Potential Threat

The people who escaped looked utterly bedraggled. You's flames were not merely scorching hot; they also contained a dense concentration of uranium.

Their bodies were already beginning to fester. Under such intense radiation, the effects would show within minutes.

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

"Fire Release! Phoenix Flower Fire Technique!"

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

"Kill!"

Now was the best time. The bandits fled in blind panic, failing to notice the three behind them.

Upon receiving the order, the other two charged forward. They were typical taijutsu ninjas and killed the bandits rushing out in the shortest possible time.

You's gaze fell upon the remaining bandits. From what they wore, it was clear that they were no ordinary bandits.

"Damn ninjas, we never offended you, yet you came to attack us!"

"Kill these brats together!"

"Avenge our brothers!"

Their houses were all single rooms, so they were fortunate not to have been struck by the flames. However, years of hard work had been destroyed by You's fire, filling them with rage!

Consumed by anger, they overlooked their opponents' terrifying record.

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

They noticed the unusual condition of the three's 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 Fireball Jutsu raced along the ground. Warriors were still ordinary people in the end; no matter how strong they were, there was a limit.

Within a few breaths, the enemy had become a pile of charred ash.

The battle beside them had ended as well.

Both of them were stained with blood. Reiko was in even worse shape, sitting on the ground and gasping for breath. 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 You interrupted him.

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

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

You looked into the distance, where the final group of people remained—the bandits' families!

"We..."

Reiko's eyes held more hesitation. She could not bring herself to do it. They had fought 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 can be innocent?"

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

"Follow me, or wait here."

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

Orochimaru, who had been hiding in the rear, smiled at the sight.

In the shortest time possible, they killed everyone inside the houses. When they emerged, drenched in blood, it was enough to make one nauseous.

This time, no one shrank back. Reiko stared resolutely at the bandit hideout burning in the sea of flames. From that day on, it became history.

A breeze swept 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 then his tone suddenly changed.

"Unfortunately, your performance still had major flaws."

"Nawaki and Reiko, your hesitant natures will make you show mercy when facing people who appear innocent. But remember this: the ninja world has no need for softness. Such recklessness will turn you into corpses!"

"I do not wish 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 toward Uchiha You.

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

"As the captain, when facing a group of ordinary people, the most effective method would have been poison. You've been at Tsunade's side for so long—don't you even know how to prepare poison?"

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

The question left Uchiha You speechless. He had not considered poison.

"Sorry, Orochimaru-sensei. I did not devise 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 once we return."

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

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

Hyuga Reiko looked suspiciously at You, gave a light cough, and said:

"You two had better not peek."

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

With the mission complete, Orochimaru did not show up during their rare moment of relaxation. Tonight was for them to release their gloomy feelings.

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

You sensed a faint bloodiness around Orochimaru and did not know what had happened the previous night.

"Orochimaru-sensei."

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

At this stage, Orochimaru was an exceptionally qualified teacher. His teaching ability even surpassed that of the other two.

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

Judging from their forehead protectors, they were from Cloud Village.

Their mission had happened to cross paths with Cloud Village ninjas, and Orochimaru had eliminated the potential threat the previous night.

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 halfway through the journey.

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, for 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, the place where Orochimaru had carried out the mission was in the Land of Fire.