A Test from the Village

Throughout the year, Xu Ming endured Orochimaru's knowing smiles and meaningful glances.

Especially whenever Tsunade came over for meals, the others could barely hold back their laughter. Whenever an opportunity arose, they would glance at Xu Ming and Tsunade with mischievous looks, making the situation unbearably awkward for him.

The pressure was too great—Xu Ming couldn't take it anymore.

So, on the third day of the new year, he slipped away to spend time with Uncle Danzo.

Coincidentally, Danzo had a mission outside the village, providing the perfect opportunity for Xu Ming to gain some real-world experience.

Konoha, Anbu Base

"Is everything set, Sakumo?" Danzo asked, flipping through a report with a steady voice.

In front of him, a young man with silver-gray hair knelt on one knee. His face was resolute, and his sharp eyes exuded a keen aura, like a blade waiting to be unsheathed.

"Yes, Minister Danzo," Hatake Sakumo replied in a deep voice. "I have identified a suitable bandit camp and await your next instructions."

"Are there any ninjas among them?" Danzo inquired.

"No, only samurai and rogue warriors with no knowledge of chakra," Hatake confirmed.

"Hmm…" Danzo nodded, his eyes flashing with thought. After a moment, he spoke again. "You will infiltrate the camp under the guise of a rogue ninja."

"Lord Danzo?" Hatake questioned.

"This camp is Xu Ming's target," Danzo explained, a small smile forming. "Your role is to serve as both his final test and his safety net."

Realization dawned on Hatake Sakumo.

"I understand," he said firmly.

"Good. Proceed," Danzo ordered.

"Understood." Hatake stood, bowed, donned his mask, and left.

Shortly after, Danzo closed the report in his hands and exited the office.

Although it was the year-end holiday, Xu Ming had requested something to keep him occupied. Danzo saw an opportunity and suggested to the Third Hokage that Xu Ming undertake an assessment mission.

With the Hokage's approval, Danzo chose a bandit camp roughly ten kilometers away.

Since the bandits had no chakra abilities, a genin should theoretically be able to eliminate them with ease. However, Danzo suspected Xu Ming was far more skilled than he let on.

Still, real combat was unpredictable, so to add difficulty and ensure safety, he devised a plan: Hatake Sakumo would infiltrate the camp and intervene if necessary.

This would serve as both a challenge and a safeguard.

"Heh… Xu Ming, I'm looking forward to your performance," Danzo murmured before departing the Anbu base.

The Next Day

Xu Ming was awakened early and escorted by Danzo through a hidden passage, leaving Konoha behind.

After half a day's journey, they arrived at the bandit camp.

"This is your mission target," Danzo said, pointing to the distant camp while discreetly observing Xu Ming's reaction.

Xu Ming's eyes were bright, showing no signs of fatigue.

His stamina is impressive, Danzo mused.

For a trained ninja, half a day's journey was trivial. But for a ten-year-old without formal endurance training, it should have been exhausting. Yet, Xu Ming showed no signs of weariness, impressing Danzo.

It seems placing Sakumo there was the right choice, he thought. These bandits might not even be a challenge for him.

Danzo then spoke coldly:

"Your task is to eliminate everyone inside—men, women, elderly, and children."

"Show no mercy."

"None of them are innocent."

Such words could easily shake an ordinary ten-year-old's resolve, filling them with fear and doubt.

But Xu Ming remained composed. He simply nodded and said, "Understood."

There was no hesitation in his eyes. To him, a ninja was destined to stain their hands with blood.

He had already experimented with Yang Release chakra on countless animals during his training with the Yamanaka clan, witnessing their heightened awareness before death.

Despair, fear, sadness—he had seen it all. He had long grown accustomed to the weight of moral dilemmas surrounding life and death.

"You're calm now, but let's see if you remain so when the time comes," Danzo said, narrowing his eyes. "I won't accompany you. You'll have to gather intel on your own—I only expect results."

"One more thing," Danzo added. "While this is a bandit camp, there's always a chance of rogue ninja hiding among them. Stay alert."

Xu Ming nodded seriously.

Reality wasn't like a game, where enemies followed a fixed pattern. There were always unknown variables.

"Then go," Danzo ordered.

"Yes." Xu Ming responded, heading toward the camp.

He didn't take the direct path but circled around, choosing a route free of traps. He quickly located a sentry post.

Since the guards were mere bandits, they lacked discipline.

Some were chatting idly, others were drinking, barely paying attention to their surroundings. There wasn't even a proper hidden watch.

Sloppy security.

Danzo, watching from a distance, nodded in approval. "He's applying textbook tactics well."

Then his expression stiffened.

Xu Ming, instead of taking the conventional approach, went for something entirely unexpected.

With a flick of his arm, streaks of lightning crackled into existence.

Whoosh!

He threw several shuriken infused with Lightning Release.

The weapons cut through the air, slicing the throats of multiple sentries. The lightning paralyzed their bodies, preventing them from making a sound as their lives slipped away.

Whoosh—

Xu Ming followed up with the Body Flicker Technique, appearing next to them in an instant. He caught their falling bodies and gently lowered them to the ground.

The dying bandits could only stare at him in horror before darkness claimed them.

Danzo, still observing, smirked.

He's not only methodical but also inventive. This will be interesting.