The team's return was brief. As soon as we notified the success of the mission, Miyuki was already holding a new list of assignments. Without giving us time to rest, we were forced to depart once again.

  The next mission wasn't too different from the previous one: exterminating bandits. This time, the target was farther away, almost on the borders of Iwa. According to the information, these bandits were originally from Iwa but had fled to Kusa when the authorities started dismantling criminal gangs in the surrounding areas. Seeking refuge, they chose the smaller nds of Kusa and entrenched themselves in a complex system of caves, using it as a natural barrier against attacks.

  The journey didn't take too long. From a distance, we spotted the entrance to the cave; it seemed ordinary, with nothing particurly eye-catching.

  — I sense several presences inside, murmured Aiko, her face focused.

  Akihiro, once again surprised by her sensory abilities, asked:

  — How many?

  — Five, maybe ten, she answered cautiously. I'm too far to be sure.

  Akihiro nodded, and Hiroshi intervened with an idea.

  — Do you have Earth Ninjutsu? You could block the entrance, and then I can use Fire Ninjutsu to force them out.

  Aiko hesitated. — I could try, but I can't promise it will work.

  — Then don't do it. Our only trump card is the element of surprise, said Akihiro.

  The team briefly debated their options. They weren't used to fighting inside structures, especially in a confined environment like a cave. Finally, they agreed on a less direct but still effective approach.

  Using the Flickering Body Technique, they moved quickly, getting close to the entrance without being detected. During the previous mission, Akihiro had learned the value of this technique: it allowed for high-speed movement with a low chakra cost, making it invaluable for both offense and defense.

  Once close, Aiko closed her eyes and sharpened her senses.

  —There are ten. Four are at the entrance, two are separated, and the rest are in a deeper chamber —Aiko reported.

  Akihiro and Hiroshi nodded, kunais in hand, ready to act.

  Aiko signaled to Akihiro, who responded with a brief gesture before concentrating.

  —Genjutsu: Deep Sleep —he murmured, barely audible. Although it wasn't necessary to pronounce the name of the technique, doing so helped visualize its execution.

  The four bandits at the entrance, who had been chatting casually until then, began to stagger. An inexplicable heaviness overtook them, forcing them to rub their eyes and drop their weapons. Some even tried to shake off the drowsiness, but it was relentless.

  Taking advantage of the confusion, the team moved swiftly. With the Flickering Body Technique, Akihiro and Hiroshi slid past the guards affected by the genjutsu. With fluid and precise movements, they neutralized them one by one, leaving them unconscious on the ground. Once immobilized, they didn't hesitate: their kunais silenced the bandits forever.

  When they finished, Hiroshi signaled to Aiko, who nodded. Closing her eyes, she began channeling her chakra, focusing on detecting any movement deeper in the cave.

  —None of them have moved from their positions, but I sense more presences inside the cave —Aiko reported firmly.

  Hiroshi and Akihiro nodded in unison. Following Aiko's information, Akihiro took the lead, guiding the group toward the pair that was separated from the others. However, when they reached their position, the scene they found was... peculiar.

  —So that's why they were separated —Akihiro thought, frowning.

  The two bandits were completely absorbed in their intimacy, unaware of the trio of ninjas watching them. Without wasting time, Akihiro cast a subtle genjutsu that enveloped the pair. They barely had a chance to react before Akihiro swiftly ended their lives with a single move.

  Hiroshi, intrigued, tried to ask a question.

  —That was...

  —You're too young to understand —Akihiro quickly replied, trying to divert the topic as he sheathed his kunai.

  —But... we’re the same age! —Hiroshi insisted, confused.

  Aiko remained silent, avoiding looking at the two while a faint blush appeared on her face. Before the situation became more awkward, Akihiro took the initiative and pointed toward the interior of the cave.

  —Let's move on. There's no time to lose.

  With Aiko guiding them, the group advanced deeper into a chamber where the rest of the bandits were hiding. The location wasn't far from the entrance, but the terrain made it harder to pinpoint, even with Aiko's guidance.

  Once they had located the exact position of the bandits, Akihiro didn't hesitate to take advantage of the situation. Without even entering the chamber, he focused his chakra and cast a genjutsu over the entire area. The unsuspecting bandits fell unconscious almost immediately, trapped in the sleep induced by the jutsu.

  Without hesitation, Akihiro, Hiroshi, and Aiko entered the chamber and neutralized each of the enemies. Once it was done, half of the mission was complete.

  —So far, so good —Hiroshi commented while cleaning his weapon.

  —Don't let your guard down. The hardest part is still ahead —Akihiro warned, adjusting his gear.

  The group knew that the most complicated, dangerous, and above all, tedious part of the mission was still ahead: the cleanup.

  They began moving the bodies out of the cave. Obviously, they couldn't burn them right there, as the smoke would suffocate them. So, they dragged the bodies to a safe spot, far from the entrance. Once outside, Hiroshi used a fire jutsu to incinerate the bodies until there was nothing left.

  With that, the mission was finally complete.

  At that moment, Miyuki appeared and, without wasting time, said:

  —Mission complete. Let's go, the next one isn’t far.

  Akihiro sighed, exhausted. He had used a great deal of chakra executing so many genjutsus in such a short time.

  Aiko also seemed tired. Using chakra to maintain her sensory ability at full capacity was draining, and her reserves weren't as rge as the others'.

  Hiroshi, for his part, didn't feel as fatigued. Apart from using the Flickering Body Technique and the fire jutsu to dispose of the bodies, he had barely spent any chakra.

  Without further dey, the group headed toward the next mission, knowing that rest wouldn't come anytime soon.