Snippet #2621960

"… Masked Man", Shinji was unsatisfied by this answer however his humorous side originally developed as a means to fake emotion while training in ROOT quickly came up with a 'plausible' explanation for the situation.

Kakashi was behind it all!

Shinji chuckled slightly unable to contain his amusement, in reality however plenty of Shinobi wore masks; even Shinji sported one during his hunter nin days. Shinobi listed in the bingo book operating without support in enemy territory couldn't afford compromising their missions through the attention their identity brought on them and their teammates.

As a result the information was practically useless, but as he had explained to his students the ambush itself provided enough information in itself to warrant further investigation.
Shinji broke away from his inner thoughts and smiled at the sight of Chika taking charge. Some would have seen this as the usual Uchiha pride and superiority complex, but Shinji thought he had enough reason to see Chika in a different light then the broody stereotype.

"Do not worry Chika; I have already dispatched one prisoner to the village using my summons and a note informing the Hokage of our situation. ANBU will be here shortly, for now we will proceed towards our original destination unless we are given different orders.
It is quite possible that we are still in danger, however if I am right and the perpetrators of this attack are somehow involved with the village they will not risk a further attack now that ANBU are involved. My deductions are by no means the only possibility Chika, in reality I have no proof to back any claim. Call it a gut feeling or an educated guess".

Shinji nodded at Areesia and frowned at her similar lack of success, deciding to leave the matter in the capable hands of the village's professional interrogators. "If there is anything to be gained from these people, then ANBU and our interrogators will get the job done. For now we go on with the mission unless instructed otherwise, I will leave a few clones here to make sure nothing is disturbed before ANBU make it here".

Shinji blinked slightly at Mazaro's claimed ancestry, deciding silence over dismissing the unlikely claim – he had given the young genin enough cause for worry today after all and his ability to renew his vigor so quickly was pleasantly refreshing.

Nodding at his genin, Shinji made several last checks on the battlefield to make sure all the living bandits where properly subdued before leading his company onwards on their journey.