One Dead, Three Captured

Cold wind howled through the mountain forest at night, and firewood crackled in the flames. The camp lay in a hollow, its shadows shifting in the firelight. It looked quiet and peaceful, but a trap had already been set.

Asuma and Kurenai hid among the trees on opposite sides, holding their breath and blending into the darkness. Tsukimi lay on his side beside the campfire, relaxed and breathing evenly, as if fast asleep.

In secret, Tsukimi had already used the Shadowkhan spread throughout the forest to track four approaching figures.

The four kept avoiding obstacles as they advanced, their footsteps feather-light. They barely leaked any Chakra the entire way, leaving Tsukimi even more puzzled.

They moved with the practiced ease of people who were no ordinary wandering Ninja.

Rogue Ninja?

In less than a minute, the four figures passed through the trees and reached the edge of the camp.

All four wore dark, close-fitting clothes, with no Forehead Protectors anywhere on their bodies. Without a moment's hesitation, they ignored Tsukimi sleeping right in front of them and headed straight for Kawata Genji behind the campfire.

Their Chakra flared, and Tsukimi sensed its strength.

One Chunin and three Genin.

The surge woke Kawata Genji as well. Ever since entering the Land of Rivers, he had grown increasingly anxious and hadn't dared sleep deeply. At the sight of the four figures charging toward him, terror seized him. He scrambled backward, clutching his chest, and his desperate cries rang through the forest.

"Help! Lord Ninja, save me!"

Tsukimi opened his eyes and watched Kawata Genji flee, a cold glint flashing in his gaze. The old man had concealed plenty, but he was still their client. He could not die here.

"Move!"

At Tsukimi's command, Asuma and Kurenai struck at the same time from their hiding places on either side.

Clang!

Flying Swallow, wreathed in Wind Release Chakra, plunged toward the Genin on the right. On the other side, Kurenai, already prepared, formed Hand Seals. Her Genjutsu took hold without a sound, invisible mental force enveloping the Genin on the left.

The remaining two charged straight at Tsukimi as he rose. The Chunin swung his long blade from the left, its edge coated in Wind Release Chakra and whistling through the air. Beside him, the Genin darted forward, fingers flashing as he threw several Shuriken to cut off Tsukimi's escape routes and complete the pincer attack from the right.

Tsukimi remained calm. Shadows churned beneath his feet, and more than a dozen Shadowkhan swiftly took shape and lunged at the pair.

Tsukimi reached out with his right hand. Shadows gathered again, and cold glints erupted from every direction as countless Shuriken flew at the two attackers.

Surprise flickered in the Chunin's eyes. He had never seen Ninjutsu like this, but he did not panic. He slashed at the Shadowkhan, and wherever his blade passed, they burst apart, scattering like liquid.

His eyes lit up, and he pressed his attack. But an instant later, his expression turned grave. The Shadowkhan he had scattered formed again and charged back at him.

Worse, the shadow Shuriken were already upon him. As he blocked them, he sensed something was wrong. The moment they touched his blade, they turned to liquid and spread rapidly along it onto his body.

His pupils shrank. The icy sensation filled him with dread, and he twisted aside, no longer daring to touch the Shuriken. He tried to wipe the shadows off with his left hand, but it was useless. They simply moved from his right hand to his left.

More and more shadow gathered on him, tightening around his body, while an endless stream of Shadowkhan closed off every retreat. Instead of panicking, he became completely calm.

He ignored the shadows binding him and the Shadowkhan surrounding him. His long blade slowly lowered to his side, and he stared at Tsukimi by the campfire with cold, lifeless eyes.

Something's wrong!

Tsukimi narrowed his eyes. Realizing the danger, he immediately formed Hand Seals. Shadows surged from beneath the Chunin's feet and joined those already covering him, binding him completely.

The Chunin's expression did not change. Without a moment's hesitation, he bit down hard.

Crack!

A faint sound rang out. He neither struggled nor cried out. His standing body went limp, the life rapidly fading from his eyes, and he fell flat to the ground.

He had bitten into poison and killed himself!

Tsukimi was stunned for an instant. Once he recovered, he had the Shadowkhan seize the remaining Genin and clamp his jaw shut, leaving him no chance to take his own life.

Tsukimi had not expected what he had just seen. A mere C-Rank Mission had drawn a Chunin willing to die rather than be captured.

Konoha's C-Rank Missions were just like its Genin: trouble waiting to happen!

At the same time, the fighting on both sides came to an end.

With Flying Swallow and his fierce close-quarters skills, Asuma subdued his opponent after a hard fight. His chest heaved, and his breathing was slightly ragged.

The enemy might have been only a Genin, but he had clearly killed before. Every move carried a ruthless intent to fight to the death. Asuma lacked that same desperation. If not for his solid training, he might have paid dearly for it.

Kurenai had a much easier time. With her Genjutsu striking first, she subdued her opponent with little effort, pinning him to the ground with a blade against his neck.

Of the four attackers, the Chunin had killed himself, and all three Genin had been captured. Quiet returned to the mountain forest, broken only by the crackle of the campfire.

With a wave of Tsukimi's right hand, several shadows emerged from the darkness. They took over from Asuma and Kurenai, restrained the two Genin, and brought them to Tsukimi.

"Tsukimi, did you kill that Chunin?"

Asuma and Kurenai walked over. Seeing the body on the ground, they asked in confusion.

"He killed himself," Tsukimi said with a wave of his hand. "These people are no simple bandits. The way they infiltrated the camp alone proves they aren't ordinary wandering Ninja."

Asuma looked grave. "Could they be rogue Ninja?"

"I don't think so," Kurenai said, voicing her thoughts.

"Tsukimi, your fight with him lasted less than a minute, didn't it? He decided that quickly that he couldn't win and killed himself without hesitation. That's not how rogue Ninja operate."

"Death Soldiers!" Asuma realized it too. He spoke the words slowly, then frowned. "What could our client be carrying that would draw Death Soldiers here?"

Kawata Genji had returned to the campfire. He trembled all over, his face pale. Tsukimi's knowing glance made him even more uneasy.

Tsukimi did not confront him yet. They still had leads, and the most important thing now was to get the three captives talking.

Tsukimi chuckled and turned to Kurenai Yuhi. "No rush. We'll take them one at a time. Kurenai, use Genjutsu to interrogate them."

"Got it!"