Chapter 31: Joint Mission
[Body Flicker Technique: Expert (999/1000) → Master (1000/10000)]
If the Expert-level Body Flicker Technique existed in the realm of "precision application"—barely reaching the speed threshold of a Chūnin and requiring a brief moment of Chakra gathering and directional focus—
Then the Master-level Body Flicker Technique was a massive leap into the domain of "micro-control."
Its speed surged straight into the upper limits of Jōnin-level movement, even allowing for "instant activation without any preparation at all."
As a warm, abundant current swept through his entire body, Izumo immediately grasped the true essence of the Master-level Body Flicker Technique.
This technique was the ultimate fusion of Chakra, muscle, and nerves, completely shattering the traditional limitation of "whole-body movement."
He tried to channel his Chakra.
In the next instant, the index finger of his right hand vanished from where it had been.
A heartbeat later, it reappeared half an inch away, the tip of his finger pinching a fallen leaf out of the air.
This was what they called "Partial Body Flicker."
He could distribute Chakra with pinpoint accuracy to any part of his body. Whether it was an arm, a fingertip, or even a single foot, he could perform a short-range instant displacement in the blink of an eye.
This breakthrough meant that the speed of his hand seals would no longer be a weakness.
By using Partial Body Flicker on his fingertips, he could complete complex hand seal sequences in an instant, multiplying the activation speed of his Ninjutsu several times over.
Izumo released his Kunai and finished subduing the Iwagakure intelligence ninja, his heart burning with a rising, unstoppable excitement.
He could clearly feel the changes in his body.
His neural reaction speed had skyrocketed, allowing him to track and respond to even faster-moving objects. His Chakra control had reached a brand-new level as well—every strand of Chakra now obeyed him with extreme precision, able to be used right up to its absolute limit.
At the same time, he realized something else.
His Chakra Control proficiency, which had previously hovered in the 700 range, had suddenly jumped by over 200 points, reaching 973—closing in on the 985 threshold required for the Chakra Extraction Technique.
…
The morning fog along the border of the Land of Grass was thick like unmixed milk, draping the distant mountain ridges in a pale, ghostly gray.
Inside the canvas command tent of Konoha's forward base, the oil in a bronze lamp hissed softly as it burned. The orange glow illuminated a topographic map of the border pinned to the wall, while the air itself felt heavier than the fog outside.
Izumo had just submitted the report from his previous reconnaissance mission with Kurenai and Kotetsu—dew still clinging to the grass stains on his sleeves—when his steps were halted by a paper talisman streaked with gold.
It was a secret seal used only for emergency missions.
"Captain Izumo, report to the command tent immediately."
When he stepped inside, a worn scroll was already spread across the center of a long wooden table.
"Urgent Joint Mission – Rank A. Target Area: Vicinity of Kannabi Bridge."
The outline of Kannabi Bridge had been traced in bold, striking red ink.
"Iwagakure's movements along the border have become more frequent lately." Mamura Yoshimaki's finger pressed firmly against the stone bridge marked on the scroll. "A coded letter intercepted by the Intelligence Division shows that they've established a hidden base near Kannabi Bridge. You're to head there and investigate."
"Your team will rendezvous with Team Inuzuka Ago and Team Yamanaka Mei on the western slope. From there, you'll jointly assess the situation around the base."
Izumo's fingertips unconsciously brushed along the edge of the scroll.
His heart gave a sudden, heavy thump.
Kannabi Bridge.
In the original story, that stone bridge spanning a deep valley carried the weight of history—the birth of Kakashi's Sharingan, Obito's sacrifice, and Rin's tragedy.
And now, that very place was appearing in front of him far earlier than it should have—as the target of his mission.
He knew all too well that if Iwagakure was using this area as a logistics supply hub, its defenses wouldn't be anything simple or obvious. In the shadows, something far more dangerous could be waiting.
"Understood."
Izumo rolled up the scroll and turned to inform Kurenai and Kotetsu.
When Team 8 arrived at the rendezvous point, the other two teams were already waiting under the pale glow of dawn.
Inuzuka Ago, the captain of Team Inuzuka, stood at the front like a steel tower.
His dark brown hair bristled upward, and a long sword scar stretched across his left cheek, running from his brow to his jaw, glinting faintly red in the morning light.
By his side crouched a jet-black ninja hound, its body a full size larger than an ordinary wolf dog. Frost clung to the tips of its ears.
This was Kuromaru—the veteran companion of the Inuzuka clan.
When he saw Izumo approach, Inuzuka Ago snorted roughly, then reached out and slapped a hand down on his shoulder. The calluses on his palm were rough enough to sting.
"Kid Izumo. It's been a while since we worked together. This time, you'd better be able to keep up with my pace."
Behind him, two young Genin were nervously checking their ninja swords, gripping them so tightly their knuckles had gone pale.
On the other side, Yamanaka Mei gave off a completely different presence.
She wore loose, light-green shinobi attire, with intricate embroidery of her clan's crest stitched along the cuffs of her sleeves. Her fingers were long and nimble, always subtly in motion.
As a Jōnin from the Yamanaka clan, her sensory abilities were a critical part of this mission. On top of that, her Mind Body Switch Technique allowed her to seize control of an enemy's mind in total silence.
The joint team set off toward the mission site without a word.
"Chakra sensing range is active. No anomalies within a three-mile radius." Yamanaka Mei's gaze swept over Inuzuka Ago and Izumo, calm but razor-sharp. "There's an oak forest to the west of the rendezvous point. We can use it to approach the target quietly."
"I don't smell anything suspicious either." Inuzuka Ago stepped forward, and Kuromaru followed immediately, a low growl rumbling in his throat.
Izumo moved in behind him. Since the two of them had worked together before, the atmosphere felt strangely familiar.
"Izumo, this mission revolves around me and Yamanaka Mei," Inuzuka Ago said in a low, steady voice. "Yamanaka handles sensing and information relay. My team will break through from the front. Team 8 is responsible for flank reconnaissance and early warning. The moment you spot an ambush, send the signal immediately."
He glanced sideways at Izumo, eyes sharp.
"No problems, right?"
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