Dusk in Tanzaku Town.

  "So lively!"

  Link marveled as he took in the bustling se.

  Drunken patrons staggered along the streets, gamblers cursed their misfortune, and stily cd bunny girls enticed passersby with flirtatious gestures. The air was filled with cacophony, strange aromas, and the glow of colorful neon signs advertising all manner of eai.

  "Stop gawking and focus. Let's find a pce to rest for the night," Nara Ensui called, snapping his students out of their wide-eyed curiosity.

  With a t in tow, Team Five's pace had naturally been slower, and now with dusk falling, it was best to stay the night in Tanzaku Town.

  They turned onto a quieter street, leaving behind the rowdy eai district. This area, lined with inns and hotels, was more subdued. Ensui quickly chose a det-looking inn and arranged aodations for the group.

  The receptionist barely batted a the sight of Konoha ninja, though their presence—particurly the trio of diminutive students—earned a brief look of curiosity. Clearly, Konoha shinobi passed through here often. Whether they were here on missions or for more personal reasons was a matter best left unspoken.

  As a member of the affluent Nara , Ensui generously covered the cost of their stay and eveed his team to a hearty dinner before disappearing for the evening without expnation.

  The three students, now left to their own devices, decided to explore Tanzaku Town.

  At night, the streets came alive with even more vibrancy. Lights illuminated every er, crowds filled the avenues, and vendors of all kinds hawked food, games, and tris.

  Link strolled along, taking in the sights. The bustling atmosphere reminded him of his past life, specifically visiting shopping districts in Japan. But the initial y soon wore off. "It's fun to watch, but I'd rather rest and focus on training tomorrow," he thought.

  Bidding his panions farewell, Liuro the inn. As he opehe door to his room, he noticed a shadowy figure seated inside. Reag on instinct, he began f a hao activate a jutsu—only to realize it was his teacher.

  The realizatio him uneasy. "A jonin ninja’s stealth capabilities are terrifying. If it were someone like Zabuza Momochi..."

  He suppressed a shiver. "I wouldn’t even notitil it was too te."

  His own lopsided growth as a ninja left him with gring weaknesses: insuffit physical strength, speed, chakra reserves, and profi genjutsu. While his ninjutsu shone under specifiditions, his relian his teiques made him vulnerable in most sarios.

  Ensui, however, cut straight to the point. "Our mission here isn’t just the k escort. I have an additional A-rank mission to plete."

  His tone grew more serious. "Link, if you’re willing, I’ll bring you along. Successfully assisting will t as pleting a B-rank mission."

  He paused to let the offer sink in, then added gravely, "Uand, A-rank missions require my full focus. I might not always be able to watch your back."

  As a jonin shinobi, Ensui had signifit autonomy. He could and Anbu units, issue tasks, and even nominate subordinates for promotion. His offer was both an opportunity and a test.

  "I’m in," Link answered after brief ption.

  Caution was important, but he couldn't avoid bat with other ninja forever. This was a retively safe ce to gain experience while uhe prote of ae shinobi.

  Ensui’s satisfied nod veyed approval. "Five minutes. Meet me downstairs, ready to leave."

  As his teacher departed, Link scrambled to prepare.

  Equipping himself with every piece of gear, he made sure to include his precious wallet. Though his Binding Teique burhrough cash quickly, its near-instant activation and sg effectiveness based on the amount of money used made it a versatile tool in any situation.

  For the sake of a B-rank mission—and his dream of being a in—Link was determio be fully prepared.

  …

  Ten Minutes Later, Outside Tanzaku Town

  As the pair moved swiftly through the forest, Ensui briefed Link on the mission. "Our objective is to extract a rade who infiltrated the Land of Rivers."

  It wasn’t an assassination or direct frontation, as Link had initially specuted. However, the fact that ara was necessary likely meant the rade was being pursued.

  "Who are we extrag? Are we up against Sand ninjas? Roinjas? Or maybe..."

  His thoughts wandered as his body moved instinctively, maintaining the steady rhythm of a trained ninja in motion.

  About twenty mier, as they he Land of Rivers, Ensui signaled for them to halt.

  "Shh."

  They waited in sileil a faint, bored breathing became audible. Moments ter, a figure emerged from the shadows.

  A woman nded gracefully hem, her exhaustion evident in her heavy breaths.

  She had bck, wavy hair and striking red eyes. Her red-and-white jacket and mesh armor were stained with dirt and sweat. After exging a brief nod with Ensui, she downed a soldier pill and leaned against a tree to recover.

  Bleam