The first rays of morning hadn't yet broken through the canopy, but the inside of the tent was already stirring.
Okura was awake.
Wrapped in her shinobi cloak, the kunoichi crouched by the side of her two teammates. She sighed, frustrated but determined. "Come on, you two... we don't have time for this," she muttered under her breath.
She nudged Iwame first, then Zato—both still wrapped in their sleeping mats like lazy bears in hibernation.
"Iwame, Zato—wake up! We move out in fifteen minutes. Get ready. No excuses." Her tone was sharp, commanding, but not without care.
Iwame grumbled, "Ughh… just five more minutes…"
Zato mumbled something incomprehensible, his voice heavy with sleep.
Okura narrowed her eyes. "You two can sleep when we're not carrying a high-priority package through enemy territory." She stood, pulling her headband tight across her forehead. "This mission comes first."
With sleepy groans, both genin began to stir. Within minutes, they were packing essentials—kunai, shuriken, ration pills, basic first aid supplies. The tension of the mission quickly sobered their morning fog.
They emerged from the tent, stepping through the silent Iwagakure temporary outpost. Mist hung in the air, clinging low to the ground. Few shinobi were awake this early, though several guards nodded as the trio passed. The air was thick with anticipation.
The base ended abruptly where the forest began—vast, deep, and cloaked in mystery. Without a word, the team leapt into the trees, moving in perfect rhythm. The dense canopy above filtered what little light there was, casting eerie shadows across the moss-covered branches. Birds scattered as they passed overhead, a blur of motion and chakra.
Rain began to fall. Light at first, then steady.
Drops pattered on leaves and cloaks. The forest became a symphony of distant rustling, wet branches, and the ever-present whisper of war.
"Of course it had to rain," Zato muttered, adjusting the hood of his cloak.
Iwame gave a low chuckle. " Bad weather's just the cherry on top."
But the rain was the least of their worries.
As they continued, the trees grew thicker, older, as if untouched by man. Vines dangled like threads from the heavens, and glowing mushrooms pulsed faintly beneath the bark. Somewhere far off, a howling wind moved through the forest like a ghost.
"Stay sharp," Okura ordered. "This forest is old—and full of eyes."
Eventually, they came upon a narrow river, its waters churning wildly.
Okura signaled a halt. "We can't cross here. Look for a shallower point."
After a few minutes of scouting, they found a place where the water was shallow enough to wade—though the current was still treacherous.
"Cross carefully. One slip and you're gone downstream."
One by one, they made it across, drenched to the knees. Despite the discomfort, they pressed on, jumping from tree to tree again. After nearly half an hour of rapid travel, they paused atop a thick branch.
Okura unfolded a map, droplets smearing the ink slightly.
"We're close," she said. "The meeting point is just ahead—an open plain in the forest."
"I don't like this," Zato muttered. "Everything about this feels off."
"I should've stayed in bed," Iwame groaned.
Okura smirked faintly. "Too late now."
They dropped from the trees and moved on foot. The dense forest thinned slowly until it opened into a small grassy clearing. Mist swirled low to the ground.
The three approached cautiously.
"There's no one here," Zato said, hand on his kunai pouch.
Then, without warning, a figure emerged from the woods. Cloaked. Masked.
"Do you have the package?" the man asked, his voice muffled and low.
Okura nodded. "We do."
"Hand it over."
She stepped forward, keeping a close eye on his hands, and gave him the small scroll wrapped in wax-sealed linen.
The masked man handed them another object—smaller, tightly wrapped.
"Deliver this to the one who gave you the mission," he said.
Without another word, he vanished into the trees.
Silence returned. The air felt heavier now.
"Let's go," Okura ordered. "We're done here."
The Hidden Threat
Retracing their path through the rain-soaked forest, the team remained alert. The silence was unnatural now, like something was watching.
They reached the same river. The current had grown stronger.
"Cross carefully again," Okura said.
As they prepared to step in—
Shhhk!
A kunai sliced through the air, aimed straight at Okura's chest. She raised her own blade just in time—clang!
"We're under attack!" she shouted, leaping back.
Three leaf-nin burst from the trees, their movements fast, practiced—young, but trained.
Zato was already forming hand signs. "Suiton: Water wave!" he shouted, launching a surge of water toward the enemies.
Okura used the cover to create an Earth Clone, doubling her presence instantly.
The Leaf shinobi scattered, avoiding the wave.
Blades clashed. The forest lit up with flashes of steel, jutsu, and chakra sparks.
Okura's clone engaged one of the enemy ninja, giving Zato and Iwame the edge in numbers. Despite being outnumbered, the Iwa team's coordination gave them the upper hand. The enemy began to falter.
After a few more tense minutes, the Konoha team retreated into the woods, vanishing like smoke.
Everyone stood still, breathing heavily.
"You alright?" Okura asked.
"Yeah," Iwame answered, brushing mud from his shoulder.
"Me too," said Zato. "That was close."
But Okura wasn't smiling.
She looked down at her cloak. A shuriken had sliced it open—and beneath it, the package was slightly exposed.
"…Wait," she said, frowning. She unwrapped it carefully.
Inside was not what they expected.
Money. And a folded slip of paper.
"What… is this?" Okura murmured.
"Is that supposed to be there?" Zato asked.
"Not a chance," Iwame said flatly.
Okura stared at the package. "This isn't part of the mission. This is something else entirely."
"What does it mean?" Zato asked.
"Nothing good," she replied.
"More problems?" Iwame guessed.
"Definitely more problems." Okura's tone was dry. She looked at them both. "But for now—we head back to base. Say nothing. We'll figure out what to do once we're behind the walls."
The rain kept falling.
And behind them, in the shadows of the trees, something else was watching.