Itachi considered Sai's background for a moment and understood the reason behind his question.
"Rules are important, but a ninja is a person, not a tool," Itachi said calmly. "Each of us has our own thoughts. Unlike a mechanical clock that follows a set pattern without deviation, human nature can't be bound that way.
Things like this—minor, harmless matters—don't always require strict adherence to rules," he explained gently to Sai.
"Alright, Sasuke will go catch some hares, you're in charge of starting the fire, and I'll handle the fish," Itachi assigned with his usual composed tone.
Sai stood stunned for a moment. It was a perspective he had never heard before.
"Understood." Snapping out of his daze, Sai nodded reflexively, then turned and began gathering dry firewood nearby.
After separating from Itachi and the others, Sasuke took off his bag and pulled out a few packs of potato chips he had bought the day before—just in case a situation like last time occurred again.
Sigh... why does this feel like raising a spoiled brat? Sasuke thought, a sigh slipping from his lips as he lightly channeled spiritual energy into his Zanpakutō.
Almost instantly, a swirl of energy formed, and the figure of Liu Huo emerged beside him.
"You're late today. I almost thought I'd be waiting another full day for nothing," Liu Huo muttered, grabbing the snack from Sasuke's hand.
"There's only a few packets," Sasuke replied, watching her disappointment as she eyed the haul.
"Hmph. Better than nothing," Liu Huo grumbled, though she still opened the packet and began munching.
"Be content, alright? I'm the one running around completing missions to support you. I'm twelve! This shouldn't be my job," Sasuke retorted, exasperated.
He couldn't understand how an ancient, possibly centuries-old Zanpakutō spirit was freeloading off him, a pre-teen. Where was her shame?
"Oh please. You're technically twelve, but mentally you've got the attitude of a seasoned shinobi. Don't act so innocent," Liu Huo replied with a sidelong glance.
"You've got a lot of nerve—!" Sasuke was about to continue, but stopped short as Liu Huo slowly raised a clenched fist.
Just you wait. Once I'm stronger than you, you'll understand what it feels like to be bossed around every day! Sasuke turned away with a huff, sulking.
He stalked off in search of the hare he'd seen earlier. Behind him, Liu Huo crunched her chips loudly.
"I could've sworn there were a bunch of hares around here earlier... Where'd they all go?" Sasuke scratched his head. He had already circled the area once but hadn't seen a single animal.
"Huff... chhh…"
A heavy snorting noise drew his attention from behind a bush. He turned toward the sound—and was met with a sight: two huge white tusks glinting faintly in the moonlight.
What the hell?!
Sasuke jumped back, startled.
"GWROOOH!"
A piercing cry echoed through the forest. Three seconds later, the wild boar—easily larger than Sasuke himself—collapsed with a thud. Dead silent.
"Well... didn't expect that. Quite the haul."
With a grin, Sasuke grabbed the boar by its hind legs and started dragging it back. Thankfully, Liu Huo had disappeared again after finishing her snack—otherwise she'd be pestering him for roasted pork.
By the time he returned to the stream, Itachi and Sai had already started a fire, and several fish were skewered and roasting over the flames. Itachi sprinkled seasoning over the grilled fish with quiet focus, while Sai sat beside him, watching in a trance, as if he had given up on trying to understand.
"I'm back. Nii-san, grilled fish again? Smells good," Sasuke said, walking up with a smile.
"Here," Itachi said warmly, offering a skewer to Sasuke. "I grilled one just for you."
"Thanks, Nii-san!" Sasuke accepted it with both hands. "I just brought down a wild boar—should be perfect for roasting."
He took a bite of the grilled fish. The taste wasn't bad at all—though it was hard to compare to Amaterasu-fried eggs, which somehow had their own mystical flavor.
"Here, Sai," Itachi said, handing another grilled fish to their third teammate.
Sai, who had been nibbling on a dry ration biscuit, blinked in surprise. He hadn't expected to be included. In Root, such moments never occurred on missions.
He accepted the grilled fish silently but felt an unfamiliar warmth rise within him.
After the fish and boar were eaten, the three rested briefly and resumed their mission the following morning.
At noon, Team 11 encountered the first battle of their current assignment.
A dozen ragtag bandits, armed with rusty swords and clubs, stood across from them, trembling. What was supposed to be a simple ambush of a passing merchant caravan had turned into a nightmare when their three vanguard brothers were instantly defeated.
Now they stood facing three Konoha ninja.
Sasuke folded his arms and looked coldly at the trembling group. He couldn't tell if these men were brave or just suicidal. Attacking a ninja squad? Either their eyes were failing them or their brains were.
"W-we didn't realize you were from Konoha! Please—just forget this ever happened," the bandit leader stammered with a forced smile.
"Nii-san, are these guys really bandits?" Sasuke asked.
"They came at us with killing intent. If we were civilians, we'd be dead now," Itachi replied in a chilling tone. "Whether or not our mission involves them doesn't matter. Their actions deserve death."
"That's all I needed to hear."
Before the bandits could react, Sasuke used Shunpo and dashed into their midst. His speed made him seem like a blur.
The bandit leader didn't even have time to shout before Sasuke's foot smashed into his ribs, sending him flying.
"Damn kid!" one of the bandits roared, swinging a long blade. "You'll pay for that!"
Sasuke didn't flinch. He tilted his body to avoid the slash, swept the bandit's legs out from under him, and then stomped down hard on the man's neck.
Crack. The neck snapped instantly.
The remaining bandits hesitated but still circled him. They were too ignorant to understand the gap between ninja and bandit—and Sasuke had just killed two of them without breaking a sweat.
"Ninja Art: Super Beast Imitation Drawing!"
From behind, Sai opened a scroll and began painting. His ink-brush swept swiftly, and with a hand sign, a massive ink tiger emerged from the scroll and charged toward the bandits surrounding Sasuke.