.A Perfectly Ordinary Dinner

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"After all, we have a Chunin in our squad, so taking on a C‑rank mission shouldn't be a problem, right?" Yoru no Tsuki said.

"I agree, I've done C‑rank missions a dozen times already and haven't encountered any danger I couldn't handle. The enemies are basically just bandits and mountain thieves." Sai added.

Itachi lowered his head to think for a moment, then pointed at a C‑rank mission on the task board and said to the ninja, "Give us that mountain‑bandit extermination mission."

Although newly formed ninja squads usually start with D‑rank missions, this squad was special—Sai had already become a Chunin and completed many missions.

Even if his brother Sasuke were to face a Chunin now, it would be no problem; Itachi only knew Sasuke's strength from six years ago, and while he didn't know his current power, he was sure it was stronger than before.

"Alright, just a moment."

The ninja rummaged through his belongings and, after a while, handed a scroll to Itachi.

"This is the scroll for the mountain‑bandit extermination mission; it contains the details and requirements."

After receiving the scroll, Itachi, Yoru no Tsuki, and Sai went to a secluded spot and unrolled it.

[Mission Details: In the western Fire Country, the small village of Xiao Tang is plagued by mountain bandits who intercept merchants' goods and money, burn and loot nearby villages. The locals have requested Konoha to send ninjas to eliminate them.

Requirements: Eradicate all local bandits!

Reward: 51,000 ryō

Time Limit: Within two months]

A small map of the destination was attached at the back.

Yoru no Tsuki and Sai examined the commission; such bandit‑clearing missions are usually posted via letters, with the payment sent along, and there is no specific client.

Itachi read the mission details again for Yoru no Tsuki and Sai, making sure they understood.

"Alright, you both know the mission now. Let's head back and rest today; we'll meet at the village gate early tomorrow. Got it?" Itachi addressed Yoru no Tsuki and Sai.

"Got it!" they both nodded.

"Then I'll head back. See you tomorrow, Sasuke‑kun, Sensei Itachi." Sai forced a smile, waved at Yoru no Tsuki and Itachi, and vanished instantly.

"Let's go home, Sasuke." Itachi patted Yoru no Tsuki's shoulder.

"Okay." Yoru no Tsuki withdrew his gaze from the spot where Sai disappeared, turned, and followed Itachi home.

I want to see what plans you have...

In the darkness, Sai knelt respectfully on one knee before a man leaning on a cane, his half‑body wrapped in bandages.

"Did they suspect anything?" Danzo said lightly.

"No, I won my trust with a smile." Sai answered confidently.

"Good. Then just follow the plan; you know what to do."

"Yes." Sai bowed his head.

"Hmph! That brat Minato actually agreed to let a Uchiha lead a team of Jonin—what a betrayal of Konoha! He claims Uchiha are better at guiding their own kind, as if he's one of them. Someone like that has no right to be Hokage! And Hiruzen—having his ANBU command taken away makes him useless! How did the teacher ever value him?"

At the height of his anger, Danzo slammed his cane down hard; Sai, still on one knee, dared not speak.

"Konoha… can only become strong under my leadership!"

After saying that, Danzo gradually calmed down.

"Alright, go down now, and don't slip up." Danzo waved his hand.

"Yes." Sai replied, then disappeared into the underground chamber.

ump!**Thump!

After Sai left, Danzo tapped the floor with his cane, and five Root ninjas suddenly appeared beside him.

"You understand your responsibilities, don't you?" Danzo said calmly.

"Yes, sir." The five Root members trembled, aware of their fate but unable to resist it.

"Good. Rest assured, your families will live peacefully in Konoha, and your children will attend the Ninja Academy without worry." Danzo spoke with his back to them.

"Yes."

The five Root members departed, and Danzo, still leaning on his cane, slowly walked deeper into the underground chamber…

The next morning

Class Eleven gathered early at the village gate; none of them carried much gear—survival skills are essential for any ninja.

"Since everyone's here, let's set out."

Itachi glanced at Sai; after returning home yesterday, Yoru no Tsuki had already revealed Sai's identity to Itachi. Though Itachi didn't know how she learned the details, he chose to trust his brother.

Danzo's infiltration plan had been declared a failure before it even began; from now on, any information Danzo receives will only be what Yoru no Tsuki and Itachi let him know.

"Depart!"

The three headed toward the village outskirts, smiling as if they were on a picnic.

By evening, they'd covered half the distance, hardly resting. When hungry, they ate ration pills, giving Yoru no Tsuki a taste of a ninja's hardships.

They stopped beside a stream.

"Let's rest here for the night and continue traveling tomorrow."

Itachi set his backpack down and said to Yè Wú Yuè and Sōi.

Yè Wú Yuè felt a little uneasy; Liuhuo hadn't eaten in a day. Though, as a sentient Zanpakutō, she didn't need food, ever since Yè Wú Yuè could materialize her in the real world, she had to have at least one meal a day, and it had to be something delicious.

One day, Yè Wú Yuè forgot to get her something, and the next day during Bankai training she beat him up for hours; no amount of apologies could fix that.

Yè Wú Yuè asked Liuhuo whether it was the same when she was with Yamamoto Ryūgensai before.

The answer was that Yamamoto Ryūgensai was stronger than her, and that her current power had been boosted by Captain Yamamoto. Originally she was just an ordinary fire‑type Zanpakutō; it took Yamamoto's millennia of training for her to become the strongest fire Zanpakutō.

Because of that, Yè Wú Yuè wanted to thank Yamamoto Ryūgensai.

"Itachi‑sensei, I saw a few wild rabbits over there. I'll catch two and grill them for dinner," Yè Wú Yuè said as she ran into the forest; Itachi didn't stop her.

"Is it okay to leave the group without permission?" Sōi looked up and asked Itachi.

"No problem. When I decided to rest here, I already scouted the area and set up protective measures, so there shouldn't be any danger nearby," Itachi replied to Sōi.

"That's not what I mean. Leaving the group without permission is breaking the rules, right? Why don't you, as the leader, stop him?"

Sōi shook his head, a little confused. If he did that while on a mission, he would definitely be punished by the headquarters.