My Techniques are a bit off

Dusk in Tanzaku Town.

"So lively!"

Link marveled as he took in the bustling scene.

Drunken patrons staggered along the streets, gamblers cursed their misfortune, and scantily clad 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 entertainment.

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

With a client 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 entertainment district. This area, lined with inns and hotels, was more subdued. Ensui quickly chose a decent-looking inn and arranged accommodations for the group.

The receptionist barely batted an eye at the sight of Konoha ninja, though their presence—particularly 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 clan, Ensui generously covered the cost of their stay and even treated his team to a hearty dinner before disappearing for the evening without explanation.

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 corner, crowds filled the avenues, and vendors of all kinds hawked food, games, and trinkets.

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 novelty soon wore off. "It's fun to watch, but I'd rather rest and focus on training tomorrow," he thought.

Bidding his companions farewell, Link returned to the inn. As he opened the door to his room, he noticed a shadowy figure seated inside. Reacting on instinct, he began forming a hand seal to activate a jutsu—only to realize it was his teacher.

The realization left 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 notice until it was too late."

His own lopsided growth as a ninja left him with glaring weaknesses: insufficient physical strength, speed, chakra reserves, and proficiency in genjutsu. While his ninjutsu shone under specific conditions, his reliance on his techniques made him vulnerable in most scenarios.

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

His tone grew more serious. "Link, if you're willing, I'll bring you along. Successfully assisting will count as completing a B-rank mission."

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

As a jonin shinobi, Ensui had significant autonomy. He could command 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 contemplation.

Caution was important, but he couldn't avoid combat with other ninja forever. This was a relatively safe chance to gain experience while under the protection of an elite shinobi.

Ensui's satisfied nod conveyed 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 Technique burned through cash quickly, its near-instant activation and scaling 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 becoming a Chunin—Link was determined to 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 comrade who infiltrated the Land of Rivers."

It wasn't an assassination or direct confrontation, as Link had initially speculated. However, the fact that an extraction was necessary likely meant the comrade was being pursued.

"Who are we extracting? Are we up against Sand ninjas? Rock ninjas? Or maybe..."

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

About twenty minutes later, as they neared the Land of Rivers, Ensui signaled for them to halt.

"Shh."

They waited in silence until a faint, labored breathing became audible. Moments later, a figure emerged from the shadows.

A woman landed gracefully near them, her exhaustion evident in her heavy breaths.

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

~~~

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