I rushed to where Shikaku-sensei was fighting, just in time to hear him speak calmly to his opponent.
"You're trapped in my Shadow Paralysis. I could end you now… but I'm fairly certain one of my comrades has already killed yours. I'll let them do the rest."
"Yeah," I said, dropping beside him. "You're right again, Sensei."
Shikaku didn't even glance over. "Bit of a dangerous gamble, don't you think? I could've run out of chakra waiting."
I smirked. "You could've."
He grinned. "I heard you coming. You weren't exactly quiet. Besides, if my chakra started running low, I'd just kill him myself."
Then his tone shifted seriously, measured.
"But it's time one of my genin got their first kill. This is the next step in your shinobi career. You have to make peace with it. Being a shinobi isn't all jutsu and glory. This is the dark side killing for your village."
"Nice speech," I replied. "But I already killed the Chunin Shisui and I were facing. So… not my first."
Shikaku's eyes flicked to me, sharp with surprise then approval.
"Then you've learned well," he said. "But today isn't just about the fight. It's about responsibility. You carried that weight and you came through. That's the mark of a shinobi."
The enemy jōnin staggered once, then collapsed. Silence settled over the battlefield.
I exhaled, adrenaline still rushing.
"Mission accomplished," Shikaku said, clapping a hand on my shoulder. "Let's deliver the supplies and head home. You handled yourself well today."
I allowed myself a small grin. First mission. First real battlefield.
Thanks to Shisui… but better to leave that part out.
We regrouped with the others. Minato had already finished off his two jōnin and now watched quietly, observing everyone's condition. Shisui sported a fresh bandage on his arm.
I pointed at it and made an exaggerated crying face.
He snorted.
I collapsed onto the grass, panting. "Okay… maybe that was scarier than I thought."
"Scary?" Shisui said. "You charged in like a maniac. Looked like fun."
"Hey! I was saving the day."
Kakashi peeked over his mask. "If by saving the day you mean screaming and almost getting skewered sure."
Guy suddenly appeared, vibrating with energy. "No! Shinji showed BRAVERY! Bravery is the first step to being a YOUTHFUL NINJA!"
Obito groaned. "Youth, right. More like reckless lunacy." He tossed a pebble at Guy. "And stop bouncing you're scaring the birds."
Rin giggled while checking Shisui's arm. "You're all ridiculous. But we did well. That's what matters."
"Fine?" Shisui said, elbowing me. "You call nearly getting stabbed 'fine'?"
"Barely counts," I shot back, sticking out my tongue. "I won, didn't I?"
"Winning isn't everything. Strategy matters too."
"Strategy?" I scoffed. "Who has time for strategy when you can just go fast?"
"You're impossible," Obito muttered.
Guy threw his arms wide. "There will be a next time! And I shall lead with spirit!"
I flopped back into the grass, laughing. "We survived our first real mission!"
"Don't let it go to your head," Shisui said, though he smiled.
Shikaku's voice cut through the chaos. "Enough. Let's move. Try not to break anything on the way."
Even as we groaned, we laughed teasing each other about bandages, bruises, and who screamed the loudest. Through all the chaos, I felt it.
This is what a team feels like.
Back in the village, we stood in the Hokage's office for the debrief.
Hiruzen Sarutobi exhaled a cloud of smoke. "I see. It was wise to send two teams."
He nodded toward us. "Shinji. Shisui. Excellent work handling a Chunin at your age. You showed leadership, teamwork and power."
Then to Shikaku. "Your team shows promise. They're close to Chunin level, but I want more experience before the frontlines. Remaining genin ensures that."
"Guy, Obito, Rin well done holding out until reinforcements arrived."
"Kakashi," Hiruzen added, studying him, "you continue to live up to your promotion."
"…It was to complete the mission," Kakashi replied quietly.
Hiruzen noticed the flicker in his eye and made a mental note to speak with Minato later.
"All right. Genin dismissed."
Shisui and I walked toward the Uchiha compound. Mikoto tended the garden while little Itachi toddled nearby, kicking a ball.
"You both look exhausted," Mikoto said warmly. "Wash up dinner soon."
"Mission complete," I said. "Barely."
Itachi ran over, eyes shining. "Shinji! Teach me how to fight like that!"
Shisui raised a brow. "We're sparring with a two-year-old now?"
"Two and a half!" Itachi protested.
We trained lightly with stances, punches, and footwork. Itachi's movements were uncanny: deliberate, focused.
He fell once, scraped his knee then jumped up instantly. "Again!"
Shisui and I exchanged a look.
This kid…
By the time Fugaku returned, he watched silently.
"Well done," he said at last. "All of you."
Then his gaze hardened slightly. "There's a new assignment. Rogue Uchiha have gone missing. Shinji. Shisui. You'll accompany me."
The weight of it settled in my chest.
"We won't fail," I said.
Fugaku nodded. "Tomorrow, we prepare."