The first time I stepped into a real mission as a Genin, the world suddenly felt larger — and smaller at the same time.
I had spent years observing, training, calculating. I had watched Itachi, watched the other prodigies, watched the village's rhythm, its heartbeat. But a real mission? That was where theory met reality, and reality had teeth.
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Team Hayashi
"Arato Hayashi," the Jonin instructor announced, voice calm but firm. "Your team has been assigned. Sensei is Konan. Your teammates are Riku, a Hyūga descendant, and Mika, known for her speed and agility."
I nodded politely, offering no words of pride. Inside, I cataloged their strengths immediately. Hyūga bloodline. Superior perception, Byakugan potential. Mika — lightning reflexes, quick decisions. Good balance. I could predict how each of them would act in most standard situations.
Perfect, I thought. A team I can manage without revealing anything too early.
Konan-sensei was early thirties, calm, quiet, and sharp. She didn't speak much at first, letting the team size each other up. That suited me perfectly. Observation first. Reaction second. Words came last.
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First Field Exercise
Our first mission was simple — escort a merchant caravan to a nearby village. The elders called it a test of teamwork. I called it a chance to see how much patience the world demanded.
Riku immediately tried to assert authority, her Byakugan flaring as she pointed out the best path. Mika zipped ahead, sprinting along rooftops, while I stayed in the shadows, letting them make mistakes I could anticipate.
"Arato, what do you think?" Konan asked calmly, noticing my silence.
I tilted my head, considering. "We need a diversion," I said. "The path through the northern pass is narrow. If anyone tries to ambush, they'll see Mika first, then Riku. That leaves me with the rear."
Konan raised an eyebrow. "Strategic. Let's proceed as you say."
I didn't tell her that I already knew there would be an ambush — not because of a vision, but because I had memorized the terrain, studied patterns of bandit attacks, and calculated their timing. That knowledge was mine alone.
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Ambush
It came sooner than expected. Three bandits leapt from the brush, shouting and swinging crude kunai.
Mika darted forward, her body a blur, kicking one attacker off balance. Riku's Byakugan flared, anticipating strikes, while I moved in silence, letting my shadow blend with the ground.
I disarmed the first bandit with a precise flick of chakra. The second stumbled into my trap, and the third barely noticed my clone appearing from the side. I didn't speak. I didn't shout. Efficiency dictated every move.
Konan watched quietly, approving, as the mission concluded without a single casualty.
Perfect execution, I thought. But no one needs to know how easy that was for me.
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Aftermath and Reflection
That night, sitting on a rooftop under the stars, I thought about what had just happened.
Mika laughed with relief, Riku scolded herself for panicking, and Konan quietly praised the team. They saw teamwork, improvisation, courage. They didn't see me, hiding in plain sight.
I allowed myself a small smile. Exactly as planned.
And yet… there was a shadow in my thoughts.
The Uchiha. I had seen Itachi grow distant, even during the last Academy months. The clan's tension simmered beneath the surface. One day, that pressure would boil over, and I would need to be ready. Not just for the village, not just for my team, but for him.
Patience, I reminded myself. Control the board. One move at a time.
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Seeds of Strategy
The missions continued over weeks. I allowed my teammates to shine, subtly correcting mistakes, guiding the flow without ever revealing my full strength.
I began noting patterns: where bandits struck, which villages were poorly defended, which alliances might falter in the future. Each mission wasn't just a test of jutsu or reflexes; it was data, information, chess moves on a map I had memorized in my head.
At night, I trained alone, refining water-walking, chakra suppression, and subtle clone techniques. I tested new combinations in secret.
This is how I will survive, I thought. This is how I will thrive.
And always, in the corner of my mind, Itachi remained a benchmark. My silent rival, my mirror, my measure.
Someday, the paths we walked would collide. And when they did… I would be ready.