4: The First Mission3
By the time Kanro Sasho turned thirteen, he had learned much more than any ordinary student at the Ninja Academy. His chakra control was exceptional, his agility unmatched, and his perception… unlike anything his teachers had seen before. Still, Kanro knew he had only scratched the surface of his true potential.
That morning, Instructor Yamato gathered the students for something different—a field mission. It would be their first real test outside the classroom.
"This mission is designed to prepare you for the dangers of being a shinobi," Yamato said, scanning the group. "You will be assigned small tasks, but this will test your ability to think, act, and survive under pressure."
Kanro listened quietly. He felt no excitement. For him, missions were not just about proving skill—they were opportunities to test his Path.
Training Before the Mission
Before leaving, Kanro practiced quietly under the morning sun. He found a secluded training ground where he could focus without interruption. Taking a deep breath, he centered himself, reaching inward.
He closed his eyes, calling upon his Seer Path. His pupils glowed faint gold as the world around him seemed to sharpen. Sounds became clearer—the soft rustle of leaves, the beating of birds' wings, even the faint sound of footsteps from far away.
He opened his eyes and moved with deliberate precision. His training was not just physical; it was mental. He worked on synchronizing his chakra with his movements. Each strike, each kick, each step was a flow of controlled energy.
Kanro began practicing a basic taijutsu sequence—fast strikes combined with sudden dodges. He imagined an enemy in front of him and attacked with lightning speed.
Strike: a horizontal punch aimed at the midsection.
Dodge: a sudden roll to the side, avoiding a counterattack.
Kick: a rising blow to an imaginary opponent's chin.
This pattern repeated dozens of times until muscle memory made it instinct. But Kanro didn't stop there. He added something only he could do—using his Seer Path to predict the enemy's moves. In his mind, he created a vision of his opponent's future strikes, practicing counters before the attacks even happened.
The result was a sequence of flawless movements, like a dance of battle.
The Mission
The mission took place at the edge of the village, near a dense forest. The team consisted of Kanro, two other students, and their instructor. Their goal: investigate rumors of rogue ninjas in the area.
As they entered the forest, Kanro kept his senses heightened. He could feel the chakra flow of his teammates, the faint disturbances in the air, even subtle shifts in the wind. Every step was deliberate.
Suddenly, the team was ambushed. Three figures stepped from the shadows—rogue ninjas clad in black, armed with kunai and shuriken.
Yamato barked orders:
"Defensive positions! Kanro, stay with your team!"
But Kanro ignored the order. His Seer Path was active. Through visions, he saw the exact sequence of the enemy's movements. His mind calculated their strikes before they happened.
The first ninja lunged. Kanro rolled forward, avoiding the blade, and struck with a precise palm blow that sent the attacker staggering. Another approached from his left flank. Kanro pivoted, delivering a kick that sent the rogue flying into a tree trunk.
The battle was swift. Kanro moved like water—flowing between strikes, predicting attacks before they came. His teammates struggled to keep up, but Kanro's presence turned the tide.
When the dust settled, the rogues lay unconscious. Kanro stood, breathing steadily, his pupils still glowing faint gold. Yamato approached him quietly.
"You have… something rare, Kanro. You fight not just with skill, but with foresight. But beware—such power comes at a cost."
Kanro nodded silently. Deep in his chest, the mark pulsed faintly. His Path was awakening, and he knew this was only the beginning.
As the team returned to Konoha, Kanro's mind was already turning to the future.
There were more Paths to awaken. And with each one, his journey would become more dangerous.
Somewhere far away, hidden watchers smiled.
"The trial begins."