One week later, in the Hokage's office, Team Qianyu received its first mission since its formation.
"Not long ago, I dispatched an Anbu squad to Yugakure, hoping to secretly discuss a potential collaboration." His expression grave, Hiruzen Sarobi rose from his desk. He picked up a scroll and handed it to Qianyu. "The squad entered the Land of Hot Water. Soon after, all contact was lost. Something has gone wrong."
"This scroll contains all relevant intelligence. The squad leader, 'Gale,' is a cornerstone of Konoha's strength. I want you to spare no expense in finding him and bringing him back. Or…" Hiruzen's words trailed off, but the implication was clear.
The others didn't matter, but 'Gale' knew too much. If recovery was impossible, they had to ensure no trace of him—or the intelligence he carried—remained.
"If there are no questions, depart immediately. No delays," Hiruzen urged.
"Yes, Lord Hokage!"
Team Qianyu was already prepared. They left the office with their village exit permits and headed straight for Konoha's main gate.
On the road to Yugakure, they discussed the scroll's contents.
"This 'Gale' possesses a Kekkei Genkai… 'Meiton'?" Nawaki sounded surprised. "First time I've heard of it. It can directly convert an enemy's ninjutsu into chakra and store it within the user."
The mention of a Kekkei Genkai made Qianyu's heart tighten. His first, instinctive suspicion fell on Hiruko, that white-haired, mummy-like figure who specialized in stealing others' abilities.
But then he reconsidered. Hiruko hasn't defected from the village yet. This probably isn't his doing.
"If the enemy was strong enough to overcome a Kekkei Genkai like that, they must have been incredibly powerful. Or numerous," Nonō voiced her concern.
Qianyu rubbed his chin, thinking it through. "Very few in Konoha even knew about Gale's squad heading to Yugakure. A large-scale ambush is unlikely. I think they ran into a small number of exceptionally strong opponents."
At that moment, Kosuke, who had been quiet, spoke up. "The Land of Hot Water isn't far from the Land of Lightning. It could be Kumo-nin."
From a motive standpoint, Kumogakure was the most likely suspect.
The Second Great Shinobi War had just ended. The political landscape between the major nations was complex and delicate. Kumo likely had spies near Yugakure, or regularly sent patrols to monitor this 'buffer zone' between their territory and Konoha's.
"Yeah! I think Old Man Kosuke's got a point!" Nawaki's eyes lit up. "Kumo specializes in taijutsu. Maybe they didn't use ninjutsu at all, or were so fast Gale couldn't activate his Kekkei Genkai in time."
"Or perhaps the enemy's chakra reserves were monstrous, exceeding the absorption limit of Meiton. Is that possible?" Nonō added thoughtfully.
"Hmm… So, we might be facing one or two squads of elite Kumo-nin," Qianyu massaged his temples, a dull headache forming. Konoha had operatives in the Land of Hot Water, but they weren't frontline combatants. If a fight broke out, it would be up to their small team.
"What's there to be scared of, Qianyu? You're crazy strong now. Your bounty's worth several of me," Nawaki grumbled, a hint of envy in his tone.
When they first met, Qianyu couldn't beat him. Now? Qianyu could hang him out to dry. It was the classic dilemma: you hate to see your friend suffer, but it stings even more to see them surpass you. Qianyu's sudden, explosive growth was just too abnormal. Nawaki had wondered more than once… It must be the difference in teachers!
If only I'd begged Jiraiya-nii to take me as a student back then! Nawaki thought with regret.
…
The group arrived in the Land of Hot Water, travel-worn and without rest. They immediately contacted the local Konoha operatives.
They learned Gale's squad had never checked in with the local outpost. Qianyu and the others sighed.
"Tch. And here I thought we could follow the trail. Seems the problem isn't on our end," Nawaki sighed heavily, feeling a sense of bewildered helplessness—like drawing his sword only to find no enemy in sight.
"No other choice. We'll have to split up and search. Hope we get lucky." Qianyu was mentally exhausted. Their very first mission, and it was already such a mess.
Gale had a special restraint seal implanted in his brain. As long as he lived, a corresponding technique could locate him within a certain range. The seal breaking meant he was dead—a form of insurance. The key problem was the unknowns: Was Gale even alive? Where was he? They had no leads.
"Time is limited. We'll operate on the assumption with the highest probability: that Gale's squad was intercepted by Kumo," Kosuke said, spreading a map on a nearby table. "If the enemy wants to extract intelligence from Gale, then he's likely still alive but has almost certainly been incapacitated. In that state, their movement speed wouldn't be fast."
Kosuke made a series of deductions. He picked up a pencil and drew three lines between the Land of Lightning's border and Yugakure.
"I suggest we split into three teams. Each follows one of these routes and searches along the way. We might find something."
Having an old veteran on the team was like having a treasure. The wealth of experience and sharp strategic insight Kosuke had cultivated over decades was something Qianyu and the others couldn't match.
Even though Kosuke was 'speculating' the entire time, his confident tone made everyone present feel that what he described was most likely fact.
"Kosuke-senpai, which route do you think they'd most likely take?" Qianyu asked humbly.
"If I were these Kumo-nin, and I was confident in my squad's strength…" Kosuke closed his eyes, thinking for a moment, then snapped them open and pointed to the shortest path. "I'd prioritize this one."
"Alright. In that case, I'll lead the team searching this route," Qianyu said after a glance. "Nawaki, you team up with Nonō. Kosuke-senpai, you lead a team alone. How's that?"
No one objected, knowing Qianyu's capabilities. "Just be careful out there, Qianyu," Kosuke urged.
"Don't worry. No time to waste. Let's move," Qianyu said seriously.
…
The teams split up.
Qianyu led a squad of six. Starting from Yugakure, they began searching along the route Kosuke had indicated, pushing deep into a vast, primordial forest.
No idea if this 'Gale' is even alive, or if the enemy really is Kumo… It'd be great if we could save him. Maybe I could even get his Meiton…
Unfortunately, they searched for two full days and a night but found no trace of Gale's squad. Activating the tracking technique yielded no response.
The squad members had been moving relentlessly for over forty hours. They were exhausted, their eyes bloodshot.
Qianyu, in contrast, seemed fine—still bursting with energy, as if he could keep going for another three days and nights without rest.
These Anbu guys are monsters. Do they never get tired?
Knowing this couldn't continue, a few squad members gritted their teeth, quickened their pace, and caught up to Qianyu.
"Lord Thunder, could we… stop for a brief rest?"
"That's right, Lord Thunder. Our stamina is spent. If we encounter the enemy now, we'd only become a burden to you," they said with a wry smile.
"Hmm. You have a point," Qianyu nodded slightly. "Here's the plan. You all stay here, rest, and keep hidden. I'll scout ahead alone for a bit."
"Sir, isn't going alone too dangerous?"
"Relax. I know my limits."
Qianyu was bold because of his considerable skill. With the trump cards he now possessed, his self-preservation ability was substantial. Going solo was actually more convenient. If they encountered enemies with the squad in tow, he'd have to split his attention protecting them and couldn't go all out. Solo, his mobility was unmatched.
"Dance of the Shikigami!"
A single person's search width was limited, so Qianyu opted for 'depth.' He'd rush to the midpoint of this route at high speed, then begin his search.
Whoosh—
Qianyu dissolved into countless paper sheets. Using the forest's shadows for cover, they flew swiftly and silently into the distance.
"That incredible ninjutsu… it's amazing every time I see it."
"Yeah. If I could fly, I'd definitely take my wife up for a spin, haha!"
Watching Qianyu depart, the squad members whispered, a mix of awe and envy.
…
He flew for an unknown length of time. The night grew deeper, like a black tide that had completely submerged the forest.
Qianyu gauged his chakra reserves—about one-tenth consumed—then descended from the air, his body reforming.
"Technique: Trace!"
Qianyu pulled out a specially-made talisman, formed hand seals, and activated the technique once more, not really expecting anything.
But this time, the previously unresponsive talisman suddenly floated up from Qianyu's hand, drifting slowly… to his left.
"We actually found him!"
In the pitch-black darkness, Qianyu's eyes blazed.
~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~
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