Chapter 31 — First Bloodline Limit: Explosion Release!
"The squad assignments aren't permanent. Adjustments will be made depending on mission requirements. But for now, maximizing your chances of survival is the top priority."
Obuya wasn't the only one dissatisfied with the arrangement.
This division had effectively broken apart most of the original teams from the Chūnin Exams.
Those who had grown accustomed to fighting alongside familiar teammates naturally felt uneasy being reassigned.
However, with the Hokage standing right before them, no one dared to voice any objections. For a shinobi, absolute obedience to orders was fundamental.
Besides, this was merely a reassignment—not a death sentence. However reluctant they felt, it was still within reason.
The Hokage's attendant continued reading out the team lists.
Yet as the final names were called, Obuya's gaze sharpened slightly.
His name had not been mentioned.
Uchiha Shisui appeared to notice the same thing, a faint crease forming between his brows.
After the announcements concluded, Sarutobi Hiruzen spoke again.
"Two of you have not been assigned—Obuya, and Uchiha Shisui."
"The reason I left you both for last is because of your exceptional performance during the Chūnin Exams. I have a separate mission for you."
At his signal, the others were dismissed from the office, each to be briefed separately on their assignments.
Only Obuya and Shisui remained.
Hiruzen's gaze swept over the two before he began explaining.
"There is a combat unit within Iwagakure known for its devastating offensive capabilities. We've just received intelligence that one of its members has separated from the unit to carry out a special mission. Your objective is to locate and eliminate this individual."
His tone remained calm and steady. For someone like Hiruzen, who had weathered countless conflicts, issuing a kill order was nothing unusual.
Shisui spoke first, his voice composed. "Sending both of us… then this is at least a jōnin-level mission."
"Correct," Hiruzen replied. "Although the target is officially listed as a chūnin within Iwagakure, his actual combat ability surpasses that of most jōnin. Even experienced shinobi would struggle against him."
A faint seriousness entered his voice.
"He possesses a dangerous bloodline limit."
Bloodline limit—
Obuya's heart skipped a beat.
Ever since he had advanced to One-Star Demon and awakened the ability of Body Modification, he had been searching for a suitable bloodline limit to acquire.
But within Konoha, he had always been restrained.
On one hand, there was the moral barrier—stealing the abilities of fellow Konoha shinobi was something he could not easily justify.
On the other, the risk was far too great. Between the ANBU and Root, surveillance within the village was suffocatingly tight. One misstep, and Danzō's forces would uncover everything.
And if that happened… the consequences would be catastrophic.
What he hadn't expected was for such an opportunity to present itself so directly.
Suppressing the surge of anticipation rising in his chest, Obuya asked, "Hokage-sama… what kind of bloodline limit does this person have?"
Hiruzen took a slow draw from his pipe, exhaling a thin stream of smoke before answering.
"The target's name is Gari. He possesses the Explosion Release bloodline limit. Any object he strikes can be infused with chakra and detonated at will."
"Explosion Release… Deidara…" Obuya murmured under his breath, momentarily surprised.
Hiruzen gave a slight nod. "That's right. Aside from Deidara, he is the only other known user of Explosion Release within Iwagakure. His destructive potential is immense. If left unchecked, he will become a serious threat in the future."
"When engaging him, avoid close combat at all costs. Even a glancing strike can trigger a powerful explosion."
Obuya and Shisui both nodded, committing the warning to memory.
Hiruzen then placed a map on the table.
"This is the intelligence gathered by our spies. His exact objective is unknown, but he is expected to appear somewhere within this region. Your task is simple—find him, and eliminate him."
Shisui took a glance at the map before handing it over.
Obuya studied it briefly—and frowned.
The markings were crude and uneven, clearly drawn in haste. Without prior familiarity with the terrain, it was nearly impossible to navigate.
And unfortunately, he had no such familiarity.
"Hokage-sama, you have my word," Obuya said firmly. "This is my first mission of this kind. I'll proceed with caution—and I won't fail."
At the same time, his resolve hardened.
Explosion Release…
A bloodline limit with overwhelming offensive power.
From the moment he heard it, Obuya had already decided—
This would be the first bloodline limit he claimed in this world.
After the two departed, a figure silently appeared in the room where they had stood.
"Hiruzen… don't you think sending those two kids to deal with Gari is a bit excessive?"
There was little respect in his tone.
Hiruzen didn't react, as if already accustomed to it.
"They are the most outstanding of their generation," he said calmly. "Shisui's abilities speak for themselves—his Body Flicker Technique and genjutsu alone place him beyond most. As for Obuya…"
"He defeated Shisui during the Chūnin Exams. That alone proves his potential. War is unforgiving. If he is to survive it, he must be tested."
The man fell silent for a moment before shifting the topic.
"Still… Obuya's bloodline ability is unusual. If he survives this mission, hand him over to my ANBU. I'd like to examine him."
Hiruzen's expression remained unchanged.
"If he returns, I already have another task in mind for him. We'll discuss it after the war."
He paused slightly before adding, "And your assassination unit—has it begun operations?"
"That is my concern, not yours."
With a sharp bang, the figure vanished in a puff of smoke.
Hiruzen's brows drew together slightly.
The existence of the ANBU… was a blade that cut both ways.
…
Obuya and Shisui departed Konoha immediately, without even taking time to prepare supplies.
Originally, Obuya had intended to say goodbye to Rin.
But by the time he looked for her, Kakashi's Team Three had already left the village.
The unease in his chest lingered.
He knew that, in the original course of events, Rin's life-threatening crisis would occur later in the war.
But now, everything had changed.
The timeline he once relied on was no longer trustworthy.
"The only thing that matters now… is strength."
As he leapt through the trees, his gaze hardened.
"Without strength, nothing else matters."
"If I can obtain Explosion Release… my combat power will increase dramatically. Against ordinary jōnin, I won't even need to hold back."
"Only then… will I have the ability to protect the people around me."
With that silent vow, Obuya accelerated forward, his figure disappearing into the vast forest ahead.