An Encounter

"Where's Teacher Shisui? Don't tell me he's still asleep."

Sanhe leaned against the gate and complained.

"Talking behind someone's back isn't a very good habit."

Shisui's voice came from above the gate.

"Teacher Shisui."

Ryosuke and Miyuki greeted Shisui, while Sanhe looked a little embarrassed.

Fortunately, Shisui didn't seem to mind.

He checked the three of them over, then his gaze settled on Ryosuke, who was still wearing the Uchiha Clan's clothes.

"Don't tell me this is the only outfit you own?" Sanhe teased.

Ryosuke said nothing.

"That outfit is far too conspicuous. The Uchiha Clan has plenty of enemies out there,"

Miyuki added.

"Let's go buy you something in the village. This was my oversight."

Shisui scratched his head as he spoke.

"No need, Teacher Shisui. I can just cover up the clan crest."

As he spoke, Ryosuke used a ninjutsu to turn an empty scroll into a cloak and draped it over himself.

"This should last about an hour. With my chakra, it shouldn't be a problem."

Seeing the astonished looks on their faces, Ryosuke had no choice but to explain.

"Fine, then. We're already pressed for time, so let's get going. I'll explain the details on the way."

Shisui was the first to leave the village.

The other three immediately followed.

Since they needed to reach the mission site quickly,

they didn't take the main road, instead moving through the woods.

Obito also explained some of the mission details.

According to Anbu intelligence, several villages along the border between the Land of Fire and the Land of Lightning had been attacked. They'd found Cloud Ninja Forehead Protectors at the sites, so they suspected the Cloud Ninja were responsible.

"Teacher Shisui, could someone have done this on purpose to frame the Cloud Ninja?" Sanhe asked.

Shisui glanced at him, then replied, "That's what this mission is about: finding out the truth. If the Cloud Ninja really did it, we'll investigate their motives and movements. If they didn't, we'll find the culprit."

"This doesn't sound like a reconnaissance mission anymore," Miyuki said, rubbing her chin.

"It can't be helped. All the village's Jonin have been sent out on missions, and the Chunin have to guard the village. Right now, only Team One has the ability and strength to carry out a mission like this."

Shisui explained.

Ryosuke and the other two nodded. It was a recognition of their abilities.

But it also meant that this mission was far more than a D-rank assignment.

Ryosuke wasn't particularly worried. If anything, he was a little excited.

It would be great if the Cloud Ninja really were behind it. Better yet, if they ran into some Cloud Ninja, his system would finally have a chance to prove useful.

The four traveled all day and finally reached the border of the Land of Fire as dusk was falling.

In the distance, they saw a column of black smoke rising beside the forest.

"Could there be more enemies?" Sanhe pulled out a Kunai and gripped it.

He looked somewhat excited—or perhaps afraid.

After all, if they were enemies, this would be his first battle since becoming a ninja.

Miyuki seemed calm enough, but her Sharingan had already activated.

"Miyuki, sense the area."

Shisui didn't act rashly. Instead, he gave the order.

It turned out Miyuki was a sensor-type ninja. She nodded, then closed her eyes and crouched down.

"There are three people. Chunin-level, with Lightning Release. No one else within two kilometers."

A two-kilometer sensing range was already incredibly impressive for Miyuki, who was only twelve.

Ryosuke drew a quiet breath.

The Uchiha Clan had so many prodigies.

Unfortunately, sensing wasn't a ninjutsu, so the system couldn't record it.

Shisui nodded. He'd already "seen" them himself; he'd only wanted to give Miyuki a chance to show what she could do.

"There are three of them, so they're yours. This is your first battle. Don't underestimate your enemies."

Shisui said to the three of them.

All three nodded at once, then vanished from where they stood.

Shisui murmured to himself, "Ryosuke's killed a Cloud Ninja before. I wonder if this time he'll..."

Three ninjas wearing Cloud Ninja Forehead Protectors stood in front of the flames, chatting.

"Killing these ordinary people is no fun. I wonder how long it'll take Konoha's reinforcements to get here."

"Guess who they'll send? Could it be 'Body Flicker Shisui'? Hahaha."

"Don't joke around. Konoha isn't what it used to be. The Yellow Flash is gone, and the Third is old. This is the Cloud Ninja's era now."

Suddenly, a huge fireball flew toward them.

The three reacted quickly, leaping in different directions.

Then three figures appeared in front of them.

"Ninja from Konoha? They only sent three kids? Is Konoha really that short-handed?"

"Raizo, don't underestimate them. Look at their eyes—they're Uchiha."

Another man called out.

"Even better. Lord Raikage's wanted the Sharingan for ages. I wonder if these three brats have awakened theirs. Let's see who gets lucky."

The man facing Ryosuke seemed to be a chatterbox. He'd been talking nonstop from the moment they showed up.

"Fire Release: Great Fireball!"

Ryosuke launched the first attack.

"Kid, you're underestimating me."

Raizo actually cleaved the huge fireball apart with his hand, then reached out to grab Ryosuke.

It seemed he'd trained in the Cloud Ninja's unique Nintaijutsu.

Ryosuke was caught and lifted into the air.

"Ryosuke?" Sanhe shouted first.

"Don't get distracted. You'll get killed!" Miyuki shouted as she formed Hand Seals.

"Tch!" Sanhe didn't dare slack off and immediately used Shadow Clone Shuriken.

But the man in front of him raised an earthen wall.

"So this is the Uchiha Clan? They don't seem like anything special to me."

"Earth Release: Ground Spikes!" The man formed Hand Seals at lightning speed, and countless spikes suddenly burst from the ground toward Sanhe.

"Tch, what a nuisance. Shadow Clone!"

Sanhe used the Shadow Clone Technique again, planning to overwhelm his opponent with numbers.

Miyuki wasn't having an easy time either.

Her prized Fire Release ninjutsu had no effect on her opponent at all.

"How is this possible?"

"Surprised, little girl? I don't mind telling you: no ninjutsu works on me, because I'm from the Night Demon Clan."

After speaking, the man suddenly had a long spear in his hand, which he hurled at Miyuki.

Miyuki barely dodged the attack, but her opponent had already closed in.

"I love tormenting women, especially beautiful young girls like you. Let me enjoy myself!"

The Night Demon Clan ninja's fist grew enormous, and he slammed it into Miyuki's stomach.

Then he punched her again and again.