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The link is also in the synopsis
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Takuma nodded his thanks to the group of hostesses who set the table with a variety of beautifully plated food. He glanced at the man who'd invited him to the fanciest restaurant Takuma had ever visited.
Someone he had been looking forward to meeting since he had joined the unit a year ago.
"I must admit that the circumstances of our first meeting could've been better," said Jōnin Aburame Seinpachi, ANBU Captain Tachinid.
He was dressed similarly to other Aburame men. His blackout shades hid his eyes. He wore a headgear that covered his head and framed the sides of his face with small curtains.
"I won't lie by saying I wasn't disappointed by not knowing my captain, but given that's how you like to operate, I eventually understood and came to terms with it. And well, as they say: better late than never," Takuma said
The formal process for his transfer had been officially begun. It was the reason why they were meeting despite his year-long assignment with the Inquisitor Unit.
Takuma considered it his exit interview.
"I wasn't surprised when I saw the transfer request come across my desk. You've done excellent work for Weasel's initiative. It's only natural that he values you. I had hoped you'd stay for a couple more years. Even the most growth-hungry people end up staying longer than they expected because of Barbary; that man has that effect on people," Seinpachi said with a hearty chuckling, rare on the stoic Aburame.
People valued workplace conditions quite highly. As long as an employee's monetary needs were being met, they would choose a peaceful and nurturing office environment over higher compensation. Working under Barbary was a benefit that people didn't want to lose, so they stayed on for longer. They knew that when it was time to leave, he would help them move on, so until then, they gave it their best.
Takuma would've done the same. He truly liked working under Barbary. Unfortunately, he didn't have the liberty to stay put for a couple more years. He needed to continue pursuing the best avenues that would help him grow faster.
"Our relationship is indeed changing, but I'm not going to stop working with the squad. It'd be too much of a waste not to employ their skill when it's appropriate," said Takuma. In his opinion, Campbell Squad was special. Though he couldn't take away the talent, he could still make use of it.
"Assigning cases like we do to an assault squad?" asked Seinpachi.
"Collaboration on cases with joint credit, of course," Takuma replied promptly when he heard displeasure in the captain's voice.
Seinpachi hummed, and they ate in silence for the next half a minute.
"I was wondering if you had any recommendations," Takuma asked.
"Regarding?"
"Operatives. Weasel told me to form my own squad."
"He must've given you his choices."
"He did, but there's no harm in diversification."
In fact, Takuma didn't want to fill up his squad with operatives who worked under Itachi. He wanted to instil his own culture into his squad, which would be challenging if everyone was accustomed to the same culture. However, if everyone came from different places, they would be more likely to adapt to a new way of doing things.
And unlike Takuma, who only knew operatives from the initiative and some others in the department, asking a captain, whose reach was much broader, was an obvious decision.
Seinpachi hummed in thought for another half a minute. "I have a few people in mind. I'll send you a list, but there's no guarantee if they'd like to move," he said.
"That'd be plenty," Takuma smiled.
The food was delicious enough that he began focusing on it over keeping the jōnin entertained. It would've been one thing if Seinpachi had given him ten minutes in his schedule, but having a meal meant much more.
"Are you close with Weasel?" Seinpachi suddenly asked.
"I'm honoured that someone like him trusts me to build a squad," Takuma answered.
The anti-ROOT initiative, with its regular meetings and gatherings, had them meet each other plenty of times, causing them to form a professional relationship. It was like going to the same high school with someone, but only getting close to them once they entered the same university.
It was like that with Itachi. He had visited Mikoto's house for years without ever meeting him there.
"...Barbary and Krait both praised you, so I became interested," Seinpachi said, putting his chopsticks down.
Takuma wasn't surprised that Krait and the captain were close. They were from the same clan after all. There were even rumours that they were uncle and nephew.
"I'll be straightforward with you. I want you to come to Aburame. I see potential in you, and I can help you nurture it with the clan's resources and expertise. I know you want to get stronger; ANBU is good at that, hence your contract, but I can give you much more, so I ask again, are you close with Weasel?"
Takuma took a silent breath. The question was clear. Aburame Seinpachi was offering a sponsorship in return for swearing fealty to his clan, but first wanted to know if he had kissed the Uchiha ring. He knew that because of his close relationship with Mikoto, he would always encounter this question.
He calmly put down his chopsticks and sat on his knees as he bowed. "I'm honoured that you think I'm worthy of the Aburame ranks. However, I must humbly decline this generous offer... I don't have an intention to seek shade under a clan's umbrella," he said.
Momoe said she didn't need help to grow yet, so there was no need to accept a clan's support. He, too, didn't need help yet—Seinpachi himself said that ANBU was good at that—so, there was no need to sell himself short.
'I'm worth more than this,' he thought.
Seinpachi sighed and got up. "Well, it was worth a try. Everything's already paid for, so just enjoy yourself and order anything else you want. If and when you need help in the future, see me. You know where to find me."
And with that, their meeting was over.
Takuma looked at the food in front of him and began digging into it. If it was all paid, he'd eat his fill and pack up some to take home for Maruboshi.
———
.
"I think it's the right decision."
Takuma looked at Campbell as they stood at the water cooler. "I think so, too," he replied as he filled his small styrofoam cup with room-temperature water. "Why did you never seek a promotion? You definitely could've been a lieutenant."
"I'm happy where I am now. I don't envy Barbary's job," Campbell chuckled. "I like working on cases. I didn't even want to be a squad leader. The responsibility of leading a team and not screwing up has never gotten lighter, even after so many years. But I can't be an operative; literally, no one offers anything less than squad leader. I could screw up and get demoted, but I'm not an idiot."
There was no way Campbell was getting anything less than squad leader. He was not only a good investigator, but he also managed his people well.
"Wanna come with me? You can be an operator on my squad," Takuma said, bringing his most serious voice even though he knew it was a joke.
Campbell actually looked at him seriously for a second before chuckling. "I'm afraid both Barbary and the captain will not be as charitable as they have been. And well, I'm not sure you'll be a better boss than Barbary."
"I won't make you go to drinking parties till the sun comes up."
"...Don't tempt me."
Both of them shared a hearty laugh.
"Any tips on leading a squad?" Takuma asked.
"Didn't you lead a team at the Police Force?"
"I did, but that doesn't mean I was perfect. Far from it."
Campbell sipped on his water for a few seconds. "Ensure your squad has an environment they can do their work in without feeling any friction."
Takuma waited for him to speak more, but he just nodded. "That's it?"
"That's it. You'll find it's extremely hard to do so. There's always going to be a problem that you need to deal with," said Campbell with a tired sigh. "In fact, it's going to be harder for you. You'd better not get too involved in your case and ignore your squad."
Takuma accepted the advice, knowing that the chances of that happening were high. He hadn't led a team for nearly two years now; it would take some time to just not go on his own.
"And you need to start using your sword," Campbell said with a pointed gaze.
"What?"
"It would've been easier if you were still a genin, but your combat style has developed to a point that it's become a hindrance against kenjutsu adoption into your style. You never want to be anything less than your best on the field—which is not wrong, it's what keeps you alive—but if you don't use your sword against dangerous enemies, you will never get the required confidence."
What Takuma needed was a polishing phase. He had multiple powerful options that he needed to combine to achieve some cohesion.
"You're still going to teach me about kenjutsu, right? I'm not ending our lessons just because I'm transferring out of here," he said.
"I'll accompany you as long as you don't get boring," Campbell smiled, surprising Takuma because it felt like a provocation, something he had never heard from his leader.
He grinned. "Just you wait, I'll disarm you any day now."
"You're funny."
As they ended their water break and were heading back, Jotomi, one of the staff, called out to them.
'Should I also look into poaching staff?' Takuma thought. Good supporting staff was just as important as good operatives.
"Barbary would like to see you, Ratel," Jotomi said.
———
.
"Lord Hokage has summoned you," Barbary said as Takuma took a seat.
"Pardon?" Takuma said, stopping just before he could plant his butt into the chair and instead stood up.
"The leader of our village wants to see you."
"Why?"
Barbary cracked a brow. "Why would I ask that? If he wants to see someone, he gets to see them."
Takuma nodded nervously. "Am I in trouble?"
"I don't think," Barbary said with an amused expression, with a sense that he, too, was thinking why the Hokage had summoned Takuma. "It's probably because of your work. Elimination of ROOT is very important for Lord Hokage."
"I guess," Takuma said, still nervous. "What should I do?"
"Dress properly, don't be late, don't fuck up, be ready to answer any questions he has, again don't fuck up, and bring a nice gift."
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The link is in the synopsis!