"Oh-ho! So energetic first thing in the morning—that is the spirit of youth!" Might Guy flashed his trademark blinding white smile once more.
"Tch. Sensei, you were already here, weren't you?" Tenten said with a sigh.
Might Guy scratched the back of his head and laughed loudly. "Haha! You really can't hide anything from you kids. I just wanted to take a look at your current strength."
"Then hurry up and tell us the mission, Guy-sensei. I still need to get back and work on my ninja tools," Tenten said impatiently.
She cares more about her ninja tools than the mission itself, huh…
"So impatient—but that too is youth!" Might Guy laughed heartily.
"So, what's the mission?" Neji asked.
"Tracking and eliminating a rogue ninja—Takenaka Taishi," Guy replied cheerfully.
As he spoke, he handed them a file. The contents were brief but clear:
> Takenaka Taishi
Former operative of Sound Village, infiltrated into Konoha as a spy.
Strength: Chunin-level
Chakra Natures: Wind, Earth
Specialty: Earth Release techniques focused on restraint and control.
"Sound Village… Orochimaru," Neji thought silently as he skimmed the file.
Looks like he's already laying the groundwork for the Konoha Crush.
It seemed Orochimaru had no intention of waiting any longer.
"A chunin?" Tenten frowned. "Guy-sensei, doesn't this already count as an A-rank mission?"
In the ninja world, missions were divided into six ranks:
Super S-rank, S-rank, A-rank, B-rank, C-rank, and D-rank.
A-rank missions involved national or village-level matters—escort of key figures, or combat against enemy ninja forces. The presence of a chunin-level enemy alone placed this squarely in A-rank territory.
"Guy-sensei, are we really taking on an A-rank mission?" Rock Lee asked.
"Yes," Guy replied without hesitation.
Neji and his team had graduated earlier than the rest of the Konoha rookies, and their growth was obvious. Combined with Might Guy's overwhelming strength, the Third Hokage had granted them permission to accept missions beyond their nominal rank.
In other words, Team Guy occasionally handled missions involving other villages—normally B-rank tasks.
This, however, was their first true A-rank mission.
"Oh-ho! An A-rank mission at last!" Rock Lee jumped excitedly.
"This is the perfect chance to temper ourselves!"
Instead of fear, all three wore expressions of excitement.
A sharp glint flashed through Might Guy's eyes. He grinned broadly. "My youth is burning!"
"I knew it—these two are hopeless," Tenten said, shrugging helplessly.
Neji was equally speechless.
As expected… this is Team Guy.
"Alright, let's move. If we let that spy escape, it'll take far more effort to track him again," Tenten urged.
---
Whoosh—whoosh—whoosh—
Four figures moved swiftly through the forest, maintaining high alert for any irregularities in their surroundings.
Watching Rock Lee and Tenten, Neji couldn't help but reassess them.
As expected of Team Guy.
They were far more composed than the freshly promoted Konoha rookies, and their practical combat sense was clearly superior.
While Neji observed his teammates, Might Guy occasionally cast a glance his way.
Deeply hidden potential, Guy concluded inwardly.
But Rock Lee isn't bad either.
As fellow taijutsu specialists, Guy had always harbored a competitive desire between his own Strong Fist style and the Hyuga Clan's Gentle Fist.
Unfortunately, Hyuga Hiashi was perpetually stern and rarely sparred, so Guy had never gotten the chance.
That responsibility naturally fell to Rock Lee—his true disciple.
An ordinary ninja, defeating a genius through relentless effort.
"Let me make this clear," Might Guy said seriously.
"This mission is for your training. I will not interfere unless absolutely necessary. If needed, killing the target on the spot is permitted."
"Killing…" Neji felt a brief wave of disorientation.
In this world, killing was sometimes unavoidable.
He had never taken a life before.
"Neji? Neji—what's wrong?"
Tenten's voice snapped him back to reality.
"You're spacing out. That's not like you."
"It's nothing," Neji replied, shaking his head.
This mission mattered. He had to draw blood—and learn to accept killing.
If he wanted to survive in this world, this was the most important lesson of all.
If you don't kill him, he'll kill you.
---
After traveling day and night, they finally closed in on their target.
"Neji, Rock Lee—scout the area. Tenten, prepare for long-range support at all times," Might Guy ordered calmly.
"Yes!"
"Yes, Guy-sensei!"
The team advanced cautiously. Strictly speaking, Neji was still a rookie.
This was his very first mission—and it was A-rank right from the start. Feeling nervous was unavoidable.
Suddenly—
Over a dozen kunai flew toward them.
"Watch out!" Neji shouted.
"Leave it to me!" Rock Lee leapt forward, drawing a kunai from his pouch and deflecting every incoming blade.
"So he's noticed us," Tenten said grimly.
"Good. Now show me what you can do," Might Guy said with a smile.
"Yes!"
The three of them surged forward.
---
Deep within the forest, a man with completely unremarkable features and clothing was fleeing at full speed.
He was their target—Takenaka Taishi.
"Tch. They only sent three brats after me?" Takenaka sneered as he glanced back.
"Does Konoha really have no one left?"
"There's an open clearing ahead—Tenten!" Rock Lee called.
"Understood. Watch this—Barrage of Hidden Weapons!"
Tenten vaulted into the air, unfurling her scrolls as countless weapons shot toward Takenaka.
Whoosh—whoosh—whoosh!
Takenaka formed hand seals and slammed his palm to the ground.
"Earth Release: Earth Flow Wall!"
A massive earthen wall rose instantly, blocking the barrage.
"It's not over yet—Twin Dragons!"
Even more weapons poured out of Tenten's twin scrolls, forcing Takenaka to repeatedly use the Body Flicker Technique to evade.
"You little brat—you're asking to die!" Takenaka snarled, suddenly spinning around and hurling two kunai at Tenten.
She flipped backward to dodge—but the explosive tags tied to the kunai detonated midair, blasting apart a nearby tree.
At that moment, Rock Lee appeared to Takenaka's left, punching straight for his face.
"Oh? Fast, aren't you?" Takenaka smirked, catching Lee's arm.
"Kid, let's die together."
Suddenly, an angry shout rang out.
"Wind Release: Great Breakthrough!"
Rock Lee's eyes widened in alarm.
Another Takenaka Taishi had appeared behind him, unleashing a violent gust of wind from his mouth.
In the blink of an eye, Rock Lee was blown away.
"Die, brat!" Takenaka chased after him, kunai raised, ready to strike.