"Understood!" Ye Liangnai, Haruha Yuya, and Natsuka Rin answered in unison, their voices ringing with unwavering resolve, though a flicker of apprehension danced in their eyes. The weight of Sky Armor's words lingered, a grim reminder of the Blood Mist's unforgiving creed.
"Move out!" Sky Armor commanded, his tone brooking no hesitation. With that, the team embarked on their first official ANBU mission, the mist-laden air of Kirigakure giving way to the open road.
As they traveled, Sky Armor briefed them with clinical precision, his voice cutting through the rhythmic thud of their footsteps. "The targets are three rogue ninja who fled Kirigakure's oppression, aiming to defect to the Hidden Cloud. Be prepared—we may face Cloud ninja at the rendezvous point."
The words hit like a cold wave. Ye Liangnai, Yuya, and Rin exchanged glances, their throats tightening as they swallowed hard. Their eyes darkened with the gravity of the mission. Cloud ninja? The thought alone was daunting, a shadow looming over their already perilous task.
Ye Liangnai's mind churned with frustration, though he kept his face impassive. We're fresh Genin, barely out of the academy, and they throw us into an S-rank mission? This is a death trap! His thoughts raced, a mix of disbelief and indignation. Three Genin, no matter how talented, can't handle this kind of heat. Are they trying to get us killed?
But complaints were useless. In Kirigakure, orders were ironclad, and refusal meant death. The mission was set, the arrow loosed—there was no turning back.
Hot Spring Village
In a dimly lit inn tucked away in the Hot Spring Village, three rogue Mist ninja sat huddled around a low table, their faces a study in contrast. The shortest, Numakura Yoroi, vibrated with excitement, his voice high-pitched. "We're almost free from that hellhole! Can you believe it? Freedom's just around the corner!"
The heavyset ninja, Nobutomo Suke, frowned, his jowls quivering as he leaned forward. "Don't let your guard down, Yoroi. We haven't linked up with the Cloud yet. Anything could go wrong."
The tallest, Yukuchi Mitsuta, nodded, his sharp eyes scanning the room. "He's right. We can't afford to relax—not until we're safe. Kirigakure's hounds are likely on our trail. We need to be ready for pursuit."
Mitsuta stood, his presence commanding. "It's time. Let's move to the rendezvous point before we run out of luck."
The trio gathered their gear, their movements swift and practiced, and slipped out of the inn into the night, their silhouettes blending into the steam-filled streets. But as they crossed a narrow bridge, danger erupted.
Boom!
A blinding fireball exploded, its roar shattering the silence, followed by a hail of kunai and shuriken slicing through the smoke. The rogues drew their blades in unison, deflecting the barrage as they leaped back, retreating from the choking haze.
Before they could regroup, a white-masked ANBU—Ye Liangnai—blurred into view, his speed a streak of light across the bridge. "Multi-Hawk Flash!" he shouted, his katana unleashing a flurry of slashes, each strike a deadly arc.
Clang!
To Ye Liangnai's shock, Mitsuta parried the assault, his own blade meeting each strike with uncanny precision. "It's Ye Liangnai!" Mitsuta barked, his voice sharp. "Watch out for his Hidden Mist Jutsu!" He shifted, standing back-to-back with Yoroi and Suke, his eyes locked on the forest beyond. "Sky Armor, I know you're there! Show yourself!"
Sky Armor emerged from the shadows, his mask glinting under the moonlight, his voice cold as steel. "The bridge is destroyed. You have nowhere to run. Surrender and face judgment in Kirigakure."
Mitsuta's face twisted into a snarl. "Surrender? Back to that pit? That's a death sentence, and you know it. I'm never going back!"
Yoroi and Suke echoed his defiance. "No way we're returning to that nightmare!" Yoroi snapped, his small frame bristling with rage.
Suke's voice was a low growl. "Save your daydreams, Sky Armor."
Sky Armor's eyes narrowed, his tone dropping to a menacing hiss. "A pity. You've chosen death, then." He turned to his team, his voice unrelenting. "Chill, Eagle, White Wolf—these three are yours. Either they die, or you do. You know the cost of failure."
The brutal order sent a chill through Ye Liangnai, Yuya, and Rin, their hearts pounding, but they steeled themselves. There was no room for hesitation. They split, each targeting a rogue:
Ye Liangnai faced Yukuchi Mitsuta. Haruha Yuya took Numakura Yoroi. Natsuka Rin challenged Nobutomo Suke.
Clang!
Ye Liangnai's katana clashed with Mitsuta's, sparks flying as steel met steel, the impact reverberating through his arms. Mitsuta's eyes gleamed with mockery, his voice dripping with disdain. "You're fighting for that village? Don't you feel pathetic, kid? What's Kirigakure got that's worth your loyalty? It'll chew you up and spit out your bones. You're smarter than this."
Ye Liangnai's gaze didn't waver, his voice steady despite the strain. "You wouldn't get what I'm fighting for, and I don't care about your reasons. Let's settle this with blades. Only one of us walks away."
Mitsuta's lips curled, and with a surge of strength, he shoved Ye Liangnai back, sending him skidding across the bridge. "A shame," Mitsuta said, advancing with predatory grace, his blade raised. "Such talent, wasted. Let's see if the kid who took down a Kaguya Special Jonin lives up to the hype."
Ye Liangnai lunged, his katana flashing. "Funny—that's my line!"
Clang! Clang! Clang!
Their swords danced, a whirlwind of steel and fire, the air crackling with the intensity of their duel. Blood sprayed as glancing blows found flesh, staining the bridge's wooden planks. Ye Liangnai's agility, now Special Jonin-level, let him match Mitsuta's blistering pace, their movements a blur of precision and power.
Sky Armor watched from the sidelines, his eyes narrowing with approval. He's keeping up with Mitsuta's speed, trading blows evenly with a top-tier Special Jonin. Chill's grown stronger since the Kaguya fight. Mitsuta was no ordinary foe—among Kirigakure's Special Jonin, he ranked near the top. Yet Ye Liangnai held his ground, a feat unimaginable just days ago.
Mitsuta broke off, panting, his hands flashing through seals. But Ye Liangnai, bloodied and breathing heavily, was faster. Without visible seals, he shouted, "Water Style: Water Gun Jutsu!" Two condensed water bullets shot forward, forcing Mitsuta to abandon his jutsu and dodge, his eyes widening in shock.
How is he so fast?! Mitsuta's mind raced, disbelief etched on his face. He glanced at Ye Liangnai, only to see the boy already weaving new seals. "Water Style: Hidden Mist Jutsu!"
Fog erupted, thick and suffocating, swallowing the bridge in an instant. Mitsuta's heart sank. "Not good!" He'd heard of Ye Liangnai's mist, but its speed was unreal—faster than any jutsu he'd encountered.
"Water Style: Mighty Water Arm Jutsu!" Mitsuta roared, desperation in his voice. A swirling torrent formed behind Ye Liangnai, coalescing into a massive, muscular arm that smashed toward him with bone-crushing force.
"Yes!" Mitsuta grinned, certain he'd landed the blow. But his triumph vanished as Ye Liangnai dissolved into a puddle—a Water Clone.
The fog thickened, its oppressive weight closing in. Ye Liangnai's voice echoed, ghostly and mocking. "Head, carotid, heart, throat—pick your poison."
"Stop playing tricks!" Mitsuta bellowed, his composure fraying. Ye Liangnai's relentless mind games were pushing him to the edge, his frustration boiling over.