The sound of synchronized footsteps echoed across Training Ground Eight as Team 8 completed their morning lap. Fresh autumn air filled their lungs while fallen leaves crunched beneath their feet. The familiar weight of his training seals pressed against body, but his breathing stayed steady after the twenty-kilometer run.
Three months had passed since the mid of summer, and fall had settled over the village with its fresh mornings and colorful trees.
Hikaru remembered how he used to gasp for air after much shorter distances when they first started this routine. Now the run felt normal, even with the extra weight pressing against his chest and legs.
Beside him, Hana and Nobue showed the same improvements. Their steps matched his rhythm without effort. The Haimaru brothers trotted alongside them, tongues hanging out but tails still wagging.
Hikaru adjusted his training shirt and felt the weight seal shift slightly. Five kilograms now—he'd been careful to increase the load slowly over the months. His body had grown stronger, but he didn't want to risk injury by pushing too hard too fast.
The weekend reflex training had been getting better too. What used to require all his focus now happened almost automatically. His hands moved faster, caught objects quicker, and reacted to sudden movements without conscious thought.
His Rasengan practice had made real progress. The rubber ball exercise that once took several minutes now only needed a few moments of concentration. He had attempted the third step several times, but it proved far too difficult.
His hope for the third step was a breakthrough through the ambidexterity training, but it remained frustrating. Drawing circles and squares with different hands at the same time made his brain hurt. Three months of nightly practice, and his left hand still produced strange shapes that looked like a child's artwork.
"Formation drill seven," Hideaki-sensei announced, pointing toward the training posts. "Let's see how your teamwork has developed."
Team 8 moved into position without hesitation. The awkward fumbling from their early days had disappeared. Now they flowed together like water finding the easiest path down a hill.
Nobue activated his Byakugan, the veins around his temples becoming visible. "Clear approach from the northeast. Three obstacles at medium range. Best flanking route opening on the left."
Hana and the Haimaru brothers shifted into their pack formation. Months of practice had taught them to move as one unit. The nin-ken had grown alongside their partner, and their individual skills meshed perfectly with Hana's developing tactics.
Hikaru extended his sensor abilities, feeling his awareness spread outward like ripples in a pond. His range had improved a lot under Hideaki-sensei's guidance. Three hundred meters on a good day—much better than the fifty meters he'd managed when they first started.
The drill went smoothly. Each team member knew their role and could predict what their teammates would do next. Their D-rank mission success rate over the past three months had been perfect, and their completion times kept getting better as their cooperation became instinctive.
"Excellent," Hideaki-sensei said, making mental notes as he watched them. "Your development over these months has been remarkable. You've all improved a lot over these months. The training and successful missions have turned you into a solid team."
The praise meant something coming from their experienced instructor. Hideaki-sensei had relaxed his formal approach as their skills improved, but his standards remained high. Earning his approval meant their abilities had reached real genin levels.
"Time for mission assignment," Hideaki-sensei announced, shouldering his equipment pack.
The walk to the administrative building took them through familiar village streets. Shopkeepers waved as they passed. Children pointed excitedly at their ninja gear. Other shinobi nodded respectfully—small signs that Team 8 had earned recognition through consistent performance and professional conduct.
"I've been wondering about our next training phase," Hana said as they navigated the morning foot traffic. "We've completed a lot of D-rank mission already."
"Patience brings advancement," Hideaki-sensei replied with an amused smile. "Learning the basics well prepares you for harder missions."
"We're ready for C-rank missions," Nobue stated directly, his pale eyes fixed on their instructor with quiet confidence.
"Readiness isn't determined by what I think," Hideaki-sensei replied with a slight smile. "The village assigns missions based on demonstrated competence and available opportunities."
The administrative building came into view. Over the past three months, they'd reported to the Mission Assignment Desk dozens of times. Garden maintenance, library organization, lost pet recovery, message delivery—all valuable for building coordination.
"Whose turn is it to lead today?" Hana asked, stretching her arms above her head while the Haimaru brothers trotted beside her.
"Mine," Nobue replied with his usual composed tone.
"Probably more garden work," Hikaru said, adjusting his equipment pouch.
"Boring," Hana said with a slight sigh.
The familiar routine of D-rank missions had become comfortable. Simple tasks that tested their teamwork without real danger, perfect for building coordination and confidence.
"Team 8 reporting for mission assignment," Hideaki-sensei announced cheerfully as they approached the main desk.
The chūnin clerk looked up from her ledger, her expression shifting to surprise as she scanned the available missions. "Team 8? You're being assigned a C-rank mission. Missing person case near the border region."
"Finally," Nobue said quietly, though there was satisfaction in his voice.
Hikaru's stomach dropped. C-rank meant potential combat, real danger, and responsibilities beyond anything they'd handled recently.
Hideaki-sensei accepted the scroll with professional calm, though Hikaru noticed his expression becoming more serious as he read the contents.
"The client is here personally," the clerk continued, indicating a young man waiting near the mission briefing area. "Village chief's son. His sister disappeared three days ago, and they have reason to believe bandits are involved."
As they approached the worried-looking client, Hikaru noticed the young man's trembling hands and the way he looked around anxiously, unable to stay still in one place.
The young man's eyes were red-rimmed with worry and exhaustion. "Please," he said as soon as they were introduced. "You have to help us find my sister. Our mother already died. I can't lose her too."
The raw desperation in his voice made Hikaru's chest tighten. This wasn't a routine mission anymore—someone's life depended on them.
"What's your name?" Hideaki-sensei asked gently, his tone shifting to the careful patience he used when dealing with distressed civilians.
"Mamoru," the young man replied, wiping at his eyes with the back of his hand. "Mamoru from Hayashi Village. My sister is Yuki. She's only sixteen."
"Tell us what happened," Hideaki-sensei said, pulling out a small notebook. "Every detail you can remember."
Mamoru took a shaky breath. "She was supposed to be back three days ago. Yuki goes to the market town every week to sell our vegetables—it's a half-day walk from our village. But this time..." His voice cracked. "She never came home."
"Did anyone see her reach the market?" Nobue asked, his pale eyes focused intently on the client.
"Yes, the merchant there said she arrived normally and sold everything," Mamoru replied. "But somewhere between the market and home, something happened."
"What makes you think bandits are involved?" Hana asked, one of the Haimaru brothers sniffing curiously at the air around Mamoru.
"Other traders have been attacked recently on that same road," Mamoru explained, his hands clenching into fists. "Three incidents in the past month. They take goods, money, and sometimes..." He swallowed hard. "Sometimes people disappear completely."
Hikaru's spine tingled with unease. The conversation with his academy friends about border tensions suddenly felt more serious. This wasn't just politics—real people were suffering.
"We'll find her," Hideaki-sensei said firmly, though Hikaru caught the slight tightness around his eyes. "Team 8 specializes in tracking and scouting operations."
He pulled out a small notebook and flipped to a clean page.
"We'll need detailed information about your sister and the route she usually takes," Hideaki-sensei said, making notes in his book. "What she was wearing, what she was carrying, any stops she typically makes."
As Mamoru provided the information, Hikaru studied the young man's face. The genuine anguish was impossible to fake, but something about the situation felt off. Not about Mamoru himself, but about the broader pattern of attacks.
"These bandit incidents," Hikaru said carefully. "Were they all on the same road?"
"Yes," Mamoru nodded. "About halfway between Hayashi Village and the market town. There's a section that runs through thick forest—perfect for ambushes."
"And the attacks only started recently?" Nobue asked.
"Past month or so. Before that, the road was safe. Yuki has been making this trip twice a week for two years without any problems."
Hideaki-sensei finished his notes and looked at his team. "Any other questions before we begin preparations?"
"How many people live in your village?" Hana asked.
"About forty families," Mamoru replied. "Small farming community. We all know each other."
"We'll depart within the hour," Hideaki-sensei told Mamoru. "You should return home and wait there. We'll send word as soon as we have information."
"I want to come with you," Mamoru said quickly. "I know the area better than anyone."
"There is no need," Hideaki-sensei replied firmly. "This is a potentially dangerous situation. We can't be responsible for your safety while searching for your sister."
Mamoru's face fell, but he nodded reluctantly. "Please... just find her."
After he left, Hideaki-sensei turned to his team. "Standard C-rank equipment load. We'll travel light and fast to reach the area before any trail goes completely cold."
"What do you think happened to her?" Hana asked quietly as they prepared to leave.
"Too early to speculate," Hideaki-sensei replied. "But bandit activity near border regions usually means someone is organizing them. Random attacks don't follow patterns like this."
Hikaru watched his training schedule slip away as they headed toward the equipment depot. The reflex exercises, the Rasengan practice, the ambidexterity training—all would have to wait while they searched for a missing girl in dangerous territory.
But looking at Mamoru's desperate face had reminded him why he wanted to become stronger in the first place. Not for personal achievement, but to protect people who couldn't protect themselves.
"How far is Hayashi Village?" Nobue asked as they gathered their extended mission gear.
"Two days' travel at normal pace," Hideaki-sensei replied. "We'll push harder and make it in a day and a half."
The additional supplies made their packs heavier than usual. Emergency medical kit, extended rations, camping gear, extra weapons, and communication equipment. Everything they might need for a mission that could last several days.
Hikaru had stopped by his house to leave a note on the kitchen table for Ayako, explaining that he'd be away on a mission for several days. He hoped she wouldn't worry too much, but knew she'd understand—this was part of being a ninja.
"Final equipment check," Hideaki-sensei announced once they'd assembled at the village gates. His demeanor had become completely professional. "Communication gear, emergency supplies, weapons, and medical kit."
Each team member confirmed their readiness, though Hikaru noticed the subtle tension in everyone's posture. This was different from their practice drills—more serious, more important.
"Our primary objective is information gathering," Hideaki-sensei explained as they passed through the village gates. "We check for witnesses, examine the route, and look for signs of what happened. Rescue operations come after we understand the situation."
"What if we encounter the bandits?" Hana asked, the Haimaru brothers trotting alertly beside her.
"Then we do what we're trained to do," Hideaki-sensei replied, his voice becoming more serious. "This is what ninja work really means. You'll need to get used to it—sometimes we do whatever is necessary to complete the mission."
The weight of his words settled over them. Hikaru throat tighten as the meaning became clear. Hana's hand moved unconsciously to the kunai pouch at her side. Nobue nodded slowly, his expression showing he understood completely.
The road stretched ahead of them, leading toward a small village where a brother waited desperately for news of his missing sister. Somewhere out there, bandits were preying on innocent travelers, and a sixteen-year-old girl was either hiding, captured, or worse.
As they settled into their traveling pace, Hikaru tried to focus on the mission ahead. This was what all their training had been preparing them for—not just a catching dogs or cats, but the harsh reality of ninja work.
The mission had officially begun.