The two remaining masked ninjas' faces twisted. A single glance between them was enough — they both read the same thought: if they couldn't finish Ayato, then take the client and run. Get the job done, grab the reward, and flee.
"Die!" one of them snarled, whipping out a chain that writhed like a sea-snake and shot for Tazuna's throat.
"You saw I was too strong and changed plans to prioritize the client? Good call."
Ayato sucked on his lollipop, watching the two attackers with the amused air of someone at a stage play.
"Mr. Tazuna, please stay behind me!" Sakura planted herself in front of the client, kunai raised to intercept the snaking chain.
Her face was pale and trembling with fear, but she stood her ground.
"That's brave of you. Very good." Ayato nodded in praise.
In a flash, Sasuke moved. He appeared behind one of the masked men, his expression ice-cold. He thrust a kunai deep into his neck.
Pfft.
Blood sprayed and the man collapsed into a crimson puddle.
Naruto's eyes widened and he instinctively took two steps back at the sight.
"The trash is useless!" the last ninja cursed, then lunged with iron claws at Naruto.
Panic gripped Naruto; his legs gave out and he fell, heart hammering as the snapping metal claws closed in. He was terrified — terrified of dying like those other two.
Till now he'd felt Ayato's overwhelming chakra and killing intent and shrugged it off because Ayato was their teacher. Facing a genuine enemy's murderous will, however, was different. Fear left Naruto frozen, unable to think how to defend himself.
At that critical instant, Sasuke sprang in front of Naruto and used his kunai to block the iron claw. The enemy's strength dwarfed Sasuke's, and his hand shook on the handle.
"Get away!" the masked ninja kicked Sasuke hard, then tried to grab Naruto as a hostage.
"No time for Fire Release!" Sasuke rolled, steadied himself, and began rapid hand seals — but the warrior's metal talons were nearly upon Naruto.
"NARUTO!" Sakura cried. Her voice tore through the scene. "Ayato-sensei!"
"Squad Seven… this is about your level, huh."
Ayato blinked and blinked again — then suddenly he was right in front of the remaining attacker. He raised his hand and slapped the man's head clean off.
The enemy's world spun.
Thud.
His head hit the ground and he fell unconscious.
All the attackers were down.
"Whew…" Sakura collapsed in relief, knees giving out. She turned to Naruto with a scowl. "Naruto — what were you doing just now!?"
She had never expected the usually clownish Naruto to shrink back in fear when facing death.
"I…" Naruto bit his lip and hung his head. No words came out.
"Sorry. Thank you." Tazuna bowed and looked at Ayato with new respect.
None of this made sense. The man who had seemed carefree and irresponsible had just handled three lethal ninjas as if they were nothing. Tazuna realized he had misjudged Ayato — his casual attitude wasn't carelessness; it was confidence born of overwhelming power. He hadn't underestimated the mission's danger because he simply didn't regard those enemies as threats.
Ayato ignored Tazuna and ruffled Sasuke and Sakura's hair. He smiled faintly. "Sakura, Sasuke — you did well. Though it took two of you to take down one scumbag, your performance was acceptable."
"Hmph. You knew there were enemies, didn't you?" Sasuke's tone was cool, hands still in his pockets. "You deliberately set the lake test to create a flaw and bait the hidden attackers, right?"
Ayato's observational sense was indeed strong. Even a member of the Uchiha clan could detect the three hidden shinobi in the water — that alone was praise.
"Really? Is that so? Ayato-sensei, you thought of all that? Amazing!" Sakura blinked, eyes full of admiration. Sasuke's explanation made everything click for her: Ayato had noticed the subtle danger and staged the chakra-control test to draw out the ambushers.
Ayato was brilliant! Powerful, handsome, and clever — a perfect boyfriend material!
Tazuna, having heard Sasuke's analysis, realized he had been wrong about Ayato. Ayato had already detected the enemy and baited them. Tazuna stared at Ayato and felt awe. He'd misjudged the man — Ayato was terrifyingly capable.
"Is that how it was?" Ayato shrugged. He'd simply noticed the lake and thought it would be a convenient spot to test the team and collect the mission reward sooner. Besides, the attackers hadn't been truly inside the lake — they had been moving with the water and popped up at the right moment.
No point in overexplaining — Sasuke already had that smug "I understand everything" expression.
Ayato turned and looked coldly at Naruto, the corner of his mouth curling in a mocking smile. "Not hurt, coward?"
"Damn it!" Naruto slammed his fist into the ground. Normally he'd snap back, but he lacked the confidence to retort now.
"Sorry, sorry," Ayato said with a teasing air. "I didn't expect you to be such a coward. Had I known, I would have rescued you sooner."
Maybe this would stir the Nine-Tails inside him. If that little monster's will strengthened, Naruto might push through and help complete their master–disciple mission. After all, the tool must be used properly.
Sasuke lifted his chin and glanced at Naruto with a posed expression. "If you're scared, go home. Bottom of the class."
Naruto gritted his teeth. "How dare you look down on me!"
"Anyway, old man." Ayato ignored Naruto and strolled over to Tazuna. He grabbed a fistful of the older man's gray hair and smiled, a predatory grin on his face. "Let's have a pleasant chat."
Tazuna flinched and looked away, nervous. "W-What do you want to talk about?"
"Don't play dumb." Ayato pressed his foot into Tazuna's chest and bent down, towering over him. His smile turned nasty. "You told me your enemies were bandits, but those scum we just killed were ninjas."
"I said I might raise the price, remember? You thought I was just drunk and joking?"
"And on top of the extra fee, there'll be an additional charge: my students' psychological counseling." Ayato's voice oozed arrogance.
Tazuna's face paled. The client who came for a bridge wanted safety and now faced the reality that the job had been dangerous in a way he hadn't understood — and Ayato was, unsurprisingly, already billing him.
Sakura's eyes widened. Sasuke's lips curled in disdain. Naruto pouted and glared.
The mission was done; the reward would be collected. But more importantly, they'd all learned something about their new teacher — and about themselves.
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