Mission!

Time flew by, and half a month passed in the blink of an eye.

During this half month, the Shinobi World remained relatively peaceful. The major ninja villages were still in negotiations, and although no conclusion had been reached yet, this was bound to be a prolonged battle...

During this time, the major ninja villages had also exercised considerable restraint. No large-scale war broke out again, though the borders could not exactly be called peaceful, with minor clashes still occurring...

Nothing major happened within the village either, and there were no missions from the Anbu. Aside from occasionally checking in and receiving his own Anbu mask, Yei had enjoyed a rather leisurely period...

He either stayed home to train or accompanied Hyuga Yue in her training, familiarizing himself with some of his abilities and ninjutsu.

It was worth mentioning that Yei had not gained nothing over the past half month.

He had also put some of his ideas into practice. While the results were perhaps not all that obvious and could not instantly make him the strongest in the Shinobi World, he had improved nonetheless...

With the boost from Electromagnetic Control, his Lightning Release talent allowed him to train in Lightning Release faster than anyone else.

He had also become increasingly proficient in using Chidori. Although he still could not completely eliminate the chirping sound of Chidori, he had reduced it significantly, making it more concealed. It somewhat resembled the Third Raikage's Hell Stab...

He had also become increasingly skilled with Chidori Sharp Spear, which had been derived from Chidori, while the other derivative techniques of Chidori were still under development...

More importantly, the technique he had developed based on the Third Raikage's Lightning Release Chakra Mode had also made some progress!!

No one disliked peace. Yei greatly enjoyed the current peaceful atmosphere, being able to stay beside his family and Hyuga Yue.

But peace was only relative. While the village remained fairly peaceful, small-scale battles still erupted throughout the Shinobi World...

Today, he received a message from the Anbu, ordering him to visit the Hokage's Office in the Hokage Building.

Yei watched the Anbu leave, then flashed back to the courtyard of Hyuga Yue's home. Looking at her apologetically, he said, "I have a mission. I can't stay with you."

"Even though you've become a Special Jonin and an Anbu member, and you're very strong, you still need to be careful. As a Medical Ninja, I can't really help you..." Hyuga Yue fell silent for a moment, stepped closer, and straightened his clothes. She did not say much, merely offering a few simple reminders. There was not much worry on her face.

But Yei knew that Hyuga Yue was deliberately hiding her concern so he would not see it.

Yei smiled, took Hyuga Yue's hand, and said firmly, "Don't worry. I'll be careful."

"Mm." Hyuga Yue merely nodded. "Then go. Don't keep Lord Hokage waiting too long."

"I'm leaving, then." Yei released Hyuga Yue's hand and vanished in a flash.

Only after Yei left did a trace of worry appear in Hyuga Yue's eyes.

Her talent was ordinary, and she was currently only a medical Genin. She usually did not need to go to the front lines, only helping out at the rear in Konoha Hospital, so the danger was not especially great.

But she knew that it was different for Yei, who had become a Special Jonin. The higher a ninja's rank, the more dangerous the missions they had to carry out.

Ninja missions always carried risks. Her father had died during one such mission...

So it was only natural for her to worry, even though she knew Yei was strong!

Still, this was a ninja's responsibility. No ninja could escape it. All she could do was pray for Yei's safe return...

After leaving Hyuga Yue's home, Yei returned to his own house, changed into another outfit, put on his Anbu mask, and headed for the Hokage Building.

After knocking on the door and receiving a response from inside, Yei pushed it open and entered.

Several people were already waiting inside the Hokage's Office. Yei was the last to arrive.

"Lord Hokage." Yei respectfully saluted the Fourth Hokage, then looked toward the several people standing before him, fully prepared to depart.

Although they wore Anbu masks, Yei still recognized them.

Shisui Uchiha, Asuma, and Kakashi. Including himself, they formed a standard four-man squad.

The others also nodded to Yei when they saw him.

After seeing the four exchange greetings, the Fourth Hokage cleared his throat, drawing everyone's attention.

Without wasting words, he said, "News has come from the border. Ninja of unknown identity have appeared and attacked our people. Several squads have already lost contact, and even the Border Outpost has been destroyed..."

"The major ninja villages are currently in negotiations. We must remain alert to every disturbance. If things go wrong, war may very well break out again... This is something Konoha does not wish to see!"

"These people are likely ninja who want to throw the situation back into chaos. Hatred has blinded them. They do not want the war to end, and they have begun causing destruction everywhere."

"The war has ended. No ninja village wishes for it to continue, because none can afford it. Therefore, this mission is extremely important. It is also your first mission as Anbu... an S-rank mission!"

"During the mission, if you encounter ninja from other villages, avoid conflicts whenever possible. Of course, when necessary, we cannot allow Konoha's reputation to be tarnished!"

After briefly explaining the mission, the Fourth Hokage looked solemnly at the four of them. "You are all outstanding ninja of Konoha. I believe you can make your own judgments. This mission is of utmost importance and cannot tolerate failure. I hope you understand that!"

"An S-rank mission..." The expressions of the four present tightened. They all knew what an S-rank mission meant and realized the severity of the situation!

No one wished to see war break out again!

The Fourth Hokage slowly said, "Kakashi will lead this mission. Take some time to coordinate with one another. Now... move out! I await your return after completing the mission!"

"Yes!" The four of them saluted the Fourth Hokage, then vanished in a flash.

They had all prepared everything before coming to the Hokage Building. After receiving the mission, they did not waste any time, leaving the village immediately and heading in one direction.

Their figures darted through the forest.

Asuma frowned as he traveled and said, "The border between Mist and Konoha... Mist is the Village of the Bloody Mist, where missing-nin often appear. Could the ones causing trouble this time be missing-nin from Mist? Do they want to start another war and take revenge on Mist?"

If there was one village in the Shinobi World with the most missing-nin, it was undoubtedly Mist.

Ever since the Third Mizukage's rule, they had implemented cruel policies. Their methods of selecting ninja were extremely radical; even Genin were chosen through slaughter.

Their methods were exceptionally extreme and cruel. As a result, ninja from Mist were often bloody and brutal in their methods. On the battlefield, many ninja from other villages would instinctively shudder when encountering Mist ninja.

Moreover, Mist Village's punishments for ninja who failed missions were also extremely severe!

They would even strip them of their ninja status and subject them to execution by extreme means!

Because of these policies, many Mist ninja who failed their missions did not dare return.

Returning meant losing their status at best and their lives at worst. Faced with such an outcome, those ninja who failed their missions ultimately chose to defect from the village and become missing-nin!

Not to mention anything else, even the famous Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist had members who became missing-nin...