A New Mission

Hane had altered the way he released his ninjutsu.

By compressing the chakra and fusing it with his own body to trigger an explosion, he had finally succeeded in developing a forbidden jutsu like Shunko.

Not only was the visual effect dazzling and eye-catching, but the results were also remarkably significant, allowing him to effortlessly obtain power ten times greater than his own.

If the Eight Inner Gates was a style of mindless, desperate self-destruction, then the Shunko developed by Hane was a style of calculated, technical mastery.

However, the drain on his chakra and physical stamina was exceptionally severe; after that single burst, Hane realized he was already feeling shaky and on the verge of collapse.

"You... you lunatic..."

"It seems you're just dying to kill yourself early so I can devour your soul!"

At this moment, the Demon inside Hane was clearly already so furious that it didn't know what else to say.

"Alright, don't be in such a rush to be angry with me."

"My shadow clone just sent word that the Old Man Third seems to be looking for me."

While soothing the angry Demon within, Hane suddenly received the message transmitted by his shadow clone. He put his kimono coat back on and left the forest, which had already been completely devastated.

A few minutes later, two Anbu ninjas appeared in the forest where Hane had just been.

"What is this?!"

Seeing the forest almost completely destroyed and the vast lake that had appeared out of thin air, the two Anbu ninjas were too shocked to speak. After inspecting the traces of destruction, they immediately reached a conclusion.

"Such astonishing destructive power; the very terrain has been altered..."

"This must have been caused by an extremely powerful Water Style ninjutsu. We must return and report this to the Hokage immediately!"

As soon as they finished speaking, the two Anbu ninjas vanished from the forest using body flicker techniques.

Back at the Konoha Medical Corps, an Anbu ninja was standing in front of Hane's shadow clone.

"Yakushi Hane."

"The Hokage has summoned you; there is a new mission for you."

Seeing Hane's true body return, the Anbu ninja spoke up.

"Understood, I'll head over now."

Hearing the Anbu ninja's words, Hane nodded and, with a poof, dispelled the shadow clone that looked exactly like him.

Work at the medical corps hadn't been busy today, so Hane had simply left a shadow clone behind while his true body went to the Konoha Back Mountain to train.

Upon dispelling the clone, the return of the chakra instantly gave Hane the feeling of his drained body being replenished.

About five minutes later, Hane followed the Anbu ninja to the Hokage's office.

"Haha, Hane, you're here."

Seeing Hane enter, the Third Hokage smiled kindly, set down his pipe, and spoke to him.

"Lord Hokage, is there a new mission for me?"

After entering, Hane noticed that besides the Third, there were four other ninjas in the office.

Two boys wearing blue headscarves, one wearing black sunglasses, and one with a senbon needle hanging from his mouth.

There was also a boy wearing a green bodysuit that was impossible to look at directly, sporting a shiny, jet-black bowl cut and a pair of eyebrows so thick they were outrageous. He flashed a set of white teeth from time to time, giving Hane goosebumps.

Ebisu, Genma Shiranui, and the future Might Guy.

Needless to say, Hane recognized the three of them at a glance.

While Hane was sizing them up, they were also looking at him with curious eyes.

They seemed to be struggling to connect the six-year-old white-haired boy before them with the "Number One Genius of Konoha" currently rumored throughout the village.

"You must be Yakushi Hane, right?"

A delicate voice reached him. Hane looked up slightly to find a young girl standing before him.

With long, slightly wavy jet-black hair and wearing a white ninja skirt with red trim, she looked both innocent and alluring. Her large red eyes were examining him with curiosity. "I've heard my father mention you. He said you were the most outstanding genius ninja he had ever seen."

"I've finally met you today; I didn't expect you to be such a handsome little brother."

Kurenai Yuhi?!

Seeing the girl before him, Hane recognized her identity—the future Jonin of Konoha, the most sexy and enchanting older sister figure from the original series.

However, right now, all four of them were around eleven or twelve years old, having just been promoted to Chunin this year.

"So it's Senior Kurenai..."

"You flatter me. I've also heard Teacher Yuhi mention you often."

Facing the beautiful girl's scrutinizing gaze, Hane lowered his head slightly and said modestly.

Kurenai Yuhi was the only daughter of Kurenai Yuhi's Father, Hane's instructor at the Ninja Academy.

"Ahem, Hane, I called you here today because there is a new mission for you."

At this moment, the Third Hokage gave a light cough, drawing everyone's attention toward him.

"A new mission?"

Yu looked at the Third Hokage with some curiosity.

"Yes, this is an A-rank mission to scout the battlefield."

As he spoke, the Third Hokage paused to gather his thoughts before explaining the details of the mission to those present. "Konoha is currently facing pressure on the battlefield from the Sand Ninja, Rock Ninja, and Cloud Ninja simultaneously..."

"Recently, our ninja scouts discovered that the Mist Ninja from the Land of Water have gathered a large number of forces at the border of the Land of Fire, and it is estimated that they are planning a new move."

Having said this, the Third Hokage's expression grew heavy. He stared at the four young ninja kneeling on one knee before him, as well as Yu standing to the side, and issued his order in a deep voice. "Genma, Ebisu, Guy, and Kurenai..."

"You four are newly promoted chunin. Now, in my capacity as Hokage, I order you to go to the border to scout the situation."

"Considering the potential circumstances along the way, I have specifically arranged for you, Yu, to accompany them in the capacity of a medical ninja to provide support."

"Yes!!"

Yu and the four young chunin present responded in unison.

After hearing the Third Hokage's mission instructions alongside Might Guy and the others, the five of them withdrew from the Hokage Office Building.

In the corridor outside the Hokage Office Building.

"The number one genius of Konoha... everyone in the village has been talking about you lately!"

Kurenai Yuhi, walking beside Yu, tilted her head and smiled playfully at him.

"That is just everyone's kindness... Senior Kurenai is also far more beautiful than I imagined."

Hearing this, Yu turned his head to glance at Kurenai Yuhi, just in time to see the young woman's radiant smile, which seemed to make the surrounding scenery pale in comparison.

"Really?!"

Upon hearing Yu's sincere compliment, Kurenai Yuhi immediately covered her face with both hands and laughed with a touch of embarrassment.

"Hmph, some 'number one genius of Konoha,' he's nothing more than a brat who just graduated from the Ninja Academy."

At this moment, watching Yu walk alongside Kurenai Yuhi, Genma Shiranui, who had a senbon dangling from his mouth, spoke with a hint of disdain.

"Hm?"

Yu turned back, noticing that Genma Shiranui and Ebisu, who were walking behind them, did not seem to have very friendly gazes.

"Don't be like that, Genma."

Seeing that the atmosphere within the group seemed somewhat strange, Might Guy, who was walking nearby, hurriedly spoke up in an attempt to ease the tension.