Kurenai Yūhi led the team to the mission location—a small village overrun by a herd of wild boars.
"Kurenai-sensei, is our mission really just to hunt wild boars?" Inuzuka Kiba asked, his face full of disbelief.
"That's right," Kurenai confirmed. "During the fight, remember to try and minimize the damage the boars cause to the village."
"This is too boring!" Kiba complained. "I was hoping to fight ninja from other countries! I was all ready for a big battle."
Kurenai shook her head slightly. "If you keep thinking like that, Kiba, you'll only get yourself killed on a mission."
Compared to Kiba, Hinata and Shino were much more composed. Although they felt a sense of disappointment, they quickly moved to drive away the boars. After all, this was their first mission, and they didn't want it to end in failure.
"I understand, Kurenai-sensei." Kiba quickly regained his fighting spirit and joined the others. "Akamaru, let's go!"
"Woof!"
"Fang Passing Fang!"
Kiba and Akamaru spun at high speed, instantly transforming into two powerful tornadoes that took down several boars in an instant. However, this also enraged the remaining boars, causing them to charge wildly. The team was suddenly overwhelmed, trying to protect the village houses while driving the boars away.
From a high vantage point, Feng An and Kurenai watched the scene.
"Don't think about slacking off," Kurenai said, giving him a strong push from behind.
Caught off balance, Feng An slid down the slope and stumbled right into the midst of the boar herd. After steadying himself, he was about to mutter a complaint when he felt several hostile gazes lock onto him.
Oink! Oink!
The enraged boars grunted and charged.
Fortunately, their speed was slow and their strength unremarkable. Compared to the others, Feng An found dealing with them much simpler. With precise punches and kicks, he easily repelled the attacking boars without even needing ninjutsu. The boars he sent flying scurried off to find other targets, and Feng An returned to a more relaxed state.
Kurenai watched him with crossed arms, shaking her head. "This kid, why doesn't he have any fighting spirit?"
At the same time, she observed the other three. Aside from the seemingly lazy Feng An, Shino's performance was the best. His insect-based ninjutsu allowed him to protect the houses from damage while effortlessly driving away and eliminating the boars.
"When faced with the dual task of protection and elimination, he handled both very well," Kurenai noted with admiration.
She then turned to Inuzuka Kiba. Working in tandem with Akamaru, he was gradually reducing the number of boars. Unfortunately, his tornado technique had also damaged quite a few houses in the process.
"Kiba is too reckless," Kurenai sighed, remembering she had specifically reminded him to minimize collateral damage.
On the other side, Hinata had activated her Byakugan and chosen a defensive, counterattacking strategy. She prioritized blocking any boar that tried to damage a house. This approach better protected the village but consumed a great deal of her stamina.
"It's very consistent with Hinata's personality, but it's unrealistic to try and protect every single house with such indecisiveness."
Kurenai had made her initial assessments. In future training, she could focus on strengthening their individual weaknesses.
Seeing Hinata struggling, Feng An quickly moved to her side. "I'll help you, Hinata."
He spotted a boar charging toward her. In a flash, he intercepted it, his fist striking with precise force.
Bang!
The boar took the hit and fell silent, flying backward several meters before landing motionless.
From her vantage point, Kurenai noticed the chakra covering Feng An's hand fluctuating erratically. "Using chakra to enhance his strikes? Although his control isn't refined, for a genin his age to even attempt this... Why was his academy record so unremarkable?"
Seeing Feng An by her side, Hinata's tense body relaxed slightly. "Thank you..."
"Don't thank me again," Feng An said, stepping closer and ruffling her hair. "Let's take care of these boars together."
Hinata nodded. "Okay."
Feng An could tell that maintaining her Byakugan had exhausted her. He knew that this shy girl would feel more acknowledged fighting alongside him than if he simply told her to rest. Hinata had always worked hard, but her talent was not outstanding. Hyūga Neji, a branch family member, had mastered the Eight Trigrams Sixty-Four Palms by thirteen, while Hinata could only barely perform it at sixteen.
Noticing her labored breathing and the fading veins around her eyes, Feng An knew her Byakugan was nearing its limit. "I need to speed up and deal with the remaining boars."
His movements became a blur. He weaved through the boars, each chakra-enhanced punch striking true and taking one down.
Watching his fluid motions, a glint of surprise flashed in Kurenai's crimson eyes. "Such speed! It already surpasses most chūnin. I've truly found a treasure."
The more Feng An revealed, the more Kurenai suspected there was something beneath the surface. She had heard the rumors within Konoha—the decline of the Senju, the fall of the Uchiha, and the demise of the Uzumaki. She looked at his vibrant red hair. Could he be a descendant of the Uzumaki clan? Purposely suppressed by certain factions?
Kurenai shook her head. She couldn't dwell on such matters. The machinations of the higher-ups were not for her to speculate on.
Before long, the boars were all dealt with—some dead, others fled.
"Practical combat really does improve me more than just training alone," Feng An mused, examining the chakra condensed around his hand. It was now far more stable. If he were to use the Great Fireball Technique again, he could control its size much better.
Hinata placed a hand on her heaving chest and stood behind Feng An. "Thank you, Feng An... it's good that you're here..."
Feng An turned and placed a hand on her head, his tone light and joking. "If you keep thanking me, we'll become strangers, my lady."
Hinata's eyes shot up to meet his. Her mouth opened, but before she could speak, her face was already completely flushed. "C-Can you not call me 'my lady'? ... I like it when... Feng An calls me by my name." Her eyes grew slightly watery, and she quickly lowered her gaze again.
"This is the first time you've looked me directly in the eye," Feng An said, gently smoothing back the stray hairs on her cheeks. He smiled. "If you promise not to always thank me, then I won't call you 'my lady' anymore."
"Okay," Hinata quickly raised her face to respond, though her eyes remained unfocused, darting around just below his neck, unable to meet his gaze.
Feng An's smile was gentle. "Hinata still sounds more natural."
*****
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