B-Rank Mission

Over the next few days, Konoha remained relaxed on the surface but vigilant beneath it.

Tsukimi's days were dull and orderly. Since he had managed to give his Chakra physical form around his right hand, creating a partial Susanoo, he had spent every day training in the yard.

Drawing on the Ninja Tribe's talent for precise control and the Second Hokage's research, Tsukimi progressed step by step. Each day, he repeated the tedious work of compressing and shaping his Chakra, refining it and making the form more stable.

In just a few days, he had made steady progress. The black Chakra that had initially covered only his hand now extended over his entire right arm, its surface gleaming coldly. It was pure Yin Release Chakra, and it greatly enhanced both his attack and defense.

One morning, Asuma and Kurenai came over together. They had been resting at home since their last mission and had finally decided to train with Tsukimi.

"Hm?"

The moment they stepped into the yard, their eyes fixed on Tsukimi's right arm.

"Tsukimi, your arm... Are you practicing some new Ninjutsu?"

Asuma hurried over and stared at Tsukimi's right arm. He even reached out to touch it, feeling a cool surface beneath his fingertips.

"This is... Chakra!? How did you do that?"

Kurenai Yuhi frowned in wonder. She had studied genjutsu under her father since childhood and was thoroughly familiar with Yin Release Chakra. In the past few days, she had also learned a sensory Ninjutsu from him. She could distinguish the armor's intricate energy structure, which made the sight all the more astonishing.

"Just an experiment in shaping Chakra."

Tsukimi drew his Chakra back, and the black armor vanished from his right arm. He offered no further explanation about Susanoo, and neither Asuma nor Kurenai pressed him.

"Tsukimi, don't tell me you've been training this whole time." Asuma folded his arms, looking suspicious.

"What do you think?"

Tsukimi stretched, slipped back into his usual languid manner, and shot him a disdainful look.

"Don't tell me you've been resting at home all this time. Surely nobody our age could just sit around doing nothing?"

"Uh... Of course not! I've been training hard at Fire Release at home!" Caught out, Asuma looked embarrassed and began to stammer.

One look at his face told Tsukimi that he had probably been enjoying himself a little too much. He gave Asuma a knowing smile.

"Really? You'd better have been. Otherwise, next time we train together, you'll be sitting at the same table as Obito."

Asuma's face flushed bright red, but he stubbornly held his ground.

"Not a chance! Why would I sit with Obito? I could beat that dead last with one hand!"

Careful, kid. You shouldn't tempt fate like that.

While they were laughing and talking, a figure suddenly appeared in the courtyard. The Anbu ninja wore an animal mask and carried a cold, deadly air. His voice was flat as he delivered the order:

"Nara Tsukimi, Asuma Sarutobi, Kurenai Yuhi. The Hokage has summoned you. Proceed to the Hokage Building immediately."

Tsukimi understood at once. The higher-ups' investigation must have reached a conclusion.

"Understood. We'll go at once."

The Anbu vanished in a flash. Tsukimi and the other two immediately set off for the Hokage Building.

They hurried straight to the Hokage's office. When they pushed open the door, they found the atmosphere inside heavy.

Hiruzen Sarutobi sat behind his desk. Mitokado Homura and Utatane Koharu were there too, all three wearing solemn expressions. Orochimaru stood to one side.

As the three entered, the two advisers turned their attention to Tsukimi and quietly studied him. They had heard about him many times, but this was their first time seeing him in person.

Hiruzen Sarutobi looked up at the three of them and got straight to the point.

"I called you here because the investigation into the Bluestone Town mission has produced results."

Asuma and Kurenai immediately grew serious and listened closely.

"The medical department and Orochimaru have finished analyzing the poison. Its properties allowed them to trace its origin."

Hiruzen Sarutobi's expression was grave, his voice steady. "The poison came from a plant found only deep in the mountains of southwestern Land of Rivers. It was refined using a special method to produce this mysterious toxin."

"That means whoever was behind it, even if they weren't a local force, must have operated in the Land of Rivers for a long time. They may have left traces of their poison-making there."

Mitokado Homura added, "Based on the intelligence Anbu has gathered over the past several days, we've decided to send a dedicated squad into the southwestern mountains of the Land of Rivers. They'll search the plant's native habitat and investigate any signs of poison production."

Hiruzen Sarutobi first turned to Orochimaru. "I'm assigning this investigation to your squad, Orochimaru."

Then he looked back at Tsukimi and the others. "Prepare immediately and head to the southwest of the Land of Rivers. Trace the poison plant to its source and look for clues about the force behind this."

"This is a B-rank mission. Be careful."

"A B-rank mission?"

Asuma's eyes lit up, delight spreading across his face. He was secretly pleased, too. The old man's decision was exactly what he wanted. Obito, that dead last, wouldn't catch up to him in ten years.

That settles it. Next time I'm home, I'll argue with the old man a little less.

Seeing Asuma's foolish grin, Tsukimi and Kurenai exchanged a look and stepped back in unison.

What a spoiled little rich kid.

Hiruzen Sarutobi stared at Asuma, his face darkening. He began to wonder whether he had made the wrong decision. Even with Orochimaru leading the team, could that foolish boy really handle a B-rank mission?

"Understood, Sensei."

Orochimaru ignored their little exchange. He stepped up to the desk, took the mission scroll, then turned and led Tsukimi and the others out.

Watching the four leave, Utatane Koharu turned to Hiruzen Sarutobi with concern on her face. "Third Hokage, entrusting such an important mission to a Genin squad... Isn't that a little..."

Hiruzen Sarutobi picked up his pipe again. His expression eased, and he waved a hand.

"It's fine. You know Tsukimi's strength. He killed three Chunin from Root. He's at least as strong as an Elite Chunin, perhaps even a Tokubetsu Jonin."

"Asuma and Kurenai are also approaching Chunin level. With Orochimaru leading them, they're no weaker than the elite squads led by Jonin."

At that explanation, Utatane Koharu nodded, her doubts gradually fading.

Hiruzen Sarutobi turned toward the window and slowly breathed out a cloud of smoke.

I hope they find something.