Chapter 66: The Team's First Mission
Renjiro said approvingly, "Very good analysis. Keep practicing."
Mieko and Kaito also commenced their training.
Their methodology was straightforward. Mieko would launch Fire Release: Fireball Technique, and Kaito would throw two Wind Release: Pressure Damage spheres at it from behind.
The wind spheres slightly distorted the flames, which wasn't problematic.
However, before the fireball detonated, the wind sphere exited through the front of the fireball.
The fireball exploded normally.
Then, as the surrounding air became superheated, the wind sphere detonated with significantly greater force, generating a substantial heat wave.
Mieko said breathlessly, "Hey, your technique is way too fast!"
Kaito retorted, "It's your casting speed that's too slow."
This earned him an angry glare from the girl.
Kaito shrugged and suggested, "Then let's try again."
This time, Kaito timed it perfectly, and both techniques detonated simultaneously while the wind sphere remained inside the fireball.
The result proved somewhat unexpected.
Mieko observed, "The explosion's power has actually weakened!"
Kaito nodded and added analytically, "But the effective range has increased dramatically, and the expansion is completely unpredictable. In some directions, the flame's reach has doubled compared to normal, while in others, it's extended seven times the usual distance!"
Suddenly, a powerful stream of water sprayed out, extinguishing the fire caused by their experimental explosion.
Renjiro's Shadow Clone regarded them seriously and announced, "We need to relocate to a different training area. Follow me."
Kaito and Mieko jogged behind Renjiro's Shadow Clone.
Along the way, the clone asked, "What's your assessment of this combination technique?"
Kaito explained, "It's highly unpredictable. The enemy won't be able to anticipate the direction of the flame dispersion, and a single misstep will result in serious burns. Even if they're fortunate and skilled enough to evade all the flames, they'll remain under immense psychological pressure."
Mieko agreed enthusiastically, "Yes. Once they get burned, we can seize the advantage immediately."
Renjiro asked, "Is there any potential for improvement?"
Kaito and Mieko both began contemplating this question.
A few seconds later, Kaito replied thoughtfully, "I'm wondering if the explosion's directional spread can be controlled somehow. I believe the wind sphere's position within the fireball determines the explosion's directional bias. For example, if the wind sphere is positioned near the front of the fireball, then the flames might project more forward. If I can predict the direction the enemy is dodging, I could potentially place the wind sphere in the appropriate position to direct flames toward their new location."
As Kaito finished explaining, Renjiro stopped walking.
They had arrived at the riverbank.
Renjiro thought with satisfaction, "Just as I anticipated he would reason."
He said aloud, "Excellent analysis. However, don't forget that even your Wind Release: Pressure Damage itself detonates somewhat randomly, so you cannot perfectly control the directional outcome yourself."
He then looked at Mieko and stated, "If you two wish to further refine this combination technique, it will depend on your Sharingan's analytical capability to deconstruct the explosion pattern, Mieko."
Mieko nodded with determination and declared, "Yes, sensei. I will perfect it to its absolute limit!"
Renjiro nodded, looking toward the river.
Kaito and Mieko followed his gaze.
Renjiro announced firmly, "All your experimental explosions must occur over that river from this point forward. No more forest fires."
Both nodded awkwardly and resumed their training.
A full month had elapsed since Renjiro began serving as instructor for this genin squad.
After completing morning exercises and their rest period, Renjiro announced, "Today, we will undertake our first mission as a team."
Upon hearing this declaration, the squad members reacted immediately.
Hodaka exclaimed loudly with excitement, "It's finally happening!"
Mieko also said enthusiastically, "Excellent! Now I'll demonstrate the power of the Uchiha clan. Sensei, what is our first mission? Which village's enemies will we be fighting? Kumogakure or Iwagakure?"
Hodaka immediately followed up eagerly, "Yes, sensei, what is our mission? I'll use my Gentle Fist to show our enemies Konoha's strength."
Kaito observed them and thought with amusement, "Wow! Their eyes are genuinely sparkling with excitement... I need to learn how to produce that effect."
Kaito simply maintained an appropriately excited expression but remained silent.
His teammates' over-enthusiastic reactions made him feel somewhat awkward.
He thought knowingly, "I wish they understood what our first mission will actually be... I wonder if all jonin instructors have an unspoken agreement not to tell their students beforehand. Is it because they don't want to discourage us prematurely, or just because of that timeless human behavior—I suffered through it, so you must too... Yeah, it's probably the latter. Just look at Renjiro's smug expression!"
Renjiro thought with amusement, "Ah, I never tire of witnessing fresh genin so enthusiastic about their first mission. Now, I wonder if that merchant's cat has escaped again."
He said diplomatically, "The mission was issued by the Hokage directly, so we'll only learn what assignment you'll be performing once we arrive at his office."
They began walking toward the Hokage's office building.
Hodaka and Mieko moved considerably faster than their usual pace.
Along the way, Kaito reflected, "I didn't expect we'd have to wait an entire month before performing our first mission. A full month of intensive training with no field experience. I suppose my timing for arriving in this world was genuinely fortunate. Missing the Third Shinobi World War and the Nine-Tails attack entirely, growing up during a period when Konoha was desperately short-handed. I hope Renjiro's intensive training program continues for an extended period. Although it doesn't leave me much personal free time, it's extraordinarily helpful for improving my combat capabilities."
The group arrived at the Administration Building and waited several minutes before being admitted to the Hokage's office.
Upon entering, everyone respectfully greeted Hiruzen.
"Hokage-sama."
Hiruzen, as always, had his desk completely buried under towering stacks of documents.
He looked at Team 3 and said with mild emphasis, "Ah, you're finally undertaking your first mission."
As he spoke, he stared pointedly at Renjiro.
However, Renjiro merely shrugged nonchalantly, ignoring everyone's questioning gazes.
Hiruzen sighed internally, thinking, "He's completely disregarded all the standard protocols. His squad hasn't performed any missions whatsoever for an entire month. The only comparable example was Orochimaru refusing to let his squad perform any missions for six full months! However, at least Renjiro agreed to accept some D-rank assignments, unlike my former student."
He then looked at his assistant and asked, "What available missions do we currently have?"
The assistant retrieved a document and handed it to him.
Hiruzen reviewed it and announced, "Madam Shijimi requests a genin squad to weed her garden thoroughly. This is your mission."
He then smiled with grandfatherly kindness and said, "Do an excellent job and ensure she provides us with a positive review, making Konoha proud."
Hiruzen's words completely astonished both Mieko and Hodaka.
Hodaka whispered in disbelief, "We... weed... a... garden?"
Mieko also mumbled similar confused words.
Kaito also felt shocked.
However, for an entirely different reason—he now truly admired Hiruzen's acting ability.
He thought with dark amusement, "Holy crap! His expression was so deadly serious, and his smile so genuinely kind when he said that! To hell with Danzo—this old man represents the true embodiment of masterful manipulation! No wonder Danzo, despite all his cunning schemes and substantial power base, could never accomplish anything against Hiruzen. The poor bastard never stood a chance against this level of performance. This actually makes me start to feel sorry for Danzo!"
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