Even when facing death, Masaki's eyes widened in surprise. "What a beautiful weapon..." he muttered, momentarily mesmerized by the intricate design before launching himself backward.
"I must have that weapon!" Masaki yelled, his obsession with the chained kunai evident.
"Don't let him anywhere near you, Arashi!" Sae's voice hissed in his ear, a venomous whisper that sent shivers down his spine. "That filthy pig doesn't deserve to touch me!"
Arashi's eyes flickered towards the space beside him, a frown creasing his brow. "Just shut up!" he hissed back, annoyance overriding his composure. "Now's not the time for your shit!"
He turned back to face Masaki, his senses on high alert. But to his surprise, the swordsman was gone. "Huh?" he muttered, confusion clouding his features.
Suddenly, a cold blade pressed against his neck, the sharp edge biting into his skin. Masaki had reappeared beside him, his movements a blur of speed and precision. 'I can't let him-'
Clang! Sparks erupted as Kazuya's kunai intercepted the katana's deadly arc, deflecting it with a sharp, ringing sound. "Stay on guard during a mission, you punk!" Kazuya snarled, his Sharingan blazing with fury. He strained against the force of Masaki's attack, his muscles burning with exertion. "Don't let your guard down for a second!"
"Who the hell do you think you are?!" Masaki roared, his face contorted with rage. "I've mastered weapons all over the world! There's no hope for mere Genin like you! I'm going to kill you all!"
With a furious battle cry, he channeled all his strength into a devastating attack. He lunged towards Arashi, his speed amplified by the chakra-infused katana. But in those fleeting moments, as Masaki moved with blinding speed, a strange clarity settled over him.
Arashi, seemingly outmatched, reacted with a subtle twitch of his hand, a minute adjustment almost imperceptible to the naked eye. Yet, to Masaki, who was hyper-aware in this heightened state, it was as if time had slowed down. He saw the intricate movements of Arashi's fingers, the precise angle of his wrist, and the subtle shift of his weight. A level of finesse and control belied the boy's age and rank.
Masaki's eyes widened in realization. 'It's over. This kid, he's different. The weapon, the eyes… I won't survive this encounter.'
The raw power Masaki wielded was crude in comparison to the refined skill Arashi displayed. For the first time, doubt crept into his mind. He had been so focused on the weapon, on the physical manifestation of strength, that he had failed to recognize the actual danger – the boy wielding it.
But it was too late. He was already committed to the attack, and his momentum carried him forward with unstoppable force.
The realization of Arashi's skill, however fleeting, was enough to shatter Masaki's confidence. It was in that moment of hesitation that Arashi struck.
He vanished in the blink of an eye, reappearing behind Masaki. With a flick of his wrist, he launched a wire from his sleeve, wrapping it tightly around the swordsman's ankles. A sharp tug sent Masaki crashing to the ground, his head slamming against the hard floor with a sickening thud.
"Hng!" Masaki groaned, his mouth filling with the metallic taste of blood. He desperately tried to reach for his fallen katana, but Kazuya was faster. With a swift, brutal slash, he severed Masaki's fingers at the knuckle.
"Aah!" Masaki screamed in agony, his hand now a mangled mess.
From there, it was a merciless, synchronized beatdown. Arashi and Kazuya moved with a terrifying fluidity, their attacks flowing seamlessly into one another. They struck with precision and power, each blow aimed at incapacitating their opponent. Punches kicks, and elbows rained down upon Masaki like a hailstorm, leaving him no chance to recover.
It was a brutal dance of destruction, with Arashi and Kazuya taking turns landing devastating blows. They moved with a fierce grace, their movements almost balletic in their execution. It was as if they were competing to see who could deliver the most punishing strike, their rivalry fueling their aggression.
Masaki, overwhelmed and outmatched, could only raise his arms in a futile attempt to shield himself. But it was no use. The relentless assault continued until he finally slumped to the ground, unconscious and broken.
The hideout fell silent, the only sound the ragged breathing of the two young shinobi. Arashi and Kazuya stood over their defeated opponent, their chests heaving from the exertion. The battle was over, and they had emerged victorious.
Itachi returned to the hideout, his keen eyes taking in the scene. "Nicely done, you two," he commended, a hint of pride in his voice.
Arashi and Kazuya turned to face their Sensei, their intense glares locked on each other. 'He's holding back!' they both thought, a silent growl echoing. Their rivalry was palpable, and each was driven to prove themselves superior.
Arashi broke the tension, his concern for the victim overriding his competitive spirit. "What happened to Lady Hanako? Is she alright?"
Itachi's expression turned somber as he shook his head. "Lady Hanako sustained severe injuries, deep cuts, and significant blood loss. She's currently receiving treatment at the hospital, but they say she might not make it."
"Tch! Let me see her," Arashi demanded, clenching his fist in frustration.
"What, you know medical ninjutsu now?" Kazuya scoffed.
Itachi silenced Kazuya with a stern look. "Go," he instructed Arashi. "We'll finish the mission and search for the missing items."
Arashi nodded, his determination clear. With a whoosh, he vanished, flickering towards the village hospital.
He found Miyu outside the operating room, her eyes filled with tears as she comforted Lady Hanako's niece. Both watched helplessly as the medics worked tirelessly to save the woman's life.
"Miyu..." Arashi began, his voice heavy with regret.
Miyu turned her expression a mixture of grief and guilt. "I tried to tell you," she choked, "but... I didn't know what to do."
"It's not too late," Arashi declared, pushing past them and bursting through the operating room doors.
"Hey! What are you doing?!" the startled doctors exclaimed.
"Move it, or she dies," Arashi ordered, his voice brooking no argument.
"No! Get out of here, you brat!" one of the doctors protested.
Arashi ignored them, focusing solely on Lady Hanako, who lay pale and still on the operating table.
'Okay,' he thought, his mind racing. 'I haven't used this technique in years, and the last time I used it... it was a mistake. Now that I think about it, this isn't a good idea. No – it's too late to think twice.'
With a deep breath, he channeled his chakra into his hands, a faint green glow emanating from his palms.
"No way..." one of the doctors gasped. "Is he using the Mystical Palm Jutsu?"
"But Genin can't use that!" another exclaimed. "It's too difficult!"
"No, that's not the Mystical Palm," one of the doctors observed, his brow furrowed in concentration. "This is something different."
"Huh?" The other medics turned back, their curiosity piqued.
"Look at his palms," the first doctor urged. "His hands are shining a different light. It looks gold, while the Mystical Palm is usually green."
"Wha–" Before anyone could react, a blinding golden light erupted from Arashi's hands, filling the room. The doctors shielded their eyes in surprise. As the radiance subsided, they gasped in astonishment. Lady Hanako's wounds were closing rapidly, her flesh knitting together as if time was rewinding.
"He's doing it!" one of them exclaimed, his voice filled with awe.
Lady Hanako's eyelids fluttered open, her gaze meeting her niece's worried face.
"Auntie!" The little girl cried, rushing forward to hug her aunt tightly.
Arashi released a shaky breath, exhaustion washing over him. 'I did it...' he thought, a wave of relief and satisfaction washing over him. Seeing Lady Hanako and her niece reunited brought a genuine smile to his face.
"Arashi-kun..." Miyu whispered, her eyes wide with wonder. 'What kind of medical ninjutsu was that? It was incredible...'
The rest of the day passed in a blur. Lady Hanako, grateful, showered Arashi with thanks and even presented him with a coupon for an unlimited supply of sweets from her shop.
With his first mission completed, Arashi visited the Yamanaka Flower Shop.
The familiar doorbell chime announced his arrival as he entered the flower shop.
"Arashi-kun?" Ino looked up from the flowers she was tending as he entered the shop, a bright smile spreading across her face. She set down her watering can and turned to greet him.
"Hey," Arashi replied, a nervous flutter in his chest.
"Did you come to get some flowers?" she asked, tilting her head curiously.
"Actually... no," he admitted. "I just finished my first mission, and I... well, I just came here to talk."
"Hn," Ino hummed thoughtfully. "I hope you don't mind waiting a few minutes. I'm just finishing up with these."
"Of course, I can wait," Arashi assured her.
Once Ino had finished watering the flowers, she led Arashi to the shop's rooftop. In the center, a bench offered a panoramic view of the village. They sat down, the gentle breeze carrying the scent of blossoms around them.
As they settled in, they talked about their days, their conversation flowing easily despite the underlying tension Arashi felt.
"Asuma-sensei gave us a test yesterday," Ino shared, "and we went on our first mission today. But it was nothing compared to yours. Everyone's talking about how you saved that lady."
Arashi smiled sheepishly. "So even you've heard about it?"
Ino nodded, her eyes sparkling with admiration. "It's all anyone can talk about."
"Hn. I'm just glad she's okay," Arashi replied, a soft smile gracing his lips.
Ino watched him, her heart fluttering at his genuine happiness. She reached out to touch his hand, but he abruptly stood up.
"Well, I guess I should get going," he said, his voice laced with a sudden nervousness. "I've got to train more. Let's talk later." With a wave of his hand, he flickered away, leaving Ino alone on the rooftop.
She clenched her fist, frustration, and determination swirling within her. "I was so close..." she muttered under her breath.
"Arashi keeps getting stronger and stronger," she thought, her gaze fixed on where he had vanished. "I guess I'll have to gain some strength too."
With renewed resolve, Ino rose from the bench and returned to her family's shop, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.