As everyone gathered in Tsunade's tent for the meeting, Asuka entered alongside Shizune, only to be met with cold stares and a heavy, tense silence that hung in the air.
Tsunade immediately sensed the shift in mood. Her chakra flared through the tent like a sudden storm, pressing down on everyone present.
"Control yourselves," she said sharply, her voice carrying the weight of authority. "These are my disciples—and as their teacher, they have every right to be here."
Asuka stood just behind Shizune, silent and still, trying to make himself smaller among the ranks of jōnin veterans gathered around the map table. These were people who'd lived through more missions than he'd had birthdays. He could feel their doubt in the way their eyes lingered on him—a genin in a war council was almost unheard of. But Tsunade's chakra had flared earlier, commanding obedience through sheer will. No one dared challenge her word.
"The Sand's puppet division has breached the western line," said Nara Shikaku,, his voice calm but grim. "They're fortifying positions near the canyon. If they lock that down, our supply route to River Country is done."
Tsunade's amber eyes flicked over the map. "How many are we talking?"
"Twenty controllers. With their puppets, triple that number in effective combatants."
"It seems they came prepared" One of the jonin slammed a fist on the table. "Then we strike before they settle in. Hit them head-on!"
"That's suicide," another snapped. "You'll be dead before you reach their main line."
The argument spiraled. Tsunade let it go for a few moments watching, listening before her chakra surged faintly, quieting the room again. "We need precision," she said. "Not bravado. Suggestions?"
Asuka's eyes swept the map. He noticed a narrow ravine, half-hidden beneath overlapping ink lines. A possible path. His heart pounded, but he raised his hand. "Lady Tsunade… what if we don't attack from the front at all?"
A few heads turned, skeptical.
He stepped closer, pointing at the map. "Here. The canyon that splits off this pass is tight, but a small team could flank their position without detection. If we send a decoy east to draw their puppets out, we can hit the handlers from behind. No controllers, no army."
The tent fell silent. Shikaku studied the layout, tapping his chin. "The logic holds. It's risky, but feasible."
"We don't have any time for risky tactics when we have the upper hand. We will instead attack the supply lines to the north and make it so they stall long enough for our injured ninjas recover. After they recover we give them the fight of their life!" Tsunade said with conviction.
As the meeting broke apart, Tsunade rested a hand briefly on his shoulder. "Remember, Asuka strategy keeps people alive. But only if you're brave enough to speak when everyone else stays silent."
Asuka walked out of the tent alongside Shizune, the weight of the jonin's stares still heavy on his shoulders. The camp buzzed with activity ninjas darting between tents, medical teams treating the wounded, and supply units organizing provisions for the next assault.
"That was intense," Shizune said quietly, her voice barely audible over the camp noise. "I thought they were going to kick us out."
"Tsunade-sensei wouldn't have let that happen," Asuka replied, though his hands were still trembling slightly. Speaking up in front of all those veterans had taken more courage than he'd expected. "But I probably should've kept my mouth shut."
"No, your idea was good. Even Shikaku-san acknowledged it."
"Yeah, before Tsunade-sensei shot it down and went with the safer option." Asuka sighed, running a hand through his pink hair. "I guess I still have a lot to learn about strategy."
Before Shizune could respond, a familiar voice called out behind them. "Asuka! There you are!"
They turned to see Might Guy jogging toward them, his signature green jumpsuit somehow even more vibrant against the drab military camp. Behind him, moving at a more measured pace, was Shisui Uchiha.
"Guy? Shisui? What are you two doing here?" Asuka asked, genuinely surprised. The last time he'd seen them was months ago at the academy graduation ceremony.
"We were assigned to the Suna front last week!" Guy exclaimed, giving Asuka an enthusiastic thumbs up. "The flames of youth burn bright on the battlefield! We must train together and push each other to new heights!"
Shisui smiled warmly, though Asuka noticed the weariness in his eyes, the kind that came from seeing too much death too quickly. "It's good to see a familiar face, Asuka. How long have you been at camp?"
"Just arrived today with Tsunade-sensei," Asuka replied. "You two have already seen combat?"
The question hung in the air for a moment. Guy's enthusiasm dimmed slightly, and Shisui's expression grew distant.
"Three skirmishes," Shisui said quietly. "Lost two teammates in the last one. Puppet users are... difficult to fight against."
Asuka felt a chill run down his spine. This was different from sparring at the academy or even the intense training with Tsunade. These were real battles with real consequences.
"I'm sorry," he said, unsure what else to offer.
"Don't be," Shisui replied, his Sharingan flickering to life briefly before fading. "This is the reality of being a shinobi. We all knew what we were signing up for."
"WHICH IS WHY WE MUST TRAIN!" Guy suddenly shouted, his vigor returning in full force. "Asuka! Let us have a competition! Five hundred push-ups! If I lose, I'll run around the camp one thousand times on my hands!"
"Guy, we just got here"
"YOUTH WAITS FOR NO ONE!"
Before Asuka could protest further, Guy had already dropped to the ground and begun his push-ups with frightening intensity. Shizune giggled, covering her mouth with her hand.
"He hasn't changed at all," she said fondly.
Asuka exchanged a look with Shisui, who simply shrugged with a small smile. "You get used to it. Come on, we should probably supervise before he actually does run around camp a thousand times and causes a commotion."