Chapter 22: The D-Rank Grind and a Fiery Surprise
The outskirts of Konoha were blanketed in wild grass, a place rarely visited even on normal days. In the quiet of the early morning, it was utterly deserted.
Suddenly, a soft rustle broke the silence.
"Hinata, I've got the scent. Confirmed, it fled in this direction," Inuzuka Kiba whispered, moving cautiously through the undergrowth as he tracked their target.
Behind him, Aburame Shino was utilizing the secret techniques of his clan, directing a swarm of insects to scout the area and gather information.
Not far from them, Hinata activated her Byakugan, her eyes pulsing with veins as she carefully scanned the direction Kiba had indicated. Her primary role was to pinpoint the mission target using her clan's superior visual range.
In another sector, Aizen moved with silent precision, flanking the target and gradually helping to form a tight encirclement.
This was the strategy Team 8 had devised: use Kiba's enhanced senses to track, Shino's insects to define the search area, and Hinata's Byakugan to get the exact location. Finally, Aizen would cut off the target's escape route from the opposite side.
"I see it! It's hiding in the grass, not moving," Hinata focused, a note of triumph in her soft voice.
"Now! Go!" Kiba yelled.
He arched his body and shot forward like a hound on the hunt. Simultaneously, Aizen moved from the other side, rushing toward the target. Though their coordinated assault made some noise, their movements were swift and decisive, instantly surrounding their objective.
"Gotcha!" Kiba, being the fastest, lunged and pinned the dark shape in the grass beneath him.
"Meow! Meeooww!"
A series of indignant yowls confirmed their success. The four genin crowded around, looking down at the squirming black shadow in Kiba's arms with triumphant smiles.
The target of their D-rank mission was a lost cat belonging to a wealthy local. Finding it meant mission accomplished and a reward secured.
"Very well done, kids. You successfully completed the mission. Let's head back to Konoha."
Yūhi Kurenai's figure materialized beside them. She had been shadowing them the entire time, observing their performance. This time, Team 8 had worked together flawlessly, and she was thoroughly satisfied.
"Sensei," Kiba groaned, his face twitching in frustration, "can't we get a different kind of mission? Lately, it's either finding lost pets or babysitting. Why is it always these trivial things? It's hard to take seriously."
"Yeah, Kiba's right," even the usually unflappable Shino chimed in. "These boring tasks are a waste of our time. They serve no other purpose."
"Haha, now, now, don't be so discouraged." Kurenai looked at her team tenderly. "This is a rite of passage for every ninja. Believe me, back in my day, I also had to perform these tedious, repetitive tasks to build up experience."
"I know that's the truth," Kiba grumbled, his shoulders slumping, "but it's still hard to accept. My motivation is practically gone."
"However," Kurenai's voice took on a brighter tone, "your efforts have not gone unnoticed. Given your excellent performance over the past few days, the Third Hokage has a reward for you: a ninjutsu scroll."
"A ninjutsu scroll?"
Even Aizen's interest was piqued, a sharp glint appearing in his eyes.
Kurenai produced a scroll from her vest and held it up. "Fire Style: Great Fireball Technique. It's a basic Fire Release ninjutsu, but its power is nothing to scoff at."
"The Great Fireball Technique?"
For a brief moment, Hinata, Kiba, and Shino were ecstatic. Then, reality set in. This was a Fire Release ninjutsu.
Their excited expressions instantly froze solid. The joy evaporated, leaving only profound disappointment and helplessness in their eyes. None of the three possessed the Fire nature chakra required to learn this technique.
"Sensei," Kiba said, his voice thick with indignation, "is the Old Man teasing us?" The sudden plunge from ecstatic hope to crushing disappointment was a bitter pill to swallow.
A painful realization indeed.
"Now, calm down," Kurenai soothed, feeling a bit helpless herself. "The Third Hokage is getting on in years; it's natural for him to be a little forgetful sometimes." She knew that Hinata, Kiba, and Shino all practiced their clans' secret arts and lacked Fire nature. As for Aizen, he had so far only displayed an affinity for Lightning Release.
"However," Kurenai added, a thoughtful look crossing her face, "many geniuses possess multiple chakra natures. Aizen, open the scroll. Let's see if you can learn it."
Aizen didn't hesitate. He took the scroll from Kurenai and slowly unsealed it.
According to the instructions, the Great Fireball Technique required a sequence of six hand seals.
Aizen's face was a mask of calm as he followed the diagrams, his hands moving through the seals.
What happened next left Kurenai utterly stunned. She had only suggested it on a whim, not holding out much hope that Aizen would even manage the seals correctly.
But Aizen not only performed the seals flawlessly on his first attempt, he also successfully channeled the chakra.
"Fire Style: Great Fireball Technique!"
A massive orb of fire erupted from Aizen's mouth, the scorching heat warping the air as it roared forward, a blazing sphere that seemed capable of incinerating everything in its path.