Hayashi Uchiha and Nawaki stood at the entrance of their tent, gazing silently at the distant defensive wall.
The barrier loomed ahead, its surface marked by deep scars of past battles. New layers of earth-release fortifications blended with the old, a mixture of history and resilience.
The worn sections spoke of the past. The freshly mended ones—of the will to move forward.
For the Leaf shinobi, that wall was more than stone and jutsu. It was a symbol of safety. Inside was home; outside was the world's chaos.
Rain trickled from the overcast sky, drumming softly on the camp. Sharing a silent glance, Hayashi and Nawaki wordlessly decided to take a small break from the tension of war.
Moments later, two arcs of water-style chakra shot skyward, the results of their playful sparring. For a brief instant, laughter replaced the sound of falling rain.
Nawaki chuckled, stretching as the drizzle cooled his face.
"You know, I heard a bunch of genin have been stuck in the main camp for weeks now," he said, shaking his head.
Hayashi smirked.
"Isn't that a good thing? It's safe, comfortable, and dry. With weather like this, it's not exactly great for missions."
"But come on, just sitting around? When enemies show up, all they do is throw a few shuriken and it's over. That's too cautious."
Hayashi crossed his arms, amused.
"What's wrong with being cautious? A slow step keeps you alive longer."
"I want to fight real enemies!" Nawaki pouted. "Throwing shuriken doesn't count!"
"It counts," Hayashi said dryly. "You can even brag about fighting a demigod when we get back."
Nawaki rolled his eyes. Hayashi only shrugged, pretending not to see. He'd learned long ago that arguing with Nawaki was a battle no one won.
Just then, a familiar figure approached through the rain, holding an oil-paper umbrella.
"Orochimaru-sensei!" Nawaki waved excitedly, running up. "Aren't you busy? What brings you here?"
"There isn't much to handle right now," Orochimaru replied, giving Nawaki a mildly confused look before gesturing for the two to follow. "Come. Let's talk inside."
They entered the tent, where Orochimaru sat down and folded his hands atop his knee. His eyes gleamed faintly in the dim light.
"In the coming days, Tsunade and I will be occupied. We won't be able to supervise you directly on the battlefield," he began. "You've both shown strong combat ability—two completed A-rank missions, after all—but your real-world command experience is still lacking compared to veteran teams."
Hayashi listened silently, expression calm.
Orochimaru continued,
"Tsunade believes you need a field test—a mission that's risky but not suicidal."
He paused, the corner of his mouth twitching faintly.
"She even suggested sending you to assassinate Hanzo."
Hayashi blinked.
"Assassinate Hanzo? Is she serious?"
Even Nawaki froze. For a moment, both stared blankly.
Orochimaru sighed.
"I told her that was far too dangerous, but convincing her wasn't easy. In the end, I managed to arrange something simpler."
He pulled out a sealed document and handed it to Hayashi.
"Here. Maps, intel, and details of your next assignment."
Hayashi opened the document, scanning the contents. Orochimaru explained,
"You'll be conducting reconnaissance on the outskirts of the battlefield. Gather intelligence, clear out minor enemy presence, and report back."
Hayashi nodded.
"Understood."
"Good." Orochimaru stood.
"Hayashi, I'm appointing you captain of Team One. You'll lead Senju Nawaki and Uchiha Mikoto for this mission."
"Yes, sensei."
"I'll assign a chunin guide familiar with the terrain to accompany you," Orochimaru added as he turned toward the exit.
Then he stopped briefly and looked back.
"Don't blame Tsunade for being strict. Everything she does is for your sake."
As the flap closed behind him, Nawaki sniffled a little.
"Orochimaru-sensei really is the best…"
Hayashi ignored him, eyes still scanning the mission file. The more he read, the stranger it seemed. A 'safe' reconnaissance mission near the frontlines? That sounded more like cleanup duty—scouting ahead and picking off weakened enemies like scavengers.
A short while later, the three were ready. Their assigned guide, a chunin known for intelligence work, arrived to escort them.
The rain never stopped as they moved east through the Land of Rain. The world around them was gray and quiet, the kind of silence that pressed on the lungs.
Under their guide's lead, they navigated narrow trails, avoiding known traps and patrols until a small, abandoned town came into view.
Most of the residents had long since fled or were hiding indoors. The streets were empty, littered with rainwater and broken carts.
"Wait here," the chunin instructed, approaching a rundown house at the end of the street. He knocked three times lightly, then twice heavily.
A low, wary voice called out from within.
"Who is it?"
"It's me, Ichi," the chunin replied calmly.
A brief silence. Then came the response.
"Oh?" followed by a second, more cautious voice:
"No!"
A pause—then the sound of a lock clicking open.
The door creaked slowly, revealing the shadow of a man inside.
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Milestone
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