Mission Action (Seeking Collection! Seeking Recommendation!)

Sosuke and Shimura Kazumi set off for their mission destination after an early meal.

The relationship between the two, which had previously thawed somewhat, seemed to have returned to square one following Sosuke's ill-advised question yesterday.

Throughout the journey, Shimura Kazumi kept a cold face and remained almost entirely silent, leading Sosuke toward the mission site in grim quietude. To this, Sosuke could only offer a helpless smile.

This time, the two did not accelerate their pace.

In any case, night was the optimal time to execute this mission, so they were in no rush; as long as they arrived before dark, it would suffice.

Moreover, doing so helped conserve stamina. A situation like yesterday, where Sosuke utilized the Body Flicker Technique to travel, was something a normal ninja would rarely do.

Because such an extremely chakra-intensive method could easily lead to uncontrollable situations if they were to encounter an emergency!

Since this group of bandits, mixed with enemy-nation ninjas, had appeared as their mission objective, their task was quite simple: wipe out the bandit gang.

Thus, after a full day of traveling, they finally arrived at a place that looked like a village.

The sky had already darkened.

Sosuke and Shimura Kazumi both stood atop a high rock, their faces covered by masks. Ignoring the biting wind at that height, they both carefully observed the village in the distance, from which wisps of smoke curled into the air.

From the outside, it looked like an ordinary village.

However, a closer look revealed the truth.

The surrounding fields were completely abandoned, and the farm tools outside every house were already covered in dust. In this autumn harvest season, such a state revealed a glaring flaw.

Sosuke whispered the anomalies he had observed about the village to Shimura Kazumi, who stood beside him.

Hearing Sosuke speak, Shimura Kazumi's expression seemed to soften slightly. She turned her head, looking at him with a hint of surprise, and said, "I didn't expect a brat like you to have such observational skills. You're right. According to intelligence, the people in this village should have been slaughtered about a year ago. Those living here now are nothing more than a group of bandits."

Her voice was very calm, as if she felt no surprise at the fact that an entire village had been wiped out.

Hearing this, for some reason, Sosuke felt a tightness in his chest. As he looked at the village again, a trace of melancholy and nostalgia involuntarily crept into his eyes.

If the Konoha ninjas hadn't arrived back then, I probably would have ended up like the people in this village, with no one left to even dispose of my remains. What a bunch of damned wretches.

Thinking of this, his gaze toward the village hid a trace of cold, indifferent chill. Shimura Kazumi, standing beside him, did not notice any of this.

The two observed the specific layout of the village for a while before temporarily withdrawing.

As an excellent ninja, one must always formulate a detailed and complete plan for every mission; only such a ninja could perfectly complete the task and survive.

Although Shimura Kazumi was young, she was, after all, a Jonin with mature experience who had completed countless missions.

Before long, she had finalized an effective offensive plan for this mission.

Under the dim light of the sky and the faint moon, her tall, slender figure was clearly outlined.

She pointed to the simple map of the village, her bright black eyes fixed on Sosuke as she spoke.

"According to intelligence, there are over a hundred bandits in this village. However, the exact number of ninjas among them hasn't been confirmed. A conservative estimate is no fewer than ten. The reassuring part is that their strength shouldn't exceed elite Chunin; they are likely just average Chunin."

At this, she sized up Sosuke and said in a low voice, "With your strength, you should be able to handle them."

Then, she pointed specifically to several locations on the map.

"Here, here, and here—try your best not to pass through these areas. If I'm not mistaken, these places are likely riddled with traps and explosive tags. Never underestimate the cunning of the enemy!"

At this moment, Sosuke looked up at Shimura Kazumi and said softly, "Captain Hannya, are we not executing this mission together? Why does this plan sound as if we are to split into two separate paths to attack?"

Hearing his words, Shimura Kazumi replied in a somewhat cold tone, "Yes, this is a direct order from Danzo-sama. Although I am nominally your captain, I will not provide you with specific support during the mission. You must remember, you defeated four Root ninjas on your own; surely you have enough self-preservation skills."

While she answered Sosuke's question coldly, Shimura Kazumi's inner thoughts were filled with entirely different emotions—she was almost happy enough to laugh!

You little brat! What's wrong? Do you have moments of fear, too? You're always smiling, aren't you? Let's see if you can still smile after this!

Sosuke listened to Shimura Kazumi's words, thought for a moment, and seemed to want to say something but stopped. In the end, he raised no objections.

"I understand."

This is fine... Without outsiders around... it will be easier to punish this group of bandits who treat human life like grass.

Hearing Sosuke's soft reply, Shimura Kazumi was somewhat surprised.

He didn't even raise an objection? This brat really has guts!!

Although this might be a challenge for a brat like you who has always lived in the village, don't worry. I will be protecting you from the shadows. After all, if you were to get into danger, Uncle probably wouldn't be happy.

Thinking of this, Shimura Kazumi finished her instructions with a composed air and prepared to move out with Sosuke.

The two slowly infiltrated the perimeter of the village.

At the very last moment, Shimura Kazumi suddenly called out to Sosuke. Although her voice was very cold, she still offered a reminder.

"Remember! Aizen! You must follow the route I gave you. Every single bandit here deserves to die; there is no need to show mercy!"

"Though it is unlikely, if you encounter a powerful ninja, signal for assembly immediately, and I will arrive as quickly as I can!"

Hearing her words, Sosuke thought to himself, This Captain Hannya is actually quite humane at times.

Although hidden behind a mask, a smile still graced his face as he spoke softly.

"I will carry out the mission with caution. Thank you for the reminder, Captain Hannya."

This time, Shimura Kazumi was finally somewhat satisfied with Sosuke's attitude.

And so, the two of them slowly infiltrated this unusual village.

Mission operation.

Begin!