catch you before I had to leave."

"Leave?" Kōzaru asked, settling carefully onto the porch steps as Yuki and Riku immediately moved to greet the larger wolf with the respectful deference due to a pack alpha. "Where are you going?"

"Can't say," his mother replied with the tone that indicated the mission was classified beyond his clearance level. "Orders came down an hour ago. High-priority assignment that requires immediate deployment. Could be gone for days, could be weeks—depends on how things develop in the field."

The implications of her sudden deployment weren't lost on Kōzaru. The fact that experienced jōnin like his mother were being pulled from village duties for emergency missions spoke to how severely the ongoing war was stretching the Hidden Leaf's resources.

"What about tomorrow?" he asked, concern evident in his voice. "I was hoping you might have some last-minute advice before our first mission."

"Tomorrow?" Mika's attention sharpened immediately, her maternal instincts overriding her professional preoccupation. "You're being deployed already? That's faster than I expected, even with the current situation."

"C-rank escort mission," Kōzaru explained, unconsciously touching his still-tender bruises from the previous night's training. "Possibly B-rank, according to Aburame-sensei. We're escorting a critical supply convoy to a forward operating base near Stone River Valley."

His mother's expression grew serious as she processed the information, her mind immediately calculating the risks associated with such an assignment.

"Stone infiltration teams have been hitting our supply lines hard," she said grimly. "Three convoys lost in the past two weeks, with casualties among the escort teams. You're walking into a combat zone, son, whether the mission classification acknowledges it or not."

"I know," Kōzaru replied, his voice steady despite the weight of what lay ahead. "We spent today training together, testing our coordination and individual capabilities. I think we're ready."

"You'd better be more than ready," Mika said with characteristic Inuzuka bluntness. "Because being almost ready in a real fight gets you dead. And I'm not raising a dead son, so don't you dare disappoint me by getting yourself killed on your first mission."

The harsh words carried an undertone of fierce maternal love that took some of the sting out of their delivery. Kōzaru understood that his mother's aggressive concern was her way of expressing how much she cared about his safety and success.

"Practice your All-Fours jutsu tonight," she continued, her voice taking on the instructional tone he had learned to associate with serious training advice. "The technique should be becoming more natural now, but you need to push your endurance with it. In a real fight, maintaining the enhancement for extended periods could mean the difference between victory and death."

"What about the Man Beast Clone technique?" Kōzaru asked, remembering the advanced Inuzuka combination technique he had seen demonstrated the night before too. "You mentioned it yesterday as something I'd need to learn eventually."

"Eventually just became immediately," Mika replied with grim satisfaction. "The Man Beast Clone isn't just an advanced technique—it's a force multiplier that turns you and your partners into a genuine threat against multiple opponents. If you're facing Stone infiltration teams, you'll need every advantage you can get."

She moved to her travel pack and pulled out a small scroll, its surface marked with the distinctive sealing patterns that indicated advanced jutsu instructions.

"Basic theory and hand seals," she explained, passing the scroll to her son. "The technique allows you to transform Yuki or Riku into perfect copies of yourself, giving you the coordination advantages of shadow clones but with the enhanced physical capabilities of the All-Fours jutsu and without the draw backs."

Kōzaru accepted the scroll with reverence, understanding that he was being entrusted with clan techniques that represented generations of accumulated knowledge and refinement.

"But remember," his mother continued, her voice carrying warning, "the Man Beast Clone requires perfect synchronization between you and your partner. A mistake in coordination doesn't just fail—it can get both of you killed. Don't attempt it in combat until you've mastered it completely in training."

The sound of approaching footsteps interrupted their conversation as a messenger appeared at the edge of their property, his rapid pace and official bearing indicating urgent business.

"Inuzuka Mika?" the messenger called out. "You're needed for immediate departure. The team is assembled and waiting."

"On my way," Mika replied, shouldering her pack with the fluid efficiency of someone who had answered such calls countless times before. She turned back to her son, her expression mixing pride with concern.

"You need to get a lot stronger if you don't want to end up like your father," she said, her voice carrying the weight of old pain and fierce determination. "This world doesn't forgive weakness, and it sure as hell doesn't forgive hesitation. You're Inuzuka—fight like it, survive like it, and come home like it."

The mention of his father—a topic that rarely came up in their household—carried implications that Kōzaru didn't fully understand but knew were significant. The pain in his mother's voice suggested that his father's fate had been one she was determined to prevent her son from sharing.

"I will," he promised, the words carrying more weight than simple reassurance.

Mika nodded once, then moved to where Kiba waited with patient alertness. The massive wolf approached Kōzaru and gently nudged him with his enormous head, the gesture carrying the same mixture of affection and farewell that characterized all Inuzuka pack interactions.

"Take care of yourself, runt," his mother called over her shoulder as she and Kiba disappeared into the evening shadows with the messenger. "And take care of your pack. They're counting on you to keep them safe."

The compound seemed suddenly empty after their departure, the silence broken only by the distant sounds of village activity and the soft breathing of his own ninja hounds. Yuki and Riku pressed closer to him, sensing his mood and offering the comfort that came from pack solidarity.

Kōzaru sat on the porch steps for several minutes, processing the conversation and its implications. His mother's departure meant he would face tomorrow's mission without the safety net of having experienced family nearby if things went wrong. More importantly, her warnings about the need to grow stronger carried the urgency of someone who had seen too many promising young shinobi fail to survive their early missions.

"Well, guys," he said to Yuki and Riku, who responded with attentive tail wags, "looks like we have some serious training to do tonight."

He pulled up his system interface, curious to see how close he was to his next level advancement.

Kōzaru

Inuzuka Clan: Level 4: EXP (300/500) Skill points available: 1

Health: 120 + (7×2) = 138

Chakra: 120 + (3×2) = 126

Taijutsu: 7

Ninjutsu: 3

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.

Special: Heightened senses.

Yuki & Riku: Ninja hounds Basic Pack Coordination.

Two hundred experience points to reach Level 5. The previous night's brutal training session with his mother had earned him 250 points. If he could earn just 200 more points through intensive training tonight, he would level up before tomorrow's mission—potentially gaining access to new abilities or enhancements that could make the difference between success and failure.

"Two hundred points," he murmured, studying the numbers. "That's definitely a lot... Maybe if I push hard enough."

He stood up, his muscles protesting the movement but his determination overriding the discomfort. Tomorrow would bring his first real combat mission, facing opponents who wouldn't hesitate to kill him if given the opportunity. Tonight was his last chance to gain every possible advantage before walking into that danger.

"Time to see what we can really accomplish when we're serious," he said to Yuki and Riku, who responded with eager attention that suggested they understood the gravity of their situation.

The training area behind his house beckoned in the fading light, promising hours of intensive work that would push all three of them to their limits. But the alternative—entering combat unprepared—was unacceptable for someone who intended to survive and protect his friends.

The evening was still young, and there was work to be done.

The pre-dawn darkness that preceded their mission departure seemed thicker and more oppressive than usual as Kōzaru made his way through the quiet village streets. Every muscle in his body ached from the previous night's intensive training session, but the exhaustion was accompanied by the satisfaction of genuine advancement and the confidence that came from pushing beyond his previous limitations.

Yuki and Riku moved beside him with the alert precision that came from their own night of rigorous practice, their movements more coordinated and their awareness more acute than it had been even twenty-four hours earlier. The six hours they had spent working on advanced pack techniques had forged their partnership into something approaching true synchronization.

The training had been everything he had hoped for and more. The Man Beast Clone technique had proved challenging but achievable, requiring coordination between his chakra and his partners' transformed states. By the end of the night, he had successfully managed three complete transformations, each one lasting longer and requiring less conscious effort to maintain.

More importantly, his intensive practice with the All-Fours jutsu had pushed his endurance and efficiency to new levels, allowing him to maintain the enhanced state for extended periods without the exhausting chakra drain that had characterized his early attempts.

Kōzaru

Inuzuka Clan: Level 5: EXP (20/600) Skill points available: 4

Health: 125 + (8×2) = 141

Chakra: 125 + (4×2) = 133

Taijutsu: 8

Ninjutsu: 4

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.

Kōzaru had pushed himself to his limits last night, improving not only his taijutsu skill, but also his ninjutsu skill, earning 220 experience points on top, giving him just enough to level up and earn another skill point. Not only that, but the increase to level 5 had given him an additional 2 skill points, jogging his memory as he remembered every 5 levels gained granted two extra skill points, leaving him with four now to play with.

Not only did I learn a new technique, but I proved that you can also increase your abilities without skill points...Something I'm sure the others will be pleased to learn too. He thought.

The advancement felt substantial and meaningful, representing genuine growth in his capabilities rather than merely numerical increases. His taijutsu had improved to Level 8, his ninjutsu had advanced to Level 4, and most significantly, he had gained access to the Man Beast Clone technique that would multiply his combat effectiveness exponentially.

Now all that remained was how he would spend his skill points, having 4 of them to place and increase his skills further.

Guess I'll go with two in Taijutsu... and two in ninjutsu. Kōzaru said, knowing he needed to boost his health and chakra reserves too as he looked at his stat screen with pride.

Kōzaru

Inuzuka Clan: Level 5: EXP (20/600) Skill points available: 0

Health: 125 + (10×2) = 145,

Chakra: 125 + (6×2) = 137,

Taijutsu: 10,

Ninjutsu: 6,

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.

I really am getting stronger.

As he approached their designated meeting point near the village gates, Kōzaru could see his teammates already waiting in the pre-dawn gloom. Both Tatsuma and Aotaka looked alert and prepared, their gear properly secured and their expressions carrying the focused determination that suggested they had spent their own evening in productive preparation.

"Early," Aotaka observed as Kōzaru joined them, his voice carrying approval for the punctuality. "Good. I was worried yesterday's training might have left you too exhausted for prompt arrival."

"Exhausted, maybe," Kōzaru replied with a tired but satisfied smile, "but also stronger. I managed to level up last night, and I learned some new techniques that should prove useful if we encounter trouble."

"Wait, you leveled up again?" Tatsuma asked, his voice carrying a mix of interest and barely concealed envy. "How are you advancing so quickly? I've been training just as hard..."

"New techniques too?" Aotaka added, unable to hide the slight edge in his tone. "What is it this time?"

Kōzaru shifted uncomfortably under their scrutiny. "Man Beast Clone," he said simply.

Both teammates' expressions immediately shifted from jealousy to impressed surprise, their competitive feelings momentarily forgotten.

"That's an advanced Inuzuka technique," Aotaka said with obvious respect, though his voice still held a note of wonder at his teammate's rapid progress. "I've read about it in the clan archives. Being able to create perfect physical copies of yourself using your ninja hounds..."

"How did you learn something that advanced so fast?" Tatsuma interrupted, knowing it was similar to his shadow clone jutsu.

"My mother gave me a jutsu scroll to learn before she left on a mission of her own. Maybe learning a new jutsu was what gave me a larger EXP boost than just practicing my existing jutsu." Kōzaru said, causing the others to agree.

"Now that you mention it, I do remember something about getting an EXP boost for completing missions or learning techniques via teacher or scroll..." Aotaka said, trying to jog his memory.

"Oh and get this, I was also able to increase my skills through training and not just skill points. I also got an extra two skill points for hitting level 5. I bet once you guys level up, you will get the same!" Kōzaru said, getting both of them to raise an eyebrow.

"Damn... is that right? I thought you seemed stronger." Tatsuma said, being able to notice the difference in his friend.

"That only makes me want to train harder and level up." Aotaka said, wondering why he hadn't been able to increase his skills yet.

Their conversation was suddenly interrupted by the arrival of Shibi Aburame, whose presence immediately commanded attention and respect. Their sensei approached with his characteristic measured precision, his dark clothing and composed bearing giving him an aura of professional competence despite his young age that was particularly reassuring given the dangerous nature of their assignment.

"Team 15," he said by way of greeting, his voice carrying the calm authority that they had learned to associate with mission briefings. "I trust you spent yesterday in productive preparation?"

"Yes, Aburame-sensei," they replied in unison, their voices carrying the confidence that came from intensive training and genuine readiness.

"Excellent," Shibi acknowledged, his gaze taking in their equipment and general condition with the evaluation of someone accustomed to assessing team readiness. "Because today's mission will test every aspect of your development as shinobi."

He gestured toward the village gates, where they could see a loaded merchant wagon waiting with obvious impatience. Even from a distance, it was clear that the cargo was substantial and carefully secured, suggesting the critical nature of the supplies they would be escorting.

"Yamamoto-san has been waiting since 0430," Shibi continued as they began walking toward their client. "The delay in departure increases our exposure risk, but intelligence reports suggested that enemy activity is typically lower during early morning hours."

"What's the latest on Stone infiltration teams?" Aotaka asked.

"Two confirmed teams operating in our general route area," Shibi replied grimly. "Squad strength, estimated genin to chūnin level. They've been conducting systematic attacks on supply convoys, prioritizing disruption over capture."

"Meaning they're more interested in destroying our supplies than stealing them," Tatsuma observed, understanding the implications immediately.

"Correct," Shibi confirmed. "Which means engagement protocols are simplified—any Stone forces we encounter will be attempting to eliminate both cargo and escort."

As they approached the merchant wagon, a middle-aged man with worried eyes and nervous energy stepped forward to meet them. His clothes were well-made but practical, and his manner suggested someone accustomed to dangerous travel but not entirely comfortable with the current level of risk.

"Yamamoto Kenji," the merchant introduced himself with a respectful bow. "I cannot express how grateful I am for your escort services, especially given the current... difficulties with Stone forces."

"Aburame Shibi, Team 15 leader," their sensei replied formally. "These are my genin: Inuzuka Kōzaru, Uzumaki Tatsuma, and Senju Aotaka. We will ensure your cargo reaches its destination safely."

The merchant's eyes widened slightly as he processed the clan names of their escort team, his expression shifting from worried gratitude to something approaching relief.

"Inuzuka, Uzumaki, and Senju," he repeated with obvious satisfaction. "With bloodlines like those protecting my cargo, perhaps this journey won't be as dangerous as I feared."

"Do not let clan reputations breed overconfidence," Shibi warned seriously. "These are freshly promoted genin on their first C-rank mission. Professional competence, not bloodlines, will determine our success."

The reminder served to focus everyone's attention on the reality of their situation. Regardless of their clan heritage or individual capabilities, they were still inexperienced genin facing opponents who had already demonstrated their willingness and ability to kill.

"What's our departure schedule?" Kōzaru asked, Yuki and Riku positioning themselves alertly beside the wagon as they evaluated their new assignment.

"Immediate," Shibi replied, checking his gear one final time. "Standard escort formation—I'll take point, you three will maintain protective positions around the wagon, with rotation every two hours to prevent fatigue. Travel time to the forward base is estimated at eight hours, assuming no delays."

"And if we encounter Stone forces?" Tatsuma asked, though his tone suggested he already knew the answer.

"Eliminate them," Shibi said simply, his voice carrying no room for hesitation or moral uncertainty. "Our mission is to deliver these supplies to our forces. Anything that threatens that objective becomes a priority target."

The finality of his statement settled over Team 15 like a cold weight, the reality of their situation crystallizing into sharp focus. Today they would face their first real combat as active shinobi, with all the moral complexity and genuine danger that implied.

But as Kōzaru looked at his teammates—seeing the same mixture of determination and nervous energy in their expressions that he felt in his own chest—he knew they were as ready as they could possibly be.

The mission was beginning, and there would be no turning back now.