Since Okamoto Dousuke was not a typical graduating ninja student, there was no need to assign him to a standard three-man cell.
This was undoubtedly advantageous for Okamoto Dousuke. Joining a team with experienced Chunin or even Jonin was far more beneficial for his rapid adaptation to the realities of the battlefield than being grouped with newly graduated Genin.
The inherent danger of a scout team was significant. After all, their mission involved gathering intelligence, which often required venturing into perilous locations such as enemy villages or deep within enemy territory.
At 7:30 the following morning, Okamoto Dousuke ensured all his ninja equipment was prepared, paying particular attention to packing extra antidote reagents.
By 7:40, with everything in order, Okamoto Dousuke arrived at Konoha's main gate.
As the only newly graduated Genin present, making a positive impression on his seniors could potentially save his life in a critical situation.
After a short wait, three other ninjas, two men and one woman, arrived at the designated meeting spot.
Once everyone had gathered, one of the middle-aged men spoke, "I am the leader of this team, Nakajima Sodai. Everyone, please briefly introduce yourselves."
"Hello. I'm Okamoto Dousuke, a Genin. I look forward to working with you all," Okamoto Dousuke said warmly.
As Okamoto Dousuke finished speaking, Nakajima Sodai, who had been observing the three newcomers, seemed to acknowledge his presence with a nod.
"Well, hello. I'm Hyuga Ritsu, a Chunin, and I have experience with several scouting missions." Her large eyes held the distinct white pupils of the Hyuga clan, giving them a slightly hazy appearance. The Hyuga clan's prominent Byakugan made her features appear even more delicate. This member of the Hyuga family seemed to be around fifteen or sixteen years old and was about half a head taller than Okamoto Dousuke.
"I'm Takuto Aburame, a Chunin," another figure, clad in a hood, stated indifferently, offering no further information.
"It's getting late. Let's continue our introductions while we move," Nakajima Sodai said, checking the time before standing up and heading towards the village entrance.
Upon reaching Konoha's gate, Nakajima Sodai swiftly threw a kunai, embedding the team's pass into the gate's mechanism, and then immediately dashed out of the village.
Okamoto Dousuke, Hyuga Ritsu, and Aburame Takuto followed closely behind Nakajima Sodai.
"Our mission this time is to investigate Sunagakure's movements. The village received intelligence suggesting Sunagakure has attempted to attack our village's ninjas." With that, Nakajima Sodai glanced back at Okamoto Dousuke, who was skillfully leaping through the forest canopy.
To maintain mission secrecy, the leading ninja only receives the full briefing at the Hokage's office just before departure. Therefore, aside from Nakajima Sodai, the others only knew they were embarking on a reconnaissance mission, but were unaware of its specific objectives and location.
"Because Okamoto Dousuke is a Genin and this is his first reconnaissance mission, he will require protection during the operation. You two need to look out for him, Takuto," Nakajima Sodai instructed the others.
"Captain Nakajima, with all due respect, I don't understand. This reconnaissance mission is clearly crucial, so why would you allow an inexperienced Genin to participate? If you cannot provide a satisfactory explanation, I'm afraid I cannot condone potentially dangerous actions in the subsequent stages of the mission," Aburame Takuto stated calmly.
"I am not privy to the specific reasons. As a ninja, you have the right to question, but not to refuse a direct order. Remember, ninjas must always prioritize the mission. Furthermore, Okamoto Dousuke is joining our team as a medical-nin. Do you understand?" Nakajima Sodai emphasized firmly.
"Understood," they replied in unison.
This individual likely has influential backing. Perhaps Lady Tsunade personally requested Nakajima Sodai to ensure Okamoto Dousuke's safety to the best of his ability.
Scout teams often face considerable risks, after all.
No one spoke for the remainder of their journey. Since leaving the village, aside from Nakajima Sodai's initial briefing on the mission, the rest of their time was spent traversing the terrain.
Along the way, the four ninjas moved swiftly through the Konoha Forest, rapidly approaching the Land of Fire's border. With precise chakra control, Okamoto Dousuke's Water Release techniques allowed him to maintain a speed comparable to the Body Flicker Technique, keeping pace with the more experienced ninjas.
Around noon, Nakajima Sodai raised his hand, signaling for everyone to halt. "Everyone stop here for a brief rest. Replenish your chakra, and we will continue our journey in the afternoon."
"Little brother Dousuke, weren't you just at the hospital? Why have you joined this scout team?" During the break, Hyuga Ritsu leaned in close to Okamoto Dousuke's ear and asked curiously.
As Hyuga Ritsu drew nearer, Okamoto Dousuke caught a pleasant, almost milky aroma. The warmth of her breath tickled his ear.
"Sister Ritsu, do you… know me?" Okamoto Dousuke asked, his face flushing slightly.
"I've heard you have a remarkable reputation among the civilians. And I also heard that you nearly defeated Kakashi in the Ninja Academy's ranking matches. He was practically a prodigy, graduating at the age of five and becoming a Chunin at six. It's said that if it weren't for his teammates' low evaluation of him at the time, he might have even been promoted to Jonin already," Hyuga Ritsu explained.
"Most importantly, I heard that you were accepted as a disciple by Lady Tsunade herself!" Hyuga Ritsu exclaimed softly, gazing at Okamoto Dousuke with a hint of awe.
"The future Fourth Hokage will be a disciple of the Sannin," Okamoto Dousuke mused internally. Perhaps being under Lady Tsunade's wing will pave the way for even greater things… just like the Yondaime under Jiraiya-sama.
After a quick meal of military ration pills to replenish their energy, they resumed their journey.
Sunagakure, border.
Nakajima Sodai, Okamoto Dousuke, and the others stood on a rise, their gazes fixed upon the small town nestled in the distance.
"This town lies at the edge of Sunagakure, bordering the Land of Fire. Its position as a trade hub means ninjas from various villages often pass through. We'll spend tonight gathering intel here, then decide on our next steps," Nakajima Sodai explained, his gaze sharp as he surveyed the seemingly bustling town.
"Ritsu, Byakugan. Scan the area for any ninja activity," Nakajima Sodai instructed Hyuga Ritsu, turning towards her.
"Byakugan!"
Instantly, Hyuga Ritsu's Byakugan activated, the tell-tale veins pulsing around her eyes.
"I've detected four distinct chakra signatures. One is in the center of town, two in the northwest quadrant, and one in the southeast," Hyuga Ritsu reported, her voice low and focused.
Nakajima Sodai swiftly retrieved a map from his ninja pouch and handed it to Hyuga Ritsu. "Ritsu, mark those locations on the map for us."
"Understood." With practiced ease, Hyuga Ritsu pinpointed the chakra signatures. "Captain, the two signatures in the northwest are very close to each other; they might be a duo."
"Acknowledged. Aburame Takuto, you'll cover the southeast sector. Hyuga Ritsu, you and Okamoto Dousuke will investigate the central area. I'll take the remaining two in the northwest," Nakajima Sodai finalized the assignments.
"Your objective is to identify the home village of each of these ninjas and, if possible, ascertain their purpose here. If you can't get that information, prioritize a clean withdrawal – don't alert them to our presence. We'll meet back at the marked hotel in the town center tonight to debrief," Nakajima Sodai instructed, pointing to the designated spot on the map.
"Yes, Captain," Okamoto Dousuke, Hyuga Ritsu, and Aburame Takuto responded in unison.
This allocation of tasks seemed reasonable, especially considering Okamoto Dousuke's newcomer status and his specialization in medical ninjutsu rather than intelligence gathering. Partnering him with Hyuga Ritsu offered him valuable support and a higher chance of successfully obtaining information on their target.