A few days later, the morning sun spilled gently across the tatami floor of Izumi's room. She stood before the mirror, her hands working with precise, practiced motions as she dressed for her first official mission as a Genin.
She slipped on a snug, short-sleeved purple top embroidered with the proud crest of the Uchiha Clan across the back, paired with black shorts that allowed for freedom of movement. Her forehead protector gleamed faintly as she tied it securely around her head, the metal plate catching the light. Arm guards followed, tightening neatly around her forearms.
She took a step back and looked at herself in the mirror.
A beautiful girl with long, sleek black hair stared back — sharp eyes, a touch of determination in her gaze. She tilted her head slightly, admiring her reflection.
Hmm… a beautiful kunoichi with flawless hair and excellent fashion sense. Truly gorgeous.
Then, with a small sigh, she thought, It's a pity I'm not a boy… I'd have girls falling for me left and right.
Pushing the thought aside, Izumi called toward the kitchen, "Mom! I'm heading out!"
From within, Uchiha Hazuki emerged, wiping her hands on a towel. "Alright. Be careful out there."
Izumi grinned, trying to sound casual. "Don't worry. I'm still a Genin — I'll only be doing simple jobs. You know, like shooing away hoodlums or delivering things."
"That's good," Hazuki replied, though her eyes still carried a trace of worry.
With a cheerful wave, Izumi stepped out into the street. Behind her, Hazuki clasped her hands together in quiet prayer.
Husband, please watch over her. Keep her safe and sound.
---
The air outside was crisp, carrying the faint scent of blooming flowers. As Izumi made her way toward the village gate, her eyes caught sight of two familiar figures up ahead — one younger, one slightly older — walking side by side in relaxed conversation.
Wait… is that Itachi? And… Shisui?!
Her pace quickened.
"Itachi!" she called out, waving an arm.
The two turned at the sound. Uchiha Itachi's calm gaze found her immediately, while the older boy beside him smiled faintly in curiosity.
Izumi jogged up, hands on her hips, smiling brightly.
"Itachi! Guess what? I'm officially a ninja now!"
Itachi's lips curved into a small smile. "I know. Father mentioned it yesterday." He gestured to the boy beside him. "This is Uchiha Shisui — he's my senior. Shisui, this is Uchiha Izumi. She's a friend of mine."
Shisui's smile widened warmly. "Oh? Nice to meet you."
"Hello!" Izumi returned the greeting with equal cheer, but her attention quickly slid back to Itachi.
Her expression shifted — her eyes narrowed, lips pursed. She reached a hand out toward him wordlessly.
Itachi blinked, confused. "…Izumi?"
Her fingers curled expectantly, but he remained still.
Her cheeks puffed out in irritation. "A gift, Itachi! When you became a ninja, I gave you one, remember?"
Itachi's eyes widened slightly before he chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck in embarrassment. "Ah… right. Sorry, Izumi. I completely forgot."
"Hmph." She turned away with mock offense.
Shisui burst into laughter. "Itachi, so you can make that kind of face! Hahaha, I never thought I'd see it."
Itachi could only sigh in mild defeat. It was true — between long discussions with Shisui about the clan's tense situation and his own training, he hadn't thought to prepare a gift.
Izumi eventually relented with a shrug. "Forget it. I didn't expect much from you anyway." She turned to Shisui with interest. "So you're the Shisui? The one everyone calls one of the Uchiha's top geniuses?"
Shisui chuckled modestly. "Not at all. You're the impressive one — graduating early like that. That's no small feat."
"Compared to you two, I'm just getting started," Izumi replied, though her tone was light.
Shisui smirked at Itachi. "Itachi, I didn't know you had friends. And such a cute one at that."
"We were classmates," Itachi replied evenly.
Izumi, sensing the conversation drifting back toward the political matters they were likely discussing earlier, glanced at the sky. "Oh! Time's almost up. I need to meet my team. Itachi, remember — you still owe me that gift!" She waved over her shoulder and jogged off.
Shisui elbowed Itachi playfully. "Oh my, I didn't know you had such moves."
Itachi gave him a flat look. "…Don't start. But…" His expression softened, then dimmed slightly. "She's… not like us."
Shisui's smile turned thoughtful. "And isn't that the point? What we're working for — it's so people like her can live without getting caught between the clan and the village."
Itachi's eyes met his, calm but resolute. "…That's true. But first, I need to understand this world — then I can figure out how to change it."
Shisui clapped a hand on his shoulder. "Then let's find that answer together."
---
Meanwhile, Izumi muttered to herself as she walked.
"Tch. What rotten luck — running into those two first thing in the morning."
Her earlier good mood had evaporated. Still, the meeting stirred another thought: she needed her Mangekyō Sharingan, and soon. Without it, facing prodigies like Itachi or Shisui head-on was a losing game.
To awaken it… I'll need strong emotions. Last time, when I cried, I was close. Just a little short. If I can get attached to someone, and then lose them… maybe then…
She sighed. It was a grim plan, but survival — and victory — demanded sacrifice.
---
The village gates loomed ahead, and gathered there was her new team.
Her jonin instructor stood tall — Sarutobi Muraki, a broad-shouldered man with a full beard and the standard Konoha flak vest. Beside him were her two new teammates: Akimichi Jiro, a stocky, round-faced boy with a warm smile, and Yamamoto Kawa, lean and sharp-eyed, his expression already mildly annoyed.
Izumi waved cheerfully. "Sarutobi Muraki-sensei! Akimichi Jiro-senpai! Yamamoto Kawa-senpai!"
Muraki grinned. "Yo, Izumi. You're early."
She scratched her cheek sheepishly. "I actually ran into someone on the way, so I thought I'd be late. Didn't expect you all to be here before me."
"Hmph." Yamamoto crossed his arms. "Elites from big clans should be early. Especially you, Uchiha Izumi — the one who almost didn't become a ninja. You're famous now."
Izumi blinked. "…Thanks? I guess?"
Jiro stepped in, chuckling. "Don't mind him. He's got a sharp tongue, but he's not bad. We weren't even planning to be this early — but Kawa came early, so I came earlier, and Muraki-sensei got here earlier than that. I barely got any sleep."
Muraki laughed heartily. "Alright, alright. First mission day — everyone ready?"
"Ready!" they chorused.
Izumi's eyes lit up. "Sensei, where's our hoodlum problem?"
"The border between the Land of Fire and the Land of Rain," Muraki explained. "Lately, troublemakers from the Land of Rain have been slipping across and causing problems."
"Oh! So where's the client?"
"They're not here yet," Muraki said casually.
Izumi sighed. "So slow…"
They waited, the minutes stretching on, until finally a middle-aged man stumbled toward them, panting.
"Sorry! Sorry! I got lost! Hahaha…"
Kawa's frown deepened, but he said nothing. Muraki's tone remained polite. "It's alright. Happens all the time. We're building an inn near the gate for clients in the future — much more convenient. Shall we head out?"
"Yes, yes, of course!" The client rubbed the back of his neck. "This is really troublesome."
As they stepped beyond the village walls, Izumi glanced around. The trees stretched tall and endless, and the air felt cleaner, fresher. She'd only left the village a few times before, during school excursions, and each time felt like stepping into another world.
It looks like I'll be doing a lot of simple missions for a while, she thought, adjusting the straps on her pack. Well… for now.
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