Provocation

That's how it is anyway. The so-called greatest genius in Konoha...

I have no idea what Lord Hokage was thinking, assigning a little kid like that to drag us down.

But Ebisu, walking beside Genma Shiranui, also grumbled in complaint.

Lately, people in the village had often been talking about Yu's reputation as a genius. Today, they had finally met him in person, only to find he was just a six- or seven-year-old kid.

And Lord Hokage had assigned him to carry out a mission with them, so it was only natural that Genma Shiranui and Ebisu felt some contempt and resentment.

"How can you two say that?"

"Yu was specifically assigned by Lord Hokage to help us carry out this mission!"

Hearing Genma Shiranui and Ebisu pick on Yu, Kurenai put her hands on her hips, looking indignant.

"Whether I'm a genius or not is just other people's opinion. I can't control that..."

But Yu, walking beside Kurenai, had already stopped. His amber eyes calmly regarded Genma Shiranui and Ebisu. "But you two... seem to have a real problem with me."

Come to think of it, this was Yu's first time going out on a mission.

But Genma Shiranui and Ebisu had provoked him for no reason. Even the mildest person had a temper, and Yu was no exception.

"What... you got a problem with that, kid?"

Faced with Yu's cool attitude, Genma Shiranui and Ebisu stopped as well.

Genma Shiranui especially crossed his arms, a senbon clenched between his teeth, his face showing disdain and scorn.

"Whoosh!!"

But as soon as Genma Shiranui finished speaking, Yu vanished from in front of him and Ebisu.

So fast!!

Seeing Yu move with such incredible speed, Might Guy, the taijutsu expert among the three, was startled.

Leaf Great Whirlwind!!

With a sharp rush of air, before anyone could react, Yu appeared in front of the three.

His body spun rapidly in midair, his legs sweeping out like a fierce whirlwind!

"Bang!!"

Everyone's vision blurred for an instant. Then they saw Ebisu flying backward, like a kite with its strings cut, crashing hard into the wall.

So fast!!

Seeing Yu's lightning-fast taijutsu and his companion Ebisu kicked away in the blink of an eye, Genma Shiranui was shocked. Chakra coated the senbon clenched between his teeth, and he spat it out like a projectile!

"Hmph..."

Seeing the senbon flying toward him, Yu gave a disdainful snort in midair, tilted his head slightly to dodge it, and vanished from in front of Genma Shiranui again.

The Body Flicker Technique?!

Staring at Yu's astonishing speed, Genma Shiranui instinctively reached for his ninja tool pouch.

But at that moment, a finger had already come to rest silently against his temple, stopping him in his tracks.

"We're setting out on a mission tomorrow..."

"And you two losers still have time to fight among yourselves..."

To Genma Shiranui's horror, Yu had somehow appeared behind him. He casually raised his right index finger and pressed it to Genma Shiranui's temple like a pistol.

"If I wanted to... I wouldn't mind killing you both and completing the mission alone."

Two chunin...

And they couldn't even hold their own against this kid for two seconds?

Kurenai, Might Guy, and Ebisu, who lay on the ground nearby, all stared in a daze at Yu's finger pressed against Genma Shiranui's head.

"Damn brat... who are you trying to scare?!"

Threatened with a finger pressed to his head by a six-year-old in front of everyone, Genma Shiranui's face flushed red. He felt his pride had been trampled.

"Boom!!"

But Genma Shiranui hadn't even finished speaking.

A thin line Yu had formed at the tip of his right index finger shot out at tremendous speed, like a gunshot. It grazed Genma Shiranui's cheek, leaving a bloody streak, then blasted into the wall beside them, blowing a huge hole through it!

"You should be grateful we're in Lord Hokage's office building... I won't hold this against you two."

"Go back and get yourselves ready. Meet here tomorrow to set out."

Ignoring Genma Shiranui, who was frozen in shock, Yu curled his lip in disdain. He blew on the nonexistent smoke at his fingertip like a gunslinger, then turned and walked away without looking back.

What terrifying power...

Might Guy and Ebisu, still lying on the ground, stared blankly at Yu's departing figure, as if they'd been turned to stone.

"So... this is how strong he is?"

"No wonder so many people call him Konoha's number one genius..."

Having witnessed Yu reveal his terrifying strength and take down Genma Shiranui and Ebisu, both chunin, in an instant, Kurenai stood there, her bright eyes flashing with wonder. At last, she began to understand what her father, Kurenai Yuhi's Father, had said about Yu...

Early the next morning.

Might Guy, the other two, and Kurenai were already packed and waiting at the village entrance.

Then Yu appeared at the village entrance and met up with the four of them.

"Yu, you're here. I apologize on their behalf for what happened yesterday."

Seeing Yu arrive on time, Might Guy, with his bowl-cut hairstyle, stepped forward to apologize.

Genma Shiranui and Ebisu stood nearby without saying anything, but the fear that showed in their eyes from time to time made it clear that they had backed down.

Ebisu in particular still had one cheek badly swollen. Clearly, the injury from Yu's kick the day before hadn't healed yet.

"Forget it. I don't bother with annoying flies."

Facing Might Guy's apology, Yu merely shrugged calmly. "Just don't get in my way during the mission, or I'll turn you two into corpses."

"Did you hear that?"

Seeing that Yu wasn't pursuing the matter, Kurenai turned to Genma Shiranui and Ebisu.

"Tch... We heard you."

Though Genma Shiranui and Ebisu were still resentful, they could only swallow their anger.

Remembering how Yu had overwhelmed them the day before, along with the mission assigned by the Third Hokage, they didn't want to cause more trouble at such a critical moment.

"All right, let's go."

Ignoring the two of them, Yu dashed off first and quickly vanished into the woods.

"Let's catch up!"

Seeing Yu set off, Might Guy and the others hurried after Setsuna.

After a full day of nonstop travel,

Yu and Kurenai's group finally passed through Fire Temple and reached the border of the Land of Fire.

The Land of Fire was vast and rich, and beyond Konoha Village there was almost nothing but dense forest.

Aside from a few breaks along the way, Yu traveled at a steady, unhurried pace, sprinting ahead while keeping a certain distance from Might Guy and the others.

For shinobi, a journey like this was no great challenge.

"The border is just ahead. Stay alert."

"Our mission is to investigate the Mist Ninja's numbers and gather information. Avoid fighting if possible."

After crossing a patch of grass, Yu and the others finally reached a dense forest.

Might Guy gave them a reminder, and the five of them quickly dashed into the woods.