Nightfall.
Unless there was an urgent mission, night was meant for rest. After all, the team's combat effectiveness depended on it. The sooner one arrived at the post, the better.
Tenzō had also arranged night shifts. As usual, Fox would cover the first part of the night, Tenzō would take the middle portion, and Hyena would handle the last part until dawn.
This time, Xia Li hadn't made any arrangements—perhaps because it was his first night, and he hadn't prepared in advance.
"Captain, I'm a sensory ninja, and Fox handles medical support. Let her rest. I'll take the first watch," Xia Li volunteered.
Fox said nothing. Tenzō glanced at Xia Li. "It's not that I won't assign you duties. You see, this mission was prepared for you. You'll handle it alone later. For now, rest and prepare."
"Captain, I don't need special treatment. I just want the most reasonable arrangement," Xia Li said, locking eyes with Tenzō.
The most reasonable setup was clear: Xia Li, Tenzō, and Hyena. Xia Li handled sensory detection, Hyena took reconnaissance, and the most difficult part of the night would be overseen by the strong Tenzō.
Seeing the determination in Xia Li's eyes, Tenzō's usually stern expression softened beneath his mask. He finally nodded. "Alright, Fox, from now on, Mo Ying will take your shift."
"Understood." Fox said nothing, handing Xia Li a small piece of wood.
"This…?" Xia Li looked puzzled. Upon closer inspection, there was a button embedded in it.
"This is made by the captain. Press it, and it triggers an alarm to alert everyone," Fox explained.
"I understand." Xia Li nodded and put the "alarm" away.
Then Tenzō, Fox, and Hyena got into their sleeping bags. Xia Li was left alone, sitting by the campfire.
Watching the flames, Xia Li smiled. This team… wasn't bad at all.
Chapter 84: Xia Li's First Night
Around midnight, Tenzō opened his eyes, noticing the faint firelight and Xia Li sitting awake beside him. He was shocked.
"There's still some time until the watch changes, Captain," Xia Li said softly.
Tenzō's eyes snapped open. He had assumed Xia Li was asleep but had underestimated the boy's awareness. The faint breeze brushing his ear reminded him of just how sharp Xia Li's senses were.
At that moment, Tenzō realized they had indeed underestimated him. In terms of raw ability, Xia Li posed no obstacle to any team.
Perhaps he wasn't from a prestigious family, perhaps he was a pure genius—or perhaps both.
Tenzō quietly stood, careful not to disturb Hyena or Fox, and sat down beside Xia Li, adding more wood to the small fire.
"Mo Ying, you're incredible," Tenzō sighed.
"If I don't show it, no matter how strong I am, it's useless," Xia Li replied, opening his eyes. In this meditative state, he could both rest and maximize his sensory perception.
He could stand watch alone, resting while remaining fully aware.
Tenzō looked at Xia Li, unsure of what to say. There was neither the arrogance of a wealthy heir nor the pride of a prodigy.
"Hyena and Fox's attitudes weren't intentional. Don't take it to heart," Tenzō forced himself to make conversation.
"I understand. I'd feel the same if I were in their shoes," Xia Li said, then looked at Tenzō. "Actually, Captain, you were the same at first—only you were better at hiding it than Hyena. That's all."
Tenzō froze, then laughed and nodded. "Yes, I worried about your ability too. Our team never abandons teammates, so each one is carefully selected, and you…"
He hesitated, then fell silent.
"I was personally assigned by the Hokage, yet treated like a backdoor hire," Xia Li said, taking some wood and tossing it into the fire.
"Ah."
"But I'll prove I'm qualified to join this team," Xia Li continued.
"You already have," Tenzō's tone softened. "Hyena and Fox's attitude toward you has improved a lot."
"Not enough," Xia Li replied firmly.
Tenzō remained silent for a moment, then asked, "At this pace, we should reach our destination by tomorrow. Do you think you're ready?"
"Leave it to me. No problem," Xia Li said after a brief pause, his tone resolute.
"Good," Tenzō said.
They remained silent for a while, sitting side by side, until Tenzō finally said, "Alright, go rest. I'll take the next watch."
"Understood." Xia Li nodded and walked toward the resting area.
Watching Xia Li's back, Tenzō's lips curved slightly. Perhaps the Hokage had indeed given them a pleasant surprise.
The next morning.
"Good morning, Hyena," Xia Li greeted as he rose and saw the dog still on duty.
"Eh? You're up early," Hyena said, surprised to see Fox and Tenzō still asleep.
"I've gotten used to it," Xia Li replied.
Hyena's heart skipped a beat. Though the boy's true strength hadn't been revealed, the more they observed each other, the less they dared to underestimate him.
True strength wasn't just power—it was also awareness and composure.
Soon, Tenzō's team resumed their journey. There was no Hyena-style racing this time, and the pace was perfect.
By afternoon, they finally arrived at the mission site.
"This is your part, Mo Ying. We're observing from the shadows. If anything happens, we'll intervene—but I hope it won't be necessary," Tenzō said, eyes on the mountaintop.
"Yes," Xia Li said, securing his mask and walking straight toward a group of non-nin adversaries, ready to confront them head-on.
Tenzō and the others watched Xia Li's back. Hyena whispered, "Captain… is this mission really okay?"
"What's wrong?" Tenzō asked.
"Look at Mo Ying. He's young. Maybe this is his first mission. Usually, people like him we'd only catch one or two. And ideally, we'd eliminate only those who've committed unforgivable crimes, without remorse…"
"Hyena's right. It's unreasonable," Fox added. Even ninjas had to adapt; no one was born a killer.
After two days together, both Hyena and Fox had accepted Xia Li as a teammate, and now they began to trust him.
Tenzō smiled as he watched Xia Li. "Trust Mo Ying. He'll surprise us."
"Kid, what did you say? Are you here to destroy us?" At the hut's entrance, a tall, burly man laughed at the small figure before him.
The man's laughter drew more of his companions, but Xia Li said nothing. He silently drew his sword.
"Ha! Little guy, can you even handle that blade? Looks nice, well-kept, must be valuable. Hand it over!"
The brute's face twisted with greed and cruelty. He drew his weapon—a thick wooden club, nearly half Xia Li's height.
He swung it hard, showing no mercy because Xia Li was a child.
In the next instant, Xia Li vanished, leaving the brute stunned. When he looked again, Xia Li stood before him.
Something appeared in the sky.
The large man hesitated, but seeing Xia Li in front of him, he grinned cruelly and raised the club.
But suddenly, he couldn't feel his own hands.
Where… are my hands?
Confused, pain shot through his arms. He screamed and fell. Only then did he notice something in the sky—his flying arms, severed without his realizing it.
Still, the brute hadn't grasped the opponent's strength. Desperate, he tried to drag himself toward the village with his remaining hand, begging for mercy.
Xia Li took a deep breath. At the last moment, his sword had instinctively diverted slightly—after all, this was his first time.
But watching the man plead, Xia Li narrowed his eyes, forcing his excitement down, and approached.
"Sorry, you'll suffer one more time, but this ends now," he said.
"No… please… spare me…"
The towering man stared at the faceless young figure. The mask barely reached the waist compared to him, but now, to him, Xia Li seemed like a demon.
He saw the demon raise a sharp blade of death…
Xia Li swung, without hesitation, slicing through the man's body and head. Watching the terror in his eyes, there was no coming back.
Then Xia Li turned to the man's companions, who shivered as he advanced.
Chapter 85: Bloodstorm
The death of the gatekeeper shocked those drawn to the hut. They had no idea how he fell and trembled instinctively.
"What are you afraid of? Is he the only one scared? There are so many of us!" A trembling voice tried to rally them.
"That's right!"
These were ruthless bandits. Even without understanding how the gatekeeper died, they drew weapons, refusing to be fully intimidated.
Unfortunately, in this world, the gap between ordinary humans and ninjas was too great to bridge.
Xia Li paid no mind to their morale. To him, they were nothing more than weak, faltering targets.
He slowly raised his cleaver…
Each swing represented a life vanishing from this world.
"Seems Mo Ying has a kind heart," Fox said, eyes bright as she observed.
"Kind? He's cutting enemies, precision strikes to vital points—he's easing their suffering. They'd die anyway, so this is merciful," Fox explained.
Hyena paused, realizing she had a point, then shook his head. Absurd. They would rather live than die!
"Stop talking—follow him!" Tenzō commanded.
"Fine, though it seems we won't need to intervene, Captain," Fox replied.
"Exactly." Tenzō watched the blood pooling, astonished. The hut was large, housing hundreds…
Now, Tenzō worried. After killing so many in one go, could the others even withstand the shock?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
for 30 advanced chapter, visit my patreon
'patreon.com/fatimasoomro123'
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~"