Chapter 13 — First C-Rank Mission
The morning was gray and damp. Water dripped from the trees, though there was no rain. On training ground number 47, the three of them stood in silence, waiting for their mentor.
Kiyemi stared at the ground. Asuma rubbed his hands. Kakashi — as always — showed no emotion.
"Good morning," came Jiraiya's voice at last.
He approached unhurriedly, dressed casually, but with a serious expression on his face.
"Today is your first real mission. C-rank."
Silence. Only Asuma flinched.
"Shirakami Village. A small settlement south of Konoha. For the past few weeks, they've been attacked by bandits. Seven of them, working as a group. They strike at night, threaten the villagers, steal food, take men. One of them is a former genin. Name's Goru. He's strong — dangerous."
Jiraiya ran a hand through his hair, the trace of a grin flickering across his lips.
"Your task: locate, neutralize, and restore safety to the village. Straightforward mission. No romance involved."
"That sounds like…" Asuma started, but Kakashi cut him off:
"Doesn't matter what it sounds like. What matters is getting it done."
"Exactly," Kiyemi added. "No mistakes."
"Good," Jiraiya nodded. "We leave in ten minutes."
The journey took half a day. They walked mostly in silence, occasionally exchanging a few words.
Kiyemi took the lead. She listened carefully, noting trails, branches, and footprints.
"You think they're still nearby?" Asuma asked quietly once they left the main road.
"They attack regularly," Kiyemi replied. "They won't leave while they still have power and food."
Kakashi said nothing. He walked a few steps behind, his eyes hidden under his fringe.
Shirakami met them with fear. The villagers were tense. The village elder — a gaunt man with trembling hands — told them everything:
"They come at night. Take whatever they want. A week ago, they took Mori — our carpenter. He never came back. We're not fighters, shinobi-sama..."
Kiyemi raised her eyes.
"Where do they usually come from?"
"From the north… the forest… there used to be a hunting trail..."
Night.
Fog crept between the trees. Three figures — shadows in the darkness.
Kiyemi hid among the roots of an old tree. She held her breath. Listened.
To the left, perched on a branch, was Kakashi. Silent. Motionless.
Asuma was closer to the village, covering the perimeter.
Footsteps.
Heavy. Unhidden. The bandits walked boldly. Seven of them. One — twice the size of the others, a massive club slung over his back, a scarred face twisted into a cruel grin.
"Well, here's our little village," he growled. "Boys, make it quick."
Kiyemi inhaled. Exhaled. Her body grew light.
"Let's go," she whispered.
She surged forward — lightning-quick, silent. The first bandit didn't even register the blow before he dropped, unconscious.
Kakashi dropped from above — fast, precise. Two strikes — two down.
Asuma emerged from the dark, blocking a dagger and striking the enemy in the gut.
Goru roared. He swung his club — it hummed menacingly through the air.
Kiyemi stood before him. He paused.
"You? Hah! You should be playing with dolls, not messing with me!"
She didn't answer. She just stood there.
He charged.
The club came crashing down. Kiyemi vanished. Reappeared to the side. A strike to the knee. He howled. A blow to the shoulder. He swung again — too slow. She darted in and hit him with a Wind Pulse — it knocked him off his feet.
Goru struggled to rise. Then Kakashi emerged from the shadows with shuriken, and Asuma followed with a kunai. The three converged.
Three fighters. One goal. Three different rhythms — one victory.
Goru collapsed.
Silence.
Morning.
The village came back to life. People gave thanks. Some wept.
Kiyemi silently watched a young boy embrace his father.
"You did good," Asuma said softly.
Kakashi didn't say a word. But for the first time, he gave a small nod.
At Konoha's gates, Jiraiya was waiting.
He wasn't smiling, but his eyes were calmer than they had been that morning.
"Well then…" he said, studying their faces. "You did it. And you didn't fall apart on the way."
No one replied. Exhaustion weighed down their limbs, but their eyes were steady. Confident.
Jiraiya looked at Kakashi, then at Kiyemi and Asuma.
"Tomorrow's a day off. You've earned it. But the day after that, I'm taking your training seriously. Missions are important. But a shinobi has to grow. And you… you're still green."
A slight smile touched his lips.
"Don't expect mercy. It's going to be rough. But you'll endure it. Otherwise, you wouldn't be a team."
Kakashi gave a slight nod.
Asuma gave a tired smirk.
Kiyemi bowed her head and said quietly:
"We're ready."
"Good," Jiraiya nodded. "Rest well. See you the day after tomorrow."
He turned and walked away without looking back.
For the first time since their team had formed, none of them felt like arguing with him.
Because for the first time — they felt like a real team.