"Natsume Yō," Chiba murmured.
He stopped at the street corner, gaze locking onto hers."To be honest, Chiba… I do like you. But I've already applied to graduate as a genin. That means I won't always have time for you."
His voice turned steady, serious."So if you don't mind me being busy, then… let's give this a try."
"I don't mind!" Wada Chiba blurted out, not even hesitating. Her cheeks flushed pink. "As long as you're there, I'll be happy!"
Yō smirked, stepping closer. His hand cupped her delicate face, a trace of arrogance in his tone."Then you'd better think carefully—because once you decide, you're mine."
Her eyes didn't flinch."I have thought it through. I've already chosen you."
"Good. Then it's settled."
Like a verdict, his words sealed it. He walked her back home, and by the time he returned, the village had already sunk into night. The clock struck seven.
"Hah… girlfriends really do have to be trained from a young age." Yō chuckled to himself, stripping off his robe for a bath—
Whoosh!
A sharp sound of wind tearing the air sliced past his window.
"Who's there?!"
In an instant, Yō's hand snapped around a kunai, his body taut as a bowstring.
From outside came a low, calm voice:"Natsume Yō. Summons from Shiyō."
And then silence—the messenger gone.
"…A mission, this late?" Yō sighed, but didn't hesitate. He donned his ANBU gear, the mask sealing his expression into cold steel. In the next heartbeat, he vanished into the night like a shadow-born phantom.
When all five operatives assembled, Shiyō spoke, voice clipped and commanding:"This sudden summons is for an emergency group mission. Rank: B. It requires immediate resolution."
"Understood!" the squad answered as one.
"Then we move!"
He leapt, black cloak cutting the night. The squad followed in silence.
Northern Fire Country.
A mountain bandit camp.
Shiyō's tone turned grim."Our target: rescue the Fire Daimyō's second son. Priority—his life must remain intact. The enemy consists of four chūnin and two genin. Not formidable, but… underestimate them and the hostage dies. Do I make myself clear?"
"Yes!" Yō and the others answered sharply.
"This will be your second group operation, Yō—don't slip."
The orders rolled out:"Yō, Sakurada—you'll deal with the two genin. Tankei, you specialize in stealth. You'll handle the extraction. The remaining three of us will tie up the chūnin and keep them occupied. Any objections?"
"No problem."
"Good. Scatter!"
With that barked command, the five shinobi melted into the night, splitting into three routes.
Meanwhile, in the camp, unease stirred.
"Was it really okay to kidnap the Daimyō's second son? I… I've got a bad feeling about this," one rogue-nin muttered, voice tense.
"Relax. Our client will be here soon. Once we hand him over, we're in the clear."
The leader, an older man with a scarred jaw, spoke with confidence."No traces left at the abduction. Even if the Daimyō wants revenge, he won't find us."
"…That's true. We've never once failed in all these years." The nervous rogue gave a sheepish laugh, trying to believe his own words.
But deep down, the air already smelled of blood.