My Techniques are a bit off

"Does this count as completing a B-rank mission?"

Walking back to the inn, Link couldn't quite tell if he was disappointed or happy. He felt oddly calm, as if his first battle had been a bit... underwhelming.

It was as if he had simply ridden the coattails of two jonin and completed the mission without contributing much himself.

He didn't know why the mission had been issued, what its context was, or why there had been a conflict with Amegakure shinobi. From start to finish, it all felt hazy and confusing.

In terms of performance, he didn't accomplish much. Could this even be credited as a B-rank mission for him?

Strolling along the roadside, he pondered the mission briefly before shifting his thoughts to the brief encounter with the Amegakure shinobi.

The Amegakure ninja who kicked him had undoubtedly surpassed him in strength, speed, and power. If the fight had turned into close-quarters combat, it might have been troublesome.

But that opponent had underestimated him—a nine-year-old kid with little physical prowess and no apparent combat skills. He had simply kicked Link aside, assuming it was enough to incapacitate him, before going after the female ninja.

The instant his "body" broke apart midair while his "head" remained in place, the shinobi had clearly mistaken it for a genjutsu.

Instinctively disrupting their chakra flow to dispel the supposed genjutsu, they lost crucial seconds. By the time they realized it wasn't a genjutsu, Link, despite his inferior physical strength, had already wounded them.

If the female ninja hadn't stepped in to finish the job, Link still believed he could have secured a victory in the end.

A single misstep in judgment could determine life or death.

For some reason, Link suddenly thought of another person—Shikamaru Nara.

In the original series, Shikamaru was described as someone capable of instantly selecting the correct option among 200 possible strategies.

Would he himself be able to make the right call in a similar scenario and execute it without hesitation?

He sighed quietly. Switching perspectives, if he had been in the Amegakure ninja's position, he probably would have reacted the same way—shocked, instinctively trying to dispel the supposed genjutsu, and ultimately failing or even dying because of it.

The simulations at the academy had taught him many things, and his only two real experiences—both involving jonin battles—had left him feeling a bit untethered.

For a brief moment, he'd almost convinced himself that as long as he summoned a powerful substitute, he could stand toe-to-toe with a jonin. That fleeting thought, though naive, felt intoxicating.

But real battles didn't come with preparation time or neatly arranged standoffs.

There were no turn-based attacks, no "your move, my move" scenarios.

It was ambushes, assassinations, and stealth. It was fighting unknown enemies in chaotic circumstances where a single mistake could mean death.

Shinobi were not samurai; their purpose was to take lives with the least cost to themselves.

For Link, however, this fight provided something far more valuable—it confirmed that his jutsu gave him a genuine edge against other shinobi.

It gave him confidence.

His defeats during the two graduation exams at the hands of jonin had shaken his self-assurance. Now, he realized it wasn't that he was weak; jonin were just incredibly strong.

The fight also reinforced the importance of always maintaining his Clone Technique as a passive defense. The only downside? His opponent hadn't given him the opportunity to test his new battle system with the Transformation Technique.

These reflections steadied him. He wouldn't underestimate or overestimate himself—a balanced mindset was crucial.

"My first B-rank mission, my first encounter with another shinobi…"

Standing in front of the inn, Link glanced back at the brightly lit streets.

"Not bad at all."

…

The next morning, Nara Ensui returned to the inn and informed the Team Five that they could explore Tanzaku Town until noon before heading back to Konoha.

Unaware that their teacher and teammate had taken part in an A-(B-)rank mission the previous night, Iris and Ami each grabbed their wallets and went off to enjoy themselves.

Tanzaku Town wasn't just known for its seedy attractions—it also boasted one of the most famous amusement parks in the Land of Fire.

Link couldn't understand why a town infamous for gambling, illicit activities, and debauchery would have an amusement park of all things.

Instead of joining his teammates, he wandered alone to Tanzaku Castle—an ancient fortress from the war-torn past, now a cultural heritage site in the Land of Fire. Its architectural style was strikingly similar to the castles of Japan from his previous life.

The bustling crowd included many foreign tourists, their attire vastly different from locals. After circling the castle, Link climbed to the highest vantage point to take in the view—a blend of historical architecture and the bustling modernity of Tanzaku Town.

The streets below were lined with Konoha-style buildings, harmoniously combining different heights and shapes. Advertising banners, electrical wires, and modern touches like appliance shops added a contemporary vibe.

Yet, despite the technological advances, Konoha still relied on short-range radio headsets for communication (up to 500 meters). Long-distance calls and energy-intensive surgeries required lightning release techniques or oversized batteries.

The world's technological inconsistencies were baffling.

If someone told me one day that everyone in the Naruto world is secretly an orc, I wouldn't even be surprised, Link thought.

After exploring Tanzaku Castle, he returned to the inn, where his teammates and teacher regrouped to head back to Konoha.

Without the merchant slowing them down, the group moved at full speed. Setting out after lunch, they reached the village before nightfall.

At the mission assignment office, they handed in their completed task and collected the reward. The four then parted ways, but Nara Ensui stopped Link to have a word.

"You did well in last night's mission."

"Well, I mean—" Link began, realizing this marked his first completed B-rank mission.

"That's right," Ensui confirmed with a smile. "Congratulations on completing your first B-rank mission."

Link pursed his lips, tilting his head to look up at his teacher. "Thank you for the opportunity."

"Don't get cocky," Ensui advised. "Completing one B-rank mission is just the beginning."

He tossed a small booklet to Link. "Study this carefully. There will be more B-rank and higher-level missions coming your way. I'll assess your performance and recommend you for chunin promotion accordingly."

[Konoha Chunin Guidebook]

Just reading the title brought a smile to Link's face. "Thank you so much, Ensui-sensei!"

"Well…" Ensui scratched the back of his head, his slightly weathered face showing a rare glimpse of youthfulness. "Taking care of you three brats is exhausting."

He patted Link on the shoulder. "Keep up the good work." With that, he left.

~~~

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