Aozora,
I was truly delighted to receive your letter. Never did I imagine you'd have such talent in Ninjutsu.
There's so much I want to say, yet I don't know where to begin. Let me just say—I'm doing fine.
...
Recently, Hidden Cloud (Kumo) and our Uchiha forces have been engaged in minor skirmishes along the border. We've always led from the front, achieving many victories that upheld the honor of the Uchiha.
Unfortunately, many clansmen perished during these wars. Fourth Squad, led by Captain Aoki, fell into an ambush—two were lost, and Captain Aoki sustained serious injuries. He'll be heading back to the rear soon.
...
Regarding the matter of relocating our clan compound, I hope you can understand the village's position. The shadowy figure behind the Nine-Tails' Invasion was a Sharingan wielder, which is why the village suspects us Uchiha.
However, I believe our performance at the border will change their minds.
Now that the village faces crisis, every heir to the Will of Fire should risk their life for Konoha. We are members of the Uchiha, but simultaneously members of Konoha as well.
...
Lastly, I've acquired several Hidden Cloud Ninjutsu from the battlefield that I hope might benefit you. Also, please be cautious while on missions. Don't act recklessly when facing powerful enemies while taking on missions...
Holding this letter delivered by a ninja raven, Aozora felt somewhat helpless.
"Why did the Uchiha clan produce someone so soft-hearted? And why did he have to be *my* older brother!"
After carefully folding the letter, Aozora flipped through several Ninjutsu scrolls sent by Shisui.
"Lightning Release - [Earth Pulse], Lightning Release - Lightning Ball, Lightning Release - Lightning Clone... They're all Lightning Release techniques? No wonder Hidden Cloud is known for this."
"Huh, this technique actually exists! If mastered properly, I won't even need to consider Guy's family physical cultivation methods anymore."
Aozora stared in shock at the final scroll, which described Hidden Cloud's lightning-based body-stimulating Taijutsu.
Clutching the scroll tightly for a moment, he forced himself to resist the urge to start learning it right away. Slowly closing the scroll, he carefully placed it into his wooden chest where scrolls were stored.
Yesterday, after learning the Summoning Technique, he purchased Chakra Paper to test his Nature Transformation. The results showed his primary affinity was fire, while possessing talents for both lightning and earth nature transformations.
Therefore, Aozora indeed had the talent for learning lightning attribute techniques, but since tomorrow was the day Team Three would accept new missions, he needed proper rest to maintain good condition.
Moreover, he had just enhanced communication with his "Zhanxian" throwing knife using the blood-forging method [a dark technique that binds one's spirit with weapons through blood]. Currently weakened physically, he couldn't practice high-intensity ninja body techniques.
Sleeping soundly without dreams, Aozora got up the next morning, did his skincare routine, admired his reflection, and gave himself a thumbs-up—the usual morning ritual. Then he left wearing light armor.
Arriving at the Mission Hall, Aozora found Aya already there, arguing playfully with her Team One companions.
"Good morning!" Aozora greeted them.
Seeing Aora's pale complexion, Aya asked, "Morning. Why did your face turn pale again?"
Aozora gently shook his head, offering no explanation.
Beside her, Rong Hyuga politely nodded, Saya Kurama turned her head away as if not seeing him, while Seiichiro Willow merely grunted.
Outsiders didn't understand the details about Team Three's situation. In the eyes of the three members from Team One, Aozora remained nothing more than the dead-last who only knew how to look cool. Any outstanding performance from Team Three must be due to luck, or perhaps Aya and Jifeng contributed something.
Aozora raised an eyebrow and decided not to embarrass himself by pursuing a cold reception. He casually stood aside, silently circulating chakra to refine the Flying Dagger Capable of Slaying Immortals.
Because the damage caused by splitting one's soul was unpredictable, Aozora planned to start with dual refinement using both blood and energy, proceeding simultaneously with both methods. First, he would use blood refinement to increase affinity, followed by gradual cultivation through energy refinement.
Soon afterward, Jifeng also arrived.
Team One clearly treated this matter with greater seriousness. Willow Seiichiro stepped forward voluntarily to greet him, while Rong Hyuga and Saya Kurama exchanged a few words with him too.
Aozora calmly observed their conversation.
As it approached 8 o'clock, Team One's mentor Kona Aizawa arrived first. Shibi Aburame arrived rather late, following shortly after Kona Aizawa.
After waiting briefly, members from both teams moved to the front row.
Seeing the eager expressions on Team One's three members, Kona Aizawa said to the receptionist at the front desk: "Let me see some C-rank missions."
The three members of Team One beamed with excitement. Saya Kurama even shot a deliberate glance toward the three members of Team Three.
Aozora and Jifeng showed no reaction, but Aya muttered discontentedly: "What's there to be proud about? We've completed C-rank missions long before them anyway."
After flipping through the mission list for a bit, Kona Aizawa collected her team's identification token and led Team One out on their mission.
Shibi Aburame approached next to browse the mission list. As he flipped through the pages, he frowned slightly and muttered, "Why are the first few pages all bandit-eradication missions?"
Team Three had just taken a bandit-eradication mission, and Shibi hoped to choose something a bit easier this time.
After all, they were only twelve or thirteen years old. He didn't want them turning into killing machines.
Fortunately, due to the serious bandit problem, more merchant escort jobs had appeared. After flipping through several pages, Shibi finally found a suitable mission.
Aya eagerly grabbed the identification token and enthusiastically ran off to the archive room, only to return looking rather disappointed.
"Sensei, why did we get another escort mission? By the time we come back, Team One will have already completed multiple missions. We don't want to fall behind!"
Shibi replied gently, "Aya, ninjas aren't just about killing. There's also protection and guarding."
"And besides, we're not tools for completing missions. We shouldn't chase tasks nonstop—we need to balance work and rest. Only then can we avoid becoming cold-blooded weapons."
Upon hearing that, the three members of Team Three all nodded in agreement.
Holding the scroll, Shibi led Team Three into the nearby Rest Room to meet with the mission requester.
"Tengyuan Takumi, we're the ninja assigned to your escort mission. Do you have any questions or concerns?"
Tengyuan Takumi looked like two men rolled into one, his face full of the kind of smile that says "business is good." Looking at the young and barely adolescent Team Three, he hesitated before asking, "I have full trust in Konoha's reputation and strength, but the goods our caravan is transporting this time are quite valuable. Would it be possible to assign some more experienced ninja instead?"
Before he could finish speaking, Aya couldn't help herself and jumped toward his rotund belly to give it a poke, but Shibi caught her by the scruff of her neck just in time.
As Aya flailed helplessly in midair, Shibi spoke in a calm tone: "We accepted this mission because we possess the capability to complete it successfully. We won't gamble with the village's reputation."
Tengyuan Takumi quickly bowed apologetically, forcing out a laugh: "Forgive my rudeness. I do still believe in the reliability of Konoha after all."
The ninja, whose face was obscured by a trench coat and sunglasses, exuded an overwhelming pressure—a trait only powerful ninja possessed.
Shibi Aburame said, "I'm the captain in charge of this mission. Let's confirm the mission details now."
"Is the destination city Lianyun?"
"That's right."
"This mission doesn't involve conflicts among ninja?"
"Correct. We're simply conducting commercial activities. However, due to recent rampant banditry, we'd like to hire ninja for protection."
"This mission..."
"..."
Aya had already been released at this point. She glared resentfully at Tengyuan Takumi, who was conversing with Shibi, muttering angrily, "Damn it, he actually looked down on me."
Ao stated, "Rule number three of the ninja code: don't easily offend mission requesters. You forgot, didn't you?"
Still somewhat displeased, Aya replied, "Hmph, I'll make him see what I'm capable of sooner or later."
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