Chapter 44: 43. Reflection & Resolution [2]

Rei arrived at Tai's house

Picking up a rock, he threw at a second story window, but there was no response

{Well, let's hope it's not too heavily guarded}

Scaling the house wall with chakra, he knocked on Tai's window until it opened

"Mmmm...Rei? What are you doing?" (Tai)

"Making sure you don't go back to the academy" (Rei)

"Ahhh...huh?" (Tai)

"Wake up Tai, I need you focus. Unless you prefer to let all the effort you put in over the years go to waste" (Rei)

"Wait...does that mean you figured out Tango-sensei's?-" (Tai)

"Save it for later. I want you to take me to Suzu" (Rei)

"Right now?" (Tai)

"Yes. Now. I have no idea where she lives. But since you always told me you had your 'finger on the pulse' in school, I'd assume you would know" (Rei)

"Well...I do know but-" (Tai)

"Great. Start moving" (Rei)

Rei got off the house and gestured Tai to hurry

"Ugh...fine. Lemme get my shoes on" (Tai)

Getting dressed, Tai jumped out of the window and landed on ground

"Brrrr...it's freezing! And what the hell is that smell?!" (Tai)

"Five thirty a.m." (Rei)

"Bah! This had better be worth it!" (Tai)

"If you're goal is to not to lose your headband, then yeah" (Rei)

"Whatever, let's get Suzu!" (Tai)

Zwish!

The duo moved with haste as Tai led Rei to Suzu's house

♦♦♦

In a small home that seemed almost rundown, a lone girl was fast asleep

"Zzzzzzzzzz"

Thunk! Thunk!

"..."

Thunk! Thunk!

"...The hell? That delivery man isn't scheduled to be here today"

Thunk! Thunk! Thunk!

"Whatever...Coming!"

Opening her front door she was met with two familiar figures

"Suzu"

"Hm? Rei...and Tai?" (Suzu)

"H-hi Suzu. Sorry about this" (Tai)

"What is the meaning of this? Why are you two here?" (Suzu)

"I'm not entirely sure myself" (Tai)

"...You jerking me around?" (Suzu)

Waving his hands

"NO! Absolutely not! I'm just in the dark as you" (Tai)

"...Rei? What's this about?" (Suzu)

"You two follow me. Let's get on neutral ground" (Rei)

"Neutral ground?" (Tai)

Suzu folded her arms as she raised her eyebrow in suspicion

"And why would I do that?" (Suzu)

"Because I figured it out" (Rei)

"Figured what out?" (Suzu)

"Tango-sensei's test" (Rei)

"?!" (Suzu)

Rei continued with an annoyed tone

"You don't want to lose your shinobi status right?" (Rei)

"..." (Suzu)

"Uh...Rei? I'm not sure being short with her is the best way to explain things" (Tai)

"If what you say is true, then the possibility remains that I'll be able to figure out the truth behind Sensei's words as well" (Suzu)

{That's for sure. But I'm sure Rei already knows this. So why is he willing to tell her?} (Tai)

"Yes. Despite having barely a day left before our scheduled rendezvous with Sensei, I don't deny the possibility you could figure it out" (Rei)

{Called it} (Tai)

"...Then why-" (Suzu)

"Me coming here with Tai is a good enough hint. It's an established fact that you're smart Suzu, so stop playing hard to get and put your shoes on. We'll wait outside" (Rei)

"...Give me a minute" (Suzu)

Suzu closed the front door and went back inside, leaving the two boys outside

"..." (Rei)

"..." (Tai)

"..." (Rei)

"...Well" (Tai)

"?" (Rei)

"You gonna start explaining now?" (Tai)

"She realized the odds I've solved Sensei's question are pretty high" (Rei)

"But you confirmed to her that she could figure it out on her own so why would she agree to come with you?" (Tai)

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"Because Tai, she caught on to my suggestion. Me bringing you and asking for her to come along as well" (Rei)

"What does bringing us along prove?" (Tai)

"That in order to gain Sensei's approval, one requires the assistance of the other two" (Rei)

"Is that the answer?" (Tai)

"Almost. There's more to it than that. I'll explain when we're all together" (Rei)

"Okay...but why couldn't you wait until...say...noon-ish? Instead of five thirty in the morning. Ya know, so I don't freeze my handsome face off" (Tai)

"It's around six now actually" (Rei)

"Not the point" (Tai)

"Let's just to say..." (Rei)

Creak! Suzu came out of her house and locked the door

"...it's to clear the air" (Rei)

"Where are we going?" (Suzu)

"To my third favorite place in this village" (Rei)

"?" (Tai & Suzu)

Rei took off with Tai and Suzu in tow

♦♦♦

Meanwhile

In a Kumogakure laboratory stood three shinobi

"You guys are early today. I expected Tango, but there's no need to push yourself too hard Mabui"

"I was near the area Dodai-senpai. I figured it'd be good to stop by and help" (Tango)

"That's when he ran into me. But we shouldn't have much trouble when the others get here" (Mabui)

"...Well since you two are so eager, I will accept your kind offer to assist" (Dodai)

The two bowed to Dodai

"Mabui, we'll need your Raiton1Lightning Style. The 'battery' needs more energy" (Dodai)

"I'm on it" (Mabui)

"Tango, use those sharp senses of yours to monitor the frequency. The range was very disappointing to me the last time we tested it. With the new tools that came, I want to see how far we can push it" (Dodai)

"Of course" (Tango)

"And speaking on that subject, give me a sec. There new equipment just came in last night. I'll be right back" (Dodai)

Dodai left the room to the two of them

"You good?" (Mabui)

"Don't worry, I can handle the stress levels. Testing this shouldn't be a problem for me" (Tango)

"Well that's nice, but I was referring to something else" (Mabui)

"?" (Tango)

"I meant, how are you doing with the team. I heard about the exercise from Rei" (Mabui)

"Ah. So you know about them breaking the record?" (Tango)

"Who DOESN'T at this point? All the Jonin and Chunin are talking about how your new squad completely shattered the record for the 'Genbu Island Test'. They're all going on about our new prodigies for the next generation" (Mabui)

"Well...that's actually the problem" (Tango)

"...I don't follow" (Mabui)

"They're indeed powerful, but they lack the first key element for squads" (Tango)

"Ah. They failed the introduction didn't they?" (Mabui)

"Yup. Miserably. Mainly due to their advanced abilities" (Tango)

"How much time until the second one?" (Mabui)

"Less than a day" (Tango)

"Well, there's no need to worry. Rei is with them" (Mabui)

"You think he can figure it out?" (Tango)

"I'm pretty sure he already has at this point. The kid is a genius" (Mabui)

"Even if he has, can he get the others to due their part? Taking into account his nature?" (Tango)

"...Tango" (Mabui)

"Yes?" (Tango)

"Looking after him for so long, I feel obligated to give you some advice. Ya know, for the future" (Mabui)

"Hm?" (Tango)

Mabui had a somber smile on her face

"There is nothing that boy WON'T do to get what he wants" (Mabui)

"..." (Tango)

CLACK!

Dodai returned with a container in his hand

"Sorry that took so long. But it's finally here, the new parts we need" (Dodai)

"Amazing...I can tell how sophisticated they are just by looking at them" (Tango)

"With this, progress with the network can move at a more consistent pace" (Mabui)

"And I'm assuming it was made by..." (Tango)

"Yes. Manufactured by one of the best corporations in the Land of Lightning, it's a big help" (Dodai)

"Then it's time to get to work" (Mabui)

"Agreed" (Tango)

"This will be one of the biggest undertakings in the history of the village you know" (Dodai)

"We're up to it" (Mabui)

"Our country is counting on us. We will not fail senpai" (Tango)

"Heh" (Dodai)

Dodai handed them the parts and the group went to work. As time went by, more and more staff arrived and began to assist them

Smiling at all the young shinobi being so earnest, Dodai wore a determined look on his face

{Lord Third...I will see that the network ensures the future of Kumogakure...or die trying}

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