Rin smiled softly.
"Obito, you look kind of excited…"
"Whatever!"
Obito said it casually, but his body language gave him away.
It was his first time leaving the village.
Of course he was excited.
"Idiot," Kakashi muttered.
"Kakashi! Did you just call me an idiot again?!"
"Okay, okay," Rin hurried between them. "We're on a mission. Stop fighting."
Obito snorted and walked ahead.
"What mission? We've been walking all day. Haven't even seen a bird."
Kazuki followed at an easy pace, the corners of his lips slightly curved.
No birds.
But there are two people.
In the Trees
Two masked ninja watched from the shadows.
Their forehead protectors bore the symbol of Kirigakure.
"Three kids. That young and already genin. Konoha must be desperate."
"That's not our concern. We report back to Lord Loquat Juzo immediately."
"Wait. It's just three brats and one unknown adult."
"They're fresh from the Academy."
"If we capture them, that's a huge merit."
"You serious?"
"If you're that scared, why be a ninja?"
"Capturing them might reveal Konoha's deployment plans."
"…Fine."
The two Mist ninja made their decision.
The Ambush
Team Seven walked along a sunlit trail.
A shallow puddle lay ahead.
Kazuki's eyes flickered briefly.
He followed the students across it.
The moment he passed—
Two figures burst from the water.
Blades flashed.
They instantly "dissected" Kazuki's body.
The three kids froze in horror.
Then—
The Mist ninja reappeared behind Obito.
"You're the second target."
They hadn't expected it to be so easy.
That adult ninja was pathetic.
Obito's eyes widened in pure terror.
His legs wouldn't move.
He was about to be torn apart—
Kakashi suddenly appeared, kicking one attacker away while dragging Obito aside.
Obito collapsed to his knees.
He thought—
Dead. He's dead.
"Shadow Clone!"
Kakashi formed seals instantly.
Two clones appeared.
The Mist ninja licked their lips.
"Oh? A prodigy."
"I love killing prodigies."
Rin trembled but still threw her kunai.
Clang!
It was knocked aside effortlessly.
"A cute little girl too? Even better."
Kakashi rushed forward with three bodies.
"Die!"
Suddenly—
Vines shot from the ground and wrapped around the Mist ninja's legs.
"Huh?! What is this?!"
Poof! Poof!
Kakashi's clones were destroyed instantly.
The real Kakashi's eyes widened.
A kunai was about to slice his throat.
His own blade was still inches away from the enemy's heart.
"Still… too slow…"
At that moment—
Thick vines coiled around the Mist ninja's arm.
His blade skimmed past Kakashi's cheek harmlessly.
And Kakashi's kunai drove straight into his opponent's chest.
The Mist ninja's eyes widened.
He slumped to the ground.
Kakashi staggered back.
He stared at his bloodstained hand.
Did I… just kill someone?
Applause echoed behind them.
"Congratulations, Kakashi."
"Your first kill."
"A shinobi's rite of passage."
They turned.
Kazuki stood there, smiling calmly.
The remaining Mist ninja's eyes nearly popped out.
"You—how are you alive?!"
Rin gasped.
"Teacher Kazuki isn't dead!"
Obito shouted, "It was a substitute?!"
Kazuki chuckled.
"Surprised?"
He looked at the last enemy.
"Well? Not going to finish him?"
Kakashi's gaze sharpened again.
The surviving Mist ninja panicked, throwing a storm of shuriken.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
Wooden roots rose from the ground, forming a shield.
Every projectile was blocked.
Kakashi whispered,
"Wood Release… the legendary Mokuton…"
Rin's eyes sparkled.
"Sensei is amazing…"
Obito stood speechless.
Kazuki glanced at them.
"Kakashi's broken the ice."
"Obito."
Obito stiffened.
"You're the other male on this team."
"Your turn."
Obito's face went pale.
"W-What?!"
"What kind of ninja are you if you can't kill?"
"He's restrained. He can't fight back."
"If you can't even do this…"
Kazuki's voice turned calm.
"Go home."
Silence fell over the forest.
The Mist ninja struggled weakly against the vines.
Obito's hands trembled.
This wasn't training anymore.
This was war.
And Kazuki wasn't smiling now.