Encounter Battle

"Where is Shisui-sensei? Don't tell me he's still in bed?"

Sanhe leaned against the gate, complaining.

"Speaking ill of others behind their backs isn't a very good habit, you know."

Shisui's voice came from atop the gate.

"Shisui-sensei."

Ryosuke and Miyuki greeted Shisui one after another, while Sanhe felt a bit awkward.

Fortunately, Shisui didn't seem to mind.

He inspected the trio's attire, his gaze finally settling on Ryosuke, who was still wearing the traditional Uchiha clan clothing.

"You don't really only have that one set of clothes, do you?" Sanhe quipped.

Ryosuke didn't speak.

"That outfit is far too conspicuous. The Uchiha clan has quite a few enemies out there," Miyuki added.

"I should go buy you a set in the village; this was my oversight," Shisui said, rubbing the back of his head.

"There's no need, Shisui-sensei. I can just cover up the clan crest," Ryosuke said, using a ninjutsu to transform an empty scroll into a cloak and draping it over his shoulders.

"This can last for about an hour. With my chakra levels, it shouldn't be a problem," Ryosuke explained after seeing the surprised looks on the others' faces.

"Alright then. Time is tight, so let's set off. I'll explain the specific details on the way."

Shisui led the way out of the village.

The other three followed immediately.

Because they needed to reach the mission site quickly, they didn't take the main road, choosing instead to weave through the forest.

Shisui also explained part of the mission intelligence.

According to Anbu reports, several villages on the border between the Land of Fire and the Land of Lightning had been attacked. They found Cloud Ninja headbands at the scene, so they suspected the Cloud Ninja were responsible.

"Shisui-sensei, could someone be doing this on purpose to frame the Cloud Ninja?" Sanhe asked.

Shisui glanced at him and said, "That is the content of our mission: to investigate the truth of this matter. If it really was the Cloud Ninja, we must investigate their motives and movements. If it wasn't, we must find the real culprit."

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

"It can't be helped. The village's Jonin have all been sent out on missions, and the Chunin are tasked with guarding the village. Currently, only our Team One has the capability and strength to carry out this kind of mission," Shisui explained.

Ryosuke and the others nodded; this was, in a way, an affirmation of their strength.

However, it also meant that this mission was far from being as simple as a D-rank task.

Ryosuke didn't care much; in fact, he felt a faint sense of anticipation.

If it really was the Cloud Ninja, that would be great. It would be even better if they ran into some of them, as that would give his system a chance to shine.

The four of them traveled for an entire day, finally arriving at the border of the Land of Fire as the sky began to darken.

From a distance, they saw a plume of black smoke rising from the edge of the forest.

"Could there be enemies again?" Sanhe pulled out a kunai, gripping it tightly.

It was clear he was somewhat excited, or perhaps afraid.

Indeed, if these were enemies, this would be his first battle since becoming a ninja.

Miyuki appeared quite calm, though she had activated her Sharingan immediately.

"Miyuki, scout the area."

Shisui didn't act rashly, instead issuing an order.

It turned out that Miyuki was a sensory-type ninja; she nodded, closed her eyes, and crouched down.

"There are three people, Chunin level, Lightning-style users. There are only those three within two kilometers."

A sensory range of two kilometers was already quite impressive for a twelve-year-old like Miyuki.

Ryosuke drew a sharp breath inwardly.

The Uchiha clan really was full of monsters.

It was just a pity that sensory abilities didn't count as ninjutsu and couldn't be recorded by the system.

Shisui nodded. In truth, he had already 'seen' them, but he wanted to give Miyuki a chance to show her skills.

"Three people. I'll leave them to you. This is your first battle—do not underestimate your enemies."

Shisui said to the three of them.

The three nodded in unison, then vanished from where they stood.

Shisui murmured to himself, "Ryosuke has killed Cloud Village ninja before; I wonder if this time he will..."

Three ninja wearing Cloud Village headbands stood before the flames, chatting.

"Killing these commoners is so boring. I wonder how long it will take for Konoha's reinforcements to arrive?"

"Guess who they'll send? It wouldn't be 'Body Flicker Shisui,' would it? Haha."

"Don't joke around. Konoha isn't what it used to be. Without the Yellow Flash, and with the Third Hokage getting old, this is the era of our Cloud Village."

Suddenly, a massive fireball flew toward the three of them.

The three were quick to react, leaping in three different directions.

Immediately after, three figures blocked their path.

"Konoha ninja? They only sent three kids? Is Konoha that desperate for manpower?"

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

Another one shouted.

"Isn't that perfect? The Raikage has wanted a Sharingan for a long time. I just don't know if these three brats have awakened theirs yet. Let's see who gets lucky."

The man opposite Ryosuke seemed to be a chatterbox; he hadn't stopped talking since the beginning.

"Fire Style: Great Fireball Technique!"

Ryosuke launched the first attack.

"Brat, you're looking down on me too much."

Raizo actually split the great fireball with his bare hand, then reached out and grabbed Ryosuke.

It seemed he practiced the unique ninja-taijutsu of the Cloud Village.

Ryosuke was hoisted into the air by him.

"Ryosuke?" Sanhe was the first to shout.

"Don't get distracted, or you'll die," Miyuki shouted while weaving hand signs.

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

But the man opposite him raised a wall of earth.

"Is this the Uchiha clan? I don't see what's so impressive about them."

"Earth Style: Earth Spike Barrage!" The man's hand signs were lightning-fast, and countless spikes suddenly erupted from the ground, surging toward Sanhe.

"Tch, annoying ninjutsu. Shadow Clone."

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

Miyuki's side was not easy, either.

The fire-style ninjutsu she took such pride in had no effect on her opponent.

"How is this possible?"

"Little girl, you look surprised. I don't mind telling you: no ninjutsu works on me, because I am of the Night Demon Clan."

As the man finished speaking, a long spear suddenly appeared in his hand, and he hurled it at Miyuki.

Miyuki dodged the attack by a hair's breadth, but the opponent had already closed the distance.

"I love ravaging women, especially beautiful young girls like you. Let me have some real fun, hahaha."

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

Then, punch after punch followed.