After half an hour.
"Huh?!"
"Hey, why did you all run away!?"
Only then did Reiki react.
He had merely made a suggestion. Shouldn't they discuss the specifics of the implementation plan together? These guys...
"Shisui, you're the reliable one here," Reiki muttered, glancing at the Uchiha beside him. "They're not loyal at all. I'll leave it to you to formulate the plan. I'm going to treat the injured."
Without waiting for a reply, Reiki disappeared in a blur.
"What?" Shisui blinked in disbelief. "Reiki, are you serious? How shameless..."
He had stayed behind to help Reiki, only to end up saddled with the entire task. What a predicament...
The Next Morning
"Why are you two coming with me?" Reiki asked, glancing suspiciously at Nozuki and Shisui.
Both were key figures in the special training camp—one a member, the other an instructor. Moreover, both were part of the battle plan. Following him to Rouran seemed unnecessary, if not inappropriate.
"We just want to see the power you've been hiding," Nozuki pouted. "Are you secretly training some powerful ninja behind our backs?"
Reiki scratched the back of his head awkwardly. "It's not like that. You know those kids from the orphanage? They're just the same as they've always been. Besides, we were in the same class back then. I used to beat them all in training—nothing special."
He hesitated, recalling the relentless challenges he faced from those he grew up with. Among them were the confident Runtu, the determined Guy, the youthful Might Guy, and even Lin, who often tagged along only to be defeated.
"Uh... forget it," he said, waving off the topic. "Anyway, we're going there."
Nozuki crossed her arms. "Doesn't matter what you say. I'm coming with you." Her intent was clear—she wanted to test herself against the hired ninjas they would meet.
"Fine," Reiki sighed. "But if you come, don't disclose any details about our mission. Not to teachers, not to anyone. Clear?"
"Crystal," Shisui and Nozuki agreed in unison.
The Journey Begins
Reiki led the way out of the special training camp. As they moved further, Shisui and Nozuki noticed a growing chakra presence nearby.
"Could we be walking into an ambush already?" Nozuki wondered, her expression growing serious. These chakra signatures felt unfamiliar and ominous.
Reiki's calm demeanor, however, left them puzzled. Could this be part of his plan? But the sheer number and strength of the signatures made them uneasy.
Suddenly, Nozuki froze. "Reiki, there are enemies nearby! Be careful."
Her warning came just as kunai and shuriken rained down on their path, detonating with thunderous explosions. Smoke and dust filled the air as the three prepared for battle.
A Powerful Force Emerges
"Who are these people?" Nozuki asked, her tone grave. "Some of them possess chakra that feels... like Sage power."
Shisui frowned. "That's rare—almost unheard of. Even Tsunade-sensei hasn't mastered Sage Mode. Who could they be?"
Reiki's expression darkened. "Get ready for battle. These people won't let us go easily. It seems a new and powerful force has emerged in the ninja world."
In moments, dozens of enemy ninjas surrounded them. Their numbers, along with the presence of strong chakra, painted a grim picture. Could this be a force as dangerous as the Kara Organization?
The Enemy Reveals Themselves
One of the masked ninjas stepped forward. "Reiki, Konoha's genius medical ninja, infamous for abandoning missions to save lives. Uchiha Shisui, a prodigy who awakened the Mangekyo Sharingan before the age of ten. Nozuki, the younger sister of the Fourth Hokage, already a jōnin at ten years old.
"It's an honor to bury legends like you!"
With that, the masked ninja unsheathed his blade, signaling the others to attack.
A Fierce Battle Ensues
"Fire Release: Fire Dragon Heavenly Dance!"
"Wind Release: Strong Storm!"
Reiki and Shisui unleashed a devastating combination, incinerating enemies in their path. But there was no time to rest. More ninjas charged from behind, armed with powerful swordsmanship and deadly techniques.
"Susanoo!" Shisui roared, activating his Mangekyo Sharingan. The ethereal warrior surrounded him, shielding them from attacks. In one hand, Shisui clutched a recovery potion; in the other, a chakra restoration pill. He grinned.
"Reiki's here. Worrying about chakra is an insult!"
Reiki smirked, his hands already glowing with medical chakra. "Let's finish this."