After testing the practical use of his new sword technique, Radiance, with Lightning, Mochizuki Hui was satisfied. Despite its flaws, it had the potential to be a trump card in the right situation.
However, Radiance was best suited for ambushes and killing blows. If it failed to be lethal on the first attempt, the enemy would be on guard, making it far less effective in subsequent uses.
It was a technique best deployed when fighting a single opponent, or in a scenario where all witnesses would be eliminated.
If too many saw the technique, future opponents would be wary, and the surprise factor would be lost.
Mochizuki Hui had hoped to continue developing more techniques, but an unexpected mission interrupted his plans.
He hadn't received any new teammates yet, but the new mission had arrived.
That day, Hui donned his freshly issued ANBU uniform, his mask hiding his youthful features, as he stood alongside a similarly outfitted Lightning in the ANBU training grounds, awaiting their orders.
"Another mission already, huh?" Lightning muttered with a sigh. It had been nearly a month since they last wore these uniforms. For a moment, Lightning had almost believed he had left the shadows behind and returned to the light.
In truth, if he had asked to leave ANBU and return to the regular ranks, the Second Hokage would likely have granted his request.
But the events of that fateful night had left a deep impression on him. He wanted to stay, to watch over Hui as he grew, and to protect him during that growth.
"Yeah, it feels like it's been a while since the last mission," Hui replied, realizing he probably wouldn't be leaving ANBU anytime soon. This was clearly the decision of Tobirama Senju.
After all, his growth in ANBU would be much faster than being in a regular shinobi team.
Suddenly, a figure appeared before them in a flash of movement. Both Hui and Lightning straightened their postures instinctively, standing at attention.
The figure was a chunin from the village. His eyes lingered on Hui for a few moments longer than usual, a glimmer of surprise in them.
But, trained as a shinobi with strict discipline, he said nothing, simply handing over a sealed letter to Hui with a bow.
"This is your mission. The rest is up to you," he said before disappearing in another burst of speed.
Hui and Lightning exchanged glances, both sensing a bit of uncertainty. Without wasting time, Hui tore open the envelope and pulled out the contents.
It was a letter—handwritten by none other than the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju.
The mission described within wasn't just for them—it was almost entirely for Hui alone.
Because this was an assassination mission.
With the full-scale war now raging, countless countries and shinobi villages had become entangled, plunging the entire shinobi world into chaos.
However, after several months of intense conflict, the tides of battle were beginning to shift, and the outlines of the war's ultimate victors were becoming clear.
Under the leadership of the Second Hokage, Konoha had managed to hold its ground despite being outnumbered, inflicting heavy losses on the other four great villages. Some smaller nations that had chosen to attack Konoha were even wiped out entirely.
As a result, some farsighted individuals had already begun planning for the post-war future.
However, not all powerful figures were wise. Some foolish individuals, seated in high positions, were steering their countries toward ruin.
The target of Hui's mission was one such figure—a high-ranking minister in a certain country.
This country held considerable influence among the small nations in its region and had remained neutral, avoiding involvement in the shinobi world war.
However, Tobirama had received intelligence suggesting that this nation was considering joining the war to secure some spoils of victory.
Unfortunately, the side they intended to support was not the Land of Fire, but its enemies.
Hui's mission was to assassinate one of this country's influential ministers—someone with significant power who was pushing for an attack on the Land of Fire.
The assassination would serve as a warning—a clear message to that nation's daimyo: if you attack the Land of Fire, no matter what happens in the war, you will die first.
Why had such a critical mission been entrusted to Hui? And why was it almost entirely his task to complete?
Because the country had two highly skilled sensory ninja guarding the minister and the daimyo at all times. For most shinobi, approaching them unnoticed was nearly impossible.
If an ordinary ninja tried to infiltrate or launch a direct assault, the resulting conflict would only fuel the nation's anger, potentially rallying other nearby countries to join in an attack on Konoha.
Thus, this mission couldn't be handled openly. The daimyo couldn't be killed—not yet, at least—and the assassination needed to be carried out without alerting anyone, especially the sensory ninja.
For most shinobi, this would be an impossible task as their chakra signatures would be detected instantly, exposing the intruder before they even got close.
But Hui was different.
His body produced no detectable chakra, allowing him to move perfectly undetected by sensory types. This made him the ideal candidate for such an assassination.
Moreover, his youth made it easier for him to blend into the background of this foreign nation, allowing him to get closer to the target.
As Hui finished reading the mission details, a weight settled in his chest.
This mission was dangerous.
But it was also the ultimate test of his abilities.
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