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There are some who say that the quickest solution to a problem is the best solution. That is not always the case. Perception is the key to victory, and the one who makes the first mistake is usually the first to fall. While it might have seemed like an easy task to deal with the unarmed woman, there was a simple fact that was impossible to tell just by looking. Whatever it was that animated these bodies brought the full nature of the people's lives with it. In this case, one of these zombies was a shinobi, and she could wield chakra.

As the opposing shinobi threw his senbon through the air, aimed as it was towards the woman, the she-zombie already had her defense prepared. Acting entirely on instinct, a tiny barrier of paper, sized five feet by three, would appear in front of the zombie at the exact moment that the senbon would appear to be about a foot in front of her. The paper, hardened and protected by chakra, would catch both the strike and the resulting explosion that ensued, and would do so in a way that was likely to be invisible to the man who had thrown the senbon. The defense, hidden behind an explosion of the attacker's own making, would thoroughly protect the zombie from any harm, all the while likely to leave him oblivious to the fact.

Coupled with the fact that the shinobi wasted no time in his secondary assault, it seemed unlikely that the man would even be prepared to defend against a counter attack. While his strike would fly forward knock the longsword out of the male zombie's hand, it was at that instant that the female zombie would release another act of instinct. The sheets of paper, which had formerly existed as a mode of defense, would now fly straight through the remaining heat of the bomb's explosion, cutting through air as they spun and shot straight towards the man who was caught up in his offensive strike.

Ten paper shuriken in all, the timing of the counter-assault was such that when the man began his strike towards the throat of the male zombie, they would be soaring through the air at 8 meters per second. From the near point-blank range from which he was standing, the man would be hard-pressed to mount an applicable defense.

That wasn't all, though. While the shinobi had successfully disarmed the zombie's longsword, he had, apparently, forgotten about the creature's shield. In the moment that the man resheathed his weapon, the male zombie brought its shield forward, protecting itself from the secondary strike that would have, most likely, cut through his throat. As steel rang against steel, the paper shuriken would be reaching their target almost instantly.

What could this shinobi do to save himself?

Paradise had once been lost, but now it would be found. As Kade walked along with his companions, he couldn't help but feel a little awkward. Since their time together, ti had become more evident that Xu and Akuseru, at least, shared a trait that Kade did not, and that was optimism. With their combined sensory abilities, the two of them had already picked up the trail and had begun the hunt, while he was destined to do what he had always done: follow.

He had followed his family's edicts and become a shinobi. He had followed the training regiments that had been set before him. He had become a Genin, joined a squad, worked for Kumogakure no Sato, and even become friends with these two shinobi for the simple reason that he had been told that he must by his family. His one small act of rebellion, training himself in the Iryou arts, was the only thing that he had ever done for himself, and he resented it. He resented everything about this place.

To Kade, paradise would be a haven where he would be free from the yolk of his family, his village, and even his friends, and be allowed to be who he wanted to be for no other reason than he wanted to be. He knew that he wasn't going to find that on this mission, but maybe... just maybe, he would be able to one day reach that Nirvana where he would be as untouchable as the archaic system of governance that had forced him into this ridiculous world.

As he finished this last train of thought, the group would notice that the landscape was changing and, at last, it became clear to Kade that they had reached their mission's destination. An abundant field of flowers flowed freely in the breeze, petals dangling loosely from their center before falling into the wind. The sight of this place was beautiful, but Kade knew that this beauty would be subverted into the war effort and become ugly, distasteful, and marred. It was at this moment that Kade truly decided... he was going to leave if it was the last thing that he did.

Although Akuseru thought he was being funny with his comment, the words stung. Kade had never had a close relationship with his parents, and the thought that someone he thought he was friends with could make such a remark, even in jest, was something that the medical Genin could hardly stomach. Akuseru had always been like that, though, and his loud laughter seemed to echo throughout the area, infecting everyone with his own sadistic jolliness. That soon came to an end, though, as with the changing of the scenery, so too changed the group's brevity. Gone in a heartbeat was the Hyuuga's carefree laughter. What replaced it now was cold, calm calculation, as chakra filled his circulation and cruised into his corneas. His words were few and to the point, not stating an ounce more than was necessary.

So too was there an immediate shift in Xu's personality. With a singular seal, the shy yet starstruck Sensor sampled the sensations within the sky. Quickly relating her own information to the group, Kade suddenly found himself feeling rather useless. As a reconnaissance team, the medical man had little to offer. Indeed, so concerned was he with his ability to offer any information that a thin line of a frown appeared on his face, although it was quickly squashed. It seemed likely, after Xu's question, that the team would be following the group of non-ninja back to their camp so they could gather some additional data.

"Seven. No nature manipulative abilities, non-shinobi levels of chakra. Heavily armed, displaying outward signs of aggressive behavior, likely to be somewhat talented at hand-to-hand combat. I think we've faced worse odds before, but we're not supposed to engage them."

Kade, at least, felt the need to reiterate what had already been stated ensure that the whole team was aware of the situation. It made him feel useful at this moment in time. Beyond that, he had also felt it necessary to repeat the last portion of the mission requirements, as Akuseru wasn't exactly the most level-headed of warriors and could make mistakes... especially when the fight could become exciting. The only thing left to do now, though, was wait for Akuseru to make the call.

Even though they were loud, Kade was glad that his teammates were, at least, enjoying themselves. While he didn't very openly display his emotions, at the same time he was pleased that the team could be so at ease with each other even after the long time that had passed between them. Xu had even made a joke at his expense! While it had taken Kade a moment to realize, in fact, that it was a joke, it made him internally smile. The group was now moving out towards the gates, but some of the words that Akuseru said made Kade somewhat nervous.

Overconfidence was the surest way to destroy a successful mission. It was true that the group had both a Hyuuga and a Sensor, but they wouldn't be using their abilities all the time. If they did, they would both run out of chakra. They still needed to have a plan in place in order to ensure that they didn't fail, but Akuseru had never been one for planning ahead, preferring to move with the spur of the moment that made grouping with him rather... difficult.

As they made some distance outside of the gate, Kade would quicken his pace, letting his strides become both longer and faster. He wasn't running, or even jogging, but he was certainly setting a brisk walk that the medical Genin expected his team to match, if not exceed, in which case he would follow suit.

"Someone else should take the lead. I don't really feel comfortable in the front."

The words out of Kade's mouth, the young man would begin to slow himself down. Akuseru would probably rush forward like he always did, and it would always be easier to support and follow him than it would be to make his own decisions or actions.

Since the group had arrived and were finally together once more, the medical Genin would step away from the wall which he had been leaning gently against and straighten himself out. Not quite standing at attention, he'd still be extremely attentive as Xu spoke about the mission, but he couldn't help but frown slightly at the last bit of the directive. Kade's eyes lowered to the ground momentarily.

"Does it really say that..?" His voice was soft as he mumbled, mostly to himself, before shaking his head to dispel the thought. Of course it was something that Xu added, and Kade tried his best not to sigh. With a shrug, Kade brought his eyes back to look his teammates in the face before managing to straighten the frown out of his face.

"If this place exists, its likely to be well defended. Should we begin discussing a strategy to ensure that we aren't caught off guard and discovered? Your thoughts, Akuseru-san?" Of course Kade completely ignored Akuseru's request, referring to the man with the same honorific that Akuseru had spent years struggling to get Kade to work past. As he spoke, Kade turned and began to make a move towards the Gate. They would need to be leaving here soon anyways, and it was easier to discuss strategy and travel than to simply remain in one place and waste time.

Kade walked around his apartment, carefully picking the right equipment for the mission in which his team was about to partake. No matter how slowly and carefully he packed, though, he was soon ready, with all of his gear stowed away safely and ready for use at a moment's notice. In his hip pack he held his secondary weapons while his katana lay sheathed across his pack, the hilt in easy reaching distance for his right hand should it be needed.

The sun had just broken over the horizon, its light cutting through the realm of the ephemeral to bring back harsh, daunting reality. There was no warmth in this light, for although Kade trusted Akuseru, the Genin also knew that the mission that the Jounin had signed his team up for was going to be in no way easy. It would fall upon him, then, to make sure that no harm came to his teammates, and he was sure that it was in this very first reunion that Kade would be forced to display the talents that he had worked so hard to accumulate in Akuseru's absence, and that he had worked just as hard to keep secret.

Well, that was a thought for another day. Right now, it was time to maneuver towards the Gate. Akuseru had said to meet there just after dawn, and the Genin did not want to be late.