Reflections [Private]

[Harorudo]

Another day, another successful operation for the ANBU in Training including myself. We had been tasked with surveying an area where we had heard reports of an individual being assaulted in the past - it was in the seedy Red Lights. There was unfortunately no evidence nor individuals that were matching what the assaulted and her family were describing likely due to this investigation occurring weeks after the incident. However, we completed the task by doing our investigation and I was able to go home and relax my aging body until the next assignment was given to me.

However, home was only a place nowadays and not truly a home as I opened the door. As it had been for a long time now, the place was lifeless and cold - only showing any signs of life when I was home and even then, I had not changed it since the passing of my wife and kids. I remember when my wife and I first purchased this place when we were barely adults and working odd jobs around the village to make end's meet to afford it. I remember seeing my children running around when they were little playing with their toys, our family pets or each other. All the holidays that we spent together here or family gatherings with our extended families where laughter, memories and overall happy times came to fruition.

That seemed like a lifetime ago now - I was tired and not getting any younger. I miss the life that I had when I was younger - I really miss my wife and kids.

MFT: 266 Words

 

[Harorudo]

I still missed my wife and kids, but things were looking favorable as I had been assigned to a mission. The mission details were brief stating to bring everything that one would typically use on a mission so nothing out of the ordinary. Aside from that small details and the location of where to meet for the assignment, there was nothing else provided. It was likely a safeguard to prevent someone from intercepting the message and using it against the village - we had to be especially careful with the looming threats of the Baron Twins and their organization in this day and age. Back when I was the age of a normal shinobi, we didn't have these kinds of threats and concerns as we were trying to survive in the desert with the natural environment fighting against us daily. There was no Baron Twins, there was no Cabal as I read in the newspaper, and there was other forms of terrorism aside from the occasional villager who tried to go rogue or had a twisted plan formulating.

This mission could be my last as any of the ones before could be - I was not getting any younger and the times were changing in the village. More students were graduating at younger ages and seeing promotions than back in the day when I first was in the Academy, when we actually had one. If they were more than ready to take the steps into shinobihood, then there was nothing for anyone or myself to say or do to stop them. I know for myself that I was a very late graduate and started my life as a shinobi when most people were about to retire. But, it allowed me to be useful to the village and keep my mind busy and sharp as it was known that mentally decline happened as we got older.

Sitting back in my chair, I closed my eyes and rested up. There would likely not be much rest when it was time for this mission just like the ones before.

[MFT: 346]

 

[Harorudo]

It was another day closer to the secret mission that I had no information about aside from the location. In a way, I thought there would have been more information provided on the days leading up to it, but the village seemed to want to keep things as close to their chest as possible for this one. Again, I could not blame them for it as we had many factors outside of our control including Baron Twins and their group who were likely trying to get the upper-hand on us like we were trying to do to them.

All I could do at this point was continue to get myself as ready as I could physically and mentally as it was likely going to be a mission of attrition on the mind and body if the village was not revealing any details. If it was capturing a stray cat or offering extra security for an event, they would have told us everything, but the fact that it was so vague did raise some concerns of what it was and if I was ready for it. But, they would not be sending an ANBU-in-Training like myself on a mission that I was not prepared for as the village needed everyone that could help at this point in time. We already were at our capacity as individuals and if anything else was burdened onto any shoulders, I feared that it would not end well for those shoulders or hips or backs. At my age, anything extra was not necessary as I was already pushing my body and mind to the limit and I could only do so much due to that - it was sadly a disadvantage with graduating so late as as student and joining the village's shinobi forces.

But, I could manage it and I had others to lean on if I needed to. Nobody would let Harorudo falter and give up on himself including myself!

[MFT: 326]