The relentless cycle of D-Ranks continued, but the flavor shifted subtly after the survival exercise. While manual labor missions still cropped up, Genma seemed to intentionally select tasks requiring movement outside the village or some form of vigilance, constantly layering his own impromptu 'training objectives' onto the mundane assignments. Team 12 learned to expect the unexpected, approaching even the simplest task with a heightened sense of awareness, constantly waiting for the other shoe – usually thrown by Genma – to drop.
Their assignment today sounded deceptively simple: "D-Rank: Escort & Delivery. Client: Merchant Kodama. Escort Merchant Kodama carrying fragile ceramics shipment from Konoha South Gate to Kisaragi Bridge (approx. 5km route). Ensure safe passage and undamaged delivery. Return upon completion."
Merchant Kodama was a fussy, rotund man perpetually worried about his delicate wares, which were packed carefully into a large, wheeled cart he insisted on pushing himself, though he gratefully accepted Kenji's offer to help navigate rough patches. The route followed the main southern road, relatively well-traveled during daylight hours. It should have been straightforward.
"Standard escort formation," Genma instructed as they left the gate, his voice implying boredom while his eyes scanned everything. "Kodama-san and the cart are the principal. Ito, front guard – clear the path, watch for obstructions. Sumire, left flank – monitor the woods, listen for unusual activity. Ren, right flank and overall observation – maintain broad awareness, track any approaching traffic, ensure flank security." Genma himself drifted slightly behind, nominally guarding the rear but mostly, Ren knew, observing them.
Observe: Merchant Kodama. Status: Anxious (Wares), Slightly Pompous. Skills: Haggling (Adept). Threat Level: Negligible.
Observe: Cart Contents - Fragile Ceramics (High Value to Client). Requires Careful Handling.
They moved at a walking pace dictated by the merchant and his cart. The road was busy enough with civilian travelers and occasional patrols that direct ambush felt unlikely, but Genma's presence guaranteed complications. Ren kept his Observe Lv. 6 active, passively scanning their surroundings (Passive Scan Cost: 0.5 CP/sec), extending his awareness into the trees flanking the road. He noted bird calls, the rustle of small animals, the distant sound of logging activity – establishing a baseline of normal environmental noise.
[[Environmental Awareness] Lv. 2 Proficiency Increased: +1.2% (Passive Monitoring)]
Akari seemed more focused today, her head constantly turning, trying to apply the lessons on reading air currents and listening beyond the obvious road noise. Kenji walked with a sturdy alertness, physically placing himself between the cart and any potential 'threat' perceived ahead. They used simple hand signals learned during formation drills – 'All Clear,' 'Caution Left,' 'Approaching Travelers' – with growing familiarity.
[Basic Team Tactics & Formations Proficiency Increased: +0.8% (Sustained Field Application)]
About two kilometers down the road, as they passed through a section flanked by particularly dense woods, Ren's passive Observe pinged. Anomaly Detected: Multiple Concealed Chakra Signatures - Low Level - Woods Right Flank (Approx. 30m). Intent: Ambush Simulation? Matches Genma Shiranui's Signature Profile (Dispersed/Masked). Genma was making his move.
"Contact, right!" Ren hissed quietly, signing 'Ambush Warning' and 'Take Cover'. Kodama squeaked in alarm. Kenji instantly moved to shield the cart and merchant. Akari drew kunai, dropping into a defensive crouch, scanning the specified treeline.
Three figures erupted from the woods – blurry, indistinct shapes seemingly made of mud and leaves. Observe: Mud Clones (Low-Complexity Earth Release?). Chakra Signature Source: Genma Shiranui (Remote Activation). Threat Level: Low (Designed for Distraction/Testing Reaction). Not actual opponents, just diversions.
"Engage defensively! Protect the principal!" Ren commanded, knowing this was a test of their immediate reaction to a simulated threat. He threw two shuriken towards the nearest mud clone, while Akari launched kunai at another. Kenji held his ground, acting as a solid shield.
The mud clones absorbed the projectiles harmlessly and continued their slow, lumbering advance. Then, the real test began. Ren felt a subtle shift in the air, a faint ripple that his newly heightened Observe and Genjutsu Resistance seed picked up. System Alert: Low-Level Genjutsu Detected! Type: Auditory/Visual Distortion (Area Effect). Source: Genma Shiranui (Concealed Position). Effect: Creates illusory sounds (Shouting, Weapon Clashes) and minor visual shimmer to confuse perception.
"Illusion!" Ren warned sharply. "Focus on the real threats – the mud clones' direct path! Ignore extraneous noise!" He deliberately pushed chakra through his Genjutsu Resistance (Basic) pathways (Proficiency +2.0%), the world snapping back into sharper focus for him, though he saw Akari flinch at illusory shouting near her flank.
As the mud clones closed in, Genma layered the test. Ren detected another pulse – Subtle Chakra Infusion targeting Ren specifically. Type: Sensory Overload/Mental Disruption (Minor)?. This wasn't an area illusion; it was aimed at him. Suddenly, his Observe feedback became staticky, the visual data blurring slightly, accompanied by a faint, high-pitched whine only he could likely perceive due to the System interface. It was a direct attack on his primary advantage.
System Warning: External Interference Detected! [Observe] Skill Efficiency reduced by 20%! [Mental Clarity] Buff applied via [Gamer's Mind] attempting to compensate.
Genma was actively trying to disable his Observe. Ren gritted his teeth. He couldn't rely solely on the System visual feed now. He forced himself to use his basic senses more – tracking the clones' muddy sounds, watching their physical momentum. He risked a quick Chakra Pulse (Defensive) Lv. 1 aimed generally outwards (Cost: 15 CP). It didn't stop the sensory attack entirely, but it seemed to momentarily lessen the intensity, clearing his Observe feed slightly.
[[Chakra Pulse (Defensive)] Proficiency Increased: +5.0% (Used under Direct Sensory Attack)]
[[Genjutsu Resistance (Basic)] Proficiency Increased: +3.5% (Actively Fighting Interference)]
"Kenji! Disrupt their footing! Akari, target weak points – joints, head!" Ren directed, his voice tight with concentration. Kenji, responding instinctively, slammed his foot down hard, channeling earth chakra in a raw pulse similar to his survival test attempt (Proficiency Increase Noted). The ground vibrated slightly, making one clone stumble. Akari, recovering from the auditory illusion, threw kunai accurately at the stumbling clone's 'head', causing it to dissolve into mud. They destroyed the remaining two clones with coordinated strikes shortly after, Ren deliberately holding back on using any advanced skills, letting his teammates handle the takedown while he focused on resisting Genma's interference.
The moment the last clone dissolved, the Genjutsu effects faded. Silence returned, broken only by Merchant Kodama's terrified whimpering. Ren scanned the woods again with Observe. Genma Shiranui signature detected - Withdrawn. Monitoring from distance. The simulated ambush was over.
[Team Combat Simulation: Success (Threat Neutralized, Principal Protected)]
[Personal Objective: Resist Targeted Interference - Partial Success (Efficiency Reduced but Maintained Function)]
[EXP Gained: 150 (Simulated Combat Success, Adaptability Test)]
"Threat clear," Ren announced, signaling Kenji and Akari. "Let's keep moving. Stay alert."
Akari looked shaken but exhilarated. "We… we handled that better, right?"
Kenji nodded, looking determined. "Felt more… controlled. Your warnings helped, Ren." Even the merchant seemed slightly less panicked, seeing the 'threat' dealt with so decisively (from his perspective).
Ren simply nodded, conserving his slightly depleted chakra (CP: 170 -> 130 after the Pulse and resisting interference) and keeping his Observe active. Genma's specific targeting of his senses was a worrying escalation. It meant the Jonin strongly suspected Ren possessed abilities beyond normal sensory perception and was actively trying to quantify or disrupt them.
They reached Kisaragi Bridge without further incident, delivered the now slightly-less-panicked merchant and his intact ceramics, and began the trek back to Konoha. Genma reappeared alongside them as they re-entered the woods, his expression as unreadable as ever.
"Debrief," he stated simply. "Threat reaction: Faster, more coordinated than previous exercises. Formation held under initial pressure. Communication: Improved use of signals, verbal commands clear under duress. Individual performance: Ito - Controlled aggression utilized effectively to protect principal. Sumire - Recovered quickly from auditory distraction, provided accurate support fire. Ren…" Genma paused, his gaze lingering. "Maintained overall awareness despite direct sensory interference. Utilized teammates effectively. Defensive pulse technique deployed – still energetically inefficient."
He didn't ask about the pulse's origin this time, merely stated its inefficiency, which felt almost more pointed.
"Assessment," Genma concluded. "Marginal improvement in team function under simulated combat stress. However, over-reliance on Ren's awareness remains a critical vulnerability. Ito, Sumire – you must develop your own sensory processing and initiative faster." He gave them a sharp look. "We continue D-Ranks. But interspersed, expect more complex simulations, higher stakes. Do not become complacent."
He turned and walked ahead towards Konoha, leaving them to follow. Ren felt a chill despite the afternoon warmth. Genma wasn't just training them; he was dissecting them, especially Ren himself. And the purpose behind that dissection, tied to the Hokage's 'secondary directive,' remained dangerously unclear. The stakes of every action, every revealed skill, felt higher than ever.