Chapter 63: The Story Began

The Next Day, Morning, Hokage Building.

"Is Ensui-sensei not coming?" Iris asked instinctively as the three gathered.

Link shook his head and led the way into the mission assignment office. "Ensui-sensei has his own missions to handle."

After all, Link being targeted for assassination and the two genin taking a break were understandable. But there was no way a jonin would get the same leeway.

"Good morning, Lord Third," Link greeted Hiruzen Sarutobi after entering. "Please assign us a B-rank mission."

"A B-rank mission, you say?" The Third Hokage considered briefly before selecting a mission scroll from the stack on his desk. "Here, take this one."

Link took the scroll, glanced at it briefly, and bowed slightly, preparing to leave with his teammates.

"Wait." The Third Hokage stopped him and pulled a familiar scroll from beneath the desk. Handing it over, he said, "A-rank jutsu are incredibly difficult to learn, and sealing techniques are even more so. This jutsu is one that only I know in the village now. If you encounter any difficulties, feel free to come to me."

"Is that... the Five Elements Seal scroll?"

Link froze momentarily upon receiving it. Looking up at the Third Hokage's warm and kind smile, he didn't thank him outright or say much. He simply responded calmly, "Understood."

"Safe travels," the Third Hokage said, watching the three young shinobi depart with a gentle smile.

Outside the Hokage Building, Iris couldn't wait any longer. "Boss, what's our mission?"

"To assassinate a missing-nin," Link replied coldly, tucking the Five Elements Seal scroll into his pouch. "A missing-nin from our village."

…

Land of Fire–Land of Grass Border.

"Shh~ Shh~ Shh!"

The three members of Link's team sped through the forest, leaping effortlessly between branches. Their pace was rapid.

"The target was once a chunin who stole classified information and killed comrades before fleeing to the Land of Grass. He was last spotted in a city within its borders."

"The report states the target is skilled in taijutsu and earth release ninjutsu."

"Suspected to be a spy from another village."

"Our mission is to eliminate the target and recover the stolen information." Link paused before adding, "This time, the task is yours to handle."

The intense training his teammates had undergone, along with their progress in chakra nature manipulation, meant they were now close in strength to an average chunin.

His tone was not a suggestion but a command.

His teammates exchanged glances, accepting the responsibility. Iris, perhaps too casually, remarked, "The target has the same chakra nature as you, boss. Earth Release."

"Shut up and save your energy," Ami snapped, dousing his enthusiasm like a cold bucket of water.

Link said nothing, silently increasing his speed.

After about ten minutes, the silhouette of a city emerged on the horizon, faintly illuminated under the night sky. Concealed by the shadows, they infiltrated the city, blending seamlessly into its quieter corners.

Thanks to the village's intelligence, they quickly located their target in a secluded inn.

When they arrived, it was already late into the night. The target was fast asleep.

Iris and Ami dismantled the traps at the door and entered the room silently. Exchanging a brief glance, they each threw a handful of shuriken at the bed.

"Shh! Shh! Shh!"

The shuriken tore through the bedding, masking the sound of the target's substitution jutsu.

"A trap that alerts the target when dismantled... It's a clever setup."

Link stood outside the window, arms crossed, quietly observing. Despite being asleep, the target had reacted almost instantly and used a clone technique to create a decoy.

"Clink!"

Iris twisted midair, raising his arm to block the target's kunai strike from behind. The clash of steel rang out. Almost simultaneously, Ami drove her kunai into the target's neck.

"Crack!"

The "target" crumbled into pieces of rock—a rock clone. The real target attempted to escape through the door but was quickly forced back into the room by Ami.

"A rock clone... A shinobi from Iwagakure?"

Link remained still, analyzing. This specific technique was unique to the Iwagakure; even the Konohagakure didn't have an equivalent.

Inside, the three clashed again. Their taijutsu skills were evenly matched. However, Iris and Ami's teamwork allowed them to suppress the target, preventing any effective counterattacks.

The target, realizing the disadvantage, conserved his limited chakra and avoided using earth-style ninjutsu. After ten tense seconds of exchanging blows, he made a desperate gamble, charging toward the window to escape.

A poor decision.

"Crash!"

Link didn't move. His shadow rose from the ground and, before fully forming, struck the target with an eerie kick. The glass shattered, and the target was sent flying backward, only to be pinned down by Iris.

"Squish!"

The target's head rolled to the floor.

Mission: Complete.

…

Two and a Half Months Later, Afternoon, Konohagakure.

Dust-covered and weary, the three returned home.

"Ah~" Iris stretched lazily, his voice relaxed. "Finally, we can rest in the village for a bit."

Ami frowned at the mud-stained hems of her cropped pants. "I hope we never get assigned another mission in the Land of Rain... The weather there is a nightmare for girls."

Their last mission had been escorting an unfortunate official fleeing the Land of Rain to the Land of Fire. He had apparently offended certain factions amidst the Amegakure's chaos—or perhaps embezzled funds. In any case, he was wealthy enough to hire shinobi from the Konohagakure instead of the Amegakure.

It was a task riddled with complications.

Still, ninja cared little about the morality of their clients. So long as they paid, justice or evil didn't matter.

The journey through perpetual rain and endless mud, culminating in a midnight battle with pursuing shinobi, had left them grimy and exhausted.

Leading the way, Link looked relatively clean, though his clothes were still damp. "Let's rest for the next couple of days. Tomorrow afternoon, Yakiniku Q..."

He stopped abruptly, causing his teammates to halt as well.

"Yo, Chunin Link. Long time no see."

A familiar, relaxed voice greeted them. Kakashi Hatake stood nearby, holding an inappropriate book.

"Long time no see, Jonin Hatake Kakashi," Link replied, his gaze shifting to the group behind Kakashi—Naruto Uzumaki looking tired, Sakura Haruno glancing at Ami, and a dark-haired boy staring directly at Link.

"So... the story has finally begun."

Thoughts raced through Link's mind as he resumed walking, gesturing for his teammates to follow.

Behind him, the dark-haired boy spoke: "Kakashi-sensei, who are they?"

~~~

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