The next morning, Izumi got up on time, because yesterday Tenten had told him that Team 3 had accepted a B-rank escort mission, and it was to be carried out together with another squad.
Walking alone through the bustling streets of Konoha, everything still felt strange and new to Izumi. But because of the time, he quickly arrived at the rendezvous point.
What appeared before Izumi's eyes, however, were two figures locked in battle.
"Damn it! This guy's speed is too fast!"
"Akamaru!"
Beast Mimicry Jutsu!
A boy with the distinctive red fang-like markings of the Inuzuka clan on his cheeks, covered in dust, dropped onto all fours like a beast and shouted to the ninja hound beside him.
Facing him was Izumi's teammate, Rock Lee, who, compared to his battered opponent, looked completely at ease.
"Damn it, stop underestimating me!" The boy, Inuzuka Kiba, had a fiery personality. Seeing himself being pushed into a disadvantage only made him angrier.
As for why the two were fighting, the reason was simple: this escort mission was assigned to two squads. The other squad was Kurenai Yuhi's Team 8, which also happened to be Hinata's team.
When Kiba arrived at the training grounds, he saw Lee training hard. Without thinking, he muttered, "How ugly."
Furious, Lee kicked Kiba flying. Not one to back down, Kiba got back on his feet and counterattacked. And so, the fight broke out.
Not only were Kiba and Lee fighting, but nearby, Tenten was also sparring against Aburame Shino, though both were holding back somewhat.
"Akamaru!"
Kiba was knocked back by Lee again. Gritting his teeth, he dropped to all fours, glaring at Lee.
"Woof!"
Beast Human Clone!
Akamaru leapt onto Kiba's back, and with a puff of smoke, a second ferocious-looking Kiba appeared.
Now facing two Kibas, Lee could no longer remain as relaxed as before. But as a fresh graduate, Kiba still lacked real combat experience.
Leaf Great Gale!
Lee seized an opening, landing a sweeping kick to one of the Kibas. The other Kiba failed to block in time and was struck across the face, sent flying once again.
"Damn it!"
Kiba realized his opponent was stronger in both skill and physical ability. Still, he refused to admit defeat. If that was the case, he could only use his incomplete secret technique.
Fang Passing Fang!
Kiba flipped back onto his feet, his body spinning rapidly. With Lee exposed after knocking out the clone, Kiba's body, like a tornado, shot straight toward him.
Lee noticed too late. Just as he was about to be struck, a figure suddenly appeared behind him.
"Bang!"
Two hands blocked the spinning attack, redirecting its momentum and smashing it heavily into the ground, leaving cracks all across the earth.
"Kiba!"
Nearby, Shino abandoned his fight with Tenten, calling out in worry while releasing a swarm of insects to form a shield, watching warily at the figure who had attacked Kiba.
"Those are… Byakugan!"
Noticing the familiar eyes, Shino was slightly surprised, since his teammate Hinata had the same.
As the dust cleared, Kiba's condition became clear. From the deep cracks in the ground, the force of his strike had been enormous. If Lee had taken it head-on, he would have been badly hurt.
"Izumi!"
Lee, realizing it was Izumi who saved him, called out in delight. He hadn't expected Izumi to ever show concern for others. In Lee's mind, Izumi was always cold and aloof.
[Congratulations, you have defeated Inuzuka Kiba. You have obtained the jutsu 'Beast Mimicry Jutsu'.]
'Recycle.'
Izumi had no interest in taking on a beastlike form, so he let the system recycle it. Still, he hadn't expected that even stepping in midway would net him a system reward.
A swarm of insects surrounded Shino as he expressionlessly faced Izumi. With his teammate defeated, there was no way he could take on all three alone, so the situation became a tense standoff.
"What are you all doing?"
A sharp voice suddenly rang out, tinged with irritation. When she saw Kiba lying on the ground, her displeasure deepened.
It was Kurenai, leader of Team 8. Because of the mission, she wasn't in her usual bandage-like outfit, but instead wore red clothes under the green flak jacket of a jonin. Her black curls and crimson eyes stood out.
From the scene, it looked very much like Izumi's team bullying Kiba and Shino, since Kiba was on the ground while Izumi's group remained unscathed.
Still, knowing her student's temperament, Kurenai suppressed her anger. Even so, her impression of Team 3 wasn't good—especially of Izumi, who had floored Kiba. But when her gaze fell on Izumi's Byakugan, her brow furrowed slightly.
"Byakugan? Is this the 'genius' Guy mentioned?"
The atmosphere grew tense. Shino quickly withdrew his insects and helped Kiba to Kurenai's side.
Izumi felt a pang of disappointment. The protective points he had been about to gain had slipped away. If he had defeated Shino, his chakra would have advanced to intermediate level.
'What a shame Kurenai's outfit hides her figure. But at this point in time, she probably hasn't gotten together with Asuma yet… in that case…'
Izumi glanced at Kurenai's attire, his thoughts wandering, though he quickly reminded himself it wasn't the time for such things, having just arrived in this world.
"Wahaha! Youth is about constant accumulation! The Blue Beast of Konoha has arrived!"
Just as Shino was quietly explaining things to Kurenai, Might Guy finally appeared, walking on his hands and flashing his gleaming white teeth toward the rising sun.