For the next month, Team Two was completely buried under a mountain of D-rank missions.
"The seventeenth lost-cat mission this month…"
Aoki Ren held a chubby calico cat in her arms, her expression utterly drained.
"Why are all the cats in Konoha so good at running away?"
"According to data analysis," Ishida Ken said as he adjusted his glasses, "the average movement speed of the cats we've chased this week reached eight meters per second—already exceeding the sprint speed of an average genin. I recommend developing specialized ninja tools for animal capture."
Tetsuhara Akira smiled as he took the cat from Ren and handed it back to the elderly woman who had posted the request.
"Here you go. Please keep a closer eye on it this time."
"Thank you, little ninjas!"
The old woman be informing her cat, she pushed a box of snacks into their hands.
"This is a small thank-you gift."
On the way back to the Mission Assignment Office, the three of them shared the snacks as they walked.
"Honestly, D-rank missions aren't that bad," Aoki Ren said, biting into an anko bun.
"They're safe, and we actually get to help the villagers."
"But they don't improve our combat capability," Ishida Ken replied calmly.
"According to promotion standards, participation in the Chūnin Exams requires at least one completed C-rank mission. Our current number of C-rank missions is zero."
"Soon," Akira said, glancing at the mission board.
"We should be getting one today."
Almost on cue, the receptionist called out:
"Team Two! C-rank mission—eliminate the bandit camp in the West Forest. Client: Merchant caravan from the Land of Tea."
The three exchanged serious looks.
It was finally time.
---
At the mission briefing, the caravan's leader was a plump middle-aged man, sweat beading on his forehead.
"Our trade route in the Land of Tea has been taken over by a group of bandits," he said nervously.
"There are about a dozen of them, and it's rumored their leader can use ninjutsu. I'm counting on you."
"They have ninja among them?" Genma asked.
"I'm… not entirely sure," the man replied hesitantly.
"But someone said they saw them spitting fire."
"A Fire Release user," Akira judged immediately.
"Most likely a wandering ninja—or a rogue ninja."
Genma turned to his team, his expression serious.
"This will be your first real combat mission. There may be blood. There may even be killing. Are you mentally prepared?"
Aoki Ren's face went pale.
Ishida Ken's hand trembled slightly as he adjusted his glasses.
Akira took a slow, steady breath.
"I'm ready."
"Good," Genma said.
"Mission accepted. We depart at dawn tomorrow."
---
That night, Akira didn't train.
Instead, he sat alone at home, carefully wiping down his ninja tools.
Kunai. Shuriken. Wire. Explosive tags.
He checked every item three times over.
Then he took out a blank scroll and began writing a will.
It wasn't for Ino—he didn't want her to worry yet.
It was for the Third Hokage, for Genma, and for this world.
If I die in action, donate all my property to the orphanage. Leave my ninjutsu research to Konoha. The Flying Thunder God materials—
Halfway through, his brush stopped.
"No," he whispered.
"I can't die. I have to come back alive… and change even more things."
Moonlight poured in through the window. In the distance, the lights on the second floor of the Yamanaka Flower Shop were still on—Ino probably hadn't gone to sleep yet either.
Akira put the will away and took out another scroll.
This time, he began drawing sealing formulas—the foundation of Fūinjutsu, focusing on the structure of the Four Symbols Seal.
"The time to test this in real combat has come."
---
The next morning, at the Konoha Gate.
Genma was already waiting, a fresh senbon in his mouth.
Aoki Ren and Ishida Ken carried heavy packs—three days' worth of Soldier Pills and medical supplies.
"Nervous?" Genma asked.
"A little…" Ren said, gripping her kunai tightly.
"Heart rate increased by forty percent. Adrenaline levels elevated," Ishida Ken reported.
"But combat readiness is within acceptable parameters."
Akira simply nodded.
The four of them set off toward the West Forest.
---
Three days later, deep within the forest.
The bandit camp was built inside a cave—easy to defend, difficult to assault.
Akira lay prone on a tree branch, observing through binoculars.
"Fifteen people. Poorly organized equipment. Two sentries at the cave entrance. Firelight inside—likely eating."
"And the ninja?" Genma asked quietly.
"Not visible," Akira replied, frowning slightly.
"But there are chakra signatures inside the cave. Two of them—around chūnin-level strength."
Genma fell silent for a moment.
"Alright," he said at last.
"What's the plan?"