First Mission

Kirigakure, Anbu Main Base, Minister's Office.

"Is it really okay for our squad to carry out this mission?" Feng asked, filled with worry.

"Feng, don't worry. Their abilities are more than enough for this mission. Go!" Ken, the Head of ANBU and also the captain-general, replied with complete confidence.

Under normal circumstances, an ANBU squad consisted of one Jonin, one Elite Chunin, and two Chunin. Yet Feng's Sixth Squad had an above-standard lineup of two Jonin. Feng understood that his squad could be considered luxurious among all ANBU squad configurations, but two of its members were rookies who had never carried out an ANBU mission before. He still felt somewhat uneasy.

At the First Training Ground, Seiji, Yagura, and Chino were discussing in detail, learning about one another's fighting styles and abilities.

Just then, Feng appeared before the three of them with a Body Flicker.

"Check your equipment. Mission location: the capital of the Land of Water. Gather at Passage Six in a quarter of an hour. Dismissed!"

Upon receiving the order, they quickly dispersed. Seiji put on his mask, changed into a gray Kirigakure vest, then donned a dark cyan-and-black Kirigakure insignia battle robe over it. Once he was ready, he swiftly rushed toward the passage.

"Move out!" Feng gave the order once everyone had arrived.

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!

Four tearing sounds rang out as the four figures vanished from the spot.

"The mission was issued by the Daimyo's Palace. Our target is to secretly eliminate one of the Land of Water's generals. It involves an internal political struggle within the capital, so Kirigakure cannot intervene openly. Since the order was most likely issued directly by Lord Water, it can only be handled by our ANBU as an assassination. We must not leave behind the slightest trace." While they traveled, Feng explained the details of the mission to the three of them.

"We already have detailed intelligence on the target, but to ensure nothing goes wrong, we need to conduct another reconnaissance after arriving in the capital." Feng spoke cautiously, unwilling to place complete trust in the information provided by the Daimyo's Palace.

"Yes!" the three replied in unison.

The weakest among them was already a Chunin. Traveling at full speed, they reached the capital of the Land of Water in only two days, arriving by the following evening. As the city that controlled the Land of Water's economic lifeline, it was exceptionally prosperous. Though it was already late, the streets remained bustling with voices.

"Rest for the night first. Tomorrow, we'll split up and gather intelligence." After casually finding an inn to stay at, Feng made his decision.

As the four of them were carrying out an assassination mission targeting an important figure in the Land of Water, it was best, for the sake of caution, not to visit Kirigakure's official office in the Land of Water. Although ANBU also had a base in the capital, they likewise did not go there in order to avoid leaving behind any clues.

The next day, after resting and recovering their strength, the four began gathering intelligence.

Feng was responsible for personally investigating the General's Residence's defenses. Seiji was responsible for planning their retreat route, while Yagura and Chino were responsible for gathering information on the general himself.

Before long, Feng returned quietly. Soon afterward, Seiji, who had been observing the surrounding routes, also returned to their lodging.

"Did you find anything?" Seiji asked.

"The defenses are extremely tight. Soldiers patrol everywhere, and samurai are stationed at every key point. There should also be ninja lying in wait in the shadows. I was afraid of alerting them, so I didn't investigate too deeply. Tonight, we'll conduct another reconnaissance together. We'll need your and Yagura's sensory abilities." Feng's tone carried a trace of gravity.

With such stringent defenses, completing the assassination without a sound and then retreating without being discovered by the guards would be extraordinarily difficult.

Around noon, Yagura and Chino, who had gone out to gather intelligence, also returned.

"Our guess was correct. There's a ninety-nine percent chance that the mission was personally issued by Lord Water!" Chino opened with a bombshell.

"We learned from one of Lord Water's trusted subordinates that this general and Lord Water have repeatedly quarreled in recent days. The general commands a large number of troops and has privately raised quite a few samurai, posing a substantive threat to Lord Water's rule. Furthermore, their political views are completely opposed, which is why Lord Water wants to use Kirigakure to get rid of him," Yagura added.

"So that's how it is! It seems this general is also afraid that Lord Water will secretly make a move against him. No wonder his residence is defended so tightly!" Feng's expression darkened.

"Damn Lord Water!" As someone born from ANBU, Feng was loyal only to the Mizukage and held no respect for Lord Water.

Unable to reach a conclusion, they decided to wait until nightfall, scout the General's Residence once more, and then make their plans.

After night fell, Feng led Seiji and Yagura quietly into the General's Residence.

On the roof of the guardhouse by the General's Residence's side gate, three black-clad figures lay silently prone. Feng signaled for Seiji and Yagura to begin sensing.

Yagura formed hand seals with both hands. His chakra fluctuated faintly as his sensory ability swiftly spread over the General's Residence.

Seiji's movements were even simpler. He narrowed his eyes slightly and remained still as the chakra throughout his body gradually became active. He pressed the joined index and middle fingers of his right hand against a roof tile. In an instant, the situation within the General's Residence appeared in Seiji's mind as though he had gained a god's-eye view.

Ninja Art: Chakra Perception Technique!