The next morning, we gathered at the meeting point designated by Tetsu-sensei. Sora and Renji were already there. The girl twirled a kunai in her fingers, visibly impatient — either for our sensei's delay or mine.
Next to her, Renji was leaning against a pillar with his head resting on it, his eyes closed, and if it weren't for the fact that he was always alert, I might have sworn he was asleep.
Tetsu-sensei arrived shortly after, carrying his short sword on his back and a confident smile on his face.
"Ready for Team 11's first mission?" he asked, crossing his arms.
"Sure, sensei!" Sora replied excitedly.
"Depends on the mission," I muttered, trying to sound casual, though anxiety gnawed at me from the inside.
"You'll like it," he said, smiling almost suspiciously.
"It's a simple escort mission. We're going to protect a caravan to the village of Tanzaku."
Sora looked excited, while Renji just nodded, maintaining his usual calm. I, on the other hand, was worried. Escort missions were rarely simple.
'I think I've seen this kind of setup before… I just hope it doesn't turn into a mess.'
We continued on for some time until we met the merchants we were to escort. They seemed excited and laughed among themselves as they finished arranging their supplies.
The caravan consisted of two merchants and a wagon loaded with supplies. Our job was to protect them during their journey through a dense forest that, according to Tetsu-sensei, was known to be frequented by bandits.
"Stay alert," he warned, walking alongside the wagon. "These areas are often treacherous, especially for merchants."
We walked for a few hours without incident, but something in the air began to bother me. There was a growing tension, as if we were being watched.
"Riku, do you feel that too?" Renji asked, breaking the silence.
I nodded. "Yes, something's not right."
Before we could warn the sensei, the attack began. A group of masked bandits leaped from the trees, surrounding the caravan.
*
[System Alert: Combat Event Initiated]
*
The tension in the air was almost palpable. I could feel the bandits' chakra moving around us even before they appeared. It was as if the forest had come alive, every sound and movement amplified by the adrenaline rushing through my veins.
Tetsu-sensei gave the first warning: "Everyone take your positions! Protect the merchants!"
My eyes quickly searched for a strategic point while I adjusted my breathing. As soon as the first group of bandits jumped out of the trees, I made a hand seal and whispered:
"Doton: Mud Wall!"
A solid barrier rose in front of the wagon, blocking the arrows coming from the shadows. The hardened mud held the impact, but the clatter of weapons striking it made my pulse spike.
"They're attacking from multiple directions. This is going to be tricky."
"Riku, focus!" shouted Tetsu-sensei as he ran past me, his sword already drawn, reflecting the sunlight as it sliced through the air.
I nodded and moved to the side of the wagon, dodging a kunai that came flying toward me. One of the bandits advanced toward me without hesitation. I ducked, dodging the blow, and quickly made hand seals.
"Suiton: Water Palm!"
[Jutsu executed successfully! +30 EXP]
A burst of water shot from my hand, hitting the bandit in the chest and throwing him backwards. He fell awkwardly to the ground, unconscious.
As I prepared for the other enemies, two more bandits appeared, completely surrounding me on both sides. I'll admit — I was tense.
It was one thing to do this in my room while playing for hours, but it was another to be in this situation in person. Still, my instincts kicked in and told me exactly what to do.
I made more hand seals, channeling chakra into the ground.
"Doton: Stone Skin!"
My skin hardened, becoming more resistant. It was time to put the previous day's training into practice. Then, one of the bandits tried to attack me with the kunai in his hand, but when the blade hit my arm, I heard it crack. With a quick movement, I disarmed him and struck his stomach, knocking him back with the force of the blow.
[Critical hit!]
[Direct hit landed. +50 EXP]
'This isn't going to end anytime soon...'
That's when I noticed movement at the edge of the forest. A smaller group of bandits was sneaking along the clearing's perimeter, clearly trying to reach the merchants from the side, where the wagon was more exposed.
"Damn!" I whispered, running to intercept them.
As I approached, I realized I wouldn't have time to use either Doton or Suiton effectively — they were too fast. I looked around and, seeing that my companions were busy and couldn't help, I made the hand seals that had already become second nature.
"Mokuton: Contained Root!"
Chakra flowed into the ground, and thick roots surged up, snaking toward the bandits. Before they could react, they were grabbed and immobilized. They struggled, but the roots tightened, holding them firmly and rendering them unconscious.
'That was too risky,' I thought, looking at the fallen men.
Tetsu-sensei was nearby, fighting a small group, his Byakugan active. If he was paying attention to how I fought, he must have seen my Mokuton.
'Will he say something?'
I decided not to risk it. I released the roots before they could be examined too closely and ran back to protect the merchants.
The remaining bandits began to retreat, realizing the situation wasn't in their favor. Some lay on the ground; others fled into the trees. Tetsu-sensei walked across the battlefield with a relaxed posture, but focused eyes, assessing every detail.
*
[Encounter Ended]
[Bandits defeated. +252 EXP]
[Congratulations! You reached Level 5!]
[EXP: 902 / 1150 to next level.]
*
'I got all that EXP from combat? Interesting. Maybe this is the best way to level up,' I thought, feeling reinvigorated after leveling up.
"Good job, team," he said, wiping his sword with a piece of cloth. "But don't let your guard down yet. There could be reinforcements."
I glanced at the merchants. They looked nervous but grateful to be alive.
"Riku, Renji, check the perimeter. Sora, stay with the merchants," ordered Tetsu-sensei.
I nodded and began patrolling the area, senses still on high alert.
As I walked among the trees, my heart was still racing. Using Mokuton had been necessary, but risky. Tetsu-sensei had definitely noticed something, but for some reason, he hadn't said anything.
'Is he saving it for later? Or testing me?'
When I finished checking the perimeter, I returned to the group. The wagon was ready to move, and Tetsu-sensei gave us the signal to continue.
"This was just the beginning," he said, looking at each of us. "You did well, but you still have a lot to learn. Let's go."
As we walked down the road, my mind was filled with questions. About Mokuton, about Tetsu-sensei, and about what the future held.
'If that was just a simple escort mission, I don't even want to imagine what the real ones are like…'
*
[System Activated: Character Information]
[Basic Information]
Name: Senju Riku
Age: 13
Innate Ability: Mokuton
Ninja Rank: Genin
Level: 5
[Attributes]
Strength: 14
Agility: 13
Intelligence: 18
Endurance: 17
Chakra Control: 19
Chakra: 235/235
Stamina: 205/205
HP: 205/205
EXP: 902/1150
Available Attribute Points: 0
Technique Points: 0
[Active Techniques]
Mokuton: Contained Root
Mokuton: Wooden Stakes
Mokuton: Wooden Prison
Suiton: Water Palm
Doton: Stone Skin
[New Technique Obtained!]
Mokuton: Wooden Prison (Requirements: Level 5, Chakra Control 16, Intelligence 14)
Description: Builds a wooden prison around the target, making escape difficult and limiting jutsu.
...
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