Potential Threat

The escapees looked utterly bedraggled. You's flames were not merely scorching hot; they also contained concentrated uranium particles.

Their bodies had begun to ulcerate. Intense radiation would take effect within minutes.

The people who had just escaped felt pain throughout their bodies, but they had no time to think.

"Fire Style! Phoenix Flower Jutsu!"

Scattered flames rained down in every direction, setting the entire stronghold ablaze. Even people several miles away could see the fire spreading.

"Kill!"

Now was the best opportunity. The bandits fled in panic, unaware of the three behind them.

The two who received the order charged forward. They were typical taijutsu ninjas and killed the bandits who rushed out in the shortest possible time.

You's gaze fell upon the remaining bandits, and he noticed that what they wore was clearly different from that of ordinary bandits.

"Damn ninjas, we never offended you, yet you attacked us!"

"Kill these brats together!"

"Avenge our brothers!"

Their houses were all single-room dwellings, and they had been fortunate enough to avoid the flames. But You had reduced years of their hard work to ashes with a single blaze, filling them with rage!

Blinded by fury, they overlooked their opponents' terrifying record.

"Three of them... are they all warriors?"

You noticed the unusual condition of their hands. Years of wielding weapons had worn down the webbing between their thumbs and forefingers.

You did not underestimate them. The enemies were clearly closing in for melee combat, so he used kunai to keep his distance.

Never underestimate the Uchiha Clan's kunai throwing. Over the past year, Fugaku had taught him quite a few kunai-throwing techniques.

Two of the three kunai were blocked, but the last one used a rebound to successfully strike an enemy.

You formed hand seals with both hands, and a Great Fireball shot along the ground. Warriors were still ordinary people in the end; no matter how strong they were, they could only be so strong.

Within a few breaths, they became a pile of charred ashes.

The battle beside them had ended as well.

Both were stained with blood. Reiko was in even worse shape, sitting on the ground and gasping for air. Her performance had been somewhat lacking, but she had still undergone a transformation. It was decent mission experience.

The two had become qualified genin.

"We've finally completed Orochimaru-sensei's mission."

Nawaki leaned against a large tree, his eyes somewhat unfocused, but Uchiha Yū interrupted him.

"You're wrong. We've only completed a little over half the mission. It isn't completely finished yet."

"Orochimaru-sensei's mission was to kill everyone on the mountain."

You looked into the distance. There was one last group there: the bandits' families!

"We..."

Reiko's eyes were filled with hesitation. She could not bring herself to do it. She had been able to deal with the bandits because they were wanted criminals, every one of them with blood on their hands.

But the people inside the houses were all powerless.

"Do you think anyone living on this mountain could be innocent?"

A trace of killing intent made both of them tremble in body and mind. You tossed out two kunai, which landed before Nawaki and Reiko respectively, then continued:

"Follow me, or stay here and wait."

With that, You headed directly toward where they lived. The two exchanged a glance, picked up their kunai, and followed him.

Orochimaru, hiding in the rear, revealed a faint smile at the sight.

In the shortest time possible, they killed everyone inside the houses. When they emerged, bathed in blood, the stench was nauseating.

This time, no one flinched. Reiko stared resolutely at the bandit stronghold within the sea of flames as it became history.

A light breeze blew past, and Orochimaru appeared beside them. In an approving tone, he said:

"You have not disappointed me. Congratulations on becoming qualified ninjas."

The three figures were reflected in his dark yellow pupils, but his tone abruptly shifted.

"Unfortunately, your performance still had serious flaws."

"Nawaki and Reiko, your hesitant natures will make you soften toward those who appear innocent. But remember this: there is no place for softness in a ninja's world. Getting yourselves killed like this will turn you into corpses!"

"I do not want to see this happen again on your next mission!"

"Nor do I want to collect your bodies!"

After criticizing the shortcomings of this mission, Orochimaru turned his gaze to Uchiha Yū.

"You's performance was acceptable, but there was a problem with the mission plan."

"As the team leader, when facing a group of ordinary people, the most effective method would have been poison. After spending so much time with Tsunade, don't you even know how to prepare poison?"

"You could have used a more reliable method. Assassination is more effective than a frontal assault."

The question caught Uchiha Yū off guard. He had not considered poison.

"Sorry, Orochimaru-sensei. I didn't make a perfect plan."

Watching his three disciples carefully review the mission's shortcomings, Orochimaru nodded in satisfaction.

"The mission was a success. We'll split the money when we return."

Nawaki and Reiko both looked as though they had been granted a reprieve. The prolonged tension had exhausted them mentally.

"Go wash up. If you go back covered in blood, you'll stink."

Hyuga Reiko looked at You suspiciously, coughed lightly, and said:

"You two had better not peek."

"Idiot, I don't have the Byakugan. I have the Sharingan!"

With the mission complete, they finally had a rare chance to relax. Orochimaru did not appear; tonight was for them to vent their gloomy emotions.

After bathing, they slept soundly. When the three woke up, they saw Orochimaru standing beside them.

You sensed an additional trace of bloodlust around Orochimaru, though he had no idea what had happened last night.

"Orochimaru-sensei."

"Since you're awake, follow me back to the village."

At this stage, Orochimaru was an exceptionally qualified teacher, even surpassing the other two in teaching ability.

After they left, a group of enormous pythons in the nearby forest devoured several corpses.

Judging by their forehead protectors, they were from the Hidden Cloud Village.

Their mission had happened to overlap with Hidden Cloud Village ninjas. Last night, Orochimaru had eliminated the potential threat.

On the way back, Orochimaru deliberately slowed his pace. He was observing the three's chakra control. Without precise control, they would run out of strength before they were halfway there.

Fortunately, all three performed well. This showed the ability of great clans to train their members; the foundation for chakra control was laid from a very young age.

Once they became qualified ninjas, they would not need to spend extra time training it.

"Excellent students."

Orochimaru had to acknowledge the three's talent. He also hoped his disciples could stand on their own, but they did not have much time left.

The matter of the Cloud ninjas had to be reported to the Hokage as soon as possible. After all, Orochimaru's mission site was in the Land of Fire.