A new day began.
Kyosuke continued performing diligently at the Academy.
Ōoka Shin went out in search of medicinal herbs for Kanae.
Kiichiro remained the hardworking rich kid, pushing his physical training.
Mizumori stayed indoors, refining chakra and improving his hand seal speed.
As for Tasaka Chisuke—
After meeting up with Pakura, she wasted no time and headed straight toward the mission location. Chisuke could only grit his teeth and keep up.
Fortunately, Pakura deliberately slowed her pace. Otherwise, he would have been left behind long ago.
During their midday rest, she briefly explained the mission.
"The lord of a city in the Land of Rivers had long employed Sunagakure. Recently, the old lord died. The new lord switched allegiance and hired Konoha shinobi instead. Conveniently, his younger brother has hired us to assassinate him. For the sake of the village's interests, this mission must succeed."
Sunagakure's finances were perpetually strained. The Kazekage even used Magnet Release to extract gold dust from the desert to subsidize the village's treasury.
A single city's patronage meant significant revenue. Sunagakure couldn't afford to lose it—hence Pakura's deployment.
While traveling, she reviewed the intelligence, then assigned Chisuke his role.
"We split up. Separate infiltration, separate reconnaissance. Separate assassination if necessary. Your task is to support me—preferably by drawing off some of the guards. That will increase our success rate."
The mission was clearly dangerous. Internally, Chisuke rolled his eyes.
Externally, he nodded seriously.
"Understood."
Several days later, they arrived at the city and separated. Pakura vanished into the night.
Chisuke began his operation.
Step one: Reconnaissance.
It was late at night. Most of the town lay in darkness, with only scattered lights burning.
Standing atop a rooftop, Chisuke surveyed the layout under faint moonlight.
A typical feudal castle town.
At the center stood a towering central tower . Surrounding it were structures of varying heights—markets, barracks, inns, estates, common housing.
Some districts were brightly lit—likely commercial streets with nightlife. Others were shadowed beneath heavy tree cover—perhaps orchards or graveyards.
The northern district had wide roads and orderly residences—wealthier citizens.
The southern district was cramped and winding—likely the poor quarter.
To the east lay a small dock along a broad, steady river reflecting moonlight.
To the west stretched forested hills.
"I'll prepare two retreat routes," he muttered. "East by water. West into the hills. Avoid lit areas and tall structures."
After roughly mapping escape paths, he set several traps along the routes to delay pursuit.
By the time he finished, it was near dawn. The city lights had dimmed further. Most residents were asleep.
The ideal moment.
He treated his blades to prevent reflection. Placed an antidote pill against his upper palate. Then moved silently along shadowed walls toward the keep.
Outside the tenshu stood a thick earthen wall. Guards patrolled regularly.
After observing their pattern, Chisuke slipped over during a shift gap. He landed in a garden and advanced under the cover of rock formations and trees.
After only a few steps—
He froze.
It was too quiet.
No insects. No wind.
Danger.
He turned to retreat—
Two shadows blocked his path.
"Konoha shinobi."
By the torchlight along the wall, he saw their forehead protectors.
According to intelligence, the new lord was protected by a four-man Konoha squad: one jōnin leader, three chūnin.
It seemed he'd been detected immediately. The jōnin likely remained with the target while two chūnin were dispatched to eliminate him.
Truthfully, Chisuke doubted he could defeat them.
Fortunately, his role wasn't to win.
It was to draw them away.
"You're just a genin at best," one of them said coldly. "Surrender. We might avoid killing you by accident."
While speaking, they deployed.
A swarm of insects poured forth, surrounding him.
"Aburame clan… so that's how I was found."
Even in crisis, Chisuke's tone remained steady.
Psychological warfare.
But as he spoke—
He threw two lit explosive tags.
"Wind Release: Great Breakthrough!"
The tags detonated ahead. Chisuke unleashed a powerful gust, fanning the flames into a blazing surge that forced the shinobi back and scattered the insects—creating an opening.
Before the fire faded, he charged through it.
Heat scorched his skin.
"After him!"
Infuriated that a child had escaped their grasp, the two chūnin gave chase.
They were stronger. Skilled in taijutsu. Coordinated.
Even following his prepared dark routes, Chisuke was quickly caught.
Within two exchanges, a kunai pierced his left shoulder. His arm went limp.
Why hasn't Pakura moved yet? he thought. If she creates a disturbance, they'll have to return.
The keep remained silent.
He threw another explosive tag—one of three expensive ones his father had prepared.
The blast bought seconds.
He clutched his bleeding shoulder, slowing himself.
They caught him again.
"For a kid, you're impressive. But this is the end."
One sealed his escape route with shuriken. The other charged with a blade.
Chisuke blocked one strike with his kunai—then took a kick to the stomach, rolling into a nearby abandoned building.
"This ends now. Die."
The Konoha shinobi entered—
A cloud of pale purple powder fell from the ceiling.
A sour stench filled the air.
"Poison!"
They leapt back out instantly.
It was one of Chisuke's traps. All his poison, expended.
Unfortunately, he had inhaled some too. Dizziness washed over him. He swallowed the antidote and fled from the opposite side.
Outside, insects crawled over the two chūnin, absorbing toxins from their hosts' bodies.
It didn't cure them—but suppressed the poison's effects.
At the cost of many insects' lives.
"Damn that brat—we have to kill him!"
They moved to pursue—
Then saw flames erupt atop the tenshu.
Their expressions changed.
Forgetting Chisuke entirely, they rushed back.
Chisuke reached the river, washed away blood traces, and made it to the rendezvous point before tending to his wound.
At dawn, Pakura arrived.
She was injured—multiple cuts, her right leg slightly stiff—but her expression was calm. She looked at him with unmistakable approval.
"The mission succeeded. You contributed. Drawing away two Konoha chūnin—impressive. You've passed. From now on, I will teach you."
Chisuke beamed.
"Pakura-sensei! I'll work even harder!"
True to her decisive nature, she handed him a scroll that very day.
Inside were her known techniques, her training insights, and advanced knowledge not taught at the Academy.
Only then did Chisuke truly grasp the vast difference between institutional training and personal mentorship.
The Academy produced quantity.
Mentorship forged elites.
Raising a disciple was like feeding a blood-drinker—it required enormous investment.
With Pakura's guidance, the five who shared one dream finally gained access to higher-level ninjutsu.
Their collective combat power rose sharply.