Genma's field debriefing took longer than any of them would have liked, but between Sugimoto's calm control, Aki's skilled questioning aided by her Uchiha birthright, the medic's judicious use of painkillers and a mild sedative, and Genma's war-forged inner-resolve, they got through it. Genma was flat on his back on the stretcher again by the end of it, with the medic delicately probing his hands, like an explosives tech defusing a bomb. Genma watched for a moment, felt his stomach turn, and shut his eyes.

"Is that enough detail?" he croaked.

"It's good," Aki assured him.

"They've violated at least seven specific articles of the treaty, just based on what you told us," said Sugimoto.

Aki's palm flattened over Genma's thigh. "I can use that," she said with a feral smile when Genma opened his eyes.

"Good." The sun was at the horizon now, casting long purple shadows and glinting in brilliant orange flares from Aki's already fiery hair. Her eyes were deep, liquid black again, the startling Sharingan crimson hidden. "Get him out of there, and don't be a bastard about his eye," Genma told her.

"Don't worry about that," Aki said, her smile softening a little. "Not everyone from my clan has the same short-sighted view on that whole situation."

Genma studied her, and wished for a moment he had Kakashi's nose, to smell a lie.

Sugimoto seemed to sense his doubt. "Sandaime-sama and Arakaki-san hand-selected the entire extraction team, Genma-san. Have a little faith."

Genma licked dry lips and took a breath. "Good. Go get him out, then. That interrogator—"

"Takajin," Aki told him. "We know him. And we know about Kumoto. Trust me, if the opportunity comes..." She left the threat unspecified.

Genma just nodded and shut his eyes again. Good. Have a little faith. He could have a little faith.