Chapter 17: You're Way Too Fast!

"Understood!"

Yoru and his two teammates responded in unison, their voices filled with determination.

"Move out!"

With Tenkō’s command, the group officially embarked on their first mission.

Along the way, he explained the details:

Three rogue ninjas, unable to endure Kirigakure’s oppressive regime, had defected and were attempting to join Kumogakure.

Which meant… they might also have to face Cloud ninjas.

The three young genin swallowed hard, their expressions tightening.

[We just graduated!] Yoru internally groaned. [An S-rank mission right off the bat? Are they trying to get us killed?!]

[No matter how strong we are, three genin can’t handle something like this!]

But complaints wouldn’t change anything. The mission was already underway—they had no right to refuse.

Hot Springs Village

Inside a small inn, three rogue ninjas—one tall, one short, one heavyset—sat in discussion.

"Finally… we’re almost free of that hellhole," the short one grinned.

The heavyset ninja frowned. "Don’t let your guard down. We haven’t met up with the Cloud ninjas yet. Until then, anything could happen."

The tall one nodded in agreement. "Exactly. We need to stay sharp—enemy pursuers could show up at any moment."

"Let’s get moving. The sooner we reach the rendezvous point, the better," he added, standing up.

The trio packed their belongings and left the inn.

But as they crossed a bridge—

BOOM!

A massive explosion erupted beneath them, sending flames and smoke billowing into the air.

A barrage of kunai and shuriken shot through the haze.

The three drew their swords, deflecting the projectiles as they leaped back.

Yet behind them—

A white-masked ANBU moved like lightning.

"Multi-Strike Hawk Flash!"

The attack was too fast to block—

CLANG! CLANG! CLANG!

But the tall ninja somehow parried every slash.

"It’s Yoru! Watch out for his Hiding in Mist Technique!"

"Tenkō! I know you’re leading this squad—show yourself!"

The tall rogue ninja—Yokou Mitsuta—and his two comrades stood back-to-back, glaring into the forest behind Yoru.

Tenkō emerged, his voice icy.

"The bridge is destroyed. You have nowhere to run. Surrender now and return for judgment."

"Surrender? Hah! That’s a death sentence!" Yokou snarled. "I’m never going back to that cursed village!"

"Yeah, stop dreaming!" the other two spat in unison.

Shintomo Suke (the heavyset one) and Asakura Iori (the short one) readied their weapons.

"A shame," Tenkō said coldly. "Then you’ve chosen death."

"Hakko (Cold Light), Hawk, White Wolf—these three are yours."

"Either they die, or you do. You know the consequences of failure."

The merciless order sent a chill down the genin’s spines.

But there was no turning back.

They charged.

Battle Begins

Yoru vs. Yokou Mitsuta

Hawk vs. Asakura Iori

White Wolf vs. Shintomo Suke

CLANG!

Blades collided, sparks flying.

Yokou smirked at Yoru. "You’re still loyal to Kirigakure? Pathetic."

"What’s so great about that village that you’d die for it?"

"Stay there, and it’ll kill you. Don’t be a fool."

Yoru met his gaze. "What I believe in isn’t something you’d understand. Let’s settle this with strength."

"Only one of us walks away today."

Yokou’s eyes hardened. "Tch. A waste of talent."

With a sudden burst of force, he sent Yoru skidding back—

Then lunged, his sword a silver blur.

"Show me what you’ve got, brat! Don’t disappoint me!"

Yoru dashed forward to meet him. "I was about to say the same!"

CLASH! CLASH! CLASH!

Their blades became a storm of steel.

Sparks lit up the air as blood splattered the ground.

[He’s keeping up with Yokou’s speed… and matching him in agility?] Tenkō observed, impressed. [Hakko’s grown stronger in just three days.]

Yokou was no ordinary jōnin—his skills ranked among the elite.

Yet Yoru wasn’t just holding his own—he was fighting evenly.

"Not bad… Mei Terumī’s little brother has bite!" Yokou panted, suddenly leaping back.

His hands flew into seals—

But before he could finish—

Yoru, despite his wounds, didn’t even move.

"Suiton: Water Gun Jutsu!"

Two high-pressure water bullets shot forth, forcing Yokou to dodge.

"What the—?! No hand signs?!"

Before he could recover—

"Suiton: Hiding in Mist Technique!"

Thick mist erupted around them.

"Damn it!" Yokou cursed. [I knew his seals were fast, but this is insane!]

"Head, neck, heart, or throat?" Yoru’s voice echoed from nowhere.

"Enough tricks!" Yokou roared, his patience snapping.

"Suiton: Exploding Water Arm!"

A massive water fist burst from the mist—

SMASH!

—and obliterated Yoru.

"Got him!"

But Yokou’s triumph was short-lived.

The "Yoru" he hit dissolved into water.

A clone.

And then—

The mist thickened.

The real Yoru’s whisper slithered through the fog:

"So… which one will it be?"