Daiki and Musashi didn't agree to Izumi's request to have Ebisu take on high-level missions.
Are you kidding? Staying safely in the village was the best! What good was the outside world?
Finding cats, fixing houses...
And using all the remaining time for training.
What a wonderful rhythm of life.
However, a high-level mission found them anyway.
"A C-rank mission?"
In the Hokage's Office, Izumi's eyes lit up.
"That's right, a C-rank mission. For fresh graduates like you, this will undoubtedly be a challenge," Hiruzen said to the group.
Izumi asked, "What's the mission objective? Infiltration? Assassination?"
"Ahem... It's peacetime right now. We don't need you kids doing assassination missions just yet."
Hiruzen flipped through the mission scroll in his hand. "It's a transport mission."
"Near the border between the Land of Fire, the Land of Grass, and the Land of Earth (Iwagakure), our long-term stationed troops are running low on special supplies. We need you to deliver them."
"Normally, specialized supply units handle this, but the new generation of Konoha needs to see the outside world to grow quickly."
"Consider this a rare opportunity granted by the current peace."
Musashi thought to himself, Gee, thanks a lot.
"Is our team the only one starting C-rank missions?" Izumi asked excitedly.
"No," Hiruzen replied. "There are two other similar missions. The village is dispatching exceptional graduate teams to handle them."
Hearing that she wasn't the first, Izumi felt slightly disappointed.
But soon, her excitement returned. This C-rank mission was the first step for Izumi Uchiha to make her name known in the ninja world!
Having accepted the mission, the group began their preparations.
Dried rations, ninja tools, explosive tags, and the like. Since it wasn't an emergency mission, they even had time to say goodbye to their families.
Learning that Musashi was leaving the village for a mission, Ayame couldn't hide her worry.
Uncle Teuchi reminded her that this was unavoidable for a ninja, but she couldn't help but fret. Musashi hugged her and offered words of comfort until she finally calmed down.
Early the Next Morning.
The group gathered at the village gate. Each student carried a large pack of supplies, while Ebisu simply wore his standard ninja tool pouch.
That's right—Ebisu wasn't responsible for the manual labor, yet he would take the lion's share of the mission pay.
The Jonin leader's responsibility was guidance and protecting the Genin in case of emergencies.
Ebisu waved his hand grandly. "Team 6, move out!"
On the road, Izumi was in high spirits. Her sharp gaze scanned the surroundings constantly.
It looked less like she was guarding against enemies and more like she was hoping an enemy would be stupid enough to run into her.
However, for the first few days, they encountered no incidents.
Since their route differed from civilians, they rarely met outsiders. When they did, people saw their ninja headbands and kept their distance.
As they moved further away from Konoha, the towns and villages they passed became increasingly dilapidated.
Larger towns were okay, but in smaller villages, the poverty of the residents was visible to the naked eye.
"Teacher, why is it so different here compared to the village?" Izumi asked after observing for a while.
"Different how?"
"It seems... poorer. People don't have new clothes, and the markets aren't bustling."
"Hahaha, of course! The Land of Fire is the wealthiest nation, and Konoha is the most prosperous hidden village. Outside villages naturally can't compare," Ebisu boasted proudly.
"Isn't this peacetime? Why are people's lives still like this?" Izumi asked.
Daiki chimed in, "It's because it's peacetime that you even see this many people. If it were wartime, these villages probably wouldn't even have people left."
He remembered the days when he first met Musashi.
That experience was unforgettable.
He grumbled, "See? That's why staying in the village is so great. But you just had to clamor for high-level missions."
Izumi retorted, "You have no ambition! If you stay in the village all day, when will you ever grow into a powerful ninja?"
Daiki countered, "What's the use of being powerful? Besides, are you sure you'll become powerful by coming out here? Maybe you'll just walk two steps and die."
Musashi: "Shut your crow's beak! (Don't jinx it!)"
Ebisu interjected, "Daiki, you are young ninjas, the hope of Konoha's future! Maintain your vitality! Under my guidance, you will definitely grow into powerful ninjas."
The team continued forward, gradually approaching the border.
The villages they passed became even more desolate.
Musashi knew this was the true face of the ninja world.
Even years later, after Naruto graduated and the world had been "at peace" for a long time, it wasn't much better.
Skirmishes happened constantly. The only places with any life were casinos and hot spring towns. Bandits and rogue ninjas were common.
This was the ninja world: in wartime, it was easy to die; in peacetime, it wasn't easy to live.
If you couldn't survive, you were told to reflect on whether you trained hard enough.
Getting closer to the border camp, the group stopped talking and focused on traveling.
Moving through the dense forest, Musashi, who was in the lead, suddenly stopped!
Daiki, at the rear, immediately steadied himself and looked around.
He didn't see anything unusual, but he trusted Musashi implicitly.
Swish~
Izumi threw a kunai toward a tree crown.
A crisp clang rang out, and a figure flashed out from the previously empty tree.
"Geez, spotted by a brat? I didn't plan on revealing myself yet." The figure chuckled lightly, seemingly unconcerned about being discovered.
Izumi didn't attack rashly. She widened her eyes, focusing her senses, and quickly threw another shuriken in a different direction.
Clang!~
Sparks flew, and another figure appeared.
"Two of them. Looking at the headbands... Iwagakure (Stone Village). Did they cross the border?" Izumi whispered. Confirming there were no other enemies, she instinctively looked at Ebisu, who was standing nearby.
Ebisu smiled faintly. "Don't look at me. You're the captain now; you're responsible for formulating the strategy. I count as one combatant, but I won't do the thinking for you."
Hearing this, Izumi actually felt relieved.
Since the teacher was letting her decide, it meant the situation wasn't beyond his control.
Thinking for a moment, she hand-signaled to the others.
The next instant, Musashi suddenly threw a shuriken at one of the enemies and leaped forward.
On the other side, Ebisu nodded slightly and charged at the second opponent.
The battle erupted instantly!
The shuriken flashed through the air. The Iwa ninja chuckled and reached out to deflect it.
Suddenly, his face changed!
Sparks were flashing on the shuriken handle—an explosive tag!
BOOM!
He retreated instantly. The next second, Musashi burst through the smoke and fire!
One advantage of Taijutsu over Ninjutsu is the fast startup speed. In combat, relentless attacks that deny the opponent the rhythm to cast jutsu is a common strategy.
Giving the opponent no time to react, Musashi closed the distance in two steps, kunai in hand, and slashed.
Clang-clang-clang-clang!!!!~
Sparks flew constantly. Under the cover of his combat gear, subtle Lightning Chakra wrapped around his limbs, activating his muscles.
This was his first real battle as a ninja. Even if he didn't want to expose his full strength, he didn't dare be careless.
After exchanging blows, he quickly assessed his opponent's strength.
Average physical stats. Mediocre Taijutsu.
Based on his reaction speed, not an elite.
Musashi seized an opening in the opponent's defense and slashed him a few times with the kunai, drawing blood.
Not a clone.
He kicked out, and the opponent blocked with force.
Judging by his posture, he's not countering; he's bracing! His hands are forming seals—he wants to retreat and use Ninjutsu!
Musashi's brain processed the intent rapidly. He retracted the force of his kick, twisted his body mid-air, grabbed the opponent's ankle, and slammed him viciously into the ground!
WHAM!~
The sudden shift in momentum interrupted the opponent's seals. Although he managed to protect his vitals, he crashed through several tree branches and hit the dirt hard.
A bad feeling rose in the ninja's heart.
Sure enough, the whistling of projectiles followed immediately.
"Ninja Art: Four-Directional Shuriken!"
"Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu!"
Ninja battles might change in an instant, but established tactics still had their uses.
Before moving out, Izumi had designed several basic strategies for different scenarios—different enemy strengths, numbers, fight or flee protocols.
Like now: three vs. one.
Since Musashi's Taijutsu far exceeded what he showed at the Academy, he took on the role of the vanguard/probe.
His attack speed was fast and damage high, allowing him to test the enemy's strength and set up the next phase. Of course, if the enemy was weak, taking them out solo was fine too.
Izumi acted as the brain, processing intel and serving as the main damage dealer. After Musashi's probe, she would unleash high-power Ninjutsu.
As for Daiki... he was still a certified Dead Last. Until his new jutsu became combat-ready, his main job was self-preservation.
Secondary job: cut off retreat paths and adapt during Izumi's attacks.
Fire and shuriken rushed toward the Iwa ninja. In the nick of time, with a ferocious expression, his fingers flew through seals.
"Earth Style: Earth Dome!"
Mud flowed rapidly, forming a semi-circular dome over his head.
It barely blocked the attacks.
"Strength level: Chunin!" Izumi judged based on his reaction.
He blocked the Fireball and shuriken because those attacks lacked physical impact force. His Earth Style wasn't actually that strong.
Musashi pulled a large shuriken (Fuma Shuriken size or just heavy duty) from his pouch, staring at the dome.
When the chakra sustaining the dome faded, he threw it with full force. The heavy shuriken smashed through the crumbling earth and hit the figure jumping out from beneath it.
Poof!
"It's a clone! He used a clone under the dome!" Izumi shouted, scanning the area.
Earth Style user. He could escape underground or attack from below.
Since the fight had started, they had to make sure he didn't leave.
With his strength, he can't travel far underground!
If only I had the Sharingan... seeing through this would be so easy, Izumi lamented inwardly.
Suddenly, her gaze sharpened. "Daiki, below you!"
As soon as she spoke, the ground beneath Daiki exploded!
The ninja shot out, wielding an earth spear, and thrust it savagely through Daiki's body.
Thunk! A muffled sound, and the body turned into a log.
Body Replacement Jutsu.
Izumi's tactic: if the enemy is missing, Daiki must ensure he doesn't get ambushed.
Although he had no tactical value, everyone would be sad if he died, so he had to be prepared.
Daiki really listened.
Missing his strike, the ninja looked furious.
He had several cuts and burn marks on him; he hadn't fully dodged the earlier attacks.
"Damn it! Since when are Konoha brats this tough?" Cursing, he turned to flee.
The kid was stronger than he thought, and there was another unknown combatant with their teammate. He had no chance of winning.
"Thinking of running now?" Izumi said coldly. Her hands moved in a blur, launching kunai after kunai.
The ninja dodged rapidly, but the kunai collided in mid-air, changing trajectory to fall around him.
Thin glints of light flashed. Wire strings.
The ninja's face went pale. Before he could shout, Izumi pulled hard with both hands!
The wires tightened instantly, cutting into his flesh. The ninja screamed. The next moment, a broken tree branch wielded by the green-suited kid filled his vision.
CRACK!
Wood splinters flew, and the enemy went silent.
Confirming the enemy was down, the three of them sighed in relief, then started looking for Ebisu.
"Good work! You three."
From behind a tree trunk, Ebisu walked out. He was dragging a corpse with one hand and adjusting his sunglasses with the other.
As if he had been waiting for them to finish.
"Three fresh Genin taking down a Chunin enemy... I believe Lord Hokage will praise you when he hears. Truly worthy of the team I lead," Ebisu praised casually.
However, the observant Izumi and Musashi noticed Ebisu's heavy breathing that he was trying to suppress, and the untreated minor wounds on his body.
He had clearly just arrived but was pretending he had finished ages ago.
What a competitive teacher. They thought silently.