A New Mission

[Reputation: 917 points]

Mo Jingxian drew his attention back. He was less than a tenth of the way from earning another chance to make a trade.

He hadn't decided what to exchange for yet. If there was nothing suitable when the time came, he could always save the opportunity for later.

It was another day off.

As he walked, lost in thought, he found himself at the place where he'd trained last time.

Time to begin. His goals needed strength to back them up, and he couldn't afford to waste a moment.

The two techniques, "Water Release: Water Garment Binding Technique" and "Water Release: Tidal Vortex," were the ones he'd just exchanged for at the supply station.

Actually, Mo Jingxian would rather have exchanged for "Water Release: Water Severing Wave," but he didn't have enough mission points.

And it wasn't available in the frontline supply depot, either. He'd have to return to Konoha to exchange for it, and get approval from the higher-ups.

In short, it was a real hassle.

That was a clear example of how the Konoha High Command monopolized ninjutsu. They were especially strict about guarding S-rank techniques.

Settling for the next best thing, he'd picked two C-rank Water Release techniques.

When choosing techniques, Mo Jingxian didn't care much about their power. What mattered was how they worked.

He preferred techniques that clearly demonstrated a particular property, ideally one that covered every property in a given area.

These two techniques fit the bill perfectly.

"Water Release: Water Garment Binding Technique" created a layer of water over the ground to block or slow an enemy's movements.

"Water Release: Tidal Vortex" created two whirlpools spinning in opposite directions to grind enemies apart.

That was what made them interesting.

Water Garment Binding showed how water elements moved in a structure that drew them together, while Tidal Vortex displayed the opposite property: repulsion.

Mo Jingxian planned to master both techniques, then slowly incorporate them into his Water Dragon Technique.

His progress in understanding water elements had slowed to a crawl. To speed things up, he'd have to open a few more windows.

It was like knowing the answer first and then working backward through the steps. It could save him a lot of detours.

"You really are here again."

Ayako Hyuuga had begun following him around like a shadow, becoming his little sidekick.

He'd gotten used to the girl's company. As long as she didn't cause trouble, it was fine.

As his mastery of water elements deepened, these two Water Release techniques now seemed simple to him.

It was like a high school student picking up an elementary school textbook again and immediately spotting what would be on the test.

Not long after,

"Ayako, Xian! So this is where you two were hiding. I've been looking everywhere for you."

Shinju Ishikawa came running over.

When he reached them, he pulled a package from inside his shirt.

He unwrapped it layer by layer, revealing three pears that gave off a sweet, fruity aroma.

That was a rare treat. Fruit that was easy to get back home became a luxury at a frontline camp.

You needed mission points to buy it, and it wasn't always in stock. People often had to wait in line.

Who knew how he'd managed to get hold of some?

Shinju Ishikawa picked out the biggest, plumpest pear and handed it to Ayako Hyuuga.

"Here. It's really sweet."

Ayako Hyuuga took it, then turned and handed it to Mo Jingxian.

"Xian, try it."

Mo Jingxian froze. Before he could refuse, Shinju Ishikawa beat him to it.

"No need. I've got more. You eat this one."

As he spoke, he handed Mo Jingxian one of the two smaller pears.

The three boys exchanged smiles. Mo Jingxian wiped his pear casually on his clothes.

He took a bite.

"Mm, it's really sweet."

A hawk soared across the sky. In a secluded corner of Konoha's camp below, three boys quietly savored a rare moment of peace and warmth.

A pear core traced an arc through the air and landed in the grass.

Mo Jingxian brushed off his hands and stood.

"All right, you've eaten. Now it's time to see what you two can do."

How would he test them? Obviously, with a fight.

After more than a month of fighting on the battlefield, the desire to grow stronger had been written into their genes.

The two stood and took up their stances, automatically teaming up against Mo Jingxian.

After working together for so long, the squad had developed an easy understanding. How could they grow without pressure?

"Water Release: Water Garment Binding Technique!"

Mo Jingxian had already mastered the first technique in a short time.

Unlike the traditional Water Release techniques that began by spitting water from the mouth, his technique had a shorter windup and started in a more unusual way.

At some point, a layer of water had spread over the ground, covering the area beneath both of them.

The instant Mo Jingxian activated the technique, the two attacked him together.

The three of them fought often, and the other two knew his habits well.

Mo Jingxian rarely used his Water Dragon Technique against them, but his other techniques had still given them plenty of trouble.

They'd meant to interrupt him before he could continue, but the water beneath their feet had turned viscous.

They could only watch as Mo Jingxian calmly formed Hand Seals, a mischievous smile seemingly tugging at his lips.

"Water Release: Great Waterfall Technique."

"Rotation!"

Ayako Hyuuga still shielded Shinju Ishikawa behind her, using the Hyuga Clan's absolute defense.

Mo Jingxian didn't bother counting how many times she had to spin to use Rotation.

At that moment, he stood with his arms crossed, happily watching Ayako Hyuuga's performance.

The girl stopped, panting, her eyes wide as if she'd seen a ghost.

Mo Jingxian shrugged. "Don't blame me. I haven't even learned that technique."

How infuriating. They'd beat the shameless jerk to death.

The two teammates came to the same conclusion at the same time. They raised their kunai and charged at him.

Mo Jingxian's fingers flashed, weaving through Hand Seals at a rate of five per second.

"Water Release: Great Waterfall Technique!"

Again?

That made the two teammates even angrier.

What did that prove?

It proved that Xian didn't just underestimate their strength. He underestimated their intelligence, too.

Shinju Ishikawa decided to use this chance to teach his opponent a proper lesson.

Underestimating your opponent came at a cost.

Just as Mo Jingxian finished his last Hand Seal, the layer of water on the ground surged up around them.

They were completely unprepared!

The two were wrapped up in layer after layer of water.

Not bad. Mo Jingxian had deliberately left their nostrils uncovered. He could at least let them have some air.

"Clap, clap, clap!"

A burst of applause rang out from outside.

"Big Brother Minato!"

Mo Jingxian released the technique and hurried over, delighted.

"When did you get here?"

"Just now. I came to see you as soon as I arrived."

Minato patted his shoulder with an approving smile and winked at him.

"Mo Jingxian, the Hydra. I never expected you to make a name for yourself on the front lines after just over a month. You've really impressed me."

Mo Jingxian's expression fell.

"Those Sand Ninja are a bunch of blockheads who only know how to swing their swords. Is there even one of them with any culture? A nine-headed snake? Seriously? I suspect they're giving me that nickname just to be mean."

The two chatted as they walked, leaving their squadmates behind without a second thought.

Minato eyed Mo Jingxian with a doubtful look.

"I don't know. I think Hydra is a pretty good nickname. It even has one more head than the legendary Yamata no Orochi."

If Mo Jingxian hadn't known about Minato's talent for naming things, he would've thought he was doing it on purpose.

"Big Brother Minato, if you keep chatting like this, you're not going to have any friends."

Minato paused. Seeing his little brother's disgruntled expression, he suddenly understood.

Then he burst into hearty laughter.

When Minato had laughed enough, Mo Jingxian took the opportunity to ask about business.

"By the way, Big Brother Minato, did you come here to see me about something?"

"Yeah, but there's no hurry to talk about it yet."

Minato pointed to the command tent not far away.

"Come with me to see Commander Orochimaru first. We'll talk afterward."

It turned out they'd chatted all the way to the command tent.

Mo Jingxian decided not to ask any more questions and followed Minato into the tent for the second time.

There were quite a few people inside, most of them important figures with names and reputations.

The most eye-catching was a man with a wild head of white hair and a forehead protector marked with the character for "oil." He looked like a lion.

—Jiraiya!

When he saw them enter, Jiraiya raised his right arm and waved enthusiastically.

"Minato! Hydra! Over here!"

Mo Jingxian felt three dark lines form across his forehead. For a moment, he could almost see a crow flying over his head.

How embarrassing!

Jiraiya didn't notice how mortified Mo Jingxian was. He casually slung an arm around his shoulders.

"So you're Minato's little brother. I'm Minato's teacher. Just call me the Toad Sage."

"Senior Jiraiya."

Mo Jingxian bowed politely, greeted everyone else in the tent, then quietly stood beside Minato.

[Reputation from Jiraiya +5]

Jiraiya seemed quite interested in him, looking him up and down.

"All right, Jiraiya! Let's get down to business first."

Orochimaru's hoarse voice cut short Jiraiya's odd behavior and brought things back on track.

"Minato, you can explain."

Perhaps he was bored, because Jiraiya yawned before they got down to business.

"Commander Orochimaru, I came to borrow someone from you for a mission."

Minato gestured to Mo Jingxian beside him.

"My little brother, Mo Jingxian."

Things had taken an unexpected turn. Orochimaru hadn't expected Minato to make the trip just to borrow someone.

Perhaps noticing Orochimaru's confusion, Minato added an explanation.

"This mission needs someone young and unfamiliar, but with enough strength and experience. That's why I thought of my little brother."

Orochimaru nodded without asking for more details.

He remembered Mo Jingxian, an oddball from the Uchiha Clan. He'd thought of him as an interesting kid at the time, but hadn't paid him much attention.

"Fine."

[Reputation from Orochimaru +1]

Mo Jingxian had been acting as if he were invisible. When Orochimaru's reputation points appeared, he felt a little thrill.

He'd finally taken the first step. He was one step closer to his goal.

"Sorry for the trouble, Commander. We'll take our leave now. Sorry to have disturbed you."

Orochimaru gave his approval.

Minato put a hand on Mo Jingxian's shoulder, and in a flash, the two of them disappeared.

Watching them vanish, a trace of envy flashed through Orochimaru's eyes, but it quickly faded.

"Jiraiya, even you were summoned back. It seems the village is under a lot of pressure."

With an amused smile on his face, Orochimaru looked at Jiraiya.

"Tell me, what did the old man send you here for? Let me make one thing clear beforehand... if you're here to give me an order, don't even bother."

Orochimaru didn't hold back, making no secret of his resistance to orders from the Hokage's office.

Before Jiraiya could speak, the other people in the tent took their leave.

"Commander, I just remembered something urgent I need to take care of. I'll be going."

"Right, I just remembered something too. It's urgent!"

Orochimaru waved a hand. Once everyone had left, he didn't urge Jiraiya to continue.

Instead, he searched for Mo Jingxian's mission records and began reading them.

Jiraiya dropped his usual carefree attitude and spoke gravely:

"Teacher told me to tell you to find a way to sign a ceasefire agreement with Sunagakure. If necessary..."

He looked up at Orochimaru's face. Orochimaru was studying the records in his hands and showed no reaction.

Jiraiya let out a helpless sigh.

"If necessary, you can give up some of our interests. Teacher wants you to make these negotiations happen."

Orochimaru seemed not to have heard him. He turned through Mo Jingxian's mission records page by page.

He closed the file and placed it gently on the desk.

Then he looked up and met Jiraiya's slightly guilty gaze.

Clatter!

Orochimaru abruptly swept his right arm across the desk, sending all the documents flying.

"Useless!"

Jiraiya avoided Orochimaru's piercing gaze.

Strangely enough, though Orochimaru was furious, he still seemed perfectly calm.

"Heh..."

He chuckled softly. "So Konoha has already rotted to this point..."