Mask

Kirigakure had been making quite a few moves in secret. The most obvious sign was that there were far fewer ninjas on the streets.

Jiang Rui strolled toward the Mizukage Building while observing the changes in Kirigakure.

There were also far fewer familiar faces at the training grounds, and most people had become grim and serious.

War was about to begin.

At that moment, a ninja approached from the opposite direction. He wore a Kirigakure forehead protector, had refined features, and carried an enormous scroll on his back.

That was Kaguya Tsuki.

The first "clansman" Jiang Rui had met.

He was also the current holder of the scroll containing Kirigakure's seven ninja swords.

When he saw Jiang Rui, he first froze, then gave a slight nod and raised his right hand in a friendly gesture.

He looked like he was in a hurry. So even the Seven Ninja Swordsmen had assignments now...

Jiang Rui mused to himself, raising his hand and nodding in return.

Along the way, Jiang Rui had no idea how many times he had raised his hand or nodded. His mouth opened slightly several times as if he wanted to greet someone, but he could not bring himself to call out.

It was a very strange atmosphere.

Everyone on the road was in a rush. When they met, they merely raised a hand in quick acknowledgment—efficient and succinct, serious yet still courteous.

A storm was coming.

He had still been affected by the atmosphere.

Jiang Rui lightly shook his head, clearing away the faint oppression and unease the surroundings had planted in his heart. Then he gently knocked on the door to the Mizukage's office.

Today was the day of his assessment mission.

"Come in." It was still that calm voice, but colder and sharper than before.

"Lord Mizukage!" He lowered his head in greeting, then turned to look at Ito Rei, who stood ramrod straight beside him.

"Morning, Rei-chan."

"Rei-chan my ass!" The moment Ito Rei heard Jiang Rui's words, she immediately leaped at him with bared teeth and flailing claws.

Sure enough, this husky's seriousness could not last more than three seconds.

Jiang Rui twisted around, locking Ito Rei's arms and shoulders behind her back.

"..." The Third Mizukage silently watched the two of them roughhousing, which seemed to be escalating in intensity. For some reason, he felt a little tired...

"Rimuru." He had no choice but to call out more sternly.

"Ah, ah, ah, yes, Lord Mizukage!"

At that, the blue-haired boy, who had still been tussling with Ito Rei, abruptly froze. He quickly stood up straight, puffed out his chest, and raised his head, looking every bit like a soldier.

"I have already explained your mission to Ito Rei." The Mizukage turned around and took out a scroll.

"This contains information on the mission targets, as well as the source of that intelligence."

"Oh, yes, Lord Mizukage!" Jiang Rui hurriedly accepted the information, then looked toward Ito Rei.

She silently fixed her hair, remained quiet for a moment, then said, "Follow me."

After saying that, she jumped directly out the window.

Jiang Rui glanced at the Mizukage. After receiving a nod of approval, he swiftly followed.

Two black shadows raced across the uneven rooftops, one after the other.

This felt pretty good.

The wind blew against his face as he ran and leaped at high speed.

He finally understood why so many people liked parkour.

Strictly speaking, this was his first time running across roofs and scaling walls.

"This mission was originally supposed to be the elimination of a group of pirates."

Just as Jiang Rui was lost in the thrill of being some great wandering hero, flying over roofs and scaling walls.

Ito Rei suddenly spoke in a soft voice.

"Huh?" Jiang Rui froze, not quite processing it.

After a while, he looked at the scroll in his hand.

"But for certain reasons, it was changed to this mission."

Jiang Rui opened the mission scroll. Inside were images of a married couple at a port dock not far from Kirigakure.

Some of their information was marked beside them as well.

Ichimiya, identified as a Konoha ninja. His strength had been at Chunin level several years ago. Iguchi Shogo.

Suzu Keiko, identified as a Konoha ninja. Her strength was unknown, but she would not exceed Chunin level.

As Jiang Rui carefully read the intelligence, a trace of hesitation flashed through Ito Rei's eyes. In the end, she sighed and said, "The intelligence is from a year ago, so it is not entirely accurate. But their strength definitely should not be too high, and there is no real danger. They have lived as civilians in the Land of Water for five or six years, so they probably do not have much fighting ability left."

Sleeper agents.

Jiang Rui nodded. These were generally ninjas from a Ninja Village who had reached adulthood without becoming High Ninjas—too weak to advance, yet still willing to devote themselves to their country. They would infiltrate other nations, disguise themselves as civilians, and relay information.

"Under normal circumstances, we would generally ignore targets like these and use them instead." Ito Rei paused before continuing, "But now... there is no need to hide it from you. Once you complete your assessment, you will take part in many similar missions."

"Root out Konoha's spies and covert agents in the Land of Water."

Got it.

Jiang Rui nodded again. A basic Anbu assignment.

As Ito Rei watched Jiang Rui nod, she did not know whether she should say anything. For many ninjas, their first mission was rarely to directly slaughter civilians. Killing defenseless civilians and killing vicious bandits or pirates were completely different matters mentally.

Even though Jiang Rui might already have blood all over his hands, she still could not bear it.

Noticing Ito Rei's gaze, Jiang Rui tilted his head and smiled. "What, worried I won't be able to do it? It's just killing."

It's just killing. At some point, he had gotten used to it.

Thinking of that, Jiang Rui could only smile bitterly inwardly. At first, it had been don't kill people. Then it became try not to kill people. And now, it had become this.

The same went for devouring...

"Actually, I investigated them before. The intelligence differs somewhat."

Jiang Rui frowned slightly and asked, "Is there danger?"

Ito Rei shook her head. "No."

"Then what is different?" Jiang Rui glanced at the other scroll in his hand. It was the intelligence source. Since Ito Rei had already investigated it, he could not be bothered to read it.

Ito Rei thought for a moment and gave a casual answer.

"Their strength may be a little higher?"

"I can take down High Ninjas too!" Jiang Rui casually tossed the scroll to Ito Rei and smiled. "Then I'm off!"

"Wait!"

Jiang Rui, who was about to leap away, suddenly stopped and turned back in confusion.

I'm not heading off on some life-or-death mission. What is with this farewell-at-the-end-of-the-world vibe?!

Ito Rei smiled somewhat sheepishly as well. She quickly came over and rubbed Jiang Rui's head.

Taking the chance to cop a feel?!!

"This is for you."

His head suddenly felt heavier. Jiang Rui reached up to touch it and discovered that a mask had somehow appeared on his head!

Jiang Rui took it off and gave it a look.

It was a very common Japanese-style white mask with painted patterns, similar to Haku's mask and the one Rimuru wore in the original story.

Only, its patterns were finer than the former's and deeper than the latter's.

A Kirigakure Assassination Squad mask?!

Does this mean I'm being allowed to join the Anbu?

Then why had Paradise not notified me that the mission was complete?

He looked at Ito Rei in confusion.

She pinched her delicate chin, her amber eyes serious as she inspected him. "Not bad. It suits you very well."

Of course! Rimuru with a mask is the complete form!

I'm telling you, my confidence is through the roof right now!

I could smash that Konoha ninja family to pieces in minutes!!

Seeing Jiang Rui eager to get moving, Ito Rei explained, "This mask was originally supposed to be given to you after the mission was completed. Clearly, Teacher also believes you can complete it. But he is giving it to you early because he thinks it would be better for you to carry out the mission as an Anbu."

She paused, leaving the rest unsaid.

And also because she hoped he could complete the mission safely.

That he would not end up like she had back then.