The light of morning filtered across Konoha, gilding the rooftops in gold. Uchiha Shigure had barely returned home when his teammates arrived at his door, their footsteps hurried.
"Shigure!" Hyūga Akane, her red hair catching the sunlight, called out. "Hizashi-sensei ordered us to gather at the village gate immediately. We've been assigned a mission—a C-rank!"
Shigure raised an eyebrow. "C-rank so soon?"
Before Akane could speak further, Hoshiko stepped out from behind her, clutching something wrapped in cloth. She looked up at him with hopeful eyes.
"Brother Shigure, you'll be going on a mission… so I made these." She held out carefully packed ration pills. Her hands trembled faintly. "They're not much, but… I hope they'll help you."
Warmth stirred in Shigure's chest. He took the gift solemnly, tucking it into his pouch. "Silly girl. It's just a C-rank. Wait here for me—I'll come back in no time." He ruffled her hair gently before shouldering his gear, meeting Kusuo Hatake and Akane as they set out.
At Konoha's great wooden gates, Hizashi Hyūga already waited, arms folded. A large, bearded man with stern eyes stood beside him. Judging by his stiff stature and frowning scowl, he was their client.
"Kusuo. Akane. Shigure. You're late." Hizashi's tone was clipped, though not unkind. "This is your first mission under my guidance. Make no mistake—how you act today will shape the path of your careers."
He gestured at the bearded man. "This is Noguchi Hideo, your client. You three will protect him during his journey."
Noguchi huffed incredulously, eyeing the genin team with blatant doubt. "These children? Are you serious? You expect brats to keep me safe? Hmph!"
Hizashi's pale gaze sharpened, voice firm. "Do not underestimate them, Noguchi-dono. For Genin, there are none better. And your request only barely qualifies for C-rank. With me here, your safety is assured."
The man paled slightly at the Jonin's calm authority, muttering under his breath before lowering his head.
"This mission," Hizashi continued, "is to escort Noguchi through the forests outside these walls, protecting him from wild beasts or bandits. While ordinarily this would be Chunin work, I decided it was time my students face the test of reality." His tone softened. "I believe in you."
The first three hours passed uneventfully. Sunlight splashed through leaves as they crossed rough roads, Noguchi stumbling occasionally behind Hizashi's steady pace.
But when dusk began to darken the skies, Noguchi's movements grew anxious. His eyes darted more than his feet moved.
"It'll take us longer to reach the next town," Hizashi announced, voice measured. "We camp here tonight. Better to rest and move quickly at dawn."
Noguchi frowned deeply, wringing his hands. "But… no, we should—must hurry. Dangerous things prowl at night."
Shigure narrowed his eyes. His Sharingan flickered briefly. "Mr. Noguchi. Is there something you haven't told us?"
The bearded man stiffened before faking a laugh. "Of course not! No secrets, no dangers. Just… ordinary fear of the dark." His denial did little to ease suspicion.
Shigure let the matter go for now. But his instincts whispered otherwise.
The moon climbed high. The forest shivered with silence.
Then a wolf's howling pierced the dark.
"AWOOOOOOO!"
The sound rolled across the trees, answered by more—echoing, closer every moment.
Noguchi trembled visibly. "W-wolves…? No! Oh no!"
Akane clutched her kunai nervously, her white Byakugan veins visible under tense skin. "Th-there are so many…"
Beside her, Kusuo's hand tightened on his sword hilt. Sweat trickled down his temple. He exhaled once and rushed forward, blade flashing silver. "Then I'll carve them down!"
"Kusuo! Don't—!"
But his sword already bit into the first wolf bursting from the shadows, blood spraying into the grass. Three more followed, eyes glowing red, fangs bared.
The clearing erupted with chaos, wolves surging like a tide of fangs and fur. Their howls echoed with primal hunger.
Noguchi cried out, stumbling back. "Protect me! Protect me!"
Akane froze, fear rooting her in place.
Shigure grit his teeth. They're losing it.
"Hatake! Fall back!" His voice cut like steel. "Formation defensive—circle the client!"
Kusuo grunted, kicking one wolf back before retreating. The three Genin tightened their stance around Noguchi, weapons outward.
Shigure's hands blurred through seals in a fiery rhythm.
"What do wolves fear most? Fire."
"Katon: Gōkakyū no Jutsu!"
A roaring fireball erupted from his throat, bathing the clearing in orange. The first line of wolves yelped, seared in its blaze, collapsing with scorched fur. The pack skidded to a halt at the sight, elder wolves snarling before deciding the new enemy was too fierce. One by one, whines gave way to silence—and within breaths, the pack melted back into the forest.
The flames dissipated. Only the smell of burnt fur remained.
Shigure lowered his hand, exhaling calmly. "It's over. Let's sleep."
Behind him, Noguchi stared dumbly, his mouth opening but no words forming. Kusuo and Akane both looked stunned.
"S-sleep?" Akane blurted. Her voice cracked. "But… Hizashi-sensei—he was knocked down by those wolves! Wasn't he—"
Shigure cut her off with a wry chuckle, pointing into the shadows. "Don't worry. He isn't dead. Do you really think wolves could kill a Hyūga jonin? He's simply testing us. Watching."
Even as he spoke, Hizashi stepped soundlessly from the treelines, arms crossed. His pale eyes swept over them, lingering last on Shigure.
"Correct."
Noguchi sagged in relief, while Akane flushed. Kusuo stiffened, sword lowering.
Hizashi spoke, his tone collected yet firm. "From beginning to end, I was watching. And in this challenge, one of you stood calm. Shigure—you not only guarded your teammates, but the client as well, and repelled the threat efficiently. From this day, you act as captain of Team 7."
Shigure blinked, then nodded once, accepting without expression.
Hizashi's gaze turned sharp, landing on Kusuo. "And you. Hatake. Your courage is admirable, but your recklessness nearly cost your life, and endangered your comrades. If Shigure had not pulled you back, both you and the client would have been lost when the wolves encircled."
Kusuo's jaw tightened beneath his mask. He said nothing, but shame burned in his eyes.
Then Hizashi's gaze softened toward Akane. "And you. A kunoichi must be strong, not just in skill, but in heart. Against fear, you must hold steady. Tonight, you did not. From this point onward, strengthen more than your Byakugan. Strengthen your will."
Akane bowed her head, cheeks flushed with shame. "Y-yes, sensei."
Noguchi sputtered something about his safety, but Hizashi's pale gaze silenced him quickly. "Rest assured, you were never in danger. Not truly. But even false alarms prepare us for real threats."
Silence fell after. Their camp grew still beneath the canopy of night, fire crackling gently. Team 7 rotated watch, no further beasts dared intrude.
At dawn, the sun's rays broke through the branches. Birds stirred, light scattering golden across their path as they resumed their journey.
Akane and Kusuo walked with greater care now, movements more disciplined, their shame from the night before sharpening into determination. Hizashi watched quietly from behind, lips curving faintly.
"It is good to recognize one's mistakes," he thought.
Shigure, however, kept his gaze fixed squarely on Noguchi's back. Something about the man was wrong. His footsteps jittered, his eyes scanning the forest too often.
Shigure's pale Sharingan eyes narrowed slightly. This uncle… he's hiding something.
And as their mission stretched deeper into the Fire Country, Shigure knew this was only the beginning of their first true battle.
The wolves had only been the opening act. The true enemy had yet to reveal themselves.
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