The Calm Before the Storm 7

Tetsuma made his way to the Anbu locker room, where his uniform and tactical gear awaited. He swiftly changed into his black Anbu attire, the familiar weight of the gear providing a sense of readiness. His Anbu mask, though slightly worn from previous missions, was placed carefully in front of him as he adjusted his attire. The gear had become second nature to him by now, each piece serving a specific function, from the reinforced armor to the hidden weapons lining his body.

As he finished getting ready, he turned to the Anbu member assigned to guard duty outside the locker room. The masked figure stood at attention, awaiting instructions.

"Tetsuma-sama," the Anbu said, bowing slightly. "How may I assist you?"

Tetsuma, still adjusting the straps on his gear, gave a brief nod. "Please, contact my team and have them meet me at the usual briefing room. We'll need to discuss the mission ahead."

The Anbu nodded and quickly disappeared, leaving Tetsuma alone for a moment. He stood silently in the locker room, his thoughts drifting briefly to the mission that awaited him. Takigakure and Iwagakure's potential alliance was something that needed immediate attention. He couldn't afford to waste any time.

As he gathered his thoughts, the sound of footsteps echoed from the hallway. His team was arriving.

Within moments, Kaji, Ryoku, and Shikuro appeared at the door. Each of them was wearing their own Anbu gear, ready for whatever task Tetsuma would assign them. Tetsuma nodded to them, signaling for them to enter.

"Glad to see you all here," Tetsuma said, his tone professional but carrying an undercurrent of urgency. "We've received new intel from the Hokage. It's time to move out. We'll be gathering information on Takigakure's alliance with Iwagakure. The situation is sensitive, and we need to stay undetected."

He gave a moment for his team to process the information before continuing. "Kaji, I need you to focus on scouting. Stay hidden and keep track of any movement from Takigakure's forces. Ryoku, you'll be in charge of gathering intel through covert means. Shikuro, I want you to assist with setting up surveillance and managing any communication."

The team nodded in unison, each taking their assigned task seriously.

"We move out in ten," Tetsuma finished. "Get ready."

With that, the team dispersed to prepare for the mission ahead. The sense of camaraderie and purpose was clear, even if it was unspoken. They all knew what was at stake—gathering intel without being detected was critical, and failure was not an option.

Tetsuma adjusted his mask, a dog-face design with a distinct lightning symbol etched on both cheeks. It was a mark of his experience and skill, the symbol representing the electrifying speed and precision he prided himself on. The mask had become a part of his identity within the Anbu, and he wore it with the same readiness that came with every mission.

The mask settled into place, the cold, smooth ceramic fitting snugly against his face. He gave a brief glance at his reflection in the mirror, then turned toward his teammates who were now standing in the doorway, ready for the briefing.

Kaji, Ryoku, and Shikuro were also fully geared up, their own Anbu masks firmly in place, each reflecting their unique identity within the elite force.

With a quick nod, Tetsuma motioned for them to follow him. "Let's move out," he said in a low, steady voice, his presence commanding despite the subtlety of his tone. The team moved in silence, their footsteps echoing in the corridors as they made their way toward the mission room, where more details awaited them.