Chapter 18: Body Flicker Technique
Izumo Kamizuki glanced at his skill panel, and just as he expected, a new skill had appeared:
[Body Flicker Technique: Beginner (1/100)]
Over the next few days, Team 8 consecutively completed several D-rank missions—helping villagers find lost livestock, repairing fences on the outskirts of the village, and escorting merchant caravans on short-distance deliveries around Konoha.
After every mission, Akimichi Dōtō would always give guidance on matters related to teamwork. Little by little, the coordination between the three of them steadily improved.
One day, Akimichi Dōtō brought out a freshly issued C-rank mission scroll. The handwriting on it was bold and eye-catching.
"Eliminate the bandit group in the northwestern mountain forest. This group has repeatedly robbed village caravans. Three people have already suffered serious injuries."
Akimichi Dōtō looked at the three of them and said in a firm tone, "A C-rank mission is different from a D-rank one. You will face enemies, and there may be bloodshed. You need to prepare yourselves mentally. In the world of ninja, mercy can sometimes become a deadly weakness."
Kotetsu gripped his ninja gear pack so tightly that his knuckles turned white, yet he still forced himself to look calm. "Sensei, I'm not afraid! I've wanted to try a real fight for a long time!"
Kurenai's lips pressed together tightly. She, too, had never truly killed an enemy before.
Was it… really time to take a life?
Izumo felt a heavy weight in his chest. Across both of his lives, this would be the first time he had to kill someone. Was this what it meant to become a ninja?
The four of them continued along the narrow mountain path. Along the way, Akimichi Dōtō taught them tracking techniques.
"Pay attention to footprints in the soil. Bandits usually attach iron spikes to their shoes, which leave triangular marks. Listen to the sounds around you. In a normal forest, you should only hear birds and the wind. If you hear the clashing of metal, it means we're close to their camp."
Izumo quickly found the clues.
There were knife cuts on the bark of a turquoise-colored tree, and a stain of spilled wine was still visible on the grass nearby.
Akimichi Dōtō nodded. "This time as well, Sensei won't intervene. Everything will depend on your performance."
Izumo raised his hand, signaling everyone to stop, and lowered his voice. "There's a camp about fifty meters ahead. I can see the rough outline of the tents."
Kotetsu pulled out a pair of binoculars from his ninja pack. "There are about twelve bandits in total. Three are standing guard outside the tents. The rest should be inside."
As the sun began to set, the mountain wind blew hard, carrying pine needles past Izumo's ears.
Unconsciously, he brushed the kunai in his gear pouch with his fingertips. The cold of the metal spread from his fingers, slightly calming the unease in his chest.
The setting sun cast long shadows of the three of them across the leaf-covered mountain path, like three taut strings pulled tight.
"Kurenai will provide cover with shuriken and Genjutsu support. Kotetsu and I will be responsible for the frontal assault."
Izumo's voice was lower than usual. "Let's begin."
Kurenai gripped three shuriken. After hearing Izumo's command, she took a deep breath and quickly moved through the bushes on the right.
A pine branch brushed against her, leaving a thin scratch, but it didn't slow her down at all.
Izumo and Kotetsu advanced side by side in a crouched stance. Their steps were as light as forest squirrels, landing on the thick layer of fallen leaves.
"Let's take off our forehead protectors. Lower their guard," Izumo whispered to Kotetsu.
As they drew closer, rough laughter and the clinking of wine jugs drifted out of the tents and into their ears with the wind.
"Who's there?!" One of the bandits standing guard suddenly pointed in Izumo and Kotetsu's direction.
The other two followed his gaze. And when they saw that only two teenagers were approaching, they burst out laughing.
"Hahaha! Where did these little brats come from? Did they get lost in the mountains?" The bearded bandit wiped a smear of alcohol from the corner of his mouth, looking at them with open contempt.
"Hey, isn't this perfect? We can sell them and make some money."
The moment Kotetsu heard the word "sell," he clenched his fists in anger and was about to charge forward, but Izumo immediately stopped him.
Izumo's gaze was as cold as the mountain stream. He shook his head slightly at Kotetsu, then glanced toward Kurenai.
Kurenai understood at once. With a subtle flick of her fingers, three shuriken flew out of the bushes at the same time. The sharp, cutting rush of the spinning blades sliced through the air, instantly cutting off the bandits' laughter.
At the exact moment Kurenai's shuriken were thrown, Izumo and Kotetsu dashed toward the bandits near the tents.
The bandit closest to the bushes didn't even have time to react before one of the shuriken accurately slashed across his throat.
A scream of pain echoed through the mountains and the forest.
"What's going on?!" The bandits inside the tents hadn't even finished pulling on their clothes when Izumo activated the Body Flicker Technique.
Pale blue chakra burst from his legs, and his figure appeared in front of them like a ghostly shadow.
The bandit only saw the cold, emotionless flash in Izumo's eyes. A chill ran up his spine, and in the next instant, his throat felt icy.
With a soft, wet sound, blood sprayed from the bandit's neck, staining his rough linen clothes red.
The bandit's eyes flew wide open. His body went limp, and he collapsed to the ground, twitching twice before going still.
On the other side, a bandit peeking out from another tent froze in terror. Seeing his companion's corpse, his teeth began to chatter.
"N-Ninja… Ninja! Konoha ninja!"
He threw away his long sword and turned to run, screaming at the top of his lungs, "Run! The ninja are here!"
The other bandits who heard the shout snapped out of their drunken haze. One by one, they rushed out of the tents, raising their swords and clubs.
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